Chapter 107

“He’s coming!”

Kang Jin, who was tidying up some items, hastily cleared away the boxed lunches from the display upon hearing Bae Yongsoo’s shout. He quickly moved them to the storage room and then prepared at the counter for the arrival of the troublemaker.

He placed one Hell of Wild Cries lunchbox on the display with bottled water, instant ramen cups, and apples purchased from another convenience store called ‘JS’.

[New Set Discount

Lunchbox + Water + Ramen Cup + Apple = 4,000 won.]

After arranging each item, Kang Jin put the remaining Hell of Wild Cries lunchbox into the microwave and pressed start. Then, he poured hot water into the instant ramen cup.

‘Will he remember my face?’

This was the bad guy who had noticed Kang Jin during the incident on the subway. Choi Hocheol warned him not to turn around, but Kang Jin worried that this man might have seen his face anyway. Fortunately, he was now wearing the uniform of a convenience store employee, so at least their clothes were different…

‘He is resourceful, so he may recognize me. Should I acknowledge him first? No… That could look suspicious.’

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Kang Jin glanced outside the store. He spotted the fellow approaching from afar.

Kang Jin retrieved the lunchbox from the microwave and placed it on the counter before opening its lid.

Sssk! Whoosh!

As he lifted the lid, steam rose from the container. The lunch box looked incredibly appetizing. Kang Jin read the packaging label:

Hell’s full-course meal, packed with flavor and nutrition using fresh vegetables grown in the Hell of Wild Cries and quality meat from livestock.

Seeing this description on the Hell of Wild Cries’ lunch box brought a smile to his face, fitting for the situation.

The quality is outstanding.

Just looking at the glossy rice made one’s mouth water, while the two main dishes—pork and beef—were temptingly juicy, beckoning him to dig in. Accompanied by sausage coated in egg batter, kimchi, and stir-fried tofu marinated with a tangy twist, the overall quality surpassed anything found in the mortal world.

And it only costs four hundred won…

Briefly forgetting about how these dishes could be a hit if sold on earth, Kang Jin fanned his Hell of Wild Cries lunchbox lid to spread the aroma.

Fwip, fwip!

As he did so, he cut an apple in half while eating rice and side dishes.

Craack!

With a crisp sound, the apple split open, revealing its white flesh with honey-like sections visible inside. It looked delicious to anyone who saw it. Kang Jin strategically placed the apple halves before starting to eat his meal.

‘The taste is indeed exceptional.’

Just like the apples grown in the Hell of Wild Cries, the lunch made from rice and ingredients sourced there was far beyond ordinary flavors. As Kang Jin savored each bite, he glanced towards the entrance. Through the glass door, he spotted the approaching troublemaker.

Behind him followed female ghosts… One with her neck half-severed and dangling, another with a caved-in skull… Each was horrifying enough to haunt nightmares.

Grrr!

‘You son of a bitch… I’ll show you hell soon.’

As Kang Jin silently muttered through gritted teeth, the villain entered the store.

Ting-a-ling!

The chime above the door sounded as the villain walked in. Kang Jin glanced at him briefly before continuing to eat his ramen.

No need to be friendly. Just act like any ordinary convenience store employee.

Under Kang Jin’s gaze, the villain gave a slight nod and headed towards the lunch box section but then turned back towards the counter.

The villain turned his head due to the enticing aroma wafting from Kang Jin’s meal. Seeing Kang Jin eagerly eating his lunchbox with such delicious smells made him swallow hard.

Gulp!

As he swallowed, Kang Jin picked up his spicy ramen soup this time. The mere scent of it was enough to make his mouth water.

It looks spicy just by looking at it.

Among the various instant noodle options available at JS Convenience Store, Kang Jin chose the spiciest one for a simple reason: South Koreans generally find red-colored broth more appetizing than clear broth.

“Phew!” Kang Jin took a deep breath before digging in.

Slosh! Slosh!

Despite its spiciness, it had a clean heat that Koreans found appetizing and delicious.

So what do you think? Does it look tasty?

“Hwoo! Hwoo!”

South Koreans can’t resist ramen. Whenever they see someone eating ramen, they want at least one bite themselves. The thug, enticed by Kang Jin’s enjoyable meal of ramen and lunchbox, moved towards the lunchbox corner. Initially, he was searching for his target while having lunch, but seeing Kang Jin’s relish made him crave more food.

Kang Jin didn’t lift his head even as he sensed the thug approaching the lunchbox area. There was no need to make eye contact with such assertive individuals.

Sip!

As Kang Jin continued eating his ramen, various items were placed in front of him.

Nice.

Seeing this sneaky customer bring his own set menu, Kang Jin wiped her mouth.

“It’s four thousand won.”

At Kang Jin’s words, the sly man glanced at the barcode scanner.

“You don’t scan it?”

“This item is new, so it doesn’t have a barcode yet.”

Kang Jin anticipated such a question. The cunning man nodded and took out five thousand won from his wallet.

“You’re having this right now?”

In response to the sly man’s inquiry, Kang Jin smiled and nodded.

“Isn’t the product name intriguing?”

As Kang Jin spoke, the sly man examined the labels on the lunchbox and ramen.

“Yes, indeed. Hell of Wild Cries, Scorching Heat…”

“People tend to notice unique names these days.” While conversing, Kang Jin completed the transaction.

“Here’s your change.”

“By the way, four thousand won for… Wow, that’s quite a discount.”

“Please continue to patronize us.” Kang Jin handed over 1,000 won as change, and the villain walked toward the window with his food.

Kang Jin sat down and started sipping the ramen broth while watching him.

Sip! Sip!

As he drank, Kang Jin kept his eyes on the villain’s back.

