Arrival Station
Right Answer Station ➝ Arrival Station
This chapter contains illustrations that may be frightening.
We recommend viewing this chapter on mobile rather than PC.
And so, Kang Yul.
"N-no...! I don't want to be erased...!"
BANG—!
Thud...
The spirits of Right Answer Station.
"Why! Why! Why does a gun work on a spirit?!"
BANG—!
Thud...
For a brief moment, he was granting them "peaceful rest" with his Muggle's Magic Wand (Physical).
"Go! Hurry up and g—!!!"
BANG—!
Thud...
...The doors are closing.
Just as the last spirit — the one that had been farthest away — had willed with its dying breath, the train closed its doors and began to advance toward the next station.
Kang Yul watched the scenery of Right Answer Station recede into the distance, then, in the interest of subway etiquette, returned to his seat beside the two team leaders.
Of course.
Ah, but a mass shooting on the subway is a little (?) controversial, isn't it?
As is typical of the animal known as man, it was only after he sat down that he found himself deeply regretting the impulsive act he had just committed. Even so, Kang Yul believed there was a reasonably justified cause for his actions.
They kept whispering at me like a broken record — "Get off the boat... no, get off the train. Kang Yul." — so drawing a gun first is only natural, right...?
Think about it. If an accident occurs between "a person carrying a firearm" and "a person who provoked the person carrying a firearm," whose responsibility is greater?
Obviously the latter.
If this were Korea twenty years ago, the verdict would have been, "Anyway, you're the one who pulled the trigger!" bang-bang-bang— "Guilty!"
But in today's Korea, the occurrence of supernatural phenomena had made the right to possess weapons for the protection of one's life, property, and fundamental liberties a basic right. In other words, if you did something that deserved getting shot, even the courts typically went, "This bastard died of natural causes. Why'd you even bring this in? Next case!" and moved on.
That being the case, Kang Yul concluded that he had reasonable grounds for the mass shooting he had just committed, and that the incident therefore did not constitute disorder, rioting, or interference with operations inside the cabin. However....
...It'll be fine, right?
To be honest, he was a little... no, to put it bluntly, he was considerably terrified. As time passed and his head gradually cooled, a thought had begun to form in one corner of his mind: Is this even an incident I can talk my way out of?
And the biggest problem of all was—
What if the other team leaders get caught up in this...?
Kang Yul couldn't bear to look them in the eye, knowing they might suffer for his impulsive actions... or so he thought.
"Ah, that just now? Don't worry. I don't know about anyone else, but the newbie'll probably be fine."
"I believe Hunter Kang Yul will be fine."
Unexpectedly, the two team leaders seated on either side of him did not scold him for what he had done. If anything, they continued in voices thick with conviction that an incident of this magnitude, at least where Kang Yul was concerned, did not fall under the category of Disruptive Passenger.
"Look, you've got a relic in the shape of a gun, right? Regular people don't mess with someone carrying a firearm, so the conductor probably won't either. This place is modeled after the Korean subway, after all."
Team Leader Oh swallowed back the words that had risen all the way to the tip of her tongue: And you're a goddamn impossible monster. They probably don't want to pick a fight with you either.
"If you remain concerned, inquiring with a conductor on patrol would also be a viable option."
Team Leader Myo, likewise, swallowed back the words that had risen all the way to the tip of her tongue: In truth, the time at which a conductor should have reached this car has long since passed. It is my assessment that they are deliberately avoiding us.
At any rate.
"Is that so...? That's a real relief..."
"What, you thought you'd caused an incident and got scared?"
"...Honestly, I was pretty terrified that you two would get caught up in it too."
"Had the situation been one that would cause problems, we would have stopped you first."
"Ah... I suppose that's true."
From there until the next station, the two team leaders continued to soothe their newbie (monster). And as it happened, Kang Yul's pistol became the topic of conversation, and various remarks were exchanged.
"More importantly, newbie. A relic in the form of a pistol? That's a pretty rare thing you've got."
"Aren't modern weapons made from byproducts pretty common?"
"Those are mass-produced gear for low-risk Gates. Comparing them to a relic like that pistol of yours would be an insult."
"Is that so...?"
Kang Yul had known it was a good item, but the look on his face as he stared at the pistol said he hadn't imagined it was that good. Team Leader Myo pointed at the gun and explained.
"Hunter Kang Yul. Relics are typically born when supernatural phenomena take root in old objects. For that reason, modern equipment that remains effective even in high-risk Gates is worth whatever the seller asks."
"Then this gun... how much would it be worth, exactly...?"
"It is difficult to estimate its value. But if I had to put a figure on it, it is a relic for which collectors would hand over a blank check."
"!"
It was at this moment that Kang Yul realized his Muggle's Magic Wand was far more remarkable than he had thought. So much so that he resolved, once he got home, to send the Favorable Merchant a lengthy love confession... no, a lengthy note with every ounce of his gratitude packed tightly into it.
Of course, in order to send such a note, he would first need to get out of this Gate in one piece.
