Shadows Over Jeju
Seogwipo City, Jeju Island. Heukryonghoe's Korean branch. Branch Chief Ma Hao tossed the report onto the table and asked, "The Association's come to Jeju?"
The subordinate standing across from him, Ri Ming, bowed his head. "Yes. They're from the Association's management team. An official document just arrived."
"Official document?"
"It's a formal request for investigative cooperation. It looks polite on the surface, but it's basically a warning. If we don't cooperate, they're saying they'll intervene with force at the Association's level."
Ri Ming's eyes gleamed ferociously. "How should we respond? We could make them disappear without a trace."
"Don't be ridiculous." Ma Hao snorted. "Our opponent's Choi Sang-guk. It's a group led by an S-rank hunter. The moment we touch them, our entire organization gets wiped out."
"Then..."
"Cooperate. Open the doors wide like they want and serve them tea with a smile."
Ma Hao leaned deeply back in his chair. This was a time to lie low. No need to stir up trouble unnecessarily.
"But mix in some misinformation. Slyly weave fake data into whatever intel they want. Make sure they can't follow the real trail."
"Understood. We'll proceed as instructed."
"By the way." Ma Hao rested his interlaced hands on his chin and changed the subject. "How's the cleanup going?"
"Smoothly. The Korean resident population on Jeju has dropped below 5%."
"5%..." Ma Hao smacked his lips. It wasn't satisfactory.
"Cockroaches are still hanging around."
"We're moving slow to avoid the Association's surveillance. We're gradually shoving the abducted ones into the dungeons, but processing the disappearances takes time."
"Hurry it up. We need to wipe out the Korean seed from this island. That'll make it easier to execute our plans."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"And the Dungeon Festival starts soon." Ma Hao's gaze drifted to the window. "How should we handle troop deployment?"
"Just enough to get by. We can't refuse a god's order anyway. Pretend to participate formally."
"Then I'll pull Team 2 and station them at the succubus dungeon. It's a throwaway card anyway." Ri Ming grinned slyly. Ma Hao nodded with a matching smile.
The Dungeon Festival was just an annoying event to them. At the same time, it was an opportunity.
"Yeah, no need to go all out." Ma Hao tapped the table. Tap, tap. "When all the Koreans' attention is glued to the Dungeon Festival."
"..."
"That's when we launch the operation we've prepared."
The deal for the department store ghost story wrapped up smoothly. Payment: 2,000 gold per month. To be paid in installments to Serria over 15 months. A fair trade for both sides.
As he walked through the lobby, a familiar yellow-skinned monster appeared from the corner.
"Nice to see you, Boss!"
It was the Hob Goblin. He was wearing a tight hotel uniform.
"Long time no see. Got a job, huh?"
"You bet! The princess put me in charge of hotel staff!" The Hob Goblin proudly patted his uniform collar. Pat, pat. "I'm just a janitor for now! But someday, I'll be the hotel manager!"
"Big dreams. I'll cheer you on."
"Thanks! Come visit often, Boss! I'll keep the place spotless!"
The Hob Goblin grinned energetically and dashed off to mop the hallway floor. Enthusiasm radiated from his back.
Bzzz— bzzz— His smartphone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the caller.
'Agent Han Jun-hyun? What's up?'
He hit the call button right away.
"Yes, Han Suho speaking."
- Ah, Suho. Sorry to bother you when you're busy.
The voice on the other end was polite. They exchanged brief greetings. Han Jun-hyun got straight to the point without delay.
- It's nothing major, but if you have time, could you come to Jeju with us?
"Jeju?"
- Yes. The Association's heading out for an investigation, and we'd like you to join.
"...Is this about the ghost story?"
He probed lightly, and Han Jun-hyun affirmed lowly.
- Yes, exactly. We'd like your consultation on ghost stories. I'd prefer to discuss details in person.
His tone carried conviction. The Association had clearly caught the scent of a ghost story lurking in the succubus dungeon. No reason to refuse. He could gather info and keep an eye on their movements up close.
"Got it. See you in Jeju."
- Thank you. We'll handle flights and lodging. Departure schedule is...
"No, that's fine." He cut in. "I'll join you on-site."
- Ah, understood. Contact me when you arrive.
"Will do."
He hung up and stared at the darkened screen, lost in thought.
'Huh... I'm already in Jeju. Should I say I arrived early?'
Better to blend in naturally. He'd pretend to be sightseeing and meet up.
The next morning, after packing, he went to find Serria.
"Gonna step out for some air."
"At least have breakfast." Serria's eyes drooped seductively.
"Back soon."
"Yes, take care, my esteemed guest."
With her farewell behind him, he headed to the dungeon entrance. He scanned the area, then donned the stealth cloak. His body blurred transparently, melting into the scenery.
The dungeon entrance dazzled under the blinding sunlight. He looked around.
'...No one's here?'
No one guarded the entrance. Dungeons were usually restricted zones, barricaded and watched by military police. But this place was empty. Not even yellow control tape.
'No guards at the entrance. Why?'
Had security pulled out? Or was it deliberately abandoned, like it wasn't worth the effort?
Shaking off the unease, he moved. Invisible, no eyes on him. He headed quickly toward Seogwipo city center.
Soon, in a shady alley behind the bustling streets, between abandoned buildings, he removed the cloak. He straightened his clothes and stepped out.
