Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel (End Part 1) - Chapter 186

My second exploration of Cheerful Theme Park finally ended.

And…

The responsible research team was turned upside down.

Exploration Results:

12 personnel deployed, 8 returned.

Among the returned, 2 completed the exploration within the scheduled time, but 6 were found in the conference room where the board game started on the 6th day of exploration.

Among these, an employee showing complete contamination symptoms (mask deformation) was identified. Transferred to Fox Counseling Room.

Among the 4 who did not return, witnessing 3 deaths confirmed. All were personnel who drew red pawns, and one of them, only the head, was transported by the survivor but lost in the Yellow Zone.

Additional Special Note 1) Visual assessment of collected Dream Fluid revealed it to be of higher quality than existing fluid. Similar to A-grade.

Additional Special Note 2) Many of the exploration employees who returned on the 6th day stated they had work experience as theme park employees. Claimed to have received items from the gift shop as wages.

They said it went through a meticulous verification process, probably like how it would be organized on a wiki.

The exploration period had increased sixfold, but the fluid grade was one grade higher, literally an irregularity.

And there was only one variable for this irregularity.

‘Me.’

Meaning, the special department employee of the security team.

However, I, appearing as a ghost story creature or something contaminated, managed to scare off the research team and smoothly escape the interview hell to go home.

-Hey! Thanks a lot, by the way, if I want to buy you a meal, where can I contact you…?

-A-Assistant Manager!! No!

…In the process, Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae gratefully tried to show me a friendly gesture but was even stopped by a researcher.

‘It was rather fortunate.’

Because there was no way to contact me in the first place.

All of this was just a disguise created by Director Ho anyway.

And…

I had to meet Director Ho himself, a boss more tenacious and terrifying than the research team, before going home.

-You must have gone through so much trouble, Soleum-nim!

As soon as I took off the security team suit, I checked my empty right arm and the will-o’-the-wisp, which had returned to its lantern form.

The will-o’-the-wisp seemed scared, its lantern completely stiff.

Director Ho strangely squinted his eyes and watched it carefully, but fortunately, he didn’t take the will-o’-the-wisp.

Instead, he looked at the security team suit I had taken off and said:

-Wow! It seems the security team uniform has been interestingly affected by walking with Soleum-nim in the darkness this time.

-Even if it wasn’t, it’s quite an interesting outfit, isn’t it? I’ll extend the rental period for you a bit more. You might have a chance to use it again in the future.

I nodded obediently.

The atmosphere was such that refusal wouldn’t be tolerated. I was in a position to make a difficult request, after all. Namely…

-By the way, do you happen to know the whereabouts of Jang Heoun?

Phew.

-He was an employee deployed to help Soleum-nim, and I wonder if you made good use of him.

…I told only the truth.

An agent from the Disaster Management Bureau suddenly entered, and Jang Heoun, whose identity was revealed, was ultimately taken away by the Disaster Management Bureau under the pretext of rescue.

-…Oh dear!

Director Ho’s reaction was completely perfunctory.

‘…He must be angry, I think.’

-But Director, since it wasn’t revealed that Heo-woon is a Daydream Inc. employee, he can continue his spy duties.

-Ah, is that so?

‘…However, Jang Heoun will have difficulty moving around for a while due to examinations for contamination during the rescue process,’ my excuse, disguised as a deduction, seemed to work.

…For now, that is.

-Then, was Jang Heoun’s dream collector recovered? The research team was making a fuss that an A-grade fluid was collected during this exploration.

-…Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the process of retrieving it to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Disaster Management Bureau.

Actually, no.

I destroyed it.

To compensate for this logical flaw… just before escaping the theme park, I retrieved the dream collector Jang Heoun had and crushed it into the form of a supply mascot.

If Jang Heoun had it and the Disaster Management Bureau found out, it would be equivalent to confirming he was a spy.

And if I just left the collector inside the ghost story, it would automatically be sent back to the company, and Director Ho might figure out Jang Heoun’s exact condition due to the recorded data.

Destruction was the only answer.

-That’s regrettable. The destruction of a collector usually costs the person in charge points… Oh, right. This was a special situation for work, so I’ll smooth it over on my end!

-…Yes. Thank you.

-Haha, I wasn’t even doing Soleum-nim a favor! No problem!

Fortunately, Director Ho let it slide.

I thought there might be an uproar because the collected fluid was high-grade, but surprisingly, he didn’t seem particularly fixated on the high grade of the fluid.

‘…That’s strange.’

Anyway, A-grade is A-grade, so I did think I should check my elite team collector as well… but it was difficult for now.

…Because after going through all that, I collapsed as soon as I got to bed and slept until the next morning.

‘I really thought I was going to die.’

The only comfort was that I slept straight through without waking up in the middle, probably because I was so tired.

