Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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Morning.
I'm sitting in the quiet office.
-Ah, a refreshing winter morning. How about a cup of coffee, friend?
Yeah. Let's have it at lunch.
While tidying my desk a bit and chatting with Brown to chase away the silence, around 8:50, the lizard-headed boss enters through the door.
I approach and greet him politely.
"Good morning, Squad Leader. Have a nice morning."
"Yes."
I look up and continue.
"I heard you helped me get that paid leave. ...Thank you."
"Yes."
The lizard glances at me with just his eyes.
"Can you perform your duties in the same condition as two weeks ago?"
"Yes. I can work just like before. Even if the results aren't quite up to par, I'll get my rhythm back as quickly as possible."
"I see."
His vertical pupils stare straight at me.
"I'll judge that and make adjustments."
Hmm.
At this point, I can roughly translate it.
'Whether you do well or not, I'll report it and cover for you, so just keep working hard like always.'
His appearance and word choice are starting to make even a lizard feel like a good boss. Whatever, right...?
Of course, I can't let my guard down.
'For a while, I have to clear the Darkness perfectly.'
I already took paid leave.
Then an employee who handled work so cleanly he made junior specialist in just 60 days comes back from leave and suddenly doesn't perform 'like before'?
That would set office rumors swirling.
It'd look suspicious.
[No, his colleagues didn't die or anything—they all came back alive.]
[Hmm... That Kim Sol-eum guy must be surprisingly weak to mental shock?]
[But someone that mentally fragile... how'd he pull off those results before?]
...Something like that.
'Once suspicion starts creeping in, nothing good comes of it.'
Can't give them any opening at all.
'Gotta clear it properly.'
Even though... I haven't bought any reliable new items yet.
I recall the message on the alien shop homepage that had been up the entire vacation.
>I get it!
That's right.
The homepage is undergoing renewal...
'Wonder when it'll reopen.'
I haven't seen any docs on the renewal, so it should wrap up soon and reopen.
My budget's fixed, so I planned to check the new items once the alien shop reopens and grab what I need then.
For now, time to regain that beginner's mindset and clear the Darkness properly.
'They won't assign high-grade Darkness for a while.'
The odd emptiness from our reduced headcount is unavoidable, but quitting's not an option, so... I have to make it work somehow.
I deliberately ask with a bit of energy.
"Still, does that mean we're deploying into Darkness starting today? I heard since we're short of our three-man roster, we'd probably be supporting other squads..."
"Correct."
Oh.
"Which team are we supporting today?"
If things go well, I might even meet one of the new hires from my intake I haven't crossed paths with yet...
"Elite Squad."
......
What??
Again?
"Squad A?"
"No."
"...Then which squad?"
"C Squad."
A squad with zero face time.
Elite Squad bugs me a bit, but at least the A Squad leader and Lee Jaheon leader won't cross paths... That's as far as I got.
'Huh?'
On second thought, in one sense, C Squad wasn't entirely unfamiliar.
The shady deputy who introduced me to Salmon Market!
'Definitely said C Squad.'
Might actually meet him face-to-face this time.
But an even more pressing question came first.
If it's a Darkness the Elite Squad's entering...
"By any chance, a high-grade one that's tough to clear?"
"What benchmark do you want for judgment?"
"......Sorry. That was out of line."
"?"
"Um. I'd appreciate knowing the grade and if there's a manual."
"D-grade. Manual complete."
Oh, then low odds they'll call in the cleanup crew for meat-shield duty. Much relieved, I ask easily.
"Got it. When do we head out?"
"Movement starts in five minutes."
Got it.
So we grab our bags and head out of the office, walking.
But...
"......"
"......"
"Squad Leader."
"Yes."
"Why are we heading toward the annex instead of C Squad's office?"
"......"
Wow.
Back when I was fresh meat, Eun Ha-je deputy was spitting fire over the 'newbie-inclusive three-man patch'.
'Here they voluntarily dive in with two...'
Ominous.
-Hm, insubordinate crew not following orders! A top host must master every show element—especially personnel.
-Will Deer learn that today? Let's find out. Onward with energy, friend!
Just wanna slump down listlessly...
But I need points, and it's time to dive back into Darkness anyway.
'No normal Elite Squads among the ones I've met so far...'
And a strong hunch this one's no different.
Half-year junior specialist? If told to go, I go.
If it's unfair, shoulda aimed for A Squad... though I'd already be cleanup fodder and a corpse by now.
'...Miss 'em already.'
I try not to think of D Squad's two bosses as I move my feet.
Lee Jaheon manager hands me a tablet.
"Memorize the manual for the next ten minutes."
"Any reason it's just ten?"
"Entry window's tight, and Q2 survival rate's nearing 97%."
Thanks for the polite rundown...
'Now we shrug off that 3% mortality...'
Honestly, with a full manual, those 3% are either insanely unlucky or went off-script.
'Should be fine.'
With a mix of trepidation and numb acceptance, I peer at the tablet...
"......"
"......"
-Hm? Deer, your head just went blank.
Yeah.
We're screwed.
"......"
Hold up.
Hold up a sec, Squad Leader...!
