Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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♬♪♬
With the chime of the doorbell, silence blanketed the grand mansion.
It was right in front of Chairman Jang Manguk's residence.
Having already visited Chairman Seo Geonchang's home once before, he was somewhat accustomed to its grandeur and scale, but the mansion before him exuded a completely different atmosphere.
'Even piling up gold bars, it'd be tough to buy a house this size on a plot like this, right?'
Or maybe not?
Still, if he absorbed Fairy Jua's fortune, there might be a sliver of hope?
Lost in his solitary happy thoughts, the mansion door slid open smoothly.
And then.
Quick footsteps unexpectedly echoed from within, soon followed by an elderly man with a prominent jaw and a dignified face bursting into view, panting heavily.
"Oh dear, oh dear! You're Haeseong, aren't you!?"
It was Chairman Jang Manguk himself.
Even as he hurried over, there was no disarray in his demeanor.
He wore an elegant light beige silk hanbok, his hair streaked with gray but neatly trimmed short, and his ruddy complexion seemed to embody both robust health and seasoned wisdom.
"Chairman, good to see you."
After a polite greeting, Chairman Jang Manguk smiled faintly and waved his hand.
"Don't hold this old man in such high regard. I'm the one grateful that you've come."
"No, not at all."
If Chairman Seo Geonchang radiated an ironclad, unyielding aura, Chairman Jang Manguk possessed a warmth nestled within the deep resonance of ancient oak.
Every word and gesture conveyed the poise and leisure of a life fully lived, infused with an affable charm that enveloped those around him.
"Come on in."
"Understood."
Following Chairman Jang Manguk inside the mansion, he swallowed hard for a moment.
As expected, the interior of a chaebol household was lavish.
However, feigning composure, he casually glanced around and spoke leisurely.
"This place is incredible."
To the right of the living room stood bookshelves and an antique clock; to the left, classic sofas and a grand window offering a view of the estate grounds.
The walls harmonized Eastern ink paintings with Western oils, while meticulously placed ceramics and floral accents spoke to Chairman Jang Manguk's refined taste.
"Haha! Sit down first, and let's talk."
Following Chairman Jang Manguk—who scratched his head sheepishly while pointing to the sofa with his other hand—he stepped forward cautiously.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
"I heard your home is quite far away?"
As he settled onto the sofa, Chairman Jang Manguk personally poured a steaming cup of yuja tea.
Holding the teacup with both hands, he continued.
"I'm staying at my late father's house."
"Ah... I see. Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."
"Haha, no worries."
In the slightly awkward atmosphere, Chairman Jang Manguk slowly set his teacup down on the table.
"You know why I called you here, right?"
"Chairman Seo already told me."
"Then we can skip the preamble."
"Before that, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Exorcising the ghost at Chairman Seo's house last time was pure luck."
At that, Chairman Jang Manguk wore a calmer expression than expected.
"Mm, Geonchang already mentioned that. But you can see ghosts, can't you?"
"I can see them, but making them pass on might be impossible."
"...Then at least confirm if it's really a ghost."
"Got it. Let's hear the details first."
Chairman Jang Manguk's story went like this.
After moving here, strange things had multiplied.
Plates shattering in the empty living room out of nowhere.
Lights flickering off despite being turned on.
Rubbing his chin, he tilted his head.
"And you concluded it's a ghost from that?"
"Not exactly."
"What else, then?"
"Every night, I hear a woman's crying."
"E-every night?"
"From the third-floor room we use as storage, no less."
He swallowed dryly and spoke up.
"Have you gone up to the third floor?"
"Of course. But every time, the crying stops dead."
"Has anyone else heard this crying besides you, Chairman?"
At his question, Chairman Jang Manguk patted his chest in frustration.
"I'm the only one who sleeps in this house."
In that case.
It could just be Chairman Jang Manguk imagining things.
Adjusting his posture, he ventured carefully.
"Could it be auditory hallucinations?"
"...Are you saying I've lost my mind?"
"Just in case—don't take it the wrong way."
Quickly showing his open palms, Chairman Jang Manguk let out a short sigh.
"...Truth be told, I might be refusing to admit it's hallucinations."
Whether ghost or hallucination, it was still unclear, but seeing Chairman Jang Manguk's face, he could sense the immense stress he'd endured.
