Then, maintaining a completely natural tone, I said,
"We were just walking slowly to check something. Have you both reached your step count?"
"Oh, we're almost there. We did a lot of pacing back and forth while browsing in the shop."
"..."
"A bit of a shame, really~ We could have checked out two more alley options!"
Kang Yihak clicked her tongue regretfully.
On her phone screen, the remaining step count was clearly displayed.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 1,052
"Well, since we've already spent all the money you lent us, we might as well check what the next alley looks like before heading back. Haha!"
"…Yes."
Did you know?
There was exactly one way for someone who had lost their phone to successfully escape this place.
A method recorded multiple times, thoroughly verified, and confirmed as fact.
I had almost been presented with a similar opportunity just now.
And that was…
To steal someone else's phone.
Supervisor Park Dojeong got into a scuffle with a merchant during a transaction. In the process, he sustained three hairline fractures to his left rib and had his phone destroyed.
Successfully returned after seizing a civilian's phone.
"..."
I stared at Kang Yihak's phone, dangling in the air without protection…
Then said,
"Yes. Please return first. Squad Leader, would it be alright for them to go back on their own?"
"Yes."
I sent my two batchmates away.
"Well then, we'll head back. Thank you…!"
"Haha, see you at work tomorrow. We can talk more about our spoils then~!"
The two of them walked down the alley and suddenly vanished.
…They must have entered the next alley.
Don't do anything you can't handle.
'That's an undeniable act of evil.'
If I went that far, I might not be able to use my Silver Heart anymore.
Even if that weren't the case, if I later realized I could have survived without stealing a phone, my mind wouldn't be able to bear it…
'Unless it's the absolute worst-case scenario, don't go that far.'
The moment I crossed that line, my corruption might accelerate.
I traced the silver ring I was already wearing, grounding myself.
– Oh, Mr. Roe Deer, you chose dignity. What admirable restraint!
– Some guests will resort to the most disgraceful acts just to gain attention. That too is a kind of noble professionalism, but isn't it contestants like you who truly win over the audience?
R-Right.
'Thanks.'
Though, honestly, I'd rather not be compared to that.
I took a deep breath, trying not to recall the chaos of the Tuesday Quiz Show.
I was already trapped in a ghost story—I didn't need to relive the time I nearly died in another one.
Instead, I focused on combing through my mental records, searching for any clue in this alley that might help—
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Fwik—
Lee Jaheon grabbed me by the nape and yanked me through a shop door.
Then, after pulling me inside, he immediately dropped to the floor.
"There's water."
"...!"
I lifted my head.
We were inside an unmanned laundromat.
Beyond the cheap, printed-glass door, the alley was filling with water…
Ssshhhaaa—
From the narrow gap between two residential buildings—not an alley—black water seeped through, pooling and congealing into a familiar, mascot-like shape.
A slithering dragon character.
'…That doesn't look like the real mascot.'
Unlike before, it didn't radiate that sharp, intelligent presence.
But that only made it more eerie, more menacing.
'It doesn't look like I can negotiate.'
– Indeed. Trying to converse with a parade balloon is a foolish endeavor, Friend!
The water mass jerkily moved its limbs, its grotesque gait carrying it back down the alley.
Luckily, it didn't peer into the laundromat.
'Phew.'
Scattered across the damp floor in its wake were chocolate bars, likely washed out of a stationery store during the flood.
Then came the residents of Death Lane—the ones entranced by the parade—rushing toward them.
Mine! It's mine!
Send me to the Cheerful Theme Park!! Let me win!!
Let's find the good child! Let's find the good child!
A chaotic mix of pedestrians and merchants swarmed in, tearing open the chocolate bars, desperately searching for what was hidden inside—
Probably theme park tickets or membership passes.
…Just like my tattoo.
: Socius :
'...If they see it, they'll rip my skin off along with it.'
The classic ghost story scenario flashed through my mind, sending chills down my spine.
I opened the glass door slightly the moment the water mass disappeared from view down the alley.
Clink.
…Fortunately, the Death Lane pedestrians who were frantically rummaging through the chocolates didn't look this way.
I swallowed hard, flicked a coin, and summoned a third hand into the air.
The translucent hand crept carefully through the narrow gap of the glass door and snatched one of the chocolate bars that had bounced toward the laundromat from the alley…
The moment the third hand came back inside, I quickly grabbed the chocolate bar and stuffed it into my other tattoo.
'Phew.'
If I'm already stirring up trouble, I might as well gather information to analyze.
Thankfully, whether it was due to the silver ring doing its job, I felt no strange hallucinations or noises, nor any fervent craving for the theme park.
'I'll examine it more thoroughly once I'm back in reality.'
As I pulled my hand out of my tattoo inventory and deactivated the third hand, I recalled an item I'd been carrying around all this time without trying it even once.
The most expensive item in the alien shop.
We Can Help! – ₩66,666,666
"...!"
I took out that item.
A small, red button.
…Right, Braun had said something like this:
– Hmm. Yes, Mr. Roe Deer, you can think of it as an 'emergency escape'.
Emergency escape.
'Should I press it?'
Considering the price, it felt like I should save it for a higher-grade Darkness, but with disappearance looming over me, maybe I was better off using it now rather than risking everything.
'Alright.'
Let's see what happens.
Before I pressed it, I showed the button to Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
"Squad Leader, this is—"
"Do you require my advice?"
"..."
Huh?
"Do you require my advice?"
"…Yes."
"Do not use it."
"..."
A chill ran down my spine.
"You know about this button, Squad Leader?"
"Yes."
"…Does something bad happen if I press it?"
"That depends on your perspective."
"…Could you be more specific?"
"That is not possible."
"..."
"However, in our current situation, I do not recommend using it."
"..."
'Huu.'
In the end, I put the button away again.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon might not say everything he knows, but he doesn't lie.
And the fact that he's someone who can also purchase items from the alien shop made me even more uneasy.
'He's the reason I got the link to the alien shop in the first place, with his account.'
All in all, forcing the use of this item right now felt like setting up my own grim final entry in the exploration records.
– Oh dear, you're not pressing it? I was curious to see what would happen, how disappointing.
Really?
A wave of profound exhaustion washed over me.
It felt like realizing that a rope ladder I'd thought appeared out of nowhere was just a drawing.
"..."
Leaning my back against the laundromat wall, I stifled a sigh.
"In that case, all our remaining options are shots in the dark."
Section Chief Lee Jaheon looked at me. I drummed my fingers nervously on my arm.
"Like… maybe if we destroy an entire house, we can create a gap in the concept of the alley and escape— Wait, don't do it!"
"Yes."
I'm going crazy.
I quickly stopped the lizard from punching a hole in the wall with his bare hands, then sank down to the floor.
'Is there really no other way?'
Either we die, or we escape.
Is there truly no more reliable option than betting on some extreme long shot?
Certainly, the methods for leaving a ghost story…
...
Ah.
"...!"
I jumped to my feet.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
"Squad Leader!"
This—this might work!
"There's a way we can try. First, we get out of here and move—"
Lee Jaheon grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.
"Step away."
"..."
I turned my head.
Through the laundromat's glass door, I saw a dark shape.
It was watching us.
A mass of black water.
Found you.
Water poured into the laundromat.
Gurgle, gurgle.
I stepped back to avoid the water seeping through the gaps in the glass door.
But there was no place to hide in the unmanned laundromat. Only a few washing machines were running on all sides.
'Damn it.'
"This way, sir!"
I immediately stepped up onto a washing machine. At the same time, Section Chief Lee Jaheon climbed onto the one next to it.
But that was it.
'Where do we go now?'
I scanned the high, small window on the left wall. It had bars, but if Lee Jaheon tried, he could probably rip it o—
♩♪♬♬~♩♬♬~♩♪♪
"..."
A faint, resounding melody echoed in my ears as the sound of rushing water filled the room.
I recognized the tune.
It was the theme song for the Cheerful Theme Park.
♩♪♬♬~♩♬♬~♩♪♪
The water that filled the laundromat coalesced into a massive form.
A dragon in the park mascot costume.
Found you.
Suddenly, a voice emanated from the seemingly mindless water mass before me, sounding like it came from the other end of a phone line.
The vibrations traveled through the water…
Found you.
Cold sweat dripped down my back as I stared at the black streams and masses of water occupying the laundromat.
'How did it recognize me?'
I had taken off my mask and was wearing a hat and a face mask…
Kidnapper.
'…It recognized Section Chief Lee Jaheon!'
The black water mass raised a forelimb and pointed at the lizard standing on the washing machine beside me.
"I am not."
Kidnapper.
"I am not."
Are you guys just gonna do this forever or what…!
No, that might be a relief. Honestly, it wouldn't have been surprising if this water mass suddenly unleashed some creepypasta ability!
I still hadn't forgotten the torrent that had surged and swallowed the alley, sweeping away my phone in its madness.
'…I'm not even sure if brute force exorcism would work on water.'
"..."
Huu.
If words could get through, at least.
B a d . . .
"I am not a kidnapper."
I took off my face mask and put on my deer mask again.
