[Oh, indeed! The man in the 2000s video, who had no way of coming out to the world the moment the editing room closed, can now visit a home thousands of miles away… ]
[The editors of the 21st century gave me an unintentional invitation.]
My blood runs cold.
If I had a human body, I would definitely use that expression in that situation.
I am being held in the hands of two field investigation team members who are running out of the broadcasting station like crazy, carrying me in a carrier.
One of them has already contacted the company's security team.
This wasn't a rescue request or anything. It was more like reporting an uncontrollable catastrophic event.
The deadly spread of ghost stories.
[…what?]
As soon as contact was made, the security chief realized the severity of the situation.
[Wait… . Just a moment.]
And then I hung up the radio to get in touch with the company.
In the meantime, I'm thinking.
How to isolate video files for editing that may be shared across at least several, or at most dozen, data repositories, or even cloud storage.
But that is… not something a small number of people can handle.
A strong collective force is needed.
However, it is not the duty of a contract worker to just sit there and wait for the company's response... ... No, there is not enough time to just wait for the company to take full action.
'The Man on the Screen' is in a state of stimulation after going through a process of isolation in the editing room.
In the worst case scenario, the progression of events leading up to the worst would have been accelerated.
So, let's start with what we need to do immediately.
Contact the client
"yes!"
Kang Yi-hak, who is next to Lee Seong-hae, who is also reporting to the field investigation team, immediately picks up the phone and connects to the PD.
Hello. I'm contacting you because I have something urgent to ask you.
"…! Hello. I'm contacting you because I have something urgent to ask you...."
Kang Yi-hak reads the black smoke with keen insight.
"Is there anyone on PBS Entertainment today who is working on editing videos from home or in their personal studios? Episodes that end in 6, where 'the man in the screen' might appear?"
Especially around this time of year.
"If you are working right now, it is even more urgent."
-Of course there is. Why is that… .
Please contact us.
It's an urgent matter.
-Oh, yes.
The PD's voice was a bit shaky, but he soon realized the atmosphere and situation and what he had requested.
He seemed to be in a state of nervousness, sending messages here and there.
And soon.
-…Why isn't he accepting it?
… … .
A panicked voice, a typing sound.
-Huh? Wait a minute. No, this call... ... . ... Why aren't you answering?
"PD, please listen carefully."
It's late.
Kang Yi-hak quickly speaks to the PD who is frozen with a cold feeling.
"Please download all files ending with episode 6 from the cloud storage that PD-nim and his team are currently using. It would be better if you deleted them."
and.
"Please tell everyone who edits videos in this entertainment department: From now on, never touch any episode that ends in 6. … If you happen to have it on."
Kang Yi-hak's quick voice can be heard reading the letters made of smoke as if they were flowing water.
"Please tell them never to deliberately look at or delete the 'man on the screen'."
-… What the hell is going on right now,
"I'll tell you the details later. Just telling you could be a big mistake. You made a big mistake."
Kang Yi-hak, who had never written it down, continued to speak, naturally shifting the blame to the entertainment department.
"Well… Still, since we received something, we will try our best to resolve it. First, please give us the address of the person who lost contact."
The frightened PD immediately handed the address over to the on-site investigation team.
Officetel in Seoul, 20 minutes away.
While I was moving in a taxi that I had caught like crazy, Lee Seong-hae whispered into the carrier I was carrying.
"Isn't it more likely that he reported it to the police?"
Knock knock.
Gently, let the smoke out of the mobile home.
Difficulty in estimating
Reason: Psychological factors
People want to believe in the positive side in times like these.
Since calling the police means something truly 'serious' is happening, beyond a simple supernatural scare, there's a good chance they'll wait a while.
And after a while, we finally arrived at our first destination.
The moment you get on the elevator… .
Beep.
"…!"
This is the security team.
The field investigation team listened to the radio urgently, but… .
[For now, I have requested support… but I don't know exactly when it will be provided… … .]
The news from Daydream Co., Ltd. is back.
[From above… um, the decision is being delayed…]
"…!"
[Oh, I guess you're feeling sorry for the cost of training. It's a very shallow but capitalist response.]
Lee Seong-hae's face hardens slightly.
"Then, I would like at least the security team members in charge of 'employees' to act together."
[The security team… can't go outside the company during the day… … because they have to equip it.]
"...."
[however.]
The security chief's voice becomes clearer somewhere.
[… I wear gear that allows me to go out during the day due to my job. So, if my job requires me to go out… . Hmm.]
"…!"
[Hey, the staff in the moving room… … Isn't it hard to control? I think so… .]
All eyes are on me.
affirmation
"…That's right!"
"I'm dying from exhaustion! I need so much help controlling it!"
The field investigation team shouts as they catch the elevator to their destination.
[…I see.]
A faint hint of pride.
A faint smile appears in the security chief's voice and then disappears.
[I'm going out… … .]
