Chapter 25.3

Chapter 25.3

The voice of the ‘Good Friend’ became somewhat crafty.

Its unique confidence, slyness, and friendliness came to the forefront.

– I will help you. First... it would be good to take me out of your front pocket for a moment!

I did as it said.

Then, the plush doll sitting on my palm raised its hand and pointed at me.

I flinched instantly, remembering how it burned people during the Tuesday Quiz Show.

But this time was different.

Ta-dak!

A small thudding sound echoed as the doll without fingers snapped its hand.

At that moment.

A strange shadow-like thing heavily covered me.

“......!”

I was now faint and sinking...

– Now... they won’t be able to notice you. Come on, let’s go.

The voice of Braun, the ‘Good Friend’, sounded slightly weary and faint.

“This is...”

– I turned off your lighting, Mr. Roe Deer.

– We promised not to worry about people who aren’t illuminated during the show, didn’t we?

Apparently, ‘incineration’ wasn’t the only ability of the host.

‘Was he managing the entire filming location by himself...?’

I felt an eerie chill and looked down at the plush doll, but soon realized that wasn’t my priority.

First, escape!

“Then, I’ll move.”

– Very good!

I turned back to the restroom and stood in front of the closed narrow path.

Then, I crossed the no-entry sign.

“......”

Nothing happened.

“Thank...”

– Let’s set aside the praise and move first!

I was almost moved to tears by how grateful I was.

I sprinted up the steep hiking trail at my maximum speed, almost sprinting away.

Fragments of broken plastic and decorative items flashed beneath my hands and feet amidst the dirt.

– It seems like the place where something was is definitely here.

I pushed my speed even more.

Upward, further upward...

And finally, the end of the path appeared.

Tak.

I stepped forward and stood.

From the top of the hill, I looked down below.

It’s...

– It’s a resort.

The mascot in uniform that I saw at the gate was approaching at a terrifying speed... then stopped.

It’s... it’s...

Staggering.

“......”

– Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it’s the protagonist of a drama. Let’s get out quickly!

I felt uneasy.

‘This is completely a foreshadowing of revenge.’

There’s nothing good about being hated by a being from a creepypasta, right?

I thought and rummaged through my pocket, finding something that was still left.

[Alice’s Picnic Set – Cookie]

It was this flat cookie item that I had never used before.

I lightly threw the paper-wrapped cookie at the mascot.

......

– Mr. Roe Deer, you are excessively kind...

No.

‘Anyway, I gave it to you, Dragon.’

As I confirmed that the mascot received the cookie in its hand, I crossed the gate.

G o o d c h i l d

I escaped from the creepypasta.

Amidst the world swirling around, I heard the faint voice of the ‘Good Friend’.

– Hmm, now I’m getting strength! I feel like I can move...

* * *

I opened my eyes.

I realized I was sitting in the conference room of Research Team 1 on the 17th floor, empty and dark, right in the middle of Seoul.

‘...I survived.’

I succeeded in escaping!

“Ha!!”

Feeling an overwhelming sense of liberation stretching to the tips of my hair, I immediately stood up from my seat.

‘Is no one here?’

A few hours had passed, so it seemed everyone had moved from the conference room. I thought of calling to let them know I had escaped...

Huh?

I looked at my wrist.

[◎ (Cheerful) Fantasyland Membership ◎ ]

The band was still there.

“What is this—”

And then it began to burn.

“......!”

In an instant, the form of the admission ticket disappeared.

But something remained.

Exactly where the admission ticket had been, there was a black inscription engraved on my wrist.

: Socius :

What the heck.