The morning of the third day since the opening of Flower Golden Resort dawned.
An hour before the lobby doors opened at 9 o'clock, the employees gathered in the lobby to hear the Mascot's briefing.
And today, once again, something extraordinary happened.
O v e r T h e r e
The Mascot pointed to the window on the left side of the resort.
Beyond it lay a portion of the resort area that was still in ruins.
B u s i n e s s
S t a r t
And the moment the Mascot declared it.
“…!!”
The ruins beyond the window were reconstructed.
Broken glass swirled to form a hemispherical shape, with gold decorations glittering in the gaps.
And inside, gorgeous golden flowers filled the space.
Steam rose from the top, and a glass passage stretched out toward the resort building, piercing through the window to create a door and connect the two.
Standard-grade Mascots rushed out and hung an elegant sign above it.
[Healing Golden Spa]
All the employees stared wide-eyed at that golden glass greenhouse.
Viewed like this, it looked like a wonderful place out of a fairy tale, but it was not a place for humans.
It was the kind of place where, if a human entered to enjoy the spa without any information, the ending would be described in gruesome terms like 'Became ■■ and went missing,' or 'Bones of all four limbs removed. Found later at the waste sorting center.'
Even the aromatic oils used were like that.
The oils placed in the spa were of the finest quality, carefully selected from ingredients such as Sun Orange, Grapes, Fig, Apple Juice from Eternal Farm, Blood of an 18-year-old ■■ from Mt. ■■, Blood Vessel Juice of a bipedal primate…
…Recalling the examples from the spa introduction brochure where such things were written, Kim Soleum felt dizzy.
'It's a perfect place to die.'
Thus, after much deliberation, he had implemented an emergency measure.
Namely… automation!
At Healing Golden Spa, all massages are customized by plants filled with professional consciousness.
All massages here were performed automatically by the strange greenhouse facilities.
This was because Kim Soleum had poured Coins into it to disconnect this hazardous place from the employees as much as possible…
In the process, the spa became even more bizarre, but he had no regrets!
'No more adding Napolitan-style Work Regulations…'
The theme of 'Guaranteeing private relaxation exclusive to our precious guests' was put to good use again this time.
For the record, he had scraped together the remaining Coins and poured them all into changing the bed furniture to match the high-end bedding in the resort rooms.
An investment that didn't consider profitability at all!
'Please stay satisfied with your room and don't come out to the lobby or the hallway.'
It was an action taken solely to minimize movement and block variables.
In fact, its purpose was no different from an Exorcism Seal.
The Mascot's efforts to prevent the work regulations from ballooning to number 20 were tear-inducing…
The yellow Mascot held back a sigh and finally assigned new duties to the new employees.
First, Supervisor Dolphin, wearing the Dolphin mask, was assigned to the spa’s reservation confirmation desk.
“Okay. I got it!”
Next, he assigned the Weasel employee as the cleaner for the spa waiting room.
“Yes, yes…”
The Weasel employee, who still hadn't fully regained his senses, nodded repeatedly and rushed off in that direction with his head bowed low.
And there was an employee watching this closely.
The one in the Ladybug mask.
He was in the middle of a realization of his own.
'…He's putting the useless employees in places where they don't have to face people directly!'
In a sense, he hit the bullseye.
By Kim Soleum's standards, the more reliable an employee was, the more they were placed in positions to directly deal with the ghost stories.
It was a utilitarian arrangement to increase everyone's survival rate, but naturally, people tend to judge others according to their own values and ways of thinking.
'He's sorting us out!'
The Ladybug employee clenched his fists.
Would the useless employees be fired or remodeled into Standard-grade Mascots like this?
Either way, it was a sweat-inducing ending.
'Fuck, seriously.'
He looked around at his competitors with dark eyes.
Now that he had already become an employee, the safest formula of 'clearing while staying inconspicuous and blending in' could no longer be applied.
In that case, he had to use a different formula.
Staying within the passing grade.
Making the ghost story evaluate him as someone who is okay to let survive…!
T h i s W a y
The yellow Mascot called the employees who were part of his team separately and stamped their Boarding Passes with the stamp placed at the spa entrance.
Beside him, the Field Mouse employee was even starting to grin, as if he was finally relaxing.
“At this rate, we'll escape within the next four days, won't we?”
“……”
Stupid bastard.
Ladybug thought anxiously.
As the person in charge of room service… what was his rank?
'I can't be pushed out before all three stamps are collected.'
However, regardless of what a single employee thought, the Resort continued its operations.
