episode_0004

“Ugh, I’m dead tired~”

I threw myself onto the bed as soon as I got home.

Going out after so long had been nothing short of a disaster.

Who would’ve thought I’d run into the Red Mask on the bus?

‘I almost missed the exam because I was late.’

At least they let me in with some leniency, so that was a relief.

If I’d gone through all that trouble and still failed the exam?

I might’ve turned into a vengeful ghost out of sheer frustration.

“Luckily, the exam went okay.”

Even in that rush, my written answers turned out decent.

I’d probably score well overall, at least.

‘I won’t know for sure until the results come out, but I doubt I’ll fail.’

Still, I couldn’t relax completely.

The core of the Cheonjihae entrance exam was the practical test.

‘Some even say the written exam is just to weed out those who’d die in the practical.’

Cheonjihae’s practical involved subduing actual urban legends.

Most were just minor spirits, but…

To an ordinary person, even that was a disaster.

“Even if I pass the written, the practical’s gonna be the real problem.”

For me, this was the real hurdle.

The key was figuring out how to handle this practical test.

At least now, I wasn’t completely in the dark like before.

‘Just what is this ability?’

The power that saved me from the Red Mask when I was about to die.

All thanks to the sudden awakening of my instant-death skill.

Name: Instant Death

Effect: Once per day, instantly kills a target of your choice.

A straightforward ability with a simple name and effect.

I could ‘instantly kill’ any target I chose.

‘It’s definitely an incredible power…’

Enough for a powerless guy like me to take down a horror like the Red Mask in one shot.

And if there were no restrictions on the target…

Calling it just a cheat skill would be an understatement.

‘Well… not like this alone makes me some overpowered monster.’

As strong as it was, its limits were clear.

I could only use it once per day.

Meaning, if I used it to take down a horror, I’d be powerless until the next day.

‘If another one attacks right after I kill a small fry, that’s game over.’

I wish I were at least an average exorcist.

Then I could handle minor spirits with normal skills.

And save Instant Death for the really strong ones.

But right now, I had zero spiritual power.

It was like giving a level 1 character an ultimate skill with a 1440-minute cooldown.

‘Is this the tragedy of a character who can’t even be an extra?!’

Could I really pass Cheonjihae’s exam with just Instant Death?

Honestly, it didn’t seem easy.

If I killed one monster, I’d be defenseless.

“Ugh! Overthinking won’t help. I should focus on what I can do.”

If I hadn’t gone out this time, I’d never have gotten this ability.

Nothing changes unless you take action.

“Alright. So, what can I do first…?”

Just as I resolved to diligently prepare for the practical—

“Oppaaaaa!”

A voice loud enough to shake the house.

A series of thuds later, the door burst open.

“Huff! Huff! Are you okay? Alive? You’re alive, right?”

“Uh… yeah, I’m back.”

My little sister, Chaeyoung, panted as she rushed toward me.

She grabbed my cheeks and pulled.

“Little sis… that hurts…”

“…If it hurts, then you’re not a hallucination.”

“Why’d you have to confirm that by pulling my cheeks?!”

Chaeyoung let go.

Then, with a sigh of relief, she plopped down on the floor.

“Thank goodness. You’re not hurt…”

“I just went to take an exam. Why were you so worried?”

“How can you say that like it’s nothing?! Are you sane?! Are you not?!”

The sister who’d been worried about me just moments ago suddenly turned into a demon.

“The news said the Red Mask appeared on the bus you took! And that a male passenger died! Do you know how scared I was?!”

“Ah…”

So the incident made the news.

I’d been too focused on the exam to notice.

“And why was your phone off?! I couldn’t call you—I thought my heart would stop!”

“…Sorry. I turned it off for the exam and forgot.”

Now that I heard it, I was the worst.

In situations like this, groveling was the only way to survive.

“I’m really sorry. I was so out of it that I didn’t think.”

“Ugh! Whatever. At least you’re alive.”

Her eyes were glistening—she must’ve been genuinely worried.

If my only family got caught in an accident and I couldn’t reach them, I’d panic too.

“But what even happened in there? I thought the talisman I gave you might’ve caused more trouble.”

“Umm…”

Chaeyoung’s talisman had worked.

