Chapter Text
Only one thought popped up in Kim Soleum’s head when he realized he was at Daydream Inc.’s Field Exploration orientation.
I need to quit as soon as possible.
Being thrown straight into a ghost story meant to cull out the unfit only reinforced this. How the hell was a coward like him expected to jump into more of these every day?! No, Kim Soleum will not be staying here. Though, of course he should try his best to help the others pass, even if they won’t be seeing each other again. Acquiring the Memorial Popsocket does little to deter his fear — though it might come in handy if he ends up dropping into another ghost story in the future. Soleum nearly shudders at the thought.
He did his best to gain the trust of the other people on the train — unfortunately some ignored him and lost their lives as a result. Soleum had to close his eyes during those moments, not wanting to bear witness to the gruesome deaths. It only made him feel more resolved to quit as soon as this was over. The little stunt Baek Saheon pulled didn’t help much either. The brunette smashed someone’s eye out — just so he’d be the only viable option — not knowing it was actually a scavenger hunt.
For a brief moment — Soleum entertained the thought of showing Viper the lost item he found — but he brushes it away. No point in antagonizing a psychopath, even if he didn’t plan on sticking around. What if they crossed paths in the future? Kim Soleum would be off his guard and helpless to the man’s wrath. Best to stay quiet and let Baek Saheon stay ignorant.
He was relieved when people stepped off with him at the correct station — with some help from Go Yeongeun. The area they were walking in was covered in all manners of gore — the smell clogging his nose and making him nauseous. Soon though, he could see the exit — his freedom was in sight! Just a few more steps and-
“Congratulations, new employees!”
Soleum’s heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of his chest. His hair and clothes were soaked with cold sweat. Turning every which way, he was happy to see that all the people who left with him were safe. The host was cheerfully celebrating how many participants made it out.
“Now it’s time for the gift awarding ceremony!”
The next few moments were a blur, everything felt surreal. Apparently, Soleum did well enough to rank first. Not that he cared. He could hear the host telling him to take a good look in his bag, but that advice was ignored. He won’t be staying for much longer, after all. One by one, the other participants collected their rewards, Baek Saheon going after him — it seems he succeeded in returning the ‘lost item’ — he was pressing a handkerchief over his left eye.
Soleum was getting excited with the knowledge he’d be able to quit soon.
Unfortunately, things didn’t stay peaceful for very long — this was Daydream, after all. After all the participants received their awards, the host started rambling something about freeloaders and fairness. To Kim Soleum’s horror, many of the people around him started melting away, including half of the people from his car.
“…”
“To the remaining 13 new employees, congratulations! You have successfully become full-time employees with excellent results!”
Nobody was clapping, though Soleum wasn’t surprised. How could they cheer after witnessing such a moment? Instead, a mind-numbing fear set into his body.
I need to get out of here immediately.
Just as he was about to scream about quitting, another employee spoke up. The man’s voice was full of panic — he couldn’t stop stumbling over his words. “I resign, I’ll resign… I want to quit.”, he stuttered out.
The host remained calm, obvious doubt shining in his eyes.
“Oh? Leaving such a great work opportunity? Come on, at least hear about the benefits before leaving.”
Go Yeongeun shouted desperately from her place behind Soleum. “So, can we quit after hearing about the benefits? Without any penalties?”
“Yes, absolutely. You can quit without a single scratch on you~”
Soleum knew what kind of benefit he was about to show. A Wish Ticket — a sleek crystal bottle filled with colorful, rippling liquid. Able to grant any wish the one drinking it wanted. The host obviously wished to be young again, given his appearance afterwards. It could even bring back the dead, according to what the newly rejuvenated host said after someone asked.
Kim Soleum could see the employees’ gazes around him grow hungry after that announcement. He couldn’t fault them for that. In another universe, even he might’ve been desperate enough to stay for a Wish Ticket. Fortunately, he was not in another universe, so he won’t be taking that route. The host went on to talk about more employee benefits — and Soleum could feel himself getting desperate for this ordeal to end. As if a god were listening to his prayers, it soon did, and the back doors to the lecture hall swung open.
