It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Chapter 061

Suddenly, my 500ml blood bath bomb was being critiqued by Brown.

‘…Unique, huh?’

This is awkward.

‘Almost made me spin in the bathtub.’

I steadied my head and asked.

“What do you mean by unique?”

-It’s just what it sounds like! Well, there are different types of bath bombs, right? Salt, oil, bubbles… Doe’s has quite a few differences from that ginseng. There are also some similarities.

Um, well,

That’s horror ginseng, and I’m a person, right?

‘Isn’t it obviously different?’

-Of course it is. But why do you think Doe has similarities with that ginseng?

“…!”

-Uh… Oh, I see the reason.

Brown said this as if he were tasting wine again.

-Doe, your bath bomb is blended.

Blended.

Translated directly, it means mixed.

It usually means combining various ingredients in coffee or cocktails to create new flavors…

-Yes, it seems there are ingredients mixed that are somewhat related to ginseng…

“…….”

Wait, is this really about horror contamination?

I recalled the Security Team Leader.

That image of a wolf-like figure ripping and twisting the human form.

Is it true that this phenomenon of contamination and parasitism is happening to me too?

-Contamination! That’s too extreme and negative a term. Life is fundamentally a process of change, right? It’s about mutual influence, and that’s the joy!

Dammit.

I reflexively inspected my body. The most notable influence of the ‘horror phenomenon’ would be…

“Do you think that ‘influence’ is the cause of the tattoo?”

-Hmm. Guessing the origin of something that’s already mixed is really difficult…

-There are some connoisseurs who can guess the winery just by touching the tip of their tongue to the wine, but I’m not that kind of pretentious presenter!

“…….”

-Anyway, well, it doesn’t mean that Doe will meet a new self next week, so there’s nothing to fear!

Theoretically, that is right.

‘Anyway, as long as I live and work here, a certain level of horror contamination is unavoidable.’

Worrying for no reason would be meaningless.

Originally, as supernatural powers become stronger and diversified, the power of infestation also grows.

You have to find balance within that.

It doesn’t seem like I have enough abilities right now to worry about keeping that balance, though.

‘…From now on, I guess I need to manage this too.’

Among the facilities that were opened to me as the Chief, there happened to be one that I could manage.

Once I safely get through this horror, I should visit it.

-Hmm. It seems like something very unique is mixed in as well… Ah, it’s all melted.

Brown, sniffing the bath bomb a bit more as if trying to discern it, let out a long, satisfied sigh.

-I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!

I’m glad at least you enjoyed it.

Inside the bathtub, the neon lights flickered several times like changing a TV channel.

And the shadow of the stuffed doll, relaxing against the tub wall, vibrantly intertwined.

-Should we head out now?

I walked over and lifted Brown out.

This time, the stuffed doll oddly looked more luxurious, but its size remained the same.

Still, Brown’s voice sounded a bit more distinct and intelligent.

I covered the doll with a towel to hide it from view and asked.

“Do you feel energetic?”

-Can’t complain!

-Mm, it feels like I’m returning to the alertness of those busy days…

It seems there wasn’t as dramatic a change as when I used that contaminated ginseng, but it looked like there was some ‘rejuvenation’ going on.

And the moment I lifted the towel covering Brown, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before.

‘…Tag?’

There seemed to be a piece of fabric cut off, resembling a tag, on the nape of the stuffed doll.

‘Was there originally a complete tag attached here?’

It appeared to have regained some of what was lost during the rejuvenation process.

‘It feels peculiar.’

I should remember that.

-Ah, how comfortable!

“I’m glad.”

I removed the moisture from the stuffed doll and placed it nicely on the towel I usually laid on the table.

Preparation was complete.

“I have a favor to ask.”

-Ah, I had a rough idea!

-How could I refuse when my friend helped me with my bath service? I guess you want to lend me your mask to someone else?

“Exactly.”