Letting out a brief sigh, he stood up.
"I'll go check it out myself first."
"You're going alone?"
"Yes."
"There are several rooms on the third floor, though..."
"It's fine. I can tell."
"...Alright."
After a slight bow to Chairman Jang Manguk, he headed for the stairs.
A heavy silence seemed to weigh on every step.
And as he passed the second floor toward the third, the air shifted palpably—instinctively felt.
'...The vibe is weird.'
No whisper of breeze, not even a speck of dust stirring in this eerie stillness.
Within that hush lurked an indescribable presence.
Like someone holding their breath, watching him intently?
Similar to before first encountering Lee Cheonga, yet somehow different.
'Hiss.'
His fingertips chilled, a cold shiver creeping up his nape.
But he couldn't stop.
He needed to confirm the ghost with his own eyes to claim any fee from Chairman Jang Manguk.
Whoosh.
Exhaling lightly, he placed his foot on the final step, then slowly turned to scan the hallway.
Three doors came into view, the middle one radiating an especially potent aura.
'Obviously this one.'
He reached out and grasped the doorknob.
As expected, a chill raced up the back of his hand.
Click. Creak.
The door opened lighter than anticipated.
However, the air inside was distinctly different.
Dusty staleness mixed with old paper scent, laced with an uncanny chill.
No lights on.
Curtains shrouded the windows, leaving faint light seeping through cracks to barely illuminate the room.
Whoosh.
Scanning the room immediately, he spotted a woman huddled in the corner.
Curled up, knees hugged to her chest, hair long enough to drape over her shoulders.
'A woman?'
Facing the wall, but her build and hair confirmed it.
He stepped cautiously into the room.
"Hey, there."
Then, the woman slowly turned her head.
Smoothly, without a single creak of bone.
Yet that slowness made it all the more eerie.
And finally, her face came into view—mid-forties, give or take.
'...Why do I feel oddly disappointed?'
Her skin was pallid, looking utterly drained.
Younger than Jiwon-i's mom, but definitely auntie territory.
No smile or sadness on her lips.
Just an impassive stare, alien and chilling.
"...You can see me?"
"I can."
"A shaman?"
"Eh, something like that."
"You're handsome, young man."
"...Pardon?"
"I said you're handsome."
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, he shook his head side to side.
"Uh, that's not—why are you lingering here?"
Then, the auntie ghost stared blankly into space.
"I've never had sex... not once since birth. No chance before I died. So... I'm too resentful... to move on."
"Aun—wait, a virgin ghost?"
"What? First time seeing a virgin at my age?"
The myth that virgin ghosts are young shattered in that instant.
Moreover, one so brazenly admitting carnal regrets—it was a first, his flustered thoughts plain on his face.
"S-sorry."
At his apology, the auntie relaxed her furrowed brow and smacked her lips.
"With a guy like you, it'd erase all regrets..."
"...!"
A sudden chill shot up his spine.
Her eyes brimmed with predatory venom, as if she'd devour him right then; cold sweat beaded on his nape.
"...Hold on."
He backpedaled hastily toward the door.
Luckily, unaware he could touch her, the auntie ghost showed little pursuit.
Click—
He slammed the door shut, rushed down the third-floor hall, and descended the stairs.
And then.
"D-did you... see the ghost?"
Reaching the first floor, Chairman Jang Manguk rose, eyes wide.
With a short sigh, he replied.
"It's there."
"R-really!?"
"...Yes."
Chairman Jang Manguk's tense face softened with a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness... it wasn't just in my head."
"Yes, you heard it right."
Then, Chairman Jang Manguk placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Can you exorcise it?"
"No."
"...I see."
Had the auntie ghost committed some sin, he'd have used his ghost-slaying ability.
But her reason for not passing on was 'sex'...
He pressed his throbbing temple with his fingers.
"It's a virgin ghost."
"A v-virgin ghost?"
"If it were a malevolent spirit, I could exorcise it, but virgin ghosts are hard to even send off."
"Aren't evil spirits easier to exorcise by nature?"
"Mm, depends."
Chairman Jang Manguk stared at him blankly, head tilted in confusion.
"Then why's the virgin ghost in my house so tough?"
"She's too old. And..."
Trailing off, he fixed Chairman Jang Manguk with a sharp glare.
"She's fucking ugly."