[Everyone, what kind of game is 'Hangman'?]
[That's right! It's an educational game where you guess the spelling of a word! If the letter you shout is part of the word, correct! If not, wrong!]
[And to make it easier for learning, we'll be giving you some hints!]
A figure dangling in midair.
The pastel tones of the TV and its cheerful voice sharply contrast with the scene, cutting into my ears.
[Shall we get started?]
The dangling figure, Assistant Manager Eun Haje, breaks into a wry smile, cold sweat dripping down.
"Everyone already knows the answer, but the intro is unnecessarily long, don't you think?"
This B-class ghost story thrived on mental strain, nerve-wracking psychological pressure, and the excruciating pain that would drag a victim to the brink of death.
…It's that kind of ghost story.
It's true that a victim chosen for Hangman was effectively sentenced to death.
But during the actual 'game', they could temporarily hold onto their life.
And this particular victim is…
[Today's word is one that best represents Teacher Eun Haje! Let's all figure out what kind of person Teacher Eun Haje is!]
Ruthlessly exposed.
According to the
It's as if their life was being meticulously scrutinized and judged, with every significant event glaringly announced.
Even the classic hangman game itself has been altered to serve this purpose.
[Everyone, the word has 8 letters!]
I looked up at the blank spaces displayed on the TV screen.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
If you correctly fill in all the blanks, it forms a single word.
Normally, participants take turns guessing random letters, and the blanks are filled in as the guesses align with the word.
That's how the word is deduced.
But…
'Here, every letter is directly tied to the victim.'
[Here's a hint for the 8th letter!]
[What was Teacher Eun Haje's job four years ago?]
Like this.
Guessing something related to the victim's personal history makes it easier.
To make this process smoother…
The victim's cooperation is necessary.
You must persuade or threaten someone sentenced to death into talking.
"..."
"..."
Cold sweat dripped down my chin.
'So, right now…'
What am I even doing?
A plush doll in my hands, an outdated TV, Assistant Manager Eun Haje dangling in midair…
What can I do?
'Run.'
I started moving my feet.
"Roe! Where are you going?!"
"No time. I'll explain later—"
"Are you looking for the gallows?"
"...!"
"Even if you destroy it, it won't change anything. You know that, right? You read the manual."
"You never know until you try."
Just like in the quiz show, I'm calling Section Chief Lee Jaheon to the scene.
So, if I ask him to destroy the gallows this time too…
Yeah, until it's restored, we'll have some time.
"Wait."
There's no time.
"Sit down for a moment. Actually… I've got something I want to try at the very end."
"..."
"I'm not saying this lightly. So don't do anything conspicuous either. We can't afford to stack up unnecessary penalties."
Penalties.
"You know what I'm talking about, right?"
I do.
This ghost story was based on the oppressive fear that stemmed from being utterly trapped.
The movements and actions of the 12 'new teachers' would be monitored in real-time by the kindergarten through CCTV, and any behavior deemed unfit for a teacher results in a 'penalty'.
[One minute left. Teachers, raise your hands and shout out a letter!]
"Assistant Manager Eun! Assistant Manager Eun!"
At that moment, the playroom door slammed open, and a staff member rushed in, looking desperate and anxious.
His expression screamed frustration and despair, as if searching frantically for the victim but unable to run due to the rules.
In this kindergarten, running above an alarmed pace was strictly prohibited.
Swearing, damage, and anything against the game rules—everything is banned.
"Shi— Huu. Why does it have to be the room at the end of the third floor!"
The staff member shouted at Assistant Manager Eun Haje, venting his frustration. Still, he seemed to restrain himself from cursing, trying to follow the rules.
"Hey! You… Assistant Manager Eun, what were you doing four years ago?"
Eun Haje smirked.
Because…
"You fucking turd, how dare you talk down to me?"
"...!"
In this game, the Hangman was an exception to all rules.
"W-What… why, all of a sudden…"
It didn't matter anymore when they're going to die anyway.
"I've held back from pointing out your behavior so far just to avoid getting involved with you, you hopeless fucking moron. And now, I'm about to die without even gathering enough points. What a mess."
"U-Uh…"
"Get a grip, you goddamn troll. You've already killed three newbies."
The staff member's face turned beet red with anger.
"Feeling wronged? Frustrated?"
"N-No…"
"Then suck it up. You wouldn't want to be judged as 'zero contribution' later and get punished, would you?"
Eun Haje teased, grinning slyly.
"There are only eight slots. Behave yourself, yeah?"
"..."
The staff member clamped his mouth shut.
It was the only logical decision.
In this ghost story, the idea that only one person dies was the best-case scenario based on the manual. In reality, deviations often lead to complete annihilation.
This was a tale where your survival depended on strictly adhering to the rules.
'And if you fail to guess even a single letter in this Hangman game, you'll face a penalty during the final evaluation…'
That's when it happened.
"Hey, Roe. Come here."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje called out to me.
When I approached, she lowered her voice so only I could hear.
"I was a reporter four years ago."
"..."
"Roe, you make the guess. Avoid the 'zero contribution' penalty from the start."
This is driving me crazy.
"Even if you refuse to guess, nothing will change. You know that, right?"
"It'd help my mental state, ma'am."
"Then start by worrying about the mental state of someone who's about to die. Will you?"
Eun Haje frowned.
"Imagine how awful it would be if that guy beats you to the answer, huh?"
Hah…
I pressed my temples and eventually stepped toward the TV.
The staff member who had barged in looked at me in disbelief.
"W-Wait, you…"
"The last letter of the word is R. It's the initial of 'Reporter'."
Dzz zz zz zzzt—
[Correct!]
_ _ _ _ _ _ __
The screen made a cheerful sound as it filled in the letter.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ R
And then.
[Let's give a round of applause for the Hangman~]
"Kuh—"
Eun Haje's body twisted.
The left foot of the assistant manager, suspended in midair, literally vanished.
…One step closer to execution.
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.
This is madness.
"…It's not like it got hacked off, so there's no pain. Don't worry."
How can I not worry?
"Well, at least it didn't start with the neck. We can still talk, right?"
No way.
No matter how I think about it, dissuading me from the 'last-ditch attempt' was just a bluff to keep me stuck here.
'I can't let time run out like this.'
Meanwhile, the TV continued.
[Here's a hint for the 5th letter!]
[What was the last mode of transportation Ms. Eun Haje used during her time as a reporter?]
The staff member hesitated, gritting his teeth as he glanced at Eun Haje.
"Ugh, just tell me… Hey, even so, we…"
"We what?"
Eun Haje stared at them incredulously.
"You're responsible for three dead newbies… Damn it. You should've been the one stuck here to die."
"Shut up! You're dead meat now anyway!"
"Oh~ Then don't listen to this dead meat."
Eun Haje lazily tilted her head with a bored expression.
The staff member, his face flushed red with anger, shoved me aside and stepped up to the TV.
"Transportation? Well, probability-wise, it's obvious! Bus or subway! Yeah, okay, subway initial, S!"
[Oh dear. Ding! Wrong!]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ R
[As punishment, please recite the educational booklet for 10 minutes!]
"U-Ugh…"
With a twisting sound, a holographic black booklet appeared in front of the staff member…
"Gaaaahhh—!"
It stuck to his face.
"Aaaaah! Aaagh!"
The black booklet melted as if it were merging with his skin, swallowing his face whole.
He rolled on the floor, struggling desperately to tear it off, but nothing changed.
Beneath the dissolving booklet, a clear brand appeared on his forehead…
[Chick Class]
Eun Haje clicked her tongue.
"What a mark to get. Idiot."
"..."
"Pay attention, Roe. If that accumulates, you'll be stuck here being 'educated' until you're a proper 'kindergarten teacher'. …Forever."
That's right.
If you fail to participate in this game properly, you'll end up in a fate worse than death.
"Three times. Just three penalties, and it's over."
Three penalties.
It's enough to contaminate someone to the point where they're no longer considered human.
Like the Security Team.
'But this is even worse.'
Unlike the Security Team, if you're not rescued, you'll just disappear, trapped in this ghost story indefinitely.
"So don't do anything unnecessary."
"..."
"If you screw up, you won't even be able to die."
Cold sweat dripped down my back.
'I know.'
In this situation, as long as I follow the manual, I'll survive.
I've even guessed one letter correctly, removing the penalty.
So is there any reason to take a risk?
'If I try, the situation might just get worse.'
There are plenty of records in this ghost story of people who tried to save the Hangman, only to end up contaminated and stuck here forever, endlessly 'educated' as kindergarten teachers.
