Chapter 4: A destruction ghost story appeared at bosin angle

Preparations for the bell-ringing ceremony were in full swing at Bosingak.

Amidst their shattered daily lives, people gathered one by one, hoping to reclaim the familiar times.

Lights and floodlights were set up at regular intervals throughout the streets, and the area around Bosingak was thoroughly controlled by a large number of personnel.

Among them were Seo Jihun, the Head of the Ghost Story Countermeasure Headquarters, and Han Dojin, the recently rising guild master of ‘Light of Dawn’.

“Han Dojin, I heard you recruited an Awakener who vanquished a Calamity-grade ghost story in Japan this time around…”

“It’s my daughter, who was studying abroad in Japan. I heard she got caught up in a ghost story, but I never imagined she’d even manage to vanquish it.”

Seo Jihun crossed his arms and let out a chuckle.

“The guy who was raging and ready to rush to Japan when he heard his daughter was caught in a ghost story is acting calm now.”

“Head, how long are you going to keep talking about that?”

“For the next 10 years… no, 20 years. Hahaha.”

Jihun laughed heartily and slapped Dojin’s back.

“It’s fine when you hit me, Head, but never do that to anyone else.”

“I know, I know, you rascal. Tsk, tsk. It used to be fun to tease you, but ever since you became a guild master, you’ve been acting so solemn.”

“Head, I know it’s late to ask, but is the bell-ringing ceremony… really going to be okay?”

As soon as Jihun heard Dojin’s words, he let out a deep sigh.

“I strongly opposed it. But those high-ranking officials wouldn’t listen to a word…”

“…You’re going through a lot.”

“Well, what’s done is done. All we can do is prepare as thoroughly as possible.”

Jihun quietly looked around.

The streets were so bright it was hard to believe it was night. The city was bustling with an enormous crowd.

“It’s a foolish event, but I hope it ends safely and shows people some hope.”

“Honestly, there wouldn’t be any problem even if it were just you, Head.”

“Hahaha! Flattery won’t get you anywhere, young man!”

Thwack!

“…So please, don’t hit me. Even I could be in danger if you hit me wrong, Head.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be over there, so don’t be too nervous yourself.”

“I’ll see you later.”

Jihun patted Dojin’s back a few times and then left.

Dojin watched his retreating back indifferently, lost in thought.

‘He’s a man with a head full of white hair, but he’s still so vigorous. No, that’s beyond vigorous.’

Seo Jihun, Head of the Ghost Story Countermeasure Headquarters.

Even before the world changed like this, he was among the top martial arts masters worldwide.

After ghost stories emerged and he vanquished the Ruin-grade ghost story, [Giant Who Swallowed the World], which nearly brought South Korea to annihilation, he now possessed strength beyond human comprehension.

The danger levels of confirmed ghost stories are categorized into a total of 4 stages.

****

[Illusion Grade] – The weakest stage.

Small-scale ghost stories that only occur in specific areas or situations.

Since they mostly involve psychological fear rather than physical attacks, their danger level is the lowest.

[Disaster Grade] – A truly threatening stage.

Capable of causing physical harm, they can affect an entire building or street.

‘Rules’ for the ghost story exist, and survival is only possible by understanding them.

Some ghost stories announce their rules, while others don’t, so quick understanding is crucial.

[Calamity Grade] – Ghost stories that can affect an entire city.

From this grade onwards, a domain (Underworld) is created, and the Underworld (冥界) is an independent space governed by the ghost story’s rules, from which one can only escape by meeting specific conditions.

Special caution is required from this grade upwards.

[Ruin Grade] – Ghost stories classified as national disasters.

They immediately encompass a very wide area and have an extremely high mortality rate.

Eliminating the ghost story is considered almost impossible, and escaping to survive is the top priority.

They possess the ability to deploy a powerful Underworld, and any being within a certain range is unconditionally affected.

****

The more powerful a ghost story, the more dangerous it was, but the stronger the power gained upon vanquishing it.

With him, who had vanquished the most powerful confirmed ghost story, the Ruin-grade, there would be no problems today either.

Han Dojin thought so and returned to his duties.

****

As midnight drew near.

Bosingak was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Strong lights illuminated the plaza from all directions, and people everywhere were taking selfies and smiling brightly.

The city was boisterous, and the sound of people’s laughter filled the air.

‘If there are so many people and such bright energy here, even a ghost story won’t be able to do anything.’

As if proving that belief, nothing had happened so far.

Soon, only 5 minutes remained until the New Year.

The MC on the stage began to deliver a loud speech.

“Everyone! The New Year is almost here! Are you all ready?”

Loud cheers erupted from all directions.

“Excellent. You all remember that terrible incident half a year ago. On that day when the sky tore open and strange things burst out… they must have thought humanity would soon perish.”

“But we were not weak! Society did not crumble, and our daily lives did not crumble! And above all, our hearts, our beliefs! They never crumbled.”

The MC, showing even more excitement, began to shout confidently.

“We have found ways to cope, and now we can even eliminate them!”

“Everyone! I believe. I believe that we will triumph. That ghost stories cannot destroy our daily lives. Just as the darkest hour is right before dawn, I have no doubt that after these times pass, we will shine even brighter!!”

– Waaahhhhhh!!!

– We’re alive!!!!

