There Are No Humans in the Monster Company — Chapter 26: You Can Survive and Return Alive (1)

Chapter 26: You Can Survive and Return Alive (1)

I think I’m screwed.⁠

I came to that⁠ conclusion after hearing⁠ that Clank sound,⁠⁠ deciding there was‌‌ a problem, and spending who knows⁠ how long running‌‍ and walking through‌ the corridor until⁠‍ my legs were⁠⁠ burning.

A dark, damp, endless corridor.

‘It‌ never ends.’

I ran.

I walked.

At⁠ the very least⁠‍ for dozens of⁠ minutes. Perhaps for‌‍‍ hours.

And⁠ yet, the corridor‍‌ never showed an‌‍ end.

Gray‍‌⁠ concrete.

Walls‍⁠ with peeling paint.

Moisture-soaked⁠‍ cables.

Torn‌ warning signs.

Only‌‌ a faint light‌‍ flickered every few meters as if‍ it were malfunctioning.⁠‌⁠

There‍ were no doors‌‍ or windows.

Not‍‌⁠ even a single‍⁠ room.

Only‌‌ a corridor.

An⁠ infinite corridor.

‘This‌‍ is dangerous.’

The‌ cold brushing against⁠‍ my ankles and‌ the icy sensation⁠ crawling across my‌ skin were far‌‌‌ too real.

Whenever‍‌ I found a fork in the path, I scratched‌‌ the walls and⁠ floor to mark‍ the direction.

It‍ was the only⁠‍ way to know⁠⁠⁠ where I had‌ already been within⁠‍ that unknown space.⁠

At‌‌ first, it reassured⁠⁠⁠ me to think‍‍ that I could at least retrace‌⁠ my steps.

‘It doesn’t seem to⁠ be a repeating⁠‌⁠ structure.’

But even so, I couldn’t find an‌ exit.

I reached a point⁠‌ where the only‌ possible conclusion was,⁠ “This is dangerous.”⁠‍‌

I sat down on⁠ the damp floor,‍‌⁠ trying to suppress my anxiety.

I felt rust and‍‌ mold sticking to‍ my pants.

The‍‌‍ wall against my⁠ back absorbed that‍ unpleasant dampness.

I took a deep‌⁠⁠ breath.

My⁠ lungs seemed to burn.

The⁠ smell of rusted‌⁠ iron.

The‍ smell of metal.‍

The‌⁠ smell of blood.

And‍‌ traces of rotting⁠ flesh.

‘There’s‌ something here.’

It‌ wasn’t just that‌ there was no‌ exit.

For‌ quite some time,‌ I had been‌⁠ feeling a strange‌ yet unmistakable sense of déjà vu.‌⁠

And‌ far away, barely‌ audible, a regular‍ scraping sound.

Clank.

I heard it again.‍⁠

They‌‍ weren’t footsteps.

It⁠ was a heavy,‍ unpleasant sound, as‍⁠‌ if an enormous⁠⁠ mass of metal‍⁠ were being dragged across the floor.⁠

That‍⁠ unsettling noise that⁠ had been scraping‍‍ at my nerves⁠⁠‌ for so long‌ was still echoing‍ behind me even‍ after I had‍‍ walked until my‌‌ feet swelled.

Everything‍ pointed to a single conclusion.

‘It’s⁠ following me.’

At⁠⁠ the very least,‍‌⁠ it knows I’m‌‍ here.

‘At‍⁠ this rate, I would’ve been better‍⁠ off staying at⁠ the company working‍‌ overtime.’

At‍ least there, I had strange but‍‍ reliable superiors.

I had experienced a similar feeling before.

The‌ feeling of not‌‍ being able to‌ believe what was‌ in front of‌‍‍ you.

Of⁠ being unable to escape.

Of‍‍ being unable to⁠‍⁠ say anything.

And I always made‌ the same decision.

Find‍ a way to‌ survive.

And‍⁠ I survived.

This⁠‍ time was no different.

Don’t‌‌ talk.

Thinking‍‍ too much only‌‌ feeds anxiety.

The⁠ best thing right‍⁠‌ now is to‍‌ find a way‌ to stay alive.‍

I stood up again.‌

I felt the Relics‍‌‌ of the Smiling‌⁠ Martyr grow slightly warmer.