There are no exceptions.
Yeah, there's no way out.
I know that too.
There's no way out.
No matter what, the game must be completed, and the Hangman must die.
That's how it works.
This isn't some fun ghost story about bending the rules to escape.
'Its very nature is different.'
From the moment it was registered on the wiki, this was a theme that drove people insane because the rules couldn't be broken.
This ghost story amplifies the fear of helplessness and suffocating adherence to rules, ultimately forcing you to desperately self-censor in accordance with those rules.
Still, there was one faint variable I had witnessed.
Braun, who had escaped the game by 'talking' to this ghost story.
But I lost that chance because I stood there dumbfounded, just watching him talk.
'I should have intervened.'
I should have done something, dragged out time, avoided the noose, and kept the conversation going…
– Hm?
Braun had looked on in disbelief, horrified.
– Well, I'd rather not! Talking more with these people? How boring!
– Mr. Roe Deer. Are you seriously saying I should've humored this outdated game and pretended to go along with the hanging? For me, your friend?
...
Huu.
'Braun. Even I can't argue with you there.'
– Wait a moment?
'When you declared your refusal to participate in this game, you knew someone else would be chosen as the Hangman, didn't you?'
So,
'You knew there was a 1 in 12 chance I could die, and you didn't hesitate?'
– ...!!
'So you didn't care if I ended up being hanged?'
– No! No, that's not it… It's not like that. But this outdated game, even as a game, should be respected for its rules… Ah, of course, I mean, my friend is more important…
For the first time, Braun's voice wavered, filled with confusion.
It seemed as though the role of being a 'good friend' and the role of the narrator within the ghost story were clashing inside him.
Let's not forget, this guy has the twisted mindset typical of an ghost story resident.
But at the same time…
He was a stuffed doll trying very hard to remain my friend.
'Right.'
I had to center myself. I might be a coward, but I shouldn't let myself be stupid.
I explained as calmly as possible.
'I didn't mean to say that I thought you should have been hanged either.'
It's just… I'm going crazy with anxiety.
'I just meant that I wish I had asked you to stick around a bit longer to gather more information before bailing. You seemed to be able to communicate with this ghost story.'
– Ah… that's true. Unfortunately, for you, Mr. Roe Deer, it seems they've decided to treat me as an outsider now, so no special interviews are being granted.
– Still, if that's your reasoning, I can certainly understand!
'Yeah.'
But faintly… I had a feeling we understood each other differently.
Even as I thought that, I didn't have the mental bandwidth to dwell on it further.
'There's nothing.'
Even though I knew there was nothing, part of my brain kept desperately sifting through the exploration records and the manual, trying to find a loophole to save the Hangman.
But there was nothing.
Of course, there wasn't!
If there had been, I would have thought of it over the past two days while wracking my brain to the breaking point!
'There's no precedent.'
No matter how much I scoured my mental catalog of the
I already knew…
Whether I destroyed the gallows, tried to replace the Hangman, or simply refused to guess the word, it would only add penalties.
The Hangman still dies.
There are no exceptions.
'They'll die no matter what… no matter what,' it said…
Is there really nothing else?
I gritted my teeth.
How…
"Roe!"
A familiar voice rang out.
I turned to see a second staff member standing in the open doorway…
"…Supervisor."
"You alright… haah."
Supervisor Park Minseong, who had just entered the room, caught sight of Eun Haje and visibly swallowed hard.
"You're here?"
"..."
"You've already heard it on the TV, right? Just get ready to guess."
Park Minseong's face was filled with a mix of emotions before quickly calming down.
"Stop thinking unnecessary thoughts and guess quickly. You know you've already accumulated penalties, right?"
"..."
Accumulated?
"Supervisor, what does that mean…?"
The supervisor whispered to me with a strained expression.
"Well. Actually, this is my second time being here…"
"...!!"
"I came here right after I started, and now, two years later, I'm back again. Haha… I don't know if I'm lucky or unlucky."
He gave a bitter smile.
"Last time, I tried to save someone who'd been chosen as the Hangman and got a penalty for it… so I think the contamination might have accumulated… I'm not sure. There hasn't been a case like this before."
He rambled, saying he even started carrying only one piece of equipment at a time because he wasn't sure what might happen. His mental state was clearly shaken.
I grabbed his shoulders.
"...!"
"Supervisor."
A direct experiencer.
The only person who might have detailed information I didn't.
"Please answer my questions quickly and accurately from now on."
Hurry up. Hurry up.
"Then, Supervisor, your previous experience would be the 35th round, correct?"
"Y-Yeah. It was the only round where they attempted to bring in new hires."
Kim Soleum quickly exchanged a few hurried questions with Supervisor Park Minseong and immediately pieced together the essentials in his mind.
'Supervisor Park's detailed experience…'
"Is this all? Is this what we need?"
"I'm working on putting it together."
– New hires were drafted into this Darkness's exploration, resulting in chaos and panic from fear.
– Some kept cursing so they received penalties. A fight broke out over calming pills, and it led to penalties for both parties, including the one who drank them.
– Seven people received more than two penalties, reaching the brink of contamination.
– The new hire chosen as the Hangman passed out from panic halfway through, but the sheer terror and confusion left no one able to help.
– Another new hire collapsed after being struck on the head by the body that fell from the gallows. They later resigned.
"..."
Huh?
"After that, they never brought in new hires again…"
"Hold on."
"Hm?"
"Do the bodies remain?"
Kim Soleum stared urgently at the supervisor.
"The bodies of the people who've died here as the Hangman, I mean."
"Well, yeah? Though I don't know about decay or anything like that… I don't think there was a head, but it's not like I personally attended the funeral and checked every detail…"
"...!!"
A chill ran up Kim Soleum's spine.
This, this…
"W, What is it??"
Supervisor Park grabbed Kim Soleum's shoulders in a panic.
"Is there a hint? Does this help?!"
"Yes."
Kim Soleum nodded urgently, but cold sweat trickled down his neck.
'I can't guarantee it, though.'
It felt like madness.
But, but…
The mere possibility was such an exhilarating hope.
'This is worth trying.'
Kim Soleum hastily pieced together what was needed.
…It seemed barely feasible.
'With this, we might be able to slip through the cracks without breaking the rules…!'
The only problem was…
One essential skill wasn't currently available.
'…Braun.'
Once again, he was needed.
'How much longer until your transformation ability is ready?'
– Hm.
– Even I need about half a day of rest, don't you think?
Kim Soleum quickly adjusted the question.
'What if I change the conditions?'
– Conditions?
Kim Soleum explained the 'altered conditions'.
The response changed.
– If that's the case, I can manage after about an hour of rest!
– It's a tough schedule, but… hm, I'll endure it. I'm a professional, after all!
'Thank you so much.'
– Don't mention it!
One hour.
The conditions were reset.
'I need to buy time.'
Within this chaos, I had to ensure that Eun Haje didn't fully ascend the gallows for an hour.
And that was impossible to do alone.
"Sunbae-nim."
"Hm?"
"If possible, I'd like you to act as a decoy."
"...?"
Kim Soleum quickly held the 'Silver Heart' badge in his pocket.
Then he shouted to the nine employees who had gathered in the room, enthusiastically immersed in the Hangman game.
"Everyone!"
"...!"
Nine pairs of eyes turned toward Kim Soleum.
He swallowed hard.
What was needed now was…
'…Aggro!!'
"If you could double your clear points, would you do it?"
* * *
Assistant Manager Eun Haje of D-squad raised her head.
Even though she was hanging midair, sentenced to death with black ropes wrapped around her neck and limbs, she was surprisingly calm.
'All things considered, this isn't a bad way to go.'
Aside from dying just short of reaching her point goal, it was honestly far better than the bloody messes from her coworkers' deaths in the past.
"Assistant Manager Eun! What was your mode of transportation?!"
"Dunno. I told you already, I don't remember."
If taking these goddamn trolls with her to the grave wasn't enough to make it worse, she didn't feel all that cooperative.
Still, the right answers would eventually come, regardless of her efforts.
That's just how Hangman works.
"Damn it… The last mode of transportation she used as a reporter? How the hell would I know that? Fuck it— A?"
[Correct!]
"It worked, it worked!!"
Even without figuring it out from the hint, throwing out letters eventually leads to the correct answer.
_ _ _ _ A _ _ R
'Ugh.'
Eun Haje looked at her now missing feet, feeling the chilling fear of death crawl up her neck. But, no, she didn't show it.
She didn't want to serve as entertainment for the trolls.