The Red Mask clearly hadn’t noticed me even when we made eye contact.

If I’d stayed still, I’d have been safe until the exorcists arrived.

‘…If I told her I threw it to save some kids, even Chaeyoung would try to kill me.’

And it probably cost a fortune, too.

If it worked on a B-class horror, she must’ve spent all her allowance on it.

“…I actually missed the bus and had to run, so I didn’t even know what happened.”

“Then the talisman?”

“I put it in my pocket, but I must’ve lost it.”

“Ugh~ I can’t with you. At least you didn’t get hurt.”

I decided on a white lie for my sister’s sake.

It definitely wasn’t because the sword at my waist was bothering me today.

“I’ll make sure to keep in touch next time.”

“…Whatever. It’s been a while since you went out, and you had a lot on your mind.”

She was letting it go just like that?

My little sister really was an adult now.

“How was the exam, though? Just taking Cheonjihae’s test is impressive.”

“Why are you assuming I already failed? I did okay.”

“Oh~ Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll probably pass the written.”

“……Hmm~”

Chaeyoung’s reaction was a bit odd.

Given her usual personality, I expected her to be happier than me.

“…That’s good. You worked hard, so let’s have chicken tonight.”

“Half spicy, half fried?”

“Obviously~”

The hunger I’d forgotten in the chaos suddenly hit me hard.

Alright. Tonight’s dinner is chicken!

“Ahhh~ Can’t resist chicken.”

Nam Chaeyoung quietly watched her brother devour the meal.

He was eating more enthusiastically than usual—he must’ve been starving.

‘Well, he did go through a tough exam.’

Cheonjihae’s written test was no joke.

If he was confident enough to say he’d pass…

‘He must’ve worked hard.’

I thought he was just holed up in his room all this time.

Turns out, he was studying in secret.

Maybe his chances of passing were higher than I thought.

‘…Tch. Does he even need to leave the house?’

He’d always stayed home, never going out.

While I was happy to see him being proactive…

Chaeyoung’s heart wasn’t entirely at ease.

‘He doesn’t have to get a job. I can take care of him for life.’

Though still a student, Chaeyoung was called a once-in-a-generation talent.

Even active exorcists couldn’t match her level.

She’d be recognized as a full-fledged exorcist right after graduation.

Some even said Cheonjihae would fast-track her.

She’d make plenty of money—supporting her brother would be nothing.

In fact, Chaeyoung had already planned out their entire life together.

‘But now he suddenly wants to work at a company—and Cheonjihae, of all places?’

She’d be graduating soon.

No more wasting time in that boring school.

As an exorcist, she’d earn enough to live comfortably.

And then she could live sweetly with her brother.

But she never expected him to make the first move.

‘Well, he is my brother, so he must have his reasons…’

But as his sister, she couldn’t help but worry.

Sure, exorcism was dangerous, but…

What if some vixen fell for him?

‘Ugh! If only he weren’t so handsome.’

Danger had a way of bringing men and women closer.

What if some sly fox tricked her naive brother and used him?

What if he mistook it for love and introduced her as his girlfriend?

Crack!

The chicken leg in Chaeyoung’s hand snapped.

“Ow, Chaeyoung. What’s wrong?”

“Hmph~ Nothing. The chicken’s just too good.”

She could not let that happen.

No way some random stray would steal her brother away.

‘In that case, I’ll graduate and join Cheonjihae as fast as possible!’

Even if he was her brother, he wouldn’t get a girlfriend in just a year.

She’d insist on working with him—Cheonjihae wouldn’t refuse someone of her caliber.

Then she’d just have to fend off any girls who clung to him.

‘No, wait. I’ll demand no women on his team—except me!’

Perfect. No problems then.

No—this was even better!

They wouldn’t just be together at home but at work too!

‘Now that I think about it, this is the best!’

Even now, being apart for school was torture.

If they worked together, they’d be side by side all the time.

Commuting, at the office, after work—always together!

One of the few joys in her otherwise dull life.

“Hehehe…”

“You seem happy after eating chicken?”

“It’s not that~ Oh, Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“Do your best on the exam! Fighting!”

For the dream-like life ahead!

…Of course, unlike Chaeyoung’s delusions,

her brother hadn’t even started the practical exam yet.