It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Chapter 040

[Doe, don’t come out.]

“Huh?”

I halted my footsteps as I received the call just 15 minutes before I was about to go to work.

[Don’t come to the office; I’ll handle the field work. It’s already been discussed with Assistant Manager Lee Ja-heon.]

“Understood. But is there a reason for this?”

[Well… it’s the nature of fieldwork at this company. It’s about the darkness, the darkness.]

Ah.

I could hear Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je’s long sigh along with Chief Park Min-seong’s moans in the background.

It seemed Group D had already clocked in.

[You’re excluded, newbie, so don’t even think about it and stay home.]

“What kind of darkness?”

[Uh, unless you’re directly involved, I can’t say.]

“……”

[Honestly, it’s better not to know.]

Could it be… a type where merely knowing becomes problematic?

A so-called info contamination-style horror story.

Like hearing someone else’s nightmare and then having the same nightmare the next day, or a ghost that chases you for life just for knowing its name.

The universal fear stemming from the delusion of ‘just being aware could bring about terrible things’ was indeed shared among humanity.

“And if I’m not even to come in, it must be no ordinary matter…”

Still, judging by the tone, it seemed more like a concern that a newbie might mess up rather than any deathbed warning.

…Unless they were feigning nonchalance to avoid adding to my burden.

“Either way, there’s no point in heading to the office right now.”

I didn’t want to be a nuisance when they said they didn’t need me. That would be just asking for trouble.

I acknowledged and ended the call.

“Maybe I’ll organize the Bloodlust Bath today and read the [Dark Exploration Records] wiki five times…”

But a few hours later.

[Kim Sol-eum.]

“Yes?”

[Please come to work.]

“…….”

What’s going on, some training drill or something…?

Regardless of how flustered I might be, Lizard Team Leader only stated what he had to.

[Just come to the 31st-floor conference room by 2 PM.]

I was even introduced to a conference room I had never heard of…!

“Hold on. You told me not to come in this morning… Has the situation changed?”

[Yes. One of the executives personally called for you.]

“…….”

Wait, what?

[See you at 2 then.]

Someone save me.

“Did you arrive?”

I met my anxious-looking Assistant Manager in front of the elevator on the 31st floor.

I urgently leaned in and whispered to Eun Ha-je.

“Has the situation changed?”

“A bit. Ha… that crazy guy.”

With those words, I was ushered into the conference room. My mind became a swirl.

“Reporting, Employee Kim Sol-eum.”

“Aah.”

“What’s with calling me to a conference room? You could have just sent me away.”

Seeing superiors I couldn’t even identify sitting around and whispering while turning to me made my neck stiffen, horror world or not.

“Why is it that signals of a terrible workplace are universally the same?”

Eventually, thanks to the bosses excitedly whispering amongst themselves, I found out why I had been pinpointed and called into this unknown situation…

A typical yet frustrating reason.

Staff shortage.

“Wait, you’re telling me a high-grade darkness definitely showed up and a civilian survived? This could be a groundbreaking case for securing high-quality raw materials!”

“Exactly! So why are we dragging on with this long meeting? Seriously… Don’t you know how to invest decisively, Manager Kang!”

“Who wouldn’t want to invest? This isn’t a matter that can be solved by just hiring a few more newbies…”

“Oh, this person is infuriating. They say we’re short-staffed, right? Huh? Our research team has Manager Gwak.”

Manager Gwak?

Turning my head, I indeed saw Gwak Je-gang grinning, occupying a corner spot.

The mad scientist who had thrown his researchers into a theme park horror story.

“Has the disciplinary action ended?”

Just looking at him gave me a headache.

“Am I right, Manager Gwak? We need to increase our numbers, right?”

“Ah~ right. This is obviously a darkness that needs more personnel!”

“……”

That guy is a consolation prize for us?

In truth, I suspected they didn’t lack personnel but merely wanted to see the fresh exploration results from some clueless newbies.

“Anyway, at least today I’m a part of this darkness operation.”

And calling me in for this grand operation… it felt like it might be no trivial grade.

High-grade darkness with a civilian survivor, huh?

I quickly began racking my brain for similar cases in the [Dark Exploration Records] while keeping calm.

“…But at least, I came well-prepared.”

Just in case, I brought everything I had today.

A full package of items.

“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, you can leave, everyone.”

“Ah, yes.”

The assistant casually nodded goodbye as he led me out of the conference room.

