Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 351

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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 351

 

I no longer heard any attempts to dissuade me like ‘You just escaped from above ground in Segwang Special City after 293 days, and now you want to go back down underground there?’

 

No, I didn’t have the luxury to listen.

 

“Is there a problem with this music box?”

 

“…I’ll go for now.”

 

I immediately hung up the Fox Counseling Room nameplate and crossed over to the counseling room, preparing to enter the Segwang Special City subway through the long-term hospital room.

 

“You’re going in? …Grape, wait!”

 

Agent Choi, who had been continuously wary of Director Ho, ended up accompanying me, but I didn’t have time to observe or mediate the conflict between Ho Yu-won and Agent Choi that I encountered in the counseling room.

 

I was just anxiously restless, as if my blood had run cold.

 

‘What’s going on?’

 

Why… is the music box that caused the Day of Disaster also inside Daydream’s potion manufacturing machine?

 

“I’ll guide you for now, Noru.”

 

Even during the process of entering the long-term hospital room and ‘entering’, my questions didn’t cease.

 

The only fortunate thing was that the moment I opened my eyes, I realized I had successfully entered the Segwang Special City subway.

 

I could see the familiar modern platform.

 

…Segwang Station.

 

-Before you too have your breath cut off and are placed on the sacrificial altar, before being trapped in this May 4th… to the place where you originally belonged,

 

It was as the counselor had said.

 

My intuition was correct that I wouldn’t be dragged there because I hadn’t died on the Day of Disaster, May 4th.

 

But that relief didn’t last long.

 

Because I hadn’t forgotten why I came here.

 

“Um, this way…”

 

I took the train to Afternoon Station as instructed, and the Security Chief guided me to the platform of that station where Delusion Home Shopping had been.

 

Creak.

 

And when I opened the fire extinguisher in one corner…

 

A surprisingly spacious area appeared.

 

“…!”

 

Originally, the interior of the fire extinguisher had been distorted enough for Young-eun and me to enter together, but now it had expanded to almost the size of a living space.

 

It looked like seven adults could easily lie down.

 

However, one side was occupied by a huge machine…

 

The potion manufacturing machine.

 

“They expanded it… with an item…”

 

Did they think of this method after the train shelter disappeared?

 

I could feel firsthand that several months had passed.

 

The shabby space with signs of daily life was furnished with items that seemed to have been gathered from the subway. From the looks of it, they apparently couldn’t procure many daily necessities from outside.

 

And the two people sitting on mattresses in the corner immediately stood up the moment they saw me.

 

“Employee!”

 

Two Research Team employees.

 

Assistant Manager Lee Yeon-hwa and Section Chief Gwak Je-gang.

 

“Well, we heard you’d returned! You came right away. I knew you would!”

 

Both looked considerably worn and haggard.

 

Even more so when I thought of their impeccably neat appearance at the company.

 

Especially in Gwak Je-gang’s case, he looked even more pitiful, perhaps because he was missing a joint of his pinky finger.

 

But now those eyes were sparkling like light.

 

The excitement of finally being able to explore new knowledge.

 

“Did you hear about it? That music box!”

 

Then he went to the machine and immediately began opening a drawer placed beside it. Assistant Manager Lee Yeon-hwa, who had rushed over with him, was horrified.

 

“Manager, the safety protocols…!”

 

Thud.

 

Before Gwak Je-gang could grab the drawer, the Security Chief blocked it as if to stop him.

 

“Step back. Don’t make… sudden movements…”

 

“…”

 

Gwak Je-gang’s eyes flickered, but soon he twisted his lips into a smile and stepped back dramatically.

 

“Of course! That’s right. I can’t interfere with you enjoying the fun of bossing around researchers for the first time in decades, can I?”

 

The Security Chief completely ignored those words and came over here after taking something out of the drawer.

 

Assistant Manager Lee Yeon-hwa sighed.

 

“Section Chief Gwak… He’s like that every time. I told him it would be better not to provoke the Project people.”

 

“…You’ve had a hard time.”

 

“That’s true, but compared to all the dead people, being missing in the darkness isn’t too bad. Taking apart the potion manufacturing machine is pretty interesting too…”

 

Instead of her previous tense appearance, her tone was resigned, as if she’d given up.

 

But I was too on edge to offer comfort to that voice.

 

That thing.

 

The silver box the Security Chief was bringing over.

 

Gwak Je-gang was following beside it, muttering.

 

“Really, after letting me research freely all this time, now you’re doing this. You’re really doing something useless!”

 

Assistant Manager Lee Yeon-hwa, watching this, spoke to me in a very ambiguous tone.

 

“We haven’t told the newly appeared employees about why we’re fixing the manufacturing machine…”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

It seemed to mean she had kept her promise with me.

 

And soon the silver box arrived in front of me.

