Winning against the elevator mirror ghost in rock-paper-scissors granted me one reward—a single question answered.
But naturally, the truths revealed by ghost stories weren't always good. They might be answers I didn't like or ones that were completely useless. For example, if you asked when humanity would go extinct, you might get an answer like, 'Long after you're dead'.
That would still technically be the truth.
So, if I were to ask, 'What's the way back to my original world?' it could easily respond with something extremely vague and simplistic. Instead, it was better to confirm whether the method I was already pursuing could truly return me to my original world.
Daydream Inc.'s Wish Ticket Potion.
My heart pounded as I waited.
The answer, guaranteed to be truthful, appeared painfully slowly on the glass window:
Returning is possible. Certainly.
A clear and absolute affirmation.
"...!"
I let out a deep sigh of relief and slid to the ground.
'Wow.'
The tension in my body finally eased.
To be honest, I'd been worried it might give me an ambiguous or negative response.
I'd tried not to think about it, but sometimes doubts crept in…
– What if the Wish Ticket Potion can't bring me back after all?
– What if I mess up the conditions, and it works in some twisted way?
Still, I had tried to suppress those thoughts.
Doubts wouldn't change the fact that the Wish Ticket was my best chance.
'Even if I'm scared, I have to keep going.'
And believing it would work was the only way to endure the terrifying jobs I had to complete here.
"..."
Now, with this assurance, I could work with even more determination.
'Let's do this.'
I could do it.
I'd gather the remaining points as quickly and safely as possible! I stood up, bolstered by newfound resolve.
'For once, I feel motivated to work…'
But I wasn't out of the ghost story just yet.
'I still have to complete the ritual.'
If you have safely received your answer, it is now time to conclude the ritual and return.
The steps required to return safely will depend on the number at which you won rock-paper-scissors to reach the top floor: If you came from 1 : Proceed to 10.
If you came from 6 : Proceed to 11.
Number 1 was the scenario for when the person playing rock-paper-scissors had won immediately and reached the top floor without a hitch. So after that, when proceeding to number 10, the story would end with something like, 'Take the stairs down, avoid elevators with double-sided mirrors for the next three days, and you'll be fine.'
But…
'I failed along the way.'
Failure made the next steps scarier and more painful.
"…Huu."
I decided to check the company-provided manual to clarify the steps.
Number 11.
11- If you reached the top floor by winning a game led by the entity in the mirror, your escape process depends on how many questions you answered. First, board the elevator again.
I swallowed hard and turned back to face the elevator doors. The elevator was still stopped on the 12th floor, and when I pressed the button, the doors slid open.
Ding.
Inside, the right mirror was shattered, revealing the grimy, rusted interior of the elevator.
At this stage, you must hold the 'door open' button continuously while inside the elevator.
Do not release the button under any circumstances.
Instead of looking at the mirror you faced during the rock-paper-scissors game, direct your gaze toward the opposite mirror.
I shifted my gaze to the left mirror.
The shattered right mirror no longer reflected an infinite repeating space. Instead, the fragmented reflections glinted across the elevator's dim interior, and…
Something strange was there.
I saw myself.
My head hung low, unnaturally so.
I was wearing a tattered suit, standing unnervingly still.
It was the ghost that had played rock-paper-scissors with me.
...
The reflection began to lift its head slowly.
Its expressionless face locked eyes with mine, and it started to move closer. Closer.
Until it was almost pressed against the mirror.
You must endure until the elevator emits a sound. Do not move or avert your gaze until the sound ceases.
Be aware that the more questions you have answered, the longer this phase will last.
I held on.
But there were limits.
Even though a glass pane separated us, the ghost felt like it was creeping closer—impossibly close.
My trembling hand clung to the 'door open' button.
I had to think about something else.
'Is that… the thing that answered my question on the glass?'
Yes. It must have been.
Bang!
I nearly let go of the button.
The ghost pressed its head against the mirror and glared at me. Its mouth moved soundlessly.
I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out I want to get out
I quickly shifted my gaze slightly downward to avoid meeting its eyes. Sweat dripped from my chin.
