Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 178
The Black Tortoise Team of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau directly experiences all sorts of bizarre ghost stories.
It’s a little different from initial investigations or cleanup work. During the rescue process, they often become completely immersed in these ghost stories, truly experiencing them firsthand.
But today was unusual.
"Ti, Team Leader."
"Shh."
The leader of Black Tortoise Team 3, Agent Haegeum, pressed down on her team member's head.
[Flower Golden Resort]
Five hours had already passed since they arrived at this strange location.
And the agents had noticed quite a few bizarre anomalies.
The staff at this resort were all human.
And aside from the newbie agent from the Disaster Management Bureau standing at the front desk, most of them seemed to be maintaining their sanity.
At least, it appeared that way on the surface.
Could this be possible in a supernatural disaster?
"But, there’s one more strange person,” one of the team members muttered.
"The room service attendant!"
Their gazes shifted to the front desk.
"Hello, I'm the room service attendant, Ladybug!"
The cheerful-voiced employee, who introduced herself as Ladybug over the phone, was wearing a costume that resembled the resort’s bizarre mascot, not a ladybug at all.
... Just like a new recruit in the cleanup team.
‘What on earth happened here?’
Only these two had their identities erased and were now wearing mascot masks.
When they asked if they had been 'corrected' for not performing their duties properly, everyone shook their heads.
"That’s not it!"
"If we had to explain… it's more like... goodwill?"
Goodwill?
The strange choice of words created a sense of unease.
But beyond that, no one seemed to provide a clear answer about what had happened.
"The mascot said no."
"Please check the work regulations."
Ah, those work regulations.
Agent Haegeum reluctantly opened the "Work Regulation Manual for Resort Employees," which the mascot kindly handed her, only to squeeze her eyes shut.
There were 37 rules in total.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.
The dense text hinted at all the horrific consequences that could unfold in this resort.
"Typical, right, Team Leader?"
That was true. But somehow…
"Welcome!"
It was just too peaceful.
The staff didn’t seem to feel the pressure or anxiety that the work regulations were inducing.
Even when they saw two people who had completely lost their identities and had become accessories to the resort, they weren’t horrified. Instead, they calmly went about their duties.
They greeted the mascot and even chatted with each other.
They even glanced at their approaching colleagues for a moment, only to quietly scatter.
"..."
It felt strange.
Guests with bizarre and dangerous traits continued entering this beautiful resort, yet all they had to do was greet them at the entrance.
The division of labor was thorough.
One team member was sent to a different location, and civilians to be rescued were placed elsewhere.
Isolation.
But at any moment, they could still go to greet the guests. The work regulations were only suggestions for employees, not mandatory.
‘This is odd.’
Time passed naturally and calmly, but bizarre things were slowly unfolding like they were seeping in.
"..."
Snap.
Agent Haegeum slapped her face.
‘Focus.’
Even though today’s purpose was simply to rescue someone, not to end the supernatural disaster, this resort was unsettling in a different way than previous incidents...
She had to stay sharp for the next two days.
A few hours later.
See you next time~
"Ahhh!"
"Let me in! Let me in!"
Ignoring the desperate souls pounding on the door outside, the hotel business ended for the day.
The eerie madness appeared for just a moment before disappearing, and the staff casually continued their conversations without even looking toward the door.
"Can we go to bed now?"
"I'm sleepy."
That was even more chilling.
Even if they were from some insane cult-like company, this was just strange.
‘These bastards are the ones who desperately protect their own lives.’
She coaxed an employee wearing a mouse mask with a cigarette to talk a little more about this ghost story.
"Ah! This was originally a theme park ghost story, but suddenly a resort was built here..."
A newly built place.
"Anyway, if we just keep working, we can leave!"
"Who?"
"Huh?"
"Who said we can leave? Isn’t there no manual?"
"Uh... The mascot, of course!"
When she asked other employees, the answers were similar.
Once the third facility opens, we can all leave.
We're waiting for the third facility... Aren’t you scared? I was scared at first, but now I think it’s okay... The mascot takes care of everything.
-? Yes. That's right.
"......"
Really... strange.
The cherry on top was the reaction of a person who had been rescued after working somewhere else.
The person who had cleaned the spa passage seemed to be relieved.
"The mascot helped me... It wasn't hard at all... I just have to stay one more day, right? They said they'd give me a gift when I leave."
"......"
"They said we can leave soon!"
This lukewarm goodwill and the settling peace, the bright and luxurious resort, the creeping psychological anxiety.
Agent Haegeum really wanted a cigarette.
Nothing else could push away the chill as effectively.
‘I'm weak to stuff like this, damn it.’
She was, by nature, the type who was strong against traditional ghost stories and shamanic supernatural disasters.
