Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 308

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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 308

 

While being chased by something zombie-like in the residential area of Segwang Special City’s Hannaj Station, I discovered the door to Moonlight Tattoo Shop.

 

I urgently opened the door and entered, only to find Blue Mascot sitting inside with the Tattooist.

 

…No matter how much this was a ghost story, it felt like some ridiculous daydream.

 

‘What is this?’

 

For a moment I thought I had fallen victim to this station’s gimmick and entered a state that reads as “eternal nap” but actually means “neck twisted to death.”

 

But it was the actual situation.

 

Especially considering the three Daydream Researchers behind me who were gasping for breath as if they were about to suffocate.

 

“…Hello.”

 

Blue Mascot rushed over with an enthusiastic welcome even before the Tattooist who had stood up.

 

Wel come

 

And the large costume head with a cute deformed dragon design hugged me.

 

You worked hard

 

Good child

 

The soft texture, and from within it I could faintly hear the background music of Blue Dream Theme Park…

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Where the fear I had felt before disappeared, strangely enough, sadness took its place.

 

[Oh, what an ostentatious embrace! This mascot is still emotionally excessive and shameless.]

 

[Well, a swimming pool mascot would hardly know the word dignity. Unlike my friend who elegantly operates a resort.]

 

And you’re really consistent as always…

 

The emotion that had almost become strangely touching for a moment quickly disappeared. I asked with an awkward smile.

 

“Um, but… shouldn’t you be at the theme park? How are you here?”

 

I was only able to leave the resort because I had the General Manager working as my substitute.

 

When I encountered Blue Mascot on Death Road before, it could only appear as a black water mass through the telephone, so how does it have a complete form now?

 

Here

 

Is okay

 

Huh?

 

My identity as a mascot understood the broader meaning implied in those short words.

 

It’s okay because this is ‘Moonlight Tattoo Shop.’

 

This shop isn’t a place in a specific time and space, but closer to a ‘situation’ that suspends time. Therefore, the shop’s door appears simultaneously in various forms everywhere just to serve as an entrance, and entering the shop is merely experiencing the situation of getting a tattoo…

 

‘That’s, that’s enough.’

 

I stopped thinking the moment it moved into experiences difficult for humans to understand. 130666 might be able to comprehend it, but I wanted to maintain a human mind.

 

Even if that was just a characteristic maintained only in Segwang Special City.

 

‘Anyway, it’s not judged as leaving the theme park.’

 

Is that why there was an entrance even in the isolated Segwang Special City?

 

Wait, if that’s the case.

 

I pointed to the three researchers and said.

 

“Could you possibly send these people out to a different location rather than where they came from?”

 

Through Moonlight Tattoo Shop’s door, couldn’t they escape Segwang City through Moonlight Tattoo Shop?

 

For instance, a ghost story like ‘Vacancy’ would be much easier to survive in. Like the taxi ghost story, a method to travel between ghost stories…

 

“…!?”

 

However, the Tattooist who heard my words looked dazed, then shook her head with a greatly bewildered feeling.

 

No matter how I looked at it, she seemed to be thinking what kind of nonsensical story I was telling.

 

It was like the expression of a driver hearing a passerby who suddenly jumped in front of a car stopped at a traffic light, shouting to be taken like a taxi for money.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

This shop’s entrance doesn’t operate that way, I suppose.

 

Though it was disappointing, just being able to catch our breath while avoiding the Neck-Twisted Entities was something to be grateful for.

 

And thinking of the help available at Moonlight Tattoo Shop.

 

‘Tattoos.’

 

There were few products from ghost stories more useful than that.

 

I started the conversation in a different way.

 

“Did you also come to get a tattoo, Mascot?”

 

It was a question I asked assuming they probably visited for some purpose related to tattoos.

 

But an unexpected answer came back.

 

No

 

Already know

 

…They were already acquainted with the Tattooist?

 

I

 

Found

 

Blue Mascot tapped its chest.

 

Good child

 

Well done

 

Thanks to me eliminating Magic Bunny and splitting the Red Zone of Cheerful Theme Park in half, with the expanded territory and authority, they also discovered Moonlight Tattoo Shop’s door… it seems.

 

But the thing is.

 

“How do you two know each other…”

 

But as I looked between the two, I realized.

 

‘The Tattooist is from that deep sea city.’

