Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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<Daydream Co.> is a chilling company that pushes Field Exploration Team employees into horrific ghost stories and extracts raw potion liquid.

Here, a question arises.

– If they blindly push employees into extremely dangerous ghost stories because they are high-grade, won’t everyone die and prevent them from even extracting the raw liquid?

To address this question and the convenience of the ghost story’s development, a setting is introduced: ‘As employees get promoted, they possess special equipment that can be enhanced.’

However, it is not overly detailed.

If they started dividing the equipment one by one into grades and tables, it would have already become a massive game setting rather than an internet ghost story.

Therefore, to make it easy for anyone to participate in creation, a more convenient setting was attached.

– Customized dedicated equipment

An employee whose usefulness has been recognized to some extent receives support from the company to possess their own supernatural equipment.

Of course, this doesn’t mean a regular employee uses cartoon-like abilities; it merely means a slight special stat is added.

It provides a bit of convenient circumstances, so to speak.

‘Still, having it is better than nothing.’

Without realizing it, I looked at Group Leader Lee Ja-heon with eyes full of anticipation, but our eyes met with the lizard, so I quietly lowered them.

I really cannot get used to this.

“Ah, am I capable of making custom equipment?”

“Yes.”

“…Could you explain it to me?”

“Yes.”

After asking three times, a detailed explanation followed.

Still, it is interesting.

‘This is something even I only knew in fragmented parts.’

Things that had been mentioned only sporadically here and there in <Records of the Dark Exploration> were organized and came out of the Manager’s mouth.

“Custom equipment can be manufactured through specific Dark entities possessed by the company.”

Yes. They would utilize ghost stories.

[The Toy Maker of the Pleasant Laboratory / Qterw-E-07]

[Friendly Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99]

[Offering Sacrifices / Qterw-E-404]

In my memory, it was in these three ghost stories that Daydream Co. employees were described to have made equipment.

Among them, the one mainly used by the Field Exploration Team is…….

“……is.”

Oh!

* * *

“It happens to be a Dark that can only be used under the moonlight!”

While the group members were willing to follow along for a viewing, I headed with the Manager to the annex next to the company.

It was thanks to the bosses urging us to go right away while the iron was hot.

“Ah… this is a place where they isolate and store relatively safe and useful ghost stories.”

The assistant manager’s explanation followed.

“In the company, they mainly call these ‘Twilight grade’.”

I know.

Officially, ghost stories corresponding to E-grade.

However, to simply call it E-grade, the classification method is a bit different.

‘Because only useful ones are selected.’

There were also ghost stories that were much more powerful than D-grade or less dangerous than F-grade, making it a Dark that everyone more frequently called by the unique name ‘Twilight.’

“Roe Deer, on your first day, that… did you see the radio? That is useful because it tells you today’s fortune. It’s like that.”

Tagging our employee cards and entering the first floor of the annex, a staircase leading to the basement was visible.

And going down the stairs… someone was sitting at a dark information desk.

It was a strange figure dressed in black clothes all over, wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a hat.

Is he an employee?

The supervisor immediately stepped forward.

“Hello! We are from Field Exploration Team Group D, and we have visited for a rookie training session.”

“…….”

“Ah, the one we want to get access permission for is Twilight grade number 99 Dark.”

For a moment, the black figure stared at the supervisor as if verifying.

Nod.

The figure, nodding his head, pressed a button installed on the desk, and one of the emergency doors in the back opened.

Creaaak.

Beyond that was a hallway lined with countless doors.

“You must not open other rooms even by mistake. No, they are locked anyway, but let’s not even grab the doorknobs.”

Those are truly correct words.

Nodding my head without a word, I moved my feet.

Soon, we stopped in front of the door marked ’99,’ and the assistant manager placed her employee card on the reader.

Clack.

“Let’s enter.”

I raised my head.

Moonlight was pouring into a greenhouse overgrown with weeds.

And in the very center of it, a rusted device stood, receiving the moonlight.

