Chapter 4:

Chapter 4:

One person had escaped the ghost story.

But, they did so with an eye gouged out.

“Huu...”

“Did you hear that?”

However, unlike the previous times, the passengers didn’t show much pity, even though they were terrified and disgusted.

‘Is this the result of violence without persuasion?’

The train became briefly chaotic as people checked on the condition of the person attacked by Baek Saheon.

[This stop is Hatred, Hatred Station.]

“Hatred, huh...”

“Haah.”

The announcement only deepened the gloomy atmosphere.

Go Yeongeun, who had been looking after the new hire holding his injured left eye, stood up. Her face was dark.

“I’m almost certain his cornea is damaged. It’s worrying...”

“Are you in the medical field by chance?”

“No. I studied it briefly in college but changed majors, so I never took the national exam. I’m not a professional.”

Go Yeongeun sighed and sat down on the floor, cross-legged.

[The doors are opening.]

The train doors opened, but people only glanced outside, not making any moves. They simply looked out cautiously.

At the same time, they also glanced at me.

It seemed they were waiting to see if I would suggest we get off here.

‘At least they’re paying attention.’

I had worried that Baek Saheon’s actions would make people more suspicious of each other, but instead, having a common enemy seemed to have calmed everyone down.

It also felt like, given the madness of the situation, they were waiting for the next statement from the person who had spoken confidently earlier.

In other words... me.

It even felt like they might leave the decision of which station to disembark at to me.

“You must feel a bit pressured.”

“......?”

Go Yeongeun spoke with a complex expression.

“People keep leaning on you.”

Uh, thanks...?

“They’re scared and anxious, so I hope you don’t find it too exhausting or distasteful... ugh. Sorry.”

I’m scared and anxious too, which is why I’m trying to lead everyone...

“I’ve been trying to think things through in my own way too...”

Oh, I see. The floor is open to opinions. In fact, I welcome them.

“What have you been thinking about?”

“Well, I’ve been pondering what you said earlier about the ‘final destination’.”

Go Yeongeun lowered her voice.

“If it’s the final destination for a person... could it be death?”

“......!”

“Isn’t that what marks the end of human life? The more I think about it, it feels like that’s what it means. So, I was wondering if we should get off when we see a word like that.”

Oh.

“But then I thought... would that just mean we’re going to die peacefully? So I couldn’t say it for sure.”

“No, that’s a very convincing thought.”

“Is it really?”

“Yes. However...”

I trailed off, and before I knew it, I smiled slightly.

“......?”

It was because I had just seen the name of the next station on the display.

“What does the term ‘destination’ really mean?”

“Huh, what?”

“If you look it up in the dictionary, a destination is defined as the place or goal someone is trying to reach.”

And the theme of this train is very straightforward.

Sit down. Find the lost item.

The instructions are given clearly and without twists, and if you follow them, you stay safe.

Even those who got off at the wrong station died in a very straightforward manner.

So, I’m approaching the term ‘destination’ in the same way.

“I believe that the ‘destination’ mentioned by this train refers to a place or goal that we, in our current state, haven’t yet achieved or reached.”

If you think about it that way, the criteria for choosing the right station become very simple.

– Something I don’t have.

If we apply this logic, we can reinterpret the previous escape cases as well.

========================

1- Stations named after colors like red, yellow, blue.

: Two-person escape success (Attempt : Blue Station)

It definitely is.

But I couldn’t think of any fancy words to convince them to get off.

Actually, I didn’t want to get off myself.

I wished someone would convince me that we didn’t have to get off. Please, someone.

“...Excuse me! I still think we should get off.”

Huh?

Go Yeongeun?

“You’re the only one who’s been certain of your decisions. Everyone else is scared, but you’ve stayed calm this whole time.”

Me?

“That guy earlier tried to get off on his own, causing all that chaos... At least I’d rather listen to someone kind. I’m getting off.”

And with that, Go Yeongeun bravely stepped out of the train first.

On the rusted platform, the eerie lights flickered, and liquid dripped from the exposed pipes above.

Blood dripped onto Go Yeongeun’s shoulder. Ha, ha...

“Kim Soleum-ssi?”

“......”

“Don’t worry about me. I believe in you too! Let’s go!”

The injured person I was helping urged me forward.

Maybe they thought I was hesitating out of concern for them. Honestly, I was starting to get confused myself about whether I was grateful or resentful.

In any case, I naturally followed Go Yeongeun off the train. The others, still hesitating, eventually followed as well.

At least I wasn’t the last one off, which was a relief.

It’s easy to overlook, but being the last one is the scariest position.

‘...Ha.’

At this point, I just want to abandon myself.

“Should we head up the stairs?”

“Yes.”

Even in this situation, Go Yeongeun yelled toward the other train cars.

“Hey! Get off! This is the right station!”

I wasn’t sure how effective it would be. Some might have been too wary to get off, but...

‘Still, if even one more person gets off because of that, we’re saving them.’

I have to admire her.

No, I’m really trying to focus all my attention on admiring her right now...

Helping the injured person was definitely a good decision. Whenever my focus started to waver, I instinctively stopped myself from panicking.

I recommend it to all cowards.

Though, I doubt many cowards would ever be in such a ridiculous situation!

“Ugh...”

“Let’s keep walking.”

I tried my best to avoid looking at my surroundings as I walked with the group.

I saw the stairs ahead.

‘Talisman-like symbols are plastered all over them...’

Realizing that even the stairs looked far from normal sent chills down my spine, but...

‘I’ll just focus on the feeling of going up.’

One step.

Another step.

I walked quietly.

Soon, I felt my vision blur slightly, and then...

[Congratulations, new employees!]

Suddenly, we were back in the lecture hall.

“......!!”

Bright lights.

A modern, comfortable, spacious room.

Reality came rushing back as I looked at the large screen in front of me, where bold text had appeared.

<Congratulations on Completing Your Probation Period>

: Congratulations. You have been officially hired to the Field Exploration Team of Daydream Inc.

“Ha...”

“Ah!!”

The people who had escaped with me collapsed into chairs, their legs giving out.

I turned my head and counted.

One, two... three... seven.

Everyone who had been in our car survived.

‘We made it.’

From the ghost story <Welcome to Abyss Transpo>, seven out of the ten people in our car escaped.

[Now, it’s time for the gift awarding ceremony!]