Chapter 93
Finally,
Successfully dealt with the trash.
I managed to get rid of two troublesome bastards at once.
But…
The only slight concern is whether this will work against 404’s true strength.
I have some idea of how powerful 404 truly is.
That’s why the key question is how long ‘Thousands of Eyes’ can hold out.
Given that it’s an item with the title of a ‘cursed object’, I don’t think it’ll be easily defeated by 404, but…
There’s no harm in moving quickly.
I swiftly scanned the remaining ghost stories here with my eyes.
Even at a glance, the result was clear.
The number of ghost stories left was easily over ten.
“Why are there so many left?”
The maximum capacity of the pen to hold ghost stories is ‘10’.
The moment it exceeds ten, even if I want to store them, I can’t. That would mean leaving the rest behind.
“This is a problem.”
If possible, I’d love to take all of them with me, but…
……It can’t be helped.
I need to survive first.
Just as I raised the pen, about to prioritize storing the ghost stories in front of me.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap—!
!
A familiar sound of footsteps made me freeze.
I hurriedly turned my gaze toward the source of the cute pattering noise.
There, I saw the woman now riding on our enlarged teddy bear’s back holding a thick stack of photos in one hand, approaching me with a bright expression.
“…Here!”
Tap, tap, tap—
As the distance between us closed, she quietly handed me the stack of photos she’d been holding.
“Here you go.”
Unlike before, she looked… radiant.
In the short time since I’d last seen her, she seemed like a completely different person no longer looking at me with fear.
“……She looks good like this.”
Contrary to my initial worries when sending her off, she seemed to have regained her composure much faster than expected.
Taking the photos from her, I spoke warmly.
“You did really well.”
“……No… I didn’t.”
Thanks to her efforts, the safety of all the humans trapped here had been secured.
All that was left was to leave this place, but one problem still remained.
Blank stare—
“Why are these guys suddenly making me feel so pressured?”
The weight of countless ghost stories staring blankly at me was unnerving.
Big, round eyes.
…….
Their gazes were blatantly pleading, ‘Take us with you.’
I want to, but given the pen’s limited capacity…
Right now, the only way to take them all is…
Huh?
Wait.
There is a way!
A way to take all the ghost stories here at once.
My gaze shifted back to the woman, who was hiding behind the teddy bear, eyeing the other ghost stories warily.
“Can I have ‘that’ back for a moment?”
“…Th-this?”
She seemed to immediately understand what I meant. The moment I took it from her.
I turned to the ghost stories staring at me with hopeful eyes and said:
“Alright, everyone… Say kimchi!”
****
Tap—!
With the sound of a massive spotlight turning on.
Bzzzt—
A mix of static and a playful voice echoed in my ears.
[Employee Park Yeon-jeong… Park Yeon-jeong!… Park Yeon-jeong!! We saw your excellent company promotion! You really shone on screen!]
[After watching your promotional video, countless customers have been lining up with inquiries about our products!]
“That’s a relief.”
Amidst the unusually excited voice, countless white librarians appeared before me.
Each of them held small party poppers, and without waiting.
Pop—
Pop—
Pop—
Pop—
Pop—!
They set them off one after another.
Noise’s congratulatory words continued.
[You’ve worked especially hard today, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
Ignoring Noise’s praise, one of the white librarians approached me and held out their hand.
I knew what this meant.
—Product retrieval procedure.
[And not only did you attract customers, but you also captured numerous products this time.]
“…So you were watching everything.”
I pulled something out from my ID holder.
[……Photos this time, I see.]
What I retrieved was none other than several dozen photos.
Handing over both the photos and the pen, I smiled faintly.
“I put in some extra effort this time.”
Before Noise could respond.
A few minutes earlier.
*****
I had thought I wouldn’t be able to take all these ghost stories from 404’s content warehouse.
If not for the digital camera I’d taken from 404.
“I’ll put it to good use.”
I immediately took the digital camera back from her and.
Click—!
Click—!
Click—!
In an instant, the sound of shutters filled the entire space.
After filling the pen to its limit, I pointed the camera lens at the woman who had fought so hard until now.
With a faint smile, I added:
“I’ll see you soon.”
“……Yes.”
Click—
*****
That was the full story of what had just happened.
The white librarians busily took dozens of photos and the pen I handed over.
Bzzzzzt—
The static from the speaker lingered longer than usual.
[I never expected you to capture so many ghost stories in one go.]
[Employee Park Yeon-jeong, when given a task, you go above and beyond. You’re truly becoming an outstanding employee like me.]
[Truly, excellent!]
I don’t particularly want to be an outstanding employee.
“I’m fine as I am, Noise.”
After showering me with endless praise, Noise began following the usual procedure.
The white librarians taking away the captured ghost stories.
The performance bonus payment process was about to begin.
Bzzzt—
[Then, for this mission’s bonus…]
“Noise. This time, instead of a bonus, I have a request.”
[…Instead of a bonus? A request for me?]
Noise fell silent at my words.
Holding out the photos I hadn’t given to the white librarians, I continued.
“I’d like you to return these people to where they originally were, like you did with Han-sol before.”
[……I see. Humans. That request isn’t particularly difficult for me, but… Are you sure you don’t want the bonus?]
“Yes, I’m sure.”
I still have enough financial leeway for now.
This was something I had to do.
As a human, I felt responsible since I brought them here, I had to take responsibility.
Noise, seeing the resolve in my eyes, didn’t question my decision further.
[Then, tear up those photos. I’ll handle the rest.]
Following Noise’s request, I tore the photos without hesitation.
Riiip—!
A small, space-rending echo reverberated, and in an instant, dozens of people appeared in the library’s central hall.
They looked around, dazed, as if waking from a dream.
“Wh-where is this now?”
“Don’t tell me… we got caught again…….”
“…….”
Even though dozens were murmuring.
It wasn’t noisy.
It wasn’t loud.
Their voices were hushed, as if conscious of something.
Having witnessed 404 mercilessly eliminating those who disrupted his content, having seen it all from the sidelines, maybe this reaction was only natural.
“……Huh?”
While the crowd exchanged uneasy glances, one person locked eyes with me, her face flushed.
Reflexively, I met her gaze.
The only thing I could say to her right now was.
“If we get the chance, let’s meet again.”
“Huh?”
With those final words, a voice flowed from the speaker amidst the static.
[Then, audience members, please return to your original seats.]
[This is… the actors’ stage.]
Tap—!
The lights illuminating the dozens of people turned off, and silence fell in an instant.
As the stillness, devoid of even a whisper of wind, brushed against my skin—
“Thank you for granting my request.”
[I had no reason not to, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
It’s really over.
As I thought about the end of Friday’s work, marking the close of the week.
Bzzt—
Noise’s low voice brushed my ears.
[By the way, Employee Park Yeon-jeong. I just wanted to ask…]
[Shouldn’t you take off that mask now?]
“……Huh?”
At Noise’s question, I belatedly realized.
I had completely forgotten about it.
Slowly raising my left hand to my face.
Sluurp—
The moment I saw the white mask peeling off into my palm…
…….
…….
…….
“Ah, I’m gonna get scolded by Soi again”
Thud—
I collapsed on the spot.
No…
I fell into a deep sleep.
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