Chapter 43

"There's even a basement floor here…"

In front of the staircase leading to the basement, half fear and half anticipation were written on Go Yeongeun's face.

Baek Saheon scoffed.

"Yeah, I know how you feel. And the person standing next to us? Without any explanation, he somehow knew there was a basement and insisted we had to go to the first basement floor."

"If you don't want to go, we can just split up here."

"..."

Baek Saheon fell silent.

Now that he had confirmed the basement existed, it seemed he wasn't willing to miss the opportunity to see whether 'Kim Soleum has something up his sleeve.'

I briefly explained to Go Yeongeun that I had used some special equipment to decipher the guide notice posted near the elevator and had identified a potentially useful space.

And so, we finally started down the basement stairs.

"..."

"..."

The further we descended, the clearer it became.

'The style has changed.'

The mansion, previously shimmering with a brass hue, now took on a darker bronze-like tone.

More avant-garde decorations began to appear.

For some reason, it felt like we were descending much deeper than the distance from the second floor to the first.

"..."

"..."

Eventually, stately, old-fashioned double-doors appeared beside the staircase.

– B1. That's what it reads.

We had arrived.

I cautiously gripped one of the doors' handles. After confirming that no mechanical noises could be heard from the other side, I carefully opened it. What was revealed beyond the door wasn't an exhibition hall or a corridor. Go Yeongeun's eyes grew wide.

"This is…"

"A lounge for visitors, I assume."

It was a type of resting area.

The large hall was designed for comfort.

Luxurious armchairs and vintage tables were arranged throughout, and a bronze-hued fireplace burned warmly in one corner.

"Is this what you read about in the elevator?"

"Yes."

"Ah, places like this are usually near a lobby. Maybe there's an exit nearby?"

"I don't know. But…"

"But?"

"The manual mentioned certain actions that were prohibited in the exhibition hall. I thought a 'resting area' might have fewer restrictions."

That's right.

The hope was that some actions forbidden in the exhibition hall might be allowed here.

"Things you couldn't do… Oh, like eating!"

"Yes."

2- Eating or drinking in the exhibition hall is prohibited.

"…But it's not like we need to eat anything right now."

That's true.

"Not exactly. What I'm trying to do is something that's considered part of eating and is therefore prohibited."

"…What do you mean?"

I pulled out an item I had prepared from my bag.

[Quick and Easy Candle Making Kit]

"Open flames are prohibited, too."

Now, it was time to create an escape tool.

Go Yeongeun gulped nervously.

Right in front of her, an unbelievably capable colleague was doing something utterly ridiculous.

"Like this?"

Kim Soleum pulled a strange box from his satchel and quickly skimmed through the enclosed instructions.

But the box didn't look ordinary at all. Why on earth would someone bring a candle-making kit?

'I've never seen a brand like that before.'

The logo, 'Cheerful Research Institute', gleamed tackily alongside a bright smiley face, but the instructions Kim Soleum held were scrawled in messy handwriting with dark red ink.

It felt eerily strange.

Something you might encounter in a ghost story…

At that moment, Baek Saheon muttered,

"…An item?"

An item?

Instinctively, I turned to Kim Soleum, who answered quite kindly.

"Yes. A tool imbued with supernatural abilities."

...!

"T-Then, isn't that considered… Darkness?"

"It might depend on the classification method, but… it seems that objects with stable irregularities, portability, and no defined domain are referred to as items."

"..."

How does Soleum-ssi know all of this…?

'Aren't we… both new hires?'

Why is there such a difference in knowledge?

And where on earth did he get that…?

For Go Yeongeun, who had prided herself as being among the top three most capable among the new recruits, the situation was bewildering.

'And to top it off, he looks incredibly skilled at handling it…?!'

Noticing her gaze, Kim Soleum glanced back and, as if to justify himself, said,

"This is my first time making one too."

It's the truth!

While he had read the instructions several times and pondered how to use it, this was Kim Soleum's first time actually crafting something. However, from the perspective of a colleague who didn't know he had already conducted three similar rituals, it was simply overwhelming.

No, someone like him… shouldn't he be starting his own business instead of just finding a job?

Why is he tangled up in a horror show of a company like this??

But soon, cold reality brought her thoughts back into focus.

'…It must be because of the Wish Ticket.'

A wish that couldn't be given up.

Go Yeongeun nearly sank into mutual pity for their respective circumstances but quickly steadied herself.

For now, she just needed to focus all her energy on escaping.

…Even the rage at her R-squad leader, who had ditched her the moment a monstrous machine appeared, would be turned into fuel!

