Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 121

The office lights were off.

Clackety-clack.

Someone sat alone, typing.

Words appeared on the lit monitor screen.

Draft Report

Author: Lee Jaheon

Date: 20XX. 01. 02. Witness statement record of the anomalous Class C darkness clearing process that occurred on the high-speed train to Mokpo and the presumed death of Assistant Manager Kim Soleum.

The typing produced a steady rhythm, without hesitation or deliberation, forming sentences.

As if the entire timeline had been perfectly organized in his mind.

Witnesses: Employee A, Employee C, Employee F (Initials chosen based on their respective teams for ease of viewing.)

Employee A: Are we really doing this (interview) again? It doesn’t seem to have much meaning.

Employee A: Anyway… yes. I boarded the train for a business trip to the provinces, and it was running over the sea.

Employee C: The clearing was very smooth. Assistant Manager Soleum took the lead in doing many things, and it was great to see her trying to minimize civilian casualties!

(Employee A testified that he inquired whether the occurrence of this darkness was an intentional plan by the company, but the research team replied that it was a ‘thorough coincidence’ – refer to Interview Session 3 for further confirmation)

Three elite team members proactively cleared the anomalous darkness that occurred. Class C solution collection confirmed.

Common testimony from this point on stated that the train was a space of complete reality, not darkness.

Employee C: Assistant Manager Kim Soleum checked the solution first and then went to the restroom. Yes, that restroom.

After the train departed, Assistant Manager Kim Soleum left her seat, saying she was ‘going to the restroom’. Contact lost for 15 minutes.

17 minutes elapsed: Employee F, who was on board train car 3, visited the seats of the three elite team members.

The purpose of the visit was stated as ‘to say hello’.

Employee F: Ah, as I mentioned before… I was on vacation, Section Chief.

Employee F: I was flustered when I suddenly got caught in the darkness, but I still tried to calmly respond to the situation, assisting the three of them. It’s only natural for an employee of our company.

Employee F: After the situation was all over, I went to greet my superiors, and then, hearing that my colleague wasn’t at her seat, I went out to look for her.

Employee C: Oh, she was trying to go in the opposite direction of the restroom, so I guided her the right way!

Perhaps her original seat was in that direction, so she instinctively tried to go back the way she came!

Employee F moved to the restroom following Employee C’s guidance.

He confirmed a man collapsed in front of the door.

There was no bleeding, but both his hands and feet had been removed, and fine ash was clinging to the severed ends.

Medical personnel diagnosed it as temporary incineration by extremely high heat.

(Source: Somang Medical Center (affiliated hospital corporation of Baekilmong Inc.))

Employee F: I felt that something was amiss. But the restroom door was locked. And there was no response when I knocked.

Employee F: Hmm, it’s not something to boast about, but I’m quite good with my hands… I tried to unlock the door and open it. And I succeeded!

Employee F: …But. (Sound of inhaling)

21 minutes elapsed, and the high-speed train restroom door opened.

Employee F: Inside the restroom… it was quiet.

Employee F: There was no one there, and it was just a clean high-speed train restroom. So I felt even stranger, and I stepped back to leave, but…

Employee F: Suddenly, objects began pouring down from mid-air. …Along with blood.

The hands typing paused briefly.

He grabbed the mouse and navigated to the ‘Situation Photos’ folder on his computer desktop, then attached a few photos to the document.

Photos of the interior of the restroom next to high-speed train car 7, covered in blood.

Everything was strewn on the floor, covered in blood, amidst the pools of blood on the walls and floor.

A mask, an employee ID, a briefcase, and… a Dream Catcher filled with Class C solutions.

However, there was one perfectly clean spot.

Tiles with no bloodstains, shaped like a small bathtub.

As if… someone had picked it up.

Employee F: And, suddenly a gigantic hand appeared… Ugh! Ugh! It, it pushed me! Flash, flash, flash, flash… Good evening, the joy of this night, new faces every day, and your friendly host! Good evening, this is the late-night talk… Uwaaah! (Interview suspended)

Contamination and PTSD symptoms. Interview 7 concluded after recommending application to the Fox Counseling Office.

