Chapter 185: Ch 185: Bye Bye :)
I remember.
When I had just been promoted to Supervisor at Daydream Inc.
I got caught up in that serial killer lodge ghost story because of a certain
roommate of mine, but I barely managed to clear it without having anyone
killed.
As a reward, I ’inherited’ this tattoo from the lodge owner.
: 恩主 :
Later, I upgraded it at Moonlight Tattoo Shop, so now I use part of the
lodge like an inventory subspace, but in truth, that’s not the real nature of
this tattoo.
The lodge keeper’s employment authority.
It was a contract for commanding the servants who ran the serial killer
lodge.
But I couldn’t use it.
– However, with all due respect, the employer must meet certain
qualifications.
That didn’t matter to me. I only tried to take over the employment contract
to stop the lodge ghost story.
But...
Now, in this moment.
A person of inherent, existential nobility.
The employment contract says so.
That I meet that standard.
"You called for me."
Somehow, standing across from me, holding the employment contract, was
a man in shabby clothes.
In his hand, the red wax seal he used for his original contract was still
intact.
The mountain lodge keeper.
Wearing a worn-out garment that covered his head, he nevertheless looked
at me quietly, exuding a certain dignity and decorum befitting an attendant.
’...!’
"As you have met the qualifications of my employer, I stand before you to
serve and follow your orders under the authority of the contract."
– There must be inherent, existential nobility.
Wait a sec.
I hurriedly summoned my black smoke to move.
Perhaps because this ability was deemed unsuited for a ’Flower Golden
Resort’ employee, it was even harder to use than before.
And even though the black smoke turned golden midway, I still managed to
write out the words successfully.
I’m qualified?
Where did that judgment come from?
"I too have some doubts, but that’s not for me to decide."
But the criteria for nobility are
What you think they are
"I understand."
Like a true servant, the mountain lodge keeper immediately spoke.
"Exceptional birth."
...!
"A promised inheritance and power. The existence of those who beg for fear
and mercy from them."
And then...
"The ruthless and powerful authority as a landlord exercised over the
parasites, visitors, intruders, and challengers in one’s domain."
...Why do these explanations sound like something out of a disaster god’s
job description? Wasn’t nobility supposed to be about good and virtuous
values?
Well, come to think of it, the lodge keeper’s master was a madman who
lured people with inheritance just to have them kill and be killed in the
lodge.
’Brutal...’
The more I listened, the more I realized these conditions were never meant
for humans.
But apparently, everything I’ve done so far, being reborn as a mascot in a
ghost story, fit those requirements.
’Did the Yellow Zone of the theme park get judged as my domain...?’
But there’s one thing I don’t understand.
A promised inheritance and power?
"That’s right. You’ve had it since the first time we met."
The lodge keeper bowed his head again.
But do I really have something like that?
Sensing my confusion, the lodge keeper respectfully pointed to something.
"It’s proven by a mark even more powerful than the seal of my employment
contract."
...!
Reflexively, I looked down at my left arm, hidden under my Security Team
uniform.
My other tattoo.
: Socius :
The mark given to me by the Blue Mascot.
I turned toward the gate. The Blue Mascot, looking rather proud, said
something.
I’m
Good Child’s
Guardian
’...!!’
Good Child
Must Protect
Wait a minute.
So this tattoo... didn’t ’socius’ mean something like ’companion, member,
kin’ in Latin?
I’d always thought it was just a VIP annual pass for the theme park since it
burned onto my wrist as the annual membership ticket was destroyed.
But in truth, it was something even stronger...
’They’re saying... They’re guarding me? Claiming me as family?’
I met the gaze of the cutely deformed blue dragon.
A mix of gratitude and chills passed through me.
Surely, it was an act of goodwill, and thanks to it, I had definitely benefited
and escaped danger a few times.
But ultimately, it was because of this mascot’s goodwill that I ended up
trapped in Cheerful Theme Park.
And besides...
Today, ever since dawn, it feels like I can hear the blue dragon’s words even
more clearly...
’...’
