The circumstances align.
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The tragedy begins with a 70s American talk show themed D-Class Darkness.
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[Hello, viewers! Tuesday's joy, Tuesday's heat.]
[You are now! Watching the ‘Tuesday Quiz Show’!]
The live broadcast began.
Accompanied by the upbeat performance of a band, the Host in a suit waved at the cheering audience.
It was a typical American talk show.
Except for the fact that the faces of the staff were all blurred out, and the Host had an old TV sitting on his neck instead of a head.
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The Host explains that the talk show has different themes for each day of the week, but there are no recorded instances of anyone entering on other days.
Entry is only possible for the talk show on ■day.
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[Has everyone been waiting for Tuesday? So have I! It’s the only day of the week where we get to see our lovely new faces, the quiz show participants!]
“….”
It matches.
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The Field Exploration team entered from the 12th expedition onwards, fully equipped with a list of past answers for the main segment of the ■day talk show, the ‘Quiz.’
Up until the 110th expedition, they successfully escaped without casualties across 99 explorations. (Prizes included.)
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[Surprisingly… there hasn’t been a single person with a wrong answer for the past several dozen weeks! It’s amazing, truly amazing….]
It… matches.
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However, the 111th expedition.
An anomaly occurred during the 100th exploration.
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[Will the participants be able to get the correct answer this time as well?]
Ba-bam-bam-ba-bam!
The lights shone down along with the sound effects.
Seven podiums were arranged in a semi-circle.
Three of them.
Specifically, the podiums where I, the Senior staff, and the Assistant manager stood were pin-pointed.
[It’s Badger, Falcon, and Mr. Roe Deer.]
[Everyone, a big round of applause, please!]
Ooooh!
The invisible audience broke into applause.
I felt like I was going to faint.
Maybe… just maybe.
[Oh my goodness, we have breaking news!]
“…!”
The Host made a big fuss as he received something from a staff member.
[It’s been quite a while since all the participants got their answers right, hasn’t it? That period has lasted for….]
For.
[98 sessions!]
“……!”
[Today marks the 99th! Haha!]
I lived.
‘It’s not the 100th…!’
My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest.
‘Right, the probability of hitting the 100th exactly was low to begin with.’
I almost gripped the podium in relief, but I held back.
Because it was clearly written in the PDF of the ‘Tuesday Talk Show’ answer sheet I received earlier.
-Disrupting the broadcast results in Incineration.
It wasn’t even a penalty. It was ‘Incineration.’
And this was a live broadcast.
In short, if anything felt even slightly off, I would die.
[Will today’s 99th participants be able to continue the winning streak and pass the baton to the 100th participants? Or will this incredible record come to an end?]
[Stay tuned and watch!]
I turned my head.
The Assistant manager and Senior staff on the other podiums didn’t look particularly nervous; they gave me light nods or smiles.
Like people proceeding with the certainty that this was a ghost story that had been patterned through nearly three years of accumulated safety.
‘Deep breath.’
It’s okay.
…It will be okay.
I took a deep breath in and exhaled.
[Well then, Mr. Roe Deer!]
“Yes.”
[Are you very nervous?]
“Yes. It’s my first time participating in a quiz show like this.”
[Ah, good, good…. Then let’s start the first question lightly!]
Strange text appeared on the Host’s head, the old TV.
It was an unfamiliar and ominous linguistic system I was seeing for the first time, but I could read it. A surge of headache and nausea rose and then vanished.
[Question: Choose the item that is not suitable as a component of a human being.]
“…Number 4, Soil.”
[Correct!]
The quiz show proceeded… smoothly like that.
‘The themes are somewhat gruesome, but the questions aren't at a level where you can't get them right.’
Furthermore, the effectiveness of the list of past questions that the Field Exploration team had smuggled out of this ghost story was certain.
While they weren't exactly the same, they were close enough that there was no difficulty in picking the right answers.
‘In fact, because I have to use my brain a bit, the probability of getting it wrong is even lower.’
[No way! Correct!]
[Again?]
[Ahhh, ah… He’s conflicted. He’s conflicted……. Yes, Number 3! Mr. Roe Deer has chosen strangulation! What will be his fate?? ……Correct! Hurrah!]
The past questions aligned well, and things progressed without a hitch.
I made an effort to match the broadcast atmosphere as much as possible, even pretending to deliberate before answering.
‘I have to get through this broadcast somehow.’
An obsessive thought dominated my mind.
During the commercial break, the Host said something about ‘please participate again.’ I suppressed my internal scream and brushed it off by acting tempted.
Past questions 2, 3, 4, 5… and past question 9.
[Mr. Roe Deer! This is the final question.]
Finally, the end of this crazy situation was in sight.
[Surprisingly, the other participants have gotten all the questions right and are continuing their winning streak once again!]
[Will Mr. Roe Deer be able to complete the final link?]
I saw my superiors on the other podiums either waving slightly or nodding at me.
Now, if I just got this right, it would be over.
[Are you ready?]
“Yes.”
[Great!]
The question appeared.
[Question: Choose what percentage of blood loss causes a human to die.]
