The Blue Mascot.
The mysterious entity that had changed my boarding pass into a membership pass. It had even treated me as a lost child and put me on a wanted list after I escaped through the gate.
The more I thought about it, the more eerie its cute exterior, resembling a blue dragon, felt…
G o o d C h i l d !
It was strangely favorable.
Now, just looking at it made me feel somewhat at ease.
I walked right up to the gate and waved at the Blue Mascot, who seemed at a loss for what to do.
Perhaps realizing once again that we could not cross into each other's zones, the Blue Mascot looked a bit dejected, but soon began waving back vigorously.
Seeing the two mascots waving at each other across the gate, several visitors nearby smiled and watched.
G o o d C h i l d
I
C a m e To S e e Y o u
And then I realized something strange.
'The words… I can hear them more clearly.'
I mean, beyond the short, characteristic speech of a mascot, it was like the deep and great voice I had heard once before.
However, there wasn't the pressure that made me cough up blood like that time.
It was conveyed as if pure will were seeping out.
Was it because we were both mascots?
Right now, the Blue Mascot seemed to be saying two things at once: "You finally came to meet me" and "I'm so happy and grateful that you came to see me like this."
Is such rich communication possible between mascots?
'If so… it means the visitors nearby can't understand this level of meaning.'
I could communicate more directly.
I
W a n t T o P l a y
!
W h y
D i d Y o u I n v i t e M e ?
I was sure we had promised to play at the theme park, but why did I have to work even here after coming all this way?
At my question of why it invited me if this was how it was going to be, the Blue Mascot opened its mouth, looking flustered.
And what it said was…
W e C a n P l a y
…!
L e t ‘ s M a k e
O u r O w n Z o n e
What?
Then the Blue Mascot showed me a vision.
'…!'
Developing a zone to be used jointly by the Yellow Zone and the Blue Zone.
'Ah!'
I see! I can make the third zone this way!
That's how we spend time together.
Then I can cross over to the Blue Zone! The Blue Dragon can also cross over to the Yellow Zone!
The rules for users would double, but the fun would double too!
And since our rules don't conflict, it's entirely possible to create.
We can spend eternity happily enjoying each other's theme parks in this wonderful Cheerful Theme Park, cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant and cheerful and pleasant—
'…!'
I bit my tongue.
…Barely, I managed to pull out of that vision…….
'I almost… almost did exactly that.'
The Blue Mascot's will seemed to be contaminating me. Not good.
Even without malice, it was dangerous.
'Making things bigger right now is a suicidal act.'
I waved my hand to calm the Blue Mascot and said:
H o w A b o u t
I J u s t
Q u i t ?
I meant, how about I just quit being a mascot and go over to the Blue Zone as a guest?
But the Blue Mascot lowered its head sadly.
N o
…….
T h e r e H a s T o B e
M a s c o t
An active theme park zone must have a mascot.
So, I cannot just quit being a mascot as I please.
'As I thought.'
I figured it would be like this.
Still, if I were to quit by force, the danger that follows would be…
G o o d C h i l d
D i s a p p e a r
'……!!'
This Yellow Mascot would still exist.
But I, who am not the mascot… would be separated from the mascot and disappear.
However, if one is already deeply assimilated into the mascot's identity, all ego and power are sucked into the mascot, leaving no 'residue to be discarded' in that situation….
'No!'
It's only the fourth day. I… haven't assimilated with the mascot that much yet!
I haven't lost myself to the point where my existence would disappear just by quitting the mascot role!
I know who I am. It was okay.
The me who is not a mascot can leave!
'……Sigh.'
I barely managed to lean against the gate, holding it with trembling hands.
An eerie urge to tear off this mascot suit right now, a repulsion toward whether I even could tear it off, and a sense of stability given by the fluffiness and comfort spin around in a dizzying mix….
I
W i l l P r o t e c t
G o o d C h i l d
The Blue Mascot said, looking flustered.
Though becoming the mascot of the resort wasn't what the Blue Dragon intended, it seemed it could provide enough help and advice regarding that part as well.
As if it would support me wholeheartedly.
Then, from somewhere, other Blue Mascots began rushing toward the gate in a swarm.
Bags were held in their hands.
And they gently tossed the bags over the gate, and I caught them skillfully.
Visitors nearby clapped as if they had seen something entertaining.
And inside the bag I peeked into, filled to the brim, were….
