Click-
All noise in the world evaporated in an instant.
Darkness.
Pitch-black silence where even the mechanical sounds that had been ringing loudly moments ago, and the faint city noises, had all disappeared.
Only the face of an unfamiliar woman screaming inside the ID photo remained like an afterimage, flickering before his eyes.
A clear harbinger of a ghost story.
“…….”
Han Yujin gulped, swallowing dry spit.
His mind began to spin rapidly.
Jeonggongbeop had said it. Once you set foot in a ghost story, the boundary between reality and the ghost story becomes meaningless. The moment you escape one ghost story, another will be waiting at the door.
That was the reason the 'Ghost Story Survivors Gallery' was so active.
“Shall I guide you to the exit?”
What broke the silence was the voice of the bank teller who had been talking with Han Yujin until just now. Even in the darkness, his silhouette and the gentle smile he must be wearing were vividly drawn.
An ordinary person would have screamed in terror at this situation or run madly toward the exit.
But Han Yujin was not 'ordinary.'
He slumped right down on the floor, clearly expressing his will of 'I am not going.'
"…Customer?"
The ghost's creaking voice.
It was already the third time he had encountered a humanoid ghost.
Han Yujin knew that was the ghost's confusion.
"I'm sorry. I'm suddenly dizzy."
Rather than making a fuss at the ghost, running straight for the exit was more dangerous. It was experience gained from countless hours of gallery browsing. In that state, Han Yujin waved his hand in the air. A translucent gallery window popped up.
First, he needed to assess the situation. He had to know what kind of ghost story this was to have any chance of clearing it.
'They said I could take pictures.'
Han Yujin shaped the thumbs and index fingers of both hands into L-shapes, then put them together to form a camera frame.
[Photo capture complete.]
[Creating post.]
——————
[ Title: Where am I? ]
Author: ㅇㅇ
(Photo)
It's like a bank. The lights suddenly went out. The staff says he'll guide me to the exit. Should I follow?
——————
The moment he posted, comment notifications poured down like a waterfall.
[ㅁㄴㅇㄹ]: ??? Crawled into another ghost story?
ㄴ [ㅇㅇ]: No;; This time I got dragged in, for real
[Nonrihoero]: Based on location and situation, estimated to be D-rank ghost story '??? Bank.' Congratulations.
[Charin-geonmanchiman-jogeumman-deuseyo]: Crazy bastard hit the jackpot hahahaha
[Meogeo-do-doeneun-geo]: Lots to eat.
"……Jackpot?"
At the completely unexpected reaction, Han Yujin tilted his head.
A newbie gets dragged into a ghost story and instead of worry, they say 'jackpot'!
The posts that came up after were even more of a sight.
[Gosaeng-kkeute-gosaeng-onda]: Ah, fucking hell. Why do I always get the fucked-up ghost stories?
[Uul-jeongbyeong-menhera]: Stop bitching. I really want to die.
The gallery was literally burning up.
Along with grumbles of 'stop acting unhinged.'
Reactions as if he had posted a first-place lottery ticket verification.
At least a normal person reacted.
[Nonrihoero]: Everyone calm down. A newbie posted this to get information.
[Nonrihoero]: Notifying the author. That ghost story has a loan interest rate of 5% per annum, but a deposit interest rate of 200% per annum.
"……Crazy."
Han Yujin was shocked.
A deposit interest rate of 200%? Is this a bank or a philanthropist?
[Charin-geonmanchiman-jogeumman-deuseyo]: Plus it's a 'friendly' ghost story that even has a separate rulebook inside. Just get it and follow it well, and everything from printing money to escaping is super easy.
[Oneul-man-sanda]: Clear guide: 1. Ask a staff member for the Terms of Service. 2. Follow them well. The end. Fucking easy, right?
[Santo1kki]: Look for the guide staff first. I heard you can get it from them.
Guide staff.
Han Yujin subtly turned his head and looked at the bank teller standing blankly beside him.
[ㅇㅇ]: The guide staff is already here standing next to me.
As soon as his comment went up, the gallery's atmosphere instantly chilled.
[Charin-geonmanchiman-jogeumman-deuseyo]: You're browsing the gallery with a ghost standing next to you?
[Nonrihoero]: Are you in your right mind?
[Santo1kki]: Did this bastard burst his liver while cutting off his dick?
Reactions calling him crazy, psycho, and insane followed in succession. Han Yujin couldn't understand their fuss.
[ㅇㅇ]: Why? In ghost stories like this, the staff ghosts are nice.
ㄴ[ㅁㄴㅇㄹ]: Staff ghosts are nice, I'll give you that lolol
ㄴ[Oneul-man-sanda]: Let's see you say that while getting dragged away.
[ㅇㅇ]: No, they aren't even boss roles, and if they've been given a role, they just stay faithful to it, you know? I observed their eyes, and they aren't the type to suddenly rampage.
