After I finally escaped from that crazy theme park—
– Roe!
– Whoa crazy, Roe's back!!
I was met with a warm welcome from my teammates who I ran into in the elevator.
Turns out, the team had been in a panic and was even thinking of reaching out to one of the civilian survivors to find out what could have happened inside the ghost story.
"We were just trying to get some insight from them. Anyway, it's a relief you made it out safely."
D-squad's assistant manager spoke with a much brighter expression. "What happened exactly? Why were you late?"
Hmm.
Before answering, I deliberately raised my hand so my wrist faced outward, massaging the back of my neck so they could clearly see the burn mark left by the membership.
: Socius :
"..."
"..."
"Roe?"
"Oh, sorry. Just… really tired for a moment."
"Ahh."
Both Assistant Manager Eun and Supervisor Park just nodded, acknowledging that after all that hellish ordeal, it made sense. That's when I realized.
'They can't see it.'
No reaction. That tattoo isn't visible to them.
Not a great sign.
After a short pause, I decided to speak.
"The reason I was late… well, actually, the power to the exit gate went out right in front of me. I waited, but when it didn't come back on, I had to find another way out."
"Huh?!"
I deliberately left out the part where the regular admission band turned into a membership band.
In this bizarre ghost story company, it wouldn't be wise to mention that something weird has attached itself to me.
'Let's also leave out the part about the talking plush doll.'
But aside from that, I explained everything in detail, so there shouldn't be any issues with recording the exploration logs and creating the manual.
"…Wait a minute. So… you went to the yellow zone, but the gate there was off too, so you manually turned it back on? By rewiring the circuit box?"
"Yes."
"What are you…"
"Ehh, I'm just an ordinary roe deer."
"Umm… Right, I guess."
"...??"
In any case, the atmosphere lightened significantly.
"Your points will be credited tomorrow. Don't be surprised—I heard the total might be close to ten thousand points this time."
"Awesome, right?!"
Actually, the points they'd get would be lower since I made it out alive. The two superiors who seemed so busy worrying about my survival that they hadn't even had time to wash yet looked at me and grinned. Honestly, I felt kind of grateful.
It was even a bit touching—a warmth too good for this company.
But someone was missing.
"Come to think of it, where's the Squad Leader?"
Assistant Manager Eun averted her gaze.
"…He got called by the Team Leader."
Urk.
"It'll be fine. He'll just get scolded a bit. Honestly, if we're talking about the A-squad's mantis mask, isn't it like he practically did that to himself?"
Well, it did seem like Squad Leader Lee got on the wrong side of the Asquad's leader. I remembered the teal duck mask glaring daggers at him.
Even Supervisor Park was whispering now.
"Assistant Manager, is that actually true?"
"What?"
"That our squad leader has enough qualifications for the elite team but keeps getting held back in D-squad because of his personality…!"
"Oh. It's probably true."
Assistant Manager Eun crossed her arms.
"But he's been like that his whole life, so people just let him be."
"..."
"It does seem like God is fair, considering that face with that personality…"
"Shhh. He's a good superior."
A lizard face with a lizard personality?
Well, I could now somewhat understand and agree that he was indeed a decent superior.
Especially since I'd just seen the worst kind of boss up close.
"Ah, and about Research Team 1's section chief."
The head of Research Team 1, Kwak Jaekang, who had impulsively thrown his squad member into a ghost story and eventually got him killed.
"He really crossed the line."
Apparently, he's now arguing that he was 'so startled himself that he accidentally sacrificed the researcher as a pawn'.
'Even though anyone could tell it was intentional…'
Everyone from the exploration team present at that scene would remember it wasn't the case.
The problem is, there isn't anyone willing to testify strongly for the deceased, gambling-addicted researcher.
Just look at the state of our outspoken superiors.
"The A-squad's leader is totally fixated on our D-squad's leader, so much that she doesn't even care about Research Team 1's section chief."
The expectation was that things would just get swept under the rug, with maybe a slight pay cut as the only consequence.
Since this is a company where employees' lives are valued based on their performance, it didn't look like a department head would face serious disciplinary action over the accidental death of an expendable employee.
'Is this why Kwak Jaekang, the researcher, kept showing up in the Dark Exploration Records…!'
One wrong move and he'd be in deep trouble, but he seemed to be crafty enough to avoid it each time, slithering away like a snake. The D-squad superiors clicked their tongues, saying that some of the creepy rumors about Kwak Jaekang must have been true.
"I hate the thought of having to keep working with that guy, but since he threw a fit this time, he might calm down a bit until the next quarter."
"Right? If he hadn't, he would've been fired by now."
It was exactly the kind of complacency expected in a company where employees risked their lives for ghost stories.
'I agree to some extent, but… honestly, it felt like Kwak Jaekang wasn't just trying to kill his own researcher but all of us.'
The researcher was just a pawn in his chaos.
But thanks to everyone's safe escape, that part got blurred, leaving things a bit murky.
'I'll have to keep an eye on him going forward.'
I resolved to thoroughly check the wiki page where Kwak Jaekang was mentioned.