And the moment when Lee Seong-hae and Kang I-hak board the elevator.
Beep.
A black figure emerges from the shadow of the radio he was holding in his hand.
"…!"
Security chief.
The full-body uniform is different from the one worn on regular missions, with a deep hood covered in strange patterns.
Beep.
The CCTV in the elevator is turned off. A sense of oppression and discomfort permeates the elevator.
"...."
The security guard reached out and took the carrier.
"Don't worry about reporting to the company… because other employees are still… doing it."
"yes."
Ding.
Soon the elevator arrives at the floor. The three of them quickly walk to the assistant director's lake that they received from the PD… .
The front door was open.
"...."
Inside, laughter can be heard.
The sound of a variety show.
Tension builds on the shoulders of the field investigation team.
"I'll go in and take a look…."
The security guard opens the door.
I looked into the mobile cage in his hand and saw the scene unfolding through the already open front door… .
The assistant director was lying on the floor with both eyes gouged out.
"…!!"
A narrow, blood-soaked living room, a chair on it, a desk, and on top of that… .
Computer monitor.
The screen is flickering.
A monitor with an editing program running, a man with a distorted expression in close-up. Black eyes and a toothy smile. An open mouth, looking this way… .
Bam.
The monitor and the main unit are distorted at the same time.
The paw of the huge, black beast was returned to the guard's shoulder with a violent jerk.
"…!!"
"I already put it in the USB, so I can just break everything else like this… right?"
That was correct.
But the dead do not come back.
… it's already too late.
And one more thing.
"The door… was open, you know."
The security guard, who was using his sense of smell while pressing down on his mask, tilted his head and spoke.
"There was one more person here… and then… ran away… I think."
"…!"
"Someone in the other room…."
There was a witness.
It is unclear how much he was involved in this supernatural phenomenon or whether he properly observed the situation.
"...."
Jiiing.
At that time, news also arrived from the PD.
-4 people don't answer the phone or read the text.
We have already confirmed that we have lost contact with four editors from the PBS entertainment department, and one of them even left a strange message in the group chat.
-ㄴ; I'm trying to write this and ...
-You're going to die.
Just capturing it gives off an eerie feeling.
-Please call me.
The PD's message asking what happened and if the assistant director of this house is okay is filled with fear. And he desperately sent the addresses of the people he had lost contact with.
Everyone on site feels it.
The situation is expanding in a direction that is increasingly impossible for individuals to handle.
"First, I'll relay the information about the witness to the company. And then, among those who lost contact, go to the house of the remaining person…."
"Hey, sir."
Kang Yi-hak interrupts.
"Shouldn't we just get out of here before the police come?"
"...."
Lee Seong-hae looks at Kang I-hak.
Kang Yi-hak didn't seem to be very interested in the corpse.
Rather than that, I just look through the house to see if there is anything worth selling and what the market price is.
"Haven't we done enough? There's no guarantee that we won't be late if we chase that address, and it's not like we'll get any special allowances… I think it's right to assume that our work is over in the editorial office!"
"oh."
"I reported everything to the company, so you should leave the rest to them and get some rest, Manager. Haha, we got our money's worth."
"And what if it's too late and someone dies again?"
Kang Yi-hak raised his thumb.
"That's something the company will take care of!"
"aha."
Lee Seong-hae smiles brightly and looks blankly at Kang I-hak.
And the security chief stands still with a blank expression, as if he is disconnected from the scene.
… … .
[Oh, Mr. Deer. You seem impatient.]
Am I feeling impatient?
[Yes, of course, an intruder who ruins the mood of the show is an unwelcome noise! Especially if he has no wit or sense, it's the worst. Oh, dear.]
Brown seems to recall the 'man on the screen' he saw.
I remember that too.
The reaction of the late-night talk show host, seen on the face of the 'man on the screen' covering the monitor in the editing room.
-Look at that shabby appearance! It seems like you can't accept that you're not qualified to appear, so you want to show off your worthless existence even in a single cut on video!
-Oh, of course. It's obvious that I'll be kicked out of the filming set. That's the only way I can appear. Like that.
mockery.
contempt.
Not the dull, vague fear I had been feeling, but a vivid verbal expression.
[But.]
A generous offer is given.
[If my friend really cares about the whereabouts of that unsightly, third-rate, low-quality intruder, invite him as an audience member on my wonderful talk show.]
[Even a shabby little seat in a corner will be ecstatic. In three days, no, two days, it will burn out so much that it cannot bear the glory…]
[How is it?]
… … .
No, it won't work.
I can't make that decision.
[Hmm? … Oh, I see.]
[Is that what you mean, I have to deliver it to the company but I can't send it to a talk show? Oh, I guess that's what's written in that employment contract that mortgages Mr. Noru's time and judgment.]
Yes, that's right.
I cannot do anything that would obviously harm the company.
Even more so if it is something you were directly instructed to do for work.
