Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 4

—————
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 004

One person escaped from the ghost story.

However, with their eyes gouged out.

“Huu…”

“Did you hear that sound?”

But unlike the previous few times, while the passengers were disgusted and scared, they didn’t feel sorry for him.

‘Is this the end result of violence without persuasion?’

The inside of the train was briefly chaotic as people checked on the condition of the person attacked by Baek Sa-heon.

[This station is Hatred, Hatred Station.]

“What a hateful sound…”

“Haa.”

The announcement made everyone sink into an even deeper gloom.

Go Young-eun, who had been tending to the new employee clutching his left eye, stood up. Her face looked somewhat dark.

“That person’s corneal damage seems almost certain, I’m worried…”

“Are you perhaps a medical professional?”

“No. I only studied that in university… I changed majors anyway and couldn’t even take the national exam, so I’m just a quack.”

Go Young-eun sighed and sat down cross-legged on the floor.

[The screen doors are opening.]

The train doors opened, but people only glanced and looked around without moving. They just looked outside with wary gazes.

And at the same time, they also looked at me.

It seemed like they were watching to see if I would suggest getting off here.

‘It’s fortunate that they’re being mindful.’

I was worried that people would become more suspicious of each other because of Baek Sa-heon, but instead, having a common enemy made people calmer.

Since the situation had gone so crazy, it seemed like they were expecting the next words from someone who had spoken with some confidence before.

That someone being… me.

At this rate, wouldn’t they delegate the station decision-making authority to me too? I had such expectations…

“Excuse me, it’s a bit… burdensome, isn’t it.”

“…?”

Go Young-eun spoke with a troubled expression.

“People keep trying to rely on you.”

I’m grateful though…?

“Everyone’s doing it because they’re scared and anxious, so I hope you don’t feel disillusioned thinking they’re being too shameless… Ha. No, I’m sorry.”

I’m the one who’s scared and anxious and trying to manipulate people…?

“I’ve been trying to think of something myself too…”

Oh, anyway, opinions are welcome.

“What kind of thoughts have you been having?”

“Um, I’ve been thinking about what you mentioned earlier, about the ‘final destination.'”

Go Young-eun lowered her voice as she spoke.

“If we’re talking about a person’s final destination… would it be death after all?”

“…!”

“That’s right. The end of human life… no matter how I think about it, that’s what comes to mind. I thought maybe we should get off if similar words appear.”

Oh.

“But then I wondered… would we just die peacefully? That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to say it.”

“No. That’s definitely a persuasive point.”

“Is… that so?”

“Yes. However…”

I trailed off.

And without realizing it, I smiled slightly.

“…?”

It was because I saw the name of the next station displayed on the electronic board.

“What is a destination in the first place?”

“Yes, yes?”

“If you look it up in the dictionary, purpose means something you’re trying to realize or the direction you’re heading toward.”

And this train’s theme itself is intuitive.

Sit down, find your lost item.

The instructions aren’t given in a twisted way, and you’re safe as long as you literally follow the actions.

Even the person who got off at the wrong station died in a very intuitive manner.

So, I’m approaching the expression ‘final destination’ in a similar way.

“What this train calls a destination, I think it ultimately means a point that the current me cannot realize or reach.”

Considering this, the criteria for choosing a station becomes very simple.

-Something I don’t have.

With this, the escape cases become visible again.

======================

Color

: 2 successful escapes (Blue Station)

Body part

: Escape failed (Attempt: Cochlea Station)

Serial killer’s name

: 12 successful escapes (■■■■ Station)

Year

: Escape failed (Attempt: Year 2024 Station)

Disease

: 3 successful escapes (Attempt: Cold Station)

======================

At Blue Station, among those who got off, people who had no blue color on their bodies or belongings would have escaped.

And I can understand why there were so many escapees at the station marked with the serial killer’s name.

Since no one would have been that serial killer, almost every station was the correct answer.

‘Conversely, stations named after body parts… the probability of a person missing a body part is lower, so the escape failed.’

The same goes for stations marked with years. Year 2024 failed because all the passengers had lived through that year.

Applying this logic, the station we should get off at now becomes clear.

-An emotion I don’t have.

“…So, we absolutely must choose an emotion we would never feel right now.”

“What?”

This is where it becomes drastically more difficult.

‘Most people feel all kinds of emotions – joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.’

Unless you’re the type of person who lacks a particular emotion, choosing a station becomes extremely difficult. Even if there are differences in intensity, everyone would feel them to some degree.

So…

An emotion that expresses some flat state that cannot be expressed by intensity.

‘A sentiment that exists in concept, but is actually extremely difficult to perfectly embody.’

