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It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 001

Have you ever been completely captivated by something?

Not just the simple thought of “This is fun,” but rather feeling so impressed that you’ve spent additional time and money on it?

Isn’t there something like that?

If it’s a movie, you’d watch the director’s cut; if it’s a game, you’d buy the art book; if it’s a webtoon, you’d check out the previews; if it’s a singer, you’d go to their concert…

And if we extend a little further, buying related merchandise could also be an example.

Yes, I’m talking about the so-called goods.

Figures, slogans, badges, plush toys…

I can say with certainty that I have never spent money on such things in my life.

Until now.

Here I am at a department store.

The pop-up store that opened to great success was already in full swing, and the issuance of waiting tickets had just ended when the department store opened at 10 AM.

And I received one of those waiting tickets.

“2:30 PM time slot, now assisting with entry!”

“Finally!”

“Hey, let’s go quickly!”

The cheerful teenagers standing next to me excitedly dashed towards the staff.

“2:30 PM… That’s right.”

I pushed my hat down as much as possible and stood in line.

However, I could hear whispers behind me.

“Huh…”

“Reseller.”

“Isn’t he a dealer?”

“…….”

It was truly unfair, but I couldn’t blame them.

After all, I was the only adult man in this line who looked like a working professional!

“Sigh…”

I sighed as I looked at the entrance of the pop-up store.

[Welcome, Explorer from the Dark.]

“Damn it.”

With a black and red backdrop, various monster caricatures, and occult elements, symbols of companies, religions, and governments all intertwined—a theme that truly aimed for the hearts of the youth.

The title was an artwork itself.

[Prophecy of Doom: Dark Exploration Records]

Hah…

With one hand, I barely managed to restrain the urge to cover my eyes.

“Why am I watching this at work….”

[Darker Exploration Records].

A recently hot internet horror story universe.

You know, one of those collective intelligence open-source worlds where people can join in and create stories as they please.

It seemed to start from a well-known horror tale, quietly spreading among students, but it went crazy in growth once it met the YouTube algorithm.

‘Tales of forms of phenomena dubbed “Dark”.’ Those are the horror stories.

Eventually, it became an independent wiki recording hundreds and thousands of stories, catching my eye too.

‘…Since it’s text, it was really easy to read at work.’

And they say that anything, as long as it’s not work, is fun when done at the office.

I fell headlong into this world, to the point where I even created a horror story and uploaded it myself…

How did it come to this? Was it because my work life was devoid of any dopamine?

On top of that, this [Dark Exploration Records] itself…

“I never imagined it would grow this big.”

It’s said to be a major IP now, reigning almost like the emperor on YouTube.

So, businesses quickly jumped on board to generate revenue.

This pop-up store is one such effort.

“Still, this wiki had a 15+ age restriction on it.”

Why are there so many kids here?

Listening to the whispers behind me was no small source of embarrassment…

“It seems like a reseller…”

“Hey, hey, maybe he can buy something for his nephew or cousin… let’s not judge too harshly.”

No. I will possess it.

…Actually, I visited last week, but the merchandise I wanted was sold out right in front of me, so I returned…

I even took a vacation day for this.

‘Last time there were some girls my age around.’

Of all times, this weekday afternoon happened to only have parents accompanying their children, making it truly embarrassing to the point of wanting to escape, yet I must hold out.

‘Why am I even trying to endure this….’

Anyway, I followed the staff’s guidance and entered the store.

The fact that the staff remained composed was my only consolation.

“Wow!”

“Hey, it’s really lifelike.”

The interior of the pop-up store, which was quite elaborately decorated like a theme park, echoed with admiration from the middle schoolers.

And there were even helpful thematic exhibit classifications.

[Daydream Corporation]

[Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau]

[Unnamed Radiant Church]

In this horror story universe, there are three massive powers: corporations, government, and religion, all attempting to observe and secure phenomena… that’s the setup.

‘Initially, there were only horror tales from the government’s disaster management bureau, but it seems people started clustering around, leading to this.’

In any case, it looked like this pop-up store gathered only those internet hits.

All mixed together, it feels like a blatant cash grab by presenting only popular characters and horror story items, but the quality was decent.

“Right. When else would I visit a place like this….”

Ignoring the gazes, I quickly gathered the items I intended to buy.

I was lucky that most of the popular items I had packed up were ones I had already been looking for. The suspicion of being a reseller had disappeared.

“Would you like to purchase an L-size eco bag to carry your goods? It’s 5,000 won.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I completed the payment smoothly but found myself hesitating, unable to leave the pop-up store immediately.

Turning my head, I looked at a space next to the cash register filled with people lining up.

[Roulette Event]

: Create your own Dark Exploration Records character.

That.

