chapter 7
chapter 7
Room 101, The Cursed Room – “The Bizarre Family”
[User: Han Gain (Wisdom)
Day: 2
Current Location: Floor 1, In front of Room 101
Sage’s Advice: 3]
Standing in front of Room 101, a tense silence settled over everyone.
What kind of monster could be inside?
Surely not something even Jincheol couldn’t handle… right?
If it was—
Then we were all dead anyway.
I had a dagger, but honestly, I didn’t feel like a fighter.
Everyone subtly looked at Jincheol.
Our strength. Our shield.
He stepped forward.
“Let’s go. I’ll take the lead. Don’t worry too much,” he said. “If this place really wanted us dead, it wouldn’t bother with all this. It could just poison the food.”
That made sense.
“They’ve fed us, given us rest, even gave Gain warnings, Eun-sol a market, and me strength,” he continued. “Feels like they actually want us to survive and get the treasure.”
“…So not trying to kill us?” someone asked.
“Exactly. There’s danger, sure—but not instant death.”
That calmed everyone.
[You have gained a slight understanding of the hotel.]
Then—
We opened the door.
And stepped inside.
[User: Han Gain (Wisdom)
Day: 2
Current Location: Floor 1, Room 101 (Cursed Room – Bizarre Family)
Sage’s Advice: 3]
I had a strange dream.
A nightmare—
But I couldn’t remember it clearly.
That was normal, right?
Dreams fade.
I shrugged it off.
Then—
“Han Gain! Wake up! The sun is already high!”
My mother’s voice.
Loud.
Too loud.
“Mom! Stop yelling!”
“You should wake up on time then! Hurry and eat!”
I got up.
Washed.
Walked to the table.
Something felt… off.
Like my thoughts were dissolving.
My plans.
My companions.
Everything—
Slipping away.
Like sand through my fingers.
‘Was talking to them a mistake…?’
And then—
I lost myself.
When I came back—
Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
My family sat at the table.
Laughing.
Talking.
Like always.
“Why aren’t you ready? Today’s the trip!” my sister said.
“…Trip?”
“Seriously? You forgot? We’re going today.”
“…Right.”
Why couldn’t I remember?
Strange.
But I didn’t question it.
We ate.
Something… wriggling in the food.
Silkworms.
Health food.
Right.
That was normal.
Everything—
Was normal.
We went out.
Arrived instantly.
A garden.
Beautiful.
Peaceful.
People cutting plants with scissors.
Right.
That’s what people do in gardens.
Cut.
Consume.
That’s the purpose.
I joined them.
Cutting.
Laughing.
Happy.
Lunch.
A duck restaurant.
Alive ducks brought to the table.
“…Isn’t this… strange?” I asked.
“Don’t be stupid,” my sister said. “Fresh is best.”
Ah.
Right.
I was wrong again.
Others ate.
Biting.
Tearing.
Drinking blood.
Normal.
Everything normal.
But—
Something felt wrong.
Faint.
Flickering.
Like a forgotten thought.
Then—
A message appeared.
[Your mental contamination has reached a critical level.
Immediately cease contact and interaction with your family.]
—
At that moment—
Reality began to crack.