It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Chapter 013

Entering a horror story in [Dark Exploration Records] usually results in losing all data transmission and communication, leading to isolation.

‘This is the classic setup for a scary story.’

But stories become more fun when they exchange and collide.

To make this setup more intriguing, I recall reading in a horror story that there are disposable items capable of emergency communication in some sections of [Daydream Corporation].

‘Is this button one of those?’

While my mind raced to figure things out, my mouth was already chattering away.

Time was of the essence!

“Is this Team D’s Team Leader?”

[Yes.]

“I’m Kim Sol-eum, a newbie in Team D. I have an urgent report.”

Let’s hit them with the situation right away!

“In 30 minutes, everyone in Team D will be dead.”

Even if the other party is flustered, it can’t be helped. This is more efficient. I need to calm them down and explain…

[Understood.]

[I will take a briefing for 5 minutes.]

“……”

Why are they so calm?

Even if complete annihilation of the team is just another day for the Field Exploration Team, isn’t this a bit too much, humanly speaking?

‘Is there something wrong with their character…?’

I nearly got confused, but since the situation was urgent, I pushed it aside for now. I summarized the situation as concisely as possible.

“An anomaly occurred during the Tuesday Talk Show of Grade D.”

Other team members suddenly crashed the talk show, there was an abruptly canceled quiz show, and the situation turned into a crazy choir show.

[How many members are left?]

“Out of seven, three remain. Team D is still alive, but at this rate, they will all die as soon as the break ends.”

The Team Leader of Team D responded clearly and succinctly.

[Understood.]

[Try to stall for an additional 30 minutes.]

“……”

Will that even work?

“I think it’s impossible.”

[Then there’s no solution.]

It seems they have the talent to infuriate someone who will be dead in 30 seconds.

‘I can’t waste time with this kind of conversation.’

While there are quite a few employees on the Field Exploration Team who’ve lost their morals or common sense as they climb up the ladder, facing one in person is truly frustrating.

‘Do they think the lives of their team members are a joke?’

I just wanted to hang up and let them figure it out themselves…

“……”

Wait a second.

“What would change if we had an extra 30 minutes?”

Why were they stalling for time?

[Yes.]

[If there are at least 55 minutes from now, you can borrow the strongest equipment and entry devices approved by the Security Team.]

A calm voice explained matter-of-factly.

[Even if all procedures are processed afterward, it will take about 40 minutes, and it will take an additional 15 to 20 minutes to enter the darkness.]

“…So that means we could rescue Team D?”

[Probabilistically, yes.]

“……”

An employee on the Field Exploration Team who can independently enter a Grade A darkness and suppress the abnormality with special equipment?

Such a person would be…

‘A named character.’

The person I’m talking to right now must be one of the employees I’ve read about in [Dark Exploration Records]!

‘Someone with a pivotal or notable role….’

Goosebumps crept up my back.

A few candidates crossed my mind, and simultaneously my mind spun.

“Stealing equipment from the Security Team… well, that would be unfeasible.”

[? That’s correct.]

The Security Team operates with limited mobility for the sake of narrative plausibility of the horror story, and their security is extremely strong. It indeed seemed like an impossible act.

‘But if this person is really someone I know….’

New possibilities emerge…!

I swallowed hard and asked.

“……Could I ask what mask you wear, Manager?”

If they mention a nickname I recognize…

[Lizard.]

“……”

Ah.

So it’s you.

“Manager.”

There are 20 minutes left.

“…Based on what you provided, I’ve devised a plan.”

Let’s go with this.

[Ah, Doe!]

The break time was coming to an end.

I grabbed a water bottle from the waiting room and returned to the talk show set.

“Humans, number 2. I am a human!”

Against the background of two employees whose faces had drastically worsened from being exposed to the ‘choir practice’ for several dozen minutes, the host, sporting a retro TV for a head, extended a handshake toward me.

[Are you feeling better? I hope you’re ready to create the best broadcast with all your might!]

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

[Haha, the participants must be in good condition to create even more exciting scenes in the show, right?]

Considering the host’s behavior so far, their tone seemed very friendly.

It looks like the effect of the smile sticker is still lingering.

‘Everything up to this point is on track.’

I picked my prepared words.

“…You truly put a lot of love and enthusiasm into the show, host. That’s why it’s always an incredibly entertaining experience.”

Maybe it was the extreme situation, but compliments flowed smoothly without any hesitation.

[What an amazing compliment! But a broadcast is something that everyone creates together, so Doe, you are part of that too!]

