It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 071

Buy all products at the alien store.

‘Wow.’

I was a bit nervous.

It was my first time spending 130 million on a few items.

But I felt a bit better since I had spent thousands before.

‘Let’s use it wisely.’

Everything should serve as a stepping stone for survival.

I decisively pressed the purchase button.

Successful Purchase!

The item hopped onto a rocket!

Soon, like before, space-time opened in midair, revealing the delivery box. With a racing heart, I waited for the box to fall to the ground…

But then,

“…??”

The delivery box just hung there in the air.

That’s because someone was politely holding it in midair.

…A tentacle.

“……!?”

Tonk.

The tentacle gently shook the delivery box. As if asking, ‘Should I place it here?’

“…! Just put it on the floor, please.”

Then the delivery box smoothly slid down onto the floor.

“Thank you.”

But the tentacle didn’t disappear immediately.

Instead, it swiftly pulled something out from the seams of space-time and handed it to me.

It was a small, shiny golden card.

I am a VIP of the Space Shopping Mall!

~Thank You Cell Enclosed~

“…Thank you?”

As I took the card, the tentacle waved its hand and disappeared into the seams of space-time.

“…….”

Hmmm.

It seems that they’ve started treating me as a VIP at the alien store…

‘That’s a good thing… right?’

For now, I decided to keep the thank you card. The gold was dazzling…

-Seriously, how can a tag card be that ugly…

I guess I shouldn’t expect design from the alien store. Well…

‘The important thing is the performance of the items.’

I turned my gaze back to the delivery box.

It was unboxing time.

“Phew.”

As I opened the box, the largest item immediately caught my eye.

An item priced at 28 million won.

‘Happy Maker.’

It had a bright pastel-colored box.

Inside the square box, which looked like it might contain a liquid antacid or vitamin drink, were twelve glowing sticks about the size of a highlighter.

However, the tips of these glowing sticks popped out with needles.

The same item that was sold under the same name in the horror story ‘Delusional Home Shopping’…

A perfect painkiller.

———————

Dark Exploration Records / Delusional Home Shopping

/ Item

Happy Maker

Is life painful for you?

For those suffering from unexplained pain and losing sleep at night, the perfect savior for you who fears getting into an accident is here.

Allow me to confidently present to you the rapid pain relief product, ‘Happy Maker’!

-September 9, 20XX, “Delusional Home Shopping” product description

———————

It was just as stated.

I looked at the description written on the box.

Fast and Comfortable Shot

Say goodbye to your pain!

This stick-type auto-injector item dispenses a shot automatically when pressed against the skin, quickly and comfortably ‘eliminating’ pain for a certain period.

‘This is really over-technology.’

Though the mechanism was not science, but rather a paranormal phenomenon.

Indeed, extreme pain clouds judgment.

From my experiences with various injuries and risks, I could firmly assert that this would be useful someday.

‘I hope I don’t need to use it… sigh.’

Casting aside hopes for nothing…

‘This filthy horror world…’

I decided to carry this item with me.

Even though it had a very horror-like ‘Additional Usage’ section written on the back.

In situations that are irreversible, it can be used for euthanasia.

Yeah. I’m never using that.

‘Only for pain relief.’

-Ah, painkillers. I indeed took headache medicine occasionally. The pain of creativity! The destiny of an entertainer and show creator.

…How on earth does a horror resident with a TV for a head take headache medicine… No, never mind.

I quickly brushed off that image and made Brown feel proud with a few words before looking back into the box.

Phew.

‘What’s the next item….’

Two items appeared simultaneously.

An ominously sealed ancient book covered in dark crimson wax, collecting dust, and next to it, environmentally friendly packaging material that was modern and neat.

Yes, this packaging material itself was the item, without any actual product inside.

Packaging Material 12B357

In fact, other than the barcode and the engraved phrase on the outside, there was not a single explanation.

You might think it’s nothing special?

No.

‘Here comes the defense gear!’

Because this ‘packaging material’ has unique properties.

