It was a photo of a gloomy, long-haired peer from the company.
"You've met before, haven't you? You went to the Cheerful Theme Park together. He's part of the Round-Off Team."
"He's not part of the Round-Off Team anymore, though. I believe he was reassigned to F-squad…"
"Oh, right, he got transferred. But he's still officially listed as someone from the Round-Off Team."
"...!"
"It's just a temporary dispatch to a general team. His formal reassignment won't be finalized until next year, don't you think?"
Kwak Jaekang tapped the file.
"So… he's still eligible to be deployed for tasks like this."
"..."
Tasks like this?
A chilling sense of foreboding ran down my spine.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"It's simple. Once you're done with your business in the ghost story, call that employee to the elevator and leave him there."
"...!"
This insane bastard.
No, stay calm. I couldn't show any signs of distress.
"Is this Darkness only accessible with two participants… or is a sacrifice required?"
"Haha… figuring that out is the whole point of our research, isn't it? Just follow the instructions. It's a straightforward task, yes?"
Thump.
Kwak Jaekang tossed another file onto the table.
The ghost story assigned to me.
"It's the elevator ghost story I told you about."
* * *
– Well, I'll leave it to you, Mr. Roe Deer! Don't forget to call the Round-Off Team rookie when it's time.
"..."
I reread the manual I'd already memorized, then tucked it back into my pocket.
What did I plan to do?
[Heo-un-ssi, we're set to enter around 5 PM. Take it easy until then.]
[Ahh, okay! Got it!]
I wasn't going to bring him along.
And I knew what this meant.
'This could land me in serious trouble.'
No matter how good my excuse was, this would cause an issue.
This wasn't some flexible rule I could bend and expect to get away with.
But if I didn't block this entirely, it'd be meaningless.
'Kwak Jaekang has likely set something up involving Jang Heo-un.'
I had to ensure he wouldn't come in the first place.
Even if it meant risking disciplinary action, I had a potential benefit in mind—one to address after the exploration.
For now, the pressing matter was this.
...I had to ride a haunted elevator alone.
"Huu."
This was the first time I had entered a haunted place alone, after being given time to prepare myself.
'Maybe… it was better when I went in blindly, without knowing anything beforehand.'
My hands trembled with fear.
And I had left Braun behind.
'The elevator in this ghost story is for one person only anyway.'
I didn't want Braun near the elevator. Who knew what could happen?
I had asked Section Chief Lee Jaheon to check on Braun periodically, so it should be fine.
'…Let's go.'
I entered the building designated by the company as the confirmed entry site for Qterw-D-718.
It was a decrepit rental apartment building, with the water supply cut off long ago, though the company had temporarily restored electricity.
A cold, stale odor of neglect hung in the dimly lit interior.
The shadowed corridor stretched endlessly ahead of me.
And there it was, the lone operating device.
[5F]
The elevator door on the first floor.
"..."
I swallowed hard and walked down the hallway.
The emergency exit signs and dim bulbs flickered as the elevator came into view.
— Under Maintenance —
We will fix it as soon as possible.
Happiness Land Apartment Security Office
Despite the message, the yellowed slip of paper was barely hanging on by worn-out tape.
This phenomenon commonly arises in buildings equipped with a single elevator, particularly when the elevator is frequently out of order or displays a maintenance sign.
This was it.
With trembling hands, I pressed the elevator button.
The elevator slowly descended.
5, F, 3, 2…
[Ding.]
I took a deep breath.
The doors slid open, revealing a dim, rusted interior.
The floor was smeared with soot, as if it hadn't been cleaned in ages.
Still, I stepped forward.
Inside, I noticed something on either side: dirty mirrors smudged with handprints.
'…Huu.'
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Don't Look in the Mirror]
: A ghost story featured in < Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-D-718
One of the ritual-based ghost stories circulating online in the 2000s.
They say if you play rock-paper-scissors with your reflection in the elevator mirror and win, it will answer any question truthfully.
The ghost story entry includes a gamebook-style guide on how to handle various phenomena.
========================
[The doors are closing.]
I pressed myself against the wall without a mirror and watched the doors close with a growing sense of dread.
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst.
The doors shut completely, and darkness and silence enveloped me.
There I stood, alone, in the stalled elevator's eerie interior…
…with the mirrors.
"..."
The seconds stretched endlessly.
I had to endure it. If I endured—
[Going up.]
Ding.
The elevator began to move, despite me not pressing any buttons.
…It had been summoned somewhere.
All the floor buttons lit up red, casting an ominous glow throughout the cabin.
It had begun.
Upon entering the elevator, refrain from pressing any buttons.
If the elevator begins moving on its own, you have successfully entered the ghost story.
1- Play rock-paper-scissors with your reflection in the mirror until the elevator reaches the top floor.
If you win at least once : Proceed to 3.
If you don't win at all : Proceed to 13.
"..."
I swallowed hard and cautiously turned my head to look at the left mirror.
There, in the mirror, stood my pale reflection in the elevator.
Countless versions of me.
My front and back reflections repeated infinitely between the left and right mirrors, shrinking until they became indistinguishable points.
Each reflection grew smaller, blurrier…
"..."
I wiped my sweaty left hand on my shirt and slowly raised it.
Then I muttered softly,
"…Rock, paper, scissors."
Scissors.
Every one of my reflections in the mirrors was showing scissors, front and back, endlessly.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
This time, all my reflections showed fists.
I repeated it several more times.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Rock, paper, scissors…
"Rock, paper, scissors."
On the fifth round, I chose a fist again.
That's when I noticed something strange among my countless reflections.
…One of them opened its hand.
Amid all the fists, a single reflection with an outstretched palm appeared in the farthest mirror.
"..."
I froze with my hand still raised.
Then, from deep within the mirrors, that distant reflection of me slowly turned its head—
—and smiled.
A wide, chilling smile.
In the mirrored elevator, among the countless, ever-shrinking reflections of myself, only one anomaly stood out.
A figure of 'me' who had won the game of rock-paper-scissors, now turning its head unnaturally to look at me, grinning.
Clunk.
The sound of the elevator shook me back to my senses.
My hand had thrown 'rock'.
While the figure in the mirror had thrown… 'paper'.
'…I lost.'
Losing meant I had to try again. I had to win.
The elevator continued ascending.
[5F]
[Going up.]
※ Warning : Most accounts of this ritual report that the 'mirror-self' tends to have an unnaturally high win rate in rock-paper-scissors.
With trembling hands, I raised my fist again toward the mirror.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
The reflection of my face, a twisted smirk upon its lips, turned its head to the side and changed its hand arbitrarily.
I chose scissors.
The reflection chose rock.
…Another loss.
Clunk.
The elevator, momentarily jolting, resumed its steady ascent.
In reality, nothing had changed.
But in the mirror's reflection of the elevator…
The doors were slightly ajar.
Suddenly.
Through that gap, a pale hand emerged.
"..."
[7F]
The elevator continued upward.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
A tie.
[7F]
'Just once.'
I only needed to win once before reaching the top floor of this building—the 12th floor.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
I chose scissors, but the ghost chose rock.
'I lost…'
Rattle.
The elevator trembled slightly, but that was it.
In reality, there was no further change.
However, in the mirror's reflection… the door was now more open.
Through the gap, an arm and leg became visible.
"..."
Half of a body was now inside the elevator, almost close enough to touch me.
And yet, in reality, there was nothing there. Only the reflection in the mirror displayed this eerie scene, making it impossible to look away.
'Please, just once!'
If I could win once, it would all end.
3- Congratulations. You've advanced to the question phase.
This was the path forward, the least frightening and the quickest route. Please, just let me win…
"Rock, paper, scissors."
A tie.
[10F]
"…Rock, paper, scissors."
...
I slowly raised my head.
My hand was clenched into a fist.
And in the mirror, my reflection's hand was outstretched, palm open, as its face grinned widely at me.
[12F]
I lost.
13- You failed to win even once.
You cannot disembark at the top floor. What a pity.
Clunk.
The elevator stopped.
The red lights on all the buttons extinguished, plunging the interior into darkness. I barely held back a scream.
'This is insane, insane…'
I cautiously raised my head.
In the enormous mirror reflecting this dim elevator…
"..."
The elevator doors were fully open.
On the floor indicator, strange numbers were displayed: 1930819F. Beyond the open doors in the mirror, only a void stretched endlessly.
And then…
The ghost was standing beside me.
"..."
I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my breath.
The ghost that had been playing rock-paper-scissors with me from the distant depths of the mirrors had now entered through the open elevator doors in the reflection and was standing close, staring back at me from the glass.
I turned my eyes slightly to the side.
In reality, the decrepit, dark interior of the elevator was sealed shut.
