Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Have to Go to Work
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Good Friend.
The preparations for the invitation ritual were already complete.
Just before, even the tear-jerking act of using a substitute for a substitute from the theme park resort—resorting to gums since there were no teeth—was all done.
This time, I had prepared everything exactly as I used in the very first Good Friend invitation ritual.
The necktie, the Silver Coin Serpent, and... most importantly, even the plush doll from the theme park gift shop.
I picked up that plush doll.
Surprisingly, the doll with its fluffy fur was keychain-sized, a pink rabbit doll!
We took over the gift shop in the yellow zone, so how did we end up with a rabbit instead of a cat with yellow horns?
Simple.
A custom Good Friend maker.
Thus, I successfully obtained an original Good Friend with an appearance nearly identical to the "Good Friend Keychain" merchandise I got from the Real Goods Box.
Though without the keychain attachments, of course.
Now, as long as I don't think about the materials that went into this plush doll...
Everything's good.
But, but...
"......"
"......"
The stares were piercing.
"Just follow the manual here to conduct the invitation ritual."
"Yes."
The Lizard's unblinking eyes were burdensome...
But Section Chief Lee Jaheon showed no intention of looking away or compromising, so in the end, I proceeded with the ritual while he checked the manual.
'It doesn't say I have to do it alone, specifically...'
For some reason, it felt less tense and more like sighing heavily through it.
This time, I drew the lines to the proper size, placing the Good Friend's small body in the center, added the Silver Coin Serpent on top, and conducted the ritual exactly the same way.
'The necktie too... same product.'
Salt in my mouth.
Burn the necktie with the lighter.
Sizzle...
I recalled the first time I tried this.
When I was a bit less scared than now, a bit less resigned than now—desperately seeking an escape from the sudden ghost story confinement, I attempted this ritual.
The being that responded to that ritual.
Flicker, flicker.
As the necktie burned, the flame danced. The doll's shadow swayed along with the flickering light, as if moving.
And then...
The doll's mouth opened.
-Aaaah!
Stop! Stop! I arrived first, forgive me, so many prior guests, oh honorable one, teacher? This kind of consultation is rock-paper-scissors, you who called me, worthless things rot and begone! The Mountain Lord arrives aaaah!
The tiny doll thrashed about wildly, as if containing countless entities. But soon...
-Oh.
It stopped.
-Oooooh, the master of great staging has arrived!
They chanted in chorus.
As if someone already holding full authority was drawing cheers from the audience.
-He's here! He's here! He's returned! Come to see you! Come to see------ that one!
The doll raised both arms high.
And then...
Spoke delightedly, like a child.
-Wow! My friend called me again!
"...!"
The next instant.
Everything vanished.
The hexagram drawn in liquid, the necktie I held, the coin, the salt in my mouth.
As if it had never been there from the start.
All that remained was the plush doll lying alone on the motel room floor.
The fluffy plush doll.
"...Brown?"
But there was no response.
I nearly panicked for a moment, but soon realized the situation.
'The original Good Friend only moved and talked inside the ghost story!'
And this was reality. Unless the doll was reinforced with bloodlust, certain conditions were needed. So...
'Conversation setup!'
I quickly hung Brown on the bed frame, turned off the lights except for one stand below the bed.
Positioned so the stand light illuminated the doll, casting its shadow on the wall.
My hands trembled slightly throughout.
Whether from anticipation or the overwhelming thing I just witnessed, I wasn't sure.
'...What just happened?'
It felt like countless somethings had been invited into the Good Friend doll, but it passed too quickly to analyze.
I instinctively looked at the Lizard section chief, who nodded.
"It proceeded safely."
"......"
Yes...
Anyway, having finally completed preparations to converse with Good Friend in reality, I leaned against the bed and gazed at the massive shadow of Good Friend cast on the wall...
And then.
-Friend!
"...!"
A lively, familiar voice echoed through the room.
The voice from the rabbit doll.
"...Brown."
[Good Friend Brown]
[Talk Show Host Mode Engaged]
-At last, we meet again! How moving. Ah, this scene would be perfect for a talk show opening!
