Chapter 27.1

Chapter 27.1

Baek Saheon.

– You morons. If one eye is all it takes to escape, just do it already!

My coworker, the one who caused that commotion on the subway.

He’s also a notable figure in the <Dark Exploration Records> and will probably keep leaving his mark on his way up to assistant manager...

“What? He’ll die?”

Suddenly, a keychain plushie from a creepypasta just sentenced Baek Saheon to death.

Reflexively, I couldn’t help but ask this question.

“Why?”

But I know a future where he’s promoted up to assistant manager...?

– Ah, it’s a classic. Really classic... Mr. Roe Deer, have you ever seen movies like that?

“...Movies?”

– Yes. The kind with a serial killer in them.”

Ah, please.

– In popular media, there are certain typical targets who end up as victims. Blondes, college students, hitchhikers, or those wearing something like red shoes—these kinds of noticeable symbols.

– And do you know what the most classic and foolproof victim selection is?

The shadow of the plush doll whispered.

– It’s picking up something that belongs to the killer.

“......”

The large black shadow cast on the wall pointed beyond it.

– Your ‘work colleague’ picked up an item, and now he’s going to die in a brutal way!

“......”

Hah, seriously...

“Anyway, thanks for the warning.”

– You’re most welcome!

As politely as possible, I told him that I needed to sleep for work tomorrow, and thankfully, my ‘Good Friend’ gladly understood my situation.

– Goodness, it must have been a tiring day. May you sleep soundly and have sweet dreams!

That seems unlikely.

‘And you contributed to that disaster...’

– Adios!

The flashlight on my phone switched off on its own, and the large shadow on the wall disappeared.

After a moment’s thought, I grabbed a clean towel, made a soft little spot on the desk, and placed the plush doll on it.

‘Hopefully, with this much courtesy, he won’t come after me in a nightmare with a cleaver.’

Of course, I probably need to worry about whether I can even fall asleep and dream at this point.

“Hm.”

I turned the night light to its brightest setting and lay down in bed.

Baek Saheon.

He’s probably asleep next door by now...

‘What exactly did he pick up?’

[Yes.]

[Kang Yihak : So jealous! I’m curious about how you managed to get that, haha]

[I just did my best.]

I didn’t respond further and simply sent a bowing emoticon.

‘This place is just like a jungle.’

I wondered if this might be a warm group chat where colleagues share tips, support each other, and enjoy hobbies together, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

‘It’s more like an intern group chat where only 10% will make it to full-time positions.’

In other words, everyone is subtly trying to gain any advantage they can.

‘Well, with people constantly dying and the wish ticket feeling so far out of reach, I guess it’s understandable.’

Getting too attached to this chat could make the news of someone’s death all the more depressing.

It left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth, but I could understand it.

[Go Yeongeun : (hwaiting emoji)]

[Go Yeongeun : (clapping emoji)]

Still, there seemed to be some genuinely nice colleagues here.

‘She seems to be doing well...’

I nodded, seeing the clean, supportive emoticons from my med-school-dropout colleague who’d backed me up that time on the death-ridden subway.

‘Alright, let’s do what I came here to do.’

Time to follow the voice of my conscience.

I found Baek Saheon’s profile in the group chat and initiated a one-on-one open chat with him.

And I wrote:

watch out for serial killers –

The number 1 serving as an ‘unread’ mark disappeared in a second.

But no reply came.

Hmm, maybe he feels a bit guilty himself?

‘If he feels guilty, he’ll be careful.’

This should be enough as a warning.

“I’ll send it every morning from now on.”

If I keep this up for about a week, the message’s impact should hold until it wears off.

Satisfied with my efforts, I turned off my phone.

‘...Time to sleep.’

Whether I’ll actually manage to sleep is uncertain, but I should at least try. I have work tomorrow... sob.

‘If only the company would explode.’

I lay there, feeling the weight of the sad reality that, given the company’s nature, I’d still have to show up for work. I ended up staying awake all night...

When I finally dozed off in the early hours, I dreamed of being chased by theme park mascots wielding intestines, then offering churros to the plushie.

‘Save me.’

Just another night of trauma for a regular office worker.

The news I heard the next day, however, was anything but ordinary.

T/N: Seolum slowly and methodically driving Saheon insane with his antics is just so hilarious to me lmaoo