Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall into a Ghost Story, I Have to Go to Work
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The methods of running a scam are similar to a kind of immoral marketing technique.
1. Gain trust.
"That guy cured the glasses-wearing man? He was completely out of his mind."
"Yeah! He's fine now. And that guy fell out the window too but came back unscathed. Said he saw something down there!"
"Whoa... Wait, are you really okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. That person is at peace now too."
2. Present the problem and its cause.
"S-So... this is like some kind of test? If we pass, we can get out?"
"Yes. We'll definitely be able to escape."
"Ah...!"
"H-Hey, is this like one of those hunter stories? Where we suddenly awaken and..."
"Exactly! That's what it seems like. They wouldn't throw us into this insane situation for no reason!"
"Right. There was a reason."
After heating up the atmosphere like this.
"And to escape this situation..."
3. Sell a magical solution.
In immoral marketing, that 'solution' is the product they're trying to sell. In a cult, it's their doctrine.
And the method I was going to propose was...
"Everyone must go out the window once."
"...!!"
"W-What did you say!?"
"Don't be surprised, everyone."
I smiled and pointed to myself.
And to the glasses-wearing office worker calmed by the Happy Maker.
"Those who accept my invitation and go out will be just fine, like me. This is a kind of test, after all."
"Ah...!"
"If you're still suspicious, well... I'll try to convince you somehow. Or you can fall one more time, no problem."
And at that moment, the guidance video started playing again.
Those who wish to arrive at Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive at Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive at Tamra, offer a sacrifice.
(Repeats endlessly...)
"Uh...!"
But this time, the atmosphere was different.
At least in car 7, where they'd listened to my marketing, people started whispering and glancing at the windows.
'So... does that mean it's safe to go out there?'
It wasn't just panic or fear anymore. Curiosity and anticipation were starting to emerge.
-Ah, this is fun. So entertaining... Excellent work, Mr. Deer!
-But every great and impressive entertainer faces challengers. Oh, look. Here comes one right now!
Thwack!
"Y-You fucking bullshit!! You goddamn psycho!"
The one slamming his chair armrest and yelling was a middle-aged man whose face was flushed red and purple.
The passenger who'd fallen out the window in the first round, and pushed the glasses guy out in the second.
'Looks like he sat out a turn and regained a bit of reason.'
But he still wasn't in his right mind.
"Th-That guy's the one who pushed someone out the window just before... Gasp!"
"Crazy bastard... G-Get out! You fucking retard."
His eyes spun wildly, like he was about to stab me with a knife any second.
"Jump?! I'm not jumping! No way in hell, you fuck! Why don't you jump again!"
I looked calmly at the man who'd shoved past nearby passengers to get right in front of me.
"If you don't want to participate, you don't have to right now."
"Wh-Wha?!"
"Take it easy. You don't even qualify right now anyway."
"What... What?!"
"Even if you beg to go out the window, I can't help you."
This was an important step too.
4. Limit who can have the solution.
Why else do they keep limited production to sell out, and say to inquire via message for the price?
It's to exploit the psychology that rarity makes things seem precious, and the hard-to-get looks even better.
That tantalizing feeling of it being right there, within reach, but if you miss this chance, it's gone forever.
I'm fanning those flames.
"Only those who qualify can go out the window without pain..."
"Wh-What bullshit..."
"That's not you. It means you don't yet qualify to pass the ordeal without suffering. Step back."
"...Uh, uhhh..."
The middle-aged man mumbled 'uh uh' as he staggered and collapsed into his seat.
Hmm, responding to crazy talk with crazy talk worked again this time.
It drew solid aggro too—before I knew it, everyone in the car was staring at us wide-eyed.
I smiled gently at them.
"But don't worry too much. Eventually, everyone will be ready."
"...!"
-Aaaah! Brilliant!
Beyond Brown's cheers, the car passengers surged forward with questions.
"Hey! So, who gets ready?"
"I don't know. I just seem to recognize those who are."
"Is there anyone ready in here?"
It was then.
"U-Um... me? Do I qualify by any chance?"
The glasses-wearing office worker, who'd been sitting quietly, raised his hand.
Thanks to the Happy Maker, he was in a calm state free of fear and PTSD, so he didn't lunge at the middle-aged man who'd rushed him.
But physiological tension was unavoidable as he swallowed hard.
I nodded with a smile.
"Yes."
"...!!"
"You qualify. ...You've already proven it."
I approached and took his hand.
"You've more than proven it without needing to go again. That peace is your proof. ...You did great. So brave."
"Ah... Aah!"
Tears streamed down the glasses guy's cheeks.
The murmurs quieted at the sight.
Instead, something new began to flicker in their gazes.
Yearning and sympathy.
"From now on, those confirmed qualified and going out, I'll share a token with you to protect you from as much pain as possible."
"...!"
