An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 181

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 180
Part 7. An Unwelcome Gaze (2)
Zzzzzing!
Kang Hyung-seok frowned at the name that appeared on his navigation screen as he drove to work.
Still, he answered the call without complaint.
“What is it?”
(Where are you?)
“In the car.”
Shin Yoseph responded with a tone that suggested, “This guy?”
(Heading to work?)
“Yeah.”
(Stop by today.)
Kang Hyung-seok’s frown deepened immediately.
He was well aware by now that Shin Yoseph had a habit of throwing out requests without preamble, but yesterday Gwak Young-ho had even held a meeting with a tone suggesting concern about the next quarter.
He had no mental energy to meet Shin Yoseph without a clear reason.
“It’s tough. I’m swamped these days.”
(I’ll introduce you to a client.)
“Where should we meet?”
Taken aback, Shin Yoseph fell silent for a moment before speaking with a groan.
(When did you become so shameless?)
“You’re rubbing off on me.”
(Phew!)
“Just tell me what this is about. What’s going on?”
(I think someone might be possessed by a spirit. I’d like you to check it out personally.)
Just then, the traffic light turned red.
He braked and stopped at the line, leaning back against the seat.
“Possessed? You’re sure?”
(I’m not a Shaman, so I can’t say for certain. Anyway, one of the workers at the site seems off. He didn’t show up today without notice either.)
“Hmm.”
(What?)
“It’s strange. If it’s a field worker issue, that shouldn’t be something you’d concern yourself with.”
Shin Yoseph was a director at Shinjin Construction.
The rank difference between him and field workers was enormous.
It was surprising that such information had even reached Shin Yoseph.
(It’s a big project. We’re doing tunnel construction.)
“Ah, I understand.”
Tunnel construction often required cooperation with the government or special permits.
In other words, the client was the government.
Moreover, given Shinjin Construction’s reputation, various complications could arise and pile on without warning.
“You’ve got your hands full.”
(From what I heard, it was after they cut down a tree, but I’m not entirely sure myself.)
“Sigh.”
(I wish Shin Jung-ah had come along with us.)
“Right. Where is this place you want to show me?”
(Let’s talk about that once everyone’s gathered. It’ll be cleaner that way.)
“Got it.”
Kang Hyung-seok ended the call and lifted his foot from the brake as the traffic light turned green.
The engine rumbled.
‘I have no idea how this will turn out.’
What if it wasn’t an evil spirit?
What if something terrible was tangled up in it, like with the Imoogi?
‘No. Focus on what I can do right now.’
Handle it well.
That way, I could ease one of Gwak Young-ho’s worries.
Kang Hyung-seok pressed his lips firmly together and drove toward the Company.
***
“And so we meet like this.”
Shin Yoseph bowed respectfully to Shin Jung-ah as she entered the Cafe with Kang Hyung-seok.
It was a Cafe located roughly between Daejeong Materials and Shinjin Construction.
Appropriately secluded with beautiful surroundings, though the coffee prices were enough to make you gasp.
In exchange, the interior décor, the subtle aroma of coffee, and the jazz music playing softly were all excellent.
“I heard the explanation. It’s been a while.”
The two of them were still strangers to each other.
They knew only the briefest of information.
Shin Jung-ah was someone who could help Kang Hyung-seok, and Shin Yoseph was a former exorcist priest—that was the extent of their relationship.
“Let me get some coffee.”
“Huh? Should we go together?”
Shin Jung-ah shifted in her seat to follow Kang Hyung-seok, and Shin Yoseph stood up, pocketing his card.
“Let’s go together.”
“I can go alone.”
“I’ll buy.”
Shin Yoseph approached the counter with his hand already in his pocket.
“Please wait. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh, okay.”
Shin Jung-ah watched over their belongings—her phone and the bag containing her ritual tools—while Kang Hyung-seok and Shin Yoseph ordered crisp Americanos without exchanging a word and returned with them.
The real conversation began after the three of them each took a sip of coffee.
“Shinjin Construction will be making next year’s diaries soon.”
Shin Yoseph broached the subject first, speaking about their client.
“There’s a place that usually makes them, but the contract ended, and we’re thinking of trying a new vendor while we’re at it.”
Shin Yoseph took a sip of his coffee, and Shin Jung-ah listened intently, her eyes brightening.
“Will you introduce us to that place?”
“Yes. It’s a place with growth potential, and we can gradually increase our transactions with them as well.”
A place that manufactures diaries handles everything from printing to binding.
“Pamphlets?”
Shin Yoseph nodded at the question Kang Hyung-seok tossed out casually.
“Right. We’re planning a hotel right now, and a place like that needs pamphlets.”
That made sense.
Whether the hotel was run as a training facility for new employees or as a promotional venue for the company brand, pamphlets were essential.
“In any case, from a long-term perspective, it won’t be a bad move. We’d be gaining a stable business partner.”
Shin Jung-ah, receiving Shin Yoseph’s gaze, nodded enthusiastically with a smile playing at her lips.
“Thank you.”
“But before that….”
Shin Yoseph shifted his gaze to Kang Hyung-seok.
“I need you to help me out.”
Not only Shin Yoseph but Shin Jung-ah as well looked at Kang Hyung-seok.
Please say yes.
That was the look in their eyes.
If Gwak Young-ho had been present at this moment, he probably would have worn a similar expression to Shin Jung-ah’s.
