Segwang Metropolitan City ghost story.
An unprecedented situation designated as an Extinction-class supernatural disaster by the Disaster Management Bureau, where an entire metropolitan city was erased from people's memories and isolated as a zone they could no longer perceive.
And yet, I woke up in the very heart of that Segwang Metropolitan City, at Segwang Station, no less.
In human form, no less.
"..."
What in the world is this?
Sitting blankly on the dark platform floor, I instinctively thought of my conversation partner.
A being capable of everyday conversation even in the most insane situations.
'…Brown?'
....
....
No response.
'No.'
The dread and anxiety I had held back began to creep into my mind.
If even 'that' Brown can't track me here, what state am I in right now…
[Oh, a friend is calling me!]
"…Ha."
I nearly collapsed.
Thank goodness, really.
[Oh dear, Mr. Roe Deer. You seem quite startled by the sudden change in environment. To be clear, this Brown is also somewhat bewildered by the situation. Travel via a Well! How… rustic.]
Your sarcasm is as sharp as ever…
[However, oh, congratulations.]
Huh?
[It's not a magnificent shapeshifting technique, but it's the appearance you desired!]
That… is true.
'To think I'd return to human form.'
But I don't know why.
Why?
'Did entering Segwang Metropolitan City trigger this?'
It's hard to believe, so I'm mostly bewildered, but still, when I see my face reflected in the glass, and touch my bare hands, I can't deny the deep sense of relief I feel….
'My attire is… a suit.'
It was my familiar work clothes. I swallowed, touched my face a few more times with my hands, and calmed my heart.
It's me.
…The familiar me.
A surge of emotion, like deep gratitude, washed over me.
I took a breath and managed to suppress it.
And just as I was about to get up.
Thump.
"…!"
My arm was grabbed.
Turning my head, I saw the person lying unconscious on the floor had instinctively reached out as I moved.
And then, eyes opened.
"..."
"..."
"…Grapes-ie?"
"Agent."
Agent Choi's eyes widened.
He then scrambled to his feet and grabbed my shoulders, turning me around.
'Ugh.'
As if checking for any deformities or abnormalities. He even tried to lift the Goblin Lantern, but then realized the lantern wasn't in his hand and paused.
'I left it at the Well.'
But he didn't stop there, even using the Locator rod to sense my contamination, trying to figure out my condition.
I asked, a little anxiously.
"Am I alright?"
"..."
Agent Choi gripped my shoulder tightly.
"You're alright, Grapes-ie…"
"..."
I held my breath.
"No, did that Well suddenly gain a recovery function? Or… ha."
Confusion, suspicion, and joy flickered across Agent Choi's face.
I felt gratitude and guilt at seeing him so happy about the recovery of a teammate revealed as a spy, but that didn't last long.
Because of the situation.
"But where are we?"
"..."
"It seems we've been sent to some other city, a subway? Hmm, let's see…"
Segwang Transit Corporation
Segwang Station
"..."
The smile vanished from Agent Choi's face, which had been trying to appear nonchalant.
Segwang.
"Have you, by any chance, heard of it?"
"No."
A city and station name I'd never heard of in everyday life.
Then, the agent naturally realized.
We were in the midst of a supernatural phenomenon.
"Grapes-ie, wake the others up. Immediately."
Agent Choi and I immediately lowered ourselves and began waking people.
Agent Bronze, who tried to slap his own cheek upon seeing me, whom I quickly stopped. Deputy Lee Seong-hae, who woke up with a surprisingly calm, beaming smile. And finally…
Deputy Manager Eun Haje.
"…I'm sure I put her in."
Agent Choi muttered.
'Did I… imprison Deputy Manager in a makeshift glass prison?'
But if that imprisonment was released during the transfer here, it's truly serious.
I personally woke Deputy Manager Eun Haje.
"Wait… Noruya?"
"Deputy Manager."
I urgently asked Deputy Manager Eun Haje as she woke up.
"Are you able to connect with Director Ho?"
"…Just a moment."
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Deputy Manager Eun Haje quietly checked the bead she was holding.
Then, a glint appeared in her eyes.
"No, I can't."
"..."
This feels even worse… No. It's better this way.
Because I can gloss over the source of my information.
"Everyone."
I turned to the awakened individuals and spoke quickly.
"This seems to be the place Director Ho Yuwon was looking for."
"..."
"Yes?"
I pointed to 'Segwang Station' with my hand.
"This entire city, Segwang Metropolitan City, is the Extinction-class Disaster he was searching for."
"…!!"
Deputy Lee Seong-hae raised her hand.
