How a Regressor Conquers the Tower of Urban Legends
Chapter 22
The Monkey's Paw.
It was a famous horror story that most people had probably heard of.
It granted wishes, but never in the way the person making the wish intended.
For example, if I wished to escape this place, it might kill me and send only my corpse outside.
That was the kind of twisted object it was.
"..."
The problem was that this thing would become bound to me.
"Should I just leave it behind on Floor 0.5?"
"...!"
The mascot nodded vigorously at my suggestion.
It seemed to know about the Monkey's Paw story, or at least understood the problems this mannequin's hand could cause.
"Anyway, let's get out of here first."
I wasn't particularly worried with the mascot beside me, but there was no reason to stay here any longer than necessary.
We started walking.
After a moment, I glanced at the mascot.
[1. Exhibition Hall 3 of the Hall of Philosophy is the Palace of Memory.]
[2. However, the memories contained here do not belong to any of you who have been isolated here.]
[3. It has not yet been determined whose memories these are, and nobody currently knows the exact route through the palace.]
According to the instructions, nobody knew the way through the Palace of Memory.
And yet the mascot walking in front of me was moving through the place as though it were its own home.
Could this actually be the mascot's Palace of Memory?
I watched it while considering that possibility.
But whether it noticed my gaze or not, the mascot simply waddled along in front of me.
I knew it had no intention of causing me any serious harm.
What I still didn't know was what it wanted.
It didn't seem particularly interested in escaping alongside me.
All I knew was that our goals appeared to overlap to some extent.
"..."
For now, all I could do was trust it.
The mascot seemed to trust me too.
I remembered the mascot on the second floor, hesitating for so long before finally killing me.
I also remembered the announcement that followed, declaring that a violation had occurred.
"!!"
"I'm coming."
I continued following the mascot as it turned around and beckoned to me.
After a while, an elevator appeared before us.
"..."
The exit.
I looked down at the instructions.
[3. The form of the exit depends on the method by which you arrived here.]
Does that mean someone could return to reality through this exit?
A bitter feeling rose inside me.
But I didn't let it show.
Instead, I pressed the elevator button.
Just wait. Someday, I'll definitely escape this place.
As I was thinking that...
Riiing!
A cheerful ringtone came from my pocket.
My phone had started ringing.
This guy always seems to call after the work is already finished.
I sighed and answered.
"Yes?"
<You don't sound particularly happy.>
"How could I possibly sound happy when you never call at the times I actually need you?"
<No. Look at it the other way around. Perhaps this is precisely the moment when you need my call the most.>
"..."
He certainly knew how to talk.
<In any case, I have no idea why you've already entered such a dreadful den of monsters, but I suppose I should give you some advice.>
"I'm listening."
<Don't throw away the Mannequin's Hand.>
"..."
Am I really supposed to trust this guy?
<I know what you're thinking. That item is practically cursed. If you don't make your wishes carefully, there is a very high chance that they will backfire on you.>
"Then why are you telling me to carry it around when you already know that?"
<Because there is someone who knows how to handle it properly.>
"Where?"
<Right here.>
"...!"
<I can teach you how to use that hand while minimizing its side effects.>
"..."
That was certainly an attractive offer.
But accepting it without question was another matter.
<In any case, neither I nor the mascot working so hard beside you can betray you.>
"You can't?"
<Let's just say that the goals we're trying to accomplish are somewhat similar.>
"Can't you just come out and tell me exactly what those goals are?"
<That would violate the terms of our contract.>
"..."
A contract, huh?
<Regardless, this is an opportunity.>
"..."
I thought about it only briefly.
"All right."
<Excellent.>
The voice sounded satisfied with my answer.
Then it continued.
<That will be all for now.>
"Wait. Don't you have anything else that could help me?"
<You've already cleared everything on your own. What more do you expect me to do?>
"..."
<Blame yourself for being so capable.>
The call ended with a hearty laugh.
That's actually a little irritating.
I raised my head and looked toward the elevator.
It didn't seem to have arrived yet.
In that case...
I slowly took out the notebook and began writing.
[150. The fact that you've arrived here probably means something has already gone wrong, but I went through the Hall of Philosophy.]
[150. For Exhibition Hall 1, follow the instructions on the paper.]
[150. For Exhibition Hall 2, follow the instructions on the paper as well. However, if you genuinely feel that there is no possible solution, break the object that instinctively seems the most dangerous.]
Would this be enough?
There were too many variables on this floor.
Unlike the other floors, I felt as though I hadn't been able to leave behind much useful information.
I sighed.
Then...
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
I stepped inside.
Nobody came to steal my object.
More precisely, everyone seemed to retreat as soon as they noticed the elevator.
Rattle.
The doors closed.
"...Phew."
I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down.
Then I took out the notebook and checked it.
Had the entries about the fifth floor and Floor N been recorded?
Sure enough, everything I'd written was there.
How does Floor N count, anyway?
I'd cleared Floor N.
Couldn't they just count that as clearing the sixth floor?
Please?
Unfortunately...
<Sixth floor.>
Come on. Give me a break.
Apparently, things weren't going to work out the way I wanted.
The elevator doors began opening with a rattling sound.
