Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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In one corner of the locker room deep within the theme park ghost story, a small stuffed doll spoke and moved its limbs.
Just reading that sentence would make anyone faint dead away.
Except that I'd created this situation myself.
"Friend?"
The stuffed doll flailed atop the vanished yellow luggage locker.
"Ah."
Only then did it sink in.
That I'd succeeded in inviting my "good friend" into the doll!
The problem was that the invited guest was someone I knew. No, a monster I knew.
'The host...!'
The monster with the TV for a head from the Tuesday Quiz Show ghost story.
I swallowed hard, recalling the final scene from my escape from that insane ghost story.
"...Pleased to see you again, Host. How have you been?"
-Haha, likewise! I fondly remember how brilliantly you shone in the quiz show, Mr. Deer. How have you been? As for me...
-Me...
Silence.
-I... don't quite remember. Hm... yeah. I've been well. I hosted the talk show.
The voice coming from the stuffed doll had grown faint somewhere, but soon regained its strength and friendliness.
-The important thing is that we've met again!
"...Yes."
It felt like some supernatural pressure and terror had been muffled under a haze just before bursting out.
'...Because it's a good friend?'
It seemed the stuffed doll and the ritual were playing some kind of controlling role.
Still, I had to be cautious.
"Um, Host. I have a question."
-Go ahead, friend. Oh, and between friends, that kind of title feels a bit distant!
-Just call me Brown, Mr. Deer! Drop the honorifics and all that awkward stuff!
"...Right. Yes. Brown."
Yeah. Even a TV-headed monster living in a ghost story would have a name...
Anyway, the main issue was urgent. I spoke as politely as possible.
"Actually, I'm trying to leave the theme park right now, but I can't find the way out."
-Oh dear! Theme parks are famous for their complex layouts and confusing paths too. Don't worry. I'm great at finding my way!
"...It's not that I'm lost. The mascots have sealed the exit gates."
The stuffed doll fell silent for a moment, as if at a loss for words.
-Well, uh... that's quite the unique situation, isn't it?
A pretty human reaction.
I gave a brief rundown of the theme park's structure and what had happened.
The teams and zones divided by color, and even the rampaging mascots.
The doll lying on the floor crossed its arms neatly.
-Hm. What diva mascots! There are types like that in the broadcasting world too.
-But one that didn't appear is bothering me.
One that didn't appear?
I reflexively thought of it.
"...The yellow mascot?"
The final mascot, mentioned only in the attractions, with no trace left behind.
-Exactly! The yellow flower, right? Do you know where it is?
"...!"
Right.
'We found the blue mascot's zone, so the yellow one's zone might be somewhere too...!'
If I find it and exit through that gate...
-It's probably already dead, though.
......
"Pardon?"
The yellow mascot?
"Wouldn't there be a botanical garden or greenhouse? It's a flower, after all..."
-Come on, Mr. Deer, you already know that.
The friendly voice whispered.
-Didn't you say it yourself? That the yellow team woke up on the outskirts of the blue zone.
"...!"
-If there had been a yellow zone, the yellow team would have woken up there. Wasn't that the rule?
"...You're right."
The rule is to wake up in the zone matching the color of the long-term pass you drew. But the yellow team couldn't.
Does that mean... there really was no yellow zone?
I thought it over.
And after a moment, I opened my mouth.
"......I've figured out what to do."
I need to check.
-Oh? What is it? Together...
The stuffed doll flailed as if trying to stand, but toppled over flat with a flop.
-Ahem. Mr. Deer, could you help me up?
I cautiously approached and lifted the "good friend" keychain onto my palm.
A warmth like body heat seeped in.
-Hard to keep my balance. It'll take a bit to adjust... but don't worry. I'm a very capable being!
Sure you are.
I hesitated, then slipped the stuffed doll into my suit's front pocket.
The doll dramatically raised one hand.
-Alright, let's go! ...By the way, where are we headed?
A place that could serve as a guide.
A spot always found in large public facilities.
"The information booth."
Of course, there were exploration records noting an information booth in Jolly Theme Park too. It had pretty much everything a typical amusement park would.
'The problem is it couldn't be used normally...'
It could give basic info like nearby attraction locations.
But if the request got complicated or involved material demands, this happened.
'Meaning no dice with just a ride ticket.'
Though treated as a guest, it was a subtle hint that this place wasn't really for you, creating an eerie vibe...
'Lucky for me, I've got a membership pass right here on my arm.'
