The Guide - Chapter 2
02. A Night with Drizzling Rain
“Director Seo. Are you really not going to do it? I’m asking you this much.”
“…”
“How long are you going to stay cooped up in your room looking at penguin butts?”
Do-gyeom, who had been listening with a bored expression, narrowed his eyes, clearly showing his displeasure. Even when she said the same thing, she always… It’s like she has been eating broadcasting food, why is her wording so suggestive?
“Nuna.”
“What.”
“…Haa. Never mind.”
Do-gyeom, who had been glaring at Yi-seo with a crooked gaze, shook his head and turned away when she retorted shamelessly. Ah, I’m tired. It’s been a while since I’ve met someone who is overflowing with energy, so my migraine, which has been quiet for a few days, is starting to show its presence again. Even for Do-gyeom, who never does anything he doesn’t want to, it is not easy to coldly refuse Yi-seo’s pleas.
Still, an OST for a drama is too much. Especially the main theme song that the female lead will sing herself. Do-gyeom, who had been hesitating for a while, eventually shook his head. Even aside from the difficulty of the job itself, the thought of being cooped up in a small workroom for days with a stranger was already making him uneasy.
“Nuna. I’ve really thought about it seriously, but no matter how much I think about it, it’s not going to work. I’ve been working only on documentaries for over four years, so I’ve hardly watched any dramas. I haven’t listened to any pop songs either… I’ve completely lost my touch, how can I touch a genre that is as sensitive to trends as a drama?”
“But you can do it if you put your mind to it. Your music isn’t the type that is easily swayed by trends. It’s still played on TV sometimes. I checked on my way here and one of your songs is still on the charts? Was it 64th place or something….”
The long fingers that had been pressing on his throbbing head suddenly stopped moving. It definitely wasn't intentional, but the "one song" that Yi-seo had mentioned rummaged through Do-gyeom's memories that had been lying quietly like sand at the bottom of a deep river. The calm river had turned muddy in an instant, and Do-gyeom, who had been thrown back to five years ago defenselessly, had no choice but to float helplessly like a grain of sand.
- From the beginning. Why is the voice of the girl you have a crush on so energetic? Are you going to war? It’s like she’s going to beat up the guy.
- Hahaha. Sorry. But I can't help but laugh when I look at your face. What should I do?
- Stop laughing and focus. How many hours has it been already? If you keep losing it, I’m going to make you cry for sure.
- Uuung, composer-nim is so scary.
The song that was made with both affection and passion during his early twenties, the most fresh and beautiful period of his life, became much more famous than he had expected, adding a story of an unexpected accident. In order to avoid the voice that he could hear everywhere even without trying to listen, Do-gyeom had not gone outside for nearly half a year.
They say that the things that you try to forget stick out even more clearly. In order to calm down the memories that were still vivid down to every breath, Do-gyeom took a deep breath and opened and closed his eyes slowly. Time hadn’t flown by meaninglessly. Although his emotions were still as sharp as ever, he could at least hide it on the outside.
“That was…. Just a coincidence that it was popular at that time…. Anyway, I can’t do it. It feels awkward to attach lyrics to music now, and I don’t want to compromise with a non-professional. Personally, I really hate it when a song is given to an actor just for the sake of trendiness.”
“Lee Ro-a is not a non-professional. Even if you haven’t listened to pop songs, you know
“Nuna….”
“Just help me out as if you’re saving someone’s life. This could be Ro-a’s last chance. If she doesn’t get famous this time, she’s only twenty-five, but she might disappear from this industry forever.”
Do-gyeom, who had been staring blankly at Yi-seo’s serious face, looked slightly dumbfounded. Is there only one or two people who disappear without a trace in that industry? If someone has the talent, they will shine, and if not, it’s natural for them to become obsolete.
“Why are you so…. Not only will my song have little effect on whether an actor will become famous or not, but if they are being cast as the lead in a drama directed by the greatest Kang Yi-seo PD, they must have already made a name for themselves, right? Why are you being so dramatic?”
“This time it’s a drama that I am directing, and since the character is a singer, I forced her into the cast, even going as far as fighting with the production company…. But I can't always take her with me when I’m working with other people’s money, and I definitely don’t have the ability to set her up somewhere else.”
“Why do you have to care for that friend so much? You’re always so strict with auditions. Did she get something on you?”
Yi-seo, who had been frowning at Do-gyeom’s question, spat out a few rough curses. That’s right. I shouldn't have known about that dirty sight. If that was the case, I wouldn’t be acting like a self-proclaimed righteous person that I had no business being in. Why did I have an appointment at the hotel lounge, and why did it have to be that day? What makes a person so pathetic.
“I was trying not to do any sob stories, but….”
“Then don’t. I’m not interested.”
My head is already saturated with the pathetic personal history that I already know. I don't want to add any useless gossip to that. Do-gyeom, who had been shaking his arm with a truly disgusted expression, cut her off, but Yi-seo, who was a maverick in life, did not care.
“I’ll keep it short. You know Ji Entertainment, right? One of the members of
“Ah, seriously…. You're starting with the information about the people around her? You said you’d keep it short!”
“She’s quite pretty, though. Anyway, she was nagging about wanting to be a celebrity, so Ji Entertainment put her in a team that they put quite a bit of effort into. But, her position was ambiguous. She was mediocre at both dancing and singing, and Ro-a was prettier than her, so they couldn't put her in the center either. They had her trained hard, and they did put her on stage, but since she didn’t have anything that stood out, she wasn’t that popular.”
Hae-mi, who was born as the only daughter of a wealthy family and lived her whole life being pampered, had been constantly picking fights with Ro-a, whom she saw as a thorn in her side since the very beginning. The only thing that was fortunate was that she had enough sense to know that she couldn’t get rid of Ro-a for the sake of the group’s continued existence.
“They did their group activities for a little over three years while barely talking to each other, but the princess finally got tired of playing celebrity. It was much harder than she thought, and even though her agency was pushing her hard, she couldn’t get famous, and she got a lot of hate for getting a free ride… So she started going to the hospital complaining about being sick, and she went abroad every now and then.”
In the entertainment industry, where new rookies were being poured out every single day, a group that had no exposure for several months would naturally be forced out. The company didn't give Ro-a any personal schedules because she had been marked as the owner's daughter's enemy, and they didn’t support the jobs she had. They even didn’t let her know about her already scheduled jobs, making it so that she missed them without even knowing.
“How did you learn all those trivial behind-the-scenes stories? You’re the most insensitive person to gossip.”
“I put a lot of effort into digging deep. She was a child actor and had a good vibe, so I had been watching her. I had thought it was weird that I hadn’t seen her for a while. But, I went to a meeting with a production company and I accidentally heard the company executives talking about Ro-a. They were sneering at her for rejecting sponsors with her pride even though she was broke.”
“They’re asking for sponsors from a twenty-five year old?”
“She was twenty-three back then.”
Do-gyeom’s handsome face immediately distorted horribly. He had thought that he had become quite used to the ugliness of humanity for the past five years, but the extreme disgust he felt at that moment was too much for him to stomach. That’s why I can’t get attached to that neighborhood.
“I couldn’t sleep that night. There are so many more dirty stories in the entertainment industry, and I’ve never thought that way before no matter how terrible the stories I heard were, but I was determined to give her a chance at least once.”
The next morning, as soon as she opened her eyes, Yi-seo mobilized all the reporters that she knew to scrape up all the rumors. When the pieces that she collected from here and there formed a single picture, Yi-seo’s expression was exactly the same as Do-gyeom’s current expression. The methods that a large agency used to bury a young girl were so cruel and vile that it made her face flush red with anger.
“Still, I couldn't do anything for her at the time, so I just heard the news from time to time. The agency was preventing her from doing any activities but they wouldn’t let her go. She didn’t have the money to pay the penalty since it wasn’t long since she had gotten her settlement, and since her face was already out there, she couldn't do anything else…. She spent two years washing dishes at a restaurant with her face covered, and finally, her contract with Ji Entertainment ended last month. It just so happened that it matched my schedule, so I suggested that we work together.”
“…That was good.”
“She cried for an hour.”
“…”
The story of a person who had learned the hardship of life too early never felt good, no matter how many times he heard it. Yi-seo, who had keenly noticed the slight softening of Do-gyeom’s face, spoke with a more desperate voice.
“Now that I’ve started doing something that I wouldn’t usually do, I want to make it as successful as possible. I want her to make a name for herself, and I want her to get picked up by a big agency that Ji Entertainment can’t mess with. Luckily, the script is very well written, and the male lead is an actor who is good at acting. We’ll at least do better than average. All we need is a good OST.”
“Okay, I understand your circumstances. I also think it's very admirable that a director is personally walking the walk to save someone’s life. But, why do you have to leave it to a documentary music director? There are so many famous composers who could chart instantly if they just release a song.”
