Nailed into a coffin, ejected into space, and finally managing to return, I rested for a while on the sofa, then stepped out of the house.
'Soon, Lee Joon will be done with school and come back. I can't run into him.'
That guy has no idea that I've returned right now.
Just as I was completely caught off guard because I didn't know of his existence, when dealing with another regressor, it's extremely important to conceal your own existence like this.
In case any trace might be left behind, I couldn't bring anything from home, so I just covered my face, left empty-handed without even money to take the bus, and just continued walking.
I could have used the doppelgänger's
teleportation ability to leave, but since it manifested only on a truly subconscious level, using it intentionallv reauired concentrating for a very long time in a quiet place.
'For now, I'm leaving. Somewhere I Won't run into anyone I know.'
And so I walked for a long time, putting plenty of distance between myself and ShinLim Neighborhood, and by evening, I arrived in Noryangjin.
I could have gone a little farther, but physically, today was my limit.
I'm hungry.'
I wouldn't die even if I didn't eat, but I could still feel hunger.
I searched my empty pockets for no reason.
'...There's a billion won in the clubroom.'
But that billion won isn't mine anymore.
Not only could I not go back to the school to retrieve it, but even if I summoned it through the store window, the 1 point it would consume would surely alert Lee Joon.
"..."
I walked for a long while again and left
Noryangjin behind.
As I happened to glance over while passing by, I noticed an awkwardly empty vacant lot wedged between the buildings.
It was where the boarding house building used to stand, but after it collapsed during the ghost story, it seemed they had simply left it like this.
'...I went through all of it. Those are the things I experienced. I am me.'
After walking until my legs went numb, before I realized, it was already 11 p.m.
The last meal I had eaten was lunch at
school, and I still hadn't eaten anything since.
Looking around, I saw various restaurants catching my eye; tteokbokki places, pork cutlet shops, Chinese restaurants, and more.
I put my hand into my pocket, but there was nothing there.
As I wandered around like that, I saw a delivery rider stop his motorcycle in front of a cluster of studio apartments in a quiet alley.
Rattle- rattle-
The delivery rider took the food out of the box and walked straight into the building.
As it briefly opened, I could see inside
the box there were other orders for the
next delivery destination.
..Fried chicken? Pizza?'
I lingered around for a moment and checked to see if there were any CCTV cameras.
Of course there would be; after all, there is no place in South Korea without CCTV.
'But even if I steal and run away now, it would take the police days to search around and find it..."
And by then, I'll already have run far away.
There is no way I will be caught.
I looked around once more.
Ahead of me, a few people were walking away with their backs turned, but no one was coming up behind me.
It means no one was watching.
Without thinking any further, I lowered my head and strode straight toward the motorcycle.
Then I quickly operned the box, grabbed one of the heavy bags inside, and quickly ran away.
Thud- thud- thud- thud- thud-
"Haa. haa. haa, haa.'
After running several blocks until I was out of breath, I came across an apartment complex.
It was already close to midnight.
I went into some random playground, sat down on a bench, and opened the bag.
The food I had stolen was a pork cutlet
lunchbox.
I quickly took off the lid, picked up the chopsticks, and noisily chewed the food.
and eat it.
It was delicious.
After I had somewhat filled my hunger, I took out another packet and this time, chewed slowly, savoring it, while suddenly.
A single tear rolled down my cheek.
"Those b*stards.. Those sons of b*tches..."
How could they do this to me.
Yoon Sunah, Ahn Gyeongwon, Lee Jinhee, In Hayoon, Oh Dukhun.
How could you all do this to me?
Look at how I'm living right now.
" i'll get my revenge, you b*stards..."
I'll make sure you all pay for your sins.
After finishing the food, I roughly threw the trash into a nearby recycling area and set off down the road again.
'For now, I'll take him down in the same way, with some sleeping pills.'
Unlike me, the other Lee Joon was a human, so I could just lock him up somewhere.
"To do it properly, I need people, someone to kidnap him and lock him up somewhere like a mental hospital.'
I'd seen it many times in the news.
