Position change.
It means a change in the tasks assigned or a change in the department.
This is something that usually happens after years of service.
So, it’s absolutely absurd to bring it up to someone who’s only on their third day of employment!
“…Does this mean I’ll be assigned to a different department?”
Suppressing my desire to object with, “What on earth are you saying after I’ve just had a nice lunch?”
I politely asked them.
“Well, not exactly. Did you see the bulletin? It just got posted.”
“…?!”
A sense of anxiety washed over me as I quickly logged into the intranet.
[Notice on Employee Rewards for Resolving Qterw-D-43 Anomaly]
Qterw-D-43 was the Tuesday Quiz Show.
And in summary, the notice read…
– Wow! One team resolved a unique incident in a D-Grade ghost story and extracted an A-Grade solution! Amazing, this is what success looks like! This team will be awarded 100,000 points in total!
– See? If they can do it, so can you! Forget work-life balance, work like a dog, and rake in those points! Be like Team D!
…And there it was. My name, Kim Sol-eum, glaringly listed among the primary contributors receiving 40,000 points.
“…”
I wished it was just a dream.
But the more horrifying realization was this.
If this notice was the reason for my position change…
I felt a shiver down my spine as I saw the deputy manager’s hollow expression.
“You saw it, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you see… Team D accomplished something quite… unusual this time.”
No way.
“Does that mean our entire team has been reassigned?”
“It’s not a reassignment exactly. Just, uh… the type of work is changing.”
The deputy downed her coffee in one gulp.
“Up until now, we were mainly assigned ghost stories which had complete manuals.”
Wait.
“Now, we’ll be going into the darkness—situations without completed manuals!”
“Starting now, they want us to handle stories with incomplete manuals!”
“…!!”
In simpler terms, they’re throwing us into uncharted ghost stories!
“Seriously, what is it with this company? You handle one thing well, and they shove you into an even harder situation… Ugh.”
The supervisor had already caught wind of this and had his face buried in the desk. Even caffeine seemed to have no effect on him.
“Good afternoon.”
And right on cue, the team leader with the Lizard Head entered the office. The deputy immediately exploded.
“Team Leader! You’re seriously telling me we’re supposed to go into ghost stories without manuals? Are they trying to get us killed?”
“…? That’s not true.”
“What?”
Could there be a way out of this? A glimmer of hope flickered on the deputy’s face—
“Even with a manual, there’s no guarantee of safety.”
“…”
Ah, so that’s what you meant.
“What a terrifyingly pragmatic lizard this guy is…”
I managed to muster up the courage to ask directly.
“Is there any advantage to this situation?”
“Yes.”
“And what would that be?”
“Allocation of additional points.”
“…!”
Supervisor Park Minseong immediately snapped upright.
As expected of someone who’s obsessed with points.
“H-how much more are we talking, Team Leader?”
“Substantially.”
“How substantial?”
“Compared to ghost stories of the same grade, the average is about three to four times higher.”
“…!”
“What’s the highest multiplier you’ve seen, team leader?”
“Fifteen times.”
The deputy and supervisor’s expressions suddenly transformed.
They look like stock traders about to buy into some hyped-up biotech penny stock.
Apparently, the bait of 30,000 points was utterly irresistible.
In most cases, a rational person would intervene to stop this madness, but… Well, at least in most cases—
For me, this was…
“A guaranteed investment…”
Whether there was a manual or not, it didn’t matter to me.
I already knew more about the <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> than most manuals could ever provide!
In that case—
“This is basically a triple points event, isn’t it?”
And so, moments later—
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir.”
Team D unanimously accepted the new assignment without a single objection.
“Time to earn those points.”
Our destination: The 17th floor.
“The 20th to the 17th floors are primarily used by the Development Department.”
The deputy frowned as she pressed the elevator buttons.
“And the 17th floor… That’s where the researchers who scout for new darknesses are present.”
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, revealing a white, artificial interior that blended labs and offices—a typical research and development space (R&D).
Waiting for us at the front was someone who immediately extended their hand.
“Hey~ So this is the famous new recruit? Incredible, just incredible~”
Clearly, this person outranked me.
Reflexively, I extended my hand and shook theirs.
“I’m Kim Sol-eum. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, polite and well-mannered too.”
The man in a white lab coat and glasses appeared quite young, but given the peculiar world we were in, I decided not to jump to conclusions about his age.
Regardless, the supervisor from the other department greeted the members of Team D before turning back to me.
"I'm Gwak Jaegang from Research Team 1. Nice to meet you, and I’m looking forward to working together~"
“…! Nice to meet you as well.”
Our team deputy muttered under her breath.
"Don’t be intimidated. He’s just a deputy, nothing special."
‘You’re a deputy yourself, aren’t you…?’
What surprised me wasn’t that this person was a manager. It was that I recognized him.
-------------------------------
Researcher Gwak Jaegang:
A member of Research Team 1, Daydream Incorporations’ Raw Materials Development Department, as listed in <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.
