Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work Novel - Chapter 89

Death Alley.

A bizarre alleyway, seemingly inspired by the names of once-trendy hotspots.

A civilian caught up in this after installing the app from a flyer might be confused at first.

The initial “main street of Death Alley” is full of street vendors, resembling a lively night market.

However, a closer look reveals…

Confirmed items sold by Death Alley vendors:

1. Beaded Strap:

A strap made of crimson string and ivory beads. Touching it leaves salt and ash on your hands, and the beads writhe and vibrate. An employee who touched this strap subsequently complained of hearing pleas for help, sobbing, and the voices of suicides for a long time. They recovered after short-term memory erasure treatment.

2. Old-fashioned Bubble Gum:

Gum with reversed lettering. The bubble forms inside the throat, not the mouth. Successful removal before asphyxiation.

3. Flower-patterned Slippers:

A civilian who tried them on at the vendor’s insistence testified to seeing fire, blades, and suicide beneath their feet before committing suicide. They then disappeared into the alleyway, sobbing.

4. Picture Frame:

Shows a picture of a relative being murdered.

…

At this point, anyone would understand.

“To get out of here safely, you shouldn’t look around at all!”

The items for sale are all unusable for normal people, and the vendors are actively soliciting customers.

The best strategy is to quickly pass by, looking indifferent as if you have a destination.

However, the further you move away from the dazzling signs and lights, venturing into the smaller alleyways, the stranger things will become…

Because it never ends.

The alley gets narrower and narrower… until it eventually narrows to a width no human can pass through.

“…that’s the end.”

Yes. You can’t simply walk out of this alleyway.

So how do you get out?

It’s simple.

You got directions on the way in, so get directions on the way out.

Beep.

“…it’s started.”

I saw a new event page on the smartphone app.

Death Alley 10,000 Steps Walking Event

Don’t give up your body!

Remaining steps: 10000

This is it.

The culprit who lured people into this urban legend, and the most orthodox and safe lifeline to escape.

Successfully completing the smartphone app’s “10,000 Steps Walking” event allows you to get out of this alley.

Just focus on that and get out.

…But regardless of what a coward like me might think, the urban legend resident in my pocket is simply enjoying the night market atmosphere.

– Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a place like this. It’s not a place where a show host can easily make a private visit, is it?

– Sometimes it’s nice to see a lively night market like this! How about we pick out some matching items, friend?

– The quality isn’t great, but getting one or two as souvenirs wouldn’t be bad!

Aaaack.

“…No. Let’s buy it somewhere else. I have to get something better for my friend.”

-…! That’s moving! Alright! I’ll think about what would suit my friend from this brown merchandise too…

That was the moment.

Want to see something precious??

“…!!”

One of the street vendors grabbed my arm.

There’s something even better over there. Let me show you. Come inside.

There was nothing behind the vendor.

No open door, no shop, no space.

But the vendor said again.

Come inside.

Don’t look.

I just had to politely and naturally refuse without looking closely at their face. I barely opened my…

Before I could,

the Section Chief Lizard grabbed the vendor’s arm.

“??”

Tightly.

Red vertical pupils were fixed on the vendor.

“…….”

“…….”

The vendor subtly avoided eye contact.

Then, they quietly released my arm and started soliciting another person as if nothing had happened.

“…….”

This… works?

I’ve learned something new. Lizards can make ghosts behave…

“Thank you.”

“Yes.”

Physical exorcism couldn’t be easier.

‘Come to think of it, I was supposed to get enhanced strength equipment from Section Chief Lee Jaheon as custom parent equipment.’

I should mention it after this is over.

For now, perhaps because of the real threat, Section Chief Lizard didn’t issue orders that only someone with their guts spilling out could carry out.

He only said this:

“In this place, if there are four or more people, they should move in pairs of two, and if possible, checking new alleys is standard procedure.”

Hmm?

“Roe Deer, choose a coworker to go with.”

Ah, I see.

Here, since I have the highest rank among the three, he probably intends to send me to a different team from his to maintain fairness.

‘Too bad… Chief Lizard’s power.’

The easy win I just experienced was incredibly sweet.

But it was something I had anticipated. Still, since I entered with Section Chief Lee Jaheon, I might be able to get help if necessary, like at the exhibition.

