Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 295

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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 295

 

Jin Na-sol frowned as she looked inside the restaurant.

 

The type where you have to take off your shoes to enter. Like most BBQ restaurants equipped with large private rooms, it was moderately bustling with office workers.

 

In other words, a typical company dinner venue.

 

Director Ho had summoned the employees who came out of the darkness with chillingly precise timing, but at least gave them time to rest.

 

Thanks to that, they were able to catch up on their lack of sleep until lunchtime before coming to the company dinner venue designated by Director Ho.

 

And…

 

“This kind of place is open for lunch too.”

 

“They probably focus on selling meal dishes.”

 

“Oh.”

 

That person.

 

Jin Na-sol stared piercingly at the employee conversing with Lee Seong-hae.

 

“Shall we go in?”

 

A male wearing a black feline mask.

 

-Please be sure to wear masks at this company dinner^^

 

Usually it would be natural for everyone to come without masks at a company dinner, but this time everyone was wearing masks due to the strange rule, so their bare faces couldn’t be seen.

 

And this person continued to use polite formal speech… but spoke in a strangely friendly and gentle manner.

 

“Deputy Manager, are the other members of Team A coming too?”

 

“Why are you curious about that?”

 

“Ah, I haven’t met the Team A members during the project. I guess I was curious. I’m sorry.”

 

Even to her.

 

He even yielded gently without touching her nerves.

 

It was a rare type of person to see in this company, and it was surprising that he didn’t even seem easy to deal with.

 

‘What kind of person is this?’

 

Jin Na-sol’s sharp instincts for determining hierarchy and the strong versus weak assessed the opponent like a blade.

 

Something strong.

 

Even without knowing the fact that he had irregularly cleared the darkness with its set escape time, it could be felt from his attitude and presence.

 

And her painfully sensitive senses detected it.

 

A gaze.

 

‘I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.’

 

But before that sensation could properly speak, they were guided to the reserved room.

 

“Ah, this is the room.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

And the moment the door opened…

 

“…!!”

 

Several people who saw the male in the cat mask either jumped up from their seats or flinched. That attitude openly displaying joy and surprise…

 

‘What’s this.’

 

Wasn’t that almost the kind of attitude you’d have when seeing the company chairman?

 

‘What does he do in this project?’

 

Jin Na-sol frowned and raised her assessment of the cat mask’s position even higher.

 

“I’m here.”

 

The cat mask smiled and bowed his head, then naturally approached that table to sit down.

 

Since the two people from Team A were also near that area, Jin Na-sol also sat at that table.

 

But the majority of the table members were people she was seeing for the first time.

 

She could definitely recognize about two of them.

 

Falcon Mask and Lizard Mask.

 

“That…”

 

“It’s Cat!”

 

“Ah. Cat… right.”

 

Peregrine Falcon looked at Cat Mask and grinned.

 

“Eat a lot and rest a lot today. …I heard from Manager.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Cat Mask nodded his head in a friendly manner and took a seat next to Manager Lizard.

 

‘…’

 

Those two seemed to give off a somewhat similar feeling.

 

“Butterfly Deputy, you just finished running through the darkness all night, right?”

 

“Ah. Yes.”

 

But what did it matter anyway.

 

Jin Na-sol joined her team and sat down, trying to stop caring about everything for now. She was tired and irritated.

 

“Hello, everyone.”

 

Only when Director Ho suddenly appeared and started making toast-like sounds did she finally listen attentively, as one should to a superior.

 

“You’ve all really worked hard, everyone.”

 

This company dinner was probably arranged after the project team’s incredible results were officially reported to the company.

 

-Is it true that B-grade or higher dream collection is possible without deaths?

 

-They say it’s true, no deaths so far. Does anyone know detailed news…

 

-What should I prepare if I want to join Director Ho’s project? Please DM me and I’ll reciprocate.

 

-Is the point accumulation for project members still undecided…

 

Truly a hot potato.

 

Deputy Manager Jin Na-sol frowned as she recalled the company group chat where she had already turned off notifications early on.

 

“Since the project is on track, I thought we should celebrate… Some of you might be seeing each other’s faces for the first time, but you’ve all been working for the project.”

 

Most participants already knew that Director Ho had obsessively prevented project participants from recognizing each other across different parts.

 

Jin Na-sol was also seeing the other members for the first time.

 

Ho Yu-won had only used Team A as a kind of standby group from the beginning.

 

-Team A members just need to enter the designated darkness when I call you.

 

Therefore, the people sitting diagonally across the table were also people she was seeing for the first time.

 

Two males.

 

They wore suits like the Field Investigation Team, but their masks were different.

 

“I think it would be good for you to introduce yourselves to each other.”

 

‘What’s that.’

 

A Hahoe Mask?

 

Feeling somehow unpleasant, Jin Na-sol looked at it with a steely gaze.

 

Those wearing the grinning masks were looking at the one wearing the cat mask over there, then soon seemed to sense her gaze and looked at Jin Na-sol.

 

And a strange presence emerged.

