Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 185

I remember.

The time I had just been promoted to assistant manager at Hundred Dreams Corporation.

I got dragged into the “Serial Killer Lodge” ghost story because of my roommate, but somehow cleared it without killing anyone.

And as a reward, I inherited this tattoo from the lodge master.

* 恩主 *

Later, I upgraded it at the Moonlight Tattoo Shop to use part of the lodge as if it were an inventory—but that wasn’t its true nature.

It was the hiring authority of the lodge keeper.

A contract to command the staff who ran the serial killer lodge.

But I couldn’t use it.

—However, pardon my saying so, but your employer must meet certain qualifications.

—Innate, existential nobility is required.

I didn’t care. I only stole the employment contract to put a stop to the ghost story.

But now…

A being of innate, existential nobility.

The employment contract declares—

I meet that standard.

"You summoned me."

Before I even noticed, there stood a man in tattered clothing, holding my contract.

In his hand was the original red wax seal of his own contract, still unbroken.

The Lodge Keeper.

Wearing a worn robe that covered his entire head, he still exuded a strange sense of dignity and formality. The servant calmly gazed at me.

‘……!’

"You have met the qualifications of my employer. In accordance with the authority of the contract, I stand before you to work under your command."

Wait.

I hastily summoned black smoke.

Maybe because the system now judged me more as a “Flower Golden Resort” employee than a mascot, it was harder to use.

Even the black smoke I managed to summon turned gold partway through—but I was still able to shape the letters.

Qualified?

Where did that ruling come from?

"I, too, find it a bit puzzling. But that is not for me to decide."

Heh!

Defines one's own standard

of nobility.

"Understood."

As a good servant should, the Lodge Keeper answered immediately.

"An extraordinary birth."

…!

"A promised inheritance and power. The existence of those who beg him for mercy or tremble before his wrath."

And…

"A merciless and overwhelming dominion exercised over parasites, visitors, intruders, and challengers within his territory."

…Why does this sound more like the profile of a catastrophe god than someone noble? Isn’t nobility supposed to be associated with kindness?

Then again, the previous owner of the lodge was a lunatic who lured people in with promises of inheritance and made them kill each other.

‘Savage…’

The more I heard, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) the more it was clear—this wasn’t a standard for humans.

But somehow, all the actions I had taken so far—reborn as a mascot within the ghost story—fit perfectly.

‘So… the Yellow Zone of the theme park is considered my territory now.’

Still, there was one thing I didn’t understand.

A promised inheritance and power?

"Indeed. You had it from the moment we first met."

The Lodge Keeper bowed again.

But… do I really have something like that?

Maybe noticing my confusion, he politely raised both hands and pointed at something.

"It is proven by a mark more powerful than my own employment seal."

…!

I instinctively looked down at my left forearm, hidden beneath my Security Team uniform.

My other tattoo.

: Socius :

The mark given to me by the Blue Mascot.

I turned toward the gate. The Blue Mascot spoke with an oddly proud air.

I

Am the guardian

Of the Good Child

‘…!!’

The Good Child

Must be protected

Wait a minute.

Didn’t that Latin word mean something like “companion,” “member,” or “kinsman”?

I had assumed the brand, burned into my wrist with the season pass, was just a fancy VIP badge for the theme park.

But actually, it meant something more…

‘You… marked me as your protected family?’

I made eye contact with the adorably deformed blue dragon.

A mix of gratitude and unease swept over me.

Sure, it was probably well-meaning, and I’d definitely benefited from it and been saved a few times.

But in the end, it was that very “kindness” that had led to me being trapped in this cheerful hellhole of a theme park.

And more importantly—

Since sunrise, I felt like I could understand the Blue Dragon’s words more clearly than ever….

‘…….’

I stood there, frozen, still staring at the Blue Mascot, while the mascot and the nearby staff shuffled nervously.

Then, the Lodge Keeper spoke again.

