Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Princess Awaits
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69.
My whole body goes limp, strength draining away.
But my lifesaver—no, my wicked boss Noise—continued his explanation with infuriating calm.
Not a clue about how I feel...
[This customer isn't here to buy a product. Employee Park Yeon-jeong, they specifically asked to see you. (Their breathing was a bit ragged...)]
Noise steadied his voice once more.
[Well, seems they just want a simple greeting. You can head over with peace of mind.]
“......”
A ghost story called my name?
Again?
The only ones that come to mind right now are, at most:
-Warm Memories of That Day.
-I Hate the Dark!
Just those two.
But the ghost story Noise mentioned seemed different from what I'd guessed.
[They might end up buying our products down the line. First impressions are key, you know, Employee Park Yeon-jeong?]
Judging by Noise's reaction.
It wasn't either of those two.
[And the wristwatch I gave you...]
Wristwatch?
His words drew my gaze straight to the utterly shattered Lie-Detecting Watch.
[I'll get it fixed right after this customer service wraps up.]
“...Thank you.”
I'd been meaning to get it looked at anyway.
The screen was cracked, no way to check the time.
But its real purpose wasn't telling time—it detected lies—so no major issue there.
The actual problem?
The lie-detection feature wasn't working right either.
'Haven't even gotten proper use out of it, and it's busted.'
In checking the watch on my wrist, my eyes locked onto the skull tattoo that snagged my attention.
...Seeing this thing always sours my mood.
The White Skull Mark etched on my right wrist looks like it's smirking at me every time.
White Skull Mark = Unlucky Day.
Noise acted like there was nothing to worry about with this customer service...
But I'm uneasy.
Already fretting over what trouble our White Skull buddy might stir up this time.
Please, just stay quiet like you did at the circus...
Squeeze-
Pain throbs near my thigh, stitched not long ago.
'Can't you take it easy for once?'
A sigh slips out as my pitch-black future looms, utterly unpredictable.
Crackle-
Noise, true to form.
Infused his voice with that subtle smile.
Oblivious as ever to my heart.
[Well then, have a good day ahead. Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
I hope my day wraps up well too...
Swipe-
The White Librarian handed me a sheet of paper—black with a gold band.
“...Thank you.”
I accepted the black ticket from the librarian, tears in my eyes.
Then, staring blankly at the white door nearby, waiting just for me.
One man—shoulders slumped—
Took heavy steps toward the customer awaiting him so eagerly.
So damn heavy.
'...Already missing home.'
Today of all days, I crave Soi more than ever.
*****
No sooner do I pass through the dim, endless space than—
Flash-!
'My eyes!'
Bright light hits me first.
Second visit, so it doesn't feel too off.
As my eyes adjust swiftly to the glare.
In the cramped space, a single-person elevator and a small counter beside it grab my attention first.
'Didn't think I'd be back so soon.'
The space where Park Yeon-jeong now stands is none other—
Codename:
-[Check-in is at 666 o'clock].
Park Yeon-jeong, re-entering the ghost story [Check-in is at 666 o'clock], venue for serving ghost story customers.
Step-
My feet carry me straight to the counter, no hesitation. I set the black ticket gently atop it.
Scratch scratch scratch...
Letters form across the wooden surface.
The room number for me:
<310>
Room 310.
'Third floor.'
Jingle!
Like a hole punched in the ceiling, a key marked '310' drops from above. I snatch it.
Scratch scratch scratch scratch.
Another line appears on the counter. Short and sweet.
[The Princess awaits you eagerly.]
“......”
Ah...
Spoiler.
In the best way.
Among ghost stories I know, only one fits the "Princess" title.
-Seven Knights.
So it was that 'Princess.'
Never dreamed the one summoning me this time was that ghost story Princess.
Exactly because I never imagined.
'Why would that one call for me?'
Why me?
And how'd it track me here?
No clue on the how just yet.
Fatigue already crashing in.
Feels like I've tangled with another freak ghost story.
For some reason, a certain 'yandere employee' from the agency flickers through my mind.
No intent on my part, but now that I know who the customer is.
I steel myself accordingly.
Used to it by now.
...Swallowing tears.
Step.
My feet head for the rickety single-person elevator.
Boarding instantly, I jab the floor button.
<③>
Button pressed, the elevator's garbled voice rasps out.
-Door█ closing██.
“......”
Same old, same old.
Clunk! Crackle-
...Clunk clunk!!
“......”
Needless to say, "same old" ain't praise.
Clunk-!
“......”
Fervently praying the cable holds this time.
