episode_0019

The next day.

I continued attending lectures at Cheonjihae.

Fortunately, this time’s classes were things like “Ghost Stories History” and “Character Education,” so nothing particularly eye-catching happened like before.

‘I’m pretty confident with theory classes like this.’

Actually, I think I paid more attention to these.

It’s genuinely fun to learn about worldviews I didn’t know before.

‘I may not be skilled, but I should at least score points in theory and sincerity.’

Since it’s not my main class, I can’t ignore it.

Any class that fails could, without mercy, get you expelled.

While waiting in the classroom for the next lecture, I overheard a conversation from one side.

“Can I really go too?”

“Of course! My mother personally approved the invitation, so relax about it.”

“Wow… Yuhyunhwa’s company is famous not just in Korea but worldwide as a barrier company.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. Well, last year’s sales were the top overseas.”

“Not even in Korea, but abroad! We’re so lucky to be classmates with Yuhyunhwa.”

One of the main characters from the original work.

Barrier master Yu Yuhyunhwa was chatting with her clique.

‘So, I’m in the same class as her this time.’

Yuhyunhwa is the daughter of a CEO of a large corporation specializing in barriers.

Basically, a second-generation chaebol, or a modern-day aristocrat.

In a world where ghost stories are real, consumers who want barriers are overflowing.

Being number one in such a field—that needs no explanation.

As the only daughter of such a company, Yuhyunhwa herself is also skilled at creating barriers.

‘Well, that’s a different story from me.’

Why would a second-generation chaebol get involved with someone like me?

I had no intention of becoming close in the first place, so I could just ignore them like a chicken watching a duck.

[Haha! Look over there.]

[Is that the valedictorian? Seems kind of average. I can tell.]

[Don’t judge people just by appearance. That’s a bad thing.]

Suddenly, another voice came from above my head.

Curious, I looked up, and there were three tiny ghost children staring down at me.

‘…Why is the ghost of the chairman here again?’

I wondered why ghosts would be at a demonic extermination giant’s company.

But these ghosts are an exception.

They’re the children under the care of Chairman Cheonjihae himself.

‘They’re not bad kids, so I guess I can just leave them be.’

It looks like they came to watch me, the valedictorian.

It seems I’m the only one hearing voices within this classroom.

[Look! Look! Sitting alone at the desk all lonely! It’s so funny!]

[Clearly doesn’t have any friends. I can tell.]

[Don’t tease him, though. He’s probably sad because he has no friends.]

…But these ghosts.

They talk too much.

And they even sneak in some personal attacks!

[Wait! His eyes just twitched! We’re not visible to him!]

[No way. There’s no way we can be seen. I know that.]

[What if he attacks us? Scary!]

[Hey, hey! We’re invisible~ Look over here~ You pathetic loser! Dumbass~ Erelrel~]

[Hmm, seeing as he doesn’t react at all, he must truly be a loser and an idiot. I can tell.]

[How could he call himself a loser? He’s an unfortunate human. I think he deserves sympathy.]

“Ugh, shut up! Be quiet!”

That damned loser, loser, loser!

Readers might comment asking if I’m really a loser!

It was so distracting that I unintentionally shouted.

Then silence fell in the classroom.

‘…Huh?’

Looking around, everyone was staring at me.

Especially Yuhyunhwa looked at me and laughed as if surprised.

“Huh. Did you really just say that to me?”

I quickly figured out the situation.

The others couldn’t see these ghosts.

So, it seemed Yuhyunhwa thought they were talking about her.

‘…This is bad.’

A second-generation chaebol, originally the top student.

I ended up picking a fight with the most annoying person.

“No wonder you hang out with Cheok Jiyeon. You seem close enough to support her.”

Were you talking about Cheok Jiyeon?

I didn’t hear anything.

“…It’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t talking about you.”

“Then who were you talking to? The only people here are us.”

Yuhyunhwa asked sarcastically.

Yeah, even I think it sounds like nonsense.

Even earlier, the ghosts were so startled they ran away.

They probably hurried back to the chairman.

Being involved with ghosts only brings trouble.

