In the dim office, Lee Jaheon lifted his head.
Standing at the door, arms crossed, was Eun Haje, her expression worn and hollow.
"You need to stop now, sir."
"...."
"How many more times are you going to conduct these interviews? Even the directors have lost interest."
Eun Haje walked into the office.
Her gaze swept over the vacant seat, as though confirming, once again, that the colleague who once sat there was truly gone.
All that remained was the sentence in the official report: Presumed deceased as of January 2nd.
"It's already been a month."
Now, standing before the desk of the now squad-less D-squad leader, she continued.
"After a month of no news, sometimes you have to know when to give up. …Writing reports isn't going to bring back the dead."
"...."
"And the Dream Essence Collector data was ultimately marked as death-confirmed."
She was right.
The Dream Essence Collector's record had confirmed the missing employee's groans and brief murmured phrases, such as, 'Is that so?'
It has been meaningfully inferred that this is part of the psychotic symptoms observed in the Tamra Express, a dark anomaly that occurred during the elite team's assignment.
Statistical projections estimate that the probability of deep contamination or death for the employee in question exceeds 80%.
Additionally, per protocol, if the Dream Essence Collector is returned and no significant developments are reported within 30 days, the employee is automatically declared deceased in the system.
In other words, this matter is already settled.
"…He's already been added to today's termination list, Section Chief."
Supervisor Kim Soleum (Employment contract terminated due to death.)
…By the time it reached that stage, death was usually certain.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje rubbed her face before speaking again.
"…The company won't support this anymore. You know how it is. We don't waste money or time on the dead."
All the searches and repeated reviews had only been approved because Kim Soleum was an exceptional and talented employee.
But there were no manuals detailing what had triggered the Tamra Express Darkness, and it had not reoccurred even once in the past month.
"Is there even any point in organizing all this? Haven't you thought about stopping?"
"Yes."
"...."
Did he mean to say that there is still a point to this? Or that he did consider stopping?
"What's your reason?"
"Because Supervisor Kim Soleum is not dead."
"…!!"
Eun Haje's eyes widened.
Lee Jaheon was not the kind of person to blindly cling to hope.
Which meant—he truly believed this.
And Lee Jaheon wasn't someone who believed things without reason.
Which meant—he had proof.
"W-Why do you think that?!"
"There's a hint."
Lee Jaheon recalled something.
A seemingly unrelated incident from late last year.
– Please take care of this.
Before heading into the Darkness, Kim Soleum had entrusted him with something for half a day.
A small stuffed toy.
– My goodness. Are you truly entrusting me to an unimaginative blade grunt such as this? Mr. Roe Deer!
That stuffed toy, speaking in its strangely old-fashioned and eerie tone.
Of course, Lee Jaheon had not responded.
He was supposed to be a well-mannered person of modern sensibilities, and thus saw no obligation to entertain a talking plushie.
However.
Something about the way it spoke felt familiar.
And then, there was the site of Kim Soleum's disappearance.
In the train restroom, all of Kim Soleum's company-related belongings had been scattered haphazardly across the floor.
Yet, Lee Jaheon's focus had not been on that.
Instead, his eyes had gone straight to the writing on the mirror.
Because—he had recognized the handwriting.
"Compare these."
He pulled out the developed photograph of the mirror message and placed it alongside an old, worn-out postcard that had been carefully stored away, untouched for years.
Even retrieving this single postcard had taken weeks of authorization.
"This is…"
A remnant from a broadcast-themed Darkness that D-squad had cleared multiple times.
But in the most recent expedition, an unexpected event had resulted in an entire squad being wiped out—
And thanks to the quick thinking of one employee, D-squad had barely escaped with some A-grade Dream Essence.
A Darkness so unusual that its classification was still under review, bouncing between the Research Team and the Assessment Division.
Quiz Show Application Form
To :
From :
"…Tuesday Talk Show!"
The handwriting was the exact same.
Lee Jaheon nodded.
"Supervisor Kim Soleum is there."
No matter what form he may have taken.
* * *
A studio bathed in blinding lights.
A thunderous applause erupted from the audience, rolling over the stage like a tidal wave.
[Thank you! Thank you!]
The crowd, still intoxicated by the thrill of the final segment, whistled and cheered in pure excitement.
The host pressed a dramatic hand to his chest, feigning deep emotion.
[Oh dear, with this kind of response… Haha, shall we start from the very beginning again? You are currently watching Braun's Late-Night Talk Sh— Goodness.]
WAAAAAH!
The host let out an exaggerated flinch at the overwhelming cheers—before his TV screen face returned to a grinning expression.
[Unfortunately, before the furious advertisers come storming in, we must endure a heart-wrenching farewell! But don't be too disheartened! We'll meet again tomorrow!]
The house band struck up an energetic, playful tune, signaling the end of the talk show.
The host steps to the center of the studio, bowing politely with his TV head tilted forward.
[To all our viewers who tuned in today—those watching from the depths of the underground in repentance, those sobbing in regret, and even those joining us from EPUB viewers.]
[Tomorrow at exactly 11:33 PM, we shall meet again… Have a wonderful night!]
As the band's finale swells to its peak, the host raises both hands, acknowledging the thunderous applause.
And then—
[Cut!]
The show ends.
Click.
Everything falls silent.
The audience vanishes.
The once dazzling lights blink out, leaving only a few soft overhead fixtures illuminating the now-empty seats.
Crew members flood the stage, swiftly moving to reset the set and attend to the performers.
I am among them.
Or rather—
[Mr. Soleum!]
The host is calling me over.
[Come over here. That was splendid! Your choices in themes and guest selection are truly fascinating. Every time, you pick the most fitting candidates…]
Hmm. That's a bit embarrassing.
Though, honestly—
'It's just thanks to the
This talk show, 'Braun's Late-Night Talk Show,' feels almost like an entertaining rundown of Dark Exploration Records to me.
The only difference is—it's far more immersive and thrilling.
After all, we actually bring in residents of urban legends and ghost stories for interviews.
We brief the audience on recent supernatural events, spin humor from them, and experiment with bizarre concepts in front of a live crowd.
Sometimes, a guest, still believing they're in a dream, will recklessly attempt something dangerous.
And the thrill of watching it all unfold from the sidelines, balancing on that knife's edge between terror and comedy, is exactly what makes this show work.
Plus, the audience seems to be arriving through more than just postcards these days.
All things considered… I only bring up a few interesting ghost stories once or twice a week, yet every time, they rave about how incredible my insight is.
'…This job is surprisingly easy.'
I don't think I've ever had work that felt this effortless and fun.
[Ah, this past month has been an absolute delight! And I'm thrilled to share some wonderful news with you…]
The TV face flickers with a smiling, watery-eyed expression.
[Our show has broken another viewership record.]
"…!"
[The growth curve is downright terrifying! And so, let me ask— Mr. Soleum, do you find this fun and enjoyable?]
His tone is filled with absolute confidence, yet there's the slightest hint of nervous anticipation.
Seriously.
With a smile, I nodded.
"It's fun."
[Isn't it?]
[Ah, but of course. This legendary host already knew. That this would be the most fulfilling workplace for you, Mr. Soleum.]
The TV head beams.
And I, feeling at ease, let out a small smile as well.
I am not afraid.
There is nothing here that threatens me.
I create content—I don't have to live through it!
So then, working here means I'll never have to live in constant fear again… Well, it's only natural that there's some pressure to perform well, but that's just the normal kind of stress people need to function in their daily lives, right?
This is fine.
[However, there is one thing that stands out to me. Just a moment…]
Braun rests a hand on my shoulder, leaning in.
[We're hitting a plateau. The segments are starting to feel a bit… repetitive.]
Ah.
[Don't you think it's time for something more provocative? Something bolder, Mr. Soleum? Here, in this independent, investor-free production, there are no limits. We can do whatever we want… And.]
Griiip.
…The host's grip on my shoulder tightens.
[This past month, your dedication has been astonishing. Your adaptation was swift. Your achievements were spectacular.]
[You are more than capable.]
…I should work harder.
I tried to nod, feeling slightly nervous.
But at that moment—
The host said something completely unexpected.
[So… I believe the time has come.]
[For you to stand beside me—not as crew, but as a guest.]
"…!"
