Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 177
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work Episode 177
Blue Mascot.
The strange being that had changed my boarding pass to a membership card. It had even put out a missing person alert, treating me as a lost child when I escaped from the gate.
The more I think about it, the more eerie that cute appearance in the form of a blue dragon becomes…
Good child!
It’s strangely friendly.
Now, just seeing that appearance somehow brings me peace.
I approached right up to the gate and waved my hand at the Blue Mascot who seemed at a loss.
Realizing once again that we couldn’t cross into each other’s zones, the Blue Mascot looked a bit dejected but soon enthusiastically waved back together with me.
Several visitors around the gate smiled and looked at the sight of two mascots waving at each other across the gate.
Good child
came
to see me
And I realized something strange.
‘The words… I can hear them in more detail.’
That is, beyond the mascot’s characteristic short words, like the deep and great voice I had heard before.
But it doesn’t feel as oppressive as it did then, enough to make me cough up blood.
Pure will seems to seep through and be conveyed.
Is it because we’re both mascots?
Right now, the Blue Mascot seems to be speaking with two meanings combined: “You finally came to see me” and “I’m so happy and grateful that you came to see me like this.”
Is such rich communication possible between mascots?
‘If so… that means the visitors around us can’t understand this level of meaning.’
More direct communication would be possible.
I
want to play
!
Why
did you invite me?
At the theme park, we definitely promised to play together, but why do I have to work even here when I came?
At my words asking why it invited me if this was going to happen, the Blue Mascot fidgets restlessly and opens its mouth.
And what it says is…
Can play
…!
Make our zone
together
What?
And the Blue Mascot showed me some kind of vision.
‘…!’
Creating a zone that the Yellow Zone and Blue Zone use jointly.
‘Ah!’
I see! This is how we can make the third zone!
That’s how we spend time together.
Then I can cross over to the Blue Zone! The blue dragon can also come over to the Yellow Zone!
The rules that visitors must follow would double, but the fun would double too!
And since our rules don’t conflict, we can definitely create it.
We can happily spend eternity enjoying each other’s theme parks in this wonderful Cheerful Theme Park, cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyfully and cheerfully and joyful…
‘…!’
I bit my tongue.
…Barely, my head escapes from that vision…
‘I almost… went along with it.’
The Blue Mascot’s will seems to be contaminating me. No good.
Even without malice, it was dangerous.
‘Expanding the work now would be suicidal.’
I waved my hand to calm the Blue Mascot and said.
Just
what if I quit
instead
What if I just quit being a mascot and cross over to the Blue Zone as a customer?
But the Blue Mascot sadly lowers its head.
No good
…
Must have
mascot
An activated theme park zone must have a mascot.
So I can’t just quit being a mascot carelessly.
‘As expected.’
I knew it would be like this.
Still, if I forcibly quit, the danger that would follow is…
Good child
disappear
‘…!!’
This Yellow Mascot would remain as it is.
And I, no longer a mascot… would separate from the mascot and disappear.
However, if already deeply assimilated with the mascot’s identity, all self and power would be sucked into the mascot, leaving a situation where there isn’t even ‘waste to be discarded’…
‘No!’
It’s only the fourth day. I… haven’t assimilated that much with the mascot yet!
I haven’t lost myself to the point where my existence would disappear just from quitting being a mascot!
I know who I am. It was okay.
As a non-mascot, I can leave!
‘…Phew.’
I barely managed to grab onto the gate for support with my trembling hands.
The creepy urge to immediately tear off this mascot mask, the reluctance about whether I could actually take it off, and the stability provided by its softness and comfort all swirled together in my mind….
I
Good child
Protect
The Blue Mascot spoke restlessly.
While my becoming a resort mascot wasn’t what the Blue Dragon had intended, it seemed like he could provide sufficient help and advice on that matter as well.
As if he would give me his full support.
And from somewhere, other Blue Mascots began rushing toward the gate in a group.
They were carrying envelopes in their hands.
They quietly tossed the envelopes over the gate, and I caught them well.
Visitors nearby applauded as if they were watching something entertaining.
And when I slightly opened the envelope to peek inside, what was packed full inside was….
‘Cheerful coins…!’
Nearly a hundred blue and red coins were contained in the envelope.
