Chapter 3 – Graduate (3)
“Alright. As expected, since you know the famous shaman Yoo Il-am, there’s no need for a long explanation.”
“…”
I really needed a long explanation.
I considered correcting the famous shaman Yoo Il-am’s misconception but decided against it. No need to ruin the mood with unnecessary words.
Life wisdom honed through part-time jobs.
“First, let’s test your qualifications as a shaman!”
“Yes.”
Was there really a need to test qualifications already confirmed by the aptitude test?
I had strong doubts, but I decided to follow his instructions without complaint.
“Look around this staff room.”
“Yes.”
“What do you see?”
“I see teachers.”
I saw teachers frowning at the alcohol Yoo Il-am had sprayed on the staff room floor.
“Anything else?”
“…Desks and chairs.”
“Tch! If you’re a shaman, answer like one! I’m asking about the ghosts hiding in this staff room!”
“…”
Frustrated by my response, Yoo Il-am pounded his chest, so I reluctantly scanned the staff room again.
‘Hmm. I don’t see anything.’
No matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t see ghosts or even hear their whispers.
“Well… fine. It was my mistake to expect too much from a rookie.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I was going to take you as my apprentice, but I’m too busy to teach someone lacking talent. Find another shaman.”
“Yes.”
I felt sorry for my homeroom teacher, who invited this famous shaman, but I gave up without hesitation.
He said I lacked talent, didn’t he?
Lying about seeing invisible ghosts would only get me exposed quickly.
“Do you have your aptitude test result?”
“Yes.”
“Not that I doubt you, but let me see it for a moment.”
“Sure.”
At Yoo Il-am’s request, I handed over the crumpled piece of paper I’d kept carefully in my pocket.
He stared intently at the word “shaman” written at the bottom.
“…I’ll give you a test.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, I’ll give you a chance.”
“No, it’s fine. Like you said, I’ll find another shaman.”
“I know my fame might feel intimidating, but you don’t have to refuse.”
“I’m really—”
“From now on, find the ghost hiding in this school. I’m busy preparing for a broadcast, so don’t talk to me.”
“…”
Yoo Il-am, who had unilaterally issued his orders, stuck his hand out the staff room window and shouted loudly.
“Bring the camera here! Today’s a special broadcast on high school ghost stories!”
“Yes, Master!”
A man who had been ogling the skirts of female students heading home from a black car parked in the school courtyard responded energetically.
‘Is that guy a shaman too?’
His attire and demeanor screamed rookie driver, not shaman.
While I was looking out the window at the “famous shaman’s apprentice”—
“Ow?!”
Smack!
Something struck the top of my head, and I clutched it in pain.
Turning around quickly, I saw Yoo Il-am arrogantly tilting his chin, holding a fan.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and find the ghost.”
“I never said I’d—”
“Stop wasting time with nonsense and move! We’re starting a live broadcast soon. Are you going to take responsibility if it flops?”
“…”
Completely dumbfounded, I opened and closed my mouth like a fish.
‘This guy’s totally unreasonable!’
I quickly turned to my homeroom teacher for help, but—
“Just give it a try. I have to go to the principal’s office for this…”
The person who was supposed to be my support fled the staff room.
“Teacher—”
I looked to the other teachers in the room, but, aware of the broadcast, they were either pretending to be busy with work or touching up their makeup.
The broadcast.
I didn’t know if it had the principal’s approval, but I understood one thing: I’d been dragged into this the moment I stepped into the staff room.
“Ghosts, huh…”
“Don’t grumble and move. If you spot a ghost, yell for help.”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be better to quietly come back and tell you the location so the ghost doesn’t notice…?”
“You idiot! That way, it’ll be more dramatic! You yell, and my apprentice and I, following from a distance, will swoop in. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“To think a kid who wants to be my apprentice is this clueless. Tch, tch.”
“…”
I never said I wanted to be his apprentice, but I decided not to engage further.
Where should I start?
I didn’t think long. I decided to take a stroll from the basement level where the school store was, up to the rooftop, and back down.
“Oh! Right, apprentice-to-be.”
“…”
“You, I’m talking to you, Park Moon-soo.”
“It’s Kang Moon-soo.”