[Here's the hint for the 3rd blank letter!]
[Why can't Teacher Eun Haje take airplanes anymore?]
Meanwhile, her two hoobaes from D-squad were busily whispering in the corner.
'What are they doing?'
They clenched their teeth as if seeing Eun Haje lose both her feet was too much, then started talking more fervently.
They must have some delusional idea of saving her…
'That might be better.'
If they just keep talking and eventually realize there's no way out, they'll give up.
At least they'll find some comfort in having tried.
'...'
Meanwhile, someone came up with the answer to the relatively easy question.
"Trauma? T!"
_ _ T _ A _ _ R
[Correct!]
Her entire left leg disappeared.
'Fuck…!'
"Woooo! We got it!"
"Ah!! I should've answered first!"
The trolls screamed like they were at a sports event, watching someone's leg disappear.
Eun Haje's irritation and anger began to boil.
'Maybe I should just troll along with them.'
But then, suddenly.
"Everyone."
Someone raised their hand beyond the trolls.
"If you could double your clear points, would you do it?"
'…Roe?!'
Yes.
The rookie from D-squad, or rather, the now-former rookie who'd climbed the ranks in record time, Kim Soleum, raised his hand with a calm expression.
"What the hell?"
"Isn't that the guy… that one who got promoted recently?"
Everyone recognized him by then.
The top new hire, wearing a mask with antlers like a deer, who had been promoted to supervisor after just 60 days, had already become a widely talked-about figure.
Maybe because of the rumors, everyone was now strangely drawn to him.
There was something… natural about his presence.
And just now.
'Did he say points…?'
"..."
In the strange atmosphere that had overtaken the playroom, Kim Soleum spoke.
"How about we make a bet?"
...??
"If any of you win this bet, I'll give you all my clear points, Sunbae-nim."
"...!!"
"What?"
Insane aggro.
"Is that guy crazy? Why's he doing that?"
But for members of the Field Exploration Team, the mention of 'points' was irresistible.
"Are you really saying you'll give up all 2,000 points?"
"Yes."
"Ah, Supervisor Roe Deer, you must not know since you've only been here a few months… Points are non-transferrable."
"I know."
"You do? Then what…"
"But there's no rule against using 2,000 points to buy items from the company store and giving them away, is there?"
"...!"
"If you win, you can pick whatever you like. I'll even pay for custom equipment."
The atmosphere shifted.
If the 'sacrifice' had already been chosen, then how useful would additional points be?
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
He was serious.
Of course, if they could win.
"Then what's the bet?"
In response, Kim Soleum crossed his arms.
"Who can guess the most letters in the Hangman puzzle."
"Ah!"
"The person who guesses more letters than me will get the points."
Is he insane?
"For reference, I've only guessed one, so just getting two would meet the threshold."
"W-Wait!"
Supervisor Park Minseong from D-squad stood up in alarm.
"Roe, why are you making a bet in this situation…?"
"There aren't many B-class ghost stories that are safe as long as you follow the manual. I thought this could be a good opportunity to see if guessing more correct answers might trigger any special phenomena. Right?"
Kim Soleum spoke seriously, looking around at the employees.
"If the atmosphere gets strange, please stop. I hope it doesn't become dangerous."
"Hah."
Some of the employees exchanged smirks and sneers before one of them spoke up with a sarcastic grin.
"Oh~ so noble. You're making a bet to add more detail to the manual and make it safer?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Kim Soleum replied without hesitation.
"I want to help make it so that those who come in after us can clear this more safely."
"…Why?"
"No particular reason. Hmm… I just think it'd be good if someone did it, and I'm in a position to do so."
"..."
The employee who asked fell silent.
For some reason… they felt uneasy.
'Come to think of it, didn't this rookie rescue a missing person?'
Another memory surfaced.
'Last time, I heard he saved all the other employees from some B-class Darkness and got promoted because of it.'
He'd retrieved an unpopular desk worker that no one else cared to find, without pay. He'd risked his life in a high-grade Darkness to save employees he didn't even know.
'He's not normal.'
Normally, these people would've laughed at someone like this guy, calling him gullible.
But strangely, for some peculiar reason… they couldn't.
Tiiing—
A clear, metallic sound seemed to echo in their minds.
It was as if their thoughts were sharpening, seeing things in a clearer, more objective way, detached from their usual habits and inertia.
…And oddly enough.
Those seemingly foolish choices began to look, somehow, impressive.
"..."
"..."
They spoke without thinking.
"…Alright, let's do the bet."
"Oh, thank you!"
Kim Soleum bowed repeatedly, thanking the now-quiet employees, and then began to walk away.
"I'll see you all when the game is finished."
He approached Assistant Manager Eun Haje, who had been watching the whole scene with her jaw dropped.
"Assistant Manager."
Eun Haje felt a throbbing headache.
'This guy's problem is that he's too nice!'
Smart rookie or not, this was his flaw.
'He's too sincere.'
The type to burn out or break under the weight of his own ideals.
He'd passionately declared that his items belonged to his coworkers just to try and save them before, and now he was seriously pulling a stunt like this…
"You, you're seriously…"
Kim Soleum lowered his voice and spoke quickly.
"It's a bluff."
"..."
Oh.
"I just stirred things up to buy us time."
For a moment, Eun Haje almost forgot she was about to die, but then she managed to reply.
"…You're saying you're stalling for time?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Hah.
"Wait, if you're planning to try something in that time, don't. That's how you get yourself killed…"
"What if I insist on doing it?"
"...!"
"We're going to try no matter what. …If you cooperate, our chances of success will be higher."
This… this stubborn brat!
Eun Haje gritted her teeth.
"Hey. I told you I'll handle it myself."
"I don't believe that. …You've already given up. You're ready to die."
"..."
So quick on the uptake.
'Ugh.'
"…I won't say I haven't thought about trying something."
Finally, Eun Haje confessed.
Things she hadn't mentioned to avoid giving her hoobaes false hope.
"You know how this ghost story enforces all sorts of rules on the so-called 'new teachers', right? But do you know who the only exception is?"
"…That would be—"
"—The Hangman."
Eun Haje grinned.
"That's me."
The Hangman wasn't penalized for anything—not for cursing, not for slamming their head against a wall hard enough to break the skull.
"The problem is, even so, moving my body is difficult."
She gestured with her eyes toward the ropes binding her.
"But… if I put it the other way around, it means I can do whatever I want with my upper body."
"...!"
Of course, the chances of anything working were slim to none.
Eun Haje spoke casually, keeping her composure.
"Did you hear that? Only I can keep trying this loophole. Even so, I don't get penalized. So you penalty targets just sit and—"
Kim Soleum's eyes glinted.
"I'll use that loophole to maximize the survival rate."
"What?"
"Please remember what I'm about to say."
Kim Soleum explained, clearly, firmly, and concisely, what Eun Haje needed to do.
And after…
"...!"
"…That's all."
Eun Haje suddenly felt like she'd been doused in ice water.
Were they seriously going to do this?
"We'll head off and start the work. See you in a bit."
"Hey!"
Wait a second.
"Roe!! Badger!! You damn brats!"
But the two were already walking out of the playroom.
"Hey! Come back here!"
* * *
'Phew.'
It seemed the stalling tactic had worked.
I was walking down the unnervingly clean, colorful, and quiet kindergarten hallway with Supervisor Park Minseong.
'Let's move faster.'
The testimonies from Supervisor Park and Assistant Manager Eun were helping me form a clearer picture. My mind wavered between anxiety and hope.
Even so, the unsettling atmosphere of this ghost story's setting still made my skin crawl.
But courageous as always, Supervisor Park kept glancing back at me with a worried expression before finally speaking up.
"R-Roe, are you sure about this? Those 2,000 points aren't a joke… What if someone actually guesses two letters?"
Ah.
That?
"That'll never happen."
"...!"
I grinned.
"With selfish personalities and everyone keeping each other in check, it's impossible."
"Huh?"
"They'll sabotage each other every time someone tries to guess."
"...!!"
According to the records, each question's time limit ranged from 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the whims of the ghost story.
Even conservatively, they'd have to cycle through nine rounds of this full time limit.
So, what's the best method?
"They'll probably keep sabotaging and fighting until the very last moment. And since they still wouldn't want to accumulate penalties, someone would begrudgingly propose terms for their guesses."
And the likelihood of that being the correct answer? Very slim.
"In the end, they'll all have to take penalties, and the time will drag on."
Additionally, once contamination starts accumulating, they'll hesitate to randomly guess letters, slowing things down further.
