Gwiam Reservoir (2)
Manager Ajusshi's head slowly tilted—right toward me, like he was about to collapse. I shoved him hard the other way.
Bang!
I'd pushed a bit too forcefully, and the sound of his head hitting the window was pretty loud. That’s gotta hurt… But none of my business.
"Where do you get off touching my friend?"
Because he'd tried to lay hands on my one and only friend. Possessed or not, I couldn't let that slide.
Zzt.
I reached out and grabbed Manager Ajusshi's head. I could feel it through my hand—his soul, and the filthy things clinging to it.
Shoooo—
The moment I injected spiritual power, the filthy things were forced out through his eyes, nose, mouth, ears—every orifice—and scattered into the air.
"Huh? That black smoke… no way…"
"Yeah, he got possessed again."
I unbuckled his seatbelt and used it to tie him up tight while I answered. Honestly, this guy would be more helpful passed out than awake.
Click.
"This way, even if he gets possessed again, he won't go berserk."
Pat pat.
I finished buckling the seatbelt for a perfect restraint, then dusted off my hands.
"Alright, then…"
What now? In this situation, we had three options.
One: The car’s out, so run on foot.
Two: Sit tight until morning.
Three: Head up to Gwiam Reservoir and perform an exorcism.
First option… Nah. It was already pitch black, visibility zero. Going out there was too dangerous. Not for me—for Mirinae. She was just a normal high school girl with no defense against death spirits.
So for her safety, scratch that one.
Second was safest. Come dawn, the reservoir's death qi would settle, we wake Manager Ajusshi, and head home.
…But would that really end it?
Even back in my Necromancer King days, I knew regular evil spirits were tenacious as hell. Especially powerhouses like the ones in Gwiam Reservoir—they were obsessive. Like glue. Once they latched on, good luck shaking them.
Just run? We'd already caught their eye. They'd chase us down, high probability. I couldn't guard 24/7, and if they stuck while I blinked? Headache city.
So only the third option left…
'Risky, but cleanest.'
I turned to tell Mirinae we should head up to the reservoir.
Ding ding diririring ding ding♪
A bell tone shattered the silence. Totally ordinary, the kind you hear every day. But in this creepy mountain vibe? Felt ominous as hell.
"Hold on a sec."
Mirinae fumbled her pocket for her phone. Not the sub phone for streaming—this was her personal one. She hit accept and held it to her ear. Her tense face instantly relaxed.
"H-Hello? Mom!"
Hello? Yeah, Ha-eun. Just calling 'cause I was worried. You free to talk?
"Yeah, it's fine."
She glanced at the streaming sub-phone screen and murmured softly, "Guys, gimme a sec for this call."
With viewer permission, Mirinae relaxed into the chat with her mom.
Everything okay? I looked it up online, that place looks super dangerous… What time you coming home?
"Uh, well… Sorry, Mom. Gonna be late tonight. Might even pull an all-nighter."
What? You said you'd be home tonight at latest! You little rascal, you better not be planning to crash with some boy!
"Mom! What the hell!!"
Mirinae's face flushed beet red as she yelled.
"Just watch my stream and you'll—uh, no, it's nothing. Anyway, my friend's here, lemme pass the phone."
She almost said to just watch the stream but cut off, worried it'd complicate things if Mom knew the situation. She handed me the phone with a wink and a whisper: "Calm her down."
I nodded and took it.
"Hello?"
Oh, Seorin? I've heard so much about you. They say you're super smart?
"Oh, yeah. I usually rank between 10th and 20th in school…"
Oh my oh my! Ha-eun finally made a great friend! You must come over sometime! She mentioned a study group or something? Feel free to do it at our place anytime.
"Mom, please!!"
"Thanks for the invite. I'll visit sometime."
So mom-like, I couldn't help a smirk.
"Nothing to worry about from your daughter. If there is, I'll stop it. Don't stress—we'll wrap up quick and head back."
Okay, thanks. Hehe, having a smart friend around puts my mind at ease. Now put Ha-eun back on?
"Sure."
I handed it back.
"Hello? Mom?"
Yeah, my Ha-eun. Tough shooting all night~ If it's too hard, just quit! You could be a huge actress in showbiz.
"Ahaha, that's too much…"
Anyway, have fun shooting at the reservoir~ Youngsook's over, we'll make yummy late-night snacks and wait~ Hohoho!
So peaceful. Outside crawling with spirits, Manager Ajusshi tied up in the driver's seat. Yet their mother-daughter chat was pure bliss. Mirinae's color had improved too, thanks to family talk.
"Yeah! Aunt Youngsook's cooking is amaze—huh?"
Right up until she cut off mid-sentence.
"…………Mom?"
What's up?
"This is a joke, right? You're messing with me?"
What's with you? Joke? What're you talking about? Mom's always serious.
"Then… that's even weirder."
Her lively face paled again, voice trembling thin.
"Aunt Youngsook… died of illness half a year ago!!"
[…….]
My face hardened. I snatched the phone from Mirinae's hand.
"Hey."
[…….]
"What the hell are you?"
[……kek.]
Not the soft middle-aged woman's voice anymore. A cold, mocking young woman's snicker.
"……."
Click. The laugh cut off abruptly, tossed a taunt, then the call dropped.
This fucking bitch. Crossed the line?
Mirinae stared at the ground, trembling. Yeah, total shock. Thought it was Mom, casual chat, turns out it was a ghost the whole time. Anyone would lose it.
I sighed in frustration. Third option it was.
"Mirinae."
"Y-Yeah…?"
"Let's go."
"……Huh?"
I unbuckled and flung the door open.
"S-Seorin!!"
Ignoring her shocked cry, I inhaled deep into the fog.
—And infused spiritual power into a scream.
Banshee's Cry
KYAAAAAAAAAA!!!
A necromancy technique from my Necromancer King days, used to cow annoying death spirits. At full power, it'd wipe hundreds. Weakened now, but enough to scatter the dozens lurking around.
The spirits fled in terror, and the fog vanished like it was never there. I looked up. Moonlight bathed the night sky softly. Fresh wind tousled my hair. Crisp mountain air tickled my nose.
I breathed deep.
"—Cough! Cough! Kerheok!"
Reflexive cough—I clamped my mouth. Glanced at my hand: black smoke I'd hacked up—part of my soul—dispersed into nature.
Damn, that's why I hate using necromancy… Haah, how much lifespan did that cost? Two, three months? Yeah, that's the big issue with necromancy. Great power, shit safety.
"Y-You okay…?"
"Yeah. I'm fine, don't worry."
With the area normal again, Mirinae crept out and checked on me. I waved her off reassuringly.
"Hey, Seorin. What was that just now…?"
"Hm…"
How to explain?
"Like a Shaolin master roaring and scattering evil minions."
"…Sorry, no clue."
No time now—explain properly later.
"Anyway! Fog's gone, let's wake Manager Ajusshi and bail!"
She turned for the car. I grabbed her shoulder.
"Mirinae, that's not it."
"…Huh, what?"
"There's one thing I absolutely won't tolerate."
Before I was called the Necromancer King in the fantasy world, as a regular necromancer. Dealing with the dead didn't win friends. Churches killed on sight, civilians fled in terror, kingdoms treated us like disposable tools. Allies? Scarce.
So necromancers developed a trait: value one ally over a billion strangers. Hell, turn the world against you for that one friend.
I was no different as Necromancer King.
"I never forgive anyone who touches my friend."
I glared toward Gwiam Reservoir.
Alright. Bring it, you fucking bitch.
"Wait right there. I'm gonna grind you all to dust."