Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Red Prince's Tragedy - 1
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I stared at the Family Net product list for a long time.
The screen displayed countless items neatly arranged. The UI was surprisingly intuitive, befitting a company that ostensibly presented itself as the world's fifth-largest pharmaceutical corporation.
As I slowly scrolled down, I scrutinized the description of each item.
Most products came with detailed effects, side effects, and even recommended usage instructions. Previous buyers' reviews were attached, much like product ratings on an e-commerce site.
'At this rate, it's better than Amazon.'
A laugh escaped me. For a place selling items related to ghost stories, it was far too systematic.
As I reviewed the products one by one, I narrowed down my options.
What I needed was survival. Immediate survival. It had to be an item that could provide instant help when facing a ghost story.
The 'Negative Absorption Tea Bags' caught my eye first. The tea-brewing form factor made it seem easy to carry. However, the problem was time. The time it took to brew the tea, drink it, and for the effect to manifest...
'Was there time to drink tea in the Monkey Dream or the Backrooms?'
The 'Shadow Sticker' was excluded for similar reasons. Theoretically, it could be a powerful weapon. If you stick it on an enemy's shadow, you can restrict their movement. But what about in a real fight?
'While being chased by a monster or a ghost, would I have the leeway to aim for its shadow?'
Furthermore, it was useless indoors or in dark places. Considering that most of the Foundation's ghost stories take place at night or indoors, buying this was practically a gamble.
Eventually, my gaze turned to the 'Emotion Spray Set.' Seven sprays shimmering with rainbow colors. The description stated that each color evoked a different emotion.
Red for anger, orange for vitality, yellow for joy, green for calm, blue for sadness, indigo for boredom, and purple for fear.
'If I just use the green one well...'
Especially the green 'Calm' stood out to me.
The most important thing when facing a ghost story is composure. No matter how dangerous the situation, if I can think calmly, I can find a way out.
The experience in the Backrooms came to mind. What saved me in the end was my calm judgment. Being able to avoid the Howler and find the Foundation's research facility to escape safely was all possible because I was in a calm state.
The second item I chose was 'Painkiller.' White pills in a transparent bottle. The description claimed it blocks all pain.
'This will be my last insurance.'
Even if a part of my body is severed or I sustain serious injuries, I can endure it with this one pill.
In this line of work where a moment of losing consciousness due to pain can lead to death, is there a more certain survival tool than this?
I checked the price.
『Emotion Spray Set』 - ₩10,000,000 『Painkiller』 - ₩10,000,000
= ₩20,000,000
Twenty million won. Coincidentally, it was half of the performance bonus I had just received.
'Is it fate?'
A bitter smile formed on my lips. I had never spent such a large sum of money at once. I wasn't this nervous even when transferring the deposit for my one-room apartment.
I opened the bank transfer screen. My fingers trembled. The sound of me tapping the smartphone keypad seemed unusually loud.
As soon as I pressed the send button, twenty million won was drained from my bank account in an instant. A receipt message arrived. The recipient's name was 'Foundation Family Net.'
About 20 minutes must have passed.
"Baek Jeong-woo sir, a delivery has arrived!"
A employee dressed as a delivery driver placed a box next to the partition. My name was clearly written on the black delivery box. The Foundation's logo shimmered faintly.
I carefully opened the box. The spray set was the first thing I saw. Seven glass bottles were arranged in rainbow order. Each bottle contained a liquid of the corresponding color, and the spray part was plated in silver.
Next to it was the Painkiller. The transparent bottle was full of white pills. As I lifted the bottle, the pills clinked together with a crisp sound.
The moment I opened the box, a strange scent wafted out. It was a sweet yet sharp, indescribable smell. It was as if old candy and disinfectant were mixed together.
"A delivery? Did you by any chance pay for Family Net with your bonus?"
Moon Jin-wook looked at me with a surprised expression. His voice was tinged with astonishment.
"It's better to be thoroughly prepared."
At my reply, Kang Ha-na, who was writing a report next to me, gave me a thumbs-up as if it wasn't surprising at all.
"As expected, the chief is on another level."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After work, I returned home, took a shower, and came out. Washing my body with warm water seemed to slightly relieve the tension that had built up throughout the day.
I sat on the bed and logged into the Ghost Story Gallery. I wanted to share what had happened today. It might be helpful to someone.
— Title: Went to 'Jack's Hamburger' lol
— Author: [Baekyaⓖ] — Content: Just as the title says. The Foundation bastards sent me to work right away without any break after we escaped the Backrooms. Damn, it's not called black for nothing. Still, I got 40 million won as a bonus and life allowance. Used it to buy items from Family Net. Any thoughts?
As soon as I posted the article, comments started pouring in. As expected, the reactions of the Ghost Story Gallery users were quick.
— AnalogueLoverⓖ
Wow damn lol 40 million won for one ghost story trip? That's actually worth considering seriously.
↳ Baekyaⓖ
Fr, after receiving it, I even had a momentary delusion that the Foundation wasn't such a bad company lol. Financial treatment is S-tier lol
I laughed without realizing it. The financial treatment was good, but it was a job that came with an equal amount of risk.
It would be fine if you could think it's worth it even after seeing people's flesh ripped off and blood splattering.
— Cryptidⓖ
What items did you buy? You didn't buy stuff like the uncapped Welch's or the time-distortion potion, right?
↳ Baekyaⓖ
Bought the Emotion Spray Set and a bottle of Painkiller. Both are crazy expensive. Combined, it's 20 million won, that's insane. But I figured these would help with conquering ghost stories, so I bought them.