Ding-dong—
Our train will shortly arrive at Arrival, Arrival Station.
Passengers whose destination is "Arrival," please check once more that you have not left any belongings behind.
Please note that "Arrival" on our train is only possible at this station. Passengers whose destination is "Arrival" must disembark at this station.
Additionally, disorder, rioting, and interference with operations inside the cabin are strictly prohibit...
...Upon review, VVIP Guests have been confirmed as exempt.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our VVIP Guests for riding with us.
We wish you a pleasant commute today.
"...Hey. I've lived a long time, but this is the first time I've ever seen an anomaly tailor itself to an individual."
"It would appear we need not worry about being classified as Disruptive Passengers while aboard this train."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Our newbie's the best, that's all."
"Not ours. He is my direct subordinate."
"???"
And so, though he didn't quite understand the details — after hearing the team leaders' explanation that he had, more or less, obtained something resembling VVIP status thanks to his Muggle's Magic Wand (Physical) —
"Newbie. This next station's a little ominous, so be careful."
"Hunter Kang Yul. Please take care not to act rashly at this station."
"Ah, yes, ma'am."
Cowed by the two team leaders' sharp reactions, Kang Yul couldn't bring himself to ask, VVIP...? There's no way that's possible...? And with good reason. The moment he noticed the bizarre platform flickering into view beyond the window, he too instinctively understood that this station was dangerous, just as the two team leaders had warned.
RUMBLE— RUMBLE—!
RUMBLE— RUMBLE—!
Rumble... rumble...
SCREEEEEEECH...!
The train's speed gradually fell as it rolled onto the platform, and an ominous light seeped into the cabin. Then it came to a complete stop, and the interior was dyed entirely in red.
A moment later, the announcement played and the doors opened, revealing the bizarre landscape of the platform beyond.
The doors are opening.
Ding—!
You have discovered Rush Hour Express (Arrival Station).
Exploration rate has increased.
Partial Gate information has been revealed.
ㆍThe entire platform is bathed in red lighting, and every object inside the station takes on a crimson hue.
ㆍThe moment the train enters the platform, a gentle warmth seeps into the cabin, and at the same time, someone's voice begins to echo inside the passengers' minds.
"You worked hard today."
"Is it over now?"
"Dad! Welcome home!"
"Oppa, you're back?"
ㆍThe voice heard differs for each passenger, taking the form of the being they find most familiar and reassuring.
ㆍThe moment a passenger looks at the station name, drawn by the voice, a powerful sense of relief settles in their heart, along with the conviction that they have finally arrived at their destination. That conviction moves the body before reason can intervene, and the passenger disembarks from the train without a shred of suspicion.
ㆍBut the instant the doors close and the train departs, the passenger realizes too late.
That this is not their destination.
ㆍWhen they turn around, the train has already vanished without a trace, and there is no one else on the platform.
ㆍEven if they try to leave the station, no exit exists. No matter how far they walk, no matter how hard they run, they always arrive back at the platform where they first disembarked. Of course they do. This is Arrival Station, after all.
ㆍFrom this point on, no matter how much time passes, the passenger feels neither cold nor heat, neither hunger nor thirst. Instead, they become vividly aware of only one fact: that their body is gradually becoming one with the station.
ㆍFirst the skin peels away, then the muscles and bones begin to slowly twist. The transformation proceeds at an extremely gradual pace, and throughout the process, consciousness is preserved until the very end. The pain grows sharper with the passage of time, but fainting or dying is never permitted.
ㆍOnce the transformation is complete, the passenger becomes one of the objects inside the station — a bench, a signboard, a vending machine, a pillar, a trash can, an advertisement panel — and even their sense of self finally collapses.
ㆍThereafter, the passenger-turned-object mimics the voice they heard upon first entering the platform, luring new passengers into the station.
※ For this reason, every object that exists in Arrival Station was once a passenger who believed, "I've finally arrived at my destination."
The moment the train arrived at the station, Kang Yul felt a gentle warmth seep into the cabin. He couldn't quite put it into words, but it was a warmth like being held in his mother's arms.
And at the same time, a familiar voice began to echo inside his mind... wriggle—?
wriggle—?
...A voice?
...wriggle.
...Why isn't it a voice?
Who even are you—
...🪱?
: F■und y■u.
: Th■■ks I sh■uld c■me p■ck y■■ u■.
Ding-dong—
Due to an emergency, our train will depart immediately.
Passengers on the platform, please board the train at once.
The train can no longer remain at this station.
The doors will now close.
Repeating.
The doors will now close.
The doors will now close.
Ding-dong—
We have an emergency announcement.
Please be advised that the operating schedule has been changed to ensure safe travel.
Our train will prioritize the safety of our VVIP Guests. Accordingly, all scheduled stops will be cancelled, and we will operate only as far as Cheer Station.
We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change in schedule. A "token compensation" will be provided upon disembarking, and we ask for your kind understanding.
Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the schedule change, and we wish you a pleasant commute today.
Thank you.