Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 108. Hall of Art
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We walk on, maintaining an awkward silence.
"So, it's not that there's no camaraderie, but... uh... um."
"..."
"..."
Yoo Daon opens her mouth only to close it again, trying desperately to smooth things over, but ends up shutting it once more.
"No, did I say it without any camaraderie?"
"...Well... that's..."
"That's not it."
Jang Chaeyeon cuts in with a low sigh.
"Then what is it?"
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon opens and closes her mouth several times in response to my question before looking down at the floor and closing it again.
"...What? Why are you looking at me?"
"Well, usually in situations like this, Song Arin would sigh and explain it."
"Argh... That's true, but..."
Song Arin rolls her eyes this way and that, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly, before finally sighing and shaking her head.
"No, I... uh... I can't say it."
"This is frustrating for real."
If it's not camaraderie, then what is it?
"It's not like I talked to you without any affection either."
"..."
The three of them seem to flinch slightly.
"If you don't tell me what it is, I can't know."
"Stop, stop. It was my fault, okay?"
Song Arin hurriedly shakes her head and shouts, while the other two nod vigorously as well.
"Jaeheon, let's go. There's a pretty picture up ahead."
"Daon, wait. Don't push... No, what did I do wrong?"
Before I can finish speaking, Yoo Daon, now behind me, shoves me forward with all her might.
"Wow, butterflies! Butterflies!"
"Butterflies with human faces. What's pretty about—"
Yoo Daon drags me around, distracting me completely before I can finish, and in the end, I leave the Hall of Nature without resolving my doubts and without any major incidents.
"By the way."
"Yeah."
"I know Chaeyeon might say this is jinxing it."
"I'm listening."
"Isn't this place easier than expected?"
"..."
-Slap!
"Ow!"
Jang Chaeyeon smacks my arm and glares at me.
*
As we exit the Hall of Nature, we four stand in what could be called a rest area—or rather, an empty lobby with nothing in it.
I check the manual, wondering if this might be a trap.
[Office Manual]
[Hall 2.5 - Lounge]
1. This is a lounge. One of the few rest areas in the art museum, it has no food or drinks, but you can catch your breath here.
2. However, absolutely do not turn back.
If there had only been item 1, I would have seriously worried that the manual was corrupted, but item 2 actually put my mind more at ease.
Song Arin lies down using her jacket as a pillow, eyes closed. Every time her arm twitches, she furrows her brow deeply, so the pain might be worse than I thought.
Yoo Daon taps the wall with her finger curiously, looking around. As if she's found something, she blinks with an intrigued expression while tapping the wall.
And Jang Chaeyeon is with me.
"There are things you absolutely shouldn't say in Containment Team."
"What are they?"
"This phenomenon is really easy, right? We've got that one now, haven't we? Did we take it down? The inside is cleaner than expected? Things like that."
"Every single one is something you shouldn't say."
"That's what you just said."
"Sorry."
Jang Chaeyeon smiles faintly at my apology.
"That's fine if you're sorry."
After that, silence falls again. But it's not uncomfortable—it's the kind of quiet where being silent is no problem.
Might as well ask what's been on my mind.
"By the way, Chaeyeon."
"Yeah."
"Did you have a sister?"
"...I did, but I don't."
Jang Chaeyeon gazes off into the distance.
"Not blood-related, but far more family than that."
"An old story?"
"...Yeah."
"Like when you were with Song Arin?"
"Even older than that. When I first joined the Management Bureau."
"What kind of person was she?"
"Don't know."
"...Pardon?"
Jang Chaeyeon looks at me.
A smile forms on her face.
With a gentle but sad smile, she tells me,
With a smile full of sorrow, she answers me.
"I forgot everything except her face."
"..."
"Let's get going."
As if it had never happened, she smiles at me and stands, brushing off her hips with both hands.
Guess I should get up too.
As I stand, a soft touch lands near my hips.
Jang Chaeyeon is casually brushing off my pants.
"..."
"..."
Tap, tap. She keeps brushing my clothes endlessly.
"Uh, Chaeyeon."
-Tap, tap...
"Chaeyeon?"
"..."
"Jang Chaeyeon."
"Ah, yeah, yeah."
She snaps her head up.
"That should be enough."
"...Yeah."
She puffs her cheeks slightly as if disappointed, then starts walking again as if nothing happened.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
"Yeah."
At her words, Song Arin and Yoo Daon both start getting ready.
While the three prepare, I open the manual in advance.
[Office Manual]
[Hall 3 - Hall of Art]
1. The Hall of Art, as the name suggests, is where you can enjoy artistic experiences.
2. Here, everything feels alive, and in severe cases, you and the things around you may be affected as well.
3. Making noise is still taboo here too, but in the Hall of Art, the guides take a very long time to catch up, so if escape is near, it's recommended to make a loud noise and run as fast as possible.
