The Legendary Newbie of the Ghost Story Labyrinth - Chapter 21

WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

The Legendary Newbie of the Ghost Story Labyrinth

[Translator – Aren]

Chapter 21 - Backrooms Floor 0 (1)

After hearing her out, Park Minho learned that Seol Suyeon had a younger brother who had gone missing.

"I reported it to the police and tried everything, but it’s been years, and there’s still no trace of him.”

"That’s awful……”

But then, about six months ago, she suddenly received an email from her brother.

"The strange thing is…the sent date was three years ago, but it only arrived six months ago."

"Is that even possible?”

“I don’t know. The video attached to the email was weird too. I saved it.”

When she played it. A space appeared on screen. Yellow wallpaper, carpet, and fluorescent lights. A windowless, non-linear, maze-like environment.

"This is..."

“Yes, it’s definitely the Backrooms."

Of course, she reported it to the police, but they dismissed it as a common scam.

“When I argued that no one had asked me for money, they just pressured me instead. They said spreading illegal footage like that would interfere with investigations.”

In the end, no proper investigation was conducted, and somehow, the email itself was deleted.

“After that, I started investigating on my own. It wasn’t easy, but I learned about the Backrooms and anomalous objects. I think I dug a bit too deep and got caught up in something without realizing it. That’s probably how I ‘noclipped’.”

Noclip referred to falling through walls or floors into the Backrooms.

"So that’s what happened.”

Park Minho hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest for her sake.

“If it’s been three years ago, the chances he’s still alive aren’t very high. You’ve been there, so you should know better than anyone else what kind of place the Backrooms are.”

“I know. But I can’t give up. Our parents passed away early, so he’s the only family I have left.”

“...”

“Even if everyone else gives up… If I abandon him too, then he’s just trapped in that yellow space forever. I at least want to find some trace of him. Will you come with me?”

Looking into her eyes, Park Minho could tell that she wasn't going to give up.

'After everything she went through, she still wants to go back…… Even if I refuse, she’ll find another way.'

Seol Suyeon was someone he had survived hell with. And considering the cognitive contamination of the Backrooms, having a companion was safer.

"Alright. Let’s get through it together, like before.”

"Okay! Minho-nim!”

* * *

Back home, Park Minho sent an email to the contact the NCE mole had given him.

A few hours later, he received a short reply.

[Euljiro Ace Hardware]

Eljiro 4-ga, Exit 1.

Jung Manchun.

The next day, Park Minho headed straight to Eljiro with Seol Suyeon tagging along. She needed gear as well.

"Hello, Minho-oppa."

They’d decided to drop the formal ‘nim’ and switch how they addressed each other. Hearing that Sommong call him "oppa" felt weirdly surreal.

"Uuh... Hey, Suyeon.”

“Why are you stuttering? Just relax. We’re just 5 years apart, you know?”

"I think I’ll need some time to get used to that…”

When they got out at Euljiro 4-ga Station, the streets were packed with shops selling hardware, electrical supplies, lighting, shelving, and anything in between.

Ace Hardware was tucked deeper into a shabby alley behind them. As they entered a narrow, worn-down street, they found a shop with a surprisingly large, open workshop.

Inside, it was filled with scattered metal parts, welding tools, and thick black soot. And right in the middle of it sat an old man, casually sipping instant coffee.

He looked like he’d just been working. His utility vest was stained with oil, and welding goggles rested on his head.

The old man, who had been looking down, clicked his tongue in annoyance when he noticed Park Minho.

"Shop’s closed. If you want something weld, go next door. It’s cheaper.”

He looked rather grumpy. Park Minho got straight to the point.

"Are you Jung Manchun-nim?”

The old man finally looked up and nodded.

"Ah, so you’re the one.”

"You know me?”

At that, the old man set his coffee down and pulled out his phone with his grimy hand. Then he showed him a photo.

In it, Park Minho was passed out face-first on a table after taking a sleeping pill, and that glasses-wearing guy was behind him, grinning and throwing up a peace sign.

Park Minho shut his eyes tight.

'That bastard …'

The old man chuckled.

"I’m Jung Manchun. Just call me Boss Jung. And who’s the pretty girl next to you? Thought she was a celebrity for a second.”

