In the <Dark Exploration Record>, entering a ghost story usually means being isolated, as all data transmissions and communications are rendered impossible.
‘It’s a classic scary story setup.’
However, stories are more interesting when there is interaction and conflict.
To make this setup more intriguing, I seemed to recall reading in some ghost story that certain teams in <Daydream Inc.> possessed disposable items for emergency calls.
‘Is this button one of those?’
While my mind was busy deducing, my mouth was already moving.
Every second counts!
“Are you the Team D leader?”
[Yes.]
“I am Kim Soleum, a new employee of Team D. I have an urgent report.”
Let’s just throw the situation at him!
“In thirty minutes, every member of Team D will be dead.”
I couldn’t help it even if the other person was flustered. This was more efficient. I needed to calm him down quickly and then...
[I see.]
[I will take your briefing for five minutes.]
“…….”
Why is he so calm?
Even if the total annihilation of comrades is a daily occurrence for the Field Exploration team… this is a bit much on a human level.
‘Does he have a personality defect…?’
I was on the verge of becoming confused, but since the situation was dire, I let it slide for now. I summarized the current situation as briefly as possible.
“An anomaly has occurred in the Grade D Tuesday Talk Show.”
Employees from another team intruding mid-talk show, the sudden cancellation of the quiz show.
And even the situation with the newly started crazy choir show.
[How many employees are left?]
“Three out of seven. All of Team D is currently alive, but if this continues, everyone will die as soon as the break ends.”
The Team D leader responded simply and clearly.
[I see.]
[Stall for another thirty minutes.]
“…….”
Are you kidding me?
“I think that will be impossible.”
[Then there is no other way.]
He seemed to have a talent for infuriating someone who was about to die in just thirty seconds.
‘I don’t have time to waste on a conversation like this.’
Although there were quite a few employees in this company’s Field Exploration team whose morals or common sense were shattered the higher up they went, meeting one in person was beyond aggravating.
‘Does he think the lives of his own team members are a joke?’
I was about to just hang up and think for myself when…….
“…….”
Wait a minute.
“What changes if we get thirty more minutes?”
Why did he tell me to stall for time?
[Yes.]
[If we have more than fifty-five minutes from now, I can obtain authorization from the security team to borrow the strongest magic weapons and entry devices available for export.]
A low voice explained matter-of-factly.
[Even if we handle all procedures after the fact, it will take about forty minutes, and it will take an additional fifteen to twenty minutes until we can enter that specific Darkness.]
“…Are you saying that if that process is completed, you can rescue Team D?”
[Probabilistically, yes.]
“…….”
A Field Exploration team employee who can use special equipment to enter Grade A Darkness alone and suppress an anomalous phenomenon?
The kind of person capable of that is….
‘He’s a Named Character.’
This employee I was talking to was definitely one of the employees I had read about in the <Dark Exploration Record>!
‘And one with a fairly significant or impressive role….’
Goosebumps rose on my back.
Several candidates flashed through my mind. At the same time, my brain began to spin rapidly.
“Stealing the equipment from the security team is… yes, that would be impossible.”
[…? That is correct.]
The security team’s range of activity was restricted for the sake of the ghost story’s narrative consistency, and their security was very strong. It was indeed an impossible act according to the setting.
‘But if this person is truly one of the employees I know….’
Then a possibility opens up…!
I swallowed hard and asked.
“……By any chance, may I ask what mask you wear, Manager?”
If a nickname I recognized came up….
[It’s Lizard.]
“…….”
Ah.
It was you.
“Manager.”
The remaining time was twenty minutes.
“…Based on what you’ve told me, I’ve come up with a plan.”
Let’s go with this.
[Ah, Mr. Roe Deer!]
The break time is coming to an end.
I returned to the talk show set holding a water bottle that had been placed in the waiting room.
Humaaaan. Number 2. Hu. It is a human!
With the two employees whose complexions had turned extremely pale after being exposed to ‘choir practice’ for dozens of minutes in the background, the Host, with an old TV for a head, offered me a handshake.
[Are you feeling a bit better? I hope you’re ready to put your heart into making the best broadcast possible?]
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
[Haha, isn’t it true that only when the contestant is in top condition can the show produce better scenes!]
Even considering the Host’s past behavior, his tone was very friendly.
It seemed the effect of the Smile Sticker still lingered.
‘This is as expected so far.’
I carefully chose my words.
“…Host, you really seem to pour so much affection and enthusiasm into the show. That must be why you always create such engrossing and fun shows.”
Perhaps because it was an extreme situation, the flattery came out smoothly and without a hint of shame.
[To receive such high praise! But a broadcast is something everyone creates together. Mr. Roe Deer, you are a part of that too!]