“Ro-a said she wants you to do it.”
“….What?”
“I asked her to tell me what composer she wanted to work with, regardless of whether it’s possible or not, and she said that she wants to work with the person who made
Why did it have to be that song again…. Do-gyeom, who had been moving his lips as if trying to say something in response to Yi-seo’s shameless talk, eventually couldn’t say anything. Yi-seo, who had been anxiously watching Do-gyeom’s face, which was tilted back as he was thinking hard, slowly raised the corners of her lips when she heard a sigh like a groan coming from his mouth.
“Do-gyeom-ah….”
“Bring her here once, so I can listen to her voice. Send me the script before that.”
“Thank you so much, Director Seo! I’ll bring her tomorrow right away. Tell me when you’re available.”
“I’ll be in my studio all afternoon. Just call me ahead of time.”
“Okay! You’re really going to be blessed. You’ll definitely go to heaven later.”
As Do-gyeom watched Yi-seo, who had become ten times more excited than usual, gathering her bag hurriedly, he laughed silently. Well, I need to be reborn six more times to go to the heavenly realm, I’m not sure if I can live virtuously enough to be able to do that for all six lives.
Do-gyeom, who was watching Yi-seo, who was hurrying out, with a smile, narrowed his eyes as she avoided his gaze with a very unnatural look when she suddenly got up from her seat. What is it, what is this ominous feeling?
“What’s it now.”
“Ah, did I tell you? There are a total of five songs that Ro-a will sing in the drama. See you tomorrow! I’ll send you the script right away.”
“What?! Wait a moment. I thought you said it was just one main theme song…. Hey, Kang PD-nim! Stop right there?!”
Ji-won, who had been idly leafing through a draft of an exhibition catalog with little effort, picked up his phone again after not being able to hold himself back for even 10 minutes. Then, he opened a secret folder in his photo album and stared at a single photo of a person that was taken in London for a long time.
- CEO. The background looks pretty decent, should I take a picture for you?
- No, it's fine. If I leave traces of myself everywhere, it will be a hassle for people to erase them.
Ga-on, who had cut him off with a composed voice, was lost in thought for a moment before muttering to herself.
- Well…, I guess I don’t really need to anymore.
It was a tone that somehow made the listener’s heart drop. Since he couldn't bring himself to say anything else, Ji-won had just watched Ga-on with a worried expression. He kept pretending to take photos of the scenery, and then he had barely managed to get a single side profile photo of her when she was distracted. The focus was slightly off because he had taken it so quickly, but he couldn't muster the courage to take it again.
“She surprisingly likes cute things…. Look at this. People just don’t know it, but she has her own preferences.”
Ga-on in the photo that he had looked at to the point of wearing it out for a week, was standing in front of a souvenir shop where cute trinkets were displayed nicely. Although she had a stoic expression, Ji-won, who had been taking care of her meticulously for the past few days, could clearly see that she was in a good mood. What caught Ga-on, who was usually quite indifferent about most things,’s eye was a cute teapot with the London Eye and red double-decker buses on it.
- Do you like it?
- Yeah, it’s cute.
- Should I buy it for you?
- …Huh?
Ga-on, who had been blinking, bewildered since she couldn’t keep up with Ji-won, who had immediately pulled out his wallet, shook her head late.
- No. It doesn’t seem like I would use it. It should go to someone who would use it often since it’s something that someone made with care.
Of course, she would probably not pour tea herself, but she could just leave it as a decoration if she liked it. Sometimes, people buy useless things just because they like it, and then regret it later, isn’t that how life is? Ga-on’s figure, who had turned around calmly with an expression that didn't show even a hint of regret, stayed in Ji-won’s heart for a long time.
Throughout the entire flight back, Ji-won had thought that he wanted to see Ga-on’s neat face, which never showed any disarray even when she was sleeping, showing various expressions. And that desire was engaged in a constant battle with the fundamental question of whether he was allowed to have his eyes on this person.
There were countless reasons why it shouldn't happen if he thought about it rationally. First of all, the gap in the time they had lived was so vast that it was difficult to estimate, and the responsibility and mission that were on Ga-on's shoulders were so great and sacred that they couldn’t possibly be measured using common sense.
However, the thousands of reasons why he should not harbor any personal feelings were losing their power helplessly in front of a single, instinctive and intense desire. I know she is not someone that I can easily approach. Still, what can I do if I already like her? No matter how hard I try to do other things, she keeps coming into my mind, what am I supposed to do? Ji-won, who had been running his fingers through his hair with a sensitive touch, stared blankly at the calendar with a few simple schedules written on it for a long time. Of course, that didn’t mean that he would suddenly have schedules that didn't exist.
I really, really want to see her in person soon…. The guide meeting is next Thursday, and the counseling is the week after that. Haa, why are there no troublesome ghosts these days? I don’t have any excuse to go to the headquarters. Is it too much to complain about the calculation of the allowance being weird? Okay, even if it’s urgent, it’s hard to create a petty image. People will think I’m crazy if I just say that I dropped by because I was bored.
Ji-won, who had been rubbing his neck with a frustrated sigh, suddenly felt a presence and glanced at the door. It sounded like Kim Su-bin was clicking her heels. If she has something to say, she should knock, why is she loitering at the door? My head is already complicated, she’s making me nervous.
“Come in.”
“Yes? Ah…, yes.”
When Ji-won raised his voice, there was a hesitant response from outside the door, and then the door was opened very carefully. Then Su-bin, who had a pale face, hesitantly entered the director’s office. Ji-won, who had confirmed Su-bin's wildly shaking eyes, let out a short sigh. It had been half a year since Su-bin had avoided eye contact with Ji-won after the incident where he had gotten rid of her stalker ex-boyfriend. For her to come by herself meant it must be a big deal.
“What is it.”
“Um…, Director.”
“Speak.”
“Haa…, um… About thirty minutes ago, a woman came into the parking lot….”
As Su-bin, who looked like she was about to cry, trailed off, Ji-won, who had been staring at her, immediately raised his eyebrows and urged her to finish speaking quickly. He was aware that he was not being considerate to someone who was already terrified, but he was in a position where he was focusing all his patience, which he didn’t have much of in the first place, in one place, so he didn't have any energy to share elsewhere.
“And?”
“She keeps talking to the air.”
“By herself?”
“Yes. She’s even making loud noises…. It sounded like she was persuading someone to go somewhere…. Ah! She said they have to go to Jungcheon.”
Ji-won, who had been leaning on his chin with a slightly bored expression, opened his eyes a little wider and straightened his body. If she talked about Jungcheon…, then she’s a guide. Come to think of it, there are so many ghosts that don’t have any sense in this world. Even if a ghost loses all their senses, they are supposed to feel chills if they come near a high-ranking guide. Do they not even have the most basic survival instincts? Ah, maybe they don’t have that since they are already dead?
“Which parking lot?”
“The VIP parking lot. It was near the place where you park your car.”
“Okay, I’ll check it out. Go back to your work.”
After sending out Su-bin, who had clearly become relieved, Ji-won immediately raised the blinds of the window that looked over the parking lot. The VIP parking lot behind the gallery building was only open to customers who had scheduled appointments to purchase expensive works of art, so it was mostly empty except for Ji-won’s car. Seeing that there were a lot of people in the parking lot that usually had very little activity, Ji-won realized that this was the first time since the gallery had opened that the parking lot was so busy.
“Three ghosts with one person… Geez, what a bold guide. They clearly look like ghosts who died a painful death, what is she going to do if they retaliate? She should just let them go if she can’t persuade them with her words.”
As Ji-won, who had been clicking his tongue while watching the middle-aged woman with a haggard face, looked closely at the faces of the ghosts one by one, he realized that they had the twisted look that was unique to ghosts who committed evil acts even after dying. At least it’ll be easy to draw them.
“I can understand the guide who was burning with a sense of duty. But what’s with you guys, you’re coming in a group like this, huh? You don’t even have any fear. Other ghosts can’t even come near the wall of the gallery, but you guys came all the way here.”
Ji-won, who had quickly sketched the faces of the ghosts, opened the door that led to the emergency staircase. At that moment, the guide and the ghosts, who had been clashing intensely, suddenly turned their heads in shock. The ghosts, who had instinctively realized that Ji-won was on a whole other level than them, started looking around for an escape route, and So-hwa, who had been chasing them desperately for nine blocks until the limit of her energy, looked defeated as her face crumpled.
I finally found ghosts with high success pay…. I was almost there…. What is it that I had to meet a high-ranking guide here? I felt like crying because I was so frustrated.
“Ah…. Hello.”
“Do you know me?”
Sohwa, who couldn’t hold back her sigh, slowly nodded her head. There was no way she could not recognize a high-ranking guide, who numbered only three in all of Korea. It’s said that they are so powerful that they can send a ghost to Jungcheon instantly without lifting a finger. Looking at how a young person is wearing such expensive-looking clothes, he seems to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The world is really too unfair.
