Rightfully Mine
"So. None of you idiots went blabbing your mouths about this?"
In response to Kim Byung-gi's words, his mood visibly sour, the doctors gathered in the chairman's office shook their heads in unison this time, without even exchanging glances.
"No, sir. I had no idea anything like that happened."
"Me neither."
"I did get a report about Ham Man-woo, but I never imagined it'd get handled so quickly."
They each scrambled with excuses, insisting they knew nothing. Their desperation was palpable.
"Hmph..."
Kim Byung-gi scrutinized their faces, checking for any hint of lies, then snorted dismissively.
"Whatever. I'm not blaming you or anything. Yoon Joo-wan from Daehan First Hospital just happened to mention it offhand, so I figured I'd ask."
At that, every doctor thought the same thing deep down: Yeah, right. You'd have crushed anyone you caught as an example.
Good thing we all kept our mouths shut, no matter who asked.
But a miracle hospital? And people actually buy that crap?
This is why the masses are so stupid...
Damn mouths always getting us in trouble. How the hell did the rumors spread like that?
At least it wasn't me who spilled. Lucky break!
Happiness Nursing Hospital was receiving more attention than ever in its history, but no one there was pleased about it.
Back when it first opened, rumors swirled like "Isn't this the hospital built after bulldozing a bunch of unmarked graves?" or "Didn't they hire thugs to beat up the protesters from families claiming those graves?" People had viewed it with suspicion and disdain.
Once those whispers died down, it settled into a middling reputation—not rundown, not luxurious, just an average nursing home.
And now—
"Jesus. A miracle hospital? What the hell. Whether it's some psycho kid or a senile old fart causing chaos..."
Kim Byung-gi scratched his belly with a baffled look, let out a massive belch, and smacked his lips.
"Get out. All of you."
Relieved by the familiar dismissal, the doctors scurried away like scattering birds.
"Miracle... my ass..."
Muttering at the ceiling for a moment, Kim Byung-gi blinked slowly, his head nodding off to sleep.
Riiiing! Riiiing!
"Ugh..."
The shrill phone jolted him awake. Grumbling, he grabbed it and checked the caller ID—
"?!"
Seeing a name he couldn't ignore, Kim Byung-gi shot to his feet and answered.
"Y-yes, sir. I've got your call."
He groveled like a thief caught red-handed.
[Hey, I've got a few patients who need to be tucked away somewhere extra quiet. Can you handle it?]
The voice on the line skipped greetings and dove straight into demands, arrogant and domineering as befitted someone who looked down on most people.
'Extra' 'quiet' patients. That meant bodies slated to be silenced permanently soon.
Kim Byung-gi knew the caller's position well, knew his own place, and knew the rewards for handling this would be generous as always. So he replied obediently.
"Of course, sir. Anytime. We'll take the best possible care."
[Good. I'll send them over soon.]
* * *
"Whew—"
Back in my familiar hospital room, I lay on the bed and let out a long breath.
I was tired, sure, but more than that, satisfied.
Arriving at the restaurant, Mom greeting her acquaintances, then more greetings, and more. People patting my shoulders lightly in encouragement, only for Bin-i and Mom to freak out and stop them. "My brother's still too fragile right now—even a light tap could break his bones!" The crowd gasping at that. Gak Il-sik chuckling, "Come on, it's not that bad." Fans recognizing the Physics Fairy Gak Il-sik, squealing "Whoa!" or "Kyaa!" and begging for autographs and photos. The place buzzing with excitement as Hwa-jeong and Amjeong tensed up, scanning the surroundings.
Kids following their parents around nearly crashed into me; Amjeong lunged to intercept, only for startled Hwa-jeong to grab him. "Our master almost got hurt! Let me teach these tiny humans a lesson!" Soothing Amjeong as he raged.
Time flew by in the chaos.
It was less than an hour, but so hectic it drained my energy... still, it felt good.
