Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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The circumstances align.
—–
The beginning of the tragedy is a Gloomy (D) grade Dark themed after a 1970s American talk show.
—–
[Hello, viewers! Tuesday’s joy, Tuesday’s heat.]
[You are now watching! The ‘Tuesday Quiz Show’!]
The live broadcast began.
Along with the cheerful playing of the band, the host dressed in a suit waved his hand to the cheers of the audience.
It was a typical American talk show.
Except for the fact that the staff’s faces were all blurred out, and instead of a face, a vintage TV was attached to the host’s head.
—–
The host explains that the talk show has a different theme for each specific day of the week, but there has never been a case of entering on another day.
It is only possible to enter the Tuesday talk show.
—–
[Did everyone wait for Tuesday? So did I! Because it’s the only day we can see our lovely new faces, the quiz show participants!]
“…….”
It matches.
—–
The Field Exploration Team enters after fully preparing the past exam answer sheets for ‘Quiz,’ the main corner of the Tuesday talk show, starting from the 12th exploration.
Successfully escaped without casualties during 99 explorations up to the 110th exploration. (Including products)
—–
[Amazingly… there hasn’t been a single wrong answerer for the past dozens of weeks! It’s amazing, amazing…….]
It matches, indeed.
—–
However, the 111th exploration.
An anomaly occurred in the 100th exploration.
—–
[Will the participants be able to answer correctly this time too?]
Ba-bam-bam-ba-bam!
Along with the sound effects, the lights shone.
Seven podiums placed in a semi-circle.
Three of them.
Pointing pinpoint at the podiums that the supervisor, the assistant manager, and I had climbed onto.
[Badger, Falcon, and Mr. Roe Deer.]
[Everyone, a big round of applause, please!]
Ohhh!
Invisible audience members sent applause.
I felt like I was going to faint.
By any chance… by any chance.
[Oh my goodness, it’s breaking news!]
“……!”
The host made a fuss as he received something from a staff member.
[It’s been quite a while since the participants answered all the questions correctly, right? That period is as much as…….]
As much as.
[98 times!]
“……!”
[Today is the 99th time. Haha!]
I lived.
‘It’s not the 100th time…!’
My heart felt like it was going to pop out.
‘Yes, the probability of hitting exactly the 100th time is actually low.’
I almost clutched the podium in relief, but I endured it.
Because it was clearly written in the Tuesday Talk Show answer sheet PDF I received earlier.
– Interrupting the broadcast will result in incineration.
It wasn’t even a penalty. It was ‘incineration.’
And this was a live broadcast.
In short, if anything is even slightly off, you die.
[Will the 99th participants be able to continue the winning streak and pass the baton to the 100th participants? Or will this great record crumble?]
[Keep your channel locked and watch!]
I turned my head.
The assistant manager and the supervisor on the other podiums did not look very tense; they lightly winked or smiled at me.
Like someone conducting the exploration with the certainty that this time would be no different, as it had become patterned and safe over nearly three years and 99 explorations.
‘Deep breath.’
It’s fine.
…It will be fine.
I took a deep breath in, and then let it out.
[Well then, Mr. Roe Deer!]
“Yes.”
[Are you very tense?]
“Yes. Because it’s my first time participating in a quiz show like this.”
[Ah, great, great… Then let’s start with a light question!]
On the host’s head, the vintage TV, strange words rose.
Although it was a strange and ominous language system I had never seen before, I could read it. A headache and nausea surged up and then vanished.
[Question: Choose the one that is not suitable as a component of a human being.]
1. Water
2. Iron
3. Oil
4. Dirt
“……Number 4, dirt.”
[Correct!]
The quiz show that proceeded in that manner… was smooth.
‘Although the theme is chilling for some reason, the questions are not at a level that is impossible to answer.’
Furthermore, the effect of the past exam list that the Field Exploration Team had smuggled from this ghost story was certain.
Although it wasn’t completely identical, it was to the extent that there was no difficulty in getting the answers right.
‘Rather, because I have to use my brain, the probability of getting it wrong would be even lower.’
[Incredible! Correct!]
[Again?]
[Ahhh, ah… hesitating. Hesitating……. Yes, number 3! The fate of Mr. Roe Deer who chose strangulation is?? ……Correct! Hurrah!]
The past exam questions matched well, and it proceeded smoothly without issues.
While deliberately pretending to ponder before answering, I strived to match the broadcast atmosphere as much as possible.
‘I must somehow get through this broadcast well.’
A compulsive idea tightly occupied my head.
During the mid-broadcast commercial break, the host said something like ‘please participate again,’ which I brushed off by pretending to be tempted while screaming inside.
After passing the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th… 9th questions.
[Mr. Roe Deer! This is the last question.]
The end of this crazy situation was finally in sight.
[Amazingly, the other participants have answered all the questions correctly, continuing the winning streak once again!]
[Will Mr. Roe Deer be able to connect the final link?]
On the other podiums, I saw the bosses each lightly wave their hands or nod their heads.
Now, as long as I got it right, it was over.
[Are you ready?]
