Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: The Missing Manual Handler
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The missing manual handler.
The missing fifty million won of mine.
And the missing blood bath for a gift (予定).
"...".
The real problem was that Brown, the very one who'd demanded the gift, was currently stuffed in my bag pocket...
'He's probably hearing all this, you bastard...'
I'd been carrying him around because leaving him at home felt iffy for all sorts of reasons, and you never knew when you'd get dragged into another ghost story. But now it felt like the exact opposite of what I wanted.
It was like promising your nephew a Christmas present, heading to the department store, and finding an out-of-stock sign on the display shelf.
Except the nephew was Annabelle.
"Hoo..."
A sigh escaped me naturally.
'The handler's been absent without notice for a week in this world...'
Obvious.
This meant he'd gotten tangled in a ghost story and vanished.
"Just wait patiently. That's best for your mental health."
Patiently waiting until someone else snaps up the blood bath from the alien shop would mean I couldn't keep my 'promise' to Brown!
I didn't want to mess with a stuffed doll that could incinerate an A-grade Darkness with a finger snap...!
'I'm dead for real.'
Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je patted my shoulder and returned to her seat. I sat at mine, agonizing in silence.
What to do.
Wait two months in anxiety, and if the tub sells out midway, bang my head and apologize?
Somehow scrape together a loan?
Or...
'...First, figure out why he vanished.'
It wasn't just about covering my ass with 'I did my best.' Maybe I could find the handler without too much trouble or risk.
[Darkness Exploration Records] was still in my head and on my smartphone.
'Just check it out.'
Things had been pretty quiet since the theme park. Plus, I'd wrapped up paperwork from yesterday's one ghost story exploration.
Today meant I could slack off leisurely, as long as I didn't outright bolt from the office.
'The bosses just pop in and out of the office anyway.'
Of course, as the lowest on the totem pole, I decided to maneuver for about an hour after lunch.
First place to check...
'The handler's desk, obviously.'
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Of course, I had an excuse ready for this visit.
-Deer wants to check the handler's office? Sigh... Here, take this and go deliver it!
The soft-hearted Foreman Park Minseong had let me deliver the 'completion certificate for training that doesn't need handing over right now anyway.'
'Thanks, Foreman Park Minseong...'
In this ghost story world overflowing with psychopaths, how heartwarming was that.
I entered the administrative support office and looked for the staffer to hand the documents to. Conveniently, they were at the desk next to the empty handler's spot.
"Documents from D Squad Foreman Park Minseong."
"Huh? Just leave them there."
"Yes. Oh, and this..."
I politely offered the envelope to the office worker, who was tapping away at their PC without even glancing up with bored eyes.
Inside were still-warm, golden donuts sprinkled with sugar and stuffed full of vanilla cream.
And an iced Americano to boot.
'Bribery is essential for stuff like this.'
"We bought some snacks for ourselves and got extras. Thought it might help while you work."
"...! Oh, you didn't have to bring all this."
Even so, their hands snatched the Americano and donuts with practiced speed. True salaryman.
"Kang, give this back."
"Huh? Donuts?"
"They brought them."
"Whoa, thanks! From D Squad?"
I watched the administrative staff bite into the donuts as the office vibe subtly shifted to tea time.
Chatting about trivial gossip.
The perfect moment for an outsider to slip in smoothly. Especially as the snack provider.
I timed it just right and spoke up.
Gazing at the empty seat of the manual handler, Lee Byung-jin.
"Um, should I leave a coffee here for Manager Lee Byung-jin too? Doesn't seem like he's in..."
"Nah, take it with you. He hasn't come in."
"Ah, on vacation then."
"Vacation? Pfft, he's missing."
Hook, line, and sinker.
The coworker next to the empty desk tossed it out casually, like it wasn't a big deal, exchanging glances with the one across.
"Honestly, I saw this coming."
"Hey, hey."
