Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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In a corner of the locker room inside the theme park ghost story, a small stuffed doll spoke and moved its limbs.

Looking at only the text, it was something to be shocked out of one’s wits.

Except for the fact that I was the one who created this situation.

-Friend?

On top of the vanished hexagram, the stuffed doll flailed.

“Ah,”

Only then did it feel real.

That I had succeeded in inviting the ‘Good Friend’ to the doll!

The problem was that the one invited was someone I knew, no, a monster I knew.

‘MC…!’

The TV-headed monster that hosted the Tuesday Quiz Show ghost story.

-I would highly love for you to join as a crew member in my new talk show too, Roe Deer!

I swallowed my saliva, recalling the final scene when escaping from that crazy ghost story.

“…Glad to meet you, MC. Have you been doing well in the meantime?”

-Haha, glad to meet you too! It brings back memories of you actively performing wonderfully in the quiz show, Roe Deer. Have you been doing well in the meantime, Roe Deer? I…….

-I.

Silence.

-I do not… remember well. Mmh… right. I did well. I hosted a talk show.

The voice coming out of the stuffed doll grew faint somehow, then soon regained strength and friendliness.

-The important thing is that we have met again!

“…Yes.”

It felt like the supernatural overwhelming sense and terror were pressed fuzzily before popping out.

‘…Because it is a good friend?’

In any case, it seemed that stuffed doll and consciousness played some controlling role.

Even so, I had to be careful.

“Umm, MC. I have a question to ask.”

-Feel free to speak, friend. Ah, come to think of it, such a title between friends is a bit disappointing!

-You can just call me Brown, Roe Deer! Let’s also drop embarrassing titles like ‘nim’!

“…Right. Yes. Brown.”

Right. I supposed the TV head living inside a ghost story would have a name too….

In any case, the main point was urgent right now. I spoke as politely as possible.

“Actually, I am trying to leave the theme park right now, but I cannot find a way out.”

-Oh dear! Theme parks are also famous for their complex structures and dizzying paths. Don’t worry. I am on the side of finding paths very well!

“…It’s not that I’m lost, but the mascot blocked the exit gate.”

The stuffed doll fell silent for a moment as if left speechless.

-Ha, hmm…. That is a unique situation, isn’t it?

That’s a fairly human reaction.

I briefly summarized and explained the structure of this theme park and the events that had occurred.

The teams and sectors divided by color, and even the mascots that ran amok.

The stuffed doll lying on the floor crossed its arms.

-Hmm. They are truly diva-like mascots! There are existences that act that fussy in the broadcasting industry too.

-However, the single one that did not appear is on my mind.

The single one that did not appear?

I recalled reflexively.

“…Do you mean the Yellow mascot?”

The last mascot mentioned only in the attraction, with no trace left.

-Precisely! Did you call it the Yellow Flower? Do you know where it is?

“…!”

Right.

‘Since we also found the Blue mascot’s sector, the Yellow mascot’s sector might also exist somewhere…!’

If we find it and exit through that gate….

-Though it is probably already dead.

…….

“Excuse me?”

The Yellow mascot is?

“Wouldn’t there be a space like a botanical garden or a greenhouse garden? Since it’s a flower…….”

-Oh dear, you must also know it already, Roe Deer.

The friendly voice spoke as if whispering.

-Didn’t you say it clearly yourself? That the Yellow Team also woke up on the outskirts of the Blue sector.

“…!”

-If there had been a Yellow sector, the Yellow Team would have opened their eyes there. Wasn’t that the promise?

“…That is correct.”

Originally, opening one’s eyes in the sector of the color of the game piece one drew was the rule. But the Yellow Team did not.

Is that… truly because there is no Yellow sector?

I thought.

And after a moment, I opened my mouth.

“……I have realized what I have to do.”

I must confirm it.

-Oh, what is it? Together….

The stuffed doll flailed as if trying to stand up, but failed to balance and fell flat on its face.

-Ahem, Roe Deer, would you raise me up a bit?

I approached cautiously, picked up the ‘Good Friend’ with the key ring on one hand, and lifted it lightly.

