episode_0179

“Umm… None…”

I looked at my phone, disappointed that I couldn’t see the red dot anymore.

I was tempted to go to other areas, but it was getting late and I was hungry, so I decided not to go.

Clearing the last quest and hunting ghost stories this time have helped me become stronger in many ways.

First of all, I reached the max level of the weapon skill that helped me the most, and I also reached the max level of strength and stamina.

Since both strength and stamina have reached max level, a skill called Strong Body has also been acquired.

It didn’t feel that good, but I felt like my body had become a bit stronger.

There will come a time when you will see the real effects.

In addition to that, absorbing ghost stories and converting them into internal energy was also of great help.

Right now, I felt like I could easily last a few hours with my entire body filled with internal energy.

It was a sudden growth, but I didn’t really feel it.

Is it because I don’t fight with a sword?

Let’s take a break…”

I decided to buy some light snacks at a convenience store, eat at a nearby hotel or motel, and then sleep.

“It’s 90,000 won.”

“…Huh?”

I felt like I was going to spend quite a bit of money at the convenience store.

I didn’t buy much.

However, today I bought things that I don’t usually buy.

Things like Häagen-Dazs, expensive chocolates, and liquor.

I don’t usually eat ice cream and I avoid alcohol, but I thought it would be a new experience and spent the money.

It’s only 90 thousand won.

Why does it feel so expensive when it costs 90,000 won at the convenience store?

I also couldn’t understand why they spent tens of millions of won on furniture and did this.

“Guest?”

“Ah, here it is.”

I handed over my money and was handed a plastic bag.

“Just look at the taste.”

I made a pointless threat to the things I bought and booked a hotel nearby.

It is said that this hotel is usually fully booked and cannot be reserved even through hotel reservation apps.

However, due to an emergency disaster text message that a ghost story had appeared in Jongno-gu, all the guests ran away from the hotel, even though it was located slightly outside of Jongno-gu, and the rooms were empty.

Even though I booked a regular room, my room was upgraded several levels.

In conclusion, I got the second best room in the hotel.

From the soft bed to the spacious room, the luxurious atmosphere and interior.

The quality was not bad for the price.

It’s not bad, but-

“The Ghost Story Hotel is better.”

I ended up saying something rude to the hotel.

That’s not to say that this hotel was bad.

I just liked the bedding and atmosphere of the Ghost Story Hotel, which was very comfortable.

Perhaps even that is so comfortable that it tempts the person who enters the ghost story.

Because I felt like if I didn’t escape within a day, something would happen.

If you give in to the temptation of the bedding and fall asleep, you’ll be in big trouble.

“…It looks edible.”

The expensive chocolate I absentmindedly took out and ate while thinking of random things was edible.

I don’t know if it’s worth the price, but it looked good enough to give as a gift.

Haagen-Dazs was also pretty good, and the liquor was-

“Ugh.”

It wasn’t spicy, but my mouth felt hot.

No, it wasn’t just the mouth that was the problem.

As I swallowed it quickly, it felt like every place the liquor passed by was burning hot.

It was tasteless, but it was a strange sensation.

And for the first time since I became like this, I felt a little drunk.

“It doesn’t taste good…”

I was saving little by little because I was worried about wasting money.

Chocolate and Haagen-Dazs are so sweet that I find myself looking for a spicy drink.

Of course, every time I drank, I regretted not buying just a drink, or at least water.

And –

When I came to my senses, it was morning.

***

Woohoo, woohoo

I opened my eyes to a loud vibration.

I was surprised to find myself opening my eyes.

Because I don’t remember ever falling asleep in my memory.

“Hoo…”

As I exhaled, I felt the hot air escape my lungs.

The distinctive, rich aroma of alcohol instantly entered my mouth.

Even with this body, I still felt drunk after downing a bottle of soju straight.

I drank a little too quickly.

Feeling a slight hangover, my head started to throbbing and I looked for the source of the vibration.

My phone was vibrating miserably and jangling on the table.

“Eww…sha…”

He got out of bed, making a noise that older men might make.

On the phone, a call from Yi-Hwan was visible.

“Hello?”

“Yes, Seonghan, is it okay for you to talk?”

Although Lee Hwan’s voice rang in my head a little, I was able to make a phone call, so I answered that it was possible.

“If you have time today, would it be okay if you came to the Ghost Story Management Headquarters? Is that okay?”

The contract I had written was processed quickly, so it seemed I could officially register as an exorcist starting today if I wanted to.

“Sup… Yes, then I’ll try to go today.”

Although my current condition was not very good, I thought it would be possible to stop by for a bit and register as an exorcist.

