It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Episode 066

“Um….”

“…….”

“Excuse me.”

I opened my eyes wide.

A familiar face came into view.

“…Security Team Leader?”

“Yes…….”

The slender figure dressed in a security uniform had light hair and a name tag that read ‘J3.’

It was that very security staff member who got caught up in the horror story’s lore…!

I hurriedly tried to rise.

A massive headache hit me… Huh?

Clink.

I paused.

My hands stretched out to the floor were wrapped in red yarn with little bells.

‘Yarn?’

Its familiar use and appearance… Ah.

‘It’s equipment used by the Security Team….’

———————=

Dark Exploration Records / Daydream Company

/ Item

Nostalgia Kitty

A device-item in the shape of red yarn with silver bells.

When worn, it temporarily immobilizes the target in the state of their most healthy self within the last 10 years.

The more severe the mutation, the quicker it breaks.

※ The standard for health can be referenced from usage records.

———————=

It was an object that allowed anyone to temporarily regain a ‘better version of their past.’

Understanding its nature made me feel somewhat at ease.

I relaxed my body…

“……”

“……”

Wait a minute.

But why am I restrained??

I shot my head up.

The expression on the Security Team Leader’s face was one of annoyance, with a hint of recognition as our eyes met.

He waved his hand slightly.

“Good to see you again…”

“Yes. But…”

I lifted my arms as high as I could.

“What in the world is this?”

“They said you were a contaminated employee… and that they rescued you…….”

“Yes, but why me…?”

The Security Team Leader pointed at me.

Ah.

“…Do you think I’m contaminated?”

“Seems so… yes… There’s no one else around.”

And then the Security Team Leader raised his hands with an unclear expression, whether it was expectation or shyness.

“Um, welcome to the Security Team…?”

Oh no.

This guy is misunderstanding the new recruit welcome…!

“It’s not me.”

“……Huh?”

“It’s not me.”

After emphasizing it twice, I finally gathered my senses and looked around.

‘Is this… an isolation room or something?’

The gray-walled indoor space had nothing in it. Not even the lights were visible; the fixtures were seamlessly integrated into the ceiling.

‘Looks like the Security Team is working correctly.’

I guess I did trigger a call.

[Security Team Rental Warehouse]

This facility, where I was approved to use after being promoted to Chief, was literally a storage room to rent equipment from the Security Team via phone or visit.

However, when the Security Team judges a situation needs to be ‘subdued,’ they intervene like this…

‘Looks like I hit the jackpot.’

Seeing how I’m now detained in a Security Team facility speaks volumes.

I slowly nodded.

“So this is a company building. Since it seems the Security Team Leader came.”

“Yes……. You’re quite observant….”

“……”

I swallowed.

If I’m not mistaken, the tattoo on my wrist now contains the contaminated Chief Park Min-seong.

‘I need to extract him and deal with the contamination.’

Wouldn’t it be foolish in the long run for the Security Team to officially register that I have such a tattoo?

Eventually, I decided to sound him out.

“Is there a CCTV installed here?”

“Probably not…”

Got it.

Since it seems like I’m the first to have a contaminated person from the [Hangry Hangman] horror story pop into reality, they probably wouldn’t have recording devices.

CCTV footage could get contaminated too.

‘Especially since the Hangry Hangman is a horror story with extremely high mental contamination….’

In any case, it appears no one knows that the fully contaminated Chief Park Min-seong is currently in my arm.

I swallowed again.

“……Security Team Leader.”

“You can just call me Jay… there’s no one else in the Security Team with J now…”

“Yes, Mr. Jay.”

I asked with a serious face.

“Can you keep what happens from now on a secret?”

Of course, he’d say no.

Or maybe pretend to be conflicted but eventually agree, only to promptly report me.

Either way, I need to prepare for both…

“Well, sure….”

“……”

“As long as it’s not about blowing up the company or something… I mean, that might not matter… So please keep that I heard it a secret too……”

“……”

Is this the bravado of a lifetime position?

‘What in the world is this company?’

I collected my spiraling thoughts and said firmly.

“It’s not about blowing up the company.”

“Then…?”

“Actually, I’m in the middle of subduing a contaminated employee I rescued.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…??”

The expression on Security Team Leader’s face asked what in the world I was talking about.

