Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 69

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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 069

Who could have ever imagined such a thing.

Being trapped in an enclosed space with three ghosts impersonating people, having to sit still while breaking out in cold sweat.

Moreover….

Having to act nonchalant as if I hadn’t noticed anything.

‘…I can’t let it show.’

Even though everyone in front of me except myself is cheerfully clapping with the backs of their hands.

No, not people….

Ghosts.

Clap clap clap clap clap clap

‘I can’t, let it, show.’

And then they turn to look at me and ask this.

“Why aren’t you clapping?”

“….”

Holy shit.

I barely managed to raise my hands without trembling.

And….

Clap clap clap.

I politely placed one hand on my arm and made a small sound.

Then I looked around nervously like the youngest member would and smiled somewhat awkwardly.

“…I was about to clap but missed the timing and got flustered. I’m a bit embarrassed.”

“….”

Please.

Please let this slide.

“Hey~ It’s totally fine though!”

“Hey Leopard senior, that’s also pressure. Don’t get on the bad side of our capable new employee and sit down.”

“Oh my, yes.”

The Leopard employee… or rather, the ‘something’ impersonating that employee shrugged their shoulders as told and sat down.

‘Phew….’

But the relief was brief.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

The Dolphin employee suddenly dropped their head to the floor.

And started banging it sideways.

Without any change in expression.

“There seems to be a bug, bug, the bug won’t get caught, bug….”

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

“…I heard no other creatures can enter this darkness, perhaps you’re mistaken?”

“Ah.”

The Dolphin employee stopped their head.

Their long hair was disheveled and their skull was crushed.

“I see. Thank you, Team Leader Noru.”

“Not at all.”

And they nonchalantly continued their conversation with Leopard Deputy beside them as if nothing happened.

“….”

If I faint… will I go missing?

This is driving me crazy.

‘How is it possible that everyone except me got replaced…!’

How nice it would have been if I had also lost consciousness, gotten replaced, and woken up tomorrow morning.

“Noru, please have some.”

“Ah. Thank you so much, Team Leader….”

Meanwhile, the ghost wearing Manager Lee Ja-heon’s lizard mask… no, let’s not think like this. Manager Lee Ja-heon offered me some snacks.

It was kimbap from a pretty delicious snack bar near the company.

‘I do need to eat since I have to endure almost 24 hours here until tomorrow morning.’

It was a rational decision. Except for the fact that if I put anything in my mouth right now, I’d probably get indigestion or vomit immediately….

‘Ugh.’

“Oh, how about we share? We brought some stuff too.”

The two people from Team C also took out sandwiches.

I responded with reflexive social skills.

“I should have brought something, but I was too flustered to prepare anything. I’m really sorry and grateful.”

“Hey, youngest, don’t worry about seniority and stuff like that. Our manager here doesn’t seem to care much about it either, right?”

“Yes.”

At Lizard’s brief response, Leopard Deputy gave a thumbs up and grinned.

“Nice~ That’s great. Our team leader is like that too. Noru, you know that Mallard Team Leader from Team A, right? They’re on a completely different level from that bastard – such a good person.”

Ah.

“…They must be a wonderful person for you both to respect them so much.”

“Kind of, right? They used a Wish Potion to take vacation… Hey, I just hope they don’t quit.”

I didn’t react to the criticism of Team A’s leader and smoothly steered the conversation toward only praise.

Actually, since they’re ghosts, I don’t need to do this… no, I’m going to keep doing this.

‘Let’s forget, let’s forget….’

Doing this makes it feel like I’m having a conversation with senior staff from related departments who ended up on the same team at some workshop, not in a ghost story….

Of course, it didn’t last long.

It was right after the meal. Leopard Deputy yawned and stood up.

“Ah, since we have to be here all day… I’m going to take off my shoes. That’s okay, right?”

“Aww, you should have brought slippers like me?”

“Hey, what can I do when I don’t have any. My socks are clean.”

Leopard Deputy was chatting casually with Dolphin Assistant Manager while trying to take off their shoes.

‘Right, even if they suddenly get on the table and start tap dancing, I won’t be surprised….’

Instead of feet, there were hands.

Hands that had been crammed and forced to curl up inside the shoes came out and stuck to the floor.

“….”

“Ah, since I’m up, I’ll bring more coffee~ Everyone wants more, right?”

Stand.

Leopard Deputy did a handstand.

The hands attached to their feet waved up above.

Tap… tap.

An office worker walking backwards.

“Noru Team Leader.”

I held back a scream.

“Yes, Leopard Deputy.”

