A Hefty Price for a Life
“......”
The stepfather was as silent as the dead.
Goosebumps broke out all over his body, leaving him at a loss for words.
He had never felt this way with any other shaman.
He was utterly bewildered, having no idea what this shaman had already told Jang Yul.
If the shaman knew the passcode to the safe he had just bought yesterday, what else did he know?
The moment he met the eyes of this boy—so young he couldn't tell if he was still a teenager or not—his gaze dropped instinctively.
What... what on earth is that?
They might have been a very light brown, but they looked almost golden.
How could he even describe it?
Call it majesty or sheer pressure, the crushing weight of it made his heart hammer violently.
It truly felt as if something was staring right through him.
“......M-Master Shaman.”
The words slipped out on their own.
“The deity I serve is watching everything right now.”
I, too, am observing.
Yeong-hyeon felt a smug swell of pride.
She wasn't a god, but what did that matter?
“She is highly displeased by what you have done.”
I would not say highly. Merely a little.
Asin narrowed her eyes.
She was displeased by the fact that dark magic had been used.
Was it not dangerous?
“I... I was wrong.”
“No need for apologies. You can't undo what has already been done.”
Noel replied indifferently, tapping his own neck.
“You have a collar of curses around your neck. You saw the window shatter just now, didn't you? The curse took physical form and moved.”
“......What?”
A curse taking physical form and moving?
The stepfather's face was a mask of utter incomprehension.
Noel understood that look.
How could he accept it when he couldn't see it?
Even so, Noel kindly explained.
After all, he was on the clock.
“I saw the traces of the curse on you. That's why the curse shattered the window as a warning to me. Telling me not to interfere.”
“...Is that really true?”
Jang Yul's expression stiffened.
He wasn't asking out of ignorance, but out of the anger rising from deep within.
“It is. Ah, if you find it hard to believe, I can wait a couple of days. By my estimate, you have about five or six days left to live? In two days, the symptoms will start showing.”
He had to find the person who cast the curse anyway, and the man wasn't going to drop dead immediately, so there was time.
“No matter how many hospitals you visit, the tightness in your throat won't go away. Strange wounds will appear for no reason, and you might be treated like a madman because only you will see your skin rotting away. It's all your own doing, so deal with it.”
Noel casually listed the symptoms.
Evil spirits and curses shared one thing in common: they were utterly dedicated to slowly tormenting their victims to death.
You go to the hospital, and they find absolutely nothing wrong.
That was what drove people the most insane.
Without medical help, they would be left completely helpless, with nothing to do but watch themselves rot.
“You may leave now.”
Noel offered a polite smile.
Just knowing a secret no one else knew was a threat in itself.
Two days was a short time, but it was also the perfect amount of time to become thoroughly consumed by terror.
Will you be alright? They may attempt to harm you.
At Asin's concern, Noel looked at her and smiled warmly.
You don't need to worry about that.
This wasn't just a wild guess; it was a measure he could take because he trusted both Jang Yul's resources and his own power.
“Ah, and don't do anything foolish like going to find the person who cast the curse today. They're probably suffering as well, so they'll come looking for you. Keep your distance. They'll try to trick you into taking the curse back onto yourself.”
Noel finished speaking and took a sip of water.
It was obvious.
If he hadn't warned him, the man would have definitely run to the curse-caster to demand answers.
That would be incredibly foolish.
Why didn't people realize that the one who cast the curse would surely have a trump card to redirect it?
“Is that... really true?”
“Wait and see. When you're alone in your room and someone knocks—without saying a word—six, no, four times, do not open the door. The same goes for the night.”
In his original world, the evil number was six.
But since it was four here, he figured it was best to adapt to the local customs.
“Now we're really done, so please leave.”
Noel turned his gaze away as if he had no lingering interest.
At the spine-chilling, prophetic words, the man's face crumbled.
Four knocks.
Hadn't that happened just yesterday?
Feeling uneasy, he had checked the hallway security camera, only to confirm that no one had been there at that hour.
Thump, thump.
From that moment, his heart began to race wildly.
“Master Shaman!”
“Father, leave.”
“I-I was wrong! I was truly wrong!”
