The situation makes sense.
The beginning of the disaster was the 1970s American talk show theme, in the Dusk (D) Grade darkness.
[Hello, viewers! The joy of Tuesday, the heat of Tuesday.]
[You are now watching the 'Tuesday Quiz Show!']
The live broadcast began.
With the lively band playing, the host in a suit waved to the audience, who cheered.
It was a typical American talk show, except for the fact that all the staff's faces were distorted, and the host had an old TV instead.
The host explained that this talk show has a different theme for each day of the week, but there has never been an instance where anyone entered a different day's theme.
Only ■ day’s talk show can be entered.
[Did everyone wait for Tuesday? I did too! It’s the only day we get to see our lovely new faces, the quiz show contestants!]
"..."
It matches.
-------------------------------
The Field Exploration Team entered the main corner of the ■ day's talk show, "Quiz," from episode 12, completing the answer sheet for all the questions.
99 successful escapes without casualties during 110 explorations. (Including prizes)
-------------------------------
[Surprisingly... In the past few dozen weeks, there was not a single incorrect answer! Amazing, it’s amazing...]
It matches.
-------------------------------
However, in episode 111—
An anomaly occurred in the 100th exploration.
-------------------------------
[Can the participants answer the questions correctly again this time?]
Ba bam bam ba bam!
With sound effects, the lights lit up.
Seven podiums were arranged in a semicircle.
Among them, three.
The podiums where I, the supervisor, and the deputy were standing, were pinpointed.
[Badger, Falcon, and Roe Deer.]
[Let’s give them a big round of applause!]
Ooooo!
The invisible audience applauded.
It felt like I was going to faint.
Could it be... could it really be?
[Breaking news!]
"...!"
The host flustered and received something from the staff.
[The contestants have all answered correctly for quite some time now, right? The duration is as long as…]
Quite long.
[98 episodes!]
"…!"
[And today marks the 99th. Haha!]
I survived.
‘It's not the 100th...!’
My heart felt like it was going to jump out.
‘Right, the odds of hitting exactly the 100th are actually low.’
I almost grabbed the podium in relief, but I held back. It had clearly been written on the answer sheet PDF I received earlier for the 'Tuesday Talk Show.'
Interfering with the broadcast will result in incineration. It’s not even a punishment. Incineration.
And this was a live broadcast. In other words, if something feels even slightly off, I’d die.
[Can the 99th participants continue their streak and pass the baton to the 100th? Or will this incredible record fall?]
[Stay tuned and keep watching!]
I turned my head. The deputy and the supervisor on the other podiums gave me light glances or smiles, looking relatively calm.
The 99th episode, a nearly three-year-long buildup of safety, had solidified into a predictable pattern of ghost stories.
They were carrying on like they were certain this would happen again.
Deep breath.
It’s fine.
...It’ll be fine.
I took a deep breath, then exhaled.
[Then, Roe Deer!]
“Yes.”
[Are you feeling nervous?]
“Yes, it’s my first time participating in a quiz show like this.”
[Ah, that’s good, that’s good… Well then, let’s start with a simple first question!]
A strange phrase appeared on the screen of the TV-headed host. It was a language system I had never seen before, unfamiliar and ominous, but I could still read it. A headache and nausea surged for a moment but quickly dissipated.
[Question: Choose the element that is not a suitable component of the human body.]
1- Water
2 - Iron
3 - Oil
4 - Earth
“…Number 4, Earth.”
[Correct!]
The quiz show proceeded... smoothly.
‘The topic is a bit eerie, but the questions aren’t so difficult that they can’t be answered.’
Besides, the answer list the Field Exploration Team had stolen from this urban legend was definitely effective. Though not identical, it was easy to match the answers.
‘In fact, that’s better since I have to think a bit more, making it even less likely I’ll get it wrong.’
[Incredible! Correct!]
[Again?]
[Aaah, oh-oh… there seems to be a problem. A dilemma... Yes, Number 3! Roe Deer chose strangulation, what will their fate be?? ...Correct! Hooray!]
The questions continued to match the answers, and the show moved along smoothly. I pretended to ponder for a bit, answering as needed to match the atmosphere of the broadcast.
‘I need to get through this broadcast somehow.’
Obsessive thoughts tightly gripped my mind.
During the commercial break, the host mentioned that they wanted me to participate again, and I almost screamed inwardly but tried to play it cool on the outside.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th... After going through up to the 9th question.
[Roe Deer! Last question.]
Finally, the end of this crazy situation was in sight.
[The other participants have astonishingly answered all questions correctly and continued their winning streak!]
[Can Roe Deer finish the final chain?]
I saw my superiors on the other podiums subtly wave or nod at me.
It was just a matter of me answering this question correctly to finish.
[Are you ready?]
“Yes.”
[Good!]
The question appeared.
