It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story 069

Who could have imagined something like this?

Being stuck in a sealed space with three ghosts mimicking humans, sweating cold while sitting still.

Even worse…

A situation where I have to pretend like I’m not noticing anything.

‘… I mustn’t give it away.’

Even if everyone in front of me, except for me, is clapping their hands with bright faces.

No, not people…

Ghosts.

Clap clap clap clap clap

‘I mustn’t give it away.’

And then one turns to me and asks,

“Why aren’t you clapping?”

“……”

What the hell.

I barely raised my hand without shaking.

And…

Clap clap clap.

I placed one hand on my raised arm neatly to make a small sound.

The youngest looked around awkwardly, as if sensing something, and smiled clumsily.

“… I was going to clap, but missed the timing. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“……”

Please.

Please let this pass by.

“Hey~ you don’t have to force yourself!”

“Hey, Leopard-senpai, that’s pressure. Don’t look down on a capable newbie, just sit down.”

“Oh, yes.”

The employee, Leopard… or rather, the ‘something’ impersonating that employee shrugged its shoulders and sat down.

‘Phew…’

But the relief was short-lived.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

The Dolphin employee suddenly dropped its head to the floor.

And began to throw itself sideways.

Without any change in expression.

“I think there’s, uh, a bug. I can’t catch the bug… bug…”

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

“… They said no other creatures can come into this darkness, didn’t they? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

“Ah.”

The Dolphin employee stopped its head.

Its long hair became disheveled and its skull got smashed.

“I see. Thank you, Chief Doe.”

“Not at all.”

And then it casually continued chatting with the Leopard Assistant Manager beside it.

“……”

What if I faint… or go missing?

This is driving me insane.

‘How can everyone but me be replaced like this…!’

Honestly, wouldn’t it be better if I also lost consciousness and got swapped out, waking up tomorrow morning feeling fine?

“Doe, please eat.”

“Ah. Thank you very much, Team Leader…”

In the meantime, the ghost wearing the Lizard Manager mask… no, I shouldn’t think like that. Lee Ja-heon Manager offered me a snack.

It was kimbap from a pretty good snack shop near the office.

‘I have to survive here for almost 24 hours until tomorrow morning, so I should eat.’

It’s a rational decision. Excluding the fact that if I put anything in my mouth, I might choke or throw it all up…

Cough.

“Hey, how about sharing? We brought some stuff too.”

The two from Group C pulled out sandwiches.

I responded reflexively out of social habit.

“I should have brought some, but I was too flustered. I’m really sorry and thank you.”

“Hey, Rookie, don’t worry about that. Looks like the Manager here isn’t too bothered by it either, right?”

“Yes.”

The Lizard’s short response made the Leopard Assistant Manager give a thumbs up and smile widely.

“Wow~ that’s nice. Our team leader says so too. Doe, do you know that teal duck Team Leader from Group A? That guy is a completely different level of nice.”

Ah.

“… They must be quite an admirable person for you two to respect him.”

“Kind of, right? He won a vacation with his wish card… I hope he doesn’t quit though.”

I diverted the conversation smoothly, ignoring the curse about the Group A Team Leader by merely complimenting him.

Honestly, there was no need to do this since they are ghosts… nah, I’ll keep on doing this.

‘Let’s forget, let’s forget….’

Doing this felt less like horror and more like chatting with upper-level colleagues at a workshop…

Of course, it didn’t last long.

It was right after the meal. The Leopard Assistant Manager yawned and stood up.

“Ah, since I have to be here all day… I’ll take my shoes off. Is that okay?”

“Eh, you should have brought slippers like me, right?”

“Hey, what can I do if I didn’t bring any? My socks are clean.”

The Leopard Assistant Manager was about to take off his shoes while tapping the Dolphin Chief.

‘Right, don’t get surprised if he suddenly climbs onto the table and starts doing a tap dance…’

But instead of feet, hands were trying to come out.

A hand, squished and cramped in the shoes, popped out and clung to the floor.

“……”

“Ah, now that you’re standing, I’ll go bring more coffee. Everyone will want more, right?”

Suddenly.

The Leopard Assistant Manager stood on his hands.

The hand attached to his feet waved in the air.

Thud… Thud.

A company worker walking upside down.

“Chief Doe.”

I held back a scream.

“Yes, Leopard Assistant Manager.”

“Could you help me move the coffee? I can’t see well in front of me. Uh, uh?”

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

The body, standing on its hands, collided with the drawer where the coffee was placed, trying to move forward.

“I’m not ordering you just because you’re the rookie, but since you’re sitting nearby. Sorry if that feels like repeating myself.”

