The Guide - Chapter 1

In the early dawn, before the darkness had lifted, the tranquil traditional house secretly embraced a small pond where the softly glowing round moon was beautifully reflected. Mesmerized by the profound moonlight that settled upon it, even the clouds paused their journey for a moment.

On the wooden floor of the elegant detached pavilion, illuminated by two moons, sat a large wolf with luscious white fur, motionless as a statue. Occasionally, the wind chime under the eaves would clang, or a lost mountain bird, thoroughly frightened, would chirp loudly, but the wolf, focusing all its attention solely on the old silver mirror at its feet, didn’t even turn its head once throughout the night.

“So-rang.”

A familiar voice was heard just as a reddish hue began to tinge the piercingly deep blue sky. Though it didn’t turn around at the call, the wolf acknowledged the one who provided its daily sustenance with a casual wag of its tail. It had just been thinking that it was about time for the increasingly impatient Hui-ju to burst in.

“Where is the CEO?”

“Not yet.”

As the wolf replied curtly, still not taking its eyes off the silver mirror, the face of the dignified woman dressed in a neat, modern hanbok filled with worry. Hui-ju, who had faithfully managed the Master of Jungcheon’s daily life for over 40 years, couldn’t bear it most when Ga-on skipped meals or couldn’t sleep.

“She needs to come quickly if she wants to catch even a wink of sleep… At this rate, she’ll board the plane without getting any sleep at all.”

“If she were capable of calculating such things and cutting corners, she wouldn’t be Ju Ga-on.”

“Of course, that’s true, but… how many hours has it been already? She didn’t even eat dinner yesterday.”

“It was the full moon. Then and now, I don’t know why those crazy things act up even more whenever there’s a full moon. So tacky in the 21st century.”

So-rang, who had been spitting out sharp words, immediately detected a faint tremor from the silver mirror, jumped up, and quickly moved back. Almost simultaneously, a powerful light burst forth from the small, palm-sized mirror, and Ga-on, looking somewhat weary, slowly walked out of the light.

“Welcome back, CEO.”

Ga-on nodded lightly to Hui-ju, who greeted her politely, then patted So-rang’s head a couple of times with an apologetic expression. She knew she had been in Jungcheon for quite a while, but she hadn’t realized so much time had passed. While she had been constantly working, keeping her body tired but leaving no room for boredom, So-rang, who must have guarded her return path in the same spot all night, would have found it difficult to endure the tedium.

I was glad to have you, but you suffer because you met me. I should have let you run free in the fields as your nature dictates and allowed you to pass away in due time. As regret flickered across Ga-on’s face again, So-rang turned its head away sharply as if unwilling to see it and tapped the floor idly before speaking bluntly. It was tired of repeating that it had never once regretted its fate being intertwined with the Master of Jungcheon.

“Stop thinking useless thoughts and hurry up, eat something, and get some sleep. You have a business trip today, don’t you?”

“Ah, the trip… Madam Kwon, was that today?”

“Yes, CEO. It’s the 2 PM flight. For now, do as So-rang says and eat first. You must be very hungry, right?”

“…A little.”

Well, I’ll be. What’s this? She’s actually saying she’s hungry? She must have really starved all night without a single snack. Tsk, for someone her age to be so inflexible. Then again… she was probably chosen as the Master of Jungcheon precisely because she lacks even a speck of flexibility.

Shaking its head with a deeply displeased expression, So-rang leaped towards the rear garden. Anyway, since Ga-on had returned safely, maybe I should catch up on some sleep. Ga-on watched So-rang’s retreating figure vanishing like the wind for a moment, then walked towards the main building. Sleep was more urgent right now, but with a long flight ahead, she needed to eat something to maintain her condition.

Walking silently down the long corridor connecting to the main building, Ga-on stopped at the fragrant scent of flowers carried on the wind and quietly surveyed the garden, which had become surprisingly vibrant. She lived almost unaware of when the seasons changed or how time passed, but seeing the beautifully blooming flower trees like this, once in a while, made her realize that time was indeed flowing.

“Is it already time for the peach blossoms to bloom?”

As Ga-on murmured in a wistful voice, Hui-ju, who had been following quietly, silently took a few more steps back. Ga-on, who held the power to sway the world yet lived a life detached from pleasure, was enjoying a rare moment of leisure. Therefore, she absolutely must not be disturbed. Ga-on, standing before the profusely blooming branches, looked utterly beautiful and just as poignant.

Vzzz, vzzz. However, the fleeting, dreamlike amusement came to an abrupt end due to the inconsiderate vibration of a cell phone. Surely it’s not Jungcheon again. Hui-ju, who had been watching Ga-on with a regretful face as she turned her gaze away from the flower tree without lingering and started walking again, checked the caller ID and her eyes widened slightly. It was the Head of Security.

“What is it at this hour?”

[…Sister.]

Hurriedly answering the phone, a voice she had never heard before rasped harshly in her ear. Hui-ju was genuinely bewildered by her brother’s voice, which had become completely hoarse overnight.

“What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick?”

[Cough. They say it’s the flu.]

Surprised by the unexpected situation, Hui-ju blinked blankly for a moment, then slowly furrowed her brow. My goodness, a man who wouldn’t catch a cold even if doused with icy water in midwinter… No matter how strong one is against time…

“Have you taken medicine? No, how could you be so foolish as to catch a cold in the middle of spring… Anyway, don’t even come near the CEO for a while… Wait. Then what about the business trip today? The Chief Secretary… What?!”

The source of the flu was presumed to be the meeting where executives from the secretarial office and security department had gathered to review Ga-on’s travel itinerary. In other words, the inner circle that moved like Ga-on’s hands and feet had been decimated. As Hui-ju’s voice grew louder, Ga-on, who had walked far ahead, finally turned around.

“Is that Chief Kwon?”

“Yes, CEO. But… it seems there’s a problem.”

Immediately extending her hand, Ga-on took the phone and listened silently to the Head of Security’s words. Her mind became quite complicated, but as usual, her impassive face showed no sign of agitation.

On a gently sloping mountainside bathed in sunlight, trees of various sizes and types stood at regular intervals. Two people walking slowly between them stopped in front of a rather sturdy cherry tree.

“Unni, I’m here.”

It’s been a while, right? Have you been well? I heard it snowed a lot last winter, were you cold? Ji-won glanced at Lisa, who was speaking softly, and silently placed the bouquet of lilies he was holding at the base of the tree. Then, with eyes tinged with slight annoyance, he scanned the cherry tree. As always, the blossoms had all fallen, leaving only the messy-looking calyxes clinging on, and the untidy sight greatly irritated Ji-won’s aesthetic sense.

If I’d known, I would have planted a tree that blooms later. What is this every time I come? But I can’t just pull out a tree that’s already taken root. It feels like digging up a grave. Clicking his tongue in displeasure, Ji-won felt Lisa’s steady gaze on him and quickly forced a smile.

“Cha Ji-won, aren’t you going to greet your mother?”

“Mom isn’t even here, what’s the point of greeting?”

Not just my parents, there isn’t a single ghost in this entire park. They all scattered the moment my car entered the parking lot. And Mom already passed through the Gate of Reincarnation long ago. Even knowing that perfectly well, the only reason I bother coming here on time is just to put Auntie’s mind at ease.

“Such a heartless brat.”

Still, has he improved compared to when he was younger? Lisa looked up at her nephew, who had grown so tall she had to crane her neck, glaring at him without malice, then suddenly grew serious at a thought that occurred to her. It was something she could have easily dismissed, but Ji-won’s tone held a strange certainty that bothered her.

“Ji-won, do you still see things like ghosts?”

Inwardly flinching at his aunt’s worried voice, Ji-won raised the corners of his mouth with a nonchalant expression. If he told her that he didn’t just see ghosts but actually made a living beating them up, she’d probably faint dead away.

“Sometimes.”

Sorry, Auntie. Actually, often. Before, I just unavoidably saw what was visible, but now I’m at the point where I even seek them out.

“Should we try an exorcism, even now?”

“Hahaha. No need.”

Ji-won immediately waved his hand and burst out laughing, but Lisa’s expression didn’t easily brighten. You find this funny? Thinking about those people who tried to lock her perfectly fine nephew in a mental hospital still made Lisa’s blood boil so much she’d jolt awake from sleep.

— Auntie, can’t I go to America? If you just become my legal guardian, I won’t bother you, I’ll live on my own. Let go of me, Uncle! Get out of my house! I’m not crazy! Let go!

Even now, 16 years later, her young nephew’s screams over the phone echoed vividly in her ears. It was a time when public authorities didn’t deeply intervene in family matters, so the police were no help, and having left Seoul long ago, she had nowhere else to turn. The 14-hour flight to Korea felt like an eternity. Clutching the silent phone tightly, Lisa had pleaded countless times with her sister, already gone from the world, to please help.

At the hastily arranged funeral for her sister and brother-in-law, her brother-in-law’s family had reassured her, saying they would take good care of Ji-won, not to worry. But less than a month later, they revealed their true colors, coveting their young nephew’s inheritance. Lisa, based in New York, hadn’t known that her self-made, incredibly wealthy brother-in-law had eventually cut off all contact with his constantly demanding younger siblings, tired of helping them.

Remembering that Ji-won had mentioned seeing ghosts when he was very young, his uncles had conspired and agreed to send him to a mental hospital. They must have judged that since the only maternal relative was an unmarried aunt, there would be no dispute over guardianship.

Ji-won, his phone confiscated, had barely managed to escape to the basement and lock the door, clinging to a golf club for nearly twenty hours until Lisa arrived in Seoul. Ji-won, who had once been talented enough at golf to dream of turning pro, never touched a golf club again after that.

— No! I’m not making things up! He really said he saw his deceased grandmother! He even drew pictures of dead people’s faces, making everyone creeped out… Hey, you saw it too back then, right? You can’t have eyes like that unless you’re crazy. That’s why we were trying to get him treatment. So, should we just leave a sick kid alone? Isn’t it a guardian’s duty to raise a child healthily?

