An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 304

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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 303
Part 4. The Shaman’s Work (3)
The engine rumbled.
Shin Jung-ah sat beside Kang Hyung-seok as he drove.
They were heading toward the coast at Lee Geum-kyung’s request.
Their destination was Namhae County.
They still had quite a distance to go even after crossing the Noryang Bridge.
A stifled groan escaped her.
Shin Jung-ah’s stiffening body stretched as she let out a long, weary sigh, her expression half-dazed.
“Wow, this is no joke.”
“It’s tiring, isn’t it?”
“It’s Manager Kang who’s tired. Still, it really is far.”
Kang Hyung-seok nodded in agreement.
He could still vividly recall Gwak Young-ho’s expression when he’d mentioned going to Namhae.
It had been a look of disbelief—”You’re going all the way there?”—but the moment Kang Hyung-seok mentioned meeting with the person who’d introduced them to Samgol there, Gwak Young-ho had approved immediately.
“I never expected to end up coming along myself.”
Kang Hyung-seok’s lips curved upward as he responded to Shin Jung-ah’s murmur, her head resting against the passenger window.
“I was surprised too. The teacher suddenly insisted that you come along as well.”
“It’s nice seeing her after so long, but why does this feel so unsettling?”
“There’s bound to be something going on.”
Shin Jung-ah, who had unconsciously been about to respond with “Well, that’s true, but…”, closed her mouth instead.
Then, without a sound, she turned her head to look at Kang Hyung-seok.
“Don’t say ominous things.”
“…Yes.”
Even without meeting her gaze, Kang Hyung-seok could feel Shin Jung-ah’s eyes cursing at him silently, so he kept his attention fixed straight ahead.
He glanced at the navigation screen, and the long, tedious drive was finally coming to an end.
‘Namhae County, then.’
It lay between Yeosu and Tongyeong.
It was at the southernmost tip of South Korea, surrounded by numerous small islands.
Fishing naturally thrived there, but the cold weather meant there would be few anglers.
Because of this, Namhae County in this season gave off an image of sparse outsider traffic and insularity.
The engine rumbled on.
As they headed toward such a place, Kang Hyung-seok felt an inexplicable anxiety welling up, and he tapped the steering wheel absently with his index finger.
His thoughts multiplied.
The silent Dragon King and the Shaman’s ritual that wasn’t progressing well.
Combined with the peculiarity of heading toward a closed-off coastal village, it all meshed together like gears grinding discordantly in some vast, unsettling machine.
Yet the landscape transformed in stark contrast to his mood, growing increasingly beautiful.
Though the sea remained unseen, the presence of seagulls made it clear they were approaching the coastline.
A sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
As Shin Jung-ah cracked open the passenger window, a fierce gust of wind rushed in as if it had been waiting.
“Whoa!”
Shin Jung-ah’s hair whipped wildly in the unexpectedly fierce wind, and she quickly shut the window, but the car’s interior was now saturated with the scent of the sea.
Cold as it was, the smell wasn’t unpleasant.
“Shouldn’t you call your teacher?”
“We’ll be there soon anyway.”
Lee Geum-kyung had departed last night, so she should have arrived this morning.
The fact that there was no contact meant something was demanding her attention.
Kang Hyung-seok pressed his lips together and drove along the route the navigation system guided him toward. He parked the car on a flat expanse where the cries of gulls echoed from the sky, and stepped out with Shin Jung-ah.
It was a place where an open sea stretched before us.
Unlike the Western Sea, Namhae County’s waters shimmered with jade-green hues, and the waves rippled gently.
Shin Jung-ah marveled at the movement—like blue silk undulating—but Kang Hyung-seok stared at the sea with a rigid expression.
‘The Dragon King.’
He said he would remain silent.
But why?
The Dragon King, so strict about order and rules, what could possibly displease him enough to seal his lips?
“…Manager Kang?”
Shin Jung-ah’s worried voice reached him, her concern evident as his troubled thoughts showed plainly on his face.
Kang Hyung-seok shook his head and released a heavy sigh.
Then, shouldering his bag, he pointed toward where the village lay.
“Let’s find your teacher first.”
“Yes, okay.”
Shin Jung-ah hurried after Kang Hyung-seok, dragging her large suitcase behind her.
Given the distance, they might need to stay here for several days.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
It was as the two of them arrived at the Coastal Village, listening to the weighty sound of the suitcase’s wheels rolling.
In the distance, a cluster of people came into view, and among them was Lee Geum-kyung.
“Oh, Teacher—!”
Shin Jung-ah, about to call out in delight, lowered her raised hand and softened her expression.
No harsh words or raised voices were exchanged, yet the atmosphere felt decidedly ominous.
“The Deputy Director is here.”
“Huh? What?”
Kang Hyung-seok told Shin Jung-ah to stay back and rushed toward Lee Geum-kyung.
Jingle, jingle, jingle.
Each time his bag swayed, the Shaman’s Bell inside chimed.
Whether it was simply from the motion, or because the jade-green sea was drawing near, or because he was approaching those people—I couldn’t be certain.
“Teacher!”
When Kang Hyung-seok raised his voice, all eyes turned toward him, and Lee Geum-kyung nodded at him with an expressionless face.
“You were here? I would have come to pick you up if you’d only contacted me.”
Kang Hyung-seok deliberately positioned himself in front of the gathered people and greeted Lee Geum-kyung with a gentle tone.
It was an attempt to ease the tension.
Yet unfortunately, the uncomfortable atmosphere did not settle in the slightest.
