Chapter 359
Chapter 359
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Illusion
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I gaze at Song Arin on my back, lost in thought.
What just happened was only possible because of the Manual.
The Manual looked around, muttered something, and the TV screen turned on. Then she stepped inside without a word.
Thanks to that, I startled and followed her in, and soon found Song Arin.
"Say something before you go in. Don't scare people."
"That's not something you should say."
The Manual replied as if it was ridiculous, and Song Arin on my back burst out laughing before clutching her side and screaming.
"Ahahak, aaaaak!"
"Why are you laughing by yourself and then complaining it hurts?"
"Don't make me talk if it hurts..."
Wasn't she laughing by herself?
I sigh and look around.
Still, we're all gathered in the end.
"No injuries for you, Ye-eun?"
"I got help from Unni Arin..."
Park Ye-eun nods and answers my question.
"I just did my duty as a senior."
"You're a good senior."
Now we need to get out.
I look at the Manual, and she nods at my gaze.
"We're heading to the exit."
No need to search and read one by one. Isn't this too convenient?
It would be great if she stayed in human form forever. She could even be a conversation partner.
Or maybe keeping her at home would be tough.
"You're thinking something weird again."
"It's not weird. I was just wondering how to keep you around."
"What do you mean 'keep'? Just keep me around."
...
But living together like this wouldn't be good for my reputation.
A single guy with a kid... No, the age difference isn't that big, so it'd be more like an uncle raising his niece.
"Anyway, you'll turn back into a book after some time."
The Manual adds hurriedly.
"A-And if you want, I can stay in adult form."
"That has its own problems."
An adult form would make me self-conscious.
"Just stay as a book. Don't worry so much."
She turns around and stares at me intently.
"Got it?"
"Yeah. Got it."
Honestly, even if it's inconvenient, what can I do?
I've gotten so used to life with the Manual that I'd feel anxious without her now.
But as a book, it'd be even better. Easier to carry in my pocket, more mentally stable that way.
"...Anyway, the exit's here."
The Manual hurries forward again, and Song Arin mutters on my back.
"Poor thing, so pitiful."
...
*
When we reach the hallway, there's one elevator waiting.
We weren't supposed to take the elevator...
I turn to look at the stairwell.
"...Huh."
The spot where stairs should be is completely filled with cement. I can't help but sigh.
"...Tsk."
The Manual clicks her tongue and shakes her head alongside me.
"What now?"
"What do you mean? We'll take it."
"Won't we die?"
...
The Manual sighs at my question.
Then Song Arin, who'd just been riding on my back, speaks up again.
"No. Taking it doesn't mean we'll definitely die."
...
The Manual turns around incredulously to look at Song Arin, who continues.
"Hey, black hair."
"Yeah?"
"Press the button."
"Yes!"
Yoo Daon presses the button cheerfully.
"You're not telling us to go in and die, right?"
"I wouldn't tell you that. White hair, go grab a bike from somewhere."
"...A bike?"
"Yeah. The kiddie kind is better. Hurry. And you, maknae, go with her and carry it back."
...
Jang Chaeyeon turns back with a confused expression at Song Arin's words.
"I'll go too!"
Park Ye-eun follows her.
"And paper scrap, when white hair brings the bike, you ride it."
...
The Manual's face darkens at being called a paper scrap, but she just nods without further protest.
"What about me?"
"Your wounds hurt if you shake, so stand straight."
Song Arin leans against me as she says that.
"How can she be so rude?"
Isn't she the rude one?
The theater director tilts her head and mutters, while I stay silent.
Soon, Jang Chaeyeon returns with a sigh.
Behind her, Park Ye-eun holds a bike aloft in one hand.
"I brought two just in case! An adult bike and a tricycle."
"What's a tricycle..."
"Ride the tricycle. Quick."
...
The Manual mutters incredulously, and no sooner does she finish than Song Arin glares at her with fierce eyes.
...
"...Is this really a surefire method? It's not in my records."