Ji-won, who had been carefully observing the despair that had appeared on her face, threw his gaze apathetically towards the ghosts, who were trying to escape. Well, I only have to burn the drawing that I drew, so this is not an urgent matter. Right, you should enjoy your last freedom as much as you want. It won’t be that long.
“Teacher. You are a guide, right?”
“Yes. I’m Im So-hwa.”
“I’m Cha Ji-won. Teacher Im, where did you chase these people from?”
“From Se-gang hospital….”
Ji-won’s eyes widened a little at the answer that had strayed far from his expectation. If she walked from Se-gang hospital to here…. It would take one and a half hours if she came by the shortest path. Ji-won, who had quickly scanned her bare feet and slippers, quietly clicked his tongue. I heard that there was a guide who takes care of her daughter who has become a vegetable due to a car accident. It seems like she is that person. That’s why. I thought it was overkill, but she chased them, knowing that it was an unreasonable thing to do, in order to add even a single penny to her hospital bills. Ji-won, who had roughly guessed the situation, tried his best not to show a pitying expression while giving her a bright smile.
“You went through a lot. I’ve already drawn their faces, so all you need to do now is burn them. Did you tell the ghosts about the rules? Should I lend you a lighter?”
“Yes? No…. That is something that the guide has to do, how can I do that….”
“No, you were the one who made them show up in front of my eyes by pursuing them so hard. You should take it. It’s going to be added to my record if I burn them, but I’m not the type of person to take credit for someone else’s hard work.”
“Still….”
Sohwa, who had a slightly brighter face because of Ji-won’s jest, still hesitated to accept his good intentions. She is earnest. If she takes care of these three ghosts, she’ll be able to cover at least half a month’s worth of hospital bills.
“If you feel uncomfortable, please buy me a cup of coffee once your daughter gets better.”
“…!”
“I have a good memory, so don’t try to cheat me. I’ll be waiting.”
“…Thank you.”
As So-hwa, who had responded as if whispering with a choked voice, took the portrait reluctantly, the smile that was on Ji-won’s face became a little more profound. I also have a goal for doing this, so there's no need for you to be so moved.
“You must be hot after walking so far, please go inside and have a cup of cool tea.”
Ji-won, who had insisted on giving So-hwa, who was refusing vehemently, a cold drink, sat in front of his desk with a hopeful expression as soon as she had left. When I sent Park Jae-gwon to Jungcheon last year, it took them about one hour and twenty minutes for the head office to dig into my personal information and come to see me in person. How long will it take this time? Ji-won, who had been staring at his phone on the table while crossing his arms, smiled widely as soon as his desired caller ID appeared.
“Yes, this is Cha Ji-won.”
[Hello, Director Cha Ji-won. This is Ahn Yi-joon, an assistant manager from Zenith’s security office. About 15 minutes ago, Guide Im So-hwa escorted three ghosts to Jungcheon, and it seems like your spiritual power interfered in the process.]
“Really? I did see a guide dealing with some ghosts a little while ago, but I didn’t really do anything… Should I go to the head office to check the records?”
[Could you do that for us?]
Of course I can do that.
“I’ll go there right now.”
[48th floor. Going up.]
Ji-won, who had been struggling a little as he passed the security checkpoint with eight shopping bags divided in both hands, finally succeeded in scanning his fingerprint. He had always hated having things in his hands and he wasn’t the type of person to share with others, so it was the first time that he had bought thirty-two cups of coffee at once.
I’m doing all sorts of things just to give a cup of coffee to a woman, seriously. Ji-won, who had been laughing in disbelief, took a deep breath and created a decent social smile as soon as he reached the 48th floor where the security office was. He was not a person who cared much about other people’s opinions, but now that he had fallen for his boss, it had become difficult to completely ignore his reputation.
“You’ve been working hard.”
“Oh, Director Cha. Why did you buy so many coffees?”
“I was going to have a cup of coffee when I went to a café, and the aroma was so good. I bought extra, just in case there were any guides here who might want to have some. I have both hot and cold drinks, so please pick what you like.”
“Wow, thank you. There are even cookies? These cookies are so expensive here.”
Since he was already spending money, he needed to be recognized for it. Yi-joon, who had no idea about the giver’s hidden agenda, was smiling brightly while collecting the cookies. They rarely had any chances to socialize, but Yi-joon’s favorability toward Ji-won skyrocketed because of the snacks he had brought as he was quite hungry. I thought he was quite picky, but he’s actually a nice person. Actually, whenever Yi-joon came across Ji-won, he had been intimidated by Ji-won’s luxury watch and shoes, but today, everything just seemed stylish.
“Are there any problems in Jungcheon?”
“No, it’s quiet today for once. That’s why the CEO only went to Jungcheon for a little while and is now in the library.”
“….Is that so?”
Yi-joon, who had not noticed the subtle change in Ji-won's expression, opened the three records that he had prepared beforehand. The record book, which detailed all the actions of an individual from their birth to the moment of their judgment in Jungcheon, was a sacred record that could not be erased or added to, even by a single letter. Therefore, only a small group of individuals who had received the right to see them were allowed to view them, and it was prohibited to take them outside the security office no matter the circumstances.
Ji-won, who had been glancing at the inside of the library through the half-open door, raised an eyebrow without anyone noticing. So she’s in there right now. I’ve been thinking about what excuse I could use to go to Jungcheon, but things are working out better than I thought.
“Those are the ghosts that I mentioned on the phone. Guide Im So-hwa sent them to Jungcheon at 4:25 today. It seems like there are hardly any cases of forced escort in her records…. It was odd that she handled three ghosts who had been dead for five years all at once, so I checked the records, and it said that they were all sent to Jungcheon after being engulfed in flames. It seems like you’re the only one who uses fire in the metropolitan area when dealing with ghosts.”
Ji-won, who had been listening to Yi-joon’s words with one ear, checked the faces of the ghosts that were written on the last page of the record and nodded slowly.
“Ah, it was that person who escorted them. I did see her dealing with ghosts at the scene by chance, but I didn’t do anything, and I didn’t force them, so I just passed them on to her.”
“Then there’s no need to handle it as a joint task, is there?”
“Of course. I didn’t do anything. I’m too sorry for the person who had been chasing after them so desperately, if I said that I worked with her just for something like that.”
“It would be easier for us if Im So-hwa handles it on her own…. You came all the way here, Director, so what should we do? If I knew this was going to happen, I would have explained it more thoroughly on the phone.”
Ji-won, who had been showing a kind smile to Yi-joon, who looked so apologetic, smiled even more gently. That’s not acceptable. This was an opportunity that I had been creating for the whole week, after so much scheming.
“It’s okay. I had some business around here anyway….”
“Oh? Ji-won hyung!”
Ji-won, who had been trying to end the conversation with Yi-joon so that he could go to the library, furrowed his brows slightly as he heard a very cheerful and loud voice from a distance. He really wanted to just ignore him, but unfortunately, it was impossible to pretend that he hadn’t heard that decibel level. Ji-won, who had been desperately trying to hold back his annoyance, turned around, and Hae-su was running towards him with a bright smile while waving his hand. I sighed without meaning to.
Haa…. Why is that guy always interfering at a crucial moment? Did I commit a great sin against that guy in a past life?
“Hyung, what are you doing here? Your counseling is still a ways away. Did something big happen?”
“No. Assistant manager Ahn said that there was something he needed to confirm.”
“What is it?”
Why are you so curious? Am I your lover? Why are you so interested in all of my little movements? Ji-won gritted his teeth to maintain his smile. Usually, he would glare at him and ask him coldly, but he was acting like a nice person, so he couldn’t snap at him like his old self.
“It’s a long story. Why are you here?”
“I just came because I was bored.”
“…”
“I heard that you bought these coffees? I can have one, right?”
Hae-su, who had been sticking his hand out to take one of the coffees that Ji-won was holding, was slapped on the back of his hand and made a hurt expression.
“Ah, why? Are you discriminating against me? Do you know how petty it is to discriminate against someone based on what they eat?”
“That one is mine. I bought so much, so drink something else.”
“You don’t even drink cold coffee.”
At that comment that was right on the mark, Ji-won’s lips trembled slightly. It’s true that he can’t read the room but he is really good at noticing the details. If he can remember my preferences, he should at least notice the mood. Why am I carrying this ice Americano around like it is some precious thing? It’s because it belongs to someone else.
“Sometimes I do drink it. Like today.”
“Then give me that one and you drink something else. That one looks like it tastes better.”
“It’s your imagination. They’re all the same.”
“No, they look different. Isn’t that one more expensive?”
