Yui had never attended a business meeting before.
But she was pretty sure most of them didn't involve ghosts, a grim reaper, and a demon CEO standing in the kitchen at 3 AM.
The tall spirit in the expensive suit adjusted his tie.
"Good evening," he said politely.
His voice was smooth. Calm.
Way too calm.
Yui pointed at him. "You broke our window."
The spirit glanced at the shattered glass behind him.
"Ah. Yes. My apologies. I will bill the underworld for repairs."
Baek leaned against the wall, gripping his scythe.
"You shouldn't be here."
The spirit smiled.
"And yet… here I am."
Mr. Lee flipped through his paperwork nervously.
"I knew this would happen. Unauthorized spirit gatherings always attract attention."
Ghost Dog barked proudly.
Then peed on the demon CEO's shoe.
Everyone froze.
The demon looked down slowly.
Very slowly.
Then back up.
"…Was that intentional?"
Yui quickly grabbed the dog.
"He's emotionally expressive."
The CEO Introduces Himself
The ghost straightened his jacket again.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly."
He bowed slightly.
"I am Park Seung-ho, formerly CEO of SeungHo Global Holdings."
Yui blinked.
"…You're a businessman?"
"Was," he corrected.
"Then I died."
Jae-min whispered, "That's usually how that works."
Baek didn't laugh.
Mr. Lee groaned. "You're supposed to be contained in Level Seven of the Underworld Economy Sector."
Park smiled.
"Yes."
"And I escaped."
Yui slammed her hands on the table.
"Okay hold on. Why are you HERE?"
Park looked at her like she had just asked a silly question.
"Because," he said calmly,
"someone in this house owes the underworld a contractual soul debt."
Everyone slowly turned.
Toward Obaa-chan.
She sipped tea.
"…Don't look at me like that."
Yui's eye twitched.
"GRANDMA."
Obaa-chan's Suspicious Past
Obaa-chan sighed dramatically.
"Fine. Fine. I may have made a tiny deal years ago."
Mr. Lee shouted, "YOU SIGNED AN UNDERWORLD CONTRACT?!"
"It was the 1980s," she said defensively. "Everyone was making questionable choices."
Baek pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What was the deal?"
Obaa-chan pointed at Yui.
"To save her."
The room went silent.
Yui blinked.
"…What?"
Park Seung-ho clapped slowly.
"Yes. A very interesting contract indeed."
He pulled out a glowing scroll.
"The agreement stated that the child would live… but the soul debt must eventually be repaid."
Yui stared at the scroll.
Then at her grandmother.
Then at Baek.
"So… wait…"
"You mean I'm alive because my grandma made a deal with the underworld?!"
Obaa-chan shrugged.
"You were very cute as a baby. Worth it."
The Offer
Park rolled up the scroll.
"But I'm a reasonable businessman."
Baek narrowed his eyes.
"You're a demon."
Park smiled.
"A professional demon."
He walked around the kitchen table slowly.
"What if I offered a new deal?"
Yui didn't like where this was going.
"A deal?"
"Yes," Park said.
"If Yui continues helping the Grim Reaper capture dangerous spirits…"
He tapped the contract.
"…the debt can be repaid through service."
Mr. Lee dropped his clipboard.
"That's not standard procedure!"
Park shrugged.
"Neither is a human assisting a reaper."
Everyone looked at Yui.
Yui looked at everyone.
Then buried her face in her hands.
"So let me get this straight…"
"I'm basically working a part-time job for the underworld now?"
Baek nodded.
"Pretty much."
Ghost Dog barked.
Jae-min whispered excitedly,
"This is the coolest internship ever."
Yui screamed into the table.
But Something Is Wrong
Park started walking toward the door.
"Think about my offer," he said.
"But make your decision quickly."
Baek stepped forward.
"Why?"
Park paused.
His smile faded slightly.
"Because," he said quietly,
"something far worse than me has started moving in the spirit world."
Even Mr. Lee went pale.
"What do you mean?"
Park opened the door.
The night wind blew through the kitchen.
"There are rumors…"
"…that the King of Lost Souls is waking up."
The lights flickered.
All the friendly ghosts in the room suddenly disappeared.
Even Ghost Dog whimpered.
Park stepped into the darkness.
"If that happens…"
He looked back at Yui.
"Your little ghost-hunting hobby will become a war."
Then he vanished.
Silence filled the kitchen.
Yui slowly turned toward Baek.
"…Please tell me he was being dramatic."
Baek didn't answer.
Which was worse than answering.
END OF CHAPTER 14