Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

“Right. Thank you. Then… Braun, is it okay if you go back into my front pocket for now?”

– Oh, I certainly wouldn’t refuse that!

I barely managed to smoothly shift the topic and end the conversation with Braun.

Phew.

As soon as I put Braun into the front pocket of the top I was wearing, I let out a sigh of relief.

Still, there was a strange sense of stability, like I’d somehow gotten back on track.

For reference, the dokkaebi flame substituting as my right arm shook so badly when I tried to grab the plush toy with it, and I just ended up using my left arm.

‘Since when did it take this much negotiation just to use my own body…’

I feel like I’m reaching enlightenment.

“…Yes.”

Fortunately, the lizard didn’t do anything rash like snatching up the Good Friend plush and throwing him out the window.

Though he did stare at the bunny for a while.

‘…If Braun could move right now, a fight clearly would’ve broken out.’

In a way, it was a relief things were as they were.

To clear the air, I spoke up again.

“Um, Section Chief. Then, if the reason you visited today was because you noticed this…”

“It is not.”

Then what is it?

“Is there another reason?”

“Yes.”

“One moment.”

Huu.

I finally sat back down at the table and set out some simple snacks and coffee for Chief Lizard.

He accepted the coffee without hesitation, and I also drank mine across from him.

“I’d like to hear it now, please.”

I was ready to listen.

…It even crossed my mind that this might be about the D-squad.

“Yes.”

After swallowing a snack, packaging included, the lizard looked at me and spoke.

It was an utterly unexpected topic.

“Mr. Roe Deer, during your last ‘Cheerful Theme Park!’ expedition, did you have a Dream Essence Collector with you?”

……

Hmm?

“The company didn’t provide me with one.”

“I see.”

Right. I had been pretending to be part of the Security Team’s special division.

Normally, the Security Team isn’t given a collector because they’re too contaminated. The collector only dispenses Dream Essence if it recognizes the user as human, and they can’t pass that assessment.

But of course, I had brought one of my own.

An elite team collector.

The one I’d received from the Merch Box had, several times now, provided me with raw material so I could extract potions in the Dream Incubator.

‘This exploration is supposed to be A-grade.’

Should I check it now?

I opened my mouth as I checked the elite team collector I’d stored in my inventory tattoo.

“But why are you asking about—”

The elite team collector was completely empty.

“……”

Huh?

“Mr. Roe Deer.”

I carefully took out the collector again and checked to be sure, but still, nothing was inside.

‘That’s, strange.’

I definitely cleared the Darkness and escaped. That means the Dream Essence Collector should be full.

Why isn’t it filled?

‘Even if you clear the darkness, if the collector doesn’t recognize you as human, it won’t fill with essence…’

The phrase that just popped into my mind.

– The collector only dispenses Dream Essence if it recognizes the user as human, and they can’t pass that assessment.

……

Wait a minute.

I’m not human, is that it?

I’ve been classified as a ghost story entity?

But…

‘I’m still completely myself, aren’t I?’

I didn’t show any sudden or bizarre behavior like the time I went to the Fox Counseling Office.

So I feel like I’m maintaining my own sense of identity…

“Section Chief.”

“Yes.”

“Am I… contaminated?”

I met Chief Lizard’s gaze.

He opened his mouth.

“Yes.”

“……But I’m normal. It’s different from when I went to the counseling office…”

“It’s because you’ve been contaminated by a different Darkness.”

……Ah.

‘That… could be possible.’

That’s when it happened.

A brilliant shaft of light descended from above.

I looked up without thinking, and there was the familiar notepad and message…

[Dark Exploration Records Real Merch Box]

– New merch unlocked! (!)

A special phenomenon I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Almost unconsciously, I reached out and caught the item that dropped from the box.

A small silver music box.

“……”

It was the item I’d bought at the pop-up store.

Church of the Luminous Unknown Merch.

========================

Dark Exploration Records / Church of the Luminous Unknown

/ Items

Music Box of Praise

A replica of the music box acquired through a certain ritual at the Church of the Luminous Unknown.

It’s said that the inside of the genuine article was engraved with the words ‘Knowledge of the Truth is Power’.

If someone who has become assimilated with a ghost story listens to the melody of the music box, there is a chance they may regain their human rationality and sense of self.

However, if listened to repeatedly more than three times, it can instead lead to falling into madness and committing unpredictable and horrific acts. See usage records here.

Some claim this is merely a side effect of realizing the unknowable truths of this world, and that the music box’s true usage only begins after listening more than three times.

As soon as the music box is closed, the melody is forgotten, and only the feeling remains, never to be recalled in your mind again.

Usage Requirement : One who has been granted the sacred scriptures of the Church of the Luminous Unknown, and has become assimilated.

========================

Here, ‘assimilated’ means those who have mutated so much within a ghost story that they can no longer be recognized as human, according to the Church of the Luminous Unknown’s terminology.

So… the fact that I received this means.

I’ve met the item’s usage requirements.

I’ve been completely contaminated by the ghost story.

And I’m aware of it.

“Mr. Roe Deer.”

“……”

“If you still do not wish to visit the Fox Counseling Office, please nod your head.”

This is driving me crazy.

“If you are unable to decide, please execute the alternative immediately.”

That is…

“What is it?”

“Please take out the thank-you card you received from the Space Shopping Mall.”

Reflexively, I did as he said.

A golden card popped out from my wrist, but Section Chief Lee Jaheon didn’t so much as blink.

“Now, please take out the cell enclosed within the card.”

A cell?

Was it referring to the gold chip, shaped like a SIM card, that had been enclosed inside the card?

“Place it under your tongue.”

“……”

“Make sure the circuit is facing up, and press it under your tongue.”

Normally, I would’ve hesitated and wasted more time.

But this time, a cold sense of crisis spurred me to act.

“Yes.”

I pressed the ‘cell’ under my tongue.

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