Translator: Nox

Chapter 25

Even If You Fall Into a Ghost Story, You Still Have to Go to Work

Even If You Fall Into a Ghost Story, You Still Have to Go to Work, Chapter 25

Even If You Fall Into a Ghost Story, You Still Have to Go to Work, Chapter 025

In a corner of a locker room inside a theme park ghost story, a small stuffed doll moves its limbs and speaks.

The mere description of it is enough to make anyone faint from shock.

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

-
Good Friend
?

The stuffed doll flailed atop the vanished hexagram.

“Ah,”

Only then did it sink in.

I had succeeded in inviting a ‘Good Friend’ into the doll!

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

‘The Host…!’

The TV-headed monster who had hosted the Ghost Story Tuesday Quiz Show.

—I’d love for you to join me as a crew member on my new talk show, Roe Deer-ssi!

I swallowed hard, recalling the final scene of my escape from that insane ghost story.

“…Greetings, Mr. Host. Have you been well?”

—Haha, it’s good to see you too! I remember your brilliant performance on the quiz show, Roe Deer-ssi. Have you been well in the meantime? I…

—I.

Silence.

—I… don’t recall very well. Hmm… yes. I’ve been well. I was hosting a talk show.

The voice coming from the stuffed doll grew faint for a moment, but soon regained its vigor and friendliness.

—The important thing is that we’ve met again!

“…Yes.”

It felt as though the supernatural overwhelming pressure and terror were being dampened, suppressed behind a fog.

‘Is it because… he’s a Good Friend?’

It seemed the stuffed doll and the ritual were acting as some kind of control mechanism.

Still, I had to be careful.

“Um, Mr. Host. I have a question for you.”

—Speak freely, friend. Oh, come to think of it, using such a title between friends is a bit disappointing!

—You can just call me Brown, Roe Deer-ssi! Let’s drop the stuffy honorifics like ‘-nim’ too!

“…Right. Yes. Brown.”

Sure. I suppose even a TV-head living in a ghost story has a name….

Anyway, the main point was urgent. I spoke as politely as possible.

“Actually, I’m trying to leave this theme park, but I can’t find a way out.”

—Oh my! Theme parks are famous for their complex structures and dizzying paths. Don’t worry. I happen to be quite good at finding my way!

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

The stuffed doll fell silent for a moment, as if at a loss for words.

—Heh, hmm…. That is a unique situation.

Quite a human reaction.

I briefly summarized the structure of the theme park and the events that had unfolded—the teams and zones divided by color, and the mascots that had gone on a rampage.

The stuffed doll lying on the floor crossed its arms.

—Hmm. Those are some truly diva-like mascots! There are beings in the broadcasting industry who act up like that too.

—However, the one that hasn’t appeared is bothering me.

The one that hasn’t appeared?

I thought of it reflexively.

“…Are you talking about the Yellow Mascot?”

The final mascot, mentioned only at the attractions, with no trace to be found.

—Exactly! Did you say it was a yellow flower? Do you know where it is?

“…!”

Right.

’Now that I’ve found the Blue Mascot’s zone, the Yellow Mascot’s zone might be somewhere too…!’

If I find it and leave through that gate….

—Though it’s probably already dead.

……

“Excuse me?”

The Yellow Mascot?

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

—Oh, Roe Deer-ssi, you should know this already.

the kind voice whispered.

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

“…!”

—If there were a Yellow Zone, the Yellow Team would have woken up there. Wasn’t that the arrangement?

“…You’re right.”

The rule was that you wake up in the zone corresponding to the color of the pawn you picked. But the Yellow Team didn’t.

Is it… because there really is no Yellow Zone?

I thought about it.

After a moment, I spoke.

“……I’ve realized what I need to do.”

I had to check.

—Oh, what is it? Let’s go together…

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

—Ahem, Roe Deer-ssi, would you mind helping me up?