“…You probably don’t understand. Cheok Jiyeon is not an ordinary person.”

Yuhyunhwa casually sat in front of me.

“The famous Cheok family went extinct after one successor became obsessed with swords. That girl can’t be trusted to not end up that way either. Do you really think it’s rational that someone like her walks around Cheonjihae?”

Wow, she’s more logical than I expected.

Cheok Jiyeon’s downfall has long been a hot topic and problem even in the original story.

“We’ve been worried and looking for countermeasures about that. And you call that ridiculous?”

“No, honestly, it’s none of my business.”

I wasn’t talking to you just now.

Do whatever you want, gossip all you like.

Cheok Jiyeon isn’t the type to care about such things anyway.

“…That’s interesting. I don’t care whether you have that kind of past or not, I’m not interested. That’s some great friendship.”

But something feels off.

I clearly said I didn’t care, yet Yuhyunhwa misunderstand that I’m on Cheok Jiyeon’s side.

“Did you really like that girl? What’s so great about her? That cold girl?”

“That’s not it.”

“Huh! You say you’re just friends, pure and innocent? Well, I don’t dislike that kind of romance either.”

Yuhyunhwa nodded as she spoke.

Am I just imagining that our stories are getting mixed up?

‘Who am I making into the hero of a romantic novel…’

Sorry, but I’m already a hardened adult in this world.

I’ve grown way too jaded to care about friendship, love, or romance.

“Not to be rude, but I actually am interested in you.”

“Me…?”

“The valedictorian of Cheonjihae. The talent the team leaders marked from the very first class. Do I need any more reasons?”

Yuhyunhwa looked straight at me.

As the main character, she’s undeniably pretty.

Not as much as my younger sister, though.

“This is also fate, so I’ll make a proper offer. I’ll accept you into my faction. Stick with us, and leave that girl behind.”

“No, I don’t want to.”

“Hah!”

My refusal made someone giggle from the corner.

Yuhyunhwa’s face flushed bright red.

She, having suppressed her angry glare with her eyes, turned her head again.

“S-So, you’re rejecting my proposal?”

“I have no intention of joining any faction.”

Yuhyunhwa knows I’m making my own faction.

That’s also the reason a second-generation chaebol enters Cheonjihae.

‘But why is everyone… no, even the trainees, acting like factions are everything.’

Of course, even trainees sticking together can be helpful.

Sharing information, pooling resources.

But for someone like me hiding things, it’s even more dangerous.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.”

“Can’t do that! If I do, it looks like I got rejected by you!”

“Why get so dramatic about it.”

Sigh!

Yuhyunhwa’s face twisted in exasperation.

I get it, her pride was hurt.

Even walking past people in the hallway looked at her like she lost face.

‘Why’s she going this far just for me?’

And I certainly can’t accept a lose-lose gamble that’s obvious I’d lose.

While I was pondering how to resolve this smoothly, a boy suddenly spoke.

“Looks like an interesting story’s coming up.”

He had joined us out of nowhere.

Though it seems trivial, this is actually a big deal.

Even among the trainees, those present are all exorcists.

Sneaking in here without any sound—that’s impressive.

…But that’s not what matters right now.

The more important thing was this boy’s identity.

“Ch-Chairman?”

At first glance, he looked like a boy in elementary school.

A typical childhood superhero—this astonishing opponent was actually the chairman of the ultra-powerful exorcist conglomerate Cheonjihae.

“Ah, don’t mind me. I just came because I had some business.”

The chairman appearing in front of a trainee—who wouldn’t care?

‘Why is the chairman even here…’

Suddenly, I saw the ghosts hiding behind the chairman’s head earlier.

So they ratted me out!

“Anyway, it’s interesting how the trainees are sharing such stories these days. I find it quite amusing.”

The chairman chuckled softly.

“Wouldn’t it be fair for me to act as the judge of that bet? Why don’t we settle it properly?”

…I couldn’t say a word in response to the chairman’s suggestion.

Is there anyone brave enough, even as a new employee, to refuse the chairman’s proposal face-to-face?

First of all, I was not.