Chapter 124: Ch 124: A Friendly Puppet Show
Space Shopping Mall.
Also dubbed as the Alien Shop.
A bizarre creepypasta about a mysterious site that sells high-priced,
supernatural, and extraordinary goods—the very place that had allowed me
to acquire all kinds of useful items and equipment.
But now...
’...Chief Lizard is one of the aliens from there?’
I tried to swallow—but then flinched, realizing I had no physical body.
Because right now, my body was being occupied by Chief Lizard.
So instead, I asked him directly.
A question so absurd, I could hardly believe I was saying it.
"...Are you the site owner of the Space Shopping Mall?"
And the answer was—
– No.
Oh.
’Then what kind of connection does he have to the site?’
I was curious, but that wasn’t the priority right now.
The immediate crisis had been averted.
’Phew.’
I looked at my dressing room through the CCTV-like view that my
consciousness was observing.
The dark blue water that had flooded the floor was now pooling and fading
away, leaving the room mostly intact, aside from a bit of a mess.
I still had no idea what exactly had happened, but from the looks of it, when
I was ejected and Squad Leader Lee Jaheon took over my body, the
situation had stabilized.
At the very least, I wasn’t vomiting water anymore.
’That’s such a relief, seriously...’
Thanks to Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, my body hadn’t died. I let out a
mental sigh of relief and spoke.
"Anyway, thank you. Now that things have settled, please... leave my
body."
– ......
"...Squad Leader Lee Jaheon?"
– Initiating emergency escape protocol via distress beacon.
My vision abruptly moved.
"...?!"
I—no, Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, in my body—suddenly swept all of my
belongings from the table and stored them into the tattoo inventory.
Wait, what is he doing—
– In three minutes, I will authorize the ’Sacred Fire’ bombardment...
What?
"W-Wait, please don’t do that."
What kind of insane nonsense was this? Bombardment?!
"Why are you even using something like that right now?"
– As part of the distress beacon’s optional features, all available armed
forces from the Coalition are mobilized until the user is transported to a
secure location.
– In the process of extracting Supervisor Kim Soleum—
"Hold on a second!"
This damn lizard— no, this reptilian alien!
Grinding my metaphorical teeth, I demanded,
"Why do I even need to escape?"
His steps halted.
I hadn’t been in danger.
I had successfully changed jobs and was living a fulfilling, enjoyable life at
this talk show.
So why the hell was he acting like this was some prison break?
It had already been over a month since I’d left Daydream Inc.
"I’ve settled in well at my new workplace, I’m doing fine, and there’s no
danger at all."
Honestly, I should be grateful this happened during my break—if this had
happened during a live show or a meeting, I don’t even want to imagine the
disaster it would’ve caused.
– I see.
Right.
So now that things were resolved, just return my body, and—
– When was the last time you slept?
"..."
That...
That was...
Before I joined this talk show. So...
A month ago.
– For an organism to survive, food and sleep are essential.
"..."
– The fact that you do not require them suggests that you are closer to a
supernatural entity than a natural being.
Which meant...
I had become a ghost story.
"...That’s not true. I’m... I’m not corrupted. I can still think properly,
and my sense of judgment hasn’t changed."
– Is that so.
"Of course."
– Then why was there water flooding your dressing room?
"Because... I ate a churro..."
– Are you referring to the ’Healthy Snack for Children’ churro you claimed
to have received from Cheerful Theme Park?
"..."
– Under normal circumstances, the probability that you would consume
food of supernatural origin without hesitation would be extremely low.
– Why did you press the distress beacon?
"...Because... I was drowning. The water was so overwhelming that I
couldn’t breathe."
– And yet, in a state of suffocation, you chose to press an unknown,
supernatural escape button without any knowledge of its origin or effect.
– You had once debated for hours whether to press this button in Death
Lane, ultimately deciding against it after listening to your superior’s advice.
"But..."
– It is natural to seek help from others.
"..."
Had I...
Had I unknowingly started using ghost story artifacts as if they were just
ordinary daily necessities?
– You have been bound to this Darkness.
"...! That’s— That’s not true!"
That, at least, I could confidently refute.