But in the mirror…
The wide-open elevator doors revealed only darkness, from which emerged another version of myself. It stood beside me, beaming with a smile so wide it seemed to split its face, gazing intently at me…
...
You failed the ritual.
You should be cautious every time you take an elevator from now on. The thing in the mirror will continue to seek you out and try to meet you.
Fortunately, you still have a chance to ask a question.
However…
: #6
That thing in the mirror smiled as it lowered its hand.
6- From this point onward, the entity in the mirror will proceed with the ritual.
The reflection's mouth moved silently.
Rock, paper, scissors.
It showed rock.
"...!"
I looked down at my hand, which instinctively responded with rock as well, and broke out in cold sweat.
If you fail to engage in rock-paper-scissors with the mirror-self, it will gladly claim victory by default.
In such a case : No further instructions are provided. May you find luck and happiness in the next life.
I had no choice but to respond.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Once more, I raised my trembling hand.
The reflection showed rock.
And I…
Chose scissors.
"..."
I lost.
Now, it was time to pay the price for defeat.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I slowly lifted my gaze.
Not me.
The being in the mirror would now be the one asking questions.
The ghost in the mirror, shaped like me, moved its fingers to trace a question on the glass.
What's your name?
Fucking hell.
With trembling hands, I wrote on the mirror.
Kim Soleum
Smirk.
The ghost standing beside me in the reflection grinned.
…I had to endure.
If you lie in your response: No further instructions are provided. May you find luck and happiness in the next life.
I'm seriously about to lose my mind here.
'Why can't I win even once?'
No matter how hard I scoured the exploration records in my mental wiki, there were no answers.
The focus wasn't on the rock-paper-scissors game itself but rather on what questions were asked afterward. There was no clear solution to winning the game.
After all, isn't rock-paper-scissors supposed to be a game of luck? There's no surefire way to win. But…
I forced myself to look directly at the ghost in the mirror beside me, its gaze fixed on me like a predator.
'…If that's the case, why hasn't it lost even once?'
Was it purely luck?
A cliché where the 'mirror-self' knows everything I'll play because it's me?
'But if that were true, why have others managed to win?'
And why, in my case, has it even allowed ties?
If it knew everything, shouldn't it have avoided ties entirely?
If winning is possible, why…
Rock, paper, scissors.
Damn it.
I hastily threw my hand out.
I chose scissors.
The ghost chose… rock.
"..."
When's your birthday?
My hand trembled as I wrote my response.
September 13th
The ghost in the mirror jumped up and down, gleefully.
…One question left.
"..."
If the mirror entity continues leading the game until the elevator starts moving again:
Win at least once : Proceed to 3.
Answer more than three questions : Proceed to 99.
I had already answered twice.
My name.
My birthday.
I could only afford to lose one more time.
'It's over.'
99-
By the time you've reached this point after answering three questions, there's a strong chance you're no longer the same person who began reading this ritual guide.
We wish you a happy life outside the mirror! Please do not return to seek us out.
The mirror-self swaps places with you.
'No. I can't let that happen.'
Sweat dripped down my face, but I couldn't dwell on it. I no longer had control.
Rock, paper, scissors.
I hurriedly threw my hand out.
Paper against paper. A tie.
'Huu…'
I barely had time to catch my breath before—
Rock, paper, scissors.
"...!"
I missed it.
I failed to respond in time.
'Fuck—'
Bracing myself, I gritted my teeth and prepared for whatever came next…
...
Huh?
Nothing happened.
'…Ah!'
I realized it—my hand had remained raised, holding its position, so it seemed to count as a response.
'Right. I was still holding paper…'
"..."
Hold on.
I quickly reviewed the results of every game of rock-paper-scissors I'd played with the ghost so far.
Could it be…
Rock, paper, scissors.
I kept my hand in the same position.
It was a tie.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Another tie.
And again…
For the third time, it was a tie.
'…Maybe.'
I swallowed hard.
I had figured out one critical thing.
– The ghost in the mirror does not choose scissors.
That's why choosing paper always resulted in a tie.
If I played paper, the ghost would have to choose scissors to win. But since it couldn't, it was forced to choose paper as well, ensuring a tie.
'But why?'
Why couldn't it choose scissors?
There must be some hidden backstory behind this… Or maybe I was just making wild guesses. Either way, I decided to focus on the phenomenon itself.
At least now I had a way to defend myself…
Rock, paper, scissors.
I quickly extended my hand, once again choosing paper.
If I continued this way—always playing paper—I could guarantee a tie.
'But I can't keep this up forever.'
The manual didn't account for such a scenario, which was even more disheartening.
The conditions remained unchanged.
'I need to win, just once.'
The solution…
'If that ghost is 'the mirror me' and already knows what I'll choose,'
…might actually be surprisingly simple.
'Play randomly.'
That's probably how everyone else got a clear
Civilians panicked in fear while playing rock-paper-scissors haphazardly, not even realizing what they were throwing.
Field Exploration Team staff with nerves of steel, who already knew the manual and threw moves absentmindedly.
Even if someone calmed down in between and predicted their moves were being read, they'd likely have won at least one round within five or six tries. No need to keep track of what was thrown or not.
But I managed to avoid both scenarios.
The reason was…
'…The silver ring!'
Because I wore a mental defense item, I wasn't in a panic, but fear still gripped me enough that I overthought every move I made, leading to this predicament. Damn it…!
It's the worst outcome a coward with mental stability could produce.
'Should I take the ring off now?'
No, it's too late. I only have one chance left.
'How can I possibly…?'
I wiped the sweat pouring down my temples.
In the process, a button from my sleeve scratched my cheek, leaving a thin line of blood. I wiped it away along with the sweat.
And at that moment—
A thin red line appeared on the ghost's cheek in the mirror.
"...!"
My sleeve, now stained with a faint smear of blood…
The blood I had wiped away, mixed with sweat, was reflected exactly.
Wait a minute.
'Is it… sharing my state?'
Right. The mirror reflects me, after all.
Even if the ghost in the mirror acted independently, it was still influenced by the 'me' outside the mirror…
...!
That's it.
'…If that's true!'
A flash of understanding struck me.
I gritted my teeth and rummaged through my pocket.
The ghost, mirroring my movements, mockingly rummaged through its own pocket and pulled out something identical.
But what I retrieved wasn't some grand item.
It was just a pen and a rubber band.
'Hurry.'
I looped the rubber band around the pen and started fastening it to my fingers…
Rock paper scissors.
"...!"
I managed to counter.
Responding quickly to the ghost's sudden move in the mirror, I continued fixing a pen to each of my thumb and index finger, securing them upright.
I did the same with my left hand.
'Hurry. Hurry up.'
Rock paper scissors.
Rock paper scissors.
Rock paper scissors.
Rock paper scissors.
The ghost in the mirror repeatedly thrust its hand forward as if trying to disrupt me. I frantically kept up while securing my setup.
My pen slipped several times, scratching my arms and hands with its tip, but eventually…
Rock paper scissors.
'…Done!'
I thrust my hand forward.
This time, it wasn't paper.
It was scissors.
Fixed in place, my fingers formed scissors with the help of the pens and rubber bands.
...!
But the ghost in the mirror kept its hand fully open, still showing paper.
To be precise—
'It has no other choice!'
By binding its fingers with the makeshift tools I'd mirrored onto it, the ghost couldn't bend its fingers to form a fist.
'This means it can't throw rock.'
Nor could it throw scissors. The only move left was paper.
Scissors versus paper.
"...!!"
I won.
"It worked…!"
Bang!
The ghost in the mirror slammed its head against the glass.
Bang! Bang! BANG!
I froze in place, paralyzed.
BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!
The mirror cracked, ripples spreading through it, shards breaking off.
But… but…
The thing inside the mirror—could not escape.
...
The vibrations stopped.
The ghost, which had been smashing its head against the glass, lifted its gaze.
The grin that stretched its mouth moments ago was gone, replaced with an eerie blank expression.
It looked down at its own restrained hands, then its distorted face twisting in frustration.
Distorting even further.
Into an expression no human could ever mimic.
Its bizarre, twisted face stared directly at me before suddenly
HAHAHAHA!!
The ghost cackled madly as it darted out through the open elevator doors inside the mirror.
"...."
[Going down.]
"Huuuuu…."
I slumped down into my seat.
The elevator began moving again.
The strange symbols on the floor indicator disappeared, replaced by normal numbers….
[12F]
Ding.
[You have arrived at the 12th floor. The doors are opening.]
3- Congratulations. You have successfully completed the ritual!
Exit on the top floor and locate the nearest window.
If no window is present: Proceed to 7.
I survived.
