Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 123

[“What is it, Soleum?”]

The Nostalgia Candy had disappeared from my hand.

“...!”

“My goodness! Soleum, were you seriously substituting candy for meals?”

“Haha....”

“This won’t do at all!”

The candy, which had vanished as if by magic, reappeared in Brown’s gloved hand before vanishing again with a theatrical flick of his wrist.

...It was completely gone.

“......”

Should I have applauded?

Clap, clap, clap.

When I hesitantly clapped my hands, Brown bowed deeply, like a magician basking in the audience's approval.

“Um, so... where did the candy—”

“Soleum, a dusty, ancient piece of candy as your first meal in a month? Oh, this is an affront to catering!”

Snap.

The host snapped his fingers.

“Some say creative passion is born of hunger, but my perspective is quite different!”

“Let’s start with a proper meal.”

At Brown’s request, the faceless staff opened the door to my dressing room, cheerfully greeting me as they entered. They swiftly laid out a white tablecloth on a table in the corner of the room, and, in an orderly fashion, began placing food upon it.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

Steam rose enticingly from the dishes.

It was the kind of fine dining you’d expect to see served as a multi-course meal, now all at once displayed on the table.

“Since you didn’t place a specific request, I took the liberty of selecting a few exquisite dishes myself,” Brown announced proudly. “Once you finish eating, you’ll feel revitalized.”

“......”

I suddenly realized it had been a long time since I’d last seen a proper, hot meal.

Brown sat across from me, his TV screen face displaying a smiling emoticon. He waved a pair of utensils theatrically in his gloved hands.

Bon appetit!

...Strangely, the surroundings seemed darker.

The only spotlight illuminated the table and its lavish spread....

A glint of light caught my eye. The silver ring on my finger briefly reflected the table’s lighting, but it quickly faded against the glow from the fork.

“......”

I hesitated for a moment, then picked up the utensils.

I wasn’t sure where to start, though.

“Would you like a drink to go with it... ah, Soleum, didn’t you say you enjoyed grapes?”

“...!”

With a flick of Brown’s hand, a curvaceous glass bottle filled with ruby-red liquid appeared on the table.

A bottle of wine.

“This is a very fine vintage, a gift I received during one of the quiz show episodes. I thought it fitting to open it in celebration of my friend’s successful debut.”

I glanced at the label. The production year was 1999—the same year as the Happy Ending Teddy Bear edition I had just featured on the show.

“...Did you match the production year with the guest’s origin on purpose?”

“Oh, it’s always a pleasure when someone notices such details! Yes, you’re correct.”

“I prepared it as a token of congratulations. It was your debut performance, after all.”

“This kind of attention to detail is essential for any great entertainer. I hope it’s a valuable lesson for you, Soleum.”

Brown uncorked the wine himself. The ruby liquid swirled as he poured it into a glass and placed it in front of me.

“So... shall we toast?”

...Hmm.

I wasn’t exactly against drinking, but my appetite was oddly absent, despite the enticing aroma of the food.

“Is something wrong? You don’t like it?” Brown’s TV face displayed a somber emoticon, almost mournful. “Have I failed to grasp my friend’s tastes? As a host, this is mortifying.”

“No, that’s not it,” I stammered, feeling awkward.

I picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

“...It’s good.”

“Isn’t it? Please, enjoy it at your leisure.”

“Sure.”

I turned my attention to the meal and began to eat.

“......”

As I continued, I realized my mind was clearing. It felt as though the nutrients were coursing through me, reviving my tired body—not a metaphor, but a literal sensation.

‘I thought I was in good condition.’

Maybe I’d been more worn out than I realized.

......

...Wait a second.

‘I haven’t eaten in a month!’

Logically, it made no sense that I was alive and functioning normally.

‘I should’ve been dead by now.’

Good grief. Why was I only realizing this now?

“Is there a problem with the food, Soleum?” Brown asked, tilting his head.

