Death Lane.
A grotesque alley whose name seems inspired by once-trendy hotspot districts.
If a civilian casually downloaded the app from the flyer and got caught up in this, they might initially be confused.
The first area they encounter, the 'Main Alley of Death Lane', is filled with street vendors, making it seem like a lively night market at first glance.
But upon closer inspection…
< Confirmed Items Sold at Death Lane Stalls >
1- Beaded Strap
: A strap made of crimson string and ivory beads. Touching it leaves salt and ash on the hands, and the beads writhe and vibrate.
Employees who touched the strap later complained of prolonged distress, claiming to hear cries for help, sobbing, and the voice of ■■. Recovered after a short-term memory erasure procedure.
2- Traditional Bubble Gum
: Gum with reversed lettering printed on it. A balloon inflates inside the throat rather than the mouth. Removed just before suffocation.
3- Floral Slippers
: A civilian who tried on these slippers under the vendor's insistence reported seeing fire, blades, and ■■ beneath their feet, followed by ■■ ■■. They then disappeared, sobbing, into the alley.
4- Picture Frame
: Displays an image of a close relative being murdered.
...
By this point, anyone would understand.
'To leave here safely, I must avoid looking at anything!'
The items being sold are all unusable by a normal person, yet the vendors actively solicit customers.
The best strategy is to act disinterested, like someone with a destination in mind, and quickly pass through.
However, as you escape from the flashy signs and bright lights into smaller alleys, the strangeness grows stronger…
Because it never ends.
The alleys grow narrower and narrower, eventually becoming so tight that no person could fit through.
'…If you reach that point, it's over.'
That's right. You can't simply walk out of this lane.
So, what should you do?
It's simple.
Just as you followed the navigation guide on the app to enter, you must use that same navigation guide to exit.
Ding.
'…It's begun.'
I glanced at the new event page that popped up on my smartphone app.
Death Lane Step Count Challenge
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 10,000
This is it.
The very thing that lures people into the ghost story and, at the same time, the most straightforward and safest lifeline for escape.
If you successfully complete the 'Step Count Challenge' on the smartphone app, you can leave the alley.
This is the only way out.
…But while I, the coward, was busy thinking about this, the ghost story resident in my pocket seemed fully immersed in the night market atmosphere.
– Ah, it's been a while since I've visited a place like this. Isn't this a rare spot for a show host to visit personally?
– There's certainly a charm to exploring such a lively night market! Why not pick out something that suits us, Friend?
– The quality may not be ideal, but a piece or two for keepsakes wouldn't hurt!
Aaagh.
'No. Let's buy something from elsewhere. I should get something better for a friend.'
– ...! How touching! Very well. This Braun will also think of something that suits a friend…
And then, at that moment—
got sOMeTHiNg speciAL to ShoW yoU??
"...!!"
One of the street vendors grabbed my arm.
oveR heeeRE iVE got soMeThIng Even BETTER. leT mE SHoW YoU. coME INside.
Behind the vendor, there was nothing. No open door, no shop, no space.
Yet the vendor insisted again.
COME INside.
Don't look directly.
Without closely examining the vendor's face, I just needed to calmly and naturally refuse. I barely managed to open my mouth…
But before I could speak, Chief Lizard grabbed the vendor's arm.
"??"
Tightly.
The vendor flinched as the red vertical pupils of Section Chief Lee Jaheon focused on them.
"..."
"..."
The vendor averted their gaze and quietly released my arm.
Then, as if nothing had happened, they began soliciting another shadowy figure.
"..."
So that… actually worked?
I just realized something new: even ghosts seem to mind their manners around the lizard.
"Thank you."
"Yes."
Physical exorcism—nothing could be more convenient.
'Come to think of it, I was supposed to receive some equipment from Section Chief Lee that enhances physical strength as a custom parent item.'
I'll have to bring that up after this mission is over.
For now, though, Chief Lizard remained quiet, likely because this was a situation with real threats. He refrained from giving instructions that would only make someone with nerves of steel pass out. ṜÄɴՕꞖЕȿ
Instead, he simply said one thing.
"In cases where more than four people enter, it's standard procedure to split into pairs and explore new paths if possible."
Hmm?
"Mr. Roe Deer, choose a pair."
Ah, I see.
Since I technically outrank the others, the squad leader likely wants to balance the pairs by assigning me to a different one.
'What a shame… I'll miss the lizard's strength.'
The convenience I just experienced was almost addictively sweet.
Still, it was expected. At least I had already entered with Section Chief Lee Jaheon, so if things went south, I could rely on him, like during the exhibition Darkness.
'So, I need to pick someone to accompany me from a batchmate?'
Hmm.
I spoke politely.
"Since we're acquainted, may I go with Mr. Buffalo?"
"Yes."
It seemed logical to stick with someone familiar for ease of movement.
'Especially since I need to check that chocolate packaging…'
Besides, I figured Kang Yihak might prefer to pair up with the squad leader…
Kang Yihak interjected.
"Oh, wait a moment! Would it be okay if I went with Mr. Buffalo instead?"
Huh?
"Since you two were originally on the same squad, it wouldn't feel right for us support staff to split you up! Plus, I have something to discuss with Mr. Buffalo…"
Kang Yihak diplomatically explained that, since this wasn't a high-grade ghost story, it should be fine for two junior employees to follow the manual together.
"If both of you are okay with it, it should work just fine!"
"Yes."
The lizard nodded.
"Move in a group of three."
"…Pardon, sir?"
"Mr. Roe Deer, Ms. Pony, and Mr. Buffalo. Move as a group of three."
Kang Yihak managed to respond without losing their friendly demeanor.
"Oh, thank you, but… Is it not going to be risky for you to go alone, Section Chief?"
"Yes."
"..."
Well then.
At this point, further persuasion was futile.
'A group of three, huh.'
Before leaving, Section Chief Lee approached me.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Without warning, he handed me something.
"If a problem arises, press this."
"..."
A small, round brown object dropped into my hand.
A button.
I'd used the same thing during the Tuesday Quiz Show.
…It was Assistant Manager Eun Haje's communication device.
"…You've made contact with Assistant Manager Falcon?"
"Yes. She asked me to deliver it to you yesterday."
"..."
I nodded slowly.
"Thank you."
"Yes."
And with that, the lizard vanished into the depths of the alley…
"Well, let's move as well and make our way out of this street vendor alley."
"Yes…!"
"Ah, yes-yes."
I began walking with my two fellow rookies.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 9,130
Walking through the eerie, brightly lit vendor alley while keeping the app running turned out to be more mentally draining than expected.
Especially since you couldn't afford to let your guard down for even a moment.
"Huu."
Jang Heo-un began to lift his mask slightly to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated underneath.
Wait.
"Be careful."
"...!"
I stopped him immediately.
"It's best to strictly follow the anonymity manual here… Mr. Buffalo."
"...Yes."
Jang Heo-un slowly lowered his hand and wiped the sweat off without removing his mask.
...
One of the street vendors, who had been observing him closely, resumed their sales pitch.
Whisper, whisper.
'Phew.'
The vendors in this alley have an aggressive tendency to sell their goods and claim payment by any means.
To avoid getting caught up in this, it's crucial not to reveal any personal information, appearance, or vulnerabilities.
The company's manual was precise.
'The moment you fail to follow this, you'll be passively drawn into their sales trap.'
Like those people hovering at the far end of the alley.
"This place is incredible—I had no idea it was here."
"Huh? What's that? It looks so real… real, real, real, real… REAL! I'll buy it!"
"That's the one! Yes! It's a real person!"
The problem was that they had no masks or information to hide their identities.
"Huh? W-wait… why does that person have three eyes? Huh? Oh, right! Humans always had three eyes! My bad, I must've been mistaken. I'll go buy another eye, honey."
"Sure! Trade it for an ear!"
They followed the vendor into the alley and disappeared.
'…It's too late.'
That's how they go missing.
A chilling fear ran down my spine.
But I couldn't show it—not in front of my fellow rookies.
Instead, I clenched my teeth and feigned composure as I kept walking.
"For now, let's just get out of this stree—"
"Mr. Roe Deer, over there…!"
Jang Heo-un pointed with a trembling hand.
It was…
A 'person' walking right past us.
A high school student with a nervous expression, glancing around anxiously.
'Damn it.'
"This is…!"
Jang Heo-un hastily rummaged through his bag and pulled out a black cloth mask.
He walked straight up to the student and handed it over without preamble.
"Wear this."
"W-What…?"
'This could go horribly wrong…!'
I immediately stepped in.
