Little Sister's Wish
“Aigoo, I'm dead~”
I collapsed onto the bed the moment I got home.
The outing had been a nightmare.
I never expected to run into the Red Mask on the bus.
'If I hadn't made it in time, I would have missed the exam too.'
Thankfully, they let me in with some trickery.
After all that trouble, I still couldn't take the exam?
It was so unfair I might have become a ghost first.
“Luckily, I managed to do okay on the exam.”
Even in the tight spot, my writing was pretty good.
This should be enough to score well overall.
'I won't know the results yet, but at least I won't fail.'
But I wasn't exactly relieved.
The core of the Cheonjihae entrance exam was the practical test.
'They say the reason for the documents and written test is to weed out those who die in the practical.'
The practical at Cheonjihae is to catch anomalies directly.
Most are just low-level ghosts, but...
For a normal person, that's still a disaster.
“As expected, even if I pass the written, the practical will be the problem.”
This was the real hurdle for me.
The key was how to handle the practical.
But unlike before, I didn't have no answers in front of me.
'What on earth is this ability?'
The ability that saved me from the Red Mask.
Thanks to the sudden awakening of the Instant Death skill.
I checked the skill window.
Name: Instant Death
Effect: Once per day, terminate any target you desire.
The skill name and effect were quite simple.
I could 'instantly kill' any target I wanted.
'It's an incredible ability...'
Right now, even an incompetent me could kill an anomaly like the Red Mask in one go.
If there were no restrictions on the target...
This would be more than just a cheat skill.
'Well, it's not like I can become a master with just this, though.'
While the effect was good, there were clear limits.
It could only be used once a day.
So, if I used the skill to defeat an anomaly, I'd become useless until the next day.
'One trash mob dead, and if another jumps in, it's over.'
If I was just a normal exorcist, it would have been fine.
Handle low-level ones with normal abilities and use Instant Death on the strong ones.
But I currently had zero spiritual power.
It was like giving a ultimate skill with 1440-minute cooldown to a level 1 character.
'This is the tragedy of a character who can't even be an extra...!'
Would Instant Death alone let me pass the Cheonjihae exam?
Honestly, it wouldn't be easy.
One yokai dead and I'd be defenseless.
“Sigh! What's the point of worrying. I should do what I can.”
If I hadn't gone out this time, I wouldn't have gotten this ability.
It's true that without action, nothing changes.
“Good. Then, first, what I can do...”
It was time to prepare for the practical seriously.
“Oppa~!”
The voice was so loud it shook the house.
With a bang, the door opened as if it would break.
“Hah! Hah! Are you okay? Alive? Alive?”
“Y-yeah... I came back.”
My younger sister Chaeyoung came running in, panting.
She grabbed my cheek and pulled it.
“Little sister... Oppa is in pain...”
“...If you can see the pain, it's not a hallucination.”
“Why are you pulling my cheek to check that?”
Chaeyoung let go.
Then, with a sigh of relief, she plopped down.
“Thank goodness. You didn't get hurt...”
“I just said I took the exam, why are you so worried?”
“What are you saying now! Are you out of your mind!”
The sister who was worrying about me just now turned into a demon.
“I heard on the news that the Red Mask appeared! And it was the bus you took! And a male passenger died! How could I not be shocked!”
“Ah...”
The incident was in the news.
After that, I was only focused on the exam and forgot.
“And why is your phone off! I couldn't even call and thought my heart stopped!”
“...Sorry. I turned it off because of the exam and forgot.”
Upon hearing, it was the one I was supposed to kill.
In this situation, I had to lower my guard even for survival.
“I'm really sorry. I was so distracted I didn't think.”
“Sigh! It's fine. Since you've been living like this.”
Her eyes were teary, so she was genuinely worried.
If the only family member gets into an accident and no contact, I'd be the same.
“But what exactly happened inside? I thought the amulet you gave would cause bigger trouble.”
“Um...”
Indeed, the amulet Chaeyoung gave had an effect.
The Red Mask clearly didn't recognize me when I made eye contact.
If I had stayed still, I would have been safe until the exorcist came.
'...If I say I threw the amulet to save the kids, even Chaeyoung would try to kill me.'
