Even in Death, I Go On
"If it has gone so far as possession, we may be dealing with a truly malicious evil spirit, or perhaps a restless soul from the depths of hell."
Asin toyed with her scabbard.
"Right. It's likely one of the two. And since it's a case of possession, it'll be a bit tricky."
Noel wore a slightly annoyed expression.
When an evil spirit possessed someone, it often took the original soul hostage.
After all, why would it willingly vacate a cozy new home?
"A single misstep, and the original soul may suffer harm," Asin expressed her concern.
"That is why it was so difficult."
Dong-ha let out a long sigh.
He was supposed to save the lamb's life from the clutches of evil, but he had ended up dying instead.
He felt utterly ashamed.
Well, holding the original soul hostage is one thing, but dealing with the spirit itself is easy enough.
Noel thought lightly of it.
The more evil deeds a ghost committed, the easier it was to use necromancy on them.
There would be no spiritual backlash even if he completely obliterated them.
Noel looked at the priest's head once more.
It was crushed, as if struck by something from above.
"So, Father, you were killed by the evil spirit?"
"Yes... I failed to anticipate the attack. I believe I was killed when a falling sign struck me from above."
"You're quite lucky to only look like that after being hit by a sign."
"Is that considered lucky?"
Dong-ha laughed awkwardly, and Noel smiled in return.
"Of course. The fact that your head didn't completely shatter, and that you didn't die in the most miserable way possible—isn't that divine providence?"
Noel extended a finger.
Black smoke swirled around the priest's face, restoring it to its original appearance.
"Whoa! His face changed!"
Kkamang-i reacted in wonder.
Dong-ha touched his own face.
He could feel that something had changed.
"You said it could possess others and even manipulate physical objects like signs?"
"Yes, yes. That is how I died."
"Exactly. You might have died in far greater agony. Evil spirits don't kill people so easily. If you had survived, Dong-ha, you would have experienced a living hell. They know exactly how to drag the living into the depths of torment."
Noel smiled, but there was something chilling about his expression.
Should he really be grateful for divine providence?
"It... must be Satan," Dong-ha spoke with a weary face.
"Well, sure, let's call it that."
The names might differ, but its wicked nature remained the same.
In the end, only two fates awaited it: purification or destruction.
Let's see, what should I do?
Noel pondered for a moment.
Dong-ha had mentioned a fellow exorcist he knew.
His request was either to pass on a message to this colleague or to ask them to vanquish the evil spirit.
Passing on a message was the easier option.
But that's not enough. Let's make sure it's done right.
The reason they hadn't contacted him yet and were only agonizing over it was probably because they viewed retrieving the sacred object and performing the exorcism as two entirely separate matters.
And to be fair, they were separate domains.
In that case, it was only right that he handle this matter personally.
"For now, while we wait for Si-hun to contact me, do you mind if I look around at some of these antiques?"
Noel asked for Dong-ha's understanding.
He needed to hear back from that side before he could decide whether or not to accept this request.
"I do not mind. I can wait a little longer."
"Here, take this. This is yours, right, Father?"
Regardless of the wait, Noel held out the crucifix.
Black smoke seeped into the crucifix, engraving tiny, faint characters onto it.
The reason he had told Kkamang-i not to touch it was because it contained a trace of divine power.
Hadn't he seen how ghosts writhed in pain upon touching a crucifix?
"I appreciate the gesture, but regrettably, I cannot hold it," Dong-ha shook his head.
"It's fine. Try holding it again," Noel encouraged him.
This time, it would definitely be different.
Dong-ha hesitated, but after looking into Noel's eyes, he cautiously reached out to touch the crucifix.
He expected his hand to pass right through it, but his fingers made contact.
...Huh?
He could feel it.
As he gripped it, the crucifix rested solidly in his palm.
It was that familiar sensation.
Dong-ha reverently clasped the crucifix he had held until his dying breath with both hands and squeezed his eyes shut.
He had never imagined he would be able to hold it again.
It felt as though a vast ocean was washing over him, shaking him to his very core.
"If you tuck it into your chest, it won't be visible. Keep it safe."
"Thank you..."
"But how did this crucifix end up all the way here? Did someone steal it?"
"I do not know that either," Dong-ha shook his head.
Right now, he was simply overjoyed by this sudden, unexpected gift.
"Someone stole it," Tamrang spoke up.
"Just how far can you see, star deity?" Asin asked in wonder.
Tamrang, still curled up, muttered, "Just... bits and pieces. I do not know the exact limits, but that crucifix was destined to return to its owner's hands eventually anyway."
"Is that so...?"
Dong-ha looked at the crucifix, heartened by those words.
Was it not this very crucifix that had guided him here, leading him to meet this youthful-looking shaman?
Thank you, Lord.
Dong-ha offered his gratitude to God.
"Well, let's go."
Noel turned around immediately after speaking.
He had his own things to do.
