"Please think it over carefully."
The civil servant, dressed like a textbook serial killer, spoke with conviction.
"It's a guaranteed job until the age of 65, with a grade-based salary system. Since it's a specialized position, there are additional allowances."
Why am I sitting here listening to what sounds like a job fair spiel from the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau?
"If you're prone to being drawn into supernatural phenomena, wouldn't it be better to have financial stability and institutional protection?"
I already have that, thank you very much.
No matter how I look at it, I doubt a Grade-8 civil servant earns more than someone working for a major pharmaceutical corporation!
Still, there was no way I could blurt out that I worked for Daydream Inc.
I absolutely do not want to end up as a 'person of interest' under the Bureau's watch!
'I should have stuck to communicating by writing.'
I was beginning to regret speaking out loud for the sake of faster, more persuasive, and impactful communication.
Feeling like I was starting to break out in a cold sweat, I opened my mouth carefully.
Since he seemed to think of me as a mere 'civilian prone to supernatural phenomena', I decided to play into that perception.
"This incident was truly terrifying, and I just wanted to do something about it. But I'm not someone capable of resolving supernatural phenomena. Being an agent? That's absolutely impossible."
"..."
The civil servant looked at me as if slightly dumbfounded.
Why?
"You thought the caretaker of the lodge was the cause of this phenomenon, so you terminated the contract to prevent further incidents, correct?"
"That's… correct."
"Then you independently made a judgment to fully resolve this supernatural phenomenon, did you not?"
"..."
"That's an innate talent."
No, it's only because of the and wiki…
"I'm sorry, but I really can't, sir. To be honest, I only did all of this because of the friend who came with me here…"
Please, just drop it.
"Besides, I'm not skilled enough to fight or have any special abilities to warrant becoming an agent."
"Special abilities."
The corners of the civil servant's mouth lifted slightly.
"Those can be learned."
"...!"
"You'll be taught in detail after you're appointed."
Heck.
"What makes you so confident about this?"
"You possess a small silver badge shaped like a shield, don't you?"
"...!!"
"That's the reason."
Ah, crap.
'Sharp, aren't you.'
I had considered this possibility but still feigned being more startled than I actually was.
"What? H-How did you…"
"That is a piece of persuasion equipment used by the Disaster Management Bureau. I heard it was once distributed to citizens who performed great deeds, but… this is my first time seeing someone able to use it."
"Ah…"
"It can only be used by good people, making it something of a certification tool."
And then he gave me a knowing look.
"Did you use it after taking it out of your pocket?"
This guy's sharp.
'Pretending I don't know would make me look more suspicious.'
I decided to lean into it.
Remember, this only works for 'good people'!
'As long as I haven't caused any trouble, they won't confiscate it.'
Thankfully, my brain kicked into overdrive, and a seamless response popped out.
With a faintly bittersweet expression, as if there was a story behind it, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small silver badge.
I made sure to present it in a way that felt natural, even mentioning the only legal route through which I could have obtained it.
"I inherited it from my family."
From today onwards, my merch box is my family.
"They said I should use it when I needed a voice in an emergency…"
"I see."
The civil servant nodded, looking at me with a mix of respect and pity.
"You must have had an admirable family."
"..."
Are you misunderstanding that they're 'watching over me from the heavens'?
Well, technically, that's not entirely wrong…
I tried not to think about the black merch box floating in the sky and continued speaking.
"They told me not to volunteer for dangerous tasks, and I want to keep that promise as much as possible."
"..."
That was indeed something my parents said when they tried to dissuade me from entering the financial sector, and it's true I didn't exactly volunteer for this job either. Not a lie! Not a lie!
"…Understood."
The civil servant looked at me with slight disappointment but backed off without further insistence.
"In that case, it can't be helped."
Phew.
And thus, the nerve-wracking job fair came to an end, with an unexpected bonus.
"If you ever face concerns or issues, feel free to contact me."
As I was leaving the lodge, the civil servant handed me a contact number.
This time, though, it was presented in a different format.
Ryu Jaekwan
010-XXXX-XXXX
"This is my work number."
Oh.
"The one I just gave you will be more useful than the previous card. The previous one might involve delays in dispatching a response team, and there's no telling which type of agent might show up."
In short, it was a get-out-of-a-creepypasta-free card.
I exchanged the previous contact information with this new one as if I were swapping out cassette tapes.
I never thought I'd end up with connections like this.
Now, before he'd try to make small talk, I should quickly… leave. Though he'd probably do a background check on me anyway.
'In that case.'
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, pretending to be a bit embarrassed.
"Actually, with our transactions through the Salmon Market, I was so scared I resorted to written communication… But next time we meet, I'd like to talk like this, with our voices."
"Of course."
"And… could my identity be kept confidential? It's just that it makes me uncomfortable… and, well, scared."
"..."
The civil servant was silent for a moment.
"If you leave things as they are now, that should be possible."
He'll let it slide.
Nice!
'Does that mean he'll leave me as an anonymous figure?'
Perfect. This left room for future dealings.
'Next time, I'll raise less suspicion and sell more food.'
"Take care on your way down."
"You too, Agent."
I shook hands with the civil servant, who then rode off on a bicycle.
Even his final attempt at persuasion as we parted was brushed off quite smoothly.
– Honestly, sir, I'm at my limit with situations like this. Even now, I feel like I'm barely hanging on. It would be too much for me.
And I truly meant it.
Baek Saheon, stop giving me that creepy, glaring look.
The civil servant, apparently just making a polite gesture, nodded and rode off without hesitation.
Along with their parting advice to leave before the 'Bureau's cleanup team' arrived—a life-saving piece of wisdom.
'Time to scram.'
I left the lodge, now bereft of the landslide debris and bus stop as if by magic, and began walking down the mountain trail.
'Huuu.'
Only then did the tension begin to lift.
– Over the past few days, sacrificing your sleep and pouring your efforts into creating that artistic final shot… This Braun knows how hard you worked! Well done.
Yeah. It was grotesque, terrifying, and utterly exhausting…
'To think he got sent into such a ghost story alone—this is why I'm not cut out for the Bureau.'
I couldn't remember a day when Daydream Inc. seemed like a better company than today.
'At least they pay in cash and points.'
There's a saying that even servants should work for wealthy families, and this was the perfect example of that.
Though I wouldn't say it's particularly rewarding…
I glanced back at my colleague, who was equally entangled in this thankless job.
"Let's just get out of here. This cursed lodge…!"
"..."
"Fuck, I got caught up in this nonsense that doesn't even pay in either points or cash!"
"There's something you need to say before we go."
Baek Saheon clamped his mouth shut. Then, turning to me, he spoke in a highly defensive tone.
"I don't think I owe you anything for this. After all, it's not like I begged you to save me."
Oh, really?
"You've already received the reward for the cassette tape exchange… Supervisor Kim Soleum, sir. Isn't that enough?"
"Oh."
I smirked.
"That's funny. You're bold enough to talk like that to someone who gave up their weekend and even skipped work to save your sorry life?"
"..."
Baek Saheon's face turned pale before he reluctantly responded.
"…What do you want?"
"Nothing."
"...?!"
"Honestly, this was fun."
"...!!"
I began walking briskly down the mountain path.
From behind, I heard Baek Saheon scrambling to keep up and offering a belated response.
"…Anyway, I admit I ruined your weekend and caused you to miss work."
"..."
"That's all."
Oh?
"I'll transfer three days' worth of salary to you, so just wait."
"Sure."
But shortly after, as we entered an area with cell service and our data started working, Baek Saheon let out a shout.
"The date's exactly the same!"
Of course it is.
Don't you know it's a rule that that time flows differently in ghost stories?
"Still, I spent three whole days here."
"...!"
In the end, I got my salary, while Baek Saheon, wearing a mix of indignation, relief, and frustration on his face, quickly avoided eye contact and retreated.
– Haha, regardless of this situation, he seems like the type to live a rough life!
You're not wrong.
Honestly, there was something I should've said earlier.
'I didn't expect him to go the entire time without even thanking me.'
What a remarkable guy in so many ways.
Though compared to how he was in the
Earlier, when the civil servant encountered this guy in the basement, he gave me some rather chilling advice after a brief, cold glance at him.
– Some inherit the Silver Heart, while others inherit a cassette tape… like that.
– ...
– Matching them well would be a good thing to do.
– Um. Yes. Thank you, sir.
Well then.
The government had ensured that the cassette tapes ended up in the hands of criminals, people whose guilt was beyond doubt.
Which means… this guy was officially recognized as a criminal by the government.
Even if I tried to think the best of him, at least one person in Baek Saheon's "inheritance route" had to be a criminal.
– It was just something lying around at home. I inherited it from a relative.
