Chapter 3
“Alright. I figured as much from the start. No need for long explanations if you already know the famous shaman that is I.”
“......”
But we're gonna need that long explanation, right? I debated correcting the famous shaman Yuil-am's misconception right then and there, but let it go. No point ruining the mood with unnecessary words. Wisdom honed from part-time gigs.
“First, let's test your aptitude as a shaman!”
“Yes.”
Do we really need to test an aptitude already confirmed by the Aptitude Test? The doubt hit hard, but I decided to follow orders without complaint.
“Look around this staff room.”
“Yes.”
“What do you see?”
“I see the teachers.”
I could see the teachers frowning at the alcohol Yuil-am had sprinkled on the staff room floor.
“Anything else?”
“...Desks and chairs.”
“Hey now! Answer like a shaman! I'm asking about the ghost hiding in this staff room!”
“......”
With Yuil-am thumping his chest in frustration, I had no choice but to scan the room again.
Hmm. Nothing there?
Not a ghost in sight, even if I squinted. Not even a ghostly whisper.
“Well... whatever. My fault for expecting too much from a rookie.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I was considering taking you as a disciple, but this body of mine doesn't have time to teach the untalented. Go find another shaman.”
“Yes.”
Sorry to my homeroom teacher for inviting this famous shaman, but I let it go without regret. Untalented, he said? Lying about seeing invisible ghosts would get busted quick anyway.
“Got your Aptitude Test results?”
“Yes.”
“Not doubting you, but let me see 'em for a sec.”
“Yes.”
I handed over the crumpled paper I'd stashed carefully in my pocket, as requested. He stared hard at the “Shaman” written at the bottom.
“...I'll give you a test.”
“Pardon?”
“Meaning, a chance.”
“I'm good. Like you said, I'll look for another shaman.”
“I get you're intimidated by my fame, but no need to hold back.”
“No, really—”
“From now on, find the ghost hiding in this school. I'm about to go live, so busy—don't talk to me.”
“......”
Yuil-am, declaring whatever on his own, stuck his hand out the staff room window and bellowed dramatically.
“Camera guy, get over here! Today's a high school ghost story special!”
“Yes, Master!”
From the black sedan parked in the schoolyard, a guy who'd been peeking up the skirts of passing girls after school answered briskly.
Is that dude a shaman too?
Looked more like a fresh-out-of-college chauffeur in outfit and vibe.
As I peeked out the window at the “famous shaman's disciple”—
“Ow?!”
Thwack! Something smacked my crown hard. I clutched my head and whipped around. Yuil-am stood there smugly, fan in hand, chin raised.
“What're you doing? Hurry up and find that ghost.”
“I never said I would—”
“Less yapping, more moving! We're going live soon. You wanna take the fall if it flops?”
“......”
It was so absurd I flapped my lips like a carp.
Totally unreasonable.
I turned desperately to my homeroom teacher for help, but
“Just give it a shot. Teacher's gotta head to the principal's office for this...”
The one person who should've backed me up bolted from the staff room like it was on fire.
“Teacher—”
I glanced at the other teachers, but they'd clocked the broadcast and were pretending to work or fixing their makeup.
Broadcast. No idea if the principal approved the shoot, but I got that I'd been dragged into this the moment I walked in.
“A ghost, huh...”
“Quit mumbling and move. Spot one, yell for help.”
“Why? Wouldn't it be better to sneak back quietly and tell you the spot without alerting it...?”
“Idiot! That's how you get drama. You scream, me and my disciple rush in from afar. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“A guy who wants to be my disciple and he's this clueless. Tsk tsk.”
“......”
I'd never said I wanted to be this guy's disciple, but I decided not to bother anymore. Where to start? Short debate. I'd stroll from the basement level with the school store up to the rooftop and back.
“Oh, right. Prospective disciple.”
“......”
“You, yeah you. Kang Moon-soo.”
“Kang Moon-soo.”
I'd been ignoring Yuil-am on purpose, but turned anyway.
“Tell me everything you know about this school's ghost stories. Like piano keys playing in an empty music room...”
“Probably none.”
“None? Not just you being oblivious?”
“None. At all.”
“......”
“......”
“Listen up.”
“Yes.”
“None means done? Make one if you have to! You really don't get broadcasting. Nah, my bad for expecting from a rookie. Just walk faster.”
“Yes.”
Broadcasting, huh...?
I hid my twitching smirk and strode ahead casually.
* * *
While prepping the live stream and staring at Kang Moon-soo's back, the “genius shaman” Yuil-am was in a foul mood.
Why?
“How come he can't see the ghost?!”
“Master, isn't this a bust?”
“Wait. Might really be none.”
That kid's Aptitude Test results really said “Shaman.” Meaning a real one. P's invention had zero errors or misjudgments ever, so no doubting it.
“Master, live time's approaching. Prep?”
“Yeah.”
“I'm worried. That guy's just a normal high schooler, no shaman vibes.”
“Everyone starts clueless. You did too. Worse, even.”
“Me?”
“You're a cameraman.”
The genius shaman Yuil-am's disciple had “Camera Operator” on his Aptitude Test. Killer framing, slick directing, smooth edits, tasteful skin shots, quick adaptability, timely scripts... That's how they made top-tier broadcasts easy.
“Master.”
“Broadcast ready?”
“Done ages ago. You taking that kid as disciple?”