"What? It's gonna come out eventually. You're from D Squad, right? The newbie? What's your name?"
"Kim Sol-eum."
"...! Wait, the one who almost got into A Squad?"
"Yeah, seems like you thought well of me."
"Whoa."
Somewhere nearby, I heard murmurs like 'So that's the D Squad newbie.'
The coworker eyed me up and down with fresh interest, subtly hiding their apathy before speaking.
"Well, since you'll figure it out hanging around here anyway, I'll tell you."
Hmm.
"Even in this company, there's always someone who picks up weird junk all innocently and vanishes."
"Pardon?"
I furrowed my brows like I was puzzled and asked.
"Did... he maybe vanish for that reason too?"
"Yep. That... what was it? Scroll thing?"
"A scroll, a scroll."
The one across replied resignedly, making the neighbor chuckle.
"Oh yeah, a scroll. He bragged about buying one that'd bring a fortune explosion... Said he hit lotto second prize after."
Oh.
Bought a suspicious scroll, bragged about sudden money luck, then vanished?
'Classic second-hand ghost story...'
Total cliché setup.
'Hmm, good.'
I decided quickly.
'Bounce.'
No point meddling for quick cash and ending up a corpse.
I was prepping lines like 'Whoa, that's scary! Guess I'll head out then...' when—
"Anyway, that's rough for your side."
Me?
"Hey, hey, not even that!"
"No, but think about it. That Darkness whose manual revision review got started—it's yours, right?"
Yes.
"No one but the missing Manager Lee could've passed that."
...?!
Wh-what...
"He was tight with A Squad originally. You know, that whole 'same faction' thing."
"...!!"
Faction.
The root of office politics.
Dividing lines based on who you're buddy-buddy with up top!
And the missing handler was especially close to A Squad, riding the same 'faction' wave...?
Lightning bolt of realization.
'That's why A Squad's foreman was so confident!'
Explains the cocky certainty about the manual revision speed!
"New guy's a wildcard... But odds are someone from Director Cheong's side slots in."
"......"
"Not exactly cozy with A Squad... whatever."
Did I just hear that?
The sound of my fifty million evaporating.
Not delayed—straight-up gone...!
'No!'
I blurted out without thinking.
"Any idea where the handler vanished from...?"
"Oh, that's the fun rumor."
The neighbor leaned in conspiratorially.
"Word is, he vanished inside the company."
"...!"
"Someone saw him in the lobby coming in that morning. But he never made it to the office."
"...Vanished midway?"
"Eh, who knows for sure. No one can swear to it. No eyewitnesses."
"......"
No one saw it...
'No people, but maybe something else.'
I looked up.
In the corner of the office, the CCTV's red light glowed.
CCTV.
If he really vanished inside the company, it might be on tape.
'Typical security CCTV in a company this size... probably stores two weeks.'
Then I could still check.
Tracking the missing person was urgent to secure my fifty million on time.
...The issue was.
'CCTV records here are managed by... the security team.'
And the security team... well.
Yeah.
So I really didn't want to run into them... but.
'Since I'm employed here, avoiding them forever's impossible anyway.'
With things like this, might as well gather intel this time.
I mentally checked on Brown in my pocket again and headed to the first floor.
Straight to the security office where the team was.
"Stairs down from here, right?"
At the edge of the first floor was a staff-only door to a separate basement area. A short staircase down led to this steel door.
[Safety Management Office]
I raised my hand.
Knock knock.
-......
Knock knock.
-Come in or whatever...
"...?"
I cautiously opened the door.
A cramped space like a rundown facility office, with a worn sofa in the center.
A person sprawled on it.
Security staff in faded navy uniform.
......?
"Hello..."
I quickly scanned their uniform name tag.
[Security Team 3 Sergeant J3]
"Excuse me, Sergeant. Possible to check CCTV from a week ago? For a missing person..."
"......"
A slow reply came.
"You want CCTV footage...?"
"Yes."
