It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Episode 010

Clack, clack.

The clicking was over.

The alien shop presented the items in my cart in a concise manner.

What I was going to buy…

Alice Picnic Set – ₩11,999,999

※Discount!※ Silver Snake – ₩4,999,999

= ₩16,999,998

That’s right.

I was purchasing the exaggerated effect potion and discounted items.

The reason was simple.

‘I can’t spend the rest….’

A vampire weapon? Sounds cool. But there’s a prerequisite.

I have to charge at a ghost with a blade…

‘A coward doing such stupid things would die….’

Rattling and trembling, I’d end up dying as Extra 1, and that’s no horror movie cliché for nothing.

Furthermore, it wouldn’t be useful unless the target had blood, so it lacks versatility.

‘If it were armor, that’d be one thing, but weapons are off the table in this state, right?’

Overestimating myself is a shortcut to lifespan shortening. Nuff said.

Next up, a wider walkie-talkie.

This is…

‘…Who can convince the boss to carry a toy walkie-talkie?’

That kind of person… wouldn’t likely work under anyone, right?

Even if I tell them it’s a great item and not just a simple toy, it’d still be a problem. If they start asking, ‘Where did you get this?’ there’d be no answer.

This is really an item to use only when I have reliable comrades.

‘So, it’s dismissed.’

In the end, the remaining items are the ‘Alice Picnic Set’ and ‘Silver Snake,’ both of which I can buy within the budget.

Both seemed useful.

First of all, the effects of the Alice Picnic Set doubled; half the effects can be used for various purposes.

‘In a pinch, it might work for defense too.’

It was good to use without drawing attention from the staff. So, it’s a purchase.

Finally, the discounted item named Silver Snake.

‘The original price is twenty million won?’

Right then, a strong feeling hit me.

This is an investment.

‘Seeing that it’s labeled as silver currency, it must be some kind of currency.’

In the [Dark Exploration Records] world, there are various currencies associated with horror stories, and they can sometimes be exchanged for cash through specific organizations.

‘Buying something originally worth twenty million for five hundred is definitely a profit.’

The alien shop usually gives massive discounts for a reason, but it’s still a risk worth taking.

…This is absolutely not the mindset of investing in coins! Really! It’s rational thinking!

So, I had to make a payment of… one million seven hundred thousand won.

“Phew.”

The payment method was strictly through bank transfer.

The number of an electronic account with a straightforward opening process was displayed under the name ‘Alien’ on the website.

‘I can’t expect a tax deduction….’

Transferring such a large sum all at once was something I hadn’t done since finding a place to live.

I nervously transferred ‘₩16,999,998’ through my banking app, which I had raised the limit for.

And at that moment.

Purchase Successful!

The item has boarded a rocket!

Time until arrival 00:00:08

Uh.

00:00:07

00:00:06

Wait a minute.

00:00:03

00:00:02

00:00:01

Ding.

A cheerful sound rang out.

Boom.

“Gah!”

As the air opened up in mid-air, the item spilled out in a cloud of smoke.

It was a postal delivery box.

“Wow.”

It was literally rocket delivery.

‘This crazy world, turns out it can be both scary and fascinating!’

I felt touched.

After a moment of admiration, I snapped back and opened the package.

First of all, the [Alice Picnic Set] was a rusted tin case with a fairy-tale-style illustration.

Upon opening the case, I found a flat can of drink and cookies wrapped in paper, each labeled ‘Drink me’ and ‘Eat me.’

“Nice.”

I could just take one or two like ‘smile stickers’ and carry them around. I nodded.

Then, as I pulled out this tin case from the delivery box, a circular silver item underneath caught my eye.

I picked it up.

A shiny silver coin.

‘So it really is currency.’

I felt a slight thrill.

I held the silver coin, about the size of a 500 won coin, engraved with the image of a snake biting its tail and flicked it lightly. It had a heavy metallic feel to it.

I thought of a few places where I could use this currency.

‘Let’s use it wisely wherever I can.’

Even though I lost one million seven hundred thousand won in the blink of an eye.

After all, this money will disappear when I return to my original world, so I should refrain from material desires… just hold back.

Hmm. I calmed down.

‘Then… I guess I’m pretty prepared after all.’

I organized the items I currently had.

– Memorial Grip Talk

– Smile Sticker 🙂

– Alice Picnic Set

– Silver Snake

From now on, I had to clear higher-grade horrors as quickly as possible using these items.

‘Let’s use them actively.’

If I avoid things out of fear, I might end up facing something even scarier. Don’t forget, you coward.

