GDCG c299

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Chapter 299

Fortunately, Braun didn't suddenly start demanding that we bury the entire station.

It seemed he considered such behavior beneath the dignity of a refined show host. 

'Hoo.'

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I quickly recalled the wiki entry. 

This station, where Delusion Home Shopping was located.

Afternoon Station (Blood Broadcasting Station)

A subway station connected to the Segwang Special City local broadcasting station.

This station once featured a temporary stage in the concourse linked to the broadcasting station, where citizen choirs and orchestras would perform.

That is now all a thing of the past. A certain home shopping ghost story found the station's infrastructure appetizing and seized control of it.

Let's all enjoy shopping together!

...And when I clicked on 'home shopping ghost story,' it immediately redirected me to the Delusion Home Shopping page.

[Oh.]

[So. You already suspected that this merchant's channel of unknown subject matter was located here, but because you were concerned about Braun's reaction, you refrained from clicking and only confirmed it after stepping onto the platform... is that what you're saying?]

No, not exactly... well.

'Braun. Aren't you curious?'

[Hm?]

'About what Delusion Home Shopping actually does here.'

According to the station description, this was what happened here.

But if shopping isn't your thing, why not help someone else shop?

One of the few ways to obtain food through labor on the Segwang Special City subway system, visitors to this station are treated as having responded to Delusion Home Shopping's recruitment advertisements and are hired as temporary workers.

The most common jobs are day labor positions, but depending on the state of the broadcasting station, you may, unfortunately, receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work as a shopping assistant or even a model.

If you perform exceptionally well, you may even receive an offer for a permanent position. Welcome to the eternal paradise of shopping!

'If we work here as day laborers, we'll get to see exactly what Delusion Home Shopping is doing.'

And… in the end, it came down to this.

'Either we make a decent profit and return to the train, or we die and escape before contamination from some irregular incident gets us.'

Most likely the former.

As a home shopping ghost story, it was probably deeply connected to items and information. We might even find an easy way into the Cheerful Research Institute facility in the machine room.

'Besides, it'll probably be easier for me.'

I'd worked in similar environments before. 

[Similar environments?]

[Oh... surely you aren't comparing this filthy swindler's toilet to my talk show?]

'...I've worked all kinds of jobs in all sorts of places. That's what I meant. Remember?'

[Ah, of course I remember! My friend persevered through occupations that were physically exhausting! You worked in such a remarkable variety of professions. Truly fascinating stories....]

Hoo.

In any case, I shared everything I had learned from the wiki with the group.

“Oh. Then we can probably get either items or information here.”

“Yes. Though...”

I looked somewhat worriedly at Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae.

“Dolphin, will contamination be an issue for you?”

She had been contaminated enough to work as a dealer in the Body Casino. Would job-hunting here really be safe?

I looked at the snap pin attached to Lee Seonghae's head.

She was probably suppressing the contamination with her own equipment, but this place might trigger something unpleasant. 

However, Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae nodded cheerfully.

“Ah, it's fine! Since I died here, it seems like the casino stopped monitoring me for the time being.”

She clenched and unclenched her fist, suppressing the slight urge to start shuffling cards before shrugging.

“Mm... I think I'll be fine as long as I don't go back to the casino.”

“......Yes.”

Just in case, I should make sure the euthanasia drug was always ready for use.

In any event, the plan had already been agreed upon. We climbed the stairs and arrived before the rear entrance of the Delusion Home Shopping studio. 

Then, carefully, we knocked and opened the door.

Creak.

A modern, spotless broadcasting-station hallway appeared before us.

And colorful posters lined the walls.

- A Legendary Sellout!

- Cumulative Sales Exceed ■■■■ Billion Won!

- Soaring Ratings! Is This Entertainment or Advertising?!

- Home Shopping Created by the Entertainer of the Age!

- Your Shopping Companion Every Tuesday Night!

'.......'

At first glance, they looked like ordinary self-congratulatory advertisements. But a closer look revealed something bizarre and disturbing about the products being sold.

