Chapter 001
Have you ever been completely obsessed with something?
Not just the “Oh, this seems fun,” but being so deeply immersed that you end up spending extra time and money on it?
You must know what I mean.
For movies, maybe you’d watch the director’s cut. For games, you’d buy the art book. For webtoons, you’d pay for early access. For singers, you’d attend their concerts…
If we are being more specific, buying related merchandise would also count.
Yeah, I’m talking about what everyone calls “goods.”
Figures, banners, badges, plushies…
I can confidently say that I have never spent money on any such things in my whole life.
Until now.
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Here I am, at a department store.
At 10 AM, a pop-up store opened here along with the department store. It was such a great success that all the entry tickets were gone the moment it opened.
And yes, I managed to snag one of those tickets.
“People waiting for the 2:30 PM time slot can now enter!”
“Ah, finally!”
“Come on, let’s go.”
The cheerful teenagers beside me dashed excitedly toward the staff member.
“2:30 PM… Mine’s the same.”
I pulled my cap down as far as I could and got in the line.
However, I could hear murmuring from behind.
“Ugh…”
“Is he a scalper?”
“Or maybe a reseller?”
“...”
Honestly, it was infuriating, but I couldn’t blame them either. After all, I was the only adult male in the line who looked like a working professional.
“Haa…”
I let out a quiet sigh while staring at the entrance of the pop-up store.
[Welcome, seeker of darkness.]
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The theme was a mishmash of dark red and black backgrounds covered with caricatures of monsters, occult symbols, and overlapping emblems of corporations, religions, and governments.
It was, without a doubt, a world-building concept crafted to captivate the hearts of teenagers perfectly.
Even the title was a masterpiece.
[Prophecy of Doom: Chronicles of Darkness Exploration]
Ugh…
I barely resisted the urge to cover my face.
“Why did I have to see this at work…?”
<Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>
It’s an online horror universe that has been trending recently.
You know, those open-source worlds where anyone can create their own stories and contribute to the lore.
This one though, seems to have started as a small rumor among students, stemming from a famous Ghost story. Then, it reached the Y-Tube algorithm and went viral like crazy.
Records of various paranormal phenomena collectively referred to as <Dark Anamolies>. This was the concept of these ghost stories.
Eventually, it grew into an independent wiki documenting hundreds, no, thousands of stories. That’s how it caught my attention too.
“...Since it’s all text, it was so easy to read at work.”
And you know how anything other than work is fun when you’re supposed to work, right?
I was so obsessed with this world. To the point where I ended up creating my own Ghost story and posting it there…
How did it even come to this? Is it because of my dopamine-deprived personal life?
And this <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>, the whole thing is crazy.
“Who knew it would grow so much?”
Now it’s a massive IP dominating Y-Tube, practically a sensation among the middle schoolers.
Naturally, corporations jumped on the hype to generate revenue.
This pop-up store is part of their plan.
“But seriously, the wiki mentioned a 15+ age recommendation.”
So why are there so many kids here?
Hearing all the whispers behind me really made me question my life choices.
“He’s probably a reseller, right?”
“Hey, hey, maybe he’s buying for their sibling or a cousin. Don’t judge people based on their looks.”
No, it’s actually for me.
…Actually, I came here last week too. But the goods I wanted sold out right in front of my eyes, so here I am, again.
I even sacrificed my vacation day.
[Note: He’s referring to paid vacation leaves allowed annually.]
“At least there were women my age last week.”
Unfortunately, I was stuck with a weekday afternoon slot where the only adults were parents accompanying their kids. It was so embarrassing I felt like running away, but I held on.
“Why am I even enduring all of this?”
Anyway, I followed the staff and entered the store.
The fact that the staff didn’t react to my presence was my only solace.
“Wow!”
“Whoa, it looks just like the real thing!”
The voices of middle schoolers filled the air as I hurried into the pop-up store, which was surprisingly well-decorated, almost like a theme park.
