Chapter 40: Ch 40: CreepyPasta#7: Manor of the Blind
[Don’t come in today, Roe. Just stay home.]
"Huh?"
I stopped in my tracks on my way to work, having just received a call.
It was from my direct superior, fifteen minutes before I was supposed to
clock in.
[I’ll handle this as an on-site matter, so don’t come to the office. I’ve
already discussed this with Section Chief Lee Jaheon.]
"Understood. But may I ask why?"
[Well... that’s just how it goes for field staff in this company. It’s an issue
with some Darkness, you know. Darkness.]
Ah.
I could hear Assistant Manager Eun Haje letting out a long sigh,
accompanied by the faint wailing of Supervisor Park Minseong.
It seemed like the rest of D-squad had already clocked in.
[All the new hires are being excluded, not just you. So don’t overthink it
and stay home.]
"What kind of Darkness is it?"
[Oh. If you’re not directly involved, I can’t tell you.]
"..."
[Actually, it’s better if you don’t know.]
Could it be one of those? The kind where just knowing about it causes
problems?
Like the infamous ’informational contamination’ ghost stories.
For example, hearing someone’s nightmare only to start dreaming the same
thing yourself, or a ghost that relentlessly pursues you until death once you
know its name.
The idea of ’something terrible happening just because I’m aware of it’
stems from humanity’s shared primal fear.
’And if they’re telling me not to come in because of it, it must be pretty
serious...’
Still, judging by their tone, it sounded like they were more concerned about
a new hire making a mistake than leaving a dying message, so it should be
fine.
...Unless, of course, they were pretending to stay calm just to avoid causing
me stress.
’Either way, I can’t go to the office now.’
If they don’t need me, forcing my way there would only cause trouble.
That’d be a perfect recipe for disaster.
I told them I understood and hung up.
’Guess I’ll clean up the Bloodbathtub today and skim through the <Dark
Exploration Records> wiki about five times...’
But just a few hours later—
[Kim Soleum-ssi.]
"Yes?"
[Report to work.]
"..."
What is this, some kind of problem-dog training program...?
While I was still stunned, Chief Lizard continued speaking without missing
a beat.
[Be at the main conference room of the 31st floor by 2 PM.]
A conference room on a high floor I’d never even heard of before!
"Wait a moment. I was told not to come in this morning... has the situation
changed?"
[Yes. One of the executives has specifically requested your presence.]
"..."
Excuse me?
[I’ll see you at 2.]
Please spare me.
* * *
"You’re here."
At the elevator on the 31st floor, I ran into D-squad’s Assistant Manager
Eun Haje, who was anxiously crossing her arms.
I lowered my voice and urgently asked her,
"Has the situation changed?"
"A bit. Ha... that insane bastard."
And with that ominous comment, I was ushered into the conference room,
my head spinning.
"He’s here. Employee Kim Soleum."
"Ahh."
"You called him all the way to the conference room? Well, Just send him
directly."
A group of superiors, whose exact affiliations I couldn’t even guess, were
sitting around talking.
The moment they noticed me, they fell silent, exchanging glances.
The eerie tension stiffened the back of my neck.
’Why is the office tension always the same, no matter where you are or
what the setting?’
Eventually, their excitement led them to resume their discussion, and I
finally figured out why I’d been singled out and summoned to this baffling
situation...
It was a classic, annoying reason.
They’re short-staffed.
"Look, it’s confirmed to be a high-grade Darkness, but there are civilian
survivors. This could be a revolutionary case for sourcing high-quality
materials."
"That’s what I’m saying. So why are we having endless debates and more
meetings about it? Honestly, Department Head Kang, we need to make bold
investments!"
"Who said we’re against investing? But this isn’t the kind of issue you can
solve by throwing a few more rookies into the mix..."
"Ah, this guy, seriously. Didn’t I say we’re short on manpower? Huh? Our
Research Team’s Manager Kwak says so."
Manager Kwak?
I turned my head to see none other than Section Chief Kwak Jaekang of the
Research Team, grinning while occupying a corner seat.
The very mad scientist who had once thrown his own researcher
subordinate into a theme park creepypasta.
’So his disciplinary action is over.’
Just looking at him gave me a headache.
"Isn’t that right, Manager Kwak? We need more people, don’t we?"
"Ah~ That’s right. It’s obvious that we need to increase the number of
personnel to deal with this Darkness!"
"..."
Was that guy the consulting expert?
I had a strong suspicion that this wasn’t about a lack of personnel but rather
about wanting to see the fresh exploration results of a clueless new hire.
’In any case, guess I’m heading into this Darkness today.’
And if I was being called in with such grandeur...
The thought that this would be no ordinary mission sent chills down my
spine.
They mentioned it was a high-grade Darkness with civilian survivors, didn’t
they?
While quickly running through similar cases from the <Dark Exploration
Records> in my head, I tried to calm myself.
