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Got Dropped in a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work — Part 2
Secretiv_Sorceress · saltgoblin & I_Love_Kim_Soleum
Completed
Horror
4.9
326 chapters
726 views
A pop-up event for some 'modern fantasy' media I loved so much that I even took a precious day off work to attend. On that day, I ended up transmigrating as a character in that very fantasy world. As none other than a newly hired employee at a famous large corporation! A dream job with great benefits, an excellent salary, and even kind and... Got Dropped in a Ghost Story, Still gotta Work. Part 2.
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Audio chapters (163) · 1–30
1
Chapter 209
At the Daydream Inc. Annex, new hires gather for an orientation for the pharmaceutical company. Among the excited recruits is a weary, silent man and a boastful new employee who claims to have a friend in the Research Team. A cheerful voice over the intercom identifies himself as Kwak Jekang, Section Chief of Research Team 1, and announces a "fun mission" involving a lottery box to build teamwork. Participants draw lots that form a sentence directing them to a basement floor and room number to perform a specific action. While some tasks seem trivial, the atmosphere turns horrific when the first elevators return carrying only the lower halves of previous participants, or bodies in various states of mutilation. Survivors report seeing bizarre, uniformed entities in the basement corridors—such as a child in a lab coat or a figure with a lion dance mask—that attack once the mission is initiated. Panic ensues as the main entrance is sealed, and an automated security protocol threatens to kill anyone attempting to force the doors. As the lobby becomes a death trap, the boastful new employee is forced into an elevator with the silent man, Jang Heowoon, to face a mission at Basement Floor 13, Room 666. Jang Heowoon remains unnervingly calm, noting that the odds of survival are higher than staying in the lobby. The chapter ends with a sudden shift in perspective: Jang Heowoon wakes up in a state of profound terror, realizing he is not in his own bed but is trapped in a reality where he is no longer human, possessing horns and a non-human body, bound by a contract to work his shift at Daydream Inc.
19:31
Chapter 209
At the Daydream Inc. Annex, new hires gather for an orientation for the pharmaceutical company. Among the excited recruits is a weary, silent man and a boastful new employee who claims to have a friend in the Research Team. A cheerful voice over the intercom identifies himself as Kwak Jekang, Section Chief of Research Team 1, and announces a "fun mission" involving a lottery box to build teamwork. Participants draw lots that form a sentence directing them to a basement floor and room number to perform a specific action. While some tasks seem trivial, the atmosphere turns horrific when the first elevators return carrying only the lower halves of previous participants, or bodies in various states of mutilation. Survivors report seeing bizarre, uniformed entities in the basement corridors—such as a child in a lab coat or a figure with a lion dance mask—that attack once the mission is initiated. Panic ensues as the main entrance is sealed, and an automated security protocol threatens to kill anyone attempting to force the doors. As the lobby becomes a death trap, the boastful new employee is forced into an elevator with the silent man, Jang Heowoon, to face a mission at Basement Floor 13, Room 666. Jang Heowoon remains unnervingly calm, noting that the odds of survival are higher than staying in the lobby. The chapter ends with a sudden shift in perspective: Jang Heowoon wakes up in a state of profound terror, realizing he is not in his own bed but is trapped in a reality where he is no longer human, possessing horns and a non-human body, bound by a contract to work his shift at Daydream Inc.
19:31
2
Chapter 210
After signing an employment contract with Director Cheong under extreme duress, the protagonist awakens in Room 666 of the Annex Basement. The protagonist’s assigned duty is security for the 13th-floor basement hallway, a desolate, windowless corridor where no one ever visits. During working hours, the protagonist wanders the hallway, breathing through a gas mask that emits thick black smoke. The environment is surreal; the elevator has no visible buttons to the protagonist, and a repetitive, distorted training video in the cell instructs employees to follow strict labor rules, including staying within designated areas and adhering to strict sleep times.
Time becomes difficult to track in the isolation. One day, three new employees knock on the door of Room 666. The protagonist perceives them as
15:27
Chapter 210
After signing an employment contract with Director Cheong under extreme duress, the protagonist awakens in Room 666 of the Annex Basement. The protagonist’s assigned duty is security for the 13th-floor basement hallway, a desolate, windowless corridor where no one ever visits. During working hours, the protagonist wanders the hallway, breathing through a gas mask that emits thick black smoke. The environment is surreal; the elevator has no visible buttons to the protagonist, and a repetitive, distorted training video in the cell instructs employees to follow strict labor rules, including staying within designated areas and adhering to strict sleep times.
Time becomes difficult to track in the isolation. One day, three new employees knock on the door of Room 666. The protagonist perceives them as
15:27
3
Chapter 211
The elevator arrives at Basement Floor 12, a place previously known for leaving only pools of blood. The new employees encounter a horrific scene: a hallway littered with colorless, mannequin-like human body fragments and a colossal entity wearing a Security Team uniform with a straw scarecrow head. The scarecrow moves closer to the elevator despite not walking, wielding a sickle. As other survivors escape from a neighboring elevator in terror, the Security Team member from Room 666 (B13) uses black smoke to attack the scarecrow. The smoke causes the scarecrow to undergo a violent, crushing transformation, leaving behind a mangled corpse.
As the elevator ascends through various basement levels, the Security Team member's physical form becomes increasingly grotesque and distorted, melting and expanding into a mass of thirty-seven eyes, long limbs, and black smoke. During this journey, the entity uses smoke to form text, providing cryptic messages like "Employee's Duty" and "Be grateful for your luck." Upon reaching the First Floor lobby, the entity briefly reverts to its human-like appearance, allowing a new employee to escape. However, the entity remains trapped in its distorted state, eventually returning to Basement Floor 13.
On B13, the entity is confronted by Guard Teams who perceive its actions as a breach of protocol. Amidst the tension, Kwak Jekang, a Research Team manager, appears. He reveals he is in charge of experiments involving the Security Team's new Special Division and proceeds to list the names of the survivors from the elevator—including Jang Heowoon—implying they are part of his current experimental subjects.
15:09
Chapter 211
The elevator arrives at Basement Floor 12, a place previously known for leaving only pools of blood. The new employees encounter a horrific scene: a hallway littered with colorless, mannequin-like human body fragments and a colossal entity wearing a Security Team uniform with a straw scarecrow head. The scarecrow moves closer to the elevator despite not walking, wielding a sickle. As other survivors escape from a neighboring elevator in terror, the Security Team member from Room 666 (B13) uses black smoke to attack the scarecrow. The smoke causes the scarecrow to undergo a violent, crushing transformation, leaving behind a mangled corpse.
As the elevator ascends through various basement levels, the Security Team member's physical form becomes increasingly grotesque and distorted, melting and expanding into a mass of thirty-seven eyes, long limbs, and black smoke. During this journey, the entity uses smoke to form text, providing cryptic messages like "Employee's Duty" and "Be grateful for your luck." Upon reaching the First Floor lobby, the entity briefly reverts to its human-like appearance, allowing a new employee to escape. However, the entity remains trapped in its distorted state, eventually returning to Basement Floor 13.
On B13, the entity is confronted by Guard Teams who perceive its actions as a breach of protocol. Amidst the tension, Kwak Jekang, a Research Team manager, appears. He reveals he is in charge of experiments involving the Security Team's new Special Division and proceeds to list the names of the survivors from the elevator—including Jang Heowoon—implying they are part of his current experimental subjects.
15:09
4
Chapter 212
The protagonist, Kim Soleum (130666), experiences a surge of emotion—relief—upon realizing that Jang Heowoon has been brought back to life via a Wish Ticket. This occurs after Kim's consciousness reconstructs Jang Heowoon from a contaminated state. Kim is being interrogated by Researcher Kwak Jekang, who asks if the names mentioned (Lee Jeongin, Park Yonghae, Jang Heowoon) triggered any reaction. Kim remains silent, as revealing emotions is unwise. Kwak Jekang reveals that Kim has been stationed at Annex Basement Floor 13 for half a year and notes Kim's robotic behavior. When Kwak Jekang asks why Kim helped the three 'new recruits,' Kim uses smoke to manifest 'Work Rule #17: Cooperate with your fellow employees,' mimicking the training video. Kwak Jekang reveals the truth: the 'new recruits' were not employees but test subjects—failed applicants deceived into participating in an experiment to collect civilian exploration records. Kim asks, through smoke, if they can meet again, and then uses smoke to declare 'Warning 1: Request for work outside of working hours' as his shift ends. Despite Kwak Jekang's attempts to continue the conversation, Kim's shift ends, and he is relocated. At a new workplace, Kwak Jekang reviews the experiment results, noting the anomaly that Kim's smoke turns humanoid 'Darkness' into corpses and that Kim's behavior mimics the 'Dream Essence Collection' trait of his predecessor. Kwak Jekang, delighted by the data, prepares for further experiments. It is revealed that the higher-ups have approved personnel to supervise Kim's new post: J3 (Security Team 3 Manager) and Park Minseong (Security Guard Park).
14:09
Chapter 212
The protagonist, Kim Soleum (130666), experiences a surge of emotion—relief—upon realizing that Jang Heowoon has been brought back to life via a Wish Ticket. This occurs after Kim's consciousness reconstructs Jang Heowoon from a contaminated state. Kim is being interrogated by Researcher Kwak Jekang, who asks if the names mentioned (Lee Jeongin, Park Yonghae, Jang Heowoon) triggered any reaction. Kim remains silent, as revealing emotions is unwise. Kwak Jekang reveals that Kim has been stationed at Annex Basement Floor 13 for half a year and notes Kim's robotic behavior. When Kwak Jekang asks why Kim helped the three 'new recruits,' Kim uses smoke to manifest 'Work Rule #17: Cooperate with your fellow employees,' mimicking the training video. Kwak Jekang reveals the truth: the 'new recruits' were not employees but test subjects—failed applicants deceived into participating in an experiment to collect civilian exploration records. Kim asks, through smoke, if they can meet again, and then uses smoke to declare 'Warning 1: Request for work outside of working hours' as his shift ends. Despite Kwak Jekang's attempts to continue the conversation, Kim's shift ends, and he is relocated. At a new workplace, Kwak Jekang reviews the experiment results, noting the anomaly that Kim's smoke turns humanoid 'Darkness' into corpses and that Kim's behavior mimics the 'Dream Essence Collection' trait of his predecessor. Kwak Jekang, delighted by the data, prepares for further experiments. It is revealed that the higher-ups have approved personnel to supervise Kim's new post: J3 (Security Team 3 Manager) and Park Minseong (Security Guard Park).