Staggering, I stepped out into the dark, desolate hallway.
Though it had been daytime when I entered, it now felt as if the sun had long since set. The grim corridor was filled with cracked windows, some taped over, others covered in graffiti.
If I had entered alone before, I would have screamed and fled from this abandoned building.
But now, even the eeriness brought a sense of relief.
I moved toward the nearest window on the opposite side.
Though it was filthy and fogged with dust, I didn't hesitate to place my finger on it.
You are allowed to write any question on the window, and the entity within the mirror would respond.
The answer it provides will always be the truth.
The most pressing question.
The wish I wanted to be granted.
—Will the Wish Ticket elixir from Daydream Inc. allow me to return to the world I originally came from?
I lifted my finger from the glass.
Then, at the bottom of the window, other letters began to slowly appear….
"...!"
The answer to my question.
Winning against the elevator mirror ghost in rock-paper-scissors granted me one reward—a single question answered.
But naturally, the truths revealed by ghost stories weren't always good.
They might be answers I didn't like or ones that were completely useless.
For example, if you asked when humanity would go extinct, you might get an answer like, 'Long after you're dead'.
That would still technically be the truth.
So, if I were to ask, 'What's the way back to my original world?' it could easily respond with something extremely vague and simplistic.
Instead, it was better to confirm whether the method I was already pursuing could truly return me to my original world.
Daydream Inc.'s Wish Ticket Potion.
My heart pounded as I waited.
The answer, guaranteed to be truthful, appeared painfully slowly on the glass window:
Returning is possible. Certainly.
A clear and absolute affirmation.
"...!"
I let out a deep sigh of relief and slid to the ground.
'Wow.'
The tension in my body finally eased.
To be honest, I'd been worried it might give me an ambiguous or negative response.
I'd tried not to think about it, but sometimes doubts crept in…
– What if the Wish Ticket Potion can't bring me back after all?
– What if I mess up the conditions, and it works in some twisted way?
Still, I had tried to suppress those thoughts.
Doubts wouldn't change the fact that the Wish Ticket was my best chance.
'Even if I'm scared, I have to keep going.'
And believing it would work was the only way to endure the terrifying jobs I had to complete here.
"..."
Now, with this assurance, I could work with even more determination.
'Let's do this.'
I could do it.
I'd gather the remaining points as quickly and safely as possible!
I stood up, bolstered by newfound resolve.
'For once, I feel motivated to work…'
But I wasn't out of the ghost story just yet.
'I still have to complete the ritual.'
If you have safely received your answer, it is now time to conclude the ritual and return.
The steps required to return safely will depend on the number at which you won rock-paper-scissors to reach the top floor:
If you came from 1 : Proceed to 10.
If you came from 6 : Proceed to 11.
Number 1 was the scenario for when the person playing rock-paper-scissors had won immediately and reached the top floor without a hitch.
So after that, when proceeding to number 10, the story would end with something like, 'Take the stairs down, avoid elevators with double-sided mirrors for the next three days, and you'll be fine.' Ŕå₦ꝋʙĚṣ
But…
'I failed along the way.'
Failure made the next steps scarier and more painful.
"…Huu."
I decided to check the company-provided manual to clarify the steps.
Number 11.
11- If you reached the top floor by winning a game led by the entity in the mirror, your escape process depends on how many questions you answered.
First, board the elevator again.
I swallowed hard and turned back to face the elevator doors.
The elevator was still stopped on the 12th floor, and when I pressed the button, the doors slid open.
Ding.
Inside, the right mirror was shattered, revealing the grimy, rusted interior of the elevator.
At this stage, you must hold the 'door open' button continuously while inside the elevator.
Do not release the button under any circumstances.
Instead of looking at the mirror you faced during the rock-paper-scissors game, direct your gaze toward the opposite mirror.
I shifted my gaze to the left mirror.
The shattered right mirror no longer reflected an infinite repeating space.
Instead, the fragmented reflections glinted across the elevator's dim interior, and…
Something strange was there.
I saw myself.
My head hung low, unnaturally so.
I was wearing a tattered suit, standing unnervingly still.
It was the ghost that had played rock-paper-scissors with me.
...
The reflection began to lift its head slowly.
Its expressionless face locked eyes with mine, and it started to move closer.
Closer.
Until it was almost pressed against the mirror.
You must endure until the elevator emits a sound. Do not move or avert your gaze until the sound ceases.
Be aware that the more questions you have answered, the longer this phase will last.
I held on.
But there were limits.
Even though a glass pane separated us, the ghost felt like it was creeping closer—impossibly close.
My trembling hand clung to the 'door open' button.
I had to think about something else.
'Is that… the thing that answered my question on the glass?'
Yes. It must have been.
Bang!
I nearly let go of the button.
The ghost pressed its head against the mirror and glared at me.
Its mouth moved soundlessly.
IwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetoutIwanttogetout
I quickly shifted my gaze slightly downward to avoid meeting its eyes.
Sweat dripped from my chin.
But through the fear, the effect of the silver ring shone through.
I stayed calm—barely.
Wants to get out?
'…Because it's trapped in the mirror?'
My mind raced.
'Come to think of it, that ghost couldn't make the scissors hand gesture, could it?'
Why?
Why couldn't it make scissors?
I thought about the hand gesture for scissors in rock-paper-scissors.
Whether you lift your thumb or middle finger along with it, the index finger always takes center stage.
And when I thought about the hand gestures involving the index finger in an elevator, one action immediately came to mind.
Pressing buttons.
'…That ghost, can it not press buttons?'
Sure, it could physically press them by hitting them with its fist or banging its head against them, but this wasn't about physical action—it was about the concept and intent.
A ghost trapped in the infinite mirror world of the elevator.
A completely sealed space created by the two facing mirrors.
And the warning in the manual about failing the ritual by losing rock-paper-scissors.
Exercise caution every time you ride an elevator from this point forward. The entity in the mirror will seek you out and attempt to meet you.
Was it, perhaps…
'…Because it wants to get out?'
Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!
Fuck, seriously…!
I tried not to look directly at the ghost smashing its head against the mirror and continued to think.
…Maybe, just maybe.
'That ghost is trapped in the elevator?'
Then, it happened.
Beep— Beep— Beep—
The alarm for holding the elevator too long sounded.
When this sound is heard, exit the elevator immediately and use the stairs. Never use this elevator again.
If possible, attach an
Additionally, when using elevators with double-sided mirrors, do not look at the mirrors for more than five seconds.
It will come for you.
In that case…
I hesitated, then stepped out of the elevator and let go of the open button.
At the same time, I lightly tapped one of the floor buttons.
[1F]
As expected, since it was a mirror, the elevator in the reflection also lit up the 1F button.
Without looking at the expression of the ghost that wore my face, I quickly bolted out of the open doors.
Screech.
The doors, no longer held open, slid shut, and the elevator began to move.
[Going down…]
From the 12th floor, I took the stairs down to the 1st floor.
As I rushed down the creaking steps, I thought I heard the elevator's cheerful announcement, 'First floor. The doors are opening.'
"Huuuu."
By the time I emerged from the abandoned rental apartment building, it was already well past sunset.
'They said time flows strangely inside, and they weren't lying.'
It was already 7PM.
I immediately called someone.
[Ah, Soleum-ssi…!]
It was Jang Heo-un, who I'd told to meet me at 5 PM.
Despite making him wait for two hours, I smoothly delivered my apology.
The reason? Well…
"I'm really sorry. I mentioned earlier that there might be an issue, but I must've kept you waiting too long."
[Oh, no, it's fine. This café is great! If something urgent came up, it can't be helped. Don't worry about me.]
Right.
I'd deliberately told Jang Heo-un to meet me at 5 PM.
'Just in case the Research Team found out I went in alone and decided to shove him into some other insane ghost story in the meantime.'
That deranged sociopath of a researcher could absolutely do it, saying something like, 'Well, since it's already like this, why don't you head somewhere else?'
'Corporate life is such a goddamn mess…'
In any case, I later apologized to Jang Heo-un at the café.
Then, I explained the situation—carefully, without being overly shocking—framing it as though the Research Team had tried to force us into a pointless and dangerous task, and I had refused.
But Jang Heo-un focused on something else.
[Wait, wouldn't this put you in a tough spot, Soleum-ssi? I mean, you ignored a company directive…!]
"Oh, it's fine."
I spoke warmly.
"If you keep this between us, I can make good use of it."
[...??]
And not long after—
As soon as I returned to hand in the Dream Essence Collector, I was urgently summoned by Kwak Jaekang.
Feigning calm, I shamelessly explained the situation.
"So, you left the Round-Off Team member behind… is that what you're saying?"
"Yes."
