Chapter 83
After this sudden incident of getting sucked into a dream, I seriously felt the need for power. Was it my meddling nature? That was just one cause— even if I ignored difficult people from now on, the possibility of getting pulled into dreams was still very real.
"You, are you really okay? Your face looks dark."
"I'm fine. Probably."
"Look me in the eye and say it."
Song Seon-yeong's serious eyes stared straight into mine.
"Ahem! I'm fine."
I had no idea how much weaker I'd gotten from this death, but it was certain my grand plans had hit a snag. Swimming, track, taekwondo. Qualifying for the Olympics in all three events should be fine, but the chances of winning medals had plummeted.
"I went out of my way to come help, and this is what happens."
"Yeah. Sorry for dragging you into it."
"You've still got plenty of time left, so let's make a bet."
"No way... swimming? Right now?"
"Why? Scared you'll lose? We can postpone it."
"Hah! Let's go!"
I boldly accepted Song Seon-yeong's provocation.
* * *
"And then I arrogantly lost, so I ended up buying her dinner."
I grumbled as I underwent my regular checkup at Elmolrans Hospital.
A shocking defeat. Sure, my aptitude was "swimmer," but I couldn't imagine losing to a non-practicing amateur when I was an active athlete.
Manager Seo Hye-ju, who'd listened to my whole story, praised me. "You did well."
"What'd I do well?"
"You got to swim and eat with a pretty girlfriend, right?"
"Well... anyway, I got so weak I lost to Seon-yeong."
If I died one more pointless death, even qualifying for the Olympics might be in jeopardy. Honestly, I felt a bit wronged.
"You weren't prepared at all, and it was an unexpected dream. The starting location was terrible too, right?"
"Yes."
"Then until we figure out the conditions for Ranubel, there's nothing to do but brace yourself."
"Ranubel?"
"Oh! I forgot to tell you. We named this incurable dream-trapping disease Ranubel."
"Why Ranubel?"
Ranubel. It sounded like a proper noun, but my shallow knowledge couldn't pin down its origin.
"It's the name of a goddess said to take Earth's societal misfits to other worlds."
"Aha!"
Ranubel, the goddess who guides Earth's misfits to other worlds. Seemed like a solid name.
"It's not fully understood yet, but we estimate there are about 130 Ranubel patients worldwide."
"Is 130 a lot?"
"On the low side. But considering you're the only one who can cure it, and treatment takes a long time, it's actually a huge number."
"Hmm..."
130 people. That number cast doubt on my lazy life plan of scraping by on pensions via the Olympics.
"Don't worry about it."
"But..."
"You're not a savior. Just treat patients who pay reasonable fees, like any doctor."
"......."
Reasonable fees. Meaning, treat the highest payers first.
"We haven't done a full business pitch yet since the treatment's uncertain."
"Business?"
"Business. A business involving people's lives."
Manager Seo Hye-ju's cynical tone didn't sound like a doctor's at all.
"What do you mean 'uncertain'?"
"Nam Hae-su."
"Ah..."
"He was already quite elderly when he died, and he left a will, so no one questioned it. But even the only treatment having a high mortality rate kills its commercial viability."
"I see."
I'd thought treating the rich would rake in cash, but her explanation showed even that wasn't easy.
What about this patient, then?
"If you fail, they'll cleanly give up and opt for euthanasia. No pressure at all."
"Aha!"
"Though if you die mid-treatment, we won't even break even."
"Well... I'll just have to do my best. Any investigation results yet?"
"Want to come with me to the detective agency I hired?"
"Sure."
No need to rush. I died in an unintended dream, but I'm alive and kicking now. I still have a chance to make up for it.
And revenge too!
That handsome face of the man who suddenly appeared and bisected my waist. I'd definitely get strong and crush him.
* * *
"Manager, how is this a detective agency?"
The detective agency Manager Seo Hye-ju had hired was in the mountains. Pine trees, plum blossoms, bamboo, arborvitae... In the middle of a beautifully landscaped garden sat a small lake, and smack in its center loomed a massive palace. Tourist spot fit it better than detective agency.
"It's a famous shrine."
"Yeah, I can tell."
Tourists snapping photos busily, families on trips— they were everywhere.
"Take a good look. It's run by your senior."
"A shaman?"
"Even though their aptitude isn't prophet, they're famous for accurate predictions."
"Is that possible?"
"That's why they're a famous shaman."
"Aha!"
Prophets can only foresee unchangeable futures. But self-proclaimed shamans have no such limits, though their accuracy sucks, so people get readings half for fun...
The line to enter the shrine seemed endless.
"Impressive, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Takes about 15 hours just for a reservation here."
"Kek!"
"But I have a little connection, so no waiting. And I know a trade secret that absolutely can't leak outside."
"......"
I was starting to regret tagging along.
"Let's go in."
"Okay."
The gatekeeper overseeing the line greeted her warmly on sight.
"Welcome, Doctor. The family head is waiting. Is the gentleman with you part of your group?"
"Yes. I didn't get prior permission from the head, though."
"No problem. Please enter."
"Thank you."
