Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel (End Part 1) - Chapter 127

[“You keep asking such strange questions! Was it fun? Of course. I am an entertainer who can enjoy every role….”]

“So, being a ‘good friend’ wasn’t particularly more fun than other roles, was it? Not at all?”

[…….]

Kim Soleum’s body, controlled by Lee Jaheon, remained perfectly still.

The giant TV screen lit up.

[“I see what you’re trying to say.”]

[“Do you wish for me to move that warm, cotton-stuffed plush toy and become your ‘good friend’ again? Hahaha!”]

[“You want me to continue the fun ‘good friend’ role!”]

A rabbit plush toy appeared on the giant TV, waving its hand, just like a moment a month ago.

But Kim Soleum showed no agitation.

“It would have been good, then. I miss it.”

[“Oh. Mr. Kim Soleum.”]

The TV spoke with a cheerful, almost mocking tone.

The rabbit plush toy on the screen looked around fearfully, then sat in a corner.

[“Unfortunately, this ‘good friend’ has already been torn to shreds and turned to ash! You will never meet again!”]

“No, that’s you.”

[……!]

“The cotton plush toy was just the outer appearance.”

That’s right.

Ultimately, the one who willingly accepted the restriction of being a “good friend” and moved that plush toy as its body was… the host standing before them.

And the one now showing that rabbit plush toy on the screen.

‘It’s you.’

He had said it himself.

“I’ve heard something like that before.”

Kim Soleum’s calm voice could be heard.

“They say that even actors, when they take on a particularly impressive role, sometimes find it hard to shake off the character even after the role is over.”

Because.

“It’s because the role was so interesting or they became so deeply immersed. It feels like a trace remains even after it’s over.”

[…….]

He recalled the sight he had just witnessed.

The host, who had frozen upon seeing the cotton plush toy he had inhabited explode.

‘Honestly, he must have known that just because the plush toy exploded, he wouldn’t die.’

Hadn’t he put himself in there in the first place?

Going further, it was strange that the talk show host would allow silence to fall over the show just because one of the guests died.

He was the kind of being who would just put up a crying emoticon on his TV head, pretend to mourn, and then use it as material for the next segment.

But if he had been momentarily flustered and tried to stuff the cotton back in.

That would indeed have been strange.

“I wondered if that might be the case for you too.”

[“Oh. The pitiful existence pretending to be the great host has such clumsy professionalism that he is affected by a mask he only wore for a few months…. Is that what you wish to say?”]

“I don’t know why that would be clumsy. Originally, it’s the great actors who struggle because they assimilate into their roles. Because they were so vividly immersed.”

[“That’s….”]

“Right?”

Lee Jaheon continued to convey Kim Soleum’s words in a dry tone.

“And it’s a slightly different case, but… I also found great comfort in your ‘good friend’.”

[…….]

“Thank you. In a difficult situation, having you as a friend was a great help and comfort. And… there were many fun moments too.”

Kim Soleum’s voice resonated.

“Don’t you feel that way?”

[…….]

[“Oh dear.”]

The host’s voice softened.

[“It’s embarrassing, but I must admit it. Yes. It was a very fresh and enjoyable experience!”]

[“As a show creator and performer, such outstanding talent is rare, so watching and interfering with your actions was a truly unique pleasure….”]

“I see.”

But.

“That’s why I’m even more unwilling to work on this talk show.”

A calm voice emerged.

“Firstly, I’m a bit scared of this talk show. It’s not that it’s not interesting, but honestly, it’s hard for me to work here. You know my personality.”

Just thinking about people dying made him shiver. Contributing to that work here truly felt chilling.

Furthermore, Kim Soleum knew.

‘If I try to persuade him, will this host suddenly make an ethical judgment?’

Absolutely not.

It was as if, as long as Kim Soleum remained Kim Soleum, he would feel a sense of rejection about working as a staff member on this talk show.

And in fact, not feeling that rejection would be a big problem.

Because it would mean his ego would disappear, whether through brainwashing or contamination.

