Chapter 2
The underworld reaper approached Jeongjikhan with his arms crossed.
"Did you send your family away because of me?"
"How could I go home with an underworld reaper by my side?"
"A wise choice. The living's vitality weakens when spirits linger nearby."
"Get to the point. Why have you been following me?"
"Where's the goblin?"
"Huh?"
"Gang Moo-chi. Didn't you meet him before I arrived?"
He hadn't met him in person—only in a dream.
When Jeongjikhan remained silent, the reaper clicked his tongue.
"What did Moo-chi say?"
"I don't know. Just rambled nonsense I couldn't understand."
"Hmm..."
"More importantly, why stalk me? Here to take me away?"
"If I wanted that, you'd be gone already. I can't take you, Jeongjikhan."
"Can't take me?"
"You bear the goblin's mark on your shoulder."
The goblin's mark?
Jeongjikhan recalled Gang Moo-chi from his dream—the firm grip on his shoulder, calling it a "bonding seal."
A talisman, perhaps?
So this was why Moo-chi said he didn't want Jeongjikhan dead—planting a charm even reapers couldn't breach?
As Jeongjikhan dry-swallowed, the reaper shrugged.
"Just make your choice."
"My... choice?"
"Between two options."
"What exactly am choosing?"
"Didn't Moo-chi explain?"
"I told you—he didn't say anything!"
"...?"
They stared at each other, equally baffled.
The reaper forced an awkward smile.
"How much did Moo-chi actually tell you?"
"He said to ask you for details."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
"Ha! That bastard—should clean up his own messes."
The reaper sighed, sweeping bangs from his eyes before handing over a business card:
[KarMa Entertainment | Sales Team 1 | Team Leader Cha Seung-pyo]
Jeongjikhan studied the unfamiliar company name and title. Cha Seung-pyo beamed.
"Contact me here if you have questions."
"KarMa... like karma?"
"Exactly. We rebranded from JS and YL—too antiquated. Sleeker now, no?"
JS? YL? Likely abbreviations for the underworld (Jeoseung) and Yama (Yeomra). Clearly afterlife-related.
Cha Seung-pyo straightened his collar.
"Listen carefully. Your name was erased from death's ledger thanks to Moo-chi."
Jeongjikhan nodded as the reaper continued smoothly,
"Our CEO isn't pleased about this."
"Even your boss can't handle a goblin?"
"Of course not. Capturing Moo-chi requires approval from upstairs—he's practically a minor deity."
Jeongjikhan's eyes narrowed. "The 'competitor's CEO,' you mean?"
"Precisely. You're taking this remarkably well."
"After everything I've seen? Acceptance comes easy."
"Wise. Though 'higher-ups' doesn't mean superior—we're more like... rival corporations coexisting."
"Then this 'choice'—am I meant to visit the underworld?"
"Once there, no return. Fancy a trip?"
Was this a joke? At Jeongjikhan's scowl, Cha Seung-pyo smiled.
"By defying death, you must choose: First, become a reaper after dying."
"A reaper? Join you?"
"Excellent benefits and work environment."
"That's not the issue!"
Jeongjikhan's bitter twist of lips prompted Cha Seung-pyo's second option:
"Second, work at a café for spirits while alive."
The café Moo-chi had mentioned.
"What happens there?"
"Accumulate good karma. Listen to ghosts' stories, serve coffee."
"Do I get paid? Can't spend karma at supermarkets."
"We offer wages—modest, but enough for living expenses."
"Both karma and cash?"
"Exactly."
"Salary?"
"₩2.5 million monthly. Weekends included."
No days off? Perfect—he'd worked nonstop for years anyway.
"Hours?"
"11 PM to 3 AM—four hours nightly."
"Four hours for ₩2.5 mil?!"
"Problem?"
"Are you kidding? It's a blessing!"
Jeongjikhan tamped down excitement. "Location?"
"Can you brew coffee?"
"Worked cafés before."
"Excellent. Basically, chat with spirits and serve drinks."
Surprisingly mundane—which unnerved him more.
"We should head there now."
"But 11 PM's hours away?"
"Need time for orientation."
Too good to be true. Noticing his doubt, Cha Seung-pyo added,
"Spirits there harbor deep regrets. Your job's to help resolve them."
"What if I refuse both options?"
"You may." Cha Seung-pyo's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Then?"
"Your life becomes... arduous. Most mortals would quickly reappear on our registry."
"You imply I'm not ordinary?"
"Correct. The goblin's mark protects you for a decade—inconvenient for me."
"So these choices are compromises?"
"Precisely. Refuse both, and I'll make every moment agony—until you beg for death."
"Forced suicide? Charming."
"Merely satisfying curiosity!" Jeongjikhan backpedaled at the reaper's intense gaze.
"Choose wisely."
"The café."
"Excellent!" Cha Seung-pyo's approval sparkled. "One more thing—we provide housing."
"Housing?"
"KarMa-managed officetel. Warded against malicious spirits."
Though the goblin's mark offered protection, sanctuary sounded better.
"I'll move in."
"Smart. Now to the café."
"Can't you teleport us like Moo-chi?"
"Against regulations." Cha Seung-pyo winked. "Though I could transport your corpse..."
"...I'll take a taxi."
The cab dropped them in Hannam-dong's affluent streets. Between red-brick buildings, Cha Seung-pyo gestured to a dead-end alley.
"Your key."
Not the iron key Jeongjikhan expected, but a sleek keycard. The reaper pressed it against blank wall—
CLICK-CLACK
Hidden mechanisms disengaged, revealing a massive door materializing from brickwork. The glowing sign read:
[CAFE 망자 (Deceased)]
Inside, 50-pyeong space sparkled—no dust, only warm amber lights and incense. The U-shaped counter and plush seats felt like Wonka's factory for lost souls.
"Contract here." Cha Seung-pyo slid over documents.
"Mind if I read first?"
"By all means."
Jeongjikhan scanned the terms:
Listen actively to spirits' stories
No arguments with clients
Never request/pressure for payments
"Payments? From ghosts?"
"Some ask for lottery numbers," Cha Seung-pyo chuckled from his seat.
Another clause caught his eye:
Confirm resolution of regrets before serving tea
"Tea varieties?"
"Barley, black, green—all same effect."
"No special properties?"
"You've watched too many dramas." Cha Seung-pyo laughed. "Just check if their regrets lifted."
"How?"
"You'll learn."
As Jeongjikhan signed, Cha Seung-pyo added,
"Address me as Team Leader now."
The reaper's smile turned razor-thin.
"Welcome to Café of the Deceased.”
