An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 297

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

Chapter 296
Part 2. There Really Are Strange People (2)
Vroom!
It was a weekday.
After visiting a client, Kang Hyung-seok drove toward the Company with a sense of peace.
The rich aroma of coffee leaked from the tumbler hanging in the cup holder.
Combined with the scent of the premium car air freshener he’d recently purchased, it created a comfort so complete it felt almost excessive.
Sip.
As I drove at a leisurely pace, sipping coffee without any pressing matters, Shin Yoseph’s name suddenly appeared on my phone screen.
Beep.
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“Can you talk?”
“That’s why I called you casually.”
If Gwak Young-ho had been beside me, I wouldn’t have been able to speak with Shin Yoseph this way.
“What? What do you want to say?”
A heavy sigh.
Beyond the sound of someone deep in thought came the flick of a lighter igniting a cigarette.
“About Park Pyung-sik. That Possessed Person in the Mountain Cabin.”
“I remember.”
That was only a few days ago.
It was a moment and event impossible to forget, so I answered with a voice as heavy as the coffee aroma filling the car.
“No matter how much I think about it, something feels off. It doesn’t make sense logically. One person becoming a Possessed Person twice.”
“…Is that so?”
“Is it different on your end?”
“If we’re talking about possession patients, they often experience similar incidents multiple times.”
It could be a matter related to constitution.
There’s a saying that if one’s birth chart contains inauspicious marks like the Ghost Gate or White Fox Calamity, they’re easily targeted by Malevolent Spirits. In fact, Shin Jung-ah had such a constitution and was prone to becoming entangled in matters involving spirits.
“That could be, but something still doesn’t sit right with me.”
“You want to investigate?”
“There’s no harm in trying.”
I think I understand what Shin Yoseph is worried about.
A planned Possessed Person.
The possibility that someone deliberately attached a Demon to Park Pyung-sik, like bait.
If that were true, it would be something deeply disturbing and chilling.
“He’s a man without family. It seems like they deliberately chose someone who wouldn’t have any complications afterward.”
“Got it.”
I took another sip of coffee before setting the tumbler back in the holder.
“If I find anything, I’ll contact you right away. I’ll come with you.”
It was a conversation laden with considerable meaning.
Even though Shin Yoseph received forgiveness from Father Leo, he continues to pursue the Demon and seeks to save the Possessed Person.
Even though Kang Hyung-seok had achieved his purpose of bringing peace to Shin Yoseph, he said he wouldn’t sever their connection.
It was likely because they both shared the same purpose.
A calling.
(Your words alone mean a lot to me.)
“What I hate most is a bad check.”
(Ah, you’re in sales, right? That makes sense.)
“I’m sick of it. I don’t want to become that kind of person either.”
(Alright, understood. Then let’s talk about this again later.)
“Go on in. Oh, that’s right.”
(What?)
Kang Hyung-seok tapped the top of his phone to check today’s date and continued speaking.
“Have a prosperous new year.”
(…Suddenly? And now of all times?)
“Then don’t accept it.”
(When a shaman says something like that, it sounds like a curse, you lunatic.)
Kang Hyung-seok and Shin Yoseph bickered back and forth exchanging new year’s greetings before ending the call.
That was when it happened.
Ding!
The incoming call came right away, and I thought it might be Shin Yoseph, but it was Gwak Young-ho.
“Yes, Manager.”
(Manager Kang, did the client visit go well?)
“Yes. I’m heading back now. It should take about ten minutes.”
(I see. Well, I’m really sorry, but could you possibly pick up a cake on your way back?)
“A cake?”
Just as I was wondering if perhaps someone had visited the office and they liked cake, Gwak Young-ho’s words came right after.
(Ah, I suddenly need one. I’ll send you the money, but you know that big private bakery near the office, right?)
“Yes. I think I know which one you mean.”
(Just get one cake from there for me.)
“Understood. Any particular type?”
(Anything’s fine. Oh, and fireworks too!)
“Understood.”
There must be something good happening that I didn’t know about.
That’s probably why Gwak Young-ho’s voice sounded so excited.