One smiling host was slicing off his own arm with a kitchen knife. Another demonstrating eye drops had bloody tears and eyeballs pouring from their eyes.

'Ha...'

The feeling of stepping into a place that was fundamentally wrong sent shivers down my spine.

And then another thought occurred to me.

'These slogans...'

They felt strangely familiar.

[Oh.]

Right.

[You've noticed it, Mr. Roe Deer.]

They were blatantly copying Braun's Late-Night Talk Show.

No, some of them even looked like they had copied the Tuesday Quiz Show before that.

'...Braun.'

Even though it wasn't spoken aloud, I asked cautiously.

'Has Delusion Home Shopping been imitating you lately? Is that why you've been irritated?'

[Wouldn't anyone working in mass media wish to imitate a legendary role model? That is only natural.]

[The problem is their attitude....]

I could almost hear impatient fingers tapping against an expensive wooden desk.

[These merchant imitators dare exploit the reputation of my talk show while prattling on about being the entertainment of a new era and similar slogans.]

'…!'

[Their goal is not entertainment. Their only goal is to hold the audience's attention long enough to sell cheap merchandise. Ah, how vulgar and disgusting....]

I felt eyes upon me.

[Which is precisely why I'm looking forward to this! I wonder what sort of performance Mr. Roe Deer will put on in this place.]

It felt as though someone was watching me. From far away, from above, or perhaps right beside me.

The gaze of show media itself.

[Though I can already imagine my friend recoiling in horror at the vulgarity of this place....]

'.......'

I swallowed hard and quietly continued down the hallway.

'I doubt it'll come to that.'

We were probably just going to work as day laborers.

Before long, we arrived at a door bearing exactly the sign we had expected.

If you came in response to the recruitment advertisement, enter here.

The room beyond looked almost like a storage closet. Nobody was inside. Only a stack of contracts carelessly placed on a shelf. And the title read…

Temporary Employment Contract

'Hoo.'

Thankfully, this was within expectations. 

“So we just sign here?” 

“Seems that way.” 

“Well, it doesn't say anything about mortgaging our souls.”

One by one, we signed the contract that read 'Employment Period: 1 Day, Duties: Various Undefined Support Tasks, Compensation: Performance-Based Differential Payment.'

The warning section below had been censored, giving off an ominous sense of foreboding. But for people who could escape through death, that wasn't enough to stop our pens. 

And the moment we finished signing—

—Buy now! Today's incredible deal will never return! Only 4,999,980 won! An impossible package! The lowest price in human history relative to cost of living!

We began hearing it.

The broadcast of Delusion Home Shopping.

“...!”

“Roe Deer, over here.”

Information gathering was essential for surviving in the dark. Leaving the storage room, we quietly made our way down the corridor, following the sound.

Then we peeked around a corner. And finally, a massive space revealed itself. 

The home shopping studio.

—Who could possibly achieve perfect weight loss for only four million won? Absolutely impossible! But today, that opportunity has arrived for all of you!

Brilliant lights. 

A voice engineered to burrow into the listener's ears. Visual effects clearly designed to dazzle the eyes. Fast-tempo music. Sound effects urging people to buy. Bright, aggressive lettering splashed across the screen. 

It looked exactly like a home shopping broadcast at the height of its popularity in the early 2000s.

But... 

—Look! Isn't it amazing? Only the fat has been removed!

At the center stood a person whose skin was peeling away in layers. 

The image was so clean it looked artificial. 

The person smiled with wide open eyes, perfectly motionless. Yet skin rose and cracked apart like shedding scales, splitting away in sheets while fat streamed from beneath. 

—Truly a diet supplement made by the devil himself! The egg sac of the Beauty Caterpillar, the insect that devours fat!

—Its simple method of use feels like a gift from heaven! Just take it with water after meals!

While those words were being spoken, the camera briefly turned toward the host.

Meanwhile, the demonstration model who had been displayed moments ago was thrown aside as casually as discarded trash.

Thud.

And in that person's place stood another model who looked exactly the same.

Perfectly groomed hair, an outfit designed to show off toned muscles, and a slim figure. They struck a pose toward the camera as though nothing had happened. 

