How a Veteran of the Urban Legend Gallery Survives – Chapter 17

“Today, since Mr. Moon, Mr. Kang, and I are all busy, you can infiltrate the academy alone.”

Cheon Seungsoo’s words carried no emotion. He spoke as if discussing the weather, or rather, even more indifferently.

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I had a lot to say.

Assigning a solo mission to a new employee on their third day? And infiltrating a cram school in Daechi-dong? This couldn’t be a normal situation. No matter how I thought about it, it was strange.

Cheon Seungsoo, as if enjoying my hesitation, sat on the desk and crossed his legs. Then, as if finding the situation highly amusing, he tapped the desk with his fingers.

“Team Leader, by any chance…”

“Do you have a question?”

For a moment, I met his gaze, then looked away. Under the fluorescent light, his pale face shone coldly, and a subtle smile hung on his lips.

If it were him, it was obvious that if I refused, he’d send me to the Back Room or push me into a more dangerous horror story.

“No. I understand.”

As I nodded, Cheon Seungsoo slightly raised the corner of his thin lips and smiled. As if he had known I would react this way. He slowly opened the desk drawer, pulled out an equipment rental card and a gray envelope, and handed them to me.

“Here’s 2 million won for expenses. You can rent equipment with this blue card. Get what you need from the security team on the first floor.”

Then, he lightly tapped my shoulder and added. His touch was light, but for some reason, my spine felt chilly.

“Everyone ends up working alone after some time. So, don’t worry too much.”

His tone was still indifferent, but there seemed to be some hidden amusement in it. He got up from his chair and walked to the window. The afternoon sunlight illuminated his pale face.

At that moment, Moon Jinwook abruptly stood up. The chair scraped the floor, making a creaking sound.

“Team Leader, sending a new employee who’s only been here for three days alone is…”

“Manager Moon, it’s fine.”

I quickly cut off Moon Jinwook’s words. His goodwill was appreciated, but right now, it could be more harmful. I locked eyes with Cheon Seungsoo. His pupils held a cold curiosity, as if observing a test subject.

“Manager Moon is right. Normally, we wouldn’t give such a mission to a newbie.”

Cheon Seungsoo turned around from the window and spoke.

“But Mr. Jeongwoo is special, isn’t he? Escaping the Back Room in eight hours, and at Hyehwa Station Theater…”

He paused and observed my reaction. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor and met his gaze.

“I believe Mr. Jeongwoo is fully capable.”

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t tell if Cheon Seungsoo was toying with me or if he genuinely believed in me.

The security team was located in a corner of the first floor. At the end of a coldly lit hallway, behind a thick fireproof door, was the security team. As I pushed the door open, a Gyeongsang Province dialect echoed in my ears.

“Hey, isn’t this the kid from last time, the one with the golden touch?”

“Hello.”

The security team leader I had seen before turned his head from the computer monitor and smiled brightly at me. His deeply wrinkled face and strong jawline were striking.

“The newbie who escaped the Back Room in eight hours, right?”

At his words, all the security team members turned their heads. Those sitting at computers, those monitoring CCTV, even those drinking coffee. Everyone was staring at me.

“Everyone reacts like this when they hear about the Back Room.”

The team leader chuckled.

“But still, after seeing the Back Room, you’ve become a proper office worker. There’s no one else like you. Back then, you were scared out of your wits.”

Some looked at me with suspicious eyes, others with curiosity. It seemed everyone knew how abnormal an eight-hour escape was.

I awkwardly smiled and handed over the equipment rental card and documents. The blue card in the transparent case sparkled under the fluorescent light.

“Are you really going alone?”

“Yes, the manager, assistant manager, and team leader are all busy.”

“What did you say?”

The team leader’s eyes widened as he asked. His face clearly showed surprise.

“Are you really going to catch a horror story alone?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

The team leader pulled up a chair and sat in front of me. His gaze sharpened.

“That’s strange. Cheon Seungsoo isn’t the type to let a newbie who’s only been here for three days work alone…”

The team leader stared at me intently for a moment, then continued.

“It seems you’ve caught his eye.”

Cheon Seungsoo? That sociopath?

As I pondered, an employee came out from the inner equipment room carrying something. Under the fluorescent light, a silver metal gleamed.

“Did you bring it?”

The team leader examined the handcuffs and taser gun, then nodded.

“This should do. But where are you going that you need this?”

“To Ilseong Academy in Daechi-dong.”

“An academy…?”

The team leader tilted his head. Then he handed me the equipment and added.

“These are the Handcuffs of Repentance and the Zhiririt Gun. Do you need an explanation?”

They looked ordinary, but thanks to the serum, related information popped into my head.

