Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

The Good Friend.

Something synthesized, an entity from the reverse world invited by Cheerful Research Institute, imbued within.

Just like the host ‘Braun’ projected into the plush toy.

The consciousness of Kim Soleum, existing in another world, projected into ‘something’ created in the Dream Incubator.

…Is that it?

“……No.”

No, it can’t.

There must be… must be some other explanation.

What did it say about the binding up above? I don’t qualify for that. I want to go home. I need to return to my house, to meet my family and friends.

Who, exactly, are those people?

“……”

I can’t remember.

I mean.

I was sure, back when I first joined, that I remembered.

Didn’t I recall the conversations with my parents and friends? And didn’t I look up contact info, check addresses, search through my records and……

……Did I actually do that?

Or did I just think to myself, ‘I checked,’ and let it go?

What exact contacts did I look up, which previous address did I visit?

I don’t know.

I can’t remember.

There’s only this conviction that I did…

“……”

So, does that mean,

This body I inhabit,

Isn’t Kim Soleum?

If the place I was before joining was this place.

If I’ve returned to the place this body was.

If I was made in the Dream Incubation Chamber.

Then am I… not human?

“No.”

I looked down at my hands.

[No]

No!

E n o u

Kekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeke

My body starts to bulge grotesquely.

The tattoo collapses.

I disappear. The human body falls apart.

The self that has realized the truth rejects the shape of a human body. The body tries to revert to its original form.

Something unknown, sacred and bizarre, synthesized, bursts forth from within me.

Scales and horns, hooves, spikes all pierce through my ribs…

“No!”

My voice rings strangely through the space. But there is nothing I can do. I’ve already disposed of all my items. My tattoo is completely empty…!

N o

At that moment,

I realized it.

There is still one thing left inside the tattoo.

Equipment that’s not mine, something I borrowed.

“…!”

I hastily shoved my mutating hand into my tattoo and pulled out the equipment.

The Security Team suit.

And I started to put it on like a madman.

My mutating body is forced and jammed back into a human form, held in place. Strange noises ring out as black smoke envelops my whole body.

In that way, I barely manage to regain human limbs.

I have to run away.

Staggering, I searched for the door to the lab. Yellow, lamp-like eyes flashed. The light found the doorknob.

Leaning on it, I barely managed to push it open and step out…

There are indoor lights.

“……!”

A normal office hallway.

A scene I had seen before.

‘…Daydream’s basement.’

The sergeant had told me about Cheerful Research Institute being in the company’s underground.

– The Cheerful Research Institute… it’s still in our company’s basement……

– If you go deeper underground… the same office corridors… just keep repeating…

What floor underground is this, exactly?

How do I get out?

‘Elevator…’

My head and body feel heavy.

A strange, intense pain sweeps over my entire body.

Dragging my feet, I tried to make my way somehow to the end of the corridor.

Just then.

“Excellent.”

……

“You have strong company loyalty. To think you’d come back.”

I raised my head.

Someone in a suit was now standing in front of me, staring straight at me.

An ageless impression, cold and immaculate appearance, a perfectly fitted three-button suit, dark blue hair…

Managing Director Cheong Dallae.

“Already wearing the uniform, are you. Looking good.”

Black pupils stared at me.

“But that’s not the proper uniform…”

I opened my mouth,

But no words came out. It felt as if my vocal cords were crumpled up inside the suit.

The mad, suffocating sensation grew stronger, more… painful.

“Yes. That seems to be a uniform that makes a human look like a monster. Is this a new version that’s been developed?”

“……”

“But when a real monster wears it, it’s just a mold that forcibly stuffs the body in. As you know, there are a lot of programs in society whose efficacy only works when there’s a contract. That’s how it is.”

She declared thus.

“At this rate, you’ll soon necrotize.”

“……”

“If you don’t like that, there is another path.”

Executive Director Cheong Dallae took out a neat sheet of paper from inside her jacket.

“A contract.”

……

“You just need to sign. I promise you the most humane treatment. You’ll have a satisfying position… in the Security Team, that is.”

Blood started to flow from my body. Blood dripped down my fingers.

“Here.”

“……”

“Choose.”

I feel like I’m going to die.

My collapsing body is being crushed, and so is my consciousness. I can’t even stumble forward anymore.

I don’t have the strength to even think of any other options.

A dead end.

“……”

I lifted my trembling hand.

And, with the blood streaming down, I signed the contract.

“Good.”

The moment the signing was complete.

My body rapidly began to feel at ease.

As if I were wearing perfectly fitting clothes, as if I had fulfilled a promise, as if just the right amount of water had been poured into a cup.

A sense of peace and unfamiliar power spread through my whole body.

And… more than anything, a clear binding.

“……”

I looked at my superior.

“From now on, you’ll be entrusted with a very important position.”

And just like that,

I started working for the company once again.

〈 End of Part I 〉

goblin notes:

You guys. You guys holy shit what did we just read

Damn??? Like????? No words, literally. I can’t think of anything.

I mean I know it was heading there, all the signs were there, I could see the vision (the novel’s title itself, the Name, all the foreshadowing!)…… But still?? I was so caught off guard I didn’t think BDS-nim would actually take us there ??!!

I’m so excited for the second part! Literally don’t know how things will go from here, I’m just so happy we’re here for the rideee

p.s.

As of the full release of 208, this goblin will be taking a short hiatus from gsgw, give or take 2 weeks~

That’s at least better than 2 months, right…?ㅋ

See ya~