A meaningful smile forms as soon as he returns.
He looks at the first person who went out, as if he understands something, and smiles slightly.
Then he quietly returns to his place and expresses his thoughts in a vague way that could be interpreted in various ways, thus amplifying people’s expectations.
One by one, people began to emerge from the elevator.
The third person goes out and comes back, wearing a meaningful expression.
The fourth person goes out and returns, sporting a puzzled look.
The fifth person goes out and comes back, wearing an expression that is either joyful or surprised.
Each returning individual has a face that is somewhat ambiguous, making it hard to tell whether they saw something or nothing at all.
So, they keep going out.
Finally, even the last remaining person safely exits and comes back, marking the end of their adventure in the “other world.”
“Hmm… This is something.”
“What should I say? It’s quite an odd feeling.”
“Right?”
After the exploration, a strange atmosphere filled the elevator.
‘What’s going on? Is it a situation where only deceivers exist without anyone getting deceived?’
The man who went out first wore a strange expression in light of the mood swirling in the elevator.
If it wasn’t because he was seeing illusions due to anticipation or tension, he should definitely experience something similar.
It’s only natural to ponder whether they correctly followed the manual, having seen nothing at all.
If that were the case, their reactions would be expressing disappointment or perhaps anger directed at those who tricked them with their bizarre behavior.
Yet, the people didn’t seem to react that way.
What should be said…
They may not have witnessed anything, but it felt like they experienced something bizarre, each person’s reaction conveying a sense of enjoyment mixed with regret for not having witnessed or felt anything directly.
Indeed, people definitely radiated that kind of atmosphere.
“This is a bit disappointing. I guess I should have brought better equipment.”
“Right? There was clearly something there, but we couldn’t feel or see it. This is really disappointing.”
“We can just bring something next time.”
The first person to exit tilted his head at their reactions.
‘Isn’t it strange?’
It is strange.
Believing there’s something is not unusual.
Honestly, it’s not uncommon.
It’s rather frequent to hear someone claim to have felt a haunted presence when visiting a creepy abandoned house, saying things like they felt the chilling energy of a spirit passing by their neck or sensed the gaze of an evil spirit watching them closely.
After all, how many times have people blabbed on excitedly only to realize the abandoned house they visited was just a home that had been left to decay after the elderly resident had moved to a nursing home, not some horrific house where a serial killer brutally murdered victims?
People are strongly influenced by stories and sometimes even claim to have seen or felt absurd things to fit whatever narrative they have.
They might hear the common sound of a cat and insist that it was the wailing of a baby ghost, foaming at the mouth in a frenzy or scream at the sound of falling leaves, claiming that a ghost was approaching them loudly.
Such behavior is by no means rare.
It’s been said countless times, and during courage-testing adventures like exploring haunted houses, one can often witness these things…
But,
The reactions of the people in the elevator now felt different.
Instead of being dominated by stories and exaggerating based on that, it seemed like they were talking based on clear evidence.
Clear evidence, indeed…
That clear evidence being something all of them felt and experienced…?
‘If there was such evidence, it should have appeared before me too!’
He felt an odd sense of injustice.
Had he seen something too, he wouldn’t be writhing in such terrible disappointment and betrayal.
The man watched the people talking among themselves, disappointed in silence.
“Ah, I think we’ll need this again next time, right?”
“Yeah. Looking at how blackened this is… Something must be around, after all.”
“Ugh. Would we have faced a catastrophe if we hadn’t had this?”
“Still, the first person came back just fine, right?”
“Who knows? When we go down later and sprinkle salt, that salt might turn black.”
“That could happen.”
But…
‘Something’s off…?’
What turned black?
Saying something dreadful would have occurred without this?
…‘This’?
The man observed the others closely with a feeling of unease.
And when he saw what one person pulled out from their arms, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
What’s blackened.
Most of it was burnt to a crisp, only ash remaining in corners.
On yellow paper, faint brushstrokes remained.
A talisman.
It’s a talisman!
‘This is insane.’
