Season 4: Chapter 16. Ace in the Hole (1)

They say people become stingier with their goodwill when they’re under pressure. That expression perfectly described the

Ghostwo Busters

developers at the moment. The new ad contract they just signed was extremely one-sided and heavily favored the devs. Even the duo who handled it, Assistant Manager Kim and Manager Kim, were aware of that fact.

"I feel kind of guilty for this one, no?"

"Come on. They agreed and signed it, didn’t they?"

"True..."

Once Almond and Bubblegum started fulfilling the contract, they’d surely realize what they had gotten into. The devs felt a slight twinge of guilt.

"Ah, they’re about to start. I wonder how long they’ll keep at it."

"Who knows? At least two weeks, right? They have to play through to the ending."

According to the contract, the ad wouldn’t end until they beat the game. If the game was difficult, the sponsorship period could drag on indefinitely. The devs had targeted Bubblegum to stretch out the ad exposure as long as possible for a relatively low cost.

"They knew what they were signing up for, right?" Assistant Manager Kim asked with some concern.

"Dude, how many times do I have to say this? Even if they didn’t know every detail, it’s assumed that they understood it once they signed. Besides, didn’t Bubblegum test the game out?"

"Ah... It’s kind of amazing that he still agreed to do it."

"Well, the money was decent. And we’re all-in on this deal."

True, the ad could potentially go on for a long time. In exchange, the devs offered a pretty significant sum.

"Didn’t they change the payment model to a royalty structure too?"

"Yeah. That came out of nowhere near the end. It actually worked out better for us with less upfront costs. The higher-ups were thrilled."

Companies cared more about cash flow than the total amount. Less upfront payouts meant less financial risk. Once they confirmed that Almond would be joining the stream, his manager negotiated the payment terms and shifted them to royalties based on game sales.

"So what’s the breakeven point?"

"Compared to the previous contract? Well... since it’s over two quarters... probably about 200,000 copies."

"What?!"

For a game like this, selling 200,000 copies in six months would make it a blockbuster. Basically, they’d only be paying out significant marketing costs if the game were a huge success.

"200,000 copies?! That’s crazy. You guys got an amazing deal. Two top-tier streamers promoting the game for two weeks, and no losses unless it booms? We’re looking at a massive promotion bonus if this works!"

"Most likely."

Thump.

Manager Kim grinned and proudly placed a hand on Assistant Manager Kim’s shoulder.

"Come on, kid. You think I’d sign a deal like this without thinking it through?"

"Big bro Kim, you’re a legend!"

With things going this well, their teamwork seemed as solid as ever.

"Man... 200,000 copies in Korea alone? That’s..."

"Hold up."

Manager Kim’s face suddenly darkened.

"What’s wrong?"

He hastily opened the contract PDF and murmured, "It wasn’t just Korea... it was a total of 200,000 copies worldwide."

"Huh?"

The game could be purchased anywhere on a global platform. Even though it was a Korean-made game, it had full English localization and was actually aimed more at global markets.

"Then... that’s not quite as much of a jackpot as I thought.

Haha...

" Assistant Manager Kim still laughed. "Still a hit, though. Right, sir?"

"Yeah, yeah. Still a hit," Manager Kim said, but he kept rereading the contract.

‘Something feels off.’

Because it was their first time setting up a deal like this, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they had overlooked something. He scrolled through the file, but couldn’t spot any hidden traps. The deal still looked fantastic.

"Alright. All good. Time to enjoy the show. Go grab us some beers."

"On it!"

They didn’t know that Kim Ju-Hyeok, back in his Ah-Sung days, often left partners wondering how they got hustled so hard while raising cheap soju at some roadside tent instead of celebratory beer.

***

The game launched.

[Ghostwo Busters]

Vwooosh.

A blinding light flared, and terrain began forming around them. Mountains in the distance, a river, and streets jam-packed with cars appeared.

Clack clack.

Familiar vibrations and sounds rattled the screen. When Almond looked around, all he saw were lower bodies standing indifferently.

Clack clack.

The bodies swayed powerlessly in rhythm with the train. All the while, their faces remained glued to their phones.

An announcement echoed overhead.

“Next stop: Yeongdeungpo Station. Doors will open on the right.”

They were on Line 1 of Seoul’s subway, one of the busiest and most notorious in South Korea.

"Ah, this is Line one, huh?"

