Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Check-in at 666 O'Clock
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38.
Park Yeon-jeong, the head of the household, had instantly become the father of a daughter he hadn't even given birth to.
And that daughter was a ghost story.
Static crackle—
[Well then, it seems it's my turn to ask questions now. Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[Did you rest well over the weekend?]
“Yes, well….”
Truth be told, he was still dumbfounded from the shocking stories he'd just heard.
The theory of ghost story births.
Followed by the secret of our Soi's origin.
For some reason, a line from an old drama that had gone viral as a meme came to mind.
—Soi, Yeon-jeong is your dad!
He wasn't sipping orange juice, but still.
This wasn't some ghost story morning soap opera—what a trashy plot twist!
The father of the daughter was still reeling from the considerable shock.
Noise continued calmly, as if the conversation up to that point was no big deal.
[How was your night with her?]
“…….”
His mouth shut automatically.
And Noise.
Do you realize you just casually dropped something that could be seriously ethically problematic?
You literally just said with your own mouth that Park Yeon-jeong himself was the one who mentally birthed 'Soi.'
And now you're asking how his night with her was?
…Dizzying.
Maybe because he'd pulled an all-nighter the previous day. Exhaustion seemed to crash over him all at once.
Was it because too much information had flooded in like a tidal wave?
As Park Yeon-jeong's pupils dilated halfway.
[I'll take your silence as a yes.]
[Please keep your relationship with her from interfering with work as much as possible.]
…….
Just do whatever.
He was too lazy to make excuses now.
Static crackle—
Noise grazing his ear.
And soon, the White Librarian appeared, holding a book.
[Now that a new week is starting, let's kick things off with some energy!]
“…….”
[You're full of embarrassment again today.]
[But unfortunately, the task for Employee Park Yeon-jeong today isn't ghost story capture.]
“…Yes?”
He reacted without thinking.
“If it's not ghost story capture, then what?”
[What Employee Park Yeon-jeong will be doing today is, right away!]
[Selling our merchandise!]
“Sell… selling, you say?”
Me?
Wasn't that your job?
I'm already swamped just with capturing ghost stories.
[I know it's surprising.]
[I was planning to handle the sales myself……but.]
[The customer who wants to buy the item specifically requested Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
The moment he heard that a customer wanting to buy something had named him specifically, Park Yeon-jeong had a question.
“By any chance, is that guest—”
[It's a ghost story.]
Of course!
You're selling a ghost story item, so the customer would be a ghost story too!
More importantly, he wondered why they'd picked him over Noise.
Had his notoriety already spread among the ghost stories?
He desperately hoped that horrifying assumption wouldn't come true.
As an inexplicable anxiety began to tighten around him.
Noise seemed to notice his worried gaze and gave a heads-up about the ghost story he'd meet.
[It's someone Employee Park Yeon-jeong remembers. When you first joined our company, the one who formed a friendly relationship with you—remember?]
He remembered.
How could he not?
If he couldn't even recall events from his short week-or-so of employment, that would be a problem in itself.
The first ghost story he'd been thrown into after being forcibly onboarded to Noise's company.
Exactly two came to mind.
— I Hate the Dark!
The A-rank Ghost Story Kid who'd given him the cute ghost story item called 'Little Friends.'
And the other A-rank ghost story he'd met there.
— Shadow Man.
On his first day, he'd encountered two heavyweight A-rank ghost stories and somehow returned with all his limbs intact.
Looking back now, it was a stroke of heavenly luck.
[They said they wanted to thank you in person for helping their daughter.]
Daughter?
For a split second, our daughter……Soi flashed through his mind.
His head spun again.
Stop thinking about it.
Among the customers wanting to thank him personally, the one described with the word 'daughter'—it had to be.
“The Ghost Story Kid, right?”
Static crackle—
[Yes, more precisely, the one who could be called that child's birth mother.]
The moment he heard 'birth mother' of the Ghost Story Kid.
He thought, it's here.
He'd been certain they'd summon him someday, sales or not— them, or her.
Whoosh.
The White Librarian flying straight toward him soon handed him the book she was holding.
When he took it and checked the cover.
A musical note emblem etched there.
It was the book containing the Conductor bastard.
[The customer said they like listening to music.]
[Employee Park Yeon-jeong, you just need to sell that item to them and have a quick chat before coming back.]
[Easy, right!]
Yes. Super difficult as always today.
Even if you explain it poorly, I'll understand perfectly, so don't worry.
Not a single thing Noise had ever called 'easy' had ended easily.
“Then, may I ask how the sales process works?”
[Oh! You're not getting so rattled anymore. It's great to see you adapting to company life more and more, Employee Park Yeon-jeong☺.]
“…….”
Please correct that—I'm not adapting.
I've just given up on a ton of emotions.
Since being forcibly hired here, Park Yeon-jeong had to let go of countless emotions.
And the very first one he'd set down was.
The feeling of 'absurdity.'
—Give up, and it's easier.
He'd made that his life motto, and he was still strictly following it.
Static crackle—
[The location is all set up. Head there right away. The customer is already waiting.]
[And take this with you.]
The White Librarian handed him a small, long strip of paper.
A rectangular item with a black background and a gold band around it.
The moment Park Yeon-jeong saw it, he thought subconsciously.
