Chapter 58.
Unlike the dark audience seats, the stage was filled with bright light, and on it, clowns holding microphones began to shout excitedly toward the audience.
【♥Ah, mic test, mic test! You can hear my cute voice well, right?】
【♦Are you kidding around now! Of course they can hear well! If anyone can’t hear, speak up! I’ll clear those blocked ear canals for you!】
【♣Brother… your voice is too loud. My ears hurt.】
Their voices echoing throughout the entire interior.
Especially that angry mask guy…
He’s the loudest of the three.
【♦Argh! When is the performance starting! I’m going crazy with boredom! Hurry! Just start already! You crazy bitch!!】
【♥Oh really! Brother, could you please be quiet? You’re drowning out my cute voice!】
Looking at the scene that felt like watching a morning short play, the emptiness in one corner of my heart grew increasingly larger.
‘Mr. Noise… I’m starting to hate you one more time.’
———=
/Ghost Story journal
[Wonderlot Circus]
:Identification Code Cd-▓▓F-4
Come visit the land of f▓ntasy, ‘Wonderlot Circus’!
For ▓▓▓ years, you will see performances that cannot be seen anywhere else, here at the Wonderlot Circus!
Fun guaranteed!
Love guaranteed!
Tears guaranteed!
D▓ath guaranteed!
Join our stage right now!
-Member Introduction.
♦<Angry Mask>
: He is never actually angry. It’s all staged acting. Don’t worry! And he possesses truly unbelievable strength, look forward to it.
♥<Love Mask>
: Her acrobatics are truly enough to make everyone fall for her! But please watch from a distance. She’s a ‘quick lover.’ Couples are prohibited from visiting. (She’s very jealous☻.)
♣<Tear Mask>
: His crying performance is called divinely inspired acting. A shocking anecdote of how perfect his crying performance is – everyone’s tears wouldn’t stop even after the performance ended!!
The main performance program is………
【Your participation will be the main part of the performance.】
Physical restraint possible.
Mental damage is very high.
Additional notes.
Participate in the circus.
Follow the clowns’ instructions.
You too can become a member like them.
L▓ughM▓sk▓▓be severe.
-[Ideological contamination occurring]-
Do n▓t v▓ew▓thes▓ materials.
Viewable position_▓▓Intern level.
Deploy current ghost story with ▓▓Assistant manager position. (This is still information with missing data.)
———=
This ghost story’s rating is none other than ‘F-grade.’
Unlike all the excitement until just now, this ghost story corresponds to the lowest F-grade rating.
The fact that it was measured as F-grade in the <Ghost Story Record Storage> means it’s not that dangerous, serving as a kind of certification.
So this ghost story is quite EZ, unlike what Park Yeon-jeong thought!
…But I know that’s not all there is to it.
There’s no way I wouldn’t notice that obviously censored ghost story log.
Cd-▓▓F-4
There’s no way a rating like ‘▓▓F’ could exist!
F-grade my ass.
This ghost story’s potential is equivalent to a B-grade, just like the previous ‘Conductor’ guy.
And if.
I approach it in the wrong way.
It will rise to an A-grade or higher danger level.
Despite my serious internal situation, the clowns were loudly arguing with each other.
【♥And I’m sorry, brother. You’re just a supporting character to highlight my cuteness, you know? The audience came to see my cu-ute~ appearance. Not to see a stupidly strong idiot.】
【♦You’ve been chattering… chattering!! Just start the performance already, you crazy bitch!!】
【♥…Second brother is really not cute at all. I miss the first brother. Not this ugly stupid fool of a brother.】
【♣S-stop fighting, you two.】
It was an argument that could be seen as internal division. But this level of conversation was probably just everyday talk for them.
The behavior patterns and rules of this ghost story are already in my head.
And I also know well that it’s different from the ghost entities I’ve dealt with so far.
Capturing these guys will probably be… very tricky.
When the performance starts, they pull audience members onto the stage and torment them in ways that vary depending on the target.
The important things in this ghost story were the rules and roles.
It’s dangerous to break the rules set by the clowns.
If I make a mistake here, it’s over.
It was nearly impossible to face this ghost story alone in the first place.
I swallowed a deep sigh inwardly.
‘Ha, this is going to be intense.’
Tap, tap-
?
While I was lost in numerous thoughts. When I felt a familiar sensation from the direction of my shoulder, I slowly turned my gaze there.
Squeeze-!
The teddy bear was encouraging me as always.
Its appearance was indeed…
So cute.