She only wished she could take back her earlier thoughts that this team, at least, wouldn't have the usual workplace hierarchy issues or the stress of human relationships.

'Die, Squad Leader!'

Still, thinking that her R-squad superiors might actually end up being brutally killed, with their eyes, noses, and mouths torn apart, felt oddly unsettling…

"It's ready."

"...!"

Go Yeongeun, who had been lost in thought, snapped her attention back at Kim Soleum's voice.

Before she knew it, he had laid out a black piece of paper on the floor and drawn a small design on it with the provided crayon.

It was… um.

'…A candle?'

Yes. It looked like a candle… or rather, a flat drawing that outlined a candle's shape.

But Kim Soleum paid no mind and pointed with one hand to the cards placed near the drawing.

"You can see the cards, right?"

"Y-Yes."

"Pick one of them."

"..."

"It determines the item's attribute."

Would she be tricked or caught up in something by doing this? Go Yeongeun hesitated for a moment but then reached out. So far, there hadn't been anything suspicious or unpleasant about Kim Soleum's actions, and objectively speaking, he had always treated her with goodwill.

'Let's try it.'

Her brain, which she trusted as a reliable data processor, urged her forward. She flipped over one of the scattered cards on the floor without much hesitation.

The card's face depicted a vibrant blue figure raising one hand. At the top of the image, a white star sparkled like a jewel.

[Honor]

A faint smile appeared on Kim Soleum's face.

"You picked well."

Did she?

'I don't think I particularly need honor right now…'

Anyway, if he said it was good, that was a relief.

Kim Soleum then turned his head and, in a voice that sounded less than enthusiastic, called out to Baek Saheon.

"Pick a card."

"..."

Baek Saheon seemed to be calculating the situation in his head, narrowing his eyes as he reached out his hand.

The card he flipped over showed a grinning mouth and a red iron cage.

[Interference]

"Suits you."

"What?"

Kim Soleum ignored him and continued with the process!

"I will now flip over the remaining cards."

"Yes, yes."

Whatever it was, let's just do it!

Go Yeongeun watched as Kim Soleum swiftly flipped over the cards with his precise movements.

There were ten cards left.

Confusion, Healing, Meditation, Wound, Deceit, Dream, Rage, Protection, Strike, and Gaze… the ten remaining cards were revealed and laid out on the floor.

'What in the world is this?'

After having them draw cards as if it were some kind of tarot reading, why reveal all of them at the end?

Seeing Kim Soleum's next action, she understood.

The last card could be chosen directly.

[Deceit]

Kim Soleum picked out a card with a golden gear drawn next to a black heart.

He then burned all three cards they had chosen using a lighter. Flames burst into vivid colors as the cards turned into shimmering ashes.

"...!"

Gathering the ashes from the cards, he carefully spread them over the crayon-drawn candle outline he had created earlier and folded the paper.

"It'll need about 30 minutes to set now."

Kim Soleum lifted the folded paper off the floor, tucked it neatly into the front pocket of his suit, and gave a faint smile.

"This thing you just made…"

"This candle will help us get out of here."

"...!"

"If it doesn't work, I was planning to try again a few more times, but the keywords turned out well on the first attempt—"

Screeeeeeeeeeeech—

"..."

"..."

All three of them turned their heads at once.

In the distance, under the bronze light, a massive shadow emerged. Eight straight legs resembling those of a spider.

And then…

Screeeech—

The glowing eyes of a machine, leaking light like that of a gas lamp.

"..."

"..."

"Run!"

The three of them immediately bolted in the opposite direction at full speed.

I knew.

Even in a lounge, the machines could appear.

Still, I guessed that they would patrol less strictly than in the exhibition hall and had been willing to take the risk…

'There wasn't even anywhere to hide like in the vents, but why now of all times!'

Clenching my teeth, I sprinted across the corridor.

Once we're detected, even hiding in another vent wouldn't help—the machine would simply follow.

It was equipped with that level of tracking capability!

"Should we keep going straight?!"

"For now!"

Straight ahead led to the main exhibition hall.

Once there, they could only hope to draw the machine's attention away with a higher-priority problem…

'But who knows how much more dangerous the exhibitions have become now that we're in the basement!'

And then.

Fwick—

"...!"

Baek Saheon grabbed for my suit.

'What now, you lunatic?!'

The punk shouted right at me,

"That item! The candle! Let's offer it up! It's valuable, isn't it?"

I slapped his hand away and yelled back.

"No, you idiot!"

