Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 224

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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 224

“Bronze Agent.”

“Yes.”

Ryu Jae-gwan, who had been waiting, looked up.

“I’ll guide you.”

It had been barely a day since the ‘Man in the Screen’ incident was resolved. The main building of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau was still somewhat chaotic with the aftermath.

It was a simultaneous crisis serious enough to call not only Genbu Team 1, who were on duty that day, but also Genbu Team 3, who were off duty.

And because it was connected to a broadcasting station and could have escalated into a major fatal accident, it was barely suppressed by the power of public authority.

Moreover… the development was suspicious.

‘Looking back, the timing of the report was exquisite.’

Usually when a supernatural disaster first occurs, it’s difficult to contact the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau.

Ordinary people don’t know that number in the first place, and it’s impossible for the Disaster Management Bureau to pre-deploy numbers when it first occurs.

But they called immediately before even confirming whether casualties had occurred.

‘It had to be strange.’

Sure enough, as a result of interrogating the PD.

‘Experts in suits wearing masks’ came and tampered with the editing room, and afterward that ‘company’ introduced them to the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau’s number, he testified.

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like Daydream had been collecting naturally concluded supernatural disasters from the past, but when the problem grew bigger after meddling with them, they dumped it on the Disaster Management Bureau.

Though they were officially denying it vehemently.

Bronze pressed under his eyes where dark circles had settled.

‘Trash company.’

Therefore, bringing over one Daydream employee was praised as a really good decision for collecting additional information.

…Actually, that wasn’t the only reason.

Moreover, one person who seemed to be from an elite team used an item instantly to escape, so they missed them by a hair’s breadth.

It was regrettable.

“Well, it’s fortunate that things were handled well.”

“…Yes.”

The administrative agent who was guiding him casually struck up a conversation.

“I heard they decided not to use the title Episode 6 for now, is that right?”

“Yes. I heard they’re jumping straight to Episode 7.”

The solution came out like this.

Until the ‘Man in the Screen’ disappears, they won’t use the title Episode 6 itself for a while.

And the broadcasting station preemptively made a fuss as if they were using the ‘Man in the Screen’ ghost story virally, spreading Episode 6 skip marketing.

A method that cleanly drives away the mysterious eeriness, even if they get cursed for tactless and failed marketing.

The two deaths would be quietly processed as overwork or accidental deaths, and afterward the broadcasting station would regain stability through overall memory incineration of incident personnel.

Though there was a difference in scale… it felt familiar.

Because it was similar to the method once used by a new agent in the White Tiger Team, who had affectionately earned the nickname Destruction King.

“…Um, Agent? We’ve arrived.”

“Ah. …Thank you.”

So Bronze felt an even stranger sensation.

Something like a presence.

His direct junior who had disappeared six months ago, leaving only a carefully written letter and a pile of items, came to mind.

Grape Agent.

…Kim Sol-eum.

It felt like a sign that he couldn’t make mistakes here.

“You may enter.”

He entered the guided location.

A place somewhat removed from the area for confirming supernatural disaster survivors. Specifically, a detention room for temporarily isolating ‘dangerous persons according to testimony.’

A place called the protection room.

The stage before the glass prison.

“Oh, nice to meet you. Agent!”

Bronze Agent sees someone who still hasn’t lost their smile even in the protection room.

An employee from the Field Investigation Team wearing a pony mask.

“The jjajangmyeon was delicious! The food here is really good. Haha, and it’s free too.”

Though he won’t give his real name, his characteristics have already been identified.

“So, if you just match the amount, I’ll tell you everything.”

An extreme materialist.

“However, things directly related to my work that day… no, I could get disciplined by the company, I could get fired. A ‘small gesture’ won’t be enough.”

“…”

And Bronze Agent was familiar with such people.

Though cases this extreme were rare.

“Citizen. This is not a transaction.”

Bronze Agent announced with sunken eyes.

“The small gesture we provide is a token of appreciation given as thanks for information, and exercising the right to remain silent is an act that the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau cannot allow for safety reasons.”

“…”

“And avoiding testimony to the end is judged as a dangerous situation.”

Bronze Agent seemed like he wouldn’t feel sorry at all even if it came to that situation.

“It means measures other than protection could be implemented.”

