I'm on the Disaster Management Bureau's rescue team, huh. Having to go into a ghost story to save civilians, when I can barely look after myself as it is…
'Am I dreaming?'
But it was reality.
And I even had to enter a ghost story right this moment to rescue someone. 7:30 PM.
Exactly an hour and thirty minutes had passed since I finished the aptitude test and was appointed.
Yet, here I was, already receiving agent gear at headquarters due to the urgent directive Agent Bronze had received.
And now I was riding a Disaster Management Bureau bicycle, heading toward the site of the ghost story.
'…The sun's completely gone.'
Riding a bike in this cold, through the dark, makes me shiver—and so many thoughts run through my head…
"Citizens caught up in a Disaster can request rescue using the number provided on the Bureau's informational leaflets."
Yes…
'And I'm also aware that this number sometimes miraculously works even inside the ghost story.'
Just listening to this impromptu rescue briefing, which was so like the Disaster Management Bureau, was already making my head spin. I kept pedaling mechanically after the agent.
"When entering a Disaster, traveling by bicycle is actually safer than going by car."
'Yes. Since most means of transportation either don't work inside ghost stories, or else trigger some of the worst mishaps…'
It was a fun worldbuilding tidbit when I was only reading about it, but experiencing it in reality was really cold and grueling.
For reference, the gear I received this time was more extensive than what I had as a temporary agent.
A glass handgun, an iron badge, a notebook, and… a fishing line.
"Whatever you do, don't lose the fishing line. It's the tool you'll need to make an emergency solo escape in this Disaster."
"…Understood."
Remembering what happened when I was a temporary agent left me slightly uneasy, though I can't deny there was a bit of excitement, too. Which ghost story am I entering right now…!
"The Disaster we're heading into for this civilian rescue is…" Disaster?
Noticing my expression, Agent Bronze paused briefly, then spoke in a slightly more reassuring tone.
"…You don't have to be so nervous. The civilian who called for help isn't going to die just from listening to the explanation."
"…Yes, sir."
His kindness was somewhat misplaced…
"First, let me explain everything."
"Yes."
All right, I get it already.
Facing forward again, Agent Bronze pedaled along a deserted neighborhood bike path and spoke.
"Kim Soleum-ssi, do you remember a chain store called Lucky Mart?"
"..."
"They pulled out of Korea eleven years ago, but they're still well-known in English-speaking countries… Agent?"
"Yes. I've heard of them."
'Oh God.'
It's more than just 'heard of'.
I know it so well, it's practically a problem.
A giant supermarket chain by the name of Lucky Mart.
It became the motif for a certain ghost story.
Back in the earliest days when the had still been archived under the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau, this ghost story was the seventh 'original' ghost story documented.
People rushing to find a supermarket late at night would stumble on a Lucky Mart branch by chance and go in…
Then, vanish.
========================
[Looky Mart]
: A ghost story featured in : Disaster Management Bureau registration number – 1793PSYA.2001.나31
A bizarre phenomenon mimicking a large-scale shopping mall, trapping those who enter to wander forever, unable to escape. Associated with at least 300 disappearances over the course of decades, it's classified by the Bureau as a Fracture-sanctioned Disaster.
A known method to end or seal it does not exist, and proactively preventing disappearances is likewise impossible.
However, informational leaflets assisting individuals in escaping have been placed throughout this ghost-story mart. Using those leaflets, certain citizens managed to return to reality, and their reports formed the basis for the exploration record.
========================
A massive shopping mall.
A setting that feels comfortable and familiar in everyday life, yet also one that magnifies fear with its vast, mechanical repetition—making for a thrilling, chilling story.
That is, when you're just reading it.
'It's Fracture-sanctioned.'
Compared to the Bureau's classification, it's two whole tiers above that mountain lodge swarming with a serial killer where I met Agent Bronze. If this were Daydream Inc. standards, it'd be close to B-grade! I broke out in a cold sweat as I turned it over in my head.
