Chapter 133

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Me, in the Disaster Management Bureau’s Rescue Team?

To think I had to enter a ghost story to save citizens when I was already hard-pressed to look after myself.

‘Is this a dream?’

However, it was reality.

Furthermore, I had to enter a ghost story right now to rescue someone.

7:30 PM.

It was a timing exactly one hour and thirty minutes after I passed the personality and aptitude test and was appointed.

Yet, by the urgent request of Agent Bronze, I had already received agent equipment from the headquarters.

And I was even assigned a Disaster Management Bureau public bicycle, which I was riding now, racing toward the location where the ghost story had occurred.

‘…The sun has completely set.’

Riding a bicycle in this cold weather while looking at the darkening outside felt chilling and brought up many thoughts….

“Citizens caught in a paranormal disaster can also request rescue through the number on the notice previously posted by the Bureau.”

Yes….

‘And I also know that the number is a mysterious rescue number that occasionally works even inside a ghost story.’

Hearing the Disaster Management Bureau-style ghost story rescue briefing made my mind go hazy.

I pedaled the bicycle, following the agent almost mechanically.

“When entering a paranormal disaster, a bicycle is actually safer than moving by car.”

‘Yes. That is because most means of transport do not work in ghost stories, or they bring about the worst-case disasters…’

It was fun when looking at the settings, but actually doing it was so cold and difficult.

For reference, the variety of equipment was richer than what I had received when I was a temporary agent.

A Glass Hand Cannon, an iron badge, a notebook, and… a fishing line.

“You must absolutely not lose the fishing line in particular. It is a tool needed when you have to make an emergency escape alone from this paranormal disaster.”

“…Yes.”

I felt a bit guilty remembering what had happened when I was a temporary agent, but I won’t deny that my heart fluttered a little.

Of course, the most important thing was this.

So, which ghost story was I entering right now!

“The paranormal disaster we are entering now to rescue the citizens is…”

The disaster?

Looking back at my expression, Agent Bronze paused for a moment and then continued in a slightly kinder tone.

“…You do not need to be so tense. The citizens who requested rescue will not die during the time we are listening to the explanation.”

“…Yes.”

The direction of his kindness was wrong….

“Listen to the explanation first.”

“Yes.”

I got it.

Turning his head forward again, Agent Bronze spoke as he rode his bicycle along the bike path in the desolate neighborhood where no one was around.

“Mr. Kim Sol-eum, do you remember a chain called Lucky Mart?”

“…….”

“Although it pulled out of Korea eleven years ago, it is famous in the English-speaking world… Agent?”

“Yes. I have heard of it.”

‘Oh, my goodness.’

It was beyond the level of having heard of it.

The problem was that I knew it too well.

A giant mart chain named Lucky Mart.

…A ghost story based on it.

Back when the <Records of the Dark Exploration> was still in its very early days of being the records of the Paranormal Disaster Management Bureau. It was also the seventh creative ghost story written.

People who hurriedly set out to find a mart at night happen to find a Lucky Mart branch by chance and enter.

And then they disappear.

———————=

Records of the Dark Exploration / Ghost Story

[Looky Mart]

: A ghost story appearing in <Records of the Dark Exploration>, with the registration number of the Paranormal Disaster Management Bureau being 1793PSYA.2001.na31.

A ghost story where one forever wanders, unable to escape from a bizarre paranormal phenomenon that mimics a large-scale mart-style shopping mall.

A strange phenomenon associated with the disappearance of at least 300 people over several decades, classified as a Form-Breaking Grade disaster by the Paranormal Disaster Management Bureau.

Currently, there is no known method of conclusion or sealing. Proactively preventing the disappearances is also impossible.

However, a notice helping the individual missing person escape was placed inside the ghost story mart, and the exploration record was written based on the report of a citizen who returned to reality with the help of the notice.

———————=

A large shopping mall.

While it was a familiar daily space, it was also an exciting and chilling story of the kind that maximized the fear given by a giant space mechanically repeating itself.

That was, of course, when reading it.

‘It’s a Form-Breaking Grade.’

