An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 63

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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 62
Part 4. An Old Connection (3)
Kang Hyung-seok had merely mentioned wanting to request an extended business trip from the company.
That was all.
Just that.
Yet Gwak Young-ho grasped his shoulder with the grave expression and weighty hand of a commander encouraging a soldier being sent to the front lines.
“You have to go. Yes, you absolutely must go.”
“No, sir, I—”
“Go. No question about it.”
Gwak Young-ho’s eyes held unwavering conviction.
“I know how well you’ve performed all this time. You wouldn’t be going if there weren’t results worth achieving this time around.”
“Nothing’s been confirmed yet. I’m simply going to meet someone based on a referral.”
“A referral? From whom?”
The atmosphere felt too burdensome, so Kang Hyung-seok paused before speaking.
“From Lee Geum-kyung, a shaman. Do you perhaps remember her from when we had dinner with the executives before?”
“Ah!”
The Executive Vice President’s startled reaction upon hearing Lee Geum-kyung’s name left a striking impression.
Thanks to that, Gwak Young-ho immediately recalled Lee Geum-kyung and nodded emphatically.
“Right, right. She’s the one who referred you? What kind of place is it?”
Now the conversation was flowing naturally.
“It’s called Samgol—a famous native chicken farm.”
“Wow! Samgol?”
Gwak Young-ho’s eyes mixed hope with concern.
“But doesn’t that place already have an owner? I heard they’re increasing production next year?”
“I heard they’re also starting a new black chicken operation.”
At this, Gwak Young-ho’s grip on Kang Hyung-seok’s shoulder tightened.
“You must go. How long will it take? Three days? A week?”
“I’m… not entirely sure about that yet.”
“Then I won’t set a deadline. Come back at your leisure. Should I assign someone to go with you? Would you like to go with Manager Shin?”
“No. I’ll go alone.”
Nothing is certain yet.
If two managers went and returned empty-handed, it would be shameful.
“Phew! Manager Kang, I don’t want you to feel burdened, but I’d be satisfied even if you just brought back a single flyer you picked up off the street, you know?”
Gwak Young-ho released his hand from Kang Hyung-seok’s shoulder and smiled.
“So don’t carry any burden with you. We already have sufficient results from Shinjin Construction anyway. Understand?”
His response seemed both to add pressure and to relieve it simultaneously.
Yet his eyes held sincerity, so Kang Hyung-seok answered with a smile.
“Understood.”
“Burden only prevents success. So go right away and come back!”
Gwak Young-ho gave Kang Hyung-seok’s back a reassuring pat.
And it was just as Kang Hyung-seok was about to leave the office.
Thud.
Lee Jin-pyung rose from his chair with the aid of crutches and bowed deeply.
“Have a safe trip, Manager Kang.”
Kang Hyung-seok’s gaze turned toward him, and Gwak Young-ho clapped his hands as if struck by a pleasant thought.
“Right. Hey, Manager Kang. When you get back, let’s all go out for a meal to celebrate Deputy Lee’s discharge from the hospital.”
Kang Hyung-seok looked at Lee Jin-pyung’s expressionless face and nodded with a smile.
“Yes, understood.”
“Have a good trip! Go with peace of mind! You got it?”
“Yes!”
Kang Hyung-seok left the office with a light heart.
***
Vroom!
After leaving the office, Kang Hyung-seok headed straight to Lee Geum-kyung’s Shaman’s House.
Lee Geum-kyung was already prepared.
The trunk was packed with shamanic implements, and with Lee Geum-kyung in the passenger seat, I received Chung-geum’s farewell.
“Should we go to the hospital?”
“No. We just need to go here.”
After entering the address Lee Geum-kyung showed me on her phone into the navigation, I began driving immediately.
‘That’s somewhat unexpected.’
I honestly thought it would be a hospital.
After all, she had mentioned a friend whose days were numbered.
Yet the destination I glimpsed on the navigation clearly appeared to be a residential district.
“You’ll understand once we get there.”
Lee Geum-kyung in the passenger seat spoke as if she already knew what was on my mind, then rested her head against the headrest.
“There will be many shamans there, but there’s no need to worry too much about it.”
“Understood.”
“How much longer until we arrive?”
Kang Hyung-seok checked the remaining time on the navigation and answered.
“It looks like it will take about an hour and ten minutes.”
“That’s quick.”
Lee Geum-kyung took a deep breath as if tired, then closed her eyes.
Soon she fell into a deep sleep, her breathing becoming shallow and steady.
Thanks to that, I could focus entirely on driving.
The expressway, its exit curving like a snail shell.
Flat terrain with low buildings spread wide.
Rice paddies and fields.
And the acrid smell of livestock piercing the air.
The destination the navigation indicated was a place far removed from the city.
Rumble.
Places like this are great—plenty of parking spaces.
When I pulled into what looked like a parking spot despite the absence of marked lines, Lee Geum-kyung opened her eyes, which had been closed.
“Are we here?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my, my back.”
Lee Geum-kyung stepped out of the passenger seat and rubbed her lower back.
Just as Kang Hyung-seok was about to unload luggage from the trunk, a man some distance away suddenly flicked his cigarette away.
“Hey there, Elder!”
The man’s voice was so loud that a nameless bird from the nearest field took flight with a flutter.
Thump, thump!
A black turtleneck paired with casual brown formal wear.
A man who appeared to be in his early forties, with long hair tied back at the nape of his neck, approached Lee Geum-kyung and embraced her warmly.
“What brings you here? I would have picked you up in my car if I’d known.”
“Never mind. It’s nothing.”
Though Lee Geum-kyung pushed the man away with an uncomfortable expression, he continued grinning.
“Our teacher’s temperament hasn’t changed a bit. But who is this person?”
