Interlude (2): Survivor's Spotlight
Broadcast studio lights poured down dazzlingly. The main camera's red light flicked on, and Kang Ho-sung, dubbed the national MC, kicked off the opening with exaggerated gestures.
"Alright, our guest today is truly special. The Hwarong Department Store ghost story incident that shocked the nation! One of the survivors, CEO Baek Si-woo of Archive TV!"
Woooaaah—! Cheers and applause from the audience filled the studio. But Baek Si-woo's expression in the guest seat was dark. He looked a decade older.
"Hello, I'm Baek Si-woo." His voice cracked.
Kang Ho-sung eyed Baek Si-woo's condition and spoke cautiously. "CEO, you don't look well at all. Viewers are worried too."
"Haha... Try shopping for your life once, and this is what happens." Baek Si-woo shot back weakly.
Kang Ho-sung dropped the smile and got serious. "It was too horrific to brush off as a joke. The whole nation watched it live. But seeing it on screen must be different from experiencing the terror firsthand."
Baek Si-woo rubbed his dry face. An unwanted nightmare resurfaced.
"It was hell."
Baek Si-woo answered curtly. "I've done haunted house shows for over five years, but this was my first real ghost story. It was beyond what humans can handle."
Silence fell over the studio. Kang Ho-sung asked carefully, "How did you survive that hell? I heard only four made it out."
"It wasn't because I was good." Baek Si-woo shook his head firmly. He stared straight into the camera. "It was thanks to Han Suho."
"Ah, he was a hot topic on air too."
"Without him, everyone there—including me—would be department store displays by now." Strength entered Baek Si-woo's voice. "You don't smash a ghost story with force. You find the rules and exploit the gaps to survive. While we were screaming in panic, Han Suho gave us the answers."
"Gave you answers?"
"Yes. Where to go to live, what to do to avoid death."
Baek Si-woo recalled the memory. Everyone in chaos, milling about in panic—while that man calmly led them.
"The sole hero of this incident is Han Suho. He saved us."
"Great work!" Staff shouts echoed as the lights dimmed. Baek Si-woo bolted from the studio.
"CEO! Mr. Baek!" Someone rushed from the corridor's end. Choi PD, the project's head.
"You did great. Feeling any better?"
"Barely hanging on. What is it?"
"Uh, well... ratings. They're through the roof. All-time high! Peaked over 30%!" Choi PD spat excitedly.
Baek Si-woo was unimpressed. "And?"
"But... the Korea Communications Commission is sanctioning us. Too gruesome."
Choi PD scratched his head. "The show's probably done. No more haunted broadcasts for a while."
"Good riddance. Live-streaming people dying? Cancellation's only right." Baek Si-woo smiled bitterly. Relief washed over him. No more sending people to their deaths for ratings.
"By the way, you won't forget your promise?"
"Pardon? Oh, the appearance fee?"
"Han Suho's settlement. Pay every won, plus incentives. No funny business with the money."
Baek Si-woo's eyes sharpened.
"Of course! Who do you think I am? We'll settle it properly. Don't worry."
"I trust you." Baek Si-woo nodded curtly and turned away. Choi PD stood there until his figure vanished.
Alone, Choi PD crossed his arms, lost in thought. 'Han Suho...' He narrowed his eyes. Twenty years in broadcasting—he could spot talent. Real deal or trash.
'Ratings cheat code. Guaranteed hit.'
Commanding screen presence. Dramatic tension spiking viewer dopamine. F-rank underdog story on top. Perfect.
'Regulations blocking now, but not forever.'
Choi PD recalled the station chief's words. Ghost stories rampant nationwide—government couldn't ban broadcasts indefinitely. Soon, they'd justify it as "providing info," bringing ghost story shows mainstream.
'When that day comes.'
Choi PD licked his lips. 'Han Suho. I'm signing you.' A sly grin spread.
After the department store ghost story, I got a full checkup at the hospital. Routine stuff. X-rays, MRI—all normal. No bruises, not even dehydrated. Doctor was baffled by my pristine condition.
Stayed two days for free meals and rest, then checked out. Destination set.
"Welcome."
"Eggs and sikhye, please. With ice."
My hideout(?). A 24-hour sauna. Settled in a corner of the hot earthen room, tension finally eased.
"Haa, feels like living again."
Cracked a heated egg, sipped ice-floated sikhye. Sweet, cool liquid cleared my head. Propped up on a pillow, fired up my smartphone. Movie time.
So leisurely.
I replied without looking up. "Been running nonstop. Need recharge time."
So carefree.
Voice tsked. [You into movies originally?]
"Nah, don't watch much."
I answered indifferently. "No time. Survival took priority. Just killing time now."
On screen, protagonists faced disaster. Monster chase—terrified side character shoved a teammate and fled solo. Eaten gruesomely soon after.
Pathetic human.
Terror makes humans that ugly. Betraying kin, seeking solo escape, then self-destructing.
"Why? Not fun?" I chuckled around the sikhye straw. "Watching human behavior teaches me new things every time. Oh, that's the face they make in that spot."
Learning anew, eh.
You're an intriguing one.
"Suddenly?" Random praise. No clue what caught his fancy this time—Voice's tastes were unpredictable. I refocused on the movie.
Bzzzt. Sauna pants pocket vibrated. My MaPhone. I glanced around, slyly pulled it out. Familiar nickname on screen.
Serria. MaTalk app opened—new message.
'Settlement.' More money's always good. But seemed like more.
I pondered, then typed.
Chat ended. Pocketed the MaPhone. "Boss. Why's the princess summoning me?"
Who knows.
Voice replied flatly. [Go find out yourself. Can't know till she spills.]
"Got it. Heading over soon. Nothing else anyway."
Reached for play button.
Bzzzt. Smartphone banner alert. Bank deposit notice.
'Huh?' Opened bank app for details. Sender: 'M Co.' The broadcasting station from the haunted project.
"Appearance fee times ten."
500,000 won miracle'd to 5 million. Obvious reason.
'Hazard pay.'
5 million for your life? Steep.
"Eh, plenty fair." I shrugged it off. "Did station gigs before—those cheapskates never up the pay. Stingy even on 1,000-won meals."
Scanned the deposit again. "They must like me. Would've been 500k and done otherwise. Showing some sincerity."
Human world is complicated.
Voice muttered incomprehensibly. "That's what makes it fun."
I spun the phone in my hand. "Dealing with all sorts teaches emotions. Groveling for cash one minute, bold the next—that contradiction's entertaining."
Vrrr-vrrr. Phone buzzed again mid-sentence. Call this time.
"Hello."
-Ah, Suho. It's Baek Si-woo. Calling myself—what's up?
"CEO. Feeling better?"
-Thanks to you. IV drip helped. Anyway, free in two days?
"Two days?"
-Yeah. Survivors wanna grab a meal. Jun-hyun and Chae-young too. Hope you'll join.
No reason to refuse. "Got it. I'll be there."
-Thanks. Send location tomorrow. Rest up.
Click. Call ended.
'Suddenly busy.' Should feel annoying, but my lips curved up. Weirdly excited. Good premonition something fun's coming.