I resolved to remember everything available and use it to the fullest, then I went to sleep.

Instead of sheep, the convenience store ghost jumped around in my head, ruining my quality of life.

Haha.

And the very next day.

“There are a few horror stories we regularly manage, and today we’re going to enter one.”

“…Yes.”

I had just slept for three hours. At this rate, I really might die.

However, interpreting my expression as concern, the assistant manager patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. It’s D-grade.”

“Exactly! The deer you experienced during your onboarding, that’s about the level of it! Just that!”

Saying such to a newbie who might have death survival PTSD…?

However, the employees of the field exploration team, who had already shattered the sensitivity of ordinary people, laughed and consoled me.

“We cleared it just by diving in headfirst, and with the manual available now, it’s impossible to fail.”

“As long as you don’t do anything impulsive, there shouldn’t be any issues, got it?”

“…Yes.”

Well… I understand.

Anything would be better than chasing the convenience store ghost alone.

‘Please let me get some sleep at night.’

This time, may the horror be from discomfort and lack of information, rather than something truly terrifying, like an art film style horror!

I yearned for that.

“Here, these are the materials.”

The chief handed me a tablet PC.

The horror story I would dive into today is…

[Tuesday Quiz Show / Dusk (D) Grade]

“…….”

Huh?

“See, deer? You’ll be participating in a quiz game.”

“Yes.”

“If you get a question wrong, you receive a punishment, but the punishments are horrific… well, that kind of horror story.”

“But we’re fine since there’s already an answer sheet available, right? Just don’t stress too much!”

The chief grinned and gave me a thumbs up.

Sure, that’s good.

‘It feels like the horror level will be much lower than actually seeing a ghost….’

But there’s a problem.

‘I don’t know that name.’

Tuesday Quiz Show?

There’s no page for such a D-grade horror story in the [Dark Exploration Records].

For now, because of my superiors, I can’t use my Memorial Grip Talk to dig through my memories… but I’m certain without even looking.

It’s not among the horror stories I’ve read.

Even if I claimed to have read all the horror stories in [Dark Exploration Records], other horror stories might still exist in this world.

After all, it’s an internet playground where horror stories are added in real-time.

Still, I thought there would be far fewer unknowns, yet here I was, stepping into an unfamiliar horror story right away.

‘…Is the ‘darkness’ catalog the company possesses much more extensive than I imagined?’

Chills ran down my neck.

Yet my superiors were calm.

“We have a lot of horror stories allocated from the broadcasting side.”

“Oh, every group has those kinds of things.”

And the assistant manager sent me a PDF file claiming it was the answer sheet for the Tuesday Quiz Show.

“Right now, just study that answer sheet… and perhaps reread the field exploration manual. When the team leader arrives in the afternoon, we can go.”

“Yes.”

I simply nodded for now.

The chief kindly added.

“Oh, just in case, should I bring a paper copy of the manual? You’ll need to take notes.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I memorized everything.”

It was just additional baggage for me with the Memorial Grip Talk.

“Y-you memorized everything?”

“Yes.”

“…So, take notes!”

“Yes?”

“Oh, never mind.”

The chief made a realizing expression and nodded.

“I have a feeling the team leader will be super comfortable with you.”

“…??”

Anyway, it seems to be a good intention, so I’ll let it go.

For reference, the team leader of Group D was still out on fieldwork, but I’d received news that they’d be returning this afternoon.

‘I’ll see them soon.’

However, an hour later.

“Wait a second. Our team leader, the section chief is still out in the field… Yes? No, that’s difficult.”

The assistant manager on the phone frowned and hung up.

“Are these people out of their minds? Do they think we can manage with a newbie for a three-person team?”

“Yes? Really?”

“Uh. It seems….”

The assistant manager glanced at me.

Ah.

‘Is it because of the convenience store ghost?’

Because I cleared the F-grade horror oddly quickly by myself, it provided the upper-ups with the excuse to say, ‘Really? Then one person can take care of it.’

The fallout of consuming twenty million won alone popped up here.

Of course, it wasn’t because they were upset that I had eaten the money.

“It’s the end of the month.”

“Aah.”

I roughly grasped the situation from the whispering two superiors.

‘Looks like there’s an issue with performance in the department.’

I assumed we needed to meet some ‘quota’ before lunchtime.

But now, the situation where the newbie might help with one person.

After a moment of brief contemplation, the assistant manager decided.

“Deer, did you memorize that answer sheet?”

Ah, the quiz show answer sheet… wait a moment.

