Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translated by Jinmu
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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When you enter a ghost story in <Records of the Dark Exploration>, usually all data transmission and communication become impossible, leaving you isolated.
‘A typical scary story structure.’
But a story is originally more interesting when you exchange and clash with each other.
To make this structure more interesting, I seemed to have read in some ghost story that some groups in <Daydream Co.> have one-time items that allow emergency calls.
‘Is this button that thing?’
While my head was busy deducing, my mouth immediately spoke.
Because every second was urgent!
“Is this the Group D leader?”
[Yes.]
“I am Group D new employee Kim Sol-eum. I have something to report urgently.”
Let’s ram the situation in first!
“In 30 minutes, all of Group D will die.”
It can’t be helped even if the other party is flustered. This is efficient. Quickly calm him down and make him speak…….
[I see.]
[I will receive a briefing for 5 minutes.]
“…….”
Why are you calm.
Even if the annihilation of colleagues is a daily occurrence in the Field Exploration Team… humanly speaking, this is a bit too much.
‘Is there a flaw in his personality……?’
I was about to fall into confusion, but since the situation was urgent, I let it pass for now. I summarized and delivered the situation up to now as shortly as possible.
“An anomaly has occurred in the Gloomy (D) grade Tuesday Talk Show.”
The employees of other groups who entered midway into the talk show, the suddenly canceled quiz show.
And even the situation of the newly started crazy choir show.
[How many employees are remaining?]
“3 out of 7. Although Group D is all alive, at this rate, everyone will die as soon as the break ends.”
The Group D leader responded simply and clearly.
[I see.]
[Drag the time for 30 more minutes.]
“…….”
Is that even possible?
“I think it will be impossible.”
[In that case, there is no way.]
He seems to have a talent for angering a person who is about to die in 30 seconds.
‘I don’t have time to waste on this kind of conversation.’
Although there were quite a few employees whose morals or common sense were shattered as you went up in this company’s Field Exploration Team, meeting one in reality was no ordinary annoyance.
‘Does he think the lives of his group members are a joke?’
I should just hang up and think on my own…….
“…….”
One moment.
“What changes if we get 30 more minutes?”
Why did he ask to drag the time?
[Yes.]
[If there is a margin of over 55 minutes from now, after receiving permission from the security team, we can borrow the strongest weapon and entry device that can be taken out.]
The low voice explained flatly.
[Even if we post-process all procedures in this process, it will take about 40 minutes, and it will take an additional 15 to 20 minutes until entering the corresponding Dark.]
“…Does that mean you can rescue Group D as long as that process is accomplished?”
[Probabilistically, yes.]
“…….”
An employee of the Field Exploration Team who can enter an Abyss (A) grade Dark alone using special equipment and suppress the strange phenomenon?
A person capable of that is…….
‘He is a named character.’
This employee I am currently talking with was definitely one of the employees I read about in <Records of the Dark Exploration>!
‘And a quite significant or impressive role…….’
Goosebumps rose on my back.
Several candidates flashed through my head. And at the same time, my head spun rapidly.
“Stealing the security team’s equipment is… yes. It would be impossible.”
[…? That is correct.]
The security team’s range of activity was restricted for the narrative plausibility of the ghost stories, and the security was extremely strong. It was indeed a set-wise impossible act.
‘But if this opponent is really one of the employees I know…….’
A case of possibilities arises……!
I swallowed hard and asked.
“……By any chance, can I ask what mask you wear, Manager?”
If by any chance a nickname I know comes out…….
[It is a lizard.]
“…….”
Ah.
It was you.
“Manager.”
The remaining time is 20 minutes.
“…Based on what you said, I have formulated a plan.”
Let’s go with this.
* * *
[Ah, Mr. Roe Deer!]
The break is ending.
Holding a water bottle placed in the waiting room, I returned to the talk show scene.
Huuuumaaaaaan. Number 2. Hu. Huuuumaaaaaan!
Against the background of the two employees whose complexions had turned extremely bad after being exposed to the ‘choir practice’ for dozens of minutes, the host with the vintage TV head requested a handshake.
[Are you feeling a bit better? Surely you are ready to put in your best and make the best broadcast?]
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
[Haha, doesn’t a better scene come out in the show only when the participant’s condition is good!]
Even considering the host’s behavior up to now, his tone was extremely friendly.
It seemed the effect of the Smile Stickers still remained.
‘This is as expected up to here.’
I chose the words I had prepared.
“…You really pour so much love and enthusiasm into the show. That must be why you always make a show that is so interesting one can’t take their eyes off it.”
Perhaps because of the extreme situation, flattery came out smoothly and without hesitation, regardless of shame or anything.
