Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 335

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work Episode 335

 

My studio apartment in Segwang Special City.

 

I stare blankly at a human hand suddenly protruding from inside a blanket with white lizard patterns.

 

While witnessing this realistically impossible situation, I feel deep shock and relief.

 

Not even knowing why I feel this way.

 

“Noru.”

 

Someone inside the blanket speaks to me.

 

I don’t know why I’m called Noru.

 

But my mouth opens.

 

“Do you… know me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Who are you… what kind of manager are you? Why do I call you Manager?”

 

“It’s not important.”

 

The hand wearing black gloves that emerged from the blanket says.

 

I swallowed.

 

“…Why am I trapped in May 4th? What… what is this situation?”

 

“It’s a situation you wanted.”

 

What?

 

“No, that can’t be… That’s impossible!”

 

What kind of nonsense is this? Just thinking about how many times I’ve repeated May 4th makes me feel like I’m going insane!

 

It’s amazing I haven’t gone crazy yet. The only thing that lets me endure is because May 4th is such a peaceful and good day…

 

…

 

A good day.

 

A good daily life.

 

“Is May 4th a good day with special meaning to me?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“Am I obsessed with May 4th and unable to escape?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then what exactly is this situation?”

 

“Do you want my deduction?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

A dry and calm male voice comes from inside the blanket.

 

“This is a place where your wish to return home has been projected.”

 

…!!

 

“I don’t understand what you mean,”

 

Why am I shocked?

 

“Since Noru’s wish is to return home, I deduce that desire has been projected here.”

 

…

 

What are you saying.

 

I want to go home? Then I should return to my family home in Bundang.

 

Right, I should have returned to those weekends when I occasionally helped my younger brother’s dessert cafe. Why would I wish to return to today when I was living alone in a different area?

 

That’s, that’s…

 

…

 

“…In reality.”

 

I swallowed.

 

“What exactly is my condition?”

 

There’s no answer.

 

“What condition am I in that makes me… want this day, May 4th, to repeat forever?”

 

“Noru.”

 

“Why am I Noru?”

 

They call me by an unfamiliar name. For the first time, I feel fear about this.

 

What condition am I in exactly?

 

I am…

 

“Please calm down.”

 

“…”

 

“Do you want my speculation?”

 

“…Yes,”

 

“Wanting May 4th to repeat is another mechanism.”

 

The fear subsides with the calmness of the voice.

 

“It’s a day recreated in a special way, where your wish was affected by the Segwang Special City disaster.”

 

Disaster.

 

That word makes me strangely anxious and cold sweat forms on my temples.

 

“I speculated that this phenomenon appeared through interaction with your wish.”

 

Wish.

 

At that moment, words flash through my mind.

 

Children’s Paradise Syrup.

 

The prototype of the Wish Scroll, ‘medicine that grants wishes.’

 

The research facility that tried to use this for Segwang Special City’s project, and the terrible disaster that seemed to occur there.

 

…

 

What are you saying.

 

What kind of knowledge is this?

 

Where did it come from?

 

“Ugh.”

 

I held back the bile rising up.

 

My mind, pickled in 612 repetitions of tranquility, turns with strange noise.

 

And, and…

 

“Manager.”

 

I looked at the blanket while panting.

 

“…Your arm seems to have come out of the blanket more.”

 

“Yes.”

 

It was getting longer and longer.

 

Now it had emerged from the blanket almost enough to show the shoulder.

 

It was clearly motionless and stretched out just standing there, but somehow.

 

There should definitely be no space between the bedside table and blanket, yet it’s as if someone is hiding between the folds of the blanket and emerging.

 

Or as if the blanket itself is mutating.

 

“Is this… good?”

 

“No.”

 

A calm voice resonates from inside the blanket.

 

“It means the time you can leave this place through the alien discomfort of the blanket is decreasing.”

 

…!!

 

“Then, then I’ll leave right now! Since it’s dangerous…”

 

But.

 

“No.”

 

“…No?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I stare blankly at the right arm that has almost completely emerged from the blanket.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“Considering the traumatic situation you’ll soon experience in reality, there’s also a probability that staying here would be safer.”

 

“…”

 

“If you choose to stay, leave the blanket as it is. 10 minutes and 32 seconds remaining.”

 

I blankly stared at my hand that had emerged from the blanket.