↳ Cryptidⓖ
In that case, you bought well. S-tier.
My shoulders felt a bit lifted by Cryptid's acknowledgment. If he, a veteran of the Catastrophe Foundation's archives (other than anomalous creatures), acknowledged my choice, it was proof that I wasn't wrong.
— Jjolmyeon500wonⓖ
You didn't quit the Foundation after escaping the Backrooms? Your heart is really something else lol scary.
This comment made me laugh.
It's because I'm more of a scaredy-cat than someone with a strong heart. It's just not obvious on the surface.
The reason I bought the items this time is precisely because I'm a scaredy-cat, so I prepare more thoroughly.
— Baekyaⓖ
You should join the field investigation team too lol. They pay you for conquering ghost stories.
↳ Jjolmyeon500wonⓖ
No way, are you crazy? Why would I join there?
As expected, a firm refusal.
The survival rate of the field investigation team within the Foundation is less than 15% within a year. It was only natural for Jjolmyeon500won to react this way.
— Hikikomoriⓖ
So, what ghost story are you entering next?
↳ Baekyaⓖ
I'm still a newbie, so I don't know... But they probably won't give me something as hard as the Backrooms.
↳ Hikikomoriⓖ
I see... Wishing you luck, fighting.
'Luck...'
I put down my smartphone and looked up at the ceiling. Does wishing for luck on conquering a ghost story even work? Still, on the other hand, it was a comforting word.
I lay down on the bed, but sleep didn't come easily. What kind of ghost story would be waiting for me tomorrow?
Thinking about this and that, I eventually fell asleep.
Fortunately, I didn't have a nightmare today.
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The next morning.
As soon as I arrived at the office, Kang Ha-na came over with a tablet.
"It's a simple task today."
Her voice was tinged with a brighter tone than usual. Was it because of yesterday's performance? Her gaze towards me had softened considerably.
"You just need to watch one play at the K-Culture Art Center in Hyehwa Station. It's a work called 'Boy A'."
"A play?"
"Yes. It's E-rank, and there's a manual. It only induces a bit of stress and nightmares for the audience."
E-rank, that was a relief. It meant there was no threat to my life, unlike high-risk ghost stories like the Monkey Dream or the Backrooms.
Kang Ha-na continued her explanation as she flipped through the tablet.
"From what I've heard from the audience, it's on the level of a typical horror movie. Still, we need regular monitoring..."
Moon Jin-wook added from the side.
"In case of any irregularities, we need to check them."
I rummaged through my memories, aided by the effects of the Ruminative Thought Enhancement Serum. There were many ghost stories related to plays, but there was definitely no ghost story with the title 'Boy A'.
'Maybe it's a new ghost story that appeared as the Ghost Story Gallery became reality.'
It was possible that new ghost stories, which weren't in the original, had appeared as the Ghost Story Gallery synced with reality.
Maybe this could be more dangerous. If it's an unknown ghost story, we have no way of knowing how to deal with it.
My palms became damp. The Emotion Spray in my pocket felt heavy.
I got into Moon Jin-wook's car. The passenger seat was worn out, making a unique leather sound every time I sat down. Moon Jin-wook, holding the steering wheel, looked relaxed.
"There's no need to be nervous. You just have to watch the play and come back."
As we headed for Hyehwa Station, I thought to myself.
'Well, it'll be fine.'
Compared to witnessing flesh being torn off on the subway, being chased by an anomalous creature, and pulling an all-nighter with dolls, watching a single play felt like a blessing.
When we arrived at the K-Culture Art Center, several audience members were already lining up. Mostly young people in their teens and twenties.
It seemed 'Boy A' was a play that had gained a reputation among fans.
'These people have no idea.'
They were buying tickets, unaware that this play was not a simple performance but a ghost story.
Maybe that's for the best. According to Kang Ha-na, the side effects of this ghost story were just a bit of stress and nightmares.
We received our tickets at the entrance and entered the auditorium. It was a small theater with 300 seats. Red velvet seats were lined up, and a chandelier hung from the ceiling. It was a typical small theater.
"Let's sit here."
Moon Jin-wook pointed to a seat in the middle row. About half of the seats were already filled.
'I hope nothing happens.'
I fiddled with the Emotion Spray and Painkiller in my work bag, along with a bag of bread.
In case of an emergency, I placed the green spray at the very front. I would need composure the most inside the ghost story.
As soon as I sat down, the curtain rose with the bell signaling 1 PM.
However, something was off from the very first scene. I had heard it was a modern play, but a huge sailing ship appeared on stage out of the blue.
Murmurs could be heard from the audience, and Moon Jin-wook frowned.
"Was there a sailing ship in this play originally?"
At those words, I instinctively knew that the props on stage were wrong.
Soon, a mysterious figure wearing a red crown and draped in cloth appeared on stage.
'Wait, what did you say?'
A red crown.
A mysterious figure draped in cloth.
A completely different play, not in the script.
My body froze in an instant.
I knew this keyword.
Foundation code CTP-3201.
Commonly known as 'The Tragedy of the Red Prince'.
A B-rank ghost story that once sparked debate over whether it should be upgraded to S-rank due to the numerous victims it produced, and for which there are currently no official survivors.
Related information came pouring in, thanks to the effects of the Ruminative Thought Enhancement Serum.
I need to get out of this theater right now...!
"A long, long time ago, in a kingdom far, far away from the center of the Earth..."
The moment I tried to stand up, the narration on stage began.
"……."
The play had officially begun.