Uninvited Guests
Two of Jo Mal-ja's relatives who had come to the hospital were swiftly dealt with, and the next ones, and the ones after that, met the same fate.
Judging from what they had done to Jo Mal-ja, it was clear they hadn't lived particularly virtuous lives, so they must have accumulated plenty of grudges. Sure enough, according to reports from Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong, each relative had multiple resentful spirits clinging to them.
With limbs broken and heads bashed in, they wouldn't be bothering Jo Mal-ja's daughter and granddaughter anytime soon.
And the husband who was inciting the relatives—telling them to retrieve their families or seek revenge—would resolve himself shortly. Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong guaranteed it.
Evil spirit. Extremely. Poisonous. Risen. Hwa-jeong shuddered.
Not out of fear, but from disgust at witnessing something filthy.
But. This time. No. Delusion Pouch. Collection?
I explained the reason to the two tilting their heads.
【You said he looked like he was about to die soon because of the evil spirit. That it was incredibly obsessed with him.】
Yes. All. That. Human only. Staring. At. That. Human only. Gongjeong-ryeong nodded.
【Then, the moment that guy dies, the evil spirit will likely vanish too. No Delusion Pouch left behind.】
Evil spirit. Once. That guy. Dead. And. Grudge. Fulfilled. Then. Gone?
【Exactly.】
Besides, evil spirits weren't just there. They'd pop up everywhere if I looked. Why not let him blow his nose without using my hands?
So, leave Jo Mal-ja's husband be, deal with other evil spirits, and collect their Delusion Pouches.
But. Really. Is. This. Enough? Humans'. Greed. Endless.
【Even greed has limits.】
Some might lose their minds over cash bundles and charge ahead heedless of their lives, but with broken limbs and cracked skulls, they'd be bedridden for months at least. No way they'd come demanding money in that state. And if they did, another visit from my spirits would fix it.
Moreover, once everyone with the same goal learned of the misfortune, they wouldn't waltz into the hospital so lightly anymore.
Drag.
San-ah. Mom's here! Did you watch the stream? That lady said she'd leave her phone. Mom entered with a lively voice and light steps.
I greeted her warmly with my eyes, and she quickly clasped my hand tight.
You know we're sharing the hogfish Bin-i caught, right? Squeeze.
We always celebrate good news with a feast. You've woken up, San, and Bin-i caught a hogfish. So, to wish our family more blessings and success in everything ahead. Squeeze.
Whatever Mom decided, I was all for it.
Bin-i's still dazed about it. Apparently, that hogfish lived a long time. Usually, they'd die soon after being caught like that.
Su-jeong and Pung-jeong must have worked hard. Those guys were really trying to win my favor. I'd reward them generously with qi when they returned... Hmm.
Seeing Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong grow a bit from qi during their mission, they might grumble. If a fight broke out, I'd have to soothe them.
Not that it would happen—I didn't want my spirits turning against each other. Better they watch each other's growth, spark some rivalry, and tackle missions diligently.
Drag.
Excuse me~
Hmm? The door opened, and a sickly sweet woman's voice drifted in.
Not the first time I'd heard it... but not in a good context. Whose was it?
As I rummaged through my memories, Mom gasped.
Oh my?! She shot up and stormed toward the door, her steps heavy with fury.
Hello. I heard the good news and—
What the hell are you doing here?! Get out! Get out!!
Whoa. Our Park Young-sook—never one to snap at others—what was this?
I rolled my eyes to check the intruder. A woman in her twenties, outwardly normal. She peeked her head through the wide-open door...
Um. Ignoring the cultish zeal in her eyes screaming Do you know the Way?—
Resentful spirits. Many. Clinging. Everywhere.
Evil spirits. There. Plenty. Even if not everywhere.
As Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong said, she was festooned with resentful and evil spirits like a gift set. Definitely not a good person.
Some glared at her with pure rage, others with chilling fury from above. More dangerous than outright explosions—these simmered, waiting to incinerate her alive at the perfect moment.
Get out! You deaf?!
Ah, wait, just a sec! Sister! This is all thanks to our prayers— Agh!
With a sharp yelp, the woman crumpled to one knee.
Do you know where this is?!
Bin-i had appeared behind her and kicked the back of her knee hard. No amateur move, and with a fierce expression I'd never seen, she grabbed the woman's hair and bared her teeth.
Hey! I warned you what I'd do if I saw you again! I said I wouldn't let you off! I said I'd rip your eyes out—did I or didn't I?!
Whoa. Bin-i, you could say stuff like that...?
As expected. Master. Little sister. Fierce. Scary.
Indeed. Master. Little sister. Rough. Scary.
Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong said it loud enough for me to hear, chuckling.
These guys.
Wait. Sister? That jogged a vague memory... Ah. Got it. Where she was from.
Hmm. No wonder Mom and Bin-i reacted like that. Hell, clawing furrows in her face on sight wouldn't have been enough.
She was the one who'd approached Bin-i while I was vegetative, as Bin-i struggled to pull herself together.
When Mom and Bin-i were exhausted, desperately seeking support—that damned cult, True Truth Cult, had reeled them in through her.
How did she know I'd woken? Word must have leaked somewhere. Those cult scum sprouted like poisonous mushrooms, ears perked for prey. Hospitals were prime hunting grounds.