[Question: At what percentage of blood loss does a human die?]
1 - 40%
2 - 45%
3 - 50%
4 - 55%
“…”
Is this a trap since it’s the last question?
I took a breath.
“The answer is… Number 1,”
[Ah, you chose Number 1…]
“And Number 2.”
[…!]
“And Number 3, Number 4... all of them.”
[......]
“Humans generally become life-threatening after losing about 30 to 40% of their blood.”
[Oh.]
“Therefore, if more is lost, death is inevitable.”
[No, no… This can’t be happening!]
The TV flickered.
Even if I was wrong, I didn’t think I’d die.
But I didn’t want to give any leverage to this dangerous urban legend, so I gritted my teeth, trying to avoid any traps as much as possible.
[You’ve chosen multiple answers! Will you reconsider your answer?]
“No.”
Ooooo.
The audience murmured.
And then… someone without a face from the staff hastily ran up to the stage?
[Oh! We have some surprising news.]
[Actually, the answer prepared by the quiz authors was Number 1.]
Wait, hold on.
[But Roe Deer’s answer is far more impressive! It’s more logical, don’t you think?]
Yes!! I heard the audience shout.
The host spread his arms.
[Then, of course, it’s the correct answer! It’ll be counted as a perfect answer! Wonderful!]
“…!”
Ha.
‘Anyway, I survived.’
Why did I dig my own trap and fall into it!? I screamed in relief, then tightly shut my eyes before opening them again.
The host, perhaps taking this as a sign of joy, came over and patted my back as if to hug me.
The warmth of his touch made it even more unsettling.
[Incredible, incredible!]
“…Thank you.”
[Now, with that…]
The host grabbed the microphone and announced with emotion.
[Surprisingly, all of our contestants have managed to keep their winning streaks! Amazing!]
Boom.
Confetti exploded, and cheers erupted.
The higher-ups from the other podiums wore expressions that seemed to say, “It's almost over,” and it was evident even with them wearing masks.
[But the MVP who will take home the grand prize is just one…]
A drum roll played…
The host pointed at me.
[It's none other than Roe Deer!]
Wow!
The band added a loud celebratory effect.
[Congratulations! Here, take your prize!]
“Thank… you.”
I accepted the small gift box the host handed to me.
I was happy, not because of the gift, of course.
‘It’s finally over.’
After the cameras are turned off, I can leave.
‘Please, just let it end.’
As I imagined returning to my office in 21st-century Seoul, I began to calm down.
[Sadly, it’s time to wrap up our Tuesday Quiz Show. Tomorrow, we’ll have an even more exciting guest for Wednesday’s… huh?]
Click.
Suddenly, without warning, the lights turned on at the four empty podiums.
“…?!”
Standing there were four figures.
They looked around in a daze, all dressed in suits and wearing masks.
‘Company staff?’
They were clearly part of another team from the field exploration.
One of them, with a recognizable mask, was probably my colleague from the first test.
I knew that. But…
‘Why are they overlapping with us?’
Can they enter the horror story like this? No, whether it’s allowed or not doesn’t matter…
‘…This is a broadcast accident.’
A tense silence filled the studio.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
“…”
Something was wrong.
It seemed the employee standing next to me, wearing a zebra mask, sensed it too.
“Wh-what’s this? Why are they here before us…?”
[Oh no.]
He ignited.
“…!”
The zebra-masked employee quickly burned with no sound, seemingly unable to understand what was happening, before crumbling to the floor, mouth agape in disbelief.
All that was left was a pile of ash in the shape of shoes.
The camera hastily switched.
[Surprise!]
[Here’s a surprise preview of the participants who will appear next Tuesday!]
Loud band music rushed in, quickly covering up the situation.
Now the camera turned to me.
“…!”
Damn it.
Damn it, damn it!
I desperately tried to maintain my composure, holding up the gift box in the air.
As if I was excited!
Boom.
More confetti rained down from the air, and the drums sounded loudly. The host led the audience in a cheer.
[Tomorrow, we’ll return with an even more enjoyable show!]
[Goodnight, everyone!]
Bam!
With a cheerful guitar sound, the camera light turned off.
“…”
It was over.
Over… wasn’t it?
Then, why are we still here?
[Whew, we almost ruined the live broadcast. Thank goodness it was managed well!]
The camera had definitely turned off.
Faceless staff rushed onto the stage, and the lights in the audience went out.
Even the band vanished.
We entered the backstage, filled with the noise and whispers of the cold steel beams, revealing a chilling atmosphere.
But we did not disappear.
…A chilling premonition crawled up my spine.
[Roe Deer! That was excellent. Would you be interested in becoming a regular panelist?]
“…I already have a job.”
[Ah, I see! But our talk show’s application forms are always open!]
Why are we still here?
The reason was simple.
The thoughtful host was trying to explain what had happened to the participants.
