Chapter 18: Ch 18: CreepyPasta#5: Cheerful Theme Park!
I’ll be honest.
Now, it’s been a month since I joined.
Surprisingly, working at a ghost story corporation... it’s actually bearable!
"Wow, crazy, another clear in 30 minutes!"
"Are they actually doing better than C-squad?"
Hearing lines that sound like they belong in some YouTube web drama,
spoken in real life, is surreal.
"Hey, enjoy it. All of this is your achievement."
It was lunchtime.
Assistant Manager Eun, proudly carrying both the A and B menu options
from the cafeteria, spoke coolly.
By the way, we’d already cleared one case this morning.
"Thanks to Roe, I’m doing the crazy thing of clearing twelve new ghost
stories in a month."
"No, it’s all thanks to your excellent leadership."
"Leadership, my foot. I’m just enjoying the ride."
"That’s right. I’ll buy beef today, Soleum-sunbaenim."
"Minseong-ah, that’s a bit..."
"Hey, what’s wrong with that? Roe’s definitely more of a sunbae than me."
When a superior makes jokes like this, it can be surprisingly hard to react
without feeling awkward...
But, whether it was a joke or genuine, Supervisor Park didn’t wait for my
reaction. Instead, he showed off his excitement, proudly displaying a
screenshot of his monthly point accumulation.
"Already 5,000 points!"
Yeah.
[Supervisor Park Minseong / Accumulated Points: 5,200P]
That’s also how many points I earned in a month.
’Speedruns do work...’
I never imagined my survival tactics would end up like this.
Most of the ghost stories were F-Class or D-Class, so it was manageable.
’It seems like high-level ones don’t come around often.’
If they did, the world would have ended already with a ’And so, the world
perished’ finale for this universe.
Anyway, my superiors were more excited than I was. They seemed to find it
more amusing since it wasn’t their work.
"Probably the fastest record for a new hire in the company’s history, right?"
"Oooh!"
Ah, now that I think about it, I’ve barely seen any of the other new recruits.
Since I’ve been going in and out of the Research Team’s office at the 17th
floor daily, I haven’t had many opportunities to meet the other squads of the
Field Exploration Team.
’And Baek Saheon and I are still pretending the other doesn’t exist.’
To maintain the crazy persona I adopted, I’d sometimes throw in over-the-
top work-related jokes.
– You’re going on a ghost investigation today, right? Wanna bet on how
many civilians die?
– ...
The researcher who liked to gamble gave me some inspiration. Thanks,
buddy.
Anyway, seeing Baek Saheon gritting his teeth and ignoring me showed
that my approach was effective.
’Smooth sailing.’
I finished the last sip of my galbi-tang (short ribs soup) and set the bowl
down.
Clocking out on time, and getting bonuses.
’The cafeteria food’s not bad either.’
In terms of benefits, this company would probably get a 3.5 rating or higher
on sites like ’Employment Korea’.
Of course, there’s the massive stress that comes with essentially spending
every day in haunted houses where ghosts appear...
’Things I would’ve refused to do no matter what before... Well, that’s just
typical corporate life now, I guess.’
And just like any other job, the sense of accomplishment from getting
results somehow makes you think it’s not so bad.
"Roe."
Assistant Manager Eun spoke softly and quietly.
"At this rate, higher-ups are bound to take notice."
"...Pardon?"
"Your performance, I mean."
"..."
"You can chalk it up to luck once or twice, but not ten times in a row."
Assistant Manager Eun squinted and grinned.
"Someone higher up will definitely want to take a closer look at you. When
that happens, make sure to let us know. Tell the squad leader too."
Hmm.
If this were a normal company, I’d be worrying about credit being stolen
and might’ve considered keeping quiet. But here?
This is the world of horror stories, and my superiors had already
experienced me saving their lives before.
I nodded obediently.
"Yes, I will."
"See, even though he may not look like it... or rather, just by looking at
him, you can tell our squad leader is quite exceptional, right?"
Our eyes followed Section Chief Lee Jaheon, who was finishing his meal
quickly and leaving the cafeteria.
"If you ever get an absurd request, just ask for his help once. He’ll cover for
you."
That lizard?
"...Understood."
"Okay. Roe, you’re good at understanding things."
To be honest, I wasn’t fully convinced, but I just nodded. That’s something
I’ll have to keep secret for the future.
