Chapter 92…
I Got a Report
I tidied up the place and brought Gamdong outside.
I’d used the excuse of “seeing him off” just to step out together.
And the truth was, I really was busy.
“Man… I’m sorry, hyung.”
“Forget it. As long as we didn’t get caught, that’s what matters.”
“But… are you sure sending it off like this is the right thing?”
“…In my experience, yes.”
“Right.”
We walked slowly, letting the wind brush over us.
“Well, then I’ll just have to do my best. When’s the report being filed?”
“In a few days.”
“Got it. Please let me know before then so I can see it one more time.”
“Sure.”
Even as Gamdong waved and walked back to the studio, he kept turning to look back toward the house.
Even though he’d only seen indirectly through me, it looked like he’d grown quite attached.
Last time too, when I said I’d help it move on, he asked if that was really necessary.
The more I see him, the more I realize—he’s soft-hearted.
Maybe that’s why his name is Gamdong (“emotion/moved”).
As Gamdong walked away, Jo Yeonju watched with a faint smile and whispered:
[Looks like I really am going to pass on.]
At first, she hadn’t realized.
But recently, Gamdong had been speaking to her more often.
He even nagged Woosu-han into feeding her something—it just felt nice.
It felt like she’d finally been accepted as part of this household.
But little by little, she noticed something different in their eyes whenever they saw her.
They asked what she’d like to eat next time, or what she most wanted to do while alive.
At that point, it was impossible not to notice.
After all, wasn’t she a ghost?
Once, when Gamdong came home drunk, Yeonju overheard him asking Suhan if he really had to send her away.
That’s when she knew—they were preparing to let her move on.
Of course, she understood why.
Suhan had patiently explained it to the drunken Gamdong that night.
Even if he hadn’t, she already knew what happens to old spirits over time.
The ghosts who’d once kept her company had eventually stopped recognizing her.
Later, they’d become hazy, like mist, drifting about muttering the same words over and over.
That terrified her.
That’s what happens when a ghost lingers too long.
Suhan must have known that too.
That’s why he wanted to send her off with a smile, while she was still herself.
She was grateful for that, but also resentful, because she didn’t want to lose these precious moments.
[Still… I guess I have to go, right?]
Whatever method they’d found to let her move on, they’d been busy preparing it, even in the middle of filming.
So she thought, if I have to go, I want to leave happily.
Things she hadn’t done.
Things she’d wanted to do.
She began to think of them one by one.
She couldn’t use her hands and feet, but she wanted to try them, little by little, before leaving.
[First, I’ll say we should go to an amusement park. Heehee!]
It was sad, but also exciting.
She even wondered, what if I pass on right there, because I’m too happy?
But she thought—even that wouldn’t be so bad.
CEO Jang Sang-su listened to Chief Gu Bong-han’s report and threw out a question:
“Nothing we missed?”
“No, sir. I’ve been treating them well, so maybe they’re starting to expect I’ll handle everything for them.”
“You really think so?”
“…Sorry.”
Jang clicked his tongue at Gu’s useless chatter.
“They haven’t caught on, right?”
“No, definitely not. Even now, Actor Woo greets me with ‘hyung, hyung’ whenever he sees me.”
“Hm.”
If what Gu said was true, good.
But if not, it could be a real disaster.
The thing Jang hated most in life was being betrayed.
He’d spent his whole career stabbing others in the back whenever the chance arose, so the idea of being on the receiving end disgusted him even more.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
“Why is this guy calling me out of nowhere….”
Jang’s face stiffened as he picked up.
“Oh, Chief Seo! How’s your health?”
–“Same as ever. But hey, did something happen?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Jang responded calmly, though the sudden question was unsettling.
–“This feels off.”
“What does? Just tell me straight.”
–“The Major Crimes Division is digging up old case files.”
“Major Crimes? What old files?”
–“You know, those missing person cases. The ones your Chief Gu was called in for questioning back then.”
“Ah… right, that. But is that a problem now?”
A sharp twinge shot through Jang’s neck. He sensed danger.
But he kept his voice steady.
–“Well… unless they found new evidence, a simple re-investigation won’t mean much. But maybe they did?”
“Then that’d be fine. Back then, the victims’ families made a huge fuss, demanding we uncover things we knew nothing about. Honestly, some of them even caused our company financial damage when they disappeared.”
–“Right? If that’s all, then it’s nothing. I just thought I’d warn you, since it looks like some powerful group might be pushing for this behind the scenes.”
“Is that so?”