It seemed like he was settling the accommodation event he had arbitrarily organized. But wait….
Too much
It’s fine
The Blue Mascot seemed somewhat triumphant.
Good child
Also came
Good grief.
But it seemed like mascots who had successfully operated their zones for a long time were wealthy. Since it didn’t seem like he was overexerting himself, I’ll accept it for now.
I can invest it in the resort. No, there might be somewhere to use it!
‘…Let me pull myself together.’
I organized my thoughts while putting the envelope in the mascot’s belly pocket.
‘I need to hurry.’
As soon as the third zone opens, I need to quickly stamp my boarding pass and escape while quitting as a mascot.
‘I can’t… endure this anymore.’
I need to quickly find additional employees and proceed with the Mascot Ceremony Ritual.
The plan hasn’t changed. Let’s stick to it.
And my instincts as a mascot were telling me I should gradually return inside the resort.
It was resort operating hours, so being away from my post longer than necessary would be negligence.
Let me quickly ask the Blue Dragon what he needs and go.
Ceremony ritual
How do?
Joyfully!
The Blue Mascot raised his hand.
His ceremony ritual was a fireworks display.
Beautiful lights bursting over the water park reflected on the water surface, reminding him of his nostalgic deep sea ■■, though now it had grown faint… what?
‘Ah, anyway. So it’s the theme park’s unique event.’
It seemed like you could choose according to the mascot’s preferences. For example… Magic Bunny’s seemed to be a parade.
Mine would probably be similar.
Thank you
The Blue Mascot became somewhat triumphant again.
Then he grabbed something else that another version of himself had brought over and hurriedly offered it to me.
Good child
Gift
Snacks.
It was full of treats sold at the water park. From hot dogs to chocolate. And just like before… even churros.
‘…!!’
Wait a minute.
[Blue Soda Churros]
An item that makes you vomit contamination in the form of seawater when eaten.
The description wasn’t accurate, and since it originated from a ghost story, I hadn’t used it until now unless it was an extremely urgent situation with no other options… but now the creator is right in front of me!
I picked up the churros and waved them.
In detail
Tell me
The Blue Mascot looked at me blankly as if he had heard an incomprehensible question.
Wait a minute.
An unintended effect…?
‘….’
I looked at the churros.
If it’s just a natural mechanism.
Usually in ghost stories, when you eat food from within the ghost story… what happens?
In countless legends, what happens when you fall into a strange and mysterious place and eat food from that place?
-You become part of that world.
Right.
When humans eat the theme park’s food, they gradually transform into beings suitable for this theme park…!
‘So that’s why I was vomiting other contaminations.’
Things that didn’t suit the theme park!
The realization made my head tingle, but instead of excitement, a chilling shock took over.
‘Then….’
It’s completely useless for Jang Heo-un.
Jang Heo-un, who came back to life as an employee, is already a being perfectly suited to the theme park.
Because he’s a ghost story.
‘….’
It has no effect at all.
Good child
Sad?
I don’t know.
‘…I have to do what needs to be done.’
I moved on to the next topic.
I need
this
I earnestly appealed by making the shape of a fluffy stuffed doll with my front paws.
Good Friend doll.
Obtaining that item, originally from the Cheerful Theme Park gift shop, was one of the many reasons I had entered here.
However, the Blue Mascot shook its head.
Here
none
Ah.
Right, it wouldn’t fit the theme to sell furry stuffed dolls at a water park. They’d rather sell cute tubes. Damn it!
I need
this
Then couldn’t I somehow get one from the Magic Bunny Zone?
No
dangerous
Magic Bunny is a crazy bastard.
Do you really think something from that gift shop would actually help you? …That’s how it could be summarized.
‘…When you put it that way, it’s a bit.’
It was a valid point, but still, the power of Good Friend had been proven in the .
It wouldn’t matter which zone of which theme park it was.
Need it
I’ll help with anything!
Eventually, the Blue Mascot drooped its horns and ears and nodded.
Dangerous
I’ll try to get it if possible.
But it didn’t forget to emphasize until the end to stay away from Magic Bunny and never approach that zone.
Of course, I would keep that in mind too.
‘It’s fortunate that the Blue Zone is in between.’
I grimaced as I recalled the terrible state of the red team where only Lee Seong-hae had survived.