"Shall I be assigned to manage your territory?"

Wait.

You mean… I could have someone else work here?

"Indeed. Shall I be instructed to operate this territory known as ‘Flower Golden Resort’?"

He maintained formal courtesy, but there was a subtle hint of anticipation in his tone.

I suddenly recalled how joyful the resort staff were when they were fully locked into their contracts.

Even I, immersed in the operations as a mascot.

Do you wish to work?

"That is irrelevant. Only the employer’s will matters."

Employer's will:

Curious

"Indeed. I exist to manage his territory on behalf of the employer."

The Lodge Keeper continued.

"I have diligently cared for my noble master’s lodge thus far… but if you entrust me with greater duties, I will be able to command even more powerful staff…"

A flicker of ambition surfaced briefly before vanishing.

So, if he got promoted to managing something bigger than a lodge—like a resort—he’d gain more authority and power?

Wait.

He said he was a proxy, right?

Then that means…

Even if I’m not here—

It can still operate?

"Yes. I was hired to act as your stand-in."

A shiver ran through me.

Every operating zone in Yukhwe Theme Park required a mascot to be present.

I had already gone through the ceremony and become an officially recognized mascot—so I couldn’t hand over the title.

But if I had a perfect stand-in…

Could I leave?

"Shall I proceed?"

I nodded.

At that moment—

"I will work under your direction."

The Lodge Keeper’s appearance began to change.

“…!”

The filthy old robe vanished, replaced by a resort staff uniform and a sleek suit.

White gloves. Neatly combed black hair. Polished shoes. Monocle. Even the mascot mask with the yellow zone’s emblem.

And then—

[Manager]

A nametag appeared.

"Thank you."

I had hired the Lodge Keeper as the manager.

Now neatly dressed, the former servant straightened his back, politely holding out the red wax seal in his hand again.

The wax turned golden.

It resealed the glowing contract before me, and the entire document turned golden and returned to being my tattoo.

: 恩主 :

I watched the light vanish beneath my Security Team uniform.

"The duration of your inherited employment contract is 1,241 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 23 seconds—solar calendar standard."

That was more than enough. I’d use a Wish Ticket and leave long before that.

What mattered was this:

The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.

I could leave now—without tearing myself apart as a mascot.

Because I had a manager who would work in my place.

Relief buzzed through my head.

I heard murmuring behind me from the staff.

"Is that guy also from Security Team Special Division?"

"Did he set up this whole expedition just for this…?"

"Wait, what do you mean ‘just for this’? Are you saying we were never supposed to be here in the first place and got dragged in?"

"Eh? No, I mean, that Security Team guy probably—"

Damn it.

Before the Bureau could dig up any more about me, I hurriedly shut them up.

Golden smoke formed words.

Your choice

▶ Resign

▶ Stay

“…!”

“R-Resign!”

“I’ll resign, please!”

A wise decision.

‘I was going to get you all out anyway.’

The mood shifted in an instant.

I watched as the basic mascot unit came running over to offer the contracts, and the employees hastily tore them apart and signed resignation papers.

‘Let’s get everyone out first.’

One by one, their uniforms disappeared, and they returned to their original appearances.

To hand out the promised items, I led them to the gift shop via the basic mascot unit.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but part of the Red Zone had been absorbed into the Yellow Zone, and the gift shop was included.

‘Let’s stick to safe zones.’

But not everyone followed my guidance.

"Ah! Thank you!"

Take Assistant Manager Lee Seong-hae—she thanked me politely, but didn’t head straight to the gift shop or the gate.

To be precise, once her uniform vanished, she staggered and sat down carefully on the floor.

‘…!’

The injuries she’d suffered before becoming a resort employee had returned.

Now that she didn’t have to work anymore, there was no reason for her to be sustained.

"Aigoo…"

Her legs, fractured, trembled as she sat near the gate to the Blue Zone, looking at me in quiet comfort.

Recommended: Immediate return for injury recovery.

