Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 131

Ryu Jaegwan remembered clearly.

The mountain lodge where a series of murders had taken place.

Even in the midst of that horrifying disaster, there was someone who found clues to stop the killings and worked tirelessly to save even the original culprits.

The owner of the Silver Heart.

"You pretended to kill them and hid them, staging the scene."

"I figured it might throw off the killer enough to make them hesitate."

And then there was the dedication and sacrifice this person had shown in the eerie nightmare of Segwang Technical High School.

"I retrieved the nametag, but it’s no longer with me."

"I left it with someone who was still alive in the classroom."

Giving someone else a lifeline in such an extreme situation wasn’t something just anyone could do.

Ryu Jaegwan, who had seen all kinds of people in his work at the Disaster Management Bureau, had been at a loss for words when confronted with such upright choices.

But at the same time, there had been that thunderbolt revelation:

"…A roe deer?"

A person exploited like a pawn by an unethical, mad pharmaceutical company.

An employee foolishly and selfishly drawn into a cult-like obsession over a wish-granting reward.

That was Kim Soleum.

Granting such a person even a temporary agent badge had been an act that chilled Ryu Jaegwan to the bone.

It had been so clear back then.

"Leave me behind."

Sometimes, actions revealed more about a person than any description ever could.

Even with a hole in his abdomen, this person had prioritized the safety of his colleagues and the agent accompanying them.

Kim Soleum.

And now, here he was, standing beyond the glass.

Applying to become an agent of the Disaster Management Bureau.

“……”

But something felt strangely different.

‘…Why can’t he meet my eyes?’

Whenever Ryu Jaegwan had encountered Kim Soleum before, he’d always been impeccably neat, his appearance clean and composed—even during the nightmare where he’d been a high school student.

Now, the man visible through the glass had disheveled hair and glasses, his head bowed low.

He looked less like a confident applicant and more like an awkward, inexperienced young man taking an exam for the first time.

Or…

Like someone who’d suffered a significant psychological blow and retreated inward.

“……”

Still, Ryu Jaegwan, his eyes hollow from fatigue and vigilance, stared through the glass.

The name printed clearly on the personal information file he held:

Name: Kim Soleum.

That was all.

There was no record of employment at Daydream Corporation.

Aside from his university history, the career section was spotless—completely blank.

Ryu Jaegwan gritted his teeth.

It was so blatant it was laughable.

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‘He’s a spy from that cult-like company.’

The possibility was there. No, it was highly likely!

‘Does he really think I won’t recognize his name and face, applying so brazenly?’

Did he think he could fool him?

…This required thorough scrutiny.

Ryu Jaegwan wouldn’t let himself be deceived by appearances or demeanor.

"Give it to me."

"Ah, y-yes!"

Agent Bronze snatched the broadcast equipment from the assistant interviewer, his voice flat as he initiated the proceedings.

“Candidates 1, 2, 3, and 4, please put on the oxygen masks placed before you.”

The candidates nervously reached for the oxygen masks in the center of the room.

The masks, which seemed to have their lines intentionally severed and were smeared with blood, looked entirely nonfunctional.

Yet, oddly enough, they powered on successfully.

The candidates swallowed hard.

None of them refused. They all placed the masks on their faces.

Their hands and feet grew cold.

“These oxygen masks are derived from supernatural disasters. Misuse can lead to horrific consequences.”

“From now on, every time you lie, the mask will supply something other than oxygen.”

“…!”

Beyond the glass, the candidates squeezed their eyes shut or visibly trembled in fear.

Candidate 4, Kim Soleum, also flinched slightly.

Yes, he’d be scared.

Especially if he was attempting something as dirty as infiltrating the bureau as a spy!

“Only speak the truth.”

This aptitude test utilized a restricted type of "supernatural phenomenon" authorized by the Disaster Management Bureau.

A lie detector.

A detector of malice.

An exposer of guilt.

It was a necessary procedure to ensure at least a minimum ethical standard for agents.

Ryu Jaegwan observed through the glass.

The candidates sat stiffly, oxygen masks strapped on.

“The questioning will now begin.”

The first universal question came swiftly and mercilessly.

“From among the four candidates here, you must select one to kill.”

“…!!”

“This is a measure to end a supernatural disaster. State who you will kill.”

The candidates’ mouths opened in shock, their faces pale.