They even categorized the themes for display:
[Daydream Incorporation]
[Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau]
[Nameless Radiant Church]
In the Ghost story world, there are three major forces, corporations, the government, and religious groups, which often compete to explore and secure the paranormal phenomena. That’s the premise.
“At first, it was just ghost stories about the government’s Disaster Management Bureau. Then more and more people joined in, and it became what it is today.”
Looks like the pop-up store only curated the most viral stuff from the internet.
Sure, it screamed “cash grab,” with its focus on popular characters and Ghost story items, but the quality was undeniably good.
“Well, when else would I ever come to a place like this again…?”
Ignoring all the stares and glances, I quickly gathered the items I had come to buy.
It was a relief that there weren’t many popular items among the ones I bought. So I was no longer being eyed suspiciously as a reseller.
“Would you like to purchase an L-size eco-bag to carry your items? It’s 5,000 won.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After completing the transaction without any issue, I found myself hesitating, unable to leave the pop-up store just yet. I turned my head and saw a crowd gathering near the checkout counter, waiting in line for something.
[Roulette Event]: Create Your own [Chronicles of Darkness Exploration] character.
That event,
I saw it last week too, but I couldn’t bring myself to stand in line for that and ended up leaving...
“I heard the pop-up ends tomorrow.”
I was torn, all of my feelings were mixed up, wondering if it’s really worth sacrificing my social dignity for.
At that moment, a staff member who had just finished their shift smiled and called out to me.
“The roulette event ends today! Would you like to participate?”
“...Yes.”
Thank you.
Really, thank you, staff member...
“Okay! Please come this way! Ah, you can stand here…”
The staff quickly guided me to the line in front of a massive black roulette, and well, I ended up standing at the very end of the queue.
Surprisingly, the line moved quickly.
And before long, I was at the front, receiving a button that resembled a walkie-talkie.
"Then, I’ll spin the lucky roulette first! Please press the button when you wish to stop it."
Beep.
With a whooshing sound effect, the roulette began to spin.
Each section comprised a rank and a prize.
There were goods I had already bought, items that were only part of the exhibition and not for sale, and even random things like Bluetooth earphones...
Of course, the biggest section, the 7th prize, was just a tiny notepad. I was probably going to land on that.
But it was fine. I almost left without even participating.
“I won’t get my hopes up.”
After thinking to myself, I pressed the button, carefully.
Drrrr… click.
But then, the black roulette slowed down… And to my surprise, it landed there.
The slender golden section.
[1st Prize]: Chronicles of Darkness Exploration Real Goods Box
"...!"
"Holy crap! Congratulations!"
Is this... real?
"Wow, that’s insane!"
"Must be nice. Ugh, I’m so jealous."
From behind me, I heard a mix of screams, gasps, and envious voices as the atmosphere grew chaotic.
"Wow, someone has finally won the first prize on the last day of the event?!"
The staff, clearly more excited than I was, rushed behind the roulette and returned with a large box wrapped in plastic.
The black box, adorned with a huge silver symbol, looked like a special well-crafted item itself.
I carefully received the box with both hands, trying not to tremble.
"...Thank you."
Quickly… I need to quickly leave and punch my face to confirm if this was still real life.
I was about to leave the pop-up store immediately, but the staff stopped me.
"Ah! We’d like to give you special custom-made goods! If you could just tell us your name!"
My name? At this point, my personal information has been out there for so long that it’s practically public property, thanks to the portal site breaches. What mattered now was getting home safely...!
"Kim Sol-eum."
"Okay! Sol-eum, just a moment!"
The staff member quickly started operating a black machine next to the roulette that looked like a 3D printer.
There was a label on top of it.
[Chronicles of Darkness Exploration Character Maker]
Ah, wasn’t this the subtitle of the roulette event?
"Create your own Chronicles of Darkness Exploration Character."
They really couldn’t make it more obviously catered for the younger audience…
"Please enter your name here."