14:09
5
Chapter 213
Kim Soleum awakens in a deeply buried, ritualistically arranged isolation cell within the Daydream Inc. Main Building. His current form is a melted, mosaic-like entity that communicates via smoke. He is met by Supervisor Park Minseong (Badger), who has been assigned as his assistant, and Sergeant J3. Park is visibly shaken, eventually realizing the entity is Roe (the person who recently resigned), while J3 recognizes him as Soleum. J3 attempts to offer Nostalgia Candy, but Soleum cannot eat and rejects it. J3, heavily contaminated, is able to communicate clearly and physically interact, even patting Soleum's back. Kim Soleum uses smoke to explain that he is not human and cannot recover from contamination. Kwak Jekang's voice broadcasts through a CCTV system, revealing Soleum's new role: he is tasked with subduing specific ghost stories to serve as a consistent source of 'Dream Essence' for the company's potion production. The chapter ends as Soleum's official work shift begins.
13:46
Chapter 213
Kim Soleum awakens in a deeply buried, ritualistically arranged isolation cell within the Daydream Inc. Main Building. His current form is a melted, mosaic-like entity that communicates via smoke. He is met by Supervisor Park Minseong (Badger), who has been assigned as his assistant, and Sergeant J3. Park is visibly shaken, eventually realizing the entity is Roe (the person who recently resigned), while J3 recognizes him as Soleum. J3 attempts to offer Nostalgia Candy, but Soleum cannot eat and rejects it. J3, heavily contaminated, is able to communicate clearly and physically interact, even patting Soleum's back. Kim Soleum uses smoke to explain that he is not human and cannot recover from contamination. Kwak Jekang's voice broadcasts through a CCTV system, revealing Soleum's new role: he is tasked with subduing specific ghost stories to serve as a consistent source of 'Dream Essence' for the company's potion production. The chapter ends as Soleum's official work shift begins.
13:46
6
Chapter 214
A mysterious narration introduces a sales request from Daydream Inc. regarding a suspicious delivery to a high-ranking client. A sales representative (Supervisor) and an Assistant Manager arrive at a luxurious Seoul townhouse on a rainy day. The Supervisor finds a child's sketchbook drawing under a sofa with messages like "hungry," but when he tries to show it to the customers, the drawing vanishes. The customers, a couple with soft voices, claim they have no children, stating their eldest is in university. When the Supervisor finds a second paper under a table, it contains disturbing drawings of adults being murdered and messages like "wanna go out" and "it hurts." The Assistant Manager insists on following the company's rule of ignorance regarding products and customers. Suddenly, the lights fail. In the darkness, the Assistant Manager's body is brutally snapped, and he collapses, fluids leaking from his orifices like rain. The Supervisor finds a second note that now reads "liar." Realizing the couple lied about having children, the Supervisor flees and hides in a pantry. The note updates to read "bathroom," and he realizes he has accidentally locked himself in. He discovers the Assistant Manager's "Talisman" is actually an old wireless pager. He frantically uses it to call for help; a voice confirms reception and offers to call Security. As the Supervisor describes his terror, a black shadow emerges from the pager, and the chapter ends with the arrival of Daydream Inc. Security Team members in uniform.
16:40
Chapter 214
A mysterious narration introduces a sales request from Daydream Inc. regarding a suspicious delivery to a high-ranking client. A sales representative (Supervisor) and an Assistant Manager arrive at a luxurious Seoul townhouse on a rainy day. The Supervisor finds a child's sketchbook drawing under a sofa with messages like "hungry," but when he tries to show it to the customers, the drawing vanishes. The customers, a couple with soft voices, claim they have no children, stating their eldest is in university. When the Supervisor finds a second paper under a table, it contains disturbing drawings of adults being murdered and messages like "wanna go out" and "it hurts." The Assistant Manager insists on following the company's rule of ignorance regarding products and customers. Suddenly, the lights fail. In the darkness, the Assistant Manager's body is brutally snapped, and he collapses, fluids leaking from his orifices like rain. The Supervisor finds a second note that now reads "liar." Realizing the couple lied about having children, the Supervisor flees and hides in a pantry. The note updates to read "bathroom," and he realizes he has accidentally locked himself in. He discovers the Assistant Manager's "Talisman" is actually an old wireless pager. He frantically uses it to call for help; a voice confirms reception and offers to call Security. As the Supervisor describes his terror, a black shadow emerges from the pager, and the chapter ends with the arrival of Daydream Inc. Security Team members in uniform.
16:40
7
Chapter 215
In a dark pantry, the Security Team (Badger and J3) arrives via Transport Gear to find a terrified Sales Team 4 employee. J3 carries a black Transport Cage containing an unknown entity that communicates via rhythmic tapping. As the team prepares for a 'suppression' mission, a couple begins scratching at the pantry door, claiming to be trapped inside. The Security Team members remain nonchalant, noting the entities might not be human. After forcing the door open, the Security Team exits to suppress the threats. The Sales Employee witnesses the aftermath: the couple has been brutally slaughtered and 'fixed' to the wall in centipede-like contortions using thumbtacks and school supplies. As the Security Team returns, they interrogate the corpses, which speak in mimicry to lead the employee toward the bathroom. The Sales Employee receives cryptic, life-threatening warnings via smoke-formed text, which advise him not to look at the entities and not to trust anything. The smoke reveals a horrific truth through a 'Quantum Choice' format: both the couple and the protective sketchbook paper are dangerous; the only safe course is to not respond to voices on rainy days. The entities are revealed to be part of a 'Rainwater Echo' ghost story from the Church of the Luminous Unknown, which mimics victims to lure prey into a bathtub. The chapter ends with the realization that the task is to register this discarded, unlisted ghost story with Daydream Inc.
19:53
Chapter 215
In a dark pantry, the Security Team (Badger and J3) arrives via Transport Gear to find a terrified Sales Team 4 employee. J3 carries a black Transport Cage containing an unknown entity that communicates via rhythmic tapping. As the team prepares for a 'suppression' mission, a couple begins scratching at the pantry door, claiming to be trapped inside. The Security Team members remain nonchalant, noting the entities might not be human. After forcing the door open, the Security Team exits to suppress the threats. The Sales Employee witnesses the aftermath: the couple has been brutally slaughtered and 'fixed' to the wall in centipede-like contortions using thumbtacks and school supplies. As the Security Team returns, they interrogate the corpses, which speak in mimicry to lead the employee toward the bathroom. The Sales Employee receives cryptic, life-threatening warnings via smoke-formed text, which advise him not to look at the entities and not to trust anything. The smoke reveals a horrific truth through a 'Quantum Choice' format: both the couple and the protective sketchbook paper are dangerous; the only safe course is to not respond to voices on rainy days. The entities are revealed to be part of a 'Rainwater Echo' ghost story from the Church of the Luminous Unknown, which mimics victims to lure prey into a bathtub. The chapter ends with the realization that the task is to register this discarded, unlisted ghost story with Daydream Inc.
19:53
8
Chapter 216
In the aftermath of a confrontation with the [Rainwater Echo] ghost story, the protagonist (Roe) evaluates the entity's suitability for Daydream Inc. Despite its origins potentially being linked to the Church of the Luminous Unknown, Roe determines it meets all criteria for Dream Essence production: it is clearable, survivable via specific behavioral patterns (avoiding rainwater), and easy to contain. Using smoke manipulation, Roe suppresses the ghost story, forcing it to vomit up the corpses of its previous victims—including a family—before shrinking the essence into a transportable form. The Badger Masked agent (Brown) intervenes as Roe's form begins to crumble from the intensity of the suppression, eventually helping to secure the entity in a Transport Cage. Following the mission, the Sales Team employee who called for help is informed that the "cost" of the service is not money, but labor, specifically being assigned to a branch office for several years. Back at the company's containment facility, Roe communicates with Researcher Kwak Jekang via smoke-drawn text. During a private moment after working hours, the Badger Masked agent and the Sergeant visit Roe in the containment cell. They bring a book and permission to use the unofficial name "Roe." Feeling a sense of nostalgia for a human form, Roe uses smoke to request a "Nostalgia Kitty." The Sergeant returns with the item—a red yarn that, when worn, fixes the wearer's form to their healthiest state from the past ten years. Roe wraps the yarn around their neck.
16:13
Chapter 216
In the aftermath of a confrontation with the [Rainwater Echo] ghost story, the protagonist (Roe) evaluates the entity's suitability for Daydream Inc. Despite its origins potentially being linked to the Church of the Luminous Unknown, Roe determines it meets all criteria for Dream Essence production: it is clearable, survivable via specific behavioral patterns (avoiding rainwater), and easy to contain. Using smoke manipulation, Roe suppresses the ghost story, forcing it to vomit up the corpses of its previous victims—including a family—before shrinking the essence into a transportable form. The Badger Masked agent (Brown) intervenes as Roe's form begins to crumble from the intensity of the suppression, eventually helping to secure the entity in a Transport Cage. Following the mission, the Sales Team employee who called for help is informed that the "cost" of the service is not money, but labor, specifically being assigned to a branch office for several years. Back at the company's containment facility, Roe communicates with Researcher Kwak Jekang via smoke-drawn text. During a private moment after working hours, the Badger Masked agent and the Sergeant visit Roe in the containment cell. They bring a book and permission to use the unofficial name "Roe." Feeling a sense of nostalgia for a human form, Roe uses smoke to request a "Nostalgia Kitty." The Sergeant returns with the item—a red yarn that, when worn, fixes the wearer's form to their healthiest state from the past ten years. Roe wraps the yarn around their neck.
16:13
9
Chapter 217
Kim Soleum experiences a temporary return to human sensation through the effects of Nostalgia Kitty, feeling the clarity of human skin and hands before the illusion breaks, revealing his true grotesque form of divine hooves and melting flesh. The realization that the item only grants human physical sensation but not human emotional stability causes a surge of unbearable fear and despair. After moving a Badger Mask wearer to a bed, Kim Soleum escapes his containment cell during a High-Grade Darkness containment failure, using thick black smoke to navigate. He moves through the facility, bypassing security, and reaches the 17th floor Research Team 1 office. There, he confronts the night-shift researcher Kwak Jekang. Kwak Jekang, driven by scientific madness and ecstasy rather than fear, offers a 'Red Finger'—a Twilight Grade Darkness that enforces vows through death—to ensure Kim Soleum's cooperation. Under threat of death via smoke suffocation, Kim Soleum forces Kwak Jekang to vow never to go against his will, subsequently severing the researcher's pinky finger joint to seal the vow. Having secured a forced ally, Kim Soleum returns to his cell with a new objective: to uncover the secrets of the company and the truth of his existence. Upon returning, he finds the entity 'Brown' (Good Friend) waiting on his bed.