“Yes.”
[Great!]
The question appeared.
[Question: Choose the percentage of blood loss at which a human dies.]
1. 40%
2. 45%
3. 50%
4. 55%
“…….”
Did they put in a trap because it’s the last question.
I caught my breath.
“The answer is… number 1,”
[Ah, you chose number 1…….]
“And number 2.”
[……!]
“And number 3, number 4… All of them.”
[…….]
“A human’s life becomes endangered when they lose an average of 30 to 40% of their blood.”
[Oh.]
“So, they would also die if they lose more than that.”
[No, no… Incredible!]
The TV flashed.
Even if I got it wrong, it didn’t seem like I would die.
But because I didn’t want to give any pretext to this dangerous ghost story, I was clenching my teeth to avoid the trap as much as possible.
[So it’s multiple correct answers! By any chance, do you have any intention of changing it?]
“No.”
Ohhh.
Murmuring was heard from the audience seats.
And… an expressionless staff member hurriedly ran up onto the stage……?
[…This! I will tell you some amazing news.]
[Actually, the answer prepared by our writers is number 1.]
H-hold on.
[Mr. Roe Deer’s answer is much more impressive! It is also more logical, right? Isn’t it?]
Yes!! I heard the audience members shouting.
The host spread both arms.
[Then of course it’s correct! I will treat it as a perfect correct answer! Splendid!]
“……!”
Haa.
‘Anyway, I lived.’
Why did I dig my own grave to fall into it! Screaming inside in relief, I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them.
Taking that as being deeply moved, the host came over and patted my back as if hugging me.
It was even more chilling because he had body heat.
[Great, great!]
“…Thank thank you.”
[Well then, with this…….]
The host held the microphone and shouted with deep emotion.
[Amazingly, our participants continue their winning streak record! Great!]
Poof.
Confetti burst and cheers came out.
On each podium, the bosses wore expressions of ‘it is slowly ending.’ It was to the extent that it was revealed even through their masks.
[But the MVP who will receive the grand prize is only one person. That is…….]
The drum roll followed and…….
The host pointed.
[It is indeed Mr. Roe Deer!]
Waaaaah!
The band played a noisy celebratory sound effect.
[Congratulations! Please take your prize here!]
“Th-thank you.”
I accepted the small gift box handed to me by the host.
I was glad. Of course, it wasn’t because I received the item.
‘It is finally over.’
Now, as long as the camera turned off, I could leave.
‘Please let us go.’
It was at the moment when my mind was regaining peace at the thought of returning immediately to the office inside a building in 21st-century Seoul.
[It is regrettable, but it is now time to wrap up the Tuesday Quiz Show. Tomorrow, we will invite a more wonderful guest and Wednes…… um?]
Click.
Out of nowhere.
Suddenly, lights turned on at the four empty podiums.
“……?!”
Before I knew it, figures were standing there.
Four people looking around in bewilderment.
All of them were dressed in suits and wearing masks.
‘Company employees?’
It was clear they were from another group of the Field Exploration Team.
Only one mask, which was familiar, was probably my rookie colleague.
I understood that much. But…….
‘Why did we overlap?’
Is it possible to enter a ghost story overlapping like this? No, leaving aside whether it is possible or not…….
‘…It’s a broadcast accident.’
Silence was flowing in the studio.
1 second.
2 seconds.
3 seconds.
“…….”
Something went wrong.
The employee in the zebra mask standing right next to me also seemed to sense it.
“Th-this, what, why are the people who came first……”
[Oh dear.]
Flamed up.
“……!”
The zebra-masked employee, who caught fire rapidly without a sound, looked as though he hadn’t even grasped the situation, keeping his mouth open as he was, before crumbling down.
All that remained was ash piled in the shape of dress shoes.
The camera hurriedly turned.
[…Surprise!]
[It was a surprise preview of the participants who will appear next Tuesday!]
A noisy band sound was hurriedly laid down as if to cover it up.
Now the camera was filming me.
“……!”
Damn it.
Damn it, damn it!
Without showing any agitation, I desperately shook the gift box I received in the air.
As if excited!
Poof.
Confetti fell in the air again, and the drums rolled noisily. The host drew cheers from the audience.
[Tomorrow, we will see you with a more delightful show!]
[Well then… have a good night!]
Bam!
Along with a cheerful guitar sound, the camera light went out.
“…….”
It ended.
It ended…… right?
Why are we still remaining here?
[Phew. We almost ruined the live broadcast. I’m glad it was recovered well!]
The camera was certainly turned off.
Staff members without faces rushed up onto the stage, and the lights of the audience seats went out.
The band also disappeared.
We entered the backstage full of noise and whispering, revealing cold steel frames.
However, we did not disappear.
…A desolate premonition climbed up my spine.
[Mr. Roe Deer! It was a very good sense. By any chance, are you interested in becoming a regular panelist?]
“…I already have a job.”
[Oh dear! Well, still, our talk show’s application postcard is open anytime!]
Why is the ghost story continuing?
The reason was simple.
