Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 63

Faster. Faster.

“Supervisor, so the previous experience was the 35th round, right?”

“Y-yes. The only round where we tried to include a newbie.”

Kim Soleum exchanged a brief, urgent question and answer with Supervisor Park Minseong, then instantly summarized the core points in her mind.

‘Supervisor Park Minseong’s experience as a detailer…’

“Is this all? Is this the necessary information?”

“I’m compiling it.”

– Newbies were first drafted for this dark exploration, resulting in chaos and terror.

– Several people used profanity, resulting in penalties. A fight broke out over calming pills, with penalties given to both parties and those who took the pills.

– The number of people who received penalties more than twice, reaching the point of contamination, was seven.

– The newbie who was hung as the hangman lost consciousness mid-way due to panic, but amidst the panic and terror, no one noticed.

– A newbie fainted after being hit on the head by a corpse falling from the gallows. They later resigned.

“…….”

Oh?

“After that, they never used newbies again…”

“Just a moment.”

“Yeah?”

“Do the corpses remain?”

Kim Soleum urgently looked at the Section Chief.

“The people who die here are the hangman, I mean.”

“Y-yes? Well, I don’t know about decay or anything. …I think their heads were missing. I didn’t personally attend the funerals and see the procedures one by one…”

“…!!”

A shiver ran down Kim Soleum’s spine.

This, this is…

“Why, why??”

Supervisor Park Minseong urgently grabbed my shoulder.

“Is there a hint? Is it?!”

“Yes.”

Kim Soleum nodded urgently.

However, cold sweat ran down her neck.

‘Actually, I can’t guarantee this time either.’

It seemed like a crazy thing to do. But, but…

How exhilarating a hope is to know there’s a possibility.

‘I have to try.’

Kim Soleum roughly combined the necessary things… It seemed like it might just barely work.

‘With this, I can avoid triggering the rules, and slip through the cracks…!’

However, there’s a problem…

One essential ability is needed, but it’s not on standby.

‘…Braun.’

It was needed again.

‘Makeup ability, how much longer until I can use it again?’

– Hmm.

– Wouldn’t I need at least half a day’s rest?

Kim Soleum immediately revised the question.

‘What if I change the conditions?’

– Conditions?

Kim Soleum explained the ‘changed conditions’.

Then the answer changed.

– If that’s the case, I could do it with an hour’s rest!

– It’s a somewhat strenuous schedule… well, I’ll endure it. I’m a professional, you know!

‘Thank you so much.’

– You’re welcome!

Then, one hour.

The conditions were re-established.

‘I need to buy time.’

In this chaotic situation, she had to prevent Assistant Manager Eun Haje, the Assistant Manager, from fully ascending the gallows for an hour.

And that was impossible alone.

“Senior.”

“Yeah?”

“If possible, I’d like to ask for your help in distracting them.”

“……?”

Kim Soleum quickly put the ‘Silver Heart’ into her pocket.

And shouted.

To the nine employees who were gathered in the room, enthusiastically playing hangman.

“Seniors.”

“…!”

Nine pairs of eyes looked at Kim Soleum.

She swallowed nervously.

What she needed now was…

‘…Aggro!!’

“If we can double the clear points, would you do it?”

Assistant Manager Eun Haje of Team D looked up.

Even though she was hanging in mid-air with a black rope around her neck from her neck to her limbs, receiving a death sentence, her heart was surprisingly calm.

‘This is a good death, I guess.’

Except for dying right before collecting the points, honestly, compared to the bloodshed of the employees who had died before, it wasn’t so bad.

“Assistant Manager Eun!! What’s this means of transportation?!”

“I don’t know. I don’t remember!”

Especially considering that it takes you to the heart of the trollish personalities.

The only regret is that, even though she wasn’t very cooperative, the answer was ultimately correct.

That’s how hangman works.

“Damn… the last mode of transportation she used when she was a journalist? How am I supposed to know that? I don’t know, damn it… A?”

[Correct!]

“O-okay!!”

Even if they couldn’t guess the initials through the hints, if they kept throwing alphabets, the answer would eventually come out.

_ _ _ _ A _ _ R

‘Ugh,’

Assistant Manager Eun Haje felt a chilling fear of death at the back of his neck as he looked at his missing legs, but he didn’t show it. He didn’t want to amuse the trolls.

[Hint for the 3rd blank alphabet!]

[Why can’t teacher Eun Haje fly again?]

Meanwhile, two juniors from Team D were diligently exchanging questions and answers in a corner.

‘What are they doing.’

It seemed like they were clenching their teeth, seeing him without legs, but then they talked even more desperately. It seemed like they were trying to futilely rescue him from here…

‘Maybe that’s better.’

