In a corner of the locker room, amidst the theme park’s ghost stories, a small plush toy spoke and moved its limbs.

Just reading that sentence would be enough to make anyone faint.

If you exclude the fact that I was the one who caused this situation.

“– Friend?”

The plush toy flailed around on top of the vanished hexagram.

“Ah…”

It was then that it hit me.

I had successfully invited the “Good Friend” into the plush toy!

The problem was that the one invited wasn’t someone I knew… no, it wasn’t even human. It was a monster.

‘The Host…!’

The monster with the CRT TV for a head who hosted the Tuesday Quiz Show in the ghost story.

– I’d love it if you could join my new talk show as a crew member, Roe Deer!

Recalling the last scene before I escaped that insane ghost story, I swallowed hard.

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Host. Have you been well?”

“– Haha, the pleasure’s mine! I vividly remember your brilliant performance on the quiz show, Roe Deer. How have you been? I’ve been…”

“– I’ve been…”

Silence.

“–I can’t… quite recall. Hmm… Right, I’ve been well. I’ve been hosting the talk show.”

The voice coming from the plush toy grew faint for a moment, only to return with strength and warmth.

“– What matters is that we’ve met again!”

“…Yes.”

It felt like an overwhelming supernatural pressure was trying to creep out, only to be suppressed and dulled.

‘…Because it’s a “Good Friend”?’

The plushie and the ritual I just performed seemed to act as some kind of restraint.

Even so, I needed to be careful.

“Uh, Host. I have a question.”

“– Feel free to ask, my friend. Ah, come to think of it, isn’t that title a bit too formal for friends?”

“– Just call me Braun, Roe Deer! And drop those awkward honorifics!”

“...Yes, I understand, Braun.”

[Note: Though Braun says ‘drop the honorifics, he himself still uses them, so we’ll be using Roe deer, unlike Roe which we use for his teammates.’]

Right. Even a TV-headed monster living in a ghost story could have a name…

But right now, the main issue is more urgent. I spoke as politely as possible.

“Actually, I’m trying to leave the theme park, but I can’t find the way out.”

“– Oh no! Theme parks are notoriously complex with their complex and convoluted paths. Don’t worry. I’m excellent at finding my way!”

“…It’s not that I’m lost. The mascot has blocked the exit gate.”

The plush toy paused, seemingly at a loss for words.

“– Hmm… That’s quite the unique situation.”

That’s… a surprisingly human-like reaction.

I briefly summarized the structure of the theme park and what had transpired—its color-coded zones, and the rampaging mascots.

The plush toy lying on the floor folded its arms.

“– Hmm. Truly diva-like mascots! There are creatures just as over-the-top in the broadcasting industry.”

“– However, one thing bothers me. Something—or someone—hasn’t appeared yet.”

Someone who hasn’t appeared?

I instinctively thought of it.

“…Are you talking about the yellow mascot?”

The final mascot, only mentioned during the attractions, with no traces left behind.

“– Correct! The Yellow Flower, wasn’t it? Do you know where it might be?”

“…!”

Right.

‘We found the blue mascot’s zone, so there might also be a yellow mascot’s zone…!’

If I find that area and exit through its gate….

“– Though it’s likely they’re already dead.”

…

“Pardon?”

The yellow mascot is dead?

“Wouldn’t it be in a place like a greenhouse or botanical garden? Since it’s a flower…”

“– Oh, come now, Roe Deer. You already know, don’t you?”

The friendly voice whispered softly.

“– You were the one who said it yourself. The yellow team woke up outside the blue zone.”

“…!”

“– If a yellow zone existed, the yellow team would have awakened there. Isn’t that the rule?”

“…That’s correct.”

Normally, participants woke up in the zone of the piece they’d chosen. But the yellow team hadn’t.

Could it really be because there was no yellow zone?

I thought about it.

And after a moment, I spoke.

“…I understand what I need to do.”

I have to check.