"Stay calm. Put on the mask quickly, and no matter what anyone says, stay quiet and keep walking."
"What… oh."
"Try not to look around. Act as if you're just here for a casual stroll."
Whether it was due to the influence of my Silver Heart badge or something else, the student, sensing something was off, hesitantly took the mask Jang Heo-un offered.
"Do not turn off the Death Lane app and complete the 10,000 steps. That's the only way out."
"..."
The student, their face a mixture of suspicion, anxiety, and alertness, glanced at us before turning and running in the opposite direction.
"Ah…!"
Jang Heo-un looked like he wanted to call out but hesitated, eventually giving up. The student had already disappeared into the distance, and Kang Yihak was just watching with a calm smile.
"..."
And I could guess the other reason.
"By the way."
Jang Heo-un muttered incredulously,
"That student… wasn't that the uniform of Sekwang Technical High School?"
"..."
Indeed.
In this space, you can witness all sorts of things.
Dead friends, family members who disappeared in childhood, victims of major accidents, pedestrians in 1980s attire, or even students from schools that don't exist in reality.
Countless customers, onlookers, and… products flow through this alley.
But.
"It's best to act as if you didn't see anything here. Staying unnoticed is the basic rule of the manual."
"Ah, got it…!"
Jang Heo-un took another deep breath.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Hey, no need to be too tense. Just like the manual says, let's act like we're casually exploring this alley as if we're out with friends!"
Kang Yihak had a point.
The manual strongly recommended maintaining a natural demeanor, as if you were just visiting the district with acquaintances.
"Still, let's stay cautious as we move."
"Yes!"
We continued walking through the crowd, trying our best not to bump into anyone or draw attention.
Step, step.
With every step on the alley's cobblestones, the app's counter ticked down.
And when the thousand-digit number changed.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 8,999
A gap between the street vendors came into view.
'A passage.'
It was a path leading into a narrower alley.
Beyond it, the street vendors disappeared, replaced by formal shops selling various daily necessities…
"We'll turn here."
At that moment—
"Oh, since we're entering a new alley… how about we try to be even more natural now?" Kang Yihak chimed in.
Hmm.
"Could you elaborate a bit more on what you mean?"
Kang Yihak grinned.
"Let's try to score some rare finds!"
"...!"
"There are a lot of exploration records about finding good 'items' here, so why not do a little market browsing ourselves? It's the most natural thing to do, after all!"
Shopping, plain and simple.
"...! But the manual specifically advises against that…"
Jang Heo-un was right.
While purchasing items deemed useful for exploration wasn't outright prohibited, it wasn't encouraged either.
Any risks associated with such purchases wouldn't be eligible for workplace injury compensation.
That bottom line sounded shady, but there was a clear reason why the manual discouraged it:
The likelihood of impulsive buying was high.
The longer you walked, the more this street would tempt you with appealing shops and goods.
Employees, gradually losing their reason in this bizarre place, often ended up snatching up dangerous items without a second thought.
Even when payment didn't involve ordinary currency.
And yet, Kang Yihak brought this up anyway…
'What's her angle?'
She definitely had some hidden motive.
– Ah, politics! Life's unscripted variety show.
– But if you back down, it turns into a documentary. We can't have that. Let's go, Mr. Roe Deer!
Sigh.
I'd hoped meeting new people might be refreshing, but here we are again…
'Well, no choice.'
I flashed Kang Yihak a grin.
"Sure."
"...!"
"Browsing sounds fun."
"Oh! You're on the same page, Supervisor! I knew you'd agree!"
"Yes."
Then I casually raised my hand and pointed toward a certain shop I was all too familiar with.
"How about that one?"
Fresh Meat Butcher Shop
: A shop displaying live organs and body parts.
Identifiable by its red and blue lights and the bloodstained apron of the shopkeeper seated in front of the glass window.
"..."
"..."
"The goods look promising. Let's head inside."
I took a step toward the butcher shop.
"...?!"
This is what you call the 'You can't reason with a lunatic' strat...!
-x-X-x-
In the ghost story
Just like how shops in real life often cluster together by type, forming a commercial district. Of course, these alleys appear unpredictably, and their occurrence rates vary.
Confirmed sections of Death Lane:
1- Street vendors
2- Bookstores
3- Pets
4- Jewelry
5- Everyday goods
6- Lighting
7- Meat
...
Currently, we were in the alley that sells everyday goods.
But somehow, I was heading straight for the most uninviting shop in this alley.
A butcher shop displaying hanging, writhing organs and flesh.
Wriggle, wriggle.
'Think of it as a haunted house.'
It's fine. Nothing here looks like its original form in life. They're just parts. I'll pretend this is an animatronic attraction at an amusement park…
Wait, no. Thinking about amusement parks just reminds me of Cheerful Theme Park, and that's even scarier!
'C-Calm down.'
I can't back down now.
Feigning composure, I took steady steps toward the butcher shop.
Fresh Meat Butcher Shop
Beneath the red and blue lights shining on the glass window, the shopkeeper, who had been sharpening a knife on a stone, raised their head.
A hulking figure in a blood-soaked apron.
Upon closer inspection…
A skinned cow with only chunks of flesh left on its head stared back at us.
Creak.
It gestured toward us, as if inviting us closer with the promise of good service.
"S-Supervisor, wait!"
Kang Yihak stepped in front of me.
"Haha, uh, I don't think we need anything from this shop. Let's check out another one!"
"But the shopkeeper's already signaling us. It'd feel rude not to go in."
– Ah, quite right. It's good manners, after all!
"No!"
Realizing her voice had grown too loud, Kang Yihak quickly lowered it, speaking urgently.
"The manual explicitly says not to enter meat-themed alleys…!"
She was correct.
Manual Entry : Meat-Themed Alleys
– Upon discovering a meat-themed alley in Death Lane, do not enter. Stay in the previous alley.
– If entry is unavoidable (e.g., being chased by a vendor), block out sound using earbuds and walk 1,000 steps as quickly as possible to move to the next alley.
– If a companion gets caught up in a vendor's sampling offer, leave them behind and move ahead at a faster pace.
Just reading these instructions was enough to send chills down one's spine.
"That's true."
"Oh, so you remember? Then—"
"So?"
"...?!"
"I want to shop."
And with that, I strode toward the butcher shop.
"Mr. Roe Deer…!"
I'm sorry, Mr. Buffalo! You're free to run if you want…!
But I could hear the footsteps of both my companions following me. Apparently, they'd decided to stick with me.
Huh. I thought they'd bolt.
'Maybe I'm the one who wanted to run the most…'
But if I stopped now, I'd likely end up dragged around by Kang Yihak's schemes again. So, I kept moving forward.
Eventually, the three of us stood side by side in front of the brightly lit butcher shop, with its grotesque display of writhing body parts…
Of course, I was at the front.
Haa.
...
The skinned cow stared at me.
'Uuuugh.'
I couldn't look too closely.
I unfocused my eyes and glanced near the shopkeeper's neck, but the sight of pulsing veins made me quickly shift my gaze to their bloodstained apron.
The apron was somehow less disturbing.
"Hello. Do you offer fresh packages by any chance?"
N…od.
"You have a lot of good cuts here. Hmm… could I see the front limbs?"
Thud.
The skinned cow's head moved, opening the glass door.
From within, the 'front limbs' were pulled out and displayed before me.
…Still writhing, still alive.
An animal's paw.
A primate's hand.
A primate's hand.
Tentacles?
An animal's paw.
A primate's hand…
And then, a trembling human hand, with a ringed finger, desperately scraping against the glass floor…
'Urgh.'
I had to hold it together.
Feigning indifference, I looked down at the display.
…There wasn't a suitable left hand among them.
'What a pity.'
Having endured this mental torment, it'd be nice to get some kind of reward out of it.
Pushing aside thoughts of Assistant Manager Eun Haje, I paused for a moment before speaking to the butcher.
"Something with sturdy bones would be better for a rich broth… Hmm. Do you happen to have anything with eyes?"
Thud!
Having already been declined once, the shopkeeper's movements grew rough. I could faintly hear my companions holding their breath behind me.
I, too, took a deep breath to suppress my fear.
'The display…'
The front limbs were cleared away, revealing rows of eyeballs before me.
A black-sclera eye with violet irises.
A fist-sized blue eye.
A lens with bits of flesh still attached.
A white, trembling eye, unfocused.
And… a desperate dark brown eye, gazing at me.
'Haa.'
I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them.
"That one looks good."
I pointed to the first one displayed—the black eye with the glinting violet iris.
"I'd like to buy it. No need to cut it up."
