Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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"To sum it up, this is it."
Deputy Lee Sung-hae explained our options with sparkling eyes.
Option 1.
"Somehow find a way to clear the 'Forest of the Dying' in the waiting room upstairs and check if we can return home!"
And option 2.
"Follow the tracks to find the train and head to another station! We saw people inside the train!"
...Well.
"Neither one's a walk in the park..."
I agree...
I let out a sigh while watching the veterans feel the same sense of hopelessness, but at the same time, I felt grateful.
'If there were any rookies experiencing a ghost story for the first time in this situation, someone would've already lost it and run off chasing the train alone by now...'
No trollish outbursts or brawls meant that, at least, it was peaceful in that regard.
"Got a smoke?"
"Ah, I quit recently. But even if I had one, it probably wouldn't be a good idea right now."
The Bronze Agent, who had been silently watching the two smokers, declared.
"You'd be better off eating something."
"Ah."
And so, a light mealtime began.
"I always carry stuff like this just in case."
"Ooh, you're well-prepared."
"Comes with the job, doesn't it? Same for you public servants."
Since situations requiring emergency rations came up so often in our line of work, everyone had some preserved food on hand.
I used to as well. I recalled how I'd stuffed my tattoo with instant foods before entering Lucky Mart...
"Oh, puffed snacks."
"They don't smell and are easy to store. Haha! Bronze doesn't like them, though."
I was the only one without any.
Of course.
Until just recently, my body hadn't needed food.
So I received my share unilaterally.
'...It feels a bit regrettable at times like this.'
A body that didn't need food felt a little...
"Deer!"
"...!"
I turned my head, and Deputy Lee Sung-hae, beaming brightly, held something out to me.
A small-packaged yakgwa pastry.
"Here, have this. It's my favorite snack!"
"Then Dolphin should eat it..."
"I want to see your reaction!"
"......"
In the end, I took it with a wry smile.
"Sure."
As I put it in my mouth, I realized it was the first food I'd eaten in six months.
"......"
Sweetness, nutty flavor.
The texture.
'Ah.'
Real.
This is what it tastes like.
"Is it good?"
"Delicious. Thank you."
Biscuits and chocolate bars from the others were also shared with me.
Along with cheerful banter.
"Grape. Let's grab something spicy when we get out. We gotta hit that pork intestine hot pot place again."
But,
If we get out of here, I'll...
......
"Sure. Thank you."
My head shouldn't go there right now.
'Just focus on escaping.'
Make it worth the meal.
Surprisingly, with the calories kicking in, my mind started turning again.
I realized I'd been operating under extreme tension and emptiness all this time.
My head had cleared up for the first time in ages, so I hadn't noticed my condition wasn't great.
'Was I just wringing myself dry.'
And with sugar in my system, my brain quickly recalled things I still needed to check.
Tattoos.
Are they still there properly?
'I blatantly thought about them earlier and still forgot.'
Especially if the mountain lodge keeper tattoo worked, I might be able to evacuate everyone to the resort in an emergency.
I subtly checked inside my sleeve and shirt collar.
'...They're there.'
They were all in place, at least.
And if I tested the mountain lodge keeper tattoo first...
......
'Doesn't seem like it'll work.'
To be precise, the inventory function felt somewhat alive, but I wasn't sure about the connection to the resort.
It was clear I couldn't send other living beings here through the tattoos...
'Hmm.'
Feeling a faint regret at the loss of what could've been the easiest escape route, I let go of my hand.
But.
[Oh, do you have another method left?]
Yeah.
'Honestly, I think this one might not work either.'
But I'd confirmed it was there. No harm in trying.
I felt under my tongue once more, then looked around at the group still eating and spoke up.
"About option 1 that Dolphin suggested earlier."
"Ah, clearing the Forest of the Dying?"
"Yes."
That one.
"If we have the right supplies, even without a manual, with experienced folks here, we should have a few ways to attempt it."
"...True."
"What, did something good pop into Grape's head?"
I hesitated a bit, then nodded.
"There's something I can try to obtain an item that could serve as a supply."
"Oh."
"For real?"
"Yes. Though... this attempt needs some prep too."
"What?"
I averted my gaze.
"Anyone got something like money?"
"......"
"Cash works too. About... fifty thousand."
"......"
"......"
"This isn't a scam, is it..."
"Hey now."
I nearly teared up from embarrassment.
Thankfully, despite my past actions (spy, vanishing, identity swap), the group trusted me enough.
So I finally got to try this. Namely...
'The Universe Shopping Mall.'
Personal shopping via the VIP cell under my tongue.
"......"
A sensation I'd experienced once before.
I remembered recognizing and pressing the cell, but after that, it was hazy. Like I'd dozed off for a second...
"Customer."
I looked up.
At some point, beside me on the subway platform where the group had vanished stood a sharply dressed figure.
Turning a lizard head toward me.
"Shall we begin personal shopping?"
Jackpot.
"Yes."
'I figured it had a low chance since we're outside, but...'
Since it's implanted in my body, I thought maybe. Good call trying.
I clenched my fist briefly in quiet triumph, then met the lizard's eyes.
Hm.
'Dark brown this time.'
Its slit pupils, feeling a bit grumpy, parted to reveal a mouth.
"For a smooth shopping experience, I recommend a setup with a table."
"...Sure."
That's how the environment shaped up.
"Um, how does this connect? Items or gear that draw external power don't work here."
"Does that mean this space blocks unreal external influences?"
"Yes."
"The Universe Shopping Mall is a real, existing store of ours, not some fantastical or imaginary space."
Hm. So basically.
'Aliens... count as real entities...?'
