Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 356

—————
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 356

From Agent Choi standing beneath the railway tracks comes an explanation-like story without any dramatic buildup.

A shocking fact.

“The re-sealing ritual for Segwang Special City is already in progress.”

…!

“A massive ritual like this requires at least three days. It’s already started.”

My head grows cold as I understand.

The elimination of an entire major city couldn’t happen rapidly in a short time….

Especially if they were given a 300-day countdown.

It’s not strange that it’s already started and in full swing.

“Of course, it’s a different method from ordinary shamanic rituals or ceremonies, but the essence of ‘putting in sincere effort’ is similar. Everything requires dedication to work well.”

“….”

“It’s time management to fit perfectly with the moment when the seal is lifted two days from now. After performing the seven-day Anban ritual and completing purification, specialized agents are already holding sacred blades.”

Agent Choi describes it as if he can see it.

“The ritual implement to be used is a Myeongdo . Think of it as a brass mirror. They’ll cover the sun-moon Myeongdo, engraved with incantations to symbolize Segwang Special City, with fresh blood symbolizing the sacrifices and flip it upside down on the altar floor….”

From somewhere, I seem to hear the sound of gongs and shouting at the top of lungs, drum beats, and bells ringing madly….

And Agent Choi is looking at me.

“I was planning to switch out the sacrificial blood to be poured on the Myeongdo.”

My hair stands on end.

“…Don’t tell me, with your own blood?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you out of your min….”

“Keep listening.”

Agent Choi stops my words and continues speaking calmly.

“Then the direction of the sacrifice changes. They probably prepared blood from spiritually powerful animals whose birth charts matched to symbolize the citizens of Segwang Special City… but now that death comes to me instead.”

“….”

“Of course, that alone isn’t enough. So I’ll conduct a separate ritual starting from when the seal is lifted. Um, in kids’ terms these days, you could say I’m drawing aggro.”

“How were you planning to substitute for an entire major city’s worth of citizens by yourself.”

“Simple. Match the numbers.”

“….”

An ominous feeling creeps in.

“What’s needed anyway is the moment life is cut off, so… this is a sacrifice where severing life is important. So I would….”

“You’re saying you’ll die that many times?”

“….”

“You’re saying you’ll repeatedly die more, as many times as there are people?”

“That’s right.”

Agent Choi said it matter-of-factly.

‘Wait a minute.’

What kind of numbers are we talking about here?

‘Hundreds of thousands are dying every day, so that means repeating that alone every day….’

An astronomical number that brings cosmic horror-level fear.

The hair on my scalp stands up.

“Of course, the ritual wouldn’t be completed just because anyone does that, and I have my own influence, so I’m attempting something like this.”

“Are, are you insane?”

Has he lost it?

Is this a situation that can be described as losing it?

“No. Rather, it’s bearable. Since I have no memory each time I die, I won’t go insane either.”

Agent Choi said with a sigh.

“Of course, I don’t intend to endure this state forever, to become some kind of living totem pole of suffering. I was… planning to leave hints like Team Leader Hong did at Segwang High School.”

“…!”

“Then you guys would save me someday. Right? Bronze and Grape.”

“….”

“Not reckless attempts like now, but after more research. It would be different with Bronze around.”

Agent Choi’s face, which had shown a faint smile, returns to tired indifference.

And his gaze turns toward the corpse between him and me.

Specifically, toward the corpse of the dead Bronze Agent.

“…Agent.”

“Don’t worry. Do you know how many times I’ve seen acquaintances’ corpses during missions? …I know he’s sleeping well outside.”

However, Agent Choi looks at the motionless Bronze Agent as if viewing a fallen younger brother or son, then reaches out to stroke his head and quietly lowers his hand.

“…Seeing that the corpse hasn’t disappeared so far, he probably hasn’t awakened outside. …His consciousness is probably trapped on the surface of Segwang Special City.”

“….”

“When the seal holding the citizens is lifted, Bronze will escape too.”

He says it like a vow.

And after glancing briefly toward the railway exit, which probably appears empty to him, he looks at me again.

“Well, shall we continue the story? You were curious about what I did while getting you out of Daydream’s underground.”

“….”

“Simple. It’s like a kind of secured loan.”

Agent Choi scratches the back of his neck and lowers his hand.

