episode_0005

“Kehehe! So this is where Cheongeom lives?”

Past midnight on a dark night.

A man in black robes muttered as he looked down at a house.

Cheongeom (天劍)—the talent of the sword bestowed by the heavens.

This was the nickname given to Nam Chaeyoung, Nam Dohyun’s younger sister.

Some said the title was too grand for a mere student.

But even the exorcists who witnessed her talent had no choice but to acknowledge it.

That was truly a heaven-sent gift for the sword.

“However, talent too great can also invite calamity.”

The man was one who worked in the shadows, even among exorcists.

A being diametrically opposed to those who used spiritual power to protect people.

Those who wielded ghosts solely for their own selfish desires.

In truth, they were not called exorcists.

“Curse Masters” would be a more fitting term.

‘At such a young age, she already possesses such skill. The easiest way to kill a tiger is before it grows.’

The man’s purpose for coming here.

It was to kill the far-too-promising Nam Chaeyoung before she could fully blossom into an exorcist.

It was wise to uproot dangerous sprouts before they could take root.

“It’s a shame to waste such talent, but if left alone, that sword will surely cut us down. This is fate, so don’t resent me.”

As the man raised his hand, a sinister energy surged.

From the darkness emerged a calamity-level monster.

‘No matter how skilled an exorcist, they’d be helpless before this monster!’

“Ugh… I wanna get a job!”

Lying still on my bed, I muttered without thinking.

Now that exams were over, I had nothing to do.

Well, technically, I should be preparing for practicals, but…

I was too exhausted to do anything.

‘Too much has happened. I’m so tired.’

Since managing my condition was important, I decided to just rest today.

But now, I couldn’t even sleep at night because of anxiety.

“Tch. If I were a proper protagonist or something, I’d be hogging all the opportunities or training like crazy.”

Unfortunately, since the original was a horror game, finding opportunities was tough.

Everything was guarded by ghosts, monsters, and the like, so I’d have to risk my life just to get close.

Training wasn’t a great option either.

My ability was “Instant Death.”

It had a once-a-day limit, and since there was no room for growth, training wouldn’t make me stronger.

“Seriously, where’s the reincarnator’s privilege? By now, I should’ve powered up and gotten at least one heroine, right?”

Well, complaining wouldn’t change anything.

Just as I was about to look up self-defense videos online—

—Tap tap.

Suddenly, I heard a knocking at the window.

Turning my head, I saw a woman’s face.

‘…This is the third floor.’

Unless she had wires, there was no way she could be at that angle.

No, even without that, her pale face made it obvious—she was a ghost.

“Ugh! Coming to my house is cheating!”

I quickly checked the window.

Thankfully, it was properly locked.

I even closed the blinds.

After all, ghosts could only knock on closed doors—they couldn’t just enter—

[So you’re that girl’s older brother.]

Whoosh!

The ghost phased right through the window and entered.

‘…Seriously? Locked doors don’t stop you? That’s just unfair.’

Well, I guess ghosts passing through walls is a given.

I don’t know. This world’s ghosts are way too varied.

‘No wonder the official term for them is just “supernatural phenomena.”‘

It wasn’t just ghosts or monsters.

There were also anomalies where space or phenomena themselves twisted.

With so many types, they were collectively called “supernatural phenomena.”

Anyway, the problem was that one such phenomenon was now standing right in front of me.

No way this kimono-wearing, Eastern-style Santa Claus was here to give me presents.

[You’re more ordinary than I expected. Hard to believe you share the same blood.]

Before me stood a woman—no, a monster—with long white hair, wearing a kimono.

She muttered something incomprehensible while staring straight at me.

‘…This is bad. Really bad.’

For reference, most supernatural phenomena couldn’t speak.

Cases like the Red Mask from before, who could only utter restrictive phrases, were already rare.

If it could hold a conversation like this, it was a high-grade phenomenon.

‘Stronger than the Red Mask I saw earlier today.’

Even with my near-nonexistent spiritual perception, I could tell how powerful this thing was.

“…What brings you here?”

[Fufu! To think you’d dare question me. Are you that bold?]

The ghost let out a bone-chilling laugh.