A ticket?
[I assume you already know how to use it.]
“…….”
Isn't that a bit too irresponsible, Noise?
More than that, you say the location's prepared, but you haven't told me where it is.
“Noise, where exactly is this place—”
Thrust!
But before he could finish, the White Librarian suddenly shoved something else forward.
Wiggle wiggle!
Three bear dolls waving excitedly at him from the White Librarian's palm.
Nicknamed Little Friends.
[Since it's a reunion with their owner after so long, please bring them along. They're perfect as bodyguards too.]
Wiggle wiggle!
Thrilled at Noise's suggestion to take them, the Little Friends waved their tiny stuffed arms up and down.
……Yeah, just looking at these guys is healing.
“Got it.”
He didn't bother refusing.
This was the first time Noise had directly suggested bringing the Little Friends.
The fact that he'd specifically, emphatically mentioned them.
Means the place I'm going could kill me if I'm not careful, right, Noise?
As his face paled at the thought that this sales visit wouldn't be easy.
Creak—
The White Librarian opened the lone white door as usual.
Step.
As he dragged his unmotivated foot forward.
Static crackle—!
[Oh right!]
Halt!
He flinched more at Noise's urgent voice from the speaker.
[I recommend wearing glasses if possible.]
“…Why, why?”
Is the place I'm visiting one that hits you with extreme mental damage the moment you enter?
As his nerves were on edge.
[First impressions are important when selling to a customer. And glasses suit your face well, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
“………Yes, got it.”
And so, the chaotic door-to-door sales curtain rose.
But first.
He tucked the Little Friends into his employee ID.
Since they'd be his one lifeline.
*****
Now, he even felt an inexplicable coziness in this pitch-black space.
‘…I just wanna leave and not come back.’
Because beyond this darkness lay places that would kill you in yet another ingeniously twisted way.
He was already anxious.
His days were just one endless string of anxiety.
Pat pat!
?
But then, a soft sensation on his chest drew his gaze downward.
Looking down, there they were.
The bear doll trio, unable to wait, had popped out of his employee ID and were tapping his chest.
But that gesture conveyed a silent message: Don't be tense.
……As expected.
You're the only ones who care about me!
Sniff!
Yeah, let's do this!
You got this! Park Yeon-jeong!
Let's go home alive!
The wilted plant called Park Yeon-jeong, which had been drooping just moments ago, regained its vitality and strode forward confidently.
After a few more steps.
Flash!
A intense burst of light hit his eyes, blinding him momentarily.
As he gradually adjusted to the light, the first thing that entered Park Yeon-jeong's view was.
A small lobby.
A cramped space barely enough for ten steps.
All it had was a one-person elevator for moving between floors and a small counter right beside it.
Even with this limited info.
For some reason, staring at the narrow space, he recalled the ticket Noise had given him.
And quickly deduced what ghost story space he was currently standing in.
==========
/Ghost Story Log
[Check-in is at 666 o'clock.]
:Identification code Cd-E-666
Our lodging welcomes all guests.
All guests.
Check-in time is 666 o'clock.
Check-out time is ■■■ o'clock.
All noise from the room is perfectly soundproofed upon entry. Don't worry about prying eyes. Enjoy whatever you want in your room.
Your screams included.
If you need anything during your stay or have questions, please inquire via the phone provided on the ■■ floor.
Inquiry number: 666-6666.
We hope you have a pleasant time.
<Notes>
-Do not mistake your room, even by accident.
They might be doing something they don't want others to see.
*Additional note.
Only those with a visit ticket can use this lodging facility. (The employee without a ticket returned to the agency safely.)
==========
He never imagined the place Noise had prepared was here.
Despite its low E-rank due to these bizarre rules.
He remembered it as one of the ghost stories frequently used for gruesome scenes or shady encounters too horrific to describe.
Like the Ghost Story Pawnshop, it was a top spot within the agency for secret rendezvous.
But the reason Park Yeon-jeong was here now wasn't for that.
It was a sales visit.
Selling to a ghost story, no less.
His gaze turned to the empty small counter.
==========
Guests with tickets, please place them on the counter.
==========
……Step.
Park Yeon-jeong's footsteps headed to the counter.
He subtly placed the ticket he'd tucked away right in the center.
He stared blankly at the unchanged ticket for a while.
Scribble scribble scribble scribble.
!!
Words began appearing on the wooden counter surface.
<130>
Clink!
As if a hole had opened in the ceiling, a single key marked '130' dropped right above the counter into view.
Confirming the ticket he'd placed on the counter had vanished at some point, Park Yeon-jeong.
Grab.
Carefully picked up the key from the counter.
Scribble scribble scribble scribble scribble scribble….
The scratching sound came again.
This time it lasted longer, and when it finally stopped.
[Another guest is specifically waiting for you. Please head straight to room '130' without taking detours.]
“…….”
I have no intention of taking detours either.
Park Yeon-jeong's rigid gaze turned to the only means of transport here: the elevator.
Step.
As his footsteps shifted to the elevator.
The moment he stepped in, what caught his eye first.
The floor buttons, painted blood-red, seized his attention.
……Unique interior design.
Please let it just be the interior.
Park Yeon-jeong already wanted to go back.