—–

Records of the Dark Exploration / Ghost Story

[Friendly Seed Kit]

: A ghost story appearing in <Records of the Dark Exploration>, Daydream Co.’s identification code is Qterw-E-99.

A ghost story that treats objects as plants, extracting genetic information to cross-breed and sow them. It operates using moonlight as an energy source.

—–

Indeed.

‘A ghost story where if you input two objects, it mixes their two characteristics to create a brand new object.’

The Dark mainly used by the Field Exploration Team to make custom equipment was indeed this fairly atmospheric ghost story.

“It is a Dark used almost exclusively by our department!”

Standing in front of the rusted device, I asked.

“Does it cost points to use this?”

“Uh. The Twilight grade Dark stored in the annex can be operated only if you pay a usage fee.”

“Ah…….”

“For your reference, this is 1000p per use.”

Wait.

But isn’t this a bit strange.

“If it is equipment needed for Dark exploration, shouldn’t the company provide support instead of taking fees?”

No matter how hopeless this company is, they should do at least that much for things to work…….

“Ah, you can spin it for free twice a year when you become a supervisor.”

“…….”

Promotion… I really should have gotten it.

“So the atmosphere is that everyone waits until they become a supervisor to spin it. Usually, you only have to endure for a year at the latest.”

Ummm.

I pondered.

‘There must be a reason why Manager Lee Ja-heon judged it to be ‘useful’ even though it costs points.’

Although the lizard, Employee D, was said to be combat-only, he certainly possessed an instinct-level intuition.

If a highly surviving employee gave a special advice…….

‘It seems right to accept it.’

1000p, if investing it can increase my initial survival rate, that is the correct answer.

…Although my hand is trembling slightly!

“I would like to try it now.”

“Okay!”

The supervisor reacted readily, but whispered as if realizing something.

“…But first of all, you know there has to be an existing equipment to put in, right? An object with abilities that can be used as a factor, I mean.”

“Ah… yes.”

I have already verified that much in this ghost story’s exploration records.

—–

Exploration Record #05

Employee N inputs a tumbler* and a backpack.

The corresponding tumbler* is a special equipment (the liquid poured after sunrise does not show the bottom until sunset. Owned by Manager Choi ■■), and the backpack has no special note.

Seed output: Backpack.

(Special note: Possesses special abilities similar to the tumbler. However, it shows the bottom when pulling out liquid over 87L.)

—–

“Don’t worry! There is a custom in our group where when a group member fits their first custom equipment, we lend one of our equipment for free once.”

“Uh-huh. Not both, just one. For the other one, you either put in your own object to spin it, or borrow one for money.”

The assistant manager glanced at the Manager.

“And the Manager’s… equipment is the best among us, but.”

I expected as much. He is the superior, after all.

“If it is okay, I would like to see the Manager’s equipment.”

“Yes.”

The lizard took out something from his pocket.

It was a small butter knife glinting grey.

“It is a butter knife. Slicing the medium that enters the Dark splits the space and enables the transmission of small items.”

Oh.

“This was the equipment you used when you threw the AAA battery.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the butter knife anew.

‘I hoped it would be a defense-related equipment… but as expected, it doesn’t resolve so easily.’

It was a pity, but none of the other bosses’ equipment was defense-related either.

One trick-related, one communication-related.

‘If push comes to shove, I think I can obtain items with similar effects from the Alien Shop…’

I made up my mind.

“So you are going to put in the Manager’s equipment, right?”

“Yes.”

I bowed my head for social politeness.

“Thank you, Manager.”

Manager Lee Ja-heon nodded slightly and approached the device.

On the vintage LCD screen, old-fashioned letters were visible.

[Please give me a plant 0/2]

I watched as the Manager scanned the ‘genetic information’ by presenting his equipment to the device.

[Plant information storage completed]

[Please give me a plant 1/2]

“Now, you just have to put in the object you want to put in next. ……Ah, wait.”

The assistant manager spoke hurriedly.