Then, I rolled up my sleeve to reveal the tattoo.
: Socius :
Trying to appear as calm as possible, I met the water lump dragon's gaze.
"Mr. Mascot, were you looking for me by any chance?"
The water mass wavered.
And then—
G o o d c h i l d !
Its voice became clearer.
"Yes, it's good to meet you too…"
I gestured to Section Chief Lee Jaheon not to come down, then carefully climbed down from the top of the washing machine myself.
'Ugh.'
The water sloshed around my feet, but aside from the theme park melody becoming a little clearer, no other bizarre symptoms appeared.
'Alright.'
I can do this.
I approached the water mass…
L e t ' s g o
A vibration emanated from my tattoo. It seemed to resonate with the figure before me.
The dragon's forelimb moved closer…
P l a y m o r e
I held my breath.
"I'm sorry."
Then gently pushed its forelimb away.
"I'm not a child anymore, so I can't stay in the theme park. I have work to do."
Silence.
'I'm fucking terrified, fuck.'
But I endured and calmly spoke while meeting the dragon's gaze.
"Even so, when I want to have fun or spend time at a great waterpark, I'll make sure to visit you."
I raised my wrist to show the tattoo.
"That's why you gave me this, right? So I can come whenever I want."
The water mass nodded slowly.
"Thank you. …But, um, I'm not sure I know how to get to the Cheerful Theme Park."
At work, the method to enter the theme park involved a board game, and the structure of the park varied with each game.
'If I could avoid that, it might actually be safer.'
It would be better to revisit a place I'd already been.
"What if I accidentally end up at a different theme park without you? Is there a way to prevent that?"
I t ' s o k a y
"…Even if I go to another theme park, it's fine?"
I t ' s o k a y
"..."
Strange.
'Would replaying that board game change anything?'
Well, if that was the case…
P r o m i s e
Hoo.
I suppressed my trembling and extended my hand to the water mass.
"Yes. I promise."
I hooked my pinky around the water's.
The clammy sensation sent shivers down my spine, but nothing else happened…
...
After releasing our pinky-lock, the water mass pressed a claw to my tattoo.
It seemed to be checking its attachment, and soon, satisfied, it withdrew its forelimb.
At that moment—
Fwik.
The laundromat door burst open under water pressure, and something flew in, landing atop the water mass's forelimb.
A small, black, rectangular object.
My broken phone.
I t ' s y o u r s .
"..."
With trembling hands, I picked up my phone.
"…Thank you. I was worried I'd lost it."
G o o d c h i l d
The water mass's form crumbled.
P r o m i s e
The water receded.
And, as if the video were being rewound, it flowed back out through the gaps in the laundromat…
Srrrrrk.
The water receded from the alley in reverse.
In no time, the alley became eerily quiet, with no traces of water left behind.
Inside the laundromat, where black water had once filled the space, only a few chocolate bars, printed with my likeness, were left scattered like golden flakes.
"..."
I survived.
"Huuuuu…"
I collapsed onto the spot.
– Good heavens, Friend! Did you really promise to visit that second-rate theme park again?
'Yes.'
Honestly, I couldn't even imagine what might have happened if I'd refused to promise.
'They might have ripped out my organs and hired me as the second version of the Blue Dragon mascot.'
At least I avoided that.
With a membership, I'd be treated as a guest there. That was better than being dragged there or dealing with unpredictable outcomes.
My mind raced.
'Should I talk to the company and schedule a board game run?'
Judging by the interval… I'd probably have to go within six months.
'In the meantime, I'll prepare items and gear.'
Alright.
What mattered was that I got through this ordeal. I got up on shaky legs, stifling a sigh.
'If I knew this was gonna happen, I wouldn't have run earlier…!'
But honestly, who in their right mind would've stayed and tried to calmly negotiate instead of running away in that situation?
'I'd bet a gold bar on nobody.'
Huu.
Just then, Lee Jaheon casually hopped down from the washing machine behind me.
I asked without thinking.
"Squad Leader. If I hadn't stepped up earlier, would you have tried to obliter… I mean, eliminate that water mass?"
"Yes."
"..."
As expected.
The timing had been perfect, and if I'd stood there frozen at the stationery store, things would've gone disastrously wrong.
'Guess running away back then was the right call.'
Should I laugh or cry about this?
But let's focus.
'We're still trapped in this alley.'
The only upside was that I had come up with a potential way to escape.
"Squad Leader."
I dusted off the hem of my suit and stood before the laundromat's glass door.
"I've thought of an escape method. …If a few conditions are met, it might be possible to try it, even in this Death Lane alley."
"Understood."
"Yes. And the first condition is…"
I scanned the shops along the alley.
The object the stationery store owner had used to make their call—the one that had put us in this mess.
"A telephone."
* * *
A little while later.
Clink—
We entered a shop in the shadowed alley, its windows emitting a surprisingly cozy glow.
By coincidence, it was the same shop where my colleagues had enjoyed their shopping spree earlier.
True to its sign, 'Handmade Knitting', the shop displayed cozy sweaters, socks, and scarves—but mixed in were odd, tattered, and… damp… fibers.
'Ugh.'
I tried to ignore those as I examined the shop's layout.
After hours of dodging the stationery store owner's wrath and exploring countless shops in the alley, I finally found what I was looking for.
'There it is!'
Another door.
On the wall opposite the one I had entered, a large door stood.
It was bigger than the one I'd just come through, which meant…
'That must be the main entrance.'
And beyond it lay an unknown street, not part of Death Lane's alleys…
This was what the
Occasionally, a door on the opposite side of a Death Lane shop would be discovered. Entering it was strongly discouraged.
※ To date, no return records exist.
The fear evoked by the question, Where do explorers who stray from the path go? is met only with the chilling answer, We do not know.
The terror of vanishing.
'Huu.'
I quickly averted my eyes to avoid glimpsing the neon sign beyond the frosted glass door.
Meanwhile, Lee Jaheon was scrutinizing the socks, selecting one confirmed to be safe. I took it to the counter.
"Hello."
The shopkeeper, knitting with six hands, glanced at me through their primitive glasses.
Once again, I subtly kept my gaze on their sweater instead of their face.
I casually handed over the socks and spoke.
"Please ring this up. Oh, and may I use your telephone for a quick call?"
Without stopping there, I casually placed a few extra coins on the counter.
...
The elderly Death Lane shopkeeper picked up their analog telephone and handed it to me.
"...Thank you."
Huuuu.
'With this, I've secured all the conditions.'
1- A telephone.
2- A door leading out, away from the alley.
And…
3- A means of transport.
I examined the rotary dial of the old phone.
Of course, dialing a real-world number on a Death Lane phone wouldn't guarantee a connection.
There were sporadic records of calls that seemed to connect, but they always twisted bizarrely, as befitting a ghost story.
Sometimes someone would impersonate a relative and burst out laughing when caught, or the line would connect to a family holding a funeral for the caller due to warped time. ꭆÁ𐌽ò𐌱Ёs̈
'Horrifying.'
So, what I intended wasn't a call for help.
'If anything… it's the opposite.'
I raised my finger and clumsily spun the rotary dial.
666666 4444 8282
The number made no logical sense, and ordinarily, the call wouldn't even ring…
Brrr… click.
Incredibly, it connected.
[...]
I steeled myself against the sound of the other party's breathing and spoke as calmly as possible.
"Hello. Is this the taxi company? I'd like to request a cab."
[Location confirmed.]
A husky voice responded, polite yet faintly mocking and condescending.
[Please state your desired time of service.]
"I'd like it to arrive right now."
[Please state your destination.]
"…Exit 1 of Seoul Station."
[Understood. Dispatching a driver…]
I moved the receiver away from my ear briefly.
A few seconds later—
[Your ride has been dispatched. Have a safe trip.]
Click…
Beep-beep-beep.
The call ended automatically.
"…Thank you."
I returned the phone to the shopkeeper with a polite bow and handed the bag of socks to Lee Jaheon, concealing my trembling hands.
'Huu.'
Done.
As one might guess, that was no ordinary taxi service.
A mysterious taxi number that transcends time and space.
'It's a ghost story…!'
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Hellfare Taxi]
: A ghost story featured in
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-C-8282
A taxi ghost story that appears when called at night using a specific number.
Anyone who rides this taxi would be cursed without fail.
========================
There's no normal way out of Death Lane anymore.
In that case…
'I'll leave, even if it's through another ghost story.'
A few seconds later, a faint honk sounded beyond the shop's main door.
Honk, honk—
"..."
The taxi had arrived.
The ghost story taxi calls for us.
Beyond the shop's front door.
Honk, honk—
If we board it and follow the manual properly, we can definitely get to Seoul Station…
The problem is figuring out how to get into that taxi.
'It's parked outside the shop's main door.'
That's precisely why I sought out a shop with a front door—because the alleys of Death Lane are too narrow for a taxi to stop.
'So, to hail and board the taxi, we need to step beyond the front door…'
But there's no telling what kind of scenery will unfold outside that door, nor whether Lee Jaheon and I will make it out unscathed.
That's why I prepared a countermeasure.
Using a product from this shop.
