Chapter 626
Building.
Not a very large building.
The top floor is where Park Jinseong stays, which you could say is like Park Jinseong’s ‘home.’
But calling it a home feels wrong due to the overly ominous atmosphere.
The building, embracing the darkness of midnight, gives off a creepy and chilling vibe that could easily compete with the so-called four or seven notorious haunted houses circulating on the internet.
It’s already a spooky place at night, but with the cool air wrapping around it like some air conditioner is on, it feels like stepping into a world where only ghosts reside.
When did this building start to have such an atmosphere?
Before Park Jinseong stayed here?
Or after Park Jinseong moved in?
“Hmm~ Older brother has quite the bad taste… or is he just too lazy?”
Iarin was convinced that this building only became like this after Park Jinseong’s arrival.
The reason for her certainty was simple.
Her father, Lee Yang-hoon, would never give Park Jinseong such a ‘wretched building.’
The father she knew might be a bit of a stickler, but he wouldn’t give something like this to someone who had been living like a son alongside family. He would definitely hand over something of high value — something that could serve as insurance in case of failure.
So, logically speaking, it was undoubtedly Park Jinseong who had created the eerie ambiance that earned the building its nickname of Ghost Building.
After all, he had a history of such things.
“There was that time he made an odd hideout…”
When was it? Was it when Park Jinseong was still in high school?
At that time, he created a small storage area in one corner of the garden to store divine objects.
Reportedly, he learned how to build makeshift structures from the internet and made it out of logs and dirt, but despite that, it looked quite convincing.
However, since it was made by someone who had never constructed anything before, it reminded one more of a mine or a bunker than a storage or dwelling.
Having built a hideout, Park Jinseong used magic, saying that he needed security…
“Ugh. Insects.”
He set it up so that anyone unauthorized who entered would be greeted by a swarm of spiders.
I heard the people working in the mansion were absolutely horrified.
The gardener uncle apparently developed a fear of spiders after that incident, right?
I even heard he cancelled his plans to immigrate to Australia because that country supposedly has a lot of spiders.
“Maybe there’s something like that here too?”
Iarin was certain.
There must be something similar here.
Something that could traumatize rude people or criminals.
That’s why the building had such a gloomy atmosphere.
“Hmm. I’m curious. Should I touch it?”
At that moment, an unpleasant thought passed through Iarin’s mind.
But she quickly shook her head.
“No. Then older brother will definitely be angry.”
Well… she was indeed curious.
But she wasn’t like her blood relative, Iserin, who would stalk and delve into her curiosity.
If she was curious about something, she could just ask; if the answer wasn’t forthcoming, well, that would be that.
That was the attitude of someone who walked a different path from the eerie Iserin!
“I’ll just go to the top floor and lounge around.”
With that thought, Iarin entered the building.
And….
Flap.
“Oops!”
As she stepped inside, a piece of paper flapped and stuck to her face.
As if it had been wedged above the door.
Iarin quickly peeled the paper off her face to see what it said.
『 No entry for outsiders.
Unauthorized entry or damage is prohibited.
Violation may result in civil and criminal charges along with claims for damages. 』
The alert was written on the paper.
It warned that if she believed the rumors of it being a deserted or haunted place and did something unusual, she might meet the law’s hammer.
It was a much scarier story than any urban legend.
“Hmm. If they went this far, maybe… older brother is suffering because of some weird people? Should I tell our strict old man to help out a bit?”
Iarin thought to that point before realizing something and abruptly halted her steps.
“Wait. If I play around in older brother’s room, I might get misunderstood? Like some weird bastards breaking into the building got all the way to the top floor?”
Her mind began to whirl.
“Given that there’s even a warning like this, it sounds like they’re sharpening their teeth for intruders… If I get mixed up in this, I won’t end up well, right? I could be misunderstood for what I did, and if my actions get tangled with what the intruders did, they might not get the proper education they deserve?”
Being lumped together with such rude bastards, even for a moment, didn’t sit well with her.
