The manual manager has disappeared.
My fifty million won has disappeared.
And the gift—the Blood Bath—has disappeared (tentatively).
“…….”
To make matters worse, the very person who requested the gift, Braun, is currently inside my bag pocket….
‘He probably heard everything, damn it….’
I had been carrying him around because I felt uneasy leaving him at home, and since I never knew when I might enter a ghost story, but it felt like it had backfired.
It felt like… promising a gift to a nephew on Christmas Day, only to find a "Sold Out" sign on the display at the department store.
Except that nephew is Annabelle.
“Phew….”
A sigh escaped me naturally.
‘For a manager in this world to be absent without notice for a week….’
It was obvious.
It meant they were caught up in a ghost story and missing.
“Just wait patiently. That’s better for your mental health.”
If I wait patiently and someone else buys the Blood Bath from the Alien Shop first, I won’t be able to keep my ‘promise’ with Braun!
I don’t want to get on the bad side of a plush doll that can incinerate an A-Grade Darkness with a snap of its fingers…!
‘This is going to be the death of me.’
Assistant Manager Eun Haje patted my shoulder and returned to her seat. I sat down and agonized in silence.
What should I do?
Should I wait anxiously for two months and, if the tub gets sold in the meantime, just bow my head and apologize?
Should I try to pull out a loan somehow?
Or…….
‘…For now, should I at least find out why he went missing?’
It wasn't just to have an excuse like "I did my best." Perhaps I could find the manager without too much difficulty or danger.
The <Dark Exploration Record> was still in my head and on my smartphone.
‘Let’s just check.’
Coincidentally, work had been quite slow since the theme park incident. Besides, I had finished the paperwork for yesterday's ghost story exploration.
This meant that as long as I didn’t blatantly desert the office, I could afford to slack off a bit.
‘The bosses are mostly just drifting in and out of the office anyway.’
Of course, being the lowest in the hierarchy, I decided to move around for only about an hour after lunch.
The first place to go was….
‘The manager's desk, obviously.’
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Of course, I had prepared an excuse for this visit.
—Mr. Roe Deer said he wanted to visit the manager's office? Oh my… then take this and go!
The soft-hearted supervisor had let me deliver an ‘education completion certificate that doesn’t particularly need to be given right now, but would be accepted as normal if delivered.’
‘Thank you, Supervisor Park Minseong….’
In this ghost story world full of psychopaths, what a warm choice.
I entered the administrative support office and looked for a staff member to give the documents to. Conveniently, someone was sitting at the desk next to the empty manual manager’s seat.
“I’ve brought documents from Team D’s Supervisor Park Minseong.”
“Huh? Put them over there.”
“Yes. Oh, and this….”
I politely held out a bag to the clerk, who was typing on the PC without even looking back at me with bored eyes.
Inside were golden-brown donuts, still warm, sprinkled with sugar and filled with plenty of vanilla cream.
And even an iced americano.
‘A bribe is essential for this kind of work.’
“I bought some while I was getting some for ourselves. I thought it would be nice to have while you work.”
“…! Oh, why did you bring all this?”
Even as they said that, their hands were agile in receiving the americano and donuts. Truly an office worker.
“Assistant Manager Kang, pass these around.”
“Oh? Donuts?”
“That person brought them.”
“Wow, thank you! Are you from Team D?”
I watched as the administrative staff bit into the donuts and the atmosphere in the office shifted strangely into a tea time.
The atmosphere was perfect for casual small talk.
It’s a time when even a stranger can easily blend in, especially if they’re the snack provider.
I waited for the right timing and spoke up.
While looking at the empty seat of the manual manager, ‘Lee Byeong-jin.’
“Um, should I just leave a coffee at Manager Lee Byeong-jin’s desk too? He doesn't seem to be at his seat….”
“Ah, just take it back. He hasn’t even come to work.”
“Oh, is he on vacation?”
“Vacation? More like missing.”
Hooked them.
The staff member at the next desk spoke as if it wasn't even that tragic, exchanging glances with the staff member across from them.
“To be honest, I knew this would happen.”
“Hey, hey.”
“What, the rumors are going to spread anyway. You from Team D, you said you're a rookie, right? What’s your name?”
“It’s Kim Soleum.”
“…! Oh, are you the one who almost ended up in Team A?”
“Um, thankfully, they seemed to look upon me favorably.”
“Wow.”
From somewhere nearby, I heard whispers like ‘So that was the Team D rookie.’
The staff member at the next desk looked me up and down as if seeing me in a new light, then hid their indifference and spoke.
