The Black-Tortoise Unit of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau are people who experience all sorts of bizarre ghost stories firsthand.
Their job is a bit different from the Preliminary Investigation Unit or the Site Cleanup Unit. In the process of rescuing survivors, they often end up soaking in the ghost story itself, experiencing its full 'flavor'.
But today was a rare case.
"T-Team Leader."
"Shh."
Team Leader of Black-Tortoise Team 3, codename Haegeum[1], pressed down her team member's head.
[Flower Golden Resort]
It had already been five hours since they arrived at this strange place.
And the agents had noticed quite a few bizarre signs of incongruity.
All the staff members at this resort are human.
And except for the rookie from the Disaster Management Bureau they found at the front desk, most of them seemed to be maintaining their sanity.
No. At least, that's how it looked on the surface.
Is that even possible in a supernatural disaster?
"B-But. There's another weird one."
The team member whispered.
"The staff who takes the room service calls!"
The two of them turned their gaze toward the side of the front desk.
"Hello, I'm the room service staff, Ladybug!"
The staff member who introduced himself as Ladybug in a cheerful tone over the phone was wearing a mascot mask imitating the resort's mascot. He's anything but a real ladybug.
…Just like the rookie from the Site Cleanup Unit.
'What on earth happened in this place?'
Only those two seemed to have lost their human identities, wearing mascot masks.
When they asked if it was because they hadn't done their jobs properly and got 'corrected', everyone shook their heads.
"That's not it!"
"If you have to call it something… goodwill?"
Goodwill?
A strange choice of words brought a wave of unease.
But no one could give a proper answer as to what exactly had happened.
"Mr. Mascot said no."
"Check the employee work rules."
Yeah, those damned work rules.
R e a d
The team leader, opening the 'Resort Employee Handbook' that the mascot kindly provided, had squeezed her eyes shut the first time she saw it.
The rules went up to 37.
The densely written pages all hinted at gruesome outcomes that could occur while working at this resort.
"Textbook case, right, Team Leader?"
That's true. But still, somehow…
"Welcome!"
It was all too peaceful.
The staff seemed totally unfazed by the pressure and anxiety the work rules should have brought.
Even after seeing the two people who'd lost all self and become just accessories of the resort, no one was scared. They calmly went about their assigned tasks.
They greeted the mascot, even chatted with him.
Sometimes, when talking among themselves, if anyone from the team approached, they would glance over and quietly disperse.
"..."
It was a strange feeling.
Dangerous, bizarre guests kept pouring into the beautiful resort, but as for her, she only had to greet them at the entrance.
Absolute division of labor.
Her team member had been assigned elsewhere. The civilian to be rescued was also placed in another area.
Isolation.
But you could go greet them anytime. The work rules were 'recommended' for staff, not forced. 'Strange.'
Time passed extremely naturally and calmly, but oddities crept in as if seeping through the cracks.
"..."
Slap—!
The team leader slapped her own face.
'I have to stay alert.'
Even if today's mission was simple rescue and not closing the supernatural disaster, this resort was bizarre in a way fundamentally different from other disasters…
They'd have to stay on their guard for two days.
And a few hours later—
– See you next time~
"Aaaagh!"
"Let me in! Let me in!"
Ignoring the figures desperately pounding on the door outside, the hotel's operations ended for the day.
That eerie madness appeared for just a moment, then disappeared, and the staff didn't even glance over, just calmly continued their conversations.
"Is it okay if I go to bed now?"
"I'm sleepy."
That was even scarier.
No matter how crazy that cult company they came from was, this was strange.
'These bastards are the type to cling desperately to their own lives.'
She managed to coax a staff member in a harvest mouse mask with a cigarette and got a bit more of the story about this ghost tale.
"Ah! This was originally a theme park ghost story, but suddenly a new resort was built…"
A newly made place.
"Anyway, as long as you work as staff, you can leave!"
"Who?"
"Huh?"