For some reason, Seol Suyeon had ditched her usual thick glasses today and was wearing contacts. She’d also tidied up her messy hair. Just that alone made her look like a completely different person.

"She’s coming with me. She needs gear too.”

"Then come on in.”

Boss Jung got up, opened a door further inside, and led them into his office.

“I don’t usually deal with newbies. You’d normally need a few years of experience and solid recommendations. But since the Professor asked, I’ll make an exception.”

"Thank you."

"I handle coin exchange and all kinds of side business, but the thing I specialize in is actually the most useful thing in the Backrooms. Do you know what it is?”

"Not really?”

"It’s guns. Always guns.”

"So you need guns to fight entities?”

"No, no. You’d be surprised how hard it is to kill entities with mere guns. Plenty of idiots fire blindly and end up getting eaten.”

Thinking about it, something like the mop monster probably wouldn’t go down easily just from being shot.

"Then why recommend guns?”

Boss Jung gave him a knowing look.

"Because one of the scariest things in the Backrooms is people. Other humans. And when it comes to dealing with them, nothing beats a gun as a conversation starter.”

Seol Suyeon nodded instinctively.

"Yeah…People are the scariest.”

“Haha, sounds like you’ve been through something.”

"I was dragged around as food. Every day wondering if I’d be eaten today or tomorrow.”

Even Boss Jung looked a bit taken aback.

"…You’ve been through more than you look. Anyway, get yourself a proper one, and you won't end up like that again. Let’s go.”

"Where are we going?”

“Ah, right. You think we store the guns here? I’ve got everything stashed away.”

Boss Jung cleared away a box in the corner of the office. Underneath it, a clean entrance leading underground was revealed.

"My treasures are down there.”

At this point, he looked less like a seller and more like a collector dying to show off his collection.

-Click.

He opened the latch, revealing a vertical ladder.

“It’s not slippery, but still, watch your step. It’d be troublesome for me if you fall.”

"Got it.”

When they climbed down, they arrived at a spacious indoor shooting range. Targets were set up about 30 meters away, and the surrounding racks were packed with firearms.

Park Minho looked around and asked,

"Is it really okay to shoot down here? I mean, even if it’s underground…”

"Normally, no. But this palace is slightly modified. A kind of anomalous space. Sound doesn’t leak out, so don’t worry. You can go as wild as you want.”

He glanced at the metal racks around them.

“You two know your way around guns?”

“I’ve handled them in the military, but that’s about it.”

"I’ve never touched one.”

Boss Jung nodded like he expected that.

“Then I’ll pick something out for you. I’ve been in and out of the Backrooms enough, so you can trust my judgement.”

"That works for us.”

“Carbines are the safest choice…but the real question is ammo. 5.56 mm? Or 7.62 mm? That’s where people usually get stuck.”

According to him, 5.56 mm was better for fighting humans, but if entities were involved, 7.62 mm was the better option due to its higher penetration.

“So what should we do?”

In response to Park Minho’s question, Boss Jung grabbed two rifles he’d been considering.

“Simple. There’s two of you, right? Split roles. The guy uses 7.62mm. The girl uses 5.56mm, since it has less recoil.”

The gun Boss Jung handed to Park Minho was an FN SCAR-H.

"This one has excellent penetration. Not just for entities. You might run into people wearing body armor after all, right? This thing punches through most of it.”

The one he gave Seol Suyeon was a DD MK18.

"This one’s great because it’s really compact. Perfect for tight spaces like the Backrooms.”

Park Minho, having fired guns before, inspected his weapon with some familiarity. Seol Suyeon, on the other hand, who held a gun for the first time in her life, stared wide-eyed, surprised that it was heavier than she expected.

"Whoa…this is no joke.”

"You’re going to rely on that thing. Don’t get scared. Steel your nerves.”

In the end, they decided to go with his recommendations. Optics, vertical grips, flashlights, and 2000 rounds of ammo were included as well.

"Don’t worry, I take coins as well. Oh, right, wanna try them out now?”

* * *

They didn’t stop at just buying them. The two began training daily in the underground shooting range.

-Bang! Tatatata—!

The gunshots echoed loudly in the enclosed space. Seol Suyeon trembled from the noise at first, but she kept firing, teeth clenched. Watching her, Park Minho figured she’d be fine as her partner.

