The method of scamming is similar to a kind of unethical marketing.
1. Buy trust.
“He fixed that guy with glasses? He was completely out of it.”
“Yeah! He looks fine now. And he fell out the window too, but he’s perfectly okay. He said he saw something down there!”
“Wow… No, I mean, are you really okay?”
“Yes. I am fine. That gentleman is also at peace now.”
2. Present the problem and its cause.
“S-so… you’re saying this is like some kind of test? And we can leave if we pass?”
“Yes. We will definitely be able to leave.”
“Ah…!”
“I-is this like one of those hunter genre stories? Like, are we going to awaken…?”
“That’s it! It must be. There’s no way they would have thrown us into this crazy situation for no reason!”
“You’re right. There was a reason.”
After heating up the atmosphere like this.
“And if we want to get out of this situation….”
3. Sell a magical solution.
In unethical marketing, that ‘solution’ is the product they’re trying to sell, and in a pseudo religion, it is the doctrine itself.
And the method I would put forward is….
“Everyone must go out the window once.”
“…!!”
“W-what did you say?!”
“Don’t be alarmed, everyone.”
I pointed to myself with a smile.
And then to the office worker with glasses, who had been calmed by the Happy Maker.
“Those who accept my invitation and go out will be just fine, like me. This is a kind of test, after all.”
“Ah…!”
“If you have any doubts, well… I will try to persuade you somehow. Or I don’t mind falling one more time.”
And at that moment, the guidance video began to play again.
Offer a sacrifice, you who wish to reach Tamra.
“Uh…!”
But the atmosphere was a bit different this time.
At least in Car 7, where people had been listening to my marketing, they began to whisper and glance at the window.
‘So it might be okay to go out through there?’
It wasn't just panic or fear anymore; curiosity and anticipation were beginning to sprout.
—Ah, this is fun. Truly fun…. What a brilliant skill you have, Mr. Roe Deer!
—However, every great and impressive entertainer is bound to be challenged. Ah, look. There he is right on time!
Thud!
“What the f-fucking bullshit!! You crazy bastard!”
It was a middle-aged man, his face turning a deep shade of red, who shouted as he slammed the armrest of his seat.
He was the passenger who had fallen out the window in the 1st round, and in the 2nd round, he was the one who had pushed the man with glasses out.
‘I guess having a turn to rest brought back a bit of his sanity.’
But he was still far from being in his right mind.
“That, that person just pushed someone out the window before… gasp!”
“Crazy bastard…. G-get lost! You fucking prick.”
The man’s eyes were spinning wildly, looking as if he might stab me at any moment.
“Jump out?! I’m not jumping! I said I’m not jumping, you son of a bitch! You jump one more time!”
I looked at the man, who had pushed past the nearby passengers to reach me, and spoke calmly.
“If you do not wish to participate, you do not have to do so right now.”
“Wh-whaaaat?!”
“Just keep resting. You aren’t qualified yet anyway.”
“Wha… what?!”
“I mean that even if you ask for help to go out the window, I cannot grant it.”
This is also an important step.
4. Limit the people who can have the solution.
Why do companies continuously produce in small quantities to cause items to sell out, and why do they ask you to inquire about the price via DM?
It targets the psychology where scarce things look precious, and hard-to-get things look better.
That tantalizing feeling—that it’s right in front of you and it feels like you can have it, yet if you miss this chance, you might never have it again.
That is what you have to incite.
“Only those who are qualified can go through the window without pain….”
“Wh-what kind of bullshit….”
“That is not you. It means you are not yet qualified to pass the trial without pain. Step back.”
“…Uh, uuh…….”
The middle-aged man muttered ‘uh-uh,’ then staggered and slumped down into his seat.
Well, the saying that crazy talk should be met with crazy talk worked this time as well.
The provocation must have been effective, as everyone in the train car was now looking this way with wide eyes.
I looked at them and smiled gently.
“But don’t worry too much. Eventually, everyone will become prepared.”
“……!”
—Aaaah! Splendid!
Beyond Braun’s cheering, the people in the car swarmed forward and began to ask questions.
