Parcel Reception Desk (3)
Han Yujin smiled brightly. An unsettling smile, yet the only splash of color in this drab place.
"Nah, it's way better for everyone if the beautiful girl me leads instead of that protein monster."
A vein throbbed in Lee Kanghyeok's forehead, ready to burst. It wasn't just her shamelessly calling herself a beauty—it was the obvious sarcasm dripping from every word. Yoo Se-rin, caught in the middle, was at a total loss. This crazy bitch is provoking the Unique Company on-site Team 3 manager—Lee Kanghyeok himself? But what could she do? She couldn't exactly jump in and stop it.
The unfortunate truth was that Yoo Se-rin's anxiety and worry were utterly pointless.
In reality, Han Yujin's mind was crystal clear.
Anyway, right now we need this guy's cooperation, whatever he's after.
Whether it was for Kruru or something else didn't matter. There was only one key point.
In a horror story, if you've got usable resources, you milk them for all they're worth.
That muscle-headed brute was a prime meat shield—and if needed, cargo bait. The more dire the crisis, the sharper Han Yujin's intellect became, far beyond her usual gallery trolling.
"First off," Han Yujin said, wiping away her earlier snark. Instead of changing her tone, she just jerked her chin toward the entrance they'd come through—the door Lee Kanghyeok had his back to. "Hug that wall by the door. Nice and tight."
"...What?" Lee Kanghyeok shot back.
Han Yujin eyed him like he was a bug and pulled up a line on her datapad.
"Haa... This is why muscle-for-brains are such a pain."
It was a whisper, but Yoo Se-rin heard it crystal clear right next to her.
Eek! She actually said it!
"Rulebook. Article 0-1." Han Yujin recited it clearly, locking eyes with Lee Kanghyeok's eyepatch. "Once you've entered the reception desk, proceed to the [Number Ticket Dispenser] on the left side of the entrance."
"So we went left, didn't we?" Killing intent laced Lee Kanghyeok's voice.
"Hear me out to the end."
Han Yujin clicked her tongue. Her delicate beauty belied the attitude of a grizzled 10-year gallery vet.
"...The [Number Ticket Dispenser] is positioned to the left when facing away from the entrance—not right or front."
"......"
"You went left without turning your back to it. That's the trap. Back to the entrance, then left. Right next to the door we came in. That's the real path."
Lee Kanghyeok glared silently, his pressure screaming, How dare you order me around? But Han Yujin just shrugged.
Glare all you want. What're you gonna do? Am I wrong?
At her brazenness, Lee Kanghyeok snorted, then barked in a metallic growl, "Everyone, back to the entrance. Face away."
And then.
The moment they all pressed their backs to the entrance...
“……!”
The world shifted.
The endless logistics rails and grotesque workers that had filled their vision... vanished.
Not really—they were still there, but blurred like out-of-focus background. Instead, a new passage appeared ahead—to the left with the entrance at their backs.
A plain, clean hallway, no rails in sight. At its end hung a clear sign: Customer Waiting Room.
“…….”
The moment they stepped into the real passage, the murderous reception workers froze. Creak. Their heads swiveled. Then they resumed their tasks.
"Mi, mi-madness..." Yoo Se-rin gaped at Han Yujin in awe.
"H-how did you even know?"
Han Yujin looked at her pitifully. "It's in the rulebook?"
"Yeah, but... who interprets it like that..."
Yoo Se-rin scratched her head awkwardly.
As she inwardly marveled, the group reached the hall's end. There sat a clunky machine, all alone.
[Number Ticket Dispenser]
Its screen blinked with [Send], [Receive], [Inquiry] buttons.
Han Yujin hit [Send] without hesitation.
Chiiik—
A thin thermal receipt slid out.
"Next."
Yoo Se-rin, glued to Han Yujin's back, hesitantly pressed [Send].
Kruru went next. She glanced at Han Yujin, then tremblingly—tentacle or hand?—pressed [Send].
Now Lee Kanghyeok's turn. He hesitated before the buttons. Prophecy said the Cthulhu fragment emerges here at the logistics reception. So [Receive]?
But receiving was high-risk. Even if he got the fragment, how to exit the horror? Sending it out might work, but him? Unlikely. And the shipping fee for something like that? Unimaginable.
This should give me enough to explain to the company.
He silently pressed [Send].
The Mother's turn last. Pale-faced, entranced, she stared at the machine. Her finger slowly pressed [Send].
Chiiik—
And as all eyes turned away for a split second...
The Mother's finger pressed [Receive] again.
