Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 115

Hold on a moment.

Let’s review Baek Saheon’s turbulent accounts of his encounters with his psychopath roommate.

The psycho who mocked him for giving up his left eye, the dopamine addict who used people as bait in the dangerous darkness, the lunatic who wielded an axe, pretending to be a serial killer…

‘And now he’s even acting like a cult leader??’

At this point, it went beyond baffling; an anomic phenomenon began to set in, where this entire lineup felt strangely natural if it all belonged to that bastard, Kim Soleum.

Everything else could be overlooked.

But how could he run into that bastard now?!

‘I even took a leave of absence to get away!’

He hadn’t just left his company housing; he’d left Seoul entirely.

For a moment, Baek Saheon wondered if he was having a nightmare and shook his head vigorously, but it was an undeniable reality.

Accompanied by two elite team superiors and leading dozens of people, Kim Soleum stood in the middle of Car No. 3’s aisle, raising both arms.

And he was saying truly cult-like things.

“There’s no need to worry. We will all safely overcome this trial.”

The only psychological comfort was that the fools in this train car were pointing fingers at that guy!

“What’s wrong with that guy?”

“Damn, now some crazy bastard…”

“Haa…”

“D-don’t make eye contact.”

Reactions of mockery and rejection erupted towards Kim Soleum, who was spouting nonsense.

‘R-right. This is normal…’

But Kim Soleum didn’t even waver.

He merely offered a gentle smile and looked around Car No. 3.

“…?!”

That was even scarier!

“Everyone, you must be flustered by people suddenly gathering and rushing in. And you might be thinking, ‘What is this crazy talk? A trial? What trial?'”

Kim Soleum, with the face of a neat office worker, gave a wry, embarrassed smile.

“To be honest, even I, well… I know it sounds like a cult. So it’s a bit awkward.”

His tone was calm, not particularly elevated. It was a serious tone, like someone giving advice to an acquaintance in a cafe.

“But it’s such a terrifying and horrible situation that I’m gathering my courage to speak. …If you know the answer, it’s a human’s duty to share it.”

Kim Soleum hardened his expression and met the eyes of the people around him.

“I just hope you can set aside your immediate repulsion and think about it. We aren’t fools either; dozens of us have come together to talk about the same thing.”

Baek Saheon looked around.

At the people on the verge of madness in this surreal situation, repeatedly dying and restarting on a train that endlessly plummeted for no reason.

Kim Soleum, who had begun to say what they desperately wanted to hear—a way to escape this train, a wish for it to be a dream.

That confident story.

“This is a trial, and there’s a way to pass it.”

A voice suddenly burst out.

“So… you know how to get out of here?”

“Yes.”

“…!!”

Kim Soleum naturally turned his gaze behind him.

Then, the people from Car No. 7 standing behind him shouted, their eyes sparkling with excitement and passion.

“Just once out the window!”

“Just go outside the window. Then it’s over!”

“What crazy talk is that?!”

Explanations poured down upon the horrified people of Car No. 3.

“No, there’s a way to do it without pain, I tell you?! At least ten people have already gone out that way!”

“Honestly, it’s a bit gross, but you just go towards the light and exit. Anyone can do it.”

“If someone has trouble with their legs, someone else can fall with them and help them up! It’s not difficult at all!”

“If only the Benefactor helps us…!”

The astonishing thing was that while they claimed ten people had gone out, dozens were explaining it.

No, nearly a hundred people were following that crowd, and among them were people from other cars.

Kim Soleum looked at those eyes full of hope and enthusiasm, then turned his gaze forward and smiled again.

“That’s right, everyone. You can all go out the window.”

At that moment, Baek Saheon realized.

“There won’t be any problems.”

“That’s right!”

He’s scamming them!

‘Th-that crazy bastard.’

He’s trying to instigate these other idiots to jump out, and then Kim Soleum himself will bail!

‘But he can’t fool me.’

Baek Saheon swallowed hard, thinking he alone had caught on.

“Here, if you listen to the stories of those who’ve gone out the window…”

“Us! My spouse and I went to the second altar in our third life…”

He clicked his tongue, watching the people of Car No. 3 slowly listen to the people of Car No. 7, who were recounting their experiences like successful exam testimonials.

Fools.

‘I could create such testimonials myself, just by brainwashing them with my fountain pen!’

Kim Soleum had clearly brainwashed people using his confiscated fountain pen.

Yes. If that was the case, he just needed to stick to his strategy.

‘Just stay put.’

He just needed to not join that procession of Kim Soleum worshipers.

Baek Saheon firmly resolved, a triumphant smile on his face.

It was a good thing he had made such a keen judgment.

He almost got dragged into the situation, didn’t he!

‘If I stay inconspicuous and endure until that bastard tricks all the other fools into jumping out at once…’

That’s when it happened.

“Hey, no need for long explanations, I’ll just show you right now! Going out the window!”

Huh?

“I’m going out the window at this altar.”

“That’s right. This person is qualified this time.”

“Ooh-ooh-ooh!”

“Everyone, applause!”

Oh?