‘….Haah.’
I slowly composed myself.
Repeatedly taking deep breaths in and out, I faced the reality before me.
I am not alone.
I have my cute teddy bear trio firmly protecting me!
Tap! Tap! Tap!
‘Let’s just do as we always do.’
Along with a man’s boisterous self-encouragement, the spotlight illuminating the center of the stage began to shine on the audience seating.
The light of the spotlight quickly brushed past between the audience members.
This was the signal announcing the start of the circus performance.
【♥Well-well-well! I, the cutest in the world, will be your host! Who will be the lucky guest to perform this fun show with us this time?!】
【♦Tsk. Finally starting.】
As the Love Mask’s voice announcing the start of the performance and the Angry Mask’s loud tone subsided, I watched the busy moving spotlight.
I murmured softly.
‘It’s too fast!’
I didn’t know the spotlight would move this quickly; I’m not fully prepared yet.
I could only hope that the spotlight wouldn’t stop on me.
Please!
‘I really can’t be the first one!’
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The movement of the spotlight stopped.
Numerous lights were illuminating just one seat in the audience, and the Love Mask’s voice became excited, resonating throughout the entire circus.
【♥It’s a handsome man in a suit!! Just my type!! I like him! I like him!】
【♦Enough, just hurry up and come out!】
【♣Brother… you’re too loud.】
I took a deep breath.
A handsome man in a black suit was selected as the guest for this performance.
I thought someone labeled as handsome by a ghost entity might have some flaw somewhere.
But he was genuinely handsome with all limbs intact.
It seemed the ghost’s standards of beauty weren’t that different from ordinary humans.
…Ah, no.
Actually, there was something more urgent to address first.
That handsome man in the black suit.
‘He’s from the Agency!’
From the jackpot incident too, I’ve been getting involved with Agency people more often lately. But judging by several moving silhouettes visible around that man.
Perhaps multiple Agency people have entered this place.
Really…
The Agency’s basic tactic is to push through with numbers. And I’ve never liked that aspect before.
That chilling idea of treating people as mere consumables.
…Ah.
‘Am I one too?’
【♦…Tsk!!】
The sound of clicking my tongue echoed.
The Angry Mask had his arms crossed, clearly in a displeased posture.
【♦…Didn’t I clearly say to hurry up and come out?】
Crack-
The ground where the Angry Mask stood crumbled.
Thud!
The Angry Mask’s form suddenly disappeared, and people began looking around in confusion.
When they turned their gaze again.
The Angry Mask was standing in front of the male employee.
【♦A man moving as slow as a slug… Did I tell you to crawl out or not!!】
Grab-!
The Angry Mask grabbed the employee’s collar and lifted him up in one go.
His face, sensing danger, began to stiffen.
“W-wait! I’ll go! I’ll go on my own feet! So put me down…”
Grab!
But the Angry Mask had no intention of listening to those words.
【♦Land properly by yourself! You slug!】
Whoosh!
“W-wai-!”
The Angry Mask lifted the employee’s body high into the air in one motion and.
Fling!
Threw him toward the center of the stage. The employee, flying at high speed, soon hit the ground and.
Splash!!
Like a water balloon bursting.
Pieces of flesh scattered in the center of the stage, creating a red pool of blood in the middle.
The employee’s form was no longer there.
The Love Mask, covered in his blood.
…Crack-!
【♥You stupid brother! I told you I had my eye on that man! What am I supposed to do now that you’ve damaged him like this! Really!!】
The Love Mask touched the employee’s flesh pieces with a tearful expression.
Tsk.
【♦…Can’t even land properly.】
The Angry Mask merely blamed the employee for not landing properly.
‘…These lunatics.’
But.
Our employee’s noble sacrifice bought us some time. Your death was not in vain at all, Mr. Handsome.
However, I needed to finish my preparations before being selected as the next guest.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Once again, numerous lights turned on, and the spotlight began looking for the next participant.
Meanwhile, Park Yeon-jeong put his hands into his employee ID holder and pulled out a revolver.
Without hesitation.
He pressed the gun barrel against his temple.
He also desperately hoped for the color of the bullet that should come out.
Really desperately.
Hoping this desperation would reach our black skull mark.
‘I’m counting on you again! Please, Mr. Skull!!’
Click.
I pulled the trigger.
Tick.
As I confirmed the color of the flag that came out of the barrel with the sound of air weakly escaping.
Tap!
The movement of the spotlight also stopped.