Chiiik—
"…What the hell was that?"
Lee Kanghyeok's brow furrowed. The Mother hurriedly stuffed both tickets into her pocket.
Tension skyrocketed. Han Yujin cut in.
"Eh, whatever. We're not even a real team—just hanging out. Everyone does their own thing, right?"
The Mother shot her a grateful look.
Truth was, Han Yujin had her own angle. This lady clearly came here for that. Wonder what she's after?
Curiosity was killing her! But asking outright? Risky. If receiving lumped them as a team, she might foot the excess bill. Best keep emotional distance while satisfying that dopamine hit.
Lee Kanghyeok just clicked his tongue at her flawless logic and turned away first. "Waiting room's that way."
It was a stark white room. Long benches already held 'customers': a three-headed dog, a mummy wrapped head to toe, a mannequin with backward joints grinning...
All staring dead ahead, unmoving.
"Whoa... shit..."
Han Yujin casually claimed an empty seat.
———
0-2. After drawing your number ticket, take an empty seat in the [Customer Waiting Room].
—— Do not observe or speak to other seated customers.
———
Rules even a kid could follow. Fail this, and you don't deserve to call yourself a Horror Survivor Gallery user.
The rest of the group? Same. Unique Company pros like Lee Kanghyeok and Yoo Se-rin went without saying. Even the Mother had cleared a few horrors.
They all sat expertly among the grotesque 'customers'.
The problem?
This is where the real hard part starts.
Security guard phase!
Han Yujin narrowed her eyes, rechecking the procedures.
———
0-3. Do not make eye contact with the [Security Guard] patrolling the waiting room.
—— If the [Security Guard] approaches and asks, "What are you waiting for?", respond only with "I am waiting for my turn."
—— Answers unrelated to waiting, like "I don't know" or "Where's the bathroom?", will result in the [Security Guard] deeming you 'escaped cargo' and immediately transferring you to the [Cargo Storage].
0-4. If the security guard asks what you wish to send, follow the procedure below.
0-4-1. If you have a shipping label, show it. The guard will nod and leave.
0-4-2. If no label, immediately prepare cargo. Living things are highly likely to be recognized as cargo; more intact body parts improve chances. Unique Company assumes no responsibility for employee death or disappearance if the guard disputes it as cargo.
———
Absurd procedures, no matter how you sliced it.
Wait, companies are supposed to take responsibility for employee deaths or disappearances.
Who'd work for them seeing that? Her doubts about Unique Company loyalty were interrupted.
— Thud. Thud.
The inner door opened. A massive figure emerged.
The [Security Guard].
The gas-masked giant slowly patrolled, sparking electric baton in hand. His presence evoked a chilling dread unlike the workers'.
"……!"
Frightened-eyed Kruru clung to Han Yujin, then peeled away, remembering she shouldn't.
Thud. The guard stopped before Lee Kanghyeok. He stared straight ahead, unmoving.
"What are you waiting for?"
A low, garbled murmur that buzzed the brain just hearing it.
"I am waiting for my turn."
Veteran Lee Kanghyeok's voice didn't waver.
The guard nodded, moved to Yoo Se-rin.
"What are you waiting for?"
"M-my turn!"
Yoo Se-rin's voice quivered slightly. Good. Perfect so far.
Kruru next. She was already rolling her yellow eyes in terror.
"What are you waiting for?"
"S-sca... scary...!"
"......"
Creak. The guard's head jerked.
"What?"
"Eep!" Kruru clamped her mouth.
...Knew it.
Han Yujin wrapped an arm around Kruru's shoulders and answered for her. "She's got a bad sore throat. Means 'I am waiting for my turn.' Right, Lulu? Repeat after me: I am waiting for my turn."
"...Ny-Nyang! I am waiting for... my tu-turn."
Kruru nodded desperately.
The guard's mask lenses turned to Han Yujin. She smiled sweetly, artfully avoiding direct eye contact.
Lee Kanghyeok's eyes widened at her composure and quick thinking. Guarding her teammate amid utter terror, sticking to rules flawlessly. Her slender frame made her seem like an eternal pro.
The guard stared a moment, then slowly nodded and moved on—past Han Yujin to the Mother last.
"What are you waiting for?"
"M-my... my turn."
The Mother's voice shook. The guard nodded.
We're good!
Just pass by like this!
But then.
The guard's gaze fixed on the two tickets in the Mother's hand.
Her face drained of color. He pointed to the [Receive] ticket.
"Receive ticket confirmed."
Then the [Send] one.
"Where is the cargo to send?"