Stiffly, I stared at the Blue Mascot, and both the mascot and the nearby staff
seemed to grow restless.
Just then, the lodge keeper’s voice rang out.
"Will you assign me to manage your domain?"
Wait.
Can you work
At this resort?
"Of course. Would you like to instruct me to manage this territory called
’Flower Golden Resort’?"
He maintained perfect politeness, but there was a hint of impatience or
anticipation behind the question.
Suddenly, I remembered how those who were completely bound to an
employee contract in this resort had worked with real joy.
Even me, when I was fully immersed in management as a mascot.
Are you someone who wants to work?
"That’s not important. Only the will of my employer matters."
The employer’s will
I want to know more
"...I exist to manage my employer’s domain on behalf of them."
The lodge keeper explained.
"I have faithfully cared for the manor of a noble master, but if you entrust
me with a greater post, I can serve you with even stronger servants to
match..."
A desire to become something greater flickered briefly, then vanished.
So if he’s assigned to manage this resort, which is larger than the lodge,
he’ll be able to exercise greater abilities.
Wait a minute.
You said you’d act on my behalf?
Then...
Even if I’m not here
The resort can still be run?
"Yes. I am a servant hired for that very purpose."
A chill ran through my body.
Every operating zone of Cheerful Theme Park must have a mascot.
I couldn’t just offload my officially recognized mascot duties after the
ceremony, but... if there was a perfect agent to take my place...
Could I finally leave?
"Shall I begin?"
I nodded.
At that moment.
"I will work according to your instructions."
The lodge keeper’s appearance began to change.
...!
His shabby rags vanished, and a uniform and suit befitting a resort staff
member appeared.
White gloves, neatly combed black hair, dress shoes, a monocle, and even
the mask symbolizing the Yellow Mascot.
And then...
[Manager]
A name badge.
"Thank you very much."
I had hired the mountain lodge keeper as manager.
With his tidy new appearance, the manager straightened his back, politely
held out the red wax seal in his hand.
The wax turned gold.
He resealed the employment contract formed of golden light in front of me,
and then the entire contract turned to gold and returned as my tattoo.
: 恩主 :
I watched as the light faded beneath my Security Team uniform.
"The term of your inherited employment contract is 1,241 days, 6 hours, 11
minutes, and 23 seconds by the solar calendar."
That was more than enough. I’d be long gone with a Wish Ticket long
before then.
The important part was this.
Now, I could leave this place without tearing myself apart as the mascot.
Because I had a manager to work in my stead.
A moment of relief left my head spinning.
Behind me, I heard the staff murmuring.
"Is that another Security Team special division staff?"
"Did he set all this up just for this...?"
"Wait, ’for this’, what do you mean? Wasn’t it a coincidence he came here
and got caught?"
"Uh, no, I mean... maybe that Security Team..."
Damn.
Before the Disaster Management Bureau could share more information
about me, I quickly cut off the conversation.
Golden smoke spelled out words.
Your choice
▶ Resign
▶ Stay
"...!"
"R-Resign!"
"I want to resign!"
A wise decision.
’I was planning to get them out right away anyway.’
The mood reversed instantly.
I watched as the standard mascots hurried over with resignation forms, and
the staff quickly signed their exit confirmations.
’Let’s just get everyone out.’
One by one, their uniforms disappeared and they returned to their original
clothes.
To give them the promised items, I used a standard mascot to lead them to
the gift shop.
Whether to laugh or cry, with part of the red zone now merged into the
yellow, the gift shop had been included too.
’Let’s focus on guiding them to what’s safest.’
But a few did not follow my lead.
"Ah, thank you very much."
For example, Supervisor Lee Seonghae gave her thanks but didn’t
immediately head to the gift shop or the gate.
In fact, once her uniform vanished, she staggered and cautiously sat down
on the floor.
...!
The injuries she’d sustained before becoming a resort employee had
returned.
Because she was no longer required to work as an employee.
"Oh dear."
With both legs fractured, she sat comfortably near the gate to the blue zone
and looked at me.