So…
"It'll easily take an hour."
I stated this confidently.
"And since the prize isn't the 2,000 points themselves but an item you can buy with them, it's harder to split the reward. They can't easily form teams to share, and verbal agreements aren't trustworthy enough."
'The only reason they trusted my promise was because of the Silver Heart.'
I had to make sure it wasn't exposed. I consciously avoided even thinking about the badge in my pocket as I continued.
"So don't worry about that. Let's focus on saving the assistant manager first."
"..."
A flicker of emotion crossed Supervisor Park's face beneath his mask. Realizing there was no time to waste, he quickly suppressed it.
"Alright. Let's get to it! Oh, we're here."
"Yes."
It was time to begin preparations.
'Huu.'
I sat down with Supervisor Park, settling on the floor.
It was the largest space in the kindergarten.
[Playroom]
I tried my best not to look too closely at the scene before me.
In front of us was a colorful ball pit and a stage decorated with flowers and butterflies.
But atop the cheerful stage, two grotesque chunks of flesh stood awkwardly.
A left leg. A right foot.
They were parts of Assistant Manager Eun Haje's body.
'Haah.'
A chill ran up my spine, raising the hairs on my neck. Whether it was from fear, dread, or a sense of crisis, I couldn't tell.
'The gallows.'
There was only one chance.
I had to seize it here.
-x-X-x-
Assistant Manager Eun Haje's emotions were a tangled mess.
'If I'm going to leave, I'd like to go in peace.'
Apparently, that was an impossible wish.
"Hey! Move back! Do you think I didn't notice you already guessed one right?"
"Ack! Move back! I haven't guessed a single one yet!"
'Troll bastards…'
It was utter chaos.
The scene had already been unseemly when everyone acted as if they were watching a spectator sport while fending for themselves. But now, with everyone monitoring and sabotaging each other while yelling, it had gotten worse.
Survival and points.
Two objectives meant double the conflict.
It was like watching a wagon wheel stuck in place, unable to move because of friction, only building up heat.
'Roe, that punk… He's really something else.'
It had been a long time since Eun Haje had seen such excellent political maneuvering.
'Good thing he's a decent guy.'
Judging by the mess in front of her, they might actually stall for more than an hour.
'How long has it been? Twenty minutes?'
_ _ T R A _ _ R
And yet, with only one letter filled in so far…
[Here's the hint for the 6th blank letter!]
[Whose obituary call caused Teacher Eun Haje's airplane trauma?]
"Assistant Manager Eun, who passed awa—"
"Oh, shut up."
But what was the point of stalling, anyway?
'Isn't it the same outcome? All my secrets will get exposed, and I'll die.'
It wasn't like Eun Haje cared about preserving her honor anymore, but the longer it dragged on, the more bitter and tired she felt.
And the more she thought about what those two hoobaes were planning, the more dizzy she became.
'They're about to do something crazy.'
Eun Haje recalled Roe's earlier whisper.
– During the hanging, remember this…
"..."
It hadn't been a request, but a statement, one that wouldn't take no for an answer.
Still.
If they were really determined to go through with it, wasn't it only fair that Eun Haje did her best to survive?
…Though she couldn't say whether their resolve would hold in a few minutes.
'Let's see how it goes.'
Eun Haje crossed her arms philosophically.
And so, twenty minutes,
Thirty minutes,
Forty minutes passed.
"Hell yeah! It's right! The 'B' in 'Believe'!"
[Correct!]
B _ T R A Y _ R
The word was starting to take shape.
And at this point, it's only natural that someone would catch on.
"Wait a sec."
"Huuh?"
The word's true identity.
"This word…"
* * *
"Roe, over there."
I looked up.
One hour and eight minutes had passed.
…The word was complete.
B E T R A Y E R
Betrayer.
"..."
[The word that best represents Teacher Eun Haje is 'Betrayer'!]
What?
[Four years ago, as a reporter, Teacher Eun Haje betrayed her long-time boss and team, trying to publish an exclusive article on her own. She failed and had her story stolen.] ṛΑƝоβΕș
[And during this process, her false report caused severe emotional distress to her sources, leaving them in despair until some of them actually died!]
"..."
[What's the moral of this story?]
[The answer is, 'People who betray their workplace deserve punishment'.]
Ha.
[Hangman is an excellent educational game used here at ■■ Kindergarten to teach the moral of justice and retribution to our students.]
"This is the one time I really regret not being able to curse."
"..."
"Roe."
Supervisor Park grabbed my shoulder.
"Listening to this, it makes your sunbae sound like such a terrible person, but…"
"You wouldn't know for sure unless you heard it directly from them."
"...!"
"That's just how this kind of Darkness works."
It isolates the victim, inflicts psychological torment, and uses penalties to scare the remaining members of the Field Exploration Team into compliance.
"I think it's not too late to talk about it after we all make it out alive."
Supervisor Park's face lit up.
"Exactly! You're right, Roe! That's why… ah."
Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk…
I turned my head.
Eun Haje watched with a conflicted heart.
"…They're coming."
Through the open door of the playroom, figures stepped in unison, moving slowly and fluidly.
There were no melting black substances, no screams.
Just pristine pastel outfits, smiling faces, aprons, and name tags.
The brand marks on their foreheads.
[Sunny Class ■■■]
[Chick Class ■■■]
[Dream Sprout Class ■■■]
"…Those people are the ones who were fully contaminated and trapped here. No, the monsters that used to be people… Don't make eye contact."
"..."
"If you get scared, you might be affected."
I turned my eyes away as much as I could from those figures.
[Game over!]
[Now, let's hang the Hangman one last time!]
"It's time."
"..."
I recalled the conversation we had during preparations.
– Supervisor, if it feels like too much of a burden…
– You're telling me to push it onto you?
– What?
– Oh, come on. That's not happening. This is my custom equipment. You couldn't use it even if you tried!
'I wasn't saying I'd do it, but… thanks.'
And now, the supervisor was holding his custom equipment.
A camouflage cloth.
'Wasn't it called the Mimic Scarf?'
It looked no different from the one he had used to help me during the exhibition, but there was one key difference.
"It's actually sopping wet now, huh?"
It was soaked.
We had dumped all the remaining contents of the
The same enhancer that doubled the effect of the Smiley Sticker during the Tuesday Quiz Show.
'I drenched that scarf completely without holding back.'
To avoid dirtying the floor with foreign substances—which would incur a penalty—we'd spread my suit jacket beneath it, essentially sacrificing it.
And if the enhancer worked…
'The camouflage gear should have tremendous power, even if just once.'
At least until the moisture dried.
Since we were racing against time, it was perfect for the job.
"Alright, I'll use it now."
"Yes."
I nodded.
The supervisor glanced at the kindergarten teachers climbing onto the stage, then silently pulled the scarf over his face.
And…
He became one of them, perfectly.
[Sprout Class ■■■]
"...!"
– Ah, excellent. A convincing disguise. It won't hold for long, though…
'It only needs to last for a moment.'
About three minutes.
And I had to act, too.
I waited until Supervisor Park had blended in with the teachers and then started moving, slightly delayed to stagger the timing.
'Now.'
I had to get as close to the stage as possible for Braun to use his ability.
And if I could draw some attention away, it would make it easier for Supervisor Park Minseong to maneuver unnoticed among the monsters.
'Let's begin…'
But as I raised my head, I froze.
"..."
'Oh.'
I had forgotten something critical.
That I was a coward.
Teacher Kim Soleum, listen to me.
I finished reading the handbook!
1- ■■ Kindergarten is eternal.
2- I follow the rules.
Everything is perfect. I am a perfect teacher. Everyone is safe, happy, and there are no accidents, no one jumps. Our ■■ Kindergarten is a perfect and safe haven where everyone follows the rules and educates endlessly. Once you finish reading the handbook, Teacher Kim Soleum, you'll be like me. Now just read the handbook quickly.
On the platform.
Countless ■■ Kindergarten teachers stood, smiling. They were not human. They had never been human.
Just looking at them sent an instinctive warning down my spine, that I would X if I were to approach, that I would be grabbed by the back of my neck, that I'd be left with nothing else to do but scream
I knew it already. The more I was afraid, the worse the mental contamination would get. I just had to endure.
And I knew I had to stand close to them, attracting their attention. Compared to Supervisor Park Minseong, who had to fully blend into their midst, what I had to do wasn't even that difficult.
But…
Did I hold back a scream?
What… what on earth is this?
They said feeling fear leads to contamination, right?
Is my fear drawing the contamination toward me?
