Chapter 47
Jeongjikhan lay flat on the ground, struggling to speak.
“Is it right for the ruler of the underworld... to take a living person’s life... without any reason?”
“Do you not realize that your very presence here is due to my immense generosity?”
“Then... shouldn’t you use that generosity to hear the full story... and make a fair judgment?!”
“I gave you a chance. It’s your fault for not speaking properly.”
What chance? You started threatening me before I could even speak!
Due to the lack of oxygen, Jeongjikhan’s face turned red, and veins bulged on his neck and forehead.
As he struggled to take deep breaths, Yeomra Daewang’s voice echoed from ahead.
“The price for defying me will be paid with your life, and your soul’s punishment will be determined by the good and evil you committed in life.”
Am I really going to die like this? So absurdly?!
Filled with resentment, Jeongjikhan forced his legs to push against the gravity pressing down on his body.
With great effort, he raised his upper body and clenched his fists.
Even if I die, I have to say what needs to be said.
Didn’t Cha Yewon say something?
That the kings of the underworld are here.
Even if Yeomra Daewang is stubborn, maybe I can sway the other kings and get a chance?
Summoning all his strength, Jeongjikhan shouted with veins bulging in his neck.
“This is... a foolish judgment!”
“Are you insane? How dare a mere insect like you babble on?”
“All your life...! You’ve only made wrong judgments...! Ugh!”
“This brat?”
“The underworld...! It’s so rigid and backward...! No wonder it can’t help souls find peace!”
No further response came from Yeomra Daewang.
Regardless, Jeongjikhan continued to speak.
“Team Leader Cha Seung-pyo said it himself! The underworld’s judgment criteria... aren’t so simple!”
“…….”
“You check the cause and effect... confirm the sins committed... and then assign an appropriate punishment! Is this what you call an appropriate punishment?!”
The more he spoke, the more resentful and angry he became, pouring out all his thoughts.
“To help souls find peace! That’s why I went to Nonhyeon-dong! What you couldn’t do, I did! Team Leader Cha Seung-pyo did it!!”
“…….”
“Even Nahan said it!! He thanked me for helping souls achieve peace when it seemed impossible!!”
“…….”
“You sit on your throne... sucking on honey, so you wouldn’t understand!!”
“Haha…….”
“These rotten laws... need to be torn apart and reformed!! The underworld must change with the times!!”
The more he shouted, the further Jeongjikhan’s mind drifted away.
From head to toe, it felt as if a heavy press was crushing him.
His ribs felt twisted, and it seemed like his lungs would burst at any moment. Jeongjikhan could barely speak coherently.
Though his eyes were closed, he even felt the strange phenomenon of his vision turning white.
‘Am I dying?’
Still filled with resentment and despair, Jeongjikhan was likely the only one who had ever shouted at Yeomra Daewang at the top of his lungs and used informal speech.
‘I need to buy a lottery ticket tomorrow… Suhye’s tuition fees… an overseas trip with my mom….’
In his fading consciousness, unfinished tasks from his life flashed by like a kaleidoscope.
“Enough.”
At that moment, a solemn voice rang out, and the oppressive pressure vanished.
“Gasp…!!”
Like someone with chronic sinusitis suddenly clearing their nostrils, Jeongjikhan took a deep breath into his lungs. As oxygen rushed in, he coughed uncontrollably. Trembling all over as he coughed repeatedly, he heard not the furious voice from earlier but a gentle one instead.
“Good. Let us end this test here.”
At Yeomra Daewang’s words, Jeongjikhan reflexively furrowed his brow.
A test? You played with my life as part of a test?!
I really almost died!
Though part of him wanted to glare at Yeomra Daewang and point an accusatory finger, he couldn’t bring himself to open his eyes. Cha Yewon had warned him that looking directly at Yeomra Daewang would drag him to the underworld.
Soon after, Yeomra Daewang’s voice echoed again.
“Just as Cha Seung-pyo said.”
“…….”
“In all my thousands of years in the underworld, I’ve never seen someone so bold in front of me.”
He didn’t know what to say or how to react. His head was ringing, and his brain felt scrambled.
“You all saw it, didn’t you? If anyone opposes granting this child the authority of an inspector, speak now.”
No one spoke up. Then, Yeomra Daewang addressed someone beside him.
“Listen well, messengers. From now on, grant this child the authority of an inspector.”
“Yes, understood.”
It was Cha Seung-pyo’s voice beside Yeomra Daewang.
He thought he had been tortured, but had they been watching this entire time?
Was this all some kind of hidden camera prank?
What… What kind of joke is this?
He felt both anger and relief—was this what it meant to have conflicting emotions?
Soon after, Yeomra Daewang’s voice rang out again.
“Listen well, messengers. From now on, we will lift jurisdictional restrictions according to this child’s wishes. If it helps souls achieve peace, actively cooperate with them.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Also, as discussed in court earlier, grant this child the authority to patrol problematic cafes as an inspector.”
“It shall be done.”
“And……”
Yeomra Daewang trailed off before continuing in a soft and gentle tone:
“Give this remarkable child ten Great Fortunes (大吉).”
“Your Majesty! That is too much good karma for one being to bear!”
Voices of protest came from the various kings and officials accompanying Yeomra Daewang. Unfazed, Yeomra Daewang calmly continued:
“If this child were to face judgment in the underworld someday… What punishment do you think would be wise then?”
“That……”
“This is the child who helped souls achieve peace when it seemed impossible… Can we truly judge them by our laws?”
“…….”
“Today will likely be the last time I see this child. Surely, they will go to heaven.”
