Chapter 72
Maybe it was because Eden Villa was close.
[We’ve arrived.]
We got there even faster than I expected. Dan Seohyeok must have wanted to get off as quickly as possible—he jumped off the motorcycle the instant it stopped.
The sudden movement made the bike wobble, and I staggered.
[Careful.]
If the quick-service ghost hadn’t grabbed my hand, I might have pitched forward.
“Thank you.”
Anyone who reaches out late can deal with the embarrassment themselves.
I shot Dan Seohyeok, who looked flustered, a sharp glare, then took the quick-service ghost’s hand and got off the motorcycle.
The helmet I’d been wearing vanished in an instant, and my field of vision cleared.
Standing before us was Eden Villa, looming with all its lights turned off.
I’ve been coming here more often than I thought.
It wasn’t exactly a welcome sight.
With a reluctant expression, I peered past the main entrance of the villa. The problematic elevator inside was also completely dark.
[Let’s go in.]
When I just stood there surveying the interior, the quick-service ghost spoke.
“We’re riding that? Ghosts show up there too… um…”
Calling him “you” might sound rude.
After hesitating, I came up with another way to address him.
“Quick Uncle, did you take the elevator down to the basement too?”
At my question, the quick-service ghost stared straight at me. It was a shame I couldn’t see his expression through the helmet visor.
[……]
[Please follow me.]
Looks like he had some kind of method.
Without hesitation, the quick-service ghost opened the villa door and went inside. I was about to follow when I remembered Dan Seohyeok and looked back.
For just a brief moment, I caught a flicker of hesitation on his face. He erased it quickly when our eyes met, though.
He’s scared too, even if he doesn’t show it.
Makes sense—we’d barely escaped Eden Villa before, and now we were stepping back inside.
“It’s okay.”
I said it while grabbing Dan Seohyeok’s wrist.
“We’re together again this time.”
We’ve escaped together twice already—why not a third time?
And we have the quick-service ghost too…
More than that, we have that safe green mist with us. Somehow it feels like Millie is with us too, which gives me strength!
Pulled along by me, Dan Seohyeok entered Eden Villa. I felt a gaze on the back of my head, but I didn’t pay it much mind.
We approached the quick-service ghost standing in front of the elevator. He pressed the button.
Soon, the elevator lights flickered, and we could see it coming down to the first floor.
Ding.
[First floor.]
The elevator doors opened. Inside, it was still packed with mannequin-like ghosts.
Memories from before rushed back, and fear clenched my gut. Reflexively, I hid behind the quick-service ghost’s back.
He glanced at me.
[Shall we get on?]
Ah—why are you letting me on first…?
I trudged onto the elevator, intending to cling right behind him. Because I’d hidden in fear, I’d let go of Dan Seohyeok’s wrist, but he soon followed me inside as well.
Lastly, the quick-service ghost boarded the elevator.
Shhrrk.
…Huh?
For some reason, the mannequin ghosts were slowly edging toward the corners.
…Almost as if they were avoiding the quick-service ghost.
Whether he noticed or not, the quick-service ghost took up the center of the elevator and stood there with perfect posture.
[Please press the down button.]
Ah, right.
As he said, I pressed the button beneath the first-floor button—the one with no number, just like last time. The elevator doors closed, and we began descending slowly.
Oh no—I should be holding my breath!
I realized too late, but something was strange. I was breathing normally, and unlike before, I didn’t feel that oppressive pressure.
Dan Seohyeok also seemed to find it odd, glancing around through the mirror.
Dan Seohyeok and I stood near the control panel. The quick-service ghost stood in the center.
Shhrrk.
And the mannequin ghosts were wedged into the corners, clearly trying not to touch him.
What is this situation?
Ding.
[Basement.]
[Please get off.]
As the elevator doors opened, the quick-service ghost gestured. I stepped out in a daze—and immediately came face-to-face with the hide-and-seek ghost, smiling brightly.
[Pretty unni!]
She hugged my waist and grinned. Though her complexion was a little pale, her expression was cheerful.
Her previous eerie look was gone. The face with eyes covered in white bandages felt more mystical than frightening now. Her once-filthy dress was clean as well.
Like with the keychain ghost—do ghosts’ appearances change depending on their state of mind?
It seemed that the stronger their resentment or malice, the more grotesque they looked.
I patted the hide-and-seek ghost’s head, wrapped in green mist. Then Dan Seohyeok got off, followed by the quick-service ghost.
