Chapter 16: Ch 16: Key to survival? Speedrun!
Change of position.
In other words, a change in the tasks or department where someone
primarily works.
This typically happens when you’ve been with a company for several years.
So, it’s definitely not something you say to someone who’s only been here
for three days!
"...A position change? Does that mean I’ll be transferred to a different
department?"
I was desperately holding back from saying, ’What are you talking about
right after lunch?’ and instead asked politely.
"Well, actually... yeah. Did you see the notice? It just went up."
"...?!"
With a sinking feeling, I immediately checked the company intranet.
[Notice of Employee Rewards for Resolving Special Incident Qterw-D-
43]
...Qterw-D-43 is the ’Tuesday Quiz Show’.
And to summarize the contents...
– Wow! A team solved a special incident in a D-Class ghost story and
extracted A-Class essence? Now that’s impressive! We’ll be awarding a
total of 100,000 points to the team!
– You saw that, right? You can do it too! Forget work-life balance, work like
a beast and earn those points! Be like D-squad!
...And right there, clearly listed as the key contributor receiving 40,000
points, was my name: Kim Soleum.
"..."
I wish this were a dream.
And the worst part?
If this notice was what caused my position to change, then...
I felt a chill seeing the assistant manager’s hollow expression.
"Finish reading it?"
"Yes, ma’am."
"Yeah. D-squad, well... we achieved something unusual this time."
No way.
"Does that mean the entire squad is being reassigned?"
"Not exactly. It just means the type of work we’ll be doing is changing."
Assistant Manager Eun downed her coffee in one gulp.
"Up until now, we’ve mostly been assigned to manage ghost stories with
completed manuals."
Wait a second.
"Now they want us to handle ghost stories without completed manuals!"
"...!!"
In other words, they’re going to throw us into ghost stories with no data!
"Seriously, just because we did well this one time, they’re shoving us into
even harder situations..."
Supervisor Park was already slumped over his desk, seemingly aware of the
news. Even the caffeine seemed ineffective.
"Hello."
And right on cue, the squad leader with the lizard head walked into the
office. Assistant Manager Eun immediately snapped.
"Squad Leader! They want us to go into ghost stories without manuals! Are
they trying to get us all killed?"
"...? No, not at all."
"Huh?"
Perhaps there was a loophole, as a faint glimmer of hope appeared on the
assistant manager’s face...
"Even if the manual is complete, there’s no guarantee of safety."
"..."
Oh, that’s what he meant...
’What a pragmatic lizard this guy is...’
I barely managed to speak up.
"But isn’t it more dangerous without a manual? There’s no data to rely on."
The lizard tilted his head slightly to the side.
"I’m not sure. I haven’t noticed much of a difference."
"..."
Ah, right. He’s the guy who exorcises things with brute force...
’So, you’ve been bulldozing through everything up until now...’
I decided to ask directly.
"Is there any advantage to the current situation?"
"Yes."
"What kind of advantage?"
"Additional points are awarded."
"...!"
Supervisor Park suddenly lifted his head.
Typical of people obsessed with points.
"H-How much more, Squad Leader?"
"A lot."
"How much exactly?"
"On average, two to three times more compared to ghost stories of similar
grades."
"...!"
"What’s the highest multiplier you’ve seen, Squad Leader?"
"Fifteen times."
Suddenly, the assistant manager and the supervisor’s eyes changed.
’That’s the look of stock traders.’
It was the same expression people have right before they buy into a
speculative biotech stock based on rumors.
It seems the allure of 30,000 points was too sweet to resist...
Normally, someone with common sense would try to stop this, but... well,
to be honest, for me...
’It’s basically guaranteed returns...’
There’s not much difference whether there’s a manual or not.
I already know more detailed information from the exploration records than
any manual could provide!
So then.
’It’s like a triple points event... right?’
.
.
And so, a short while later.
"Let’s go."
"Yes, sir."
Without any resistance, D-squad accepted the new assignment and set off.
’Let’s earn those points.’
Our destination was the 17th floor.
"From the 20th to the 17th floor, it’s mostly used by the development
headquarters."
Assistant Manager Eun frowned as she pressed the buttons.
"And the 17th floor... is where the researchers who scout for new Darkness
work."
Ding.
As the elevator doors opened, a white, artificial-looking office space typical
of a combined laboratory and office came into view. Standing there, already
waiting for us, was someone who extended their hand.
"Wow~ Is this the friend I’ve been hearing about? Awesome, just
awesome~"
Definitely someone above my rank.
I reflexively shook the outstretched hand.
"I’m Kim Soleum. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, you’ve got good manners too."
The man in a white lab coat and glasses looked fairly young, but
considering the strange nature of this world, I decided not to jump to
conclusions based on appearances.
After greeting the rest of D-squad, the man turned back to me.
"I’m Kwak Jaekang from Research Team 1. Nice to meet you. Looking
forward to working with you~"
"...! I look forward to working with you too."
Our squad’s assistant manager whispered to me.
"Don’t worry. He’s just a section chief."
