An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 343

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

Chapter 343
Part 3. Two Shamans (3)
Clink.
Back in the car, Kang Hyung-seok lifted the tumbler to his lips.
The coffee he’d purchased at the cafe had been warm, and its heat hadn’t entirely dissipated, yet the sip that touched his tongue felt unnaturally cold.
It likely wasn’t actually cold.
Merely that his unsettled emotions and the coffee’s warmth were insufficient to soothe what lay within.
Thunk.
Setting the tumbler back in its holder, I pressed my forehead firmly with my clenched fist.
My forehead burned. Too many thoughts crowding my mind.
I had to think.
Think and think again until I found a solution.
Jingle.
Hearing the Shaman’s Bell ring as if to comfort me, I exhaled a sigh between my lips.
Then I picked up my phone and composed a message to someone other than Shin Yoseph.
Tap tap tap tap.
「I apologize for contacting you at this late hour. I need to ask an urgent favor…」
No.
This was a moment for a call, not a message.
I deleted the text and pressed the call button.
Brrring.
After a brief dial tone, the call connected.
(Young Master?)
Chung-geum’s voice was higher than usual, startled by the late-hour call.
“I apologize for calling so suddenly. Would you have a moment to speak?”
(Yes, yes. What is it?)
“I have a request for you, Teacher. I need a ritual ceremony.”
(A ritual ceremony…?)
“Yes. Someone is attempting to resurrect a corpse.”
A brief silence fell.
I understood completely.
I knew all too well how absurd such words must sound.
(Hmm, I sensed something was amiss with my dreams last night.)
“…Ha ha.”
(When should I tell them?)
“The sooner the better. Tomorrow would be ideal.”
(This is quite sudden.)
“If you’re unable, would Chung-geum be willing to open a Ritual Ceremony Ground instead?”
A ritual had to be performed.
Not merely to observe its efficacy.
The ritual ceremony would reassure the Factory’s Business Partners and their employees, while drawing attention to that Old Building—buying me time to move freely. In the meantime, I had to suppress the malevolent energy of that Old Building that devoured people through the ritual ceremony.
To prevent any more victims from appearing.
So that there are no more victims.
“If the sudden request is too burdensome, I can look into finding another Shaman for you.”
Kang Hyung-seok spoke with careful courtesy to prevent misunderstanding, and soon Chung-geum’s faint laughter drifted across the line.
(I am also a Shaman who has received a deity.)
Her voice carried the weight of unspoken words.
So Kang Hyung-seok said nothing and clenched his hand resting on his knee with force.
(And there was also a request your teacher made to me quite some time ago.)
“Your teacher asked you…?”
(Yes. He told me that whenever you need help, I should move willingly at any time.)
It was from when Kang Hyung-seok had only recently received his deity.
It was an old promise, though the timing of it was not what mattered.
What mattered more was that since then, Chung-geum had always been prepared to help him.
(What kind of ritual ceremony are you considering?)
“Multiple ritual ceremonies will need to proceed simultaneously.”
(That will require many people. And considerable preparation.)
Despite the gravity of the matter, Chung-geum’s tone remained light, as though everything were manageable.
Grateful and apologetic for her resolve, Kang Hyung-seok continued with a bitter smile.
“There is a building that kills people. A purification ritual is necessary.”
(Would a Great Lord’s Ritual not be more appropriate?)
“Running them in parallel would be ideal. And I would appreciate it if you could oversee the General’s Ritual as well.”
A purification ritual releases the accumulated resentment of the dead.
A Great Lord’s Ritual is performed to petition the deity that presides over the land and foundation.
In the General’s Ritual, the general is a warrior deity, and since Chung-geum is a Shaman who has received a general deity, she would be able to suppress the malicious and vicious energy with the general’s power.
(Understood. The ritual will take quite some time.)
“I apologize for asking such a great favor.”
(I already told you. It’s fine.)
Kang Hyung-seok continued with small talk with Chung-geum after that.
He asked how Go Se-hee was doing, whether Lee Geum-kyung was well these days, received answers, and ended the call with a final request for her support tomorrow.
Thud.
Kang Hyung-seok let his hand holding the phone drop onto his lap.
Then he looked out the window, where the moon hung tilted toward the west.
‘It’s the hour of the Dog.’
The hour when even Shamans do not offer prayers.
And the hour when fatigue comes easily.
The surroundings were cold, and the car’s seat was far from comfortable.
Yet Kang Hyung-seok closed his eyes as though surrendering to sleep.
Come dawn, I would need to move with purpose.
So for now, let me rest here for a moment.
Wrang.
As Kang Hyung-seok’s breathing stabilized and deepened, the Shaman’s Bell placed on the passenger seat chimed softly.
It was a gentle yet resonant sound, as if protecting Kang Hyung-seok itself.
***
(No, what are you saying?)
Vroom.
Three hours and thirty minutes later.
Despite knowing it was an inappropriate hour to call, Kang Hyung-seok dialed Cha Byung-gun, the manager of the Vinyl Factory.
The navigation system displayed the address of that house where the Guard Dog and Kim San’s Son had been.
“I’m terribly sorry to bring this up so suddenly. I know the timing is poor, but I had no choice.”
(Huh, a ritual ceremony? Really. You’re not unaware of what happened this time, are you?)
“Yes, I’m aware.”
Kang Hyung-seok infused his voice with heavy emotion.
There had been a Shaman who performed twelve consecutive rituals, and an unfortunate incident had occurred.
(The bloodstains still haven’t been cleaned. And now you’re saying we need to perform another ritual immediately?)
