Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work (Novel) - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Who could have ever imagined such a thing?

Having to sit quietly while sweating cold sweat, locked in a sealed space with three ghosts pretending to be human.

Even…

a situation where one must pretend to be calm, as if they hadn’t noticed anything.

‘…I must not show it.’

Even if everyone except me is clapping with the backs of their hands with bright faces right in front of my eyes.

No, not humans……

but ghosts.

Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap

‘I. Must. Not. Show it.’

And they suddenly turn around to look at me and ask:

“Why aren’t you clapping?”

“…….”

Wow, shit.

I barely managed to raise my hands without trembling.

And….

Clap-clap-clap.

Placing one hand politely over the back of my other arm, I made a small sound.

And like a rookie scanning the room, I looked around and smiled a bit awkwardly.

“…I was about to clap but missed the timing, so I got flustered. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“…….”

Please.

Please let it slide.

“Ayy~ You didn’t have to!”

“Hey, Senior Leopard, that’s pressure too. Don’t get on the bad side of the competent rookie, just sit down.”

“Aigo, yes.”

The Leopard employee… or, the ‘something’ impersonating him, shrugged his shoulders as told and sat down.

‘Sigh…….’

But the relief was short-lived.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump.

The Dolphin employee suddenly dropped her head to the floor.

And she began to slam it sideways.

Without a single change in expression.

“It, it seems like there’s a bug, bug, I can’t catch the bug, bug……”

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump.

“…I heard other living creatures cannot enter this Dark, perhaps you saw wrong?”

“Ah.”

The Dolphin employee stopped her head.

Her long hair became disheveled, and her skull was crushed.

“I see. Thanks, Supervisor Roe Deer.”

“Don’t mention it.”

And she calmly continued her conversation with Assistant Manager Leopard next to her as if nothing had happened.

“…….”

If I faint… will I go missing too?

This is driving me crazy.

‘How could everyone except me be replaced…!’

How nice it would have been if I had also lost consciousness, been replaced, and woken up tomorrow morning instead.

“Mr. Roe Deer, eat.”

“Ah. Thank you very much, Leader……”

In the midst of this, the ghost wearing the Lizard Manager mask… no, let’s not think like that. Manager Lee Ja-heon handed me some food.

It was gimbap from a pretty delicious snack bar near the company.

‘Since we have to endure here for almost 24 hours until tomorrow morning, we do have to eat.’

It was a rational judgment. Except for the fact that if I put anything in my mouth right now, I felt like I would get severe indigestion or vomit on the spot….

‘Ugh.’

“Oh, how about sharing? We also brought some things.”

The two Group C members also pulled out sandwiches.

I answered with reflex sociability.

“I should have prepared some, but since I was in a rush, I only ended up being taken care of. I’m truly sorry and thank you.”

“Ayy, the youngest, seniority, I told you not to worry about those things. It seems the Manager here doesn’t care much either, right?”

“Yes.”

At the lizard’s brief reply, Assistant Manager Leopard grinned while raising his thumb.

“Wow~ Nice. Our group leader is like that too. Mr. Roe Deer, you know that Mallard Leader in Group A, right? This man is a good person on a completely different level from that guy.”

Oops.

“…He must be a wonderful person for both of you to respect him.”

“Right? He got the Wish Ticket and took a vacation… Ayy, I really hope he doesn’t resign.”

I steered the conversation gently with praise only, not responding to the criticism of Group A’s leader.

Actually, since they were ghosts, there was no need to go this far… no, I’d rather keep doing this.

‘Let’s forget it, let’s forget it….’

Acting like this made it feel like I was talking with higher-ups from related departments who ended up in the same group at some workshop, rather than being in a ghost story….

Of course, it didn’t last long.

It was right after the meal. Assistant Manager Leopard stood up with a yawn.

“Ah, since we have to stay all day… I’ll take off my shoes. It’s okay, right?”

“Eeeh, you should have brought slippers like me.”

“Ayy, what can I do when I don’t have them. My socks are clean.”

Assistant Manager Leopard spoke lightly to Supervisor Dolphin and tried to take off his shoes.

‘Right, even if he suddenly climbs onto the table and tap dances like this, let’s not be surprised…….’

There were hands instead of feet.

The hands that were cramped and forced to curl inside the shoes emerged and stuck to the floor.

“…….”

“Ah, since I’m already up, I’ll bring some more coffee~ Everyone’s having more, right?”

He stood straight.

Assistant Manager Leopard stood on his hands.

The hands attached to his feet went up there and waved.

Thud… thud.

A salaryman walking upside down.

“Supervisor Roe Deer.”

I held back a scream.

“Yes, Assistant Manager Leopard.”

“Could you come and help me move the coffee? Strangely, I can’t see ahead well. Uh, uh?”

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

The handstanding body, trying to keep moving forward, bumped into the drawer where the coffee was placed.

