Chapter 10 - Boogie Boogie Boogie (2)

To summarize Cheolmin’s words.

There was a problem with the house where a wealthy Painter named Smith lived with his granddaughter. He wanted me to somehow solve it using the good Buddha energy I possessed.

One of my eyes automatically narrowed.

‘Has this guy eaten something weird? What the hell is Buddha power?’

I had no idea what kind of sales pitch he had given that old man named Smith.

He said he would pay me as a token of gratitude if I solved his granddaughter’s problem, but….

Going into a creepy Mansion of my own free will just because of money? That was way too much like the opening of a horror movie.

And considering that a rich man like him had probably tried all sorts of things already.

The fact that it had eventually come down to me meant this was even less likely to be a normal job.

It might even be something beyond my current abilities.

The most important first step in preventing danger is simply not going somewhere dangerous in the first place.

This was a world where you could get screwed just by standing still and breathing. Why should I deliberately crawl into danger myself?

So I chose a few reasonable excuses to refuse.

‘I appreciate that you think highly of me, but I’m not an Exorcist. For Mr. Smith and his granddaughter’s sake, I think it would be better to leave this matter to a professional.’

"Mr. Yohan, they say the payment is thirty million won! Thirty million!"

—was what I wanted to say, but that was far too much money to turn down. At least by my standards.

With that kind of money, I could stop working part-time and focus more on magic.

For a moment, I imagined smacking the comic-book café owner across the face with a bundle of cash, but since we weren’t exactly on bad terms, I stopped myself.

"........I see. From what you’ve told me, that really is unfortunate."

I spoke in the calm voice of an expert I had seen in movies.

"I don’t know if I’ll be able to help Mr. Smith, but I can’t just stand by and do nothing in the face of such injustice."

Kim Yohan, a man who could not tolerate injustice.

Currently involved in a case where two people had died. A cover-up operation. He himself claimed it had been an accident.

Anyway, after ending the call.

I sat down in a chair and tapped the iron cover of the Grimoire with my finger while thinking for a moment.

First and foremost, my priority was always myself.

I didn’t care whether Smith died or his granddaughter died.

If it looked like my life was in danger, I would Summon Grizzly and run away, even if it meant revealing Grizzly’s identity.

There was no greater stupidity than being too stingy with your trump card and dying because of it.

And I had to consider the fact that this Smith guy was rich….

Thirty million. Could an Exorcist really make that much from one job?

At this point, being a wizard and not working as an Exorcist on the side was practically a financial loss.

‘Hey, beat up some ghosts. You get paid.’

That was basically the situation.

I knew there was a risk involved, but it was still too good an opportunity to pass up.

"…Ha!"

A hollow laugh escaped me. In the end, I had become part of a cliché straight out of an ordinary horror movie.

I stood up with a pleasant, self-deprecating smile.

I took some meat and milk from the refrigerator and prepared Grizzly’s meal.

"Grizzly, eat plenty. We’re going on a business trip."

"Gyaaaah~."

I packed some clothes to change into in a large backpack.

The Grimoire, a Holy Water container and a water bottle filled with Holy Water, and a white coat.

I carefully organized and packed all my magical items.

The incense pouch was small, and it would probably be best to keep it on me.

I also made sure to store Grizzly’s nutritious snacks—meat and milk—in an icebox.

Otherwise, I might end up having to procure meat locally….

Anyway, preparations for my business trip were complete.

***

After transferring between several buses and checking the address I had received on my phone, I arrived at the bottom of a mountain road.

A Chauffeur was waiting for me.

"Are you Mr. Kim Yohan?"

"Yes, I’m Kim Yohan. Though I’m not really someone worthy of being called ‘Mr.’"

I got into the car and looked out at the scenery, an endless sea of green, as we drove up the mountain road.

It wouldn’t be a problem when the weather was good, but I thought they would have to be careful if there was heavy snow or rain.

Was it because of his granddaughter’s health…? They lived in a fairly isolated place.

I wasn’t interested in art, so I hadn’t known about him.

But while riding the bus here, I had done a quick search on Smith.

He was a much more impressive person than I had expected.

After some time, the car came to a stop.

I got out and looked at the elegant Western-style Mansion with a beautiful garden.

So this is the house where a Painter who sells paintings worth three billion won lives. Impressive.

Suddenly, a line from The Little Prince came to mind.

I think it went something like this.

Adults wouldn’t understand if you told them it was a beautiful brick house, but if you told them it was an expensive house, they would be impressed.

I felt proud of myself for becoming such a fine adult.

When I entered the Mansion, a Maid who looked to be in her early to mid-twenties greeted me.

