The Third Ghost Story - Red Tissue, Blue Tissue (1)
“Got it? The point is, that crap about hamburgers being unhealthy is total bullshit. They're actually a complete meal with the perfect balance of carbs, protein, and fat. Why the hell would bread, lettuce, tomato, and beef be bad for you?”
In the quiet fast food joint, An Gyeong-won—the snobby rich kid who fancied himself an elite—was bragging about some internet trivia with a hamburger in front of him.
“They say the colors and additives make it bad? What ignorant nonsense. Ever since that MSG hysteria, this country's still getting played by media fearmongering. Like how the lights are on in this place during a blackout, or how a burger without fries and cola is healthy food. Got it?”
I half-listened while chomping away, mumbling a vague “Yeah, sure.”
Next to me, Yoon Seon-ah was touching up her makeup. Watching a girl from class—someone I'd only seen as a friend—put on makeup was pretty stimulating for a teenage guy. Her babyish, round face transformed into something beautifully alluring under the cosmetics. I devoured my burger, mesmerized.
“The media loves screwing around with food stories. How much public nuisance have those broadcast hacks caused exposing 'bad' food? But what's even more pathetic is the dumb masses who fall for it. Puuuurrrrssssshhhhhh spluuuurt!”
An Gyeong-won's head suddenly exploded.
Blood and chunks sprayed across the shop. The blast sent his glasses flying right into my eyes.
And then a message popped up in front of me.
S-grade passive ability activated!
What the hell? So that's what the Goddess of Luck does? I had high hopes since it's S-grade, but it's just auto-glasses? Big letdown...
Even amid the chaos, Seon-ah kept fixing her face.
“Seon-ah, you look so pretty with makeup...”
I muttered, entranced. She flinched like I'd startled her, then whipped around at double speed to keep going. Her pace accelerated into a bizarre whooshing blur—parababababa!—too fast to track. Her shoulder joints couldn't keep up; it dangled loosely.
Momentarily terrified, I said, “S-Seon-ah. Stop. Something's wrong here. Let's get out.”
She froze, then flashed a creepy clown grin and rasped at me.
“Don't... gooooo iiiiiiiimmmiiiiiiimmmiiii!”
* * *
I bolted upright.
Gasp, gasp, fuck...! I was in my bedroom.
Whew, what time is it?
[Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 02:32]
[Lee Joon - 2nd Round, Tutorial in Progress]
[Ghost Story Points: 5]
[Causal Rate: 5%]
Still the wee hours.
Good thing I could sleep another four hours. I'd gotten into the habit of checking the Status Window instead of my phone—way more convenient.
What a bizarre dream.
In my previous life, I'd only had nightmares of my friends' heads exploding. Now, with layered traumas from even weirder incidents, the system screen and smiling woman made a combo nightmare gift set.
Damn.
It meant those events hit me hard. My life had only known exam stress before. This was my first real trauma, bad enough for nightmares.
I shook my head and got up for water in the kitchen. Through the balcony window, the dark Han River loomed.
Speaking of... Staring at the Han alone in the dead of night like this overlaps with my final memory from my past life.
Back then, right before graduation, a disaster alert woke me at night. I'd seen the Demon King across the Han. The spot it stood? Sinrim-dong, where I live now. My old and new homes faced each other across the river.
What the hell was that thing?
Too weird for just a giant monster. The massive silhouette writhing amid the city lights on the Han still gave me chills. And my incomprehensible death afterward.
...Some unidentified freak hunkered under the school?
High schoolers laughing obliviously above it. Creepy.
I shook my head and crawled back into bed. It wouldn't wake till graduation day anyway. Only two days since the entrance ceremony—three years left. I'd just taken my first step. No point obsessing over unknowns. I drifted off again.
* * *
Next morning in class, I spotted the timetable and cafeteria menu on the bulletin board. Yesterday was chaotic post-ceremony with empty periods instead of classes. Today felt like real school life kicking off.
At 8 sharp, the balding middle-aged homeroom teacher waddled in.
“Huh, who's missing?”
Probably a tardy kid.
“Okay, check your numbers. Raise your hand if you're absent~”
“Hahaha.”
A few kids laughed. How do you raise a hand if you're absent? But the dad joke landed from the right guy—pretty fun.
Glancing out the window, I saw Seon-ah circling the playground. Guess tardies here meant laps.
“Oh, and is there a Lee Joon?”
“Yes, sir. That's me.”
“Joon, come with me to the staff room. Morning homeroom's done. Everyone else, carry on.”
I followed him out.
“Sit here.”
In the staff room, he rummaged papers and pulled one out.
“Hmm... Ghost Story Club.”
Ah, this was why.
“No such club yet... But if you're dead set on it, you can start it as president. Cool?”
He didn't bat an eye at the weird concept.
“Yes! Totally!”
Truth was, I had zero interest in starting or running some oddball club. But the system demanded it, and it seemed useful...
“Here's the form. Fill it by end of day. Need four minimum, so recruit three besides yourself.”
“Got it.”
“The advisor spot? School assigns leftovers, so leave it blank~ Good luck~”
“Thanks!”
Heading back, I thought, Three people... Seon-ah and Gyeong-won first, then who for the last?
Only chatted with my desk mate Deok-hoon and Seon-ah's Ha-yoon.
Wait, Ha-yoon was pre-regression. She doesn't know me now.
Just Deok-hoon left. I sighed.