Ha. Is he a beast? He doesn’t even know the taste of coffee, yet he has such good instincts? He’s going to pour sugar in it even if I give him an Americano anyway. Ji-won, who had been clicking his tongue silently, quickly took a vanilla latte and put the straw in Hae-su’s mouth, almost forcing him to take it. Fortunately, the other employees were still just looking at their dispute as a simple joke, but there was a chance that his image could be hurt if they kept arguing.
“I don’t really want anything sweet today.”
Stop it, you little brat. I spent over 400,000 won at the coffee shop today just to bring that one coffee here? Ji-won, whose face was distorted, glared at Hae-su, who had been pouting his lips, and then, he heard a familiar voice that made his ears perk up in joy.
“Hae-su ssi, can you come see me for a moment? When exactly is the national team selection schedule? I think I need to adjust the date for your consultation.”
“Go now, Yeon Hae-su. Team leader Kim is looking for you. When an adult calls for you, you should reply first.”
“Yes, team leader! I’m going! Hyung, don’t go anywhere and wait for me. Okay? We haven’t met in a long time, so let’s eat dinner together, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You can’t run away! If you run away, I’m really going to cry!”
“Okay, okay.”
Okay, so please just disappear right now. The ice is going to melt soon. Ji-won, who had been staring at Hae-su with a suspicious expression while he hesitated, pushed Hae-su’s back mercilessly. If there were no other people watching, he would have probably used a full swing.
“It seems like the high-ranking guides have a really good relationship with each other, since you guys meet up so often.”
“Haha. Does it look like that?”
Ji-won, who had responded appropriately, accepted the record book from Yi-joon while laughing and put on a friendly smile.
“I don’t have any siblings, so I just can’t seem to beat Hae-su. Since he told me to wait, I have no choice but to wait. Assistant manager Ahn, you must be busy, please go back to work. I’ll put this in the library. I just have to sort them based on the death date, right?”
What should I do with this person. Ga-on, who had been looking at the emotionless face that showed no sign of enthusiasm, let out a long sigh and closed the record book. She had been staring at the record book for the last chapter twice, but she couldn’t decide where she had to send the ghost, so her heart was very heavy.
There was no room for anyone’s judgment if the scale tilted even by a single degree. However, there were cases where the scale was completely balanced, and in that case, the one who decided where the ghost would go was the Jungcheonju. It was easier to make a decision if there was a clear fault or merit, but it was difficult to decide where to send ghosts that had such minimal good and bad deeds.
The young ghost who had suddenly died from a heart attack without any outward signs of illness earlier that day had been escorted to Jungcheon right away after just living a rather uneventful life. She would have gone to the netherworld without a doubt if she didn't listen to the guide and tried to run away even for a single step.
Should I give her a chance to be reborn since she didn’t cause any major harm to anyone? But if they don't pay for even a minor fault, that unresolved sin can make their next life more difficult… Looking at it from a broader perspective, it might be better to send her to the netherworld, so she can be punished neatly. There’s no one to organize her body right away either, what should I do with this poor child.
Ga-on, who had been reminiscing about the ghost who had been sitting alone in one corner of Jungcheon, closed her eyes tightly in order to clear her thoughts. Of course, it is true that she is in a pitiful state, but she shouldn’t have any selfish feelings in her decision as the Jungcheonju. Ah… it would be nice if I could drink something cold. Assistant manager Kwon said he went out for a little while…. Ga-on, who had been touching her forehead that was getting hot, groaned softly.
“CEO, do you have a headache?”
Just when she thought that she had heard a worried voice, a familiar scent came before she could even check who the person was. It was a pleasant scent with a hint of citrus and a heavy smell of birch that was familiar. Although Ga-on, who was a representative of a cosmetic company, rarely used perfume since she hated artificial smells, she thought that the perfume that Ji-won had been using in London suited him well.
“Director Cha. What brings you here?”
“I came because the security office asked me to confirm something. But, aren’t you not feeling well, CEO? You don’t look too good.”
“No, I’m okay. I was just so focused that I got a little hot.”
As soon as Ga-on finished speaking, a plastic cup with beads of water on it was placed on the table. Ga-on, who had been surprised by this service that she had not been expecting, widened her eyes. She was looking at the ice cubes that were clanking softly, and just looking at them made her feel refreshed.
“….Coffee?”
“Yes.”
Ga-on, who had been smiling subconsciously, bit her lips as she had an awkward look. She looked like a child who had been allowed one piece of candy, but was lost in thought on what to do with the second piece of candy she had been given. Ha, a child? Even to Ji-won, this was a description that lacked objectivity. The bean is so terrifying. He had recognized the symptoms, but unfortunately, he didn't know the cure.
“I'll get scolded by Madam Kwon if she finds out. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
She didn’t sleep again? Come to think of it, her chin has gotten sharper in the last few days. When I’m with her, she eats and sleeps well…. What are those people who have been helping her day and night doing? She needs a solution, is this not a good management? Ji-won, who had been trying hard not to show his frustration, lowered his eyes as he saw the desperate look on Ga-on’s face that couldn’t keep her eyes off the coffee and smiled slightly.
Why can't anyone see what's clearly obvious like this? And why are my feelings so erratic? I'm usually not the type of person to be so emotional.
“It’s weak, so you can drink it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I only put half a shot, and a lot of the ice melted while I was bringing it here. But, if you’re still worried, then just drink half of it. You were still drinking even stronger coffee than this in London.”
“Then…, should I?”
Ga-on, whose face had brightened instantly, put the straw in her mouth, and was checking the remaining amount with every sip as if she had really intended to only drink half of it. Seeing how sad she looked as the coffee was decreasing, Ji-won was also feeling heart-broken. Poor thing. If she wants, I can buy her one hundred cups of this…. No, I’ll buy a coffee farm for her.
“I heard that you were in the library all afternoon.”
“Yes, I had some free time because Jungcheon was quiet for once.”
“I noticed you didn’t look too good when I came in…. Did something give you a headache?”
“A headache…?”
Ga-on, who had been repeating Ji-won’s words in a low voice, shook her head lightly. Going through a person’s life from start to finish is always a burden, but it is also a part of my everyday life, so it’s not something that gives me a headache. I’m just feeling a little strained from focusing for so long, and my neck is a little stiff, but I don’t feel any discomfort. The physical exhaustion, which had already become a baseline, wasn't that bad, so I didn’t care about it that much.
“There wasn’t anything like that. I just thought a bit longer than usual because I had a ghost whose scale was balanced.”
“Do you always worry this much when you encounter those ghosts?”
“I have to. It’s about a soul’s future. It’s also something that can’t be reversed.”
Ga-on's voice, which had been so listless, became mixed with a heavy sigh. In fact, when Ga-on was doing her duties as the Jungcheonju, this was the part that she felt the most overwhelmed with.
No matter how hard she thought about it and made her decisions, Ga-on’s decision wouldn’t always bring positive results since she was not a perfect being either. Even if she gave a chance for a rebirth, they might turn into a serial killer in their next life, and some weak souls that had been severely hurt after experiencing the harshness of hell would kill themselves again in their new life, despite the fact that they had just started it.
Moreover, due to the nature of humans, who live together, one person's life affects many people around them. Murderers will create victims, and those who end their own lives will leave a scar on their family or lover’s hearts. Sometimes, some sensitive people have been carrying the wounds that were engraved into their souls into their new lives. That’s why it was so hard for her to make a decision without any hesitation.
Ji-won, who had been looking intently at Ga-on who was deep in thought, had a slightly sharp gaze. Ga-on’s indifferent expression was as solemn as the Jungcheonju’s usual stern face, but the small sigh that was at the end of her sentence had brought back the memory of her weak voice.
- Director Cha. I’m not a god. I’m just doing my best to pass my term safely as a judge. Now I’m just acting like I’m experienced because I have built up experience and gotten better at reading situations. But, in the beginning, I was a total mess.
That’s right, it can’t be an easy thing to do. Just keeping herself together like this is already a big thing. Actually, it’s tiring to deal with people, and the ones that she had to deal with were the most aggressive and violent people. There is probably no one who faces more of those kinds of people than the CEO.
By the way, even people who deal with ghosts half-heartedly are getting regular counseling due to their emotional exhaustion, who is taking care of the CEO? Or is she just dealing with it on her own?
“CEO. If it’s not rude, can I ask you one thing?”
“Yeah, ask away.”
“How did you become the Jungcheonju. Were you chosen to be the Jungcheonju from birth?”
Ga-on, who had unexpectedly received a question that she had not expected, felt slightly bewildered. It was the first time that she had received such a fundamental question in the almost one thousand years that she had lived. Humans simply worshipped and revered the Jungcheonju, and never paid attention to how the Jungcheonju was chosen.
“Why?”
“I was just curious. What kind of life did you live before becoming the Jungcheonju, did you become a Jungcheonju willingly, you said that there was a term, so how much is left in it, what happens when the term ends, things like that.”