“Could you come help me move the coffee? I can’t see ahead very well for some reason. Huh, huh?”

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

The handstand body that kept trying to move forward collided with the drawer cabinet where the coffee was placed.

“It’s not because you’re the youngest, it’s just that you’re sitting close by. Sorry if it seems like I’m going back on my word.”

Damn it.

“Yes. Of course.”

I jumped up and went over to Leopard Deputy.

Come to think of it, maybe the upside-down ghost was better than sitting next to a ghost with a crushed skull.

Right?

Right??

-This is quite interesting! Are they aiming for an uncanny valley effect?

-What an entertaining performance, Noru. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest!

To the fullest?

Enjoy?

‘I want to praise myself just for not squeezing my eyes shut right now…!’

Enjoying this is too high a difficulty for me!

“Come on, let’s move them.”

“Yes.”

I handed coffee cups one by one to the hands attached to his feet, and I also carried some in both hands to place on the table.

I’m proud of myself for not trembling or spilling the coffee.

The problem was that with the coffee refilled, we really entered into a conversational atmosphere.

“There.”

Dolphin Assistant Manager smiled brightly with one side of her skull caved in.

“How about we go around and brag about the darkness we’ve cleared? Honestly, without that kind of fun, it’s hard to keep coming here!”

Leopard Deputy waved his hand dismissively.

“Hey, what if a ghost hears that and does something? Let’s just talk about things like favorite foods.”

“Ah, that’s good too.”

“…”

He had a point.

Ghost Substitution

But you’re all ghosts anyway.

“I like things that are crispy outside and soft inside. Like fried eggplant, you know?”

“Oh, I see. I like things that pop when you bite them. Like eyeballs?”

Whoosh.

The dolphin employee thrust her face right in front of mine.

“Noru, do you have eyeballs? It seems like you do… You brought them in your mask, right? We should share food, let’s share”

Aaaahhh!!

“I didn’t bring them for eating.”

I politely lowered both hands under the table, pretending to fold them while hiding my trembling.

“And you have similar food preferences. I also think texture is important.”

“Oh~ A kindred spirit!”

The ghost imitating Dolphin Assistant Manager smiled brightly.

“Noru Team Leader doesn’t seem to be a ghost. You talk about eating normally too.”

Wow.

‘I can’t do this anymore.’

If I continue this conversation any longer, there will definitely be a moment when I scream. Definitely.

-Oh dear, Noru seems to be sensitive to the uncanny valley effect! Audiences with good reactions are always welcome, but it’s unfortunate given the situation…

Friend

…Wait a minute.

Right.

‘Brown is right.’

-An excellent host’s words are always appropriate for the situation!

That’s right. What I was experiencing now was a situation where fear caused by a kind of uncanny valley was maximized.

‘The fear you feel when seeing something similar to humans but not human.’

In an ordinary break room, witnessing company people suddenly showing bizarre and alien appearances with complete composure, I was feeling tremendous eeriness.

Add to that the fact that I was the only human, and I was truly feeling absolutely insane terror.

‘Then…’

Let me look to the side once.

The lizard was putting sandwich cookies into its mouth wrapper and all.

“…”

“…”

It’s not particularly less scary!

Even if it flicked its tongue, walked backwards while grinning, or got up and danced crazily while shaking its head and having casual everyday conversation, it would probably be the same.

Because it was scary anyway!

Because it looked like a lizard anyway!

There was no uncanny valley or anything to feel.

‘I’m definitely going with Manager.’

Finally, I could see a solution.

I naturally turned to sit facing Lizard Team Leader while holding back cold sweat.

As if I had something urgent to ask about.

“Lee Ja-heon Manager.”

And I actually did have something I wanted to ask about.

Ghosts are identical to their companions in appearance, personality, character, and all other aspects

That meant there was a high probability they would give the same answer as the ‘original’ if I asked something casually at an unobtrusive level.

As long as they didn’t suddenly start acting like ghosts.

‘Then maybe I can ask more lightly.’

Since it’s not the person himself.

I pulled my chair closer as if we were teammates who had something to discuss openly during this opportunity.

I was trying to create an atmosphere where other ghosts couldn’t interfere, and it seemed to work reasonably well.

And I asked.

“We haven’t had the leisure to have conversations like this during work until now. Would it be okay if I asked you a few things separately?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. It’s nothing major, but… I was curious about how you became so strong, Team Leader.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Manager Lee Ja-heon didn’t look displeased.

“It’s the result of combining innate factors with acquired learning.”

“….”

A universal answer that works for any question came out!

It was like seeing the top student in school answer “I studied hard with a good brain” when asked how they get such good grades….