‘For‌‍‍ now, keep walking.’‍⁠

Walk.‌⁠

Even‍‌‌ if you can’t‍ see the end.‍

Even‍⁠ if there is‍‍ no exit.

Walk.⁠‌‍

Don’t ask questions.

Don’t interpret anything.

Don’t‍ try to guess.‌‍

Haven’t‌ you always lived⁠‌ like this?

In‍‍ the military.

And‌ at the company.

***⁠⁠

Just⁠‌ as a sigh‍‍ was about to escape my lips,‌ something appeared that‌‌⁠ I had not‌‍ seen before.

A door.

A rusted iron door⁠ embedded in the‌‍ middle of a wall of decaying‌‌ concrete.

It‍⁠ gave off a strange feeling.

Heavy.

As‍‍‌ though it could not be opened‍ in any direction.‍

The⁠ doorknob was covered‌⁠ in dozens of⁠ marks that looked⁠ like scratches from‌ fingernails.

Faced with that ominous‍⁠ sight, I immediately‍‌ stopped.

‘Do I really have‌‌ to go inside?’‍

The⁠ doubt was natural.

Until‍ that moment, that‍‍ building had never‌‌‌ allowed the existence of any room.⁠‌

There‌‌⁠ had only been‍⁠ endless corridors and‌ unsettling noises.

And‌ now a door‌‌ had appeared.

And‍ not just any⁠‌ door.

A door that looked as sinister as this one.

“……”

After‍‍‌ a few seconds of consideration, I took a deep‍ breath and grabbed‌ the doorknob.

I had already walked‌‍ for hours.

And‌ returning to the‍⁠‌ last intersection would⁠ take just as‍‌ long.

And‍⁠ above all.

Clank.‍

That⁠ sound.

If‍‌ I went back,‍ there was a high probability I would encounter the‌‌ source of that⁠⁠⁠ noise.

In truth, I had⁠⁠ no other choice.‌⁠‍

I took a deep breath.

And⁠‍‌ slowly opened the door.

Creeeeak.‍

The‍ screech of rusted‌ iron echoed without⁠‍ a single drop of lubricant.

The‍ smell arrived first.⁠‍

Mold.‍

Rust.⁠‌‌

Oil.‍‍‍

Petroleum.‍‌‌

Old‌‍ wood.

Leather.‌‌

And⁠ blood.

The‌ air was even‌ heavier than the‌‍‌ corridor’s.

‘Unfortunately,‍⁠⁠ this doesn’t look like an exit.’⁠

Holding‍ my breath, I stepped inside.

It‍⁠‌ was a room.

Or,‍⁠ more accurately, something‍ that had once‌‍ been a room.⁠‌

All the furniture was‌ destroyed.

The‍ desk was overturned.⁠

The⁠‌‍ drawers had been⁠‌‍ ripped out.

A complete mess.

Torn‍‌‍ wallpaper.

Cobwebs‌ clustered like oil‌ stains hanging from⁠ the ceiling.

Inside‍⁠ an empty bookshelf,⁠ there was only‍ a sheet of⁠⁠‌ paper, a bottle‌‍‍ of water, and‍ a package of‌‌ jerky.

“Hmm?”

A strangely clean A4⁠⁠ sheet.

Everything‍‍‍ around it was‌ rotting.

It was a place‌ where even ticks would have trouble‌‌‍ surviving.

And‌ yet, that sheet‌ was spotless.

There‌‍ was also a sealed bottle of⁠‌ water and packaged⁠‍ jerky.

Without‍ hesitation, I picked‍‌ up the items‌⁠ and began reading‍ what was written⁠ on the paper.‍

==========‌

[Control⁠‌⁠ Zone Manual]

If⁠‌ you are reading‍‌ this document, you‍ are currently considered‍ to be inside the ______.

This zone has been⁠‌ designated and managed‍‌‍ as a Level⁠‍ 3 Control Zone‌⁠ in accordance with‌‌ the guidelines of‌⁠ the Anomalous Disaster⁠ Management Department.

The⁠ cause of your⁠ entry into this‌ zone is considered to be a phase deviation phenomenon that occurs with extremely low probability‍ during movement within‍ indoor spaces.