After hanging up, Kang Hyung-seok headed to the bakery with a faint smile, and just in case, grabbed some candles separately before returning to the office.
Creak.
“I’m back.”
“Oh! Manager Kang!”
Gwak Young-ho was waving his hand in front of the manager’s office.
The door was slightly ajar, and through the gap I could see that Namgoong Min-ah and Lee Jin-pyung were gathered there too, which made the situation even more confusing.
“Should I put the cake in the break room?”
“No need for that. I’ll use it right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Kang Hyung-seok entered the Manager’s Office, the gazes of Namgoong Min-ah and Lee Jin-pyung followed him.
Something was definitely happening.
Both of them had the same bright, anticipatory look in their eyes that Gwak Young-ho wore—the expression of people welcoming good news.
“What on earth is—”
As I spoke, my eyes caught the business card holder sitting atop Gwak Young-ho’s desk.
In that instant, everything became clear.
Why Gwak Young-ho had asked for a cake to be prepared, and why the team members’ eyes gleamed with such excitement.
“Ah, finally.”
I broke into a bright smile as if fortune long blocked had finally burst through, and Gwak Young-ho nodded vigorously as he pulled out his wallet.
“No, sir. Please, let me buy it. I insist, Manager.”
“Nonsense! This is on me. That’s how it should be.”
Gwak Young-ho withdrew a fifty-thousand-won note from his wallet and pressed it into my hand, then waved dismissively and tucked his wallet back into his pocket, refusing any change.
That was when it happened.
Bang.
“I’m back!”
Shin Jung-ah returned to the office from her client visit, her face etched with exhaustion.
“Shin Manager!”
Gwak Young-ho, still standing in front of the Manager’s Office, quickly called out to her, and Shin Jung-ah sent a puzzled look his way as she unfastened the bag strap from her shoulder.
“Why is everyone gathered here?”
“Come quick! Hurry!”
Shin Jung-ah approached with a bewildered expression.
Watching her approach from inside the Manager’s Office, I silently lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile.
Meanwhile, Namgoong Min-ah carefully peeled the poppers from the cake box and handed one to Lee Jin-pyung as well.
And the moment Shin Jung-ah stepped into the Manager’s Office.
Pop!
Colorful streamers burst from the poppers and danced through the air above Shin Jung-ah’s head.
“Oh!”
Startled, Shin Jung-ah’s eyes widened as she looked around and spotted the cake box.
Then she looked at Gwak Young-ho with an expression of disbelief.
“Whose birthday is it?”
“What are you talking about? Here, take this first.”
Gwak Young-ho handed the business card holder to Shin Jung-ah.
Shin Jung-ah flinched for a moment but accepted the holder, and then, under the weight of everyone’s hopeful gazes, she opened its lid.
And immediately covered her mouth.
“No way.”
“Congratulations, Shin Manager. Or rather, Shin Deputy Director.”
Shin Jung-ah gasped silently and withdrew a business card from the holder.
It was barely different from the one she currently used.
However, the title listed before Shin Jung-ah’s name had changed to Deputy Manager.
“Ah….”
“Congratulations, Deputy Manager Shin Jung-ah!”
Without being asked, Namgoong Min-ah began clapping loudly, and Kang Hyung-seok joined in.
Then Gwak Young-ho and Lee Jin-pyung also clapped, and Shin Jung-ah’s expression shifted, growing tender.
Her lips pressed firmly together, and the corners of her eyes trembled slightly.
“Ah, what is this! Not a word beforehand.”
“We didn’t know either. I only just found out. Kang picked up the cake on the way here.”
“Manager Kang?”
Kang Hyung-seok, receiving Shin Jung-ah’s gaze, nodded with the corners of his mouth lifted.
“Ah….”
“Anyway, congratulations! You achieved great results last quarter. Think of this as recognition for that.”
“No, that’s…. Well, thank you so much.”
Shin Jung-ah bowed her head not only to Gwak Young-ho but to her other teammates as well.
“I’m really grateful to all of you.”
“Manager, or rather Deputy Manager! Cake cutting! Cake cutting!”
Namgoong Min-ah opened the box and placed the cake on top, then pulled out a plastic knife and offered the handle to Shin Jung-ah.