Frequently cited in early records of exploration for entering newly registered Darknesses.
-------------------------------
Another named character.
“His personality… well.”
-------------------------------
One of the rare employees described directly as "pleasant and sociable."
However…
-------------------------------
Hmm.
Without revealing my thoughts, I quietly followed my team members.
“We’ll be seeing each other often from now on. Right, Manager Lee Jaheon?”
“Yes.”
…
Oops.
“Could you explain why?”
“Certainly.”
At last, the lizard began to elaborate.
“Research Team 1 studies methods to enter and standardize new darknesses. As such, you’ll frequently interact with Team D, which is tasked with exploring uncharted darknesses.”
In other words, they’re the ones handing us our assignments.
“So this is where they discover new darknesses and assign them to the field exploration teams…”
"Ah, Manager Lee, you always make things sound so complicated. And you’re not even a researcher!"
The research team’s deputy lightly patted the lizard manager on the back. The lizard's unblinking pupils swiveled toward the other in what seemed like mild curiosity.
For some reason, it felt like watching a suspenseful thriller.
"Anyway, today’s darkness is ready for exploration~ Make sure to grab your dream essence collectors, okay?"
Deputy Eun’s face momentarily flashed an expression that seemed to say, “Who does this guy think he is, stating the obvious when he’s from another department?” But supervisor Park’s desperate hand signals prevented him from voicing it aloud.
“Review the records of civilians who entered and exited, as well as the reports from the previous team that went in.”
Manager Lee Jaheon accepted the documents handed over by the research team.
Meanwhile, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
“…?”
I turned to find a grinning research team member speaking to me.
“Hey, want to bet if it’s a D-Grade or F-Grade?”
“Pardon?”
“We’re just placing small bets amongst ourselves. You should join—it’s fun!”
“No, thank you.”
I declined immediately.
“Is this guy out of his mind?”
What if an audit caught wind of this…? No, wait. He’s blatantly bringing up betting and gambling in front of his direct superior.
I reflexively glanced at the research team’s deputy manager.
The deputy merely shrugged.
“What’s the big deal? A little betting never killed anyone.”
“……”
“Haha, oh, look at that poker face! Sol-eum, you’ve got guts, huh?”
I was too flabbergasted to even move a facial muscle.
“Aren’t they crossing the line way too much at a workplace?”
Then again, I suppose it’s only fitting for research staff based on ghost stories.
“Anyway, I’m just kidding. This darkness isn’t some life-or-death ordeal. Civilians who went in managed to escape just fine. Oh, and the planning team? They had to work overtime to smooth things over after the Disaster Management Bureau threw a tantrum~”
“…”
The research team’s deputy manager smiled lightly when no one from Team D didn’t respond, then quietly organized the remaining documents.
“Hmph.”
The researcher who had mentioned the bet gave us a disdainful look, crossed his arms, and stood back as if to spectate.
“Can someone even behave like this in a corporate environment…?”
While it didn’t put me in the best mood, feeling good at work is a rarity anyway.
What mattered was the darkness we were assigned.
What kind of ghost story would it be this time?
“Oh, Roe Deer, you should check it out too.”
“Understood.”
I accepted the documents handed over by the superior.
“It’s probably going to be something I’m familiar with.”
Besides, the fact that many civilians had managed to escape made it sound less dangerous. At worst, it was likely D-Grade.
I should be able to handle it, no problem.
So I told myself not to worry.
“Roe Deer, did you read it? Something about clown portraits... Oh, if you see a clown ad, you get dragged in?”
A clown ad…?!
No way, it couldn’t be…
-------------------------------
Chronicles of Darkness Exploration / Ghost Story
[The Clown Hates You]
A ghost story listed in the <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>,
Daydream Incorporation ID Code: Qterw-D-210.
A tale about endlessly wandering through a hallway filled with various clown portraits.
Upon closer inspection, the figures in the portraits aren’t actual clowns but grotesquely twisted people made to look like clowns, forced to make eerie grins.
-------------------------------
“….”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
-------------------------------
The longer you stay, the more distorted and bizarre the portraits become.
Those who disappear in this ghost story turn into new clown portraits.
To be honest, it’s a rare hardcore horror movie-style ghost story to be found in the exploration records.
-------------------------------
Wow.
With trembling eyes, I skimmed through the prior exploration report in the documents I was handed.
…
It really was that story.
“Oh, here we go.”
A full-blown horror theme that made even the convenience store ghost seem lame.
“Haha, well then, off you go!”
Excuse me?!
Can we just cancel this triple-points event? I’d like to stay out of this, thanks!
* * *
But of course, there’s no way that kind of reasoning works in the world…
“…”
When I opened my eyes, I saw a pitch-black—or rather, dark hallway.
The walls, decayed and worn, were plastered with all kinds of grotesque clown portraits.
“Crap, crap, crap.”