I'm supposed to draw their attention? I'm supposed to draw their atten—
"..."
Drip.
Cold sweat dripped from my chin.
I barely managed to move my left foot forward, taking a single step.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Their gazes locked onto me.
N E W T E A C H E R !
'S-Sticker.'
The tattoo sticker! I need to use it. I need to use it now. There's no way I can endure—
No, hold on. I can't use them now.
This is panic talking. What I need isn't courage. It's rationality… No, maybe I should—
– Mr. Roe Deer.
"...?"
– Mr. Roe Deer, I'm curious. What's your favorite fruit?
"..."
– Mr. Roe Deer, a humble admirer named Braun is eagerly awaiting your answer!
A question…?
– Your favorite fruit, please!
...
"Grapes."
– Ah! Excellent choice. A symbol of abundance and nourishment. In ancient Egypt, they were revered as sacred fruit, and in Greece, they were celebrated as a cultural beverage.
– Shall we delve deeper? Let's move forward…
I slowly took another step.
New Teacher Eun Haje will dangle by her neck and die!
That's what the Hangman game is about!
Staring at the ground, I moved forward.
– How about wine? It's a beverage that has evolved alongside human civilization, shaped by the grape variety, harvest timing, and aging methods.
– Over millennia, it has been refined, driven by the desires and determination of producers and consumers to perfect its methods and results…
One step.
Another step…
"..."
Soon, the edge of the stage came into view.
I had reached just below the platform.
– Mr. Roe Deer, your steps are no different.
I lifted my head.
– In this show, boldness is essential. Without it, you vanish.
– And Mr. Roe Deer, you've proven to be a participant who won't vanish. Ah, it's all coming back to me now. Yes… you were the MVP.
– This time too, let's follow your desires and determination.
Braun spoke cheerfully.
– Now, let's play our assigned roles brilliantly, shall we?
...
Right.
'Thank you.'
– Encouraging my crew is my specialty!
I was genuinely grateful.
I took a deep breath.
Though the smiling teachers' gazes landed on me again, it felt more bearable.
The whispers and phrases didn't burrow into my brain enough to overwhelm me with fear or contamination.
'Don't let fear consume me.'
I can do this.
I steadied myself and stood, looking up at the teachers crowded on the platform.
[New Teacher Eun Haje, please step onto the platform~]
The execution had begun.
-x-X-x-
The kindergarten teachers stood in abundance atop the colorful, cheerful stage.
It looked as though an event was about to take place, but what they surrounded was an executioner's block.
A black execution scaffold.
At the scaffold, a black line extended straight ahead.
At the end of the line were assembled body parts.
Both legs, both arms, thighs, waist, chest, neck, and finally, a head.
The moment the head appeared on the stage, the parts merged, and Assistant Manager Eun Haje exhaled deeply.
Then, looking at the teachers surrounding her, she clenched her teeth.
G O O D B Y E !
The teachers clapped gently with smiling faces.
Likely holding back a stream of expletives, Eun Haje's face was pale as she moved her feet.
Not by her own will.
The black holographic ropes forced her limbs to move, guiding her toward the scaffold amidst the crowd of teachers.
And then…
'This is the moment.'
Did you know?
Of course, any contact with the teacher chosen as the Hangman was strictly forbidden.
Any attempt to rescue them, even a last handshake or an item exchange, was prohibited.
Even if someone tried to risk a penalty, their actions would be blocked just before the attempt.
So, the only opportunity to act was during one specific moment…
[The Hangman is ascending the scaffold! This is what happens when you guess correctly!]
When Eun Haje appeared on the stage and began ascending the scaffold, at the exact moment she passed directly beside the 'teachers'.
Tuk.
One teacher gave her something.
"..."
Supervisor Park Minseong, perfectly disguised as a kindergarten teacher, handed something to Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
Since Eun Haje's arms and legs were bound by ropes, she couldn't use them. Only small, movable parts of her body were functional.
For example…
Her mouth.
The 'something' handed over in passing disappeared into Eun Haje's mouth in an instant.
As if nothing had happened.
Eun Haje continued walking, expressionless, and finally stepped onto the gallows.
This is where the second critical moment came.
[Now, let's begin the execution.]
'Braun!'
Now!
– Understood.
– Let's see your mask in a whole new light! Reframing the familiar…
I frantically looked up at Eun Haje.
No change.
Thunk.
The black holographic rope around her neck gained physical form and texture.
[Hangman~!]
And then, it pulled upward.
'Damn it.'
I wanted to avert my gaze so badly, but I forced myself to watch, pretending to be unaffected.
The rope pulled with a disturbingly immense force, and then—
Ting.
Thud-thud-thud-thud…
"..."
The headless body tumbled down from the stage.
Thump.
The lifeless body part fell right in front of me, and I caught it.
It was limp, devoid of any signs of life.
Then, it gradually faded until it completely vanished.
"..."
[The game has ended!]
[New teachers, please wait for your evaluation!]
"Ah, it's finally over."
"So you won the bet, Supervisor Roe Deer. Man, how'd you stop anyone from guessing twice?"
The other staff, who had been waiting at the back per the kindergarten's instruction to 'watch the Hangman's final moments in the playroom', approached with relieved sighs and complaints.
"..."
"Ah, is this your first time seeing a team member die?"
"Honestly, Eun Haje wasn't the kind of person who'd live long anyway."
One of them gave my shoulder a light pat.
"Well… don't take it too hard, okay? She's dead now."
"..."
I smiled.
"…What?"
"Why are you smiling…?"
"She's not dead."
"What, what?"
"Huh?"
They stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
But then.
"Ugh, what is this?!"
Screams erupted from those who looked up at the stage.
Not because they saw Eun Haje's severed head.
Rather…
"This, this!"
One of them pointed at the stage with a trembling voice.
"Why… is it a hand?"
Exactly.
"But, but it was definitely a head!"
I looked at Eun Haje's severed left hand lying on the stage and chuckled.
I never thought I'd laugh at the sight of a severed body part, but I couldn't help it.
It worked!
– Ah, what a remarkable piece of craftsmanship!
– And what an amusing idea—switching the head and hand.
Exactly.
The plan was to switch Eun Haje's head and hand while concealing it from everyone's eyes.
So during the execution, instead of her head, one of her hands would be severed!
– Using hands or feet to substitute for other body parts is a classic stage trick.
Braun, muttering about doing this only for a friend, was unexpectedly brilliant in this moment.
But this isn't over yet.
For the Hangman to 'escape', they have to die and leave as a corpse.
If Eun Haje had somehow survived the execution, the system would have noticed and enforced another way to follow the rules.
So…
– All I have to do is place this plum-sized apple in her mouth, right?
Supervisor Park Minseong had been essential to the plan.
While disguised as a teacher, in that fleeting moment that Assistant Manager Eun Haje passed by, what he had slipped into her mouth was none other than a Snow White Mountain Mini Apple.
It was an item I carried, designed to induce 'death-like sleep'.
'It was a stroke of luck that the wrist storage upgrade let me carry a whole apple instead of just juice.'
That's why I was able to give these instructions.
– Assistant Manager, when the apple enters your mouth as you ascend the scaffold, swallow the final piece just before your wrist is severed.
– What?
– It will happen in that moment… That's all.
Eun Haje followed the instructions to the letter.
At the exact moment when her wrist—mistaken for her neck by everyone—was severed, Eun Haje swallowed the last piece of the apple.
This put her in a state identical to death.
Her body, now indistinguishable from a corpse, was recognized as having been 'executed as the Hangman' and successfully ejected from the ghost story.
Exactly.
Outside that outcome, no other possibility could have worked in this situation…!
…Success.
"Ha…!"
I pressed my hands against my face.
Even so, I wanted to leave and confirm his survival as soon as possible.
What if someone mistook the body for a corpse and transported it away?
It felt too early to feel catharsis or relief. I just wanted to get out of here quickly.
[The evaluation is ready!]
Thankfully, the TV displayed the final signal.
Soon, it would announce which participants contributed to completing the Hangman word and which didn't, assigning penalties or granting a pass accordingly.
From the looks of it, no one seemed contaminated enough to fail escaping.
"Roe!"
As the teachers on the platform disappeared, Supervisor Park Minseong finally jumped down from the stage.
"W-We did it, right?!"
"Yes."
"Waaaah!"
The supervisor collapsed onto the ground in relief and joy.
"It was worth squeezing into that gap…"
Even though his face was pale, Park Minseong grinned earnestly as he finally removed the camouflage equipment.
