Chapter 28: The Vengeful Spirit's Cry

As Kang Jin watched the trembling man on the ground, the ghost ajumma urgently cried out to him.

“Please help me quickly!”

Her hair stood straight up as she shouted fiercely.

Eeeek!

Until that moment, she had appeared like any ordinary middle-aged woman. Despite being a ghost, her appearance suggested she’d died peacefully. But now, with her hair standing upright, Kang Jin got goosebumps all over his body, feeling as if he’d been doused in icy water.

He hastily sat next to the shivering man, but even Kang Jin’s own body trembled uncontrollably due to the menacing aura emanating from the ghost ajumma. To regain control, Kang Jin took deep breaths and pointed at someone nearby.

“You! Call emergency services right now.”

“M-me…?”

“Quickly!” Kang Jin’s shout prompted the man to hastily pull out his phone.

It’s common decency to help someone when they’re injured unless you’re truly heartless. However…people tend to step forward only if they can assist alone. When others are around, like this situation, most hesitate to intervene.

This isn’t due to being inherently bad but rather because individuals often think, “Why should I be the one to help?” and assume that others will take action instead.

As a result, Kang Jin initially remained a passive observer until the ghost ajumma started pulling at the man. But once she directly asked for assistance, it changed everything.

However, today was different. Kang Jin transformed from a passive bystander to an active participant.

The man who had called emergency services approached and pressed his hand on the convulsing man’s shoulder.

“Shouldn’t we put something in his mouth?”

Kang Jin looked at the shaking man after hearing these words.

“He might bite his tongue…”

“No, that wouldn’t be helpful,” replied Heo Yeon-wook.

Kang Jin turned towards him, and under her gaze, Heo Yeon-wook explained while still observing the man.

“It’s a seizure. Attempting to insert anything into his mouth during this state could risk getting your fingers bitten or even cut off. Moreover, if the object placed inside breaks or splinters, it can cause injuries within the mouth, potentially leading to choking due to blood flowing down the throat.”

“But what if he bites his tongue…?”

“How can his tongue reach between these tightly clenched teeth?”

“What should we do then?” Kang Jin asked Heo Yeon-wook.

“He needs to tilt his head sideways and loosen up his body,” replied Heo Yeon-wook.

Kang Jin tried turning the man’s neck as instructed but struggled due to its stiffness. He turned to the other bystander who had called emergency services.

“Please help me turn his head.”

“Shouldn’t we put something in his mouth? That’s how they do it in movies,” suggested the second man.

In response, Kang Jin repeated what Heo Yeon-wook had told him earlier.

”…It’s better to leave it like this for now.”

“Should I put a handkerchief in his mouth?”

As Kang Jin took out a handkerchief, Heo Yeon-wook stopped him.

“It’s difficult to breathe with a handkerchief in your mouth. It’s best to tilt his head sideways so saliva can flow out naturally. This prevents saliva from blocking his airway and causing suffocation.”

Kang Jin followed Heo Yeon-wook’s instructions and observed the man. As predicted, saliva dripped steadily from the corner of his mouth. Meanwhile, Kang Jin loosened the man’s belt and pulled up his shirt before turning back to Heo Yeon-wook.

“What should we do next?”

“Remove his shoes as well.”

After Kang Jin took off the man’s shoes, Heo Yeon-wook approached the feet.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

However, Heo Yeon-wook’s hand passed right through the man’s foot, causing him to grimace.

“It’s not working.”

“But you were able to grab me earlier?”

“The president’s body had accumulated energy from the restaurant, allowing me to grasp it…”

Seeing this, the ajumma ghost shouted frantically:

“Try possessing him!”

“Possessing?” Confused, Heo Yeon-wook shook his head.

“I’ve never done that before…”

“What kind of ghost hasn’t possessed anyone at least once?”

“They warned us about potential complications when possessing someone,” replied Heo Yeon-wook.

The ajumma ghost turned to Kang Jin pleadingly: “Please…save our child.”

Kang Jin looked back at Heo Yeon-wook, seeking guidance.

“What should I do?”

“Dragon’s den, water pit, and liver… You must take their blood.”