“Honestly, even though you called me a collaborator, I unilaterally became a member of your crew, didn’t I? It’s an atmosphere where I have to call you ‘Host-nim’.”

Bones were attached to the jocular words.

“In that state, we can’t remain friends. I’d just be subordinate. I wouldn’t be able to act autonomously.”

Kim Soleum looked beyond his sight.

“Then you’d get bored quickly too.”

[…….]

“So I have to go back. …That way, it’ll be much more fun for you too.”

A strange light flashed across the TV screen.

Perhaps that’s why the host also wanted to make him work on the talk show as gently as possible, without his way of thinking changing much, Kim Soleum guessed.

Like getting wet in a drizzle.

‘It worked to some extent… but not like this.’

He couldn’t stay in this chilling place.

Still.

“But, I don’t think that means we can’t be friends.”

[…! ]

“Do you remember what I said?”

– Friends try to understand each other’s differences, and even if it doesn’t work out, they look out for each other. 

– …By talking.

“Even if we don’t work at the same place, we can definitely be friends by sharing our daily lives.”

If the water was already spilled anyway, he had to re-establish the power dynamic with the being he had summoned, starting now.

If he couldn’t avoid it, he had to face it.

“You don’t have to be a ‘good friend.’ Just a friend would be fine.”

At these words, the plush toy in the TV seemed intrigued, leaning its body towards the screen as if listening intently.

Kim Soleum wanted to smile.

“If you’re okay with it, how about we stay in touch this way?”

[“Hoo.”]

[“But what if I’m not okay with it?”]

The plush toy in the TV was flustered, but the giant host’s voice became softer and more cunning.

[“Look at this, Mr. Soleum. The state of the set after your barbaric swordsman destroyed it. The cost of this scoundrel who disrupted the broadcast, this space filled with the sweat and tears of the staff….”]

It was then.

Thump, thump, thump!

The giant rabbit plush toy in the TV suddenly jumped up and began hitting the screen with its cotton-stuffed hands.

As if protesting those words!

[“…! My goodness, this is….”]

The TV hastily turned off.

The giant host’s hand adjusted the antenna as if controlling something. But the TV flickered, momentarily showing the ‘good friend’ plush toy raging inside.

Finally, the host recoiled his hand in disgust.

And…

[“No choice then.”]

Flicker.

It was the moment after all the stage lights briefly flickered out.

[“Alright.”]

The host was already standing before Kim Soleum in his original form.

-…!

[“Yes… it’s true that watching what kind of performance you would put on and interfering was quite enjoyable.”]

[“To think my mask would be so bothersome….”]

The host spoke politely, with a slightly resigned tone.

[“I, Brown, admit it.”]

[“That accompanying your unique, creative, and nail-biting developments was very interesting and fun….”]

[“That the ‘good friend’ role was uniquely enjoyable, that is.”]

“……”

Kim Soleum realized.

Of course, the host himself was moving the plush toy on the TV screen.

Therefore, the rabbit plush toy raging just now… was because some part of the host’s being felt that way.

A trace of the ‘good friend’.

“……”

The artillery bombardment that had engulfed the talk show had also ceased.

The lights returned, and in the set that looked half-destroyed yet somehow part of the scenery, Brown gazed at Kim Soleum.

His friend beyond his sight.

[“But now there’s no more cotton-stuffed body.”]

Ah.

[“Of course… a great host always has a Plan B.”]

As the host moved his gloved hand as if performing magic, a silver-glittering coin appeared between his fingers.

The Silver Snake.

-…!

It was the coin item Kim Soleum had used to summon the ‘good friend’.

Upon the appearance of what he thought had been burned and lost with the doll, Kim Soleum’s personality wavered from beyond.

“I definitely burned it….”

[“Haha, a great entertainer is naturally skilled in magic. It’s a simple, trifling trick.”]

Clink.

The coin dropped from Brown’s hand into the front pocket of Kim Soleum’s suit.

To the place where the ‘good friend’ had always been.

A finger tapped the pocket.

[“Take it! And call me once more with a suitable medium, as before… and I will come. Mr. Roe Deer.”]

