Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chaoter 48

The meeting room was a mess.

“Seventeen people have returned safely, haven’t they!”

“Seventeen…?! Is that the right number? No counting error?”

“Yes. Ah! It’s increased to twenty now.”

The field exploration team, deployed to the Dark Region in the morning, had suddenly returned en masse.

An immediate response failure occurred due to a situation completely opposite to the prediction.

“No, they said they finished the case study, that they would evacuate sequentially in small groups. What’s going on here?”

A cacophony of voices erupted regarding the unexpected situation – were the employees actually deployed? Should everyone be tested at the lab?

However, as the bewilderment subsided, a sneaky thought crept into their minds… the exhilarating feeling of success.

Isn’t this a positive result?

A similar thought crossed the minds of several people who initiated this project.

‘If this is really the survival rate…!’

The investment was successful due to a bold and wise choice!

The success rate was so high that they were stunned.

‘We should start shaping public opinion quickly.’

‘Wait, I need to mention my contributions.’

But all the confusion, excitement, and worry disappeared instantly.

After just one more piece of news.

“It’s B-grade.”

“Huh.”

The results of the appraisal of the dream collection device of the first employee to escape showed that the solution was rated B-grade.

In other words, the ‘high survival rate A-grade’ they dreamed of… didn’t exist.

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly plummeted with disappointment.

“Ha… that figures.”

“Didn’t we jinx it by getting excited about it being A-grade?”

“But hey? A survival rate this high for B-grade is rare, isn’t it? Isn’t that right, Section Chief Kwak?”

Kwak Jegang, the researcher who was urgently called, smiled faintly.

“Indeed~ It’s remarkable.”

No, in fact, it’s not just remarkable… it’s shocking!

Don’t these people even know the initial employee survival rate for each grade?

So they don’t even realize how significant this situation is! They’re not even frothing at the mouth to find out the exploration details immediately!

‘Wow~ Amazing.’

‘Bad luck, but our judgment was right.’ Seeing them exchange pleasantries and consolation with this kind of nuance, even Kwak Jegang found it funny.

Does this look like a situation that warrants consolation?

‘Do these people have absolutely no sense of reality!’

The average survival rate for B-grade civilians was in the 2% range.

In a situation where there was no proper manual, mass deployment of employees was a reckless gamble, yet disappointment and self-congratulation arose from this shocking result?

They even hastily adopted the opinion of only one research team leader, whose expert advice was tailored to their liking.

The reason was obvious.

‘Because they wanted to!’

Thanks to this, he was thrilled to have such interesting results to analyze, but he found it amazing that the company functioned properly with such superiors in the development department.

Kwak Jegang felt inwardly sorry. The company needs to last a long time so he can study these fascinating strange phenomena in various ways!

But aren’t the aspects of the so-called ‘Innovation Development Strategy Team’ a risk for this company?

Family-run companies typically lack any system when viewed from the inside, but this is still…

‘I heard rumors… but I didn’t expect that the superiors attached to the owner’s side would be like this.’

Of course, not everyone in this room was like that.

Kwak Jegang glanced at someone sitting somewhat apart.

A person who wasn’t present at the last meeting.

‘Someone from Director Ho’s side.’

He was sitting there because he was asked, ‘Would it be possible to briefly attend considering this agenda?’

Even though the higher-ups in the development department often meddled with the field exploration team, this was unusual.

Furthermore, he was openly receiving a remote report on the situation from someone on his side.

Like this.

“One employee is said to have greatly contributed to this large-scale escape.”

“What??”

An atmosphere of apprehension and tension, rather than a desire to impress.

But everyone was shocked by what followed.

“It’s a new employee.”

“……!”

“They apparently ‘broadcast’ the escape method to all employees…. We need to find out the details of the method.”

“……”

“Some people are curious about it.”

Director Ho, I see.

The members of the Strategy Planning Team exchanged glances and stammered in a way that sounded like an excuse.

“Ah, we will send you the details as soon as the exploration report comes out.”

“Right. Usually, after a field exploration, they’re not in their right minds, so they talk nonsense.”

“But they wouldn’t make up stories out of thin air, would they?”

“That’s…”

“So, that’s why…”

Someone from Director Ho’s side cut him off.

“They’re also curious about what decision the ‘Innovation Development Strategy Team’ will make.”

“……”

“Regarding the employee’s award.”

“Congratulations, Supervisor Kim.”

“……Yes?”

I almost spat out my iced Americano, which I was drinking on the medical room cot.

A few hours had passed since I had collapsed after a simple physical examination, having heard the tearfully grateful words, ‘You’ve worked hard, just rest.’

I thought I would only be able to hear about this exploration later after getting to work the next day…

Supervisor?

“Oh, you didn’t mishear. Supervisor Kim.”

Assistant Manager Eun Haje smiled slyly.

“You got promoted. The fastest record since the establishment of this company’s field exploration team!”

“…!!”

“Honestly, I expected this. The days of listening to respectful language from our deer are finally over.”

“Hey, if you wait another six months, won’t you start talking informally with me too?”

This isn’t some neighborhood hole-in-the-wall store. How can someone become a Supervisor (supervisor) in just two months?