'I planned to stop by here anyway, and since this shop has a front door, it's killing two birds with one stone.'
I swallowed hard.
"Squad Leader, let's proceed as planned."
"Yes."
Lee Jaheon reached into the paper bag he was holding and quickly ripped the packaging open.
Along with the cozy socks, a small ball of yarn was revealed.
It seemed the handmade shop included it as a freebie, likely for patching up the socks. But now, it would serve a different purpose.
"Let's begin."
Avoiding the shopkeeper's gaze, I unwound one end of the red yarn and tied it firmly to the leg of a display case.
Then, I halved the yarn ball, handing one half to Lee Jaheon while holding the other myself.
Though it would restrict our movements, it was safer for both of us to hold the yarn directly.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Slowly unraveling the yarn, I stood with my back to the opaque glass door and walked backward…
As soon as my back touched the glass, I groped for the handle below.
Click.
The door swung open, letting in a sudden gust of wind.
And a raw blast of horn sounds.
Honk, honk—
Don't look back.
Matching steps with Lee Jaheon, I carefully continued walking backward.
Thankfully, I had a reliable guide to act as my eyes.
– Keep walking backward in that direction, Friend! It's nighttime, so there aren't many pedestrians.
…Pedestrians? No, don't dwell on it.
Fixing my gaze on the shop interior, I kept walking backward without glancing at the dark surroundings.
The yarn connecting me to the shop served as my lifeline, keeping me tethered to Death Lane.
'As long as I hold onto this, I'm not considered missing!'
Slowly, steadily, without rushing, I retreated…
Thud.
I bumped into something.
Honk, honk—
…The taxi.
The blaring horn reverberated through the car, making my body tremble.
Cautiously, I reached back, my hand brushing against the smooth surface of the car.
– Just a little to the left.
I adjusted my hand and felt a sleek groove.
'The handle.'
I grabbed it, pulled the door open, and slipped into the taxi.
There wasn't even time to take in the clean, modern interior. I moved over to the seat on the other side and immediately made room for Lee Jaheon, who entered right after me.
As soon as he was in, he tossed the remaining yarn out and slammed the door shut.
The sheer force made the entire sequence happen in an instant.
BANG—
"..."
I finally lifted my head.
In the driver's seat sat a man in an impeccably pressed, eerie uniform, wearing a peaked cap.
"Please take us to Seoul Station."
...
[The estimated arrival time is 43 minutes.]
The taxi glided forward smoothly.
'Phew.'
Leaning back into the seat, I let out a deep sigh of relief.
We made it, for now!
'Transitioned into a new ghost story… success.'
Of course, since this taxi was itself a ghost story, I couldn't afford to relax.
I quickly recalled the relevant wiki entry.
The infamous ghost story called 'Hellfare Taxi', a name that suggests nothing but trouble when it comes to the fare.
The taxi is typically described as a black luxury sedan of German make.
While the model varies with each call, it can be identified by its scarlet taxi sign and the golden inverted cross ornament hanging from the rearview mirror.
I glanced at the driver's mirror.
…There it was, the ominous golden inverted cross, swaying lightly.
Confirmed.
'Huu.'
Even though everything was going according to plan, tension crawled up my spine.
Was it because I was trapped in the confined space of the taxi? The suffocating realization that I was now inside a ghost story where escape was impossible added to the pressure…
Tick, tick.
The meter climbed.
[10,000]
[10,100]
[10,200]
Fast.
"Mr. Driver."
I had to start talking quickly.
The less interested the driver became in the passenger, the faster the vehicle would move, and the meter would climb rapidly.
And as the meter increased…
Taxi passengers are cursed with a curse equivalent to the amount displayed on the meter when they disembark.
That's right.
This taxi didn't charge money as a fare—it assigned curses instead.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't exactly a curse but more akin to 'supernaturally induced misfortune', which made it even more chilling.
However, if the driver maintained steady interest in the passenger and drove slowly, the meter would rise gradually, and the resulting 'misfortune' would be manageable for the passenger.
In the opposite case…
'The moment you step out of a wildly speeding taxi, you're hit with an unbearable curse.'
And no matter how fast the taxi went, it wouldn't reach the destination early.
All taxis arrive precisely on time, unaffected by the vehicle's speed.
My allocated time was 43 minutes.
For that duration, I had to consistently hold the driver's interest.
'If the vehicle speeds up, there's a higher chance of strange phenomena occurring inside, like the windows shattering… or so the records say.'
I had no intention of experiencing that.
Fortunately, I'd read the records and knew what kind of conversations could pique the driver's interest.
The problem?
The taxi is operated by a team of four drivers who work in shifts and refer to one another by numbers.
While their appearances are completely identical, subtle differences can be observed in their interactions with passengers. Each driver also displays a unique preference for specific topics of conversation, adding a distinctive flair to their service.
Since they looked the same, you couldn't tell who was who. And if you asked directly, 'Which number are you?' they would take offense and eject you from the taxi.
'And anyone ejected becomes a missing person…'
Thus, the only way to figure it out was through conversation.
In exploration records, the following keywords were identified as subjects of interest for each driver :
Number 1 / Olympics, elections, pets, games, social media.
Number 2 / War, mafia, action movies, vampire legends, firearms.
Number 3 / Fine dining, farming, economic recessions, slum tourism, luxury goods.
Number 4 / The afterlife, religious experiences, pandemics, mass murders, ■■■.
The standard strategy was to determine which driver you were dealing with as quickly as possible through the first few exchanges.
But if you have as much information as I do from the records, there's another option.
A conversation method to exit the taxi in the best possible condition.
[Mr. Passenger.]
"..."
The first question was here.
From the front seat, a low, slightly mocking voice flowed from the driver, who was steering the car…
[How was your day?]
"It was a regular workday."
[Aha.]
The driver never explicitly stated their preferred topics, only asking questions.
But the meter answered for him.
[10,500]
[10,700]
[10,900]
[11,200]
Out of control.
– Goodness, does this driver not understand the concept of small talk? Friend, if you'd like, I could step in as a skilled broadcaster to spice things up…
'No need.'
This was expected. I quickly and nonchalantly responded with my next line.
"But I almost died on the job today."
Thunk.
"Nearly became fresh produce myself while trying to buy some meat at a butcher shop."
The meter stopped.
[11,300]
"Fortunately, the shop owner turned out to be a vegetarian. I bartered some produce and got out. Even won the haggling match and got some cash."
[...]
The driver's fingers tapping on the steering wheel slowed.
The vehicle's speed decreased.
[And what happened next?]
Phew.
"I headed for the back alley."
It worked.
What am I doing?
'Weaving as many correct keywords into my answers as possible.'
The goal was to say something that interested any of the four drivers.
A strategy I called 'You're bound to like at least one of these topics'.
And luckily, my current situation naturally allowed me to bring up all kinds of sensational material.
'The last six months have been full of ridiculous adventures, after all.'
[What kind of work will you have tomorrow?]
The conversation topics seemed endless.
"I plan to take a break and reflect on everything that's happened. It's been quite eventful."
I kept steering the conversation toward stimulating, talk-worthy topics, no matter what the taxi driver asked.
I kept weaving in nightmares, food, blood, violence, survival of the fittest, mascots, cooking, fortune-telling, ghosts…
All seamlessly blended into casual conversation.
Eventually, the car moved forward as slowly as a bicycle.
I kept talking non-stop, enough for Braun to marvel a few times at my ability to fill the air.
By the time my voice was nearly hoarse…
[…We've arrived.]
The taxi came to a stop.
[We've reached your destination, 'Seoul Station'.]
Click.
The lock on the back door released, and the tinted window rolled down, revealing a familiar view…
It was the nightscape of Seoul Station.
'Hah…!'
I was so relieved I could cry.
Though I wanted to leap out immediately, I first needed to settle the fare.
I looked at the meter.
[29,700]
[29,800]
Click.
The driver stopped the meter.
[29,800]
'I did it…!'
Going under 30,000 was usually only possible for short, 10-minute trips.
This level of fare meant there would be no permanent damage.
[Time to settle the fare.]
The taxi driver extended a hand behind him.
In that hand was a cheque.
-29,900 / Code 1
I carefully took the old-fashioned paper cheque, stamped with a wax seal in the shape of a snake…
The back of the cheque had a description of the curse the passenger would receive.
Fare Code 1 : Illness
– Three days of high fever, headache, hemoptysis, and chills.
Good.
'This is totally manageable.'
Far better than disastrous bankruptcy or the death of those around me.
"Thank you."
I clutched the cheque and gave the driver a deep bow before finally escaping the taxi.
'Ha.'
The winter air felt unbelievably refreshing…
Knock, knock.
"...!"
The driver's side window rolled halfway down.
[Mr. Passenger.]
I nearly passed out right then and there.
"Yes?"
[That was an enjoyable conversation. I think my colleagues would also be interested in your stories…]
In the darkness, the driver's gloved hand tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel…
[Let's meet again after retiring. I'll buy you a drink then.]
I swallowed hard.
…Had he caught on?
