Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 269

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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 269

The results of the second exploration of Segwang Special City.

“Rescue… successful.”

News came from the Disaster Management Bureau that Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae had regained consciousness.

And the gimmick of ‘awakening in reality when dying in Segwang Special City’s subway’ had worked successfully.

“Everyone’s saying their heads hurt like hell from getting shot, but other than that, they’re relatively fine. The government official even woke up laughing.”

My companions awakened in reality after dying in the order they were ‘selected’ in Russian roulette.

“He was laughing when he woke up, but once he grasped the situation, he couldn’t laugh anymore.”

Everyone except me, that is.

After that, for about an hour, I remained unconscious.

My companions apparently went through all sorts of worries and even reached the point of half-threatening Ho Yu-won.

“If you’d been a little later, we were really about to make plans to head straight into the Special City. Fortunately, you woke up before that…”

…Phew.

I looked at myself, once again returned to something non-human, wearing the black security team special uniform.

And I saw an interior with a warm, gentle landscape that seemed completely out of place with it, as if bright sunlight was streaming in.

The Fox Counseling Room.

As promised, Ho Yu-won had ‘intercepted’ the passage that transmitted through the well to the Disaster Management Bureau and connected it to another location.

For hospitalization

Rest area ^^

This space was a sealed room connected from the corner of a cabinet next to the waiting room, seemingly newly constructed.

People awakened one by one on beds in this place that looked like a hospital room, with each person’s name engraved like a chart.

Incidentally, right next to me, the agents who had been relieved to see me awaken were now having a stern conversation with Ho Yu-won about this situation.

“How is this even possible?”

“You’re finally talking! Earlier it was all threats, which was really scary…”

He didn’t seem inclined to answer the Disaster Management Bureau agent. I figured as much.

Anyway, the important thing was that Ho Yu-won would obsessively do ‘whatever it takes’ to support anything related to Segwang Special City exploration.

…Whatever happened in the process.

Anyway, as soon as the agents confirmed I had calmed down somewhat, they tried to figure out what had happened…

“What reckless thing did you do this time?”

[Oh. That’s more of a certainty than a question, friend!]

Ah, no.

I hastily explained the situation.

At my explanation using smoke and writing, the agents looked like they wanted to grab my head and slam it if only I weren’t a horned gas mask monster, but they gradually lost their momentum when I mentioned that Go Young-eun had taken me and fled.

It was the empathy of those who had already experienced that kind of devastating situation.

“…Agent Park Ha helped you.”

Affirmative

Without Go Young-eun, there was an extremely high probability I would have had all my body parts stripped and been working as a dealer in there.

And…

“Did you happen to hear why Agent Park Ha was in that disaster?”

…

“Mr. Noru? Why are you looking at me?”

Following my gaze, everyone’s eyes turned to Ho Yu-won.

Question: Selection criteria for spy personnel

“I’m not sure why I should tell you that.”

Selection criteria for spy personnel

Speculation: Selection of individuals related to Segwang Special City

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

And he lowered his eyebrows as if feeling sorry.

“But it’s really unfortunate… That person seems to be completely trapped in Segwang Special City. Unable to escape even through death.”

…

“But don’t worry. You can help that person while proceeding with my project.”

Son of a bitch.

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je asked for understanding from the others and gathered just me and Section Chief Lee Ja-heon to speak quietly.

“No matter how I think about it, this seems like a lure… Doesn’t it seem like he’s drawn up a big picture to keep people tied to his project?”

I moved my smoke with a coldly settled feeling.

Agree

I don’t know when or how he drew up this picture, but I doubt Ho Yu-won was unaware that Go Young-eun was from Segwang Special City.

‘There’s no way that bastard who’s so obsessed with Segwang Special City wouldn’t know.’

The same goes for what he said as soon as I woke up.

-Have you found a reason to go back in?

…As if he knew Go Young-eun was trapped in that city.

‘Same with selecting Jang Heo-un, who’s related to the Joyful Research Institute.’

And… even selecting me.

I have a definite feeling it wasn’t simply choosing employees with personalities that would pass through the Disaster Management Bureau.

I heard Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je sigh.

“No wonder that bastard was so half-hearted about setting this exploration’s objectives. He was planning to throw us back in.”

“Ha-je, everyone can hear you.”

“Yes. Let them hear. I’m talking about my cat at home.”

She was fed up with superiors and everything else.

