Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Chapter 15.2

“So most people wait until they’re supervisors before using it. Usually, you only have to hold out for a year at most.”

Hmm.

I thought it over.

‘There’s definitely a reason Section Chief Lee Jaheon considered this useful, even though it costs points.’

Even though he’s known for relying mostly on brute force, I figured his instincts are sharp, too.

If a high-survival-rate employee gave special advice…

‘It’s probably the right decision to follow it.’

If investing 1,000 points could increase my survival rate early on, that would be the right call.

…Though my hands are shaking a bit!

“Okay!”

Supervisor Park gave a cheerful response, but then seemed to realize something and whispered.

“…But first, you know you need existing equipment to put in, right? Something with useful abilities to use as a genetic marker.”

“Oh… right.”

I’d already confirmed that in this ghost story’s exploration records.

Exploration Record #05

Employee N inserted a tumbler* and a backpack.

The tumbler* was a special item (liquid poured after sunrise doesn’t empty until sunset, owned by Section Chief Choi ■■), while the backpack had no special attributes.

Seed result : Backpack

(Special attribute : Similar abilities to the tumbler, but empties after dispensing more than 87 liters of liquid.)

“Don’t worry! When a squad member is creating their first custom equipment, there’s a tradition where someone from the squad lends them their equipment for free once.”

“Yeah, but it’s just one item, not both. For the other one, you have to either use your own stuff or pay to borrow it.”

Assistant Manager Eun glanced at the Squad Leader Lee.

“And, well… the Squad Leader’s equipment is the best among us.”

As expected, he’s the boss here.

“If you wouldn’t mind, could I see your equipment, Squad Leader?”

“Sure.”

The lizard pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ash-colored knife.

“This is a butter knife. If you cut the medium for entering the Darkness, it tears the space, allowing the transfer of small items.”

Oh.

“This is the equipment you used when you threw the AAA battery, isn’t it?”

“Right.”

I looked at the butter knife with newfound appreciation.

‘I was hoping for some defense-related equipment… but I guess that’s not easily found.’

Though a bit disappointed, none of the higher-ups’ equipment seemed to be defense-related either.

There was one for tricks, one for communication, and that’s about it.

‘If push comes to shove, I can probably get something with a similar effect from the alien shop…’

I made up my mind.

“So, you’ll put the Squad Leader’s equipment in?”

“Yes.”

Out of courtesy, I bowed my head.

“Thank you, Squad Leader.”

Section Chief Lee Jaheon gave a slight nod and approached the machine.

On the old LCD screen, some archaic-looking text appeared.

[Give me plants 0/2]

I watched as the Squad Leader placed his equipment into the machine to scan its ‘genetic information’.

[Plant information stored]

[Give me plants 1/2]

“Now you just need to put in the other item you want. …Oh, wait a second.”

Assistant Manager Eun quickly spoke up.

“If this machine isn’t completely weird, most things will work. But there’s just one thing that doesn’t.”

He tapped the sign attached to the machine.

※ Do not insert actual plants.

“Whatever you do, don’t literally give it plants, even though it’s asking for them.”

“……”

“The sensor at the door filters out all plants anyway, but I’m just telling you to be safe.”

Now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, I could see the nature of the overgrown weeds around us.

They were all fake. Artificial plants.

…One exploration record came to mind.

========================

Exploration Record #14 (Irregular)

Employee R picked weeds (presumably dandelions) growing near the Darkness and inserted them into the machine twice.

As a result, [redacted] burst out with a scream of [redacted], and then [redacted].

– It took 7 days for the Security Team to subdue the situation. All three employees present, including Employee R, were confirmed dead. All plants were removed.

※ Notice: Repetition of this action will result in disciplinary action and termination.

========================

Yeah. I definitely need to remember that.

“Yes, thank you for letting me know.”

“No need to thank me.”

Meanwhile, the section chief finished registering the equipment and retrieved the knife, placing it back into his suit pocket.

“Generally, in the other slot, you’d insert ordinary items, but in that case, the supernatural characteristics may be weakly inherited, or, in rare cases, not inherited at all.”

I nodded seriously, even though I already knew this.

“I understand. I’ll accept the result, no matter what.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled something out.

“Oh~ So you did stop by the dorm earlier. Looks like you found something you want to use?”

“Yes.”

In my hand was a silver coin.

– Silver Serpent Coin. An item I had bought at a huge discount from the alien shop.

“I plan to use this.”

I’ll just put an item in the other slot.

I had quite a few supernatural items on hand!

That’s why I was so pleased when I found out the ghost story the Field Exploration Team used was the ‘Kind Seed Kit’.

‘I have more sources for items than most people.’

From the black notepad that gave out merch from the void to the alien shop.

As soon as I stepped into this room, I had been mentally running through my lineup of items.

‘And the one with the highest grade is…’

This one, of course.

I rolled the round coin with the snake engraving in my hand.