…….
[Can you hear me?]
I could hear it.
Braun’s voice.
A classic, cheerful, and unique accent.
[My heartfelt advice is already prepared, but no matter how good the advice is, it is meaningless if the listener is not ready to hear it.]
[In that sense, first, I need to properly introduce Mr. Roe Deer’s current situation to Mr. Roe Deer himself.]
…Introduce my situation to me?
I held the receiver, falling into a strange sense of immersion where the conversation began to transcend hearing and override all five senses….
….
[Do you see it?]
Ah.
I see it.
[Oh, wonderful. Then, let me introduce! Roe Deer’s Great Adventure, Resort Edition!]
The curtains rise with the sound of a classic band and clapping.
That is….
‘It’s me.’
As if rewinding and showing a sitcom, the days from the first day I entered this Cheerful Theme Park began to play.
Me, waking up in the resort’s facility room wearing a Security Team uniform.
[What an interesting costume! Doesn’t it look quite grand? A beast restrained by a belt —typical horror and fascination. But it’s not bad. Not bad at all….]
Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
With cheerful sound effects, the things I had done passed by in an edited sequence.
[That is the moment you became the owner of this resort. Hmm, the mascot’s Deformed look seems a bit childish… but that’s fine. This is a theme park, after all!]
[Yellow bowties for all the staff? Oh my! It would have been better to just put mascot masks on everyone! Good heavens!]
Laughter.
[My goodness, a barrage of gifts and even free spa facilities? This is an unprecedented promotion that would make every gloomy soul in the world come running. That is, as long as this resort doesn’t go bankrupt first!]
The rapidly edited scenes flicker by.
The cheerful eloquence describes and evaluates my desperate struggle for survival as if it were a joyful and successful resort management diary.
[A dead employee successfully rises and resumes work! Like this, Mr. Roe Deer has learned one more wonderful mascot lesson.]
[‘People cannot be fixed, but employees can’!]
I felt a bizarre sensation.
‘…I did that?’
It was a strange feeling.
Ultimately, immersion means being deeply absorbed in something that is not happening to oneself.
In other words… it presupposes a sense of distance.
Thus, the actions of the yellow mascot in the flashback were being evaluated by me.
[One more! Someone unfit for the resort’s dignity is thrown out of the lobby once again!]
At some point over the past few days, I had been endlessly adding use regulations and Work Regulations, evolving into the resort’s powerful and eerie operator.
A typical mascot of Cheerful Theme Park.
That was… that was.
[Look. At your thorough guest screening process!]
The more successfully the resort is operated, the more powerful it becomes.
As it expanded, as users increased, as reviews improved and sales rose, I began to judge management policies based on the presence or absence of unpleasantness, rather than just safety.
‘Wait a minute.’
A sense of unease crawls up.
And then, and then… it finally leads to the scene where I changed ‘bodies.’
In the flashback, I moved my consciousness into a Standard-grade Mascot and naturally handled the commotion within the resort—the incident where Seonghae killed the ladybug employee.
…Looking at it like this, it truly was a perspective and an ability that did not belong to a human.
[This is the very scene. My first piece of advice for Mr. Roe Deer.]
[Let’s focus and check. However….]
The scene rewinds with the sound of a tape.
[This time, it might be fun to watch from a different perspective.]
My consciousness had departed into the resort’s Standard-grade Mascot.
And what remained… was my body.
The yellow mascot, who had been standing at the gate to the Blue Zone, stood still for a moment, then soon began handing out balloons to guests at the gate and greeting them.
Just like the Standard-grade Mascots.
‘…!’
Thank goodness. It was still there.
Since it was right by the Blue Zone gate, it wouldn’t have been harmed or gone missing.
…Though a sense of dread rushed in immediately after, realizing my body could be treated like a Standard-grade Mascot.
Anyway, a massive sense of relief washed over me momentarily.
Now I just need to go find my body and quickly proceed with the Ceremony Ritual!
T h a n k Y —
[Shh! Let’s watch a little more.]
But the ‘advice’ was not over.
[Let’s see… here he comes. Oh, a filthy and rude intruder!]
I felt dizzy.
The flashback progressed rapidly, soon leading to the crazy gate raid by the Magic Bunnies that just occurred.
The missing persons, who had lost their minds after being tortured by the red mascot, cried and begged, dying as madmen.