And to say this again…

…It means my 6 days of vacation evaporated just like that.

This morning.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I went to work at the Disaster Management Bureau…

Ugh.

“Oh, long time no see. Such a heartless MZ Grape, who didn’t contact anyone while on break…”

Agent Choi, who was entering the Hyunmu Team 1 waiting room with an americano in his hand, paused upon seeing me.

“Did you train in some mountain during your break? You look so gaunt! Hey, Jae-gwan. Right?”

“Huh?”

Agent Cheong-dong, who was frowning as his superior grabbed his arm and pointed at me, also paused in surprise when he saw me.

“…Was something wrong?”

I barely managed to reply.

“I, didn’t, sleep, well…”

“…….”

“…….”

It was the truth.

Because I had worked day and night as a mascot at a ruined resort for five nights and six days…

Agent Choi and Agent Cheong-dong looked at each other for a moment, then, as if by unspoken agreement, quickly approached me and sat on a nearby sofa.

“Didn’t you rest well?”

I looked at them silently with an awkward expression.

Ryu Jae-gwan cautiously asked.

“I heard you didn’t come to recharge your goblin lantern during your time off. …Are you okay?”

Ah.

“Yes. I’m fine… I think I forgot because there was no need.”

“…….”

Phew.

Incidentally, the will-o’-the-wisp only recovered its energy after I coaxed and comforted it.

It seemed that something had gone wrong due to the mascot’s energy, but it seemed to have regained its original cheerfulness after recharging this morning on the way to work, returning to my arm.

Although it would probably tremble and give a vigorous thumbs down whenever I even mentioned the security team suit.

“I’m sorry. You were so considerate to let me use my annual leave.”

“That was something Grape could use anyway, right?”

Agent Choi’s playful demeanor completely vanished, and he continued in a relaxed tone.

“Hmm… Grape. There’s a nice hot spring managed by the Bureau in Seoraksan, you know? How about we all go there next time you’re off? The facilities are pretty good for employee welfare.”

“…….”

An onsen with coworkers, really?

…But realizing what that onsen was, I quickly nodded.

I did want to see the Disaster Management Bureau’s welfare facilities at least once.

“Good. That’s a good idea. …Kid, you still have enthusiasm!”

“…?!”

Agent Choi ruffled my hair, then patted my back.

“It’s normal to suddenly get really sick all at once after working hard and then resting. Both body and mind.”

“…….”

“Still, you came to work on time. Good job.”

I came here so my spy identity wouldn’t be exposed…

Moreover, after experiencing a Daydream Inc.-style ghost story this time, I realized anew that the Disaster Management Bureau’s ghost stories were like angels…

Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I just nodded.

“Thank you.”

And leaned on the sofa, spending the waiting time…

There were no special notes, except for trying hard not to be surprised by Agent Choi, who kept suggesting board games.

Fortunately, there were no calls either.

And in the afternoon, after lunch.

“Agent Grape!”

I met Ms. Go Youngeun from the New Investigation Team, who visited with documents.

“Did you hear? Agent Hwakak of Jujak Team 2, who worked with you, Agent Grape…”

Ah.

Ms. Go Youngeun didn’t know about the theme park incident yet, but it seemed she had found out about Jang Heoun’s condition through other channels.

“…No. This is the first I’m hearing of it. What happened…”

Ms. Go Youngeun’s expression gradually blurred, and she continued speaking, as if holding back tears.

“Yesterday, he was found in a severely contaminated state and is now in isolation care. I heard he was transferred to Seoraksan…”

“…….”

“They said he seems to have been caught up in a supernatural… disaster during his time off.”

“Is that our youngest’s story?”

“…!”

Ms. Go Youngeun and I simultaneously turned our heads. There, the Ju-jak Team 2 leader, Jang Heoun’s Disaster Management Bureau superior, was looking at us with a wry smile.

Hah…

“Yes. It must be scary for new agents. It’s strange when a colleague suddenly doesn’t show up for work, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“But this much is fine. Life goes on, and we’ll find a way. The important thing is that he was rescued.”

Through the glasses of the clean-up team, Ju-jak Team 2 leader, I saw the unique willpower of an agent.

But at the same time, I also felt a familiar weariness and sadness.

…As if recalling agents who ultimately could not be returned to their original forms.

‘Damn it.’

I held back a sigh and a curse.

Anyway, the fact that Jang Heoun was in a treatment facility and not a glass cage meant his identity hadn’t been exposed. That was fortunate…

“Still, it’s a good thing he rescued that. Hey, Hae-geum!”

“Oh, oh?”

As the Ju-jak Team 2 leader waved his hand, a person walking from the end of the hallway approached.

The team leader-level agent who entered the theme park. Hae-geum, team leader of Hyunmu Team 3.

‘T-Team Leader…!’

I almost choked.

“Ah. New recruits?”

