Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work [Novel] Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 is available as a full text chapter. Published May 16, 2026 and updated May 16, 2026.
Translator: Nox
Chapter 4
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 4
Even if You Fall into a Ghost Story, You Still Have to Go to Work Chapter 004
One person had escaped the ghost story.
However, it was at the cost of having his eyes gouged out.
“Phew…”
“Did you hear that sound?”
Unlike the previous few times, the passengers were disgusted and terrified, but they didn’t feel sorry for him.
‘Is this the end for violence without persuasion?’
The inside of the train was briefly chaotic as people checked on the condition of the man Baek Sa-heon had attacked.
[Next station is Hatred, Hatred Station.]
“Hatred, my foot…”
“Sigh.”
The announcement only made the mood sink further into gloom.
Go Young-eun, who had been tending to the new recruit clutching his left eye, stood up. Her face was dark.
“It looks like his cornea is almost certainly damaged. I’m worried…”
“Were you a medical professional by any chance?”
“No. I just went to school for it… I changed majors halfway through anyway, so I’m just a fake who couldn’t even take the national exam.”
Go Young-eun sighed and sat down cross-legged on the floor.
[Screen doors are opening.]
The train doors opened, but people only glanced out without moving. They merely watched the outside with wary eyes.
At the same time, they were looking at me.
They seemed to be checking if I would tell them to leave.
‘It’s a relief they’re paying attention.’
I had been worried that Baek Sa-heon would make everyone more suspicious of each other, but having a common enemy had actually made people calmer.
Since the situation was so insane, they seemed to be expecting the next move from the person who had spoken with some confidence earlier.
I mean… me.
I even had a slight hope that they might delegate the decision-making for the station to me…
“Um, this is… a bit burdensome, isn’t it?”
“…?”
Go Young-eun spoke with a troubled expression.
“The way people keep trying to rely on you.”
I’m actually grateful, though…?
“Everyone’s doing it because they’re scared and anxious, so I hope you don’t feel too much contempt or think they’re shameless… Ha. No, I’m sorry.”
I’m the one who’s scared and anxious, which is why I’m trying to manipulate people…?
“I’ve been trying to think of something in my own way, but…”
Well, anyway, suggestions are welcome.
“What kind of thoughts did you have?”
“Well, I thought about that ‘final destination’ you mentioned earlier.”
Go Young-eun lowered her voice.
“If it’s a person’s final destination… would it be death, after all?”
“…!”
“Think about it. The end of a human life… no matter how much I think about it, that’s what comes to mind. I wondered if we should get off if a word like that comes up.”
Oh.
“But then I thought… would that just mean dying peacefully? So I couldn’t bring myself to say it.”
“No. What you’re saying definitely carries weight.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Yes. However…”
I trailed off.
And without realizing it, I let out a faint smile.
“…?”
It was because I saw the name of the next station on the electronic display.
“To begin with, what is a destination?”
“Yes? Yes?”
“If you look it up in a dictionary, a destination means a goal to be realized or a direction to move toward.”
And the theme of this train is intuitive.
Sit in a seat, find a lost item.
The instructions aren’t cryptic; you’re safe as long as you act exactly as told.
Even the people who got off at the wrong stations died in very intuitive ways.
So, we should approach the expression ‘final destination’ in a similar way.
“I believe the destination this train speaks of ultimately refers to a point that I currently haven’t realized or reached.”
Considering this, the criteria for choosing a station becomes very simple.
—Something I don’t have.
Looking at it this way, the successful escapes make sense.
======================
Station names indicated by colors, such as Red, Yellow, Blue, etc.
: 2 successful escapes (Blue Station)Station names indicated by body parts, such as Left Arm, Cornea, Heart, etc.
: Failure (Attempt: Semicircular Canal Station)Station names indicated by serial killers’ names, such as ■■, ■■■■, ■■■, etc.
: 12 successful escapes (■■■■ Station)Station names indicated by years, such as 2008, 2012, 2016, etc.
: Failure (Attempt: Year 2024 Station)Station names indicated by diseases, such as Asthma, Stroke, Glaucoma, etc.
: 3 successful escapes (Attempt: Common Cold Station)
======================
At Blue Station, those who escaped were likely people who didn’t have the color blue on their bodies or belongings.
And it’s understandable why there were so many escapes at the station with the serial killer’s name.
Since no one there was that serial killer, almost any station would have been the correct answer.
‘Conversely, for stations named after body parts… the probability of a person lacking a specific part is lower, so they failed to escape.’
The same goes for stations named after years. 2024 was a year all the passengers had lived through, so it failed.
If we apply this logic, the station we need to get off at now becomes clear.
—An emotion I don’t have.
“…So, we must choose an emotion that we are absolutely not feeling right now.”
“What?”
This is where it gets incredibly tricky.