In fact, the moment the ride ticket turned into a membership pass, several "members only" exploration records had come to mind.
Special souvenir shops, restaurants, separate attraction entrances without lines.
But there was a solid reason I'd avoided them.
'Interaction with mascots.'
I had no idea what horrific outcome might come from contacting those gate-sealing crazy mascots alone without info...
'Just imagining it is dizzying.'
But now I had a monster buddy to sound the crisis alarm, so time to check it out.
"Brown. If the person I'm talking to seems offended or about to harm me, will you let me know?"
-Of course! Not hard at all!
The stuffed doll replied cheerfully, then swiftly demonstrated some hand signals. As expected of a mass media pro—quick and efficient.
And soon after.
-Over there. Oh, looks pretty fancy...
I approached the information booth, listening to my "good friend" chatter. It was made of opaque blue glass and white partitions.
As I drew near, the partition opened, revealing the blue mascot's face.
A blue dragon in uniform.
"Hello. I'd like to see a map of the place."
The blue mascot waved happily, then quickly handed over a high-quality catalog.
A convenient map marking various attractions, restaurants, and amenities of "Blue Dream Waterpark."
"Members Only" was printed at the top.
I looked up at the blue mascot.
"Thank you."
It seemed somehow proud.
"Is there one that shows the entire zone?"
Screech.
The blue mascot froze.
Don't, don't flinch.
"As you probably know, I came over from the red zone without proper procedure. To avoid any mistakes... I'd rather not go back near there."
I asked in as calm and polite a tone as possible.
"Where does the red zone border this area, from where to where?"
A short silence.
The mascot reached out.
여 기 부 터
여 기 까 지
Riiip. The mascot's claw tore the catalog map I held.
Along the eastern edge, riiiip.
'So the blue zone's east directly borders the red zone's west...'
But... too scary.
My hands holding the torn catalog were trembling like crazy...!
'Spare me.'
You won't cleave me in half with those claws too, right?
The moment the mascot lifted its claw from the map, I hurriedly nodded in thanks.
Next topic!
"Thank you. In that case..."
Tap tap.
"...!"
-Shh.
The doll in my front pocket lightly thumped my chest twice.
...This means.
'The other side looks unhappy.'
......So this is as far as it goes!
I switched gears immediately, bowing politely without further questions.
"Yes. I won't go near the red zone."
The blue dragon stayed still for a moment, then nodded.
It rummaged in its pouch and handed me another "Blue Soda Churros" bag.
"Thank you."
The blue dragon tapped my bracelet, then withdrew its arm.
Shrrk.
The information booth partition smoothly closed.
"......"
'Whew.'
Done.
I clutched my pounding heart and bowed my head.
It was terrifying, like I might die...
-He's smiling, my friend! Feeling good? Did you find what you wanted?
I figured it out.
"Yes."
I looked up and started running.
"Now we just need to move."
I could have saved time with more questions to the mascot, but safety first—time to use the most reliable method.
My own feet.
'Hurry.'
Only a few hours left.
I glanced at the darkening sky over the theme park.
Several hours later.
The sun had set.
"Huff."
I'd been running nonstop.
My legs trembled after combing half the massive water park.
-Mr. Deer, you look exhausted.
"I'm fine."
The stuffed doll asked sympathetically.
-Guess it's time I asked. Where exactly are we heading?
I wiped the sweat beading on my chin and answered.
"The yellow zone."
-Oho!
-We all agreed there's no "yellow zone," but what's made you change your mind?
"Not changing my mind. I still think there's no yellow zone now."
But.
"There probably was one in the past."
I lowered the map and looked ahead.
First off.
"It wouldn't have bordered the red zone directly back then."
East: forest, north: entrance, south: cliff, west: blue zone.
'The terrain fits perfectly, no gaps.'
In that case...
"It bordered somewhere in the blue zone. There must have been a connecting passage."
Excluding north (former entrance) and east (red border).
Left with...
-So you've been combing west and south like this? Haha!
Correct.
Unlike the red zone, no mascots chasing to kill me here, so this brute-force method worked.
And finally, in the northwest corner, behind the restroom flower bed.
A rugged dirt path leading up the mountain, like a closed hiking trail.
-Hm. Definitely looks like it was open as a passage before.
Problem is, crossing it would almost certainly violate theme park rules.
I checked the sign, then stepped back out from behind the restroom and scanned the surroundings.
My eyes met a mascot standing in front of a children's attraction in the distance.
-Worried about that mascot?
