Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 383

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even If You Fall Into Ghost Stories, You Still Have to Go to Work — Episode 383
[Citizen.]
The agent’s voice crackling through the phone sends an electric chill up my spine. I nearly felt elated at the sound.
This was the first time. Making a rescue request to the Management Bureau while actually trapped inside a ghost story.
That strange, exhilarating sensation of recreating the exact scenario I’d read about in reality.
And even setting that aside, the situation itself was desperately welcome.
If anyone were left alone trembling in a ghost story, wouldn’t they feel the same?
Do you require rescue, you say?
“Yes! Can you possibly pinpoint my location?”
After a brief silence.
[Are you currently in the middle of a Courage Test?]
‘Of course.’
They knew about this ghost story!
‘I buried it carefully—there’s no way it was placed randomly without some order.’
I gripped the phone tighter.
“Yes. During the Courage Test… all my companions disappeared, and I’m the only one left.”
[Did you happen to find the stamp?]
“Yes! I completed the stamp collection and my companions vanished on the way back.”
[…….]
“…Hello?”
[Understood. An agent will dispatch immediately. I’d recommend keeping your distance from the Courage Experience location and avoiding contact with other objects or people as much as possible.]
I read the subtext in that tone.
‘They’re treating me as a contaminated entity.’
Suspecting whether something that failed to leave at the right time and became a long-term missing person was the one calling. Damn!
‘If I act like I know Management Bureau internal details, I’ll only draw more suspicion.’
But I need information.
Since the Wiki’s investigation records for this ghost story were written entirely from the Daydream researcher’s perspective, the Disaster Management Bureau must know something different.
‘I need additional information that the Disaster Management Bureau has.’
I made my voice tremulous and fearful.
“Um, how long will it take? You’re a government agency, right? Could it possibly take more than a few hours depending on the situation?”
[…That is, a possibility we cannot entirely rule out.]
“I don’t think I can hold out until then… I’ve already experienced several strange things…!”
I spoke carefully.
“Instead… is there anything I could try to escape from here on my own?”
[……Have you encountered supernatural phenomena before?]
Did I sound too rational?
No, I should push forward with this approach.
“Yes. Several times before… This is a ghost story, isn’t it? Do I need to resolve someone’s grudge or something?”
[No, it’s dangerous! If you just carelessly touch things in your current state, it could lead to irreversible circumstances. You must endure and wait as much as possible.]
“Then I’d appreciate it if you could tell me something so I don’t make a mistake. Knowing helps me avoid it!”
I pressed harder.
“What is this monastery? My companion said there was an accident here where children died… Is that true?”
[……One moment.]
My earnest tone seemed to trouble them on the other end, and brief silence followed.
‘…Are they confirming with upper management?’
I swallowed nervously, considering whether to build more tension and push harder, when a quiet voice continued.
[The location you’re currently in is an abandoned building called Shinmaum Monastery. It was operated by a religious organization and closed seventeen years ago.]
I exhaled.
“Was that due to the accident you mentioned?”
[Yes. Five days before closure, dozens of high school students who went on a Courage Experience all disappeared.]
…….
[The walking trail connected to the monastery formed a circular course, so even at night there was almost no risk of disappearance or falls. There was even testimony that they were seen returning to the monastery.]
[However, when the guide found the students, every single one of them was gone from the rooms.]
“…Did any belongings or personal effects go missing?”
[None. Everything remained as it was.]
Students vanished as if evaporated.
‘If they completed the course and returned, yet still disappeared….’
That means they vanished inside this building itself.
In the oppressive darkness, a chill climbs up my spine.
[Subsequently, dozens of bodies were discovered near the Courage Experience site.]
[…It’s said they all had collapsed skulls and were smiling.]
“…….”
[The rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the monastery remain as they were. Lights turn on intermittently, so do not approach. Do not touch anything.]
I swallowed hard.
“Understood.”
My throat tightened. But….
[…You didn’t ask why you shouldn’t approach when the lights are on.]
…!
Damn.
“…Someone in my group told everyone not to turn on lights. The person who went to smoke disappeared, and the others holding flashlights can’t be seen.”
I responded truthfully.
I just didn’t reveal that person was me.
[…Understood. In any case, that’s all the background information I can provide.]
The agent’s words quickened.
As if this was what they really wanted to say.