Kwak Jaekang stared at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, then let out a long sigh before laughing in disbelief.
It wasn't a good laugh.
It was the 'I can't believe this' kind of laugh.
"No but, Mr. Roe Deer! You know this is grounds for disciplinary action, right? Do you think this company's a school, where you can just do whatever you want? Did Section Chief Lee Jaheon say this was okay?" ȑÃƝÖ𐌱Ěꞩ
"No, Section Chief Lee Jaheon consistently advises adherence to company policies and field exploration manuals."
"Aigoo, if you knew that, why would you do such a thing? Hm… quite puzzling."
Kwak Jaekang spoke in a subtly probing tone.
"Do you have a strong aversion to the idea of a colleague being sacrificed in an exploration? Perhaps because you're acquainted?"
Of course, that's what he would think.
I replied without hesitation.
"...? Isn't it just frustrating?"
"…??"
"Why should I, when I'm capable of achieving a quick solo clear, have to drag along—well, pardon my bluntness—a useless burden?"
"...!"
Kwak Jaekang stared at me, momentarily stunned, before hastily trying to explain.
"No, I mean, you could just clear it and leave him alone in the elevator when it's done…"
"That's precisely the point. Why should I bother with that kind of thing during Darkness exploration, sir?"
I furrowed my brows slightly, as though barely holding back my irritation.
"Do I need to worry about whether the staff waiting downstairs might run away, or whether I can send them at the right time? None of that helps shorten the exploration time or increase the essence grade, does it?"
"..."
"The purpose of a field exploration role is to extract high-concentration solutions as quickly as possible and supply ingredients for the Daydream Inc. Wish Ticket elixir. Why should I waste time on tasks unrelated to my job?"
"But this is also part of the job—"
"Isn't that your job, Section Chief?"
Kwak Jaekang shut his mouth.
He seemed at a loss for words in the face of my ridiculous MZ-generation efficiency logic.
Not that I'm a real MZer—my persona is all an act! Like fresh graduates just entering the workforce, I'm just role-playing here.
(T/N: MZ generation – a term coined originally for millennials or gen z people, but in a colloquial sense is just a buzzword older people use along with the connotation of 'Young people these days…')
"So I figured it'd be more efficient to just take the disciplinary action."
"…More efficient, you say?"
"Yes."
I answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"At the very least, I'd be sanctioned with disciplinary action during my downtime when I'm not out for exploration."
"..."
Kwak Jaekang looked at me like I was some newly discovered alien species.
Of course, even he had to find this absurd.
Exactly.
'This is the weakness you were so eager to uncover…!'
A meticulous efficiency addict obsessed with their own rules!
While it might come across as morally upright, in reality, it's just someone who loses their mind if their self-imposed principles are violated, acting with zero social grace.
'This kind of extreme personality is, by nature, a weakness.'
If it could stop Kwak Jaekang's unnecessary provocations from here on out, the disciplinary action would be worth it…!
"In that case, I'll await the decision on my disciplinary measure."
I maintained my delusional lunatic persona to the end as I left the lab.
'Time to find Braun.'
I was quite proud of how I did.
* * *
The now-quiet office of Research Team 1, after Kim Soleum's departure.
Everyone else had already left for the day. So, sitting alone at his desk and mentally organizing the events of yesterday and today…
"Hahahaha!"
Kwak Jaekang suddenly burst into laughter.
"Left him behind because it was frustrating? Hahaha!"
How could this be so entertaining?
If it were any other employee, he might have fallen for it entirely.
Extreme statements paired with overwhelming performance often sound convincing.
But…
"I've observed a lot of people!"
In the end, actions speak louder than words.
And predicting future actions based on behavioral patterns—well, that's part of the joy of this job…!
"Ah, delightful."
Smiling ear to ear, Kwak Jaekang finished jotting down notes, stood up from his desk, and left for the day with a cheerful gait.
Click.
His soft humming echoed briefly in the office before fading with the sound of the door closing behind him.
Left on the desk were a few sheets of documentation.
[Supervisor Kim Soleum / Field Exploration Team]
It was Kim Soleum's profile file.
Beneath it, hastily scribbled notes in Kwak Jaekang's handwriting could be seen.
Traits (predictable with meaningful probability)
1- Virtuous.
2- Cowardly.
-x-X-x-
– Friend, your superior is a dull, unimaginative blade grunt…
'U-Uh-huh.'
I thanked Lee Jaheon and went to fetch Braun.
I felt a little bad for both of them because, by the time I got back, Chief Lizard had already taken the plush to his own place since it was so late.
Thanks to that, Braun ended up visiting a place I'd never seen myself—and had no intention of seeing, period—so he got a bit excited.
– Ah, I would have preferred to sit alone on the cold tiled backstage floor of a studio.
'…Right.'
In the end, it must have been boring.
As Braun complained about how 'there was absolutely nothing in that man's house, no muttering, no humming, just silence dragging on endlessly', I broke out into a cold sweat.
"But it was honestly so dirty there. It wouldn't sit right with me to leave you behind in that abandoned building. As your friend, I just couldn't do that."
– Friend…!
I'm starting to get it now. Using a 'good friend' as the angle when dealing with Braun seems to get the calmest reaction from him.
'Well, it's not entirely a lie.'
Anyway, I recalled the conversation I had with Lee Jaheon as I received Braun.
– Thank you.
I'd said it while bowing my head.
– And I'm sorry. I did something deserving of disciplinary action and caused trouble for you as well, Squad Leader.
Honestly, in a normal company, I'd have been smacked over the head with a stack of files for this.
But even after hearing the full story, the lizard squad leader remained composed.
– Yes.
– …I just couldn't, for no reason, push a peer into a position where he was obviously going to die…
– I see.
He stared at me for a moment and then spoke.
– Take responsibility for your choice.
– …Yes!
It was a little intimidating, but it seemed like he let it slide.
'Thank goodness.'
After a few more rounds of apologies and thanks, I handed over a gift box of snacks I'd prepared. Now, I was heading down the stairs of the residential building. R̃ÅꞐỌ฿Ęs̩
– So, are we heading back to your humble and cozy room for some rest, Mr. Roe Deer?
"No, not yet."
I exited the building.
"There's one more thing to take care of."
Today was the day to draw the tarot cards for The Dilemma, the F-ranked Darkness I was managing.
It had been two months since my last visit to the annex to check the cards. Someone else had covered for me during my sick leave, and the cycle had now come back around.
"Hello."
I greeted the black silhouette of the security team member at the desk, received the key, and made my way down the hall.
'Last time, I drew the Moon card in reverse.'
– Ah, are you planning to use that trick again? Picking up the card upside down, I mean!
Hmm. That one.
"I'll use it if I have to, but I'd rather not."
– Oh?
Something about it… bothers me.
'When I drew the Moon card in reverse, it supposedly meant the resolution of uncertainty.'
– Indeed. What's the issue with that?
The card itself wasn't the problem. Over that month, several things indeed became clearer or were resolved.
For instance… my assignment.
'I was confirmed to remain in D-Squad.'
…After we lost two members, that is.
"..."
But here's the thing about that.
'Resolving uncertainty requires first experiencing an uncertain situation.'
In other words, drawing a bad card in reverse implies that…
'I would still have to experience the negative state first.'
To recover from or escape that situation, I'd have to go through it at least once.
– Aha, an interesting perspective! Quite persuasive, too!
Exactly.
And even if things eventually recover, in the world of ghost stories, the act of falling into a 'bad state' carries enormous risks.
I couldn't afford to forget the contamination incident.
'It's safer to draw something good and upright, if possible.'
So, please, let's not have a scenario where both cards are bad, leaving me no choice.
'Huu.'
I entered the containment room and unlocked The Dilemma's isolation. Taking out two black tarot cards, I placed them face-down on the table.
Taking a deep breath, I flipped them over.
The first card:
The Devil.
Shit.
'That damned Devil card keeps showing up.'
The only surprising part was that this time, it was already reversed.
– Ah, the Devil in reverse!
– 'Breaking free from the Devil.' A card of liberation. It signifies overcoming addiction or obsession, or making future decisions to conquer fears. It suits someone with your willpower and creativity, Mr. Roe Deer.
I appreciated the explanation, but my attention quickly moved to the second card.
…The Sun!
The red and yellow sun burned brightly, illuminating the tarot card with vibrant colors.
This is…
'Isn't this undeniably good?!'
– Oh, the Sun!
– Under the clear light of the Sun, one enjoys joy and blessings in abundance! It signifies career success, strengthened relationships, and unparalleled positivity. It guarantees happiness in the near future.
– Some even consider it the best card in the tarot deck, but… isn't unconditional success and happiness a bit boring?
