Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 20. Basement
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I remembered my first day on the job.
Back then, I had no idea what I was getting into. I thought it was something like joining the National Intelligence Service, but how was I supposed to know it was a place that dealt with monsters and containment objects?
That's when I first received the manual, and the words that were spoken to us came back to me.
"Everyone, the manual isn't all-powerful. But don't forget: it's the accumulated experience and data from your seniors who worked hard to compile it."
But why did they have to leave a place like this intact?
I turned to Jang Chaeyeon, who was calmly scanning our surroundings, hoping to cling to even a sliver of optimism.
"Have you been here before?"
"First time in my Management Bureau career. But I've heard the rumors. Don't worry."
"Oh, really? So it's not that dangerous?"
"Yeah. Survival rate's a safe 40%."
"Pardon?"
"Yeah?"
Since when was a 40% survival rate considered safe? You had better odds flipping a coin.
Did that mean my life was hanging on worse odds than a coin toss right now?
"...Isn't that high?"
I relayed my thoughts straight to Jang Chaeyeon, but she just tilted her head and addressed my doubt.
She genuinely seemed to think a 40% survival rate was high.
What kind of lives did the Management Bureau's Containment Team members live?
"Just do what you're told."
"There was already someone who didn't follow orders."
I pointed at Yoo Daon, and she made an awkward face.
"I... usually Jaeheon reads the manual for me, so I didn't know... But I just read it all! No problem now!"
"Hmm..."
"...?"
I stared at Yoo Daon, and she looked back at me with a puzzled expression.
By the way, when Yoo Daon's head got cut off earlier, could she have made it out if she'd gone then?
It might be a bit inhumane to think that way, but what could I do? Whoever can escape should go first and call for backup.
I shared that theory with her, but she shook her head with a troubled look.
"Even for me, when my head comes off, my vision goes black for a bit. And my body doesn't listen well."
"...Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks."
Right. When a person's head and body separate, the body doesn't obey properly.
I thanked her for answering my odd question so seriously and looked around again.
A dim red light illuminated the surroundings. The metal chairs in the basement were all rusted; sitting on them would probably ruin my clothes.
And at the far end was the door from the manual.
It was a brown wooden door, but under the red lighting, it felt unnaturally eerie.
I checked the manual again.
[Office Manual]
1. Finding this manual means you've taken a wrong turn and ended up in the basement.
2. Please follow the manual. Failing to do so may cause severe harm to your body or mind, and the Management Bureau assumes no responsibility.
3. Open the door in front of you and enter, but do not respond no matter what speaks to you.
4. If something speaks to you and you respond, close your eyes, crouch in place, and wait for it to pass.
5. The next manual can be found on the wall poster after passing through the room.
6. Do not go back up the stairs.
Open the door and go in.
Before entering, I gave the other two a firm warning once more.
"Listen up. No matter who speaks to you from behind that door, ignore them. And if you accidentally respond?"
"Close your eyes and crouch!"
"Good."
"...Don't worry too much."
Jang Chaeyeon spoke to reassure me again, and Yoo Daon watched before looking back at me.
"But seriously, when did you two get so close?"
"...Secret."
"..."
Yoo Daon pouted a little but shrugged it off like nothing happened.
"Can't be helped."
"Shall we go?"
Both nodded, and on that signal, I opened the door.
"..."
If "darkness" took form, would it feel like this?
It wasn't like stepping into darkness; it felt like the darkness beyond the door was swallowing me. Nothing was visible.
I glanced back at the two of them, and Jang Chaeyeon grabbed my shoulder with one hand without hesitation, pointing ahead.
Keep going forward.
Soon, Yoo Daon grabbed my other shoulder.
In the end, I was the one leading them.
"..."
Right. The one in front has to do it. A man can't back down from this.
I stepped through the door.
The sensation of hands on my shoulders vanished.
I whipped around in panic, but where the door had been, only darkness remained. Nothing was visible.
Don't shout. Don't respond if called.
I repeated that to myself over and over as I moved forward.
"...Who's there?"
Soon, voices began. A man's voice I'd never heard.
"Don't worry! We're Management Bureau staff! Make a sound so we can find you!"
"Hurry! It's dangerous here!"
"..."
I wasn't falling for that trick.
Who did they take me for? I'd survived two incidents in a single week. I wouldn't fall for this cheap ploy.
I muttered that to myself repeatedly and kept walking steadfastly.
"...Help me."
Soon, Jang Chaeyeon's voice started up. Her frail-sounding voice.
I kept walking with my ears shut.
"...Please, help me."
The Jang Chaeyeon I knew wouldn't say that.
I ignored it again, and soon other voices joined in.
"Jaeheon! Stay right there!! I'll help you!"
I flinched at that.
Yoo Daon was the type to say something like that.
I looked around frantically for her, but not even a glimpse of anything entered my vision.
"..."
Should I shout?
As I hesitated, a strange sound reached my ears.