Aren’t you just an assistant manager...?
But that wasn’t what surprised me. I recognized this person.
========================
Researcher Kwak Jaekang
: An employee from Research Team 1 in the Raw Materials
Development Department of Daydream Inc., featured in <Dark
Exploration Records>.
Frequently mentioned in the early records of explorations into newly
registered Darkness.
========================
Another named character appeared.
’His personality, though... um.’
========================
One of the few employees described as ’cheerful and sociable’.
But...
========================
Hmm.
I quietly followed the squad without revealing my thoughts.
"We’ll be seeing each other often from now on, right, Section Chief Lee
Jaheon?"
"Yes."
...
Aiyah.
"May I ask why?"
"Yes."
Finally, the lizard explained.
"Research Team 1 studies and standardizes methods for entering new
Darkness. So, you’ll frequently meet D-squad, as you’ll be the ones
exploring the new Darkness that hasn’t yet been documented."
In short, they’re the team that assigns us our work.
’They find new Darkness here and pass it onto the Field Exploration Team’s
advance unit...’
"Oh, come on, you always explain things in such a difficult way, Section
Chief Lee. And you’re not even a researcher!"
The Research Team’s section chief patted the lizard section chief on the
back. The lizard’s unblinking pupils shifted toward him, as if confused.
It kind of felt like watching a thriller movie...
"Anyway, today’s Darkness is ready for you to enter. Don’t forget your
Dream Essence Collector, alright?"
Assistant Manager Eun’s face briefly flashed an expression like, ’Why is
this guy from another department telling us the obvious?’ but Supervisor
Park’s frantic hand gestures stopped her from speaking out loud.
"Check the records of ordinary people who went in and came out, as well as
the team that previously entered."
Section Chief Lee Jaheon took the documents from the Research Team.
Meanwhile, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"...?"
I turned to find a grinning researcher talking to me.
"Hey, do you want to bet on whether it’s D-Class or F-Class?"
"Pardon?"
"We like to place small bets among ourselves. You should try it—it’s fun."
"No, thank you."
I answered immediately.
’Is this guy out of his mind?’
What if they get audited...? And this guy’s talking gambling right in front
of his boss.
I glanced at the Research Team’s section chief reflexively.
But this researcher shrugged.
"Eh, it’s no big deal. It’s not like someone’s going to die because of a little
bet."
"..."
"Haha. Oh, look at that—your expression didn’t even change. You’ve got
guts, Soleum-ssi."
I was too dumbfounded to control my facial muscles.
’Isn’t this crossing the line for a workplace?’
It’s certainly fitting behavior for a researcher in a world based on
creepypastas.
"Just kidding. The Darkness we’re dealing with today isn’t life-or-death
serious. A lot of regular people escaped from it... though the Planning Team
did have a hard time covering up all the fuss the Disaster Management
Bureau made about it~"
"..."
When none of D-squad’s members responded, the Research Team 1 section
chief just smiled and organized the remaining documents.
"Hoh."
The researcher who had been talking about bets looked over at us with a
sneer, crossed his arms, and took on a casual, spectator-like stance.
’Is it really okay to act like that at work...?’
I wasn’t feeling great about it, but it’s not like work in this company is ever
exactly pleasant. What mattered now was the Darkness we’d been assigned.
What kind of ghost story was it?
"Oh, Roe, you should take a look too."
"Yes."
I took the documents my superior handed me.
’I bet it’s something I’m familiar with.’
And considering many civilians had escaped, it seemed like it wouldn’t be
too bad. At worst, maybe a D-Class story?
I should be able to handle it without too much trouble.
So, no need to panic...
"Roe, did you read this? Something about portraits of clowns... oh, if you
see a clown ad, you get pulled in?"
Clown ad...?!
No way, it couldn’t be...
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[The Clown Hates You]
: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-D-210.
It involves an endless hallway lined with various clown portraits, where
people are doomed to wander forever.
Upon closer inspection, the portraits aren’t of actual clowns but
grotesquely twisted people forced into clown-like appearances, with
distorted grins.
========================
"..."
No way.
========================
The longer you stay, the more distorted and bizarre the portraits
become.
Those who go missing in this ghost story become new clown portraits.
This is a rare, full-blown horror movie-style ghost story in terms of
exploration records.
========================
Wow.
I scanned the exploration record with trembling eyes.
...
It’s really that.
’Wow, it’s here.’
A full-on horror theme, way scarier than the convenience store ghost.
"Haha, well, let’s head in then!"
Excuse me!
Forget the triple points event—just cancel it! I don’t want to go in!
* * *
But of course, in society, words like that don’t really fly...
"..."
I opened my eyes. Before me was a dark, pitch-black hallway—no, more
like a corridor, just as gloomy as my future.
The walls were plastered with grotesque clown portraits, each bearing
twisted, unsettling expressions.
’F-Fuck.’
The method for entering this place was terrifying from the start:
1- Watch a YouTube ad featuring a clown with a red nose laughing
maniacally while staring directly at the viewer.
