Chapter 57
Hmm… but if things follow the original setting, does that mean I’ll also end up being a well‑balanced person?
I got spirit‑sight from Millie—the ability to distinguish ghosts from people. I can even gauge how dangerous a ghost is.
Honestly? Pretty awesome!
I still have no idea why I can see that red smoke around Dan Seo‑hyuk, though.
Maybe, since he used his <Partnership> ability, traces of it linger and connect him to evil spirits? Who knows.
I’ll figure it out slowly.
In the original story, the key episodes that gave information about the parents were the escape‑room ghost episode, and then the city urban‑legend community ghost who gave a method to approach the human‑trafficking ghost.
But trusting that ghost completely makes me uneasy.
Well, thanks to him I did get to meet good ghosts like the Quick‑Service ghost…
But after suffering through that escape‑room game, I’m not convinced what he suggested was really the best method.
And because of that ghost I ended up going to Eden Villa… and got tangled up with the keyring’s previous owner too!
Maybe that ghost only guides people to dangerous ghosts.
Ugh. Isn’t there another way?
Not the stalking legend, and I dropped the Dongshan Village case midway so I don’t know that one.
Hide‑and‑Seek Legend.
“…This one should be fine if Dan Seo‑hyuk meets it.”
From what I vaguely remember, when Seo‑hyuk met the child ghost, he played hide‑and‑seek for as long as the ghost wanted.
An entire night.
Well, he didn’t get hurt or anything, so compared to others, it’s a light episode.
And the reason I want to recommend this episode to him is simple:
Among all the ghosts Seo‑hyuk formed <Partnerships> with, this one had the simplest demand.
All he had to do was play hide‑and‑seek for one night.
The reward was the ability to completely erase his presence—hide himself so perfectly that no one could find him, ghost or human—for a whole day.
Crazy power for such a cheap price.
Seo‑hyuk used that ability pretty effectively until mid‑story, if I remember correctly.
Seo‑hyuk, do you know how much this nuna is thinking for you? Haa…
Anyway, the early‑story episodes don’t really help with finding missing people.
I should give him a useful ability and then look for another way.
But how do I convince Seo‑hyuk to go with me?
Also… where was the place where you meet the Hide‑and‑Seek ghost? An old building’s basement?
“Hhmmmm…”
[Why are you sighing?]
While groaning in frustration, Millie asked.
He was staring holes into my notepad, but there wasn’t anything specific written there anyway.
Unless you’re Seo‑hyuk, it’s harmless.
[Hide‑and‑seek ghost?
You mean the little rascal in Eden Villa’s basement?]
“…Sorry, where?”
[Eden Villa.]
Way too familiar a name.
Why is that coming up again?
[You’ve been there before.]
“How do you know that? That was before we met. Wait—don’t tell me…”
I rubbed my arms as goosebumps rose. Just how long has he been watching me?
Millie’s expression showed “Are you stupid?” for the first time.
[I did watch you, but not like that.]
That tone… so cold…
“Anyway, how did you know the hide‑and‑seek ghost was there?”
[When you went to Eden Villa, I felt a presence down there.]
“Ohh… Are there other ghosts besides the elevator one?”
[Not that many.
If you go now, you’ll probably sense it yourself.]
Ah, right. I have spirit‑sight now.
I could separate ghosts from humans by their smoke even in the ocean, so buildings should be similar.
Eden Villa…
Ugh, I REALLY don’t want to go back there.
Last time I only escaped the elevator ghost because of insane luck. What about next time?
And—
“There wasn’t even a staircase going down to the basement.”
There was just a barred‑off space that looked like storage.
Millie answered calmly:
[You have to use the elevator.]
…Excuse me?
You want me to use the elevator? In Eden Villa? Again?
Maybe I should just let Seo‑hyuk figure things out himself…
He’s the protagonist. He needs to grow on his own. If I help too much, how will he become strong?
Yes, yes. This is too much meddling. I’m not his guardian. No need to go that far.
Seo‑hyuk will be fine on his own.
I threw my phone aside and flopped onto my bed.
I tried recalling the next episode in Seo‑hyuk’s storyline.
Entertainment‑industry stalking ghost.
The scene where a jealous stalker ghost hid inside Seo‑hyuk’s home because she saw him talking to a female celebrity.
She had a kitchen knife.
She was going to kill him.
He survived only because he erased his presence using the hide‑and‑seek ghost’s power…
“AH, SERIOUSLY!!”
I shot up from the bed, the mattress bouncing.
“Dan Seo‑hyuk is going to make me die of stress!”
[I think it’s mutual.]
“Millie, shut up! You don’t know my suffering!”
[You’ve finally gotten comfortable yelling at me, I see.]
Whatever.
I pouted and grabbed my phone again. Before I could change my mind, I had to tell Seo‑hyuk.
Ring—ring—
He picked up not long after.
–Hello?
“What are you doing?”
–Lying down.
Wow. Straight to the point.
I sighed hard. He clicked his tongue.
–What? You called me, remember?
“Dan Seo‑hyuk.”
–What.
“There’s somewhere I need to go. Come with me?”
–Why would I?
Oh heavens. Why did God give this guy such a terrible attitude?
It’s not like I ask you for favors often! You could at least ask why!
Deep breath. Calm. Patience wins.
“Millie said there’s a hide‑and‑seek ghost in Eden Villa’s basement.”
I feel someone staring daggers into the back of my head.
Millie, of course.
I pretended not to notice and waited for Seo‑hyuk’s answer.
–…And?
After a short silence, he asked:
“If you play hide‑and‑seek with it, you might get a gift! Something that could help you find your family!”
Even I could hear how desperate I sounded.
Millie looked at me like, When did I ever say that?
Sorry, Millie. Please pretend not to notice.
–A gift? As if a ghost would give something like that. Don’t bother.
“Hey! Has Millie ever hurt us?”
–He’s still a ghost.
“He’s a nice ghost! He’s green!”
–What kind of nonsense is that? Peanut, stop sleep‑talking and go to bed.
“It’s true! And honestly, I’m scared to go alone. Come with me. Please? It’s not like I can call Chaesong or Yeonho.”
–Why not them but me?
“You’ve been to Eden Villa before…?”
**–And that’s why I know it’s a horrible place.”
Damn, this guy is impossible to persuade.
Maybe I should just “accidentally” drag him near Eden Villa later?
I sighed and sprawled on the bed again. I tried my best. It counts.
“Well, if it’s impossible then whatever.”
Honestly, taking the elevator was terrifying anyway.
Now that I’ve given up, I feel relieved.
Just as I was about to hang up—
–If you want to go, then go.
Why is he suddenly changing his mind?
“…Huh? You said you didn’t want to go.”
–Even if I said no, you’d go alone.
What does he take me for? Why would I do something that crazy?
…Yeah, okay, I did run into an escape‑room ghost alone once.
I can’t deny it.
–Better to follow you there than get stressed later.
“…Are you my guardian or something?”
–Judging by your mental age, maybe yes.
“Wow. Rude.”
–And that so‑called gift won’t mean anything to you anyway.
To me?
Don’t tell me… he already knows something? Or he already got the ability in a previous loop?
If that’s the case, then maybe this was pointless—but it’s too late to take it back!
–Come outside.
Ugh. Overly assertive men are not my type.
“…Fine…”
In the end, I didn’t even get proper rest. I dug my own grave.
Why did I care about Seo‑hyuk’s well‑being again? Ugh.
I changed clothes while sighing endlessly, choosing comfy pants and sneakers for easier ghost‑dodging.
My life is so sad.