All lights were directed at one person sitting in the audience.
Once again, Park Yeon-jeong was not chosen.
The one selected by the lights was a woman with long straight hair, wearing ill-fitting horn-rimmed glasses.
“…I just need to go down there, right?”
She wasn’t an Agency person.
Judging by her appearance. Anyone could see she was a civilian unfortunately caught up in this ghost story.
But for a civilian, there was no hesitation in the woman’s steps.
Could she possibly know something about this ghost story?
As the woman confidently walked toward the stage, when our eyes met near the stairs going down.
The woman faltered slightly and muttered softly.
“…Fire on the head.”
“……”
After that, as if sensing my presence, she immediately seemed to avoid eye contact.
But I didn’t take my eyes off that woman.
The reason was all too simple.
‘…Ms. Han-sol?’
It’s been a while.
Ah, no.
More importantly, why are you here?
An unexpected reunion with Han-sol, one of my fellow recruit trainees from the first Noise ghost incident.
But the place of our meeting was.
Not good at all.
Unlike the previous Agency person, Han-sol immediately moved according to their instructions, which was a good judgment, but.
She doesn’t have any items to stand against those clown guys. All an ordinary person like her can do there is.
Just be used as a good toy for the three clown siblings.
‘…Why would Ms. Han-sol be in a place like this.’
If it were someone I didn’t know, it might be different.
But watching someone I know die before my eyes was definitely unsettling.
Tsk.
This time it wasn’t the Angry Mask.
This time, it was the clown wearing the Love Mask who clicked their tongue.
“♥It’s not fun, I caught a girl. Not fun, not fun. This time, do as you please, stu-pid brother.”
With a tone implying he loses interest if it’s not a man.
The angry mask had somehow returned to the center of the stage and was staring at Han-sol.
“♦I like your guts better than that sluggish bastard from earlier. Now let’s quickly begin the performance……”
“Wait a moment!”
Along with a man’s loud voice from the audience.
Tak! Tak! Tak!
As the lights once again illuminated the audience, there was a man with one hand raised high and a pleasant smile at the corner of his mouth looking down at them.
Of course, to others.
He would appear as just a strange person surrounded by black flames.
“I’d like to participate as a guest too. Would that be possible?”
“♦……What?”
A scratching sound like someone scraping their throat.
The angry mask seemed displeased by the sudden intrusion of an uninvited guest and was stomping his foot at that moment.
Grab!
Someone who had grabbed the angry mask’s wrist shouted loudly toward him.
“♥No! This time it’s really not allowed!! It’s rare to find a man who voluntarily wants to participate as a guest! And I like this man… more than that handsome guy from earlier!!”
“♦…Haa, she’s gone crazy……Hey!”
!
At the sudden ear-piercing voice, everyone in the audience held their breath.
Except for one person.
“♦I don’t want to hear this crazy woman’s whining voice anymore. So hurry up and come out.”
“Yes, understood.”
It was a foolish thing to do.
I could have just pretended not to know and walked away.
Even though it was an acquaintance whose face I knew.
Despite knowing well that the right decision would be to observe the situation a bit more and jump in at the best timing.
I slowly rose from my seat.
Step-
This action was truly a contradiction in itself.
My steps were naturally heading toward the stage.
Step-
I could have just pretended not to know.
I could have just left Han-sol alone since she couldn’t recognize me anyway.
One man, regarding this absurd situation.
With one truly foolish, illogical thought in an instant.
Ended it all.
-Because I wanted to save her.
Because I thought I wanted to save her.
You could point fingers at it being selective hypocrisy, but I know my capabilities well.
So.
I chose her.
I chose the only woman I had a relationship with.
Because I was confident that I could definitely save Han-sol.
Feel free to criticize me for being selfish.
But.
I am not a superhuman like Superman.
I’m not a hero or anything like that.
Just a person, doing my best to live through life.
‘Ah of course, if given the opportunity, I would save you agency people too.’
Step-
My footsteps eventually stopped beside Han-sol, and in a voice just loud enough for only her to hear, I whispered.
“I will save your life. So please move according to my words.”
“!!”
“I’ll assume you’re someone whose brain functions properly. Mr. Human☺.”
Park Yeon-jeong finished speaking while thinking of a boss he knew.
Since he hoped Han-sol would follow his instructions, he mixed a hint of laughter in his voice to leave a good impression.
“♥Now finally! The fantasy performance everyone has been waiting for will now begin!”
Yes, now that crazy performance has begun.
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