Because the thoughtful host tried to hold onto the participants and kindly explain to them why such an incident had occurred.
[Ah, and the new participants!]
[You must have been startled in case you ruined the broadcast. It wasn’t intentional, right. I believe you. Don’t blame yourselves too much!]
[And don’t worry. I will give the three of you a chance next time too!]
With a kind and friendly attitude, the host spoke to the employees who had suddenly entered midway, that is, the ‘new participants.’
As if they had been three from the start.
In the meantime, the staff swept the ashes left by the incinerated person with brooms to clean them up.
I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.
[I would like to give you a participation opportunity right away, but regrettably, our show is a live broadcast, you see. Let’s see you next week!]
But we could just leave like this.
Please, please, just like this! Let it end like this!
[Then, you should also go home first…… um?]
It was then.
Someone holding a megaphone in one hand ran up onto the stage.
Although their face was not seen clearly as if blurred by the studio lights, unlike other staff, only the fact that they wore sunglasses was identified.
That figure holding the megaphone hurriedly whispered something to the host.
[…! Oh, dear.]
The host looked back at us.
[You see. It is very difficult for me to say this too, but… uh.]
The emoticon inside the TV monitor wore a depressed expression.
[Just now, our show was canceled.]
“……!”
[To be precise, the Tuesday Quiz Show was. So strictly speaking, it doesn’t mean my show ended, but, yes.]
[The quiz corner has been replaced.]
What.
[We can no longer invite you as the 100th winning streak challenge participants. I really want to apologize with all my heart.]
The host seemed genuinely sorry and ashamed, to the extent that even the antenna on his TV head bent down.
“Then… is it a clear?”
“Phew. Phew…….”
The voices of the other group’s employees, filled with hope despite the bewilderment, fear, and panic, were faintly heard.
However, the back of my neck was cooled by cold sweat.
‘No.’
This development is…….
—–
Exploration Record #100
Started in the same studio as the previous sessions.
However, the program name was changed.
To the employees who fell into confusion, the host explained that the ‘Tuesday Quiz Show’ was canceled.
Because the participants answered correctly 99 times in a row, the penalty became useless and the corner was not stimulating enough, which led to receiving disciplinary action.
Therefore, the new corner chose a subject that could draw more interest from the viewers…….
—–
[Ah! One moment!]
Receiving a signal from a staff member, the host’s TV antenna suddenly expanded wide.
[Good news. They say they will invite all of you as participants in the new corner as well!]
“……!!”
[Since it’s a recorded broadcast, it will be even easier than before! Haha!]
[Let’s proceed with the filming immediately! Although I will be in an auxiliary role, yes, to make it a good show, I will do my best to…….]
“Excuse me.”
Our group’s assistant manager raised her hand with a stiff face.
“We have already participated in the show, so we will return now…….”
[You are going to return when the filming is not even over?]
“……!”
The TV screen that approached right in front of the assistant manager’s nose crackled.
[Oh dear… It was all written in the application postcard. No, but if you really cannot participate… it can’t be helped.]
“…….”
[Say it. Can’t you do it?]
The assistant manager slowly moved her eyes and made eye contact with me on the opposite side.
I shook my head minutely.
The assistant manager would have also noticed.
That ‘it can’t be helped’ did not mean they would send us home, but rather, that they would simply incinerate us.
[You can do it! Great.]
An ominous silence.
The studio was filled with the breathing sounds of the pale company employees.
I would be one of them.
No, am I even breathing?
[Oh dear! Tension is in the air. New programs are always like that.]
[Let’s cheer up! Mr. Roe Deer, didn’t you show a splendid appearance even in the live broadcast! You will be able to show a cool appearance this time too…….]
Is there… no excuse that would work?
Are there no plausible words?
“Yes. But I didn’t know I would appear on broadcast in a row.”
[Ho.]
“One can make mistakes, can’t they.”
I clutched the podium tightly until my knuckles turned white.
“We will prepare more, and participate again next Tuesday…….”
[Ah! It starts! Look there, look at the lights coming on! 3, 2, 1…….]
The host muttered in an excited voice.
Words did not work.
As if he had completely lost his soul to the broadcast, the host ran out in front of the camera.
[Hello, viewers! Tuesday’s joy, Tuesday’s heat.]
[You are now watching! The brand new corner of our talk show!]
This is driving me crazy.
[Are you sad that the quiz show vanished? You don’t have to be. Because it is a more advanced form of a quiz show!]
[They added something on top of the quiz! What could it be?]
Waving both hands, the host read the teleprompter.
[What stirs the weary heart after all is melody.]
[Especially the voice! Choir, ah, what a beautiful sound!]
…….
[Haha, our band has no need to feel left out. Because we have invited a master of a completely different genre!]
[A new guest appears!]
Opening behind the set, it appeared.
A smell of rusted iron piercing the nose, stench, a dark and massive pig head.
[The conductor of the Purgatory Choir, the filthy, hideous, and great butcher of melodies!]
[That’s right. The name of the new corner is… Tuesday’s Choir!]
Hell had arrived.