Ignoring Yoo Il-am on purpose, I turned my head.
“Tell me everything you know about this school’s ghost stories. Like, piano keys playing in an empty music room…”
“There aren’t any.”
“None? Are you sure you’re not just oblivious?”
“None. At all.”
“…”
“…”
“Listen up.”
“Yes.”
“If there aren’t any, that’s the end? You should make some up if you have to! You really don’t know how to do a broadcast! No, forget it. I was foolish to expect anything from a rookie. Just start walking.”
“Yes.”
‘A broadcast, huh…’
Hiding the smirk tugging at my lips, I casually took the lead.
As he prepared for the live broadcast, the “genius shaman” Yoo Il-am stared at the back of Kang Moon-soo’s head, feeling deeply displeased.
Why?
“How can he not see ghosts?!”
“Master, isn’t this a waste of time?”
“Wait. It’s possible he really didn’t see any.”
The student’s aptitude test result clearly said “shaman.”
That meant he was genuinely suited to be a shaman.
The aptitude test machine invented by P had never made a single mistake or misjudgment, so there was no room for doubt.
“Master, it’s almost time for the broadcast. Let’s get ready.”
“Alright.”
“I’m worried. That kid seems like a normal high school student with no connection to shamans.”
“Everyone starts that way. You did too. No, you were worse.”
“Me?”
“You’re a cameraman.”
The apprentice of the genius shaman Yoo Il-am had an aptitude test result of “cameraman.”
Impressive framing, stylish direction, seamless editing, appropriate exposure, quick adaptability, timely scripting…
Thanks to this, he effortlessly produced high-quality broadcasts.
“Master.”
“Is the broadcast prep done?”
“That was done ages ago. Are you really going to take that kid as an apprentice?”
“Of course. I can’t let my competitors snatch him up.”
Yoo Il-am’s eyes gleamed with greed as he watched Kang Moon-soo walking down the school hallway.
He had no complaints about his current apprentice, who had boosted his popularity with high-quality broadcasts, but his aptitude was always a lingering regret.
A disciple In name only.
More like a business partner.
The reason his apprentice was highly regarded as a “shaman” was thanks to clever direction and editing.
But how long could they keep fooling the public?
It was always a source of anxiety.
“Master, if you get a real apprentice, you better not ignore or mistreat me.”
“Of course not.”
If it got out that he’d taken in an untalented apprentice, his credibility would take a huge hit.
How many broadcasts had included segments praising his apprentice’s talent?
The two were practically bound by fate.
“It’s time.”
“Start it.”
“Yes.”
As usual, the apprentice signaled, and the camera lens focused on Master Yoo Il-am.
Beep-
“Hello, dear subscribers. I am Yoo Il-am, the ghost-exorcising shaman. Today, we’re going to hunt down the ghosts hiding in this high school!”
***
Ghosts, magic, reincarnation, prophecies, gods…
I didn’t believe in such occult nonsense.
But was it because a famous expert had told me directly?
“I’m getting chills for no reason.”
In the quiet school hallways, emptied of students, it felt like a cold breeze ignored the season and swept through.
I desperately wanted to leave the school…
“Today, we’re going to hunt down the ghosts hiding in this high school!”
But with the genius shaman Yoo Il-am following me, I couldn’t.
It was a live broadcast, and considering the effort my homeroom teacher put into inviting this man, running away wasn’t an option.
I decided to just accept this absurd situation.
“Why’d he have to say that…”
Why did he say ghosts fled from the staff room?
Creak-
Opening the door to the bathroom, which I was sure would be empty, I peered inside and said,
“…Excuse me?”
Pretending to look for ghosts.
“…”
But there was no one in the bathroom. Not even a student stuck there due to constipation.
The nearby classrooms, science lab, music room, audiovisual room, cafeteria…
Not only were there no ghosts as Yoo Il-am mentioned, but I couldn’t find any strange signs or traces either.
“Sigh…”
I have a part-time job soon, so why am I wasting my time playing along with this foolishness?
In my entire life, I’d never felt time was so precious.
“Whoa! That’s Yoo Il-am!”
“The shaman Yoo Il-am? For real?”
“Look! It’s really him!”
“Oh my gosh! There’s a camera! They must be filming a live broadcast!”
