Chapter 177: Ch 177: Setting up Ceremony
The Blue Mascot.
A bizarre being who turned my ride ticket into a membership card. They
even treated me as a missing person and put out a wanted notice after I
escaped through the gate.
The more I remember, the more that cute Blue Dragon exterior feels
unsettling...
G o o d C h i l d !
Strangely friendly.
Just seeing them now brings a sense of calm.
I walked up right to the gate and waved my hand at the flustered Blue
Mascot.
Perhaps realizing once again that we couldn’t cross into each other’s zones,
the Blue Mascot looked a little downcast, but soon enthusiastically waved
back.
Some visitors nearby smiled as they watched the two mascots waving at
each other across the gate.
G o o d C h i l d
I
C a m e T o S e e Y o u
And then I realized something odd.
’I can... hear them more clearly.’
It’s like... Beyond the short phrases unique to mascots, I can also hear a
deep, grand voice like the one I once heard before.
But unlike that time, there’s no crushing pressure that makes me cough up
blood.
It just transmits a pure will, as if imbued within the words.
Maybe because we’re both mascots?
Right now, the Blue Mascot’s short words seem to carry both: ’You finally
came to see me’ and ’I’m really happy and thankful that you came to meet
me like this’.
So mascots can communicate this richly with each other, huh.
’If that’s the case... the visitors around us probably don’t understand these
meanings.’
It means we can communicate more directly.
I
W a n t T o P l a y
!
W h y
I n v i t e M e ?
I’m basically asking: Why did you invite me here, saying we’d have fun at
the theme park, only for me to end up having to work even in this place?
Hearing that, the Blue Mascot fidgets anxiously and answers,
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 shows me some kind of vision.
’...!’
Creating a shared zone between the Yellow Zone and the Blue Zone.
’Ah!’
That’s it! My third facility can be made from this!
That way, we can spend time together.
Then I’ll be able to cross into the Blue Zone! And the Blue Dragon can
come to the Yellow Zone too!
Guests will have twice as many rules to follow, but it’ll be twice as fun!
And since our rules won’t be in conflict, it’s definitely possible.
We can cheerfully enjoy each other’s theme parks together, spending
eternity in this marvelous Cheerful Theme Park, happy and cheerful and
happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and
happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and happy and cheerful and
happy and cheerful and happy and cheerf—
’...!’
I bit my tongue.
...Barely, I managed to pull myself out of that vision...
’I almost... just went along with it.’
It feels like the Blue Mascot’s will is contaminating me. Not good.
Even without malice, it’s dangerous.
’Trying to do more right now would be suicide.’
I waved my hand, speaking to calm the Blue Mascot.
W h a t I f
I J u s t
Q u i t
Like, what if I just quit being a mascot and cross over into the Blue Zone as
a guest instead?
But the Blue Mascot sadly hangs their head.
N o
...
T h e r e H a s T o B e
M a s c o t
There must always be a mascot in an active theme park zone.
So I can’t just quit being a mascot on a whim.
’I knew it.’
I figured it’d be something like this.
Still, if I forced my way out, the consequence would be...
G o o d C h i l d
D i s a p p e a r
’...!!’
This Yellow Mascot would remain as is.
But the me that’s not a mascot... would separate from the mascot and
disappear.
If I’d already become deeply fused with the mascot’s identity, all of my self
and power would be sucked into the mascot, leaving not even ’discarded
scraps’ behind...
’No!’
It’s only the fourth day. I... I haven’t been assimilated with the mascot to
that extent yet!
I haven’t lost myself to the point that quitting as mascot would make my
very existence disappear!
I know who I am. I’m fine.
The me who isn’t the mascot can leave!
’...Huu.’
With trembling hands, I barely managed to grab onto the gate and lean
against it.
A swirling mix of wanting to tear off this mascot costume right now
because of the creepiness, a resistance to the question of whether I actually
could take it off, and the comfort and security provided by its softness and
coziness.
I
P r o t e c t
G o o d C h i l d
The blue mascot speaks, fidgeting anxiously.
It wasn’t the Blue Dragon’s intention for me to become the resort’s mascot,
but even about that, it’s as if they’re saying they could offer full help and
advice.
They seem to be giving their wholehearted support.
And then, from somewhere, other blue mascots start running to the gate all
at once.
They each have an envelope in their hands.
They gently toss the envelopes over the gate, and I catch one successfully.
Visitors nearby clap as if they’re watching something entertaining.
