Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 328

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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 328

 

I watched the scene before me with trembling eyelids.

 

“Reform the train!”

 

Dozens of people had swarmed into Car 1, holding picket signs and shouting.

 

But here’s the thing.

 

“Rabbit Dolls for everyone!”

 

Everything is pink.

 

Each picket had bizarre phrases written on it like ‘Perfect Rabbit Doll’, ‘The Fluffy One’s Grace’, ‘His Front Paws Are Soft’, ‘Take Us to a Wider Place’.

 

People were linking arms with each other, and I could see some wearing rabbit ear headbands made from cut-up boxes.

 

It was shocking, but I could endure it because I had expected something shocking to happen in some direction based on the flow of the past few days.

 

But…

 

“Guarantee the rabbit~”

 

Deputy Manager.

 

What on earth are you doing…

 

I fell into confusion watching Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je at the very front, subtly blending in with a necktie wrapped around her head, raising her hands and shouting.

 

Just before launching the Rabbit Doll worship cult operation, I had already explained the situation that would unfold to Go Young-eun, the Bronze Agent, and Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.

 

-Rabbit Doll enthusiasts will suddenly multiply.

 

-Excuse me?

 

So I did tell you that there would definitely be a commotion inside the train…

 

‘But what are you doing being the ringleader in that commotion…’

 

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je had even sneakily mingled among the people, picking up bits and pieces through eavesdropping to understand the situation.

 

“Ah~ It seemed like you were doing good work, so I thought I’d help out too, hahaha! Ah, so this… person is the one who guides everyone to a good place?”

 

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je, who had been extracting generous information like rice cakes from these people who had just become members of the ‘Rabbit Doll worship cult’, eventually got to see their actual ‘Rabbit Doll goods’ in person.

 

“Oh…”

 

Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je’s exclamation continued at length as she looked at the cute rabbit doll head relief carving on the jingling metal keyring…

 

“Our goal is to bestow this amazing miracle upon everyone in the train, so that everyone can receive Cotton-filled Body’s grace without discrimination.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Isn’t that right, Distributor!”

 

Don’t look at me.

 

But the people had already turned around to look at me, their eyes sparkling brightly.

 

That’s right.

 

In fact, I was also standing in the middle of this picket crowd…

 

That damn title of Distributor was also a position the people had given me, calling me ‘the one who started distributing Rabbit Dolls’.

 

‘I took it because it seemed like the perfect position for a sycophant.’

 

I had been deliberately glancing around here and there, smiling as if I wanted to please the loud people, when I finally made eye contact with Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

This is really embarrassing.

 

However, my mouth is smoothly spouting the most servile words.

 

“Of course…! I’m just a fool who sells snacks, aren’t I? I completely trust the words of everyone who frequently meets Cotton-filled Body…!”

 

“Distributor!”

 

Phew.

 

I quickly turned my gaze away and looked elsewhere as I saw Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je’s eyes narrow as if she had noticed something while alternately looking at me and the rabbit doll products the people were holding.

 

Gossip show, Deputy Manager…

 

However, the ‘Good Friend’ inside the huge velvet box I was holding seemed quite excited by this scene.

 

[Friend, this is quite an enjoyable situation for an entertainer who knows how to respond to the audience’s support. I feel like giving them some merchandise through a lottery!]

 

[That’s right, how about trying to sell special products at your beautiful and modest resort?]

 

…Talk show merchandise?

 

[That’s right, oh, this can be considered a formal proposal. A collaboration with ‘Brown’s Late Night Talk Show’.]

 

In my mind, I pictured a scene where an elegant retro-style section with phrases like ‘Popular TV Program Appearance’ was set up in one corner of the amusement park’s gift shop.

 

Adding a ghost story specialized in captivating viewers on top of a ghost story that already specializes in bewitching people…

 

Ah, no way.

 

‘…Anyway, these people can’t actually go to the real Cheerful Theme Park. Even if we collaborate, it would be difficult for them to purchase those ‘rabbit dolls’.’

 

I chose my words carefully.

 

[Hmm.]

 

‘For that to happen, first this Segwang Special City ghost story needs to be terminated and you need to become free!’

 

Let’s just try to get cooperation somehow…

 

[Good! Then let’s continue with the development, Noru.]

 

Phew.

 

But the relief of getting past one hurdle was only momentary.

 

I made eye contact again with Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je, who had a mysterious look in her eyes.

 

“Hmm. Is this distributor the representative of this group?”

 

“No way!”