“Well, since it looks like you’ll find out anyway while working here,”
Hmm.
“I’m telling you, even while working at this company, there’s always someone who goes missing because they unknowingly pick up something strange.”
“Pardon?”
I frowned as if troubled on purpose and asked.
“Is… is that why he can’t come in?”
“Exactly. That… what was it? A scroll stick?”
“A scroll painting, it was a scroll painting.”
The person across from us answered as if giving up, and the staff member next to me chuckled.
“Ah, right. A scroll painting. He was bragging about how he bought a scroll painting that brings wealth… and how he won second place in the lottery after buying it.”
Oh.
Bragging about getting rich after buying a suspicious scroll, and then going missing?
‘A classic secondhand item ghost story….’
The setup is a complete cliché.
‘Hmm, good.’
I made a quick decision.
‘Let’s back out.’
I might end up as a corpse if I jump in just to get my money a bit faster.
So, I was preparing to say something like, ‘Wow, that’s truly terrifying! Well then, I’ll be going….’
“Anyway, at this rate, it’s a bit unfortunate for your side.”
For me?
“Hey, hey, why bring that up!”
“No, but it’s true. The Darkness that went into manual revision review is yours, right?”
Yes.
“It’ll be hard to get that passed without Manager Lee, who went missing.”
…?!
W-what does that….
“That Manager was originally close with Team A. You know how it is. So-called… ‘being on the same line’.”
“…!!”
The line.
The root of corporate politics.
Personal relationships divided by which higher-up you are close with!
And the missing manager was someone who was particularly close to Team A, or in other words, was ‘on the same line’…?
Realization struck me like a bolt of lightning.
‘So that’s why the Team A Leader spoke with such confidence!’
No wonder he was so confident about the speed of the manual revision!
“It’s honestly an unknown how the new person will be… but the chances of someone from the same line being appointed are low. Someone from Director Cheong’s side will probably come.”
“…….”
“Their relationship with Team A is… well.”
Did I just hear it?
The sound of fifty million won evaporating.
It’s not just coming late; it’s disappearing entirely…!
‘No!’
I opened my mouth without realizing it.
“By any chance, do you know where that manager disappeared….”
“Oh, there’s an interesting story about that too.”
The person next to me leaned in and whispered.
“There’s a rumor that he disappeared within the company.”
“…!”
“Someone said they met Manager Lee in the lobby as he was coming to work in the morning. But he never made it into the office.”
“…He disappeared in between?”
“Well, we don’t know for sure. No one can say. No one actually saw him disappear.”
“…….”
No one saw him… I see.
‘Even if there were no people, there might be something else.’
I looked up.
In a corner of the office, the red light of a CCTV camera was glowing.
CCTV.
If he really disappeared within the company, there might be a record on that device.
‘If it’s a security CCTV used by a company of this size… they probably keep recordings for about two weeks.’
In that case, I could still check.
To get the fifty million won on time, pinpointing the missing person's whereabouts was urgent.
…The problem was.
‘In this company, the ones who manage CCTV records are… the Security Team.’
And the Security Team is… well.
==========
Immunity from prosecution for killing. (Applicable to all employees)
==========
That’s right.
So I wanted to avoid encountering them for various reasons, but….
‘As long as I’ve joined the company, it’ll be impossible to never see them anyway.’
Since things have come to this, let’s use this opportunity to gather information and check.
Conscious of Braun in my pocket once more, I headed to the first floor.
Straight to the Safety Management Room where the Security Team is located.
“I just have to go to the basement from here.”
On the outskirts of the first floor, there was a staff-only door leading to a separate basement space. Down a few stairs, I saw this iron door.
[Safety Management Room]
I raised my hand.
Knock knock.
—…….
Knock knock.
—Come in if you want to…….
“…??”
I opened the door cautiously.
In a narrow space that looked like a typical facility office, I saw an old sofa placed in the center.
A person was sprawled out on it.
A security employee wearing a worn-out navy uniform.
……?
“Hello….”
I quickly scanned the person’s uniform name tag.
[Security Team 3 Sergeant J3]
“Excuse me, Sergeant. Would it be possible to check the CCTV records from a week ago? Someone has gone missing….”
“…….”
The answer came slowly.
“You want to see the CCTV….”
“Yes.”
“Ah….”
The other person looked exhausted and bothered by everything.
Without even introducing himself, the Sergeant of Team 3, who was slouched on the old sofa, slowly opened his mouth.
“Normally, if you want to see it, you have to submit a CCTV viewing request form…….”
Ah.
“But since when did this company care about such things… just watch it.”
“…….”