'Cheerful Coins…!'
Nearly a hundred blue and red coins were inside the bag.
It seemed it was settling the accounts for the stay event it had staged on its own. No, but….
T o o M u c h
I t ‘ s O k a y
The Blue Mascot looked somewhat triumphant.
I H e l p
G o o d C h i l d
Good grief.
But it seemed a mascot who had successfully operated its zone for a long time was wealthy. Since it didn't seem to be overextending itself, I should take them for now.
I could just invest them in the resort. No, because I might have a use for them somewhere!
'…Get a grip.'
I organized the coins, tucking the bag into the pocket near the mascot's belly.
'I have to do this quickly.'
As soon as I open the third zone as quickly as possible, I'll scan the boarding pass, quit being a mascot, and escape.
'I can't… hold on any longer.'
Let's find additional employees quickly and proceed with the Mascot Ceremony Ritual.
Nothing has changed in the plan. Let's stick to it.
And my instincts as a mascot were telling me it was about time to return to the resort.
It was resort operating hours, and leaving my post longer than necessary was negligence.
Let's quickly ask the Blue Dragon for what I need and go.
C e r e m o n y R i t u a l
H o w T o D o I t ?
H a v e F u n !
The Blue Mascot raised its hand.
Its Ceremony Ritual was fireworks.
The beautiful lights bursting over the water park were reflected on the water's surface, making him recall his nostalgic deep sea ■■, though now it had faded… what?
'A-anyway. So it's a unique event of the theme park.'
It seemed it could be chosen according to the mascot's taste.
For instance… Magic Bunny's seemed to be a parade.
Mine would probably be similar.
T h a n k Y o u
The Blue Mascot became somewhat triumphant again.
Then it snatched something another version of itself had carried over and hurriedly held it out to me.
G o o d C h i l d
G i f t
Snacks.
It was full of snacks sold at the water park. From hot dogs to chocolates. And just like before… even churros.
'…!!'
Wait.
[Blue Soda Churros]
An item that, when eaten, vomits out contamination in the form of seawater.
Its mechanism wasn't precise, and anyway, since it originated from a ghost story, I hadn't used it until now unless it was an absolute emergency with no other options… but isn't the one who made it right in front of me!
I held the churros and shook them.
T e l l M e
M o r e P l e a s e
The Blue Mascot stared at me blankly as if it had heard an incomprehensible question.
Wait.
An effect that wasn't specifically intended… you say?
'…….'
I looked at the churros.
If it's just a natural mechanism.
Usually, in a ghost story, if you eat food from within the ghost story… what happens?
In countless legends, if you fall into a strange and mysterious place and eat the food there, what happens?
—You become part of that world.
Right.
If a human eats the theme park's food, they gradually change into an existence suitable for this theme park…!
'That's why it vomited out other contaminations.'
Things that didn't belong in the theme park!
The realization sent a thrill through my head, but a cold shock took over instead of excitement.
'Then….'
It's useless for Mr. Heowoon.
Jang Heowoon, who came back to life as an employee, is already an existence perfectly suited for the theme park.
Because he's an Anomaly.
'…….'
There's no effect.
G o o d C h i l d
S a d ?
I don't know.
'…I have to do, what I have to do.'
I moved on to the next topic.
I
N e e d
I appealed earnestly, making the shape of a fluffy plush doll with my front paws.
A Good Friend Doll.
Obtaining that item, which originally came from the Cheerful Theme Park souvenir shop, was one of the many reasons I came here.
However, the Blue Mascot shook its head.
N o t
H e r e
Ah.
Right, it wouldn't fit the theme to sell furry plush dolls at a water park. They'd sell cute tubes instead. Damn it!
I
N e e d
Then can't you somehow get it even from the Magic Bunny zone?
C a n ‘ t
D a n g e r o u s
Magic Bunny is a crazy bastard.
Do you really think something from that souvenir shop would actually help you? …It could be summarized as that.
'…Hearing it put that way.'
It was a valid point, but still, the power of the Good Friend was proven in the <Dark Exploration Record>.
It was no different no matter which zone of which theme park it was.
N e e d
You said you'd help with anything!
In the end, the Blue Mascot drooped its horns and ears and nodded.
D a n g e r o u s
I'll try to get it if possible.
But it didn't forget to say until the end to stay away from Magic Bunny and that I should never approach that zone.
Of course, I would keep that in mind too.
