Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Chapter 12.1

A terrible stench spread through the studio.

Walking into the spotlight was something with the head of a pig, walking on two legs.

Its body was emaciated, and from its large, dead pig’s eyes, blood dripped down.

[Hold on a moment. He’s a silent artist… Ah! His equipment is coming in now!]

Thirteen silver trays descended from the air, suspended by wires.

The large, round silver trays were intricately and boldly decorated.

Screaming faces. Countless of them hung like clusters of grapes.

[Shall we meet the passionate contestants who have volunteered to join the choir?]

The lights on each podium came on.

The six podiums revealed the pale, terrified faces of the humans standing on them.

[You recognize some faces from last week, don’t you? Haha, will our contestants who defended the 99th win record set a new record with this new segment?]

[Stay tuned! We’ll reveal the results soon!]

Waaaah!

The audience seats were empty. But a canned applause filled the space mechanically.

[But the first glory must go to the first contestant!]

The host stood in front of an employee I didn’t know.

The employee wearing the mole mask hunched her shoulders.

[Here’s the question.]

Flash.

[Question : Which of the following creatures has the longest lifespan?]

1- Pig

2- Human

3- Rabbit

4- Flea

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“H-Human. Number 2, human…!”

[Correct!]

A sigh of relief crossed the mole mask’s eyes.

Yes. In the original Tuesday Talk Show, the segment would have moved on with cheers.

But the new segment had a new phase added.

[Congratulations on passing, Ms. Mole!]

The conductor with the bleeding pig’s head raised his skeletal arms and swung a silver baton.

The mole mask’s head was ripped off.

[Such a beautiful harmony!]

Thud.

The headless contestant’s body collapsed beneath the podium like a broken puppet.

“……!”

The employee’s remaining head floated into the air and was displayed on the silver tray.

It was still mouthing words.

[Each contestant’s unique talent will be awakened. Oh, it’s incredible. Truly incredible…!]

When the pig raised its arms, the gaping mouth of the head suddenly began emitting a clear, piercing scream in tune.

“H-Humans. It’s human, humannnnnn!”

It was as if someone had forcibly squeezed the vocal cords, producing a sound like a woodwind instrument.

[The first choir member has taken their place!]

The choir practice had begun.

They endlessly repeated the last words they spoke before losing their heads.

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The ‘Chorus of the Sacrificial Lambs’ consists of one conductor and 13 silver trays that are summoned.

The heads of talk show contestants are placed on the silver trays, and their selection process is determined by that day’s broadcast corner.

Each head fused to a tray produces different phrases and instrument-like sounds, forming an acapella.

The highest number of heads recorded is 7.

One (1) head : Causes mild headaches, anxiety, and sudden mood swings.

========================

If you were just comfortably reading this ghost story.

You might think, ‘Only one head? For such a terrifying situation, it’s manageable.’

But if you found yourself in this insane scenario, that thought wouldn’t come to you.

Not like the employee who was directly affected.

“Aaaaaagh!! S-Siyeon, Si…!”

Incineration.

Another podium’s light went out. The charred body stuck to the floor.

The head that remained continued its eerie melody.

“H-Human. Number 2. Humaaaan!”

[Next up… Ah, we have another new face. Hello, Mr. Jellyfish! Let’s see if you can create a beautiful harmony with the successful contestant!]

[Now, the question is…]

“I don’t know! I don’t know the answer!”

The employee wearing the jellyfish mask screamed before the question was even asked.

His instincts seemed to tell him that getting the question wrong and facing punishment would be better.

[How surprising!]

It was a remarkable judgment.

…A meaningless one, though.

[Failure.]

His head exploded.

Like a firecracker, sparkles from the studio’s mirror ball and a shower of confetti filled the air.

The recorded audience’s reaction mixed with both disappointed sighs and cheers filled the studio.

[Oh no, disqualified! How unfortunate…]

[He didn’t make it into the great choir!]

“……”

Right.

‘There are no punishments anymore. If you get the quiz wrong, you’re simply disqualified.’

I blinked.

It didn’t feel real.

Half the people died in just five minutes after the recording began.

And there was no escape.

Three of us remained.

D-squad’s assistant manager and supervisor.

And me.

[Let’s meet our next contestant! Oh, familiar faces!]

“……”

I recalled one fact I had been avoiding.

…These superiors’ names were also not mentioned anywhere in the <Dark Exploration Records>.

It’s the same as with Go Yeongeun, my fellow new recruit.

I remembered what I thought when I first heard Go Yeongeun’s name.

– Either she left early after handling the ghost stories relatively easily…

– Or she died right away.

[Mr. Badger!]

Supervisor Park was called next.

Park Minseong.

While standing at the farthest podium from me, he had turned completely pale.

It was a death sentence, and it would soon be mine too…

[It’s your turn to answer!]

No.

‘Get a grip!’

I punched my stomach, hidden by the podium.

The pain cleared my head slightly.

‘Being scared doesn’t justify an excuse.’

This wasn’t a situation ruled by that kind of fear.

‘It’s a disaster.’

It was like witnessing a natural disaster up close—the overwhelming force of it.

I had been swept into an unexpected catastrophe. That’s right… If I panic here, it’s all over. I won’t even have a chance to survive.

I can’t forget. Of all the people here, you have the best chance of survival!

I have to think.

‘Right.’

I have information and items.

[Mr. Badger, are you ready?]

Could I use this moment when the host and staff’s attention wasn’t on me? Was there really nothing I could try?

I desperately recalled the items I had. I frantically reviewed the characteristics of this ghost story.

‘I don’t expect much, but.’

If I could just get out of here.

I wasn’t hoping for something as grand as this insane talk show getting canceled. Just stop for a second… just for a moment…

Ah.

I raised my head.

The host’s back was right in front of me.