 

I almost answered sincerely.

 

I quickly shrank back and bowed my head deeply.

 

“I’m just someone who handles one of many duties, and the real representative is… ah, here they come now!”

 

They’re here!

 

“Representative!”

 

…The newly emerged cult leader with that fake title comes out from behind the crowd, parting through the people with considerable dignity.

 

People naturally make way for them. Among them, some believers politely remove the rabbit headbands they were wearing.

 

I felt like I could neither laugh nor cry.

 

“Did everyone dream of rabbits?”

 

“We dreamed cotton-filled dreams!”

 

Where the hell did this kind of greeting even come from. I never taught them that…

 

[Oh, really quite typical of a cult!]

 

The ‘Rabbit Doll Association Representative’ had the same appearance as before.

 

However, he was wearing a golden badge with a pink rabbit drawn on it pinned to his padding jacket. It was a badge made by cutting out the tape goods I had brought with scissors.

 

He looked around at the people with proud eyes, then turned to me and raised his hand.

 

“Now, let us escort that one.”

 

“Yes…!”

 

Being troubled is one thing, but I still have to do what needs to be done.

 

I put on a flattering smile, then quickly lifted the velvet box with both hands and respectfully opened it.

 

Dozens of people holding picket signs look into that velvet box with eyes full of admiration, longing, and happiness…

 

At the fluffy Brown inside.

 

[Nice to meet you, everyone!]

 

But that gaze is blocked by the representative.

 

The representative examines the doll up close with serious eyes and nods his head.

 

[Good heavens, sticking your head within 1 foot in a private situation, what an unpleasant sense of distance. Are you in your right mind?]

 

“Today you’re also quite radiant and perfect in form.”

 

[Not in your right mind, but your eyesight seems intact!]

 

“I’d like to escort you personally, but…”

 

[Ho, dreaming of a damage compensation bill! I understand perfectly…]

 

Cold sweat pours down.

 

I forced a smile and subtly pulled Brown back. As if I couldn’t dare make such a request of the representative, respectfully as always.

 

“I will risk my life and do my absolute best to transport him. From now on, you will lead us…”

 

“…That’s right.”

 

Swoosh, the representative who stylishly adjusted his padding stepped forward.

 

However, in the process, his padding slapped Brown across the face. I held back a scream.

 

[Noru. Aren’t you curious how this Brown deals with those who intrude on stage during a live broadcast and block the camera?]

 

‘…Incineration?’

 

[Correct! Oh, to commemorate getting it right, a reenactment scene is about to air now…]

 

‘It’s, it’s fine! I already enjoyed it in my head!’

 

[Excellent imagination, Friend.]

 

I almost choked on my own saliva.

 

I carefully lifted Brown’s coffin with both hands again.

 

“Let’s march to the very front of the first car!”

 

“Yes!”

 

And feeling my eye twitch, I slowly followed the people holding picket signs as they moved toward the engineer’s cabin again with solemn expressions.

 

People who hadn’t yet joined the ‘Cotton-Filled Body Cult’ were staring blankly at this scene as if witnessing some bizarre shorts filming.

 

‘Sigh…’

 

How did things end up like this…

 

‘I definitely intended for it to be a mysterious small secret religion.’

 

A dream to comfort weary people, where this cult would secretly spread throughout the train and eventually become the majority, causing unrest that would disperse the power of the engineer car…

 

…but the current situation is more like a ‘You’re doing good work, fighting!’ type of demonstration.

 

‘Why though.’

 

[How about retracing the path you’ve taken, Friend? Perhaps you chose a different direction at a crossroads!]

 

That’s true.

 

‘So…’

 

I looked back on the flow of the past few days.

 

First… the point where things started to branch out unexpectedly was…

 

‘Ah.’

 

It was from when I started putting messages into the amusement park dream.

 

The ‘be kind to everyone’ dance routine.

 

‘I made it because of the cult leader candidate’s personality.’

 

However, the people who joined the ambiguous and joyful dance where the mascot held the Rabbit Doll began to attach their own interpretations.

 

-The target is everyone! Could ‘kindness’ here mean the act of passing on the Rabbit Doll’s symbol?

 

-That’s right, it seems like they want to share their fluffiness and warmth with more people!

 

-I think they appeared after seeing our weary situation of being trapped on this train. They’re giving comfort to those who are confined and struggling!

 

-Then we shouldn’t fight among ourselves but be harmonious, and we shouldn’t look down on others.

 

-That’s right!