"Yes. If I cross into the no-entry zone, it'll definitely notice..."
-Then don't get caught!
"......"
Easier said than done...
-Come on, chin up. It's not hard!
-I've got your back. Your friend.
The "good friend"'s voice took on a sly edge.
Its signature confidence, cunning, and friendliness came to the fore.
-I'll help. First... take me out of your front pocket for a sec!
I did as told.
The doll sitting on my palm pointed at me with its hand.
I flinched for a moment. Remembering the incineration from the Tuesday Quiz Show.
But this time was different.
A dull snapping sound rang out from the fingerless doll's hand.
In that instant.
A strange, heavy shadow draped over me.
"...!"
Now I was dim, sunken...
-Now... it won't notice. Let's go.
The "good friend" Brown's voice sounded faintly tired.
"This is..."
-I've turned off your spotlight, Mr. Deer.
-We promised in the show not to care about people out of the lights, right?
Apparently, "incineration" wasn't the host's only ability.
'He controlled the entire studio filming...'
A chill ran through me as I looked down at the doll, but I realized escape came first.
"Then let's move."
-Perfect!
I returned behind the restroom and stood before the closed trail.
And crossed the no-entry sign.
"......"
Nothing happened.
"Thanks..."
-Save the praise, let's move first!
I nearly teared up from genuine gratitude.
I climbed the steep trail at my max speed. Almost scrambling.
Broken plastic shards and decorations crunched under my hands and feet amid the dirt.
-Definitely something was here before.
I pushed harder.
Up, further up...
And finally, the path's end.
Thud.
I planted my foot and stood.
From the hilltop, I looked down.
It was...
-A resort.
A massive resort sprawled beside the dark seaside.
...Some famous franchise theme parks ran equally huge lodging facilities, right?
Overwhelming just to look at, but...
A dead facility.
The golden-glowing resort must have once seemed like a dream spot. Now it was worn, paint peeling, desolate.
I gazed at the cracked sign with the yellow flower beaming happily.
And below it, a familiar but bulkier machine.
-The resort entrance has a gate too!
"Yes."
Figured. The path back from theme park to resort was a kind of exit.
'Found it...!'
Forgetting my fatigue, I ran again. The shadow over me whooshed away, speeding my steps.
-Hm. But the gate here's dark too. Think it'll work?
"Of course."
I checked the old gate machine, opened the emergency panel.
Just like at the attractions.
And fed it emergency power.
Vrrr.
Squeaking, lights flickered on sporadically across the gate machine.
'Couldn't do it with mascots watching hawk-eyed.'
This much I could handle blindfolded.
I stood before the least-damaged gate lighting up.
Catch my breath.
Final check.
"Brown. If I use this membership pass to enter the resort, will I have to... use the facilities there?"
-Haha! That rundown dump? Looks long abandoned. Ownerless land now. Not theme park—just dirt!
Thanks for the sharp, spot-on assessment, buddy.
I pressed my membership pass to the gate immediately.
Beep.
The old machine read it.
Ding. Lights flashed.
Done.
As I shivered and stepped forward...
-Oh, it's chasing.
I turned.
Far off, a blue figure crawling up the trail.
'...Mascot!'
The blue dragon!
The uniformed mascot from the gate closed in at terrifying speed... then stopped.
It was...
sobbing.
"......"
-Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it's the drama lead. Let's get out quick!
Something felt off.
'This screams grudge foreshadowing.'
Holding a grudge against a ghost story entity? No good could come of it.
I hesitated, then rummaged in my pocket for what remained.
This flat cookie item I'd never used.
I lightly tossed the paper-wrapped cookie to the mascot.
......
-Mr. Deer, you're too kind...
No.
'Anyway, I gave it to you, Dragon.'
Confirming the mascot caught the cookie, I crossed the gate.
Escaping the ghost story.
As the world spun, a faint "good friend" voice echoed.
-Mm, strength returning now! I can move...
I opened my eyes.
I realized I was sitting in the empty, dark 17th-floor Lab Team 1 conference room in central Seoul.
'...I survived.'
Escape successful!
"Ha!!"
Electric relief shot through me from head to toe. I jumped up.
'No one's here?'
Hours had passed; everyone must have left the conference room. First, call and let them know I escaped too...
Huh?
I looked at my wrist.
The bracelet was still there.
"What the—"
And it ignited.
"...!"
The ride ticket form vanished in an instant.
But something remained.
Right where the pass had been, black text etched into my wrist.
What the hell is this?