…A relative.
'I suppose there might be a story behind it.'
But I stopped thinking further.
I didn't have the luxury to dive into the backstories of characters in the wiki.
'I need to survive this ghost story company first.'
And before long, this cursed company was back to doing what it does best—bringing bizarre and unpredictable events into my life as if they were the norm.
* * *
A few days later—
"Supervisor Kim!"
On my way back from a coffee run, someone familiar called out to me in the hallway.
It was Lee Byeongjin, the section chief in charge of manual revisions who had gone missing.
"Ah~ Congratulations! I knew our Supervisor Kim would go far!"
We've only known each other for less than two months, sir…
"Top of the entry class, scouted to the A-squad, saved me, and even connected to the Security Team. And now, a rapid promotion? Ee-yaaah, that's great."
"Thank you."
It didn't feel great, but I replied politely anyway.
However, instead of wrapping up the conversation and leaving, Section Chief Lee Byeongjin lowered his voice and muttered,
"Director Ho has got an eye on you."
"..."
"The director is the best superior you could ever have in this company. Don't miss the opportunity."
Opportunity…?
"There's even a rumor that the director runs an external confidential project team. You might get transferred there."
Haha. You don't know what you're saying, sir.
In the world of ghost stories, anything labeled 'confidential' cuts your survival odds in half.
Instead of saying that, I politely shook my head.
"I've been here less than six months. I'm not seeking out something like that. I'll just do my best in the position I've been given."
"Ah, modest too! I knew I had a good eye for people. Haha!"
I was just grateful he conveniently forgot his overbearing attitude from when I was pretending to be part of the Security Team. People are truly products of their environment.
Section Chief Lee patted my shoulder a few times, looking proud, and left with these parting words.
"Anyway, I'm curious where you'll end up, really!"
"...?"
That sounded oddly loaded.
'Why does it feel like he's assuming I'll definitely be going somewhere?'
That question didn't stay unanswered for long.
Later that afternoon—
"Hey, Roe. Even if you get reassigned, let's catch up occasionally. I still owe you a meal or two."
Pardon?
I blinked at my somewhat dejected coworker.
Reassigned?
Wait… did I seriously just get transferred to some strange place?
Was the director's 'interest' just a ploy to lull me into complacency before blindsiding me?
Why would anyone bother to do something so petty and diabolical to an ordinary employee…?!
"I mean, I'd rather you stayed on our squad, but looking at how things are going…"
Fortunately, before I spiraled into panic, Assistant Manager Eun kindly explained.
She said that squads of the Field Exploration Team typically had a three-person quota. Occasionally, they'd assign one or two extra members just to train new hires.
The new members often stayed as extra personnel until they got promoted.
"But you're a supervisor now."
Ah.
I was… the exception to the usual case.
"You'll probably be shuffled somewhere else, but… don't worry too much."
Feeling a glimmer of hope, I asked,
"Is there a chance I could be an exception?"
"Not really… It's just that the squad will likely stay exactly at its three-person quota soon. Keep this between us."
"Huh?"
Assistant Manager Eun smirked.
"I'm quitting soon."
"...!!"
A coworker just announced her escape!
Office workers always carry their resignation letter with them—whether physically or mentally—over their hearts.
However, it's usually hidden…
'Telling a new hire, though?'
And from a direct superior, no less.
"I've almost collected enough points. Don't go spreading it around."
"..."
Given Assistant Manager Eun Haje's personality, I'd have expected her to keep her poker face until the very day of her resignation, revealing it only at the last moment.
"Are you sure it's okay to tell me this?"
"Why not? It's not exactly bad news. Besides, there are plenty of people in this company who brag about how many points they've accumulated."
Eun Haje gave my shoulder a firm pat.
"I just thought I'd let our squad know in advance."
"Sniffle. It's so moving, seeing this from up close, sunbae-nim!"
"Cut it out."
I glanced over at Supervisor Park Minseong, who had sidled up and was being overly dramatic. He seemed to have known about it beforehand.
'Must be a company culture thing.'
After all, this is a job where people risk everything, spinning the chamber of a Russian roulette revolver against their temples in hopes of fulfilling a seemingly impossible, desperate wish.
It made sense that there wasn't much point in hiding the desire to escape.
Still, it was a shame to see such a considerate direct superior leave. But for her, this was great news, so congratulations were in order.
There was just one thing I didn't understand.
"Assistant Manager."
"Yeah?"
"Does that mean you've gathered all 500,000 points?"
"What?! Five hundred thousand…!"
Eun Haje looked startled before her expression relaxed, and she chuckled knowingly.
"Oh, did you think I was aiming for a wish ticket?"
"...?"
Isn't that the norm? Finding someone who isn't would probably be harder around here.
"Well, when I first joined, that was my goal too. But after looking around, I realized there are other ways."
"...!"
Ah.
'I see.'
Now that I thought about it, not everyone might need to go all the way to a wish ticket.
'If something you can buy from the employee points mall fulfills your wish, that might be good enough.'
"I just need one of the high-tier magical potions this company offers."
As expected.
"…May I ask how many points it costs?"
"170,000. I'm less than 5,000 away now. Still… I'll probably have to stick around a few more months to earn the bonus points here and there thanks to you."
Eun Haje gave a rare playful wink.
"I'll talk to the squad leader and see if we can keep you here until the next regular personnel announcement."
That meant I could likely remain on the D-squad until then.
Afterward, once she left, the squad would naturally be down to its proper capacity.
'How thoughtful.'
Her confidence that I'd even want to stay with this squad made it all the more impressive.
"Sunbae-nim, when you leave, we should definitely have a proper squad dinner. And let's stay in touch after you're gone. We could go watch baseball or something…"
"Of course. You just need to stick it out a few more years too."
"Me? Nah, I'm stuck collecting all 500,000 points."
Despite scratching his head, Supervisor Park's face seemed brighter than usual.
"Anyway… this means Roe can stay on our squad, right?"
"If the squad leader pulls the right strings."
And when the 'squad leader' returned from the section head meeting, they confirmed the matter calmly.
"Yes. The odds are in your favor."
"Ohhh!"
"It's a matter of probability. Do not base your plans on the assumption of staying."
"…Well, Roe, there you have it."
"Yes…"
Classic lizard.
"Anyway, congratulations on your decision, Assistant Manager."
"Thanks."
Eun Haje smiled as he stepped out to smoke. Her back already looked lighter, as if a burden had been lifted.
'…What happens to employees who quit?'
There were no accounts of resigning staff being secretly detained in labs for confidentiality or disappearing without a trace.
'There were even descriptions of retired employees having relatively good endings.'
Like those universally liked colleagues that people on the wiki grew attached to, ensuring the writers gave them satisfying retirements.
'…I hope it goes that way for her too.'
After a brief moment of reflection, I returned to my work.
That meant taking on the tasks assigned by the squad leader who had just returned from the meeting.
"This time, the Darkness we'll be exploring is a C-class spider from a known source with a completed manual."
"Oh… so the points will be around 600 to 700 per person, right?"
"Yes."
"Roe, it's good we banked on those points when we had the chance."
The influx of 'new Darkness manual completion explorations' that had been almost exclusively assigned to D-squad was finally slowing down.
"There's usually a seasonal burst of new Darknesses. The research squad tends to register them all at once as the deadline approaches."
"Ah."
This really feels so… company-like.
Of course, as a new hire, pointing that out wouldn't do me any good.
I smiled faintly and said,
"Then we can all work safely for a while, right?"
"That's what I like about you, Roe—you're always so positive!"
Supervisor Park laughed heartily and handed me the tablet displaying the manual in PDF form.
"Even with a manual, it's still C-class, so if you let your guard down, it could be serious. Let me know when you've fully gone through it."
"Yes."
"Looks like this one just involves surviving in a certain location for a day."
Hmm.
I took the tablet and started reading.
The official manual was written in the usual calm tone, following the same format as always.
It resembled the entries in the
'Let's see.'
This is a ghost story about getting lost in a space within a mostly empty commercial building, a phenomenon referred to online as a type of 'backroom'.
"..."
As I read the next paragraph, a strong feeling struck me like a hammer.
'This is…'
For months now, I'd been using the
So I wasn't exactly surprised by the general nature of these phenomena anymore.
But this situation? It's surprising in a different way.
Normally, it's the kind of thing where I'd end up in a scenario like the
But this time, it's different.
'This is… good news!'
Oh my god, a wholesome ghost story!
If fear were measured on a scale, this one would probably be a zero. Even the most faint-hearted could breeze through it after knowing the spoilers.
Then why was it rated C-class?
'Because Daydream Inc. misclassified the grade due to a misunderstanding!'
This story was meant to bring joy.
