Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 014
Chapter Title: Free Lifespan (1)
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"It's super expensive, you know? But when they heard Seonghyeon oppa was playing a chaebol heir, they practically begged to sponsor him first. They even custom-made ones just for him? Not just one—they've already lost count. His hair's styled all free and wild before, but now it's waxed back sleek and neat, slicked over perfectly. And that's not all. The way Kwon Seonghyeon strode in with that upright posture—his aura was so sharp, no one dared even speak to him carelessly. If you saw him outside, you'd swear he was a real chaebol kid.
But.
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting? I rushed out of the salon to make the time, but traffic was backed up... Wait, what the—Yeonwoo-ssi! Why are you carrying something this heavy? Did Gyu-han hyung tell you to?"
"No, it's not that."
"Hyung, I told you to let Yeonwoo-ssi wait in the van. Why make him carry the coffee? You're tiring him out... Yeonwoo-ssi, did Gyu-han hyung drag you out on purpose? Like, making you carry the coffee and all?"
That's what came out of the mouth of the guy who approached with such charisma.
'His insides are the same as always.'
What good is looking like a polished, cold chaebol third-gen on the outside? Deep down, he's still just a big dog circling his owner.
The manager jumped up.
"Hey! No! Why would I drag Yeonwoo-ssi out on purpose?! I didn't make him carry the coffee either!"
But Kwon Seonghyeon ignored him like he hadn't heard, continuing on.
"You're not pulling rank just 'cause you're the manager now, right, hyung? That'd really make me sad. Hand over the coffee first. How'd you even carry something this heavy? And Yeonwoo-ssi, if Gyu-han hyung bullies you, you can tell me through Dongja-ssi."
"No, what did I even do!"
He was smiling, but somehow that smile carried a weight.
"I insisted on coming along. It looked heavy for the manager to carry alone, and I was curious about the broadcasting station—wanted to check it out first. Oh, and I can handle the coffee. It's not that heavy."
"Oh... So that's what happened? Yeonwoo-ssi, you're too kind-hearted. Still, give me the coffee."
He could feel the manager's grateful gaze. For some reason, it was like the guy was looking at a savior.
"It's fine. It'd look weird if the actor's carrying stuff and the manager's empty-handed."
"Who cares who's carrying it. Anyway, you were curious about the station? You should've said something. I could've come earlier. Wanna look around now? There's actually a lot of cool stuff here."
"Seonghyeon-ah...? The meeting's about to start...?"
"No one's gonna complain if we're a little late, right? Hmm... The director and writer will understand. I'll show Yeonwoo-ssi around real quick."
The manager's eyes turned to Yeonwoo.
'Please, stop this guy!'
His gaze was desperate and pleading.
"Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi."
"Yeah."
"Let's head to the meeting."
"No tour?"
"You said people need a sense of responsibility. Breaking a scheduled appointment is for amateurs."
"Oh, right. Responsibility. You're spot on."
Kwon Seonghyeon nodded lightly, like he'd been convinced.
"You're helping me out like this 'cause you wanna take responsibility for me, right, Yeonwoo-ssi?"
"Sure, whatever."
It wasn't wrong.
"Then let's go to the meeting first. Yeonwoo-ssi, I'll make sure you get the tour later."
Perhaps afraid he'd say something else, the manager hurriedly led them along.
They opened the conference room door, and most seats were already taken—people had arrived early.
One by one, folks stood to greet Kwon Seonghyeon.
"Seonghyeon-ssi, long time no see! You're dressed to kill!"
"Director Heo, how've you been?"
"I'm great. This is our head writer here, Min Suji. She was insisting we had to snag you for the lead this time."
"Director, don't say weird stuff. Seonghyeon-ssi, nice to meet you. I'm Min Suji. Looking forward to working with you."
"Same here. Pleasure, Writer Min."
While Kwon Seonghyeon exchanged greetings with the director, writer, and actors already there, Yeonwoo followed the manager, passing out coffee to everyone.
"Whoa, no need for this..."
"The coffee shop right out front only has that awful stuff, so you went out of your way for fancy Starbucks. Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi really knows how to impress."
People recognized the famous brand and showered praise.
It was right when Yeonwoo was about to hand one to writer Min Suji.
"You new?"
"......?"
"From Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi's agency? Your face looks unfamiliar—must've just started. Actor? Idol?"
"Huh?"
"I've had my eye on you since you walked in. Which is it? Oh, model maybe?"
Min Suji, the writer with a heavy air of fatigue, asked Yeonwoo.
***
"None of those."
"Then?"
"I'm recently working as Kwon Seonghyeon-ssi's assistant manager."
"Manager?"
Her eyes, dark-circled and heavy, widened.
"Is your agency insane?"
"......?"
"Why put someone like you on manager duty? Oh, you said recent hire? Guess they stuck you here to teach you the industry vibes. Makes sense."
Muttering to herself, Min Suji nodded like she'd figured it out alone.