The man furrowed his brow at their actions.
‘Damn it, nobody adhered to the manual’s guidelines!’
『3. Do not possess sacred objects, divine objects, or talismans.
This is very important.
To traverse to another world, a kind of resonance must occur.
However, if there are sacred objects, divine objects, or talismans present, the resonance will surely be disrupted.
If you attempt to go to another world while possessing these items, most likely, you will fail, and if unlucky, unpleasant things may occur. For instance, something undesirable might emerge from that world, or the effects of the items you hold might twist and lead to easier possession by ghosts.
Therefore, it is recommended to leave such items at home or, if you brought them perhaps for safety, to leave them outside the building.』
Didn’t the manual clearly state that?
That carrying talismans was a no-go.
Yet, he was the only one without a talisman.
‘This is why they failed.’
He understood why he hadn’t seen or felt anything; it was clear that his senses gave him the impression of an ordinary building.
Since the issue lay in the “preparation process” outlined in the manual, it was only natural to fail.
“Hey, didn’t the manual say we shouldn’t bring talismans?”
If it were cooking, the problem began with the preparation of ingredients.
So how could there possibly be a proper outcome?
However…
“Wait? No, um… Ah, you mentioned you were a recent newcomer to haunted house experiences, didn’t you? I just thought something else.”
“Hey, the important thing during a haunted house experience is to protect your own body. If you trust these materials too blindly, you could be in big trouble.”
“The manual is quite detailed, but even so, while the method can be questioned, you must carry something to protect your body. There are plenty of people on the internet who mess around with such materials, you know? If you follow them blindly, you’re sure to get into trouble. So, if safety-related information is available, you have to pay special attention and prepare yourself to protect your body.”
“I think after a few times, you’ll get a feel for it, huh. Oh, I need to take care of my own body. If I just trust videos or articles, it’ll land me in the hospital.”
In fact, the group began giving advice to the first person who had been referred to as ‘Balmot,’ offering insights about the fundamental principle of taking care of one’s own body.
No matter what was said, it was crucial to prepare for safety, whether that meant bringing a talisman or wearing a stab-resistant suit.
And then the stories began to flow…
“I once went to a haunted house near Ulsan outskirts… Wow, what a crazy guy set bear traps there! If I hadn’t worn safety boots, I would have faced serious trouble.”
“I saw a bear trap too. Exploring an abandoned school… There were bear traps set on the stairs of the haunted house… Just as I lightly touched a string, a blade dropped from above, aiming right at my solar plexus. It seemed like that was inspired by some foreign streamer’s exploration of a bear trap in a haunted house, crazy people are everywhere. Ever since then, I make sure to wear a chainmail apron under my clothes.”
“I’ve also faced off against a homeless person charging at me. He brandished a broken soju bottle at me, and well… After calming him down with some good words and shoving him cash, I managed to send him away, but I thought back to what could have happened. So, ever since that day, I only go to gatherings or haunted house experiences, ha ha.”
All their tales were morbid.
It was somewhat understandable for them to have brought talismans.
‘Is that so…? No, but still, it feels like those individuals are the reason I didn’t properly transition to another world… Sigh.’
The man felt both convinced by their words and a strange resentment rising within him.
But what could be done?
It seemed this experience was doomed to fail…
‘It doesn’t feel like I properly transitioned to another world, yet I must follow the manual to the end…’
The man sighed and entered the same number he had input earlier.
Just as the manual instructed.
Thus, they returned to the first floor.
“Ah. That was somewhat fun.”
“Okay, everyone gather around. I’m going to sprinkle salt.”
“Anyone want to join for a beer?”
“Ah, after a haunted house experience, who wants beer? Alcohol feels a bit much.”
“Hey, beer isn’t real alcohol. Let’s just have one drink.”
After finishing the protective ritual that followed the haunted house experience, they spread out, chattering away.
And so it went.
Without any strange occurrences.
*
[ Except for one. ]
[ Right? ]
[ Yeah. ]
[ Fools. ]
