The circumstances match.

 

 

 

========================

 

 

The disaster began with a Dusk (D) Class Darkness in the style of a 1970s American talk show.

 

 

========================

 

 

 

[Good evening, viewers! The joy of Tuesday, the heat of Tuesday.]

[You are now watching! The ‘Tuesday Quiz Show!’]

The live broadcast had begun.

With the lively music of a band, the host, dressed in a suit, waved to the cheering audience.

It was a typical American-style talk show.

Except for the fact that the staff’s faces were all blurred, and instead of a face, the host had an old-fashioned TV set for a head.

 

 

 

========================

 

 

The host explained that this talk show had a different theme for each day of the week, but there were no known cases of entering any other day.

Only the ■day talk show is accessible.

 

 

========================

 

 

 

[Have you all been waiting for Tuesday? So have I! After all, it’s the only day we get to see our lovely new quiz show contestants!]

“……”

It matches.

 

 

 

========================

 

 

The Field Exploration Team entered the ■day talk show from the 12th session, fully equipped with a list of answers for the main corner, ‘Quiz’.

Over the course of 99 explorations, from session 12 to session 110, they successfully escaped without casualties. (Prizes included)

 

 

========================

 

 

 

[Incredibly… for the past several weeks, there hasn’t been a single contestant who got an answer wrong! It’s unbelievable, truly…]

It matches.

 

 

 

========================

 

 

However, on the 111th session—

During the 100th exploration, an anomaly occurred.

 

 

========================

 

 

 

[Will the contestants get the answers right this time as well?]

Ba-bam-bam-ba-bam!

With a sound effect, the lights shone down.

On the seven podiums arranged in a semicircle.

Three of them.

Including mine, the podiums pinpointed by the lights belonged to me, the supervisor, and the assistant manager.

[Mr. Badger, Ms. Falcon, and Mr. Roe Deer.]

[Give them a big round of applause!]

Oooooh!

Invisible audience members clapped.

I felt like I was about to pass out.

Could it be…… could it really be?

[Breaking news!]

“……!”

The host made a fuss and received something from the staff.

[It’s been quite some time since all the contestants got the answers right, hasn’t it? The total duration is…]

A whopping…

[98 sessions!]

“……!”

[This will be the 99th. Haha!]

I was saved.

‘It’s not the 100th…!’

My heart almost leaped out of my chest.

‘Yeah, the odds of it landing exactly on the 100th session are actually low.’

I almost grabbed onto the podium in relief, but I held back.

It was clearly stated in the PDF of the ‘Tuesday Talk Show’ answers I had received earlier.

 

– If you disrupt the broadcast, you will be incinerated.

 

It wasn’t just a penalty. It was ‘incineration’.

And this was a live broadcast.

In other words, if anything strange happens, you’re dead.

[Will the 99th contestants continue the winning streak and pass the baton to the 100th contestants? Or will this great record come to an end?]

[Stay tuned and watch!]

I turned my head.

Assistant Manager Eun and Supervisor Park, standing on the other podiums, gave me light nods or smiled faintly, showing no signs of major anxiety.

99 sessions, with nearly three years of accumulated safety and a well-established pattern to the ghost story. They were acting like people who were certain this time would be the same.

‘Deep breath.’

It’s fine.

…It’ll be fine.

I took a deep breath in and then exhaled.

[Now, Mr. Roe Deer!]

“Yes.”

[Are you nervous?]

“Yes. It’s my first time participating in a quiz show like this.”

[Ah, good, very good… Let’s start with an easy question!]

On the host’s head, the old-fashioned TV displayed strange letters.

It was an unfamiliar, ominous script I had never seen before, but I could read it. A surge of nausea and a headache hit me, then quickly passed.

 

[Question : Choose the element that is not a component of the human body.]

1- Water

2- Iron

3- Oil

4- Earth

 

“…Number 4, Earth.”

[Correct!]

The quiz show proceeded smoothly.

‘The theme is a bit eerie, but the questions aren’t so hard that they’re unsolvable.’

Plus, the list of past questions the Field Exploration Team had stolen from this ghost story was definitely helpful.

The questions weren’t identical, but they were similar enough to make answering them easy.

‘In fact, since I have to use my brain, the chances of making a mistake are lower.’

[Unbelievable! Correct answer!]

[Again?]

[Ah, ah… he’s hesitating. He’s conflicted… Yes, number 3! What will be the fate of Mr. Roe Deer, who chose strangulation? …Correct! Hurrah!]

The answers matched perfectly, and the show proceeded without any issues.

I pretended to hesitate on purpose, sometimes stalling before answering, doing my best to match the atmosphere of the broadcast.

‘I have to get through this broadcast somehow.’

This obsessive thought completely dominated my mind.

During the commercial break, when the host suggested I participate again, I inwardly screamed but outwardly played along, pretending to be tempted.

After the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th… I made it to the 9th question.

[Mr. Roe Deer! It’s the final question.]

Finally, the end of this insane situation was in sight.

[The other contestants have incredibly answered all the questions correctly and continued the winning streak!]