"I can leave whenever I want. If I just ask Mr. Host for vacation, I can
leave."
– ’Mr. Host’.
– Is that what you have always called that talk show host?
"...!"
B, But...
Even if he was my business partner, Braun was still the one running this
show.
So wasn’t it natural to address him respectfully when working?
I was starting to feel uneasy.
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon used to be my boss, but now that I had quit, he
was nothing more than a passing acquaintance.
Wasn’t this level of interference in my personal life crossing a line?
Shouldn’t I feel offended?
– Supervisor Kim Soleum.
But right now, Section Chief Lee Jaheon was the one controlling my body.
No.
"D-Don’t launch those bombs. Do you know how much effort the staff put
into this show?"
I desperately argued.
"And nobody is actually dying! So—"
– They die.
"..."
What did you just...
– Every audience member invited to this talk show receives a ’Thank You’
card the next day. The card is sent to the medium through which they
applied for tickets.
– And on this card, there are detailed instructions on how they can meet the
’most impressive guest’ from that night’s episode.
"..."
– Some audience members become entirely entranced by the talk show.
– To meet the guest, they willingly step into the Darkness.
I felt a phantom heartbeat pounding through my nonexistent body.
I recalled the audience member from yesterday.
The one who had wanted to adopt the ’Happy Ending Teddy’.
The way that teddy bear had stared at them.
At that moment, I felt it.
A deep, instinctive revulsion.
– We have confirmed at least three cases of audience members who were
definitively killed or went missing.
"..."
My mind reeled.
My stomach lurched.
Even though I had no body, I still felt sick.
This was a mental reaction.
A reaction to the horrific realization that was dawning upon me.
"..."
What have I been doing all this time?
What kind of show was I working for?
But Braun, he... No.
No.
Braun never promised not to kill anyone from the audience.
He only promised that I wouldn’t be afraid.
I had simply convinced myself of the wrong conclusions.
’Ghost stories...’
...Were always like this. Always.
"..."
– Supervisor Kim Soleum. You need to escape this talk show immediately.
My mind turned ice-cold.
"Squad Leader."
I knew.
I wasn’t contaminated.
At least, not back when I made the decision at that train restroom.
But, but...
"I think I’ve... been looking at this all wrong."
I had overlooked something.
A person doesn’t have to be contaminated to make bad decisions.
People fall for scams. People commit crimes. People make mistakes, have
misunderstandings, and...
Sometimes, people believe in things they shouldn’t.
Maybe...
Maybe this was one of those times.
"For now... leaving the talk show and taking some time to think might not
be a bad idea."
I needed some time.
Time to be alone with my thoughts...
– Yes.
"But— no bombs!"
If I still had a body, I would have run a hand down my face in frustration.
"You cannot take down the host in this studio with that method..."
I was certain.
’The moment we’re caught, we’ll be incinerated.’
And if we were lucky enough to only be fined for damages, I might end up
working here for eternity—unpaid—until I died. Or even after I died.
...The fact that I felt that wouldn’t be so bad was the most terrifying part of
all.
– Do you know where the studio’s exit is?
"...I don’t know."
I don’t even know how big this studio is.
I know that it has an impossibly vast number of sets and storage rooms. But
I have no idea how many floors it has, or how far each section extends.
At some point, I naturally started memorizing the paths within the staff-only
areas, but everything beyond that was still a blur.
Most of the time, I either stayed in my designated waiting area or only
visited other sections while accompanied by staff.
’In the entire month I’ve been here, I’ve never once left.’
And why would I? My waiting room was comfortable. I never felt the need
for food, water, or sleep, and I was too busy adjusting to my new job.
"But just walking out through the exit without even requesting vacation
would be stupid. It’d be better to sneak out instea—"
...
Ah.
– Were you about to suggest sneaking out?
"...No. That’s impossible."
Damn it.
Even the thought of sneaking out was meaningless. Because...
"...The host always knows where I am."
Because I checked the tag.
Because of the ’Good Friend’ contract, the one I had called would be able to
find me forever.
No matter where I went, he would always be able to follow...
...
– Do you want to try persuading him to grant you a vacation?
"No."