Lisa would probably never forget the horrific sight of Ji-won, his eyes bloodshot from burst capillaries, collapsing the moment he saw her face. Fortunately, the guardianship change lawsuit wasn’t difficult. Lisa immediately hired the best law firm in Korea, and Ji-won’s uncles, who had little wealth to begin with—enough to be blinded by greed for their young nephew’s fortune—naturally couldn’t mount a proper defense.

Above all, Ji-won’s determination never to associate with his paternal relatives again was incredibly firm.

— My only family is my aunt. I don’t consider the others family. I will never think of them that way in the future, so don’t shamelessly talk about family. The reason… you know it too.

As soon as the lawsuit ended, Ji-won packed his bags and went to New York with Lisa. Having spent little time together, it was a bit awkward at first, but it didn’t take long for them to accept each other as true family.

What would have happened if I hadn’t answered that call back then? The phone rang five minutes before an important meeting was about to start. During the meeting, I would have ignored it even if I knew it was ringing, so if the timing had been off by just a little, I might never have found Ji-won again. If those people had managed to break down the door and drag him out… It’s a terrifying thought that still makes cold sweat run down her back.

Yes, thinking about that, I should be grateful he grew up this well without incident. But human greed truly knows no bounds. Seeing him grown up so presentably, now I wish he’d fill the spot beside him with someone reliable…

“Are you seeing anyone? How can you be thirty and not have a single girlfriend to bring to your parents on a day like this? Such a waste of a handsome face, really.”

“I told you. Even if I start liking someone, the moment I see them eyeing my money, my interest just vanishes.”

“You have to accept that to some extent. Who in the world isn’t greedy for money? If it bothers you that much, date a woman richer than you.”

“Aigoo, Madam Yun, you’re still so naive, what are we going to do? In Korea, for someone my age to be richer than me, she’d have to be the daughter of a chaebol, and families like that don’t bother with small fry like me. Conquering love through all sorts of trials and tribulations isn’t my style either. It ruins the image.”

As Ji-won replied smoothly and slyly with a smile, a melody suddenly played – slow in tempo but strangely urgent. Ah, this is a call from Zenith… Ji-won checked the screen as naturally as possible, his eyebrows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Yeon Hae-su… Why does this kid always pick times when I’m resting to call? When I’m in the office, he’s always running around like a stray dog, claiming training or whatever. Maybe because he grew up being doted on, he’s not intimidated by anyone. My juniors at school or in the army couldn’t even approach me, but is he fearless because he doesn’t know any better? Hah, I shouldn’t have given him an opening to cling to in the first place. Uncharacteristically letting my guard down because a grown man was sniveling…

— Can I call you Hyeong?

After just one beer, his round, puppy-like eyes brimming with tears, I thought maybe he had an older brother lost in an accident when he was young. Even the notoriously cold-hearted Cha Ji-won couldn’t be harsh towards that kind of pain, so telling him to do as he pleased was the root of the problem. It turned out Hae-su’s usual high tension was unbearable, but his drunken habit was to become utterly sentimental, as if carrying all the world’s sorrows, whenever he drank.

“Auntie, just a moment.”

Ji-won calmly excused himself, trying not to show his panic as he slowly started walking away. While he moved far enough from Lisa that she couldn’t overhear the conversation, the phone disconnected once, then rang again less than three seconds later. Damn kid, so impatient. I’m answering, I’m answering. When he had definite business, he was the type to call until connected, so unless the phone was turned off completely, there was no choice but to answer.

“What.”

[Hyeong! Are you busy right now?]

“I’m not busy, but I don’t have time for you. I’m on vacation for ten days starting today.”

It was his first vacation in the six months since he started working as a Guide. Due to the nature of the job, there were no set working hours, and since most cases were handled by regular Guides, work wasn’t a daily occurrence. However, when a situation arose that required a high-level Guide like Ji-won or Hae-su, it wasn’t resolved in an hour or two. Sometimes they’d wrangle with a deceased soul for days, and occasionally, three high-level Guides would have to tackle it simultaneously.

It was by no means easy work, but it wasn’t physically overwhelming either. The emotional fatigue was greater. Deceased souls desperately clinging to the world of the living usually had many stories and deep resentments. Ji-won, who typically paid no attention to the affairs of others unrelated to him, found himself unintentionally learning about very private aspects of individuals and sometimes getting involved through this line of work.

Although Ji-won was rarely swayed by others’ emotions, constantly encountering gloomy and dark circumstances was somewhat exhausting. Judging that periodic rest was necessary to continue this work, as recommended by the management department, Ji-won immediately submitted a vacation request, and today was the first day of that precious vacation. So today, no matter what silver-tongued persuasion Hae-su attempted, he wouldn’t give in.

[Yeah. I know that too. I swear I didn’t plan this, really… I’m in a bit of a tight spot right now, and it just so happens you’re nearby, Hyeong.]

Ji-won, who had been massaging the back of his neck with an indifferent expression, suddenly shot his eyebrows up. What kind of creepy thing is this kid saying now?

“Nearby? Are you tracking my location now?”

[Aigoo, no. Why would you say something so gross… It’s your parents’ memorial day today, right? So you must be in Yongin now. I happen to be in Yongin too. So please come help me out for a bit, Hyeong. Please?]

“No.”

[Ah, Hyeooong! I’m about to lose a deceased soul I’ve been chasing for fourteen hours!]

Fourteen hours… Ji-won, momentarily swayed by Hae-su’s plea, quickly hardened his resolve. If Hae-su, much younger but far more experienced, couldn’t catch the soul after fourteen hours of pursuit, Ji-won himself would likely struggle. No matter how confident he was in his stamina, he wanted to avoid pulling an all-nighter, especially before a long trip.

“That’s your problem. I have a flight tomorrow, so I need to rest early. Call Seo Do-gyeom.”

[I already called, but he’s not answering. It’s urgent, Hyeong. The deceased is right in front of me, but I can’t really just start shooting right now… It seems like there’s some kind of weapons crackdown period. There are placards everywhere, and armed police are all over the base of the mountain. If a gunshot rings out now, won’t I get caught immediately?]

Getting noticed by the police would certainly be troublesome… Ji-won glanced sideways at Lisa’s location and subtly covered his mouth, lowering his voice further. So far, Lisa hadn’t shown much interest in this call, but if she ever found out the content of the conversation, it wouldn’t end with just a few slaps on the back.

“It’s just a BB gun anyway, so it doesn’t matter. It’s not like you’re shooting at a person.”

[Well…]

As Hae-su trailed off, mumbling with a voice full of reluctance, Ji-won’s smooth forehead creased sharply. A sudden, inexplicable sense of foreboding ran coldly down his spine.

“What, what is it! What did you do now! Did you bring live ammunition?”

[No! It’s not like that, but… the weight of the pellets is just slightly in violation of the Firearms Control Act…]

“Hey, you crazy bastard! Are you out of your mind?”

[It’s just 0.05g heavier. The 0.2g ones are too light, making it hard to aim outdoors, so what was I supposed to do?]

“Aah…”

Ji-won rubbed his face dryly and let out a sigh that sounded like a groan. Of course, a 0.05g difference wasn’t distinguishable by the naked eye, and even if caught, the chance of serving jail time for it was slim. But Hae-su’s position was different from others. In an era where eyes and mouths are everywhere, if a national shooting athlete were fined for violating the Firearms Control Act, of all things… The mere thought made his head spin.

The problem was, Yeon Hae-su, whose persistence rivaled that of a cult missionary, was the type of person who might shoot without thinking if faced with losing the deceased soul. He really hasn’t tasted the bitterness of the world yet. This is why you shouldn’t spoil kids. He’s utterly fearless.

Ji-won, inwardly unleashing a torrent of harsh curses he couldn’t possibly utter in front of his aunt, reluctantly took a step back.

“Send me the GPS coordinates, you brat.”

[Really?! You’re really coming? Hyeong, I love you!]

“Shut up. Hang up.”

Clenching his jaw, Ji-won squeezed his eyes shut once, then opened them. He walked quickly towards Lisa, forcing the gentlest expression possible onto his face. The guilt felt genuine, so at least he didn’t have to fake that part, which was some relief.

“Auntie, what should I do? Something urgent came up, I think I have to go. I can’t have dinner with you. Instead, I’ll come to the hotel early tomorrow morning.”

“What urgent business could you possibly have? Is it gallery work?”

“No, something else.”

Lisa tilted her head quizzically, then suddenly her eyes narrowed sharply. Why on earth would a kid who has assets that multiply just by breathing take on a second job?

“Something else? Why are you doing something else? Are you perhaps gambling?”

“Ha, as if I’d do something like gambling.”

“Unless you borrowed quick cash from a loan shark because of gambling debts, what possible reason could you have for needing immediate cash?”

“It’s not about money. Well, it’s a kind of talent donation, you could say…”

At Ji-won’s vague answer, Lisa narrowed her eyes further, looking even more suspicious. Ji-won wasn’t the type to form strong emotional bonds with anyone privately. Just as he avoided actions that harmed others, he intensely disliked anyone inconveniencing him. Goodwill was the same; he didn’t offer it easily and was even more reluctant to receive it. For him to talk about talent donation? It was as incongruous as a lion declaring itself a vegetarian.

Ting. Averting his gaze slightly from her suspicious eyes, Ji-won checked the message and clicked his tongue briefly. This kid really is right nearby. It would be faster to just cross the mountain than go back to the car. Damn it, hiking in Belutis. Seriously, the things I do because of this nuisance. I waited 4 months for these, they’ll be ruined. Aah… Does that brat even know how much these shoes cost?

“Auntie. I’m really in a bit of a hurry…”

“Alright, go for now, but explain properly later.”

“I’m really sorry, Auntie. You take the car. I’ll call you.”

Catching the keys Ji-won tossed her way, Lisa watched in utter astonishment as he plunged without hesitation into the dense undergrowth.

“Hey, Cha Ji-won! Where do you think you’re… No, what on earth is he doing that makes him leap into the pathless mountainside? Is he a water deer?”

Catching his breath for a moment, Ji-won noticed a long scratch on the smooth calfskin leather and ground his teeth with an audible paddeuk sound. The location seems about right… Hearing a rustling sound, he reflexively turned his head and caught a glimpse of a familiar round head behind a large tree.

