Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 343

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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 343

 

“….”

 

In the first place.

 

What was the reason I kept exploring this dangerous Segwang Special City?

 

It was because of vague expectations.

 

The expectation that by digging into this massive and secretive ghost story, I might somehow reach the fundamental truth of this ghost story world.

 

And….

 

The expectation that then, I might be able to understand why I’m going through all this.

 

The expectation that I might be able to understand the cause or reason why I was suddenly thrown into the world of Darkness Investigation Records and suffering inexplicably….

 

I just realized that those expectations had been rewarded.

 

In a completely unexpected direction.

 

‘So they were trying to invite me from here….’

 

The Joyful Research Institute was trying to summon me, a person from that place, to prove ‘a safe world without ghost stories’….

 

And because of that, the disaster in Segwang Special City occurred.

 

My heart grows cold.

 

‘Then… the fact that hundreds of thousands died in Segwang Special City and the city was sealed is ultimately related to me too….’

 

…No! Let’s not get confused.

 

‘Did I ask them to summon me?’

 

Absolutely not.

 

I was also caught up in this like other Segwang City citizens. Caught up in the insane attempts of these damned ghost story world organizations….

 

Caught up in it, and it had to be me of all people.

 

“….”

 

Suddenly, something like intense pain surged from my chest to my head.

 

It was anger.

 

I barely managed to exhale lightly… and looked at the researcher from the Joyful Research Institute.

 

My words came out strangely dry.

 

In an Agent’s tone.

 

“So, in the end, you’re saying the absurd story that you tried to summon someone from a world without paranormal phenomena. And… you failed.”

 

“….”

 

“An entire major city became a ghost story. Why did you do such a thing without the ability to take responsibility? With what confidence?”

 

“We didn’t cause this. Originally, it shouldn’t have failed. This attempt was….”

 

“‘It shouldn’t have failed’—what kind of reckless talk is that? If you’re a research institute, it would be normal to assume failure and prepare for it.”

 

Lee Heo-un’s expression grew even paler.

 

Good.

 

“How are you going to handle this? Where are all the other researchers now?”

 

“Due to the fire, they evacuated. And there definitely was a contingency plan. But it’s not working now. We were also deceived. We….”

 

“What kind of irresponsible nonsense is that?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

…!

 

I quickly turned my head.

 

The member of our group I had forgotten was quietly speaking up.

 

The Counseling Teacher with an expressionless face.

 

“I think so too. How could you be so irresponsible.”

 

“….”

 

“I definitely received such a promise from them.”

 

The air twisted strangely.

 

“That on the day their efforts succeeded, this city would become safer for people than any other place on earth.”

 

There was no answer from Lee Heo-un.

 

No, he couldn’t answer.

 

I saw the researcher grabbing his own throat.

 

‘…!’

 

In the fantastical space filled with colorful toys, he rolled on the floor making choking sounds.

 

However, the Counseling Teacher looked at me and smiled, explaining as if kindly giving pre-consultation guidance.

 

“I have lived in this area, now called Segwang Special City, formerly called Gwangjin, for a very long time. I used to harm people in various ways, but after developing affection and intelligence, I’ve been protecting and caring for them ever since. So those words sounded very pleasing to me.”

 

His calm and intelligent tone gradually became softer and more gentle.

 

As if returning to his true nature.

 

“The government official who followed the authors also guaranteed it, so I gave them the underground of this land and listened to their requests. Then one day, I heard an earnest request.”

 

“…What kind of request?”

 

“A request to borrow a mystical orb for a while.”

 

At the gesture of the Counseling Teacher, no, the spirit being, the shape of a bright, round sphere appeared in the air above his finger.

 

The iridescent brilliance was red.

 

I recalled how Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je had used a similar orb to infiltrate Mumyeong Chanran Temple as an elderly person one day….

 

Though that one was finger-sized and didn’t look nearly as mystical.

 

“Have you perhaps heard the folklore about fox orbs? Not the fruit, but the orb possessed by fox spirits.”

 

It sparkled.

 

“There’s a theory that it originated from a dragon’s wish-fulfilling jewel, but it’s probably a saying that arose because similar stories were passed down…. The part about granting wishes.”