Bang.

And the moment the conference room door closed, I opened my mouth.

“Honestly, seeing newbies who’ve never entered a darkness bragging about their ‘strategic solutions’ makes me want to scream… Ah, this is why I can’t quit smoking.”

“Assistant Manager.”

“What? It’s not like they’ll hear us while bickering among themselves.”

But I can hear you.

“Those brats who couldn’t even pass the field exploration team’s orientation are leveraging their connections to land a spot up there… Ah.”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je, with a face that craved a cigarette, turned to glance at the conference room a few times before finally letting out a small sigh.

“…Anyway, did you hear? We’re going to dive into the newly registered high-grade darkness from now on.”

Just as I expected.

“We’re not the only ones; over thirty have already been deployed.”

“…What about Team Leader and Chief Park?”

“Yep. They all went ahead… It’ll be dangerous. I won’t lie to reassure you.”

“……”

“Still, don’t worry too much. You survived even in that insane quiz show with us, right? You’ll be fine.”

“…Yes.”

I adjusted my document bag into a crossbody.

“Is that your gear?”

“Yes. Food and various other items.”

“Hm. The size seems fine.”

Eun Ha-je checked my appearance a few times and asked.

“There’s nothing that would trigger a security check, right?”

“…Yes.”

I passed through the front gates without a hitch.

Somehow, I felt the cursed ginseng would raise a red flag, but as all I had were items, it should be okay.

But why is it that Group D isn’t moving as a team today, just leaving the assistants behind?

“May I ask how the others entered?”

The assistant pointed without expression.

“As soon as they read the manual, they all vanished.”

“……”

“This is that kind of darkness. Just knowing a little about it pulls you in.”

Hoo.

“I’ve been waiting to take you in without reading up, so we read it at the same time.”

“Yes.”

Wow, this is insane.

“It’s fine. You’re not the kind of person who will die easily.”

Please don’t say such foresight-esque lines!

“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that.”

I took a deep breath and accepted the manual being offered.

…Reading this means I will now enter that high-grade darkness.

“…Time to prepare myself mentally.”

I read through in one go.

+++

Hello.

You are currently viewing the manual document summarizing our existing exhibition visitors.

+++

“……!”

+++

Before proceeding to the next content, we would like to inform you that you are invited to a splendid exhibition.

+++

“……”

The back of my neck prickled.

‘This is bad.’

My eyes squeezed shut.

In my mind, the wiki page auto-completed with a flash.

———————=

Dark Exploration Records / Horror Story

[The Mansion of the Blind]

This is a horror story appearing in the [Dark Exploration Records], and the identifier code for [Daydream Corporation] is Qterw-B-666.

Hello, dear guests. Today, I pen this to invite you to a fantastic exhibition.

To make your journey hassle-free, after reading this, you will arrive at our exhibition, no matter where you head next.

The records of prior visits are documented up to 106 times.

In all attempts to document this horror story, the text has transformed into guide notices from the exhibition.

It is an honor to invite you.

———————=

The epitome of an info contamination horror, registered in [Dark Exploration Records].

A typical clickbait subject that would garner hundreds of thousands of views on video sites!

‘The Eye Collector.’

“……”

My heart raced as I focused back on the manual.

The phrase I dreaded most was indeed written there.

+++

To make your journey hassle-free, wherever you head next, you will arrive at the exhibition.

+++

And it happened just as stated.

“Ha.”

The moment I stepped back.

I realized the material of the floor beneath my feet had changed.

From matte office tiles to old glossy marble.

Tap.

Slowly, I lifted my head.

I beheld a massive mansion enveloped in silence, enough to hear the flicker of burning candles.

The twilight and candlelight gleamed a reddish-gold across the grand, ancient interior.

Numerous exhibits revealed only their outlines within the shadows…

“……”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je was nowhere to be seen.

However, I didn’t open my mouth to call out like a fool.

Instead, I slowly moved backward.

And hid in a corner.

‘……Hoo.’

Hiding behind the couch, I nervously held the manual once more.

+++

I would like to share the common visit feedback left by nine guests temporarily collected by [Daydream Corporation] for this exhibition.

1. A rare and diverse collection unlike anything seen before.

2. Eating is prohibited in the exhibition hall.

3. It is encouraged to maintain ordinary viewing manners.

4. Finding the exit is very difficult.

We strongly request a correction regarding the statement in this exhibition. All emergency exits in the exhibition hall are clearly marked.