"Phew, what a long day."
"Seriously."
The conversation died down.
Since Squad Leader Lee Jaheon's return was uncertain, we got permission to go home for the day.
Assistant Manager Eun grinned.
"There's nothing more to do. You haven't been reported as missing yet. We thought we might find you. …Good thing we did."
"Yeah! We all believed you'd turn up!"
"Go home and get some rest."
"…Thank you."
"Oh, come on, no need for that."
With their parting words, "Look forward to those points tomorrow," I said goodbye to my superiors.
I returned to Research Team 1's office to gather my things and started heading home.
And along the way, I met a familiar face.
"Jang Heo-eun."
"...! Soleum-ssi!"
A new recruit from the Y-squad.
Since all his squadmates had died, he'd somehow been relegated to the background, sitting idly in the Research Team 1's office.
And although his shoulder had healed, he was still wearing his bloodstained clothes.
"You made it out safely! I'm relieved…"
"Yes, thank you."
I sat across from him for a moment and made some small talk. Jang Heo-eun looked a bit pale, probably from blood loss, but his gloomy expression seemed somewhat lighter.
Though it feels odd to call him lucky, given what happened to his squadmates…
I recalled what the superiors had hinted at earlier.
– Ah, that new recruit from Y-squad. Looks like management is considering him favorably after his performance this time. If he maintains it, he's likely to be promoted to a regular employee within three months.
– If he can make it through three months without incident, there's a high chance he'll be transferred to a standard position!
That all sounds great.
The problem is, can he survive those three months…!
"So, have you ever thought about quitting? Your situation is too dangerous right now…"
"No."
A firm answer returned.
Jang Heo-eun, the new recruit from Y-squad, still wearing his cow mask, clenched both fists tightly.
"I need that wish ticket. I can't quit."
"..."
Seems he has his own reasons.
"In that case, I wish you the best of luck."
After hesitating, I added a few words.
"Three months."
"Pardon?"
"If you can endure for just three months, there's a high chance you'll be reassigned."
There's a big difference between enduring indefinitely and having a set period to push through.
From a motivational standpoint as well.
"...!"
A glimmer appeared in Jang Heo-eun's eyes.
"Y-Yes… I'll try my best to make it…!"
He took a deep breath, looking at the ceiling, then lowered his head respectfully.
"You've helped me a lot today. In three months, I'll work hard to return the favor."
"No need. Thanks to you, I made it out safely as well. Thank you."
We shook hands.
And, with a mix of sympathy and understanding, I found myself saying it almost automatically.
"Thank you for all your hard work. It must have been frightening for you."
"Pardon?"
A look of puzzlement passed over Jang Heo-eun's face.
Uhh…!
"Oh, it's fine. I've nearly died a few times before…"
"…Not just that. You must have seen some very disturbing scenes as well."
"Oh, that's true."
Jang Heo-eun gave an embarrassed smile.
"I'm not great with blood or organs… I keep fainting or my legs give out."
"…I see."
Hold on.
The definition of 'disturbing scenes' seems to have narrowed down quite a bit just now…
'No way.'
"…Heo-eun-ssi, does that mean that supernatural phenomena or ghosts don't bother you?"
"A-Ah, yes! Those things don't bother me at all!"
"..."
"It's just that I tend to think, 'Oh, so that's what it is,' um, yes. Unless someone gets severely injured, I don't feel much about it."
"..."
So he's… not a coward?
"Thank you for your concern… Oh, that's right! Soleum-ssi, did you happen to talk to that person in the new recruit group chat… oh. Y-You're not in there…"
There's… a new recruit group chat?
So he wasn't a fellow member of the Cowards' Club.
…And there was a rookie group chat that I wasn't a part of?!
"Hah."
I returned home to the company dorm in a troubled state, showered, and came back out.
Two shocking truths left a lingering sting at the back of my mind.
'What a long day…'
I'd received the new recruit chat link from that traitor… no, I mean Jang Heo-eun-ssi, so I'd need to check that out later.
But there was something of higher priority to look into first.
"I should check the tattoo on my wrist."
Several possibilities crossed my mind, but fortunately, there was someone I could casually ask about it.
'Good Friend.'
I sat on the bed and pulled the plush doll keychain from the front pocket of my suit.
Then I called out.
"Braun?"
But there was no answer.
'Just as expected.'
It was said that once back in reality, the doll would appear as a regular plush toy.
========================
The Good Friend will accompany you in daily life, but it will be like a shy doll.
Treat it properly.
It remembers everything.
So, it wasn't just keeping quiet and blending in at the company—it actually couldn't speak in this state.
But there was still a way to talk to the 'Good Friend' outside of ghost stories.
'…I just need to turn reality into a ghost story.'
I recalled a method from the .
========================
Talking with the 'Good Friend'
#1 Use darkness, a lighter, and shadows.
Honestly, it was a bit creepy, but here goes.
I leaned down beneath the bed.
Then, I propped the 'Good Friend' against the inside of the right bed leg.
'Next, the light.'
I'd quit smoking ages ago, so I didn't have a lighter, but I substituted with my phone flashlight.
