Chapter 122

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Just before the live talk show begins, the backstage is busy.

The silent staff moved in perfect order, checking the situation and responding in real time.

“Phew.”

I took a deep breath.

Now, I could also understand their expressions concretely to some extent….

The whispers of the faceless ones.

-Add light number 5.

-Request shoe replacement for the host.

-Check the position of the guest cushion.

Everyone worked hard in their respective positions and pondered to make a good show.

And since the host was the type who did not spare praise for individuals, the atmosphere heated up even more easily.

It was a really decent workplace. Having faceless colleagues was a bit uncomfortable at first, but now I seemed to have fully adapted!

‘As expected, are humans creatures of their environment?’

Since entering ghost stories never felt familiar no matter how much I did it, maybe there really was an aptitude issue, just as Brown said.

‘It’s fine.’

I checked that I was wearing the silver ring out of habit, and finally went up to the stage.

“…Phew.”

Today was the day.

The day I would appear in a segment on ‘Brown’s Late Night Talk Show’ for the first time.

[Sol-eum!]

The host, who was already prepared, approached.

[The outfit suits you very well. Yes… Oh dear! Makeup, let’s cover this tattoo here more properly.]

The host even meticulously checked the tattoo revealed beneath my suit sleeve near my wrist.

In an instant, the tattoo on my wrist was erased without a trace.

And I safely went to my designated seat and sat down before the live broadcast time.

[Excellent. Good… Now, Sol-eum. The camera light will turn on soon.]

“Yes.”

[And since the audience will be seated immediately, you only need to think about entertaining them. Well, it’s starting….]

The countdown ticked away on the classic teleprompter in front of my eyes.

3.

2.

1.

0.

[Good evening! The pleasure of this night, a new face you meet every day, and… your friendly host!]

Brown’s Late Night Talk Show

The moment the studio sparkled along with the band sound.

The live broadcast began.

“Uh?”

“Eh?”

“What, what is this….”

The audience seats filled up.

The audience members sitting there before I knew it looked terrified or surprised by the dazzling filming set that suddenly appeared while they were preparing to sleep.

“Why are my clothes like this?”

Everyone sitting in their various commuting attire truly looked like a special edition for office workers.

[Welcome, hard-working office workers. For you today, we will show you a talk show that relieves the fatigue of the day, one that is captivating, interesting, and terrifyingly fun!]

Clap, clap, clap….

The host clapped alone, then displayed an awkward and sad emoticon on his TV head.

[…Is there no applause? Not at all?]

Clap, clap-clap-clap-clap!!

The audience clapped in spite of themselves.

“What on earth is this….”

“Well, he’s handsome for one thing. Let’s do it.”

Two office workers next to me, who appeared to be acquaintances, nodded to each other and clapped again.

The host led the atmosphere, greeting the audience members one by one.

Although there was a somewhat chilling corner to it, it was basically composed of funny and pleasant jokes, along with terrible and fascinating news never heard before.

“Ah.”

Soon the tension eased, and people naturally accepted the unrealistic space.

As if watching a magician or a sci-fi movie, the minds of people accustomed to unrealistic content became blurred as the boundary with reality collapsed.

And then, it appeared.

[Today’s guest is… Ah, here they come!]

The fancy door, studded with star-shaped light bulbs, opened, and the guest stepped out.

It was the guest I selected!

Namely….

Toddle, toddle.

A cloth teddy bear.

It had mismatched button eyes and was tattered, but it was quite cute.

[Isn’t it really cute? Let me introduce today’s guest… ‘Happy Ending Teddy Bear’!]

Exclamations burst out from here and there at the small teddy bear sitting on the sofa.

What on earth is that? It’s really cute. It’s moving. Where is this? Is it a dream? What talk show is this… Ah, I did apply to be in the audience here!

The chaotic whispering soon subsided, converging into one thing.

Interest and focus on the unrealistically progressing talk show.

[Sponsored by Delusion Home Shopping. Oh, it is a 1999 limited edition product that is no longer sold, and the most iconic companion doll in the industry.]

[For the owner who keeps it preciously until death, it creates an ‘ending of life’ like a peaceful sleep, and for those who discard it, it visits them in the middle of the night to turn them into a doll just like itself!]

Brown approached and held the microphone to the teddy bear.

[How do you feel? ……Oh, it says it feels like going to the grave of its first owner and wailing because it is so nervous.]

“Uh-hahaha!”

The reaction was good.

My heart grew comfortable.

Though cute and friendly, the chilling aspect of a non-human inanimate object having a self, moving, and taking revenge always worked.

That was why I also had a good friend… No, stop.

