Chapter 149

“Mr. President!”

Kang Jin heard Kang Doochi’s cheerful voice over the phone and said,

“I-I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“Please go ahead.”

“I received a Cross Check issued by Cross Finance, but…”

“A Cross Check?”

“Yes. It wasn’t from JS Finance as before, so I was wondering about it.”

“In that case, I need to process the check immediately. I’ll be right there.”

“You’re busy, aren’t you?”

“Not at all. Managing deposits is part of my job. Just give me a moment…”

Ding-a-ling!

Accompanied by the sound of bells, Kang Doochi entered the restaurant.

“I’m here.”

As Kang Doochi approached with a smile, Kang Jin glanced between him and her phone.

“You arrived quickly.”

“The saying ‘Time is money’ applies to both this life and the afterlife.” Kang Doochi smiled as he greeted Sung Yongsoo with his eyes. In response, Bae Yongsoo slowly retreated into the kitchen.

Kang Jin had started earning money while working at One Meal Restaurant. Thus, he no longer feared JS Finance employees due to his debt. However, some discomfort remained inevitable.

Meanwhile, Captain Choi Hun and Choi Hun observed Kang Doochi with curiosity, wondering who he was. Ignoring their gazes, Kang Doochi addressed Kang Jin.

“Please give me the check.”

Upon receiving the check from Kang Jin, Kang Doochi entered something on his tablet computer.

“It has been deposited into your account, sir.”

Kang Jin responded to Kang Doochi’s statement:

“The money…will it cause any inconvenience later on?”

Recently, Kang Jin had spent quite a bit of money at the JS convenience store, which made her feel uneasy now.

Kang Doochi glanced down at his tablet while responding to Kang Jin’s query.

“Should I tell you the amount?”

“I think knowing would make me even more uncomfortable.”

Kang Doochi smiled at Kang Jin’s response.

“With this sum, you won’t go hungry, even if you were to pass away today.”

Hearing this, Kang Jin let out a small sigh of relief before asking:

“So what is Cross Finance?”

“It’s Christian finance.”

“Christian finance?”

“Just like there are multiple banks in the mortal world, there are several banks in the afterlife as well. Each country has its own bank, and there are also banks based on religions.”

“Each religion manages its own bank.”

“Yes, that’s correct. There are quite a few banks here. And JS Finance… you can consider it as the bank managing non-religious people in South Korea.” Kang Doochi smiled and pointed at the check. “This particular check is issued by Christianity.”

“I figured as much.”

“You had a guess?”

“The cross symbol made me think of Christianity,” replied Kang Jin.

Kang Doochi nodded in agreement with her observation. “That’s right. However, it’s not common for someone to personally deliver a ghost to Cross Finance while paying extra fees… It seems like your father was a good man.”

Kang Jin appeared puzzled by Kang Doochi’s comment.

“Many people in our country believe in Christianity… But why aren’t more cases brought directly to Cross Finance?”

Kang Doochi smiled at Kang Jin’s question.

“Sir, did you attend church when you were younger?”

“A few times.”

It was rare for someone not to have visited a church at least once or twice during their childhood. Unlike Buddhist temples, churches could be found in almost every neighborhood, making them easily accessible. Kang Jin himself had accompanied friends to church a couple of times as a child.

“Then, Sir, are you Christian?”

Kang Jin pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

“I don’t think so.”

Technically, if asked about his religious affiliation, he would say Christianity since the only place of worship he’d ever attended was a church. However, upon closer examination, he wasn’t truly Christian; while he knew about Jesus Christ, he didn’t actively believe in him.

To be precise, she wasn’t actually Christian. Although she knew about Jesus Christ, she didn’t believe in him.

Kang Doochi nodded at Kang Jin’s clarification.