“Excuse me! Th-then, who is prepared?”
“I don’t know either. I just think I can recognize someone who is prepared.”
“Then is there anyone prepared in here?”
It was then.
“Am, am I… by any chance, qualified?”
The office worker with glasses, who had been sitting quietly, raised his hand and asked.
Thanks to the Happy Maker, he was in a peaceful state without fear or PTSD, so he didn’t attack the middle-aged man who had pushed him.
Even so, he couldn't help his physiological tension and swallowed hard.
I smiled and nodded.
“Yes.”
“…!!”
“You are qualified. …Because you have already done it.”
I walked over and took his hand.
“You have proven yourself enough without having to go down again. That peace is the evidence. ……You’ve really worked hard, and you were brave.”
“Ah…… Aah!”
Tears streamed down the face of the man with glasses.
At that sight, the murmuring of the crowd subsided.
In its place, something new began to appear in their gazes.
Desire and sympathy.
“From now on, for those who have their qualifications confirmed and go down, I will give you a token to protect you so that it is as painless as possible.”
“…!”
“Th-then….”
However, there were still no volunteers.
‘I knew it would be like this.’
I had just said that everyone has to jump out the window to escape.
No one is going to be the first to jump into a situation where they might suffer without a clear benefit.
—Friend, do you have some brilliant solution?
It’s obvious.
‘I’m going to drive public opinion one more time.’
I nodded as if I understood everything.
“Of course. I know it must be difficult. In this life, I will go out the window one more time—”
“Excuse me, I’ll go.”
Huh?
Supervisor Dolphin raised her hand.
Supervisor! My overwhelming thanks….
“But not alone. If the Supervisor goes out the window with me one more time too.”
“Uh-uh-uh?”
“Ex-excuse me, are you okay….”
“Of course. I am fine.”
I was going to do that anyway! It’s tear-inducingly disgusting and nauseating, but there’s no helping it….
“If there are no other volunteers, I will demonstrate once more.”
“Yep, yep. Ah, but I’d like that person to go before us.”
Supervisor Dolphin casually pointed with both hands.
At Assistant manager Butterfly.
“Superiors first!”
Eeeek!
“Hey, Assistant manager, you said you’d grant me one favor. I’m using it now!”
“I didn't give it to you to use in a situation like this. But well, I don’t really care.”
Surprisingly, Assistant manager Jin Nasol was composed. It looked as if the two had discussed something beforehand.
“Should I go now?”
Entering the First Altar
Just then, the surroundings were dyed a dark, bloody red.
Amidst the people who froze reflexively, the small, calm voice of Assistant manager Jin Nasol could be heard.
“I don’t like asking twice.”
Hiiiieek.
“Yes. Please close your eyes for a moment. I will pass you the sign of permission….”
I pretended to shake hands with Assistant manager Jin Nasol and secretly passed her the stick under the cover of the darkness.
‘You just have to jab it.’
But before I could even shape the words with my mouth, Assistant manager Jin Nasol was already skillfully jabbing the Happy Maker into her arm where it couldn't be seen.
She seemed to have guessed it naturally. …That it was a painkiller item.
“Hmm.”
Prick.
With a short sound, the medicine was sucked out from the stick jabbed through her sleeve, and the remaining stick naturally disappeared inside.
“This is pretty good, isn't it?”
Assistant manager Jin Nasol gave a slight smirk and immediately fell backward out the window.
“Hiek!”
“Sh-she went with a smile!”
Thus, in the first altar, the sacrifice was offered voluntarily.
Now the atmosphere in the car had entered a state of complete excitement.
No one said it was suspicious because she was my companion.
It was because they had slowly begun to want to believe.
‘The sensation of things being solved is addictive….’
To the point where, afterward, two volunteers dramatically stepped forward.
“M-me!!”
“We’ll fall together.”
It was a couple sitting near the window; having watched who fell and what conversations took place since the first round, they seemed to have gained courage from the ‘information value.’
However, I didn't say yes immediately.
“…….”
I stared at the two of them silently for a few seconds, as if trying to discern their essence.