 

“…”

 

“Should I… open it…?”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

I opened the box.

 

…Inside was a black music box identical to the one in the photo Go Young-eun had sent me.

 

The jet-black box-shaped music box, as if silver had rusted, had intricate raised patterns, and golden letters were engraved where the top and bottom parts interlocked.

 

Angel’s Sigh.

 

It really, really was that thing.

 

“…Have you tried opening this music box?”

 

“Well, the lock wouldn’t come undone!”

 

Phew.

 

“So we forced it open.”

 

…!!

 

“But no sound came out. I wanted to disassemble it, but the spring mechanism itself wouldn’t turn. Should we spray some lubricant on it? Well, we were devising various other methods!”

 

“…”

 

Lubricant…

 

Liquid.

 

“By any chance, did you try letting this music box come into contact with dream solution?”

 

“…!”

 

The researchers’ expressions changed.

 

“No, but… wait a moment!”

 

Gwak Je-gang went to the potion manufacturing machine and began opening something to examine it.

 

“Hmm, that music box was additionally hidden here, in the storage section where the dream solution comes down and meets the device to manufacture potions.”

 

“…”

 

“So if this manufacturing machine had actually received power and operated, this music box would have eventually come into contact with the dream solution.”

 

Good heavens.

 

“Then you think this music box would play… hmm?”

 

I put the music box back into the silver box.

 

Cold sweat trickled down my temples.

 

‘It was a trap.’

 

The moment I installed this potion maker on the rooftop of Segwang City Hall,

 

another disaster would have erupted.

 

If the researchers hadn’t been stranded in the disaster for 293 days, spending time dismantling this maker.

 

If they had only done standard-level operational repairs without discovering the music box….

 

‘It would be catastrophic.’

 

My heart turned cold with dizziness.

 

And that means….

 

‘I was lured in.’

 

They deliberately left the discarded maker where I could steal it.

 

When I infiltrated Daydream Company, they deliberately caused a commotion about the missing potion maker to ‘make it easier to steal the discarded maker.’

 

With the music box installed inside the discarded maker.

 

Who?

 

There was really only one answer to that question.

 

‘…It’s Director Cheong.’

 

Goosebumps rose all over me.

 

‘Wait a minute.’

 

How much does he know?

 

Is he reading my psychology? How far does the power of the employment contract extend?

 

Don’t tell me even at this very moment….

 

‘No.’

 

I need to stay calm.

 

‘The fact that he set a trap means this attempt is something that must not succeed for Director Cheong.’

 

Rather, this situation strengthens the reliability of this method written on Lee Kang-heon’s note.

 

It means Director Cheong also thinks this is the correct answer.

 

‘Right. That’s right.’

 

My head cleared.

 

After pondering, I put the silver box containing the music box into my inventory tattoo, box and all.

 

“No, that thing…!”

 

I heard Gwak Je-gang exclaiming in shock from behind, but I didn’t hesitate.

 

I already knew how to appease them anyway.

 

“Within a week, both of you might escape from this darkness.”

 

“…!”

 

“I visited today because there’s something I need to prepare for that attempt. …Please teach me how to install that potion maker.”

 

And I learned from the two researchers how to install the potion maker to a power source.

 

‘With this, I can go to the rooftop and install this maker instead of the dream cultivator.’

 

But even while making steady preparations, the eerie premonition wouldn’t go away.

 

It was the same even after I finished learning the installation method, packed the potion maker itself into my inventory tattoo out of ominous anxiety, and came out of the fire extinguisher.

 

“Hahaha! Then we’ll be counting the days waiting for you….”

 

Thud.

 

I looked at the closed fire extinguisher in silence before Gwak Je-gang could finish speaking.

 

“Now… are you going back…?”

 

“…Wait a moment.”

 

There was still something left to check.

 

I turned my head from the platform toward the stairs above.

 

A familiar sign caught my eye.

 

[ Flower Golden Resort ]

 

Souvenir Pop-up Store

 

“Mascot!”

 

As I entered, the two ‘Heo-uns’ jumped up and looked at me.

 

“We heard from the employees that you couldn’t come because something else came up, but did you finish your work?”

 

“Thank goodness, Mascot!”

 

They were full of joy and relief, and I wanted to chat more too, but that wasn’t what was urgent right now.

 

“Is the rent okay?”

 

The rent for this pop-up store space paid with blood!

 

Payment Item: Fresh Blood (Human)

 

Security Deposit: 499L

 

Monthly Payment: 3L

 

Is that okay….

 

“Well, reminder notices came occasionally… so we’ve been contributing between ourselves to pay it. Don’t worry…!”

 

“…What?”

 

“Since there are two of us. If we take turns paying a little each week, it’s a manageable amount….”

 

“….”

 

I was speechless.

 

“You’re afraid of blood… aren’t you.”