Placing it on the floor to cast a narrow beam on the bed leg, I turned off the room light.
Click.
I sat on the bed in the pitch dark.
'…This is kind of creepy.'
A chill ran down my spine, so I pulled the blanket over myself.
There's no need to feel embarrassed. I'm alone, after all.
'…Though I might not be alone much longer.'
I looked up, and the flashlight under the bed cast a massive shadow of the plush doll on the wall.
"..."
Soon, the shadow of the plush doll leaning against the bed leg began to sway along with the light.
As if it were stirring awake.
If I watched carefully, holding my breath, a voice would soon follow. A voice that sounded almost like an illusion.
– Friend.
"…Braun."
The host had awoken.
– Ah, I see you made it out safely from that strange theme park! Congratulations.
"Thank you."
Braun seemed to be recalling, almost like replaying a tape, the rough outline of what had happened to me since I left the ghost story.
'So this is what it means to remember everything.'
– Right, you've clocked out, friend. Are you home to rest now? Oh, it's quite a cozy place!
"Thank you, sir."
Though, technically, this wasn't my home but a company dorm.
– Hmm, now that I think about it, Mr. Roe Deer, you're speaking to me very formally! Friends don't need to speak like that, you know.
"…Braun, you're speaking quite formally yourself."
– Haha, I can't help it. It's an occupational hazard!
I swallowed back the words, 'I, too, am a rookie at this crazy ghost story company with an occupational hazard'.
The friendlier this plush doll became, the safer and more powerful it would be.
"…Alright. Then I'll speak more casually from now on. Since we're friends."
– Oh, that's great! [1]
The shadow of the doll shook, as if nodding cheerfully.
Good… now, to the main point.
"I actually have something to ask my friend."
– Oh! Then how about we take turns asking each other questions? But we must answer each question.
– It'll be like a game. Ah, that sounds so fun…
Stop making it sound like a ghost story!
"Sure. That sounds fun."
But I forced myself to respond agreeably.
Feels like I'm working overtime… Gotta stay strong.
"What I wanted to ask is this."
I immediately raised my left hand and lowered it under the bed, making sure the black letters, like a tattoo on my wrist, were clearly visible to the plush doll in front of me.
"When the membership wristband burned up, this mark was left behind."
A moment of silence.
And then…
– This… is Latin. Hmm.
An odd mix of fascination and absorption was evident in his tone. The voice dropped lower.
– Socius.
– It means companion, member, or kin. The versatility of Latin!
"I know that much."
I'd looked it up on a dictionary app on the way back.
The fact that the 'membership' wristband had burned up, leaving behind a word meaning 'member', seemed fairly connected, but what mattered more was this.
"But other people don't seem to be able to see it. What do you think the reason is?"
– Oh dear, it seems they all have poor eyesight! I can see it quite well.
So creatures within ghost stories can see this?
"Glad you can see it."
I rephrased my question.
"Then, what role do you think this mark serves?"
– It's a mark granting you certain qualifications.
Without hesitation, Braun responded in a cheerful tone.
– You know how VIPs sometimes attend talk shows as special guests? They're often given distinctive marks that set them apart from the other audience members, like a name tag or badge!
– Such a 'distinguished mark' grants privileges like special seating, rehearsal viewing, or backstage access!
I instinctively raised my arm to look at the mark.
"…So, this is like a 'special qualification'?"
– Well, at least to the theme park mascots, yes.
Braun's voice turned dismissive.
– Those overly emotional mascots seem to be a bit too friendly with you, Mr. Roe Deer. Next time you visit, perhaps you'll get a welcome drink with it!"
I'd rather never visit again.
But I nodded in agreement to appear cooperative.
– Good, good!
'Being social is so exhausting…'
Anyway, though the 'qualification' it grants is vague, it doesn't seem to be entirely negative.
'If I enter another ghost story, I'll have to see if there's any use for it.'
The plush doll's shadow swayed a few times, as if in excitement, then whispered softly.
– Did you know?
Know what?
– Mr. Roe Deer, you've just asked two questions.
– That's a rule violation.
A chill ran down my spine.
– Haha, don't worry. It's often the charm of being close to someone to bend the rules occasionally, isn't it?"
Phew.
"…Thank you."
– No need to thank me!
– Now, it's my turn to ask a question.
I swallowed nervously, looking at the large shadow of the doll cast on the wall.
"What do you want to know?"
Braun whispered.
– Who lives in the room next to yours?
It was an unexpected question.
And, of course, in the next room here in the dorm…
"…A colleague."
Baek Saheon.
– Are you close?
Not at all.
"Just a work colleague."
– Ah, I see. Very well…
Braun's voice became cheerful again.
– Friend, it's probably best if you don't pay attention to that 'work colleague' living next door!
"Why?"
– Because he'll drop dead soon!
Note/s:
[1]
Braun still continues to speak to Seolum formally with the -습니다 speech level, while Seolum dropped formalities and is speaking to Braun without honorifics. It's a bit difficult to include this in English since there's no speech levels here, so just keep this in mind for now until it (maybe) changes in the future.