Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Chapter 7.3

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Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story

[Make a Choice]

: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>

: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-F-243.

It originates from balance game posts on the internet, like ‘Would you do a scary challenge for money VS just live your life?’

This Darkness appears sporadically when accessing URLs with certain numbers.

It often involves being chased by a murderer or ghost, and if you get caught, you must start over from the beginning.

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What a nightmare.

As the world around me warped, I heard Supervisor Park’s voice clearly.

“Just take it easy, alright? Heave ho!”

Take it easy?

I was about to protest—how could they send a new hire on their first solo assignment into a ghost story!—but before I could scream…

The world twisted, and I was thrown into the Darkness.

“……”

I staggered to my feet.

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‘It’s really dark.’

The air was cold and damp. My visibility was incredibly poor.

The only light came from the faint, flickering glow of the drinks fridge in the distance.

“……”

Holding my breath, I cautiously moved toward the light.

The dim outlines of the convenience store flickered in and out of sight as I approached, disappearing into the shadows again…

Silence. Stillness.

Each step echoed on the floor, sending shivers down my spine as cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

There didn’t seem to be anything around. At least, not yet.

‘Huuu.’

I swallowed my sigh.

I stopped walking just outside the fridge’s dim glow, where the light couldn’t reach me.

Leaning into the cold, hazy light, I surveyed my surroundings.

The convenience store was quite large, about the size of a franchise café.

The shelves were neatly stocked with everyday necessities and food items, meticulously arranged with not a speck of dust.

‘At least survival essentials aren’t an issue.’

Right. This ghost story—this ‘Darkness’—wasn’t one that physically endangered you.

It was designed to shock and scare you out of your wits.

The safest course of action quickly became clear.

‘Just grab some water and energy bars and hide until it’s over.’

Yes. I knew my limits. There was no way I’d play tag with a ghost.

I didn’t even need the energy bars, really. Just grabbing something quiet to eat would be enough.

Humans can survive a day or two without food. Better that than meeting a ghost.

‘But I definitely need water.’

There was no other choice.

I spotted some water bottles in the drinks fridge.

It was easy to spot because of the light, and thankfully, it was in the far corner, where I could keep a close eye on my surroundings…

“……”

I cautiously stepped forward, avoiding the light and moving toward the far end of the fridge.

‘Huu.’

At the very last compartment, just as I had seen from afar, the top shelf was packed with water bottles, their labels blurred out.

However, standing this close, I could see something else besides the water.

“……?!”

That wiki page I saw earlier. I had scrolled past it so quickly, but the grotesque outline was unforgettable.

A blue, bulbous face with bulging eyes.

A ghost.

‘Fuck…!’

As soon as our eyes met, the ghost’s face twisted into a sinister grin, its eyes swelling grotesquely.

‘Why the hell is this ghost’s face in the fridge?!’

I instinctively pulled back, turning to run. But at that moment, I realized.

The ghost wasn’t inside the fridge.

It was reflected in the fridge’s glass door.

“Huu…ugh…”

Thud.

Something touched my back.

A cold, hard, damp grip tightened around my neck.

A drowning victim’s hand.

And then…

—Gotcha.

Pitch black.

Tag, you’re it.

* * *

“Huuhp!”

I gasped and opened my eyes.

Cold air. My vision was dim.

The only light was the faint, flickering glow from the drink fridge in the distance.

“……!”

I had returned to the starting point.

When you’re caught by the ghost or killer in this ‘Darkness’, you start all over again.

‘This is insane.’

I had to endure this for three days?

I’d rather die than keep going through this!

‘No, no, calm down.’

I quickly pieced together a more terrifying possibility.

‘If I can’t make it through, I’ll keep resetting… so who knows how long this could actually last.’

It’s an endless loop.

People like me, who can’t handle even the slightest bit of horror, might lose their minds before it’s over.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

I needed to find another way.

This time, I avoided the drink fridge and headed toward the counter.

There were plenty of large objects and structures around the counter to hide behind, so I figured I could take cover there and buy some time to think.

‘I’ll crouch under the chair inside the counter area…’

But then I saw it.

Between the legs of the chair and the counter,

the silhouette of the ghost’s lower half.

“……”

Tap. Tap, tap. Taptaptaptaptap.

Pale, bare feet moved with an odd rhythm, their steps unnaturally spaced. The eerie, unsettling way it moved, so inhuman, sent shivers down my spine like an alarm.

Holding my breath, I crouched under the counter.

I stayed still for as long as I could, even after the ghost’s bizarre footsteps faded, pushing my limits of endurance.

‘There are too many clichés where the monster shows up just when you think you’re safe.’

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I slowly exhaled, straining to make no sound.

“……”

‘This is driving me insane.’

Cold sweat dripped from my chin.

I couldn’t do anything. Even using my phone was out of the question, since the screen light would give me away immediately.

My only hope was my memory!

‘I’ve gone over the records of this ghost story many times…’

F-Class ghost stories often involved multiple new hires in the exploration, so I’d studied them like exam questions.

Of course, I never imagined I’d be thrown in alone from the start!

‘Damn it.’

I racked my brain, sweating as I combed through the exploration records.

‘Mountain lodge, basement, crosswalk, fast-food restaurant, abandoned school…’

None of them matched.

But there was one unusual case… I was sure of it.

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Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story

/ Make a Choice

Exploration Record #23 (Irregular)

A night in an abandoned hospital, chased by a crazed doctor throughout the night (12 hours).

※ Note : Exploration ended after 16 hours and 11 minutes.

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“……!”

That’s it.

I began piecing together the relevant details, forcing my memory to reconstruct the scenario.