A Hefty Price for a Life
For the host of the meeting to bow his head like this...
This was an immense welcome.
'It still feels strange. Now that my world has changed, I'm receiving this kind of treatment.'
Noel stared intently at the crown of Jang-yul's head.
Shin Jang-yul.
He had asked Shin Hyeon to look into who the man was, and when he gave Kkamang-i a Churu treat and asked it to subtly question the local ghosts, the creature had pounced on the task instantly.
It had devoured the treat without even breathing, its eyes rolled back so far that anyone would have thought it was starving to death.
Of course, as a spirit, it didn't actually need to breathe.
'That's why I came prepared. Just in case he tries to threaten me.'
Hiding his true thoughts, Noel bowed his head to Jang-yul.
"Hello."
"No, please, Master. There is no need for you to bow to me."
Startled, Jang-yul quickly helped Noel straighten up.
Despite his polite, well-mannered demeanor and genial face, he was actually a major player in the private loan industry.
To be precise, he held a tight grip on the gray zone between illegal and legal loopholes. He laundered his image using a solid mid-sized enterprise as a front, and with his extraordinary business acumen, he was rapidly expanding into quite a few other ventures.
In any case, he was a man whose name was constantly on people's lips.
'No wonder he treats me this way.'
Strangely, in his original world, wealthy people always kept at least one fortune-teller or necromancer by their side.
It seemed that relying on shamanism was no different in this world.
This likely explained why he was treating him with such utmost respect.
"You look much healthier."
At Noel's words, Jang-yul beamed.
It was as if he had been waiting to hear those exact words.
"It is all thanks to you, Master. If I hadn't met you, I would never have escaped that living hell. Ah, was your journey here comfortable?"
"I took a taxi, so it wasn't too bad."
As if taking a taxi was some great tragedy, a look of slight guilt washed over Jang-yul's face.
He had repeatedly offered to send a car to pick him up—both the day before and just a few hours prior—but Noel had declined each time, saying he was fine.
The reason Noel had come today was none other than the aftereffects of the evil spirit.
Since it was an evil spirit that had lingered for hundreds of years, its corrupting touch would have reached Jang-yul's family even if the main entity had been purified. There was no telling how that residual energy might fester.
He had to check on them at least once.
'I have to do a thorough job. That way, there won't be any lingering trouble.'
"When you leave, I will have a car ready so you can travel in comfort. Please, this way."
Jang-yul gestured toward the entrance and began to walk slowly.
—I felt this before, but he seems to hold you in really high regard, Noel.
Noel almost snorted at Yeong-hyeon's remark.
'He doesn't hold me in high regard; he just wants to use my abilities.'
They both knew the score, but since it was mutually beneficial, they simply played along.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"I apologize for bringing this up, but if anyone should happen to seek you out, please ignore them. Of course, I am doing my utmost to ensure that doesn't happen."
"Why would anyone seek me out?"
"It seems the rumor that I was deathly ill has spread far and wide."
Since he was a prominent figure, it was only natural for such news to circulate.
Anyone who had seen Jang-yul's emaciated state back then had probably assumed he was on his deathbed.
Operating under that assumption, they had likely been whispering among themselves about how to divide his assets once he passed.
"So they're curious about how exactly you made such a sudden recovery?"
"Indeed. I am deeply sorry for any trouble this may cause you."
Jang-yul spoke with a deeply apologetic look.
There was no need to go that far.
Noel looked at Asin, who had just returned from scouting the area.
—Though there were eyes watching thee, they all belonged to his men.
'He certainly has a tight grip on his people.'
—His family is within, numbering six in total. As thou hast suspected, three among them bear traces of impurity.
Just as he thought.
If he hadn't come, Jang-yul's estimation of him would have eventually dropped.
—One of those three appears to have dabbled in dark magic. Four welcome thy presence, while two view thee with displeasure. One of those two is the very person who touched the forbidden arts. That is all.
Pleased with her precise observation and clean report, Noel offered Asin a faint smile.
Dark magic undoubtedly referred to curses.
'Why would anyone resort to that?'
