Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Supervisor Park Min-sung held back a sigh and sat next to the sofa in the terrace room where he had been hiding.

‘It seems to be taking too long.’

It had already been over 70 minutes since Kim Sol-eum went down with his peers.

Although he had said it might take this long, simultaneously, Kim Sol-eum had left a tip assuming the case where he or his peers did not return even after 2 hours had passed….

-…You do not need to wait or look for us.

Meaning to leave him behind if things went wrong.

‘I should have just gone along with them.’

Park Min-sung held back a sigh.

Even if it was Daydream Co. where everyone fended for themselves, depending on the Field Exploration Team group, there were cases where collegial spirit was thorough, and Group D was uniquely that way.

That Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je was also sighing while modifying the makeshift map of this Dark on the sofa, revealing a slightly disturbed look.

‘…I hoped Roe Deer would settle down in our group just like that even after his rookie period ended, though.’

First, getting out of this place safely became the priority.

Park Min-sung grew slightly depressed, but he still had something to rely on.

‘Because Group Leader Lee Ja-heon confirmed it.’

That meant the item really looked useful.

Although he didn’t know where on earth the rookie had obtained it, occasionally such people did enter.

Namely, cases where someone who was originally swept up in urban legends or ghost stories got employed.

‘Is he that kind of case.’

Should I say he has strong bad luck.

Even for the Field Exploration Team, a case where rookies were fully mobilized in such a dangerous Dark was an event that usually occurred barely once a year.

But thinking of Kim Sol-eum who had entered consecutively starting from the theme park, tears almost covered his eyes…….

‘At least it is a relief he is taking care of his points.’

Park Min-sung held back a sigh and looked near the terrace door.

There was a figure who looked perfectly calm and composed, in stark contrast to his disturbed mind.

Group Leader Lee Ja-heon.

He was waiting right in front of the terrace door without a single movement.

He was probably measuring the time with a bizarrely accurate biological clock.

And when the countdown ended, he would rise without hesitation and move according to the plan.

He only hoped that the plan did not premise upon ‘Employee Kim Sol-eum’s survival is hopeless, so exclude him from the escape plan.’

‘No, before that, I wish Roe Deer would return….’

Except for the screams heard occasionally, the outside was relentlessly quiet.

‘There are no footsteps.’

If Roe Deer had finished the task, the quiet footsteps of three people should definitely be heard first…….

[Can you hear me?]

“…!?”

Park Min-sung sprang up.

From the side, it was visible that Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je also rose reflexively.

[We present an announcement regarding the escape.]

[Because there is no time, we will not repeat it. Please concentrate.]

The Group D rookie they had been waiting for.

It was Kim Sol-eum’s voice.

[The exit is on the 0th floor.]

[We explain again. The exit is on the 0th floor, and as you walk straight down the stairs, in the section turning to a bronze light….]

It was definitely Roe Deer.

And if it was this extraordinary rookie, even if he utilized some amazing method again from somewhere to make something like a guide broadcast, it wasn’t all that strange……. But.

…What was the probability that something not human was imitating Kim Sol-eum?

“…….”

The two Group D members exchanged a brief glance, then passed the judgment to the final decision maker.

Their Group Leader, who knew how to judge with a ghostly intuition, cooler than anyone in such fields.

“…….”

Lee Ja-heon heard the ‘guide broadcast’ more clearly than anyone near the terrace door.

[You must use the spiral staircase.]

He, who had been staring into the empty air as if deeply pondering something… declared as such.

“We will move.”

* * *

[That is all.]

I finally finished speaking the words I had repeated 6 times.

From the 1st floor to the 6th floor.

‘With this, have I informed all the floors above ground.’

Actually, I pondered whether to do it only on the 1st floor where Group D was located, but Go Yeong-eun actively supported it.

-Th-that kind of thing is possible? Then we must save whoever can be saved!

It was a remark worthy of a medical professional.

However, from now on, it was up to each individual’s judgment.

‘Just in case, I didn’t introduce the company, but I did include a few terms used in the Field Exploration Team, though….’

Still, they might doubt it and not come out.

Even if they met a guide machine in charge of that floor by bad luck while utilizing the stairs, it couldn’t be helped.

Isn’t surviving even if having one or two body parts taken better than being trapped in this crazy exhibition and dying as a human grub.

‘It also has the effect of dispersing the machines that might come to Group D.’

I cleared my throat.

“Ah, ah.”

Perhaps because Brown tactfully withdrew his strength, the bizarre sense of resonance felt in my neck and lungs vanished.