However, the Daydream employee didn’t bat an eye.

“After that, I think I might call for an even bigger amount considering mental damage compensation!”

“…”

“Of course, instead of going that far, I think we can match the amount under smooth agreement. Hahaha!”

He was an incredible guy.

Bronze Agent looked at the typical and selfish low-level Daydream employee in front of him and held back a sigh.

Someone judged as evil, but who hadn’t committed that many evil acts yet.

Since the scales of evil hadn’t completely tipped yet, the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau wouldn’t place this person in a position requiring sacrifice either.

The usual procedure would be to imprison him in a glass prison to prevent false testimony and proceed with interrogation, but…

‘…Should I just send him.’

To the Nightmare Maze.

Once he experiences it, his attitude will change.

He was considering whether to look for a spot right away when.

Click.

The protection room door opens and another person enters.

“…Agent.”

“Ugh, this is tough.”

Bronze Agent held back a sigh as he watched Agent Choi, who grinned and waved at him, then also waved at the Daydream employee before pulling over a chair to sit down.

“I stopped by after finishing work. Hey, I had a hand in the transport too, so we should chat a few times to build rapport. Don’t you think so, employee?”

“Forget rapport, please pay in gold, hahaha!”

“Hahaha, very straightforward!”

Agent Choi, who sat casually in the chair and lowered his posture, hardened his voice.

“But even if we want to give you gold. We need to know something useful for an exchange to happen.”

“…”

“Did you think information from a team leader who hasn’t even completed 2 years in the Field Investigation Team would have that kind of value?”

Kang I-hak laughed heartily.

“You brought me here because there is value, didn’t you?”

“We bet on probability.”

Agent Choi rested his chin on his hand as if pondering, then raised both hands as if he had lost.

“Good! For now, spill everything you know. I’ll match the price as much as possible.”

“Oh!”

“How about gold as advance payment? I’ve got jade too.”

“Wow, that’s the best!”

Bronze Agent looked at Agent Choi with an expression of disbelief, but Agent Choi maintained his smooth attitude with a slightly troubled look.

And he actually brought in an accessory made of real gold and jade into the Protection Room.

“…!”

Kang I-hak caught what fell into his hands.

He could tell by touch.

‘Pure gold.’

He could tell by weight.

‘At least ten don.’

Even trading just the gold without considering craftsmanship or historical value, it was worth over five hundred.

Considering the jade too… this was!

“Nice, right? If the Q&A goes well, you can take it with you when you leave. We won’t stop you.”

“Agent sir.”

“And if the information is useful… who knows? I might accidentally drop one or two more.”

“Agent sir, I understand now. The Disaster Management Bureau is a righteous and wonderful organization that works for citizens, while also being flexible enough to handle work efficiently…!”

“Well, of course.”

“Please ask me anything you’re curious about. I’ll even tell you my father’s Columbarium number.”

“Oh my, that’s not necessary.”

Agent Choi didn’t stop Kang I-hak from quickly pocketing the accessory.

He just asked casually.

“Then let me start with this question as a test…”

It was.

“Do you know about Noru?”

Bronze Agent stopped moving.

At the same time, he barely held back his fists from clenching in tension.

Noru.

…Grape Agent.

They hadn’t been able to find a trace for half a year.

Go Young-eun, who had been suspected of being a spy, kept repeating that she didn’t know his whereabouts, and that was the truth.

The letter clearly said he wanted to go home and was going to the Company for a wish ticket, but he had vanished without a trace.

And yesterday, Agent Choi’s slightly trembling voice when he urgently called to request the transfer of a Daydream Employee.

-Grape… took a wish ticket, they say.

-….

They hadn’t believed in the wish ticket’s power from the start.

But if Kim Sol-eum really had his wish granted and safely quit, then where exactly was he?

Only questions remained.

And once again, the answer they’d heard to exhaustion came back.

“Ah, he was my colleague. And he went missing. You already know that fact, don’t you? But I didn’t know he took a wish ticket either.”

“….”

“I’m being 100% honest with you. For future trust.”

Talking about trust.

He must have guessed that the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau could prevent false statements, yet his mouth was still alive.

Bronze Agent frowned, but Agent Choi fell into deep silence for some reason before changing his question.