“…….”
Did they put in a trap because it's the last question?
I caught my breath.
“The answer is… Number 1,”
[Ah, he’s chosen Number 1….]
“And Number 2.”
[…!]
“And Number 3, Number 4…. All of them.”
[…….]
“On average, a human’s life is in danger when they lose about 30 to 40% of their blood.”
[Oh.]
“Therefore, they would also die if they lost more than that.”
[No, no… how can this be!]
The TV flashed.
I didn't think I would die even if I got it wrong.
But because I didn’t want to give this dangerous ghost story any pretext, I grit my teeth to avoid any possible traps.
[So you're saying there are multiple correct answers! By any chance, do you wish to change your mind?]
“I do not.”
Ooooh.
Muttering could be heard from the audience.
And… a Faceless Staff member rushed onto the stage…?
[…My! I have some surprising news to share.]
[Actually, the answer our writers prepared was Number 1.]
W-Wait.
[But Mr. Roe Deer’s answer is much more impressive! It’s also more logical, isn’t it? Right?]
Yes!! I could hear the audience shouting.
The Host spread his arms wide.
[Then of course it’s the correct answer! I’ll count it as a perfect score! Splendid!]
“…!”
Hah.
‘Anyway, I survived.’
Why did I almost fall into a trap I dug for myself! I closed my eyes tight in relief before opening them again.
The Host must have taken it as me being deeply moved, as he came over and patted my back as if hugging me.
The fact that he had body heat made it even more chilling.
[Amazing, truly amazing!]
“…Thank you.”
[Well then, with this….]
The Host grabbed the microphone and shouted with emotion.
[Surprisingly, all of our participants are continuing their winning streak! Simply amazing!]
Pop.
Confetti exploded and cheers erupted.
On each podium, my superiors had expressions that said, ‘It’s finally ending.’ It was practically visible even through their masks.
[But there is only one MVP who will take home the grand prize. And that is….]
A drum roll followed….
The Host pointed.
[It’s Mr. Roe Deer!]
Waaaaah!
The band played a boisterous celebratory sound effect.
[Congratulations! Here, take your prize!]
“Thank… you.”
I accepted the small gift box the Host handed to me.
I was happy. Of course, it wasn't because I received an item.
‘It’s finally over.’
Now, as soon as the cameras turned off, I could leave.
‘Please, let’s just go.’
Just as my heart was regaining its peace at the thought of returning to an office in a building in 21st-century Seoul.
[It’s a pity, but it’s time to wrap up the Tuesday Quiz Show. Tomorrow, we’ll have an even more wonderful guest for Wednes…… Hm?]
Click.
Out of the blue.
Suddenly, the lights came on for the four empty podiums.
“…?!”
Human Figures were standing there before I knew it.
Four people looking around with bewildered faces.
All of them were wearing suits and masks.
‘Company employees?’
They were clearly from another unit of the Field Exploration team.
One mask in particular was familiar; it was probably my fellow new recruit.
I understood that much. But….
‘Why are we overlapping?’
Is it possible to enter a ghost story simultaneously like this? No, regardless of whether it’s possible or not….
‘…It’s a broadcast accident.’
Silence filled the studio.
1 second.
2 seconds.
3 seconds.
“…….”
Something was wrong.
The employee in the zebra mask standing right next to me seemed to have sensed it too.
“W-What is this, why are the people who came first….”
Whoosh.
“…!”
The employee in the zebra mask, who burst into flames rapidly and silently, kept his mouth agape as if he hadn't even grasped the situation before he collapsed as if it were all a lie.
All that remained was a pile of ash in the shape of his shoes.
The camera swung around hurriedly.
[…Surprise!]
[That was a sneak preview of the participants appearing next Tuesday!]
A rowdy band sound played hurriedly as if to cover it up.
The camera was now focused on me.
“…!”
Dammit.
Dammit, dammit!
I desperately shook the gift box I received in the air without showing any agitation.
As if I were excited!
Pop.
Confetti fell from the air again and the drums beat noisily. The Host drew cheers from the audience.
[We’ll see you tomorrow with an even more enjoyable show!]
[Well then… have a good night!]
Bam!
With a jaunty guitar sound, the camera light went out.
“…….”
It’s over.
It’s… over,
Isn't it?
Why are we still here?
[Phew. That almost ruined the live broadcast. I’m glad it was handled well!]
The camera was definitely off.
Faceless Staff members rushed onto the stage, and the lights in the audience went out.
The band vanished as well.
We entered the backstage, which was filled with noise and whispering, revealing its cold iron structure.
However, we do not disappear.
…A chilling premonition crawled up my spine.
[Mr. Roe Deer! You have great instincts. Are you interested in being a regular panelist by any chance?]
“…I already have a job.”
[Oh dear! Well, our talk show’s application postcards are always open anyway!]
Why was the ghost story continuing?
The reason was simple.
Because the considerate Host wanted to hold onto the participants and kindly explain why such a situation had occurred.
[Ah, and the new participants!]