“Unless this device is really strange, putting in most things is fine, you see? But there is exactly one thing that is not allowed.”

The assistant manager tapped the sign attached in front of the device.

※ PLANT INPUT ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED

“Absolutely, you must never put in a real plant even if it asks for one.”

“…….”

“The sensor at the door is filtering out all plants anyway, but I’m telling you just in case.”

Looking again with eyes adjusted to the Dark, the true nature of the overgrown weeds around here was visible.

All fake. They were artificial flowers.

…An exploration record comes to mind.

—–

Exploration Record #14 (Irregular)

Employee R tears weeds (presumed dandelions) growing around the Dark and inputs them twice into the device.

The output was [Censored] thrown out along with [Censored] shrieking [Censored]

– Took 7 days for the security team to suppress.

All 3 people at the scene, including Employee R, verified dead. All plants verified removed.

※ Notice: Disciplinary action and resignation processing upon recurrence.

—–

Mm. I must master this.

“Yes. Thank you for informing me.”

“You’re welcome.”

In the meantime, the Manager, who finished the equipment registration and retrieved the knife back into his suit pocket, stood up.

“Usually, we put in ordinary items that are easy to use in the other slot, but in that case, the supernatural characteristics of the equipment are weakly inherited, or with a low probability, not inherited at all.”

I knew this, but I nodded seriously to react.

“It can’t be helped. Even if that happens, I will accept it.”

I put my hand in my pocket and took out something.

“Oh~ You said you were stopping by the housing earlier, so it seems you had an object you wanted to put in?”

“Yes.”

What was held in my hand was a silver coin.

– Silver Coin Snake

It was indeed that item I bought with a massive discount at the Alien Shop.

“I plan to put this in.”

I could just put an item in the other slot.

Because I possessed quite a few supernatural items in my hand!

Actually, that was why I was glad when I found out that the ghost story used by the Field Exploration Team was the ‘Friendly Seed Kit.’

‘Because I have more item sources than others.’

From that black memo pad in the air that gives merchandise, to the Alien Shop.

From the moment I entered here, I had been recalling the lineup of items I possessed.

‘And among them, the one that would have the highest grade is….’

It is indeed this.

I rolled the round coin with the snake drawn on it in my hand.

‘Because it was the most expensive when calculated by the regular price.’

Furthermore, considering that Manager Lee Ja-heon’s butter knife is for ‘supply replenishment,’ I also had expectations that this coin, presumed to be ‘currency,’ might create a subtle synergy with it.

I presented the coin to the device.

Seeing the silver light, the lizard’s pupils expanded.

“That is?”

“It is a commemorative coin. I bought it as a souvenir during a trip… but somehow it gave a good feeling.”

“…I see.”

…Did he notice it was an item?

But it didn’t matter. Since this setting makes it easy to encounter ghost stories. Carrying a supernatural object around without knowing it also possessed quite a bit of plausibility…….

‘And if it is a coin, it is not that suspicious either.’

Because it is an ordinary and small object.

“It looks easy to carry. The compatibility seems decent.”

“Thank you.”

Listening to the bosses’ encouragement, I finished the scan.

[Plant information storage completed]

[Please give me a plant 2/2]

“Ah, now is the last step.”

[Please inform the gardener’s information]

That is why it is ‘custom equipment.’

Although I don’t know what kind of action it performs, it certainly seems to require the genetic information of the protector who will look after this plant.

‘This acted as various variables.’

While hesitating, I finished the scan.

[Verification Completed]

It is coming.

[Genetic information combining]

[Kit generating…….]

Five-colored smoke spewed out from the device, and a squeaking sound of gears spinning was heard, and then…….

[Sowing Completed]

Flick.

The very front drawer of the device opened, and a small object revealed its appearance.

A grey coin.

To be precise, a toy coin one would use in an arcade. A glove illustration was embossed on its smooth front.

“Oh, it came out.”

“Congratulations, Roe Deer.”