"It’s okay! Let’s go together!"

Assistant Manager Lee Jaheon glanced between me and the lodge keeper, then silently checked the remaining personnel before coming to stand quietly at the gate.

No!

Get out.

Everybody out!

"You go report the rescue first."

"Yes, sir!"

And why is the team leader still standing there...!

I secretly wiped cold sweat from my brow as I watched the Hyunmu Team Leader, who’d pulled off an incredible feat yesterday with the Spirit Tiger Sword, remain behind with arms crossed in front of the gate after sending her subordinate off first.

Well, the biggest fires had been put out.

All that remained now was one Bureau agent, one elite team staffer, and one lizard department head.

‘A lineup that seems like they know how to keep quiet.’

And then—

Two employees still wearing the Yellow Mascot masks.

Those who couldn’t resign.

‘…….’

Judging by Assistant Manager Lee Seong-hae’s condition, if either of them ended their employee contract… they’d likely return to their pre-employment state.

In other words, corpses.

Sigh.

I turned back to the lodge keeper.

He remained unmoving in a respectful posture, bowing slightly as he waited for me to finish my work.

Then he asked again:

"Are those two designated as employees of the resort?"

He gestured toward the two remaining mascot-suited staff.

‘…!’

A spark of realization flashed through my mind.

What if… I could leave while still being a mascot?

Then maybe they could leave with me.

If they’re bound to me, not the resort itself—

"Forgive me, but wouldn’t it be difficult for employees contracted to the resort to leave this place?"

The basic mascot handed the lodge keeper the employment contracts I’d issued, and the lodge keeper carefully reviewed the documents before making that declaration.

But I didn’t back down.

The workplace doesn't matter

They’re contracted to me

Then I raised my hand and pointed to the signature line on the contract.

Employer: GOLDEN

See it?

They’re bound to me

Not the territory

"……."

The lodge keeper paused, seemingly weighing something.

Maybe reviewing whether this contradicted any resort operational policies… but soon, he raised his head and nodded.

"I have received your directive."

Yes!

"Then I will proceed to extract the remaining employees—"

"Hold on."

That’s when the team leader watching our exchange suddenly cut in.

Specifically, speaking to me.

"You can send people out, right? Then would you consider selling one of your ‘employees’?"

……!

I reflexively summoned smoke.

Employees are not for sale

They are earnest workers

"……."

The team leader looked stunned for a second.

She gave me a look like she didn’t know whether to feel wronged or just crazy, then sighed and spoke again.

"Right, fair enough. Then how about a loan? I’ll pay. I’ve got a lot of fun items I could trade."

Ah.

"You see that one? The long-haired employee. Send him to me."

She raised her hand and pointed to someone.

…Jang Heoun.

"I’ll take him with me."

I looked between the two employees… and something clicked.

Jang Heoun cannot fall into Director Ho’s hands.

No matter how I think about it, the Bureau is a much better outcome. If Ho got his hands on Jang Heoun now, who knows what would happen.

How amusing would that be? A spy, sent in disguised as a ghost story creature, only to draw in another spy who had now become fully tainted by the narrative.

Even if Ho wasn’t twisted enough to enjoy it—he’d still be angry.

‘He lost a spy.’

And if I had anything to do with that, his wrath would land on both me and Jang Heoun.

Whatever he did in retaliation, I was sure it wouldn’t be humane.

‘But can the Bureau really restore Jang Heoun?’

After all, he’d infiltrated as a spy. Who knows what they’d do to him?

My mind spiraled through a fierce mental debate.

Then, I made my decision.

I shaped the smoke again.

Approval

"…! Great. Then as compensation—"

Wait.

Before dispatch, contract required

To ensure safety and wage guarantees

"……."

After a long negotiation, I finalized the dispatch contract with the team leader, and we each took a copy.

And with that, Jang Heoun’s affiliation was officially transferred.

