Chapter 7: A Ghost’s Burden, A Human’s Mercy
The next day.
Lee Hwaseo and I shared a slightly edited version of last night’s events, and the ghost story frenzy quickly died down.
The janitor’s return helped too.
– I don’t remember clearly… maybe I saw it wrong.
Resting due to his condition, he’d reflected and thought he’d misjudged.
When something seems absurd, people tend to convince themselves it’s not real.
“Ugh, what a lame ending.”
“Forget that, did you see yesterday’s drama? They finally kissed.”
“PC bang after school?”
Trends need demand to survive.
The students quickly moved on to their own interests.
“Told you so.”
Kim Dodam, hands clasped behind his neck, spoke up.
“No idea why it caused such a stir. Obviously fake.”
“They didn’t really believe it. It was just fun.”
“I know, but… it was weird from the start. A headless ghost at school? Who dies by decapitation here?”
“…”
There probably is someone.
Paradise High holds so many secrets.
‘This ghost died elsewhere, though.’
Quite far away, too.
With its head gone, its cognition might be impaired, leading it to wander somewhere odd.
But coming here? Normally, that’d be strange.
Given Paradise High’s unique nature, it wasn’t that rare.
Ghosts naturally gather where negative energy abounds, and this place was thick with it.
“Haru.”
“Hm?”
A soft voice called.
Lee Hwaseo stood there, awkwardly glancing between me and Kim Dodam.
“Uh, can we talk for a sec?”
“About what?”
“Not here, in the hallway…”
Her hushed tone showed she didn’t want others to hear.
Kim Dodam gave a “go on” look, and I nodded, standing up.
“Sorry for interrupting you and your friend.”
“It’s fine. What’s up?”
“It’s about last night… please don’t tell anyone.”
The plastic bag incident.
We left it out of our story, but she was still nervous.
‘Understandable.’
I’d be embarrassed too.
Especially since she did it for work, not because she’s a weirdo.
“Sure, don’t worry.”
“Really? Thanks. Phew, what a relief.”
“What about Yoo Kishin?”
“I told him too. But… hehe, he already forgot. He was reading some occult book, looking up and blinking…”
“Haha.”
I chuckled softly.
Ignoring anything outside his interests? Typical.
Just before the bell, Lee Hwaseo cautiously asked.
“You didn’t see anything weird last night, right?”
“Hm?”
“The ghost story. I’m, uh, a bit into that stuff, and I’ve heard bad things happen after seeing strange things.”
“…Oh. Nope, didn’t see a thing.”
“Good…”
As I turned to head back, she grabbed me.
“Wait!”
“What?”
“If… something bad happens, tell me. I might… be able to help.”
Her usual confident, model-student vibe was replaced with hesitation.
She didn’t want to reveal her exorcist side.
I smiled faintly.
“Sure, I will.”
Worrying about a ghost? She’s so kind.
Definitely class president material.
After homeroom.
As we left the school gate, I told Kim Dodam.
“I’m heading out alone today.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Got somewhere to go.”
“Where?”
“Just somewhere.”
He looked curious but didn’t pry.
“Alright then. I’m hitting the gym anyway.”
“Gym again? Chill a bit. Your body’s already solid.”
“What? You’ve seen it? I’m nowhere near done.”
His broad shoulders and arms said enough.
He’d grown taller since middle school.
‘Yeah, muscles are a guy thing. Compared to me… ugh.’
Why’d I have to reincarnate as a girl?
This delicate body wouldn’t suit muscles anyway.
“You going far? I could come if you want.”
“Nah, focus on your workout. You’re right—you’ve got a ways to go.”
“What?!”
I left him gasping and headed the opposite way from home.
Of all places, it had to be far.
If I were human, it’d be a hassle.
But…
“Good. No one’s around.”
After checking thoroughly, I partially released my constant “mimicry.”
My body blurred.
Looking at my transparent hand, I saw the ground through it.
Closer to a spirit than human, I kicked off the ground.
Whoosh—
The world has gravity.
One foot lands, then the next pushes off.
That’s running, and defying it is unthinkable.
But once airborne, my body didn’t sink.
“Feels freeing after so long.”
Defying physics—that’s a ghost.
Not all ghosts can do this… but I can.
Wind rushed past at incredible speed.
As a spirit, I raced toward my destination.
“At this pace, I’ll be back quick.”
Public transport would’ve taken till dawn.
That’s why I risked using my powers.
The risk? Someone sensing my energy.
I kept it hidden, so the chance was low.
Even if detected, I’d sense them too, so no big deal.
I could vanish before getting caught.
Seol Haru, the ghost, was that elusive.
“If someone could sense me and sneak past my radar, they’d be dangerous…”
Only a handful of exorcists in Spirit Exorcism could do that.
You don’t avoid going out fearing lightning, right?
I wasn’t about to be inefficient over a slim chance.
– Grrr…
“You waited like I said.”
The agreed-upon spot.
The headless ghost was loitering there.
It looked exhausted, probably wandering day and night.
Gotta use good transportation.
“Good boy.”
– My neck…
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll guide you, follow me.”
I reactivated mimicry and took a narrow path.
It shambled beside me.
To others, only I was visible.
Near a rundown shop, a mountain gave off a pastoral vibe rare in the city.
“Honey, look at that girl.”
“Wow, so pretty. A student, judging by the uniform? Not from around here…”
My ears caught their faint whispers.
A middle-aged couple, arm in arm, glanced my way.
I nodded slightly.
They looked surprised, then smiled and waved.
Less crowded than downtown, with an older crowd, but people here seemed relaxed.
Will I be like that when I’m older?
“Didn’t feel like that in my past life.”
Maybe I need to age more.
Though, as a ghost, does it matter?
“Hm?”
Near the destination, at a crosswalk.
An old lady stood by a peeling road, holding a sign.
[My poor daughter, killed by a hit-and-run! Please, tell me who did it!]
I stared briefly at the motionless woman, then hurried on.
“Ugh, my body’s stiff.”
I felt my energy draining.
Must be the distance.
Gotta wrap this up quick.
I stretched and leaped over the guardrail.
Thud!
A height that’d shatter human legs, but I landed fine.
The headless ghost tumbled down clumsily.
– Grrr…
“You’re a disgrace to ghosts.”
– Grr…?
“Reflect, Headless.”
I scolded him and sifted through memories.
Per my psychometry, it should be…
Activating my senses, the search ended quickly.
If the head had moved, it’d be trickier, but it was still there.
“This yours? Ugh, gross.”
I held up the gruesome head.
Oddly, it hadn’t decayed to bone, still intact.
– Ooooh…!
It lunged.
I yanked the head back.
– Grr!
“What’s the rush? Don’t want it?”
Even without eyes, I felt its glare.
It backed off instantly.
– Finally… found it…
“Want it or not?”
– Give… my neck…
“Then make a deal.”
I looked straight at it.
“Forget everything from this world—good and bad—and ascend quietly.”
“Don’t harm the living again. That’s a warning.”
– …
It flinched but soon showed agreement.
Taking the head, it vanished.
– Thank you…
It even knew to say thanks.
Hope it heeds my warning.
“Then there’ll be no problems.”