“No, I’m not ordering you because you’re the youngest, it’s just because you’re sitting close. Sorry for seeming to go back on my word.”

Sh-shit.

“Yes. Of course.”

I leaped up and walked over to Assistant Manager Leopard’s side.

Come to think of it, sitting next to a handstanding ghost might be better than sitting next to one with a crushed skull.

Right?

Surely, right??

-This is indeed very interesting! Did they aim for the uncanny valley effect?

-What a fun performance, Mr. Roe Deer. Let’s enjoy it fully!

Fully?

Enjoy?

‘I want to praise myself just for not squeezing my eyes shut right now…!’

Enjoying is a demand of too high difficulty for me!

“Now, let’s move them.”

“Yes.”

I placed a cup of coffee into each of the hands attached to his feet, and carrying two cups myself in both hands, I placed them on the table.

I was proud of myself for not shaking my hands or spilling the coffee.

The problem was that with the coffee refilled, we had entered a truly conversational atmosphere.

“Now.”

Supervisor Dolphin smiled brightly with one side of her skull caved in.

“How about we take turns boasting about the Dark we cleared? Honestly, without that kind of fun, it’s hard to work here!”

Assistant Manager Leopard waved his hand.

“Hey, what if a ghost hears that and does something. Let’s just talk about something like our favorite foods.”

“Ah, that’s good too.”

“…….”

It was true.

No anomaly occurs even if the conversation topic addresses the ghost replacement of the Dark itself.

However, because there is a very high probability that this process will lead to questioning who the ghost is, it is not recommended.

But you guys are all ghosts.

“I like crispy-outside-moist-inside. You know, like deep-fried eggplant?”

“Oh, is that so. I like things that pop when chewed. Like eyeballs?”

Swish.

The Dolphin employee thrust her face right in front of my nose.

“Mr. Roe Deer, do you have eyeballs? It seems you have them… You brought them inside your mask, right? You’re going to share, let’s share.”

Ahhhhhh!!

“They weren’t brought for eating purposes.”

I politely lowered my hands below the table and pretended to clasp them to hide the shaking.

“And we have similar food tastes. I also think texture is important.”

“Oh~ Comrade!”

The ghost mimicking Supervisor Dolphin laughed brightly.

“Supervisor Roe Deer must not be a ghost. You talk about eating normally too.”

Wow.

‘I can’t take this anymore.’

If I continue this conversation, a moment of screaming will surely come. Definitely.

-Dear, it seems Mr. Roe Deer is on the sensitive side regarding the uncanny valley effect! A spectator with good reactions is always welcomed, but the situation is a pity….

-Do not worry. Doesn’t the fact that this Brown is beside you serve as a great comfort? Your friend is right next to you!

…Wait a minute.

Right.

‘Brown is right.’

-A great host’s words are always suited to the situation!

Exactly. What I was currently facing was a situation where the fear originating from a kind of uncanny valley was maximized.

‘The fear when seeing something that is similar to a human but not human.’

Witnessing the company people suddenly show bizarre and foreign appearances calmly in a normal pantry, and feeling immense horror.

On top of that, with me being the only human, I was feeling an absolute peak of crazy fear.

‘In that case……’

Let’s take a look to the side.

The lizard was putting sand-biscuits into his mouth wrappers and all.

“…….”

“…….”

It wasn’t particularly scarier!

Even if he flicked his tongue, walked backward while smirking, or maybe stood up, shook his head, danced like crazy, and calmly held a daily conversation, it would be the same.

Since he was scary anyway!

Since he looked like a lizard anyway!

There was no uncanny valley or anything to feel.

‘I will absolutely stick with the Manager.’

Finally, the solution was in sight.

I suppressed my cold sweat and naturally turned to sit facing the Lizard Leader.

As if I had something I urgently wanted to ask him.

“Manager Lee Ja-heon.”

And actually, there was indeed something I wanted to ask.

According to the <Records of the Dark Exploration>, in this ghost story, ‘ghosts are identical to their companions in all aspects, including appearance, personality, and character.’

That meant, if I asked something casually at a natural level, there was a high probability it would return the exact same answer as the ‘original.’

Unless it suddenly performed a ghost act.

‘Then rather, I might be able to ask more lightly.’

Since it wasn’t the actual person.

I pulled my chair closer, as if I had something to say candidly as fellow team members on this occasion.

I tried to create an atmosphere where other ghosts couldn’t intervene, and it seemed to work to some extent.

And I asked.

“It seemed we hadn’t had the luxury to share such conversations during work so far. Would it be okay if I asked you a few things separately now?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. It’s nothing else, but… I was curious about how you are so strong, Leader.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Manager Lee Ja-heon did not look displeased.

“It is the result of a combination of congenital factors and acquired learning.”

“…….”

An all-purpose answer that worked for any question came out!

It was like looking at the top student in the school who, when asked how their grades were so good, replied that they studied hard with a good brain…….

