Fortunately, or should I say unfortunately, while there are plenty of unreasonable complaints and lectures at work, being given absurd tasks is relatively rare.
Though sudden summons do occur, we’re still granted holidays and time off, so I guess our workplace isn’t completely in the black… theoretically.
Nevertheless, I do have a record of being called in suddenly, so I was nervously anticipating another summons. Luckily, there were no emails or calls from the boss this time.
Breathing a sigh of relief, that’s how I finally managed to head to Penguin Land with Livia-chan and Thanatos-chan, taking a train to the amusement park.
“It was almost the last straw…”
“If, by chance, we get another call, hehe…”
Anyway.
Penguin Land is an amusement park, and in the original story, the protagonist and others are grandly invited by the staff upon reaching the park as part of the 500,000 visitor celebration.
Of course, it’s a trap.
The main characters end up fighting enemies while traversing the sparkling attractions there.
And I remember that the enemy characters who appear are just as flashy as the attractions.
…There might be some drawing issues, but when I visited Penguin Land in the game, not a single other customer was there. However, now, there are many customers right in front of us, all laughing and enjoying the amusement park.
This amusement park, as expected, will serve as a stage for future battles between the protagonist and The Thirteen Steps, being an organization-made creation.
All profits obtained here go directly to funding the organization.
Therefore, considering that the 8000 yen I paid to enter Penguin Land goes straight into The Thirteen Steps’ pockets, well, it doesn’t sit right with me.
However, Livia-chan and Thanatos-chan seem excitedly fascinated by the attractions, so in that sense, I’m glad we came here.
“So, where do you want to go first? Any preferences?”
“I want to go on the ‘Terror Tumbler’!”
“I want to go on the ‘Legend Mountain’!”
Twins.
We exchange silent looks of “What is this guy saying?” with each other.
“…But, I mean, what’s enjoyable about riding the ‘Legend Mountain’?”
“…Isn’t the ‘Terror Tumbler’ just a boring ride that goes up and down?”
“The ‘Terror Tumbler’ is meant to be enjoyed while admiring the stage setting and the structure of the facility.”
“The thrilling speed and ever-changing scenery of the ‘Legend Mountain’!”
“…Our tastes really don’t align, do they?”
“…Looks like our opinions don’t match.”
After glaring at each other for a bit, they both look up at me.
Since I realized that they were seeking my opinion, I answer with a wry smile.
“Well then, let’s compromise…”
“I guess we have no choice. Let’s go to ‘Beyond the Mountains’.”
“Shall we, then, ojisan?”
“…”
Wait, what about my opinion?
Um… I actually wanted to take it easy on the ‘Marine Sky,’ a coffee cup-like attraction.
By the way, ‘Beyond the Mountains’ is a three-dimensional maze that somehow gives off a Cthulhu Mythos vibe.
Located in the artificial mountain at the center of Penguin Land, it’s more of an atmospheric enjoyment-type attraction.
It’s full of horror elements, with billowing smoke, pulsating red cracks resembling blood vessels, and the like.
According to tourist guides, there are many ‘hidden Pengies’ here, but…
“Screams!”
“So scary!”
These twins seem to be afraid of horror stuff.
They close their eyes and cling tightly to my arm, squealing.
Considering their behavior, I had imagined them to be strong against this kind of thing, so it was quite surprising.
Their screams don’t seem very convincing, but there’s no reason for them to fake it either.
“Iyaww…”
“Spooky…”
I need to be firm here.
With that in mind, I gently pull the twins along, moving through the attraction at a brisk pace.
Well, it’s not exactly child’s play, as it’s quite authentically made, so I’m feeling a bit scared too.
But, I can’t afford to be scared in front of the kids.
So, without saying a word, we move through the attraction, trying to reach the exit as quickly as possible…
“Hahaha! I’ve been waiting for you, Lux wright! This is where you meet your end!!”
Recently, attractions even call out names, huh?
But when faced with the sudden appearance of a man in black attire, I’m at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.
Darn it, even though the staff are clearly trying to maintain the atmosphere, I’m failing to read the situation.
However, I’m not good at ad-libbing…
And then,
“You.”
“…”
Suddenly, the twins let go of my arm and step forward.
Their faces are now hidden from my view.
“Eek!”
The staff member seems to be making a strained expression.
Wow, what convincing acting.
“Now, we’re enjoying a date with this gentleman.”
“Could you please not interrupt?”
The twins’ voices are icy cold.
Amazing, it’s so different from their previous frightened demeanor.
It’s as if their previous fear was just an act.
And hearing their words, the staff member seems to have caught on to the situation.
“R-remember this!”
He dashes off in a hurry, disappearing from view.
Well, if he came to surprise us like this, then that must be part of the attraction, right?
“Probably that Jerkass guy.”
“Yeah, that goofball character, Jerkass. That’s definitely it.”
“I see.”
As I nod in agreement, the twins cling to my arm again.
“It’s scaryyy…”
“Help us, ojisann…”
Such scaredy-cats.
While feeling exasperated, I lead them through the attraction as quickly as possible, aiming for the exit.
As a result, we managed to get out in about a minute.
“Huh?”
“…Why?”
“Weren’t we supposed to spend at least 10 minutes trying to escape from here…”
The twins tilt their heads in confusion.
But suddenly, I feel the urge to use the restroom, so I excuse myself with a word and hurry off to the restroom…
“Nice to see you again, Lux wright!”
“Jerkass?”
“…Who’s Jerkass?”
I furrow my brows.
Judging from his reaction, it seems he’s not Jerkass after all.
Well, neither Livia-chan nor Thanatos-chan are familiar with Penguin Land, so it’s possible for the staff to get the characters they’re portraying wrong.
“Anyway, is there a restroom around here?”
“Huh, a restroom? Oh, if you go around that corner to the right.”
“Thank you!”
I bow my head in gratitude and hurry off to the restroom.