I'm sorry, but I could really use that kind of 'boring' right now, Mr. Host…!
'This is an easy choice.'
I reached out and picked up the Sun card.
With that, I secured a positive future, stable and upright.
– A somewhat dull choice, but I respect it, Mr. Roe Deer!
'Thanks.'
With that, I concluded the ritual.
'Success and joy, huh.'
There's no downside to that.
At the very least, I could take comfort in the prediction that something good would happen within the month.
'Time to head back to the dorm.'
– Sounds good, Friend!
And so, I headed home late at night, ending a long and eventful day. Unfortunately, I couldn't take the elevator and had to climb the stairs.
'Trudging up the fire escape at night is scarier than you'd think, even without creepypastas…'
It felt a bit unfair.
Still, this truly was the last major event of what had been a tumultuous year.
Surprisingly, the remaining days of the year passed peacefully.
Throughout December, not much happened.
Kwak Jaekang didn't call for me unnecessarily after the incident, nor did any strange research projects get assigned to me.
'Looks like my [MZ efficiency] tactic worked…'
I was worried the Research Team might try to involve Jang Heo-un again, but that didn't happen either.
[Jang Heo-un : Soleum-ssi! No changes in my assignment—I'm officially staying in F-Squad.]
It seemed he'd settled into F-Squad without issue following the year-end personnel announcements.
'That's good news.'
Even though he was in the same squad as Baek Saheon… well, based on what I saw at Sekwang Technical High School, it didn't seem like they were recklessly using Jang Heo-un as bait.
Otherwise, things were ordinary.
'I diligently entered ghost stories.'
There weren't any assignments involving high-level ghost stories rated C or above.
As a result, the only 'horrors' I experienced were internal screams, fear, and an increasing record of children's cartoons I watched to combat my insomnia.
-x-X-x-
On one occasion, I ran into Lee Byeongjin, the manual reviews officer, in the hallway, who gave me a casual hint: "The company's ridiculously busy with year-end accounting and audits, which is why things have been so quiet for you."
He still occasionally brought up Director Ho, which was uncomfortable, but the information was helpful…
"Aiyah. Supervisor Kim, you must have no worries! You clear high-level Darknesses and rack up points so fast. You must be disappointed there aren't more high-level cases these days, haha!"
"..."
I'm not disappointed at all, actually…
Clearing low-level cases steadily still earned points, allowing me to catch my breath and focus my thoughts.
However, during this quiet time, there was one thing that oddly remained unresolved.
"Uh, Squad Leader, is my disciplinary action still under discussion?"
"Yes."
My disciplinary action, of course.
– Oh. This is quite, hm. Fascinating… didn't you expect a swift decision, Mr. Roe Deer?
I did.
I wasn't hoping to avoid punishment, but I didn't expect it to take this long.
I thought they'd hand me a simple, swift penalty to knock me down a peg for being a cheeky yet competent newbie.
'…Why is this so complicated?'
It seemed the Field Exploration Team had even caught wind of this, judging by some curious reactions.
[Kang Yihak : Supervisor! I heard about it haha! You took a bold stand against inefficient tasks not covered by your salary. Kyaah! I respect you!]
"..."
Wait, is that how the story's spreading?
'I was trying to come across as a morally principled character, but did that backfire too…?'
Thankfully, it didn't seem to go that far. The Development Department appeared to be debating how to handle my case—whether to make an exception or follow standard procedure.
Finally, in late December.
"The date for your disciplinary action has been set."
"..."
Huu.
The official notice had arrived.
--------------------
Disciplinary Notice
Task : Perform night cleaning duties with the Security Team.
Duration : 3 days.
This disciplinary measure is intended to improve the employee's work attitude and prevent similar incidents in the future.
--------------------
It was such a quintessentially ghost-story-company type of punishment.
'Where are the usual corporate disciplinary measures like training, pay cuts, suspension, or demotion?'
So, was three days of punishment not too bad? Did I manage to get off lightly? Sure, but…
"The schedule will be from December 29th to the 31st."
"..."
Who came up with this?
'I can feel how much they wanted to make my life miserable with this choice of dates…!'
It was like they wanted me to spend the entire year-end pulling all-nighters at the company and to start the New Year here. I was dying to know who was responsible for this cruelty.
But since I'd already crossed the line once, this time, I had no choice but to comply.
'Huu…'
So, on the midnight of December 29th, I headed to the basement level 1 of the company, into the Security Team's area.
And I was greeted by a familiar face.
"Good evening, Jay-ssi."
"Wow… long time no see…"
It was Security Sergeant J3.
This slender staff member, whom I'd encountered during the Sangun-nim ghost story and the Hungry Hangman escape, raised a hand in greeting, looking somewhat glad to see me.
Of course, the annoyance on his face outweighed any actual joy, so I quickly pulled out the bribe I had prepared.
"My apologies. I'll be in your care for the next three days."
"Oh, no need to apologize…"
The security sergeant's face brightened as he accepted the two large boxes of sugar and cream donuts, each containing a dozen.
"Finally, some payoff for volunteering… thank you… I'll enjoy these as my snacks…"
"..."
'I brought two boxes so the Security Team could share, but…'
Since he clearly believed all 24 donuts were his alone, I kept my mouth shut. I figured it was the wise thing to do.
"Alright, follow me…"
The security sergeant led me deeper into the facility, past the CCTV room.
'This is an area only the Security Team can access.'
I hadn't expected to return here.
Swallowing hard, I followed him down the hallway. Somewhere here, I'd be doing the cleaning.
"May I ask where exactly I'll be cleaning for the next three days?"
"Well… it's a place you've been before, so it shouldn't be too bad. I think… yeah."
A place I've been before?
"Today's cleaning zone is the Isolation B hallway… you know… the one where they took out that contaminated employee…"
"...!"
Damn.
He was referring to the isolation area next to the Security Team's storage room.
The hallway lined with sealed rooms, where I'd been briefly held after being rescued from the Hungry Hangman.
'That place… definitely wasn't normal.'
I recalled all the strange murmurs and phenomena I'd experienced walking down that isolation hallway and gulped nervously.
'Cleaning the Security Team's area, huh.'
The near certainty of encountering something unusual made my heart pound.
"This way… to the locker room."
I followed the security sergeant to the locker room, swallowing my fear. Along the way, I caught a glimpse of the Security Team's quarters through an open door.
[Sleeping Quarters]
Through the gap, I could see compact rooms furnished with gray standard-issue curtains, bedding, metal desks, and cabinets.
…Oddly enough, it reminded me of a prison staff dormitory.
'It looks worse than my dorm.'
The fact that it was underground seemed unhealthy, to say the least.
"Do all the Security Team members live here?"
"No, just the guards… um."
The security sergeant furrowed his brow slightly, as if deciding how much to share.
Eventually, he gave a vague answer, ending the conversation on this topic.
"The Security Team is… actually a branch of the higher-level Security Management Department. This area is mostly for the guards…"
"I see."
Finally, we reached the locker room, and I quickly changed into the provided uniform.
It wasn't the Security Team uniform I'd worn before. This one was bright orange and eye-catching, resembling an engineer's work suit.
"Cleaning uniforms… not bad… the color's nice…"
"..."
Was he serious?
In any case, I finished changing and prepared to head to the cleaning site.
'Huu.'
Feeling like I was being led to the slaughterhouse, I glanced at the security sergeant, who was still lingering in the locker room as if waiting for someone.
"Cleaning… usually requires two people per team."
Um?
Surely the security sergeant wasn't going to join me—maybe it was another staff member?
Then, the security sergeant glanced out of the locker room and gestured for me to look.
"There they are… your partner for today."
I turned to see someone walking down the hallway from the direction of the sleeping quarters.
…A familiar face.
"Roe."
"...!!"
Supervisor Park Minseong approached awkwardly from the hallway, raising a hand in greeting.
"Long time no see. How've you been?"
"What's this? You haven't forgotten me, have you, Roe? It's been ages!"
The person standing in the dim hallway spoke in a cheerful tone, extending a hand.
It was someone I hadn't seen in a long time: my old superior from D-Squad, wearing a badger mask.
"…Supervisor?"
It was unmistakable.
Supervisor Park Minseong.
Someone who had been almost like a mentor to me, his demeanor was as clear and distinct as it had been when we worked together.
I quickly shook his hand and asked,
"Have you recovered?"
"I'm doing much better. I've started some rehab activities, and daily life hasn't been too much of an issue lately. Isn't that right, Sergeant?"
"Yes, well… more or less…"
Phew.
'I didn't expect to run into him like this.'
Seeing him in decent shape stirred something in me—it was almost emotional. My tone naturally brightened.
"In that case, Supervisor Park Min—"
"Call me Badger!"