“No, nothing like that.”

I continued eating.

The more I ate, the sharper my thoughts became.

‘Even if I wasn’t completely corrupted by this darkness, it’s clear I’ve been affected.’

Had I been in a fog, working tirelessly without rest?

Was I so thrilled by the lack of fear that I didn’t notice? Regardless...

‘I should confirm this.’

I reached for the tattoo inventory on my arm, intending to retrieve another piece of candy. But I hesitated, reluctant to waste it.

I’d need the host’s permission first, anyway.

“Brown, could you return that candy from earlier?” I asked casually.

“Oh?”

“I’ve eaten a proper meal now, so I thought I’d have it as a treat.”

“Ah, I see. Very well.”

Brown placed the candy back into my palm.

The Nostalgia Candy.

“Here you go, Soleum!”

Finally, I remembered the candy’s peculiar effects.

‘This candy is supposed to restore you to the peak condition of the past ten years.’

It had been my lifesaver back in high school, keeping me afloat.

‘Alright.’

I popped the candy into my mouth.

......

Hmm.

‘No change at all?’

It felt like I had just confirmed something I already suspected.

‘This must mean my current state is already the best it can be.’

They say stress is the root of all illness. Perhaps finding work that suits me really was the key.

I set my empty wine glass down and spoke earnestly.

“Brown, I think I need to say this—”

“Oh?”

"My employment contract... shouldn't we discuss things like vacation and salary?"

[Oh... Soleum.]

Brown looked at me with a peculiar expression, his TV emoji rubbing its forehead.

[Of course, all crew members of my show are entitled to sufficient vacation days and silver coins as compensation. I must say, I’m baffled—what exactly were you told on your first day?]

Was that so?

‘Maybe I wasn’t in my right mind because I hadn’t eaten.’

Now that I thought about it, my memories of the first few days after I started working here were hazy.

I seemed to have lost all the items I used at Baekilmong Corporation too... great.

“Sorry. But I’d like to renegotiate my working conditions now, if possible.”

[Of course, Soleum!]

With a full stomach and a clear mind, I dove into an intense negotiation session with Brown. The result? A complete employment contract:

Two days off per week, summer and winter vacations, 50 silver coins for every half-year, and performance bonuses depending on my results.

Hmm. Not bad at all.

[Then let’s finalize the contract before this week is over!]

“Got it.”

[Now you’ll officially be a part of the talk show team. Oh, and by the way, I had a brilliant idea while we were broadcasting live today!]

[But when I came by the dressing room to discuss it, I was so startled by the sight of you popping candy into an empty stomach after a month of fasting that I forgot all about it. My goodness!]

“Haha... um, sorry. What’s the idea?”

Brown pointed his gloved hand at my forearm.

[Your tattoos, Soleum.]

Ah.

I raised my arm and looked at the inscriptions.

The makeup covering them was smudged, leaving my skin blotchy and red.

[Surely, applying makeup before every appearance must be a hassle. Oh, and knowing you, Soleum, as a workaholic who insists on working even during breaks, it must be doubly so! With that in mind...]

[Why don’t we just erase them altogether?]

“......”

[Think about it. You’d save time and be free from the inconvenience of those markings.]

“Hold on.”

[‘Hold on’? Oh, does something about this bother you?]

“These tattoos have been pretty useful in a lot of ways.”

[Ha! Is that all?]

[That might have been true back when you were suffering in that dreadful company with no entertainment and poor treatment. But now, Soleum, you’re a crew member of this magnificent talk show! Anywhere you go, you’ll be treated like royalty. You can even get free sundaes at boutiques. Now, let’s clean up those messy scribbles, shall we?]

Hmm.

“I think they could still be fun to use.”

Especially the inventory tattoo.

‘I could even incorporate it into the show for some cool effects.’

For instance, pulling objects out of my arm like a magician to surprise the audience. Even off-stage, it could come in handy for helping the staff with set or lighting equipment.