The taxi drivers were inspired by a well-known and terrifying motif.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Conquest, War, Famine, and Death—serving as literal doomsday taxi drivers in this eerie wordplay ghost story.
Given this context, that comment was enough to send chills down my spine.
Still, I nodded calmly.
"Yes."
But the Horsemen of the Apocalypse wouldn't retire until the end of the world!
I'd be long gone by then.
"I'd look forward to it. Best of luck on your shift."
[Hahaha… Indeed. Tiresome work.]
The taxi window rolled up again, and the black vehicle ghosted away from Seoul Station in an instant, leaving only the crimson afterimage of its taxi sign behind.
"..."
I glanced down at the negative cheque in my hand.
At that moment, the cheque burst into flames, and I began coughing up blood.
"Keugh—"
The high fever and pounding headache scorched through my skull, but it was bearable.
And there, watching me, was the lizard.
He, too, was dripping blood from his snout.
'Uuuuugh.'
Not exactly a pleasant sight, but I couldn't help swallowing my bloody saliva as I spoke.
"Um, this should clear up in three days. That seems to be… how the rule works."
"Yes."
"And thank you for not prying or questioning me back in the taxi. It meant a lot— cough—"
The lizard watched me, his expression unchanged, even as he coughed up blood.
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Take a sick leave."
"…Yes."
A little while later.
After waiting for the hemoptysis to subside, we called another taxi to return to the company dorms.
Though the thought of another taxi ride was unsettling, there were no further incidents.
Aside from our raging fevers, both the section chief and I safely made it home.
'I didn't expect Squad Leader Lee Jaheon to be living in the same dorm building.'
We parted ways in front of the building.
"Take a sick leave."
"Yes… Thank you."
We'd save the detailed discussions for later at the office.
'Phew.'
And so…
I made it back safely.
'Even a company dorm could feel like home.'
When I opened the door, the warm indoor air greeted me like a comforting embrace. It was almost euphoric.
Feeling this ill, I just wanted to jump into a hot shower and crash in bed, but…
There was one more thing I had to do.
'Huh.'
I noticed a pair of shoes in the entryway that weren't mine.
Baek Saheon's dress shoes.
When I saw the shoes at the entrance, my first thought was that Baek Saheon had finally returned to the company housing.
'Took him days to muster the courage.'
Or perhaps he'd heard some rumor that I hadn't returned from today's ghost story and rushed back.
'But I'm back now.'
I was contemplating how to deal with whoever was currently in the room when—
– Oh dear, Mr. Roe Deer. There seems to be a slight misunderstanding in your recollection!
A misunderstanding?
– Those shoes have been in the same spot every evening, Friend.
"...!"
What?
No, I was sure there was nothing in the entrance when I left on the first day…
'…Wait a second.'
I recalled the last time I saw Baek Saheon.
At Sekwang Technical High School.
Amid the chaos between the Disaster Management Bureau and the Field Exploration Team, I'd seen him fleeing with an item in hand.
And the effect of that pen-shaped item he was holding…
'Hypnosis.'
"..."
I looked down at my hand.
The silver ring.
The mental defense item I'd purchased today.
'…Aha.'
That explained it.
Baek Saheon hadn't been leaving earlier or returning later than me. He hadn't been commuting from elsewhere either.
He'd been returning to the dorm all along.
He'd simply placed a suggestion on me, ensuring I wouldn't notice him.
'But now it doesn't work on me.'
Thanks to the silver ring shielding my mind, I'd finally 'seen' his shoes after days of being oblivious to them.
"…Hah."
Seriously.
As if being sick and exhausted wasn't enough, now I had to deal with this nonsense at home…
– Oh, what a perfectly pieced-together deduction, like a beautiful puzzle!
– But… isn't it a traditional and moral lesson for deceivers to pay the price?
There was a hint of sly amusement in Braun's voice.
Normally, I'd have been horrified by that, but…
Hmm.
"Braun."
– Yes, Friend?
"How about we try something fun? You'll like it."
– ...!!
* * *
'Phew.'
The moment the noise from the entrance died down, Baek Saheon cautiously got out of bed.
'What the hell was he doing, taking so long to go to his room?'
It had been days since leaving Sekwang High. He'd been lying low in the company housing, keeping as quiet as possible.
All to avoid being noticed by Kim Soleum.
'…At first, I just thought I was already fucked.'
Waking up in the morning to realize a psychopath in the neighboring room bore a grudge against him?
To avoid any potential confrontation, he'd used the fountain pen to ensure Kim Soleum wouldn't notice his presence.
'It really is a great item.'
That psycho hadn't noticed a thing!
Still, Baek Saheon had been desperately avoiding any encounter, staying quiet even in his room to prevent the suggestion from wearing off.
He'd considered applying a stronger hypnosis but feared the consequences if it failed…
Even so.
'…Maybe it's time to go for a more daring suggestion?'
The hypnosis had held up for days. He was starting to think it might be worth the risk.
Like making Kim Soleum protect him in a crisis or tricking him into handing over valuable items and believing he'd lost them…
'Hmm.'
Besides, he'd heard a few things from Jang Heo-un— that Kim Soleum's latest ghost story involved alleys filled with various equipment and items.
'…I'm jealous.'
Baek Saheon clenched his fist briefly, thinking of his fellow new hires at the Round-Off Team.
He needed his own chance to secure items. More chances…!
Maybe he could subtly hypnotize his colleagues and swipe their items…
'But I can't do that right now!'
The fountain pen could only apply hypnosis to one person at a time. Since it was currently being used on Kim Soleum, it couldn't affect anyone else.
The situation was getting under his skin.
'I knew it, I'll need to squeeze more out of Kim Soleum.'
The timing felt perfect.
'Time to plan.'
Once Kim Soleum fell asleep tonight, he'd use the fountain pen to—
He was mid-thought when he opened his door to get a drink of water.
And froze, horrified.
"...!"
Kim Soleum was sitting in the dark kitchen.
At the dining table, surrounded by what looked like snacks, he was examining their wrappers.
And in the center of the table sat a plush rabbit doll on a cushion…
The same creepy toy Kim Soleum always called 'Braun' and carried everywhere.
"What? Cheap-looking?"
Flinch.
"Yeah. I suppose that's part of the concept. It was a stationery store, after all."
'This godforsaken psycho.'
He was talking to the doll again.
'Why hasn't he gone back to his room? Why is he still out here doing this bullshit?!'
Baek Saheon shuddered and was about to retreat to his room but… paused.
Wouldn't this natural encounter be a good opportunity?
Without needing to try anything specific, this seemed like the perfect moment to reinforce the hypnotic suggestion.
"..."
Baek Saheon made up his mind and pulled out the fountain pen.
Then, he quietly stepped forward.
"Sure. But even items like this have their own effectiveness," Kim Soleum said.
Baek Saheon froze mid-step, the fountain pen in his hand.
Kim Soleum continued speaking, his back turned, talking to himself like the lunatic he was.
"Like my roommate's fountain pen passing by behind me right now."
"..."
Ah.
Paralyzed, Baek Saheon felt his blood turn cold.
"Braun, did you know? My roommate tried to brainwash me and take control."
"..."
"Yeah. I even prepared a gift to repay the favor…"
Kim Soleum's voice was slow and deliberate. It wasn't because he was calm—it was because he felt like he'd cough up blood again if he spoke too quickly.
But the low, hoarse voice, tinged with the scent of blood and pain, only made his words sound more menacing and weighty.
"Don't you think that's rather rude?"
Kim Soleum set his snacks down on the table and turned his head.
"And someone that rude… doesn't deserve to be a roommate, don't you think?"
"...!!"
Their eyes met.
'Shit, shit, shit…!'
He'd been caught.
How? No, that didn't matter now. The fact was, he'd been caught. Absolutely, utterly caught!
"I-I'll leave!"
Without even thinking, Baek Saheon stammered in a trembling voice.
"Supervisor! You're right—I'm not fit to be your roommate! I'll leave immediately! I swear I won't come back!"
Kim Soleum frowned.
"Ugh, my head's pounding. Don't you know any etiquette? Why are you shouting in a shared building this late at night?"
Shit…!
Internally cursing up a storm, Baek Saheon begrudgingly shut his mouth, hating himself for doing so instinctively.
"Braun."
In the meantime, Kim Soleum turned back to the rabbit doll and spoke.
"Hearing someone beg so loudly makes me think… maybe I should give him one chance, even if he's not qualified to live here."
What?!
"I don't ne—"
"Don't need it?"
Kim Soleum turned his head sharply.
"You're saying you don't need the chance to live here?"
"..."
Why did that sound like 'You don't need a chance to continue living in this plane of existence'…?
Baek Saheon swallowed hard and answered,
"I need it."
"Really?"
"Yes…"
"Good. Then hand over the item."
"...!"
"The fountain pen you were using. The one where you write something on a sticky note, and it becomes a suggestion."
"..."
"I don't trust you not to pull another stunt, so I'll keep it somewhere safe for now."
How the hell does he know that?
Even as fear crept up his spine, Baek Saheon gritted his teeth.
"I… can't."
"..."