It was quite expensive, I think.
If it works against B-rank anomalies, she must have spent a lot of pocket money.
“...Actually, I missed the bus and ran. I didn't know about that incident.”
“Then the amulet?”
“I put it in my pocket, maybe I lost it.”
“Sigh~ I'm such a failure. But since I didn't experience danger, it's good.”
I decided to tell a white lie for my sister.
It wasn't because the sword at my waist was bothering me today.
“From now on, I'll contact you on time.”
“...Well, it's fine. It's been a while since you went out, and Oppa had a lot to worry about.”
She understood it like this?
Our little sister is definitely an adult.
“More importantly, how was the exam? I think taking the Cheonjihae exam is amazing.”
“No, why are you saying 'assuming I fail' already. I did pretty well.”
“Oh~ Really?”
“Yeah. Probably pass the written.”
“......Huu~”
Chaeyoung's reaction was a bit subtle.
Considering her usual personality, she should have been happier than me.
“...Good. Then, since you worked hard, how about eating chicken together sometime?”
“Half soy sauce, half fried?”
“Of course~”
The hunger I forgot because I was busy suddenly hit hard.
Good. Tonight's dinner is chicken!
****
“Kuu~ As expected, chicken can't be refused.”
Nam Chaeyoung quietly watched her brother eating chicken with relish.
She ate more enthusiastically than usual, so she must have been hungry.
'After such a hard exam, it's only natural?'
The written test for Cheonjihae wasn't easy.
If she could say she'd pass it confidently...
'She must have studied hard.'
I thought she only stayed in the room, but it seemed she studied hard.
Maybe she had a high chance of passing.
'...Sigh. Did Oppa really need to go out?'
Oppa who never went out, only stayed home.
The changed Oppa was happy, but Chaeyoung's heart wasn't at ease.
'No need to get a job. I can live with him forever and feed him.'
Although still a student, Chaeyoung was called a generational talent.
Even current exorcists couldn't match her.
Once she graduates, she'll be recognized as a formal exorcist.
Cheonjihae would even give her a free pass.
She could perform great.
She'd earn a lot of money, so feeding Oppa is nothing.
Actually, Chaeyoung had already planned her whole life with Oppa.
'But suddenly, she's going to join a company, specifically Cheonjihae, an exorcism specialist company.'
Soon she'd graduate anyway.
Ending the boring school time waste.
Once exorcist, she'd earn money moderately.
And live happily with Oppa.
But she didn't expect Oppa to come out like this first.
'Well, since it's Oppa, he has some thoughts...'
Honestly, as a younger sister, it was unbearable.
Of course, exorcism work is dangerous.
But if a fox-like woman falls for Oppa?
'Sigh! Oppa should have been more handsome.'
It's not that men and women don't get close quickly in danger.
If innocent Oppa gets used by a fox?
If Oppa mistakes it for love and introduces her as his girlfriend?
Crack!
Chaeyoung's chicken drumstick broke.
“Whoa, Chaeyoung. Why?”
“Ehehe~ No. The chicken is too delicious.”
I could never see that look.
Who dares to roll in and offer Oppa to some bone-like guy.
'Since it's come to this, I have to graduate and enter Cheonjihae as soon as possible!'
No matter what, in just a year, Oppa won't get a woman.
Strongly request Cheonjihae to let me work with Oppa.
With my talent, Cheonjihae won't refuse.
Then, get rid of all the women who stick to Oppa.
'No. Let's say no women on the same team as Oppa. Of course, except me!'
Good. Then no problem.
Or rather, it's better?
Meaning I can be with him not just at home but at work too!
'Thinking about it, it's really the best?'
Even now, the time apart from Oppa going to school is painful.
Once in the company, I can be with him without waste.
Going to work, at the office, after work, even after work, being with Oppa!
It was one of the few joys to be found in a boring life.
“Ehehehe...”
“You look happy after eating chicken?”
“Not that~ Ah, Oppa.”
“Huh?”
“Study hard for the exam! Fighting!”
For our same dream life!
...Of course, unlike Chaeyoung's delusion.
His Oppa hasn't even started the practical exam yet, though.