[What I tell you next is more important. First, you must distance yourself from the Courage Test site. I’d recommend hiding in the gap of trees near the Five-Color Mineral Spring and keeping your eyes closed.]
“Including this monastery?”
[…Yes. If you happen to enter the lobby inside the monastery, do not look outside the glass window. It’s dangerous even without turning on lights.]
“And what else?”
[And avoid the religious symbols. You must absolutely not touch any religious symbols that appear in that building.]
“…If contact became unavoidable,”
I swallowed.
“Is it better to die, or is it better to make contact?”
[…….]
The agent’s voice came out slightly hoarse.
[Just… don’t.]
They couldn’t quite bring themselves to say death was preferable….
They had agent-level judgment, but clearly didn’t have much experience with situations like this.
“Thank you. I’m grateful. Um….”
Rustle.
“…….”
My spine stiffened.
I heard a sound.
Rustle.
This… this wasn’t….
“Damn it, is this the place?”
“Yes, sir! Damn kids and their pranks. Courage Experience? What stupid prizes.”
Phew.
‘The sound was coming from the entrance…!’
It was the sound of people claiming prizes at the information desk outside. The glass made it echo, so I misjudged the direction….
‘Of all people, it had to be those two from Team X.’
I watched the pair from Team X who’d been trying to cheat Z999 swagger out of the monastery, apparently unable to bring a single item back, so they missed witnessing the strange phenomenon caused by light.
“What’s scary about this? You’re all just cowards~”
Hmm. I’d like to show them what’s truly terrifying….
“Since we’re already out, let’s not just go back….”
But soon their silhouettes vanished into the darkness. They must have returned.
“…….”
Damn, I’m jealous.
And while I sat there, the phone fell silent as a grave.
I quickly spoke into the receiver.
“Fortunately, it was just other people claiming prizes and leaving….”
[I see.]
“Thank you for staying quiet. You were being considerate since if I got caught, it could be bad, right?”
Silence stretched out.
[…Citizen, you’re quite composed.]
Haha, I practically lived in ghost stories until a year ago.
…I can’t say that.
“I think I’ve calmed down a bit from talking. My companions all disappeared and I was frightened.”
[…….]
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of following other people or startling them. I have a way out too. For now… I’ll do my best to follow your instructions.”
[…One moment.]
I heard brief searching sounds through the handset.
[This phone will connect one more time even if you pull the cord.]
“…!
[Use it if it gets urgent—just run with it. I’ll try to find whatever might help.]
That was essentially betting that I was human.
Installing something like that wouldn’t have been cheap.
[You must endure and wait for rescue. Even if it takes time, don’t give up. We’ll do our best.]
I nearly choked up.
Having spent days at the Daydream branch where they literally burn through workers, it affected me more.
“Thank you. I’ll do my best….”
[Yes! You can do this.]
Hearing those words, I took a deep breath and ended the call.
Click.
Lingering regret clung to my hand.
‘…I actually wanted to find out what happened to the Disaster Management Bureau after Segwang Special City.’
I would’ve liked to hear updates about the agents I knew, if possible.
‘But I don’t have time for that now.’
First I need to survive and get out.
“Phew.”
I carefully set the disconnected phone on the floor and moved it slightly closer to the entrance just in case.
With conversation gone, the oppressive darkness filling the lobby pressed down even more heavily….
‘…Probably more than half of the remaining workers already left.’
They’d be faster than me, what with all the time I’ve wasted stamping and internally screaming at each incident.
Before everyone’s gone, I should move quickly. That’ll be less scary.
‘Let me think.’
I consolidated the ‘information from the Disaster Management Bureau’ I’d extracted in this call, organizing it in my head.
-Students disappeared after entering the monastery.
-The rooms on floors 2 and 3 remain intact.
-The existence of a fourth stamp location.
“…….”
It seems that after stamping at some location within the monastery, the students experienced some phenomenon that led to disappearance and death.
‘But the bodies were found outside too….’
That bothered me, but first I should identify where the fourth stamp might be inside the building.
‘If the Courage Test spot is inside the building….’
Since it was just for show, I doubted they specially chose a location and decorated it with theme.
Wouldn’t they have selected some place with an inherent image of fear from the past?
Once I thought that far, a location came to mind immediately.
‘…The basement.’
Right.
I closed my eyes tight and headed into the lobby to find the stairs.
This building had a structure like an old school, with staircases at both ends apparently.
I clenched my teeth and tried the stairs on the left first.