'It's a relief that the Blue Zone is in between.'
I groaned as I recalled the horrific sight of the Red Team, where only Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae had survived.
Come to think of it, I really wonder how Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae survived outside after business hours…….
Eh?
G o o d C h i l d ?
I turned my head.
Just now.
Something happened at the resort.
As the Yellow Mascot, I could tell. A commotion broke out in my zone. I have to know!
Let's return!
I
H a v e T o G o
The Blue Mascot's eyes watched me quietly.
A l r e a d y
T h e r e
…!
Come to think of it.
The Blue Mascot could not distinguish between one special individual and the standard-grade mascots.
Every doll suit was a Blue Dragon, and the Blue Mascot could freely move all of its bodies.
Because every Blue Mascot was it.
The Blue Zone belonged to it.
And….
The Yellow Zone belongs to me.
G o o d C h i l d
A l s o
I n R e s o r t
I understood that teaching as if possessed.
And thus, the me inside the resort.
I concentrated my consciousness on the standard-grade mascot. And then….
It became me.
'…!'
When I blinked, I was a mascot standing guard inside the resort.
'My god.'
But before I could even feel surprise or dizziness about it, I saw a shocking sight.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon was binding Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae in the lobby.
'…?!'
And that wasn't all.
Beside the bound Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, I saw someone's limbs sprawled out like trash.
That blood was soaking the lobby.
The dead ladybug employee.
A knife was stuck in its neck, and blood was gushing out. As if it had tried to stop the bleeding, it was clutching its neck before it expired, and its hands were also covered in blood….
'…!!'
And blood was also splattered on Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae's uniform.
Every piece of evidence pointed to one sentence.
…Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae killed the ladybug employee.
"Kek, Manager, it's okay. I've finished everything I had to do!"
However, Section Chief Lee Jaheon did not undo the binding.
Instead, when our eyes met, surprisingly, as if he recognized that the standard-grade mascot was me, he came to me carrying the bound Lee Seonghae.
"Eh?"
W h y
"Ah, the Mascot is here."
Lee Seonghae said in a casual voice.
"Um, can the cost for restarting that one over there be paid with my wages? I'm okay with not taking anything from the souvenir shop…."
W h y
D i d Y o u K i l l
Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae looked at Jang Heowoon.
At the resort employee who was no longer wearing the Bison mask.
"They killed that good person for no reason."
…!
"They'll kill another person given the chance, so I can't leave them alone! To be honest, it's better for the resort if they die so we can use them again in a more beneficial way."
My head is spinning.
But do you know what the problem is?
…It's that there's a part of me that feels relieved.
Furthermore, the guests aren't agitated either.
Rather, some were clapping as if they had seen an interesting show, or trying to give Lee Seonghae a tip.
So….
That's more of a problem.
M y
J o b
Punishing the ladybug employee should have been up to me, the mascot.
Whether I made him serve the users of the terrible toxic bath in the spa, forced him to do room service on foot, or made him do whatever the guests demanded, it was a matter for me to decide.
But….
"But you seem too kind, Mascot."
…….
"This kind of thing should be done by someone like me who doesn't get stressed!"
Phew.
N o S u c h
P e r s o n
"…!"
F r o m N o w O n
R e p o r t
A b s o l u t e l y
"…Y-yessir."
In the end, I used the standard-grade mascot to demote Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae to spa cleaning duty.
Actually, rather than a demotion, it felt like a performative punishment for overstepping her authority.
Whether I should be grateful, scared, or horrified, I don't know…… ha.
'My head hurts.'
I grit my teeth and revived the ladybug employee as well.
…I don't know if this can be considered reviving him, though.
"I will work hard. Mr. Mascot!"
With this, two deaths.
Two people were replaced by perfect employees.
"……."
Section Chief Lee Jaheon seemed to be quietly staring at me for some reason, but I avoided that gaze and went to the front desk.
I was exhausted.
But there stood an employee with the appearance of Jang Heowoon.
'F*ck, seriously.'
Let's just work.
Let's work faster and escape quickly….
N e x t
And it was when we were receiving guests.
"Team Leader, those are the Daydream bastards over there!"
…!
"Yeah, I have eyes too. It's not like I've seen those crazy bastards only once or twice in disasters, so stop overreacting."
…A familiar title.
It was a small voice, like a whisper, but because a standard-grade mascot was nearby, I could hear it.
"Still, we should note that a human is working normally. Got that, Gomyeong?"