"I'm more pro than you in here."
The Manual eyes Song Arin suspiciously, but Song Arin replies confidently.
"Yeah! Arin fought her parents here too!"
"Daon."
No need to add that.
"...Anyway, when the elevator opens, the paper scrap rides the bike in."
"...Hoo..."
The Manual sighs and nods.
"If this goes wrong..."
"We all die anyway if it does."
Song Arin says calmly, looking at us.
"And everyone except the paper scrap surrounds the one on the bike like guards."
"That's it?"
"No, and you have to treat the paper scrap like a child no matter what."
...
"Adults and kids don't get touched."
"Uh..."
"In simple terms, treat the paper scrap like a chil
I get the gist.
-Ding!
With a cheerful chime, the elevator doors open, and the Manual rides her tricycle inside with a grumpy face.
The screeching echoes, and after she's in, we all line up behind her.
"...Why didn't I think of this..."
The Manual mutters, and Song Arin replies proudly.
"Because the Management Bureau never brought kids when investigating."
Fair point.
The Manual falls silent, and the doors close.
-Kreeeeek...
As soon as they shut, the elevator light flickers.
With each flicker, the walls turn pitch black.
...
Song Arin clings tightly to my back, and the others scan around tensely.
We can't fight our way out this time.
"Don't worry."
The theater director whispers from behind me.
"If my memory's right, it'll work. Probably."
"That's not reassuring at all."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Song Arin speaks over me—did she hear?—and I just shake my head.
How much time passes?
-Ding!
The doors open with a cheerful bell.
Luckily, we're facing the first-floor hallway.
We all step out slowly.
The Manual rides her tricycle out with a creak, followed by me and the others.
"...Hoo..."
Once Yoo Daon at the rear steps out, Song Arin sighs in relief.
"Good thing."
"...I was scared..."
Park Ye-eun leans on Yoo Daon, legs apparently weak.
"...I need to note this down too."
The Manual mutters, closing her eyes, and Song Arin speaks up watching her.
"Here's one tip when you note it."
"What?"
"You don't actually need the kid's bike."
"...What?"
The Manual narrows her eyes at Song Arin, who laughs.
"Payback for what happened at the theater last time."
...
The Manual grits her teeth for a moment.
-Boom!
An explosion echoes from afar, and we all exchange glances.
"Let's hurry."
Another incident's brewing.
I hurry forward with Song Arin on my back, and the others follow.
"Someday I'll get revenge..."
Along with the Manual grinding her teeth.
*
Outside, the chaos is even worse.
The screams have lessened, but that doesn't mean many survived.
...
I stare at the countless corpses before us.
"The leads and supporting cast are assembled. Time to drop the curtain."
The theater director whispers in my ear.
...
But where to?
"You've already seen the stage."
She whispers again.
I've seen the stage...?
I get it.
"Let's go back to where we first got out of the car."
"Jongno?"
"Yeah."
"Why Jongno all of a sudden?"
Song Arin asks from my back.
"The stage doesn't move."
"...What does that mean?"
Song Arin tilts her head, then groans as she figures it out.
"Ah... Plays happen on stage, and the stage we saw was in Jongno, so we go there?"
"Exactly."
"And stages don't move, so Jongno it is?"
"Right."
"Then say so earlier."
Song Arin jabs my shoulder with her chin.
"Ah, got it."
I reply and hurry along with her on my back.
We pass countless horrors, and soon the theater comes into view.
...
"This place is a mess too."
Song Arin mutters, looking away.
Corpses litter the ground.
All frozen in terror—maybe they saw something we didn't.
"It's fine."
The theater director shakes her head beside me.
"Just get past this."
"...Yeah."
I mutter, and Jang Chaeyeon looks at me.
"By the way."
"Yeah."
"Who have you been talking to?"
"...What?"
"You keep muttering to thin air. Talking to yourself."
...
I turn to look at the theater director.
She just stares back expressionlessly.