Chapter 23 - The Underground Grocery Store
The Underground Grocery Store
Translator : Elizabeth
[ - Anonymous User: Hey, hey, Mod. ][ Mod: Yes? ][ - Anonymous User: Do you know about the 'Grocery Store'? ][ Mod: ? ][ Mod: Oh, please tell me you're not where I think you are... ][ - Anonymous User: I haven't even said anything yet? ]
"Wow."
Is it because they're a Mod? Their intuition is incredibly sharp. I was just getting ready to head in anyway. Even if it was an errand from our lovely Director, I still needed to prepare myself.
[ - Anonymous User: So, just hypothetically... ][ - Anonymous User: If I were to enter this 'Grocery Store', what would its danger rating be? ][ Mod: Why do you keep making me so anxious?! ]
"Fine then."
Click!
I switched my phone to selfie mode, capturing myself making a peace sign inside the dark tunnel.
[ - Anonymous User: (Photo sent) ][ - Anonymous User: Because I'm actually here. Yahoo! ][ Mod: HIIIIIEEEEK! Help me! I'm sorry! I'll be a good child! ][ - Anonymous User: ? ][ Mod: Please, stop sending pictures so suddenly!!! I'm terrified that someone might come for me... ][ - Anonymous User: Who's coming? ][ Mod: Hiiiek! ]
What is with this person? After a long moment of panic, the Mod finally started chatting again.
[ Mod: ...Anyway, the Anomaly known as the 'Grocery Store' is a C-Rank difficulty zone. ][ - Anonymous User: Oh, okay. ][ Mod: It’s an area with a high escape probability—as long as you can pay the 'appropriate price.' ][ Mod: ...But wait, doesn't that have nothing to do with you? ][ - Anonymous User: The more information, the better! ][ Mod: Why are you talking like an actual agent all of a sudden; ]
Ding!
"Oh!"
[ Gallery Item Updated. ][ Current Gallery Access Authority: 'C-Rank'. ]
It was the same rank as Sungjin Mental Hospital. It meant that while dangerous, it was an Anomaly where a normal escape was possible—if you kept your wits about you.
'I’m technically here as a guest, though.'
Should I mention that? Hmm... no. The atmosphere felt a bit restless lately, so I decided to keep the Mod's help to a minimum for now.
[ Welcome to the 【Grocery Store (C)】 Gallery. ]
[Title: There's meat hanging everywhere. Is it okay to buy and eat this?][Title: F*, DO NOT touch the meat. I don't care how hungry you are, you idiots.]** [Title: Oh, I think I saw it... f*...]** [Title: You bastards, I'm getting out of here first.]
"Ugh..."
As expected, the gallery was a mess of chaotic posts. Because everyone was in a desperate situation, the vibe was a heavy mix of malice, tension, and confusion.
[ Title: Regarding the 'Grocery Store' ]
This place is exactly what it sounds like: a place that supplies, buys, sells, or lets you taste ingredients for cooking.
First, let me emphasize: the meat you see here is not like the meat on Earth. Don't start crying and end up becoming meat yourself. Get your head on straight before you walk in.
Most of you know the store is accessed via the underground passage prepared by the Bureau.
The Gatekeeper: There's a guard at the entrance. Don't act tough. Just say you're there to buy ingredients, and they'll give you a 'Portable Cart.'
The Cart: Here's the catch. The cart won't look like what you're used to. No matter how messed up it looks, you must keep it with you. If it talks to you, ignore it.
"....?"
A talking cart? What kind of place is this? Director... my benevolent, respected Director... was it really okay for me to come here? Right?
Gulp.
I stared down the dark hallway stretching out before me. Nothing was visible yet, but it felt like something was going to jump out the second I turned the corner.
The Ingredients: Once you have your cart, you'll enter the store. I repeat: do not be moved by the biological lifeforms or 'ingredients' hanging inside. The monsters there—whether guests or shopkeepers—will 'butcher' you the moment they decide you don't belong. I don't need to explain further. Remember, you're a customer. Act like one.
The Exit: Finish your business and leave. Whether you're there for rescue or an errand, as long as you pay the 'full price' at the end, they won't harm you.
That's it. Questions?
[ ↳ What is the 'price'? ][ Author: It's basically a receipt. But every shop is different. The key is to judge the situation and get the cheapest receipt you can. ][ Author: There are tips in the manual, so read carefully. ][ ↳ Got it. Thanks. ][ ↳ Th...anks. ]
The guide ended there. Now, all that was left was to take the first step of faith.
Shuffle, shuffle.
"Ah..."
I thought I'd packed everything, but I forgot one thing.
"What do I do about this...?"
At the hospital, I had little shoes thanks to the nurse outfit. But now, I was just dragging my indoor slippers along under my regular clothes! I couldn't even run away if I needed to.
"...Wait."
I found my courage and lifted my doll, looking into its eyes.
"Ung-ae. I am a very important guest right now. I'm on an errand for the Director. Do you know what a VIP is? A VIP?"
"...."
"You don't know? Fine, I'll show you."
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.