“Are you having a mental breakdown….”

“I’m fine. I’m wearing the contamination suppression equipment, after all.”

I raised my arm.

“This yarn with bells… seems like it’s equipment for suppressing contamination.”

“Um… yes.”

“Then you should understand that I’m saying this with a clear mind.”

The Security Team Leader stared at me intently.

I swallowed.

“If you’re ready, I’ll extract the contaminated employee here.”

“Ah.”

Though he seemed somewhat skeptical while blinking, he slowly said.

“Okay… give it a try….”

“Do you need anything else? I only have one chance using a disposable item.”

“What….”

The Security Team Leader hit himself lightly.

“Me.”

It might’ve sounded arrogant, but his annoyingly tired tone came off very casually.

‘After all, he’s the team leader.’

The leader of the Security Team specialized in ‘dark containment’ has shown great ability even in the previous ghost story…

…Alright then.

“Okay.”

I took a deep breath.

And in an instant, I thrust my hand into the tattoo.

“…!”

Without even having to sift, I immediately grasped my target. To imprison a fellow teacher, that’s against the rules nonsense!!

‘Pull!’

My hand re-emerged from the tattoo, bringing out what I was holding.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

Making a bizarre sound, the ‘teacher’ began to emerge from the tattoo.

And then.

Thud.

At the shock of the yarn snapping,

blood erupted from my arm like a fountain.

The wound I received from the vampiric knife had returned.

“~!”

Freak! I should refrain from cursing but it hurts too much!! The contamination, the contamination is coming back too. But what’s more important…

“Teacher Sol-eum! Such mischief is a punishable offense at our ■■附属幼儿园….”

I paused.

Park Min-seong, who had been smiling gently, the ‘teacher’ froze.

Then, as if stunned, he looked around.

“……”

“……”

“This isn’t kindergarten!!”

Crap.

“This isn’t kindergarten! This isn’t kindergarten! I snuck out without permission! I wasn’t the perfect teacher… I broke the rules!”

I couldn’t manage to counterattack; I simply felt guilt washing over me.

I’m really sorry, Teacher. I made a wrong judgment. This shouldn’t have happened; I will read the educational material to replace your punishment. I will grab the educational material from our ■■附属幼儿园….

“Oops.”

Grab.

Someone clasped my face.

Then something was placed in my ear.

“Like a sleeping anesthesia….”

……

……

Sparkle.

I blinked.

“Excuse me.”

“……”

“Excuse me….”

I opened my eyes again.

Everything was tranquil.

“Are you okay…?”

“I’m fine.”

I realized in reflex.

“Did you make me lose consciousness?”

“Yes……”

I saw the capsule shell that had fallen to the floor.

‘Did they put in some medicine?’

It likely had the effect of fainting for a short time.

It resembled the white snow mountain apple I had but was a lower-grade imitation.

‘Stay calm.’

Thanks to that, it seems I’ve shaken off the contamination’s effects.

I steadied my breath and looked down at my arm. The area where I had been injured was now bandaged.

And the yarn that had originally wrapped around me was…

“……”

As I raised my head, it was now wrapped around the limbs of Park Min-seong.

Right. This isn’t how a teacher should look.

Park Min-seong!

‘…It worked.’

Park Min-seong, donned in a black suit and mask, resembled a person right before entering a horror story, looking pristine.

While it may be a temporary effect caused by the subduing device.

“…Ha.”

I felt my entire body relax and leaned against the wall.

‘……Success in handover.’

I heard the Security Team Leader muttering beside me.

“Lucky guy, that person… Could they come out so quickly… I envy that….”

Wait a minute.

“So, since they came out quickly, can they fully recover from the contamination?”

“Um….”

The Security Team Leader looked down as if it was a bother, but when I locked eyes with him, he eventually spit it out.

“That’s a dark grade, you know….”

“Yeah? Yes. Correct. It’s Grade B.”

“Then it should be fine…”

Grade B?

“The company has know-how… um. If it’s reasonably fine… department transfer?”

“……”

Right. It’s better than dying, but working for the Security Team is also an option.

‘I hope they can recover well and either return or resign….’

“……”

I looked back at Park Min-seong.

Only now did the tension slightly ease.

It felt strange.

