[What a strange question to keep asking! Did I enjoy it? Of course. I’m an entertainer who can enjoy every role….]
“So, being the good friend wasn’t particularly more fun than any other role? Not even a little?”
[…….]
Kim Sol-eum’s body, controlled by Lee Jaheon, remained calmly still.
The giant TV screen lit up.
[I see what you’re trying to say.]
[You want me to move that warm stuffed doll again and become your good friend once more, is that it? Hahaha!]
[To continue playing the joyful role of the good friend!]
A rabbit doll appeared in the giant TV and waved its hand, just like a moment a month ago.
But Kim Sol-eum remained unfazed.
“Then it must’ve been good. I miss it.”
[Oh, Kim Sol-eum.]
The TV spoke mockingly, yet cheerfully.
The rabbit doll on the screen looked around fearfully and sat in a corner.
[Unfortunately, this good friend has already been torn apart and turned to ashes! You’ll never meet it again!]
“No, that’s you.”
[……!]
“The stuffed doll is just an exterior.”
That’s right.
Ultimately, the one who willingly accepted the limitations of being the good friend and used the stuffed doll as its body was… the host before him.
Even now, showing that rabbit doll on the screen.
‘It’s you.’
It was something it had directly said itself.
“I’ve heard a story like that before.”
Kim Sol-eum’s calm voice rang out.
“Even actors, when they take on a deeply impactful role, sometimes struggle to step out of the role even after it’s over.”
Because.
“The role might have been so enjoyable or immersive that traces of it linger even after it’s over.”
[…….]
He recalled the scene he had just witnessed.
The host, who froze upon seeing the stuffed doll he had inhabited explode.
‘Honestly, they must have known that me dying wasn’t tied to the stuffed doll being destroyed.’
He was the one who placed me in it in the first place.
Going further, it was strange for the talk show host to allow a silence to linger just because one guest died.
It was the kind of being that would display a crying emoji on its TV head, pretend to mourn, and then use it as material for the next segment.
But if he had even momentarily panicked and tried to stuff the cotton back in.
That was definitely something strange.
“I thought maybe it was the same for you.”
[Oh. Are you suggesting that this pitiful being pretending to be a great host had such sloppy professionalism that it was affected by a mask it wore for only a few months...?]
“I don’t see why that’s sloppy. Great actors often struggle when they immerse themselves deeply into their roles. It’s because they were so vividly engaged.”
[That’s….]
“Right?”
Lee Jaheon continued to relay Kim Soleum’s words in a flat tone.v
“And in a slightly different sense... I found a lot of comfort in your ‘good friend.’”
[…….]
“Thank you. In tough situations, your role as a friend really helped and comforted me. And... there were a lot of fun moments too.”
Kim Sol-eum’s voice resonated.
“Wasn’t it the same for you?”
[…….]
[Well.]
The host’s voice lowered.
[I must admit, albeit shamefully. Yes, it was a very fresh and enjoyable experience!]
[As a creator and performer in the show, exceptional talent like yours is rare. Observing your actions and meddling was a truly unique delight….]
“I see.”
But.
“That’s why I don’t want to work on this talk show anymore.”
A calm voice emerged.
“To be honest, this talk show scares me a little. It’s not that it’s boring, but frankly, it’s hard for me to work here. You know my personality.”
Just thinking about people dying sent chills down his spine. Contributing to that here felt truly horrifying….
Moreover, Kim Sol-eum knew.
‘Even if I try to persuade it, will that host suddenly make ethical judgments?’
Absolutely not.
It was as if, as long as Kim Sol-eum remained himself, he would feel repulsed by working as a staff member of this talk show.
And the bigger issue was not feeling repulsed by it.
Whether it was brainwashing or corruption, it meant losing oneself.
“Honestly, even if you called me a partner, I was unilaterally made part of your crew. It’s like I’m expected to call you 'Mr. Host.’”
The words, though joking, carried weight.
“In that state, we can’t remain friends. I’d just be subordinate. I wouldn’t be able to act independently.”