No, not that direction….
“Those are kind words, but I couldn’t possibly compare myself to the Host, who leads this great talk show.”
It had to be this direction.
“However, I didn’t know the broadcast format would change so suddenly for someone like the Host, almost as if it were a forced notice….”
[…….]
“There’s no audience, we’re using recorded sounds, the punishments are gone…. Even the band members have been reduced.”
I recalled the black-and-white broadcast posters in the waiting room.
They all featured an audience section and were talk shows conducted in real-time while communicating.
If that was the Host’s personal space.
‘There’s a high probability this Host doesn’t like the changed broadcast format…!’
“Overall, it felt like things were changed to reduce costs.”
The moment he misinterpreted this as a disparaging remark about the talk show, my head could be cut off. But I would die just the same if I did nothing.
Let’s do it.
I glanced back toward the center of the stage, pretending to look, and barely managed to continue.
Toward the choir conductor with the dead pig’s head.
“…Could the reason for this reorganization be because it cost an enormous amount of money to recruit that guest?”
[!]
The emoticon inside the Host’s TV disappeared.
But it soon returned to a smiling emoticon.
[That is not something for the contestant to worry about.]
“I’m sorry.”
Please spare me.
Actually, I was so scared I couldn't even look at that dead pig's head properly.
“I was such a fan of the Tuesday Quiz Show that I was really looking forward to participating. I must have spoken rudely because of that. I was just sad it was canceled….”
[Ah, those are grateful words! But… show business is cold-hearted.]
The Host’s TV screen turned quietly black.
[If this is the format the viewers prefer, then accepting it quickly is the quality of an entertainer…….]
“I see.”
I swallowed hard.
“But isn’t the viewers’ sentiment still an unknown? …At least for me, the previous way was better. The Tuesday Quiz Show, where you communicated with the audience in real-time and showed a story full of presence.”
[…….]
“To change it so abruptly and rudely, without even consulting the Host… ah, no. I’m sorry. My personal opinion was uncalled for.”
I pretended to hesitate and then added.
“It’s just… earlier, during the live broadcast, I found it much more enjoyable than I expected. It was quite heart-pounding.”
[-]
The Host stood there, silent and still.
Static seemed to crackle on the TV screen, and then….
Ding-ding-ding!
[…Ah! There are sixty seconds left until filming resumes!]
The emoticon snapped back at the notification sound echoing through the set.
[Now, now, everyone let’s give it our all until the very end!]
[Mr. Roe Deer, you should head up to the podium too.]
“…Yes.”
[Starting now! 10, 9, 8….]
The Host counted down into the camera as before.
However, whether our conversation had left an impression, he didn't seem to be staring into the camera as if possessed like before.
‘Good.’
I think I’ve laid enough groundwork.
I nodded to the Host and headed toward my podium.
And a moment later.
[Now! Mr. Badger.]
[It is finally time to give your answer!]
The show restarted.
[Will Mr. Badger be able to become an honorable member of the choir?]
Supervisor Park Minseong seemed to have made up his mind in the meantime, wearing a somewhat resigned and bitter expression.
I saw him quickly mouthing words toward me.
—Thank you.
What was he saying? ‘Thanks to you, I’ve prepared my heart….’ No, wait. Let me say something too.
I mouthed back.
The message I was trying to convey was….
—Get the answer right.
“…?!”
The supervisor looked at me as if I were a madman.
Well, I understand.
‘It’s better to be incinerated than to become a human instrument that repeats the words it said before dying with only its head left….’
But it had to be this way.
The supervisor shook his head in confusion and then looked at the Assistant manager.
The Assistant manager nodded.
[Mr. Badger? I will give you three seconds.]
“Ah! U-um, yes. I will answer….”
The supervisor squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.
“Number 4, Burn!”
[Oooooh!]
Amidst the sound of the recorded audience’s murmuring.
I finally saw it.
Flutter.
Something appeared from a darkened corner podium.
A postcard.
It was that bizarre postcard we used when entering this place.
A conversation I had with Section Chief Lee Jaheon just moments ago came to mind.
—Manager, if you use that equipment, does that mean you can access the ghost story through a medium?
—That is correct. However, what I possess is for emergency supply delivery, intended only for handing over small items into the Darkness.
—That’s enough. That….
I looked at the postcard.
It fell quietly to the floor in a gap where the lights didn't reach, and then….
A single small AAA battery flew out at a terrifying speed.
“…!”
Closing the distance to the ominous conductor in an instant, that battery struck with immense force.
Right against a silver tray.
—Please throw it with all your might.
The thick tray crumpled as if pierced by the battery.
It was a physical force that made one doubt their own eyes.
‘As expected.’
