The method of deception resembles a form of unethical marketing:
1- Build trust.
“Did he really fix that glasses guy? Even though he was completely out of it?”
“Yeah! Look at him now—he’s fine. And this guy also fell out of the window and survived. He said he saw something down there!”
“Wow… Are you really okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. And so is he—he’s at peace now.”
2- Present the problem and its cause.
“So… you’re saying this is like a test? If we pass, we can get out?”
“Yes. I’m sure we’ll be able to leave.”
“Wait, is this some kind of fictional hunter scenario? Are we about to awaken abilities or something…?”
“Exactly! There’s no way we’d be thrown into such a crazy situation without a reason!”
“Right. There is a reason.”
Once the mood was sufficiently heated.
“And to escape this situation…”
3- Sell the magical solution.
In unethical marketing, this ‘solution’ would be the product being sold. In a cult, it’s the doctrine.
And the method I proposed was:
“Everyone must go out through the window at least once.”
“…!!”
“W-What?!”
“Fear not, everyone.”
I smiled and gestured to myself.
And to the man with glasses, now calmed by the Happy Maker.
“Anyone who accepts my recommendation and goes through the window will be fine, just like me. This is a kind of trial.”
“Ah…!”
“If you’re skeptical… I can try to convince you. Or, I could jump again myself.”
And just then, the announcement appeared again.
<marquee behavior=”scroll” direction=”left” scrollamount=”7″>To reach Tamra, offer a sacrifice.</marquee>
marquee.addEventListener(‘finish’, function() { loopCount++; if (loopCount >= 92) { marquee.stop(); // Stops after 92 loops } });
“Ah…!”
But this time, the atmosphere was different.
At least in Car 7, where people had been listening to my ‘marketing’, they began murmuring and glancing at the window.
‘So, going out there might actually be okay?’
There wasn’t just panic and fear—there was curiosity and even anticipation.
– Ah, this is fascinating! What excellent work, Mr. Roe Deer!
– But all great performers face challengers. Oh, look over there!
Thwack!
“What a load of bullshit, you crazy bastard!!”
The middle-aged man from earlier—his face flushed red—slammed the armrest of his seat and shouted.
This was the man who had fallen out of the window in the first loop and pushed the man with glasses in the second loop.
‘Looks like skipping a turn has restored a bit of his sanity.’
But he wasn’t fully back to normal.
“That bastard pushed someone out of the window before— UGH!”
“Crazy jerk… Get lost, you son of a bitch!”
His eyes spun wildly, like he might stab me any second.
“Jump out the window?! I’m not jumping! No way, you piece of shit! You jump again!”
He pushed past another passenger and came right up to me. I spoke calmly.
“If you don’t want to participate, you don’t have to right now.”
“W-What?!”
“Take your time. Besides, you’re not qualified at the moment.”
“W…What?!”
“I’m saying that even if you beg to go out the window, I won’t assist you.”
This was another crucial step.
4- Restrict access to the solution.
Why do brands produce limited quantities, create artificial shortages, and tell customers to message them for prices?
Scarcity makes things seem valuable, and difficult-to-obtain items appear even more desirable.
You give people the sense that they’re close enough to grasp it, but far enough that missing out would be devastating.
“Only those who are qualified can go through the window without suffering.”
“W-What kind of nonsense is this…?”
“And that’s not you. You haven’t earned the right to pass the trial without pain. Step back.”
“…U-Uh……”
The middle-aged man stammered, then stumbled back and collapsed into his seat.
It worked again. The saying about fighting madness with madness was spot on this time.
With all the commotion, everyone in the car had their eyes locked on me. I smiled warmly at them.
“But do not worry too much. Eventually, everyone will be ready.”
“……!”
– Magnificent!
Over Braun’s cheers, the crowd swarmed toward me, bombarding me with questions.
“Excuse me! Then, who is qualified?”
“I do not know. I can just sense who’s ready.”
“So, is there someone qualified among us?”
It was then—
“Am… Am I qualified?”
The man with glasses, who had been sitting quietly, raised his hand and asked.
Thanks to the Happy Maker, he was calm, free from fear and PTSD. He didn’t lash out at the middle-aged man who had once attacked him.
Even so, he couldn’t suppress his nervousness and swallowed hard.
I smiled and nodded.
“Yes.”
“…!!”
“You are qualified. You’ve already proven yourself.”
I walked over and held his hand.
“There’s no need to go down again. Your current calmness is the proof. You’ve endured it. You’ve been brave.”
“Ah… Ahhh!”
Tears streamed down the man’s face.
The murmuring around us quieted.
In its place, a new sentiment began to form—desire and agreement.
“From now on, for those deemed qualified and who go down, I will give a token to protect you from as much pain as possible.”
“…!”
“Th-Then…”
But no volunteers came forward just yet.
‘As expected.’
I had just told them that everyone needed to jump out the window to escape.
No one would be eager to jump into potential suffering without any clear benefit.
– Friend, any clever solutions up your sleeve?
Of course.
‘Rally them again.’