 

…Mermaid Graveyard.

 

Sparkling Dragon Palace.

 

And the dragon-shaped mascot operating Blue Dream Water Park…

 

That strange consistency of keywords.

 

“…Are you two from the same place of origin?”

 

…

 

In the silence, Blue Mascot’s round Dragon Character eyes glittered in the artificial moonlight of the tattoo shop.

 

Not important

 

It’s no longer important.

 

What kind of being I originally was, what identity I had, what role I lived in what environment.

 

Because.

 

Useless

 

Because it cannot be undone.

 

The identity remaining inside the Cheerful Theme Park’s mascot has been worn away over a long time, and there’s no way to quit being a mascot. There’s also no place to return to after taking off the costume.

 

So it’s useless and not important….

 

“No. It’s important.”

 

I answered curtly.

 

“It’s important, which is why you came to this shop even though you’re not going to get a tattoo. Please don’t say such things.”

 

O k a y

 

The Blue Mascot drooped its horns and mane as if dejected and lowered its head.

 

…I don’t even know why I’m getting worked up.

 

“I’m sorry. I was being too harsh with my words. Anyway, congratulations on meeting each other well.”

 

T h a n k y o u

 

The atmosphere became warm again.

 

…If there was one more slight problem, it was that the researchers had been watching this whole scene with their mouths agape as if watching some rare spectacle.

 

‘Oops.’

 

To their eyes, it must have looked like the insane sight of entities from different darkness origins having a harmonious conversation.

 

“That, no, isn’t that person a mascot from Cheerful Theme Park! What is this shop? Tattoo? Haha, it’s not a place that operates for humans, right?”

 

And behind them, Lee Yeon-hwa was sneakily rolling her eyes, thoroughly scanning the information signs at the counter as if to devour them, when our eyes met.

 

The Project Researcher was glancing at the tattoo machine in the center.

 

“…In this situation, that’s your first question?”

 

“Hahaha, of course!”

 

With eyes asking what else could be important, Gwak Je-gang looks at me.

 

His eyes seem to be spinning round and round.

 

“An unknown world that hasn’t been clarified yet, something humans can’t understand yet but definitely exists around us! There probably isn’t a research topic that arouses curiosity as much as this.”

 

“….”

 

“It’s too early to explore space, and Earth has been thoroughly explored—isn’t this a transitional period? How wonderful that darkness exists in this era that could have been boring!”

 

Pure curiosity and joy swirl within him.

 

Something familiar.

 

The distinctive feeling of those who explore darkness with exciting interest from an observer’s perspective.

 

It’s an emotion the Wiki author also possesses.

 

‘…Is this why their approach to ghost stories felt similar to mine?’

 

While that’s somewhat bitter, thinking about it from the opposite perspective makes these researchers’ behavior eerie.

 

To think that someone who enjoyed ghost stories as fiction could have a similar mindset to someone experiencing casualties in reality.

 

‘…Well, after all. In the end, what represents the author’s exploration ideas in is the Research Team.’

 

But in reality, they’re completely different characters from me.

 

…A sense of alienation suddenly surged up.

 

The people before my eyes, and this place, feel very strange.

 

It’s a sensation I had consciously suppressed when I was with the previous investigation personnel.

 

The sensation of realizing that fundamentally, I have no choice but to be somewhat different from the people of this world.

 

If I had to find something similar….

 

Homesickness.

 

‘…But there’s no point in feeling this.’

 

Since I probably can’t return anyway.

 

Even if I ride the wish ticket again, I don’t know how I should wish to be able to return.

 

I’m just moving according to the purpose of wanting to know at least why I was summoned here.

 

“….”

 

Maybe the reason I got worked up at the Blue Mascot earlier was because, perhaps, I felt its situation was similar to mine….

 

No, let me stop thinking about this.

 

‘Even if I think about it… nothing changes.’

 

I shouldn’t have these worries. The more I do, the more I’ll just collapse like 130666’s state.

 

Let me do what I need to do.

 

“Um, there’s something I wanted to show you.”

 

I unbuttoned my shirt to slightly reveal the tattoo near my heart, showing it to the Tattooist.

 

The tattoo I purchased during VIP shopping at the Space Shopping Mall, the one that organizes my contamination.

 

“!”

 

The Tattooist’s eyes widened, then looked at the circular letter combination tattoos carved there as if reading them.