Even if we create a loophole, if that loophole is exposed, stronger restrictions will come in… .
… … .
[Okay, okay, buddy ! Let's cheer up.]
[Isn't the original limitation an essential element of interesting content? The important thing is that we met like this and are having another fun experience!]
It's not fun.
[Oh! You're doubting your own mind again. It's okay. You have your spiritual support, your adventure companion, your soul-soothing entertainer right here with you!]
… … .
Let's say that's true.
First, I have to do the following. I took my eyes off the corpse with no eyes, and suppressed the strange beating in my heart.
And the moment I tried to communicate through acting.
Beep.
"…!"
This is the security team.
The security chief's voice is heard from the walkie-talkie he just pressed.
[Class president.]
Osori, the voice of Chief Park Min-seong.
[Hey, 130666 is fine too, right?]
"huh…."
[Phew… That's a relief.]
The tone soon returns to the businesslike, friendly voice of the security team.
[The company has now reached an agreement on a countermeasure. I will connect you.]
"…!"
The field investigation team's gaze simultaneously turned to the radio.
The crackling radio was accompanied by the noise of a telephone being connected to somewhere… .
Connected by phone.
Someone other than Kwak Je-gang.
-Hello.
… … !
-It's been a while since we've had a conversation like this since you signed the contract. It's been a while since I've heard from you.
…a leisurely, deep female voice.
Director Cheong.
-I've heard a lot about your recent work. It seems like you've adjusted quite well... Hmm. This work was also clean, except for the irregulars.
"who…."
"…Director Cheong."
"Ugh."
-The other employees also did their part quite well.
"Hahaha, thank you!"
Kang Yi-hak immediately answered politely, but Director Cheong continued to say what he wanted to say.
-I've heard reports that it could cause massive casualties. It seems like it's become quite a powerful darkness.
And the choice of words confirms my guess.
'… … .'
"Staff?"
then.
I made a phrase with smoke and showed it to the security guard.
"...."
The security guard's eyes narrow.
Perhaps it was because he already knew the facts due to his environment.
"…hmm."
The security guard, who had been patting the moving box as if stroking it, read my words to Director Cheong on the other end of the phone.
"130666 said…."
question :
'The Man in the Dark'
Past Darkness Registration
"This ghost story, wasn't it something that the company had in its possession from the beginning…?"
"…!!"
Remember, me?
A conversation I had with the security chief in the dream incubation room of the Pleasure Research Institute.
-What does it mean to discard darkness?
-So… even if a person clears it, if no more solution is extracted… it is thrown away… .
The company manual was strangely clear.
A ghost story that suddenly disappeared in the 2000s.
And then suddenly, this phenomenon has recurred now.
When darkness loses its supernatural presence, dream liquid can no longer be harvested.
In this case, it is discarded after the registration number cancellation procedure, and some of this darkness is recycled through processes such as research and recharging.
Points to one.
Recycle.
"This… was deliberately released back into the public… to restore the 'supernatural presence', right? So that dreams can be produced again…."
Perhaps the security chief knew.
Because I must have been on the field investigation team when this ghost story was registered as darkness.
And if you know this fact and read it, when you are assigned today's work, you will also read the censored parts of the documents given to you again... .
For more information, see ■■Record #C16548.
For more information, see Disposition Log #C16548.
The Dream Company deliberately released this discarded ghost story back onto the airwaves.
Let ghost stories thrive until the dreams can be extracted, until they can be recycled.
"...."
-You know very well.
"...!"
-I just took care of the ghost story that was there anyway and returned it to you.
-No one will suffer a loss, right? Of course, since it is a product manufacturing know-how, it is a story that should not be shared outside the company, so everyone who hears it should be careful with their mouths.
I can hear Lee Seong-hae's quiet breathing.
The calm and composed voice of Director Cheong is heard again.
-Then let's stop here.
… … .
"yes?"
-He told me to come back.
"Is the security team coming?"
-No way.
what?
-Why should my company waste valuable manpower and capital on a private commotion?
Director Cheong speaks calmly.
-There's no need to use a tiger-slaughtering knife to catch a chicken. It's a hassle, a waste of money... I hate that.
-The follow-up will be handled by the organization in charge of follow-up.
...organ?
-Yeah. That's where we get our taxes from to do that kind of work. If that's the case, then we should know how to use it as much as we paid for it.
-They say that being swayed by emotions and going around telling the company about your personal opinion is the kind of thing that only a child would do.
Director Ho.
The organization that Director Ho has ill feelings toward is….
-It's like killing two birds with one stone.
-That stupid agency will end the supernatural disaster based on the report. Not knowing that our company has the only original copy of the ghost story left.
… … .
-Then I guess we'd better hurry up and get back.
I raised my head.
-It's been some time since the report was made to the Disaster Management Agency… so they'll start to show up soon.
Somewhere,
I started to hear the sound of bells.