The Hyunmoo Team of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau consists of those who personally experience all sorts of bizarre ghost stories.
Their work is a bit different from initial investigations or cleanup tasks. It is because, in the process of rescuing survivors, they often experience the ghost story to its fullest, becoming almost completely soaked in it.
However, a case like today's was rare.
“T-Team leader.”
“Shh.”
The leader of Hyunmoo Team 3, agent code name Haegeum, pressed down on her team member's head.
[Flower Golden Resort]
It had already been five hours since they arrived at this strange place.
And the agents had noticed quite a few peculiar discrepancies.
The employees of this Resort are all human.
And most of them were maintaining their sanity, except for the Management Bureau rookie they found standing at the front desk.
No, at least on the surface, it appeared that way.
Was this even possible in a Supernatural Disaster?
“B-But. There's another weird one.”
the team member whispered.
“The employee taking room service calls!”
The eyes of the two turned toward the side of the front desk.
“Hello, I am Ladybug, the employee in charge of room service!”
The employee, who introduced herself over the phone as Ladybug in a cheerful tone, wasn't a ladybug at all; she was wearing a mask that mimicked the Mascot of this strange Resort.
…Just like the cleanup team rookie.
‘What on earth happened here?’
Only the two who seemed to have had their human personas removed were wearing Mascot masks.
When they asked if they had been ‘corrected’ for not working properly, everyone shook their heads.
“It’s nothing like that!”
“If I had to put it one way… a favor?”
A favor?
A sense of incongruity washed over them at the strange choice of words.
But beyond that, no one would give a proper answer as to what exactly had happened.
“Mr. Mascot said no.”
“Please check the Work Regulations.”
Right, even those damn Work Regulations.
R e a d
The Team leader had first opened the ‘Work Regulations for Resort Employees’ that the Mascot had kindly provided, only to shut her eyes tight.
There were 37 rules.
The dense text all alluded to the gruesome consequences that could occur at this Resort.
“It’s typical, isn’t it, Team leader?”
That was true. But somehow….
“Welcome!”
It was too peaceful.
The employees seemed not to feel the pressure or anxiety that the Work Regulations usually provided.
Even after seeing the two who had completely lost their sense of self and become resort accessories, they weren't seized with terror; instead, they were calmly performing their assigned tasks.
They greeted the Mascot and even struck up conversations.
They would even chat amongst themselves occasionally, but the moment the agents approached, they would glance over and quietly disperse.
“…….”
A bizarre feeling.
Grotesque and dangerous guests continuously entered the beautiful Resort, but she only needed to greet them at the entrance.
A thorough division of labor.
Her team members were stationed elsewhere. The civilians to be rescued were also placed elsewhere.
Isolation.
However, she was told she could go and say hello at any time. They said the Work Regulations were recommendations for the employees, not compulsions.
‘It’s strange.’
Time flowed very naturally and calmly, yet bizarre events occurred as if they were seeping in.
“…….”
Slap—!
The Team leader slapped her own face.
‘I have to stay sharp.’
Even if today's purpose for entering was a simple rescue rather than ending the Supernatural Disaster, this Resort was bizarre in a way that was different from previous disasters….
She had to keep her wits about her for the next two days.
And a few hours later.
-See you again next time~
“Aaaah!”
“Let me in! Let me in!”
The hotel's business hours ended, ignoring the human figures desperately pounding on the outer doors.
The gruesome madness revealed itself for only a moment before vanishing, and the employees conversed naturally without even sparing a glance in that direction.
“Can we go to sleep now?”
“I’m sleepy.”
That was even more chilling.
Even if they were from that crazy pseudo-religion company, this was strange.
‘These bastards are the ones who usually care about their own lives more than anyone.’
She lured one employee wearing a field mouse mask with a cigarette and listened to the story of this ghost story in a bit more detail.
“Ah! This was originally a theme park ghost story, but suddenly a new Resort was built….”
A newly created place.
“Anyway, they said if we just work as employees, we can leave!”
“Who?”
“Huh?”
“Who said you could leave? You said there’s no manual.”
