Chapter 14- And the Performance has began(2)
A large-scale performance occupying from minimum 50 to maximum 120 orchestra members.
In other words.
It’s over.
=======
/And the performance began.
<Exploration Record 1>
‘Hyun-su’ employee and ‘Park Young-ji’ new employee received invitation to this ghost story and were deployed.
When they entered the urban legend, they couldn’t see any other people except themselves.
And then the announcement echoed.
【Today’s performance will be ‘Pansori’. Performers please come to K-2 room.】
Along with the announcement to start Pansori, faceless figures approached us.
They were very polite to us. (Of course, we couldn’t understand what the staff were saying.)
As this was Park Young-ji’s first deployment mission, her face looked quite excited and tense.
Hyun-su didn’t mind such an atmosphere.
And the end point of our walk was.
K-2 room.
After a few minutes, the performance successfully began.
A man’s cheerfully echoing drum sound.
A woman’s heart-stirring voice.
The successfully completed performance ended with a curtain call.
The two people returned to the agency.
Result: All deceased / [Censored]
Cause of death: Hyun-su’s entire body [Censored] looked like a traditional percussion instrument ‘Janggu’.
DNA test confirmed the body part lying next to it belonged to Park Young-ji. (Vocal cords that seemed forcibly torn off were found on the floor.)
=======
The lesson that can be learned here is.
Never follow strangers.
Just with this unpleasant memory crossing my mind, I could easily guess why this ghost story sent us invitations.
Everyone who received an invitation and came was called to be used as instruments for the performance.
Although the process wasn’t described in detail as it was [Censored], I can guess without having to imagine.
……I’m already feeling sick.
As seen in that exploration, since the performance type was ‘Pansori’, invitations were likely distributed to only 2 people.
But the type of performance this time is none other than.
-Orchestra.
I didn’t think people would be gathered in places other than the main banquet hall where Park Yeon-jeong is standing now.
That E-grade I was happy about until just now? All cancelled.
E-grade my foot!
From now on, this ghost story transforms from E-grade to B-grade.
GRA showed great interest in this ghost story as soon as they confirmed the first exploration record.
They probably made that decision after seeing the employees return in such bizarre states.
……However.
Unlike their great interest. The actual situation afterwards wasn’t particularly difficult to conquer.
From the staff members who escaped easier than expected.
Despite its large scale, it had a structure where you could easily escape through doors marked with ‘Emergency Exit’.
When subsequent explorations showed the same results.
The GRA agency even joked about whether they should lower the grade rather than raise it, as it was considered an unremarkable urban legend.
Park Yeon-jeong also thought that was when he entered.
Until just now when he heard the word ‘Orchestra’.
Exactly at exploration #66.
The worst incident in history occurred.
=======
/And the performance began.
<Exploration Record 66>
New anomaly discovered in the announcement that had been conducting small-scale plays until now.
Estimated exploration personnel approximately 50 people.
【Today’s performance will be ‘Orchestra’…】
Result: 1 survivor, all others deceased / For the melody.
Cause of death: It was merely an act to deliver a beautiful melody to the audience. The expression ‘death’ is incorrect. They are…■■■.
*Further access to materials prohibited.
*Restricted to department head level and above.
*Grade change for this ghost story is decided as permanently omitted.
=======
This urban legend.
Is a very stubborn, headstrong one that does whatever it wants.
One where the difficulty changes moment by moment, completely lacking consistency.
That’s why it’s one of the few cases where the agency permanently omitted grade measurement.
And now I.
In front of that glory of the 66th time, unfortunately stepped into this ghost story at the worst moment.
……Damn it.
Nothing ever goes easily.
With this, all plans have been ruined. We can no longer escape from here.
The act of finding emergency exits to escape is now practically nonexistent.
The reason why the ghost story fellow has been conducting small-scale performances until now was.
Because no important guests had visited.
Very small performances where cancellation wouldn’t cause much damage.
That’s why escape was allowed.
They were knowingly permitting it.
However…
The situation is different now.
The fact that they’re conducting a large performance like an orchestra means.
Obviously, guests who require considerable attention have come to the current banquet hall.
They will definitely try to proceed with the performance.
They won’t allow escape.
From now on, getting out of here is not the answer.
It’s the wrong answer.
While moving to end this performance in advance. We absolutely must not get caught by them either.
We must not give instruments to the conductor who will lead the performance…….
……!!!
“No!’’
Tap!
Park Yeon-jeong instinctively increased his speed.
Even faster than when chased by those teddy bear, faster than when he ran with all his might to escape from that ghost child.
Faster.
No matter what, he had to stop it.
For those who, unlike himself, didn’t recognize the danger of the current situation.
When the ragged breath he had been releasing trembled and stopped.
……As expected.
He witnessed several people in black suits leading civilians toward the door marked with emergency exit.
“No!!”
He desperately shouted while swallowing rough breaths.
The moment that door opens.
It’s over.
His eyes met exactly with one person wearing a black suit. He thought explanations could be made later.
“Where did that sound…!!”
“Ru, run right now!!”
“Civilians first! Hurry!!”
……What?
People suddenly started running with all their might.
For a moment thinking something might be chasing him from behind, he quickly turned around with surprised eyes.
‘……Ah, there’s no one?’
There was no one.
No staff chasing me were visible either. Then he wondered what these people were running away from.
‘……No! This isn’t the time!’
He turned his gaze back but.
It was already too late.
“No! Get in right now!”
He shouted once again.
But as his voice got closer again, the civilians’ steps quickened and several people in black suits started taking out items issued by the agency.