According to the Disaster Management Bureau’s classification, that was a ghost story two steps higher than the mountain cabin where the serial killer appeared, where I met Agent Bronze.

If compared to Daydream Co., it was a grade close to B!

I broke into a cold sweat and spun my brain.

‘…Were there… more cases where the Disaster Management Bureau agents entered Looky Mart to rescue civilians and safely rescued them?’

Most… seemed to have been rescued safely.

Of course, there were many cases in the exploration records where special situations occurred and things went wrong. However, since it was usually those special cases that were recorded in detail on the wiki, I shouldn’t be too tense… Damn it.

‘I want to see it directly.’

I didn’t know why the item repair was not completed yet.

The Memorial GripTok!

I groaned, recalling my item for checking the <Records of the Dark Exploration>, which still had its glue unhardened.

‘They clearly said the repair would be finished after a month.’

The agent who mimicked a dokkaebi didn’t seem to be lying.

‘…It must be one of two things.’

Either it wasn’t repaired properly because it was an item that popped out of the goods box.

…Or the ‘period’ wasn’t counted properly because I spent the last month in a ghost story.

‘Either way, I need a backup plan.’

Looky Mart was such a famous ghost story that I remembered almost all the details. In that sense, it might be rather fortunate that a named ghost story appeared, but….

‘The timing when this kind of luck won’t work will also come soon.’

Thinking back to the time of the Tamra-bound high-speed rail, when I couldn’t remember the personal details of the Silver Heart owner, my heart still turned cold.

To prevent such a situation from happening again, the Memorial GripTok was absolutely necessary.

‘Since I am an agent now, obtaining a new one has actually become easier.’

Let’s keep obtaining a new one as Plan B in my head, in case this one isn’t repaired.

I rolled my brain, thinking of the broken Memorial GripTok that I had carefully put in my pocket inside a cushioning material.

In the meantime, Agent Bronze’s briefing on ‘Looky Mart’ was continuing.

“It is a disaster that can only be entered by waiting until the sun sets, but the timing of the rescue reporter was lucky.”

“…May I ask about the description of the rescue reporter?”

Agent Bronze spoke calmly.

“They are two first-year high school students.”

Wow.

‘Of all things, minors…’

It seemed I wouldn’t even be able to cut them off and run away in the middle due to my conscience aching.

I suppressed my groan and familiarized myself with the appearance description and the explanation text from the time of the report handed over by Agent Bronze.

Agent Bronze looked at me with a somewhat empathetic gaze and said.

“…Do not worry too much. The explanation that one can hold out for about half a day also applies to high school students.”

“……Yes.”

My conscience was really starting to ache.

“However, two agents who entered earlier are in a state of short-term disappearance in that paranormal disaster.”

“…….”

“Do not worry. They were not rescue agents. It was an accident that occurred during the regular search for a sealing method.”

That is indeed hopeful news, Agent….

“We must carry out the rescue operation with alertness, so refrain from erratic behavior. Absolutely.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

Words like, ‘Do we really have to bring a rookie agent in there?’ rose to my throat, but I held them back.

After all, that person knew I was an experienced rookie, so he wouldn’t let me off easily.

Tring.

Listening to the cheerful sound from the bicycle bell in a not-so-cheerful mood, I kept pedaling.

And Agent Bronze naturally slowed down and began to let me lead.

“…Agent?”

“We will ‘wander’ for more than twenty minutes like this. …Since the person who does not know the location of the building properly must lead, move first.”

I remembered.

Looky Mart entry condition: Wander for more than 20 minutes looking for a mart within 3 km of the building where Lucky Mart used to be.

In the cold, I silently pedaled the bicycle and turned around the unfamiliar neighborhood.

With the purpose of finding a mart constantly in my head, wandering without navigation while looking around….

“…Agent Bronze.”

I stopped the bicycle.

“I think I found it.”

And I saw a fairly large three-story building standing tall between the dark streetlights….

The letters of the mart flashing in green.

Saengsaeng Mart

It was not a chain store, but a private brand mart that might exist in any neighborhood.

“…….”