‘If I say I’ve memorized everything, will I get roped in?’

If that’s the case, I might want to feign a little…

“Eh, I’ve probably memorized it, right? I memorized the field work manual, even that thick one!”

“Oh.”

The assistant manager nodded.

“Okay. Then today we’ll go in just the three of us.”

“…….”

‘If just one person had joined us, it would have been less scary!’ My small yet desperate hope vanished like that…

‘Three people are the rule, but it’s not unusual for two to enter if someone takes leave. It’s support work, but matching schedules and all that is complicated,’ the explanation trailed off.

Yes. This company really feels like a company.

‘…Anyway, I’m prepared.’

The item armament is complete, and I’ve also confirmed that it’s not a form of a horrifying storyline.

When I think about it, going now might be better than going in the afternoon!

They say it’s better to get the first hit in.

As time passes, my imagination will create fear. The courage I have gathered now is at its peak.

It might be better to enter before it diminishes…!

“Let’s enter.”

In my never-ending mental victory, an employee from another department approached with something to hand over.

‘A medium to enter the horror story… right?’

It was a postcard.

However, on the ‘recipient’ line of the worn postal card, strange letters were already scribbled all over.

And in small letters at the top, ‘Application Form’ was repeated.

Like a curse.

-One day, I found a strange postcard in an old magazine.

It was accompanied by a promotional flyer recruiting participants for some quiz show, but after searching, I found that no such broadcast exists. It was probably just a vintage postcard theme.

Intrigued, I scribbled my name on the ‘Sender’ line….

And truly, I was drawn into a bizarre quiz show.

Is that the horror story?

At first glance, it’s hard to tell, but upon closer inspection, it does elicit chills due to its strangeness….

“All you have to do is sign here.”

“…….”

“If you feel uneasy, just write a rough animal mask name instead of your real name.”

“…Yes.”

I should gather points.

As I saw the two individuals write down ‘Badger’ and ‘Falcon,’ I wrote down my own name on the ‘Sender’ line.

-Deer

The moment I lifted my pen.

My consciousness was sucked into the postcard as if it was plucked out of me.

“…!”

[Ah, you have finally arrived, our applicants!]

The light stung my eyes.

In my hazy vision, a bright and cheerful voice hit my ears.

A hand in a suit extended for a handshake.

[Welcome, welcome… Now the camera will start rolling shortly. Let’s show a great demeanor with a smiling face!]

Thinking reflexively, I shook hands and looked up.

Where a human head should be, instead was a spherical TV.

……Emojis were floating.

[]

The TV person released my hand and cheerfully turned around, spreading their arms wide.

[Audience!]

Woooooah!

Cheers arose, but as the filming lights diffused, the figures of the audience weren’t clearly visible.

Soon, I realized I was standing on a brightly colored podium.

‘Is this the participant’s spot for the quiz show?’

It wasn’t scary enough to make me faint.

No, to be honest, if I thought I was participating in a quiz show hosted by an entertainer wearing a TV mask, I could feel my mental stability returning.

‘After experiencing eye-plucking subways and convenience store ghosts, this feels like a fairy tale.’

Hmm. Okay. I could stay calm and think clearly.

After fixing my mask, I checked my surroundings.

[Is this your first time in front of a talk show audience? Oh, then remember to not forget to cheer! Your cheer is everything to the show!]

The TV person seemed to be revving up the atmosphere, encouraging the audience.

They appeared to be the host of some kind of talk show.

‘So, this Tuesday Quiz Show is like a segment of a talk show?’

When I looked at the set’s mood, the band creating the background sound, and the makeup of the audience, it seemed much like a traditional American talk show.

‘It feels a little old-fashioned.’

…….

What did they say?

‘Again.’

Old-school American talk show.

Quiz segment.

Participants already aware of the answers.

This is…

…….

…….

I know this keyword.

———————=

※Caution on viewing!※

Notice: (Company) Daydream Corporation bears no responsibility for any issues arising from reading this document, such as fear, auditory hallucinations, ■■, ■■■■, etc.

Please proceed after signing.

———————=

This wasn’t D-grade.

This horror story is…

———————=

Dark Exploration Records / Horror Story

[Chant of Sacrifice]

: The horror story that appears in Dark Exploration Records, identified by the code Qterw-A-104 of Daydream Corporation.

A darkness of Grade A.

The starting point of the grade readjustment incident that resulted in numerous casualties.

Currently, there are no official survivor records.

———————=

“……”

[3, 2, 1…. The show is about to start!]

No way.