"You should've auditioned. What a waste... You'd fit way better."
"......?"
Come to think of it, Min Suji was top-tier in her field. They said she was a genius at rom-coms.
'Kwon Seonghyeon too... Guess all geniuses are a little off somewhere.'
It rang true.
"Punctuality's a skill too, so nothing to be done. Anyway, thanks for the coffee."
She took the coffee directly from Yeonwoo's hand and turned away.
Behind her trailed a small, fern-like hand.
[Whoa? That's...?]
"Quiet. I know."
He'd noticed the moment writer Min Suji approached.
A small, cute kid about waist-high clung to her skirt hem.
[Is that the source of the yin energy? Pretty solid form—must pack some power.]
The Child Spirit wriggled from his pocket.
"No. Not the kid."
[Not?]
"You, get out of that damn animal body already?"
[I need a body to talk to the actor!]
"Yeah, and that's why you can't see the obvious."
[What? What's there?]
Luckily, the large conference room buzzed with people greeting each other and grabbing coffee—no one noticed Yeonwoo's subtle lip movements.
"It's a total goldmine in here."
Yeonwoo's eyes swept the room.
At a glance, it looked lively—like the fresh start of a drama production.
But things looked different through his eyes.
"Now I get why the yin energy was so thick. Obsessive Thoughts everywhere."
***
Obsessive Thought.
Simply put, it's when negative grudges clump together and take solid form.
Similar to a living spirit, but not quite—the soul doesn't fully detach like with those.
It's a strong negative wish solidifying into power. These kinds grow volume easily and start moving on their own with intent.
In short, a living curse.
[Obsessive Thoughts? Parasite ghosts?]
You've probably heard stuff like this.
-That family's so pitiful. Why doesn't that old geezer just die already? People like him never kick the bucket quick. Sucking their kids dry and still kicking strong.
Anyone can be the target.
Someone obsessed with business, burning through spouse's name then kids' who just hit adulthood.
Someone splurging beyond means, piling debt on family via loan sharks.
Someone always causing trouble, leeching off family or siblings like it's natural.
Etc.
People who put their desires first and drain those around them—they're called parasite ghosts.
'The key is endless greed.'
Parasite ghosts cling to those around them, feeding their desires as Obsessive Thoughts.
Once attached, they don't come off easy.
That's their job done.
Ordinary folks get swept up, influenced inevitably.
[How many?!]
"Quite a few? Most have at least one clinging."
Not just a couple—these filled the wide conference room decently.
Not just numbers; some were pretty big too.
Even writer Min Suji had one—says it all.
[I didn't see any!]
"That's why I said ditch the body."
[Boo... Obsessive Thoughts aren't grudge spirits, so maybe I can't see 'em. Cut me some slack...]
Yeonwoo brushed off the Child Spirit's whining and scanned the room again.
To repeat: Obsessive Thoughts aren't soul-based.
But they're pure, potent desire and grudge.
Meaning, 'Obsessive Thoughts have Lifespan too.'
Everyone Yeonwoo harvested from so far had desperate 'longing.'
Concentrated longing like Obsessive Thoughts naturally has Lifespan.
'Why didn't I think of it sooner?'
Answer was simple.
Ordinary Obsessive Thought clumps like these are rare to spot.
The entertainment industry's desire whirlwind probably brewed this up.
'Came to the station for a reason.'
A spectacular sight: Obsessive Thoughts stacked neat, nowhere else to find.
Fit for a broadcasting station, hub of desires.
10 days. 7 days. 21 days. 42 days. 8 days...
Countless Lifespans bobbed above the Obsessive Thoughts.
Best part? Their trait.
No need to grant wishes or fulfill hopes.
Just erase the scattered clumps.
They're purpose-achieved just by existing apart from the host.
Yeonwoo's job: pick up the free Lifespan littering the floor.
"My instincts were right."
Yeonwoo's lips quirked up.
"Harvest season in the fields, no different."
***
With top star Kwon Seonghyeon warmly greeting everyone first, the room buzzed with friendly vibes.
But not everyone joined in.
"Min Yerin's late? Meeting's almost starting."
A mid-aged supporting actor grumbled, displeased.
"She'll be here soon. Traffic's bad—she texted."
A staffer soothed the cast.
"No way. Even great Kwon Seonghyeon showed up early for greetings, and she rolls in last?"
Supporting role, but he'd built decent recognition over years.
Frequent bit parts made viewers go, 'Oh, that guy?'
One flaw: his agency's small-time management.
The original Grim Reaper audition pick was his labelmate junior, but Min Yerin's agency muscled in, bumping him.
Happens often, but can't feel good.
"That power-tripping crap. Can't act worth a damn, so why push her as actress? Stick to dancing and singing like always. Tsk!"
Staff could only awkward-haha, stuck.
Then.
Click!
The door opened, and in walked a refined, fresh-faced beauty dressed sharp.