Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 361

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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 361

The Agent with Scar on Neck silently stared at the Counseling Teacher inside the monorail train.

“…You say you have the qualifications.”

“Yes.”

The smile that had seemed distorted with ecstasy on the Counseling Teacher’s face straightened again.

“Have you perhaps forgotten? I’m from Segwang Special City.”

“…”

“And since I’ve made a contract with the Mascot, there’s no role more suited to being personnel here. Ah, thank you.”

The last words were directed at the Mascot who was offering him a souvenir sticker.

‘…A deer? A cat?’

Anyway, the mascot costume that anyone could see belonged in an amusement park waddled forward to the front of the train, then waved its hands welcomingly at the four people as it escorted them.

Now that he looked, it was dressed as a conductor.

“Should we, should we board?”

“Yes.”

And Lee Ja-heon began boarding the train without hesitation.

The Mascot spun around him as if somehow pleased, then seemed to remember its identity as a conductor and quickly stopped with a fake cough.

When Eun Ha-je, who was muttering something like ‘Little guy, how cute,’ boarded, Ryu Jae-gwan hurriedly followed onto the monorail.

♩♪♬♬~♩♬♬~♩♪♪

The golden monorail departed cheerfully.

The ivory-colored beautiful track walls and the theme park map drawn on them flowed past the window… Cheerful Theme Park?

Ryu Jae-gwan, who had been watching this, turned his head and only snapped back to attention when he made eye contact with the Counseling Teacher.

“Um… Teacher.”

“…”

The Counseling Teacher stared at the High School Student before him and opened his mouth.

“I’d prefer Ho Yu-won over Teacher.”

“Huh? Um, calling you by your name like that…”

Ho Yu-won’s gaze swept over the bewildered High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan, focusing on his school uniform.

“…Are you a Segwang High student?”

“Huh? Yes…”

Silence.

‘Why is he asking something so obvious…?’

When Ryu Jae-gwan stiffened at the strange sense of unease.

“…I see.”

Ho Yu-won quietly looked at him and smiled.

“Even knowing it’s not true, having your heart deceived by what you see before you is a very human reaction, isn’t it?”

“…?”

“It’s fascinating and… strange.”

The Agent with Scar on Neck watched this with a wary attitude, but Ho Yu-won simply gazed quietly at the High School Student wearing the Segwang High uniform.

…As if looking at something he missed.

And he smiled as he spoke.

“I hope you have a happy resort trip, and return safely. …Student Jae-gwan.”

The last words were somewhat awkward.

As if imitating something unfamiliar, or as if doing it for the first time in a very long while…

“…”

♩♪♬♬~♩♬♬~♩♪♪

“Oh, looks like we’ve arrived.”

The monorail stopped, and through the window appeared scenery like a train station from a classic fairy tale.

The Conductor Mascot went outside the train door and again guided the passengers as if escorting them.

When High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan looked back at Ho Yu-won, he was still smiling.

“Go ahead out. I’ll be the last to leave.”

“…Thank you.”

High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan reflexively bowed his head and went out.

Behind him, the Agent and Ho Yu-won’s eyes met.

“…”

“…”

Unaware of the strange atmosphere behind him, Ryu Jae-gwan stepped outside the train.

He heard the voice of a Young Woman having a bright conversation with Lee Ja-heon.

“I’m glad you’re safe!”

“Yes.”

“And…”

A Person in Dolphin Mask with a small build and formal attire suddenly turned to look at him.

“Oh! Agent.”

Agent?

Ryu Jae-gwan was momentarily confused, but soon made the reasonable deduction that they meant the Agent following behind him.

But somehow he couldn’t shake the feeling that the gaze from behind that dolphin mask had been looking at him…

Why was that?

“Did you rescue these two?”

“Yes.”

“Rescue isn’t complete until they safely return home! So I’d like these two citizens to know a safe way out of here.”

However, the Person in Dolphin Mask had already naturally turned their gaze away from the High School Student to converse with others, and Ryu Jae-gwan naturally pushed that strange feeling to the back of his mind.

