Ch.15015 – The Dancing, Laughing Shaman Ghost 2

# 015 – The Dancing and Laughing Shaman Ghost # 2

A sudden chaotic brawl.

Somehow I got beaten up badly in the process and even got a nosebleed.

Ah, fuck, it hurts so much.

“What are you doiiing! Beat the crap out of Yang Juhui! Hit her hard! Beat her senseless!!!”

Even from my perspective, Yang Juhui fought incredibly well. No joke, she could have easily handled three people on her own. It wasn’t so much that her technique was good, but more like she went completely berserk and had insane strength?

“Aaaaaaaargh!!!”

I seriously wondered if her trait《Boiling Blood》had unlocked some kind of limit in the human brain, making her physically stronger.

Was there such potential in what I’d thought was just a disadvantage?

If this keeps up, Yang Juhui might beat all five of them by herself!

But in the end, Yang Juhui was overwhelmed by superior numbers and subdued.

That’s because my fighting ability and Vice Class President Jeongseok’s were so pathetic they might as well have been non-existent.

“Let go! Let go of me! You sons of bitches!”

“This fucking bitch-. She specifically targeted my face. Ow… ow… it hurts so fucking much… You bitch. You’re dead today. Let’s drag this bitch to where my brothers are. All of them!”

Bong Jiyeon, whose face was swollen from Yang Juhui’s beating, seemed extremely angry, and if we stayed here, there was no telling what would happen to Yang Juhui and us.

I didn’t know who these “brothers” Bong Jiyeon mentioned were, but it was certain we wouldn’t fare well if we went there.

We might literally get stripped naked and photographed or worse.

“Hoo-.”

I considered various options and finally made a decision.

It’s so textbook it’s classic and old-fashioned, but…

“Police officer!!!! Over here!!!! Here!!!! They’re fighting right now!!!! Here!!!! In this alley!!!! Ahhh!!!! Fuck, help!!!! Aaaahhhh!!!! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!”

Perhaps thanks to my new trait《Holding Breath》, my lung capacity had increased a bit, making my voice boom loudly.

The police part was a bluff, but with all this commotion, neighborhood residents would come out, and then this situation would have to end!

“…This fucker, is he crazy? Do you think police come just because you call them like that? Why is his voice so loud?”

“No, Dongho. There was a police car in front of the school earlier. They might be patrolling nearby.”

“Ah, shit.”

Patter patter patter-.

Bong Jiyeon’s gang from Class C ran away, probably remembering the police car at the school gate. Yang Juhui shouted “You fucking bastards!” at the fleeing group, looking like she was about to chase after them.

“Hey! Don’t run away! Don’t run away!”

“Juhui! Stop! Stop!”

I tried to stop Yang Juhui, but it wasn’t easy.

With her blood boiling, Yang Juhui was like a raging bull.

It was beyond my strength to stop her, and I had to ask Jeongseok for help.

“Hey! Jeongseok! Help me stop her!”

“…Uh, okay.”

Yang Juhui didn’t seem to calm down easily even with two guys hanging onto each arm.

Even though Jeongseok and I pulled with all our might, we were the ones being dragged!

“Let go! Let go of me! I’m going to kill that bitch Bong Jiyeon!”

Yang Juhui, you crazy girl! You’ve completely lost it!

I’d heard that it takes several adult men to subdue a crazy person, and that seemed to be true.

I need to treat Yang Juhui’s trait first before bigger problems arise. If she starts hitting me in anger because of her trait, I’ll literally die!

“Status Window.”

『Clinic ◀ Click to open』

『100P will be used to treat the trait.』

『Trait《Boiling Blood》has been treated.』

About 5 minutes later?

Yang Juhui collapsed on the ground as if exhausted.

Jeongseok and I also sat down on the ground, feeling the fatigue that hit us belatedly.

Well, one problem solved!

“Hey, Ha Yeongwon. Did you call the police? Are they coming here?”

Vice Class President Jeongseok asked me as he straightened his disheveled clothes.

He seemed more scared about the police being called than when we were surrounded by the Class C kids.

“That was a bluff.”

“……”

Vice Class President Jeongseok seemed relieved. Come to think of it, we’re clearly the victims here, so why should we be afraid of calling the police? I was curious.

“Hey, Jeongseok. Didn’t you say your dad was a prosecutor? Can’t he do something about this bullying? Those Class C bastards will definitely try to get revenge and be annoying—”

“—Who told you that?”

Jeongseok turned serious.

As I was slightly taken aback, he sighed and got up.

“Well, who else would know except Jeong Sojin? I have to go to academy now. Please keep who my dad is a secret. Seriously. And wipe your blood.”

Jeongseok picked up his bag from the ground, took out some tissues, handed them to me, and then left.

Is he embarrassed about his dad? If my dad were a prosecutor, I’d brag about it.

For some reason, he’s trying to hide his father’s existence…

Jeongseok, this guy is kind of interesting.