No downward stairs appeared.
But the supply cabinet door next to the stairwell hung open.
‘What the hell.’
I felt like I was losing it.
Fighting back a chill, I peered inside the cabinet….
The inside was carved away, making it look like a basement—quite spacious.
Amid various cleaning supplies and equipment, a cork board stood against the far wall.
A single sheet of paper was fixed with a thumbtack.
And below that, a single red string was identically pinned.
At its end, hanging and swaying, was something cylindrical and hollow.
A stamp cap.
I stared at the cork board with only the stamp cap left dangling.
…Very faintly, there remained what looked like a test stamp impression.
“…….”
Following an uneasy hunch, I carefully reached out and grasped the board.
Then I pushed it to the side.
Crack—with a short sound came the reveal of….
Whiiiine—
A pitch-black hole.
A passage that could only be described that way had appeared.
The way down to the basement.
I groaned.
‘The stamp is… definitely down there.’
Should I just wait for the agents?
I wanted so desperately to do that, I was grasping for any rationalization.
But,
‘…No.’
Among the agents’ equipment, the Five-Color String would be the only useful thing, and I doubt they’d readily use agent-exclusive escape items on a suspect character like me.
‘And the moment I meet them, I’ll have restrictions placed on my movements.’
Because they’ll suspect me of being a long-term missing person.
Even claiming I’m a former agent named Grape would raise more red flags.
In the worst case, scenarios played out where agents died trying to control the situation, or I received humanitarian killing….
‘Phew.’
So for now… let me figure out anything at all.
‘Let me at least look.’
Eventually, I moved my stiffened legs into the hole….
I fall.
“…!”
My body plummets downward.
‘Shit!!’
There were no stairs.
My feet, finding nothing to stand on in open air, drop straight down.
I frantically reached my arms out in all directions, trying to grab anything, my hands, arms, and the backs of my hands scraping and brushing repeatedly before….
“Ugh!”
My hand clamped down on something solid.
‘Insane.’
My strength barely let me hang on.
Even my heart pounded violently as I clung for dear life. God, this pure, survival-instinct terror….
Slipping.
“…!!”
I almost let go.
Blood seeping into my palm made my grip treacherous.
‘Damn….’
Stay calm, don’t panic. I gripped harder with hands threatening to slip, trying desperately to pull myself up.
That’s when I began to realize the surrounding area was becoming faintly visible.
Why?
‘A basement should be pitch black.’
Then something cool brushed past the back of my head.
Whiiine—
Wind.
Like when I first surveyed the hillside, mountain wind was tickling my head….
“…….”
It’s outdoors.
‘Wait, wait.’
Why is it outdoors when I fell into a basement?
Because it’s a ghost story?
‘Did I fall into a different space?’
I urgently turned my gaze upward….
…….
…….
I understood.
I was hanging from a broken wooden floor.
And before my eyes….
There really was a basement.
Shinmaum Monastery
The basement was completely filled with religious symbols.
Buddha statues, Mary statues, crosses, prayer beads, unidentifiable ox-head busts, grotesque heads with glowing eyes split open revealing crimson jewels like blood, containers packed with severed rat heads. Every religious symbol from every religion ever, crammed into this basement and packed so tightly not a crevice remained.
I was overwhelmed.
The hideous true nature of this monastery bore down upon me from above.
-It was operated by a religious organization and closed seventeen years ago.
And I, sliding my eyes downward, confirmed the text beneath the enormous nameplate….
Shinmaum Monastery
Paradise’s name alone
Is a love you cannot refuse
My neck froze with dread.
Not simply from the strange religious text or fear of the unknown.
Because I could actually read it.
‘…It’s Love Paradise.’
The very place where Jang Heo-un—no, where the Heo-un versions grew up.
A grotesque religious facility masquerading as an orphanage.
One of the new religious movements that swept Korea in the early 2000s.

I swallowed.
‘
You can meet your ideal type
‘, or ‘
We’ll remake you into your ideal type
‘—spreading such slogans and proselytizing in ways young people would find appealing, it apparently gained notoriety on early internet.
The reality was
modifying believers’ lives
into something suitable for ‘
Paradise Lover
‘—an unethical, occult pseudo-religious group that forced bizarre rituals.
‘This place… was Love Paradise.’
And….
What they worshipped.
Paradise Lover
Something supremely beautiful and good that you must love.