"If we're talking about Daydreams, is this Abyss-class?"
"The classification system is different, but perhaps."
"Ooh."
But only Deputy Lee Seong-hae seemed impressed. Everyone else's faces were grim.
Only Deputy Manager Eun Haje, who had some idea of the situation from working on Director Ho's project, was slowly surveying her surroundings with a sharp gaze.
"Noruya, so your return to human form could also be due to the influence of this Darkness?"
"…It's possible."
"Hmm. It seems plausible. Look at this."
"...!"
Deputy Manager Eun Haje raised her hand.
Her one hand, which had disappeared in Hangman… reappeared perfectly intact!
"Deputy Manager, your hand…"
"Yes. It's back."
Deputy Manager Eun Haje, who waved her hand with a smile, didn't look particularly happy.
"It seems there's some condition involved, but hmm. It's too good to be true. Is this really a top-tier Darkness? If so, it should be a cesspool that humans can't endure, not just this."
That…
"All I know is… something terrible happened in Segwang Metropolitan City, and because of it, the city was completely sealed off. To the point where the Disaster Management Bureau erased its existence…"
"Wait a minute."
The faces of the two agents hardened.
"The Bureau did what?"
"Yes."
I swallowed and calmly explained what I knew.
"From what I understand, they eventually placed a powerful curse because the situation was beyond control. So that no one would perceive Segwang Metropolitan City."
"Ooh… is that possible?"
"..."
Agent Bronze's mouth opened.
"It is possible, but…"
"Hoo."
Agent Choi ran a hand through his hair. It seemed both of them were thinking of a few specific 'rituals' that could theoretically achieve this…
"As far as I know, there are no such records. Of course…"
"Right. If they really did it, they would have erased the agents' memories too after it was over. Anyway, Noruya. Continue explaining."
"..."
Agent Bronze's lips moved, but he closed them at Agent Choi's interjection.
Confirming that, I spoke.
"And the reason our environment is surprisingly okay despite such a terrifying situation is probably because we are in a subway station."
I pointed to the platform screen door glass, which I had used to check my face.
"…Would you like to see that?"
Beyond that darkness.
There is a structure called a side platform, where two platforms facing opposite directions are across from each other, separated by tracks.
The tracks of this platform, the tracks of the train going in the opposite direction… and the opposite platform beyond that.
That place.
"It's all collapsed."
It was broken, revealing steel frames, with concrete spilling from collapsed stairs.
The difference was jarring.
A stark contrast to this clean platform.
And on the screen door glass of that half-collapsed place…
Help me
SOS
Please
I love you Mom
It was covered with countless words.
Requests for help and dying messages left in blood, dust, and filth.
The letters, written backward from the other side.
"…!!"
My body froze at the traces of the overwhelming disaster that had engulfed the city.
'Ha.'
And I remembered.
The document recording the process of Segwang Metropolitan City being sealed off as an Extinction-class Disaster.
The first day.
'A large number of residents fled to the subway station but the entrance collapsed, trapping them all there. Terrible things are happening outside.' This call log was recorded, but the detailed on-site situation is unidentifiable.
'Given that they might be able to hold out for a few more days in the subway,' a statement was made, so we must commence search operations immediately!
·Claim by the field agent at the time (Rejected)
"…I heard that one of the last places to send a rescue request from within Segwang Metropolitan City, caught in the disaster, was the subway station."
It was likely relatively safer than the outside.
It wasn't precisely described as Segwang Station, but it was still better than suddenly dropping into the middle of an Extinction-class Disaster with people.
'Though the probability of it being just that is high…'
Hoo.
Thinking of the wiki made my mouth dry. I felt hunger and thirst returning.
"So..."
Wait a minute.
"Agent?"
"Okay."
Agent Choi, who had been sighing, was now calmly attempting to open the screen door.
"Agent?"
"I'll just take a quick look."
"Ah. Shall I check the other side?"
"Please, just wait a moment."
Both of you, please!
"I told you this entire city was completely ruined and sealed off as an Extinction-class Disaster!"
I rushed forward and stopped them.
"People must have fled here, but it's probably safer not to go to the half-collapsed area. …It might be connected to the outside."
Agent Choi and Deputy Lee Seong-hae's idea was probably this.
'If we have no information, we have to try something.'
But…
"And if necessary… I'll go. I'm the one who knows the most about this place,"
"Grapes-ie."
Agent Choi reached out. And then…
Snap.
He flicked my forehead.
"…!"
Aargh!
"Do you think Grapes is some kind of suicide enthusiast? Of course, I was only going to check carefully and come back."