And while that was refreshing, it left me with complicated feelings.

‘How far ahead has he seen?’

Of course, it won’t affect my decision.

I’d already decided to continue exploring Segwang Special City to learn more about this ghost story world and the circumstances of my summoning.

But this strange ominousness and unpleasantness continues to leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

“Be careful.”

Agree

The one thing that was reassuring and comforting in this situation was this.

That we had achieved our objective.

“Lee Seong-hae is coming.”

The fact that we had properly rescued Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae. And he was in a surprisingly sound mental state.

“Hello there, Mr. Noru!”

The very next day.

Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae appeared in the Fox Counseling Room, brought by Ho Yu-won.

He said he was released only after passing the Disaster Management Bureau’s ‘inspection’ and providing sufficient information, but the surprising thing was that his eyes were exactly the same as before.

Clear eyes that sparkled with green light.

“Thank you all so much!”

Moreover, he showed no changes in speech patterns, PTSD symptoms, or signs of distress.

Occasionally he would try to use dealer speech patterns, or casually drop extensive knowledge about casinos.

“Hmm, I think the contamination from the Body Casino probably couldn’t escape because it was blocked by the containment.”

“No, contamination aside, it’s hard to believe this is someone whose entire body was dismembered piece by piece.”

“Huh? Pain is only momentary. It doesn’t hurt now, so why would it be difficult?”

He was even nonchalant about it.

Considering how we suffered for weeks after getting caught in the snare at the First Station, it was all the more bizarre.

[Ah, like a wolf among sheep. You could say it’s an innate difference.]

That might have felt even more bizarre, but I was blocked by something else.

An unmistakably clear aftereffect.

“But this won’t move.”

His legs.

…The body parts that Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae couldn’t retrieve from the casino wouldn’t move at all.

He had even traveled to the Fox Counseling Center in a wheelchair.

“Do you have sensation?”

“Faintly? But there’s also strange phantom pain, and the phrase ‘held as collateral’ really fits perfectly. It feels like my will doesn’t reach them.”

His legs looked completely fine from the outside, and probably wouldn’t show any abnormalities even if examined.

But the effect was clear.

“The eye I exchanged can barely see anything either. Hmm.”

‘If I hadn’t been able to steal my arms and pelvis from the rail…’

…I secretly breathed a sigh of relief that such a chilling result hadn’t occurred.

However.

“…Grape.”

Agent Choi looked at me.

“Agent Park Ha carried you on her back and ran, right? With a 150cm frame?”

Ah.

“Come to think of it, sitting all the time must be stiff too. Should our Grape also try standing up and walking?”

…

Sigh.

Legs unusable

Reason: Claimed by casino

“…!”

Right.

Actually, my legs weren’t listening to me either.

This was an unavoidable situation.

But still.

“Noru, are you unable to move?”

Negative:

Movement possible

That wasn’t the case.

“Show us.”

Like this.

I ‘moved’ to another chair without moving my legs.

“…!”

Black smoke swirled around me as I appeared in another spot as if melting into it.

It was a truly inhuman appearance, but at least I had freedom of movement.

I appeared here and there like a ghost, connecting through smoke.

Ta-da.

Hehe, well, aside from not being human-like, it wasn’t too bad…

…

…No, wait a minute.

Did I just use an onomatopoeia like ‘ta-da’?

‘…!’

Right after seeing an acquaintance abandoned in an extinction-level disaster.

Calmly?

A chill ran down my spine.

‘Again.’

The seriousness and intense emotions I felt in Segwang Special City were fading.

It was the exact same symptom as when Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae wasn’t waking up.

‘I was worried about what situation Go Young-eun might be in just moments ago.’

…From now on, I’ll have to consciously make an effort to pay attention.

Fortunately, I don’t forget things in my head. I can calculate and make plans.

‘Still, let’s be careful.’

Anyway, I stopped showing off and returned to the chair I was originally sitting in.

And Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae, who had been applauding my acrobatic parade, wasn’t finished speaking yet.

“But I should have said this first, and I’m late.”

Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae said, looking around at us.

“Thank you so much. Thanks to you, I’m alive. Especially Noru, you can’t even use your legs now…”

And he stared at us intently.

“But none of you resent me. Hmm.”

As if confirming.

“You all are… truly good people.”

Our eyes met.

“I must never forget and repay this debt.”

