[This station is Grudge, Grudge Station.]
[The door to get off is on the right...]
A subway in a ghost story with a suffocating silence flowing.
I too am contributing to this silence.
Even though it's a ghost story I already know, when a related video pops up on YouTube, I get startled just by the thumbnail and click 'not interested' and move on. So a person like me has to survive in a ghost story?
'It would be better to just kill him.....'
That would be mutual.
I had no more energy to figure out what was going on. I was holding my face with both hands, wanting to deny the world.
That was when.
Blink.
[1st Place: Dark Exploration Record Real Goods Box]
I raised my head.
Something like a notepad was flying across my field of vision.
I can see it with my eyes closed, and I can see it with my eyes open.
A piece of paper, like something made by tearing and folding a notebook, fluttered....
"This is."
Wait a minute. I don't think I can see anyone else.
I immediately shut my mouth. In this situation, standing out was stupid.
Instead, I pressed down on the notepad in front of me with my hand as inconspicuously as possible.
Flutter.
To my surprise, the notepad moved as if it were unfolding and spat out something small.
"!"
I hastily grabbed it with my hand.
That was a griptok.
It's a very simple black griptok, the only unique thing about it being that there's a golden 'X' in the center.
But it was precisely by that pattern that I realized what this griptok was all about.
'It's goods.'
The goods sold at the pop-up store of
It was one of the goods I bought today.
I picked up the griptok with trembling hands.
What was the function of this in the work?
[Memorial GripTok]
: A C-class item that appears in (Dark Exploration Records).
When attached to a smartphone, it displays the text you remember in a clearly organized page format.
Grade 9 issued by the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau under the Ministry of Environment.
'Showing memories as text.....'
Well then, maybe?
With trembling hands, I removed the adhesive from the griptok and immediately attached it to my smartphone.
That was the moment.
The lines from
Dark Exploration Record / Ghost Story
[Welcome to Abyss Transportation Corporation]
: The identification code of the ghost story, Daydream Corporation, that appears in
A crazy ghost story that boasts an overwhelming escape difficulty among the early D-class darknesses. And the field investigation team that suffers forever.
A total of 56 explorations were recorded.
"...!"
This is what it is....
'Does the stuff I bought actually work?'
By the way, the black box of goods that was on my lap had disappeared.
'That goods box... turned into a notepad and spat out the goods I bought?'
What the hell is going on?
No, but it's definitely to my advantage.
This is the world of the ghost story called (Dark Exploration Record) that I entered.
Do you know how many internet nerds have been inspired by this? There were literally hundreds of horror stories.
Of course, it is difficult to immediately recall it in your head as if you were opening a page.
Moreover, since the story does not directly describe survival methods, but rather requires readers to infer the answer while reading, it was more difficult to come up with the right answer in a new situation.
'But I can check what I read in one line.'
If this is possible, the first thing you should look at is....
'Previous escape case!'
I took the wiki page down immediately.
And after breathlessly reading through the '$3.2 Exploration Record',
I made a quick deduction.
'I get it.'
This means that I have figured out my own answer to which station to get off at.
But there is a problem.
I turned my head to the people in the same room.
A total of 8 young new employees including me.
People who had been panicking at the sight of two people being disbanded were barely regaining their composure and starting to talk.
"What was that just now... The word grudge, when someone gets angry, that grudge... I think it's what they're talking about?"
"yes"
"Ha, my phone and data aren't working, really..... Oh, what the heck is going on...."
"..."
Yeah, the question is how do I convince these strangers and untrustworthy people to get down to the right track?
'We have to somehow get as many people off together as possible.'
I clenched my fist.
Suddenly, I realized that the extras who were sacrificed in this horror story world were real people, and I was filled with a noble sense of mission to save their lives?
That's... well, of course I feel that way as a human being, but that wasn't my top priority.
The reason why I was most desperate was...**
'I can't get off alone....!'
Yes, that's right.
