Chapter 218: Ch 218: Containment Failure Incident
That familiar voice.
That familiar comportment.
[It has been such a long wait! Six months, goodness. Hardly a period too
short for even an entire program to rise and fall, wouldn’t you agree!]
[Mr. Roe Deer, I fully understand just how dearly you must have missed
this Braun in the meantime...]
[And today, at last, here we meet again. Oh, just like the start of a brand
new season!]
Words with the flair of a talk show host.
The presence that had always been in my front pocket, speaking with me,
was there again.
[Friend?]
I picked up the rabbit plush.
The doll, small enough to fit in one hand, kept its familiar appearance even
as it was shrouded in black smoke.
Soft fur and neat seams.
Two black pebble-like eyes gleaming in the light.
And beneath the pink head, the black bow tie, sitting neatly as always, just
like how I had placed it before.
A fake.
[!]
What looked like a bow tie on the original Good Friend was actually just a
hairband I had purchased at that boutique in Death Lane.
But what was beneath this doll’s head was a real bow tie, tied in the proper
way.
Decisively, the ’new Good Friend plushie’ I had custom-made through the
process at Cheerful Theme Park could not possibly have a bow tie.
Because the previous Good Friend had burned itself.
Therefore, this was no different from the prop laptop on the desk that had
only a shell for a body, or the books on the shelves that consisted only of
covers.
A set piece, made to reproduce Supervisor Kim Soleum’s company housing
environment.
A counterfeit.
[My word... correct! As sharp as ever, Friend.]
Then.
What are you?
[I am your summoned friend. Braun.]
The unmoving eyes of the rabbit doll glinted again in the light.
[I merely made use of my cotton-stuffed body merchandise to help you
focus, Mr. Roe Deer.]
...
I realized.
The voice was not coming from the rabbit doll itself.
It was coming from within me.
I simply accepted it as coming from the doll, because I had found it there.
And this was...
Because it was imitating the speech of the Good Friend.
[Hmm, yes. Merchandise. Far more elegant than ’counterfeit’, wouldn’t you
say? A faithful effort to reproduce my cotton-stuffed form that my friend
shares his every move with. The quality is a little coarse, but not bad...]
...
[Oh, or wait. Did you perhaps think this voice was fake as well?]
No.
[Ah, splendid. That’s a relief...]
But haven’t you known all along?
[...Hm?]
Six months.
The time I spent alone in the annex’s 13th basement floor, a place with
nothing but corpses and ghost stories.
Even then, you could have spoken to me at any moment.
But you didn’t. Because that period was tedious, unremarkable, boring, of
no value to communication.
Isn’t it your very nature to relish the thrill and delight of appearing at the
single most interesting moment?
As an entertainer.
[...Aha. So that’s it.]
[The host, who could have spoken at any time during those six months,
turned away from the painful, dreary stretch and instead appeared now,
mimicking the Good Friend’s image, choosing the most fascinating
timing...]
[Very well. Slander and rumor are a star’s fate, after all.]
The sound of arms crossing.
[Good heavens, and to think I even made a special guest appearance in that
tacky training video from the second week onward...]
...
Training video?
– [Special entity Employee full of dreams and passion! Welcome to
Daydream Inc.’s Security Management Team!]
The endlessly looping training video, playing on the old black-and-white
TV in the corner of Room 666 on the annex’s 13th basement floor.
Security Management Team’s Special Division Employee Training.
[Yes. That shoddy piece of propaganda, repeated again and again in that cell
of a room, with not a shred of entertainment or inspiration.]
[Even though I greeted you countless times, Mr. Roe Deer, you never
responded. What an insult that was.]
And in the middle of that... was the rabbit doll.
The host with the TV for a head.
Did he appear?
Did he greet me?
That, that was...
...
It didn’t matter.
Because it was information irrelevant to the work.
[How heartbreaking! Yes. Friend, you had no intention of recognizing me at
all.]
[Of course, it is precisely a host’s duty to make even such an audience lend
their ears...]
[But fortunately, this form seems to stir in you the desire to listen. Truly, I
am honored, Mr. Roe Deer!]
It took me a step too late to understand that the last remark had been
sarcasm.
And also, that it was not only sarcasm.
I realized it slowly.
[Still, it seems my dearest friend has recovered quite a bit of that lively wit
of old! Quite proactive, ever since today’s little excursion...]
...
Because the Nostalgia Kitty had, for a fleeting moment, let me know ’what
I truly felt’, I had been able to think in a manner similar to before.
[Ah, indeed, indeed.]
But...
Does that mean anything?
[Hm?]
Within this smeared, untruthful form. Within these limbs of melted brain
and flesh, where I cannot even tell what attaches to what.
And inside this horned monstrosity, into which all that has been forcibly
stuffed, would it not have been better not to realize that there is still
something akin to a mind?
This dissonance.
[So that’s it, the mask has devoured you, Mr. Roe Deer...]
...?
[That’s all right. It’s a side effect common to all talented entertainers!]
[Now then, behold this merchandise body...]
I fixed my gaze.