“Yeon Hae-su.”

“Hyeong! How did you get here so fast… Ouch.”

Ji-won smacked Hae-su hard on the back of the head as he approached beaming, then got straight to the urgent matter.

“Let’s save the proper beating for later. The deceased?”

“Up there in the tree. Can you see the face?”

Ji-won stared sharply where Hae-su pointed and replied curtly.

“I see it.”

It was a deceased soul that looked like it had been dead for at least 10 years. Impressive. So close to Seoul, yet it managed to evade capture and hold on for so long. Judging by the degree of corruption, it had already harmed several people. A young woman barely past twenty, what deep resentment could she hold to become such an evil spirit… No. I really, vehemently do not want to know the story of a woman harboring resentment.

Ji-won, examining the deceased’s face with a sharp gaze, silently swallowed a sigh as their eyes met. The deceased, who had been relaxed, realizing Hae-su couldn’t act, seemed to tense up considerably at the appearance of Ji-won, whose aura was clearly formidable. Lightly ignoring her slumped shoulders, Ji-won took out a notepad from his inner pocket and quickly began sketching the deceased’s face. It left a slightly bitter taste in his mouth, knowing she clearly wouldn’t go to a good place, but his hand moved without hesitation, filling the white paper densely.

“Thank you so much for coming like this, Hyeong. I was so anxious about losing her, I seriously debated whether to just shoot or not.”

“What, you crazy punk? Do you really live like there’s no tomorrow? A few hundred thousand won fine, you think that’s nothing? That gives you a criminal record. You become an ex-con. If you’re unlucky, you could be kicked off the national team.”

“Ah, there was that issue too. Come to think of it, the Olympic trials are soon.”

Ji-won, who hadn’t stopped drawing even while snapping fiercely, looked at Hae-su with an incredulous expression and let out a hollow breath. That human thought could be this simple. It was truly admirable in a way.

“Hah, right. You must be so comfortable, without a single worldly care or worry. How did your parents raise their son to be so bright and cheerful in this harsh world, huh?”

“Um, is that a compliment?”

“It’s an insult!”

Ji-won yelled, roughly tore out the instantly completed portrait, folded it in half, and put it in his pocket. He couldn’t light a fire in the forest, so he had to get down the mountain first.

“Why aren’t you burning it? We need to hurry, Hyeong. It’s an evil spirit that killed eight people.”

“Like sees like, as they say. Did your eyes only see the illegal weapons crackdown placards? It’s the peak forest fire warning season right now, you idiot. If I pull out a lighter and set fire here, you and I will be handcuffed together nicely. Maybe not me, but you’ll definitely be on the news.”

“Aha.”

“Aha? Ugh, forget it. What am I even saying to you.”

Shaking his head with a completely fed-up expression, Ji-won looked straight at the deceased and spoke in a calm voice.

“Deceased one, can you hear me?”

The woman flinched slightly but deliberately pretended not to hear, feigning indifference. Regardless, Ji-won paid her no mind and recited the Zenith principles in a mechanical tone.

“This is Guide Cha Ji-won from Jungcheon. You are currently a deceased soul unable to remain in the world of the living and must immediately proceed to Jungcheon to receive judgment for your merits and demerits in life. Even at this moment, your merits and demerits are continuously being recorded. Be advised that failure to follow the Guide’s instructions or attempting to flee may result in significant disadvantages in determining your future destination. Furthermore, from this point on, the Guide may proceed with forcible summoning procedures under official authority…”

“Excuse me, just a moment! I absolutely won’t run away. So please listen to my story. I have reasons why I had to do this.”

Judging the situation was turning serious, the woman flew down in an instant. Then she grabbed Ji-won’s arm and began to cling desperately. Hae-su’s expression clouded slightly at her heart-wrenching plea that could move even the listener, but Ji-won, without batting an eyelid, coldly removed the woman’s hand.

Everyone has a story. Especially a deceased soul capable of affecting the material world this much shouldn’t remain among the living.

“There’s only one left. Just one more kill, and my revenge is complete. If I succeed in that, I’ll go anywhere, Jungcheon or hell. So please just wait a few days, okay? Please, I beg you.”

“Hearing that makes it even more urgent to proceed.”

“They beat him to death like a dog! My brother, my kind, gentle brother! Six of them surrounded him and beat him to death! And you know what they said afterwards? They did it for fun. They said it was funny watching him gasp for breath! Those devil-like creatures served only two years for involuntary manslaughter. And since then, they’ve lived well, flaunting their wealth!”

Leaving behind the woman who was beating her chest and crying out her grievances, Ji-won descended the mountain at a rapid pace. He went straight into the restroom, lit the portrait over the sink, and the woman, who had chased him relentlessly, wailing loud enough to deafen him, vanished instantly like smoke. Then Hae-su, who had been watching the sequence of events with an uncharacteristically serious face, spoke in a slightly agitated voice.

“It’s not something a Guide should say, but honestly, shouldn’t people like that deserve to die?”

“Where did you go to elementary school?”

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

Ji-won looked at Hae-su with an utterly pathetic gaze, glanced down at his ruined shoes, and clenched his jaw tightly. His pride wouldn’t allow him to mention the cost of the shoes to a kid, but throwing away shoes he’d worn for the first time today was increasingly irritating the more he thought about it.

“Didn’t you learn basic arithmetic in school? Can’t you do single-digit calculations in your head? What did that woman say earlier? She said six people killed her brother. But she killed eight people, she said. And she said there was still one more left. That means at least three innocent people died, doesn’t it?”

“Ah…”

“And is there any guarantee that everything that woman said is true? Should a guy who makes money working as a Guide be swayed like this by a deceased soul? When a deceased soul becomes an evil spirit, it inevitably causes harm to human affairs, even if unintentionally. So, regardless of the circumstances, a Guide should just follow the procedures. Don’t insert your own thoughts into it, understand?”

“Wow, Hyeong. You sounded just like the CEO just now. Although you’re much more terrifying, of course… Do you meet with the CEO often?”

Meet often? He hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her for over two months. Since Ji-won became affiliated with Zenith Company, he had encountered Ga-on exactly four times, and even then, it was mostly just exchanging greetings. There was even a time when Ga-on, looking quite busy, had merely acknowledged his bow from afar with a slight nod of her head before hurrying off.

— Just a moment.

Thinking back, the only time he’d had anything resembling a conversation with Ga-on was the day they first met.

— Being dragged here forcibly was bewildering enough, but being told to just leave like this is even more baffling. Is there some disqualifying reason regarding me?

Even that was less a conversation and more me stubbornly confronting her. Thinking back, his tone had been overly emotional, but Ga-on’s expression had remained perfectly calm, without a hint of anger. Why that had bothered him so much, he still couldn’t understand.

— It’s not that I disregard your abilities. Rather, they are overwhelming to the point of being excessive. It’s also true that your talent is essential to us. Nevertheless, the reason I intended to simply send you back is that there are few beings in the world of the living strong enough to bind you here.

— What does that mean?

— Doing this kind of work inevitably blurs the boundary between the living world and the afterlife. One with no lingering attachments to the living world might more easily let go of their grip on life at a critical moment. Human life is incredibly fragile; it can easily be extinguished if the will is lost.

— You’ve misjudged me. I’m not someone who gives up easily on anything, and I have plenty of attachments to the living world.

The first person who came to mind was undoubtedly his aunt. No matter what happened, he couldn’t die before his aunt. He couldn’t make her go through his funeral too. If his feelings for Lisa were the finest, purest part of him, then the scathing curse directed at his uncles was the most wicked and darkest part. He couldn’t give those wretched humans a single coin. He’d rather grind up all his assets and drink them before dying than let them inherit his fortune.

— And I can’t guarantee that something like this won’t happen again. Unless you can make it so I don’t see ghosts at all, I can’t ignore them every time I see them. Are you going to drag me in like this every time? If so, you might as well let me do it officially. It seems like that’s why you brought me here in the first place.

At Ji-won’s audacious demand, the Head of Security, who had long since lost his smile, silently gasped, but Ga-on seemed to judge that his words held some merit. After pondering for a moment, Ga-on eventually reversed her decision, something Ji-won didn’t know at the time was not a common occurrence.

— You run a gallery?

— Yes.

— Then continuing that work is a condition. If you abandon the gallery or neglect your work, your access to Jungcheon will also be blocked. Chief Kwon, make another seat next to Director Seo.

Of course, the result of his stubborn insistence wasn’t entirely satisfying. There were times he wondered if he had been needlessly defiant towards someone trying to send him back gently. But overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. Firstly, enduring daily boredom had been quite an ordeal, but the cases were always so spectacular that there was at least no room for boredom.

Most importantly, he learned that colleagues with abilities like his existed, and the sense of stability from doing officially recognized work alongside them was the greatest gain. He had struggled to hide it throughout his life, but the anxiety of wondering if he was actually mentally ill had tormented Ji-won for quite a long time.

“What reason would a Guide have to meet the CEO?”

“True. That’s also true. Hyeong, what car did you bring today? Can’t you let me take a look?”

If I had entered this world when I was younger, could I have lived as cheerfully as this kid? Ji-won gazed blankly at Hae-su, whose eyes sparkled, then chuckled and shook his head. No, this is innate. Not being disliked while acting so willfully is also a talent. Ji-won had a knack for pushing people away, but strangely, he found it difficult to be entirely cold towards Hae-su, who clung to him like a puppy.

“Don’t have it now. I let someone else take it. Let’s take your car.”

“Huh? I don’t have my car today… Hyeong, the weather’s nice, want to walk to the bus stop? It’s just a 40-minute walk for exercise.”

But fortunately or unfortunately, Hae-su also possessed an outstanding talent for hardening Ji-won’s softening heart once more.

“What, you crazy bastard? Can’t you call a taxi right now?!”

Breakfast with his aunt was, as expected, extremely uncomfortable and awkward. She wasn’t someone who could be put off with evasiveness, but he couldn’t exactly confess the truth either. Faced with her sharp questioning about what on earth he was doing, Ji-won initially replied that it was something like environmental monitoring. He knew full well it wasn’t a plausible excuse for his aunt, who knew him well, but he couldn’t think of any other suitable pretext to explain why he had suddenly dashed into the mountains.