 

“…!”

 

Soon that fantastical form disappeared.

 

But I realized that it reminded me of the egg-shaped form that was in the center of the dream incubator’s tank….

 

‘…Wish.’

 

No way.

 

“The thing you lent them was used in this experiment?”

 

“It seems that way, doesn’t it?”

 

I heard laughter.

 

“Not knowing that, I tried to quickly retrieve my orb and take action. Protecting the territory and pushing out other evil things was already something the Management Bureau had earnestly requested of me several times while offering proper rituals. But….”

 

The voice became stern.

 

“They say the orb has disappeared.”

 

“….”

 

“Now there’s no way. There’s no way to protect this city from the evil infiltration outside and the infection spreading like a plague.”

 

The researcher’s face turned deathly pale. His hands trembled faintly as if he was about to lose consciousness.

 

‘…There’s no point in letting Lee Heo-un go like this.’

 

It’s not even this individual’s personal responsibility, and we’d just lose information.

 

I finally spoke up quickly.

 

“Couldn’t we try to track how the orb disappeared?”

 

“….”

 

“And if that doesn’t work, we need to find out if there’s another way to save the city. …By interrogating the researcher.”

 

….

 

….

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Gah!”

 

Lee Heo-un jerked his hands away from his throat as if electricity had struck them.

 

After gasping on the floor several times, he spoke with eyes that still had focus.

 

“Sorry, I’m sorry….”

 

“Apologies can wait. We need to find a way to fix this first. Please explain how the experiment proceeded.”

 

“Yes, cough, so, we….”

 

But at that moment.

 

Lee Heo-un’s right ear fell off his face with a thud onto the floor.

 

“…!”

 

“Ah.”

 

The researcher fumbled on the floor and picked up his ear.

 

What had fallen to the floor was now completely in the form of a plastic toy…

 

“….”

 

I turned my head to look at the corridor.

 

The splendid corridor visible beyond Lee Ja-heon and the two companions somehow felt more static than before.

 

Several of the colorful toys had stopped working and stood still or lost their vitality…

 

A sight that had lost its mystery.

 

“…Please escape quickly. Th-this office won’t hold out much longer either. You need to get out…”

 

Lee Heo-un said frantically.

 

“Right now we’re protected from the fire and the disaster outside… but the flames will soon reach here too. There isn’t much time left!”

 

Wait.

 

“You’re saying that what’s currently preventing the fire from spreading to this floor is also the power of supernatural phenomena… and it’s disappearing?”

 

“That’s right…”

 

I recalled.

 

The moment one of the Counseling Teacher’s hands that had been inserted into the monster was severed, it ‘disappeared’ as if melting away.

 

…Then.

 

Could it be.

 

“Are supernatural phenomena completely disappearing from Segwang Special City right now?”

 

“….”

 

A faint smile appeared on the Researcher’s face.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

…!!

 

“So strictly speaking, we’ve achieved the goal of our experiment. The invitation must have succeeded…!”

 

There was even a faint ecstasy in the Researcher’s voice.

 

“Someone… has come.”

 

My head went cold with an emotion I couldn’t tell was anger or fear.

 

But my reason caught the sense of wrongness.

 

“That’s strange. If supernatural phenomena disappeared, it should be safer instead, so why is the outside in that state?”

 

“That’s why it wasn’t our intention. This is an impossible result according to our goals…”

 

“An impossible result?”

 

“Yes. Today we merely wanted to establish and prove the existence of a ‘place without ghost stories’…”

 

The weary voice lowered.

 

“Someone interfered and cleverly altered the ritual.”

 

“….”

 

-What we research isn’t like that. Someone interfered!

 

“And they definitely set the fire to prevent us from responding. That’s…”

 

“Usually the person who benefits most is the culprit.”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the door.

 

Eun Ha-je was scratching her head.

 

“Honestly, I have no idea what this conversation is about, but the context is definitely my specialty. That’s usually how the world works. Who benefits most from this situation?”

 

The Researcher’s eyes darkened.

 

It was the right question, but it seemed difficult for him to speculate due to his nature.

