Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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A moment later.
I dialed the number I'd received from Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.
The internal company line connecting directly to Director Ho's private office.
[Hello?]
"…!"
"Good day, Director Ho."
The moment the call connected, my superiors fell silent, sealing their lips.
I continued as steadily and politely as I could, without a hint of agitation.
"This is Assistant Manager Kim Sol-eum, who went missing a month ago. I've finally made it out of the darkness and am reaching out."
[Wow. Hello, Sol-eum! How have you been over the past month?]
…A greeting came back that was bizarrely casual.
It was the kind of slightly warm, welcoming tone you'd use with a customer you hadn't heard from in ages. If anything, it sent chills down my spine.
This was absolutely not how anyone would react to a supposedly deceased employee calling out of the blue.
'This isn't normal.'
Director Cheong Dal-lae might have been better, but I couldn't contact her right now anyway.
So I listened intently to what Director Ho had to say.
[I'm so relieved you're not actually gone. Seeing you're safe puts my mind at ease.]
"Thank you."
[But aren't you in a bind? If you return like this, you'll take a huge point loss…]
Just as I thought.
'They know everything.'
'Talking like they're already assuming the company will bill me for it.'
The Development Division Director could easily prevent that, yet Director Ho only voiced concern without any intention of helping.
Not that I'd expected any.
What I'd prepared for was…
"Yes. That's why I have something to discuss."
I paused deliberately for a beat, then asked calmly.
"Director. Is the project invitation you proposed earlier still open?"
…….
[Whoa, Sol-eum.]
[What a brilliant idea!]
A bright voice rained down on my ear.
[You're saying you'll join my project, have the entire month's disappearance processed as classified work from the project, and avoid any point loss in exchange, right?]
Goosebumps prickled across my skin.
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je clenched her fist beside me.
[What a fantastic notion!]
I couldn't even muster a "thank you."
It went beyond just being easy to talk to—it felt downright demonic.
[And of course, that's doable.]
"Thank…"
[So from this moment, Assistant Manager Kim Sol-eum is officially part of Director Ho Yu-won's new project team. This call is recorded acceptance. Welcome aboard!]
"……."
It felt like being forced to tour a haunted property for five minutes and stamp the contract on the spot.
"I truly appreciate your generosity. However, I was merely inquiring about your wise opinion on the matter—I didn't mean to commit right away…"
[Ah, that's fine.]
[Shall we meet up, then?]
"…That would be greatly appreciated, but as you know, my current situation makes it hard to visit the office."
[Ah, I figured. I was thinking we'd meet somewhere else anyway.]
Shockingly generous words followed.
'…Where?')
I'd vaguely pictured a private dining room or something when it came.
[Fox Counseling Room.]
"…!"
What?
[How's that? Nice and cozy, right?]
[I'll send the nameplate via Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.]
"……."
We slowly turned to look at Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je.
'She said she was assigned a task that required avoiding other employees.'
Yet Director Ho spoke as if they knew she was here…
[Thanks for waiting just a bit.]
"…Yes. Thank you."
With those polite, courteous farewells, the call with the director ended.
And right after.
Rrrring!
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je's phone buzzed.
She showed us the name on the screen before answering immediately.
[Director Ho Yu-won]
"……."
"Yes. Yes… Understood. I'll head back right away."
Click.
"Hear that? Not your average person."
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je peeled the smartphone from her face with a groan.
"Fox Counseling Room, of all places… She'll probably sweet-talk it like 'Sol-eum might be suffering from contamination, so get some counseling and chat while you're at it,' but really, it's just to control the vibe."
"……."
"Deer."
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je set her smartphone down with a grim expression.
"Even if it means a detour, my firm stance is to steer clear of Director Ho's project. Points hurt to lose, but… damn it."
In the end, she ruffled her hair and sighed.
Field Exploration Team members treated points like lifelines— she knew how precious they were…
"I'll grab the nameplate for now, so don't cave easily. Wiggle out smartly and don't let the director reel you in. …You've got a silver tongue, so I trust you."
"Yes."
I nodded.
"I'll listen carefully and come back."
"Good."
A moment later.
From Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je, who'd gone to the office and back, I received the item Director Ho had promised.
A nameplate that was starting to feel familiar.
Fox Counseling Room
'Whew.'
"Deer. If the vibe's off, just bolt!"
"Thank you, ma'am."
With my superiors' encouragement and advice, I hung the nameplate on an arbitrary door.
And after a very long time, I opened the door to the Fox Counseling Room and stepped inside…
Creeeak.
"……."
Last time, this had led to a changing room. Now, something else appeared instead.
'Waiting room?'
A small space perfect for casual chats or psychological tests before counseling.
The ivory room with a cypress wood table and a few chairs had a quaint, cozy charm, but the door to the actual counseling room was firmly shut.