I wish they would just keep talking until they realize there’s no answer and give up. Having tried to think about it would be comforting.

‘…….’

Meanwhile, a correct answer was given for this relatively easy question.

“Trauma? T!”

_ _ T _ A _ _ R

[Correct!]

His left leg had completely disappeared.

‘Damn…!’

“Waaaah! Got it!”

“Ah!! I should have done it first!”

The sounds of trolls shouting like they were watching a sport as they saw a person without a leg.

Eun Haje started to get angry with annoyance.

‘Should I just actively troll them too.’

But suddenly.

“Seniors.”

Someone raised their hand from beyond the trolls.

“If we could double the clear points, would you do it?”

‘…Roe Deer!?’

That’s right.

Kim Solum, the rookie of Team D, no, the youngest who had just escaped rookie status in record time, was standing with a calm expression, hand raised.

“What?”

“That… that kid, isn’t he? The one who got promoted this time.”

Around then, everyone recognized him.

The top recruit with a mask that had antlers similar to a deer. He had been promoted to Section Chief in just 60 days, and the rumor had already spread openly.

Because of that rumor?

Strangely, they started paying attention to the rookie. It was strange… natural presence.

And just now.

‘Didn’t he say points…?’

“…….”

Amidst the strange atmosphere of the playroom focusing on him, Kim Solum opened his mouth.

“Would you like to make a bet?”

…??

“If you win this bet, I’ll give you all my clear points.”

“…!!”

“Huh?”

It was crazy aggro.

“Is he crazy? Why is he doing this?”

But at the same time, any field research employee hooked on the word ‘points’ would have to say this.

“You’ll really give all two thousand points?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, Supervisor Roe Deer. You haven’t been at this company for a few months, so you probably don’t know… but points aren’t transferable.”

“I know.”

“You know? But what…”

“However, there’s no problem with buying items worth two thousand points at the employee mall and giving them away.”

“…!”

“If you beat me, I’ll let you choose. I’ll pay for it even if you use it for custom equipment production.”

The atmosphere changed.

Having already avoided the ‘scapegoat,’ how useful would it be to get additional points?

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Serious.

Of course, if they could win.

“What kind of bet is it?”

Kim Solum folded his arms.

“It’s a Hangman guessing the most alphabet letters.”

“Ah!”

“I’ll give the points to whoever guesses more, the most letters than me.”

Is this kid crazy?

“By the way, I’ll only guess one, so getting two is half the goal.”

“W-wait a minute!”

Park Minseong, Team D’s supervisor, who was listening nearby, got up in a panic.

“Roe Deer, in this situation, you’re really making a bet…”

“Because safe B-grade rumors that only follow the manual aren’t common. If we get many correct answers this time, we might be able to check if there are any signs of unusual phenomena happening.”

Kim Solum looked seriously at the employees and said.

“If the atmosphere gets strange, please stop me. I’d prefer it if it wasn’t dangerous.”

“Ha.”

A few employees scoffed and looked at each other, and one of them finally chuckled and opened his mouth.

“Ah~ Sublime. To make it safer by adding detail to the manual~ you’re going to make a bet?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Kim Solum answered immediately.

“I want to help those who come in next to clear it a little more safely.”

“……Why?”

“There’s no particular reason. Um… it would be nice if someone did it, so I’m going to do it since I can.”

“…….”

The employee who had asked the question shut their mouth.

Something felt… strange.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t that newbie rescue someone who was missing?’

I remembered again.

‘I heard he got promoted last time for saving all the other employees from some B-class darkness.’

He volunteered for the unpopular, unpaid clerical work nobody wanted, and risked his life in high-level darkness to save employees he didn’t even know.

‘He’s not right in the head.’

Usually, I would have mocked him for being a sucker, but strangely, I couldn’t this time.

Tiiing-

A clear metallic sound spread through my mind.

My thoughts strangely cleared.

It felt like I was seeing things objectively, breaking free from the familiar, comfortable ways and habits I’d become accustomed to.

…Then, strangely enough.

Those foolish choices looked… amazing.

“…….”

“…….”

My mouth just hung open.

“…Well, I’d be happy to make a bet.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Kim Soleum bowed a few times, as if thanking the strangely quiet employees, before taking a step.

“I’ll see you when I leave.”

Then, he approached Assistant Manager Eun Haje, who was watching this scene with her mouth agape, with a grave face.

“Sir.”

Eun Haje felt a strong headache.

‘This guy is too kind! It’s a problem!’

He’s a smart intern, but this is his weakness.

‘Too sincere.’

He’s the type to easily burn out or break down.

He was desperately saying things like the item belonged to his colleagues, claiming he’d save them; this time, he really did something foolish…

“You, you seriously…”

Kim Soleum quickly whispered.

“It’s a lie.”

“…….”