The fake Good Friend lay in my hand.
[This frugal little body is a fake! Yes, indeed. That splendid cotton-stuffed
form you provided me anew lies more than fifteen miles away, deep
underground...]
[And yet, still, we are able to speak like this.]
[And surely, we can share friendly exchanges as before! ...Friend, would
you set me upon the towel?]
...
So I did.
[Yes... Ah, much better.]
From the black smoke pouring out of the gas mask, my gloved hand moved.
I folded the towel twice, carefully smoothed the middle, and placed the doll
upon it.
A habit I once had.
As though after finishing a suffocating Darkness exploration, I would care
for my Good Friend’s resting place upon returning home.
As though it were still that way.
As though this plush doll, which called itself my good friend, was still
bound by the constraints of the Good Friend.
As though it were still that way.
...
It was a deceitful imitation.
[Oh, but every show begins with imitation.]
...
[The whole process of mirroring reality, yet presenting it more
symbolically! Mime, skits, stand-up, wordplay, critique...]
[At each branching choice, crafting the most meaningful imitation to grant
laughter and significance! Building a bond with the audience, moving them
through that process...]
[A show is, at its core, a lie that reflects the truth... But is it really
meaningless, then?]
The voice dropped to a whisper.
[Because it is a lie?]
I did not answer, but the other already knew.
My answer.
[That’s right. It does have meaning. Oh, most certainly. In every moment of
tears and laughter!]
The polite host tapped his fingers against the table.
As though struck by a good idea.
[It is the same with you, Mr. Roe Deer. Shall we take a look together at the
mask you are wearing now?]
I turned my gaze aside.
[Oh, the smoke makes fine stage effects, and I do quite like those light-like
eyes! You’ll make an excellent crew member.]
[Rather rugged and cool indeed, but... Mr. Roe Deer, it seems you prefer
the mask you wore before.]
[Because of familiarity, and the bond tied to it? Why, that too is a fine
quality in an entertainer.]
...
[Then what if we make that a mid-term goal?]
[Let us connect with the audience through imitation. Just as this Braun here
is doing now!]
If you cannot return to being human, then pretend to be one.
[It’s time to learn a new ability. Mr. Roe Deer, isn’t this your specialty?
Collecting marvelous skills and items!]
Like purchasing items in the Space Shopping Mall.
Like receiving tattoos at Moonlight Tattoo Shop.
Like exchanging clues in the Faceless Market.
My appearance, desperately preparing to survive the ghost stories, to
survive within them at all.
...I remembered.
And then, above the rabbit doll, like a burst of fireworks, a small golden
effect appeared, drew out a single phrase, and vanished.
New Objective : Master the splendid art of disguise!
’...’
[Well?]
’...Fine.’
I nodded.
Let’s find an appearance through which I can interact with people.
Even if it isn’t real.
[Excellent, Friend!]
[Now, I do hope you won’t forget me, and that we’ll go about together.]
I placed that fake Good Friend into the pocket of my Security Team
uniform.
Just as I had done before.
And I began to plan.
Just as I had done before.
I flipped through the pages of the Dark Exploration Records within
memory, making a list of possible methods...
And the moment the morning shift began that day.
Without fail, a company employee came to the isolation room for duty.
But it wasn’t someone from the Security Management Team.
"Haha... We meet again so soon!"
Kwak Jekang.
The assigned researcher arrived in a completely disheveled state. At least
his pinky finger seemed to have been treated, but it was blunt.
One joint was gone.
"The excuse that the surveillance cameras are broken, that there’s no choice
but to visit, that we’ve devised countermeasures... Well, the fact that such
excuses work is one of the company’s advantages... But that doll!"
Excitement gleamed in his eyes as he noticed the environmental
incongruity.
"The doll’s gone from the desk. You took it with you? Ah, perhaps it helps
stabilize your mind? Or attachment formation..."
I exhaled smoke.
Question : Whereabouts of the team members
► The one wearing the Badger Mask
► The Guard Sergeant
"Ah, those two won’t be coming today! A light, very light interview process
had to be conducted, you see... So instead, I’ve come! Hahaha!"
I gave no response.
"Do you like those two? For what reason? Surely there are quite a few with
whom you’ve formed rapport... Ah, what about other members of the Field
Exploration Team? If you were to meet them privately..."
Not interested though?
"..."
The same smile stayed on Kwak Jekang’s lips, but his complexion had gone
pale.
It was clear some psychological scars remained...
This researcher needed to be made to understand.
That the position of questioner had shifted.
Question : Director Cheong’s work orders regarding 130666
"...You’re curious what Director Cheong said when assigning you to me?"
...
"Well, if it’s Director Cheong, then yes, it’s quite likely she knows at least
something about your identity! Perhaps she even personally led your
summoning!"
Wiping away the sweat pooled at his chin in a haphazard motion, Kwak
Jekang laughed fervently.
"However, Director Cheong isn’t the sort who talks much, so unfortunately,
for now, it can be summarized in about two statements..."
– Educate it in the regulations as an employee
– Discover effective ways of use
"...And then, ’Remain on standby until further instructions’. That’s about
it!"