11:54
Chapter 217
Kim Soleum experiences a temporary return to human sensation through the effects of Nostalgia Kitty, feeling the clarity of human skin and hands before the illusion breaks, revealing his true grotesque form of divine hooves and melting flesh. The realization that the item only grants human physical sensation but not human emotional stability causes a surge of unbearable fear and despair. After moving a Badger Mask wearer to a bed, Kim Soleum escapes his containment cell during a High-Grade Darkness containment failure, using thick black smoke to navigate. He moves through the facility, bypassing security, and reaches the 17th floor Research Team 1 office. There, he confronts the night-shift researcher Kwak Jekang. Kwak Jekang, driven by scientific madness and ecstasy rather than fear, offers a 'Red Finger'—a Twilight Grade Darkness that enforces vows through death—to ensure Kim Soleum's cooperation. Under threat of death via smoke suffocation, Kim Soleum forces Kwak Jekang to vow never to go against his will, subsequently severing the researcher's pinky finger joint to seal the vow. Having secured a forced ally, Kim Soleum returns to his cell with a new objective: to uncover the secrets of the company and the truth of his existence. Upon returning, he finds the entity 'Brown' (Good Friend) waiting on his bed.
11:54
10
Chapter 218
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) encounters Braun, who is mimicking the appearance and mannerisms of 'Good Friend' using a plush rabbit doll. Braun reveals he has been observing Kim Soleum for the past six months, including during the tedious training videos played in the basement. Braun explains that his appearance is a form of 'mimicry,' a concept he suggests Kim Soleum use to regain a human-like presence, as the current horned anomaly form is too monstrous. Kim Soleum accepts the goal to learn a 'splendid disguise skill.'
Kwak Jekang, a researcher, arrives at the containment cell, appearing disheveled with a mangled pinky finger. Kim Soleum uses smoke to communicate a plan to use a manufactured 'containment failure' to manipulate Director Cheong into providing more interesting work. They devise a fake rule: 130666 cannot tolerate boredom.
Subsequently, the Daydream Inc. records are updated to reflect a simulated containment breach on October 28. The report states that 130666 escaped, neutralized several staff members and security, and confronted Kwak Jekang before returning to the cell. The incident is attributed to the entity's boredom. As a result, Director Cheong authorizes a new task for 130666: investigating the 'Man in the Screen' ghost story at a broadcasting station. To assist, Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae (Dolphin mask) and Supervisor Kang Yihak (Pony mask) are assigned as 'Transport Personnel.'
16:40
Chapter 218
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) encounters Braun, who is mimicking the appearance and mannerisms of 'Good Friend' using a plush rabbit doll. Braun reveals he has been observing Kim Soleum for the past six months, including during the tedious training videos played in the basement. Braun explains that his appearance is a form of 'mimicry,' a concept he suggests Kim Soleum use to regain a human-like presence, as the current horned anomaly form is too monstrous. Kim Soleum accepts the goal to learn a 'splendid disguise skill.'
Kwak Jekang, a researcher, arrives at the containment cell, appearing disheveled with a mangled pinky finger. Kim Soleum uses smoke to communicate a plan to use a manufactured 'containment failure' to manipulate Director Cheong into providing more interesting work. They devise a fake rule: 130666 cannot tolerate boredom.
Subsequently, the Daydream Inc. records are updated to reflect a simulated containment breach on October 28. The report states that 130666 escaped, neutralized several staff members and security, and confronted Kwak Jekang before returning to the cell. The incident is attributed to the entity's boredom. As a result, Director Cheong authorizes a new task for 130666: investigating the 'Man in the Screen' ghost story at a broadcasting station. To assist, Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae (Dolphin mask) and Supervisor Kang Yihak (Pony mask) are assigned as 'Transport Personnel.'
16:40
11
Chapter 219
Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae and the newly promoted Kang Yihak (Pony) prepare for a special assignment. Kang Yihak reflects on her recent promotion and her pragmatic approach to the company's hierarchy, noting that she prefers to avoid unnecessary expenses like promotion treats and instead focuses on extracting income from work. She thinks of former colleagues Kim Soleum and Go Youngeun, and the ambitious Baek Saheon. Section Chief Kwak Jekang of Research Team 1 arrives to brief them on their mission: investigating a dangerous Darkness at a broadcasting station. He introduces the 'staff member'—a powerful entity with horn-like structures and lantern-like eyes, identified by Lee Seonghae as the owner of the Flower Golden Resort. The entity is placed in a black transport cage. Kang Yihak experiences a chilling instinctual alarm when shaking the staff member's hand. The mission's goal is to secure a Darkness to prevent harm to the public. During a radio check with the Security Team, the staff member communicates via rhythmic taps. The duo arrives at the broadcasting station and meets an anxious PD in the editing room. The PD explains a chilling urban legend regarding PBS, a defunct broadcasting station. In various variety show clips from twenty years ago, an unidentified man with black eyes and a specific smile appears in the background of almost every program, but specifically only in episodes ending in the number 6. This phenomenon has persisted even through corrupted data and highlight reels, suggesting a persistent, anomalous presence within the station's history.
15:35
Chapter 219
Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae and the newly promoted Kang Yihak (Pony) prepare for a special assignment. Kang Yihak reflects on her recent promotion and her pragmatic approach to the company's hierarchy, noting that she prefers to avoid unnecessary expenses like promotion treats and instead focuses on extracting income from work. She thinks of former colleagues Kim Soleum and Go Youngeun, and the ambitious Baek Saheon. Section Chief Kwak Jekang of Research Team 1 arrives to brief them on their mission: investigating a dangerous Darkness at a broadcasting station. He introduces the 'staff member'—a powerful entity with horn-like structures and lantern-like eyes, identified by Lee Seonghae as the owner of the Flower Golden Resort. The entity is placed in a black transport cage. Kang Yihak experiences a chilling instinctual alarm when shaking the staff member's hand. The mission's goal is to secure a Darkness to prevent harm to the public. During a radio check with the Security Team, the staff member communicates via rhythmic taps. The duo arrives at the broadcasting station and meets an anxious PD in the editing room. The PD explains a chilling urban legend regarding PBS, a defunct broadcasting station. In various variety show clips from twenty years ago, an unidentified man with black eyes and a specific smile appears in the background of almost every program, but specifically only in episodes ending in the number 6. This phenomenon has persisted even through corrupted data and highlight reels, suggesting a persistent, anomalous presence within the station's history.
15:35
12
Chapter 220
The chapter details the legend of the 'Man in the Screen,' a male entity with black eyes and a wide, toothy smile that appears in various variety show broadcasts. Originally, he was only noticed in re-edited versions of shows, such as Episode 166 of a talk show. As he became more visible, he appeared increasingly aggressive and strange. While production staff tried to delete him from footage, the entity became more violent, eventually leading to a tragic incident at a former broadcasting station (PBS) where two employees committed suicide in the editing room. The suicide note, written in incoherent scribbles, reportedly contained messages like 'He does not want to be deleted' and 'He is angry.'
In the present, Lee Seonghae and the Field Exploration team (including Kang Yihak) are called to the modern MBS station to deal with a resurgence of this phenomenon in the variety department. The PD of the variety department is terrified, as the 'Man in the Screen' has begun appearing again. Upon inspecting the editing room, Kang Yihak determines the entity is a spiritually potent object (Grade C-D) that requires three days of isolation. Kang Yihak uses the opportunity to charge the PD an exorbitant fee, accepting gold and cash as payment. After the PD leaves, Kang Yihak successfully extracts extra profit by attempting to 'pay' the entity in gold. The chapter concludes with a warning: the entity has moved from the closed PBS to the active MBS, and he is currently watching through the camera lenses.
16:39
Chapter 220
The chapter details the legend of the 'Man in the Screen,' a male entity with black eyes and a wide, toothy smile that appears in various variety show broadcasts. Originally, he was only noticed in re-edited versions of shows, such as Episode 166 of a talk show. As he became more visible, he appeared increasingly aggressive and strange. While production staff tried to delete him from footage, the entity became more violent, eventually leading to a tragic incident at a former broadcasting station (PBS) where two employees committed suicide in the editing room. The suicide note, written in incoherent scribbles, reportedly contained messages like 'He does not want to be deleted' and 'He is angry.'
In the present, Lee Seonghae and the Field Exploration team (including Kang Yihak) are called to the modern MBS station to deal with a resurgence of this phenomenon in the variety department. The PD of the variety department is terrified, as the 'Man in the Screen' has begun appearing again. Upon inspecting the editing room, Kang Yihak determines the entity is a spiritually potent object (Grade C-D) that requires three days of isolation. Kang Yihak uses the opportunity to charge the PD an exorbitant fee, accepting gold and cash as payment. After the PD leaves, Kang Yihak successfully extracts extra profit by attempting to 'pay' the entity in gold. The chapter concludes with a warning: the entity has moved from the closed PBS to the active MBS, and he is currently watching through the camera lenses.
16:39
13
Chapter 221
In an editing room, Kang Yihak and Lee Seonghae attempt to secure a dangerous anomaly known as the 'Man in the Screen' by transferring various variety show recordings—specifically those from rounds ending in '6'—onto a USB drive. The recordings reveal a distorted man peering from shadows or behind guests, appearing increasingly bizarre and unsettling. During the transfer, Kang Yihak accidentally holds the Ctrl key, causing the files to be copied rather than moved, leaving the original dangerous files on the desktop. This triggers an aggressive reaction from the entity: multiple recordings play simultaneously with horrific, overlapping screams and visual distortions. The 'Man in the Screen' begins to manifest physically from the monitor.
Suddenly, 'Employee-nim' (a non-physical entity/Darkness) emerges from a Transport Cage as black mist and yellow eyes, creating a barrier between the employees and the monitor. The entity communicates via text formed by the smoke, revealing that it is refraining from direct contact with the equipment to avoid destroying itself or the data. The entity instructs them not to look at the Darkness and offers to watch the monitor for them. Using Bluetooth peripherals, Lee Seonghae (acting as 'Dolphin') controls the mouse from under a desk, while Kang Yihak (acting as 'Pony') manages the keyboard to navigate the desktop while eyes watch them from the mist. Through intense coordination, they successfully navigate the pop-ups and select the specific files for permanent deletion. Kang Yihak hammers the delete key while Lee Seonghae smashes the mouse and keyboard to prevent accidental playback.