"T-Think about it, Supervisor, sir. Honestly, I haven't caused you any harm with my actions, have I?"
He spoke desperately, his voice full of urgency.
"I need this item. I absolutely can't give it to anyone. I swear I won't use it on you again, so please…"
"Hmm."
Kim Soleum responded flatly.
"Why would I believe that?"
"...!"
"Take a good look at yourself."
Kim Soleum pointed at him.
"I told you the confirmed entry method to get into Sekwang Technical High School. Even when you tried to kill me there, I didn't get mad…"
It was a simple fact.
"And yet you repay me with hypnosis? I have no reason to trust you."
"..."
That… that was…
He couldn't argue with that.
Even if the supervisor in front of him was a lunatic, he was a skilled one. And perhaps Baek Saheon was the crazy one for picking a fight with him.
'What's happening? Was I wrong?'
Baek Saheon's mind whirled, torn between faint guilt, self-loathing, and overwhelming fear, all tangled in a storm of rationalization.
And then—
"But since it's still your item, hmm… Let me offer some compensation."
Huh?
Kim Soleum reached for something he'd placed on the kitchen table.
It was transparently wrapped and…
"Your left eye."
What the fuck!!
Baek Saheon barely suppressed a scream as he stared at the small black sphere with a faint violet iris shifting within.
But…
"This isn't just an eye. It's bio-equipment."
"...!"
"A piece of equipment with certain abilities…"
Kim Soleum explained the capabilities of the 'eye'. As he continued, Baek Saheon's expression shifted dramatically.
"..."
"Do you want it?"
Baek Saheon clenched his teeth.
It was hard to believe, but…
"…Yes."
He willingly handed over the pen.
With trembling hands, a mix of anticipation and confusion, he accepted the bio-equipment Kim Soleum offered him.
* * *
'Huu…'
That's a shitton of cold sweat.
I finally ended my conversation with Baek Saheon and slumped onto my bed, battling headaches and coughing up blood.
It had been a struggle to mask my pain.
'I managed to maintain control, didn't I?'
At one point, he'd lunged over to nab the eye and I almost flinched. It was ridiculous to be dealing with this in my condition, but…
There was no time for self-pity.
I couldn't leave a sociopath with a brainwashing item lingering near me while I was sick for the next three days.
'I think I handled the carrot-and-stick approach well.'
I thought about the purple eye I'd handed over.
It wasn't a threat to me but had useful features for Baek Saheon.
Well, it just so happened to be a left eye, so he could use it without needing an extraction.
Anyway, of all people, I ended up as roommates with that guy… Though, come to think of it, Go Yeongeun and Jang Heoun were the special cases, and Baek Saheon might just have the average company personality.
In this place, it feels like you can't swing a stick without hitting a sociopath!
'The more I dwell on it, the more depressing it gets. Let's think of something positive…'
For example… the upcoming gift presentation ceremony.
"Braun."
I stood up and retrieved an item from my tattoo inventory.
A ribbon hair tie, which I had bought in lieu of change at the boutique.
"A gift."
– ...!
"Do you like it? I had a feeling you might have guessed it's for you."
If it didn't suit his aesthetic, I'd probably end up sweating bullets trying to find another offering…
But Braun's response was cheerful.
– Ah, it was quite obvious, wasn't it?
– Not realizing it would've been unacceptable as a show host, but pretending not to notice is also part of an entertainer's job.
– At last, even this stuffed body can be properly dressed.
His tone carried a rare note of excitement.
'Thank goodness.'
Smiling, I adjusted the hair tie and neatly tied it around the plush bunny.
"Thanks for everything, Braun."
The bunny's round button eyes gazed into the air. When I looked away, his familiar, upbeat host's voice followed.
– As your friend, it was the natural thing to do, Mr. Roe Deer.
The ribbon might have been purely ornamental, but Braun's voice brimmed with joy as it was donned like a bowtie.
– A neat appearance is an essential courtesy for anyone performing in front of an audience, wouldn't you agree?
Braun seemed delighted as I repeatedly adjusted the bowtie for the perfect angle. At the same time, he urged me to rest.
– Mr. Roe Deer, maintaining your condition is a basic professional skill. Rest is essential, so it's best you head to dreamland promptly!
"Gotcha."
A gift presentation ceremony for a good friend—one of today's few rewarding moments…
Normally, I'd revisit the wiki for a read-through, but I doubted my broken phone or my ailing body could manage it tonight.
'I'll get a new phone or repair this one first thing tomorrow…'
As long as the Memorial Popsocket was intact, swapping phones wouldn't hinder my wiki access.
I lay back comfortably on my bed and prepared to remove the popsocket from the broken phone.
"..."
– Friend?
I quickly flipped the phone over.
The popsocket… had a crack.
I don't know how I managed to get through that night after noticing the crack in the popsocket.
The next day, I ignored my illness, headed out immediately, and bought a new phone.
After transferring my sim card, I nervously attached the cracked popsocket and powered it on.
'…It works!'
Thankfully, the wiki was still up and running, but…
Something felt off.
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Hellfare Taxi]
It's glitching.
It felt like an old computer on its last legs, showing the characteristic sluggishness of a dying machine.
Although it eventually restored itself, the chill down my spine remained.
'Right. Even merch can break…'
The strange reality of using merch purchased from a pop-up store in a creepypasta universe had made me overlook how reliant I'd become on my phone.
Why not copy or back up the wiki contents somewhere else, you ask?
'That would take over a month.'
Pages accessed via the Memorial Popsocket couldn't be copied or captured. Every entry had to be painstakingly transcribed by hand.
'And there's no guarantee the popsocket as it is would last that long.'
Still, no need to panic.
These merch were, after all, from a creepypasta universe.
I've built a foundation here over the past six months, and now other options have opened up.
Get a new popsocket.
Or find a way to repair it.
Interestingly, both required the same type of connection.
'The Disaster Management Bureau.'
The popsocket's origin, of course.
And I knew where items like this and the Silver Heart badge were manufactured…
Naturally, I also knew how to gain access there, the passcode, and the necessary preparations.
Conveniently, I even had a temporary Disaster Management Bureau agent badge.
"..."
I pressed my temples and thought.
'My sick leave's three days.'
Which meant I couldn't handle any follow-up tasks related to Death Lane or company work in this condition.
But as long as I didn't report to work, I could exert myself in other areas if I could bear it. After all, my recovery was guaranteed in three days.
'However, I can't avoid the pain from the taxi fare-induced curse artificially.'
Since it's a curse, even the strongest painkillers wouldn't help. Moreover, using supernatural methods to escape the pain would only extend the curse's duration. РÂɴỖ฿ƐŜ
Only actual suffering would count as payment.
So, unless absolutely necessary, I'd keep my ultra-potent painkiller, Happy Maker, unused.
Honestly…
"..."
Thinking back to how I used it in that nightmare gave me chills.
'I truly felt no pain, only peace…'
Had it not been a dream, or if the Fox Counseling Room hadn't treated my contamination, I might have become addicted to it, reliving those moments whenever things got tough.
I've got to be careful.
'…Alright.'
Don't procrastinate what I can do now—prepare while I can.
I carefully removed the cracked popsocket from the phone, packed it up, and stored it in my tattoo inventory.
"Braun. We're heading out again."
– Aha, the indomitable spirit despite injuries! What an interview-worthy story. A testament to one's passion for the industry, wouldn't you say?
– But if it becomes too much, just let me know. This Braun, your perfect colleague and friend, is always ready to help…
That was both comforting and chilling.
"Thanks."
After another quick shower to wash off my sweat, I slipped on a light hoodie and tucked the gleaming bowtie-wearing rabbit plush into the hoodie's front pocket.
– Looking sharp, Mr. Roe Deer! So, where to now?
Hmm.
"To the place in Seoul where young people gather the most."
* * *
I got off at Hongdae Station.
It was fascinating how crowded the area was, even on a weekday afternoon.
'Even far from the station, there are still so many people.'
From Mangwon to Yeonnam, every street would be bustling with visitors.
It was a stark contrast to yesterday's dead-end alley connected to Death Lane—this crowd felt almost surreal.
– Such a lively place, full of bright and reactive people! Oh, I'd love to invite them all to a show, delivering once-in-a-lifetime thrills and shocks!
Ahhh!
Thankfully, Braun quickly got distracted, sparing me from having to calm his excited voice.
– Ah, the aroma of coffee is delightful! Care for a cup, Friend? …Oh dear! You're staggering. Do you need support?
'…I'm fine.'
Cursed with illness and now out in the bustling city of Seoul alongside this ghost story resident, it was inevitable that strange events would follow… Ha, well.
Still, the feeling of being in a lively, sunlit area was comforting.
A street lined with cafes, drenched in sunlight, with not a hint of gloom to be found.
It was almost impossible to imagine anything mystical or eerie happening here in broad daylight.
'Which is precisely why it's safe.'
I recalled the instructions on how to access the place that could repair my popsocket.
The Disaster Management Bureau's document, registered in the wiki complete with an image of a note.
! Destroy after thorough reading
Where to go : A café with a blue roof and no sign. It's a converted house with a buckwheat flower wreath on the door.