Come to think of it, I really wondered how Lee Seong-hae managed to survive outside after operations had closed…
Huh?
Good child?
I turned my head.
Just now.
Something had happened at the resort.
The Yellow Mascot could tell. A commotion had occurred in my zone. I needed to know!
Let’s return!
I
have to go
The Blue Mascot’s eyes quietly looked at me.
Already
there
…!
Come to think of it.
The Blue Mascot couldn’t distinguish between a special individual and a Standard Mascot.
All the mascot suits were Blue Dragons, and the Blue Mascot could freely move all of its bodies.
The Blue Mascot was all of them, so.
The Blue Zone was his.
And…
The Yellow Zone is mine.
Good child
also at
resort
I understood that teaching as if entranced.
And so, the me inside the resort.
I focused my consciousness on the Standard Mascot. Then…
I became it.
‘…!’
When I blinked, I was a mascot standing guard inside the resort.
‘My God.’
However, before I could feel any surprise or dizziness about that, I witnessed a shocking scene.
Lee Ja-heon was restraining Lee Seong-hae in the lobby.
‘…?!’
And that wasn’t the end of it.
Next to the restrained Lee Seong-hae, I could see someone’s limbs sprawled out like garbage.
That blood was soaking the lobby.
The dead Ladybug Employee.
A knife was stuck in his neck, blood gushing out. As if he had tried to stop the bleeding by grabbing his neck before dying, his hands were also covered in blood…
‘…!!’
And there was blood splattered on the restrained Lee Seong-hae’s uniform as well.
All the circumstances pointed to one conclusion.
…Lee Seong-hae had killed the Ladybug Employee.
“Heh, Manager, it’s fine. I did what I had to do!”
However, Manager Lee Ja-heon did not release the restraints.
But when our eyes met, surprisingly the Standard Mascot seemed to recognize that it was me, and came over carrying the restrained Lee Seong-hae.
“Huh?”
Why
“Oh, the mascot is here.”
Lee Seong-hae spoke in a calm voice.
“Um, can the cost of restarting that person be deducted from my salary? I don’t mind not being able to take anything from the gift shop….”
Why
Did you kill him
Lee Seong-hae looked at Heo-un.
The resort employee who was no longer wearing the buffalo mask.
“You killed that good person for no reason.”
…!
“If given the chance, you’d kill other people too, so we can’t just leave you alone! Honestly, having you dead would be more beneficial for the resort anyway.”
My head was spinning.
But do you know what the problem is?
…Somewhere inside me, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
Moreover, the guests weren’t disturbed either.
Rather, some were clapping as if they’d seen an entertaining show, or trying to give tips to Lee Seong-hae.
So….
That’s even more problematic.
That’s
My job
Punishing the Ladybug Employee should have been my job as the mascot.
Whether I made him serve the horrible toxic bath users at the spa, forced him to run around doing room service, or made him fulfill any guest requests – that should have been my decision.
But….
“But the mascot seems too kind.”
….
“This kind of thing should be done by someone like me who doesn’t get stressed!”
Sigh.
There’s no
Such person
“…!”
From now on
Consult me
Always
“…Yes, yes.”
In the end, I had the Standard Mascot demote Lee Seong-hae to spa cleaning duty.
Actually, it seemed more like a token punishment for overstepping authority rather than a real demotion.
Whether I should be grateful, scared, or horrified, I don’t know myself… ha.
‘My head hurts.’
I gritted my teeth and revived the Ladybug Employee too.
…Though I’m not sure if this can be called revival.
“I will work diligently, Mascot!”
With this, there were two deaths.
Two people had been replaced with perfect employees.
“….”
Manager Lee Ja-heon seemed to be quietly staring at me for some reason, but I avoided his gaze and went to the front desk.
I was exhausted.
But there was an employee who looked like Jang Heo-un there.
‘Damn it, really.’
Let’s just work.
Work faster and escape quickly….
Next
And it was when we were receiving guests.
“Team Leader, those are Daydream guys!”
…!
“Hey, I have eyes too. It’s not like I haven’t seen those crazy bastards from Disaster Management once or twice, so stop making a fuss.”
…A familiar title.