After the files are deleted and the USB is removed, the room returns to normal. However, the victory is short-lived. Lee Seonghae realizes a terrifying implication: if the entity's presence was triggered by the act of editing rather than the physical room, then the 'Man in the Screen' is no longer confined to the editing suite. Since production staff edit footage on personal computers at home and in studios, the anomaly has likely spread to the entire PBS Variety Department.
17:48
Chapter 221
In an editing room, Kang Yihak and Lee Seonghae attempt to secure a dangerous anomaly known as the 'Man in the Screen' by transferring various variety show recordings—specifically those from rounds ending in '6'—onto a USB drive. The recordings reveal a distorted man peering from shadows or behind guests, appearing increasingly bizarre and unsettling. During the transfer, Kang Yihak accidentally holds the Ctrl key, causing the files to be copied rather than moved, leaving the original dangerous files on the desktop. This triggers an aggressive reaction from the entity: multiple recordings play simultaneously with horrific, overlapping screams and visual distortions. The 'Man in the Screen' begins to manifest physically from the monitor.
Suddenly, 'Employee-nim' (a non-physical entity/Darkness) emerges from a Transport Cage as black mist and yellow eyes, creating a barrier between the employees and the monitor. The entity communicates via text formed by the smoke, revealing that it is refraining from direct contact with the equipment to avoid destroying itself or the data. The entity instructs them not to look at the Darkness and offers to watch the monitor for them. Using Bluetooth peripherals, Lee Seonghae (acting as 'Dolphin') controls the mouse from under a desk, while Kang Yihak (acting as 'Pony') manages the keyboard to navigate the desktop while eyes watch them from the mist. Through intense coordination, they successfully navigate the pop-ups and select the specific files for permanent deletion. Kang Yihak hammers the delete key while Lee Seonghae smashes the mouse and keyboard to prevent accidental playback.
After the files are deleted and the USB is removed, the room returns to normal. However, the victory is short-lived. Lee Seonghae realizes a terrifying implication: if the entity's presence was triggered by the act of editing rather than the physical room, then the 'Man in the Screen' is no longer confined to the editing suite. Since production staff edit footage on personal computers at home and in studios, the anomaly has likely spread to the entire PBS Variety Department.
17:48
14
Chapter 222
The chapter begins with the protagonist being carried in a carrier by Field Exploration Team employees as they flee the broadcasting station to contain a catastrophic supernatural incident: the fatal spread of a ghost story. The protagonist realizes that the 'Man in the Screen' has been stimulated. Kang Yihak contact the PBS Variety Department PD to urgently warn them to quarantine and delete all video editing files ending in the number 6 to prevent the entity from spreading further through cloud storage and digital media. The PD is panicked, reporting that several staff members are unreachable and one has sent chilling, nonsensical messages.
The Field Exploration Team, including Lee Seonghae and Kang Yihak, travels to an officetel to investigate a missing assistant director. Upon arrival, they find the assistant director dead—eyes gouged out—in a room where a computer monitor has been crushed by a large black beast's paw. The Sergeant, having donned specialized gear, suggests a witness escaped from the house. While Kang Yihak suggests leaving before the police arrive to avoid complications, the group is interrupted by a call from Director Cheong.
Through a tense conversation, the protagonist uses smoke to ask the Sergeant and Director Cheong if this ghost story was previously owned by Daydream Inc. Director Cheong confirms that the company intentionally released the 'disposed' ghost story back into the public to restore its supernatural presence, allowing for the collection of Dream Essence through recycling. She reveals that Daydream Inc. has no intention of using company resources to clean up the resulting civilian commotion, instead opting to let the government-funded Disaster Management Bureau handle the cleanup. This allows the company to keep the original version of the ghost story while the public disaster is officially terminated. The chapter ends as the sound of a bell signals the imminent arrival of the Disaster Management Bureau.
17:26
Chapter 222
The chapter begins with the protagonist being carried in a carrier by Field Exploration Team employees as they flee the broadcasting station to contain a catastrophic supernatural incident: the fatal spread of a ghost story. The protagonist realizes that the 'Man in the Screen' has been stimulated. Kang Yihak contact the PBS Variety Department PD to urgently warn them to quarantine and delete all video editing files ending in the number 6 to prevent the entity from spreading further through cloud storage and digital media. The PD is panicked, reporting that several staff members are unreachable and one has sent chilling, nonsensical messages.
The Field Exploration Team, including Lee Seonghae and Kang Yihak, travels to an officetel to investigate a missing assistant director. Upon arrival, they find the assistant director dead—eyes gouged out—in a room where a computer monitor has been crushed by a large black beast's paw. The Sergeant, having donned specialized gear, suggests a witness escaped from the house. While Kang Yihak suggests leaving before the police arrive to avoid complications, the group is interrupted by a call from Director Cheong.
Through a tense conversation, the protagonist uses smoke to ask the Sergeant and Director Cheong if this ghost story was previously owned by Daydream Inc. Director Cheong confirms that the company intentionally released the 'disposed' ghost story back into the public to restore its supernatural presence, allowing for the collection of Dream Essence through recycling. She reveals that Daydream Inc. has no intention of using company resources to clean up the resulting civilian commotion, instead opting to let the government-funded Disaster Management Bureau handle the cleanup. This allows the company to keep the original version of the ghost story while the public disaster is officially terminated. The chapter ends as the sound of a bell signals the imminent arrival of the Disaster Management Bureau.
17:26
15
Chapter 223
Agent Choi of Team Hyunmoo 1 arrives at the officetel, discovering the blood-spattered living room and the corpse of a deceased assistant director. He confronts Kang Yihak, who attempts to surrender and negotiate, falsely claiming she is unrelated to the cult company's actions. Agent Choi ignores her pleas, drawing a giant Executioner's Sword. The Sergeant, whose left arm has mutated into a Beast's Black Paw, blocks a strike from the sword, causing sparks and intense pain, yet remains stoic. Agent Choi notices the Sergeant's identity, hinting at a past connection to a Dream Incubation Chamber.
Lee Seonghae (Assistant Manager Dolphin) intervenes, providing a full briefing to Agent Choi regarding the 'man in the screen' and the impending crisis. She omits mentioning the USB in her possession to protect the group. Once the briefing concludes, Agent Choi attempts to interrogate the Sergeant about a missing individual known as 'Roe Deer' and whether they used a Wish Ticket. The Sergeant remains largely non-committal, and Agent Choi eventually decides to transport all the Daydream employees via a Glass Prison Transport Device.
Team Leader Haegeum (Hyunmoo 3) arrives to intercept Agent Choi, ordering him to return to the broadcast station to report to the Bureau Chief. Once the others depart, Haegeum approaches the Sergeant and the transport cage, addressing the entity within as the 'Resort Owner.' She acknowledges the entity's past kindness at the resort and notes its turbid, changing energy. Haegeum provides a silver and jade bell to the entity, telling it to follow the sound to find its true self. Meanwhile, outside, Kang Yihak is intercepted by Agent Bronze and Lee Seonghae, who activates a transport device, causing Kang Yihak to black out.
16:09
Chapter 223
Agent Choi of Team Hyunmoo 1 arrives at the officetel, discovering the blood-spattered living room and the corpse of a deceased assistant director. He confronts Kang Yihak, who attempts to surrender and negotiate, falsely claiming she is unrelated to the cult company's actions. Agent Choi ignores her pleas, drawing a giant Executioner's Sword. The Sergeant, whose left arm has mutated into a Beast's Black Paw, blocks a strike from the sword, causing sparks and intense pain, yet remains stoic. Agent Choi notices the Sergeant's identity, hinting at a past connection to a Dream Incubation Chamber.
Lee Seonghae (Assistant Manager Dolphin) intervenes, providing a full briefing to Agent Choi regarding the 'man in the screen' and the impending crisis. She omits mentioning the USB in her possession to protect the group. Once the briefing concludes, Agent Choi attempts to interrogate the Sergeant about a missing individual known as 'Roe Deer' and whether they used a Wish Ticket. The Sergeant remains largely non-committal, and Agent Choi eventually decides to transport all the Daydream employees via a Glass Prison Transport Device.
Team Leader Haegeum (Hyunmoo 3) arrives to intercept Agent Choi, ordering him to return to the broadcast station to report to the Bureau Chief. Once the others depart, Haegeum approaches the Sergeant and the transport cage, addressing the entity within as the 'Resort Owner.' She acknowledges the entity's past kindness at the resort and notes its turbid, changing energy. Haegeum provides a silver and jade bell to the entity, telling it to follow the sound to find its true self. Meanwhile, outside, Kang Yihak is intercepted by Agent Bronze and Lee Seonghae, who activates a transport device, causing Kang Yihak to black out.
16:09
16
Chapter 224
Following the 'Man in the Screen' incident, the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau is in disarray. Agent Bronze (Ryu Jaekwan) reflects on the suspicious timing of the report and deduces that Daydream Inc. meddled with a past disaster to harvest it before dumping the fallout on the Bureau. To maintain public stability, the broadcasting station plans a 'Skip-Episode-6' campaign, and the fatalities will be officially recorded as accidents. Bronze feels a strange presence reminiscent of his missing colleague, Kim Soleum (Agent Grapes).
Bronze leads the Daydream employee, Kang Yihak, to a probation room. Kang Yihak, a blatant materialist, attempts to negotiate for payment in exchange for information. Agent Choi (Lee Kangheon) joins the interrogation, providing a down payment of gold and jade to facilitate the exchange. When asked if she knows who Roe Deer (Kim Soleum) is, Kang Yihak claims he simply went missing after obtaining a Wish Ticket.
Agent Choi then pivots to a strange topic, asking about a peculiar Security Team member described by Kang Yihak as having black smoke, large horns, and yellow eyes behind a gas mask. Choi reveals a shocking truth: that entity—the 'Mr. Employee'—was actually inside the Transport Cage during the transport.
Meanwhile, Kang Yihak (in his current form) lies in an isolation room, reflecting on the day's events and the bell provided by Agent Haegeum. While listening to the bell's chime, Yihak experiences a sudden cognitive shift. The fog that had been crushing his thoughts and emotions clears, restoring his natural flow of thought and dynamism. He realizes he has regained his sense of self.
13:50
Chapter 224
Following the 'Man in the Screen' incident, the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau is in disarray. Agent Bronze (Ryu Jaekwan) reflects on the suspicious timing of the report and deduces that Daydream Inc. meddled with a past disaster to harvest it before dumping the fallout on the Bureau. To maintain public stability, the broadcasting station plans a 'Skip-Episode-6' campaign, and the fatalities will be officially recorded as accidents. Bronze feels a strange presence reminiscent of his missing colleague, Kim Soleum (Agent Grapes).