"..."
"Er, um… It's just… hearing my name still triggers some… issues."
"…Yes."
I closed my mouth.
I'd been about to ask whether he was fit to return to work, but now I didn't need to.
Looking closely, even though he was smiling cheerfully, Supervisor Park Minseong's face seemed pale and uneasy.
The parts of his face not hidden by the mask, like his cheeks and the area around his eyes, looked a bit hollow…
– Oh dear, today's partner doesn't seem to be in top condition!
Right.
'It looks like he's still… recovering.'
Is it really okay to assign someone in his state to a disciplinary task alongside me?
"Let's go, Roe. Let's get this over with so you can rest!"
"…Yes."
But as someone being disciplined, I wasn't in a position to suggest giving my partner a different assignment.
I thanked the security sergeant who had guided us, then followed Supervisor Park Minseong, who was already wearing his cleaning uniform.
"Ah, wait a second."
"Yes?"
"Take this…"
The security sergeant stopped me and, after carefully setting down the box of donuts he'd been clutching, pulled something out of his pocket.
Two worn walkie-talkies.
"If anything dangerous happens… call me. I'm on night duty today…"
"These connect to you directly, Jay-ssi?"
The sergeant nodded.
I felt two conflicting emotions simultaneously: 'So this might actually be dangerous,' and 'Thank heavens for this.'
"Thank you."
"No problem…"
In a low voice, almost like an afterthought, the sergeant added something.
He glanced at Supervisor Park Minseong, speaking so softly that it wouldn't reach him.
"Be careful."
"..."
My hands turned cold.
I managed a nod and handed one of the walkie-talkies to Supervisor Park Minseong.
Then we started walking down the underground hallway… heading toward the Security Team's storage area.
Step, step.
Step, step.
Step, step…
"Roe."
"Yes!"
"Oh, sorry. Did I scare you?"
"No, it's fine."
"Phew, that's a relief…"
Supervisor Park Minseong, walking beside me, fell quiet for a moment. His voice sounded slightly shaky.
"Um… it's been a while since I talked to someone outside the Security Team… D-Did I say something weird? Was it awkward?"
"..."
Huu.
"No, Supervisor. You're still as… yourself as ever."
"Huh? Wait a second, that's not an insult, right?"
"Well, who knows?"
"...! No way, Roe, are you teasing me? What's this, did getting promoted give you confidence?"
The lighthearted tone in the conversation eased some of the tension.
"…Can I ask how you've been lately?"
"Of course. Uh… I've been here the whole time, just here."
He muttered quickly, almost like he was spitting the words out.
"I didn't know this place had a treatment room, or a training facility, or, uh, other really weird… seriously weird places. Actually, it's part of the restricted Security Team area, so I shouldn't say too much…"
Damn.
"In that case, no need to elaborate. We can talk about something else…"
"It's seriously strange. Why is this basement so deep? You know, I used to wonder why our company didn't just build an underground parking lot and instead uses a separate parking tower. But now I get it. This basement is so deep and weird that I need to get back to where I originally worked—"
"Supervisor Badger!"
"...!!"
He stopped in his tracks and exhaled slowly.
"Sorry. …Let's talk about something else, shall we?"
"Yes. Let's do that."
I started rambling about whatever came to mind—recent trending shows, random topics—anything to fill the silence. Having Braun feed me material made it much easier.
"Oh, I've seen that too!"
"It was fun."
Thankfully, it seemed that internet and streaming services were accessible, and the small talk flowed smoothly without any issues.
But my back was drenched in cold sweat.
'This isn't good.'
Staying in this massive, windowless, underground sealed space for too long felt like it could drive anyone insane, no matter how stable they were.
'Especially since Supervisor Park Minseong might have a sick family member…'
– …I have a family member in the hospital. I hope someone could check in on her after this filming. If possible.
I couldn't bring it up directly, so I tried a more indirect approach.
"Do you have to stay down here permanently?"
"No. They said once I recover beyond a certain point, I can either get reassigned or quit altogether and leave."
Phew.
"It seems like even the Security Team gets to go outside or move around freely at night."
That was a relief.
"Oh, we're here."
Finally, the location for today's work appeared before us.
[Security Team Storage Room]
Wow.
'It looks even more intimidating at night.'
I swallowed hard as I stood in front of the iron door.
Then, a cold voice echoed from my pocket.
– Oh, this wretched place.
"..."
Aaaaahhh! Right!
This was the place where Braun had nearly been destroyed and thrown away!!
'Um, Braun, if you don't like it, you could always stay home next time?'
– I'm quite alright! It's the hallmark of a professional to not project personal discomfort onto their work environment. However, Friend,
Braun's voice lowered.
– I feel like I might get depressed here. Please, do your best to entertain me…
"..."
'I'll… do my best.'
This is so hard, Mr. Host…!
"Ah, right. Here."
Interrupting my internal turmoil, Supervisor Park Minseong pulled something out of the pocket of his orange uniform and handed it to me.
It was a slip of paper, like a photocopy of handwritten notes.
"Here, this is a work tip sheet that's been circulating among the Security Team. I thought it'd be good for you to read, so I brought it along."
"Ah, thank you…"
Work tips?
I quickly skimmed the paper.
--------------------
Night Cleaning Duty Tips
Hi there! If you're reading this, it means you've had the bad luck of being stuck with night cleaning duty.
Yep, that's right. The Security Team area is full of crazies and contamination, and going in there at night in pairs is a surefire way to have some bizarre experiences. ȓãΝÖꞖЁŜ
But don't worry too much. If you just follow these helpful tips I've written down, you'll get through this without any major problems.
--------------------
'Hold on.'
This read exactly like the setup for one of those workplace creepypastas.
You know the kind—where you take on some high-paying night security or babysitting job and are handed strange work rules you have to follow to survive.
Several indie horror games based on the
'This is even scarier.'
I swallowed nervously and hurriedly read the next part.
--------------------
In a way, it's worth it, right? You're getting paid extra for this. Whether you're in it for money, points, or Nostalgic equipment, just think about the reward and push through.
If you're doing this as a disciplinary action… good luck.
I hope you're from the Field Exploration Team.
--------------------
"..."
Yes. That's me…
Clenching my teeth, I skimmed through the rest of the 'tips' quickly.
…The cleaning was about to begin.
* * *
Squish.
I mopped the floor of the storage room.
It wasn't overly dirty, but there were odd, colorful stains stuck in places…
--------------------
1- If the mop gets dirty, rinse it immediately. It's better that way.
The cleaning solution is strong, so it only takes a few rinses. Easy, right?
--------------------
'Weirdly comforting…'
Thankfully, about half of the lights in the storage room were left on, even though it wasn't as bright as daytime.
It was just enough to clean without too much difficulty.
'I can even read the notices.'
I briefly glanced at a sign that read, 'Nostalgia Series always looking to be purchased / For more details, visit the desk,' before focusing back on the floor.
"Roe, if you find anything strange, don't touch it. Just clean around it."
"Yes."
Squish.
"Have you done this before, Supervisor?"
"It's my first time cleaning… but I've done other Security Team work."
Supervisor Park Minseong smiled. His voice carried a hint of eager anticipation.
"If I pass this stage, I think I'll be considered recovered enough to transfer to the Security Team."
"...!"
That's a relief.
I cautiously asked,
"What about continuing treatment and returning to the Field Exploration Team?"
"Haha… Do you think that'd be a good idea? I'll give it a shot."
The conversation felt optimistic.
And so, we diligently continued cleaning with mechanical focus.
'This is easier than I thought.'
Aside from the exhaustion from working late at night, everything was manageable. The cleaning tips were surprisingly clear-cut.
--------------------
2- No matter what happens, keep calm and just clean.
Weird things always happen at night in the Security Team's area, but the storage room isn't that bad compared to other places!
--------------------
'Got it.'
This was pretty much the core rule.
'No matter what happens, don't react and just focus on cleaning.'
Let's get through this.
The cleaning in the front area of the storage room wrapped up quickly. Since the space wasn't that large, scrubbing the grime off the floor took about an hour.
"We've cleaned half of today's assigned area! Now, what's left is…"
Both the Supervisor and I turned our heads at the same time.
"…over there."
One of the three doors leading to the isolation area.
[Isolation B]
'Huu.'
– Ah, that's the unpleasant corridor you came out of last time, Mr. Roe Deer.
Right.
Of all places, we now had to enter the corridor where the isolation rooms—including the one I had been trapped in—were located.
--------------------
3- While cleaning, do not open any isolation room doors. I mean, if you're a company employee, you should already know this, but just in case, I'm writing it down.