I recalled the description of Section Chief Lee Jaheon in the <Dark Exploration Record>.
==========
Employee D
Nickname is Lizard. Last position was Team leader.
One of the few combat-oriented agents in the Field Exploration team.
Mainly recorded as a gimmick character who solves all sorts of ghost stories requiring cognitive ability and ideas with pure physical force. ???: If the body is slow, shouldn't the head suffer?
Conversely, when this character’s physical force doesn't work at all, it signals the start of true despair.
==========
If he had directly attacked the dead pig-headed conductor, I might have felt that ‘despair’ firsthand.
But what about a single silver tray?
‘Since he’s an employee with a "ghost story but physical exorcism works" gimmick, I thought it might just work….’
And my guess was right.
The tray was flawed, almost as if it had been punctured.
‘Then.’
Though drenched in a cold sweat, I broke into a triumphant smile.
[Wow! Mr. Badger, that is the correct answer!]
Normally, the correct answerer's head would be torn off here to join the choir on another silver tray.
However, the conductor's reaction to his precious 'instrument' being damaged was….
[…Mr. Conductor?]
The dead pig’s mouth hung wide open.
Its jawbone snapped abnormally, enough to tear the rotten flesh.
The scheduled recording of audience applause played mechanically and then cut off in confusion.
[…Um, it seems our guest is coming up with a new performance method! I wonder what kind of amazing method they are devising? My heart is racing!]
The pig screamed.
A sound began to emerge from its torn snout….
[…The contestant is waiting. Mr. Conductor, please welcome him as a member of the choir!]
A HORRIBLE SCREAM
Nausea surged up. What terrible thing have I done what ridiculous thing have I committed have you seen the crawling insects oh how I want to sing a wrong judgment choice after all
Praise death upon the silver throne
The band sound drowned out the scream.
“Gah!”
This is insane.
Drip. Drip.
Red spots appeared on the podium.
It was my nosebleed.
But I had to cover my ears. I had to cover my ears…. Ah, the band sound is disappearing.
[You]
Drip.
[You do not respect the show.]
I raised my head.
Amidst the silence.
Whoosh.
The great and ominous guest in the very center of the stage burned black and turned into ash.
It was a scene I had seen several times.
‘Incineration.’
An inherent authority that the Host exercised on his own. In the Grade D Darkness ‘Tuesday Talk Show,’ it was a punishment meted out to contestants who obstructed the progress of the broadcast.
But right now….
‘Did a Grade D Darkness…… burn an entire Grade A Darkness?’
Something is weird… strange.
I was just aiming for a scenario where the Host, exploding at the guest’s lack of professionalism, would storm off and stop today’s recording.
[As expected, the essence of a show isn't a flashy guest, but being faithful to its core.]
I looked around.
The staff, the lights, the band, the recording equipment, the cameras.
Everything burned and turned to ash.
Only the Host’s old TV glowed, flickering with colors.
[The joy of witnessing, the pleasure of communication, the thrill of unpredictable developments, the anticipation….]
[You ■■■ producers don’t know that. You aren’t qualified to make a show.]
[But I! I can do it!]
The Host raised both arms nobly like a liberator.
He turned his head toward me.
[Mr. Roe Deer!]
[Thank you! You’ve given me a new vision!]
[My head is so clear. Ah… yes! From now on, I should take contestants for the show every day of the week.]
The Host peered into me.
[I can tell. You have talent as a show creator.]
[I would love for you to join as a crew member for my new talk show, Mr. Roe Deer!]
Something went wrong.
[New people, new sets, new music, a new season… I’ll invite you once filming preparations are complete!]
However.
[It’s such a shame today’s broadcast had to be interrupted like this… but your passionate participation was very impressive.]
[Well then, see you in the next broadcast!]
It worked.
I blinked.
Beyond my blurring vision, the human figure with a TV head in a suit waving his hand vanished….
And in the next moment.
“…….”
I realized I was sitting on a brightly lit and quiet office sofa.
I turned my head.
The supervisor and assistant manager, with blank expressions and blood trickling from their noses or ears, were looking at me.
And then I realized.
We lived.
“Wooooo!!”
“You clever brat, you absolute madman!”
Amidst the pouring cheers and hugs, I slowly slid down onto the sofa.
I lived.
I lived and escaped…!
“…! Your Collector!”
And that wasn't the end of it.
The assistant manager, who was hugging me, suddenly pulled something out of my suit’s front pocket.
It was the Dream Collector.
It was filled with a golden liquid.
The color was different from when I had cleared the Grade F last time, this was….
“It’s Grade A.”
“…….”
“Roe Deer, you cleared a Grade A Darkness just two days after joining the company…!”
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