"Who said we could leave? That's not in the handbook, is it?"
"Uh… it was Mr. Mascot!"
Even when she asked the other employees, their answers were similar.
– As soon as the third facility opens, we can all leave.
– We're just waiting for the third facility… Huh, scared? I was scared before, yeah, but now I think it's fine… because Mr. Mascot takes care of everything.
– ? Yes. That's right.
"..."
It really was just… so bizarre.
The crowning touch was the reaction from the civilian they were supposed to rescue, who'd been working elsewhere.
The person who'd cleaned the spa hallway looked strangely relieved.
"Mr. Mascot helped me… And, well, the work isn't hard… There's only one day left, right? He even said he'd give me a gift when I leave."
"..."
"He said we'll be able to leave soon!"
This lukewarm goodwill, the peacefulness that soaks in, the bright and luxurious resort, the creeping sense of psychological unease.
The team leader genuinely craved a cigarette.
There's nothing like it to drive away the eeriness.
'This kind of thing is my weakness, fuck.'
She was, if anything, the type who could handle traditional ghosts and shamanic supernatural disasters well.
But the assignment couldn't be helped.
In fact, if the rescue signaler hadn't used such a special device, the Black-Tortoise Team wouldn't have dived in so quickly.
A rescue signaler that, when pressed in a supernatural disaster, even indicates the exact route by which the person entered—a device that's practically equipment-grade.
Such a high-level device is used by people in high government positions or 'VIPs', but… most of the time, the rescuee is someone with a special status.
For example, the dearest relative of a fallen agent, or someone like that.
'…Huu.'
…Knowing this, it was psychologically hard to give up on the rescue and just escape on their own.
And the person they were here to rescue wasn't the only one weighing on her mind.
"Hey."
"Yes, Employee!"
The team leader met someone waiting in the third-floor hallway.
A male employee with long, dark brown hair.
Emerging from the elevator was a front desk employee in a yellow mascot mask, smiling kindly, just as he was leaving work.
The team leader clenched her teeth for a moment.
…It really was the rookie from the Site Cleanup Unit.
Note/s:
[1] Haegeum – a traditional Korean string instrument similar to the Chinese ehru. ↩
His agent name… was Hwagak, wasn't it.
"I just had a question."
"Ask me anything!"
"I was wondering if you remember what you were doing before you entered this resort."
"Yes! Of course I remember! You're from the Disaster Management Bureau, right? I used to work there too."
He remembers?
"That's right. Then I'll send your regards. Vermillion-Bird Team 2, right?"
"Yes! Thank you."
The team leader carefully chose her words.
"But you know, you could always go and deliver your regards in person, right? When you leave here…"
"Not possible."
"..."
"I swore to Mr. Mascot that I'd devote myself to this resort, and I signed a contract. I won't leave. And the contract is valid forever, until it ends, forever."
"How about taking some vacation?"
"I do not take breaks."
"..."
The resort employee, who had once been a rookie on the Site Cleanup Unit, smiled silently at the team leader.
Silence.
"I need to go to my room now. I have to follow the work rules! You should go to your room quickly too, and no matter who comes, don't open the door."
And he walked down the hallway and into his room.
Thunk.
"Motherfucker…"
The team leader let out a curse, more like a sigh.
Not being able to smoke, since doing anything that draws attention in a supernatural disaster is idiotic, was all the more frustrating.
'How am I supposed to get him out of here.'
She didn't open the window, but just stood at the end of the hallway, staring out past the window as if she were smoking.
It felt like if she at least set the mood, she'd be able to organize her thoughts…
Wait.
'…?'
There's something beyond the window.
"…!"
The team leader immediately stepped away from the window and pressed herself to the wall.
Noticing something in a supernatural disaster is rarely a good thing.
Instead, she organized what she'd just seen in her mind.
'So…'
The resort grounds with all the lights out showed only a very dim silhouette. And beyond that, there were faint traces of where colorful lights and music had come from.