 

Sharp hostility as if looking at prey.

 

“…”

 

But it was soon contained, and a cheerful voice was heard.

 

“Hello. …You’re the Elite Team, right? Please take care of us~ Hahaha.”

 

Instead of accepting the handshake the other party requested, Jin Na-sol just nodded slightly and turned her gaze away.

 

‘How annoying.’

 

She detested meetings where the hierarchy was unclear.

 

But in her turned gaze, she saw an equally annoying sight.

 

“Dolphin seems to be in a bad mood.”

 

“Yes. I was going to go to a restaurant with Cat, but Director summoned me so I couldn’t go and came here instead.”

 

“Really? What kind of restaurant was it?”

 

“Ah. I don’t want to tell you!”

 

‘That one’s still like that.’

 

Is she crazy? I had no idea why that dolphin always rubbed superiors the wrong way.

 

“We can go together next time, Dolphin. I’ll pay then.”

 

“Aw, it’s fine. Cat. I’ll treat you!”

 

But what was even more surprising was Cat Mask’s attitude of soothing her as if he was used to it.

 

“You’re really too much….”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Treating a director like that?

 

No, it was too natural to be called insubordination. So naturally, I instinctively realized….

 

That’s not an ordinary employee.

 

The project members’ strange reactions, their calm and odd attitudes.

 

An equal relationship with Director Ho, someone recruited for the project.

 

‘…A director from another department?’

 

In the midst of that, I also saw someone who suddenly butted into the conversation.

 

“Wait a minute. Did you say Cat?”

 

It was someone wearing a pony mask.

 

Jin Na-sol didn’t know, but this gold-obsessed employee who had barely recovered from the ‘Golden Canopus Complex’ contamination at the Fox Counseling Room had overheard talk of a company dinner and was desperately trying to attach himself to it with gleaming eyes.

 

Because it would be a waste to miss free food!

 

And now he had met an employee who somehow felt good.

 

Strangely.

 

Really reminiscent of Cat.

 

“Cat, you say? That’s quite a nice title you’re using! Hahaha, throughout all times and places, cats have been greatly associated with elements like gold and wealth!”

 

“…Yes. I see.”

 

The male in the cat mask responded gently and conversed sincerely.

 

But Jin Na-sol immediately saw the water glass he was holding get crushed.

 

“…!”

 

And even saw him slowly straighten and turn the glass back when no one was looking.

 

‘….’

 

That confirmed it.

 

‘He’s a superior.’

 

And someone who was just patient, but didn’t have a particularly good personality.

 

Jin Na-sol judged coldly.

 

For reference, the truth was.

 

‘Aaahhh.’

 

He just couldn’t control his strength!

 

 

‘Oh please!’

 

I put down the water glass and screamed silently.

 

So far, I’d almost accidentally chewed and swallowed chopsticks three times, and nearly broke the table while adjusting my legs, making my hair stand on end about five times.

 

‘This is just….’

 

Driving me crazy.

 

But….

 

“There, there. Cat. Try this too. The ribs are melting so tenderly.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

I carefully picked up the rib meat Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je placed for me and put it in my mouth.

 

“Is it delicious?”

 

“Yes…!”

 

It’s delicious.

 

The greasy, crispy texture of meat well-cooked over charcoal and the savory taste filling my mouth as the juices inside burst.

 

This is what living is all about.

 

‘Actually, I’m a lizard, not a person.’

 

Even though there was the mishap of almost chewing up the chopsticks.

 

‘…It’s difficult!’

 

It feels like just yesterday I was amazed watching a lizard mukbang eating Korean beef, and now I’m using that lizard’s head….

 

‘You really never know what life will bring….’

 

I slyly checked once more whether the water glass I’d accidentally crushed had returned to its proper shape, then put it back on the table.

 

…While trying not to break the table.

 

‘Hm.’

 

Manager Lee Ja-heon was watching that entire process intently.

 

Wait. Come to think of it….

 

“Lizard Manager.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Could I possibly get some advice on controlling strength?”

 

“Yes. Think of all objects you encounter in daily life as soft tofu.”

 

I almost choked.

 

“S-soft tofu, you say?”

 

“? Yes.”

 

Where did that analogy come from… No, never mind.

 

It was very intuitive and easy to understand.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Yes.”

 

And the white lizard head smiled.

 

‘…It seems somehow less scary.’

 

Maybe because I see a similar face in the mirror now.

 

Anyway, just from what I experienced today in the darkness and at this BBQ restaurant, I realized something.

 

“You must have had many difficulties when you first came here.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why did you come?”

 

“I cannot answer that.”

 

“If I connect with ‘us,’ could I receive an answer?”

 

The lizard’s bright red vertical pupils looked at me.

 

“In that case, an answer wouldn’t be necessary.”

 

“….”

 

Let’s just eat meat.

 

“Be careful not to eat the chopsticks.”

 

Yes….

 

I realized the chopsticks don’t taste bad either. They just have a salty, stimulating iron taste that somehow resembles meat.

 

‘This is… Manager Lee Ja-heon’s world.’

