Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Can't Find it (2)
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- I... don't know.
What?
The Shadow Office said, "I don't know"?
The Shadow Office of all things?
My mind went blank...
But.
This wasn't the time to freeze up.
I had to start firing off the questions that came to mind.
The Shadow Office always said its piece and hung up with a click, so I had to be quick.
"Wait! Shadow Office! How? How did you contact me right now? How did you find me!"
Yeah. That was it.
No one else could find me, so how the hell did the Shadow Office call me?
Was it because the Shadow Office was stronger than the Mirror Ghost Story? Could it ignore that effect?
If so...
That meant there was a hierarchy of power among ghost stories.
And maybe I could use that somehow.
Like pitting one ghost story against another to make them both vanish...
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- There was no need to find you.
Huh?
"Pardon? Could you explain? What do you mean..."
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
"Why was there no need to find me?"
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
A thought flashed through my mind.
When the call connected with Lee Seol, she remembered me.
In other words...
"Wait. Are you always with me? Or connected to me somehow?"
If so, there was no need to find me. I was already right there.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Otherwise, how could it always sense when I needed something and provide help like a ghost?
It felt like I'd uncovered some huge secret.
But.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
The Shadow Office never gave me a straight answer.
It didn't hang up, either.
Instead, it just said what it wanted to say.
As always.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- In this case, modifying or erasing the ghost story is impossible for you.
I was a bit stunned at first. What did that even mean?
I'd asked what "no need to find me" meant, and it jumped to modifying or erasing the ghost story?
Then it hit me a beat later.
The Shadow Office was answering my initial worry. You know, the "What the hell do I do now?" dilemma.
It was saying I couldn't modify or erase a ghost story that was already made, so find another way.
Damn, it really only says what it wants.
But what could I do?
That's just how the Shadow Office was.
A being that dropped a line or two and hung up. ...Which was how I'd set it up as a kid.
Sigh. Why did I do that?
Anyway.
Right now, I needed to keep the conversation going with the Shadow Office.
Luckily, unlike usual, it wasn't hanging up and was actually continuing the talk.
Maybe trying to make up for saying "I don't know."
"'In this case'? So normally it might be possible?"
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
No answer again.
"Then why is it impossible now?"
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- It has already vanished. The moment the mirror broke, it activated its effect and disappeared, making modification or erasure impossible.
Ah.
So the Mirror Ghost Story I made this time was a one-use consumable that triggered and vanished the instant it broke?
The source was gone, so no way to tweak or reverse it no matter what...
"Then how do I..."
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- I... don't know.
The same response as before.
But this time, it didn't stop there and added a few more words.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- This is something no one knows.
That low, resonant voice carried a strange emphasis.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- But only you will know.
Then silence again.
The Shadow Office still hadn't hung up.
And just as it said, I knew.
What I had to do.
Something no one else could know, but only I could. Something only I could do.
There was only one such thing.
So.
"...Create a new ghost story. One that neutralizes the forgetting effect?"
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
"But..."
My voice trembled without me realizing it.
Honestly.
It felt pretty bleak.
"When I make a ghost story, weird shit happens that I didn't want. If I make another one to block this, won't something even bigger happen next? It'd be great if I could cover just this problem without other side effects. But it doesn't work that way."
This wasn't some game of musical ghost stories.
The more ghost stories I made, the more I felt like I was sinking into a quagmire where I had to keep making even more.
I was scared.
That's when
the Shadow Office broke the silence again.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- It is possible. Anything. Of course.
That was...
A strangely ambiguous statement.
Open to two interpretations.
One hopeful: If I crafted the ghost story right, I could minimize side effects and get the desired result. Controlling ghost stories was obviously possible.
The other grim: Bigger problems from ghost stories were also obviously possible, so the more I made, the worse it could get until I couldn't handle it.
Which one did it mean?
I asked, but the Shadow Office went silent again.
Ah, come on.
At least it hadn't hung up. Small comfort.
In the end.
The choice was mine alone.
Risk it and make a ghost story to push forward? Or fade away forgotten and die quietly?
The answer was decided from the start.
"...Fuck it, I'll do it."
I couldn't just vanish like this.
I had to believe I could control ghost stories properly and make one.
The Responding Bear Doll had saved that woman, and the Rational Gacha Machine had helped Lee Seol find light.
Even if they seemed bizarre to others, those ghost stories clearly contributed something positive to the world, not just harm.
I could make ones like that.
I decided to believe it. There was potential, so why not try? I couldn't just sit and accept being forgotten.
That left one problem.
"...So what ghost story should I make..."
Ghost stories weren't something I could just whip up with a convenient setup on a whim.
I needed that flash of inspiration first.
But right now, nothing. My brain felt like a waterlogged sponge, musty and useless. Headache, irritation.
"Inspiration. What kind? I need diverse ideas..."
To minimize side effects, diverse inspirations were key.
Then compare, refine, make it safe.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- I have prepared them.
Huh?
Bzzzzt!
My phone vibrated in my hand.
A long message with no sender.
"This is..."
[A compilation of reference materials from stories existing in various cultures and around the world to spark ideas.]