“Hey, what are you talking about repaying? But if you really must repay us, how about quitting that wicked cult company!”

“Ah, that won’t do.”

“Aww. What a shame.”

“Well, I won’t refuse if I can receive help sometime. But more than that…”

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je tapped her missing body part.

“I think Dolphin also needs something like what I have.”

Specifically, equipment to replace her missing left hand.

That’s right.

Recommendation: Obtain auxiliary equipment

Usage period: Until body parts are retrieved from casino

In this world, there are many ways to assist missing body parts.

Just like Baek Sa-heon’s left eye, who right now isn’t opening his mouth once and is sitting quietly, pondering what would be the safest and most beneficial thing to say.

Actually, I needed it too.

‘Since I’ll be legless when I go back into Segwang Special City.’

Besides, there’s a promise.

‘We’.

The reptilian alien group that Manager Lee Ja-heon belongs to said they would bring me something that would allow me to take human form.

But at this rate, even when I return to human form, walking would be impossible, so either way, I needed equipment too.

“I suppose that’s true?”

Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae smiled brightly.

“We have to go rescue Sanyang too.”

…!

“We should help such a kind person. I received great help from them too!”

And after pondering thoughtfully as if calculating, he says.

“I guess we’ll have to return to the company and make some equipment.”

“If you’re making it….”

“We’re going to the annex building.”

I recalled from memory after a long time.

The twilight-grade darkness stored in the annex building, where Daydream employees could get equipment.

[Cheerful Research Lab’s Toy Maker / Qterw-E-07]

[Kind Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99]

[We Offer Sacrifice / Qterw-E-404]

Among these, the Field Investigation Team used the ‘Kind Seed Kit’ most often, but this time… even if it costs more, the other ones seem like they’d be more useful.

However.

“Unfortunately, the company currently doesn’t support equipment creation using the annex building’s darkness….”

“Then we’ll just have to do it secretly.”

Ho Yu-won was momentarily speechless.

“What is the reason for the suspension of equipment creation support?”

“Something happened at the annex building, but I haven’t looked into it in detail so I don’t know.”

“I see. Please look into it.”

“Kup.”

I heard Agent Choi trying to hold back laughter from behind. It seems like Bronze Agent is hitting his back.

“…Then I’ll take that as you agreeing to participate in my project, and I should help you too. You said you needed equipment?”

“Yes. Will the director give special permission?”

“Hmm. Officially it’s impossible, but….”

Ho Yu-won smiled slyly.

“I might be able to help you use it secretly?”

“…!”

“For that to happen….”

Ho Yu-won’s gaze turned toward me.

“We might need internal cooperation….”

Specifically, the Security Team uniform I was wearing.

“Like security personnel?”

And I already knew who Ho Yu-won was trying to talk about.

“Phew.”

Park Min-seong finished his arduous day and unzipped his uniform collar.

Work had been intensifying due to the recent commotion at the annex building.

Since 130666 had been assigned to Director Ho’s personal work, they too were being continuously mobilized despite being somewhat neglected.

‘…I wonder if they’re okay.’

Though he had heard news just once, accustomed to an environment where people died or went missing overnight, he was alternating between worst-case scenarios and best-case hopes….

Since Security Chief J3 was still away for reporting, he sat expressionlessly on the old sofa in the Security Team’s living area.

Just as he was about to close his eyes from fatigue.

“Min-seong.”

…!

Reflexively, he turned his head.

“Deputy Manager…!”

A familiar face was standing behind him.

For a moment he wondered if it was a hallucination caused by darkness, but the hand ruffling his hair had a definite sensation.

“It’s been a while.”

And two shadowy figures visible behind Eun Ha-je.

“Noru, Manager….”

It was an unexpected encounter.

Though the situation and appearance had completely changed so it wasn’t the same as before, Park Min-seong felt the strange sensation of returning to Field Investigation Team D at that familiar formation….

Question: Welfare of Security Team in charge of 130666

“We’re doing well….”

Park Min-seong, somewhat choked up, watched as the former members of Field Investigation Team D approached and sat on the sofa.

“Now, we have something urgent to discuss.”

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je casually put her arm around his shoulder. Just like before.

‘She used to say this a lot when working….’

Somewhat lost in sentiment, Park Min-seong unconsciously smiled the biggest smile he’d had in days as he looked at them.

“Yes, what kind of….”

“We need to steal something from the company.”

Excuse me…?

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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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