Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 88

Naturally, during darkness exploration, one is bound to encounter absurd events or terrifying experiences. Being chased by ghosts, public transportation suddenly heading to an unknown destination, everyone on the street staring at you the moment you leave your house, and so on… However, many employees say that they’ve become accustomed to these things with experience. ‘Even I’ve become somewhat used to it.’ After all, wasn’t the most recent non-rumor incident my successful high-level clearance, despite having limbs severed by the contamination and items? However, some kinds of dread never become familiar. For instance, rumors that inexplicably recognize ‘me’.

“…..”

I nervously flipped through the documents. There was even a sketch of the packaging crudely recreated by the exploration employee who wrote the report.

– Oh, it seems the artist prioritized conveying information over aesthetics. It’s terribly drawn, but it makes the subject unmistakably clear.

‘…Braun.’

– Speak freely, friend!

‘Doesn’t that look like me?’

– Considering the artistic style and only the mask and hairstyle, it seems we both reached the same conclusion!

“…..”

Even the product name is ‘Good Child’, and the flavor is ‘Cinnamon Churros’….

‘That’s the blue mascot from the theme park.’

And the featured rumor is… ‘Qterw-C-1603’? Why does it appear in ‘that’ rumor? I instinctively tried to glance at my tattoo, then stopped. Then I asked Section Chief Lee Jaheon, who was staring blankly at me.

“It’s not yet officially listed in the manual… correct?”

“Yes.”

Phew.

That’s a relief.

‘If Director Cheong had shown me this beforehand…’

…Favor? Debt?

It’s probably both.

The moment this becomes an officially recognized exploration record, any descriptions that could identify individuals depending on security level will be censored with black boxes. Instead, there’s a high probability the research team would attempt experimental explorations to confirm why this phenomenon occurred…. They might insert an employee styled like me, or send me on an exploration without providing information.

‘Kwak Jegang might even realize and try to put me back in the theme park.’

I’m going crazy.

If I request help from Director Cheong in that situation under the pretense of needing backup, I might end up in a situation like ‘Director Cheong and the 30-Year Veteran Employee Award’.

Why is it that despite my hard work, the possibilities of being screwed over are so numerous…?

‘That’s just how the rumor world is.’

Anyway, let’s be grateful that I know now. I’ll be slightly indebted to Director Cheong, but it’s better than after the research team gets their hands on this.

‘And the fact that he showed me this beforehand…’

“Is the darkness our team is exploring this week, that darkness?”

“I don’t know.”

“…Does the team leader estimate the probability to be over 50%?”

“Yes.”

As expected.

‘If she’s telling me beforehand, it’s only meaningful if I go in and check it myself.’

‘Qterw-C-1603.’

If I have to go into the rumor and be mentally tortured as a scaredy-cat, it’s better to go into a more worthwhile one…. This standard hasn’t changed.

‘Let’s check it out.’

And this time, I have a very reliable companion. The self-proclaimed and publicly acknowledged physical exorcism expert, Section Chief Lee Jaheon!

……Though remembering the clown rumor, I might issue orders with my fear response absurdly numbed.

‘Hmm, one-on-one, there might be ways to persuade or escape…’

I think I’ve also gotten a bit better at communication skills recently. In that sense, going with a fearless supervisor feels quite reassuring and not bad at all.

But there was one more variable.

“Soleum.”

“Yes.”

“Will you accept support personnel?”

Ah, right.

Field explorations are based on three-person teams, so this time our team will receive one support member.

‘I guess it’s like a pre-operation of an elite team.’

Usually, they seem to just randomly pick someone… hmm.

“Is it possible to specify who we receive?”

“Yes.”

Oh! …Wait a minute.

“…I’ll exclude the method of asking Section Chief Lee. Is it still possible?”

“No.”

“…”

‘I’m glad they noticed…!’

I almost doubled my debt.

I suppressed a groan, but eventually couldn’t hold it in and asked.

It was something I’d been curious about regarding the lizard foreman.

“Um, Foreman. You always give concise answers… if there’s a reason for that, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me.”

“I see.”

