Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Hired?
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[9 AM - Ghost Gate Seoul Headquarters, Main Conference Room]
A heavy silence hung over the round table.
The core executives of the Ghost Gate Seoul Branch, guardians of Korea's hidden world, were gathered in one place.
At the head sat the white-haired elder, Branch Director Park Dong-cheol, with a stern expression. Flanking him were the team leaders and deputy team leaders.
Especially eye-catching was the man slouching lazily, stifling yawns throughout the meeting.
Disheveled hair, loosened tie—Do Jae-hyeok, Team Leader of Special Team 1.
"Report."
Park Dong-cheol's low, stern voice cut through the room.
Team 2 Leader Choi Min-seok rose from his seat across the table and pointed to the screen.
The screen displayed gruesome photos from the abandoned villa complex in Sinrim-dong.
"This incident occurred around 4:30 AM today. Oh Min-seong's Shikigami from Team 2, 'Shrimp Ghost,' went berserk and attacked residential homes."
"Cause of the rampage?"
"A trait unique to water-type evil spirits: loss of control during rainy weather. Due to localized heavy rain, its rank temporarily rose to C-grade. We deployed Team 2's full force, but its physical immunity and wide-area weather manipulation left us helpless."
Sighs echoed throughout the conference room.
C-grade. Not some mere stray ghost. It was a disaster-class that could topple a few buildings and slaughter dozens of civilians with ease.
"Yet the situation is resolved?"
Do Jae-hyeok asked, tapping his ballpoint pen.
"Yes. As stated in the report. It was... annihilated by an 'unknown spiritual wave.' Without a trace."
Choi swallowed dryly.
He advanced the screen.
A blurry CCTV image appeared.
A man leisurely exiting the scene in slippers, cradling a black puppy in his arms.
Kang Han-gyeol.
"This is him. A civilian present at the scene."
"A civilian took down a C-grade evil spirit? With a dog?"
Team 3 Leader snorted.
"That dog isn't ordinary."
Choi countered seriously.
"According to eyewitness accounts from our agents, blue glow emanated from the puppy's eyes, and it physically tore into the ghost's spiritual body, destroying it. Not mere physical damage—it was akin to 'soul annihilation.'"
"Soul annihilation..."
Do Jae-hyeok's eyes sharpened.
"So that dog's a spirit beast? Or a Shikigami created by the guy?"
"Unclear... but one thing's certain: the puppy was just a medium. Such overwhelming power requires the master's Spiritual Power as backing. That man... at minimum upper B-grade, possibly higher."
The room buzzed.
An unregistered ability user with B-grade or above firepower roaming central Seoul.
This was a ticking time bomb.
"Deputy Team Leader Seo Hwa-rin."
Park Dong-cheol called out Team 1's deputy leader.
"Yes, Branch Director."
"You said you're tracking him. Any intel?"
Seo Hwa-rin stood and distributed documents.
The first page featured Kang Han-gyeol's ID photo and detailed personal info.
"Kang Han-gyeol. 26 years old. Currently residing in a rooftop room in Sinrim-dong."
She pointed her laser pointer at the screen and began.
"Frankly, I initially thought he was a hidden master in seclusion. But the background check revealed something entirely different."
"Different how?"
"We scoured his history—no traces of contact with the spiritual world. No priors, no martial arts training. Until a few weeks ago, he was a bone-deep ordinary guy scraping by on a few thousand won in his bank account, working night shifts at a convenience store."
"So he suddenly gained that power?"
Park Dong-cheol frowned.
"Yes. Appears to be a 'sudden acquired awakening.' And... we strongly suspect these as the triggers."
Seo Hwa-rin advanced the screen.
Enlarged photos appeared: a yellow chick (Fry) perched on Kang Han-gyeol's shoulder, and the black puppy (Pepper) from earlier that dawn.
"These beasts. A chick and puppy he suddenly started carrying a few days ago. Too anomalous for ordinary pets."
The executives stared intently at the photos.
"The puppy bit the evil spirit to pieces this dawn, and during the Bukhansan Giant Silkworm fire, massive heat poured from that chick in his pocket. If Kang himself was ordinary, these unknown spirit beasts he picked up likely sparked his awakening—or are the source of his power."
"Hoo."
Do Jae-hyeok smirked with interest.
"Not a master, just a lucky unemployed guy who stumbled on fortune? With a chick and stray pup. Fun. So, what's the plan?"
"We'll scout him."
All eyes focused on Seo Hwa-rin's firm reply.
"He's a risk, sure, but at core, a civilian clueless about our world. With his sudden power and mystery beasts, he's probably panicking inside."
