Death Lane.
A grotesque alley whose name seems inspired by once-trendy hotspot districts.
If a civilian casually downloaded the app from the flyer and got caught up in this, they might initially be confused.
The first area they encounter, the 'Main Alley of Death Lane', is filled with street vendors, making it seem like a lively night market at first glance. But upon closer inspection…
< Confirmed Items Sold at Death Lane Stalls >
Beaded Strap: A strap made of crimson string and ivory beads. Touching it leaves salt and ash on the hands, and the beads writhe and vibrate. Employees who touched the strap later complained of prolonged distress, claiming to hear cries for help, sobbing, and the voice of ■■. Recovered after a short-term memory erasure procedure.
Traditional Bubble Gum: Gum with reversed lettering printed on it. A balloon inflates inside the throat rather than the mouth. Removed just before suffocation.
Floral Slippers: A civilian who tried on these slippers under the vendor's insistence reported seeing fire, blades, and ■■ beneath their feet, followed by ■■ ■■. They then disappeared, sobbing, into the alley.
Picture Frame: Displays an image of a close relative being murdered.
...
By this point, anyone would understand.
'To leave here safely, I must avoid looking at anything!'
The items being sold are all unusable by a normal person, yet the vendors actively solicit customers.
The best strategy is to act disinterested, like someone with a destination in mind, and quickly pass through.
However, as you escape from the flashy signs and bright lights into smaller alleys, the strangeness grows stronger…
Because it never ends.
The alleys grow narrower and narrower, eventually becoming so tight that no person could fit through.
'…If you reach that point, it's over.'
That's right. You can't simply walk out of this lane.
So, what should you do?
It's simple.
Just as you followed the navigation guide on the app to enter, you must use that same navigation guide to exit.
Ding.
'…It's begun.'
I glanced at the new event page that popped up on my smartphone app.
Death Lane Step Count Challenge
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps: 10,000
This is it.
The very thing that lures people into the ghost story and, at the same time, the most straightforward and safest lifeline for escape.
If you successfully complete the 'Step Count Challenge' on the smartphone app, you can leave the alley.
This is the only way out.
…But while I, the coward, was busy thinking about this, the ghost story resident in my pocket seemed fully immersed in the night market atmosphere.
– Ah, it's been a while since I've visited a place like this. Isn't this a rare spot for a show host to visit personally?
– There's certainly a charm to exploring such a lively night market! Why not pick out something that suits us, Friend?
– The quality may not be ideal, but a piece or two for keepsakes wouldn't hurt!
Aaagh.
'No. Let's buy something from elsewhere. I should get something better for a friend.'
– ...! How touching! Very well. This Braun will also think of something that suits a friend…
And then, at that moment—
got sOMeTHiNg speciAL to ShoW yoU??
"...!!"
One of the street vendors grabbed my arm.
oveR heeeRE iVE got soMeThIng Even BETTER. leT mE SHoW YoU. coME INside.
Behind the vendor, there was nothing. No open door, no shop, no space. Yet the vendor insisted again.
COME INside.
Don't look directly.
Without closely examining the vendor's face, I just needed to calmly and naturally refuse. I barely managed to open my mouth…
But before I could speak, Chief Lizard grabbed the vendor's arm.
"??"
Tightly.
The vendor flinched as the red vertical pupils of Section Chief Lee Jaheon focused on them.
"..."
"..."
The vendor averted their gaze and quietly released my arm. Then, as if nothing had happened, they began soliciting another shadowy figure.
"..."
So that… actually worked?
I just realized something new: even ghosts seem to mind their manners around the lizard.
"Thank you."
"Yes."
Physical exorcism—nothing could be more convenient.
'Come to think of it, I was supposed to receive some equipment from Section Chief Lee that enhances physical strength as a custom parent item.' I'll have to bring that up after this mission is over.
For now, though, Chief Lizard remained quiet, likely because this was a situation with real threats. He refrained from giving instructions that would only make someone with nerves of steel pass out.
Instead, he simply said one thing.
"In cases where more than four people enter, it's standard procedure to split into pairs and explore new paths if possible."
Hmm?
"Mr. Roe Deer, choose a pair."
Ah, I see.
