““As I wandered through the seemingly quiet terminal, I felt the sensation of emptiness. I can only go so far before encountering clothing laying all over the chairs, and luggage seemingly abandoned on the carpeted floors. The stores were closed, the lights were flickering, and the white noise was creeping up to my ears. It is like everyone just vanished out of thin air. . .”
Level 36 is the 37th level of the Backrooms.
Level 36, frequently referred to as "the Airport" or the "Desolate Terminal," is a vast airport terminal building that stretches indefinitely. Many travelers consider Level 36 to be a secondary hub of the Backrooms, similar to the Hub, since its exit leads to any outdoor levels, with the designated numbers of the levels increasing as one travels deeper into the terminal. The central hub features multiple gates surrounded by waiting seats, tiny cafés, food courts and gift stores. The airport has marble-tiled flooring periodically covered in carpet. The walls are a mixture of clay, plaster, and concrete with a white hue.
The waiting room supposedly for the flights have multiple seats lined up; because the flights don't actually exist in Level 36, the waiting rooms seem to serve no purpose other than giving off the dismal atmosphere of the terminal. The chairs are generally made of metal or upholstery and appears differently in each space. The corner's large windows provide a clear view of the airport runway, extending miles of concrete and asphalt. However, the airport's exterior is inaccessible, and thus, any routes towards the outside are unreachable as they're blocked off. Likewise, the windows neither can't shatter due to unusual features that make it exceedingly strong. The outside is still enigmatic and mostly undocumented—but what can be observed from the inside, outside of the airport's reaches are rolling grassland hills covered in fog. Furthermore, no external roads leading to the airport have been seen, suggesting the airport itself is isolated.
Multiple stainless steel airport queue barriers make a maze-like labyrinth of nothingness, merely acting as an obstacle that could show up in front of the halls and nonsensical areas. There are also several check-in desks with placards displaying a nonexistent destination location. The signs don't imply the destination location; rather, the only display the flight number about to depart. In addition to English, the placards are also available in Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish. Moreover, the sign can direct visitors with an arrow to the region name, making navigation through the airport easier; nevertheless, the exit sign never goes to the actual exit, instead blocking the doorway.
Small fluorescent lights in steel ceiling tiles and light from the sign serve as the primary illumination sources. Howbeit, the level's fluorescent lights commonly flicker and can cause miles-long blackouts, especially near the deeper portions of the airport. Entities may lurk in the darkness, though this is uncommon. Additional investigation has revealed the culprit of the blackouts are the miniscule amounts of electricity being delivered to Level 36, and deeper into the level receives less of that energy. Studies are ongoing to determine the source of the electricity. Several observers have reported spotting electric poles around the runway's perimeter and hearing what sounds like buzzing near walls and ceilings, which are believed to be power generators.
The airport will remain virtually clean by any means, with the marble tiles state appearing as it has just been cleaned, possessing a shiny and slippery texture. Whenever something gets dirty, the level will instantly clean itself up as soon as the stain(s) are out of view of any wanderers. However, despite the airport looking well-clean, the safety of foods and drinks that are on the table and floor in various rooms in the terminal is questionable; they are mostly spoiled, having expired a long time ago, and are unconsumable. Further studies suggest that some foods are highly poisonous with some of them containing dangerous chemicals like cyanide, which consumption can result in death.
Large cafeterias are scattered throughout the airport terminal, consisting of restaurants and convenience stores; the restaurants and stores in question are derived from the Frontrooms, serving food and selling items corresponding to their brand. The restaurants and arrangement of them, however, are inconsistent throughout the airport terminal's cafeterias, with each cafeteria having their own unique arrangement and restaurants. Multiple chairs and tables found inside the cafés, which give off the mood of emptiness. The cafés are perhaps the only sections with clothing, objects and bags on the furniture, described as if everyone had left and forgotten to grab whatever they left behind. Most meals in the cafeteria are unfinished and expired (presumably due to age), being bitten in arbitrary areas, and cups paired with deformed paper straws being half-empty. Several utilities, including sockets, drinking fountains flowing fresh Almond Water, vending and soda machines are a frequent occurrence. The soda machines may contain instances of Almond Water and/or Energy Drinks, while the vending machines primarily possess Energy Bars. All of these products in the machines are safe to consume, plus, can be obtained freely without requiring any form of payment.