It was one of those 'misunderstood ghost stories'—seemingly dangerous but actually warm and gentle. It was safe and friendly, but people's biases made it seem scary, leading to amusing misinterpretations.
'It's more like a magical experience than a ghost story…'
Naturally, there weren't many cases like this in the
My heart raced slightly.
Was I really going to experience this?
'Wait a minute.'
If this goes well…
'This might not just feel warm and fuzzy—it could actually make my life better.'
My mind started spinning quickly.
To pull this off, there was something I definitely needed to have.
And that was…
"You're being sent in tomorrow afternoon, so there's plenty of time. Take your time reading through it. Though honestly… You probably don't even need me to explain things, Roe!"
"In that case… would it be okay if I stepped out for a bit during lunch tomorrow?"
"Huh? Well, I don't think either Squad Leader Lee or the Assistant Manager Eun would mind, but why? If it's for a doctor's visit, we can give you extra time."
"Oh, no, it's not that. I just…"
I thought about my bank account and started counting.
"There's something I need to buy."
"...?"
To make the most of this wholesome ghost story, I needed to bring along…
Something very expensive!
-x-X-x-
The next day, after lunch—
We traveled to the site in Assistant Manager Eun's car, heading to the location where the Darkness was contained.
"Got everything you wanted to bring?"
"Yes."
The 'expensive thing' I had purchased during lunch was safely packed in my briefcase.
From the driver's seat, the assistant manager checked,
"Roe, this is your first time entering an urban legend that takes place in a real location, rather than being kidnapped by touching some cursed item, isn't it?"
Uh, no. In fact, I just pretended to be a serial killer at a lodge full of dismembered corpses, nearly throwing up in the process.
…But let's not bring that up.
"Yes. It feels like my first real field assignment."
"Haha. You're still in your twenties, right, Roe? This must be your first job, then."
The atmosphere was warm as we traveled, exchanging some light-hearted conversation.
"Did you know? Our squad leader once broke the steering wheel three times while on duty. Now there's a rumor he won't sit in the driver's seat again unless it's a full-blown zombie apocalypse…"
"..."
Maybe I shouldn't ask about that directly.
Anyway, after about forty minutes, the car smoothly arrived at its destination.
"Here we are."
It was a tightly packed alley of commercial buildings in the suburbs of Seoul.
Once bustling during a real estate boom, it had become eerily quiet and desolate due to new urban development drawing people away—an 'old' new town, so to speak.
Numerous vacant windows displayed real estate signs advertising properties for sale or rent.
"One of these buildings is the urban legend. If you enter during the golden hour on a sunny day, something strange happens."
"I see."
Accompanied by my superiors, who helpfully summarized the manual's details, I approached the designated commercial building.
"Civilians are blocked from entering this place. It seems like some kind of… Security Team equipment is being used. But it recognizes our badges and lets us through."
Hmm.
"Be careful once we're inside."
Supervisor Park lowered his voice and whispered seriously.
"There are quite a few disturbing records, so stay vigilant."
"..."
Are you referring to something like this?
Exploration Record #12
One of the staff members deployed (Employee Jung Sejong) discovered an operational shop at Room 404, next to the emergency exit on the fourth floor. The sign displayed the name ■■■ Café.
However, as the staff member approached the location, strange sounds not originating from the café began to be heard.
Barking, shouting, and the howling of beasts overlapped into a cacophony that grew louder and louder, as if rushing toward him.
Just as the staff member stopped in front of the door, the sound suddenly surged closer, as though something was about to charge out.
Panicking, the staff member fled to the emergency stairs just before the door opened but fell unconscious after a loud crash.
Later, the staff member was found unconscious near the building, suffering from open fractures in both legs and severe back injuries, rendering him unfit for duty. He subsequently reported persistent PTSD.
At first glance, it sounds eerie and horrific.
But did you notice?
'That's just… a dog-friendly café.'
The barking scared the employee, causing him to flee and tumble down the stairs, leading to multiple injuries.
The 'ghost story' actually kindly ejected the staff member from the premises.
This Darkness is just a space where the old shops continue to operate normally. That's as weird as it gets.
It's the kind of story where overzealous explorers, misinterpreting everything as sinister, end up creating problems for themselves, eliciting a wry chuckle from observers.
And here I am, standing next to people who are eagerly giving me advice as if it's all serious.
"Let's be cautious. There are records of this space harming entrants."
No, there aren't.
"Especially, don't lose consciousness. That usually results in severe injuries."
Even if someone passes out or gets hurt badly, the space politely ejects them after a while…
This is literally a shopping complex that ensures people leave once business hours are over.
Still, I refrained from explaining. I didn't want someone to think, 'Oh, this ghost story induces psychological contamination!' and spiral into more exaggerated misunderstandings.
Instead, I simply nodded when they suggested splitting up to cover more ground efficiently while staying in contact.
"Are you sure you'll be okay, Roe?"
"Yes."
Normally, I'd cling to someone's coattails out of nervousness, but today is the perfect day for a 'coward's adventure'!
"Call immediately if anything happens."
"Understood."
Equipped with a walkie-talkie provided by the Security Team (which oddly reminded me of a toy I'd seen in the Alien Shop), I moved out.
– Hm, is there a specific shop you want to visit? It seems a few are still operational.
That's the thing.
'Yes, but they're a bit tricky to reach…'
The space here was warped, with floors and directions all jumbled, but some semblance of order and rules could occasionally be discerned.
One such rule involved the elevator.
When taking it from the seventh floor, a button for the basement might randomly appear.
After several attempts, I finally saw the button labeled 'B1'.
– Ah, a hidden location? Reminds me of that elegant exhibition we went to recently.
Did you really have to bring that up?
I still have nightmares about wandering endlessly in the basement of that exhibition, bumping into mechanical spiders, and losing vital organs…
'This is a kind and gentle place… a kind and gentle place…'
Shaking off the memories, I pressed the button.
Ding.
The doors opened to reveal a parking garage.
'Someone once fainted here after hearing a car horn, I think.'
That's not the point.
I carefully followed the instructions I remembered.
'Three turns to the left.'
After circling the parking garage three times, a new section number, previously invisible, appeared.
'A19.'
This meant I had arrived.
With growing excitement, I walked toward it.
Next to this parking section was a door leading into the shopping complex. Instead of heading to the elevators, I turned to the side, where a small shop awaited.
And there it was.
Moonlight Tattoo Shop
A magical place.
-x-X-x-
Next to the underground parking lot, there was a small space that seemed to embody a landlord's desperate attempt to squeeze in one more rental shop for extra income.
That small space was occupied by the little shop I had planned to visit today:
A special tattoo shop.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Moonlight Tattoo Shop]
: A ghost story featured in
: Daydream Inc. identification code – N/A
The only official record from Daydream Inc. about this location is a one-off entry titled 'It Is Empty (Qterw-C-818)'.
For more details, Document #818-15623 (Civilian Interview Record) can be accessed, though its credibility is not guaranteed.
========================
Does the note about 'credibility not guaranteed' mean it's dangerous?
No.
The foundational story of 'It Is Empty' is a satire of humanity's tendency to twist benevolence into something sinister by looking for hidden negative reasons.
Contextually, this place has to be a 'good' location that aligns with civilian interview accounts.
– Are you going in?
Yup.
I pressed the button next to the frosted glass door.
Srrrk—
The door slid open, revealing the interior of the tattoo shop.
At a glance, it looked like an ordinary, modest shop. The facilities were slightly shabby but clean and well-maintained. A notice on the counter stated that they only performed one-on-one procedures.
However, light streamed down onto the central tattoo chair.
It was moonlight.
Curiously, the ceiling above the chair featured a transparent LED panel that allowed the moon to be visible, creating artificial moonlight that poured down in a focused beam.
'Just as described.'
"Is anyone here?"
When I called out, the shop owner emerged from behind the counter.
It was a woman with dense Korean-script tattoos on her neck, wearing a sleeveless shirt. Her tied-back curly hair and confident demeanor immediately evoked the impression of a skilled technician or artist.
"I'd like to have a tattoo consultation. Is that possible?"
Nod.
"Could you let me know the price range?"
The tattooist pointed at the wall behind the counter with a somewhat unassuming expression.
[We only accept payments in kind.]
Indeed.
This shop didn't accept cash. Instead, payment was made with items that the owner found appealing, with a particular preference.
[Special Condition : Items related to the sea.]
Because of this, civilians who happened to meet this condition often had rare and extraordinary experiences.
========================
Document #818-15623
Civilian : Honestly, I just took a wrong turn. I was trying to find a tattoo shop near ■■ Station, but somehow, I ended up in this area full of empty spaces.
Then I found the tattoo shop in the basement.