Just until yesterday, we were colleagues working in the same office, sharing jokes and greetings.

Now suddenly, it felt that he would disappear from my daily life starting tomorrow.

“…I’m counting on you.”

“……”

The Security Team Leader nodded slightly.

A mysterious expression.

……Thinking that far, I finally recalled the last scene I had seen.

…Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je!!

“By the way, what happened to the corpse that was collapsed next to me? The one without a left hand….”

“I don’t know…”

Please, for the love of God, don’t tell me it was incinerated or something. No way, that couldn’t happen.

‘They must have thought it was strange since it was only missing a hand, not a head.’

But out of anxiety, I immediately hastened the procedures and left the isolation room.

“Let’s go together….”

“Ah, yes.”

With some of the summoned Security Team employees accompanying me, I found myself walking out of the isolation room door somewhere between protection and surveillance.

And the moment I stepped out, I realized.

This is the isolation area next to the Security Team Rental Warehouse.

[Isolation B]

‘There were separate documents handling this in the Dark Exploration Records….’

All of it felt chilling.

The two summoned employees walked at a calm pace, leaving me half a step behind, and I walked alongside them, trying to suppress the shivers…

Hee hee hee hee.

Oh, oh, radiant name, please shine upon me.

Please save me, save me, save me.

Chilling sounds echoed from every isolation room lining either side.

‘Don’t, don’t look.’

I kept my eyes back, focusing solely on the light coming from the doorway ahead…

…….

Who’s in the hallway?

Aaaahhh!!

Who’s in the hallway? Who’s in the hallway? Who’s in the hallway?

Please walk faster! Hurry!!

But those darn Security Team employees kept maintaining their pace while leading me out the door.

I was completely worn out, going out the procedure for exiting the rental warehouse…

“……”

The front of the rental warehouse simply looked like a stark facility team corridor.

As I approached the counter, a silent Security Team employee pulled out my belongings, which had been placed in isolation.

“Thank you.”

I took the document bag. A sticker showing [Qualified / Risk Level D] was affixed to its surface.

‘Looks like they didn’t check each item.’

No additional inspections were done despite the uproar about what was pulled from my arm.

Surprisingly, Security Team Leader J seems to have completely kept his promise.

‘But who knows when he might spill?’

I can handle that much. I even purposely referred to it as a disposable item.

What matters is how to handle this.

‘Let’s do our best.’

I took a deep breath.

‘Now, let’s hurry to assess Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je’s situation….’

-Friend!

Friend!

Huh??

-Friend!!

“……”

Brown!!!

“Is this all my belongings?”

An employee pointed to the box in the corner of the front counter.

[Disposal Box]

Inside lay my business jacket, all soaked and crumpled, alongside a little plush toy that had been stuffed inside…

Hooooooold!!

-How can they just throw me into a place like this?! This is overstepping and an insult! I never had such treatment when I was a newbie!

You sick freaks!

I feel like I could bathe in cold sweat.

I hurriedly pulled out my jacket and arranged the plush toy before stuffing it into my shirt pocket.

‘Y-Yo, you did well. I’m sorry.’

-There’s no need for you to apologize, Doe! It’s those who acted rashly!

I finally felt somewhat calmed and quickly turned around to leave.

Yet, a gloomy voice followed me…

-But the good friend does not forget….

“……”

I should ensure Brown doesn’t stay close to the Security Team….

Just as I stepped outside.

“Kim Sol-eum.”

“…!!”

Someone was waiting in front of the Security Team counter.

“…Team Leader.”

Lizard Team Leader was staring at me with vertical pupils.

“Have you come to pick me up?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you taking me? No, could you tell me why you’re taking me there as well?”

“To the clinic. Assistant Manager Eun Ha-je is lying there.”

“…!!”

I,

after hesitating a few times, finally spoke.

“…Is she alive?”

Lizard Team Leader turned to look at me.

And answered affirmatively.

“Yes.”

“……”

My throat tightened suddenly.

“……Team Leader. Chief Park Min-seong has also come out.”

“Is that so.”

Lee Ja-heon, the team leader, seemed to contemplate for a moment before asking,

“Is he alive?”

“…Yes.”

“If so, everyone is safe.”

“……Yes.”

That alone was valuable.

Indeed.