"What?!"

"Look at the exhibition theme!"

+++

This exhibition is being conducted free of charge for one hour under the open spirit of admiration for art.

+++

"Art!!"

"...!"

"Specifically, living beings, civilization, and history!!"

I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"What does this item have to do with that? Why would they accept it as payment?!"

If items had any real value, wouldn't the employees of our company have already offered their own equipment before getting their eyes gouged out?! Besides, the candle wasn't even finished yet!

But Baek Saheon once again reached for my bag, and Go Yeongeun, clearly fed up, let out an exasperated groan.

"Let's at least try! What's the alternative—dying here?!"

"Ugh! Seriously! Stop it and just keep running—"

I turned my head.

At that moment, our feet…

…crossed through the large doors into the main exhibition hall.

"..."

Catching my breath, I lifted my gaze.

Starlight twinkled everywhere

No . . . were those fragments of stone ?

Countless pairs of glowing circles, all the same color, lined the walls and ceilings, gazing down at us The walls were packed, covered in countless human eyes staring back at me…

The eyes… taken by the usher machines.

"Eek—"

I stopped in my tracks and lowered my head. Beside me, I could hear Baek Saheon striking his remaining eye in frustration.

My chaotic thoughts slowly settled.

– Ah. They've arranged them like stars in the universe. It's called 'Glistening Gaze'. A rather cliché yet popular name! They must have been mindful of the contributors to the materials for this piece.

"..."

Three walls of the vast black exhibition hall were completely covered in eyeballs, with not a single gap visible.

The only entrance or exit was the door we had just come through. And through that very door, the usher machine was steadily advancing… without pause.

We were trapped.

– Mr. Roe Deer, your choices intrigue me! You're at a dead end now. A place to run… Hmm, seems like there's none. Fascinating!

– But my friend, you can escape anytime, anywhere. Because you have me, Braun!

That much… I already knew.

If I were alone.

I could escape safely anytime.

Braun would gladly use his ability, which he called 'Lights Out', to erase my presence entirely.

Then, while the others drew its attention, getting their eyes and ears gouged out, I could carefully slip away.

– In that case, wouldn't it be fitting for Mr. Baek Saheon to pay the price? After all, he doesn't have much of a life left anyway!

True. We successfully created the candle, which required a recommended group of three, so Baek Saheon was no longer necessary.

'I mean, I only kept him along to avoid a mental breakdown after all.'

Honestly, would it even matter if he died? In fact, his death might even be a net positive for society.

In the chaos, perhaps Go Yeongeun might also manage to escape…

…Wait.

Hold on.

"Let's split up! That way, if even one of us escapes—"

"Ms. Goral!"

"Yes?"

"You're safe."

"...?!"

"Didn't you recently pay the fee? There should still be time left until the next cycle."

"Ah!!"

Since Go Yeongeun had recently had her ears taken, she likely still had 'time left' in her usage cycle!

Hope flickered in Go Yeongeun's eyes.

"Then I'll go and try to distract—"

Screeeeeeech—

"..."

"..."

It had entered.

The usher machine.

Drrrrrrk.

Under the bronze candlelight, I saw the machine clearly for the first time. It was mercilessly sharp and intricate.

Its form resembled a spider, with metal parts added as though the steel had been grafted onto flesh. Its head and thorax were oddly connected, with an abdomen and lower body beneath.

Yet its vaguely humanoid, bipedal shape evoked a sense of uncanny dread, as if it was toying with the boundaries of intelligence and form. Its jagged, needle-like legs moved erratically, with joints bending at bizarre angles.

From its head, eight gas lamps shone yellow light, piercing through the pale shadows.

"..."

Go Yeongeun, who had been moving forward, froze in place. It seemed as if the trauma from losing her ears had surged back into her mind.

Understandable.

Screeech—

The machine passed right by her.

'I knew it.'

Which meant the machine was chasing…

Me and Baek Saheon.

Screeeeech.

I deliberated for the briefest moment.

If the machine's attention shifted to Baek Saheon, I could quickly erase my presence and escape.

It would be difficult while the machine focused solely on me, but with two targets, Braun's ability might still work.

– Oh, shall I use it now?

I made my decision.

"No."

Instead, I shoved Baek Saheon aside.

"...!"

"Run."

Baek Saheon already had only one eye left.

He knew that meant the machine might take more than just his remaining eye this time.

'Who knows what kind of reckless actions he might resort to?'

Even if it took his ears as a substitute, the physical rejection of someone's body, after already losing one eye, would likely be far more extreme. I couldn't predict the lengths he might go to.