 

“…I received treatment with a device called the Moonlight Tattoo Machine, and it was similar to the tattoo machine here. …It reminded me of this place.”

 

I didn’t need to explain that the Moonlight Tattooist’s spirit was embedded in it—the Tattooist already knew.

 

I asked the Tattooist, who was quietly staring at the tattoo near my heart with trembling eyes.

 

“Could I possibly get a cover-up? Like I received on a different tattoo before.”

 

Just like how my inventory tattoo was enhanced here and gained inventory functionality.

 

‘Then maybe the tattoo above my heart could also take out contamination more skillfully and put it back in easily.’

 

Conveniently.

 

But the Tattooist shook their head vigorously.

 

“…?”

 

Then they ran to the counter and brought out a somewhat old information notice to show me.

 

[Wait!]

 

Before receiving cover-up or removal treatment, take time to carefully look at your existing tattoo once more.

 

You might discover new and truly genuine charm you haven’t noticed until now.

 

And the Tattooist added a phrase with a marker on the coated back side and showed it to me.

 

Please accept and enjoy your tattoo more.

 

‘…It seems like they’re saying they won’t do it.’

 

Maybe they were reluctant to do a cover-up because it’s a tattoo from the same Moonlight Tattooist.

 

I thought about trying to persuade them once more and looked up at the Tattooist, but their eyes looked resolute.

 

‘…Hmm.’

 

Rather than being persistent and getting marked as a troublesome customer and kicked out, it seemed better to aim for next time.

 

Even if not, this is professional advice, so it would be better to accept it.

 

‘Then I’ll choose something else.’

 

“Um… Cat. Are you planning to stay in this darkness longer?”

 

“No.”

 

I answered Lee Yeon-hwa kindly.

 

“Nothing has changed. You will return to the platform and hide in the fire extinguisher.”

 

However….

 

“After receiving simple treatment here.”

 

“…?!”

 

The researchers’ eyes begin to dart around.

 

“H-here…?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I grabbed their shoulders and spoke quietly.

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

“….”

 

“When the treatment is finished, you’ll sincerely think it was worth being grateful for.”

 

But saying it like this really sounds like a ghost story.

 

 

“Huff.”

 

Lee Yeon-hwa struggled to breathe through her mouth that was practically steaming as she ran through the alley.

 

It felt like she was paying the full price with her body for being an office worker who only did research without exercising.

 

‘When I get out, I’m definitely going to exercise regularly.’

 

But perhaps being able to grit her teeth and think such thoughts was only possible because she had some leeway…

 

“Huff.”

 

Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa looked at the tattoo sticker attached inside her wrist.

 

An eye covered in opaque, cloudy ink.

 

It looked like something depicting fog – a small tattoo that was aesthetically quite decent.

 

-It should probably hide your presence. If you wear it too long, you might really be forgotten in a completely unrecognizable state, so remove it as soon as you reach the fire extinguisher.

 

This was exactly the tattoo sticker that Cat had ‘recommended’ to them.

 

Of course, as soon as she heard those words, Yeon-hwa asked about the cost first, like the experienced darkness researcher she was…

 

-Do you have anything related to the sea?

 

-Ah, no.

 

Cat looked at the researchers with an ‘I thought so’ expression and graciously paid for their item costs instead.

 

-You’ll pay me back later.

 

Those words were very ominous.

 

But the sticker’s effect was certain.

 

The Neck-Twisted Ones didn’t chase her.

 

Whenever she encountered them across the alley, she just had to run in the opposite direction and somehow avoid only ‘chance meetings.’

 

-Go first!

 

…Even if the other team researcher hadn’t done the selfish thing of pushing her at the tattoo shop entrance, it meant everyone could have moved safely as long as they didn’t act recklessly.

 

‘As expected of Director Ho’s Project Team, their character is really…’

 

But Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa also knew.

 

In fact, that character was the research team average.

 

‘…Sigh.’

 

She needed caffeine. She didn’t even have the strength to be angry. Only research was fun…

 

She fought against fatigue instead of anger and moved her feet again.

 

…Incidentally, from a moment ago, sounds like announcements had been echoing through the alley.

 

[Enter the fire extinguisher!]

 

[The silver fire extinguisher is a safe house in this darkness!]