 

“It might be safer here.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I turned around to look behind me.

 

A pleasant spring day, the scenery of Segwang Special City on May 4th—a day off yesterday and tomorrow—spread out beyond the living room’s large window…

 

Forever.

 

“…Could you tell me exactly what’s happening in reality?”

 

“That’s impossible.”

 

“…Can you tell me what situation you’re in right now? The situation we’re facing, I mean.”

 

“That’s impossible.”

 

…Then.

 

My mouth slowly opens…

 

“I’m going out anyway.”

 

It wasn’t just for the simple and certain reason that I felt like I’d go crazy if I stayed here any longer.

 

“I want to know what the hell this situation is.”

 

Frustration.

 

The desire to investigate the truth of the situation and find a solution.

 

That somewhat unusually strong motivation establishes a firm direction within me.

 

And one more thing.

 

I broke out in a cold sweat and smiled grimly.

 

“If I keep staying like this without knowing, it’ll probably be even scarier.”

 

…

 

“Confirmed.”

 

The responding voice was equally calm.

 

However, for some reason, I felt like the White Lizard character’s snout on the blanket had curved into a smile.

 

“Then prepare yourself.”

 

Prepare?

 

“What should I do?”

 

“Gather the things you want to take with you.”

 

I jumped up from my seat. Looking around the familiar studio apartment, I spotted the Rabbit Doll on the bed.

 

The one that had been in my pocket hundreds of times.

 

“Um, can I take it with me?”

 

“I don’t recommend it.”

 

For some reason, I reflexively glanced at the Rabbit Doll.

 

“7 minutes and 24 seconds remaining.”

 

Damn it. After hesitating briefly, I picked up the Rabbit Doll and said.

 

Even if it’s not recommended, there must be a reason this doll has been with me all this time.

 

And besides.

 

“Um, does the Rabbit Doll… normally talk?”

 

“No.”

 

…Phew.

 

What was I expecting? As expected, talking to the Rabbit Doll is foolish…

 

“Cotton dolls cannot speak.”

 

“No, I don’t mean dolls in general… I meant specifically this Rabbit Doll… whether this doll can talk…”

 

“I see.”

 

And a plain answer comes.

 

“Yes.”

 

…!

 

I looked at the Rabbit Doll.

 

At its two black eyes like pebbles.

 

“Is it talking… right now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why can’t I hear it?”

 

“I presume it’s a necessary prerequisite for implementing Noru’s wish.”

 

“…”

 

I don’t understand what that means.

 

But I ask with a trembling voice.

 

“What is it… saying? Can you relay it if you can hear it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Friend, this Brown is fine.”

 

Brown.

 

“…Brown.”

 

I carefully called out to the Rabbit Doll.

 

No answer came back. But I carefully secured that Rabbit Doll… this time putting it in my front pocket instead of my regular pocket.

 

It feels reassuring.

 

“Um, do these coins have any meaning? They’ve been getting blacker each time I repeat May 4th. They also sting.”

 

“I don’t know. Do you want my deduction?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Discoloration is a common sign when misfortune blocking takes on contamination instead.”

 

Misfortune blocking?

 

“Also, the stinging is presumed to be a stimulus that gives you a sense of unease. Someone else might be sending you signals through the coins.”

 

“…”

 

Someone else?

 

But isn’t it just me here? I’ve experienced today dozens, no, maybe hundreds of times alone…

 

…

 

For some reason, I feel anxious. An impatience like I need to quickly check something.

 

What am I forgetting?

 

“5 minutes and 14 seconds remaining.”

 

“I’m ready!”

 

I immediately went to the front of the blanket.

 

The unease I had noticed—the human arm had now emerged from inside the blanket past the shoulder, almost revealing the entire upper body.

 

I could even faintly see the outline of a head under the single blanket…

 

…

 

It’s a person’s jawline.

 

Did it… originally look like that? I have a feeling it looked more avant-garde before.

 

“Take hold.”

 

After taking a deep breath, I grabbed the arm without delay.

 

Then, I began being pulled into the blanket with tremendous force.

 

“…!”

 

Thud, as my head was buried in the blanket, the cloth rippled and covered my facial features.

 

Like being pressed by scissors.

 

‘Gasp!’

 

The characteristic soft texture wrapped around my head, but the sensation was brief—soon it covered every opening on my face without gaps.