We received VIP treatment as we went inside.
"Who are they?"
"Getting special treatment."
The exhausted people in line glared at us enviously. I'd have done the same in their shoes.
"You okay?"
"Fine. I saved the family head's life, after all. For a reasonable fee, sure."
"The family head?"
"This is a lineage that's carried shaman blood for generations. The whole family are shamans."
"Shaman blood..."
Like Song Seon-yeong inheriting "swimmer" aptitude from her national-team mother Jang Seo-yeon, genetics influence aptitudes quite a bit. If one parent's a basketball player, so's the kid. If one's a physicist, ditto. Not absolute, but enough that people consider it when choosing spouses.
Shaman... not sure.
My parents weren't shamans. Nothing close, either. Extended family? Totally ordinary.
"By the way, the talisman Choi Kang-hun bought for you was handmade by the family head."
"Oh, that talisman."
It was pricey, so I kept it as a souvenir.
"Yeah. Come to think of it, I never asked— did it help?"
"Not at all."
According to Choi Kang-hun, a guardian spirit pops out of it to protect you. But what happened? I only saw sword ghosts and that alien Molrang thing in the dream.
"Figured as much. This family's more famous for fortunes than talismans."
"Got it."
Inside the shrine, consultations and bookings were underway. Eavesdropping a bit...
"I want to know when my husband will quit stocks."
"Just one question?"
"Also if my son can get into a good college."
"That's two. Fees range from 1st grade— the head personally— down to 9th grade, where novices train."
"...4th grade."
"4th grade confirmed. Please write your legal name, birthdate, and contact accurately here."
"Yes."
Just from overhearing, it felt professional and businesslike.
Wonder how accurate they are?
On the opposite side, people who'd gotten calls were picking up their fortunes.
"Any hope?"
"She already has someone in mind."
"I know that."
"She won't even glance your way till you quit smoking and get a stable job."
"No other way? I can't last a day without smokes."
"Fortune's done."
"No way...!"
"8th grade limit. Another question costs extra and takes more time."
"Urk!"
Less fortune-telling, more life coaching. Love, investments, health, compatibility, lifespan... The requests from folks who'd waited 15 hours were wildly varied.
People make money like this, huh.
Creak—
A firmly shut inner door slowly opened.
"Doctor. Come in."
The old man seated regally like a king at the highest spot welcomed us with a gentle smile.
"You look healthy, which gladdens me too, family head."
"Hello."
I followed Manager Seo Hye-ju's lead and bowed politely.
That's the family head?
Flanking him were elderly women of similar age, two on each side, with appearances growing younger downward. At the entrance farthest from him sat a kindergarten-aged kid primly on a cushion... Kinda pitiful not playing freely at that age.
Suffocating in here.
Definitely not a comfy spot for long stays.
"Doctor. Is that young man perhaps?"
"Yes. The shaman I mentioned when I took your case."
"Indeed!"
The old man scanned me top to bottom, looking deeply satisfied. Why?
"......"
I was just tagging along, so I stayed quiet.
"A raw gem born naturally, without any connections!"
"......"
"Junior Kang Moon-soo."
"Yes."
"How about becoming this old man's disciple— no, successor?"
"......"
Stunned by the unexpected offer.
"Family head?!"
"Father?!"
His kin stared at him in greater shock than me.
The head eyed them pitifully and said, "I don't recall giving those talisman-making rejects a chance to speak. Odd."
"......"
"......"
Everyone clamped their mouths and bowed their heads.
"Junior."
"Yes."
"No need to overthink. I'm proposing out of fear this 700-year lineage's secrets end with me."
"......"
I glanced sideways at Manager Seo Hye-ju. She shook her head firmly. Not a setup they'd planned.
"Of course, it won't be free."
"How much?"
700-year-old family secrets! To me, starved for power to revenge on that pretty-boy waist-slicer, it was hard to refuse.
"Your blood."
"How much?"
"Hoho! The more, the better. I'll provide as many women as you want."
"......"
I realized he meant my genetic material.
"What do you say?"
"Sorry. Too early to think about marriage."
Once again, I regretted coming.
"...Hoho! This old fool was too hasty."
Not annoyed at the rejection— amused, even. I bowed again.
"Sorry."
"No need. I respect your choice. You deserve respect."
"......"
We'd gotten past it unscathed.
"Jeon Ji-eun. Come forward."
"Yes, family head."
The woman he called rose and walked to the center.
"Like her?"
"......"
"I'm asking you, junior."
"Pardon?"
"What do you think of my great-granddaughter?"
"......"
"Don't like her? I can lend another. Or pick your own?"
"This is a bit..."
My common sense shattered; my head spun. Noticing, Manager Seo Hye-ju cut in.
"Family head. Losing composure could trigger a relapse."
"...With little time left, I got impatient. Leave the requested background info with my great-granddaughter and take her along."
The great-granddaughter turned, bowing politely as if to say "please take care of me."
"Understood."
"Manager?"
Manager Seo Hye-ju accepted without asking me.
"It's free."
"Can't turn down free."
I really hate this personality of mine that can't say no to freebies.