[Will Mr. Roe Deer be able to carry the final link?]

From the other podiums, my superiors glanced at me, some waving lightly or nodding their heads.

If I got this last one right, it would all be over.

[Are you ready?]

“Yes.”

[Good!]

The question appeared.

 

[Question : What percentage of blood loss causes death in humans?]

1- 40%

2- 45%

3- 50%

4- 55%

 

“……”

Was this a trap for the final question?

I took a deep breath.

“The answer is…… number 1,”

[Ah, you chose number 1…]

“And number 2.”

[……!]

“And number 3, and number 4…… all of them.”

[……]

“Humans typically face life-threatening danger when they lose about 30 to 40% of their blood.”

[Oh.]

“So, of course, losing more would also result in death.”

[No, no… unbelievable!]

The TV flickered.

Even if I got it wrong, it didn’t seem like I would die.

But I didn’t want to give this dangerous ghost story any room for mistakes, so I gritted my teeth to avoid the trap.

[You’re saying there’s several answers?! Are you sure you don’t want to change your answer?]

“I’m sure.”

Ooooh.

Murmurs came from the audience.

And then… a faceless staff member suddenly rushed onto the stage…?

[…Amazing! We have some surprising news for you.]

[Actually, the answer prepared by our writers was number 1.]

Wait, hold on.

[But Mr. Roe Deer’s answer is much more impressive! It’s more logical, isn’t it?]

Yes!! I heard the audience shouting.

The host spread his arms wide.

[Then, of course, it’s correct! We’ll count it as a perfect answer! Wonderful!]

“……!”

Ha.

‘I survived, somehow.’

Why did I dig a trap for myself! I inwardly screamed in relief, closing my eyes tightly and then opening them.

The host, seeming to take this as an emotional moment, came up and patted me on the back as if to hug me.

The fact that he had body heat made it even more unsettling.

[Incredible, truly incredible!]

“…Thank you.”

[Now then…]

The host grabbed the microphone and shouted in excitement.

[Amazingly, all of our contestants have maintained their winning streaks! Fantastic!]

Pop.

Confetti burst, and cheers erupted.

From each podium, my superiors had expressions like, ‘It’s finally wrapping up’. It was almost visible through their masks.

[But the MVP who will take home the grand prize is only one person. And that is…]

A drum roll followed…

The host pointed at me.

[It’s Mr. Roe Deer!]

Waaah!

The band played loud celebratory sound effects.

[Congratulations! Please take your prize!]

“Thank you.”

I accepted the small gift box the host handed me.

I was happy. Not because I got a gift.

‘It’s finally over.’

As soon as the cameras shut off, I could leave.

‘Please, let’s go now.’

As I began to calm down at the thought of soon returning to my office in a 21st-century Seoul building, I heard—

[Unfortunately, it’s time to wrap up the Tuesday Quiz Show. Tomorrow, we’ll have even more amazing guests for Wednesday… Hmm?]

Click.

Out of nowhere.

Suddenly, the lights came on over four empty podiums.

“……?!”

There, four figures were suddenly standing.

The four people looked around in bewilderment.

All were dressed in suits and wore masks.

‘Company employees?’

They were clearly from a different squad in the Field Exploration Team.

I recognized one mask—likely a new hire, someone from my training group.

That much I understood. But…

‘Why did they overlap?’

Is it even possible to overlap and enter the ghost story like this? I mean, whether it’s possible or not…

‘…This is a broadcast accident.’

A tense silence filled the studio.

1 second.

2 seconds.

3 seconds.

“……”

Something’s wrong.

The employee wearing the zebra mask standing next to me seemed to sense it as well.

“Wh-why are the people who arrived first…”

[Oh no.]

The flames ignited.

“……!”

The employee in the zebra mask was consumed in a silent blaze, their mouth still open in shock, unable to comprehend the situation, before collapsing like a lie.

All that remained were ashes, shaped like their shoes.

The camera hurriedly panned away.

[…Surprise!]

[This was a special preview of next Tuesday’s contestants!]

The noisy band sound blared, as if trying to cover up the incident.

The camera now focused on me.

“……!”

Damn it.

Damn it, damn it!

I desperately waved the gift box I was holding in the air, pretending to be excited!

Pop.

Confetti rained down again, and the drums roared loudly. The host encouraged the audience’s cheers.

[We’ll see you tomorrow with an even more exciting show!]

[So… have a good night!]

Bam!

With the sound of a cheerful guitar riff, the camera lights turned off.

“……”

It’s over.

It… is over, isn’t it?

Why are we still here?

[Phew, that was a close one. Almost ruined the live broadcast. Glad everything was handled smoothly!]

The cameras were definitely off.

Faceless staff rushed onto the stage, and the lights in the audience seats went out.

The band disappeared.

Backstage, filled with noise and murmurs, was revealed like cold steel beams.

But we didn’t disappear.

…A chilling feeling crept up my spine.

[Mr. Roe Deer! That was great thinking. Are you perhaps interested in becoming a regular panelist?]

“…I already have a job.”