“– Oh, what is it? Let’s…”

The plush toy flailed as if trying to get up, only to flop face-first onto the floor.

“– Ahem, Roe Deer, could you help me up?”

I cautiously approached, picking up the “Good Friend” keychain and gently holding it in one hand.

It felt warm, almost like I was touching someone.

“– It’s hard to balance myself. It’ll take some time to adjust, but… don’t worry. I’m a very capable being!”

Sure you are.

After some deliberation, I slipped the plush toy into the pocket of my suit.

The plush toy raised one exaggerated hand.

[TL/N: SO CUTE <3]

“– Alright, let’s go! …By the way, where are we headed?”

To a place that could serve as a guide.

A location every large facility like this always has.

“To the information booth.”

* * *

It goes without saying, but records from previous explorations of ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ included mentions of the information booth. After all, it had all the typical features of an amusement park.

‘The problem was that it didn’t function properly...’

It could provide simple directions to nearby attractions.

But if you asked for something more complex or material, this would happen.

The guide mascot would hold up a sign that read, “Members Only.”

‘Meaning a regular ticket isn’t enough.’

Although guests were acknowledged to some extent, the eerie implication was clear—this place wasn’t really for us.

‘Luckily, I have a membership wristband.’

As soon as the ticket transformed into a membership wristband, I recalled several “members-only” records.

Special gift shops, restaurants, and exclusive attraction entrances with no waiting lines.

But I’d avoided them for a good reason.

‘It meant interacting with the mascots.’

Alone, with no information, encountering that crazy mascot that sealed the gate could lead to a horrible outcome.

‘Just imagining it gives me chills.’

But now, I had a monstrous friend who could act as my alarm system. It was worth a try.

“Braun, if it ever seems like the person I’m talking to is getting upset or might harm me, would you let me know?”

“– Of course. That’s not difficult at all!”

The plush toy cheerfully replied, quickly coming up with a few hand signals to communicate. As expected of someone in the media industry, he was swift and clever.

And soon after.

“– Over there. Oh, it looks quite legitimate….”

Listening to the chatter of the “Good Friend,” I approached the information booth. The booth was made of opaque blue glass and white panels.

As I got closer, the panels slid open, revealing the face of the blue mascot.

A blue dragon wearing a uniform.

“Hello. I’d like to see the map of this place.”

The blue mascot, waving enthusiastically, quickly handed over a high-quality catalog.

It was a detailed map of “Blue Dream Waterpark,” showing its attractions, restaurants, and facilities.

At the top of the catalog was the phrase “Members Only.”

I looked up at the blue mascot.

“Thank you.”

It looked pleased.

“By the way, do you happen to have a map that shows all zones?”

Freeze.

The blue mascot stopped moving.

Don’t panic.

“As you know, I came here directly from the red zone without any formal process. I’d like to avoid going back there by mistake…”

I tried to sound as calm and polite as possible.

“Which areas border the red zone?”

A brief silence.

The mascot extended its claw.

Here.

To here.

Rip.

With its claw, the blue mascot tore the map in half, dragging it across the eastern border.

‘So the eastern edge of the blue zone directly borders the western edge of the red zone….’

But… this is terrifying.

My hands trembled as I held the torn catalog.

‘Please don’t kill me.’

It’s not going to slice me in half with those claws too, right?

As soon as the mascot withdrew its claw, I hastily nodded in gratitude.

Onto the next topic!

“Thank you. In that case….”

Tap, tap.

“…!”

“– Shh.”

The plush toy softly tapped my chest pocket twice.

This was the signal.

‘Looks like the mascot is upset.’

…I see, so this was it.

I quickly shifted gears, bowing respectfully.

“Understood. I won’t approach the red zone.”

The blue dragon remained still for a moment before nodding.

It rummaged through its pocket, pulling out yet another bag of “Blue Soda Churros” and handing it to me.

“Thank you.”

G O O D    C H I L D

The blue dragon lightly tapped my wristband and withdrew its arm.

Screee.

The information booth panels quietly slid shut.

