An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 198

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 197
Part 6. Three Hundred (1)
That night, I dreamed.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
Rapid drumbeats.
The surroundings were dark, and the sparks from the brazier danced like they were approaching the moon in the night.
It was winter.
Though I couldn’t feel the temperature, I could catch the distinctive scent of cool winter air.
I stared at the people beating the drum before my eyes.
They were muttering something rapidly.
It was Japanese, and with multiple people speaking simultaneously, the atmosphere was grotesque, even repulsive.
Yet there was Japanese I could understand.
“Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyuu.”
Japanese counting numbers.
‘You…’
The one muttering those words at incredible speed was the Japanese Onmyoji.
A man I remembered.
An old memory shown as a phantom by the Guardian Spirit at the cenotaph of Kim Ki-ok’s murdered mother.
That Japanese Onmyoji who had once commanded young Kim Ki-ok now appeared older, weaving hand seals while reciting numbers in a murky, raspy voice.
“Hyaku.”
When that number reached 100,
“Nihyaku.”
Passing 200,
“Sanbyaku.”
Reaching 300.
And then, as if returning to the beginning, the Japanese Onmyoji began reciting the numbers in reverse order at rapid speed.
The sight was utterly grotesque.
It felt as though something that should not exist was being performed.
‘Don’t do this.’
Whatever this was, it should not be done.
I wanted to clamp my hand over the Japanese Onmyoji’s mouth immediately, but I knew it was meaningless.
This wasn’t reality.
Soft footsteps, soft footsteps.
A man in white robes approached, cradling a wooden box large enough to fit a basketball against his chest.
With his gaze cast downward and careful steps, even his appearance felt like part of the incantation.
Soft footsteps.
The man stopped walking and knelt before the Japanese Onmyoji.
Then he lifted the box he was holding above his head and bowed deeply.
I had to see it.
I had to confirm with these own eyes what was inside.
I stood beside the Japanese Onmyoji, and his aged hand reached out to grasp the box’s handle.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!
The drum’s rhythm accelerated further.
My heartbeat quickened in tandem.
I watched the box without so much as a blink.
Click.
When the box opened, I saw a dark crimson mass, nearly black.
‘What is that?’
I leaned closer to discern its true nature.
The moment I understood what it was, I found myself holding my breath involuntarily.
A human head.
The dark crimson appearance came from lacquer coating applied to the skin to prevent decay.
The firelight and moonlight cast a soft glow upon the lustrous human head.
Gulp.
Confronted by something so grotesque and horrifying, I swallowed hard.
Crack! Crackle!
Fissures spread across the thick lacquer coating, and the head began to move slightly.
The head inside the box opened its eyes and stared at me.
In that instant, my eyes snapped open.
Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep!
The morning alarm announced the arrival of dawn.
Lying in the Bedroom with my eyes open, I remained motionless for a moment, staring at the Ceiling.
“…Damn it.”
Even awake, the nightmare refused to fade.
Shaken by the vividness of the nightmare, I rubbed my face and rose from the Bedroom.
‘Is it a revelation? Or merely a nightmare?’
Was it because of what Yoon Sang had told me yesterday? Or was it truly a revelation from the Guardian Spirit?
I pondered with half-open eyes before exhaling a heavy sigh.
The problem was that today wasn’t a day off.
“Time to head to work.”
Muttering like a groan, I headed to the Bathroom to wash up.
Moments like these made me acutely aware of how tragic it was to be bound to the Company.
***
Upon arriving at the Company, Kang Hyung-seok informed Gwak Young-ho that he would be heading out on a business trip before descending into the Underground Parking Lot.
It wasn’t that suspicious Factory from before.
Adorably enough, it was a place that dealt in baby products.
Thunk!
Once inside the vehicle, I set the destination on the navigation system.
I started the engine and fastened my seatbelt.
Yet I didn’t immediately depart; instead, I tapped the steering wheel with my index finger like a nervous habit.
‘This won’t do.’
I needed to return to my normal life.
But that damned Factory kept flickering in my mind’s eye.
“Sigh…”
With a heavy breath laden with contemplation, I picked up my phone from the dashboard and called Shin Yoseph.
Ring, ring, ring.
(What is it?)
“Let’s talk.”
Only after hearing Shin Yoseph’s voice did I continue speaking as I drove the car.
“Help me out.”
(Suddenly?)
“Something came up unexpectedly. No matter how much I think about it, there’s no one else I can ask for help but you.”
Exiting the Parking Lot, I drove slowly along the Road.
(Hmm…)
“Will you help or not?”
(Let me hear what it’s about first.)
Shin Yoseph must have been in his Office.
Just now, the sound of an expensive chair adjusting its recline—a soft whoosh—reached my ears.
“There’s a strange place. Can you find out what kind of person the Factory Owner is?”
(Why?)
“It’s similar to the Kim Ki-ok situation from back then.”
The Kim Ki-ok matter was something Shin Yoseph had asked me to handle.
No one understood the gravity of that case better than Shin Yoseph.
(…Is that all?)
“For now, yes.”
Before leaving the Office, I had exchanged words with Shin Jung-ah.
Apparently, the previous company had requested samples of burial garments, and we had decided to send them via courier to Shin Jung-ah as soon as they arrived.
“To dig deeper with more certainty, I need something specific. I think it’ll be in my hands by tomorrow.”