I wasn’t sure if I should call this kind or a dereliction of duty.
At any rate, since I was the one asking, I offered the remaining snacks as a bribe.
“I thought it would be nice to have as a snack….”
“Oh, donuts.”
The face that lacked even a spark of energy brightened up. He quickly sat up from the sofa and snatched the bag.
“I like donuts, but there’s no place that delivers to the company… I can’t go out during the day, so I don’t get to eat them often…….”
I see.
‘Surprisingly, he doesn't look that violent.’
But in ghost stories, there’s always the cliché of ‘he doesn't look like it, but he’s actually a ghost.’
I maintained my alertness and spoke gently.
“Then may I proceed to the CCTV room?”
“Yes……. But.”
The employee, scratching the back of his head, stared at the donuts in agony for a long time before slowly starting.
“I have one spare security guard, so watch it with him……. It might be dangerous…….”
“Ah, thank you.”
I waited for him to call a guard over the radio or something.
But there was no movement.
“…?”
“…?”
“You said you’d attach a guard….”
“Me…….”
The other person pointed at himself.
“I’m that guard…….”
…….
“Ah… yes.”
‘Let’s not get involved.’
I should just quickly watch the CCTV and leave.
“You said a week ago….”
“Yes, yes.”
At any rate, I entered the CCTV room with the Sergeant and checked the recordings.
My suspicion deepened as the Sergeant didn’t seem very proficient at operating the equipment, but something else was more important.
“Found him.”
I found the recording where the manager was caught.
I confirmed a middle-aged man entering the lobby and getting into the elevator.
His face matched Manager Lee Byeong-jin, the manager registered on the company network.
And the long object in his hand.
‘Is that the scroll painting?’
It certainly wasn't an object one would bring to work. It was somewhat eerie.
“You’re good at finding things. You could be a security guard….”
Please don’t say such scary things.
“Thank you. I think it’s because I’m focused on trying to find the missing person.”
“……A missing person?”
“Yes.”
The other person went quiet as if a bit flustered.
It seemed he had just realized it now after listening half-heartedly to what I said earlier.
That someone had vanished within the company without the Security Team knowing.
“We missed this…….”
“Is it very problematic?”
“No……. It wasn't my shift anyway.”
“…….”
“They’ll figure it out on their own….”
Yes….
I’ve heard your clear shift-worker logic.
Anyway, as a result of checking the elevator CCTV, I was able to confirm where the missing manager got off.
Surprisingly…… the manager didn't go to the upper floors.
“…He went to the basement.”
A floor even lower than this Safety Management Room.
[B2]
He was clearly caught on CCTV stumbling out at Basement 2.
…It was chilling.
‘What on earth happened?’
Why did an administrative employee suddenly head down to the basement as if possessed?
‘That’s a place where only the Security Management Department has access.’
I even heard that the Security Management Department only does patrols there, so what is going on?
Cold sweat trickled down.
I hurriedly looked away from the empty elevator.
‘I think even watching the CCTV will be dangerous from now on.’
Even if I’ve managed to watch it half-faked until now, I don't think I can do it here.
The basement floor of a bizarre pharmaceutical company that gets raw materials from ghost stories.
And a place where general employees don’t have access and don't even know what happens there?
‘Even the <Dark Exploration Record> described it like some Napolitan Creepypasta!’
No, this won't do. Let’s wash our hands of this and leave.
I bowed my head to the Sergeant while trying my best to ignore the CCTV.
“Thank you for showing me. I’ll be going now….”
“……The restroom.”
“…?”
“The person you’re looking for. He went into a disused men’s restroom in the basement…….”
“…….”
“And didn’t come out. For a whole week.”
I desperately avoided looking at the CCTV.
However, this Sergeant seemed to have already arbitrarily checked the Basement 4 floor where the missing person had entered.
“Want to go to the restroom……?”
“I don't have access to the basement floor.”
“I’m going though….”
Yes. Well, that’s your workplace, so….
If you go and find the missing person, I’d be very thank—….
“Let’s go together……. We can just say you’re a Security Team rookie or something.”
Pardon?!
“No, you don’t have to go that far,”
“Let’s go…….”
No!!
How did things turn out like this?
‘I even got a uniform.’
I’m currently in a maintenance elevator, wearing the navy uniform of a general Security Team agent.
My mind is hazy, wondering what this situation is.
‘I was persuaded….’
—It’s fine. The Field Exploration Team sometimes comes for support duties too…….
Isn't that for disciplinary action?
Anyway, it was confirmed that even if words got out about me entering the basement, it wouldn't escalate into anything major.