...
The skinned cow stared blankly at me before extending its hand.
A clear gesture—payment was required.
Kang Yihak murmured in a small voice.
"…Supervisor, maybe you should subtly check what form of payment they want…"
"No need."
I retrieved a box from my tattoo inventory.
Thud.
A heavy box filled with corn and carrots landed in front of the shop.
"...??"
"...?!"
"I'll pay with this."
When attempting barter at this butcher shop, the items must be food consumable by cattle.
That's right. While the shops in Death Lane often use peculiar currencies, we don't have access to them.
'So we have to rely on bartering.'
Since each shop accepts different goods, I'd stuffed my tattoo inventory with a mix of daily necessities, jewelry, and snacks… including a box of vegetables.
Of course, some shops demand something no sane person would willingly give, but this should suffice here.
"How much of this would you like?"
...
The butcher extended its hand to take the entire pile of vegetables.
My companions, who had been silently horrified by my inventory trick, suddenly looked relieved.
"Oh, the trade went through…"
"Hold on. All of it?"
"...?!"
I frowned and interrupted.
"That's too expensive. I mean, no matter how fresh it's been packaged, there should be limits. It wasn't easy for me to bring these here in such good condition…"
"M-Mr. Roe Deer…?!"
My companions now stared at me as if I'd lost my mind, but I kept talking.
"Did you raise the price just because I selected it? Or is this a general supply issue?"
N…od.
"I see, you've been struggling. But even so, this goes over my budget… Huu."
I let the silence hang deliberately.
The shopkeeper remained silent as well.
The skinned cow's head seemed to blankly watch me before finally moving toward what appeared to be the cash register. It returned holding a handful of rusted coins, with all numbers and letters printed in reverse.
The local currency.
'Yes!'
Success…!!
Not all shops accept bartering, and in those cases, you need coins to escape!
– Ah, how perfectly scripted! The joy of a well-prepared performance!
Smiling, I accepted the coins.
"This change will do. Thank you. I'll take my purchase now."
...!
The skinned shopkeeper excitedly rose and began packaging the item I bought.
The wildly rolling black eye was sealed in transparent liquid and handed to me in a plastic wrap.
I tried my best not to look too closely at either the coins or the item.
"Thank… you."
And then—
Drip.
Blood splattered from the shopkeeper's apron onto my face.
And onto Jang Heo-un's face as well.
"...!"
Jang Heo-un, wearing his Buffalo mask, stiffened and lowered his head.
He was likely fighting the urge to vomit…
'Damn it.'
I jumped in and started talking.
"Ah, my friend here seems a bit weak from hunger. We should head back soon so he can eat something."
Please, please!
The skinned cow peered intently at Jang Heo-un.
Just as he began to break into a cold sweat, frozen stiff—
Thud.
The shopkeeper dropped an item in front of him.
…It was one of the ears of corn I had used as payment.
"Th-thank you…"
Jang Heo-un, with trembling hands, took the corn.
The shopkeeper stared blankly at him for a moment before returning to their seat in front of the butcher shop's glass door.
'…We made it.'
We quickly walked away from the 'Fresh Meat Butcher Shop'.
At the same time, I glanced at Jang Heo-un, who was gripping the corn tightly.
More specifically, I looked at what he was wearing.
'…Was it the mask?'
It seemed the shopkeeper had mistaken him for a buffalo.
As expected, the masks from Daydream Inc. were no ordinary items—they worked like Dream Essence Collectors.
'Phew.'
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 7,999
Our steps only stopped when the next alley came into view. I immediately checked on Jang Heo-un.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yes… well, since the blood was all cleaned off and the cuts were neat, I think I'm fine now…"
'Isn't it more horrifying that they were so clean yet still alive?'
But fear points differ from person to person. Best to respect that.
At least he seemed okay now, which was a relief. His complexion looked fine too.
Just as we were about to move again—
"W-What was that just now? How did you manage that trade…?!"
Kang Yihak finally started asking questions.
Alright.
'Let's go all in one more time…!'
I deliberately asked back in a casual tone,
"What do you mean?"
"That thing you bought! The manual clearly says to avoid meat-themed alleys, but you handled it all so smoothly, like you were prepared…"
I was prepared!
But I couldn't admit that, so I replied,
"It was obvious."
"...?"
"From the manual's description of meat-related shops, I figured it'd be like a restaurant district. The problem usually comes from eating things, right?"
I lifted the bag containing my purchase.
"But this is a butcher shop. I assumed I could just buy without eating anything."
"...!"
"And judging by the display…"
I spun the bag around to show them the bizarre black eyeball.
"Since it's alive, I figured it could be used for something else."
"..."
"For example… organ transplants."
"...!"
Exactly.
Explorers don't buy food at this butcher shop.
There's a record of an employee successfully attaching a tongue purchased from the Fresh Meat Butcher Shop into their mouth. It functioned perfectly, enabling movements impossible for humans.
If you attach a fresh, still-living part from this shop to a missing body part, it becomes functional.
Sometimes, it even carries over abilities the original part possessed.
Of course, blindly approaching this shop without knowing that and trying to buy something is absolutely insane!
So I rambled on.
"In places like this, it's vital to make creative inferences from limited clues."
No, it's not.
'Trying to gain an edge through wild guesses is a surefire way to get yourself killed…'
Everyone knows that such moves are a last resort when there's no other escape.
But I had no choice but to act calm and crazy. After all, lunatics always have their own impeccable line of logic.
"I succeeded with my inference. Is there a problem?"
There were bound to be plenty!
Sure enough, Kang Yihak stared at me with her mouth agape.
Yep, she's baffled.
"Wow!"
Whoa, that startled me.
"You're absolutely right!"
...?!
Her eyes gleamed through the pony mask.
"Wow, I see now. To achieve high rewards, you have to think differently from the crowd. I've been too cautious, worrying about risks this whole time."
"..."
"Life is all or nothing anyway, isn't it? Haha! Exactly!"
W-Wait a second.
Something's off here…
"Alright, let's move forward. Wow, it's been a while since I've met a superior worth emulating!"
"..."
At that moment, it hit me.
'Silver Heart!'
I still had the Silver Heart badge pinned inside my pocket.
'And I used it while rambling nonsense, so it ended up convincing her!'
The issue was that this situation was still bizarre.
The Silver Heart isn't a brainwashing tool—it's a persuasion tool.
Its effectiveness relies on both logical validity and emotional resonance.
'So logically, this kind of absurd rant shouldn't have worked…'
"I'll make sure to support your endeavors from now on, Supervisor! Haha."
"..."
Ah.
I get it now.
This person… genuinely believes the insane logic I spouted made sense.
'What kind of person is this?'
A cold sweat trickled down my back. I turned to my one last hope—a sane colleague.
'Mr. Heo-un, at least you…'
"Yes, I'll support you too!"
"..."
Where did this go wrong?
Jang Heo-un's face was lit up with the look of someone thinking, 'Wow! I've been helped again! How lucky!'
He was already fully convinced.
– Congratulations. You've earned the trust of your colleagues, Friend!
"..."
Sure.
But something feels… off.
For now, the only option was to keep walking and get out of here…
'First, escape.'
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 6,999
Surprisingly, the next alley went smoothly.
So did the one after that.
"These are lighting shops. Don't look directly at the windows, or you'll risk going blind or getting burned. Let's pretend we're chatting and avoid looking at them as we walk."
"Got it!"
The alleyways were lined with all sorts of bizarre and mystical shops.
Still, since I knew the manual by heart, it felt like taking a pop quiz after memorizing the textbook.
Of course, the stakes were death if I got even one answer wrong, so I stayed hyper-focused…
"Oh! A pharmacy! Shall I try buying something there this time? What do you think, Supervisor? You okay with it, Mr. Buffalo?"
"Yes! I'm fine with it!"
"…The items don't seem particularly valuable, so let's keep moving."
"Ah, right, gotta save our bullets for the big stuff, haha!"
Why does it feel like they expect me to make bold purchases again…?
And the worst part? It seemed like they'd fully support me if I did. That was the most nerve-wracking part.
Meanwhile, the shop I suspected might have the chocolate I came here for wasn't anywhere to be seen.
It was exhausting, sneaking glances around without making eye contact with the shopkeepers. Huu…
Then, at that moment.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 4,999
"Supervisor, a new alley appeared…"
I stopped and looked at the narrow gap between the pharmacies.
From within, a foul stench wafted out.
'Ugh.'
It was a cramped back alley, barely half the width of the street vendor alley… but overwhelmingly dark.
"..."
Whoosh.