Before becoming the Jungcheonju. Hmm…. I was once a daughter who grew up being loved by her parents. No. In an era where parents were considered incompetent if they didn't get rid of their children on time, to have a daughter that was over twenty years old, I guess it was not as normal as I thought. Ga-on, who had been remembering her parent’s faces for the first time in a long while, smiled bitterly. It’s such an old memory that it’s already hazy.
“Director Cha seems quite curious.”
“I’m not necessarily like that.”
It’s just because I’m curious about you. Guys, who fall for a girl, want to know everything about them, starting from their shampoo scent to their shoe size. About other people? I don’t care how they live their life.
“How did I become the Jungcheonju…. I became the Jungcheonju around the time when the previous Jungcheonju’s term was over. The Sangcheonje1 had selected a few candidates, and the King of the Underworld chose me from among them. If you ask whether I wanted to do it or not, well. I didn’t do it forcibly, but if I knew what it was like, I would have rejected it.”
“Do you regret it?”
“I have done it countless times. Especially at the beginning.”
She can talk about it so lightly now, but looking back, it was a tedious amount of time that never seemed to end. Now, it feels like she can finally see the end of it. I wonder how many more years are left…. Ga-on, who had been counting the years, suddenly checked the time and widened her eyes slightly. I only drank a few sips of coffee, and it’s been over 30 minutes already? When I talk with Director Cha, it feels weirdly long.
“I’ll tell you the rest later. I have an external schedule tomorrow, so I need to decide this person’s path today.”
“Are you going somewhere far?”
“Taebaek. Recently, several ghosts have been disappearing in the Taebaek mountain area, and there is a place where a guide who had been chasing them couldn’t approach anymore.”
As Ga-on, who had quickly ended the conversation, opened the record book again, Ji-won, who had been calmly listening to Ga-on’s words, felt desperate. If he gave up this opportunity now, he didn’t know when he would have another chance.
How much time and effort did I put in just to get here? Taebaek, Taebaek, huh…. I have to follow her there no matter what. I need to make a plausible excuse, fast…. How many art galleries are there on the route from here to Taebaek?
As Ji-won, who had been spinning his brain at an impossible speed, had drawn a map of Gangwon-do in his mind, he quickly used the process of elimination. Jeongseon is close to Taebaek, but their route doesn't overlap, and Wonju is too far from Taebaek, so it’s difficult to ask to go together. Chuncheon and Gangneung are in completely different directions. Then the only place left is…, Yeongwol.
Ji-won, who had taken a moment to catch his breath so that he didn’t give off the feeling that he was planning something, opened his mouth using a voice that was as calm as possible.
“CEO, should I escort you there? I’m planning on going to the Ceramic Art Museum in Yeongwol this week anyway. They are having a special exhibition there that I wanted to see.”
“Huh? Taebaek is much farther than Yeongwol, right?”
“It’s not that far. I’ve been hesitating on whether to go or not since it would be boring to go alone, so it worked out well. CEO, you just need to give me one hour of your time when you come back from Seoul after you’ve finished your business. I saw that you liked ceramic in London, and it might be worth seeing as they are putting on a lot of small and cute ceramic works of art.”
While she was showing that she was somewhat interested in Ji-won’s suggestion, Ga-on still hadn’t nodded her head.
“I don’t know how long it will take to work in Taebaek. You might not be able to see the art gallery if it gets too late.”
“Then we can just have some kalguksu in Taebaek and come back. There is a very famous kalguksu restaurant in Taebaek. I wanted to go there, but I haven’t been able to since I can’t just travel to Taebaek for just that.”
“Kalguksu?”
This time, she reacted in a much more positive way than she had when I brought up the art gallery. You can get to a person’s heart fastest by appealing to their appetite. I knew that she would like kalguksu since she liked ramen and pasta.
“Yes. I’m embarrassed to go there alone since there are so many people.”
“You didn’t have anyone to go with you all this time?”
“I don’t have any unemployed friends who can go to Gangwon-do with me during the day on a weekday. The gamjajeon (Potato Pancakes) there is very crispy and delicious, but no matter where I look in Seoul, I can never find that same taste.”
Ga-on, who had been flinching at the mention of gamjajeon, still didn’t agree easily, so Ji-won, who was determined to make the final move, deliberately made a sad face.
“If you’re just doing it because I’m being a bother…”
“That’s not it. It’s easier for me if Director Cha accompanies me. As Director Cha knows, I’m a person who has almost no street smarts…. If there’s someone as meticulous and kind as Director Cha beside me, I feel reassured. I’m just sorry to bother you, someone who is so busy, all the time.”
“I’m following you because I want to, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Still….”
“CEO, you should eat some delicious food and look at some beautiful things once in a while. You also need a change of pace for the efficiency of your work.”
Is that so? Ga-on, who had only been familiar with giving instructions and those instructions being carried out without any complaints, had eventually been persuaded by Ji-won’s persistent persuasions. The fact that she was left with good memories from her trip to London with Ji-won also played a role.
“I’m planning to leave around 7 AM, is that okay?”
“Yes. I’ll come to pick you up at your place before 7:10 AM.”
“You are going to drive? We can just go with my car.”
“No. I feel awkward and uncomfortable when someone drives me around. I also feel sorry when someone who is older than me drives such a long distance. It’s more comfortable for me to drive.”
How could I possibly put someone who is an obstacle to my goal there when I’ve finally created this opportunity? And, despite how I act, I don’t have the face to hit on her even in front of other people. Ji-won, who was thinking things that Ga-on would be shocked by, was smiling with a nice face. Although he felt slightly sorry for Ga-on who was nodding without any doubt, now was not the time to worry about his conscience.
“Okay, I understand. See you tomorrow morning then. I’m going to leave now. I need to focus, and I keep talking whenever you’re here, Director Cha.”
“Yes, CEO. Then, see you tomorrow.”
Ji-won, who had responded clearly, bowed his head politely and left his spot. Wow, I’m amazing. Humans will do anything if they are desperate. Ji-won, who had been walking around the corner with a beaming expression, slowly lowered the corners of his lips as soon as he ran into Do-gyeom, who was standing there with a shocked expression. Oh no… How long has he been standing here?
What is it, this crazy guy. Hyung, are you hitting on the CEO right now? How dare you hit on the Jungcheonju… Are you crazy? No, aside from that, what would you do if someone hears you making advances like that so blatantly in a place where everyone comes and goes? Don’t you have any common sense? Although his feelings weren't spoken out loud, his bewildered eyes were conveying his feelings clearly.
“Come out. Let’s talk.”
“Okay. Let’s talk.”
Ji-won and Do-gyeom, who had been avoiding the gazes of the other employees, moved to a secluded area and gathered their thoughts while remaining quiet for a while. Both were taken by surprise by the unexpected situation, but Ji-won, who was older by a year, was faster in putting himself together.
“You didn’t come here to look for something in the library, right?”
“Ah…. I’m working on a drama from tomorrow. I had to rely on someone that I knew to get this job. I won’t be able to come to the headquarters for a while, so I wanted to look through the long-term unresolved cases…. No, that’s not the problem! Hyung, is it for real?”
“Yeah.”
“For real, for real?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh!”
Do-gyeom, who had been at a loss for words after Ji-won’s honest answer, widened his eyes and released his breath. This hyung is really crazy. I had thought that he wasn’t interested in that kind of thing since he wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow even if he saw a half-naked woman pass by him. I have never heard him talk about a girl before. But when someone like that falls, they just go all in. How can he make advances on the CEO? It’s uncomfortable for me to even eat with her at the same table.
“How can you see the CEO as a woman?”
“She is a woman, why can’t I see her as one?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. The CEO is not an ordinary person…. How did this even happen?”
“Is there any reason to fall for someone?”
Do-gyeom was at a loss for words again at Ji-won’s calm reply. Yes. Falling in love is like an accident, you can’t control it with will, and it’s something that you can’t stop even if you try hard… I understand that it can’t be helped, but even so, what is he going to do to deal with the aftermath?
“You’re walking a very difficult path.”
“I know.”
“When did you even become so close with the CEO? I’ve barely seen you meet…. Why is the CEO saying that you’re meticulous and kind when you are usually so cold? What’s with that sweet voice? Do you talk to girls like that? It’s so creepy, you’re like a different person.”
“Did you hear everything?”
“I did. I really didn’t want to listen, but I just stayed there since I didn’t want to ruin the moment.”
“Thank you. I’ll buy you a meal sometime.”
“What meal…. You always buy me meals.”
While looking at Ji-won who had been letting out a sigh, Do-gyeom thought that people’s first impressions can’t really be trusted. Ji-won didn't know it yet, but the day he forced a ghost to be escorted to Jungcheon half a year ago, there was quite a commotion in Jungcheon.
- Aaaah! Save me! Please, save me! Aaaah, it's so hot! Please turn this off! Quickly!
