In one corner of a locker room inside a theme-park Ghost Story, a tiny plush doll spoke and moved its limbs.
Just reading that sentence would be enough to make someone faint from shock.
Except for the part where I'm the one who caused this situation.
-Friend?
The plush doll flailed atop the vanished hexagram.
"Ah,"
Only then did it really sink in.
I had succeeded in inviting a "Good Friend" into the doll!
The problem was that what I had invited was someone I knew—no, a monster I knew.
'The host...!'
The TV-headed monster who had hosted the Ghost Story Tuesday Quiz Show.
-Please do join my new talk show as part of the crew too, Mr. Roe Deer!
I swallowed as I recalled the final scene from when I escaped that insane Ghost Story.
"...It's good to see you, Mr. Host. Have you been well?"
-Haha, it's good to see you too! It brings back memories of how magnificently Mr. Roe Deer performed on the quiz show. Have you been well in the meantime, Mr. Roe Deer? As for me....
-I....
Silence.
-I don't... quite remember. Hmm... yes. I've been well. I hosted a talk show.
The voice coming from the plush doll turned faint somehow, then soon regained strength and warmth.
-What matters is that we've met again!
"...Yes."
It felt as though the overwhelming supernatural pressure and terror were being dimly pressed down before they could burst out.
'...Because it's Good Friend?'
It seemed that the plush doll and the ritual were acting as some kind of restraint.
Even so, I had to be careful.
"Um, Mr. Host. I have a question for you."
-Please, speak freely, my friend. Ah, come to think of it, such a title feels a little distant between friends!
-Just call me Brown, Mr. Roe Deer! And let's drop those embarrassing honorifics like 'Mr.' too!
"...Right. Yes. Brown."
Sure. Even a TV-head living inside a Ghost Story would have a name....
Anyway, the main issue was urgent right now. I spoke as politely as possible.
"The truth is, I'm trying to leave the theme park right now, but I can't find a way out."
-Oh dear! Theme parks are famous for their complicated layouts and dizzying paths, aren't they? Don't worry. I'm very good at finding my way!
"...It's not that I'm lost. A mascot blocked the exit gate."
The plush doll fell silent for a moment, as though at a loss for words.
-Hm, hmm.... That's quite a unique situation.
That was a surprisingly human reaction.
I briefly summarized the structure of this theme park and what had happened.
The teams and zones divided by color, and even the mascots that had gone berserk.
The plush doll lying on the floor crossed its arms.
-Hmm. They really are diva-like mascots! There are beings in the broadcasting industry who behave just as dramatically.
-Though one that has not appeared concerns me.
One that had not appeared?
I recalled it reflexively.
"...You mean the yellow mascot?"
The last mascot, only mentioned in the attraction, with no trace of it anywhere.
-Exactly! Was it a yellow flower? Do you know where he is?
"...!"
Right.
'If we found the blue mascot's zone, then the yellow mascot's zone might exist somewhere too...!'
If I found that place and used the gate on that side to leave....
-It's already dead, though.
...
"What?"
The yellow mascot?
"Wouldn't there be a place like a botanical garden, or a greenhouse garden? Since it's a flower...."
-Oh, but you already know this, Mr. Roe Deer.
The friendly voice spoke almost in a whisper.
-Didn't you say it quite clearly yourself? That the yellow team woke up at the edge of the blue zone.
"...!"
-If there had been a yellow zone, the yellow team would have woken up there. Wasn't that the rule?
"...That's right."
The rule was that you woke up in the zone matching the color of the piece you drew. But the yellow team had not.
Was that... because there truly was no yellow zone?
I thought.
Then, after a moment, I spoke.
"...I know what I need to do."
I needed to confirm it.
-Oh, what is it? Let's—
The plush doll flailed as though trying to get up, but lost its balance and flopped face-down.
-Ahem, Mr. Roe Deer, could you stand me up, please?
I approached carefully and lifted Good Friend, keyring and all, lightly into one hand.
It felt warm, almost like body heat.
