"There's even a basement floor here…"

In front of the stairs leading underground, Go Yeongeun's face was a mix of fear and anticipation.

Baek Saheon quipped sarcastically.

"Yeah, I get you. But the person standing next to us here somehow knew about the basement floor and insisted we had to go down there without any explanation."

"If you don't want to go, we can split up here."

"……"

Baek Saheon fell silent.

Once it was confirmed that there was a basement, he seemed unwilling to miss this "situation where Kim Sol-eum might have a trick up his sleeve."

I briefly explained to Go Yeongeun that "I used special equipment to decipher the notice posted by the elevator to find a space that could be useful."

And finally, we began descending the basement stairs.

"……"

"……"

The further we walked, the more it became apparent.

'The style has changed.'

The mansion, which had been brass-colored, darkened to a bronze hue, and more avant-garde decorations began to appear.

For some reason, it felt like we were descending much deeper than we had when going from the second floor to the first.

"……"

"……"

Eventually, a stately old door appeared beside the stairs.

– Basement 1F. 

The sign read as such.

We had arrived.

I carefully grabbed one of the door handles, only opening it after ensuring no mechanical sounds could be heard from outside.

And what appeared before us was not an exhibition hall or a corridor.

Go Yeongeun's eyes widened.

"This is…"

"It's likely a lounge for visitors."

It was a kind of resting space.

The enormous hall, comfortably decorated, featured luxurious armchairs, vintage tables, and even a bronze-tinted fireplace burning in one corner.

"Did you read about this in the elevator notice?"

"Yes."

"Oh, usually places like this are in the lobby… so maybe there's an exit nearby?"

"I don't know about that. But…"

"But?"

"According to the manual, certain activities that aren't allowed in the exhibition hall are less restricted here in a 'rest area.'"

Exactly.

Some prohibited actions in the exhibition hall could potentially be allowed here.

"Prohibited activities… oh, like eating and drinking!"

"Correct."

2. Eating or drinking in the exhibition hall is prohibited.

"…But I don't think we really need to eat right now."

Probably not.

"To be precise, I'm here to perform an action classified under prohibited activities."

"…What kind of action?"

I pulled an item I had prepared out of my bag.

[Easy and Quick Candle Making Kit]

"Fire is strictly prohibited, after all."

Now, it was time to craft a tool for our escape.

* * *

Go Yeongeun gulped.

Before her eyes, her absurdly capable colleague was doing something equally absurd.

‘Like this, I think.’

Kim Sol-eum had pulled out a peculiar box from his briefcase and was quickly scanning the accompanying instruction sheet.

But the box looked anything but ordinary. Why on earth had he brought a candle-making kit?

‘I've never seen a brand like that before.’

The logo, "Cheerful Research Lab," featured a garish, smiling face and looked comically cheap, yet the instructions in Kim Sol-eum’s hands were scrawled in crimson ink, messy and ominous.

It felt… unsettling.

Like a prop straight out of a ghost story.

At that moment, Baek Saheon muttered,

"…An item?"

An item?

Reflexively, Go Yeongeun turned to Kim Sol-eum, who offered a surprisingly straightforward answer.

"Yes. An object with supernatural abilities."

…!

"Th-then, isn't it… A darkness?"

"That depends on the classification. Items are generally objects that are stable, portable, and lack a defined area of effect, so they wouldn’t be considered 'darkness.'"

"……"

How did Sol-eum know all this?

‘Aren’t we both rookies here…?’

Why is there such a massive difference in information?

And where on earth did he get that…?

As someone who prided herself on being among the top three rookies in the company, Go Yeongeun couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

‘Wait, he even looks super skilled at handling it…?!’

Sensing her gaze, Kim Sol-eum turned around and spoke with a slightly apologetic tone.

“This is my first time making one too.”

It was the truth!

Though he’d spent some time reading the instructions and pondering the usage method, it was Kim Sol-eum’s first time actually crafting it.

However, from the perspective of his colleague, who had no way of knowing that Sol-eum had already performed similar rituals about three times before, the entire situation just felt overwhelmingly surreal.

‘No, honestly, shouldn’t a person like this be starting their own business rather than getting tangled up in this horror-show company?’

Yet the harsh reality quickly brought her back to her senses.

'…It’s probably because of the wish token.’