“If you want to resign, please go to the desk outside and collect your paperwork. But if you’ve decided to stay with the company, please put on the mask that’s inside your gift bag.”
Soleum didn’t need to be told twice. He was not sticking around, Wish Ticket be damned. He could always find another way back home. After all, this world was full of ghost stories, not to mention supernatural beings. Surely one of them had some level of wish granting abilities. And if he can’t find one, then he’ll just do his best to live contently.
The man quickly stood up from his seat, and headed straight outside. He wasn’t going to waste another second inside this damned company. Soleum could hear the shocked murmurs of the other employees behind him, and even a flabbergasted shout from the host.
“H-Hey wait, you’re leaving?!”
Soleum walks a little faster, much to the host’s continued dismay. Hopefully he stays behind to continue whatever nonsense goes on if you decide to stay. Quickly — before anyone could stop him — he signs the resignation provided at the desk. He then makes his way to the front doors of Daydream.
In Soleum’s haste to get away as fast as possible, he almost runs into someone else. He jerks back at the last moment, apology already leaving his lips. Though he starts struggling to get it out once he gets a good look at the other person. Another man, dressed impeccably in a dark brown suit. A tan waistcoat peeks out from within, and the color of his tie matches the overcoat.
Golden blonde hair, with even more golden eyes. His eyes — Soleum finds he can’t look away from them — have red eye makeup around them. There’s a beauty mark under the left one, he notes. Said eyes are quirked up into crescent moon shapes, a smile on the other man’s face. His smile is like that of a predator — sharp and dangerous. A red tassel hangs from his right ear. He looks unnaturally beautiful, but at the same time he isn’t. A huff of amusement sounds out, and Soleum realizes he’s been caught staring. Oops.
“Oh hello! Are you one of the new employees?”, the blonde inquires, his voice humming pleasantly. Soleum quickly shakes his head. “Ah no, I’m actually resigning.” A look of interest flashes across the man’s face — though it’s gone just as quickly, a calm smile replacing it. “Ah, that’s a shame.”, the man sighs, “Forgive my rudeness, but may I know the reason why?” He tilts his head politely, curious but patient.
Kim Soleum debates on how to answer. It couldn’t hurt to be honest — there was no need to pretend, not when he’s already quit. “Well, you see, I’m actually a coward.”, he confesses. This time, it’s surprise that shows up on the man’s face. “A coward?”, he echoes back. Soleum nods, before continuing his confession. “I’m no good with horror. I almost passed out while undergoing orientation.”
The blonde looks baffled, and he’s about to reply — but then a commotion breaks out behind Soleum. Shit! He had forgotten about the host. Unfortunately, he can now hear the crazy bastard yelling after him. As he gets closer, the host’s voice abruptly cuts off — and then shifts to a pleasant tone. “Director Ho! I see you’ve met our new MVP!”, he practically sings, his pace slowing down to a walk as he approaches the pair of men.
MVP? Who’s an MVP?! It’s not me, I’ve resigned already! Please, just let me leave! Kim Soleum wants to cry. Then it hits him. Wait, did he just say Director Ho?! His head snaps up, and he once again meets the gaze of the blonde man, who smiles. Fuck my life. The host is still walking towards them, yammering all the while, and Soleum can feel panic building up in his chest — he actually considers shoving the director aside to run past him. He starts shaking, though it’s imperceptible to the human eye — his usual blank face is a blessing at this moment.
“Oh my.”
Soleum is brought back down to Earth at those words. Director Ho chuckles lightly, obvious amusement written all over his face. Surprisingly though, he mercifully steps to the side — granting Soleum a path to escape. Oh, thank goodness! Quickly — though not without murmuring thanks, of course — he rushes past the blonde, eager to finally get out of this wretched pharmaceutical building. 
As he’s walking out, Soleum notes that nobody is following him anymore. He wonders if the director is occupying the orientation host — and once again feels grateful. Soleum keeps walking, though — if he sticks around any longer, who knows what kind of insanity this company might pull. Might as well head home… wait a second. He comes to an abrupt stop, mind racing.
Do I even have a home here?
