In the midst of the chaotic horror that was taking place, a single ticket for survival appeared.

Just like in a movie.

And it wasn’t an illusion.

‘If you get off with the announced lost item, you’ll be escorted outside the station as soon as you meet the station staff member…’

A ray of hope was indeed shone upon every one. 

The problem was that the lost item announced just now was absurd and hideous.

“What did it just say? A man in his twenties…?”

“The left eyeball of a Type-A male in his twenties.”

Go Yeongeun, with a pale face, lowered her head.

“Type-A… it’s probably referring to blood type.”

“Yeah…”

The silence was loud. Everyone already seemed scared.

‘…Should I just let this pass?’

After all, if we get off at the correct station, we all survive. If one person escapes early, the atmosphere might turn strange and cause trouble.

But things didn’t proceed as easily as I thought.

“Well, wouldn’t it be better to at least look for it?”

“Yeah, we don’t know what might happen…”

The new employees, heavily reliant on the announcement, were unable to just let it go.

‘…Let’s just wait for now.’

“By the way, how old are you?”

“Oh, I’m in my thirties.”

“You look younger than that. By the way, my blood type is B, so it doesn’t apply to me.”

“Same here…”

People checked each other to see if they matched the description of the "Blood Type A male in his Twenties."

But no one fit the exact criteria, and eventually, it was my turn.

“Kim Sol-eum, are you…?”

I gave a brief answer.

“I’m AB.”

It was actually a lie.

My blood type was A.

‘But there’s no need to reveal information that might put me at risk.’

It would be bad if people misunderstood me as trying to take advantage of the situation, which in turn could be bad when I try to persuade them in the future.

“I see. Then, Baek Saheon, what about you…?”

“Wait a moment.”

Suddenly, the person sitting across from me raised his hand with a worried face.

“To be honest… I match the criteria exactly!”

“Oh!”

He spoke in a rather serious tone, but it seemed like he was worried that he might end up dying.

‘He doesn’t need to worry about that, though.’

And the reason he suddenly spoke up was obvious.

[Fury, the next station is Fury Station.]

There was an announcement saying that we just made it to the next station.

This was the station where the station staff member would be waiting to receive the lost item.

The new employee who spoke up was visibly nervous now.

“Is there no one else?”

“It looks like… there isn’t.”

“Oh dear.”

Baek Saheon, who had been listening to the conversation next to me, sighed and then asked the other person.

[The exit doors are on the right…]

“You’re blood type A?”

“Y-Yes.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

And then, a fist flew.

“…?!”

The left eye of the new employee who had claimed to fit the criteria was mercilessly struck by a fist, producing a horrific sound that echoed in the silence.

Baek Saheon had hit him with the corner of his smartphone in a manner that seemed as if he wouldn’t mind if his eye popped out.

“Ugh,”

And just as the person collapsed without even being able to scream...

[The screen doors are opening.]

Baek Saheon easily leaped over the fallen person and exited the train.

“Wh-What was that…?”

“Aaagh!!”

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

A moment later, people shouted in shock.

Baek Saheon chuckled.

“Idiots. If you can escape with just an eye, then hurry up and do it!”

“…!”

“The announcement said we could get off the train!”

It seemed Baek Saheon had understood the context of the announcement perfectly.

–If you find a lost item, please disembark at the next station and hand it over to a station staff member.

Although there had been hints to focus on the announcement, it was still a bold decision.

“Well… I guess it’s hard to expect much from people like you who’d make others responsible for your own survival.”

“Huh?!”

In addition to that crude remark, Baek Saheon seemed completely at ease, certain that no one would dare to follow him out.

And he was correct.

After all, everyone had already seen what happens when someone gets off at the wrong station.

“Th-That guy…”

Go Yeongeun, seemingly furious, turned bright red, but I also felt a strange sense of relief, as if something had finally clicked.

It all made sense!

His nickname was “Viper.”

The descriptions of Baek Saheon in <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> made sense now that I see his personality.

Since he was still a new employee not yet subjected to the cruel society, I thought he was meek, but I guess that was his true nature after all.

[The doors are closing.]

In the meantime, Baek Saheon waved his hand toward the train.

He seemed pleased, probably because he thought he had successfully escaped.

Even if it meant sacrificing someone’s left eye.

‘That guy…’

But…

‘There was no need for that.’

Taking advantage of the attention focused on Baek Saheon, I secretly reached out to the luggage compartment behind me.

‘I clearly saw it earlier.’

And as I swept down deeply, I grabbed something that was placed in a blind spot as if it were a lie.

I pulled it out and checked the object.

Inside the peculiar, portable lens case, there was a single eyeball.

And a label.

[Type A / Female / 27 / R]

This was…

Another lost item.

‘In the first place, a lost item isn’t mine, but something someone else lost, right?’

In reality, the announcement was more of a treasure hunt-style task where you had to hand over the real lost item from among a few options hidden in the luggage compartment that exactly matched the criteria.

There had been instances where people accidentally took some random item and escaped.

‘Now, Baek Saheon would fall under this case.’

But what if he knew he didn’t have to “return” his left eye?

The screen doors had already closed. So, as the train was about to depart, I briefly made eye contact with Baek Saheon, who had turned toward the platform.

I lifted the contact lens container, clearly showing it towards the door.

Since the label was covered, only one thing would be clearly visible.

The eyeball.

—!!

On the other side of the door, Baek Saheon’s expression changed as he realized what it was.

But it was too late when he realized.

[The train is now departing Fury Station.]

The train was leaving.

I glanced back at the new employee whom Baek Saheon had attacked.

From the way he injured the left eye, it seemed Baek Saheon was trying to eliminate another “correct lost item” besides the one he had.

‘Maybe he thought there could only be one recognized lost item.’

I didn’t think it was right to criticize the fact that he escaped on his own. After all, everyone was just trying to survive. But… he had crossed a line.

I turned my head back toward the door.

From behind, I faintly heard the sound of someone repeatedly banging the screen door.

And in the distance, I vaguely heard the distinctive scream of someone enduring pain, on the platform.

[The lost item has been successfully handed over to the station staff.]

[Note: It seems like Baek Saheon “returned/sacrificed” his own left eye.]