There it was.
With Braun's assistance, I suppressed my presence entirely and slipped into the blue-roofed building.
It was a large café bustling with customers.
Even in broad daylight, the place sparkled with all kinds of lights and decorations, and the staff busily took orders and prepared drinks.
Instead of joining the line to order, I subtly moved aside, ducked, and slipped into the kitchen area.
Venturing deeper, I soon came upon two doors at the turn of a corner.
[Staff Only]
Though both yellow doors looked identical, one led outside while the other…
'Is the door I need to open.'
Enter through the right-hand door only. Do not touch the left door. Once touched, the 'location' becomes inaccessible through the right door.
Carefully, I approached the right-hand door and rapped on the surface rhythmically.
Knock-knock, knockknock—, knock-knock, knockknock—
The Jajinmori Jangdan, a beat familiar to anyone who'd gone through Korea's public education.
I opened the door just slightly and slipped inside.
"..."
Inside, it looked like an ordinary staff area.
A mix of corridors, storage spaces, and employee lounges.
Worn-out sofas, desks, laptops, boxes of supplies. In one corner, seasonal decorations were stacked.
Look for an object resembling a house, such as a model of a residence, apartment, or yurt.
I carefully sifted through the decorations and found it.
A hanok model.
It seemed to have been used as a Chuseok holiday decoration.
'This must be it.'
I crouched before the hanok model and reached for its tiny gate.
The moment I opened it—
BAM!
I fell backward, landing hard on my rear.
"Ah…"
Already in pain, I felt blood welling up in my throat but suppressed it.
This was not a place where I could afford to shed blood.
'Let's see…'
I got up and surveyed my surroundings, which were no longer the bustling café but a quiet, enclosed hanok courtyard.
The space was eerily still, with no wind and surrounded by walls.
The characteristic wooden beams and ivory-colored walls of a traditional Korean house came into view.
'Silent.'
It felt like stumbling into a break room where no one was supposed to be.
Suddenly—
[Hey! Who's there? You can't just… Eh? Kim-seobang[1]?]
The hanok's door burst open, and out came someone with braided hair, wearing a tracksuit.
The person pointed a finger at the Disaster Management Bureau's metal badge on my hoodie.
I took a deep breath and bowed my head slightly.
"Ah, my apologies. It's my first time here."
[A new Kim-seobang, huh?! Must be those meddling government agents up to their weird tricks again!]
[What if you, a scrawny Kim-seobang, stumbled upon a mischievous noontime goblin while wandering in broad daylight, eh?!]
Though the figure seemed ordinary—just large and loud—
[What's wrong? Lost your hearing? Why aren't you speaking, Kim-seobang?!]
It wasn't human.
The title Kim-seobang alone gave it away.[2]
'That's a goblin.'
And this was their gathering place.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Dokkaebi Workshop]
: A ghost story featured in
: Disaster Management Bureau identification code – no records found
: Daydream Inc. identification code – no records found
A workshop where goblins gather at night to craft clubs and hats. Nearly all exploration logs occur during the day.
The Disaster Management Bureau strongly restricts information to prevent Daydream Inc. from accessing it.
Refer to the relevant documents for usage details.
========================
This was it.
The goblins were said to gather here nightly, drinking, eating buckwheat cakes, and crafting their tools.
This ghost story begins with the idea that some nocturnal goblins enjoy their gatherings so much they linger even during the day.
If you approach the goblins idling in the workshop at midday, offer them something nice, and ask them to craft items for you, they'll often do so enthusiastically. ṞἁƝŐ₿ÊṠ
Currently, however, they scare off and chase away anyone who isn't a 'government official Kim-seobang'.
No one who's been chased away has ever succeeded in re-entering the place.
Honestly, it feels less like a ghost story and more like a modern version of a charming old folktale.
Isn't that what urban legends are supposed to be?
'That's why the Disaster Management Bureau just quietly thanks them and takes the equipment.'
Some of the low-rank equipment, like popsockets, issued to rookie agents comes from here—including the glass glove I received from the bronze-rank agent.
Such harmless and straightforward ghost stories aren't even classified as Disasters—they're simply labeled as 'common supernatural phenomena' by the Disaster Management Bureau.
Although, there is one troubling description…
People are often warned to beware of fearsome daytime goblins, though no sightings have been reported to date.
This loose end hasn't even been picked up in the
'Let's get this over with.'
I carefully unwrapped the popsocket, which I'd wrapped in multiple layers, and held it out to the goblin.
"I rushed over, hoping you could fix this. Ah, here's a token of gratitude…"
[Kim-seobang, this isn't something we made, is it?]
…What?
"It's not?"
[Nope, nope. Looks like someone copied us. Haha, funny, so funny…]
The goblin chuckled to himself and stretched his neck forward, closely examining the cracked popsocket.
…'Copied'?
'But the merch from the merch box had the same effects as the originals.'
Apparently, the source wasn't treated as identical. I'd need to be careful.
Swallowing down spit and blood, I spoke,
"Then, is this too difficult to repair, even for your marvelous workshop?"
[What are you saying? This old-timer can fix anything smaller than my palm… but, you know.]
A sly grin spread across the goblin's face.
[Kim-seobang, you seem to have some good stuff on you!]
"...! Oh, I did bring some buckwheat snacks…"
[Huh? Not that!]
[There's a delicious smell coming from you…]
"...!!"
I'm screwed, aren't I?
[Ah, it smells aged and divine…]
The goblin grinned even wider.
[Ginseng!]
"..."
Ah.
I adjusted my sleeve to cover my wrist, pretending to rummage in my bag before cautiously pulling out the item.
"Are you referring to… this ginseng, Elder?"
It was a piece of wild ginseng, previously used for Braun's bath to release its sentience and purify it entirely.
Though the cut surface had dried, the strong scent of earth and forest remained.
[That's it! Oh, how splendid, what a beauty!]
The goblin practically drooled over it.
[This would make a perfect tonic. How about it? I'll craft you a fine hoe or broom. Or perhaps a lovely jade ring!]
Whoa.
– Brazen yet amusing offers! What do you think, Mr. Roe Deer? Would you trust the artisan's skill?
"..."
'That's… tempting.'
Why hesitate when a benevolent goblin offers you an item?
'Because I'm here under false pretenses.'
I'm not an actual agent.
I'm only impersonating one with this temporary badge, so I've got to tread carefully here.
'The government should never find out about me.'
If the Disaster Management Bureau received a report of someone intruding on a ghost story they're desperately trying to control, it'd be a disaster.
If today had been within fifteen days of their scheduled inspection, I wouldn't have come at all.
'That's exactly the regular schedule for the Bureau's visit.'
Even if repairing the popsocket is minor, offering premium ginseng and leaving with an item though?
'It wouldn't be with any ill intentions, but that goblin would undoubtedly gossip about it.'
– Aha, very true!
Even if I begged him to keep it a secret, he'd likely forget and slip up later.
'Better refuse.'
"I'll just give you the ginseng. Please enjoy brewing it into a fine tonic."
[Oh, what a kind-hearted Kim-seobang! Truly generous!]
The goblin beamed as he took the ginseng.
Then—
[But you see, it's proper to leave here with something, you know.]
"..."
What?
[Which team are you from? Judging by the temporary badge, are you one of the new recruits undergoing training?]
What the hell was this?
– Ah, goblins may be loose-lipped, but you should've been more cautious!
– Your reasoning was sound, Mr. Roe Deer, but there's a flaw in your logic.
Which was—
– This one's human.
"..."
I barely managed to turn my head to look up.
[Why aren't you answering, eh?!]
It wasn't a goblin—it was a Disaster Management Bureau agent pretending to be one.
Note/s:
[1] Seobang – old-fashioned term for 'husband', but these days older people use it to refer to a son-in-law (or grandson-in-law, nephew-in-law, brother-in-law, etc) ↩
[2] Korean Goblin / Dokkaebi – often depicted wearing vibrant, traditional Korean hanboks with simple designs. Their appearance is diverse and intimidating, emphasizing their untamed and fearsome nature.
Dokkaebi come in various forms with distinct traits and behaviors:
– Cham dokkaebi: mischievous tricksters
– Gae dokkaebi: malicious and evil
– Kim seobang dokkaebi: portrayed as dumb farmers
– Nat dokkaebi: unique for appearing during daylight
– Go dokkaebi: skilled warriors wielding weapons
– Gaksi & chonggak dokkaebi: considered attractive to humans
– Oenun dokkaebi: one-eyed creatures
– Oedari dokkaebi: one-legged beings known for their love of wrestling
(Source: Mythlok) ↩
-x-X-x-
I knew.
I knew that the Disaster Management Bureau was rigorously managing the information about this ghost story, 'Dokkaebi Workshop', to prevent any leaks.
But that's precisely… where my knowledge stopped!
'I had no idea that the Bureau was actually managing the ghost story…'
After all, not even a mention of this existed in the
Who would have guessed they'd go as far as conducting undercover surveillance within the ghost story itself—keeping an eye on visitors and monitoring the equipment production?