-…!

Unlike the surprised Kim Soleum, Lee Jaheon calmly vocalized his words.

“Okay.”

[“Oh, but that friend might not be as ‘good’ as before.”]

“Then that means he might be good.”

[“…You act like a linguistic magician, my friend!”]

Brown’s TV was still black and displayed nothing, but the clean screen reflected Kim Soleum’s face.

Kim Soleum spoke with a desire to laugh.

“See you again.”

[“A preview of a follow-up broadcast!”]

[“Not bad.”]

The host raised both hands.

[“Now, let’s give a round of applause to my temporary crew, who are leaving this dazzling and wonderful studio to challenge the terrible reality!”]

Wow!!

Kim Soleum turned his head in surprise.

The audience seats were still full, and the cameras were lit up.

And on the stage, ‘Special Broadcast Bonus Time! The Host’s Behind-the-Scenes (Sensitive Personal Information Censored)’ was displayed.

‘Come to think of it, it was still during commercials….’

It seemed even this was being broadcast.

‘He really loves the show.’

He hoped his personal information had been censored well.

Kim Soleum wanted to express both a sigh and a hollow laugh.

[“Now, it’s time to exit.”]

The host extended his hand for a handshake to Kim Soleum.

Kim Soleum asked the mercenary controlling his body to accept the handshake.

And he heard.

A low whisper.

[“Mr. Roe Deer.”]

[“It had better be as entertaining as you promised. I shall be watching to see if it can be….”]

-…….

If Kim Soleum had had his own body, he might have broken out in a cold sweat and frozen.

However, controlled by Section Chief Lee Jaheon, he calmly bowed towards the audience and then ran out through the broken guest door with vigorous steps.

[“Then have a pleasant departure!”]

He exited the talk show set.

In the fleeting glimpses of the audience, he noticed that unlike before, they were not ordinary people but grotesque ‘viewers’.

Even though it was chilling, he strangely felt lighthearted.

Whoosh!

From behind, he heard the cheerful yet chilling voice of the talk show host, his friend.

[“That was… Brown’s Late Night Talk Show!”]

* * *

“……!”

I opened my eyes.

I saw the dim sky as dawn broke.

My familiar… everyday dawn.

‘I’m out!’

“Ha.”

I took a deep breath and collapsed onto the floor.

For some reason, I was lying on an unknown park bench, leaning back.

‘Did he leave me here?’

I felt like I was going crazy with relief.

It felt good to move my own body, and good to have safely escaped outside…

Anyway, everything felt alright.

“Phew.”

Had Section Chief Lee Jaheon returned safely?

No, was my contamination status okay? I didn’t know how I could feel so refreshed and think so normally.

‘…Wait a minute. Could it be that churros I ate and threw up….’

Hmm. This is just a guess for now, so I’ll move on.

The important thing is this.

‘…Escaped after a month!’

“Haaaaaa….”

I sprawled out again.

What should I do now?

I had lost all my company belongings; my Dream Collector, employee ID, and mask were all gone.

‘First, I think I need to tell the company….’

…….

……Wait a minute.

Did I just go on unauthorized leave for a month?

If so, surely.

‘Termination of employment…?!’

Then what about my points?

I sat up as if doused with cold water.

‘My phone.’

I had to check it immediately.

Fatigue and relief be damned, I felt my blood run cold, and just as I was about to figure out a way to contact someone, something flashed above my head.

A strange phenomenon I hadn’t seen in a very long time.

[Real Goods Box: Darkness Exploration Records]

-New merchandise usage rights unlocked! (!)

“…!”

And what fell from the air was…

Thud.

I looked at the merchandise in my hand, still with a barcode attached for calculation.

A small item designed to reduce the burden of its price, yet expensive due to its intricacy.

A cylinder with metal ornaments.

It was…

The Dream Collector (Elite Team Exclusive)

And the cylinder was already filled with a gleaming golden liquid.

I picked it up with trembling hands.

A liquid with a holographic glow, unlike anything I had ever seen.

‘This is….’

Rank A or higher.