Chapter 31: Uncovering the Truth(1)

“Why here?”

What reason did the clown doll have to come to Paradise High?

Following its frantic gesturing, I checked the surroundings and slightly loosened my disguise.

Whoosh—

As a spirit, I passed through the locked door.

The startled doll looked up at me, then scanned around.

“So, where to now?”

I’d let it do what it wanted to figure out its goal, but unlike its bold arrival, it seemed hesitant, confused about where to go.

I couldn’t wait forever.

Just as I was about to scold it—

Swish—

With my disguise loosened, I felt spiritual energy more clearly.

My vision snapped wide, turning white.

There, staring warily, was the black figure.

“The black ghost!”

It hadn’t shown itself since we started tracking it, but now it appeared.

I seized the chance and gave chase.

The ghost darted away, and I pursued.

The doll flailed in my arms, babbling.

Its amorphous, misty form made it fast—no wonder we kept losing it.

“But.”

I wasn’t slow either.

Channeling spiritual energy, I moved like the wind.

As the gap closed and my hand reached out—

“Got—”

It vanished like smoke.

I clicked my tongue, scanning the spot.

The sandy rectangle again.

– Danger…

“What’s so dangerous?”

Since I’d dropped my disguise, I spoke as a ghost.

– What’re you up to?

– What’s dangerous?

– Speak, punk.

The ghost stayed silent, making me feel foolish talking to thin air.

It hadn’t sunk into the ground, though.

“Wait, the ground?”

I shifted my thinking.

If something was here, it’d be below.

Digging in daylight would be tough, but now it was possible.

“Might as well try.”

Spreading my hand, I triggered poltergeist activity, and sand began to rise.

I hadn’t known as a human, but this was handy.

So focused on digging, I didn’t notice the doll sneaking away.

Paradise High, a towering local landmark.

Short students complained of neck pain looking up at it.

The clown doll stared at it.

Even tilting its head back, it couldn’t take in the full view.

Leaning too far, it fell backward, hitting the ground.

– …

Blinking, it rolled its eyes, scanning the school.

Here. Definitely here.

Its recent intense instincts pointed here.

But it wasn’t there.

Why? Where’d it go?

The doll, its thoughts sluggish, moved aimlessly.

Small but eerily fast, it reached a place sparking déjà vu.

– …?

Near the school’s back gate, a secluded spot.

As it gaped, instinct made it leap.

Boom!

The ground where it stood flared yellow, as if something exploded.

“Felt a filthy presence,” a voice said.

Step, step.

The doll eyed the approaching man warily.

Different from other humans—empty shells with no power.
This one…

“Came at the right time. A doll possessed by an evil spirit.”

Han Doryeong, red-haired, glared coldly.

The doll felt the space itself fall under his control.

His hateful stare bore down.

“Why’re you at school? No one’s here. Got another purpose?”

The doll didn’t answer, locked in a standoff.

Doryeong unleashed spiritual energy, starting the fight.

“Doesn’t matter anyway.”

Feeling threatened, the doll darted around.

Its small size helped, but it couldn’t last long.

This threat was unmatched since meeting that blue-haired human (?).

She had no killing intent, but this man radiated it.

The doll had done nothing to him.

Unfair, but it couldn’t protest.

“You’ll die here!”

The doll had a mission.

Anything blocking it was an enemy.

Brandishing its kitchen knife, it charged with startling speed.

Whoosh!

A blow most couldn’t dodge.

But Doryeong, an executioner psychic beyond human limits, evaded and struck back.

– …!

The doll, knocked back, barely recovered.

The fight drained its chances.

It sought an escape.

Not yet. Can’t die yet.

Already dead, but with a purpose left.

Golden chains shot out, binding it.

“To the underworld with you.”

Spiritual energy flowed through the chains, performing an exorcism.

The spirit in the doll screamed in agony.

Is this it?

No one to save it.

No. Must take revenge…

Then, Doryeong’s controlled space wavered, the chains loosening under an intruding force.

A soft touch, not a rough hand, caught the rolling doll.

– Told you not to wander.

The doll’s eyes trembled.

Digging through the sand, I was stunned by what I found.

The shock unraveled lingering mysteries.

Clashing spiritual energy followed.

Only then did I realize the clown doll was gone.

And now.

Holding the dangling doll, I faced Han Doryeong.

“You…!” he gasped, eyes wide.

To him, I was the mysterious ghost from the mirror world.

‘Didn’t want to cross paths.’

But I couldn’t let the doll die.

My identity was hidden, so no big issue.

Doryeong was a grade-2 executioner psychic.

Impressive for his age, but not enough for a ghost like me.

– Eeeek!

The doll pointed at him, demanding revenge for its torment.

‘Am I your mom?’

Doryeong was needed in this world, and I had no personal grudge.

So—

“Trying to escape?!”

Golden chains lunged at me as I moved to leave.

I swatted them away, his eyes widening.

His further attacks were flicked off like flies.

He wouldn’t back down without seeing the gap in our power.

– Escape?

Smirking, I pointed, and his body floated helplessly.

He struggled, but it was futile.

Clenching my hand, his body crumpled under pressure.

Releasing him, he gasped for air.

I floated away calmly.

“So strong… too dangerous a ghost…!” he muttered, his glare piercing my back.

He didn’t pursue.

“What’s with him?”

“He looks pissed. Don’t mess with him.”

The next day, students whispered about an angry-looking Doryeong as I reached the classroom.

Chatting with Dodam, I saw Gahee arrive late, her face pale.

“Turn to the next page…” the teacher said.

During class, Gahee didn’t open her book, hunching over.

Park Irim called out, “Gahee, why aren’t you opening your book?”

“…”

“Gahee—”

Crash!

Gahee collapsed to the floor.

Irime screamed, “Gahee!”

At the infirmary, the nurse brushed her hair back. “She’s exhausted. Gave her medicine, so let her sleep. Don’t wake her.”

“Okay,” Hwaseo said.

“If she worsens, I’ll take her to the hospital,” the nurse added.

Outside, we sighed in relief.

“Phew. Good it’s not serious,” Hwaseo said.

“Yeah,” I agreed.

“Remember running into Gahee late from her job? Maybe that’s why…” Hwaseo worried, unaware of the ghost.

I’d have worried before, but now I was waiting.

It wouldn’t miss this chance.

“Hey, Haru. How’s Gahee?” Han Siha approached, as if on cue.

His concerned look was that of a caring teacher.

“She’ll be fine with rest,” I said.

“Good to hear.”

I watched his retreating back coldly.