Desperate people grasping at straws for sick family or friends abounded: young children, promising youth, family breadwinners, loving mothers, elders due for peaceful retirement, close acquaintances... Folks stomping anxiously, praying for miracles as patients teetered on death's edge.
True Truth Cult targeted them, deceiving, threatening, swindling their fortunes.
Luckily, Mom and Bin-i bolted when demands escalated, but not everyone snapped out of it so timely.
Many families donated life savings to join True Truth Village, and what happened there? No one knew. Unsettling.
S-Sister. Th-that's—
The woman, hair gripped by Bin-i, forced a grin, eyes darting slyly for escape.
Mom. Call the cops on this one.
Yeah. Can't arrest her now, but we need a record.
Right. But why do they keep crawling back like roaches instead of getting squashed—
Then—
Eek!
The woman lurched forward violently, slipping Bin-i's grasp, sprang up, and bolted clumsily.
You—!
Bin-i, stunned by the handful of hair shed, shook it off, clenched her fists, and chased.
Hey! Get back here?!
Bin-i! Don't go too far! It might be dangerous!
Dangerous? Not with me here.
At my glance, Gongjeong-ryeong zipped after Bin-i.
That woman dodged Bin-i somehow, but with all those resentful and evil spirits, trouble was coming soon.
Ugh, pisses me off!
Shortly after, Bin-i returned fuming, Gongjeong-ryeong stuck to her shoulder.
Missed her by a hair. They had a van waiting right there.
A van? No way! The same one we rode before?
Yeah. Looked like other patients' families inside. Before I could say anything, they peeled out. Driver was that same jerk...
Bin-i ground her teeth in frustration.
【Gongjeong-ryeong. Tail that woman to the end. See where she goes.】
And. Snap? Thud? Crash?
Gongjeong-ryeong referenced the elevator incident, beaming at the prospect of more qi.
【First, scout what happens. As much as possible.】
Got it. Lots. Will. Report.
Back when True Truth Cult targeted Mom and Bin-i for money, I was helpless, only hoping they'd stay safe. Now, I had ways.
I. Stay. Here? Hwa-jeong asked, face eager.
【You guard here.】
Master. Master's. Family. Guard?
【Yes.】
Satisfied, Hwa-jeong circled me gleefully.
Oh, right! Bin-i exclaimed, realizing something.
I'll head downstairs quick!
Downstairs? Oh, aaah! That kid, right?
Yeah! Checking if she's okay. Those roaches are so persistent! Drop dead, you bastards...
Bin-i dashed off, fists trembling.
Who was that kid?
Bin-i made a friend here.
Oh ho.
Some kid's mom in the multi-bed room downstairs. Bin-i visits often.
I listened to Mom's explanation.
Family in dire straits. Mom sometimes packs side dishes. Kid refused at first, but Bin-i coaxed her.
Squeeze.
Then those scum sniffed money somehow and targeted the kid. Bin-i freaked, chased 'em off. Started nice, ended biting.
Actually bit. With teeth!
Wow.
Bin-i told 'em not to hassle a struggling kid. They whined, Why interfere with good deeds? Grabbed and dragged her. So Bin-i bit the hand. They bolted, never returned. Mom warned her not to next time.
Squeeze.
No, hands might be dirty, unwashed. Don't put your mouth there. Could get sick.
Ah, that part.
Bin-i's streams helped too. Snapped pics of their faces. Threatened to blast 'em online. I've already shown my face, no biggie. But you? Everyone knowing your game would suck, right?
Exactly. Exposure hampers hunting new prey. That's their MO: sweet-talk desperate folks into the True Truth Cult mire.
Bin-i said the kid reminds her of her wild days. Felt for her. Bin-i can't play nice, but kid liked it. Y'know those types? Flee comfort, return to indifference. Like a cat, Bin-i said. Resists till someone sticks, then all in.
Hmm. Wanted to see the kid myself... Would need that ginseng liquor—
Mom! Big news!
Huh? What now!
Good news! Big good news!
Bin-i burst in like she'd dashed out, thumbs up triumphantly.
Eun-sol's nastiest relatives! Out for a while!
Whoa! Cops finally nabbed 'em?
No! Not that! Found on elevator shaft floor! Downstairs was chaos—turns out accident!
Aha. Gongjeong-ryeong and Hwa-jeong's handiwork...
Wait.
Elevator floor?
Not that one—the shaft where it goes up and down!
Oh, like that news story?
Yeah! They say check floor before boarding.
But how—
Doesn't matter! Point is, those scumbags won't bug Eun-sol or her mom awhile!
Awesome! That's great!
Mom and Bin-i high-fived joyfully as Jo Mal-ja appeared, tears flowing—clear, pure joy, no resentment.
Aigoo, thank you. Thank you... Thanks to Mountain Spirit-nim, my daughter and granddaughter are safe...
【I'll keep watch now and then. No worries. Ginseng liquor'll cover it.】
Thank you. Thank you...
Never got her daughter and granddaughter's names, but from Bin-i's story...
【What's your daughter's and granddaughter's names?】
Ah. Daughter's Choi Mi-kyung, granddaughter Baek Eun-sol. Pretty names, right? Chose carefully, given my name!
Jo Mal-ja beamed proudly.
Oh ho. What a connection.