4- Let me emphasize again: ignore any sounds coming from the isolation rooms. Don't respond. Even if someone pleads for help or claims to be your family or a friend, it's never true. DO NOT OPEN ANY OF THOSE DOORS!!
--------------------
Creaaak.
We opened the door to the isolation zone and quickly closed it behind us.
A gray corridor stretched out before us, flanked by rows of steel doors leading to isolation rooms.
'This is insane.'
The fact that we couldn't leave the door open for ventilation made it even more unnerving.
I swallowed hard and kept scrubbing the floor.
…The sounds I had heard when leaving this area last time echoed faintly through the silent hallway.
Heeheeheeheehee.
Helpmehelpmepleasehelpme
I'm notsupposedtobehereI'mnotsupposedtobehereI'mnothuman.
Heeheeheeheehee.
IfIleaveImustdie
'Seriously.'
This was maddening.
I deliberately made loud noises as I rinsed the mop, hoping to drown out the unsettling sounds.
Then, it happened.
Supervisor Park Minseong stopped mopping, suddenly lifting his head.
He stared blankly… at one of the tightly shut isolation room doors.
[Isolation Room B14]
"Roe."
Damn it.
"Roe, I hear the Section Chief's voice from over there."
"No, you don't."
"But… I hear it."
"No, you don't. Let's keep cleaning, Supervisor Badger."
"Ah… okay."
--------------------
5- If your partner starts saying crazy things, leave them and run. Got it? Don't try to help them, or you'll die too. Security Team rookies, take this seriously!
--------------------
Is this really the right thing to do?
Squish, squish.
As I mopped the floor, an odd feeling crept over me.
'…Unease?'
This was different from the other Darkness explorations I'd been through.
There were no manuals, wiki entries, or escape pattern analyses to rely on—just the advice of an anonymous veteran. Here I was, cleaning through the night in an eerie location without any concrete information.
I really felt like I was doing some odd part-time job in a creepy place without adequate preparation.
What the hell am I even doing here…
Step, step.
"Roe, be careful."
"...!"
I quickly stepped aside.
At the end of the gray isolation corridor, someone was approaching…
Step, step.
A person wearing a black facility staff uniform.
They gave us a slight nod as they passed us and then spoke.
"Oh, you're the cleaning staff for tonight."
Their tone was casual. What a relief.
As the Supervisor and I nodded back, the staff member quickly added in a slightly awkward tone,
"I'm the night patrol officer tonight. …Sometimes, the cleaning staff gets startled, so I wanted to let you know."
Ah.
--------------------
7- Occasionally, you might run into a night patrol officer. They'll appreciate it if you give them a bottle of water. If you have one, share it. It's always better to maintain a good atmosphere when working together at night.
--------------------
"Hello. Would you like a bottle of water?"
"Oh, I'd really appreciate that."
At Supervisor Park Minseong's subtle signal, I handed one of the bottled waters we'd been supplied to the patrol officer. The officer took it and gulped it down on the spot.
"Well then, see you around."
With the bottle still to his lips, the officer headed back down the isolation corridor toward the storage room…
--------------------
By the way.
The Security Team in this company doesn't have positions like 'patrol officer'.
Remember, don't ask unnecessary questions.
--------------------
"My throat just keeps getting dry…"
From a distance, I could see the words '■■ Lab' faintly stamped on the back of the so-called 'patrol officer's' uniform.
Step, step… gulp.
The sound of footsteps and swallowing disappeared, as if swallowed by the darkness, the moment the officer turned the corner of the corridor.
"..."
Ha.
'I really feel like I've stepped into a horror movie.'
Swish.
I resumed mopping, trying to distract myself by chatting with Braun or talking casually with Supervisor Park Minseong, all while doing my best to ignore the eerie noises coming from the isolation rooms.
Finally, we were almost done cleaning the corridor.
'Huu.'
Exchanging relieved glances, the Supervisor and I smiled at each other.
"Let's wrap things up and head out."
"Sounds good! I think we finished pretty quickly… oh, wait."
Suddenly remembering something, Supervisor Park Minseong rummaged through his pocket and pulled out another piece of paper.
"This is supposed to be a tip for later in the night. They told me to read it a bit after the shift started, so I thought you should have it, too."
"Oh, thank you…"
What else could possibly happen?
'Good thing we're almost done.'
I stifled a mental scream as I hurriedly read the tip.
But then…
--------------------
11- Ah… it's time to tell you this. By now, it's probably been about three hours since you started cleaning, right?
…Around this time, you'll start hearing a crazy voice coming from Isolation Room B14.
--------------------
Wait a second.
"Supervisor, it's… around 3 a.m. now, right?"
"Yeah, it's about that time…"
Is someone there?Is someone there?Is someone there?Is someone there?Is someone there?Is someone there?Is someone there?
We both turned our heads.
[Isolation Room B14]
Do you want me to tell you how to get out of here? How to survive? How to bring the dead back to life? Do you want to know this company's secrets? Just come closer—come a little closer, and I'll tell you the truth about the world.
I wanted to run.
I wanted to fling the door open and sprint to the storage room, leave this place behind, tell the Security Team Leader 'I quit,' hand the remaining Nostalgia Candy to Supervisor Park, and never come back here…
But I couldn't. So instead, I focused on reading the tip…
--------------------
Ireum-nim? It'll start calling you by something weird and babbling about happiness and some nonsense like that. Just yell back at it, curse if you have to—it'll shut up.
If you don't want to curse, just tell it to get lost.
--------------------
I really didn't want to.
But to tell it to get lost, I opened my mouth…
"..."
Wait a second.
"Roe?"
"Just a moment."
I pulled out the first sheet of tips I'd been given earlier.
There, it clearly said:
--------------------
4- Let me emphasize again: ignore any sounds coming from the isolation rooms. Don't respond.
--------------------
"..."
Tips 4 and 11 directly contradicted each other.
'Which one am I supposed to follow?'
Contradictory rules often show up in these kinds of workplace ghost stories, but there's usually no definitive answer about which one is correct…
Was it that the rules changed as time passed? Or was the second sheet itself faulty? Or maybe…
"Roe."
"...!"
Supervisor Park Minseong pushed me back.
"Something's not ri
SCREEEECH
The door to Isolation Room B14 started to open.
I stood frozen, staring at Isolation Room B14.
Creak, creeeak.
The rusty hinges groaned like a scream as the door to the isolation room began to open.
It was a door that should never have opened. And from within, a dark figure…
"Run."
I immediately turned and sprinted toward the exit of the isolation corridor. Beside me, I could hear Supervisor Park Minseong running just as frantically. Survival instincts pushed my legs forward while my mind raced in confusion.
'What the hell is this?'
What's going on?
'In the work tips…'
Tip 4 said to ignore the sounds coming from the isolation rooms. Tip 11 said to yell and tell it to shut up to quiet it down.
But before I could decide which rule to follow, the door opened?
What on earth is in there…?
"Guys."
Both of us nearly stumbled at the same time.
That voice—we both recognized it.
But without looking back, we kept running, rounding the corner toward the green emergency exit sign at the end of the hallway. Cleaning tools clattered to the floor as we abandoned them. My chest burned as I gasped for air.
Just as Supervisor Park Minseong reached the emergency exit and grabbed the doorknob—
[BEEEEEEEEP!!]
"...!!"
[Unauthorized opening of Isolation Room detected.]
[Corridor lockdown initiated.]
Red emergency lights began flashing in the hallway.
Accompanied by the cold, emotionless voice of the system, the sound of a security shutter descending outside the emergency exit echoed through the air.
Park Minseong and I exchanged looks in the momentary pause.
"..."
We were trapped inside.
'We're fucked.'
Damn it. Damn it!
I fumbled in my pocket. Maybe there was something in the work tips about what to do in this situation…
"Unbelievable. You two are the very definition of Dumb and Dumber. Did you trade your exploration manuals for candy? Where the hell did all your composure go?"
...
'What?'
The voice was dry, laced with exasperation. Annoyed, but strangely… casual?
Step, step.
"This is driving me crazy. No, wait, maybe I should commend you for being cautious… Hah."
A voice that was now right behind us.
But there was no eerie laughter, no cold hand reaching out from the darkness, no spine-chilling phenomenon like I expected.
"..."
"Damn it. Hah, no, calm down… Listen, guys. I know I sounded nuts earlier, okay? But I had no choice—I needed to use an escape item. I didn't have time to explain. Just wrap your heads around it already, will you?"
The voice grew more urgent.
"What else could I do? I acted crazy to try and extract some info while I was at it, but then the item activated, the door opened, and I escaped."
That voice…
"Snap out of it. I'll give you ten seconds. Hurry."
...
...
"…Assistant Manager?"
"That's right."
