A Grand Misunderstanding, Part 2
Yeonghyeon picked up a pen and a sheet of paper.
He had been told that a ghost needed power to touch physical objects.
Asin had explained that whether it was divine merit or a deep-seated grudge, they were simply different wavelengths of the same energy that allowed a spirit to reach into the realm of the living. Still, the concept remained entirely foreign to him.
It still felt like some incomprehensible, mystical realm.
~I can do that. Hyung, hand it over. What is it you want to touch?
Noel had told him it was difficult for a newly departed soul to manage on their own, and had done something to enable him to interact with the physical world.
*Scratch, scratch.*
Yeonghyeon, who had been writing something down on the paper, set the pen down and quietly cracked the door open.
He wondered why the apartment had suddenly gone so quiet.
Just a short while ago, Noel's voice had been echoing through the halls, practically screaming at the top of his lungs.
Stepping out into the hallway leading to the living room, he saw Asin polishing her sword.
-Guardian Deity. Where is Noel?
-He is asleep.
-Is he sleeping on the sofa again?
Yeonghyeon knit his brows.
-Indeed.
As Asin let out a soft chuckle, Yeonghyeon turned his gaze toward the living room.
On the television screen, Noel's game character stood idly, having apparently respawned after dying.
-Leaving the TV on, not even turning off the console... Good grief, what am I going to do with him? And honestly, who plays games with only one hand?
-He did spend a great deal of time shouting about his demise. At any rate, should I simply turn it off?
-Yes, please.
Asin raised her hand slightly, and everything shut down instantly.
-I shall carry Noel to his room. But why does he insist on sleeping in such a cramped space when he has a perfectly spacious bed?
-I don't know either.
-Is that so?
-Yes. But at least he seems to be having fun with the console he bought.
-True. He was making quite a fuss, constantly exclaiming 'Oh!' and 'Ooh!' It was rather pleasant to listen to.
Yeonghyeon let out a soft chuckle at Asin's words.
He really had been acting like an idiot.
Like someone who was playing a video game for the very first time in his life.
-My dear.
-Yes?
Even as Yeonghyeon answered, Asin kept her gaze fixed on Noel, whom she held gently in her arms.
-Do you truly intend not to remain by Noel's side?
-......
The smile quickly faded from Yeonghyeon's lips.
He stood frozen, completely lost for words.
Asin quietly brushed past him and carried Noel into his bedroom.
Even when she returned after tucking Noel in, Yeonghyeon still couldn't find his voice.
-It is quite alright. I merely wished to know. I respect whatever decision you make.
-Noel is a good kid.
-I know.
-Being by his side would surely be fun. I'm having fun even now.
Thanks to Noel, he hadn't felt a single shred of anxiety even after passing away.
If he hadn't met Noel, wouldn't he be wandering the streets as a lost soul, not even knowing who to resent?
-But, Guardian Deity... I have to go.
-Is there someone waiting for you?
-Yes. I'm sure they're waiting for me. Noel promised me they would be. I'm grateful to him now, and I think I'll be grateful to him for the rest of eternity.
He meant every word.
Even if he could turn back time, he would make the exact same choice, and he would still be just as grateful to Noel.
-Then so be it. I shall pray with all my heart that your wish is granted.
Asin offered him a warm, gentle smile, and Yeonghyeon smiled back.
-Shall we get started then?
-On the beer, you mean?
As Asin practically salivated at the thought, Yeonghyeon's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
-Of course! We had Noel order that chicken for us earlier.
Noel really knew how to handle everything.
Allowing spirits to eat physical food...
Just hearing about it was mesmerizing. Noel truly was incredible.
-Do try to keep your nagging to a minimum tomorrow.
At Asin's playful plea, Yeonghyeon made an 'OK' sign with his fingers.
-Naturally.
A dull, throbbing ache brought Noel back to consciousness.
He fumbled with one hand over the spot where his chest had been pierced before finally blinking his eyes open.
Crucially, he bolted upright.
My character...?
He only remembered sorting through his inventory to prep for the boss fight before blacking out.
He let out a long yawn.
It seemed he had fallen asleep right there on the couch, and Asin had carried him to bed.
Yeonghyeon-hyung is going to nag me to death.
As Noel prepared to get out of bed, his eyes fell on his phone sitting on the nightstand.
A notification light was blinking.
Ah.
Noel picked up the phone.
It was a reminder to get ready because they were going to the hospital.
I can go by myself. He worries way too much.
Aside from a barrage of annoying spam, there were other messages waiting for him.
It was incredibly long.
He had no idea why anyone would send such a massive wall of text.
He skipped right over the middle section.