'…Have there been many cases where a Disaster Management Bureau agent entered Looky Mart to rescue civilians and brought them out safely?'
Mostly… I think they got out fine.
Sure, there were plenty of special cases in the exploration records where things went wrong. But typically, the wiki focuses in detail on such exceptional situations, so maybe it's nothing to stress over… Damn.
'I do want to see it for myself though.'
I have no idea why the item still isn't repaired.
The Memorial Popsocket!
I recalled my checking item, which still had unset adhesive on it, and let out a silent sigh.
'That person told me it would definitely be fixed in a month.'
That agent who pretended to be a dokkaebi didn't seem like he was lying.
'…It must be one of two things.'
Either because it came out of that merch box, so the repair didn't go through properly…
…Or because I spent the past month in a ghost story, so it didn't count as a proper 'period of time'.
'In either case, I need a backup plan.'
Looky Mart was such a famous ghost story that I could pretty much remember all its details. In that sense, I guess I should be thankful it's a named ghost story…
'But there'll come a time when this kind of luck won't cut it.'
Whenever I'd recall that time on the Tamra Express, where I couldn't remember anything about the owner of the Silver Heart, it would still send chills down my spine.
To avoid another crisis like that, the Memorial Popsocket was absolutely necessary.
'Now that I'm an agent, getting a new one should be even easier.'
I'll keep it in mind as a Plan B, in case the repair never finishes—maybe I can find a replacement.
Thinking about the broken Memorial Popsocket, carefully wrapped in cushioning and stored in my pocket, I turned over possibilities in my head. Meanwhile, Agent Bronze's briefing on 'Lucky Mart' continued.
"It's a Disaster you can only enter after sundown, so the timing worked out well for the person who called for help."
"…May I ask about the appearance of the caller?"
Agent Bronze answered calmly.
"They're two first-year high school students."
Wow.
'They just had to be kids…'
Now my conscience will stop me from bailing halfway and running off. Holding back a sigh, I memorized the descriptions and the official report from the time they called in.
Noticing my demeanor, Agent Bronze gave me a somewhat sympathetic look and spoke.
"…Don't worry too much. That explanation about being able to hold out for around half a day applies to high schoolers as well."
"...Yes, sir."
My pang of conscience only grew stronger.
"However, two agents who went in earlier are currently in a short-term missing status within this Disaster."
"..."
"Don't worry. They weren't rescue agents. It was an unfortunate mishap during a routine search for sealing methods."
That's very encouraging news, Agent…
"We must remain vigilant during the rescue effort, so refrain from any rash actions. Make sure of it."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
The words 'Do you really have to bring a new recruit in a place like that?' rose to my throat, but I swallowed them back.
He's well aware I'm a 'career-track new recruit', so there's no way he'll cut me any slack.
Drr-ring.
The cheerful sound of a bike bell didn't reflect my mood at all, but I kept pedaling.
Agent Bronze gradually slowed down, letting me take the lead.
"…Agent?"
"We'll be 'wandering' like this for at least twenty minutes. …The person who doesn't know where the building is should go first, so please proceed."
I remembered.
Looky Mart entry condition: Roam around for over twenty minutes, within a 3km radius of the old Lucky Mart location, searching for the store.
In the freezing cold, I quietly rode my bicycle around the unfamiliar neighborhood.
As long as I kept my mind focused on finding the supermarket—looking around the area without a navigation system, lost for about twenty minutes…
"…Agent Bronze."
I braked to a stop.
"I think I've found it."
Then, I saw a fairly large three-story building rising between the dark streetlights…
A green, glowing sign for a mart.
FRESH MART
It wasn't a chain store, but rather a locally branded supermarket you might find in any neighborhood.
"..."
No, wait.
The moment I blinked again…
LUCKY MART
In front of the supermarket building, I saw the familiar chain store logo. It looked like it hadn't been refurbished in years. Dust clung to some of the letters on the signboard, and some sections weren't even lit.
