Chapter 56

Near the subway station adjacent to the flea market, Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo were walking together.

“So ghosts ride the subway too?”

“What? Are you surprised by this?”

“Yes, I am intrigued. Riding the subway means occupying space… yet ghosts can pass through objects.”

Bae Yongsoo momentarily blinked at Kang Jin’s words. It seemed he hadn’t considered this aspect before.

“You’re right.”

“Isn’t it interesting?”

While pondering, Bae Yongsoo glanced around and suddenly stepped onto the road. Startled, Kang Jin tried to grab him as Yongsoo ventured into traffic.

Vroom!

A car passed directly through Bae Yongsoo without hitting him. Initially shocked, Kang Jin then remembered that Yongsoo was a ghost and sighed with relief.

“You scared me!”

“Being a ghost, do you really think a car could hit me?”

Bae Yongsoo stood next to Kang Jin and spoke, “That’s strange.”

“What is?”

“I’ve ridden on buses before.”

“You have ridden a bus before?”

“Would I walk all the way to Woonam Restaurant every time?”

“But when you call for it, doesn’t it appear instantly like teleportation?”

“It appeared because you called me, establishing a connection. Generally, ghosts function similarly to humans.”

“Can’t you…like this?” Kang Jin mimicked running swiftly forward.

Sung Yongsoo shook his head, “I can’t do that. Moreover, even ghost characters from horror movies frighten me.”

Kang Jin laughed at Sung Yongsoo’s response.

“A real ghost getting scared by fake ghosts?”

“Sometimes I go to the cinema… When watching horror movies, I scream out of fear.”

Bae Yongsoo shivered as if genuinely frightened by something horrifying. Kang Jin shook his head slightly at Bae Yongsoo’s reaction.

‘Are movies just movies?’

In films, ghosts flew through the air, used telekinesis, appeared in dreams, and tore people apart. However, in reality, ghosts… weren’t much different from humans. They couldn’t be seen by most people, but they walked, thought, and communicated similarly.

‘Well, considering ghosts are formed when people die… it makes sense for them not to differ significantly from living beings.’

“Do ghosts watch movies too?”

“Why not? It’s free entertainment after all.”

“You’re right… It certainly seems like you get things for free quite often.”

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Kang Jin continued walking with Bae Yongsoo, asking various questions along the way.

“Then if someone else calls your name, you’ll come?”

“I don’t know. No one has called my name three times before. Besides, even if I appear, it doesn’t mean they can see me.”

As they chatted about various topics, Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo arrived at the flea market and entered together.

Kang Jin squinted slightly and whispered to Sung Yongsoo:

“There are many ghosts here.”

Upon entering the flea market, Kang Jin spotted numerous ghosts. Even during his time working for the company, he had seen some ghosts, but there were more here than usual. Every time he turned his head, multiple ghosts caught his attention.

Bae Yongsoo looked around with fascination after hearing Kang Jin’s remark.

“I didn’t realize there were so many ghosts here.”

“Is this your first time seeing them?”

“This is my first time here after dying.”

Kang Jin nodded at Sung Yongsoo’s words and tried to avoid looking directly at the ghosts as they walked along. Following Kang Jin, Sung Yongsoo continued:

“Thinking about it, many items sold in the flea market are quite old. It makes sense why there are so many ghosts here.”

“Why?”

“There’s a saying that old objects often attract ghosts.”

“You’ve experienced this firsthand or just heard about it?”

“Just heard about it,” replied Sung Yongsoo.

Kang Jin glanced at him, “So, you don’t really know much about ghosts either.”

“Do you fully understand humans?”

“Well…no.”

“If even someone like you, who lived as a human for twenty-eight years, doesn’t fully grasp people…it’s unreasonable to expect me, having been a ghost for only a few years…”

“It is strange to expect me to know much about ghosts when I have only been a god for a few years.”

Then Bae Yongsoo stood in front of one store and looked at the items. It was a place selling kitchen knives, with various types ranging from ordinary kitchen knives to Chinese-style cleavers.