"You’ve got to learn how to disassemble and maintain it too. Just knowing how to shoot isn’t enough.”

They bought various other items from Boss Jung and not just the guns.

The best item among them was something called a ‘Phase Compression Backpack.’

“This is basically like a pocket dimension bag from fantasy novels. It holds about ten times more than it looks. And the weight doesn't increase past a certain point. It’s practically essential gear for Backrooms explorers.”

Aside from that, they bought drugs that granted resistance to memory erasers and truth serums, a military knife, combat rations, various equipment, and even a gas mask.

The total cost came out to two coins.

"Minho-oppa, I’ll pay for my share.”

"I’ll cover it with coins for now. You can just pay me back later.”

When the day came to leave, Boss Jung wore an oddly sulky expression. Unlike his earlier gruff attitude, he seemed like the type who got attached quickly.

"Don’t know why a fine young couple like you would head back into a hellhole like the Backrooms…but everyone’s got their reasons, I guess. Just make sure you come back alive and stop by again next time. Got that?”

Park Minho and Seol Suyeon promised they would.

* * *

The next day, at Seol Suyeon’s apartment.

With backpacks stuffed full of supplies and gear, their rifles slung over their shoulders, Park Minho and Seol Suyeon stood in front of the spatial parasite.

"Gweeeeehk!”

But judging by the sound it made, it seemed a bit cranky.

"Oppa, I think it’s hungry.”

Park Minho nodded at Seol Suyeon’s words.

"Then we should calm it down. Want to toss in a coin each before we go?”

They decided to do one pull each, partly to feed it and partly to test their luck for the trip.

"I’ll go first this time.”

Park Minho tossed in a coin, which the parasite eagerly swallowed.

"Gweek! Chomp, chomp!”

It immediately spat something back out.

"What is this? Blue masking tape…?”

Spending 300 million won for masking tape… His morale nearly collapsed before the expedition even began. Still, he scanned it.

-Beep.

[Shh! Silent Blue Tap / Anomalous Object]

[When applied to surfaces such as the soles of feet of firearms, it eliminates sound. The louder the environment, the faster the tape is consumed.]

Thankfully, it wasn’t just ordinary tape.

“That’s actually pretty useful, right?”

"Yeah, we could move quietly or even silence gunshots. Okay, my turn!”

-Toss.

"Gweeehk! Munch, munch!”

This time, the parasite spat out chalk.

"Huh...?"

Chalk. Seol Suyeon looked completely deflated.

[Anywhere Chalk]

[Draw a door on a wall to pass through to the other side of a blocked space.]

Thankfully, this too was an anomalous object. After eating the coins, the parasite seemed fully satisfied and went limp.

"Alright, ready?”

"Oppa, I’m kind of nervous. Can I hold your hand…?”

"Here.”

"Just holding this really does calm me down, huh..."

The two exchanged a glance and immediately jumped into the black hole created by the spatial parasite.

* * *

-Thud!

The landing wasn’t bad. They expected to fall screaming, but instead, Park Minho and Seol Suyeon touched down safely without even stumbling.

The floor was carpeted and quite soft.

As they inhaled, a sour smell filled their lungs. And the buzzing hum of fluorescent lights scratched at their ears like a swarm of flies.

Yellow wallpaper and endless hallways. Meaningless partitions arranged without logic. This was Floor 0, the starting point of the Backrooms, and the most infamous.

"Uugh. We really came back here."

"It’s my first time.”

“Right. You said you went straight to Floor 1, didn’t you?”

"Yeah."

"I’m quite jealous of that laptop."

“Trust me, if you’d seen the mop monster, you wouldn’t be saying that.”

Maybe it was because they’d already been through worse, but compared to that, Floor 0 felt manageable enough for them to actually chit-chat like this.

"Let’s move."

"Okay."

They began exploring, a faint sense of anticipation in the air.

“I heard you can find vending machines even on Floor 0 if you’re lucky.”

"Really? I wonder what we can get.”

As they walked, Seol Suyeon’s expression slowly turned strange.

Then she tilted her head.

"What’s wrong?”

"Well, it’s just…something feels off…”

"In what way?”

"It’s weirdly different from the place I was in before. I mean, Floor 0 is supposed to be huge, so maybe it varies by area, but…this…”

"What is it?"