Chapter 121

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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An office with the lights off.

Tap, tap, tap.

Someone sat alone, typing.

Letters were visible on the turned-on monitor screen.

—–

Draft Report

Author: Lee Ja-heon

January 2, 20XX. Witness statement records of the clearing process of the anomalous Grade C Dark that occurred on the high-speed rail bound for Mokpo and the death (presumed) process of Supervisor Kim Sol-eum.

—–

The typing produced sentences with a steady sound, without hesitation or contemplation.

As if the timeline in his head was completely organized.

—–

Witnesses: Employee A, Employee C, Employee F (Initials selected based on each person’s group for ease of reading.)

Employee A: Are we doing this (interview) again? I don’t think it has much meaning.

Employee A: Anyway… yes. I boarded the train to go on a business trip to the province, and it was running on the sea.

Employee C: The clear went very smoothly. Supervisor Sol-eum proactively did a lot of things, and it was great to see him trying to minimize civilian casualties!

(Employee A inquired whether the occurrence of the Dark was an intentional design by the company, but stated that the research team answered it was a “sheer coincidence” – refer to the 3rd interview for additional confirmation.)

Three members of the elite team proactively cleared the anomalously occurred Dark. Collection of Grade C solution confirmed.

It was a common statement that from this point on, the train was a space of complete reality, not the Dark.

Employee C: Supervisor Kim Sol-eum checked the solution first and went to the restroom. Yes, ‘that’ restroom.

After the train departed, Supervisor Kim Sol-eum left his seat, leaving behind the words, “I will go to the restroom.” Contact lost for 15 minutes.

At the 17-minute mark: Employee F, who was aboard Car 3 of the train, visited the seats of the three elite team members.

Stated that the purpose of the visit was “to greet them.”

Employee F: Ah, I mentioned this last time too… but I was on vacation. Manager.

Employee F: I was flustered when I was suddenly caught up in the Dark, but I still tried to assist the three of you and respond to the situation calmly. Since it is only natural as an employee of our company.

Employee F: After everything was over, I went to greet my superiors, and since my friend, who is my colleague, wasn’t in their seat, I went out to look for them.

Employee C: Ah, they were about to go in the opposite direction of the restroom, so I guided them in the right direction!

I guess they might have instinctively tried to return the way they came since their original seat was over there!

Employee F moved to the restroom following Employee C’s guidance.

Confirmed a man collapsed in front of the door.

There was no bleeding, but both hands and feet had been removed, and fine ash was smeared on the cut surfaces.

Medical staff diagnosed that they seemed to have been temporarily incinerated by a very powerful, high temperature.

(Source: Somang Medical Center (Daydream Co. affiliated hospital corporation))

Employee F: I thought something was unusual. But the restroom door was locked. There was no other response even when I knocked.

Employee F: Well, it is nothing to boast about, but I am quite handy… so I tried to release the lock and open the door. And I succeeded!

Employee F: …But. (Sound of inhaling breath)

At the 21-minute mark, high-speed rail restroom door opened.

Employee F: The inside of the restroom… was quiet.

Employee F: There was no one, and it was just a clean high-speed train restroom. So, feeling even stranger, I backed off to leave first, but…

Employee F: Objects suddenly began to pour out of thin air. …Along with blood.

—–

The hands typing paused for a moment.

Grabbing the mouse, he went to the “Situation Photos” folder on the computer desktop and attached a few photos to the document.

A photo of the inside of the restroom next to Car 7 of the high-speed rail, which was covered in blood.

Everything lay scattered on the floor, stained with blood, over the pool of blood that filled the walls and floor.

A mask, an employee ID card, a briefcase, and… a dreamscape collector filled with Grade C solution.

However, there was only one clean space.

Tiles without bloodstains in the shape of a small bathtub.

As if… someone had picked it up.

—–

Employee F: And then, a giant hand suddenly appeared…… Ugh! Urgh, it, it pushed me! Flashing, flashing, flashing, flashing… Good evening, the pleasure of this night, a new face you meet every day, and your friendly host! Good evening, this is Late Night Talk… Ugggh (Interview suspended)

Pollution and PTSD symptoms. 7th interview ended after advising to apply for the Fox Counseling Room.

