Chapter Text
3 days
3 days exactly have passed since Kim Ah-reum’s older brother went missing.
It was Soleum’s day off. He took a phone call from his friend, said that he “can’t hang out today” and hung up. That was the last time anyone heard from him. That day, he left his home and never came back. He stopped showing up for work. No one could get in touch with him.
Worried sick, Kim Ah-reum arrived at Seoul. His brother really was nowhere to be found. His belongings, his clothes and papers were at his apartment, but not him. He just disappeared.
Police got involved pretty quick, but to no result. They found a clue though: a shopping mall and a pop-up shop.
Soleum’s friends confirmed that he’d been planning to go there for a while now. Apparently, he’d recently become fascinated with some open-source internet forum? So he went to the shopping mall before opening time, got caught on security cameras, walked in as soon as the mall started its work…and never came out. Something happened to him in that building.
And that pop-up shop was a good place to start investigating.
And here was Ah-reum, standing before the very shop dedicated to “Darkness exploration records”. And today was the last day before it closes down, probably for a long time.
So why did he come here himself instead of leaving the matters in capable hands of the police?
“Useless bunch of assholes…I won’t rest ‘till I check it all out myself.”
Officers had already been here and questioned the staff. But found nothing. And since this place won’t be around for long, Ah-reum decided that he couldn’t miss the chance to look around too. Although there was one little problem.
— What do you mean I need a ticket..??
He can’t just walk in. Who would’ve known! Ah-reum heard of pop-up shops, but never actually been to one. Well, probably makes sense that you can’t just waltz in there…Was Soleum so into this otaku stuff he even lined up for a ticket?
“No choice here…I have to talk it out”
— Miss…you see..
Ah-reum looked the consultant lady into the eyes as pitifully as he could.
—...You see, I didn’t come as a customer. I’m looking for someone…A family member. He’s missing.
It was time to use his legendary charming technique that helped him in every possible case!
— I can see it in your eyes: you, miss, aren’t only beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well…You wouldn’t ignore a person in trouble, would you now? I’ll make sure to return the favor…
She hesitated a little, but gave up eventually and let the poor guy in. Ah-reum showered her with gratitude and entered the shop, feeling victorious.
“Woah, just look at that…”
He was a tiny bit shocked. Could his older brother possibly be into something like this? Scenery in black and red, various monsters and occult symbols. His brother wanted to come here? His brother, the coward? Since when could he even stand all this horror stuff? This place is filled with teenagers, too! That guy’d be the only adult in here! Is this “Darkness exploration records” thing that fascinating?
“I’ll check it out later. Let’s get to work.”
Ah-reum decided to get serious and walked around the store, asking every single staff member same questions, describing the same person: a man, came here 3 days ago, this tall, gloomy look, heavily resembling Ah-reum himself. Some of the staff remembered him, but couldn’t tell where he went after.
“Figures…”
Of course, they have better things to do than to keep an eye on every customer’s movements. But Ah-reum couldn’t help but hope. Surely a gloomy grown man stood out among a bunch of teenage customers? Surely something unusual happened, for him to disappear here, at the mall, in broad daylight? At least for him not to leave this mall the usual way. The usual way…
“No, don’t think about it. He’s definitely okay. He’s fine. He’s alive…”
Suddenly he felt a light tap on the shoulder. Turning around, Ah-reum saw a smiling staff worker.
— I heard you’re looking for your older brother, young man?
— Yes…yes..! Excuse me, do you know anything? Please…
— Follow me. I have something to show you.
“‘Something to show’..?”
Well, something at last! Could this guy pick up something that Soleum dropped? Or he took a selfie and accidentally caught Soleum in the shot? Whatever it is, something at last! Ah-reum followed the staff member, his heart pounding. He was led to the staff door and left to wait outside of it.
“Come to think of it, I never said that I’m looking for my older brother. Just his lucky guess..?”
Few moments passed. The worker came out and reached out his hand with something in it. Ah-reum reached his hand in return. The guy smiled and handed him a small object.
— Here.
— A pop-socket..?
A black pop-socket with a big golden “X” on it.
— What, did my brother drop this-..!!
He couldn’t finish. He looked up and could only stare, terrified. Just a second ago an ordinary man stood before Ah-reum. Now he no longer looked human, an unnaturally wide smile tearing up his face.
— Ugh..!
A sudden wave of dizzines hit Kim Ah-reum. His vision blurred, sounds of the shopping mall mingled with the ringing in his ears, he staggered…
Opening his eyes, he found himself in a completely different place.