Ā Chapter 20
Every decent amusement park has three attractions they invest money in.
One is a roller coaster, one is a carousel.
And the last one, which costs the most money because it requires the most special effects and animatronic figures, is…
‘A dark ride.’
An indoor ride that takes you through an elaborate, massive set that introduces the theme park’s very theme.
In Korea, rides like Sindbad’s Adventure and Earth Village are famous examples.
And in this ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ horror story, that was this attraction.
“Fantasy Train!”
The researcher spat.
“Everyone who rode it died! I’m not riding!! I’m not going!”
Testimony #4 (Survivor: Park Ye-in)
-All 4 people who rode the ‘Fantasy Train’ went missing.
Later, stuffed dolls made from their clothes and bones were found in the souvenir shop. (Presumed dead.)
That’s what was written, indeed.
And in theĀ <Darkness Exploration Records>Ā I’d read, it was an attraction that had produced numerous casualties.
But that wasn’t all.
‘Numerous casualties means that many appearances, which means frequent opportunities!’
Like a board game with random elements, the ‘Cheerful Theme Park’ horror story changed zones and mascot combinations with each entry.
But this ‘Fantasy Train’ attraction was likely a common constant.
Because… its theme was very clear.
“Look at the introduction under the sign.”
I pointed beneath theĀ <Fantasy Train>Ā sign.
-Meet the residents and stories of each zone in Fantasy Land! A cheerful train ride!
“It seems to be an attraction that introduces this theme park.”
It was also the most important factor for escaping this horror story.
‘What colors and how are the zones divided in this theme park?’
Don’t forgetāthis originated as a board game.
What does choosing a faction in a game mean?
It means choosing your traits.
‘And dividing teams by color means that each color comes with advantages and disadvantages.’
So it was most important to understand that first…
Which color team you belonged to, and which zone that color represented.
What unique traits it had.
======================
Cheerful Theme Park User’s Guide (Up to Exploration Record 64)
- Each zone of the theme park is colored according to its theme! The place where you first open your eyes is your team’s zone!
Respect the zone. The zone is more important than anything. Look at the colors. Do not offend the mascots’ feelings. The mascots are everything to the zone.
======================
But to convince people who didn’t know this yet, I needed other logic.
‘Work, brain.’
First target… obviously the highest-ranking superior.
“Hmm. Everyone who rode it died?”
Team A’s Deputy Manager Jin, the butterfly-masked elite.
To win over this elitist… right.
Flatter him.
“It was a civilian team, wasn’t it?”
“Hmm?”
I deliberately used a slightly curious tone.
“They’re people who approached it carelessly, like riding an amusement ride without any awareness. The probability of them properly responding to a supernatural situation is low.”
“So?”
“Comparing them to the Field Exploration Team, who clear Darkness professionally with clear objectives… hmm.”
I frowned slightly.
“That seems a bit harsh to the civilians.”
“…Huh.”
Team A’s superior snorted.
“You sure talk boldly for a newbie. …Well, you’re not wrong.”
“Right, rightā”
“Hey.”
Team A’s superior grabbed the researcher’s head.
“…!”
His gleaming fingernail pressed against the researcher’s temple.
“Do you think you have any say here?”
“……”
“Would you rather die here and become food waste that can’t even be turned into souvenirs? Or ride that?”
The researcher fell silent again. Like dealing with a school bully…
“Move.”
“……”
The researcher started dragging his feet with a deathly expression.
Toward the Fantasy Train.
‘One-shot…’
Successful.
Then the last remaining one.
Team Y’s new employee, Jang Heo-un.
Walking along the Fantasy Train sign, I subtly fell back, matched his pace, and whispered:
“Don’t worry.”
“Excuse me…?”
“That was just to convince that person… actually, I’m going because I have another plan in mind.”
“Another plan…?”
“You could call it insider know-how.”
I smiled faintly.
“I used to work part-time at a theme park before.”
“Oh!”
Sorry. That’s a lie…
But in an unfriendly extreme situation, with a bunch of cowards, isn’t survival all that matters no matter what you use?
You’ll be saying “Wow! Thanks for lying to me, colleague!” too, I’m sure.
“I, I see. Then…”
“Yes. It should be relatively safe.”
Just think of it that way.
Anyway, following the sign, the entrance to the ‘Fantasy Train’ soon appeared.
It was a model station with elaborate, realistic steam locomotive parts and brick decorations, but…
“No one’s here.”
“……”
Inside, it was eerily empty.
No one.
-Haha, enjoy a wonderful train journey! Haha, enjoy a wonderful train journey! Haha, enjoy a wonderful train journey…
The cheerful amusement park music felt strange.
What I could see was the train standing beyond the queue line.
And in front of it, a rabbit mascot dressed as a train conductor.
“Another mascot.”
“Is that the ride attendant?”
That was right.