If he had possessed a cozy room of his own back in his original world, he might have plastered it with blessed items.
...Right. I used to like things like this.
While on the run, there were certain thoughts he had never dared to let surface.
One of them was remembering the things he loved.
For nothing was more painful than yearning for what was forever out of reach.
But now, he could decorate his room as much as he pleased.
Noel walked on, his steps light with anticipation.
As Kkamang-i raised a paw, preparing to swat at a wooden carving of a black cat, Noel made a clicking sound with his tongue.
"Tsk. Kkamang-i."
Kkamang-i quickly hid its paw, casting a guilty glance.
"But it's staring at me!"
"It's a carving."
"I still don't like it staring. I don't like its eyes."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Then I definitely have to buy it."
Noel snatched up the carving in an instant.
He might not know much else, but he certainly had an eye for these things.
How did the little spirit know it was a blessed item?
"Noeeel...!"
As Kkamang-i's ears flattened against its head, Asin let out a soft laugh.
"You like it too, Asin?"
"It is indeed quite charming. But Noel, you do not need to force yourself to cater to my tastes."
"I'm not forcing myself."
Noel crouched down to examine the other figurines.
There were so many quaint little carvings.
"I want them too. I'll put some in the shrine, and some at home. This one's going in the house, okay?"
Noel chuckled, pointing at the carving he had just picked.
He was already looking forward to the breathtaking showdown between Kkamang-i and the wooden cat.
"No!"
As Kkamang-i cried out, Noel patted its head.
"Oh. I saw they were selling ice cream earlier. Apparently, it's made with really rich milk."
Noel's mouth watered at the mere thought.
But he wasn't the only one salivating.
Kkamang-i was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Do you want some too, Kkamang-i?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Kkamang-i's mood brightened instantly.
"But is it not still too cold to be eating frozen treats?"
Asin remarked, casting a glance at Tamrang.
How he always managed to find the perfect corner to brood in was a mystery.
What was the word for it?
He fit right in.
"Why are you looking at me?" Tamrang slowly closed his eyes.
"Would Noel catch a cold if he ate ice cream?"
At Asin's question, Tamrang replied as if it were utterly absurd.
"Are you jesting? If a mere cold could be caught from eating such a thing, everyone who partook of it would be bedridden!"
"He says it is fine," Asin smiled and looked at Noel.
He was a calamity deity, after all.
Spreading disease was not his only talent.
He could also diagnose them.
The more time passed, the more she had to acknowledge why Noel had bound Tamrang to him.
"Oh..."
Noel quietly marveled at Asin's cleverness.
To think she could utilize Tamrang like that.
"Do not use me as a diagnostic tool. It is offensive."
"How does the shopkeeper look?" Noel whispered softly.
Tamrang had no desire to answer, but with his leash held firmly by Noel, he had no choice but to speak.
"...He needs an examination. His liver appears to be in poor condition."
Tamrang kept his face scowled the entire time he spoke.
"Tamrang."
Even when Noel called his name, Tamrang kept his lips tightly sealed.
"Your power isn't just something to be feared. I'll show you, step by step."
Tamrang's power was poison.
But poison, conversely, could often become medicine.
If Tamrang could witness that, even from his dark corner, perhaps he would become at least a little less gloomy.
"Um... excuse me, but who are these individuals?"
Dong-ha, who had been crouching down to look at the carvings with them, could no longer contain his curiosity.
He had been sensing it for a while, but they were incredibly extraordinary.
The closer he got, the more an intense pressure weighed down on him.
"They're deities."
Noel replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Both... of them?"
"Yes."
Tamrang had been one of the Seven Star Gods, and even now, he was a calamity deity.
So calling him a deity was technically correct.
"..."
Dong-ha froze in sheer shock.
Even if he worshiped a different God, a deity was still a deity.
Dong-ha immediately dropped to his knees.
"I... I must have been mad..."
"It is fine. You need not do that," Asin waved her hand with a gentle smile.
She was simply pleased that he had acknowledged them.
Bzzzz.
Noel immediately pulled out his vibrating phone.
Bzzzz. Bzzzz.
The moment he checked the text, his phone rang.
It was an unknown number, but he already knew it would be the priest who was Si-hun's guardian.
Wow, that was fast.
Noel felt a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Hello?"
"Of course I remember. I've been waiting so long for your call that my neck was about to snap."
The priest apologized.
Is he actually sorry?
Noel didn't reply and simply waited.
"Why are you only telling me this now?"
Ah.
Noel understood the situation from those words.
It seemed the exorcist who had suddenly vanished without a trace was indeed Dong-ha.
"So that person is Yun Dong-ha?"
"I happened to come to the antique market and saw Yun Dong-ha."
"Of course. He even asked me to exorcise the evil spirit. What should we do?"
Noel tested the waters.
Would they draw a line and claim it was an internal matter in a situation like this, or not?
