Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: House of Ghosts - 2
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"I've checked your background. They say you even resolved that redevelopment issue in Yangjae-dong."
"Yes."
"Are you planning to exorcise the ghost here and sell the house again?"
"Pardon?"
What the hell is this guy talking about?
"I just needed a house with a ghost."
What matters most to a mage?
Money?
Of course, money is important.
Materials?
Materials can't be ignored either.
But above all else, it's how close you are to the mysteries of the world.
In that regard, this house was perfect for a mage.
"First off, having a yard this big is great."
This country home had a 100-pyeong field out back.
It wasn't huge, but not small either. I could grow all the materials I needed right here.
"Up until now, I've been buying stuff off the shelf, but the best materials are always the ones you grow or make yourself."
"I-is that so."
"Ghosts appear in this house. That means it's infused with spiritual energy. Growing magical materials in a place like this would be ideal."
"Oh ho..."
"Isn't it dangerous? I looked into it with Dad, and people have died here."
"I've checked it out myself. I know you're an amazing mage, but..."
Choi Yu-ra, Choi Yu-jeong.
The two sisters I rescued from that other world were worried too.
"Nothing in this world is without risk. It's all about how you use it."
"I see..."
"Anyway, since you're here, stay for a meal. I'm ordering jjajangmyeon. Want some?"
"No, I can't freeload. Let's go out. I'll treat."
You don't refuse when someone offers to pay.
Especially in Korea, where Confucian values linger—when an elder offers, you just say thanks and accept.
Maybe because it was a Chinese restaurant frequented by chaebols, the food looked exquisite from the start.
"That was delicious."
"You ate so heartily—looks good on you."
"Haha. Ah, since I feel bad about freeloading, take this."
"What's this?"
"It's that tea you liked last time."
Herbal tea bags I made myself.
"Oh... that was good. Where'd you buy it?"
"I grew it."
Growing herbs isn't as hard as you'd think.
Especially certain ones—they grow on their own even if you half-ass it. Perfect for a gardening newbie like me.
"Heh heh. Such a precious gift."
"Come by later, and I can give you other teas too."
"Much appreciated."
"And take some of these too."
"What's this?"
"Having nightmares lately?"
"...Pardon?"
"H-how did you know?"
"You can't stay in another world that long without it affecting you. Burn this incense before bed, and you'll sleep soundly."
Willow charcoal base, mixed with medicinal herbs, flowers, and fruit essences.
According to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, incense awakens the spirit and calms the mind. It should help.
"Thank you..."
"We only ever get help from you, Mage-nim."
"No need to mention it. Ah, and next time there's a rift, come with us."
"Yes!!"
The happy sisters and Choi Seong-cheol drove off.
I watched their car disappear before turning back.
The two-story country home looked downright eerie without the lights on.
No wonder ghosts might show up here.
"Arthur."
-Grrr...!!
"Let's go."
I entered the house.
As soon as I opened the door and stepped in, it closed on its own.
"Well, damn. Even automatic doors."
Perfect for a mage's lair.
-Grrrrr...!!
"Whoa, whoa. Hold on. Hold on."
-Grr...!!
Arthur was raring to draw his sword.
No ghost yet, but he could feel the house's vibe.
Bought a house.
Book Mage
[House photo]
[House interior photo]
It's a haunted house. Should I post live updates?
This post is gonna get concept-tagged again.
From the comments, some hunters tried staying here to exorcise ghosts and bolted.
-Snap!!
That's when it happened.
All the lights went out.
Did the breaker trip?
Breaker was fine.
So this must be mystery-related too.
In that case...
"Light, take root here."
⟨ Halo Embodiment ⟩
Time to use some magic.
I'd finished it but never had a chance to use the halo until now.
-Grrr...!!
A circle of light burst behind my back.
The moment the halo from Secrets of Light and Shadow illuminated the darkness-soaked house, I spotted a black-haired woman in white mourning clothes standing in the corner.
-Sob... Sob... Heh heh sob... Sob...
Bloodshot eyes peered at me through her long, disheveled black hair.
-Grrrrr...!!
"Arthur. Hold."
Both Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio and Secrets of Light and Shadow mention it:
Women who die unjustly or with grudges easily become ghosts.
"Come on, don't glare like that. Have a seat."
Don't just stand there staring daggers.
-Heh... Heh heh sob... Sob...
Tears of blood streaming, she approached at my suggestion.
