Got Dropped Into A Ghost Story Still Gotta Work Chapter 227

[ … words ]

Let’s think this through.

Baek Saheon had left this paper boat behind in Jisan Village. Most likely, he left it for the “Agent Podo” he met back then.

Of course, he probably doesn’t know that agent was called Podo.

If he had figured that out, he would’ve already realized I’m Kim Soleum.

Since he didn’t, he left behind this communication item.

So in the current situation, answering in a proper agent-like manner would make it easier to keep this conversation going.

I wrote as neatly as possible.

But the misaligned tension distribution of a body melted and stuffed into a suit made my handwriting a little shaky.

Were you the citizen I met

in Jisan Village?

So what if I was?

I’m relieved to see

you got out safely.

Baek Saheon didn’t respond.

Still, my written message eventually faded—maybe that meant he saw it. I continued writing.

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I only just found this.

I didn’t know the paper boat had to

be unfolded to activate.

Are you an idiot? How could you not know that?

Knew it. Totally saw that coming from you.

This venomous personality never changes…

I was just starting to wonder how, as an agent, I could steer this jerk toward something resembling a productive exchange.

I guess it’s possible not to know…

……?

Doesn’t seem like you have much

experience with this sort of thing.

Couldn’t even make an accurate guess.

You’re pretty new, aren’t you?

Yes. That’s correct.

Still, I think I handled things

reasonably well at the time.

Silence again.

What’s this now?

Anyway, the fact that you left behind

this paper for communication—

does that mean you had something

to report?

“Something to report,” my ass.

I left it because I had a question.

The previously fluid writing now took a moment to appear.

What happened to the village?

You mean Jisan Village?

You think I’d be asking

about some other village?

Of course I mean that one.

What happened after that?

[Goodness, bothering my friend over something from half a year ago! If Mr. Noru lost his temper at that laziness, I wouldn’t blame him!]

Well… it’s probably less laziness—

More like fear kept him from checking back.

Apparently Baek Saheon hadn’t gone anywhere near Jisan Village since the day he ran away.

He probably felt the pressure or heard the sounds of what was happening there, even as he fled.

And after that… any communication from the village probably stopped altogether.

It’s already almost October. With Chuseok coming soon, maybe that’s made him even more anxious. Wondering if he’ll have to go back, if the Disaster Management Agency failed, if the village has become even more horrifying.

So I responded, concisely.

The supernatural disaster

you feared is gone.

There will be no more draws,

and no more festivals.

The jinejiseung that the villagers had fermented with liquor and sealed beneath the seonangdang is gone. It has probably been placed under SDRA’s jurisdiction by now.

You’re free.

For a long time, Baek Saheon didn’t respond.

I continued.

However, since the current condition

of the village is unclear, I’d advise

caution if you plan to visit.

I’ve been on continuous duty in other

supernatural disasters since then,

so I haven’t received detailed updates.

That was—by coincidence—completely true.

It made me feel a little gloomy, but as an agent, that was the kind of basic information I was supposed to provide.

Of course, since you’re someone

who experienced that particular

supernatural disaster, if you contact

the SDRA officially,

they’ll be able to assist you

more safely and thoroughly.

Though let’s be honest—you’d never do that.

Got it.

Figured as much.

Your handwriting sucks, by the way.

Okay, what’s with the sudden personal attack?

Sorry, but once your brain and body have been reduced to pulp, you’ll understand just how hard it is to control fine motor functions…

The fact that I didn’t crumple this paper into mush is a miracle.

Apologies.

My hand’s a bit injured.

Again, silence.

Then, the topic shifted as another message came in.

Hey.

Are you contacting me from the Darkness

right now?

More or less.

But on that note—about you calling

it the “Darkness.”

Don’t play dumb when you already

know where I’ve been.

That agent with you seemed

to recognize me.

Trying to use this to threaten me

won’t work.

This guy’s been like this since New Employee Orientation—why does he always blow up like this?

I have no interest in threatening you,

nor any reason to.

And for the record, if someone really

were trying to threaten you during a

conversation like this, the safest thing

to do would be to walk away instead

of snapping back.

Silence again.

I held back a sigh and went on.

I just personally wanted to ask

you something.

About Baekilmong.

Are you insane?

You think I’m gonna answer that

and hand the company a reason

to come after me for free? lmao

Quit screwing around.

Understood.

That was expected. I was just about to consider what kind of bait might work to draw him in, when suddenly—

A new line appeared.

What exactly do you want to know?

What’s with this tone shift?

Still, I went ahead with my prepared question.