Thud!
A man whose face was darkened by the sun, appearing to be in his late forties, roughly shoved Kang Hyung-seok’s shoulder.
“What are you doing here.”
There was no profanity, but his tone and expression were harsh.
The other people surrounding them shared the same atmosphere, but Kang Hyung-seok did not respond and instead turned his gaze toward them.
The gaze of one who has received a god is terrifying.
The atmosphere that had moments ago seemed capable of killing a man eased somewhat, yet they prowled about like wolves watching for an opening.
“What is the matter.”
Kang Hyung-seok spoke to them in a low voice, and the lips of the man who had shoved him twitched.
But it was someone else who had spoken first.
“Are you a Dharma Master.”
“No.”
“Then it seems you’re some young Shaman or Musician, but we don’t need your help anymore, so just leave. Get out of here.”
Kang Hyung-seok stared at the man who appeared to be his peer, then shifted his gaze to Lee Geum-kyung.
Conflict held no fear for me, but Lee Geum-kyung was right behind me.
“Let’s go.”
Lee Geum-kyung turned around with her hands clasped behind her back.
Then she began walking toward where Shin Jung-ah was, and Kang Hyung-seok had no choice but to follow.
Ptui!
The sound of spitting, as if having seen something filthy, flew at them like a weapon.
Kang Hyung-seok exhaled a heavy sigh through his nose and silently escorted Lee Geum-kyung, moving his steps until they were far from the villagers.
Then Shin Jung-ah joined them, and when the Village Outskirts drew near, Lee Geum-kyung finally spoke.
“I’m sorry you had to see such an ugly sight.”
The pain in Lee Geum-kyung’s voice came from the fact that I had never felt her seem so small.
“No, Teacher. But what happened.”
“The spirits are displeased. I’ve performed the Sea God Ritual countless times, yet it has brought little meaning, so even the god must be doubtful.”
Shin Jung-ah, who had missed the timing to greet them, fidgeted nervously, and Lee Geum-kyung turned toward Kang Hyung-seok with the corners of her mouth lifted in a warm smile.
“Circumstances create emotions. You have no need to be angry.”
“…Yes.”
“What was your impression of it.”
I sensed that despite her tone, this was not a light question.
So Kang Hyung-seok opened his mouth after a brief but deep consideration.
“It was possessed.”
“Exactly.”
Lee Geum-kyung answered like a senior with a trustworthy junior, and Kang Hyung-seok shifted his gaze to the distant Sea and spoke.
“There’s something there. Something is wrong—deeply, fundamentally wrong.”
Lee Geum-kyung had participated in the Sea God Ritual here for decades.
No matter how disappointing the results of the ritual might have been, the attitude the villagers had just displayed was difficult to comprehend.
“I told you. Circumstances create emotions.”
Lee Geum-kyung spoke in a hushed voice, then turned her gaze toward Shin Jung-ah and smiled faintly.
“Good to see you. How have you been?”
“Hello!”
“You look spirited—that’s good. You’re keeping the bracelet and talisman with you, yes?”
“Of course! I’m wearing them right now.”
As Shin Jung-ah showed the bracelet to Lee Geum-kyung, Kang Hyung-seok gazed silently at the sea.
Winter shortened the days.
The sun was already being swallowed by the water.
Watching the sea turn crimson like blood-soaked silk, I ran my tongue across my teeth.
Strangely, I could taste the briny scent of the sea in my mouth.
***
Night fell.
The atmosphere in the Village wasn’t right for dining, so we ate in a nearby town instead, and booked a Guesthouse for lodging.
It was two bus stops away—a bus came only once every few hours.
“You can sleep in this room. The gentleman will take the room across the way.”
An elderly woman with a distinct perm solution smell showed me the room locations and handed over the key.
Yet Kang Hyung-seok merely stood in the Corridor, naturally drawing Shin Jung-ah’s attention.
“What? Why?”
“I think I need to go back to the Village for a moment.”
“At this hour?”
Shin Jung-ah furrowed her brow in question, but Lee Geum-kyung, already settled in the room, shook her head.
“Let him go.”
“It’s late, though.”
“Hyung-seok isn’t choosing to go. The divine is calling him.”
Shin Jung-ah’s eyes widened as she looked at Kang Hyung-seok, and I nodded with a forced smile.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Kang Manager…”
“If anything happens, I’ll contact you. Please get some rest first.”
When Kang Hyung-seok says something like this, there’s no stopping him.
Shin Jung-ah scratched her crown and asked if I’d be alright, and I said I would be before leaving the Guesthouse.
Beep beep!
I pressed the car remote, and the headlights of the vehicle parked nearby flashed brightly, revealing my location.
Click.
Getting into the car, I started the engine and rested my forehead against the steering wheel, waiting for the seat to warm up.
‘What on earth could it be?’
Something felt deeply unsettling.
It felt like something crucial was missing, and like I was approaching something I shouldn’t know.
But no matter how much I pondered it, the answer wouldn’t come—I could only think that I needed to go and verify it myself.
Then there was nothing for it but to go.
Screech! Rumble.
He released the parking brake and drove toward the Village without hesitation.
Being a Rural Village with sparse streetlights, he had no choice but to drive slowly.
Through the headlights, Kang Hyung-seok’s car flowed smoothly toward the Village—slowly yet without wavering.
Whoosh!
A single Raven pierced through the darkness and alighted upon a streetlight, silently watching Kang Hyung-seok’s car recede into the distance.

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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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