“If I can’t offer a suitable gift within a few years to the… um, ‘certain someone’ who found you, I’ll lose a few body parts.”

This is insane….

“Finding a gift that would satisfy them is pretty tough. If it doesn’t work out, I should try to make those parts into organs if possible. Then I could live together with Dokkaebi Fire, or maybe end up in a state like the Elder.”

“….”

“There, that’s it.”

I looked at him feeling like I’d been doused with cold water.

“Any more questions? If so, ask now.”

Agent Choi, who had casually spouted brain-numbing stories, looks at me with no change in expression.

“The reason I haven’t told you these stories until now is because hearing them would only make you worry, and there’s nothing particularly instructive about them.”

“….”

“Right? It’s not like you’re going to learn shamanic rituals like me.”

His usual playful tone barely mixes into his voice.

I stared at him intently.

“Don’t lie to me.”

“….”

“You just didn’t want to experience my worry or opposition, right? Because you have no intention of regretting or changing your decision anyway.”

“…If you want to put it that way, fine.”

“Does Agent Hae-geum know about this decision? Did she agree?”

“Even if she doesn’t agree, there’s nothing we can do. I’m the only one among us who can interfere with the sealing ritual.”

Agent Choi’s voice grew rough.

“This is a method I’m fairly confident I can pull off.”

“….”

“But you made your own judgment and decided to trust Lee Kang-heon’s note, planning to carry the manufacturing machine to City Hall by yourself.”

“Because persuasion doesn’t work.”

“That’s the same for you too.”

“No, it’s different.”

I gritted my teeth.

“You don’t believe what I say at all, so there’s no way persuasion could work.”

“Right. Just trusting someone contaminated by supernatural disaster is suicidal!”

“….”

“We could both end up in danger that way. Do you think there have been only one or two cases of agents going missing while following other missing agents? You….”

Agent Choi caught his breath.

“…Right. You said you came from another world.”

“…”

“You know what? It’s not like I didn’t try to believe what you said.”

Agent Choi’s voice lowered.

“Grape, you weren’t gone for just a day or two, but 293 days. That’s enough time to build roads. Do you think I wouldn’t have tried to verify if what you said was true?”

…!!

“…You verified it?”

“Of course.”

Agent Choi gave a bitter smile before his expression darkened again.

“The consciousness chamber I prepared isn’t just for glimpsing sealing rituals. …I picked a good day and consulted a divine oracle. To see if what you said was true.”

I drew in a breath.

Tension gripped my body.

“I chose the wording carefully too. I crammed in everything I could and followed proper form…”

“Was this person’s flesh and bone not born in this place, and are they a lost child wandering this world?”

Agent Choi looked at me.

“The answer came down immediately.”

“…”

“When I interpreted it, it was a very short and simple expression.”

“No.”

“…”

“That’s how it translates into words, but actually it was a negation of every description I presented.”

Agent Choi raised his hand as if wanting to hold a cigarette, then lowered it and composed himself.

“Grape.”

“…”

“A few days ago, I… chose my words poorly because I was frustrated and impatient, right? I went too far.”

I looked at the blue pupils that sparkled as if faded by sunlight.

He looked exhausted.

“But I’m that pressed for time and options right now. And… I want you to know that I’m not lying.”

“…”

“You’re a person from here. You were born here, and you haven’t lost your way home either.”

A bitter smile appeared on his lips again.

“Not that this will convince you.”

“…”

I felt a strange sensation.

‘Was that it.’

So… that’s why he acted so definitive.

Relief, emptiness, frustration, and rising indignation mixed and strangely kneaded together, scattering in my head.

Then it became clear.

“I understand.”

My mouth spoke calmly.

A slight glimmer of hope flickered in Agent Choi’s pupils, but there was greater wariness.

Right. I expected as much.

That’s correct.

“You’re right. I’ve been affected by too many ghost stories in a short time and am only now coming to my senses, and my obsession with home is definitely excessive.”

I looked at the handcuffs.

“Perhaps I’m like a long-term missing person from a supernatural disaster. Someone who can’t think straight after being tormented by fear and panic for so long.”

However.

“But even those people definitely have homes to return to.”

“…”

“It’s the same for me. Agent.”

I looked at him again and smiled.

“Agent, you chose the wrong wording when consulting the oracle.”

“…!”