The other side of the room grew noisy as the man looked ready to drop to his knees at any second.
Noel still didn't spare him a glance.
“I don't help those who bare their fangs at me. Have a proper talk with your son first, then contact me again.”
No matter what the man said, he was already in the palm of Jang Yul's hand.
Rather than taking payment from them separately, it was better to get a lump sum from Jang Yul.
I should charge a hefty sum.
He would need money for interior renovations and furniture.
Since he had to do two floors at once, it would cost quite a bit, so this was perfect timing.
“Please save me...! I'll do anything! I'll give you whatever you want!”
“We can discuss that later too.”
Noel spoke in a polite but entirely emotionless voice.
The more time passed, the higher his price tag would go.
Jang Yul looked at Noel with admiration, then whispered softly to his stepfather.
“The master might refuse to help you altogether, so it would be wise to stop here.”
At the gentle threat, the man shut his mouth.
Life.
Today, for the first time, he realized just how easily it could vanish in an instant.
Unable to say a word, the man stared at Jang Yul.
His stepson's expression felt colder than ever today.
Even though Jang Yul was just looking at him without doing anything, it felt as if he was choking him.
“Go back first.”
Jang Yul gripped his stepfather's shoulder, guided him back toward the exit, and returned halfway.
Returning to Noel, Jang Yul bowed his head first.
“Master. I apologize for the disturbance.”
“It's fine. I wasn't startled.”
Thanks to this incident, he had something to collect from the Grim Reaper, and he was pleased because he stood to make a handsome sum of money.
Didn't he already know that Jang Yul was loaded?
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“Last time, you mentioned there was something beneath the building you'll be using.”
Ah, right.
Noel had completely forgotten, but he tried his best not to let it show.
“Yes. I did.”
“We used equipment to excavate, and indeed, there was something there.”
“What was it?”
“There was a jade ornament. It appeared to be of very high purity.”
“Really?”
“Yes. There was one more item, but it took some time to bring them over as we had to run them through preservation treatment first.”
Jang Yul muttered an apology, pulled out his phone, and called someone.
“Bring it in.”
With those brief words, he quickly pocketed his phone.
“Once you've looked at them, if you wish to sell them, I can connect you with a buyer. I won't take any finder's fee or commission, so please don't worry.”
“What do you even gain from doing that?”
When Noel stared at him and asked, Jang Yul chuckled softly.
He seemed surprised by the direct question.
“It builds trust. I want to earn your trust, Master.”
“That's a nice sentiment. Well then, make sure to pay me handsomely once this case is resolved.”
It was a curse, so how much should he charge?
Noel thought for a moment before speaking.
“......Five million won?”
He had named a pretty high figure.
He thought it might be the largest amount of cash one could ask for.
For a moment, Jang Yul's expression stiffened.
Did I... ask for too much?
Didn't you ask for too much?
It seemed Yeong-hyeon thought so too.
Noel glanced at Asin, who was stroking her chin.
How about... four million won?
Oh, that sounds good.
“How about four million won?”
At Noel's sudden adjustment, Jang Yul tilted his head slightly.
“Master.”
“Is it too expensive?”
For someone who owned a building, this should be pocket change.
He wondered why the man was pinching pennies over something like this.
“For this kind of work, you must charge much more.”
“More? Like... six million won?”
Seeing how seriously Noel was considering this, Jang Yul snapped out of his thoughts.
Usually, when someone possessed great power, all kinds of parasites would swarm them.
“I will prepare an amount that will satisfy you, Master. Perhaps you can use the sum I offer as a baseline for future reference.”
Jang Yul smiled warmly.
At that smile, Noel rolled his eyes slightly.
Why does he get to decide?
He figured he would see how much he got first, and if he didn't like it, he'd raise his rates next time.
Unable to cross his arms, Noel rested his chin on his hand.
Bzzzz.
When his phone vibrated, Jang Yul showed it to him briefly.
“I'll be right back. Please order whatever you like and take your time looking at the menu.”
After speaking, Jang Yul turned and gave a slight nod to a staff member.
As he walked away, Jang Yul thought deeply.
Why wasn't the master asking for tens of millions?
Even obvious frauds shamelessly demanded fortunes, but not the master.