A warmth like body temperature was felt.

-It is hard to control my body. It will take a bit of time to adapt, but… do not worry. I am a very competent existence!

I’m sure you are.

After agonizing, I placed the stuffed doll in my suit’s front pocket.

The stuffed doll raised one hand exaggeratedly.

-Well, let’s go! …But, where are we going?

A place that would serve as a guide.

A place that absolutely exists in large-scale public facilities.

“The information booth.”

* * *

It was natural, but there was also an exploration record that had discovered the information booth in the Pleasant Theme Park. Because it possessed most of what was in a typical amusement park.

‘The problem is that it wasn’t normally usable….’

It did tell simple locations of nearby attractions.

But if the requested items were slightly complex, or if it demanded material things, it went like this.

The information mascot raises a ‘Members Only’ sign.

‘It meant a mere ticket wouldn’t suffice.’

Even though they treated us as guests, it served to create a chilly atmosphere by implying that this place wasn’t originally for us, but….

‘I happen to have a membership on my arm.’

Actually, as soon as the ticket changed to a membership, I recalled several exploration records related to such ‘Members Only’ areas.

Special souvenir shops, restaurants, and separate attraction entrances where one could enter without a line.

But the reason I avoided them as much as possible was also clear.

‘Because I have to interact with the mascot.’

Because I didn’t know what kind of terrible results it would bring if I contacted the crazy mascot that had closed the gate alone without information….

‘Just imagining it is dizzying.’

But now that I had a monster friend who would serve as a crisis alarm, I was going to try going once.

“Brown. If the opponent I am conversing with seems displeased or seems like they might harm me, could you let me know?”

-Of course. That is not a difficult task either!

After answering cheerfully, the stuffed doll even quickly made a few hand signals and let me know. As expected of a mass media worker, his work processing was fast.

And a short while later.

-It is over there. Oh, it looks quite plausible….

Listening to the chattering of the ‘Good Friend,’ I approached the information booth. The booth consisted of opaque blue glass and a white screen.

And as I drew close, the screen opened and the face of the blue mascot appeared.

A blue dragon wearing a uniform.

“Hello. I would like to see the map of this place.”

The blue mascot, which was waving happily, quickly moved its hands and offered a high-quality catalog.

It was a convenient map indicating various attractions, restaurants, and convenience facilities of the ‘Blue Dream Waterpark.’

Above the catalog, the phrase ‘Members Only’ was marked.

I raised my head to look at the blue mascot.

“Thank you.”

It looked proud somehow.

“But do you also happen to have one where the entire area is marked?”

Stop.

The blue mascot’s movement ceased.

L-Let’s not get nervous.

“As you probably know, I crossed over to this side from the Red sector without procedures. To avoid making a mistake… I would like to avoid going near that side again.”

I asked in a voice as calm and polite as possible.

“Where does the area bordering the Red sector start and end?”

A short silence.

The mascot reached out its hand.

F r o m H e r e

T o H e r e

Squeeek. The catalog map I held was torn by the blue mascot’s talons.

Aaaall the way along the eastern end.

‘As expected, the eastern end of the Blue sector and the western end of the Red sector were in a structure bordering each other directly….’

But… it is too scary.

My hands holding the torn catalog are trembling as if vibrating…!

‘Save me.’

You’re not going to tear me in half with those talons too, right?

The moment the mascot took off its talons from the map, I hurriedly nodded my head to express gratitude.

Then the next topic!

“Thank you. If so, by any chance….”

Tap, tap.

“…!”

-Shh.

From my front pocket, the stuffed doll lightly tapped my chest twice.

…It meant this.

‘The opponent looks displeased.’

……Was it indeed only up to here!

I immediately switched stances and only bowed politely.

“Yes. I will not go near the Red sector.”

The blue dragon remained still for a moment, but soon nodded.

Then, it rummaged through its chest and pulled out another of that familiar ‘Blue Soda Churros’ bag and handed it to me.

“Thank you.”

G o o d K i d

Tapping my bracelet, the blue dragon retracted its arm.

Rumble.

