Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 164

‘Yeah, it’s Team Leader!’

Since when had I started feeling so relieved at the sight of that pale, reptilian head and those slit pupils?

I almost stood up when I saw the lizard wearing a lizard mask.

‘Of course, this isn’t exactly the kind of situation where I should be happy about it…’

Still, the memory of being super-saved by the physical powerhouse in those insane ghost stories was deeply ingrained.

Anyway, it seemed like Lizard Manager had just returned from clearing a Darkness and was beginning his report to the research team.

"It took 3 hours and 24 minutes to clear."

“Ah, um, Manager. Right now might not be the best time to—”

“?”

“There are outsiders present.”

The researcher gestured toward the chaotic mess that was now the office.

Nearly thirty injured children, Bureau agents, and groaning Daydream Corporation employees were scattered across the room.

“I see.”

To Manager Lee Jaheon, this was probably just another day of returning from a Darkness only to find the office packed with civilians instead of employees. Yet, he showed no reaction. So lizard-like.

The concerning part, however, was that he was alone.

‘The researchers said Team D had returned.’

But Lee Jaheon had no team with him.

…Had the assigned employees all died in an instant?

Regardless of my suspicions, the Daydream Corporation employees continued their interactions.

“Uh, Manager. Please hand over the Dream Collector…”

“Yes.”

“Thank you…! Um, please wait here for a moment.”

The processing of the previously cleared Mermaid Graveyard Darkness took priority.

After returning the dream liquid to the researcher, the lizard took a slow look around the unusually crowded research office.

His gaze swept across the room… and then his crimson eyes met mine.

“…….”

No way.

‘Did he recognize me?’

But his gaze moved on just as quickly. Without a word, he walked straight into the center of the office and sat down on one of the meeting sofas.

…Meaning, he casually sat down in the middle of a group of blood-soaked, contaminated children without a second thought.

“U-Uh, that spot is…”

Even the research team stammered.

His presence was so intense that I could hear the Bureau agents whispering among themselves.

“…Agent, do you know him?”

“Lizard mask? No. But if I had seen him before, I don’t think I’d ever forget him.”

Agent Choi also seemed to be seeing him for the first time.

Well, that made sense.

Lee Jaheon—aka Employee D—had appeared later in the Darkness Exploration Records, once the logs expanded and meta-humor clearances became more acceptable.

‘His records don’t really overlap with Agent Choi’s early exploration days.’

Even the children who had regained some strength after receiving first aid were glancing at the man in the lizard mask.

It would’ve been fine if that was all.

But as time passed, more and more children began regaining their strength…

“Excuse me, are we going to see our mom now?”

“I, I need to go to the bathroom…”

“Subin says he’s hungry!”

The children who were in relatively better condition hesitated before raising their hands and speaking up.

Even though they had suffered a horrific experience in the sparkling palace of the Dragon King, they hadn’t lost their innocence—probably because they had spent time in that fairy-tale-like hallucination.

Besides, they were still sick and injured, lying on the uncomfortable office floor. The fact that they had held out this long was impressive.

“I really have to pee…”

But this gave the researchers an easy excuse to separate the kids. Damn it.

I could already see the researchers trying to say, "We'll take them to the bathroom, we'll take them to the cafeteria," and then subtly separating them.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net, it has been stolen.

The Bureau agents would definitely follow them, but the problem was that splitting up meant some kids would be left behind.

‘If the agents are separated one by one, dealing with the Daydream employees will become even harder.’

The agents were already at their limit, having used up all their stamina and sustaining full-body bruises.

This was an obvious move, and even the agents seemed to realize it. Their expressions grew colder.

That meant… there was only one thing to do.

‘We have to move first.’

And the safest person to accompany the kids…

‘Only I know who that is.’

I held in a sigh and whispered to one of the kids who had said they needed to go to the bathroom.

“Really? Do you know?”

“Yeah.”

The child immediately stood up and, shyly tugging at the hem of someone’s pants, asked,

“Mister, where’s the bathroom…?”

“…!”

Manager Lee Jaheon.

The lizard sitting on the sofa blankly looked down at the child.

"Kids, wait a sec—"

Before Agent Choi could intervene, I quickly started encouraging the other kids.

“Do you want to go too?”

“Yeah!”

“Me too!”

Gwak Jaegang was gone, and the familiar employees had left for interviews or treatment.