But through the fear, the effect of the silver ring shone through. I stayed calm—barely.
Wants to get out?
'…Because it's trapped in the mirror?'
My mind raced.
'Come to think of it, that ghost couldn't make the scissors hand gesture, could it?'
Why?
Why couldn't it make scissors?
I thought about the hand gesture for scissors in rock-paper-scissors. Whether you lift your thumb or middle finger along with it, the index finger always takes center stage.
And when I thought about the hand gestures involving the index finger in an elevator, one action immediately came to mind.
Pressing buttons.
'…That ghost, can it not press buttons?'
Sure, it could physically press them by hitting them with its fist or banging its head against them, but this wasn't about physical action—it was about the concept and intent.
A ghost trapped in the infinite mirror world of the elevator. A completely sealed space created by the two facing mirrors. And the warning in the manual about failing the ritual by losing rock-paper-scissors.
Exercise caution every time you ride an elevator from this point forward. The entity in the mirror will seek you out and attempt to meet you.
Was it, perhaps…
'…Because it wants to get out?'
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!
Fuck, seriously…!
I tried not to look directly at the ghost smashing its head against the mirror and continued to think.
…Maybe, just maybe.
'That ghost is trapped in the elevator?'
Then, it happened.
Beep— Beep— Beep—
The alarm for holding the elevator too long sounded.
When this sound is heard, exit the elevator immediately and use the stairs. Never use this elevator again.
If possible, attach an "OUT OF ORDER" sign to prevent others from riding it until the next day's sunrise.
Additionally, when using elevators with double-sided mirrors, do not look at the mirrors for more than five seconds.
It will come for you.
In that case…
I hesitated, then stepped out of the elevator and let go of the open button. At the same time, I lightly tapped one of the floor buttons.
[1F]
As expected, since it was a mirror, the elevator in the reflection also lit up the 1F button.
Without looking at the expression of the ghost that wore my face, I quickly bolted out of the open doors.
Screech.
The doors, no longer held open, slid shut, and the elevator began to move.
[Going down…]
From the 12th floor, I took the stairs down to the 1st floor. As I rushed down the creaking steps, I thought I heard the elevator's cheerful announcement, 'First floor. The doors are opening.'
"Huuuu."
By the time I emerged from the abandoned rental apartment building, it was already well past sunset.
'They said time flows strangely inside, and they weren't lying.'
It was already 7PM.
I immediately called someone.
[Ah, Soleum-ssi…!]
It was Jang Heo-un, who I'd told to meet me at 5 PM.
Despite making him wait for two hours, I smoothly delivered my apology. The reason? Well…
"I'm really sorry. I mentioned earlier that there might be an issue, but I must've kept you waiting too long."
[Oh, no, it's fine. This café is great! If something urgent came up, it can't be helped. Don't worry about me.]
Right.
I'd deliberately told Jang Heo-un to meet me at 5 PM.
'Just in case the Research Team found out I went in alone and decided to shove him into some other insane ghost story in the meantime.'
That deranged sociopath of a researcher could absolutely do it, saying something like, 'Well, since it's already like this, why don't you head somewhere else?'
'Corporate life is such a goddamn mess…'
In any case, I later apologized to Jang Heo-un at the café. Then, I explained the situation—carefully, without being overly shocking— framing it as though the Research Team had tried to force us into a pointless and dangerous task, and I had refused.
But Jang Heo-un focused on something else.
[Wait, wouldn't this put you in a tough spot, Soleum-ssi? I mean, you ignored a company directive…!]
"Oh, it's fine."
I spoke warmly.
"If you keep this between us, I can make good use of it."
[...??]
And not long after—
As soon as I returned to hand in the Dream Essence Collector, I was urgently summoned by Kwak Jaekang.
Feigning calm, I shamelessly explained the situation.
"So, you left the Round-Off Team member behind… is that what you're saying?"
"Yes."
Kwak Jaekang stared at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, then let out a long sigh before laughing in disbelief.
It wasn't a good laugh.
It was the 'I can't believe this' kind of laugh.