‘Thank you.’

-Expressions of gratitude are always pleasant to hear!

Brown spoke in a slightly tired voice, but replied cheerfully.

However, a voice filled with irritation was heard from the side as if unable to understand.

“Why waste points. The more people escape, the fewer points are allocated per person.”

Spouting trashy-personality words again.

It was even a clueless remark.

“Are you an idiot? Even you, a rookie, are escaping, so would there not be veteran employees who would find the exit and leave on their own even without help.”

“…!”

Meaning a few employees whose items and dedicated equipment matched well, or employees who were originally highly capable, would escape anyway.

Even reflecting on the <Records of the Dark Exploration>, 7 people escaping was decided anyway, so the allocated points per person was under 1/8 even if I didn’t perform such acts.

It meant it was hard to make a fortune in points with this ghost story.

But instead of explaining like this, I just smiled broadly.

“Only by showing off at times like this will future company life be interesting…. And I can observe various reactions.”

“…….”

Baek Sa-heon turned his head with a fed-up expression.

‘Do you have a conscience?’

Considering your remark just now, I am the one who should make that reaction. You sociopath of this ghost story universe.

However, in case Go Yeong-eun was also frightened, I called the person in front.

“Ms. Mountain Sheep.”

“…….”

“Ms. Mountain Sheep?”

“…Wait a moment. By any chance, did you call me?”

“…!”

No way.

“…It seems, I have begun to not hear sounds well.”

“…….”

I looked at the place covered by hair, where Go Yeong-eun’s ear had disappeared.

Although I didn’t know what on earth they had put inside the empty stitched space, the ‘rented’ auditory device was losing function.

In a relatively very short time.

‘Why now of all times….’

“Still, it’s not that I can’t hear at all. Also, there’s still quite a bit of candle left, so I think we just need to move carefully.”

“Yes.”

I tapped Go Yeong-eun’s shoulder lightly to indicate more accurately.

Go Yeong-eun shrugged her shoulders slightly, then soon began to climb down the stairs steadfastly….

Baek Sa-heon spoke urgently.

“It would be better if I held that item. Hand it over to me.”

“And what if Ms. Mountain Sheep accidentally turns back in the process?”

“…….”

Baek Sa-heon shut his mouth.

We began to go down six floors of stairs in tension.

Clop clop.

Only the echoing footsteps filled the stairs.

It seemed no one had rushed out after hearing my broadcast yet…….

“Excuse me.”

Go Yeong-eun called out.

“Yes.”

“…….”

Could she not hear.

“저기, 거기 계시죠?”

I patted Go Yeong-eun’s back very gently. Baek Sa-heon also tapped Go Yeong-eun’s shoulder with a rather reluctant look.

“Ah…. Thank you.”

Go Yeong-eun gripped the candle tightly with both hands again, as if relieved.

Going down the stairs again.

Clop clop.

Passing through a silent time that felt like eternity….

We arrived at the 1st floor.

Screeech…….

The sound of the guide machine moving along the route resonated in all directions.

It was passing right next to us…. Dragging along a dead human grub it had retrieved.

“…I will go to the spiral staircase now.”

“Yes.”

Go Yeong-eun’s voice grew louder.

Just like someone who cannot adjust their voice volume because sound is barely heard.

‘It’s fine since we are almost there.’

Instead, I walked calmly and cautiously, keeping ears open to all sides to react quickly.

I don’t think it was a wrong response.

However, if there was a problem, it was that crisis also visited without any relation to our preparations.

For instance… while focusing all nerves on listening, an entirely unrelated obstacle appeared.

“Uh?”

The person in front vanished from view.

When I lowered my head, the figure of Go Yeong-eun falling was visible.

Something sparkling slid from beneath her feet.

A telephoto lens.

An unseen transparent rented item that had fallen off from the dead corpse that the guide machine was dragging rolled down and exquisitely entered between them….

Thud.

I snatched Go Yeong-eun.

But the candle bounced out from the arm of Go Yeong-eun who had already hit the floor.

“No…!”

Though I reflexively grabbed the candle and threw it to Baek Sa-heon.

It was already too late.

The candle went out.

“…….”

“……Gasp.”

The guide machine turned toward this way.

Swoosh.

A metal blade flew over.

“Hic,”

I rolled to the side. A sharp groan was heard from the side.

The guide machine, putting down the corpse it was moving, raised its gas lamp to shine on us.

It was clear that it confirmed the fact that we were all in arrears of the fee.

