Chapter 12.1

Chapter 12.1

A terrible stench spread through the studio.

Walking into the spotlight was something with the head of a pig, walking on two legs.

Its body was emaciated, and from its large, dead pig’s eyes, blood dripped down.

[Hold on a moment. He’s a silent artist... Ah! His equipment is coming in now!]

Thirteen silver trays descended from the air, suspended by wires.

The large, round silver trays were intricately and boldly decorated.

Screaming faces. Countless of them hung like clusters of grapes.

[Shall we meet the passionate contestants who have volunteered to join the choir?]

The lights on each podium came on.

The six podiums revealed the pale, terrified faces of the humans standing on them.

[You recognize some faces from last week, don’t you? Haha, will our contestants who defended the 99th win record set a new record with this new segment?]

[Stay tuned! We’ll reveal the results soon!]

Waaaah!

The audience seats were empty. But a canned applause filled the space mechanically.

[But the first glory must go to the first contestant!]

The host stood in front of an employee I didn’t know.

The employee wearing the mole mask hunched her shoulders.

[Here’s the question.]

Flash.

[Question : Which of the following creatures has the longest lifespan?]

1- Pig

2- Human

3- Rabbit

4- Flea

“H-Human. Number 2, human...!”

[Correct!]

A sigh of relief crossed the mole mask’s eyes.

Yes. In the original Tuesday Talk Show, the segment would have moved on with cheers.

But the new segment had a new phase added.

[Congratulations on passing, Ms. Mole!]

The conductor with the bleeding pig’s head raised his skeletal arms and swung a silver baton.

The mole mask’s head was ripped off.

[Such a beautiful harmony!]

Thud.

The headless contestant’s body collapsed beneath the podium like a broken puppet.

“......!”

The employee’s remaining head floated into the air and was displayed on the silver tray.

It was still mouthing words.

[Each contestant’s unique talent will be awakened. Oh, it’s incredible. Truly incredible...!]

When the pig raised its arms, the gaping mouth of the head suddenly began emitting a clear, piercing scream in tune.

“H-Humans. It’s human, humannnnnn!”

And there was no escape.

Three of us remained.

D-squad’s assistant manager and supervisor.

And me.

[Let’s meet our next contestant! Oh, familiar faces!]

“......”

I recalled one fact I had been avoiding.

...These superiors’ names were also not mentioned anywhere in the <Dark Exploration Records>.

It’s the same as with Go Yeongeun, my fellow new recruit.

I remembered what I thought when I first heard Go Yeongeun’s name.

– Either she left early after handling the ghost stories relatively easily...

– Or she died right away.

[Mr. Badger!]

Supervisor Park was called next.

Park Minseong.

While standing at the farthest podium from me, he had turned completely pale.

It was a death sentence, and it would soon be mine too...

[It’s your turn to answer!]

No.

‘Get a grip!’

I punched my stomach, hidden by the podium.

The pain cleared my head slightly.

‘Being scared doesn’t justify an excuse.’

This wasn’t a situation ruled by that kind of fear.

‘It’s a disaster.’

It was like witnessing a natural disaster up close—the overwhelming force of it.

I had been swept into an unexpected catastrophe. That’s right... If I panic here, it’s all over. I won’t even have a chance to survive.

I can’t forget. Of all the people here, you have the best chance of survival!

I have to think.

‘Right.’

I have information and items.

[Mr. Badger, are you ready?]

Could I use this moment when the host and staff’s attention wasn’t on me? Was there really nothing I could try?

I desperately recalled the items I had. I frantically reviewed the characteristics of this ghost story.

‘I don’t expect much, but.’

If I could just get out of here.

I wasn’t hoping for something as grand as this insane talk show getting canceled. Just stop for a second... just for a moment...

Ah.

I raised my head.

The host’s back was right in front of me.