“You’re doing physical volunteer work?”

“Well… It just happened. It got complicated because of gallery business.”

“What’s the name of the organization?”

“The name… Uh… It’s an organization run by Zenith Company. That’s why I have a desk at the Zenith headquarters building too. Though I don’t go often, of course.”

“Really?”

Although the suspicion didn’t completely vanish from Lisa’s eyes, the prestige of the name Zenith was considerable. Lisa didn’t bring up the issue again, and the two managed to finish their meal in a reasonably amicable atmosphere. Ji-won, hastily bidding farewell to his aunt who had to return to New York soon, was escaping the hotel like a fugitive when an unexpected call came, making him twitch his eyebrows in annoyance. Ah… really. I’m on vacation right now.

“Haa, Cha Ji-won speaking.”

[Director Cha… cough. Kwon Hyeon-ho here. I’m truly sorry to bother you during your vacation, but… cough cough. Would it be possible for you to accompany the CEO on her UK trip today?]

At first, he couldn’t understand the request immediately due to the coughing. The Head of Security, calling with a voice that sounded like death warmed over, coughed so severely while uttering those few words that Ji-won worried his lungs might actually pop out.

But… what did this gentleman just ask me to do? UK trip? With the CEO?! Ji-won slowly mulled over the Head of Security’s words, his eyes widening slightly.

“…Today?”

[Cough. Yes. Something came up in Chester. I understand you were planning to go to London anyway, so I would be truly grateful if you could spare three days. Director Cha, you would simply need to stay by the CEO’s side just in case. Staff will be there to handle transportation upon arrival, and you won’t need to worry about accommodation or meals.]

“No, that’s not the issue… Why me?”

As it happened, the Head of Security and the entire secretarial staff were down with a severe flu. Postponing the schedule wasn’t simple, so they were urgently looking for a replacement among the Guides who could assist the Master of Jungcheon, and Ji-won was the one most familiar with English-speaking culture among them.

Well, I understand the situation is urgent, but… even if they’re short-staffed, why trust me with something like this?

“Did the CEO also say it was okay for me to go?”

[The CEO generally isn’t picky about people or things.]

Really? She seemed quite sensitive, surprisingly. I’m not exactly confident in assisting someone, but… Still, since I’m going that way anyway and the other person is easygoing, maybe just accompanying her isn’t impossible? The schedule isn’t packed either, so sparing three days isn’t difficult…

After pondering for a moment, Ji-won decided to grant the Head of Security’s request. When faced with a decision of whether to do something or not, he usually leaned towards doing it, and he was also curious about what kind of work the Master of Jungcheon, who usually spent her time in Jungcheon, would handle on an overseas trip.

“Understood. I’ll escort her. What time is the flight?”

[Ah, thank you so much. Departure is at 2 PM, but before that…]

However, it took less than a minute for Ji-won to regret his magnanimity. The Head of Security, who had sounded apologetic, started rattling off precautions as if he had been waiting for the moment Ji-won agreed. The details were so varied and specific that Ji-won couldn’t remember everything and had to start recording midway.

What the— he said I just needed to be nearby. Now he wants me to check her blood pressure morning and night? Huh, this wasn’t escorting, it meant I had to be a caregiver. But by the time the thought ‘I’ve been tricked’ occurred, the situation was already irreversible.

[That’s about all I need to tell you. For a detailed explanation, please listen to Madam Kwon, who is responsible for the CEO’s overall daily life.]

What I’ve heard so far is already as detailed as an insurance policy, and there’s more to hear? Dumbfounded, Ji-won let out a hollow breath. The Head of Security, perhaps worried he might change his mind, quickly ended the call. Ji-won stared blankly at the disconnected phone with an incredulous expression when a cheerful notification sound accompanied a message containing an unfamiliar address. The speed was astonishing.

“This sly old fox… look how fast he is.”

Though reluctant to move, Ji-won couldn’t just linger on the street, so he started the engine. He had to detour quite a bit to stop by his house, yet even the traffic lights seemed to cooperate today, and he reached the destination quickly. He wasn’t the type to dwell on decisions once made, but his mind wavered throughout the drive.

I’ve never taken care of anyone in my life, can I really handle a job that requires tending to someone from A to Z? Especially someone who apparently doesn’t even answer their own phone… What if I get annoyed midway and just get frustrated? But I can’t just abandon my boss in a foreign country and run away. Damn it, I should have refused initially.

[You have arrived at your destination. Route guidance is ending.]

Hearing the navigation system’s cheerful closing message, oblivious to his inner turmoil, made him sigh automatically. Stepping out of the car with reluctant steps, Ji-won looked at the massive gate, more than twice his height, with slightly weary eyes. Above the imposing gate hung an enormous name plaque, which looked at least a handspan thick even at a glance.

無影堂 (Muyeongdang). House Without Shadows… What a grand name. Pausing for a moment before the gate that slid open before he could even ring the bell, Ji-won’s eyes widened in astonishment at the incredible scenic beauty unfolding beyond the rough gate. True to its name, the spacious garden, filled with sunlight, was a veritable paradise of various flowering trees. If the word ‘paradise’ were made real, it would look exactly like this.

How much does the gardener here even get paid? Walking along the flower path, charmingly decorated with colorful wildflowers, Ji-won let out several hollow laughs. The simple appearance of the dainty flowers seemed natural at first glance, but it was impossible for such a diverse range of wildflowers to bloom simultaneously without human intervention.

“Ugh. This is sheer drudgery… Watering must be a chore since the growing conditions are all different.”

At the end of the deceptively demanding flower path stood a magnificent mansion, incomparable even to the homes of high officials seen in historical dramas. The vast house was kept so immaculately clean that not a speck of dust could be seen from the foundation to the eaves. Ji-won clicked his tongue, feeling sorry for the dedication and hard work of someone he didn’t even know.

Is this the legendary ninety-nine-kan mansion I’ve only heard about? How much money was poured into building this? The pillars are all top-grade red pine, the kind used in palaces… Gathering timber of this thickness must have been difficult from the start. Wow, look at the color of those roof tiles. They’re almost ceramic grade. So there are people who live in houses like this in Seoul. And in such an expensive neighborhood too… This place feels even less real than Jungcheon.

“Director Cha Ji-won?”

Ji-won, who had been examining every corner of the building with interest, snapped back to reality at the sound of his name. Ah, I didn’t come here to sightsee. Quickly composing his expression, he turned his head to see a graceful woman with a warm impression approaching with a gentle smile. Despite meeting her for the first time, she felt familiar, and Ji-won almost laughed out loud.

So this is Madam Kwon, the real power in this house. Her surname is Kwon, so I wondered, but her eyes are the spitting image of the Head of Security’s. Lineage is truly frightening. The way she sizes people up with her eyes is the same, and how she maintains a smiling face even while openly assessing someone.

“A pleasure to meet you. I received the Head of Security’s message and came to escort the CEO.”

“Welcome. I heard you were on vacation, you must be going through a lot.”

Though he couldn’t say no, Ji-won couldn’t exactly agree either, so he just smiled faintly. At Ji-won’s smile, which seemed a blend of politeness and pretense, Hui-ju’s eyebrows lifted slightly. They said he wasn’t the obedient type… Still, his speech and behavior seem more refined than expected, and he seems quick-witted. His fashion sense is excellent too. At least he won’t make the CEO wear character socks like Hae-su. For a hastily found substitute, he’s usable. Nodding with a reasonably satisfied expression, Hui-ju handed over the large bag she had prepared.

“You should unpack this suitcase immediately upon arriving at the hotel. Take out all the inner bags and place them on the vanity. She doesn’t bother looking for cosmetics if they’re not visible, so make sure to leave the cosmetics pouch unzipped. Outerwear should be sent for laundry service right away. The CEO usually wears the first thing her hand touches when opening the closet, and she’s completely oblivious even if it’s wrinkled or even torn.”

Ji-won, listening silently, subtly hardened his expression. This request was far more bewildering than he had braced himself for. Wears whatever her hand touches? Didn’t she always look decked out in the latest season’s new arrivals whenever I saw her? And she didn’t seem to wear any makeup at all… Does that mean she doesn’t even properly apply basic skincare products? Ah… this really isn’t going to be easy. This isn’t escorting, it’s practically childcare!

“She’s also not very diligent about eating meals… If left alone, she often forgets she’s hungry, so you must ensure she eats at least two meals a day.”

Well, that much… I can just suggest eating together when I’m hungry. But someone living in a house like this probably doesn’t have Western tastes. London might be fine, but if she only wants Korean food in Chester, that could be trouble…

“Are there any foods she can’t eat?”

“No. The CEO eats whatever is served on the table without being picky.”

“Her favorite foods are…”

“She doesn’t particularly ask for anything specific. So you need to make sure she eats a balanced diet.”

“Ah… yes. Then what does she usually do during the flight? Should I prepare any books or movies she enjoys?”

“She’ll probably just rest. She usually doesn’t have much leisure time for cultural activities, so she pays little attention to that sort of thing.”

No. Is this the life of a monk? No favorite foods, no hobbies? No personal life at all, just spends all day beating up troublesome ghosts? Can a person live like that and still be okay?

Feeling inexplicably downhearted, Ji-won let out a low sigh. Though he felt a sense of stuffiness, it helped him steel his resolve. Since things had escalated this far, it was too late to turn back anyway… Okay, let’s just grit my teeth and do a good job for a few days. I survived that disgusting treatment in the army, can’t I endure just three days? No matter how accustomed someone is to ordering people around with their fingertips, surely they can’t be worse than Sergeant Kim, that bastard.

“She can’t handle even a drop of alcohol, so just be careful about that.”

“Understood.”

“This pouch must be carried by you at all times, Director Cha. It contains her passport, cell phone, emergency medication, and simple medical supplies. This is a portable blood pressure monitor, twice a day…”

“I heard about that from the Head of Security. Right after waking up, and just before sleeping.”

“Yes. It’s simple to use. You just need to read the instructions once. And this is…”

Ji-won stared intently at the small pill bottle Hui-ju held out, unknowingly furrowing his brow slightly. The name on the label was familiar to him too.