Inside the envelope, which I opened a little—
’Cheerful Coins...!’
Inside were a hundred blue and red coins.
It seemed like the blue mascot was settling accounts for the accommodation
event they held on their own. But, wait...
T o o M u c h
I t ’ s O k a y
The blue mascot looks a bit triumphant.
I H e l p
G o o d C h i l d
Good grief.
But it seems that a mascot who has run their own area successfully for a
long time becomes rich. It doesn’t look like they’re overexerting themself,
so I’ll just accept these for now.
I can invest these in the resort. No, no! I might need them for something
else!
’...Get it together.’
I tucked the envelope into the pocket at my mascot belly and pulled myself
together.
’I need to hurry.’
As soon as I open the third facility, I need to get my ticket stamped, quit
being a mascot, and escape.
’I can’t take it anymore.’
Hurry up and recruit additional staff, then hold the mascot ceremony.
The plan hasn’t changed. Just do it as is.
And my instincts as a mascot were telling me I should return to the resort
soon.
If I leave my post too long during operating hours, that’s neglect.
I should quickly ask the Blue Dragon what I need and go.
C e r e m o n y
H o w ?
H a v e F u n !
The blue mascot raised their hand.
Their ceremony was fireworks.
Beautiful lights exploding over the waterpark, reflected on the water’s
surface, evoking memories of his beloved deep sea ■■, though now
faded... Wait, what?
’A-Anyway. It’s some sort of signature theme park event.’
Apparently, you can choose the ceremony to fit your mascot’s taste. For
example... Magic Bunny’s seems to be a parade.
It’ll probably be similar for me.
T h a n k Y o u
The blue mascot looked even more pleased.
Then they hurriedly grabbed something else brought over by another
version of themself and handed it to me.
G o o d C h i l d
G i f t
Snacks.
A bunch of treats sold at the waterpark. From hot dogs to chocolate. And
just like before... churros, too.
’...!!’
Wait a minute.
[Blue Soda Churros]
A product that, when eaten, causes you to vomit out sea water as a form of
contamination.
The item’s description isn’t very precise, but since it originated from a
ghost story, I haven’t used it except in desperate, urgent situations where
there was no other way... but now the creator is right in front of me!
I picked up the churro and waved it.
T e l l M e
M o r e P l e a s e
The blue mascot looked at me blankly, as if confused by the question.
Wait a minute.
They’re saying there isn’t any special intended effect...?
’...’
I looked at the churro.
If it’s just a natural description...
Usually, when you eat ghost-story food in a ghost story... what happens?
In countless legends, what happens if you eat food from a strange and
mysterious place?
—You become a part of that world.
Right.
If a human eats food from the theme park, they gradually change into a
being suitable for this theme park...!
’So that’s why all those other contaminations were vomited out.’
Things that don’t belong in the theme park!
The realization sent a jolt through my head, but instead of excitement, a
cold shock took over.
’Then...’
It’s completely useless for Jang Heowoon.
The Jang Heowoon, who was revived as a staff member, is already a being
perfectly suited for the theme park.
Because he’s a ghost story now.
’...’
There won’t be an effect, at all.
G o o d C h i l d
S a d ?
I don’t know.
’...I need to do what needs to be done.’
I moved on to the next topic.
I
N e e d
I used my forepaws to gesture the shape of a soft, plush doll as I desperately
appealed.
The Good Friend Doll.
It originally came from the Cheerful Theme Park’s souvenir shop, and it
was one of my main reasons for coming here.
But the blue mascot shakes their head.
N o t
H e r e
Ah.
Right, it wouldn’t really fit the theme to sell a plushie in a water park.
They’d sell cute tubes instead. Damn it!
I
N e e d
Then is there any way to get it from the Magic Bunny zone?
C a n ’ t
D a n g e r o u s
To summarize what the Blue Mascot said:
Magic Bunny is a lunatic.
Do you really think something from that souvenir shop will actually help
you?
’...Hearing it like that is a bit...’
Either way, the Blue Mascot wasn’t wrong. But still, the Good Friend’s
power was proven in the <Dark Exploration Records>.
It shouldn’t be any different no matter the zone of the theme park.
N e e d
You said you’d help with anything!
Finally, the blue mascot drooped their horns and ears, but nodded.
D a n g e r o u s
But it seemed like they would try.
Still, they kept reminding me to absolutely avoid Magic Bunny and never
go near that zone.
Of course, I’ll keep that in mind, too.
’It’s a relief that the blue zone is in between, at least.’