"No but, Mr. Roe Deer! You know this is grounds for disciplinary action, right? Do you think this company's a school, where you can just do whatever you want? Did Section Chief Lee Jaheon say this was okay?"
"No, Section Chief Lee Jaheon consistently advises adherence to company policies and field exploration manuals."
"Aigoo, if you knew that, why would you do such a thing? Hm… quite puzzling."
Kwak Jaekang spoke in a subtly probing tone.
"Do you have a strong aversion to the idea of a colleague being sacrificed in an exploration? Perhaps because you're acquainted?"
Of course, that's what he would think.
I replied without hesitation.
"...? Isn't it just frustrating?"
"…??"
"Why should I, when I'm capable of achieving a quick solo clear, have to drag along—well, pardon my bluntness—a useless burden?"
"...!"
Kwak Jaekang stared at me, momentarily stunned, before hastily trying to explain.
"No, I mean, you could just clear it and leave him alone in the elevator when it's done…"
"That's precisely the point. Why should I bother with that kind of thing during Darkness exploration, sir?"
I furrowed my brows slightly, as though barely holding back my irritation.
"Do I need to worry about whether the staff waiting downstairs might run away, or whether I can send them at the right time? None of that helps shorten the exploration time or increase the essence grade, does it?"
"..."
"The purpose of a field exploration role is to extract high-concentration solutions as quickly as possible and supply ingredients for the Daydream Inc. Wish Ticket elixir. Why should I waste time on tasks unrelated to my job?"
"But this is also part of the job—"
"Isn't that your job, Section Chief?"
Kwak Jaekang shut his mouth.
He seemed at a loss for words in the face of my ridiculous MZ-generation efficiency logic.
Not that I'm a real MZer—my persona is all an act! Like fresh graduates just entering the workforce, I'm just role-playing here.
(T/N: MZ generation – a term coined originally for millennials or gen z people, but in a colloquial sense is just a buzzword older people use along with the connotation of 'Young people these days…')
"So I figured it'd be more efficient to just take the disciplinary action."
"…More efficient, you say?"
"Yes."
I answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"At the very least, I'd be sanctioned with disciplinary action during my downtime when I'm not out for exploration."
"..."
Kwak Jaekang looked at me like I was some newly discovered alien species.
Of course, even he had to find this absurd.
Exactly.
'This is the weakness you were so eager to uncover…!'
A meticulous efficiency addict obsessed with their own rules! While it might come across as morally upright, in reality, it's just someone who loses their mind if their self-imposed principles are violated, acting with zero social grace.
'This kind of extreme personality is, by nature, a weakness.'
If it could stop Kwak Jaekang's unnecessary provocations from here on out, the disciplinary action would be worth it…!
"In that case, I'll await the decision on my disciplinary measure."
I maintained my delusional lunatic persona to the end as I left the lab.
'Time to find Braun.'
I was quite proud of how I did.
The now-quiet office of Research Team 1, after Kim Soleum's departure. Everyone else had already left for the day. So, sitting alone at his desk and mentally organizing the events of yesterday and today…
"Hahahaha!"
Kwak Jaekang suddenly burst into laughter.
"Left him behind because it was frustrating? Hahaha!"
How could this be so entertaining?
If it were any other employee, he might have fallen for it entirely. Extreme statements paired with overwhelming performance often sound convincing.
But…
"I've observed a lot of people!"
In the end, actions speak louder than words.
And predicting future actions based on behavioral patterns—well, that's part of the joy of this job…!
"Ah, delightful."
Smiling ear to ear, Kwak Jaekang finished jotting down notes, stood up from his desk, and left for the day with a cheerful gait.
Click.
His soft humming echoed briefly in the office before fading with the sound of the door closing behind him.
Left on the desk were a few sheets of documentation.
[Supervisor Kim Soleum / Field Exploration Team]
It was Kim Soleum's profile file.
Beneath it, hastily scribbled notes in Kwak Jaekang's handwriting could be seen.
Traits (predictable with meaningful probability)
1- Virtuous.
2- Cowardly.