“In human terms, my current level is like that of a kindergarten student. This is good.” As he spoke, Sung Yongsoo pointed to an iron kitchen knife on one side. The iron kitchen knife had a wooden handle, and as its name suggested, it was made entirely of iron.

“We came here to see the sights.”

“I’m buying while we’re here. Also, the knives in this shop are too light. Try lifting this one.”

Following Bae Yongsoo’s words, Kang Jin picked up the knife he indicated.

“It feels heavy.”

“That’s how it feels. Relax your grip.” As Bae Yongsoo placed his hand over Kang Jin’s, Kang Jin loosened his hold on the knife. With Kang Jin’s assistance, Bae Yongsoo gauged the weight of the blade and smiled.

“It’s perfect. Hold it up high so I can see the edge.”

Kang Jin lifted the knife, displaying its blade to Bae Yongsoo, who examined it closely before nodding approvingly.

“Although old, it holds a fine edge. A good kitchen knife indeed.”

Following Bae Yongsoo’s comment, Kang Jin glanced at the shop owner, who appeared to be around forty years old. The owner had been observing them intently as Kang Jin perused the items.

“Shall we buy it?”

“How much is it?”

“Thirty-five thousand won.”

Kang Jin chuckled at the price.

“In the past, I used to purchase goods from junk shops and resell them at flea markets.”

“I used to buy items cheaply from here and resell them at flea markets.”

The owner looked at Kang Jin for a moment before chuckling.

“Still, I need 50,000 won.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin raised and lowered the kitchen knife as he considered the owner’s words.

“If you accept ten thousand won, it should cover your lunch expenses, right?”

When Kang Jin took out a ₩10,000 note, the owner licked his lips.

“Well, even if you bargain hard…”

“There’s an uncle who sharpens scissors for just two thousand won, isn’t there?”

In flea markets, many items were rusted, so there was always someone available to remove rust. This person would sharpen everything from kitchen knives to scissors, essentially anything with rust.

Upon hearing Kang Jin’s words, the owner sighed.

“All right then.”

“Thank you.”

As Kang Jin spoke these words, he handed over one won to the master. The master took out some newspaper and wrapped up the knife before placing it inside a bag for them.

“Do you know how to maintain an iron kitchen knife?”

Bae Yongsoo nodded at the master’s question.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Kang Jin smiled at Bae Yongsoo’s response.

“Yes, I am aware.”

With that, Kang Jin and Sung Yongsoo carried the bag and continued walking through the market. As they strolled, Kang Jin noticed several ghosts sitting atop various items on display.

“Are those ghosts attached to the objects?” When there was no immediate reply from Sung Yongsoo, Kang Jin glanced around. He spotted Sung Yongsoo examining something nearby.

“What are you doing?”

“Just browsing.”

Upon hearing this, Kang Jin looked towards the stall where Sung Yongsoo stood. It contained decorative ornaments reminiscent of those used during the Joseon Dynasty, such as horimdaegi (hairpins).

The ghost grandfather was present at this stall. Upon seeing Kang Jin conversing with Bae Yongsoo, the ghost’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“A shaman?”

Bae Yongsoo smiled and replied to the ghost,

“I am the owner of One Meal Restaurant.”

“One Meal Restaurant…? The place where you feed ghosts, right?”

“Haven’t you been there before?”

“I’m a spirit residing here, so I can’t go elsewhere.”

“That’s unfortunate. The food at One Meal Restaurant is quite delicious.”

“Yes, indeed, it’s regrettable for me too.”

As Kang Jin listened to their conversation, he slightly bowed towards the ghostly grandfather.

“Please visit us sometime.”

To avoid drawing attention from others, Kang Jin had discreetly inserted wireless earbuds into his ears.

“I’ll do that. By the way, what are you looking to buy?”

“Not for me, but this fellow seems interested.” Kang Jin pretended to press on his wireless earbud, mimicking a phone call while observing their surroundings.

I’m glad I bought these wireless earbuds.

Kang Jin then looked at Bae Yongsoo.

“Why are you interested in this?”

“We don’t usually see such items.”

As Yongsoo spoke, he pointed to a horimdaegi with pink threads attached to green jade-like ornaments.

“It’s quite pretty.”