I raised my head.
Two people wearing the coats of the Disaster Management Bureau were coming to the front desk.
'…!'
My god.
A person with a casual impression but looking strong somewhere, called 'Team Leader', stepped forward… and spoke to me.
"Hello?"
H e l l o
"Um, I came to ask something."
And the Team Leader explained while looking at me.
"I heard a guest wearing a hoodie and jeans, who looks similar to us, checked in recently."
That civilian.
This was definitely an intervention after receiving that person's request for rescue.
If so, these people are….
'One of the other Hyunmoo Teams…!'
My god.
And I had seen the faces of Team 2, the neighboring room, coming and going for a few weeks, but these people were unfamiliar.
Then there was only one.
'Hyunmoo Team 3!'
"Please tell me which room that guest is staying in."
I barely managed to answer the Team Leader of Hyunmoo Team 3.
P e r s o n a l I n f o r m a t i o n
C a n n o t
"……Your professional ethics are solid, aren't they?"
"I'll say."
The people from Hyunmoo Team 3, who were staring blankly at me, soon turned their gaze to the 'employee'.
"Um, is there any other way?"
"I'm sorry, Dear Guests! As Mr. Mascot said, our Flower Golden Resort cannot leak the precious personal information of our guests. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Oh, then…."
"Wait a minute."
At that moment, the Team Leader's face, who was carefully observing the employee, stiffened.
She stepped closer and scrutinized the front desk employee's build. And after looking into his eyes behind the Yellow Mascot mask….
"…Cleanup Team rookie?"
…!
She recognized Jang Heowoon.
"Why is he here… no, you said this place wasn't registered. So that's why you assigned two people?"
"Pardon? Yes! That's correct. And that rookie, as far as I know, was on vacation……."
"……."
"……."
The two agents fell silent and looked at the employee Jang Heowoon.
And….
"How may I help you, dear guests?"
A small curse came out of the mouth of the Team Leader of Hyunmoo Team 3 and then vanished back inside.
…Still, the two showed a quick composure characteristic of people accustomed to such things and regained their calm.
They looked at me with eyes more subdued than before, but did not forget the purpose of their visit.
"…You said you can't tell us which room the guest is staying in. Then call the guest's side. Tell them we're here."
O k a y
I gladly granted that request.
And the civilian, after not answering the phone a few times in terror, finally answered but was so paralyzed with fear that they dropped the phone a few times or cried, but eventually believed the words that they had come to rescue them and came downstairs.
The problem was….
R o o m
P r o p e r t y D a m a g e
In the process, they had broken a few things in the room…….
"…!!"
"I, I was startled…! I-I'm sorry……."
I t ‘ s O k a y
P a y m e n t P l e a s e
I politely extended both paws toward the civilian.
But naturally, the civilian had no means to pay.
Realizing that, the Team leader pushed him back and stood before me.
“Even without money, can we pay it back another way?”
Phew.
W o r k
“…!?”
I reached out a hand and pointed at the group.
Then, I made an unprecedented offer.
T h r e e P e o p l e
T w o D a y s
O r….
I f N o t
Y o u A l o n e
S i x D a y s
The civilian I pointed at froze.
“T-T-That’s….”
The Agents immediately shielded the civilian.
And the Team leader calmly checks.
“If we say we'll work, do we happen to turn into a form like that?”
Pointing at Jang Heowoon.
…….
“Or can we work like the other employees?”
If I were a real Mascot, I might not have understood what those words meant.
But because I understand.
P o s s i b l e
I bowed my head.
I t ‘ s O k a y
B a d E m p l o y e e s
A r e G o n e N o w
“…….”
The Agents flinched.
The Team Leader of Hyunmoo Team 3 looked at me as if sizing me up.
And after several dozen seconds passed, he declared.
“…Fine. The three of us want to work here.”
“Team leader!”
“Yeah. Think of it as a good experience. And you know….”
The Team leader gestured with his eyes toward the sneakers.
Specifically, he must have meant some Item reminiscent of the laces tied to them.
Escape Item.
“I brought it.”
“…!”
The Agents ended up protecting the civilian and seemed to have decided to look for an opportunity to rescue Jang Heowoon if possible.
The three of them received the employment contracts, read them thoroughly, and signed.
…And so, all the employee slots were filled.
‘…….’
Now, the last part.
It’s time to prepare the ceremony.
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