Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Can't Find It (1)
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📋 KEH-RELATED REPORT 📋 Agent Oh Ji-seong's exploration failure. In Ending 13, discovered and read KEH information but stated that he became unable to remember it at some point. Through ⬛⬛⬛ process, confirmed that KEH-related information cannot actually be read. Estimated to be accompanied by a strong cognitive pollution phenomenon. KEH's alert level set to "Caution" stage. Assigned ARPS code: ARPS-HWC-31001. Request for development of special tracking procedures and formation of a dedicated team. The dedicated team must include at least 2 agents with Level 1 pollution handling authorization, with at least 1 specialized in cognitive pollution response. -Recommended Personnel- 1. [Agent, Oh Ji-seong]: Highly motivated with top-tier expertise. 13-1 type personnel suitable for deployment in D situations. 2. … ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ What was the problem?
The moment I break the mirror,
I will immediately be
safe from "all" gazes searching for me.
Was that the issue?
Would it have been okay if I'd said something like, "I'll be safe from hostile gazes searching for me"?
...But somehow, it feels like the ghost story wouldn't have formed at all if I'd put it that way.
Even if it had, that would've become a weakness.
There are plenty of ways to screw someone over without being hostile.
For example, forcibly committing them to a mental hospital. Is that an act of hostility? It's just "treatment," right?
But from the victim's perspective, it's a total nightmare.
A secret organization isolating ghost stories from the shadows would definitely exploit a weakness like that.
But on the flip side, if I'd spelled it out like, "I'll be safe from all gazes that could bring me harm based on my judgment criteria," word for word... yeah. That really wouldn't have created a ghost story.
So in the end, this is something I have to deal with to some extent.
If you try to solve problems with ghost stories, bizarre issues are bound to follow.
I have no choice but to accept it.
"Hoo... Yeah. Whatever. No one's contacting me anyway. Aside from not being able to get deliveries... it's not really inconvenient. If anything, it's more convenient."
But that delivery issue is a pretty big deal.
Not wanting to give up just like that, I tried a few workarounds.
I'm living in a small apartment my parents left me—not huge, but anyway—so I tried having stuff sent to the security booth.
As long as it's not my house, it should be fine!
- Sorry. I don't know why, but the rider keeps saying he can't find it...
No dice.
The power of the mirror ghost story I created... was overwhelmingly strong!
"So even indirect ways of finding me aren't allowed?"
...Well, yeah.
If indirect approaches worked, that'd be a problem in its own way.
They could lure me out indirectly without searching directly, set a trap, and catch me.
An organization like the World Health Safety League would be pros at that. The people isolating ghost stories aren't your average Joes...
So this was actually something to feel relieved about.
If neither direct nor indirect methods work, not even the most badass secret organization could touch me easily.
I can rest easy.
I can rest easy, but...
...Why does it feel so regrettable? My deliveries...
"Sigh. You can't have it all."
I forced down my unsettled feelings and opened my phone.
On the empty screen, the last message that arrived stared back at me.
"So this counts as... not being read and ghosted... either?"
💬 Message from Lee Seol (Eye-Plucked Person) Hi! Do you remember me? Long time no see! How have you been? Hehe, I've been so busy I could only message now! How about you, Kim I-han? When I got this message,
Honestly, I was happy. Even a little thrilled.
Even without ears or her pinky finger, Lee Seol was a pretty girl. Getting a friendly message like this from someone like her? For a guy who quietly went through all-boys middle and high school, this was pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime event. My heart was racing.
And that wasn't all.
Plus, I'd put her pinky finger to good use at the "market" last time.
She might not know it, but thanks to that, I was able to save Team Leader Shin Na.
Things got messy after, but...
Anyway, it left a deep impression on me.
What can I say? Gratitude. Guilt for selling her finger. And this awe I could never tell her: One finger costs as much as thirty fingers! Lee Seol's amazing!
So I replied right away.
- Yes. Great to hear from you. I'm doing well. What can I do for you?
But no reply came.
She'd clearly read it, but no reply.
A day? Sure, that can happen. I skipped a day once too.
But the next day, the day after, even after a week—no reply.
So yeah, I was a bit miffed deep down.
What the hell. Strike up a convo and then ghost?
Did I start it? Did I say something that was hard to reply to?
I said I was glad, that I was doing well, even asked what was up to make it easy.
And you read and ghost?
Sheesh.
That's how it was.
But thinking back...
The message came the morning before I broke the mirror, and I checked and replied the day after.
My head was too messed up to even look at my phone right away.
So...
"She wants to reply but can't...?"
That could be it.
"...But it could just be a regular read-and-ghost."
I stared at my phone, hesitating,
then hit the call button.
If it's just ghosting and I call, it'll be super awkward.
Still.
I've gotta do what I've gotta do. Hoo... deep breath.