After a bit of mind control and deep breathing, my legs finally stopped shaking so much. Right. I'm a veteran Anomaly explorer now. How many Anomalies do people think I've survived?!
'...I mean, I was mostly pampered, but still...'
Anyway, the point was that I had enough support now to face an Anomaly with confidence. I was beginning to feel that utilizing this changed body was actually quite useful.
[ ▶ You feel yourself becoming a more 'mature' Anomaly. ]
The status window popping up in the corner of my eye felt a bit like a creepy hypnotic suggestion, but still.
'Right. Let's go.'
Better to move forward and find out than to hesitate here. And then...
"...Oh."
I came face-to-face with a massive iron gate. Someone—or something—was standing guard. Bright yellow pupils glowed in the darkness. Feeling the presence of an entity that was definitely not human, I swallowed hard and began dragging my slippers toward it, just like the manual said.
From a distance, I couldn't see its shape clearly. I thought it was just the darkness.
"...Ugh."
But as I got closer, the reason became clear.
Whirrr...
Above a body that looked like swirling black fog, two yellow lights like lanterns were floating. It was as if they were meant to represent eyes.
The entity stared at me for a long time as I approached the entrance. Then...
Shiver!
"....?"
Its body trembled for a moment, and its form began to shift.
Rumble...!
"Wh-what?"
The change was unsettling. Before, I could see its whole body by just looking up a little. Now, as it shook, it grew larger and larger until it took on the shape of a 'Doorway.'
Click, clack.
The sound of footsteps came from within. And the one who stepped out was...
"A person...?"
It was something in the form of a human woman.
"Welcome. I am 'Bella', and I am here to guide you."
"Bella...?"
"Yes. You may call me whatever you find comfortable."
What is this?
"Your identification rank is currently 'Precious Guest.' For a customer of your rank, a personal guide is assigned to ensure a suitable and pleasant environment while using the Underground Grocery Store."
"Oh..."
"If my presence makes you uncomfortable, I shall return immediately—"
"No! No, stay!"
Where did she think she was going?! I grabbed the hem of Bella's clothes before she could disappear back into the passage.
"...."
Bella looked down at my hand on her sleeve, then looked back at me with her bright yellow pupils.
"Do you wish for assistance?"
"Yes!"
"Understood. For a customer of 'Precious Guest' rank, the 'Portable Cart' rules do not apply. If there is anything you desire, simply tell me."
"Ohhh...!"
So she's basically a replacement for that talking cart? I heard that cart was terrifying and carried some kind of huge risk. This situation was turning out incredibly well for me.
"I shall serve you."
"Yes!"
I followed Bella as she turned elegantly and headed into the passage, my slippers making a scritch-scratch sound as I followed behind.
[Title: I've noticed while wandering around...][Title: Is there some kind of rank system among guests? What is that?][↳ That doesn't apply to 'normal people' like us. ][ Author: Why? ][ ↳ Think about it. This isn't food for humans. In a place that buys and sells such bizarre things, do you really think guest ranks matter for us? ][ Author: Oh. ]
[Title: Just once... ][Title: I think it was at a shop selling human meat. ][Title: I saw a very strange-looking Anomaly in front of it. ][Title: That guy seemed to have a unique rank. ][Title: The shopkeeper actually came out and bowed and scraped. ][Title: Ugh, made my skin crawl. f*. ]** [ ↳ Shiver ][ Author: I had to get mental pollution treatment for a while after seeing that. ][ ↳ Just for seeing it briefly? ][ Author: It's common in this business. ]
.. ... ....
"This area primarily sells 'Meat.'"
"Uh..."
"Would you like to enter?"
Lumps of meat from unknown origins—origins I didn't want to know—hung from skewers, dripping blood. I suppressed the urge to vomit and shook my head vigorously.
"Is there somewhere a bit... quieter? Somewhere, how do I put it..."
Bella watched me for a moment, then spoke.
"If you would like a light refreshment, may I recommend the 'Dessert' district?"
"Ah! Yes! Please!"
I answered reflexively, while checking the status window floating in the corner of my eye.
Ding!
[ ▶ The entity in question seems to know a lot about the 'Underground Grocery Store.' How about inducing a cozy atmosphere and requesting a conversation? ]
"...."
A cozy conversation? What does that even mean? I thought about it for a second. The reason the Director sent me here, and the quest from the status window... maybe it wasn't just for an 'errand.' Maybe there was something here that I specifically needed.
And right now...
"...? Is something wrong?"
Facing Bella as she stared at me, I felt a strong sense of conviction.
"Bella-nim..."
"Just Bella is fine."
"...People like you, Bella... how much do you usually do for someone of my rank?"
"Are you asking about the extent of my authority as a guide?"
"Yes."
"For someone of your noble rank and status, almost all services within the Underground Grocery Store are available to you."
"Can I even have a conversation with you?"
"If that is what you wish."
Okay. I had permission. First, I needed to find out about our Director, and more importantly, the true purpose of sending me here. There was one uncomfortable keyword that wouldn't leave my head.
'The Black Suits.'
Maybe I could find out something about those bastards who tormented our Director and the Doctor.
That was the thought I had.