"What a predicament! A difficult choice has arrived, my friend."

Brown's cheerful voice rings in my ear.

"Now, Roe has only 10 passes, but there are 45 poor candidates who will suffer falling into the terrible rotten flesh altar."

"By what criteria will you choose 45 sacrifices, and then by what criteria will you dramatically exempt 10 of them?"

"A trial? Voting? Evaluation? Drawing lots? Oh, it'll be sad either way..."

Brown's voice rises excitedly.

"But isn't that nail-biting tension and pressure, those sighs of immersion and relief, happiness and despair, the essence of the show?"

"It's the climax. Ah! The panel is about to speak!"

At that moment.

"Who cares?"

Deputy Jin opened her mouth.

"Deputy?"

"I don't see why it matters if there are ten painkillers or one. Just grab 45 people and tell them to jump. That'll do."

Her tone suggests she doesn't understand at all.

Deputy Jin turned to look at me. 

And then...

"Isn't that why you carefully set the mood? Am I wrong?"

Click.

The deputy slightly opened the door to Car 1.

"...! Deputy..."

"Look."

...Through the gap in the door, I saw passengers in Car 2 waving or greeting with worried faces.

The atmosphere created by hundreds of people, friendly enough for everything to proceed smoothly without any friction.

"That's good. I thought you were doing something unnecessary, but now I see we can get this done with less hassle."

"..."

"The people left on the train won't understand what's happening anyway, right? They'll only realize after they fall."

...It's the truth.

In fact, all I had to do was grab anyone and say, "45 people have been qualified this round, including you. Now you just need to jump off in order."

Then people who knew nothing would just fall from the window without even getting painkillers...

Into a time of torture without warning.

"No, since it might not end at 9, just tell everyone to keep jumping until the altar stops appearing."

"..."

"Alright, now go throw them..."

"That won't work."

"...!"

The answer came from someone else.

Supervisor Dolphin.

Another elite team employee answered while looking up at Deputy Jin.

"...What did you say?"

"I said it won't work."

"Oh really?"

Jin's temple twitched, but she gave one more chance to the competent.

"Then what do you suggest?"

And Supervisor Dolphin made a choice that was extremely characteristic of him.

"Why don't we just pick out the worst people and throw them?"

"Are you crazy? Why do something so troublesome?"

At that moment.

Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. Those who wish to arrive in Tamra, offer a sacrifice. 

"Time's up."

Deputy Jin tries to stride out the door of Car 1.

Supervisor Dolphin's eyes flash. And he raises his hand... W-wait a second!

"Just a moment!"

I blocked the deputy's path.

"What."

...It's a precipice.

'Careful, be careful.'

I swallowed and said:

"Supervisor Dolphin's words... have a point. I don't think we should just tell them to fall without reason."

"..."

"I mean, there should be a valid reason for doing so!"

"A reason."

"Yes."

I took a deep breath.

Calmly.

I reflect the story of the prose I already know onto the clues I have...

So it doesn't sound awkward.

"Deputy, when you went under the window, you heard voices from the altar full of rotten flesh. Something like 'Discard your sins'..."

Discard your sins

Tear off as much as your sins.

That strange and enormous resonance echoing in my head clearly wasn't blocked even by the 'Happy Maker'.

And if it weren't for the Happy Maker, I would've been tearing off my skin and flesh from the searing pain burning through my whole body after hearing that voice.

"So?"

"If the message is that powerful, it must be deeply related to this phenomenon. So... I think 'sin' is the keyword in this darkness."

"..."

"I mean the keyword needed to clear this."

Deputy Jin stopped in her tracks.

"Go on."

"Yes."

I swallowed.

"Wasn't it strange from the beginning? Why do the people offered as sacrifices wake up on the train again every time? If they were truly offered as sacrifices, they shouldn't come back, right?"

"They go crazy instead."

"Yes. But that's because... they go mad from the pain of 'tearing off as much as their sins' as the voice says."

I distinguished two things that had been roughly lumped together for 14 rounds.

"Then, the sacrifice isn't the human itself... but the 'flesh' that humans directly offer according to their sins, isn't it?"

"...!"

I said it before, didn't I?

That pseudo-religions ran rampant and people from all compartments killed each other, held insane rituals, and threw corpses out the windows.

If we only count the number of people who died and fell out the windows like that, we should have easily passed the 9th altar.

Yet the reason this urban legend didn't end even after hundreds of loops.

It's because.

"People aren't the sacrifices. They're just offering their sins as sacrifices at the altar."

"..."

"And the people return."

Those who complete the offering walk out of the altar every time and go back to the starting point of the train.

That's how the loop starts again.

Although they're half-crazed from the pain of 'tearing off their sins', the people themselves come back.

"They tear off their sins as flesh and discard it in the passage as they go."

Eating, vomiting, spilling...

"I think that's really the sacrifice."

That pain.

The terrible burning pain and the resonance in their heads that they suffer according to their sins.