Here, the stations are often not in their right minds.
You have to walk through a station full of eyes, a dark station, a station turned upside down all by yourself?
Just imagining that sight makes me break out in a cold sweat, and I feel like I'm going to have to walk on all fours.
'The probability of fainting in the middle and not being able to escape is over 90%!'
No. Save me.
'I have to persuade him somehow!'
I opened my mouth right away, but then closed it again.
'Still, it's stupid to suddenly start talking about strange phenomena and darkness.'
Who would want to admit that they are in a situation like the Tsukur horror game? Either they don't believe it and laugh out loud in denial, or they believe it and panic even more.
'Slowly... trust first.'
First of all, one person.
If you can convince just one or two people, people tend to follow suit because of the herd mentality.
'Let's see. Someone who needs help, or who shows signs of bonding...'
"Ha. This isn't some YouTube ghost story."
Found it!
"Did you say it was a ghost story?"
"ah."
A short-haired woman with a calm expression nodded with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. "Yes. Well, I, uh, I watch some horror stories on YouTube, and that reminds me of that."
"Could you elaborate? It seems like this isn't an ordinary situation, so I think it would be best to share as much information as possible."
"Oh, it's not really information... It's literally all like a horror story. Suddenly the lecture hall turns into a subway, and people... die like that."
The other person's face turns slightly pale, perhaps remembering the crazy dismantling show that happened just before.
I understand. I really want to throw up too.
Let's erase this from our minds quickly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was talking and then suddenly...."
"No. Me too. I can't come to my senses because of all the ridiculous things that are happening."
The woman smiled weakly.
"Hey, I think you made the most cool-headed judgment here."
I can only say this because I have yet to see someone faint so coldly.
"uh?"
And surprisingly, around this time, someone spoke to me first.
There was a very good reason for that.
"Oh, are you the person who was sitting next to me earlier?"
He was a man with curly hair and a rather innocent-looking appearance.
'Come to think of it, you sat next to me in the lecture hall earlier.'
The new employee seemed to be unable to fit into any of the group that was talking. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked back and forth between me and the woman who was talking to him, then he held out his hand as if to shake hands.
"My name is Baek Sa-heon."
".....!"
For a moment, I almost forgot to shake hands.
Baek Sa-heon?
'It's named.'
Dark Exploration Record / Daydream Co., Ltd.
/ Characters
Baek Sa-heon
: An employee of Daydream Corporation who appears in Dark Exploration Record > .
His final rank was Manager, his total number of exploration records was 106, and 17 of them were special cases recorded on the wiki.
Nickname: Viper.
He was an employee who appeared several times in (Dark Exploration Records).
I raised my head and looked at the curly hair with a somewhat delicate expression and sighed.
'This guy is Baek Sa-heon?'
I think the image doesn't quite match.
Anyway, it was a really strange feeling to actually see the staff of the ghost story world that I had only seen in text.
Meanwhile, the short-haired woman who had first brought up the ghost story reached out. "Despite the circumstances, let's at least make our official name known. This is Ko Young-eun."
It was the first time I heard that name. And there were two things that I didn't know: the real name of the employee.
Or maybe he dealt with the ghost stories relatively easily and resigned early.
Or died quickly.
'shit.'
There were some named employees who only had nicknames or codenames, but in those cases, their characters were so clear that you could figure them out right away.
It feels awkward. I quickly shook off the afterimage and hid my expression.
"This is Kim Sol-eum."
The handshake was over quickly, and we naturally sat down on our subway seats and continued our conversation.
In the meantime, it felt like the crowd of people had strangely split up.
"Oh, those guys... I think they're trying to talk to the person in front somehow?"
"That's right."
This ghost story prohibits movement between cells. As expected, it soon gives up on the gesture and returns back.
"What should I do? I can't communicate with the car in front of me at all. And it looks like there's a fight going on up front...."