“…”

‘Phew.’

It’s done.

Though I felt like I was going to die of fear…

“– You’re smiling, my friend! Are you happy? Did you find what you were looking for?”

I’d figured it out.

“Yes.”

I raised my head and started running.

“All that’s left is to get there.”

I could’ve saved time by asking the mascot more questions, but safety came first. Now I’d rely on the most trustworthy means.

My own two legs.

‘Let’s move quickly.’

There were only a few hours left.

I glanced up at the sky, now darkening over the theme park.

* * *

A few hours later.

Night had fallen.

“Huff.”

I kept running.

My legs trembled from searching every corner of the massive waterpark.

“– Roe Deer, you seem very tired.”

“I’m fine.”

The plush toy asked with concern.

“– I suppose it’s time to ask, where exactly are you heading?”

Wiping the sweat from my chin, I replied.

“To the yellow zone.”

“– Hoo!”

“– We seemed to agree that ‘the yellow zone doesn’t exist,’ so why change your mind?”

“I haven’t changed my mind. I still think the yellow zone doesn’t exist.”

But.

“I believe it used to exist.”

I lowered the map and looked ahead.

First of all.

“Back then, it wouldn’t have bordered the red zone directly.”

To the east was forest, to the north an entrance, to the south a cliff, and to the west the blue zone.

‘The terrain fits perfectly, with no gaps.’

That means….

“It must’ve been connected somewhere in the blue zone. There had to be a passage.”

I ruled out the northern entrance, which was also an entrance, and the eastern area near the red zone.

That left…

“– So that’s why you’ve been scanning the western and southern areas? Haha!”

That’s correct.

Unlike the red zone, there weren’t any mascots here chasing me down with murder in their eyes, so I could afford to use such a labor-intensive method.

And finally, in a corner to the northwest, behind the restroom’s flowerbed, I found it.

A rugged dirt path leading up the mountain, like a closed hiking trail.

“– Hmm. It certainly seems this was once open as a pathway.”

The problem was that stepping beyond this point would almost certainly mean breaking the theme park’s rules.

[No entry beyond this point – Authorized personnel only]

After confirming the sign, I quietly stepped back out from behind the restroom and looked around.

In the distance, I locked eyes with a mascot standing in front of a children’s attraction.

“–Hmm, does that mascot concern you?”

“Yes. If I cross into the restricted area, I think it’ll notice…”

“– Then just make sure they don’t notice!”

“…”

That’s easier said than done.

“– Oh, cheer up. It’s not that hard!”

“– You’ve got me, haven’t you? Your friend.”

The voice of my "Good friend" suddenly took on a sly, confident tone, tinged with a strange friendliness.

“– I’ll help you. For starters… why don’t you take me out of your front pocket for a moment?”

I did as it suggested.

Sitting in the palm of my hand, the plush toy raised its hand to point at me.

I flinched at the gesture, a flashback of its fiery actions from the ‘Tuesday quiz show’ playing in my mind.

But this time, it was different.

Snap!

A dull snapping sound echoed from the toy’s hand, which lacked actual fingers.

And at that moment—

A peculiar shadow-like presence enveloped me heavily.

“…!”

I felt faint, subdued….

“–Now… they won’t notice you. Let’s move.”

The voice of the “Good friend” Braun sounded faintly tired.

“What… is this?”

“– I turned off your spotlight, Roe Deer.”

“– We promised not to care about people who aren’t lit up during the show, remember?”

Apparently, “incineration” wasn’t the host’s only ability.

‘Was the entire set under his control all along…?’

A chill ran down my spine as I glanced down at the plush toy, but I quickly reminded myself there were more pressing matters.

Escaping came first!

“Let’s move.”

“– That’s the spirit!”

I returned behind the restroom and stood before the closed trail.

Then, I crossed the no-entry sign.

“…”

Nothing happened.

“Thank you—”

“– Save the thanks for later. Let’s keep moving!”

I was genuinely grateful and almost touched, but I held back.