Bronze leads the Daydream employee, Kang Yihak, to a probation room. Kang Yihak, a blatant materialist, attempts to negotiate for payment in exchange for information. Agent Choi (Lee Kangheon) joins the interrogation, providing a down payment of gold and jade to facilitate the exchange. When asked if she knows who Roe Deer (Kim Soleum) is, Kang Yihak claims he simply went missing after obtaining a Wish Ticket.
Agent Choi then pivots to a strange topic, asking about a peculiar Security Team member described by Kang Yihak as having black smoke, large horns, and yellow eyes behind a gas mask. Choi reveals a shocking truth: that entity—the 'Mr. Employee'—was actually inside the Transport Cage during the transport.
Meanwhile, Kang Yihak (in his current form) lies in an isolation room, reflecting on the day's events and the bell provided by Agent Haegeum. While listening to the bell's chime, Yihak experiences a sudden cognitive shift. The fog that had been crushing his thoughts and emotions clears, restoring his natural flow of thought and dynamism. He realizes he has regained his sense of self.
13:50
17
Chapter 225
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) regains his ability to think after using a bell provided by Agent Haegeum. He discovers a strange emotional detachment, realizing his fear response is significantly dulled, which he speculates might be a side effect of his new body or the bell's properties. By shaking the bell, he determines that his sanity and clear thought require a stimulus roughly every four hours. He secures the bell between his horns for easy, discreet use.
During a period of reflection, Soleum recalls his past acquaintances and realizes that Jang Heowoon may have recognized him at the theme park. He develops a chilling theory: Jang Heowoon might have used a Wish Ticket to become human, which would prevent him from using a ticket to return to the company. Soleum decides his new goals are to uncover the truth of his origin and to meet Jang Heowoon again.
Kwak Jekang, a researcher, visits Soleum to discuss the results of the 'Man in the Screen' incident. Kwak explains that Daydream Inc. collects 'darkness' through external methods and internal 'excavation.' He reveals that the company's basement contains the 'Cheerful Research Institute,' a massive ghost story where office layouts repeat endlessly. Kwak suggests that Soleum's purpose is to serve as a specialized agent for deep excavation. To gain more freedom and access, Soleum decides to cooperate with the company under the guise of wanting to experiment with new control methods, specifically negotiating for a salary. A few days later, Soleum is stationed at the annex front desk in a transport cage, performing security duties. While analyzing his smoke-like body, he discovers a tattoo on himself: '恩主' (Benefactor).
16:21
Chapter 225
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) regains his ability to think after using a bell provided by Agent Haegeum. He discovers a strange emotional detachment, realizing his fear response is significantly dulled, which he speculates might be a side effect of his new body or the bell's properties. By shaking the bell, he determines that his sanity and clear thought require a stimulus roughly every four hours. He secures the bell between his horns for easy, discreet use.
During a period of reflection, Soleum recalls his past acquaintances and realizes that Jang Heowoon may have recognized him at the theme park. He develops a chilling theory: Jang Heowoon might have used a Wish Ticket to become human, which would prevent him from using a ticket to return to the company. Soleum decides his new goals are to uncover the truth of his origin and to meet Jang Heowoon again.
Kwak Jekang, a researcher, visits Soleum to discuss the results of the 'Man in the Screen' incident. Kwak explains that Daydream Inc. collects 'darkness' through external methods and internal 'excavation.' He reveals that the company's basement contains the 'Cheerful Research Institute,' a massive ghost story where office layouts repeat endlessly. Kwak suggests that Soleum's purpose is to serve as a specialized agent for deep excavation. To gain more freedom and access, Soleum decides to cooperate with the company under the guise of wanting to experiment with new control methods, specifically negotiating for a salary. A few days later, Soleum is stationed at the annex front desk in a transport cage, performing security duties. While analyzing his smoke-like body, he discovers a tattoo on himself: '恩主' (Benefactor).
16:21
18
Chapter 226
At the Daydream Inc. annex lobby, Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) begins a first night shift working at the front desk from inside a transport cage. Kim's physical body is a grotesque, mashed-up mass of organs, scales, and talons, yet Kim manages to communicate via smoke-formed letters. Supervisor Park Minseong manages the desk alongside Kim, noting Kim's stabilized attitude. During the shift, Kim observes several familiar faces, including a Field Exploration Team member who flees in terror upon seeing the smoke-letters. At 3 AM, Assistant Manager Jin Nasol of Elite A-Squad arrives. She is joined by Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, who brings snacks (Gamtte Oranda) for the staff. Lee Seonghae suggests letting Kim out of the cage, but Jin Nasol rebukes the idea, referring to Kim as 'Darkness.' Through their conversation, Park Minseong learns that Section Chief Lee Jaheon is currently on a long-term 'Dark Exploration' mission. After the shift, Kim returns to the isolation room and successfully uses physical movement to reach a zipper on the Security Team uniform. By unzipping it, Kim accesses the inventory tattoo located on the forearm. Kim discovers that while much was previously cleared out, the space contains new items. Kim retrieves a blue scale from the Blue Dragon Mascot and a paper boat left by Baek Saheon. Upon unfolding the paper boat, Kim finds a handwritten question from Baek Saheon: 'Are you dead?' Kim responds by writing 'I am not dead' on the paper, which immediately triggers a hurried, scribbled reply from the unseen sender.
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14:11
Chapter 226
At the Daydream Inc. annex lobby, Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) begins a first night shift working at the front desk from inside a transport cage. Kim's physical body is a grotesque, mashed-up mass of organs, scales, and talons, yet Kim manages to communicate via smoke-formed letters. Supervisor Park Minseong manages the desk alongside Kim, noting Kim's stabilized attitude. During the shift, Kim observes several familiar faces, including a Field Exploration Team member who flees in terror upon seeing the smoke-letters. At 3 AM, Assistant Manager Jin Nasol of Elite A-Squad arrives. She is joined by Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, who brings snacks (Gamtte Oranda) for the staff. Lee Seonghae suggests letting Kim out of the cage, but Jin Nasol rebukes the idea, referring to Kim as 'Darkness.' Through their conversation, Park Minseong learns that Section Chief Lee Jaheon is currently on a long-term 'Dark Exploration' mission. After the shift, Kim returns to the isolation room and successfully uses physical movement to reach a zipper on the Security Team uniform. By unzipping it, Kim accesses the inventory tattoo located on the forearm. Kim discovers that while much was previously cleared out, the space contains new items. Kim retrieves a blue scale from the Blue Dragon Mascot and a paper boat left by Baek Saheon. Upon unfolding the paper boat, Kim finds a handwritten question from Baek Saheon: 'Are you dead?' Kim responds by writing 'I am not dead' on the paper, which immediately triggers a hurried, scribbled reply from the unseen sender.
Guest access includes first 17 of 163 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
14:11
19
Chapter 227
Kim Soleum, currently in a melting state inside a transport cage, communicates with Baek Saheon via a paper boat. Maintaining the persona of 'Agent Grapes,' Kim informs Baek Saheon that the supernatural disaster at Jisan Village has been resolved and is now under the Disaster Management Bureau's jurisdiction, effectively freeing him. During their tense exchange, Baek Saheon criticizes Kim's handwriting and behavior, yet eventually agrees to check for familiar faces among Daydream Inc.'s new recruits in exchange for future compensation. After several days of quiet duty at the annex, Kim is assigned a solo night shift. While performing duties using smoke to interact with staff, a man enters the annex. Kim uses smoke-written questions to probe him, and the man reveals himself to be Jang Heowoon, who appears to be searching for something. Jang Heowoon leaves after receiving an access card. When Kim checks the paper boat, Baek Saheon claims no former employees have rejoined. Confused by the contradiction, Kim consults Braun. Braun reveals that Jang Heowoon is technically a retainer of the Flower Golden Resort Mascot—an identity Kim still possesses through prior contracts. Kim attempts to 'call' Jang Heowoon using this authority, and the contaminated Jang Heowoon immediately manifests, crouching under the front desk to answer.
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15:11
Chapter 227
Kim Soleum, currently in a melting state inside a transport cage, communicates with Baek Saheon via a paper boat. Maintaining the persona of 'Agent Grapes,' Kim informs Baek Saheon that the supernatural disaster at Jisan Village has been resolved and is now under the Disaster Management Bureau's jurisdiction, effectively freeing him. During their tense exchange, Baek Saheon criticizes Kim's handwriting and behavior, yet eventually agrees to check for familiar faces among Daydream Inc.'s new recruits in exchange for future compensation. After several days of quiet duty at the annex, Kim is assigned a solo night shift. While performing duties using smoke to interact with staff, a man enters the annex. Kim uses smoke-written questions to probe him, and the man reveals himself to be Jang Heowoon, who appears to be searching for something. Jang Heowoon leaves after receiving an access card. When Kim checks the paper boat, Baek Saheon claims no former employees have rejoined. Confused by the contradiction, Kim consults Braun. Braun reveals that Jang Heowoon is technically a retainer of the Flower Golden Resort Mascot—an identity Kim still possesses through prior contracts. Kim attempts to 'call' Jang Heowoon using this authority, and the contaminated Jang Heowoon immediately manifests, crouching under the front desk to answer.
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15:11
20
Chapter 228
Kim Soleum (the Mascot) summons Jang Heowoon, a contaminated employee who has become a ghost story entity. Jang Heowoon is currently stationed at the Yongcheon Fairy Bath under the supervision of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau. During their communication via smoke, Kim Soleum realizes that calling him by his real name caused a reaction, suggesting a recovery of human identity, though the entity remains primarily subordinate. Kim Soleum questions Jang Heowoon about the status of Go Youngeun and a missing Wish Ticket, but Jang Heowoon lacks this information. Kim Soleum decides to dismiss him under the guise of a 'Dispatched Employee Satisfaction Survey' to avoid detection by Bureau agents. After Jang Heowoon departs, the 'Caretaker' (the resort manager) confirms Kim Soleum's instructions via a golden flash on the red tattoo. Kim Soleum then confronts the researcher, Kwak Jekang, to investigate a mysterious visitor from earlier. By demanding to see the daily work log, Kim Soleum discovers an entry for 2:12 AM involving an individual named Kim Heowoon. This individual claimed to be an acquaintance of Supervisor Jang Heowoon and used that name to gain access. Kim Soleum finds this highly suspicious, as the real Jang Heowoon is deceased and was an orphan. Despite the suspicion, Kim Soleum imposes strict prohibitions on Kwak Jekang regarding this individual to prevent provocation. The chapter concludes with Kwak Jekang announcing that orders from Director Cheong have arrived, tasking Kim Soleum with excavating the 'Darkness' in the Main Building basement.