Because he received a peculiar impression that everyone seemed to know each other.

Moreover, anyone could hear they were discussing matters concerning his safety.

‘Can I really escape from Segwang Special City through this resort?’

“Really? It would be fine to stay and play for about a day! This resort seems like it would be incredibly safe for good people as long as they follow the rules, hmm…”

But the Person in Dolphin Mask somehow swept another glance over the appearances of Eun Ha-je and High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan, then nodded.

“Yes. It would be best to return immediately to where you originally were.”

“Yes. I’ll speak with the assigned mascot.”

“Yes yes! Oh, I think it’s that one over there!”

And Lee Ja-heon walked with large strides toward the mascot the Person in Dolphin Mask had pointed to.

In front of the stairs, at a gorgeous bronze platform decorated with crystal flower trees that looked like an information desk, stood a mascot.

That mascot, equipped with a vest and pocket watch like a general manager, looked at High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan and even tried to shake hands as people at amusement parks do.

“It’s, it’s okay.”

Then the mascot’s ears drooped slightly as if deflated. Ryu Jae-gwan felt an unnamed guilt…

“Hmm. According to this Mascot, a way out for you two has already been prepared!”

“Really? Then we should check it out~”

The people who had found a way out had some conversation about the current situation that Ryu Jae-gwan couldn’t understand.

High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan, who hadn’t yet picked up on the extremely anxious undertones hidden within, simply turned his head and saw another person quietly approaching this Information Desk mascot.

Ho Yu-won.

That person stared quietly at the mascot and spoke.

“You’re not Noru either.”

…

“That person isn’t at this resort. Isn’t that right? You’re just a part of him.”

The mascot nodded.

“Just like me.”

Only a calm smile remained on the Counseling Teacher’s face.

“Student Jae-gwan! They say you’re going to guide the way!”

“…! Yes!”

Ryu Jae-gwan, who snapped to attention at Journalist Eun Ha-je’s call, followed after the people.

However, the Counseling Teacher didn’t follow them, naturally slipping away as if he had other business to attend to.

Ryu Jae-gwan had no idea that their appearance had dispersed the attention and gazes that would have been focused on him….

But he felt something else.

After some thought, he bowed his head politely.

Ho Yu-won’s eyes seemed to waver slightly, then he raised his hand slightly in greeting.

Just as Teacher had done.

“….”

“Should we go up these stairs?”

“Y-yes, yes.”

Agent with Scar on Neck looked around at the people and shouted.

“From here on, only I will accompany you. Everyone else, go about your business!”

And so the group was finalized again.

Ryu Jae-gwan followed Mascot’s guidance and climbed the ivory-colored carpeted stairs with the people.

Above where the main waiting room should have appeared….

“Wow.”

A very elaborate indoor garden had been created.

Glass flowers, golden branches, and various yellow flowers sparkled between green leaves.

“What is this place….”

Due to the maze-like bushes, it was impossible to gauge how vast it was.

But the guide’s steps were confident and energetic.

Mascot, who led them along the outer path, soon pointed with fluffy hands to a small but pleasant-looking brick house.

On the back door hidden by crystal lamps hung a nameplate in elegant cursive writing.

Employee Exit

Authorized Personnel

Only

“Um, it says authorized personnel only here….”

“…Mm. Says it’s okay.”

Mascot looked at the people and patted its chest as if telling them to follow, then grabbed the door handle.

And when the door opened, a corridor made of neat bronze-colored wood appeared, not as fancy as outside but tidy.

Along with a blackboard that seemed to have messages written for employees.

See you again next time!

– GOLDEN

As Mascot stepped inside first and held the door, the other people followed.

But Mascot stopped the agent who was about to step in last.

“Ah.”

The agent stopped.

“…Mm, looks like I can’t go from here. But it seems Mascot will go with you.”

A bitter smile briefly crossed his face before becoming calm again.

“You see that door at the end? If you go through there and leave this resort, you’ll return to where you originally were.”

“….”

“Stay healthy and take care. Got it?”

Ryu Jae-gwan somehow felt anxious.