A wish that couldn’t be given up.

Go Yeongeun almost fell into a pit of self-pity over their shared predicaments, but she quickly steeled herself.

Right now, she needed to focus all her attention on escaping.

And channel all her frustration at Team R’s leader who’d abandoned her the moment the monstrous machine showed up!

She regretted thinking earlier that the absence of cliques meant she’d at least avoid interpersonal stress.

‘Damn that team leader!’

Still, imagining Team R’s management actually getting dismembered and devoured made her feel… slightly conflicted.

"It’s done."

"…!"

Lost in thought, Go Yeongeun snapped back to reality at Kim Sol-eum’s voice.

By then, Sol-eum had laid a black piece of paper on the floor and drawn a small picture on it using the included crayons.

It was… uh.

‘…A candle?’

Yeah. It looked like a candle. Just the outline of one, anyway.

Yet Sol-eum didn’t seem to care and gestured at some cards placed near the drawing.

"You see the cards, right?"

"Yes, yes."

"Please pick one."

"……"

"This will determine the item’s attributes."

Was this some kind of trap or setup?

After a brief hesitation, Go Yeongeun reached out.

So far, there hadn’t been anything overtly suspicious or unpleasant about Sol-eum’s behavior, and from an objective standpoint, he had consistently acted in her best interest.

‘Let’s do it.’

She trusted her well-trained brain and analysis skills.

Thus, she boldly flipped over one of the cards scattered across the floor.

The front of the card depicted an energetic blue figure raising one hand.

At the top, a white star sparkled like a gem.

[Honor]

A faint smile spread across Kim Sol-eum’s face.

"…Good choice."

Was it?

‘It doesn’t feel like honor is what we need right now, though…’

Anyway, if the one reading the manual said it was good, that was a relief.

Then, Sol-eum turned and called out to Baek Saheon, his tone reluctantly inviting.

"Pick a card."

"……"

Baek Saheon appeared to be calculating the situation in his head, but soon squinted and reached out.

The card he flipped over featured a crookedly grinning mouth and a red iron cage.

[Obstruction]

"Fitting."

"What?"

Ignoring him, Kim Sol-eum continued crafting!

Kim Sol-eum ignored the others and continued working.

"I'll flip over all the remaining cards."

"Y-Yes, sure."

Whatever this is, let’s just go with it.

Go Yeongeun watched as Kim Sol-eum deftly flipped over the cards with precise movements.

There were ten cards left: 

Confusion, Healing, Meditation, Wound, Deceit, Dream, Rage, Protection, Strike, and Gaze. The ten cards were revealed and laid out on the floor.

‘What on earth is this?’

After having them draw cards like some kind of tarot reading, why reveal all the cards at the end?

She realized the reason upon seeing Kim Sol-eum’s next action.

The last card was meant to be chosen intentionally.

[Deceit]

Kim Sol-eum picked the card depicting a golden cogwheel next to a black heart, then used a lighter to burn all three cards that had been drawn.

The flames flickered in various colors, and the cards turned into sparkling ash.

"…!"

Kim Sol-eum carefully collected the ash, used it to trace over the outline of the candle drawn with crayon, and then folded the paper.

"It’ll take about 30 minutes for it to set," Kim Sol-eum said with a faint smile, holding the folded paper before placing it in the front pocket of his suit.

"What is… this thing you just made?"

"This candle will help us get out of here."

"…!"

"If it doesn't work, I was planning to try again a few more times, but the keywords turned out well on the first try, so…"

Screeeech.

"…."

"…."

All three of them turned their heads simultaneously.

A massive shadow emerged under the bronze light in the distance.

Eight straight legs resembling spider limbs.

And—

Screeeeech.

The eyes of a machine glowing with gas light.

"…."

"…."

"Run!"

The three of them immediately sprinted in the opposite direction at full speed.

* * *

I knew it.

Even in a supposed resting area, machines could still appear.

Though I thought the risk would be worth taking since they would patrol the lounge less frequently…

‘I had no choice, though! There was nowhere else to hide, like in a ventilation shaft or something!’

Gritting my teeth, I ran across the corridor.

Once we’re detected, it wouldn’t matter where we hide; the machine would follow.

These machines were that capable.

"Should we keep going straight?!"

"For now!"

Straight ahead was the main exhibition hall.

