Even if I fall into a ghost story, I still have to go to work
Chapter 69
I Still Have to Go to Work Even if I Fall Into a Ghost Story
Episode 069: I Still Have to Go to Work Even if I Fall Into a Ghost Story
Who could have ever imagined a job like this?
Being trapped in a confined space with three ghosts pretending to be human, forced to sit still while breaking out in a cold sweat.
And even worse…
Having to act perfectly casual, as if I haven’t noticed a single thing.
‘…I can’t let it show.’
Not even if everyone else is clapping with the backs of their hands, faces beaming with bright smiles.
No, not people…
Ghosts.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.
‘Don’t. Let. It. Show.’
And then one of them whips around to face me and asks:
“Why aren’t you clapping?”
“…….”
Oh, holy sh—
I barely managed to keep from trembling as I raised my hands.
And then…
Clap, clap, clap.
I politely placed one hand against the opposite forearm to make a small, muffled sound.
Then, acting like a junior employee reading the room, I gave a slightly awkward, sheepish smile.
“…I was going to, but I missed the timing and got flustered. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“…….”
Please.
Please let this pass.
“Ayy~ it’s fine, don’t worry about it!”
“Hey, Leopard-sunbae, that’s just putting on more pressure. Stop picking on the talented new recruit and just sit down.”
“Oops, got it.”
The Leopard employee… or rather, the ‘thing’ impersonating him, shrugged and sat back down.
‘Phew…….’
But my relief was short-lived.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The Dolphin employee suddenly dropped her head toward the floor.
Then she started slamming it sideways against the ground.
All without a single change in her expression.
“I, I think there’s a bug, a bug, I can’t catch the bug, the bug….”
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
“…I heard no other living creatures can enter this darkness, so perhaps you’re mistaken?”
“Ah.”
The Dolphin employee stopped banging her head.
Her long hair was a disheveled mess, and her skull was visibly crushed.
“I see. Thanks, No-ru Junior Manager.”
“Don’t mention it.”
And then she just casually continued her conversation with Deputy Leopard as if nothing had happened.
“…….”
If I faint… will I go missing too?
This is driving me crazy.
‘How is it that everyone except me got swapped…!’
It would have been better if I’d just lost consciousness, been swapped, and woken up tomorrow morning.
“No-ru-ssi, please eat.”
“Ah. Thank you so much, Team Leader….”
The ghost wearing the Lizard Section Chief mask… no, let’s not think like that. Section Chief Lee Ja-heon handed me some food.
It was kimbap from a pretty good snack shop near the office.
‘I have to survive here for almost 24 hours until tomorrow morning, so I do need to eat.’
It was a rational decision. Except for the fact that if I put anything in my mouth right now, I’d probably get instant indigestion or vomit it right back up….
‘Ugh.’
“Oh, how about we share? We brought some stuff too.”
The two from Team C pulled out sandwiches.
I replied with reflexive social grace.
“I should have brought something myself, but I was so out of it that I’m the only one being looked after. I’m truly sorry, and thank you.”
“Ayy, maknae, don’t worry about seniority or stuff like that. Even the Section Chief here doesn’t seem to mind, right?”
“Yes.”
At the Lizard’s short reply, Deputy Leopard gave a thumbs up and a sly grin.
“Man~ this is great. Our Team Leader is like that too. No-ru-ssi, you know that Mallard Team Leader over in Team A, right? Your boss is a way better person, on a whole different level from that guy.”
Ack.
“…He must be a wonderful person for both of you to respect him so much.”
“Isn’t he? He used a Wishright to take a vacation… man, I just hope he doesn’t quit.”
I ignored the trash-talking about the Team A Leader and smoothly pivoted the conversation with nothing but praise.
Actually, since they’re ghosts, there’s no need to go this far… No, I’m sticking to this.
‘Let’s forget, let’s just forget….’
Sitting here like this, it didn’t feel like a ghost story; it felt like I was at a workshop, chatting with higher-ups from a related department.
Of course, it didn’t last long.
It happened right after the meal. Deputy Leopard stood up with a yawn.
“Ah, since we have to be here all day… I’m going to take my shoes off for a bit. That’s okay, right?”
“Eeh, you should have brought slippers like I did.”
“Hey, what can I do if I don’t have any? My socks are clean.”
Deputy Leopard chatted with Junior Manager Dolphin as he moved to take off his shoes.
‘Right, even if he suddenly climbs onto the table and starts tap dancing, I won’t be surpris—’
There were hands instead of feet.
Hands that had been forced and crumpled into the shoes popped out and stuck to the floor.
“…….”
“Ah, since I’m up, I’ll go grab some more coffee~ Everyone wants more, right?”
He stood tall.
Deputy Leopard did a handstand.
The hands attached to his ankles waved in the air above him.
Thud… thud.
The office worker walking upside down.
“No-ru Junior Manager.”
I swallowed a scream.
“Yes, Deputy Leopard.”
“Could you come help me carry the coffee? For some reason, I can’t see very well. Oh, whoops?”