‘Are you kidding me right now?’
Are you crazy?
Don’t you know it’s a serious crime to swing items at civilians?
Must be a rookie.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t commit such an atrocity as pulling out items against civilians like me.
But… open your eyes properly, people!
“That’s not an exit, you idiots!”
After mixing in some swearing, one of the agency guys who sensed something was wrong checked where the emergency exit sign had been until just now.
ROOM
It had changed.
“…Wait, this is!”
Only then did the agency guys look with pale faces at the civilians they had let in first under the pretext of protection.
Crunch, crunch
Crack, crack
Along with many acrobatic screams. They witnessed with their own eyes people transforming into musical instruments.
“…Ugh!”
Some agency guys collapsed on the spot and others vomited at the sight.
But now even that time facing fear is precious.
“Get away from there right now!”
Along with deciding there was no longer any reason to be polite. I had to reduce the act of increasing their musical instruments any further.
Swoosh!
“D-Don’t come! You monster!”
I’m sick of this stupid rookie who’s still pointing blade-type items at me without coming to his senses.
At this rate, everyone might be annihilated here.
Drastic measures were needed.
“Fine, do as you please.”
“…”
“If you want to become their instruments so badly, go ahead… You stupid agency guys who can’t even understand when someone’s trying to help.”
“…!!!”
A mention of the agency.
Something an ordinary civilian would never know.
While hiding my rough breathing as much as possible. I tore down the agency guys.
Half of it was sincere.
Some looked at me with hostility beyond wariness, ready to pounce at any moment in response to my provocation.
But some of the sharper ones.
“…Everyone.”
One person who seemed capable of quick thinking started organizing the situation.
“R Team will commence exploration following this person from now.”
“What?! But this person…”
“I won’t report to higher-ups if you don’t follow my orders. However, if you can get out of here on your own, do as you please.”
“…”
A man who could properly utilize power in his calm words.
Park Yeon-jeong’s gaze fell on none other than.
Though wearing the same black suit, the red armband on his forearm stood out.
‘…This man.’
He’s department head level.
Unlike others, a character skilled at understanding situations. And if it’s ‘R Team,’ one could identify the middle-aged man with the only Department head position in the <Ghost Story Record Storage> R Team.
=======
/GRA Employee
Position: Department Head.
Title: The Only Normal Person.
A figure with considerable charisma and extensive exploration experience in GRA. (Surviving is proof of strength.)
Compared to other Department heads, he doesn’t possess a ‘named-grade item.’ However, as a versatile employee, he’s an excellent worker who performs above average. (For this reason, he’s often employed as a supporter figure in many ghost story exploration records that haven’t been conquered yet.)
* Choi Kang-in also knows that the agency is using him extensively, but he swallows his anger with higher financial treatment than others.
=======
Meeting with a semi-named figure.
Originally, most named figures appearing in the <Ghost Story Record Storage> are missing a screw somewhere.
However,
Choi Kang-in is different.
Already documented on the site, ‘Choi Kang-in’ is a man with the title of the only ‘normal person’ in a world gone mad.
He’s lucky.
With this person, it might be possible.
We might be able to return alive.
Choi Kang-in has his name specified in numerous ghost story explorations to the extent that he’s had an overflow of work, but there was never any description of him dying anywhere.
“……”
Kang-in was steadily moving his body while maintaining a gaze that seemed wary of me.
“Contact with headquarters?”
“…Communications haven’t been working since earlier.”
“Keep checking the communication network with headquarters. The remaining personnel should prioritize protecting civilians.”
“Department head… what are you planning to do?”
“……”
When an employee asked, Kang-in met my gaze again. And as if giving up, he closed his eyes tightly, and when he spoke again.
“From now on, we follow ‘this one.’ Report immediately if any minor changes are detected.”
“…Are you serious, Department head? That one is…”
“…I’ll take responsibility.”
Wait a minute.
Is ‘this one’ referring to me?
Isn’t it rude to use terms like ‘this one,’ ‘that one’ when the person is right in front of you?
Anyone would think I’m some kind of ghost story. Department head Choi Kang-in?
However, there’s a strange, inescapable discomfort I’ve been feeling since earlier.
Unlike other civilians, it seems many agency guys are acting as if they’re not very pleased with how I’m being treated.
I don’t plan to pry into details given the urgent situation, but…
Park Yeon-jeong unconsciously frowned and spoke in a strong tone.
“I’m going. Only those with properly functioning minds should follow. The extras are in the way… sir.”
In a moment of anger, I hurled harsh words at the agency guys.
Although Park Yeon-jeong mixed in some honorifics at the end after sensing a killing intent, the switch had been flipped too much.
In any case, let’s be careful from now on.
With the items I have, if all of R Team comes at me, it’s certain death.
Thud.
Fearing someone might attack, I took the first step.
“!!! Don’t fall behind!”
“Yes!”
“Yes!!”
Kang-in hurriedly began to follow my trail.
…Thankfully, his steps weren’t aimed at hitting me in the back, and I let out a sigh of relief.
I put my hand into my employee ID and pulled out a long box, while firmly grasping a lighter in my other hand.
The Taste of Death count is only 3.
My life depends on these 3 incenses.
And the announcement that rings out in tandem.
【15 minutes until the start of the first rehearsal.】
【If you’re a visitor who’s lost, don’t worry. Our capable staff will come to find you.】
【So please stand still… don’t move and stop all physical activity. Not breathing can also help our staff find you. But please refrain from taking your own life.】
【…Because our guests prefer the authentic melody (screams) of the living.】
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