Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 127

“What a strange question you keep asking! Was it enjoyable? Of course! I am an entertainer who can enjoy any role….”

“So, being the ‘nice friend’ wasn’t particularly more fun than any other role, right? Not even a little?”

“…”

The body controlled by Isajeon remained calm and composed.

The massive TV screen lit up.

“I see what you’re trying to say.”

“You want me to move the warm, plush toy again and become your ‘nice friend’ once more, don’t you? Hahaha!”

“Keep playing the delightful role of the nice friend!”

From the enormous TV, a rabbit plush toy appeared, waving its hand—reminiscent of a moment from a month ago.

But Kim Soleum didn’t waver.

“Then you must have enjoyed it. You miss it, don’t you?”

“Oh, Kim Soleum.”

The TV’s voice was bright and mocking.

On the screen, the rabbit plush toy glanced around nervously before sitting in a corner.

“Unfortunately, that nice friend is already torn to shreds and turned to ash! You’ll never see it again!”

“No, that’s you.”

“…!”

“The plush toy is just the exterior.”

Exactly.

The one who willingly embraced the constraints of the "nice friend" role, using the plush toy as their body, was none other than the host standing before him now.

Even showing that rabbit plush on the screen was—

‘It’s you.’

It was a message directly from the host.

“I’ve heard something like this before.”

Kim Soleum’s calm voice broke the silence.

“Actors who take on deeply impactful roles sometimes struggle to separate themselves from the character after the role ends.”

Why?

“Because the role was so fun or immersive that even after it ends, traces of it linger.”

“…”

Kim Soleum recalled the sight he had seen earlier.

The host, frozen in place, watching the plush toy burst apart.

‘They must have known I wouldn’t die just because the plush exploded.’

After all, they were the one who had placed him in the toy.

And beyond that, it was strange for a talk show host—a figure who would normally shrug off the death of a single participant and turn it into fodder for the next segment—to even momentarily panic and try to stop the stuffing from spilling out.

If they had been momentarily flustered and tried to prevent the explosion, something was definitely off.

“I thought maybe it was the same for you.”

“Oh. Are you saying that this so-called ‘great host,’ a pitiful being pretending to be grand, was affected by a mask they wore for only a few months? How unprofessional!”

“I don’t see what’s unprofessional about it. Great actors often struggle with roles they immerse themselves in deeply because it feels so vivid.”

“That is….”

“Isn’t that right?”

Isajeon’s flat voice echoed Kim Soleum’s words.

“And, in a slightly different way, I also found a lot of comfort in your role as my ‘nice friend.’”

“…”

“Thank you. You were a great help and comfort during a tough time. And… there were a lot of fun moments too.”

Kim Soleum’s voice resonated.

“Don’t you feel the same?”

“…”

“Well.”

The host’s voice lowered.

“Embarrassing as it is to admit, yes. It was a refreshing and enjoyable experience!”

“As a creator and performer of the show, observing and meddling in your actions was uniquely entertaining….”

“I see.”

But.

“That’s why I don’t want to work in this talk show anymore.”

His voice was steady.

“For one, this talk show is terrifying. Not that it’s boring, but honestly, it’s hard for me to work here. You know my personality.”

Even the thought of contributing to a place where people died was chilling. Being part of it was truly horrifying.

And Kim Soleum knew.

‘Would trying to persuade this host suddenly make them ethical?’

Absolutely not.

Just as Kim Soleum would always feel a visceral repulsion at the idea of being part of the talk show’s staff, the host would remain true to their nature.

And the idea of losing that repulsion—whether through brainwashing or corruption—was even more terrifying.

That would mean losing oneself entirely.

“Honestly, even if you called me a partner, the truth is I was forcibly made part of your crew. The kind of crew where I’d have to call you ‘Host.’”

His joke carried a sharp undertone.

“In that dynamic, we can’t stay friends. It’s just subjugation. I can’t act independently.”

