Episode 89
Chapter 89 – Room 102, The Cursed Room – ‘Mansion of Fear’ Re (2)
– Han Kain
The moment we step into the mansion, the threat of possession will begin, and I find myself pondering how we should respond.
I voiced my thoughts.
“This time, we have Sister Songee’s bracelet, so we should be able to resist somehow. After all, isn’t he still in the early stages of corruption? He might not be able to use any grand abilities just yet.”
“Oppa, I mean, Deacon Han. The way you speak just keeps feeling awkward every time I hear it,” she replied.
“Let’s get used to it! The bracelet is among the highest tier of powers affecting the mind, right? Can’t it break the possession?”
“It’s possible to detect possession with the bracelet, but undoing it seems to be a bit tricky,” she said.
“Why is that?”
Why could it be difficult?
It had been quite a while since we acquired the bracelet, yet Songee was the only one who had even a rough understanding of its principles and limitations.
Sister Songee began to ponder, probably trying to translate the ‘alien knowledge’ that the hotel had dumped into her mind when she acquired the bracelet.
“This might sound strange, but the bracelet is more of a ‘scientific’ object than an occult one. Although its powers are rooted in the supernatural, it was processed through scientific means. Just not human science. Possession, on the other hand, is entirely occult.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t resist the occult at all,” she continued. “For example, we can defend against possession, but driving out a spirit that’s already possessed is a different story.”
I didn’t quite grasp the differences between occult and alien science. I felt like a caveman listening to someone explain a smartphone.
However, I understood the essence of Sister Songee’s words.
In summary, the bracelet can perceive and defend against possession, but it can’t expel someone who has already been possessed.
*
After arriving at the mansion and meeting the Cardinal and Eunsol, I immediately looked to Sister Songee.
She shook her head. That meant nobody was possessed. After confirming this, we started our conversation.
First, I relayed the facts we had uncovered: the missing persons case, Lee Sehyun’s reputation, and the whereabouts of Ari and Seungyub.
“Have you discovered anything?” I asked.
“Nothing,” the Cardinal replied. “You’ll see for yourself once you start talking to him. Lee Sehyun is not someone to underestimate. He would likely mislead me completely if I hadn’t been warned beforehand.”
Eunsol, who appeared even more immersed in her role than I was, chimed in.
“We couldn’t get anywhere with conversation. He claims to also be worried about the missing persons case and even mentioned taking measures. But there were no gaps in his story. Furthermore, his son, Lee Siwoo, is also in the mansion.”
Eunsol continued after inhaling.
“He’s very concerned about his son. Siwoo has been sick from a young age and was homeschooled by a tutor, but lately, he hasn’t been able to call for his tutor due to anxiety.”
After thinking it over, Priest Jinchul spoke.
“Didn’t you hear there’s a strange book down in the mansion’s basement?”
“That was what Ari found out during our first attempt. There’s a mysterious book in the basement, and opening it will land you face to face with a demon. However, since time has reversed, it’s uncertain if that applies now.”
“I don’t know much about construction, but is there really a chance to create such an expansive underground space overnight? I’d wager that they must have built the basement along with the mansion.”
That made sense. I didn’t know much about construction either, but it was likely that the basement was still there, even considering our current timeline.
The Cardinal suggested, “Let’s see if we can gather more information during dinner, then we’ll all head down to the mansion’s basement at night.”
*
– Han Kain
Dinner time.
A conversation with Lee Sehyun made me realize the real meaning behind the Cardinal’s remark that he might have deceived me completely.
“That’s why I told the manager back then: How long are you going to keep living off monthly wages, barely scraping by with 100 or 200 bucks? If you want to stand tall in front of the ones you love, you’ve got to take some risks, don’t you think?”
“Is that how you persuaded him to expand your business?”
“Haha! Do you think just some words could persuade anyone? The key is not a few eloquent phrases but rather having a vision! Especially considering the political changes happening in Korea back then—”
This guy was genuinely skilled at conversation. Even though I realized he was boasting about how successful and wealthy he was, I found it amusing to listen to.
…Was this some sort of supernatural power at play?
I didn’t think so. He just seemed to have a silver tongue.
Cardinal Mooksung cut him off, steering the conversation back to the strange rumors I heard from Eunsol.
It didn’t work.
He seemed completely unfazed and slowly unraveled some of the suspicions. When it came to the claim of him collecting occult objects, he pulled out some items and simply said it was all part of his hobby of collecting art.
As for the allegations of meeting suspicious individuals, he insisted that the foreigners he met were purely business-related and some must have misunderstood.
The most exhausting part was that despite Elena openly using her lie detection ability, we couldn’t catch him in a single lie.
Feeling the need to shift the atmosphere, Cardinal Mooksung slapped the table.
“Mr. Lee Sehyun. Let me ask you some straightforward questions.”
“I fear you may suspect me, Cardinal. I’ll be honest in everything I reveal.”
