Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

This guide is solely for smooth human rescue in incident registration number 1006PSYA.1941.아06, a.k.a. ‘Jisan-so Facility Offering Ritual’.

While the strict bureau classified this supernatural disaster as fracture-sanctioned, the author strongly argues for a higher grade.

Even if the rescue itself isn’t difficult, the disaster cannot be completely resolved, and according to the testimony of several dokkaebi, there is something even more malevolent inside.

So don’t let your guard down, and be prepared for dispatch during the 4th and 5th lunar months!

“We’re here.”

We got off at Cheonan-Asan Station.

Then we rode government-issued bicycles stored at the station.

“It’s about thirty minutes by bike.”

Just as he said.

The farther we left the station and the city, the more winding unpaved roads appeared, making the bike seats rattle.

And then, in the distance, a small village came into view.

A typical rural village.

Old houses and tiled-roof homes, patched here and there with modern repairs, power lines along the streetlamps, the unpaved road was maintained at least through the village.

It’s a place you can easily get to as long as you have transportation, but it’s mostly families and is closed to outsiders. (No real estate on the market. Moving in undercover is impossible.)

However, during the ‘Jisan Festival’, they welcome outsiders, and visitors can participate in the festival events.

“There it is. …It’s begun.”

A banner comes into view.

Jisan Festival

May the fortune of Jisan be with you

This festival is the supernatural phenomenon.

“This way.”

We parked our bikes at a corner near the village entrance. There were a few cars with ‘Seoul’ or ‘Gyeonggi’ plates parked haphazardly.

“……”

“Remember this.”

I nodded.

Then, together with Agent Bronze, I entered the village.

Heeyaaaaaah!

As we drew closer, people came into view.

It wasn’t a huge crowd, fitting for a small rural festival, but there were traditional performance groups, people taking photos, people sitting and eating boiled pork and soup distributed by the village.

And others, bored, fiddling with their smartphones.

※Quick tips before entering!

Never wear your Bureau jacket, bring earplugs, matches, and bells.

Most importantly…

Don’t sit among the villagers.

“Hey, what the heck. This is shady.”

“Just wait it out. They’re about to do a raffle.”

We sat next to them, playing the part of uninterested outsiders.

Food was quickly served to us.

“Please have a bite! May the fortune of Jisan be with you!”

A villager who made eye contact with me grinned.

She seemed to be a woman around my age, and there was something like a bird’s feather pinned to her chest.

It’s simple to distinguish villagers at the Jisan Festival.

If they’re wearing a brooch made of feathers, they’re a local.

– I swiped one and analyzed it, and it turned out to be a rooster feather. The dokkaebi hated it.

All sorts of voices rang out here and there:

“Oh my, you’re from Mapo? My son works in Mapo too! In Seoul!”

“No smoking here. Absolutely forbidden!”

“Have a drink. I made it myself, it’s real homemade rice wine.”

The villagers chatted up the outsiders or treated them kindly, offering drinks as well.

It seemed like a generous countryside village.

Except for the fact that someone would soon die.

I stifled a small sigh as I looked at the bowl of food.

Festival food is safe to eat. (Honestly, it tastes pretty good)

But personally, I wouldn’t recommend eating anything with broth. You probably don’t want to hear the reason.

Not that I had much of an appetite anyway.

“……Thank you for the food.”

“Thank you for the food.”

Agent Bronze and I just idly moved our spoons.

Heeyaaaaah!

Meanwhile, the sound of music kept flowing throughout the village.

It was like a traditional band, but the rhythm felt oddly unfamiliar, not quite like the traditional style I knew…

– Ah. It’s because the purpose is different. For what purpose was that music composed!

“…!”

I reflexively glanced down at my pocket.

– Ah! So you can hear me now, Friend!

– Haha, I was a little flustered when we couldn’t talk for a moment. But it’s fine! If you’re worried that this stuffed body might fall off somewhere, we can always stop talking for a while.

– As long as we can talk again like this, right?

A supernatural disaster.

Entering a ghost story means this plushie could speak to me again.

– Don’t worry. Even when we can’t talk, I’m always listening. As a good friend should.

……

– Oh, and you don’t need to apologize for leaving me in your jacket yesterday. I was actually grateful. It was better to have something to block my view in that terrible room.

‘…Really? That’s good, then.’

I turned my gaze back to the food.

– …Friend? You look more tired than usual. Oh dear, are you still worn out from last night’s adventure?

‘Maybe.’

– If so, how about we go home and watch TV together? That cartoon or variety show you like would be good.

– And then get a good night’s sleep. This Braun here will tell you a fun story so you can have sweet dreams!

……

– Friend?

‘For now, is it okay if I focus on work a bit? I’m not too familiar with this ghost story.’

– Ah, of course!

And finally, the plushie went quiet.

Thank goodness.

I turned and, like Agent Bronze, started gathering information.

Who sent the rescue request.

And…

Who among the villagers fit the bill.

The Jisan Festival lasts for four days, and as long as the festival isn’t over, you can rescue the person no matter when the rescue signal was sent.

Observe the villagers carefully, and try asking to spend the night at the house of the least friendly-looking person you can find!

– I didn’t describe appearances in case it got confusing. Anyway, never! Trust someone who approaches outsiders first and acts all friendly, Grapes-ie

– You know those creeps who lure kids with candy? It’s basically the same thing haha

I remembered that as I observed the villagers.

Let’s see, someone who looks as unfriendly as possible…

“……??”

Wait a second.

I quickly turned my head.

I saw a familiar face.

A young man in his twenties, standing among the villagers with a sullen expression.

A notoriously nasty employee from Daydream Inc. who wears a medical eye patch.

‘…Baek Saheon!’

That guy’s here.

With a rooster feather pinned to his chest.

And…

Near Baek Saheon, I spotted a woman with a tired expression, sitting among the villagers and some outsiders whom the villagers were chatting up or taking care of.

Wearing gloves, scanning the area with an indifferent face.

A very familiar face.

“……”

It was Assistant Manager Eun Haje.

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