“…Sleeping pills.”

“She doesn’t take them regularly, only one pill when she’s really physically tired but can’t fall asleep. Once insomnia hits, she sometimes can’t sleep for days… Her doctor prescribed them, saying it’s better to take the medicine than to endure like that. Keep them safe and give them to the CEO if she asks.”

Can’t sleep for days… And even then, she takes this strong stuff because she can’t sleep. That means regular sleeping pills don’t work anymore. Right, a person can’t be okay living like that. This time, strangely, he couldn’t readily reply and hesitated for a moment, when a small, languid voice came from behind him.

“Director Cha.”

The owner of the voice, thin as a sigh, was surprisingly Ga-on. The sharp gaze and stern voice that could intimidate even those nearby were gone, replaced by a gentle and quiet demeanor. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had menacingly held a sword to a deceased soul’s neck and roared commands.

Her attire was also markedly different from her usual sharp, tailored look. With her hair down and wearing a loose-fitting cardigan, she looked exactly like a university student in her early twenties. Did she always look this young? If I’d met her on the street, I might not have recognized her.

“Good morning.”

“Mm.”

Ji-won greeted her politely and watched intently as Ga-on, who replied in a low voice, swept back her still damp hair. As her sleeve rode up, revealing her wrist for a moment, Ji-won’s neat eyebrows twitched slightly. He knew she was thin, but her white wrist, with prominent blue veins, was beyond slender, almost gaunt. It looked like he could break it if he applied force with intent.

That sword… it looked quite heavy, how does she wield it with that wrist? Is she unexpectedly dense-boned?

“I heard you were on vacation.”

“It’s alright. As it happens, I also had business in London and was scheduled to fly out this evening.”

“Gallery work?”

“Yes. An Émile Gallé vase is coming up at Sotheby’s. It’s a piece that might fit the concept for the fall exhibition I’m planning, but since it’s not cheap, I need to see it in person before buying.”

At Ji-won’s answer, Ga-on smiled very faintly. It was the expression one might have looking at a well-behaved, praiseworthy child. “Good boy.” At the whispered addition, Ji-won felt a momentary, intensely complex, and strange ambivalence.

So she remembered what I do? But it’s not like I’m working harder at the gallery just because of what you said. Good boy? Am I some preschooler? But then… why am I, like a real kid, feeling pleased by a single word of praise? At thirty years old.

“It sounds important. I can manage on my own, so Director Cha can go attend to that business.”

“It’s fine. The auction is next week, so I just need to get there before then.”

No. If I actually went off to handle my own business, it seems like not you, but this Kwon sibling pair wouldn’t let me off the hook. Sure enough, Hui-ju’s expression changed instantly, and she shook her head firmly as if it were out of the question.

“It’s unthinkable for the CEO to travel alone. Especially abroad… If you really insist, then I will follow you myself.”

“How can someone who can’t even climb into the attic due to acrophobia possibly board a plane?”

“So why do you make people worry like this, huh?”

“I felt sorry for calling someone out during their vacation. Besides, Jayden will be there when we arrive in London, won’t he?”

Excuse me, CEO. If that reasoning worked, wouldn’t I not have been summoned here in the first place? Ji-won watched the two argue silently and packed the pouch into his bag without a word. It didn’t look like Ga-on’s argument was going to prevail.

“CEO, are you really going to be like this? That time in Hong Kong too…”

“How long are you going to keep bringing that up?”

“I’ll bring it up until I die, and I’ll write it in the handover notes. So promise me you absolutely won’t travel alone, quickly.”

“Haa, alright. I’ll stick right by Director Cha’s side.”

“Don’t forget there are ways to confirm later.”

“I said I understand.”

Hui-ju continued nagging endlessly even while Ji-won loaded the luggage into the trunk, only falling silent after Ga-on, who had been nodding silently, patted her shoulder a couple of times. Even then, her worried gaze was so intense that it made even Ji-won feel anxious.

It’s just a five-day trip including travel time, is it really necessary to make such a fuss? Is there some tremendous hidden danger in this trip that I don’t know about? Glancing in the side mirror just before reaching the main road, he saw Hui-ju still standing at the gate, gazing endlessly in their direction. Though she was far enough away that only her silhouette was visible, her anxiety and concern were palpable.

What exactly is the relationship between those two? It seems too affectionate for a simple employment relationship, yet too formal for blood relatives. And what on earth happened in Hong Kong?

Wait… But why am I being so nosy about someone else’s private life? Snapping back to reality, Ji-won cut off the questions that kept multiplying. Then, focusing solely on the road ahead, he concentrated on driving. He was slightly curious about the situation in the quiet back seat but didn’t bother turning his head to check.

As soon as the seatbelt sign turned off, Ga-on called a flight attendant to request bedding setup, and as soon as the mattress was laid out, she lowered all the window shades. Seeing her change into pajamas and lie down, it seemed she was determined to sleep.

“CEO, aren’t you going to eat?”

“Later. After sleeping a bit.”

“It will be evening when we arrive in London. If you sleep now, adjusting to the time difference might be difficult.”

“I know… but I couldn’t sleep yesterday. I was in Jungcheon until seven.”

Ji-won, who had been feeling subtly annoyed at having to manage even such basic things, widened his eyes slightly.

“Seven this morning?”

“Mm.”

At Ga-on’s indifferent reply, Ji-won was momentarily speechless. Come to think of it, he had thought her complexion wasn’t good from the moment he saw her today. He wondered if it was just because it was the first time meeting her in bright light, making her skin tone seem relatively pale… Pulling an all-nighter followed by a long-haul business trip. Surprised by the much higher workload than expected, Ji-won couldn’t bring himself to stop Ga-on from pulling up the blanket.

“Please call me immediately if you need anything.”

“Mm.”

“Won’t you use an eye mask? Shall I close the door for you?”

“No. Neither is necessary.”

Ga-on replied in a whisper and slowly closed her eyes. It didn’t seem like she fell asleep immediately, but Ji-won meticulously tidied up the lights and shoes before returning to his seat. Feeling a sense of relief finally settle in, it seemed he had been subconsciously tense despite himself.

Ah… what an incredibly eventful day. And the trap is that the day isn’t even over yet. In fact, by London time, there are still seventeen hours left in today. Ji-won slumped deep into his chair, squeezed his eyes shut with a groan, then slowly opened them as he felt a pang of hunger.

He had eaten poorly for breakfast due to being mindful of his aunt, and lunchtime had long passed. He didn’t feel entirely comfortable eating alone while the other person slept, but he couldn’t exactly starve along with her. Glancing at Ga-on, who shifted slightly, Ji-won immediately called the flight attendant.

“I’ll have my meal now. Steak for the main, medium. For the salad, no need to bring the cart, just give me a decent mix of everything. No dressing needed. Just baguette for the bread, and one of each type of fruit, please.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Please don’t disturb the person in the next seat. I’ll let you know if she needs anything.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ji-won kept an eye on the adjacent seat throughout his meal, reflexively narrowing his eyes whenever Ga-on twitched. She has sleep problems, yet even after pulling an all-nighter, she can’t sleep soundly. Wouldn’t it be better to take medicine and get some deep sleep? No, then she wouldn’t be able to sleep in London. Then it’s just a vicious cycle. Haa… Stop worrying. There’s nothing I can do, what’s the point of constantly watching?

Consciously averting his gaze, Ji-won leisurely drank his coffee and selected a movie. Since he couldn’t drink alcohol and pass out while escorting his superior, he needed something to endure the boredom sober. Nothing particularly caught his eye, so he played a movie he had seen before with excellent cinematography, but the film, which had always interested him, was strangely dull today. Is the screen too small? It’s just not captivating.

Yawning repeatedly, Ji-won forced himself through the movie, then took out the exhibition catalog drafts and started flipping through them. Normally, this was something he could immerse himself in for at least two or three hours, but strangely, this too failed to hold his attention. Ah, why can’t I concentrate today? Am I tired?

Ji-won massaged his shoulders and tilted his head left and right, then froze as he saw Ga-on’s neat face turned towards him. She finally looks like she’s actually sleeping. She kept tossing and turning for over two hours. But her face is really small. Even lying on her side, her facial lines are perfect. I never realized because she always wore such a stiff expression, but her features are incredibly delicate. It’s a face I’d like to draw sometime. Though I can’t draw people’s faces…

Feeling an inexplicable itch in his hands due to the regret, he was pressing his fingers together when the plane suddenly hit turbulence and lurched violently. At that, Ga-on, who had been sleeping without even a breath, snapped her eyes open as if by magic. Ugh, of all times. Couldn’t it have let her sleep for another couple of hours? Seeing Ga-on sit up groggily, the sleepiness completely gone from her face, Ji-won silently clicked his tongue inwardly.

“…What time is it?”

“It’s a little past 7 AM Korean time. If you’re not going back to sleep, you should eat first. Madam Kwon said to make sure you eat two meals a day.”

“Mm… I should eat.”

“The main courses are steak and grilled sea bass, which would you like?”

“Either.”

It was an answer that made it impossible to tell if both were fine or if neither appealed. She did say she eats whatever is served. Since her activity level is likely low, maybe the easily digestible fish is better? Pondering for a moment, Ji-won watched Ga-on blankly down a full glass of cold water, her mouth likely feeling dry, then suggested a third option.

“CEO. Would you like ramen then?”

“…Ramen?”

“You don’t like it? If you don’t have an appetite, something a bit spicy might be better.”

“Well. I’ve never had it before.”

Never had ramen before? Not even once? How can a modern civilized person manage that? Ji-won, who always appeared composed, couldn’t hide his shock, making Ga-on look slightly embarrassed. Even Ga-on, ignorant as she was of worldly affairs, knew that ramen was an extremely popular food.

“Madam Kwon doesn’t let me eat instant food.”

Ah… She did give off the vibe of someone who would serve royal court cuisine prepared with carefully selected organic ingredients for every meal. Nodding immediately, Ji-won recommended the menu he had initially chosen again, but surprisingly, Ga-on opted for adventure.

“Then let’s go with the sea bass.”