This is... teleportation?!
The ghost closed the distance in an instant and glared murderously.
"No plans to exorcise you. Sit."
I pulled out a chair from the dining table.
She alternated glances between me and the chair a few times before sitting demurely.
"Tea?"
-.....
A gentleman offers a handkerchief to a crying lady and serves tea to calm her.
She took the handkerchief gingerly and dabbed her eyes.
While the tea brewed, I set a cup before her and fetched a pen and paper.
"Got some grudge you want me to resolve?"
-Sob, heh sob. Sob... Heh sob...
"Hm."
Won't communicate like this.
What to do?
After a moment's thought, I pulled out the recorder I'd bought for magic training last time.
"Play this. It'll ease your mind."
Music is the only drug the government approves of—a balm for the soul.
"Ah. Hold on."
Ghost playing an instrument?
This could be useful for rituals later.
I started recording.
-Pipiri... Pipiring~ Pipiririri~
The hesitant ghost played the recorder.
A bit shaky at first, but impressive overall.
"Feeling better?"
No answer.
She just set down the recorder and vanished.
-Grr...
Lights came back on. All that remained: empty teacup and recorder.
"Not coming out again...?"
I waited a while, but no more phenomena that day.
A shame.
A mage needs his own workshop.
Until now, I'd crammed a lifestyle workshop into a tiny villa.
But now? A full two-story country home (basement included).
-Grr...
"This spot's better, right?"
I'd considered converting the basement, but humans need sunlight.
I turned a sunny second-floor room into the workshop, moving materials and magic items there.
"Put that over there."
-Grr...!!
Arthur was a huge help.
Shadows neatly organized the growing pile of odds and ends.
"Gotta make the field today too."
-Grk?
"Got some good seedlings."
When I rescued the Choi sisters, I scored rare materials—including seedlings. One was a mandrake.
No magical properties yet.
That's what growing it is for.
"Plant this first."
Workshop done, I headed to the field.
Untouched due to the haunting, weeds everywhere.
-Slash! Slash!!
Shadow sword cleared the thick growth with each swing.
I gathered them and spread in the corner.
Compost fodder—no wasting.
-Woooong...!!
-Shhhhrak!!
Secrets of Light and Shadow and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio reacted to the tilled soil.
Haunted house—strong spiritual energy.
"Here?"
-Wooooong!!
-Shhhhrak!!
Both grimoires pointed to the shaded spot under the house's shadow.
Normal plants need sun, but magical mandrake? Different story.
Secrets says it thrives in imbalanced, spiritually charged spots.
"Hyah!!"
Hoe'd the bed and planted the mandrake.
According to Secrets, on a mage's land: a week at best, a month at worst.
This is my turf. My domain. Mandrake in a month, tops.
-Grrrr...!!
While I planted, Arthur finished the rest and approached, strutting for praise.
Good boy.
"Rest of it too."
Workshop, field, afternoon basement home gym.
Productive day.
But it ain't over.
"...Am I a mage or a laborer?"
More physical work than brain lately?
While prepping materials in the first-floor living room, doubts bubbled up.
-Grr...
Arthur, slicing ore beside me, growled in agreement.
What can ya do? All necessary.
"Phew. Finally done."
Midnight by the time I finished the mountain of prep.
No sign of her tonight. Bedtime?
-Click... Click...
"You're here!!"
Ceiling light flickered.
Phenomenon incoming.
Grabbed my phone and the instruments ordered online: castanets, harmonica, ocarina.
Upload ghost jam sessions to the gallery? Mindblowers. Monthly best material.
"......"
What? Why no show?
Just a power glitch?
"Heh. Heh. Heh. Am. I. Pretty?"
"Huh?"
Not yesterday's ghost.
A woman in a red mask stood by the living room window.
"Preeetty?"
New one.
Looks like the type that attacks regardless of yes or no.
Research didn't mention this.
New mystery form drawn to the house?
Jackpot!
Can't miss this!
"True beauty comes from strength!"
"Wha-what the. Hell."
"How can the weak speak of beauty!!"
Grabbed her arm.
Light grip.
Has flesh—more yokai than ghost.
Even better.
"Eh? Eh?"
Pulled the flustered one.
See?
No strength—reeled in easy.
"Ahh. No helping it."
If this frail yokai craves beauty's recognition, I'll provide.
Of course, favors demand repayment in kind.