The death-defying elevator ride begins its ascent.
*****
Ding!
-Door█ opening███.
Thankfully, no plummeting drop like a rollercoaster.
'...Slowly now.'
I step out with utmost caution, nerves screaming. Every footfall gets my full focus.
Tap.
Elevator doors seal shut.
Back on solid ground, legs shaking.
Cold sweat trails down my cheek as my eyes gleam with resolve.
'Fix the damn elevator!'
Next visit here.
Don't care about the rest—fix that elevator.
Hell, it has to be fixed.
Each ride shaves a year off my life, feels like.
I wipe sweat from my brow, steady my breath.
Gaze shifts to the pitch-black corridor.
Dark.
Pitch.
'This hotel...'
More than one fix needed.
'Seriously bad.'
Staring at lights flickering on the brink of death.
I recall my destination room.
'...310, yeah.'
Last time, my bear dolls blazed the trail. Solo this time.
......Step.
Right. Let's move.
Delaying just wastes time.
Gotta go anyway—dawdling's the real loss.
Step-
Even walking, ears perked, zeroing in on every sound.
Nerves razor-sharp.
Missing nothing, not even whispers.
Reason I volunteered for ghost story customer service with Noise?
Hunting any escape routes lurking here.
<306>
“......”
Passed 306 without realizing.
No wide-open doors or rowdy ghost stories, unlike before. Lucky.
But...
Nothing in sight.
No sounds.
No trace of the receiver I'm after in this space.
Knew positions randomize.
'As expected, no easy wins.'
First time? Pure luck.
<309>
310 next.
Smooth sail to target, unlike last time. Good.
But smooth sailing amps the anxiety.
Dread of the backlash swells. Plans never stick—never once.
Step-
Feet halt before a door.
<310>
Safely arrived.
Key '310' from 309 gripped in left hand, quill pen for ghost story capture clenched in right.
Dry swallow.
'Haven't fully mastered the usage yet...'
Quill's new trick: draw out a ghost story's power in small doses, wield it.
Before stepping in here.
I skimmed Noise's user-unfriendly manual. Eyeballing it.
Anxiety demanded it.
No dying order exists.
Gotta guard my own hide.
Grip-
Right hand clamps harder on the quill. Key slides into the knob, turns.
Click!
Door swings open.
And greeting me...
Clank-
!
Armor clashes with that signature metallic ring. Orange armor leaps into view first.
【The Princess... wants the Prince's 'left arm.'】
Orange Knight.
Left-arm obsessed Orange Knight.
'This jerk again!'
Reflexively shake the quill in my right hand, try activating.
......
Quill stays dead.
【The Princess... wants the Prince's 'left arm.'】
Clank-
Orange Knight advances, armor rattling. Gut screams something's off.
Halt-!
It freezes.
Voluntary stop.
Orange Knight halts, helm cants slightly right.
Speaks to me.
【The Prince's left arm...... missing?】
Clank-
【Left arm...... missing.】
Eyes drop to my perfectly intact left arm.
...My left arm's right here?
But Orange Knight stares on, looping "left arm missing."
No attacks follow.
And...
This is my shot.
To bolt from it.
Just in case it rethinks.
Dash!
Dodge Orange Knight quick, dash into the room.
No other knights visible inside. Whew.
Lucky.
Truly.
Can't drop guard, though.
Feet fly faster to the sealed inner door. Grab knob, yank with all might.
Thud!
〖Ah!〗
......Ah?
Brief shriek beyond the door.
Heavy thud of impact. Knob hand freezes on instinct.
Tunnel-visioned on fleeing Orange Knight. Didn't check behind the door.
Slide-
Finally ease the door open slow. Eyes drop to scream's source.
〖.......〗
Rub.
Pale-skinned woman on the floor, hands soothing her forehead.
Black veil shrouds her face.
Not the Ghost Story Princess.
Not a stranger, though.
Ghost story that tried killing me.
Impossible to forget that searing first encounter.
Obsessed solely with her beauty.
Turned every man praising her looks into stuffed-doll "husbands."
No—Ghost Story 'Queen' fits better.
ID code Cd-C-12
[Am I Pretty?]
“Queen?”
〖.......〗
Why're you here?
Questions flood first.
But.
【Prince.】
!
Skips eardrums.
Voice vibes straight through skull from another being.
Eyes lock with my summoner.
Smirk-
Its signature creepy grin curls her lips.
Her pupils brim raw with 'love.'
【My one and only Prince. You came to see me.】
【See? We're fated!】
“......”
You summoned me.