The Guide - Prologue
Prologue
“Good morning, Director.”
“Morning.”
Ji-won replied mechanically, not even glancing towards the information desk, when he suddenly sensed a strange energy that seemed to grab him by the back of the neck. He slowly turned his head. He’d hoped it was an overreaction, but… A strange man clinging tightly to Su-bin, who wore a picture-perfect gentle smile, immediately averted his gaze as soon as their eyes met and began to shuffle backward.
What’s this, first thing in the morning… Hah, no wonder I had a bad dream. It’s annoying, should I just pretend I didn’t see it? Ji-won frowned, pondering for a moment, then let out a short sigh as he looked at Su-bin, who was anxiously watching his reaction. He’d never paid much attention to her face before, but the traces of sleeplessness, unhidden even by makeup, were particularly clear today.
“Ms. Kim Su-bin.”
“Yes, Director.”
“Let’s talk in my office for a moment.”
“Huh? Ah… yes.”
Startled, Su-bin quickly rose from her seat and followed Ji-won, who was already striding away. Her heart sank at her employer’s unexpected action—they rarely exchanged a proper word—but she wasn’t in a position to question why.
Why is he in such a foul mood today? Well, it’s not like he’s the type to go around smiling kindly anyway… Did I make some mistake? Ack. Surely he’s not planning to fire me? No, I haven’t done anything wrong enough to get fired, and you can’t just let go of an employee like this these days. Still, if I do get fired… could I get unemployment benefits?
“Director, you’re in early. Oh? Ms. Su-bin…”
The secretary, who had greeted him warmly, couldn’t hide her bewilderment upon seeing Su-bin hesitantly following Ji-won. It was the first time Ji-won, who always relayed instructions through his secretary, had personally summoned an employee to his office. What happened? Did you do something wrong? I don’t know. Shaking her head slightly at the secretary’s worried glance, Su-bin entered the director’s office with incredibly heavy steps.
“Ms. Kim Su-bin.”
“Yes, Director.”
“First, let me make it clear that what I’m about to say has absolutely no ulterior motive whatsoever. This means I am definitely not making any inappropriate advances towards you, Ms. Kim.”
“Ah… yes.”
Su-bin struggled not to show her discomfort, replying as politely as possible. It seemed like he wasn’t going to fire her right away, which was a relief, but… Hey, you don’t have to put up such a wall; I wouldn’t get the wrong idea anyway, so don’t worry. I’m not interested in you either, you know? The memory of feeling briefly fluttered by his soulless welcome on her first day, right in this room, suddenly felt deeply embarrassing.
Of course, the man named Cha Ji-won possessed many qualities that others might find attractive. A neat, delicate face, tall stature, and even model-like proportions; fitting for the owner of a trendy gallery, he dressed well too. The cars he drove, changing according to his mood each day, numbered at least seven that Su-bin had seen. According to a curator who was keen on cars, the total sticker price of those vehicles was exactly 4 billion won.
But what good was all that? He was so full of himself that he wouldn’t even look someone in the eye when greeting them. So high and mighty…
“Did a man you were recently dating pass away?”
Su-bin, who had been quietly grumbling inwardly with her gaze lowered, snapped her head up, flabbergasted by a question completely outside the realm of imagination.
“How… how did you know that, Director…”
“It’s a long story. Let me ask you directly. Were you close? Close enough to want to follow him?”
Follow him…? Where on earth? Su-bin blinked for a long moment before belatedly understanding Ji-won’s words, then jumped up, waving her hands frantically.
“No! I was very sad and struggled for a while, but… I have my own life… and my family… I never once thought about following him to death…”
“Is that so?”
Ji-won replied indifferently, took out a sheet of A4 paper, and began to quickly sketch something. Su-bin, watching him blankly with a dazed expression, unknowingly let her mouth fall open when she saw the drawing he completed in just 30 seconds. The portrait, rendered with unbelievable precision for a rough sketch done with a ballpoint pen, was chillingly identical to the face in her memory.
“Is this the man?”
“Yes.”
“Has he appeared in your dreams often lately?”
“…Yes.”
“Did he ask you to go somewhere with him?”
“…!”
Unable to answer the last question, Su-bin’s lips trembled. Her ex-boyfriend, whom she had been trying so hard to forget, kept appearing in her dreams, causing her to lose sleep for the past few days. It had already been a year since the horrific accident, and she had just started feeling somewhat okay. Waking up from the dreams brought waves of longing that weighed heavily on her heart, and she felt guilty for slowly forgetting him.