The hope was that a higher-priority distraction might pull attention away there, but—

‘I don’t know how much more dangerous the exhibits have become since we came to the basement…!’

Then—

Whoosh.

"…!"

Baek Saheon grabbed my suit.

‘What now, you lunatic?!’

He shouted.

"That item! The candle! Offer the candle! It’s valuable, right?!"

I slapped his hand away, yelling back.

"Are you stupid?!"

"What?!"

"Look at the theme!"

+++

This exhibition is generously offering one hour of free admission to the open hearts that admire art.

+++

"Art!!"

"…!"

"And specifically, lifeforms, civilizations, history!!"

I screamed.

"What does this item have to do with art?!"

If items had any value here, the company employees would’ve handed over their equipment first and not gotten dismembered!

Besides, the candle isn’t even finished yet!

But Baek Saheon reached out to grab my bag again, and Go Yeongeun groaned in frustration.

"Let’s at least try something! It’s better than dying like this!"

"Argh! Hey, stop arguing and just run—"

I turned my head.

At that moment, our feet—

Crossed the threshold into the main exhibition hall.

"......"

I steadied my breathing and lifted my head.

Stars were twinkling all around me.

No, was it just pebbles? Countless pairs of glowing circles of the same color were shining.

The square walls were densely covered with them, watching me. The gaze of humans...

The eyes taken by the guide machines.

“Hiiik—”

I stopped in my tracks and lowered my head. Beside me, Baek Saheon slapped his remaining eye.

The chaos in my mind slowly, gradually settled.

“– Ah, they've arranged them like stars in the universe. "Luminous Gaze," huh? Quite cliché, but a popular and well-known title. It seems they're paying homage to the providers of the materials for this piece!”

"......"

Three massive black exhibition hall walls were entirely filled with eyeballs, leaving no gaps.

The only entrance or exit was the door we had just come through.

And through that door, the guide machine was relentlessly approaching us...

We were trapped.

“– I’m curious, Roe Deer. What will you choose? This is a dead end. There seems to be… hmm, no escape. What will you do?”

“– But my dear friend, with me, Braun, by your side, you can escape anytime, anywhere!”

That too... I knew.

‘If it were just me, alone.’

I could escape safely at any time.

Braun would gladly use his ability, what he called "Turning off the spotlight," to make my presence vanish.

Then I could quietly sneak out while the others attracted attention and had their eyes and ears ripped out.

“– How about letting Baek Saheon pay the fee? After all, he doesn’t have much time left in his life anyway!”

Sure. We've successfully made the candle, which required three people, so Baek Saheon is no longer necessary.

‘I only brought him along because I was worried about my mental state.’

Honestly, would it even matter if that guy died? No, it might even benefit society if he did.

In that case, perhaps Go Yeongeun could escape too, if she was lucky...

...Wait?

Hold on.

"Let’s split up! That way, even if one person gets out—"

"Goral!"

"Yes?"

"You’re safe."

"...?!"

"You paid your fee recently, didn’t you? You should have some time left before the next cycle."

"Ah!!"

Having had her ears extracted not long ago, Go Yeongeun would still have some "usage time" remaining! A glimmer of hope lit up in her eyes.

"Then I’ll go and try to distract it—"

Creeeaaak.

"......"

"......"

It entered.

The guide machine.

Clatter.

Amid the bronze candlelight, I faced the machine directly for the first time.

Mercilessly sharp and meticulously crafted.

It resembled a spider with metal fused as its flesh, bizarrely connecting its head and chest, with a belly and legs underneath.

Yet it uncannily mimicked the form of a bipedal intelligent creature, triggering the uncanny valley effect. Its creaky, grotesque movements sent chills down my spine.

Its sharp, needle-like legs moved with twisted joints at will.

And from its head, eight gas lamps glowed yellow, piercing the dim shadows.

"......"

Go Yeongeun froze in place.

It was as if the trauma of having her ear torn off earlier resurfaced violently.

It was understandable.

Creeeaak.

The machine passed by Go Yeongeun without pause.

‘As expected.’

So the machine's targets were...

Baek Saheon and me.

Creeeaaak.

I deliberated briefly.

When the machine's attention turned to Baek Saheon, I would quickly erase my presence and escape.

It would be difficult while the machine focused solely on me, but since there were two targets, Braun’s ability might work.

