Go Yeongeun glanced at her colleague sitting beside her.
Kim Soleum, typing rapidly on the keyboard while staring into the monitor, looked easygoing with his tousled hair and glasses—a style crafted for this undercover work.
True to that image, he usually presented himself at the Disaster Management Bureau as a timid new recruit, shoulders hunched, gaze averted, projecting a passive persona.
But right now, the eyes behind Kim Soleum's glasses, as he looked at the computer, were filled with certainty and composure.
It was the same person she'd seen at Daydream Inc.
That relaxed air unique to those with keen insight and long vision, the so-called 'composure of someone in the know'.
'Is he that immersed in his work?'
For a moment, this person's original attitude was showing through.
He said paperwork was his specialty, and it didn't seem to be a lie…
'A deceiver…?'
Go Yeongeun regarded her colleague, who'd become a supervisor not even one year after getting hired—the top recruit in their batch—with complicated feelings!
But soon Kim Soleum finished his last task on the keyboard with a flourish and turned to look at her as well.
And just as quickly, he slipped back into his crafted passive persona.
"Um, excuse me… Agent. Would you mind giving this a quick look to see if I'm doing it right…?"
"Yes, of course."
She might even learn something new. If not, at the very least, she could help her colleague get more familiar with the documentation process.
Go Yeongeun looked at the computer monitor together with Kim Soleum.
"These are the versions of the urban legend currently collected online by the Disaster Management Bureau."
[Red Clothes at Exit 4_current ver.]
A flood of cases.
A red piece of clothing left, standing by itself at the exit.
All sorts of chilling testimonies, ominous and unsettling sightings that seemed straight out of a horror movie, filling the document in posts, comments, and videos.
But Kim Soleum continued his explanation without batting an eye.
'As expected, things like this don't scare him at all.'
(No, it's just that he's strong when it comes to text!)
"First, I classified these witness accounts. I divided those with actual incidents from those without any substance."
He sorted the document properly, too.
"Then an interesting trend becomes apparent."
Interesting?
"It's that real incidents happen after unsubstantial witness claims are posted."
"…!"
"Look here."
– if u check inside the clothes ull definitely find hair or a jijeon or smth right? but if u touch it to check ig ur an idiot? ㅋㅋ
"And indeed, hair and paper were found."
Kim Soleum included the comment from the person who discovered the hair and jijeon in the 'red clothes'.
"Next, there's the issue about the whereabouts of the person who found the hair and paper."
– someone told me the person who checked out the clothes in that screenshot hasn't been heard from since…
"This comment wasn't posted after the disappearance. The news of their disappearance spread after this comment was posted."
"…!"
Go Yeongeun's face hardened.
…It's just like what had happened at Looky Mart.
"The order is reversed."
"Yes."
That's the nature of ghost stories.
Kim Soleum gave a faint smile.
"When you focus on this kind of trend, and then look at the ghost story again… you can start to see a larger pattern emerge."
Kim Soleum clicked on another document.
[Red Clothes at Exit 4_base ver.]
"This is a version from three months ago."
When the rumors about the red clothes were running wild.
So there are theories that it's an organ trafficking marker, or someone possessed by a ghost, or just some mad person's act… All sorts of talk.
"But none of the things in here ever actually happened. Do you know why?"
"..."
Go Yeongeun fell into thought.
"Because there are too many, so if one thing is realized, it contradicts another?"
"That's right."
Kim Soleum smiled faintly.
"And one more thing. I think it's because there hasn't been a single speculation that people completely believed in."
"…!"
"There were just so many speculative statements, and hardly anyone spoke as if making a definite conclusion. There were lots of rebuttals too, so none of it was enough to be treated as an actual incident."
"…Because there was no evidence?"
"That's right."
To put it another way—
"They just weren't 'convincing enough'."
Kim Soleum clicked his mouse again.
"But then, all of a sudden, such a story appears in the comments."
A 'sufficiently convincing story'.
These repeated testimonies appear to serve as bait for shamanic rituals.
"This is where the situation changes rapidly."
Go Yeongeun read through the document Kim Soleum had compiled, hardly breathing.
Tricks to lure in ghosts. Someone getting attached to the clothes. Tying the arms twice not being an ordinary shamanic ritual. Instead something meant to bring misfortune…
"When it comes to shamanism, unless you're an expert in that field, it's hard to refute these statements. And as soon as someone presents themselves as an expert, it just seems plausible for some reason."
"…But they don't even have to provide any proof, like photos or credentials?"
"…! Exactly."
Kim Soleum smiled as he reviewed the comments he had collected.
– if u check inside the clothes ull definitely find hair or a jijeon or smth right? but if u touch it to check ig ur an idiot? ㅋㅋ
"I checked that person's comment history. He works as an office worker at a steel company."
"…!"
So, not an expert.
But a field where it's easy to pretend.
