Chapter 74
Dan Seohyuk walks toward me.
‘C-crazy.’
A curse slipped out in my mind without me realizing it.
While I was agonizing over how to react, with the ghosts’ excited gazes fixed on us, Dan Seohyuk suddenly grabbed my left hand.
‘Huh?’
Then he pulled me toward him and pressed his lips against my pinky finger—right on top of the pink four-leaf clover.
[Woooow!]
That alone must have satisfied the audience. The hide-and-seek ghost clapped and exclaimed in admiration. In that moment, Dan Seohyuk let go of my hand, and I hurriedly pulled it back, clasping it with my right hand.
[Dad! This is my first time seeing a wedding! They just made a vow, right?]
[Yeah, I guess so.]
[What kind of vow did you just make to unnie?]
It’s not like he kissed a wedding ring or anything.
Feeling flustered, I stared down at my left hand. I couldn’t exactly wipe it off in front of the hide-and-seek ghost.
In a blunt voice, Dan Seohyuk replied to the hide-and-seek ghost.
“A vow to stay by her side no matter what danger comes.”
That makes sense. As long as we share the same goal—finding our families—we’ll probably face the same dangers.
The hide-and-seek ghost, who couldn’t possibly know that, clasped both cheeks with its hands and smiled brightly.
[That’s so romantic.]
I couldn’t help wondering whether such a tiny child even knew what “romantic” meant. Still, since things were going smoothly, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut and not ruin the mood.
[Big brother passes too!]
[I’ll give you a present!]
Fortunately, Dan Seohyuk, who had won over the hide-and-seek ghost’s heart, gained an ability as well.
On Dan Seohyuk’s left pinky finger, a pink line-like pattern appeared. No—rather than a line, it looked more like a stem.
Like that of a four-leaf clover?
At this rate, it looks like Dan Seohyuk and I are a matching set. That’s unlucky in its own way….
“Thank you.”
Dan Seohyuk, who was surely thinking the same thing as me, shamelessly hid his true feelings and expressed his thanks.
I’d noticed it when he dealt with the hospital staff too, but he was suspiciously good at social interactions.
[Unlike the customer, male humans may only use it once, so please be careful.]
‘Special treatment!’
Dan Seohyuk’s expression subtly crumpled, but for me, it was welcome news.
[Okay! Then shall we get going now?]
Going where? Don’t tell me… the underground auction house?
[To find pretty unnie’s family!]
[It’s a treasure hunt!]
When it said “treasure hunt,” memories of that old childhood game flashed through my mind, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
Of all things, why did it have to be a treasure hunt?
[We can’t go together.]
[Huh? Why?]
[These two can go in using your ability, but—]
The quick-service ghost spoke up, calming the overly excited hide-and-seek ghost.
[Treasure hunts need to be done secretly, but if we go in, they’ll notice us immediately.]
In other words, we wouldn’t be able to move discreetly if they came along.
‘It would’ve been reassuring if Uncle Quick came with us.’
I looked at the ghost father and child with lingering regret.
[I will give you this.]
The quick-service ghost held something out. It was a business card.
Sasasa Quick Service – WIP Exclusive
Even the words “WIP Exclusive” were written in a childlike handwriting. The W had a line drawn through it, with a small adult-style V written beside it.
I could practically tell whose joint effort this was.
[It’s nothing grand.]
A business card, at this point? We already knew each other’s contact information….
As I tilted my head in confusion, the quick-service ghost continued.
[You may, exactly once, instantly return any one item to this place whenever you wish.]
Wait—does that mean…
“Does that ‘returnable item’ include people? Like how you delivered me?”
[Yes.]
That’s insane!!
In fantasy terms, that’s basically a return scroll!
‘That’s incredibly grand!’
In some ways, it was even more useful and powerful than the hide-and-seek ghost’s ability. It was essentially an emergency escape button.
“……”
Dan Seohyuk glanced sideways at the quick-service ghost. The ghost must have felt his gaze, yet he didn’t turn toward Dan Seohyuk even once.
Hmm. So this time, no exceptions.
‘Looks like we can’t use it simultaneously with Dan Seohyuk.’
If something happens, I’ll have to act as bait in Dan Seohyuk’s place, since his ability is single-use.
I thanked the quick-service ghost sincerely.
“Thank you, Uncle Quick! I’ll never forget this kindness. I’ll never waste it!”
[I’m glad you like it.]
Was it my imagination? It sounded like there was a hint of laughter in the quick-service ghost’s voice.
[Shall we depart now?]
Though it quickly returned to its usual blunt tone.
“I think we should. Dragging this out won’t solve anything, and I’m worried about my younger sibling.”
When I stood up, Dan Seohyuk stood as well. The way he naturally prepared to accompany me into danger was… a little touching.
Honestly, it was very touching.
‘I didn’t know how I’d go there alone without Millie.’
