The walk home was silent.
Too silent.
Even Jae-min didn't talk.
Even Yui didn't complain.
And that alone was enough to scare Baek.
Back at the House
The moment they stepped inside, Yui dropped her bag.
"Okay," she said, voice steady but tight, "we're not doing this mysterious silence thing."
She turned to everyone.
"I want answers."
Baek didn't argue.
Mr. Lee didn't interrupt.
Even Obaa-chan, sitting by the window like she had been waiting for this moment, didn't joke.
That's when Yui knew—
This was serious.
The Truth Begins
Obaa-chan sighed.
"…You weren't supposed to find out like this."
Yui crossed her arms.
"Well, I did. So start talking."
Baek stepped forward.
"You died once."
Yui blinked.
"…What?"
Jae-min froze.
Mr. Lee adjusted his glasses.
"No point hiding it anymore."
Baek continued.
"When you were six."
Yui laughed.
Short. Sharp. Disbelieving.
"No I didn't."
Obaa-chan looked at her.
Softly.
"Yes, you did."
The Memory
The room felt colder.
"Car accident," Obaa-chan said quietly.
"Rainy night."
"Wrong place. Wrong time."
Yui's head started to hurt.
"No… I would remember that."
Baek shook his head.
"You wouldn't."
Mr. Lee added,
"Your memories were altered as part of the contract."
Jae-min whispered,
"…That's terrifying."
The Deal
Obaa-chan placed her tea down.
"I couldn't let you go."
Her voice wasn't playful anymore.
"I called something I shouldn't have."
Yui's hands clenched.
"The underworld."
Silence.
"I made a deal," Obaa-chan said.
"Your life… in exchange for a future debt."
Yui's voice cracked.
"So… I'm alive because of a contract?"
Baek nodded.
"Yes."
Why Yui Is Different
Mr. Lee stepped forward.
"You are not fully alive… and not fully dead."
Yui stared at him.
"…Excuse me?"
"You exist in between," he continued.
"That's why you can see spirits."
"That's why they are drawn to you."
Baek added quietly,
"And that's why the King noticed you."
Yui's stomach dropped.
It Gets Worse
Jae-min looked at her like she might disappear.
"So… you're like… half-ghost?"
Yui pointed at him.
"Don't say it like that."
"Say what?"
"Like I'm expired milk."
The Real Reason
Baek stepped closer.
"There's something else."
Yui closed her eyes.
"Of course there is."
"The deal didn't just save you."
Baek's voice dropped.
"It marked you."
Yui opened her eyes.
"…Marked?"
Mr. Lee nodded.
"To the underworld… you are property."
Silence.
Then—
"OH COME ON—"
Yui grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
"I AM NOT PROPERTY!"
Ghost Dog barked in agreement.
Why the King Wants Her
Obaa-chan looked at Yui carefully.
"The King of Lost Souls…"
"…collects what doesn't belong."
Yui froze.
"You don't belong to life."
Baek continued.
"And you don't belong to death."
Mr. Lee finished:
"That makes you valuable."
Jae-min whispered,
"…or dangerous."
Yui Snaps (Finally)
Yui stood up.
Slowly.
Too calmly.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"No?" Baek repeated.
"I'm not doing this," Yui said.
"I'm not some object. I'm not some 'in-between thing.'"
Her voice shook now.
"I'm me."
Silence.
Then—
Baek nodded.
"…Then prove it."
Yui blinked.
"What?"
"If you want control over your life," he said,
"then take the deal."
"Work with us."
"Fight back."
Mr. Lee added,
"And repay your debt on your own terms."
Decision
Yui looked at all of them.
Her strange life.
Her truth.
Her fear.
Her anger.
Then she exhaled.
"…Fine."
Jae-min leaned forward.
"Fine?"
Yui smirked slightly.
"If I'm stuck between life and death…"
She cracked her knuckles.
"…then I'll make it everyone else's problem too."
Baek almost smiled.
Almost.
Final Twist
Just as things settled—
Obaa-chan's expression changed.
"…Wait."
Yui frowned.
"What now?"
Obaa-chan looked toward the door.
"…We're not alone."
The air shifted.
A whisper echoed.
Not loud.
Not clear.
But close.
Very close.
"I found you."
Yui's heart dropped.
Baek grabbed his scythe.
Mr. Lee's papers shook.
Jae-min panicked quietly.
And the lights—
Went out.
END OF CHAPTER 17