A Disaster Management Bureau agent, pretending to be a goblin!
[Oh my, why are you taking so long to answer?]
My head was spinning.
'…What do I do now?'
Wait a second, what have I been saying up until now?
As a chilling realization ran down my spine, I mentally replayed our earlier conversation like a fast-forwarded film.
Thankfully, no critical mistakes… none at all.
'…I'm fine!'
I could still recover. I could salvage this.
With that in mind, I deliberately displayed a slightly pale, nervous expression.
"I'm sorry, Elder, but I wasn't given permission to discuss such matters…"
[...]
I know nothing.
I am but a clueless rookie who hadn't caught on that this 'goblin' was actually a fellow agent.
A ghostly goblin interrogating me about my identity had caught me off guard, leaving me fumbling to respond!
'Please let this work!'
I subtly raised my head, wearing a hesitant expression, as if thinking, What do I do about this goblin?
[Wow, these government Kim-seobangs sure have a lot to fuss over.]
"..."
Huu.
[Kim-seobangs refer to their divisions as teams, don't they? Why can't you just tell me?]
"Yes, uh, well… apologies. It's just how things are set up by the government."
[Geez, how boring!]
The agent disguised as a goblin clicked his tongue and stepped back.
'Made it.'
[Still, a kind-hearted Kim-seobang like you who brought ginseng, I'll let you off!]
It seemed like the agent intended to keep up the goblin charade.
'…The deflection worked.'
A classic case of teasing the junior.
He was probably hoping that someday, when a senior clued me in—That guy was an agent!—I'd be utterly dumbfounded.
The way he sniffed the ginseng stored in my tattoo and reacted made me suspect he'd adopted some goblin-like traits.
'He might've even used some kind of 'equipment' to mimic goblin behavior and abilities.'
After all, goblins were notoriously mischievous.
"Thank you very much, Elder."
I gave a deep bow, playing along.
[Kind-hearted Kim-seobang, I ought to repay your gift with some fine liquor!]
[Come now, tell me what goblin item you'd like. You could sing a song or even dance for it…]
Now he was trying to reward the rookie.
Perhaps he figured the ginseng I'd given him was a valuable item I'd gotten in a fluster.
'…The most natural response would be,'
"No, it's fine, Elder! Instead, could you extend your goodwill to the next 'government Kim-seobang' who visits? As generously as you feel today."
[Hoho, really?]
"Yes, Elder!"
[Alright then, Kim-seobang. I always make sure to repay my debts!]
I smiled brightly and nodded, and the goblin seemed satisfied, even doing a little dance.
Good. That topic seemed to have ended well.
The conversation then naturally shifted to the popsocket I'd brought with me.
[So, the reason you're here today, Kim-seobang, is to get this trinket repaired, yes?]
"…Yes, Elder."
Here came the real problem.
This agent had already recognized that my popsocket wasn't made here.
Sweat dripped from my palms.
Sure enough, the goblin-disguised agent nonchalantly probed further.
[Where did this item come from?]
"Uh, I'm not sure. I received it as a government-issued gift…"
[Hmm, lately, even government Kim-seobangs have been sourcing items from other places…]
[Risky, hm.]
"..."
[You never know when a fearsome daytime goblin might appear!]
True, the Disaster Management Bureau wasn't relying solely on this workshop to produce equipment for agents anymore.
'Even my Silver Heart badge must have come from somewhere else.'
Fortunately, the agent seemed to misinterpret the popsocket as something from another similar workshop.
A convenient misunderstanding.
'Lucky.'
Mentioning a fearsome daytime goblin at the end while staying in character as a goblin helped me relax a little.
It allowed me to laugh it off and roll with it.
'Still, I'm screwed.'
This agent would undoubtedly remember me—the random visitor who showed up today and handed over ginseng.
'As soon as he leaves this ghost story and talks with other Disaster Management Bureau agents, I'll be flagged as a person of interest.'
…Was there really no way out of this?
[Anyway, I'll fix up this trinket for you, so sit tight!]
"Yes…"
The agent, imitating a goblin, disappeared into the 'Dokkaebi Workshop'—the tiled house—with my popsocket in hand.
He was probably handing it off to the other 'goblins' inside.
I waited quietly.
A dark thought crossed my mind.
What if the agent pieced everything together, confiscated my popsocket, and placed an emergency call to the Disaster Management Bureau? That thought alone made cold sweat trickle down my back.
Thankfully, it didn't take long.
[Here, take your trinket!]
The returning agent tossed the popsocket lightly toward me. I barely restrained myself from cursing as I carefully caught it.
The crack on the popsocket remained.
However, the fissure was now filled with something smooth and glossy.
An adhesive that shimmered jade-green.
"Ah, is it fully repaired now?"
[Ohoh— You don't just serve rice without letting it simmer first. You think an elder's craft can be completed as easily as slurping cold porridge? Wait for the adhesive to dry!]
[Handle it like a swaddled baby for a month. While doing so, wish for what form you'd like it to take. Then, it'll transform into a splendid trinket!]
A month?
"…Thank you."
I carefully held the popsocket.
'…Feels like it'd break apart if I put any pressure on it.'
In other words, I'd have to handle it delicately for an entire month.
Which meant…
'I won't be able to access the wiki for a month.'
I'd been re-reading it daily, trying to commit as much as possible to memory. This disruption was unsettling.
Human memory has its limits, after all. I felt uneasy, but there was no alternative. I had to endure. Getting a new popsocket seemed out of reach.
'At least I managed to get it repaired.'
That left one problem.
How do I leave this place naturally?
[Now now, young Kim-seobang, how about a bite of that buckwheat cake you brought? Let's chat about what government Kim-seobangs have been up to lately!]
But dear elder, I have no idea…
'If this conversation drags on, I'll be exposed in no time.'
I might not just end up on a wanted list—I could be tied up and hauled off to the Disaster Management Bureau's glass cell right now.
…Fine.
I steeled my resolve.
'I'd be caught eventually, anyway.'
If I'm screwed either way, I'm going out with a bang!
"Yes, Elder. I'm here because I—"
Cough—
Suddenly, I coughed up blood without holding back.
Gurgling, dark clots spilled down my chin. I hurriedly wiped them away with my sleeve, feigning a panicked expression as I looked at the goblin.
"I-I'm sorry…"
It wasn't just to stir alarm.
Blood.
[Kim-seobang…!!]
Traditionally, a goblin's most sensitive trigger.
Rattle-rattle-rattle.
The large tiled house trembled.
Scary! Scary! Scary!
Why scary? Why scary? Why scary?
[Aigoo! Quit making such a fuss! It's nothing!]
Scary! Who's it? Scary! Who's it?
Even as the agent yelled, the house continued shaking. I paled, clapping a hand over my mouth as I retched.
"I'm s-sorry."
[Get out of here! Who the hell sends a sick rookie to the goblin's turf? I'll deal with that bastard myself—!]
"N-No! Elder, I… I came here on my own, I didn't know any better."
[Elder, my foot! You still don't get it?]
Time to pretend I'd caught on.
"...!"
I widened my eyes, clumsily scrambling to my feet.
"No way…"
The goblin-agent crossed his arms.
[Consider yourself lucky, rookie, that this sunbae is stationed here.]
"Y-Yes… sorry, sir."
I wore the most clueless, dazed expression possible, as if I barely understood what was happening, and slowly got back up.
Thud. Thud.
Now, loud knocks—like broomsticks or wooden clubs—echoed from the tiled house's door.
The agent clicked his tongue and barked at me.
[If you're sick, just rest! Why crawl into a place like this? Did HQ send you?]
Oh?
Wait, if I play this right…
"…No, sir."
Quickly, I rifled through my mental database of Disaster Management Bureau anecdotes.
'…There was that betting culture during training!'
Like some test of courage where they competed to show off their competence and bravery.
Good. I'll go with that!
"…The other trainees told me to get the Memorial Popsocket repaired myself…"
The agent flinched.
[…Do they still do that these days?]
I just smiled sheepishly.
The agent, still wearing the guise of a goblin, seemed to suppress a laugh, then rubbed his face before waving me off.
[…I'll let it slide without reporting it to HQ. Just get out of here.]
It worked.
"Th-thank you."
[What's your codename?]
"It hasn't been assigned yet… I'm still thinking about what would suit me."
[…Fine. You'll know when the time comes.]
The agent pretending to be a goblin gestured.
Fwick—
With a flick of his hand, I felt myself being gently pushed…
[Go and rest.]
BAM!
I fell flat on my rear.
"Hah…"
When I raised my head, I found myself back on the bustling streets of Hongdae.
The streets were as lively as ever, the sun was blazing, and the café with the blue roof was busy as usual…
'I made it out alive!'
Without being exposed.
– That was an excellent adlib, Friend!
I let out a long sigh, covering my face.
I nearly sprawled out in the middle of the street.
* * *
The next two days were spent in genuine recovery.
Not being able to use the popsocket made me anxious, so I tried jotting down what I remembered from the wiki. But I stopped when I realized I might be unintentionally distorting or creating details that were never true.
Instead, I obsessively replayed the information in my mind, which made time pass more quickly.
