So, to put it bluntly, it meant one thing:
“Does that mean I was supposed to die?”
Yet, for some unknown reason, Yeonwoo was still alive. Instead, he was staring at a bizarre window in front of his eyes.
“This is driving me nuts.”
He tapped “No” on instinct, but that didn’t mean he understood the situation fully. There was, however, one thing he knew for certain.
[Harvestable Lifespan: +49 days]
[You can harvest lifespan to postpone death.]
It was obvious from the window that slid silently into view.
“Chairman, I brought the doctor.”
“Oh, good. Take a look at this young man. He doesn’t seem to be in his right mind.”
“W-well, right after regaining consciousness from such a major accident, there can be short-term memory confu—”
The doctor didn’t even finish speaking before a calm, clear voice cut him off.
“Mr. Han Su-han.”
“…You… know who I am?”
The flustered old man’s expression grew serious and sharp. The men in black standing behind him also took on a threatening air.
“Don’t tell me you approached me on purpose—did you lure my grandson here so you could get at me?!”
His manner, once warm and grateful, shifted to icy suspicion.
“I don’t know where you came from, but if you think you can fool—”
“Ah, it’s not like that at all, so please don’t misunderstand.”
Yeonwoo quickly interrupted. After all, there was only one reason he knew the old man’s name:
-Name: Han Su-han (68 / Male)
-Occupation: Major Financier in Myeongdong
-Disposition: Absolute Neutral
-Specialty: Growing Money [A+]
-Affection Level: Moderately High
-Current Physical Condition: Healthy
-Current Emotional State: Angry
*** Some items cannot be viewed.
*** Detailed information is hidden.
*** You can currently harvest 49 days of lifespan from this individual.
A strange info-window was floating beside the old man, practically announcing itself to Yeonwoo.
What on earth is that?
He had no time to remain flabbergasted. Han Su-han was an inch away from deeming him a threat. Yeonwoo realized, at that moment, that he had to launch into his pitch. His gaze drifted to the info-window near Han Su-han’s face:
[You can currently harvest this individual’s lifespan (49 days)]
He absolutely needed it.
A negative lifespan, and a message telling him he could harvest lifespan—it was pretty clear-cut.
They’re telling me I’ll die unless I get those 49 days from that old man, right?
Of course, nothing is free in this world. There had to be a price for that lifespan, or at least some kind of deal. Yeonwoo came to the answer quickly.
“Sir, do you happen to have a son? A deceased son, perhaps.”
Han Su-han didn’t answer immediately. His face stiffened further, and he motioned to the men in black.
“Secure the area at once.”
“Yes, sir!”
The unfortunate doctor, dragged in moments ago, was dragged right back out. Only Yeonwoo and Han Su-han remained in the hospital room.
“Who sent you? It’s not enough you know me—you also know about my son? Where did you hear that story?”
The old man fired off questions like an interrogation.
“What story are you referring to?”
“That I… have a dead son.”
Well, because the man behind you told me so, Yeonwoo thought.
He glanced at the sorrowful, bleeding man behind the old man. Their resemblance was undeniable, though if the elder was a tiger, the younger was more like a docile house dog.
“He looks to be in his early forties, drooping eyes, a tear mole under his right eye. Overall, he seems kind.”
“…!”
Han Su-han’s expression changed yet again.
“Is it Chief Jung? Or Team Leader Han? So there’s a traitor inside. Who sent you?!”
Now true anger settled on his face.
“You used my grandson, and now you’re playing the dead son card to snare me? I don’t know who’s backing you, but I won’t let this stand—!”
Easy, old man, no need for dire threats.
“Whoa, calm down, sir.”
“…What?”
“I get why you’d be suspicious out of nowhere, but my life is literally at stake, too.”
Life or death—Yeonwoo desperately needed those 49 days, enough to do what he would normally never do.
“I didn’t do any background check on you. Believe it or not.”
Damn it, I only wanted a normal life.
And yet, here he was, about to board the express train to the afterlife in his quest for normalcy.
“Sir, I… have a bit of a shamanic gift.”
He had sworn never to touch the spiritual realm again, but in that moment, Yeonwoo felt that the ordinary life he’d hoped for was already gone.
“A… shamanic gift? Are you trying to pull a con on me…?”
Han Su-han’s face filled with disbelief, which then flared into anger. He clearly had no intention of letting some kid make a fool of him.
But that anger didn’t last long.
“Yes, whether you believe it or not, that’s how it is. More importantly, sir—haven’t you been dreaming about your son quite often?”
Han Su-han, who had been boiling with rage, suddenly froze.
“How… how do you know that?!”
Because I can literally see him, Yeonwoo thought. This was a crucial moment.
“Sir, what did I say? That I have spiritual sight? Right? I can actually see your son right now.”
Sure, it sounded a bit shady—but how else could he convince someone so suspicious?
“Wh-what!”
At least it worked. As proof, Han Su-han clutched his chest like he might collapse at any second.
“So that’s it… so that’s how. Right, I made sure to keep the news about my boy a total secret… No way you could’ve known otherwise. And maybe you’d know about Yunbeom, but you shouldn’t know about Jaeyoung at all! I kept them separated so meticulously! Yes… if you truly have spiritual power, it all adds up! It makes sense!”
Muttering rapidly to himself, he glared at Yeonwoo.
