Chapter 75

Friday Morning at Around 10 AM

Employees from Taegwangmu Station arrived at a training center located somewhere within Gyeonggi-do province.

It was a scenic location with an unnamed mountain providing a picturesque backdrop and a small river flowing nearby.

Kang Jin and the team members of Export Agency Team 2 unpacked their belongings in the assigned lodging area within the training center.

Smiling, Kang Jin gazed out the large window taking in the view outside.

“This place is nice.”

He appreciated both the expansive vista through the wide window and the spacious room itself.

Lim Ho-jin, sipping his coffee, agreed with Kang Jin’s sentiment.

“It gets even better during the campfire tonight.”

“There’s going to be a campfire?”

“It’s common practice when staying at this training center.”

With that, Lim Ho-jin finished his coffee and stood up.

“Unpack quickly, let’s head out soon.”

Following Lim Ho-jin’s instruction, the employees ventured outside together.

On the sports field in front of the training center, other employees were gathering one by one.

“Lee Kang-jin!”

Hearing his name called, Kang Jin turned to see Director Oh Seong-sil from Overseas Business Team 2 and her team members approaching him.

“Hello.”

“How have you been?”

“I’m doing well, thank you. But I haven’t seen you much lately?”

“With your internship being demanding enough, we didn’t want to burden you further with our frequent visits.”

The reason Oh Seong-sil’s team stopped going was out of consideration for Kang Jin. Of course, he wouldn’t mind if they still visited during dinner hours after lunchtime.

“Well, please come often once your internship ends.”

“Certainly. To be honest, President Lee has been eagerly waiting for your internship to finish. Finding places for lunch is quite a task for him.”

As they exchanged smiles and conversation, someone climbed onto the podium near the sports field.

[Ah-ah!] A man tested the microphone several times before addressing everyone.

[The president will be here shortly, so please line up by department.]

Following his instructions, employees began forming lines according to their respective departments. Kang Jin bid farewell to Oh Seong-sil and joined his team’s lineup.

Once all the staff were arranged, O Taegwang appeared with other executives from the training building. He climbed onto the podium and spoke with a smile:

[I assume you all know who I am, so let’s skip introductions. We’ve prepared generous prizes for this year’s fall sports competition. Give it your best shot, and may you impress your wives and children as wonderful husbands and great fathers.]

With that, O Taegwang stepped down from the podium, and two young individuals, likely event coordinators, took over.

“Let me explain the schedule. The preliminary rounds for soccer, table tennis, tug-of-war, and wrestling will begin at 11:00 AM. Each department manager’s cell phone has been sent the detailed…”

As the host explained the sports meet program, Kang Jin whispered to Lee Sangsub.

“The president kept his speech short.”

“He dislikes unnecessary procedures. Besides, we’re not school kids waiting for a lecture from the principal anymore.”

Kang Jin nodded at the mention of a principal’s lecture.

“You’re right…”

His expression turned puzzled as he noticed familiar faces under the tent set up below the podium.

“Huh? Professor Ryu and Gwanghyun hyung are there?”

Underneath the tent sat Professor Lim and Choi Kwang-hyun, surrounded by students from her research lab.

Did the president invite them here?

It wasn’t likely that Professor Lim came to watch Kang Jin at the company sports event. Moreover, as Kang Jin observed, she appeared engaged in some business-related conversation with President Oh Taegwang, occasionally jotting down notes.

Kang Jin took out his phone and texted Choi Kwang-hyun:

<How did you end up here?>

<I see you spotted me. Where are you?>

<With this crowd, I doubt you can see me. What’s going on?>

<President Taegwang invited our professor for today’s sports day. He asked her to hit some golf balls and enjoy good food. Ah! Plus, he offered 2 million won total to each student if they attended. So, we’re here too.>

<Twenty million won per person? They’re paying students too?>

<Would we be here if they weren’t paying us?>

<That’s awesome. Getting paid to have fun!>

<Exactly, heheh. Plus, I heard there will be separate prizes for winning table tennis and basketball matches…>

<I’ll need you around since I’m supervising my team members.>

After putting his phone back in his pocket, Kang Jin turned to Choi Donghae.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“We’re playing table tennis against Domestic Marketing Team 1 at the auditorium.”

