[You keep asking such strange questions! Did I enjoy it? Of course. I am an Entertainer who can enjoy any role….]
“So, what you’re saying is that being the Good Friend wasn’t particularly more fun than any other role? Not even a little?”
[…….]
Kim Soleum’s body, controlled by Lee Jaheon, remains calm without even a flicker of movement.
The massive TV screen lights up.
[I see what you are trying to say.]
[Do you want me to move a warm plush doll filled with cotton and become your Good Friend once again? Hahaha!]
[Continue playing the role of the delightful Good Friend!]
A rabbit doll appeared inside the giant TV and waved its hand. Just like a certain moment a month ago.
But Kim Soleum did not waver.
“It would have been nice, then. I miss it.”
[Oh. Mr. Kim Soleum.]
The TV speaks jovially, as if mocking him.
The rabbit doll on the screen looks around fearfully before sitting in a corner.
[Unfortunately, this Good Friend has already been torn apart and turned to ash! You shall never meet him again!]
“No. That was you.”
[……!]
“The plush doll was just the exterior.”
That was it.
In the end, the one who willingly accepted the restriction of being the Good Friend and moved using that plush doll as a body… was the Host standing before him.
Even showing that rabbit doll on the screen right now.
‘It’s you.’
He had said it himself.
“I’ve heard stories like this before.”
Kim Soleum’s calm voice rings out.
“That when actors take on an impressive role, they sometimes find it hard to step out of it even after the role is over.”
Because.
“The role was so fun, or they became so deeply immersed in it. It seems like a trace remains even after it’s over.”
[…….]
He recalled the scene he had witnessed earlier.
The Host, who had frozen upon seeing the plush doll he had inhabited burst apart.
‘Honestly, he must have known that me dying wouldn’t happen just because the plush doll burst.’
Hadn't he put himself in there in the first place?
To go further, it was strange in itself for the Host of a talk show to allow silence to hang over the show just because a single cast member died.
He was a being who would have displayed a crying emoticon on his TV head, pretended to mourn, and then used even that as material for the next segment.
But if he had been flustered, even for a moment, and tried to plug the leaking cotton.
Then something was definitely strange.
“I wondered if it was the same for you.”
[Oh. Are you trying to say that this humble being, pretending to be the great Host, has such a clumsy sense of professionalism that he was influenced by a mask he wore for only a few months…?]
“I don’t see how that’s clumsy. Originally, it’s great actors who struggle because they’ve assimilated into their roles. Because they were immersed so vividly.”
[That is….]
“Right?”
Lee Jaheon tonelessly continues to relay Kim Soleum’s words.
“And it’s a bit of a different case… but I was also greatly comforted by your ‘Good Friend.’”
[…….]
“Thank you. In a difficult situation, you being my friend was a lot of help and comfort. And… there were many fun moments, too.”
Kim Soleum’s voice resonates.
“Wasn’t it the same for you?”
[…….]
[Dear me.]
The Host’s voice drops lower.
[It is embarrassing, but I must admit it. Yes. It was a very fresh and enjoyable experience!]
[Since outstanding talent as a creator and performer of a show is rare, watching your progress and interfering was a very unique kind of fun….]
“I see.”
However.
“That’s why I want to work in a talk show even less.”
A calm voice comes out.
“First of all, this talk show is a bit scary to me. It’s not that it’s boring, but honestly, it’s hard for me to work here. You know, too. My personality.”
Just thinking about people dying gave him the chills. Contributing to that work here was truly horrifying….
Furthermore, Kim Soleum knew.
‘If I try to persuade him, will this Host suddenly start making ethical judgments?’
Absolutely not.
Just as as long as Kim Soleum remained Kim Soleum, he would feel a sense of repulsion toward working as a staff member for this talk show.
And in fact, it was also a big problem if he stopped feeling that repulsion.
Whether it was brainwashing or Contamination, it meant his sense of self would disappear.
“Honestly, even though you called me a partner, I just unilaterally became a member of your crew. It’s an atmosphere where I have to call you Host.”