Even the method of entering this place was terrifying:
1 - Watch a Y-Tube ad featuring a red-nosed clown laughing maniacally at the screen.
2 - While in any enclosed indoor hallway, a clown’s hand appears from around the corner.
3 - As you approach, the hand grabs your wrist, dragging you into this “hallway.”
I almost fainted right then and there.
‘This is bad.’
I rolled my eyes nervously. My memory vividly replayed exploration records’ warning that any contact with the walls led to terrifying consequences.
Cold sweat trickled down my face.
‘To be fair, anyone would be scared here…’
“Hm. It’s not that dark. No need for flashlights.”
“Manager! Can we at least adjust to the darkness before we move?”
“Yes. Close your eyes for 60 seconds.”
“Understood!” said Supervisor Park in a confident voice.
“…”
Seriously?
Did he just casually suggest closing our eyes for a minute in this pitch-black hallway filled with ominously staring clown portraits?
“Roe Deer, close your eyes too.”
Guess I’ll have to comply.
“…Yes.”
Pretending to close my eyes, I stared at the floor, still sweating profusely.
I just realized something.
These people.
They’re not scared of anything.
Unless it’s a genuinely life-threatening situation—Their fear threshold must be insanely high!
They’re the type to say, “The scariest thing in the world is people, not ghosts,” and skip horror movies because they find them boring!
“Well, that explains why they work here, I guess.”
Even so, I doubted they’d remain so calm if these grotesque portraits started moving on their own…
“Hm… If you approach or poke the portraits, sometimes they crawl out and chase you.”
“Oh, right. When that happens, the portrait becomes empty, and some people have used it as a passage back to reality.”
“I see.”
The manager’s voice was eerily calm.
“Stab every portrait you see.”
I almost screamed.
“Yes, sir! If anything actually crawls out, I’ll signal and start running immediately!”
“Understood. Repeat the process on an hourly basis.”
“Oh, they crawl, don’t they? At least they don’t seem fast.”
“Exactly. Oh, Roe Deer! There’s a clown with a weird eye over on the left. Looks just like a movie poster, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“It also resembles the description of a missing civilian. Looks like this is what happens to those who disappear here.”
I looked up.
In the eerie darkness, there it was—a portrait of someone with a button for one eye, covered in gaudy, smeared clown makeup, grinning grotesquely with exaggerated teeth.
“…It moved.”
I was sure I saw the remaining eye’s pupil shift.
“…”
“Roe Deer, do you want to touch that one first?”
Ah, no!! Seriously, stop!
“…Um, yes.”
No, I can’t. There’s no way I’m going near that thing.
A powerful premonition hit me like a slap to the back of the head.
“At this pace, I won’t survive keeping up with these lunatics.”
“Alright, Roe Deer, start with the upper-left portrait…”
“Wait a moment.”
“Hm?”
This calls for a gamble!
“I think I’ve figured out how to escape.”
“What?”
It hadn’t even been a minute since we arrived, but yes, I’d figured it out. Trust me!
“I deduced it from the civilian escape records.”
I don’t think my brain has ever worked this fast before.
“I can’t let these fearless daredevils take the lead!”
“First of all, don’t touch any other portraits.”
“Huh? Why not?”
Because I’m scared.
But what came out of my mouth was something else entirely.
“…Only one specific portrait must be the answer.”
‘Is this what they call the survival instinct?’
I pulled out a toy coin from my equipment and tossed it into the air to summon a translucent glove in the air.
I handed it a pile of twenty 500-won coins, which it accepted like an overjoyed live streamer receiving donations, then quickly merged with my hand.
“Wait, is that your custom equipment?”
“Yes. It allows me to interact with objects remotely.”
“Nice.”
Now, I wouldn’t have to physically approach any of the clown portraits.
Feigning seriousness, I nodded gravely.
“From now on, I’d like to examine as many portraits as possible while moving quickly, to find the right one.”
I turned to Manager Lee Jaheon.
“And I will describe the portrait we’re looking for.”
“Please let me know immediately if you see it.”
If this works, I won’t need to stare at every creepy clown portrait myself!
“Of course, if I get hit with, ‘Who does this rookie think they are?’ it’s game over…”
Thankfully, Manager Lee didn’t seem like the type to cling to authority.
Even if he did have a lizard head. Even if his thought process screamed “lizard brain.”
“Alright.”
Success!
Relief almost made my knees give out, but I forced myself to stay composed and nodded again.
“Then let’s get moving.”
I acted as if I were testing some brilliant hypothesis that just happened to involve running, but honestly…
It wasn’t necessary.
The escape method here was surprisingly simple.
“You can touch any portrait without worrying about finding the answer…”
Anyone with enough nerve could casually stroll through this place to escape.
But I’d already learned my lesson.
If there’s one thing the convenience store ghost taught me, it’s this.
“The key to survival for cowards is ‘Speedrunning!’”
Let’s go—Mid-game escape from this house of clowns!
