It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 096

The Horror Story Taxi calls us.

From beyond the front gate.

Beep beep.

If we manage to ride it and follow the manual properly, we can surely reach ‘Seoul Station’….

The problem is how to climb aboard that taxi.

‘Stand outside this store’s gate.’

That was also the reason we came to a store with a front gate. The alley of Dead End Street is too narrow for a taxi to stop.

‘So to call the taxi and board it, we have to step outside the gate….’

But I can’t guarantee what kind of scenery will unfold outside the gate, or if both I and Manager Lee Ja-heon can make it out safely.

So, I had prepared a countermeasure.

It was with the products of this store.

‘I was going to use them anyway, and now the store just happens to have a gate, so it all worked out in one shot.’

I swallowed.

“Team Leader, please stick to the plan.”

“Yes.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon reached into the paper bag he was holding and quickly tore the packaging open.

Then, along with the cozy socks, something extra was revealed.

A small bundle of yarn.

As expected from a handmade store, it seemed they gave it to us to add new stitches to the socks, but now we’re going to use it in a slightly different way.

“I’ll begin.”

I carefully untied one end of the red yarn, avoiding the store owner’s gaze, and tied it securely to the leg of the display case.

Then I split the yarn bundle in half and held on to it with Manager Lee Ja-heon.

There might be some limitations on our actions, but it would be safer if we both held on to the yarn.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I slowly unraveled the yarn while backing away with my back to the opaque glass door…

And just as my back touched the glass door, I fumbled down to grab the doorknob.

Click.

As I pushed the doorknob, a rush of wind swept in from outside.

And the sound of the honking horn.

Beep beep.

Don’t look back.

I matched my pace with Manager Lee Ja-heon, slowly stepping backward.

Fortunately, I have a ‘Good Friend’ who will be my eyes.

-Just keep backing up like that, Friend! It’s nighttime, so there aren’t many pedestrians around.

…Pedestrians? No, let’s not get curious.

I kept my gaze fixed on the inside of the store, avoiding the dark surroundings, as I continued to back away.

The yarn hanging in the store was connecting me to ‘Dead End Street’….

In a way, it was like a string.

‘As long as I’m holding this, I’m not lost!’

Slowly, slowly, not in a hurry…

Thud.

I collided with something.

Beep beep.

…It’s the taxi.

The honking horn shook my body again.

I cautiously reached back with my arm, feeling the smooth surface of the vehicle…

-Just a little to the left.

I corrected my hand. I could feel a sleek groove.

‘The doorknob.’

I grabbed the taxi’s doorknob and pulled.

And I squeezed into the cab, cramming my body inside.

I didn’t even have time to think about the modern, clean interior of the car. I looked under the seat to move to the empty spot next to me, and Manager Lee Ja-heon slid right in.

As he tossed the remaining yarn bundle away, he shut the door.

Thanks to mighty strength, all the actions were completed in an instant.

Bang.

“……”

I barely lifted my head.

And to the driver in the front seat, neatly dressed in a bizarrely clean suit with a bow tie, I said,

“Please take me to Seoul Station.”

……

[Estimated arrival time is 43 minutes.]

The car smoothly started moving.

‘Whew.’

I leaned back deeply into the seat and let out a sigh of relief.

For now, we did it!

‘Successfully switched to a horror story…’

Of course, I couldn’t let my guard down since this taxi itself was a horror story.

I quickly recalled the respective wiki.

The “Hell Surge Taxi” rumor, where just hearing the name gives the impression there would be issues with billing.

I looked at the driver’s seat.

…An ominous-looking golden reverse crucifix hung from the front mirror, swaying back and forth.

Confirmed.

‘Hoo.’

Even though I was following the plan, a wave of tension ran down my back.

Perhaps it was because I was trapped in the confined space of a taxi. The pressure of being in a terrifying story where I couldn’t escape no matter what would happen weighed heavily on me…

Tick tock.

The meter started rising.

[10000]

[10100]

[10200]

It’s fast.

“Driver.”

I had to broach the topic quickly.

And as the meter rises….

Right.

The fare for this taxi is not about collecting money but about assigning a curse.

More accurately, it’s closer to “supernaturally occurring bad things,” making it even more unsettling.

However, if the driver keeps the passenger engaged and drives slowly, the meter climbs at a leisurely pace, and this “curse” remains within manageable limits for the passenger.

But in the opposite case…

‘The moment you step out of a speeding taxi, you get a curse you can’t handle.’

Moreover, going fast doesn’t mean you arrive at the destination any sooner.

All taxis arrive on time, and the speed is unrelated to the scheduled arrival time.

The time set for me is 43 minutes.

For this duration, I must keep the driver’s interest piqued.

‘When the vehicle speeds up, the chances of strange occurrences inside, like windows breaking, increase…’

I absolutely do not want to experience that.

But hey, since I’ve already read the records, don’t I know what topics the driver might be interested in?

That’s true.

The problem is, there are four potential ‘drivers’ to interact with!

Since they all look alike and are indistinguishable, directly asking them their number would likely earn an annoyed expression, and you’d be ejected from the taxi.

‘And those thrown out go missing….’

So, to find out who’s who, there’s no choice but to engage in conversation.

Thus, the original strategy starts with figuring out quickly which number the driver falls under through initial dialogue.

But you know.

With my head being filled with exploration records to this extent, there’s room to try something else.

The most intact method to get off this taxi smoothly.

[Customer.]

“……”

The first question began already.

A condescending voice, oddly amused, flowed from the driver currently in the front seat…

[How was your day today?]