— Whoa, this is what the game is like?

— Wait, this is a Korean game?? Damn.

— Looks pretty accurate LOL

— Ugh, commuting even in-game?

— The legend of Line 1...

Almond checked his outfit. In games like these, identifying one’s in-game role was important.

"A shirt... and tie..."

He wore a crisp white shirt, a necktie, and pressed trousers. A black nylon briefcase rested on his lap. The outfit screamed conservative Korean office worker just like his Ah-Sung days.

"Wow, this is way too accurate—"

He was admiring the realism.

"

HRAAAAAAAA!

"

A bizarre shout rang out from somewhere.

— What the hell?

— No way lol

— Oh no...

— Is this... a Line 1 villain?

— Legend incoming

Just like champions had their lore, Korea’s subway system had its own myths. Among them, Line 1 had the most urban legends of all. Apparently, the devs had included one in the game.

"You possessed bastard! What are you doing here?!"

The voice was filled with certainty and fury. The crowd murmured, casting wary glances.

— LOL yep, definitely a subway lunatic

— This is too real hahaha

— It’s the recorder psycho!!

Almond stood up to get a better look.

‘Something’s going on over there. Where’s Bubblegum anyway?’

He would’ve ignored this in real life, but this was bound to trigger an event in the game.

"Who are you calling possessed, you charlatan fortune-teller?!"

The argument escalated. Almond stepped closer.

"Huh? Is that... a monk?"

— OMG hahaha

— It really is??

— Wait, is a monk and a fortune-teller fighting? This is legendary

— This game is nuts lmao

Sure enough, one of them was a bald monk.

Jingle!

The other was a woman who smacked the monk’s head with a jingling bell. She dressed like a shaman.

— The hanbok, it's a shaman!

— WHAT is this hahaha

— Line 1 content on another level

— We’re not even 5 minutes in lol

Ding!

[Billzalar has donated 10,000 won!]

[My dad always said: Never trust bald guys or people in traditional hanbok...]

A donation came through in a grandfatherly voice.

— A true father

— That's Cookie-level wisdom

— LOL for real

"Ah... I see..."

Almond didn’t have time to properly respond to the donation.

"Right next to you! Don’t you see this woman!? That monstrous yin energy is pressing down hard on her right now!"

"You damn fake! Even Buddha would’ve given up on you! What spirit are you seeing in a perfectly normal middle-aged lady!?"

"Hah! Unbelievable..."

The monk and the shaman were arguing over whether or not a spirit was possessing the lady sitting across from them.

"Why isn’t the lady reacting, though?"

Despite being the subject of the argument, the woman just sat there blankly.

— For real

— That’s suspicious

— LOL maybe she’s mentally checked out

— Wait, that’s true

— Because this is Line 1, obviously

"You pork-belly party monk! What do you know about spirits!? You’ve never seen one!"

"What!? I’m a sorcerer who drives out demons! You’re just a scammer with a loud mouth and a fake fortune-telling stick!"

— Pork-belly party monk LOL

— AHAHAH

— K-psychological counseling

— What is this even LOL

Their insults reached peak intensity.

Screeeek!

The doors of the next train car opened, and a true wildcard appeared.

"You must believe! The day will come when He returns!"

The man wore a massive red box and held an enormous cross-shaped staff.

He shouted dramatically, "Jesus, heaven! Unbelievers, hell!"

— LOLOLOL

— Everyone is moving out of the way hahaha

— He actually appeared LOL

— The One True God has entered

— OMG LOL

"..."

"

Hngh.

"

The shaman and monk immediately stepped back. The rest of the passengers split down the middle in a clear path.

Ding!

[Moses has donated 5,000 won!]

[Guess the parting of the seas was real after all!]

— LOL fr tho

— Even he was surprised at the miracle

— No cap LOL

— Facts, honestly

"I don’t really know what kind of game this is? I heard it was a co-op game, though."

Almond stepped aside and began looking for Bubblegum.

"Let me try to find him."

"A-Almond!"

Just then, a hand popped up above the crowd.

"Is that you?"

"Yeah, Bubblegum?"

Turns out, Almond couldn’t find him because Bubblegum was too short.

"

Ugh...

I... I was just..."

Bubblegum squeezed out of the crowd like a mochi that’d been squished and suddenly popped out.