But her assignment was what it was.
In fact, if the calling device used by the rescue requester hadn’t been so special, Black Tortoise Team wouldn't have rushed in like this.
The calling device was almost like equipment that, when activated during a supernatural disaster, could show exactly what path had been used to enter.
Devices of that grade were usually reserved for high-ranking government officials or significant figures, but typically, the requester was someone with a special status.
The closest relative of a fallen agent, for example.
‘...Hah.’
It was difficult to psychologically give up on the rescue and escape with their own team.
Moreover, the person they were to rescue wasn't the only one causing concern.
"Hey."
"Yes, staff member!"
The team leader met a person waiting in the hallway on the third floor.
A male staff member with brown long hair.
The front desk employee wearing a yellow mascot mask, who had appeared in the elevator and was on his way home, smiled kindly and greeted her.
Agent Haegeum gritted her teeth briefly.
...Definitely a new recruit in the cleanup team.
What was his agent name… Hwagal?
"I have a question," she said.
"Anything, please ask!"
"Do you remember what you were doing before entering this resort?"
"Yes! Of course, I remember! You’re from the Disaster Management Bureau, right? I used to work there, too."
You remember?
"That's right. I’ll pass along my regards. It was Team Jujak 2, right?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
The team leader carefully chose her words.
"But if you’re sending regards, you could go directly, right? Once you leave here..."
"That's not allowed."
"......"
"I swore my dedication to the mascot here at the resort and signed a contract. I won’t leave. And the contract remains valid forever, until the end."
"What about taking a vacation?"
"I don’t rest."
"......"
The former new recruit from the cleanup team, now an employee at the resort, silently smiled and looked at the team leader.
Silence.
"I need to go to my room now. I must follow the work regulations! You should quickly go to your room and don’t open the door for anyone else."
And then he walked down the hallway, entering his room.
Thud.
"Dammit..."
The team leader cursed under her breath like a sigh.
In a supernatural disaster, doing anything conspicuous was a fool's act, and it was just a shame she couldn’t smoke.
‘How am I supposed to take her with me?’
She couldn’t open the window, so she just stood at the end of the hallway and looked out the window beyond, as though she were smoking.
It felt like if she set the atmosphere this way, the things in her head would get sorted out…
Wait a minute.
‘...?’
There was something beyond the window.
"...!"
The team leader immediately backed away from the window and pressed her body against the wall.
Noticing something in a supernatural disaster didn’t always work out in a good way.
She quickly organized what she had just seen in her mind.
‘So….’
The resort grounds, with all the lights off, were nothing more than dark silhouettes. And beyond that, the faint traces of a place where there had been bright lights and music.
‘...It felt like an amusement park.’
But the 'something' wasn’t there.
Nearby.
On the far side of the ruined area, where the resort’s lights couldn’t reach… something was bulging and moving.
‘...A forest?’
It almost looked like the leaves were rustling in the wind.
But clearly, wasn’t something looking up this way...?
Like a mascot.
"..."
The team leader pulled away from the wall.
And, squinting, she moved closer to the window again…
“…!”
She turned around.
In the middle of the dim and cozy, old-fashioned hallway stood a cute mascot costume.
...Somehow, the yellow mascot had appeared right in front of her.
Why...?
"I came to check on the group."
The yellow mascot, with a face that looked cute and expressionless, was silently watching her.
Cold sweat trickled down the team leader's back, but with years of experience, she managed to hide it without showing any signs.
"Actually, I really wanted a cigarette, but I held back."
Well done.
Surprisingly, the mascot gently patted the team leader's head, as if pleased with her actions.
And then, it handed her a small gift.
...A sleep mask.
"......"
She accepted it for now and carefully tucked it away. She would turn it over to the investigation team later.
And about that strange thing she saw outside the window...
‘Let’s not say anything about it.’
A strong survival instinct pricked her back, but alongside that, her agent’s instinct to understand this disaster kicked in.
‘Damn it.’
"I'm curious. What’s over there?"
She eventually stretched out her hand and pointed to the direction where she had seen something move.
And slightly twisted her hand.
Theme park.
“Oh, it’s a theme park. So, this is the theme park, and that’s… not quite the same, I think.”
She adjusted her hand slightly.
Towards the forest.
The long path outside.
The yellow mascot looked at her.
Don't go.
"......"
Dangerous.
The yellow mascot guided her to her assigned room and opened the door for her.
Then, it stood silently by the door until she completely entered and closed it.
The team leader heard the mascot mumbling beyond the closing door.
If this is my job, it will be over.
And the next day.
For the first time since entering the resort building, the agents were allowed to go outside.
The back of the resort had been opened.
This side...
Before the resort operations had officially begun, the mascot gathered the staff and led them to the ruins behind the resort.
