Chapter: 66
Chapter 66 – Room 101, Cursed Room – ‘A Strange Family’ Re (4)
*
The Third Attempt
*
The moment I spotted Grandpa Mooksung in a corner of the first floor of the broadcasting station, a question crossed my mind. How on earth did he get here? No filters, no bracelets—how did he manage that?
He said it was a “much easier method that anyone can follow.”
Don’t tell me…
“Sir, is that method you’re talking about related to—y’know—taking a part of your family’s body—”
“Ah, goodness! What kind of cruel thoughts are swirling around in that head of yours? Didn’t I say it’s something everyone can do?”
How would Miss Eunsol or Ahri manage to grab a body part from a security guard or the ‘mysteriously strong mom’? Plus, there’s no guarantee that chopped-off body parts would still count as part of the ‘Strange Family’!
“Well, given how detailed your explanation was, it seems you’ve actually thought about that too,” I replied.
“So, how did you get here?” I asked.
“I teleported here,” he declared proudly.
Thud! I was completely taken aback. What was he rambling about? Suddenly teleporting? If it were Ahri, I could buy it, but Grandpa Mooksung surely doesn’t have any powers, does he?
“You look confused. Honestly, it’s more surprising that I’m the only one who thought of this. Maybe it’s because I’ve been working at the Administration Bureau and have gotten used to these supernatural events.”
“Could you please explain?”
“It’s my first time in Room 101. But you’ve vaguely explained to me before, right? For instance, you said you left home with your family and hopped around places like botanical gardens, restaurants, and resorts.”
“How did you move during those times? Did you take a train or a car?”
Ding, ding, ding!
A lightbulb moment!
During my first attempt in Room 101, how did I get around?
I didn’t use any form of transportation like cars or trains. I simply suggested, “Let’s go somewhere!” and just like that, the time and place changed instantly!
“Room 101 has already twisted the common sense of the world due to some inexplicable force. And we all know that the Hotel can shake up time and space inside a room like a god.
In Room 101, you can teleport without needing any kind of traditional vehicle. Of course, since taxis and subways still exist, there must be some criteria for teleportation.
Perhaps it’s only possible for participants like us when we’re afflicted by the curse?
There’s no need to overthink the principles. What’s important is that it’s possible, and you guys have all done it before.”
“I hadn’t even considered that possibility. Since it’s just the two of us here, it looks like no one else has either. But now I get it—teleportation is possible because I experienced it myself when I first entered Room 101.
Thinking about it, it makes perfect sense for Ahri too, considering she can’t physically escape her current predicament!
But… how do you actually teleport? I’ve never consciously teleported before, so I have no clue.”
“I don’t know either,” he shrugged.
“Excuse me? Didn’t you just claim you teleported here?”
“I merely declared to my fake family that I’d be heading to the broadcasting station. Then I nonchalantly got closer and got swept up in the curse, and before I knew it, I was here!”
So, you twisted the fact that you can teleport when cursed to your advantage. I get it now, but weren’t you still under the effect of curse when you arrived? How did you snap out of it?
He casually waved his hand around, gesturing at the space around us.
“Do you see anyone around?”
“I see some guards over there. No one’s close to us.”
“See, I’ve been to the ABS several times. In this area, people don’t come unless there’s a special event. So, before I got swept away by the curse, I decided I would definitely come here.
By doing that, I managed to arrive here even while under the curse and woke up here after some time.”
Got it!
This was how Grandpa Mooksung arrived at the broadcasting station:
1. Stay sane and set a plan to come to the broadcasting station.
2. Intentionally get infected by the curse.
3. According to the plan, teleport to a place in the broadcasting station where there are no people.
4. Wake up after the curse lifts in that empty space.
What a bizarre yet creative method, pieced together by exploiting all the quirks of this room.
Just like he said, being an agent at the Administration Bureau, who’s dealt with all sorts of supernatural phenomena, probably made it easier for him to come up with such a plan.
Absolutely…
Following this method, even Ahri, who cannot physically leave, as well as others who can’t maintain their sanity after prolonged time with family, would be able to reach the broadcasting station.
“I understand. But here’s my final question: why isn’t the ‘Escape’ option appearing? There aren’t any family members around, and the broadcasting staff is pretty far away.”
“That’s exactly proof that we’ve come to the right place.”
Ajaseure!
A corner of the first floor of the broadcasting station, devoid of people, should logically trigger an ‘Escape’ notification.
But the fact that it hadn’t manifested despite there being no one around…
I checked the status window.
[Current Location: Floor 1, Room 101 (Cursed Room – A Strange Family)]
[Cursed Room – ㅁㅁ ㅁㅁ ㅁㅁ ㅁ]
[Cursed Room – Common Sense Renovating Media]
A Strange Family. Or rather, Common Sense Renovating Media.
We must have arrived at the correct location. The next stage has begun.
So, it was completely normal that we didn’t see the escape option.
When you think about it, the family members are essentially just secondary victims of the curse, right?
We are now much closer to the primary victims and the ‘core of the curse’, so it’s obvious ‘Escape’ wouldn’t pop up.
“Looks like you’ve grasped the situation. We should start our investigation now.”
“I’ve been formulating plans while waiting for someone to join us, so let’s follow mine for now. From now on, we are agents of the Administration here to inspect the broadcasting station. Position yourself in front of me and block anyone from getting too close. Let’s search every nook and cranny, got it?”