Carefully extending my hand, I picked up the corresponding item.

It was my first custom equipment.

* * *

I returned immediately to the housing.

The bosses also parted, saying ‘sleep well and see you tomorrow.’

They probably didn’t want to make me test the equipment’s ability in a state where we entered the Dark.

“…Okay.”

Sitting on the bed, I took out the two coins.

One was the Silver Coin Snake I bought at the Alien Shop and used as the ‘parent plant.’

The other was the grey coin born from mixing that Silver Coin Snake and the Manager’s butter knife genetic information.

Everything was good. But you see.

“…How do you operate this?”

It doesn’t budge at all.

‘Come to think of it, the Silver Coin Snake wasn’t an item whose supernatural ability was specifically stated either.’

Surely a toy coin that one has to use like real currency hasn’t come out as equipment… I break out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, this concern is soon terminated.

“As expected, a coin has to be flipped like this.”

I attempted a typical motion.

Flipping the coin with my thumb.

As I did, the glove illustration embossed on the front of the coin actually popped out.

“……!”

A semi-transparent silver glove appeared in the air.

The glove moved as if doing mime and drew letters in the air.

[Insert coin]

…Insert a coin?

Rummaging through my wallet, I took out a 100-won coin and offered it to the glove.

But the glove refused.

“What.”

Is it requesting another currency? Or…….

“How about this.”

I offered 500 won.

The hand welcomed the coin, squeezed it between its fingers, and made it vanish like a magic trick.

‘Was it a matter of amount.’

It is an equipment thoroughly faithful to capitalist logic.

While I watched in bewilderment, the semi-transparent glove approached my hand and merged as if being worn.

“……!”

A strange sensation was felt.

‘A third… hand?’

An image like the shadow of my hand floated before my eyes.

It moved according to my will.

Pushing the wall, opening the bathroom door, taking notes are all possible.

‘The strength or delicacy is… exactly my level.’

To sum it up, it is a third telekinetic hand that can move for a few seconds if given a coin.

The range is approximately… a 3m radius.

“If this is 5 seconds for 500 won, it’s decent.”

Soon, the shape of the shadow hand in the air vanished, and the semi-transparent glove was naturally stripped from my hand.

And moving its hand as if greeting, it was embossed back onto the front of the coin.

“Hmm.”

It is quite decent.

This is not a method that overcomes the spatial restrictions between the ghost story and reality like the group leader’s butter knife.

But instead, it felt like the range of operation inside the ghost story had expanded, so it seemed to have great versatility.

Although there was a restriction on ammunition due to the spatial restriction of how many 500-won coins I could carry in my suit while running around…….

‘At this level, the draw is a success.’

Since it didn’t reveal that the coin was an item and passed naturally, it is very good.

“Work as hard as the 1000p invested.”

I packed the coin into my pocket along with other items.

While I was at it, I refilled the used ‘Smile Stickers’ and packed one more ‘can bottle.’

‘Indeed, is a human an animal of adaptation.’

I lay on the bed.

My condition was surprisingly good.

Although that horrific talk show came to mind clearly when I closed my eyes, I could sleep reasonably well with the lights turned on.

Perhaps it was because the conclusion was decent.

‘…My bad luck was actually good.’

My luck with group tasks was also decent.

‘Perhaps because I earned points in one shot, the situation somehow feels hopeful…….’

Drowsiness poured in, so I blinked my eyes.

Still, the remaining points to earn for the Wish Ticket were still like a mountain, and I didn’t know how many more ghost stories I had to clear.

But for the first time, a thought occurred that I might be able to navigate that period well…….

‘I might be able to endure quietly.’

* * *

…I ran such an unwarranted happy circuit briefly, until I went to work the next day and found out the crazy fact that an official announcement saying ‘Rookie on his second day of work clears a grand A-grade disaster!’ had been posted.

“Roe Deer, sit down. We… well, it seems our assignment is going to be changed.”

“Pardon?”

I am on my third day of work, you see.