A handful of students still lingering at school spotted them and made a fuss.
‘Guess he really is famous.’
I could hear Yoo Il-am approaching those students with a friendly demeanor, striking up conversation without hesitation.
“Cute student, if you’re not busy, can I ask you something?”
“Oh! Sure.”
“Do you know any ghost stories about this school?”
“Well… I don’t know much, but I think there was a first-year girl who failed her exams and jumped off the school rooftop…”
“Thanks for your cooperation.”
“Is this, like, a live broadcast?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh my gosh!”
Amid the lively conversation, I was subtly mentioned.
“Today, we’re also holding a test to welcome a new apprentice. He’s a student at this school.”
He emphasized the words “new apprentice.”
“Is it Moon-soo?”
“Shh! Cute student, my apprentice’s name is confidential until the end of the broadcast.”
“Oh! Okay.”
I quietly tuned out their conversation and kept moving forward.
‘Who said I’m your apprentice?’
It was absurd, but I decided to hold back for now. If I couldn’t find a ghost, it’d mean I have no talent, and he’d give up on his own.
No need to throw a tantrum like a spoiled kid.
Creak-
The rusty hinges squeaked as I opened the iron door to the rooftop.
So far, everything was normal—perfectly fine.
Except for restricted areas like the principal’s office, vice-principal’s office, broadcasting room, and computer room, I’d checked everywhere.
“Time to head to my part-time job—huh?”
I was about to turn around and head back when I froze.
‘A schoolbag?’
On the dusty rooftop floor, a pink schoolbag sat alone.
Judging by its clean condition, it seemed recently abandoned. The owner might even be nearby.
“Hmm…”
The only blind spot on this wide-open rooftop?
As far as I knew, it was behind the staircase I’d just climbed.
Swish-
Tense from Yoo Il-am’s earlier words, I held my breath and cautiously approached the blind spot.
“Whoa!”
Could the annoying genius shaman’s hunch have been right?
A female student, presumably the bag’s owner, was lying unconscious in front of the rooftop railing.
“Hello?”
“…”
Her face was obscured by disheveled hair, but she was definitely unconscious.
‘Should I call a teacher? No.’
I stopped myself from pulling out my smartphone.
An adult to call for help was already following me, wasn’t he?
“Look! A female student possessed by a ghost is lying on the rooftop! This is not staged—it’s real! Apprentice, don’t miss a single shot!”
“Yes, Master!”
But contrary to my expectations, he was more likely to cause trouble than help.
“Mr. Yoo Il-am, this isn’t the time for games. We need to report—”
“Begone, spirit!”
Splash!
Holding fans in both hands, Yoo Il-am began dancing in circles around the unconscious girl.
“Awaken!”
“…”
“Oh no! The ghost is deeply rooted!”
Kick, kick!
He even started kicking the unresponsive girl as he made a commotion.
“Look! Did you see her body tremble just now? The ghost, shaken by my exorcism, is finally reacting!”
“That’s because you kicked—”
“Ohhh! Begone, spirit! This is not your place!”
Drowning out my protests with an even louder voice, Yoo Il-am kicked the girl again.
Kick, kick!
“Hey! Stop kicking an unconscious person—”
“Spirit!”
Kick, kick!
“You crazy bastard…!”
Finally losing my patience, I shoved Yoo Il-am with all my strength.
But,
“Tch! The ghost called a friend! I’ll subdue it right away!”
Like an unshakable stone pillar, he countered, and I ended up falling backward.
“What?!”
And of all places, right toward the frail body of the girl.
‘Damn it!’
I twisted my body desperately to avoid crashing into her.
It was a good split-second decision, but instead of the girl, the hard concrete floor welcomed me.
‘Ugh… Nothing’s going right.’
Squeeze.
I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for impact.
***
“…Huh?”
The expected impact and pain never came.
And instead of the school rooftop, a gymnasium filled my vision.
“Buddha…”
“Lord…”
“Father…”
Behind me, students were lined up, each praying to their respective gods.
And in front of me,
<Aptitude Testing Center>
A large sign indicating the gymnasium’s purpose stood prominently.
“Aptitude test…?”
A hospital bus carrying the aptitude testing machine greeted me.
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