Plus, the idea of Iserin, the eerie one, feeling smug and reprimanding her crossed her mind…
“Ugh.”
She thought about it.
Iserin, whispering provocations into her ear as if using the Contractor’s power to make it feel like ASMR.
It would probably feel very unpleasant.
Truly.
“Ah~ I guess I should turn back~”
Right.
The conclusion had been reached.
She would turn back.
She felt a bit sad about having come all the way here…
But she could just think of it as a normal nightly stroll.
After all, it didn’t seem like older brother was around in this building, so there wouldn’t likely be anything fun happening.
So… she should head back.
“When will older brother return, I wonder~”
* * *
The building, which Iarin briefly stepped into before turning back, became engulfed in silence once more.
The darkness, clasped in the light of the streetlamps, returned to its rightful place, writhing as if to swallow the starlight and shading the air black. And perhaps to make its writhing seem like an illusion, it called upon insects to swim inside its body.
Even if someone were to discover the writhing, they would think it was a mere illusion created by seeing the insects.
And thus, the darkness patiently waits there.
Wriggling, breathing.
Having stilled its breath, it waits only for a sacrifice to arrive.
“Is this the Ghost Building?”
“The atmosphere is to die for.”
“Alright, everyone, please pay attention! Before coming here, we went over the safety tips for haunted house explorations, right? Let’s make sure we’re clear about the precautions once again!”
And as always, the prey stepped forward.
Like an alligator disguised as a log, floating in a swamp.
Like stepping onto a flower disguised as a carnivorous plant, folding its wings.
Now they had set foot here.
With rudeness in their midst.
Without a shred of respect for the owners of this space.
And thus, the disrespectful ones entered.
“Now, let’s go over the precautions again. First, when experiencing a haunted house, we must respect the spirits inside. That means no cursing, no provoking the spirits, and no actions that might agitate them. Understood?”
“Yes~”
“Secondly, the principle is to avoid touching the items inside. Spirits really hate it when someone damages their belongings. It goes without saying that taking items out is also prohibited. This is dangerous regarding spirits, but… it’s also legally risky. Most of these haunted places have owners, and so do the items inside. You could be sued. And then we can’t help you. Got it?”
“Yes~”
“And thirdly, if you feel something dangerous, you need to leave the haunted house immediately. Sudden dizziness, lost memories, or finding yourself in places you didn’t plan to go are all signs. You know? These are the precursor symptoms just before being possessed by a ghost. If you’re not careful, you could be possessed, and then you’d have to pay a lot to a spiritual capable person to get treated. It could end in serious injury. Understood?”
“Yes~”
“And fourth. This was newly implemented due to an incident from the last haunted house experience… For couples here, please refrain from any public displays of affection. I understand that the ‘swaying bridge effect’ can get your heart racing and that being alone in the dark can lead to such thoughts… But when we heard the moaning from passionate encounters, we mistook it for ghostly sounds, and chaos ensued! You can’t imagine how embarrassed everyone was. Some even dashed toward the source of the noise thinking they’d see a ghost, only to witness… some rather explicit moments. So please, do refrain.”
“…Yes~”
“And lastly. You must gather back here at the specified time. Right? There could be accidents, and we need to manage the group… And besides, we need to sprinkle salt on each other, you know? So even if you feel like you haven’t seen enough, please make sure to come back at the designated time. I repeat, don’t be late!”
“Yes~”
What came from their mouths was all about haunted experiences and ghost buildings.
There was no sign of respect in their actions or words.
Not even a strand of courtesy, only thoughts of trampling over someone else’s home with muddy feet.
“Alright, let’s head in!”
“Yes~”
Moreover, they were not merely reckless.
Among them lurked an entity with ill intentions, and evil was oozing out in droves.
Thus, those who fed on evil rejoiced and proclaimed.
[ Right? ]
[ Indeed? ]
[ Looks like they’ve come from there! ]
…they said.