Kim Soleum glanced beyond the screen.

“If that happens, you’d probably lose interest in me pretty quickly.”

“…”

“That’s why I have to leave. …It’ll be more fun for you too.”

A strange glint passed over the surface of the TV.

Perhaps that was why the host had tried to keep him in the talk show as gently as possible, without drastically altering his mindset—like water eroding stone.

‘It worked to some extent, but not completely.’

There was no way he could stay in such a chilling place.

Still.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

“…!”

“Do you remember what I said?”

Friends are about trying to understand each other’s differences and, even when that doesn’t work, still caring for each other.

Through conversation, of course.

“We don’t have to work in the same place to share our lives and remain friends.”

If the water had already been spilled, it was time to redefine his relationship with this entity he had summoned.

If he couldn’t avoid it, he had to face it.

“You don’t have to be the ‘nice friend.’ Just being a friend is enough.”

On the TV screen, the rabbit plush toy seemed intrigued, leaning its body toward the screen as if to listen more closely.

Kim Soleum almost wanted to smile.

“If you’re okay with it, what do you say we try things this way?”

“Oh.”

“But what if I’m not okay with it?”

The plush toy inside the TV looked startled, while the host’s enormous voice grew softer and more cunning.

“Look at this, Soleum. The barbaric blade-wielder has wrecked the set. The sweat and tears of the staff are now in ruins, and the cost of this rogue interruption….”

At that moment—

Thump, thump, thump!

The rabbit plush toy inside the giant TV suddenly sprang up and began slamming its stuffed hands against the screen.

As if protesting the host’s words!

“…! Good heavens, this is…!”

The TV abruptly shut off.

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The host’s enormous hand moved to adjust an antenna, as if trying to regain control. But the screen flickered, showing the rebellious plush toy thrashing inside.

Eventually, the host sighed, withdrawing its hand.

And then—

“It seems there’s no choice.”

Flicker.

The lights on the stage momentarily dimmed, and when they came back on—

“Very well.”

The host had reverted to its original form, now standing directly before Kim Soleum.

—!

“Yes… Watching and meddling in your escapades truly is delightful.”

“Who would’ve thought my mask could become tiresome…?”

The host spoke in a courteous yet slightly resigned tone.

“I, Brown, acknowledge it.”

“Your unique, creative, and thrilling developments were fascinating and enjoyable to follow.”

“And yes, the role of the ‘nice friend’ was particularly fun.”

“…….”

Kim Soleum realized.

The one controlling the plush toy on the TV screen was, of course, the host itself.

So, when the rabbit plush toy had gone berserk earlier, it must have been some part of the host’s own being expressing itself.

The lingering traces of the “nice friend.”

“…….”

The Starfire Barrage that had enveloped the talk show was now over.

The lights returned, and even the shattered remains of the set seemed like part of the studio’s design. Brown stared at Kim Soleum.

At the friend beyond his sight.

“But now, there’s no plush body left for me.”

Ah.

“Of course… A great host always has a Plan B.”

With a magician-like flourish, the host moved its gloved hand, producing a silver coin that shimmered between its fingers.

Silver Snake Coin.

-…!

It was the same coin Kim Soleum had used to summon the “nice friend.” He had thought it had burned along with the plush toy, yet here it was again, its appearance stirring unease in Kim Soleum’s consciousness beyond the body.

“I’m certain I burned that….”

“Haha, a great entertainer must also excel at sleight of hand. Just a humble little trick.”

Clink.

The coin fell from Brown’s hand into the front pocket of Kim Soleum’s suit.

The very spot where the “nice friend” had always been kept.

The host’s fingers tapped the pocket lightly.

“Take it. And the next time you use it with a suitable vessel, I’ll come to you again, Mr. Deer.”

-……!

While Kim Soleum felt shaken, Isajeon, unperturbed, repeated the host’s words aloud.

“Sure.”

“Oh, but this time, that friend may not be so nice.”

“Then it might still be nice.”

