KTC | Chapter 36

“Something else strange happened. Before, my ability was limited to vaguely looking inside people through their eyes, but after being discharged from the hospital, I started seeing other things as well.”

“What exactly?”

“I can see spirits without having to look through people’s eyes. For example, on my way here, I saw a man who seemed like he was possessed by an evil spirit that had escaped from Yunseul Village.”

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“What?”

Choi Seonwoo interrupted Goo Seungjun, his voice laden with surprise. Instead of probing further verbally, he concentrated on Goo Seungjun’s eyes, trying to unravel and delve into his depths. Goo Seungjun met his gaze without evasion.

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“Oh, this.”

After a moment, Choi Seonwoo murmured as if groaning. The man Goo Seungjun spoke of was the same one who had cast a malevolent spirit at Seo Jihan.

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Was that man just a tourist, or was he a resident of Shindo?

Choi Seonwoo had been too busy to organize evangelistic activities, but it seemed urgent now to make time to explore the island. If someone like the man Goo Seungjun mentioned—possessed by one of the evil spirits that escaped Yunseul Village—had settled on the island, it could lead to a dangerous situation. Influenced by such spirits, others with vengeful spirits attached to them might also be led to act on evil impulses, just like Seo Jihan.

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The evil might be weakened, but its malevolence would persist.

“Fortunately, it seems it was a weaker spirit,” Choi Seonwoo concluded after assessing the situation.

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“Goo Seungjun, the evil spirit that detached from Yunseul Village hasn’t been gone long, so you still need to be careful. If the spirit you encountered today had been stronger than your own spiritual power, it could have taken you over immediately. You’re quite the attractive host for them. There were no signs of that, were there?”

“When it sensed me, it definitely tried to hide its presence, like a rabbit tucking its head into the bushes.”

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“Did it seem scared?”

“Yes. It looked like it had no intention of making eye contact with me at all.”

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Even if weakened, a malevolent and aggressive spirit from Yunseul Village would typically look for opportunities to exploit—unless it was frightened enough to hide, which was indeed strange…

“Strange, isn’t it?”

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It was. It was very strange.

Choi Seonwoo once again looked at the handprint left on Goo Seungjun’s chest with a heavy gaze.

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It seemed I’ve awakened the sealed abyss within him.

Choi Seonwoo sighed as if lamenting. In the case of Seo Jihan, encountering Kwak Jaepil had fully awakened the sealed evil spirit within him. But for Goo Seungjun, the newly possessed spirit recognized Choi Seonwoo himself, which started awakening the previously sealed entity within him as well.

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This was clearly my mistake.

Ah, Father God. Every time I get ahead of myself, this is the result. Today, I learn again.

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Choi Seonwoo quietly made the sign of the cross then turned to Seo Jihan.

“It’s best you stay outside.”

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“What? But with that guy acting like this—”

“Please, go outside.”

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Seo Jihan wanted to stay, but Choi Seonwoo’s voice was firmer than ever. His already pale face turned starkly cold, leaving Seo Jihan no choice but to get up.

“Touch the priest and you’re dead, seriously.”

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Seo Jihan was defiant to the end, but Goo Seungjun remained unfazed, focusing only on Choi Seonwoo. With a grimace, Seo Jihan irritably slammed the door as he left.

Bang!

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After a brief silence filled only with drifting dust particles, Goo Seungjun was the first to break it.

“No matter what, you’re my benefactor and I’ve kept your secret, but I need to verify something.”

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“…”

“You’re the Ghost King, right?”

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It seemed this was why Choi Seonwoo had advised them to speak alone.

＊＊＊

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Choi Seonwoo reverently kissed the amice (a piece of white linen worn first by priests during Mass, symbolizing the helmet of salvation) and placed it on his head.

“Lord, put this helmet on my head to block the devil’s attacks.”

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After a short prayer, he draped it over his shoulders, tying it around his neck. Next, he wore a spotless white alb (a loose garment made from white linen reaching the ankles, symbolizing innocence) and tied a cincture (a cord used to cinch the waist of the alb) around his waist.

“Lord, bind me with the cincture of purity and rid me of my base desires, building in me the virtues of temperance and purity.”

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Fully vested, including the stole and chasuble, Choi Seonwoo took a moment of humble reflection in front of the mirror.

Goo Seungjun’s change had sharply reminded him of the unexpected results that an exorcism outside the bounds of his priestly authority could bring.

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Fortunately, the leftover handprint, a mistake from failing to control his power like a newly freed beast, had instilled extreme fear in the sealed entity. The fear that if it fully awakened, it would be torn to shreds kept it at bay. Had it not been for that fear, Goo Seungjun might have suffered severe symptoms of possession, much like Seo Jihan had.

It was a close call, nearly burning down the house to catch a flea.

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Choi Seonwoo, lamenting how fraught his fate was, tightened his waistband and left the sacristy.

Today was the day for Goo Seungjun’s second exorcism. Although the attire wasn’t fundamentally important, dressing impeccably in full vestments was his commitment to adhering strictly to the Catholic exorcism rites.

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“Aren’t you going in together this time?”

Chased to the entrance of the sanctuary along with the bodyguards, Seo Jihan asked.

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“No. And there won’t be a next time.”

Destroying a few possessing spirits had its effectiveness, but avoiding any potential side effects on Seo Jihan seemed wise. Indeed, the spirit that briefly transferred to him last time had awakened certain memories that should have remained sealed forever.

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“Today will take longer than last time. It might even last until dawn, so don’t wait around needlessly.”

Choi Seonwoo looked back at Seo Jihan, who, after a moment of watching Choi Seonwoo and Goo Seungjun, oddly enough, spoke to Sister Jung Yoonyoung.

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“If there’s any danger to the priest, let me know right away. I’ll be here.”

She was the witness for today’s exorcism. Sister Jung Yoonyoung, facing a supernatural experience for the first time, was tense but her gaze remained resolute and pure.

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“Alright.”

“There won’t be any need for that,” Choi Seonwoo muttered, resigned to Seo Jihan’s stubbornness.

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But knowing Seo Jihan, he wouldn’t heed anyone else’s advice. He’d likely loiter around the yard like a dog waiting for its owner.

“Sister, please stay here for a moment. I’ll call you when we’re ready.”

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“Okay.”

Sister Jung Yoonyoung nodded, and Choi Seonwoo entered the sanctuary with Goo Seungjun. Thanks to the bodyguards’ help, the altar was ready for the ritual. The place, being a sanctuary, already had all necessary religious icons perfectly placed; their help had mainly involved moving the bed, but that alone was enough.

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Choi Seonwoo consecrated the water, oil, and salt piled next to the bed. Preparing for an AS exorcism for the first time, he was more humble than ever, intending to follow the exorcism rites from start to finish meticulously.

“You haven’t answered yet.”

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As Choi Seonwoo finished the consecration prayers, Goo Seungjun, sitting on the bed, suddenly spoke up. Choi Seonwoo, unwinding the cincture wrapped tightly around one arm, showed a feeble smile.

“It’s not that I won’t answer; it’s more that I can’t. Truthfully, I don’t understand what this Ghost King you imagine is. Instead, I’d like to ask you: is this Ghost King that Kwak Jaepil supposedly conjured up just to make a good life for himself real? If it exists, what does it look like, and what powers does it possess?”

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Goo Seungjun thought Choi Seonwoo was avoiding the topic, but he didn’t press further, deeming it reasonable.

After all, the person who had unleashed numerous spirits that brutally slaughtered many during the Unknown Cult Massacre was now a priest; it made sense he’d want to hide that fact.

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