That starts tomorrow.
Noel pondered for a moment before checking the other messages.
He was Yeonghyeon's high school friend, the one with the glowing cross hovering over his head.
He wasn't possessed by an evil spirit, but a rather unpleasant ghost had latched onto him.
Noel had told him to reach out if anything strange happened, and it seemed something finally had.
Still no word from the guardian deity's side. Well, it is a difficult matter to ponder. I'll think about it after I get back from the hospital.
Noel set his phone down and walked out into the living room.
-Did you sleep well?
As Asin greeted him, Noel glanced over at Yeonghyeon.
Yeonghyeon was staring at him intently from the living room.
Just as Noel was about to speak, Yeonghyeon narrowed his eyes.
-You had a blast yesterday, didn't you?
“I did. But that was a one-time thing.”
-Is that so?
“Of course. Absolutely, hyung.”
When Noel flashed a bright, innocent smile, Yeonghyeon let out a long sigh.
-You said your uncle is coming over, right?
“How did you know...?”
-How could I not know when you have a hospital appointment? Hurry up and wash up so we can eat. We have the food we bought yesterday.
“Right. I bought it to eat today. You said we just need to microwave it, right?”
They had bought some golden-brown tteokgalbi.
How delicious would it be when paired with the kimchi, stir-fried seaweed, and various other side dishes they had received from Sumi's Side Dish Shop?
Noel quickly scurried off to the bathroom.
Lately, eating had become one of his greatest pleasures.
"Oh, by the way, did you guys enjoy the chicken and beer yesterday?"
At Noel's question, the two spirits exchanged a brief glance before offering bright smiles.
“Is it really that good?”
As Noel smacked his lips in anticipation, the two shook their heads in perfect unison, as if they had rehearsed it.
-No.
-Not particularly.
“......What's with you two?”
Regardless of Noel's scowl, the two maintained completely deadpan, serious expressions.
Shin Hyeon flashed a bright smile as he held the car door open.
“Are you really that happy?”
“Of course I am! The doctor said you're recovering well!”
“It's not like there was any issue last time either.”
“Still, you can never be too careful. And the doctor said your arm is fine as long as you don't overexert it.”
Shin Hyeon kept stealing glances at Noel as he spoke.
The doctor had said that after rehabilitation, light activity would be perfectly fine.
But when Shin Hyeon had asked if baking would be alright, the doctor had hesitated before saying they would have to evaluate it after rehab. That part still weighed heavily on his heart.
“As long as it doesn't interfere with daily life, it's fine. Besides, I have an honorable profession now.”
Noel chuckled softly and glanced over at Yeonghyeon.
Yeonghyeon seemed completely unfazed.
“That's true. You're doing incredibly noble work that not just anyone can do.”
Shin Hyeon used to think ghosts were simply terrifying, but his perspective had completely shifted the day they visited the late Park Ye-jin's home.
It wasn't scary; it was profoundly sorrowful.
Knowing the agonizing pain of longing for someone you could never meet again, he had barely managed to swallow back his own tears.
“But if you ever want to do something else, just tell me. Your uncle has more than enough money to send his nephew to college.”
“I know how capable you are, Uncle. By the way, can you renegotiate with the building owner?”
“Of course. It's all thanks to you anyway. Come on, get in.”
Shin Hyeon laughed heartily.
It seemed he was entirely serious.
Once Noel climbed into the passenger seat, Shin Hyeon shut the door and got into the driver's seat.
“So, about that hot air balloon...”
At Shin Hyeon's words, Yeonghyeon's eyes widened slightly.
“I've been asking around.”
“Oh, you have good connections.”
“Naturally. If you ever get curious about someone you're meeting, just let me know. I know a very reliable private investigation agency.”
“It's legal, right?”
At Noel's dry question, Shin Hyeon burst into laughter.
He thought his nephew was quite the comedian today.
“Your uncle is a lawyer. Do you really think I'd do anything illegal?”
“Of course it was a joke.”
“Anyway, about the hot air balloon. We should be able to ride it within a few days. I'll make sure to take a day off to match the schedule.”
“Will you have the time? Is the managing partner of the firm allowed to just take off like that?”
“Even if I'm not allowed, I'm taking off. Give me the seatbelt.”
As Shin Hyeon reached over, Noel handed him the seatbelt buckle.
“And about that lease agreement...”
*Click.*
As the seatbelt clicked into place, Noel looked up.
Shin Hyeon was wearing an utterly baffled expression.
“No matter how I look at it, the landlord is taking a massive loss.”
“Is there a problem with it?”
