Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Even in Ghost Stories, Gotta Clock In
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Foreman Park Minseong stifled a sigh as he sat down next to the sofa in the terrace room where he'd been hiding.
'This is taking too long.'
It had been over 70 minutes since Kim Sol-eum had gone down with his fellow new hires.
He'd said it might take this long, but at the same time, Kim Sol-eum had also hinted at what to do if neither he nor the others returned after two hours...
-...You don't have to wait or come looking for us.
Meaning, if things went south, just leave him behind.
'Should've just gone with them.'
Park Minseong stifled another sigh.
Even in a cutthroat place like Daydream Corporation, some Field Exploration Teams had strong camaraderie depending on the squad. D Squad was particularly tight-knit.
Even Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je was showing faint signs of distress as she sighed and tweaked the makeshift map of the darkness spread out on the sofa.
'...Deer, I was hoping you'd stick with our squad even after your probation ends.'
First things first, they had to get out of here safely.
Park Minseong felt a bit down, but he had something to rely on.
'Squad Leader Lee Jaheon approved it.'
That meant the item really seemed useful.
He had no idea where the new hire had gotten it, but occasionally, people like that joined up.
People who'd already been tangled up in urban legends and ghost stories before getting hired.
'Is that his case?'
Should he call it strong bad luck?
Even for the Field Exploration Team, deploying new hires into dangerous darkness like this was a once-a-year rarity at best.
But thinking about Kim Sol-eum getting thrown into one after another starting from the theme park made tears well up...
'At least he's racking up points properly.'
Park Minseong stifled a sigh and glanced toward the terrace door.
There stood a figure who looked utterly calm, in stark contrast to his own troubled heart.
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
He was standing stock-still right by the terrace door.
Probably timing it with his eerily precise biological clock.
And once the countdown ended, he'd move according to plan without hesitation.
Park Minseong just hoped that plan wasn't premised on "New hire Kim Sol-eum's survival is hopeless, so exclude him from the escape."
'No, better if Deer comes back first...'
Outside was brutally quiet, save for the occasional screams.
'No footsteps.'
If Deer had finished the job, he'd hear the quiet footsteps of three people first...
"...!?"
Park Minseong shot to his feet.
He saw Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je reflexively stand up beside him.
The new D Squad hire they'd been waiting for.
Kim Sol-eum's voice.
It was definitely Deer.
And for this extraordinary new hire, pulling off something like an announcement broadcast with some clever method wasn't all that surprising...
But.
What were the odds that something inhuman was mimicking Kim Sol-eum?
"......"
The two D Squad members exchanged glances before deferring judgment to the final authority.
Their squad leader, who judged with cold precision and ghostly instincts in these matters.
"......"
Lee Jaheon had heard the "announcement" more clearly than anyone, right by the terrace door.
He stared into space as if deep in thought, then declared:
"We're moving."
I finally finished repeating the message six times.
Floors 1 through 6.
'That should cover everyone on the ground levels.'
I'd debated just doing D Squad's floor, but Go Yeongeun had enthusiastically agreed.
-If you can do that, we have to save whoever we can!
A very doctorly response.
But from here on, it was up to their judgment.
'I skipped the company intro just in case, but I did slip in some Field Exploration Team terms...'
They might still suspect and not come out.
And if they ran into that floor's guide machine on the stairs by bad luck, nothing to be done.
Losing a limb or two was better than getting trapped in this mad exhibition as a human maggot and dying.
'It'll also split up any guides heading for D Squad.'
I cleared my throat.
"Ah, ah."
Brown helpfully released his power, and the strange resonance in my throat and lungs faded.
'Thanks.'
-Gratitude is always music to my ears!
Brown sounded a bit tired but replied cheerfully.
But from the side came an irritated voice, full of disbelief.
"Why waste points? The more who escape, the less points per person."
Another nasty personality outburst.
And clueless to boot.
"Idiot? You think there aren't veteran employees who can find the exit on their own without newbie help?"
"...!"
Employees with well-matched items and gear, or naturally talented ones—several could escape solo.
Even checking Darkness Exploration Records showed 7 escapes were guaranteed, so per-person points would be under 1/8 regardless.
Meaning big points from this ghost story were off the table.
But instead of explaining, I just grinned.
"Gotta take credit now to make company life fun later... Plus, observe the reactions."
"......"
Baek Saheon turned away with a disgusted look.
'Got a conscience?'
After your comment, I should be the one reacting. Sociopath in this ghost story world.
But worried Go Yeongeun might be freaked out too, I called to her.
"Mountain Goat."
"......"
"Mountain Goat?"
"...One sec. Did you just call me?"
"...!"
No way.
"...Looks like that noise is starting to fade out."
"......"
I glanced at Go Yeongeun's ear, hidden under her hair—now just an empty, sewn-shut spot.
No clue what they'd stuffed in there, but the loaned hearing device was failing.
In a very short time.
'Of all the timing...'
"It's not totally gone yet. And plenty of candle left, so we can move carefully."
"Got it."
I lightly tapped Go Yeongeun's shoulder to signal more clearly.
She flinched a bit but then resolutely started down the stairs...
Baek Saheon urgently said,
"Let me carry that item. Hand it over."
"What if Mountain Goat accidentally looks back?"
"......"
Baek Saheon shut up.
We began descending the six-floor staircase in tense silence.