I approached cautiously, picked up the ‘Good Friend’ by its keychain, and placed it in my palm.

I could feel a warmth, like body heat.

—It’s hard to control this body. It’ll take a little time to adjust… but don’t worry. I am a very capable being!

I’m sure you are.

After some thought, I tucked the stuffed doll into my suit’s breast pocket.

The doll raised one hand in an exaggerated gesture.

—Now, let’s go! …By the way, where are we going?

A place that could serve as a guide.

A location that every large public facility is bound to have.

“The information booth.”

---

Naturally, there were exploration records of people finding information booths in Joyful Theme Park. It had most of the things a typical amusement park would have.

‘The problem was that they didn’t function normally…’

They would provide simple locations for nearby attractions.

However, if the request was a bit complex or required something material, this is what happened:

The information mascot would hold up a ‘Members Only’ sign.

‘Meaning a mere boarding pass isn’t enough.’

Even though they treated you like a guest, it was a device used to create a creepy atmosphere by hinting that this place wasn’t originally meant for you…

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

In fact, as soon as my boarding pass turned into a membership, I recalled several exploration records related to ‘Members Only’ areas.

Special souvenir shops, restaurants, and separate attraction entrances that allowed entry without waiting in line.

But the reason I had avoided them was clear.

‘Because I’d have to interact with a mascot.’

I didn’t know what kind of horrific consequences might follow if I contacted those crazy mascots, who had closed the gates, without any information…

‘Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.’

But now that I had a monster friend who could serve as a danger alarm, I was going to give it a try.

“Brown. If the person I’m talking to seems offended or likely to harm me, could you let me know?”

—Of course. That’s no trouble at all!

The stuffed doll replied cheerfully and even quickly demonstrated a few hand signals. It was the efficient work of someone truly from the mass media.

And a short while later.

—There it is. Oh, it looks quite decent…

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

As I drew near, the screen opened, and the face of the Blue Mascot appeared.

It was a blue dragon wearing a uniform.

“Hello. I’d like to see a map of this place.”

The Blue Mascot, who had been waving its hand as if glad to see me, moved its hands nimbly to hand over a high-quality catalog.

It was a convenient map marked with various attractions, restaurants, and amenities of ‘Blue Dream Waterpark.’

The words ‘Members Only’ were printed at the top of the catalog.

I looked up at the Blue Mascot.

“Thank you.”

It looked somewhat proud.

“By the way, is there one that shows the entire park?”

Snap.

The Blue Mascot’s movements stopped.

Don’t—don’t be scared.

“As you might know, I came over from the Red Zone without the proper procedures. To make sure I don’t make a mistake… I’d like to avoid going near there again.”

I asked in the most composed and polite voice I could muster.

“Where exactly does it border the Red Zone?”

A brief silence.

The mascot reached out its hand.

FROM HERE

TO HERE

Screeech. The Blue Mascot’s claw tore through the catalog map I was holding.

It drew a line all the way along the eastern edge.

‘As I thought, the eastern part of the Blue Zone and the western part of the Red Zone are directly adjacent…’

But… this is too scary.

My hands, holding the torn catalog, were vibrating with tremors…!

‘Please spare me.’

You’re not going to slice me in half with those claws too, are you?

The moment the mascot pulled its claw away from the map, I hurriedly nodded to express my gratitude.

Next topic!

“Thank you. If that’s the case, then…”

Tap, tap.

“…!”

—Shh.

Inside my breast pocket, the stuffed doll tapped my chest twice.

…It meant this:

‘The other party doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.’

……I guess that’s as far as I could go!

I immediately shifted gears and gave a polite greeting.

“Yes. I won’t go near the Red Zone.”

The blue dragon stood still for a moment, then nodded.

It then rummaged through its pockets and handed me another bag of the usual ‘Blue Soda Churros.’

“Thank you.”

GOOD CHILD

The blue dragon tapped my bracelet and pulled its arm back.