Citing statements from the 4th interview thereafter.

(4th Interview)

Employee F: A hand appeared, appeared from thin air, and a halo, no, a strange light, no… never mind.

Employee F: (Deep breath)

Employee F: It picked up… the strange bathtub that was lying on the floor. It was a small bathtub with a checkered pattern and golden feet. In the process, blood poured onto the floor, and, uh, some strange black ribbon scrap fell along with it…

Employee F: The hand grabbed the ribbon too. And, and… on the mirror.

Employee F: It wrote a phrase.

—–

The hands typing paused once more.

Then, he detached a photo that had already been developed from the board next to the desk and stared at it.

Writing written in elegant cursive on the restroom mirror, using blood as ink.

Mr. Kim Sol-eum

is commuting to another place

starting today.

🙂

—–

The research team speculated regarding the phrase, “It must be related to the Tamra-Bound High-Speed Rail Dark that anomalously occurred on the train.”

(This reasoning is judged as highly reliable within the research team and is also being described in their own records.)

As related grounds, they mentioned the probability of an irregular occurrence due to Supervisor Kim Sol-eum’s proactive moves in the Dark and his unique ethical attempts until clearing it.

The possibility that the phrase implies death by being invited to the unknown space called ‘Tamra’ during a provincial business trip.

Or conflicting opinions that Supervisor Kim Sol-eum was selected as the final sacrifice of the train bound for Tamra.

—–

Clack.

The moment he wrote that far, the author stopped his hands again.

It was not because the next content did not come to mind.

“Group Leader.”

“Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je.”

It was because a visitor had come to the dark office.

Manager Lee Ja-heon raised his head.

Eun Ha-je, looking haggard, stood leaning against the office door with her arms crossed.

“Stop it now.”

“…….”

“Just how many times are you conducting that damn interview? Even the directors are indifferent now.”

Eun Ha-je walked into the office.

Looking over the empty seat of her junior, which ultimately had no choice but to receive the sentence ‘presumed dead as of January 2’, with dark eyes.

“It’s already been a month.”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je stood in front of the desk of Group D’s leader, which now had no team members.

“If there is no news for about a month, a person should know when to give up. …Writing a report won’t bring a dead person back.”

“…….”

“I heard the record on the dreamscape collector side was also eventually processed as a death repatriation.”

That was true.

In the recording of the dreamscape collector, the groans of the missing employee and short monologues like “Should I?” were confirmed.

It is significantly inferred to be part of the mental derangement symptoms of the Dark that anomalously occurred during the elite team’s business trip, the so-called ‘Tamra-Bound High-Speed Rail.’

The employee has an 80% or higher probability of being in a state of deep pollution or death by statistical prediction.

And by regulation, if there is no significant trend report for 30 days after the dreamscape collector is returned, automatic death processing proceeds on the system.

It meant it was already over.

“…He was already registered on today’s retirement list. Manager.”

Supervisor Kim Sol-eum (Employment contract terminated due to death)

…Because usually, by that point, death was certain.

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je washed her face dryly and spoke.

“…From now on, the company won’t provide support. You know this isn’t a company that spends money and time on dead people.”

Even the search and repeated reviews up to now were an ‘investment’ because Kim Sol-eum was such a unique and capable employee.

However, there was no proper manual on what mechanism triggered that Dark of the Tamra-Bound High-Speed Rail, nor had it reoccurred for a month.

“Does this kind of organization have any meaning? Don’t you think it’s time to stop?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

So there was meaning, and he didn’t feel like stopping?

“What is the reason?”

“It is because Supervisor Kim Sol-eum is not dead.”

“…!!”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je’s eyes widened.

Manager Lee Ja-heon did not have the knack for speaking of hope definitively.

So this meant… he truly believed it to be so!

And Manager Lee Ja-heon was not a person who believed without a reason.

That meant he had almost certain evidence!

“Why, why do you think so?!”

“There is a hint.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon recalled.

It was an episode from the end of last year that, at first glance, seemed unrelated to this incident and felt separate.

-Please.

Before being deployed into the Dark, Supervisor Kim Sol-eum had entrusted him with a precious object for half a day.

Namely, a small stuffed doll.