[I speak with complete sincerity—you are already qualified. Oh, Mr. Soleum. My friend. Let us share stories together and bring joy to our audience.]
[A fresh face will serve as an excellent stimulant for the viewers as well.]
"…No, it's fine. I don't really enjoy standing in front of an audience—"
[Oh, now, now! Dismissing the idea so quickly wounds this Braun's heart! Let's think it over, shall we?]
His grip on my shoulder tightened once more.
[In this Braun's eyes, you have an undeniable gift for showmanship. This is the realm of natural talent.]
[Do you remember? The way you played both prophet and cult leader aboard that train over the sea? That is something only the truly gifted can do. Yes, indeed.]
[But, my very dear friend, if you're too anxious, we can start small. Just a few minutes—no, just a few seconds on stage.]
[Why not consider it more casually?]
...
That doesn't seem so bad, does it?
Now that I think about it, I never really thought I couldn't do it.
'If you work, you should aim for results.'
In the end, feeling a little self-conscious, I nodded.
"…Alright. If it's just a small role."
[That's the spirit! Excellent.]
The TV head beamed.
[And so humble, too—just as expected from my show's MVP. Isn't that right?]
[Since you joined our talk show, there hasn't been a single dull day!]
Come to think of it, has it really been a month already?
Time had passed without me even realizing it.
Busy, fun, fulfilling.
'Even the staff are surprisingly kind.'
I gave a small nod of thanks to a coordinator who handed me a bottle of water before disappearing, then—without much thought—asked Braun a question.
"By the way, why do all the staff here have no faces?"
[Ah, that's a sign of their deep consideration for the show. They chose it themselves to prevent unexpected sounds—sneezes, coughs, or any unintended noises—from disrupting a live broadcast.]
"…That's some serious professionalism. Um, then, do I… need to lose my face, too—"
[What nonsense, Mr. Soleum?!]
Whoa.
[For those who step onto the stage, expression and presence are essential! Expressiveness is the heart of entertainment!]
[Ah, of course, if you truly insist… there is an alternative. Just a moment.]
Tak.
The host grabbed my chin.
And examined me, as if calculating something…
[Hmm. Removing your face is an option. Instead— I shall craft you a truly exquisite… mask.]
That's…
...
"I'll think about it some other time."
[Right? Hah! It would be a shame to lose such a fine face.]
The host let go.
As I watched Braun's beaming smile, I found myself smiling as well.
[Ah, I must prepare for the next broadcast. Let's see… Oh, today's audience is… office workers! We must bring them some well-earned joy.]
[So… Mr. Soleum, will you be stepping onto the stage tonight?]
"I'll do my best."
[Splendid. Absolutely splendid…. It shall be a magnificent debut, Mr. Soleum!]
Mm-hmm. That would be great.
-x-X-x-
Just before the live talk show begins, the backstage is bustling with activity.
The silent staff move in perfect coordination, checking and handling situations in real-time.
"Phew."
I took a deep breath.
By now, I could understand their expressions more clearly—
The whispers of the faceless staff.
– Additional lighting for spot #5.
– Mr. Host's shoes need replacement.
– Verify cushion placement for the guest.
Each of them worked diligently in their respective roles, all striving to create a great show.
And since the host never failed to personally acknowledge each of them for their efforts, the atmosphere always remained lively.
It was honestly a great workplace.
At first, the fact that my colleagues had no faces had been unsettling, but now—I think I've completely adjusted!
'Humans really are creatures of their environment, huh?'
I could never get used to entering ghost stories no matter how many times I did it, so… maybe, just maybe, Braun was right—it might really have been a matter of matching aptitude.
'It's fine.'
I habitually checked the silver ring on my finger before finally stepping onto the stage.
"…Huu."
Today was the day.
The day I would appear in a segment of 'Braun's Late-Night Talk Show' for the first time.
[Mr. Soleum!]
The host, already prepped and ready, approached me.
[Your outfit suits you perfectly. Yes, very well… oh my! Makeup, let's cover this tattoo a little more thoroughly.]
The host meticulously checked even the tattoo peeking out from beneath my suit sleeve.
In the blink of an eye, the tattoo vanished without a trace.
And before long, I safely reached my designated seat—just in time for the live broadcast.
[Excellent. Very good… Now, Mr. Soleum, the cameras will go live any moment now.]
"Yes."
[And soon, the audience will be seated before you—so just focus on entertaining them. Now then, we're starting…]
The countdown appeared on the retro prompter in front of me.
3.
2.
1.
0.
[Good evening! The joy of the night, the fresh new face you meet every day, and… your friendly host!]
Braun's Late-Night Talk Show
As the studio lights flashed and the band played—
The live broadcast began.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"What… what the hell?"
The audience seats filled up in an instant.
One by one, people materialized in their chairs—each with an expression of confusion or shock as they found themselves in the dazzling studio.
"Why am I wearing this?"
All of them were dressed in various office outfits—as expected for our special 'Corporate Workers' episode.
[Welcome, hardworking professionals! Tonight, we have an exhilarating, eye-catching, spine-chillingly entertaining talk show just for you—guaranteed to wash away the fatigue of your day!]
Clap, clap, clap…
Braun clapped alone, then flashed a sheepish and sad emoticon on his TV screen.
[…No applause? Not even one?]
Clap! Clapclapclapclapclap!!
The bewildered audience hurriedly clapped along.
"What the hell is this…?"
"Eh, well… he's good-looking, so let's just go with it."
Beside me, two office workers—who seemed to know each other—murmured before clapping again.
The host engaged with the audience one by one, gradually warming up the room.
There was something a little eerie about the atmosphere, but ultimately, the jokes were funny, the topics were intriguing, and the news was a mix of horrifying yet fascinating updates.
"Ah."
As the tension eased, the audience began to naturally accept the surreal environment.
Like watching a magician's act or an elaborate sci-fi film, their familiarity with fictional content blurred the boundaries between reality and the show.
And then—it happened.
[Tonight's guest is… Oh, here they come now!]
The glittering star-shaped bulbs lit up as the ornate guest entrance swung open.
The guest I had chosen…
…Toddled in.
A ragged teddy bear.
Its button eyes were mismatched, its stitching uneven—but it was rather cute.
[Isn't it just adorable? Allow me to introduce tonight's guest… 'Happy Ending Teddy'!]
As the small bear settled onto the sofa, murmurs rippled through the audience.
"What the hell is that?"
"Wait, it's actually cute."
"It's moving… where are we? Is this a dream? What kind of talk show is this… oh, right, I signed up for an audience ticket!"
The murmur of confused whispers soon died down, all converging into a single reaction—
Fascination and immersion in this surreal talk show.
[This segment is sponsored by Delusion Home Shopping! Ah, yes, this is an industry-defining collector's item—this is a limited edition item from 1999 that is no longer available for sale.]
[For those who treasure it until death, it grants the 'Ending of Life'—a peaceful slumber. But for those who discard it? It will visit them at midnight and transform them into a doll just like itself!]
Braun stepped forward, holding a microphone to the teddy bear.
[How are you feeling? ...Oh, I see. You're so overwhelmed that you want to visit your first owner's grave and weep your heart out.]
"Hahahaha!"
The response was great.
I felt relieved.
Cute and friendly, yet undeniably eerie—the unsettling concept of an inanimate object gaining sentience and seeking revenge had always been a hit.
That was also why, with the Good Friend, I was also… No. Never mind.
'Anyway, if the audience reaction is good, the viewers will likely enjoy it too.'
That was reassuring.
Since not all viewers were human, the structure of the talk show was designed to let them enjoy the audience's reactions—as if they were watching a reaction video.
Fascinating.
A story is always best enjoyed from a safe distance.
[Now then, let's hear our guest's story and recent updates!]
The show progressed smoothly.
The 'Happy Ending Teddy' shared, through the host, a bittersweet farewell with its kind owner—followed by a chilling tale of cruelty and satisfying revenge.
The presentation was enriched with props, photographs, and illustrations to heighten the immersion and atmosphere.
And finally—the climax.
[Ah, so the one who burned you with a cigarette and beat the child who played with you… is actually sitting right there, in the audience!]
[That person is… YOU!]
BAM!
A spotlight illuminated a single audience member.
