Behind the vendor, there was nothing.

No open door, no shop, no space.

Yet the vendor said again.

Comeonin.

I can’t look.

Without examining their face too closely, I just had to quietly and naturally refuse. I barely managed to…

open my mouth, but before that, Lizard Manager grabbed the vendor’s arm.

“??”

Tight.

The red vertical pupils stared at the vendor.

“……”

“……”

The vendor subtly averted their gaze.

Then they let go of my arm and began trying to attract other customers as if nothing happened.

“……”

So… this works?

I just realized something new. The Lizard can make the ghosts behave…

“Thank you.”

“Yeah.”

Physical exorcism, this is so convenient.

‘By the way, I was supposed to get stronger equipment customized for Assistant Manager Lee Ja-heon.’

After this is over, I should mention it.

For now, perhaps because the Lizard is a real threat, he didn’t utter any commands that a person at the end of their rope might do.

He merely stated this:

“When entering this area with four or more people, it’s usual protocol to move in pairs, and if possible, check out new alleys.”

Hmm?

“Doe, please select an employee to accompany you.”

Ah. I see.

Since I am the highest-ranked among the three, he wants to ensure that they keep balance by sending me to a different team.

‘What a pity… Lizard’s power.’

The recent awesome experience was super sweet.

But it was also something I had anticipated. Still, since I’ve entered with Assistant Manager Lee Ja-heon, I might be able to get help again like during the exhibition.

‘So, I’m supposed to choose who to go with from my colleagues?’

Hmm.

I said politely.

“Well, since we know each other, is it okay if I go with Buffalo?”

“Yes.”

Since there’s a new person, it’s probably harder to maneuver comfortably.

‘…I need to check that chocolate wrapper.’

Moreover, that colleague Kang Lee-hak would probably prefer to accompany the Team Leader…

“Hey! Wait! If it’s okay, can I go with Buffalo?”

Kang Lee-hak interjected.

Hmm?

“It’s a bit odd to split a team that was originally formed, right? I have some things to discuss with Buffalo…”

Kang Lee-hak convincingly argued to Assistant Manager Lee Ja-heon that “since this isn’t a high-level horror story, even two employees can just follow the manual without anyone getting upset.”

“If it’s okay with you two, it should be fine for us colleagues too!”

“Yes.”

The Lizard nodded.

“Move in groups of three.”

“……Yes?”

“Doe, Pony, Buffalo. Move in groups of three.”

Kang Lee-hak managed to respond without losing his social graces.

“Uh, thank you, but… isn’t it a bit much for the manager to take on the risk of going alone?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Well then.

But since it’s come to this, persuasion is off.

‘Three in a group, huh.’

Before leaving, Assistant Manager Lee Ja-heon approached me.

“Doe.”

Then, to my surprise, he handed me something.

“Press this if any issues arise.”

“…….”

A small brown circle fell into my hand.

A small button.

I had once used it in a quiz show.

…It’s Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je’s communication device.

“……Have you gotten in touch with Assistant Manager Song Golmae?”

“Yes. I was asked to pass this along to you yesterday.”

“…….”

I slowly nodded my head.

“Thank you.”

“Yes.”

Then the Lizard disappeared into the alley…

“…Then let’s walk and move out of this street vendor alley.”

“Yes…!”

“Oh, sure.”

I moved my feet alongside the two colleagues.

Do not give up your body!

Remaining steps: 9130

Walking through the bizarre vendors’ flickering lights in a long alley while being careful not to turn off the app surprisingly drains energy.

If you can’t let your guard down around the surroundings for even a second, it’s even tougher.

“Phew.”

Jang Heo-woon slightly lifted his mask to wipe the sweat accumulating beneath it.

Wait.

“Be careful.”

“…!”

I stopped Jang Heo-woon.

“It’s better to adhere strictly to the anonymity manual here. …Buffalo.”

“……Yes.”

As Jang Heo-woon slowly lowered his hand to wipe the beads of sweat.

…….

A street vendor observing him intently began trying to attract customers again.

Whispering.

‘Phew.’

Street merchants are aggressively trying to sell their goods and get paid in any way possible.

To avoid being sucked into that, avoid exposing any personal information, characteristics, or appearance that could be weaknesses.

Especially, strictly control mentions of human characteristics, residences, acquaintances, and behavior.

The company manual is precise.

‘The moment you can’t follow this, you’ll be passively dragged into their sales pitch.’

Just like those people poking around at the far end right now.

“This town even had a spot like this, it’s crazy.”

“Whoa? What’s that? Looks really realistic… Real, real, real… REAL!! I want to buy it!”

“That’s the guy! Yes! It’s a person!”

The issue was that those people had neither masks to conceal their identities, nor information…

“Uh? Huh? Why does that guy have three eyes? Huh? Oh! Is it normal for people to have three eyes? Sorry, I must’ve been mistaken! I’ll buy myself an extra eye, darling!”