Thud. Thud.
Only our footsteps echoed through the stairwell.
No one seemed to have bolted out after hearing my broadcast yet...
"Excuse me."
Go Yeongeun called.
"Yes."
"......"
Can't hear?
"Hey, you're there, right?"
I gently tapped her back. Baek Saheon grudgingly patted her shoulder.
"Ah... Thanks."
Go Yeongeun gripped the candle tightly with both hands again, relieved.
Down the stairs once more.
Thud. Thud.
After what felt like an eternity of silence...
We reached the 1st floor.
Creeeak...
Guide machine noises rang out from all directions, moving along their routes.
One passed right by us... dragging away dead human maggots.
"...Now to the spiral stairs."
"Yes."
Go Yeongeun's voice got louder.
As if she couldn't adjust volume since she could barely hear.
'Almost there, should be fine.'
Instead, I stayed calm and cautious, ears perked for quick reactions.
I think it was the right call.
The problem? Crises don't care about your prep.
Like when you're hyper-focused on listening, and some unrelated obstacle pops up.
"Huh?"
The person ahead vanished from sight.
Looking down, I saw Go Yeongeun tripping.
Something shiny slid under her foot.
Telescopic lens.
A transparent loaned item that had fallen from a corpse the guide was dragging rolled perfectly between us...
Thud.
I grabbed Go Yeongeun.
But her arm, already hitting the floor, sent the candle flying.
"No...!"
I snatched and tossed it to Baek Saheon reflexively.
Too late.
The candle went out.
"......"
"......Hah."
The guide machine turned toward us.
Whoosh.
Metal blade incoming.
"Eek."
I rolled aside. A sharp gasp came from nearby.
The guide set down its corpse and raised the gas lamp to shine on us.
Confirming we were all fare-dodgers.
Then the needle-like appendage on its upper abdomen shot out again, reprioritizing.
Starting with the nearest eyes...
"Deer."
A familiar voice.
"Duck."
I reflexively shoved my two colleagues' heads down and dropped flat.
Bang.
Metal clashed overhead, sparks flying.
"...!"
Manager Lee Jaheon.
The insanely strong Field Exploration employee mercilessly deflected the guide's needle.
Ting.
The broken needle tip flew off and embedded in the corridor wall. The guide screeched with friction, joints twisting.
This is insane.
'That thing could break?'
Manager Lee Jaheon withdrew his gloved hand. No way it didn't shatter his bones too.
In his grip was something metallic, like brass knuckles...
Terrace doorknob.
"...!"
An alarm blared in my head. That...
'Exhibition damage.'
All disturbances, theft, damage to exhibits, etc., within the exhibition hall are immediately penalized by guides, with corresponding fines collected.
He'd even smashed a guide machine.
Even if they treated it as a civil matter in the exhibition, politely demanding apology and compensation fees...
One thing was certain.
Overwhelming priority on guide machines.
Not just this one, but every guide in the area...
"Squad Leader."
"Yes."
"Run."
I launched myself forward.
Screech, squeak, zzzt, zzt, kick, screeech, creeeak...
The damaged guide moved more aggressively than ever.
My colleagues sprinted madly beside me. The Lizard manager... wait!
"Squad Leader!!"
"Yes."
"Don't fight—run!"
'Even if Lizard Manager's super strong as a joke, he can't smash every guide here!'
Just imagining the fallout from escalating chaos made me dizzy.
'...Darkness Exploration Records even censored it!!'
I didn't want to picture how the redacted parts played out in reality.
Screeech.
'Fuck!'
Another guide blocked the path to the stairs.
No, another one.
"Urk!"
I dove between slashing needles. Burning pain flared in my arm.
Even running, primal instinct told me.
'Caught.'
Impossible for human limits.
Guaranteed caught and fined before 0th floor.
Chills ran down my back.
'...What now?'
Out of breath. Oxygen-starved brain wouldn't turn.
Resignation set in instead.
'This long... not bad, right?'
Thoughts slowing, sounds layering across floors? Footsteps buzzed in my ears.
Like dozens running...
Wait.
"...?!"
I realized.
Footsteps weren't echoing extra.
Actual headcount increased.
Not two, but at least ten pairs of footsteps.
-Deer, looks like people who heard your brilliant announcement and seized the chance!
"...!"
Field Exploration Team employees.
The spectators who'd been watching rushed the spiral stairs amid the chaos.
It had an unexpected effect.
Guides faltered, recalculating priorities between duties and distances to fare-dodgers.
Unpaid people bolted everywhere.
"Hurry!"
In that gap, we gritted our teeth and hurled toward the stairs.
Creeeeeak.
We pumped our legs like mad.
As the eerie sounds closed in behind...
The stairs ended, revealing a silver hall.
Lobby.
And... the front door!
"Go!"
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je and Foreman Park Minseong held the door.
We sprinted like hell.
My feet hit the entrance just as the bosses dove through.
I tumbled in after.
Running till blood filled my mouth, the moment I passed the light-filled exit...
"Hoo!!"
I opened my eyes.
Clean fluorescent ceiling lights.
A moderately wide, modern hallway.
Company 31st floor, conference room ahead.
Escaped.
"Ha......"
I collapsed in the hallway.
People burst from the conference room, but I had no mental or physical energy left.
Wrung dry to the last drop, my dazed mind rang with...
An alarm.