The alley stretched ahead, lined with rickety side doors. A few gas lamps flickered faintly, barely lighting the way.
In that dim light, thick, sewer-like sludge oozed from pipes beside the doors, only to disappear into the darkness.
And beneath the gas lamps, leaning against the walls, were skeletal, hunched silhouettes.
Glance.
Clad in filthy, tattered uniforms, they stared right at us.
…Taking everything into account—
'Even if this wasn't a ghost story, the atmosphere screams turn around and get out immediately.'
The alley exuded a chilling and eerie vibe that made any normal transaction seem impossible.
"…This isn't in the manual."
Right.
At this point, even Daydream Inc. hadn't conducted an official exploration here. It was an unfamiliar and unknown alley to the staff.
The problem was…
'I have to go in there.'
Tears welled up.
And the fact that I wouldn't even have to convince my teammates to enter this insane place… also made me want to cry.
With a heavy heart, I turned to my companions and said,
"We're going into that alley."
Their responses?
"Understood!"
"Looks like a black-market spot! High profits guaranteed!"
"..."
Please, let me be the only lunatic in this group!
-x-X-x-
A grimy back alley.
Even within the noisy, bizarre night market filled with non-human entities, this dark and foul-smelling place felt distinctly out of place.
Under the flickering gaslights, strange figures in uniforms fixed their hollow eyes on me as I stood at the mouth of the alley.
– My, this looks like the kind of place you'd rather avoid stepping into with polished shoes.
But I had to go.
And I couldn't let my teammates notice that I was momentarily frozen by the sight.
Slosh.
I stepped into the back alley.
My teammates followed close behind.
Glop, slosh.
Walking between narrow walls under dim gaslights, we passed rows of tightly clustered side doors.
"..."
It was surreal.
The scene felt like stepping into a poorly stitched-together image meant to stretch endlessly with its strange side doors.
As we walked between the doors, eyes stared at us from both sides.
'Haah.'
Figures in filthy, stained uniforms. Their abnormally thin black bodies stood silently against the walls, their heads turning to follow us.
– A star is always subject to attention! But even stars need a break. As always, this Braun could relieve that burden for you…
I felt like screaming and begging him to do exactly that, but—
'No. It's fine.'
I couldn't use 'Lights out' now.
'I'll save it for when I truly need it.'
– Of course!
Right. I had to endure this.
'Stick to the plan.'
I swallowed hard and kept walking.
Just as the chill creeping up my neck made my legs stiffen to the point where walking became difficult—
"…Huh?"
My teammate's exclamation snapped me out of it.
The endless side doors, the figures in uniforms, and then—
Just one.
A door, slightly ajar.
"..."
The door was protruding slightly.
From the crack came an inky darkness.
'Wow, seriously.'
It was straight out of a horror movie. My eyelids twitched from the tension.
But I had to say this:
"There's a door slightly open over there. It seems like a welcoming sign. Let's go in."
"Yes!"
"Ah… I see!"
"..."
'Shouldn't they be questioning this nonsense?!'
But I had to do what needed to be done.
Taking a deep breath, I approached the single open door.
The closer I got, the stronger the urge to run, but I resisted.
I bent down to peer into the narrow crack of the black door…
And came face to face with a bloodshot eye.
"...!!"
Calm down.
I had anticipated this. No panicking, no stupid moves…
I carefully slid something I had prepared through the door crack.
A pack of cigarettes.
"..."
My hand trembled.
It felt like something icy grazed my fingertips…
Creeeak.
The door creaked open wider.
'...Phew.'
In this alley, entering shops was generally prohibited, but the use of addictive items like alcohol or cigarettes occasionally allowed for temporary exploration.
I did it.
Retrieving my now-empty hand, I clenched my teeth.
Wow, I could cry… seriously.
"Opening a business contact's door with a simple 5,000 won investment? You're amazing, Supervisor!"
"Right?!"
"..."
I'd rather have someone else persuade me to that degree, honestly. I'd be able to just go ahead comfortably like them…
But since I was the one who had done the persuading, I could only trudge forward in regret.
'Ugh.'
The bloodshot eye was gone, but a faint scent of cigarettes lingered.
'Better than before.'
I sighed in relief and stepped inside.
"..."
It was pitch black, but I could vaguely make out shapes. Stacks of boxes and items draped in black cloth formed a maze-like space.
The musty scent of a warehouse filled the air.
"Ah, if this is a discount warehouse or overstock store, we could find plenty of valuable items…"
Too bad it wasn't.
Pushing past the boxes, I finally spotted what I was looking for.
"...! Mr. Roe Deer, over there…"
"Yes."
A second door stood deeper inside.
It looked similar to the one we'd just entered, but it was less worn and much cleaner.
'...I guess I'll have to open this one too.'
At least I wasn't at the back of the group this time.
I stepped forward, grabbed the doorknob, and pulled hard…
A dazzling, colorful light pierced my eyes.
"...!!"
As my vision gradually recovered from the flood of light, the space before me slowly came into focus.
A dazzling scene filled my eyes.
Elegant chandeliers made of crystal and brass, deep-toned wooden structures forming the interior framework, and walls adorned with golden frames and thick, glossy green velvet curtains.
But the most striking element was the three ivory torsos lining the walls. Each displayed an unfinished suit or dress, with disembodied gloved hands meticulously measuring and tailoring the garments in between.
My teammates gawked, their mouths hanging open.
"Th-this place…?"
How could such a scene suddenly appear after that eerie back alley, one might ask.
To put it simply…
'That was truly a back alley.'
Confirmed sections of Death Lane:
38- Boutique back alley
We had entered this lavish boutique through the filthy backstreets.
Naturally, we weren't legitimate customers.
We were nothing more than thieves who'd slipped in through a slum-like area filled with vagrants and dismissed laborers, bribing our way in with a pack of cigarettes.
But irregular methods in ghost stories weren't exactly new.
'If things go south, we'll just bolt.'
If caught trespassing, we'd likely face a gruesome fate, but that's when I'd rely on Braun to erase our presence and escape.
'The backdoor exit is ready, after all.'
That's why I'd saved my request to Braun until now!
I stepped forward.
"Whoa…!"
Please, don't be impressed, everyone…
Despite my nervousness, the gloves tending to the torsos reacted in unison.
Fweeeep!
With a light whistle, the gloves suddenly attached themselves to the bodies of mannequins clad in sophisticated navy uniforms.
They resembled the figures we saw in the alley but were far cleaner, neater, and more detailed.
Even the heads appeared.
The mannequins' painted faces stared back at us.
-x-X-x-
'Ugh.'
Don't make eye contact.
I quickly averted my gaze.
It was eerie but bearable.
The mannequin bowed deeply, its posture polite, and gestured for me to follow.
Of course, following it would result in certain disappearance.
Assistant Manager Choi went missing after following the directions of a mannequin clerk. These were the last words in the last communication from the employee: 'I think I'm heading to the membership registration corner of Boutique Street.'
Additional note: A vagrant wearing the missing employee's broken glasses was later spotted in the back alley of the boutique. Presumed to be the employee. (Refer to Exploration Record #145)
It implied the assistant manager had been forced into labor for debt repayment upon being exposed as a trespasser—or perhaps the membership registration fee never got paid.
"..."
Either way, I tried not to imagine what those grotesque figures in tattered uniforms once were.
'That's irrelevant now.'
The only thing that mattered was this.
Membership registration was dangerous and must be avoided.
'For now, I'll try to buy something at the non-member price.'
If only members could purchase, I'd bolt—my life was worth more than what I came for.
But as I raised my hand to gesture goodwill—
...!
The mannequins flinched as though a signal had appeared on their printed faces.
They bowed again.
"..."
And I knew exactly why.
I turned my arm to check.
Beneath my raised shirt cuff, a familiar Latin word peeked through.
: Socius :
"…Does this count as membership verification?"
The mannequin bowed deeply.
"..."
Now this was unsettling.
'This is the second time already.'
The 'theme park membership' tattoo left by the mascot had granted me authority within another ghost story.
– Socius.
– The Latin term for 'companion', 'member', 'kinsman'!
As Braun had said, the word's meaning seemed to carry universal significance across different places.
Even the Fox Counselor had recognized it…
'Why did it leave this on me?'
Before, I might've seen it as sheer luck and moved on, but things felt different now.
I'd experienced firsthand how devastating contamination could be.
'This thing is powerful, but it's bound to affect me just as strongly.'
This was no ordinary mark, summoned through some verified ritual. It was an unpredictable, potent symbol etched into my skin.