For those who are anxious and uneasy, the station arrival announcement is made once again.
But this time the keyword has a different vibe.
[This station is Ecstasy, Ecstasy Station.]
"uh?"
The crowd of people who had been noisily cheering suddenly stopped.
"trance?"
"I, wouldn't it be a good feeling if it were ecstasy? Maybe...."
no.
'You shouldn't judge this so simply.....!'
I gritted my teeth as I recalled the expedition report I had just read.
First of all, the theme of this ghost story changed every time it appeared.
So, it is impossible to escape from the case by finding the right word, such as 'I should get off at which station' or 'which station is the correct answer'.
'But we can look at the tendencies."
like this.
3.2 Exploration Records (Recorded up to 56)
Dark Exploration Record / Ghost Story
/ Welcome to Abyss Transportation Corporation
1. Station names indicated in colors such as red, yellow, and blue.
: 2 people escape successfully (attempt: Blue Station)
2. Station names written as body parts such as left arm, cornea, heart, etc.
: Escape failed (attempt: cochlea station)
3. Station names written with the names of serial killers such as■■■
12 people escape successfully (attempt: ■■■■■ station)
4. Station names written in years such as 2008, 2012, 2016, etc. Escape failed (attempt: 2024)
5. Names of diseases indicated, such as asthma, stroke, and glaucoma
■■■, and
: 3 people escape successfully (attempt: Gamgi Station)
[see more]
Did you see? Up to case number 56, there is no relationship between the positive feeling of the reverse name and the probability of escape.
But at this Ecstasy Station, people could easily get off in a rush.
[The door to get off is on the left...]
It was because the scenery of the platform we arrived at was bright and pleasant.
'shit.'
I felt people's moods change as they looked at the clean and bright appearance of the station, which was like a new station in a new town.
"ah!"
"Hey, should we get off here and look for people? This place looks really okay...."
Delighted people began to mill about in front of the door.
no!
'The number of people I have in my group!'
And my mental state after witnessing that sight!
'Fuck.'
I ended up running and blocking the door again.
"...!"
"What, what is it?"
"Please wait."
[The screen door opens.]
"Are you sure?"
"yes"?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am sure that this place is safe. Or at least a guess."
I deliberately turned my gaze away.
"I think most people would agree that this situation sounds like a horror story."
Go Young-eun was startled by the attention from others due to my gaze, but she did not take back her words.
[The door will close in 30 seconds. There is no turning back.]
"But have you ever seen something turn out well just by relying on luck and feeling, whether it's a ghost story or a horror movie?"
"No, that's it,"
"Can you really risk your life like this without any reasoning or deduction?"
The anxious people pause for a moment, but soon become angry.
"No, did you come up with some great deduction or something?"
"This person has been saying annoying things all this time....."
"Ah, get out of the way quickly! What kind of inference is that... Do you think this is Golden Bell? Did someone give you a hint?"
"yes."
"...?"
"I'm giving you a hint."
I took a breath.
And then he raised his hand and pointed upward.
Subway train display board with speakers.
"This is the announcement."
-Please listen to the announcements to ensure a pleasant journey to your final destination.
From the beginning, the announcements on the train were kind enough to inform us of this fact. "Aren't you telling us to keep focusing and following the announcements? Blatantly."
In that sense
I asked as I listened to the additional announcement.
[Passengers whose final destination is Eunghol Station must get off according to the announcement.]
"Is there anyone here whose final destination is Ecstasy Station?"
"...
The movement of people stopped.
"That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"The purpose of life is to live happily, in an ecstatic way....."
"So, is your final destination now Hwanghol Station?"
I think everyone felt uncomfortable.
But one or two people started getting angry at me in return.
"No, do we have a destination right now? Why are you meddling like this when you don't even know?"
"If we can't get down from here and escape because of you, will you take responsibility? Will you take responsibility?"
Can you take responsibility?
"yes."
"...!"
"uh...?"
"I will take responsibility."