Then, as the mascot raised both arms into the air.
Whoooo
The broken facilities in the ruins vanished into the ground.
Instead, beautiful garden trees began to rise up.
"...!"
Landscaping was being done.
Green leaves blossomed into dense bushes, trees, and golden flowers sparkled. Small flower buds in various colors swayed, making the massive golden flowers even more noticeable.
And even a fountain.
“Wow! Is this the new facility?”
No.
Ceremony space.
‘...Ceremony space?’
The team leader looked around.
Basic mascots were busily carrying something.
...Flyers.
On the beautiful night garden backdrop, in golden light, there were elegant, shimmering promotional phrases written.
Come visit Flower Golden.
Brilliant sparkles!
Exquisite blooming!
The most beautiful illumination at ■■!
If you stay in a theme park view room, you can enjoy special effects from the window.
...Something was being prepared.
Fifth night of resort operations.
It was time.
I checked my outfit in the facility office.
I tied a polite golden bowtie over the yellow mascot’s fur costume.
Then, I placed golden glass decorations like flowers on my horns...
Finally, I packed several glowing lights into my arms.
Now, everything was ready.
By conducting the ceremonial ritual, the mascot, who would become the true owner of the resort, would open the third facility.
Thanks to perfectly settling the event fees with the blue mascot, the budget was ample.
I left the office.
As I headed to the lobby where evening operations were in full swing, guests looked at me upon seeing my appearance.
I handed them glowing lights one by one.
The basic mascots also waved and generously gave small glowing lights to the visitors.
The ceremony I had chosen was illumination. A beautiful light festival.
It was a perfect choice for Flower Golden Resort. With this flawless ceremony, I would elevate the resort's status, showing a dignity that could not be compared to the loud parades.
I led the guests and headed to the back of the resort building.
The large and beautiful back door I had prepared was opened.
Oooooooooo
It looked desolate.
The dark resort grounds, long after the sun had set, were dim, with only the theme park lights sparkling far off in the distance.
But now, that was over.
Golden flowers.
As the mascot raised its hand, light began to sparkle across the garden.
Oooooooooo!
The night garden, blooming in golden light, danced and sparkled mysteriously.
The guests’ glowing lights, shaped like flowers on branches, also glowed with light in each flower.
Oooooooooo!
Guests cheered and shouted, and some were crying in awe,
★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★
crying on the floor.
Now, everything was ready.
We thank you for visiting the joyful theme park once again.
In a moment, the Twinkle Illumination will begin at Flower Golden Resort. Please attend and witness the birth of the great Flower Golden...
I sighed.
‘Let’s do this well.’
The mascot must be at the center to close the show’s finale.
After that...
"Oh, so we’re opening the third facility now!"
That's right.
I nodded proudly at the approaching Senior Lee.
"Good job. Other areas have about ten attractions each, don’t they? I think we could add more here as well."
No. I’m cutting ties and leaving immediately...
But as a mascot, I couldn’t say that out loud, so I just stood quietly.
If I brought up another topic... Ah, that’s right.
You know...
"Yes?"
I’d been curious for a while.
How did Senior Lee escape the red zone, and how did he survive a full day?
It might be a good idea to loosen up and hear this while the tension is low.
"Ah, I got one stamp on my boarding ticket. That rabbit chased me too much! I couldn’t ride anymore. They even blocked me from going to the blue zone."
As expected.
"So, I went to the opposite side!"
...
Huh?
"The opposite forest was accessible too? When the operations ended, there were weird noises from the theme park, but the crazy rabbit still chased me, though it was a little slower in the forest."
It was probably because it wasn’t its designated zone.
No, so...
Did that mean you spent the whole night going around the opposite forest and came out to the forest over there?
‘My goodness.’
"So, when I arrived here, I found the resort!"
It was hard.
"But isn’t it cool? Hehe."
Yeah. It’s really cool.
Escaping from the chasing Magic Bunny to come here.
Even though the mascot slowed down after leaving its designated area...
...
Huh?
Wait a minute.
The red mascot chased after you?
"Yes!"
In the forest?
"Yes!"
It makes sense that it could go to the forest since it wasn’t someone else’s zone.
The problem is, that’s not it.
Did it chase you all the way?
"Yes! It almost caught up with me! When I came here, it couldn’t come out and got blocked!"
...
The Magic Bunny.
It knows how to get to the yellow zone.
-♩♪♬♬♩♬♬♩♪♪
Hahaha!
"......"
"......Mascot?"
I turned my head.
With the garden now established, the once ruined site had been developed.
Now it was much closer and completely connected.
The forest.
And the garden’s lights shone into the forest’s interior.
And then, it was revealed.
The red walking path.
Standing quietly on it.