"Ah..."
They looked utterly exhausted and annoyed by everything.
Team 3 Sergeant, still sprawled without so much as introducing himself, slowly spoke.
"Normally you'd file a CCTV viewing request... but."
Ah.
"When did this company start caring about that? Just watch."
"......"
Helpful or dereliction of duty? Hard to say.
Anyway, I was begging, so I offered the remaining snacks as bribe first.
"Thought this might help as a snack..."
"Ah, donuts."
The lifeless face lit up, and they bolted upright from the sofa to snatch the bag.
"Love donuts, but no delivery here... Can't go out much during day shifts, so I rarely get them..."
I see.
'Doesn't seem that violent up close.'
But in ghost stories, the 'looks harmless but is actually a ghost' cliché exists.
I kept my guard up and spoke softly.
"Then, okay if I head to the CCTV room like this?"
"Yeah... but."
They scratched their head, staring at the donut in agony for a while before speaking slowly.
"One guard left—take him along. Might be dangerous..."
"Ah, thanks."
I waited for them to call a guard via radio or something.
But no movement.
"...?"
"...?"
"You said you'd assign a guard..."
"Me..."
They pointed to themselves.
"That's me..."
......
"Ah... yes."
'Don't get involved.'
Just watch the CCTV quick and bail.
"A week ago, right..."
"Yes."
Anyway, we entered the CCTV room with the security sergeant and checked the recordings.
Didn't seem super skilled with the equipment, deepening suspicions, but whatever—the important part was elsewhere.
"Found it."
I located the footage of the handler.
A middle-aged man entering the lobby and boarding the elevator. Matched the company net photo of Manager Lee Byung-jin.
And the long object in his hand.
'That the scroll tube?'
Definitely not something you'd bring to work. Gave off creepy vibes.
"You found it quick. Could be a guard yourself..."
Don't jinx it.
"Thanks. Focusing 'cause it's for finding the missing person."
"......Missing person?"
"Yes."
They went quiet, seeming flustered.
Probably only half-heard me earlier and just now realized.
That security didn't know someone vanished inside.
"Missed that..."
"Trouble?"
"Nah... Not my shift."
"......"
"They'll handle it..."
Yes...
Crystal-clear shift-worker logic, noted.
Anyway, checking elevator CCTV too, we confirmed where the missing handler got off.
Surprisingly... not upstairs.
"...Down to basement."
Below even this safety office.
[B2]
Staggering off on B2, clear on CCTV.
...Chilling.
'What the hell happened?'
Why would an admin staffer suddenly head down like entranced?
'That's security management access only.'
Heard even they just patrol—no idea what's going on there.
Cold sweat trickled.
I averted my eyes from the empty elevator on screen.
'Watching CCTV myself might be dangerous from now on.'
Could pass it off as casual before, but not here.
Basement of a weird pharma company sourcing from ghost stories.
No general staff access, no clue what happens?
'Even [Darkness Exploration Records] described it like some Napolitan ghost story!'
No good. Shake it off and go.
I bowed to the sergeant, avoiding the CCTV as much as possible.
"Thanks for showing me. I'll head out then..."
"......Bathroom."
"...?"
"The guy you're looking for. Went into the unused men's room downstairs... and."
"......"
"Never came out. All week."
I desperately avoided the CCTV.
But this sergeant had already fast-forwarded through B4 where the missing guy went, on their own.
"Bathroom—wanna check?"
"No basement access for me."
"I'm going though..."
Yes, your turf, sure.
Find the missing guy and I'd be grateful...
"Come with... Say you're a newbie security temp or whatever."
Yes?!
"No need to go that far,"
"Let's go..."
No!!
How did it come to this.
'Even gave me the uniform.'
I was riding the maintenance elevator in the security team's standard navy uniform.
Brain was in chaos over the situation.
'Got convinced...'
-It's fine. Field Exploration Team does support shifts sometimes...