O p e n F o r B u s i n e s s
The day began with the new facility.
That day's business was also a success.
However, from the next day, the yellow Mascot began to notice strange anomalies.
The fourth day of business.
Kim Soleum involuntarily exchanged perplexed looks with Jang Heowoon.
“……”
“Um, for some reason, the guests seem to have changed a bit…”
That was true.
Since the spa opened, something strange had been happening.
Until yesterday, most of the guests visiting the resort had an appearance that suggested they were there for the theme park, or had just come from enjoying it.
It was only natural. This was a resort attached to a theme park.
But… today, the number of guests with bizarre appearances had increased.
“IheardIcouldrestquietlythankyouverymuchforthegiftpleasedon'tmindmeI'llbefineaslonga sIhavebathwaterthankyou”
The thing that just passed by was a bizarre creature that looked like a lump of slime with only limbs attached.
An appearance that looked like it would appear in a ghost story about being stranded in a remote forest.
It had no admission ticket on its wrist, nor a single souvenir or headband. It didn't look like it came to enjoy a theme park, no matter how anyone looked at it.
And today, such strange guests were rushing to the front desk to take rooms.
A crowd large enough to be called an onslaught!
'…??'
Is it really doing this well?
Somehow, he had a bad feeling. Sales would be good, though…
N e x t
Anyway, Kim Soleum received the next guest.
But that guest was…
Someone he was actually familiar with.
“One room, please. Including the spa. Sigh…”
A pale man wearing a chauffeur-like uniform and a formal cap.
'It's the Taxi Driver of the Apocalypse!'
Kim Soleum, who had been indebted to him when escaping Death Road, broke out in a cold sweat!
Why on earth would that gentleman come to a place like a theme park? Was there any entity among the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse who would be interested in a theme park?
'This won't do.'
He had to grasp the situation.
In the end, the yellow Mascot spoke.
P a r d o n M e
“Hmm?”
I f Y o u D o T h i s
O n e M o r e G i f t
Kim Soleum hurriedly made a 'Through what channel did you find us' survey and held it out.
The taxi driver scanned it with tired eyes and then just spoke.
“I've been seeing a lot of promotion through reviews lately… I needed some rest because of my job. I can't quit until the end. Hahaha…”
……??
Watching the taxi driver head up to the 4th floor after receiving a Deluxe room, the yellow Mascot blinked.
'Promotion through reviews…?'
And then he remembered.
The coupons the Blue Mascot had been handing out.
Flower Golden Resort
Deluxe Room 1-Night Accommodation Ticket
(Experience Review Mandatory)
'…!!'
No way.
The yellow Mascot immediately summoned Lee Jaheon.
R e v i e w
D i d Y o u
W r i t e I t ?
“Yes.”
My goodness!
W h e r e
“One of the Mascots assigned as a Guide handed me a postcard.”
Kim Soleum summoned the Standard-grade Mascots in charge of that task and checked the identity of the postcards.
'Oh my god.'
…Dozens of postcards written by guests who had used the coupons had already piled up.
And Section Chief Lee Jaheon's one-line postcard was also there.
-The bed mattress is soft.
'…….'
Well, it was a good review, but…
'It seems these review postcards are circulating as promotional materials through some strange Ghost Story Network.'
…And it seemed this was creating a tremendous synergy by perfectly matching the newly launched social distancing theme, attracting even ghost stories whose personalities normally wouldn't bring them to a theme park…
An entirely unexpected boom!
'Argh.'
It wouldn't have been strange if Kim Soleum had wailed, "Why is business so good?" and suddenly slashed the number of rooms.
But his identity as a Mascot would not allow him to take actions like driving away guests who came…
In the end, the yellow Mascot let his horns droop in resignation.
'…Let's just think of it as being able to quickly fill the quota of satisfied guests.'
He recalled the conditions he had written down yesterday, necessary for the third facility addition.
Things needed for resort facility expansion:
Employees: 3
Satisfied users: 300
Mascot Ceremony Rite
The number of required users had increased exactly tenfold.
And he even had to hold a suspicious event…
'Still, I guess I should be glad the number of additional employees needed is still three.'
In any case, looking at the swarming guests, it seemed he wouldn't have to worry about filling the user quota.
“Is there a problem?”
Section Chief Lee Jaheon asked, seeing the yellow Mascot with drooping horns.
Of course, the Mascot had neither the reason nor the courage to get angry at the alien lizard who had simply written a good review as instructed…
N o
The yellow Mascot patted the lizard's back.
G o o d J o b
“? Yes.”