Bones are attached to the joke-like words.
“In such a state, we can’t continue being friends. I would just be subordinate. I wouldn’t be able to act independently.”
Kim Soleum looked beyond his field of vision.
“Then you’ll get bored quickly, too.”
[…….]
“So I have to go back. …That way, it’ll be much more fun for you, too.”
A strange light flickered across the surface of the TV.
Kim Soleum guessed that was probably why the Host wanted to make him work at the talk show as mildly as possible, in a state where his way of thinking hadn't changed much.
Like getting soaked by a drizzle.
‘It did work to some extent… but not like this.’
He couldn't stay in this horrifying place forever.
Still.
“But, that doesn't mean I think we can't be friends.”
[…!]
“Do you remember what I said?”
—I think friends are people who try to understand each other's differences, and even if it doesn't work out, they look out for each other.
—…Through conversation.
“Even if we don't work at the same place, we can share our daily lives and be friends well enough.”
If the milk was already spilled, he had to redefine the power dynamics with the entity he had summoned starting from now.
If it couldn't be avoided, it had to be confronted.
“It doesn't have to be a Good Friend. Just being friends is enough.”
The plush doll inside the TV leaned toward the screen as if intrigued by these words, as if listening intently.
Kim Soleum wanted to smile.
“If you're okay with it, how about we get along this way?”
[Hoh.]
[But what if I am not okay with it?]
The plush doll inside the TV was flustered, but the giant Host’s voice became smoother and more cunning.
[Look at this, Mr. Soleum. Look at how your barbaric swordsman has destroyed the set. The cost of this space, filled with the sweat and tears of the staff, and the ruffian who interrupted the broadcast is….]
It was then.
Thump, thump, thump!
The rabbit plush doll inside the giant TV suddenly jumped up and began to strike the screen with its cotton-filled hands.
As if protesting those words!
[…! My goodness, this is…….]
The TV was hurriedly turned off.
The giant Host’s hand adjusted the antenna as if controlling something. However, the TV flickered, momentarily showing the Good Friend plush doll running wild inside.
Eventually, the Host withdrew his hand in exasperation.
And….
[It cannot be helped, then.]
Blink.
It was the moment after all the lights on the stage blinked momentarily.
[Very well.]
Before he knew it, the Host was standing in front of Kim Soleum in his original form.
—…!
[Yes… it is true that watching what feats you will perform and interfering is quite enjoyable.]
[To think my own mask would be so troublesome….]
The Host speaks politely, in a somewhat resigned tone.
[This Braun shall admit it.]
[Accompanying your unique, creative, and suspenseful developments was very interesting and fun….]
[That the role of the Good Friend was particularly enjoyable, I mean.]
“…….”
Kim Soleum realized.
The one moving the plush doll on the TV screen was, of course, the Host himself.
Therefore, the reason the rabbit doll was acting out earlier was… because a part of the Host’s existence felt that way.
The traces of the Good Friend.
“…….”
The Holy Fire Barrage that had been raining down on the talk show had stopped at some point.
The lights returned, and in the set where even the partial destruction looked like part of the scenery, Braun gazes at Kim Soleum.
At the friend beyond his field of vision.
[But I no longer have a plush body.]
Ah.
[Of course… a brilliant Host always has a Plan B.]
As the Host moved his gloved hand like a magic trick, a coin sparkling with silver light appeared between his fingers.
The Silver Coin Snake.
—…!
It was the Silver Coin item Kim Soleum had put in when summoning the Good Friend.
When that item, which he thought had burned away with the doll, appeared, Kim Soleum’s personality wavered from beyond.
“I definitely burned it….”
[Haha, a great Entertainer must also be well-versed in magic. It is a simple, humble talent.]
Clink.
The coin fell from Braun’s hand into the front pocket of Kim Soleum’s suit.
Into the place where the Good Friend had always been.
His fingers tapped the pocket.
[Take it! And if you call me once more with a suitable medium as before… I will go. Mr. Roe Deer.]
—……!