-It's difficult to steady this body. I'll need a little time to adjust, but... don't worry. I'm a very capable being!
I'm sure you are.
After a moment's thought, I tucked the plush doll into the front pocket of my suit.
The plush doll dramatically raised one hand.
-Now then, let's go! ...By the way, where are we going?
Somewhere that could serve as a guide.
A place every large public facility has at least one of.
"The information booth."
Naturally, there were Exploration Records mentioning that an information booth had also been found in A Fun Theme Park. After all, it had most of the things a typical amusement park would have.
'The problem was that it couldn't be used normally....'
It would tell you simple things, like the locations of nearby attractions.
But if your request became slightly complicated, or if you asked for something material, then it would turn out like this.
The information mascot would raise a sign that said Members Only.
'Meaning a mere ride ticket isn't enough.'
Although it treated you like a guest, it was originally just there to create an eerie atmosphere, implying that this was not truly a place for people like you....
'And I happen to have a membership pass on my arm.'
In truth, the moment my ride ticket changed into a membership pass, I had already recalled a few Exploration Records related to "Members Only."
A special souvenir shop, a restaurant, even a separate attraction entrance that allowed you to enter without waiting in line.
But there was also a clear reason I had tried to avoid them.
'Because I'd have to interact with mascots.'
Because if I approached alone, with no information, and made contact with the insane mascot that had shut the gate, I had no idea what terrible outcome it might cause....
'Just imagining it is horrifying.'
But now I had a monster friend who could serve as a danger alarm, so I was going to give it a try.
"Brown. If the one I'm speaking to starts to feel offended, or seems like it might try to harm me, could you let me know?"
-Of course. That's not difficult at all!
The plush doll answered cheerfully, then quickly came up with a few hand signals to teach me as well. As expected of someone from the mass media industry, it handled things quickly.
And a little while later—
-It's over there. Oh, it looks quite convincing....
Hearing Good Friend chat away, I approached the information booth. The booth was made of opaque blue glass and white partitions.
Then, as I drew near, the partition opened, and the face of a blue mascot appeared.
It was a Blue Dragon in uniform.
"Hello. I'd like to see a map of this place."
The Blue Dragon mascot, which had been waving as though pleased to see me, quickly moved its hands and held out a high-quality catalog.
It was a convenient map showing the various attractions, restaurants, and amenities of Blue Dream Water Park.
Across the top of the catalog were the words Members Only.
I raised my head and looked at the Blue Dragon mascot.
"Thank you."
It seemed strangely proud of itself.
"However, do you perhaps have one that shows the entire grounds as well?"
Stop.
The Blue Dragon mascot froze.
D-don't chicken out.
"As you may know, I crossed over here from the red zone without going through the proper procedures. In order to avoid making a mistake... I'd like to avoid getting close to that side again."
I asked in as calm and polite a voice as possible.
"From where to where does it border the red zone?"
A short silence.
The mascot stretched out its hand.
F r o m
h e r e
t o
h e r e
Riiip. The claws of the Blue Dragon mascot tore the catalog map I was holding.
A long slash all the way down along the eastern edge.
'So just as I thought, the east side of the blue zone and the west side of the red zone really were directly connected....'
But... this was too scary.
Both of my hands holding the torn catalog were trembling as if vibrating...!
'Please spare me.'
You're not going to split me in half with those claws too, right?
The moment the mascot lifted its claws from the map, I hurriedly nodded and expressed my thanks.
Then, the next topic!
"Thank you. In that case, perhaps...."
Tap tap.
"...!"
-Shh.
From my front pocket, the plush doll lightly tapped my chest twice.
That meant this.
'The other party looks displeased.'
...So this was as far as I could push it!
I immediately changed my approach and offered only a polite greeting.
"Yes. I will avoid going near the red zone."
The Blue Dragon stood still for a moment, then nodded.
Then it rummaged in its clothes and once again took out a bag of the familiar Blue Soda Churros and handed it to me.
"Thank you."
G o o d
c h i l d
The Blue Dragon tapped my bracelet lightly before withdrawing its hand.