The master doesn't realize the true value of his power. I must take better care of him.
Once Jang Yul stepped outside, Noel watched his retreating back with a slightly disgruntled look before accepting the menu handed to him by the employee.
“Please take your time, and let me know when you are ready to order.”
The employee bowed and stepped back, and Noel opened the menu.
Yeong-hyeon and Asin gathered around.
...Uh, why is a fried egg so expensive?
Perhaps it is sprinkled with gold dust.
It doesn't say that in the description.
Indeed. Then... is this what they call paying for the atmosphere?
Paying for the atmosphere... well, it looks pretty, but the price is so wicked I don't know if I could even digest the atmosphere.
The two whispered to each other before looking at Noel almost simultaneously.
What will you have?
Yeah. What do you want to try?
“It'd be a waste to leave leftovers, so it has to be meat.”
Noel licked his lips.
A steak with a rather complicated name.
A steak that still had a difficult name but looked incredibly delicious.
That was how it looked to him.
Hmm.
Noel stared so closely at the menu that his face almost touched the page. Just as he was about to call over the waiting employee, he saw Jang Yul returning.
His hair was slightly disheveled, as if he had run back.
“If you're curious, you can order everything.”
“But there will be leftovers.”
“I eat more than I look. And we can always pack the rest. Also...”
Jang Yul set the item he brought down on the table and lowered his voice slightly.
“The food is delicious, but the portions are on the smaller side.”
“Really?”
At those welcome words, Noel's eyes sparkled.
In truth, there was something he had always wanted to do in his life.
He had thought about doing it countless times once he made money, but then he had died. Now that the opportunity was here, he had to take it.
Noel spoke with excitement.
“Then, from here to here, please. Ah, but skip the seafood dishes.”
He had been told that Yeong-hyeon had a seafood allergy.
He had been devastated when he first heard that, but hadn't he found comfort in fried chicken?
“Should we get some drinks as well?”
Jang Yul suggested drinks rather than alcohol.
“The alcohol is expensive too, right?”
“It is.”
At Jang Yul's answer, Noel smiled subtly.
His actual age wasn't that of an adult, but his body was.
It was perfectly legal.
It was only fair.
“Let's have a drink!”
In his original world, he had only ever watched his older sister and brother sip on delicious alcohol, and when he tried to sneak a taste, he had only gotten scolded.
*Gulp.*
His mouth was already watering.
My body is an adult now, after all.
Noel!
*Pitter-patter.*
Noel...!
*Pitter-patter-patter!*
When Noel slowly opened his eyes, Kkamang-i was right there.
“......Ugh.”
His head throbbed.
Did he forget to take pain relievers before going to bed?
Or had his stitches ruptured again?
Asin said......
“......Huh?”
Noel sat up in sudden surprise.
Why was he here?
Noel?
Kkamang-i tilted its head.
Noel stroked Kkamang-i so vigorously that the spirit's eyes stretched back, then got out of bed and walked out of the room.
“Why am I... at home?”
He had eaten meat until his mouth practically melted, and he had drunk alcohol.
To be honest, he knew absolutely nothing about alcohol, but it had tasted incredibly delicious.
That was where his memory ended.
Do you... not remember?
Asin wore a slightly surprised expression.
“I don't...?”
That is a relief. Indeed, is there not a saying that ignorance is bliss?
I'm sorry, Noel. I had no idea you were so... weak to alcohol.
Yeong-hyeon looked at him with a mix of apology and amusement on his face.
Their reactions were so bizarre that Noel narrowed his eyes.
“Wait, what did I do?”
Is there not a modern term... what they call a 'lightweight' these days?
Oh, yes, that's it.
You were precisely that.
“Uh...?”
He couldn't understand a single thing.
Noel!
When Kkamang-i called out, Noel turned his head.
Asin told me to go listen for anything about curses, dark magic, bad things, and stuff like that.
I followed Jang Yul's stepfather.
And I sent Kkamang-i to join him.
As Asin finished speaking, Kkamang-i placed its two front paws on Noel's leg and looked up at him with innocent, sparkling eyes.
I know where the human who used the bad power is! Are you gonna give me Churu?