Seo Hwa-rin adjusted her glasses confidently.
"Apply slight pressure with national authority—instill fear of being labeled a criminal—then offer unprecedented terms, including legal protection for those dangerous beasts. Nine times out of ten, he'll come willingly. I'll handle it personally."
No doubt in her voice.
The confidence unique to Ghost Gate agents who dealt with civilians.
But Do Jae-hyeok chuckled, popping a lollipop in his mouth.
"Dunno~ I don't think that'll work."
"On what basis?"
Do Jae-hyeok nodded at the CCTV on screen.
"Look at that guy's eyes. Scared civilian? Nah, that's the face of an unemployed dude who smashed a ghost to bits and strolled home. Classic look of someone clueless on rules but knows damn well they're badass. Hwa-rin, botch that pressure and you'll get burned bad."
"Unlike Team Leader 1, I'll negotiate rationally—no need to worry."
Seo Hwa-rin shot back coolly.
But then, the silent Park Dong-cheol spoke heavily.
"No. Team 1 Leader's right. Deputy Seo, no pressure or threats—absolutely not."
"But Branch Director, types like this need early dominance or..."
"This isn't the time for pride or posturing."
Park Dong-cheol cut her off firmly.
The room's air grew heavy.
Deep fatigue and barely concealed desperation etched his wrinkled eyes.
"As you know, Ghost Gate's in dire straits. Chronic manpower shortage, no high-rankers to back us up—worst crisis ever. In this cliff-edge situation, a freak talent like that appears."
Park Dong-cheol rested his chin on clasped hands, scanning the executives.
"Botch it with threats in the name of the state, he turns away or joins rivals—what then? We're not A-grade here. Approach from B-grade position. If he wants money, bleed the budget dry. Any conditions, give our liver and gall bladder. Bring him in with utmost hospitality. Understood?"
"......I'll keep it in mind, Branch Director."
Seo Hwa-rin swallowed tensely, nodding.
The director's heavy order to shelve her elite pride.
"One caveat."
Park Dong-cheol's eyes flashed coldly.
"If, despite our utmost deference, he rejects national control and insists on becoming humanity's enemy... neutralize him immediately. Team 1 Leader, back her up."
"Ugh, such a hassle... Got it. I'll watch our prickly deputy flail without threats and get schooled."
Do Jae-hyeok stretched.
Korea's strongest force, Ghost Gate Team 1, mobilized.
The stormy dawn passed, peace returning to the room.
Fry dozed atop the tablet PC, food coma hitting hard. Pepper lay at my feet, chin on the floor.
Blissful. Money in the bank, belly full, trusty bodyguards(?).
"But... those suit guys earlier stared daggers."
Uneasy.
Ghost-hunting civil servants.
Trouble if entangled.
Move? Somewhere with better security like a Gangnam officetel?
Knock knock knock.
A very polite, rhythmic knock at the door.
"Kang Han-gyeol? Seo Hwa-rin, Deputy Team Leader of Ghost Gate Special Team 1. May we talk briefly?"
Familiar voice, but infinitely courteous, like a secretary welcoming VIPs.
"......Play dead."
I shushed Pepper with a finger to lips; she nodded.
Fry shot a "pathetic" look but stayed quiet.
"Kang Han-gyeol. I know you're inside. Not here to harm. Got a great offer—open up?"
No hostility outside.
Almost desperate.
Awkward to ignore, I sighed and cracked the door cautiously.
Black-suited Seo Hwa-rin stood there.
She bowed deeply at once.
"Sorry for the unannounced visit. May I come in?"
"Uh... sure. Come in."
Only then did she carefully remove her shoes and enter the cramped rooftop room.
She glanced around.
Yellow fluffball Fry on the bed, black stray Pepper on the floor.
Her gaze lingered on the beasts.
My heart skipped.
'Did she spot their true nature?' But Pepper lolled belly-up in idiot innocence, Fry dozed like any chick.
Perfect camouflage.
"Have a seat."
I pointed to the cheap floor table; she knelt primly.
"Kang Han-gyeol. Straight to the point."
She placed her tablet PC on the table.
Slideshow: Bukhansan Giant Silkworm fire, Gapyeong Self-Moving Stone destruction, dawn Sinrim-dong CCTV.
"All incidents at your locations. You know it's no gas leak or coincidence."
"Hey, I really..."
"Not interrogating."
Seo Hwa-rin cut in softly but firmly.
"The 'Shrimp Ghost' that vanished at dawn—a registered C-grade threat. You saved dozens of lives. Deserves a commendation."