Subsequently, a statement from Interview 4 is quoted.

(Interview 4)

Employee F: A hand appeared from thin air, appeared, and a halo, no, a strange light, no… No.

Employee F: (Deep breath)

Employee F: It picked up a strange bathtub that was lying on the floor… It was a small bathtub, checkered and with golden feet. In that, that process, blood poured onto the floor, and, uh, a strange black ribbon fragment fell with it…

Employee F: The hand also took the ribbon. And, and… on the mirror.

Employee F: It wrote a message.

The hands typing paused once more.

And he peeled off a developed photo from the board next to his desk and stared at it.

Words written in an elegant, cursive script on the restroom mirror, using blood as ink.

Kim Soleum

will be going to work

somewhere else starting today.

🙂

The research team speculated that this message was ‘related to the anomalous Tamna-bound high-speed train darkness that occurred on the train’.

(This inference is considered highly reliable within the research team and is being recorded in their internal documents.)

As related evidence, they cited Assistant Manager Kim Soleum’s proactive actions in that darkness, and the high probability of an irregularity occurring due to her unique ethical attempts during the clearing process.

The possibility that the message hinted at her death, invited to an unknown space called ‘Tamna’ during a business trip to the provinces.

Alternatively, there was a mixed opinion that Assistant Manager Kim Soleum was chosen as the final sacrifice for the Tamna-bound train.

Thud.

As he finished writing up to that point, the author paused again.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t think of the next content.

“Section Chief.”

“Assistant Manager Eun Hajae.”

It was because a visitor had arrived in the dark office.

Section Chief Lee Jaheon raised his head.

Eun Hajae, looking haggard, was leaning against the office door with her arms crossed.

“Stop now.”

“……”

“How many times are you going to conduct that darn interview? Even the directors are getting weary of it now.”

Eun Hajae walked into the office.

Finally, receiving the sentence ‘presumed deceased as of January 2nd’, she darkly scanned the empty seat of his junior colleague.

“It’s been a month already.”

Assistant Manager Eun Hajae stood in front of the desk of Team D’s Section Chief, who now had no team members.

“After about a month with no news, people should learn to give up. …Writing reports won’t bring a dead person back.”

“……”

“The Dream Catcher records were eventually processed as a death repatriation, weren’t they?”

That’s right.

The Dream Catcher’s recording confirmed groans and short murmurs like ‘Is that so?’ from the missing employee.

It is significantly inferred that these are part of the disorientation symptoms of the anomalous darkness that occurred during the elite team’s business trip, also known as the ‘Tamna-bound High-Speed Train’.

According to statistical prediction, there is an over 80% chance that the employee is deeply contaminated or deceased.

And by regulation, if there is no significant trend report for 30 days after the Dream Catcher is returned, an automatic death processing is carried out in the system.

It meant it was already over.

“…She’s already registered on today’s retirement list, Section Chief.”

Assistant Manager Kim Soleum (Employment contract terminated due to death)

…Usually, by that point, death is pretty certain.

Assistant Manager Eun Hajae ran a hand over her face, then spoke.

“…The company won’t support it anymore. You know this isn’t a company that spends money and time on dead people, don’t you?”

The searches and repeated reviews until now were only ‘investments’ because Kim Soleum was such a unique and capable employee.

However, there was no proper manual for how the Tamna-bound high-speed train darkness occurred, and it hadn’t recurred for a month.

“Is there any meaning in this kind of tidying up? Don’t you think it’s time to quit?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Meaningful, and no thought of quitting?

“What’s your reason?”

“Because Assistant Manager Kim Soleum isn’t dead.”

“…!!”

Assistant Manager Eun Hajae’s eyes widened.

Section Chief Lee Jaheon wasn’t someone who declared hope so definitively.

So this meant… he truly believed it himself!

And Section Chief Lee Jaheon wasn’t someone who believed without reason.

It meant there was almost certainly evidence!

“Why, why do you think so?!”

“There’s a hint.”

Section Chief Lee Jaheon recalled.

An episode from late last year that, at first glance, seemed unrelated and separate from this incident.

–Please.

Assistant Manager Kim Soleum had entrusted him with a precious object for half a day when he was deployed into the darkness.