[Oh no! Well, our talk show applications are always open, so feel free anytime!]

Why is this ghost story continuing?

The reason was simple.

The thoughtful host was about to kindly explain to the contestants why this situation had occurred.

[Ah, and to the new participants!]

[You must’ve been shocked, thinking you almost ruined the broadcast. I trust it wasn’t intentional. Don’t be too hard on yourselves!]

[And don’t worry. We’ll give you another chance as well!]

With a friendly and affable demeanor, the host addressed the employees who had suddenly entered—our ‘new contestants’, as if they had always been part of the show.

In the meantime, the staff swept up the ashes left behind by the incinerated person with a broom.

I felt like I was losing my mind.

[I’d love to give you all a chance to participate right now, but unfortunately, our show is live. So, see you next week!]

But we could leave now.

Please, please let it end like this! End it here!

[For now, you can all go home… hm?]

It was then.

Someone holding a megaphone suddenly ran onto the stage.

That person’s face was indistinct in the lighting, but unlike the other staff, they were wearing sunglasses.

The figure with the megaphone whispered urgently to the host.

[……! Ah, I see.]

The host turned to look at us.

[You see, it’s hard for me to say this, but… uh.]

The emoticon on the TV monitor showed a sad face.

[Our show… was just canceled.]

“……!”

[To be precise, it’s the Tuesday Quiz Show that’s ended. Technically, my show isn’t over, yes.]

[The quiz segment has been replaced.]

What?

[We won’t be able to have you as the 100th winning contestants. I sincerely want to apologize from the bottom of my heart.]

The host bent forward, even lowering the antenna on the TV head as if truly apologetic.

“So… is it… cleared?”

“Hu. Huu…”

I could faintly hear the voices of the other members of my squad, filled with confusion, fear, panic, and yet, hope.

But a cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

‘No.’

This development…

 

 

 

========================

 

 

Exploration Record #100

The show began in the same studio as previous sessions.

However, the program name had changed.

The host explained to the confused employees that the ‘Tuesday Quiz Show’ had been canceled.

Since the contestants had answered correctly 99 times in a row, the penalty had become meaningless, and the segment was no longer appealing to the viewers, leading to its discontinuation.

The new segment was chosen to be more engaging was…

 

 

========================

 

 

 

[Ah! Hold on a moment!]

The host’s TV antenna suddenly sprang up after receiving a signal from the staff.

[Good news! You’ve all been selected as contestants for the new segment!]

“……!!”

[And since it’s pre-recorded this time, it’ll be even easier than before! Haha!]

[Let’s start filming right away! Although I’ll only be playing a supporting role, I’ll do my best to ensure it’s a great show…]

“Wait.”

The assistant manager from our squad raised her hand with a grim expression.

“We’ve already participated in the show, so we’d like to go back…”

[You want to leave before the filming is finished?]

“……!”

The TV screen buzzed as it got close to Assistant Manager Eun’s face.

[Oh dear… it was all written on the application postcard. But if you truly can’t participate… well, there’s no helping it.]

“……”

[So, tell me. Can’t you do it?]

Assistant Manager Eun slowly moved her eyes, meeting mine from across the way.

I shook my head ever so slightly.

She must have realized it too.

‘No helping it’ didn’t mean they would let us leave. It meant they would incinerate us.

[You can do it, right! Good.]

An ominous silence.

The studio was filled with the sound of the shallow breaths of pale, terrified employees.

I was surely one of them.

Was I even breathing?

[Oh! The tension is palpable. That’s how it always is with new programs.]

[Let’s stay strong! Mr. Roe Deer, you performed wonderfully in the live broadcast! I’m sure you’ll do great again this time…]

Was there no excuse I could give?

No plausible way out?

“Yes. But I didn’t expect to appear on the show consecutively.”

[Hoh.]

“I could make a mistake, couldn’t I?”

I gripped the podium so tightly my knuckles turned white.

“I should prepare a bit more and come back next Tuesday…”

[Aah! Look at that, the lights are coming on! 3, 2, 1…]

The host mumbled in an excited voice.

It was no use.

Completely absorbed in the broadcast, the host dashed toward the camera.

[Good evening, viewers! The joy of Tuesday, the heat of Tuesday.]

[You’re now watching the new segment of our talk show!]

I’m going crazy.

[Are you sad that the quiz show is gone? No need to be! Because this is an even more advanced form of quiz show!]

[Something has been added to the quiz! What could it be?]

The host waved both hands as he read the teleprompter.

[What pulls at the heartstrings more than anything is melody.]

[Especially voices! Choirs, ah, such a beautiful sound!]

……

[Haha, no need for our band to feel left out. We’ve invited a true master of an entirely different genre!]

[A new guest is about to appear!]

The set opened up to reveal a new figure.

The stench of rusted iron and filth filled the air, accompanied by a massive, dark pig’s head.

[The conductor of the Choir of Purgatory, the filthy, the vile, the master of great melodies, the Butcher!]

[That’s right. The new segment is… the Tuesday Choir!]

Hell has arrived.