Still, the membership verification had already succeeded. If it was dangerous, I might as well use it wisely.
"Show me the items."
The mannequins nodded once more and moved toward the torsos they had been working on. They pulled back the curtain behind them, revealing a glass display case as if by magic.
Inside was a sleek, elegant suit, similar in style to the one I was currently wearing, though its deeper hues and peculiar sheen gave it an otherworldly quality.
The mannequins clasped their hands politely and looked at me, as if asking if I liked it.
'It begins.'
I raised my hand.
"Hold on. I'm mostly looking for small, giftable accessories."
There was one important rule to remember here.
You must never be greedy.
Attempting to take something beyond your means would undoubtedly result in a price far too steep for any human to bear—whether in barter or currency.
So I needed to narrow my scope.
"I'd prefer something casual and easy to wear daily."
The curtain fell, and when it rose again, the contents of the glass display had changed, as if by magic.
Gone were the torsos. Instead, there were three or four upper-body mannequins. Around their necks, arms, and fingers, accessories gleamed under the light.
"..."
I scanned them carefully, picking out the lightest and least conspicuous item.
A thin silver ring.
Its elegant engraving was delicate, and it looked as though it required the least material to craft.
In other words, it appeared to be the cheapest.
"How much is this?"
The mannequins simultaneously raised their hands, pointing…
At my companions behind me.
"..."
Of course.
According to the , the standard form of barter in this boutique is…
Human lives.
Assistant Manager ■■■ successfully posed as an existing boutique member using mind-disrupting equipment.
Purchased item : Ring
Cost : Three civilians (One aged 35, two aged 21)
※ For government audit purposes, this exploration record was transferred. Full document access limited to C-level security clearance.
"Mr. Roe Deer?"
"..."
"U-Um, excuse me, but what exactly is happening right now…"
"Ah, I see. Please wrap it up."
The mannequins moved with precision, delicately removing the chosen ring from the glass case.
From somewhere, they brought out a silk string with an elegant tag and tied it to the ring. Then, as if inviting me to inspect it, they presented it to me.
On the tag, fine script was written in impossibly tiny, elegant letters.
Rather than risk treading the direct path to Death Lane contamination by trying to read it, I turned to my reliable friend.
'Braun, would you mind reading this?'
– No problem! It says, 'Specialized tailoring, eternal luster that never fades. The craftsmanship of a noble artisan, always present.'
– Sounds like the kind of pitch that'd appeal to nouveau riche or social climbers! Oh, but let's keep that between us, Friend!
'…Right.'
As expected.
'Never fades, always present'…
Those keywords were exactly what I had anticipated.
They suggested abilities tied to durability and permanence.
I recalled that in the exploration record mentioning the 'Purchased item: Ring', there was a separate wiki entry describing its origins.
A large-scale mental contamination incident.
The sole surviving company employee from that incident had reportedly traded three civilians for this boutique's ring and worn it to survive.
'How could I not think of that?'
The event was connected to the merch that I owned.
That one catastrophic train accident, all because of the Silver Heart.
Employee ■■■
The only surviving Daydream Inc. employee from the 'Tamra Express Disaster'.
They claimed to have lost the piece of equipment—a ring—immediately after the incident. The ring was suspected to have played a decisive role in their survival.
This incident was documented under the Disaster Management Bureau's human error cases, and it held the longest entry, even adapted into a short story for the company's wiki.
A ring crucial enough to ensure survival without contamination during such a massive disaster…
To provide coherence and narrative depth to the ring's origin, the boutique entry was created as its source.
In short, the accessories and garments sold here are indirectly verified by the wiki.
When worn, they supposedly provide resistance in situations that disrupt the 'steadiness of one's mind', such as mental confusion or brainwashing.
In short.
'This could be powerful mental defense equipment.'
…A must-have for someone like me, who'd narrowly escaped disaster due to contamination before.
"..."
I raised my head.
"Perfect. I'll take this ring."
-x-X-x-
The mannequin staff lined up neatly and began clapping in unison. It was an enthusiastic response to my decision to purchase the ring.
Meanwhile, the two colleagues who had followed me stood there, dumbfounded by the situation.
The ring I had chosen, paired with the two humans deemed suitable for barter.
Clap, clap, clap…
The mannequins stopped clapping and, as if preparing to finalize the payment, began walking toward the two standing behind me…
I raised my hand.
"However, I'd like to propose a change in the payment method."
The mannequins halted abruptly and turned to look at me.
Yes, it was true that this boutique accepted humans for barter. It had been done before, and the transaction was still viable.
But why did they accept humans in the first place?
If you think about it fundamentally…
Labor.
Whether as grunt workers or as individuals promoted to become mannequins like these, the wiki had already detailed this fact.
In other words, humans were accepted because they provided definite operational support for the boutique.
So, aside from labor, what else could offer definite support to the store?
Even in Daydream Inc., the answer was obvious.
Resource procurement.
I reached into my tattoo and pulled out an item. The most valuable substance I had prepared.
"I'd like to pay with this."
A gold bar.
"...!"
Even in a ghost story, the sudden appearance of capitalism's shining star caused my colleagues behind me to stir.
Honestly, after nearly emptying my balance on that alien shop, I'd debated whether or not to use this…
Good thing I grabbed it on my way through Jongno.
Gold and silver are classic staples in ghost stories.
Unlike silver, which is primarily used for exorcisms, gold carries a more universal symbolic weight, often associated with greed or ritualistic offerings. It's a versatile currency. ℞₳NƟΒЕＳ
So…
"Will this suffice as payment?"
A mannequin wearing a more formal uniform approached me. It bent its head low over the small gold bar and…
Politely extended both hands.
Success!
It worked.
I'd been prepared to flee if this failed, but the situation couldn't have turned out better.
I placed the gold bar in the mannequin's hands. The mannequin stepped back, then returned from behind the glass case, holding the ring in even more elaborate packaging.
The silver ring I had purchased now rested on a velvet cushion embossed with an intricate snake design.
Even the cushion is included?
Since taking the cushion didn't prompt any reaction, I stored everything in my tattoo inventory.
Next, two other mannequins stepped forward, each holding a rectangular velvet box.
Though the boxes were identical in shape, their contents were different.
The one on the left contained an elegant, traditional pouch with an opening that revealed coins printed backward.
Change!
It was an additional profit.
The pouch's weight was noticeably heavier than the coins I'd received at the butcher shop earlier, and the coins themselves were larger and thicker. Clearly, they were of a different denomination.
This must all be mine.
Already leaning toward the more practical option, I glanced at the other box.
Inside were various small trinkets—accessories, though calling them that felt like a stretch. They didn't seem wearable or worth gambling on for potential mental defense properties.
Clearly, they were trying to pitch some additional sales before handing over the change.
The universal currency seems like the better option.
But just as I reached that conclusion, one particular item caught my eye among the trinkets.
A small ribbon hair tie.
Its material was unclear, but its sleek, dark brown sheen looked expensive.
"..."
Interesting.
"Can I take that as well?"
I pointed at the hair tie.
The mannequins clapped again and removed half of the coins from the pouch before presenting the remaining change to me with a bow.
"Thank you."
I accepted the neatly packaged items and stored them in my tattoo.
"Wow, I've been thinking about this for a while… That ability of yours looks incredible! What kind of equipment are you using?"
"Indeed."
I turned to Kang Yihak, who was grinning slyly.
Did she not realize I could've bartered her and the other colleague away?
Haah… Let's try this one more time.
I decided to attempt one final gambit: 'Act like a lunatic to avoid being messed with'.
Fixing my gaze on Kang Yihak, I spoke.
"I'm curious."
"Excuse me?"
"If I were to sell one sentient being, how much gold could I get in return?"
After a brief silence,
"Huh? Why would you even think of something so illogical? Haha!"
Kang Yihak laughed heartily.
"You'd probably get a few more gold bars by selling kidneys or corneas instead."
"..."
Is this a normal way of thinking?
It clearly wasn't. So, I gave up arguing.
This was getting seriously unsettling.
'I just have to endure this until we escape from this ghost story.'
Instead, I decided to offer my colleagues a carrot.
"Here, take this."
"W-What…?!"
I divided the change from my pouch into three parts and handed some to each of them.
"I'm lending this to you. If you use it, repay me in gold. If you don't use it by the time we leave, I'll take it back."
"T-Thank you…"
Jang Heo-un was the first to bow his head in gratitude.
I could brush off Kang Yihak as someone utterly beyond my comprehension, but I couldn't understand why Jang Heo-un was so calm.
'What on earth did you go through on the Round-Off Team…?'