 

I never particularly wanted to know about it, but let’s think of it as an experience….

 

And I looked around the large private room.

 

I could occasionally see the agents wearing Hahoe masks who kept glancing at me, and the employees who had entered Segwang City with me sitting and eating.

 

However.

 

‘…There are no security team people here.’

 

Neither J3 nor Min-seong Supervisor, who is in quarantine due to contamination, are here.

 

And instead, more unfamiliar faces were filling the seats.

 

Probably the personnel that Ho Yu-won had been using for other parts of the project besides directly entering Sekwang Special City.

 

Like this person, for instance.

 

“I don’t recognize your face. Are you from the Field Investigation Team?”

 

Team A’s Team Leader Baek Seok-ju.

 

He spoke to me from the table diagonally across.

 

The Elite Team Leader with the Mallard Duck Mask, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, still gave off the feeling of a superior.

 

“You seem close with Manager Lee Ja-heon.”

 

“…We’re relatives.”

 

“Oh my. I see.”

 

He still seems to dislike Manager Lee Ja-heon….

 

“I’d appreciate it if you could speak casually with me. Even though I’m not currently in the Field Investigation Team, I haven’t been working at this company for very long either.”

 

“Well then, sure.”

 

This really feels like a company dinner….

 

-Let’s have a meal together sometime when we get out of here.

 

“….”

 

But the ‘meal’ we had talked about in Sekwang Special City didn’t feel like this, which left a strange sense of disappointment.

 

The people were different too.

 

The agents almost felt like they were attending just to extract information.

 

[Oh, Friend…. The host is what matters most in any gathering, isn’t it? A meal gathering hosted by a plague, just hearing about it sounds terrible. If it’s your superior, that’s even worse!]

 

Well, it’s not quite that bad.

 

I looked at Director Ho sitting at the table across from me.

 

I couldn’t help but think it was like an inconsiderate boss forcibly organizing a meal for employees on their day off and then continuing to sit there….

 

“Please eat plenty.”

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

No, that’s exactly what this is.

 

‘…I somewhat agree.’

 

[A wise judgment, Friend!]

 

Let’s just eat more meat.

 

I enjoyed this reality as much as possible—being able to converse with people, eat food, and fit in with my newly acquired human body.

 

And after lunch was over.

 

I realized why Ho Yu-won had done this.

 

“You’ve obtained a convenient body. So as a commemoration… could you take a look at this?”

 

Ho Yu-won handed me a file folder as I remained alone at the table.

 

“This is a list of employees who were participating in my project.”

 

“…Why are you showing this to me?”

 

“Ah. It’s simple.”

 

Ho Yu-won smiled brightly.

 

“When you go on explorations in the future, I thought you could recruit them if needed.”

 

“…!”

 

“Once the exploration is over, you just need to retrieve the dream potion and erase their memories.”

 

This is insane.

 

“You could call it a kind of day labor. How about it? Useful, right?”

 

I realized it.

 

So this is why we had the company dinner today.

 

It was to introduce the exploration team candidates—who was there, what kind of people they were.

 

‘So that’s why he gathered all the personnel who continuously explore Sekwang Special City….’

 

I also realized why he bothered to invite the agents.

 

To make the discussion proceed smoothly.

 

“…I don’t need it for now.”

 

I suppressed a sigh and closed the file folder.

 

‘I’ll think of this as one of the options for now.’

 

I don’t need it immediately.

 

Because my next target is clear.

 

“First, I’m going back into Hanbit Station.”

 

I’ve been constantly trying not to forget.

 

I thought about it and repeated it in my mind whenever I had the chance.

 

-That train. Train G1572, if I just board that one, just that one….

 

Right.

 

“I’m going to board the train there again.”

 

I will find the train that Young-eun mentioned.

 

But when I re-entered that station in Sekwang Special City, I encountered a scene I had never expected.

 

 

“…!!”

 

Originally, when you go up the stairs from the subway station platform in Sekwang Special City, an abnormal phenomenon appears.

 

Whether it’s the Snare Forest, the Body Casino, or the strange library.

 

The station consumed by ghost stories reveals itself.

 

This happened at every station in Sekwang Special City.

 

And at this station, Hanbit Station, I should be able to see the passage of the original Hanbit Library made of bookshelves above the stairs.

 

The place that houses Sekwang Technical High School.

 

However.

 

“…Wait a minute.”

 

There was nothing above the stairs.

 

The place where the library should have been had disappeared as if it were a lie.

 

Instead, only a single note was attached to the right wall of the staircase.

 

Closed

 

-Corner Under Renovation-

 

“…Renovation?”

 

And what was even more surprising.

 

“Noru-nim. Look over there.”

 

As my eyes grew accustomed to the pitch-black darkness that had taken the place of the vanished corridor, I realized that its true nature wasn’t simply ‘nothingness’.

 

A pale form.

 

And distinguishable signage.

 

Station Office

 

“…!!”

 

Above the stairs.

 

The complete subway station building of Hanmam Station was spread out before us.

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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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