"Uh... commendation? With bonus cash?"
She smiled faintly.
"Not just bonus cash. Bluntly: your overwhelming 'purifying flames' are vital to Korea now."
"Me?"
She sipped water, lecturing earnestly.
"Your world looks peaceful. But behind it: a 500-year war."
"War?"
"Yes. Between humans and yokai."
Unfamiliar word from her.
"Long ago, yokai dominated humans here. 'Lord Tiger,' 'Mountain Spirit'—barbaric era of groveling."
Fry snorted from the bed.
"But humans awakened. To heavenly energy—Spiritual Power. Awakened fought back. The Human-Yokai Great War, 500 years ago."
"Humans win?"
"More like drove them out."
Her eyes darkened.
"After massive sacrifices, we sealed yokai kings and high spirits deep in mountains or dimensional rifts. Ghost Gate monitors and blocks them."
She placed her business card down.
Golden logo.
A firmly shut door emblem.
"Five ranks: A, B, C, D, E. Common ghosts/low yokai: E or D. Your Shrimp Ghost: C—building-leveling disaster."
"A-grade?"
"A-grade: national strategic weapons. Can defend or destroy a city solo."
She met my eyes squarely.
"Kang Han-gyeol. You're at least B-grade. With proper training, A-grade potential."
"......"
"That power, those 'flames'—not ordinary Spiritual Power. Pure Yang Energy yokai fear yet crave: purification."
Dead serious.
Scouting intent burned in her eyes.
"Join Ghost Gate. Protect this nation with your power—we guarantee the state's 'best treatment.'"
Weeks ago, scraping on 3,000 won—now 'best treatment'?
Tempting.
Noble cause.
Save the world.
But honestly... hassle.
Hassle, risky, life-on-line.
Biggest issue: my roommates.
'Join them, Fry and Pepper's secrets exposed eventually. If their immense power leaks, zoo or lab dissection awaits.'
Must decline.
But blunt no invites hassle. Throw absurd conditions to make her quit.
"Best treatment? What, public servant budget—how much?"
I crossed arms, slouching cockily against the wall.
"Pass. Wanna chill in my room like now. Scout if you want..."
I flashed ten fingers.
"100 billion won salary. After tax, clean."
Impossible for newbie in gov org.
She'd rage-quit.
".....100 billion?"
"Yeah? Even gov budget can't swing 100 bil..."
"Understood."
I doubted my ears.
What?
"100 billion. After tax."
No flinch on her face.
Casual nod, like "that enough?"
Obeying director's "give liver and gall" to the letter, tears inside maybe.
"Wait, really? 100 billion?"
"Yes. From national disaster defense budget as special force upkeep—payable immediately. Anything else?"
She's nuts. State funds aren't toys.
Panicking, I blurted nonsense.
"Then... house! Buy me a house. Gangnam penthouse, 100 pyeong, Han River view. Top furnishings, Ghost Gate covers management fees!"
Over the line.
House demand? Thief.
"......Understood. Will set up for quick move-in."
She noted impassively in her pad.
"......"
Speechless.
Really? 100 bil + Han view pad?
Now scared.
How talent-starved are they for unemployed bait like this?
Money/house solved, but core issue remained.
I gripped the table, staring her down low-voiced.
"Fine. Last: my non-negotiable #1 rule."
"Speak."
"No touching my private life. Especially,"
I pointed at Fry and Pepper.
"My pets. Never, under any circumstance. Vet check? Yokai Power test? No way. Not a hair touched, no curiosity on identity. Treat as family—transparent humans. Breach: contract void, 100 bil or not."
My declaration blanketed the room in odd silence.
Sleepy Fry cracked an eye.
Glint in its gaze.
Money blinded me, but liked my bold haggling protecting them from lowly humans.
'Hmph. Decent loyalty for a human.'
Pepper thumped tail, touched, gazing up.
Seo Hwa-rin eyed pup then chick like a compass, then nodded solemnly.
"Understood. Ghost Gate won't touch Agent Kang Han-gyeol's privacy, pet dog, or pet bird. Promised."
She pulled a thick contract bundle from her bag.
"Welcome, Agent Kang Han-gyeol. To Ghost Gate Seoul Branch."
I took the pen, entranced.
[Employment Contract - Ghost Gate Seoul Branch]
My pen pressed my name firmly.
That moment, my peaceful rooftop unemployed life ended.
But so what.
100 bil incoming, soon ripping chicken in Cheongdam penthouse overlooking Han River nightscape.
Now, Korea's highest-paid official 'yokai hunter.'