And then—
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
"Section Chief."
Three days later, back at work, I met Section Chief Lee Jaheon again.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. You should schedule an additional consultation within the month, Kim Soleum-ssi."
"...Yes."
Fortunately, he seemed fine, too.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon didn't ask me anything further.
Neither about Braun's 'Lights Out' ability nor about the black water mascot that had chased me.
Even when I shared my side of the story as much as I could, he only responded with a calm, "I see."
'Consistent as always.'
Because of that, I also found it hard to ask him any questions.
Besides, after three days of sick leave, I had too much work piled up to waste time prying.
'Wow, how am I supposed to finish all this?'
After yet another irregular escape, the entire D-squad, except for two temporary employees, took immediate leave.
The pressure from all sides was relentless.
I spent the day writing reports with the section chief, doing interviews, and even calling Director Cheong to express my gratitude.
In the midst of it all, I had to include in my report how I'd used the taxi Darkness to escape Death Lane, which left me racking my brain over how to explain how I knew to summon it.
'Should I just say I saw some flyer advertisement in Death Lane?'
But wouldn't that count as contaminating the manual?
My head was spinning when—
"The taxi you summoned is categorized as a pending Darkness under manual review."
"...!"
As I turned to look at Section Chief Lee Jaheon with a chill creeping over me…
The lizard calmly added,
"That means it's information that can't be obtained through the company's official systems."
Whoa.
"So, I changed the recorded caller."
"…Who is it now?"
"Me."
Wait.
"You changed the report to say you were the one who called the taxi, Squad Leader?"
"Yes."
I was starting to grasp his modus operandi.
"…Was this both a reward for my significant role in escaping Death Lane and you taking responsibility as the squad's leader?"
"Yes."
And that wasn't the end of it.
"Oh, by the way, do you recall, Squad Leader? You once promised me some equipment during the pantry ghost story…"
"Yes. It'll be ready by next week."
Wow.
I decided to wholeheartedly respect Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
So what if he's a bit slow? He's the dream boss!
'Just deal with the slowness yourself!'
Got it, Kim Soleum!
I shouted at myself internally and dove into the mountain of paperwork.
New equipment in the works, new team roles ahead.
A new chapter in my corporate life was on the horizon.
But first, another darkness awaited me.
…Along with a most unwelcome face.
* * *
"Well, long time no see, Mr. Roe Deer!"
Research Team's Kwak Jaekang waved cheerfully at me.
"Would you be interested in, say, an abandoned elevator?"
No way! Absolutely not!!
-x-X-x-
Section Chief Kwak Jaekang of the Research Team.
A mad scientist who once threw his subordinates into the 'Cheerful Theme Park' ghost story.
He also served as a consultant for the 'Manor of the Blind' incident, which had near-catastrophic results where almost everyone met their end.
"I've been wanting to have a long talk with you, Mr. Roe Deer. Finally, the opportunity has come!"
That crazed ghost story researcher grinned and extended his hand.
"Your exploits have been extraordinary! I've been dying to hear your thoughts!"
"Thank you, sir."
What a boss you'd hate to shake hands with. But I did it anyway—such is office life.
"I heard that once the new year begins, D-squad will become an elite squad. With that, we'll all get so busy working as a unit that even idle chats like this before heading into darkness might be impossible…"
Kwak Jaekang joked a few times about how difficult it was to call me over.
"And I was just too curious."
Then, with a cheerful face, he got to the point.
"How did you manage to win over Section Chief Lee Jaheon?"
"...!!"
"He always cuts me off when I try to call you over. That's not like him—he's not usually that proactive~"
Internally, I screamed.
'Thank you, Squad Leader…!'
But honestly, I didn't actively try to win him over.
'All I had to do was say I didn't want to.'
Section Chief Lee Jaheon was already a stickler for the rules and made every effort to reflect his squad members' requests.
No one had made such a request before!
After all, in this ghost story specialist corporation, I'm probably the only one who'd rather split the workload into N parts than venture into a ghost story solo, no matter how cushy it might be.
And if anyone like me did exist, they're probably long gone—dead or disappeared.
This time, however, it seemed even Lee Jaheon had difficulty stopping it on his own.
Or perhaps there simply wasn't any justification to do so.
"Anyway, don't worry. I don't hold any grudges about how hard it was to bring you in, Mr. Roe Deer."
Kwak Jaekang smiled.
"It's just… isn't it fascinating how there seems to be nothing Mr. Roe Deer can't do!"
"'Fascinating'… I don't quite understand…"
"You're good at your job, articulate, and you manage your reputation well… very impressive. But humans are creatures who can't excel at everything! Myself included."
He lightly tapped his own chest.
"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. So…"
His eyes, gleaming with a passionate obsession for ghostly exploration, fixed on me.
"What's your weakness?"
"..."
"How does it remain so hidden, even while you're diving headfirst into bizarre paranormal phenomena… I'm genuinely curious!"
Hah, fuck, seriously…
"If I could tell you, it wouldn't be a weakness."
"Haha, a clever answer to a foolish question~"
Kill me now.
'He's not predicting that I'm a coward, is he?'
I discreetly swallowed hard.
Kwak Jaekang spread his hands wide.
"Anyway, I called you here today for good news."
"What kind of good news, exactly?"
"Something worth celebrating! By my calculations… Mr. Roe Deer, you've already earned more than half the points needed for a Wish Ticket, haven't you?"
"...!"
This guy's scary sharp.
And he's right.
That's the truth.
I recalled my accumulated points up until last week.
[Accumulated Points : 177,200p]
Even this number alone was staggering.
It was a figure unimaginable for a rookie who hadn't even been with the company for a year, so I'd never bragged about it.
Even in a department where everyone openly talks about their resignation dates, there are limits.
'When someone's this much of an outlier, people inevitably start thinking differently.'
But who could have guessed?
As of this week, my accumulated points had entered an entirely new, outrageous realm.
[Accumulated Points: 277,200p]
At this point, people could start claiming it was rigged.
'It's all thanks to Sekwang Technical High School.'
Let's break down the base points per grade.
A-grade : 100,000p
And I cleared Sekwang Technical High School solo at A-grade.
Though multiple people entered and cleared it together, I was the only one officially ranked A.
Moreover, the solution I concocted was just intense enough to be recognized as a solo effort.
Thanks to the 'enthusiastic' approval of Directors Cheong and Ho, the Development Department's two powerhouses, my reward passed without issue.
It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
'And this morning, the registration was finalized.'
Officially, Kim Soleum had now accumulated more than half the points needed for a Wish Ticket.
'I'm progressing absurdly faster than I expected…'
Everything had strangely aligned, leading me here.
At this rate, if I could endure just one year—or perhaps even less—as part of an elite squad, I might return to my original world.
A peaceful 21st-century Korea where creepypastas aren't real!
This all flashed through my mind in an instant, but I managed to keep my expression steady… or so I hoped.
'Don't give anything away…!'
"Does earning more than half the points change anything?"
Instead of a direct reaction, I intentionally furrowed my brow slightly, giving an ambiguous response. Was I unsettled because I had earned that much, or annoyed because I hadn't earned enough? I kept him guessing.
"Well, it's not about change… but it opens up opportunities, doesn't it?"
Kwak Jaekang smiled slyly.
"Have you ever heard of the Wish Ticket Simulator?"
Simulator?
…Ah!
From a certain point, Qterw-D-718 offers a simulator tailored for promising employees with strong potential to secure a Wish Ticket.
'Right, that was one of the ghost story entries.'
I remembered.
I forced myself to recall the increasingly blurry wiki entries while Kwak Jaekang's voice buzzed in my ear.
"This company gives employees close to earning a Wish Ticket a chance to test their wish—to ensure it's granted in the most 'appropriate' way."
The threshold for being a 'promising employee' was likely 250,000 points… or it could have been calculated based on the remaining time needed to claim a Wish Ticket.
Either way, it seemed I'd been given the opportunity to try the simulator.
If entering a ghost story can be called an 'opportunity'!
"You could always do it later, but Soleum-ssi, who knows when your turn will come up again? I figured it'd be good for you to do it now, so I called you over."
"..."
I thought for a moment.
Kwak Jaekang, specially arranging a ghost story entry for someone?
'There's definitely a trap.'
But refusing outright wasn't an option either.
This man would hound me for reasons, no doubt.
"Why avoid it if you're not a coward? Right? Hahaha!"
Hiieek—
"Well, there could be other reasons to avoid it."
I sighed and stood up, eager to end the conversation.
'If I have to face a ghost story anyway, I might as well avoid giving him any leverage.'
"Alright, I understand. When should I enter?"
Kwak Jaekang smirked.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
"..."
"You've really changed. You've shed that rookie aura, haven't you?"
Wait.
"No, no, that's a compliment! You're finally starting to feel like a proper employee here. No pointless chatter, straight to business~ Like a real elite team member."
His eyes crinkled as he laughed.
"Let's get you doing some proper company work!"
He slapped a file onto the table.
'This is…'
A staff profile.
One I recognized.
[Employee : Jang Heo-un]