Instead of bawling that I won't go, I barely manage a rational suggestion.
"Could we maybe prep for another 30 minutes before heading in?"
"Impossible."
"......"
Right. Entrance seals shut...
Not a rational ask anyway.
"......"
Aaaah! For real!!
Why'd this have to be my comeback tale?!
"Excluding the two heart attack deaths, no other fatalities on record. Safe compared to peers."
"......Yes."
'It's not that I don't know...!'
I'd just been deluded.
Caught up in my 'elite newbie' persona, I'd forgotten.
Even before leave, I was just a guy hating scary stuff, speedrunning while bawling inside.
But my return tale? Straight-up orthodox horror hell—my ultimate weakness.
'Strangers, and half Elite Squad, so no funny business.'
Low grade too, so sticker's too precious—gotta raw-dog it with the butter knife.
No survival bells blaring for escape plans. Gotta feel every bit raw...
The horror flavor the wiki author intended.
'Whew...'
At least the convenience store ghost hide-and-seek was a blind stumble-in.
Feels like a cold-water reality slap. Shock therapy, I guess.
With the mindset of a lamb to slaughter, I choke down tears and step into the Darkness of my own accord.
Legs wobbling.
"This way."
Small mercy: not the space-time warp dumping us somewhere twisted.
Entry method's dead simple.
Knock on a sealed space meeting conditions, step in, and it turns into the tale.
Sealed indoor space: no people within 100m, walls/ceiling blocking all four sides.
No windows or outside views, must have exactly one analog clock.
Volume around 40m³—over 4m³ variance, no trigger.
Our company's got one in the annex, renovated for this, used daily.
Size: 4m x 4m x 2.4m...
[Pantry]
Me and Lee Jaheon squad leader stop before the nameplate door.
Plain office-side pantry, conditions met.
Wednesdays on dates ending in 4.
Knock the door specific rhythm: tale begins.
"......"
Me... gotta do it?
As the junior?
Knock, knock, knock-knock, knock-knock.
I knock, hiding my trembling hand.
Door clicks open like magic.
"Huh?"
"Wha—people...? Oh!"
Inside, two employees lounging casually spot us and wave.
"Ah, support's here?"
"Yes."
"Tch, said we didn't need any but they sent ya anyway."
To the pair griping among themselves—more clearers dilute points, thin dream essence potency, etc...
Lizard squad leader replies:
"If dissatisfied, request department transfer and revise the Field Exploration common manual."
"......"
"......"
The two gape, then nod awkwardly.
"Y-Yes... Wasn't trying to rag on you arrivals. Sorry..."
"Hahaha, we were the rude ones! Truly sorry. Uh, D Squad manager, right?"
"Yes."
"Then that one's..."
"Deer Junior Specialist."
"Aaaah!"
Both faces shift.
"The newbie who almost went A Squad? Heard Butterfly deputy had you marked!"
"Yeah, and the story about saving the employee who was supposed to die... Ooh, spill the details once we're out!"
"Not that big a deal—just got lucky... Yes. Nice to meet you."
We take their lead to the small corner table in the pantry and sit.
"Gonna bunk here all night together, so intros first. That one's Dolphin Junior."
"Nice to meet ya~ Deer Junior."
The petite woman in the Dolphin mask waves when named. Bubbly tone.
And the somewhat tanned, friendly, sociable guy extends a hand with a grin.
"I'm Leopard, Leopard Deputy."
"Yes. Leopard Deputy."
Hmm.
Definitely 'Lee Kangheon''s profile was a Hawaii beach. The tan suits.
Rank and sociable vibe match too.
'This guy's it.'
Of course, keeping an open mind. Don't know his real name yet.
No way I'm acting like I know him in front of the boss.
"Please take care of me."
"Yup. Let's chill in our pantry all night, munch snacks!"
Up to here, could pass for overtime office banter.
No blood tears on walls, no upside-down flips, no killer coffee machine.
But...
'The ghosts are already here.'
That's right.
Among the people chatting right now, someone's already been swapped with a ghost.
Maybe more than one.
"Coffee?"
"Ah, I'll brew it."
"Nah, no babying the maknae in our squad. Just sit."
Don't know when it happens. Maybe crossing the threshold. Maybe sitting for intros...
'The swapped ones are actually easier.'
Just pass out on entry, wake next day.
Problem's the manual for the unswapped humans.
"......"
The rules I have to follow.
Ha, I can do this.
'Just glance past and ignore.'
I can do it!
If someone's grinning ear-to-ear torn open or whatever, don't look, endure.
'Play it off looking at someone else naturally.'
Enough people, should hold out.
Thought all those ordeals made me more of a wuss, but maybe I've toughened up to horror.
Not drenched in cold sweat just imagining what's coming!
"Ah! Entrance just fully sealed. Now we just tough it out with this crew."
"Oo~"
"Good. Fighting!!"
Clap clap clap clap!
The employees beam and clap. Heartwarming scene.
Except one.
"Wow!"
Everyone in the room clapping with the backs of their hands.
"......"
Ah.
"Huh? Deer. Why aren't you clapping?"
"......"
"Why?"
Leopard deputy shoves his face right in mine.
"Something bugging you?"