“Yes, and actually, I have a personal favor to ask you… Is that okay?”

Lee Hwan’s voice, seemingly hesitant, could be heard over the phone.

It’s a personal request.

How can I help you?

There’s no way you’d ask me, who’s not a formal exorcist yet, to exorcise ghost stories…

“You know that exorcists basically work in pairs, right?”

“Yes.”

I had a rough idea of what it would be like after seeing Sophia and Lee Hwan.

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like you to form a team with a junior I know.”

“…Me?”

“Yes.”

I was a little skeptical.

Why me of all people?

I couldn’t contain my curiosity so I asked a question, and received a very simple answer.

“Because being an exorcist is a dangerous job.”

So, he wanted me to form a team with him.

Because I feel like my juniors will be safe if they stay by my side.

I was convinced by that.

“But I don’t know anything about the junior that Mr. Lee Hwan mentioned…”

“Actually, my junior is also going to the headquarters to register as an exorcist. How about meeting him then?”

Somehow, I felt confidence in Lee Hwan’s answer.

Once we met, he seemed confident that I would want to be on his team.

“Hmm… Then I will do that.”

“Yes! Then what time should I tell him to meet me?”

“Let’s do it around lunchtime. Around 12 o’clock.”

At first, I thought about refusing, but I felt that if I had to team up with people I didn’t know anyway, it wouldn’t be a problem to be indebted to Lee Hwan.

And seeing Lee Hwan’s confidence, I also wondered what kind of person he was.

People say that their sexual desire decreases when they get drunk, but why does it feel like mine is boiling over?

“But how do we recognize each other?”

“Uh… I guess I’ll come by bike.”

“…Okay, I understand.”

It was a bit of a poor explanation, but I thought he’d figure it out somehow, so I ended the call.

I’ll explain my appearance to my juniors too, so they might recognize me first.

I staggered over and picked up my clothes.

The time is 11 o’clock.

Since we had an appointment at 12 o’clock, I thought it would be okay to leave right away.

I walked out of the hotel and used an app on my phone to hail a taxi.

Maybe it was because I was in the middle of Seoul, but a taxi arrived right away after I called.

“…Hey, you must have had a lot to drink yesterday.”

I heard that story as soon as I got into the car.

“…Does it smell a lot?”

“Hehe, if I drive while carrying a guest, I’ll get caught for drunk driving~”

The taxi driver said this in a cheeky manner and rolled down the window.

I must have smelled quite strongly of alcohol, judging by the way I rolled down the windows even though the air conditioning was on.

As soon as I got off the plane, I stopped by a convenience store, bought some portable deodorant, and sprayed it on.

I hope this will get rid of the alcohol smell.

The Ghost Story Management Headquarters had tight security.

There was no comparison to the level of security of general companies or public institutions.

If I had to pick something similar, it would be immigration at the airport.

The process also included having my belongings checked with a metal detector.

“…passed.”

Of course there was nothing to worry about

Because things like weapons were in the inventory.

I have no intention of taking it out though.

As I passed through security, the female security guard holding the metal detector belatedly gasped and fanned her nose with her palm.

“…I still smell like alcohol…”

It seems that spraying so much deodorant wasn’t enough.

Maybe I sprayed too much deodorant?

If we assume the worst, what if the two smells mixed together badly?

I moved around, passing through security.

“Is this the office?”

“How did you come here?”

“I want to register as an exorcist…”

“What is your name?”

As soon as I entered the place that said “administrative office” and stated my name, things progressed quickly.

I wonder if he’s originally quick to work or if he wants to get rid of me quickly.

The woman’s hand moved quickly.

“You are done, please come back in about 3 days.”

“Yes.”

Thanks to that, I had some time left.

“There’s still some time left until our appointment time.”

I sat on the bench in front of the Ghost Story Management Headquarters.

If I had known it would end this quickly, I would have made the appointment earlier.

“Should I contact you now…?”

At that moment, a loud noise was heard from afar.

Woohoo!

It was an engine sound that made my heart race just by hearing it.

With a loud noise, a motorcycle entered the parking lot.

A motorcycle slowly approached the parking space in front of me and stopped.

Rather than saying I came here on purpose, it seemed like I just happened to have an empty parking spot in front of me.

The motorcyclist took off his helmet, his long hair flowing down.

“…”

“…”

And then our eyes met briefly.

Did he feel my gaze?

I felt a little embarrassed when our eyes met, so I nodded my head in greeting. The other person nodded their head in greeting as well.

Then the woman muttered quietly.

“Ugh… the smell of alcohol…”

It was a small voice, but my hearing was able to hear it.

“Hoo…”

The first impression seemed to have been quite bad.