It would become my precious lifeline.

I carefully tucked the packaging away, planning to use it at the right time.

And then, turning my head…

I gazed at the ancient book with cold, cold eyes.

Necronomicon

The Necronomicon.

Also known as the Book of the Dead.

A quintessential representative of forbidden knowledge inscribed in a magical book.

For decades, it has appeared in various stories and has become synonymous with a wicked spellbook.

And naturally, it had a place in the Dark Exploration Records, one that I had read.

So what are the clichéd features of the Necronomicon?

1. Reading it drives you insane.

2. Made from infernal materials.

“…….”

Yeah.

Meaning human skin… right.

So the cover image depicts a face screaming in agony made from skin.

The dark crimson wax covering the ancient book I received even faintly showed that characteristic.

‘Sigh.’

I really… wouldn’t want to touch that.

-Do, Doe, did you just say Necronomicon? Ah, that translation, I haven’t heard of it in a while.

The horror story host from an American talk show knows about the Necronomicon? It’s almost laughable…

But unfortunately, I must say.

‘That’s not the Necronomicon you know.’

-Um?

There’s such a thing, huh?

I silently took hold of the ‘Necronomicon’ sealed tightly with wax and tucked it away in my arm.

‘Phew.’

I’ve now properly packed away this ‘intimidating item.’

Next, I carefully stashed away the nostalgia candy I once knew.

‘I’d call this an emergency recovery item.’

Even if things get dire, I can manage emergency treatment until I escape with this.

‘…Alright.’

And finally.

I noticed a small red button casually left in the corner of the delivery.

Thinking through the process of elimination, it could only be this that identifies the item.

We Help! – ₩66,666,666

Have you heard of that internet horror story?

When someone offers a button saying, ‘If you press this, someone will die, and you’ll receive 100 million won. Will you press it?’ what would you do?

It looked exactly like a button that would appear in such a scenario.

Upon a closer look, small wording appeared on the side. However…

‘What language is that?’

-Need translation, friend?

I received help from Brown.

-Hmmm. So, Doe, you can understand it as ‘emergency escape’!

Indeed, it seems that it’s a small button that allows for ‘emergency escape with alien help’ when pressed.

‘I hope it’s worth sixty million won.’

Truthfully, this was almost a betting gamble, but I had no regrets.

‘The alien store won’t scam me.’

In another horror story, I might have thought, ‘The moment I press this, my brain will emergency escape from my head to be used as ingredients,’ but… I choose to trust the credibility of the alien store.

“Alright, that’s done.”

-My friend definitely possesses a neat disposition. I like it!

I packed all the shopping spoils into the tattoo on my wrist.

Even if I came out completely contaminated by the horror story, these items should be fine.

…Though I wouldn’t want to prove that.

‘Phew.’

Let’s stop thinking about that.

Fortunately, having done some shopping and organizing didn’t consume the entire daytime, so I was able to catch some sleep in broad daylight.

And when I woke up again …

The news I had momentarily forgotten hit me hard.

[Ko Yeong-eun: Did you check the intranet?]

[Ko Yeong-eun: Just posted the regular personnel announcement document!]

“…!”

Regular personnel announcement.

That means the vacancy in Group D will be filled soon.

“…….”

I wonder who it could be.

A few days later.

“Hello.”

“Oh, yes, yes.”

I saw the newly assigned employee to Group D in the office.

His position was the same as mine—Chief.

He looked to be about the same age as I was before entering the horror story.

The bespectacled employee glanced at me from head to toe.

“Ahh, are you the Chief who got promoted in 60 days?”

“Yes.”

“Then in reality, you’re a newbie, huh?”

“…….”

I silently observed the other person.

“Oh~ look at you staring. Why? Do I get treated the same as a Chief with three years of service?”

And he grinned.

“Not at all. Nice to meet you, senior.”

“Sure. Hey, you know, I’ve heard you’re pretty quick to grasp situations?”

“Haha….”