“Um, after we return, how can we express our gratitude to you agents?”

“….”

Since it’s a secret government agency, wouldn’t they be unable to contact them anymore?

“…Hey, just call!”

But the agent searched his pocket for paper and scribbled down a number with a ballpoint pen.

“I’ll give you the number. Here! This is precious, okay? It’s headquarters’ direct line.”

And he grinned.

“Just say you escaped from a supernatural disaster with an agent’s help, and they’ll guide you kindly.”

He spoke in a gentle but firm voice.

“They’ll check if you have any aftereffects or other problems too. Even if it’s not to express gratitude, definitely contact them. Got it?”

“Yes. Thank you…!”

“Hey. What’s the big deal about something so natural.”

Beyond the smiling agent’s face, the face of the other agent who had saved him also came to mind.

The person who had appeared on a bicycle.

The relief from that time.

And the current warmth in his heart.

High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan’s eyes grew calm and heated at the same time.

“Um, is there… is there a way for me to work there too?”

“…!”

“I want to rescue people at Disaster Management Bureau too…. Like you agents.”

“….”

“Of course.”

Somehow, it was a choked voice.

But the next moment the agent chuckled.

“But you need to grow up a bit more, don’t you?”

“Yes…!?”

“No, not height, age! You need to be at least not a minor to take the exam. Got it? First, grow up big!”

“Ah, I understand.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Future junior agent!”

Ryu Jae-gwan’s voice became firm.

“…Yes!”

“Well, you should go! Everyone’s waiting.”

“Thank you…. Thank you!”

Ryu Jae-gwan turned his head to bow to the agent once more, then headed forward following Mascot.

Still, with three people, and thanks to the kind Mascot, it wasn’t scary.

‘To experience something like this.’

Really, it seemed like it would be an unforgettable day for life….

That wasn’t only in a bad sense.

High School Student Ryu Jae-gwan walked to the end of the corridor and grasped the door on the opposite side.

Click.

Through the door where nothing could be seen, the three people who had been trapped in Segwang Special City walked out.

And disappeared like that.

Agent Choi was watching his past junior return to his own timeline like that.

“….”

“Did they go back?”

“Senior.”

Hae-geum Agent revealed herself.

The agent who had been searching by taking charge of half the area each to find a way out of the resort had discovered the citizens and secretly followed them.

Hae-geum Agent opened her mouth.

“…He won’t remember.”

…

“If only his mind was summoned here, he’ll likely consider it all a nightmare. Since that guy has a constitution with spiritual sensitivity, there’s a high chance he’ll think of it as reality, but he’ll probably forget all the specific details.”

The names of places.

The appearances of the agents he met.

He’ll forget all the elements that could be realistically identified, but…

“Still, he’ll remember being caught in a supernatural disaster.”

“…”

“And he’ll definitely remember that some agent saved him from that disaster. He’ll also contact using the number he remembers.”

A moist laugh mixes with Agent Choi’s low voice.

“In the end, receiving that unexpected contact, I’ll look at the guy who can’t even remember the disaster clearly, have a good laugh, and think that some future agent must have saved him. Team Leader Hong will introduce Yi-jeong Bookstore to the guy who says he wants to work.”

And.

“When more time passes… that high school student will become a wonderful agent and meet you at the mountain lodge.”

“…”

“Grape.”

Agent Choi’s voice looking at the mascot returning from the corridor is low and cracked.

“The seal is being lifted in real time. There really isn’t much time left.”

…

“If you want to prevent me from interfering with the sealing ritual, you should at least let me help you. You have to make me help with everything I’ve got. That’s the promise.”

I look at the mascot.

“If you’re listening, let me out.”

“…”

“I’ll… try my best to help you.”

“How unfortunate.”

Ho Yu-won, who had been vaguely listening to that conversation from below the stairs, likewise speaks to the mascot.

“When conditions aren’t met, one loses their role like that.”

The mascot who entered the information desk as if taking shifts stares at him.

“Let me tell you a secret.”

And Ho Yu-won whispers to the mascot.