No.

The moment I blinked my eyes again….

LUCKYMART

The logo of the familiar chain store was visible in front of the mart building.

As if it hadn’t been reorganized for several years, the letters on the electric sign were covered in dust, and some slots didn’t light up at all.

“…….”

Looking closer, much closer at the slots that didn’t light up here….

Flicker.

The light came on.

LOOKY MART

A phrase different from what I had read carelessly was there….

“Do not pay too much attention to it.”

“…!”

That was right.

LUCKYMART

I had seen Lucky Mart.

‘I was looking for a mart, so that’s a relief.’

I parked the bicycle nearby and approached the mart building, which was still lit and operating.

Let’s enter ‘Lucky Mart’ naturally like this.

After all, since Lucky Mart was a giant mart chain scattered across this country, I wouldn’t be tense unless I consciously paid attention….

Upon witnessing the mart after sunset, one enters with the illusion that Lucky Mart has not yet pulled out.

The automatic doors opened smoothly, and we entered the bright interior.

It was a typical mart.

It was somewhat old-fashioned and cheap, but it had a sense of daily life to the point where one might carelessly pass by thinking it was just an old neighborhood mart.

First floor. Daily necessities section.

Children’s toys were piled up on a seasonal special sale display stand.

An out-of-date popular song was playing.

“Is that the idol song you said you like?”

“No, Mom! They are the rookies who came out from MS Ent this time…”

Shoppers brushed past.

…A family dressed in clothes that were popular over ten years ago, holding old-model smartphones.

Shoppers from the past.

Upon entry, shoppers routinely buying groceries are seen, and they are identified as actual shoppers from the past when Lucky Mart was operating.

“…….”

“Hahaha!”

The shoppers passed by.

Not only were they out of fashion, but considering the freezing winter outside, they were also wearing thin clothes that felt out of place.

As if the flow of time was different only inside this mart, with just a door between us.

“They are not people caught up in the disaster. Ignore them.”

“…….”

I nodded slowly.

‘The rescue reporters… said they were in a place presumed to be the first basement floor.’

Reporter 1: P-Please help. We entered the mart, but it’s strange…! N-No one can see us, and, it’s like an old mart.

Reporter 1: Around us? Uh, so… we are near the snack corner now. Yes, w-we are thirsty, too…

“We will move to the basement.”

Nodding my head, I slowly followed the agent.

This place, where the past Lucky Mart seemed to be reproduced as it was, looked fine so far.

No, rather, because it felt like stepping into the past, one might have felt curiosity and nostalgia.

If, that was, they didn’t know it was a ghost story.

“…….”

Tension choked my throat.

Wow, this was driving me crazy.

All kinds of terrible cases I had seen in the Records of the Dark Exploration were coming to mind.

Come to think of it, ‘Looky Mart’ was a ghost story with particularly many unexpected situations in the exploration records…!

‘L-Let’s calm down.’

Agent Bronze wouldn’t have come to a hardcore difficulty rescue duty with a rookie.

I swallowed my saliva as I went down the escalator.

And then… between the two escalators going up and down, I found a slip of paper that looked like a receipt dropped.

Wait a minute.

‘Could that be…’

I quickly reached out my hand and grabbed the slip of paper that mimicked a receipt.

“…! You found it already. That is the notice placed by the Bureau.”

Indeed.

A notice to help the innocent civilians caught in this ghost story escape, hidden here and there away from the eyes of the employees.

‘The reporter must have seen this, too.’

I checked the content of the receipt.

Please take a deep breath.

You are caught in a supernatural disaster.

However, there is no need to despair.

There are at least dozens of cases of successful escape from this disaster, and the government has recorded the escape method here for you.

Please check the guidelines on the back.

…Well, just reading it made me feel like I would get anxiety; it was a truly typical manual-style ghost story notice.

‘First of all, they should fix the red color and the font before telling the reader to take a deep breath…’

However, the content itself was exactly as I knew.

Turning the back page, the guidelines were also the same.

‘…I’m not sure which version it is.’

Among the escape methods written on the notice, there were a few that no longer worked as the search rounds accumulated.