“Uh… the Mascot, of course!”
Even when she caught other employees and asked, the content was similar.
“Once the Third Facility opens, we can all leave.”
“We're waiting for the Third Facility… Am I scared? I was, but I think I’m okay now… The Mascot takes care of everything.”
“? Yes. That is correct.”
“…….”
It was truly… bizarre.
The crowning glory was the reaction of the rescue target who had been working elsewhere.
The rescue target, who said they had cleaned the spa corridor, had a somewhat relieved face.
“The Mascot helped me…. The, the work isn't hard… and I only have to stay one more day, right? They said they’d even give me a gift when I leave.”
“…….”
“They said I can leave soon!”
This lukewarm sense of goodwill, the soaking peace, the bright and luxurious Resort, and the tightening psychological anxiety.
The Team leader truly craved a cigarette.
Because there was nothing quite like it for driving away the chills.
‘I’m weak against this kind of thing, damn it.’
If she had to choose, she was the type who was strong against traditional ghosts and shamanistic Supernatural Disasters.
But she had no choice since she was assigned here.
In fact, if the pager used by the rescue requester hadn't been a special one, the Hyunmoo Team wouldn't have stuck their heads in so quickly.
A pager that was almost like a piece of equipment, which, when pressed upon falling into a Supernatural Disaster, even indicated the path through which they had entered.
Pagers of such high grade were used by so-called key government officials or high-ranking people, but…
Usually, it meant the rescue requester had a special status.
Like the most precious relative of a fallen agent.
‘…Phew.’
…If that were the case, it was psychologically difficult to easily give up the rescue and escape by themselves.
Moreover, the rescue target that weighed on her mind wasn't just the one who called.
“Hey.”
“Yes, employee!”
The Team leader met the person she had been waiting for in the 3rd-floor hallway.
A male employee with long dark brown hair.
The front desk employee wearing a yellow Mascot mask, who had appeared from the elevator after finishing work, smiled kindly and accepted the conversation.
The Team leader gritted her teeth briefly.
…It was indeed the Site Cleanup Team rookie.
Was his agent code name… Chemo-reception?
“I have something I’m curious about.”
“Ask me anything!”
“I was wondering if you remember what you were doing before you came to this Resort.”
“Yes! Of course, I remember! You’re an agent from the Management Bureau, right? I used to work there too.”
He remembers?
“Right. Then I’ll pass on your regards. You’re from Jujak Team 2, right?”
“Yes! Thank you.”
The Team leader skillfully chose her words.
“But you could just go and deliver those regards yourself, couldn't you? Once you leave here….”
“Not possible.”
“…….”
“I have sworn and contracted with Mr. Mascot to dedicate myself to this Resort. I will not leave. And the contract is valid forever, until the end, forever.”
“How about taking a vacation?”
“I do not rest.”
“…….”
The Resort employee, who was once a Site Cleanup Team rookie, looked at the Team leader with a silent smile.
Silence.
“I must go to my room now. I have to follow the Work Regulations! You should also go to your room quickly and don't open the door for anyone else who might come.”
And then he walked down the hallway and entered his room.
Thud.
“Fuck….”
The Team leader spat out a curse like a sigh.
Her only regret was that she couldn't smoke, as doing something noticeable in a Supernatural Disaster was something only a fool would do.
‘How am I supposed to take him with me?’
She couldn't open the window, so she just stood at the end of the hallway and looked out the window beyond. As if she were smoking a cigarette.
She felt that if she could at least set the mood like this, the things she had to do would be organized in her head….
Wait.
‘…?’
There was something beyond the window.
“…!”
The Team leader immediately backed away from the window and pressed her body against the wall.
Noticing something in a Supernatural Disaster doesn't always act as a good thing.
Instead, she organized in her head.
What she had just seen.
‘So….’
The Resort grounds, with all the lights out, showed only very dark silhouettes. And the traces of a place where brilliant lights and the sound of music could be heard beyond that.
‘…It felt like an amusement park.’
But the ‘something’ wasn't over there.
Beside it.