"Supervisor, you didn't guess a letter, so you'll probably get another penalty…"
"Ah, I can handle up to the second one."
As we had discussed earlier, the supervisor nodded, accepting the consequence.
"Honestly, it doesn't feel great, but… well, taking one penalty for missing a correct answer is way better than letting the Assistant Manager die! I'll stop at the second—there's no way I'll get a third, so I'll be fine…"
[Goodness. Ding! Wrong!]
"..."
"..."
Wait, what?
[New teachers must remain at the bottom of the platform! Stepping onto the stage is prohibited.]
[As a penalty, you must read the handbook aloud for 10 minutes!]
Park Minseong looked back up at the spot he had just stepped down from.
"…Ah."
The platform.
"I'm caught…"
And then, he was dragged away.
A black holographic book descended over Supervisor Park Minseong's head.
The hologram clung to him like tar, seeping over his body as he clawed at the ground, struggling in vain. Behind his writhing figure, the TV's cheerful voice resumed.
[Now, let's reveal the new teachers who failed to actively participate in the Hangman game.]
Similar scenes began to unfold across the room.
The issue, the real issue, was…
[New Teacher Park Minseong, you didn't guess a single letter correctly!]
One penalty had already been accumulated.
Stepping onto the stage added another.
And now…
Not guessing a letter resulted in a third.
Thus.
[Three penalties accumulated.]
The TV declared its verdict.
[New Teacher Park Minseong is designated as a permanent trainee.]
[You will remain here forever, receiving training and preparing to become a perfect ■■ Kindergarten teacher.]
The black holographic books covering the faces of those who failed to guess letters remained, but only Park Minseong's turned a fiery red and spread across his entire body.
"■!!"
His scream warped into something unnatural.
"N, ■— ■ ple— ■■■■…!"
His body twisted and thrashed on the floor in grotesque contortions. Incomprehensible excerpts from the handbook were read aloud, overlapping with his sobs and screams.
Yet no one around paid attention.
A few glanced over, only to quickly step away as if avoiding any connection, waiting for the next stage outlined in the manual.
Finally…
[Thank you for your efforts in today's dry run! Goodbye, new teachers!]
Clearance confirmed.
"..."
"Finally, it's over!"
"Move it!"
As soon as the game ended, everyone realized they were free to curse and run, and a flood of participants surged out of the playroom.
Even those who had just finished their 10-minute penalty, coughing up the tar-like hologram and clutching their heads in pain, staggered upright and limped or ran out, bumping into me along the way.
"Huh?"
"..."
"Wh, what the—"
"..."
"The door only stays open for 30 minutes! If you don't get out now, you'll be treated as a permanent trainee too! Damn it!"
They brushed past me and kept running.
"..."
And so I was left alone.
Alone, except for the 'contaminated' Park Minseong writhing on the floor.
– Oh dear, my friend is being mistaken as a volunteer in such an outdated place! Let's leave immediately, Mr. Roe Deer!
"…No."
– Mr. Roe Deer?
The game was over.
That meant…
The rules of this ghost story had also ended.
In the worst case, I can run out on my own in ten minutes and make it through the door.
But.
"I… I have to at least try to take the supervisor with me."
I could endure this.
I had to try as much as I could.
After all, I'd succeeded before.
I don't want to give up so easily.
I didn't want this story to end with saving the Hangman by exploiting a sliver of a loophole, only to have the one who tried to save them disappear into the legend.
I don't want some casual note on a wiki saying, 'An incident where the rescuer of the Hangman was lost.'
I can do this.
I raised my head and reached for the tattoo on my wrist.
: 恩主 :
From the heated tattoo, the items I had stored began to appear. The candle-making kit, apple juice, the blood-sucking knife, stickers, and dozens of 500-won coins bundled together.
– Oh, what fascinating tools will you use this time, friend?
"I'm not using anything."
– Hmm? Then what is this…
I stuffed all the items into my briefcase. Given that I hadn't brought the bloodbathtub with me, I was left with just enough room to fit everything snugly.
The blood-sucking knife, which looked like it could burst out of the bag due to its size, was carefully set aside into my back pocket.
Done.
The fully packed briefcase was heavy, but not so much that I couldn't carry it while running.
And now, there was one thing left to do.
The now-empty subspace in my wrist.
– Ah, you were clearing it for a purpose?
Exactly.
I briefly reached into the tattoo's connected subspace and pulled my hand back out.
"This subspace, it's a cube with a volume equivalent from 60 cm per side, right?"
– Precisely.
"It's irregular, isn't it?"
– ...! That's also…
Braun's voice carried a mix of amusement and interest.
– Correct.
Good.
'It's all or nothing.'
I'd heard it before—the idea that being contaminated and trapped in this ghost story forever, unable to die, was far worse than death.
'Let's do this.'
I gritted my teeth and waited.
Waited for Supervisor Park Minseong's third penalty to finish.
'Trying to do anything now would be foolish.'
Trying to communicate with someone in the middle of their penalty would result in the holographic handbook 'graciously' attaching itself to me as well.
And then, I'd spend ten minutes reading the handbook, effectively out of commission.
'That would be the end.'
I forced myself to suppress my anxiety and waited calmly.
'Time remaining for the penalty… 7 minutes.'
6 minutes.
5 minutes.
4 minutes.
3 minutes.
2 minutes.
1 minute…
0.
The tar-like red substance surrounding Supervisor Park Minseong disappeared.
Slowly, he stood up.
His appearance had transformed completely into that of a kindergarten teacher.
The black suit he had worn was replaced with soft beige pants, a white shirt, and a light green apron.
In one hand, he held a brown folder with a red title.
<■■ Kindergarten Handbook>
His mask had completely melted away, revealing his face.
And on his forehead, clear and vivid, was the brand of his assigned class.
Sprout Class
A gentle smile spread across Supervisor Park Minseong's fully exposed face.
"Teacher Soleum!"
Shit.
"Did you wait for me to finish reading the handbook? Thank you so much."
"…Of course, I had to wait."
Don't let it show. Don't panic. Showing anything now would be disastrous.
"How are you feeling?"
"Great! Never better!"
Supervisor Park smiled softly, nodding.
"…That's good to hear. Shall we head out now?"
"Head out? Oh… You mean leaving?"
"Yes, let's go together."
"Oh, I don't have a quitting time! I'm not just a new teacher anymore. I finished reading the handbook!"
"But you can still leave…"
"That's not possible though?"
"..."
"Hmm, it's time for me to head to the Sprout Class and help prepare for opening…"
Then, with a bright expression, Supervisor Park exclaimed:
"Oh, right! Teacher Soleum, want to come with me?"
A chill ran down my spine.
"Teacher Soleum, you don't know which class you'll be assigned to yet, do you? You haven't read the handbook yet. If you read it, you'll find out—your assigned class!"
Supervisor Park extended his hand to me.
"What do you think? It'd be great if we were in the Sprout Class together. We used to be on the same squad, after all."
Shit.
Shit!
I naturally stepped back, making sure that I looked like I was considering his suggestion.
His outstretched hand swiped through empty air.
"Oh…"
"Thank you for the offer, but I need to drop this outside the exit first."
I lifted the briefcase.
"I borrowed some things, and I think I need to return them within the time limit."
"Teacher Soleum, all those interesting items you carry around were borrowed?"
"Yes."
Please don't notice.
'Please.'
-x-X-x-
The thing that had once been Supervisor Park, still speaking kindly and gently as if it were second nature, replied,
"Then should I ask the other teachers to help move it?"
"It's just one briefcase. If you wouldn't mind, could you accompany me to the entrance for a moment? …Supervisor Badger specifically requested it."
Supervisor Park froze.
"..."
Perhaps.
"…Supervisor Badger?"
...
His mouth opened.
"That…"
...!
But then, in the next moment.
"Sure! Let's go to the entrance together."
The kind, cheerful teacher's voice returned.
"..."
"Teacher Soleum?"
"Yes, I'd appreciate it if you could accompany me to the entrance. Quietly, so we don't disturb anyone."
"Sounds good!"
I turned and began walking out of the playroom.
Right behind me followed the fully 'contaminated' Supervisor Park, now a teacher.
'Hah.'
Slowly, I moved forward.
Step. Step.
Right behind me, I could hear the sound of soft slippers—not the hard click of dress shoes—quietly trailing me.
Step. Step.
"Oh, let me help you carry the briefcase."
"It's alr—"
Before I could finish saying it was fine—
The teacher's hand grabbed half of the briefcase I was holding.