“Not everyone who attends church is necessarily a devout Christian, just as not all those visiting temples are true Buddhists. What matters is how deeply they believe and follow the teachings of their respective religions.” Kang Doochi paused briefly before continuing, “As a result, many individuals who identified as Christians during their lifetime end up under our jurisdiction at JS Finance after death.”

“So only genuine believers go to Cross Finance?”

“That’s correct.”

Kang Jin suddenly asked, curious about something that had been on her mind: “But it seems like the concept of hell mentioned by JS Finance aligns more with Buddhism…”

“That’s because Buddhist beliefs have greatly influenced South Korea’s concept of hell. Although there is religious diversity now, Buddhism was predominantly practiced in the past.”

“Indeed, the afterlife mirrors life on earth.”

Kang Doochi nodded at Kang Jin’s observation and added, “Even if someone is a Christian believer, they’ll end up here with us if their deeds were wicked.”

“But Christians also believe in hell, right?”

“The concept of heaven may differ slightly between our sides, but…they do say that those who commit evil will be consumed by the fires of hell. And since we already have our own version of fiery hell, it seemed fitting to send them over.”

“So you’re…recycling souls from hell?”

“It’s not about turning them away; there’s no reason to take minor criminals with us. Besides, hell is overcrowded, so we appreciate you handling most of these petty offenses here.”

“Hell being full…that sounds terrifying.”

“Considering Christianity has many followers worldwide, your side must manage numerous souls. There are both good and evil people out there, after all.”

“So, JS Finance handles minor offenders while severe cases go directly to your jurisdiction?”

“Yes, they prefer dealing with truly wicked individuals themselves.” Kang Doochi then looked at Kang Jin. “Do you have any more questions?”

“The publisher listed here is Manuel…who might that be?”

“I suspect it’s one of the Christian angels. Most likely, the guardian angel of that grandmother.”

“A guardian angel?”

“In Christianity, each devout and righteous believer is assigned their own guardian angel.”

“But I’ve never seen a guardian angel before…?”

“Well, they’re angels, not ghosts.”

“Oh…” Kang Jin chuckled at his own absurdity for casually discussing angels and ghosts as if they were real.

Kang Doochi observed him curiously. “Do you have any more questions?”

“Um… Could you please come with me for a moment?”

Kang Jin led Kang Doochi to the kitchen and pointed at a door.

“Can you see this door?”

“The door?” Kang Doochi looked puzzled, unsure what Kang Jin was referring to.

Kang Doochi glanced at the door, puzzled by Kang Jin’s question.

“Can’t you see it?”

“Hmm…” Kang Doochi tapped on the door with his palm and replied, “To my eyes, it just looks like a wall. But if you can see a door here, then I believe there must be one.”

“So, even Mr. Kang Doochi cannot see this door?” Kang Jin asked.

Kang Doochi smiled in response. “There are many aspects of the Underworld Restaurant that remain unknown to me as well.”

“Even for someone like you, Mr. Kang Doochi?” Kang Jin queried, surprised.

Kang Doochi nodded. “I’ve been alive for less than two hundred years myself.”

The mention of two hundred years caught Kang Jin off guard, and he stared at him in astonishment.

“You’re…two hundred years old?”

“Two hundred is considered a rookie around here.”

Kang Doochi then looked at the door. Of course, all he could see was a wall.

“It seems only the master of the Underworld Restaurant can perceive this entrance.”

“But it wouldn’t open for me either.”

“Let’s think about it simply.”

“Simply?”

“Either Kang Jin-ssi isn’t yet able to open the door, or…”

“Or what?”

“It might be a door that cannot be opened from our side.”

With that, Kang Doochi exited the kitchen and added, “From my experience living this life…there’s no bigger folly than worrying about unsolvable problems.”

“That’s true,” Kang Jin replied with a smile as she picked up her bag from the dining table.

“I’ll be back another time.”

“Would you like to stay for dinner since you’re already here?”

“I’d love to, but I have so much work today that there’s no time even for meals.”

“How about dropping by after finishing your tasks?”

