It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Chapter 020

In any amusement park worth its name, there are three attractions that require a bit of investment to install.

One is a roller coaster, the other is a carousel.

And the last is the high-end attraction that devours the most money because it needs a lot of special effects and animatronic figures…

‘Dark Ride.’

It’s an indoor ride where you explore an elaborate and gigantic set that introduces the theme of the theme park itself.

In Korea, “Sinbad’s Adventure” and “Earth Village” were quite famous.

And in this ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ horror story, it’s exactly this attraction.

“Fantasy Train!”

The researcher spat as he exclaimed.

“This is all death, right?! I’m not riding it!! No way!!”

Testimony #4 (Survivor: Park Ye-in)

– All four members who boarded the ‘Fantasy Train’ went missing.

Subsequently, clothing and bones belonging to those individuals were found, recycled into stuffed dolls at the souvenir shop. (Death presumed)

It was certainly written that way.

And in the [Dark Exploration Records] I read, this attraction had claimed numerous lives as well…

But that’s not all.

‘The fact that it claimed numerous lives means this attraction appears frequently!’

As a board game with random elements, the ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ horror story changed the zone and mascot combinations each time you entered.

However, this ‘Fantasy Train’ attraction was likely always present among them.

Why, you ask? Because the theme is really clear.

“Look at the introduction text under the sign.”

I pointed at the sign for [Fantasy Train].

– Meet the residents and stories of each area in Fantasy Land! A cheerful train ride!

“It seems to be the attraction that introduces this theme park.”

This was also the most crucial element to escape from this horror story.

‘What color is this theme park divided into by what area?’

Don’t forget, this originated from a board game.

What does choosing a faction in-game signify?

Choosing my characteristics.

‘And dividing teams by color means that there will be benefits or drawbacks depending on that color.’

So, understanding right off the bat what color team you belong to, which area it handles, and what quirks it has was the utmost priority…

———————=

[Cheerful Theme Park User Guide (Applicable up to Exploration Record 64)]

4. Each area of the theme park is colored according to its theme! The first place you wake up is the area your team belongs to!

Respect the areas. Areas are more important than anything. Look at the color. Don’t offend the mascot’s feelings. The mascot is everything to the area.

———————=

However, to persuade those who still didn’t know this, a different argument was needed.

‘Come on, brain, do your thing.’

Target number one… of course, the top manager.

“Hmph. Everyone who rode it died, huh?”

Nabi Gyeop’s A-Team Assistant Manager.

To conquer this elistist filled with a sense of superiority… right.

Let’s lift him up.

“A civilian team, right?”

“Huh?”

I deliberately changed my voice to sound a bit dubious.

“People who came here with no awareness at all, mindlessly approaching the ride. The probability they properly responded to a supernatural situation is low, right?”

“So?”

“Comparing them to the specialized field exploration team who are professionally tackling the dark… um.”

I made a slight grimace.

“Seems a bit harsh on the civilians.”

“…Huh.”

A-Team Manager scoffed.

“You talk a big game. …Well, that’s kinda true, though.”

“W-what do you mean kinda true…!”

“Hey.”

The A-Team Manager grabbed the researcher by the head firmly.

“…!”

His gleaming nails pressed against the temples with a snap.

“Do you think you have any right to speak?”

“… ”

“Do you want to die right here and become food waste, or ride that?”

The researcher fell silent again. There’s no one more intimidating than the supervisor….

“Move.”

“… ”

The researcher began to shuffle along with a deathly pallor.

Towards the Fantasy Train.

‘Success….’

Now, the only thing left is one.

Y-Team newbie, Kang Heo-woon.

While following along the ‘Fantasy Train’ sign, I casually slipped back to walk alongside the newbie and whispered.

“Don’t worry.”

“Y-yes?”

“What I just said was just to persuade that guy… Actually, I have a different plan.”

“A plan…?”

“I’d say it’s insider knowledge.”

I chuckled softly.

“I worked part-time at a theme park before.”

“Oh!”

Sorry, that was a lie…

But when you’re in an unfriendly extreme situation with these cowards, isn’t it just about surviving, no matter what?

Aren’t you going to say, ‘Wow! Thanks for lying to me, colleague!’?

“Ah, I see. Then…”

“Yeah. It should be pretty safe.”

Just think so.

Anyway, following the sign, the entrance to the ‘Fantasy Train’ ride quickly appeared.

It was a splendid model station decked out with various elaborate and lifelike steam train parts and brick decorations, but…

“No one here.”

“… ”

Inside was bizarrely empty.

No one around.

– Haha, enjoy the magnificent train ride! Haha, enjoy the magnificent train ride! Haha, enjoy the magnificent train ride….

A strange feeling washed over me, mingled with the cheerful amusement park music.

Visible beyond the waiting line was a train.

And in front of it stood a rabbit mascot dressed as a conductor.

“Another mascot, huh.”

“Is that the staff for this attraction?”

Yes, indeed.

As I hurriedly passed the empty queue, the empty-eyed conductor mascot reached out its gloved hand to stamp our bracelets.

[(Cheerful) Fantasy Land Boarding Pass ■□□]

So that’s one.

Next, we were guided to board a colorful fairy-tale-like steam locomotive.

The mascot returned to its post and began waving both hands.

‘Have a delightful ride!’ I suppose.