As I neared class, two girls approached from the hall end: Seon-ah and a yellow-haired tough-looking one.
...Dyed-hair girl's Jin-hee, right?
The scary one who'd slept through the ceremony. Status Window said Lee Jin-hee.
Hold up. The first quest listed her as a friend.
It counted her toward the three friends for the club. If the system approved, maybe trustworthy?
Alright.
Decision: Invite her to my Ghost Story Club. I waited by the door.
“Hey, uh—”
She barreled past without a glance. Seon-ah, thinking I meant her, grinned sheepishly.
“Oh, hi.”
“Tardy again, Seon-ah? Nice to see you.”
She giggled awkwardly. I pitched the club; her follow-the-leader type agreed readily.
Gyeong-won and Deok-hoon left.
Gyeong-won sat front-row, studious as ever. I tried Deok-hoon first, my desk mate.
“Deok-hoon, picked a club yet?”
He eyed me with a “Whoom?” sound effect.
Answer when asked, dude.
“Starting a new one. Ghost stories and spooky stuff. Interested?”
He adjusted his glasses, smirking creepily.
“Yare yare.”
Shaking his head smugly, he muttered, “Wanted a quiet year... But a desk mate approaching first? Thought that only happened in anime. Life's full of surprises.”
“Demo, watashi wa anime club planned. Gomen~”
He clasped hands apologetically.
Sigh, pisses me off.
* * *
“Ghost Story Club?”
Next break, I pitched to Gyeong-won.
“The one you're starting?”
“Hmm...”
Unexpected hesitation. Thought he'd jump at it with his legend knowledge.
What angle to sell?
“What club were you eyeing?”
“Academic or book club. Something for college apps. Extra lines for specs.”
“I see.”
Recalling my three hellish exam years, I schemed fast.
“Freshman year? Waste. Extracurriculars for apps never include first-years.”
“...What?”
Bingo. Smart but sheltered puppet—green on real experience. My extra three years gave edge.
“Seniors hog them. School prioritizes 2nd/3rd-years for contests. Even wins, they list first; freshmen get scraps if lucky.”
“...Why're you advising me?”
He snapped, annoyed.
What the—
Stung, but I played cool, head spinning. Touched his pride. Hated being taught, especially in studies/admissions where he shone.
An Gyeong-won: +5
Irked by his arrogance, I blurted provocatively.
“Worth advising. You good at studying?”
“...Better than you, I think.”
Brat's tone sucked. Implying I looked dumb? Fact, but ego flared.
“Think you're better? Middle school rank?”
“Always top 10. You?”
“Top 3.”
“...Liar.”
His face twitched.
“...Why this school then? Special-purpose high?”
“Same reason as you.”
“Same... reason?”
Rich kid puzzled. My regression eyes saw through: Better snake head than dragon tail. Top this average school for Seoul Uni over mid-pack elite.
“You're here for top grades, right? Top Seoul U from here beats shitting at elite.”
“...KAIST. Don't talk if you don't know—”
“Same deal. Scoop grades from shit school for prestige uni. Me too.”
Suspicious glare. Doubting my smarts now.
“Listen close. No downside.”
He nodded.
“...I'm listening. Spit it out.”
“Those 'helpful' clubs? Useless for freshmen. Wipe seniors' asses for a wasted year.”
“Mom didn't say that...”
Seventeen and mommy? Lame.
“Parents know apps, not school politics. Academic club? Guaranteed waste. But my Ghost Story Club?”
“We're the 'first' members. Ignore school BS. If skilled, we sweep contests ourselves. No ass-wiping year.”
“Hoo.”
Hooked. Bashing seniors fed his elite ego.
“School funds straight to us elites. As prez, no dumb traditions. Club time's pure freedom. Thoughts?”
It landed. His goals, personality—all tailored.
Nodding slowly, he spoke—and a notification flashed.
An Gyeong-won: +20
“...You think sharp. Sorry for dismissing you.”
Yes! Nailed it!
Not thrilled at following, but mulling it, he stroked his chin approvingly.
“Better than slaving for half-ass clubs a year. Us skilled ones monopolize... Brilliant.”
“Exactly. No time waste.”
“Weird concept bugs me... But unique—no overlaps. Stands out in contests.”
Pausing, he asked, “...Freshmen can start clubs? I'd do it better.”
This punk.
“Normally no. But I got teacher connections.”
He gawked. “Way off from first impressions. Didn't peg you for that.”
Fuck, all lies~
Grinning at his awe, I filled the form.
President: Lee Joon
Member 1: Yoon Seon-ah
Member 2: An Gyeong-won
Member 3: TBD
Lunch done, pondering the last recruit en route to the bathroom. Heard “hol hot hot” laughter—homeroom teacher, toothbrush in hand.
“Joon! Form coming along?”
Pot-bellied middle-aged guy.
“Yeah, sorta.”
“Heh, Ghost Story Club—intriguing. Love scary tales?”
“Not love, just... research needed. Starting now.”
He glanced around, then whispered, “Headed to the boys' room at hall end?”
“Yes.”
“Fourth stall's haunted.”
“Offers red tissue or blue. Choose wisely.”
Vanished.
Ancient tale.
Kindergarten era, Red Mask panic. His puns were overkill, but the balding gut matched the dad vibe into eerie charm.
Cool. Wanna live that unapologetic too.
Chuckling, I headed to the boys' room.
Ghost Story Club