Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work - Chapter 190.2 - [Illustration]

– Friend? So what kind of place is the Preliminary Investigation Unit?

‘Ah, let’s go there now.’

Anyway, since the Preliminary Investigation Unit had called for me, I decided to head out for a bit.

With Braun, I made my way past the real working spaces of the Disaster Management Bureau, the office corridors. And then…

– My goodness, I’d rather this was a comedy skit segment… To think my friend has fallen victim to an employment scam.

“……”

To the eyes of a host from a dazzling capitalist era mass media ghost story, the 21st-century public sector facilities must have seemed utterly dilapidated and substandard…

Fortunately, something else soon caught Braun’s interest.

Right in front of the Preliminary Investigation Unit office was my fellow spy.

Go Yeongeun-ssi.

“Agent Grapes!”

Go Yeongeun, who greeted me with a bright smile and wave, gave me a curious look as she spotted the plush doll on my chest when I got closer.

“You’re carrying that around again?”

“……Yes.”

Now that I think about it, Yeongeun-ssi has seen Braun in the form of a Good Friend fairly often.

Even in that exhibition ghost story, ‘Manor of the Blind’, I used Braun to solidify Baek Saheon’s impression of me… I think she saw that a few times in passing, too.

Anyway, it seems Braun has a greater presence than I thought.

‘I-I figured he wouldn’t stand out that much since it’s so small, but…’

In this ghost story world’s crazy pharmaceutical company, people carry around everything from bunny’s feet to mummy bandages.

With everyone already wearing bizarre animal masks, I thought a little plush pendant would be fine.

Um. Apparently not…

Still, Go Yeongeun remains as kind as ever.

“Um, it’s still cute! I think you picked a good one.”

– Ah, someone with an eye for quality. An appreciative audience is always a delight for an entertainer.

Anyway, it was a relief that everyone seemed satisfied. I smiled and spoke.

“Thank you. Then, Agent Mint, perhaps you also—”

“Ah, no thank you.”

“……”

No, I was just going to ask if you had one too. A plush pendant…

I was starting to sweat.

Ah, looks like the bunny plush stands out even more than I expected.

‘This won’t do.’

After asking Braun’s permission, I pulled the front pocket flap down further to hide as much of the plush as possible.

“Agent Grapes! Please give your statement—huh? That’s cute. Did your younger sibling give it to you?”

“Oh my, what’s that? A doll?”

But even so, whenever I moved and it showed itself, it became a small talk topic several times…

And the finale came after I’d finished a quick statement with the Preliminary Investigation Unit and returned to the Black-Tortoise Team 1 waiting room.

Ka-chak.

“Grapes-ie!”

As I came in, the two agents who’d arrived earlier shot to their feet.

And Agent Choi had a suspicious grin plastered on his face.

……?

“Sorry. I was a bit harsh to your friend earlier! Calling it a ghost and all. Right?”

– Hm. Now he tries to make amends. I’ll let it slide.

“N-No, it’s fine.”

What is going on?

Anyway, now that I know the plushie’s more conspicuous than I thought, I should take steps to handle it.

I sat quietly on the sofa and muttered to myself.

“Um, I’ll make sure to keep it out of sight as much as possible, so even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, I hope you’ll understand…”

“Hahaha, what are you talking about? Of course Grapes’s friend can stay in the waiting room with us.”

Suddenly, Agent Choi put his arm around my shoulder and showed me something.

“Here, this is your friend’s spot.”

On the plush armrest of the sofa by the window, a neatly folded navy blue handkerchief—standard issue for an agent—was laid out…

‘……’

No.

What is this, seriously?

– Haha, I appreciate the kindness, but I’ll decline! I have my own handkerchief… Wait, where did it go? That’s strange, it seems to have disappeared!

I’ll get you a new one later, just wait!

“T-Thank you…”

In the end, unable to resist the flow of the conversation, I set Braun down on the handkerchief.

Agent Choi, still smiling, asked kindly,

“What’s our friend’s name?”

“B-Braun.” (Brown)

“…But it’s pink?”

“Eh?”

“Hahaha, no, it’s fine! That’s possible. After all, the heart is free~”

“Yes… thank you.”

What even is this situation?

I looked to Agent Bronze for help, but when he met my eyes, he just forced a strained smile.

He’s really trying to look warm…

‘……??’

I was even more lost.

“Here, take this too. It’s a diary string, but if you tie it to its ear, it’ll look cute.”

And so, Braun received a cushion near the window and successfully blended into the Black-Tortoise Team 1 waiting room without suspicion…

‘…??’

The cause of all this would soon be revealed in the group chat.

[Let’s not make a fuss if the new Destroyer King Rookie brings a plush keyring, everyone. It’s a precious friend.]

[?]

[so its not a supernatural phenomenon or whatever?]

[That doesn’t seem to be the case. According to another team member, he’s been carrying it around for a while, seems to use it to calm himself. Let’s not pry into personal matters.]

[ah…]

[confirmed]

[we all get it, yeah]

[I was the one who asked if his younger sibling gave him the doll. if you’re reading this, i’m sorry, agent. ㅠㅠ]

“……”

Agent Bronze…!!

* * *

– In that sense, I’ll give this place… hmm. 39 points.

On my way home from work, I hurried back to the motel, listening to Braun’s surprisingly generous Disaster Management Bureau rating.

Other than a brief dispatch for a minor supernatural incident in the afternoon, it had been a normal day, so my condition should have been fine, but…

‘I’m exhausted…’

So much happened mentally, and on top of it all, an unexpected new facet to my ‘character’ was added as the grand finale…

‘Ugh.’

I just want to rest.

‘…Maybe I should sleep somewhere nicer, just for tonight.’

As I walked down the street at dusk, I searched for other lodgings on my smartphone…

Bzzzz.

A popup appeared along with a vibration.

A message.

[ J : got so m e in fo ]

[ J : abit ]

“…!”

It’s the sergeant.

This was the first time since I handed over my phone.

But he says he got some information?

[ J : proble ]

[What do you mean?]

I quickly replied.

But there was no response for several minutes.

“……”

And then, much later.

[ J : i’ll come out ]

A chill ran down my spine.

I called immediately. But he didn’t answer.

‘What the…’

There was definitely a signal, so why wasn’t he picking up?

[Where are you, sergeant?]

[Are you alright?]

The ‘1’ disappeared from the message, meaning it was read.

‘Wait a second. He said… he’d come out, didn’t he?’

I hurriedly narrowed my lodging search to the area around Daydream Inc. and grabbed a random unmanned motel.

Then I sent the address, room number, and door code via message.

[ If you’ve made it out, come here (link) ]

Then I immediately dashed back into the subway,

heading to the unmanned motel near the company.

A short while later.

“…?!”

When I opened the motel door, I saw a scene I never could have imagined.

“Mm!”

Kwak Jaekang was tied up and lying face-down on the floor.

And sitting on top of him, restraining him, was the sergeant.

And…

“R-Roe.”

Supervisor Park Minseong, sweating coldly as he looked at me, was there too, in a security team uniform.

“……”

W-What kind of mess is this?

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