As we quickly passed through the empty queue line and approached, the blank-eyed conductor mascot extended a gloved hand and stamped our bracelets.
[(Cheerful) Fantasy Land Ride Ticket ā ā”ā”]
So that’s one.
Then we were guided to board a small train that looked like a colorful fairy-tale steam locomotive.
And the mascot himself returned to his position and began waving both hands.
Like a “Have a nice ride!” gesture.
No incidents had occurred up to this point, so the researcher and the Team Y newbie seemed somewhat relieved.
Unfortunately, I was about to change that.
‘The place to look… hmm. Only there.’
After checking everything around me, I fixed my gaze on the mascot.
And opened my mouth.
“Deputy Manager Jin.”
“What?”
“That spot where the mascot attendant is standing. You see the platform there.”
I pointed to a kind of model ticket booth table right in front of where the conductor rabbit was standing.
“Deputy Manager Jin, would it be possible to use your custom equipment to quietly rotate that platform toward us? Without damaging it.”
“Why?”
“There’s something on the back.”
Team A’s Deputy Manager gave me a slightly strange look, but soon pulled out his index fingernail.
Quick and quiet.
Tick.
Keeeek…
The fake nail thrown at the retro turquoise platform hooked onto the edge, making a faint friction sound as it turned the platform.
On the half-rotated back, there was no wood finishing as one would expect.
Instead, there were complex buttons and circuits.
An attraction emergency control panel.
“…!”
Found it.
The control panel!
‘I definitely read about it inĀ <Darkness Exploration Records>.’
There were descriptions that even this theme park’s rides had control mechanisms implemented, just like in reality!
======================
Immediately after boarding a basket-shaped attraction called ‘Tomato Express,’ a label reading <Get Squashed Happily on the Iron Plate!> was found attached to the basket.
Immediately searched for the emergency stop button.
Successfully located it at the attraction’s departure point. However, all attempts to press the button failed. (Executor: Assistant Manager Lee Ji-won, Attempts: 6)
All died.
======================
Although that attempt failed.
‘This one can work.’
I immediately flicked a coin to summon the translucent glove, tossed a 500-won coin, and gestured to merge with my hand.
‘Five seconds is enough.’
My hand, floating in midair, approached the half-exposed back of the platform.
What I aimed for… the lever.
MIN MAX
ā„—————–ā„
ā²
“W-wait, Soleum-ssi. What is that? That marking…”
“Hold on tight.”
“Huh? Wh-what…”
“Hold the train seat handleā”
My hand pulled the lever all the way.
“Tightly.”
MIN MAX
ā„—————–ā„
ā²
At that moment.
The train shot forward at insane speed.
KEEEEEEENGā!!
-Fantasy Train departing!
“Huff!”
“Wh-what?!”
I desperately held onto the train seat handle and answered.
“I pulled the speed lever! To maximum!”
“Why would you do that, you crazy bastard!”
Because I had a reason.
“If we go fast, they can’t mess with the train, can they!”
“……!”
It’s event skipping.
‘Dark rides are usually slow-moving attractions where you look at decorated interiors.’
But if you zoom through them at insane speed?
‘Everything gets skipped!’
The interior decorations, the effects.
And the life-threatening dangers along with them!
In theĀ <Darkness Exploration Records>Ā case I’d seen, they used it to slow down a roller coaster, but the key point was the existence of a speed control mechanism!
I figured there was a high probability it would work here too.
‘Good!’
Successful!
However… the next step was the problem.
I glanced outside.
KEEEEEEENGā!
I felt the wind pressure.
Almost roller-coaster speed.
This speed was clearly intended only for safety checks.
…Meaning it was a speed not considered for actual operation.
‘…If I get scared and faint, I’ll get thrown out of the train, right?’
That would be certain death.
This was a side effect of the train running like a runaway locomotive.
A fatal disadvantage for a coward like me, but…
‘There’s a safety measure!’
Afraid of fainting?
Just don’t look!
[Dear passengers, welcome to the beautiful Fantasy Land!]
The moment the narration started, I shouted:
“I’ll close my eyes!”
“What?!”
I closed my eyes as if I was crazy.
“I think the narration is importantāI’ll focus on it as much as possible!”
“…!”
“If you think I’m going to die, tell me!”
“This guy is completely insane?! Haha, alright!”
Just as Team A’s Deputy Manager’s laughter faded,
The narration brushed past my ears.
[How did this Fantasy Land come to be?]
[Long, long ago, 403930291928494 hours ago, a yellow flower, a blue dragon, and a red rabbit lived together in one land.]
[Right here in this wonderful place!]
“A, a strange flower, the flower is calling me…”
“Duck down!”
[But they were too different!]
[‘You’re too loud!’]
[‘You’re too dirty!’]
[‘You’re too boring!’]
[In the end, unable to accept each other’s appearances, they fought. This is my land!]