When I saw they accepted items related to the sea, I thought it was really unique. So, just to try it out, I showed them a sand timer keychain I happened to have. They accepted it!
Afterward, they directed me to the central tattoo chair.
========================
So, I had prepared for this 'special condition' in advance.
"Would this be acceptable?"
I opened the velvet-covered rectangular box I had brought in my briefcase.
Inside, shimmering beads of light reflected brilliantly.
"These are pearl beads."
"...!"
These were extremely expensive marine pearls.
Perfectly spherical Akoya white-green pearls, 10mm in size, with a pink aurora sheen that gave them a near-holographic appearance. It was a top-class item.
'Technically, there are more expensive sea-related items, but…'
According to the civilian's account, the shop owner seemed particularly drawn to items influenced by the passage of time.
Pearls, being organic and composed of protein, were inherently shaped by time.
'Besides, I managed to pick these up during a quick lunch break at a wholesaler in Jongno.'
I had even excluded South Sea pearls, which were less affected by time, in favor of these Akoya pearls.
"How about this?"
"..."
Nod, nod, nod, nod, nod.
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
The tattooist stared in awe at the gleaming pearls before carefully accepting the box I offered. For a brief moment, joy flickered in her otherwise modest eyes.
'What could she possibly use them for?'
I had no idea.
In any case, after organizing the box with incredible speed behind the counter, the tattooist politely gestured for me to proceed to the central chair, bathed in moonlight.
"Thank you."
The tattooist soon brought over a large lemon drink and a thick booklet.
So far, everything was as described in the accounts.
They brought me a lemon drink and a booklet, which seemed like a collection of tattoo designs. One was labeled 'Basic Design #3'.
I chose a tiny dolphin silhouette the size of a fingernail and got it done. During the process, they told me to close my eyes, and strangely, I felt no pain.
I glanced at the cover of the booklet.
If the person who gave a mother-of-pearl keychain received 'Basic Design #3', what could I expect after offering pearls worth millions of won?
Granted, this might be an overly materialistic way of thinking.
'This is a small tattoo shop in a ghost story. A mystical shop owner might not respond to material offerings…'
[Royal Special Premium #1 (Customizable)]
"..."
Well, that worked.
"Thank you."
Money wins, once again.
Anyway, the designs here seemed to reflect what my offering could earn me.
'Hmm.'
I turned the pages of the booklet.
Designs included constellations drawn with water droplets, a fusion of polar bear claws and Inuit patterns, and a wistful pastel-toned seascape at sunset.
The collection was stunning.
If I'd come here for the express purpose of getting a meaningful tattoo, I'd be poring over these designs with awe.
But that wasn't my primary concern.
The tattoo disappears the next day anyway.
To be more precise…
It would feel like you had dreamed it. You clearly got a tattoo, but it would be completely gone the next morning.
But do you know what's stranger?
The tattoo received here is 'absorbed' into the person.
I suddenly became great at swimming in the ocean.
Just like the dolphin I had tattooed.
In other words, these tattoos grant special abilities based on the design!
-x-X-x-
'I can't miss this opportunity.'
In the
But very few do so in such a gentle and harmless way.
In a world of ghost stories where you must sell your body, soul, or at least your conscience to gain anything, Moonlight Tattoo Shop was truly a rare beacon of light.
'I need to pick something worthwhile.'
I flipped through the pages with determination, deducing the abilities that each design might offer.
– Mr. Roe Deer, I'd like to take a closer look too!
Ah, right. Braun might be able to glean more from this than I could.
Carefully, I pulled the doll out of my pocket and placed it before the booklet.
– Oh, the artist's aesthetic sense is quite good. Let me think… hmm?
The tattooist suddenly stared at Braun with sparkling eyes. Then, before I could stop them, she picked up Braun.
"...! W-Wait…"
[Complimentary Service]
"..."
– Careful. Please handle me gently. My body is filled with cotton, so I can't move very… hmm, mmmh, hm…
The tattooist placed Braun into a small basin they'd brought over, expertly applied aromatic oils, and started massaging the doll's fabric with practiced hands.
…Is this a spa treatment?
– Huuuuu… the fatigue from filming is melting away…
The plush doll sounded like an exhausted celebrity enjoying a high-end treatment.
It was truly a surreal sight, one I'd never encountered in any ghost story.
Was this… heartwarming?
'…Let's just pick a design.'
After the tattooist handed back a gleaming, revitalized Braun, I thanked her politely and returned to flipping through the booklet with vigor.
Unfortunately, none of the designs had clear indications of their abilities. There was only a curious abundance of sea-related motifs.
If that's the case…
"Do you have any recommendations?"
How about asking outright?
"Are there any designs related to courage or boldness—symbols of fearlessness?"
Yes, this was what I needed most.
'To escape being a coward…!'
As tempting as the other abilities were, my most fundamental and powerful 'special ability' was my knowledge from the
That information was my greatest asset.
But to use it effectively, I needed a rational mindset capable of sound judgment.
'I can't keep living with a heart that feels like it might stop from sheer panic…!'
How many times had I almost died because of this cowardly heart?
'This is probably my one and only chance to visit Moonlight Tattoo Shop.'
It made sense to address my most urgent need first.
Asking directly wasn't something covered in the records, so I was a little nervous. But the tattooist readily flipped through the booklet and pointed to a design.
The design was…
"…Tomato?"
Yes.
It was a tree bearing tomatoes.
The design depicted dynamic branches, leaves, and fruit, drawn with bold, rustic strokes that resembled the marks of a well-worn pen nib.
It was melancholic, rough, and poetic.
The only color in the design was the bright red of the fruit—the tomatoes.
'How does this relate to courage?'
Honestly, I didn't understand, but since the tattooist communicated exclusively through the designs in the booklet, I couldn't get a detailed explanation.
Still, it was a recommendation from the professional, so I figured it must be significant.
"Alright. I'll take this one."
The tattooist nodded happily and retrieved the booklet.
"Oh, the placement will be here…"
I rolled up my left sleeve.
If I was getting it, I thought I'd place it near an existing tattoo anyway.
"...!"
Suddenly, the tattooist's expression shifted, and they stood up from their seat.
'What's going on?'
They quickly pointed to a notice on the wall.
[Tattoo services may be refused for specific reasons.]
Then, they pointed directly at my arm.
"...!"
No way.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"You can see these markings?"
The tattooist nodded, looking at me as if it were the most obvious question in the world.
Of course, she would see them—she's part of a ghost story, too.
But that wasn't the issue right now.
"Are these markings the reason I can't get a new tattoo?"
Nod.
"Does that mean I also can't get one on my other arm or back?"
Nod.
"…So, there's no way for me to get a new tattoo right now?"
N…od.
Damn it!
"I didn't even choose to have these markings in the first place. Isn't there any other way? I really want this…"
I let my shoulders slump, feigning disappointment.
The tattooist seemed taken aback and started contemplating something. After a moment, she pulled something out from behind the counter.
'A promotional pamphlet?'
The tattooist flipped through it quickly and pointed to a specific line on the page.
[Cover-ups available]
[Transform your old tattoos into something new.]
"...!!"
[※ Moonlight Tattoo Shop's cover-ups don't conceal the original tattoo. Instead, they amplify its charm.
Retain its full meaning while discovering a new beauty.]
Wait a minute.
Does this mean… they're offering to enhance my existing tattoos?
– Not bad! The theme park mascot and lodge caretaker tattoos were a bit much anyway. You should consider a more artistic choice.
– A nightjar, a constellation, the Eight Trigrams… There are plenty of beautiful designs! It's better to cover them up with something stylish.
I glanced down at my arm.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
"I can have either of these enhanced?"
The tattooist nodded.
'So, I can only get one new tattoo, but cover-ups are considered exceptions, allowing either to be enhanced.'
Still, I instinctively felt that choosing only one would yield better results.
'This shop clearly offers higher quality tattoos based on what you give. Dividing the value between two might dilute the outcome.'
"..."
I deliberated.
And then…
"Please enhance this one."
I pointed at one of the tattoos on my arm.
The tattoos that ghost stories left on me were all text-based.
One was in Latin.
: Socius :
This was inscribed when the membership granted by the blue dragon mascot at the theme park burned away. According to Braun, it symbolized 'special authorization', granting a type of access pass.
The other was in Chinese.
: 恩主 :
This appeared when the lodge caretaker's contract from the serial killer ghost story, the hanji burning over my skin.
However, because I lacked the 'qualifications', it was nothing more than a symbol with no real function.
If I had to choose one to 'enhance'…
'It has to be this one.'
"I'll be in your care."
The tattooist leaned in to examine the tattoo I had pointed to.
: 恩主 :
The reason for this choice was simple:
'It's better to increase the range of abilities I can use.'
