It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 088

It’s natural, but during dark explorations, one inevitably encounters absurdities and eerie experiences.

Being chased by a ghost, public transportation suddenly heading to a bizarre destination one’s never heard of, and the moment one steps outside, everyone on the street turning to stare…

Yet, as time goes by, many employees say they’ve grown accustomed to these things.

‘I guess I’ve gotten a bit used to it too.’

Even though it’s about contamination and items, the fact I nearly lost arms and legs just to clear a high-level horror right before this isn’t something to sneeze at.

But some types of eerie sensations never get familiar.

For instance,

Out-of-the-blue horror stories recognizing ‘me.’

“…….”

I trembled, flipping through the documents.

There was even a poorly drawn picture of the packaging from the report written by the exploration staff.

-Oh, it seems the artist has sacrificed the aesthetic for the sake of conveying information.

Disgustingly drawn, but they clearly recognized who it was.

‘…Brown.’

-Please feel free to speak, friend!

‘Doesn’t that look like me?’

-Considering the art style and the hairdo, it seems we both reached the same conclusion!

“…….”

Even the product name is ‘Good Kid,’ and the flavor is ‘Cinnamon Churros’…

‘It’s a theme park’s blue mascot, isn’t it?’

And the featured horror… ‘Qterw-C-1603’? Why on earth did ‘that’ horror appear?

I reflexively glanced at my tattoo but then held back.

Then I asked Manager Lee Ja-heon, who was staring blankly at me.

“Is there nothing officially recorded in the manual yet?”

“Yes.”

Phew.

That’s somewhat comforting.

‘If Director Cheong showed this to me ahead of time…’

…As a favor? Or a debt?

Probably both, I guess.

Once this becomes an exploration record, the identifying descriptions will be censored with black boxes based on security levels.

In return, there was a high likelihood that the research team would try experimental explorations to see why this phenomenon occurred…

Like putting an employee disguised as me, or sending someone to explore without giving them information.

‘Gwak Je-gang might even notice and try to throw me back into that theme park again.’

This is driving me nuts.

What if, having reached that point, I asked Director Cheong for help as if I were riding a line? I could find myself in a situation like ‘Outstanding Employee with 30 Years of Service with Director Cheong.’

Why is it that despite working hard, the chances of things going wrong loom over me like this…

‘That’s the nature of the horror story world.’

Regardless, let’s be thankful I know this now. I might owe Director Cheong a psychological favor, but it’s still better than the research team getting the scoop first.

‘And the fact that they specifically told me ahead of time means…’

“Is the darkness our team will explore this week related to that darkness?”

“I don’t know.”

“…Do you think there’s a 50% or higher chance of it being so, Team Leader?”

“Yes.”

As expected.

‘If I’m going to be informed beforehand, it makes sense for them to check it themselves.’

‘Qterw-C-1603.’

If I have to enter the horror and endure mental torture as a coward, it’s better to go into something more worthwhile…

This criterion hasn’t changed.

‘Let’s check it out.’

And this time, I have an exceptionally reliable companion.

The renowned physical exorcist employee, none other than Team Leader Lee Ja-heon!

…Although considering my experience during the clown horror, I might issue commands with absurdly paralyzed fear.

‘Hmm, if it’s one-on-one, there should be a way to negotiate or escape.’

I think I’ve somehow grasped conversation techniques lately.

With that in mind, going alongside an unflinching Team Leader feels quite reassuring.

But there was one more variable.

“Sol-eum.”

“Yes.”

“Will we be receiving support personnel?”

Ah, right.

Field explorations are usually based on groups of three, so this time our team will be getting an additional member for exploration.

‘If that’s viewed as a preliminary operation for an elite team, then that’s fine.’

Usually, it appears they pick people at random to participate… Hmm.

“Is it possible to specify someone to receive?”

“Yes.”

Oh! …Wait a minute.

“……I’ll exclude the method of asking Director Cheong. Is that still possible?”

“No.”

“……”

‘Thank goodness I caught on…!’

I almost ended up doubling my debt.

Holding back my frustration, I finally couldn’t resist asking.

Something I’ve been curious about regarding the Lizard Team Leader all along.

“Team Leader, you usually keep your answers concise. If there’s a reason for that, I’d appreciate knowing.”

“Okay.”

The Lizard glanced at the sky briefly before focusing back on me.

“The detailed answers are a result of feedback I received to only provide them upon request.”

“…In what context did you receive such feedback?”

“On the third day of starting work at this company during a dark exploration.”

“……”

I see…

Even without hearing specific descriptions, I can vividly imagine the situation.

“Team Leader, if it’s not urgent, I’d prefer if you spoke comfortably around me.”

“Yes.”

And Manager Lee Ja-heon… began to speak further!

“If Kim Sol-eum wants to specify the characteristics of the applicant, please report to me. I can’t specify names, but you can request preferred traits from the sample group.”

“…!”

He’s explaining on his own!

-No, Doe has the talent of an interviewer!

Th-thank you.

For a moment, I was nearly intoxicated with a sense of effectiveness, but what’s important now is the content Manager Lee Ja-heon just shared.

‘While it’s tough to pinpoint exactly who would be good, I can suggest characteristics of the type of employee I’d like, right?’

Hmm.

After some deliberation, I settled on one ‘applicant’s characteristic.’

“I hope it’s someone from the employees.”

There’s a hidden meaning here.

Because all current employees are my colleagues.

‘It’s not because I’m feeling left out in the group chat or anything….’

To be honest, this exploration feels a bit sketchy, so I’d prefer someone not too seasoned, knowing the ins and outs of how the company operates.

‘It’d be nice to become acquaintances along the way.’