At first glance, the layout of Level 36 appears simple, with the main corridor connecting various rooms and gates by additional halls, but this corridor can also intersect with one another as the result of the size of the airport. Some spaces have been created in overlapping areas of 2 or more terminal buildings and stacking airport buildings. As a result of the perplexing, erratic and strange architecture, the pathways between buildings may be incompatible, resulting in dead ends and making it difficult to explore into another area any further. The overall mood of Level 36 is described to be absolute silence and isolation; the only noticeable noises being white noises and the wanderer itself. Moreover, the sound of plane taking off or arriving can be heard in the distance, though no instances of airports departing or arriving have been spotted.
The ventilation system of Level 36 is incredibly complex, as it stretches out as far as the airport terminal extends, and constantly shifts and twists in random directions. Despite this, they are astonishingly clean. The size of the vents is large enough for anyone to crawl through, but not too large that one able to stand straight up inside. The vents contain fans inside them which constantly spin fast, and might block certain paths. The vent is often used by many as a short cut through the level. Nonetheless, the system lacks any light sources inside—bringing a light source is recommended if needing to navigate through. Entities may also crawl inside these vents; if one hears something hitting the steel, it probable that something is lurking inside.
Should one adventure further into Level 36 from their initial entry point, they will ultimately reach the place's absolute limits, where the boundaries become absent, leaking an undetermined force of static entwine inside. Wanderers here will begin to feel erraticism and unsettlement, as the place becomes more and more unstable and glitchy should they travel even further. Many have reported the deeper portions of Level 36 to become another part of an ethereal labyrinth, where the overview emerges from the unexpected glitches. The architecture becomes more erratic and stranger to the point that it bears no resemblance to an airport. Although this location can be reach by travelling a great distance from the entry point in Level 36, some wanderers have unintentionally ended up in this corrupted agglomeration through no-clipping in a level that either is designated with a high integer or an unstable and corrupted level.
The upper void of Level 36's outside has been glitching with the clear appearance of something resembling the border between the level and unknown corrupted location of some sorts. This indicates that the sky of the level may possibly be the border to many other levels. These flaw glitching things seem to release an unknown force of static energy overflowing into the level. This unknown static substance affects the viewer's perspective of the interior, ranging from an unstable level attracting fractals of light, to the distorted place's texture. Attempts to photograph this area of the terminal have failed and caused the devices to malfunction, as the images have appeared inexplicably monotone static with an unclear distorted view of the airport's background. Images may sometimes blur and have their image resolution corrupted, potentially damaging phone lens.
Because of the glitched atmosphere of this absolute limit, a conspiracy has begun to emerge among regular wanderers, claiming that Level 36 might be substantial evidence that the Backrooms are genuinely limitless, without a chance of escaping back into the real world. Others think the Backrooms, and perhaps the Frontrooms, are parts of an unidentified "simulation" whose genesis is unknown. The presence of "The End" and "the Beginning" lends credence to these theories. Others, however, claim that the escape to the Frontrooms is located at the furthest section of Level 36. However, there has yet to be a report of anybody finding the supposed exit, and they usually end up missing, never to be found again. Therefore, it isn't worth the risk.
Recent research has shown that the Level 36 deep portion can also produce hallucinations, including seeing glitches or corrupted 2D images and having visions of one's ancestors. Some unfortunate travelers have also reported seeing countless entities roaming throughout the airport terminal; it is not recommended to make eye contact because it might cause paranoia and a loss of sanity. People who experience these phenomena may end up depressed or suffering from mental illnesses. There is currently no way to prevent these consequences other than to step back.
