The rule was simple.
No ghosts inside the house.
Unfortunately, Obaa-chan had never been a big fan of rules.
Yui woke up at 2:14 AM to the sound of someone slurping noodles.
Loudly.
Very loudly.
She slowly opened one eye.
Then the other.
Then she screamed.
"WHY IS THERE A GHOST IN MY KITCHEN?!"
A pale spirit wearing a business suit sat at the table eating instant ramen.
Next to him was Ghost Dog, licking the seasoning packet.
Across from them sat Obaa-chan, completely calm, pouring tea.
"Oh good," Obaa-chan said cheerfully. "You're awake."
Yui stared.
Then pointed.
Then stared again.
"WHY ARE THERE THREE GHOSTS IN OUR KITCHEN?!"
"Technically four," said Baek Woo-jin from the doorway. "There's one in the fridge."
The fridge door creaked open.
A transparent hand slowly reached out and grabbed a yogurt.
Yui collapsed into a chair.
"I'm going back to sleep."
"You can't," Obaa-chan said.
"Why."
"Because tonight is Spirit Socialization Night."
Yui lifted her head slowly.
"I'm sorry… what?"
The Spirit Sleepover
Obaa-chan clapped her hands.
"Friendly spirits need positive environments! Tea! Snacks! Emotional closure!"
Jae-min burst into the room holding a camera.
"THIS IS AMAZING."
"Why are you filming?" Yui asked weakly.
"For my paranormal livestream."
Baek immediately grabbed the camera.
"No."
"But—"
"No."
Mr. Lee suddenly appeared in a cloud of black paperwork smoke.
He looked around the kitchen.
Then at the ghosts.
Then at Yui.
Then at Obaa-chan.
His eye twitched.
"This… is an illegal gathering of unprocessed spirits."
Obaa-chan handed him tea.
"Relax."
Ghost Dog barked.
Then peed on Baek's robe.
Baek closed his eyes slowly.
"I'm going to erase this dog from existence."
"NO!" Yui shouted. "He's emotional support!"
Ghost Dog wagged his tail proudly.
The Problem
Suddenly…
The kitchen lights flickered.
All the friendly ghosts froze.
Even Obaa-chan stopped smiling.
Baek's eyes narrowed.
"That's not one of ours."
The temperature dropped.
The window cracked open by itself.
Something dark slid across the ceiling.
Jae-min whispered:
"Uh… guys?"
A shadow dropped to the floor.
Tall.
Twisted.
And very, very angry.
Mr. Lee checked his paperwork.
Then sighed.
"Wonderful."
"What?" Yui said.
"That," Mr. Lee said calmly, pointing at the monster,
"Is the CEO of the Damned."
The spirit straightened its expensive ghost suit.
And smiled.
"Hello," it said politely.
"I believe someone here owes the underworld a lot of money."
Yui slowly looked at Baek.
Baek slowly looked at Obaa-chan.
Obaa-chan sipped tea.
"…This might be my fault."
Yui screamed into a pillow.
"WHY IS MY LIFE LIKE THIS?!"
END OF CHAPTER 13