Vampire in the Room (3)

"Hmm..."

There was definitely a lot of noise. And when the static paused, shadowy figures would sometimes flicker into view.

"See? It's a paranormal phenomenon, right? Right?"

"Looks like it."

If it was just static, it could be an internet connection or streaming equipment glitch. But with creepy images mixed in, anyone could tell this was a paranormal phenomenon.

But there are way too many possibilities for what it could be.

Urban legends about video glitches are surprisingly common. The most famous is probably that Sadako movie. Back before the internet was everywhere, there were cursed videotapes. And now, with streaming and online broadcasts booming, modern ghost stories have evolved accordingly.

So, noise alone wasn't enough to pinpoint the monster. Like with the Fox Possession we handled last time—Dream of the Monkey or Grinding Teeth could've fit, but jumping to conclusions might've gotten Ryu Harin killed. Better not to assume until we're sure.

"You said it's a stalker, but just from this, it's hard to call it that."

A glitch on stream wouldn't normally scream "stalker." When I pointed that out, Shin Na-o replied,

"During streams, it's just noise. But off-stream... it gets way worse..."

"Worse how?"

"Threatening letters show up, or weird packages get delivered..."

"Isn't that a real stalker, not paranormal?"

...That sounded like a job for the police, not our detective agency. But Shin Na-o shook her head furiously.

"No! I called the cops once, but no CCTV footage. They even thought I was faking it..."

"That's rough..."

If she insisted, then yeah—stalking by a non-human monster. Assuming it was a monster...

...Probably a ghost.

Ghost-in-video or ghost-on-camera stories are classics... Problem is, our agency's not great against ghosts.

Me: Need to punch 'em physically to girlify.

Ari: Needs flies touching to lower recognition.

Lisa: Gotta slice with a knife.

We're killer against tangible monsters, but incorporeal ones? Tricky.

...But it's our first non-Foundation client.

Turning her down felt wrong. We'd only done Foundation gigs so far—sticking to that might make us look like their subsidiary, scaring off Special Task Force or others. Some risk, but worth taking one on.

"Alright, I'll visit your place."

And so, I headed to Shin Na-o's home.

Flashback to when Shin Na-o first noticed the anomaly—on her way back from the convenience store.

She's a vampire now, but once human. Her tastes stayed the same, just her body changed. The downside? Can't go out in daylight. In summer with short nights, only about nine hours outdoors. And early dawn? Nothing fun open. 24-hour spots aren't that common.

Vampires can live on blood, but sometimes she craves human food. No restaurants open? Convenience store snacks it is.

Loaded with junk food, she felt eyes on her.

"Hmm...?"

Someone watching. Unnerved, she walked faster.

Clack clack, thud thud...

Footsteps—not hers. A man's, not a woman's.

"...No one's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there."

Nothing behind her. Just echoes trailing her steps. She rushed home, locked the door.

Next day: a letter at her door.

"Wh-what the hell...?"

Threat clear. But readable—first one. Later letters got weirder, unreadable.

Stalker switched: blood-decorated cake. Twisted doll. Beverage with mystery liquid.

Today: intruder traces in her room.

"Wh-what is this...?!"

Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with me there, Shin Na-o yelled.

Black liquid—blood?—oozing from walls. Unknown script covering them. Indescribable stench.

Shin Na-o backed away. I observed,

"...Looks like a minor spirit."

"Huh...?"

She stared.

"Minor spirit?"

"The kind that just startles you... low-tier Muksi Saengmyeongche. Random events like this pop up—usually harmless."

I recalled my old job interview gig, hit by mental corruption. That was dangerous. This? Player tension prank.

From my past game plays, I knew.

"Harmless? Walls ruined, creepy gifts...?"

"Might not be malicious. Like cats bringing mice home. Kinda like that."

Ghosts aren't sane. Humans reason with brains. Ghosts? Soul only, no brain.

Lingering human habits give some judgment—fresh after death. Fades over time, losing reason, language. But obsessions linger, trapping them.

"Old ghosts are usually vengeful spirits or divine ones."

This one? Not quite. Lingering regret causing mischief. Gifts? Ghost's twisted thanks.

Humans see horror. Wall script? Probably nothing deep.

"No malice is good, but this has been daily...?"

"Persistent little guy..."

Honestly, no need for Task Force or Foundation. Me? Overkill. Shaman or monk chanting'd do. Or pastor.

"Can't you just handle it, unnie...?"

"Hmm... My methods cost extra. Okay?"

I'm an atheist. No exorcism know-how. Means printing money.

"D-don't care... Can't call others..."

Vampire—churches awkward. Fine.

I pulled my phone. No cute girl punch or Bond Effect needed. Good—hiding mod from outsiders.

Two hours later, Lisa returned from the office with the typewriter.

Can't exorcise or punch? Straight method: communicate, learn story, help pass on. Like Phas■mophobia—talk to ghosts via machine for info.

-Clack clack

"Whoa! The typewriter moved on its own!"

Shin Na-o freaked, but no poltergeist chaos. Not violent. Communicates fine. Decent ghost.

-Clack clack

"Regular fan?"

"Regular fan...? Regular fan?!?"

Shin Na-o's fear twisted to anger.

"No way... If you're a fan, why do this!? I was terrified every day! Super scary! Fans can't scare streamers like that!"

"Calm down first..."

Not vengeful—just a ShinoShino fan. What did it want? Nudes? Nah.

-Clack clack

"...Huh?"

I blinked, confused. Typewriter clacked on:

"..."

I glanced at Shin Na-o. She looked stunned.

Intense obsession. You are a vengeful spirit... or evil ghost, technically.