Additionally, the level has a memetic and irreversible effect on any gadgets brought to these absolute limits, which also affects the documentation and database inside the devices. These effects include corrupted and glitched parts of documents and articles within files and ciphered messages from an unidentified race of beings, which are presumed to be related to the "telepathic" messages and hallucinations found earlier in the level. To avoid this, M.E.G. urges all travelers to avoid using technology when exploring Level 36's deeper portions.
““In the realm of the Backrooms, where reality and glitch collide, lies a level that seems quite simple but is beyond our comprehension—the airport terminal itself hides their secret, which is revealed when one journeys to the deepest point. The location reaches its absolute limit where the lines between reality and perception blur. It is embellished with stunning light fractals and shimmers and pulses with an otherworldly energy.”
The Absolute Limit[]
The Absolute Limit is an... unfortunate case. The forgotten part of Level 36 that was hurled away deep, nearly like nonexistence. This location somehow manifests as infinite, endless, unbounded, and unlimited. There was a debate over whether the Absolute Limit was truly infinite. It is also unclear whether to celebrate such a high number in the first place as the number itself is infinite.
The term "level infinity" refers to the highest digit number of the backrooms. Numerous individuals believe this level was the only level that offers access to the Frontrooms. Unfortunately, everything was misleading and incorrect, and redemption is still a long way off. It was so far away that there is no hope.
Now we know the truth. the Absolute Limit is merely part of Level 36, where this truly unfortunate level is becoming corrupted and rotten as days pass by. Nobody knows what "Level Infinity" looks like or looked like, and there is still no escape from the Backrooms. The salvation is very far away, like being stuck at the beginning, in the same position, in the same place.— Unknown
November 3rd, 2021
It is unusual to encounter entities on this level; they generally emerge in a dark corner or in a ventilation system. Entity sightings include Smilers, Hounds, and Deathmoths. Although several wanderers claim to have seen undocumented beings in the deep area of Level 36, this is likely a case of hallucination. M.E.G. is still unclear whether there are any anomalous entities there.
Entrances[]
- The most known entrance to this level is by going on train in The Metro.
- No-clipping/entering an airport-like structure within Level 35's field.
- Hallucinating an aeroplane in Level 597 sends wanderers to this level.
Exits[]
- Overflowing a sink, which are found in the level’s restrooms, and submerging one's head in it for a moment will transition the level to Level 37.
- Pairs of oddly pristine glass doors (often accompanied with a sign indicating hotel entrance) will lead one to Level 42.
““I finally arrive here at last.”
Hope?[]
After a protracted, seemingly interminable journey during which countless places were visited. Through Noclip, I eventually reach to allegedly the last location of the Backrooms. The setting seems precisely like an airport comparable to Level 36. Nevertheless, everything is more unsteady and unstable. Immediately as I land inside this place, I start to feel irritated and unpleasant. The impression that something is trying to drag me back to the beginning. This place is so twisted and distorted, like the Backrooms itself.
I persist in strolling until the airport starts shifting and fails to resemble an airport itself. The architecture is altered into an inadvertently deformed and stretched form, as parts of the structure's texture conceal an unidentified glitch implication that impairs my vision. My thoughts begin to jumble, attempting to shift my belief that there is no escape. I cover my head and avoid seeing anything as something tries to trigger hallucinations. The figures show up in front of me. Many of them did—they are not human.
Knowing that if I continued to move forward, this madness condition would drain my sanity and life, I decided to noclip through the window view. Once I open my eyes again, I stand on the concrete runway, the dissatisfied and dismal feeling gone in this instant. I believe I have overcome my sense of dread and insecurity, and I keep finding optimism. I still feel that the exits to The Frontrooms must be in the Backrooms. Whether there are several or only one, at least, I hope there certainly are, and I have faith that it is situated here, at the end of the trail I am traveling.
I'm now proceeding continuously down this runway, which seems to go on for thousands of kilometers, hoping it will lead me to a better location. I turn behind me and witness a terminal gradually fade from my sight as I move forward, eventually fading into the haze of fog.