And above it, a notice.
Closed for consultations today *^*
(Please take the nameplate back!)
'Wait, does this mean…'
Tap tap.
"Hello, Sol-eum!"
I nearly fainted.
I turned. A young man with a fox-like smile had tapped my shoulder…
Director Ho bowed toward me with a foxy grin.
"Perfect timing—the Fox Counseling office is closed today! No one else will barge in. What do you think? Good?"
"…Yes. Thank you."
How the hell did Director Ho know a ghost story counseling office was closed?
'Hinting at some connection to the Fox Counseling Room, huh.'
Best not to poke at that for now.
I needed to stay focused.
What I needed was point recovery.
"Shall we sit, then?"
"Yes. Thank you."
In any case, I sat in a comfy waiting room chair, facing the director.
It didn't feel real at all.
'Sigh.'
I brewed some green tea from the provided teabags and set it before the director. They thanked me but said nothing more, just beaming.
'Won't start the conversation themselves.'
Fine then.
"Director. Joining your project as someone as lacking as me raises some concerns…"
"Goodness, thinking like that. What exactly worries you? You seemed interested on the phone."
Stay calm.
'Right now, I'm a retired outsider.'
If I didn't return, I'd just be a civilian. The director's influence wasn't as absolute anymore.
Time to speak my mind.
I clasped my hands and said,
"Yes. I'm scared of dying."
"…!"
"Losing points stings, but dying before I can earn them back makes it pointless."
"Aha."
"If it's riskier than the regular Field Exploration Team, joining the project feels terrifying… I'm even considering just returning or resigning."
"I see. Wow, you're sharp!"
"……."
Sarcasm?
But the director maintained an innocently kind expression, answering earnestly.
"Great question, points-wise. 'Is Director Ho's classified company project riskier than the Field Exploration Team?'"
"……."
"My answer is…"
Director Ho smiled slyly.
"'Not dangerous.' It might even have higher survival rates."
"…!!"
"Ah, sure, some tasks could probabilistically be riskier… but not the one I'm offering you now."
"…You can't specify, I assume."
"Right. That's all I can say."
Director Ho looked almost regretful, then added softly,
"But it's a better situation than before, with higher survival rates—that much I can guarantee!"
"……."
"So, joining the project now? Just so you know… we won't take new members once the roster's finalized."
Nailing it as the last chance.
I looked at Director Ho, pretended to agonize for a few seconds, then…
nodded.
"I want to."
"Oh! Excellent."
Not "I will"— "I want to."
A phrase I could back out of if needed. Luckily, Director Ho clapped delightedly.
So delighted they refilled my cup with warm water and set fresh green tea before me.
I wasn't grateful at all. Shivers, actually…
"Truly a wise choice. As I said, the working conditions are even better."
"…Working conditions?"
"Yes. Much more comfortable."
The director sipped their green tea, eyes crinkling in a smile.
"After a month in the darkness, you'd have suffered. Diving into high-grade darkness again would be tough."
The director spoke in that foxy tone.
"How about something fun instead?"
Somehow.
A subtle nuance.
"…Fun work?"
"Yes! So, your task, Sol-eum, is…"
And the absurd "Assistant Manager Kim Sol-eum's duty" dropped casually.
"Infiltrate the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau for us."
"…!!"
"They call it spying, right?"
Director Ho winked.
"Under the identity of a spotless new agent who passed the public exam… blend in, live as one of them, and gather intel on a specific supernatural disaster they manage."
God help me.
"Simple, right?"
I swallowed.
"Which supernatural disaster do you want intel on?"
Director Ho raised an eyebrow, then grinned affably again.
"Not questioning how—just what the target is first. As expected."
"……."
"I'll fill you in gradually. Priority is successful infiltration…"
Director Ho eyed me oddly.
"And I can't think of anyone more perfect for it than you, Sol-eum."
"……."
Had they figured it out?
That I'd had considerable dealings with the Bureau.
And carried one of their items.
I tried not to think about the silver badge still in my pocket.
'Director Ho seemed to despise the Bureau.'
Best to play dumb for now.
Director Ho's bombshells didn't end there.
"And since going solo would be lonely, others will join you."
What?
"…Who?"
I thought of Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je for a second, but the unexpected answer came.
"Two of your fellow hires."
"…!!"
"Want to see?"
I checked the single page of documents the director handed over—all faces blurred, only names and affiliations visible.
Field Exploration Team R Squad Go Yeongeun (Employee)
Field Exploration Team F Squad Jang Heo-un (Employee)
…Two names from my cohort batch, seemingly picked for personalities the Bureau might accept…
"Well, Sol-eum."
Director Ho beamed widely.
"Looking forward to your stellar performance as Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau agent spies!"