As the attendants fell silent, King Yeomra laughed heartily and spoke.
“Jeongjikhan, can you continue to do your best in your work?”
“I will do my best.”
“Good. Lift your head and look at my face.”
With a pounding heart, Jeongjikhan slowly raised his head.
As he gradually opened his closed eyes, he could make out the figure of an elderly gentleman with white hair through his blurred vision.
A neat brown suit and a red tie.
His hair was neatly combed back, and his face was kind.
He looked so different from what Jeongjikhan had imagined, so unlike the King Yeomra in his mind, that it was almost disorienting.
“Hold out both hands.”
Following King Yeomra’s command, Jeongjikhan held out both hands. The king placed his cane on Jeongjikhan’s palms.
Something warm was felt.
Then, glowing amber orbs emerged one after another from the tip of the cane and were absorbed into Jeongjikhan.
King Yeomra smiled like a kindly grandfather and spoke.
“Truthfully, I came because I wanted to see you.”
“Huh?”
“The judgment has already been concluded, and there were discussions about granting you the authority of an envoy.”
“…….”
“The kings of the underworld highly value your ability to guide souls to salvation. Visit the Cafés of the Departed in each region where souls struggle and help them. Understood?”
“I will remember.”
Ding!
[King Yeomra has bestowed 10 Great Fortunes (大吉) upon you.]
[Please bow your head in gratitude for His Majesty’s profound benevolence.]
After reading Nahan’s message, Jeongjikhan performed a deep bow to King Yeomra.
King Yeomra smiled kindly and addressed the attendants and fellow kings beside him.
“Let us return. I should sit back on my throne and savor some honey, no?”
It seemed Jeongjikhan’s earlier outburst had lingered in the king’s mind.
Jeongjikhan forced a bitter smile and apologized.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I misinterpreted your intentions.”
“No. You weren’t wrong. It’s you who endure hardships in this world.”
“…….”
“You’ll keep enduring. And use the Great Fortunes (大吉) I’ve given you freely. Don’t hold back.”
Zzzzt— Zzzt—
A massive gate materialized, and the kings and attendants filed through it.
Stunned by the surreal turn of events, Jeongjikhan stood frozen.
After the gate closed behind them, Cha Seung-pyo approached and asked,
“You handled that well.”
“…….”
“Were you shocked?”
“What do you mean?”
“Huh?”
“What… just happened…?”
Jeongjikhan had seen King Yeomra with his own eyes.
When Jeongjikhan remained dazed, Cha Seung-pyo smiled wryly.
“My apologies. The trial ended smoothly, but… all the kings were curious about you.”
“About me?”
“Yes. You’ve gained Fortunes (吉) at an unprecedented rate. The Department of Good and Evil has been buzzing.”
“That reached the kings’ ears?”
“Yes. They wanted to see the man behind the rumors.”
Jeongjikhan felt like a zoo monkey.
Positively speaking… it proved he’d been performing exceptionally.
How extraordinary must he be to draw the underworld kings’ attention?
Ding!
[A gift has arrived at the Karma Store. Check your inbox.]
The Karma Store interface materialized alongside Nahan’s message.
Noticing an item marked by a flashing exclamation point, Jeongjikhan tapped it.
Zzzt—
A circular token crackling with static energy ejected from the store.
When Jeongjikhan stared bewildered at Cha Seung-pyo, the man smiled warmly.
“That token lets you travel anywhere.”
‘Anywhere?’
“It connects to all Cafés of the Departed nationwide. Approach the northeast wall as you did here, select a café, and enter.”
So… a universal door?
As Jeongjikhan blinked owlishly, Cha Seung-pyo chuckled.
“You seem thoroughly stunned.”
“Who wouldn’t be? I met King Yeomra while fully conscious! And this envoy business—!”
“Haha…”
“I thought I’d die! My organs were twisting!”
“My apologies. His Majesty was… impressed by my earlier remarks.”
“What remarks?”
Jeongjikhan’s eyes narrowed. Cha Seung-pyo scratched his neck awkwardly before quoting:
“You vowed to clash against injustice, declared outdated laws needed reform, and said you’d say so even to King Yeomra’s face.”
“You said that TO HIS FACE?!”
“Yes. He laughed heartily and grew more curious.”
So… was this punishment for insolence?
Noticing Jeongjikhan’s scowl, Cha Seung-pyo rubbed his nape.
“Sorry. I didn’t expect His Majesty to appear personally.”
“Ugh…”
“But you gained 10 Great Fortunes.”
“I was terrified!”
“What’s there to fear?”
“How can you say that?!”
“Didn’t I tell you? Even kings can’t recklessly harm a Goblin Medallion bearer.”
Jeongjikhan’s mind flashed with doubt.
Come to think of it—why hadn’t the medallion reacted when he’d nearly died?
‘Because we’re inside a Café of the Departed?’
Physical contact with other souls here never triggered the ghost flames.
Why this time?
No direct contact?
Or because it was King Yeomra?
The mystery gnawed at him.
I’ll ask Kang Moo-chi when I see him.
Rubbing his stiff shoulders, Jeongjikhan sighed.
“I’m… exhausted. Can we discuss the envoy role tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll take responsibility here—you may leave early.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Cha Ye-won can manage.”
Nearby, Cha Ye-won’s eyes widened as she pointed at herself.
No way.
Abandoning her would trouble the Hourly Guests.
Jeongjikhan shook his head.
“No. I’ll wash my face and return shortly. Watch the counter for now.”
“As you wish.”
Jeongjikhan splashed cold water on his face, grounding himself.