If the host asked why I needed a vacation, there was no way he wouldn’t
notice that Section Chief Lee Jaheon was inside my body instead.
And even if I spoke to him myself...
I wasn’t confident.
’I’d probably end up being persuaded instead...’
Persuaded to happily return to work on the talk show, no matter how many
audience members died.
The legendary host of a supernatural talk show wasn’t just someone with
exceptional speech skills.
He was something so utterly terrifying that his very presence felt like a
paranormal phenomenon in and of itself...
The only reason I’d ever been able to scare my good friend before was
because of the restrictions of the ’Good Friend’ doll.
My blood ran cold.
– I see.
– Even if we destroy half the studio, you will still be immediately found by
the entity that poses a threat to you. Is that assessment correct?
"...Yes."
There was no way out.
Or rather, even if I did escape, it wouldn’t matter.
It felt like a perfectly sealed space.
...
’...No.’
There’s always a gap somewhere.
’The host doesn’t know that I called Section Chief Lee Jaheon using an
item.’
If that’s the case...
"...Section Chief, how long can you stay in my body?"
– As Section Chief Lee Jaheon, it is possible to maintain this state for up to
60 hours.
– Additionally, the summoner cannot manually deactivate the effect. The
emergency call function will only deactivate once the summoner has safely
escaped the danger zone.
That was an interesting choice of words.
But that timeframe was plenty.
Enough time to wait for an opening.
"To prepare, we’ll wait."
I forced my nerves to settle and began thinking.
"...Until just before the talk show begins."
* * *
Time passed.
Preparations for the live broadcast were underway.
Most of the staff were busy moving between the backstage and the main
stage, setting up equipment.
Normally, I would have used this time to check the equipment or talk to the
host. Sometimes I’d even attend meetings or observe different departments.
’I might be part of the production staff, but I’m not part of the cast.’
Since I wasn’t part of the on-site prep team but rather worked as a show
creator, there were no specific tasks assigned to me during the live
broadcast.
Which meant I could move however I wanted.
I could act as if I were on an errand, or pretend I was looking for
something. I could even wander from place to place without drawing
suspicion.
"Over here."
I was frantically searching the empty parts of the studio, now mostly
abandoned by the faceless staff.
I was looking for one thing.
"There should be a waiting area for guests."
I was sure I had heard about it before.
’There’s a guest entrance.’
Every guest had a place they originally belonged to, and the studio had set
up some kind of... ’accommodation’... to make their arrival smoother.
’I have to find it.’
Of course, finding the waiting rooms was a challenge in itself.
The moment I stepped beyond the waiting rooms and staff areas, I
completely lost my sense of direction—like being trapped in a maze.
But Section Chief Lee Jaheon...
’...He’s unbelievably fast.’
Is he seriously brute-forcing it right now?
Even though he was controlling my physical form, the sheer speed and
strength of his movements made it hard to believe it was the same body. My
shared vision flickered rapidly as he checked multiple pathways and signs
in mere moments.
’His performance is exactly the same as when he’s in his own body.’
Maybe Chief Lizard could exert that kind of power and endurance in any
body...
But the real problem was—
Tap, tap.
"...!"
The view turned.
A faceless staff member stood before me, gesturing as if to ask why I was
here.
They tilted their head, then made a motion—as if offering to escort me
back, assuming I had lost my way.
"...Tell them I’m running an errand and will return shortly."
– I am running an errand and will return shortly.
The faceless staff didn’t insist twice.
Instead...
They disappeared around the corner—
And came back with another staff member.
"..."
Gulp.
If I had a body right now, I would have swallowed hard.
’This is bad.’
If I looked suspicious here, word would immediately reach the host. And if
that happened...
I’d find myself happily hosting the talk show again.
All of my doubts would be neatly erased, thanks to his kind and ’persuasive
reasoning’.
’...’
The new staff member gestured.
"They... they’re offering to complete the errand on my behalf."
– That won’t be necessary.
Squad Leader!!
"P-Please say that I prefer to do it myself. It’s not a big task, so I’d rather
complete it quietly as a new employee."
– P-Please say that I prefer to do it myself.
"..."
No, that’s—
– It’s not a big task, so I’d rather complete it quietly as a new employee.