Subsequently, the information booth screen closed smoothly.

“…….”

‘Phew.’

It was done.

Holding my pounding heart, I bowed my head.

Though I felt like I was going to die of fear….

-You are smiling, my friend! Are you in a good mood? Did you find what you wanted?

I found out.

“Yes.”

I raised my head and began to run.

“Now all we have to do is move.”

If I had questioned the mascot a bit more, I might have shortened the time, but safety comes first, so from now on let’s use the most reliable means.

Namely, my feet.

‘Let’s be quick.’

Not many hours remained.

I stared at the sky of the theme park, which was beginning to grow dark.

* * *

A few hours later.

The sun set.

“Huuup.”

I was still running.

My feet, which had searched half of the giant water theme park thoroughly, were trembling.

-You seem very exhausted, Roe Deer?

“I am fine.”

The stuffed doll asked in a tone that sounded sorry.

-It seems the time to ask this question has come. Exactly where are you trying to move to?

I wiped the sweat beaded on my chin and answered.

“The Yellow sector.”

-Ho-oh!

-We all seemed to agree on the proposition that ‘there is no Yellow sector,’ but what is the reason for reversing the judgment?

“I did not reverse it. Even now, I think there is no Yellow sector.”

But.

“There must have been one in the past.”

I lowered the map and looked ahead.

First of all.

“At that time, it wouldn’t have directly bordered the Red sector.”

There, the east is forest, the north is the entrance, the south is a cliff, and the west is the Blue sector.

‘The terrain fits perfectly, and there is no gap.’

If so….

“It bordered somewhere in the Blue sector. There must have been a connection path.”

Among those, the north which was similarly an entrance, and the east bordering the Red sector, are excluded.

What remained was….

-So was that why you were searching the west and the south like catching lice? Haha!

Correct.

Unlike the Red sector, there was no mascot chasing to kill me here, so I could use this grind-like method.

And finally, in a corner of the northwest, behind the restroom’s flowerbed, I found it.

A rugged dirt path leading up the mountain, like a closed hiking trail.

-Hmm. It certainly seems it would have been open as a path previously.

The problem was that the moment I crossed this, it was almost certain that I would violate the user rules of the theme park.

[Authorized Personnel Only]

After confirming that signboard, I walked out slightly from behind the restroom again and looked around.

My eyes met the mascot standing in front of the children’s attraction in the far distance.

-Hmm, is that mascot bothering you?

“Yes. If I cross over to the off-limits area, it will definitely notice….”

-Then you just shouldn’t get caught!

“…….”

That is not as easy as it sounds, though….

-Oh dear, cheer up. It is not difficult!

-Don’t you have me? A friend.

The voice of the ‘Good Friend’ grew somewhat artful.

The unique confidence, craftiness, and friendliness came to the fore.

-I will help you. First… it would be good to take me out of the front pocket for a moment!

I did as it said.

Then the stuffed doll sitting on my palm raised its hand and pointed at me.

I flinched momentarily. Because the sight of it incinerating people in the Wednesday Quiz Show came to mind.

But this time was different.

Snip!

From the hand of the doll, which had no fingers, the sound of snapping fingers echoed dully.

At that moment.

A strange shadow-like thing heavily covered me.

“…!”

I felt faint and settled now….

-Now… it won’t notice. Well, let’s go.

The voice of the ‘Good Friend,’ Brown, grew faint as if slightly tired.

“This is….”

-I turned off your lighting, Roe Deer.

-Didn’t we promise in the show not to care about the people whom the lighting does not illuminate?

Apparently, ‘incineration’ wasn’t the only ability of the MC.

‘Did he control that entire set itself by himself….’

I felt somehow chilled and looked down at the stuffed doll, but soon realized that wasn’t the primary thing.

Escaping comes first!

“Then I will move.”

-Very good!

I went back behind the restroom and stood in front of the closed trail.

And I crossed the off-limits sign.

“…….”

Nothing happened.

“Thank….”

-Keep the praise, and let’s move first!

I was right on the verge of being touched and truly grateful.

I climbed up the steep hiking trail at the maximum speed I could muster. Almost crawling.