It was a small stuffed doll.

–My goodness. Entrusting me to a swordsman. Mr. Roe Deer!

The doll’s old-fashioned and peculiar way of speaking.

Of course, he didn’t answer the doll. He aimed to be a cultured modern person, and he had no obligation to answer a doll.

However, he detected familiarity in its manner of speech.

And the restroom, the scene of Kim Soleum’s disappearance.

On the restroom floor, all of Kim Soleum’s company-related belongings were scattered as if discarded, but in fact, Lee Jaheon focused more on the message on the mirror.

Because he had also detected familiarity in the handwriting of that message.

“Compare them.”

He presented the developed photo of the mirror message, along with an old postcard he had kept just in case it might be used, holding it out for Assistant Manager Eun Hajae to see.

It had taken several weeks just to get this postcard released again.

“This is…”

It was the Broadcast Theme Darkness, which Team D had entered and cleared several times.

However, during the most recent exploration, an unexpected situation occurred where one team was wiped out, but Team D safely escaped thanks to one employee’s quick thinking, and Class A solution was extracted from that darkness.

That darkness, whose grade was still undetermined and was floating between the research team and the evaluation department due to differing opinions.

Quiz Show Application

To:

From:

“…Tuesday Talk Show!”

The handwriting matched.

Section Chief Lee Jaheon nodded.

“Assistant Manager Kim Soleum will be there.”

In whatever form.

That’s it.

In the studio, under dazzling lights.

Thunderous applause and cheers pour from the audience seats onto the stage set.

[Thank you! Thank you!]

The audience, deeply engrossed in the fun of the final segment that just ended, whistles and cheers.

The host, feigning emotion, theatrically places a hand over his chest.

[Oh, if you give such a response… Haha, shall we start over from the beginning? You are currently watching Brown’s Late-Night Talk Show… Oops.]

Woaaaaah!

The host, pretending to be surprised by the outpouring of cheers, soon put on a smiling face on his TV head and greeted them again.

[Alas, it seems we must have a heartbreaking farewell before the angry advertisers come running. But don’t be too sad! We’ll meet again tomorrow!]

The band’s ensemble, signaling the talk show’s ending, rings out cheerfully and excitedly.

The host comes to the center of the studio and bows respectfully to the TV head.

[To all viewers who watched the talk show today, to those weeping in repentance in the underworld, and to those watching via EPUB viewer.]

[Tomorrow, at 11:33 PM, we will meet again… Have a pleasant night!]

As the band performance reached its climax, the host raised both hands, responding to the overflowing applause.

And then….

[Cut!]

The show ends.

Click.

Everything falls silent at once.

The numerous dazzling lights above the empty audience seats turn off.

And when the subdued background lights illuminate the empty audience, staff members rush out to prepare the stage and performers.

I was among them.

To be precise,

[Soleum-ssi!]

I was receiving praise from the host.

[Come here. That was excellent! Your knack for choosing topics and guests is truly fascinating. You always pick just the right candidates, you see….]

Hmm. I’m a bit embarrassed.

‘It’s all thanks to the <Darkness Exploration Log>.’

The talk show called ‘Brown’s Late-Night Talk Show’ actually felt to me like a humorous rendition of the Darkness Exploration Log.

The difference was that it was more realistic and interesting.

Because they actually brought in residents from ghost stories for interviews.

And they would brief on recent supernatural issues and various incidents, create jokes, and try interesting things with the audience.

Sometimes, audience members who didn’t know better and thought it was a dream would do dangerous things, and the thrill of watching that precariousness from a third-person perspective, combined with comedy, was just right.

Moreover, it seemed that the audience was now invited not only through postcards but also through various other media.

Anyway, honestly, all I did was mention a few interesting ghost stories once or twice a week… but every time, they’d praise my information-gathering skills, saying the reactions were great.

‘It’s surprisingly laid-back….’

I wonder if work has ever been this easy and fun in my life.

[Ah, it’s been truly enjoyable for the past month! And I’m so happy to deliver this news….]

A teary smile appeared on Brown’s TV face.

[Our show’s viewership has set another new record.]

“…!”

