Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 129

A little later.

I dialed the number given to me by Deputy Eunhaje.

It was an internal number connected to Director Ho’s private office.

[Hello?]

“…!”

“Good evening, Director Ho.”

From the moment the call connected, my supervisors went silent, watching the scene unfold.

I kept my tone as calm and polite as possible as I spoke.

“This is Assistant Manager Kim Soleum, who went missing a month ago. I’ve finally made it out of the darkness and am contacting you now.”

[Wow. Hello, Mr. Soleum! How have you been these past months?]

…The overly casual greeting was unnerving.

The tone was warm and friendly, like reconnecting with an old acquaintance rather than addressing a presumed-dead employee suddenly calling out of the blue.

"This isn’t normal."

I would’ve preferred Director Cheongdalrae, but they were unavailable. For now, I had to listen to Director Ho.

[I’m truly glad you’re not deceased. It’s such a relief to hear that you’re safe.]

“Thank you.”

[But aren’t you in a tough spot? Returning under these circumstances seems like it could cost you quite a bit in terms of points….]

Of course, he already knew.

"He’s framing this entirely around the company charging me for costs."

As someone in the development department, Director Ho had the power to prevent such issues but seemed content to merely express concern without offering direct assistance.

Not that I expected him to help.

I had already braced myself for this.

“Yes. That’s why I wanted to discuss something with you.”

I deliberately paused, maintaining composure before continuing.

“Director, is the proposal you mentioned previously about joining your project still on the table?”

[Oh, Mr. Soleum!]

[That’s an excellent idea!]

His cheerful voice rang in my ears like a hammer blow.

[You’d like to join my project and have your month-long disappearance officially documented as classified project work, avoiding any point deductions, correct?]

A shiver ran down my spine.

Next to me, Deputy Eunhaje clenched their fists.

[What a brilliant notion!]

I couldn’t bring myself to say “thank you.”

It went beyond being glad that he understood—it felt downright predatory, like dealing with a monster.

[And of course, it’s possible.]

“Thank you—”

[So, from now on, Assistant Manager Kim Soleum will officially be a member of Director Ho Yuwon’s new project team, and this is now a recorded acceptance through our conversation. Welcome aboard!]

“……”

It felt like being forced to sign a shady real estate contract after a five-minute tour of the property.

“Thank you for the generous offer. However, I was merely inquiring about your opinion and wasn’t intending to commit to participation just yet….”

[Ah, that’s fair.]

[Shall we meet in person then?]

“…That would be great, but as you know, I’m currently unable to visit the company.”

[Of course, I understand. I was actually thinking of meeting somewhere else.]

He sounded remarkably accommodating.

"…Where does he want to meet?"

I vaguely imagined a private dining room or something similar.

[The Fox Counseling Room.]

“…!”

What?

[How does that sound? Warm and comforting, right? I’ll send the nameplate through Deputy Eunhaje.]

“……”

We all turned slowly to look at Deputy Eunhaje.

"I was sure their assignments required avoiding direct contact with employees…"

And yet, Director Ho spoke as if he knew exactly who was in the room with me.

[Please wait patiently. Thank you.]

“…Thank you as well.”

With that, the call ended politely.

BRRRRRING!

Immediately, Deputy Eunhaje’s phone rang.

They showed us the name on the screen before answering.

[Director Ho Yuwon]

“……”

“Yes. Yes… Understood. I’ll return right away.”

Click.

“You see that? That guy’s not normal.”

Deputy Eunhaje pulled the phone away with an exasperated expression.

“The Fox Counseling Room? He’s dressing it up like it’s all about offering you support and a chance to talk because of potential contamination, but it’s really just a power move to establish control.”

“……”

“Noroo.”

Deputy Eunhaje frowned and pocketed their phone.

“Even if it takes a bit longer, I strongly recommend avoiding Director Ho’s project. Points are precious, sure, but… damn it.”

Finally, they ran a hand through their hair and sighed.

To the Field Exploration Team, points were as vital as life itself, something Deputy Eunhaje fully understood.

“I’ll go grab the nameplate, but don’t give in easily. Use your silver tongue to dodge his clutches, okay? I’m counting on you.”

“Yes.”

I nodded firmly.

“I’ll tread carefully and hear him out.”

“Good.”

Shortly after.

Deputy Eunhaje returned from the company with the item promised by Director Ho.

A nameplate, now a familiar sight.

***

*The Fox Counseling Room*

"Phew."

“Noroo, if the atmosphere feels off, just bolt out of there!”

“Thank you, Supervisor.”

With encouragement and advice from my superiors, I hung the nameplate on the designated door.

And for the first time in a long while, I stepped inside the Fox Counseling Room.

Creeeeak.

“……”

Previously, this door had led to a changing room, but now it opened into an entirely different space.

"A waiting room?"

It was a small space, cozy and inviting, where one could wait or perhaps take a psychological assessment before a consultation.

The ivory-colored room had a few cypress wood tables and chairs, giving it a quaint and rustic charm. Yet, the door leading to the actual counseling room was firmly shut.

Above it was a sign:

Closed for Today 😊

(Please take the nameplate back!)

"Wait, so…."

Tap, tap.