Before I could stop him, Supervisor Park Minseong turned around. And so did I.
And there, standing in the hallway, was a familiar silhouette.
Bobbed hair.
Sharp, piercing eyes.
A cold-looking woman in a crisp suit.
Standing in the corridor was none other than Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
She scanned the scattered cleaning tools we had abandoned with a faintly displeased expression.
"Are those supposed to just lie there? No, whatever—let's sort that out later. First, let's deal with this."
"..."
"..."
The grip of Supervisor Park Minseong's hand on my shoulder slackened.
We stared blankly at her.
"Badger, and… Roe."
Eun Haje's face softened, a trace of an expression forming.
"How have you been?"
Calm, poised, with a slight undertone of fatigue and exasperation—she wore the face of a boss who'd seen too much. And on her lips, a sharp-edged smile.
"This goddamn company… Hah."
She shook her head with a deep sigh, then gestured toward us.
"Sorry to trouble you, but can you help me out? Just open the door to the isolation corridor for me."
Her voice was calm.
"After that, I'll handle the rest and get out."
Supervisor Park Minseong and I didn't respond. It was as if we had made a silent pact to say nothing.
My head felt like it was going to explode.
Eun Haje smirked wryly.
"Can't even respond? Well, that's a wise choice. I would've done the same."
What is this?
'Why does it… sound so convincing?'
Why does it feel so real…?
'No, that can't be!'
"Supervisor."
I swallowed hard and spoke quickly, as if to remind myself, keeping my voice low and directed at Supervisor Park Minseong.
"Remember. The Assistant Manager resigned. There's no way she's here…"
...
'Wait.'
Is there really no way?
I suddenly recalled all the strange things that had left me uneasy until now.
The abrupt loss of contact with Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
Passing her equipment without meeting her in person, unanswered text messages except for read receipts, phone calls that never connected—all of it, only hearing about her through Section Chief Lee Jaheon…
Could it be?
'Is it because she's trapped here?'
I quickly ran through the criteria for being transferred to the isolation zone by the Security Team.
Emergency contamination, internal anomalies, dangerous individuals, spies, disciplinary actions, and other ominous, censored conditions marked with black boxes.
'Plenty of possibilities.'
Even Supervisor Park and I had been briefly detained here once.
If that's the case…
Could Assistant Manager Eun Haje also fit one of those criteria?
"…Roe?"
"Hold on… just hold on."
It's possible, isn't it?
I wanted to immediately interrogate this person who looked like Assistant Manager Eun Haje, confirm the situation, and figure out what had happened. But I couldn't take the risk of relying on a possibility.
'Let's try another approach first.'
I turned to Braun for help.
'Braun, the person in front of us… is this really D-squad's Assistant Manager we worked with months ago?'
Braun responded cheerfully.
– Oh, what a shame. As much as I'm a legendary host, I'm no investigative expert!
– My discerning eye is sharp, of course, but alas, even my button eyes have their limitations.
– Outwardly, they do appear identical, but who can say? There are masters of disguise out there in the world, after all.
Damn it.
I pressed further, desperate.
'Can you at least confirm one thing for me? Just based on what you see, what's your gut feeling? I trust you.'
– ...! If that's the case, I'd be happy to answer, Friend!
'Thank you. So…'
I took a deep breath.
'Is the person in front of me, in every mental and physical aspect… human?'
– Ah, now that's a question I can answer definitively.
Braun's voice turned confident as he declared cheerfully,
– Yes, indeed!
Haa…
'So, she is human.'
This is driving me nuts.
It would've been easier if Braun had said the person wasn't human. That would've settled it once and for all.
…That this wasn't Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
But the familiar figure in front of me continued speaking in a voice just as familiar.
"I'd prefer to take my time convincing you properly, but there's not much time, kiddos."
Her complexion seemed a bit pale.
"The Security Team will be here soon to assess the situation. If I want to get out of here, I have to leave before they arrive."
"..."
"I'm not asking for much. I'll just hide for a bit. When the door opens, let me slip out."
I admitted to myself,
'I can't figure it out just by looking.'
That left me with no choice but to take a slight risk.
I turned to Supervisor Park and spoke directly.
"Supervisor."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Don't you think encountering the Assistant Manager on leave in the Security Team's isolation area is an impossible scenario?"
"That's… true, yeah?"
"Oh. Indirect dialogue—interesting approach, Roe."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje chuckled softly before muttering quickly under her breath.
"They probably stuck me here, telling me to think it over until I changed my mind about resigning. In hindsight, trusting this goddamn company was my mistake. Fuck."
"Supervisor, if someone escapes the isolation corridor, wouldn't they be captured almost immediately?"
"I'm not an idiot, you know? I've got an item ready. The problem is time. There's no time. The Security Team is probably on their way right now. I can't even confirm anything—this is driving me crazy…"
Confirmation.
'…Wait!'
I remembered what was in my back pocket.
'The walkie-talkie.'
Pressing my back against the door, I carefully reached behind me, grabbing the walkie-talkie from my pocket without making it visible. Slowly, I turned up the volume just a notch…
Bee-bee-beep.
[Currently in lockdown…]
Damn it!
'The Security Sergeant has been trying to contact us all this time!'
I immediately turned the sound off, but it was too late.
"I just heard a walkie-talkie."
"...!"
"Well, whoever has it can use it as they like, but I'm curious…"
Curious?
"They don't give walkie-talkies to cleaning staff, do they?"
"..."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Did someone give it to you especially? That's… odd. Cleaning staff usually just scan in and read the manual on automated devices. The system is designed so they don't need to meet anyone else."
Eun Haje's voice carried a mix of suspicion and tension.
"That thing… are you sure it actually connects to the Security Team?"
"..."
"Roe, who exactly did you meet?"
Sweat soaked my palms. This was the first time I'd ever been in a situation like this.
'I have no idea what to believe anymore.'
There were no hints, no clear answers. Even if this was really Assistant Manager Eun Haje, how could she possibly help us? Could she truly hide from the Security Team? Was that even possible?
'If I want to figure out the situation even a little more…'
Oh!
I remembered what I'd originally planned to check—the second sheet of tips.
'If I read all the remaining tips, maybe I can piece together the truth.'
I quickly pulled out the sheet and scanned the next number.
12- If you notice a strange smell or something starts seeping from under a door, run immediately.
That's always a warning sign before a door opens. Conversely, if you don't notice anything, it's usually safe.
Exceptions to this will be explained in the next section. It's recommended to take a break before reading further.
I moved on to the next point without hesitation.
13- Oh? The door's open?
Kekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeke
Reflexively, I crumpled the paper in my hands.
My pulse pounded in my fingertips as if the paper itself were alive.
"Roe, are you okay?"
Calm down. Stay calm…
"Let's just think rationally. The Security Team is on their way, so now's the time to figure out the best course of action."
Supervisor Park Minseong patted my back, but as he did so, I felt him tracing something on my back with his finger.
N
O
T
H
E
R
...
It's not her.
I froze and slowly lifted my head.
"Wow."
Eun Haje—or rather, the thing wearing her face—tilted its head toward us.
"How'd you figure it out?"
How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out? How'd you figure it out?
HOW DID YOU FIGURE IT OUT?
Heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!!
Thud.
Eun Haje's head dropped to the floor.
And then… it stood upside down.
Two legs and arms pointed stiffly to the sky as they turned to face us.
Hiya!!!
Do you believe in Ireum-niiiiiiiimmmmmm??
Right then and there.
I…
…fainted.
* * *
"Roe."
"..."
"Roe?"
Ah.
I lifted my head.
"You must be really tired. Why don't you rest for a bit? I'll take over."
Supervisor Park Minseong, holding a mop handle, looked at me with worried eyes.
I glanced around. The isolation corridor looked normal, with all the doors firmly shut.
"Ha…"
I grabbed the mop handle and lowered my head.
"Are… are you okay?"
"Yes… I'm sorry."
Was it a nightmare?
'The whole thing didn't make any sense anyway.'
The isolation room doors suddenly opening, Eun Haje turning into some kind of ghost… It was all absurd.
I rubbed my temples.
"…I'm sorry. I must have dozed off for a moment."
"You don't need to apologize! It's fine. You were working during the day too—of course you're tired."
Supervisor Park Minseong gave my back a reassuring pat.
"Let's hang in there just a little longer. We only have two days left."
"..."
Two days?
Not three?
"Supervisor, what day is it today?"
"Uh… it's past midnight now, so it's the 30th. December 30th."
"..."
Not the 29th.
The 30th.
"Since yesterday's cleaning went smoothly, let's finish today's as well without any problems."
"..."
"Oh, here's a new tip sheet! They told us to read this on the second day. It's for you… Roe? Roe!"