Anyway... So, they might start talking about me in the higher-ups, huh?
I stood up, clearing my tray, while thinking.
’At this point, it’s inevitable that I’ll stand out.’
I’ve pretty much accepted that.
After all, if I’d seen a clown crawling out of a portrait with only its upper
body, I probably would’ve passed out on the spot...
But there’s one thing I can rely on.
’They can’t give a newbie anything harder than this, right?’
If they do, it wouldn’t be a simple job dump but actual core tasks for the
department.
Making a new recruit, who’s only been here a month and isn’t even
experienced, handle the department’s core responsibilities?
That’s something you’d only see in a crazy YouTube skit. Plus, it would go
against the unwritten rules of any big corporation.
I’ll just chalk this up to my work evolving into ’unhandled ghost stories’
and consider myself lucky.
If this becomes a regular thing, they’ll just think, ’Oh, this guy’s specialized
in that area,’ and get used to it.
"Shall we head back?"
"Yes, ma’am."
I made my decision and returned my dishes.
However, at that moment, as I was getting used to this strange world and
work life, I forgot one universal truth about society.
The one about...
The nail that sticks out gets hammered down!
At the same time, in the office of Research Team 1.
’They cleared it again in just over an hour...’
One researcher, who had been slacking off while reviewing D-squad’s
records, gritted his teeth.
’How many points have they earned so far? 5,000P?’
At this rate, within a few years, they might break the record for fastest Wish
Ticket acquisition...
"..."
"Lucky you, huh?"
The researcher muttered bitterly.
"Some of us are stuck in the lab, facing all sorts of horrors, and we can
barely scrape together 500 points a month without hazard pay."
"..."
"Meanwhile, a newbie racks up 50,000 points in a month..."
"Hey, cut it out."
The researcher clammed up.
The fact that he couldn’t even complain about the situation made him even
more frustrated inside.
Something wasn’t right.
’Some people get lucky and pick the best equipment, making points easily.’
Meanwhile, others don’t even have access to those kinds of points or
privileges, not even in their wildest dreams.
’The Field Exploration Team should be below research positions. We’re the
elite, and we should be treated better—this isn’t fair.’
It was truly unfair.
That thought was genuine.
Of course, he conveniently forgot that he had often mocked the Field
Exploration Team employees, calling them ’lab rats’.
"Well, sometimes things just fall into place during ghost explorations.
That’s how it goes."
Section Chief Kwak Jaekang commented with a smile, throwing a casual
remark toward the researcher.
"Though, I admit, this case is something else."
"..."
Ignoring the researcher’s sour expression, Kwak Jaekang flicked through
the documents.
"Oh, and I hear this ghost story requires more than 10 people to enter?"
"..."
"Supervisor Lee?"
"Ah, yes. That’s correct. You need ten people to enter the ghost story."
"Hmm."
With a smile, Kwak Jaekang picked up a pen.
"Looks like this will be a team effort, then."
– Assigned : Squads A, D & Y
"..."
The researcher watched as Kwak Jaekang pulled out the roster and marked
the squads.
And then it happened.
"Supervisor Lee."
"Yes?"
"Do you know what the alphabetical order of the Field Exploration Teams
means?"
He did not.
Since he was just doing his job on autopilot and keeping his head down,
there was no way he would be well-versed in the organizational structure of
other departments.
Kwak Jaekang laughed and casually tapped the documents. It was a strange
kind of laughter.
"In a word, it’s ranked by performance."
"...!"
"You know how schools have honors classes, regular classes, and remedial
classes?"
The researcher suddenly realized something.
"Then... is D-squad an honors class?"
"No."
A firm denial came back.
"A to C. Those are the elites."
Kwak Jaekang tapped his pen on the corresponding teams.
"The rest are just expendables."
"...Ah."
For a brief moment, the researcher felt a little better.
"But you know, just between us... D-squad’s performance has been so good
lately that there’s some talk about a big promotion during the next
assignment cycle. Haha."
"...!"
As with any corporate gossip, such overly bold statements were usually not
reliable rumors.
Still, the researcher felt a bit anxious.
’Is there any bad news?’
As if on cue, Kwak Jaekang mumbled something in a seemingly regretful
tone.
"But man, what bad timing. They’re entering together with A-squad..."
"...! Is it bad to go in with the elite team?"
"Well, of course. You know why, right?"
Kwak Jaekang stroked his chin.
