“Now then, what you’ll be issued today, Agent Grapes…”
Her voice gradually faded behind , and the warehouse ahead grew darker.
“This one!”
Twinkle.
Sothing glinted, like moonlight hitting glass.
I looked at the item on the nearest shelf.
A worn and cracked glass lantern.
But so delicately crafted that light shimred through the fine glasswork.
And at its center, a pale blue fla flickered wildly as if it had noticed .
“This dokkaebi fla just ca in today. It’s full of energy! Says it’s super excited to help you.”
Oh my god.
This turned out to be the coolest, most anticipated thod possible.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Supernatural Disaster Managent Bureau
/ Items
Dokkaebi Fla Lantern
A glass lantern imbued with a will-o’-wisp, consecrated with sacred energy over a hundred days.
Usually inhabited by a mischievous yet kind spirit, the wisp cools itself and trains while residing within.
The item adapts to the user and follows them as a natural accessory, sotis even serving as a substitute limb.
When compatibility is high, the user can access several of the dokkaebi fla’s playful tricks.
Usage Condition : Available only to Supernatural Disaster Managent Bureau civil servants who have received authorization for its use.
========================
“Would you like to try it now?”
With a trembling left hand, I carefully accepted the glass lantern.
In that mont, the glass collapsed.
“……!”
The shattered transparent lantern reassembled my missing right arm with a crisp sound, like piecing together ice shards.
Then, as the dokkaebi fla enveloped it…
“It worked!”
…my arm transford into a normal, intact one.
I moved it.
…It responded perfectly.
No pain at all.
‘Wow.’
Of all phenona categorized as ghost stories, this one was among the warst and most comforting I’d ever encountered.
It feels more like sothing from a folktale or legend.
I flexed my right hand. It moved by my will but still felt strangely cool and soft.
Then, suddenly, my right thumb shot up on its own.
“…?!”
“Ah, it’s got a bit of a mischievous streak. But that’ll probably help you on the job. Haha!”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
So this is what even civil servants beco like after being imrsed in the ghost story world…
And so, I filled the void of my right arm with the spiritual energy of a dokkaebi fla.
Of course, it wasn’t permanent.
“We didn’t personalize it with your birth sign or perform a dedicated consecration ritual, so it’ll revert to a lantern after three days. When that happens, just co back for a recharge.”
Yeah, I figured as much. They wouldn’t hand over a custom-made, official dokkaebi fla lantern to a rookie right off the bat.
What I got was probably more like a shared, general-purpose item than the real thing that lets you use proper dokkaebi tricks.
‘If they handed these out freely, the bureau would be OP and collapse the balance in the Dark Exploration Records.’
“You must want a custom version made, right? That requires a full consecration ritual, which you can’t get with this temporary issue. You’d have to pass a dokkaebi’s trials, too… Goodness, it’s powerful but no easy task.”
That kind of treatnt was reserved for aces or team leaders within the bureau anyway.
‘Having a reason to use a healing potion mid-mission will be helpful, though.’
At any rate, I bowed my head and thanked the two supervising officers who helped complete the issuance paperwork.
“Thank you very much.”
“Oh, no need for that.”
And the administrative officer from the Equipnt Managent Division gave a tip with a wink over her glasses.
“Agent Bronze has never gone this far to take care of a rookie before.”
“…!”
“He always works himself to the bone without showing it. He’s admirable, but sotis it’s a bit sad to watch… I’m glad to see he’s getting along well with you.”
“Ah, thank… you.”
“Don’t ntion it.”
…Whether we were really getting along or not, I wasn’t sure. But after spending ti with him today, he definitely seed more courteous and attentive than I’d expected.
Maybe he’d had ti to sort out his thoughts while I was hospitalized?
‘Maybe he decided he should treat decently, even if it’s uncomfortable, since he kind of owes his life.’
Either way, I was genuinely grateful.
On our way back, Agent Bronze had said this to .
– It may take ti, but soday… let’s find you a personalized dokkaebi fla of your own, too.
– …Thank you, sir.
It was honestly kind of fascinating. I couldn’t help but wonder what form mine would take.
‘If I can use a dokkaebi’s tricks too, escaping ghost stories might beco way easier.’
Of course, the odds of that happening were low. My spy assignnt would likely end before then. And frankly, it’d be better for if it did. But it was still a fun thought.
…Even if it felt extrely strange to have a right arm that wasn’t really mine.
……And even if I was now stuck waiting until dawn to serve as a ghost’s personal cabbie.
‘Save .’
I endured the wait in silence, suppressing my groan.
Now that I had both arms, I couldn’t wheedle myself out of driving.
‘Guh, hiic…’
Ti passed rcilessly, and at last… the mont ca.
2:00 a.m.
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