‘I’d like to hear in more detail though.’

For anyone else it would have been a sign of refusal, but because he was the Lizard Manager, I couldn’t really tell.

In the end, I smiled a bit shyly on purpose and replied:

“Is that so. I asked because I also want to become stronger in physical strength, even without items or contamination.”

“Combine a protein-focused diet with aerobic and anaerobic exercises.”

“…If I do that, can I become as strong as you, Manager?”

“No.”

“…….”

Excuse me, even I can exert strength suitable for my build.

I almost looked at my boss with eyes that found him absurd.

“…I would like to hear if you have any advice for me regarding this, Manager.”

“Yes. Mr. Roe Deer has other strengths, so develop those further.”

The lizard spoke drily.

“There is no individual outstanding in all aspects. Do not pour resources into inefficient and unnecessary things. You can utilize others.”

……Wait a minute.

“Does it mean that when strength is needed, the Leader will play that role, so it’s better for me to develop the other strengths I have?”

“Yes.”

The lizard nodded.

“Mr. Roe Deer’s strengths are ideation and judgment.”

“…Thank you.”

Geez.

‘Should I say he evaluated me highly.’

Of course, I was grateful compared to having everything dumped on a subordinate, but.

‘It’s a pity.’

Should I push a bit further.

I pondered for a bit, then pried into the gap.

“But we also enter the Dark separately. Having strong physical strength is a universal and well-working means, so I think I might need it even on my own in times like that.”

“I see.”

The lizard stared into the air as if contemplating for a moment, then confirmed.

“I will introduce an item to you.”

“…!”

I hit the jackpot.

“Is it an effect that reinforces physical strength?”

“It is similar. Use it as a parent item when creating dedicated equipment.”

“…! Thank you.”

Especially since I thought it was about time to reinforce my dedicated equipment or increase its variety.

‘At least I obtained one thing in the midst of this.’

It seemed I managed to get something even while sweating cold sweat inside a ghost story filled with ghosts… wait.

Come to think of it, this lizard sitting in front of me is also a ghost, not Lee Ja-heon himself.

‘Is this promise actually valid?’

I was flustered for a moment, but recalled the manual.

The person replaced by a ghost will indirectly remember what happened inside the sealed space.

If so, given Manager Lee Ja-heon’s personality, the probability of him keeping it was extremely high.

‘It’s set.’

Whew.

There is a sense of accomplishment in having achieved something at least.

‘Now let’s endure the fear with this sense of accomplishment……’

I pretended to stretch, and tried hard not to look at the two Group C ghosts who had now begun to stare at me while handstanding and smirking.

Now I wasn’t even curious about who was Lee Kang-heon who introduced Salmon Market to me.

‘Let’s empty my brain……’

I dumped all kinds of trivial small talk on the lizard, avoiding conversations with the ghosts as much as possible.

The Lizard Manager ghost, because I kept talking to him, couldn’t do anything useless and just endlessly answered.

‘I learned the meaningful information that the Manager likes beef more than pork……’

-Friend, this is no longer even small talk let alone an interview, it seems like a highly tedious autobiography survey for amateurs….

I know too, but there is no choice, Brown……

And after even that ran out, I closed my eyes pretending to be sleepy, and spent the remaining time playing word chain games with Brown.

No matter what nonsense reached my ears, I stuck to ‘I am tired… sorry, but please continue the conversation after we leave.’

‘It’s 3 AM, please.’

I thought I was taking a bath in cold sweat, but in any case, an emergency did not suddenly occur.

After those few precarious hours passed like a thousand years while just clutching Brown in my pocket.

“…….”

“…….”

Click.

I finally came to see the opened pantry door.

Having stayed up all night alone……

“……It’s done.”

It’s done, you bastards!

I did it!!

I wanted to get up and throw a punch in the air with my dazed mind.

‘Tears are coming.’

Experiencing all of that ghost-type horror raw and alone without even being able to shorten the time was almost the first time….

How should I put it, the feeling of overcoming my own limits.

‘I feel like praising myself……’

I wobbled as I stood up from my seat.

It was a relief that no one knew I was someone who found even D-grade this tough……

“Mr. Roe Deer.”

“…!?”

Uh, uh…?

Turning my head, I saw the lizard staring blankly.

Perfectly fine, as if he had never stayed up all night…… wait a minute.

‘……?’

He is keeping his eyes open?

“Le-Leader.”

“There is no need to wait for Group C to wake up. Leave work.”

I looked at the lizard standing perfectly normal with eyes seeing a ghost.

And I turned my head to see the Group C members sleeping sprawled out.

“…….”

“…….”

Don’t tell me.

“Were you not… a ghost last night?”

“I was not.”

“…But you clapped with the backs of your hands!?”

“?”

The lizard tilted his head, then answered as if realizing something:

“I thought it was a trendy behavior.”

“…….”

Ah.

Ahhhhh!