Broken pieces of plastic and ornaments among the dirt were stamped below my hands and feet.

-It seems certain that something was located here.

I quickened my speed further.

Upward, further upward….

And, finally, the end of the path appeared.

Step.

I stepped and stood.

From the summit of the hill, the view below was visible.

It was….

-It is a resort.

Next to the dark beach, a large-scale resort building stretched out.

…Did they say that a certain famous franchise theme park also operates such a giant accommodation facility together?

It was a scale that brought an overwhelming feeling just by looking at it, but…….

[Flower Golden Resort]

It was already a completely dead facility.

The resort shining with golden light would have once looked like a place of dreams. But now it was worn out with paint peeling off, appearing desolate.

I stared at the cracked signboard where a yellow flower was smiling brightly.

And below that, even a machine that was familiar but of a older model.

-There is also a gate at the entrance to enter the resort!

“Yes.”

It made sense. Because the path returning to the resort from the theme park was also a kind of exit.

‘Found it…!’

Forgetting the exhaustion, I ran again. The shadow covering my body pulled back with a whoosh, and my steps grew faster.

-Hmm. But the gate is turned off here too, can you use it?

“Of course.”

I searched around the worn-out gate machine and opened the emergency control panel.

Just as I had done at the attractions.

And I put in emergency power.

Hummmm.

Creaking, lights came on patchily on the gate machine.

‘It was only because the mascot was watching with open eyes that I couldn’t do it.’

This much manipulation, I can do just like that.

I stood in front of the gate that turned on with the most intact appearance among them.

Catching my breath.

And up to the final confirmation.

“Brown. If I enter that resort with the membership, do you think I’ll have to utilize that facility?”

-Haha! That completely worn-out place? It seems the operation ended long ago, it is already ownerless land. It is not a theme park but just land!

Thank you for the sharp and accurate evaluation, friend.

I immediately brought my membership to the gate.

Bip.

The worn-out gate machine read the membership.

Ding. Light flashed on the machine.

[◎Goodbye◎]

It worked.

Feeling a shiver, as I moved my feet….

-Oh dear, it chased you.

I looked back.

In the far distance, a blue figure crawling up the trail was visible.

‘…Mascot!’

It is the blue dragon!

The mascot dressed in the uniform I saw at the gate drew close with terrifying speed, then… stopped.

It was… it was,

Weeping.

“…….”

-Tsk, tsk. That mascot thinks it is the protagonist of a drama. Let’s leave quickly!

Somehow it leaves a bad taste.

‘This looks completely like a foreshadowing of incurring a grudge.’

Wouldn’t it be bad to incur a grudge from an entity inside a ghost story?

After agonizing, I rummaged through my pocket and found what was remaining.

[Alice Picnic Set – Cookie]

It was precisely this flat cookie item that I had never used once.

I lightly tossed the paper-wrapped cookie toward the mascot.

……

-Roe Deer, you are excessively good-natured….

I am not.

‘Anyway, I gave it, Dragon.’

Simultaneously with confirming that the mascot received the cookie in its hand, I crossed the gate.

G o o d K i d

Escaping from the ghost story.

Amidst the world spinning, the faint voice of the ‘Good Friend’ was heard.

-Hmm, only now does strength enter my body! I feel like I can move….

* * *

I opened my eyes.

I realized that I was sitting inside the dark, empty conference room of Research Team 1 on the 17th floor in the middle of Seoul.

‘…I survived.’

Escape, succeeded!

“Ha!!”

Feeling a sense of liberation that stiffened the tip of my head, I immediately stood up from my seat.

‘Is there no one?’

Because several hours had passed, everyone seemed to have moved from the conference room. First, I should call and let them know that I had escaped too….

Eh?

I looked at my wrist.

[◎ (Pleasant) Fantasyland Membership ◎]

The bracelet was still hanging.

“What is this,”

And it began to burn.

“…!”

In an instant, the shape of the ticket vanished.

But something remained.

Exactly at the position where the ticket had been, black text was engraved on my wrist.

: Socius :

What is this again?