So far, nothing unusual had happened, and the researcher and Y-Team newbie looked unknowingly relieved.

Unfortunately, I’m about to cause that unusual thing.

‘The likely place is… Hmm. Just there.’

After checking my surroundings, I finally fixed my gaze on the mascot.

Then, I opened my mouth.

“Assistant Manager Jin.”

“What?”

“About where that mascot staff is standing. You see that platform.”

I pointed to a kind of model ticket booth table located directly in front of the conductor rabbit.

“Is it possible to subtly turn that platform a bit this way, using your special equipment? Without damaging it, quietly.”

“Why?”

“Something’s behind that.”

Assistant Manager A-Team looked at me with a slightly strange expression but soon drew out a fingernail.

Quickly and quietly.

Tick.

Creeeak…

The retro teal platform creaked as it was pulled with a fake fingernail caught on the corner.

The back of it revealed no expected wooden finish.

Instead, there were complex buttons and circuits visible.

The attraction’s emergency control panel.

“…!”

Found it.

The control panel!

‘I definitely read this in [Dark Exploration Records].’

It depicted scenes where actual control devices were implemented in these theme park rides!

———————=

Immediately after boarding a basket-shaped attraction named ‘Tomato Express’, I confirmed the label stating [Have a Blast, Smash Into the Steel Plate!] attached to the basket.

Instantly searching for the emergency stop button.

Discovered at the point of departure of the attraction. However, all attempts to press the button failed. (Operator: Lee Ji-won, Manager. Number of attempts: 6)

All died.

———————=

Though that one failed,

‘This one should work.’

Without delay, I flicked a coin to summon a translucent glove, throwing a 500 won coin and gesturing for it to merge.

‘Five seconds should be enough.’

My hand, floating in the air, approached the half-revealed back of the platform.

What I was aiming for… was the lever.

MIN MAX

∥—————–∥

▲

“Hold on a moment, Sol-eum. What the heck is that? That label….”

“Grab it tight.”

“Hmm? What, what….”

“The train seat handle,”

I pulled the lever all the way down.

“Hold it properly.”

MIN MAX

∥—————–∥

▲

At that moment.

The train shot out at a maddening speed.

Kyiin!!

– Fantasy Train is departing!

“Gah!”

“What, what’s happening?!”

I desperately gripped the train seat handle as I replied.

“I pulled the speed lever! At maximum speed!”

“Why the hell would you pull that, you crazy bastard?!”

Because I had a target in mind.

“If we go fast, we can’t do anything silly on the train!”

“……!”

It was the ultimate event skip.

‘Dark rides usually move slowly, allowing you to take in the decor inside.’

But what if you raced through there at breakneck speed?

‘It skips everything!’

The indoor decorations, the effects,

And even the life-risking dangers!

In the case from [Dark Exploration Records], it was a strategy used when slowing down on a roller coaster, but the important thing was whether there was a speed control mechanism!

I assumed it would work here, too.

‘Nice!’

Success!

However… the next step was the problem.

I glanced outside.

Kyiin!!

I felt the wind pressure.

The speed was nearly up to that of a roller coaster.

It was evident that this speed was only meant for safety checks.

…Meaning it was not considered for actual operation.

‘…If I faint from fear, I’ll get thrown out of the train, huh?’

Then it would mean guaranteed death.

This could be deemed the side effect of the train running like a runaway locomotive.

A critical drawback for a coward like me…

‘But there’s a security measure!’

Think I’ll faint?

Just don’t look!

[Dear passengers, you’ve arrived at the beautiful Fantasy Land!]

The moment the narration played, I shouted.

“I will keep my eyes closed!”

“What?!”

I pretended to be insane and shut my eyes.

“I think this narration is important, I’ll focus as much as I can!”

“…!”

“If you feel like you’re gonna die, please tell me!”

“This guy’s totally nuts, right?! Hahaha, great!”

As Assistant Manager A’s laughter began to fade,

the narration swept past my ears.

[How did this Fantasy Land come to be?]

[A long time ago, 403930291928494 hours ago, a yellow flower, a blue dragon, and a red rabbit lived together in a land.]

[Exactly in this splendid place!]

“Th-this strange flower, the flower is calling me….”

“Bow down!”

[But they were too different!]

[‘You’re too noisy!’]

[‘You’re too dirty!’]

[‘You’re too boring!’]

Ultimately, they couldn’t recognize each other’s traits and ended up fighting. This is my land!

“Ahhh! Snakes, snake monsters, monsters crawl on the ground! Eek! I tried to cling to the train… but I fell behind…”

“Whew.”

[The yellow flower said.]

[‘I hate you! Go away!’]

The attraction passed in an instant.

The train dashed through as if the ride time had been fast-forwarded.

[The blue dragon said.]

[‘I hate you! You should go away instead!’]

‘Now it’s towards the latter half of the fight….’

Only the final content remains.

‘This has been described several times.’

Those mascots ultimately want to live their own way.

Hence, dividing areas by color, they live peacefully in Fantasy Land, each in the way they desire…

[The red rabbit said.]

[Die.]

…

What.

[The red rabbit decided to eliminate its friends by any means necessary. No, they are no longer friends. They are enemies! Enemies! Enemies!]

[One by one, one by one, one by one! Dropped into caves, pushed into water, shoved off cliffs!]

[Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!]