That's an easy question.
'We were going to escape together anyway."
If I get off here, it's guaranteed to be wrong. So there's no chance that my answer will be worse than this.
But perhaps because it was an unexpected answer, the other person opened his mouth and froze for a moment.
I could see that he was conflicted, perhaps because his heart was shaken by such a strong reaction.
[The screen door closes.....]
In the meantime the door was closed.
"ah."
I stepped aside. Some people who were looking at the door with empty eyes clung to it.
But now there was no one who got angry and asked why they couldn't get off.
'Is this good enough?'
It was a time when I was somewhat satisfied.
An urgent cry was heard.
"Hey! Everyone in the front seat has gotten off!"
"..."
You said it all came down?
I also immediately looked out the train window.
It didn't seem like everyone, but it seemed like about five or six people got off at once.
after.
Really, I didn't want to see what was going to happen from now on.
But I need to see this so I can make sense of it when I try to convince you, damn it... ... .
I held back my swearing and squinted my eyes, looking out the window dimly.
"Huh? It's running!"
Those who got off seemed determined to move quickly without delay. Five or six figures were seen running toward the exit of the platform and the stairs.
But it was too late.
"evil!"
The platform floor began to boil yellow, and the feet of the people running began to melt into the floor.
"That, gold?"
It was a strange sight, as if the lower body had turned to gold and was stuck to the floor.
People seemed to be screaming and trying to run, but their speed was getting slower and slower... . Eventually, the body, with only the upper half remaining, staggered and fell down the stairs.
Even that turned into glittering gold.
The easiest way to become ecstatic.
"Ugh."
"Huh."
[The train departs from Hwanghol Station.]
Inside the departing train car, only the sound of gasps and sobs from shock could be heard.
One of the people who was about to get off grabbed me and asked me urgently.
"Chae, you said you would take responsibility. Can you guarantee that we can find a really safe place? Yes?"
"yes."
I answered firmly.
I was dumbfounded as to why the logic suddenly jumped to the point where it became an established fact that I would give the correct answer, but in reality, that was the only answer I could give.
'I'm dying, really.'
My lower body is shaking so much I feel like I'm going to collapse···!
I felt sick to my stomach as I kept seeing low-quality footage of people's lower bodies exploding in my head.
What's certain is that even if I make it out of here alive, I won't be able to sleep well tonight.
In the meantime, Baek Sa-heon also speaks in admiration.
"Teacher, you are amazing."
"...teacher?"
"Oh, I always call people 'teacher' when I meet them."
And then he smiles awkwardly and adds:
"It's rare to find someone like you in today's world. Instead of being able to say yes or no clearly, people end up using phrases like, 'I think ~."
"..."
"I hope it comes back with good results as you promised."
Uh... I appreciate the kind words, but this is not a situation where I can use such a lukewarm out-of-body technique.
'If there's no good result here, you'll die too.....'
for a moment.
No.
There was something I missed because I was whining and being scared.
'If there is a record of Baek Sa-heon working as an employee in (Darkness Exploration Record), does that mean he passed this entrance exam?'
Then, wouldn't it be okay to just stick to the station Baek Sa-heon is leaving from?
If I and Mr. Ko Young-eun persuade them to go, there will be three of us. If there is someone who actively agrees and follows along, there is a high probability that others will also rush out.
'This easy method?'
"Mr. Baek Sa-heon."
"yes?"
"Is there a station you want to get off at? So... I'm curious if there's a word that comes to mind when you think about getting off at a station with that name in the future."
"....Uh, suddenly?"
"I want to hear various stories."
"ah."
Baek Sa-heon seemed to think for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.
"Nothing in particular. I don't know much about this kind of thing."
"okay."
Have you not yet got a particular feeling?
I nodded coolly. Anyway, this seemed like a pretty good idea, so I'll keep watching....
Ding dong.