“Why get rid of an ability I already have? I’m asking because I don’t see the point.”

[Hmm.]

Brown clasped his hands together.

[Alright, Soleum. Now that you’ve had a proper meal and regained your energy, you’re showing a more assertive side... I like it!]

[In that case, let me look into it. I’ll find something that provides a similar effect.]

[Dreaming of magician’s tricks, are we? Such passionate ambition—it’s truly inspiring!]

The TV screen displayed an emoji wiping away a tear.

[Then enjoy the rest of your break, my friend!]

“Sure. Thanks.”

Brown waited until the catering staff cleaned up my dressing room, then waved as he left.

“Hoo.”

I sank into the sofa.

The next talk show didn’t require me to appear, and the guest bookings and production meetings for this week were already wrapped up, so I had some free time.

‘Might as well get organized.’

Since there was a chance my tattoos might be erased, it seemed like a good idea to sort through the items stored within them.

Having noticed that I’d lost some of the items from Baekilmong Corporation, it was a perfect opportunity to check everything inside.

Thunk.

I reached into the inventory tattoo, pulling out objects and laying them on the table.

‘Most of it’s still intact.’

Aside from the missing Bloodbath Tub—oh, right, that was in the bathroom—everything else was accounted for.

Even the specialized equipment from the company was still there, including a few gifts.

“Ah.”

I picked up a tiny black button.

...It was Eun Haeje’s communication button.

‘Could this be the button Chief Lee Jaheon mentioned?’

It seemed to be an invitation to keep in touch.

‘How thoughtful.’

I’d have to try it out during my vacation. Smiling, I tucked the button away.

Continuing to inspect my belongings, I spotted the Happy Maker, emergency rations, a vampiric knife, packaging materials, the Necronomicon...

And a red button.

We Help! - ₩66,666,666

‘Surely he didn’t mean this button.’

Something like this should only be used in life-or-death situations, right?

I doubted anyone would suggest it to someone already employed and working well.

I placed it on the table absentmindedly.

‘Almost done.’

There was hardly anything left in the tattoo—oh, wait, one more item.

A paper bag with a theme park mascot printed on it emerged from the tattoo.

Inside the bag was a dragon-shaped churro.

[Blue Soda Churro]

Wow.

‘How long has this been here?’

I must’ve kept it after selling one to a disaster management officer, right?

Thankfully, the inventory tattoo had preserved it from spoiling.

I was about to place it on the table when I paused, sensing something odd.

I examined it more closely.

The text on the bag, which I hadn’t been able to read before, was now clear:

Exquisite Flavor

A Healthy Snack for Kids

A healthy snack.

‘...Is it safe to eat?’

Well, Brown did say I could have candy, and he encouraged me to eat properly.

‘It might spoil if the tattoo is erased, so I should eat it now.’

What a waste it would be otherwise.

‘Alright.’

I took a bite of the churro.

Its fizzy, junk food-like texture crackled in my mouth, then slid down my throat....

And then.

And then...

“~~!!”

Something surged up from my throat.

Glug, glug, glug!

Dark blue water began pouring uncontrollably out of my mouth.

It tasted salty—like seawater.

“...!! ~!!”

My throat and mouth were completely filled with seawater, which gushed out onto the floor of the dressing room.

I couldn’t breathe!

I couldn’t breathe!

‘What... what is this....’

What kind of “healthy snack” is this—what the hell—no! I can’t swear, but what the hell am I supposed to—

I couldn’t think anymore. The lack of oxygen was making my vision blur. I was dying... I was...

......

‘That button.’

We Help!

I managed to drag my hand onto the table.

Desperately flailing, I fumbled through my belongings until my hand landed on the red button.

“...!!”

Using the last of my strength, I slammed my hand onto the button.

Water was now streaming from my eyes, nose, and ears.

‘Please, save me....’

Then.

BEEP!

A deafening alarm sounded in my head. And then...