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13:01
Chapter 228
Kim Soleum (the Mascot) summons Jang Heowoon, a contaminated employee who has become a ghost story entity. Jang Heowoon is currently stationed at the Yongcheon Fairy Bath under the supervision of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau. During their communication via smoke, Kim Soleum realizes that calling him by his real name caused a reaction, suggesting a recovery of human identity, though the entity remains primarily subordinate. Kim Soleum questions Jang Heowoon about the status of Go Youngeun and a missing Wish Ticket, but Jang Heowoon lacks this information. Kim Soleum decides to dismiss him under the guise of a 'Dispatched Employee Satisfaction Survey' to avoid detection by Bureau agents. After Jang Heowoon departs, the 'Caretaker' (the resort manager) confirms Kim Soleum's instructions via a golden flash on the red tattoo. Kim Soleum then confronts the researcher, Kwak Jekang, to investigate a mysterious visitor from earlier. By demanding to see the daily work log, Kim Soleum discovers an entry for 2:12 AM involving an individual named Kim Heowoon. This individual claimed to be an acquaintance of Supervisor Jang Heowoon and used that name to gain access. Kim Soleum finds this highly suspicious, as the real Jang Heowoon is deceased and was an orphan. Despite the suspicion, Kim Soleum imposes strict prohibitions on Kwak Jekang regarding this individual to prevent provocation. The chapter concludes with Kwak Jekang announcing that orders from Director Cheong have arrived, tasking Kim Soleum with excavating the 'Darkness' in the Main Building basement.
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13:01
21
Chapter 229
Kim Soleum, a member of the Special Department, is assigned a solo mission to excavate Darknesses from the lower floors of the Cheerful Research Institute, specifically targeting basement floor 29. Before departing, Kwak Jekang attempts to condescend to Kim Soleum, but is silenced by the Sergeant (Jay-ssi), leading Kim Soleum to wonder if Kwak Jekang holds a grudge specifically against Jay-ssi. Kim Soleum uses smoke manipulation to communicate silently to the Sergeant and Supervisor Park Minseong, reassuring them of a safe return.
After being escorted to the Main Building's dedicated elevator, Kim Soleum reviews the <Dark Exploration Record> Wiki. The records detail the Cheerful Research Institute's structure: the surface floors (B2-B9) are calm and low-risk; the middle floors (B10-B19) are boisterous; and the lower floors (B20-B29) are dark, silent, and high-risk, with a 50% civilian death risk. Following the protocol of using secondary elevators to descend further, Kim Soleum reaches the 29th basement floor, characterized by darkness and clanking noises.
Navigating the dark corridor with eyes glowing like yellow lanterns, Kim Soleum enters a particularly quiet office. Inside, the room resembles a standard office but contains unsettling items: colorful toys, stacked hand mirrors, and PCs covered in sticky notes. While searching, Kim Soleum discovers a black roulette wheel and a walkie-talkie-like button, identical to items from a previous encounter. As Kim Soleum reaches for the roulette, Director Ho appears, wearing a Cheerful Research Institute employee ID and greeting Kim Soleum warmly.
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12:00
Chapter 229
Kim Soleum, a member of the Special Department, is assigned a solo mission to excavate Darknesses from the lower floors of the Cheerful Research Institute, specifically targeting basement floor 29. Before departing, Kwak Jekang attempts to condescend to Kim Soleum, but is silenced by the Sergeant (Jay-ssi), leading Kim Soleum to wonder if Kwak Jekang holds a grudge specifically against Jay-ssi. Kim Soleum uses smoke manipulation to communicate silently to the Sergeant and Supervisor Park Minseong, reassuring them of a safe return.
After being escorted to the Main Building's dedicated elevator, Kim Soleum reviews the <Dark Exploration Record> Wiki. The records detail the Cheerful Research Institute's structure: the surface floors (B2-B9) are calm and low-risk; the middle floors (B10-B19) are boisterous; and the lower floors (B20-B29) are dark, silent, and high-risk, with a 50% civilian death risk. Following the protocol of using secondary elevators to descend further, Kim Soleum reaches the 29th basement floor, characterized by darkness and clanking noises.
Navigating the dark corridor with eyes glowing like yellow lanterns, Kim Soleum enters a particularly quiet office. Inside, the room resembles a standard office but contains unsettling items: colorful toys, stacked hand mirrors, and PCs covered in sticky notes. While searching, Kim Soleum discovers a black roulette wheel and a walkie-talkie-like button, identical to items from a previous encounter. As Kim Soleum reaches for the roulette, Director Ho appears, wearing a Cheerful Research Institute employee ID and greeting Kim Soleum warmly.
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12:00
22
Chapter 230
Kim Soleum, currently in a non-human form, encounters Director Ho (Ho Yuwon) in the basement of the Cheerful Research Institute. Soleum initially attempts to use smoke to hide or erase Ho, but Ho reveals he was inspecting the area and used an employee ID card to navigate the 'hell' of the facility. Ho reveals he knows Soleum was born from the last dream incubator of the Institute and acknowledges Soleum's contract with Director Cheong. Ho mocks Soleum's use of his real name, offering to call him 'Roe Deer-nim' instead.
As Soleum continues searching, Ho attempts to follow, prompting Soleum to issue several formal warnings for obstruction of duty. When the third warning is reached, Soleum attacks Ho. During the struggle, Soleum discovers a terrifying new ability: the power to 'read' and 'edit' a person's existence like a wiki entry. Soleum reads Ho's record, discovering he suffers from Nine Fox Disease and is the source of the Fox Counseling Office Darkness. The attempt to edit the information causes Soleum significant mental strain.
Commotion draws attention from nearby Darknesses, forcing Soleum and Ho to flee. They escape into an elevator just as the darknesses arrive. Ho, despite being hit and bleeding, remains cheerful, suggesting they travel together since they are in a stalemate of power. Soleum realizes Ho is the same entity as the 'good' counselor from the Fox Counseling Room. While in the elevator, Soleum views the floor panel, noting the high danger levels of the lower floors. Upon seeing a button for Basement 96—an impossible floor labeled [REDACTED]—Soleum decides to press it, and the elevator begins its descent into the deep core of the ghost story.
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15:16
Chapter 230
Kim Soleum, currently in a non-human form, encounters Director Ho (Ho Yuwon) in the basement of the Cheerful Research Institute. Soleum initially attempts to use smoke to hide or erase Ho, but Ho reveals he was inspecting the area and used an employee ID card to navigate the 'hell' of the facility. Ho reveals he knows Soleum was born from the last dream incubator of the Institute and acknowledges Soleum's contract with Director Cheong. Ho mocks Soleum's use of his real name, offering to call him 'Roe Deer-nim' instead.
As Soleum continues searching, Ho attempts to follow, prompting Soleum to issue several formal warnings for obstruction of duty. When the third warning is reached, Soleum attacks Ho. During the struggle, Soleum discovers a terrifying new ability: the power to 'read' and 'edit' a person's existence like a wiki entry. Soleum reads Ho's record, discovering he suffers from Nine Fox Disease and is the source of the Fox Counseling Office Darkness. The attempt to edit the information causes Soleum significant mental strain.
Commotion draws attention from nearby Darknesses, forcing Soleum and Ho to flee. They escape into an elevator just as the darknesses arrive. Ho, despite being hit and bleeding, remains cheerful, suggesting they travel together since they are in a stalemate of power. Soleum realizes Ho is the same entity as the 'good' counselor from the Fox Counseling Room. While in the elevator, Soleum views the floor panel, noting the high danger levels of the lower floors. Upon seeing a button for Basement 96—an impossible floor labeled [REDACTED]—Soleum decides to press it, and the elevator begins its descent into the deep core of the ghost story.
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15:16
23
Chapter 231
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) chooses to descend into the 96th basement floor of the Cheerful Research Institute to confront the core of the ghost story. He aims to retrieve a specific employee ID card and investigate the dream incubator he originated from. He is accompanied by Ho Yuwon, whose presence is noted as a variable. Upon reaching the 96th floor, the environment initially appears as a peaceful, normal office corridor. However, this normalcy is shattered when flames erupt from an emergency exit, followed by a massive influx of dead researchers fleeing in panic toward the elevator. The elevator becomes a site of mass death due to capacity overflow, and the researchers' remains appear as physical objects in the corridor. The sprinklers activate, but they pour out black, blood-scented water. Kim Soleum experiences a return of the emotion of revulsion.
As they navigate the chaos, Kim Soleum discovers a broken dream incubator. He observes a pattern in the basement floors: the deeper one descends, the more the timelines reflect critical work-related incidents of the institute. He hypothesizes that this fire is a significant, perhaps non-natural, event that shaped the institute's fate. Upon reaching the incubator's key card slot, Kim Soleum retrieves an ID card that reads 'Cheerful Researcher: Lee Heowoon.' Ho Yuwon points out that this name matches both a person sent to the Disaster Management Bureau and a new employee, implying the card belongs to Jang Heowoon. Kim Soleum realizes this discovery provides a direct path to uncovering the truth regarding Jang Heowoon and the potential spy.
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13:17
Chapter 231
Kim Soleum (Roe Deer) chooses to descend into the 96th basement floor of the Cheerful Research Institute to confront the core of the ghost story. He aims to retrieve a specific employee ID card and investigate the dream incubator he originated from. He is accompanied by Ho Yuwon, whose presence is noted as a variable. Upon reaching the 96th floor, the environment initially appears as a peaceful, normal office corridor. However, this normalcy is shattered when flames erupt from an emergency exit, followed by a massive influx of dead researchers fleeing in panic toward the elevator. The elevator becomes a site of mass death due to capacity overflow, and the researchers' remains appear as physical objects in the corridor. The sprinklers activate, but they pour out black, blood-scented water. Kim Soleum experiences a return of the emotion of revulsion.
As they navigate the chaos, Kim Soleum discovers a broken dream incubator. He observes a pattern in the basement floors: the deeper one descends, the more the timelines reflect critical work-related incidents of the institute. He hypothesizes that this fire is a significant, perhaps non-natural, event that shaped the institute's fate. Upon reaching the incubator's key card slot, Kim Soleum retrieves an ID card that reads 'Cheerful Researcher: Lee Heowoon.' Ho Yuwon points out that this name matches both a person sent to the Disaster Management Bureau and a new employee, implying the card belongs to Jang Heowoon. Kim Soleum realizes this discovery provides a direct path to uncovering the truth regarding Jang Heowoon and the potential spy.