“As mentioned earlier, we’re here for souvenirs.”

“So, sightseeing while souvenir shopping?”

Bae Yongsoo’s words prompted Kang Jin to examine the horimdaegi again.

“Indeed, it is lovely.”

Bae Yongsoo nodded in agreement.

“Woonam Restaurant has many of these horimdaegis.”

“Why is that?”

“They have a traditional South Korean aesthetic. People often buy one or two as decorative pieces.”

“Do they cost much?”

“Not really,” replied Bae Yongsoo.

Hearing this, Kang Jin glanced discreetly at his father’s ghost.

“How long have you been coming here?”

“I started visiting when this place opened.” The grandfather gestured towards a metal lump on one side.

Kang Jin pointed at the iron bar.

“What’s this?”

The owner assumed Kang Jin was addressing him and replied, “It’s an old key for locks, made from scrap metal. It looks good as a decoration on the store wall.”

“I see.”

Having no intention to buy it, Kang Jin acknowledged the explanation and glanced back at Bae Yongsoo. He continued examining the horimdaegi ornament. Seeing his interest, Kang Jin also looked closer.

“It is quite pretty,” said Kang Jin.

“Yes, indeed.” Sung Yongsoo nodded in agreement.

Kang Jin turned towards the shopkeeper. “How much is this?”

“It’s 800,000 won.”

“Eight hundred thousand won?”

“Yes, it’s genuine jade,” the shopkeeper insisted.

Kang Jin smiled skeptically. “If it were truly genuine jade, wouldn’t you charge more than 800,000 won?”

The shopkeeper flinched momentarily but then shook his head. “This item dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, so 800,000 won is justified.”

Kang Jin glanced at the grandfather ghost after hearing this comment from his master. The grandfather ghost chuckled and shook his head as he caught Kang Jin’s gaze.

“It isn’t from Joseon Dynasty times… It seems to be bought from some tourist spot.”

Upon hearing the words of the grandfather ghost, Kang Jin looked back at the master.

“It doesn’t seem to be from the Joseon Dynasty era, but rather purchased from a tourist attraction?”

“Hmph… You know quite well, don’t you?”

“I’ve worked here before, so I’m familiar with these things. How much will you charge me then?”

The master scrutinized Kang Jin closely before responding, “How about forty thousand won?”

Kang Jin turned to glance at the grandfather ghost again.

“Twenty thousand,” whispered the grandfather ghost.

Kang Jin addressed the master, “Please give it to me for twenty thousand five hundred won.”

“That’s not possible.”

“How about thirty thousand won including a case?” Kang Jin proposed.

The master sighed deeply while looking at Kang Jin.

“Not bad.” The master retrieved a hanji paper case from beneath his stall.

Kang Jin nodded at the sight of the traditional hanji case.

A case like this is acceptable.

He then paid thirty thousand won and placed the horimdaegi inside the case.

“Well, see you later.”

The master waved goodbye, thinking Kang Jin’s farewell was directed towards him, even though it was meant for the ghost grandfather.

“Come again.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the ghost, Kang Jin started walking away with the case containing the horimdaegi when Sung Yongsoo asked,

“What do you plan to do with that?”

“There’s someone who would suit it well.”

“But it’s not Joseon times anymore. Who wears hair ornaments these days?”

“She exists. A woman who lived during the Joseon era.”

“A Virgin Ghost?”

“Yes.”

“Still, there are Virgin Ghosts from the Joseon period around?”

“Really?”

“You didn’t know?”

“We don’t usually hang out with Virgin Ghosts.”

“I bet they run away from you.”

“In any case… Wow, a Virgin Ghost from the Joseon Dynasty is almost on par with a final boss level ghost.”

“That’s what other Virgin Ghosts think too.”

“So, you’re giving it to the boss of the Virgin Ghosts?”

“She always wanders alone, so I felt sorry for her… Also, since she died fighting for our country during the Japanese invasion, she deserves at least this much gratitude.”

“A Virgin Ghost who was also a militia soldier?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

As Kang Jin walked while conversing, he noticed something ahead.

“Look, there’s a scenic view.”