[They say it’s truly a terrifying upward curve! So, Assistant Manager Soleum. Does it seem fun and enjoyable to you?]

Amidst confident assurance, a slight tension could be felt. Oh, really.

I smiled and nodded.

“It was fun.”

[Wasn’t it?]

[No, this legendary host knew, of course. That this would be the workplace Soleum-ssi would be most satisfied with.]

The TV head smiled gently.

I also smiled faintly, feeling at peace.

It’s not scary.

There’s nothing here to threaten me.

Because I create content; I don’t actually experience the ghost stories that are the content!

So, working on this talk show, I felt like I wouldn’t have to be anxious anymore… No, of course, there’s pressure to perform, but isn’t that the necessary stress of life?

Like this.

[However, I do notice a regrettable point. Just a moment….]

Brown put a hand on my shoulder and whispered.

[We’re slowly entering a stagnant phase. The segments feel excessively repetitive.]

Ah.

[Don’t you have any more provocative and audacious ideas, Soleum-ssi? You can do anything in this self-produced talk show, free from the pressure of investors and producers… And.]

Thump.

…The host grabbed my shoulder.

[Over the past month, your dedication has been astonishing, your adaptability quick, and your performance dazzling, hasn’t it?]

[You can definitely do it.]

…I need to work harder.

I was about to nod, feeling a little tense.

But at that moment, an unexpected remark came from the host.

[So… I think the time has come.]

[For you to stand beside this Brown, not as staff, but as a cast member.]

“…!”

[I say this with my deepest sincerity, you are already qualified. Oh, Soleum-ssi, my friend. Let’s share stories together and bring joy to people.]

[A new face will also be a good stimulant for the audience.]

“…No, it’s okay. I, I don’t really like being in front of an audience…”

[Come, come, to be so dismissive immediately breaks this Brown’s heart! Let’s think about it….]

The hand around my shoulder tightened.

[This Brown believes Soleum-ssi clearly has quality showmanship. This is a realm of talent.]

[Do you remember? When you played the role of a prophet and a cult leader on that train over the sea. Only those born with it can do such things. Yes.]

[But if my dear friend is too anxious, roles that appear for just a few minutes, no, a few seconds, have also been prepared….]

[Shall we think about it comfortably?]

…….

Is that okay?

Come to think of it, I don’t feel like I absolutely can’t do it.

‘If I work, I should produce results.’

In the end, I nodded, slightly embarrassed.

“Hmm, if it’s a very small role.”

[Exactly! Excellent.]

The TV head smiled happily.

[To be humble too, truly befitting of my show’s former MVP. Isn’t that right?]

[Since you joined our talk show, there hasn’t been a single day that wasn’t enjoyable!]

Come to think of it, was that already a month ago?

Time flew by so fast, I didn’t even know how.

Busy, enjoyable, and rewarding.

‘The staff are surprisingly kind, too.’

I bowed to the stylist who handed me water and then disappeared, and casually asked Brown.

“Excuse me, but why do all the staff here have no faces?”

[Ah, it’s a thoughtful consideration for the show. They decided it themselves to prevent screams, coughs, or speech from appearing due to bodily functions or unexpected incidents during live broadcasts.]

“Their professionalism is amazing. Excuse me, do I also have to lose my face…?”

[What are you talking about, Soleum-ssi!]

Oh, my.

[Anyone who goes on stage must have expressions and a face. Expressiveness is the essence of entertainment!]

[Ah, of course, if Soleum-ssi really wishes… there is an alternative. Just a moment.]

Thump.

The host grabbed my chin.

And stared as if assessing…

[Hmm. I can remove your face. Instead, I will make you a very splendid… mask.]

That’s….

…….

“I’ll think about it more next time.”

[Right? Haha! It would be a waste to lose that face.]

The host released his hand.

I smiled back at the brightly smiling Brown.

[Ah, I must prepare for the next broadcast. This audience… Oh, they’re office workers. I must entertain their weary souls.]

[So… Soleum-ssi, are you also going on stage today?]

“I’ll do my best.”

[Excellent. Very good… Soleum-ssi’s splendid debut awaits!]

Hmm. I hope so.