"Ah, welcome! I’ll show you this way."

She led me to a room that looked like a lounge, filled with sofas and chairs.

The eyes of the other guests who had arrived before me immediately focused on me.

I calmly looked over the others as well.

There were four guests besides me—two men and two women.

Then a middle-aged man wearing a cross around his neck looked at me and suddenly clicked his tongue.

"An icebox? It’s not like you’re here on a vacation. Tsk, tsk."

Why is he picking a fight with me all of a sudden?

I wondered about it, but decided to ignore him.

Apparently, Mr. Smith hadn’t called only me. He had brought in various types of Exorcists.

In other words, that man probably saw me as a competitor fighting him for the thirty million won.

Fine. I have no intention of backing out either. Bring it on.

A middle-aged man with a cross around his neck, a woman with heavy eye makeup, a young man in expensive clothes who looked displeased.

…and a young nun. A nun?

Was she really a nun?

My eyes narrowed.

She wasn’t wearing a veil, but her clothes were unmistakably a nun’s habit.

She had neat, beautiful long black hair, extremely pale skin, and a pretty face with a youthful yet gentle appearance. Her posture as she sat was perfectly composed.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, the nun politely lowered her upper body slightly in greeting.

I had only looked because there was something unusual about her, and I had no reason to talk to her.

So I gave her a slight nod in return and sat down in a suitable seat.

And not long after that.

Perhaps I had been the last guest invited.

The owner of the Mansion, Mr. Smith, appeared in the lounge.

"Thank you all for coming at my request. Emily, come over here."

And following behind him.

"Yes… Grandpa…."

A blonde girl with pale skin, Emily, entered the room with the support of the Maid.

Smith took Emily around and introduced her to each of the guests.

"Pastor Juwon, thank you for coming."

The middle-aged man wearing a cross around his neck, Pastor Go Juwon, spoke with a sorrowful expression.

"Why would something like this happen to a good person like you, Mr. Smith…? You should have told me sooner. You should come to our church with your granddaughter next time. I’ll take a closer look at her."

"…Thank you, Pastor."

Emily answered weakly.

Next was the woman with heavy eye makeup, Shaman Park Minhee.

"Hmm. She’s filled with Yin Energy. Her condition is extremely dangerous."

Looking at how pale Emily’s face was, I thought even I could say something like that.

The young man in expensive clothes, Kim Suhyeon, Smith’s disciple, spoke with an uncomfortable expression.

"Professor, why would something so irrational… No. I’m just worried that Emily’s health might deteriorate further."

"…Thank you for coming. It’s better to have one more person here. Thank you for worrying about Emily."

Then, when Smith stood in front of the nun, his businesslike expression changed into one of genuine familiarity. His deeply concerned voice brightened slightly.

"Ellie, thank you so much for coming. You’ll be a great help to Emily."

"No, it’s okay. Mother seemed like she wouldn’t be able to come, so I thought I should come in her place. I’m sorry."

Apparently, she had some connection with the Smith family and already knew them.

Now it was my turn.

"Mr. Yohan, I know this was a sudden request, so thank you for coming."

"No, it’s fine. I don’t know if I’ll be able to help, but I’ll do my best…."

Just as I reached out to shake Mr. Smith’s hand—

"…Ugh!? Urk! Uuugh!!"

Suddenly, Emily, who was standing beside Smith, began convulsing and retching.

She covered her mouth and nose with her hand and staggered away from me.

"Ugh… I-I’m sorry. It’s just, the smell is too strong… Uugh!"

What the hell is wrong with this girl? She’s rude to someone she just met.

Just kidding.

Confused, I quietly stared at Emily.

‘The smell?’

Emily fled from the lounge with the support of the Maid.

And the people who had been sitting comfortably near me until just moments ago began moving away from me as well.

"..........."

Perhaps Smith was concerned about Emily.

He finished the introductions and left the room.

"You must be tired from coming all this way. I’ve prepared a meal, so shall we head to the dining room?"

I raised my arm to my nose and smelled it.

I had sweated a little while riding the bus, but it certainly wasn’t enough to make someone vomit.

…and then I discreetly looked to the side.

The unusual nun who wasn’t wearing a veil.

Ellie had approached me. She tilted her head and wrinkled her nose as she smelled the air.

"Hmm? Hmmm—hm—?"

Then, apparently sensing my gaze, she became flustered.

"Ah! Um, they said there was a smell. But I don’t think you actually smell bad. If anything, it smells like incense? It seems like a nice fragrance."

My eyes narrowed.

‘A fragrance, huh….’

Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with my nose.

"Thank you."

I gave her a short reply and followed Smith and the others, who had already left, out of the lounge.