Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel (End Part 1) - Chapter 124

Space Shopping Mall.

Also known as the Alien Shop.

It was a bizarre urban legend, a mysterious website that sold expensive, supernatural items and equipment that had allowed me to acquire useful items and gear.

But….

‘…Section Chief Lizard, he’s an alien there?’

I tried to swallow, but then startled, realizing I had no physical body.

Because it seemed that Section Chief Lizard was currently inside my body.

So I asked instead.

It was a truly unbelievable question.

“…Are you the operator of the Space Shopping Mall?”

And the answer was….

-No.

Ah.

‘Then what kind of related party is he?’

I was a bit curious, but that wasn’t important right now.

The situation was resolved.

‘Whew.’

I saw my waiting room reflected beyond my CCTV-like vision.

The gushing dark blue water had already gathered on the floor, then dispersed, and the waiting room looked fine except for being slightly messy.

It seemed that for some unknown reason, the situation was resolved when I was ejected and Section Chief Lee Jaheon entered.

Seeing that it wasn’t spitting out water anymore.

‘I’m truly grateful for that….’

It was a relief that my body didn’t die thanks to Section Chief Lee Jaheon. I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and said.

“Anyway, thank you. Now that it’s settled, I’d like you to leave my body.”

-…….

“…Section Chief Lee Jaheon?”

-I will initiate the escape protocol via the emergency communicator.

My vision suddenly moved.

“…?!”

I, that is, Section Chief Lee Jaheon, moved and seemed to sweep all my items from the table and store them in the tattoo.

Wait, what are you doing right now….

-In 3 minutes, I will order a holy fire bombardment….

What?

“S-stop, please.”

What kind of crazy talk is this? Bombardment?

“I don’t know what it is, but why on earth are you using it now?”

-It’s an option included in the emergency communicator; the Alliance mobilizes all available armed forces until the user is transported to a safe location.

-Mobilized during Kim Soleum’s escape process….

“I mean!”

This lizard… no, this reptilian alien!

I spoke, feeling like I wanted to clench my teeth.

“Why on earth do I have to escape?”

The footsteps in my vision stopped.

I just changed jobs and am living a meaningful and enjoyable life on the talk show, so I don’t understand why this talk of escape is suddenly coming up.

It’s been over a month since I escaped from Daydream Inc.

“I’ve adapted well to my new job, and I’m doing fine without any particular issues. This isn’t a dangerous situation at all.”

It’s a good thing it’s break time; I don’t know what kind of nuisance it would have been if it were during a meeting or the talk show….

-I see.

Right. So now that everything’s handled, if you could just give my body back….

-When did you last sleep?

“…….”

That was…….

Before coming to this talk show, so….

A month ago.

-Animals must eat and sleep to survive.

“…….”

-That you don’t need those things means you are closer to a supernatural being than an animal in the natural world.

So I,

It became a ghost story.

“……No. I’m… not contaminated. I can think properly, and my ethical standards haven’t changed.”

-Is that so?

“Of course.”

-Why is there water accumulated in the waiting room?

“That’s because I ate a churro…….”

-Do you mean the snack you stated you received from Joyful Theme Park?

“…….”

-If it were you in normal circumstances, there’s a high probability you wouldn’t have consumed food derived from darkness without repulsion.

-Why did you press the emergency call button?

“……That’s because water was gushing out as if I were suffocating.”

-It is unnatural to press a strange escape button, whose origin and effects are unknown, in a suffocating situation.

• You struggled countless times with whether to press the button when you were on the verge of death on Death Row Street, but gave up due to your superior’s advice.

“But….”

-It is normal to ask others for help.

“…….”

Had I… somehow been using items from ghost stories naturally, like everyday objects…?

-You are subordinate to this darkness.

“…! That, that’s not true!”

That much I could definitely refute.

“Even now, if I wanted, I could leave anytime. I just need to ask the Host-nim for leave.”

-‘Host-nim.’

-Did you originally refer to the talk show host by that title?

“…!”

H-but.

Even if we’re colleagues, Brown is the one hosting this talk show.

So, wouldn’t it be natural to call him ‘Host-nim’ with respect when working?

I slowly began to feel strange.

Section Chief Lee Jaheon was certainly my former superior, but now that I’ve resigned, he’s just an acquaintance. Is it right for him to interfere in my private life like this?

Shouldn’t I be feeling unpleasant?

-Assistant Manager Kim Soleum.

But it’s Section Chief Lee Jaheon who’s using my body right now.

No!

“D-don’t bombard it. So many staff members have put effort into creating this talk show.”

I said desperately.

“The audience isn’t dying, are they? So….”

-They die.

“…….”

What did he just say….

-People invited as audience members to this talk show receive a thank-you card the day after the viewing. At this time, the card is sent via the medium through which they applied for attendance.

-And on that card, there is a detailed method to meet the talk show guest who ‘particularly impressed’ them that day.

“…….”

-Some audience members show a tendency to be completely captivated by the talk show. Therefore….