X, damn it.

“Yes. Of course.”

I jumped up and went beside the Leopard Assistant Manager.

Thinking about it, it’s probably better to be beside a ghost standing upside down than next to a ghost with a smashed skull.

Right?

Surely??

-This is quite interesting! Is it aiming for the uncanny valley effect?

-What an amusing performance, Doe! Let’s thoroughly enjoy ourselves!

Thoroughly?

Enjoy?

‘Just not passing out is a feat I want to commend myself for…!’

Enjoying is a demand far too high for me!

“Alright, let’s move.”

“Yes.”

I handed each of them a cup of coffee with the hand attached to my foot, and I also held two cups with my hands and put them on the table.

I was proud of myself for not shaking my hands or spilling coffee.

The problem was, with the refill of coffee, the atmosphere truly began to feel conversational.

“Alright.”

The Dolphin Chief laughed brightly, with one side of its skull sunken.

“How about we take turns sharing our stories of overcoming the clear darkness? Honestly, it’s tough to stay here without some fun!”

The Leopard Assistant Manager waved his hand.

“Hey, what if a ghost hears us and goes crazy? Let’s just talk about food we like or something.”

“Ah, that’s good too.”

“……”

While that was right.

Talking about the ghost exchange itself wouldn’t cause any strange incidents.

However, there’s a high likelihood it would lead to accusations of who’s the ghost, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

But you guys are all ghosts.

“I like crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You know, fried eggplant?”

“Oh, you’re saying that? I like things that burst when you chew, like eyeballs?”

Whoosh.

The Dolphin employee leaned in close to my face.

“Doe, do you have any eyeballs? I think you do… did you bring them in your mask? Let’s share!”

Aaaah!!

“I didn’t bring those for eating.”

I politely lowered my hands under the table to hide my trembling.

“And it seems we have similar tastes in food. I also think texture is important.”

“Oh~ like-minded!”

The ghost emulating the Dolphin Chief smiled brightly.

“Doe, you seem not to be a ghost. You’re having a normal conversation about food.”

Wow.

‘This can’t go on.’

If I keep talking like this, a moment to scream will surely come.

-Oh dear, Doe seems sensitive to the uncanny valley effect! Good reactions are always welcomed, but the situation is unfortunate…

-Don’t worry. Just having me, Brown, beside you should be a great comfort, right? Your friend is right beside you!

…Wait a minute.

That’s right.

‘What Brown said is true.’

-A great host’s words are always fitting for the situation!

Exactly. What I’m in is effectively a maximized fear from an uncanny valley experience.

‘It’s that fear one feels when seeing something similar to humans but isn’t quite human.’

It was extremely chilling to witness colleagues in a normal break room suddenly displaying bizarre and alien appearances.

With me being the only human on top of that, the fear was absolutely overwhelming.

‘In that case….’

Let’s take a look beside me.

The Lizard was putting a packaged sandwich into its mouth.

“……”

“……”

Not particularly scarier!

Even if it licks its tongue, smiles creepily while walking backward, or stands up and shakes its head trying to dance crazily while maintaining casual conversation, it’d be the same.

It was scary anyway!

It looked like a lizard anyway!

None of this uncanny valley nonsense mattered.

‘No matter what, I’m sticking with the Manager.’

Finally, a solution appeared.

I held back my cold sweat and turned around to sit next to the Lizard Team Leader casually.

As if I had something urgent I wanted to ask.

“Lee Ja-heon Manager.”

And I actually had something I wanted to ask.

According to the Dark Exploration Records, in this horror story, ‘the ghosts are identical in appearance, personality, and character to their companions.’

That means, if I ask something nonchalantly at a level that’s not too unnatural, there’s a good chance it will give the same answer as the ‘original.’

As long as it doesn’t suddenly start acting ghostly.

‘Then perhaps I can ask more lightly.’

Since it’s not really the original.

I pulled my chair closer, pretending I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with someone from my group.

I created an atmosphere where other ghosts couldn’t interrupt, and it seemed to go well.

And I asked.

“I felt like I didn’t have the chance to have this kind of talk during work until now. May I ask you a few things separately now?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. I was wondering, how are you so strong, Team Leader?”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Lee Ja-heon Manager didn’t seem to look displeased.

“It’s the result of a combination of innate factors and acquired learning.”

“……”

That was a universal answer that fits any question!

It was like seeing the top student who’s asked how they get such good grades respond that they studied hard with a good brain…

‘But I’d like to hear more in detail.’

Anyone else might have been dismissive, but since it was the Lizard Manager, it felt uncertain.