[Such high praise! But a broadcast is something everyone makes together after all. Mr. Roe Deer, you are also a part of it!]
No, that direction isn’t it…….
“I appreciate the words, but I cannot be compared to you who leads this great talk show.”
It had to be this direction.
“However, I did not know that the broadcast format would be changed in a notification style to you, the host…….”
[…….]
“Using recorded sounds without an audience, the penalty vanishing……. Even the band members decreasing.”
I recalled the black-and-white broadcast posters in the waiting room.
They were all talk shows that had audience seats, communicating and proceeding in real time.
If that was the host’s private space.
‘There is a high probability that this host does not like the changed broadcast format……!’
“Overall, I felt it changed to cut costs.”
The moment he misunderstood it as a derogatory comment about the talk show, my neck could be cut. But staying as I was meant dying all the same.
Let’s do it.
Glancing as if looking back at the middle of the stage, I barely continued my words.
At the choir conductor with the dead pig head.
“…Is the reason for this reorganization because it cost a massive amount to recruit that guest?”
[!]
The host’s TV emoticon vanished.
But it soon returned to a smiling emoticon.
[That is not something the participant needs to worry about.]
“I am sorry.”
Please save me.
Actually, because I was scared, I couldn’t even look at the dead pig head properly.
“Since I was such a fan of the Tuesday Quiz Show, I looked forward to participating. That must be why I spoke rudely. Because I was sad about the cancellation…….”
[Ah, thank you for the words! But… show business is cold, you see.]
The host’s TV screen silently turned black.
[If the viewers like this method more, accepting it quickly is also the talent of an entertainer…….]
“I see.”
I swallowed hard.
“But isn’t the viewers’ feeling still unknown? …At least for me, the previous one was better. The Tuesday Quiz Show that communicated with the audience in real time and showed a story full of presence.”
[…….]
“To change it abruptly and rudely like this, without even consulting the presenter… Ah, no. I am sorry. My personal opinion was excessive.”
Pretending to hesitate, I added.
“Just… when I did the live broadcast earlier, it was actually extremely enjoyable. My heart pounded too.”
[-]
The host stood silently.
As if noise was crackling on that TV screen…….
Ding-dong!
[…Ah! 60 seconds remain until the filming resumes!]
At the alert sound echoing in the scene, the emoticon returned in a flash.
[Well, well, let’s all cheer up and go until the end!]
[Mr. Roe Deer should also climb onto the podium.]
“……Yes.”
[It starts! 10, 9, 8…….]
The host counted down the numbers while looking at the camera as before.
But whether my conversation had left some impression, somehow he didn’t seem to stare at the camera as if possessed like before.
‘Good.’
It seems the groundwork has been fully laid.
After nodding to the host, I headed to my podium.
And a moment later.
[Now! Mr. Badger.]
[It is really time to answer!]
The show restarted.
[Will Mr. Badger be able to become a member of the glorious choir?]
Supervisor Park Min-sung had a resigned expression, looking bitter as if he had cleared his mind in the meantime.
I saw him quickly mouth to me.
– Thank you.
What was he saying? ‘Thanks to you, I made my mental preparation…….’ No, hold on. Let’s speak on this side too.
I mouthed.
The words to deliver were…….
– Get the answer right.
“……?!”
The supervisor stared at me as if I was a crazy guy.
Well, I understand.
‘Rather than becoming a human instrument that repeats the last words spoken before dying with only a head left, it is indeed better to be incinerated…….’
But it had to be this way.
The supervisor shook his head in bewilderment, then looked at the assistant manager.
The assistant manager nodded.
[Mr. Badger? I will give you 3 seconds.]
“Ah! Uh-huh, yes. I will answer…….”
Squeezing his eyes shut, the supervisor shouted.
“Number 4, burn!”
[Ohhh!]
In the midst of the recorded murmuring of the audience echoing.
I finally saw it.
Flutter.
Something appeared from the darkened corner podium.
The postcard.
It was that bizarre postcard we used when entering this place.
The conversation I shared with Manager Lee Ja-heon just moments ago comes to mind.
– Manager, then if you use that equipment, you can approach the ghost story through the medium, right?
– That is correct. But what I possess is for emergency supply replenishment, a utility to hand over only small objects to the Dark.
– It is sufficient. That…….
I looked at the postcard.
It silently fell to the floor between the gaps where the lights did not shine and…….
A small AAA battery popped out at a terrifying speed.
Closing the distance to the ominous conductor in an instant, that battery struck with massive force.
A silver tray.
– Throw it with all your might.
The thick tray crumpled as if pierced by the battery.
A physical force that made one doubt their eyes.
‘As expected.’