“The person who finally agreed to help is quite difficult to reach. I know the timing isn’t right, but they said today was the only day they could make it….”
(Ugh, honestly!)
The sound of Cha Byung-gun chewing on a cigarette came through the line.
(Phew! I understand what kind of person you are, Manager, and I know your intentions are good, but this really doesn’t seem like the right time for it. I mean, we still need to visit the hospital today.)
“This is about the Factory Employee who passed away before, isn’t it?”
(You know well! Yes! That’s right.)
Kang Hyung-seok clenched his jaw before speaking carefully.
“There are only two things I hope for. That such incidents don’t repeat at your business, and that strange rumors don’t spread.”
(Huh…)
“I’m earnestly asking for your help.”
(Ugh, this is giving me a headache.)
“This time, it’s truly a reliable person. They said she’s an Honorary Director, wasn’t it? I would be grateful if you could at least ask her opinion on this.”
It was the Honorary Director who had summoned the Shaman.
That person would certainly know Lee Geum-kyung’s reputation.
They wouldn’t be unaware of what it meant that Chung-geum, her direct disciple, was coming to perform the ritual.
(Phew, alright. Let me ask her and call you right back.)
“Thank you.”
Click!
The call ended with what felt like irritation on the other end.
And Kang Hyung-seok sipped the now-cold coffee from his tumbler with a heavy heart.
‘Please, please let them accept the proposal.’
Only then would everyone—not just the business—survive.
That building was like an altar erected by Kim San, and unless everything was resolved, it would endlessly consume lives.
Zzzing!
Just as his earnest plea swelled into anxiety.
Cha Byung-gun called again, and Kang Hyung-seok answered immediately.
“Director, how did the conversation go….”
(What? Over there!)
“Yes?”
Kang Hyung-seok raised one eyebrow, and the sound of Cha Byung-gun biting a cigarette came through again.
(This is the first time I’ve seen the Honorary Director so surprised. Actually, he kept asking me how I managed to reach you over there, multiple times.)
“Sigh.”
Anticipating that the conversation would go well, Kang Hyung-seok slowed his speed and exhaled a breath of relief, while the sound of Cha Byung-gun lighting his cigarette came through the car speaker.
(Wow, really. He kept telling me that even if it meant giving the employees a day off, this was an opportunity I absolutely had to seize—just rattling on like machine gun fire… Geez!)
“Then, Director.”
(Yes, yes! Let’s do it that way. If I say we should put it off until next time, I’m going to get beaten to death.)
The words that came through didn’t sound entirely like a joke, and a faint smile played at the corners of Kang Hyung-seok’s mouth.
Then came the next part.
(And, thank you. Seeing your reaction, Honorary Director, I can tell you’ve been putting in a lot of effort.)
“Not at all.”
(Not at all? From what I hear, this Shaman isn’t just anyone. Reservations are backed up for years, and it’s hard to even meet them once. Even if it’s their disciple coming, how did you manage to set a date so quickly?)
Kang Hyung-seok looked at his phone with a faint smile and opened his mouth.
“Heaven must be helping.”
(My, you’ve changed since meeting the Shaman.)
“Haha.”
(Well then, I’m going to the hospital during the day, so let’s talk again tomorrow.)
“Yes, understood.”
Kang Hyung-seok hung up the phone.
“Phew.”
Then an unconscious sigh escaped him.
It was due to the sudden wave of relief, but his expression hardened immediately.
‘I’ve only crossed the first hurdle.’
This wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
I had to find Kim San’s corpse, and I had to subdue the man presumed to be his follower.
Only then would it be over.
Sip.
Kang Hyung-seok took a sip of coffee as cold as his heart and drove along the path guided by the navigation system.
***
“I’ll be on my way, Teacher.”
Chung-geum, who had been helping people load the shamanic implements and ritual supplies into the van, bowed respectfully to Lee Geum-kyung.
It was late dawn.
Just before daybreak, and because of it, a darkness far thicker than the depths of night pressed heavily upon the mountain.
“Is there nothing lacking in the preparations?”
“No. I’ve confirmed everything multiple times.”
Lee Geum-kyung pressed her lips firmly together and shifted her gaze toward the van.
The driver was already seated inside, and the vehicle’s engine was running with its headlights on.
It seemed to urge immediate departure, but Lee Geum-kyung spoke to Chung-geum once more.
“This is about saving a life. If you do well, that child lives, and you live too.”
“…Yes.”
“Trust each other. That’s all that matters.”
Chung-geum swallowed hard and glanced back at the van before turning her gaze to Lee Geum-kyung.
“Is there anything else I should be cautious about?”
“What else could there be? It’s a place connected to a spiritual rift. Suppress the energy and be careful not to be consumed by it.”
“I understand.”
“Be careful. You must be careful.”
Lee Geum-kyung knows this well.
A shaman nearly died there while performing the spirit possession dance.
Though she regretted not being able to accompany them due to other matters, she knew that Chung-geum was more than capable of handling this task.
“Go safely and return safely.”
“I will return.”
Chung-geum bowed deeply to Lee Geum-kyung before boarding the van.
The van soon turned its wheel and began descending down the mountain.
In the quiet mountain where those departing left and those remaining stayed, Lee Geum-kyung’s gaze shifted to the Annex Building where Chung-geum stayed.
Go Se-hee was there, peering cautiously through the slightly open door, and Lee Geum-kyung shook her head with a smile while meeting her eyes.
This is not your concern.
Lee Geum-kyung conveyed her heart as if addressing her granddaughter, her expression troubled as she watched the place where Chung-geum had departed.

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