Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 12

A terrible stench filled the studio.

What walked into the center of the spotlight was something bipedal with a pig’s head.

A gaunt body.

Blood flowed from the enormous eyes of the dead pig that replaced its head.

[Just a moment. A taciturn artist… Ah! Now, the teacher’s equipment is arriving!]

Thirteen silver platters descended from the ceiling on wires.

The large, round silver platters were ornately and delicately crafted.

Screaming faces. Countless, hanging like bunches of grapes.

[Shall we meet our passionate participants who applied as members of the choir?]

Lights came on at each podium.

Six pale figures stood on the podiums.

[We see some familiar faces from last week! Ha ha, will our participants, who maintained their 99th consecutive win, be able to set a 100th record in this new corner?]

[Keep your channel locked! It will be revealed soon!]

Whoa!

The audience was empty, but recorded sound mechanically filled the studio.

[But the first glory must go to the first participant, right?]

The host stood before an unknown employee.

The employee, wearing a mole mask, shrunk their head.

[Question.]

Flash.

[Which of the following creatures has the longest lifespan?]

1. Pig
2. Human
3. Rabbit
4. Flea

“H-human. Number 2, human…!”

[Correct!]

A look of relief flickered in the mole mask’s eyes.

Yes. In the original Tuesday talk show, the segment would have moved on with cheers.

But this new corner added a new stage.

[Congratulations on passing, Mr. Mole!]

The pig-headed conductor raised his gaunt arm and swung a silver baton.

The mole mask was ripped off.

[It will be a beautiful harmony!]

Thump.

The headless participant’s body fell to the floor below the podium like a broken doll.

“…!”

The employee, with only their neck remaining, floated into the air and was displayed on a silver platter.

Their mouths were still moving.

[We will awaken the appropriate talent in each participant. Oh, wonderful. Wonderful….]

As the pig raised both arms, a clear, bright scream, melodious and musical, suddenly erupted from the moving mouth of the employee.

“H-human. Human, human, human AAAAAAH!”

It sounded like someone was forcibly squeezing their vocal cords to produce the melody of a woodwind instrument.

[The first member has finally taken their place!]

Chorus practice began.

Repeating the last words spoken before their neck was severed, endlessly.

———————

‘The Chorus of Sacrificial Lambs’ consists of one conductor and 13 silver platters summoned by him.

The necks of talk show participants are placed on the silver platters, and the selection method is determined through that day’s broadcast segment.

The necks combined with the silver platters each produce different phrases and instrument sounds, forming an a cappella.

The maximum number of necks recorded is 7.

One neck: Causes mild headaches, anxiety, and sudden mood swings.

———————

If you’re in the comfortable position of only reading the urban legend.

Since it’s only one neck, you might think that it’s a tolerable effect for a terrifying situation…

However, if you were directly in this insane situation, that sound wouldn’t come out.

Like that employee directly affected there.

“AAAAAH!! S-Siyeon, Si…!”

Incineration.

Another podium’s light went out. The ashen corpse stuck to the floor below.

The remaining head continued its strange melody, its mouth moving.

“H-human. Number 2. Huumaaaaan!”

[Next is… Ah, another new face. Mr. Jellyfish! Let’s look forward to seeing if you can create a wonderful choral harmony with the successful participants!]

[Then the question….]

“I don’t know! I don’t know the answer!”

The employee wearing an unknown jellyfish mask shouted before the question was even read.

Their instinct seemed to have judged that failing the quiz and receiving the penalty would be better.

[Unbelievable!]

Remarkable judgment.

…A pointless act, but.

[Eliminated]

Their heads exploded.

Like fireworks, glittering mirror ball lights and a shower of confetti filled the studio.

Recorded audience reaction, a mixture of mournful sighs and cheers, filled the studio.

[Oh dear, you’ve failed! That’s unfortunate….]

He couldn’t join the great choir!

“…….”

Yes.

‘There’s no more penalty system. If you fail the quiz, you’re out.’

I blinked.

It doesn’t feel real.

That half the people died within 5 minutes of the recording starting.

And that there’s no escape.

Three left.

The proxy and the supervisor from Team D.

And me.

[Shall we meet the next contestant? Oh, familiar faces!]

“…….”

I recalled a fact I’d been ignoring.

…that I’d never seen these supervisors’ names in the <Darkness Exploration Record>.

The same as Go Youngeun, my colleague.

I recalled what I thought when I heard Go Youngeun’s name.

– She handled the ghost stories relatively easily and quit early, or.

– She died quickly.

[Mr. Badger!]

The supervisor was called first.

Park Minseong.

The supervisor, standing on the furthest platform from me, had a pale, sickly jaw.

A death sentence, soon me too…

[It’s your turn to answer!]

No.

‘Snap out of it!’

I punched my stomach, hidden behind the platform.

The pain cleared my head a little.

‘Scaredy-cat or not, there are no excuses.’

This isn’t a situation dominated by that kind of fear.

‘It’s a disaster.’

It’s the overwhelming feeling you get when witnessing a natural disaster firsthand.

I’ve been swept up in an unexpected natural disaster. Yes, that’s it… Panicking here is a dead end. I won’t even be able to live.

Don’t forget. You’re the one with the highest chance of survival here!

I need to think.

‘That’s right.’

I have information and items.

[Mr. Badger, are you ready?]

Using this moment when the host and the staff’s attention is off me, is there anything I can try? Really?