 

In that case.

 

‘I’ll make it more specific for him.’

 

“Good point, Citizen.”

 

I asked as if adding to her words.

 

“It seems like you have several people in mind… among them, is there someone who suddenly disappeared from the site right after the experiment?”

 

“…!”

 

The dazed Researcher looked at me, then said in startled surprise.

 

“There is.”

 

“Well.”

 

I heard Eun Ha-je’s exclamation of admiration.

 

[Excellent interrogation, Friend!]

 

“Who is it?”

 

“A sponsor who insisted on observing this experiment. They’re also a spirit from the company that cooperated with us to develop the dream solution. That’s…”

 

“Can you tell us their appearance or name?”

 

The Researcher fumbled as he got up and rummaged through what appeared to be his desk.

 

Then he pulled out a teal hardcover book labeled ‘Joyful Research Institute Founding Commemoration Publication’ from the bottom drawer and began flipping through it rapidly.

 

And he stopped at one page.

 

A group photo of several people together had the title ‘Corporate Cooperation.’

 

The Researcher pointed to one person among them. That was…

 

“This person.”

 

It was Director Cheong.

 

The Director, whose appearance was exactly the same as when I saw him in the Annex Basement last time, was captured in the photo wearing a gown…

 

“….”

 

A numbing shock spread through my head.

 

“An entity within supernatural phenomena identified as a type of dragon. They were definitely there when we proceeded with work on the city hall rooftop for today’s experiment, but at some point they disappeared without any contact…”

 

“Hmm…”

 

I heard Eun Ha-je’s disgruntled voice.

 

“This seems like a pretty obvious situation. Wasn’t the partner company planning to backstab you and steal just the development results? Or maybe they messed up while secretly manipulating the environment to get the results they wanted.”

 

“…!”

 

Lee Heo-un’s expression showed shock and rejection, then soon changed to resignation and bitterness.

 

“…That might be the case. We’re already…”

 

The next moment, Lee Heo-un’s thumb fell to the floor.

 

It was plastic as well.

 

“…!”

 

“Now… now there really isn’t much time left.”

 

Anxiety settled on Lee Heo-un’s face.

 

“Please escape to the subway quickly. Since this experiment was limited in scope to ‘ground level,’ the subway, which isn’t the source, should be relatively safe. At least you all should be safe…”

 

And he looked at the Counseling Teacher and bowed his head deeply.

 

“I’m sorry. Given the situation, your treasure was likely used in this experiment.”

 

“….”

 

“So it might still be on that rooftop… but I’m not certain. And this research institute no longer has any mystical toys powerful enough to get there.”

 

The Counseling Teacher didn’t respond.

 

Lee Heo-un couldn’t raise his head, and the movements of the splendid toys in the corridor and office began to stop intermittently.

 

And Lee Heo-un’s foot fell off with a thud.

 

A toy like a nutcracker soldier’s shoe rolled across the floor. The Researcher staggered.

 

High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan, who had been at the doorway, approached and asked carefully.

 

“I, I can support you…”

 

“Thank you, but…”

 

A bitter smile spread across Lee Heo-un’s face.

 

“I can only stay alive inside this research institute. I’ve already lost most of my body.”

 

“….”

 

“But that Researcher… should be able to survive outside.”

 

He pointed to Lee Ja-heon at the doorway.

 

“He’s from a different department. He barely participated in this research. Since he bears no responsibility, I hope you’ll take him with you when you escape…”

 

Lee Ja-heon seemed to feel no emotion at those considerate words and just quietly looked at him.

 

“You should evacuate too… Don’t just rely on that strange button item, hurry up and leave the office to escape. Go on.”

 

…Button item?

 

I couldn’t see Lee Ja-heon’s face, but I could see him stepping into the corridor instead of nodding.

 

“I’ll guide you to the subway entrance.”

 

Seeing this, Researcher Lee Heo-un seemed relieved.

 

“I’ll look into other methods, so it would be best for everyone to leave.”

 

“Phew.”

 

Starting with Journalist Eun Ha-je, everyone left the office.

 

And when even the Counseling Teacher had stepped out into the corridor.