‘Isn’t this just a common office rumor?’

I asked this in a more polite way, but the answer was firm.

“No, it was well-deserved. Do you know how many employees you saved this time?”

Assistant Manager Eun Haje crossed her arms.

“Including you, a total of 26 people.”

“……!”

“Noru, they say seventeen employees escaped after hearing your announcement!”

“If you include those who escaped after seeing others escape, you practically saved everyone.”

The Assistant Manager added that there were even several civilian escapees.

“This kind of record is something that happens once every few years, right? Honestly, it shouldn’t just end with a promotion; we should do something more.”

“That’s right. Let’s sound him out after the team leader’s meeting tomorrow. He’ll probably give you something.”

I was grateful for my superiors’ excitement, but I was still dumbfounded.

A promotion.

…A promotion after only 60 days of working at a large corporation!

A modern person’s heart flutters!

“Be prepared. This kind of special personnel matter gets publicized quickly.”

And just as she said, it happened.

The very next day, I saw the promotion-related official document posted on the intranet.

[Special Personnel Announcement]

As expected, the three characters ‘Kim Soleum’ were written there.

“……”

Ziiiiing.

My smartphone is ringing. It seems like I’m getting congratulatory calls from everywhere…

Wait a minute.

‘This seems like they’re trying to quickly process it to minimize internal backlash.’

The field exploration team is also a place where humans work. Naturally, receiving help that saves lives means feeling emotional gratitude and appreciation.

In that sense, well, twenty-seven people will at least feel something akin to gratitude towards me, so there will be less backlash…

The intention to promote me, seizing that opportune moment, was palpable in the announcement timing.

Why…? Why are they promoting me so much?

‘How much more are they going to exploit me?’

Isn’t it enough that I’m handling mostly the new registration rumors centered around the absence of a manual?

The more I thought about it, the more terrifying predictions came to mind, so I also contacted an elite superior from another team…

[Are you stupid? Not getting promoted would be more unusual.]

“…??”

[The manual review officer also said he found you after you went missing? You’re making such headlines with your achievements, someone above will surely take notice.]

Assistant Manager Jin Nasol from Team A clicked her tongue.

[We should have just taken you to our team when there was a vacancy. Tsk. Why did you refuse unnecessarily?]

“……”

[Anyway, congratulations. It was a promotion you were going to get anyway.]

“…Yes, um, thank you.”

I ended the call with a feeling of emptiness.

And leaning back in my office chair, I thought.

Right.

I denied the reality, but I guess I’ve reached this stage…

‘Me… an elite employee?’

A special character worthy of being named in <Darkness Exploration Records>?

 

Some hardline creators might try to kill off a character in a way that makes sense within the world’s atmosphere, thus removing them from the wiki….

However, some characters gain popularity and recognition through videos on YouTube, etc., and end up being left alone… that kind of character?

This is also called a Mary Sue….

‘How did it come to this.’

No, it might have been inevitable.

Honestly, having finished reading <Darkness Exploration Records> was a cheat!

‘In a situation where I might die if I don’t write, this is the best I could do without being obvious.’

The problem is….

‘What if they find out I’m a coward now?’

Thinking that it would just end with an assignment to the finishing team became wishful thinking.

I couldn’t tell how far the repercussions would reach.

If the question arises, ‘Why has this coward been performing so well until now?’….

‘It seems like interrogation and experiments await me…?’

The moment my origin from a parallel dimension is revealed, I envisioned a future where I’m dragged away by the research team.

It felt like cold sweat was pouring down my forehead.

Oh, no.

I got up from my seat, took my coffee, and walked around the break room.

After consuming caffeine, my head cleared up a bit.

That’s right.

‘If I can’t avoid it, I need to increase my survival rate here.’

If I’m already marked, continuously showing impressive performance might paradoxically help avoid unnecessary attention.

‘Make them think this person is inherently capable and unique.’

It’s not like there aren’t such employees. Like Section Chief Lizard or Assistant Manager Jin with the Butterfly Mask.

Being classified as one of the named characters and ending it there.

Although the probability of being involved in more dangerous rumors has increased, increased… *sob*, no. It might even be better.

If I’m treated as high-level personnel, I might be sent to less deadly situations!

‘And I’ll be able to earn points faster.’

The more I thought about it, the better it seemed for a quick escape from this world, but….

There’s a crucial step required for that.

‘I need to build a character… a character.’

I had to appear as a ‘capable and special unit’ naturally enough not to be suspected.

Like how I acted crazy in front of Baek Saheon, maintaining a balance.

To do that….

‘…I need more cards I can use for character traits.’

“…….”

I raised my head.

Above my head, something that had been glittering ever since escaping the exhibition was still there.

[Darkness Exploration Records Real Goods Box]

– Unlocking the usage rights for new goods! (!)

Opening that would require more planning, so it was a check I had been putting off until my stamina recovered and my judgment returned.

One of the goods I bought at the pop-up store.

‘It’s time to receive it.’

But I still don’t know what ‘usage rights’ I achieved at the exhibition mean.

Number of item uses?