As if resonating with the MC’s shouts, people cheered and yelled.

“Everyone! The New Year is almost upon us. Together, 3!”

At the same time, people began to shout in unison.

“3!!!”

“2!!!”

“1!!!”

Dong—

The bell of Bosingak rang, and the entire city cheered.

Some embraced their loved ones, while others set off firecrackers.

The voices of the people filled the night sky.

Nothing could disrupt this moment of joy. Everyone believed that.

However.

Kzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt—

At the sudden sound, people murmured.

“What is it? Are they setting off fireworks?”

“Wait, the sky… why is it like that?”

At first, they thought it was just a New Year’s event.

But that impression didn’t last long. The air felt heavy, pressing down.

– Riiiiip.

The sound of fabric tearing spread from somewhere.

Bang—!

Exploding lights. The lights illuminating the plaza shattered one after another. One, two, three… darkness slowly took over the space.

“Kyaak!”

“What!! What on earth is happening!!”

The crowd began to grow chaotic.

“…Look, look at that.”

Someone raised a hand and pointed to the sky above Bosingak.

There, a rift was visible in the air, emitting an alien aura.

A certain sensation scraped at people’s minds.

Instinctive fear.

People unconsciously held their breath, stepping back one by one.

Tap—

From within the black rift, tiny footsteps echoed as something descended.

No, the shadow of something was descending first.

Pitch-black darkness was etched into the center of the plaza.

As if settling onto a water surface, the black shadow slowly spread across the ground.

Only then did the owner of the shadow slowly descend from the sky.

A silhouette that still looked small and fragile.

That being was slowly descending from mid-air.

Pale silver hair and white skin.

Golden eyes that held light.

The appearance of a small girl, dressed in a black one-piece dress and standing barefoot.

Until the girl had fully descended, the surrounding air subtly wavered.

As if she didn’t fully exist within reality.

“What… a child?”

“What’s happening?”

People were still tense, but the murmuring seemed to have subsided slightly.

Although ghost stories had appeared occasionally recently, they had never shown up in such a public place, let alone in front of people.

Moreover, if it was such a small girl, it was even more unlikely.

The girl quietly raised her head and slowly opened her mouth.

“Where…?”

The girl’s voice echoed faintly.

“Where. are you…?”

She looked as if she was searching for something lost.

She seemed to be desperately searching, as if she had lost her mother, and hearing her words, people began to calm down.

Although she had appeared alongside a bizarre phenomenon, the being was in the form of a small girl.

Most importantly, if it were a powerful ghost story, an Underworld (冥界) would have manifested, but since nothing of the sort happened, they felt a little relieved.

People cautiously approached the girl. At first, the atmosphere was uneasy, but seeing her small stature, they gradually relaxed.

“Did you lose your mommy?”

A middle-aged woman carefully approached her and spoke. However, her footsteps echoed strangely.

Thump…

Thump…

In the quiet space, it echoed as if in an empty room.

Next, a man clutched his head in agony.

“…What is it? I suddenly feel dizzy…”

He had been perfectly fine just moments before, but it felt as if the air had suddenly become heavy.

He instantly felt a sense of unease.

People’s voices were subtly distorted.

All sounds spread slowly and echoed.

The girl still showed no reaction.

She merely gazed slowly at the plaza with an expression as if searching for something.

The young girl simply stared blankly at the approaching people, showing no movement.

“Is it a ghost story about a lost mother…?”

“No Underworld appeared, and there seem to be no rules, so isn’t it ‘Illusion Grade’?”

“Is that really it? Will it be okay…?”

People gradually began to feel relieved, and one by one, they approached the girl.

Illusion-grade ghost stories primarily instilled psychological fear, so in a situation with so many people, no one would easily feel fear.

It seemed like a ghost story that would disappear if they acted like they were helping her find her mother, so they began to step forward actively.

People were surrounding her, but the girl seemed not to care.

Only the expression of searching for something.

Eventually, a man who had approached closer began to speak.

“Hello, princess. What’s your name? It looks like you’ve lost your mommy, we’ll help you find her.”

The girl slowly raised her head and looked at him.

Her lips moved slightly.

“…Lost.”

Her voice echoed strangely, like an old music box.

“…Many.”

“What?”

“…Humans.”

Her golden eyes gleamed subtly.

– Thump.

The man instinctively clutched his chest.

“……Ugh!”

His heart felt as if it were being pressed down by an invisible force.

The moment he was about to scream,

– Splat!

The man’s body shattered into dust with a loud bang.

No blood or flesh remained. Only red dust scattered into the air.

People stared blankly at the sight. There was no time to even scream.

– Splat! – Splat! – Splat!

People consecutively exploded, and soon the red dust began to spread like a mist.

“……Aaaahhh!!”

Fear belatedly swept over the crowd.

“What, what!! What’s happening?!”

“Run!!!”

Screams erupted one after another, and people, panic-stricken, began to run in all directions.

Yet, amidst the chaos, the girl with gleaming golden eyes merely gazed calmly at the people.

“……Must find.”

And the moment she took a step.

– Boom!

Space warped, and a black wave spread out.

The ominous energy that spread in an instant swallowed the entire city.

And before everyone’s eyes, red text appeared.

[Ruin Grade Ghost Story [The Collector] begins.]