Unlike the surprised Kim Soleum, Lee Jaheon calmly pronounced his words.
“Fine.”
[Oh, though that friend might not be as good as before.]
“Then it means he could be good.”
[…You act like a magician of language, friend!]
Braun’s TV still displayed nothing but black, but the clean screen reflected Kim Soleum’s face.
Kim Soleum said with a desire to laugh.
“See you again.”
[A preview for a follow-up programming!]
[Not bad.]
The Host raised both hands.
[Now, let us give a round of applause to my temporary crew who is leaving this ecstatic and wonderful studio to return and challenge the terrible reality!]
Whoo!!
Kim Soleum turned his head in surprise.
The audience seats were still filled, and the lights on the cameras were on.
And on the stage, ‘Special Programming Bonus Time! Host’s Behind-the-Scenes (Sensitive personal information will be censored)’ was displayed.
‘Come to think of it, we were still in a commercial break….’
It seemed even this was being broadcasted….
‘He really loves shows.’
I just hope he censored my personal information well.
Kim Soleum wanted to express both a sigh and a hollow laugh.
[Now, it is time to exit.]
The Host requests a handshake from Kim Soleum.
Kim Soleum requested the mercenary moving his body to accept that handshake.
And he hears it.
A low whisper.
[Mr. Roe Deer.]
[It will have to be as fun as you guaranteed. I shall watch to see if you can truly make it so….]
—…….
If Kim Soleum had his body, he might have frozen while breaking out in a cold sweat for a moment.
However, controlled by Section Chief Lee Jaheon, he calmly bowed toward the audience before running out through the broken guest door with a vigorous stride.
[Then, have a pleasant exit!]
He leaves the talk show set.
From the glimpses of the audience, he realized that unlike before, they were not ordinary people but grotesque ‘viewers’….
Even though it was chilling, his mood felt strangely light.
Waaaaaa!
From behind, he hears the voice of the jovial and chilling talk show Host, his friend….
[This has been… Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show!]
“……!”
I opened my eyes.
I saw the dusky sky where dawn was breaking.
It was the dawn of the daily life… I used to know.
‘…I’m out!’
“Ha.”
I took a deep breath and sprawled out on the ground.
For some reason, I was lying against a bench in a park whose name I didn't know.
‘Did he leave me here?’
The sense of liberation was driving me crazy.
It was good that I could move my own body, and it was good that I had safely made it outside….
Anyway, everything felt fine.
“Whew.”
Did Team Leader Lee Jaheon return properly?
No, is my Contamination status okay? I don't know how such a refreshing and normal train of thought is possible.
‘…Wait. By any chance, was vomiting after eating that churro…….’
Well. This is still just a guess, so I’ll move on.
The important thing is this.
‘…It’s an escape after a month!’
“Haaaaaa…….”
I sprawled out again.
What should I do now?
I had lost all my company belongings, so I was in a situation without a Dream Collector, employee ID card, or mask.
‘I think I should talk to the company first….’
…….
……Wait a minute.
Did I, just now, go AWOL for a month?
Then, surely.
‘Processed as a resignation…?!’
Then what about my Points?
I sat up as if doused with cold water.
‘My phone.’
I had to check immediately.
Fatigue or liberation didn't matter; at the feeling of my blood running cold, I was about to seek a means of contact immediately.
Something sparkled above my head.
A strange phenomenon I felt like I hadn't seen in a very long time.
[Dark Exploration Record Merch Box]
-Usage rights for new Merchandise unlocked! (!) “…!”
And what fell from the air was….
Thud.
I looked at the Merchandise in my hand, which still had a checkout barcode attached to it.
It was a piece of Merchandise made in a small size to reduce the price burden, yet its price had been quite high due to its intricacy.
A cylinder with metal decorations.
It was none other than….
Dream Collector (Elite Squad only)
And inside that cylinder was already filled with a shimmering golden liquid….
I lifted it with trembling hands.
A solution emitting a hologram-like brilliance, the likes of which I had never seen before.
‘This is….’
It’s Grade A or higher.
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