Quick return recommended
For injury treatment
"I’m fine! Let’s go together!"
Section Chief Lee Jaheon also checked the remaining staff after looking
back at the manager and me, then quietly stood at the gate.
No!
’Get out.’
All of you, just leave!
"You go first and report the rescuees."
"Yes!"
...But why isn’t the team leader leaving yet either?!
I stole a glance at the Black-Tortoise team leader, who’d performed so
impressively with the Four-Tiger Sword yesterday. She stood at the gate,
arms crossed, only sending her subordinate out first. Secretly, I wiped the
cold sweat from my brow.
Well, at least the urgent fires had all been put out.
Now, there was just one agent, one elite team member, and one Chief
Lizard left.
’Looks like a lineup that can keep their mouths shut...’
And then...
Two employees still wearing the Yellow Mascot mask.
Those who couldn’t resign.
’...’
Judging from Supervisor Lee Seonghae’s condition, if those two canceled
their employee contracts, they’d probably revert to how they were before
returning as staff...
Which meant, as corpses.
’Phew.’
I looked back at the lodge keeper.
While I was handling things, he stood perfectly still in a polite posture,
waiting.
And then he asked again.
"Are those the employees who will work at the resort?"
Pointing to the two remaining staff.
’...!’
Suddenly, an idea flashed through my mind.
If I could leave as a mascot after all...
They will leave the domain
Together with me
"Forgive me, but isn’t it difficult for those contracted as employees of the
resort to leave this place?"
The standard mascot brought the employment contracts I’d signed to the
lodge keeper, who checked them carefully and then declared as much.
But I didn’t back down.
The workplace doesn’t matter
Those people signed their contracts with me
And I pointed at the signature line on the contract.
Employer : GOLDEN
See this?
They belong to me
Not the domain
But me
"..."
The lodge keeper seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if checking if this
conflicted with the resort’s operating policies...
Soon, he looked up and nodded.
"I acknowledge your instructions."
It worked!
"Then you’re taking the employees out—"
"Wait."
Just then, the team leader, who’d been watching our exchange, suddenly
jumped in.
More precisely, she was looking at me.
"You’re saying you can send them out, right? Then, would you consider
selling one of your ’employees’?"
...!
Reflexively, I formed words out of smoke.
Employees are not for sale they’re upstanding workers
"..."
The team leader was briefly at a loss for words, then sighed and spoke,
sounding a bit frustrated or perhaps exasperated.
"Yeah, that’s fair. Then how about dispatching them temporarily? I’ll pay
you. I have quite a few interesting things to trade."
Ah.
"You know that long-haired staff member? Send him with me."
She raised a hand and pointed at someone.
...Jang Heowoon.
"I’ll take him."
I looked between the two employees and suddenly realized something.
Jang Heowoon must never fall into Director Ho’s hands.
No matter what, being handed over to the Disaster Management Bureau
was better. If he went to Director Ho, who knew what would happen.
How entertaining would it be? You disguise one spy as a cryptid and send
him in, only for another spy who’s become fully contaminated as a ghost-
story resident to run straight to back him.
Even if Director Ho wasn’t malicious enough to enjoy it, there was another
problem.
’We’ve lost a spy.’
If I showed too much leniency and suffered a loss, Director Ho’s anger
might fall on poor Jang Heowoon as well.
Who knew how he’d be punished, but I had a bad feeling it wouldn’t be
humane.
’But would Jang Heowoon recover if he’s sent to the Disaster Management
Bureau?’
He’d gone undercover as a spy, but no one could predict what would
happen next.
A fierce debate played out in my mind.
Then, after reaching a decision, I wrote out a word with smoke again.
Alright
"...! Good. Then as payment—"
Wait.
For the safety and wage guarantee
Of the dispatched worker
Drafting a contract takes priority
"..."
After a long discussion with the Team Leader, we drew up a contract and
exchanged copies.
And so, Jang Heowoon’s affiliation was transferred.
"My place of employment has changed! I’ll be in your care from now on,
Agent!"
He gave me a polite farewell, "I’ll return after this assignment," then
followed the agent without hesitation.