I figured it’d be good to gradually expand my circle of acquaintances at the company.

“Yes.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon readily agreed to my request, and I felt a bit excited.

I wonder what new face I will meet?

And a few days later.

“…….”

“…….”

I encountered Jang Heo-woon, who was giving me a welcoming look, in front of Group D’s office door.

“I’m Jang Heo-woon from Group F…!”

It’s a familiar face.

Not a bad outcome, after all. Since he’s not a superior, it should lead to a more comfortable exploration.

I smiled and extended my hand to Jang Heo-woon.

“Good to see you again. I look forward to working with you on this exploration today.”

“Yes, Sol-eum! I’ll definitely help with the clear!”

Jang Heo-woon shook my hand enthusiastically. Yup, he seems like a good person…

“Oh, yes, I appreciate it!”

“…….”

“……??”

Turning my head, I noticed a cheerful employee descending from the elevator, approaching us with a bow.

A friendly-looking woman around my age.

She’s wearing a pony mask.

“I’m the support personnel from Group I. This time, as the manual recommends an even number of personnel for exploration, we’ve received two people for support.”

“I’m Kang Lee-hak~ Nice to meet you, Chief, and Employee!”

“Yes…!”

As Jang Heo-woon hastily nodded, realization seemed to dawn on him.

“Oh, you’re the one who often comments in the group chat…!”

“Yes, yes, haha, embarrassing as it is, that’s me!”

Ah.

[Kang Lee-hak: Is it true you received 40,000 points? Hehe.]

I remember now.

When I joined the group chat, I actively sought information and was somewhat cautious about that person.

‘They seemed to lead the atmosphere in the peer group chat.’

Encouraging a focus on gains rather than casual interaction.

That colleague, with a smile, extended their hand toward me.

“Wow, Senior Colleague! It’s the first time meeting you like this. I look forward to it~”

“Yes. Likewise.”

I shook hands lightly.

…It felt clean.

‘This person seems a bit lighter than I expected.’

I imagined someone with a more deceitful demeanor, but she gives off a friendly vibe. It’s as if they aren’t hiding any ulterior motives in their questions.

‘Well, I’d be grateful if they’re a decent person…’

After all, it’s better than having a total jerk like Baek Sa-heon on the team, which would be far mentally taxing.

Those who haven’t experienced it wouldn’t know the feeling of inner screams when a ghost appears, only to have a sociopath beside them… Ugh.

“I’ll be moving out.”

“Yes.”

Team Leader Lee Ja-heon began to walk away.

We quietly followed the Team Leader and got into the car, while I took the wheel and manipulated the navigation.

“Are we heading to Gyeonggi-do?”

“Yes.”

Right, this darkness completely takes us out of Seoul.

While the exploration report I skimmed earlier might lead to misunderstandings, Qterw-C-1603 is not just an odd snack shop horror.

It’s bigger… and more sinister.

“Hmm, to enter this horror… Ah, we need to wait until the sun sets before gathering, right?”

“It seems so.”

I began driving, kindly answering Jang Heo-woon’s inquiries.

To enter this darkness, we needed to align both time and place.

As a side note, our company had previously secured this poster, covering it so only the QR code remains visible.

“Chief, I’ll scan the QR code on your behalf!”

“Oh, thank you.”

Moments later.

Having arrived at our destination, we parked at the public parking lot and stepped out to walk into the quiet alley.

It was twilight, the short winter sun sinking low.

While most restaurants and cafes were still open, a lingering sense of stagnation peculiar to defunct markets remained…

“Now open the app.”

I looked at the screen.

As we passed through the somewhat quaint design featuring the old logo and characters of ■■ City…

The application itself begins to guide us.

Directions to Dead End Street →

Follow the arrows!

My smartphone displayed my GPS location like an augmented reality.

“Walk.”

“…….”

We began to move, each engrossed in our smartphone screens.

Follow the arrows!

At first, everything seemed normal.

Guiding us along the main road of the alley, it began to lead us more towards the outskirts of this market.

But as time passed,

The path began to twist.

Follow the arrows!

We were steered through narrow gaps barely wide enough for one person, guided inside a building through the front door and out the back.

It even led us to dead ends before guiding us back out.

In the dim alley,

With an odd intuition, I began to feel increasingly strange about my surroundings.

My neck grew cold, and I heard nonsensical murmurs while odd shadows seemed to flit just out of sight…

‘…I must endure.’

But I couldn’t turn my head.

In silence, we continued walking.

Each of us tried not to bump into or startle one another.

Follow the arrows!

“Did you just hear something strange…?”

“Shh.”

After about 16 minutes of silently walking…

Before we knew it, even the dusky twilight light had completely disappeared.

“……”

“……”

In that already dim alley market, an unnerving emptiness engulfed all light, leaving it pitch black.

Only the dim glow of our smartphones illuminated the residential area when—

Clunk.

Tat-tat!

Lights began to turn on one by one in the dark alley.

“…!”

The street shops started to illuminate.

Yellow and blue lights from the signs illuminated the alleyway.

…But this wasn’t the familiar old market scene we’d seen earlier.

Whispers.

A swarm of figures bustling in the alley.

At first glance, it looked familiar, but upon closer inspection, storefronts bore warped names.

All sorts of businesses lined the alley, clearly open and welcoming customers…

Ding ding.

The app displayed a congratulatory message.

You have arrived safely.

Welcome to Dead End Street!

“…Have we arrived?”

“Yes.”

We successfully entered.

Right into the heart of the horror story.

“Walk slowly.”

“……”

We nodded in agreement and followed behind Manager Lizard as we stepped into the strange alley….