Exactly as advertised. Reference material.
A bunch of bizarre tales to give me ideas right now.
The moment I saw it, I knew.
This was a lump of inspiration. My soggy sponge-brain perked up, breathing fresh air. Ideas swirled through my head.
But.
There was a problem.
A fatal one.
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📄 Reference Material 1 - Big Brother
Big Brother is connected to everyone and watches over all. Big Brother can make itself remembered or forgotten. At any moment, Big Brother misses no one.
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So.
Become a being that monitors everyone, watches over them, exerts influence, and I can make them remember me as I please.
...That's a total ghost story.
The problem isn't side effects—it's me becoming the side effect!
It's telling me to turn myself into the aberration!?
A shiver ran down my spine.
But the truly horrifying part?
The inspiration hit me the instant I read it.
Strong inspiration.
This...
It could work. I could become the Big Brother ghost story myself. Near-certain inspiration swirled and solidified in my mind on its own.
But... maybe it's not all bad. Could even be kinda fun... fuck no!
"Argh!"
I yelled and writhed. My hand gripping the phone was sweaty. Heart pounding.
Checked the phone. Call with Shadow Office still connected.
"Wh-what the hell is this! You're telling me to do something like this?!"
I demanded.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...
Of course. No answer.
"Hoo..."
Creepy.
I vividly remembered the moment inspiration clouded my common sense.
Just as Team Leader Shin Na said, this ghost story-making ability was corrupting me.
My hands shook.
It repulsed me.
But...
"I already decided to do it..."
My mind was made up.
I had to move forward. Firmly believe I could use this power right.
I read the next reference material from the Shadow Office.
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📄 Reference Material 2 - Boss
The Boss cut off the pinky fingers of his organization members, leaving a mark. The severed fingers remained as an eternal mark ensuring members never forgot their affiliation and loyalty.
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Aha?
So for important people who need to remember me, cut off their pinky?
Well, Lee Seol's already done. No need to do it again.
"..."
The crazy part was.
This idea felt pretty mild.
After Big Brother, cutting off a pinky seemed like no big deal.
Objectively, yeah. Not an eyeball. Not human skin. A pinky is... what do you mean no big deal!
When did my sense of normalcy shatter like this...
"Hoo..."
Deep breath. Next material.
Anyway, inspiration hits with each one, so it'll help. As long as I stay sharp. Just me.
Let's go.
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📄 Reference Material 3 - Competent Shadow Butler
The competent shadow butler does not call people. It possesses the bodies of needed people, puppets them, and presents them at the required location. Needs delivery? Controls a rider and brings them. Needs a doctor? Controls a doctor and brings them. Needs a friend? Controls a friend and presents them. Perfectly competent, no inconvenience whatsoever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hm. This one's pretty...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
📄 Reference Material 4 - Body Snatcher
He realized his life was ruined and decided to live another. By taking another's body and becoming them, his original self is forgotten, but he starts anew as his new self.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Mm. This one's also quite...
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📄 Reference Material 5 - Omnipresence
A being that exists everywhere and nowhere. By uncertainty, a forgotten being can appear anywhere, anytime, without contradiction. It is a superposition of existence and nonexistence. Thus, immortality. To the immortal, being remembered no longer matters.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Transcendence.
Yeah. This was transcendence.
Becoming a greater being...
Massive inspiration surged.
I'm already forgotten, so I could base a new ghost story on that. Existing everywhere and nowhere because I'm forgotten.
Shadow, mirage... no, a god-like being.
No fear of death or pain.
This was an ecstatic path...
Slap!
I raised my hand.
Slapped my cheek.
Slap!
Raised it again.
Slapped.
Slap!
Finally, my cheek burned, stung, eyes watered.
Whew... close call.
The flood of inspiration from these references nearly swept me away. If I'd chanted a setup while entranced, what would I have become...? Chills hit late.
Still.
Not a waste. Going through them sparked a completely new idea.
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- ...Have you decided?
"Yes. I'll make a proxy."
Looking at the Shadow Office's absurd references... it suddenly hit me.
Forcing remembrance or making it irrelevant led to even more horrific ghost stories. Ones that could lose even myself.
Then my eye caught the Body Snatcher and the oddly emphasized Shadow Butler.
Not using those methods exactly, but...
"A proxy always connected to me, identical in appearance, perfectly mimicking me, one I can control directly if needed. A doll just like me. Wouldn't that work? It handles my trivial daily life and relationships, and I only take over when necessary. Like making a doll that moves in my place. Meanwhile, my real body lives safely hidden. And if something happens, the doll can take me to the hospital or whatever to care for me."
Sure, issues lingered... but this seemed a solid compromise.
Accept being forgotten.
But minimize the damage.
By putting the doll as my stand-in and errand boy.
That way, I keep human connections and have help when needed.
And if the World Health Safety League tracks my proxy? 'Oh dear, that's just my doll. I can make as many as I want.'
Funny way to brush it off.
That's when
⚙ SHADOW OFFICE ⚙
- I will prepare it.
The Shadow Office replied calmly.
The call had ended before I knew it.
But.
Prepare?
What?