“Aaaah! Snake, snake monsters are crawling on the ground! Hiiiik! They tried to cling to the train… but I got left behind…”
“Huff.”
[The yellow flower said.]
[‘I hate you! Get out of here!’]
The attraction passed in an instant.
The train zoomed through, fast-forwarding the ride time like it was on fast-forward.
[The blue dragon said.]
[‘I hate you! You get out!’]
‘The fight is in its latter half…’
Now the final part.
‘This has been described a few times too.’
Those mascots ultimately want to live the way they each desire.
So they divide the zones by color and live peacefully in Fantasy Land, each in their own way…
[The red rabbit said.]
[Die.]
……
What.
[The red rabbit decided to eliminate his friends by any means necessary. No, they’re not friends anymore. Enemies! Enemies! Enemies!]
[One by one, one by one, one by one! Drown them in pits, drown them in water, push them off cliffs!]
[Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!]
—
The narration cut off.
Then suddenly started again.
An unnaturally bright voice.
—
[The red rabbit won!]
—
The voice crackled.
—
[Only the red rabbit, Magic Bunny, rules this land.]
[Only Magic Bunny is dream, fantasy, and law. Only his ideas are worth enjoying.]
—
Silence.
The companions who had been making a ruckus as if they’d seen all sorts of horrible and terrifying things were now only letting out rough breaths.
Gasps of fear.
And.
—
ā¦The train was slowing down.
—
I swallowed.
*’ā¦The final stop.’*
No matter how fast a ride is, it slows down when it ends.
—
[Magic Bunny’s Fantasy Land]
—
The back of my neck was damp with cold sweat.
A foreboding feeling crept in.
—
I eventually looked up.
—
[The great Magic Bunny!]
—
A giant rabbit mascot’s head appeared directly ahead.
Its blood-red eyes spinning round and round, the grotesque rabbit’s mouth opened, and the disgusting, densely packed teeth inside flipped forward as if turned inside out.
—
[Become a member of the great Magic Bunny!]
—
A case I’d never seen before.
—
[Die]
—
Dizzying sounds filled the air.
On every train window, red rabbits clung in droves, as if their mascot heads were about to burst out, pressing their heads against the glass and staring blankly at us.
—
[Die]
—
I almost fainted.
“Huuuuh, huuuuuh…!!”
“D-d-die…”
Giggling narrations ran wild. Red lights flickered and flashed inside the train, panicked mutterings surged from all sides, clouding the mindā
Then a voice cut through.
“Ah. I think I get it now.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s like a newbie initiation, right? Killing the person next to you… classic.”
What was he talking about?
“You saw it too, didn’t you? The rabbit killed all its friends. Ah. You had your eyes closed, so you wouldn’t have seen. But you probably figured it out from the narration, right?”
It was Team A’s employee’s calm voice.
I turned my head to see that butterfly-masked employee casually surveying the rabbits on the windows, as if this were just another day at work.
“So, who should we kill?”
“What are you…”
“Shh.”
The eyes beneath the butterfly mask grew dark.
A gaze weighing value.
“Hmm.”
Team Y.
Researcher.
Me.
Team Y.
Researcher.
Team Y.
Researcher.
Researcher.
Team Y…
“You.”
He pointed.
As Team Y’s new employee’s chin turned deathly paleā
Deputy Manager Jin’s index finger moved.
“Grab that lab coat guy.”
—
The researcher.
—
“…!”
A death sentence.
“H-hey…”
*Crack.*
The Team Y new employee, with unnatural movements, restrained the researcher’s limbs.
“Wh-what are youāhey, waitā”
“Cover his mouth too. Ah, you keep your mouth shut too.”
“Mmph!”
“Ah… do we have to kill them one by one ourselves? Hey, top scorer.”
I reflexively looked at him.
“You kill this one. I want to observe.”
“Mmph! Mmmmph! Mmph!”
“Don’t use your custom equipmentājust directly… Ah. Right. That rabbit pushed the dragon off a cliff earlier, didn’t it? You throw him out of the train yourself. Let’s see if that counts too.”
Me?
“Hurry up.”
I creaked my neck back to look at the window again, then quickly returned my head to its original position.
*’The mascot is crying blood tears…!’*
Look at all those things plastered to the windows.
There’s no way I’m opening that train window. I’d collapse and become a screaming machine.
And besides… killing a person as easily as eating a cup ramen?
No, no. Beyond thatā
*’…This is a total wipe route!’*
The irregular had popped up again, and in the midst of this terrifying, mind-numbing situation, I finally realized for sure.
*’We can’t cater to that mascot’s whims here!’*
If we step in that direction, we all die!
But how could I convince him?
That employee was the type who’d cut off my head immediately if I said something like “I’ve seen over 70 exploration records from the future.”
*’So, so…’*
Screw it!
“Wait!”
“What?”
“This is a trap.”
Let’s bet on a bluff.
I started lying without even wetting my lips!