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13:17
24
Chapter 232
On the 96th basement floor of the Cheerful Research Institute, Kim Soleum initiates a One-on-One Q&A Ritual with Director Ho Yuwon to extract information. The ritual requires alternating questions, truthful answers (unless stating 'Cannot answer'), and a 96-second response limit. Under the ritual's binding, Kim Soleum asks about Jang Heowoon. Ho Yuwon reveals Jang Heowoon is a sole survivor of a fire at a religious facility three years ago and suggests his wish is related to that fire. During the exchange, Kim Soleum reveals he has direct contact with the bison-masked Jang Heowoon, implying Ho Yuwon's influence over the bison. Kim Soleum then asks about the new employee, Kim Heowoon, and Ho Yuwon notes his background is identical to Jang Heowoon's—a pattern that suggests a manufactured role. Ho Yuwon reveals all three Wish Tickets provided to Kim Soleum have been used; Kim Soleum realizes Go Youngeun likely used hers to try and save the contaminated Jang Heowoon, but the wish's outcome resulted in the appearance of 'Kim Heowoon' instead of 'Jang Heowoon'. As they continue, a living entity disguised as a pile of corpses begins to move toward them. Kim Soleum uses smoke to grab Ho Yuwon and force an elevator to close, trapping and crushing the entity. Once safe in the elevator, which ascends to the first basement floor, the corpses vanish. Ho Yuwon asks about Sekwang Special Metropolitan City. Kim Soleum explains it is a censored, sealed region of Korea containing extreme supernatural disasters. Ho Yuwon reveals he left something behind there, suggesting he has been there before. As the elevator doors open at the first basement floor, the new hire, Kim Heowoon, is waiting for them.
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14:01
Chapter 232
On the 96th basement floor of the Cheerful Research Institute, Kim Soleum initiates a One-on-One Q&A Ritual with Director Ho Yuwon to extract information. The ritual requires alternating questions, truthful answers (unless stating 'Cannot answer'), and a 96-second response limit. Under the ritual's binding, Kim Soleum asks about Jang Heowoon. Ho Yuwon reveals Jang Heowoon is a sole survivor of a fire at a religious facility three years ago and suggests his wish is related to that fire. During the exchange, Kim Soleum reveals he has direct contact with the bison-masked Jang Heowoon, implying Ho Yuwon's influence over the bison. Kim Soleum then asks about the new employee, Kim Heowoon, and Ho Yuwon notes his background is identical to Jang Heowoon's—a pattern that suggests a manufactured role. Ho Yuwon reveals all three Wish Tickets provided to Kim Soleum have been used; Kim Soleum realizes Go Youngeun likely used hers to try and save the contaminated Jang Heowoon, but the wish's outcome resulted in the appearance of 'Kim Heowoon' instead of 'Jang Heowoon'. As they continue, a living entity disguised as a pile of corpses begins to move toward them. Kim Soleum uses smoke to grab Ho Yuwon and force an elevator to close, trapping and crushing the entity. Once safe in the elevator, which ascends to the first basement floor, the corpses vanish. Ho Yuwon asks about Sekwang Special Metropolitan City. Kim Soleum explains it is a censored, sealed region of Korea containing extreme supernatural disasters. Ho Yuwon reveals he left something behind there, suggesting he has been there before. As the elevator doors open at the first basement floor, the new hire, Kim Heowoon, is waiting for them.
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14:01
25
Chapter 233
The new hire, Kim Heowoon, approaches the protagonist and Ho Yuwon at the elevator. Kim Heowoon reveals he used the Mimicry sect's power to imitate the Security and Research teams to infiltrate the area. He explains his presence is to thank the protagonist for saving his 'family.' The protagonist realizes that Go Youngeun used her Wish Tickets to grant Jang Heowoon's wish: to save his family. This family consists of orphans from the 'Paradise of Love Shelter,' a cult-run facility affiliated with the Church of the Luminous Unknown. The cult uses rituals to create 'replicas' of specific people to steal their narratives; Kim Heowoon is a replica intended to imitate Lee Heowoon of the Cheerful Research Institute. Kim Heowoon desperately asks the protagonist to take in all the surviving 'Heowoons' so they can exist under the same name as Jang Heowoon, claiming they have no other home after their facility burned down. The protagonist rejects the request, and Kim Heowoon is instantly bisected by divine authority, dying as a human. His death reveals his true nature as a non-human entity. As he dies, a delicate adolescent girl in an old school uniform—a high-ranking member of the Happy Ending Sect—appears, covered in his blood. She reveals herself as a fanatic follower of 'Ireum-nim' and intends to take the protagonist and Ho Yuwon along with her, as the elevator begins to twist.
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12:18
Chapter 233
The new hire, Kim Heowoon, approaches the protagonist and Ho Yuwon at the elevator. Kim Heowoon reveals he used the Mimicry sect's power to imitate the Security and Research teams to infiltrate the area. He explains his presence is to thank the protagonist for saving his 'family.' The protagonist realizes that Go Youngeun used her Wish Tickets to grant Jang Heowoon's wish: to save his family. This family consists of orphans from the 'Paradise of Love Shelter,' a cult-run facility affiliated with the Church of the Luminous Unknown. The cult uses rituals to create 'replicas' of specific people to steal their narratives; Kim Heowoon is a replica intended to imitate Lee Heowoon of the Cheerful Research Institute. Kim Heowoon desperately asks the protagonist to take in all the surviving 'Heowoons' so they can exist under the same name as Jang Heowoon, claiming they have no other home after their facility burned down. The protagonist rejects the request, and Kim Heowoon is instantly bisected by divine authority, dying as a human. His death reveals his true nature as a non-human entity. As he dies, a delicate adolescent girl in an old school uniform—a high-ranking member of the Happy Ending Sect—appears, covered in his blood. She reveals herself as a fanatic follower of 'Ireum-nim' and intends to take the protagonist and Ho Yuwon along with her, as the elevator begins to twist.
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12:18
26
Chapter 234
The chapter begins in an elevator filled with the rhythmic chants of the Happy Ending Sect. The space shifts into a dark, damp basement containing Kim Heowoon's bisected corpse, displayed in a coffin decorated with chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and origami paper. The environment uses hallucinatory gaslighting techniques—light, scent, and sound—to manipulate the viewer into seeking salvation through the sect and its deity, Ireum-nim. A blank ritual parchment lies in the light, inviting the observer to turn their own existence into scripture.
Kim Soleum remains unfazed by the psychological manipulation, recognizing the tactics. A schoolgirl officer of the Happy Ending Sect appears from behind the coffin, asking if Kim will write the scripture. As she speaks, her head falls off her shoulders and rolls toward Kim, transforming the environment into a pulsating red fleshy corridor filled with veins and the message "Let's Go Together." Kim realizes the sect has targeted them for recruitment.
When Kim decides to subdue the perpetrator, Ho Yuwon intervenes by responding to the hallucination's prompt, causing the giant head to swallow the elevator. Kim regains consciousness in a gray, cement-walled underground air-raid shelter. Ho Yuwon proposes a temporary truce: he will look for information regarding Sekwang Metropolitan City while Kim seeks a way to break her contract, framing it as official company overtime.
They follow a procession of ordinary-looking people through the corridor. The people are carrying dozens of corpses toward a massive underground cavern used as a Final Ritual Chamber. They are placing the bodies into coffins to perform a ritual where they pray for the deceased to find peace in death. The ritual involves followers testifying that they murdered loved ones to grant them "happiness" to become members. Kim Soleum interrupts the ritual by reclaiming Kim Heowoon's corpse and stashing it in her wrist tattoo. The schoolgirl officer welcomes Kim to the Happy Ending Sect.
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15:49
Chapter 234
The chapter begins in an elevator filled with the rhythmic chants of the Happy Ending Sect. The space shifts into a dark, damp basement containing Kim Heowoon's bisected corpse, displayed in a coffin decorated with chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and origami paper. The environment uses hallucinatory gaslighting techniques—light, scent, and sound—to manipulate the viewer into seeking salvation through the sect and its deity, Ireum-nim. A blank ritual parchment lies in the light, inviting the observer to turn their own existence into scripture.
Kim Soleum remains unfazed by the psychological manipulation, recognizing the tactics. A schoolgirl officer of the Happy Ending Sect appears from behind the coffin, asking if Kim will write the scripture. As she speaks, her head falls off her shoulders and rolls toward Kim, transforming the environment into a pulsating red fleshy corridor filled with veins and the message "Let's Go Together." Kim realizes the sect has targeted them for recruitment.
When Kim decides to subdue the perpetrator, Ho Yuwon intervenes by responding to the hallucination's prompt, causing the giant head to swallow the elevator. Kim regains consciousness in a gray, cement-walled underground air-raid shelter. Ho Yuwon proposes a temporary truce: he will look for information regarding Sekwang Metropolitan City while Kim seeks a way to break her contract, framing it as official company overtime.
They follow a procession of ordinary-looking people through the corridor. The people are carrying dozens of corpses toward a massive underground cavern used as a Final Ritual Chamber. They are placing the bodies into coffins to perform a ritual where they pray for the deceased to find peace in death. The ritual involves followers testifying that they murdered loved ones to grant them "happiness" to become members. Kim Soleum interrupts the ritual by reclaiming Kim Heowoon's corpse and stashing it in her wrist tattoo. The schoolgirl officer welcomes Kim to the Happy Ending Sect.
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15:49
27
Chapter 235
The Happy Ending Sect operates out of an underground survival bunker, maintaining a grotesque sense of peace by treating corpses with affection and calling themselves a family. Kim Soleum observes that the sect lacks the typical symbolic unity of other cults, such as shared uniforms or rituals, noting the lack of cohesive religious identifiers beyond the ideology of 'Ireum-nim' and 'Happiness.' The group resides in an 'Authority Zone'—a collection of large, independent, unmonitored chambers separated from the cramped quarters of new initiates.