-Deer, I've heard you've been through a lot lately. But worry no more. Your most loyal advisor, your finest guide, your one-of-a-kind friend in the world has returned to your side!
That tone brimming with showmanship.
Hearing the voice strangely spread a subtle sense of... fondness and emotion welling up gently.
-This calls for hugs and cheers! Right now, the audience... Hm. Not moving.
-Deer, my body somehow feels as heavy as a waterlogged cotton ball... but with my friend's support, it might be possible. Come, shall we stand before the camera together?
"Haha... no. It's fine."
Even those chilling words felt nostalgic.
I leaned against the bed, viewing the plush doll's shadow on the wall relatively comfortably.
"Let's talk more first. How's your condition?"
-Couldn't be better! If I can converse with my friend, heavy limbs are a bearable comfort. I'll get used to it in time!
-Then, once more, the starting point for delightful days together with this Brown...
A sound like looking around somewhere, fabric rustling.
The voice paused.
-...Oh my god. Friend, just where are you living?
Ah.
I looked around the room.
Like a cheap motel room in a back alley near the station, well, rundown...
-Was my body just leaning against this filthy wall? Good heavens!
"It's not dirty. I cleaned it thoroughly before the invitation ritual... It's just old."
The floral patterns just make it look dirtier!
But it wasn't enough to convince the talk show host.
-'Just old'? No, this is an insult to habitation. Even a third-rate hack actor wouldn't stay in a trailer worse than this—my friend living here!
-What happened to that modest haven you stayed in before?
"That... well. Duties changed, so I can't stay there anymore."
-What a terrible company!
Well...
Actually, Manager Ho had suggested renting an officetel for spy activity stability and solid identity proof.
Even offered to cover the costs.
But I refused.
What can I say... I didn't want to make something here I'd call 'home.'
Company housing felt less binding since it was provided, but creating my own space might make me relax too much.
"This place is surprisingly livable. I'll take good care of your spot."
-My god...
-Friend, I supported your independent, autonomous choice—even cheered your resignation—and yet you had to live here.
The plush doll let out a somber voice.
-Don't forget, my talk show remains wide open to you, friend. Of course, now it'll require a light interview...
"Deer, is this plush doll currently tempting you with its talk show form of darkness?"
"No, well, it's always like that..."
"......"
"......?!"
I turned to the Lizard.
The white lizard head, sitting on the bed edge, looked at me calmly.
Calmly?!
"Can you hear it!?"
"Yes."
I nearly fainted.
Hold on. So he's been listening to our entire conversation up to now? Even when I left Brown with Section Chief Lee Jaheon and went into the ghost story... no, more than that!
"Due to this item's properties, usually only I can hear it, so what mechanism allows you to...?"
"? It's expressing intent to communicate."
I gaped at him.
"......Normal humans can't hear it."
"Yes."
"It'll look suspicious to others."
"I see."
The Lizard met my stare blankly, as if to say what of it.
"No one else is in this space."
"......"
I gave up on everything.
Thinking about it, Section Chief Lee Jaheon recognized me even when I turned into a child, wore the security team's suit, or flipped the mascot mask.
'Specialized in mental identity or communication...'
Better to think of it as a reptilian alien ability. That feels more comfortable...
"Deer."
"Yes."
"Shall I give advice?"
"...Yes?"
"Burn the doll right now."
"...Oh."
-GAAAAH!
Section Chief Lee was entirely unfazed. "The invitation procedure adhered to our standard safety parameters. However, this particular entity possesses the capacity to override those boundaries at its discretion."
-How barbaric! This uncultured brute wielding a blade possesses zero sense of etiquette!
I mentally rolled my eyes.
-Speak when spoken to, you uninvited pest! The sheer ignorance of this chatterbox! But for the sake of my cherished friend, I shall be the bigger person and share my thoughts.
-I value your personal space deeply, Friend. I stand ready to assist you in any endeavor. After all...
-I am your Good Friend!
"Do not forget, Deer," the Lizard interjected flatly. "The last time you placed your faith in those 'restrictions,' you vanished without a trace for an entire month."