“Yeah! Trade it for an ear!”

They followed the street vendor and disappeared around the corner.

‘…It’s too late now.’

That’s how people vanish.

A chill of fear swept down my spine.

But I mustn’t let it show. Not in front of my coworkers.

Instead, I clenched my teeth and tried to walk calmly again.

“Let’s get out of this area first….”

“Doe, over there…!”

Jang Heo-woon pointed shakily at something.

It was…

A ‘person’ passing right beside us.

A high school student with an anxious face looking around.

‘Damn.’

“This…!”

Jang Heo-woon rummaged through his bag and pulled out a black cloth mask.

Then he approached the high school student and handed it over without a word.

“Put this on.”

“Yes, yes…?”

‘If that goes wrong, we’re in deep trouble…!’

I instantly intervened.

“Stay calm. Put on the mask quickly, and ignore whoever is babbling next to you and walk quietly.”

“What… oh.”

“Do your best not to look around. You need to act as if you casually came to visit.”

It seemed my ‘invisible heart’ had some effect, as the high school student, sensing something was off, reluctantly accepted the mask offered by Jang Heo-woon.

“Do not turn off the Dead End Street app, and you need to complete 10,000 steps. Then you can get out.”

“…….”

With a face mixed with suspicion, anxiety, and alertness, the student stared at us, but in the end turned around and ran away in the opposite direction.

“Ah…!”

Jang Heo-woon looked like he wanted to call out, but he gave up after noticing Kang Lee-hak calmly smiling and watching.

“……”

And I think I understood another reason.

“Uh, by the way…”

Jang Heo-woon murmured with disbelief.

“Wasn’t that student wearing Seokwang Technical High School uniform…?”

“…….”

Right.

In this space, one can witness a wide variety of things.

Dead friends, family members missing from childhood, victims of large accidents, passersby dressed in 1980s attire, and even students from schools that don’t exist in reality.

Countless guests, spectators, and… products have flowed into this alley.

However.

“It’s probably best to pretend not to see whatever you witness here. It’s basic manual to not draw attention.”

“Ah. Yes…!”

Jang Heo-woon took a deep breath again.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Hey, you don’t need to be that tense. As Kang Lee-hak advised, let’s act like we came to visit!”

Kang Lee-hak was right.

It’s strongly recommended to maintain a natural atmosphere as if visiting this commercial street with acquaintances.

“Still, let’s keep our guard up while we move.”

“Yes!”

We continued walking through the crowds, trying our best not to bump into anyone or draw attention.

Step by step.

The count on the app decreases with each step on the alley’s floor.

And the moment the thousands place of the remaining steps changes.

Do not give up your body!

Remaining steps: 8999

A gap between the vendors caught my eye.

‘A passage.’

A path leading to a narrower alley.

On that side, the vendors disappeared, and soon formal shops selling various necessities appeared…

“I’ll turn in this direction.”

It was at that moment.

“Oh, since we’re entering a new alley… let’s act a bit more natural from now on, shall we?”

Kang Lee-hak interjected.

Hmm.

“Could you explain that a bit more?”

Kang Lee-hak smiled widely.

“Let’s aim for a ‘treasure-hunting’ chance!”

“…!”

“No, there have been quite a few exploration records where they bought decent ‘goods’ here, so let’s explore the market a bit! That would be the most natural thing to do, after all!”

Shopping outright.

“…! But the manual explicitly told us to avoid that as much as possible….”

Jang Heo-woon was right.

Judging that buying items can aid exploration isn’t explicitly prohibited by the manual but is also not encouraged.

All potential risks arising from purchases are not covered by workers’ compensation.

Though the last line sounded kind of scummy, the reason why it’s not recommended in the manual is clear.

The longer you walk, the more seductive shops and products that beckon you spring into view.

Then, workers, losing their rationality in this strange place, often end up buying items without considering their dangers.

Even though the payment isn’t made with ordinary currency.

Yet for Kang Lee-hak to bring this up…

‘What’s he after?’

There’s definitely a scheme at play.

– Ah, politics! This is life’s variety show.

– But if you back down, it turns into a documentary. Can’t have that. Let’s go, Doe!

‘Sigh.’

I had hoped to meet someone new and build rapport, but here we are again…

‘There’s no helping it.’

I smiled at Kang Lee-hak.

“Let’s do that.”

“…!”

“Shopping seems nice.”

“Oh! Manager, you had the same thought! Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.”

I raised my hand and gestured casually.

Pointing toward a store I recognized nearby.

“How about that one?”

“…….”

“…….”

“The goods seem appealing. Let’s hurry in.”

I moved my feet toward the butcher shop.

“…?!”

It’s the essence of “You can’t reason with a madman!”…!