“Hello, Mr. Soleum!”

I nearly fainted.

I turned my head to see a young man with a genial smile, patting my shoulder.

It was Director Ho, beaming at me like an old friend, nodding in polite greeting.

“What a coincidence that the Fox Counseling Room is closed today! No chance of anyone else wandering in. How perfect, wouldn’t you say?”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

"How does Director Ho know a ghost story’s counseling room is closed?"

"He’s clearly hinting at some connection with the Fox Counseling Room."

For now, I decided not to dig into it.

Focus on the key issue.

What I needed was the recovery of my points.

“Shall we take a seat then?”

“Yes, thank you.”

I sat across from the director in one of the comfortable waiting room chairs.

The setting didn’t feel grounded in reality.

"Phew."

I made some green tea from the tea bags provided in the room and set a cup in front of Director Ho. While he thanked me politely, he said nothing further and simply smiled at me.

"He’s not going to start the conversation, is he?"

Fine.

“Director, I have some reservations about someone as lacking as myself joining your project….”

“Goodness, don’t think that way. What exactly concerns you? From our phone conversation, you seemed quite interested.”

Stay calm.

"Right now, I’m just an outsider, technically resigned."

If I didn’t return, I’d remain a civilian, which meant the director’s influence wasn’t as strong as it could be.

I needed to speak my mind.

Clasping my hands together, I said, “Frankly, I’m afraid of dying.”

“…!”

“Losing points would be painful, but if I die before I can collect them all, what’s the point?”

“Ah, I see.”

“If this project is more dangerous than being in the Field Exploration Team, I can’t help but feel apprehensive. I’m seriously considering either returning to my old job or resigning altogether.”

“Ah, I see. That’s incredibly astute of you!”

“……”

Was he mocking me?

Yet, his expression remained one of earnestness, his words sincere.

“That’s an excellent question. ‘Is Director Ho’s classified project more dangerous than the Field Exploration Team?’”

“……”

“And my answer is…”

Director Ho smiled warmly.

“It’s not dangerous. In fact, it might even have a higher survival rate.”

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

“…!!”

“Oh, of course, depending on the tasks, there might occasionally be more risk. But at least for the role I’m proposing for you, that’s not the case.”

“…Would you mind explaining further?”

“Unfortunately, that’s all I can disclose for now.”

Looking genuinely regretful, Director Ho added gently, “But I can guarantee that it’s a better situation, with a higher chance of survival.”

“……”

“So, will you be joining the project? By the way, this may be your last chance—we won’t be accepting new members after this.”

He was locking in the decision.

I looked at Director Ho, pretending to weigh my options, then deliberately nodded.

“I would like to participate.”

“Oh! Wonderful.”

"Would like to’ instead of ‘will."

A phrasing that allowed for a last-minute exit. Fortunately, Director Ho didn’t seem to notice, clapping his hands in delight.

He even refilled the teapot and placed another cup of green tea in front of me. It wasn’t comforting—it sent chills down my spine.

“You’ve made an excellent choice. Truly, the working conditions have improved.”

“…Working conditions?”

“Yes, it’ll be much more comfortable for you.”

Director Ho sipped his tea, squinting as he smiled.

“After spending a month in the darkness, you must have endured significant hardship. I thought you’d appreciate something… more fun.”

There was something unsettling about his tone.

“…Something fun?”

“Yes! The task I’d like you to handle is…”

And then, without hesitation, he casually stated my new role.

“To infiltrate the Disaster Management Bureau.”

“…!!”

“You could call it spying, I suppose?”

Director Ho winked at me.

“Disguised as a newly recruited agent with a clean record from the public exam, you’ll integrate seamlessly and live as one of their own.”

Good grief.

“And while you’re there, I’d like you to retrieve information on a particular supernatural disaster they’re managing. Simple, right?”

I swallowed hard.

“What kind of supernatural disaster do you want me to find?”

Director Ho raised an eyebrow, his smile widening.

“Instead of asking how to do it, you go straight to the target? Impressive.”

“……”

“That will be revealed in due time. For now, the priority is successfully infiltrating the bureau….”

He fixed me with an intense gaze.

“And in my opinion, there’s no one better suited for the job than you, Mr. Soleum.”

“……”

Did he know?

That I had some connection to the Disaster Management Bureau?

That I was in possession of one of their items?

I worked hard to ignore the presence of the Silver Heart still in my pocket.

"Director Ho seems to harbor a deep grudge against the Disaster Management Bureau."

For now, I kept my mouth shut.

His shocking revelation didn’t end there.

“And since it might be lonely to go alone, others will be joining you.”

What?

“…Who?”

I immediately thought of Deputy Eunhaje, but the answer was entirely unexpected.

“Two of your peers from the Field Exploration Team.”

“…!!”

“Want to see?”

He handed me a document with blurred details, showing only the names and departments.

Field Exploration Team, Team R – Go Yeong-eun (Employee)

Field Exploration Team, Team F – Jang Heo-un (Employee)

Only names that seemed to match personalities the bureau might accept were listed.

“Now, Mr. Soleum.”

Director Ho beamed.

“I look forward to your brilliant performance as a spy for the Disaster Management Bureau!”