 

“….”

 

“Agent?”

 

I stood quietly in front of Lee Heo-un.

 

“Researcher. Are you almost certain that someone from ‘a world without ghost stories’ has come to this place?”

 

“That’s… yes.”

 

“Are you pleased with that result?”

 

Beyond the regret and despair on Lee Heo-un’s face, a brief sense of achievement as a researcher flashed.

 

“That much, yes.”

 

“I see.”

 

I lowered my head and whispered in his ear.

 

“Then, it doesn’t matter what happens to the being you summoned?”

 

“…What?”

 

“What you summoned isn’t a spirit, but a person. Just a person.”

 

My voice spoke slowly and deliberately.

 

“Have you ever imagined what kind of life an ordinary person who has never encountered supernatural phenomena would live after being suddenly dragged into an unfamiliar environment?”

 

“What do you mean by that…”

 

Lee Heo-un’s puzzled gaze changed the moment our eyes met.

 

“….”

 

“W-wait a moment.”

 

Lee Heo-un’s eyes trembled.

 

“Could it be…”

 

I silently looked down at the researcher.

 

Lee Heo-un’s eyes hurriedly scanned my appearance.

 

Then they stopped at my clothes and his pupils shook.

 

As if realizing that it wasn’t an official agent uniform but the attire of a cooperative spirit, a Counseling Teacher.

 

“…What is your agent name?”

 

“Who knows.”

 

“Are you a citizen of Segwang Special City?”

 

“Who knows.”

 

Researcher Lee Heo-un was examining me thoroughly, as if wanting to find any clue or perhaps remember something.

 

Instead of being shaken, I lowered my body slightly and whispered.

 

“But there’s one thing I’d like to tell you.”

 

“Yes, yes! What is…”

 

“In my opinion, even if your invitation succeeded… the summoned being would never cooperate with you.”

 

“….”

 

“Never.”

 

Lee Heo-un stopped.

 

Beep beep beep beep!!!

 

The fire alarm began ringing in the corridor.

 

I left the researcher from Joyful Research Institute sitting there in a daze and came out to the corridor.

 

Of course, there was no way to save Researcher Lee Heo-un.

 

But even if there had been, I couldn’t guarantee I would have used that method… feeling somewhat devastated by this realization.

 

“….”

 

‘Let’s go.’

 

There was work to be done.

 

‘I need to help two people… no, three people escape.’

 

And as I was taking steps into the corridor.

 

“Agent.”

 

The Counseling Teacher spoke to me.

 

“You know what? According to what that researcher just told us, this place is underground beneath Segwang City Hall.”

 

“…What?!”

 

Lee Ja-heon’s bewildered voice was heard.

 

“He said this place is underground beneath Segwang City Hall…”

 

“I heard that! Then this place is right below where the incident occurred?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It was the moment I felt a chill that went beyond uneasiness.

 

A gentle voice was heard.

 

“Then if we just go up, we’d reach the rooftop, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Damn.

 

“However, the probability of it being extremely dangerous is very high.”

 

“I know. But sometimes there are cases when you have to do something even if it’s dangerous.”

 

…I could feel the Counseling Teacher’s gaze looking into me.

 

“Agent.”

 

“….”

 

“Would you like to go together? To the City Hall rooftop.”

 

“….”

 

“We can use the emergency staircase. I’ll provide enough fruit.”

 

Just as I was about to turn my stiff head to look at him.

 

“I don’t recommend that course of action. Noru.”

 

“….”

 

…?!

 

W-wait a moment.

 

“…Manager?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I quickly turned to look at Researcher Lee Ja-heon, no… ‘Lee Ja-heon’.

 

My heart was pounding.

 

Though he had no face, instead of the same creepy and eerie feeling as before, I felt shock first.

 

No way.

 

“Do you have memories…”

 

No! That was too broad a question.

 

I pondered and chose one.

 

A question that was trivial if trivial, essential if essential.

 

….

 

“Do you remember what team we were in at the company?”

 

“Yes.”

 

And I knew without reason.

 

“Team D.”

 

If his face had been visible, that lizard’s snout would have been forming a smile right now.

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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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