-Oh my goodness. Entrusting me to a swordsman. Mr. Roe Deer!

The elegant and bizarre tone that the doll used to chatter.

Of course, he did not reply to the doll. Because he aimed to be a decent modern person, and he was under no obligation to answer a doll.

However, he had caught a sense of familiarity in that way of speaking.

And the restroom, the scene of Kim Sol-eum’s disappearance.

On the restroom floor, all of Kim Sol-eum’s company-related belongings lay scattered as if discarded, but in truth, Lee Ja-heon paid more attention to the writing on the mirror.

Because he had caught a sense of familiarity in the handwriting of that phrase as well.

“Compare them.”

He pulled out an old postcard, which he had kept just in case it might be used, along with the developed photo of the phrase on the mirror, and held it out for Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je to see.

It took several weeks just to retrieve this postcard again.

“This is….”

Namely, the broadcast-themed Dark that Group D had also entered and cleared several times.

However, the Dark where an unexpected situation occurred during the most recent exploration, wiping out a group, and Group D safely escaped through the wit of an employee, extracting the Grade A solution.

That Dark, which was still floating between the research team and the evaluation department with divided opinions, its grade not yet readjusted.

Quiz Show Application Form

To:

From:

“…Tuesday Talk Show!”

The handwriting matched.

Manager Lee Ja-heon nodded.

“Supervisor Kim Sol-eum must be there.”

No matter what form he is in.

That is.

* * *

A studio bathed in brilliant lights.

Thunderous applause and cheers poured from the audience seats to the stage set.

[Thank you! Thank you!]

The audience, fully immersed in the fun of the final corner that had just ended, cheered, even whistling.

The host placed a hand on his chest with exaggeration, pretending to be touched.

[No, if you send this kind of response… Haha, shall we start over from the beginning? You are currently watching Brown’s Late Night Talk Show… Oops.]

Waaah!

Pretending to be surprised by the bursting cheers, the host soon put a smiling face on the TV and greeted them again.

[It’s a pity, but I think we have to make a heartbreaking farewell before the angry advertisers rush in. But do not be too disheartened! Because we will meet again tomorrow!]

The band ensemble announcing the ending of the talk show played cheerfully and excitedly.

The host came to the center of the studio and bowed his TV head respectfully.

[To the viewers who watched the talk show today, those repenting and wailing in the basement, and even those watching through the EPUB viewer.]

[We will see you again tomorrow at 11:33 PM… Have a pleasant night!]

As the band performance headed toward its climax, the host raised both hands to respond to the overflowing applause.

And….

[Cut!]

The show ended.

Click.

Everything grew quiet at once.

Above the space where the audience had vanished, the numerous brilliant lights went out.

And when a calm electric light in the background illuminated the empty audience seats, the staff rushed out to arrange the stage and the performers.

I was also among them.

To be precise,

[Sol-eum!]

I was receiving the host’s praise.

[Come here. That was excellent! Your theme and guest selection skills are truly interesting. I mean, you choose just the right person as a candidate every time….]

Hmm. It was a bit embarrassing.

‘It’s all thanks to the <Records of the Dark Exploration>, though.’

Because this talk show called ‘Brown’s Late Night Talk Show’ actually felt like a comedy routine based on the Records of the Dark Exploration to me.

The only difference was that it was more realistic and interesting.

Since they actually brought in the residents from the ghost stories to conduct interviews.

And it involved making jokes while briefing on recent supernatural issues and a few incidents, and making interesting attempts with the audience.

Sometimes, audience members who didn’t know any better and thought it was a dream did dangerous things, and the thrill and comedy of watching that suspense from a third person’s perspective was just right.

Moreover, it seemed the audience was now invited not only through postcards but also through various media.

Anyway, honestly, I only mentioned a few ghost stories that seemed interesting once or twice a week… but they would highly praise me every time, saying the response was great and that it was all thanks to my intelligence.

‘It is more relaxed than I thought….’

I wondered if work had ever been this easy and fun in my life.

[Ah, it has been a truly enjoyable month! And I am really happy to be able to deliver this news….]

A tearful smile appeared on Brown’s TV face.

[They say the viewership ratings of our show have set a new record again.]

“…!”