Come to think of it, Section Chief Lee Jaheon had been extracting dream essence without issue. Meaning he's classified as human.
'...Hmm.'
Is it that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic...?
Curiosity flared up, but now wasn't the time to explore. I nodded.
"Thanks for the explanation."
"Of course, customer."
And then.
This is where it gets tricky to bring up. I opened my mouth very cautiously.
...The moment I realized the Universe Shopping Mall existed, a bolt-from-the-blue memory hit me.
Debt!!
"I left an item with the Universe Shopping Mall."
A fragment of the Nameless Radiant Church's holy scripture.
Because of the mimic's scripture cursing me with bad influence, I'd paid storage fees last time to have it kept there.
...Nearly nine million won a month.
"The fees accrue monthly, right?"
"Yes."
"If overdue, interest too?"
"Yes."
Ha.
Ha...
'The principal alone's over fifty million...'
The only surprise was that the alien lizards hadn't raided Daydream's isolation room.
As if space lizards would care about legal interest rates.
'Please, not over a hundred million.'
Feeling sweat bead up, I looked up at the lizard desperately.
Desperate enough to kneel if needed!
"Could I maybe extend the delinquency a bit? I need the item to make money once I get out..."
"You have no delinquency record, customer."
"...?!"
W-Wait.
"How... Did someone pay it for me?"
"Yes."
What?!
"Who?"
And an utterly unexpected answer came back.
"One of us."
No way.
"...Please specify more precisely."
"Yes. It refers to the entity named Lee Jaheon, currently working as a section chief at Daydream Corporation."
"......"
"That entity is covering your storage fees."
I stared at the lizard, feeling struck in the back of the head.
'...Why?'
Is that even allowed? No, he didn't need to.
'Hold on.'
......Did he appraise the gear and items I handed over... and paid that amount on my behalf?
For real?
'...Section Chief!'
Respect for that reliable reptile welled up from deep inside.
Thank you. Truly...
"Um, how's Section Chief Lee Jaheon doing?"
"That entity is currently at a boarding school."
"......"
Suddenly?
'What's this about a boarding school all of a sudden.'
Section Chief Lizard is at least in his thirties, right? He looks like a lizard to me, but section chief rank means not in his twenties. Why a...
......
...!!
-Ah! I think Section Chief Lee Jaheon went on a long-term darkness expedition a while back. Something about... a boarding school ghost story?
A memory flashed by.
About Section Chief Lee Jaheon's whereabouts.
How long ago was that?
'Back when I was at the annex.'
Someone who should've come back ages ago, still in the darkness?
"Is he in danger?"
"I cannot disclose that."
...Then.
"Voluntary?"
"Not our decision."
"......"
This feels bad.
"...Thanks for letting me know."
These aliens are bound by a single identity as 'us.' So, even if Section Chief Lee Jaheon was in danger, would they go so far to respect and save one individual, just a fragment of the mind?
'Once I'm out, I need to track down Section Chief Lee Jaheon.'
My heart grew anxious.
I needed to find a way back from this Segwang Special City fast.
Anyway, with a 'well'-like passage existing, the idea of clearing the ghost story to return to entry point was worth testing.
'My condition... I'll find a way to fix it somehow.'
Since the bell worked too.
For now, believe that.
'Let's get the supplies needed for clearing.'
"Then, tell me what you'd like to purchase."
"Yes."
First priority.
Something usable regardless of situation.
"Can I buy a 'We Help!' item?"
The option where the alien lizard helps directly.
It got me out of Brown's Late Night Show, after all.
However.
"Is the purchase purpose to escape from your current location coordinates to a safe place?"
"Yes."
"Not recommended."
"...!"
"There is a record of failed escape."
A more conscientious response than expected.
Fitting for a vendor selling verified goods. Though the price was absurdly high.
But.
'A record means... someone in Segwang Special City tried using 'We Help!' to escape and failed.'
A chilling premonition.
Something unprecedented must be happening outside Segwang Special City.
'Damn.'
I swallowed a groan and nodded.
"Got it."
Next, then.
"...I need an item containing sacred energy."
The dark brown lizard looked at me.
"Not drawing from outside, but inherently holy and auspicious. Usable from my current location."
The explanation wasn't over.
"Portable form, size suitable for one person to carry."
Indeed.
"Do you have something like that?"
"Yes."
...!
"With personal shopper authority, I'll recommend suitable items."
...And from a few candidates, I finally selected the item most fitting for what our group was about to attempt.
'Perfect.'
Hope flickered in my mind.
But one problem.
The price!
"Ninety-nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine won."
"......"
'Just say 95 million...'
Practically a hundred million.
-I've got a bundle of fifty-thousand-won bills. It's project funds anyway, not my money.
-Card okay?
-Ah, this pure gold with gems? It's from Baridegi Workshop...
-Agent, isn't that a loaner item?!
After pooling all that, we scraped together a bit over sixty million in buy-in value.
No ordinary office worker could've mustered that price either.
'Whew.'
"Can't you just deduct it from the account number I give you?"
"Is it your own account, customer?"
"......"
No.
It was Deputy Lee Sung-hae's account...
'Wow, what now.'
No choice. As I was about to shamelessly suggest installments again, somehow convincingly.
[Looks like my friend is in a bind.]
'...!'
In the shadows beyond the platform lights.
At some point, a gloved hand in a spotlight emerged.
That hand dragged out a classic crimson chair from the platform's darkness, and its owner elegantly perched upon it.
A silhouette in fine tailoring.
Face obscured by shadow, but I knew what was there...
The voice that clung to me as part of myself.
"...Brown?"
[Short on cash for shopping, friend?]
[How about a special offer then... An advance from this Brown?]
"...!!"