[Unni, you’re the angel who sent my dad to me, right?!]
“So he really was your dad?”
[Yeah! How did you know? He kept looking for me!]
“He said he was searching for his daughter, and it felt like he meant you. It was just a hunch, but I’m glad I was right.”
As I let out a relieved breath, the quick-service ghost—now standing beside his daughter—added an explanation.
[It seems my daughter was playing hide-and-seek here with friends when she was alive.]
[There was an accident then… and before I even received word of it, I met with an accident myself.]
So that was why, even after death, he’d been wandering, unable to find his daughter.
I was truly glad they’d been reunited, even if late.
The hide-and-seek ghost let go of me and hugged the quick-service ghost’s leg. He lifted her up with one arm, as if used to it, and spoke.
[You said you had something you wanted to talk about?]
This place was quiet—good for a calm conversation.
The quick-service ghost led Dan Seohyeok and me to a spot where moonlight streamed in. We sat down on a relatively clean patch of floor.
Dan Seohyeok sat beside me. Across from us sat the quick-service ghost, with the hide-and-seek ghost on his lap.
“As I mentioned before, I’m looking for my younger sibling. And he’s looking for his missing parents.”
I said, pointing to Dan Seohyeok.
“We can’t find any leads at all, so we think ghosts might be involved… Is my sibling still at the place we visited last time?”
I carefully clasped my hands together, trying to hide their trembling.
“We’ve confirmed that my sibling is alive, but I haven’t seen them myself yet… I’m anxious. That’s why I contacted you—to ask if you might be able to help.”
At my words, the hide-and-seek ghost blinked slowly, then lifted her chin to look up at the quick-service ghost.
[……]
After a short silence, the quick-service ghost spoke.
[They are indeed there.]
“…! Really? The underground auction house?”
[Yes.]
“Quick Uncle, how do you know that? And could you take me straight to my sibling—or bring them here?”
[That is not possible.]
[We cannot violate each other’s workplace rules.]
“Workplace rules…?”
[Just as my job is to handle quick delivery.]
[The one currently managing your sibling’s body is the staff in charge of the underground auction house.]
Managing their body.
What a chilling phrase.
I shivered, rubbing my arms as goosebumps rose. The brutal scene of the underground auction house flashed through my mind.
[It’s an unspoken agreement that we do not directly interfere in each other’s domains.]
[But Dad!]
The hide-and-seek ghost kicked her short legs.
[I want you to help unni!]
[……]
[Unni helped Dad and me meet again. Unni wants her family to reunite too!]
Well said, hide-and-seek ghost!
I cheered inwardly at the appearance of an unexpected and reliable ally.
The quick-service ghost, who had been silent, tilted his head.
[Hmm.]
He’s thinking—he’s thinking!
That’s a positive sign!
If he were going to refuse outright, he would have done so immediately.
He’s a ghost with enough information to know Machohae is at the underground auction house. And judging by how even the mannequin ghosts avoid him, he doesn’t seem weak.
If Quick Uncle takes my side when even Millie isn’t showing up…
He’d be an incredibly strong ally!
I looked at him with sparkling eyes. Then the quick-service ghost spoke.
[Help.]
[I will provide it.]
The answer I’d been waiting for!
I beamed and bowed deeply, my voice rising with joy.
“Thank you so much!!”
[I may not be able to offer much help.]
“That’s okay! Just offering help opens up another possibility for me!”
[In that case…]
“Ah, if it’s not too much trouble, could you also tell us where my friend’s parents are?”
At my question, the visor of the quick-service ghost’s helmet turned toward Dan Seohyeok. Dan Seohyeok stiffened, clearly tense.
[Please tell me their names.]
“…My father is Dan Taegun. My mother is Ahn Yuri.”
[Searching.]
The same tension filled the air as when I’d once asked him to look into Machohae’s whereabouts.
They’re the original protagonist’s parents. There’s no way they’re dead.
…At least, I hope so.
Sometimes in movies, a protagonist’s family dies to trigger their awakening, but—
Please don’t let it be that kind of story.
Since I hadn’t finished the original work, this was the part that scared me the most.
Like Dan Seohyeok, I waited for the answer, my blood running cold.
Soon—
The quick-service ghost spoke in a flat voice.
[Location cannot be confirmed.]
Thud.
[Survival cannot be confirmed.]
It felt like my heart dropped straight down.
My hands trembled violently, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Dan Seohyeok’s face.