He seemed suitable to be a comrade in the “Ha Yeongwon Pirates” I was going to create.

We also have the common point of being bullied by the school thugs.

Since we have many similarities, we might become friends.

…But more importantly, why won’t this nosebleed stop?

Drip drip drip-.

My nose was gushing blood like a dam release, and seeing this, Yang Juhui said:

“That’s what you get for jumping into a fight you can’t handle.”

No.

I didn’t jump in; they attacked me one-sidedly. I almost had my underwear stripped off, but Yang Juhui appeared at the right time and saved me.

Before I could say anything, Yang Juhui extended her hand to me.

“My house is nearby. Want to come over? I’ll give you some clothes to change into.”

Yang Juhui’s house?

…Where that woman who came to school is?

It is uncomfortable to walk around with a shirt covered in nosebleed, though.

On the way to Yang Juhui’s house.

Yang Juhui asked me:

“How did you know the vice class president’s dad was a prosecutor? Are you really in contact with Jeong Sojin? That girl is a liar. It’s better not to contact her if possible.”

This conversation felt familiar.

Though she didn’t seem to remember it herself.

# # #

Cheonmun-dong near Yeongji High School was a rundown, secluded neighborhood.

Scary alleys everywhere, utility poles covered with carelessly discarded trash, and most houses were over 30 years old.

The villa where I lived was one of them, and so was the apartment where Yang Juhui lived.

“Hwang-ryong Apartment”

Despite its splendid name, it was a crumbling apartment complex.

In each building, elderly grandmothers were drying red peppers or selling vegetables while sitting on utility poles with walker-like mobility aids.

“Eh eh… eh eh eh…”

“Jongmin, let’s go now.”

I also saw a woman holding the hand of a young man who seemed to have difficulty moving.

Even the dogs being walked looked pitiful.

It was a place where just being there seemed to tinge my life with a depressing gray.

“What are you doing, Yeongwon? Come up quickly. There’s no elevator.”

Hwang-ryong Apartment didn’t even have an elevator.

Yang Juhui’s house was on the 4th floor, but rusty bicycles were tied to each stair railing, making it very inconvenient to pass through.

What was even more uncomfortable was that Yang Juhui’s skirt was so short that if I tried, I might be able to see what’s underneath as she climbed the stairs ahead of me.

Yang Juhui, you wicked girl.

She was clearly trying to show me her underwear to give me another wet dream.

Who do you think is watching?

“……”

“What are you doing? Not coming up? Are you afraid I’ll eat you at my house?”

“No. The stairs are a bit slippery. Phew. It’s hard to climb up.”

We arrived at 402, Yang Juhui’s house.

The iron door without a digital lock was covered with stickers from all sorts of places, from Chinese restaurants to chicken shops.

The sticker that said “Yeong-gwang Church” particularly caught my attention.

“Is your mother home by any chance?”

“No. Mom has Monday service today, so she’ll be back late.”

“Monday service?”

I thought people usually go to church only on Sundays.

Swish-.

Yang Juhui opened the door and went in.

The inside was small, maybe about 20 pyeong, and there was a strange smell… or so I thought, but it actually smelled nice.

A high school girl’s house.

Not just any high school girl, but SR high school girl Yang Juhui’s house.

If the boys who liked Yang Juhui could see me now, they’d have a fit in many ways.

Feeling superior to those faceless boys, I looked around.

There were photos of young Yang Juhui in a taekwondo uniform and family photos with her mom, dad, and what looked like an older sister. Did Yang Juhui have an older sister?

…More importantly, isn’t that the box cutter she took from me? I also saw my pencil case, and the pen and scissors she borrowed from me.

This girl Yang Juhui has set up house with my belongings.

“Come here.”

Swish-.

Yang Juhui brought some cotton and stuffed it into my nose.

She seemed quite familiar with the procedure.

“…Does my house look poor?”

Yang Juhui asked as I sat down on the yellow linoleum floor.

I felt a bit stung but replied casually.

“My house is similar, so whatever. My house even has cockroaches.”

“My house has ants, so no cockroaches.”

Really?

I wish my house had ants instead of cockroaches too.

I never thought I’d envy a house with ants.

But… apart from not having cockroaches, there wasn’t much to envy about this house.

No computer, no TV. I wondered what Yang Juhui did to pass the time.

Phrases like “Eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent” were pasted on clumsily wallpapered walls, which was quite disturbing.

Click-.

Just then, I heard the sound of the front door handle turning.

“Uh…?”

“Mom…!?”

While I was surprised, Yang Juhui was even more shocked.

“Mom’s back already? Hey! Ha Yeongwon! If my mom talks to you, just say you go to church no matter what!”

“Uh… okay…”

Click-.

The door opened, and a woman entered.

She was wearing a white dress, had a gentle expression, and could be called quite beautiful. Is this the same woman who came to school last time?

The woman stopped when she saw Yang Juhui and me.

“Juhui. Who is this?”