Since I technically outrank the others, the squad leader likely wants to balance the pairs by assigning me to a different one.
'What a shame… I'll miss the lizard's strength.'
The convenience I just experienced was almost addictively sweet. Still, it was expected. At least I had already entered with Section Chief Lee Jaheon, so if things went south, I could rely on him, like during the exhibition Darkness.
'So, I need to pick someone to accompany me from a batchmate?' Hmm.
I spoke politely.
"Since we're acquainted, may I go with Mr. Buffalo?"
"Yes."
It seemed logical to stick with someone familiar for ease of movement. 'Especially since I need to check that chocolate packaging…'
Besides, I figured Kang Yihak might prefer to pair up with the squad leader…
Kang Yihak interjected.
"Oh, wait a moment! Would it be okay if I went with Mr. Buffalo instead?"
Huh?
"Since you two were originally on the same squad, it wouldn't feel right for us support staff to split you up! Plus, I have something to discuss with Mr. Buffalo…"
Kang Yihak diplomatically explained that, since this wasn't a high-grade ghost story, it should be fine for two junior employees to follow the manual together.
"If both of you are okay with it, it should work just fine!"
"Yes."
The lizard nodded.
"Move in a group of three."
"…Pardon, sir?"
"Mr. Roe Deer, Ms. Pony, and Mr. Buffalo. Move as a group of three."
Kang Yihak managed to respond without losing their friendly demeanor.
"Oh, thank you, but… Is it not going to be risky for you to go alone, Section Chief?"
"Yes."
"..."
Well then.
At this point, further persuasion was futile.
'A group of three, huh.'
Before leaving, Section Chief Lee approached me.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Without warning, he handed me something.
"If a problem arises, press this."
"..."
A small, round brown object dropped into my hand.
A button.
I'd used the same thing during the Tuesday Quiz Show.
…It was Assistant Manager Eun Haje's communication device.
"…You've made contact with Assistant Manager Falcon?"
"Yes. She asked me to deliver it to you yesterday."
"..."
I nodded slowly.
"Thank you."
"Yes."
And with that, the lizard vanished into the depths of the alley…
"Well, let's move as well and make our way out of this street vendor alley."
"Yes…!"
"Ah, yes-yes."
I began walking with my two fellow rookies.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps: 9,130
Walking through the eerie, brightly lit vendor alley while keeping the app running turned out to be more mentally draining than expected. Especially since you couldn't afford to let your guard down for even a moment.
"Huu."
Jang Heo-un began to lift his mask slightly to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated underneath.
Wait.
"Be careful."
"...!"
I stopped him immediately.
"It's best to strictly follow the anonymity manual here… Mr. Buffalo."
"...Yes."
Jang Heo-un slowly lowered his hand and wiped the sweat off without removing his mask.
...
One of the street vendors, who had been observing him closely, resumed their sales pitch.
Whisper, whisper.
'Phew.'
The vendors in this alley have an aggressive tendency to sell their goods and claim payment by any means.
To avoid getting caught up in this, it's crucial not to reveal any personal information, appearance, or vulnerabilities.
The company's manual was precise.
'The moment you fail to follow this, you'll be passively drawn into their sales trap.'
Like those people hovering at the far end of the alley.
"This place is incredible—I had no idea it was here."
"Huh? What's that? It looks so real… real, real, real, real… REAL! I'll buy it!"
"That's the one! Yes! It's a real person!"
The problem was that they had no masks or information to hide their identities.
"Huh? W-wait… why does that person have three eyes? Huh? Oh, right! Humans always had three eyes! My bad, I must've been mistaken. I'll go buy another eye, honey."
"Sure! Trade it for an ear!"
They followed the vendor into the alley and disappeared.
'…It's too late.'
That's how they go missing.
A chilling fear ran down my spine.
But I couldn't show it—not in front of my fellow rookies.
Instead, I clenched my teeth and feigned composure as I kept walking.
"For now, let's just get out of this stree—"
"Mr. Roe Deer, over there…!"
Jang Heo-un pointed with a trembling hand.
It was…
A 'person' walking right past us.
A high school student with a nervous expression, glancing around anxiously.
'Damn it.'
"This is…!"
Jang Heo-un hastily rummaged through his bag and pulled out a black cloth mask.
