Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 20

Any fairly well-known amusement park will have three attractions that it invests heavily in.

One is a roller coaster, one is a carousel.

And lastly, the high-end attraction that requires a lot of special effects and animatronics, consuming the most money, is….

‘Dark Ride.’

It’s an indoor riding amusement park attraction where you explore an elaborate and huge set representing the theme park’s theme itself.

In Korea, *Sinbad’s Adventure* and *Earth Village* were famous, weren’t they?

And in this “Happy Theme Park” urban legend, that attraction is…

“Fantasy Train!”

The researcher spat.

“Everyone who rode it died! I’m not riding it!! I won’t ride it!”

Testimony #4 (Survivor: Park Yein)

– All four people who boarded the ‘Fantasy Train’ disappeared.

Later, stuffed dolls made from the clothes and bones of these individuals were found in the gift shop. (Death presumed)

It clearly stated that.

And in the *Dark Exploration Records* I read, it was an attraction that caused numerous deaths….

But that’s not all.

‘Numerous casualties mean this attraction appears frequently!’

Like a board game with random elements, the “Happy Theme Park” urban legend had different zone and mascot combinations each time it was accessed.

However, this ‘Fantasy Train’ attraction was consistently present.

Because… the theme is very clear.

“Look at the description below the sign.”

I pointed to the bottom of the ‘Fantasy Train’ sign.

– Meet the residents and stories of each zone in Fantasy Land! A fun train ride!

“It seems to be an attraction that introduces this theme park.”

It was also the most important element to escape this urban legend.

‘How the zones are divided and colored in this theme park.’

Remember, the origin of this was a board game.

What does choosing a faction in a game mean?

Choosing your own characteristics.

‘And dividing teams by color means there are advantages and disadvantages depending on the color.’

Therefore, it was crucial to properly understand this first….

Which zone is your color team in charge of?

What unique characteristics does it have?

———————

Happy Theme Park Instructions (Applicable to exploration records 1-64)

4. Each zone in the theme park is colored according to its theme! The place you first wake up is the zone your team belongs to!

Respect the zones. Zones are above all important. Look at the color. Don’t offend the mascot. The mascot is everything to the zone.

———————

However, a different logic is needed to convince those who don’t yet know this.

‘Work hard, brain.’

The first target is… of course, the top boss.

“Hmm. Everyone who rode it died?”

Assistant Manager Jin wearing a butterfly mask.

To target this elitist full of self-righteousness… that’s right.

Let’s praise them.

“Isn’t it a team of civilians?”

“Hmm?”

I deliberately used a slightly dubious tone.

“People who approached without any awareness, thinking they were just riding an amusement park ride. The probability of them properly responding to a supernatural situation is low.”

“So?”

“Comparing them to a field exploration team that professionally clears darkness with a sense of purpose…. Well.”

I slightly frowned.

“It seems a bit harsh for civilians.”

“…Huh.”

Team A’s boss snorted.

“You talk pretty well, audaciously. …Well, it’s true though.”

“Tr-true my foot…!”

“Hey.”

Team A’s boss grabbed the researcher’s head firmly.

“…!”

Sharp nails pierce the temple.

“Do you think you have the right to speak?”

“…….”

“You want to die here and become food waste that can’t even become a souvenir? Or do you want to ride that?”

The researcher became quiet again. This supervisor is something else….

“Move.”

“…….”

The researcher dragged their feet, looking dejected, and started moving.

Towards the Fantasy Train.

‘One strike, one kill….’

Successful.

So there’s only one left.

Jang Heoun, a rookie of Team Y.

Following the “Fantasy Train” sign, I subtly fell back to walk alongside the new employee, whispering,

“Don’t worry.”

“Yes…?”

“That was just to convince him… Actually, I have another clever idea.”

“Clever idea…?”

“You could call it insider know-how.”

I chuckled softly.

“I used to work part-time at a theme park.”

“Ah!”

Sorry. That’s a lie….

But for these scaredy-cats, in an unfriendly extreme situation, doesn’t it just matter if we survive?

You’ll also say, ‘Wow! Thanks for lying, my colleague!’ right?

“Y-yes, I see. Then…”

“Yes. It should be quite safe.”

Just assume that’s the case.

Anyway, following the sign, the “Fantasy Train” boarding entrance soon appeared.

It was a fantastic model station decorated with intricate and realistic steam locomotive parts and brickwork, but…

“No one’s here.”

“…….”

Inside was eerily empty.

No one.

– Ha ha, enjoy a wonderful train journey! Ha ha, enjoy a wonderful train journey! Ha ha, enjoy a wonderful train journey…

The cheerful amusement park music felt strangely out of place.

The only things visible were the train beyond the queue.

And the rabbit mascot dressed as an engineer standing in front of it.

“Another mascot.”

“Is that the attraction’s staff?”

That’s right.

Quickly passing through the empty queue, as we approached, the engineer mascot with vacant eyes extended its gloved hand to stamp our bracelets.

[(Cheerful) Fantasy Land Ticket ■□□]

Just one.

Then we were guided to board a small train that looked like a colorful fairytale steam locomotive.

And the mascot returned to its place and began waving its hands.

Something like ‘Have a pleasant ride!’