It's (unfortunately) almost guaranteed that I'll be venturing into various ghost stories in the future. This means relying on just one superpower won't cut it.
'Even Chief Lizard had near death experiences despite his strength—it's clearly not enough.'
It's better to have a variety of abilities for different scenarios. Strengthening a single ability halfway wouldn't be as effective.
'It's more practical to make use of an unused tattoo.'
With Moonlight Tattoo Shop, I didn't have to worry about 'stepping on a landmine'.
The shop was extremely benevolent, so it didn't grant harmful powers. I could trust that the lodge caretaker wouldn't suddenly appear to strangle me.
Moreover…
I glanced at the Latin tattoo.
– Good child.
Thinking back to the emotional bond I seemed to have formed with that mascot, covering up this tattoo felt… wrong.
'That's a warning sign.'
As a dedicated reader of the
– Ah, it's finally starting!
And so, I made my choice, and the tattooist began her work.
When she tried to show me several design options, I stopped her.
"Oh, please just proceed with what you think works best."
If I wanted the best results, I had to trust the professional.
I smiled brightly.
"I trust in your skill, Tattooist-nim."
"...!"
The tattooist's eyes gleamed momentarily before they confidently gestured for me to lie back on the chair.
She also handed Braun to me to hold tightly.
– Does she think I'm a stress-relief toy? What an amusing yet rude misunderstanding!
But I felt no pain.
The tattooist donned intricate steampunk-style goggles and began operating an enormous tattoo machine.
'…Are tattoo machines normally that big?'
It looked as large as a surgical device, and for a moment, I was taken aback.
Then, moonlight poured into the machine.
Bzzzzzzz—
The LED light from the ceiling flowed into the machine and concentrated at its tip.
The needle glowed like a jewel as it approached my arm, and following the instructions, I closed my eyes.
"..."
A strange sensation spread through my left arm.
It wasn't pain, tickling, or even pressure.
It felt as if old grime was being peeled away, my skin rearranging itself and fitting together perfectly—a refreshing, soothing sensation.
Tap, tap.
It was over.
The light faded, and following the tattooist's gesture, I opened my eyes.
"...!"
'My god.'
The tattoo now had a background.
It depicted a deep blue night sky with a full moon painted in a single bold stroke. On the moon's shadow, the characters were engraved. Around them, stars were scattered like a pearl-studded constellation, shimmering faintly. ȓåＮοＢÈŝ
Tap, tap.
The tattooist stood with her hands on her hips, as if asking if I liked it.
"It's stunning."
With a satisfied smile, the tattooist patted my shoulder before rushing to the counter.
"...?"
When they returned, she held a single pearl in her hand. It looked like it had been taken from the necklace I had provided.
'What's this?'
The tattooist placed the pearl against the tattoo on my arm.
And it sank right in.
"...?!"
– Hooh, well now. Hmm…
– Mr. Roe Deer, this is truly fascinating. A 'pathway' has opened.
A pathway?
– Try gently rubbing the tattoo. You should feel something.
I raised my hand and lightly touched the tattoo, which, as if by magic, showed no signs of swelling or pain.
"...!"
I could feel it.
Between the layers of skin, there was a distinct 'gap'.
"..."
Carefully, I 'inserted' my hand into it.
When I withdrew it, I was holding the pearl that the tattooist had placed inside earlier.
'…A subspace?'
– Exactly. It seems that the uncharismatic lodge caretaker's contract included 'providing space' as part of the deal!
– After all, isn't it a servant's duty to provide rooms for their guests? It seems the artist found a loophole in the contract, enabling her to grant you a small space as well!
Wait a second.
Does this mean I now have… my own little inventory?
'Is this really happening?'
My heart raced at this webtoon-like gift—something I'd never expected from a creepypasta.
– Let's see… imagine a cube with a side length of about 2 feet. That's roughly the amount of space that's now 'connected' to you.
2 feet… about 60 cm.
Braun used that pesky imperial measurement system—typical of an American ghost story connection—but still, the information was genuinely helpful.
But now I had another question.
'So… is this space connected to that lodge?'
That crazy, murderous lodge should have disappeared by now though.
– It's uncertain. Where it's connected to… no one can say for sure.
– Only the original contract holder would know what kind of space the lodge caretaker had agreed to provide.
"..."
– It's intriguing, isn't it? This would make for a great bet! What shall we wager for the fun of life?
I would like to politely decline…
Still, considering that Moonlight Tattoo Shop never granted abilities harmful to its clients, I decided not to be overly wary and miss out on using this power.
'At least now I don't have to worry about secretly carrying items anymore.'
That alone was a huge benefit.
"Thank you. This is truly amazing and wonderful."
I returned the pearl I had retrieved, and the tattooist, taking it back, looked genuinely pleased and satisfied.
"Is everything settled now?"
The tattooist nodded.
"Then, I'll be on my way."
Just as I approached the entrance, the tattooist seemed to realize something and gestured for me to stop.
'What now?'
She rummaged under the counter with intense focus and pulled out a piece of paper. Carefully wrapping it in a transparent sleeve, she handed it to me.
'…A tattoo design?'
The moment I took it, I realized what it was.
It was a tattoo sticker.
And it was the exact design I had picked—the tomato tree.
There were even three of them!
"...!"
Wait a second.
"Does this mean… if I wear one of these, I'll temporarily become 'brave', as if I had received the tattoo?"
The tattooist smiled and nodded.
'Good lord.'
An unexpected bonus.
"Thank you very much."
The shop owner smiled warmly and waved as if it were finally time to bid farewell.
I placed the stickers into my pocket—or rather, into the new 'subspace'—and, for real this time, grabbed the door to leave.
"Have a great day."
With a polite farewell, the door closed behind me.
Rattle—
When I turned back to look…
"..."
It was now empty.
As one would expect from a ghost story, the shop had reverted to a vacant space. Behind the distorted real estate sign in the glass window, the interior was hollow and lifeless.
'…That's how it's supposed to work.'
Moonlight Tattoo Shop could only be accessed once through the 'It Is Empty' ghost story.
'Maybe next time, I'll have a chance with a different ghost story.'
– Ah, what a unique and delightful experience.
I couldn't agree more.
"Roe, how was your exploration?"
"It went well."
That day, I successfully completed the 'It Is Empty' exploration without any issues and accumulated a decent amount of points.
The pleasant aroma from Braun's aromatherapy massage lingered for days.
As for the enhanced tattoo, it disappeared without a trace the next morning, leaving only the original text on my wrist.
Still, the ability it granted remained intact.
'Let's make good use of it.'
With thoughts of the possibilities for my inventory, I conducted several experiments.
* * *
Three weeks later—
The ability hadn't proven useful even once.
"..."
Well, I suppose that's normal.
When entering ghost stories with manuals, the company usually provided all the necessary items, so there's no real need to smuggle anything in.
Additionally, deployments to ghost stories without manuals had significantly decreased.
'Even the Alien Shop doesn't have anything particularly portable or worthwhile to go wild over…'
Ultimately, the ability had been relegated to a mere convenience for carrying existing items more easily.
'I did discover that it seems to be vacuum-sealed, so food doesn't spoil in there.'
When I placed an analog clock inside, the second hand remained frozen, but a digital clock would get its battery drained completely.
The rules were unclear.
Still, I hadn't encountered an urgent situation requiring its use.
Time passed uneventfully, and I accumulated more points without much fanfare and without much need to use items or abilities…
'Still, it's a good thing to have.'
"Three weeks until the regular personnel announcement."
"Hoo-ah, hoo-ah."
"You'll definitely stay on this squad, right, Roe?"
"Yes, I certainly hope so."
The hottest topic among D-squad was whether I'd survive the personnel announcement and remain on this squad.
As expected from a ghost story company, injuries and scares occasionally cropped up, but I'd become somewhat used to them.
Holding onto the tattoo stickers like talismans helped me endure.
'I'll save these for real emergencies.'
I was gradually settling into the routine, becoming comfortable with the work and the decent personalities of my squadmates.
Naturally, this sense of ease didn't last long.
Three weeks and two days later—
Monday morning.
"Roe, you're here?"
"..."
The atmosphere had changed.
'…What's going on?'
There was an eerie calmness in the air.
The kind of stillness one might feel when leaving a final message for their family during a catastrophe.
It was the peculiar serenity of people bracing for tragedy.
It was definitely not a good sign.
"Well… we're bound to encounter something like this eventually."
"It'll be okay! We've all got strong luck on our side!"
Supervisor Park Minseong's attempt at optimism didn't elicit a response from Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
The tension was palpable.
"Have a seat, Roe."
Instead of my desk, I was directed to the sofa. Sitting across from me, Eun Haje placed a tablet PC on the table with a calm expression.
