Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Chapter 86.2

That night.

Though I had mostly recovered from the contamination and regained a clear mind, I returned home feeling incredibly unsettled.

‘This feels like déjà vu.’

“Phew.”

I collapsed onto the bed.

‘I’m definitely caught up in some internal power struggle between the executives in the Development Department, aren’t I?’

It’s true I might seem like an exceptionally useful outlier, but the situation has escalated this far because the two directors are clearly aware of each other.

Their proposals were ridiculously excessive.

......If that’s the case.

‘I should go with the one offering better treatment.’

At least that way, I won’t end up as a discarded pawn.

‘The problem is I have no personal information about either director.’

The focused primarily on the employees who conducted the exploration.

In other words, while it included staff names and profiles, it didn’t bother to detail the personal information of the executives making decisions from up top.

‘In any case, it’s clear neither of them is ordinary, which only makes this more maddening.’

Director Cheong was already suspicious because Chief Lizard referred to her as a ‘being’, while Director Ho seemed off from his appearance and overly friendly speech.

For an executive, he looked too young and spoke like some social service worker.

‘...I do have a rough idea about his identity from his surname and appearance......’

But at this point, it was all just speculation.

‘What a headache.’

Dealing with ghost stories is hard enough. Having to worry about this on top of it feels unreal...

After agonizing over it, I decided to temporarily set the issue aside.

...There was another more urgent matter at hand.

......

“Braun.”

– You’re calling me, Friend!

Huu.

“About bathing in the Bloodbathtub. Can’t we replace it with something else?”

There was a brief silence.

– ...You’ve changed your mind in just one day, Mr. Roe Deer! Breaking promises isn’t a good habit, you know.

– But since I’m your good friend, it’s fine, Friend!

“Sorry.”

I immediately apologized.

“You’re right—I shouldn’t have gone back on my word. I think I made a mistake because I wasn’t in the right state of mind when I agreed.”

– How strange, Mr. Roe Deer. This host distinctly remembers that just last night, you had no signs of extreme fatigue, panic, dizziness, or anything else that might hinder an interview. R

The ‘good friend’ spoke in his usual cheerful tone, which only made him more terrifying.

– Oh, I’m now curious by what standard you’re claiming you weren’t in your right mind...

Today was full of cold sweat moments.

How had I never realized how scary this thing was?

I tried my best not to look directly at the plushie as I continued.

“...But you knew my mind was contaminated by that handbook, didn’t you? The one I brought back from that kindergarten, which was still in my tattoo.”

It was obvious Braun knew.

“If you can’t understand that, at the very least, let me know before doing something I don’t want. Give me a chance to talk to you about it.”

– Hmm.

A sound like plastic fingers tapping on the desk echoed as if Braun were thinking deeply.

And then,

– Very well, Mr. Roe Deer.

– Logical, reasonable, and it even moved my heart. I see no reason not to agree! After all, you are my friend.

Huuu.

“Thank you.”

It seemed to have ended well.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I finally turned to face my ‘good friend’—the slightly scary but strangely dependable plushie I had summoned.

I carefully picked it up.

“Let’s keep working together from now on.”

That, too, was sincere.

Afterward, I proceeded with one of the decisions I had made while contaminated: an aromatherapy massage.

“I’ll do it while looking at the shadow, so let me know if anything feels off.”

– Of course, Friend!

Honestly, I wasn’t a professional, and working just by observing the silhouette probably didn’t feel very refreshing, but Braun seemed quite satisfied.

– Not everyone needs to be a massage expert! This will do just fine.

Even as he gently gave it a three-star rating, he still added,

– But I do miss bathing... To always be by my friend’s side, I’ll need to rejuvenate a bit more!

“That’s something... we’ll discuss over time.”

...It’s tough.

Maintaining a relationship with a ghost story resident like the ‘good friend’ wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t purely terrifying or nerve-wracking, but it wasn’t entirely trustworthy or comforting either.

‘Finding balance between those extremes is the rational approach.’

I needed to be careful not to lose that balance.

As Braun, refreshed from the aromatherapy massage, chattered away, I listened quietly.

– Come to think of it, I’m curious again. Which of the two legendary proposals you received at work will you accept, Mr. Roe Deer?

– Still deliberating? While my advice as an industry expert is worth its weight in gold... I’m happy to offer it free of charge for a friend!

Hmm. Well...

“Actually, I’ve almost decided.”

– Oh!

“I just need to ask one last question tomorrow, then I’ll pay them a visit.”

– And if you could share a little about that decisive question with this legendary host?!

I rested my head on the pillow and laughed.

“You’ll find out tomorrow.”

– ......!!

– I’m somewhat moved, Mr. Roe Deer...

Thus ended the tumultuous day.

And the next day,

I truly did ask my ‘decisive question’ before heading to the office of one of the two directors.