 

“It’s okay. We put it in the mailbox and covered it so it wasn’t visible, and when I… get injured, the resort treats me right away.”

 

Jang Heo-un had a bandage with the yellow mascot’s character face drawn on it stuck to his arm.

 

“….”

 

I felt complicated.

 

“I’m sorry. If there’s ever a similar situation where I have to be away next time, please tell them to deduct the blood from the security deposit.”

 

“Huh? Yes. I understand…!”

 

But as I spoke, I realized it too.

 

Will there… really be a next time.

 

‘If I succeed in ending the extinction-level disaster… what happens to this subway station?’

 

If the subway station escapes from the blockade and disaster’s influence, the property of being ‘a space where contaminated people can exist sanely’ will also disappear.

 

Then these people will….

 

….

 

When I recalled Park Min-seong’s case on top of that, I felt even more indescribable.

 

Am I missing something?

 

Might there be something I haven’t checked because I’m anxious about the time limit.

 

The music box inside the maker was also a trap discovered because sufficient time was given. Maybe there are similar traps elsewhere.

 

Even if not, if I spend sufficient time investigating, I might discover other hints….

 

….

 

“Um, Jay.”

 

As I left the pop-up store, I asked.

 

“Do you… know Director Cheong well?”

 

“Well, at the company, as much as other employees know… I know it all….”

 

I roughly knew that too.

 

While waiting for contact from the researchers, I had looked into what I could find out about Director Cheong externally.

 

‘Publicly, he hardly comes forward.’

 

He doesn’t appear at official events or press conferences.

 

However, his name has been listed as a director since the current Daydream Company homepage was first created.

 

This means he’s been at Daydream Company for a very long time, even before it went public.

 

What I heard from asking the two Disaster Management Bureau agents who were with me was similar.

 

-A director who has been at Daydream Company for a long time, like Daydream Company itself.

 

It all converged to this sentence.

 

He feels like a typical Daydream Company director.

 

To find out more specifically here….

 

‘…I need to access the intranet.’

 

Using someone from the Ho Yu-won project team’s intranet would be too obvious….

 

“By any chance, is there anyone who quit working on the project team?”

 

“Resignation… you mean…?”

 

“Rather, someone who stopped working directly under Director Ho and returned to regular company duties.”

 

“Hmm….”

 

The Security Chief seemed lost in thought before opening his mouth.

 

“There is…. That… Black Goat.”

 

…!

 

Baek Sa-heon.

 

That evening.

 

Daydream Company Housing building.

 

“Good evening, Citizen.”

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

Baek Sa-heon was closing the front door and turning his head when he saw me climbing through the window and was startled.

 

It was because I was wearing a mask on my face.

 

Was it called a Choryang mask?

 

Anyway, I hurriedly approached and extended my hand before he could immediately open the front door and run away.

 

“Are you alright? …Don’t be surprised. It’s me.”

 

It somehow felt like an “it’s me, it’s me” scam, but I had solid evidence.

 

A paper boat.

 

“….”

 

Baek Sa-heon’s expression completely changed as he looked at the paper I was holding.

 

“…Agent?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I came this way because it seemed easier to have a conversation, but actually I was planning to change tactics the moment Baek Sa-heon lifted his eye patch to ‘check’ me.

 

I extended my hand.

 

“Nice to meet you. Citizen. It’s been a while.”

 

“…I do know you.”

 

However, instead of lifting his eye patch this time too, Baek Sa-heon just looked at me with an annoyed expression and swatted my hand away.

 

“Why couldn’t I contact you all this time…! Were you planning to steal my item and run away?”

 

“I was trapped in a supernatural disaster.”

 

“….”

 

“I’m sorry. I was grateful for your help last time. I should have repaid that too.”

 

I expected Baek Sa-heon to burst out in irritation again.

 

But….

 

“Excuse me.”

 

A calm voice was heard.

 

“Why do you keep doing that job?”

 

“….”

 

“You could quit even now. Honestly, it seems like low pay with only life-threatening danger.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

I smiled bitterly.

 

“I probably missed the timing to quit comfortably.”

 

“….”

 

Baek Sa-heon made an expression as if he was pressing his lips tightly together, then sighed and gestured with his chin.

 

“Why don’t you sit down.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I sat at the dining table of the company housing where I had once lived, with somewhat nostalgic feelings.

 

And I casually asked.

 

“I’m curious about something too.”

 

“What is it.”

 

“Why do you keep going to Daydream Company, Citizen?”

 

Baek Sa-heon paused for a moment while sitting on the opposite side.

 

“I understand that most people who work at this company have desperate wishes. Do you have such… a wish?”

 

“….”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“There was originally a reason I went there, but now it doesn’t matter anymore.”

 

“….”

 

“If I keep collecting points… well, I’ll probably find something I want to use a Wish Potion for.”