The best part? Everyone crowding Mom's restaurant savoring her food and genuinely loving it—not polite compliments, but real awe at the taste.
And then, amid the noise, nearby college kids peeking in, grabbing a seat, slurping down the cheonggukjang stew and whispering, "I gotta eat this at least five times a week." "Once you try this place's cheonggukjang, no other tastes right!"
Bin-i said those were the students who'd wandered in starving during that past meeting with the Yeonghu Fishing Gear president, the research institute section chief, and Gak Il-sik. They'd scarfed down the cheonggukjang and become regulars ever since.
Hearing that kind of feedback made using the adsorbent on Han Myeong-rye's son totally worth it.
Though I'd keep an eye out in case the schizophrenia flared up again... probably not.
Anyway, dusk was falling outside. About time for that female student death spirit to show—
Already noisy.
Amjeong grumbled telepathically, glaring into the distance.
Uncleeee! I'm here!!! Just like I said, the notebook! And the spirit holding it, plus the others too! Listen to my story!
The female student death spirit appeared. Behind her: one death spirit clutching a notebook, and two more with stunned faces.
Even after coming this far, they'd eyed me skeptically—until they realized I was looking right at them, pinpoint accurate. Shock turned to awe.
Whoa... it's real! Totally real! Oh man, so—
No, me first! I've got a wife and kids—
Hold up! I spotted this uncle first! I get priority! And I found the notebook too? I've got a sick little sib and a deadbeat dad like an enemy!!
The female student death spirit flailed her arms wildly, screeching. The others flinched, then nodded—she had a point.
Hm. For ones who'd died fleeing, they weren't in bad shape. Should've turned resentful or evil spirits long ago... except maybe the notebook bearer, per her words. His scarred face was half-smashed.
Give the notebook to him!
Hong I-seo directed, and the mangled-faced spirit approached, handing it over.
I flipped it open: unrecognizable letters, numbers, shapes... Well, beating the writer would reveal all.
[Alright. Speak. What's your name? What happened?]
Oh. I didn't even say my name yet? Wow, total scatterbrain. Yep. I'm Hong I-seo, my little sis is Hong Yu-na... Uh, where to start?
Pondering briefly, Hong I-seo plopped at the foot of my bed, swinging her legs as she began.
So, Yu-na suddenly got super sick, right? I ended up owing a huge favor to this famous runaway pack boss guy.
Runaway pack. Kids who'd bolted from home banding together like a family—hence the name. But it was fake; predators exploited the homeless, rootless teens for theft, scams, robbery, prostitution, every crime under the sun.
Kids thought they knew it all, but they were naive, blind to the depths of depravity.
With sleazy "big bros" and "big sis" types lording over them, it was a fast track to ruin. Rare ones might backstab the boss for gain... but most stayed trapped, exploited mercilessly in those sham families.
Ugh, I knew the "family" was just a front for forcing kids into bad shit. That's why I steered clear... but then Yu-na got sick. Rushed her to the ER on my back, docs looked grave. Needed surgery stat. Dad's MIA, probably boozing his ass off—no phone, no relatives since Mom died...
Then it hit me: some runaway kid once told me, "You're cute, you could make easy cash." So I hit up a friend who knew the boss, begged for help. He coughed up money no questions asked. Turns out later it was emergency welfare aid or whatever—the government's got programs for folks like us. If I'd known, I'd have gone straight to them... Tch. School wastes time on useless crap like Hanmun classics or geography instead of that stuff.
Hong I-seo sighed softly, pouting.
Anyway, debt's debt, so I did some jobs for the boss. Lied about my age, flirted in bars, drank with guys—boom, cash flowed. Jerks knew I was underage and loved it, poured more booze. But... I never went to second base. Then when Yu-na got discharged, billing told me about emergency medical aid. Applied, got the money, paid off the debt quick...
But whenever things got tight after, I'd think of it. One more time, eyes shut, and Yu-na could have warmer clothes, better food, extra IV when feverish... Guess that's why easy money's addictive.