“Obviously. Can't let rivals snag him.”
Yuil-am's eyes gleamed greedily at Kang Moon-soo walking the hall. No complaints about the disciple who'd boosted his fame with quality streams, but the aptitude always bugged him.
Disciple in name only. More like a business partner.
Reason he got hyped as a shaman? Slick staging and edits.
But fooling the public forever? Always uneasy.
“Master, if you get a real disciple, don't ignore or mistreat me.”
“Obviously.”
Taking a talentless kid as disciple would tank his cred. How many streams praised his disciple's gifts? They were in it together.
“Time.”
“Start now.”
“Yes.”
Hand signal as always. Disciple's lens locked on Master Yuil-am.
Beep—
“Hello, subscribers. I'm Yuil-am, ghost-exorcism specialist shaman. Today, we'll catch the ghost hiding in this high school!”
* * *
Ghosts, magic, reincarnation, prophecies, gods... I didn't buy into occult stuff.
But maybe 'cause a famous pro told me straight?
“Gives me the chills for no reason.”
The school halls, emptied of students and dead quiet, felt pierced by a chill that ignored the season.
Wanna bail, but...
“Today, we'll catch the ghost hiding in this high school!”
...the genius shaman tailing me made it impossible. Live stream, plus homeroom teacher's effort inviting him—running would've been too much.
Just accept the ridiculousness.
“Why say ghosts fled the staff room...”
Squeak—
I peeked into an obviously empty bathroom.
“...Excuse me?”
Pretended to hunt ghosts.
“......”
Nothing. Not even a constipated kid who'd stuck around.
Next classroom, science lab, music room, AV room, cafeteria... No ghosts like Yuil-am mentioned, no weird signs or traces.
“Haa...”
Part-time shift soon, so why'm I playing fool here? First time in life time felt this wasted.
“Whoa! That's Yuil-am!”
“The shaman Yuil-am? For real?”
“Look! It's him!”
“OMG! Camera too! Live streaming!”
A few lingering students spotted them and freaked.
Guess he is famous.
Yuil-am approached the kids with a friendly grin, chatting freely.
“Cute student. Got time for questions?”
“Ah! Sure.”
“Know any school ghost stories?”
“Um... Not much, but I heard a first-year girl who bombed exams jumped from the rooftop...”
“Thanks for the help.”
“Is this live?”
“Yup.”
“OMG!”
In the bubbly chat, he slipped in a mention of me.
“Today doubles as testing a new disciple prospect. Student here.”
Emphasized “new disciple.”
“Wait, Moon-soo?”
“Shh! Cute student, disciple's name stays secret till end.”
“OMG! Okay.”
I shut my eavesdropping ears and kept moving.
Who made you my master?
Ridiculous, but I'd hold it in. No ghost means no talent, he'll quit on his own. No need for a kid's tantrum.
Rattle—
Rusty hinges groaned as the rooftop iron door swung open.
So far, totally normal. Nothing off. Covered everything except restricted spots like principal's office, vice-principal's, broadcast room, computer lab.
“Hurry to part-time—huh?”
Was gonna whip around and backtrack fast, but froze.
Bookbag?
A pink bookbag sat alone on the dusty rooftop floor. Pristine condition—dumped recently.
Owner might be nearby.
“Hmm...”
Only blind spot on the open rooftop? Behind the stairs I'd come up, far as I knew.
Whoosh—
Tense from Yuil-am's words, I crept silently toward it, holding my breath.
“Gasp!”
Was the annoying genius shaman right? A girl, probably the owner, lay unconscious by the railing.
“Hey?”
“......”
Her face hidden by messy hair, but definitely out cold.
Call a teacher? Nah.
Stopped hand reaching for phone in pocket.
Adult help was right behind me, yeah?
“Ah! Look! Girl possessed by ghost collapsed on rooftop! This is real, not staged! Disciple, film every second!”
“Yes, Master!”
But against hopes, he'd just hinder, not help.
“Mr. Yuil-am, not the time for games. Call it in fir—”
“Demon! Begone!”
Snap! Fans open in both hands, shaman Yuil-am spun around the girl, dancing.
“Awaken!”
“......”
“Damn! Ghost's dug in deep!”
Thud thud! He kicked the unresponsive girl.
“Oho! See that tremble? Ghost reeling from my rite, finally reacting!”
“That's your foot—”
“Ooooh! Demon! Away! That's not your spot~!”
Yuil-am drowned my protest, yelling louder, kicking again.
Thud thud!
“Hey! Don't kick a collapsed person—”
“Demon!”
Thud thud!
“You crazy bastard...!”
Patience snapped. I shoved Yuil-am hard.
But,
“Hey! Demon called friends! I'll crush you!”
Like a stone pillar, he didn't budge—his counter sent me flying back.
“Guh?!”
Right onto the girl, worst luck.
Damn!
Twisted waist desperately to avoid her.
Smart move, but concrete floor welcomed me instead.
Aw... Nothing goes right.
Squeeze. Instinctively shut eyes, braced for impact.
* * *
“...Huh?”
No awaited shock or pain.
And school rooftop swapped for gym filling my view.
“Buddha...”
“Lord...”
“Father...”
Students lined long behind me, each praying to their god.
Ahead, massive sign:
“Aptitude Test...?”
Hospital buses carrying the machines greeted me.