It was a wretched hell.
[A surprise raid! What a thrilling event with escalating tension. Oh! Your response is also very interesting!]
Each of the many missing persons, who were once ordinary people, took on a horrific appearance, crying out for the red mascot, being murdered like a joke, and rising again as red mascots.
And the yellow mascot in the scene, filled with rage, threw the corpse of that red mascot back across the gate as a threat.
From the shadow of that mascot whose territory had been invaded, strange golden branches bulged out and then disappeared….
…….
Wait a minute.
Enraged?
Instead of being devastated or terrified by that sight, the rage of having one’s territory invaded rose up first?
I tried to punish the guest?
I t ’ s W e i r d
It really was.
Chills climbed up my spine.
Ultimately, I came to a conclusion in the evaluation of my own actions….
—Throughly contaminated.
As a yellow mascot, I have already completely assimilated into this resort.
Under the pretext of moving to escape, I am trying to successfully expand the resort by any means.
And I am being dominated by the resort’s principles, manners, and dignity, which I had created for safety.
…The ends and the means are being inverted.
I t ’ s W e i r d
I flailed my arms. And then I realized.
Why do I still have my right arm?
It was the fifth day since I entered this place.
But why was my right arm still moving perfectly?
The Dokkaebi Flame that mimics my right arm needs to be recharged every three days, so why is there no reaction?
Even in my original body, which I left near the Blue Zone gate, the right arm had not disappeared. I, I….
I had become able to move my right arm even in the form of a mascot suit.
A chilling realization ran down my spine.
‘Just how much have I been eroded by the mascot?’
If this erosion wasn't just about how much time had passed since becoming a mascot, but had worsened as the resort was successfully operated….
[That’s right. You were excessively faithful to your role as this resort’s mascot. And….]
[It is already too late.]
[You cannot quit at will now. You are a member of Cheerful Theme Park.]
My hands trembled.
[You even just chased away the meddling predecessor yourself. Now, this resort is entirely your possession!]
Then.
I C a n ’ t
E s c a p e ?
[Oh, that would likely be the case, wouldn’t it?]
No.
[And once the final proclamation is made, everyone will know this fact. Your upcoming event, the Illumination of the Flower Golden Resort.]
…The Mascot Ceremony Ritual.
The Mascot Ceremony Ritual is a ritual to proclaim which mascot’s territory the Flower Golden Resort belongs to and to be recognized by the guests.
If performed successfully, I could use that reputation as a stepping stone to expand into other facilities.
The Ceremony Ritual is about establishing identity as a mascot.
So, the moment that ritual is successfully completed….
—I will be officially recognized as a complete mascot.
The complete owner of this resort.
A situation would arrive where all identity is stained, leaving no leftover self to be separated from the mascot…!
‘No.’
[Hmm. I agree. Spending the rest of one’s life in such a musty resort—how could there be anything so boring!]
[Mr. Roe Deer, you have an obligation to continue experiencing and showing interesting things. This is something you promised directly to your friend….]
F r i e n d
[Yes. I am indeed your friend. The very reason you intended to visit this place!]
The kind voice guided me.
[You want to leave this place, don’t you, Mr. Roe Deer?]
I do.
[Then it would be best to continue listening to my advice. It’s alright to just take the receiver with you. Friend. Now, hurry, unplug the cord and take it. That’s it….]
With trembling paws, I unplugged the cord and took the receiver.
The voice continued to come from the detached receiver.
[Good…. Very good!]
[Now I will give you my final advice…. Do not be surprised. It is a magical answer that can get you out of this predicament! It is….]
The voice lowered to a whisper.
[Swap the mascot position with one of the employees.]
……!
[There’s no need to even create a new mascot! Just make him imitate you.]
[If you have that person perform the ritual instead of you, they will eventually be mistaken for you. Because if everyone thinks so, that becomes reality. Ah, that would be truly fun!]
[Some might feel a bit sorry for that fate… but can’t you just pick one of those who exist for you anyway!]
[The two employees who swore to serve you eternally until the day the contract ends, who now have no place to return to.]
Bison.
Ladybug.
Those who were dead but brought back to life.
[That’s right. The chosen one will carry out your duties as a mascot with all their heart and soul…. Well, until they are eaten alive by the red mascot, that is.]