-They willingly enter the darkness to meet the guest.

My nonexistent heart felt like it was pounding, echoing throughout my body.

I recalled the audience member I interviewed yesterday.

The scene where ‘Happy Ending Bear’ stared intently at the audience member who wanted to adopt it.

What I felt then was clearly….

Repulsion.

-We have confirmed more than three cases of definite death or disappearance of previous audience members.

“…….”

My head was swirling.

My stomach was churning.

It’s strange that I feel nauseous since I don’t have a body right now.

This is a psychological reaction.

That is to say….

The shock of realizing something absurd.

“…….”

What have I been doing all this time?

What exactly is this talk show broadcasting?

But Brown… no,

That’s not right.

Brown never promised not to harm the audience.

He merely assured me he wouldn’t scare me.

I shouldn’t conveniently understand the situation based on my common sense.

‘A ghost story is….’

That’s what it was, originally.

“…….”

-Kim Soleum, you must escape this talk show immediately.

My head grew cold.

“Section Chief.”

I know.

I am not contaminated.

At least, not in that train bathroom where I decided to come to this talk show.

But, but….

“I… seem to have been thinking about something wrong.”

I had overlooked it.

Even if not contaminated, humans can always make wrong judgments.

They could be scammed, commit crimes, be mistaken, misunderstand…… and even believe what shouldn’t be believed.

Perhaps….

This might be one of those cases now.

“First… if possible, leaving this talk show and thinking about it a bit more… doesn’t seem bad.”

I think I need a little time to think alone….

-Yes.

“But no bombardment!”

If I had a body, I would have dry-washed my face.

“With something like that, we can absolutely never defeat the host in this studio….”

I’m certain.

‘The moment we’re caught, we’ll be incinerated.’

If we were generously only charged for the costs, I might have to work unpaid at this talk show until death, or even after.

…The thought that it wouldn’t be bad was even more frightening.

-Do you know the studio’s exit?

“…I don’t know.”

I don’t even know how big this studio is.

I know it has an incredible variety of sets and storage rooms. But I don’t know how many floors it has, or how far each section extends.

From some point, I could naturally find my way around the staff area, but beyond that, it was still vague.

I had only ever been in the waiting room area, or briefly visited other areas when accompanied by other staff members….

‘I haven’t left here for a month.’

And it made sense, as my waiting room was comfortable enough, I didn’t feel the need for food, clothing, or shelter, and I was busy with the adjustment period.

“But walking out through the exit boldly without even taking leave is foolish, and it would be better to secretly…….”

…….

Ah.

-Were you trying to say you wanted to sneak out?

“No. I can’t.”

Good heavens.

The very idea of sneaking out was impossible. Because….

“…The host knows where I am, no matter what.”

Because he checked the tag.

He can find me, who summoned him with the ‘Good Friend’ contract, until death, forever.

So no matter where I went, he could now follow me….

…….

-Do you wish to persuade him to give you leave?

“No.”

If the Host-nim asked why I was requesting leave, there’s no way Section Chief Lee Jaheon being in my body wouldn’t be discovered.

Moreover, even if I did it myself… I lack confidence.

‘I feel like I’d be convinced in reverse….’

Because it felt like I would blindly and happily accept working at the talk show again, regardless of whether the audience died or not.

The legendary host of a ghost story talk show was not merely skilled in rhetoric; he was terrifying to the point of feeling like a supernatural phenomenon himself….

The reason I could intimidate my ‘Good Friend’ before was entirely due to the ‘Good Friend’s’ limitations.

My heart grows cold.

-I see.

-Is it correct to state that even if you escape after half-destroying the studio, it would be meaningless because the source of danger could immediately find Kim Soleum?

“…Yes.”

There’s no way out.

No, even if I leave, it’s meaningless.

It seemed perfectly sealed.

…….

‘……No.’

There’s a crack everywhere.

‘The host still doesn’t know that I summoned Section Chief Lee Jaheon with an item, right?’

In that case.

“…Section Chief, how long can you stay in that body?”

-As Section Chief Lee Jaheon, 60 hours are possible.

-Furthermore, the caller cannot arbitrarily stop using it. The emergency communicator is only deactivated when the caller escapes the dangerous situation.

An intriguing choice of words.

But that amount of time was plenty.

Enough to find a time when there might be a loophole.

“Let’s wait while we prepare.”

I calmed my anxiety and began racking my brain.

“…Until just before the talk show begins.”

* * *

Time passed.

Preparations for the live talk show began.

Most of the staff were busy setting up equipment, moving between the backstage and the stage.

I usually used that time to check equipment or chat with the host. Or I could attend meetings, and sometimes even wander into other departments.

‘As a production staff member, not a performer, that’s possible.’

In particular, since I worked as a talk show creator rather than an on-site preparation staff member, there was no specific task assigned to me during the live broadcast.

So, whatever I did, it would be reasonably natural….