‘So, among my colleagues, I get to choose who I go with?’

Hmm.

I politely said,

“Then, since I know him, would it be alright if I go with Mr. Buffalo?”

“Yes.”

Anyway, if there’s a new person, it’s hard to move freely.

‘…Because I need to check that chocolate wrapper.’

Besides, I think that colleague, Kang Yihak, would prefer to go with the team leader…

“Oops! Just a moment. If it’s alright, could Mr. Buffalo and I go together?”

Kang Yihak cut in.

Huh?

“Anyway, the two of you are originally on the same team, so it’s not good for people who came to support to split up the team! I also have something to tell Mr. Buffalo…”

Kang Yihak conveyed to Section Chief Lee Jaheon, without offending anyone and persuasively, ‘It’s not a high-level urban legend anyway, so if there are two employees, they just need to follow the manual.’

“If it’s alright with both of you, it’ll be fine for us colleagues to stick together!”

“Yes.”

Chief Lizard nodded.

“Move in groups of three.”

“……Yes?”

“Roe Deer, Ms. Horse, and Mr. Buffalo. Move in groups of three.”

Kang Yihak carefully replied without losing his sociability.

“Oh, thank you, but…wouldn’t it be a bit much for the manager to take on the risk of going alone?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

Oh dear.

But since it’s like this, persuasion is useless.

‘Groups of three.’

Before leaving, Section Chief Lee Jaheon approached me.

“Roe Deer.”

And suddenly handed me something.

“Press this if a problem arises.”

“…….”

A small brown circle fell onto my hand.

A small button.

Something I used once at the Tuesday Quiz Show.

…Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s communication device.

“……Did you get in touch with Assistant Manager Falcon?”

“Yes. I was asked to deliver it to you yesterday.”

“…….”

I slowly nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Yes.”

And Chief Lizard disappeared into the alley…

“…Then let’s walk and move from this street vendor alley to another place.”

“Yes…!”

“Ah, yes sir.”

I also moved with my two colleagues.

Do not give up your body!

Remaining Steps: 9130

Walking in the long alley with the flickering lights of bizarre street vendors, paying attention to not turning off the app is surprisingly strenuous.

Even more so if you can’t relax your surroundings for a second.

“Whew.”

Jang Heoun tried to slightly lift his mask to wipe the sweat gathered under it.

Wait.

“Be careful.”

“…!”

I stopped Jang Heoun.

“It seems like it’s better to follow the anonymity manual even more thoroughly here than anywhere else. …Mr. Buffalo.”

“……Yes.”

Jang Heoun slowly lowered his hand, wiping his sweat.

…….

One street vendor who had been intently watching him started soliciting customers again.

Murmurs.

‘Whew.’

The alley vendors show an aggressive tendency to sell their goods and receive payment in some way.

To avoid getting entangled in this, do not reveal any information, personal details, or appearance that could be a weakness.

In particular, it is recommended to strictly control the mention of characteristics, residence, and associates of real-world humans, and their behavior.

The company’s manual was accurate.

‘The moment you can’t follow this, you’ll passively get entangled in solicitations.’

For example, like those people peeking from the other end right now.

“It’s really amazing that there’s a place like this in this neighborhood.”

“Huh? What’s that? It looks so real… Re, re, re, re, re… Real!! I’ll buy some silk!”

“That’s a person! Yes! It’s a person!”

The problem was that they had no masks to hide their identities, no information… nothing.

“Huh? Uh… huh? Why does that person have three eyes? Huh? Huh? Oh, people originally had three eyes! I’m sorry, I was mistaken. I’ll go buy another eye, honey.”

“Yeah! Exchange it for an ear!”

They followed the street vendor and disappeared down a side alley.

‘…It’s too late.’

That’s how they disappear.

A chilling fear ran down my spine.

But I can’t show it. It’s in front of my coworkers.

Instead, I gritted my teeth and resumed walking as if nothing had happened.

“Let’s get out of this street…”

“Mr. Roe Deer, over there…!”

Jang Heoun pointed at something with trembling hands.

It was….

A ‘person’ passing right beside us.

A high school student with an anxious face, looking around.

‘Damn it.’

“This…!”

Jang Heoun started rummaging through his bag and took out a black cloth mask.