Ah.

“I was just trying to buy some time.”

Assistant Manager Eun Haje almost forgot she was about to die, then barely managed to ask.

“…You were trying to buy time?”

“Yes.”

Huh.

“Wait, if you’re trying to buy time to do something, don’t. It’s a death wish…”

“Even if I am?”

“…!”

“We’re going to do it anyway. …If you cooperate, the success rate will be higher.”

This… disobedient child!

Eun Haje gritted her teeth.

“Hey. I said I’d handle it myself.”

“I don’t believe you. …You’ve already given up. You’re going to die.”

“…….”

He’s perceptive.

‘Oh dear.’

“…I wasn’t completely without plans.”

Eventually, Eun Haje confessed.

Words he hadn’t spoken to avoid raising unnecessary expectations among the section chiefs.

“You know how this rumor is targeting people under the guise of new teachers, imposing all sorts of rules on them? But do you know who the only exception is?”

“……That’s,”

“Hangman.”

Eun Haje chuckled.

“It’s me.”

Hangman didn’t get punished even if he cursed or smashed his head against the wall.

“The problem is, even so, it’s hard to move my body.”

Eun Haje gestured to the ropes binding her.

“But… conversely, it means I can do whatever I want above my neck.”

“…!”

Of course, the probability of anything working is extremely low.

Eun Haje calmly said without showing it.

“Did you hear? I’m the only one who can keep trying this loophole. I don’t get punished. So you, who are the ones to be punished, just sit there…”

Kim Soleum’s eyes flashed.

“We will utilize that loophole in a way that maximizes our survival rate.”

“What?”

“Please remember what I’m about to say.”

Kim Soleum clearly, distinctly, and simply explained what Assistant Manager Eun Haje needed to do.

So…

“……!”

“…That’s all.”

Then Eun Haje felt like she’d been splashed with ice water.

He’s actually going to do it?

“We’ll go and get started. We’ll see you later.”

“Hey!”

Wait a minute.

“Roe!! Badger!! You little brats!”

But the two were already walking out of the playroom.

“Hey! Come back!”

‘Whew.’

Buying time seems to have worked.

I’m walking down the kindergarten hallway with Supervisor Park Minseong; it’s too clean, colorful, and quiet, making it even more creepy.

‘Let’s hurry.’

With the testimonies of the Section Chief and the deputy, the picture was becoming clearer. Anxiety and hope took turns dominating.

Even so, the background of this rumor was terrifying.

But Supervisor Park Minseong, fearless as he was, kept looking at me with a worried expression before finally asking,

“No, Roe Deer. Is this okay? Two thousand points is no child’s play…. What if someone gets it right twice?!”

Ah.

That’s nothing.

“It’s absolutely impossible to exceed.”

“……!”

I smirked.

“Given their selfish personalities and the situation of mutual restraint, it’s absolutely impossible.”

“What?”

“Because I’ll interfere every time someone tries to get it right.”

“…!!”

According to the records, the time limit per question is between 7 and 10 minutes, at the whim of the ghost story.

To be on the safe side, we’d have to fill this time limit for nine rounds.

So what’s the best approach?

“Probably, they will keep checking and fighting each other until the very end, and eventually, because they don’t want to accumulate penalties, someone will propose a condition and attempt it.”

And the probability of that being the correct answer is quite low.

‘Ultimately, it will take time while enduring the contamination one by one.’

Furthermore, even so, once contamination accumulates, they’ll hesitate to throw away the alphabet, which will further delay the time.

Then….

“It will take at least an hour.”

I guarantee.

“The prize of the bet isn’t the two thousand points themselves, but the goods you can buy with it, so it’s hard to agree to share it.”

It’s also awkward to team up and split it among a few people, and it’s difficult to trust that everyone will share fairly based on a verbal agreement.

‘The only reason I’ve earned trust based on my word… is thanks to the silver heart.’

Don’t get caught. Ignoring my pocket entirely, I continued speaking.

“So don’t worry. We should focus on saving the Assistant Manager first.”

“…….”

A look of agitation flashed beneath the Section Chief’s mask, but realizing the time constraint, he quickly composed himself.

“Right. Let’s hurry! Ah, we’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

It was time to start preparing.

‘Phew.’

I sat down on the floor with the Section Chief.

It was the largest space in the kindergarten.

[Playroom]

I tried my best not to look at the scene in front of me.

Before our eyes… was a colorful ball pit decorated with flowers and butterflies, and a small platform.

But on the fresh-looking platform, two lumps of flesh stood silently.

Left leg. Right foot.

Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s body.

‘Hah.’

Whether it was goosebumps, fear, or a sense of crisis, something made my hair stand on end.

‘The execution platform.’

Only one chance.

We had to seize the opportunity here.