 

‘Wai-‘

 

Wait.

 

I can’t breathe. I reached toward the blanket in suffocation, but couldn’t grasp it. Just as I was about to struggle in the pressure and blocked vision.

 

All those sensations disappeared.

 

“…”

 

No smell, no sight, no sound.

 

Inside the blanket.

 

The beautiful day of May 4th that I had experienced disappeared from my senses, no matter how much I reached out or struggled, it remained beyond my grasp.

 

It’s gone now.

 

At that fact, a strange surge of emotion welled up rather than a sense of liberation.

 

But I was still there, and soon I realized.

 

My consciousness, my emotions.

 

And the self-awareness that came flooding back like sensations.

 

‘Ah.’

 

I realized why I was called Noru.

 

It was a nickname I got when I worked at Baekillmong Corporation.

 

And Baekillmong Corporation was the ghost story company that appeared in <Darkness Investigation Records>.

 

One day, I was sucked into this ghost story world. I met various people, those who appeared in the wiki and those who didn’t.

 

All that pain and happiness.

 

Sense of purpose.

 

And going round and round, my wish is… still to return home.

 

Right.

 

‘…I told that story to Manager Lizard once.’

 

I knew the identity of the hand that came out of the blanket.

 

Field Investigation Team D Leader.

 

Manager Lee Ja-heon.

 

“….”

 

I opened my eyes.

 

Pain, agony, and the familiar head of a white lizard came into view.

 

That reptilian alien was holding my body as if pulling it out from somewhere.

 

‘What.’

 

Even in the pain, I felt like laughing.

 

Thanks to him, I survived again. Phew. It seems I was caught in a loop-type ghost story where the day repeats.

 

How many times did it repeat? …612? 613? Wait, just thinking about it makes me dizzy. I tried my best to dismiss it as a dream. I can’t let my mind get sucked back into that.

 

‘Let me get my bearings.’

 

And I shook my head. Now let me match pace with Manager Lee Ja-heon and get out. Then I can assess the situation.

 

I looked at Manager Lee Ja-heon’s movements…

 

….

 

He’s not moving.

 

“…Manager?”

 

I lowered my head.

 

Nothing.

 

There’s nothing below Manager Lee Ja-heon’s waist.

 

“Huh.”

 

I twisted my body.

 

The hand that was gripping me fell away.

 

Manager Lee Ja-heon’s torso, only the upper half remaining, fell downward.

 

Thud.

 

With a short and cruel sound.

 

….

 

Huh?

 

What??

 

‘Just now.’

 

What happened?

 

This is strange? Manager Lee Ja-heon, Employee D shouldn’t die like this? He, he even becomes Team Manager?

 

Huh?

 

What? What just happened I reached out and stood up to retrieve that upper body

 

But I realize it’s impossible because I too have almost no arms or legs. My body is attached to a giant sphere, screaming. Along with other mouths making the same sounds

 

The end has come!

 

Paradise exists!

 

We have failed!

 

What is

 

Whaaaat is this what state am I in right now? I see the air

 

A train is coming from far away a train! The train rushes over and passes above us, passes over that head and goes far away outside

 

Why?

 

The end has come!

 

Paradise exists!

 

We have failed!

 

My body is being sucked into the sphere. Being pulled in further.

 

No! No!

 

I twisted my body. Under the rolling body, my remaining lower half gets crushed and momentarily separates and falls. Splat, my body hits the ground.

 

I began crawling through the ruins.

 

The bleeding becomes severe. My consciousness grows faint. The pain becomes dull. Behind behind behind behind there’s something I have to avoid it I can’t get attached to that again I don’t want to I’m still

 

Still

 

[Noru.]

 

[This is as far as you go.]

 

Died.

 

* * *

 

“Huk, heoook!”

 

I raised my head.

 

The familiar sight of the department store lobby came into view, no, no! No!

 

I’m back! To May 4th! I’d rather it was a dream, no, I staggered up from the chair and tried to run to my studio apartment…

 

[Oh my, friend! Are you alright?]

 

….

 

Ah.

 

[Now, I am here. Quickly check your front pocket!]

 

I lowered my head.

 

I searched my pockets. Reflexively taking out the hand I had put in my pants pocket and moving it to the front pocket. Then…

 

“Brown…”

 

A soft rabbit doll is in my front pocket.