At the start of this mission, I'd thought, This is going to be a reliable exploration with my sane colleagues! But now, I'd reached a point where I actually missed Baek Saheon.
At least that guy was predictably awful…
Here, I was practically bathing in cold sweat.
When I noticed Kang Yihak raising the coins to inspect their surface, I quickly intervened.
"Don't look too closely."
"Got it~"
Kang Yihak murmured in a slightly dazed voice.
"Gold never fails, does it?"
"..."
"Excuse me, Ms. Pony."
Jang Heo-un quietly interjected.
"Isn't it dangerous to make such conclusions? There are many things more valuable than gold in this world."
"Haha, well, Mr. Buffalo, let me give you a tip as a fellow colleague. What do you think is the most valuable use of a wish?"
"A wish…? To save people and benefit the world, I'd imagine."
"Eyy~ There are so many people in the world! No, no, it's more efficient to endlessly produce what's scarce and valuable!"
Kang Yihak declared, spreading her hands wide.
"And that is none other than the Midas Touch!"
"...!"
What?
"…You mean the hand that turns everything it touches into gold, from Greek mythology?"
"Exactly! Koreans really know their Greek and Roman myths!"
Kang Yihak grinned.
"Of course, I wouldn't ask for everything I touch to turn to gold. I've already thought about a specific part of the body where it wouldn't interfere with daily life."
"..."
To my surprise, Jang Heo-un's gaze turned cold, reminiscent of the time during the new hire orientation when he raised his hand to ask about wish tokens, his suit and hair drenched in blood.
"…Then why not just ask for a hundred billion or a trillion won in your bank account?"
But Kang Yihak didn't falter.
"What? Why waste a one-time wish on that? Besides, paper money turns into worthless scraps if this country collapses. But gold?"
Kang Yihak leaned her pony mask closer to Jang Heo-un.
"Gold never loses its value."
"...!"
"Even when diamonds, dollars, and every other currency in the world collapse, gold has never once deviated from its upward macro trend. It's the perfect capital."
"..."
"Let's hear it, shall we? Our batch leader, the fastest to become a supervisor, and the record-holder for the quickest point accumulation—Supervisor Roe Deer, you agree with me, don't you?"
Before I could respond, Kang Yihak continued without pause.
"No need to answer, really~ After all, you brought gold bars, didn't you? You've just seen how useful gold can be as an item!"
That's when it hit me.
"Gold is money, and money is power. That's the rule in human society!"
Kang Yihak wasn't hiding any ulterior motives. At all.
'This person… is just absolutely obsessed with money…!
Sure, most people want to make money, but someone willing to weigh their soul on a scale to sell it off like this was overwhelming.
Perhaps the Silver Heart and the commercialized atmosphere were amplifying her behavior, but I had a feeling this was her true, unfiltered self.
She'd probably harbored these thoughts beneath her friendly demeanor even before we entered this ghost story.
'…She's dangerous.'
Once we leave this place, I'll make sure to avoid her.
For now, I crossed my arms and maintained a neutral expression.
"Well, I've heard your point. I wish you success in making lots of money."
"Haha, yes!!"
First, let's get out of this store.
I declined the staff's offer to escort me out, claiming I'd look around a bit more before leaving. As soon as the employees reverted to their floating, disembodied hands form, I rushed out through the back door. ŕÃꞐőᛒЕś
'Huu.'
The dark alley lined with tightly packed side doors. Who would've thought this bizarre place could feel comforting?
'Let's complete the objective, then quickly find a relatively safe and manageable alley to finish the remaining steps before the path narrows further.'
Fortunately, having easily covered 1,000 steps at the boutique, a new alley appeared without much trouble.
Do not give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 3,999
The path between the narrow side doors was about the same width as the previous alley but felt much more manageable.
"This place feels oddly familiar, doesn't it?"
Dim lamplight flickered softly from utility poles.
Under the starlit sky, the glow of yellow light spilled gently from the signs and windows of small shops.
It feels strangely nostalgic…
The atmosphere resembled a quaint alley in an old residential neighborhood, exuding a cozy and comforting vibe.
Of course, letting my guard down here could lead to being lured into one of the shops, where I might end up missing—or worse, losing my sanity.
"I recognize this place!"
Confirmed Sections of Death Lane:
12- Old Shopping District
This alley was frequently mentioned in the manual and appeared often in exploration logs. It was also considered one of the safer paths.
And it happened to be my destination.
"Let's move to the next alley."
"Got it!"
We stepped into the quaint, nostalgic alley.
It was almost deserted.
The air carried a subtle, mysterious vibe, like Christmas Eve or New Year's night.
I walked past the small, modest shops with my colleagues until I stopped in front of one.
"..."
It was a stationery store.
Not the kind with just a few school supplies and toys for students, but one that sold snacks, much like the shops near schools in the 2000s that offered tteokbokki and cheap junk food.
I glanced at the display stand. Where odeng and tteokbokki should have been, stacks of buckwheat jelly with intricate lotus patterns were piled.
And above it, the store sign.
Sweet Stationery
Found it.
This was the store said to sell chocolate bars wrapped in packaging that matched my description.
'Huuu.'
Now that I was here, the tension was mounting.
I turned to look at my colleagues…
"Mr. Roe Deer."
GAAAH!
I nearly jumped into the air!
Barely suppressing my startle, I turned my head to see a white lizard head staring blankly at me from the shadows beside a utility pole near the shop.
…Squad Leader!
"How many steps do you have left?"
I alternated between glancing at the stationery store and the lizard before finally regaining composure.
"Were you waiting for us here?"
"Yes. How many steps remain?"
"…We have about 3,900 steps left. Have you nearly completed your 10,000 steps, Squad Leader?"
"Yes. I determined this alley had the highest likelihood of encountering fellow explorers, so I waited with 500 steps remaining."
It seemed he had anticipated my likely arrival at this stationery store, given that our reason for entering this ghost story in the first place was tied to the snacks reportedly sighted here.
He almost gave me a heart attack!
Still, having him give detailed answers was a relief. My opinion of the lizard as a superior fluctuated between plummeting and rising again.
At that moment, Kang Yihak chimed in.
"Wow, Squad Leader, you're really reassuring! While we're here, could we check out that shop next door to rack up some steps?"
The shop she pointed to sold knit goods like gloves and scarves, and it had already appeared in exploration records.
She even rattled the coins I'd handed her earlier as if to emphasize her point.
The lizard fixed his red, vertical pupils on her.
"You have the currency for this place?"
"Yes-yes! Supervisor Soleum secured it for us~ Truly amazing! D-squad members are all so capable. I've learned so much from you. Haha!"
"I see."
The lizard quickly gave instructions.
"Enter in pairs. Do not engage in activities contrary to the manual. Return to the alley within ten minutes."
"Got it!"
"Ah, um… Yes, sir."
Kang Yihak swiftly dragged Jang Heo-un toward the shop selling gloves and scarves.
Well, since this alley and shop were relatively low-risk according to the records, it made sense for Lee Jaheon to let them go.
It worked out perfectly for me.
Now I can check out the destination without sharing any 'secrets'.
"..."
I stood in front of the glass door of the stationery store.
Lee Jaheon followed closely behind.
"I'm going in."
"Yes."
Ding.
I stepped inside the stationery store.
Time to find the 'Good Child Chocolate Bar'.
-x-X-x-
The inside of the store smelled faintly of dust, but it was warm.
It had the cozy atmosphere characteristic of an old space.
As if living up to its name, Sweet Stationery Shop carried a faintly sweet scent that felt almost comforting.
The tension that had stiffened my shoulders began to ease… No, that wouldn't do!
'Stay alert.'
I bit the inside of my mouth once and moved forward again.
Narrow shelves lined the walls like a maze, each one packed with various snacks.
At the very front of the large display in the center, the names of popular products were written.
Forget-Me Cotton Candy
Softie Cookie
Taste of the Sun Chips-Chips
Carrot? Of Course!
Reverse Bubble-Chomp-Gum
Nostalgia Candy SOLD OUT!
I walked quietly, scanning the snacks with my eyes.
I didn't see the 'Good Child Chocolate Bar', but I recognized a few familiar names and packages.
Some of them were relatively safe and useful.
'Alright. Since I'm here, I might as well spend my change.'
They were decent as items, or I could resell them for some extra income.
The last time I parted ways with Agent Bronze, the atmosphere hadn't been too bad. Maybe I could restore my sales route for creepypasta snacks through them…
Considering I'd been stripped of everything down to my last gold bar, I needed a way to make money.
– You're picking quite a lot, Friend! Be careful not to rot your teeth.