Rrrrk.
Soon the partition of the information booth closed smoothly.
"..."
'Phew.'
That was enough.
I bowed my head, clutching at my pounding heart.
I felt like I was going to die of fear, but....
-You're smiling, my friend! Are you happy? Did you find what you were looking for?
I had found it.
"Yes."
I raised my head and started running.
"Now all that's left is to move."
If I had asked the mascot more questions, I might have saved some time, but safety came first, so from here on out I would use the most reliable method.
My own two feet.
'Hurry.'
There were only a few hours left.
I looked up at the theme park sky, which was beginning to darken.
A few hours later.
The sun had set.
"Huff."
I was still running.
My legs, which had scoured half of the enormous water theme park in detail, were shaking.
-Mr. Roe Deer, you seem very tired.
"I'm fine."
The plush doll asked in a sympathetic tone.
-It seems the time has come for me to ask this. Where exactly are we trying to go?
Wiping the sweat gathered at my jaw, I answered.
"The yellow zone."
-Hoh!
-It seems we have all agreed with the proposition that 'there is no yellow zone,' so why have you changed your mind?
"I haven't changed my mind. I still think there is no yellow zone."
But.
"It must have existed in the past."
I lowered the map and looked ahead.
For one thing—
"It probably was not directly connected to the red zone back then."
That side was forest to the east, the entrance to the north, a cliff to the south, and the blue zone to the west.
'The terrain fits together perfectly. There's no gap.'
If that was the case....
"Then it must have connected somewhere to the blue zone. There was definitely a passage."
From that, I could exclude the north, which was likewise an entrance, and the east, which bordered the red zone.
That left....
-So that's why you were tearing through the west and south sides like a bloodhound? Haha!
Exactly.
Unlike the red zone, there were no mascots here trying to kill me on sight, which was why I had been able to use this brute-force method.
And in the end, I found it in a flower bed tucked away in the northwest corner, behind a restroom.
A rough dirt path leading up the mountain, like a sealed hiking trail.
-Hmm. It certainly looks like it used to be an open passage.
The problem was that the moment I crossed it, I would almost certainly be breaking the theme park's rules of use.
[No Entry Except for Authorized Personnel]
After checking that sign, I stepped back out from behind the restroom and glanced around.
In the distance, my eyes met those of a mascot standing in front of a children's attraction.
-Hmm, is that mascot bothering you?
"Yes. If I cross into the restricted area, I'm certain it'll notice...."
-Then you simply mustn't be noticed!
"..."
That isn't as easy as you make it sound....
-Oh, cheer up. It's not difficult at all!
-I'm here, aren't I? Your friend.
The voice of Good Friend had turned sly somehow.
Its peculiar confidence, subtle malice, and friendliness all came to the forefront.
-I'll help you. First... it would be good to take me out of your front pocket for a moment!
So I did just that.
Then the plush doll sitting in my palm raised a hand and pointed at me.
I flinched at once. It reminded me of how it had incinerated people on Tuesday Quiz Show.
But this time was different.
Snap!
From the doll's hand, which had no fingers, came the dull sound of fingers snapping.
In that instant—
something like a strange shadow settled over me, heavy and deep.
"...!"
I became faint, dimmed, sunken....
-Now... they won't notice. Come, let's go.
The voice of Good Friend—Brown—grew faint, as though slightly tired.
"This is...."
-I turned off the light on Mr. Roe Deer.
-Didn't we agree, during the show, not to pay attention to people the spotlight wasn't shining on?
Apparently "incineration" was not the host's only ability.
'Had he really been controlling the entire studio itself...?'
A chill ran down me, and I glanced at the plush doll, but soon realized that wasn't the priority.
Escaping came first!
"Then I'm moving."
-Very good!
I went back behind the restroom and stood before the blocked path.
Then I stepped past the No Entry sign.
"..."
Nothing happened.
"Thank y—"
-Save the praise for later. Let's move first!
I was almost genuinely touched from gratitude.
