“Please!”
Baek Saheon was practically flailing.
At the same time, though, he was keeping his voice as low as he possibly could, and that much at least made it seem as though he wanted to slip away from the supernatural disaster pressing in on him without being noticed.
But Agent Bronze did not loosen his restraint.
He glanced at the gold-tipped stick I was holding, the one I had taken out of Baek Saheon’s trouser pocket, and only asked a question.
The special prize.
“What does it mean that you drew that?”
“What does it mean? It means I’m fucked! So I have to get out before the holiday festival’s final day comes. Right now, out of here…”
“Will you die?”
Baek Saheon froze.
I cut in and asked again.
“But earlier, it looked like the person who drew that stick was being congratulated. And I also heard that they take on an important role in next year’s event…”
“……”
Baek Saheon’s lips moved, but he could not speak.
But fear and fury flashed in his eyes.
‘A taboo?’
I met Agent Bronze’s gaze.
The agent gave a slight nod, then asked in an even, uninflected tone,
“Then tell us how you obtained headquarters’ direct rescue number.”
“Ha! Wasn’t it a number you people hid all over the village?”
“……!”
“I already know. The whole village knows. They just leave it alone. But how do you contact that number?”
Sarcasm poured out of Baek Saheon’s mouth.
“Wait. You’re saying they notice the Management Agency’s guidance notices and leave them alone?”
“Yeah! They don’t care whether outsiders drink the Shinsanju, learn the truth of the world, hang themselves, fall into the river, rot at the bottom of the well, or forget everything and go on with their lives. They don’t care if one or two of them slip away either. They only keep an eye on it so they don’t incur ritual defilement!”
“‘Incur ritual defilement’? What defilement are they…