Before they knew it, the couple was waiting in a state of anticipation and tension, as if they were taking an exam.
And after a moment.
“Yes. You two are qualified.”
“Ah…!!”
“As soon as you enter the altar, close your eyes for a moment and hold out your hands. I will give you the mark.”
The two were unexpectedly joyful, and standing before the window, they received the congratulations of those around them.
Entering the Second Altar
Under the cover of darkness, the two who were secretly injected with the powerful painkiller called ‘Happy Maker’ held hands tightly and went out the open window.
Mm. The scam was proceeding smoothly….
‘It’s much better than having more than half the people go crazy while throwing each other out the window.’
Still, I was breaking out in a cold sweat because I was pulling a scam.
“…Since there are no other volunteers, this person and I will now head out. Everyone, above all else, guard your hearts, and I will see you at the starting point in a moment.”
“A-are you going to be okay?”
“It’s fine. For me… there will be no problem even if I go one more time.”
“…Ah!”
I really hate it, but I guess I have to do it again.
‘I need to differentiate myself.’
If I wanted to keep leading the people, I had to emphasize that I alone was different. Showing that I was fine even after falling out the window multiple times would be an impressive way to do that.
Fortunately, Supervisor Dolphin didn't take back her words.
“Let’s go together!”
“Ah, thank you.”
“But….”
Supervisor Dolphin gazed up at me.
“Am I qualified?”
“…Yes.”
The nuance was a bit subtle.
Entering the Third Altar
“B-be careful!”
“See you in a bit!”
Anyway, like that, I successfully drew out the crowd's support and fell out the window again with Supervisor Dolphin.
Into the crazy tunnel filled with rotting flesh.
“Oops!”
Supervisor Dolphin, who landed on the ground with a breakfall, dusted herself off, grumbling and recoiling at the horrific surroundings.
“Ugh, so filthy. What? You’re noisy. Ah, should we go that way? Toward the light.”
“Yes. Even if it’s a bit difficult, we just have to walk.”
Still, having one more person makes it much more comforting.
‘…I don’t hear the voice either.’
That eerie voice, the one telling us to discard our sins or come to Tamra, had vanished for some reason.
‘Though it’s not an important element for the escape.’
I walked along, tilting my head in thought.
Then, Supervisor Dolphin spoke up.
“Hey, the reason I fell with you like this is actually… because I have something to talk about.”
“Yes.”
“The things you said to the people. You know, about protecting them so it won’t hurt and all that. You did that because you don’t think it’s strictly a lie, right?”
“Yes. I just… changed my way of speaking so it would work better in an emergency. It was a bit extreme, though.”
“Hmm…….”
The supervisor put her hand to her chin as if thinking for a moment, then suddenly said.
“Excuse me, Supervisor.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how many people suffer because of pseudo religions?”
She didn't scowl or anything.
She simply stared at me intently.
Without even blinking.
“…….”
Right.
Supervisor Dolphin is an extreme personality-first advocate….
‘A p-pseudo religion might be a disqualification by her standards…!’
Fix it!
I immediately opened my mouth and said calmly.
“I know well. In fact, among my peers, I have a friend who I lost contact with after they were bewitched by a pseudo religion.”
This was the truth.
“That’s why I thought I had to strike first.”
“Hmm.”
“In this situation, superstitions or pseudo religions will inevitably prevail. Since the pain repeats without rhyme or reason, people start wanting to lean on something.”
And indeed, pseudo religions appeared in real cases too.
‘Of course, it's not just because of that, but because this is the only way to escape the Darkness before people go crazy and without bloodshed...’
Since I couldn't say that logically, I ended like this.
“Whatever it is, I chose this method to try and minimize damage for now. ...I know it's a bit extreme and strange.”
“Hmmmm…….”
After a suffocating 3 seconds.
“Well, you have a point!”
Phew.
“To be honest, you're just saying it that way, but in reality, you're looking for a way to let everyone escape while making it less painful and more comfortable for them, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Good! I'll fully cooperate too!”
Supervisor Dolphin extended her hand as if asking for a handshake.
And when I took that hand,
She pulled me in.