“I’m a case that doesn’t fall under that category. Strictly speaking, I was invited into this body. I’m not a lost child, but a customer.”

“…Customer?”

“This sounds just as cult-like. Anyway, there’s one thing that’s certain.”

His pupils wavered.

I spoke gently.

“Whether you believe it or not, Agent, you can’t stop my choice. My choice is my own judgment, and I’ll do what I think is right.”

“That,”

“Just like what you’ve already done.”

Right?

“The reason you’re being honest with me now is probably because you’ve already completed all preparations for the re-sealing ritual so I can’t interfere.”

“…!”

“I’m not angry.”

I’m not angry anymore.

I feel like I’ve heard too many sincere stories from the exhausted Agent Choi for that…

Even without the handcuffs, I don’t think I’d be screaming and grabbing him by the collar asking if he’s crazy.

Calm judgment settled in.

“From your perspective, you think that’s the most certain answer sheet. When I or others could die by mistake, you can’t choose another method for fun or because your heart leans that way.”

“…”

“My method seems like an unverified gamble, and my desire to go home seems distorted, in many ways.”

“…Still.”

Agent Choi’s voice came out slightly cracked.

“Still, I’m always ready to listen to what you have to say. About home, or anything else.”

“…”

I was momentarily speechless.

“…Thank you.”

I know.

Passionate, firm in judgment, choosing self-sacrifice over fear, curious, and not easily persuaded unless it’s rational.

…And a good person.

All the qualities of an early Management Bureau agent.

He was originally that kind of person…

“Still, your judgment probably won’t change.”

I became more certain as I spoke.

“Yes. We cannot persuade each other.”

For now, that is.

“Grape.”

“But…”

I drew in a breath and gave a bitter smile.

“I still think we can cooperate.”

“…”

“I think you’re an amazing person, Agent. And so far… well. I can’t say I’ve never lied. I was originally a spy, after all.”

“…”

“I know I’ve talked about many things that can’t be verified. So I won’t demand your trust right now.”

Agent Choi’s eyes trembled slightly.

“How about we just make a promise between ourselves?”

I made a promising gesture with my hand that wasn’t cuffed.

“I hope we can cooperate so that each of us can attempt what we want in this Segwang Special City matter. Not interfering with the process, but genuinely helping each other.”

“….”

“Even if only one of us succeeds, it would be good for the citizens. And if we don’t cooperate with each other, it only increases the probability that each attempt will fail.”

I deliberately stared intently at my counterpart.

“Even if you can’t trust me and everything looks like a suicide mission, you can still increase the survival rate.”

“You….”

“I’m joking. Still, I ask for your cooperation.”

“….”

I looked at Agent Choi with his head bowed and spoke bitterly.

“If not, there’s nothing we can do. We’ll just have to attempt it without any cooperation.”

….

“You petty bastard.”

“Sounds like you’re introducing yourself, Agent.”

[Hahaha!]

Brown’s laughter could be heard, but Agent Choi was only making low breathing sounds.

Then a subdued voice came from below.

“What do you want?”

“Let’s write a contract. And you can use your equipment to make an oath to a supernatural being.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll stake my supernatural identity.”

So I wrote on the paper.

The two who pledge below this form must cooperate to achieve each other’s goals and cannot interfere with each other.

This can be nullified by mutual agreement.

I wrote below it first.

GOLDEN

“Please sign.”

“….”

Agent Choi made eye contact with me, then did some calculations… and finally gritted his teeth and stamped the handle of the cleaver.

Instead of a name, a strange stain was left above it.

As the ‘Mascot of Flower Golden Resort’, I sensed that the signature was effective.

[Excellent, Friend!]

‘…Thank you.’

I feel like some Octopus Witch getting an autograph from the Mermaid Princess.

But I did it.

‘Phew.’

I feel mentally battered,

but after signing, I tried not to be conscious of Agent Choi, who had become noticeably quiet as if regretting it….

At that moment.

“Do you… really have to do it?”

….

“…Yes.”

I looked at the silhouettes beyond the exit that were still there, and at the corpses on the railway tracks, catching my breath.

“Then I’ll explain from now on.”

“….”

“How I’m going to install the potion manufacturing machine.”

And so the next day.

I alone stepped onto the surface of Segwang Special City through the exit of the railway tracks.

It was the day right before the blockade would be lifted.

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