Following Choi Donghae’s instructions, Kang Jin led his teammates to the auditorium. The training center had an indoor gymnasium attached to it. Upon arrival, Kang Jin spotted teams from other departments warming up.

Table tennis and basketball were on the agenda.

“Okay, Domestic Marketing Team 1 versus Export Agency Team 2 at table number one. Overseas Business Team 1 versus Domestic Support Team 1 at table number two.”

At the referee’s call, each department gathered around their designated tables.

“Go, Manager Lim!”

“Good luck, Lee Sangsub!”

Cheered on by their colleagues, Lim Ho-jin and Lee Sangsub retrieved their ping-pong paddles from their bags. Judging by the fact that they brought their own equipment, it seemed to be a hobby for them.

“It’s best of seven, first to win two sets.”

The Taekwang Trading Company sports event consisted of soccer, three-on-three basketball, traditional Korean wrestling, and table tennis. Since employees combined across departments for soccer, there weren’t many matches for that sport. Given all competitions had to conclude within the one-night, two-day retreat, official rules were not strictly followed.

Once all players took their positions, Manager Jin promptly started the match.

Tak! Tak!

As Kang Jin watched the ping-pong ball bounce back and forth, he glanced at the spectator seats located behind the gymnasium floor.

A few beings occupied those seats.

It’s ghosts.

Ghosts were standing in the spectator area watching the game unfold. Ever since gaining the ability to see them, Kang Jin had spotted various ghosts in numerous locations. It seemed like no place was free from spirits, as they appeared everywhere he went.

However, these ghosts were somewhat peculiar. There were three of them, all wearing identical track suits. Kang Jin pursed his lips, observing the ghostly figures dressed in navy blue attire who looked to be high school students.

Did some students attending this training conference meet with an accident?

All the ghosts were bleeding profusely from their bodies. Kang Jin’s face showed confusion as he felt more pity than fear for these spirits. The group of ghostly high school students appeared to be a mix of male and female ghosts. By ratio, there were two female ghosts for every one male ghost.

Are they not…the Virgin Ghosts?

Virgin Ghosts typically do not hang out with regular ghosts. Even if they wanted to, other ghosts avoid them due to fear. Yet here was a male ghost among two female ghosts.

Kang Jin discreetly turned to Kang Sungsoo, standing next to him, and asked:

“Is this place usually used for sports events?”

“It’s great for outdoor activities, and the scenery is lovely, so most company events happen here.”

“By any chance, has there been an accident here before?”

Kang Sungsoo looked at Kang Jin, surprised by his question.

Kang Sungsoo nodded affirmatively.

“How did you know?”

“I think I remember seeing it on the news.”

If three students died during a training camp, it would have been reported in the media. Kang Sungsoo confirmed Kang Jin’s suspicion with a nod.

“It was six years ago, wasn’t it? There was an accident in the parking lot.”

“An accident?”

“Now, the parking lot is located slightly downhill, but back then, it was right next to this auditorium.”

“And what happened?”

“A car suddenly swerved and struck students moving towards the auditorium.”

“Why? Was it due to drunk driving?” Kang Jin asked, recalling Goyoungwoo’s death from a similar cause.

“No, not that…” Kang Sungsoo licked his lips before continuing. “It was a sudden acceleration incident.”

“Sudden acceleration?”

“The accident severely injured many students at that time. Quite a few were killed as well.”

Kang Sungsoo appeared uncertain about the exact details, prompting Kang Jin to ask:

“So?”

“So what…?”

“What happened to the driver?”

“The driver was acquitted.”

“But people died!”