“Ah, right. One friend who came with our kid, and… this is the new recruit for the Hyunmu team from this public recruitment.”

“Ah. The Destroyer King!”

…….

“Agent Choi is so good at spiriting things away, this is my first time greeting you too. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, hello…!”

I almost talked back, but it was probably for the best.

I held back a sigh and greeted Team Leader Hae-geum.

In my mind, our ’employee dispatch transaction’ was hurriedly playing out.

‘…It wouldn’t have been suspicious if I had only received payment for sending Jang Heoun.’

So I received five jade pendants made by the Disaster Management Bureau from that team leader.

…Recalling the wiki’s description.

Jade pendants crafted at Baridegi Workshop were often treated as currency in supernatural phenomena.

I know they were made for rituals, but I request permission for them to be distributed as agent supplies.

Currency of ghost stories.

I didn’t think it was a big burden, but its usefulness was certain.

“Still, we should properly greet our Destroyer King new agent. Here. Shake hands.”

“Yes… Th-Thank you.”

I didn’t even have to consciously hunch my shoulders; it happened automatically. Agent Hae-geum, Team Leader of Hyunmu Team 3, patted my back once, waved his hand, and turned back.

I also inwardly let out a sigh of relief and turned my gaze back to Ms. Go Youngeun…

“Wait a minute.”

…….

“Haven’t we met somewhere before? You look somewhat familiar.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“Actually, I once greeted you in the hallway in front of the waiting room… but you might have been tired and passed by without seeing me…”

“Oh?? My bad. I’ve been busy lately. This wasn’t Choi’s fault after all. There was an opportunity.”

Team Leader Hae-geum scratched the back of his head and laughed, “Haha.”

“Then you know, I’m the Team Leader of Team 3. If you’re bored on your way home, drop by the waiting room. Got it?”

“Th-Thank you…”

Phew.

And so, Team Leader Hae-geum left, talking with the Ju-jak Team 2 leader.

“…….”

When I turned my head, Ms. Go Youngeun, with a ‘what on earth is happening’ expression, met my eyes.

A lot has happened, Yeong-eun-ssi…

And 6 PM.

I finally left work.

‘Oh please.’

It was a relief it was a day shift.

It was also a stroke of luck that there were no dispatches, but even though I desperately wanted to collapse and sleep more, I couldn’t.

‘Got to do what I gotta do.’

“…….”

I lightly put my hand into my inventory tattoo and touched ‘what I gotta do’.

The soft down of a plush doll tickled my fingertips.

Yes.

The plush doll sold at Cheerful Theme Park’s souvenir shop.

I successfully brought out the original Good Friend.

I used several tricks in relation to this, but I’ll organize them again while performing the ritual… The important thing is one.

Now I can summon the Good Friend in a perfectly appropriate situation with an appropriate medium.

‘Let’s do it.’

If I delay any longer, I start to sweat, fearing I might see the same situation as during the late-night talk show. I quickly opened the door to my motel room and went inside.

But then.

As soon as I opened the door and entered, someone was inside.

A lizard head.

“Mr. Roe Deer.”

……??

The familiar lizard face, which I had spent the past six days with, stared silently at me.

I almost rubbed my eyes.

“S-Section Chief Lee Jaheon??”

I looked outside the motel room once, then back inside, but no matter how many times I looked, it was indeed Section Chief Lizard.

No…!

I hurriedly entered the motel room and cautiously locked the door.

Could it be…

“Did Director Ho send you?”

“No.”

“Then how did you get here…?”

“I infiltrated.”

“…….”

Then you shouldn’t be standing there so brazenly…!

‘Director Ho probably vaguely knows that we contact each other anyway… but is, is this really okay?’

Is it okay to just visit a spy’s motel room like this? No, why is he so nonchalantly in someone else’s motel room without a word in the first place?

“F-First… would you like to sit?”

“Yes.”

I sat across from the lizard at the table, my face flustered.

And I tried to explain my bewilderment, but…

“Understood. However, I have come to resolve a more important matter, which takes precedence.”

Phew.

“I apologize, but I have something to do first.”

“What is it?”

“…….”

Well.

You remember the talk show ghost story where you rescued me by firing artillery, Section Chief?

Strictly speaking, I’m planning to summon the host who was the cause of all that commotion again…

Should I tell him this? No, is it perhaps the act of a foolish, oblivious person not to tell him?

I opened my mouth, feeling somehow caught up in it, and roughly explained the situation.

Assuming he would understand that it was a situation where I couldn’t not summon him.

“Understood.”

As expected, Section Chief Lizard assented immediately.

However…

“Observe safety protocols during the ritual. I will confirm.”

“…….”

He didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

And so, accompanied by Section Chief Lee Jaheon, I officially began summoning Good Friend Brown…

‘Is this… right?’

I’m losing my mind.