He walked straight up to the student and handed it over without preamble.
"Wear this."
"W-What…?"
'This could go horribly wrong…!'
I immediately stepped in.
"Stay calm. Put on the mask quickly, and no matter what anyone says, stay quiet and keep walking."
"What… oh."
"Try not to look around. Act as if you're just here for a casual stroll."
Whether it was due to the influence of my Silver Heart badge or something else, the student, sensing something was off, hesitantly took the mask Jang Heo-un offered.
"Do not turn off the Death Lane app and complete the 10,000 steps. That's the only way out."
"..."
The student, their face a mixture of suspicion, anxiety, and alertness, glanced at us before turning and running in the opposite direction.
"Ah…!"
Jang Heo-un looked like he wanted to call out but hesitated, eventually giving up. The student had already disappeared into the distance, and Kang Yihak was just watching with a calm smile.
"..."
And I could guess the other reason.
"By the way."
Jang Heo-un muttered incredulously, "That student… wasn't that the uniform of Sekwang Technical High School?"
"..."
Indeed.
In this space, you can witness all sorts of things.
Dead friends, family members who disappeared in childhood, victims of major accidents, pedestrians in 1980s attire, or even students from schools that don't exist in reality.
Countless customers, onlookers, and… products flow through this alley.
But.
"It's best to act as if you didn't see anything here. Staying unnoticed is the basic rule of the manual."
"Ah, got it…!"
Jang Heo-un took another deep breath.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Hey, no need to be too tense. Just like the manual says, let's act like we're casually exploring this alley as if we're out with friends!"
Kang Yihak had a point.
The manual strongly recommended maintaining a natural demeanor, as if you were just visiting the district with acquaintances.
"Still, let's stay cautious as we move."
"Yes!"
We continued walking through the crowd, trying our best not to bump into anyone or draw attention.
Step, step.
With every step on the alley's cobblestones, the app's counter ticked down. And when the thousand-digit number changed.
Don't give up on your body!
Remaining steps: 8,999
A gap between the street vendors came into view.
'A passage.'
It was a path leading into a narrower alley.
Beyond it, the street vendors disappeared, replaced by formal shops selling various daily necessities…
"We'll turn here."
At that moment—
"Oh, since we're entering a new alley… how about we try to be even more natural now?" Kang Yihak chimed in.
Hmm.
"Could you elaborate a bit more on what you mean?"
Kang Yihak grinned.
"Let's try to score some rare finds!"
"...!"
"There are a lot of exploration records about finding good 'items' here, so why not do a little market browsing ourselves? It's the most natural thing to do, after all!"
Shopping, plain and simple.
"...! But the manual specifically advises against that…"
Jang Heo-un was right.
While purchasing items deemed useful for exploration wasn't outright prohibited, it wasn't encouraged either.
Any risks associated with such purchases wouldn't be eligible for workplace injury compensation.
That bottom line sounded shady, but there was a clear reason why the manual discouraged it: The likelihood of impulsive buying was high. The longer you walked, the more this street would tempt you with appealing shops and goods.
Employees, gradually losing their reason in this bizarre place, often ended up snatching up dangerous items without a second thought.
Even when payment didn't involve ordinary currency.
And yet, Kang Yihak brought this up anyway…
'What's her angle?'
She definitely had some hidden motive.
– Ah, politics! Life's unscripted variety show.
– But if you back down, it turns into a documentary. We can't have that. Let's go, Mr. Roe Deer!
Sigh.
I'd hoped meeting new people might be refreshing, but here we are again…
'Well, no choice.'
I flashed Kang Yihak a grin.
"Sure."
"...!"
"Browsing sounds fun."
"Oh! You're on the same page, Supervisor! I knew you'd agree!"
"Yes."
Then I casually raised my hand and pointed toward a certain shop I was all too familiar with.
Fresh Meat Butcher Shop: A shop displaying live organs and body parts.
Identifiable by its red and blue lights and the bloodstained apron of the shopkeeper seated in front of the glass window.
"..."
"..."
"The goods look promising. Let's head inside."
I took a step toward the butcher shop.
"...?!"
This is what you call the 'You can't reason with a lunatic' strategy...!