[Come on up… Haha! Let's welcome our second guest with a round of applause.]
It was the previous owner—the one who had discarded the teddy bear.
They had been planted among the audience.
Now, they were brought onto the stage…
…where the 'Happy Ending Teddy' would personally transform them into a new teddy bear.
Screams and blood splattered across the stage, but the audience—deeply immersed—felt a mix of horror and catharsis.
Some at the front row, having been handed raincoats by the staff, even applauded.
Just like reading a thrilling horror story.
-x-X-x-
[Ah, fantastic. We now have one more adorable teddy bear.]
[Isn't this wonderful? A guest who even generates additional value! Let's give a big round of applause to our dear 'Happy Ending Teddy'!]
WOOOOOOO!!!
The teddy bear trembled slightly before bowing happily to the crowd.
And at this moment…
[Now, let's move on to the next segment : Q&A!]
Braun cupped one hand over his speaker, as if listening.
[Are you there? My friend!]
This is it!
"Right here, Friend!"
I shot up from my seat in the audience, raising my hand high.
Gasps erupted from those seated around me.
And above my head—
A glowing sign lit up.
Tell Braun's Friend
All About It!
[For the next 100 seconds, my friend here will ask the audience for their thoughts on the show or any fun questions! Those who give great answers will win fabulous prizes—so let's participate! Now then…]
A digital clock appeared on Braun's TV face.
[Starting now!]
Whoosh.
Hands shot up across the audience.
I pointed at myself, looking mildly bewildered.
"Wait, you're all raising your hands without even hearing my introduction or question…?"
Laughter.
"Ah, you're rushing because there's a time limit? I, see… al-ri-ght… then…"
I deliberately dragged out my words agonizingly slowly.
The laughter grew louder.
Good.
"First question: What was the absolute most boring moment of this show?"
[FRIEND!!]
"A moment so dull you thought you could do a better job yourself?!"
Braun's perfectly-timed reaction triggered more scattered bursts of laughter.
From the front row—where people were still drenched in the blood of the transformed guest—some audience members enthusiastically took off their raincoats and waved them.
I hurried over to them, microphone in hand.
"Now."
[Oooooh!]
Laughter erupted again. I deliberately looked at the audience member with an expression of deep betrayal, as if asking, How could you say that?!, before smoothly transitioning to the next question.
Perhaps because the previous segment had been so entertaining, the audience's reaction far exceeded my expectations.
It was almost hypnotic.
'This is kinda… fun?'
For some reason, I felt a little exhilarated.
The 100 seconds passed in an instant, and just as we were nearing the final moments, the microphone was passed to an audience member.
"If you could make one request to this talk show, what would it be?"
I excitedly called out the question, and the audience enthusiastically shouted back.
"I want to take that teddy bear home!"
Ah.
"You can't."
...
Silence fell over the audience.
And the stage.
"..."
Why did I say that? No—damage control first.
I quickly raised my eyebrows, making it seem like I had deliberately given a curt response. Then, with a knowing nod, I added,
"Our dear guest, Mr. Teddy Bear, says they don't want a serious relationship with a busy, overworked professional who has no time for them."
"What?!"
The 'Happy Ending Teddy' frantically waved its tiny arms from the sofa, as if protesting. I solemnly nodded at the bear's reaction and relayed the message to the audience.
"They really don't want to."
"…?!"
The teddy bear toppled over. The audience burst into laughter.
"Just kidding. They'd be delighted to go with you."
"Wow! That's amazing! A natural death has always been my dream."
"For real? Me too."
Grinning, I high-fived the audience member.
Phew. Crisis averted.
'Next!'
I quickly turned to find the next person to ask a question.
And then—
I froze.
The next person to raise their hand the fastest—was wearing an all-too-familiar outfit.
"…!!"
I stared blankly.
A faceless office worker in a suit and mask.
'…A Field Exploration Team member from Daydream Inc.'
My old workplace.
And among them…
'…The guys from D-squad.'
Three people I knew, sitting together.
How were all three of them here? No—D-squad should only have Chief Lizard left, right? So how…?
[Ding! Time's up!]
Ah.
[Now! Friend, let me ask you. Who is today's MVP audience member?]
"Today's MVP is…"
I pointed at the last audience member.
"Our guest's new adopter!"
"Ooooooh!"
[Hahaha! Wishing you a happy natural death!]
The chosen audience member sat back down happily, receiving a beautifully wrapped gift.
The 'Happy Ending Teddy' was staring at them intently.
"..."
With that, my segment came to a close. As I stepped offstage, I was met with the applause of the audience.
My heart was pounding.
'I did it.'
And just then—
[Now, let's introduce our next guest. Ah, but before that…]
[We'll be right back after these messages!]
Noooooo!
The audience booed and cheered as Braun laughed and waved them into the mid-show ad break.
Phew!
[Mr. Soleum!]
Braun's TV screen displayed a massive grinning emoticon as he approached me backstage. He swapped to an awestruck face and held up a hand for a high-five.
Then, as if he were truly proud, he patted my shoulder.
[Friend. You did an amazing job! I can't believe that was your first time hosting a segment. That was a truly impressive 100 seconds. Ah, I'm simply in awe…]
"I don't think it was that great…"
[No! This isn't flattery or empty praise—it's genuine admiration. You're starting to feel passion for this show, and that's making you even better at it.]
That was… a good thing.
"Um, by the way."
I smiled.
"…There were some familiar faces in the audience. Would it be alright if I went to chat with them? Just for a bit during the break. It won't take long..."
[Ah.]
The host paused.
And then—
[Of course. It's break time, after all. Feel free to chat.]
Whew.
I got permission! What a relief.
"Alright, then—"
[Wait.]
A hand gripped my shoulder.
[Just one thing. Do not say anything that might make the audience feel out of place… Oh, and don't forget. Even when the cameras are off, the audience still sees you as part of the show.]
"…I understand."
The TV host's face loomed over me.
[You'll keep that in mind, won't you?]
"I'll keep that in mind."
[Excellent!]
I took a step back, retreating from the host.
Then, I descended from the stage, making my rounds among the audience with the staff, checking in as if ensuring everything was running smoothly.
And finally… I arrived at a familiar spot, where recognizable masks had gathered.
Familiar masks.
"Roe…?"
"…Assistant Manager."
There they were—Section Chief Lee Jaheon, Assistant Manager Eun Haje… and even Supervisor Park Minseong.
'Wow.'
Seeing them like this… It felt surreal.
It was like I'd gone back in time, to just before we entered the 'Hungry Hangman' Darkness.
"I never thought I'd see you all here! It's good to see you. Have you all been well?"
Chief Lizard and Assistant Manager Eun Haje both nodded.
Supervisor Park Minseong, making eye contact with me, gave a smile and a wave. He looked a little pale—but otherwise, healthy.
It's such a relief to see that he had recovered enough to go out at night and do other things like this.
"Yeah, we're doing fine… But, Roe. Are you okay? How have you been?"
"Ah. I've been doing well."
That, I could confidently say.
But in the end, I couldn't hold back my curiosity.
"Actually, today was my first appearance on the show… I was wondering what you thought of it. I was a little nervous."
Silence.
"It was very good."
"…Thank you."
Phew.
The pause was a little unsettling, but Assistant Manager Eun Haje wasn't the type to give empty praise.
I decided not to overthink it.
"By the way, have you eaten today?"
"Eaten? I…"
Oh.
Come to think of it… it had been a while since I last ate.
Since before the broadcast, maybe?
Or was it back on the train, before I switched jobs?
Something like that.
But my body felt perfectly fine, so it wasn't a problem!
Besides, this wasn't the time or place for a personal conversation like that.
I waved a hand dismissively, smiling.
"I'm fine without it."
"..."
Supervisor Park Minseong quickly searched his pockets and pulled something out.
"Roe, still… It's break time, right? How about a snack? Here…"
He held out a small, old-fashioned candy.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I can only accept gifts from the audience through official channels. It's a policy to keep things fair and clean."
I politely declined.
The expression on Supervisor Park's face dimmed.
"Ah…"
…Did I do something wrong?
I thought hard, then came up with a compromise.
"Don't worry. I have the exact same candy with me—I'll eat that instead."
"…!"
"Alright."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje reached out and shook my hand.