In fact, I had seen it last week but couldn’t muster the courage to participate in line for that…

‘They say this pop-up ends tomorrow.’

It was a moment of intense internal conflict, weighing my social dignity against it.

A staff member who had just swapped places at the cash register smiled at me and struck up a conversation.

“The roulette event ends today! Would you like to participate?”

“…Yes.”

Thank you.

Really, thank you, staff member…

“Great! Then, please come this way! Ah, please stand here….”

The staff skillfully guided me to the queue in front of the massive black roulette, allowing me to stand naturally at the end of the line.

The line moved surprisingly fast.

Before long, I stood at the front and received a button that resembled a walkie-talkie.

“Then I’ll start the Lucky Roulette now! Please press the button when you wish to stop.”

Preeeet.

With an artificial sound effect, the roulette began to spin.

Spaces displaying prizes and rankings flashed by.

There were the goods I had already purchased, items not for sale in the exhibition, and even random Bluetooth earphones…

Of course, the grand prize was just a small notepad. I figured I’d end up with that.

Nonetheless, it was fine. I was nearly ready to leave without participating.

‘No use getting my hopes up.’

I thought, carefully pressing the button handed to me.

Drrrrrrrr…

But my black roulette slowly came to a stop… and to my surprise, it landed here.

A thin golden space.

[1st Prize]

: Dark Exploration Records Real Goods Box

“…!”

“Gasp! Congratulations!”

Is this… real?

“Wow, insane!”

“That’s awesome, I’m so jealous.”

There were exclamations and shouts of envy erupting from behind me.

“Wow, finally a first prize has emerged on the last day of the pop-up!”

The staff, more excited than me, dashed back behind the roulette and returned holding a large, sealed box.

The black box with a giant silver emblem seemed well-crafted in itself.

I gingerly accepted the box with both hands, trying not to tremble.

“…Thank you.”

I needed to hurry… and leave quickly so I could slap myself in the face. Is this real?

Just as I was about to exit the pop-up store, a staff member caught me.

“Oh! We’re giving away an on-site made goods bonus, so if you could tell us your name!”

Name? After all, my personal information has long been public property since it was leaked by a portal site. The important thing is getting this home safely!

“I’m Kim Sol-eum.”

“Yes! Sol-eum, please wait a moment.”

The staff quickly operated a black vending machine that looked like a 3D printer beside the roulette.

Was it made for the pop-up store? A description was attached above it.

[Dark Exploration Records Character Maker]

Ah. Is that what was attached as a subtext to the roulette event?

…’Create your own Dark Exploration Records character.’

It truly wouldn’t miss appealing to the youth…

“Please enter your name here.”

“…Yes.”

I held the goods box tightly with one hand and quickly typed my name on the machine’s pad.

The black machine emitted a rather noisy and eerie music box sound and showcased a dazzling performance of rotating gears.

Then it spat out a small item.

Clack.

I picked it up, recognizing its familiar shape.

It was… an employee ID card.

“Wow! It’s Daydream Corporation! It’s one of the three most famous powers from our [Dark Exploration Records]!”

“…….”

Yes. I know.

In short, it’s a cliché of a large corporation working with supernatural phenomena.

And among them, the Field Exploration Team…

‘Isn’t it like a death squad?’

The kind of department reminiscent of the red shirts from some sci-fi drama. They rush in, claiming to explore phenomena, only to get minced.

Of course, it seems many renowned characters belonged to the Field Exploration Team.

“Wow! It’s an employee ID for the Field Exploration Team! I truly look forward to seeing what kind of achievements you’ll create in the world of [Dark Exploration Records]!”

“Yes, thank you….”

I felt like my hands and feet were curling up in embarrassment but held it back.

‘At least it’s not an employee ID from a government agency or cult religion.’

It was rather fortunate that it was a company employee ID.

It was a bit awkward, but the staff seemed to be fine, perhaps due to their experience and being the typical capitalist worker.

In any case, receiving this employee ID card seemed to mark the end of the roulette event.

“Thank you.”

I looked at the employee ID with my name printed on it.

‘This… I should hide this somewhere invisible.’

No matter what, my mental fortitude couldn’t handle this level.

Meanwhile, the staff happily asked,

“Do you like it? You’ll cherish it, right?”

“Yes.”

“Liar.”

……?

Did I just mishear that? I lifted my head.

Grin.

The staff suddenly beamed at me, their smile stretching unnaturally, almost grazing my ear…

“…?”

At that moment.

All at once, dizziness swept over my head.

“…!”

The chaos of the pop-up store faded away.

Everything in front of me swirled like black paint, vibrant red and blue flickering.

And when the dizziness finally subsided.

I never expected the world would change entirely…

[Welcome to all who have joined Daydream Corporation!]

“…!?”

I found myself in a giant lecture hall corner, staring at the central podium.