I grew quiet, recalling the terrible sight of the red team where only
Supervisor Lee Seonghae survived.
Now that I think about it, it’s really a mystery how Supervisor Lee managed
to survive outside after business hours ended...
Oh?
G o o d C h i l d ?
I turned my head.
Just now.
Something happened at the resort.
The yellow mascot could sense it. Something had happened in my area. I
need to know!
Time to return!
I
G o t t a G o
The blue mascot looks at me calmly.
A l r e a d y
T h e r e
...!
Come to think of it.
It’s impossible to tell amongst the blue mascots which one was a special
individual and which ones were just standard mascots.
Every mascot costume is the Blue Dragon, and the blue mascot can freely
move all of their bodies as they please.
All the blue mascots are them.
The blue zone is theirs.
And...
The yellow zone is mine.
G o o d C h i l d
A l s o
I n R e s o r t
I understood that lesson as if under a spell.
And thus, the me who was in the resort.
I focused my consciousness on one of the standard mascots. And then...
I became myself.
’...!’
When I blinked, I was a mascot standing guard inside the resort.
’Oh my god.’
But before I could even be surprised or disoriented, I was confronted by a
shocking scene.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon was restraining Supervisor Lee Seonghae in the
lobby.
’...?!’
And that wasn’t all.
Next to the tied-up Supervisor Lee was someone’s limbs strewn about like
garbage.
Blood, soaking the lobby.
Employee Ladybug, dead.
A knife was stuck in his neck, blood gushing out in spurts.
He must have died trying to stop the bleeding, hands also covered in
blood...
’...!!’
And blood had also splattered onto Supervisor Lee Seonghae’s uniform.
Every sign pointed to one conclusion.
...Supervisor Lee Seonghae killed Employee Ladybug.
"Uurgh— Section Chief, it’s fine. I did everything I needed to do!"
But Section Chief Lee Jaheon did not release the restraints.
However, when our eyes met, surprisingly, he seemed to realize that the
standard mascot was me. He picked up the bound Supervisor Lee Seonghae
and brought her over to me.
"Eh?"
W h y
"Oh, Mr. Mascot, you’re here."
Supervisor Lee Seonghae spoke in her usual calm voice.
"Um, can you take the cost of reactivating that one over there out of my
salary? I’m fine even if I don’t get anything from the souvenir shop..."
W h y
K i l l
Supervisor Lee Seonghae looked at Jang Heowoon.
At the employee who no longer wore the bison mask, just a resort staff
member.
"Because he killed that good person over there for no reason."
...!
"And if given the chance, he’d kill someone else too, so you can’t just let
him be! Honestly, dying actually lets them be reused in a way that benefits
the resort."
My head spun.
But do you know what the real problem is?
...Somewhere, there’s a part of me that feels relieved.
What’s more, the guests aren’t shaken up at all.
Some of them even clapped as if they’d just seen an entertaining show, or
tried to tip Supervisor Lee Seonghae.
Which means...
It’s an even bigger problem.
M y
J o b
It should have been me, the mascot, to punish Ladybug.
Whether I made him serve the horrific toxic bath users in the spa, forced
him to run around on foot for room service, or made him do whatever the
guests wanted. That was my decision to make.
But...
"But Mr. Mascot, you’re just too good."
...
"Stuff like this is best handled by someone who doesn’t get stressed out,
like me!"
Huu.
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
"...Yes, yes."
In the end, I had a standard mascot assign Supervisor Lee Seonghae to spa
cleaning duty as a demotion.
Honestly, rather than a real demotion, it felt more like a show of
punishment for overstepping authority.
I don’t know whether I should be grateful, scared, or horrified... haa.
’My head hurts.’
I gritted my teeth and even revived Ladybug.
...Whether this could really be called reviving, I’m not sure.
"I’ll work hard, Mr. Mascot!"
With that, the number of casualties reached two.
Two human beings were replaced as perfect staff members.
"..."
Section Chief Lee Jaheon somehow seemed to be quietly watching me, but
I avoided his gaze and went to the front desk.
I was exhausted.
But there, too, was the staff member in Jang Heowoon’s form.
’God damn it, seriously.’
Just work.
Work faster, escape faster...
N e x t
Then, as I was welcoming the next guest—
"Team Leader, look! Daydream bastards!"
...!
"Yeah, I’ve got eyes too. I’ve seen those maniacs more than once during
Disasters, stop making a fuss."
...That familiar term of address.