Her hand was warm.
"Make sure you eat it."
"..."
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Ah.
Section Chief Lizard was looking at me.
"That button. Press it."
"...?"
I had no idea what he meant.
But showing confusion wouldn't be professional.
"Of course. I'll do my best. In any case, enjoy the show. Rest well tonight, and good luck tomorrow."
I hoped that tonight's broadcast had been a brief moment of joy in their exhausting lives.
Was this… what Braun meant?
The feeling of a show creator?
I glanced at their reactions.
'Their masks make it hard to read their expressions…'
Wait.
If they're wearing masks…
Were they in the middle of a Darkness exploration?
If so—I should reassure them!
"Ah, if you're here for 'work', don't worry. There is no danger. You can just enjoy the show and leave."
"…Is that so?"
"Yes! This place is completely safe."
Honestly, it was one of the easiest Darknesses to clear.
Even easier than Tuesday Talk Show.
'After all, no regular audience members ever die!'
If we wanted something more intense, we could have set up brutal punishments like in Tuesday Talk Show.
But for now, the show was lighthearted enough that even the audience could comfortably enjoy the poetic justice being served.
For that, I felt a little grateful to Braun.
But Supervisor Park Minseong slowly shook his head.
"We didn't come here for work."
Huh?
"…We came to see you, Roe."
...Me?
"Roe. How did you even end up in this situation—"
[Goodness, Friend!]
"…!"
The host gestured from the stage.
Right. The commercial break was almost over. That meant… the show was about to resume!
"I'll be heading back up now. See you next time! Ah, this next segment is going to be really fun, so… just sit back and enjoy."
"Wait, that—"
I didn't hear the rest.
With a quick farewell to the audience, I dashed back to the stage.
The lights were blinding.
* * *
The talk show ended with thunderous applause and cheers.
[Thank you, everyone! We'll see you again tomorrow at 11:33 PM!]
As always, Braun wrapped up the broadcast seamlessly, and once the lights went down, he turned his attention to the staff and crew.
And of course, I did the same.
I was staring at the now-empty audience seats when I snapped out of it—just in time to receive Braun's praise.
[So? It was fun, wasn't it, Mr. Soleum? More than you expected?]
"Yeah. Um… It was better than I thought."
[That makes me very happy! Excellent. I've spoken to the writers, and from now on, you'll be appearing about once or twice a week. As 'Braun's Friend'!] ȑÄΝꝋＢĘŞ
"Ah… yeah."
The recognition made my stomach churn. But I should just accept it happily!
Then, the host asked casually,
[Ah. Did you enjoy catching up with your old coworkers, Friend? I saw you speaking with them in the audience.]
"…! Yeah. It was nice seeing them after so long."
[I see. I'm very curious—what delightful conversation did you have?]
"Ah, they were just checking if I'd been eating properly."
[Aha! But of course. Our show always provides a dedicated catering service for the staff's health and well-being—]
The TV screen flickered.
[…Wait. You haven't eaten anything at all, have you, Mr. Roe Deer? You never even applied for the personal catering service. Unbelievable! And after I explained everything on your first day.]
Well… it just felt like a hassle.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a little sheepish.
"I've been fine without it."
[Good heavens! Are you trying to make me look like a terrible business partner who neglects his friend? No, no, this was my failing. The new crew members have been busy adjusting that they must have overlooked this. So this Braun should have paid more attention, especially as your friend…]
Braun held out his hand.
[There is a saying: 'Inspiration and ideas come from good health.' Let's make a promise that this won't happen again.]
Hmm.
I didn't feel any different, honestly. I wasn't even hungry. If anything, I felt better than ever.
"Alright. I'll try."
[Ah, my dear friend has already started using those dreadful industry-standard phrases!]
Braun let out a mock-scolding sigh, but didn't press the matter further.
It was break time, after all.
[Just in case you forget—remember, the best shows come from well-rested minds, Mr. Soleum!]
"Yes, I understand. I'll see you in a bit."
With that, we parted ways.
I walked past the staff, through the backstage corridors, and finally reached my dressing room.
Click.
I stepped inside, rolled up one sleeve, and looked down at my arm.
Beneath the makeup, my tattoos were hidden from view.
"…Hmm."
Interesting. It seemed that as long as they were covered, they wouldn't activate.
'Now that the live broadcast is over, I should wipe this off.'
I rubbed at my skin, removing the makeup.
: Socius :
: 恩主 :
I reached into the tattoo that functioned as my inventory and pulled something out.
'It's been a while, huh?'
Resting in my palm was a single piece of Nostalgia Candy.
'I did say I'd eat it, after all.'
I wasn't hungry.
I wasn't tired.
But after a brief hesitation…
I unwrapped it.
And put it in my mouth.
Suddenly—
[Oh dear.]
The Nostalgia Candy in my hand disappeared.
"…!"
[Good heavens! Mr. Roe Deer, have you been surviving on candy alone?]
"Haha…"
[That's not good at all!]
Like magic, the missing Nostalgia Candy appeared in Braun's gloved hand, only to vanish once again with a flourish.
…Completely gone.
"..."
Ah, was I supposed to applaud?
Clap, clap, clap…
As I clapped my hands together, Braun bowed theatrically like a magician.
"Um, where did the candy—"
[Mr. Roe Deer, your first meal in a month was going to be an ancient, dusty old candy? Oh, this is an insult to catering itself!]
Snap.
The host snapped his fingers.
[Some say the passion for creation is born from hunger, but… my philosophy is a bit different!]
[First, let's have a proper meal.]
At Braun's request, the faceless staff opened the door to my dressing room, greeting me cheerfully.
A white tablecloth was laid over the table in the corner of the room, and in perfect synchronization, dishes were set one after another.
Steam rose from the plates—Western cuisine.
A full-course meal that should have been served dish by dish was instead arranged all at once.
[Since you didn't submit a request, Mr. Roe Deer, I took the liberty of selecting tonight's menu.]
[Once you finish eating, you'll feel revitalized…]
"..."
…That's when I realized it had been a long time since I'd last seen warm food.
Seated across from me, the host's TV screen displayed a cheerful emoticon as he waved his utensils from side to side.
Bon appétit!!
…Somehow, the surroundings felt darker.
It was as if the spotlight was focused solely on the meal in front of me…
Glint.
My silver ring reflected the light from the table, momentarily catching the glow before being overpowered by the shine of the fork.
"..."
I hesitated, then picked up the utensils.
But as I debated what to eat first…
[And for your drink… Ah, Mr. Roe Deer. You mentioned you liked grapes, didn't you?]
"...!"
With a smooth motion, a curved glass bottle filled with ruby-red liquid landed on the table.
A bottle of wine.
[This is an exquisite vintage. A gift I received while hosting the quiz show. But now, it seems fitting to open it in celebration of your successful debut, my friend…]
Absentmindedly, I read the label's production year.
1999.
The same year the 'Happy Ending Teddy'—tonight's guest—had been released.
"…Did you match the vintage to the guest's production year?"
[Ah, I do appreciate an observant audience! That's correct!]
[It's a congratulatory gesture. After all, this was your first time on stage!]
[Ah, such details are essential for any great entertainer. Mr. Soleum, I hope this serves as a valuable lesson…]
Braun personally uncorked the wine.
The ruby-red liquid swirled into the crystal glass before being placed in front of me.
[Now… shall we have a toast?]
...Hmm.
Refusing at this point would feel awkward, but for some reason, I wasn't particularly eager.
[…Oh dear. Does it not suit your taste, Mr. Roe Deer? It seems I've failed to understand my friend's preferences. How shameful for a host…]
"No, that's not it."
Feeling pressured, I quickly lifted the glass—
And drank.
...
"It's good."
[Isn't it? Please, enjoy it at your leisure…]
"Alright."
I picked up my utensils.
"..."
The meal continued.
Strangely, the more I ate and drank, the clearer my mind became.
As if my exhausted body was finally absorbing much-needed nutrients… No, that wasn't just a metaphor. That was exactly what was happening.
'I thought I was in good condition.'
Maybe I was more drained than I realized.
...
…Wait, hold on!
'Of course I'd be feeling like this—I haven't eaten in a month!'
Logically speaking, there's no way a human could go a whole month without eating and still be fine.