On top of that, half my face was still covered in scars from ulcers and necrosis, making it unlikely that anyone would recognize me.

‘As long as I act properly.’

I moved among the children and asked Lee Jaheon, just like any other child would.

“Mister, can you take us to the bathroom?”

“Yes.”

The gathered children brightened.

“You’ll take us?”

“Yes.”

When Lee Jaheon stood up, the children cheered and clung to his legs.

“Wow!”

I subtly nodded at the two agents.

If things went south, I’d scream to signal danger.

Agent Bronze seemed to realize that I had picked the safest staff member, and though he looked reluctant, he didn’t say anything.

“Let’s go.”

And so, with about six or seven children clinging to him, Lee Jaheon started walking down the hallway like a pied piper.

Fortunately, we reached the restroom without any issues.

‘Phew.’

After helping the younger children who struggled with using the facilities, I washed my hand at the sink, trying to clear my head.

‘It’s annoying only having one hand.’

And standing in front of this all-too-familiar company sink again… it was messing with my mind.

‘I just want to collapse into bed…’

Suppressing my exhaustion, I finished washing my hand.

And then, Lee Jaheon quietly stepped beside me.

Was he… trying to look after me because I was a kid?

“Noroo.”

I nearly used my one remaining hand to punch the lizard in the face.

“This area is currently equipped with anti-surveillance devices. Our conversation will not be leaked.”

I exhaled.

My shaky hand turned off the faucet as I lowered my voice.

“How did you recognize me? I mean, I don’t even have my arm anymore, and my age looks different…”

“? The change in age and limb loss were enough indicators.”

“…….”

Let’s move on.

A reptilian alien that fires holy bombardments probably has a different way of analyzing things…

"Anyway, thank you for your help. I nearly had my identity exposed to the research team."

"I see."

"And when we return to the room, please make sure the children don’t get separated and follow any researchers."

"Understood."

The lizard’s eyelid-less eyes hovered in the air for a moment before returning to me.

…The children were still in the restroom, so I had time to talk.

I hesitated slightly before asking, "Team Leader, have you been well? I wanted to ask if the new D-Team members are adjusting, and how the Darkness explorations have been…"

"There are no new team members."

“…!"

"Currently, D-Team is assigned to single-entry Darkness missions. There are no unusual updates."

"…I see."

…That meant Lee Jaheon was working alone.

‘They abandoned him.’

Just when D-Team had been promoted to an elite squad and was about to be officially established, I—who had negotiated promotions and transfers in exchange—had been declared missing and dead.

As a result, D-Team had been left dangling, leaderless.

It wasn’t surprising that the company had been indecisive for months, unsure of what to do with the team. But…

The reality of it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

‘There must have been some rumors.’

Even if Lee Jaheon wasn’t the type to care about such things.

……

"Uh, Team Leader."

I spoke without thinking.

"If I make purchases from the Space Mall, would that help you?"

"Purchasing from the Space Mall does not directly affect Manager Lee Jaheon’s livelihood."

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

However—

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, as if forming a faintly favorable curve.

"But it helps us."

A strange phrasing.

‘…That sounds like we benefit, not just him.’

Regardless, I understood that it provided indirect support.

In that case—

"Do I have to use cash to shop at the mall?"

"No."

"…! Then can I barter with items?"

"No."

Damn.

"Then what are the other payment methods?"

"Use a VIP card. Conversation over. Someone is approaching."

I processed the information sequentially.

Click!

The frosted glass restroom door slid open, and light footsteps entered.

"Oh~ What fun little chat were you having with the child?"

Gwak Jaegang.

"I escorted them to the restroom."

"Ah, bodily functions! Very important~ Especially for children."

Dressed in a white lab coat, Gwak Jaegang crouched slightly to lower himself to my eye level.

‘Shit!’

I immediately lowered my head and shrank back as if frightened.

Gwak Jaegang’s voice dropped into a gentle, coaxing tone, as if offering a secret special treat.

"Why don’t you come with me? We’ll eat some delicious snacks, play with your friends at the playground, and have a nice rest~"

"……."

"Just the kids here. No one else. Only you special ones."

"…I want to see my mom and dad."

"Of course! You can see them too!"

This bastard.

"I don’t wanna. You’re scary and ugly…"

“…!!"

As I heard the other kids stirring, I quickly ducked behind Lee Jaheon.