Pulling out his phone, Kim Soleum desperately scours through it — and comes to a shocking realization that he in fact does not have a home. A deeper investigation reveals that he doesn’t even have any of his family’s contact information. If he wasn’t panicking before, he was now. What the hell is he supposed to do in this type of situation? As he tries to think of a solution, Soleum starts walking again — a habit of pacing whenever his mind wanders.
As his thoughts continue to swirl in his head, Soleum snaps out of his daze to realize he’s walked into an unfamiliar area of the city. It’s a bit more rural here, and there’s trees nearby. Great, so now he’s lost on top of being homeless. Looking around, he notices an older woman struggling to carry supplies. Without thinking twice, he quickly steps up towards her to catch a bag falling out of her grasp.
“Oh, thank you!”, the woman breathes out. Soleum nods in acknowledgment, adjusting the bag to hold it with one of his arms. He then offers to help her carry the rest home, and she happily accepts. As the pair walked together, they exchanged polite words and information about themselves. The woman’s name was Yang Hae, and she ran a Yongwang shrine that had been in her family for generations. The shrine was the reason she had so many bags to carry — she’d been stocking up on rice, incense, and other necessities. She was in her mid 50’s and a widow — with 2 adult sons, who were both older than Soleum. As they reached the shrine, Hae wanted to take the bags back.
“I don’t want to burden you any further — it’s almost dark and you should be getting back home!”, she cried out.
“Ah, it’s fine,” Soleum insisted, “I don’t mind helping you.” Then he hesitated, before continuing. “Besides, there’s not really a home I can return to right now. I just recently left my job as well.” Hae looks taken aback at this, before a pondering look appears. It’s replaced by determination soon after.
“If that’s the case, then come work at my shrine!”
Before he can protest, Kim Soleum’s arm is captured in her surprisingly strong grip. He proceeds to be all but dragged towards the shrine office. Soleum decides to just let this happen — it’s not like he has any other options right now. A traitorous part of his mind whispers that he could always return to Daydream, but Soleum shoves that thought away. He’s not going to throw his life away just for a place to live.
Not to mention going back to a place he just quit would be humiliating.
“You can stay in the adjoined housing in the shrine — it even has a bathroom and kitchen! You look pretty good with manual labor. I’ve been meaning to hire someone to keep the place clean, since I’m getting too old to come here all the time.” Hae pauses to take a breath, then looks back at him with gentle eyes. “You can stay however long you like, with decent pay.”
Soleum could feel warmth gather inside his chest — he’d be a fool to refuse this kindness. “Then… if it’s alright with you… I’m also good with numbers, so I can help if you need someone to keep records.”
Yang Hae smiles at him, and they spend the rest of the day getting things situated. She gives him a tour of the place — showing him the adjoined housing, where to stock the supplies for the shrine, and then the statue of the Dragon King. He stares at it for a bit, feeling an odd sense of connection. He quickly brushes it off — following Yae for the remainder of the tour. She leaves once the sun starts to dip below the horizon. Soleum is now alone in the Yongwang Shrine.
He decides to take a bath — wanting to wash away the day’s horrors. He felt sticky from dried sweat, and the smell of gore from the station hadn’t left his nose. Soleum does his best to scrub the memories away. Thankfully, Yae had left him some fresh clothes — he didn’t even want to think of wearing a suit again. As the night grew darker, he could feel exhaustion setting in. Laying in the bed that resided in his new room, Soleum’s eyes started to drift close.
And he is instantly shoved into a nightmare.
Soleum was back on the train — every surface covered in blood and viscera. The smell was overwhelming, he couldn’t breathe without feeling the urge to vomit. His fellow orientees were all crumpled on the floor, dead. There was someone screaming — was it him? He shuts his eyes as he staggers back in terror. Oh god, someone help me I need to wake up whycan’tIwakeup-
And suddenly he’s being held by something — or someone. He can’t tell though, his eyes are still shut and he doesn’t want to open them. Whoever it is holding him feels cool to the touch. It’s refreshing, like dipping into the water after a hot day. For the first time today, Soleum feels safe. They caress his head, like a parent soothing their child. It’s comforting, he hasn’t felt like this in a long time. Their breath huffs — it makes his hair sway lightly in the air.
“Good Child.”
Kim Soleum wakes up.