[Oh, and the new participants!]
[You must’ve been surprised, thinking you ruined the broadcast. It wasn’t intentional, right? We believe in you. Don’t be too hard on yourselves!]
[And don’t worry. We’ll give you all a chance next time!]
The host spoke to the staff who had suddenly entered the stage, the ‘new participants’, with a tone as if they had always been there.
Meanwhile, the staff began sweeping up the ash left behind by the person who had been incinerated.
I felt like I was losing my mind.
[We would love to offer you a chance to participate right here and now, but sadly, since our show isn’t pre-recorded… We’ll see you live next week!]
If I could at least leave now.
Please, please, let it end like this!
[Well then, you may head home for now… huh?]
That’s when it happened.
Someone holding a megaphone dashed onto the stage.
The lights blurred their face, but unlike the other staff, the person was wearing sunglasses.
The figure holding the megaphone urgently whispered something to the host.
[…! Oh, this is bad.]
The host turned to look at us.
[Well, you see, it’s hard for me to say this, but…]
The emoji on the TV screen displayed a gloomy expression.
[Our show… just got canceled.]
“…!”
[To be exact, it’s the Tuesday Quiz Show. So technically, my show isn’t over, but…]
[The quiz segment was replaced.]
What did they say?
[Unfortunately, you won’t have the chance to be the 100th Winning contestants. I truly apologize from the bottom of my heart.]
The host bowed his head, even down to the antenna on top of the TV, as though feeling deeply sorry.
“So… does that mean… it’s over?”
“Huff, huff…”
Amidst the confusion, fear, and panic, I could vaguely hear the voices of the other staff members, hopeful despite it all.
But the back of my neck was cold, soaked in sweat.
‘No.’
This development…
-------------------------------
Exploration Record #100
The show began in the same studio as the previous episodes.
However, the program’s name had changed.
The host explained to the bewildered staff that the “Tuesday Quiz Show” had been canceled because the penalty system had become ineffective after 99 consecutive wins in a row, and the segment failed to be stimulating enough for viewers.
Thus, a new segment was introduced, one designed to captivate the audience’s interest…
-------------------------------
[Ah! Wait a moment!]
After receiving a single from the staff, the host’s TV antenna suddenly stood up.
[Great news! They’re inviting you all to be participants in the new segment!]
“…!!”
[And since it’s pre-recorded, it’ll be even easier than before! Haha!]
[We’ll start filming right away! Although I’ll be in more of a supporting role, I’ll do my best to make it a great show…]
“Just a moment.”
The assistant manager raised her hand with a stern expression.
“We’ve already participated in the show, so we’ll be leaving…”
[You’re leaving before the filming is even finished?]
“…!”
The TV screen crackled right in front of the deputy’s face.
[What? It was all written in the application forms. But if you really can’t participate… there’s no other choice]
“…”
[Now, tell me. Can’t you do it?]
The deputy manager slowly moved her eyes and met mine.
I subtly shook my head.
She must have realized it too.
‘It doesn’t mean we’ll be sent home. It means… we’ll be incinerated.’
[You can do it?! Good!]
An ominous silence filled the room.
The pale breaths of the company employees in the studio filled the air.
I too, was one of them.
Was I even breathing?
[Oh no! The tension is building! It’s always like this with new programs.]
[Let’s keep going! Roe Deer, you showed a great performance on live TV! You can show us another great one this time…]
Can I say anything that’ll overturn this situation?
Anything convincing at all?
“Yes. But I didn’t expect to be on consecutive broadcasts.”
[Ho.]
“People make mistakes.”
I gripped the podium so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
“I’ll prepare a bit more to come back and appear next Tuesday…”
[Ah! We’re starting! Look at the lights turning on! 3, 2, 1…]
The host mumbled enthusiastically.
It didn’t make sense.
Completely consumed by the broadcast, the host ran toward the camera.
[Good evening, viewers! The fun of Tuesday, the heat of Tuesday.]
[You are now watching our talk show’s new segment!]
I’m going crazy.
[You’re sad that the quiz show is gone? There’s no need to be. Because we’re back with an evolved form of the show!]
[We’ve added something to the quiz! What could it be?]
The host waved his hands dramatically as he read from the prompter.
[What truly stirs the heart? Of course, it’s Melody.]
[Especially the voice! The choir, ah, how beautiful it sounds!]
…
[Haha, there’s no need for our house band to be upset. We’ve invited a master of an entirely different genre!]
[Here comes the new guest!]
The backstage opened, and someone appeared.
The rancid smell of rusted metal, foul stench, and a giant pig’s head, dark and ominous.
[The conductor of the Purgatory Choir, the dirty, grotesque, majestic butcher of melody!]
[That’s right. The name of the new segment is… The Tuesday Choir!]
Hell has arrived.