- Ghost, please calm down. That fire isn’t real, so it won’t hurt you. See, I’m touching it, and nothing is happening? And, you’ve already passed away. You can’t be saved.
- Wh, where am I? Where are you sending me? I’m not going anywhere! Even if I go, I’ll go with Su-bin, with Su-bin! I can’t go alone!
- Ghost. Please be quiet. I understand that you are feeling confused since you were forcefully escorted without any explanation, but you’ve already committed so many sins. You have to take responsibility for all your faults from now on. Can you see that the scale is tilting little by little to the right?
- Wh, what is that?
- It’s the scale of judgment. If you want to make it closer to being balanced, please calm down and answer our questions honestly from now on. Okay?
- …Yes.
- Ghost, where did you come from? Do you remember the appearance of the person who sent you to Jungcheon? Please, say whatever you can remember.
The one who caused all the ruckus and exhausted all the judges from the morning was a high-ranking guide who had not been discovered by Zenith for almost 22 years. A while after that, Ji-won, who had his chin up and was walking proudly, had stood in front of the Jungcheonju for the first time and openly ignored the order that she had given while looking straight at her. Even Assistant manager Kwon, who was usually calm, was as pale as a sheet of paper, which was something that had never happened before.
- I can’t guarantee that this won’t happen again. If that’s the case, let me do it officially. It seems like that’s why you brought me here in the first place.
He was so brazen and disrespectful. And he didn't even have any fear. I’m also going to stand in front of the Jungcheonju one day, but isn't he scared? There is definitely no way that I will become friends with someone like that. However, only a few days after that, at a team dinner that he had reluctantly agreed to go to, Do-gyeom started to see Ji-won in a new light.
- Can I call you hyung?
- Haa, just do whatever you want.
Although no one else knew, Hae-su, who usually relied on his instincts like a wild animal, never tried to stick to anyone. The fact that Hae-su, who was very picky about people even though he acted friendly with everyone, was acting as if he had met his hyung after ten years, meant that he had determined that Ji-won was not a bad or cruel person at all.
From that day forward, after trying his best to remain objective, Do-gyeom found out that Ji-won was surprisingly righteous and loyal. If you contacted him in an emergency, he wouldn't refuse, even if he cursed and hit you in the back of the head later on.
Of course, he was quite a prickly person, just like he seemed to be on the surface. He also had a brutal side that would not hesitate to punish anyone who was immoral, whether they were ghosts or people. Although he had thought that he was not an ordinary person, he didn’t know that he was this bold.
“What are you planning to do in the future?”
“I’m just going to do as my heart leads me.”
“That heart of yours is very daring. Do you know how old the CEO is? She’s from the 11th century. She’s from the Goryeo dynasty.”
“Really? Is age that important for love? In this age where we surpass even the boundaries of country and gender. And, these days younger men are all the rage.”
“A younger man…! No, is this a level that you can just look at by age? How did such a rational person become so crazy? Hyung, are you really not sick somewhere?”
“My heart hurts, Director Seo. It’s so sad that I have to wait until tomorrow morning to see her when I can just open two doors and see her. ”
Ji-won, who had been replying shamelessly, laughed out loud while looking at Do-gyeom who had a disgusted expression on his face. Seo Do-gyeom, he’s actually quite fun to tease. Yeon Hae-su, he only picks up what he wants to hear, so it doesn’t affect him at all.
“Are you really sick? You’re not just sick, you’re really sick. I think you need to go to the hospital. How did such words come out of your mouth? How long have you been like this?”
“Probably from the beginning. You were there at Jungcheon, right? I have never ever tried to hold onto anyone that pushes me away in my life. But I knew instinctively that if I didn’t hold on at that moment, I wouldn’t see her again. I realized that in London last week. I decided that I should do something about it this afternoon.”
“Haa, I don’t know anymore. I feel like I should stop you, but it’s not like you would listen if I did.”
Do-gyeom, who had been shaking his head slowly, hesitated and stretched his hand out, then shook Ji-won's shoulder a few times while grimacing. Even though he couldn't encourage him because of who he was dealing with, it was a small show of support with a wish that he wouldn't get too hurt.
“By the way, what is that kalguksu restaurant called? How delicious is it to make you want to go all the way to Taebaek to eat it?”
“Well, I have to look it up now. There are kalguksu restaurants everywhere in the country. There are a lot of famous restaurants too. I’m going to look up their ratings and reviews when I get home. I’ll let you know if it’s really good.”
“….What?”
“The CEO likes noodles. If you’re going to eat noodles that are easily accessible in Korea, then it’s either Jajangmyeon or Kalguksu, but she preferred ones with broth. I can’t have her eat ramen in Gangwon-do. It's fine if she eats it as a treat sometimes, but it’s bad for her body.”
Do-gyeom, whose face had instantly distorted, stared at Ji-won from head to toe.
“Wow, you’re not just a player, you’re a fraud. What about the gamjajeon? You said that it was crispy and all as if you’ve had it before.”
“There are a lot of restaurants in Gangwon-do that serve Gamjajeon as a side. And Gamjajeon is usually crispy.”
As Ji-won looked at him with a gaze that clearly said, “Don’t you know that?” Do-gyeom laughed in disbelief. Right, I knew it, I knew that I couldn't have been wrong about him. I knew from the beginning that he was this kind of shameless guy.
“Then I’ll get going. Good luck with your work, and good luck with your drama.”
“I’m going to do fine on my own, so you take care of yourself. And try not to get caught by Hae-su if possible.”
“Ah, Yeon Hae-su! Come to think of it, I completely forgot about him. He must be trying to look for me. Haa, today is really a hassle.”
“Be careful. Even though that guy has no sense, he has good instincts like a beast. He’ll notice something is off with even the slightest thing. And you know what it’s like when Yeon Hae-su finds out, right? It’s like everyone knows it. He has no filter in his brain, so he has no secrets.”
Ji-won, who had laughed softly at Do-gyeom’s earnest advice, nodded his head slowly. Ji-won also had the same opinion about Hae-su. If a guide lived in the capital area, there wouldn’t be a single person who didn't know about Hae-su’s long and drawn-out dating history since middle school, and the source of all the rumors was Hae-su’s own mouth.
“Ji-won hyung! Ji-won hyung! Are you here? I thought you were going to wait for me, where did you go?”
“I’m here. I’m leaving, I’m leaving.”
Do-gyeom let out a long sigh while watching Ji-won’s back as he was walking away quickly after shaking his hand at him. He was picturing the tough journey that he would be facing, but he couldn't bring himself to say it since he was afraid that he would end up jinxing him.
“CEO, please come this way. The ground is slippery there.”
Ga-on, who had almost stumbled after stepping on a mossy rock before he even finished speaking, instinctively gave her wrist to Ji-won, who had reached out his hand. Ji-won, who had grabbed Ga-on’s slender wrist and pulled her up on the rock, had to use all his willpower to let go of her hand again.
So this is why people add hiking into their date courses. I had thought that showing each other’s sweaty and flushed faces as they were gasping for air wouldn’t be helpful in keeping a relationship going, but it has an amazing charm of its own. Right, the classics are always the best, even if they are cliché.
“Should I give you some water?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you having a hard time?”
“I’m fine for now.”
Is that so? It seems like her breath is getting a little labored already…. If even this hike at a leisurely pace is too much for her, she’s clearly lacking in exercise. She needs to improve her base physical strength. Then her problems with low blood pressure and sleep disorders will be much better as well. What kind of exercise can I recommend that won’t be too much for her? Swimming is really good, but it would only be possible if we became quite close.
While Ji-won had been pondering such things in his head, he peeled a raw chocolate bar as soon as Ga-on took the water bottle away from her mouth. If he could have done as his heart wanted, he would have gently put it into her mouth, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that.
“This is good.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Eating one or two unsweetened chocolates a day is good for low blood pressure.”
“Director Cha knows a lot.”
“I didn’t know that until I went to London.”
It was all because I had been studying desperately for you. Of course, it wasn’t at all effective on Ga-on who was so used to being taken care of, but Ji-won was still smiling with satisfaction. Right, this isn’t something that I had expected to work. It’s enough that I’m alone with you far away from Seoul. Even if I have to go back right away, I’m guaranteed to be with you for at least three hours.
“CEO. Do you have any idea why the ghosts are disappearing here?”
“I’ll need to see the scene to know for sure, but… the most likely scenario is that a spirit with a very high spiritual power is residing here. They’re usually what normal people call a sage…. If a sage spirit is in a sacred place, the other spirits can’t stay.”
“Does that energy affect people? You said that a guide couldn’t even get close.”
“It’s rare, but a spirit that has lived in the mortal realm for a very long time can make a space their own. Then even living people will be affected. People who can’t see ghosts might just walk by ignoring it, but a guide who is sensitive to spiritual power can sense that something is different, so they might find it difficult to approach.”