“Understood.”
“Let’s go!”
Naturally, I took the lead.
Unlike me, the sir didn’t have a filter. Until now, he had managed to hold on by remaining in this corner of the first floor where there was no one around. But as soon as we stepped into the broadcasting station, he was bound to encounter infected individuals once again.
It was up to me to play the tank role and keep the riffraff at bay.
That was when the sir handed me something.
“What’s this?”
“It’s an agent badge. The security here should recognize it.”
It was a badge carved from some kind of odd wood, with ‘Agent’ engraved on the bottom.
Who would have imagined I’d be pretending to be an Administration agent in real life? How wonderfully bizarre!
So, we dived into exploring the broadcasting station.
*
What I learned in that short crash course on “How to Act Like an Administration Agent” was quite straightforward.
Level 1: Just show the badge and play mysterious.
“Hey, student! This area is restricted to authorized personnel only—”
Thud!
“What’s the meaning of this—wait! You’re from the Administration? May I ask what for?”
“Um… I’m sorry, but you really need to provide at least a reason.”
“…”
“If it’s a secret operation, a rough explanation will suffice.”
Level 2: Be persistent about their responsibility.
“Are you in a position to take responsibility for this?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. But you really need to give us a reason to—”
“If you keep interrupting, I’ll have no choice but to hold you accountable.”
“I’m not interrupting! We just need to jot down some reason when we let someone through.”
Level 3: Just outright threaten them.
“You’ve already wasted more than a minute of my time. Show me your business card; let’s see who you really are.”
“What? Why are you suddenly asking for a business card?”
“Oh, you have a name badge there? Mr. Cha Seungmook from the security team? I’ll remember that name. When I get back to headquarters, I’ll definitely—”
“Please, just go ahead. I seem to have mistaken you for someone else. My apologies.”
We passed!
Well, I could pull this off too!
Just as we entered the broadcasting station, the sir gave me a little nudge on the shoulder.
“Excellent! That was one fine display of authority—that’s the demeanor of a veteran ten-year agent right there! You’ve got a knack for this. I’ve learned something from you just now. It’s the first time I’ve felt so spooked by simply hearing a name!”
He seemed to think it was quite an intense moment—wondering what plans someone could possibly have just by knowing your name. The imagination runs wild!
“…”
“When we leave the hotel, seriously consider a job with the Administration.”
As I walked, I silently vowed to myself to avoid getting caught up in such bizarre situations again once I left the hotel.
*
While we were walking, a communication tab popped up in my head after quite a while.
Kim Mooksung: Can you hear me?
Han Kain: Wow, it’s been a while.
Kim Mooksung: Saving letters. Glad it works.
Han Kain: Seems like we’re close together or something.
“Let’s just talk. We’re already next to each other, so let’s save some words!”
“Yeah.”
“Actually, I tried calling you guys earlier, too.”
“I didn’t receive anything.”
“Probably because I was way too far from you. I thought there might be a distance limit, and it seems I was right.”
Just then…
Someone was walking towards us, so I swiftly stood in front of the sir.
“Who are you? This area is off-limits to anyone—”
Quick as a flash, I showed the badge and glared at them.
Upon seeing the badge, the staff member looked flustered and stepped back.
“Step aside!” I commanded.
“S-Sorry! You’re from the Administration? What brings you here?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“…”
As I widened my eyes and glared at him, the employee, alongside three others who had been watching us, shrank back, revealing a clear path.
Even in this strange world, the badge of the Administration Bureau still serves as a modern-day talisman!
It was a brief conversation, but even with the filter on, my head was throbbing. I wondered how Grandpa Mooksung was handling everything.
After rummaging around the first floor for about ten minutes, a message appeared in my communication tab.
Kim Mooksung: Bathroom.
Why a bathroom all of a sudden? And why use this ability when we are right next to each other??
Curiosity piqued, we headed to the bathroom, and upon reaching it, I understood why the message.
Uweeeeeek! Uhaaaaaaak!
As soon as we entered, Grandpa Mooksung started hurling his guts out into the toilet. It looked like he was about to purge every last bit of food. And, uh, I’m pretty sure I saw some blood in there—this didn’t look good at all.
“You okay?”
“Do I look okay?”
“Is this because of the curse?”
“It’s just incredible that you can even hold a conversation with them! I envy that filter of yours. Standing behind you felt like my brain was melting and my insides were turning themselves inside out. How about you? What’s your condition?”
“My head hurts a bit.”
“Lucky you. It’s a shame my own filter isn’t as helpful….”
I patted his back for a while.
This wasn’t easy. My head had been throbbing for some time, but Grandpa Mooksung’s condition seemed much worse without a filter.
Did I really have to go alone from here on out?
Just then, something cold slipped into my pocket.
“Sir?”
“This pistol is yours now. You’ve picked up the basics of shooting, right? It’s time for you to go ahead on your own.”
…
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go any further. If I get infected while I’m with you, there’s a chance I might attack you myself. I’ll stay here in the bathroom.”
“Well, if we brought more people, it’d complicate things too. Right now, it seems like it’s just going to be me, Songee, and Ahri who can progress.”
“There might still be another way out there. I’ll have to talk about that once I step outside.”
I left the bathroom.
From now on, I had to go it alone. Where should I head? Do I really need to go upstairs?
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