“Oh. This is my friend. He had a nosebleed, so I brought him here.”

“Really? Juhui bringing a friend home. It’s been a while. I just came home for a moment because I had something to do. What’s your friend’s name?”

“Hello, ma’am. My name is Ha Yeongwon.”

“Ha Yeongwon. Oh my, your name has many circles in it. By the way, do you go to church? You need faith in your heart to receive blessings. You should go to church, receive salvation, and go to heaven. Would you like to hear the Word once?”

Aha!

So that’s why Yang Juhui told me to “say you go to church!”

She was worried the conversation would drag on.

Glancing at Yang Juhui’s face, she seemed very uncomfortable, as if feeling embarrassed.

I can understand why a sensitive first-year high schooler would be embarrassed if her mom tried to evangelize her friends.

I said to Yang Juhui’s mother:

“Oh, don’t worry. I go to church.”

“Really? Then do you know who wrote First Peter?”

What?

A sudden test?

“First Peter… well… Peter, right?”

“Hohoho, was that too easy? Then recite John 3:16. It’s a verse that anyone who goes to church honestly can’t not know.”

“……”

Coming in strong like this?

I tensed up.

I noticed that although Yang Juhui’s mother’s lips were smiling, her eyes weren’t. Yang Juhui’s fierce eyes must have been inherited from her mother.

“Um… since it’s the Gospel of John, John wrote it…?”

“No. I’m not asking who wrote it. Recite John 3:16. This is easy, don’t you know it? Anyone who goes to church couldn’t possibly not know this.”

Soon Yang Juhui stepped in.

“Mom, well, he…”

“Yang Juhui. You stay quiet. Did I ask you?”

The atmosphere has gone south.

This is a difficult situation in many ways.

What happens if I can’t answer here?

Will the woman suddenly go crazy, grab my head, and yell “How dare you lie to an adult!!!!”?

What should I do?

Should I just make something up?

I suddenly remembered what Teacher Kang Haneul said.

Adults can detect children’s lies.

Tick-tock-tick-tock- The clock in the living room seemed unusually loud as I closed my eyes tightly and then opened them.

Lying seems like it would be troublesome.

Let’s be honest.

“John 3:16 is, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ Right? Kwonsa-nim. You’re a Kwonsa, right?”

“Oh my! You know this! Our Juhui has finally made a believing friend! That’s right! I’m Kim Yeook, a Kwonsa at Yeong-gwang Church. Oh my, you’re handsome too. You look so smart! Born into a Christian family?”

“Yes. My father had a church in Seoul.”

“Really? Which church? What’s the name of the church? I know most of the big churches in Seoul. Juhui, why didn’t you tell me you became friends with a pastor’s son!”

The Kwonsa’s gaze toward me changed.

Maybe I should have just lied.

This conversation seems like it’s going to get longer and more troublesome.

“If you have time, come to our Yeong-gwang Church this Sunday! Our senior pastor’s sermons are full of grace. Have you heard of Pastor Cheon Aesu? He’s very famous in our country for his healing gift!”

“Ah… healing gift? Like when he lays hands and prays, diseases are healed?”

Most people who talk about healing gifts are usually cult leaders…

“He also casts out demons. Juhui and I were originally from a family of shamans for generations, so we were supposed to become shamans. We received the shaman sickness, but Pastor Aesu drove out all our ancestral spirits. Completely! Now if we can just find Dohui…”

“Mom. Stop.”

Yang Juhui interrupted as if trying to cover her mother’s mouth.

But the Kwonsa was unstoppable.

“We can find your sister! Yang Dohui! Pastor Aesu said so! Yang Dohui was taken by dirty ancestral spirits! Taken by the enemy devil Satan spirit! Aaaaaaah!!!! Aaaaaaaaaah!!!!”

Oh, shit…!

The Kwonsa, who was once my potential mother-in-law, is in a serious state!

I felt like doing a break dance from the crazy feeling in various ways.

Crash-!

Just then, the family photo hanging on the wall fell and shattered.

I was really startled, but the Kwonsa was absolutely horrified.

“An… ancestral spirit! It’s an ancestral spirit! The shaman spirit is here! The shaman spirit! The family shrine shaman spirit is coming! Heeee! Be gone, you! The blood of Aesu! The blood of Aesu! Be gone! Be gone!”

Thud-.

Yang Juhui collapsed on the floor.

And then she started crying like someone truly miserable.

“There’s no such thing as ghosts! Please stop doing this! Please! The nail was just old and fell out! I’m so embarrassed because of you, Mom!”

……

……

No, Juhui. Your mother might be right.

The reason I couldn’t say that was because—

A woman wearing shaman clothes with her black hair completely disheveled.

—She was hanging upside down from the ceiling, staring at me with glass-like eyes and smiling.

“!eid lliw uoy dna tirips namahS eht eveileb t’nod uoY”

“Ahhh, fuck! Oh, fuck! Gyaaaaaaah! Gyaaaaaaaaaah!”