"Th-Then..."
But still, no volunteers.
'Knew it.'
I'd just said everyone has to jump out the window to escape.
No one's rushing into potential pain with no upside.
-Friend, got a brilliant solution?
Obvious.
'Time to rally public opinion again.'
I nodded as if I understood completely.
"Right. I get it, it'll be tough. This time around, I'll go out the window once more..."
"Hey, I'll go."
Huh?
The Dolphin Supervisor raised her hand.
Supervisor! Overwhelming gratitude...
"But not alone. Supervisor, you jump out the window with me one more time."
"Uh-uh-uh?"
"H-Hey, are you okay..."
"Of course. I'm fine."
I was planning to anyway! It's nauseatingly creepy and stomach-turning, but what choice do I have...
"No other volunteers? Then I'll demonstrate once more."
"Yes! Uh, but could that guy go first before us?"
The Dolphin Supervisor casually pointed with both hands.
At the Butterfly Deputy.
"Senior first!"
Uwaaack!
"Hey, Deputy, you said you'd grant me one request. I'm using it now!"
"I didn't give it for a situation like this. But whatever, it's fine."
Surprisingly, Jin Na-sol the Deputy was calm. It looked like they'd discussed it beforehand.
"Should I go now?"
First Altar Entry
The surroundings had just turned red and dark.
Amid the frozen crowd reacting instinctively, the small, composed voice of Jin Na-sol the Deputy rang out.
"I don't like repeating myself."
Eek.
"Yes. Please close your eyes for a moment. I'll pass you the mark of permission..."
Pretending to shake hands with Jin Na-sol the Deputy, I stealthily slipped her the stick amid the darkness.
'Just stick it in.'
But before I could mouth it, Jin Na-sol the Deputy had already skillfully jabbed the Happy Maker into her arm, out of sight.
She must have guessed. ...That it was a painkiller item.
"Hmm."
Pok.
With a short sound, the medicine was sucked out from the stick embedded in her sleeve fabric, and the remaining stick naturally vanished inside.
"Feels pretty good?"
Jin Na-sol the Deputy grinned and immediately leaped back out the window.
"Eek!"
"Sh-She smiled as she went!"
And so, the first sacrifice voluntarily offered itself at the first altar.
The car's atmosphere was now fully excited.
No one called my companions suspicious anymore.
They were starting to want to believe.
'The sensation of things resolving is addictive...'
After that, it got dramatic enough for two more volunteers.
"M-Me!!"
"I'll go with you."
A couple sitting near the window. Having watched from the first round who fell and what conversations happened, they'd gained courage from the 'information value'.
But I didn't okay them right away.
"......"
I stared silently at them for a few seconds, as if gauging their essence.
Before long, the couple was waiting in a state of anticipation and tension, like they were taking an exam.
And after a moment.
"Yes. You two qualify."
"Ah...!!"
"As you enter the altar, close your eyes and extend your hands. I'll give you the mark."
The two rejoiced inadvertently, received cheers from around, and stood before the open window.
Second Altar Entry
And so, stealthily dosed with the powerful painkiller 'Happy Maker' amid the darkness, the couple held hands amiably and went out the open window.
Smooth. The scam was proceeding well...
'Way better than half of them going insane and throwing each other out the windows.'
Still, pulling off the con had cold sweat dripping down my back.
"No other volunteers? Then the supervisor and I will head out now. Everyone, keep your minds above all, and we'll meet back at the starting point shortly."
"A-Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes. Even one more time is no problem for me."
"...Ah!"
I really hate it, but gotta do it once more.
'Gotta differentiate.'
To keep drawing people, I had to emphasize what made me different. Showing I could jump out the window multiple times unscathed would be impressive.
Fortunately, the Dolphin Supervisor didn't back out.
"Take this too!"
"Ah, thank you."
"But..."
The Dolphin Supervisor looked up at me steadily.
"Do I qualify?"
"...Yes."
The nuance felt subtle.
Third Altar Entry
"B-Be careful!"
"See you shortly!"
In any case, I successfully drew cheers from the people and jumped out the window again with the Dolphin Supervisor.
Into the mad tunnel full of rotten flesh chunks.
"Hup!"
The Dolphin Supervisor landed with a roll, gasped in horror at the gruesome surroundings, grumbled, and dusted herself off.
"Ugh, so gross. What? Shut up. Ah, we just go that way? The light."
"Yes. Just walk, even if it's tough."
Having one more person made it much more comforting.
'...No voices either.'
That eerie voice telling to discard sins or come to Tamra was gone for some reason.
'Not crucial for escape anyway.'
I tilted my head and walked on.
Then, the Dolphin Supervisor spoke up casually.
"Hey, the reason I jumped with you... was actually to talk."
"Yes."
"You said something to the people. About protecting them from pain and all. Strictly speaking, it's not a lie, right? That's why."