At the fastest speed I could manage, I climbed the steep trail. Almost crawling.
Broken pieces of plastic and things like ornaments pressed beneath my hands and feet among the dirt.
-It does seem certain that something used to be here.
I hurried even more.
Upward, higher still....
And at last, the end of the path appeared.
Thud.
I set my foot down and stood.
From the top of the hill, I looked down below.
What I saw was....
-A resort.
Beside a dark shoreline sprawled a large vacation complex.
...Hadn't it been said that certain famous franchise theme parks also operated accommodations on a scale this massive?
The sheer size of it was overwhelming just to look at, but....
[Flower Golden Resort]
It was already a dead facility.
The resort, gleaming gold, must once have looked like quite a dream destination. But now it was old, the paint peeling, bleak and desolate.
I looked at the cracked sign where the yellow flower was smiling brightly.
And beneath it, even a familiar but much older type of machine.
-There's a gate at the resort entrance too!
"Yes."
That made sense. The route back from the theme park to the resort would count as a kind of exit too.
'Found it...!'
Forgetting my exhaustion, I started running again. The shadow covering my body slipped away in a rush, and my steps grew even faster.
-Hmm. But the gate is off here too. Will it work?
"Of course."
I examined the area around the old gate device and opened the emergency control panel.
Just like I had done in the attraction before.
Then I fed emergency power into it.
Bzzzzzz.
With a creaking protest, the gate device lit up here and there.
'It was only because the mascot was staring me down that I couldn't do it before.'
This much tinkering I could manage even without anything special.
I stood in front of the gate that lit up in the most intact condition.
Steadied my breathing.
And made one final check.
"Brown. If I enter that resort with this membership pass, does it look like I'll be required to use the resort facilities?"
-Haha! That old wreck? It looks like business ended ages ago. It's land without an owner now. It's no longer a theme park—it's just land!
Thank you, my friend, for the ruthless and accurate assessment.
I immediately held my membership pass to the gate.
Pik.
The old gate device read the pass.
Ding. A light flashed on the machine.
[◎Goodbye◎]
It worked.
A tremor ran through me as I moved my foot forward—
-Oh dear. It followed us.
I turned around.
Far away, I could see a blue shape crawling up the trail.
'...A mascot!'
The Blue Dragon!
The mascot in uniform from the gate was approaching at a terrifying speed, then... stopped.
It was... it was
sniffling.
"..."
-Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it's the protagonist of a melodrama. Let's leave quickly!
Something about this felt unsettling.
'This feels exactly like the setup for holding a grudge later.'
Wouldn't it be bad to earn the resentment of a being from a Ghost Story?
After hesitating, I searched my pocket and found the one thing I still had left.
[Alice's Picnic Set – Cookie]
It was this flat cookie item, the one I had never used even once.
I lightly tossed the paper-wrapped cookie to the mascot.
...
-Mr. Roe Deer, you are too kind....
No, I'm not.
'Anyway, I did give you something, Mr. Dragon.'
The moment I confirmed the mascot had caught the cookie in its hand, I stepped past the gate.
G o o d
c h i l d
I left the Ghost Story.
As the world swirled around me, I heard the faint voice of Good Friend.
-Hmm, only now is strength finally returning to my body! I think I may be able to move....
I opened my eyes.
I realized I was sitting inside the dark, empty conference room of Research Team 1 on the seventeenth floor, in the middle of Seoul.
'...I lived.'
I escaped!
"Hah!!"
With a liberating rush that made every hair on my body stand on end, I sprang to my feet at once.
'Is no one here?'
Since several hours had passed, it seemed everyone had already moved elsewhere from the conference room. First I should call them and let them know I escaped too—
Huh?
I looked at my wrist.
[◎ (A Fun) Fantasy Land Membership Pass ◎]
The bracelet was still there.
"What is th—"
And then it began to burn.
"...!"
In an instant, the shape of the pass disappeared.
But something remained.
Exactly where the pass had been, black lettering had been carved into my wrist.
: Socius :
What is this now.