Brown, now rejuvenated, would be able to use stronger abilities.

-Understood. How many people?

“Two.”

Two days later.

I went to work at a location other than the company, per the official notice I received.

It was an already closed private kindergarten building, and inside, company personnel were already settling in.

“Welcome.”

“Doe, you arrived early!”

Standing in front of the kindergarten entrance, which had not been properly cleaned up, the team members soon arrived.

“Please let those bastards die instead of us.”

“Please… for sure…”

“…….”

Thank you for speaking in such small voices.

But honestly, it wouldn’t matter if I heard it, as everyone had the same expression.

“Doe, Doe! Do you see that person who brought the rabbit’s foot? That’s an item that brings good luck.”

“Does it really get better?”

“Yeah, right? Someone who brought a similar item during the previous exploration got caught and went straight to the afterlife.”

“…….”

“Assistant Manager is right. Here, all those items are nullified… and are selected ‘fairly.’”

I turned to look at the awkwardly smiling Chief.

His face was pale, and despite having prepared himself, he seemed very nervous.

“Chief.”

“Yeah?”

“Is it okay if I try something like that without the company making a fuss?”

“Oh, are you thinking of finding a way to avoid being the victim?”

“Um, something like that.”

The Chief laughed and patted my back.

“Oh, Doe, of course! Everyone does it!”

“I’d bet that human beings here went through all kinds of nonsense for three days, trying to find a way to keep themselves safe.”

That’s pretty bold, Assistant Manager…

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je chuckled softly.

“How would they have even figured out that it doesn’t work? Those who have tried everything still got caught as victims.”

“…….”

“Why? Doe, are you trying to do something?”

“Yes.”

After some thought, I pulled Brown out of my pocket.

“Oh, the keyring you always carry with you.”

“It’s my lucky friend. Can I lend its ability to you two as well? Secretly.”

The two of them smiled slightly, looking a bit deflated, and nodded their heads.

“Well… thanks.”

“I hope you have good luck, really!”

Okay.

‘I made preparations to ensure no bad rumors come up, just in case.’

“Phew.”

-Now, let’s get ready.

“I’ll be entering soon.”

I glanced at the old grandfather clock hanging above the entrance, like everyone else.

Tick-tock.

The hands of the clock passed 8:59:56 AM.

-Now you all are entering the studio.

-Don’t be nervous, even if the cameras are on; just think of them as starlight. It’ll be very comfortable.

Tick-tock.

57 seconds.

Strangely, my heart felt calm.

Confidence in my identity.

-Perfect. You’re wearing a mask! Oh, good.

-That mask is now you.

Tick-tock.

58 seconds.

I lifted my head.

My horns itched. It had a wooden texture, but only I knew it wasn’t wood but rather ■■…

-There are other animal friends too! Two of them.

Tick-tock.

59 seconds.

Turning my head, I saw a badger and a golden eagle. They were observing the surrounding humans.

And….

-No one here seems to be more powerful than you.

I know.

I blinked. My vision that sensed temperature confirmed the heated human bodies’ temperatures.

Due to the tension.

And…

Tick-tock.

9:00 AM.

The grandfather clock rang out loudly.

Ding……!!

“…!”

I took a breath.

The kindergarten building, which had felt like a haunted house, was now transformed into a neat space that smelled of fresh construction.

It felt like a new building, just before it opened for operation.

And I was standing in a room where toys were organized with the golden eagle… no, with Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je.

…I had entered a horror story.

“…….”

I slowly looked down at my neck.

It was clean.

“Ha.”

I relaxed my body.

‘Phew.’

The strange thickness across my body, like wearing a puppet, and the sensation of the horns began to slowly fade away.

The strange certainty of my identity as well.

-Hmm, your brief role ends here.

Thank you.

‘So this is what a mask feels like.’

It was such a strange sensation that I was glad it ended quickly.

Since I had designated three people and very skillfully teetered right to the edge, it seemed Brown’s voice was also getting weaker.