“No, I've reviewed it multiple times, and the fact that there are absolutely zero procedural issues is the real problem. A monthly rent of ten thousand won? This isn't some government-subsidized housing program. Yeonghyeon, you didn't... blackmail him or anything, did you?”
“It was entirely voluntary on his part.”
“Are you sure? It wasn't like the other party was out of his mind or anything, right?”
Noel paused to think.
-Well, he did seem to be in a rather abnormal state, did he not?
As Asin chimed in, Noel's brow twitched.
Didn't he walk perfectly fine on his own two feet?
-His soul was practically detached from his body, wasn't it?
With Yeonghyeon adding his two cents, Noel looked at Shin Hyeon with a slight frown.
Shin Hyeon was forcing a smile, looking incredibly anxious.
“Well, he was a bit out of his mind.”
“Out of his mind...?”
“He was being tormented by an evil spirit. He was even stumbling and falling as he walked.”
“And?”
“He practically begged me to save his life.”
“Did he seem like he was on drugs?”
“How should I know? It was fair compensation. He actually offered to just give me the entire building, but I turned it down and settled for this.”
Shin Hyeon started the engine and gripped the steering wheel.
This was suspicious. Beyond suspicious.
It made absolutely no sense.
Offering to hand over an entire building to someone he had just met?
“You said you're meeting him again, right?”
“Yes. I have some business to take care of.”
“Tell me when you go. I have something to give you.”
Shin Hyeon's expression turned dead serious.
He was convinced his nephew was about to get caught up in some massive scam.
I won't let that happen.
He ran a hand through his neatly styled hair with grim determination.
Not on my watch.
*Jingle.*
Noel stepped inside the cafe.
He looked around and immediately spotted Sihun.
Huh...?
-Is that the unpleasant ghost you spoke of?
Asin followed Noel's gaze.
But something seemed off compared to what he had described.
-Its aura feels a bit different from last time, doesn't it?
At Yeonghyeon's observation, Noel had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Last time, the spirit had been in a strange, ambiguous state—not quite an evil spirit, but not a normal ghost either.
He had figured that even if it tried to cause trouble, the worst it could do was make someone stub their pinky toe on a doorframe, so he had simply ignored it.
That was definitely the case, so why has its corruption suddenly cleared up?
To put it in spiritual terms, the ghost had somehow accumulated merit.
Unable to make sense of the situation, Noel quickened his pace.
“Over here!”
Sihun called out, waving his hand.
In the short time since they last met, the glowing cross above his head seemed to have grown slightly larger.
Had his faith deepened?
-...What? You're the one he called?
Noel stared intently at the ghost.
What? Got a problem with that?
The moment their eyes met, the ghost quickly averted its gaze.
Its fear of him was still there, and it was as annoying as ever, but something had definitely changed.
Did it pray along with Sihun or something?
Noel suppressed a chuckle at the thought.
There were indeed ghosts like that.
Usually, spirits who had committed very few sins in life would find places of worship or individuals with holy auras—like Sihun—to be warm and comforting.
“You look like you've lost some weight.”
This was only their second meeting, but Sihun had visibly thinned out.
He looked like someone who had been tormented by something.
“Well, some things happened at home. What about you? How is your health?”
“I just got back from the hospital, and I'm fine. So, what's going on?”
Noel stared at him.
He no longer believed that the ghost had been actively tormenting Sihun.
He didn't know why the spirit was lingering by his side, but surely there was a reason for it.
“...Just like you said... something strange has been happening.”
“Is that so?”
Noel shifted his gaze up to the ghost.
-Is that true?
As Asin stepped closer, the ghost froze as if its breath had been stolen, slowly sinking toward the floor.
It was due to the overwhelming divine pressure radiating from her.
-It does not appear that way to me. Have my eyes deceived me?
Under Asin's gentle yet crushing pressure, the ghost's pupils trembled violently.
“But it's not happening to me.”
An unexpected revelation came from Sihun's lips.
“Not to you?”
At Noel's question, Asin looked back and forth between Sihun and the ghost.
“It's happening to... my parents.”
Sihun's voice grew heavy.
Was it something serious?
“Are they having nightmares?”
“No.”
If the spirit wasn't tormenting them through dreams, was it still just testing the waters?
“Then are they getting physical injuries?”
“Yes! It's exactly like that!”
As Sihun's voice raised, Noel, Asin, and Yeonghyeon all turned their gazes toward the ghost at the same time.
-Why are you looking at me like that?! I didn't do it! Stop staring at me!
“Lately, my parents keep stubbing their pinky toes on doors and tables. It's happening constantly, and they're in so much pain.”
“......”
“...This is the work of a ghost, right?”
Sihun whispered, his expression dead serious.