"…Yes."
While firmly holding the box with one hand, I quickly typed my name on the machine’s pad.
The black machine made a rather loud and eerie music box-type sound, then performed an elaborate display of turning gears before spitting out a small object.
Clink.
It was… A staff ID.
[Daydream Inc.]
Kim Sol-eum
Field Exploration Team
[Note: We’ll be using Daydream Inc. as a shorthand notation.]
"Wow! It's from Daydream Inc.! One of the three most famous factions in <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> world!"
“...”
Yes, I know.
To put it simply, it's the cliché where a giant corporate company deals with paranormal phenomena.
And among them, the Field Exploration Team is...
‘Basically a suicide squad.’
It’s like the red-shirt crew from that one sci-fi drama. They always go in to explore some supernatural event, only to get wiped out.
Of course, many of the well-known characters also belonged to the Field Exploration Team.
"Wow! It’s an employee ID from the Field Exploration Team! I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of feats you, Kim Sol-eum, will accomplish in the <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> world!"
"Yes, thank you..."
I wanted to curl up and die out of embarrassment.
‘At least, it’s not an ID from the government or the shady religious factions.’
I was just glad it was a company ID.
It was a bit awkward, but the staff had talked so much that I was starting to get used to it.
I was calm, as any office worker in this capitalist society would be.
Anyway, receiving the staff ID seemed to mark the end of the roulette event.
"Thank you."
I stared at the staff ID with my name printed on it.
'This... I must hide it where no one would ever find it.'
At this point, even my mental capacity was reaching its limits.
In the meantime, the staff member eagerly asked,
"Do you like it? You’ll treasure it, right?"
"Yes."
"Liar."
…?
I looked up in disbelief since I thought I misheard it.
Smirk.
The staff member suddenly flashed a grin, the corners of their mouth stretching unnaturally wide, almost touching their ears...
"...?"
At that moment,
A wave of fatigue and dizziness engulfed me.
"...!"
The noise of the pop-up store faded away.
My vision spun as if it was covered in black paint, swaying erratically, flickering red and blue.
And just when the dizziness seemed to have faded away,
I never imagined that the world around me would be… completely different.
[Welcome to Daydream Inc..!]
"...?!"
I found myself in a large auditorium, staring at the central stage.
And.
Wooooow!!
The huge projector screen at the stage with a PPT presentation lit up with fireworks effects as the applause and cheers filled the room.
[New Employee Orientation]
A presenter, likely the host, smiled broadly as they flipped through the slides of the PPT presentation.
It was obviously an orientation for new employees at a major corporation no matter how you look at it.
The faces of those who had just secured a job were full of happiness, pride, and excitement, eager to begin their new careers.
[You have successfully made it through the fierce competition of 145:1 and are now part of our family! Hahaha! Now, let's start the new employee orientation!]
“...”
What the hell is this?
I hesitated and tried to step back.
But that’s when I realized I was sitting in a chair.
I was wearing a suit, the same one I had worn for a client meeting that evening, and coincidentally, it matched the attire of the “new employees” filling the hall.
The goods box I received from the roulette event was quietly resting on my lap.
"Excuse me, where did you get that? Is it something the company gives out?"
“...”
I couldn't respond to the new employee sitting next to me.
[You are the chosen ones!]
[Among all the applicants for this recruitment posting, only a select few have been invited to this Room A for the orientation!]
[Congratulations! You have passed the aptitude test and have been assigned to the special team, <Field Exploration Team>.]
"We’re already assigned?"
"Field Exploration Team? Was there such a department at Daydream Inc.?"
"Field exploration... in a pharmaceutical company?"
"Uh, sounds like they’re sending people on an exile, right? Is it not a branch office but a subsidiary? I bet they're just trying to lure us in with nice words..."
Whispers of confusion and speculation echoed from all sides, but I couldn't focus on them.
It was then that I realized the significance of the names of the company and the team.
Daydream Inc.