When‍ making normal transitions inside habitable spaces,⁠ such as opening‌ a door and⁠‍‌ entering another room‌⁠ or walking through⁠ a corridor within‌‍‍ a common structure,⁠‌ there exists an‍ extremely small probability‌‌ of deviating from the physical coordinates⁠⁠ of reality and⁠⁠ becoming connected to⁠ this ______.

There⁠‍ is a high‌⁠‍ probability that you⁠‌ are a randomly entered individual.

If you are an‌⁠‍ involuntary transition subject‌‌ who unexpectedly crossed‌‌ the boundary while moving through an‍‍⁠ indoor space, we⁠ recommend that you‍ carefully read this‌ document.

If⁠‌‌ you are a voluntary transition subject,⁠‌ destroy this document immediately.

This⁠‌‌ zone cannot be‌ reached through conventional‌ physical means, and‍ its exact coordinates⁠ have not been‍‍‌ identified.

Therefore,‍⁠ our organization uses‌ special methods to‌ periodically enter this‍ space, rescue survivors,⁠ and distribute instruction‍ manuals along with‍ emergency supplies.

This‌ manual has been‌‌ prepared to help⁠‍ you escape from‌‍ the ______ based on research records‍‍ from the Anomalous Disaster Management Department‌ and testimonies from survivors.

1.⁠ Existence and Characteristics of the Exit

The‌‍ exit exists.

However,⁠⁠ there is only⁠⁠ one within this‌ zone, and its‌ location is random.‍

The position of the‍ exit is not‌⁠‌ limited to a specific corridor or‍⁠ room, and its‍‌ appearance is not‍ fixed.

Please⁠ be aware that⁠ it may manifest‍‌ in various forms, such as a normal iron door,‌ a ventilation duct,‌‍ an emergency exit,‍‌‍ or an elevator.‌

2.‌‍⁠ Precautions When Using Stairs

If⁠‌⁠ you encounter a door that is‍ not the exit⁠ within a corridor,‌⁠ there is a very high probability‌ that it leads‌ to a staircase‍‍ connected to another level.

Ascending‌⁠ Stairs

Their use is strictly⁠‍ prohibited.

To⁠‌ date, no cases⁠‌ of survival have‍ been recorded after⁠ using an ascending⁠⁠ staircase.

Descending‌⁠ Stairs

Their‌‍ use is permitted.⁠‌‍

It‌⁠‌ is estimated that⁠‌⁠ the farther you‍ descend, the better‍ the environmental and‌ lighting conditions become,⁠‌ as well as‍‍‌ an increase in⁠‌⁠ the number of‌ possible exits.

Presence⁠‍

From‍⁠‍ the moment you⁠ descend, what is known as a “Presence” will appear.⁠

It‌⁠‌ may manifest in various forms, such‌‌ as human-like footsteps,‌ breathing sounds, or vibrations within silence,‍‌‌ and it will constantly pursue you.‌‌

Currently,⁠⁠ there are no‍ recorded cases of‍‌‍ survival following direct‍‍ contact with such⁠‌⁠ a Presence.

In‍‍ extremely rare cases,⁠⁠ the Presence may⁠ manifest even without‍ the use of⁠ a staircase.

3.⁠⁠‌ Precautions During Rest‍‍⁠

Facilities‍ located within the‌‍⁠ “rooms” of this‌‍ zone provide a safer and more⁠ comfortable environment than‌ the corridors.

Because‌‌‍ periodic spatial distortion⁠⁠ phenomena have been‍‌‌ observed in the‌ corridors, our organization⁠‌ usually places manuals⁠‌ and conducts rescue⁠ operations primarily within‍‌ rooms.

However,‌ if the Presence⁠ has already manifested,⁠ minimize the amount‍⁠ of time you⁠ spend indoors.

4.⁠‌ General Rules of⁠ Conduct

According⁠‌‍ to the results‍ of our investigations,⁠⁠ survivors share the following behavioral patterns.‍

Complying‌⁠ with these rules‌ dramatically increases the‍ chances of survival.⁠

— Maintain a constant‍⁠‍ walking speed.

— Keep your eyes‍‌ facing forward.

— Proceed in a single direction.

— Measure your route⁠‍⁠ objectively using body‍⁠ dimensions or similar⁠‌ methods.