And then…

Waah!

With a cheer, a firework effect burst from the large beam projector PPT at the podium.

[New Employee Orientation]

Dressed in suits, fresh graduates gave polite applause and cheers as the host, beaming, flipped through the PPT slides.

It was undoubtedly a new employee orientation event for a major corporation.

Faces filled with happiness at finally breaking through the doors of employment lit up with pride and tension.

[You should be proud, having passed through a competition of 145:1! Haha! Now, let’s begin the new employee orientation!]

“……”

What in the world?

I hesitated, wanting to step back.

But then I realized I was seated in a chair.

Wearing a suit. I had put this on for a business dinner later, yet ironically, it resembled the attire of all the ‘new employees’ filling this auditorium.

Meanwhile, a goods box that I received from the roulette event sat quietly on my lap.

“Excuse me, where did you receive that? Is it given out by the company?”

“……”

I couldn’t even respond to the question from the new hire sitting next to me.

[You have been chosen as a successful candidate!]

[In fact, among the personnel recruited through this new employee announcement, only a select few have been brought here to this Lecture Room A for the orientation!]

[Congratulations! You have passed your aptitude test and are assigned to the special team, [Field Exploration Team].]

“Already assigned?”

“Field Exploration Team? Is there really such a place at Daydream Corporation?”

“A Field Exploration team in a pharmaceutical company…?”

“Huh, it feels like a banishment; isn’t this not the main office but a branch? Are they just trying to flatter us with nice words…?”

Whispers floated around from those quickly catching on, but I didn’t have time to follow.

Because I recognized the company name and team name.

Daydream Corporation.

Field Exploration Team.

Like being struck by lightning, a page of the wiki floated into my mind.

[Field Exploration Team] (Daydream Corporation)

: One of the five teams under the development department of the giant faction, Daydream Corporation, appearing in [Dark Exploration Records].

Commonly referred to as a death squad, it’s a tragic team. But that’s why it’s fun for those writing horror stories.

‘Wait a minute.’

…This is the original horror tale from the pop-up store I just participated in.

So what happens next…?

A crazy department that subjects new hires to death survival right from the orientation, filtering out the regulars.

It serves as popular wiki-fodder, continually offering a jolt of reality to what happens when an ordinary person embarks on a dark expedition.

“……!”

“Uh, what, what are you doing….”

I sprang up from my chair.

I didn’t care about grasping the situation; I only wanted to dash out.

But it was too late.

[However, before formal hiring, there will be a brief probation period, but it won’t be long! It will be conducted through absolute assessment of your operational aptitude.]

[Of course, to ensure each individual is accurately assessed, active participation will be essential! Free-riders will be caught!]

Bang, bang, bang.

The doors of the lecture hall slammed shut one after another.

‘Damn!’

In the meantime, the naïve new hires who believe that [Daydream Corporation] is just a regular big pharmaceutical company still hadn’t realized the situation.

Thus, hundreds of new hires listened intently to the host’s words, and the host cheerfully shouted out,

[And now, we begin!]

With that lively voice.

The lights in the lecture hall went out.

“…?”

“Uh?”

As if they were about to play a video, the new hires looked a bit puzzled.

And rightfully so.

‘No one could expect that such madness would occur just after getting hired.’

For instance.

Suddenly, the surrounding scenery changes into the eerie interior of a subway train.

[Thank you for using Abyss Transportation Company today…. Our train does not stop.]

[Please keep your ears open to the announcements for a pleasant journey to your final destination.]

A strange announcement filled with an unfamiliar name resounded.

“……!?”

“What, what is this!?”

As if the lecture hall was transported directly, the new hires, dressed in suits, sat up straight in the subway seats.

It was indeed startling.

“Excuse me?”

“Is this some sort of VR? Have we really moved?”

It seemed that many of the people who were just in the lecture hall were still there, providing a bit of relief, creating a sense of calm among them.

Curiously, they peered around the subway, searching for traces of the company, looking for anyone who seemed to be part of the event.

And soon, they began to come to an understanding of the situation.

“There are other people in the front car! The doors… um, the doors won’t open!”

“What kind of new technology is this?”

I shut my eyes tightly, feeling the cold sweat forming.

Because I had already recognized which horror tale this was.

[Welcome to Abyss Transportation Company]

: A horror story appearing in [Dark Exploration Records].

An incredibly high escape difficulty story among the D-grade darkness initially composed. And the eternally suffering Field Exploration Team.

The exploration has been recorded up to ■■ times.

[Welcome to Abyss Transportation Company].

As could be seen from a glance, it serves as a horror story about the Korean subway.

-You wake up after falling asleep to find yourself in the subway; it seems like your commute home, but strange station names start echoing…

That serves as an introduction to it.