There are places where, for parents who refused to pass on inheritance, they would hire people to lock them up in mental hospitals and constantly administer drugs to turn them into fools.
After locking Lee Joon up in a place like that, I would keep him barely alive and continuously give him drugs.
After that, I would return to his position.
And then live safely in reality again.
'But all of that requires money...'
Not just for that end goal, but also just to avoid sleeping on the streets tonight, and to be able to eat something everyday.
Right now, I urgently need money.
"But how is a high school student who ran away from home supposed to get money?"
I wandered around the nighttime streets, then sat down on a nearby bench and quietly closed my eyes.
If I couldn't use regression or the Status Window for fear of being detected by that guy, then there was only one thing I had left.
My abilities as a ghost story itself.
If up until now, both that b*stard and I have been confronting each other using the Status Window, then from this very moment, I will completely reawaken as Lee Joon the ghost story itself.
I quietly closed my eyes and muttered.
.
'Busan, Busan...
Garlic field....
"....."
As I focused, trembling and sweating, at some point I suddenly felt the air change, and when I opened my eyes, I was already sitting by a riverside.
I sprang to my feet and looked around; it was the garlic field by the Nakdong River in Gangseo District, where I had come to dig up money at the beginning of the semester.
I quickly got up and ran through the darkness toward the garlic field.
But as expected, after the police investigation, the place was nothing but bare, desolate dirt.
With a sense of regret, I stomped on the dirt a few times, then sat back down on the nearby road and focused my mind.
"It was just the first place that came to mind because it's related to money, but I already expected it to be empty."
Where should I go this time?
"...."
As I closed my eyes again for a moment, I suddenly felt the air change. When I opened them, I found myself in front of Sunah's Jugong apartment.
I must have thought of Sunah without realizing it, and so this place came to mind.
"Sunah...."
I lingered around the dark apartment complex, looking at the balcony of Sunah's house.
The faint light coming through the window suggested that the living room light was probably off and only the TV was on.
As I stared at Sunah's home with a cold, aching feeling in my chest, I composed myself again, then sat down nearby and closed my eyes.
'I think I'm starting to get how it works. Probably something like this...."
Fwoosh-
When I opened my eyes again, I was on the rooftop of my apartment building.
I closed my eyes and opened them once more. and this time I was on the rooftop of the broadcasting station I had gone to during the Fourincess incident.
Standing there, gazing at the buildings for a moment, I soon clenched both fists tightly.
"There's no need to hesitate. I am not
human. Not being able to breathe for a while won't kill me.'
To the universe.
'The clubroom... beyond that, the universe... from where the Demon King's nebula is watching....'
"..."
And then, as I closed my eyes and concentrated my mind.
Fwoosh-
In an instant, I was transported somewhere that made my mind feel strangely blank, and affected by the pressure difference, my eardrums swelled tightly as if they were about to tear apart.
I had safely arrived at the part of the space connected to the clubroom.
Even in pain, I flailed about and swam
toward the floating suitcase full of money hovering in the void in front of me.
If I can't summon it using the Status Window's function, then I would just go over and retrieve it myself.
I left about 100 million won in the bag, the amount Lee Joon could still withdraw and use without any issues, then grabbed handfuls of banknotes with both hands and closed my eyes again.
"...Ugh, huff.. Huff..."
Fwoosh-
And when I opened my eyes again, this time it was the school rooftop.
Gasping for air, I collapsed onto the floor with a thud.
At the same time, bundles of money tumbled down around me.
Now it's done.
Now, the revenge begins.
***
After that, everything went smoothly without any hitch.
First, I rented a room in a boarding house where you can stay just by paying money without needing to prove your identity, and spent the days planning my strategy.
And just before the end of the first semester, after going through multiple steps with various illegal information agencies, I got in touch with a broker and was able to hire people by paying a premium.
Having gotten involved in this kind of thing at a young age, there were a few moments when I could have easily been betrayed or attacked from behind.
Fortunately, because the opponent Lee Joon had died several times while dealing with ghost stories on his own end, and time had rewound a few times at just the right moments, I was able to catch all those risk factors in advance.