"Yes. Just... adapted the conversation for crisis situations. A bit extreme, though."
"Hmm......"
The supervisor pondered, hand on chin, then blurted out.
"Hey, Supervisor."
"Yes."
"Do you know how many people suffer because of cults?"
She didn't frown or anything.
Just stared at me blankly.
Without even blinking.
"......"
Right.
The Dolphin Supervisor is an extreme personality supremacist...
'C-Cults might be a dealbreaker...!'
Salvage it!
I immediately spoke calmly.
"I know well. Actually, a colleague of mine got brainwashed by a cult and cut off contact."
This was true.
"That's why I thought we need to strike first."
"Hmm."
"In this situation, superstitions and cults are bound to spread. Unknown pain repeating endlessly makes people desperate for anything."
And real cases had cults emerging just like that.
'Of course, it's not just that—it's the only way to escape the darkness before everyone goes mad and blood starts spilling without casualties...'
Couldn't explain that logically, so I wrapped it up.
"Whatever, I chose this to minimize harm. ...I know it's extreme and weird."
"Hmmm......"
After three suffocating seconds.
"Well, you're right!"
Phew.
"You're just talking big, but actually finding a way to get everyone out with less pain and comfort, right?"
"Exactly."
"Good! I'll fully cooperate!"
The Dolphin Supervisor extended her hand like for a handshake.
And when I took it,
She yanked me in.
"But you can't exploit good people."
"......"
"Or I'll fight you, Supervisor."
"Of course. I'll keep that in mind."
"Yes! Great!"
I smiled and finished the handshake with the Dolphin Supervisor.
'I-I survived.'
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Fight an elite senior from the top intake class in this insane ghost story company amid rotten flesh? Why would I suicide like that? No way.
"From the vibe, looks like our car people are fully convinced?"
"Yeah."
Squelch squelch.
I answered as we walked toward the light exit.
"But we won't stop here."
The ultimate goal was...
"The majority of this train will 'believe' what I say."
At least 7 out of 8 cars.
Secure dominant public opinion.
Round 5.
The high-speed train passengers, repeating death and restarts so many times, were moving past panic into fatigue, resignation, and madness.
Cognition twisting, unable to think straight like normal.
And they'd heard it repeated several times during the loops.
"Something weird from the back cars... saying we're chosen, it's a test or whatever."
"...Sounds like cult talk. What test?"
"Said if we pass, we get transcendent powers?"
"The window jumpers all went crazy. But back car people say they jumped and are fine. Describing the scenery inside and all..."
"...For real? Nah, no way. No proof, right?"
But the act of responding revealed a desire for answers.
The unconscious hope that it was true.
"They say a 'forerunner' in car 7 is sharing escape methods."
"Says he'll help us all. That we all qualify."
As the whispers among the first-class passengers in car 3 grew louder.
"......"
The man in the front single seat.
Baek Saheon opened his eyes.
'Damn it all.'
Heading home on vacation, only to get trapped in this damned train ghost story and starve to death.
'No, wait...'
He thought of the new eye beneath his medical eyepatch and smirked confidently.
He could tell from the rough situation.
'Gotta keep throwing people out the window!'
So, throw about half, arrive at destination, done. Typical ghost story.
'Just hide without drawing attention.'
Cults popping up was predictable in these situations anyway.
In a small society full of stress in an emergency, humans do crazy things.
A train looping endlessly back to departure.
In inescapable extreme stress, words promising resolution draw ears inevitably.
Stuff you'd scoff at normally as 'no thanks to cults' becomes something to cling to—that's human nature!
'I just stay out of it quietly?'
Sit like a mouse, wait for them to throw themselves out and wreck everything until clear...
"H-Hey!!"
"...!"
The back got rowdy.
'Fight?'
No. Someone entered the car.
"It's them! The forerunner and car 7 people!"
Cult bastards.
'Note their faces for now.'
Baek Saheon casually turned to glance down the aisle... and spotted familiar faces.
"...!!"
'Elite team.'
A Team's Jin Na-sol Deputy and C Team's Yi Seong-hae Supervisor.
Two faces he'd memorized just in case from the company intranet appeared.
'Why the hell are they here?'
As he pondered if this train was a Daydream Corporation-managed darkness or something complicated.
"Attention!!"
Yi Seong-hae Supervisor shouted amid the cult group.
"Someone's here to share how to escape!"
She stepped aside, and from the door connecting to the back cars, one person walked in.
A suited office worker with an indifferent, chilly demeanor wearing an oddly serene smile...
Even more familiar face.
'...Kim Sol-eum!!'
"Everyone, don't worry."
Kim Sol-eum spread his arms with a gentle smile.
"All this is a great test, and you passengers are the chosen ones."
Fuck, fucking hell!!
That psychopath is the cult leader!!