“Do you mean spit on them?” Heo Yeon-wook nodded and pointed to the characters written on the ground. “Spit here.”

Kang Jin swiftly scanned the crowd around him upon hearing Heo Yeon-wook’s instruction. People were buzzing with concern as they watched from afar.

“Why isn’t 119 arriving yet?”

“he’ll die at this rate!”

As Kang Jin observed the murmuring crowd, his gaze landed on a young man nearby.

*His hands are moving, one foot pointing this way, the other pointing elsewhere…

The signals emanating from the young man indicated both willingness to help and hesitation. However, his hand gestures showed a strong inclination to assist.

Kang Jin pointed at the young man with urgency.

“Come here!”

It was more of a command than a request. For someone hesitant, issuing orders often works better than asking for help.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, come quickly!” Kang Jin’s firm shout prompted the young man to rush over and grasp the unconscious person’s wrist.

Upon witnessing this, Heo Yeon-wook swiftly spoke up.

“He’s a traditional doctor. Tell him where to place the acupuncture needles.”

Kang Jin looked at the young man based on Heo Yeon-wook’s words.

“As a doctor, why didn’t you step forward sooner?”

“I’ve only recently obtained my license…”

“Do you know how to use acupuncture needles?”

At the mention of acupuncture needles, the young doctor retrieved a silver case from his pocket containing needles. However, he soon shook his head.

“With your body trembling like this…”

As a newly licensed practitioner, he lacked confidence in his skills. Moreover, the patient was shaking uncontrollably like a leaf on a tree. Even if they remained perfectly still, he wasn’t sure about himself, so attempting acupuncture under these conditions seemed impossible.

Kang Jin observed this and turned to Heo Yeon-wook.

“I’ll hold onto his hand. Can you perform acupuncture while holding mine?”

Here’s what Kang Jin had in mind: Since Heo Yeon-wook could touch him physically, he would grasp Kang Jin’s hand, allowing Kang Jin to then hold the doctor’s hand for the acupuncture procedure.

Kang Jin asked Heo Yeon-wook to hold his hand while receiving the needle treatment. Heo Yeon-wook glanced at their hands and nodded.

“I’ll give it a try.”

With that response, Kang Jin took hold of the doctor’s hand.

“Where should we start?”

“The Dragon’s Gate.” When Heo Yeon-wook pointed to the sole of his foot, Kang Jin looked at the doctor.

“Puncture the Dragon’s Gate acupuncture point on the sole.”

The doctor hesitated, glancing sideways.

“But…who are you talking to?”

At this question, Kang Jin stole a glance at Heo Yeon-wook.

I need to be careful when conversing with ghosts; people might think I’m crazy.

As he pondered this, the ajumma ghost suddenly yelled:

“Hurry up!”

As Kang Jin felt chills from the ajumma ghost’s scream, he instinctively grabbed the doctor’s hand.

Grab!

Seeing this, Heo Yeon-wook took hold of Kang Jin’s hand as well.

Whoosh!

Kang Jin’s fingers moved swiftly, accompanied by a cold sensation. The acupuncturist’s hand, held tightly within Kang Jin’s grip, followed suit.

Shunk!

The surprised doctor inserted the needle precisely into the Dragon’s Gate acupuncture point on Kang Jin’s wrist.

It’s spot-on.

Despite having placed the needle with his own hands, it was such a clean insertion that even he couldn’t believe he had done it.

“Ask him to twist the needle twice clockwise,” instructed Heo Yeon-wook.

Following Kang Jin’s relayed instruction, the doctor nodded and rotated the needle accordingly.

“And…”

Before Heo Yeon-wook could finish his sentence, Kang Jin moved his hand and dislodged the needle from the doctor’s grip, catching it midair.

Clink!

Heo Yeon-wook placed the needle between two fingers and gently flicked it, causing the doctor to stare at Kang Jin with surprise.

“What are you doing?”

“Me? What do you mean?”

“You just flicked that needle!”

“I think you’re seeing things. Please place the next one now.”

The doctor hesitated but eventually moved on to the next acupoint. As he did, Kang Jin once again took hold of his hand.