And then, on the last day of the first semester, the day of the closing ceremony when summer vacation began.
I waited halfway along the downhill road, riding in a black van with some of the hired thugs.
Since I knew my own route home better than anyone, finding the best place for the kidnapping wasn't difficult.
"He's coming. That's him."
"He really does look exactly the same."
The thugs glanced back and forth between me, the client, and Lee Joon outside the tinted window.
I ignored them and lay down in the back seat, hiding myself from view.
"Stop messing around and go catch him properly. Cover his mouth tightly so he can't scream, and push the syringe in right away."
"Since we already got paid. Let's go!"
As Lee Joon was passing by the side of the car, the door suddenly swung open, and in an instant, the thugs grabbed the guy and pulled him inside.
Since I wasn't particularly strong to begin with, Lee Joon was lifted up so effortlessly that it was like they were carrying a mannequin.
Immediately after, a syringe filled with drugs was jabbed into his neck, and he stopped struggling, going limp and collapsing helplessly.
"Hoo."
I got up from the back seat, checked the b*stard, then let out a snicker and pulled a hood over his head.
After driving for a long time into the countryside, we arrived at a secluded
mental hospital, where medical staff who had already been bribed through the broker were waiting.
From there, the thugs were replaced by strong male nurses, who hoisted the guy up, strapped him into a wheelchair, and moved him into a solitary room.
"You must never let this b*stard commit suicide. Remove all sharp objects from the room, always keep his hands and feet tied, put a gag in his mouth, and administer medication regularly. And when I come to visit, make sure to always cover his eyes so
he can't see me."
"Yes, don't worry."
I'd seen them often in the news, so I knew they were professionals.
They subdued Lee Joon even more perfectly than I had ordered, and made him face me wearing a restraint suit and blindfold. I looked at the guy leisurely and smiled.
"Oi."
"....."
"Oi."
With a sluggish movement, the guy, drugged thoroughly, slowly lifted his dazed head.
I tapped his cheek lightly a couple of times.
"Hey. You were going on about giving me some chance to admit I was fake and all that show-off nonsense. Was it fun? You b*stard"
"....."
"Who do you think you are to decide whether I get a chance or not? I'm real too. I'm a person. Don't treat me like I'm someone it's okay to treat as Worthless."
"....."
"Honestly, if you had just said something like you're sorry things turned out this way, and let's honestly agree to acknowledge what's true and move on, I wouldn't have gone
this far. You humiliated me like that and thought there wouldn't be any revenge? Huh?"
I struck the back of his head with a sharp thwack.
His head slumped forward weakly.
"Why aren't you saying anything? No, don't speak. Just hearing your voice pisses me off."
"....."
"I've got a lot to say, but even just looking at your face makes my blood boil, so I'm leaving first. From now on, I'll live your life for you. Good luck."
I left the guy there, drooling profusely,
and walked out of the hospital.
And finally, after a long time, I brought up the Status Window again.
"...Status Window."
Pop-
[2019, July 19th | Friday, 4:40 PM]
[Lee Joon: Number of Attempts- 2]
[Ghost Story Point: 682]
[Causality Rate: 38%]
"Phew...I really missed it."
I let out a deep sigh of relief as I looked
at the Status Window.
Now the Status Window, the system, and even regression are all mine again.
I have reclaimed my life.
I picked up Lee Joon's phone, bag, and school uniform, then closed my eyes.
"Let's go. Home."
Teleportation.
Fwoosh-
"...I'm back again."
I looked up at our home from the entrance of the apartment complex and smiled with quiet satisfaction.
And I walked home as slowly as possible, savoring every bit of the Scenery around me.
The familiar sidewalk, the layout of the
buildings, the playground....
Finally, I reached my home's front door and touched the door lock, but suddenly the light flickered and went out.
'It's a machine malfunction.'
A phenomenon that occurs because of being a doppelgänger.
I was already used to it.
My parents were still not home from work, so I struggled with the door lock, turning off and on a few times on my own, then finally managed to enter the code and opened the door.