Anyone can stop their visit and exit when they wish.

+++

This must be the truth.

The problem is that humans are not included in the ‘anyone’ mentioned.

People can’t properly utilize the emergency exits or entrances in this place.

“…Ha.”

The exhibition assumed that guests wouldn’t be human, so naturally, it was an exhibition.

Modern individuals are merely random victims embroiled in this immense nightmare, feeling the cosmic horror.

It was an unsettling horror story.

Honestly, I didn’t like it. I couldn’t even grasp why it was popular on YouTube….

–Friend?

“…!”

-Oh, Doe… Are you hiding right now?

It was such joy to know there was someone to talk to.

I half-pulled Brown from my pocket.

-Oh, this place seems rather nice.

-What do you think about going out and exploring? It looks like a place that could be introduced to the audience…

Should I go out?

‘No way.’

-Oh no, could you share your reasoning? This exhibition seems to be run by someone who knows how to offer polite and comfortable invitations…

Such words were typical of a host luring people to murder quizzes via postcards.

This was giving me a headspin…

I stood up from the couch while pressing my temples.

-Oh, so you’re interested in viewing it now!

No.

‘I’m trying to move to here.’

I carefully scrutinized the wall to find an area where the sound of wind was coming through.

Before long, in a dark corner hidden from the candlelight, beneath a huge vase, I found what I was searching for.

‘Ventilation duct.’

I quietly entered it, leaving the lock undone, and held my breath.

I instantly recalled the temporary safe zone.

———————=

In the fifth visit record, a gentleman testified he had ‘survived’ for over five days licking the droplets falling from the moisture while inside the .

On the sixth day, an announcer came looking for him.

Please be advised that our exhibition always has guest rooms available for long-term visitors.

(※The note stating ‘never stay in the guest room on the forty-second visit record’ is highly regrettable. This exhibition has been operating guest rooms matching the dignity of its collections and has always maintained a good reputation.)

———————=

-No, why would you leave a decent couch behind for something so dirty!

Forget it. I need to come up with a plan here.

‘How do I get out?’

No, I was frustrated just thinking about why so many people were thought necessary for this horror story.

Having a large group entering wouldn’t benefit at all…… Wait a moment.

Was it pushed in like this without knowing what it was…?

‘Is it just not known yet?’

Could it be that such early exploration like this isn’t documented in the beginning of the [Dark Exploration Records]?

“……”

I took out my smartphone and dimmed the screen to its lowest, then laid down to quickly flick through [Dark Exploration Records].

And…

‘I found it.’

———————=

In the seventeenth visit record, [Daydream Corporation] invited thirty-four employees from the field exploration team to this exhibition.

Seven of them returned safely.

———————=

This is it.

I am here as one of the thirty-four who entered.

Probably as the thirty-fifth person.

‘… So seven returned safely.’

Just as I was about to check for more detailed records, planning to cross-reference my manual and [Dark Exploration Records],

Creeeak—

“……”

Faintly, a sound began to resonate from afar.

The slow-moving clank of machinery.

Then…

Aaaah! Why, why is it chasing me…!! Get away, get awayyy!!!

Screams and countless panicked footsteps.

“……”

Thud, thud! Creeeak, thud! Thud-thud-thud, creeeak, thud!

The sounds rumbling against the marble grew closer.

Cold sweat began to trickle down my cheeks.

Save me, no, nooooo!!

Let me out, let me out…!!

Thud, thud, thud, I could hear people running. The cries and hasty footsteps were drawing near.

And they were almost right on top of me.

It sounded like at least a dozen people.

Behind them, the heavy sound of machinery clearly chasing after them…….

Creeeeak.

Drip.

Cold sweat dripped from my chin.

“……”

‘At least one.’

After extreme dilemma, I stuck my upper body out.

And quickly grabbed the collar of one of the fleeing people.

“…!”

I almost lifted them into the air, shoving them into the ventilation duct while ducking my own head.

‘Just one should fit in here.’

And they were likely not a troll, being a field exploration staff member.

“Ha.”

Fortunately, the convulsing person realized the situation and quieted immediately.

They seemed perceptive…Wait.

“…!”

“……!!”

‘Baek Sa-heon.’

My roommate from staff quarters.

Wearing the goat mask, Baek Sa-heon was swallowing hard, staring at me as I was crammed into the ventilation duct.

I had saved this guy.