Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 197
Chapter 197 – 197
“Please!”
Baek Saheon was practically screaming.
Even as he did so, he was trying desperately to keep his voice down—as if all he wanted was to slip past this supernatural disaster without being noticed.
But Agent Bronze did not undo the restraints.
Instead, he glanced briefly at the golden stick I had taken from Baek Saheon’s pants pocket and asked a question. “What does drawing that stick mean?”
“What does it mean? It means I’m screwed! I need to get out of here before the holiday festival gets into full swing. Right now, out of this—” “You’ll die?”
Baek Saheon froze.
I cut in.
“But earlier, the person who drew that stick was celebrated. They even said that person would have an important role in next year’s event—”
“…”
His mouth moved, but no words came out. His eyes, however, glistened with terror and rage.
‘A ban…?’ (a forbidden topic or tabooed truth) I met Agent Bronze’s eyes.
The agent gave a subtle nod and asked calmly: “Then explain how you obtained a direct emergency line to headquarters.”
Baek Saheon scoffed.
“Oh please. Aren’t you the ones who scattered those secret numbers all over
the village?”
“…!”
“I know everything. The whole village knows. We just don’t talk about it.
But how does one even use that number to call for help?”
He spat the words with mocking contempt.
“Wait. You mean the agency noticed the warning flyers and just… left them?”
“Yeah! They don’t care if outsiders drink the godwater, achieve enlightenment, hang themselves, drown in the river, or rot at the bottom of a well. As long as it doesn’t spread ‘defilement,’ they just manage it quietly.” “Defilement”? What defilement are you talking about?” Baek Saheon shut his mouth again.
A drop of cold sweat slid down his jaw.
‘Another taboo.’
Seeing him crumble under supernatural fear made me feel strangely quiet inside.
‘Is it because it reminds me of myself…?’
But that was just from my perspective.
“So you can’t answer.”
Agent Bronze had no reason to feel sympathy for Baek Saheon.
This was a man who had killed others over tapes back at the mountain lodge.
The Disaster Management Bureau had classified him as a threat.
And Baek Saheon had possessed one of those tapes. “If you know so much, then walk out of here yourself.” “I told you, I can’t!”
His eyes darted as he tried to assess the situation.
But then—his voice steadied.
“You know that thing, right? I know it too. The rock pile in front of the pine tree. If I stack a stone there and pray, and you agents link arms on either side of me, I can get out safely, right?”
“…!!”
He was exactly right.
Walk ninety-nine steps east of the well, and you’ll find a dried-up pine. Place a stone on the rock mound in front of it. Say the phrase “Return and be watched over” three times. Then, agents flank the rescued person, arms linked, and walk them toward the exit. That’s the current protocol.
At least three people are required, which is why two agents are dispatched.
So don’t forget: the agents must link arms on either side of the evacuee.
“I’ve seen it. For decades! That’s the right way, isn’t it? You have to do it for me too! I reported this, didn’t I?! It’s the protocol!”
Baek Saheon’s voice overflowed with desperation and resentment.
But…
“That doesn’t work on villagers.”
“…What?”
“You live here. It won’t work on you.”
That’s right.
‘Just a reminder—this doesn’t work on festival participants. Don’t try it without preparation, or you might get lost between the village and reality.’
“Villagers can’t leave using that method.”
“I don’t live here anymore! I live in Seoul!”
Agent Bronze remained silent.
Baek Saheon’s voice dropped to a desperate whisper.
“I—I only come here once a month, no, maybe every two or three months for a few days. I don’t live here! These freaks are insane!”
“The rule is simple. Are you wearing a feather during the festival?” “…!”
Baek Saheon’s gaze dropped.
To the rooster feather still pinned to his chest.
He twitched as if to tear it off—but froze. It wouldn’t come off.
He muttered.
“Not allowed?”
“…”
“No. No way. I’m an adult. I don’t live here. I’m an outsider. So there must be another way. You’re supposed to save citizens. You have to help people who report things, right?”
Agent Bronze declared with cold finality: “It’s currently impossible.”
…
“Then die.”
…
“…What?”
“Then you all die too.”
Baek Saheon’s mouth opened wide.
“SANSANBAEKJISANBOKJUSHI-OPGEDAERIJA-YA!
SANSANBAEKJI—”
We scrambled to cover his mouth.
Sharp pain lanced through my hand—he had bitten me.
“Agent Podo!”
“They’re stealing the vessel! They’re stealing the vessel! It’s defilement!” Agent Bronze helped me restrain him. But the moment our grip loosened, he screamed again: “Sansanbaekjisanbokjushiopgedaerijaya —”
From the abandoned house behind us, figures appeared.
No—many figures.
(Unfinished)