Ping~
"I'm home~"
Our living room, for the first time in a while.
In that place bathed in the sunset, I closed my eyes and took a moment to breathe in.
My home, my room, my computer.....
Now, they're truly mine.
I flopped down onto the bed, resting my head on my arm, when suddenly Gyeongwon called me.
I stared at the screen blankly for a moment, then finally picked up the call.
Dud-
"Hello?"
[Prez! Why haven't you been answering all day? We were supposed to go to the after-semester party after the closing ceremony! We said we'd just change clothes and meet right away, what are you doing!]
"Oh... right, sorry."
I lifted one corner of my mouth into a faint grin.
"I lay down on the bed for a bit and fell asleep. Where is everyone?"
[We already finished eating and even went to karaoke! We're just deciding now whether to keep hanging out or head home!]
"Really? Hmm, I guess I'll come over."
[Wait! Hey, Prez says he's coming now!]
[Then let's keep hanging out.]
[Tell him to hurry up, damn it. What kind of person sleeps through the afternoon like that.]
[joon is coming...?]
[Yeah, he's coming. Okay, Prez. Then we'll be waiting at Exit 1 of ShinLim Station.]
"Is Hayoon there too?"
[Uh-huh, we're all here. Hurry up.]
"Hmm but wait a second. Let me See... "
I tossed around for a moment and then switched the phone to my other hand.
"But I suddenly don't feel like coming."
"Uh? What?"
"I said I don't feel like."
[....?]
Gyeongwon hesitated for a moment,
seemingly flustered.
Then he replied in a slightly panicked tone.
[..Uh, yeah... if you're tired, it can't be helped.]
[What? He's not coming?]
[Uh, I guess... he might be tired.]
"Hello? It's not that I'm tired, it's that I just don't feel like."
[.....]
[What is it? Why is he saying he's not coming? Let me talk to him.]
[Joon isn't coming.....]
While the members murmured among themselves, I yawned loudly, then just hung up the phone.
"Yaaawn~"
Dud-
Then I tossed my phone away with a crooked smile.
'Everyone's having fun.'
Even without me there.
How have they been?
After locking me down like that, nailing the coffin shut so I couldn't move anywhere, throwing me into a pitch-black place to suffer forever?
'Wow... seriously...'
What should I do with these b*stards,really...
I turned onto my side, my face filled with a strange sense of exhilaration.
Then I muttered quietly.
'Status Window. Manage Club. Manage Members.'
Fwoosh- fvoosh- fwoosh-
[Ghost Story Club LV.10]
1. Club Status Window
2. Manage Members
3. Store
4. Settings
[² Manage Members]
Ahn Gyeongwon LV.2 [0/200]
Oh Dukhun LV.1 [0/100]
Yoon Sunah LV.2 [0/200]
Lee Jinhee LV.1 [0/100]
In Hayoon LV.2 [0/200]
Jang Hwaeun LV.1 [0/100]
"Expel Oh Dukhun, Yoon Sunah Ahn
Gyeongwon, Lee Jinhee, In Hayoon."
Fwoosh- fwoosh- fwoosh-
[Are you sure you want to expel the
members Oh Dukhun, Yoon Sunah,
Ahn Gyeongwon, Lee Jinhee, and In
Hayoon?]
- Warning: According to school
regulations, a member who has been
expelled can only rejoin starting
from the next semester -
[Yes / No]
"Yes,"
I grinned and pressed the button.
Fwoosh-
[5 members have been expelled.]
[ Manage Members]
Jang Hwaeun LV.1 [0/100]
Once they're expelled, they can only rejoin next semester, but coincidentally today was the semester closing ceremony, the last day of the first semester.
From today's perspective, the next
semester is the second semester, after the summer break.
Like this, I would spend the summer vacation resting properly, not seeing their faces, having fun, and when the second semester would begin, I would go back to school.
I'll only let back in those who sincerely
apologize to me then.'
I giggled and kicked my foot.
'F*cking idiots. They must be still having their after-semester party without realizing they have been kicked out.'
Have fun. You p*nks.