'…It looked kind of like an amusement park.'
But the 'something' wasn't over there.
Beside it.
From beyond the ruins, out of reach of the resort's lights… something lumpy was moving.
'…A forest?'
Maybe it was just leaves rustling in the wind.
But surely, wasn't something over there… looking up this way?
Something that looked like… a mascot.
"..."
The team leader stepped away from the wall.
She frowned and approached the window one more time…
H e l l o
"…!"
She turned around.
In the middle of the dim, cozy, rustic hallway stood a cute mascot costume.
…At some point, the yellow mascot had appeared right in front of her.
W h y
I ' m H e r e
"…Ah. I just wanted to check if my team was okay."
The yellow mascot, with its adorably shaped face, stared at her without any expression.
Cold sweat ran down the team leader's back, but with years of experience, she managed not to let it show.
"Actually, I was craving a cigarette, but I held back."
G o o d J o b
Surprisingly, the mascot patted the team leader's head as if praising her.
And even gave her a small gift.
…A sleep mask.
"..."
She took it for now and kept it safely. She would hand it over to the forensics unit later.
And as for the strange thing she'd just seen outside the window…
'I won't mention it.'
A strong survival instinct jabbed at her, but before that, her instincts as an agent—needing to grasp the nature of this disaster—surfaced as well.
'Damn it.'
"I'm curious, though. What's over there?"
In the end, she reached out and pointed in the direction where something had been moving.
And she twisted her hand slightly.
T h e m e P a r k
"Oh, so that's the theme park. Then, this is the theme park, but that place… doesn't look like it."
The team leader rotated her hand, adjusting the direction to the forest.
T h a t
O u t s i d e
The yellow mascot peered at her.
D o n ' t g o
"..."
D a n g e r o u s
After that, the yellow mascot guided the team leader to her assigned room and opened the door for her.
H e r e
And until she was fully inside and closed the door, the mascot just stood there silently outside.
Through the closing door, the team leader could hear the mascot mutter,
I t A l l E n d s
T o m o r r o w
And the next day.
For the first time since entering the resort, the agents were able to go outside.
Because the back of the resort had been opened.
T h i s W a y
Before operating hours began, the mascot gathered the staff and went to the ruins behind the resort.
And as the mascot raised both arms into the air—
Wooooooo—
The shattered facilities in the ruins vanished into the ground.
Instead, beautiful garden trees began to rise.
"…!"
Landscaping took place.
Bushes full of green leaves, trees, golden flowers sparkling. Clusters of small flowers in various colors shimmered, making the huge golden blossoms stand out even more.
And even a fountain.
"Wow! Is this the new facility?"
N o
C e r e m o n y
S p a c e
'…Ceremony?'
The team leader looked around.
Standard mascots were busily carrying things.
…Flyers.
On the backdrop of the beautiful night garden, golden-lighted, antique, sparkling promotional phrases were written.
‒‒‒
Come and See the Flower Golden
Dazzling brilliance!
Astonishing blooming!
The most beautiful illumination
in the ■■!
※If you stay in a theme park view room, you can enjoy special effects through the window.
‒‒‒
…Something was being prepared.
Day 5 of resort operations, evening.
The time had come.
I checked my outfit in the facility office.
Over the signature yellow mascot fur, I fastened a dignified golden bow tie.
And on the horns, I placed golden glass ornaments like flowers…
Lastly, I held armfuls of glow sticks.
Now, all preparations are complete.
Once the mascot, having carried out the ceremony, truly becomes the owner of the resort, the third facility can be opened.
Thanks to the Blue Mascot perfectly settling the event funds, the budget is generous.
I stepped out of the office.
When I entered the lobby during the busy evening hours, guests looked my way at my appearance.
I handed out glow sticks to each of them.
The standard mascots also waved and generously handed out small glow sticks to visitors.
The ceremony I chose was an illumination. A festival of beautiful lights.
