Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 25

In a corner of the locker room within a theme park’s haunted legend, a small stuffed doll speaks and moves its limbs. Just reading the sentence is enough to make one faint. Except for the fact that I created this situation.

– Friend?

The stuffed doll struggled on the vanished six-pointed star.

“Ah,”

Only then did I realize it. I had succeeded in inviting ‘Good Friend’ into the doll! The problem was that the invitee wasn’t just an acquaintance, but a known monster.

‘The Host…!’

The monster with a TV for a head who hosted the Tuesday Quiz Show of ghost stories.

– I really hope you’ll join my new talk show crew, Roe Deer!

I swallowed, recalling the final scene of my escape from that insane ghost story.

“…Nice to meet you, Host. How have you been?”

– Ha ha, nice to meet you too! I remember Roe Deer’s impressive performance on the quiz show. How have you been, Roe Deer? I…

– I…

Silence.

– I… don’t quite remember. Um… yes, I’ve been well. I’ve been hosting a talk show.

The voice coming from the stuffed doll became faint, then quickly regained its strength and friendliness.

– The important thing is that we’ve met again!

“…Yes.”

It felt like a blurry, suppressed sensation before the eruption of supernatural pressure and terror.

‘…Because it’s Good Friend’?’

It seems the doll and the ritual are somehow acting as a control mechanism. Still, I need to be careful.

“Excuse me, Host. I have a question.”

– Ask away, friend. Oh, by the way, that kind of formality between friends is a bit disappointing!

– Just call me Braun. Roe Deer! Let’s drop the embarrassing honorifics!

“…Right. Yes. Braun.”

Right. Even a TV-headed being from a ghost story would have a name… Anyway, the main point was urgent. I spoke as politely as possible.

“Actually, I’m trying to leave the theme park, but I can’t find the way out.”

– Oh dear! Theme parks are known for their complex structures and confusing paths. Don’t worry. I’m very good at finding my way around!

“…It’s not that I’m lost; the mascots have blocked the exit gate.”

The stuffed doll fell silent for a moment, as if at a loss for words.

– Oh, hmm…. That’s a unique situation.

That’s quite a human-like reaction.

I briefly summarized the park’s layout and the events that had transpired: the color-coded teams and zones, and the rampaging mascots.

The doll lying on the floor crossed its arms.

– Hmm. Very diva-like mascots! There are beings like that in the broadcasting industry too.

– But I’m concerned about one that hasn’t appeared.

One that hasn’t appeared?

I instinctively thought.

“…The yellow mascot?”

The final mascot, mentioned only in the attractions, without a trace.

– Exactly! Was it called the yellow flower? Do you know where it is?

“…!”

Right.

‘Since I found the blue mascot’s area, the yellow mascot’s area might be somewhere…!’

If I find it and leave through that gate…

– But it’s probably already dead.

…….

“Yes?”

The yellow mascot?

“Wouldn’t there be a botanical garden, or a greenhouse? Since it’s a flower…”

– Oh, Roe Deer, you already know, don’t you?

A kind voice whispered.

– Didn’t you say it yourself? You said the yellow team woke up outside the blue area.

“…!”

– If there was a yellow area, the yellow team would have woken up there. Wasn’t that the agreement?

“…That’s right.”

The rule is that they wake up in the area corresponding to the color of their assigned piece. But the yellow team didn’t. Could it be… that there really is no yellow area?

I thought. And after a moment, I spoke.

“……I’ve realized what I need to do.”

I need to confirm it.

– Oh, what is it? Let’s…

The doll struggled as if trying to get up, but lost its balance and tumbled over.

– Ahem, Roe Deer, could you help me up?

I cautiously approached and gently lifted ‘Good Friend’, which had a key ring attached.

I felt a warmth like body heat.

– It’s difficult to support myself. It will take some time to adjust, but… don’t worry. I’m a very capable being!

Of course you are.

I pondered, then put a stuffed doll in the front pocket of my suit.

The stuffed doll dramatically raised one hand.

– Now, let’s go! …But, where are we going?

It’s a place that could serve as a guide.

A place that’s always found in large public facilities.

“An information booth.”

It was unsurprising, but there were exploration records of finding information booths even in Happy Theme Park. Most typical amusement parks had them.

‘The problem is that it wasn’t used normally….’

It provided information on the locations of nearby attractions.

But if the request was a little complicated, or involved a material request, this happened.

The information mascot raised a ‘Members Only’ sign.

‘Meaning a mere admission ticket won’t do.’

Although treated as a guest, it was meant to create an eerie atmosphere, subtly implying this place wasn’t for them.

‘I happen to have a membership card on my arm.’

Actually, as soon as my admission ticket changed to a membership card, I recalled several exploration records related to ‘Members Only’ areas.

Special souvenir shops, restaurants, separate attraction entrances with no lines.

But there was a definite reason I avoided them.

‘Because I have to interact with the mascot.’

I didn’t know what terrible consequences could arise from contacting a crazy mascot who shut the gate, alone and without information…

‘Just imagining it makes me dizzy.’