ㄴ [Charin-geonmanchiman-jogeumman-deuseyo]: Eyes? How did you look at a ghost's eyes?
ㄴ [ㅇㅇ]: You can see it if you look closely.
Han Yujin answered nonchalantly.
It had started at the 'Lost and Found Center of the Terminal Station.' That
place's center chief and he made eye contact, a strange sensation flashed through his mind. A depth like an abyss, something that could never be called human eyes.
Focusing without losing that sensation, he had begun to faintly feel the 'gaze' of ghosts.
[ㅇㅇ]: I even made eye contact just now.
ㄴ [Jeonggongbeop*]: You may suffer from mental contamination. Never do that again from now on.
ㄴ [ㅇㅇ]: I was fine though. Looking at its eyes, it just seemed a bit flustered. Maybe because I sat down and started browsing the gallery instead of going to the exit.
ㄴ [Santokki]: Even the ghost is scared of you.
Some clicked their tongues at the newbie's nerve beyond common sense, and some even worried about the ghost's safety. The gallery was truly a crucible of chaos.
"Not helpful."
The person who caused the chaos looked at the gallery and tch—clicked his tongue.
Still, it wasn't entirely unhelpful, as he had learned the key to clearing the ghost story.
That shameless newbie extended his hand to the bank teller standing beside him—no, to the 'ghost.'
"Could you give me the bank's Terms of Service?"
"Yes. I will prepare the customer Terms of Service for you."
The teller pulled out a thin booklet and handed it over with a mechanical smile.
"As long as you follow these terms, we will perfectly guarantee your assets."
《Customer Terms of Service》
Han Yujin quickly skimmed the terms.
————————
1. Article 1 (Purpose) These terms are intended to regulate the basic matters of all transactions that prove the customer's present value and enhance their future value, based on trust between ■■■ Bank (hereinafter 'Bank') and the customer.
…
3. Article 3 (Counter Guide) This bank has two counters prepared.
[Loan Counter]: Available for all customers.
[Deposit and Exchange Counter]: All users are welcome to freely use the deposit and exchange counters at this branch.
4. Article 4 (Deposit Products) Value Certification Time Deposit: The bank periodically (based on every 24 hours) re-evaluates the value of assets deposited by the customer and pays the determined value compensation.
Compensation Interest Rate: The payment rate of value compensation is differentiated according to the customer's credit rating and deposit period, with a guaranteed minimum annual rate of 200%.
————————
"It's really a money-printing ghost story."
A hollow laugh burst out.
At this point, isn't this a bug?
No. The kind of bug that requires a server rollback.
[Oneul-man-sanda]: It's a bug, a bug hahaha. There are more than one or two guys who pulled money from there and got out. I want to go in too.
[Charin-geonmanchiman-jogeumman-deuseyo]: Life-changing ghost story, damn.
[Uul-jeongbyeong-menhera]: This kind of thing never comes to me.
Having secured the rulebook and checked the comments, Han Yujin moved his steps toward the 'Lounge' sign faintly glowing in the darkness.
He read the rest of the terms while walking.
————————
Article 7 (Loan Products)
Existence Value Collateral Loan: The bank evaluates the customer's current 'existence value' and executes a loan within the evaluated amount range.
Repayment Method: Loan repayment is made by automatically deducting principal and interest from the customer's 'value compensation.' No separate repayment behavior is required from the customer.
Purpose of Loan: This loan is provided to give customers the opportunity to lead a stable daily life while exploring their future value.
This branch is making every effort to guarantee your safety until your loan is repaid.
5. Loan repayment is deducted interest-first; upon full interest repayment, departure service is provided, and upon full principal repayment, departure service is provided.
————————
"Crazy."
What kind of ghost story neatly explains the escape method too?
Departure service. Anyone could tell it meant pay the interest and escape.
The gallery comments had said so too.
It was too perfect. So perfect that it felt strange instead.
Nothing in this world is free.
This was Han Yujin's firm doctrine, gained through ten years of gallery browsing and a short but intense ghost story survival experience.
A structure that offers only perfect benefits.
This ghost story is hiding something decisive.
A troll's blood began to boil. The urge to find the flaw in this seemingly perfect system and smash it.
Han Yujin walked crookedly while reading the terms.
It couldn't be helped since he was looking only at the text, not ahead.
At that moment.
Thud!
"Ah!"
A sharp pain in his forehead.
Han Yujin sat down on the spot, holding his head.
When he came to his senses and raised his head, he saw a woman looking down at Han Yujin.
A neat business suit, sharp eyes.
[ Yuil Yuhan Co., Ltd. ]
And even a money bag with the logo engraved on it.
'Did I run into that?'
While Han Yujin was analyzing the cause of the pain.
— Slap!
Stars flashed before his eyes and one cheek tingled.
"Have you gone mad because you want to die?"
Infinitely cold air froze the surroundings.