[You must have been startled, fearing you’d ruin the broadcast. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. I believe you. Don’t blame yourselves too much!]
[And don’t worry. I’ll give the three of you another chance as well!]
With a kind and sociable attitude, the Host spoke to the employees who had suddenly entered in the middle—the ‘new participants.’
As if there had been three of them from the start.
Meanwhile, the staff swept up the ashes left behind by the person who had been incinerated with a broom.
I feel like I’m going insane.
[I’d like to give you the chance to participate right away, but unfortunately, our show is live. We’ll see you next week!]
But we can just leave like this.
Please, please just let it be like this! Let it end here!
[Well then, you all should head home for now…… Hm?]
It was then.
Someone holding a megaphone in one hand ran onto the stage.
Their face seemed blurred by the stage lights and couldn't be seen properly, but unlike the other staff, they were identified only by the sunglasses they were wearing.
The Human Figure holding the megaphone hurriedly whispered something to the Host.
[…! Oh, dear.]
The Host looked back at us.
[You know. It’s very difficult for me to say this, but… uh.]
The emoticon on the TV monitor made a melancholy face.
[Just now, our show was cancelled.]
“…!”
[To be precise, the Tuesday Quiz Show. So strictly speaking, it’s not that my show has ended, but yes.]
[The quiz segment has been replaced.]
What?
[It seems we won’t be able to have you as the participants for the 100th consecutive win challenge. I truly want to apologize with all my heart.]
The Host bowed so deeply in apology that even the antenna on his TV head bent.
“Then… is it, a clear?”
“Phew. Pheww…….”
I could faintly hear the voices of the other unit’s employees, filled with hope despite their bewilderment, fear, and panic.
However, the back of my neck was cold with cold sweat.
‘No.’
This development is….
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Exploration Records #100
Started in the same studio as previous sessions.
However, the program name has changed.
The Host explained to the confused employees that the ‘Tuesday Quiz Show’ had been cancelled.
Because participants had gotten the answers right for 99 consecutive sessions, the penalty became meaningless, and he reportedly received disciplinary action on the grounds that the segment was not stimulating enough.
So, he stated that the new segment selected a subject that could draw more interest from the viewers….
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[Ah! Wait a moment!]
Receiving a signal from a staff member, the Host’s TV antenna suddenly flared wide open.
[Good news. They say they’ll have all of you as participants in the new segment as well!]
“…!!”
[It’s even a recorded broadcast, so it’ll be easier than before! Haha!]
[Let’s proceed with the filming right away! Although I’ll just be in a supporting role, yes, I’ll do my best to make it a good show….]
“Wait a minute.”
The Assistant manager of our unit raised his hand with a stiff face.
“We’ve already participated in the show, so we’ll be heading back now….”
[You’re going back when the filming isn't even finished?]
“…!”
The TV screen that moved right in front of the Assistant manager's face crackled with static.
[Dear… it was all written on the application postcard. Well, if you really can’t participate… I suppose it can’t be helped.]
“…….”
[Tell me. Can you not do it?]
The Assistant manager slowly moved his eyes and met mine from across the way.
I shook my head ever so slightly.
The Assistant manager must have realized it too.
That ‘it can’t be helped’ didn't mean he’d let us go home, but that he’d simply have us incinerated.
[You can do it! Good.]
An ominous silence.
The studio was filled with the sounds of the company employees’ breathing, their faces pale as ghosts.
I must be one of them.
Wait, am I even breathing?
[My! The tension is palpable. New programs are always like that.]
[Let’s buck up! Mr. Roe Deer, didn’t you show a wonderful performance during the live broadcast! I’m sure you’ll be able to show a great performance this time as well….]
Is there… no excuse that might work?
Is there nothing plausible to say?
“Yes. However, I didn’t expect to appear on the broadcast consecutively.”
[Ho.]
“I might make a mistake.”
I gripped the podium so hard my knuckles turned white.
“I’ll prepare more and participate again next Tuesday…….”
[Ah! It’s starting! Look there, look at the light coming on! 3, 2, 1….]
The Host muttered in an inspired voice.
Words didn't get through to him.
As if his soul were completely possessed by the broadcast, the Host ran out in front of the camera.
[Hello, viewers! Tuesday's joy, Tuesday's heat.]
[You are now! Watching a brand-new segment of our talk show!]
This is insane.
[Are you sad that the quiz show is gone? There’s no need for that. Because this is an even more advanced form of a quiz show!]
[They’ve added something on top of the quiz! What could it be?]
The Host, reading the teleprompter, waved his hands.
[After all, what touches the tired heart is melody.]
[Especially voices! A choir, oh, what a beautiful sound it is!]
….
[Haha, our band doesn't need to feel left out. We’ve invited a master of a completely different genre!]
[Our new guest arrives!]
The back of the set opened and a figure emerged.
The smell of rusted iron piercing the nose, a foul stench, and a dark, massive pig's head.
[The conductor of the Choir of Purgatory, the filthy, hideous, and great Butcher of Melodies!]
[That’s right. The name of the new segment is… Tuesday’s Choir!]
Hell had arrived.
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