However, as long as they don't cause harm to humans directly, there’s no reason to worry too much. Those who were given the title of a sage were the souls that had chosen to stay in the mortal realm right before going to heaven, so they barely ever committed an evil act, and they usually brought good energy to the mountains and helped those who were alive. If they were to become corrupted due to some event, then they could be dealt with according to the regulations. If the damage caused was just the ghosts being repelled, they would eventually be discovered somewhere, so the management just had to expand their range of management.
However, as they were getting closer to the destination that the guide had mentioned, Ga-on was becoming less and less confident in the theory that she had made. She could feel that there were strange tactics that were restricting the movement of the ghosts being used in every direction, so that would mean that this situation wasn’t the result of an accident, but something that was caused intentionally by someone who had a specific purpose in mind.
Ga-on, who had been walking faster while carefully looking around her, stopped in front of a small waterfall and murmured with a serious expression.
“It’s not a sage.”
“Is there something else that you see?”
“A barrier. No, should I call it a trap? Someone set up a trap that imprisons ghosts here. It starts with that waterfall, and wraps around this area.”
As Ji-won followed where Ga-on’s finger was pointing with his eyes, he could finally see a space that was slightly distorted. The forest was very refreshing with green trees and the sun was bright and warm, but there was a strange gloomy energy that he couldn’t feel before.
“Who would do such a thing?”
“I don’t know….”
Ga-on, who had been slowly looking around, tilted her head with a puzzled expression. There were two or three reasons that she had thought of, but she wasn’t sure if they were the correct reasons.
“I have heard that there are shamans who have lost their gods trying to find new ones, and they pick a place that is high in energy in order to summon a spirit with strong spiritual power… But this seems too inefficient. There’s no sign of any offerings.”
“Offerings?”
“You need to pay a price to use a ghost. Usually, they kill living animals and offer their blood. They usually kill chickens.”
“Um, being a shaman is not an easy job.”
“…It’s not easy.”
- They said that if I didn't serve a god, my family and I would die instantly. Was I supposed to hold onto my child and die? Is it my fault that I was born like this?
Ga-on’s heart felt a little stuffy when she remembered a miserable woman’s plea who couldn’t find the words to respond to. She had thought that she had not shown any of her true feelings, but she didn’t realize that the person who was standing beside her and had noticed how her breathing had changed was watching her closely.
“It could also be an evil spirit that is trying to harm humans, just like the one who was impersonating Archibald Rosenbaloff. They gather corrupted souls and use them to make their group bigger. They become stronger once they gather a group whether they are people or ghosts.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t we have noticed the ghost’s presence? We were able to notice it right away when we went to the Rosenbaloff manor. I don’t feel like there’s a malicious presence nearby.”
“It could be because the energy of the sun is too strong that we can’t feel it.”
Or maybe it could be a being that can hide its presence. If that was the case, it might be dangerous. Ga-on, who thought that she didn’t have to worry Ji-won, who didn’t need to be worried for no reason, swallowed her words. Either way, there is definitely something here, and I need to make sure of it, so I need to wait until it gets dark. Ga-on looked at Ji-won with an apologetic expression.
“What should I do? I don’t think we can go to the gallery today. I have to come back here tonight.”
“It’s fine.”
“There are too many people around here right now, so I can’t properly use my powers. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Also, if I don’t exert my full strength, then both of us will be in danger….”
“Yes, it’s really fine, so you don’t have to worry about such small things. Just don’t overdo it.”
Huh? Didn’t you say that you wanted to see the exhibition no matter what? Ga-on, who had been staring at his face, which didn’t show any sign of regret, widened her eyes. She had no idea why he was suddenly in such a good mood, but Ga-on subconsciously raised the corners of her mouth as she saw his refreshing smile that made even those who were watching feel good.
“Then, let’s go have a meal first. If it gets too late, we might have to wait a long time.”
The two, who had barely arrived at the restaurant before the start of the lunch rush, were fortunately guided to their table right away. The neatly prepared side dishes raised their expectations for the main course, and the kalguksu that was boiled in a plain way reached the peak of satisfaction.
Ji-won thought that he would probably never forget Ga-on’s expression when she took a bite of the crispy gamjajeon that was almost a fried food. It was the moment that he felt that all the effort he put in while reading hundreds of reviews with a serious expression until late at night was worth it.
“It was worth coming to see it. I’ll definitely remember this for a long time.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Everything that you recommend, Director Cha, is always delicious. When I think about it, this was the first time I had such delicious meals in London. There is always at least one place that is not that good.”
“Ah…, yes. It’s really a difficult city for gourmets. I lived in London for a year after getting my master’s degree, and it was very difficult to find a restaurant that I liked.”
Ji-won, who had been watching Ga-on who was finishing the small gamjajeon skillfully with a satisfied smile, made the excuse that he was not in the mood for anything greasy today and slid his plate with the rest of the gamjajeon to her side.
He was planning on letting her drink coffee in the most famous coffee shop in Taebaek, but Ga-on said that she wanted to go to a small café that she could see right from the restaurant. Although the two hours that he had spent agonizing over three potential locations had become meaningless, Ji-won nodded without saying anything. Since he was putting his life on the line for aesthetics, he would never step foot inside a café with such a tacky interior normally, but right now he felt like he could enter a tearoom that was being used as a senior citizen center if that’s what Ga-on wanted.
“The coffee is definitely more delicious than the one I had yesterday.”
“This one is also delicious. It’s very nutty. I could smell the scent when we got out of the car.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The one I drank yesterday had a really good aroma, but it tasted like unripe fruit. I like my fruit when it’s fully ripe, so I didn’t like it that much. This one has a nutty flavor. Hmm, it feels like there’s a chocolatey taste to it. And also, a slightly earthy flavor… Anyway, I like that it’s smooth and not bitter. It’s very delicious.”
While watching Ga-on, who was enjoying her coffee with a bright expression, Ji-won was greatly shocked. He was in disbelief at her sharp commentary that he had never expected. Really, Assistant manager Kwon, what are you saying about her not having a preference for food? She’s distinguishing the blended bean taste from each other. I knew that her taste was picky, but I didn’t know it was this bad.
“Assistant manager Kwon said that you don’t have any specific preference for food, CEO.”
“Hahaha. I can’t say that to Assistant manager Kwon. She’s always so attentive about the nutrition for every meal. I’m so sorry to complain about the food. The vegetables that she puts on my plate are organic and grown by her in her garden. How can I complain that the food is too salty or too sweet? I just have to eat what is given to me.”
Since he couldn't think of anything to respond to that, Ji-won just took a sip of his coffee without saying anything. I’m already doing everything that I can, but why is she making me fall for her even more? He felt slightly bitter, but he couldn’t say such things to the person that he had been thinking about.
It’s actually quite good when I keep drinking it. Ji-won, who usually enjoyed a clean coffee with a slightly acidic taste of fresh fruit, tried to savor the coffee while remembering Ga-on’s words, and he realized that the heavy taste with a mix of flavors was not bad at all.
I thought again, but those rose-colored glasses are so terrifying. Look at this, it makes me into a person who has no preferences and is full of love.
More than anything, what was concerning was the fact that he didn’t have any desire to take those glasses off. Ji-won, who had been staring at Ga-on with a complicated look, smiled widely as soon as she made eye contact with him. He knew that he was acting completely irrational, but he couldn’t find any reason for him to stop.
Since it would still be over four hours until sunset, Ji-won had gone straight to the hotel after getting out of the café. Although Ga-on had said that it was okay for her to take a nap in the car, and that it was good for her to go to Yeongwol since they had so much time, Ji-won’s intention of making Ga-on rest was so resolute.
“Since I brought you here without permission, it would be my responsibility if something were to happen to you. Since we don’t know how long the process at the scene will take, you should get some rest properly when you have the chance.”
“Okay, I understand. I always feel that you are so meticulous and kind, Director Cha.”
No, that’s not true. I’m not doing this for just anyone. Ji-won’s expression shifted subtly for a moment, and then returned to normal. Kind…. I have never heard anyone, not even my aunt, say those words to me. It was an expression that he could never agree with, but he couldn’t say anything to Ga-on about that since it would not be beneficial to him at all.
While Ji-won was airing the room by opening the windows wide open, Ga-on, who had brushed her teeth, laid down on the two large pillows that she had stacked on top of each other, and she was staring out the window vacantly when she suddenly thought of the question that Ji-won had asked her yesterday.
“Director Cha.”
“Yes, CEO.”
“You asked how much time I had left in my term.”
Ji-won, who had been neatly organizing the shoes that Ga-on had taken off, slowly raised his body while raising his eyebrows slightly. And then, he pondered for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
“I’ll listen to it later. Please rest now.”
“I’m resting right now. I was counting yesterday because I was curious after hearing your words, and it turns out that I have 31 years left.”
“….!”