‘I’d like to hear more details though.’

If it were someone else, it would seem like a refusal, but since it’s Manager Lizard, I can’t really tell.

In the end, I deliberately smiled somewhat shyly and answered like this.

“I see. I asked because I want to become stronger in physical strength too. Without items or contamination.”

“Combine a protein-focused diet with both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.”

“…If I do that, can I become as strong as you, Manager?”

“No.”

“….”

Excuse me, I do have strength appropriate for my build though.

I almost looked at my superior with incredulous eyes.

“…If you have any advice related to this, I’d like to hear it.”

“Yes. Noru, you have other strengths, so develop those further.”

Lizard said in a dry tone.

“There are no individuals excellent in all aspects. Don’t waste resources on inefficient and unnecessary things. You can use others.”

…Wait a minute.

“You mean when I need strength, Team Leader will fill that role, so it’s better for me to develop other strengths I have?”

“Yes.”

Lizard nodded.

“Noru’s strengths are creative thinking and judgment.”

“…Thank you.”

Well then.

‘Should I say this is giving me high praise.’

It’s certainly more appreciated than dumping everything on subordinates.

‘It’s disappointing though.’

Should I try pushing a little more.

I hesitated slightly then found an opening.

“But we do enter the darkness separately sometimes. Since physical strength is a universal and effective means, I think I’d need it when I’m alone too.”

“I see.”

Lizard looked into space thoughtfully for a moment then confirmed.

“I’ll introduce you to an item.”

“…!”

Jackpot.

“Does it have an effect that enhances physical strength?”

“Similar. Use it as a parent item when making specialized equipment.”

“…! Thank you.”

I was just thinking it was about time to strengthen my specialized equipment or increase the variety.

‘Still, I managed to get something out of this.’

Even while breaking out in cold sweat in a ghost story full of ghosts, I seem to have gained something… wait.

Come to think of it, this Lizard sitting in front of me is also a ghost, not Lee Ja-heon himself.

‘Is this promise even valid?’

I panicked for a moment but remembered the manual.

People who were replaced by ghosts indirectly remember what happened inside the enclosed space.

Then given Manager Lee Ja-heon’s personality, the probability he’d keep it was extremely high.

‘That works.’

Phew.

There’s a sense of achievement since I accomplished something.

‘Now let me endure the fear with this sense of achievement….’

I pretended to stretch while trying not to look at the two Team C ghosts who were now doing handstands and grinning wickedly at me.

I wasn’t even curious anymore about who Lee Kang-heon was that introduced Salmon Market.

‘Let me just empty my brain….’

I rambled on with all sorts of trivial chatter to Lizard, avoiding conversation with the ghosts as much as possible.

Ghost Manager Lizard couldn’t do anything useless because I kept talking to him and just endlessly answered me.

‘I learned the meaningful information that the manager prefers beef over pork….’

Friend

I know too, but I can’t help it, Brown….

And after even that ran out, I pretended to be sleepy and closed my eyes, spending the remaining time playing word chain games with Brown.

Whatever nonsense I heard in my ears, I consistently responded with ‘I’m tired… sorry, but please continue the conversation after we get out.’

‘It’s 3 AM, please.’

I thought I was bathing in cold sweat, but at least no sudden emergency occurred.

After holding onto only Brown in my pocket and enduring those precarious few hours that felt like a thousand years.

“….”

“….”

Click.

I finally saw the break room door open.

After staying up all night alone….

“…Done.”

It’s done, you bastards!

I did it!!

I wanted to get up and throw a punch into the air with my confused mind.

‘I’m tearing up.’

This was almost the first time I endured ghost-type horror all alone without being able to shorten the time….

How should I put it, it felt like overcoming my own limits.

‘I want to praise myself….’

I staggered up from my seat.

It was fortunate that no one knew I was someone who found even D-rank burdensome….

“Noru.”

“…!?”

Huh, what…?

When I turned my head, I saw Lizard with his eyes wide open.

Perfectly fine as if he’d never stayed up all night… wait.

‘…?’

His eyes are open?

“T-Team Leader.”

“There’s no need to wait for Team C to wake up. Clock out.”

I looked at Lizard standing there perfectly fine with the eyes of someone seeing a ghost.

Then I turned my head to look at the Team C members sprawled out sleeping.

“….”

“….”

Don’t tell me.

“Last night, weren’t you… a ghost?”

“I was not.”

“…But you were clapping with the back of your hands!?”

“?”

Lizard tilted their head, then answered as if realizing something.

“I thought it was a trending behavior.”

“….”

Ah.

Ahhhhhhh!

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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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