“Let me guide your hand for this one.”

“But I’m also a trained practitioner… Shouldn’t I be placing it?”

The doctor wasn’t foolish; he knew Kang Jin had placed the needle even though it was his hand that did so. It was just that Kang Jin held his hand while doing it.

Kang Jin shook his head at the doctor’s question.

“I’m not a doctor.”

“Then how do you know to insert the needle at Dragon’s Gate?”

It was a natural question for the doctor to ask. The needle might have been inserted by his own hand, but it was Kang Jin who guided him with pinpoint accuracy—an accuracy that seemed almost impossible for someone without training.

However, Kang Jin found it difficult to provide a proper answer. He couldn’t exactly reveal that a ghost had done it.

“I’ve studied a bit. Please continue.”

The doctor looked at Kang Jin, wondering if he knew this from his studies. However, these thoughts were fleeting as the doctor moved to insert another needle.

Yet again, the doctor hesitated due to the patient trembling uncontrollably. Kang Jin promptly grabbed the doctor’s hand and inserted the needle.

Shhhk!

As the needle smoothly entered, astonishment filled the doctor’s face once more. It was yet another accurate insertion.

‘Who exactly is this man?’

With wide eyes, the doctor glanced at Kang Jin just as he pointed to the next acupoint.

“Please hurry.”

As the doctor reached for another needle, Kang Jin plucked out one of the previously inserted needles and flicked it with his finger. The doctor observed this briefly before placing down the new needle.

After placing five more needles at specific acupoints, the patient’s trembling body gradually calmed down. As soon as he settled, Kang Jin looked at Heo Yeon-wook. The doctor took Kang Jin’s hand and placed it on the patient’s wrist. He closed his eyes briefly before nodding.

“It worked.”

“Is he okay now?”

Kang Jin nodded at the doctor’s question.

“I think so.” Then he turned to face the doctor. “But why ask me? You’re the physician here.”

“I believe you possess greater skill than I do.”

Kang Jin shook his head at the doctor’s response.

“What have I done compared to you? You were the one who inserted all those needles.”

With that, Kang Jin glanced up at the ajumma ghost.

“I think it’s fine now.”

The doctor glanced around, puzzled by Kang Jin’s response.

Who exactly is he talking to?

After scanning the area where the ajumma ghost had been standing, the doctor turned back to Kang Jin. Feeling his gaze, Kang Jin noticed someone else who had initially come forward to help.

“Please ask how much longer until emergency services arrive and if they know our location,” Kang Jin instructed the man.

Following Kang Jin’s request, the man called emergency services.

“They said they’ve just reached the entrance of the market but can’t get through due to the crowd… Wait! There they are!” As the man spoke, Kang Jin looked up to see rescue workers carrying stretchers weaving their way through the people.

Kang Jin raised his hand towards them. “Over here!”

At his call, the rescue team rushed over and started examining the unconscious patient on the ground.

“Sir, can you wake up?”

As Kang Jin watched the rescue workers assess the situation, he spoke to Heo Yeon-wook.

“Please tell them to remove the needles.”

Kang Jin relayed this message to the doctor, who promptly removed the acupuncture needles. Then, Heo Yeon-wook addressed Kang Jin again, and Kang Jin passed along his instructions to the rescue team:

“It’s a case of epilepsy. The seizure lasted approximately five to six minutes. Administer oxygen immediately. If another seizure occurs during transport, please administer a sedative.”

The rescue worker looked at Kang Jin curiously.

“Are you a doctor?”

“No, I’m not.”

With that response, the rescue team briefly glanced at Kang Jin before lifting the patient onto a stretcher.

“There are too many medical dramas these days.”

“I know, right.”

The two EMTs murmured to each other as they quickly wheeled away with their patient. Kang Jin stood up after watching them leave.

“Excuse me, just a moment.”

A traditional doctor intercepted him.

“What’s wrong?”

“The acupuncture needles you were using… Were those from Heo Yoon-wook’s Jinseh Method?”

“Jinseh Method?”

Kang Jin glanced at Heo Yeon-wook when questioned by the doctor.