She scratched her neck sheepishly, continuing.
So, just one more time. Swore it. Boss said there was a big payout gig. Some fancy mountain lodge, work three days, done. But I'm not brain-dead—smelled fishy. Dangerous as fuck. Asked around; one girl who'd been there clammed up at first, but when I said it was for my sis, she spilled. Perverts galore, but pick your poison. Sign a contract, legit.
Contract. Probably to bind her tighter later, or deny coercion if busted: "See? She chose it!"
[So. Did you go?]
Hell no! You think I'd go? What about Yu-na if I vanished? Could end up buried who-knows-where—oh wait, I did get buried. Fuck.
Hong I-seo roughly rubbed her dry face, staring blankly at her feet.
Still don't get why I went... Said no, but boss wanted to "talk." Told him fuck off, no meet. Then he threatened bad shit for Yu-na. So I went cursing up a storm... Chatted with him... Next thing, I'm in a car to the lodge with strangers? Weird, right? No shared food, no drugs... Bumpy ride, boss's words flashing back—total bullshit. Why'd I buy it and get in? Doesn't add up. Fuck.
She mimed tearing her hair out, baffled.
Boss was always silver-tongued, they said. His packs ruled the runaways 'cause his mouth was magic. Kids obeyed like fanatics, out-gangster-ing gangsters. But it doesn't stick long? Then why so hooked in the moment? Like we were all drugged cult-style—his words rang true right then. Me too...
Hm... Chatted, snapped out in a bad spot. Silver tongue. Instant obedience, but fades. Sounds like—
Master. I suspect. Something.
Amjeong whispered telepathically, catching on. Hwa-jeong's eyes sparkled as she nodded.
Captivating on hear—compels obedience—but time passes, mind clears.
Then—
[You know where this runaway pack boss is?]
Oh. Yeah. He moved after my death, but I tracked him—for Yu-na. He didn't touch her, thank god.
[I'd like to meet him.]
Ooh? Gonna punish him yourself? Awesome! Can I watch?
[Got some checking to do.]
From what she'd said, the boss had something I wanted to claim.
Bad deeds. So. Current state. Very poor. Punch on sight. If not. Master.
[Of course. I'll handle it personally then.]
I nodded agreement to Amjeong.
Yeah. If Amjeong's power failed, I'd step in and snap him awake.
Not like me. Kept distance. Just right. Too close. That's why. It happened.
I saw. Long ago. Moderation. In all. Too attached. Goes wrong.
Amjeong and Hwa-jeong nodded at each other.
Heart Spirit.
Heart Spirit. Fits.
The Great Immortals of Amcheon-gye had warned me.
Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void—from nature's birth.
Light, Dark, Heart—from the universe's birth.
Fundamentals differ by origin. When I asked where Heart fit in cosmic birth, they smiled mysteriously: not to be spoken, but realized alone.
Heart Spirit. Purest originally—but near ink turns black, near cinnabar turns red. Most vulnerable to corruption.
Yet powerful; paired with the wrong person, it mesmerizes masses into catastrophe.
Even in Amcheon-gye, rare incidents: ruthless egoist nearly doomed a peaceful nation via Heart Spirit. Heart Immortal intervened before worst, reducing it to brief unrest. Bereft of influence, the egoist wandered mocked until death.
Hm. Still no clue on Heart and cosmic birth... but likely, a twisted Heart Spirit clung to a twisted human.
Then, restore it—pure and clear.
Rightfully make it mine.
And deal with the fool abusing its power blindly.
[We're heading out now.]
Whoa? Already? Hell yeah!
Hong I-seo sprang up, punching the air.
Yesssss! You're fucked now!! Totally fucked!!! Mwahaha! Mwahahahahaha!!
She bounced wildly in glee. Amjeong and Hwa-jeong glanced at me, sighing deeply.
I chuckled, turning to the wooden chest.
That too. We'd need it when the time came.