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Chapter 42.1
Chapter 42.1
Chapter 42.1
Step, step.
I was quietly walking through an exhibition that plucked out human eyes.
And next to me was someone who perfectly fit the ‘human trash’ archetype in a horror story.
‘I really wish Baek Saheon would just keep quiet and act like a human totem.’
On the way here, I’d seen horrifying shadows crawling on the floor a few times from a distance. Each time, I couldn’t be more thankful to have someone with me…
‘As long as I don’t let my guard down. That’s the key.’
Braun spoke to me in a tone that suggested he was amused.
– Mr. Roe Deer, this fellow talks in such an interesting way. It’s almost like he’s someone else entirely.
‘Do you hate it?’
– Not at all! It’s utterly fascinating. It’s as though he’s created a more exaggerated… persona for the sake of a show.Hm. That’s a fair point.
– So, is leaving this magnificent exhibition your ultimate goal?
That’s correct.
And…
‘I’ve already made my escape plan.’
I’d confirmed that this exploration was recorded as the seventeenth entry in the <Dark Exploration Records>, so I based my escape strategy on that case.
I’d even decided which of my items to use.
– Oh!
– But is it necessary to use the word ‘escape’? Wouldn’t it be easier to just grab any staff member and ask them to guide you to the exit? They’d surely oblige politely!
That’s where the problem begins.
‘The staff in this exhibition are machines.’
The kind with spider-like legs that swing ominously.
– Hmm. And?
‘And each machine only knows information about its designated area.’
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Each area of this exhibition is equipped with an usher for the convenience of visitors.
While some past visitors referred to these ushers as ‘monsters’, they are, in fact, vintage mithril automated-kiosk steam dolls, a model from Imperial Year 62627.
Though their memory units are somewhat limited to information about their specific areas, they are historical and meaningful artistic artifacts.
For the sake of a constructive viewing experience in our exhibition, we kindly request refraining from using derogatory terms.
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What this means is that if you want to ask about the exit, you must go to the area where the exit is located and talk to the staff there.
And by the time you get there… if too much time has passed, you’ll be ‘charged the fee’ and turned into a grotesque human slug.
Even identifying which area contains the exit is a monumental challenge to begin with.
‘But there’s a hint.’
I stopped walking.
I had found what I was looking for.
“…An elevator?”
Standing in front of me and Baek Saheon was an antique-style elevator, glowing faintly with brass tones.
The elevator was caged in iron bars, and a small light bulb flickered in front of it.
Like any elevator, a guide panel was attached to the wall beside it, displaying floor numbers and usage instructions.
The only problem was that the text was written in a script we couldn’t understand.
‘Just one more way to raise the exploration difficulty.’
The disconnect created by the script.
Baek Saheon frowned.
“…Are you planning to ride this thing?”
“Dunno.”
“We can’t even check the floors. Are you out of your mind?”
I stared at him without a word. He quickly looked away.
‘As if I’d do something that reckless.’
But I had Braun, the creepypasta talk show host who claimed to be fluent in every language!
‘Braun, can you read this elevator’s guide panel?’
– That’s hardly a difficult task, Friend!
– Ahem ahem,
Braun cleared his throat and began explaining in a friendly voice.
– This elevator comes with a stationed usher who will press the button for your desired floor upon request. Quite a quaint and sophisticated service, isn’t it?
This meant that you couldn’t use the elevator without meeting an usher, which also meant getting your eyes plucked out.
Even knowing this, I swallowed involuntarily.
‘Does it mention anything about the exit?’
– Unfortunately, no! It mostly describes the floors and their exhibitions.
– Oh, and by the way, you’re currently on the second floor. …Ah, wait a moment. There’s also a description of this mansion’s history!
“……!”
This was information not included in the <Dark Exploration Records>.
‘Keep going.’
– Of course, Friend!
– This is the grand estate of a most noble… and refined collector. Through their charitable spirit, they’ve dedicated this endless exhibition to sharing their art and philosophy.
– Furthermore, this historic mansion is composed of seven floors above ground… and 7,221 floors below ground.
“……”
Wait.
What?
‘Below ground… 7,221 floors?’
– That’s correct. Hmm, it seems they’ve been collecting for quite a long time!
I froze.
‘…I already knew there was a basement.’
It wasn’t described at first.
The early exploration records of this ghost story, <Manor of the Blind>, detailed lucky escapes from the ground floors or the deaths of those who couldn’t get out.
Those records drew readers in, sparking popularity.
As the records expanded and the world of the story grew, some explorer inevitably made a discovery.
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The 23rd record is a testimony left by a visitor who entered the basement floors via the elevator.
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The existence of the basement floors.
From then on, records detailed people descending into the basement after failing to find a way out on the floors above ground.
The relentless descent in search of an exit—down and further down—conveyed an overwhelming, chilling fear.
At this point, the ghost story became categorized as cosmic horror.