'I should be dead.'
Goodness. Am I only realizing this now?
[Hmm? Mr. Roe Deer, is something wrong with the food?]
"No. That's not it."
I resumed eating.
With every bite, my thoughts sharpened.
'Even if I wasn't fully corrupted by this Darkness, I must have been affected in some way.'
Had my mind been foggy this entire time?
Even after arriving here, all I did was throw myself into work.
Had I been too giddy, thinking I was finally free from fear…?
Regardless—
'I should confirm this.'
I instinctively reached for another piece of candy from my tattoo inventory but hesitated at the last second.
I'd need the great host's permission, after all.
"Braun, could you return the candy you took earlier?"
[Hm?]
"I've eaten, so I figured I'd have a little dessert."
[Oh… I see. Very well.]
Braun placed the candy back into my palm.
Nostalgia Candy.
[Here you go, Mr. Soleum!]
Now I remembered for sure.
'This candy restores my body to its peak condition from the past ten years.'
This was how I survived in Sekwang Technical High.
'Alright.'
I popped the candy into my mouth.
...
Hm.
'No change at all?'
It just… felt like I had confirmed something I already knew.
'This probably means that my current condition is the best it's ever been.'
They say stress is the root of all illness—so maybe people really do need to find work that suits them.
From now on… I should at least try to eat properly instead of just working non-stop.
Even if working at a supernatural talk show made it feel like skipping meals didn't affect me, it clearly had an impact.
'Now that I think about it, working non-stop was a bit strange too.'
Placing my now-empty wine glass on the table, I spoke with a serious tone.
"Braun. No matter how I think about it, I need to bring this up."
[Hmm?]
"My employment contract. Shouldn't we discuss things like vacation time and salary?"
[Oh… Mr. Soleum.]
Braun gave me an unenthusiastic look, out of character for him, then pressed a hand to his forehead. His TV screen displayed a sighing emoticon.
[Of course, my show's crew members are guaranteed ample vacation time and silver. I must say, I'm baffled—what exactly were you told on your first day?]
Oh…
'Was I too out of it from not eating?'
Come to think of it, my memories of the first few days here were oddly hazy.
I even seemed to have lost all my belongings from Daydream Inc… What a mess.
"Sorry. But I'd still like to negotiate my work conditions properly now."
[Of course, Mr. Roe Deer!]
With a full stomach and a clear mind, I had a fierce negotiation session with the host.
The final contract included two days off per week, summer and winter vacation leaves, 50 Silver Coins of the Uncanny, and a biannual performance-based bonus…
Not bad.
[Then, let's finalize the contract by the end of this week!]
"Got it."
[Now you'll be officially employed at the talk show. Ah, that's right—while hosting today's live broadcast, I had a sudden burst of inspiration!]
[That's why I originally stopped by your dressing room. But when I saw you breaking your month-long fast with candy, I was so shocked that I lost my train of thought. Good heavens!]
"Haha… um. Sorry. So, what was the idea?"
Braun pointed at my forearm with his gloved hand.
[Your tattoos, Mr. Roe Deer.]
Ah.
I lifted my arm and glanced at the text.
The makeup had started wearing off, leaving my forearm blotchy and uneven.
[It must be a hassle to get makeup done every time you appear on the show. Oh, and knowing you, Mr. Roe Deer—you'd rather work through your break than sit still for that! So, with that in mind…]
[Why not erase them completely?]
"..."
[Think about it! It'll save time and free you from unnecessary burdens…]
"Wait a second."
['Wait a second'? Aha, is there something bothering you?]
"These tattoos have been useful in a lot of ways."
[Haha! Oh, come now!]
[That was back when you were suffering at that joyless, underpaid job!]
[But now, Mr. Soleum, you're part of this splendid talk show! No matter where you go, you'll be treated well. You could even get free sundae ice cream at boutique parlors. Come, come—let's clean up these messy little scribbles.]
Hmm.
"I still think… I could have some fun using these."
Especially the inventory tattoo.
'It could even be used for some entertaining moments on the show.'
Like pulling out props from my arm as if by magic, surprising the audience.
Even if I didn't step on stage, it'd still be useful—helping the staff move sets or lights in a pinch.
"Why should I get rid of something that's already useful? Really, I'm only asking because I don't understand."
[Hmmm.]
Braun clasped his hands together.
[I see, Mr. Soleum. Now that you've eaten and regained your strength, you're showing more of your true self… Very good!]
[In that case, I'll look into alternatives. I'll find something that offers a similar effect.]
[You're even aiming for a magician's tricks now! Such passion—it's truly moving! Haha!]
Braun's TV screen displayed an emoticon wiping away tears.
[Then, enjoy the rest of your break, Friend!]
"Yeah. Thanks."
The host watched as the catering staff thoroughly cleaned up my dressing room before finally waving goodbye and stepping out.
"Phew."
I sat down on the sofa.
Since I wasn't scheduled to appear in the next show, and the guest booking and production meetings for this week were already done, I had some free time.
'Might as well do some organizing.'
If my tattoos might be erased, it wouldn't hurt to go through my inventory and sort things out.
And since I'd just realized I lost my old belongings from Daydream Inc., I should also take stock of what I still had.
Tak.
I reached into my inventory tattoo and started pulling out items, laying them out on the table one by one.
'Most of them are still intact.'
Everything except items from the company was intact, but the Bloodbathtub isn't here either… Ah, that had been in the bathroom too. So, it was gone.
Even the company-issued special equipment was still perfectly fine.
Among them were things I hadn't made myself—some were gifts.
"Oh."
I pulled out a tiny black button.
…Assistant Manager Eun Haje's comms button.
'Could this be the button Section Chief Lee Jaheon was talking about?'
Hmm, it seemed like an invitation to stay in touch.
'That's thoughtful.'
I'd have to test it out once I got some vacation time. Smiling, I pocketed the button.
Then, past emergency rations, the Happy Maker, Bloodsucking Knife, Wrapper, and the Necronomicon…
I spotted the red button.
We Can Help! – ₩66,666,666
'There's no way he was talking about this button, right?'
This was something meant to be pressed only in a life-or-death emergency.
There was no reason to push it just because I had comfortably settled into my new job.
Absentmindedly, I placed it on the table.
'Almost done.'
There was barely anything left inside my tattoo inventory… Oh, wait. One more thing.
A paper bag with a theme park mascot printed on it emerged.
Inside… was a dragon-shaped churro.
[Blue Soda Churros]
Wow.
'I can't even remember when I got this.'
Didn't I sell one to a Disaster Management Bureau agent, then kept the rest?
Still, since I had stored it in my inventory tattoo, it hadn't gone bad.
I was about to place it on the table when I got a strange feeling and took a closer look.
Previously unreadable text was now legible.
A Taste of Bliss
A Healthy Snack for Children
A healthy snack, huh.
'…Is it safe to eat?'
Well, Braun did allow me some candy.
And he did tell me to eat properly!
'If I erase my tattoos, it might go bad. I might as well eat it now while I still can.'
It'd be a waste otherwise.
'Alright.'
I bit into the churro.
The crisp, popping texture was reminiscent of cheap junk food, but it melted in my mouth and went down easily.
And then.
And then—
"~~!!"
Something surged up from my throat.
Splish, splish, splish!
Dark blue water began pouring out of my mouth.
The salty scent of seawater filled the air.
"…!! ~!!"
It gushed out uncontrollably, flooding the talk show's waiting room floor.
I—I couldn't breathe!
I couldn't breathe!!
'W-What the hell—'
What kind of healthy snack was this, you goddamn—! No, no cursing! But what the hell do I—
No. Oxygen was running out. My mind was going blank. I was going to d-die—
…
'That thing.'
We Can Help.
With the last of my strength, I slammed my hand onto the table.
My fingers fumbled desperately through the scattered items until—
The red button.
"~!!"
I wildly flailed my arm, slamming my palm down on it.
Water streamed from my eyes, nose, and ears.
'S-Someone, help—'
And then.
BEEEEEEP!
A deafening alarm exploded inside my head.
EMERGENCY CALL CONFIRMED
And my consciousness was wrenched away.
* * *
– Supervisor Kim Soleum.
"..."
– Supervisor Kim Soleum.