It was like something out of a sitcom.
However, there was someone here watching that scene with an anxious look, unable to laugh at all.
The Ladybug employee sitting at the room service call desk.
He scanned the scene with bloodshot eyes.
'Is he being recognized?'
What if that Section Chief Lizard gets promoted?
He would be pushed back.
His chances of survival would drop…!
'No.'
He had to do something.
The Ladybug employee thought of his 'trump card,' but soon gritted his teeth.
Section Chief Lizard was an opponent too difficult to use schemes against.
His special ghost story escape method was already famous within the company. If he tried anything foolish, his head might literally explode.
For the same reason, Supervisor Dolphin was also difficult. Because she was part of the Elite Squad.
In the end….
There was only one employee who was rated higher than him but was an easy target.
“……”
He looked back at the front desk.
Jang Heowoon, the employee in the Bison mask who had been promoted to manager, was working.
That night.
Knock knock knock.
A visitor came to Jang Heowoon's room.
“Um, who is it…”
“Ah, it's me. Ladybug.”
“Ah!”
The tension on Jang Heowoon's face eased slightly as he recalled various work regulations.
Fortunately, the ghost-type guest who mimicked voices had also checked out yesterday. He had processed the check-out himself.
'G-Good.'
Jang Heowoon opened the door, and the Ladybug employee stepped toward the room with a slightly sheepish expression.
“Um, hello. Mr. Bison. I'm sorry, but could I borrow one item…”
“U-Um.”
“Yes?”
Jang Heowoon blocked his path.
“Please don't come in.”
“……!”
“It's written in the work regulations.”
16. Please refrain from inviting other guests into your room.
It is better not to make exceptions even if a fellow employee visits. By the moment you realize it is not who you think it is, it will already be too late.
“……”
“Um, I'm not trying to be rude. It's just… since rules are rules, I thought it would be safer to follow them as much as possible.”
“Of course.”
The Ladybug employee stepped back and laughed heartily.
“I've run out of bottled water in my room. If you could just lend me one bottle of water, I'll be on my way…”
“Ah…! Of course. I should have some spares. Just a moment…”
The complexion under Jang Heowoon's mask brightened slightly, and he quickly took out a bottle of water from the refrigerator inside the room.
“……”
Taking advantage of that moment, Ladybug moved very slightly.
Very. Slightly.
Flutter.
“……”
“Ah, here it is.”
“Thank you!”
Ladybug took the water bottle from Jang Heowoon, who had returned to the entrance after getting it from the fridge, and left with a smile.
Jang Heowoon bowed to him and then closed the door.
“Whew.”
He was alone.
In a way, it felt scarier when resting like this at night. Sometimes the blood and guts he saw during the day would make him feel nauseous.
'Still, it's rewarding.'
This resort is a truly wonderful place, and the Mascot is a truly great, wonderful, and grand person.
For the first time in a long while, it felt like his daily life had some vitality.
Thinking so, Jang Heowoon checked the entrance to make sure it was locked for the last time….
But then.
'Huh?'
Something was lying on the floor at the entrance.
A flat yellow square.
'A Post-it?'
It was a Post-it commonly used for documents.
It seemed a Standard-grade Mascot doing the cleaning or the Ladybug employee had dropped it.
The fact that it was yellow made Jang Heowoon smile instinctively.
'Just like this place.'
It was closer to a dull yellow than gold, but regardless, Jang Heowoon picked up the paper.
The front side of the Post-it, which had fallen face down, was revealed….
what to do
at such a bright age
such a pity
Boohoohoohoohoo
“……”
Jang Heowoon froze.
He peeled off the Post-it with trembling hands.
'An… Item?'
A person who has spent a year making a living by entering ghost stories is bound to develop an intuition.
An intuition to realize.
That something unusual is happening.
“……!”
He threw the Post-it on the floor and immediately rushed to the emergency phone in the room, grabbing the receiver.
“H-Help me, Mascot! This…!”
At that moment.
Jang Heowoon slipped.
His foot got caught in the phone cord trailing on the floor as he grabbed the receiver.
'Ah.'
And then.
Thud.
Unluckily, his head hit the bed nightstand.
Unluckily, the yellow Mascot had just changed the bed and nightstand to solid oak to match the high-end bedding.
Unluckily, falling with a concussion from hitting his head, Jang Heowoon crashed his body hard against the nightstand as he went down.
Unluckily, his hand swept the nightstand, catching the crystal lamp hanging above it, causing it to shatter and pour down.