“This Field Exploration Team is all about group assignments! Awareness! Awareness is the answer.”

Really?

“Because you got promoted early, you whined to be treated like a senior and ended up getting blacklisted and killed, that kind of thing is common?”

While looking around the office that was now vacant.

“I heard the former Assistant Manager and Chief got hands cut off, got contaminated, and considered it a mess. You could have been next.”

“…….”

I slightly turned my head.

I spotted a cleanly cleared out space.

It used to be Chief Park Min-seong’s desk.

The day after the regular personnel announcement document was sent out, when I arrived, all his belongings, cups, and frames had already disappeared.

“That’s right. You could have become Chief.”

“…What?”

“There are many dangerous tasks. Therefore, I’ll do my best to support you so it doesn’t happen. Nice to meet you.”

I politely requested a handshake.

“Uh….”

The employee, who looked a little hesitant, soon shrugged it off and accepted the handshake.

And shortly after.

“Manager! I’m Chief Yoon Jo-hoon. Nice to meet you!”

Manager Lee Ja-heon nodded at the newcomer’s introduction.

“Yes.”

“Haha, did you know our initials are the same? Doesn’t it feel like I’m destined to work under you, Chief?”

“Yes.”

“……I mean, um, doesn’t it feel that way?”

“No.”

“…….”

Brand new Chief Yoon Jo-hoon completely failed the small talk, and as soon as the Team Leader left the office for a meeting, he stepped closer to me and murmured.

“Hey. Does the Group D Team Leader really have some mental issues? I’ve heard rumors.”

“Do you feel that way?”

“You heard the conversation, didn’t you? I thought I was having a conversation with a free AI just now.”

And then he let out a deep sigh.

“Ah crap, it’s already a perfect company to make someone go insane… Sigh. Is it normal for a Team Leader to be like that?”

“Manager Lee Ja-heon takes good care of the team members…”

“So what? It’s all over if we die anyway. He seems completely clueless, doing whatever he wants in the shadows, making enemies even with Team Leader A. That rumor must be true.”

“…….”

“Looks like it is. Ah crap, you better watch out. Of all teams, why this one…”

Chief Yoon Jo-hoon mumbled he was ‘going to the restroom’ and left, and he didn’t return for several dozen minutes.

“…….”

I’m going to have to work with that guy…

-That guy doesn’t look too happy, Doe.

-Does Brown need to help? You know, I’m your Good Friend, right?

-If it’s a friend‘s request, I’ll gladly…

‘Yes. Let’s watch a variety show together after work.’

-Ah, that sounds good too!

Thanks to that conversation, I felt a bit calmer.

Yeah.

To be precise, everything before was unbelievably fortunate for me.

‘Office life is the default value….’

Let’s be thankful that that Chief isn’t my mentor.

I quickly settled my mind.

And that afternoon.

“Tomorrow’s darkness briefing will commence.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon started the briefing, passing out the PDF after returning from a meeting.

The newly appointed Chief was flabbergasted.

“Grade undecided? No, is this a manual-less darkness we’re looking at?”

“No.”

The Lizard Team Leader glared at Chief Yoon Jo-hoon with slitted eyes.

“It’s said that the grade values of the solution in the Dream Collection Device are measured differently with each clearance.”

“…!”

Anomaly?

“But why would they give that to Group D instead of the elite team?”

“It’s not only given to Group D. All field exploration staff in regular teams will attempt to venture in.”

The Lizard Team Leader turned to me.

“This darkness entry through dreams has a high probability of failure.”

“……!”

“Basically, this is how it works. On the night of the full moon, if you read a specific book and fall asleep, you might awaken in the school at night.”

Hold on.

“If the school’s name is ‘Seokwang Technical High School,’ then that means you successfully entered the darkness.”

Seokwang Technical High School.

“…….”

I know this horror story.

But it doesn’t simply end with knowing…

‘…I participated in that horror story.’

Exploration Record #13

The thirteenth entry of that Exploration Record is written by me.