Up to this point, nothing unusual had happened, so the researcher and the new employee of Team Y unknowingly looked relieved.

Unfortunately, I’m about to cause that unusual event.

‘The place where it might be… Hmm. Only there?’

After checking the surroundings, I finally fixed my gaze on the mascot.

And opened my mouth.

“Assistant Manager Jin.”

“What?”

“I mean the place where the mascot playing the staff member is standing. You see the platform?”

I pointed to what looked like a model ticket booth table right in front of where the engineer rabbit was standing.

“Assistant Manager Jin, would it be possible to subtly turn that platform this way with your special equipment? Quietly, without damaging it.”

“Why?”

“There’s something on the back.”

Team A’s representative looked at me with a slightly strange expression, but soon pulled out a fingernail.

Quickly and quietly.

Tick.

Kikikiki….

The fake fingernail, thrown at the retro teal platform, caught on the edge, making a slight scraping sound as it turned the platform.

Halfway turned, the back, contrary to expectations, didn’t show the usual wooden finish.

Instead, complex buttons and circuits were visible.

The attraction’s emergency control panel.

“…!”

Found it!

The control panel!

‘I definitely read this in <Dark Exploration Records>.’

It described how these theme park rides have actual control panels!

———————

Immediately after boarding the “Tomato Express,” a basket-shaped attraction, a label reading “<Get smashed on the griddle!>” was found attached to the basket.

Immediate search for the emergency stop button.

Successfully found at the attraction’s starting point. However, all attempts to press the button failed. (Executor: Lee Jiwon, Attempts: 6)

Power failure.

———————

Although that failed.

‘I can do this.’

I immediately flicked a coin to summon a translucent glove, threw a 500-won coin, and gestured for it to merge.

‘5 seconds is enough.’

My hand, hovering in the air, approached the half-revealed back of the platform.

The target is… a lever.

MIN MAX

∥—————–∥

▲

“W-wait, Soleum. What is that? What are those markings…?”

“Hold on tight.”

“Yes? What, what…?”

“The train seat handle,”

My hand pulled the lever all the way.

“Hold on tight!”

MIN MAX

∥—————–∥

▲

That moment.

The train shot out at breakneck speed.

KIIIIIIING!!

– Fantasy Train departing!

“Ugh!”

“What, what is this?!”

I desperately gripped the train seat handle and replied.

“I pulled the speed lever! Maximum speed!”

“Why the hell did you do that, you crazy bastard!”

Because I had a plan.

“If we go fast, they can’t mess with the train, right?!”

“……!”

This is the event skip.

‘Dark Ride attractions usually move slowly, allowing you to see the interior decorations and experience them.’

But if you go through it at breakneck speed?

‘Everything is skipped!’

The interior decorations, the effects.

Even the risk to life!

In the <Dark Exploration Records> I saw, this was used to slow down a roller coaster, but in any case, the important thing is the presence or absence of a speed control device!

I thought there was a high probability it would work here too.

‘Good!’

Successful!

However…the next stage is the problem.

I glanced outside.

KIIIIIIING!

I felt the wind pressure.

A speed almost identical to a roller coaster.

This speed must have been included only for safety checks.

…Meaning it wasn’t designed for actual operation.

‘…If I get scared and faint, I’ll be thrown out of the train, right?’

That would be certain death.

It could be called a side effect of the train running like a runaway locomotive.

A fatal flaw for a scaredy-cat like me, but….

‘There’s a countermeasure!’

Think I’ll faint?

Just don’t look!

[Passengers, welcome to the beautiful Fantasy Land!]

The moment the narration began, I shouted.

“I’m going to close my eyes!”

“What?!”

I acted crazy and closed my eyes.

“That narration seems important, I’ll concentrate as much as possible!”

“…!”

“Please tell me if I look like I’m about to die!”

“This guy’s completely insane?! Haha, good!”

Just as the laughter of Team A’s supervisor subsided,

the narration brushed past my ear.

[How did this Fantasy Land come to be?]

[A long, long time ago, 403930291928494 hours ago, a yellow flower, a blue dragon, and a red rabbit lived together in one land.]

[This wonderful place, right here!]

“This, strange flower, the flower is calling me….”

“Duck!”

[But they were too different!]

[‘You’re too loud!’]

[‘You’re too dirty!’]

[‘You’re too boring!’]

[Eventually, they couldn’t accept each other’s appearances and started fighting. This is my land!]

“Aaack! Snakes, snake monsters, monsters are crawling on the ground! Hick! I was trying to… hold on to the train, but I fell behind……”

“Whew.”

[The yellow flower said.]

[‘I hate you! Get out of here!’]

The attraction passed in an instant. The train sped past, the ride time sped up like fast-forward.

[The blue dragon said.]

[‘I hate you! You get out of here!’]

‘The fight’s in the latter half….’

This is the final part.

‘This has been described a few times.’

Those mascots ultimately want to live as they please.

Therefore, they divide the area by their respective colors and live peacefully in Fantasy Land in their own way….

[The red rabbit said.]

[Die.]

….

Well.

[The red rabbit decided to eliminate their friends by any means necessary. No, they’re not friends anymore. Enemies! Enemies! Enemies!]

[One by one, one by one, one by one! Pushing them into holes, drowning them, pushing them off cliffs!]

[Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!]