5.‌ Recommendations

Although‌ it is impossible⁠‌ to physically measure‌ the extent of⁠ this space, it‍‌‌ is estimated that⁠‍ the surface area‍ of a single‍ level exceeds, at⁠ minimum, the entire‌‌ administrative area of⁠ Seoul.

Begin moving.

Control‍‌ your breathing, but avoid hyperventilating.

Maintain⁠ your sanity and‌ respond rationally in‌‍ all situations.

Our‌ organization will not⁠⁠ abandon your rescue.‍‌

After surviving and returning,⁠ report immediately using‍‍ the emergency contact‌⁠ listed on the‌ back of this‌ manual.

You⁠‍ can return alive.‍

Do⁠‌ not lose hope.⁠⁠

If‌‍ necessary, consume the⁠‍‍ attached emergency provisions⁠‌⁠ (drinking water and⁠‍ jerky).

— Anomalous Disaster Management‍‌‍ Department

==========⁠

I read it.

Line‌ by line.

Suppressing‍⁠‌ my emotions as⁠ much as possible‍⁠ and focusing only‍‍ on the information.‍⁠‍

First,‌⁠⁠ the reason someone⁠ ends up in‍ this anomalous space‍⁠ appears to be⁠ an extremely rare‍⁠ transition phenomenon that‌‍ occurs during movement‌ indoors.

‘How‌‍ strange.’

I hadn’t opened any‍ door.

Nor‌ had I been‌ walking through a corridor.

I had simply fallen‍ asleep in bed‍‍⁠ and woken up‍⁠ here.

Why‍‌ did I end‌‌‍ up in this⁠⁠ place when I didn’t even fully‍⁠⁠ meet the conditions⁠ for entry?

The‍ question was unsettling,⁠‍ but for now, I had no‍⁠ way of finding‍‍ an answer.

‘What’s‍ important right now is the information‌‍‌ related to survival.’‍‌‌

I opened the package⁠ of jerky and⁠⁠⁠ began chewing it.⁠

There⁠ is no time‍‍ limit.

However,⁠ there is only‌‌ one exit.

It⁠‌‌ is located randomly.‌⁠

Ascending⁠‍‌ stairs are prohibited.‍ There are no‌⁠⁠ survivors.

Descending‌ stairs may be⁠‌ used.

But then the Presence⁠ appears.

And‌⁠ there is an⁠ extremely low probability‍⁠ that the Presence‌‍‍ may appear even without descending.

“…Ha.”

An⁠ empty laugh escaped‌ me.

My‌ breath stirred the‌ air mixed with⁠⁠ the smell of⁠‍⁠ mold and rusted⁠ water.

I had already realized‍‌⁠ it.

The‍ sensations of this⁠⁠ place were completely real.

But‌‌ its structure was‌ unreal.

It‌‌ felt like a nightmare, yet water⁠⁠ droplets were genuinely⁠ falling onto my⁠⁠ skin, and the‍ dampness truly filled‌ my lungs.

It‍ was very similar‍‌ to standing before‍ a dangerous dimensional‍ entity inside a containment chamber.

‘This⁠‍ document is like‌‍ the distorted rules‍ of this place—something⁠‍ similar to the manual of a dimensional entity.’

The⁠ Presence follows you.⁠‌‌

Walk‌ as fast as⁠ you can.

Silently.⁠

Don’t‌⁠⁠ stop.

“…Damn⁠ it.”

It‌ was a situation‌‍ worthy of being‌‍⁠ cursed.

According‌‌ to the document,‌⁠⁠ I had won‌ an extremely unlikely‌⁠ lottery.

The⁠ moment I arrived,‌‍ I had gotten the rare possibility⁠⁠ of the Presence‍ appearing immediately.

I already had a rough understanding of⁠‍ how all this worked.

It⁠‍ was quite similar to something I had discussed with‍‌ Assistant Manager Son‍‍⁠ while drinking coffee‌⁠⁠ during lunch.

— Extraction Team 2 is working on⁠ a project right now. The same⁠⁠ goes for Team‌ 3, so if‌‍ an external mission⁠‍ comes up, we⁠ might have to replace them.

— External mission?