Unluckily, the sharp parts of the shattered crystal that bounced off the wall were exactly.
Pierced into his spine.
“…!”
He tried to reach his hand behind his back, but it was already over.
Thud.
He collapsed to the floor.
And he could not get up again.
Jang Heowoon died just like that.
Without being able to let out a single scream.
Unluckily.
***
Room 303 was drenched in blood.
'…….'
I stared blankly at Mr. Heowoon lying on the floor.
He died with a pale face, his neck and below mangled by crystal shards.
He was… dead.
“He must not have followed the work regulations.”
“Tsk.”
Among the employees who were suddenly called and gathered in the early dawn, I could hear some of them whispering in the back.
Those who were accustomed to the death of others.
The screams had also ended with the very first one witnessed. As if this kind of thing was too familiar and no big deal.
An atmosphere suggesting he made a mistake, as expected of someone from a cleanup team.
'…….'
But I had already found something on the floor at the entrance.
A crumpled item whose effect had worn off was in my hand.
A Post-it.
……I know this item.
A horrific and typical cursed item registered in the Delusion Home Shopping catalog.
[Misfortune Post-it]
: Is there an acquaintance you hate to death? The curse talisman, that old superstition, has become a reality. Now, mourn their unfortunate accident with a simple trap!
Tip) The more the acquaintance deeply believes in superstitions, the faster and more powerful the effect!
(Note: The target must be an acquaintance of the user. The target must discover and read the talisman directly. The target must be flustered. Blood Chest guarantees effective results only when all precautions are followed.)
I might have missed it if I didn't know, but I do.
And I also know the one who knocked on Jang Heowoon's door a few hours ago.
The Mascot knows.
Y o u
“……!”
The Ladybug employee froze.
I peered into him.
D i d Y o u T h i n k
I W o u l d n ' t
F i n d O u t ?
“Uh, uhhh……”
I don't know why. Why on earth?
This isn't a ghost story where you can escape alone by killing someone. Why a teammate?
W h y ?
I peered into him.
“No, what… I thought you only let people who work well survive! Hic!”
I t ' s N o t
L i k e T h a t
“Strange…. Ah, right! I see! If you're good, you might not be able to go home and be encouraged to keep working at the resort, so I don't know why I unconditionally believed that. Ah!”
The Ladybug employee smiled brightly and clapped his hands.
“I guess it's because I've come to love the resort! Mascot! I'll become a very excellent employee here! The best employee….”
Thud.
“……”
Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae retracted her hand after striking the neck of the Ladybug mask.
“What a lunatic, right?”
But I couldn't answer.
I just kept looking at Jang Heowoon's corpse.
It wasn't the first time I'd seen someone die, but it felt so strange…….
My stomach churned.
'…….'
At that moment.
“Um, can't we save him?”
What kind of crazy talk was that?
‘It’s not like I have a Wish Ticket….’
But Supervisor Lee Seonghae pointed to her own arms and legs.
The parts that were now decorated with Resort staff accessories and sundries instead of wounds.
“Because you fixed me, too.”
……!
“The Mascot can do anything in their zone, right? And the staff are part of the zone…?”
I recall reflexively.
The thought I had offhandedly a few days ago, looking at the corpse Supervisor Lee Seonghae dragged in.
-The corpse seems to have naturally become my familiar.
“Can’t you fix employees, too? Just like Resort facilities.”
Could it be.
‘…….’
The yellow Mascot opened its mouth.
G e t u p
The body of the deceased Jang Heowoon rose straight up, beginning from the head.
“…!”
The pale face, spilling blood and intestines, remained the same.
“Heek!”
I ignored the scream and stared at Jang Heowoon's corpse.
L e t ' s W o r k
To do that.
I must make him look fit for work.
“……!”
The sharp shard embedded in Jang Heowoon's punctured spine was pulled out, and the blood that had pooled on the floor was sucked back into the gaping wound. As the wound sealed, a stylish uniform vest covered it.
The sharp crystal shard became a pocket square with the Mascot drawn on it and tucked into the pocket.
At that movement, Jang Heowoon's corpse twisted and shook in the air, and then….
Thud.
He stood on the floor of his own strength.
And then, he opened his eyes.
“…….”
Amidst the room being filled with the sound of breathing and silence.
Lastly….
The Bison mask mutated violently.
Jang Heowoon was now wearing a strange, golden feline mask with horns.
The yellow Mascot's mask.
And then, he smiled and opened his mouth.
“Mr. Mascot! Then should I head to my post now?”
“AAAGH!”
From that day on, the real ghost story began.
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