GASP—!!
What the ever-loving FUCK!
I jolted upright—
Or at least, I thought I did.
The world was pitch black.
...
There was nothing. I couldn't see, I couldn't feel. No touch. No smell. No sound. Nothing. Nothing! There's nothing at all—
– Are you awake?
"…!!"
A familiar voice resonated in my head.
It was…
"…Squad Leader Lee Jaheon?"
– Yes.
And at that moment—
THUD!!
The entire world shook.
'W-What the hell?!'
– Please hold on a moment.
A few seconds later—
Suddenly, my vision returned.
I saw… my waiting room, half-flooded with water.
The same scene I'd seen just before losing consciousness.
But I wasn't seeing it directly.
It felt like I was watching through someone else's eyes.
Like a CCTV feed, floating in front of me...
"...!"
The view shifted, scanning its surroundings.
The angle changed as if checking its own limbs.
My wrist tattoos flashed into view.
…That was my body.
Someone else was controlling my body!
– Moving now.
And my vision started walking.
Huh. Huh—?!
'Hold on, don't tell me—'
"W-Wait a second. Squad Leader, are you moving my body right now?"
– Yes.
I swallowed hard.
"…Was this triggered by the 'We Can Help' button?"
– Yes.
"..."
Wait a second.
Wait just one damn second!
The 'We Can Help' button—bought from an alien shop—had summoned Section Chief Lee Jaheon?!
"Squad Leader."
I swallowed again.
"…Are you, by any chance, an alien from the Space Shopping Mall?"
– ? Yes.
AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!
-x-X-x-
Space Shopping Mall.
Also dubbed as the Alien Shop.
A bizarre creepypasta about a mysterious site that sells high-priced, supernatural, and extraordinary goods—the very place that had allowed me to acquire all kinds of useful items and equipment.
But now…
'…Chief Lizard is one of the aliens from there?'
I tried to swallow—but then flinched, realizing I had no physical body.
Because right now, my body was being occupied by Chief Lizard.
So instead, I asked him directly.
A question so absurd, I could hardly believe I was saying it.
"…Are you the site owner of the Space Shopping Mall?"
And the answer was—
– No.
Oh.
'Then what kind of connection does he have to the site?'
I was curious, but that wasn't the priority right now.
The immediate crisis had been averted.
'Phew.'
I looked at my dressing room through the CCTV-like view that my consciousness was observing.
The dark blue water that had flooded the floor was now pooling and fading away, leaving the room mostly intact, aside from a bit of a mess.
I still had no idea what exactly had happened, but from the looks of it, when I was ejected and Squad Leader Lee Jaheon took over my body, the situation had stabilized.
At the very least, I wasn't vomiting water anymore.
'That's such a relief, seriously…'
Thanks to Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, my body hadn't died. I let out a mental sigh of relief and spoke.
"Anyway, thank you. Now that things have settled, please… leave my body."
– ...…
"…Squad Leader Lee Jaheon?"
– Initiating emergency escape protocol via distress beacon.
My vision abruptly moved.
"…?!"
I—no, Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, in my body—suddenly swept all of my belongings from the table and stored them into the tattoo inventory.
Wait, what is he doing—
– In three minutes, I will authorize the 'Sacred Fire' bombardment…
What?
"W-Wait, please don't do that."
What kind of insane nonsense was this? Bombardment?!
"Why are you even using something like that right now?"
– As part of the distress beacon's optional features, all available armed forces from the Coalition are mobilized until the user is transported to a secure location.
– In the process of extracting Supervisor Kim Soleum—
"Hold on a second!"
This damn lizard— no, this reptilian alien!
Grinding my metaphorical teeth, I demanded,
"Why do I even need to escape?"
His steps halted.
I hadn't been in danger.
I had successfully changed jobs and was living a fulfilling, enjoyable life at this talk show.
So why the hell was he acting like this was some prison break?
It had already been over a month since I'd left Daydream Inc.
"I've settled in well at my new workplace, I'm doing fine, and there's no danger at all."
Honestly, I should be grateful this happened during my break—if this had happened during a live show or a meeting, I don't even want to imagine the disaster it would've caused.
– I see.
Right.
So now that things were resolved, just return my body, and—
– When was the last time you slept?
"..."
That…
That was…
Before I joined this talk show. So…
A month ago.
– For an organism to survive, food and sleep are essential.
"..."
– The fact that you do not require them suggests that you are closer to a supernatural entity than a natural being.
Which meant…
I had become a ghost story.
"...That's not true. I'm… I'm not corrupted. I can still think properly, and my sense of judgment hasn't changed."
– Is that so.
"Of course."
– Then why was there water flooding your dressing room?
"Because… I ate a churro…"
– Are you referring to the 'Healthy Snack for Children' churro you claimed to have received from Cheerful Theme Park?
"..."
– Under normal circumstances, the probability that you would consume food of supernatural origin without hesitation would be extremely low.
– Why did you press the distress beacon?
"...Because… I was drowning. The water was so overwhelming that I couldn't breathe."
– And yet, in a state of suffocation, you chose to press an unknown, supernatural escape button without any knowledge of its origin or effect.
– You had once debated for hours whether to press this button in Death Lane, ultimately deciding against it after listening to your superior's advice.
"But…"
– It is natural to seek help from others.
"..."
Had I…
Had I unknowingly started using ghost story artifacts as if they were just ordinary daily necessities?
– You have been bound to this Darkness.
"…! That's— That's not true!"
That, at least, I could confidently refute.
"I can leave whenever I want. If I just ask Mr. Host for vacation, I can leave."
– 'Mr. Host'.
– Is that what you have always called that talk show host?
"…!"
B, But…
Even if he was my business partner, Braun was still the one running this show.
So wasn't it natural to address him respectfully when working?
I was starting to feel uneasy.
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon used to be my boss, but now that I had quit, he was nothing more than a passing acquaintance.
Wasn't this level of interference in my personal life crossing a line?
Shouldn't I feel offended?
– Supervisor Kim Soleum.
But right now, Section Chief Lee Jaheon was the one controlling my body.
No.
"D-Don't launch those bombs. Do you know how much effort the staff put into this show?"
I desperately argued.
"And nobody is actually dying! So—"
– They die.
"..."
What did you just…
– Every audience member invited to this talk show receives a 'Thank You' card the next day. The card is sent to the medium through which they applied for tickets.
– And on this card, there are detailed instructions on how they can meet the 'most impressive guest' from that night's episode.
"..."
– Some audience members become entirely entranced by the talk show.
– To meet the guest, they willingly step into the Darkness.
I felt a phantom heartbeat pounding through my nonexistent body.
I recalled the audience member from yesterday.
The one who had wanted to adopt the 'Happy Ending Teddy'.
The way that teddy bear had stared at them.
At that moment, I felt it.
A deep, instinctive revulsion.
– We have confirmed at least three cases of audience members who were definitively killed or went missing.
"..."
My mind reeled.
My stomach lurched.
Even though I had no body, I still felt sick.
This was a mental reaction.
A reaction to the horrific realization that was dawning upon me.
"..."
What have I been doing all this time?
What kind of show was I working for?
But Braun, he… No.
No.
Braun never promised not to kill anyone from the audience.
He only promised that I wouldn't be afraid.
I had simply convinced myself of the wrong conclusions.
'Ghost stories…'
…Were always like this. Always.
"..."
– Supervisor Kim Soleum. You need to escape this talk show immediately.
My mind turned ice-cold.
-x-X-x-
"Squad Leader."
I knew.
I wasn't contaminated.
At least, not back when I made the decision at that train restroom.
But, but…
"I think I've… been looking at this all wrong."
I had overlooked something.
A person doesn't have to be contaminated to make bad decisions.
People fall for scams. People commit crimes. People make mistakes, have misunderstandings, and…
Sometimes, people believe in things they shouldn't.
Maybe…
Maybe this was one of those times.
"For now… leaving the talk show and taking some time to think might not be a bad idea."
I needed some time.
Time to be alone with my thoughts…
– Yes.
"But— no bombs!"
If I still had a body, I would have run a hand down my face in frustration.
"You cannot take down the host in this studio with that method…"
I was certain.
'The moment we're caught, we'll be incinerated.'