Honestly, I wanted to run right then and there.

But turning your back on a ghost is a classic death flag.

Besides, this is my house—where would I even run?

[Your face is decent, so it’s a shame to kill you. But alas, for my plans, I can’t let you live.]

“Y-You’re going to kill me? Why…?”

I may not look like much, but I’ve lived a good life.

Hell, I even risked my life to save kids earlier today.

Even if I don’t get a “Brave Citizen Award,” at least I’m not the kind of person someone would kill out of spite!

[To be precise, killing you is just a step toward killing your sister.]

“…Chaeyoung?”

[Yes. In exchange for dozens of sacrifices, I must fulfill this contract…]

“That’s not happening.”

Before my brain could process it, my mouth moved on its own.

I glared straight at the ghost and spoke.

“If you’re after Chaeyoung, I won’t let you leave.”

She’s the one who calls me “oppa” despite my uselessness.

The kind of girl who’d spend all her allowance to buy me precious talismans.

And you think I’ll just stand by while you declare you’ll kill her in front of me?

At the very least, I won’t let you walk away until a blade is at my throat.

[Oh…]

The ghost’s mouth twisted grotesquely as it burst into laughter.

[Ohohohohohoho!]

“Ugh…!”

Just its laughter alone made my shoulders feel heavy.

Just how strong was it to exude this much pressure?

[How amusing! Truly amusing! To dare speak so arrogantly before me…!]

…Seems my words really pissed it off.

The already terrifying ghost’s face and head contorted even more hideously.

Earlier, it at least looked like a woman—now, it was more like a demonic hag.

[I am Osaka-behime, a great yokai of Japan! The mistress of Himeji Castle, a supreme being who rules the Japanese archipelago! And you, a mere human from this backwater, dare oppose me?!]

Sorry, but all that ranting means nothing to me.

I don’t know who you are.

I was too scared to look it up.

[How touching, this sibling love! Let’s see if you can still say that after I burn your limbs—]

“Die.”

Thud!

I couldn’t take it anymore—Instant Death activated.

Osaka… whatever. The Busan ghost crumpled to the ground.

You know Azumanga Daioh, right? If not, go buy it on Aladdin.

‘…I ended up using Instant Death.’

I wanted to save it for emergencies, but…

I used it not long after midnight.

“Well, at least it was past midnight, so I could use it.”

From what I heard, this was a seriously strong supernatural.

If I hadn’t used it now, both Chaeyoung and I would’ve died.

A waste, but this wasn’t something I could afford to hold back against.

‘…Now I have to wait until tomorrow to use it again. How am I supposed to go outside when it’s this scary?’

There were also other things I wanted to test.

Like the range of Instant Death.

Or what kind of beings it could kill.

‘Well, at least I learned something.’

First, Instant Death resets at midnight.

Meaning, once a “new day” begins, I can use it again.

‘In theory, I could use it at 11:59 PM and again one minute later. That’s important info.’

Also, it seems to work even on high-grade supernaturals.

Calling itself a “great yokai” means it wasn’t weak.

‘Ah, it’s gone.’

The ghost’s body dissipated like mist.

Seems Instant Death prevents the body from remaining.

‘May you be reborn as a boss monster in a world without Instant Death.’

I offered a silent prayer for the Busan ghost who appeared and died so suddenly.

With this, I’ve survived another night in this terrifying game.

“Th-This can’t be! This is impossible!”

The curse master who summoned Osaka-behime clutched his head and screamed.

He had prepared sacrifices to summon the great yokai just to kill Cheongeom.

Even the strongest exorcists would struggle against such a monstrosity!

And yet, it was defeated in a single strike!

This was something even a top-tier exorcist couldn’t achieve!

‘Wh-What the hell? Is he some kind of monster?!’

Had he messed with someone he shouldn’t have?

A cold sweat ran down his back.

…And in his panic, he made a fatal mistake.

“Hey, who the hell are you?”

“?!”

—Swoosh!

“Guh…!”

Nam Chaeyoung had closed the distance in an instant, swinging her sword.

The curse master tried to dodge, but it was too late.

The sharp blade cleaved through him, drawing blood.