In the ruins beyond where the Resort lights couldn't reach… something lumpy moved.
‘…A forest?’
It also looked like leaves swaying in the wind.
But surely, there was something looking up this way… wasn't there?
Something that looked like… a Mascot.
“…….”
The Team leader pulled her body away from the wall.
And then, narrowing her eyes, she approached the window once more….
H e l l o
“…!”
She turned around.
A cute stuffed mascot standing in the middle of the dark, cozy, and classic hallway.
…Before she knew it, the yellow Mascot was standing right in front of her.
W h y
D i d Y o u C o m e O u t ?
“…Ah. I was just seeing if my companions were doing well.”
The yellow Mascot looked at her with its cute-looking face, devoid of expression.
Cold sweat ran down the Team leader's back, but with her years of skill, she was able to move past it without showing any sign.
“Actually, I was craving a cigarette, but I held back.”
G o o d J o b
Surprisingly, the Mascot stroked the Team leader's head as if she were commendable.
And it even gave her a small gift.
…It was a sleep mask.
“…….”
She took it for now and tucked it away safely. She would hand it over to the forensics team later.
And that strange thing she saw out the window just now….
‘Let’s not mention it.’
A strong survival instinct pricked her back, but ahead of that, an agent's instinct to grasp this disaster also emerged.
‘Damn it.’
“I’m curious, what’s over that way?”
She eventually reached out and pointed in the direction where something had moved.
And then she twisted her hand slightly.
T h e m e P a r k
“Ah, so it was a theme park. Then this is the theme park, and over there… doesn't seem to be.”
The Team leader turned her hand and slightly corrected the position.
Toward the forest.
T h a t
O u t s i d e
The yellow Mascot peered at her.
D o n ' t G o
“…….”
I t ' s D a n g e r o u s
After guiding the Team leader to her assigned room, the yellow Mascot opened the door for her.
N o w
And it stood still in front of the door until she had completely entered and closed it.
Beyond the closing door, the Team leader heard the Mascot's murmur.
B y T o m o r r o w
I t W i l l A l l B e O v e r
And the next day.
For the first time since entering the Resort building, the agents were able to go outside.
Because the back of the Resort had been opened.
T h i s W a y
Before the Resort operations even began, the Mascot gathered the employees and came to the ruins behind the Resort.
And the moment the Mascot raised both arms into the air.
Rumbleeee
The fragmented facilities of the ruins vanished into the ground.
In their place, beautiful garden trees began to rise.
“…!”
Landscaping was taking place.
Shrubs with thick green leaves, trees, and golden flowers sparkled. Small flower buds of various colors shimmered, making the giant golden flowers stand out even more.
And even a fountain.
“Wow! Is this the new facility?”
N o
C e r e m o n y
S p a c e
‘…Ceremony?’
The Team leader looked around.
Standard-grade Mascots were busily carrying something.
…Flyers.
Against the backdrop of a beautiful night garden, promotional text as classic and sparkling as golden light was written.
———
Come see Flower Golden
Dazzling radiance!
Ecstatic blooming!
The most beautiful illumination in ■■!
※ If you stay in a Theme Park View room, you can watch special effects through the window.
———
…Something was being prepared.
The night of the 5th day of Resort operation.
The time had come.
I checked my attire in the facility office.
Over the yellow Mascot's characteristic fur, I tied a formal golden bowtie.
And I placed golden glass decorations like flowers on my horns….
Finally, I held numerous glow-in-the-dark lamps in my arms.
Now, all preparations were complete.
By performing the Ceremony Ritual, the Mascot, who has become the true owner of the Resort, will be able to open the Third Facility.
The budget is ample, thanks to the Blue Mascot perfectly settling the event funds.
I walked out of the office.
As I went to the lobby where the evening business was in full swing, guests turned their gaze toward me upon seeing my appearance.
I handed them the glow-in-the-dark lamps one by one.
Standard-grade Mascots also waved their hands and generously distributed small glow-in-the-dark lamps to the visitors.
The Ceremony Ritual I decided on was the Illumination. A feast of beautiful light.