"This is the Darkness you'll be entering in three days."
"..."
Three days?
'Why are they giving so much time?'
When something is scheduled three days out, it's usually framed as 'prepare just in case you're assigned'.
It's rare for it to be stated so definitively.
"Twelve people will be entering this Darkness. It's rated B-class."
"..."
"Don't be too alarmed. The survival rate is absurdly high. Plus, the additional points are generous—2,000 points per person."
"…And?"
Eun Haje's expression briefly shifted to one of bitter amusement, as if saying, 'You sharp little devil.'
"And there's a problem. Finding a Darkness without issues would be faster, but this one's unique."
"…Unique how?"
"The simplest way to put it… well…"
Eun Haje crossed his arms.
"It's a luck-based death game."
"...?!"
"As soon as you enter, someone is guaranteed to die. Completely random. Pure luck."
God damn.
'The fear of possibly dying.'
Perhaps that's the essence of ghost stories.
Recently, I even experienced a government-managed Disaster where someone had to die for the scenario to be theoretically cleared.
So, I've grown quite accustomed to the idea that "people usually die in ghost stories." I've even become a bit desensitized to it.
After all, I've managed to squeeze through the needle's eye and survive.
– Let's figure out an escape route first, no matter how impossible it seems.
This had become my default mindset over the past few months.
But now…
"Initially, everyone disappeared. Only one headless corpse ever came back."
"..."
"But after a few repetitions, someone lucky enough managed to survive and return. Based on their testimony, we pieced together the manual."
This was the standard process for completing a high-level exploration manual.
"But there was one thing we could never change."
That was…
"Someone always dies."
"..."
"The mechanism behind who gets chosen? There isn't one. No logic, no pattern. It's completely random. It's happened 37 times so far, and no matter what gear or items are brought in, it doesn't make any difference."
"..."
"And since the designation happens the moment you enter, there's no time to prepare or respond."
This situation was absurd.
Literally a game of chance, where I had a 1-in-12 chance of instant death.
Including the rest of the squad, the odds were 1 in 3—absolutely ludicrous.
Someone would just… die.
"You might think, 'Why not send someone expendable instead of a competent person like me'…"
"I didn't, ma'am."
"Really? Because I sure did."
"..."
"But we don't have a choice. This damned urban legend demands a challenger with a sharp mind to allow for a clear scenario resolution."
In other words, we couldn't just throw away a sacrificial pawn.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje smirked faintly.
"An 8.3% death rate in a B-class Darkness is actually quite reasonable."
"..."
It was true.
Think about the exhibition ghost story. That one didn't even have a manual, making it far worse. Even when manuals are complete, fatalities weren't uncommon.
But still…
"The idea of being trapped in that probability—it feels wrong. So unfair."
"..."
It wasn't unusual to feel that way.
The difference between dying without a chance to fight back and dying after at least trying is significant.
The former feels like slaughter. The latter, a challenge.
"…Does giving us three days mean it's to help us mentally prepare?"
"Most likely."
After three days, your mind cools down, and you start to think rationally and optimistically.
'Surely I won't be the one in 12?' That kind of thought process…
"Roe, this must be your first time facing a Darkness like this, right?"
"…Yes."
"Go grab a coffee. Get me one too while you're at it."
Taking the hint that I could take my time, I accepted Assistant Manager Eun Haje's card and headed out.
The coffee errand was probably just an excuse for some mental health management.
'This is driving me nuts.'
Now I was leaning back on a café sofa, an Americano in front of me.
Fear? I wouldn't say that's the issue. I haven't not been scared since arriving here, so that's nothing new.
What I felt was unease.
'Information doesn't matter in this situation.'
Maybe it's because I realized how much I've relied on having clearer conditions than most employees. It left me with a strange sense of self-reproach.
And an overwhelming sense of danger.
"..."
'Should I just quit?'
Wouldn't it be better to leave now and figure out another path?
Investigating ghost stories independently using the
– Ah, Friend!
– Why not consider a career in show business?
Excuse me??
– Oh, absolutely. There's always a spot for you in my world, my friend. Isn't that what friends are for? Hahaha!
I almost fell off the sofa.
'Hard pass.'
That snapped me out of it.
– What a shame…
Yes, in this world, there are plenty of fates worse than death.
And investigating alone? Only an idiot would forget they're a coward and make such a foolish choice.
Quitting over a 1/12 chance of death would be stupid.
'But doing nothing about it would be equally idiotic.'
– So, are you going in?
'Yes.'
First, I needed to learn more about this ghost story.
I returned to the office with the takeout coffees for the squad and began thoroughly reading the tablet PC.
And…
'…Hah.'
It really was random.
The ghost story matched what I already knew from the
'There's no new information.'
I didn't know anything that others didn't.
'No gaps to exploit.'
Even in the
There were no exceptions or suspicious loopholes. It wasn't treated as particularly significant, probably because deaths in ghost stories were common enough to feel unremarkable.
And then…
"For this deployment, squad leaders are excluded. Only those ranked assistant manager or below will enter."
"..."
Chief Lizard wouldn't be accompanying us this time.
This was to prevent 'priority confusion' among staff if a squad leader were designated as the sacrifice due to their higher rank.
"None from the Round-Off Team or the elite squads would be included either. Last time they went in, it caused a huge mess."
Apparently, during one deployment, an elite squad member from the A, B, or C squads had been designated as the sacrifice. Their desperate attempts to avoid death ended up causing 'unnecessary casualties', taking down several other employees with them.
I didn't regret not being placed on the A-squad, but this company was as consistent as ever.
"Thank you for letting me know."
"Don't mention it."
Assistant Manager Eun seemed caught somewhere between resignation and irritation, finding solace in a cigarette as Supervisor Park joined him for a smoke break.
"Did you see the roster? The employees going in, too…"
"Yeah, honestly, I wouldn't even attend some of their funerals. Did they select the lowest-ranked based on personality or something?"
"Hey, at least we're not included!"
I kept comparing with the manual, desperately searching for something.
A gap to slip through.
A small loophole in the rules.
And then, unexpectedly, that afternoon, a potential way to bypass the rules appeared.
Though it came in a slightly different form.
"Supervisor Kim!"
"Section Chief."
Section Chief Lee Byeongjin had come to find me. As the manual revisions officer, he wouldn't have come all this way just 'in passing'.
"I heard! You're going into that insane Russian roulette ghost story, aren't you?"
"..."
I had thought it before, but he truly had a knack for irritating people.
But Section Chief Lee wasn't here just to make a fuss.
After lowering his voice and ensuring no one else was around, he leaned in and spoke quietly.
"Why don't you talk to Director Ho about this?"
"...!"
"Apparently, the director's been impressed by your performance."
"Are you saying…"
I looked at him.
"…if I speak to the director, I'll be excluded from this?"
"Exactly!"
"..."
"Normally, these things are decided under the guise of fairness, but I'm against that. Someone as talented and promising as you shouldn't have to go. You're a top performer, after all!"
A legitimate escape route presented itself.
Getting an executive to intervene.
I opened my mouth to respond.
"I'm alright."
"H-Huh?"
This was something I absolutely couldn't choose.
'It would draw too much attention.'
The moment I accepted that option, I would effectively be picking sides within the company.
And in a ghost story company, even the executives were unlikely to be ordinary people. Aligning myself with someone in a 'desperate, survival-driven manner' would be a terrible move.
Especially since this was a matter of life and death.
'The moment I'm excluded, rumors will spread like wildfire.'
Would they take it well? Not a chance.
It would be seen as selfishness.
In any community, earning recognition as a proper member requires sharing burdens. Trying to avoid that would…
'Get me completely ostracized.'
In the Field Exploration Team, where members must constantly operate in squads of three, actions like trying to exclude myself could wreak havoc on my workplace dynamics.
Unless a director intervened to quietly pull me out and later claimed credit for saving me, that wasn't going to happen.
The fact that this wasn't the case meant I wasn't 'important' enough to be singled out like that.
Or maybe…
'They believe luck is a kind of skill.'
In other words, it's a trap.
Even if it stung, the right move was to play it straight.
I spoke as if I were a principled stickler for rules.
"Making an exception for me would be preferential treatment. The company must have reasons for assigning work this way, so I'll take responsibility and follow through."
"Uhh…"
Section Chief Lee Byeongjin stammered, but after asking 'Are you sure?' several times, he finally relented and left.
Honestly…
I barely stopped myself from grabbing his pant leg and screaming, Yes, please save me!
'Let's just call this character build reinforcement.'
Because there's no other comfort to be had here.
I watched him leave with a bitter smile and returned to my desk.
'Let's review the manual again.'
But whether I looked at the or reread the manual, the result was the same—there were no loopholes.