But those tender feelings vanished instantly without a trace. He kept pestering me to go see the sea in Donghae… That meant he wanted me to go to the afterlife with him?! How could you… how could you do that to me…
“Would you prefer he never appears again?”
Pale and trembling, Su-bin nodded vigorously. Ji-won took a lighter from his inner pocket and cleanly burned the drawing he had made. He watched until it turned completely to ash, then spoke in an indifferent voice.
“He won’t appear anymore.”
“R-Really?”
“Probably. And I’m not usually one to meddle like this, but since you seem susceptible to suggestion, Ms. Kim, I’ll add one more thing… Remember this. If a dead person ever appears in your dream and tries to get you on a bus or train, never get on board willingly.”
“…Wh-Why?”
“Because that’s a funeral bier. Your own.”
At Ji-won’s simple reply, goosebumps ran down Su-bin’s entire body. Just this morning, she had finally gone to the train station with him after he’d constantly talked about the Donghae sea. She was just about to board the train when her older brother woke her up, asking to borrow a charging cable. She had stormed off to work, furious that he had not only disturbed her precious morning sleep but also rudely kicked her awake…
Ji-won, whose expression remained unchanged even as he watched Su-bin turn pale as if about to faint, gave a small nod towards the door. It meant their business was concluded, and she could leave.
“Excuse me, Director.”
Ji-won, who had already taken out his phone to check stock prices, glanced up briefly. Though slightly intimidated by the clearly annoyed look in his eyes, Su-bin couldn’t help but ask.
“What if… just what if. What if I had said I wanted to follow him to death… Would you have just left me alone today?”
Ji-won paused, considering Su-bin’s question for a moment, then slowly nodded. If she hadn’t been someone he had to see every day, and thus the hassle of hiring a new employee wouldn’t fall on him, he wouldn’t have bothered calling her in to ask in the first place.
“I would have. I’m not in a position to interfere in your life as I please, Ms. Kim.”
After signing a few approval documents, Ji-won languidly tilted his head left and right and checked the time. It’s 11 now… Maybe because I used up energy this morning, my body feels stiff. Should I just head home for the day? Just as Ji-won decided to go sweat it out at the hotel sauna and stood up from his seat, a beep sounded, and the intercom light turned on.
“Yes.”
[Director, someone identifying himself as the Head of Security from Zenith Company has requested a meeting. What should I do?]
Ji-won’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected request. Zenith Company? That’s a cosmetics company. Why would a large corporation like that want to see me… And the Head of Security, no less. Maybe if it were marketing or the cultural affairs department, but… He had a strong feeling this would become incredibly troublesome, but he couldn’t just turn away a Zenith employee at the door. Tsk, why is my luck so terrible today? Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Ji-won replied in a reluctant voice.
“Let him in.”
[Yes, understood.]
Soon after, a polite knock sounded, and a distinguished-looking man in his 50s opened the door, a broad smile on his face. Though his smile was gentle, his eyes, quickly scanning the other person, were quite sharp. Realizing he was being appraised, Ji-won immediately felt displeased. Naturally, the hand gesture inviting the man to sit was not particularly friendly.
“Good morning, Director. I am Kwon Hyeon-ho, Head of Security at Zenith Company. I sincerely apologize for arriving without an appointment.”
“Cha Ji-won. But what brings the Head of Security from Zenith here…?”
“Yes, neither of us is idle, so let’s cut to the chase. Director, do you happen to know a Mr. Park Jae-kwon?”
Park Jae-kwon? Ji-won searched his memory for a moment before shaking his head firmly.
“No. I’ve never heard that name before.”
“Ah, you might not know the name. I should explain more specifically. Then do you remember the deceased male in his mid-twenties whom you personally sent to Jungcheon today at 09:37? He was said to have been romantically involved with an employee here during his lifetime, and apparently, his eyes met yours just before his forced escort.”
…What? Momentarily speechless, Ji-won couldn’t find the words to respond, while the man continued nonchalantly, spewing even stranger things. Although many unfamiliar terms were used, the fact that he could roughly understand the content was even more baffling.
“Looking into it, there are several other incidents presumed to be your work among uncertified escort cases. Starting 22 years ago in Sokcho, one case each in New York and London, and two years ago, you also sent a deceased woman in her 40s to Jungcheon near your residence. Is that correct?”