During a mandatory communal meal, Kim Soleum interacts with the sect's officials: Lee Seoyu and Lee Seobin, twins dressed in school uniforms. Despite their cheerful demeanor, they are known figures from Church of the Luminous Unknown ghost stories. During the meal, Ho Yuwon assists an old woman (disguised as Grandma Kim Bokja) who spills water, and he subsequently invites her to his quarters. Kim Soleum follows them and discovers the woman was an undercover agent; she reveals herself as Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
Eun Haje and Ho Yuwon have coordinated this infiltration. Kim Soleum realizes that Ho Yuwon appears to possess the ability to see the future through 'Darkness,' as he had anticipated Eun Haje would find information regarding Sekwang Metropolitan City here. Eun Haje explains that cults often reveal their true nature during initiation ceremonies. The trio decides to investigate the Authority Zone to find an exit to the surface, theorizing that a way to observe the outside would be located in a high, secure area. They find a small, fixed telescope near the ceiling of the Authority Zone. Upon looking through it, Kim Soleum sees the landscape of Jisan Village, revealing that the sect's ritual site is located directly beneath Baek Saheon's hometown.
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21:51
Chapter 235
The Happy Ending Sect operates out of an underground survival bunker, maintaining a grotesque sense of peace by treating corpses with affection and calling themselves a family. Kim Soleum observes that the sect lacks the typical symbolic unity of other cults, such as shared uniforms or rituals, noting the lack of cohesive religious identifiers beyond the ideology of 'Ireum-nim' and 'Happiness.' The group resides in an 'Authority Zone'—a collection of large, independent, unmonitored chambers separated from the cramped quarters of new initiates.
During a mandatory communal meal, Kim Soleum interacts with the sect's officials: Lee Seoyu and Lee Seobin, twins dressed in school uniforms. Despite their cheerful demeanor, they are known figures from Church of the Luminous Unknown ghost stories. During the meal, Ho Yuwon assists an old woman (disguised as Grandma Kim Bokja) who spills water, and he subsequently invites her to his quarters. Kim Soleum follows them and discovers the woman was an undercover agent; she reveals herself as Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
Eun Haje and Ho Yuwon have coordinated this infiltration. Kim Soleum realizes that Ho Yuwon appears to possess the ability to see the future through 'Darkness,' as he had anticipated Eun Haje would find information regarding Sekwang Metropolitan City here. Eun Haje explains that cults often reveal their true nature during initiation ceremonies. The trio decides to investigate the Authority Zone to find an exit to the surface, theorizing that a way to observe the outside would be located in a high, secure area. They find a small, fixed telescope near the ceiling of the Authority Zone. Upon looking through it, Kim Soleum sees the landscape of Jisan Village, revealing that the sect's ritual site is located directly beneath Baek Saheon's hometown.
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21:51
28
Chapter 236
After confirming the location of the Happy Ending Sect's underground shelter, Kim Soleum, Eun Haje, and Ho Yuwon discuss the cult's connection to the Church of the Luminous Unknown and their interest in Sekwang Metropolitan City, which is linked to a specific well in Jisan Village. Eun Haje notes that the Disaster Management Bureau's cleanup of the village seems suspiciously incomplete, as the village remains intact despite reports of a full-scale search. Kim Soleum uses the Paper Boat item to contact Baek Saheon, who is currently undercover and infiltrating the cult. Baek Saheon provides a hand-drawn map of Jisan Village, which Kim Soleum realizes shows that the underground bunker's exit is located directly beneath the village well. Meanwhile, Eun Haje (disguised as an elderly woman) and Ho Yuwon scout the bunker's interior. They map out the dining hall, living quarters, and a ritual hall used for corpse disposal. They discover a passage south that leads to a location directly beneath the village's guardian shrine—the site of the former Centipede Sage. Kim Soleum instructs them to investigate, but Eun Haje warns that Kim Soleum's current appearance, covered in black smoke and flashing yellow lights, makes him too conspicuous to join. Eun Haje and Ho Yuwon head out to investigate the area near the shrine, leaving Kim Soleum to pinpoint the bunker's exit. When dinner time arrives, neither Eun Haje nor Ho Yuwon returns to the table.
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13:09
Chapter 236
After confirming the location of the Happy Ending Sect's underground shelter, Kim Soleum, Eun Haje, and Ho Yuwon discuss the cult's connection to the Church of the Luminous Unknown and their interest in Sekwang Metropolitan City, which is linked to a specific well in Jisan Village. Eun Haje notes that the Disaster Management Bureau's cleanup of the village seems suspiciously incomplete, as the village remains intact despite reports of a full-scale search. Kim Soleum uses the Paper Boat item to contact Baek Saheon, who is currently undercover and infiltrating the cult. Baek Saheon provides a hand-drawn map of Jisan Village, which Kim Soleum realizes shows that the underground bunker's exit is located directly beneath the village well. Meanwhile, Eun Haje (disguised as an elderly woman) and Ho Yuwon scout the bunker's interior. They map out the dining hall, living quarters, and a ritual hall used for corpse disposal. They discover a passage south that leads to a location directly beneath the village's guardian shrine—the site of the former Centipede Sage. Kim Soleum instructs them to investigate, but Eun Haje warns that Kim Soleum's current appearance, covered in black smoke and flashing yellow lights, makes him too conspicuous to join. Eun Haje and Ho Yuwon head out to investigate the area near the shrine, leaving Kim Soleum to pinpoint the bunker's exit. When dinner time arrives, neither Eun Haje nor Ho Yuwon returns to the table.
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13:09
29
Chapter 237
During dinner, the twins note that only the Dragon (Kim Soleum) is present, as the Fox (Ho Yuwon) and Grandma Kim Bokja (Eun Haje) are away on a 'field trip.' The twins invite the Dragon to follow them to the ritual chamber. Upon entering a large, industrial-style underground bunker filled with pipes and the smell of alcohol, the Dragon finds Ho Yuwon and Eun Haje unharmed. The twins reveal they are brewing alcohol in a large tank, aiming to replicate a historical festival involving the Mimicry Sect. They explain they are using the 'Authority' of the Church of the Luminous Unknown to brew the liquid. As a group of initiates arrives, the Dragon realizes they can now see their faces clearly because they are all contaminated by the same unknown ghost story. The initiates reveal they have red, worm-like parasites replacing their tongues, which allows the ghost story to spread through speech. The initiates then begin throwing themselves into the massive alcohol tanks, effectively becoming the ingredients for the brew. The Dragon realizes that the Church of the Luminous Unknown is based on a meta-joke regarding the 'Author: Name' designation on wiki entries, and that the Happy Ending Sect's rituals are fundamentally contradictory to the nature of 'Ireum-nim' (the authors). The twins reveal they know the truth—that their sect is a joke and their actions are meaningless—but they commit these grotesque acts specifically to entertain 'Ireum-nim' (fear itself), believing that performing according to His twisted tastes is the only way to serve Him.
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14:29
Chapter 237
During dinner, the twins note that only the Dragon (Kim Soleum) is present, as the Fox (Ho Yuwon) and Grandma Kim Bokja (Eun Haje) are away on a 'field trip.' The twins invite the Dragon to follow them to the ritual chamber. Upon entering a large, industrial-style underground bunker filled with pipes and the smell of alcohol, the Dragon finds Ho Yuwon and Eun Haje unharmed. The twins reveal they are brewing alcohol in a large tank, aiming to replicate a historical festival involving the Mimicry Sect. They explain they are using the 'Authority' of the Church of the Luminous Unknown to brew the liquid. As a group of initiates arrives, the Dragon realizes they can now see their faces clearly because they are all contaminated by the same unknown ghost story. The initiates reveal they have red, worm-like parasites replacing their tongues, which allows the ghost story to spread through speech. The initiates then begin throwing themselves into the massive alcohol tanks, effectively becoming the ingredients for the brew. The Dragon realizes that the Church of the Luminous Unknown is based on a meta-joke regarding the 'Author: Name' designation on wiki entries, and that the Happy Ending Sect's rituals are fundamentally contradictory to the nature of 'Ireum-nim' (the authors). The twins reveal they know the truth—that their sect is a joke and their actions are meaningless—but they commit these grotesque acts specifically to entertain 'Ireum-nim' (fear itself), believing that performing according to His twisted tastes is the only way to serve Him.
Guest access includes first 17 of 163 audio chapters. Sign in for Free access.
14:29
30
Chapter 238
Kim Soleum realizes the Happy Ending Sect twins act out of terror regarding Ireum-nim and the wiki authors. As cultists jump into alcoholic liquid to brew liquor, Assistant Manager Eun Haje criticizes the cult's exploitation of people. The twins, having had their disguise as Grandma exposed by Eun Haje, become hostile. Ho Yuwon intervenes by using an Explosion D-grade potion to shatter the alcohol vat, causing bodies and parasites to spill out. The twins respond by planning to brew the survivors, including Kim and the Director, into alcohol. In the ensuing chaos, Lee Seoyu (a Death Producer and Authority user) is decapitated after her head rolls toward Kim; Kim manages to catch and contain the head using smoke, temporarily stabilizing his own fracturing consciousness. As Kim, Eun Haje, and Ho Yuwon attempt to flee through the flooded chamber, they encounter the twin brother. He is intercepted by the 'Ascetic in the Box,' a 6th-level Authority from the Quota Worship Sect, a remnant of early ghost stories where ascetics suffer for decades inside boxes. The Ascetic in the Box requires a specific number of victims to finish its meditation and opens its lid to gather people. To avoid the box's hands at the exit, Kim requests the ability to 'fall' to bypass the exit. Suddenly, the exit door is burst open by Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, who has brought members of the Disaster Management Bureau's Hyunmoo Team 1 to the scene.
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15:33
Chapter 238
Kim Soleum realizes the Happy Ending Sect twins act out of terror regarding Ireum-nim and the wiki authors. As cultists jump into alcoholic liquid to brew liquor, Assistant Manager Eun Haje criticizes the cult's exploitation of people. The twins, having had their disguise as Grandma exposed by Eun Haje, become hostile. Ho Yuwon intervenes by using an Explosion D-grade potion to shatter the alcohol vat, causing bodies and parasites to spill out. The twins respond by planning to brew the survivors, including Kim and the Director, into alcohol. In the ensuing chaos, Lee Seoyu (a Death Producer and Authority user) is decapitated after her head rolls toward Kim; Kim manages to catch and contain the head using smoke, temporarily stabilizing his own fracturing consciousness. As Kim, Eun Haje, and Ho Yuwon attempt to flee through the flooded chamber, they encounter the twin brother. He is intercepted by the 'Ascetic in the Box,' a 6th-level Authority from the Quota Worship Sect, a remnant of early ghost stories where ascetics suffer for decades inside boxes. The Ascetic in the Box requires a specific number of victims to finish its meditation and opens its lid to gather people. To avoid the box's hands at the exit, Kim requests the ability to 'fall' to bypass the exit. Suddenly, the exit door is burst open by Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, who has brought members of the Disaster Management Bureau's Hyunmoo Team 1 to the scene.
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15:33
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