“That ramen thing… I’d like to try it.”

A short while later, Ga-on received the steaming bowl of ramen, looking slightly taken aback at first by the stronger-than-expected smell. But the moment she carefully tasted a mouthful, her expression changed. Seeing Ga-on’s eyes widen, Ji-won understood for the first time the feelings of a mother feeding her child their first solid food. Seeing someone enjoy the food he recommended brought an immense sense of satisfaction.

“Is it to your liking?”

“This is incredibly delicious.”

“That’s a relief. Anyway, this is a secret from Madam Kwon.”

“Mm. I’ll definitely keep it.”

Ga-on looked so cute nodding resolutely with chopsticks in hand that Ji-won unknowingly let out a small laugh. Then, resting his chin on his hand, he began to watch Ga-on eat the ramen. He was completely unaware that he had been grinning the entire time. Nor did he realize that he hadn’t looked away even once while Ga-on finished the entire bowl of ramen.

“It’s 90 over 60.”

“See. I told you it gets better after sleeping.”

This doesn’t seem particularly okay either. Ji-won, who had frantically researched information about blood pressure for the first time in his life after being shocked by last night’s reading of 80 over 45, found the two numbers, barely clinging to the borderline of hypotension, deeply unsatisfactory. So this is why they check blood pressure morning and night. I thought they were being excessively fussy, but there was a reason for it.

“Did you sleep comfortably?”

“Mm, slept well.”

Still, her face definitely has more color than yesterday. The panda-like dark circles under her eyes are more or less gone too.

— You look very tired, would you like to sleep some more?

— No. Like Director Cha said, I need to sleep when we get there to adjust to the time difference.

Ga-on, who had stayed sitting up after eating the bowl of ramen until arriving in London, had become rapidly haggard, looking half-dead by the time they entered the hotel lobby, making the person next to her quite anxious. She looked so pitiful, dozing off even while having her blood pressure taken, that seeing the results of her sound sleep with his own eyes put Ji-won’s mind considerably at ease.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No.”

“I’ll have the meal brought up in 30 minutes. Please wash up slowly and come out.”

“Mm.”

Ga-on nodded obediently and went into the bathroom. Ji-won organized the clothes he had received earlier into the closet, then immediately contacted the front desk to order a few additional dishes. Garlic, peas, and carrots are good for low blood pressure, right? Young radish or seaweed would be hard to get here. Dark chocolate is supposed to raise blood pressure too, where was that place nearby that sold handmade chocolate?

Ji-won checked the addresses of a couple of chocolate shops he remembered, then suddenly let out a hollow laugh. What am I doing right now? Why is a temporary assistant for just three days overreacting like this? She’s the CEO of a major corporation, wouldn’t her dedicated staff manage her well enough? Eating one meal with garlic isn’t going to cure low blood pressure instantly. Should I have ordered only one of the gambas or aglio olio? Hah, I didn’t realize I was such a fussy person.

Because he had added dishes to the already prepared menu, the breakfast spread was excessively lavish, but fortunately, Ga-on ate almost everything placed before her without complaint.

She eats well, but… where does it all go? Anyway, Madam Kwon is surprisingly unobservant. Said she wasn’t picky and didn’t ask for anything specific… Just watching her eat one meal reveals her tastes perfectly. Prefers salty over sweet, favors crispy textures, and especially enjoys noodle dishes. Carrot cake… should I order another one? No, it’s so obvious on her face, why doesn’t someone who sees her every day know that?

“CEO, what would you like for tea?”

“Coffee. Is there iced?”

Asking for iced coffee first thing in the morning shows her preferences are quite clear too.

“I’ll bring it with ice.”

After finishing the meal, there were about 20 minutes left until the staff was scheduled to pick them up. It was an awkward amount of time to do anything else, so the two moved to the terrace with their teacups. The view was wide open, offering a rather spectacular panorama of London across the Thames.

“What kind of site is this that requires the CEO to visit personally?”

“There’s an old family in Chester called Rosenbalough. At some point, it became known that if a female child was born into the family, most wouldn’t live past seventeen. It had always been a family where women died young, but the frequency increased starting in the 20th century. Especially for the direct line of the head of the family, there were absolutely no exceptions.”

A cruel assumption, but if it had been the males dying early, measures would likely have been taken much sooner. Then, perhaps the situation could have been prevented more easily before escalating this far. However, before modern times, women’s status was treated with unimaginable insignificance compared to now, which is why it took nearly 300 years for this incident to reach the ears of the Master of Jungcheon.

“At first, it seems they didn’t think it was a serious problem. It was an era when many children died anyway. As time passed, they must have started thinking something was strange. There were too many unnaturally sudden deaths under suspicious circumstances. Then, this time, the head of the family’s daughter-in-law found out that the child she conceived with difficulty was a girl. The family, which had been eagerly anticipating the first baby born in 20 years, was thrown into turmoil. That was two months ago.”

“The fact that the CEO came personally to resolve such an issue means that the one who murdered the daughters of that family all this time was a deceased soul?”

“Probably. While the head of the family was trying everything to find the cause, he eventually called in Guides, and one of them witnessed a completely corrupted evil spirit.”

The first Guide summoned had sensed the deceased’s presence but ultimately couldn’t confirm its identity. The overwhelming killing intent pressing down on the entire mansion reportedly prevented them from even setting foot inside. All five high-level Guides in England rushed over, but far from driving out the evil spirit, they were attacked and even injured. A battle-hardened veteran who came from the Czech Republic for support managed to barely confirm its face after great difficulty, and that was all.

“But that face was said to be identical to one of the portraits hanging in the mansion.”

“If there’s a portrait in the mansion, it means they were a member of the family. Are there cases where ancestors harm their own descendants?”

“It’s not common, but… yes.”

Ordinary ancestors, even if not exceptionally virtuous, generally try to care for or protect their descendants as much as possible. Therefore, a deceased soul who has exclusively murdered their own descendants for hundreds of years likely harbors an immense grudge against someone or is in an uncontrollable state.

“Anyway, an evil spirit that has survived for hundreds of years while continuously harming people like this cannot be handled by Guides alone. Ability isn’t necessarily proportional to age, but with such a vast difference in experience, a human who hasn’t even lived 100 years is no match.”

“Then does the CEO handle all such evil spirits?”

At Ji-won’s question, Ga-on let out a small laugh and slowly shook her head. If only that were possible…

“That’s realistically impossible. Firstly, there are too many of them, and there are cases where it’s not revealed to be the work of a deceased soul. I try my best to handle the cases I become aware of, but unfortunately, I only have one body.”

“You seem to go on trips like this often.”

“No. I only started traveling recently. Now, intercontinental travel is free, so I can go anywhere if I set my mind to it, but the first time I came to England, it took over two months. Before that, I could only travel to places accessible by land. And even that wasn’t frequent.”

It was the first time he had seen Ga-on speak at such length since he met her. Her voice is really pleasant to listen to. Ji-won, momentarily captivated by the beautiful, resonant voice more than the content of the conversation, failed to react with his usual sharpness even when he heard a word that caught his ear. The question arose only after some time had passed.

“Two months… you say? What did you travel by?”

“Mm. First, I took a ship from Yokohama to San Francisco, then a train from there to the East Coast, and then another ship from New York. That was the fastest means back then. It was also almost the only way. At that time, the Trans-Siberian Railway was under construction, so traveling to Europe by land meant walking the entire way, and I couldn’t afford to waste that much time.”

Hearing the astonishing journey, Ji-won’s eyes grew wider and wider. The Trans-Siberian Railway… was under construction? Didn’t that operate even in the early 1900s? What year was the setting of The Barber of Siberia?

“When exactly was that?”

“1896. By the time I returned, the year had changed.”

Huh, the 19th century…! For a moment, Ji-won had to clench his jaw to keep from letting out a hollow breath. Of course, he had suspected Ga-on was much older than she looked. For one, the aura she exuded wasn’t typical of a woman in her early twenties. Though she didn’t seem rude by nature, the way she addressed her staff felt too natural for someone young.

Yesterday, when greeting the local staff who met them at the airport, he did get the feeling Ga-on used slightly archaic English. They hadn’t spoken long, just a brief situation report and a few questions, but there were words Ji-won, who had lived in English-speaking countries for over 10 years, had never heard before. Still, he hadn’t imagined it spanned centuries.

Then how old is she exactly? Is she even… human?

“London was truly dreadful back then. The air quality was so bad it was hard to breathe. My throat hurt for a long time even after leaving here. During the Great Smog of London, I thought, well, what was bound to happen finally happened.”

“…Is that so.”

Ga-on, gazing at the scenery with distant eyes, slowly turned her head. Sensing a distinct change in Ji-won’s voice, she tried to examine his expression more closely, but just then, the bell announcing a visitor rang.

“CEO, let’s get ready. It seems Jayden has arrived.”

“…Alright.”

Though slightly bothered by the sudden shift in atmosphere, Ga-on had no time to attend to Ji-won’s mood. Rising obediently, she neatly tightened the loosely worn necktie and took a crisply ironed jacket from the closet. It was time to begin her duties as the Master of Jungcheon.

As the old city walls, preserving their medieval appearance, came into view, Ga-on, who had been resting comfortably, straightened her posture, her eyes sharp. As the group entered Chester, the clear sky gradually darkened, and by the time they reached Rosenbalough Castle, raindrops began to fall one by one. Ji-won was accustomed to England’s unpredictable rain, but this rain felt somehow unusual.

Doesn’t this feel like winter rain? Even though the weather is so warm, it’s incredibly cold… It’s an unfitting description for a weather phenomenon, but it feels quite oppressive. As if it has some kind of will. I’ve definitely felt a similar sensation somewhere before… Ji-won watched the increasingly heavy raindrops drumming against the car window, then suddenly looked as if he realized something.

“This rain… Are you making it fall, CEO?”

“Why do you think so?”

“The energy feels similar to when you summoned the sword in Jungcheon before.”

For a moment, Ga-on, usually impassive, showed a look of great surprise, raising her eyebrows. Even among the high-level Guides she frequently interacted with, only a very few could distinguish her energy.

“No one has ever recognized it at once before.”