"There are times when a sacrifice is needed to open an escape route in
certain ghost stories."
Especially...
In those that require large teams.
Kwak Jaekang shrugged.
"This exploration is going to give us plenty to talk about."
* * *
A few days later.
Just like the past month, D-squad received a call and headed up to the 17th
floor. There, they were met with an unexpected sight.
"Hello."
"...?!"
There were other visitors in Research Team 1’s office.
People wearing various masks.
’Are they from another squad in the Field Exploration Team?’
I quickly counted the heads.
There were about seven of them.
Among them was someone I recognized.
– Can it bring the dead back to life?
It was the same new hire who had asked about the Wish Ticket at the
orientation.
That one wearing a bison mask was quietly standing with his head bowed,
leaning against a desk. There was a slightly gloomy aura around him.
His hair was long, especially for a man, to the point where you might
expect the company to give him a hard time about it.
Of course, it didn’t seem like anyone in this room cared about such things.
"Oh."
"This... Ahem..."
As D-squad’s seniors reacted to the people filling the office space, with
some mixture of admiration and sighs...
"Oh, D-squad is finally here! Come in, come in~ Let’s start the briefing."
Kwak Jaekang appeared and began leading everyone into the attached
meeting room.
As we walked, I overheard Assistant Manager Eun asking a question.
"Are we going in together with the other teams?"
"That’s right, that’s right."
"..."
Assistant Manager Eun glanced around, then quietly walked over to me and
whispered low enough that others couldn’t hear.
"See those employees with the gold-marked masks?"
"Yes."
"That’s the A-squad."
I knew.
’They’re the elite team.’
In Daydream Inc., the company could only function if someone cleared the
ghost stories and extracted the resources.
’To avoid a plot hole where the company collapses, there has to be a group
of people inhumanly good at their job...’
That’s why A-squad was known for having so many notable figures in the
<Dark Exploration Records>. I gave a small nod.
A-squad consisted of three people wearing a butterfly, praying mantis, and
teal duck mask.
Then, the person wearing the teal duck mask from A-squad spoke up.
It was the voice of an energetic, older woman.
"Oh, so you’re that famous Employee Kim Soleum?"
"Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
I instinctively bowed my head, but cold sweat started to form.
’That’ Kim Soleum? What kind of rumors are circulating about me?
"Right, right. If we get the chance, let’s meet sometime. You’ve got a bright
future ahead, kid."
The woman passed by me and took her seat.
...That must be the leader of A-squad.
Assistant Manager Eun continued explaining.
"And... the ones without the gold marks on their masks are the Y-squad."
"..."
Three people wearing masks without gold marks, plus the new employee
with the bison mask that I recognized. There was a somewhat gloomy
atmosphere surrounding them.
"The leader of Y-squad isn’t a manager, just a regular employee, but don’t
worry about it. Just stay quiet."
"Yes, ma’am."
I already knew that, too.
Supervisor Park whispered to me.
"Um... Roe. The people you met today from the other squads, especially
the Y-squad, just keep things light with them, okay? I’ll tell you why later."
"Yes, sir."
I nodded without question. I already had a rough idea of what that ’later
explanation’ might be.
But suddenly, Supervisor Park sitting next to me seemed touched.
"Huh. Honestly... I love that you’re like a more tactful version of the
section chief."
"I think so too."
"..."
Was that... a compliment?
"Alright, if everyone could take their seats, let’s get started with the
briefing."
Kwak Jaekang stood in front of the board without even turning on the
prompter.
"I was going to explain the ghost story you’ll be entering today, but...!"
Kwak Jaekang let out a chuckle.
"The truth is, we don’t know much."
"...??"
"What do you mean by that, Section Chief Kwak?"
"There’s only one piece of information from a civilian escape!"
"...Hoh."
In the silence, a few documents were handed out. I looked over the brief
page, which was more like a memo.
While playing a board game during a club retreat at Hanmaeum-
gadeuk Pension in Gangwon-do, all 12 university students went
missing.
The board game in question is presumed to be a creation of Cheerful
Research Institute* under the trademark ’Cheerful Theme Park!
~Joyful Fantasyland Adventure~’.
The survivors stated that the board game was ’already placed inside
the pension’.
The pension owner denies this.
Result : After 17 hours, some members returned.
They testified to ’living inside a theme park within the board game’.