Kim Sol-eum looked beyond his line of sight.
“Then you’d quickly get bored too.”
[…….]
“That’s why I need to go back. …It’ll be much more fun for you that way too.”
A strange light flickered across the surface of the TV.
Perhaps that’s why the host wanted to keep him as moderate and unchanged in his thinking as possible while working on the talk show, Kim Sol-eum guessed.
Like being soaked by a light drizzle.
‘That might have worked to some extent… but not like this.’
He couldn’t stay in this eerie place any longer.
Still, though.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
[…!]
“Do you remember what I said before?”
“ – Friends try to understand each other’s differences, and even when they can’t, they still care for one another.”
“ – …While talking, that is.”
“We don’t have to work in the same place to share our daily lives and be friends.”
If the water had already been spilled, he needed to redefine his relationship with the summoned being from now on.
If he couldn’t avoid it, he had to face it.
“You don’t have to be the good friend. Just being a friend is enough.”
The stuffed doll inside the TV seemed intrigued by these words, leaning its body toward the screen as if to listen more closely.
Kim Sol-eum wanted to smile.
“If you’re okay with it, how about we stay like this?”
[Oh.]
[But what if I’m not okay with it?]
The stuffed doll inside the TV seemed flustered, but the massive host’s voice became smoother and more cunning.
[Look at this, Mr. Sol-eum. The havoc your barbaric swordsman wreaked on the set. This space, built with the sweat and tears of the staff, disrupted by an unruly rogue’s meddling….]
It was then.
Thump thump thump!
The massive stuffed rabbit inside the TV suddenly sprang up and began slamming its cotton-filled hands against the screen.
As if protesting against those words!
[…! Oh my, this is…….]
The TV abruptly turned off.
The massive host adjusted the antenna as if trying to control something. However, the TV flickered, intermittently showing the rampaging image of the good friend stuffed doll.
Finally, the host gave up with an exasperated sigh and withdrew his hand.
And then….
[It can’t be helped.]
Flicker.
The stage lights flickered briefly, and then….
[Fine.]
The host had suddenly reverted to his original form, standing before Kim Sol-eum.
“ – …!”
[Yes… watching and meddling in your exploits is indeed quite enjoyable.]
[Who would’ve thought my mask would become so bothersome….]
The host spoke politely, with a tone of slight resignation.
[I, Braun, acknowledge it.]
[That accompanying your unique, creative, and suspenseful narrative has been incredibly fascinating and enjoyable….]
[That the role of the ‘good friend’ was particularly enjoyable.]
“…….”
Kim Sol-eum realized.
The one controlling the stuffed doll inside the TV was, of course, the host himself.
Which meant that the rabbit doll’s outburst earlier… was likely a part of the host’s own existence expressing those feelings.
A trace of the good friend.
“…….”
The barrage of holy fire that had been raining down on the talk show had quietly ceased.
The lights returned, casting the half-destroyed stage as though it were part of the set itself, and Braun stared at Kim Sol-eum.
At the friend beyond his gaze.
[But now, the stuffed body is gone.]
Ah.
[Of course… a great host always has a Plan B.]
The host moved his gloved hand as if performing a magic trick, and a silver coin glinted between his fingers.
Silver Snake Coin
“ – …!”
It was the coin item Kim Sol-eum had used to summon the good friend.
When it reappeared—thought to have burned away with the doll—Kim Sol-eum’s consciousness wavered from beyond.
“I definitely burned it….”
[Ha-ha, a great entertainer always has a knack for magic. It’s just a humble little trick.]
Jingle.
The coin from Braun’s hand fell into the front pocket of Kim Soleum’s suit.
The spot where the good friend had always been.
His fingers tapped the pocket lightly.
[Take it! And with the right medium, summon me again, just like before… and I will come, Mr. Sol-eum.]
“ – ……!”
Unlike the surprised Kim Sol-eum, Lee Jaheon calmly repeated his words aloud.
“Alright.”