I recalled Manager Lee Ja-heon’s depiction in <Records of the Dark Exploration>.
—–
Employee D
Alias is Lizard. His final rank was team leader.
One of the few combat personnel in the Field Exploration Team.
He is mainly recorded as a gimmick who tackles all sorts of ghost stories requiring thinking ability and ideas using sheer physical force. ???: If your body is bad, doesn’t your head suffer?
Conversely, starting from when this character’s physical force does not work at all, it also makes the reader feel the true ‘we are screwed.’
—–
If he had directly attacked the conductor with the dead pig head, we might have felt that true ‘we are screwed’ directly.
But what if it was a silver tray?
‘Since he is an employee with the gimmick of ‘physics exorcism works even in a ghost story,’ I figured it might work…….’
And my guess was correct.
The tray was dented as if almost pierced.
‘If so.’
Drenched in cold sweat, I wore a triumphant smile.
[Wow! Mr. Badger, correct!]
Originally, the correct answerer’s neck should have been ripped off here to join the choir on another silver tray.
However, the reaction of the conductor whose precious ‘instrument’ was damaged was…….
[…Maestro?]
The dead pig opened its mouth wide.
The jawbone bent unnaturally enough to tear all the decayed flesh.
The recorded applause sound of the audience that was scheduled to play rang mechanically and then cut off in confusion.
[…Mm, it seems our guest is thinking of a brand new way of playing! What kind of breathtaking method is he conceiving? My heart is pounding!]
The pig screamed.
A sound began to come from its torn mouth…….
[…The participant is waiting. Maestro, please welcome him as a choir member!]
A horrific scream
nausea surged up. what kind of horrific thing did I do just now what kind of absurd thing did I commit did you see the living insect ah I want to sing a wrong judgment choice indeed
praise the silver throne death
The band sound covered the scream.
“Ugh!”
This is crazy.
Drip. Drip.
Red spots appeared on the podium.
It was my nosebleed.
But I had to cover my ears. Cover my ears……. Ah, the band sound is disappearing.
[You]
Drip.
[Do not respect the show.]
I raised my head.
In the midst of silence.
Whoosh.
The grand and ominous guest in the very center of the stage burned black and turned to ash.
It was a scene I had seen multiple times.
‘Incineration.’
A proprietary authority carried out by the host himself. In the D-grade Dark ‘Tuesday Quiz Show,’ it was a treatment given to a participant who obstructed the progress of the broadcast.
But right now…….
‘Did the D-grade Dark…… incinerate the A-grade Dark as a whole?’
Something is strange… strange.
I had merely targeted a picture where the host exploded at the guest’s unfaithfulness and fled, halting only today’s recording.
[Indeed, the essence of a show is not a flashy guest, but staying true to the essence.]
I looked around.
The staff, the lights, the band, the recording devices, the cameras.
Burned and turned to ash.
Only the host’s vintage TV was flashing, splashing color.
[The joy of witnessing, the pleasure of communicating, the thrilling suspense of unpredictable developments, anticipation…….]
[You ■■■ creators do not know that. You have no right to make a show.]
[But I! I can do it!]
The host raised both arms nobly like a liberator.
He turned his head to me.
[Mr. Roe Deer!]
[Thank you! You have given me a new vision!]
[My head is very clear. Ah… yes! From now on, I must welcome participants to the show every day of the week.]
The host peered at me.
[I can tell. You have talent as a show creator.]
[I really hope you join as a crew member in my new talk show too, Mr. Roe Deer!]
Something went wrong.
[New personnel, a new set, new music, a new season… I will invite you when the preparation for the filming is complete!]
However.
[Although it is extremely regrettable that today’s broadcast is halted like this… your enthusiastic participation was very impressive.]
[Well then, see you in the next broadcast!]
It worked.
I blinked my eyes.
Beyond my blurring field of vision, the figure of the TV-headed host in a suit waving his hand vanished…….
And in the next moment.
“…….”
I realized I was sitting on a sofa in a bright and quiet office.
I turned my head.
The supervisor and the assistant manager, who were bleeding from their noses or ears with blank expressions, looked at me.
And I realized.
I lived.
“Waaaaah!!”
“You amazing kid, you crazy guy!”
In the midst of the pouring cheers and hugs, I slid down onto the sofa.
I lived.
I survived, and escaped……!
“…! Your collector!”
And that wasn’t the end.
The assistant manager who was hugging me suddenly pulled something out of my suit’s front pocket.
It was the Dreamscape Collector.
The inside was filled with a golden liquid.
The color was different from when I cleared the F-grade last time, this was…….
“It is A-grade.”
“…….”
“Roe Deer, you cleared an A-grade Dark on your second day of work……!”