The man with an easygoing manner turned his gaze toward Kang Hyung-seok.
Just as Kang Hyung-seok was about to greet him, Lee Geum-kyung interjected and answered instead.
“He’s like my spiritual son.”
“Your spiritual son?”
In that instant, the man’s expression became enigmatic.
The smile faded from his face, and the warmth vanished from his eyes.
Instead, curiosity took its place, as if he’d discovered someone unexpected.
“Right. So show proper respect.”
“It seems my spiritual feet have grown weak since I haven’t been to prayers lately. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”
The man pulled his lips into a smile and extended his hand.
“I’m Hong Kyung-soo.”
Kang Hyung-seok met Hong Kyung-soo’s gaze.
I prided myself on reading people well.
From my perspective, Hong Kyung-soo was someone who gave off a peculiar impression overall.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kang Hyung-seok.”
I shook hands with Hong Kyung-soo and continued speaking.
“Did you perhaps live abroad?”
Hong Kyung-soo’s accent had a strong, unidentifiable regional dialect mixed in.
It sounded like a foreigner learning Korean, yet also like dialects from all eight provinces of Korea tangled together.
“Ah, yes—I lived overseas for quite a long time, so that’s why.”
“I see. It’s nice to meet you.”
After I finished shaking hands with Hong Kyung-soo briefly.
“Hyung! Just a moment here!”
A van parked in the distance suddenly opened, and a man poked his head out.
“Why again!”
“I can’t see Mugu! Come and look!”
“Damn it, Moon Di. I told you to keep better track of things.”
Hong Kyung-soo nodded toward Lee Geum-kyung, who was lighting a cigarette.
Then he immediately approached the car, bellowing “Search the trunk thoroughly!” with a remarkably booming voice.
“Do not associate closely with that person.”
It was then that Lee Geum-kyung spoke in a low voice, gesturing toward Hong Kyung-soo with her chin.
“Is there a reason?”
“He wears black shamanic robes.”
“Ah….”
Kang Hyung-seok frowned as he watched Hong Kyung-soo search the trunk with a cigarette in his mouth.
Something felt off about him.
Beneath his affable demeanor, there seemed to be something hidden.
“I’ve never encountered black shamanic robes before.”
“You’ll come across them often enough as you live. Keep your distance.”
Lee Geum-kyung turned her gaze away as if she’d witnessed something profane, spitting three times.
Black shamanic robes.
Shamanic robes typically vary in color combination depending on the region.
But black robes are uncommon.
They’re worn by those who deal with profanity, misfortune and slander, curses—such things.
‘Yet he didn’t seem to carry any harsh spiritual marks on him.’
Kang Hyung-seok turned his head away from watching Hong Kyung-soo.
It was because he’d noticed Hong Kyung-soo turning his gaze toward him, as if sensing he was being observed.
Rumble!
Just then, other vehicles arrived.
“Teacher!”
Ten people emerged from the cars.
Seven women and three men of varying ages, yet all of them bore the impression of shamans with profound inner cultivation.
“How have you all been?”
“We’re always the same, teacher. The important thing is that you’re well.”
“Well, I suppose so too.”
“My, our teacher has grown even more beautiful.”
Watching the shamans converse warmly with Lee Geum-kyung, Kang Hyung-seok was inwardly impressed.
True shamans are truly rare.
With so many of them gathered here, the air was filled with a unique spiritual presence, as if one had stepped into a shamanic temple.
‘So this is how Guardian Spirits can appear.’
They were shamans, not ordinary people.
Those who had received Guardian Spirits.
Therefore, as many Guardian Spirits as there were people were present here.
Celestial maidens, generals, divine youths.
Or perhaps something whose very identity defies comprehension.
It was at this moment that Kang Hyung-seok showed interest in their formidable presence.
“That young man must be the one.”
A man roughly five years younger than Lee Geum-kyung spoke while looking at Kang Hyung-seok, and the gazes of the other shamans converged upon him.
“Ah! Indeed. A General Spirit.”
The eyes of a middle-aged woman with long braided hair widened.
Meanwhile, a timid-looking woman who had received a Child Spirit retreated behind the others, while those who had received General Spirits regarded Kang Hyung-seok with expressions of wariness or admiration.
“Greet them. Hyung-seok, come here.”
As Kang Hyung-seok approached Lee Geum-kyung, the shamans parted to either side, clearing a path.
When Kang Hyung-seok stood beside her, Lee Geum-kyung placed her hand on his back and swept her gaze across the shamans.
“This is the child I’ve spoken of since long ago.”
“Ah, as expected.”
“A fine spirit indeed. Most impressive.”
Just as Kang Hyung-seok had perceived the Guardian Spirits of the shamans, they too could sense his Guardian Spirit.
It was no ordinary General Spirit.
A great spirit—one that inspired both admiration and reverence in those who beheld it.
Such was Kang Hyung-seok’s Guardian Spirit.
“Have you established a Shamanic Temple? I know of an excellent location.”
“Where is your prayer site?”
“What is the name of your Guardian Spirit?”
The shamans addressed Kang Hyung-seok, who was younger than them, with formal courtesy as they posed their questions.
“If everyone has gathered, we should depart.”
Had Lee Geum-kyung not intervened, the shamans might have continued their questions until sunset.
With reluctant expressions, the shamans followed Lee Geum-kyung, and some among them spoke to Kang Hyung-seok in hushed voices.
“Let us speak privately another time.”
Kang Hyung-seok offered appropriate responses and followed Lee Geum-kyung up the stairs.
Thump, thump.
As they climbed, the shamans’ expressions grew heavier, as if weighed by the purpose of their gathering.
A shaman with but little time left to live.
This was a gathering to pave the way for his departure.
Ding-dong.
As Lee Geum-kyung pressed the doorbell, the door opened shortly after.

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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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