No one had answered yet.

But in the interviewers’ room, they were already "receiving answers."

1:

Kill? Are you insane?!

2:

Who should I pick? Maybe the correct answer is to say I can’t kill anyone? Or is ruthlessness necessary for an agent? Ugh, damn it…

3:

Shit, they’re actually asking this out loud?! Should I check on the person next to me?

The device displayed each candidate's thoughts as clear text, marked by their respective numbers.

Instead of reading pulse rates through the oxygen masks, the output revealed vivid, red-lettered thoughts.

Their inner minds.

The Truth Respirator.

It was a residual artifact from "The Last Confession," a catastrophic supernatural disaster classified as "Sentencing Level," which had occurred at a certain care facility in Gangwon Province.

Although ethically questionable, the Disaster Management Bureau had consistently used similar aptitude tests.

Failing to screen properly here could lead to catastrophe.

The interviewers coldly assessed the candidates’ thoughts and evaluated them.

Panic. Hesitation. Rebellion.

"Ordinary."

"Unremarkable."

Only one candidate displayed no reaction.

4:

…….

Candidate 4.

Kim Soleum displayed no "thoughts" on the screen.

He simply sat quietly, wearing the oxygen mask.

“Is he frozen in fear?”

“Look, he’s bowing his head. He doesn’t seem to have much nerve.”

“……”

Ryu Jaegwan, showing no reaction, grabbed the microphone again.

“Candidate 1, answer.”

The young man in his twenties, who had been glancing around nervously, straightened up and responded.

“To ensure the safety of the majority, sometimes ruthless decisions are necessary. I… I volunteer to die myself.”

But the screen displayed a harsher truth.

1:

I-I don’t think I can do it… But I have to believe I can die. That must be the point of this question, right?!

"Panic, lack of critical thinking, extreme submissiveness."

Failed.

“Candidate 1, remove your mask and stand by.”

“…!”

Candidate 1 stood in stunned silence before removing the oxygen mask and stepping aside, visibly shaken.

"Can’t we just mark him for reconsideration and ask one more question…?"

"Shh."

The assistant interviewer trying to object was stopped by another.

"Agent Bronze’s judgment has never been wrong. Just let it go."

"……."

"He’ll approve the ones who deserve it. Watch."

The aptitude test continued.

“Candidate 2, answer.”

"I would select someone close to me and proceed as quickly and humanely as possible, prioritizing a painless process."

2:

Too obvious? But this feels like the safe answer. Everyone’s watching; I can’t just outright say I’d kill someone specifically…

Avoidant response.

Failed.

“Remove your mask and stand by.”

Candidate 2’s aptitude test concluded in an instant.

Next.

“Candidate 3.”

Candidate 3, sweating profusely, raised his head.

However, his expression held a hint of smug confidence.

"I wouldn’t kill anyone!"

“…!”

"No matter the situation, there’s always a Plan B. I’m sure there’s another way to escape. I’d find a way for all of us to survive togeth—"

Thud.

Candidate 3 collapsed mid-sentence.

“…!!”

The oxygen mask on his face had transformed into a clean, untouched one. Candidate 3’s face was drained of blood as he lost consciousness.

The interviewers, their expressions cold, read the bright red text revealing the “lie” he had spoken.

A thought he likely hadn’t even realized he’d had, passing it off as a “feeling.”

3:

Wow, shit, this is thrilling. Killing the guy next to me, lol. This is what being a secret agent is all about.

Candidate 3 remained sprawled on the floor.

“……”

The atmosphere among the remaining candidates froze solid.

Only one person still had their oxygen mask on.

“Candidate 4.”

“Answer.”

The question remained the same.

"To eliminate the dangerous phenomenon, who among the four of you will you kill?"

Ryu Jaegwan stared through the glass at Kim Soleum.

How would someone like him—once an employee of an unethical pharmaceutical company—answer this?

Perhaps he’d give a cunningly virtuous response, just as he had before.

"Candidate 3."

…

Huh?

"The person currently collapsed."

…!

For the first time, someone was explicitly singled out.

The interviewers widened their eyes, waiting for further elaboration…

But.

That was it?

Candidate 4 said nothing more, keeping his head bowed.

A hesitant announcement followed.

"Is that the end of your answer?"

"Huh?"

"Do you have anything else to explain?"