And he approached the high school student and handed it to him without a word.

“Wear this.”

“Yes, yes…?”

‘If this goes wrong…!’

I immediately intervened.

“Stay calm. Quickly put on the mask, and even if someone talks to you, ignore them and walk quietly.”

“What… oh.”

“Try not to look around. Act like you’re just out sightseeing.”

Whether my ‘Silver Heart’ was having some effect or not, the high school student, sensing something unusual, awkwardly accepted the mask Jang Heoun offered.

“Don’t ever turn off the Death Alley app, and reach 10,000 steps. Then you can leave.”

“…….”

The student, with a face mixed with suspicion, anxiety, and alertness, looked at us, then turned around and ran in the opposite direction.

“Ah…!”

Jang Heoun seemed to want to call out to him, but he hesitated and gave up. The high school student was already far away, and Kang Yihak was just watching with a smile.

“…….”

And I think I know another reason.

“Um, but…”

Jang Heoun muttered with an unbelievable expression.

“Just now… wasn’t that student wearing a Sekwang Industrial High School uniform…?”

“…….”

That’s right.

In this space, you can see a wide variety of things.

Dead friends, family members who disappeared as children, victims of major accidents, pedestrians in 1980s clothing, and even students who attend schools that don’t exist in reality.

Among the countless guests, onlookers, and… merchandise that have flowed into this alley.

However.

“It’s better to pretend you don’t see anything here. Not drawing attention is the basic manual.”

“Oh, yes…!”

Jang Heoun took a deep breath again.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Hey, you don’t have to be so tense. Let’s act like we’re sightseeing, just like we read in the manual!”

Kang Yihak was right.

It strongly recommended that we maintain a natural atmosphere, as if we were visiting this alleyway with an acquaintance.

“But let’s move without being careless.”

“Yes!”

We continued to walk through the crowd, trying our best not to bump into anyone or attract attention.

Thump, thump.

With each step on the alley floor, the app’s count decreases.

And the moment the thousands digit of the remaining steps changes.

Don’t give up your body!

Remaining steps: 8999

A gap between the street vendors came into view.

‘A passage.’

A path leading to another, narrower alley.

On that side, the street vendors disappeared, and various household goods were now lined up in proper stores….

“I’ll turn into this alley.”

That was the moment.

“Ah, so since we’re entering a new alley… shall we act a little more naturally from now on?”

Kang Yihak cut in.

Hmm.

“Could you explain what you mean?”

Kang Yihak smiled.

“Let’s look for a chance to get some good stuff!”

“…!”

“No, there are quite a few exploration records of buying good… ‘items’ here, so let’s explore the market. It’s the most natural thing to do, after all!”

Openly shopping.

“…! But that’s against the manual…”

Jang Heoun’s words are right.

Purchasing items deemed helpful to the expedition isn’t explicitly forbidden by the manual, but it’s not recommended either.

All risks arising from purchases are not covered by workers’ compensation.

That last line was a bit of a jerk move, but the reason the manual discourages it is clear.

It’s because of the high probability of impulse buying.

The longer we walk, the more this street tempts us with alluring shops and goods.

So, employees, mesmerized by this strange place, often lose their minds and impulsively buy things, regardless of the inherent dangers.

Even though the payment isn’t ordinary currency.

Yet, the reason Kang Yihak brought this up…

‘What’s she aiming for?’

It clearly means he has an ulterior motive.

– Ah, politics! A variety show of daily life.

– But if we retreat, it becomes a documentary. We can’t have that. Let’s go, Roe Deer!

‘Sigh.’

I thought I’d finally met someone new and made a connection, but here we are again…

‘Oh well.’

I smiled wryly at Kang Yihak.

“Let’s do it.”

“…!”

“Enjoying the shopping sights?”

“Oh! The section chief had a similar idea! As expected, right?”

“Yes.”

Then, raising her hand, she casually pointed.

Toward a shop nearby that I know well.

“How about there?”

Raw Meat Shop:

A shop displaying living organs and body parts.

Identifiable by the red and blue lighting, and the blood-soaked apron-clad owner sitting in front of the glass window.

“…….”

“…….”

“The goods look good. Let’s go in quickly.”

I moved toward the butcher shop.

“…?!”

In other words, ‘You can’t reason with a madman!’