Despite his smiling face, Agent Choi looked quite annoyed…
But taking a breath, it ultimately settled into relief.
"You, on the other hand, don't act impulsively here. Please."
"..."
"And Jae-gwan, you too!"
"Honestly, Agent, you're more prone to impulsive actions than I am or Agent Bronze…"
"Hmph."
Gulp.
I quickly dodged Agent Choi's flick and stepped back.
I sent a look of solidarity to Agent Bronze, but he looked at me as if he had a lot to say.
"..."
"Once we move to a safe place, I'd like to have a talk."
Save me.
I suppressed a sigh and rubbed my forehead.
…It had been a long time since I felt pain like this.
"Then, since we're all experienced, let's move together and check our conditions."
"Yes, yes."
In any case, we decided to gather everything we could and check everything we needed to in this relatively 'calm' platform before moving towards the stairs.
And when we were checking our conditions.
"Staff member!"
Deputy Lee Seong-hae, no, Deputy Manager called out to me.
But…
"Staff member…?"
"Ah, should I call you Supervisor Roe Deer?"
"Ah. No. Roe Deer is fine."
"Then I'm fine with Dolphin instead of Deputy, Mr. Noru!"
Deputy Lee Seong-hae smiled brightly and took out a small Glow-in-the-dark Star Sticker, a tube of effervescent vitamin, and what looked like a tail comb for brushing hair from her pocket, and checked them.
"Hmm. Some of my equipment and items are not working."
"Mine too. It seems items that draw power from other places aren't working."
"Oh, good deduction, Deputy Manager!"
Everyone was coolly checking their gear.
And…
"Mr. Noru, do you have any items?"
"..."
No.
I'm a beggar….
'My items…'
I had handed them all over to Manager Lee Jaheon to dispose of, so what's left is probably…
[Oh. I have my merchandise, don't I, friend!]
Yes, yes.
'I have this.'
Not the Good Friend, but a fake. Sob.
[You can just put it in your front pocket. Oh, good.]
I took out the rabbit doll and put it back in the front pocket of my suit as Brown requested.
I don't know why, but Deputy Lee Seong-hae gave me a thumbs-up. Hmm. Thank you…
'I wonder if Manager Lee Jaheon is doing well.'
Come to think of it, since I've returned to human form, perhaps VIP personal shopping at the Cosmic shopping mall might be possible again.
Because I could use the 'VIP cell' implanted under my tongue.
'Or maybe this is also the type that draws power from elsewhere and won't work…'
Either way, I can't use it right now, dropped into an Extinction-class Disaster with a party of five bare-handed, so let's pass for now.
I just suppressed a sigh and habitually rummaged in my pockets again…
'…Huh?'
There's a Smartphone.
"…!!"
I urgently pulled it out. It was a black rectangle with a grip tok attached.
The one I used to carry when I was in Daydreams.
'What is this?'
I quickly turned on the smartphone. Surprisingly, it powered on.
Of course, there was no signal and Wi-Fi was down. But…
The most important thing appeared.
Darkness Exploration Record
I could read the wiki page. Just like before.
"..."
"Ah, the phone wasn't working!"
"…Yes. Definitely."
I almost had a heart attack.
I replied to Deputy Lee Seong-hae as naturally as possible and tried to turn off the smartphone screen… but realized something.
'Can't you see it?'
"Um, could you please read this page for me?"
After hesitating, I carefully held the page, which only displayed the words 'Darkness Exploration Record,' in front of Deputy Lee Seong-hae.
But she tilted her head.
"There's nothing to read, really? Ah, if you're talking about the impression, it's a bit plain as a basic wallpaper!"
"…Thank you."
She can't see it.
'Am I the only one who can read it?'
My heart was pounding so hard my ears hurt.
'For some reason, this makes checking things much easier.'
I managed to maintain my composure and pretended to check the smartphone again, looking around.
And I noticed something else.
The shape of the grip tok is different.
'The crack is gone.'
Is it finally fixed?
Moreover, the center of the grip tok, which had an 'X' mark, was finished in red instead of gold….
"…?"
What is this?
I didn't know what it meant. And where this smartphone with the grip tok had been all this time…
[Do you really not know, Mr. Noru?]
[Let's do a little deduction, friend. A place unknown to you, but always with you…]
"..."
Ah.
'No way.'
A very chilling speculation formed in my mind…
Inside my body.
…The grip tok was embedded in my melted body, bundled together inside my uniform. I had been consistent with this grip tok all along…
'Then.'
The strange editing function I could use, that ability…
'Did it originate… from here?'