 

That tone somehow felt like he was trying to evade rather than face his inner self.

 

Perhaps, I thought that Baek Sa-heon might clearly know why he wants to get a Wish Potion….

 

Maybe that’s why, as someone with experience, I naturally opened my mouth.

 

“You should be careful with Wish Potions.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

…He’s reacting just like I did when I heard similar words from a Bronze Agent before. No….

 

“It’s not that they have no effect, but because they might be fulfilled in an unexpected direction.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“Daydream Company’s Wish Potions are… not convenient items that grant the true wishes deep in the user’s heart.”

 

I spoke seriously.

 

“I believe they’re fulfilled according to the wording, within the scope of what it can grant, in a way that’s close to ‘I did grant the wish.'”

 

“…How do you know that?”

 

“I had the opportunity to hear testimony from a user. Certainly that potion grants wishes not user-centered but self-centeredly….”

 

…Wait a minute.

 

Self-centered.

 

‘…Isn’t that just like Director Cheong?’

 

-You should be grateful. I fulfilled your motto for you.

 

I suddenly recalled why I came to this place while feeling a strange sensation.

 

The music box of the potion-making machine.

 

Director Cheong’s manipulation.

 

The mutated state of the Wish Potions that come from there….

 

…Something felt strange.

 

“Anyway… I understand.”

 

“Citizen.”

 

“What now.”

 

“Do you know Director Cheong Dal-rae?”

 

“…Is there anyone who works at a company and doesn’t know their department director? Of course I know her.”

 

….

 

“Could you possibly access the intranet for me? There’s something I’d like to investigate about that director.”

 

“What?”

 

“I heard that you can use the intranet with a PC from company housing.”

 

“No…”

 

“I won’t leave any records that would cause trouble for you, citizen.”

 

After all, I came here to find out internal information in a way that wouldn’t make Director Cheong suspicious.

 

“This is absolutely necessary information. …Please.”

 

And I was about to offer some kind of condition.

 

Something that would tempt Baek Sa-heon.

 

But then…

 

“…If you try to do anything weird with my account, I’ll take it away.”

 

…!

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Fine. Think of it as payment for telling me about the wish voucher.”

 

Baek Sa-heon guided me to his PC.

 

…Following him, I felt strange.

 

‘Has this guy also learned to show small kindnesses…?’

 

It was definitely different from the venomous snake in the Darkness Investigation Records…

 

Maybe even from the new employee orientation.

 

…Could my influence be part of it?

 

I felt a strange emotion, but couldn’t dwell on it for long.

 

“Here.”

 

I quickly grabbed Baek Sa-heon’s PC and accessed the intranet.

 

“There, at the top, the logo…”

 

Baek Sa-heon’s pretentious voice trying to explain stopped.

 

Because I was already skillfully navigating the intranet’s personal pages.

 

I entered the company internal announcements tab and began carefully looking through the content starting from the oldest…

 

Instead of directly searching for ‘Cheong Dal-rae’, I searched by the position of managing director, then when related projects appeared, I used those to search for more detailed documents.

 

“…!”

 

That’s when I realized something.

 

‘Strangely… there are so many dragon-related darkness incidents.’

 

Dragon Head Coast ghost story.

 

Dragon hunting game ghost story.

 

Hwangnyongsa Stone Pagoda ghost story.

 

Han River dragon ghost story…

 

All kinds of dragon-related darkness incidents had been developed or researched under Director Cheong’s jurisdiction.

 

Of course, since it was the Development Department, this could be seen as natural. The darkness incidents under Director Cheong’s jurisdiction were extremely diverse beyond just these.

 

But.

 

‘Even after Director Ho joined… dragon-related darkness incidents are still under Director Cheong’s jurisdiction.’

 

It seemed like people from Director Cheong’s line were assigned to them…

 

I suddenly remembered.

 

The words of the Blue Dragon Team’s Chogae Agent I met in Segwang Special City.

 

-I caught the scent of that vicious Kwang-cheol here.

 

-I’m talking about Baek Il-mong Director. That fraud!

 

Kwang-cheol is an imugi ghost story that failed to become a dragon.

 

Could it be…

 

‘Is Director Cheong that being?’

 

And this Kwang-cheol that the Segwang Special City agent mentioned, I’ve never heard the current agents talk about it.

 

“…”

 

I felt like I had grasped some kind of hint.

 

And then I realized something else.

 

Among the beings in those ‘dragon-related ghost stories under Director Cheong’s jurisdiction’, there was one being I could meet right away.

 

A being that was friendly to me and could communicate.

 

Good Child

 

“…”

 

That dawn.

 

I entered the Cheerful Theme Park through my inventory tattoo.

 

To meet the Blue Dragon Mascot of Blue Dream Water Park.

 

D-3 until the Day of Disaster arrives.

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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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