And if we were lucky enough to only be fined for damages, I might end up working here for eternity—unpaid—until I died. Or even after I died.
…The fact that I felt that wouldn't be so bad was the most terrifying part of all.
– Do you know where the studio's exit is?
"…I don't know."
I don't even know how big this studio is.
I know that it has an impossibly vast number of sets and storage rooms. But I have no idea how many floors it has, or how far each section extends.
At some point, I naturally started memorizing the paths within the staff-only areas, but everything beyond that was still a blur.
Most of the time, I either stayed in my designated waiting area or only visited other sections while accompanied by staff.
'In the entire month I've been here, I've never once left.'
And why would I? My waiting room was comfortable. I never felt the need for food, water, or sleep, and I was too busy adjusting to my new job.
"But just walking out through the exit without even requesting vacation would be stupid. It'd be better to sneak out instea—"
...
Ah.
– Were you about to suggest sneaking out?
"…No. That's impossible."
Damn it.
Even the thought of sneaking out was meaningless. Because…
"…The host always knows where I am."
Because I checked the tag.
Because of the 'Good Friend' contract, the one I had called would be able to find me forever.
No matter where I went, he would always be able to follow…
...
– Do you want to try persuading him to grant you a vacation?
"No."
If the host asked why I needed a vacation, there was no way he wouldn't notice that Section Chief Lee Jaheon was inside my body instead.
And even if I spoke to him myself…
I wasn't confident.
'I'd probably end up being persuaded instead…'
Persuaded to happily return to work on the talk show, no matter how many audience members died.
The legendary host of a supernatural talk show wasn't just someone with exceptional speech skills.
He was something so utterly terrifying that his very presence felt like a paranormal phenomenon in and of itself…
The only reason I'd ever been able to scare my good friend before was because of the restrictions of the 'Good Friend' doll.
My blood ran cold.
– I see.
– Even if we destroy half the studio, you will still be immediately found by the entity that poses a threat to you. Is that assessment correct?
"…Yes."
There was no way out.
Or rather, even if I did escape, it wouldn't matter.
It felt like a perfectly sealed space.
...
'...No.'
There's always a gap somewhere.
'The host doesn't know that I called Section Chief Lee Jaheon using an item.'
If that's the case…
"…Section Chief, how long can you stay in my body?"
– I can maintain this state for up to 60 hours.
– Additionally, the summoner cannot manually deactivate the effect. The emergency call function will only deactivate once the summoner has safely escaped the danger zone.
That was an interesting choice of words.
But that timeframe was plenty.
Enough time to wait for an opening.
"To prepare, we'll wait."
I forced my nerves to settle and began thinking.
"…Until just before the talk show begins."
* * *
Time passed.
Preparations for the live broadcast were underway.
Most of the staff were busy moving between the backstage and the main stage, setting up equipment.
Normally, I would have used this time to check the equipment or talk to the host. Sometimes I'd even attend meetings or observe different departments.
'I might be part of the production staff, but I'm not part of the cast.'
Since I wasn't part of the on-site prep team but rather worked as a show creator, there were no specific tasks assigned to me during the live broadcast.
Which meant I could move however I wanted.
I could act as if I were on an errand, or pretend I was looking for something. I could even wander from place to place without drawing suspicion.
"Over here."
I was frantically searching the empty parts of the studio, now mostly abandoned by the faceless staff.
I was looking for one thing.
"There should be a waiting area for guests."
I was sure I had heard about it before.
'There's a guest entrance.'
Every guest had a place they originally belonged to, and the studio had set up some kind of… 'accommodation'… to make their arrival smoother.
'I have to find it.'
Of course, finding the waiting rooms was a challenge in itself.
The moment I stepped beyond the waiting rooms and staff areas, I completely lost my sense of direction—like being trapped in a maze.
But Section Chief Lee Jaheon…
'…He's unbelievably fast.'
Is he seriously brute-forcing it right now?
Even though he was controlling my physical form, the sheer speed and strength of his movements made it hard to believe it was the same body. My shared vision flickered rapidly as he checked multiple pathways and signs in mere moments.
'His performance is exactly the same as when he's in his own body.'
Maybe Chief Lizard could exert that kind of power and endurance in any body…
But the real problem was—
Tap, tap.
"…!"
The view turned.
A faceless staff member stood before me, gesturing as if to ask why I was here.
They tilted their head, then made a motion—as if offering to escort me back, assuming I had lost my way.
"...Tell them I'm running an errand and will return shortly."
– I am running an errand and will return shortly.
The faceless staff didn't insist twice.
Instead…
They disappeared around the corner—
And came back with another staff member.
"..."
Gulp.
If I had a body right now, I would have swallowed hard.
'This is bad.'
If I looked suspicious here, word would immediately reach the host. And if that happened…
I'd find myself happily hosting the talk show again.
All of my doubts would be neatly erased, thanks to his kind and 'persuasive reasoning'.
'...'
The new staff member gestured.
"They… they're offering to complete the errand on my behalf."
– That won't be necessary.
Squad Leader!!
"P-Please say that I prefer to do it myself. It's not a big task, so I'd rather complete it quietly as a new employee."
– P-Please say that I prefer to do it myself.
"..."
No, that's—
– It's not a big task, so I'd rather complete it quietly as a new employee.
Fortunately, the staff member accepted that reasoning and left.
It seemed they had no time to waste with the live broadcast approaching.
'Phew…'
– Continuing the search.
'This feels like I'm piloting a robot.'
A robot ten times stronger and faster than me.
Suppressing my nerves, I continued monitoring Lee Jaheon's vision as he searched.
There were a few close calls, but we managed to avoid trouble.
And before long.
– I've found it.
"…!"
Ka-chak.
The door in my vision swung open.
Guest Area
The CCTV-like view in front of me now displayed a dimly lit, antique-style corridor.
Rows of doors lined the corridor, each still bearing the nameplates of the guests who had appeared over the past month—none of them had been replaced…
As if a new one was used for every guest who appeared.
"..."
…A strange, uneasy feeling—one I hadn't noticed all month—began creeping over me, even beyond my skin…
I swallowed hard.
"Please find the door labeled 'Happy Ending Teddy'."
The view shifted rapidly, and soon enough, we found the door.
The light above today's guest waiting room was glowing brightly, but I ignored it and instead approached the door next to it.
A door with a dimly flickering light—yesterday's guest waiting room.
Happy Ending Teddy
Ka-chak.
…The dark waiting room had yet to be cleaned, and everything inside was scaled to fit the size of a fabric doll.
Traces of the teddy bear remained.
…As well as remnants from the process of making one.
"..."
I tried my best not to look at the scattered body parts and bits of skin.
Luckily, since Section Chief Lee Jaheon was the one controlling my body right now, it wasn't too difficult to avoid focusing on them.
He quickly scanned the room, then finally, he found something.
– It's a dollhouse door.
One side of the wall had a small, brightly colored door, barely reaching my waist—almost like a child's toy.
"Let's go through there."
Creeeak.
…From my point of view, my hand reached out and opened the tiny door, then crawled forward, inching through the darkness.
A faint light appeared ahead.
And moments later—
"…!"
The view suddenly brightened.
A modern hallway came into sight.
In stark contrast to the classic elegance of Braun's studio, this place had a contemporary design—concrete walls, painted surfaces.
And from a distance, voices echoed…
– Now! Introducing today's featured item! A miraculous product that transforms your hair into living snakes…!
The absurd voice of a home shopping host promoting a ridiculous product.
Delusion Home Shopping!
'As expected.'
Since the show had received sponsorship from here when the Happy Ending Teddy's made its guest appearance, I figured this passage might lead to this place.
'Good.'
I let out a sigh of relief.
I'd done something similar before in Death Lane—escaping from one ghost story by slipping into another.
'Since this is still a broadcasting studio, Braun might take a little longer to notice my absence.'
Besides, the live broadcast was about to start soon, meaning he wouldn't have time to come after me.
Or, maybe I could even find something useful here to prevent Braun from tracking me.
'With Section Chief Lee Jaheon's strength, there shouldn't be any danger here.'
I was willing to bet on that.
The view moved as he stepped forward into the bright hallway.
I suppressed my excitement and said,
"Chief, first, let's find something discreet but useful—"
[Goodness.]