“Just worked.”

[Ah.]

The driver didn’t express preferences about the stories the passenger shared, only throwing questions.

But the meter responds.

[10500]

[10700]

[10900]

[11200]

It’s a rampage.

-Goodness, does that driver not understand the concept of small talk? Friend, if you wish, I could chime in as a capable broadcaster…

‘It’s fine.’

That’s the expected outcome. I quickly and nonchalantly followed up with my next line.

“But I nearly died at work.”

Suddenly.

“I almost became meat while trying to buy some at the butcher shop.”

The meter stopped.

[11300]

“Fortunately, the owner of the store turned out to be a vegetarian. I made an exchange for some produce and managed to escape. I even came out with some money after haggling.”

[…….]

The fingers drumming on the steering wheel slowed down.

…The vehicle slowed down.

[And what happened next?]

Phew.

“I headed toward the alley.”

‘It worked.’

What am I doing, you ask?

‘I’m weaving as many relevant keywords into my answers as possible.’

Regardless of which driver is sitting there, I want them to show interest.

In other words, it’s a strategy of ‘surely there’s something in this mix that piques your interest.’

And as luck would have it, my situation right now is naturally packed with all sorts of stimulating subjects to bring up.

‘I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in the past six months.’

[What are you going to do tomorrow?]

The topics kept flowing easily.

“For starters, I plan on taking it easy and organizing what has happened until now. It’s been quite a rollercoaster.”

I switched the conversation to whatever interesting account came to mind, turning it into a substantial topic about my experiences filled with shocking elements.

And I kept intertwining it all.

Nightmares, food, blood, violence, survival of the fittest, mascots, cooking, divination, ghosts…

It all blended into the everyday conversation.

Ultimately, the vehicle progressed slowly, almost as if it were riding a bicycle.

I kept rambling endlessly; it was enough to impress Brown.

And just when my throat was nearly hoarse.

[…you’ve arrived.]

The taxi came to a stop.

[Your destination, ‘Seoul Station.’]

…Click.

The lock on the back door clicked open. Then the tinted window lowered, revealing the familiar night view…

It was the night scene of Seoul Station.

‘Hah…!’

I felt like crying from sheer joy.

I wanted to bolt out immediately, but I had to settle the fare first.

I looked at the meter.

[29700]

[29800]

Click.

The driver turned off the meter.

[29800]

‘We made it…!’

Ending with a fare in the twenties was usually only possible for journeys lasting under ten minutes.

At this distance, it seemed there would be no permanent damage.

[Fare settlement.]

The taxi driver reached back with his hand.

In that hand was a check.

-29,900 / Code 1

I cautiously accepted the classic paper check with a snake-shaped wax seal…

An explanation was written on the back.

It indicated the curse the passenger would receive.

Fare Code 1: Disease.

– High fever, headaches, coughing blood, chills for three days.

Good.

‘That’s very acceptable.’

Much better than a dramatic downturn in finances or someone around me dying.

“Thank you.”

I pocketed the check, deeply bowed to the driver, and finally escaped outside the taxi.

‘Hah.’

How could the winter air feel this good…?

Tap tap.

“…!”

The window of the driver’s seat rolled halfway down.

[Customer.]

I nearly fainted.

“Yes.”

[It was a pleasant conversation. I think my colleagues would be interested in your stories as well…]

A gloved hand gripped the wheel in the darkness, tapping its fingers…

[Let’s meet again after we retire. Next time, let’s have a drink.]

I swallowed.

…Did he perhaps catch on?

In fact, there’s a very certain and famous motif behind this taxi driver.

Based on this, understanding the current situation… what he just said sent cold sweat running down my spine.

But it’s okay to nod calmly.

“Yes.”

The horsemen of the Apocalypse can’t retire until the world ends!

Before that, I will return.

“It would be nice if the opportunity arises. Good luck with your duty.”

[Hahaha… Yes. So tiresome.]

The taxi window rolled back up.

The black car swiftly vanished from Seoul Station like a ghost.

Leaving just the crimson taxi sign behind.

“……”

I stared at the negative check in my hand.

At that moment.

The check ignited and the coughing of blood began.

“Ugh!”

High fever and headaches scorched through my head, but I could bear it.

And that lizard was watching my condition.

It was also dripping blood from its mouth.

‘Aah!’

Not a very lovely sight, but I had to swallow down the blood mixed with spit and said,

“This, it should clear up right after three days. It’s… I think it might be the rule.”

“Yes.”

“And thank you for not prying too much into how you knew, and for trusting me in the taxi. Cough,”

The lizard stared at my blood-coughing self.

“Kim Sol-eum.”

“Yes?”

“Please take sick leave.”

“Yes….”

After a while.

We waited until the coughing of blood subsided, then called another taxi to return to the staff quarters.

It felt quite unsettling to be in another taxi, but nothing else happened and both the manager and I returned home safely except for the high fever we were boiling in.

‘To think Team Leader Lee Ja-heon also lived in the staff quarters.’

Anyway, we parted ways in front of the building.

“Please take sick leave.”

“Yes… thank you.”

Let’s leave any further discussions for later at the company.

‘Phew.’

So….

I returned safely.

‘Even a staff quarter feels nice to have as a home.’

As I opened the door and stepped inside, the warm feeling of the heated indoors wrapped around me. It almost felt euphoric.

I wanted to hop straight into a hot shower and sleep soundly since I felt unwell but….

Hmm, there was one more thing to do.

‘Huh.’

I checked the shoes in the entrance that weren’t mine.

They were Baek Sa-heon’s dress shoes.