Various symptoms such as delusions, PTSD, and mild to severe
neuroses were reported.
Survivors : 4
Missing : 1
Deceased : 7
The next page contained brief statements from each survivor about their
time in the ’board game theme park’. The descriptions were fragmented,
likely due to their severe psychological trauma.
But even that was enough for me to recognize it.
I swallowed hard.
’It’s about time for this one.’
It finally arrived.
A ghost story requiring a large group to participate!
"The player limit for this board game must exceed 10 people? That’s why
the group size is so large?"
"Yes, yes, we tried to recreate the conditions as closely as possible."
Kwak Jaekang winked.
"But! Despite the harsh circumstances, my team has figured out the best
way to enter."
"You just brought the board game, didn’t you?"
"Haha! Don’t be so harsh, Assistant Manager Jin. We even got the game
rules."
The A-squad employee in the butterfly mask didn’t respond, but Kwak
Jaekang didn’t mind as he placed the board game on the table.
"Here it is."
[Cheerful Theme Park!]
~Joyful Fantasyland Adventure~
: Be the first team to ride all three fantasy attractions with your
teammates and win spectacular prizes!
The front of the nearly brand-new box was adorned with a colorful
depiction of Fantasyland.
When the box was opened, it revealed a map of the theme park divided into
zones and brightly colored coins.
"Now, let’s split into teams and start the board game."
He says it so cheerfully, urging us to enter a ghost story where more than
half the people died.
"Should we just form teams based on our squads?"
"Oh, actually... you’ll draw game pieces from these capsules, and your
team will be based on the color you draw!"
Kwak Jaekang pulled out a small capsule from one side of the box and
showed it to everyone.
"If you shake it, the piece will drop from this hole."
"It’s random, then."
With sighs, people began shaking the capsules and drawing game pieces
one by one.
’Blue, yellow, red... huh.’
As expected, this kind of thing usually goes in order of seniority, so my turn
was almost last.
The piece I drew was...
"Employee Kim, you’ve got red."
Of course, I got the red piece. In the world of ghost stories, red isn’t exactly
a lucky color, and I wasn’t feeling great about it.
’Well, the color doesn’t really matter in this ghost story.’
Even if people draw the same color, different things happen, after all.
I swallowed hard, feeling nervous.
Anyway. Are we entering now?
"Once the game board is set up, we’ll begin the entry!"
However, even after Squad Leader Lee Jaheon unfolded the game board,
nothing happened.
"..."
Um?
A sudden thought crossed my mind, and I counted the number of people.
Four with yellow, four with blue.
And those who drew red, like me...
Assistant Manager Jin from A-squad, the new employee from Y-squad that I
recognized... and me.
Three people in total.
"..."
Ah.
’The red team doesn’t have enough players.’
"We’re missing one person," Lee Jaheon said, turning his vertical pupils
toward Kwak Jaekang.
"It seems we can’t enter with just 11 people. We need all 12 to try again."
"Oh, that?"
Kwak Jaekang casually responded and tossed the capsule containing the
game pieces.
"Supervisor Lee, catch!"
He threw it to the gambling-addicted researcher standing nearby.
"Wh, what?!"
The researcher caught the capsule reflexively.
Thud.
Inside, the remaining red piece fell out.
"...?!"
"I...I drew it?!"
Wait a second.
– Departing for Fantasyland~!
The game board shot up into the air, swirling before swallowing our
surroundings.
"Uwaaahhh!"
"Hahahahaha!"
I heard the researcher’s scream echoing in my ears, followed by Kwak
Jaekang’s laughter.
"..."
I recalled the back pages of Kwak Jaekang’s <Dark Exploration Records>
entry on the wiki.
========================
Ghost story-obsessed psycho.
Mad scientist.
When exploring ghost stories with little information, he often
manipulates the situation by suggesting dangerous combinations or
actions, leading to obvious deaths in order to gather peculiar data. He
is a major contributor to expanding exploration records.
For details on
Kwak Jaekang’s disciplinary records, see the
#ExplorationRecords(Supplementary) page.
========================
...I had always been wary that a day like this might come.
"What the— What is this?!"
I had a suspicion when we were grouped with a large number of people,
including both A-squad and Y-squad...
’He intentionally messed up our survival chances.’
This wasn’t about trying to clear the ghost story with the highest survival
rate.
The setup was for everyone except A-squad to die.