’Don’t come back.’
I sincerely hoped the bureau could find a way to restore Jang Heowoon to
his original self.
Or at least...
’...Let him be able to keep up the act as a spy for Director Ho’s sake.’
...Then I could use a Wish Ticket for him.
With that wish, I’d be able to restore Jang Heowoon to his living self,
before he became an employee.
’It’s worth trying...’
I quietly clenched my fist.
And... as I checked on Ladybug, I held back a sigh.
"Yes. I’ll prepare for the workplace transfer!"
Honestly, this guy... I can’t save another wish ticket for him, and the state
he’s in is honestly his own fault, so I just can’t help him.
’Still, I’ll at least transfer custody of him to Daydream Inc.’
That’s the right thing to do.
If I could take him out, I had to take him out no matter what.
* * *
"Have you finished up?"
After that, I wrapped up the handover and information sharing with the
lodge keeper.
About the resort’s operation policies, profit distribution, and also—
"I’ve confirmed the unique implementation method you included in the
contract."
—about the inventory function of the tattoo as well.
"Once you clear out the temporary space you were using, I’ll have a new
one set up at the resort. From now on, you’ll be able to send instructions to
your domain easily through that gap."
It seemed this tattoo would now serve as a strange new communication
channel.
’An upgrade again, huh.’
Finally, I asked the lodge keeper for the most basic information for
communication.
Name.
Tell me your name
"Address me however you wish."
What do you want to be called
"In that case, I ask that you call me ’Resort Manager’."
I nodded.
The person who was no longer the lodge keeper but would now be called
Manager bowed to me, and I turned to head toward the Blue Mascot
waiting at the gate.
The Blue Mascot, apparently eavesdropping on my conversation with the
manager, desperately began to speak.
Now, Here
Our Home
Huu.
I shook my head.
The Blue Mascot looked shocked.
Why?
Bad Mascot
I Ate It
As if trying to convince me, the blue dragon waved both their front paws.
It’s Gone Now
It’s Safe
I shook my head as politely as I could.
And I formed a message out of smoke.
There is work I must do
My duty
The Blue Mascot’s shoulders drooped, but in the end, they seemed to accept
it. Perhaps because I was still the recognized owner of this theme park zone,
they seemed reassured that I would be back eventually.
Wait
Instead, they hurriedly used one of their other bodies to fetch something.
Then, just like how they had previously tossed churros and snacks to me,
they carefully tossed something to me from the other side of the gate.
Take This
Reflexively, I held out both hands and caught it.
A scale.
A black and blue scale reflected a strange rainbow sheen in the sunlight,
then waves of blue shimmered from inside.
You
Can Call Me
’...!’
...Wait, could this scale be a piece of its original form from inside the
mascot suit?
’Can I really summon that? Is it okay to call them?’
At any rate, it was certainly something incredibly powerful, so I nodded and
accepted the scale.
The Blue Mascot quietly watched me, and I shook hands with the mascot.
Then, they reached over the gate and pulled me into a tight hug.
’Thank goodness I was treated as an employee.’
...And thank goodness I was wearing the Security Team suit.
"Shall we head back now?"
I nodded gladly.
With Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s help, I supported the limping Supervisor
Lee Seonghae to the gift shop, then we all made our way to the exit gate.
One of the Fantasy Land exits had already changed to display the symbols
of the Yellow Zone.
Looking up at it, Supervisor Lee Seonghae muttered,
"Hmm. If you come in through the board game now, won’t you always end
up here? Usually when things get this entangled... it feels like it becomes
’linked’ or something."
It was a plausible theory.
But for now, escape was the priority, and I... really, really needed some
rest.
’Let’s go.’
One by one, we scanned our used tickets at the gate.
Beep.
And we all stepped out together.
Bye Bye
From behind us, I thought I faintly heard the now-familiar voice of the Blue
Mascot...
The next moment—
"Huuu!"
We all opened our eyes, sitting on chairs inside Daydream Inc.’s Research
Team office.
We had finally escaped after six whole days.