[Oh, but that friend may not be as kind as before.]
“Then that means it could be kind.”
[…You’re acting like a magician of words, my friend!]
Braun’s TV remained blank, showing nothing, but the clean screen reflected Kim Sol-eum’s face.
With a desire to smile, Kim Sol-eum spoke.
“See you again.”
[A teaser for a sequel!]
[Not bad.]
The host raised both hands.
[Now, let us give a round of applause to my temporary crew member, who will leave this dazzling and marvelous studio and return to face the dreadful reality!]
Wow!!
Kim Sol-eum turned his head in surprise.
The audience seats were still full, and the camera lights were on.
And on the stage, the words ‘Specially Scheduled Bonus Time! Behind-the-Scenes with the Host (Sensitive Personal Information Will Be Censored)’ were displayed.
‘Come to think of it, we’re still in the middle of a commercial….’
It seems even this was being broadcast….
‘They really love the show.’
I just hope they properly censored my personal information.
Kim Sol-eum wanted to let out both a sigh and a hollow laugh.
[Well then, it’s time for the exit.]
The host extended a handshake to Kim Sol-eum.
Kim Sol-eum requested the mercenary controlling his body to accept the handshake.
And then, he hears it.
A quiet whisper.
[Mr. Sol-eum.]
[It better be as fun as you’ve promised. Let’s see if that holds true….]
“ – …….”
If Kim Sol-eum still had his body, he might have broken out in a cold sweat and frozen for a moment.
However, with Team Leader Lee Jaheon controlling him, he calmly bowed toward the audience before striding powerfully through the broken guest door and running out.
[Then, have a pleasant exit!]
Leaving the talk show set.
In a fleeting glance at the audience, he realized they were no longer ordinary people but eerie 'viewers'….
It was unsettling, but strangely, he felt lighter.
Woooaaahhh!
From behind, he heard the cheerful yet eerie voice of the talk show host, his friend….
[This has been… Braun’s Late Night Talk Show!]
***
“……!”
I opened my eyes.
The faint light of dawn was visible in the sky.
It was the dawn of an ordinary day that I knew.
‘…I made it out!’
“Ha.”
I took a deep breath and stretched out on the ground.
For some reason, I found myself leaning against an unknown park bench, lying down.
‘Did someone leave me here?’
The sense of liberation was overwhelming.
It felt great to be able to move my body again, and even better to have made it outside safely….
Anyway, it all felt good.
“Phew.”
Did Team Leader Lee Jaheon make it back properly?
Or is my contamination state okay? I’m not sure how I can feel so relieved and think so clearly.
‘…Wait. Could it be, throwing up after eating that churro….’
Hmm. This is just speculation for now, so I’ll move on.
The important thing is this.
‘…I’ve escaped after a month!’
“Haaahhh…….”
I sprawled out again.
What should I do now?
I had lost all the company items—my Dream Collector, employee ID, and mask—everything was gone.
‘I guess I should report to the company first….’
……..
……Wait.
Have I been absent from work without permission for a whole month?
If that’s the case, then perhaps….
‘Termination…?!’
Then what about my points?
I shot up as if doused with cold water.
‘My phone.’
I had to check it immediately.
Forget fatigue or the sense of liberation; a chill ran through me as I immediately tried to figure out how to contact someone.
Something sparkled above my head.
A strange phenomenon I felt like I hadn’t seen in ages.
[Chronicles of Darkness Exploration Real Goods Box]
– Unlocked the usage rights for new merch (!)
“…!”
And what fell from the air was….
Thud.
I looked at the goods in my hand, still with a barcode for payment attached.
A compact item made to reduce cost, but its intricacy hinted at a hefty price tag.
A cylinder adorned with metal decorations.
It was….
Dream Collector (Elite Team Exclusive)
And the cylinder was already filled with a shimmering golden liquid….
With trembling hands, I lifted it.
A liquid emitting a hologram-like glow that I had never seen before.
‘This is….’
It’s at least A-grade.