‘Anyway, if the audience reaction is good, the viewer reaction is often good too.’

It was a relief.

The talk show was structured so that the non-human viewers could also enjoy the audience reaction itself, as if watching a reaction video.

Interesting. As expected, stories are enjoyable and reassuring when one steps back a bit!

[Now, let’s hear the story and current status of our guest!]

The show proceeded smoothly.

The ‘Happy Ending Teddy Bear’ spoke through the mouth of the host about the heartbreaking yet warm parting with its gentle owner, and the terrifying abuse and refreshing revenge that froze the blood of the bad owner.

It also displayed props, photos, and drawing materials from that time to build immersion and atmosphere.

The final climax.

[Ah, so the father who burned you with cigarette butts and beat the child you played with… is in that audience!]

[That person…… is you!]

Bam!

A spotlight illuminated an audience member.

[Come on up… Hahaha! Let’s welcome our second guest with applause.]

It was the former owner who discarded the doll, planted among the audience.

They invited him onto the stage, and even demonstrated the process of the ‘Happy Ending Teddy Bear’ directly turning the audience member into a teddy bear.

Screams and blood ran rampant, but the immersed audience members felt gratified despite finding it a bit horrific. People in the very front row, who had received and worn raincoats from the staff, even clapped.

Just like reading an interesting ghost story.

[Ah, wonderful. Another cute teddy bear has been made.]

[That is truly a great thing. Please give a big hand to our Happy Ending Teddy Bear guest, who even creates excellent added value!]

Waaaah!

The Happy Ending Teddy Bear shivered and greeted the people happily.

And at this point….

[Then let’s move on to the next segment. Question and Answer!]

Brown raised a hand to his speaker area as if listening closely.

[Are you there? My friend!]

It was time!

“I’m here, friend!”

I raised my hand high and stood up in the middle of the audience seats.

Gasps burst out from the people sitting around me.

And a shining sign above my head.

To Brown’s Friend,

Please Let Us Know!

[For 100 seconds, my friend can ask the audience for their thoughts on the talk show or ask fun questions! We will give a wonderful prize to the audience member who answers properly, so let’s try it. Now….]

A clock appeared on Brown’s TV face.

[Starting now!]

Whoosh.

The audience members raised their hands.

I pointed to myself with a slightly flustered expression.

“Excuse me, raising your hands before even listening to my introduction or question…?”

Laughter.

“Ah, you say there is no time? Un… der… stood… thennn. ”

I deliberately began to speak, dragging my words out incredibly slowly.

The laughter grew louder. Good.

“Here is the first question. ‘What was the most boring moment in this show?’”

[Friend!!]

“The moment when you couldn’t help but yawn, thinking you could have done better?!”

At the planned, exquisite reaction, intermittent laughter burst out again among the audience.

A few people in the very front, covered in the blood of the former owner who had become a teddy bear, shook their raincoats off even more passionately.

I quickly approached them and held the microphone.

“Right now.”

[Ohhh!]

Laughter burst out again. I deliberately stared at the person with a face full of betrayal, as if asking how they could say such a thing, and then moved on to the next question.

Perhaps because the previous segment was fun, the people’s response was far better than my worries.

It was almost captivating.

‘Is it… fun?’

Somehow, I got a bit excited.

The 100 seconds flew by in an instant, and it was the moment the microphone was handed over to the audience member who was almost the last in order.

“If you could ask for just one thing from this talk show, what would it be?”

At the question I shouted excitedly, the audience member shouted back excitedly.

“I want to take that teddy bear!”

Ah.

“You cannot.”

…….

In an instant, the audience cooled down.

The stage as well.

“…….”

Why, why did I do that? No, first let’s salvage this.

I raised my eyebrows as if I had deliberately given a short answer.

Then, nodding as if pretending to understand, I spoke.

“Our dear guest teddy bear says it doesn’t want a serious relationship with an office worker who is too busy with overtime and has no time.”

“Huh?!”

The Happy Ending Teddy Bear hurriedly waved both arms from the sofa as if denying it. Seeing that, I nodded seriously and delivered it to the audience member.

“It says it really doesn’t want to.”

“…?!”

The teddy bear fell over. Laughter burst out from the audience.

“Just kidding. It says it will go gladly.”

“Wow! I love it. Dying of natural causes was my dream.”

“Really? Mine too.”

I smiled and high-fived the audience member.

Phew. Somehow, it went over well.

‘Next!’

And I quickly turned my head for the next question. The next person who raised their hand the fastest was….

It was a familiar attire.

“…!!”

I stared blankly at that sight for a moment.

Office workers wearing masks and dressed in suits.

