Peeking into Hell (4)
“...Avici Hell?”
“Yeah. The place where they grind souls alive like they're in a millstone. For those in such bad shape there's no recycling them. Lucky for you, your Saingeom protected you properly.”
“The Saingeom?”
Ju Kang-rim looked down at his Saingeom. Even in that space called Avici Hell, he had maintained his uniform and composure. There had been an unpleasant sensation sweeping over his body, but none of his limbs or senses felt off. Just as Yeomra said, it seemed the Saingeom had shielded him.
“Means your Saingeom recognizes you as a worthwhile master. Guess we can peel off that intern label now. But seriously, you're gonna die eventually—why rush like this? Two million years too boring for you?”
“No, it wasn't on purpose...”
“I know. Yoo Wol-ryeong gave me the heads-up. This was our screw-up, plain and simple.”
“So what the hell happened? You said it'd just be an out-of-body thing. Why'd I end up in hell?”
Yeomra shrugged at Ju Kang-rim's question.
“Who knows. Maybe your sins were heavy enough to drop you straight there?”
No trial? Bullshit. The one who judges the dead was standing right in front of him. Plus, Ju Kang-rim hadn't suffered any real torment in there. If he were a sinner, Asura wouldn't have escorted him so politely.
“You can lose weight, but not the weight of your sins, huh?”
“Tough crowd. Look, I'm not sure, but it seems someone in the underworld tried to snatch you.”
“...Snatch me?”
Ju Kang-rim had backed plenty of VIPs, so kidnapping wasn't a foreign concept. Whether pulling one off or rescuing from it, it happened often with the powerful. He'd seen plenty end in a one-way trip to the underworld too, so this wasn't entirely alien. Though returning from the underworld would baffle both kidnapper and victim alike.
“Who?”
“Still digging. It happened too fast—not like they targeted you specifically, more like a trap laid for when your soul went vulnerable. Ready to yank you the second it did.”
“Immortals' doing?”
If it was the immortals, things were bad. Someone strong enough to hurl a grim reaper into hell, and neither Ju Kang-rim nor even Yeomra knew who. But Yeomra shook his head.
“Nah. Far as I know, no living-world bastard could pull that off.”
Ju Kang-rim started to relax, but his eyes sharpened at Yeomra's words.
“‘Living-world’ bastards?”
“Yeah. Probably someone from the underworld gunning for you. Or maybe just screwing with me. Latter's more likely.”
“No, why would an underworld being mess with you, sir?”
“Told you when we made the deal. Things are complicated.”
He'd heard it was complicated, but not like this. Yeomra, ruler of the underworld, scheming in secret, with interferers blocking him—and Ju Kang-rim caught in the crossfire? Sounded just like living-world politics.
But Ju Kang-rim calmed quickly. Sentient, communicative beings schemed like that. Transcendent power or eternal life didn't change human nature. He'd seen it plenty backing top 1% immortals.
“Who's the enemy?”
“Not sure yet. Don't worry about underworld drama. I'll handle it.”
“You've already dragged me into it.”
“Division of labor, Ju Kang-rim.”
Yeomra, sensing he wouldn't brush it off easily, turned serious.
“Your goal's total immortal extermination. Someone down here doesn't like that. I expected interference, so I kept this quiet.”
“...”
“But the bastard moved faster than I thought. My bad. Still, you came back intact, so they know that trick's bust. They wasted a turn—now it's mine.”
“You have suspects.”
“Yeah. Hunting that fucker down and smashing him? My job. You hunt immortals and smash 'em. Clear on the division now?”
Ju Kang-rim nodded reluctantly. Even if Yeomra named names, what could he do? Hunt the perp in the underworld blind? Whoever it was, if they opposed his work, he'd just double down. They'd show their tail eventually, and Yeomra would pounce. With Yeomra watching him now, the perp wouldn't move easy.
Ju Kang-rim got the division of labor.
“Got it.”
“Thanks for understanding. Saving the world comes with shitty side gigs, huh?”
“Talented folks draw heat. Oh, the ghosts in hell called me ‘young master.’”
Yeomra paused at the offhand remark, thinking, then shrugged.
“Probably confused by your Saingeom.”
“...The Saingeom?”
“Yeah. Its last owner was called ‘young master.’ You show up in similar gear, same vibe—crazy ghosts mix you up, spout nonsense.”
“Hm. Makes sense.”
Plausible. Eternal torment in that place would crack anyone. Mistaking based on looks? Easy.
“Thanks for the info. See you later.”
