Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Mansion on the Ridge
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There's a mountain that's little more than a gentle hill next to Narak-dong.
Even in this fog-shrouded city, there was a mountain to the north where houses clustered.
Judging by direction alone, the position seemed roughly similar, but it didn't look anything like Narak-dong's mountain.
This one appeared far steeper and more rugged.
Following the paper's directions, I passed through the residential area and climbed the mountain.
The destination was a bit below the midway point, near the ridge.
It didn't take long to get there.
And so, I arrived at the place.
A large Western-style mansion built on a gentle plateau along the ridge.
The paper in my hand pointed here—to this mansion.
'Yokai power is emanating from here too... but I can't be sure...'
With Yokai power detectable everywhere, certainty was impossible.
But looking at this mansion stirred a strange, ominous feeling.
Not based on any specific evidence—just an Exorcist's intuition.
I had no idea what lay inside, but there was definitely some clue here.
When I rang the doorbell, someone opened the door after a moment.
Whoa.
It was a maid.
A real maid.
Not the miniskirt type from fiction, but genuinely old-fashioned.
I never expected to see such a traditional maid.
"Oh my, what a lovely guest. Welcome. I'll take you to the master."
The bright brown bobbed-hair maid bowed with a beaming smile.
And without even asking my identity, she led me straight inside the mansion.
I'd come this far—no turning back now.
I followed the maid inside.
Inside the mansion, I sensed the same floating Yokai energy and power.
Maybe it was my imagination, but it felt thicker than outside—though still uncertain.
"So, you came through that 'fog' too, miss? How did you end up in it? More importantly, you're so pretty with such flawless skin. What skincare do you use? Huh? Nothing at all? Oh my gosh, really?!"
The maid was even brighter and more talkative than expected.
As we walked down the hall, she chattered nonstop, and I responded appropriately.
But much of it was overtly girly talk that made things even more awkward. Revealing I was a guy inside in this situation would be weird.
Skincare aside, asking about underwear or menstrual cycles? Normal for girls? ...I'd never done girl talk, so who knows. And agreeing has its limits.
As my discomfort grew, we finally reached the destination.
The chatty maid suddenly turned solemn, knocking lightly on the door.
"Master, another guest has arrived."
A moment later came the reply to enter.
The maid opened the door and gestured me inside.
It was less a drawing room and more like a study or office.
The mansion's owner sat at the desk inside.
Bored, perhaps? He was building a tower of playing cards.
"Hang on a sec... mind waiting? Almost done. Ah, miss, have a seat on the sofa there. It'll be quick."
What on earth was he doing?
A bit absurd, but I was the uninvited one.
I decided to wait patiently. ...Man, this sofa's plush.
While he finished his card tower, I cautiously scanned the room.
Yokai power detection still wasn't working right. But finding Yokai or monsters wasn't limited to that.
When detection failed, visual inspection could reveal them.
I glanced around using that method, but no signs this man was a Yokai or monster.
So, human? ...Too early to say. Stay alert.
"Ah...!"
As I concluded that, the final layer of the card tower collapsed pitifully.
Cards scattered everywhere, some falling under the desk to the office floor. One slid to my feet.
With a small sigh, I picked it up. No Yokai power—just a normal playing card.
"Let me help."
"Oh dear, sorry. Thanks. Making you wait wasn't enough; now I need your help too."
He bowed apologetically, hurriedly gathering the scattered cards.
He even bumped his head on the desk, yelping. Overall, he seemed clumsy.
I helped pick up cards too.
They had unusual, expensive-looking designs.
Handling them, the patterns caught my eye naturally. Not into card games, so no real interest.
"Whew, you saved me. Sorry for the wait."
Once sorted, he sat opposite me on the sofa. I sat too, facing each other.
Despite his disheveled clothes, he was big and sturdy. But his face and vibe were mild, gentle, and somehow forgettable.
The kind of face you pass on the street and forget immediately.
He introduced himself as the Chairman.
Chairman managing the local area.
I wondered if that title fit, but no need to nitpick.
The maid from earlier returned, setting cups before us.
Steaming hot black tea with a sweet floral scent.
"Nice aroma, right? Try some. It's my favorite. Our maid brews it well."
I discreetly checked with a spell if he'd slipped something in without notice.
...Something was in it.
Definitely not just tea ingredients.
'Right in my face... Does he think I'm an idiot? Should I just kill him?'
This was blatantly black. Attacking and exorcising him now was feasible.
I thought that briefly but smiled innocently, pretending ignorance.
This guy was suspicious, no doubt.
But he might be human with shady intentions, not Yokai.
Drugging tea made him trash either way, but killing carelessly would be trouble.
"Chairman, mind if I ask something?"
For now, I'd play the clueless woman and observe.
No problem. I'm Special Grade—a pretty amazing Exorcist, even called a genius.
Hidden in my hand was a spell orb ready to strike anytime. Worst case, smash everything.
'......?'
...Huh... For some reason... my head feels a bit...
Gyeol Ryeong hadn't followed the maid into the mansion without precautions.
It was the location indicated by the survey form that guided her through the fog.
She wasn't stupid enough to enter blindly.
She'd layered her body and mind with protective spells and talismans beforehand, ready for combat anytime.
She'd also concealed her spiritual power, appearing as an ordinary person.
Even fellow Exorcists or most Yokai couldn't pierce her expert disguise.
She'd prepared thoroughly, but her boldness in entering what seemed enemy territory stemmed from absolute confidence in her power.
Gyeol Ryeong was one of only three Special Grade Exorcists in the country—the youngest ever.
No Yokai had ever survived her Special Grade power.
Even if things went south, she could crush them all with force.
She brimmed with such certainty.
"I see. You're here about the missing women and investigating the fog. I understand, but parts don't make sense to me. I don't recall at all. Are you sure they came here? Did you check properly?"
"......."
"The fog too. We see it here, but I don't know what it is or its cause—"
As the man called Chairman rambled, the bobbed-hair maid standing behind him circled to Gyeol Ryeong's back.
She grabbed the slender shoulders and shook them lightly back and forth.
Though just a light shake, Gyeol Ryeong showed no reaction.
The maid's hands moved to her nape, arms, then chest, groping over clothes—still no response.
Her eyes were open but vacant, unfocused, as if her soul had fled.
"Master, she's out."
"Good. Took longer than expected, though."
-Still, this'll do.
The Chairman, who'd worn a troubled expression moments ago, grinned lecherously, baring his teeth.
His harmless face flipped instantly into that of a vicious demon.