— Daniel Marshall
March 23rd, 2019
ᚾᛟ ᛏᚱᚢᛖ ᛖᚾᛞ, ᚾᛟ ᛖᛋᚲᚨᛈᛖ, ᛟᚾᛚᚤ ᛖᚾᛞᛚᛖᛋᛋᚾᛖᛋᛋ. ᛁᚾᚠᛁᚾᛁᛏᚤ ᛗᚨᚾᛁᚠᛖᛋᛏᛋ ᚨᛋ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛏᚱᚢᛖ ᚠᛟᚱᛗ ᛟᚠ ᛏᚺᛁᛋ ᚱᛖᚨᛚᛁᛏᚤ
ᚠᛟᛚᛚᛟᚹ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚡᛟᛁᚲᛖᛋ, ᚠᛟᛚᛚᛟᚹ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛚᛁᚷᚺᛏ, ᚨᚲᚲᛖᛈᛏ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛟᚾᛚᚤ ᚠᚨᛏᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛈᛟᛋᛋᛖᛋᛋ ᚨᚾᛞ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᛋᛟᚢᛚ ᛋᚺᚨᛚᛚ ᚠᛁᚾᚨᛚᛚᚤ ᛒᛖ ᚨᛏ ᛈᛖᚨᚲᛖ
ᛒᛖᚲᛟᛗᛖ ᛟᚾᛖ, ᛒᛖᚲᛟᛗᛖ ᚨᛈᚨᚱᛏ ᛟᚠ ᚢᛋ
Author: n/a (archived version)
Rewritten by and Current Authors: WindXD and Irri
Images:
Background image - Background image is l'Aéroport International Montréal-Mirabel located in Quebec, Canada; actual image source is undetermined.
First image banner - By u/Suitable-Concert on r/LiminalSpace (https://www.reddit.com/r/LiminalSpace/comments/p5w0nz/theres_no_liminal_space_like_an_airport_with/).
Second image - By u/ChickensOneFour on r/LiminalSpace (https://www.reddit.com/r/LiminalSpace/comments/jttfz1/arrival/).
Third image - By @shirandesilva68 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o968nh61R88&ab_channel=ShiranDeSilva); assumably edited by Jorpis.
Fourth image - By anubisdeath666 on Deviantart (https://www.deviantart.com/anubisdeath666/art/Empty-Airport-Terminal-285214678).
Fifth image - By u/konadora on r/singapore (https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/iwvuf9/never_seen_our_airport_this_empty_inside_of/); assumably edited by Jorpis.
Sixth image - By website Spunik Globle on (https://sputnikglobe.com/20200505/crucial-opportunities-missed-as-under-300-arrivals-to-uk-quarantined-before-covid-19-lockdown-1079200853.html?chat_room_id=1079200853). Image was taken in London, England; assumably edited by Recession97.
Seventh image - By deleted user on r/LiminalSpace (https://www.reddit.com/r/LiminalSpace/comments/itwk9m/empty_airport/).
Eighth image - Taken from deleted user profile in youtube, the image taken in Bradley West Terminal Modernization.
| Levels | Futuristic Halls │ J. Barry Mental Asylum │ ⍟ Abyss Inn │ Numbered Doors │ Out of Order │ Otherworldly │ The Attic │ Artistic View │ Roller Rink │ Dead Mall │ Desolate Terminal │ Video Rental Store │ Surreal Continuum │ Arabian Desert │ The Moribund Highway │ ⍟ Greenfield Campus │ Alone │ Stairwell Of Spirals │ Shooting Gallery │ Downtown Diner│ Shocking Anomaly │ Anemoia │ Soundless Solitude │ 261 Turner Lane │ Level 13? │ ⍟ A Brass Number 6 │ Grayscale Halls │ Unrecognized Landscape │ Lukewarm Hotel │ Solitude Snow │ Cold Light Sea │ The Tranquil Disruption │ Blue Horizon |
|---|---|
| Themes | Liminal Theme |
| Objects | ⍟ Carpet Fluid |