‘…It’s Daydream Co.’s Field Exploration Team.’

The workplace I used to go to.

And among them….

‘…It’s the Group D people.’

The three people I knew were sitting side by side.

How could those three, no, surely there is only Lizard Leader in Group D now, but by what means…

[Ding! Time is up.]

Ah.

[Now! Let’s ask our friend. Who is today’s MVP audience member?]

“Today’s MVP is…”

I pointed at the last audience member.

“The guest adoption applicant.”

“Ohhh!”

[Hahaha! May you die of natural causes happily!]

The selected audience member sat down happily, receiving a beautifully wrapped present.

The Happy Ending Teddy Bear was staring intently at that audience member.

“…….”

Thus, my segment ended, and I exited through the door amidst the applause of the audience.

My heart beat fast.

‘I did it.’

And around that point.

[Let me introduce the next guest. Ah, wait, before that….]

[Let’s watch a commercial and come back!]

Urrrgh!

As Brown greeted the booing and cheering audience with a smile, the commercial break began.

Phew!

[Sol-eum!]

Brown came backstage with a huge smiling emoticon on his face, then swapped it to a touched emoticon and high-fived me.

And he patted my shoulder as if proud.

[Friend. You did very well! It was so excellent that it’s hard to believe it was your first time hosting. It was a very impressive 100 seconds. Ah, I’m truly filled with admiration….]

“I don’t think it was to that extent…”

[No! This is pure admiration, not empty words or flattery. Since you started having passion for this show, you are producing better results.]

It was a joyful thing.

“Um, by the way.”

I spoke with a smile.

“…I saw a familiar face in the audience. Can I go talk to them for a bit? Just a moment during the break. Not for long……”

[Ah.]

The host stopped.

And….

[Of course. It is a break time, isn’t it? Go and talk comfortably.]

Phew.

I got permission! Thankfully.

“Then I will go…”

[Wait.]

My shoulder was grabbed.

[However, you must not make statements that could make other audience members feel a sense of incongruity…. Oh, do not forget. Even when the camera is off, the audience still sees you as a cast member of the show.]

“…I understand.”

The TV head drew close.

[You kept it in mind?]

“…I will keep it in mind.”

[Excellent!]

I took a step backward, distancing myself from the host.

Then, stepping down from the stage, I walked around offering thanks, accompanied by the staff, as if checking if the audience had any inconveniences.

And then… I finally arrived at the seats where the familiar masks gathered.

The masks I knew.

“Roe Deer…?”

“…Assistant Manager.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon, Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je, and… even Supervisor Park Min-sung were sitting there.

‘Wow.’

It was a strange feeling to see them like this.

Because they looked just like they did before entering the Hungry Hangman Dark.

“To see you here! Nice to meet you. Is everyone doing well?”

Lizard Leader and Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je nodded.

Supervisor Park Min-sung also waved his hand with a smiling face when his eyes met mine. Though his complexion looked slightly pale, he still looked healthy.

Had he gotten much better, allowing him to easily go out for external activities on nights like this? It was truly a relief.

“Yes. We are doing fine… but Roe Deer. Are you okay? How have you been doing?”

“Ah. I’m doing well.”

That I could guarantee.

However, in the end, I could not hold back and asked.

“But today is my first appearance… May I ask how it was? I’m a bit nervous.”

Silence.

“It was very good.”

“…Thank you.”

Phew.

The silence was a bit bothering, but since Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je was not the type to offer empty words, it should be fine.

“By the way, did you eat today?”

“Meals? Me……”

Ah.

Come to think of it, it seemed quite a long time had passed since I had eaten.

You mean… before preparing for the broadcast?

Was the last time I ate on the train before changing jobs to this place? It was similar.

Anyway, my body was healthier than ever, so it was fine!

Besides, it was too personal a topic to discuss during the talk show break.

I waved my hand with a smile.

“I don’t need to.”

“…….”

Supervisor Park Min-sung quickly rummaged through his pocket and pulled something out.

“Roe Deer. Still. It is break time, right? How about having a snack at least? This…”

“Ah, I’m sorry. They say receiving gifts from audience members is only possible through official channels. For the sake of transparent operations.”

I politely declined the nostalgic candy Supervisor Park Min-sung was offering.

The expression of the supervisor holding the nostalgia candy grew dim.

“Ah….”

…Did I do something wrong?

I thought hard, then came up with an alternative.

“Don’t worry. Since I have the exact same one among my candies, I will eat that one.”

“…!”

“Alright.”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je reached out and shook my hand.

Her hand was hot.

“Be sure to eat it.”

“…….”

“Mr. Roe Deer.”