"Someone who's met a shaman a few times, or read a couple of books, could easily make things up."
No one knows whether these people on the internet are actually shamans. And whether it's really possible to pass on ghosts or curses in the way they describe. No one has ever credibly proven it.
But because it seems convincing, people end up believing it.
The effect of fear combined with familiarity!
"And if you look closely, these so-called experts are all telling different stories."
"...Huu."
It's true.
As she read through the comments, Go Yeongeun barely stifled a sigh.
She hadn't realized it because of the horror atmosphere and all the shamanic claims with a similar 'feel', but really, everyone was just cobbling together every chilling story they could find.
Shamanic rituals, ghosts attached, inviting misfortune…
"…So most of it's made up?"
"Probably."
Or maybe… not just most, but all of it.
"But people believed it."
And so—
"So you're saying that's why it became reality."
"Yes."
Kim Soleum gave a bitter smile.
"The information contaminated reality in reverse."
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[The Conspiracy of Belief]
: A ghost story featured in
: Disaster Management Bureau registration number – 2106PSYA.2025.바56
A ghost story that has materialized as a result of conspiracy theories spread on the internet by individuals who believe in them.
The notable aspect of this ghost story lies in its suggestion that human imagination and confirmation bias may have been the underlying cause of supernatural disasters.
========================
A ghost story that, someday in the future, will be verified and registered by the Disaster Management Bureau.
"If you trace the origin back further…"
– fuk why's there a bright red piece of clothing at the subway entrance shit why tf do i have to live thru a horror experience or sum shit huh? i almost fainted pls hug me
This was the social media post registered along with that photo of a red garment abandoned in front of a subway exit.
The sign for Exit 4 was visible in the background.
"This is how it starts as a simple everyday post."
Maybe that red piece of clothing was just a jacket a drunk person dropped mistakenly, or something that fell off a used-clothing collection truck…
Either way, it was probably just some ordinary, mundane mishap.
"It was most likely just a coincidence, or a funny misunderstanding."
"But the important thing is that people started misunderstanding it."
That's the correct answer.
In the end, this witness account went viral and was quickly reproduced, gaining new explanations with each new iteration. And as fear and rumor attached themselves, it became reality.
"This concludes the results of my investigation."
"..."
He's seriously good at this…
"Um, but… by any chance, did I make any mistakes…?"
And yet, he'd go back to that crafted passive persona again. It really does make him look like a deceiver…!
'Well, I know it's because of the spy thing, but still!'
Go Yeongeun held back another sigh and yet another bitter smile. Instead, she nodded.
"No. …You're probably exceeding the expectations of the agents in this office."
"Oh, that's a relief…! Then, would it be fine if I continue working in the Preliminary Investigation Unit?"
No, wait a minute. That's not the important part right now…
"So, does this mean you've pretty much figured out the mechanism behind this supernatural disaster? If your reasoning is correct."
"Ah, maybe so…"
No, not 'maybe so'— it seems he's actually right!
Go Yeongeun looked at her colleague with a slightly excited expression.
If that's the case, then couldn't they also deduce the solution?
In other words…
"If people just stop believing in it, this ghost story would end too!"
"That's right."
In that case, if they could just set the record straight somehow...
'Ah.'
Go Yeongeun came to a realization.
"…Making people stop believing is practically impossible."
"Yes."
Because actual incidents are happening.
This is an anomalous phenomenon that has already stepped into reality.
"Since too many people already believe, persuading them won't be easy."
This ghost story itself is a conspiracy theory about internet rumors that become real because people believe them.
Maybe the author of this entry in the Dark Exploration Records wrote it as a kind of satire, mocking the so-called evidence and testimonies behind various conspiracy theories.
"…And on top of that, it really has turned into a supernatural disaster. Since the evidence and situation are real now, it would be even harder to refute."
Exactly right.
That's why, whenever agents encounter this ghost story in the Dark Exploration Records, they continually 'manage' the situation by destroying the focal object of the incident or erasing people's memories…
A method of acknowledging the ghost story's existence, managing the risk, and slowly neutralizing it.
A lukewarm solution that matches the uncomfortable nature of this particular ghost story.
But.
"That's not necessarily the only way."
"…Pardon?"
Kim Soleum smiled faintly and brought his hands back on the keyboard.
There was another way.
It was a countermeasure he'd thought of ever since reading this entry in the Dark Exploration Records.
'I can do this.'
The only reason he didn't update the wiki back then was because…
It just didn't fit the atmosphere of a creepypasta!
7.3 Countermeasures
Go Yeongeun watched as Kim Soleum, without hesitation, began typing up the final section of the document.
And then, looking a little satisfied, he took his hands off the keyboard.
"This should do it."
"..."
Kim Soleum.
This time, he's determined to show up and show out!
A few days later.
A red piece of clothing at a station's Exit 4 appeared again, just as before.
– There's one at Yeongdeungpo Station exit. Everyone, avoid it.