Fortunately, the staff member accepted that reasoning and left.
It seemed they had no time to waste with the live broadcast approaching.
’Phew...’
– Continuing the search.
’This feels like I’m piloting a robot.’
A robot ten times stronger and faster than me.
Suppressing my nerves, I continued monitoring Lee Jaheon’s vision as he
searched.
There were a few close calls, but we managed to avoid trouble.
And before long.
– I’ve found it.
"...!"
Ka-chak.
The door in my vision swung open.
Guest Area
The CCTV-like view in front of me now displayed a dimly lit, antique-style
corridor.
Rows of doors lined the corridor, each still bearing the nameplates of the
guests who had appeared over the past month—none of them had been
replaced...
As if a new one was used for every guest who appeared.
"..."
...A strange, uneasy feeling—one I hadn’t noticed all month—began
creeping over me, even beyond my skin...
I swallowed hard.
"Please find the door labeled ’Happy Ending Teddy’."
The view shifted rapidly, and soon enough, we found the door.
The light above today’s guest waiting room was glowing brightly, but I
ignored it and instead approached the door next to it.
A door with a dimly flickering light—yesterday’s guest waiting room.
Happy Ending Teddy
Ka-chak.
...The dark waiting room had yet to be cleaned, and everything inside was
scaled to fit the size of a fabric doll.
Traces of the teddy bear remained.
...As well as remnants from the process of making one.
"..."
I tried my best not to look at the scattered body parts and bits of skin.
Luckily, since Section Chief Lee Jaheon was the one controlling my body
right now, it wasn’t too difficult to avoid focusing on them.
He quickly scanned the room, then finally, he found something.
– It’s a dollhouse door.
One side of the wall had a small, brightly colored door, barely reaching my
waist—almost like a child’s toy.
"Let’s go through there."
Creeeak.
...From my point of view, my hand reached out and opened the tiny door,
then crawled forward, inching through the darkness.
A faint light appeared ahead.
And moments later—
"...!"
The view suddenly brightened.
A modern hallway came into sight.
In stark contrast to the classic elegance of Braun’s studio, this place had a
contemporary design—concrete walls, painted surfaces.
And from a distance, voices echoed...
– Now! Introducing today’s featured item! A miraculous product that
transforms your hair into living snakes...!
The absurd voice of a home shopping host promoting a ridiculous product.
Delusion Home Shopping!
’As expected.’
Since the show had received sponsorship from here when the Happy Ending
Teddy’s made its guest appearance, I figured this passage might lead to this
place.
’Good.’
I let out a sigh of relief.
I’d done something similar before in Death Lane—escaping from one ghost
story by slipping into another.
’Since this is still a broadcasting studio, Braun might take a little longer to
notice my absence.’
Besides, the live broadcast was about to start soon, meaning he wouldn’t
have time to come after me.
Or, maybe I could even find something useful here to prevent Braun from
tracking me.
’With Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s strength, there shouldn’t be any danger
here.’
I was willing to bet on that.
The view moved as he stepped forward into the bright hallway.
I suppressed my excitement and said,
"Chief, first, let’s find something discreet but useful—"
[Goodness.]
GRAB
I was dangling in midair.
Someone was holding me.
[It looks like you took a wrong turn, Friend! I don’t think you were
trying to leave the studio. The hallways can be quite confusing, can’t
they?]
A massive—truly massive—TV screen loomed before me, displaying a
friendly, smiling emoticon.
[The live broadcast is just around the corner, so I had to call you back
this way. Now, take a nice break. You’ll find it much more comfortable
this way!]
Below, an enormous gloved hand had me by the scruff of my neck, then
gently supported my back and legs before carefully placing me onto a dark
brown desk.
[Oh, I’ve experienced a body like this before, so I can assure you...
Seeing it again is rather nostalgic.]
[My dear, ’Good Friend.’]
I had a body again.
But I couldn’t move.
The shimmering lights of Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show flashed before me
—the stage, the audience seats, and...
Everything was gigantic.
On the black TV screen, my reflection stared back at me.
[Now, now... Just sit back comfortably and enjoy the talk show. It’ll be
starting soon!]
I...
I became a plush doll.