It is an excellent choice befitting the Flower Golden Resort.
By establishing it as a perfect Ceremony, it will further elevate the status of this Resort and show a dignity incomparable to a boisterous parade.
Leading the guests, I headed toward the back of the Resort building.
The massive and beautiful back door, established in advance, opens.
Ooooooooooo
It looks desolate.
The dark Resort grounds, long after sunset, are pitch black, and only the theme park lights sparkle beyond.
But that too is over now.
G o l d e n F l o w e r s
The moment the Mascot raised its hand.
Lights began to sparkle all at once over the garden.
Ooooooooooo!
The night garden, blooming in golden light, dances and sparkles strangely.
The glow-in-the-dark lamps the users received, shaped like flowers blooming on a branch, also lit up with sparkling lights for every flower.
Ooooooooooo!
The cheers and shouts of the guests echoed through the garden. Some guests were seen crying, laughing, and wailing on the ground in emotion.
Now, the preparations are complete.
—We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who visited Cheerful Theme Park today.
—In a few moments, the Twinkle Illumination will begin at Flower Golden Resort. Please attend and witness the birth of the great Flower Golden….
I caught my breath.
‘Let’s do this right.’
The Mascot absolutely had to decorate the finale of this show from the center.
Once that’s done….
“Oh, so you’re opening the Third Facility now!”
T h a t ' s R i g h t
I nodded proudly to Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae as she approached.
“That’s great. Other zones have, like, ten attractions each. It would be nice if there were more like that here too.”
No. I’m going to cut my losses and leave immediately….
But as a Mascot, I couldn't utter such a statement, so I just stood there silently.
If I bring up another topic… ah, right.
S o
“Yes?”
I’ve been curious for a while.
R e d Z o n e
L e a v e
H o w ?
How on earth did Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae escape from the Red Zone, and by what means did she endure an entire day raw.
I figured it would be good to hear it now to ease the tension.
“Ah, I got one Boarding Pass Stamp. But that rabbit was chasing me so much! I couldn't ride any more. He even blocked me from going to the Blue Zone at all.”
As expected.
“So I went to the opposite side!”
…….
Huh?
“I found I could go to the forest on the opposite side too? Once business hours ended, weird noises started coming from the theme park, and that crazy rabbit chased me into
the forest, but he was a bit slow there.”
That’s probably because it wasn't his zone.
No, I mean….
Then did she circle all the way around through the opposite forest all night to come out to the forest over there?
‘My god.’
“So when I arrived here, there was a Resort!”
G o o d J o b
“Still, isn't it cool? Hehe.”
Yeah. It’s really cool.
To escape Magic Bunny who was chasing her and come out here.
Even if it was a Mascot who had come out to a place that wasn't its own zone and had become slower…….
…….
Wait?
Wait a minute.
R e d
M a s c o t
C h a s e H e r e ?
“Yes!”
I n F o r e s t ?
“Yep!”
If it’s because the forest isn't anyone’s zone and therefore accessible, then I can understand.
The problem is not that.
I t C h a s e Y o u
U n t i l H e r e ?
“Yep! He almost caught up! Although he couldn't come out and was blocked once I came out here!”
…….
Magic Bunny.
The way to get to the Yellow Zone.
He knows it.
-♩♪♬♬~ ♩♬♬~ ♩♪♪
-Kyahahaha!
“…….”
“……Mr. Mascot?”
I turned my head.
As the garden was created, the grounds that were ruins were developed.
And it became one step closer and fully adjacent.
The forest.
And the lights of the garden shine into the depths of the forest.
Thereby, it is revealed.
The red path.
And the one who was standing quietly upon it.
C a u g h t, H u h ?
The red mascot moves.
The Magic Bunny, who had spent the last four days clearing the forest to expand it its own zone, now begins the final phase.
Wearing overalls, the mascot raises its hand, and between the forest and garden, a device decorated with a cute rabbit drawing rises up.
A gate.
A facility connecting the two zones.
And then.
—Kyahahahahahahaha!
A flood of long-term red zone guests and missing persons comes pouring in through the gate, running down the path.
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