"..."
If you look more… more closely at one of the unlit sections…
Flick.
The light went on.
LOOKY MART
Suddenly, a different set of letters than what I'd read at first appeared there…
"Try not to dwell on it."
"…!"
He's right.
LUCKY MART
I'm looking at Lucky Mart.
'Good thing I was trying to find a supermarket in the first place.'
I parked my bike nearby and approached the supermarket building, which still had its lights on as if it were open.
Let's enter 'Lucky Mart' naturally like this.
That made sense—since Lucky Mart is a massive supermarket chain with branches all over the country, there's no reason to feel nervous unless you consciously think about it…
If you see the supermarket after sunset, you enter under the illusion that Lucky Mart is still in operation.
The automatic doors slid open smoothly, and I stepped into the brightly lit interior.
It was a typical supermarket.
It felt somewhat outdated and cheap, but as an old neighborhood mart, it was still mundane enough to be overlooked.
First Floor. Daily Necessities Section.
Children's toys were stacked on a seasonal promotional display. A song that had long gone out of fashion played softly in the background.
"Is this the idol song you like?"
"No, Mom! That's a rookie group from MS Entertainment…"
People passed by while shopping.
…A family dressed in clothes that were trendy ten years ago, holding outdated smartphones.
Shoppers from the past.
Upon entering, the scene appeared just like an ordinary supermarket with people casually shopping. But these were actual shoppers from the past, from when Lucky Mart was still in operation.
"..."
"Hahaha!"
The shoppers walked past us.
Not only were their outfits outdated, but considering how cold it was outside, their light clothing felt out of place.
As if, beyond a single doorway, time inside the supermarket was flowing differently.
"These are not people caught in the Disaster. Ignore them."
"..."
I nodded slowly.
'The callers… they said they were in what seemed to be the basement level, right?'
Caller 1: H-Help, please. We came into the supermarket and something's off…! Ah, no one can see us, and it feels like we're in an old supermarket.
Caller 1: The area? Uh, well… we're around the snack aisle right now. Yeah, a-and I'm really thirsty…
"We're heading to the basement."
I nodded and slowly followed Agent Bronze.
This place, which seemed like a perfect recreation of Lucky Mart's past, still looked fine.
No. If anything, it might have even felt nostalgic, like stepping into an earlier time.
If, of course, you didn't know it was a ghost story.
"..."
A tight tension coiled in my throat.
Wow. This is insane.
Every horrific case I'd read in the was coming back to me.
Come to think of it, 'Looky Mart' had an unusually high number of unexpected twists in the records…!
'S-Stay calm.'
Agent Bronze wouldn't have dragged a new recruit into a hardcore-level rescue mission without reason.
I swallowed dryly as I stepped onto the escalator and began descending. Then… between the two escalators, moving up and down, I saw something fall.
A slip of paper, like a receipt.
Wait a second.
'Could that be…'
I quickly reached out and grabbed the small, receipt-like paper.
"…! You found it already. That's one of the informational leaflets placed by the Bureau."
Right.
A leaflet hidden discreetly out of the employees' sight—meant to help civilians who got trapped in this ghost story through no fault of their own.
'The callers probably saw this, too.'
I checked the contents of the receipt-like leaflet.
Take a slow, deep breath.
You have been caught in a Supernatural Disaster.
However, there is no need to despair.
There are at least dozens of documented cases of successful escape from this Disaster, and the government has recorded methods here to aid your escape.
Please check the instructions on the back.
…Ugh, just reading this already makes me anxious. It's exactly the kind of thing you'd find in a ghost story survival manual.
'Honestly, before telling people to take deep breaths, they should fix the red font and formatting…'
But the content itself was exactly as I remembered.
Flipping to the back, the instructions remained the same.
'I'm not sure which version this is, though.'
Among the listed escape methods, some would become ineffective after enough exploration attempts.