I desperately recalled the items I had. I frantically reviewed the characteristics of this ghost story.

‘I don’t ask for much.’

If only I could get out of here.

I’m not trying to get this crazy talk show canceled or anything like that. Wait, just a moment…

Ah.

I raised my head.

I could see the host’s back right next to me.

They were about to ask the supervisor a quiz.

[It seems you’re ready! Good….]

Close.

‘…Then!’

I hid my trembling hands under the platform. Then, slightly lowering my body, I took out two items from the inside pocket of my suit jacket.

A cheap sticker with a smiling emoticon and a can with ‘Drink me’ on it.

‘Quickly.’

I opened the can.

And shoved the unwrapped smile sticker into the can.

Quickly, quickly.

“…Ah. Before answering, could I say something to the viewers?”

[Oh, certainly!]

The supervisor pretended to look at the camera, but glanced at me.

At the platforms where the proxy and I were standing.

“…I have a family member hospitalized, and I’d like someone to check on them after this filming ends! If possible.”

[Wow, that’s touching!]

[So, the answer is?]

The supervisor smiled nervously, sweating.

“I don’t know… .”

“Just a moment.”

I raised my left hand.

“Host.”

Simultaneously attracting attention,

I extended my right hand and stuck several damp smile stickers onto the bottom of the host’s head, which was an old-style TV.

“…….”

Splash, a drop of water fell to the floor.

Did the camera catch it? Did they notice?

No, if they had, my head would have already exploded.

[Oh, Mr. Roe Deer! Do you have something to say?]

They didn’t notice.

I swallowed.

Turning my head, the supervisor was looking at me with a surprised expression.

He seemed surprised that I interrupted the flow and spoke freely to the host without being incinerated.

It was definitely a gamble.

‘But I have a reason.’

Didn’t the host clearly say this earlier?

– It’ll even be easier than before because it’s a recorded broadcast! Haha!

That is, this filming isn’t live.

‘Then, unless I completely ruin the flow or am uncooperative, it might not be considered disrupting the broadcast.’

Simply raising my hand and making a personal comment!

[Mr. Roe Deer?]

They let it slide.

“Yes.”

I glanced at the area under the host’s TV where the water had fallen.

And lowered my voice so only the host could hear.

“Um, my head is spinning. Could I… take a break for a moment?”

[…….]

What I just did…

Smile stickers.

An item that evokes a faint sense of familiarity when attached to an intelligent being,

Alice picnic set / canned drinks

Soaked in an item that doubles the effect and attached to the opponent.

…Of course, there’s room for debate here.

– Can the host be considered an intelligent being?

The host is clearly not human.

But isn’t it true that they possess intelligence?

No, it has to be true. I bet my life on it.

And now there’s no turning back.

What if I’m incinerated for disrupting the broadcast? If I’m going to die anyway, it’s better to die comfortably.

The shirt wrapped around my back was damp with cold sweat.

The host makes a sound….

[Like this!]

“…….”

[Was my passion for broadcasting excessive? Yes, that’s possible, I understand…. Um. Mr. Roe Deer did work hard.]

[That’s true.]

The host’s monitor turned black.

He raised his right hand….

[Cut! Let’s take a short break!]

The band’s sound stopped.

The staff murmured.

[Haha, I’m sorry. My screen became blurry. Makeup!]

The camera lights hurriedly went out.

[Wipe it carefully. Um, excellent!]

A faceless staff member holding makeup tools jumped up and diligently polished the old TV screen.

Then the host stopped the makeup artist leaving work and pointed to me.

[Ah, on your way out, if you could guide this participant to the waiting room, I’d really appreciate it. I promised to get them some water.]

And winked at me with an emoticon eye on the TV, then briefly displayed and erased some text.

[Rest with a glass of water!]

“……Thank you.”

Success.

‘It’s done for now.’

I stumbled down from the platform and walked to follow the makeup artist immediately.

Even though the filming was stopped, the ominous and gruesome pig’s head still stood motionless in the center of the stage, wielding only a baton.

Extracting a bizarre song from a bizarre silver tray with a human head.

‘Endure.’

Don’t look.

I crossed the center of the stage with stiff legs….

[Recording will restart in 30 minutes!]

Just as I was passing the opposite platform.

The agent standing there quickly thrust something into my hand as I passed.

“……!”

I quickly looked at the agent.

I could see their lip movements.

– Alone, check.

What is it?

I was immediately guided to the door at the back of the stage.

Inside was a typical old Hollywood-style waiting room.

Except for the bizarrely large number of black and white broadcast posters plastered all over it like amulets.

“Thank you.”

The makeup artist simply nodded and quickly disappeared.

Click.

“Phew.”

…I lived.

Only 30 minutes, but I postponed my scheduled death.

‘I have to do something during this time.’

And a new clue appeared.

I immediately spread my fingers and checked the item the agent had given me.

The item they somehow managed to give me in this urgent situation was….

“…A button?”

A button that attaches to a suit.

A button also means a button that can be pressed simultaneously.

Meaning it looked like it would depress if pressed.

“…….”

There was only one way to find out, and there was no time.

‘They gave it to me because they thought it would help.’

I immediately pressed the button.

Beep beep beep….

…….

Click.

[This is Lee Jaheon.]

“…!”

[Who is this? That’s Agent Eun Haje’s call button.]

Lee Jaheon, team leader of team D who was supposedly out on assignment, was connected through the button.