It was an incredibly inefficient form of power.
Why engage in something with such low accuracy and success rates, where both the caster and the client suffer severe backlash?
Noel couldn't comprehend it at all.
"I am currently tracking down the source of the rumors, so please do not worry, Master."
'Why stop them?'
Rumors spreading was actually beneficial to him.
Even if someone tried to harm him, he was more than capable of protecting himself.
Following Jang-yul, Noel weighed his options for a moment before casually broaching the subject.
"Do you cherish your family, Mr. Shin Jang-yul?"
Jang-yul slowed his pace slightly and looked back at Noel.
His expression seemed to ask what he meant by that.
"Fortunately, it seems to have missed you, but I believe someone has targeted you with dark magic."
Jang-yul's expression shifted instantly.
It turned incredibly cold.
This was likely his true face.
"I'll check and let you know."
"Master."
"Yes."
"I have many enemies. The same goes for my family."
"I'm sure you have someone in mind. Let me take a look first, and then I'll tell you."
At the offer of help, Jang-yul's stiff expression softened immediately.
"If... if we leave it unpurified, what happens?"
"Many things can happen. First, your luck plummets. It essentially siphons away your fortune. You might suddenly lose the use of a body part for no reason, or keep injuring that specific spot repeatedly. It can also cause accidents."
If they were truly unfortunate, the curse could culminate in death.
He left that part unsaid.
There was no need to state the obvious.
"But I will purify it regardless. It's only proper."
Noel spoke firmly.
That had been his intention from the start.
Besides, there was no telling how things might play out later, so it was best to clean up the mess thoroughly.
Humans were, after all, creatures prone to regret and hindsight.
"You truly make me feel ashamed, Master."
Jang-yul reflected on the dark thought that had briefly crossed his mind.
He had momentarily wondered if this was a golden opportunity to quietly eliminate the troublesome members of his family.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Please do not worry, we will not be dining with my family. I have no wish to make things uncomfortable for you."
"That's a relief. Oh, and here."
Noel pulled a document from his bag and handed it over.
Jang-yul's eyes widened slightly.
"I have a very protective uncle. He was worried because the rent for my shop is too cheap, so he insisted we sign an additional contract just in case. Take a look at it after I've checked on your family."
"I am deeply sorry for causing such concern. I will sign it right away."
"No, take your time."
"Understood."
Holding the document carefully, Jang-yul suddenly recalled something and asked,
"By any chance, have you decided on the interior design for your shop, Master?"
"No. I'm completely hopeless when it comes to that sort of thing."
"In that case, may I recommend someone?"
Noel pondered for a moment before nodding.
Judging by how Jang-yul handled matters, he would likely ensure a meticulous job.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Understood. I will personally select a reliable firm and send them your way."
Jang-yul beamed.
This was the Master's shop, after all.
There was absolutely no way he would let it be done half-heartedly.
He fully intended to cover all the expenses himself.
How much could it possibly cost? There was no way he would let the Master pay a single cent.
With a bright smile, Jang-yul hurried forward to hold the door open.
"Please, after you."
Suppressing the urge to rub his goosebump-ridden arms at the sight of the man bowing so politely, Noel practically fled inside.
'...Ugh, I can't get used to this.'
He had spent his entire life being chased away; he had never been treated with such reverence before.
He felt like he might break out in hives.
Noel took a brief breath and looked around.
'Why... is there no one here?'
It looked like an incredibly high-end restaurant, yet there was no one else in sight besides the people who appeared to be Jang-yul's family.
'Is it reservation-only or something?'
—Wow! I've never been to a place like this before.
Yeong-hyeon said, running around excitedly.
From the lighting to the tables, chairs, floor, ceiling, and walls—everything was the epitome of luxury.
Just how expensive was this place?
Lost in such pleasant wonder, Yeong-hyeon looked all around.
—I, too, behold such a sight for the first time.
Asin was equally captivated.
Perhaps it was because this was a level of luxury rarely seen in ordinary life.
"This way."
Jang-yul's voice drifted from behind.
"Why is it so empty?"