I quickly picked out a few snacks.
Then, I turned to glance at the lizard that had been following me in silence, taking slow, deliberate steps.
"…Section Chief, is there a snack you'd like to have? I'd like to offer one as a token of gratitude."
"Yes."
Surprisingly, Lee Jaheon didn't refuse. After briefly scanning the surroundings, he grabbed a snack.
Reverse Bubble-Chomp-Gum
Blow it like a balloon in your mouth, and your body will grow as big as a building!
Certified original by Cheerful Research Institute
(Beware of cheap knock-offs sold at street stalls!)
"…Are you sure about this one?"
"Yes."
Did he… want to turn into a giant lizard?
I pushed down my unnecessary imagination.
'Let's just pay.'
Holding the selected snacks in both hands, I headed toward the cash register in the back of the store.
On the way, I scanned the entire interior again, but the Good Child Chocolate Bar was still nowhere to be seen…
'Hmm.'
I reached the counter first in the end.
"Hello."
The employee sitting at the iron counter gave a slow nod.
Likely the store's owner, they wore a sloppy casual outfit and had a hat pulled low over their face.
At first glance, they seemed like an ordinary stationery shop owner, but… six arms tapped against the counter.
'Phew.'
I made sure never to look at their face and instead carefully placed my selected snacks on the counter.
Then, I quickly pulled out my coins.
"Here you go."
I didn't want any misunderstandings about this being a barter transaction.
I recalled the first recorded successful purchase at this store in the
Purchased Item: Carrot? Of Course! (1pc)
Cost : Memory of the second day of a family trip in 1997
Right.
This stationery shop traded in memories instead of money.
From happy recollections that made you smile just by thinking of them, to horrifying traumas you wanted to forget.
The type of memory lost depended on the snack purchased.
'That's why the exploration records ranged from heartwarming to downright eerie.'
I had no desire to gamble on what I might lose. Especially not in this creepypasta world, where every bit of knowledge in my head was crucial.
'I just need to find that Good Child Chocolate Bar.'
I considered asking the owner directly.
However, since the packaging featured something that seemed suspiciously like me, I didn't want to risk drawing unnecessary attention to it…
"Kindly tell me the location of the chocolate bar."
Squad Leader!
I barely stopped myself from grabbing my direct superior by the collar.
But the store owner merely pointed to a shelf without a care, still lounging deeply in their chair.
'Phew.'
So, the illustration on the wrapper wasn't similar enough to me for immediate recognition.
'I'd seriously settle for having half the liver of a lizard…'
(T/N: in this context, liver = guts = courage)
Maybe I should've bought some at the Fresh Meat Butcher Shop. Muttering nonsense under my breath, I leaned down toward the counter to collect my purchased snacks and remaining change… ŕАNòᛒЕȿ
And then, I saw it.
'Huh?'
There was something behind the counter.
A life-size cutout and decorative papers, hastily stashed away.
A sign… and a blue box filled with chocolate bars.
Theme Park Collaboration – New Product Launch!
Good Child Chocolate Bar (Cinnamon Churros Flavor)
Oh god.
'Found it!'
I quickly examined the wrapper.
It depicted my hairstyle, mask, and suit far more accurately than I'd expected.
Had they removed the promotion display after the event ended?
No… It looked more like they had rushed to hide it.
"..."
Wait a moment.
I looked at the chocolate bar's packaging again.
And then I realized.
That product didn't use me as an advertisement model, nor did it decorate the packaging with a character that just happened to resemble me.
It was…
Please find this good child.
We are waiting for eyewitness reports.
It was a missing person advertisement.
"..."
Cold sweat dripped down my back as I took a step backward.
That means…
Ding-ling-ling—
...
I stiffly turned my head to look toward the counter.
The store owner was holding the telephone.
The ringing sound was connecting somewhere…
Click.
The moment the call connected—
Here you are!
I turned around—grabbed Section Chief Lee Jaheon—and bolted.
Here you are! Here you are! Here you are!
I didn't even have time to cuss. I could barely breathe as I sprinted across the store, putting as much distance as possible between me and the counter.
I reached for the door I had entered through—
Huh?
Why are you over there?
Clack.
The door locked.
"..."
I turned my head to look back at the store owner standing behind the counter.
"I'm leaving now. Please unlock the door."
A short silence.
It's okay.
The store owner's voice echoed in my ears…
From the telephone in his hand, black liquid had begun to drip, pattering onto the floor.
Thicker and thicker.
Drip. Drip.
The once-thin trickle of liquid began to pool together, twisting and distorting midair like clay being molded into shape.
I came to take you back.
…Taking the shape of some mascot costume animal I had definitely seen before, somewhere…
"...!!"
I desperately yanked on the door handle. But it didn't budge.
Damn it, this son of a—
"Let go of the handle."
Ah.
The moment I released the door, Lee Jaheon slammed his left fist into the handle.
Crack! Thud!
Like a lie, the handle snapped off and fell to the floor.
The door burst open with a kick, revealing the alley outside.
Without hesitation, we ran.
My door!!
A furious, gushing sound erupted behind us. Splash, splash, splash!
The sound of water mixing with the store owner's enraged voice chased us down the alley. My spine went ice-cold.
"Braun!"
– You seem to be in need of my help, Friend!
Exactly!
"Lights Out! For Section Chief Lee Jaheon too!"
– Even him? Very well. Consider this my gift!
Snap!
A cheerful snapping sound came from the plush doll, and once again, heavy darkness blanketed over me.
That familiar sensation of fading away.
"!"
Lee Jaheon's vertical pupils darted toward me.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
"I'll explain later. Just run!"
Splash, splash, splash…
The sound of water crashing against the alley walls was getting closer.
'Shit, shit!'
…What happens if we get caught?
No matter how much I thought about it, I had no way of knowing. The unknown outcome made it even more terrifying.
I gritted my teeth.
'Running was the right answer.'
Coming here in the first place, thinking I could figure something out—that was the mistake.
This was a ghost story.
Seeking the truth wasn't the way to solve things—it was a shortcut to death in this kind of world.
'I should have just ignored it and moved on…!'
No, no. I can regret it after I survive.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 3,441
I needed to last 400 more steps.
'Whatever the next alley is, I have to run that way…!'
From behind, I could hear the alley's residents chattering as the floodwaters swirled around their ankles.
"Wow, how fun~! What is this?"
"The mascot is coming in a parade on the water! So fun! So fun!"
"In Waterland, you can ride the Flume Ride! Eat the chocolate bar and win a trip to Waterland! Let's find the good child!"
"Wow, the good child…"
"..."
"..."
"That guy?"
Motherfucker.
"Who?"
"Where is he?"
"I don't see him…"
Cold sweat ran down my spine as I pushed through the ghostly crowd, making my way down the alley.
– Oh, of course. Even when all the lights disappear, a star remains a star. And a star's fate is to endure their obsessive fans' relentless pursuit.
– If they know the star's defining features well, wouldn't they only search more persistently for those?
Defining features.
I recalled the illustration on the chocolate bar's packaging.
'…The mask!'
I ripped off the mask I was wearing and shoved it into my tattoo.
Then, I pulled out a cap and mask, jamming them onto my face.
As my movements slowed, the water behind me surged closer. In my lowered gaze, I could see the flood right there at my heels…
No. The speed difference was too great.
'In that case…'
I checked another direction.
Above!
"…Squad Leader, the utility pole!"
"Yes."
I grabbed onto the nearby utility pole and climbed up quickly.
I had never climbed anything so desperately fast in my life.
Whether my palms got scraped or not, I had to—somehow, somehow…
'…Made it!'
Water surged into the spot where I had just been standing.
But I had successfully climbed up to just below the power lines of the utility pole.
"Hah…"
I steadied my grip, nearly loosening it in relief.
'For now, I'm safe.'
Just as I was about to twist my body and brace my legs against the alley wall for stability—
Thuk.
From my suit pocket…
My phone slipped out as the screen lit up.
Splash.
It fell into the water surging below.
The screen cracked as it hit the stone pavement, and water seeped in, causing the app display to flicker.
Do not give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 3,210
And then…
The screen went black.
"..."
"Mr. Roe Deer."
All that was left of my shattered phone was a dark, blank screen.
The black, writhing masses in the shape of grotesquely moving mascot chunks filled the narrow, dim alley, peering into the shop windows one by one.
My phone was carried away by the current.
It drifted along the alley, moving, moving… until it vanished among the crowd following the mascot-like lump.
The rushing water brushed past the utility pole I was clinging to…
Along with my escape route.