I was planning to ask Lee Geum-kyung for help regarding the burial garments.
(So what are you doing now? Driving?)
“Yeah.”
(If it’s not urgent, stop by. It’ll be faster to talk face-to-face.)
“I’m on my way to a business trip, so I don’t have time for that.”
(Is that the way to the Factory?)
“Unfortunately, I’m going to check on some baby bottles.”
Since I was heading out to collect samples, I could have brought a stroller or bottles when going up to the Office.
(If it’s about performance metrics, tell me. I can have my secretary handle it. Or I could make a call for you.)
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Kang Hyung-seok spoke in a low voice, driving the point home like a nail.
“It’s my job. I appreciate the offer, but I know where to draw the line.”
Shin Yoseph and I have a mutually beneficial relationship.
Though on the surface we were an executive from Shinjin Construction and a section chief from Daejeong Materials, bound by a contractual hierarchy, Shin Yoseph and I operated on far more equal footing.
I had no desire to tip this delicate balance in either direction.
(And this guy asks me to investigate things for him?)
“It’s not work-related, though.”
(Does anyone at your company know? You’re pretty shameless, aren’t you?)
“True. While we’re at it, let me ask for one more thing.”
(Now you’re being blatantly shameless?)
The flow of conversation made it oddly easy to imagine Shin Yoseph’s expression.
“Look into the people around the Factory Owner too.”
(…Should I check if there are any Japanese people in his circle again?)
Though Shin Yoseph complained, he did as I asked, so I gave him an apologetic smile, keeping my voice low.
“Just to be safe, include that. You mentioned someone was supposed to take over the Factory?”
(The owner is changing?)
“It’s strange, isn’t it?”
Suspicious enough to warrant concern.
Which made me think that person might be deeply involved as well.
(It’ll take some time.)
“That’s fine.”
(And if you end up needing backup, just say the word.)
I raised one eyebrow.
As I looked at my phone displaying Shin Yoseph’s name, his voice came through the vehicle speaker.
(If things escalate, I’ll lend a hand too.)
“…Are you sure about that?”
(I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t.)
“It’s not related to Demons.”
(Doesn’t matter.)
Shin Yoseph had changed somewhat from before.
It was a change tied to the exorcism ritual.
I nodded slightly and spoke in response.
“I’ll contact you right away if I need anything.”
(And try to make some time if you can. Once you build up your performance metrics, it should be possible, right?)
“I’m already working on it.”
Shin Yoseph would never know how desperately I longed for the baby bottles from this client to turn out well.
If the products were acceptable, I could immediately sell large quantities of materials like PPSU.
That would count toward my sales performance.
(Understood. Stay strong.)
The conversation naturally drew to a close, filling the interior of the car with a comfortable silence.
Shin Yoseph, reading the mood, ended the call with words of encouragement, and Kang Hyung-seok drew a deep breath, opening his mouth as if in prayer.
“This humble disciple makes a request.”
It was a prayer directed toward my Guardian Spirit.
“As I endeavor to act righteously, I humbly beseech you to protect my path forward. Please watch over all those who participate in this undertaking and keep them safe.”
Thump, jingle.
Perhaps it was from crossing the speed bump.
Or perhaps it was the divine response.
The Shaman’s Bell in my bag, placed on the passenger seat, chimed softly.
***
At that same moment.
Vroooom.
A van sped along a road lined with weeping willows on both sides.
Whirrr.
Cigarette smoke drifted out through the open driver’s window.
“Phoooo—!”
Hong Kyung-soo exhaled smoke as if contorting his face, his brow furrowed as he answered the incoming call.
“Yeah. What?”
(Hyung-nim, where are you going?)
The Dharma Master who followed Hong Kyung-soo.
“What are you saying, you bastard? Do I need to report and get permission before I move?”
(Surely it’s not what I’m thinking, is it?)
His voice was full of concern.
That touched Hong Kyung-soo’s nerves.
“I’ve told you repeatedly! Don’t do that damned thing! That old bastard deceived both heaven and earth, defied my words, and pulled that bullshit anyway—did you think I’d just sit back?”
(Hyung-nim! But still…!)
Hong Kyung-soo’s eye twitched as he rolled up the window.
Click.
Inside the completely sealed car, smoking his cigarette, Hong Kyung-soo let out a voice so low it seemed to scrape the floor.
“But what.”
(Hyung-nim.)
“I already know exactly what that damned bastard was thinking when he did this! You son of a bitch. And do you think the game I set up is something that lasts just one or two years? If even one small problem arises, it all turns to nothing!”
(…Sigh.)
“Hang up.”
Beep!
Hong Kyung-soo pressed the bright red call-end button and brought the cigarette to his lips, his eyes deep in thought.
“You bastard, how dare you defy the laws of heaven with such dog-like behavior. Tsk!”
There was no one to hear him.
Yet Hong Kyung-soo continued to mutter curses without pause, his eyes gleaming with venom as he glanced toward the back seat.
Glug, glug.
The liquid in the large container sloshed at regular intervals.
Kerosene.
Hong Kyung-soo stared at the container before slowly turning his gaze forward.
Far ahead, still appearing as nothing more than a distant speck.
The Factory that manufactured burial shrouds and cremation urns had shrunk to a tiny point reflected in his pupils.

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