Chapter 8.1

Chapter 8.1

In <Dark Exploration Records>, the creepypastas share a common feature.

The more popular a story becomes, the higher the likelihood of anomalies appearing in the records.

‘It’s because multiple creators are involved.’

When a creepypasta’s first posted, it adheres strictly to its established rules.

However, as the story gains popularity and more people start writing exploration records about it, what happens?

As the numbers of records grow, exceptions begin to occur to break the monotony and repetition—within reason, of course.

The example I desperately recalled was one such case.

The exploration record of the J-squad from <Daydream Inc.>’s Field Exploration Team in which they had to endure 12 hours in an abandoned hospital at night.

But...

※ Note: Exploration ended after 16 hours and 11 minutes.

For some reason, the exploration here lasted 16 hours and 11 minutes, longer than the intended 12 hours.

This was the ‘temporal anomaly’ I was looking for.

Still though...

‘They ended up spending even more time there.’

Something must have gone wrong during the exploration, trapping them in the ghost story longer than the original 12-hour duration.

‘So... I remember now. It was because they missed an important signal.’

It all came back to me.

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(03:12) Employee Lee Jaejin accidentally disconnected the phone line at the counter.

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This mistake prevented the incoming call, which was supposed to trigger the end of the exploration. The call for the shift change.

So the situation spiraled out of control, with the doctor who should have finished their night shift at the hospital continuing to work, creating chaos.

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(12:12) 7:12 a.m. passed, but the sun did not rise.

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Despite the passage of time, the night did not end.

The employee who had set their wristwatch to 7 p.m. as soon as they entered the ghost story panicked when they realized the night wasn’t ending.

‘I remember there was an argument about whether to get caught and reset, and one person ended up being tied up.’

Fortunately, after several hours, another squad member reconnected the phone line, allowing the exploration to proceed normally, and they finally escaped.

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(16:09) Phone line restored. The phone rings immediately. Waited 3 meters away from the desk.

(16:11) The doctor answered the phone and disappeared. Successful escape attempt.

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A ghost story that doesn’t end when it’s supposed to—a chilling anomaly.

‘But there’s a clue here.’

Despite the extended duration in that case, there was a mechanism at play.

There was a trigger that signaled the end of the exploration.

* * *

‘Move on.’

My whole body felt numb.

‘Endure.’

Instead of heading toward the register this time, I bolted in the opposite direction, toward the convenience store’s entrance, illuminated by the faint glow of the drink fridge.

“......”

Outside the glass door was pitch-black darkness.

Still, I strained to see something beyond, and as I peered closer, I noticed something attached to the side of the glass door.

“......!”

It was an electronic clock.

[ 12:00丨04丨04 ]

April 4th, 12:00.

That must be the current set date in this ghost story.

My eyes, adjusted to the darkness, also caught sight of a bell attached to the door. If I touched that door, the ghost would surely hear the bell and come rushing over with its odd, heavy steps.

‘And it probably won’t even open...’

Since the location for survival had been set as the convenience store, there were likely restrictions in place.

I tore my gaze away from the glass door and half-hid behind a nearby shelf.

Leaning against the wall, I continued to scan the store while thinking. Cold sweat ran down my temples.

‘I need to survive for three days.’

So what could trigger the completion of my time here?

What typically happens after three days at a convenience store...?

‘Deliveries?’

I glanced at the boxes stacked near the door.

Could I somehow check the delivery time for new goods and use that to signal the passing of time?

No, that’s too indirect.

Such complicated and detailed conditions wouldn’t work.

The <Dark Exploration Records> are internet-based ghost stories.

‘And internet ghost stories are quite direct.’

The more intricate and fiddly the conditions, the less impact they have, making them less popular.

‘I need something simpler, more obvious.’

So, in a convenience store, what could be the clearest sign of time passing?

“......!”

Of course.

I turned to the shelf closest to the entrance. It wasn’t the drink fridge, but a different refrigerated shelf emitting a cold breeze.

Curiously, though, there were only a few items displayed there—some dairy drinks, coffee, and... doshirak boxes and triangle kimbap.

Quickly perishable food items.

‘Expiration dates!’