"I'm scared!"

"Huh? What’s wrong?"

"He’s scary!"

"That uncle is scary…"

Children are quick to pick up on the atmosphere. The moment the fear spread, the rest hesitated, stepping away from the intimidating man in the white coat and crowding behind the kinder-looking uncle.

"Hey, I know I don’t look as good as Manager Lee, but still… Ah, this is embarrassing."

Gwak Jaegang scratched the back of his head as he looked at Lee Jaheon, who had kids clinging to him like a tree trunk.

A flicker of regret and obsession passed through his eyes.

"Manager Lee, are you trying to lure the kids…."

"?"

"You should be doing me a favor. Ugh."

Gwak Jaegang clicked his tongue, but in the end, he turned and left the restroom.

Creak.

The moment the restroom door shut, a few of the children let out involuntary sighs of relief.

…A thought crossed my mind.

Maybe it wasn’t just the atmosphere that made the kids react.

Maybe, instinctively, they sensed danger.

"Let’s go back."

"Okay."

And so, Lee Jaheon once again became the Pied Piper of lizards, leading the children safely back to the research office.

The Bureau agents, who had been watching the door anxiously, let out small sighs of relief.

‘…Thank you.’

I subtly nodded toward Lee Jaheon in gratitude. He remained expressionless as he sat back down on the sofa, still keeping watch.

And a couple of hours later.

“…The Disaster Management Bureau has arrived."

Reinforcements had finally come.

***

Things went more smoothly than expected after that.

As soon as the Bureau received Agent Choi’s emergency message, they arrived at Daydream Corporation with rescue vehicles in tow, fully prepared to escalate the situation.

Faced with their presence, the research team had no choice but to back down.

"We’ll just collect some simple samples. That’s harmless, isn’t it?"

Agent Bronze nearly exploded, but in the end, they allowed the Bureau to take biological samples from the mermaid juveniles…

‘They only scraped from the severed tails.’

It didn’t harm the kids.

The only worrying part was that they took a piece of my flesh too… I’d need to contact Director Ho quickly to deal with that.

The most important thing was—

"Wow!!"

We were finally free from the ghost story.

"Aww, the kids are all asleep."

The children had passed out.

After being transported in the Bureau’s rescue vehicles, they were taken straight to headquarters, where they were bathed, treated by medical professionals, changed into clean clothes, and given food.

And after the sheer exhaustion of their spectacular ordeal, they finally dozed off.

‘…Thank goodness.’

The same went for the agents.

For the first time in forever, they finally got to shower in hot water and eat a meal.

"Podo finally turned back into an adult too."

Me as well.

I slumped onto the sofa, feeling at ease with my newly recharged goblin-fire prosthetic arm and fully restored adult body.

For some reason, the standby room of Team Hyunmu 1 felt ridiculously comfortable.

Then again, it had always felt more like a cozy clubroom than a workplace.

"You never know what tricks that company is pulling."

"I know."

In my haze of drowsiness, I caught snippets of conversation between the nearby agents.

Agent Bronze seemed to suspect that Daydream Corporation had done something shady.

"The analysis team just called… Turns out, some of the medicine they gave the kids was mixed with Daydream Potions—the kind that teleport you somewhere else once you fall asleep."

"…!"

I instantly snapped back to attention.

"I had my eye on them because they seemed to be choosing which potions to give the kids with the more severe mutations."

"Has it been neutralized?"

"Of course!"

Whew.

Agent Choi patted my shoulder.

"Podo worked hard earlier too. You even tricked that staff member into actually taking the kids to the bathroom instead of whatever scheme they had planned!"

"……Yes."

Meanwhile, Agent Bronze was making every effort not to accidentally make eye contact with me or Agent Choi.

Thank you, Agent.

"Now, we need to… go fix that, right?"

Huh?

Agent Choi suddenly pointed at me.

No—more precisely, at the still-visible ulcer scars covering half of my face.

Right. Even though I had returned to my original body, the traces of the infection hadn’t disappeared.

The mental corruption from the ghost story had been healed with the Angel’s Breath Conch, so I hadn’t been paying much attention to it.

"If we go to the medical office…"

"Nah. There’s a faster way."

Agent Choi stood up. Agent Bronze silently followed suit, rising from the sofa.

Both of them turned to me with knowing smiles.

"Let’s go see the Elder."

"……!"