There were no exceptions for any of the explorers.
'Every single one of them was subjected to the random selection…'
"..."
Wait.
'This… could this be a loophole?'
I couldn't be sure.
'It's just a possibility.'
But in this situation, it was worth trying any possibility, no matter how slim.
– Mr. Roe Deer, have you thought of something entertaining?
Not entertaining, but an idea nonetheless.
'Create an exception.'
– Hmm?
Every explorer who entered this ghost story was subjected to the 1/12 instant death lottery without exception.
But what if there was a shared condition unique to all explorers? Something that had never allowed for an exception before.
– What condition are you referring to?
...
'Being human.'
Both the manual and only mentioned humans as explorers. There were no accounts of other living creatures.
But in this world, humans weren't the only sentient beings.
If we include animals and plants, the possibilities become endless.
'What if a non-human being could avoid the judgment?'
Based on the irregular cases I'd read in the
– Mr. Roe Deer, do you wish to stop being human?
'N-No, that's not what I mean!'
Could he not throw out such pure-sounding yet ominous questions?
'I just want to be treated as not human for a little while.'
I carefully chose my words.
'Like putting on a disguise for a performance.'
– Hooh.
'Braun, is that something you could do for me?'
– Oh, absolutely!
Braun's voice became more vibrant and enthusiastic, as if he were preparing for a show.
– Adopting a new identity is an entertainer's calling. I have countless masks to offer… oh! I even have one that I could lend you right now.
Jackpot.
'Let's try it.'
"Huuu."
I tore my gaze away from the manual and leaned back in my chair.
Just then, Assistant Manager Eun and Supervisor Park returned from their smoke break, waving at me as they entered the office.
"..."
Ah, crap.
'Braun, about that "mask" ability… can it work on multiple people?'
– Multiple people? You mean people other than you, friend?
'Um, I mean, including myself.'
– …If I can regain a bit more of my former glory, it should be possible. Back in my prime, I could cast entire studio audiences—no, hundreds of people—into new roles!
Perfect.
'Braun.'
– Ah, my friend calls on me again!
I patted my pocket respectfully.
'Let's give you a bath.'
– ...?!
* * *
– Mr. Roe Deer, I appreciate the thought, but I'm not an occult-obsessed celebrity who would enjoy bathing in their friend's blood.
"I know."
Even if he was a quiz show host notorious for 'blowing up contestants' heads', Braun, as my 'good friend', was certainly someone I could afford not to doubt.
But there was no other way.
Even if I somehow procured blood packs from a hospital, the freshness would degrade, reducing their efficiency. I couldn't use someone else's blood, and bringing in a creature from a ghost story like last time wasn't an option.
'The leftover ginseng wouldn't work either since whatever made it sentient has already dissipated.'
That left the obvious choice.
My own blood.
I stared into the small, elegant, checkered bathtub. It still looked pristine and smelled pleasant, as when I had first bought from the Alien Shop.
Now, I had to pour my blood into it.
"I probably can't give much. Maybe half a cup."
That would be about 180mL.
– Half a cup! A bit tight, but for the small, cotton-filled body I inhabit, it should suffice as a bath additive. Diluted, of course… No, no, this isn't right. Are you sure about this?
It's fine.
'I can do this.'
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the kitchen knife.
Next to me was a vial of a wound-healing potion I had brought from the company's medical office.
"Huu."
I pricked the flesh of my arm with the upper part of the knife.
– Good heavens!
Blood began to flow, a steady stream indicating I'd struck an artery.
'Remember, I'm scared of creepy situations, not blood itself…'
This isn't creepy…!
I repeated the phrase like a mantra over and over, trying to calm myself. Eventually, the promised amount of blood—half a cup—had dripped into the tub.
'That should be enough.'
But I didn't stop the bleeding.
– Mr. Roe Deer?
A bit more.
– It seems sufficient, friend!
Just a bit more.
– Friend?
Okay, that's enough.
'Done.'
I quickly used the company's healing potion to stop the bleeding. Its magical effects sealed the arterial wound beautifully.
Though I felt a bit lightheaded from the blood loss, it wasn't a big issue.
'A recovery potion will fix that too.'
By the time I enter the ghost story in a couple of days, I'd be back to normal.
What mattered now was the fragrant aroma wafting from the tub.
"Huu…"
I leaned closer to inspect the tub, inhaling deeply as the pleasant scent tickled my nose.
It seemed my blood had done its job successfully.
'I must've given about 500mL.'
The mixture had transformed into a proper bath solution.
'…It smells like wood?'
The scent reminded me uncomfortably of that cursed forest ghost story, but at least it wasn't unpleasant or strange.
Nodding in satisfaction, I turned to Braun.
"You can get in now. How's the scent?"
– Ah, it's delightful. Quite unique, like your unpredictably whimsical decisions, Mr. Roe Deer!
I smirked.
"Was that sarcasm? Because I bled more than planned?"
– Sarcasm is a key trait of any successful talk show host! But I don't wield it indiscriminately.
"Thanks for your concern."
– ...
"I'll take care of my recovery. Don't worry. But I won't do this again."
– Now that's a wise declaration, Friend.
Is it?
To be honest, I did this deliberately.
Giving my 'good friend' a bit of a shock was my way of ensuring he'd feel reluctant about using my blood for baths in the future.
And it seemed to have worked.
'If I'd announced the real amount in advance, he might've just accepted it without a thought.'
And that wouldn't do.
'This has to be a one-time thing.'
I picked up Braun to place him in the tub, but once again, he declined.
– I shall walk in proudly on my own two feet.
Aigoo, go ahead.
I turned away from the tub, and soon heard the sound of footsteps and splashing water.
The bath had begun.
Then, after a short while…
– Roe Deer, this bath solution you've created…
– Hmm, it's rather peculiar!
Pardon me?
I suddenly found myself receiving a critique of the bath solution I had made with 500mL of my own blood from Braun.
'…Unique?'
I was taken aback.
'I almost turned to look at the tub.'
Keeping my head steady, I asked, "What do you mean by 'unique'?"
– Exactly what I said! Hmm, bath solutions come in various types, don't they? Salt, oil, bubble baths… Yours, Mr. Roe Deer, is quite different from the ginseng, though there are similarities too.
That,
Hey, that ginseng came from a ghost story, and I'm a human being…
'Isn't it obvious that they'd be different?'
– They are different. But why do you think there's a similarity between you and that ginseng, Mr. Roe Deer?
"...!"
– Oh… I see. Now I understand.
As I heard the sound of the smacking of lips as though tasting fine wine, Braun answered.
– Mr. Roe Deer, your bath solution is a blend.
Blend.
In literal terms, it means mixed—a term often used in coffee or cocktails to describe combining ingredients for a new flavor.
– That's right. It seems to share some component with the ginseng, though in a different form.
"..."
Could this be referring to ghost story contamination?
I thought of the Security Team sergeant—the way his human form had ripped apart and twisted into a wolf-like creature.
Was I also beginning to experience the contamination and encroachment of paranormal phenomena?
– Contamination? That's such an extreme and negative way to put it. Isn't life a process of change? Mutual influence and transformation—that's where the fun lies!
Damn it.
Instinctively, I glanced down at my body. If there were any visible signs of 'ghostly influence', it would most likely be…
"Do you think the tattoos are the cause?"
– Hmm, tracing the origins of what's already mixed is quite a challenge.
– There are connoisseurs who can guess a vineyard by tasting a drop of wine, but I've never liked that kind of pretentiousness, even as a talk show host.
"..."
– Anyway, there's no need to worry, Mr. Roe Deer. You're not about to meet a new version of yourself next week or anything like that!
Theoretically speaking, that seemed true.
'Living and working here inevitably means I'll experience some level of ghostly contamination.'
There was no point in panicking over it. After all, the stronger and more varied one's supernatural abilities become, the greater the risk of being consumed by them.
Balancing that risk was essential.
'…Though I don't think I've reached a point where I need to worry about balance yet.'
Still, it was something I'd have to manage in the future. Luckily, one of the facilities I now had access to as a supervisor specialized in monitoring such changes.
I'll visit that place after safely surviving this ghost story.
– Hmm. There's also something particularly unique about your bath solution… Oh, it's all dissolved now.
Braun let out a long, satisfied sigh as if he had been trying to analyze the bath solution further.
– I thoroughly enjoyed it!
At least one of us enjoyed it—that was a relief.
The bathtub glimmered with neon lights, flickering briefly as though flipping through TV channels. Braun lounged against the tub's wall, his plush body radiating a lively energy.
– Shall we step out now?
I walked over and lifted Braun out of the tub. The plush doll felt oddly more luxurious than before, though the size hadn't changed.