This was because things changed as items, targets, and structures changed over time.

‘Of course, there are also contents that do not change.’

Things like this.

The ghost standing at all entrances and exits will not move until the business hours are over. Please rest assured.

“…….”

Indeed.

At the entrance we came in, a bizarre ‘ghost’ would be standing by now….

And taking advantage of the moment when the ghost could not see to run out secretly was the easiest escape method.

If the business hours have not ended even once after you entered, you still have a chance.

You can leave if you block the ghost’s vision.

However, not everyone is lucky.

Reporter 1: *Sob*, yes. We saw the escape method on the notice, but we, we can’t do it……. We don’t have anything to put over the ghost’s head… and we couldn’t steal the product either. W-We can’t even reach…!

‘This is when an agent is needed.’

Precisely, someone who has a usable item in this situation and knows how to use it properly.

Therefore, after securing the identity of the reporters, we had to get out of here immediately before the business hours ended.

‘Once the business hours end, it’s literally a horror escape game.’

And very fortunately, we were able to find the two people wearing school uniforms immediately near the escalator on the first basement floor, at the snack corner.

“Heur-eur-eung…”

The two high school students crying as they clung to the corner.

They were the reporters.

“Would you like to talk to them directly?”

“……Yes?”

“Try to do it calmly. This is also practice.”

“Ah, yes…”

For some reason, Agent Bronze looked at me with warm eyes.

I broke into a cold sweat in a different sense.

I carefully approached the two teenagers, squatted in front of them, and met their eyes.

“Hello. You are the ones who requested rescue, right?”

“……!!”

“Ah, ah-ah!”

Thud.

The two high school students fell back on their butts.

“Y-You are a person, right?! You can see us, right?”

“Yes. I can see you clearly.”

I smiled as much as possible.

“We dispatched after receiving the report. You’ve worked so hard until now.”

“Heur-eur-eur…”

The kids were shedding tears like faucets.

Even if the sun had set early because it was midwinter, they must have been trapped for about three hours, and they seemed completely terrified in the meantime.

“W-What about the entrance ghost? Can we really go out?”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

I pointed behind me, tossing all the responsibility to Agent Bronze!

“The person behind me is a really capable agent…. We will be able to get out.”

“Wow…”

And the high school students seemed to gradually compare my disheveled appearance with Agent Bronze’s neat appearance, and were creeping toward Agent Bronze’s side.

‘Survival instinct is working.’

“Um, are we going out now?”

“That is correct.”

One of them even clung tightly to Agent Bronze’s side like holding a lifeline.

Good job. That’s it!

I let out a sigh of relief and checked the electronic watch on my wrist.

‘Then if we assume we are going to the entrance from now…’

[ 20 : 24 ]

8:24 PM.

As far as I knew, in the ‘Looky Mart’ ghost story, the flow of time in minutes and seconds was linked to reality.

‘The closing is at 11 o’clock.’

There was still plenty of time. We could sufficiently get out by fabricating with items.

And Agent Bronze seemed to be trying to explain the same thing.

“The closing time is 11 o’clock, so there is still plenty of time. Calmly…”

Na-na-na-na na-na-nan-na-na-na na-na-nan~

“…….”

…I raised my head unconsciously.

The Lucky Mart logo song was playing cheerfully….

Like some kind of notification sound.

-Hello, customer. Thank you for visiting Looky Mart today.

-As announced, our mart will close at 8:30 PM today to celebrate Labor Day on May 1st.

“……!”

-Customers still in the store, please follow the employee’s guidance and go outside.

Rumble, rumble.

The lights of the store turned off slowly from far away.

As if preparing for closing, only minimal light began to remain in the store.

…The escalator stopped operating.

-We will announce once again.

-Please follow the employee’s guidance and go outside.

“Why…!”

I covered the high school student’s mouth and ducked.

Do not be spotted by the employee organizing the mart after business hours. They will guide you outside.

The outside is not reality.

Na-na-na-na na-na-nan-na-na-na na-na-nan~

“…….”

I was fucked.