"Wow. Finally found you. Everyone split to the sides so fast. I thought I was gonna get squashed."

— LOL even Bubblegum is an office worker

— Why is he so short tho? LOL

— Is he square-shaped??

Then, it happened.

"

Kyaaaaaaaaaah!

"

A scream straight out of a horror film pierced the air. The passengers suddenly pulled back again.

"W-What the hell!?"

"What!?"

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion echoed. Thick, dark smoke rolled along the floor.

‘What the?’

“Dear passengers, due to an unexpected incident in the train car, we will be making an emergency stop.”

The announcement sounded oddly calm and robotic, which didn’t match the situation at all. Everything spiraled into chaos.

Screeeeech!

The train braked hard. Sparks from the grinding metal flashed outside the windows. Below them was the Han River and mountains in the distance. They were traveling on an elevated bridge far above the ground.

Then, the train tilted. They were about to fall off.

"Grab on!"

Bubblegum reached out to Almond.

"

Aaaaaaah!

"

The passengers toppled over. Almond grabbed a pole, and Bubblegum held onto Almond’s hand.

‘Huh?’

Almond realized something.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

‘This isn’t something I’m doing myself. It’s... a cutscene.’

It had been scripted.

Screeeeech!

The train tilted at a 45-degree angle.

— Are they gonna fall!?

— Whoa

— This is nuts

— Holy crap this is scary!

The train car hung halfway off the bridge. Looking outside was enough to make anyone dizzy.

The shaman angrily screamed, "Dammit! I told you something was off! I said there was a real spirit!"

Sure enough, there was something there. Something dark and swirling began to take shape.

"N-No! I can only see yokai, not this kind of thing!"

The monk tried to wash his hands of the situation.

"YOU SPAWN OF SATAN!!!"

The man in the red box charged up the sloped train car with inhuman strength.

BOOOM!

He slammed his cross-staff directly into the black cloud.

"No, don’t!" the shaman screamed, but it was too late.

The black cloud twitched like a muscle and exploded.

KABOOM!

Almond’s eyes widened.

‘Did... they just die?’

The man in the red box, the shaman, and the monk all vanished without a trace.

"

Ughhh...

"

Meanwhile, the monster finally revealed its full form. It crawled out of the smoke with one bent arm against the ground. Its gangly arms were as long as its body, which looked like an unnaturally distorted human figure.

— This... is why Line 1 is so scary, folks.

— Holy crap

— Wait, the shaman wasn’t a fraud after all LOL

— When did Line 1’s villain level get this high?

— LMAO wow

As viewers said, it wasn’t just any Line 1 villain.

[Level 1 Malignant Thought-Form]

— Whaaat?? A thought-form on Line 1???

— Whoa...

— This is legit creepy

Apparently, the objective of the game was to exorcise it.

‘How?’

Almond was just a regular office worker. Even his hard briefcase, his only potential weapon, had slid to the back of the tilted train. However, something else had slid toward them.

Jingle!

‘A bell?’

The shaman’s bell rolled toward Almond. The monk’s prayer beads and the red-boxed preacher’s cross-staff also slid toward him.

Ding!

[Choose your weapon]

He had to pick one of the three.

[1. The Shaman’s Bell]

[2. The Monk’s Rosary]

[3. The Cleric’s Staff]

— Where’s the recorder? LOL

— A staff of faith LOL

— Not gonna lie, none of these look very useful

"Oh, I get to choose?

Hmm...

"

Ding!

[Almondoil has donated 10,000 won!]

[Option 4. You’re the culprit!]

— LOOOOOOL

— Classic

— That’s the right answer

— Devs really missed an opportunity

He picked the first since there was no option four.

Fwoosh!

Immediately, Almond’s outfit changed into a shaman’s hanbok. He even wore the traditional hat and robe.

— Shaman Almond has entered the chat!

— Let’s goooo!

— Wait, the clothes change too??

— Is this Magical Girl K-style??

— This is peak K-culture magical transformation LOL

"Oh? Almond went with option one?"

Bubblegum hesitated for a moment before picking option two.

Bling!

His hair disappeared.

— LOL he became Iron Ball

— That’s exactly what he looks like

— Omg!

— He couldn’t bring himself to pick the fanatic

— He hesitated but did it anyway LOL

Once they chose their weapons, a message appeared.

[You cannot defeat the yokai alone! Work together to exorcise it!]