No, that’s not the direction I meant…

“While I’m grateful for the kind words, I don’t think I can compare to you, the host, who leads this large talk show.”

This is the way it should go.

“However, I didn’t know that a change in broadcast format would be announced in such a way to a host like you…”

[…….]

“I noticed that we’re now using pre-recorded sound without an audience, the penalties are gone, and the band members have decreased.”

I recalled the black-and-white broadcast posters in the waiting room.

All of them had audiences with real-time interactions in lively talk shows.

If that’s the host’s personal space…

‘This host probably doesn’t like the new broadcast format!’

“Overall, it seems like changes were made to cut costs.”

Misunderstandings from disparaging comments about the talk show could result in instant demise. But just sitting still would lead to death too.

I had to take a risk.

I nonchalantly turned to glance at the center stage, attempting to speak.

The conductor with the dead pig’s head.

“…Could it be that the reason for this overhaul is because inviting that Guest costs a ridiculous amount?”

[!]

The host’s TV emoticon vanished.

But soon returned to a smiling emoticon.

[That’s something the participants shouldn’t concern themselves with.]

“I apologize.”

Please spare me.

Honestly, I hardly even looked at that dead pig head because I was too scared.

“I was really looking forward to participating in the Tuesday Quiz Show because I’m such a fan, so I guess I came across as rude. I just regret its cancellation…”

[Ah, that’s kind of you! But… the show business is merciless.]

The host’s TV screen calmly turned black.

[If viewers prefer this format, it is the entertainer’s quality to quickly adapt…].

“Is that so?”

I swallowed hard.

“But isn’t the viewers’ sentiment still uncertain? …At least I preferred the previous format, where we interacted live with the audience and presented lively stories during the Tuesday Quiz Show.”

[…….]

“It’s quite abrupt and rude to change things so suddenly without consulting the host… Ah, no, I’m sorry. I’ve overstepped my bounds.”

I pretended to hesitate before adding.

“I just… thought it was really enjoyable during the live broadcast earlier. I felt a thrill, too.”

[-]

The host stood quietly, speechless.

The TV screen was crackling with noise…

Ding Ding Ding!

[…Ah! There are 60 seconds left until filming resumes!]

The announcement resonated through the scene, and the emoticon came back instantly.

[Alright, everyone, let’s give it our all until the end!]
[You should head to the podium now, Doe.]

“…Yes.”

[We’re starting! 10, 9, 8…].

The host counted down the numbers while looking into the camera just as before.

But it seemed they weren’t gazing at the camera in a trance like before anymore, likely because of the impression I left during our conversation.

‘Good.’

I feel like the groundwork has been sufficiently laid.

After nodding at the host, I headed towards my podium.

And moments later.

[Alright! Oso-ri!]

[It’s really your turn to give the correct answer now!]

The show had restarted.

[Will Oso-ri become a glorious member of the choir?]

Chief Park Min-seong appeared to have collected himself by now, wearing a somewhat resigned expression on his face.

I saw him quickly mouthing words towards me.

-Thank you.

What was he saying? ‘Thanks to you I was able to prepare…’ No, wait! Let’s communicate here!

I mouthed back what I wanted to convey…

-Please get the correct answer.

“…?!”

Chief Park looked at me like I was a madman.

Well, I understand.

‘Better be cremated than to become a worn-out human instrument repeating what I said right before death.’

But this had to happen.

Chief Park looked confounded, shaking his head, then glanced at the Assistant Manager.

The Assistant Manager nodded.

[Oso-ri? I’ll give you 3 seconds.]

“Ah! Ummm, yes. I will answer….”

Chief Park shut his eyes tight and shouted.

“Option 4, it’s a burn!”

[Oooh!]

Amidst the recorded audience’s uproar, I finally saw it.

Flapping.

From the dimly lit corner stage, something appeared.

A postcard.

The bizarre postcard we used when entering here.

Just before, the conversation I had with Manager Lee Ja-heon floated back to me.

-“Manager, then does that mean using that equipment will allow us to access the horror story via a medium?”

-“That’s correct. However, the one I have is meant for emergency supply and is only for sending small items into the darkness.”

-“That’s sufficient. I’ll….”

I stared at the postcard.

It quietly fell to the ground in the dim light, with a small AAA battery shooting out at terrifying speed.

“…!”

The ominous battery quickly closed the gap towards the conductor with incredible force.

To a silver platter.

-Throw it with all your might.

The thick platter crumpled as if pierced by the battery.

