I really don't want to work in the world of weird rules!

"What, are you thinking to yourself that I'm a delusional, delusional person with delusions of grandeur?" the tall man asked.

"Absolutely not," Gu Changyuan replied decisively.

"We've prepared a special tutorial for this kind of situation. Here, take a look."

The tall man placed a tablet on the coffee table and casually opened a video.

"Read it carefully."

[Training Video for New Members of the On-site Investigation Team]

The visuals have a retro feel, with a low-fidelity orchestral background music playing.

Two characters that looked like characters from an animation from the last century jumped out and bowed deeply.

[Welcome to the on-site investigation team of Daydream Makers Co., Ltd.!—You're all full of dreams and enthusiasm for your new jobs!]

Today, we'll break down the incredible work of the field investigation team!

One is a red fox, and the other is a yellow dragon.

The two characters were dressed in hanbok and were smiling brightly.

Before that!

A large, bold Microsoft YaHei font appeared on the screen.

What does Daydream Makers Co., Ltd. do?

Gu Changyuan does know this.

To the general public, this is a cosmetic pharmaceutical giant that specializes in developing effective drugs for hair loss and various skin care products.

But what is the truth?

If you think we only make hair loss medication, you're sorely mistaken! In fact, Daydream can create everything you need!

A magic company in the literal sense!

From miracle drugs that completely cure drug addiction to elixirs of immortality, the company manufactures all sorts of fantastical potions and secretly makes deals with the powerful and wealthy.

This is the true nature of daydreaming.

A secret organization that manufactures drugs that go beyond the ordinary.

However! Special "magical materials" are needed to create magical potions.

That is—"Strange Tales Essence"!

On the screen, the four large characters "Strange Tales Essence" shone with golden light, against a background of shimmering liquid.

The hearts and stars flying everywhere on the screen look just like magic potions from a children's cartoon.

But the true nature of that thing is a ghost story.

[The "Strange Tales Essence" is a collection of various supernatural phenomena!]

Xiao Long waved, and the scene switched to an illustration-style city alley.

Suddenly, a pair of red eyes appeared in the shadow of the streetlights, transforming into a monster that threatened pedestrians.

Then comes an exaggerated animation of a fan sticking out a long tongue, spying on the sleeping person.

Did you know that supernatural phenomena still exist in modern society?

[The idea that leaving a fan on in a closed room will cause death, or that being cursed will grant longevity... these are all urban legends rife with superstition!]

But occasionally, these legends do become reality!

[By managing these urban legends and collecting "mystery essence," Daydreamers create miraculous drugs that grant human desires!]

[Rongrong, the "Strange Tales Essence" is the company's most important resource, right?]

Of course! But who exactly collected all this "original solution"?

Xiao Long tilted his head and asked.

Who else could it be?

[Of course, it's the great on-site investigation team!]

The scene then shifts to a chibi-style animation featuring a group of well-dressed business professionals showcasing their skills amidst various surreal crises.

Thanks to the brave, intelligent, hardworking, lovely, and handsome investigation team, the raw material collection tank returned fully loaded again today!

The investigator in the picture stylishly holds up a portable cylinder with markings.

That's the raw material collection tank.

>【Potent Solution Collection Tank】

>Items that appear in "Tales of the Strange".

The portable liquid storage container created by Daydream Maker gradually fills up as you explore ghost stories.

The company calls this liquid "Strange Tales Essence".

The various reagents manufactured using these raw materials, which defy real-world logic, are the company's main source of profit.

So, let's grab our collection jars and bravely step into the world of ghost stories!

The company's future rests on your shoulders! Keep it up!

The video, brimming with workplace brainwashing elements, ended with a fireworks display, freezing on the logo of Daydream.

"Finished watching?"

"Um."

Gu Changyuan carefully considered his words.

"Impressive."

"Haha, that's basically how our group works."

The tall man extended his hand again, revealing a friendly smile.