“But you shouldn't exploit kind people.”
“…….”
“If you do, I'll fight you, Supervisor.”
“Of course. I'll keep that in mind.”
“Yes-yep! Good!”
I smiled and finished the handshake with Supervisor Dolphin.
‘S-saved.’
Cold sweat ran down my back.
Fight an Elite Squad Seonbae who joined the crazy Ghost Story Company as the top recruit amidst rotten flesh? Why would I do such a suicidal act? I'd rather just bow my head.
“For now, based on the atmosphere, the people in our car will be completely persuaded?”
“That's right.”
Squelch, squelch.
I replied while walking towards the exit of light.
“But I won't stop here.”
The final goal...
“I'll make the majority of this Train ‘believe’ my words.”
At least 7 out of 8 cars.
I had to secure dominant public opinion.
Round 5.
The people on the high-speed Train, who had repeatedly died and restarted, were slowly moving past panic into fatigue, resignation, and madness.
Their perception was distorted, and thinking normally became difficult.
And during the repetitions, there were things they heard over and over.
“They're saying weird things in the back... like, we were chosen, this is a test? Something like that.”
“…Sounds like pseudo religion stuff, so, what kind of test?”
“They say if we pass this, we can gain transcendent abilities?”
“All the people who fell out the window went crazy. But the people in the back cars said they were fine even though they fell. They even described the scenery inside……”
“…Really? No way. Isn't there no evidence?”
But the very act of replying revealed a psychology wishing for an answer.
An expression of the subconscious wanting those words to be true.
“They say a person called ‘The Precursor’ in Car 7 is telling people how to escape.”
“They say they'll help us all. That we're all qualified.”
As the murmurs of the passengers in Car 3, the first-class car, grew louder.
“…….”
The man sitting in the front single seat.
Baek Saheon opened his eyes.
‘Damn it.’
He was trying to go home for vacation but got trapped in this damn Train ghost story and was about to wither away.
‘No, wait...’
He smiled triumphantly, thinking of the new eye beneath his medical eye patch.
Looking at how things were going, he could tell.
‘This is about throwing people out the window continuously!’
So, what, isn't it just one of those ghost stories that ends once you throw about half of them out and reach the destination?
‘I just need to hide and not stand out.’
Well, pseudo religions running rampant was a predictable situation in this kind of crisis.
In a small society, especially in an emergency full of stress, humans were bound to do crazy things.
A Train constantly returning to the starting point.
In the special situation of inescapable extreme stress, people couldn't help but listen when they heard words that seemed like they would solve the situation.
Even if it was crazy talk they would have scoffed at and passed by saying ‘I'm not buying into a pseudo religion’ in normal times, it's human nature to cling to it!
‘I just shouldn't get swept up and stay still, right?’
If I just stay as quiet as a dead mouse and wait for them to throw each other and cause a mess so it clears...
“E-excuse me!!”
“…!”
The back became noisy.
‘Did a fight break out?’
It wasn't. Someone had entered the car.
“It's those people! The Precursor and the people from Car 7!”
Just a bunch of pseudo religion bastards.
‘Let's at least check their faces.’
Baek Saheon slightly turned his head to look at the aisle... and then.
He saw familiar faces.
“…!!”
‘It's the Elite Squad.’
Assistant manager Jin Nasol from Team A and Supervisor Lee Seonghae from Team C.
Two faces he had memorized through the company intranet just in case had appeared.
‘Wh-why are those people here?’
While he was deep in thought about whether this Train was a Darkness managed by Daydream Inc.
“Attention!!”
Supervisor Lee Seonghae shouted from among the pseudo religion group.
“The person who will tell you how to escape from here has arrived!”
As she stepped aside, a person walked out from the door connecting to the rear car.
An office worker in a suit, with an indifferent and cold impression, wearing an unnervingly peaceful smile...
A face that was even more familiar.
‘...Kim Soleum!!’
“Everyone, do not worry.”
Kim Soleum smiled gently and opened his arms.
“All of this is a great test, and you passengers have been chosen.”
F-fuck!!
That sociopath bastard is the cult leader!!
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