『Zhiririt Gun』

– Grade: D

– Description: At first glance, it looks like an ordinary taser gun, but it actually contains a small electric spirit inside. When the trigger is pulled, the spirit releases a current of up to 1200 volts towards the front 10 meters. Unlike regular taser guns that require cartridge recharging after each use, this one is easier to use.

『Handcuffs of Repentance』

– Grade: D

– Description: Handcuffs made from high-strength tungsten blessed by CTP-12 ‘Angel’. If a sinner wears these handcuffs, they cannot be removed by physical force unless a key is used or the wearer confesses their sins.

Thanks to the serum, I didn’t need an explanation, but it would be strange for a newbie on their third day to know so much about the equipment, so I listened to the security team leader’s explanation.

“The Zhiririt Gun is much stronger than a regular taser because of the electric spirit. Getting hit by it will knock you out, no question.”

The team leader twirled the gun and continued.

“The Handcuffs of Repentance are no joke either. Once they’re on, you can’t take them off without a key. You have to be careful when using them.”

I nodded as I received the equipment. The team leader patted my shoulder and added.

“Oh, and if you lose them, you’re in big trouble. Got it?”

“Thank you.”

I left the security team with a heavier bag. Now, the preparations were complete.

I went home and changed my clothes. Cheap jeans and an old hoodie. A repeat student should dress like this. But I didn’t forget to pin the Golden Branch Brooch. I had to be prepared for any potential mental contamination.

Before leaving the house, I checked my appearance in the mirror.

Looking like this, I was the perfect repeat student.

* * *

“Here’s 1.2 million won for prepayment.”

As I handed over the card, the director of Ilseong Academy looked at me with eyes that seemed to have found a sucker. A faint smile crossed his lips.

“Ah, yes, yes. You’re really determined. It’s rare for someone to register like this from the start…”

The director took the card and spoke. His voice carried a fake friendliness.

“I’d like to buy all the past exam papers too.”

“Going that far… Your parents must be very supportive, huh?”

The director opened the desk drawer, printed a receipt, and nodded repeatedly.

“By the way, how many years have you been repeating?”

“This is my first time.”

At my words, the director’s eyes sparkled. He seemed to have found the perfect sucker.

“Ah, I see. Then you should definitely buy these textbooks too…”

The director began stacking heavy textbooks on the desk.

“They’re our academy’s exclusive materials. You can’t find them on the market…”

“Yes, I’ll buy them all.”

At my words, the director’s eyes sparkled even more. He seemed completely convinced that I was a sucker pushed by my parents to make payments.

My current cover was a 25-year-old repeat student with no base. Truly the bottom of the bottom.

But there was no other way. I couldn’t start studying for the college entrance exam from scratch just for one infiltration mission.

Fortunately, as expected of Daechi-dong, the students had little interest in each other. Everyone was absorbed in their own workbooks. No one cared what was happening next to them.

The first math class passed, and the second Korean class was about to begin.

That’s when it happened.

The classroom door opened, and a woman walked in.

Her long, flowing hair shimmered under the fluorescent light. Her sharp eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, looked both haughty and captivating. Her high nose bridge and red lips were in perfect harmony. The black dress accentuated her sensual figure, and her long legs were no less than a model’s.

Her appearance, which could overwhelm even celebrities seen on TV, made me momentarily breathless. Under the fluorescent light, she looked like a painting.

Looking around, the repeat students, who had been focused on their studies, all turned their attention to her. Hands solving math problems stopped, eyes reading English passages followed her. Even those pretending to sleep during break time quietly raised their heads.

The atmosphere in the classroom changed. Her presence, glowing faintly under the fluorescent light, filled the space.

Instinctively, I knew. She was the Repeat Witch.

As I pondered how to subdue her without causing a scene,

“Hmm?”

A sweet, languid voice sounded. With light footsteps, she approached me.

“You must have just registered at our academy today.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, I haven’t seen you before.”

She stood in front of my desk and slightly bent over. A sweet perfume scent brushed past my nose.

As an awkward silence flowed, she smiled first. A soft smile lingered on her lips.

“I’m Lee Narae. What’s your name?”

“Baek Jeongwoo.”

I answered indifferently and pretended to focus on my studies again. Then—

Creak—

With the sound of a chair scraping, Lee Narae sat next to me. Her sweet scent tickled my nose.

“Oppa, which university are you preparing for?”

She tilted her head slightly and asked. Her dark eyes sparkled. I took a breath and answered.

“Korea University, Business School.”

“Wow, same as me? I’m also applying to Korea University’s Business School.”

She smiled slightly and touched my arm. At that moment, a chill ran up my spine.

‘Getting this close on the first meeting.’

The Repeat Witch was a tougher opponent than I thought.