The lizard’s pupils briefly focused on the sky before returning to me.

“It reflects feedback to only provide detailed answers upon request.”

“…In what situation did you receive that feedback?”

“On my third day working at this company, during a dark exploration.”

“…”

I see…

Even without a detailed description, it’s as if I can picture the situation clearly in my mind.

“Um, Foreman, unless it’s an urgent situation, I’d appreciate it if you could speak more comfortably when you’re with me.”

“Yes.”

And then, Lee Jaheon, the section chief… started speaking!

“If Kim Soleum wants to specify the applicant’s characteristics, please report it to me. While you can’t specify individuals, you can request preferred characteristics for the sample group.”

“…!”

They’re giving me an explanation themselves!

– Roe Deer, you have interviewer talent too!

Th-thank you.

For a moment, I almost got carried away by a sense of accomplishment, but what’s important now is what Lee Jaheon just said.

‘It’s difficult to pick exactly who would be good, but I can say something like, “I’d prefer this type of employee,” right?’

Hmm.

After much deliberation, I chose one ‘applicant characteristic’.

“I’d prefer someone who’s already an employee.”

There’s a hidden meaning here.

The fact that all current employees are my colleagues.

‘It’s definitely not because I’m being excluded from the colleagues’ group chat…’

Well, honestly, this exploration itself feels a bit uneasy, so I chose someone who isn’t too senior and familiar with the company’s inner workings.

‘It would be nice to get to know them as well.’

I’ve been thinking that it would be good to get to know some people at the company.

“Yes.”

Lee Jaheon readily accepted my request, and I became somewhat expectant.

What new face will I see?

And a few days later.

“…”

“…”

I meet Jang Heoun, who gives me a welcoming look, in front of Team D’s office door.

“I’m Jang Heoun, an employee of Team F…!”

It’s a familiar face.

Still, it wasn’t a bad result. Since they’re not my superior, the exploration will be more comfortable.

I smiled and extended my hand to Jang Heoun.

“It’s nice to see you again. Please take care of me during today’s exploration.”

“Yes, Soleum! I will definitely be helpful for a successful completion!”

Jang Heoun firmly shook my hand. Hmm, they seem like good people…

“Oh, yes, I’ll do my best too!”

“…”

“…??”

Turning my head, a brightly smiling employee was getting off the elevator, approaching us and bowing politely.

A kind-looking woman around my age.

She was wearing a miniature horse mask.

“I’m support personnel from Team I. This darkness exploration recommends an even number of personnel according to the manual, so we received support from two people.”

“My name is Kang Yihak~ Nice to meet you, Supervisor, Employee!”

“Yes…!”

Jang Heoun, who was hastily bowing, exclaimed as if realizing something.

“Ah, you’re the one who often speaks in the group chat…!”

“Yes, yes, haha, I am, though it’s embarrassing!”

Ah.

[Kang Yihak: Is it true you received 40,000 points? Ha ha]

I remember now.

They were the ones who actively tried to extract information when I joined the group chat, so I subtly rebuffed them.

‘They seemed to be leading the atmosphere in the group chat among colleagues.’

Prioritizing profit over camaraderie.

That colleague now smiled and extended their hand to me.

“Wow, senior colleague! It’s my first time seeing you like this. Please take care of me~”

“Yes. Likewise.”

I shook her hand lightly.

…It was clean.

‘She is lighter than I expected.’

I had imagined someone more intricate and complex, but she gives off a friendly vibe. Her questions didn’t seem to have any hidden meanings.

‘Well, if they’re a good person, I’m just grateful…’

It’s much better to have a reliable team member than to be burdened by someone with a terrible personality like Baek Saheon. 

Those who haven’t experienced it won’t understand. The feeling of internally screaming because of a ghost, with only a sociopath beside you… *sniffle*.

“Let’s move.”

“Yes.”

Section Chief Lee Jaheon took measured steps.

We quietly followed him into the car, and I took the wheel and operated the navigation.

“We’re heading to Gyeonggi-do, right?”

“Yes.”

Right, this time we’re leaving the Seoul area entirely.