Guided by Yeomra, Ju Kang-rim returned to the living world. Opening his eyes, he met Yoo Wol-ryeong's worried gaze peering down.
Her face was paler than its usual pallor—ghostly white.
Ju Kang-rim pondered, then mustered one word.
“I'm back.”
“Ah... good. Thank goodness.”
Yoo Wol-ryeong exhaled deeply, collapsing into the chair by the bed.
Ju Kang-rim checked himself. Decent clothes, IV in his arm—time had passed. His underworld stint felt short, but days had flown here.
“You nursed me, Reaper Yoo?”
“Nights only. Staff handled days. I don't need sleep.”
Her dark circles screamed otherwise, but she didn't sleep. Fact.
Ju Kang-rim yanked the IV, assessing. Muscles atrophied bad—like vegetative for ages. No bedsores, though—someone massaged and cared steadily.
“Half a year gone?”
“Just three days.”
“...Really? Muscles wasted...”
Yoo Wol-ryeong kneaded his arm.
“Your body surged from soul presence—snapped back fast when it left. Few days, you'll recover. Maybe stronger—full rest.”
Ju Kang-rim flexed; she was right. Rest built strength. His body felt brand new.
Yoo Wol-ryeong bowed late, apologizing.
“Sorry. My fault...”
“Nah. Even Yeomra didn't see it coming.”
“Just probing your spirit power... didn't expect this. Other ways to check later. But he had a message.”
“Yeah? What?”
“Your intern period as grim reaper ends today.”
Ju Kang-rim stared blankly.
Intern talk was casual; never felt like one. Grim reapers weren't office drones, and even formal Yoo treated him near-equally.
“‘Intern’ is metaphorical—probation. Means Saingeom approves. You're not officially underworld staff.”
“Sounds familiar. What bosses say dumping risky jobs on temps.”
“You're valuable. Living body, Saingeom-approved? Irreplaceable asset.”
Ju Kang-rim nodded. Expected. No tenure made you a reaper; Saingeom did.
“Post-intern?”
“As Yeomra said, you're special hire for immortals. No full reaper powers with living flesh.”
Yoo Wol-ryeong outlined changes.
“But you can meet Yeomra direct now.”
“Biman not enough? Face-time with the big boss? Whoa, that's huge—dream come true. What else?”
“Conversing with the dead permitted.”
Ju Kang-rim tilted his head.
Unexpected.
“Talking to ghosts that special?”
His Canine Eyes let him chat ghosts already. Tracked Kangryeong Daegun via Admiral Won Gyun's spirit.
Yoo Wol-ryeong paused, then rapid-fired.
“Living-underworld boundary firm. Shamans aside, dead communication's vague hints, omens. But as official reaper...”
“Ah. Got it. Summon and chat anyone dead, not just my kills—like a shaman.”
“Yes. Broader intel access.”
“Nice.”
Ju Kang-rim pondered uses.
Next target...
Kangryeong done, Vito family wounded retreat. Gerald's faction, unhindered, due to emerge.
Luckily, Ju Kang-rim knew Gerald's next move.
Night, Sejong City.
Ju Kang-rim strolled near Sejong Lake Park. Two dogs tagged along.
They rolled in dirt, pissed everywhere, rubbed cat urine for cologne—but Ju Kang-rim's mind wandered. To his upcoming meet.
Mid-bridge over the lake, he passed a middle-aged woman in shades and cap despite the dark. Workout gear, arms crossed.
“Looking healthy, son.”
His mother, Assemblywoman Yoo Seo-kyeong.
She glanced at the dogs.
“Didn't know you had dogs. Two even. Had to bring 'em?”
“Dog walkers get attention, not suspicion.”
Dogs drew nosy busybodies. Owners committing or victimized? Instant chaos. Folks feared dog bites, not owners plotting crimes. Spies walked dogs for meets for a reason.
Yoo Seo-kyeong nodded, but questions lingered.
“When introduce her?”
She eyed Yoo Wol-ryeong, trailing discreetly. Workout clothes hid her, but her eerie calm screamed unusual. Yoo Seo-kyeong clocked it.
“My boss.”
“Thought girlfriend.”
“Every woman near me your daughter-in-law pick?”
“Moms do that.”
Yoo Seo-kyeong squatted, petting dogs slobbering her face. Stared at Ju Kang-rim.
“My boy, thought still kid. Grown up while I blinked. Unrecognizable.”
Yeah. At twenty, Ju Kang-rim never felt adult. Here now: not that kid, but colonel back from world's end.
“About that headache bill.”
Awakener Management Act. Gerald's goal.