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The upside-down body kept bumping into the cabinet where the coffee was placed as it tried to move forward.
“I’m not asking just because you’re the junior, it’s just that you’re sitting close by. Sorry if it sounds like I’m going back on my word.”
F—, f—ck.
“Yes. Of course.”
I scrambled to my feet and went over to Deputy Leopard’s side.
Come to think of it, being next to an upside-down ghost might be better than being next to a ghost with a crushed skull.
Right?
Surely??
-This is quite fascinating! Do you think they’re aiming for the Uncanny Valley effect?
-A delightful performance, No-ru-ssi. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest!
To the fullest?
Enjoy?
‘I want to praise myself just for not squeezing my eyes shut right now…!’
Enjoying this is way too high a difficulty level for me!
“Now, let’s move these.”
“Yes.”
I placed a cup of coffee into each of the hands attached to his feet, took two myself, and brought them to the table.
I was proud of myself for not letting my hands shake or spilling a drop.
The problem was, now that the coffee was refilled, the atmosphere settled into a full-blown conversation.
“Now then.”
Junior Manager Dolphin smiled brightly, despite one side of her skull being caved in.
“How about we take turns bragging about the darknesses we’ve cleared? Honestly, if we didn’t have this kind of fun, it’d be hard to work here!”
Deputy Leopard waved a hand.
“Hey, don’t do that. What if a ghost hears us and does something? Let’s just talk about things like our favorite foods.”
“Ah, sounds good. Let’s do that.”
“…….”
He had a point.
In this darkness, discussing the topic of
Ghosts swapping places
itself doesn’t trigger an anomaly.
However, it’s not recommended as there’s a very high probability it will lead to accusations about who the ghost is.
But all of you are ghosts.
“I like things that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You know, like fried eggplant?”
“Oh, I see. I like things that pop when you bite into them. Like eyeballs?”
Whish.
Junior Manager Dolphin shoved her face right in front of mine.
“Do you have eyeballs, No-ru-ssi? I think you do… you tucked them inside your mask, didn’t you? You’re going to share, right? Let’s share.”
Aaaaaagh!!
“They aren’t exactly for eating.”
I politely folded my hands under the table, pretending to be composed while hiding the fact that I was vibrating.
“And we have similar tastes in food. I also think texture is very important.”
“Oh~ a kindred spirit!”
The ghost imitating Junior Manager Dolphin laughed brightly.
“I guess No-ru Junior Manager isn’t a ghost. He talks about food normally and everything.”
Wow.
‘I can’t take this anymore.’
If I keep this conversation going, I’m definitely going to scream eventually.
-Oh dear, it seems No-ru-ssi is quite sensitive to the Uncanny Valley effect! An audience with good reactions is always welcome, but the situation is unfortunate….
-Don’t worry. Isn’t it a great comfort just having this Brown by your side? Your
friend
is right here!
…Wait a minute.
Right.
‘Brown is right.’
-The words of a brilliant host are always suited to the situation!
Exactly. The fear I was feeling now was a maximization of the dread stemming from a sort of Uncanny Valley effect.
‘It’s the fear of seeing something that looks human but isn’t.’
In an ordinary breakroom, witnessing coworkers suddenly acting bizarre and alien while remaining perfectly casual—it was incredibly chilling.
Add to that the fact that I was the only human, and I was experiencing a peak, absolute madness of fear.
‘In that case….’
Let’s look to my side.
The Lizard was putting a whole sandwich cookie, wrapper and all, into his mouth.
“…….”
“…….”
It’s not particularly scarier!
Even if he flicked his tongue, walked backward while grinning, or even stood up and danced like a maniac while shaking his head while making casual small talk, it wouldn’t matter.
Because he was already scary!
Because he already looked like a lizard!
There was no Uncanny Valley or anything left to feel.
‘I’m sticking with the Section Chief no matter what.’
I finally saw a way out.
Suppressing my cold sweat, I naturally turned my chair toward the Lizard Team Leader.
As if I had something urgent to ask him.
“Section Chief Lee Ja-heon.”
And there actually was something I wanted to ask.
According to the manual, in this ghost story, ‘
the ghost is identical to the companion in every aspect, including appearance, personality, and character
.’
That meant that if I asked something casual and natural, there was a high probability I’d get the same answer the ‘original’ would give.
Unless he suddenly started acting like a ghost, that is.
‘Then it might actually be easier to ask.’
Since it’s not really him.
I pulled my chair closer, as if I wanted to have a heart-to-heart since we were in the same team.
I tried to create an atmosphere where the other ghosts couldn’t butt in, and it seemed to work well enough.
Then I asked.
“I don’t think we’ve had much of a chance to talk like this during work. Would it be okay if I asked you a few things now?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. It’s just that… I was wondering how you became so strong, Team Leader.”
“I see.”
Fortunately, Section Chief Lee Ja-heon didn’t seem offended.
“It is the result of a combination of innate factors and acquired learning.”
“…….”
An all-purpose answer that works for any question!