Looking only at the exploration report I reviewed earlier might lead to misunderstandings, but Qterw-C-1603 wasn’t simply a strange candy shop urban legend.

It’s bigger… and more sinister.

“Um, to enter this urban legend… ah, were we late because we had to wait until sunset?”

“It seems so.”

I answered Jang Heoun kindly and started driving.

To enter this darkness, we needed to match both time and location.

To access Qterw-C-1603, we need to go to a residential area on the outskirts of ■■ City, Gyeonggi-do.

This residential area was a popular alleyway in the early 2010s, known for its restaurants and cafes, trending on SNS, but is now sparsely populated.

Very rarely, local shop promotional posters are seen on the utility poles here.

In the center of the posters is the text, ‘Visit ■■ City’s Death Alley!’, along with a QR code.

※ Do not stare at the text on the poster too closely.

Incidentally, our company has already secured this poster and covered it up, leaving only the QR code visible.

“Sir, I’ll scan the QR code.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Scanning the QR code leads to the download page for an event app certified by the ■■ City local government. The download will succeed if the explorer is under 40 years old.

A moment later.

Arriving at our destination, we parked in a public parking lot, got out, and walked into a quiet alleyway.

It was the time when the short winter day was ending and getting dark.

Most restaurants and cafes still remained, but the characteristic sluggish atmosphere of a past-its-prime commercial area lingered…

“Now, launch the app.”

I looked at the screen.

Past the slightly outdated opening featuring the old logo and character of ■■ City…

When the app is first launched in that location before the early evening sun sets completely, the navigation function is activated.

The app itself begins the guidance.

The way to Death Alley →

Follow the arrow!

My location is displayed on the smartphone screen like augmented reality using GPS.

“Let’s go.”

“…….”

We all started moving, each looking only at our smartphone screens.

Follow the arrow!

At first, it’s normal.

It guides us along the relatively larger roads in the alleyway, seemingly leading us to the outskirts of the commercial area.

However, after a little while.

The path starts to twist.

Follow the arrow!

It guides us through narrow gaps between houses, barely wide enough for one person, makes us enter through the front door of a building and exit through the back, and even leads us to a dead end, forcing us to turn back.

A dark alley.

For some reason, the surroundings start to feel unfamiliar and strange.

A chill runs down my neck, I hear nonsensical muttering, and it seems like strange shadows are passing by out of my sight…

‘…I must endure.’

But you must not turn your head.

While following the app’s directions, absolutely do not take your eyes off the screen for more than 3 seconds or deviate from the guided path.

Failure to comply will result in being classified as missing.

We continued to move in silence.

Trying not to bump into each other or startle each other.

Follow the arrow!

“Just now, something strange…”

“Shh.”

After silently walking for about 16 minutes…

The faint light of the setting sun completely disappears.

“…….”

“…….”

In the already dim alleyway commercial area, all light disappears abnormally, and it becomes pitch black.

Only the light from our smartphone screens illuminates the residential area. At that moment.

Tap.

Tap-tap-tap.

One by one, lights turn on in the dark alley.

“…!”

Street shops began to light up.

Yellow and blue lights from the signs illuminated the alleyway.

…But this is not the familiar, old, and worn commercial district we saw earlier.

A murmur.

Countless figures bustling in the alley.

At first glance, it seems familiar, but upon closer inspection, the signs bear distorted names.

The various shops lining the alley are open wide, welcoming customers…

*Ting!*

The app displays a congratulatory message.

You have arrived safely.

Welcome to Death Street!

“…We… arrived?”

“Yes.”

We have successfully entered.

Into the heart of the urban legend.

———————=

Darkness Exploration Record / Urban Legend

[■■■ 16 Road]

: The urban legend appearing in <Darkness Exploration Record>, Daydream Co.’s identification code is Qterw-C-1603.

An alleyway lined with shops where something other than humans solicit customers.

Explorers who enter this alleyway through a smartphone app must never close the app.

———————=

“Walk slowly.”

“…….”

We nodded and followed behind Section Chief Lizard…

Into the strange alley.