Chapter 34: Smoke Before the Storm

Late at night.

Gazing at the sky from a sandy corner of the courtyard, I saw the clown doll toddle over.

“Finished?” I asked.

It didn’t answer.

But the faint smile on its face, no longer grotesque but relieved, spoke for it.

“Satisfied, huh?”

A man was dead.

No guilt or regret.

Because Han Siha was a vile monster? Or because I was a ghost?

The doll sidled up, peering into the sandy pit below.

Deep beneath layers of sand lay three bodies.

Two high school girls and the newly added P.E. teacher.

Strangely, despite being long dead, the girls’ bodies were intact.

“Resentment is a terrifying thing.”

How long had they harbored their grudge, sharpening their blades?

As I stared at the old Paradise High uniforms they wore, a chill made me turn.

The black ghost had appeared.

– Danger…

“I know. You meant Gahee was in danger, right?”

It wasn’t threatening her.

It was warning us—she was Siha’s next target.

Its presence in the photo was likely to weaken her, keeping her at a distance.

“It’s okay now. It’s over.”

The ghost stared blankly, then let out a long wail, enveloped in light, and faded.

Ascended.

The bodies in the pit dissolved into bones.

I looked at the doll. “What about you?”

Her body turned to bones too.

Ascending?

Instead of glowing, the doll closed its eyes briefly, then reached out its arms, flailing.

“…?”

Guessing it wanted a hug, I picked it up, and it went eerily still.

Gazing at the pit, I raised a wave of sand to bury it.

A demon who returned as a teacher, and two girls who completed their revenge after death.

Another ghost story for Paradise High—something sinister buried in the courtyard.

“Did you hear? Mr. Han Siha quit.”

“A new P.E. teacher’s coming soon.”

“Ugh, shame. He was hot.”

“Right? Was gonna try flirting~”

“Pfft, you?”

After the commotion, Han Siha’s name faded from people’s minds.

In the Supernatural Research Club, unresolved stories lingered.

“I have something to tell you,” Hwaseo said, her face grave, revealing the truth.

The Psychic Association, psychics, erased memories, and her own identity as one.

“…That’s how it is. Sorry for hiding it.”

Knowing the association’s rules, I understood it wasn’t an easy choice.

Kishin, equally serious, admitted he hadn’t lost his memories.

“I knew it,” Hwaseo said.

“I knew I should’ve told you about Gahee, but I didn’t trust you enough.”

“…Fair.”

“But things will be different now.”

Her choice to reveal her secret seemed to move him.

Kishin extended his hand; Hwaseo clasped it warmly.

‘Heartwarming.’

Knowing everything from the start, I watched like an outsider.

They called me in unison.

“Haru.”

“Seol Haru.”

Under their silent pressure, I joined hands, completing a youthful scene.

They weren’t stubborn types.

It was a gesture to move past old secrets and unite.

“But is it okay to tell us?” I asked.

“It’s fine… as long as you don’t spill.”

“What if we do?”

“I’d be in some trouble…”

Her averted gaze suggested more than “some.”

No issue—I and Kishin weren’t the type to blab.

“Also, civilians who learn of the other side must visit the association,” she added.

“Huh?”

“It’s protocol. So… you’ll need to go soon.”

Trouble.

For me, mostly.

‘The Psychic Association?’

A den of trouble.

“Achoo!”

At the Psychic Association, the heart of the other side, an astrology psychic sniffled, peering into a hand mirror.

“Someone’s talking about me…”

The mirror was a trophy from young psychics’ efforts—a sealed mirror ghost that churned out fakes.

The incident could’ve escalated, but the kids handled it before the association stepped in.

The mirror would be locked away with other cursed objects.

The issue wasn’t the sealed ghost but something bigger.

Using psychometry—her key to high rank—she read the mirror’s residual thoughts.

A mysterious, long-haired female ghost in white robes, effortlessly overpowering the mirror ghost.

Why would a ghost attack another?

“Looks ancient, dressed like that.”

Unknown origin, unknown traits, but its strength was undeniable.

The association decided to investigate, naming it “Byeokgwi” (Wall Ghost), for driving out spirits.

“Exorcism” wasn’t traditional; in Joseon times, “byeoksa” or “byeokgwi” meant expelling evil.

Catholicism used “gu-ma”; “exorcism” spread in the ‘90s via a famous novel.

The ghost’s archaic look and name fit mystically.

“Hope the kids don’t get hurt.”

A ghost was a ghost.

Too tough for kids—better they avoid it.

In a dark, unlit room, Joo Kihyun clicked his mouse, eyes hollow.

“Don’t ignore me. Stop it…”

Angry clicks echoed.

He scoured websites, searching for one.

He didn’t know how he’d found it before.

Lost in rage-fueled surfing, he’d stumbled into it.

He needed it.

“Revenge. I’ll have it…”

Grinding his teeth, he pictured Pyo Jiseok.

Since a middle school incident, Jiseok openly despised him.

It was unfair.

It was necessary.

She toyed with me.

“Die. Just die.”

At the same high school, Jiseok’s bullying began.

A nobody turned delinquent, now stronger.

His hatred for Kihyun grew after Haru’s disappearance and return.

He’d repay this grudge.

He needed that site.

No way he could face Jiseok directly.

“Found it!”

As if answering his vengeance, the NBS site appeared.

Spring was warming up.

Feeling the pleasant breeze, Gahee broke her silence.

“Thanks, Haru. Really.”

“If you weren’t there, I… How can I repay you?”

The ordeal must’ve shaken her.

Her usual boldness was gone, replaced by timidity.

“Just did what I had to.”

“Haru…”

“Act normal. It’s easier that way.”

To her, I was a hero who risked my life, but that wasn’t true.

I was never in danger; she was the unlucky victim.

Hard to accept gratitude for that.

Despite my indifference, Gahee teared up.

“Hey!”

She hugged me tightly.

Her soft chest smothered me, making breathing tough.

“If the world was full of people like Lu-chan!”

“Mm… mph…”

“From today, you’re my bestie. You in?”

“Mph… yeah…”

“Yesss!”

Choking but unwilling to escape her embrace, I was trapped in a sweet hell.

“Ahem!”

A cough broke the moment.

“Pyo Jiseok?”

“Came to smoke, but what’s this? I’m open-minded, but do that elsewhere.”

“It’s not like that,” I said.

Gahee let go, focusing elsewhere.

“What student brags about smoking?” she snapped.

“Such a boomer.”

“Excuse me?”

“Haru, hate cigarette smell?” Jiseok asked.

Not a fan.

I was a non-smoker in my past life too.

Answering honestly, he rolled a cigarette.

“Cool~ Still gonna smoke, bleh~”

“So childish. Lu-chan, let’s go,” Gahee said.

Arm in arm, heading for the door, I glanced back at Jiseok.

“Chilly,” he said, shivering despite the warm weather, puffing smoke.