“The first altar can be lonelier and scarier because you have to go alone…”

“It’s okay! I want to do exactly as the Benefactor did!”

“I, I’m not a benefactor, just someone who went first… Um. Yes. In that case.”

Kim Soleum smiled a little shyly, then seriously took the person’s hand as if praying.

“I will also do my best to protect the applicant from suffering and to strongly bestow the token.”

“…! Yes!”

Entry to the first altar.

Baek Saheon watched the situation with a blank expression.

In the dimly lit red train car as they entered the altar, Kim Soleum lightly grasped the person’s forearm and did something…

“I’ll be back!”

“See you in a bit!”

“Fighting!”

And amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the people, the applicant, with a determined face, descended out the window.

Such events repeated several times, and after many repetitions…

Entry to the fourth altar.

“Now, for the last few.”

And he realized.

‘…An item!’

Kim Soleum was subtly using an item on the people who were going down.

Something that genuinely prevented them from going mad even if they fell out the window!

‘W-wait a minute.’

Was he really serious?

And the fact that that psychopath would go to such lengths meant…

Baek Saheon’s mind raced, his stance instantly shifting.

‘This darkness, it’s a first-come, first-served clear!’

It’s the kind where it won’t clear until all the spots are filled, even if it’s first-come, first-served, isn’t it?

‘Falling out the window is the main game!’

And Kim Soleum was the kind of bastard who would go so far as to act like a cult leader, instigating people to voluntarily jump in.

Why?

‘Because that gives him more dopamine!’

It’s more fun than forcibly grabbing people and throwing them out the window!

He truly was a chilling guy…

Baek Saheon shivered.

But that wasn’t what was important now.

‘If that bastard has a plan!’

Then!

“S-Section Chief!”

He’d jump on the bandwagon!

He raised his hand, his existence revealed for the first time as he stood up.

It was right after the train brightened, having passed the 4th altar.

“W-what?”

“Was there someone there?”

People in the same car, who had come to know each other vaguely through five repeated loops, were surprised by his unfamiliar face, but Baek Saheon paid them no mind.

He himself made an even more surprised face and desperately approached Kim Soleum, trying to be natural and friendly.

Yes, to Kim Soleum!

He actually wanted to talk to the elite team first, but no matter how he thought about it, they wouldn’t meaningfully engage with a new hire they didn’t know.

In that case, he’d try to target the one with at least the roommate connection.

Especially since that psychopath was the one put forward as the figurehead!

“Oh my… Hello! I never expected to see you here.”

“…”

Kim Soleum stared at him silently, then…

Smirked.

“Oh really? I knew.”

Damn it!

“Really?”

“Haha, of course not. It was a joke. How could I know?”

“…”

Baek Saheon barely managed to suppress the rising fury that threatened to break through his fear!

“Ah, this person is also a colleague from the same company. He said he took annual leave, so it seems he was on his way home.”

“Ah.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The two elite team members nodded curtly. They felt no particular excitement for a new hire who hadn’t earned his stripes yet.

Instead, the people standing behind them brightened.

“Oh, if he’s a colleague, he could probably go out the window right away too!”

“Yeah. Like them!”

Aha!

Baek Saheon brightened.

“Ah, I, if that’s the case, I’d be happy to take the trial through the window too…”

“No. This person is not yet qualified.”

You bastard!

“Th-then… when will I be qualified?”

Kim Soleum shook his head, looking at Baek Saheon with a genuinely regretful expression.

“Even I don’t know that.”

“…”

“I am merely someone who has passed this trial first, and I simply wish to guide you all along the path with the least pain possible.”

A vein throbbed in Baek Saheon’s temple.

But he desperately forced a gentle smile and said,

“I see. Ah! Just a moment, despite the situation, I’d like to have a quiet word with just the two of us, about company matters…”

“Ahem!”

A thunderous condemnation erupted from among the passengers, who were fully engrossed and concentrated on bidding farewell to those going out the window.

“No, the train is in this state, and you’re talking about company matters? To call on the Benefactor for such a trivial thing…”

“This person doesn’t understand the situation!”

“It’s alright, everyone. Everyone might have different priorities… We have a little time before the next life begins, so I’ll go talk and come back.”

“Oh, yes, yes.”

People muttered, ‘He’s so kind it’s a problem.’

Baek Saheon no longer felt any goosebumps…

“Shall we talk over here?”

“…Let’s!”

However, as soon as they went into the restroom and locked the door, he couldn’t hold back.

“Hey. I saw you using the item, Section Chief.”

Kim Soleum’s smile, which he had just been wearing, vanished like a lie, replaced by an expressionless face as he crossed his arms.

“So?”

Baek Saheon swallowed.

“Just… something for you to think about. What would happen if I went out now and exposed everything to everyone?”

He had to somehow drag this madman to the negotiating table.

But Kim Soleum stared at Baek Saheon silently… then nodded slightly.

“Brown says you wouldn’t do that.”

“…Ah, is that so?”

“Yeah. He says if you did that in this atmosphere, you’d be thrown out the window naked.”

“…”

“If the result is the same, it’s simpler to just jump voluntarily, so there’s no reason to go back.”