Ring, ring, ring.
Cold sweat.
Riiiing, riiiing.
Feels like a dagger in my gut.
- Hello!
A frantic voice picked up.
- Hello! I-han? Kim I-han, right?
The tension melting away from my chin down.
Whoa. She's this excited to hear from me?
Her voice was so upbeat, my lips curled into a smile without me realizing.
- I'm really glad to hear from you, I-han! How've you been?
"Ah, yeah. Great to hear from you too. I'm doing well. I was calling because of the message you sent before..."
- Right! I did, didn't I? I sent it! Wow, I-han. But something really weird happened to me, do you know?
Weird thing.
I perked up my ears. Truth is, that's why I called—to hear this.
To check how the ghost story affects people who know me. I was stumped on how to ask, but she's bringing it up herself. Perfect.
- I must be going crazy. Suddenly, I couldn't remember you at all. It's weird. I felt like there was someone I needed to contact... or was it not a person? A place? An item? What was it? Anyway, something related to that gacha machine... I need to go there... contact them... It's so strange... What's going on? I've been like this all day lately. But the second you called, bam! It all came rushing back. Is this early-onset dementia or what?
...
That's it?
Not just unable to find me—completely forgetting me?
This ghost story is insane. There should be limits...
This is way too powerful.
All I can do is be grateful that contact restores the memory...
- Anyway, I-han. Let's meet up! We can talk in person. We're in this weird stuff together! No one else believes me. If I say the gacha machine let me pluck out an eye to see... they just ask why my ear and finger are messed up. You know how frustrating that is? That's why I wanted to talk to you. You know everything!
Lee Seol was chattering away, genuinely thrilled. It lifted my mood too.
- Tomorrow, same alley as before!
"Yes. Sure."
I hung up in high spirits, then realized too late. "Oh crap."
"...Making a promise like this means we won't meet."
The second the call ends, she'll forget me again. If delivery guys can't even find the security booth, no way she remembers and shows up.
Call back and cancel?
But what do I even say...?
"Argh. Whatever."
If she's gonna forget anyway, no need to cancel.
Still, just in case, I'll check the spot tomorrow. It's right by my place anyway.
The next day.
Appointed time.
The alley we agreed on.
As expected, Lee Seol didn't show.
I knew it'd be like this, but...
"..."
Still.
It felt weird.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Time passes quietly.
No one searches for me. No. No one can search for me.
No disaster alerts come.
No bills for utilities.
No overdue notices, no cutoffs for electricity or gas.
No tax demands.
Hell, not even a military physical notice from the draft board.
The whole world turns, having forgotten me entirely.
This apartment is on a jeonse deposit from my parents... I can live here forever. The landlord's forgotten me too.
If it were monthly rent, I wouldn't even have to pay.
In a way, I've vanished from this world. Forever.
And that's not all.
Roll, roll. Roll. Roll!
Looking at the Responding Bear Doll's belly button, it's rolling its eyes like mad.
Like it's searching for something.
Even if I cover its eyes, it keeps rolling them. As if it can't see me.
So...
Even the Responding Bear Doll can't find me now. Even if a situation like before arises, it won't come to save me.
So if I hide from someone first, I'll be absolutely safe. They won't find me.
But if something right in front of me tries to kill me, I'm out of options now. No one who could help can find me.
Worst case, some bad luck kidnapping on the street?
Even the cops won't find me. I'd have to quietly give up my organs or slave away at a salt farm.
Alone. Forever.
Chills!
A bad premonition crawls up my spine.
Hold on.
Think.
Think carefully.
What if I get married?
The bride won't find the wedding venue. Neither will the guests. Even the staff will forget our ceremony. Empty venue.
Even assuming we somehow live together, problems remain.
If my wife gets hit by a car on the street?
I'll never hear about it.
Just wander forever wondering why she hasn't come home.
For life.
Or vice versa, if I get hit?
The ambulance will never find me. I'll die on the roadside.
Even if someone carries me to the hospital, the doctor will forget about my surgery. I'll die in the bed.
Say I get surgery—during admission, no meals for me. Nurses won't find me. Left alone on the bed forever...
Fuck?
The more I think, the worse it gets...?
Is this right?
No. This can't be right.
Cold sweat down my back.
This isn't just something to think about.
Delivery issues are nothing.
"This... needs fixing."
But how?
Make a new ghost story?
Can I cancel or change the existing one?
What do I do? What now?
Please, someone give me an answer.
Whhhhuuummm!
Right then,
the phone shoved in the corner of the room rang.
What? Who...
"Huh?"
The phone... rang? Someone's contacting me right now?
I scrambled to grab it. The moment I picked it up, it connected—no caller ID.
A low, thick voice spoke just one line.
📞 INCOMING CALL 📞 "Well, I don't know." Shadow Office!