“It was half a guess. The timing of the rain starting seemed too coincidental to be mere chance.”

“Clever.”

At Ga-on’s pure admiration, Ji-won pressed his lips together firmly and offered a vague smile. Treated like a child again in just one day, but this time he couldn’t possibly complain. In her eyes, he, the Head of Security, and Hae-su were all just the same children anyway.

To think I’m on the same level as that immature Yeon Hae-su. The need to accept that fact was simply staggering.

“To handle a deceased soul strong enough to make high-level Guides give up, I also need preparation. It would be troublesome if it went outside and caused a disturbance, so this is the process of trapping it inside the house first.”

“Are there opponents who are challenging even for you, CEO?”

“Of course.”

“Have you ever failed to capture one?”

Ga-on, who had answered every question without hesitation, paused for the first time. Looking distant for a moment as if recalling something, she replied briefly in a low voice.

“Once.”

As Ga-on and Ji-won stepped into the enormous mansion, the increasingly fierce rain turned into a torrential downpour, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead. Following Ga-on’s instructions, the house was already empty, and only the two people’s footsteps echoed eerily in the vacant mansion.

“Director Cha.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“Is it okay to breathe?”

“Yes.”

“If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, even slightly, you can wait in the car.”

“I’m not uncomfortable.”

Ga-on, who had been making the air inside heavier to pressure the deceased, raised her eyebrows slightly when Ji-won answered nonchalantly. This one’s quite something. Even a living person with opened spiritual eyes can’t help but be affected by my energy, yet he’s walking and talking perfectly fine like this. It took even that steel-like Chief Kwon over 10 years to fully adapt.

“Can you sense the deceased’s presence?”

“Yes. It’s difficult to pinpoint the location, but it’s definitely inside this house.”

Even veteran Guides were scared off, yet he doesn’t bat an eyelid at this palpable killing intent that feels like it’s piercing the skin. A six-month rookie has quite some nerve. Smiling faintly, Ga-on soon composed her expression and walked towards the long corridor lined with portraits.

Following Ga-on a step behind, Ji-won stared intently at the similar-looking faces, narrowing his eyes slightly. They were very well-painted pictures, and the changes in clothing and artistic style were quite interesting. However, looking at the collection of portraits gathered together made him feel a chill run down his spine. It would be creepy walking past here at night.

[Archibald Damon Rosenbalough. 1674.10.11. ~ 1739.2.5.]

As Ga-on stopped in front of a portrait hanging about midway down the corridor, Ji-won’s gaze naturally turned to the painting. It depicted a young man dressed stylishly in the fashion of the time, looking like a textbook example of an 18th-century English nobleman.

The seventh ancestor of the head of the family, she said. Hmm, even considering some idealization, he’s quite handsome. He doesn’t give the impression of outstanding character, but he doesn’t feel wicked enough to become a murderous ghost either… Then again, you can’t judge a person’s inner self just by their face.

“What do you think?”

“Interesting.”

“This painting?”

“Yes. While portraits of nobles are mostly similar, this individual seems particularly concerned with appearances. Despite dying in his mid-sixties, he chose a portrait painted in his thirties to leave for posterity, and the way his head is slightly turned instead of facing forward too. He probably had many portraits painted and chose the angle that made his face look most beautiful.”

“…Really?”

Ga-on pondered Ji-won’s words thoughtfully, then spoke after a moment, her expression not showing much expectation.

“Try handling it using your method.”

“Yes.”

Taking out the notepad he always carried, Ji-won sketched with more care than ever before. He drew the face identically, almost like a copy, but burning it cleanly produced no particular result. Ga-on, watching the process silently, frowned slightly, showing faint displeasure.

“I’ll have to see it directly, then.”

Ga-on rotated her wrist a couple of times as if warming up, then extended her right arm to the side. The transparent sword he had seen once in Jungcheon appeared with a clang. Simultaneously, terrifying lightning struck mercilessly, seeming to shatter the sky into pieces. Kwa-gwa-gwang! A ghastly flash erupted, followed by a deafening roar. The Master of Jungcheon’s summons, which any deceased soul must obey, had been issued, but no movement from the deceased could be felt anywhere in the deathly quiet mansion.

“Not coming out?”

How fearless. Ga-on tilted her head slowly and muttered in an indifferent voice. However, she didn’t seem particularly surprised or anxious, as if she had anticipated this to some extent.

“You summoned it directly, CEO, how can it resist like this without moving?”

“Old objects have the power to hold souls.”

“Old objects?”

“This house.”

Ga-on gently swept her palm across the solid stone wall, looked around slowly, and clicked her tongue softly.

“They built the house too well. No matter how sturdily a building is constructed, cracks usually appear somewhere after much time has passed, but this house retains its original structure. That gives the building itself power. It’s also good for a soul to attach itself and grow stronger.”

“Then do we need to demolish this building to draw out the deceased?”

“That would be the simplest way, but we can’t do that.”

Catching her breath for a moment, Ga-on readjusted her grip on the sword and gestured for Ji-won to step back.

“Director Cha. From now on, absolutely do not enter my range of activity. Even if the deceased appears and spouts nonsense, don’t respond.”

“Understood.”

“Stay near the entrance if possible, and if the house collapses or anything, get out immediately without looking back. There’s no need to hesitate trying to save me.”

“But…”

“It’s unlikely, but even if I get buried under a collapsed building, I won’t die. At least not here today.”

“…What?”

What does that mean? Is even death location-dependent? Not dying today means she will eventually die someday? Her lifespan is long but not eternal? Then what happens to the position of Master of Jungcheon? Countless questions arose simultaneously, but Ga-on’s eyes had already changed, and she began to wield the sword fiercely, making further conversation impossible.

The beautiful sword, glittering even in the dim interior, moved gracefully, tracing elegant lines. The heavy, stagnant air began to stir slightly, then soon a menacing wind whipped violently. Before long, a thick fog, dark as storm clouds, settled heavily on the floor, and the heavy raindrops drumming loudly against the windows now sounded almost like colliding pebbles.

Wow. Ji-won, watching the wondrous sight of the Master of Jungcheon applying pressure with full intent from a corner, silently mouthed an exclamation as a fierce counter-wind, different in nature from Ga-on’s energy, suddenly blew in. It finally appeared! It’s definitely on a different level from the deceased souls I’ve dealt with so far. If I had faced this alone, I might have been a bit scared. A mix of slight fear and strange excitement made his heart pound.

“Director Cha.”

“Yes.”

“Look closely at that person’s face.”

Turning his head towards the end of the corridor where Ga-on pointed, he saw the now-familiar young man standing there with a deeply displeased expression. Wearing a fancy hat and even a jewel-encrusted sword, he looked exactly as if he had just stepped out of the portrait. As Ji-won clicked his tongue at the astonishing synchronicity, the man spoke with a somewhat exaggerated intonation, like a character from a Shakespearean play.

“Who are you? Why do you enter another’s home without permission and cause such a disturbance?”

A dignified tone and upright posture, the very picture of a typical nobleman. How can a completely corrupted soul be so refined? Is it because he’s noble to the bone? Ji-won, silently marveling, was newly surprised by Ga-on’s cold retort. Right, she was originally this terrifying.

“Who I am is none of your concern. It seems the one entering another’s home and causing a disturbance is not me, but you.”

“Wh-What do you mean? Though I passed it down to my descendants, this is the house I built! I have no intention whatsoever of leaving this house, so stop your ruffian behavior and get out of my house at once…”

“Enough. I did not come here to debate ownership of this house with you.”

Ga-on cut the man off with a stern voice, stared at him sharply for a long moment, then began her fierce interrogation.

“You were a farmer. A tenant farmer of the Rosenbalough family? Was your unfair life so unjust that you wanted to play nobleman even as a deceased soul?”

“…Wh-What?”

“Why vent your anger only on female children? Ah… Did Archibald Rosenbalough, the true owner of that face, covet your daughter? And then didn’t treat her properly, it seems?”

The man, who had looked utterly confused, momentarily failed to hide a flash of murderous intent. As he gasped raggedly, baring his teeth fiercely, Ga-on tightened her grip on the sword.

Should I just cut him down now? Is it truly right to give such a being a chance at redemption? Ga-on, wrestling intensely with the thought, ultimately couldn’t bring herself to swing the sword and let out a long, frustrated breath. Of course, the man had no idea he had just narrowly escaped eternal punishment.

“Does that justify taking revenge on innocent descendants?”

“Then what sin did my daughter commit!”

The moment the man finally lost his composure completely and yelled, his respectable appearance blurred, momentarily revealing the face of an old man in worn, shabby clothes. Startled, the man quickly rearranged his appearance, but Ji-won, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the man following Ga-on’s instruction, didn’t miss that brief instant.

“He said he’d take my precious daughter as his concubine, then just played with her for a few days and casually abandoned her! That poor child was eventually abandoned by her fiancé too and hanged herself. Does it make sense for the children of that bastard, who deserves to be beaten to death, to live lavishly in such a luxurious house?”

“Precious daughter… How abominable. A man who sold off his daughter, blinded by immediate luxury, now dares to use his daughter as an excuse!”

While Ga-on berated him in a voice like frost, Ji-won carefully took out his notepad and hurriedly drew the man’s true face. The man, initially not paying much attention, unaware of what he was doing, let out a horrifying, ear-splitting scream the moment Ji-won took out a lighter and charged desperately. However, Ga-on immediately blocked his path, refusing to let him touch even a hair on Ji-won’s head.

“I need to go to Jungcheon for a moment, as I don’t know what other disturbance he might cause. I’ll return after seeing him enter the Gate to the Underworld. This is my path back, so be careful not to damage it.”

As soon as the deceased vanished like smoke, Ga-on tossed an old silver mirror towards Ji-won and disappeared instantly, as if sucked into the mirror, before Ji-won could ask anything. She returned a full three hours later, her face pale.

“CEO!”

“Ah, Director Cha. How long was I in Jungcheon?”

“You were there for 3 hours and 11 minutes.”