A bizarre entity appearing as everyone’s ideal type.
Its true nature was…
.
“…….”
I realized.
‘The stamp.’
The stamp images weren’t mass-produced. That’s why they felt unique and strange.
‘If I combine all four stamps including the last one….’
They would point to a certain location.
Descent.
Cliff.
Monastery.
I recalled how my breath grew ragged and my legs heavy as I approached the monastery.
That wasn’t imagination—there was an actual incline.
‘This monastery… was built right at the cliff’s edge.’
And the stamp event was a circular walking course descending to the Courage Experience site below the cliff.
Even from the Courage Experience site, the monastery above the cliff should’ve been visible, but ‘not being able to turn on lights’ meant you couldn’t see it.
And… this monastery above the cliff.
Through the passage tunneled underground.
‘The students went through a similar process and fell down here.’
If that’s the case… my eyes looked downward again.
‘…Seonnyeo Rock.’
That’s it.
They all crashed their heads into that Seonnyeo Rock behind you and died.
We’d been walking near where the students died….
I clenched my teeth.
But here’s the thing.
-It’s said they all had collapsed skulls and were smiling.
Why were they smiling?
And if they already knew this monastery was at the cliff’s edge, why did dozens keep falling into this black hole?
‘If it’s Love Paradise….’
I could form one hypothesis about that.
…’something supremely beautiful and good’
—they saw it and voluntarily threw themselves off the cliff to die.
Because of this cult group.
‘…Those crazy bastards,’
A curse reflexively escaped my lips, but truthfully I knew better.
That anger was forced; what actually crept cold through my mind was… fear.
‘No.’
It’s terrifying.
Something down here made those students leap down.
Something down here….
…….
What if.
‘What if even I, after requesting rescue from the Disaster Management Bureau, rationalized and came this far….’
…Because I too was affected?
“……!!”
‘I need to leave.’
I have to go.
The act of looking down began filling me with dread. Pouring cold sweat, I began desperately scanning past the religious symbols. So the point was, I’d come down here originally to….
‘The stamp!’
Fortunately, my eyes soon stopped.
Between a strange idol made from burnt matches and an ominous golden incense burner, gleaming plastic glinted.
The body of a stamp.
‘Found it…!’
Relief nearly suffocated me.
I tried desperately to free one hand and reach toward it, making sure first that the wooden floor I was clinging to wouldn’t break….
…….
It wasn’t a wooden floor.
What I was gripping was an idol.
An ominous figure with exaggerated facial features carved in relief, both hands clasped together in front, attached to a cylindrical body facing forward—wedged into place.
“…….”
Coarse rope wrapped entirely around the idol was cutting into my palms.
And so….
My blood was soaking into the rope.
Drip.
Sweat trickled from my temples, cold and sharp.
‘…No,’
No.
Even panicking, I pulled my body and reached, finally getting my hand on the stamp in the corner.
And on the part of my work clothes’ sleeve that had torn, right by my shoulder, I stamped.
‘Done.’
Get out fast, fast, fast…….
…….
But then.
Why has it been so bright and beautiful since just before?
My beloved, like a sandarac pine
I froze.
Your love
Is so fine and lovely.
My heart swells.
A happiness like lingering in the warmth after watching a moving film. Encroaching tenderness, a thrilling, joyful heart.
From below my back, flowers bloom, green vines grow, birds sing, brilliant light tints rosy.
Your smiling face
Like balsam in full bloom
Your graceful movements
Like cherished childhood memories of us.
The joy of meeting family long separated, overwhelming emotion, warm tears, poignant….
‘Shut up.’
Shut up, shut up!
Stop it!
I clung madly to the religious symbols, consciousness slipping. Through the open field of vision I found a path upward, my survival instinct leading me to escape the hole.
Up, further up,
One more time….
“…!”
My body barely tumbles past the cork board.
‘Go.’
I dash forward, ignoring the sounds behind me
Your open ears catch
The lover’s call like honeyed sweetness.
Ah.
With each forward step
The sandarac’s scent grows thick and verdant.
It’s following. It’s following me!
What was down there climbed the cliff and followed me to the monastery ground level!
But….
In your chest welcoming spring’s return,
Like lily of the valley dewy in morning,
It shall bloom abundantly.
How lovely it sounds.
To turn and greet
Your destined lover.
A fierce and captivating urge.
Something beautiful and shocking entered the monastery.

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