Honestly, they have no choice but to take the bait.
After all, this was an evil spirit that had killed an actual exorcist.
They would judge the danger level to be extremely high.
A free helper just rolled right into their laps. Why would they pass this up?
Noel waited patiently.
This time, unlike before, there was a clear sense of certainty in the priest's voice.
You should have acted like this from the start.
Noel picked up his carving.
Noel sat in a cafe near the market.
"Why are you so restless?"
Noel looked at Dong-ha while eating a cake loaded with chocolate.
"I... I wonder if I have made an unnecessary request of you. That evil spirit is an incredibly dangerous entity. The Church must be in shock over the news of my death, and right now, they might try to use this as an opportunity."
"It's fine. It's actually better for me."
"Better...?"
Dong-ha wore a look of utter incomprehension.
"It means more work. I get to earn money, which is great for me, and your side gets a reliable hand, which is great for them. My skills are top-notch, after all."
Knowing it wasn't mere arrogance, Dong-ha was still the only one worrying.
"Besides, you can see I have two deities with me."
Noel looked at Asin and Tamrang.
Asin smiled, while Tamrang averted his gaze.
Tsk.
Noel clicked his tongue inwardly.
When we get home, I'm going to stare at Tamrang. I want to see how he reacts.
Noel composed his expression and looked warmly at Dong-ha.
"I've dealt with evil spirits before. Don't worry."
"But this time... it might be different. It is truly Satan. It has utterly and ruthlessly destroyed a person's life."
Well, that's what evil spirits do.
Since Dong-ha was stating the obvious, Noel just gave him a casual smile.
"Noel, ah."
Kkamang-i opened its mouth to eat more cake, but suddenly stopped and turned its head.
"What is it?"
"Something is buzzing."
It meant someone carrying a crucifix was approaching.
When Noel turned his head, several people were walking into the cafe.
Among them, a remarkably tall and heavily built man stood beside Noel.
A shadow fell over him.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"I came after receiving word. May I sit down for a moment?"
He was polite, but his tone was somewhat blunt.
"Of course."
At Noel's invitation, the man took a seat.
Up close, a faint scar could be seen running across his face.
An old injury, perhaps.
"I won't take up much of your time. Can you really see him?"
"Yes. What should I ask him? Shall I ask what the Father's name is?"
Noel looked at Dong-ha.
"He is my junior from the seminary. His name is Baek Han-gyeol. He is quite famous... because he can see ghosts."
"Mr. Baek Han-gyeol. If you can see ghosts, why are you pretending you don't?" Noel asked directly.
Only then did Han-gyeol let out a long sigh of relief.
"I apologize for doubting you. I can only see them; I cannot hear them. Even then, they appear so faintly that it is difficult to be certain."
"Even with the spiritual eye opened, it would not be clear. Thus, seeing us would be even more difficult. As I always say, you are the unusual one, Noel," Asin added to Han-gyeol's explanation.
"Father Dong-ha was a priest I deeply respected. I once worked alongside him as an assistant priest."
"Ah, yes, that did happen. Back when Father Han-gyeol was still a complete novice. He told me even then that he respected me, but to think he would rush over like this... I am truly glad," Dong-ha looked at Han-gyeol with deep gratitude.
"There were various opinions within the Church," Han-gyeol spoke, then hesitated.
"I know you are famous as the one who retrieved the sacred object. However, the higher-ups decided that the exorcism is a separate matter, which is why they dispatched me."
Despite his expressionless face, his eyes seemed to burn with an intense fire.
It was a look akin to vengeance.
"Weren't you volunteered rather than dispatched? To get revenge, I mean."
When Noel prodded, Han-gyeol spoke with a face that seemed to have abandoned all pretenses.
"I know that as a servant of God, I should not harbor such thoughts. But just for today, I want to act not for God, but for Father Dong-ha."
He had always watched from afar, striving to become a better exorcist so he could stand proudly before Dong-ha.
And now, that very man was dead.
The first emotion that had gripped him was rage.
"Then let's not hesitate and get going. Ah, right after I finish my cake."
Noel offered an unused fork with a grin.
"Would you like some, Father? You need to replenish your sugar levels if you want to keep a cool head."
He didn't know how close they had been, but Han-gyeol desperately needed to calm his agitation right now.
After all, evil spirits absolutely thrived on negative emotions.
The place they drove to in Han-gyeol's car was an apartment complex.
Every family member except for the possessed individual had been evacuated from the apartment.
This was to prevent further casualties.
The victim was inside, and the front door of the apartment was plastered with all sorts of things—crucifixes, talismans, and more.
...Huh. I've seen this scene before.
Noel stole a glance at Asin.
It was exactly like a scene from the horror movie Asin had been watching yesterday.
He wondered why on earth a ghost herself would watch such things, but it had been quite entertaining.
What is this? A prophecy?
Noel tilted his head slightly in thought.