—A miraculous supplement!

—Order now and you'll also receive a complimentary Happy Maker as a free gift at our greatest discount ever! You'll never see an offer like this again!

Waaaah!

Recorded cheers filled the studio.

Outside the camera's view, beyond the edge of the set, fat pooled across the floor around the discarded model's body. 

From the cracks in the split-open flesh, earthworm-like insects revealed leech-like teeth. 

Dozens of them.

They crawled in and out of the body, writhing as they melted and consumed every trace of fat.

“Urgh.”

Someone in our group made a short sound, as though suppressing the urge to vomit.

But then—

—Would you like to see it one more time? Wonderful!

—Let's show you properly again with another person!

And then... 

The host crooked a finger. Directly toward us. 

“...What?”

In that instant— 

Among us, Agent Bronze suddenly began to move toward the filming set as though being dragged by an invisible force.

“......!"

Section Chief Lee Jaheon and I reflexively grabbed him. Agent Bronze gritted his teeth, every muscle in his body tightening as he resisted. But I understood immediately. 

'Physical strength won't help...!'

All it would accomplish was injuring Agent Bronze.

This wasn't simple force. It was an effect generated through the employment contract. 

Out of all the temporary workers, he had simply been 'unlucky' enough to be selected immediately as a demonstration model.

A chill raced down my spine.

Countless thoughts flashed through my head. 

The products sold by Delusion Home Shopping always worked. But the side effects were equally real. And sometimes there were products that were practically complete disasters. That thing— 

That thing was a 'dud.' 

Looking at the previous demonstration model, collapsed like a corpse while blood, flesh, and liquefied fat dripped from their body, an overwhelming sense of dread seized my mind.

And the answer came instantly. 

'It'd be better to die.'

We had to kill him and get him out of here.

'Damn it.'

Without hesitation, I shoved one of my euthanasia pills into Agent Bronze's mouth.

"......!"

He looked startled. But then... he swallowed.

The next moment—

Thud.

His body collapsed to the floor.

"......."

Section Chief Lee Jaheon pulled Agent Bronze's corpse toward him. 

I breathed heavily in shock.

The host appeared to notice the unexpected situation—a temporary worker suddenly becoming incapable of serving as a demonstration model. But— 

—Alright! Bring in the next model!

The broadcast continued as though nothing had happened. And I realized something.

They were going to choose someone else. 

'Damn it!'

My trembling hand immediately reached for more euthanasia pills. But before I could—my body froze, then launched forward.

Into the lights.

'Wait.'

And then...

—Now then, for this individual, the area they'd like to slim down is...

The moment I stepped helplessly into the center of the studio, directly under the cameras—

—No... It can't be! 

The host grabbed my shoulder.

I looked up. The strange, pale-red host, mimicking the expression of someone with their mouth open, stared at me and split its lips into a delighted grin. 

—Everyone! We have a special guest from the Late-Night Talk Show! One of their assistant hosts has come to our home shopping program!

"…!"

I was screwed.

'An irregular incident...'

It had identified me as someone affiliated with a similar broadcast-type ghost story. There was no telling what kind of abnormal reaction Delusion Home Shopping would display.

'Just how obsessed are they with Braun's talk show if they recognize even me?'

I wanted to say, 'You've got the wrong person.' But there was no way that would work on a ghost story. And besides, Braun was listening to this conversation. 

But that wasn't even the biggest problem.

—What a pleasant surprise! Isn't everyone excited? Please introduce yourself!

I felt my lips curling upward. A bright, unnatural smile spread across my face. The smile of a Delusion Home Shopping demonstration model. 

—Now then, please swallow the miracle diet supplement with some water. It's so simple, isn't it?

My hand picked up the glass of water resting on the table.

'Shit...!'

Still smiling broadly, I picked up the parasite egg sac that resembled a round pill and raised it toward my mouth—

BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BAM!!! 

“......!"

—Everyone! We've just received exciting news! Our entire prepared stock has sold out!

The strength left my hand.