“I know where you are.”

…

“This doesn’t require mysterious abilities, it’s just a simple fact. You must be on the city hall rooftop, right? Since you need to install equipment there.”

Will settles into the voice that had been gentle like counseling.

“And I can finally go to Segwang Special City through the personnel entrance that leads to ground level…”

…

“So, I’ll come find you now.”

“And at this moment, I’ll do the most me-like thing.”

I turned around.

Ho Yu-won.

The being with a counselor’s face was standing still.

But his form was wavering.

Like my melting state, his form was clearly collapsing rapidly!

Because he’s a ghost story!

“Go back…”

No, it would be faster for me to destroy this being inside the cocoon right now.

Then everything would be fine. All of this, I tried to pull myself together from this jumbled body somewhere between the yellow mascot and the masked Noru and tear out Kim Sol-eum again…

“Um, I asked if you’d ever considered other methods.”

There’s no time! I’m going crazy, there really is no time, so why do you keep talking about such things.

“I’m sorry. I keep speaking in this manner. You could call it an occupational hazard of being a counselor.”

He approaches.

Why…

“Client. I’m finally standing here. In Segwang Special City.”

Ho Yu-won looks around, his expression changing to one filled with ecstasy, then returns to a counselor’s expression.

“Do you remember what I told you during our first consultation?”

The gentle voice says.

“‘When you’re seized by powerful impulses or obsessions you didn’t want, it’s so painful, isn’t it.'”

“…”

“And helping you escape from that in the right way is the counselor’s role.”

Ho Yu-won’s gaze turns toward Kim Sol-eum in the cocoon.

More precisely, toward everything hanging below him.

…The citizens of Segwang Special City.

I’m scared

“I’ve continuously recommended regular counseling and long-term hospitalization to people who were struggling because they couldn’t bear themselves and their situations.”

…Wait a moment.

“Indefinite, permanent hospitalization until recovery.”

Wait, surely not.

“And now.”

Ho Yu-won lowers his body.

As if trying to examine the beings inside the cocoon thoroughly.

“I think I’ve met the clients I truly wanted to recommend to. People who need my recommendation more desperately than ever before.”

That’s,

“It’ll be a very long group counseling session, won’t it? Perhaps my entire life as a counselor might be needed.”

If you do such a thing…

“But it seems like it would be very rewarding. So much so that I think I might be a being prepared for this moment.”

“…”

“Noru.”

The beings whose entire bodies have almost melted away look at each other.

The counselor and Good Friend.

“Would you agree to counseling?”

Ho Yu-won drags his half-melted body over and hands me a nameplate.

“Unless the client, or their guardian, personally opens the door, counseling cannot begin.”

“…”

“Because counseling requires consent, not coercion.”

I realize.

Kim Sol-eum in the cocoon, and the citizens of Segwang Special City who worship and cling to him.

That I have the qualifications of being both that client and guardian.

“Please.”

…

“You may have noticed, but while I was talking, Noru has also melted quite considerably and now seems to lack even the strength to tear one person out of that cocoon. It would be more comfortable for you to give up.”

Ha.

“Don’t look at me so frighteningly. I’m quite the coward…”

I looked at Ho Yu-won, who was making his usual annoyingly frightened expression.

Director Ho that I know.

…Even my eyes welled up with emotion.

“….”

“Hurry. Before we melt into each other any further and all die together.”

Ho Yu-won smiles.

“Let’s try the best method, Noru. That’s why you came all the way here, isn’t it?”

He grabs onto me with difficulty.

“As you’ve always wanted, let’s try recovery instead of turning away.”

“….”

“And….”

Ho Yu-won says.

“Please introduce the clients you really wanted to counsel to Ho Yu-won, who survived as a counselor.”

….

I accepted the door nameplate.

Unbearable emotions rise up, but eventually melting away, I moved to the rooftop emergency exit.

And I hung the nameplate on the door.

Knock knock.

I knock, grit my teeth… and pull the door knob.

“Well done. …Thank you.”

The full view of the Fox Counseling Room pours onto the rooftop.

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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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