"Let me introduce myself first. You must be Gu Changyuan?"

"Yes, please take care of me."

"This is Yang Shiyin, the deputy leader of our Group D."

The short-haired woman who was being introduced was sitting at her workstation and waved casually as a greeting.

The man pointed to himself.

"My name is Han Yan, and I'm the supervisor of this group."

"Nice to meet you, Manager Han."

"Oh, don't be so reserved. If you stay in this department for a year, you can basically become a supervisor. You'll be one soon, very soon."

As for the suggestion that he would die in office before even a year was up, he considerately refrained from saying it. "Although it's also possible he'd kick the bucket before that."

"Leaving your job is also a good option; there are plenty of good jobs in this world," Yang Shiyin said.

But under this worldview, changing jobs could lead you straight into ghost stories.

"Thank you for the reminder, but I still want to give it a try first," Gu Changyuan replied politely.

"Wow, you're pretty passionate."

The two expressed their approval of his attitude, and Yang Shiyin added:

"Although it's a ghost story, the company has a response manual. That manual is the most important; you must read it repeatedly. How well do you understand it now?"

"I understand most of it." Gu Changyuan nodded solemnly after reading the "Business Manual" that Han Yan handed him.

"Alright. Since the theory has passed..."

The two superiors exchanged a glance, and a meaningful smile simultaneously appeared on their lips.

"Then let's go and try it out in practice."

what?

......

Fourteenth floor.

Gu Changyuan was brought to this floor by his two superiors.

"Now that we've mastered the basics, it's time to experience it firsthand."

They stopped in front of a small warehouse next to the emergency exit.

"Your task this afternoon is simple: a basic ghost story investigation."

"Don't worry, you won't die."

"That's right, in game terms, it's like the tutorial in the starting village!"

Gu Changyuan's heart pounded like a drum, and his stomach convulsed repeatedly.

Even if it's a beginner's quest, this is too sudden.

But he forced himself to calm down, and his brain raced.

Could this warehouse be the gateway to ghost stories?

He frantically searched his mind for the "warehouse" setting in "Tales of the Strange and Mysterious".

Han Yan handed over something first.

"The raw material collection tank I saw in the video."

Upon receiving it, you'll find a sealed cylinder that resembles an oversized syringe and has a heavy, plastic feel.

It feels cool to the touch.

"Don't lose it. These things have serial numbers on them, and it will be a huge hassle if you lose them."

"clear."

This is probably as serious as a soldier losing his gun, Gu Changyuan thought.

"Also, remember to wear a mask before entering ghost stories. Make it a habit, and don't ask why."

"Your mask... um."

The two fell silent as they looked at the mask in Gu Changyuan's hand, which had antlers and a surface resembling dry, cracked tree bark.

"deer?"

"A roe deer?"

Gu Changyuan himself didn't know what it was.

"This antler is pretty cool. Let's just assume it's a roe deer. After all, it's tougher than a deer."

"Just put it on and look at this."

Han Yan then handed over the tablet computer.

Gu Changyuan thought it was another instructional video, but the screen showed a screenshot of a webpage.

[Complete this task and win a 20 million yuan prize vs. a normal life]

"......??"

[Play hide-and-seek with ghosts for three days in a completely deserted convenience store within a ten-kilometer radius; the winner gets twenty million.]

[By the way, this is what ghosts look like ↓]

Gu Changyuan felt nauseous and quickly scrolled past the photo, but the afterimage of the purplish-blue monster with bulging eyes and a raised head was still imprinted in his mind.

"What does it say on it?"

"They asked me if I was interested in playing hide-and-seek with ghosts in a convenience store for three days, all for that 20 million..."

The more Gu Changyuan talked, the more absurd it seemed.

Why show him this?

Is this workplace bullying?

Just as he looked at the screen again, his face full of confusion.

The surrounding space began to distort.

He suddenly realized that this was a trap.