It's a perfect match for Flower Golden Resort. As a flawless ceremony, it will further elevate the prestige of this resort, demonstrating a dignity incomparable to a certain loud parade.
I led the guests to the back of the resort building.
The huge, beautiful rear gate that had been set up in advance opens.
Oooooooo—
It looks desolate.
The grounds of the dark resort, long after sunset, are shrouded in darkness, and only the theme park lights twinkle in the distance.
But even that is about to end.
G o l d e n F l o w e r s
The moment the mascot raised its hand…
Lights began to sparkle all across the garden.
Ooooohhhh—!
The night garden blooming in gold glittered and danced strangely.
The glow sticks given to guests, shaped like flowers blooming on branches, also lit up, each flower shining with its own light.
Oooooohhhhh—!
Cheers and shouts from the guests rang through the garden.
Some guests were crying or laughing, even wailing on the ground in awe.
Now, preparations are complete.
– We would like to thank everyone who visited Cheerful Theme Park again today.
Soon, our Twinkle Illumination will begin at Flower Golden Resort. We hope you'll join us and witness the birth of the magnificent Flower Golden…
I took a deep breath.
'Let's do this well.'
The mascot must absolutely take center stage for the finale of this show.
And after that…
"Oh, now we're opening the third facility!"
That's right.
I nodded proudly at Supervisor Lee Seonghae, who had come over.
"That's great. The other zones have, like, ten attractions each, right? I think it'd be good to have that many more here too."
No. I'm going to cut ties and leave immediately…
But as the mascot, I couldn't say something like that out loud, so I just stood there quietly.
If I bring up another topic… Ah, that's right.
S o
"Yes?"
I'd been curious for a while.
R e d Z o n e
L e a v e
H o w ?
How exactly did Supervisor Lee Seonghae escape the red zone, and how did she survive a full day there?
Might as well ask now to relax a bit.
"Oh, I got one stamp on my ride ticket. But that rabbit kept chasing me! I couldn't ride anything else. They wouldn't let me enter the blue zone at all."
As expected.
"So I went the other way!"
...
Huh?
"You can actually go to the opposite forest, you know? Once business hours end, there were weird noises from the theme park, but even if that crazy rabbit chased me into the forest, it was a bit slower there."
Probably because it wasn't its own zone.
No, but…
Does that mean you circled all the way through the opposite forest and came out to that forest over there?
'Unbelievable.'
"So when I got here, I saw the resort!"
G o o d J o b
"But isn't it cool? Heehee."
Yeah. It's really cool.
To escape here by dodging Magic Bunny.
Even if the mascot slowed down after leaving its own zone…
...
Wait.
R e d
M a s c o t
C h a s e H e r e ?
"Yes!"
I n F o r e s t ?
"Yup!"
If the forest isn't considered someone's zone, I can understand that.
But that's not the real issue.
I t C h a s e Y o u
U n t i l H e r e ?
"Yes, yes! It chased me almost the whole way! Once I got here, it couldn't come out and got blocked, though!"
...
The Magic Bunny…
…knows how to get…
…to the Yellow Zone.
-♩♪♬♬~♩♬♬~♩♪♪
– Kyahahahaha!
"..."
"…Mr. Mascot?"
I turned my head.
With the garden's creation, the once-ruined ground had been developed.
And it brought the zones even closer, now completely adjacent.
The forest.
And the light from the garden shone all the way into the depths of the forest.
And thus, it is revealed.
A red path.
And standing silently on it.
C a u g h t , H u h ?
The red mascot moves.
The Magic Bunny, who had spent the last four days clearing the forest to expand it its own zone, now begins the final phase.
Wearing overalls, the mascot raises its hand, and between the forest and garden, a device decorated with a cute rabbit drawing rises up.
A gate.
A facility connecting the two zones.
And then.
– Kyahahahaha!
A flood of long-term red zone guests and missing persons comes pouring in through the gate, running down the path.