 

-Only then will everyone on this train meet them, just as Cotton-filled Body desires!

 

Thus, doctrines I had never considered or created were formed on their own.

 

1. We acknowledge that we are all in difficult situations.

 

2. We treat everyone around us who is struggling with kindness.

 

3. Everyone receives rabbit dolls and becomes happy.

 

‘It got a bit extreme at the end.’

 

Still, they say as long as you reach Seoul, any path will do.

 

Anyway, it was true that a riot had occurred…

 

“Rabbit dolls for everyone!”

 

The protesters march forward.

 

I was following at the very back carrying the velvet box containing Good Friend for the ‘safety of Cotton-filled Body,’ when Eun Ha-je Deputy Manager glanced around nervously and quietly joined me.

 

“Noru.”

 

“…”

 

“You… haven’t you already seen enough of the cult flavor?”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t tell me it wasn’t enough?”

 

I want to crawl into a mouse hole if there is one.

 

But the Deputy Manager soon read the slogan on a picket sign that said something like ‘The comfort of rabbit dolls will save us’ and her eyes became peculiar.

 

“Still, well, this isn’t really like a cult… it’s more like just a fan group that went a bit overboard.”

 

Yes…

 

To that extent, the other residents in the front car weren’t feeling threatened or running away in terror, but were just watching with confused or blank expressions.

 

They seemed to be getting quite a dopamine rush.

 

Or wondering what kind of crazy dream-like situation this was.

 

“Guarantee it!”

 

The march of dozens of people was quite noticeable, and when they finally reached right in front of the engineer’s seat, they shouted their slogan again.

 

Of course, I was included among them.

 

“Hey, you have to shout too.”

 

“…Guarantee it!”

 

…I’ll be satisfied that I can cover my face with the box containing Brown.

 

I quietly slipped behind the crowd to avoid attention.

 

And after a while.

 

“Wh-what are you all doing!”

 

The Train Conductor came rushing out of the engineer’s seat in a panic.

 

Wiping away cold sweat and brushing snack crumbs off his pants, that man deliberately pressed down his engineer’s hat like it was a symbol of authority.

 

But he looked flustered seeing dozens of people.

 

Rolling his eyes frantically, he looked at the composition of the crowd and seemed to find some point of response, as his face finally showed some color.

 

“Well, if our front car people have complaints, of course, eh? I should listen. As a public servant. But…”

 

The Train Conductor shrugged his shoulders seeing the faces from the rear car mixed among the crowd.

 

“There are also some parasite-like people mixed in who only know how to demand things.”

 

Divide and conquer.

 

“Let’s send those people back and have a slow conversation among ourselves. I know all the reasonable things about our car’s people.”

 

The Padded Middle-aged Man who had once tried to push me was also standing in this formation. The Train Conductor looked at that person in particular and spoke subtly.

 

However….

 

“What’s wrong with being in the rear car!”

 

“That’s right!”

 

“We’re all people sharing the same experience!”

 

It didn’t work on the people at all.

 

Because their group identity had already changed!

 

“On difficult days like today, everyone deserves to be comforted!”

 

If the situation were different, it would have been touching.

 

“And Cotton-filled Body is the best friend for comforting people!”

 

Somehow a description close to the truth came out.

 

“People like you wouldn’t understand! Instead of sharing good things, you monopolize, exclude, and act high and mighty!”

 

“That’s right!”

 

The Representative pointed his finger at the Train Conductor.

 

“But!”

 

And then pointed to himself.

 

“Even someone like you could change if you were with the Rabbit Doll. Just like me.”

 

Eun Ha-je muttered.

 

“Somehow he’s exerting a socially positive influence….”

 

“….”

 

“Isn’t this the positive function of religion? Why is this coming out here.”

 

Exactly.

 

[Interesting, Friend. Didn’t that ordinary and unpleasant fellow also eagerly accept his position, feeling triumphant about being specially chosen by you as Representative?]

 

‘He did.’

 

[But now he’s opposing someone else’s special treatment. Oh, that illogicality is almost reminiscent of an absurdist play!]

 

Well… it was always the law that when I do it, it’s romance, but when others do it, it’s adultery.

 

‘And once the numbers increase, he becomes an even more special person as the leader.’

 

Still, the peculiarity of this situation was that the Representative’s side, which at least advocated for a cause as a new current, was circumstantially better than that Train Conductor who had become stagnant, rotten water.

 

“Let us together experience his fluffiness and his warmth.”