It was a whispered, quiet voice, but since the Standard Mascot was nearby, I could hear it.
“Still, we should note that the person is working normally. Got it, Go Myeong-i?”
I looked up.
Two people wearing Disaster Management Bureau coats were approaching the front desk.
‘…!’
My goodness.
The person with a friendly but somehow strong-looking appearance, who was called ‘Team Leader,’ came forward and… spoke to me.
“Hello?”
Hello
“Um, we came to ask about something.”
And the Team Leader looked at me and explained.
“We heard that a customer wearing a hoodie and jeans, who looks similar to us, recently checked in.”
That civilian.
This was definitely a response to a rescue request for that person.
Then these people are….
‘One of the other Hyeonmu teams…!’
My goodness.
And while I’d seen the faces of Team 2 next door coming and going for several weeks, these people were unfamiliar.
Then there’s only one possibility.
‘Hyeonmu Team 3!’
“Could you tell us which room that customer is staying in?”
I barely managed to answer the Hyeonmu Team 3 Leader.
Personal information
No
“…You certainly have strong work ethics?”
“Right?”
The Hyeonmu Team 3 people who had been staring blankly at me soon turned their gaze to look at the ‘Employee’.
“Excuse me, isn’t there another way?”
“I’m sorry, Customer! As our mascot said, our Flower Golden Resort cannot leak our precious guests’ personal information. Is there anything else we can help you with?”
“Ah, then….”
“Wait a minute.”
At that moment, the Team Manager who had been observing the Employee closely stiffened.
She approached closer and examined the front desk Employee’s build. Then she peered into the eyes of the one wearing the Yellow Mascot Mask….
“…Cleanup Team Rookie?”
…!
She recognized Jang Heo-un.
“Why is he here… No, this place isn’t registered, right? That’s why we assigned two people, isn’t it?”
“What? Yes! That’s right. And that rookie, as far as I know, was on vacation….”
“….”
“….”
The Two Agents closed their mouths and looked at Employee Jang Heo-un.
And….
“How may I help you, Customer?”
A small curse escaped from the Hyeonmu Team 3 Leader’s mouth before disappearing back inside.
…Still, the two people showed the quick composure characteristic of those familiar with such situations and regained their calm.
They looked at me with more subdued eyes than before, but didn’t forget their purpose for visiting.
“…You said you can’t tell us which room the customer is staying in. Then make a phone call to the customer. Tell them we’re here.”
Okay
I gladly granted that request.
And the civilian was startled several times and didn’t answer the phone, then even after finally answering, was so terrified that he hung up or cried several times, but eventually believed the words that they had come to rescue him and came downstairs.
The problem was….
Room amenities
Damaged
In the process, he had broken several items in the room….
“…!!”
“I was startled…! I’m, I’m sorry….”
It’s okay
Payment
I’ll help
I politely extended both hands to the civilian.
But naturally, the civilian didn’t have the means to pay.
Realizing this, the Team Manager pushed him back and stood in front of me.
“Even without money, can he repay in other ways?”
Hmm.
Work
“…!?”
I extended my hand to point at the companion.
And made a shocking proposal.
Three people
Two days
Or….
Or else
You alone
Six days
The civilian I pointed at froze.
“Th, th, that’s….”
The Agents immediately shielded the civilian.
And the Team Manager calmly checked.
“If we say we’ll work, do we change into that form by any chance?”
While pointing at Jang Heo-un.
….
“Or can we work like the other employees?”
If I had been a real mascot, I might not have understood what those words meant.
But I understand.
You can
I nodded.
It’s okay
Bad employee
Gone now
“….”
The Agents flinched.
The Hyeonmu Team 3 Leader looked at me as if gauging something.
And after about several dozen seconds passed, she declared.
“…Alright. The three of us want to work here.”
“Team Manager!”
“Yes. Think of it all as good experience. And you know….”
The Team Manager glanced at the sneakers.
More precisely, she meant some item that brought to mind the laces tied to them.
An escape item.
“I brought it.”
“…!”
The Agents ultimately protected the civilian and seemed to decide to look for opportunities to rescue Jang Heo-un if possible.
The three people received employment contracts, read them carefully, and signed.
…With that, all employees were filled.
‘….’
Now the last one.
It’s time to prepare the ceremony.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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