4. From here on, exits exist. Check for exits and be ready to leave at any time.
4-1. As you proceed through the Hall of Art, you may find the masks worn by the guides. Find the painting of someone covering their face with both hands holding a mask. If you put the mask on the painting, the guide will gratefully lead you to the exit.
4-2. While continuing to walk, you may encounter the Aestheticist. Have a long discussion with her about art. If you can convince her, she will guide you to the exit.
5. There's nothing specific to watch out for in the Hall of Art. This place itself transcends your imagination, and no matter what action you take, remember only that it could boomerang back even stronger.
6. The art in the Hall of Art will differ greatly from universal human perspectives on art. If this art appeals to you, please visit the Management Bureau's mental evaluation department.
Every single explanation is chilling.
While staring at the manual in a daze, Yoo Daon stands next to me with a curious look.
"What does it say?"
"It says to do our best?"
"Pardon?"
I summarize what I just read for Yoo Daon.
"Uh, so..."
"It means handle it with our skills."
"Then it's my turn!"
Yoo Daon smiles, clenches her fist, and taps her chest.
Whenever Yoo Daon says something like that, she comes up with plans that are a bit far from my common sense.
"You're confident in this kind of thing, Daon?"
"Nope!"
"..."
I'm already worried about what answer I'll get.
Then why act so confident?
Noticing my gaze, Yoo Daon grins brightly and replies.
"If worst comes to worst, I can just die and solve it, right?"
As expected.
"I had a feeling that's what you'd say, but let's be careful for now."
"Got it!"
I head inside, watching Yoo Daon nod with an expression that shows she doesn't really get it.
The entrance to the Hall of Art is grotesquely bizarre.
"...Ugh."
Song Arin squints hard at the entrance.
A massive door made of long bones looms before us.
As if it can only be entered by opening the door, nothing is visible behind it.
"Is this... human bone?"
"I'd rather not know."
I give a curt reply to Song Arin's question as she stares at the doorknob with blood drained from her face, then grab it.
The sensation in my hand makes my face scrunch up involuntarily, but I ignore it and open the door.
-Creeeak...
The door opens with a grotesque sound.
"Eugh..."
Song Arin's mutter from behind me perfectly captures my feelings.
I've never walked on a massive chunk of flesh before, but now I could brag to others that I have.
-Thump, thump.
The floor pulses like a heartbeat.
"This... is flesh, right?"
"Hey, don't say it out loud."
Song Arin snaps sharply at Yoo Daon's words and steps forward.
Could this whole thing be some living creature?
I narrow my eyes and look around, but no translucent windows pop up.
"There are artworks here too."
Yoo Daon mutters as she walks.
"Not sure if you can call this art, though..."
She reaches out and points at something.
A man is embedded in the flesh-wall.
Half his body—the right side—buried in the flesh mass, he, or it, groans, and soon a translucent window appears before my eyes.
[Name: Buried Man]
[Age: Created 6 years ago]
[Specialty: X]
[Talent: X]
[Background: This man challenged the Management Bureau and lost. Now he is merely an exhibit of the Aestheticist.]
[Weakness: He already belongs to the art museum. Even if you pity him, it's better to leave him be than offer half-hearted mercy.]
Management Bureau?
I turn to look at the others.
"Anyone know him?"
All three shake their heads in unison.
"Got it. Then Daon, don't touch it recklessly..."
Yoo Daon nods and steps back at my words, and the groaning man opens his eyes.
"Groan..."
As if regaining consciousness, the man looks at us.
"Th..."
He opens his mouth,
"And they have come!!!!"
Screaming loudly, he grabs Yoo Daon's neck with both hands.
"Gack...!"
Yoo Daon makes a choking sound and grabs his arms,
-Bang!
-Crack!
I immediately draw my gun and put a hole in his forehead, while Jang Chaeyeon snaps its neck.
"Groan."
With a final gasp, it sinks back into the wall.
"Cough, cough!"
Yoo Daon drops to her knees, breathing raggedly.
Red marks remain on her neck.
"...What was that?"
Song Arin mutters, wincing in pain.
"...No idea."
Did it just scream and leave?
Why go to the trouble—
I recall the manual's contents.
[Making noise is still taboo here too, but in the Hall of Art, the guides take a very long time to catch up, so if escape is near, it's recommended to make a loud noise and run as fast as possible.]
No way—
"Everyone, let's go. Hurry."
"Why?"
"He just yelled, right?"
"Oh!"
Yoo Daon strokes her neck and widens her eyes.
"We have to hurry!"
"Explain on the way."
Jang Chaeyeon and Song Arin start moving their legs immediately.
I force my way through, trudging over legs buried in the flesh mass.
The air inside, similar to human body temperature, endlessly heightens my unease.