 

It seemed like someone had recorded and was playing sounds from a fruit vendor truck that was sitting somewhere in the alley.

 

At first, she thought it was just Cat’s kind instruction to inform any remaining survivors about survival methods.

 

But she soon realized that wasn’t the case.

 

‘Stairs…!’

 

When she finally arrived and ran down the stairs leading to the platform, looking back, the researcher encountered an unexpected sight.

 

“My goodness.”

 

The residential area was engulfed in flames.

 

Black smoke and the smell of burning stung her nose thickly, swirling in the wind and touching her body as hot smoke.

 

“…!”

 

With the fire demon beginning to scorch her back, Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa ran down, opened the platform fire extinguisher door, and went inside.

 

Thump.

 

Her heart was pounding.

 

And as she caught her breath and removed the tattoo sticker, Section Chief Gwak burst open the same fire extinguisher door and shouted.

 

“Deputy Lee, did you see? They set it on fire! It’s all burning completely!”

 

“…”

 

“I guess that announcement earlier was for this! No matter how I think about it, the exercise-deficient researchers were probably all already dead by then. Hahaha!”

 

And Yeon-hwa felt a realization flash sharply through her mind.

 

‘This is it.’

 

This was indeed the strategy Cat had come up with.

 

Using one or two alarm clocks to end nap time couldn’t represent this enormous space.

 

‘Then.’

 

Then, it was enough to eliminate the symbolism of the space itself.

 

It was enough to eliminate the house where one could nap, the comfort, the nap shelter itself.

 

And the most convenient method of elimination.

 

A method that could be deduced in reverse based on the fact that those who entered fire extinguishers were safe.

 

‘Arson…!!’

 

Thus, Cat had burned down all of Hannaj Station.

 

While also sending them to the platform fire extinguisher separated from the waiting room in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.

 

Of course, all of these things were not something that a Field Investigation Team normally deployed to the darkness could do…

 

It was a method that could only be implemented by someone who wasn’t human.

 

“…”

 

Several dozen minutes later.

 

Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa found herself swallowing and anxiously listening to the sounds outside from inside the fire extinguisher.

 

Imagining the scene above the stairs that would look like sunset time, blazing with flames.

 

Calculating when the fire demon would sweep it all away.

 

And.

 

“…Section Chief Gwak.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

30 minutes ago.

 

-Aaaahhh!

 

…Anticipating the fate of Director Ho’s Project Researcher who had managed to reach the platform but ran out of the fire extinguisher screaming strangely.

 

“Do you know where the other team researcher went?”

 

“Why are you asking me that, Deputy Lee?”

 

“…You entered the fire extinguisher later than I did earlier.”

 

“Yeah, so?”

 

“Could it be that you were late because you were doing something to the fire extinguisher next door?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Gwak Je-gang burst into laughter.

 

“Ah, the residential area is burning, and I was curious whether someone would really not burn to death if they stayed inside that fire extinguisher in the middle of it all!”

 

Ah.

 

“So I just sprinkled some stuff inside the other fire extinguishers. And I did put an out of order sign on this fire extinguisher.”

 

Thunk.

 

Gwak Je-gang lightly tapped the fire extinguisher.

 

“But to think he’d go all the way up the stairs! Tsk tsk, my understanding of the Cat was lacking. Or should I say my situation assessment was slow…”

 

“…Manager.”

 

Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa gritted her teeth.

 

“The probability that he would burn to death before entering the residential area’s fire extinguisher would also be quite high.”

 

“Of course that could happen, but well, we’re giving it a try!”

 

Gwak Je-gang added with a laugh.

 

“If we verify it, wouldn’t that be amazing!”

 

“…”

 

“But let’s keep this secret from the Cat, okay? If his impression of the researchers gets even worse and we all end up dead too, who would be able to research today’s exploration. Hahaha!”

 

Deputy Lee Yeon-hwa bit her lips with a pale face.

 

Outside, the sound of burning had already begun to subside.

 

And they would soon realize that the ‘Cat’s’ method had succeeded.

 

Amazingly.

 

“How incredible!”

 

And whether it was misfortune or fortune, the ‘Cat’s’ amazingness that they would face didn’t end there.

 

Because the first thing the Cat did after emerging from the residential area that had turned to ash was as follows.

 

“This was your doing.”

 

“…!”

 

He grabbed Gwak Je-gang by the collar and lifted him up.

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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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