Noel asked directly.
"I rented out the entire venue for a few hours, fearing you might find a crowded space bothersome, Master."
"Rented it out...?"
Did he really have that much money to burn?
Noel swallowed the words that rose to his throat.
"I don't usually do this."
As if reading his expression, Jang-yul gestured forward with an embarrassed smile.
Perhaps because of Jang-yul's arrival, the people seated at the table finally turned their heads.
"You only need to perform the purification, Master. There is no need to speak with them."
Jang-yul whispered softly before stepping behind Noel.
Noel observed Jang-yul's family.
A grandfather, parents, and a brother and sister.
It seemed to be a large, extended family.
Quite a big household.
"Hello."
Noel offered a polite greeting first.
Judging by their expressions, two of the siblings didn't seem particularly pleased to see him, but usually, the ones who smiled were the most dangerous.
The ones affected by erosion were the father and one of the siblings.
They acknowledged his greeting but remained silent.
It was as if someone behind them had warned them beforehand.
—Uh, Noel? Look at Jang-yul's face.
At Yeong-hyeon's voice, Noel glanced back.
Jang-yul was smiling brightly.
—Not that face. Just a second ago, he looked absolutely terrifying. He wasn't smiling at all.
Noel gave a slight nod, acknowledging Yeong-hyeon's warning.
It made sense.
He had never believed for a second that the face Jang-yul showed him was his true self.
To fulfill his role, Noel conjured a purple flame in his palm.
He approached the three individuals and lightly brought his hand close to the affected areas.
The erosion was still in its early stages.
"It's done. Thank you for your patience."
Though it was a standard courtesy, their expressions remained sour.
He understood why.
Since nothing was visible to the naked eye and the process was incredibly fast, they probably thought he was a fraud.
'But you, sir, shouldn't be looking at me like that.'
Noel looked at Jang-yul's father.
Aside from the erosion, he was already suffering the backlash of a curse.
Just how powerful of a dark magic spell had he cast to already have a spectral collar wrapped around his neck?
Though he couldn't see where the chain led, the faint scent of death was already wafting from him.
'Tsk. He doesn't have long to live.'
—Indeed. It is he. That man is the one who wielded the dark magic.
As Noel listened to Asin's confirmation, he suddenly turned his head.
*Crash!*
The window shattered, sending shards of glass flying, and Asin swung her sword, slicing through something in midair.
Looking down, Noel saw a grotesque, dark-red mass dissolve into ash.
—That was a curse.
"...Ha."
Noel let out a scoff of disbelief and strode quickly toward the shattered window.
Dark-red remnants of the curse lingered on the ground like footprints.
It had shattered the window and fled.
It was a warning.
'Attacking me? A mere curse dares to strike at me?'
"Master, please step back."
Jang-yul stepped in front of Noel, shielding him with an outstretched arm.
He didn't know why the window had suddenly shattered, but it was dangerous.
"...Your father is the one who used the curse. The source should be over there, so bring him to me."
Noel whispered softly, staring at the spot where the curse's energy had dissipated.
Curses were originally formless.
Since they were merely a manifestation of energy, that was only natural.
Yet, this one possessed a physical form and moved.
A curse gaining form meant it had already spiraled completely out of control.
Whoever had cast the curse was likely either already dead or half-crippled by the backlash.
When Noel looked at Asin, she seemed to share his thoughts.
—That entity must be dealt with. The man's life is in grave peril. Should the curse consume his life force, it will grow even stronger.
Asin narrowed her eyes slightly.
"There is one more thing."
—Indeed. There is another. The one who cast the curse. Both of them bear that spectral collar.
'If those collars aren't removed from the two of them, they will die.'
As Noel pondered, his eyes shifted.
Who always appeared where death lingered?
Sure enough, Jinhon materialized amidst a swirl of black smoke.
"...If we do not deal with this curse, the living might start whispering about it as an 'evil spirit.' If that happens, it will truly manifest as a singular entity."
As Asin pointed her sword at him, Jinhon raised both hands in surrender and offered her a sheepish grin.