Hopefully, he didn’t recognize me.

Muttering inwardly, Kang Jin stopped focusing on the villain. Once he ate the meal, it would reveal…the ghosts accompanying him.

Shhhf!

Seeing the ghosts standing behind the villain, Kang Jin pursed his lips.

Just wait a little longer. Your… You can free yourselves.

As he thought about this, Kang Jin finished his lunch and ramen, then cleared away the dishes. He munched on an apple while keeping an eye on the villainess. She had tasted the food from her lunchbox earlier and was now devouring it enthusiastically.

She must be famished… It’s that delicious.

Kang Jin chuckled inwardly as he watched her gobble down the meal, noodles, and water quickly before sighing contentedly and biting into the apple for dessert.

“It’s so good,” she murmured without realizing, bringing a smile to Kang Jin’s face.

Enjoy your meal.

Crunch! Crunch!

After finishing the apple, the villainess cleared her dishes and pulled out her phone. She began snapping photos of passersby.

I wonder when the drug will start taking effect?

As Kang Jin thought this, the jerk suddenly started rubbing his eyes.

“What’s going on?”

He continued to rub them and turned toward the window before falling backward out of his chair.

“Ack!”

Thud!

Kang Jin glanced outside as he watched the man tumble over. Choi Hocheol was glaring at the bad guy from beyond the glass.

Having transformed into a ghost, Choi Hocheol’s arms were torn open, revealing white bones beneath the ripped flesh. Blood also dripped profusely from his face and body. The sight of him caused the thug to collapse in shock.

Seeing Choi Hocheol, Kang Jin gestured for him to enter while looking down at the unconscious man. His face had paled, and his eyes were closed tightly, indicating that he might have fainted.

‘Is he dead?’

Kang Jin discreetly checked his nose for breath and found him still alive. He propped Choi Hocheol up in a chair, leaning him over the small table. Then Kang Jin turned to observe the female ghosts. They stared blankly at the unconscious man with expressionless faces.

“Excuse me…”

The ghosts didn’t acknowledge Kang Jin’s call. It was unclear whether they were uncertain if he was addressing them or simply too preoccupied to pay attention.

Undeterred, Kang Jin spoke again, “Um… Would you like some apples?”

Finally, one of the female ghosts looked at him.

“Just now… Were you talking to us?” she asked, surprised by Kang Jin’s ability to see them.

“You can see us?”

In response to her question, Kang Jin retrieved an apple from beneath the counter and offered it to the ghosts.

“Please have some. They’re delicious.”

“But…”

“Just take one.”

As Kang Jin handed over the apple, the ghost hesitantly reached out, picked it up, and looked astonished. She could physically hold the fruit.

“How is this possible?”

“It’s because I brought it from the afterlife.”

“The afterlife?”

Seeing the puzzled expression on the ghost’s face, Kang Jin placed another apple on the small table. The first ghost passed hers around, but only three others accepted them. When Kang Jin noticed this, he turned to the initial ghost who had received an apple.

The ghost shook her head. “I’m feeling overwhelmed.”

“It’s understandable after such a traumatic experience…”

“But how can we be seen?”

“I run a restaurant that caters to ghosts.”

“Catering…to ghosts?”

“Haven’t you heard of it before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“In simple terms, it provides meals for spirits who couldn’t ascend to heaven.”

“And…you do this?”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin then turned to glare at the wicked man.

“He’ll be seeing all of you from now on.”

“Us? We’re…ghosts, right?”

“What he ate was food from the afterlife. Consuming it allows one to see ghosts.”

“Oh…” The female ghost suddenly looked alarmed. “He…he can see us?”

Kang Jin realized too late by the ghost’s expression and tone.

Oh no… The ghost is afraid of him.

It’s natural for humans to fear ghosts, but now it was the female ghost who feared this man. This was Kang Jin’s mistake. Initially, the female ghosts wanted to torment the villain together with him, but they perceived him as a terrifying rapist and murderer. Hence their terror.

What should I do?

This situation needed addressing. Instead of instilling fear in others, if people frightened the ghosts…

As Kang Jin felt flustered, one of the silent ghosts turned to look at him.

“Wait… You said he can see us?”

Kang Jin glanced at another previously quiet ghost who had posed the question. He then subtly bowed his head.

The sight of her was incredibly horrifying: Her neck hung limply, her face was sunken, and one eye appeared gouged out, leaving a dark hole.

Her appearance was ghastly; her neck hung loosely and face sunken in. One eye seemed to have burst, leaving behind a black hole. Kang Jin swallowed hard as he took in her horrifying visage.

“Yes,” he confirmed.

The female ghost smiled at his response.

Shiver!

Kang Jin felt chills run down his spine from that cold, eerie grin.

“You can see me…”

At the sight of her icy expression, Kang Jin gulped nervously.

Gulp!

The female ghost laughed at his reaction.

“How delightful.”

Swoosh!

She then turned to address the other ghosts.

“There’s no need to fear this human. We’re spirits, and he is merely mortal. Even if he can see us…he cannot kill us.”

“But—still…”

The female ghost firmly responded to another ghost’s fearful words, “And!”

She paused briefly and addressed the others, “Do you know what this bastard does when he frightens women?”

Gulp!

As the other ghosts swallowed nervously at her words, she continued:

“When we show fear, this scum takes it out on us.”

“Then what should we do?” Another female ghost asked.

“How else? We must make him afraid instead,” replied the first female ghost as she twisted her neck sideways.

Krrrk!

Although Kang Jin couldn’t hear any bone-cracking sounds, it felt like something snapped audibly in his ears. The female ghost had exposed her neck bones by twisting her elongated neck unnaturally.

‘Today…I won’t be getting any sleep.’