It was the truth.

‘D-damn it.’

Baek Saheon gulped.

Fortunately, Kim Soleum, instead of pressing him further, did something unexpected.

He offered a carrot instead of a whip.

“Now that I think about it, I have a favor to ask.”

“…!”

“I need your eye.”

Huh?

“The one I gave you as a gift, I mean.”

Baek Saheon reflexively grabbed his eye patch.

Recalling the purple inverted eye that lay beneath it.

When viewing with that equipment, the more dangerous a being, the hotter the halo it emits.

An excellent danger detector.

It was also an incredibly useful item for the field exploration team, where split-second judgment was crucial.

So much so that Baek Saheon himself couldn’t understand why Kim Soleum had given it to him.

Well, the reason was actually simple.

There was a strong chance that everything would appear as a blood-red halo to Kim Soleum if he wore that equipment…

Because it was a body part, it was greatly influenced by the wearer’s unconscious judgment, rendering it ineffective for someone with a cowardly heart.

And giving it to someone else would be akin to encouraging them to pluck out an eyeball, so it ended up being given to Baek Saheon, who already had one eye missing.

In fact, he was the right person for the job.

Among his colleagues, there was no one with a stronger survival instinct than him.

In any case, Baek Saheon, unaware of all these principles, merely asked with caution,

“…When should I use it?”

“In Car No. 1.”

“Car No. 1?”

He seemed to have heard about it in conversations. Baek Saheon furrowed his brow and racked his brain, then remembered.

“…I think they said the door there was closed.”

“That’s right.”

Kim Soleum readily admitted.

“The door was probably locked since the second loop. And now, every time the train goes back to the start, they’ll be locking the door.”

“…”

Just hearing it…

It was suspicious.

‘No, more importantly, how does that bastard know this?’

He came from Car No. 7, didn’t he?

But how did he know so much about the situation in the very front car?

‘Could it be because of this that he’s leading people around and saving them…?’

For information?

Well, anyway.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“It’s simple.”

Kim Soleum said dismissively.

“When the Car No. 1 door opens, go straight to Car No. 1 and pick out the person who appears most dangerous there.”

“W-who on earth is in Car No. 1?”

“I don’t know.”

If you don’t know, who does?!

Sure enough, Kim Soleum tilted his head and stroked his chin.

“But you know… in Car No. 1, they keep throwing people out the window on their own.”

“…!”

“Without me knowing, every time there’s a loop, it seems someone gets thrown out… It’s too bad. It must hurt…”

“…”

“So I’m going to stop them.”

He’s lying.

“How about it? Good, right?”

“Th-that’s right. Truly!”

This is a complete lie.

‘He’s trying to punish them for ruining his grand scheme by jumping out on their own, damn it.’

But he decided not to say a single word.

Because Baek Saheon valued his life…

Instead, he desperately smiled and said,

“Then, if I differentiate the most dangerous person in Car No. 1, wouldn’t that person gain ‘qualification’? The qualification to receive an item, that is.”

This means you’ll give me an item, right?

“Huh? That’s a favor I asked. What does an item have to do with qualification?”

“…”

“Rather, if someone encourages the people in Car No. 2 to diligently persuade them until the Car No. 1 door voluntarily opens, well… wouldn’t that person gain qualification?”

“…”

Baek Saheon smiled broadly!

“Wow! That’s exactly what I want to do too. Hahaha…”

“Really? Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes!”

Die!

Die, you bastard Kim Soleum!

And so, Kim Soleum successfully put Baek Saheon to work without pay.

‘It’s true what they say, even dog poop can be used as medicine.’

“You’re here!”

“Yes. Let’s give our best again this time.”

The train restarted. The people in Car No. 7 vigorously greeted each other and also greeted Kim Soleum. No, now people from other cars were coming and chatting.

Their composed demeanor was surprising, considering they had experienced the train crash six times.

…It seemed true that having hope made it at least a little easier to endure.

‘The important thing is to keep people’s minds together.’

And to do that… he had to keep up this crazy, un-asked-for cult leader charade…

‘Cough.’

-Let’s go, Mr. Doe! I wonder what kind of audience, no, what kind of passengers are looking forward to your wonderful performance today. Ah, it’s truly entertaining…

“Everyone, today many people in Car No. 8 have gained qualification.”

“Oooooooh!”

Brown, don’t you cheer too, please…

Kim Soleum was starting to feel a bit fed up, but he didn’t give up on diligently scamming people anyway.

No, he approached the job with passion.

And as time passed…

14th Loop.

“Benefactor!”

“Benefactor, we’re almost there now! Haha!”

Kim Soleum had gained the support of 342 out of 355 passengers across seven train cars, successfully unifying public opinion in all cars except for Car No. 1.

Brown had even started asking Kim Soleum if he was interested in producing related programs.

Now only one car remained.

‘Car No. 1.’

Where 53 passengers had locked themselves in, quietly isolated without any news since the second loop.

A place where they could only tell that sacrifices were consistently being offered.

“It-it opened!”

Finally, news arrived.