The Perfect Teacher's Handbook in his hand brushed against mine.
Step. Step.
"..."
I'm fine.
The sharp, piercing sound that messes with my mind isn't there. Neither is the overwhelming terror or fear that makes me want to lose my mind.
I can do this.
The entrance isn't far now.
All I have to do is walk.
But at the same time, a thought crosses my mind.
Is sneaking out to the entrance like this the right thing to do?
Motherfucker.
Look at me cursing. Maybe it's because I've never read the handbook, but somehow it feels… a little embarrassing.
Maybe reading the handbook isn't a punishment at all. Perhaps it's an opportunity disguised as a penalty, a chance to learn?
Crazy…
Wait. Let's not just dismiss this as contamination. Let's consider it seriously.
This is a great workplace. Preparing for a perfect opening with polite and compliant colleagues is the ultimate joy.
I have the potential to become a perfect teacher.
■■ Kindergarten has shown me that!
No.
Absolutely not.
I scoffed at myself. Don't I know that even getting caught in a lie results in punishment? I should just give up on the entrance efficiently.
That's the logical thing to do.
I should voluntarily start reading the handbook here. I could even ask Teacher Park Minseong to join me.
No.
If I just borrow the handb
No.
Stop entertaining other thoughts.
But if I think about it a little more, I'll start to believe this isn't such a bad idea
It is not!
Focus on moving forward.
One step at a time, the entrance grows closer.
Step, step.
"..."
I've made it.
The entrance!
Instead of the dirty, cluttered entrance I first walked through, it now looks pristine, clean enough to make me hesitate about leaving.
"So, we just have to throw this bag, right?"
I grabbed the briefcase, and in the motion, the handbook that had been brushing against my hand slipped and fell.
"Shall we throw it together?"
Please.
"Yes, that sounds good."
It has to work.
"Hold onto this part for me…"
Finally, I turned my head.
Standing in my view was Supervisor Park Minseong, smiling with the face of a 'teacher'.
He reached out his upper body and hands, just as I had instructed, ready to grab the briefcase.
Now.
I grabbed Supervisor Park's head without hesitation.
"...!!"
And I shoved it roughly into my forearm.
It's working.
The subspace connected to my tattoo on my wrist has the volume of a 60 cm cube per side.
But it isn't a literal cube. It's a malleable, irregular subspace.
So, when converted into other measurements…
It can easily fit the body of an adult man.
I fixed my gaze upward.
Crack, crack.
The humanoid body resisted as I pushed it into the tattoo, its joints feeling like they were breaking apart.
I made sure to start with the head on purpose.
Talking to him would've definitely affected me, making the contamination worse.
I kept pressing down with one hand. The subspace within the tattoo swallowed it without resistance—ah! The handbook touched it! No, I'll keep that separate, there's no way I'll let it go in. ṙΆＮỌʙÊṦ
Finally, I crammed in the last of his legs…
Snap!
"...!"
Something suddenly grabbed my left forearm.
Fingers gripping tightly with unnatural strength, pale as death.
It was Supervisor Park's right hand.
"Ugh!"
Damn it!
I tried to pry off his fingers one by one, but it wasn't working.
I can't injure a teacher.
I had no idea how this Darkness would react if I did.
Stay calm…!
I took out the blood-sucking knife and drove it into my own arm.
"...!"
The fingers tore away, taking chunks of flesh from my forearm. It was pain that should've made me scream like crazy, but adrenaline and sheer tension kept me silent.
As I shoved the last of his fingers into the tattoo, I hurried toward the entrance.
Step.
The final step.
"..."
I lifted my head.
The bright blue sky of daylight greeted me.
Behind me, only the decrepit, abandoned building of a private kindergarten remained.
The sunlight glimmered over the wild grass in the outskirts of Seoul.
"..."
Clear.
I lowered my head.
There lay Assistant Manager Eun Haje's body, missing a hand, collapsed on the ground.
None of the other company staff were around—they must've already left…
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my smartphone.
Following protocol, I pressed a button.
As if to confirm I was back in reality, the signal connected, and someone answered the call.
"This, is the Security Team's storage… correct?"
With my dry mouth, I barely managed to speak the rehearsed line.
"I need equipment to contain contamination…"
Because.
"I've rescued a contaminated employee."
...
...
Done.
And then, I passed out.
-x-X-x-
"Excuse me…"
"..."
"Excuse me."
I snapped my eyes open.
A familiar face came into view.
"…Sergeant?"
"Yes…"
Dressed in a security uniform, with a slender build, light-colored hair, and a name tag reading 'J3'.
The very same security officer who had been involved with me in the Changgwi Darkness!
I tried to get up in a hurry, but a massive headache struck me—wait, what?
Jingle.
I froze.
The red yarn tied tightly around my hands, dangling little silver bells, caught my eye.
'Yarn?'
The look and purpose felt oddly familiar… Oh.
'This is one of the Security Team's equipment…'
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau
/ Items
Nostalgia Kitty
A red yarn with silver bells attached, classified as an equipment-type item.
Temporarily reverts the subject to their physically and mentally healthiest state within the past ten years.
The more severe the subject's mutation, the faster the yarn breaks.
※ Health criteria determined based on usage records.
========================
A device that allowed anyone to temporarily 'return' to a better state from their past.
Knowing this calmed me down a little.
I relaxed, and…
"..."
"..."
No, wait.
Why am I restrained??
I quickly raised my head.
The sergeant, looking mildly annoyed but also slightly amused, met my gaze. He gave a small wave.
"We meet again…"
"Yes. But…"
I raised my bound arms as high as I could.
"What is this about?"
"You said… you rescued a contaminated employee…"
"Yes, but why am I…"
The sergeant pointed at me.
Ah.
"…Are you saying the Security Team thinks I'm the one contaminated?"
"Looks like it… yeah… There's no one else."
He raised his hands slightly, his expression an odd mix of anticipation and embarrassment.
"Uh… welcome to the Security Team…?"
N-No.
Is this some kind of initiation for me as a new recruit…!
"It's not me."
"…Huh?"
"It's not me."
I emphasized this twice, then finally managed to steady myself and take in my surroundings.
'…Is this a isolation room?'
The interior was an empty space surrounded by gray walls, with even the lighting recessed seamlessly into the ceiling.
'It seems like the Security Team responded properly.'
I must've made the call correctly.
[Security Team Equipment Rental Facility]
This was a facility I'd been authorized to use after my promotion to supervisor—a storage space where equipment from the Security Team could be borrowed via phone or in person. R̃àŊỌΒĘš
However, if the Security Team deemed a situation required 'containment', they could intervene directly, as they had here.
'Lucky me.'
Seeing as I was now detained in a Security Team facility, that must've been the case.
I slowly nodded.
"This must be the company building, given that you're here, Sergeant."
"Yes… sharp observation…"
"..."
I swallowed nervously.
If I wasn't mistaken, my tattoo still held the contaminated Supervisor Park Minseong.
'I need to hand him over so the contamination can be contained.'
But wouldn't officially registering the existence of my tattoo with the Security Team be an incredibly stupid move long-term?
Testing the waters, I cautiously asked,
"Is there a CCTV system installed here by any chance?"
"I don't think so…"
Right.
It was likely that no recording devices had been set up, considering this was the first time someone contaminated by the
Even CCTV footage could become contaminated.
'Especially since Hungry Hangman was an ghost story with exceptionally strong psychological contamination…'
In any case, it seemed no one knew that the fully contaminated Supervisor Park Minseong was currently inside my tattooed wrist.
I swallowed nervously.
"…Sergeant."
"Just call me Jay. I'm the only 'J' left in the Security Team…"
"All right, Jay-ssi."
I spoke with a serious expression.
"Can you promise to keep what happens next a secret?"
Naturally, I expected him to refuse. Or, perhaps he'd act conflicted, agree to keep it a secret, and then promptly report everything.
Either way, I was prepared to offer some form of persuasion—
"Sure, why not…"
"..."
"As long as it's not about blowing up the company… No, even that might be okay… Just keep it a secret that I even heard anything…"
"..."
Was this the confidence of someone in a lifelong position?
'What kind of company is this…'
I shook off the dizziness creeping into my head and firmly stated,
"It's not about blowing up the company."
"Then…?"
"Actually, I've rescued a contaminated employee, and I'm currently containing them on my own."
"..."
"..."
"...??"
The sergeant looked at me like I was speaking nonsense.
"Are you delusional…?"
"I'm perfectly sane. I'm even wearing contamination-suppression equipment, am I not?"
I raised my arm.