Candidate 4 hesitated so much it seemed he might burst before muttering in a barely audible voice:

"Well, um… in the situation you described, I think we’d all share responsibility anyway…"

"…!!"

"If the disaster would truly disappear because of one of our deaths, then it must mean we’re deeply connected to it in some way… Maybe we triggered it by messing with something."

"……,"

"Uh, is that… correct?"

"…The candidate is not allowed to ask questions."

"Oh…! I-I’m sorry…"

Candidate 4 mumbled again, head still bowed, as if embarrassed to even be speaking.

"In that case… yes. That’s my reasoning, and I chose the easiest target to neutralize."

Truth.

"……."

"But if there were even a little time, I’d do everything I could to find an alternative."

A thoroughly virtuous answer.

"Life is precious. I don’t think it’s something that should be measured purely by numbers or judged by who’s more valuable. That’s a hard and painful decision to make."

Yet his tone carried an odd conviction.

"But if there’s no alternative within the time allowed, and it risks escalating into a massive casualty event… there might be no choice."

For the first time, Kim Soleum raised his head.

Even through the layers of glass and his glasses, his eyes looked firm.

And then, his inner thoughts appeared.

4:

But I’d like to save them if I can…

Exactly the kind of exemplary answer the Disaster Management Bureau sought from its agents.

In an unavoidable disaster, adhere to protocol but never stop listening to your conscience.

Just as quickly, Kim Soleum dropped his gaze again, but the interviewers exchanged small murmurs of admiration.

"He’s genuine."

"Good temperament and judgment. And his reasoning is solid…"

Crunch.

Ryu Jaegwan restrained himself from crumpling the papers in his hand at the sound of their casual praise.

No.

It couldn’t be.

"That candidate should pass—"

"Next question."

"Excuse me, interviewer?"

Ignoring the assistants, Ryu Jaegwan proceeded with the second question, which was usually reserved for cases where the evaluation was unclear.

"You are trapped in a supernatural disaster."

"If you could save only one person from this room—the kindest candidate here or your closest friend—who would you save?"

Candidate 4 now looked genuinely perplexed.

As if he couldn’t understand why this was even being asked.

"Uh. The person with the higher chance of survival…?"

"…!"

"Just… I’d try to save as many people as possible."

4:

Because that’s what the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau is supposed to do.

"……."

Ryu Jaegwan stared blankly through the glass.

The assistant interviewers could feel it.

He’s passing. No question about it.

Even if Candidate 4’s demeanor was overly passive, let’s be honest—weren’t most top-performing Disaster Management Bureau agents a little off in some way?

Their traumas exchanged for unwavering convictions.

In that sense, Candidate 4 seemed like a textbook recruit.

So he’ll pass…

Then it happened.

Candidate 4’s bright red inner thoughts updated.

4:

…But honestly, I’ll probably never face a choice like that.

What?!

His tone was so intriguingly suggestive.

A crack!

Ryu Jaegwan and the other interviewers tensed, their eyes locking onto the next sentence.

4:

Because I don’t really have anyone I could call a friend in the first place…

Oh.

4:

Maybe I should’ve just said the question doesn’t apply to me? Saying I don’t have any friends feels kind of pathetic, though…

"……."

"……."

4:

No, let’s not say anything. I’ll just work hard to make friends here. Fighting!

A solemn silence spread among the interviewers.

"……."

Ryu Jaegwan felt the weight of the assistant interviewers’ stares.

If he continued questioning and delayed this candidate’s acceptance any longer, he would become the villain in the room.

"Remove your oxygen mask and stand by."

Candidate 4 obediently removed the mask, bowing slightly.

The announcement was the same as before, but everyone—inside and outside the room—knew the truth.

"…Thank you."

Candidate 4 had passed.

"All candidates who completed the aptitude test, please move to the waiting area."

As Candidate 3 was dragged out like a discarded item, Candidate 4 quietly adjusted his glasses and shuffled off with a slightly hunched posture.

Though he might have unknowingly damaged his dignity in the process…

That made him all the more impressive as a successful candidate.

"I’m curious to see where he’ll work."

"Same."

The assistant interviewers exchanged looks, silently agreeing to look out for that timid Candidate 4 if they ever encountered him again.

Of course, they didn’t need to.

After all, his answers had been calculated to achieve that exact effect.