-That was simply a manifestation of my deep, affectionate concern for your well-being! Thanks to my intervention, you enjoyed a wonderfully safe month in a highly rewarding career... at least until this ruffian barged into my pristine studio, tracking mud everywhere.
"He is issuing a threat," Section Chief Lee translated bluntly.
"H-hold on a second!"
I quickly stepped in to defuse the escalating situation. I was already bound to this ghost story reality by an ironclad contract—there was no escaping it anyway. There was absolutely no reason for this tension.
"You allowed me to leave when I firmly handed in my resignation, didn't you?"
-Absolutely!
"And what was the reasoning I used to persuade you?"
Honestly...
"...I swore I would bring you an even more entertaining spectacle."
-Ah, indeed. I have been eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of that very promise...
-But regardless of the entertainment value, Good Friend will perpetually shield you. Reveling in your suffering is entirely against Good Friend's programming!
His tone struck me as decidedly odd.
Reflecting on it, Brown sounded significantly more amicable and supportive than he had during our tense exchange at the theme park. He sounded like he was entirely in my corner. Just like the old days.
Had manifesting inside this plush toy forced him back under the original set of rules?
No. This time, my intuition screamed the truth:
This creature viewed the summoning restrictions as nothing more than a playful suggestion.
He was merely playing along, acting as if the rules still applied because it amused him and gave him a sense of nostalgia.
The moment he lost interest, he could effortlessly shatter those boundaries and snatch me back to his late-night stage.
...If Section Chief Lee hadn't been here, I might have let my guard down entirely.
I had nearly allowed myself to be caught up in the sentimental atmosphere, growing dangerously fond of Brown all over again.
Right. I couldn't afford to swallow every sweet word he uttered.
I had to make sure history didn't repeat itself.
"Got it. I appreciate it, Brown. For the time being... could you rest inside my pocket?"
-Oh! I would never decline such a cozy invitation!
I deftly steered the dialogue to a close, wrapping things up as organically as possible.
'Whew.'
The moment I slipped the plush Brown safely into my front pocket, a heavy sigh escaped my lips.
I finally felt like I had regained my footing.
As a side note, when I had reached out to grab the doll with my right hand, the spectral flame coating my arm violently shuddered in refusal. I'd been forced to use my left hand instead.
Since when did operating my own limbs require delicate diplomatic negotiations...?
I felt like I was ascending to nirvana through sheer stress.
"Are we finished?" the Lizard asked.
To my immense relief, he refrained from doing anything drastic—like snatching Brown and tossing him into the street.
He did, however, fix a long, hard stare at the rabbit doll.
If Brown had physical mobility, the two of them would undoubtedly tear each other apart.
Keeping them separated was definitely for the best.
Trying to dispel the lingering tension, I broached a new topic.
"Um, Section Chief... assuming you showed up today because you anticipated this whole plush situation..."
"I did not."
Wait, then...?
"Did you come here for a different purpose?"
"Yes."
"...Give me just a second."
'Phew.'
I finally took a seat at the small table, setting out some coffee and light snacks for my guest.
He accepted the offering without protest, taking a slow sip. I followed suit, taking a gulp from my own mug.
"Alright, what is it? I'm listening."
I braced myself for the news.
...Was this related to D Squad?
"Yes."
He devoured the snack in a single, unchewed gulp, locked his gaze onto mine, and threw out a question I never saw coming:
"Deer. While you were deployed on the recent 'Happy Theme Park!' operation, did you happen to carry a Dream Essence Collector?"
Excuse me?
"HQ never issued me one."
"Understood."
That made sense. During that run, my cover was as a member of the special security forces.
Standard protocol dictated that security teams were denied Dream Essence Collectors due to their severe contamination levels. The device was designed to synthesize dream serum solely when it registered a human presence—and those operatives were no longer classified as human.
However, I had smuggled one in independently.
An Elite Team-grade collector.
It was a perk from the Real Goods Box. I had previously used it multiple times to extract valuable potion materials from the dream lab.
Given that my performance on the mission earned an A-rank...
Should I take a look at it right now?
I activated the inventory tattoo on my skin to retrieve the item.