—Thank you for your support! Tuesday's joy! Tuesday's passion! Tuesday's lowest prices! We'll see you again soon!

My hand waved toward the camera while my face continued smiling. 

Beside me, the host running the program waved as well. 

The host. 

—Thank you! 

It was a man in a black suit. 

He appeared to be in his late thirties. The textbook image of a trustworthy shopping host.

But whenever he opened his mouth, a crimson abyss waited inside. 

Black eyes with bizarrely large pupils.

And with a face coated in makeup so pale it looked unnatural, he grinned toward the camera. Then— 

Cut!

The program ended.

The strength immediately left my body and nearly knocked over the glass of water, but managed to set it back down. 

'Damn it.'

...Over there, beyond the studio lights, Agent Bronze's corpse was still lying where it had fallen.

I could even see the others hurriedly finishing what looked like a heated discussion about what to do with me. 

I quickly looked away.

Because Delusion Home Shopping's head host was smiling at me and patting my shoulder. 

—Well, this is unexpected! I never imagined someone as famous as you would apply for temporary work!

His hand casually squeezed my shoulder.

Within that unnaturally white face, those huge black pupils stared at me. 

—Did you leave the Late-Night Talk Show? Of course, applicants who want to join Delusion Home Shopping are as numerous as stars, but for a former member of the Late-Night Talk Show crew, I suppose I could make room for one more position...

“...You seem quite interested in the Late-Night Talk Show.”

The host paused. 

—You could call it professional interest! Our two programs are stars of the entertainment world, helping each other thrive!

—Of course, in terms of volume, there's really no comparison. Compared to our home shopping channel, Mr. Braun's talk show is a bit... well. Symbolically important, perhaps, but rather small-scale, wouldn't you say?

[Oh.]

Cold sweat drenched the back of my neck.

The host seemed to be in high spirits. Gesturing enthusiastically, he walked with me out of the studio. 

He didn't spare even a glance toward the temporary workers. In the meantime, I caught sight of Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae stopping a janitor from hauling away Agent Bronze's corpse like garbage. 

“...Come to think of it, I didn't know Delusion Home Shopping had a studio here too.”

—Ah, Studio 4-168 was built relatively recently. But we acquired it at a very reasonable price. Profit margins are important, after all. Although… the broadcasting costs turned out to be higher than expected.

—To really ignite the shopping fever, we've planned the greatest entertainment program in our history.

—It's airing today. And now we've even had a celebrity respond to our job advertisement! What wonderful luck.

“...The greatest program in your history?”

—A wonderfully stimulating and entertaining format.

—A Host Survival Competition.

What?

—Only the single host who sells the most merchandise survives! A thrilling and heart-pounding entertainment spectacle that keeps viewers glued to the channel! And shopping! Shopping! Shopping!

—Which host among those I oversee will survive?

—Viewers won't be able to look away. Audience numbers will soar. Sales will skyrocket. And some viewers will enthusiastically buy anything at all to support their favorite host!

“...I see.”

I swallowed. Then, forcing myself to sound calm, I asked—

“Then what role will us temporary workers have in this production? Will we be demonstration models like before?”

If that was the answer, I intended to make everyone swallow euthanasia pills immediately.

But the host didn't confirm it.

...Nor did he deny it.

—Well now. Let me explain further.

—The winner of this survival show receives the entire share of profits normally distributed among all hosts.

The host leaned closer.

—An incredible reward, wouldn't you agree?

—And this entire opportunity is being offered today to all of you who answered our recruitment advertisement!

"......!"

That meant— 

—That's right. Today's temporary workers will all be contestants in the Host Survival Competition!

“...!!"

[Oh, friend. While I'm not particularly fond of phrases like 'I told you so,' there has never been a more appropriate moment than now.]

[I told you so.]

[About these vulgar merchants.]

The host's cold breath brushed the back of my neck.

—Now then, let's get to work according to the contract. Survival contestant. New Delusion Home Shopping host. And friend of Braun. 

And that was how I became a one-day host for Delusion Home Shopping.

Along with every other member of the expedition team.

 

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