Ten Ghosts Night Parade (4): What Does It Take to Move Others?
To get someone else to do your bidding, what do you need? I figured it boiled down to one of three things: power, money, or affection.
Power was a prime example—my current predicament, in fact. Kkamang-i had kidnapped me on a whim, forcing me into this survival game I never signed up for. Threaten with power, and the weak have no choice but to bend to the strong's will.
Money's just material reward in a nutshell. Perfect payoff for an employment deal—do the job, get paid. But here's the problem: I had next to nothing. My inventory? Baseball bat, utility knife, noose. Kidnapped with just the clothes on my back, so no helping it.
Last up: affection. Friendship, love, loyalty, passion—all that abstract stuff. Fat chance expecting it from youkai.
Sorting through my thoughts, I concluded recruiting Kim Eat-Chil was impossible.
Kim Eat-Chil watched my agonized deliberations with keen interest.
"You know that, right?"
"What."
"You're the first human to ask me for anything."
"Should I be proud?"
"Of course."
I was well aware my situation was unusual. That desperation was probably why.
I had zero confidence tackling the second and third floors alone, where youkai came in pairs. The fourth floor's hallway restrictions were tricky, but if the youkai had to follow them too, I could manage. Assuming I ever figured out what lurked there.
Time dragged on endlessly. CCTV clock read 8:20. Self-study break was ending soon.
I'd mulled it over plenty, but nothing viable came to mind.
"Eat-Chil, can you eat youkai too?"
"What're you getting at?"
"What if we traded for me letting you chow down on one?"
"I could just eat one myself without you."
"Figured as much."
If I ignored consequences and went all-in on recruitment, I wasn't totally empty-handed. I could offer a piece of my body.
Youkai would snap that up, no doubt. I'd seen them devour human flesh in my first nightmare. They said it didn't taste great, but watching a human suffer? That had to be a delicacy.
Of course, I had no intention of sacrificing a limb. Even a finger would hinder me.
...What if it's not a finger?
"Eat-Chil, how about my pinky toe..."
"No thanks."
Rejected before I finished. Damn.
I'd psyched myself up for toe amputation, but maybe the portion was too small? Body tribute shot down—options exhausted.
I gave up clean. Felt refreshing, head clear. Future me could figure it out.
My stomach growled.
Counseling days meant heading up at dusk—no time for food. Once Eat-Chil left, I'd grab a bite and hit the Gallery for advice.
......
Suddenly, an idea hit for recruiting Eat-Chil.
"Eat-Chil. Ever tried school lunch?"
This school lacked one spot every normal school should have: the cafeteria. Maybe in the annex, but worth a shot.
"Why?"
"Wanna try some?"
This time, my offering was dinner. Humans don't die from skipping a meal. My gut was protesting now, but it'd quiet down eventually.
Wondered how Eat-Chil would react. Mud-caked youkai—no face to read, pity.
Eat-Chil stayed silent awhile. Usually meant a yes.
"What's on the menu?"
"Hold on."
Hooked good. I ducked into the break room, fridge open.
Tray: pork cutlet steak, tomato spaghetti, cucumber pickles. What quality. Special meal for my ordeal?
Too bad I wouldn't taste it. Not dumb enough to ditch the deal over food.
Still, carrying the tray out, regret tugged. The smell was killer.
"Deal. I'll skip going home and help out today, right?"
Kim Eat-Chil handed back the empty tray.
Curious how a youkai ate. Offered utensils—ignored, grabbed tray with one hand. Mouth yawned open like ripping space, dumped it all in. Food vanished into the void inside.
A bit creepy, but curiosity overrode fear. Did it even taste anything? Kept quiet. No point asking. Or begging for scraps.
Maybe Eat-Chil took my starving desperation, not the food.
"Thanks."
"Class 2-2, second year. Come find me."
Eat-Chil slid away fast. Running? First time seeing it—third-floor hallway rules.
Minor mystery why, but school bell rang. Late for class, probably.
Details on point, huh.
My turn. Grabbed keyring, headed out to lock the main gate.
I'd wondered if locking up before shift end was fine. Shift start fixed, no rule on finish time.
Of course, leave on schedule or Admin Office staff pounds the door.
Idea sparked: step out, come right back? Tested once—not peeking out guard room, but stairs and back.
Success. No rampage, no warning.
So, locked main gate, straight to break room. Gallery intel before full lockdown.
First, vent a bit. Accepted my lot, but Gallery reignited the injustice.
No outlet? Dump it here—made for that.
Sought comfort, met legend. Silver lining: escapers got bombs too—means I'm closer?
Not blind optimism. Kkamang-i upping difficulty meant I was nearing something. Though no clue what set me apart from my predecessor.
No solace here—time for intel. Posted six anomalies, excluding outsiders. No expectations all known, but hoped for a couple solid hits.
Fancy Gentleman well-known. Common counters: don't look at face, act polite. My approach worked—lucky.
Indoor with that height, though?
Admin had info on pairs plaguing 2F/3F. Huge relief—knowing counters for even one helped.
2F student fit hallway perfectly—avert eyes, done. Wildlife like normal animals—weird for youkai. Neither seemed too tough.
Issue: unknown 2F teacher, 3F student.
Time to face them. Posted thanks, left guard room.