Ji-won listened quietly, raising an eyebrow slightly. Well, the timing seems to roughly match when I got rid of those ghosts… So ‘Jungcheon’ is a real place? No, no. More importantly than that… Why is Zenith’s Head of Security talking like some kind of shaman? And near my residence? How do you people know where I live? What’s with this confidence after digging into someone’s background without permission? As the initial shock from the surprise attack subsided, annoyance surged within him.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Despite Ji-won’s sharp retort delivered with a cold expression, the Head of Security maintained the same benevolent expression as before. It was a smile that revealed the seasoned experience of someone accustomed to such reactions.
“Of course, it’s natural that you wouldn’t know, but… modern times place great emphasis on human rights, so unless a situation absolutely requires summary judgment, all deceased are informed of the principles and guided to Jungcheon using non-violent methods as much as possible. If procedures aren’t properly followed, there’s a high potential for backlash.”
“Backlash… from the deceased?”
“Yes. They sometimes inflict physical harm on living people or flee. As you know, society has become incredibly complex, making it difficult to find them if they decide to hide. Mr. Park Jae-kwon, whom you saw this morning, was also a deceased individual showing signs of corruption, whom the Guides were carefully searching for. My greetings are late, but I deeply appreciate your assistance in his apprehension.”
“Guides…?”
“It’s the term for the occupational group that performs the role of guiding the deceased from the Mortal Realm to Jungcheon. In Eastern cultures, the term Jeoseungsaja was mainly used, and in the West, they were sometimes called Grim Reapers, but now, for easier communication, we use the term Guide. It’s a global society, after all.”
The Head of Security’s breezy explanation gave Ji-won a headache, and he pressed his temples firmly. So… in modern society, even the human rights of ghosts must be respected and dealt with according to procedure, but I ignored that and acted as an unlicensed Grim Reaper. And that’s such a big deal that they thoroughly dig up my personal information and chase me down relentlessly.
“So, what exactly is your purpose in seeking me out?”
“It might be bothersome, but please come with me to Jungcheon for a moment. The CEO wishes to see you.”
“The CEO?”
“Yes, the Master of Jungcheon and the CEO of Zenith Company.”
“Why should I follow your CEO’s orders? If she has business with me, she can come here herself.”
The Head of Security, who had been smiling the entire time, finally lowered the corners of his mouth slightly at Ji-won’s prickly response.
“The CEO is someone who can pass judgment on all beings in the Mortal Realm. I say this truly out of goodwill, but it would be better for you in many ways to come willingly rather than having the CEO meet you here.”
The heavy sedan, rolling smoothly, stopped in front of a massive building in the heart of Gangnam. Ji-won stepped out of the car with a distinctly reluctant expression, tilting his head back to scan the aesthetically pleasing exterior of the building. He had usually passed by without much thought, but standing right in front of it, he finally felt a cool energy. He had thought it was just a company that grew rapidly by luckily catching the eco-friendly wave, but to think it was actually a place doing such astonishing work…
Perhaps because he’d heard talk of Grim Reapers, he had vaguely expected a traditional atmosphere, but surprisingly, the building’s internal systems were extremely modern. First, under the watchful eyes of sharp-eyed security guards, he had to pass through a scanner that revealed the outlines of his belongings. Only after thorough identity verification via facial recognition could he proceed to the elevator. Even then, a fingerprint scan was required to open the doors, and a nerve-grating warning tone continued until his identity was confirmed once more by iris scan.
[49th Floor. Going up.]
Hearing the clear mechanical voice, Ji-won reflexively swallowed dryly. It’s not like I’m going to see royalty, is security really necessary to this extent? If things go wrong, I could die here, and no one would know. Should I have told someone where I was going? Wait. Can a living person go to Jungcheon… and come back alive?
Belated regret and anxiety began to creep in. The Head of Security, keenly observing Ji-won’s expression, offered a reassuring smile, but having been threatened less than 30 minutes ago, Ji-won couldn’t quite trust him.
“Is Jungcheon on the 49th floor?”
“No. This building has 48 floors above ground. Jungcheon exists in a different dimension from the Mortal Realm, and this is just one of the passages for the living. We can’t use the same entrance as the deceased, you see. That one doesn’t function as an exit…”
The 49th floor of a 48-story building… Right, nothing really surprises me anymore. Though the idea of a door without an exit function is a bit chilling.
“For reference, there are about 200 entrances connecting to Jungcheon across the globe. Official staff can use any door, but when returning from Jungcheon to the Mortal Realm, you must exit through the same door you entered. It’s a rule created to prevent unauthorized entry and exit or the escape of the deceased.”