As time passed, objects, targets, and layouts would change, altering the situation.
'Of course, some things never change.'
Like this.
The ghosts standing at every entrance do not move until business hours end. Please rest assured.
"..."
Right.
At the entrance I came through, there must already be a grotesque 'ghost' standing there by now…
And the easiest escape method was to dash out when that ghost wasn't looking.
If business hours haven't ended even once since you entered, you still have a chance.
If you block the ghost's line of sight, you can leave.
But not everyone's so lucky.
Caller 1: [Sniff, hiic]… Yes, we saw the escape instructions on the leaflet, but we… we can't do it… We don't have anything to throw over the ghost's head… and we didn't steal anything. Our arms can't reach…!
'This is exactly why an agent is needed.'
Specifically, someone who had useful items for the situation and knew how to use them.
So once we confirmed the caller's identity, we had to get out of here before business hours ended.
'If the store closes, it becomes a real horror escape game.'
And fortunately for us, we quickly found two uniformed high school students near the escalator on B1 by the snack aisle.
"Wahhhh…"
They were pressed into a corner, crying their eyes out.
Those were the callers.
"Would you like to speak to them yourself?"
"...Pardon, sir?"
"Stay calm and try. Consider it part of your training."
"Um, okay..."
Agent Bronze looked at me with an oddly warm gaze.
I felt a different kind of cold sweat.
Carefully, I approached the two teens, crouched down in front of them, and met their eyes.
"Hello. You're the ones who called for rescue, right?"
"...!!"
"A-AHHH!"
Thump.
Both high schoolers fell onto their rears.
"Y-You're human, right?! You can see us?!"
"Yes. I can see you clearly."
I tried to smile as much as possible.
"We came in response to your call. You've been through a lot so far."
"Wahhhhhhh…"
They turned on the waterworks like someone opening a faucet. They'd probably been trapped here for about three hours since it's winter and it gets dark early—long enough to be thoroughly freaked out.
"H-How do we get past that ghost at the entrance? Can we really get out?"
"Of course. Don't worry."
I gestured behind me, tossing all responsibility to Agent Bronze!
"The person behind me is a really capable agent… I'm sure we can make it out."
"Wow…"
As the two students took a better look at my scruffy figure versus the neat appearance of Agent Bronze, they inched toward him.
'Their survival instincts are kicking in.'
"So, w-we're leaving right now?"
"That's right."
One of them practically latched onto Agent Bronze like a lifeline. That's the spirit!
I breathed a sigh of relief and checked the digital watch on my wrist.
'So if we head for the exit now…'
[ 20 : 24 ]
8:24 PM.
As far as I know, in the 'Looky Mart' ghost story, the passage of time in hours, minutes, and seconds corresponds to the real world.
'Closing time's at 11.'
We still had plenty of time. Enough to craft a plan with our items and make it out safely.
And it seemed Agent Bronze was about to explain something similar.
"They close at 11, so we've got plenty of time. Let's keep calm—"
Na-na-na-na, na-na-nan-na-na-na, na-na-nan~
"..."
…I instinctively looked up.
The Lucky Mart theme song piped in, all jaunty…
Like some sort of announcement chime.
– Hello, dear customers. Thank you for shopping at Looky Mart today.
– As previously announced, in celebration of Labor Day, May 1, our store will be closing at 8:30 PM.
"...!"
– Customers still in the store, please follow the employees to the exit.
Flick, flick, flick—
Lights began going out from the far end of the store, leaving only minimal illumination—like they were prepping for closing.
…The escalators ground to a halt.
– Repeating the announcement.
– Please follow the employees' guidance to exit.
"Why…!"
I clapped a hand over one of the high schooler's mouths and ducked down.
When business hours end, do not let the store-closing staff see you. They will guide you outside.
That 'outside' is not reality.
Na-na-na-na, na-na-nan-na-na-na, na-na-nan~
"..."
Oh, we're absolutely fucked.