By now, people had started to become afraid of even mentioning the red clothing directly.
It seemed like TV stations would start covering it soon. With several missing person and death cases, people on the internet were murmuring that, even though it's a supernatural matter, at the very least, there would be an investigation.
However.
– what's this?
This time, there was black writing on the red garment.
[Red Baccarat New Signup 50,000 Won Free. Poker, Sports Toto, Roulette – All in One. Guaranteed ghostly chills and profits (website address)]
An ad for an illegal gambling website!
– what, it was a damn gambling ad?
People exploded.
– are you shitting me? isn't spam sms enough damn
– fuckass buildup for nuthin
– goddamn illegal gambling ㅋㅋ
– Are you happy now, using people's fear to get clicks?
– let me kill these scammer dickwads
– Reported to police. I'm seriously pissed off.
Profanities and annoyance flew everywhere.
But after things settled down a bit, a few other opinions quietly appeared.
– but arent they jus using the red garment for clout cuz it went viral?
– doesnt it look like their just exploiting it tho? tbh im kinda scared like wont sm happen to those guys now?
At a glance, it sounded plausible.
So those who firmly believed in the ghost story of the red garment began to whisper again, saying, 'Isn't something going to happen to that company?' and started creating an ominous atmosphere.
But the very next day.
[Were you frightened by this red garment?]
[Human life is filled with fear. The lover of paradise, who will protect and love you so that you no longer have to be afraid, is waiting for you. Come to the Paradise of Love.]
A famous cult put the red garment on official display at the exit, complete with a sign…!
– tf is this
– HAㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
– arent these the guys who always go around asking about your ideal type and then ask you to buy them coffee on the street
And to top it all off, even a phrase attached under the sign!
[We are a wholesome religion and do not operate illegal gambling sites. We are proceeding with legal action against the aforementioned company for intellectual property theft.]
People picked up on the subtext.
– wait a sec… so the red clothes thinf was their doing all along?
– it was a religious cult?
It turned out that the trap created by the cult to lure in emotionally vulnerable people had been hijacked and used by an illegal gambling site!
– there they go outing themselves in a panic as soon as their idea got stolen.
– just go get sued for illegal waste dumping
– I really hate it. The scum of society.
– thinking back on all that atmosphere with shamanism and stuff just makes me feel even more annoyed
People, shuddering with irritation, started to remove the red clothing from their conversations altogether.
'Perfect.'
Kim Soleum smiled as he scrolled and checked the scene.
That's right.
If it's a ghost story that becomes reality through people's belief, then the solution was simple.
'Just make it so that no one wants to believe it.'
Make it cringe, make it lose all its tension.
'If you connect it to something that annoys and bothers people in everyday life, it'll disappear in no time.'
– never falling for it again u damn phishing asshats
And so, together with their irritation, people quickly erased the whole affair from their memories.
Even the fact that there were actually dead or missing people was conveniently dismissed as "Ah, it was all a fake for advertising."
And just like that…
—'Red Clothes at Exit 4' has been resolved.
Amazingly neatly, the ghost story ended.
Safely, without a single agent getting hurt.
All it took was the cost of making a few banners.
– gratz gratz
– Amazing but how did it end as soon as it was found tho
– Great work, everyone~
Borrowing Go Yeongeun's phone to check the unusually active agent anonymous group chat, Kim Soleum smiled to himself.
'Investigation, solution proposal, and documentation of the ghost story all handled in the office. I did it right.'
And if he gets recognized for his ability in the Preliminary Investigation Unit like this…
– Nono to be honest ㅎㅎ It wasnt all our unit's work sirs and maams
– eh?
– That famous new recruit wrote up the documentation and even included a solution… and it worked perfectly ㅎㅎ
And then.
– that rookie again?
– daebakㄷㄷㄷ
– Destruction King as expected
– Truly, as consistent as ever ㅎㅎ
– even destroying ghost stories with documents now
"...??"
Kim Soleum really did prove himself.
And in truth, the conclusion of a ghost story is always achieved by teams piecing together clues and trying different ideas.
But the world already has its set images.
And so, the 'Destruction King Rookie' made a major contribution to destroying the ghost story, even while working in the Preliminary Investigation Unit…!
– Look at that initiative, must be destined for black tortoise team 3
– Team 1 you mean, maam? ㅎㅎ
– born to slay in d&r
It was all consumed as reinforcement of his existing image!
So, Kim Soleum, who had ruined a ghost story through image, ended up ruining his own plans through image as well.
"..."
'Hwaiting, Soleum-ssi…'
Foreseeing all of this, Go Yeongeun just squeezed her eyes shut and sent a silent message of support to her colleague…
And on the last day of the two-week probationary training for new recruits.
Kim Soleum… was assigned to Dispatch & Rescue Unit, Black Tortoise Team 1...
Not a single soul was even surprised.