[They said it was a truly formidable upward curve! So, that is to say. How was it, did it look fun and enjoyable to you too, Sol-eum?]

A slight tension was felt amidst the certain confidence. Good grief.

I nodded with a smile.

“It was fun.”

[Right?]

[No, this legendary host naturally knew. That this would be the workplace Sol-eum would be most satisfied with.]

The TV head smiled broadly.

I also smiled slightly with a peaceful mind.

It was not scary.

There was nothing here to threaten me.

Because I merely created the content, and did not actually experience the ghost stories that were the content!

So, if I worked on this talk show, I felt like I would never have to be anxious again… No, of course there was pressure for performance. But wouldn’t that much be a necessary stress in life?

Things like this.

[However, some disappointing aspects do catch my eye. Just a moment….]

Brown put a hand around my shoulder and nodded.

[We are slowly entering a stagnation period. I get the feeling that the segments are excessively repetitive.]

Ah.

[Any thoughts on making more stimulating and cheeky ideas, Sol-eum? More freely, in this self-produced talk show where there is no pressure from investors and producers, you can do anything…. And.]

Grab.

…The host grabbed my shoulder.

[Over the past month, hasn’t your dedication been remarkable, your adaptation quick, and your performance brilliant?]

[You can surely do it.]

…I should work harder.

I was about to nod with a slightly tense heart.

But at that moment.

Unexpected words came out of the host’s mouth.

[So… it seems the time has come.]

[Standing next to Brown not as staff, but as a cast member.]

“…!”

[I say this from the bottom of my heart, you are already qualified. Oh, Sol-eum. My friend. Let’s share stories together and bring joy to people.]

[A new face will be a good stimulant for the audience as well.]

“…No, it’s fine. I don’t really like stepping out in front of an audience…”

[Now, now, drawing a conclusion so quickly breaks Brown’s heart! Let’s think about it….]

Strength entered the hand wrapped around my shoulder.

[From what Brown sees, you definitely have high-quality showmanship, Sol-eum. This sort of thing is in the realm of talent.]

[Do you remember? You acting as a prophet and a cult leader on that train on the sea. That sort of thing is something only those born with it can do. Yes.]

[But if my dear friend is perhaps too anxious, a role where you appear for just a few minutes, no, a few seconds is also prepared….]

[Shall we think about it comfortably?]

…….

Is that much alright?

Come to think of it, I didn’t feel like I wouldn’t be able to do it at all.

‘If I work, I should produce results.’

In the end, I nodded somewhat shyly.

“Well, if it is a very small role.”

[Exactly! Excellent.]

The TV head smiled happily.

[To even be humble, you are indeed worthy of being the MVP of my show. Aren’t you?]

[There hasn’t been a single day that wasn’t enjoyable since you joined our talk show!]

Come to think of it, was that already a month ago?

I didn’t even know how time had flown by.

It was busy, pleasant, and rewarding.

‘The staff are also surprisingly kind.’

While bowing to the coordinator who handed me water and disappeared, I casually asked Brown.

“By the way, why is it that all the staff here have no faces?”

[Ah, it is a thoughtful mind considering the show. They made the decision themselves to prevent screams, coughs, and voices from coming out during live broadcasts due to physiological phenomena or unexpected accidents.]

“Their professionalism is amazing. Um, by any chance, do I also have to get rid of my face…”

[What on earth are you talking about, Sol-eum!]

Oops.

[A person going up on stage absolutely needs expressions and a face. Expressiveness is the essence of entertainment!]

[Ah, of course, if you really want to… There is an alternative. Just a moment.]

Grab.

The host grabbed my chin.

And stared, as if estimating a price….

[Hmm. We can get rid of your face. Instead, I will make you a very wonderful…… mask.]

That’s….

…….

“I will think about it more next time.”

[Right? Haha! It would be a waste to get rid of that face.]

The host released his hand.

I smiled along as I watched the widely smiling Brown.

[Ah, I must prepare for the next broadcast again. This time the audience… Oh, they are office workers. I should entertain those tired folks.]

[Then… is Sol-eum also coming up on stage today?]

“I will do my best.”

[Excellent. Very good…. It will be a wonderful debut for you, Sol-eum!]

Hmm. I hope so.