’...At least I came prepared.’
Just in case, I brought everything I could today.
A full item package.
"Introductions are done, so you can leave now, everyone."
"Yes, understood."
Assistant Manager Eun gave a quick bow and left the conference room with
me.
Ka-chak.
The moment the door closed, she muttered under her breath.
"How many more times do I have to watch these bean counters, who’ve
never set foot into a Darkness, puff up their chests about their so-called
’strategic solutions’? Ugh. This is why I can’t quit smoking."
"Assistant Manager."
"What, it’s not like they’d hear us over their own bickering."
But I can hear you.
"Those who couldn’t even pass the Field Exploration Team orientation test
but climbed up the ladder using their connections and nepotism... Ugh."
Assistant Manager Eun glanced around the conference room a few times,
her face betraying desperation for one long drag of a cig, then let out a
small sigh.
"...Anyway, you heard, right? We’re going into a newly registered high-
grade Darkness now."
So it’s confirmed.
"Not just us—over thirty people have already gone in."
"...Does that include Section Chief Lee and Supervisor Park?"
"Yeah, they’re already in. ...It’s going to be dangerous. I won’t lie to
reassure you."
"..."
"But don’t worry too much. You got us all out alive from that crazy quiz
show, didn’t you? We’ll be fine."
"...Understood."
I adjusted the strap on my satchel, slinging it across my chest.
"Is that your gear?"
"Yes. Food and other supplies."
"Hmm. Looks about a good size."
Assistant Manager Eun scanned my appearance a few times and asked,
"Nothing that would get flagged during security checks, right?"
"...No, ma’am."
I made it past the front gate without issue.
Though I felt like the cursed wild ginseng could have caused problems, I’m
technically not carrying anything illegal, so it should be fine.
Still, I wondered why D-squad wasn’t moving as a group today, leaving
only the assistant manager behind.
"May I ask how the others entered?"
She pointed with her chin, her face expressionless.
"They disappeared the moment they read the manual."
"..."
"That’s the kind of Darkness this is. The moment you learn even a little
about it, you’re pulled in."
Huu.
"I haven’t read it yet so I could take you in myself. We’ll read it together."
"Understood."
Wow, this is actually going to drive me insane.
"It’ll be fine. Neither of them are the type to die easily."
Please don’t say ominous lines like that!
’Let’s just pretend I didn’t hear that.’
I took a deep breath and accepted the manual Assistant Manager Eun
handed me.
...Reading this would mean entering the high-grade Darkness.
’...Let’s mentally prepare.’
I read it all in one go.
+++
Greetings.
You are currently viewing a manual summarizing information about
our exhibition’s previous visitors.
+++
"...!"
+++
Before proceeding, we would like to inform you that you have been
invited to a very special exhibition.
+++
"..."
A chill ran down my spine.
’I’m screwed.’
My eyes squeezed shut.
In my mind, a wiki page automatically flashed before me.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Manor of the Blind]
: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-B-666
Greetings, dear guest. This text was written to invite you to a
marvelous exhibition.
To ensure a smooth journey, once you’ve read this, no matter where
you go, you will arrive at our exhibition.
Visitation records indicate a total of up to 106 previous attendees in this
document.
Additionally, any attempts to record information about this ghost story
are altered into the format of an invitation sent by the exhibition itself.
It is an honor to extend this invitation.
========================
A prime example of an informational contamination ghost story registered
in the <Dark Exploration Records>.
The kind of viral sensation on video platforms that draws hundreds of
thousands of views!
’The Eyeball Collector.’
"..."
With a trembling heart, I looked back at the manual.
There it was—the exact line I had expected to see.
+++
To ensure a smooth journey, once you’ve read this, no matter where
you go, you will arrive at our exhibition.
+++
And, just as it said, it happened.
"Hah."
As I stepped back, I realized the texture of the floor beneath my feet had
changed.
From the matte office tiles to the glossy, old marble.
Thuk.
Slowly, I raised my head.
Before me stood a massive mansion, so silent I could hear the flickering of
candle flames.
The twilight and the glow of candles illuminated the grand, ancient interior
in a reddish-golden hue.
Numerous displays cast faint outlines in the shadows...
"..."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje was nowhere to be seen.
But I didn’t do anything foolish, like call out for her.
Instead, I slowly backed away.
Then, I hid in a corner.
’...Huu.’
Seated behind a sofa, I opened the manual again with trembling hands.
+++
Here are some common reviews from nine visitors of this exhibition,
temporarily collected by Daydream Inc. (Ltd.):
1- You can view rare and diverse collections never seen before.
2- Eating or drinking in the exhibition hall is prohibited.
3- Visitors are advised to maintain standard viewing etiquette.
4- It is extremely difficult to find the exit.
The exhibition strongly requests a revision to the final review. The
exhibition hall has all emergency exits properly marked.
