Mistaken for a Catastrophe-Level Ghost Story Employee 104

Chapter 104.

At the ghost story client’s request to turn off the lights, I obliged.

Click—

Following the client’s wishes, I turned the room lights back off.

The moment the lights went out, the blanket-covered figure began to stir slightly, as if possessed.

Rustle—

Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, a faint silhouette gradually revealed itself from under the blanket.

[“S-sorry. I don’t like bright light very much.”]

“It’s fine.”

I maintained my usual gentle smile.

But while the initial exchange was pleasant—

The real problem lay elsewhere.

[“Then, about earlier…”]

“Um…”

I interrupted the ghost story client. I really didn’t want to cut them off, but—

This was unbearable.

How was I supposed to sell a product if I couldn’t even see anything?

Forget the client’s comfort—I was too unsettled to continue like this.

“It’s a bit hard to talk like this. Is there anything we can use to light up the area a little?”

I asked for the client’s understanding.

After a moment of silence, a deep sigh echoed from the darkness.

Fwoosh—!

Suddenly, the room was bathed in a soft purple glow.

The source was a cluster of ghostly will-o’-wisps floating in the air.

Thanks to their light, I could finally see the face of my first client today.

The first thing that caught my eye was—

Fluffy, fluffy—

A pair of long, pointed animal ears twitching atop their head.

‘…Fox ears?’

Their shape was unmistakably vulpine.

My gaze trailed downward—

The second thing I noticed was the traditional jeogori draped over their chest and the pastel-toned fabric of their attire.

Once I took in the full silhouette of this client dressed in familiar traditional clothing.

Only one figure came to mind.

A beautiful supernatural being frequently featured in media, always associated with mesmerizing charm.

A mass-produced ghost story IP.

—The Gumiho.

And among the Gumiho-type ghost stories I knew, there was only one with nine tails.

‘It has to be that one.’

—

Ghost Story Journal

[The Nine-Tailed Fox]

Cd-E-9

Somewhere deep in the mountains.

If you ever find yourself lost in the valleys alone, stop right there and listen closely.

……Hehehe.

Did you hear it?

You heard it just now, didn’t you?

You’re not the only one stranded here.

So…

Step forward.

Pat the weeping woman on the back.

Comfort her, just as frightened as you are.

Who knows?

Perhaps this sorrowful woman is your destined one.

The one you’ve been searching for all along.

Win her heart.

She wants it too.

Because she… falls in love easily.

Additional Notes:

If you hear a woman sobbing in the mountains at night, run in the opposite direction.

We cannot handle her. (If you encounter her, always check the number of tails.)

—

Among the ghost story clients I’ve dealt with so far, this one ranks among the lowest in danger level.

If the threat level isn’t high, then handling them shouldn’t be a problem—

But that’s only true.

If the Gumiho has fewer than five tails.

[“I-is this light… okay?”]

“Yes, it’s enough.”

As we exchanged brief words, I used the will-o’-wisp’s glow to count the number of tails.

The count was—

Two.

Safe.

If she only had two tails, then I had nothing to worry about.

Just as I let out a shallow sigh of relief—

The Gumiho suddenly asked.

[“Um… What do you think of me?”]

“…You’re beautiful.”

What else could I say?

She was beautiful.

That was the only answer I could give on the spot.

The question, taken at face value, made it feel like some kind of one-on-one dating scenario—

But my answer didn’t seem to satisfy her.

Her face twisted with blatant disappointment.

[“I see… Even to you, I’m a failure as a ghost story…”]

Ah.

I realized what she actually wanted to ask.

But.

Even if I understood now—

The moment to correct my answer had passed.

So what I needed now was,

A change of subject.

“You’re here to buy a product, right?”

[“Ah… y-yes.”]

Her shoulders slumped like a deflated balloon as I pulled out a book from my employee badge.

The moment I held it up, a single phrase on the cover stood out:

<1000 Ways to Scare Humans>

—Hey! You too can become a proper ghost story!

……

Clearly, someone had scribbled this on the cover themselves.

And I knew exactly who would do this.

Noise.

I handed the book to our studious Gumiho client.

The moment she took it—

Her teary expression vanished instantly, replaced by a bright flush.

[“W-with this… I can become a proper ghost story too, right?!”]

“Well… that depends on how you use it.”

Having delivered the book, I prepared to leave—

[“W-wait!”]

Whoosh—!

In a panic, the number of will-o’-wisps in the room multiplied.

Amid the sudden increase in eerie lights, my gaze snapped back to the Gumiho—

Only to find her staring at me with gleaming crimson eyes.

[“…Actually. I-I wanted to meet you.”]

“…Me?”

Please, no.

What now?!

Her words made me want to bolt right then and there.

But leaving abruptly might trigger her to grow more tails, which would be even worse.

“May I ask why?”

Keeping my tone calm, I braced for her answer.

And what came next was.

The last thing I expected.

[“I-I’m… a f-fan!”]

Thrust—!

She shoved the book toward me and blurted out.

[“P-please… give me your autograph!!”]

……

Did she mean ‘pen’?

There was no other way to make sense of this.

I asked for clarification.

“You’re a fan… of me? We just met today.”

[“W-well, yes, it’s our first meeting, but… I watch your streams a lot! So…”]

Ah.

……Don’t tell me.

The moment the word ‘stream’  left her mouth—

I cursed 404 in my head, even though he wasn’t here.

But the Gumiho, now revitalized, was practically vibrating with excitement over meeting her idol.

[I’ve been so inspired by you!]

The stammering from earlier was gone.

[That’s why I wanted to ask you for a favor—no, a plea! Master! Please teach me how to be a proper ghost story!]

“…Master?”

Me?

Out of nowhere, she had bestowed upon me the grand title of Master.

Swish, swish—

Her fluffy tails wagged rapidly behind her, making it clear she wasn’t joking.

Me… a master?

And my supposed disciple wasn’t even human—

But an E-grade ghost story?

There was only one possible response to this.

Jump—

[Master?]

“I’m sorry. I’m not cut out for teaching. I’ll take my leave now.”

[M-Master!!]

Master my foot!

I had no interest in adding more trouble to my life, let alone taking on a ghost story disciple.

Especially.

Not.

This one.

Without hesitation, I strode toward the door.

[MAAASTEEER!!!]

From inside the room—

The sorrowful wails of a heartbroken woman echoed for a long time.

Thud, thud—

I was currently on the second floor, passing by Room 224.

Thud—

Swish.

Thud—

Swish, swish—

“……”

Swish—

I stopped walking.

Halt—!

The footsteps shadowing me also stopped.

Turning around—

!!

Shhk—!

……

A woman in a hanbok was hiding behind a book one barely large enough to cover her face.

Twitch!

Above the book, a pair of perky fox ears gave her away instantly.

……

Haaah.

A weary sigh escaped me.

Why.

Why do I always attract troublesome creatures like this?

I couldn’t even muster the energy to complain.

Thud—

My footsteps felt like they were weighed down with lead.

In contrast—

Swish, swish~

The fox trailing behind me practically floated with each step.

[“Hmm hmm hmm~♪”]

Now she was even humming.

As I headed toward the elevator, the sound of a man’s exhausted sighs filled the air without pause.