“So you can’t travel to other regions through Jungcheon.”
“Correct. If you happen to confuse the entrances, you won’t end up in another region, but another dimension. There’s no guarantee your physical body will remain intact during that process. Now, please step out.”
What a brutal system. Ji-won tried not to show his tension as he slowly stepped forward. However, maintaining a neutral expression wasn’t as easy as he thought. Though he wasn’t usually prone to making a fuss, it was difficult to remain composed in the face of the wondrous sight unfolding before him.
First, the sheer size defied common sense. The ceiling height was difficult to gauge with the naked eye, and one wall seemed to stretch for several kilometers. It clearly wasn’t the scale of a single floor in a typical building. The words ‘different dimension’ finally hit home.
“It’s incredibly spacious.”
“Is it? I used to think it was really large, but these days, with the number of deaths so high, I don’t feel like there’s that much space. At least 6,000 people arrive per hour. Zenith alone has over 2,000 employees.”
As the Head of Security mentioned, souls of various ethnicities were constantly rising from spots on the mirror-like, polished floor. Guides with friendly smiles would quickly approach, confirm the language spoken by the deceased, and lead them to one of the hundreds of desks lined up along the left and right walls. It felt much like the service counters at a government office, and most of the deceased lined up orderly at their assigned desks.
“What happens at those desks?”
“They determine the deceased’s future destination. See the scales on the desks? When a deceased person stands before them, the scales tilt according to their merits and demerits in life. If it tilts to the left from the deceased’s perspective, they are reincarnated in the Mortal Realm. If it tilts to the right, they go to the Underworld.”
“What if they balance perfectly?”
“That rarely happens, but on the rare occasion they are perfectly balanced, the CEO, the Master of Jungcheon, makes the final judgment.”
“Do children that young go to hell too?”
Seeing an infant, unable to walk on its own, being carried somewhere in an employee’s arms, Ji-won frowned. The Head of Security, his expression quite pitying, shook his head lightly.
“No. Children under the age of 10 bypass judgment and are immediately guided to the Gate of Reincarnation. It’s extremely rare for young children to commit acts wicked enough to warrant punishment in the Underworld after death, and even if they do commit sins, responsibility up to that age is considered the guardian’s.”
“The Gate of Reincarnation?”
“That door on the left is the Gate of Reincarnation. The one on the right is the Gate to the Underworld.”
Following the Head of Security’s gesture, Ji-won’s gaze shifted to two large, identical doors in the distance. However, the atmosphere surrounding each was distinctly different. Beyond the left door, bright, warm light shone, while the area beyond the right door was eerily dark. Most of those standing before the right door looked terrified; many were crying or screaming.
The Gate to the Underworld, the door to hell… Seeing it in person, the sense of pressure is no joke. Ji-won, looking slightly sickened, was quietly rubbing his arm where goosebumps had risen when suddenly a commotion erupted somewhere, and fierce shouts, including vulgar curses, echoed through the hall. Looking towards the source of the noise, he saw a stout middle-aged man with a flushed face yelling at the top of his lungs.
“How can this be! Weigh it again! Use different scales, I said! I lived such a good life, how can it possibly tilt this far to the right?”
“Sir. If you wish, we can weigh you again on different scales, so please calm down. You’re making the others anxious.”
When the judge with a gentle face tried to soothe him with kind words, the man became even more arrogant and boisterous.
“So who put this faulty thing here in the first place, huh? If you’d done it right from the start, this wouldn’t have happened! Why inconvenience a busy person!”
His attitude starkly revealed the kind of life he must have lived. Just as old habits die hard, a nuisance in life remained a nuisance in death. After getting permission from the other deceased souls, the man was immediately moved to the adjacent desk, seeming to calm down for a moment. However, when the second judgment yielded the same result, he soon threw the scales to the ground and started causing a scene.
“Aren’t you all scammers! Who are you to judge me! Do you know who I am? Even if I’m dead, how dare you treat me like this? What’s your name?”
As the atmosphere turned hostile, burly security guards in black suits swarmed in and surrounded the man, whose frenzy only intensified.
“What is this! This is just a gang of thugs! Are you going to hit someone? Get the person in charge out here! I’m not moving a single step from here, so get the person in charge right now…”
Just as the man threw himself onto the floor, screaming with veins bulging in his neck, a sudden hum resonated, and a faint vibration rippled through Jungcheon. The source of the wave was the large spring in the center. The surface, previously smooth and still as ice, rippled widely for a moment, and then, a young woman in a neat suit with long hair tied back neatly emerged, walking expressionlessly through the parting water.