“I don’t have all the specifics, but it seems the court ruled that the driver couldn’t control the situation at the time.”

“How did they determine it was sudden acceleration?”

“There were multiple parked cars in the vicinity of the incident. In the video footage, you can clearly see the brake lights of the car involved just before it accelerated abruptly. Despite stepping on the brakes, the vehicle suddenly shot forward. Additionally, the car’s dashboard camera captured the driver screaming during the event.”

“Oh, but he was found not guilty…” Kang Jin sounded disappointed. “Someone died after all.”

Kang Sungsoo shook his head at Kang Jin’s remark.

“What good is being found not guilty? Apparently, the driver was a school teacher… I heard that when students under his care were killed, he resigned from the school and committed suicide.”

“He committed suicide?”

Seeing Kang Jin’s surprised expression, Kang Sungsoo continued.

“I guess the guilt must have been overwhelming. Even if it was sudden acceleration, he was driving the car where students got killed or injured… That teacher quit the school soon after and sued the automobile company for the sudden acceleration issue… But the company won the case.”

“It’s challenging for an individual to win against a car manufacturer.”

“Yes, indeed. He took his own life just a few days after the verdict.”

Kang Sungsoo sighed as he continued, “Life is truly unpredictable; you never know what’s around the corner. Who could’ve foreseen this tragedy during a school field trip?”

“It’s heartbreaking for those who lost their lives.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“But it seems like you knew him well, sir?”

“I remembered while talking about him just now.” Kang Sungsoo shook his head. “People often complain that every day feels monotonous and repetitive… But isn’t there comfort in having a life where yesterday was like today, and tomorrow will be similar to today?”

“You’re right,” Kang Jin agreed with a nod before turning towards the ghosts.

Do they eat food too?

As the owner of a restaurant catering to ghosts, he couldn’t help but wonder if these spirits also consumed meals.

“Nice!”

At that moment, Kang Jin turned towards Lee Sangsub’s shout. As Lee Sangsub raised his hand high, Lim Ho-jin clapped enthusiastically.

Clap!

It seemed like they had finished their conversation with Kang Sungsoo and decided the winner.

“Export Agency Team 2 won by two games to one. I’ll send you the next schedule via text message. Then goodbye for now.”

As the next team entered the table tennis area upon the event staff’s announcement, Lim Ho-jin caught his breath heavily while wiping sweat with a towel. Although table tennis is played in one spot, it requires constant lateral movement, making it quite physically demanding.

“Huff! What’s our next match?”

In response to Lim Ho-jin’s question, Lee Sangsub checked his phone.

“We don’t have any matches right now. After lunch, we have a basketball game at 1 PM.”

“Really? Then let’s go grab something to eat.”

Lim Ho-jin draped his towel over his shoulder and cheerfully led the team towards the food area. On one side of the training center field, there was a buffet spread with catered dishes. In addition, a whole pig roasted on a spit nearby.

Employees not participating in any matches were already enjoying the buffet and having drinks.

“Wow…this is amazing.” Kang Jin marveled at the sight.

Lee Sangsub chimed in, “Just wait until dinner tonight!”

“What happens then?”

“The entire field turns into a barbecue zone. The food will be incredible. Plus, they’ll even cook yukgaejang soup on one side; it’s going to be wild!”

Kang Jin licked his lips and started filling up his tray with food at Lee Sangsub’s words. After tasting it, he nodded approvingly.

It tastes good.

Despite being buffet-style catering for a business trip, the quality was surprisingly decent. However…

It still doesn’t compare to what I make.

After finishing his meal, Kang Jin noticed his teammates enjoying beers together. He turned to Lee Sangsub.

“I’m going for a quick walk.”

“Sure thing. Just be back at the auditorium by 1 p.m.”

“Yes, sir.” With that, Kang Jin bowed slightly and headed toward the buffet line, loading up two plates with various dishes.

I need to feed them too.

Muttering under his breath, Kang Jin made his way towards the auditorium.