I have to choose this one.

[This station is Taepyeong, Taepyeong Station.]

The announcement comes on.

It’s easy to think that this time too, an ordinary emotion came out as the station name. After all, we often use the expression ‘that person is quite carefree’ in daily life.

But….

‘It’s an expression often used when guessing someone else’s state.’

There aren’t many people who describe themselves as carefree.

That makes sense.

By dictionary definition, taepyeong means ‘having no worries or concerns in one’s heart.’

But really, can a person be truly carefree without any worries or concerns?

‘The probability of that….’

Would have to be considered almost zero.

Especially in an extreme situation like this.

“This station is the correct answer.”

“…!”

“We’re getting off here.”

I speak confidently, with certainty, without hesitation.

I immediately stood up. People hurriedly followed suit, getting up from their seats and looking at me.

“H-here?”

“Yes.”

Then I approached the injured new employee who was keeping his eyes closed and helped him stand up.

“I’ll support you.”

“Ah, th-thank you….”

As I guided the injured person toward the door, the people who had been huddled together unconsciously followed. Now none of them can back out.

We’re all getting off together.

‘Good.’

Like this, mixed in among people, I can escape….

[The screen door is opening.]

But outside the open door is a sea of blood.

“….”

No… this is crossing the line, no, f*ck this….

‘Save me.’

“Kim Sol-eum?”

I almost hid behind Go Young-eun.

My last shred of dignity as a working adult stopped me.

Instead, I turned my head stiffly to look back at the people.

“Are you… certain this is the right place?”

“Yes.”

Unfortunately, that’s right.

But I absolutely cannot come up with any eloquent words to persuade them to get off.

No, I don’t want to get off in the first place.

I wish someone would persuade me that we don’t have to get off. Please.

“…Excuse me! I still think we should get off.”

What?

Go Young-eun?

“You’re the only one among us who’s confident in your opinion right now. Everyone else is scared, but you’ve been calm by yourself this whole time.”

Me?

“That person earlier was making all that fuss just to get off by himself… I’d rather listen to the opinion of someone who’s at least kind.”

Then Go Young-eun bravely stepped out the door first.

On the completely rusted platform, lights flickered ominously, and from the pipes above the exposed steel framework, liquid dripped instead of water.

Blood dripped onto Go Young-eun’s shoulder. Ha, ha….

“Kim Sol-eum?”

“….”

“Don’t worry about me. I believe in you too! Let’s go!”

The injured person I was supporting urged me on.

He probably thought I was hesitating out of consideration for his wishes. I was starting to get confused about whether I was grateful or resentful toward myself.

Anyway, thanks to that, I naturally followed behind Go Young-eun. Behind us, the wavering people all rushed to get off.

At least I’m relieved I didn’t get off last.

It’s easy to overlook, but actually standing at the very end is the scariest….

‘…Ha.’

At this point, I want to cut ties with myself.

“Should we go to the stairs?”

“Yes.”

Even in this situation, Go Young-eun looked at the other open cars and shouted.

“Hey there! Everyone get off! This is the right answer!”

I don’t know how effective it was. There were probably many people who became more wary and decided not to get off instead….

‘Still, if even one more person gets off after hearing those words, we’re saving that person’s life.’

It’s somewhat admirable.

No, I’m trying, to focus, all my nerves, on that feeling of admiration….

Deciding to support the injured person was really an excellent decision. Even when my nerves scatter and I’m about to lose strength, I reflexively endure it.

I’d recommend it to all cowards.

Of course, there probably aren’t many cowards who’d end up in such a damn situation!

“Ugh….”

“L-let’s walk.”

I walked among the people, trying my best not to look around.

I could see the stairs.

‘Talismans plastered all over….’

When I realized that even those didn’t look normal, goosebumps rose from every pore on my body….

‘Let’s just focus on the sensation of going up.’

One step.

One step.

I walked silently.

Soon, my vision seemed to waver….

[Wow! Congratulations, new employees!]

Before we knew it, we had returned to the lecture hall.

“…!!”

Bright lighting.

A modern, comfortable, spacious interior.

As the sense of reality suddenly returned, clear text had appeared on the huge screen in front of us.

:Congratulations. You have been officially hired by Daydream Corporation’s Field Investigation Team.

“Hah…”

“Ah!!”

The people who escaped with me collapsed into their seats as the strength left their legs.

I turned my head and counted the number of people.

One, two. Three… seven.

Everyone who had remained in the car.

‘We survived.’

In the ghost story , 7 out of 10 people from the same car escaped.

[Now we will have the gift presentation ceremony!]

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