Thus, having reorganized the ‘priority,’ the needle-like appendages attached to the monster’s upper body flew over once again.

First starting from the nearest eye…….

“Roe Deer.”

A familiar voice.

“Duck.”

I reflexively pressed the back of the heads of my two peers and fell to the floor.

Boom.

A loud roar of metal clashing and sparks flying echoed above our heads.

“…!”

It was Manager Lee Ja-heon.

The field exploration worker, who possessed ridiculous strength, ruthlessly deflected the guide machine’s needle.

Ting.

The broken needle tip flew and embedded itself into the corridor wall. The guide machine twisted its joints while making a strange friction sound.

This is crazy.

‘That could actually be broken?’

Manager Lee Ja-heon retrieved his gloved hand. Although I didn’t know, it wouldn’t be strange for that side to have suffered a fracture too.

In that hand, he was holding something metallic like brass knuckles….

It was the terrace door handle.

“……!”

An alarm went off in my head. That….

‘Destruction of exhibition property.’

———————=

All prohibited acts like commotion, theft, and property damage occurring inside the exhibition hall are immediately sanctioned by the guide, and corresponding fines are collected.

———————=

He even broke the guide machine.

Even if this wasn’t treated as criminal law within the exhibition, and they politely only charged apologies for the commotion and damage compensation fees… that is.

One thing was certain.

That it was the guide machine’s overwhelming priority.

And that would be identical not only for the machine before our eyes, but also for all guide machines that would be in this area….

“Group Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s run.”

I threw my body.

Screeech, squeak, fizzle, buzz, clack, screeech, screeech….

The sound of the broken guide machine moving more recklessly than ever was heard.

From the side, the sounds of my peers running frantically were heard. Manager Lizard was… no, wait a moment!

“Group Leader!!”

“Yes.”

“Don’t fight and just run!”

‘No matter how jokingly strong Manager Lizard is, he can’t break all the guide machines here!’

Just thinking of what would happen if the commotion spread to that extent made my mind grow remote.

‘…They even censored it in the <Records of the Dark Exploration>!!’

I didn’t even want to imagine how the obscured content would be implemented in reality.

Screeech

‘Damn it!’

On the way to the stairs, we encountered one more guide machine.

No, one more.

“Urrgh!”

I threw my body between the striking needles. A hot pain was felt in my arm.

Even while running, I knew by biological instinct.

‘We are getting caught.’

It was impossible under human physical conditions.

Unconditionally, we would all be caught by the guide machines and fee collected before reaching the 0th floor.

A chill ran down my spine.

‘…What, can I do?’

Out of breath. The brain lacking oxygen does not turn well.

Instead, resignation enters.

‘With this level… did I hold out long enough.’

As thinking dulled, perhaps because even sounds were separated into multiple layers, footsteps echoed and hummed in my ears.

As if dozens of people were running…….

No, wait a moment!

“…?!”

I realized.

It wasn’t that the footsteps uniquely sounded like several.

People had truly increased.

Not two, but footsteps of at least over ten people.

-Mr. Roe Deer, they are the ones who seized the opportunity after hearing your wonderful guide broadcast!

“…!”

They were the Field Exploration Team employees.

Those visitors, who had been watching the situation, seemed to try approaching the spiral staircase taking advantage of the commotion.

That had an unexpected effect.

The guide machines wavered in confusion due to calculating priorities according to the weight of tasks and respective distances from the visitors.

People who hadn’t paid the fee popped out from here and there, running.

“Quickly!”

With that temporal gap, we also gritted our teeth and threw our bodies to the stairs.

Screeech

Moved feet frantically.

At that moment when the hair-raising sound drew close from behind.

The stairs ended, and a silver hall unfolded.

The lobby.

And… the main gate!

“Go!”

Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je and Supervisor Park Min-sung were holding the door.

Ran frantically.

Almost simultaneously with me stepping in front of the main gate, the superiors threw their bodies into the exit.

I also entered almost falling face down.

Running to the point of sweet taste in my mouth, the moment I went out into the exit door filled with light….

Phew!!

I opened my eyes.

A ceiling with clean fluorescent lights was visible.

A moderately wide modern corridor.

It was in front of the conference room on the 31st floor of the company.

We escaped.

Whew…….

Collapsed on the corridor.

The sounds of people rushing out of the Grand Conference Room were heard, but both mental state and physical strength to be conscious of it are depleted.

Amidst a dazed mind squeezed out down to the very last drop…….

An alarm rings.

[Records of the Dark Exploration Real Goods Box]

-Usage permission for new goods unlocked!