“That is CEO Ju Ga-on, the Master of Jungcheon.”
Even without the Head of Security’s whisper, her identity was clear from her entrance. As soon as Ga-on appeared, all the employees in Jungcheon simultaneously stopped their work and bowed their heads respectfully. Though she looked young, perhaps in her early twenties, her presence was so overwhelming that even the deceased souls who didn’t know who she was instinctively averted their gazes.
She’s much younger than I expected. I thought the CEO of a major corporation would be at least in her fifties. Zenith Company is doing well overseas these days, I see she’s completely decked out in luxury brands. Silently observing Ga-on’s attire, Ji-won let out a small smirk. Wow, Musa by Marini. Look at the creases on the heel. She wears shoes worth over 3 million won like they’re rubber slippers.
With everyone’s attention focused on her, Ga-on scanned the surroundings before spotting the man causing the disturbance and slowly walking towards him. The security guards who had approached to restrain the man immediately stepped back. Sensing the ominous atmosphere, the man scrambled awkwardly to his feet, his eyes darting nervously. Ga-on stopped in front of him and spoke in a low but clear voice.
“A father who beat his children.”
“Wh-What? You… you young brat, where do you get off speaking so rudely…”
Though clearly flustered, the man still blustered. Ga-on simply looked at him impassively. A flicker of contempt seemed to cross her large eyes, but it was too fleeting to be certain.
“And several lives taken by vicious kicks.”
“S-So what! Are you saying you’ll send a dignified human being to hell for beating a few mutts to death?!”
“Dignified… Even beasts court their mates with devotion, yet you took a wife through vile rape, making you less than a beast. Furthermore, you were unfaithful to the wife you forced by your side. Your wife eventually died of illness from lifelong heartache, so that too is your sin.”
My god, he cheated on top of everything else? How shameless can one be? The surrounding deceased souls cast looks of condemnation, but the man still refused to readily accept it.
“What nonsense is that?! C-Can you prove it?”
“Foolish child, it is to your advantage to quietly acquiesce at this point. Even at this moment, your behavior is steadily being added to your transgressions. This means the punishment you must receive in the Underworld continues to increase. Do not take lightly the chance to pay for your sins, as only one remains for you.”
“…What did you say?”
Realizing the situation was turning increasingly unfavorable, the man’s cunning eyes flashed, and he made a dash towards the nearest small wooden door. However, his desperate escape ended futilely before he had taken even ten steps. A transparent sword appeared without warning, hovering silently at his neck. Completely terrified, the man froze, unable even to scream. It was a beautiful sword, sparkling with water droplets like jewels, but he instinctively knew that even a graze would slice him to pieces.
“But if you fail to grasp the gravity of this final chance and continue to disrupt the order of Jungcheon, I will cut you down without further delay. If my sword leaves a scar upon you, you will be cast directly into the Infernal Abyss without the judgment of the King of Hell. Once you set foot there, you can never leave, ever.”
As the man realized he had no choice, his face fell into deep despair. Ga-on delivered her ultimatum in a chilling voice.
“I will grant your wish. What will you do?”
The man finally lowered his head. Security guards swiftly approached the man, who no longer dared to resist, dragged him away, and practically threw him beyond the right door. A belated scream echoed faintly, and the time in Jungcheon, which seemed to have paused, began to flow busily once more.
“CEO, this is Director Cha Ji-won of Gallery Hwadam, whom I mentioned.”
At the Head of Security’s introduction, Ga-on turned her head slightly and gazed steadily into Ji-won’s eyes, then averted her gaze less than three seconds later. That utter lack of interest strangely offended Ji-won.
“Chief Kwon.”
“Yes, CEO.”
“Send him back.”
Having said her piece, Ga-on turned away without a second thought. Ji-won, looking momentarily dumbfounded, twisted his lips slightly. What the hell. Dragging someone here forcibly, and now leaving without a single word of greeting? If you were going to send me back this easily, what was all that menacing intimidation about?
“Just a moment.”
If you summon someone, you should speak to them face-to-face. Shaking off the Head of Security’s urgent attempt to stop him, Ji-won blocked Ga-on’s path. Looking into her clear, emotionless eyes, a strange, unidentifiable competitive spirit suddenly surged within him. It was a feeling too complex to be simply called fighting spirit, but at that moment, there was no other way to describe it.
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