Rrrr.

Soon, the information booth screen closed smoothly.

“…….”

‘Phew.’

That’s it.

I clutched my pounding heart and lowered my head.

I felt like I was going to die of fright, but…

—You’re smiling, my friend! Are you in a good mood? Did you find what you wanted?

I figured it out.

“Yes.”

I looked up and started running.

“Now I just need to move.”

I might have been able to shorten the time if I’d asked the mascot a few more questions, but safety comes first. From now on, I’d use the most reliable method.

My own feet.

‘Let’s hurry.’

There were only a few hours left.

I looked up at the theme park sky, which was starting to grow dark.

---

A few hours later.

The sun had set.

“Haa, haa.”

I was still running.

My feet, which had thoroughly scouted half of the massive water theme park, were trembling.

—Roe Deer-ssi, you seem quite exhausted.

“I’m fine.”

The stuffed doll asked in a tone that sounded almost pitying.

—I think it’s time to ask. Exactly where are we going?

I wiped the sweat from my chin and answered.

“The Yellow Zone.”

—Ho-oh!

—I thought we all agreed on the premise that ‘there is no Yellow Zone.’ What made you change your mind?

“I haven’t changed my mind. I still believe there is no Yellow Zone.”

However.

“There must have been one in the past.”

I lowered the map and looked ahead.

First of all.

“It wouldn’t have been directly adjacent to the Red Zone back then.”

The Red Zone has the forest to the east, the entrance to the north, a cliff to the south, and the Blue Zone to the west.

‘The geography fits perfectly; there are no gaps.’

If that’s the case….

“It must have been adjacent to somewhere in the Blue Zone. There must have been a connecting path.”

Among those, I excluded the north, which was also an entrance, and the east, which bordered the Red Zone.

That left….

—So that’s why you were searching the west and south like you were hunting for lice? Haha!

Bingo.

Unlike the Red Zone, there were no mascots chasing me here trying to kill me, so I could afford this brute-force method.

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

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

—Hmm. It certainly looks like it could have been a thoroughfare before.

The problem was that the moment I crossed this, it was almost certain I’d be violating the theme park’s rules of use.

[STAFF ONLY]

After checking the sign, I stepped back out from behind the restroom and looked around.

I locked eyes with a mascot standing in front of a children’s attraction far off in the distance.

—Hmm, is that mascot bothering you?

“Yes. If I cross into the restricted area, it’ll definitely notice…”

—Then just don’t get caught!

“…….”

That’s easier said than done….

—Oh, cheer up. It’s not that hard!

—Don’t you have me? Your friend.

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

Its characteristic confidence, deviousness, and friendliness came to the fore.

—I’ll help you. First… why don’t you take me out of your pocket for a moment!

I did as told.

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

I flinched for a moment. It was because I remembered it incinerating people on the Tuesday Quiz Show.

But this time was different.

Snap!

A dull snapping sound echoed from the doll’s fingerless hand.

In that instant.

A strange, heavy shadow-like thing draped over me.

“…!”

I felt faint, submerged….

—Now… you won’t be noticed. Come, let’s go.

The voice of the ‘Good Friend,’ Brown, grew faint, as if he were a bit tired.

“This is…”

—I’ve turned off your spotlight, Roe Deer-ssi.

—Didn’t we agree during the show not to pay attention to people the spotlight isn’t shining on?

It seemed ‘incineration’ wasn’t the Host’s only ability.

‘Was he controlling the entire set himself…?’

I felt a chill for some reason and looked down at the stuffed doll, but I soon realized that wasn’t the priority.

Escape first!

“Then I’ll move now.”

—Excellent!

I went back behind the restroom and stood before the closed trail.

Then, I crossed the ‘Staff Only’ sign.

“…….”

Nothing happened.

“Than—”

—Save the praise for later and move!

I was almost moved to tears by how helpful he was.