“I’ve already made up my mind to do it.”
Both Shin Yoseph, who was drinking coffee, and Shin Jung-ah, who was rubbing the space between her eyebrows, seemed to feel at ease.
For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, I had a feeling that Gwak Young-ho, absent from this place, was wearing an expression similar to Shin Jung-ah’s.
“Then I’ll entrust this task to the two of you.”
“You’re not going with us?”
Shin Yoseph smiled apologetically as he watched the startled Shin Jung-ah.
“It’s company business, so it’s a bit awkward to show my face.”
“Can’t be helped.”
“Sorry.”
It was after Kang Hyung-seok picked up his coffee cup with an understanding expression.
Whoosh.
Shin Yoseph slid the card he’d used to buy the coffee across to Kang Hyung-seok.
“What’s this?”
“Activity funds.”
Shin Jung-ah was even more surprised than before, and Shin Yoseph continued matter-of-factly.
“Use it for gas and meals.”
Kang Hyung-seok laughed heartily at Shin Yoseph.
“Back in university, I had a friend just like you.”
“Really?”
Shin Yoseph asked as if surprised, and Kang Hyung-seok reached for the card.
“He never participated in group projects, but he was always good about ordering late-night snacks.”
Shin Yoseph laughed similarly to Kang Hyung-seok and opened his mouth.
“How’s the project coming along?”
“We won’t need to cover the late-night meal expenses.”
I gathered the card and opened my wallet.
The feeling was genuinely strange.
Placing such an elegant black card—one that likely commanded membership fees in the hundreds of thousands of won—into my wallet felt surreal.
“I’m counting on you. I’ll provide support from behind.”
“Thanks.”
I waved the wallet containing the card and took a sip of coffee.
***
(Ah! This is absolutely amazing!)
Gwak Young-ho’s voice was so loud that it reached even me.
“Manager Kang is right next to me. Should I put him on?”
(Wait, you’re driving right now? Never mind then. Just call me once everything’s wrapped up.)
“Yes, sir.”
(I was wondering when you two said you were heading out this morning… Ah, this is just too good.)
I could practically see Gwak Young-ho’s expression, and despite driving, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Manager Kang is smiling too?”
(What? Are you on speaker?)
“No, sir. It’s just that your voice is quite loud.”
(That’s how happy I am! That happy.)
Shin Jung-ah let out a small laugh, glanced at me in the driver’s seat, then turned her gaze toward the passenger window.
“Then we’ll focus on our end for now.”
(Got it. You both hang in there!)
“Yes.”
Shin Jung-ah ended the call and leaned the back of her head against the headrest.
“This is incredibly nerve-wracking.”
“Are you worried it might not go well?”
“There’s always that one-in-a-million chance. Plus, who knows what else might happen.”
Yet despite her words, Shin Jung-ah’s eyes clearly showed she trusted me.
“So we just need to meet this Lee Jang-woo person, right?”
“Yes.”
“Looks like the contact went through smoothly.”
“Shin Yoseph must have arranged it through someone trustworthy.”
The Shaman is going.
To resolve the very thing they fear might bring misfortune.
That’s how the message was likely sent.
“That’s enough?”
I kept my gaze fixed forward and nodded.
“Among those in the construction business, quite a few actually believe in Shamanism.”
“…Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Our maternal uncle mentioned in passing that there are people like that.”
In a way, it was Uncle who had connected me to Shin Yoseph.
The incident that served as the catalyst was the infused liquor.
Back then, I had resolved the problem together with Shin Jung-ah.
“Your uncle—that was during the infused liquor incident, right? It feels like that was ages ago.”
“It really does.”
Kang Hyung-seok gradually reduced his speed, following the navigation system.
They were near their destination, but since it was supposed to be a motel, it didn’t feel like a commercial district at all.
Bars with their doors closed in broad daylight.
There were places like Chinese restaurants and gukbap restaurants, and scattered on the ground were flyers for nightclubs, giving the whole area the feel of a secluded motel district.
Screech!
Kang Hyung-seok parked the car in a suitable spot, engaged the parking brake, grabbed his bag, and got out.
Shin Jung-ah followed him out immediately and stood silently beside him.
It was because Kang Hyung-seok’s eyes had narrowed as he looked up at the motel.
“Do you see something?”
“I smell something.”
There are several types of spiritual scents.
Usually they’re related to death, but the scent I detected was like rotten perfume.
‘Could it be a curse?’
After a moment’s thought, I shook my head.
If they had removed the tree where a young woman had hanged herself, everything would be explained.
“Let’s go up for now.”
Kang Hyung-seok and Shin Jung-ah headed toward the room where Lee Jang-woo was.
It was a motel with unusually narrow stairs, and because of that, there seemed to be the smell of cosmetics or alcohol lingering.
Knock, knock.
I knocked, but there was no answer.
Kang Hyung-seok took a breath through the gap and knocked again.
“Lee Jang-woo?”
This time, there was no response either.
‘Did he step out?’
It was the moment Kang Hyung-seok unconsciously grasped the doorknob.
Click.
The doorknob, which I had naturally expected to be locked, turned without any resistance.
“Damn it.”
A bad premonition surged instinctively, and Kang Hyung-seok immediately threw the door open.
Slam!
After the door opened with a loud sound.
My eyes met with Lee Jang-woo, who was attempting to hang himself by a belt from the ceiling.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————