Holding out for these few seconds had indeed been a great feat.

‘Good job.’

I tried to gently pat Brown in my pocket…

-Now… wait a second. What on earth is going on?

“…?”

Why is this thing suddenly flustered?

I quickly took Brown out of my pocket.

Then I saw something new hanging from the doll’s neck.

…A black rope hologram.

A victim’s mark.

“…?!”

Does that mean Brown has been selected as a victim?

‘A resident of the horror story?’

Is it completely off the rails now, and am I in a situation where I need to worry?

Right before my mind was consumed with confusion.

Brown began to chatter.

-What? They want me to participate in an educational demonstration? What are you talking about? I’m in a profession interviewing teachers, not teaching children! Seriously!

-Show business! My goodness! You guys are so boring. You’re stuck in a rut, inflexible, and lack any charm that the public would enjoy.

-I’m out of here.

Then he snapped his fluffy little hands.

And… surprisingly, the rope vanished from the stuffed doll’s neck!

“…!!”

-How can they drag an unsuitable participant into this, clamoring about rules! This is a kindergarten with no professional ethics!

“…….”

‘Being classified as something other than human… did it actually work?’

It’s a bit different from what I expected, though.

Now that Brown was caught, but they passed the rope to another entity because they refused to participate, it’s certain.

“…….”

Wait a minute.

‘It was passed, huh?’

I hurriedly looked down at my neck.

It was still clean.

‘To whom did it go?’

For now, at least I wasn’t the one, so it’s a relief, but is it correct that in this scenario, where a resident of the horror story refuses to take the baton, someone else randomly dies?

“Doe.”

I turned to Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je, bewildered.

“Assistant Manager, I just…”

“…….”

“…….”

In front of my turned head.

“Don’t panic, take a deep breath, slowly.”

The Assistant Manager smiled slyly.

“Now, I’m going to ask you a favor… if it seems impossible, feel free to decline.”

“Assistant Manager.”

“I want to do it myself, but I can’t.”

The Assistant Manager smiled and lightly tapped me.

“It’s a done deal.”

The black rope hung from his own neck.

———————=

Dark Exploration Records / Horror Story

[Hungry Hangman]

: The identifier code for the horror story appearing in <Dark Exploration Records> is Qterw-B-191.

It doesn’t allow any exceptions to the rules as a game inspired by word-guessing.

The assigned roles cannot ever be escaped.

The psychological conflicts and fears that arise within it are remarkable.

The victim designated as the hangman goes to the gallows every time other explorers guess about them, and eventually is hanged.

There are no exceptions.

———————=

“I guess I should be thankful I have time to leave a will.”

No way.

“Wait, just wait a sec…”

“Forget it.”

The Assistant Manager’s laughter turned into a bitter smile.

“Hey… I’m going to die anyway.”

“…!”

“Whether you live or die, it’s that simple.”

…He’s right.

If the participants can’t guess the correct word by the end of the game, they will be punished.

The hangman will be punished too.

There are no exceptions.

Damn it.

“So, listen carefully. If I die in an industrial accident, there are things I set up to be bought automatically at the points mall.”

“…….”

“Just keep an eye on whether the leader checks it properly. He’s kind of incompetent, you know.”

In that moment, I realized.

This person has completely accepted the situation.

crackle crackle

“…!”

“Get a grip. It’s about to start.”

At a corner of the playroom.

The old TV flickered to life with crackling sounds.

[Hello, ■■ English kindergarten teachers! Today, we will learn a fun game you can play with your students!]

[It’s called… Hangman!]

The rope around the Assistant Manager’s neck violently jerked.

“…!”

The tangible rope wound around his limbs one by one and lifted him into the air.

[Today’s teacher, Eun Ha-je, will proceed with the game!]

And enormous blanks appeared on the TV.

[Hangman! Let’s try to guess the word together!]

The hanging execution had begun.