Anyone may stop viewing and leave the exhibition at any time they
wish.
+++
This was likely true.
The problem was that the ’anyone’ here didn’t seem to include humans.
People couldn’t properly use the emergency exits or entrances in this place.
"...Ha."
An exhibition that so casually assumed its visitors weren’t human.
Humans of the modern era were merely accidental victims, swept into this
massive nightmare and experiencing cosmic horror.
It was a deeply unsettling creepypasta.
Honestly, I never liked it. I couldn’t even understand why it was so popular
on platforms like WeTube...
– Friend?
"...!"
– Goodness, Mr. Roe Deer... are you hiding?
Who knew I’d be this happy to have someone to talk to?
I half-pulled Braun out of my pocket.
– My, this is quite a fine place.
– Why not go out and take a look? This seems like a location worthy of
being introduced to visitors...
Go out there?
’No way.’
– Oh my, may I ask why not? This appears to be an exhibition run by
someone who knows how to extend a polite and comfortable invitation...
That sounded exactly like something the host of that murderous quiz show
would say to lure people in with postcards.
I felt my head ache.
Pressing my fingers to my eyes, I stood up from the sofa.
– Ah, it seems you’ve decided to explore!
No.
’I just want to move somewhere else.’
I carefully examined the wall, searching for the source of the faint sound of
air.
Before long, I found what I was looking for—a ventilation duct hidden
beneath a dark section of the wall, obscured by a massive vase, far from the
reach of the candlelight.
’A vent.’
Quietly, I climbed inside, leaving the lock unfastened, and held my breath.
This was the only temporary safe zone I could recall.
========================
From the fifth visitor record:
A gentleman testified that he survived for over five days by crawling
into a ventilation duct and licking the moisture from falling droplets.
On the sixth day, an usher found him.
We’d like to remind you that our exhibition is fully equipped with guest
rooms for long-term visitors.
(Note: It is deeply regrettable, however we advise against staying in a
guest room for the recorded 40th visit. Our exhibition prides itself on
offering rooms that match the elegance of our collection and consistently
maintains a high reputation.)
========================
– Why hide in this filthy place when there’s a perfectly good sofa out there?
I ignored the voice. I needed to plan my next steps.
’How do I get out?’
No—what baffled me more was why so many people were necessary for
this ghost story in the first place.
Having a large group enter didn’t seem advantageous at all... Wait.
Was this scattershot approach because—
’They don’t know enough?’
Maybe it was because this was still the early stages of exploration.
’In that case, wouldn’t the earlier phases of this exploration be recorded in
the <Dark Exploration Records>?’
"..."
I pulled out my smartphone, dimmed the screen brightness to its lowest
setting, and lay down to scroll quickly through the <Dark Exploration
Records>.
And then...
’Found it.’
========================
From the seventeenth visitor record:
This record documents an invitation extended by Daydream Inc. to
thirty-four employees from the Field Exploration Team.
Seven of them returned home safely.
========================
This was it.
I was now part of this record, one of the thirty-four people who had entered
during the seventeenth iteration.
And I was likely the thirty-fifth person.
’...Only seven made it back safely.’
I was about to cross-reference the manual and the <Dark Exploration
Records> for more detailed information when—
Creeeeeak.
"..."
From a distance, I began to hear a sound.
The slow, grinding noise of a moving machine.
And then—
Aaaaahhh! Why, why is it chasing us...!! Get away, get awaaaay!!!
Screams, accompanied by frantic footsteps.
"..."
Thud thud! Thud! Creeeak, thud! Rat-a-tat-tat, creeeak, thud!
The sound of something pounding against the marble floor grew closer.
Cold sweat trickled down my cheek.
Help us, no— NOOOO!!
Let us out, let us ouuuut...!!
The pounding of fleeing footsteps echoed louder, joined by panicked cries.
The sound was right on the verge of reaching me.
At least ten or more people seemed to be running.
Behind them, a heavy mechanical noise pursued with deliberate, suffocating
persistence.
Screeeeeech.
Thump.
A drop of cold sweat fell from my chin.
"..."
’Maybe just one person.’
In the throes of extreme deliberation, I leaned out of the vent.
Swiftly, I grabbed the back of one of the fleeing individuals and yanked
them toward me.
"...!"
Practically lifting them into the air, I hauled them into the vent and forced
them to crouch down with me.
’This space can fit one more person, just barely.’
If they were from the Field Exploration Team, the odds of them being a
liability were relatively low.
"Hah."
Fortunately, the trembling person seemed to grasp the situation and
immediately fell silent.
They seemed quick-witted... wait a second.
"...!"
"...!!"
’Baek Saheon.’
My roommate from the company dorm.
Wearing a goat mask, Baek Saheon swallowed hard as he crouched in the
vent, staring straight at me.
I had just saved this punk’s life.