Isn't that disciplinary?
Anyway, since it verified Field Exploration could go basement without big fuss if word got out.
I'd desperately contacted D Squad to log it as official support duty, so no discipline issue...
Should I thank my social skills with the bosses shining through?
'Still dizzy.'
Came this far for one blood bath.
Brown better acknowledge even if I can't scrape fifty mil.
Ding.
Doors opened with the chime.
B2.
Sounded eerily ominous despite being the same.
What appeared was...
A hallway lined with ordinary offices.
"......"
Why... are there offices in the basement?
'Shouldn't this be safety gear or facilities...?'
The dimly lit office corridor was dead silent, lined with frosted glass doors.
Office A, B, C... nameplates attached.
The sergeant whispered.
"Don't open doors..."
"Yes."
I wouldn't touch even a fingertip even without the warning.
I just followed closely behind the sergeant.
That's when it hit.
-Mr. Deer?
"...!"
-Dressing in these rags to get me a gift! Touching, but heartbreaking too. Must my friend do such chores?
Thanks a lot.
But.
'...How are you talking?'
'Good friend' could only speak and move inside ghost stories... which meant.
I was already inside one.
"Ah, here."
The sergeant stopped.
In front of a bathroom door leaking pale light.
"I'll open it..."
"Wait,"
But before I could finish, the door swung open.
Bang.
Amid flickering lights, the space beyond revealed itself...
"......"
'What the fuck.'
The bathroom was splattered in jet-black ink.
Like an artery slashed, ink burst out, covering the mirror like blood.
I froze solid.
No scream came.
But next instant, my nose snapped reason back.
'Barely smells like blood.'
Not all blood.
Not regular ink either. This was...
'...India ink?'
Tap tap.
Brown tapped me from my pocket.
'Warning.'
Senses sharpened.
The sergeant peered in and reached out.
"Don't tou—"
Poke.
"Yes...?"
Fucked.
The moment the sergeant's finger touched the ink.
Dark red liquid surged like waves from the bathroom.
"...!!"
I whipped around to run, but thick black goo stretched like countless hands, swallowing my feet and yanking.
Uwaaaak!!
'Fuck, fuck...!'
I barely avoided face-planting, sprawling instead. Kicking splashed goo to my chin. Curses welled up.
Twisting to assess, I spotted the source.
"The scroll!"
A slashed-open scroll hung in the bathroom mirror center.
Knife marks gaped empty, blood-like ink sucked inward.
My feet dragged the same way.
Like a living thing pulling... wait, living?
Blood-like?
'Vampiric cutlery...!'
I whipped out the fork and stabbed the floor.
The pristine silver fork shuddered, greedily sucking surrounding ink.
"Ah!"
It was working!
But a dessert fork the size of a finger wasn't enough.
Ting.
Cutlery bounced off.
'Fuck!'
I got sucked straight into the scroll.
"Gasp!"
I lifted my head.
Through dark, hazy vision, peeling wallpaper with intricate patterns came into view.
Unfamiliar place.
'...Abandoned house?'
I caught my breath, waiting for eyes to adjust to the dark.
And, and...
Realized.
Not wallpaper.
Talismans.
Every wall of rotten wood plastered with decrepit talismans.
"...!"
Heavy.
Air crushed shoulders like, bizarre pressure dominated the dark, chilly room.
......Something was wrong.
Felt like a rat snuck into the wrong place the wrong way.
"......"
I clenched my trembling fists.
But grasped nothing.
'...Gone.'
Vampiric cutlery vanished.
Sweating cold, to fend off hyperventilation, slowly, slowly, I breathed...
"Hey...!"
Almost passed out.
"Th-there! Are you police...?? "
I looked up.
Not alone in the dark ruin.
Huddled in the corner, small figures stared at me.
Kids.
'Middle school uniforms.'
Tearful students cried out.
"Help! Touched some weird painting thing, now we can't get out!"