Still, Braun's voice sounded sharper, more articulate—more vibrant.
I covered the plush doll with a towel, shielding him from view, and asked,
"Feeling reinvigorated?"
– Beyond words!
– Hmm, it feels like returning to my prime, when I was most active…
While it wasn't as dramatic a transformation as when I used the contaminated ginseng, Braun had clearly 'rejuvenated'.
And when I pulled back the towel covering him, I noticed something I hadn't seen before.
'…A tag?'
There was a small scrap of fabric at the back of his neck, where it looked like a tag had once been attached.
'So there was originally a complete tag here?'
It seemed to be a remnant recovered during his rejuvenation.
'Interesting.'
I made a mental note of it.
– Ah, I feel wonderful.
"That's good to hear."
After drying off the plush doll, I placed him neatly on a towel-covered table.
The preparations were complete.
"I have a favor to ask."
– Ah, I had a feeling that was coming!
– After all, how could I refuse a friend who had just prepared a bath for me? You're probably about to ask if I can lend my mask to more people, aren't you?
"That's right."
With Braun rejuvenated, he could now wield more powerful abilities.
– Excellent. How many people are we talking about?
"Two."
* * *
Two days later—
Following instructions in the company's notice, I headed to a different location for work. It was an abandoned private kindergarten building, already populated with company personnel.
"You're already here," I greeted respectfully.
"Roe, you're early!"
Standing near the poorly cleaned entrance of the kindergarten, I soon saw my squadmates arrive.
"Let's hope it's one of those guys who bites it, not us."
"Please… just this once…"
"..."
Thanks for whispering, though honestly, I don't think anyone would have cared even if you hadn't. Everyone wore the same anxious expression anyway.
"Roe, Roe! Do you see that guy over there with the rabbit's foot? It's supposed to be a lucky charm."
"Does it work?"
"You think? Last expedition, someone wore something similar and still got sent to the afterlife in one hit."
"..."
"Yeah, Assistant Manager Eun's right. They say none of those items work here. The selection is 'fair' and unavoidable."
I glanced at Supervisor Park, who, though pale, was trying to force a smile. He looked as if he had braced himself but was still deeply nervous.
"Supervisor."
"Yeah?"
"Would the company have any issues if I tried something similar? To avoid being picked as the sacrifice?"
"Ah, preparing some countermeasures to dodge it?"
"Something like that."
Supervisor Park laughed and patted me on the back.
"Oh, Roe, of course not! Everyone does it!"
"I'd bet my paycheck that everyone here has spent the last three days trying every trick in the book to weasel out of this."
Bold words, Assistant Manager Eun…
Eun Haje smirked faintly.
"How do you think they figured out none of it works? Plenty of people tried and still ended up as the sacrifice."
"..."
"Why, Roe, are you planning to try something too?"
"Yes."
After a moment of hesitation, I pulled Braun out of my pocket.
"Ah, the keychain you carry around."
"My lucky friend. Would it be alright if I shared this friend's abilities with you two? It'll be our little secret."
Both of them gave tired, skeptical smiles but nodded.
"Well… thanks, I guess."
"Here's hoping it actually brings some luck!"
Okay.
'That should keep any rumors from surfacing later.'
"Huu."
– Now, let's get ready.
"They're about to start."
I looked at the old grandfather clock hanging in the entrance like everyone else.
Tick.
The second hand passed 8:59:56 AM.
– You're now entering the studio.
– If you see cameras, don't worry—think of them as starlight. Stay relaxed.
Tick.
57 seconds.
Oddly, I felt calm.
A certainty about my identity.
– Oh, I see you're wearing your mask! Excellent. That mask is now who you are.
Tick.
58 seconds.
I raised my head.
My horns felt itchy—like wood, but not quite wood. Only I knew it was something else entirely, that it was ■■.
– And there are other animal friends! Two of them.
Tick.
59 seconds.
I turned my head and saw a badger and a falcon observing the surrounding humans.
And then…
– It seems no one here is stronger than you.
I know.
I blinked, perceiving the heat signatures of the humans around me, flushed with tension.
And then…
Tick.
9:00 AM.
The grandfather clock chimed loudly.
Bong...!!
"...!"
I took in a sharp breath.
The dilapidated kindergarten building transformed into a pristine, modern space. It smelled of fresh construction, like a newly completed facility awaiting its first use.
And I was in a room filled with neatly arranged toys, standing alongside the falcon—or rather, Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
…We had entered the ghost story.
"..."
I slowly looked down at my neck.
Clean.
"Hah."
I exhaled, letting the tension drain from my body.
'I made it.'
The strange thickness I'd felt across my entire body, the tactile sensation of horns—all of it gradually faded away. The certainty in my identity dissipated too.
– Hm, and that concludes everyone's brief role.
Thank you.
'So that's what the mask was.'
It was a bizarre experience, and I was glad it had been short-lived. Since I'd stretched Braun's limits by having him mask three people at once, his voice sounded drained.
The fact that it held up even for a few seconds was impressive.
'You did well.'
I reached into my pocket to gently pat Braun.
– No… Hold on. What… in the world is this?
"...?"
Why did he sound alarmed?
I immediately pulled Braun out of my pocket.
Hanging around the neck of the plush doll was something that hadn't been there before.
…A black noose hologram.
It was the mark of a sacrifice.
"...?!"
Did Braun just get selected as the sacrifice?
'A ghost story resident himself?!'
I teetered on the brink of confusion, unsure whether this was an impossible fluke or something I should be alarmed about.
Then Braun started talking.
– Pardon? Participate in a teaching demonstration, you say… What are you talking about? I interview teachers—I'm not the one teaching children. Good gracious!
– Show business, for heaven's sake! You people are so boring. Stuck in a rut, inflexible, and utterly lacking the charm the public craves.
– I'm opting out, thank you very much.
With that, Braun snapped his plush, cotton-filled fingers.
And then… miraculously, the noose around the stuffed doll's neck disappeared!
"...!!"
– Trying to enforce rules to involve an uninvolved participant? What an unprofessional kindergarten this is!
"..."
'So the tactic of being recognized as non-human… worked after all.'
It wasn't quite how I envisioned it, but the outcome was clear enough.
Braun had been selected, but his participation in the ghost story was redirected to another participant because he refused to comply.
"..."
Wait a second.
'Redirected?'
I quickly looked down at my neck.
Still clean.
'Who did it pass to, then?'
While it was a relief that it wasn't me, the idea of the ghost story transferring the noose to another target randomly because its first pick was declined… Was this how it worked?
"Roe."
I turned to Assistant Manager Eun Haje, still processing what had just happened.
"Assistant Manager, just now, I think—"
"..."
"..."
When I looked at her…
"Don't panic. Take a deep breath, slowly."
She smiled at me.
"Now I'm going to ask you for a favor. If you think you can't do it, feel free to decline."
"Assistant Manager—"
"I'd handle it myself if I could, but that's not an option."
With a bitter smile, she lightly patted the noose now firmly secured around her own neck.
"Because I'm already locked in."
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Hungry Hangman]
: A ghost story featured in
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-B-191
Based on the word-guessing game, this Darkness permits no exceptions to its rules.
Participants are unable to escape their assigned roles under any circumstances.
The psychological tension and fear that arise within are a hallmark of this ghost story.
The sacrificial 'Hangman' climbs the gallows as the other participants guess words related to them, ultimately resulting in their execution by hanging.
There are no exceptions.
========================
"Should I say I'm glad I at least get some time to leave a will? Guess that's a small mercy."
No. This can't happen.
"Wait, wait, please just—"
"It's fine."
Assistant Manager Eun's smile shifted into a wry grin.
"Look… I'm going to die anyway."
"...!"
"The real question is whether you all survive while I die, or everyone dies together."
…She's right.
If the word puzzle isn't solved before the end of the game, all participants are executed, including the Hangman.
No exceptions.
God damn it.
"Alright, listen carefully. I have some automatic purchases queued in the Points Mall for when I die on the job."
"..."
"Just make sure Squad Leader Lee reviews them properly. The guy's surprisingly scatterbrained at times."
It hit me then.
She had already fully accepted her fate.
Dzz zz zz zzzt—
"...!"
"Stay sharp. It's starting now."
In the corner of the playroom, an old-fashioned TV screen flickered to life.
[Hello, English Kindergarten teachers of ■■! Today, we'll be learning a fun game to play with your students!]
[It's… Hangman!]
The noose around Assistant Manager Eun's neck suddenly jerked taut.
"...!"
The now-solid rope coiled tightly around her limbs, lifting her into the air.
[Today's host will be our newest teacher, Eun Haje!]
On the TV screen, enormous blank spaces appeared.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
[Hangman! Let's guess the word together!]
The execution had begun.