I climbed the steep trail as fast as I could, practically crawling.

My hands and feet crunched over broken plastic shards and decorative debris embedded in the dirt.

“– It’s clear this was once used for something.”

I picked up my pace.

Upward, further upward….

And finally, I reached the end of the path.

Tap.

I stepped onto solid ground and stopped.

From the top of the hill, I looked down below.

It was…

“– A resort.”

A sprawling resort complex stretched along the dim coastline.

…Wasn’t it common for large franchise theme parks to also operate massive accommodations like this?

Its overwhelming scale could be felt at a glance, but…

[Flower Golden Resort]

The place was already dead.

The resort, once likely a dreamlike destination shimmering in golden hues, was now old, peeling, and desolate.

I gazed at the cracked signboard, which featured a bright yellow flower smiling.

And below it, there was something familiar but even more outdated—a machine.

“– There’s a gate here too, leading into the resort!”

“Yes.”

That made sense. The path connecting the theme park to the resort would have been a kind of exit as well.

‘I found it…!’

Forgetting my fatigue, I began running again. The shadow that had been covering me seemed to lift, making my strides feel lighter.

“– Hmm. But the gate here is powered off too. Can you still use it?”

“Of course.”

I inspected the area around the old gate machine and opened the emergency operation panel.

Just like I’d done with the attractions.

Then, I powered it up using emergency energy.

Buzz.

With a creak, faint lights flickered on across the gate.

‘I couldn’t do this earlier because the mascots were watching me.’

This kind of operation was easy for me.

I stood before the intact and functional-looking gate.

I caught my breath.

One last check.

“Braun, if I use my membership card to enter the resort, do you think I’ll have to use its facilities?”

“– Haha! That run-down place? It seems to have been out of business for ages. It’s no longer part of the theme park—it’s just some land!”

Thanks for your sharp and scathing evaluation, my friend.

I immediately held up my membership card at the gate.

Beep.

The old gate machine scanned the card.

Ding! A light blinked on the device.

[◎ Goodbye ◎]

It worked.

As I stepped forward, exhilarated—

“– Oh no, they followed us.”

I turned around.

Far behind me, a blue figure was climbing up the trail.

‘…A mascot!’

It was the blue dragon!

The uniformed mascot I’d seen at the gate was rapidly closing in… and then stopped.

It was…

It was sniffling.

“…”

“– Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it’s the protagonist of some drama. Let’s move quickly!”

I felt uneasy.

‘This feels like a setup for a revenge story.’

Antagonizing a ghostly entity couldn’t possibly end well, could it?

After some hesitation, I dug through my pockets and found what I still had left.

[Alice’s Picnic Set – Cookies]

An item I’d never used before—flat, packaged cookies.

I lightly tossed the paper-wrapped cookies toward the mascot.

…

“– Roe Deer, you’re excessively kind, you know that?”

No, I’m not.

‘I’ve offered it to you, great dragon.’

As soon as I saw the mascot catch the cookies in its hands, I passed through the gate.

G O O D   C H I L D

I left the ghost story behind me.

As the world swirled around me, I faintly heard the voice of “Good friend.”

“– Hmm, I finally feel energy returning! I think I can move again…”

* * *

I opened my eyes.

I found myself seated in the dim, empty Meeting Room 1 of the Research Team on the 17th floor, right in the middle of Seoul.

‘I… survived.’

I’d escaped!

“Ha!!”

The relief was electrifying, making every hair on my body stand on end as I jumped to my feet.

‘Is anyone here?’

Hours must have passed, and everyone seemed to have moved on from the meeting room. I thought to call someone and let them know I’d escaped—

Huh?

I looked down at my wrist.

[◎ (Cheerful) Fantasyland Membership ◎]

The wristband was still there.

“What the…”

And then it started to burn.

“…!”

In an instant, the wristband disintegrated.

But something remained.

Right where the wristband had been, black letters were now etched into my wrist.

: Socius :

What is this, again?