“Then how much do you know about the Security Team?”

“The Security Team?”

“Yeah. You traveled with one of them, right? The Field Investigation Team usually doesn’t work with the Security Team… it was a special mission, wasn’t it?”

“….”

Bronze Agent had heard this story too.

‘That Security Team member testified about the wish ticket, didn’t they.’

So he thought they were going to dig deeper in that direction, but Agent Choi twisted the conversation in a strange direction.

“Do you happen to know about this kind of Security Team member?”

A description of a peculiar employee.

“Black smoke follows around them, and their head has a massive pile of horns. Wearing a gas mask… and their eyes… were yellow.”

….

“Agent sir, that’s…”

Agent Choi kicked Bronze Agent once under the desk with his foot, then continued after it became quiet.

“The Security Team member who was with you seemed to be acquainted with that employee…”

“Huh?”

Kang I-hak blinked.

“Didn’t you also meet that ’employee’ at that place, Agent sir?”

“….”

A terrible silence fell.

“What are you saying right now.”

“I thought you knew and were asking!”

Kang I-hak said casually.

“The Mobile Unit. The one that Security Team member was holding.”

….

“Mobile Unit.”

“Yes!”

35cm wide, 50cm long, 36cm high.

A cage entrance size of only two adult male hand spans.

A portable item.

“That’s the employee.”

A strange chill rose through the air.

“They’re inside it.”

I came out of the Mobile Unit.

With the bell I received from Hae-geum Agent hidden in my hand.

Jingle.

[Oh, Friend. Today was quite a thrilling day too. Wasn’t it?]

Yeah.

No, I mean…

If I had been in my original body, I would have been drenched in cold sweat.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

I lay on the Containment Room Bed, recalling what had just happened.

Hae-geum Agent generously let us go after only giving me the bell, and the Security Chief and I safely returned to the Company.

‘I heard Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae also came back safely and submitted the USB.’

It seemed to be processed as a success, but it would probably be officially settled tomorrow during work hours.

Anyway, the Security Chief also returned to his living area according to my newly designated containment rules, leaving only the mobile unit in the containment room.

Ding-a-ling.

‘I wonder if he’s meeting with Park Min-seong right now.’

It’s my break time now too.

Anyway, I was relieved it was resolved safely… though it left a bitter taste since we’re dumping it on the Disaster Management Bureau.

‘Should I say Daydream Company acted like Daydream Company…’

They played a part in this, yet they’re giving me something as thanks to Hae-geum Agent – I wonder if this is right.

…Learning that my identity as the resort’s owner still remains with me did leave a strange impression though.

‘Am I happy about it?’

Maybe I am.

I adjusted the angle so I wouldn’t be visible on CCTV, picked up the bell with my hand, and gently shook it.

Ding-a-ling.

I heard it from the mobile unit too, but it had a clear and pure resonance.

It felt like impurities were pleasantly falling away.

‘…Could this be why agents carry bells around?’

Like the one Agent Choi attached to his cleaver.

It wasn’t… particularly important though.

I suspect it might drive away contamination… though I have doubts about whether it would be useful for me.

Ding-a-ling.

Still, the sound was nice. It made me keep listening, and it seemed to lighten my head.

Ding-a-ling.

I found myself strangely focusing on that sound.

…I wondered if Brown could hear it too.

[Noru.]

Can you hear it?

[Of course I can hear it well! Oh, and I also have a question for my dear friend.]

[How are you feeling right now?]

How am I feeling? Troubled.

After realizing I’m not human, and that my body would flow away without this suit, it’s not easy to feel good…

The labor law-violating employment contract that mortgaged my life to Daydream Company also played a part…

…

Ding-a-ling.

Wait.

[Oh, finally.]

I bolted upright from the bed.

‘…What is this?’

Why.

Can I think?

My thoughts don’t sink down as if crushed, flowing away, or consumed by mist.

Dynamism.

Naturalness.

Though I don’t feel distinct emotions, the things I used to do, the direction of thought that flowed naturally by inertia…

It works.

Ding-a-ling.

‘…!’

[For the damage seen at the resort to return like this, it truly couldn’t be more of a dramatic reversal.]

[Congratulations, friend!]

I am myself.

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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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