–“Anyway, if it’s unrelated, then you’re in the clear.”
The words grated on Jang.
Maybe it was just a shakedown for cash.
But his gut said otherwise.
“I’ll have Chief Gu pay you a visit soon.”
–“Oh, no need for that. Take care.”
When the call ended, Gu carefully asked, seeing Jang’s grim face:
“Is something serious happening…?”
“Major Crimes is digging up old matters….”
“Old matters? What old matters?”
Jang didn’t answer. He just sank into thought.
Then, something occurred to him. He turned to Gu.
“That warehouse. Are we still managing it?”
“The warehouse? Oh, that one… yes, it’s still under control. We planned to naturally clear it when we redevelop the land.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling. Bring in the excavators. Tear it all up. Erase any traces that might still be there. If anyone asks, say we’re building… a training center for actors. No—keep it simple. Just build it.”
“A training center? There?”
Gu was startled.
Jang wasn’t just cleaning up—he was going for perfection.
This wasn’t like him.
“Yeah! Something like an action school. Makes sense, right?”
“Understood.”
“If you find any traces, mix them into the concrete when pouring the foundation. That way they’ll disappear. Bones are just powder anyway—won’t even smell.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching Jang ramble in agitation, Gu realized things had taken a very serious turn.
This was nothing like his usual calm demeanor.
“Move fast! Send our men there first!”
“Yes!”
The henchmen, disguised as outside contractors, moved quickly with heavy machinery after Gu’s call.
They often made extra money by subcontracting or renting equipment, so mobilizing quickly wasn’t difficult.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“No clue. Nothing serious, right?”
“Come on, would anything bad really happen? You know what kind of man the boss is.”
Despite their confusion, they trusted CEO Jang.
But when they arrived near the abandoned factory, they froze.
“What the hell?”
“Why are the police here?”
As they stopped, a police officer with a light baton approached.
“What do we do?”
“Just stay calm.”
They rolled down the window and asked:
“What’s the matter, officer?”
“Got a report. Where are you all headed?”
“Uh, well…”
They tried to dodge the question, but the officer pressed more firmly.
“Where exactly are you going?”
The man replied as evenly as he could:
“We… have construction work here. Why? Is that a problem?”
“No.”
“Then what happened?”
“Someone reported that national treasures were hidden here. Along with drugs.”
“What? Here, in this wasteland? What kind of combo is that—treasures and drugs?”
“Beats me.”
Both sides looked baffled as they spoke.
“Well, anyway. Drive safe.”
Once the officer left, the men sighed in relief.
National treasures and drugs had nothing to do with them.
They continued driving casually, but their faces soon hardened.
As they neared the factory entrance, they saw police cars parked in the lot.
Not only that—
Officers were clearing away scrap piles and digging into the ground with shovels.
“Son of a…”
“What do we do?”
“Just keep going. Pass through.”
They drove past, stiff with fear.
“Call the chief! Now!”
“Who the hell made a report like this…?”
They cursed, but their faces showed only worry as they left the site.
Gu Bong-han answered the phone, flustered.
“What? So you just passed by?”
His voice was loud enough that CEO Jang motioned him inside.
“What the hell is this about national treasures and drugs? Does that even make sense?!”
“What’s going on?” Jang asked, frowning deeply.
Gu hesitated, then explained:
“Our men went to the site, but the police were already there.”
“What? Without any notice?”
The factory was private property.
The surrounding land too.
Normally, the owner would be notified if cooperation was needed. But nothing like that happened.
“They said they got an emergency report. Unrelated to us. But the thing is…”
“You mean the part about national treasures and drugs?”
“Yes. And the digging site… it just happens to be right there…”
He trailed off, but Jang understood.
“Damn it…”
A curse slipped out.
If this was aimed at him, then the police had illegally searched private property without a warrant.
But the spot was tricky—it wasn’t the factory building itself, just a scrap-littered lot.
That still should’ve required procedure… but….
“What should we do, hyung?”
Gu was nervous enough to drop formalities.
“Don’t act rashly. I’ll make some calls…”
But this was tricky too.
Anyone could see the police were just digging through a junk lot.
If they openly tried to block it, it would only raise suspicion.
But if something really did get found… that’d be a nightmare.
He remembered—some remains hadn’t fully burned. They’d just dumped them there.
“Anyway, it’s outside, not inside. Act like we don’t know anything. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“There won’t be anything, I’m sure.”
Just then, Jang’s phone rang again.
Seeing the number, his face twisted in disgust.