 

And that is indeed a phrase I spread….

 

Does it strangely sound like a mattress advertisement? That’s a misunderstanding.

 

Anyway, the Train Conductor finally began to lose his mind.

 

“These are all crazy bastards!”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Now was the time to push the momentum.

 

I put on a shameless face and stepped forward, responding with the serious expression of someone who says ‘I’m scared but I’ll speak my mind.’

 

“We are all people crazy about the Rabbit Doll…!”

 

“Exactly!”

 

“The Representative guides us to become perfect Rabbit Dolls!”

 

“….”

 

The Train Conductor has a speechless expression.

 

Originally, you can’t reason with crazy people.

 

Conversely, the Representative continues speaking with an increasingly confident and courageous expression.

 

People originally have a strange tendency.

 

‘If people who support you keep agreeing, you end up believing your own claims more strongly.’

 

Even if it’s a belief that doesn’t match your own nature.

 

“Therefore, please permit us to supply Rabbit Dolls to everyone on the train!”

 

“Please!”

 

“Please reform the train so everyone can equally enjoy the same space!”

 

“Please!”

 

At the chanting, the Train Conductor made an expression like ‘what the hell do these crazy people want.’

 

And eventually ended up shouting this.

 

“Listen here, I have the heavy responsibility of managing this train’s operation, so should you be bothering someone like me with such trivial matters! Huh? Everyone should ask the Station Master first…”

 

“He already said it was fine.”

 

“….”

 

The Train Conductor fled to the Engineer’s Cabin.

 

“He’s running away!”

 

“Wait!”

 

People tried to catch him, but the Train Conductor had already slipped into the Engineer’s Seat and locked the door.

 

“Let’s break the lock!”

 

“Should we smash it?”

 

Wait!

 

I stopped the people who were about to break down the door.

 

“What if the shelter gets damaged? How about we wait until he comes out…? I don’t think he can hold out for long…”

 

“Hmm… That’s true.”

 

“Let’s wait until the Train Conductor comes out.”

 

The situation was about to escalate but then calmed down again.

 

For now, as bedtime approached, the ‘Rabbit Doll Worship Cult’ people became increasingly relaxed and happy, which also played a part.

 

Since they were probabilistically going to enjoy amusement park advertisements in their dreams.

 

“May you all dream of rabbits!”

 

“May cotton-filled hands be with you.”

 

The ‘Rabbit Doll Worship Cult’ settled into Car 1, distributing various snacks to that car and people who came to watch, starting to stir up the atmosphere.

 

Since things that look good are easy to use to tempt people.

 

Other shelter residents were also getting caught up after being hit directly by the aggressive advertising effect.

 

“Would you accept this?”

 

“Uh… oh, popcorn.”

 

To what extent? People from other cars were coming and going to Car 1, but instead of anyone picking fights or getting angry, they were having a dopamine party with snacks.

 

The more people hadn’t been to Car 7, the more their eyes rolled at the new snacks.

 

‘The numbers and atmosphere are scary.’

 

And the rabbit doll worshippers took turns sleeping in shifts.

 

“You must be tired…”

 

“It’s okay. I’ll guard Cotton-filled Body today…!”

 

I smiled and declined people’s suggestions, continuing to keep watch over the atmosphere in Car 1 like a night guard.

 

‘It’s completely different from what I expected, but it’s going smoothly…’

 

Anyway, we’re heading to Seoul.

 

Now, I just need to take advantage of this commotion to approach the engineer’s seat.

 

I continued shouting slogans appropriately and distributing snacks with the skilled technique of an experienced flyer part-timer while planning my opportunity.

 

“Guarantee rabbit dolls! Here, please take some snacks…”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Wait a minute.

 

“Manager?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I turned my head.

 

Manager Lee Ja-heon, wearing a mask, was holding the snack I had offered and staring blankly at me.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Why is he here.

 

“Mr. Noru.”

 

“It’s Grape.”

 

“Mr. Grape.”

 

I can see the blank eyes of the lizard.

 

The lizard’s blood-red eyes, which had been looking at the various Brown merchandise people were holding, turned back to me.

 

“Do you believe in rabbit dolls?”

 

“I, I suppose so…?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

I hurriedly looked around, then lowered my voice and spoke quietly.

 

“We’re not a cult.”

 

“I see.”

 

The lizard nodded.

 

It seems he understood my suggestion that it’s all a strategy…

 

“All cult religions say that.”

 

“…”

 

I want to faint.

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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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