That's when it happened.
"Hey, buddy."
A gruff voice called. He turned to see two rough-looking men eyeing him.
"...Something wrong?"
"Where you from?"
"Pardon?"
"Nationality. Korean?"
Straight to ID check. Danger instinct kicked in. They were frisking passersby.
'Atmosphere's off.'
Saying he was Korean would spell trouble.
"Chinese." Thanks to Language power, it'd sound like Chinese to them.
"...A compatriot." One man patted his shoulder blankly. Tap, tap. That was it. They passed without another word.
'Feels wrong.'
Too heavy for mere turf war. He quickened his pace.
Crossing Seogwipo, he observed surroundings.
'Is this really Korean soil?'
The scenery was bizarre. Signs drowned in red and gold. No Hangul, just massive Hanja dominating. Noise all Chinese. Nine in ten pedestrians Chinese, the rest Western tourists. No Koreans in sight.
'Not a single Korean.'
Abnormal. Even a tourist spot couldn't have zero locals.
Felt like a massive Chinatown—or dropped into a Chinese provincial city. The whole island infested.
'Better not stick around.'
He pulled out his phone and called Han Jun-hyun. Answered before rings finished.
- Yes, Suho? Ready to depart?
"I've arrived in Jeju."
- ...Pardon? Already?
Surprise transmitted through the line.
"Had urgent business, hurried. Where are you now?"
- Ah, I'm at OO.
"Send your location; I'll head there."
- Got it. Sending now. I'll wait. Safe travels.
"On my way."
Hung up; message arrived. Map app showed it wasn't far.
'Stay cautious.'
Alert to surroundings, he hurried through streets lined with red signs.
Two hours later. At the agreed OO Cafe. Inside, a man sat in the corner booth, scribbling rapidly in a notebook with a grave expression. Han Jun-hyun.
He approached, pulled out the opposite chair, and sat.
"You're here."
Han Jun-hyun looked up at the presence.
"Good to see you, Suho."
"Wait long?"
"No. I just arrived and was organizing notes."
Han Jun-hyun smiled warmly. Light greetings exchanged. Moments later, he glanced around and lowered his voice.
"Situation's bad."
"Situation?"
"People vanishing in Jeju. Not ordinary crime or runaways. Most cases, traces evaporate completely."
"No traces?"
"Yes. Our team judges this serial disappearance linked deeply to ghost stories."
"..."
"Tracking last traces of the missing—all paths lead to one place."
"...The succubus dungeon?"
"How'd you know?"
"Heard whispers from local hunters. But why explain to me?"
He's just an F-rank. Why call him for this?
"Truth is, dispatched personnel aren't one team."
Han Jun-hyun lowered his voice further. "Official 'investigation team' and ours, the 'Anomaly Management Team.' Two prongs."
"Different goals?"
"Yes. Investigation team seeks surface cooperation. We have a special order from the director."
Light gleamed in Han Jun-hyun's eyes. "Secretly probe if a ghost story exists in the succubus dungeon."
"..."
"We'll collaborate with Heukryonghoe forces on Jeju, enter during the upcoming Dungeon Festival."
Han Jun-hyun leaned forward with earnest eyes. "That's why I ask: join us, Suho. Director's approval secured. Compensation won't disappoint."
Speechless.
'He's asking me to die?'
F-rank into B-rank dungeon, suspected ghost story. Sane person wouldn't.
But Han Jun-hyun seemed sincere. No malice.
Not an expert in physiognomy, but clear deep trust. Treating him as 'ghost story expert' based on Hwarong Department Store feats.
'Laugh or cry?'
Overestimating him pointlessly.
He cleared his throat. "What's this Heukryonghoe?"
"..."
"If we're going together, need to know if they're trustworthy."
Han Jun-hyun hesitated, then answered. "Can't detail, but think of them as a Chinese-side force."
Chinese force. Situation felt oddly twisted.
Isn't this the situation you wanted?
'Prefer not to get tangled...'
With rumors of organ trafficking and worse. Teaming with scary-sounding Heukryonghoe? Heart raced.
"...When's the Dungeon Festival?"
"Exactly 10 days."
"10 days."
He propped his chin, feigning thought. Han Jun-hyun grew anxious.
Staring intently, he asked, "One more thing."
"Go ahead."
"Why me? Association has better hunters."
Han Jun-hyun smiled bitterly. "Suho, know the survival rate for Anomaly Management Team agents?"
"No."
"17%."
"..."
"Countless agents deployed; most bodies never found. Ghost stories defy conventional responses."
He met his gaze. "Hwarong Department Store was the worst domestic ghost story yet—highest difficulty."
"..."
"All expected to perish. But thanks to you, four survived. A miracle. You're the key to clearing this. Use that keen sense to uncover the rules again."
...So not really high praise. If Hwarong was peak difficulty, domestic ghost stories barely scraped C-grade.
Understood the blind faith's source.
'Not bad.'
No reason to refuse. Perfect spot to blend in, extract unknown info.
"Got it." He nodded; Han Jun-hyun brightened. "I'll join."
"Thank you! Huge help."
"One condition."
"Name it. Anything."
"Prioritize my safety. If risky, I bail."
"No worries. I'd stake my life on your safety."
Han Jun-hyun nodded solemnly.