"I'm curious as to why you're asking—"
My words died in my throat. The Elite collector was completely empty.
What?
"Deer."
I carefully pulled the device all the way out to inspect it thoroughly, but the result was the same. Bone dry.
This made no sense.
I had unequivocally cleared that ghost story. The vial should have been brimming with golden essence.
Why was there nothing inside?
If successfully resolving a Darkness left the collector empty...
A chilling prerequisite echoed in my memory.
'The device synthesizes dream serum solely when it registers a human presence. If it fails to do so...'
Hold on.
Was the machine saying I was no longer human?
Have I been formally categorized as a supernatural anomaly?
How could that be?
My sense of self felt perfectly intact. I hadn't exhibited any of the erratic, crazed symptoms I suffered during the Fox Counseling Office incident.
I had been entirely confident that my humanity was uncompromised...
"Section Chief."
"Speak."
"Has my... contamination level spiked?"
Our eyes met in a heavy silence.
Finally, he parted his lips.
"Affirmative."
"...But I feel completely fine. My mind is clear, nothing like the aftermath of the counseling room—"
"You have been corrupted by an entirely different strain of Darkness."
I suppose... in this twisted reality, anything was plausible.
Just then—
A blinding beam of light pierced the ceiling, cascading downward.
My head snapped up on reflex, catching sight of that recognizable floating memo pad and its accompanying alert...
[Darkness Exploration Log – Real Goods Box]
– Authorization for new item usage granted! (!)
It had been quite some time since the system intervened so directly.
Driven by pure instinct, I extended my hands and caught the object tumbling out of the light.
A delicate music box, cast in pale silver.
It was the exact replica I had acquired from the pop-up shop.
An artifact originating from the Nameless Radiance Cult.
Music Box of Adoration
Darkness Exploration Log / Nameless Radiance Cult / Item
A replica of a music box purportedly obtained through a ritual invocation by the Nameless Radiance Cult.
The original artifact is said to bear the inscription: "To know truth is to possess power."
Individuals who hear the melody of this music box—provided they have already been assimilated by a ghost story—may, depending on probability, temporarily recover their human logic and fundamental identity.
However, if the melody is listened to more than three times, it paradoxically induces severe madness, compelling the listener to commit unpredictable, horrifying acts. Please refer to usage records for further documentation.
Certain factions claim this resulting madness is merely a side effect of awakening to the world's unknowable, cosmic truths—and that the music box's true, profound function only activates after the third listen.
The melody is instantly wiped from the listener's memory the moment the box is closed shut.
Only the lingering emotional resonance remains—never the sequence of notes itself.
Item Usage Condition: The user must be classified as an assimilated believer who has been granted a divine scripture by the Nameless Radiance Cult.
In this context, the term 'assimilated believer' was code for an individual whose humanity had been so thoroughly eroded by the ghost stories that the system no longer recognized them as a person.
Therefore...
The fact that I was now allowed to hold this item meant—
I fulfilled the prerequisite criteria.
I had been entirely subsumed by the horror.
And now, the horrifying reality of my situation was laid bare before me.
"Deer."
"......"
"Give me a nod if you are still opposed to visiting the Fox Counseling Office."
My mind was spinning out of control.
"If you cannot make a definitive choice, we will enact the emergency protocol."
Emergency protocol...
"What do I need to do?"
"Retrieve the token of gratitude you acquired from the Space Shopping Mall."
I moved mechanically.
The gilded card materialized from my inventory seal. Section Chief Lee's unblinking eyes tracked the motion.
"Extract the cellular chip embedded within it."
Cellular chip?
Right—he was referring to the small, gold-plated module, reminiscent of a SIM card, hidden inside the card's lining.
"Position it underneath your tongue."
"Ensure the metallic circuitry is facing the roof of your mouth, and wedge it firmly beneath your tongue."
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have stalled. I would have bombarded him with questions and second-guessed every instruction.
But right now, a freezing, undeniable klaxon of alarm was blaring in my skull, demanding immediate compliance.
"Understood."
I slipped the small chip into my mouth and pressed it beneath my tongue.