2- In any enclosed indoor hallway, a clown’s hand suddenly appears
from around a corner.
3- If you get too close, it grabs your wrist and pulls you into this
hallway.
I nearly passed out just from that part.
’This is insane.’
I looked around nervously. The exploration records played vividly in my
mind, warning me of all the terrifying things that would happen no matter
which wall I approached.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
’Honestly, anyone would be scared of this place, not just me...’
"Hm. It’s not that dark. We probably don’t need to turn on our flashlights."
"Section Chief! Shouldn’t we wait until our eyes adjust to the dark?"
"Right. Close your eyes for 60 seconds."
"Yes, sir!" responded Supervisor Park in a clear, confident voice.
"..."
Are they serious?
To calmly suggest closing our eyes for a full minute in a dark hallway filled
with unsettling clown portraits?
"Roe, close your eyes too."
I guess that’s the plan.
"Yes, sir."
I pretended to close my eyes but instead stared at the floor, sweat pouring
down my face.
I just realized something.
These people.
They’re basically immune to fear.
Unless it’s a life-threatening situation, their threshold for fear is absurdly
high!
They’re the kind of people who would say things like, ’The scariest thing in
life is people,’ and find horror movies boring!
’Well, that’s probably why they work here!’
But no matter how brave they are, surely they wouldn’t be able to stay so
calm if those grotesque portraits started moving...
"Hmm... If you get too close to the portraits or stab them, sometimes they
crawl out and chase after you."
"Oh, right. When that happens, the painting becomes empty, and a few
people have used that as a way to escape back to reality."
"I see."
Section Chief Lee’s voice remained calm and composed.
"Stab every portrait you see."
I nearly yelped.
"Yes, sir! If anything comes to life, I’ll signal and run immediately!"
"Yes. We’ll repeat the attempt every hour."
"Oh, did it say they crawl? That’s good, less mobility."
"Exactly. Oh, Roe! I noticed earlier—there’s a clown with strange eyes over
there on the left. Looks just like a movie poster, doesn’t it?"
"..."
"It resembles the description of a missing civilian. I guess when you go
missing here, you end up like that."
I couldn’t help but look up.
In the eerie darkness, there was a portrait of a clown, with a button for one
eye, smeared in colorful clown makeup, baring a forced, toothy grin.
’...It moved.’
I was sure of it—the pupil of its remaining eye just shifted.
"..."
"Roe, want to try touching that one first?"
Ah, no!! Please, just stop!
"...Uh, yes."
Why did I say yes? I can’t even go near it!
A strong sense of foreboding hit the back of my neck.
If I keep matching the tempo of these lunatics, I won’t survive here.
"So, Roe will start with the upper-left portrait..."
"Wait a second."
"Hmm?"
This is my chance!
"I think I’ve figured out the right way to escape."
"W-What?"
It’s been less than a minute since we got here, but anyway, I’ve figured it
out! Just trust me!
"I deduced it from reading the records of civilian escapees."
Has my brain ever worked this fast before?
’I can’t let these fearless maniacs take the lead!’
"First, we must not touch the other portraits."
"Huh? Why?"
Because I’m terrified, that’s why.
But my mouth said something different.
"...There must be a specific correct answer."
Is this what survival instinct feels like?
I immediately pulled out the toy coin from my equipment and summoned
the translucent glove into the air.
Then, I handed over twenty 500-won coins to the glove as if I were
dumping them on a big-time YouTuber.
(T/N: Approx. 8 USD total)
The glove froze for a second, like it was in shock from the generous
donation, then happily spun around in the air before merging with my hand.
"Wait, is that your equipment, Roe?"
"Yes. It allows me to remotely touch objects."
"Whoa."
At least now I didn’t have to approach the clown portraits and touch them
myself.
But I pretended I had a different plan, nodding seriously as if deep in
thought.
"From now on... I want to run and see as many portraits as possible. We
need to find the correct one."
I looked at Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
"And starting now, the portrait I describe will be the correct one."
"..."
"If you spot it, please tell me immediately. Is that okay?"
If this works, I won’t have to examine each and every clown portrait
myself!
’Of course, if he responds with Who’s this rookie to boss us around?, it’s all
over...’
But Section Chief Lee didn’t seem like the type to be obsessed with
authority.
Even though he had a lizard’s head! And maybe even thinks like a lizard!
"Sure."
It worked!
Relief coursed down my spine, almost making my legs give out, but I held
on, nodding as if everything was still under control.
"Then, I’ll start running."
I acted as if I were testing out some brilliant new hypothesis, one that
required running to test properly...
’Though it’s actually not necessary at all...’
Escaping from here is surprisingly simple.
’You can touch any portrait you want, and it won’t affect finding the correct
one...’
If you’re brave enough, you could just stroll around casually and figure it
out.
But I had already learned my lesson.
I learned the hard way during that game of tag with the ghost at the
convenience store.
What’s the key to survival for a coward?
’Speedrun!’
Haunted house midway escape.
Let’s go!