Their voices were soft, almost whispers, but since a standard mascot was
nearby, I could hear it.
"Still, you have to note that there are people here working just fine. Got it,
Gomyeong?"
(T/N: Gomyeong = garnish)
I looked up.
Two people in Disaster Management Bureau jackets were approaching the
front desk.
’...!’
Holy shit.
The one called ’Team Leader’ looked down-to-earth, but somehow tough,
and stepped forward to speak to me.
"Hello?"
H e l l o
"Um, we’re here to ask a few questions."
And the Team Leader explained as she looked at me.
"I heard a guest who looks similar to us, wearing a hoodie and jeans,
checked in recently."
That civilian.
This was obviously a response to that person’s call for help.
Which means these people are...
’One of the other Black-Tortoise teams...!’
Oh god.
And I’d seen Team 2, the team next door, coming and going for weeks, but
these people were strangers.
That means only one thing.
’Black-Tortoise Team 3!’
"Could you tell us which room that guest is staying in?"
I barely managed to reply to Black-Tortoise Team 3’s leader.
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
"...You’re really strict about professional ethics, huh?"
"Seriously?"
The members of Black-Tortoise Team 3, who had been staring at me
blankly, soon shifted their gaze to the ’staff’ beside me.
"Pardon me, isn’t there some other way?"
"I apologize, dear guests! As Mr. Mascot said, here at Flower Golden
Resort we absolutely cannot disclose the personal information of our
guests. Is there anything else we can help you with?"
"Ah, then..."
"Wait."
At that moment, the team leader’s face hardened as she studied the staff
member.
She stepped closer, checked over the build of the front desk employee, and
then looked into the eyes behind the yellow mascot mask—
"...Site Cleanup rookie?"
...!
She recognized Jang Heowoon.
"Why’s he here...? Wait, this isn’t a registered site. That’s why only two
people were assigned, right?"
"Yes? Yes! That’s right. And as far as I know, that rookie was on
vacation..."
"..."
"..."
The two agents fell silent and stared at the staff member with Jang
Heowoon’s face.
And then—
"How can I help you, dear guests?"
A small curse nearly escaped the Black-Tortoise Team 3 leader’s lips, but
she swallowed it.
...Still, the two of them quickly regained their composure, showing the
calm typical of people used to situations like this.
They looked at me with cooler eyes than before, but did not forget their
reason for coming.
"...You said you can’t tell us what room the guest is in. Then, please call
the guest for us. Tell her we’re here."
O k a y
I gladly accepted that request.
The civilian, startled several times, at first wouldn’t answer the phone, and
then, even after finally picking up, dropped the call in terror a few times or
cried, but in the end, believing she’d been rescued, she finally came down.
The problem was...
R o o m
P r o p e r t y D a m a g e
In the process, the guest broke a few things in the room...
"...!!"
"S-Sorry, I was just so startled...! I’m really, really sorry..."
I t ’ s O k a y
P a y m e n t P l e a s e
I politely held out both hands to the civilian.
But, of course, the civilian couldn’t pay.
Realizing this, the team leader pushed her aside and stepped up to face me.
"Even without money, is there some other way to pay you back?"
Huu.
W o r k
"...?!"
I gestured toward the group.
Then I made a bold suggestion.
T h r e e P e o p l e
T w o D a y s
Or...
I f N o t
Y o u A l o n e
S i x D a y s
The civilian I pointed to froze.
"T-Tha, that..."
The agents immediately moved to shield the civilian.
And the team leader calmly confirmed,
"If we say we’ll work, do we end up like that?"
She gestured to Jang Heowoon.
...
"Or can we work like the other employees?"
If I were just a mascot, I might not have understood what that meant.
But I do understand.
P o s s i b l e
I lowered my head.
I t ’ s O k a y
N o M o r e
B a d E m p l o y e e s
"..."
The agents flinched.
The Black-Tortoise Team 3 leader studied me as if gauging something.
After several tens of seconds passed, she finally declared,
"...Fine. The three of us will work here."
"Team Leader!"
"Yeah. Just think of it as good work experience. And you know..."
She glanced at her sneakers.
Or more precisely, an item attached to their laces. It was most likely that
kind of item.
An escape item.
"I brought it."
"...!"
The agents ended up protecting the civilian, and it seemed they intended to
look for a chance to rescue Jang Heowoon as well.
The three took the employment contracts, read them carefully, and signed.
...And with that, the staff requirements were all fulfilled.
’...’
Now for the last thing.
It’s time to set up the ceremony.