"..."
I'm screwed.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Frozen in place, I turned my head.
Right below me, gripping onto the utility pole with one hand, the lizard extended something toward me.
It was his perfectly intact phone screen.
Death Lane Exit →
Follow the arrow!
Section Chief Lee Jaheon had successfully completed his ten thousand steps in this moment.
I stared blankly at the navigation screen already activated on Lee Jaheon's phone…
And then.
"Take this."
"…Sir?"
The lizard held out his phone to me.
"Follow the app's directions and escape."
"...!"
A lifeline had been thrown my way.
"The app does not recognize a change in user. As long as you don't deviate from the guided path, you can escape."
"..."
I reached for Lee Jaheon's phone.
But then…
I clenched my teeth and refused.
"I can't accept this."
"?"
"Section Chief. That strange black water… It was definitely looking for me. It's still searching this alley right now."
I had barely evaded it by removing my mask and suppressing my presence.
However—
"If I follow the app's directions, I won't be able to avoid encountering the black water. …Because I can't deviate from the path."
While following the app's navigation, do not take your eyes off the screen for more than 3 seconds or deviate from the guided path under any circumstances.
Failure to comply will result in being classified as missing.
This rule applied just the same on the way back.
"So… The probability of me escaping safely without disappearing is extremely low."
For me to have a chance at survival, I needed to hide in another alley first before activating the navigation.
'Ha…'
"…I think finding another way out would give me a better chance of survival."
Lee Jaheon's vertical pupils stared at me in silence.
"I see."
"Yes. So, Squad Leader, you should take the phone and escape—"
Then, he turned off his phone.
"...!!"
Had this lizard lost his mind?
"What are you doing?"
"I am following the two-person team protocol from the manual."
What kind of nonsense was that?
"Then why were you trying to hand me your escape route earlier? You would've been left alone, not in a two-person team!"
"I followed the priority order in the manual. If you require a more detailed explanation, request it after we escape."
Lee Jaheon spoke in his usual flat tone.
"From now on, all conversations and questions will have less priority in favor of our survival and return."
"..."
"Mr. Roe Deer, devise a new escape plan based on what you know, even if it is not documented in the manual."
Dear god.
"…Understood."
I barely managed to answer.
A moment later.
We climbed down from the utility pole.
And we started walking again…
…Across the alley floor that had just been swept by the flood.
Without navigation.
Without an escape plan.
-x-X-x-
A person who lost their phone in Death Lane and desperately tried to return to reality.
I can say with certainty—I am not the first.
The
For detailed records on employees and civilians who went missing in Death Lane, refer to the document filed as '■■■ Escape Attempt via Alley 16'.
For now… let's recall the common premises first.
1- Attempting to blindly follow someone else who is receiving navigation from their phone always ends in failure.
The app's navigation could not be shared.
Ultimately, every attempt ended with 'At some point, the person I was following simply disappeared.'
As these failures accumulated, people abandoned the idea and instead started looking for escape hints from within Death Lane itself.
'There were all kinds of methods.'
A store that promised to open a backdoor out of the alley if you sacrificed a limb.
A passerby who claimed you could escape through a manhole.
A shoe shop insisting that if you wore their shoes, you'd see the exit path.
Fortunately, I don't have to try all of these methods to reach the conclusion.
All of them failed.
…Yeah.
A cruel truth, deduced through inductive reasoning.
2- The residents of Death Lane have no knowledge of the way back to reality.
Everything they said was a deception.
It was no different from stopping a random office worker in Seoul and asking them directions into a creepypasta.
The residents here never had that knowledge in the first place.
'I need to abandon any expectation or plan of escaping with someone's help.'
That meant I had to think of an escape method assuming I wouldn't receive any new hints at all…
Huu…
"Squad Leader."
"Yes."
I forced myself to open my mouth.
"…I'll brief you on what I've figured out so far."
Now, the third premise.
3- From now on, it is impossible to enter new alleys.
Normally, for app users, a new alley would appear every thousand steps, and they could choose whether to enter it or not.
But with my step-tracking app broken, that rational system was gone as well.
'We're trapped in this alley.'
It was possible the scenery would change as we walked…
But we had no control over it.
As outsiders to this ghost story, we were fundamentally unable to find the path forward…
"Therefore, we must find a way to escape from within this alley."
"Yes."
And now, the fourth premise.
"…Also, we must escape before dawn."
A time limit.
Naturally, most members of this company's Field Exploration Team had nerves of steel.
Some even deliberately tried to stay longer in certain alleys, experimenting to see if they could increase the Dream Essence's grade.
'There were times when the Research Team requested this at a corporate level.'
For instance…
Seeing how long they could last without walking, maximizing the time spent in Death Lane within the limits of their phone's battery.
The result?
Total communication loss.
…And this 'communication loss' was not the kind where someone was later found in some grotesque transformation, like the forced laborers at the boutique back alley. ʀãＮΟВƐș
It was a complete disappearance.
Even a staff member who attempted to stay overnight in an inn, maintaining radio contact with dedicated equipment, ended up vanishing.
Exploration Team Member : Yes, yes. I've entered a place called the Goldfish Eyes Inn. Just in case, I'll be taking turns standing watch with Supervisor ■.
Exploration Team Member : What did I pay for lodging? Oh, well, I just used a dead body. That person was already dead anyway, so I put the body to good use. That's all you need to know.
Exploration Team Member : Anyway, I'll try staying up all night like this. If my Dream Essence grade goes up, I get proper points for it, right?
[ … ]
Exploration Team Member : The sun is rising.
Exploration Team Member : The sun is burning the alley! It's on fire! Everything's burning, everyone's running! I can't esc— (Connection lost)
"..."
I never wanted to experience something like that.
'This is driving me nuts.'
Walking through Death Lane without my phone, all these thoughts running through my head—reality was beginning to sink in, brutally and unmistakably.
The fact that I could become just another entry in those records.
"Time constraints, spatial constraints, method constraints."
I barely managed to report to Lee Jaheon with a calm tone.
"…Overall, no matter what method I come up with, it will amount to a reckless gamble."
"Yes."
Lee Jaheon remained composed as ever.
"…Aren't you worried about our current situation, Squad Leader?"
"No. Worrying serves no purpose in resolving the issue."
"..."
Wow.
'So basically, as long as I can present my insane idea convincingly, he'll go along with it without a word of complaint.'
Just like my fellow new hires who had been with me earlier.
"..."
Wait.
'Where did they go?'
Lee Jaheon had told them to 'be back in ten minutes', when they entered the shop next door.
If they really came out after just ten minutes…
'That means they were there when the alley was hit by the sudden torrent…?'
Could they have been swept away and dragged under by the current…?
"Supervisor!"
Ah.
When I turned my head, I saw Kang Yihak and Jang Heo-un running toward us, waving their hands.
Judging by the paper shopping bags in their hands, each adorned with a ball of yarn design, they had successfully completed their purchase.
"Aiyah~ There you are!"
Kang Yihak beamed with a broad smile.
Phew.
"Looks like your shopping went well."
"Ahh, yes-yes. The store owner seemed desperate for money. He was so eager to meet our budget, he nearly sold us his own hat. Really, just a fantastic, yes, a fantastic shopping experience!"
Then, after a quick glance at Lee Jaheon's face, Kang Yihak suddenly pretended to check her phone and hastily added,
"Oh? Wait, how did so much time pass already…? I'm so sorry! You told us to be out in ten minutes, but we got too absorbed when we found something useful for our exploration endeavors. Truly, our apologies, Squad Leader!"
"Yes."
Her excuse was obviously rehearsed, but at least it was better than nothing.
They must have been so engrossed in haggling that they didn't even notice the flood outside.
Meanwhile, Jang Heo-un, standing beside her, looked slightly pale as he glanced warily at his shopping bag.
"Mr. Bison, is there a problem with the item you purchased?"
"Oh, no. It's not that… It's just that among the things they were selling, some of the yarn wasn't actually yarn… There were these weird strands that looked like veins mixed in."
"..."
Good lord.
"I mean, of course, I didn't buy any of that. Also, thank you so much for the coins, Mr. Roe Deer. I'll make sure to repay you in gold once we get out of here…!"
"Come to think of it, shouldn't we be heading out soon? Oh! Have you been counting your steps while walking around this alley? Can you share your 'remaining steps' from the app?"
Lee Jaheon, expressionless, gave an immediate answer.
"No."
"…Pardon?"
Aaaagh!
'This damn lizard!'
I swiftly and discreetly kicked Lee Jaheon's shin at an angle where no one else could see.
"?"