It was a mind-boggling physical force.

‘As expected.’

I recalled Manager Lee Ja-heon’s description from [Dark Exploration Records].

———————=

Employee D

Nickname: Lizard. Last Position: Team Leader.

One of the few powerful agents in the Field Exploration Team.

Known for tackling various horror stories with brute strength requiring accident response and ingenuity. ??? : Is it because of a poor physique that the mind struggles?

Conversely, it makes one feel the true essence of ‘X’ only when this character’s strength fails entirely.

———————=

If I had directly attacked the conductor with the dead pig head, I might have felt that ‘X’ firsthand.

But with just a silver platter?

‘In a horror story, physical exorcism is possible,’ I thought this employee could potentially make it work… And my prediction was right.

The platter almost ruptured under the force.

‘Then.’

Despite the cold sweat, I wore a triumphant smile.

[Wow! Oso-ri, that’s correct!]

Normally, this is where the correct answer-er would get their neck ripped off and be forced to join the choir members on another silver platter.

However, the conductor’s response to his precious ‘instrument’ being damaged was…

[…Conductor?]

The dead pig’s mouth gaped open.

Its jawbone bent at an abnormal angle, ripping its decayed skin apart.

The planned audience applause recording rang mechanically before being abruptly interrupted.

[…Hmm, it seems our guest has come up with a new performance style! What brilliant method could he possibly be envisioning? My heart races!]

The pig screamed.

Sound began to emerge from its ripped snout…

[…The participant is waiting. Conductor, please welcome him as a choir member!]

The feeling of rising bile surged up. What in the world have I done?! What a nonsense was that?! Did you see the horrors I’ve unleashed, I want to sing! Wrong judgment, again!

The band sound overwhelmed the shrill scream.

“Ugh!”

This is madness.

Drip. Drip.

A red spot appeared on the stage.

It was my nosebleed.

But I had to cover my ears. I had to plug my ears…. Oh, the band sound is fading…

[You]

Drip.

[You’re showing a lack of respect for the show.]

I raised my head.

In the silence.

With a whoosh.

The great and ominous guest at the center of the stage burst into black flames and turned to ash.

I had seen this scene many times before.

‘Cremation.’

It was the distinctive authority the host exercised. In the Grade D darkness of the ‘Tuesday Quiz Show,’ it was a punishment for participants who disrupted the broadcast.

Yet now…

‘Did the Grade D darkness just… burn the entire Grade A darkness away?’

Something feels… odd, strange.

I had only planned for the host to explode due to the guest’s insincerity and for only today’s recording to stop.

[Indeed, the essence of the show lies not just in the dazzling guests, but in being faithful to its core.]

I looked around.

The staff, the lights, the band, the recording equipment, the cameras.

All burned and turned to ash.

Only the host’s vintage TV shone with vivid colors.

[The joy of witnessing, the pleasure of communication, the thrill of unpredictable developments, anticipation….]

[You ■■■ producers know nothing. You’re unfit to create a show.]

[But I! I can do it!]

The host raised both arms like a liberator.

They turned their gaze toward me.

[Doe!]

[Thank you! You’ve given me a new vision!]

[My head is so clear. Ah…yes! From now on, I’ll be accepting participants every day of the week!]

The host examined me closely.

[I can see it. You have the talent to become a show creator.]

I was a bit worried.

[New personnel, a new set, new music, a new season… I’ll invite you once the filming preparations are complete!]

But.

[It’s really unfortunate that today’s broadcast has to be cut short… your passionate participation was truly impressive.]

[Then, see you in the next broadcast!]

It worked.

I blinked in confusion.

Through my hazy field of vision, I saw a suit-clad TV head figure wave goodbye as they faded away…

And in the next moment.

“……”

I realized I was sitting on a brightly lit, quiet office couch.

I turned my head.

With a dazed expression, Chief Park and the Assistant Manager were staring at me with blood dripping from their noses and ears.

And I realized.

I survived.

“Whaaaaaaa!!”

“You delightful little brat, you crazy fool!”

I slipped to the couch amidst the cheers and embraces.

I survived.

I lived and escaped…!

“…! You collection device!”

And that wasn’t the end.

The Assistant Manager grabbed something from the front pocket of my suit.

It was the Dream Collection Device.

It was filled with a golden liquid.

It looked different from the color of the one I got when I cleared the F-grade last time; this is….

“It’s Grade A.”

“……”

“Doe, you cleared a Grade A darkness just two days after joining…!”