— You didn’t know,‍ Mr. Haeil? The⁠ job of Extraction⁠⁠‍ Team 3 is‌‍ to travel to‌ distorted zones and⁠⁠ extract energy. Sometimes,⁠⁠⁠ when they’re short-staffed,⁠⁠ we participate too.‌‌

I pressed my tongue‌‍ against the roof‍ of my mouth‌ and tried to‍ calm my racing‌ heart and the‌ slight trembling in‌‌‍ my fingers.

Distorted‌‌ zones.

No‍ one had ever‌⁠ explained exactly what‍ they were, but‍‌ they probably referred‍ to unreal places⁠⁠ like this.

‘Though‍ it seems the people who wrote⁠‌ this manual call‍‍ them Control Zones.’

My⁠ gaze returned to⁠ the last line of the document.‌‌

‘Anomalous‍‌‌ Disaster Management Department.’‍

My‍ lips moved before‍⁠⁠ I could stop‍ them.

The⁠ moment I quietly‍⁠‍ spoke that name,⁠‍ my body shuddered‍ slightly.

I had heard it‌⁠‌ before at the‍ company.

— We do external‌⁠‍ missions too, but⁠ we’re taking a bit of a break right now.⁠ The Anomalous Disaster‍‍ Management Department has been interfering too⁠ much lately.

Assistant‌‍ Manager Son had⁠‍⁠ mentioned it when⁠ he first explained⁠‌ the job to⁠⁠⁠ me.

And‌⁠ I had also‍‍‍ heard it during‌‍⁠ a conversation between‌ Manager Myeon and‌⁠ Manager Batori.

— Surveillance over the⁠ Control Zones by the Anomalous Disaster‌‌ Management Department has‌‌ been reinforced. We‍ won’t be able‌‌⁠ to go on missions for a while.

— You mean the‌‍ new one with‌‍ heterochromatic eyes? He‌ seemed to possess‌ excellent blood.

‘From⁠⁠⁠ the context, it⁠⁠⁠ didn’t sound like‌⁠ they got along‍⁠ very well with‍ our company.’

Could⁠ it be an‌ organization made up‍ of monsters too,‌ just like Limited‌⁠⁠ Company Where the⁠ Dead End Up‍ with Ghosts?

At‍ first glance, it⁠⁠‍ seemed like a government agency.

The‌‍‍ name and the‌‌‍ format of the⁠⁠⁠ document gave that‍ impression.

But‍‍ could I really‍‍ trust them?

I carefully folded the⁠ sheet in half⁠ and tucked it‌⁠‌ into the bottom of my right‍⁠ pants pocket.

It⁠‌ was the only‍ information I had.⁠

“Fuuu…”⁠⁠

I let out a long sigh and⁠ brought my hands⁠⁠ to my face.‍

I rubbed my face.‍

Cold sweat.

Grease.

Dust.‌

Heat.‍

Everything⁠‍‌ mixed together beneath‌ my fingers.

I pressed my eyelids‌‌‌ once and my‌⁠ temples twice.

My‌‌ mind cleared a little.

If‍ you hesitate.

If⁠‍ you doubt.

If⁠ you let fear‍‌ consume you…

You‌‍‍ die.

I slid my fingers‍‌‌ from my forehead‌ to my chin.‍

The‌ cold, damp air‌‌ clung to my⁠⁠‌ hands.

“I’m‍ going to make‌ it back alive.”‌⁠

I’ll‌ return alive.

No‍⁠ matter what it⁠‍ takes.

I completely discarded the‍‍ possibility that the⁠‌ manual was a trap.

After‍ regaining some strength‌⁠ from the water⁠⁠ and jerky that‍‍ had come with the document, I returned to the‍ corridor.

Deep darkness.

Dampness‌⁠ seeping into my bones.

In‌‍‌ the distance, those‌ Clank sounds could still occasionally be‍ heard, but having⁠‌ recovered some energy‌ and quenched my⁠⁠ thirst was already‌ a blessing.

“It’s⁠⁠ been a while‌‍ since I did⁠ a march.”

I muttered that nonsense‌‌⁠ simply to keep‍ my mind occupied⁠⁠ as I continued⁠‍ walking.

I had endured the⁠‍ company by gritting my teeth.

I couldn’t afford to‌ die in a ridiculous place like‌ this.