-Thud, thud.
Like footsteps walking.
And then, my eyes that had found nothing spotted something.
People.
Around eight or nine of them.
Various genders, ages, clothes—all different.
Their faces were spotless, and they all had their eyes closed as if asleep.
The odd thing was they were standing in a circle, holding hands.
I pulled up the translucent window.
[Name: Crowd Psychology]
[Age: One day since creation]
[Trait: Assimilation]
[Talent: None]
[Background: What inhabits this cursed basement has a horrific bad hobby. Those sacrificed to its bad hobby seek the next victim to free them from this eternal torment.]
[Weakness: Sever their connected chain and grant them all an equal end.]
Bad hobby, victim.
And what inhabits here.
I wanted to do something, but I had no gun on me.
Not even a gun—just the electronics I'd bought shopping earlier.
I'd brought them along reluctantly; should I really leave them?
As I walked slowly with those thoughts, I felt someone's gaze and turned instinctively.
My eyes met the gazes of eight people staring at me.
My feet froze against my will.
An elderly man who had been looking at me opened his mouth.
"Jaeheon! Over here!"
Yoo Daon's voice came from his throat.
He grinned creepily, locking eyes with me.
"...Help me."
The school-uniformed girl beside him spoke in Jang Chaeyeon's voice.
"Come on, it's so cold and scary here."
"It'll be warm with us."
"Yeah. I'm begging you like this."
All of them had opened their eyes and were staring at me.
I forced my frozen feet to move.
Just don't make a sound. Then I can escape safely.
I desperately ignored their laughter and kept walking until a door came into view soon after.
I quickly opened it and stepped out, and someone grabbed my shoulder.
"Aaah! You scared me!"
"Jaeheon!"
Yoo Daon grabbed my shoulder, looking relieved.
"...Where's Chaeyeon?"
"...No idea."
Yoo Daon blinked as she answered.
"...She hasn't come out yet?"
"She's Containment Team, right? Maybe it just takes a little longer?"
"..."
Should I go back in? As I pondered, Yoo Daon stared at me intently.
"You going back?"
"If she doesn't come, yeah."
"..."
Yoo Daon sighed deeply and started stretching.
"Want me to come with?"
"I've always gone with you."
Yoo Daon smiled and said, "How new," as if it were obvious.
"Got it. Let's go."
Yoo Daon nodded, and we opened the door and went back in.
Unlike before, I could feel Yoo Daon nearby.
"..."
I tapped the back of her hand, and she tapped mine in response.
I looked around.
Someone was crouched, hugging their knees.
It was Jang Chaeyeon.
And surrounding her, eight people.
"Ahaha, ahaha!"
"Ehehe! Ehehe!"
"Hehe, hehehe!"
All of them laughed happily as they circled her, spinning around, while Jang Chaeyeon crouched with her eyes closed. Her face was pale, as if something terrible might happen any second.
I looked at Yoo Daon, and she nodded as if reading my mind, then dashed forward and kicked one in the back.
They toppled like dominoes.
In the gap, I reached Jang Chaeyeon, grabbed her hand, and she looked up at me, finally relaxing.
I pulled her along quickly, switching places with Yoo Daon as I hurled the bag of electronics I was holding.
A heavy thud echoed.
"Sound."
"Sound."
"Sound!"
The eight pairs of eyes turned to the floor, and I seized the moment to drag Jang Chaeyeon toward the exit.
All three of us burst out without a sound, and only after the door closed did we exhale and collapse.
"Haaah..."
"Hoo..."
"..."
It was anticlimactic. Too much so, somehow.
But that wasn't important right now.
After catching our breath, I looked at Jang Chaeyeon.
"...Did you make a sound?"
She wouldn't have. She's a pro.
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon stayed silent, hesitated a few times, then slowly spoke.
"Because you said save me."
"..."
No words for that.
"Sorry."
Jang Chaeyeon brushed off her knees, stood, and bowed her head slightly.
"I was too hasty."
"...It's fine."
I waved it off to accept her apology.
"...And thank you."
"..........Yeah."
Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon still talked awkwardly.
After watching them for a moment, I started looking for the next manual.
Room 1's manual was relatively easy.
Found it.
[Office Manual]
1. First, congratulations on escaping safely.
2. As you proceed, information contamination worsens, leading to many sacrifices. Thus, the Management Bureau has implemented new measures. Note that subsequent information is somewhat censored.
3. Of all manuals ahead, only the odd-numbered ones are correct.
4. If you've noted the above, nod.
5. Proceed forward. You'll see two doors. Enter the left one.
6. After entering the left door, pick up the pistol on the right nightstand. It will help you later.
7. If ------ is asleep, pass quietly. If awake, talk to it. Do not let it know you're human.
8. If it discovers you're human, shoot it with the pistol. It may buy you some time.
9. Good luck.
-Whooo,
The basement's chill wind gave me goosebumps for no reason.