It was better to let him run.

"I said run."

Baek Saheon hesitated for a moment.

But as the machine moved toward me, he backed away cautiously before breaking into a full sprint toward the door and disappearing through it. At the same time, Go Yeongeun, understanding my glance, tightly shut her eyes and darted toward the door as well.

"..."

Now then.

– Do you have any questions for the usher, Mr. Roe Deer?

I lifted my head.

The machine stood before me, its gaslamp light illuminating the grotesque form that resembled a hybrid of a spider and a woman, as if someone had attempted to mosaic the two together.

Its appearance was grotesque and sent chills through me. The usher machine, its eight legs and needle-like arms extending outward, began to twitch one of its limbs toward me.

I bowed politely.

"Good day. I've just arrived here."

I knew it wouldn't respond.

Sure enough, the machine emitted an unintelligible noise and bent one of its massive needle limbs.

– It says that 1 hour and 54 minutes have passed since you entered, and additional charges have been calculated.

I took a deep breath.

"Just a moment. Before I pay the fee, may I ask a question?"

– Of course, it says!

"Do you take reservations for a guest room at the front desk? …If you agree with my question, please nod your head once. If you disagree, shake your head from side to side."

...

A nod.

"Thank you for the guidance. Then…"

I stifled a sigh and asked what I had been leading up to.

The critical question for escaping.

'These machines only remember information about their assigned zones, so they wouldn't know where the exit is.'

Even if I asked where the front desk was, it likely wouldn't have an answer. But, if I rephrased the question to pertain specifically to its own zone, it might respond.

Like this.

"After completing their visit and returning home, do guests on this first basement floor proceed to a lower floor?"

...

"Or did they go to an upper floor?"

A nod.

"They're ushered to an upper floor, I see. Thank you."

That's it.

By asking each usher machine the right questions about its own floor, I could eventually narrow down the location of the exit…

…assuming I didn't lose my eyes, mouth, or limbs before then.

'If it's above the first basement floor… that means it's in the ground-level floors.'

Just knowing that was a significant breakthrough. The ground level included seven floors, so the exit must be among them.

'This is a good lead.'

But the sense of relief was short-lived, like a candle burning out. Now, the unavoidable moment had arrived.

Screeeech.

—It says it will now collect the fee.

Payment collection.

"..."

If I think about this rationally, it's not a huge problem.

'They'll plug a rental item into the empty eye sockets, so I'll still have vision until we escape this Darkness.'

Besides, I know this world well. I'm already familiar with several methods for restoring lost body parts, and I'm confident I can use them more easily than others…

That's precisely why I'm standing here.

'It's a situation I've calculated and come to terms with.'

The problem is… this overwhelming revulsion!

Who could accept this so calmly and indifferently?

Having both eyes plucked out raw by a monster!

Especially in a room surrounded by the displayed eyes of others who were taken!

Cold sweat dripped down my chin.

'Even so, I have to go through with this.'

I gritted my teeth.

It wouldn't be completely detrimental to have my eyes removed.

'If I can't endure under these conditions, I might as well give up on surviving here entirely.'

Honestly, there would never be better conditions than now to test whether I, with my cowardly heart, could endure the horrors of this ghost story. Learning to withstand recoverable losses would help build my resilience. Yet, my clenched hands trembled.

'Shit…'

Ziiing.

A massive needle, sharp and metallic, like the leg of a spider, moved toward my face.

I held my breath.

Whoosh—

The needle was raised, ready to pierce my eye…

Ziiiiiiiing.

"..."

I rolled my eyes to the side.

In the darkness, a massive, spider-like form was approaching from the distance…

Ziiiiiing, screeeeech.

Another usher machine.

"..."

What's this?

'Aren't the machines supposed to have a programmed route?'

Shouldn't it be impossible for their paths to overlap?

Sure enough, the machine that was about to extract my eye seemed to malfunction for a moment. Then, as if recalibrating its route, it moved away from me.

It was as though it adjusted its trajectory on its own.

Screeeeeech…

"..."

I couldn't even exhale in relief.

The new machine would just extract my eyes instead.

I simply held my breath and stared at the newly arrived machine. It lifted its spider-like appendages high, stopping right in front of me. Then suddenly…

"Huu."

...?!

"You okay, Roe?"

The spider-like form crumbled away, revealing a human wearing a badger mask.

"…Supervisor!"

It was Supervisor Park Minseong, his face drenched in cold sweat, grinning slightly.

"Phew… That was close!"