[Let’s choose one of the two and have them perform the Mascot Ceremony Ritual in your stead!]
…….
[It’s quite easy, isn’t it? If I were to venture a guess, this is as good as a decided matter….]
The voice rose in pitch.
[The one your heart points to, shall we say their name…?]
…….
[Mr. Roe Deer?]
N o t H a p p e n i n g
[Hmm?]
I pulled my shaking body up and grabbed the door to the facility room.
The time remaining until closing was… 45 minutes.
C e r e m o n y
I ‘ l l
D o I t
[…Oh. Surely you aren’t saying you’ll spend the rest of your life in this musty theme park, friend? You, who even coldly rejected a workplace that was perfectly suited for your talents and beyond wonderful….]
N o
[Then do you have another alternative? How surprising! It must be a grand method to reject this Braun’s advice, wouldn’t it?]
I walked out of the facility office with grim determination.
And I declared into the receiver.
My plan.
R e s o r t
B l o w I t U p
[……?!]
A moment of silence passed through the receiver as if he were flustered.
Of course, the legendary Host soon poured out smooth words.
[Good heavens. Mr. Roe Deer, destroying this resort doesn’t mean you can escape your duties as a mascot! My word, on the contrary, you would have to bear an enormous cost.]
[Where on earth did that radical and useless choice come from?]
I t W o r t h w h i l e
Meanwhile.
Using my body standing by the Blue Zone gate, I finished the conversation with the Blue Mascot.
I t ’ l l B e F u n
F r i e n d
[…Oh, dear.]
Good.
I took a deep breath.
…Let’s do this.
***
At the same time.
The night garden of the Flower Golden Resort.
‘Ah, they’re still there…!’
The Magic Bunnies continued to stare.
The cute rabbit mascots looked at the garden of the Flower Golden Resort and the staff inside without a single movement.
“…….”
Dozens of mascot suits staring at me wordlessly.
It was a foreign and eerie experience.
Even more so if one had seen those mascot suits laughing while ripping out human entrails just a few dozen minutes ago.
Some employees were breaking out in a cold sweat. However, this wasn't entirely because of that haunting gaze.
“Why, why isn’t he coming??”
The yellow mascot’s absence!
They had all received direct instructions from the mascot to ‘take care of the guests,’ so they could not leave their posts.
However, their employer, who had run toward the resort dragging the Magic Bunny suits, had still not arrived.
10 minutes, 20 minutes passed like an hour….
“I mean, he knows how much time is left, right?”
“It’s 40 minutes.”
“…….”
“The time remaining until closing is 40 minutes.”
Yes…….
The Disaster Management Bureau Agent tentatively hid behind the Team leader, avoiding the Daydream employee wearing the Lizard mask.
The Team leader suppressed a sigh.
‘…Should I be prepared to move if worst comes to worst?’
She gripped the Sai Sword inside her clothes.
And it seemed she wasn't the only one preparing for battle.
A few of the Daydream Inc. employees were making movements as if warming up their bodies.
Lizard. Dolphin.
‘…They look like they know what they’re doing.’
Are they an Elite Squad?
It was just as she was scanning their masks with sharp eyes to see if they had a golden mark.
The one wearing the Dolphin mask clapped her hands and waved.
“He’s here!”
“…!”
It was true.
There, the yellow mascot suit was waddling and running hard from the resort.
The mascot whose horns were decorated with glass golden flowers.
At that moment, goosebumps erupted on the Team leader’s neck.
‘…He’s become stronger?’
Somehow, he felt like a more powerful existence.
Something like dominance felt palpable against her skin….
However, there was no change in appearance.
‘What is it?’
Did he eat something?
But regardless of that suspicion, the yellow mascot’s somewhat gentle attitude was not comfortable.
He looked around at each person as if checking on his employees, and once he confirmed everyone was safe, he gathered the other mascots together.
I t B e g i n s
N o w
The Team leader raised her hand.
“Wait a minute.”
“…!!”
“T-Team leader!”
“You said that thing comes once the event is over and the amusement park closes? Do you have a contingency plan?”
The yellow mascot looked back at the Team leader and reached out a hand.
I t ’ s O k a y
And then he pointed.
Y o u A l l
O v e r T h e r e
“…?!”
And so, with 30 minutes left until closing.
The delayed, brilliant Illumination event began.
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