I lightly touched the black memo pad glowing by my bedside, moving it as if stretching.

Click.

A slightly clear sound, and a small, light object in plastic packaging fell into my hand.

“…….”

Shining silver, shaped like a small shield, with the calligraphy ‘CHARGE’ embossed on it… it was a…

Badge.

‘Ah.’

I understood.

The condition I met was ‘doing good deeds.’

———————

Darkness Exploration Records / Supernatural Disaster Management Agency

/ Item

Silver Heart

The wearer gains the awe of others according to their accumulated altruistic actions. The creator’s strong belief that ‘altruistic individuals obtaining power is the most socially efficient’ is reflected in this item.

Item Usage Condition: Those who have achieved the merit of saving 12 or more people from supernatural disasters.

———————

The so-called ‘moral compass badge’.

It was an item produced and distributed by the Disaster Management Agency. Its popularity exploded in the exploration records of a certain train explosion rumor that was under seal.

This unique attribute made it even more so.

As you can see, it’s an item exclusively for good people.

An item that allows good people to exert influence on the group.

‘The day I will meet this condition has come….’

It’s a little overwhelming.

This item, unusually, was mostly used in heartwarming ways, but there was one incident that was a complete disaster.

‘That’s just how the ghost story universe is.’

When records accumulate, a terrifying event always seems to slip in to heighten the tension.

Because of this, records that were once distributed to ordinary civilians are now only lent to subordinate officials after strict regulations.

I saw the wiki update in real time.

What does this mean?

At this point, it’s almost impossible to predict that a Daydream Corporation employee would use this ‘Silver Heart’!

‘So, it’s precisely because of that, I can use it.’

I don’t know how much good I can do in the future, what with my neck on the line, but I should at least be able to get some of the basic effects, right?

At the least, if it gives my coworkers the impression that ‘this person seems amazing,’ it will make it easier to appear like a competent employee.

‘Good. Let’s take good care of it.’

It’s not a death sentence.

I carefully put the ‘Silver Heart’ in my pocket and left the break room feeling much lighter.

Then, the reward for exploring this exhibition was waiting.

“Noruya! It’s not officially posted yet, but they’re giving you a bonus!”

“…!”

“Ugh, Noru absolutely deserves this, but the reality of me being surprised is quite sad…”

“That’s right. Do they think a B-rank is some kid’s name? Those guys would die instantly when they go in…Do they think urban legends are nothing?”

Y-Yes, thank you…

“But it’s good that the bonus is pretty decent.”

‘Decent’?

That’s high praise by Eun Assistant Manager’s standards.

There was even a hint of admiration in her expression. It was unusual.

“…What kind of item is it?”

“Regeneration potion.”

“……!!”

“You probably don’t know what it is just from the name, right?”

Perfect timing.

It was an item so famous that it was impossible not to know!

This wasn’t just some health recovery potion they gave out at the infirmary.

– <Daydream Corporation>’s flagship product line. One of the magical potions.

A miracle cure.

———————

Darkness Exploration Record / Daydream Corporation

/ Potion

Regeneration Potion

A magical potion that regenerates all external injuries.

The higher the grade, the more powerful it is, and it has a deep green tint.

———————

“Simply put, it’s a potion that regenerates body parts…It’s a C-grade. Even if you lose a limb, it will just regenerate.”

“…!”

“Even the equipment used by managers and above doesn’t have this level of ability. It’s this company’s special option. It’s worth 10,000 points.”

The Assistant Manager smiled and patted my back.

“You’ll be able to use this usefully later. It’s such a dangerous industry, isn’t it? It’s so great that even if your arms and legs fly off, or you lose your eyes, nose, and mouth, they’ll grow back.”

You didn’t have to say that last part…

“And…there’s some news that might be disappointing or good, want to hear it?”

“Yes?”

“You’re not the only one getting this.”

“Soleum!”

“Hello.”

I greeted Go Youngeun who was waving. Baek Saheon was also sitting next to her.

The company gave out bonuses and had a photo opportunity, bringing the three of us together.

It had been a few days since we last saw each other after escaping the exhibition.

Baek Saheon’s my roommate, you know? Lately he doesn’t even come out of his room. Thanks to that, I was able to comfortably watch Brown and the living room TV.

“Did you rest well? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. Go Youngeun…”

I stopped mid-sentence and realized.

Go Youngeun was observing my mouth shape, trying to read my lips as much as possible.

“My hearing still isn’t working.”

“…….”

That’s what I thought.

Fortunately, the rental device in her ear was automatically returned the moment we left the exhibition, so it seemed that ‘exhibition staff’ wouldn’t be chasing after her.

Furthermore, Go Youngeun had the bonus the company had just given her in her hands.

Opening the luxurious box adorned with gold leaf and mural-like designs revealed a beautiful glass bottle sealed with wax inside.

A spring-like, light green color rippled within the glass.

C-grade Regeneration Potion.

Go Youngeun lifted the glass bottle.

Her eyes were full of hope, anxiety, and expectation.

“Well then, I’ll drink it right away.”

“Yes.”

Go Youngeun opened the ‘regeneration potion’.

And she drank it all in one gulp.