 

Along with the pleasant voice of the host.

 

[Your friend Brown is here!]

 

[Your good friend who endured 613 days of boring, predictable, repetitive scenes without skipping any, the entertainer of the era is with you!]

 

“….”

 

Right.

 

Right…

 

I caught my breath.

 

I need to get my bearings.

 

‘The situation I’m in.’

 

I barely manage to pull out from my head the experience from what feels like hundreds of days ago.

 

I fell from the train.

 

From the subway train heading outside across Segwang Special City, suddenly the door next to the engineer’s seat opened and I fell down into the city below.

 

Fully exposed to an extinction-level disaster, and now, in the midst of it…

 

“Did I, did I return to May 4th again?”

 

[First, it would be good to check the differences and similarities. Noru!]

 

I immediately began checking my condition.

 

‘My clothes…’

 

It’s not a business suit.

 

The outfit I wore to impersonate a Grape Agent inside the train. The state where I’m wearing glasses.

 

‘It’s different.’

 

My mind becomes calm.

 

However, there are also differences that make my heart feel cold.

 

…The silver coin wasn’t there.

 

The coin that contained the counselor’s ego.

 

‘…It had turned black.’

 

The feeling wasn’t good.

 

But I didn’t have time to think about it for long.

 

Bzzzzzzzz!!

 

My smartphone started ringing.

 

More precisely, all the smartphones of everyone who had been glancing at the crazy thing I was doing in the department store lobby rang out in unison.

 

I got goosebumps all over.

 

Sensing some kind of premonition, I opened my smartphone.

 

[Segwang Special City] Alert warning issued. Suspected terrorist explosion occurred near City Hall. Presumed to be biochemical weapon lethal to human body.

 

Chain explosion situation suspected, so citizens please prepare to evacuate according to instructions and absolutely do not go outside.

 

“…”

 

That’s how I realized it.

 

This is indeed May 4th.

 

However, it’s not the peaceful and beautiful May 4th that I experienced.

 

-It was May. The day right before Children’s Day.

 

-When first period was starting, suddenly a disaster text came. Saying terrorism happened at City Hall.

 

The day of disaster.

 

This is the day when an extinction-level disaster occurred in Segwang Special City.

 

But how?

 

I definitely fell from the train and died. And this is definitely a day from several years ago, but how…

 

…!

 

-Wishing for May 4th to repeat is another mechanism.

 

-It’s a day recreated in a special way, with your wish being affected by the Segwang Special City disaster.

 

My wish would have been ‘a peaceful home without ghost stories’. Then in the repeating May 4th that I experienced, being affected by Segwang Special City’s disaster means…

 

‘…Repetition of a day.’

 

That’s how I figure out a new proposition.

 

“Aaaaaaahhh!”

 

“What’s that?”

 

Faint screams began to be heard from somewhere outside the department store. But I remain frozen, verbalizing my realization.

 

Segwang Special City.

 

Inside this sealed city, today has been repeating endlessly.

 

The day of disaster, hundreds and thousands of times.

 

Forever.

 

And I’m now trapped within it.

 

“…”

 

Eeriness crawls up my entire body.

 

‘No way.’

 

What should I do in this situation?

 

Wait, wait a minute…

 

‘Tattoo!’

 

Right. As I returned to my original body, the tattoo appeared. I need to get the two people out first. I hurriedly put my hand into the tattoo.

 

Surely the two of them didn’t endure 612 days raw inside here, right? Surely…

 

…

 

Nothing’s there.

 

Neither the Bronze Agent nor Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.

 

Nothing’s there.

 

The inside of the tattoo was completely empty of the space for two people.

 

“…”

 

My mind seems to be getting confused…

 

‘No!’

 

I need to pull myself together. Let’s get it together…

 

‘I also, I also just died and came back to my senses.’

 

At this morning’s department store, that is.

 

Let’s assume other people are in similar situations. Perhaps, the people who were inside the tattoo were also appropriately placed within this day of disaster.

 

Bronze Agent too, Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je too…

 

Manager Lee Ja-heon too.

 

Then what I need to do right now is…

 

‘Find them.’

 

“Aaaahhh!”

 

I looked outside the department store door that was starting to become chaotic.

 

And I rushed out beyond it.

 

Into May 4th of Segwang Special City, where an extinction-level disaster had just begun.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————