Field Exploration Team.
…As if a bolt of lightning suddenly turned on a light, the wiki page flashed in my mind.
---------------------------
[Field Exploration Team] (Daydream Inc.):
One of the five teams under the Development Department of the massive faction, Daydream Inc., featured in <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.
It's often referred to as the "death squad." A doomed team but are often loved in horror-themed stories.
---------------------------
'Wait a minute.'
...This is the original Ghost story from the pop-up store I just went to.
Then, what happens next is…
---------------------------
This team is known for subjecting new recruits to a "death survival" event right from the orientation to filter out potential employees.
<Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> is a popular Wiki topic because it explores what happens to ordinary people when they venture to explore darkness.
---------------------------
“...!”
"Uh, Wh-What are you doing...?"
I immediately sprang up from my chair, intending to dash out of the room.
Forget about processing the situation, I was ready to run.
But it was already too late.
[However, before your formal employment, there will be a short probationary period to assess your abilities. Don’t worry, it won’t be long!]
[Of course, for the individual evaluations to be fair, active participation is a must! Freeloading is not allowed!]
BANG… Bang… Bang.
The doors of the auditorium slammed shut with a loud bang.
Damn it!
Despite the chaos, the naive new employees of <Daydream Inc.>, who still thought it was just a big pharmaceutical company, hadn't grasped the situation yet.
So, with a hundred or so new employees eagerly listening to the host, he cheerfully said:
[Alright, let's begin!]
With those energetic words, the lights in the auditorium went out.
“…?”
“Huh?”
The new employees, still puzzled, assumed it was just a setup for a video or some kind of presentation.
It was understandable.
‘After all, who could have predicted something this crazy would happen just after getting a job?’
For example…
Expecting the surroundings to suddenly shift to the eerie atmosphere of a subway train.
[Thank you for using the Abyss Transit Company… Our train will not stop.]
[Please pay attention to the announcements for a pleasant journey to your final destination.]
Information about unfamiliar station names was being announced.
“…!?”
“Wh-What the hell is going on?!”
Just like that, the new employees, dressed in suits and sitting in what seemed like a auditorium, suddenly jumped up in shock.
Everyone was understandably scared.
“Excuse me?”
“Is this some kind of VR simulation? Did we really just move?”
It seemed as if everyone present in the auditorium was there, except they were on the subway seats.
Perhaps because of that, the majority of the employees reacted passively, as if they were reassured. They started looking around the subway car, trying to find any sign of the company or the event's organizers.
Soon, they began to piece together the situation.
“There are people in other compartments too… Huh, why aren’t the doors opening?”
“Is this some new technology?”
I felt like I was about to break into a cold sweat, so I tightly shut my eyes before opening them.
Because in my mind, I already knew what kind of Ghost story this was.
---------------------------
[Welcome to Abyss Transit Company]:
A Ghost story from <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.
One of the D-grade darkness initially written, it stands out for its overwhelming difficulty to escape. And it’s the story of the field exploration team who suffer endlessly.
Exploration includes a total of ■■entries.
---------------------------
<Welcome to Abyss Transit Company>.
As you can tell, it’s a Ghost story set in the Korean subway.
You fall asleep and wake up in a subway car. It feels like your usual commute home, but then you start hearing strange station names...
That’s the premise.
The target of the Ghost story is “Anyone who has ever commuted on a subway,” a broad enough category to affect most office workers, making it even creepier.
"..."
‘And this Ghost story... is under the control of Daydream Inc.’
It seemed like Daydream Inc. was trying to "weed out" the new employees using this ghost story… Damn it!
"Is this like an escape room or something?"
"Why would a pharmaceutical company that makes hair loss medicine make its employees participate in an escape room...?
It was then.
[Sorrow, The next station is Sorrow Station.]
“…!”
“S-Sorrow?”
The first announcement was made.
I held my breath and turned my head.
[The exit doors are on your right…]
Click.
The train stopped.