I was wondering if any of the new hires

were returning employees.

And if you personally recognized

any familiar faces.

First, I need confirmation about Jang Heowoon.

I could ask Kwak Jaegang—but I don’t want to give that mad scientist the impression that I care about Jang Heowoon more than I should.

That’d just make him curious.

Even though he’s under Red Finger constraints, the last thing I want is to give that lunatic a reason to look for workarounds. Especially through a third party rather than the person he made the promise with.

Same reason I’m not asking about Ko Yeongeun or Deputy Eunhaje either.

Of course, I knew Baek Saheon wouldn’t give anything up for free either. So while I was weighing what kind of carrot or stick might work…

Just wait a bit.

I’ll check tomorrow after I clock in.

…??

Did he eat something weird?

This really came out of nowhere. But hey—if he’s willing to do it, I won’t complain.

Thank you.

Don’t forget to show some appreciation.

I’m expecting a decent item in return.

And don’t try to fob me off

with a coffee coupon or some crap.

Hey. I’m not even in a position to buy a damn coffee gift card…

Then that may be difficult.

I’m sorry. I’m currently not in a

position to acquire any items.

So you’re not even going to pretend

you’ll get me something later?

You’re really that clueless and inflexible,

and you somehow managed to ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) be an agent

all this time?

[What a Grinch-like soul indeed.]

My thoughts exactly.

In that case, I’ll repay you when I’m

able to in the future.

Thank you.

Hmm.

Apparently, this “Agent Podo” had somehow earned Baek Saheon’s trust during the Jisan Village incident.

How the hell did that happen?

I have no idea. It was completely unexpected.

…Especially considering I’m not even technically an agent anymore.

The fact that we’re still communicating in that context feels… odd.

Anyway, I decided to wait for Baek Saheon’s answer to that first question.

Besides, this was a segment of time where I had to calmly continue my duty at the annex front desk for the sake of the next stage.

[Now it’s time to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s shift, my friend!]

Right.

And so, a few days passed.

I continued my duties at the annex front desk without incident, and kept subtly pressuring the company with the silent demand that they absolutely pay my wages on payday.

For the record, I did go on one more Darkness collection run during this time, and returned safely with the target again.

It was one of the Darknesses listed on the wiki, so by following the manual properly—even in my current dulled emotional state—it wasn’t that dangerous or difficult.

Aside from that, things were relatively peaceful. Surprisingly, Deputy Lee Seonghae even stopped by a few more times during our shifts at the annex with snacks in hand.

Maybe someday, if I reassemble my digestive system, I’ll be able to eat them.

For now, I handed everything off to the Guard Captain.

As for Baek Saheon’s paper boat—it still hadn’t responded. I guessed he hadn’t yet finished checking the new hires.

Eventually, enough time passed that my shift format changed a little.

[Solo shift! Fear not the boredom, dear friend—this witty raconteur shall remain at your side!]

Exactly.

A solo night shift.

Apparently, after watching me behave obediently on the job for over a week, the company decided it was time to “test me further” and assigned me to the front desk alone.

If it were me, I wouldn’t have taken that risk…

Then again, that’s what makes this a cursed company straight out of a horror story.

The Guard Captain and Assistant Manager Park Minseong both resumed their original assignments, only showing up if I triggered a security call.

So there I was—left behind at the front desk, my containment pod open, on display.

The result?

“……”

“……”

Roughly seven out of ten people approaching the front desk were hesitating.

Huff…

If they hadn’t already gotten used to the containment pod over the past few days, I’m sure someone would’ve triggered a Security Team call by now.

“Um… Mr. Containment Pod? Sir? I’m trying to access the ‘Self-Baking Cookie’ in the Twilight tier…”

—

Access pass issued

—

I formed the message in mist and, extending only my left hand from the pod, registered the access pass and tossed it to the employee.

“Th-thank you…?”

—

Please ensure safe use

—

As they hurried into the corridor, I could hear murmurs—They’re surprisingly good at their job.

Please don’t say that so loudly in front of what you assume is a Darkness containment pod…

Must be a new hire.

There were noticeably more of them today.

A few days had passed since the final hiring test, so this was about the time the company started giving new hires a tour of the annex and letting them navigate it solo.

I’d done it too.

…Wasn’t it around this time I built my custom gear?

It reminded me of when the supervisors of Team D helped me get started.

……

As I quietly passed the time with mist, the front door of the annex opened again.

Another suited figure carefully stepped inside.

“Um, good evening…”

He seemed to be a new hire. A tall man.

But he froze upon spotting me at the front desk.

Mm. That happens.