My head reeled from the shock, the fear of my body melting again, and the effort to recall what state I was in just before…
Zzzzz.
"…!"
The smartphone vibrated.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I reflexively turned on the smartphone.
And there…
Newly Registered Page
(1) Segwang Subway Map
A notification appeared that a new page had been registered on the Darkness Exploration Record wiki.
It was a familiar page, of course. But…
'This shouldn't be happening.'
This wiki is composed of my memories, so something like this shouldn't appear.
In my bewilderment, I moved my hand and clicked.
Segwang Subway Map
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
"..."
A strange premonition.
'Is this… a function of the newly repaired grip tok?'
What was this grip tok completed into during the six months I worked as a special department employee after melting?
"If everyone is done checking, we'll move."
"Yes!"
For now, I left the page where nothing could be registered and began moving with the others.
'Be careful.'
It's great to be back in a human body, but it's also human nature to regret the abilities I used then.
Like veterans, the five of us ascended the stairs, securing our vision slowly without making noise or acting impulsively.
Thump. Thump.
Only the steady vibrations of our footsteps could be felt.
And finally, as the area above the stairs began to come into view…
A forest unfolded.
"…!!"
There, a vast, foggy forest with dim illumination was formed.
The structures of the subway station. Fire hydrants, tactile paving, escalators, information boards, mirrors, and the ceiling with lights were still in place, but they were strangely large and repeated like a maze.
And the gaps were filled with trees, dirt, and fog….
It was dim, and visibility was almost nonexistent due to the fog.
"..."
"...Wait a moment."
Agent Choi, having inhaled a bit of the fog, frowned.
"It doesn't seem toxic for now, but just in case, let's cover our respiratory systems. If anything strange appears, we return to the platform immediately."
"Yes."
"It would be best to check things like the information board first. Supernatural Disasters that have a domain are highly likely to be rule-based ghost stories."
"Good. Then, who will volunteer for the advance team? …No, you are all really proactive. You're all scout material, seriously."
This is what happens when a group of veterans, fully equipped with defensive gear, moves together.
In the end, everyone moved together, searching for an information board.
A foot pushed through a gap between the trees.
Crunch.
Dry fallen leaves crunched underfoot, making a dry sound. It sounded like a gloomy noise was coming from somewhere….
And we soon discovered a huge sign, though not an information board.
"Ah."
It was the station nameplate, surrounded by vines and trees growing out of the wall.
It was similar to the one seen on the platform, but there was a difference.
"It lists advertisements too."
"Advertisements?"
"Yeah. You know how they sell station names in the subway? Where they list a hospital or a company next to the actual station name? The Segwang Transit Corporation sells those for profitability."
That's right.
The listings were mainly intended for advertising effect.
But the station name listed here was….
Segwang Transit Corporation
Segwang Station (Path of the Dying)
"..."
"..."
Everyone must have sensed it instinctively.
That this was absolutely not a normal 'advertisement station name.'
At that moment.
Zzzzzing.
'…!'
I quickly lowered my gaze to my Smartphone. And I saw it.
The Wiki had updated.
Segwang Subway Map
·Segwang Station (Path of the Dying)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
·(Unregistered)
'Segwang Station.'
I clicked it without taking a breath.
Segwang Station (Path of the Dying)
A subway station in Segwang Metropolitan City called the Forest of Hanged Trees.
Since the estimated number of people who evacuated to this station on the Day of Disaster reached seven thousand, it became the stronghold for the evacuees.
'Forest of Hanged Trees…?'
The moment I finished reading that.
Thump. Something touched my head.
"..."
I looked up.
I had been careful not to get too close to the trees while moving, but I had momentarily lost focus while looking at my Smartphone, leaning slightly toward a tree, and bumped into something hanging down.
However.
Slowly, slowly, I looked again at the shape of the 'thing I thought was a tree' that had touched me….
It was a human foot.
"..."
"Grape… wait a second."
"Oh, there's a corpse here, I-I mean, Mr. Noru, right above your head."
I realized.
It wasn't that thin trees and thick trees were standing alternately packed together.
The identity of the thin trees.
Hanging from the thick branches of every tree was a body suspended by the neck, withered and swaying….
"They are all corpses."
"It looks like they were hanged."
And I realized in quick succession.
That becoming human again meant I would also feel the fear of being unable to look at scary things.
That I had become a scaredy-cat again…!
'I'm screwed.'
"Should we check around us too?"
"Good idea. Noruya. You look at what's above your head. Oh, bare feet."
"…Yes."
Aaaargh!!