I climbed the steep hiking trail at the maximum speed I could muster, almost crawling.

Broken pieces of plastic and ornaments among the dirt dug into my hands and feet.

—It seems certain that something used to be here.

I hurried even more.

Upward, further upward….

And finally, the end of the path appeared.

Thud.

I planted my feet and stood.

From the top of the hill, I could look down.

What I saw was….

—A resort.

A massive resort complex spread out next to the dark seashore.

…I recalled hearing that some famous franchise theme parks also operated such enormous lodging facilities.

The scale alone was overwhelming, but…….

[FLOWER GOLDEN RESORT]

The facility was already dead.

The resort, gleaming in gold, must have once looked like a dream destination. But now it was dilapidated, with peeling paint and an eerie atmosphere.

I looked at the cracked sign where a yellow flower was smiling brightly.

And below it, a machine—familiar, yet of an older model.

—There’s a gate at the entrance to the resort too!

“Yes.”

It made sense. The path from the theme park to the resort was also a type of exit.

‘I found it…!’

Forgetting my exhaustion, I ran again. The shadow covering my body vanished, and my pace quickened.

—Hmm. But the gate is turned off here too. Will you be able to use it?

“Of course.”

I searched around the old gate machine and opened the emergency control panel.

Just as I had done with the attractions.

Then, I switched on the emergency power.

Hummmm.

With a creak, lights flickered on sporadically across the gate machine.

‘I couldn’t do this before because the mascots were watching me like hawks.’

I could handle this level of operation easily.

I stood before the gate that had the most intact-looking lights.

I caught my breath.

One final check.

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

—Haha! That old, dilapidated place? Business seems to have ended long ago; it’s already an ownerless plot of land. It’s not a theme park anymore, just ground!

Thanks for the cynical and accurate assessment, friend.

I immediately held my membership to the gate.

Beep.

The old gate machine read the membership.

Ding. A light flashed on the machine.

[◎ GO
OD
BY
E ◎]

It worked.

Feeling a thrill, as I moved my feet….

—Oh my, it followed us.

I looked back.

In the distance, I saw a blue shape crawling up the trail.

‘…The mascot!’

It was the blue dragon!

The mascot in the uniform I’d seen at the gate was approaching with terrifying speed… then it stopped.

It was… it was…

Sobbing.

“…….”

—Tsk tsk. That mascot thinks it’s the protagonist of a drama. Let’s get out of here quickly!

I felt uneasy for some reason.

‘This feels like a total foreshadowing of a grudge.’

There’s no good in being resented by a being from a ghost story, is there?

After some thought, I rummaged through my pockets and found what little I had left.

[Alice’s Picnic Set – Cookie]

It was the flat cookie item I’d never used.

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

……

—Roe Deer-ssi, you are far too kind….

I’m not.

‘Anyway, I gave it to you, Mr. Dragon.’

The moment I confirmed the mascot caught the cookie, I stepped through the gate.

GOOD CHILD

I was leaving the ghost story.

As the world whirled around me, I heard the faint voice of the ‘Good Friend.’

—Hmm, I finally feel strength returning to my body! I think I can move….

---

I opened my eyes.

I realized I was sitting inside the pitch-black, empty meeting room of Research Team 1 on the 17th floor, in the middle of Seoul.

‘…I’m alive.’

I succeeded in escaping!

“Ha!!”

A sense of liberation that made the hair on my neck stand up washed over me, and I immediately stood up.

‘Is no one here?’

Since several hours had passed, it seemed everyone had moved on from the meeting room. I should call them and let them know I’ve escaped…

Huh?

I looked at my wrist.

[
◎
(Joyful) Fantasyland Membership
◎
]

The bracelet was still there.

“What on earth—”

And then, it began to burn.

“…!”

In an instant, the form of the boarding pass vanished.

But something remained.

In the exact spot where the boarding pass had been, black lettering was etched into my wrist.

: Socius :

What is this now?