The Youngest Master wants to be exorcised! chapter 5

* * *

“I’ve performed many rites and exorcisms under my mentor since childhood, but…”

Starting with a subtle hint that he was not a master shaman, the shaman began to elaborate. The core of his explanation, devoid of unnecessary spiritual details, was shockingly clear.

‘Jaehee’s soul is missing?’

Hyunsoo was so stunned he couldn’t even close his mouth. Despite his shock, the shaman’s words continued without pause.

In summary, when Jaehee’s soul left his body, Park Hyunsoo’s soul, which was nearby, entered the body that matched its frequency, allowing the body that should have died to stay alive.

‘The body that should have died.’

This meant that before Hyunsoo awoke, Jaehee had not just fainted from a guiding shock but had actually died. The shaman’s shocking revelations continued.

If they removed Park Hyunsoo’s soul from the body now, Jaehee’s body would become an empty house, allowing other souls to take over.

In other words, performing an exorcism now wouldn’t solve the problem.

Other ghosts would simply occupy the body. Even if they separated Park Hyunsoo’s soul, another soul would take its place, necessitating repeated exorcisms.

“Of course, if you wish, we can perform a rite or exorcism. But honestly, it would be pointless.”

Having said his piece, the shaman fell silent. A heavy silence descended on the reception room.

“So… are you saying that our Jaehee is already dead?” Jaehee’s mother asked with a grave expression, breaking the suffocating silence. Hyunsoo bowed his head in guilt.

“In my view, yes. While my knowledge isn’t absolute, there are many more skilled shamans than I. You can seek their opinions as well.”

Jaehee’s family said nothing in response. Hyunsoo silently looked down at the floor.

“Alright. It seems we need to consult another shaman.”

“Please do.”

The shaman left the mansion with his companion. Hyunsoo watched Jaehee’s family members return to the reception room with complex expressions. He hesitated before speaking up.

“We can’t take the shaman’s words at face value. Let’s hear from another shaman. It’s just one opinion.”

Hyunsoo didn’t say, “Jaehee is alive.” In the current situation, such words would be of no help.

Moreover, from their perspective, “Park Hyunsoo” was an evil spirit occupying their beloved’s body. Hyunsoo had to demonstrate his intention not to harm them or Jaehee’s body.

“I’ll find another shaman. I’ll share the details once arranged.”

Lee Jaeyoon summarized the situation. Hyunsoo nodded and carefully left the reception room, feeling that his presence would only further distress Jaehee’s family.

Regardless of his intentions, it was a fact that Hyunsoo was in Jaehee’s body.

“This is so troublesome.”

Returning to Jaehee’s room, Hyunsoo rubbed his eyes. There was still hope. Despite appearances, that shaman’s opinion was personal. He could still turn out to be a quack.

‘Mr. Jaehee, where are you? Please come back to your body soon. Please.’

Hyunsoo frowned and lay down on the bed, feeling fatigue wash over him.

* * *

Before Jaehee’s eldest brother, Lee Jaemin, returned, Jaehee’s family brought in a second shaman.

This shaman had just returned from prayer on a sacred mountain and was a well-known figure frequently sought by political and business leaders.

“Hmm…”

The shaman silently observed Hyunsoo upon entering the reception room and then said,

“If you wish, I can exorcise the spirit.”

Hyunsoo clenched his fists at the positive response.

“However, I need a written agreement that you won’t hold me responsible for what might happen after the exorcism.”

‘What does that mean?’

As Hyunsoo and Jaehee’s family looked at the shaman with puzzled expressions, he began listing the possible scenarios that could occur after exorcising Park Hyunsoo’s soul from Jaehee’s body.

The words spoken by the shaman earlier were not much different. Other spirits would enter to occupy the empty body, and the things they could do were horrific just to hear about.

“They might hang themselves or jump out the window, use a knife to self-harm, and could even hurt those around them. On the lighter side, they might mimic animal sounds or try to communicate using incomprehensible words. They might also binge eat for no reason or wander the house without sleeping.”

“……”

“If, by any chance, no spirit enters the empty body, the body might simply die.”

At the mention of death, Jaehee’s family looked at Hyunsoo. More precisely, they looked at Jaehee’s body that Hyunsoo was possessing.

“Typically, the spirits that occupy bodies are likely to be evil. Frankly, such cases are very rare. Nonetheless, if you agree not to hold me responsible for any situation that might arise after the exorcism ritual, I will take on the task.”

The shaman was excessively concerned about his own safety. Hyunsoo suppressed a strange sense of rebellion. More than anything, the decision Jaehee’s family would make was important.

“……We need time to think.”

“Then please think it over and make another appointment.”

The second shaman also left the mansion without any significant gain. Jaehee’s family had a lot to think about.

Two shamans had already visited, and both concluded that Jaehee could not return to his original state.

“What are we supposed to do with our Jaehee?”

He was the youngest, whom they cherished more than anything. They didn’t want to believe that he might no longer be in this world. Watching them, Hyunsoo silently clenched and unclenched his fists.

Since opening his eyes in Jaehee’s body, Hyunsoo had been chanting exorcism prayers, believing that Jaehee would return to normal if he disappeared.

But if he disappeared, someone else would occupy Jaehee’s body, and no one could predict what would happen then. In the worst case, Jaehee’s body could die.

With Jaehee’s soul having left his body, Jaehee was practically dead, but his body was still alive and moving.

“We’ve only met with two shamans so far, so don’t give up. There are so many fraud shamans out there.”

When Hyunsoo offered his clumsy reassurance, Jaehee’s family merely gave a faint smile.

Unable to endure the uncomfortable atmosphere, Hyunsoo was about to leave the parlor when Jaeyoon stopped him. Hyunsoo looked up at him.

“My older brother is arriving next Monday. As you know, he believes that Jaehee lost his memory due to Guiding Shock. He’s very worried and sensitive, so we want to keep the truth from him as much as possible.”

“Ah, of course. It’s not pleasant, but if the family wishes, I’ll be careful not to slip up in front of Jaemin. And also…”

Hyunsoo paused for a moment.

“It’s still too early to give up. I’ll cooperate as much as I can. I hope you’re not too disappointed. There must be another way.”

“Thank you for your words.”

Jaeyoon slightly bowed his head. Hyunsoo gave him a slight nod before returning to Jaehee’s room. The large room still had all of Jaehee’s belongings.

A computer loaded with games, a wardrobe full of luxury items, a bookshelf packed with comics, and guide-related books piled on the desk.

Looking at the notes filled with excitement about starting his trainee life at the center, Hyunsoo turned his gaze to the darkened window.

The faint reflection of his white face on the glass had become familiar.

“Where did you really go, Jaehee?”

Hyunsoo muttered to himself, looking down. He felt a faint pulse in his clenched fist. Jaehee’s body was still alive. So he had to keep it safe until Jaehee returned.

“What the hell is happening?”

Hyunsoo sighed deeply. If Jaehee had died suddenly, that would have been the end of it.

Why did this happened?

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t find an answer.

Suppressing his complicated feelings, Hyunsoo picked up a small notebook that looked like a diary.

As he flipped through a few pages, he saw it was indeed Jaehee’s diary.

The dates were irregular, and the entries mainly described his feelings during his trainee life.

[I feel like I’m lacking. I need to try harder.]

[I made a mistake again today. When will I ever adapt ㅠㅠ]

Reading the entries typical of a trainee’s hardships, Hyunsoo closed the diary.

‘Could he have died from overwork during his trainee period?’

Believing that Jaehee would return, Hyunsoo slowly closed his eyes. Exhaustion overwhelmed him.