As Ji-won provided the specific time almost before the question ended, Ga-on finally realized she had disappeared in her haste without a proper explanation and looked genuinely sorry. Oh dear, he must have been anxiously staring at the clock the whole time. He acts so competently that I keep forgetting he’s a rookie.

“You worked hard.”

“Not at all. I just watched from behind, but your face looks quite worn out already, CEO. Did he cause trouble in Jungcheon too?”

“A little. But I sent him safely to the Underworld. Let’s return to London now.”

“Yes.”

Stepping outside the mansion, the traces of the merciless downpour were gone, replaced by a clear sky glittering with stars welcoming them. Ga-on surveyed the ancient castle, now free of evil energy, nodded with satisfaction, and got into the car. From now on, the female children of this family would not be killed senselessly at a young age.

Of course, they must avoid actions that would incur grudges again. A sincere apology to the victims would also be necessary. Though the price paid by the descendants for their ancestor’s wrongdoing was harsh, if the initial perpetrator hadn’t committed the evil act, there would have been no opportunity for the evil spirit to take hold.

“CEO, could you look my way for a moment?”

“Hm?”

Ga-on, systematically organizing the things she needed to impress upon the head of the family while sinking into the plush seat, reflexively turned her head at Ji-won’s request. Ji-won, already wearing sanitary gloves, was holding ointment.

“It doesn’t look like a wound that will get infected, but since the injury is on your face, it’s better to apply medicine.”

Then, before Ga-on could respond, he applied ointment to a cotton swab and gently spread it. It stung slightly, but Ga-on had to make an effort not to grimace. Ji-won looked so serious, and his touch was so careful, like a feather, that the sincerity in that gentle gesture made it impossible for her to show any pain.

“But, CEO.”

“Hm?”

“How did you know that man wasn’t the real Archibald Rosenbalough? To me, it looked completely convincing. There was nothing awkward about his speech or gait.”

“True. I didn’t recognize it at first glance either. If it weren’t for Director Cha’s observation, I would have realized much later.”

“Me?”

“Mm. You mentioned the portrait depicted him in his thirties.”

The deceased usually retain their appearance from life. Therefore, it’s rare for their outward appearance to differ significantly from their age at death. So, the fact that the evil spirit looked identical to the portrait from his youth felt somewhat unnatural. The deceased soul imitating Archibald Rosenbalough probably refined his appearance daily by looking at the portrait.

“The deciding factor was his hands. Rough and coarse, they were definitely not the hands of a nobleman. He could copy the external appearance, but he couldn’t imitate that. He probably didn’t know how meticulously nobles of that era cared for their hands. A bitter truth, though.”

“I thought you could see right into the deceased’s soul, CEO.”

“Not at all.”

Ga-on let out a low laugh and gently shook her head. Perhaps because her body and mind were weary after the intense work, the inner thoughts she had never revealed to anyone spilled out unconsciously.

“Director Cha. I am not a god. I merely took on the role of judge, so I’m just struggling desperately to somehow survive my term safely. Now, with accumulated experience and intuition, I manage to act reasonably competent, but initially, I was truly a mess. For about 30 years, I wanted to cry and run away every single day.”

The overwhelming feeling upon first seeing the empty, unequipped Jungcheon remains vivid. Ga-on still clearly remembers the face of the first deceased soul who stood before her on the day she began her duties as Master of Jungcheon. When the ugliness he would never want revealed before others was listed one by one, Ga-on finally realized how heavy and terrifying the responsibility given to her was.

— I sentence you to the Underworld.

She would never forget the moment she delivered the final verdict to the deceased, clutching her trembling hands. Though she replayed it thousands, tens of thousands of times through sleepless nights, the conclusion remained the same, but the regret that she might have imposed too cruel a punishment on a soul that could perhaps have been saved burdened Ga-on heavily for a very long time.

— Ga-on. It would be better for you to establish a system where you avoid directly confronting the deceased as much as possible. If you expend emotions like this, you’ll burn out before long. Even if you’re guaranteed a lifespan of a thousand years, it won’t bring back a life you take yourself. A Master of Jungcheon abandoning their duties midway is also something that must not happen. I’m not talking about duty. I’m worried about your soul.

Accepting Chae-i’s advice was truly a good decision, even thinking back now. If she hadn’t established the system then, managing the exponentially increasing population would have been physically impossible. There were many difficult hurdles, but when the plague spread through Europe, she had truly sighed in relief and patted her chest. The previous Master of Jungcheon had said wartime was the hardest, but no war in the world produces 100 million deaths in just seven years.

“I am the Master only in Jungcheon; in the Mortal Realm, I am no different from any other Guide. I can only distinguish merits and demerits; I don’t see every detail of a deceased soul’s life. I have simply lived longer than you all, and accumulated skills over that time, that’s all.”

Thinking she had said too much unnecessarily, Ga-on gave a small, hollow laugh and fell silent with a slightly embarrassed expression. Though Ji-won had a mountain of questions, he too couldn’t say anything more.

Arriving in London at dawn, the two first sought leisurely sleep. When Ga-on woke up late, having slept soundly without a thought for once, Ji-won, already dressed, was making calls here and there to adjust Ga-on’s future schedule.

“CEO. The reserved flight is for tomorrow night. If you wish to return today, the Head of Security says he will arrange a private jet immediately. What should we do?”

“No need for that. A private jet just for me? What a waste. Tell him we’ll go tomorrow as planned.”

“Understood.”

Although she decided to stay another day in London to avoid inconveniencing several people, after a late lunch, there wasn’t really anything else to do. What’s worth seeing in London… I don’t think I can sleep anymore, but I should probably wander around somewhere. Ji-won watched the pondering Ga-on blankly, then cautiously made a suggestion.

“CEO, if there’s nothing else you’d like to do, would you like to visit the Sotheby’s preview? Most of the works will never be seen in person again once the auction ends and they enter private collections, so it’s worth seeing at least once.”

“Ah…”

Since that’s a place Director Cha needs to visit anyway, would it be too much of a bother if I tagged along? No. Shouldn’t I tell the person who was dragged out semi-forcibly during his vacation to stop babysitting his boss now? Seeing Ga-on unable to easily make up her mind, Ji-won chuckled inwardly. Are their eyes crooked? Why does no one understand what this person, whose feelings are written all over her face, is thinking?

“It’s boring to go alone, so please come with me. Appreciation is more fun when shared.”

“Then… shall we?”

Ga-on, who said it had been a very long time since she visited an exhibition hall, seemed much more delighted than expected. She appreciated each artwork with great care, and occasionally, when she encountered a piece she particularly liked, she became so completely absorbed that she didn’t even notice bumping into the person next to her. Then, the moment they stood before the glass vase that was Ji-won’s original reason for visiting London, Ga-on unknowingly let out a small gasp.

“It’s incredibly… beautiful.”

Ga-on gazed endlessly for a long time at the beautiful vase shaped like a flower, a harmonious blend of crimson and purple. In contrast, Ji-won, staring intently only at Ga-on without even glancing at the vase, barely suppressed the curses threatening to erupt, squeezing his eyes shut and then opening them. Her cheeks, flushed red like a child’s, her eyes, soaked in emotion, looked so incredibly lovely.

This is bad. I’m screwed. Crazy, Cha Ji-won. I’ve fallen for a woman I don’t even know is human or not. The moment Ji-won realized his feelings, all his inexplicable behavior up to that point suddenly became crystal clear. I was clinging to her so ridiculously from the beginning just to keep seeing her face. Right, even I thought, what kind of stunt was that?

What now? As he stared blankly at the ceiling, his pocket vibrated. Checking it, he saw it was a call from the friend he was supposed to meet in London. Realizing he had completely forgotten about their appointment made him let out a hollow laugh.

“Director Cha. Isn’t your phone ringing?”

“It’s spam.”

Ji-won casually ended the call from his friend of ten years, explained the next artwork to Ga-on, and quickly sent a message with one hand.

[Sorry. Something urgent came up, heading back. See you next time.]

“When did you say the auction was?”

“Next Friday, but seeing it in person was enough. I can participate in the auction online or send a representative.”

The next night, Ji-won, finally on the plane bound for Incheon, looked back and forth between the dark night sky and Ga-on’s peacefully sleeping face, sighing silently and endlessly.

“Whiskey, please. Johnnie Walker, straight.”

He had resolved not to drink during the trip, but the calming effect of alcohol was desperately needed. Downing the 40-proof Scotch whisky like water, a searing sensation traveled down his throat as if swallowing fire. Sadly, it was far from enough to soothe his complex and noisy insides.

A man in a loose overcoat with the front open sat crookedly on a large, ornately decorated chair, looking down at the sinners with a bored expression. Since the judges determined the sentences anyway, there was no need for him to intervene directly. Ha-yul, who had merely been holding his position to create an atmosphere of fear, couldn't bear the boredom any longer and abruptly stood up.

Today is utterly tedious too. I should go take a nap. Just as he was about to leave the court palace, Ha-yul saw a deceased soul in shabby clothes being dragged in and stopped, his face showing slight interest. Well, well, a big shot from the 18th century has arrived?

“Oliver Mason. For 1 count of human trafficking and 34 counts of murder, sentenced to 350 years…”

“Wait.”

Ha-yul carefully examined the terrified deceased, lifted his chin, and ground his teeth fiercely, his red eyes flashing.

Hah… From Chester? You made that busy woman go all the way to that rural corner? Because of trash like you, getting even one glimpse of her face is like plucking stars from the sky, huh? Ha-yul looked down arrogantly at the trembling deceased and delivered a thunderous verdict.

“The sinner failed to follow the guide’s instructions and caused extreme trouble for the overworked Master of Jungcheon. Therefore, double the sentence pronounced by the judge shall be executed.”

Ah, Ju Ga-on is really incorrigible. Just cutting him down with the sword would be simple. Tsk tsk, there’s no need to put so much effort into such insignificant beings. Then again, it’s precisely because she’s that kind of woman that I lost my heart to her in the first place.

With a languid gesture, Ha-yul captured the lingering image that had followed the deceased’s final memory and floated it in the air, a pleased smile spreading across his face as his lips curled upwards. It was a small pleasure, dropped like a gift into his tedious daily life.

VerseVoyage

The Guide - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Butterfly on a Vase

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