“Ah, speaking like a true wordsmith, my friend!”

Though the TV remained off, the pristine screen reflected Kim Soleum’s face.

With a faint smile in his voice, he spoke.

“See you again.”

“A teaser for the next installment!”

“Not bad at all.”

The host raised both hands dramatically.

“Now, let’s give a round of applause to my temporary crew member, who will be leaving this enchanting studio to face the dreadful reality outside!”

Waaaahhh!!!

Kim Soleum turned his head in surprise.

The audience seats were still filled, and the cameras were still rolling, their lights on.

Displayed on the stage was a message:

“Special Segment Bonus Time! Behind-the-Scenes with the Host (Sensitive Personal Information Censored).”

‘Oh, right, it’s still during the commercial break….’

It seemed even this was being broadcast live.

‘They really love their show.’

Kim Soleum could only hope his personal information had been properly censored.

A mix of a sigh and a dry laugh threatened to escape him.

“And now, it’s time for your exit.”

The host extended its hand for a handshake.

At Kim Soleum’s request, the mercenary controlling his body reciprocated the gesture.

And then came the whisper.

“Mr. Deer.”

“It better be as entertaining as you promised. Let’s see if you can deliver….”

-…….

Had Kim Soleum been in his own body, he might have frozen, cold sweat dripping down his back.

But with Isajeon guiding his movements, he simply bowed toward the audience and strode confidently through the broken guest doors, making his exit.

“Then enjoy your departure!”

As he left the talk show set, Kim Soleum caught a fleeting glimpse of the audience.

Unlike before, they were no longer “normal” people. Their grotesque, uncanny forms revealed them as truly inhuman viewers.

It was chilling, yet strangely, his heart felt lighter.

Waaaaahhh!

From behind him came the cheerful yet unnerving voice of the talk show host—his friend.

“This has been… Brown’s Late Night Talk Show!”

“……!”

I opened my eyes.

The faint light of dawn was visible in the sky.

It was the morning I remembered… the everyday world.

‘I made it out!’

“Ha.”

I took a deep breath and collapsed onto the ground.

For some reason, I was leaning back on a bench in an unknown park.

‘Did someone leave me here?’

I felt like I could go mad from the overwhelming sense of relief.

The fact that I could move my body again was great, and the fact that I had safely made it outside was even better….

All in all, everything felt fine.

“Phew.”

Did Captain Isajeon make it back safely?

Or… is my contamination status okay? I couldn’t understand how I felt so refreshed, with my mind functioning so normally.

“…Wait a minute. Could it be because I threw up after eating that churro…?”

Hmm. That’s just a guess for now, so I’ll set it aside.

The important thing is this.

“…I escaped after a month!”

“Haahhhh…”

I stretched out on the ground again.

What should I do now?

I’d lost all my company equipment, including my Dreamscape Collector, ID badge, and mask.

“I guess I should contact the company first….”

……

…Wait a second.

Have I been absent from work without leave for an entire month?

If that’s the case, surely….

“Did they fire me?!”

What about my points?

Feeling as if I’d been doused with cold water, I sat up.

“My phone.”

I needed to check it immediately.

Forget the exhaustion and relief; a cold sense of dread ran through me as I scrambled to find a way to get in touch.

Above my head, something sparkled.

It was a strange phenomenon I hadn’t seen in a long time.

*Dark Exploration Logs Real Goods Box*

-New item use authorization unlocked! (!)

“…!”

And then, falling out of thin air—

Thud.

I looked at what landed in my hands, still tagged with a price barcode.

A small-sized product, designed to reduce cost but still expensive due to its intricate craftsmanship.

A cylinder adorned with metal embellishments.

It was…

A Dreamscape Collector (Elite Team Exclusive).

And inside the cylinder was already filled with a shimmering, golden liquid.

My trembling hands lifted it up.

It was a glowing, holographic-like substance I had never seen before.

“This is…”

It’s at least grade A.