Death Lane.
A grotesque alley whose name seems inspired by once-trendy hotspot districts.
If a civilian casually downloaded the app from the flyer and got caught up in this, they might initially be confused.
The first area they encounter, the ‘Main Alley of Death Lane’, is filled with street vendors, making it seem like a lively night market at first glance.
But upon closer inspection…
< Confirmed Items Sold at Death Lane Stalls >
1- Beaded Strap
: A strap made of crimson string and ivory beads. Touching it leaves salt and ash on the hands, and the beads writhe and vibrate.
Employees who touched the strap later complained of prolonged distress, claiming to hear cries for help, sobbing, and the voice of ■■. Recovered after a short-term memory erasure procedure.
2- Traditional Bubble Gum : Gum with reversed lettering printed on it. A balloon inflates inside the throat rather than the mouth. Removed just before suffocation.
3- Floral Slippers
: A civilian who tried on these slippers under the vendor’s insistence reported seeing fire, blades, and ■■ beneath their feet, followed by ■■ ■■. They then disappeared, sobbing, into the alley.
4- Picture Frame
: Displays an image of a close relative being murdered.
……
By this point, anyone would understand.
‘To leave here safely, I must avoid looking at anything!’
The items being sold are all unusable by a normal person, yet the vendors actively solicit customers.
The best strategy is to act disinterested, like someone with a destination in mind, and quickly pass through.
However, as you escape from the flashy signs and bright lights into smaller alleys, the strangeness grows stronger…
Because it never ends.
The alleys grow narrower and narrower, eventually becoming so tight that no person could fit through.
‘…If you reach that point, it’s over.’
That’s right. You can’t simply walk out of this lane.
So, what should you do?
It’s simple.
Just as you followed the navigation guide on the app to enter, you must use that same navigation guide to exit.
Ding.
‘…It’s begun.’
I glanced at the new event page that popped up on my smartphone app.
Death Lane Step Count Challenge
Don’t give up on your body!
Remaining steps : 10,000
This is it.
The very thing that lures people into the ghost story and, at the same time, the most straightforward and safest lifeline for escape.
If you successfully complete the ‘Step Count Challenge’ on the smartphone app, you can leave the alley.
This is the only way out.
…But while I, the coward, was busy thinking about this, the ghost story resident in my pocket seemed fully immersed in the night market atmosphere.
– Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve visited a place like this. Isn’t this a rare spot for a show host to visit personally?
– There’s certainly a charm to exploring such a lively night market! Why not pick out something that suits us, Friend ?
– The quality may not be ideal, but a piece or two for keepsakes wouldn’t hurt!
Aaagh.
‘No. Let’s buy something from elsewhere. I should get something better for a friend.’
– ……! How touching! Very well. This Braun will also think of something that suits a friend…
And then, at that moment—
got sOMeTHiNg spe ciAL to Sh oW yoU ? ?
“……!!”
One of the street vendors grabbed my arm.
ove R h eeeRE iVE got soMeThIng Ev en BE TTER . le T m E SH oW Y oU. co ME IN s ide .
Behind the vendor, there was nothing. No open door, no shop, no space.
Yet the vendor insisted again.
COME IN side.
Don’t look directly.
Without closely examining the vendor’s face, I just needed to calmly and naturally refuse. I barely managed to open my mouth…
But before I could speak, Chief Lizard grabbed the vendor’s arm.
“??”
Tightly.
The vendor flinched as the red vertical pupils of Section Chief Lee Jaheon focused on them.
“……”
“……”
The vendor averted their gaze and quietly released my arm.
Then, as if nothing had happened, they began soliciting another shadowy figure.
“……”
So that… actually worked?
I just realized something new: even ghosts seem to mind their manners around the lizard.
“Thank you.”
“Yes.”
Physical exorcism—nothing could be more convenient.
‘Come to think of it, I was supposed to receive some equipment from Section Chief Lee that enhances physical strength as a custom parent item.’
I’ll have to bring that up after this mission is over.
For now, though, Chief Lizard remained quiet, likely because this was a situation with real threats. He refrained from giving instructions that would only make someone with nerves of steel pass out.
Instead, he simply said one thing.
“In cases where more than four people enter, it’s standard procedure to split into pairs and explore new paths if possible.”
Hmm?
“Mr. Roe Deer, choose a pair.”
Ah, I see.
Since I technically outrank the others, the squad leader likely wants to balance the pairs by assigning me to a different one.
‘What a shame… I’ll miss the lizard’s strength.’
The convenience I just experienced was almost addictively sweet.
Still, it was expected. At least I had already entered with Section Chief Lee Jaheon, so if things went south, I could rely on him, like during the exhibition Darkness.
‘So, I need to pick someone to accompany me from a batchmate?’
Hmm.
I spoke politely.
“Since we’re acquainted, may I go with Mr. Buffalo?”
“Yes.”
It seemed logical to stick with someone familiar for ease of movement.
‘Especially since I need to check that chocolate packaging…’
Besides, I figured Kang Yihak might prefer to pair up with the squad leader…
Kang Yihak interjected.
“Oh, wait a moment! Would it be okay if I went with Mr. Buffalo instead?”
Huh?
“Since you two were originally on the same squad, it wouldn’t feel right for us support staff to split you up! Plus, I have something to discuss with Mr. Buffalo…”
Kang Yihak diplomatically explained that, since this wasn’t a high-grade ghost story, it should be fine for two junior employees to follow the manual together.
“If both of you are okay with it, it should work just fine!”
“Yes.”
The lizard nodded.
“Move in a group of three.”
“…Pardon, sir?”
“Mr. Roe Deer, Ms. Pony, and Mr. Buffalo. Move as a group of three.”
Kang Yihak managed to respond without losing their friendly demeanor.
“Oh, thank you, but… Is it not going to be risky for you to go alone, Section Chief?”
“Yes.”
“……”
Well then.
At this point, further persuasion was futile.
‘A group of three, huh.’
Before leaving, Section Chief Lee approached me.
“Mr. Roe Deer.”
Without warning, he handed me something.
“If a problem arises, press this.”
“……”
A small, round brown object dropped into my hand.
A button.
I’d used the same thing during the Tuesday Quiz Show.
…It was Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s communication device.
“…You’ve made contact with Assistant Manager Falcon?”
“Yes. She asked me to deliver it to you yesterday.”
“……”
I nodded slowly.
“Thank you.”
“Yes.”
And with that, the lizard vanished into the depths of the alley…