‘Damn it…! To make such a mistake…!’

Normally, he wouldn’t have fallen for such a simple ambush.

But Osaka-behime’s death had left him too stunned, creating an opening.

‘Shit! This wound is bad…!’

One of his arms was cleanly severed.

A terrifyingly powerful slash.

She had swung with the intent to kill.

‘What kind of killing intent is this from a little girl’s body and sword…?’

She wasn’t even an adult yet, but the “ghostly aura” radiating from her was unbelievable even for an exorcist.

‘This is bad. Starting with such a severe injury, I can’t win like this…!’

In a straight fight, he might’ve stood a chance.

But losing his strongest asset, Osaka-behime, and suffering heavy injuries left him at a disadvantage.

To make matters worse, the sword seemed imbued with some strange power—his wounds weren’t healing properly.

“Hey. I asked you a question. Who are you? Why were you spying on my oppa? Are you a creep or something?”

Nam Chaeyoung glared at him with murderous eyes.

The curse master’s hands trembled as if facing a wild beast.

“Hehe! What if I told you the truth? Would you spare me?”

“No. You’d still die.”

The man chuckled bitterly as he felt the energy radiating from Chaeyoung.

His judgment that they needed to be killed early wasn’t wrong.

It was just that the siblings were already far beyond his expectations.

‘Both siblings are monsters. If the younger sister is this strong, it makes sense the older brother is too.’

He had heard the older brother was a shut-in with no talent for spiritual power.

‘What a load of crap!’

How could someone who one-shot a great yokai lack talent?

It was the opposite.

He must’ve been born with such overwhelming talent that he hid his true nature.

That level of ability would only invite disaster!

‘If I’d known the brother was this strong, I would’ve been more careful…!’

Targeting the brother first had been part of the plan.

Even the strongest exorcist would lose their cool if a loved one died.

Even if the opponent was a Cheongeom wielder, losing composure would make them vulnerable.

With Osaka-behime by his side, he thought victory was assured.

‘But from the start, the plan was ruined, and now I’m the one ambushed…!’

All because of that mysterious older brother.

Who would’ve thought he could overpower Osaka-behime so easily?

That was why the plan had gone awry from the very beginning.

‘Hiding his power under the shadow of his prodigious younger sister. What a terrifying mind for someone so young…!’

The real threat wasn’t the younger sister—it was the older brother.

And the price for his miscalculation was death.

“Heaven’s Severance. Sky Cleave.”

Nam Chaeyoung raised her sword.

It looked like a simple downward slash.

But the spiritual power condensed within it was pure and overwhelming.

“Guh…!”

The man desperately tried to block, but he knew it was futile.

He no longer had the strength to withstand such an attack.

“Nam Dohyun. If not for that monster, I wouldn’t have fallen so pathetically…!”

His final words never reached the ears of the sister swinging her sword with all her might.

In the next moment, Nam Chaeyoung’s blade lived up to its name—cleaving both the sky and the curse master in two.

The next morning.

“Oppa, nothing happened yesterday, right?”

As soon as morning came, Chaeyoung asked out of the blue.

Yesterday’s events?

“…Just some virgin ghost passing by, I guess.”

“Hmm… Really? I didn’t sense anything. Maybe it was too weak?”

It was probably something way more terrifying, but I didn’t say that.

No need to worry her over something already dealt with.

…Last time, she almost locked me up at home for being in danger.

“Sigh… I made sure to handle it thoroughly, but I’m still worried about curses or other tricks.”

My sister muttered something cryptic.

She’s training to be an exorcist, so she must deal with a lot at school too.

“Anyway, I slept well.”

“Yeah. I checked your room last night.”

‘…When?’

Did Chaeyoung come into my room?

I don’t remember sensing anything.

‘Must’ve been sleeping too deeply.’

It was a bit unsettling, but I let it slide.

“Then I’m off to school. Just in case, don’t leave the house today, okay? I made kimchi fried rice, so eat that.”

“Got it. Don’t worry and have a good day.”

I wasn’t planning to go out anyway.

I need to look into practical exam prep.

‘Chaeyoung really worries too much.’

Another peaceful morning began.