“You there.”
Recognizing the look in his eyes, Yeonwoo thought, He’s totally hooked now.
“What do I have to do? Just say the word!”
Yeonwoo had never found this ability to be a blessing, but he was rarely wrong in his guesses.
“Sir, do you know why your son is crying?”
“He’s… crying? Why on earth is he crying? Does he blame me because I never acknowledged him? Is that why he keeps appearing in my dreams, blaming me even in death?”
The old man sounded almost tearful. He seemed to expect Yeonwoo to confirm it.
But—
“No.”
“W-what?”
“That’s not it.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeonwoo glanced at the dead man hovering behind Han Su-han.
He’s gazing at you with such affection—he’s not blaming you at all.
They probably had a deeply complicated father-son history, but Yeonwoo didn’t have the luxury to untangle it.
“You’re saying Yunbeom doesn’t hate me?”
“Right.”
“Then why does he appear in my dreams every night, crying tears of blood?”
Just then, the child spirit, who’d been practically invisible until now, tugged at Yeonwoo’s sleeve. He followed me all this way?
[Yeonwoo, I think he wants to say something.]
It tapped the slumped figure of Han Yunbeom.
[Huh? Can’t hear you. What? Oh, he says this: ‘Please don’t feel guilty.’]
Got it. Yeonwoo grinned.
“Sir, do you blame yourself for your son’s death?”
“…How could I not? It’s all because of me…”
Yeonwoo sensed the dam about to burst with a mountain of regretful stories.
“No, it’s that very guilt of yours!”
He cut the old man off, raising his hand.
“It’s preventing your son from finding peace.”
Han Su-han’s words died in his mouth as his face went blank.
“What…? My guilt?”
“Exactly. Wasn’t your son a sincere person during his lifetime?”
“How did you—?”
How indeed?
-Name: Han Yunbeom (32 / Male)
-Occupation: –
-Disposition: Absolute Good
-Specialty: Good Deeds [B]
-Affection Level: Moderate
-Current Physical Condition: Deceased
-Current Emotional State: Regret
*** Some items cannot be viewed.
*** Detailed information is hidden.
*** You cannot harvest lifespan from this individual.
With it so clearly on display, how could Yeonwoo not know?
“Yes… that’s exactly how he was, far too kind. That’s why he ended up like that… But that’s not how it should have…”
He was about to break into another sob story, so Yeonwoo quickly reined him in.
“Yes, exactly! Because of that, your son can’t move on.”
“…So, what should I do?”
Yeonwoo silently pulled a pen and a scrap of notepad paper from his pocket.
“Huh? What’s that…?”
“Shh.”
He scribbled a short incantation and, without warning, crumpled the makeshift talisman and tossed it into the air. More precisely, he threw it at Han Yunbeom and the child spirit who was chatting with him.
[Ouch!]
Fzzzt!
“Huh?!”
Han Su-han nearly had a fit when he saw the paper burst into flames midair.
[Hey, why’d you do that?!]
“Someone’s life is on the line here, and you’re just making idle chat?”
[He’s just so innocent—what could I do?]
“Did you figure out what he wants?”
[Yeah, it’s simple. He wants to talk to his father in person. He’s sure nobody will believe it unless he speaks for himself.]
As expected—nobody was going to give anything away for free.
“W-what in the world just happened…?”
“Sir.”
“Y-yes?”
The old man’s earlier fierce aura had vanished. He was now just a “lifeline” or, at best, a pitiful victim of Yeonwoo’s manipulations. Yeonwoo decided it was time for the sales pitch.
“Listen carefully to me now.”
“I-I will.”
“Take this home, burn it, mix the ashes with water, and drink it before you go to bed. Then what you wish for will come true.”
“Huh? Is this a talisman? It’s got some loan shark’s phone number…? Looks like a promotional flyer…”
Indeed, the paper Yeonwoo pulled out was just a piece of freebie advertising. He’d carried it around on a whim, never imagining it would be useful like this.
“Sir!”
Of course, he couldn’t admit that now. One key aspect of this “profession”—though calling it that was a bit vague—was talking a good line.
“Y-yes?”
His forcefulness made Han Su-han answer automatically.
“You saw it yourself! Paper spontaneously igniting in midair—is that a trick?”
“N-no, it can’t be…”
“Right. And you know the saying, ‘A true master doesn’t pick his tools’? You’ve heard it before, right?”
“I… think so?”
“Exactly. People like me—real practitioners—don’t depend on fancy equipment. Frauds talk endlessly about high-grade materials, magical ink, specialized brushes—just to milk people for money! You get it?”
“Yes! Now that you mention it, that sounds exactly like a scam!”
Yeonwoo’s rapid-fire spiel left Han Su-han spinning.
“So no more doubting. Hurry home, burn this paper, drink it, and get a good night’s sleep. You have to go to bed early!”
Because I need you to hurry so I can survive…
“Understood. I’ll head right home and do as you say. I’ll even take sleeping pills if I must!”
Wearing a determined look, Han Su-han clutched the makeshift talisman. He left, forgetting entirely why he’d come in the first place.
Five hours after his departure, the long-awaited notification popped up:
Ding!
[You have successfully harvested lifespan.]
[Lifespan harvested: 49 days]
“Yes!”
Yeonwoo clenched his fist in triumph. Success.
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