—

Question: Do you require an access pass?

—

“…!”

As soon as I formed the sentence, the new hire hurried toward the desk, nearly stumbling.

…Huh?

More precisely, at the sight of the black mist and yellow glow emanating from my open containment pod—

As if he recognized it.

…….

……!

I quickly displayed another message.

—

Question: Do you remember your entrance day?

Did you ever visit Basement 13 of the annex?

—

“…!!”

His footsteps hit the floor with increasing speed.

“Do you… remember me?”

That voice.

The build, the likely polite expression, the relatively long hair…

“I wasn’t sure you’d be able to identify me—wasn’t sure you’d be able to recognize my face…”

—

Question: Name?

—

……

Slowly, his lips parted on a face like a melting mosaic.

“Heowoon.”

……

As I thought.

“…Sir.”

I faced my former colleague once again.

A flurry of questions raced through my head.

—

Reason for joining?

—

“…There’s something I have to find.”

His hand, resting on the desk, tensed slightly… then relaxed.

There was a CCTV camera. We couldn’t talk in detail.

…So I was right after all.

Apparently, the human-form Jang Heowoon—created through the Wish Ticket—had rejoined Baekilmong to fulfill his wish.

“Um, sir.”

I wanted to talk more—but not here, in this public space.

We’ve acknowledged each other. That’s enough for now.

—

Access pass issued

—

“…Thank you.”

I granted him access to the Twilight-tier Darkness he had requested.

But Jang Heowoon merely peeked briefly into the annex interior, then returned the access pass and turned to leave.

“I’ll be back.”

That’s what he said, and then he was gone.

……

…Did he come looking for me from the beginning?

The rumor that there was a Security Team agent using mist stationed at the annex front desk—

That is, that I was here.

It was possible.

…Hoo.

At any rate, I was glad to see he was still human.

If he had been corrupted into a Resort employee, he wouldn’t have been able to pass the Dream Distillation process, and there’s no way he’d have been accepted into the Field Exploration Team.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked Baek Saheon.

Maybe I should’ve gone digging for something else.

But how could I have known we’d meet again this soon?

Since no one was around, I pulled Baek Saheon’s paper boat from the mist and unfolded it, placing it in a shadowed corner of the security gate—out of sight from the cameras.

Ah.

Just in time—a response had arrived.

It was Baek Saheon’s reply to my earlier question about whether any of the new hires were returnees, or if he recognized any familiar faces.

—

There aren’t any.

—

……

What?

—

No rehires among the new people,

and I didn’t see anyone I recognized.

Didn’t even see any “celebrity types”

or whatever.

Was that really what you wanted to know?

—

……

Wait.

Then…

—

Who the hell was that Jang Heowoon who just left the annex?

—

……

—

Hey.

You got your answer—why aren’t

you responding?

—

Thank you.

I’ll be in touch again soon.

—

I folded the paper boat and returned it to the mist.

All kinds of possibilities swirled in my head.

Maybe one of them was lying. Maybe both were. Maybe they were both telling the truth—just from different misunderstandings.

And at the same time, the most primal option occurred to me…

The simplest method I hadn’t thought to use until now.

……

Brown.

—

[Oh? What’s going on, my friend?]

—

Thanks to the Bell, my mind was clear—and in that heavy, blurred aftermath of emotion, my reason asked a question.

To the one at my side who could still recognize human faces.

My kind companion.

That person just now—the Baekilmong employee in the buffalo mask—was that the same Jang Heowoon I used to know?

And the answer—

—

[Goodness! If anyone should know, it’s you, Mr. Noru!]

—

Me?

—

[But since it seems you’ve forgotten, allow this humble announcer to give you a hint…]

—

In a charming, retro-toned broadcaster voice, he spoke three words.

—

[Flower Golden Resort.]

—

…!!

Ah.

Even if I lacked a human form, there was still one identity I had never lost.

The mascot of Flower Golden Resort.

Because that role was bound by contract and performance.

Which meant—

I had the authority to summon Resort employees like Jang Heowoon at will…!

—

[Correct!]

[You personally granted him full-time status at the Resort—so of course, you have total access to information and influence over him!]

—

That’s right.

That’s also why I’d been able to transfer his custody to the SDRA.

Because once he’d been placed under their care, I assumed they would take proper steps to restore him from his corrupted state—and had left it at that.

But in a situation like this…

It might be better to call him directly.

If he doesn’t respond to the summons—if I can’t feel his presence—that would mean he’s returned to humanity. I could rest easy.

……

I took a deep breath.

And I called him.

—

Jang Heowoon.