Ah.

Manager Lizard was looking at me.

“The button, press it.”

“……?”

I don’t really… know what he meant by that.

But showing fluster would be unprofessional.

“Yes. I will definitely do my absolute best. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the show. Sleep well and fight on tomorrow too.”

I hoped today’s attendance would be a small joy in their difficult daily lives.

Is this the mind of a show creator? The one Brown talked about?

I observed the reactions of the three.

‘Perhaps because they are wearing masks, I can’t really see their expressions well…’

Wait a minute.

If they are wearing masks, could they possibly be in the middle of a Dark exploration right now?

If so, let’s reassure them!

“Ah. If you came in because of ‘work’, there won’t be any problem. You can just enjoy the show pleasantly and go back.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes! It’s very safe here.”

Darks that are this easy to clear must be rare. In fact, hasn’t it become easier than during the Tuesday Talk Show?

‘Because none of the general audience members die!’

Honestly, if we wanted to make it more stimulating, we could have given more terrible penalties like on the Tuesday Talk Show.

Right now, on the contrary, it is a comfortable enough atmosphere that other audience members can also enjoy watching them suffer due to poetic justice.

I felt a brief gratitude toward Brown.

However, Supervisor Park Min-sung shook his head slightly.

“We didn’t come for work.”

Huh?

“…We came to meet you. Roe Deer.”

……Me?

“Roe Deer. How on earth did things become like this…”

[Oh dear, friend!]

“…!”

The host gestured from the stage.

Right. The commercial is ending soon. That meant the show would continue again!

“I must go up now. See you again next time. Ah! I think this next one will be really fun… You can just watch comfortably.”

“That…”

Without hearing the answer, I ran to the stage while bowing to the audience.

The lights were dazzling.

* * *

The talk show ended today as well, receiving immense applause and cheers.

[Thank you. Then we will see you again tomorrow at 11:33 PM, everyone!]

Brown finished the broadcast skillfully, and as always, took care of the staff and crew on the stage where the lights were off.

Just like me.

I was staring at the empty audience seats when I suddenly came to my senses and received the praise.

[How was it? It was more fun than you thought, right, Sol-eum?]

“Yes. Mmh… it was better than I thought.”

[I’m very glad. Good. I will talk to the writers so that Sol-eum can appear once or twice a week in the future. ‘Brown’s Friend’!]

“Ah, yeah.”

Whether it was because of being recognized, my stomach churned. Let’s accept it gladly!

And the host asked in passing.

[Ah. Was the conversation with your former colleagues enjoyable, friend? I saw you talking to them from the audience.]

“…! Yes. It was nice to see them after a long time.”

[I see. I wonder what kind of pleasant conversation you had!]

“Ah, they asked if I had eaten.”

[Aha, our show always has a dedicated catering service for the staff’s meals….]

The TV screen went dim.

[…You haven’t touched a meal all this time, Roe Deer. You didn’t even apply for the private catering service. Oh my goodness! Even though I told you on the first day.]

Because it was bothersome for some reason. I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

“It was fine not to eat.”

[My goodness! Making me look like an evil business partner who doesn’t even feed his staff. No, it was my fault. A rookie crew member might miss it because they are busy adapting, so I, Brown, should have paid more attention as a friend….]

Brown extended his hand.

[There is a saying that inspiration and ideas come from physical strength. Let’s make a promise with me that you won’t do this again.]

Well. There wasn’t much difference, and my condition was actually good, but…

“Mmh. I will try.”

[Oh dear, my friend has even learned bad industry habits!]

Brown chided me slightly as if joking, but didn’t speak to me in a forcing manner anymore.

Because it was break time now.

[Lest you forget to rest, to make the best show, sufficient rest is also necessary, Sol-eum!]

“I got it. Well, see you in a bit.”

I parted with Brown for a moment.

Then, passing the staff, I walked around the backstage and headed to my waiting room.

Click.

Then opening the door and entering, I rolled up my wrist and looked at my arm.

My tattoos, covered in makeup and invisible.

“…Mmh.”

It was fascinating. Apparently, the tattoos that were covered up so they couldn’t be seen did not work.

‘Since the live broadcast is over, I can erase the makeup.’

I rubbed off the makeup.

: Socius :

: Benefactor :

And sticking my hand into the tattoo that served as an inventory, I pulled an object out.

‘Is it been a while for this too?’

What was held in my hand was a nostalgia candy.

‘Since I said I would eat it.’

Mmh… well, it’s not like I’m particularly hungry or lacking energy, but.

After contemplating for a moment, I unwrapped a candy and put it in my mouth.

Chomp.