...Looking at the rotten flesh piled up in the passage at that point, you understand it from a slightly different angle.

That it's not simply grotesque traces, but sacrifices steadily offered and accumulated at the altar.

"So I think the surest method is for people with sins to fall to the altar to offer their sins. ...That's all."

"..."

"..."

Clap, clap, clap.

Supervisor Dolphin gave a small applause from behind, but the deputy didn't move an inch.

"Of course, my guess could be wrong. But isn't it reasonable to take the safe path in case it's right?"

I looked Deputy Jin in the eye and spoke earnestly.

"So, for a safe clear, please. Let me persuade the passengers..."

"You."

The deputy opens her mouth.

"You're good at lying too."

"...!!"

"Well, at least you're good with words."

"De-"

"Third time."

Thud.

I was grabbed by the collar and lifted into the air.

"Forerunner!"

"Aaaah!"

"You never learn. We need to enter the darkness after getting off at Mokpo, but you keep wasting energy here?"

Passengers in Car 2 beyond the connection screamed and ran over. But Deputy Jin didn't even blink as she closed and locked the door to Car 1 in front of them.

Click.

"Listen and be grateful that I'm spending time on this nonsense."

Deputy Jin brings her face close.

"You say the flesh that people tear off and offer is the sacrifice? Hey. But the ones you injected with painkillers and threw in came out fine without offering any flesh."

"...!!"

"If what you're saying is true, they didn't give any sacrifices, but we still moved on to the next altar smoothly, didn't we?"

That's...

"You knew and lied, didn't you?"

...

"You figured it out."

-Good heavens!

That's right.

I was trying to deceive the Deputy.

'I didn't expect to be caught so quickly.'

I grinned while breaking out in a cold sweat.

But most of what I said was actually true.

'Except for one thing.'

The conclusion.

"As expected."

The pressure gripping my neck intensifies.

"So we just need to throw anyone to match the altar?"

"Hah, that's correct."

I admitted frankly.

"Actually, how much sin is offered probably doesn't matter. Even if nothing is offered. The act of humans... preparing an offering and coming to the altar itself is likely what's important."

Moreover.

"Anyway... on this Tamra-bound train, it seems everyone, ugh, is considered to have sin."

Didn't you see?

'Even that virtuous Silver Heart owner was torn apart at the altar.'

According to this insane ghost story's judgment... there are no sinless humans.

Everyone is a sinner, just to varying degrees...

So if clearing is the goal, there's no need to specifically choose bad people.

"Finally, you're talking sense."

Deputy Jin Na-sol released her grip.

I barely managed to stand and catch my breath.

"Good. Now stop the useless talk and cooperate quickly. Efficiently."

"..."

I smiled painfully.

"That's strange."

"What?"

"Deputy, you've made an inefficient choice."

Thump thump!

I looked back at the passengers knocking on the door, Supervisor Dolphin, and Baek Saheon.

"To do it your way, you'll have to fight three employees."

"...!!"

"And since the passengers just saw you grab my collar, they'll fiercely resist and react to whatever you do."

"..."

Given how the situation has developed, Deputy Jin Na-sol's idea of the "most efficient move" will face tremendous opposition.

The passengers won't cooperate at all!

And in this scenario, Supervisor Dolphin will definitely side with me to try and subdue Deputy Jin Na-sol instead.

"Of course, you could probably subdue everyone... but that would be extremely troublesome. Right?"

"Ah! Good point, Supervisor."

Supervisor Dolphin approached with a smile.

"That's right. Why do something troublesome! Just take a nap and the three of us will take care of it."

Behind him, Baek Saheon had an expression like "Me too?", but instead of siding with the Deputy, he kept quiet and rolled his eyes.

Being on the same elite team, he'd probably join our side with the better odds.

So...

"Deputy. Can't you just turn a blind eye to this troublesome matter once?"

"..."

"It's not really company business, just a situation we accidentally got caught up in. I'd like to use a slightly more comfortable and safe method. It'll just take a bit more time."

Please!

'Deputy Jin Na-sol is a rational person.'

She'd think it's stupid to cause a scene out of spite and take the troublesome route.

I had no choice but to bet on that.

'But... being human, she might still act rashly out of anger.'

Especially as an elite team superior, she'd likely be very upset at this situation with two supervisors opposing her...

I swallowed hard.

"This isn't work, as you said, Deputy."

"..."

"..."

After the silence.

Deputy Jin Na-sol moved her foot. And then...

She sat down in an empty seat in Car 1.

"...Thank you."

There was no response. Deputy Jin Na-sol just closed her eyes with an expressionless face.

She was clearly suppressing her anger.

In fact, it was a crazy thing to do, confronting a superior during a business trip!

'Phew...'

I'm sorry, Deputy...

Still, I expect that when it's all over, even Deputy Jin Na-sol will find the results efficient and understandable.

I just couldn't explain it rationally right now.

For now, we had to move.

"...Let's get this done quickly."