[Passengers, Simyeon Transportation Corporation will be making an announcement to ensure a pleasant ride. Please listen carefully.]
"...!"
The announcement started again.
Everyone stopped talking and immediately looked up.
[From now on, our train will pass through a curved section, so noise and shaking may occur.]
[Please be seated to prevent accidents.]
No, f*ck, seriously.
"Everyone, sit down."
No one raised an objection and everyone quickly sat down.
It was a speed that made it worthwhile to bring up the announcement story earlier.
Even the person who was threatening to get off earlier kept his mouth shut and was the first to sit down in the seat nearby.
But it seems that not everyone is like that.
"Hey! Front seat!"
"Those people..."
In the front row of seats, everyone was standing, as if they were busy arguing fiercely with each other. I couldn't hear the specific words very well, but it seemed like the announcement was buried in the shouting.
You can tell just by looking at him. He seemed to be in a complete panic after seeing the people he had just been with die in a way he never could have imagined.
"Well, shouldn't I say something?"
"Excuse me! Can you hear me?!"
"Please take a seat!"
The new employees sitting close to the front row shouted. However, the people in the front row barely looked at me, and one person whose eyes met mine by chance came over to me instead.
"Sit down!"
"No, don't come near me, sit down....."
It's late.
[Entering the curved section...]
The lights went out.
In the darkness, the train began to shake with a loud noise.
And then a loud noise was heard, overlapping with a sharp sound.
It's a scream.
-Ahhhhhh!!
-Ouch, ah, aah... .
The sound of something full of water bursting.
A sound like squeezing ripe grapes.
It rings dully.
...as if there was a door between them.
The people in this room, who had reflexively silenced their voices, could be heard breathing thinly and trembling.
And then the lights came on.
Through the narrow glass window of the front door of the electric train, the front car is visible.
It was covered in blood and filth.
In that crazy state, where it seemed as if only living things had been put into a grinder and ground up, there was no trace of humans anymore.
n.
It was a total death.
[It is now safe to stand up. Thank you very much for your cooperation.]
The sound of people panicking, contrasting with the clear announcements, echoed throughout the train.
"Let me out! Let me out!"
"Heh heh heh, heh heh. What is this? What is this... Mom?"
But even in that state, the new employees cover their mouths, keep their voices quiet, and try to listen to the announcement.
Because it has been proven that it really is a lifeline!
'shit.'
It was clearly flowing in a direction that was advantageous to my survival, but when it became reality, it was so terrifying that cold sweat formed on my forehead.
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the shaking hands I had as I wiped it off.
Now you shouldn't look at the front door.
'Let's just think about persuasion, persuasion...'
Now, after a few stops, when the correct answer station appears, people will definitely get off together.
[Passengers, Simyeon Transportation Corporation will be making an announcement to ensure a pleasant ride. Please listen carefully.]
The announcement started again.
"also?!"
"Hehehe..."
The sound of people crying in frustration is cut through by the clean, mechanical tone of the recorded voice that continues the guidance.
A random story.
[I have lost something.]
for a moment.
I suddenly raised my head.
[If you find a lost item, please get off at the next station and hand it over to the station staff.]
It was a familiar case.
'...Other recorded escape cases!'
Dark Exploration Record / Ghost Story/
/ Welcome to Abyss Transportation Corporation
3.4 Other records (Escape)
A document documenting the survival of Irregulars who successfully escaped, other than those who got off at the station and escaped.
Several methods have been observed repeatedly (the most frequently recorded being 'temporary stops for train gaps' and 'lost and found information').
An unconditional escape ticket.
You can safely get out as long as you have the lost and found items listed!
step***.
'Only one person was able to escape.'
...In my case, where I can't go out alone, it was a survival ticket that meant I was eliminated from the start.
I clenched both hands tightly.
'Then who should we send away?'
No, is it really right to show it?
and....
[The lost item is the 'left eye of a type A adult male in his 20s.']
An unexpected lost item was found.