It was like watching the top student in the school say they got good grades because they were born smart and studied hard…….
‘I want to hear more details, though.’
If it were anyone else, that would have been a polite refusal, but since it’s the Lizard Section Chief, I couldn’t tell.
In the end, I gave a slightly bashful smile and replied:
“Is that so. I asked because I wanted to become stronger too. Even without items or contamination.”
“Maintain a protein-focused diet and combine aerobic and anaerobic exercise.”
“…If I do that, can I become as strong as you, Section Chief?”
“No.”
“…….”
Excuse me, I can at least exert strength appropriate for my own build.
I almost looked at my boss with an incredulous expression.
“…Is there any advice you could give me regarding that?”
“Yes. You have other strengths, No-ru-ssi. Focus on developing those.”
The Lizard spoke dryly.
“No individual is superior in every aspect. Do not waste resources on what is inefficient and unnecessary. Utilize others.”
……Wait a second.
“Does that mean when strength is needed, you will fulfill that role, so I should focus on developing the other strengths I have?”
“Yes.”
The Lizard nodded.
“Your strengths are your ideas and judgment.”
“…Thank you.”
Well, then.
‘Should I say he’s giving me a high evaluation?’
It was certainly better than a boss who dumped everything on their subordinates.
‘But it’s a bit of a shame.’
Should I push a little further?
After a moment’s thought, I probed for an opening.
“But sometimes we enter darknesses separately. Being physically strong is a universal and effective tool, so I think I might need it on my own at times.”
“I see.”
The Lizard stared into space as if deep in thought for a moment, then gave his confirmation.
“I will introduce you to an item.”
“… !”
I hit the jackpot.
“Is it a strength-enhancing effect?”
“Similar. Use it as a parent item when you create your exclusive equipment.”
“… ! Thank you.”
I was thinking it was about time to enhance my exclusive equipment or increase my variety of tools anyway.
‘At least I got something out of this.’
It seemed I had managed to gain something even while sweating bullets in a ghost story full of ghosts… Wait.
Come to think of it, this Lizard sitting in front of me isn’t the real Lee Ja-heon, but a ghost.
‘Is this promise even valid?’
I was panicked for a moment, but then I remembered the manual.
The person who was replaced by a ghost will indirectly remember what happened inside the confined space.
Given Section Chief Lee Ja-heon’s personality, there was an extremely high probability he would keep his word.
‘That’s that, then.’
Phew.
Accomplishing something gave me a sense of achievement.
‘Now let’s use this achievement to endure the fear….’
I pretended to stretch, trying my best not to look at the two Team C ghosts who had started staring at me while grinning in their handstands.
I didn’t even care anymore which one was Lee Kang-heon, the guy who introduced me to the Salmon Market.
‘Let’s just empty my brain….’
I kept up a continuous stream of trivial small talk with the Lizard, avoiding conversation with the other ghosts as much as possible.
Because I kept pestering him with talk, the Lizard ghost couldn’t do anything weird and just kept answering me endlessly.
‘I’ve gained the profound knowledge that the Section Chief prefers beef over pork….’
-
Friend
, this isn’t even an interview or small talk anymore; it feels like a terribly dull research session for an amateur autobiography….
I know, Brown, but I have no choice….
And after even that ran dry, I pretended to be sleepy and closed my eyes, spending the rest of the time playing word games with Brown.
No matter what nonsense I heard in my ears, I stuck to the line: ‘I’m tired… sorry, but let’s continue our conversation after we get out.’
‘It’s 3 AM, please.’
I felt like I was bathing in my own cold sweat, but regardless, no sudden emergencies occurred.
And so, after several hours that felt like a thousand years passed while I clung to Brown in my pocket.
“…….”
“…….”
Click.
I finally saw the breakroom door open.
After staying up all night by myself….
“……It’s done.”
It’s over, you bastards!
I’ve done it!!
I wanted to stand up and throw a punch into the air in my delirious state.
‘I’m tearing up.’
This was almost the first time I’d endured a ghost-type horror entirely on my own without any time skips….
How should I put it? It felt like I’d overcome my own limits.
‘I really want to praise myself…….’
I stood up, wobbling.
It was just a relief that no one knew I was someone who struggled even with D-ranks….
“No-ru-ssi.”
“… !?”
Wha, what…?
When I turned my head, I saw the Lizard staring blankly at me.
He looked perfectly fine, as if he hadn’t stayed up all night…… Wait.
‘……?’
His eyes are open?
“Tea, Team Leader.”
“There is no need to wait for Team C to wake up. You may leave work.”
With the eyes of someone seeing a ghost, I looked at the Lizard standing there perfectly fine.
Then I turned my head to see the people from Team C sprawled out and asleep.
“…….”
“…….”
No way.
“Last night… were you not a ghost?”
“I was not.”
“…But you clapped with the backs of your hands!?”
“?”
The Lizard tilted his head, then replied as if he’d realized something.
“I thought it was a popular trend.”
“…….”
Ah.
Aaaaaaaaagh!