We're about to enter the first altar.

Supervisor Dolphin seemed to have similar thoughts and tried to unlock the door first.

"Yessir. Now, let's go out and choose 45 bad people!"

Hmm.

"Um, Supervisor. About that."

"...?"

"Can't we do it a different way?"

"Oh?"

* * *

Slide.

I opened the door to Car 1.

"Ah! It opened... gasp!"

"Wh-what's this?"

The passengers who had been knocking on the door, probably debating whether to break it down, brightened up before being shocked. They were startled by the terrible state inside Car 1.

But seeing me, they relaxed for now.

...Probably because the person they thought had the answers to this train seemed fine.

I bowed my head.

"Everyone. Thank you for waiting."

"A-are you alright, Forerunner?"

"Earlier, that person..."

"Of course, I'm fine."

I turned to look at Deputy Jin Na-sol and smiled bitterly on purpose.

"I... learned some shocking facts, so she was helping me snap out of it."

"...What shocking facts?"

Sigh.

"Everyone. I have something to tell you."

I took a deep breath and looked at the hundreds of people watching me.

"This time, there's no limit to how many people can go out the window."

"Ohhh!"

"And this is the last time."

"..."

"Pardon?"

"What do you mean..."

"It means exactly what I said."

I spoke slowly.

"After this time, the test will be over."

The passengers started murmuring, asking what that meant. They clearly thought everyone had to go out the window.

"Originally, everyone was supposed to slowly go out the window. ...But, there's been a change."

The passengers held their breath and listened to my words.

"It's because all of you have now qualified."

"Th-then!"

I nodded.

"Yes. Anyone can go out the window and pass the test."

"My goodness!"

"Then I..."

I spoke to the people who were about to raise their hands and come forward.

"However, this time it will definitely be painful."

"...!!"

Openly and honestly.

"When you fall, you'll feel a burning sensation as you walk. You might want to tear off your flesh from the pain. You'll have to fight the pain and the voices ringing in your head, taking one step at a time towards the light..."

The passengers grew quiet.

The frozen people looked at each other and started whispering.

And someone shouted from the back.

"This isn't what you promised!"

"Yeah! You said you'd protect us..."

I nodded.

"Of course. If you don't want to participate, you don't have to."

"Uh... huh?"

"But I can promise you one thing for certain."

The truth is...

According to the Disaster Management Bureau's confidential documents on the past Iksan-bound train where this ghost story ended safely...

When this ghost story ends, the passengers wake up startled as if from a nightmare, regaining consciousness at the train's starting point.

They go on living their normal lives thinking 'it was just a nightmare'.

The events on the Tamra-bound train fade away over half a day like forgetting an unpleasant dream, and are eventually completely forgotten.

However...

Some changes were observed in those who voluntarily fell out the window.

I remember those words.

A passenger who habitually verbally abused subordinates apologized as soon as he got off this train and never verbally abused again.

A passenger who habitually jaywalked corrected that habit "feeling somehow ashamed", and another passenger actually started volunteer cleaning at a youth center that they had only thought about doing.

One fraudster passenger even abandoned their insurance fraud scheme and passed information to the police.

Overall improvement in morality, self-esteem, and self-respect was observed.

Yes.

If it ends safely like before instead of repeating hundreds of horrible loops, the terrible pain from this ghost story will end as a short nightmare and be forgotten.

But the good things remain.

'...That's why when this ghost story was on the Iksan-bound train, the Disaster Management Bureau called it a phenomenon rather than a disaster and only made confidential documents...'

TL/PR: I decided to use -bound to destination train but I don’t if that matches or appropriate in English content. I didn’t use this in previous chapters tho. So do tell me too thank you.

So, to put it a bit dramatically.

"Those who go out the window this time will be proud of themselves when they finally exit the tunnel."

I continued.

"Instead of looking back on yesterday's actions with regret, you'll become someone who steps up in the moment, and you'll meet a better version of yourself without shame."

A small voice rose from the crowd.

"...Um, is that the answer?"

I made eye contact with that passenger and slowly nodded.

"Yes."

"..."

"But I can guarantee at least that much."

The passengers grew quiet again.

"So I'll ask again... Is there anyone who wants to endure the pain and go out the window?"

...

"Me."

I turned my head.

Supervisor Dolphin had raised his hand.

And then.

"I'll go too."

One by one, people raised their hands.

"Me."

"Me too...!"

All their faces were filled with a strange elation beyond fear.

Mob mentality.

It's a double-edged sword.

But the group's solidarity and influence built up over 14 rounds was now revealing its outline in an unprecedentedly solemn appearance.

Being inspired by the courage of those nearby.

In an instant, nearly half the train's passengers voluntarily raised their hands.

...The ending I had tried to see for 14 rounds, even by becoming a cult leader, was now right before my eyes.

"...Everyone."

Entering the first altar

"Thank you. I'll go with you."

Just as the Silver Heart owner wanted.