“If possible, sure. Well then…”

Kang Doochi opened the door and stepped outside, while Kang Jin saw him off before returning inside the restaurant. She then gently approached the ghosts.

“Um, since we need to open for business, could you please step out momentarily?”

Choi Hun chuckled and nodded at Kang Jin’s request.

“We were planning to leave anyway. Captain, let’s go.”

Upon hearing Choi Hun’s request, the captain, who had been watching TV, got up and exited through the back door. After Bae Yongsoo also left, Kang Jin started cooking rice and preparing for business.

Kang Jin served dinner to two tables before pausing to wait for more customers while watching TV. He glanced at the time on his phone screen.

[08:02]

Seeing the time, he smacked his lips as he looked towards the entrance.

“Is this it for tonight’s business?”

Normally, four tables would dine here, so serving only two meant today was slow.

“Should I summon some ghosts?”

It didn’t seem like any more guests would arrive, leaving him bored. As he contemplated bringing along some ghost car enthusiasts, he heard the sound of the store entrance opening.

Ding-a-ling!

Kang Jin looked up at the sound of the door chime and spotted a stylish grandfather wearing traditional white hanbok attire and a fedora entering his shop. The elderly man scanned the interior.

Kang Jin smiled warmly as he addressed the newcomer. “Please sit wherever you feel comfortable.”

The grandfather removed his hat while responding to Kang Jin’s invitation. “May I bring my dog inside?”

“A dog?” In response to Kang Jin’s query, the grandfather gestured outside. Curious, Kang Jin glanced towards the entrance, only to be met with bewilderment upon seeing what awaited there: a Yellow Dog with golden fur, sitting attentively near the doorway, gazing upwards.

Huff, huff, huff!

The dog wagged its tail incessantly, looking utterly adorable—except…it was a ghost.

A ghost puppy?

Kang Jin glanced back and forth between the puppy and his grandfather, momentarily bewildered by the sight of the canine specter.

With a smile, the elder man asked, “Is it all right if he comes inside?”

“…Sure.”

At Kang Jin’s assent, the grandfather gestured toward the door.

“It’s okay to come in now, Yellow Dog.”

Upon hearing this, the puppy eagerly jumped up and entered through the doorway.

Kang Jin observed them curiously before asking, “Excuse me… You can see ghosts too?”

Kang Jin looked at him curiously and asked, “Did you already know about this place?”

The grandfather nodded with a gentle smile. He then patted the dog sitting by his feet.

“I am Lee Taewoon from Wonju, and I run the Lee’s Dining restaurant there.”

“Ah!”

As soon as Kang Jin heard ‘Lee’s Dining,’ she realized who he was—the owner of the Underworld Restaurant branch in Wonju.

“Pleased to meet you. Please take care of us,” Kang Jin bowed deeply.

Lee Taewoon smiled warmly. “I’m glad to pass on the restaurant to someone deserving like you.”

“Did you know Madam well?”

“Since we both run restaurants here, I’ve seen you at least once a year, even without frequent visits.” Lee Taewoon smiled as he took a seat while observing the establishment.

“Would you like to order something?” Kang Jin asked.

Lee Taewoon shook his head. “No, thank you.”

“Then, is there something you’d like to discuss?”

Pausing briefly, Lee Taewoon eventually spoke up. ”…I heard Miss Sohee frequents this place often.”

“Sohee? You mean Miss Kim Sohee?” Kang Jin’s question made Lee Taewoon slightly blush and nod. This reaction reminded Kang Jin of a conversation she had with Kim Sohee previously:

-“There must be an Underworld Restaurant in Wonju too, right?”

-“Yes, but I don’t visit it often.”

-“Why not?”

-“The owner makes me feel uneasy.”

-Why is that?

-I see there’s one of those places here too.

Recalling his conversation with Kim Sohee, Kang Jin glanced at Lee Taewoon.

‘Does he…actually like it?’