"These yarns with bells—this is contamination-suppression equipment, isn't it?"
"Um… yes, it is."
"Then you can see that I'm speaking with a clear mind."
The sergeant stared at me.
I swallowed again.
"When you're ready, I'll bring out the contaminated employee."
"Oh."
He blinked, clearly unconvinced but willing to humor me, and slowly replied,
"Fine… go ahead…"
"Do you need any special preparations? I only have one chance, as I'm using a disposable item."
"Well…"
He tapped his chest lightly.
"I'm enough."
Though his words might have sounded arrogant, his tone was straightforward and wearied, giving no impression of boasting.
'And he's a sergeant.'
I'd seen his capabilities in the changgwi ghost story. He was a professional in 'Darkness suppression'.
Good.
"All right."
I took a deep breath.
Then, I reached directly into my tattoo.
"...!"
I didn't have to search. My hand immediately grasped the target.
Keeping fellow teachers locked away is against the rules!!
'Pull!'
As my hand emerged from the tattoo, it dragged something along with it.
Riiiip.
With grotesque sounds, the 'teacher' began to emerge from the tattoo.
And then—
Thunk.
The yarn snapped from the strain.
Blood spurted from my forearm like a fountain—the wound inflicted by the blood-sucking knife earlier had reopened.
"—!"
Fuck!
I wanted to scream from the pain, but I held back. The contamination was creeping back as well.
But more pressing than that was—
"Teacher Soleum! Such mischievous behavior is a punishable offense at ■■ Kindergarten…"
Flinch.
Supervisor Park Minseong—or rather, 'the teacher'—paused mid-sentence, smiling softly.
Then, he stopped entirely, glancing around blankly at his surroundings.
"..."
"..."
"This is not the kindergarten!!"
Damn it.
"This is not the kindergarten! This is not the kindergarten! I left without permission, unauthorized—I am not a perfect teacher. I… I broke the rules…!"
There was no way to respond. I could only feel the guilt crashing over me.
I'm so sorry, teacher. I made the wrong decision. I shouldn't have done this. I'll take your punishment and read the handbook aloud instead. I'll grab the handbook of ■■ Kindergarten and—
"Up you go."
Grab.
Someone seized my face.
Then something was inserted into my ear.
"Some kind of… sleep sedative."
...
...
Flash.
I blinked.
"Excuse me."
"..."
"Excuse me…"
I opened my eyes again.
Everything was still.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
I instinctively knew.
"You knocked me out, didn't you?"
"Yes…"
I looked at the empty capsule shell that had fallen to the floor from my ear.
'A drug?'
It seemed I'd been given something that briefly knocked me out.
Something similar to the Snow White Mountain Apple I carried, but perhaps a less potent version.
Stay calm.
It appeared I'd been freed from the contamination's effects.
I steadied my breathing and looked down at my arm. The area where I'd been injured was now wrapped in bandages.
As for the yarn that had been wrapped around me earlier…
"..."
I lifted my head and saw it tightly wound around Supervisor Park Minseong's limbs in the corner.
Right. He no longer looked like a 'teacher'.
It was Supervisor Park Minseong again!
'…It worked.'
Dressed in a black suit and mask, Park Minseong looked just as he had before entering the ghost story.
Even if this was only a temporary effect of the suppression equipment.
"…Hah."
Feeling utterly drained, I leaned against the wall.
'…Successful handover.'
I heard the sergeant mutter beside me.
"That guy's lucky… getting out that quickly… envy him…"
Wait.
"Since he came out quickly, does that mean he can fully recover from the contamination?"
"Um…"
The sergeant, looking too tired to think, hesitated before finally speaking under the weight of my persistent gaze.
"That's a Gloom-level contamination…"
"Huh? Yes, it's B-class."
"Then it's fine…"
B-grade?
"The company's got protocols… and well, if things go decently, maybe… a department transfer?"
"..."
Sure. Working in the Security Team would be better than dying.
'I hope he recovers well enough to either return or leave on his own terms…'
"..."
I turned back to look at Supervisor Park Minseong.
Now that the tension was easing, I felt strange.
Until just yesterday, we'd been coworkers, chatting and joking in the office.
Now, starting tomorrow, he'd suddenly disappear from my daily life.
"…Please take good care of him."
"..."
The sergeant nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.
As my thoughts wandered, my mind finally returned to the last scene I had witnessed.
…Assistant Manager Eun Haje!
"What happened to the… body… lying next to me? The one missing a left hand…"
"I don't know…"
Please, tell me she wasn't incinerated or something. No, that couldn't have happened.
'Since she was a missing hand and not a head, they would've thought it strange.'
Still, my growing anxiety prompted me to hasten the process and leave the isolation room.
"Let's head out together…"
"Ah, yes."
With a few members of the Security Team accompanying me, I found myself walking out of the isolation room, escorted somewhere between surveillance and protection. ＲΆ𐌽оβĚŝ
And as soon as I stepped outside, I realized something.
This was the isolation area adjacent to the Security Team's equipment storage facility.
[Isolation B]
'There were separate pages about this place in the Darkness Exploration Records…'
Every single one of them was chilling.
Two summoned employees walked just half a step behind me, moving at a calm pace through the corridor. Meanwhile, I followed, trying to suppress the unease creeping over me…
Kekekekekeke—
AaaaahhhhhhhAlmightyLuminousOneshineYourlightuponme
Savemesavemepleasesaveme…!
From the isolation rooms lined along both sides came bone-chilling sounds.
'Don't look.'
I resolutely avoided glancing anywhere but the light spilling from the door ahead.
...
Who's in the hallway?
Aaaaaahhh!!
Who's in the hallway? Who's in the hallway? Who's
Please, just walk faster! Hurry up!!
Yet the blasted Security Team staff maintained their steady pace until we finally emerged through the door.
By that point, I was utterly drained, left to complete the exit procedure for the equipment storage facility as a ragged husk of myself.
"..."
The front of the storage facility looked like a bleak corridor in the maintenance department.
At the counter, a silent Security Team employee retrieved my belongings, which had been stored for isolation.
"Thank you."
I accepted the briefcase. A sticker labeled [Approved / Risk Level D] was affixed to its surface.
'Looks like they didn't inspect the items individually.'
Nor had they conducted any additional checks on what I'd retrieved from my tattoo.
Surprisingly, Sergeant J seemed to have kept his promise entirely.
'Though he might report it someday.'
That much was manageable. I'd even mentioned the one-time-use nature of the items on purpose.
What mattered now was handling the situation properly.
'Let's do this right.'
I took a deep breath.
'Time to quickly check on Assistant Manager Eun Haje's situation…'
– Friend!
– Friend!
Huh?
– Friend!!
"..."
Braun!!!
"Excuse me, is this all of my belongings?"
The staff member silently pointed toward a container in the corner of the front desk.
[Waste Disposal Box]
There lay my soaked and mangled suit jacket, crumpled into a mess—and stuffed inside it, a small, disheveled stuffed doll…
Gaaaaaaasp!
– How dare they throw me into such a place as if I were trash!! This is outrageous! Even when I was a rookie, I never experienced such disrespect!
T-These people are insane!
I felt like I could bathe in my own cold sweat.
Hastily, I retrieved the jacket, cleaned up the doll, and tucked it into my shirt pocket.
'Y-You've been through so much… I'm sorry.'
– Huu… It's not your fault, Mr. Roe Deer. It's those ruffians who acted so recklessly!
Braun seemed somewhat mollified. Without wasting time, I turned and began walking away.
But from behind, an ominous voice trailed after me…
– But a good friend never forgets…
"..."
Let's make sure to never let Braun near the Security Team again.
As I stepped out the door, a voice called out to me.
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
"...!!"
Waiting at the front of the Security Team facility was someone familiar.
"…Squad Leader."
Chief Lizard gazed at me with his slit pupils.
"Did you come to fetch me, sir?"
"Yes."
"Where are you taking me? And, while you're at it, could you explain why I'm being taken there?"
"To the infirmary. Assistant Manager Eun Haje is lying there."
"...!!"
I,
I paused several times before I managed to speak.
"…Is she alive?"
Squad Leader Lee turned to look at me.
And his response was firm and clear.
"Yes."
"..."
Gulp.
A surge of emotion suddenly rose to my throat.
"…Squad Leader. Supervisor Park Minseong has also been retrieved."
"Yes."
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon seemed to ponder for a moment, but he soon asked,
"Is he alive?"
"…Yes."
"Then everyone has survived."
"...Yes."
That alone made it all worth it.
Undeniably.