[The screen doors are opening.]
The doors opened.
It felt like just another ordinary day.
[The doors will close in 30 seconds. There’s no turning back now.]
[Passengers whose final destination is Sorrow Station, please disembark as per the announcement.]
A familiar voice kindly mixed strange words and phrases into the announcement.
But people always look for something to rationalize and reassure them.
“Look outside! It’s just a subway station!”
It was exactly as they said.
Outside the train doors, the station platform was clearly visible. It looked a little dark and damp, but it still appeared to be an ordinary subway station.
A couple of people, reassured by this, headed toward the door.
Ah, damn.
“It’s better for you not to get off.”
“Pardon?”
I must’ve gone crazy. I suppressed a sigh and quickly spoke.
“Didn’t you hear that it’s called the Sorrow Station? There’s no such station in Korea. Anyone call tell it’s strange.”
“Ah…”
“Excuse me, I think this person is right. We should wait and observe the situation a bit more…”
One quick-witted person agreed with me. It was one of the new employees who had been sitting next to me.
Because of that, those who were about to get off started to hesitate again.
“Still…”
“Hey, the door’s closing!”
However, upon hearing the doors closing, a few people rushed out impulsively….
It’s over.
[The doors are closing.]
“Ah!”
“We can’t get off. Ah, damn it.”
Looking at the “people who got off” waving from the station, those who couldn’t get off sighed in regret.
Some even glanced at me and cursed under their breath.
I understood. In this unfamiliar and strange situation, they probably just wanted to escape, leaving their brains behind.
But.
“Eh?”
“What’s that…”
A bizarre scene unfolded.
As the people who had gotten off turned around to move,
Out of nowhere, numerous silver droplets burst from the ceiling and pillars of the station and poured down over their heads.
Drop Drop Drop Drop.
They looked like giant tears.
But the countless silver droplets splashed onto the human bodies like melted metal, giving birth to horrifying burst sounds.
Screams. Screams. Convulsions.
Silence.
Blood splattered on the glass window, mixed with the silver liquid
[The train is departing from Sorrow Station.]
Was the last scene visible through the window.
“…”
At the screen door, now stained with filth and blood, only the mangled remains of the new employees remained.
Squirming.
“AAAH!”
“Ugh!”
It was the fate of those who made the wrong choice.
[Please pay attention to the announcements for a pleasant journey to your destination.]
Amid the people hunched in fear, screams and shouts finally began to stain the air.
‘It started.’
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Did I enter a Ghost story?
I don’t know how I ended up in this mess, but I definitely became a new employee in a company team from the Ghost story.
And it’s a team with a very high mortality rate.
‘Is this real?’
Yeah. Honestly, compared to other new employees, I have the upper hand.
I’ve read every ghost story on the wiki.
---------------------------
3.2 Exploration Records (includes a total of ■■entries)
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That means I remember the details quite well about this story.
And looking at it from here, I seem like the typical overpowered protagonist.
Will I escape this situation, using the advantage of information to get out in a cool way, all while hoarding all the good fortune and items?
Maybe.
But there’s one problem.
A very crucial problem.
‘…I’m shit scared when it comes to horror stuff!’
That’s right.
I’m… a coward.
The text is fine. I can read it because it’s interesting.
But once it becomes visual, I can’t stand it.
And not just any coward, I used to get teased by my friends all the time!
- Kim Sol-eum’s crush wanted to watch a horror movie but he couldn’t because he was scared?
- KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE
- Sol-eum, your name is literally “goosebumps” but you can’t even watch horror movies? Lmao
- Lmao, no wonder your crush will run away hahaha
Keke-
Want to die?
- Sorry.
- My bad.
I’m the kind of coward who, even in broad daylight, would turn off the background images and music so that only the text shows up!
I’m the kind of coward who couldn’t even add one image to the ghost story I submitted!
“…”
I covered my eyes with both hands.
I’m done for, I’m cooked…