I had already contacted Team D and processed it as official support duty, so there shouldn't be any disciplinary issues….
I guess I should be glad my social life with my superiors paid off.
‘Even so, my head is spinning.’
I came all the way here just to buy one Blood Bath.
At this point, Braun should acknowledge me even if I can’t pull the fifty million.
Ding.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened.
Basement 2.
Even though it was the same sound, it sounded somewhat ominous. What appeared was….
A corridor lined with ordinary offices.
“…….”
Why… are there offices in the basement?
‘Shouldn't there be safety equipment or facilities here…?’
The office corridor, with slightly dim lighting, was very quiet, and there were opaque glass doors everywhere.
Office A, B, C… nameplates were attached.
The Sergeant whispered.
“Don’t open the doors….”
“Yes.”
I had absolutely no intention of touching them even without you saying that.
I walked slowly, only looking at the Sergeant’s back.
It was then.
—Mr. Roe Deer?
“…!”
—To think you’d wear such ragged clothes to give a gift to this Braun! I’m truly moved, but it also breaks my heart. Does my friend have to do such menial work?
They were very grateful words.
However.
‘…How are you talking to me?’
A ‘Good Friend’ could only talk and move within a ghost story…. Which meant.
I was already inside a ghost story.
“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
The Sergeant stopped walking.
In front of a restroom door where pale light was leaking out.
“I’ll open the door….”
“Wait,”
But before I could even listen, the restroom door opened.
Creak.
Amidst the flickering lights, the space beyond the door revealed itself….
“…….”
‘Are you kidding me.’
The restroom was covered in dark red ink.
As if an artery had been slashed, the ink that burst out was covering the entire restroom mirror like blood.
I froze completely.
Not even a scream came out.
But in the next moment, my sense of smell woke my reason.
‘There’s hardly any metallic smell.’
That isn't all blood.
It wasn’t the smell of normal ink either. This was….
‘…India ink?’
Tap, tap.
Braun tapped me from inside my pocket.
‘warning.’
I snapped back to my senses.
The Sergeant reached out as he looked around the bathroom.
“Don’t touch i—”
Poke.
“Pardon…?”
I was screwed.
The moment the Sergeant’s index finger touched the ink.
A dark red liquid began to surge like a wave through the bathroom.
“…!!”
I tried to turn around and run immediately, but the viscous black liquid reached out like countless hands, swallowing my feet and pulling.
Aaargh!!
‘Fuck, fuck…!’
I barely managed to keep from falling flat on my face, landing on all fours instead. The liquid splashed up against my chin as I struggled. Curses rose all the way to the tip of my tongue.
The moment I turned my head to somehow grasp the situation, the source of it caught my eye.
“The scroll!”
On the bathroom mirror, there was a scroll that had been slashed down the middle.
The blood-like ink was being sucked into the hollow center of the slashed scroll.
In other words, my feet were being dragged toward it.
As if a living creature were pulling me…… Wait, living?
Like blood?
‘Blood-Sucking Cutlery…!’
I pulled out the fork and stabbed it into the floor.
The pure white silver fork trembled, and then it began to greedily absorb the surrounding ink.
“Ah!”
It was working!
But a dessert fork the size of a finger was not enough to hold out.
Ting.
The cutlery was sent flying.
‘Fuck!’
I was sucked straight into the scroll.
“Gasp!”
I lifted my head.
Through my dark and blurry vision, wallpaper with an old, wrinkled pattern came into view.
It was an unfamiliar place.
‘…An abandoned house?’
I caught my breath and waited for my vision to adjust to the Darkness.
And then, and then….
I realized.
What I had seen wasn’t wallpaper.
Talisman.
Tattered, old Talismans were plastered all over the walls made of rotting wood.
“……!”
It was heavy.
A strange pressure dominated this dark, chilly interior, as if the air were weighing down on my shoulders.
……Something was wrong.
I felt like a little rat that had crawled into the wrong place in the wrong way.
“…….”
I clenched my trembling fist.
But there was nothing to hold.
‘…It’s gone.’
The Blood-Sucking Cutlery had disappeared.
Breaking out in a cold sweat, I took slow, slow breaths to prevent hyperventilation…….
“Excuse me…!”
I thought my heart was going to stop.
“Y-you there! Are you a police officer by any chance…??”
I looked up.
I wasn't alone in the dark, abandoned house.
Small Human Figures huddled in a corner were staring at me.
They were… children.
‘Middle school uniforms.’
The sobbing students cried out.
“Please help us! W-we touched something that looked like a weird painting, and we can't get out of here!”
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