"So my workplace has changed! I look forward to working with you, Agent!"

Jang Heoun cheerfully saluted me with a “I’ll return after duty” line and followed the agent without hesitation.

‘Don’t come back.’

Please, let the Bureau find a way to restore him.

Or at the very least—

‘…Let him fake it long enough to keep spying on Director Ho.’

Then I could use my Wish Ticket.

With that, I could bring Jang Heoun back to his pre-employee state—alive and whole.

‘It’s worth a shot.’

I clenched my fist quietly.

And as I prepared to deal with the ladybug employee, I held back a sigh.

"Yes. Preparing to transfer workplace!"

Honestly, this guy… I couldn’t even get a Wish Ticket for him, and he pretty much brought this on himself.

‘Still, I’ll hand him over to Hundred Dreams for now.’

That’s probably the best course.

If I could take him out, I had to.

"Have you finished organizing everything?"

After that, I finalized the handover and shared all necessary operational info with the lodge keeper.

How to run the resort. Revenue distribution. And—

"I noticed the contract includes a rather unique operational clause."

The inventory-like function of the tattoo.

"I will remove your temporary space and install a new access point within the resort. You’ll be able to issue directives to your territory from that link with ease."

So the tattoo would now serve as a kind of weird communication relay.

‘Another upgrade, huh.’

Finally, I asked the most basic thing necessary for communication:

Your name.

Introduce yourself.

"Call me whatever is most convenient for you."

Give your preferred title.

"…Then please address me as the Resort Manager."

I nodded.

The one who would now be called Manager instead of Lodge Keeper bowed formally to me, and I turned to face the Blue Mascot by the gate.

The Blue Mascot, apparently having overheard my conversation with the Manager, spoke somewhat frantically.

This place

Is our home now

Sigh.

I shook my head.

The Blue Mascot looked stricken.

But I ate the bad mascot

It’s safe now

It waved its little forepaws, trying to persuade me somehow.

All gone

Safe here

I shook my head as politely as possible.

And then, I shaped smoke words.

I have things to do

My duty

The Blue Mascot’s shoulders drooped—but it eventually accepted it.

Probably because I was still considered the territory’s owner, and it believed I’d return someday.

Wait.

Suddenly, it hurriedly pulled something from one of its other bodies and brought it over.

Then, carefully—like it had done with churros and snacks before—it lightly tossed it to me from the other side of the gate.

Take this

I instinctively reached out with both hands to catch it.

A scale.

A deep blue-black scale shimmered in the sunlight, showing an iridescent rainbow sheen before settling into a wave-like shimmer.

You

Can call me

‘…!’

Was this… a part of its original body, hidden inside the mascot suit?

‘I can call it? Summon it?’

Whatever it was, it was absurdly powerful. I nodded and accepted the scale.

The Blue Mascot quietly watched me, and I shook its hand.

Then, it pulled me into a tight hug from beyond the gate.

‘Good thing it still sees me as a staff member.’

…Also, thank god for the Security Team uniform.

"Shall we go now?"

I nodded gladly.

With Assistant Manager Lee Seong-hae, her fractured legs supported by both me and Assistant Manager Lee Jaheon, we passed through the gift shop and headed for the exit gate.

[◎Come visit again◎]

One of the Fantasy Land gates had already changed into a Yellow Zone-themed entrance.

Looking up at it, Assistant Manager Lee Seong-hae muttered:

"Hmm. I bet even if we enter through the board game now, it’ll still route us here? When connections go this deep… they usually stay linked."

A foreboding observation.

But for now, escape came first—and I was desperately in need of rest.

Let’s go.

We lined up and scanned our exhausted tickets at the gate.

Beep.

And together, we stepped out through the gate.

Goodbye

From behind, I thought I heard the familiar voice of the Blue Mascot, faintly echoing—

The next moment—

Huuuuu!

We all woke up in the Hundred Dreams Corporation’s research team office chairs.

After six days we were out.