‘Most people feel all the basic emotions.’
Unless someone is the type to lack a certain emotion, choosing a station becomes extremely difficult. Everyone feels them to some degree, even if the intensity varies.
Therefore…
An emotion that expresses a flat state, not something measured in intensity.
‘A sentiment that exists as a concept, but is actually very difficult to be in perfectly.’
That’s what we have to choose.
[Next station is Peace, Peace Station.]
The announcement comes.
One might easily think this is just another common emotion for a station name. In fact, we often use the expression ‘that person is so peaceful’ in daily life.
But…
‘It’s an expression often used when guessing someone else’s state.’
Few people describe themselves as being at peace.
And for good reason.
The dictionary definition of peace is ‘a state of mind with no worries or anxieties.’
But truly, can a person be at peace with absolutely no worries or anxieties?
‘The probability of that is…’
Virtually non-existent.
Especially in an extreme situation like this.
“This station is the correct answer.”
“…!”
“We’re getting off here.”
I spoke with confidence and conviction, without hesitation.
I stood up immediately. The people reflexively stood up after me and stared.
“H-here?”
“Yes.”
Then I approached the injured new recruit who was holding his eye and helped him up.
“I’ll support you.”
“Ah, th-thank you…”
As I led the injured man toward the door, the crowd that had gathered followed instinctively. There’s no backing out now.
We’re going out together.
‘Good.’
Just like this, sandwiched between people, I’ll escape…
[Screen doors are opening.]
But the world outside the open doors is a sea of blood.
“…….”
No… this is crossing the line, no, what the f…
‘Save me.’
“Kim Sol-eum?”
I almost hid behind Go Young-eun.
My last shred of professional dignity stopped me.
Instead, I turned my head stiffly to look at the people.
“Are you… sure about this place?”
“Yes.”
Unfortunately, yes.
But I can’t think of any flowery words to persuade them to get off.
In fact, I don’t want to get off myself.
I wish someone would convince me that we don’t have to get off. Please.
“…Excuse me! I also think it’s right to go out.”
What?
Go Young-eun?
“You’re the only one among us who’s certain of their own opinion right now. Everyone else is scared, but you’ve been calm this whole time.”
I have?
“That man earlier made such a mess just to get off by himself… I’d rather listen to the opinion of a good person. At least I will.”
And Go Young-eun bravely stepped out the door first.
On the rusted-out platform, lights flickered eerily, and liquid instead of water dripped from pipes over exposed steel frames.
Blood dripped onto Go Young-eun’s shoulder. Ha, ha…
“Kim Sol-eum?”
“…….”
“Don’t worry about me. I believe in you too! Let’s go!”
The injured man I was supporting urged me on.
He probably thought I was hesitating because I was considering his wishes. I was starting to get confused myself whether I was grateful or resentful toward him.
Anyway, thanks to that, I naturally followed behind Go Young-eun. The wavering crowd followed suit and poured out after us.
I felt relieved that I wasn’t the very last one to leave.
It’s easy to overlook, but standing at the very end is actually the scariest…
‘…Sigh.’
At this point, I want to give up on myself.
“Should we take the stairs?”
“Yes.”
Even in the midst of this, Go Young-eun shouted toward the other open cars.
“Hey! Everyone, get off! This is the right way!”
I don’t know how effective it was. If anything, many people probably didn’t get off because they were wary…
‘Still, if even one more person gets off after hearing that, she’s saving them.’
It’s somewhat admirable.
No, I am… trying… to focus… all my nerves… on that feeling of admiration…
Choosing to support the injured man was a truly excellent decision. Even when my nerves were fraying and my strength was failing, I reflexively endured.
I’d recommend it to all cowards.
Though I doubt there are many cowards who would find themselves in a shitty situation like this!
“Ugh…”
“Let’s, let’s walk.”
I walked among the people, trying my best not to look at my surroundings.
The stairs came into view.
‘They’re covered in talismans…’
As soon as I realized even those weren’t normal, goosebumps erupted all over my body, but…
‘Let’s just focus on the sensation of going up.’
One step.
Another step.
I walked silently.
Soon, just as my vision began to flicker…
[Wow! Congratulations, new recruits!]
Before we knew it, we were back in the lecture hall.
“…!!”
Bright lighting.
A modern, comfortable, and spacious interior.
As reality came rushing back, a clear message had appeared on the giant screen in front of us.
Probation Period Completed
: Congratulations. You have been officially hired by Baekilmong Corporation’s Field Exploration Team.
“Haa…”
“Ah!!”
The people who had escaped with me collapsed into their seats as the strength left their legs.
I turned my head and counted the numbers.
One, two, three… seven.
Everyone who had been in our car.
‘I lived.’
In the ghost story, 7 out of 10 people in the same car escaped.
[Now, we will have the gift presentation ceremony!]