...
"You’ve noticed, haven’t you. In short, it’s no different from training a dog!
Find out what food pleases it, what punishments make it obey... Yes. That’s
what we were told to determine. Hahaha!"
[Mr. Roe Deer, how about making the man before you into a dog? It could
be an amusing practice stage for your art of disguise!]
...No.
"Anyway... I believe we’ve arrived at the same inference. Once your
methods of use are sufficiently established, Director Cheong herself will
begin assigning you Darkness collection tasks!"
The one who nearly walked on all fours produced an interesting conclusion.
It matched my own.
"And that, most likely, is where the hint lies. If it was Director Cheong who
summoned you, then it would surely have been for those tasks!"
A hint toward my existence.
"Especially if a researcher like me were to stick close and observe, yes, if
you’d provide even a small pretext, then I could learn very... very much."
...Hm.
Request to reduce time required
"Mm? You mean, shorten the time it will take to reach that point? Then, in
that case..."
I formed words in black smoke.
About how one might force a response from Director Cheong.
To be utilized :
Containment failure incident of 130666
"...Hm? ...Aha."
I continued to explain through the smoke.
Various examples.
Kwak Jekang jotted the words down hastily onto paper, and when space ran
out, he even scribbled across the back of his own hand. He was also adding
ideas of his own.
And when I chose one among them, his mouth split into a wide grin.
"This is quite a good method, isn’t it? Then let’s try tricking them like this,
hahaha!"
Add false rule to 130666 usage manual
Rule : Cannot endure boredom
* * *
The archival database of Daydream Inc. has been updated.
Security Management Team Incident Record
130666 Containment Failure Incident
Written documentation of the emergency situation in
which Contained Entity 130666 escaped from the
containment chamber located in Isolation Corridor L-13-6
at approximately 01:26 A.M., October 28, ■■.
Process
Entity 130666 disabled the locking mechanism of the
containment chamber’s steel door by utilizing black
smoke emitted from its gas mask, exited into the
isolation corridor, and proceeded directly to the rental
storage facility, then entered the 17th floor research
sector via the main building elevator.
Total elapsed time for this sequence was 3 minutes 13
seconds, during which no security processes were
activated.
Four (4) Security Team personnel at the containment
chamber and rental storage incapacitated. On the 17th
floor, fifteen (15) Research Team personnel evacuated
and six (6) were incapacitated.
(The six who failed to evacuate on the 17th floor
displayed bizarre psychological trauma after smoke
inhalation. Contamination suspected.)
Upon entry to the 17th floor, 130666 proceeded directly to
Research Team 1’s office and engaged in one-to-one
interaction with the assigned researcher (Research Team
1, Section Chief Kwak Jekang).
Rediscovered in the containment chamber after 6
minutes 12 seconds.
Special Notes
CCTV error – No recording of the incident due to CCTV
errors in the containment chamber and Research Team
1’s office. Suspected special condition originating from
130666’s smoke.
Assigned researcher’s survival – Minor distal extremity
loss, chest contusion, and hairline fractures of ribs #5
and #6. No life-threatening condition. Recovery potion
prescribed.
Subordinates’ passive testimony – At the time of the
incident, both the control officer and the assistant for
130666 were on site, but displayed limited assertiveness
in interviews regarding the entity’s danger.
Verification required on whether 130666 possesses
mental-class interference related to fascination or
enthrallment.
However, it was testified that standard work hours had
ended and no control equipment was carried.
(Disciplinary measures were considered for negligence
but deferred due to no rule violations.
To prevent recurrence, control duty work hours for the
relevant Security Team staff will be more broadly
reconfigured.)
Result
Strengthened Isolation and Security – to strengthen
isolation room security, to assign additional video-based
training sessions, to prepare disciplinary room for
130666, to increase number of patrol staff for isolation
corridors.
Various experiments and observations of 130666’s
abilities authorized to prevent similar incidents.
And a few days later.
A page is added.
Additional Experiment Results
New assignment for 130666 – After several experiments,
the assigned researcher demonstrated that the cause of
the entity’s escape was boredom.
He testified that during the containment failure, he had
promised 130666 ’a more interesting task than this’.
It is further speculated that the initial six months of
security duty in Basement Floor 13 may have provoked
its displeasure.
Therefore, the researcher strongly insisted on assigning
the entity ’a more interesting task’ to placate it.
Therefore.
With authorization from Managing Director Cheong ■■ of
the Development Department, a special assignment was
issued.
Collection of anomalous phenomena occurring at a
certain public broadcasting station. Commonly known to
the public by the nickname ’The Man in the Screen’ ghost
story.
For detailed information, see ■■ Record #C16548.
And.
Additional Measures
By authority of the assigned researcher, considering the
nature of the task, a new auxiliary role ’Transfer Officer’
is temporarily appointed.
– Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae (Field Exploration
Team, B-squad)
– Supervisor Kang Yihak (Field Exploration Team, I-
squad)
The dolphin-masked moral retributionist, and the pony-masked gold
mammonist made their appearance.