“Since I’m forcefully extending the lifespan that I should have used up because of my duties as the Jungcheonju, I’ll probably stand in front of the scale of judgment right after my term is over.”
Thirty-one years? If I consider myself to be average, then that would be the year I turned sixty. It’s fortunate that it’s not something that will happen right now, but if I look at the average lifespan of modern humans, it’s not a long time either. No, that’s my standard. She has already lived for too long. It must not have been easy to live that long on her own. Was there anyone to hold her hand even just for a little bit? Was there even a single person who had comforted her when she wanted to run away while crying? He was so curious, but Ji-won was afraid of hearing a negative response from Ga-on, so he couldn't bring himself to ask.
“….Is that so.”
“Is there anything else that you are curious about? I have a lot of time right now, so I’ll tell you everything.”
“Then, let me ask you one more thing.”
“Okay.”
“Why did you try to send me back the first time we met?”
The first time…. Why did I do that? Now that I think about it, it has already been half a year. Ga-on, who had been staring at Ji-won’s face, who was so different from before, looked a little hazy while reminiscing. And then, a memory of a young boy with a scary look on his face, who was holding a golf club like it was his lifeline, popped into her mind.
Right, I thought that I shouldn’t let him stay in Jungcheon after seeing that expression.
“You had a hard time because of your ability to see ghosts when you were a child. With your father's siblings.”
“Yes.”
“And you probably had a hard time believing that you weren't insane.”
“….Yes.”
“So I was worried that you might let go of reality if I let you come and go in Jungcheon. There are some guides who are like that sometimes. They are treated as if they are crazy people on the outside, but everyone accepts them when they get to Jungcheon, so there are some people who want to stay there. Most of them were the ones who had no families.”
In Ga-on’s eyes, Ji-won’s environment was very similar to those people. Although she was the Jungcheonju, she was not able to see into a person’s personality, so she didn’t know back then that he was a person who was able to maintain his balance well and act wisely.
“It was because I didn’t know you that well.”
“Even so, what was the reason that you eventually allowed it?”
“Because you stood up against me.”
“….Yes?”
“I thought that if you had that level of audacity, you wouldn’t be swayed by other people’s words and be able to take your own stance, and I think that I made the right judgment. How about you, Director Cha? Do you regret entering this world?”
Just as Ji-won was about to respond, his phone vibrated. Ji-won, who had glanced at his phone, placed it face down on the table, and Ga-on’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Answer it.”
“I can call them back later.”
“The gallery?”
“…Yes.”
“I told you not to neglect your gallery work. Answer it now.”
Ji-won, who had an awkward look on his face, eventually picked up his phone and walked towards the window, and only then did Ga-on's expression become gentle again. Ga-on, who had been watching Ji-won, who had been talking with a low voice, blinked slowly. Ji-won’s voice, which had been talking about a topic that she was unfamiliar with, was gradually becoming like music, and soon her eyes slowly closed.
“….Okay. You worked hard. Keep it safe for now. No, I’m not selling it even after the fall exhibition is over. It’s for my personal use…. Okay, you don’t need to know about that. Yes. Yes, I understand. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I’ll hang up now.”
Ji-won, who had quickly ended the call, noticed that Ga-on had fallen asleep and set his phone to silent mode. And then, he sat on the window frame. He wanted to get close and stare at her sleeping face, but he was afraid that it might awaken other desires within him. To be honest, the moment he had entered this room, his pulse had already exceeded the normal limits.
I can’t be in a hotel room alone with her anymore. I trusted myself too much since we were acting as if nothing was wrong in London. Ji-won, who had let out a long sigh without any sound, turned his gaze out the window. He had thought that quite a bit of time had passed, but the sun was still very high and shining intensely.
However, time did pass and the night had come. Ga-on and Ji-won, who had been relying on a single flashlight and diligently climbing the mountain without any streetlights, stopped in front of the waterfall that they had seen in the morning.
Clang. As soon as Ga-on had confirmed that there was no one nearby, she extended her right arm, and a beautiful sword with sparkling water droplets appeared along with a sharp metallic sound.
“Director Cha.”
“Yes, I will step back. And I will never step into your area of activity.”
He’s smart as always. Ga-on, who had smiled as she saw Ji-won make space from her, slowly started to swing her sword with a serious expression. In an instant, the birds and insects, which had been making loud noises, suddenly stopped. As the forest was becoming eerily silent, a fierce wind seemed to blow around, and soon an immense gust of wind blew up.
At that moment, the places that had been slightly distorted started to shine with a bluish light. The moment that they realized that something enormous was rising up, a man who was dressed in a classical outfit with a distorted expression suddenly appeared while tearing through the space.
What is that? It’s not a person…, and it’s not a ghost. Ji-won, who had been bewildered, looked at Ga-on’s expression and was shocked even more. Ga-on’s eyes, which had confirmed the man's face, had widened as if they were about to pop out, and this was the first time that he had seen her with such a drastic change in her emotions.
“Ha-yul.”
“Tell me, Ga-on. Why are you pulling me out like this?”
“Why are you here?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Didn’t you know that I was the one who made the trap? I sent a letter to Jungcheon to say that I would temporarily close the path since there were some criminals who escaped from the netherworld to the mortal realm recently.”
“I didn’t receive it.”
“Oh no. Then you must have been surprised. Haha, I guess you thought it was a pathetic evil spirit?”
The man who had been talking jokingly approached Ga-on, who had been letting out a sigh in disbelief, and gently patted her shoulder. Ji-won, who had been watching the two people conversing silently, gritted his teeth when he saw the man close the distance between him and Ga-on. What is that bastard? Where did he learn to put his hands like that?
Only then did the man, who had felt a presence, take his gaze from Ga-on for the first time. The smile that had been fluttering like the spring wind when he was looking at Ga-on turned cold as soon as it reached Ji-won.
“What’s that?”
“My employee.”
“Ah…. An employee. You were always alone, but it seems like you are starting to go around with your employees?”
“He is a very capable friend. Director Cha, this is the King of the Underworld, Ha-yul. You might meet him sometime in the future, but we have nothing good to come from that, so there is no need to be on good terms with him.”
“Wow, that’s too much. If he is an employee of Jungcheon, then he’s basically my colleague. Hi, employee-ssi. We’ll probably see each other often in the future, should we introduce ourselves? I’m Ha-yul, the King of the Underworld. What’s your name?”
“I’m Cha Ji-won.”
The two men, who were facing each other, realized instantly that they were rivals. Although they were wearing a polite smile while being mindful of Ga-on’s gaze, their gazes that were observing their rival were filled with sparks. And neither of them had any intention of hiding it.
“Since it was something that you needed, I’ll get going now.”
“You're leaving already? When we have finally met after so long?”
“I’m not a bum like you. I’m busy.”
“Okay, okay. Then be careful.”
As he was coming down the mountain with Ga-on, Ji-won thought that the back of his head was tingling a lot. However, he didn’t turn back until the end since he didn’t want to lose.
Screech! Ji-won, who had stepped on the brakes desperately as an animal, that had appeared out of nowhere, was running directly towards the car, immediately checked Ga-on’s expression.
“I’m sorry, CEO. I couldn’t see the road properly and I didn't see that the deer was running towards the car.”
“It’s fine. It’s not your fault, and I wasn’t too surprised either.”
When the two had reached the bottom of the mountain, the sky, which had gotten dark quickly, started to sprinkle rain as if it was scattering it from everywhere. It would have been easier if it poured since it would have allowed better visibility, but the fine rain that he could barely even see created a fog that covered the winding mountain road entirely. It was a thick fog that made it hard to see even 10m ahead.
“Director Cha. Should we wait until the rain stops? It doesn’t seem like it’ll be that long. It would be dangerous if we left like this.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Ji-won, who had parked the car in a secluded spot, quickly followed Ga-on, who had opened her door, and put an umbrella over her head. His heart clenched when he saw that her hair was already slightly damp in the short time it took to get there.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s too cold outside. If you get rained on like this you’ll catch a cold.”
“I like the rain. I like looking at it, and walking in it.”
“Then walk under the umbrella. If you don’t want to do that then I’m just going to start driving.”
Since Ji-won wasn’t going to budge, Ga-on smiled and nodded reluctantly. Ga-on, who had been walking side by side with Ji-won for a while, stopped in front of a lilac tree that had just started to bloom. And then, she slightly bent her back to smell the scent. The flowers and the woman, who were surrounded by fog, were so beautiful that it felt unreal.
The moment that he was intensely touched, Ji-won unknowingly opened his mouth. This was the first time in his life that his reasoning was not functioning at all when he was with someone else.
“CEO.”
“….Huh?”
“I like you.”
1. Sangcheonje - In Korean mythology, Sangcheonje (상천제) is a ceremonial ritual dedicated to the Jungcheon (Middle Heaven) or Heavenly Realm, performed to seek divine favor, blessings, and harmony between the earth and heavens.↩
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