“– Shall I use it now?”

I made my decision.

"No."

Instead, I shoved Baek Saheon aside.

"...!"

"Run."

Baek Saheon already had one eye missing.

This meant he knew he might lose more than just his remaining eye.

‘There’s no telling what kind of desperate, insane behavior he might resort to.’

If his ears were taken instead, the reaction of someone who had already lost an eye could be far more extreme.

It was better to let him run.

"Run."

Baek Saheon hesitated for a moment.

But when the machine stopped in front of me, he turned and sprinted toward the door at full speed.

At the same time, Go Yeongeun caught my glance, squeezed her eyes shut, and bolted out the door.

"......"

And now.

“– Do you have any questions for the guide, Roe Deer?”

I lifted my head.

The machine, resembling a grotesque fusion of spider and woman, faced me, its gaslight illuminating the space.

Its grotesque, chilling appearance sent shivers down my spine.

The guide machine raised its eight needle-like legs and arms, gesturing toward me.

I bowed my head respectfully.

"Hello. I’ve just arrived."

I knew it wouldn’t reply.

As expected, the machine emitted incomprehensible noise and moved one of its massive needle-like appendages.

“– It says an additional fee is due, as 1 hour and 54 minutes have passed since your entry.”

I took a deep breath.

"Before I pay, may I ask a question?"

“– Of course, it says!”

"Is guest room booking done at the front desk? If you agree with my question, please nod. If not, shake your head side to side."

……

Nod.

"Thank you for the guidance. Then…"

Holding back a sigh, I asked my real question.

This was the crucial one for escape.

‘These machines only remember information about their own territory; they wouldn’t know where the exit is.’

But if I framed the question differently, asking about their current floor, I might get an answer.

Like this.

"After completing their visit, did guests on this first basement floor head downstairs?"

……

"Or did they go upstairs?"

Nod.

"They went upstairs. Thank you."

I see.

By asking each guide machine about its floor, I could eventually pinpoint the location of the exit...

That is, if my eyes, ears, and limbs weren’t extracted first.

‘If it’s above the basement floor... it’s on the ground level.’

That alone was significant progress. There were only seven ground floors, so it had to be somewhere within those.

‘This is good.’

But the joy faded as quickly as a flickering candle.

The inevitable moment was drawing closer.

Creeeeak.

“– It says it’s time to collect your fee.”

The fee.

"......"

Logically, it wasn’t a big deal.

‘They’ll replace my eyes with rental ones, so I’ll still be able to see until I escape this darkness.’

And I knew this world well. I was aware of several ways to restore lost body parts, ways I could use more easily than others...

That’s why I was here in the first place.

‘I’ve accounted for everything. This is acceptable.’

The problem was... the overwhelming revulsion!

Who could endure this without breaking down?

Having both eyes gouged out by a monster!

Especially here, surrounded by the extracted eyes of others displayed on every wall!

Cold sweat dripped down my chin.

‘Still, I have to do this.’

I clenched my teeth.

It wouldn’t hurt.

‘I have to endure this. If I can’t, I might as well give up surviving here.’

This was the best condition I’d get. If I couldn’t endure this, I’d never make it.

Steeling myself, I prepared for the experience.

Even so, my trembling hands betrayed my fear.

‘Damn it…’

Buzz.

A massive, thin, metallic needle resembling a spider leg moved toward my face.

I held my breath.

Whoosh.

The needle, ready to pierce my face—

Screech.

"......"

I rolled my eyes to the side.

Beyond the darkness, an enormous, spider-like shape approached…

Buzz, screech.

Another guide machine.

"......"

What the hell?

‘These machines must have predetermined routes.’

Would their paths overlap?

Sure enough, the machine attempting to extract my eye paused briefly as if malfunctioning… before moving away.

It was as if it had adjusted its route.

Creeeeak…

"......"

I couldn’t even sigh in relief.

Because the new machine would extract my eye instead.

I held my breath and faced the newly arrived machine.

It raised its spider-like appendages before me.

And then—

"Phew."

...?!

"Are you okay, Roe?"

The spider-like form disintegrated, revealing a person wearing a badger mask.

"…Supervisor!"

Park Minseong, the supervisor, emerged, his sweat-drenched face breaking into a strained smile.

"Whew... that was close!"