Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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Borrow money from Brown?
And use that money... to buy an item from the cosmic shopping mall?
"......"
No.
'It's not borrowing.'
'It's an advance.'
And an advance means...
He's saying he'll rehire me.
......
For now.
"Brown, how are you even here?"
I needed to buy time.
I looked at the suited host sitting on the platform bench.
"This is a personal shopping space. No other customers can enter."
His gloved hands spread open politely and courteously.
The Lizard chimes in.
"This entity is a fragment of the customer's mental framework, manifested on-site for smooth shopping proceedings."
My head clears.
'Brown can now talk to me freely, even without the Good Friend doll...'
Just like during that previous personal shopping session when my contaminations manifested.
Clearly, something deep had connected after the doll's constraints vanished—or after resummoning it.
He was even reaching out to me in Se-gwang Special City, where external influences are blocked.
'Has Brown's Good Friend persona become a part of me?'
I couldn't be sure. Still, I felt basic relief at grasping the situation and began analyzing it...
An advance?
'No way.'
It's predicated on my labor. I didn't want to work the talk show again. The fact that he'd be satisfied if I did made my stomach churn even more...
'...Thoughts I don't want read seem safe from Brown.'
I swallowed hard, watching the host elegantly twirl his fingers while seated calmly.
Any other way? Another method...
Ah!
'Claim the wages I earned as a staffer on that late-night talk show...'
No, that won't work!
I half-destroyed that studio with holy fire and bailed. Honestly, if he hasn't slapped me with a bill yet, he's already being lenient from his perspective!
'Then...'
Whew.
'Maybe just sell an organ...'
If it were in sellable condition. Clutching my throbbing head nearby, something clicked.
"One more thing to check."
I turned to the Lizard.
"Doesn't the cosmic shopping mall only accept real-world currency as payment?"
"Yes."
The Lizard affirms immediately.
"Only currencies existing in reality and circulating on Earth."
"Not just won, but dollars, euros, rupees, etc.?"
"Yes. Real-time exchange rates based on the solar calendar are applied."
As expected.
"Brown, did you hear...?"
Ah.
"......"
I stiffly turned back to the Lizard.
"Is that... possible?"
"Yes. However, dollars paid by this entity incur a special exchange rate, making them far less efficient than standard dollars."
The Lizard doesn't react.
The host gladly rises from his seat.
"......"
Before I knew it.
The suited host, leaning against the chair, was right beside me.
A hand extended.
...Wait.
Wait, that's...
No, but if there's no issue, surviving comes first priority-wise, so maybe take it? Stay calm. Judge wisely here...
......
Huh?
The host's hand pats my arm neatly, just like during the talk show. As if encouraging a contestant.
"......"