The horror tale’s prey, based on “people who have commuted by subway,” offers a broad target, unsettling readers who are mostly working professionals.

“…….”

‘And this horror story… is clearly under the jurisdiction of Daydream Corporation.’

It seemed that through this horror story, Daydream Corporation intended to ‘filter out’ their new employees. …Damn!

“Is this some kind of escape room?”

“No, why would they set up an escape room for a new sales rep at a pharmaceutical company?”

At that moment.

[Our next stop is Sorrow, Station of Sorrow.]

“…!”

“Sor…row?”

The first announcement came through.

I held my breath and turned my head.

[The exit is on the right….]

Clunk.

The train stopped.

[The screen doors will open.]

The doors opened.

It felt like it could have been any ordinary day.

[After 30 seconds, the entrance will close. There’s no turning back now.]

[Passengers whose final destination is Station of Sorrow are required to disembark according to the announcements.]

A familiar voice kindly melded odd words and phrases into the announcement.

Yet people always find something to rationalize in troubling times.

“Look outside! It’s just a subway station!”

That was the case indeed.

Beyond the train doors, the station platform was clearly visible. It appeared a bit dark and damp but was, in fact, an ordinary subway station.

With that realization, a few people excitedly approached the door.

Oh, crap.

“I think it’d be better if we stay inside.”

“Excuse me?”

I held back a sigh, speaking quickly.

“You just heard that it was called Station of Sorrow, right? Where in Korea is there a station like that? It sounds odd to anyone.”

“Ah….”

“I think this person is correct. Perhaps we should observe the situation a bit more…”

One quick-witted person echoed my words. They had been seated next to me.

Unsurprisingly, the people preparing to exit seemed more confused.

“But….”

“Hey, the doors are closing!”

However, when they heard the sound of the doors closing, several panicked individuals unexpectedly sprinted towards the exit…

It was a disaster.

[The doors are closing.]

“Ah!”

“I can’t get off. Oh fk.”

Seeing ‘those who got out’ waving their hands from the station, those left behind sighed in regret.

A few even shot me a glance, murmuring curses under their breath.

I understood. In a strange and bizarre situation, it’s only natural to want to flee without thinking.

But still.

“Uh-oh?”

“Look at that….”

A surreal scene unfolded.

As those who had exited turned back to depart, suddenly a flurry of silver droplets erupted from the ceiling and columns of the station and poured over their heads.

It was as if an enormous tear had been shed.

However, those numerous silver droplets crashed onto humans like molten metal, creating horrific ruptures.

Screams. Screams. Convulsions.

Silence.

Blood mixed with silver liquid splattered across the glass.

[The train is now departing from Station of Sorrow.]

The last sight I registered from outside.

“……”

The remnants of collapsed newcomers with an amalgamation of filth and blood lay desolated in front of the screen doors.

Squirming.

“Aaaaaah!”

“Ew!”

That was the word of the unfortunate.

[Please listen closely to the announcements for pleasant travel to your destination.]

Among the people stiffened in terror, the echoes of horrified screams and shouting began to smudge the air.

‘Here we go.’

I shut my eyes tightly.

I’ve entered a horror story?

I don’t know how I ended up in this situation, but it seems that I have surely become a new employee in a team of horror narratives.

One that bears an astoundingly high mortality rate.

‘Is this real?’

Sure. To be honest, this might put me in a comparative advantage over other new hires.

After all, it’s true that I’ve read the entire horror wiki before.

3.2 Exploration Record (Recorded up to ■■ times)

This means I remember quite well up to this level.

And at first glance, it seems like the typical overpowered protagonist.

Don’t you think I could picture myself making a grand escape from this situation with the absolute upper hand of information in a world I enjoy?

Shall I feel somewhat confident thinking about monopolizing the fateful encounters and items that lie ahead?

That could be the case.

But there’s one problem.

A rather decisive problem.

‘……I can’t handle scary things!’

Yes.

I’m a coward.

Text can be fine. I can read it interestingly.

But the moment it’s visualized, I can’t stand it.

Not just an average coward, but a coward to the point where my friends mercilessly tease me!

-Is it true Kim Sol-eum turned down his crush’s invitation to watch a horror movie?

-Hahahahahaha!

-Sol-eum, your name literally means “chill,” and you can’t even watch horror films? Hahaha!

-Hah, your crush will probably run away too, hahaha!

Hahaha—!

-Want to die?—

-I’m sorry.

-I’m sorry.

Even in broad daylight at work, if I were to read a horror story and there’s a scary background or BGM playing, I’d turn off the data and only let the text show.

To the point where I couldn’t even include a single image in the horror story I submitted, I’m a long-term resident of the coward’s shelter!

“…….”

I covered my eyes with my hands.

I’m already freaking out…
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