Annoying as he is, Dan Seohyuk really is the most reliable person in situations like this. I’ll never tell him that, though—he’d only get arrogant.
[I will take you to the auction house.]
[Huh? I can’t go.]
[Unnie, let’s play hide-and-seek again next time. She says she’ll come visit again.]
The quick-service ghost looked at me. The look clearly said, Answer already.
I hurriedly nodded.
Clutching its doll tightly, the hide-and-seek ghost nodded weakly.
[Unnie, please come back alive.]
Coming from a ghost, that’s even scarier.
I smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Yeah. I’ll come back safely.”
[Okay!]
[When you’re back, let’s play hide-and-seek and house again!]
Next time, I’ll definitely come without Dan Seohyuk.
I nodded while making that promise to myself.
[This way.]
The quick-service ghost led us toward the elevator. The three of us rode it down to the first floor.
The mannequin ghosts we’d seen on the way down were nowhere to be found.
[First floor.]
When we reached ground level, the doors slid open. Outside, it was still pitch-dark—it was dawn.
[The owner of the auction house will notice as soon as visitors enter.]
[Especially if they’re visitors with an entry record.]
That applied to both Dan Seohyuk and me. And considering the disturbance we caused before leaving, they might even be grinding their teeth in anger.
[So I will open the door.]
[Once it opens, immediately use your ability and enter slowly.]
[There’s nowhere to hide, but there are many corpses, so you won’t be noticed right away.]
I silently nodded.
[Even if you are discovered, do not make any remarks that belittle the ongoing games or the auction house.]
I remembered a participant who’d criticized the finger-folding game as “a crappy game” and was instantly dragged underground.
Down there… was a place filled with screams.
With a stiff expression, I nodded again.
[It wouldn’t be a bad idea to praise the games and the auction house to soothe the owner’s mood.]
[Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll be safe.]
[What happens after that will depend on your judgment.]
After finishing his instructions, the quick-service ghost placed a hand on the iron gate.
There was no key—how was he going to open it?
As I stared, the quick-service ghost forcibly spread the bars apart, creating an opening.
‘Th-that’s unbelievable strength.’
[Go inside.]
We cautiously followed behind the quick-service ghost. Inside the barred corridor, where no hallway lights reached, it was pitch-dark.
At the very end was a single door. A cramped space beneath the stairs leading up to the second floor.
Standing before the small door that required us to bend down to enter, the quick-service ghost spoke.
[Prepare yourselves.]
[From now on, you have 24 hours.]
Dan Seohyuk and I simultaneously placed our hands over the markings left by the hide-and-seek ghost.
Kreeeek.
The rusted door opened. A chilling air seeped out.
[Heh heh. What a rare pleasure—familiar guests, are you?]
At that moment, a very familiar voice echoed from inside.
A high-pitched female voice—the same one that had come through the radio. The host of all those chilling games.
[No matter how many times I invited you, you never came. Have you finally decided to visit?]
The radio ghost truly seemed unaware of Dan Seohyuk and me. She was cheerfully chatting with the quick-service ghost as if they weren’t strangers.
Whether they were actually close, I couldn’t tell….
Dan Seohyuk and I slipped past the quick-service ghost and entered through the door. Bending low and stepping inside carefully, a familiar space spread out before us.
A corridor shaped like an aquarium.
And within the water on all sides, limbless bodies swimming about.
Still a nauseating place.
[Why won’t you come in? Heh heh. It’s still lacking, but I decorated the auction house quite a bit!]
[I merely noticed a door where my daughter lives and opened it to check.]
[Daughter? Ahh. So after searching so desperately, you finally found her! My goodness!]
The radio ghost continued, sounding genuinely moved.
[It feels like just yesterday you were tearing our auction house apart, insisting she had to be here!]
[……]
So that actually happened….
Seems his temper is hotter than I expected.
[Do you have any idea how angry I was back then? Even now, just thinking about it makes me want to smash your motorcycle to pieces.]
[I apologized for that.]
[You did, but whether I accept that apology is up to me, isn’t it? Heh heh.]
[If you hadn’t brought me humans to decorate this place afterward, I might never have forgiven you.]
What…?
Startled, I turned to look at the quick-service ghost. All I could see was his pink helmet, hiding whatever expression he might have been making.
[The auction house will be officially opening soon, so I’ll send you an invitation then!]
[Very well. I’ll look forward to it.]
[I’ll send one for your daughter as well. I hope you’ll come together. Heh heh.]
Inviting a child to a place like this—even if she’s a ghost.
‘Definitely not sane.’
Shaking my head, I quietly moved forward.
[But something’s strange.]
[Why do I smell such a familiar scent of blood?]
I flinched and looked down at my hand.
Blood was seeping from the wound on my hand—the one I’d gotten at Eden Hospital, the one the nurse ghost had treated.