For example, even if I ran around everywhere as if running an errand or searching for something.

“Over there.”

I was frantically searching the studio, which was almost empty of faceless staff members.

Searching for one thing.

“There should be a place where the guest waiting rooms are gathered.”

I had definitely heard.

‘They said there was a guest entrance/exit.’

I heard that all guests have an original place of existence, and something… ‘considerate’ was done so they could be comfortably invited to the studio.

‘I need to find that.’

Of course, finding the waiting room itself was tricky for me.

The moment I left the waiting room and staff area, I lost my sense of direction as if I had fallen into a maze.

However, Section Chief Lee Jaheon….

‘…He’s incredibly fast.’

Is he winning by sheer force…?

With a strength and speed almost unbelievable for someone using the same body as me, my vision rapidly shifted, checking countless paths and signs as I moved.

‘It’s like his own body’s performance is identical.’

Perhaps Section Chief Lizard can use that kind of stamina and strength in any body….

The only problem was….

Tap, tap.

“…!”

My gaze turned.

A faceless staff member gestured as if asking why I was there, offering to guide me if I was lost.

“……Tell them I have an errand and will return as soon as I finish.”

-I have an errand and will return after finishing it shortly.

The faceless staff member didn’t suggest it a second time and seemed to disappear… then reappeared from the corner with another staff member!

“…….”

Gulp.

If I had a body, I would have swallowed….

‘No.’

If I seemed suspicious here, the host would immediately be informed. And if that happened….

I would happily host the talk show again.

With all doubts cleanly resolved, thanks to ‘kind persuasion.’

‘…….’

The newly appeared staff member gestured.

“That staff member seems to want to run the errand for me….”

-Not necessary.

Section Chief!!

“P-please tell them it feels more meaningful to do it myself. It’s nothing big, so a newcomer like me wants to do it quietly and quickly.”

-I-it feels more meaningful to do it myself.

“…….”

No, that…….

-It’s nothing big, so a newcomer like me wants to do it quietly and quickly.

Fortunately, the staff members nodded at that and disappeared. It seemed they had no more time to waste here, as the live broadcast was imminent…….

‘Whew….’

-Moving.

‘It’s like controlling a robot.’

A robot with about ten times my strength and stamina, that is.

I repeatedly sighed with relief inwardly, sharing Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s vision as he continued the search.

There were a few more heart-stopping moments, but we got through them safely.

And not long after.

-Found it.

“…!”

Click.

A door opened in my vision.

Guest Area

The CCTV-like screen in front of me now showed a dark corridor with an antique atmosphere.

Numerous doors lined it, and the nameplates of guests who had appeared over the past month were still attached, unreplaced….

As if one was used each time a guest appeared.

“…….”

…A strange and ominous feeling I hadn’t felt for the past month now emanated, even from beyond a single layer…….

I swallowed.

“Now, please find the door that says ‘Happy Ending Bear’.”

My vision quickly moved, and in an instant, it found a door.

A light bulb above today’s guest waiting room door was brightly lit nearby, but I ignored it and went to the adjacent door.

Yesterday’s guest waiting room, with its bulb almost extinguished.

Happy Ending Bear

Click.

…The dark waiting room inside hadn’t been cleaned yet, and everything was sized to fit a rag doll’s physique.

And traces of the bear’s use remained.

…Even traces left from making teddy bears.

“…….”

I tried hard not to look at the bodily extremities and skin.

It was a relief that it wasn’t difficult, as Section Chief Lee Jaheon was currently controlling my body.

Section Chief Lee Jaheon quickly scanned the waiting room with his vision, then soon discovered something.

-It’s a dollhouse door.

The colorful door on one side of the wall was barely small enough to reach my waist, and seemed to have been made for a child’s toy….

“Let’s go out there.”

Creak.

…In my vision, I saw my hand opening that small door, and me crawling on all fours, moving towards the dark space…….

A light was visible ahead.

And a moment later.

“…!”

My vision suddenly brightened again.

A modern corridor was visible.

A modern style, finished with concrete and paint, contrasting sharply with Brown’s classical and elegant studio.

And a voice could be heard from over there….

-Alright! The item we’re introducing today turns hair into living snakes….

The voice of a home shopping host, selling absurd items.

Delusion Home Shopping!

‘Just as I thought.’

‘Happy Ending Bear’ had mentioned receiving sponsorship from this side in the last broadcast, so I thought the door might connect here.

‘Good.’

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Haven’t I done this before on Death Row Street? Moving from one ghost story to another.

‘Since it’s still a broadcast studio, the host might realize it a bit later.’

Moreover, the live broadcast will start soon, so he won’t have time to chase me here.

No, perhaps I might even find a useful item here to prevent the host’s pursuit.

‘With Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s physical power, it shouldn’t be dangerous here.’

Let’s bet on that.

My vision was moving, heading out into the bright corridor.

I calmed my excitement and said,

“Section Chief, first, something that won’t attract attention and would be helpful….”

[Oh, dear.]