But now I have a monster friend who will serve as a crisis alarm, so I’m going to try.

“Braun. If you think the person I’m talking to is getting upset or might harm me, will you let me know?”

– Of course. It’s nothing difficult!

The stuffed doll answered cheerfully, then quickly made a few hand signals to explain. A quick response, truly befitting a mass media professional.

And a moment later.

– It’s over there. Oh, it looks quite impressive…

I approached the information booth, listening to my ‘good friend’ chatter. The booth was made of opaque blue glass and a white curtain.

And as I drew closer, the curtain opened, revealing a blue mascot’s face.

A blue dragon in a uniform.

“Hello. I’d like to see a map of this place.”

The blue mascot, waving its hand in greeting, quickly moved its hand to offer a high-quality catalog.

A convenient map showing various attractions, restaurants, and amenities of ‘Bluedream Water Park’.

At the top of the catalog was the phrase ‘Members Only’.

I looked up at the blue mascot.

“Thank you.”

It seemed somewhat proud.

“But, do you happen to have one showing the entire area?”

Stop.

The blue mascot’s movements ceased.

Don’t, don’t panic.

“As you probably know, I crossed over from the red zone without following procedure. To avoid any mistakes… I’d like to avoid going near that area again.”

I asked in the calmest, most polite voice possible.

“Where exactly does the area bordering the red zone begin and end?”

A brief silence.

The mascot reached out its hand.

Here From

Here To

Ziiiiip. The catalog map in my hand was torn by the blue mascot’s claw.

Along the east end, all the waaaay.

‘So, the east of the blue zone and the west of the red zone are directly adjacent….’

But… it’s too scary.

My hands holding the torn catalog are shaking violently!

‘Please save me.’

You’re not going to tear me in half with your claws, too, are you?

The moment the mascot lifted its claw from the map, I quickly nodded my head in gratitude.

Next topic!

“Thank you. Then, if that’s the case…”

Tap tap.

“…!”

– Shh.

From the front pocket, the stuffed doll lightly tapped its chest twice.

…This means.

‘The other person seems unhappy.’

……So this was as far as it went!

I immediately changed my tactics and politely bowed.

“Yes. I won’t go near the red zone.”

The blue dragon remained still for a moment, then nodded.

Then, it rummaged through its clothes and produced another ‘Bluesoda Churros’ bag, handing it to me.

“Thank you.”

Good Child

The blue dragon tapped my bracelet and retracted its arm.

Click.

The guide booth’s partition closed softly.

“…….”

‘Whew.’

It’s done.

I bowed my head, clutching my pounding heart.

I was scared to death, but…

– You’re smiling, my friend! Are you happy? Did you find what you wanted?

I found it.

“Yes.”

I raised my head and started to run.

“Now I just need to move.”

I could have saved time by asking the mascot more questions, but safety first. From now on, I’ll use the most reliable method.

My own two feet.

‘Hurry.’

Only a few hours left.

I looked up at the darkening theme park sky.

A few hours later.

The sun had set.

“Haah.”

I was still running.

My legs were trembling after thoroughly searching half of the huge water theme park.

– Mr. Roe Deer, you look very tired.

“I’m fine.”

The stuffed doll asked with a concerned tone.

– I think it’s time for this question. Exactly where are you trying to go?

I wiped the sweat from my chin and answered.

“The yellow zone.”

– Hoo!

– We all seemed to agree on the proposition ‘there is no yellow zone,’ but what made you change your mind?

“I haven’t changed my mind. I still think there’s no yellow zone.”

But.

“It must have existed in the past.”

I held up the map and looked ahead.

First.

“It probably wasn’t directly connected to the red zone back then.”

There, the east is a forest, the north is the entrance, the south is a cliff, and the west is the blue zone.

‘The terrain fits perfectly, no gaps.’

Then….

“It must have been connected somewhere in the blue zone. There must have been a connecting passage.”

Excluding the north, which was also an entrance, and the east, which was connected to the red zone. What remains is…

– So you were searching the west and south inch by inch? Haha!

That’s right.

Unlike the red zone, there are no mascots chasing me here to kill me, so I could use this laborious method.

And finally, I found it in the northwest corner, behind the restroom, in the flowerbed.

A rough dirt path leading up the mountain, like a closed hiking trail.

– Hmm. It certainly looks like it used to be a passage.

The problem is, the moment I cross this, it’s almost certain I’ll be breaking the theme park’s rules.

[Unauthorized Personnel Keep Out]

After confirming the sign, I cautiously walked back out from behind the restroom and looked around.

I made eye contact with a mascot standing in the distance in front of a children’s attraction.

– Hmm, are you worried about that mascot?

“Yes. If I cross into the restricted area, they’ll definitely notice…”

– Then don’t get caught!

“…….”

That’s not as easy as it sounds…

– Oh, cheer up! It’s not difficult!

– I’m here, aren’t I? Your friend.