“Do I really have to do this?”
“Why not? It’s nice.”
“It feels a bit awkward.”
“We’re just among ourselves—what’s awkward about that? Let’s cut it already. Huh? Where’s Deputy Manager Lee going?”
“I’m going to grab some coffee from the Break Room.”
Kang Hyung-seok moved to follow Lee Jin-pyung as he headed for the door.
“Let me come along. It’ll be hard to carry everything alone.”
“I’ll go too!”
“Two of us is enough. Min-ah, you stay here.”
Leaving a dejected Namgoong Min-ah behind, Kang Hyung-seok headed toward the Break Room.
As I did, I glanced back and caught a glimpse of Shin Jung-ah’s profile as she spoke with Gwak Young-ho.
Though she hadn’t said it aloud, Shin Jung-ah had clearly been thinking about the promotion all along.
‘Good for her.’
Both Shin Yoseph and Shin Jung-ah had each finally achieved something they’d longed for over such a long time.
It was truly something to celebrate wholeheartedly.
With that thought, Kang Hyung-seok stood beside Lee Jin-pyung and began extracting a hot Americano from the coffee machine.
***
“Then let’s head in!”
Perhaps emboldened by her promotion to Deputy Manager, Shin Jung-ah rose with uncharacteristic cheerfulness, and Gwak Young-ho pulled on his padded jacket before speaking.
“We don’t need to do a team dinner tonight, right?”
“Oh, come on—it’s a weekday. How about Friday? I’ll treat everyone.”
“Friday?”
“Yes. Let’s have a drink together that day, Manager.”
“That sounds perfect! Everyone’s free this Friday, right?”
Gwak Young-ho swept his gaze across the team, and not a single person objected.
Their expressions made it clear they would attend no matter what—even if they had prior commitments—to celebrate Shin Jung-ah’s promotion. Gwak Young-ho opened his calendar with a smile, while Kang Hyung-seok stood beside Shin Jung-ah in front of the Elevator.
Ding!
When the Elevator arrived, he glanced back at the Office, but no one else was coming out.
“Let’s just go together.”
Not wanting to hold up the Elevator during rush hour, Kang Hyung-seok and Shin Jung-ah stepped inside and pressed the buttons for the first floor and the Underground Parking Lot.
“Since you got promoted, should I give you a ride?”
“Oh? No, no.”
Shin Jung-ah laughed with embarrassment and adjusted her bag strap.
“I’ll head somewhere else.”
Kang Hyung-seok nodded understandingly.
The promotion had come so suddenly.
How many people would she want to share this wonderful news with?
Ding!
As the Elevator reached the first floor, Shin Jung-ah stepped out and waved to Kang Hyung-seok.
“Thanks for congratulating me! And the cake was delicious!”
“Take care on your way home!”
“See you tomorrow!”
After sending Kang Hyung-seok off, Shin Jung-ah pulled out her business card case with a smile on her face.
She opened the lid to confirm it read “Deputy Manager Shin Jung-ah,” and with a pleased smile, she walked toward the Subway Station.
Though she always enjoyed her commute home, she couldn’t remember the last time her steps felt this light.
Beep beep beep.
Shin Jung-ah took out her phone and found her closest friend’s number, pressing the call button.
(What?)
At Lee Ha-yoon’s unenthusiastic voice, Shin Jung-ah spoke with a smile in her tone.
“Hey, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Come out.”
(Ugh, why are you calling so suddenly? I just poured water into my instant ramen.)
“Forget the ramen. Hey, I’m buying us Korean beef. Real Korean beef!”
(I love you, dear customer.)
Shin Jung-ah raised her middle finger toward the microphone, but unfortunately it wasn’t a video call, so the gesture was lost.
(But what’s going on? Why the sudden Korean beef?)
“Just come out. You’re going to be shocked.”
Shin Jung-ah descended the stairs toward the Subway Station while speaking with Lee Ha-yoon, her smile never wavering.
There was something unmistakably familiar in the way she spoke with her friend, a quality that reminded him of both Kang Hyung-seok and Shin Yoseph.

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