G
R
A
B
I was dangling in midair.
Someone was holding me.
[It looks like you took a wrong turn, Friend! I don't think you were trying to leave the studio. The hallways can be quite confusing, can't they?]
A massive—truly massive—TV screen loomed before me, displaying a friendly, smiling emoticon.
[The live broadcast is just around the corner, so I had to call you back this way. Now, take a nice break. You'll find it much more comfortable this way!]
Below, an enormous gloved hand had me by the scruff of my neck, then gently supported my back and legs before carefully placing me onto a dark brown desk.
[Oh, I've experienced a body like this before, so I can assure you… Seeing it again is rather nostalgic.]
[My dear, 'Good Friend.']
I had a body again.
But I couldn't move.
The shimmering lights of Braun's Late-Night Talk Show flashed before me—the stage, the audience seats, and…
Everything was gigantic.
On the black TV screen, my reflection stared back at me.
[Now, now… Just sit back comfortably and enjoy the talk show. It'll be starting soon!]
I…
I became a plush doll.
-x-X-x-
I didn't know.
How vast and overwhelming the talk show set would look from the perspective of a palm-sized stuffed doll.
How everything could appear unnaturally massive, and what kind of pressure it would bring to be unable to blink or even struggle.
Especially.
If the eerie host, with a television in place of a head, loomed over me, casting a massive shadow.
And when that voice, so vividly real, echoed—
Now then, let us welcome today's guest!
'~~!'
The vibrations rattled through my stuffing like an earthquake.
But no matter what state I was in, the talk show continued.
'Guest…'
The vintage stage lights flickered as the door swung open.
A grotesque ghost story—one I had personally suggested in a meeting, calling it 'a fantastic idea'—stepped onto the stage and took its seat.
Or rather, the staff carried it in and propped it up in the guest's seat.
Because it was merely a vaguely human-shaped figure made of wooden sticks.
The Crimson Scarecrow!
Its head was wrapped in cloth, crudely scrawled with facial features in red marker—eyes, nose, and mouth, drawn with careless, slashing strokes.
The rain had smudged the markings, making it appear even more nightmarish.
A monster said to lurk in a cornfield the size of a city, luring people in until they lost their way—then, once night fell, hunting them down one by one until they vanished.
An entity derived from a famous American horror story, turned into an entry into the
And now, it sat right there.
I could feel a swell of nausea rising.
But, there was nothing inside me.
Because I'm a stuffed doll.
I had no mouth, no stomach, no organs.
[You've made quite the journey to be here today. Now then…]
The host stepped closer to the guest, and the suffocating weight of his presence over me lightened slightly.
The scarecrow, of course, did not respond. Its vandalized face continued staring blankly into space, but the host carried the interview effortlessly.
[Oh! I hear that the most recent incident involved a group of bank robbers escaping into a cornfield! How thrilling…]
A chilling tale unfolded—how a group of robbers, fleeing the police, had hidden in a cornfield… only to encounter the Crimson Scarecrow and meet a gruesome fate. By morning, the criminals' entrails had become nothing more than fertilizer for the corn and the stuffing for the scarecrow itself.
A thrilling, action-packed 'exploration record', laced with humor and suspense, while keeping the ethical discomfort to a minimum.
"Wow, that's seriously creepy."
"Amazing."
The audience gasped, startled and entertained in equal measure, unable to suppress their laughter even as the horror unfolded before them.
Yes.
It was as if, as long as everyone laughed together, even the most terrible things could be seen as fun.
Even as the interview veered toward increasingly disturbing stories of innocent victims, the audience only cheered louder, exhilarated by the thrill.
'They're contaminated.'
Now I understood.
These people—slowly, bit by bit, were becoming contaminated just by watching the talk show.
And maybe, just maybe…
I, too, had become contaminated the longer I worked on this talk show…
[What an exciting story! Don't you all agree? Ah, let's give a round of applause for our guest, stepping beyond the cornfield and into the public eye for the very first time!]
The eerie scarecrow, still nothing more than a red-marked sack, sat motionless.
And yet, somehow, it now seemed as if its eyes were truly looking at the audience.
[Now then… It's time to move on to our next segment… Oh, that's right! We introduced this new corner last episode, didn't we? Do you all remember, dear viewers?]
Tell Braun's Friend
All About It!
Wait.
[Unfortunately, my friend wasn't originally scheduled to appear today, so he couldn't come in his usual form…]
[But with his burning passion, he's returned in a brand-new appearance!]
The host lifted me.
Dangling in midair, my small, stuffed limbs swayed as his gloved hands made me wave my arms and nod my head.
Can you see him?
Here is my dear friend!
The audience erupted into laughter, pointing at me, clapping, and cheering.
He lifted me like a puppet and began speaking for me, like a ventriloquist.
['Now, what's that, my friend? Aha!']
['For the next 100 seconds, we'll ask some questions! Audience, please respond!']
The host mimicked my speech patterns and intonation with eerie accuracy. My stuffed arm waved toward the audience. People laughed.
I was terrified by how easy it was to get swept up in the excitement.
[Now, shall we hear what my friend wants to ask?]
The TV screen tilted toward me, as if expectantly.
…I couldn't speak.
Because a stuffed doll has no mouth.
But…
'I can think.'
And my thoughts would be transmitted with perfect clarity.
Just like when I had been able to hear the voice of the 'Good Friend'.
So…
I thought.
'I want to stop.'
[…Aha! My friend is feeling a little nervous.]
[But here we go, the first question—oh, how bold! 'If you could redraw the Crimson Scarecrow's face, what would you draw?']
'I want to stop.'
['Cute! Oh, what a wonderful answer.' Don't you think so, my friend?]
'I want to stop.'
['Of course, Braun!']
I kept resisting his words.
But the host, as if completely unaffected, continued his ventriloquism effortlessly, making the doll move as though I were enthusiastically responding.
And so, the 100 seconds passed.
['Hahaha! Thank you! That was the Braun's Friend segment!']
[Now, it's time to welcome our next guest. But first… we'll be right back after these messages!]
The cameras stopped.
The stage lights went dark.
...
...
[How dare you disrupt a live broadcast.]
My entire body froze.
The enormous TV-headed figure leaned down and whispered.
[This is unacceptable. Mr. Soleum, have you started thinking with straw instead of a brain, just like the scarecrow? Did you really try to ruin my show?!]
A gloved hand pressed down on my head.
My head—my entire being—was crushed beneath the pressure, as if my thoughts were dissolving into nothingness.
[Heavens… This… is unforgivable.]
[As your good friend, I have done nothing but support your work, and yet! Mr. Roe Deer, you're trying to sabotage this talk show right now—your own workplace, no less!]
[Absolutely unacceptable…]
'There's something I can't accept either.'
[...]
'The audience members. They went missing. They died.'
Even as my vision blurred from the pressure of the gloved hand, I kept thinking.
'After the show ended, you sent them thank-you letters, and inside, you included instructions on how to meet the guests.'
'You did that because it made for great entertainment when the guests returned with more gruesome stories, didn't you?'
[Who told you that?]
[No, that's not the issue here. Friend, there seems to be a misunderstanding…]
The pressure on my head eased.
Instead, the gloved hands smoothed out my stuffing, gently restoring my shape.
[Mr. Roe Deer, my show never forces anything.]
[If someone watches a horror movie and is inspired to commit murder, is that the movie's fault?]
The TV screen displayed a crying emoticon.
[Why must my show prioritize anything other than joy, thrills, and excitement?]
'I'm not trying to convince you.'
I thought.
'So don't try to convince me.'
And then—
'I don't want to create, participate in, or be a part of a talk show that murders people and burns them to ash.'
...
...
[Oh.]
The hand lifted away from my head.
And then.
[I see.]
[In that case, from now on, I suppose you'll just be treated as a lowly backstage staff member.]
It felt as if my blood had frozen.
But I had no blood.
So I kept thinking.
'You don't have the right. I never signed the employment contract.'
Exactly that.
Everything had been verbal.
The contract was only scheduled to be signed sometime soon.
'And you said it yourself.'
'That if I wasn't enjoying it, you'd let me go.'
I stared at the blank screen of the vintage TV with unblinking eyes.
'So let me go. I'm scared, and I'm not enjoying this.'