The voice of ‘the good friend’ became subtly sly.

Its unique confidence, slyness, and friendliness came to the forefront.

– I’ll help you. First… you might want to take me out of your front pocket for a moment!

I did as he said.

Then, the stuffed doll sitting on my palm raised its hand and pointed at me.

I flinched for a moment. I remembered the scene from the Tuesday Quiz Show where people were incinerated.

But this time was different.

Click!

A dull sound of fingers snapping echoed from the doll’s fingerless hand.

At that moment.

A strange shadow heavily covered me.

“…!”

I am now faint and subdued…

– Now… they won’t notice. Come on, let’s go.

‘Good friend’ Braun’s voice was slightly faint, as if tired.

“This is…”

– I turned off Mr. Roe Deer’s lights.

– Didn’t we agree that we don’t pay attention to people who aren’t illuminated in the show?

Apparently, ‘incineration’ wasn’t the only ability of the host.

‘He was controlling the entire studio himself…’

I felt a chill and looked down at the stuffed doll, but soon realized that wasn’t the priority.

Escape first!

“Then I’ll move.”

– Excellent!

I went back behind the restroom, stood before the closed path, and crossed the no entry sign.

“…….”

Nothing happened.

“Thank you…”

– Forget the praise, let’s move!

I was almost moved by this, it was truly amazing.

I climbed the steep mountain path at the fastest speed I could manage, almost crawling.

Crushed plastic pieces and what looked like ornaments were embedded in the soil, under my hands and feet.

– It seems like something definitely was here.

I quickened my pace.

Up, higher…

And finally, the end of the path appeared.

Thud.

I set foot and stood.

From the top of the hill, I looked down.

It was…

– A resort.

A large resort building stretched out next to a dark beach.

…I heard that a certain famous franchise theme park also operates such a huge accommodation facility.

It was an overwhelming scale just to look at…

[Flower Golden Resort]

It was already a dead facility.

The golden-shining resort must have once seemed like a dream place. But now it was old, the paint peeling, and desolate.

I looked at the cracked sign with a bright yellow flower smiling.

And below it, an older, more outdated machine.

– There’s a gate at the entrance to the resort!

“Yes.”

It made sense. The path from the theme park back to the resort was a kind of exit.

‘Found it…!’

I ran again, forgetting my fatigue. The shadow covering my body vanished, making my steps faster.

– Hmm. But the gate here is also off, will it work?

“Of course.”

I looked around the old gate device and opened the emergency control panel.

Just like I did at the attraction.

And turned on the emergency power.

Zzzzzing.

With a creak, lights flickered on the gate device.

‘It was because the mascot’s eyes were wide open that I couldn’t do it.’

I can handle this kind of operation even without it.

I stood in front of the gate that lit up most completely.

Taking a breath.

One last check.

“Braun, if I go into that resort with my membership, do you think I’ll have to use the facilities?”

– Haha! That dilapidated place? Business ended ages ago, it’s already ownerless land! It’s not a theme park, it’s just land!

Thanks for the sharp and accurate assessment, my friend.

I immediately held my membership card to the gate.

Click.

The old gate device read the membership card.

Beep. The device flashed.

[◎Goodbye◎]

It worked.

As I took a step, feeling a thrill…

– Oh dear, they’re chasing you.

I looked back.

In the distance, a blue figure was climbing the path.

‘…The mascot!’

A blue dragon!

The mascot in the uniform I saw at the gate was approaching at a terrifying speed…then stopped.

It was… it was,

Sobbing.

“…….”

– Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it’s the main character of a drama. Let’s get out of here quickly!

It feels unsettling.

‘This is totally like a setup for bearing a grudge.’

Bearing a grudge against a being from an urban legend is not a good idea.

I pondered and rummaged through my pockets, finding what little remained.

[Alice’s Picnic Set – Cookie]

It was this flat cookie item I had never used.

I lightly tossed the paper-wrapped cookie to the mascot.

……

– Mr. Roe Deer, you are excessively kind….

No.

‘Anyway, I gave it to you, Dragon.’

The moment I confirmed that the mascot received the cookie, I went through the gate.

G o o d c h i l d

Escaping from the urban legend.

Amidst the swirling world, a faint voice of a ‘kind friend’ could be heard.

– Ah, now I have strength in my body! I think I can move…

I opened my eyes.

I realized I was sitting in the dark, empty 17th-floor Research Team 1 meeting room in the middle of Seoul.

‘…I lived.’

Escape, successful!

“Ha!!”

The liberating feeling sent shivers down my spine, and I immediately stood up.

‘Is anyone there?’

It seemed everyone had left the meeting room after several hours had passed. I should call and let them know I escaped…

What?

I looked at my wrist.

[◎ (Cheerful) Fantasy Land Membership ◎]

The bracelet was still on.

“What the,”

And then it began to burn.

“…!”

In an instant, the boarding pass disappeared.

But something remained.

Precisely where the boarding pass had been, a black inscription was etched onto my wrist.

: Socius :

What is this, again?