Ultimately, I purposely smiled a bit shyly and replied like this.

“I see. I asked because I want to be stronger as well. Even without items or contamination.”

“Please maintain a protein-rich diet and exercise both aerobically and anaerobically.”

“… So I can become as strong as you, Manager?”

“No.”

“……”

Excuse me, I also have some strength that fits my physique.

I almost shot a look of disbelief at my boss.

“… If you have any advice to give me regarding this, I’d like to hear it.”

“Yes. You have other strengths, so cultivate those.”

The Lizard said dryly.

“There are no individuals who excel in every aspect. Don’t waste resources on inefficient and unnecessary things. Use others instead.”

…… Wait a minute.

“So when I need strength, it means you will fill that role, and I should develop my other strengths instead?”

“Yes.”

The Lizard nodded.

“Your strengths are your ideas and judgment.”

“… Thank you.”

Goodness gracious.

‘Should I say this is a high evaluation?’

It’s naturally appreciated to have someone push everything onto others, but…

‘Still a bit unsatisfying.’

Should I dig a little deeper?

I pondered for a moment and found a gap to exploit.

“But since we sometimes go into darkness separately, having strong physical strength is generally a common method. So, at times like this, I might need it by myself.”

“I see.”

The Lizard paused and pondered for a moment, then confirmed.

“I’ll introduce you to an item.”

“…!”

Jackpot.

“Is it an effect that enhances physical strength?”

“Similar. Use it as a parent item when creating dedicated equipment.”

“…! Thank you.”

I was just thinking it was time to either enhance dedicated equipment or increase the variety.

‘Still, I hit something in the midst of this.’

Even while sweating cold bullets in a horror story surrounded by ghosts, I seem to get something… wait.

Now that I think about it, this Lizard in front of me is also a ghost impersonating Lee Ja-heon.

‘Is this promise still valid?’

I was startled for a moment, but I remembered the manual.

The person who was replaced by a ghost will indirectly retain memories of what transpired within the sealed space.

In that case, knowing Lee Ja-heon Manager’s character, the likelihood of him keeping his word is extremely high.

‘Alright then.’

Phew.

It feels like I’ve accomplished something, even if just a little.

‘Now, let’s endure the fear with this sense of accomplishment…’

I pretended to stretch, trying not to glance at the two ghosts from Group C who started to chuckle and grin at me in an upside-down position.

I wasn’t even curious about who Mr. Lee Kang-heon, who introduced the Salmon Market, was anymore.

‘Let’s just clear my mind…’

I droned on about trivial small talk to the Lizard Manager, doing my best to avoid conversation with the ghosts.

Because the Lizard ghost had to answer without engaging in anything unnecessary due to my excessive chatter.

‘Turns out I learned something meaningful: the Manager prefers beef over pork…’

–Friend, this isn’t even an interview or small talk; it’s a painstakingly tedious amateur autobiography research…

I know, but I can’t help it, Brown…

After running out of even that, I pretended to be sleepy, closing my eyes, and spent the remaining time playing word chain with Brown.

No matter what nonsense I heard in my ears, I stuck to, ‘I’m tired, but please continue the conversation after leaving.’

‘It’s 3 AM, please…’

I thought I was bathing in cold sweat, but somehow, nothing abrupt happened.

After gripping onto Brown in my pocket, the agonizing few hours passed like a millennium.

“……”

“……”

Clack.

Finally, I saw the break room door open.

Having spent the night all alone…

“… I did it.”

They have no idea that I made it!!

I wanted to stand up and punch the air in the sky while dazed.

‘Tears are coming.’

This is the first time I endured ghostly fear all alone without being able to shorten the time at all…

What should I say, it feels like I’ve overcome my limits.

‘I want to commend myself…’

I stood up, wobbling.

Thank goodness no one knew I’m a D-rank loser…

“Doe.”

“…!?”

Uh, um…?

Turning my head, I saw the Lizard staring blankly with open eyes.

As if it didn’t spend the night awake… wait a minute.

‘……?’

It’s wide awake?

“Um, Team Leader.”

“You don’t need to wait for Group C to wake up. Please leave now.”

I looked into the eyes of the perfectly composed Lizard.

Then I turned my head and saw Group C sprawled and sleeping soundly.

“……”

“……”

No way.

“Last night you weren’t a ghost… were you?”

“I wasn’t.”

“… You clapped on your hand, didn’t you!?”

“?”

The Lizard tilted its head, seemingly realizing something as it responded.

“I thought it was a trending action.”

“……”

Ah.

Aahhhh!!