“Do you know anything about the ‘Book of Incarnation’? Even if you don’t know the name, have you ever obtained a strange and mysterious book? Also, is there anything you are hiding from us regarding the missing persons case?”
“I know absolutely nothing.”
I glanced back at Elena. She shook her head. That meant he wasn’t lying.
My mind started to race with confusion.
Just then, a young boy walked in.
“Mr. Lee Sehyun. Is that your son over there?”
“Huh? Pardon me, everyone. Siwoo? What’s wrong?”
Lee Sehyun moved closer to his son, showing concern.
Siwoo looked like he was in middle school, the classic picture of a sickly yet handsome boy. He must’ve inherited that from his father, who also had good looks.
Noticing his son’s condition seemed to trouble Lee Sehyun, so he apologized and prematurely concluded his meal before heading to his room with Siwoo.
After he left, we kept the conversation going.
“What do you think? It seems getting information through conversation may be impossible.”
The Cardinal replied, “I see it the same way. Sister Elena. Was there absolutely no falsehood in his words?”
“Correct. The items he showed were ordinary artworks, and the foreigners were indeed met for business. He seems to genuinely have no knowledge of either the grimoire or the missing persons case. At least, that’s what he believes to be true.”
Jinchul-hyung offered an idea. “What if he possesses powers against lie detection?”
“I find the situation chaotic, but for now, let’s conserve Sister Elena’s abilities when it comes to lie detection. For some unknown reason, it doesn’t seem effective against him, and we shouldn’t waste it.”
The Cardinal asked, “Sister Elena, how much time do you have left for your lie detection?”
“Two or three minutes? I have almost used it up,” she replied.
“We should save it as the Deacon suggests. I doubt further conversation will yield results. Let’s head to the basement tonight,” declared the Cardinal.
That was when I heard the sound of Lee Sehyun’s footsteps approaching outside.
We quickly devised our plan without words, shifting to our conversation tab.
Only Sister Songee and I would venture down to the basement while the others remained upstairs.
The grimoire was presumed to hold powerful mental abilities, and there was even a chance of demonic possession. For anyone lacking mental defenses, approaching it would be perilous.
*
Cuckoo!
With the sound of the cuckoo clock, we exited the room. After exchanging glances with the others, we made our way to the study.
Wasn’t there a lever somewhere on the wall that opens the stairs leading down to the basement?
It didn’t take long to find it. I pulled down on the lever, and Sister Songee and I stepped onto the stairs.
…
We had prepared for the lack of lighting with our torches, but we couldn’t do much about the stale air. It didn’t exactly smell bad, but it felt incredibly stifling.
After walking for over 30 minutes, I wondered just how deep underground we were.
Finally, a sturdy steel door came into view.
I activated our chat.
*
Han Kain: Found a door. Going in.
Yu Songee: Nothing unusual yet.
*
Creek!
We stepped inside after opening the door.
…
In front of us was a strange book radiating a blue glow.
Turning to Sister Songee, she promptly cast a mental shield around me. This was our trump card.
By stacking the bracelet with my filter, we achieved the strongest mental resistance we could muster at that moment and approached the book.
“Let me express my concern: you really shouldn’t touch that.”
!
I turned in surprise at the voice suddenly coming from the side. I redirected the torchlight and spotted Lee Sehyun hiding in a corner.
“You! Weren’t you upstairs?”
“Did you think the path to the basement was just a one-way street? This place is bigger than you realize.”
“Earlier, with the lie detection, you said you knew nothing! What kind of trick is this?”
“Lie detection? Ah! I was wondering what it was when that beautiful nun’s eyes shimmered! So that’s it, huh?”
“I didn’t use any special tricks. The me back then was just being honest.”
While conversing with Lee Sehyun, Sister Songee spoke through the chat tab.
*
Yu Songee: This person! He’s not human!
Han Kain: What do you mean?
Yu Songee: It’s hard to use the bracelet on him! We need to run now!
Kim Mooksung: What’s the situation? We’re coming down now!
*
The underground corridor was narrow and long. It would be a while before our teammates made it to us.
Did he sense them approaching? The man slowly rose, grabbed the grimoire, and spoke casually.
“Don’t worry too much. If I had ill intentions, I would have ambushed you in the shadows, wouldn’t I?”
As reasonable as that was, we hadn’t even realized he was hiding there, so if he had wanted, he could have taken us completely by surprise.
“Instead, I’m curious: why aren’t you attacking?”
“If I attack and kill you, I’d have to eliminate your friends upstairs too.
“And say I do kill everyone up there— the Vatican would send an army in, and I’m not interested in tackling an entire army.”
Songee interrupted, “So, what’s the aim of this conversation?”
“I’m about to show you solid evidence.”
“Solid evidence?”
He seemed to think that was sufficient and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, ominous black chains burst forth from the walls, pinning us to the structure.
That was all.
He didn’t appear to harbor any intentions of tormenting us further. He had no plans to kill us, nor did he seem interested in escaping knowing the Cardinal and priests might show up any minute.
What was he thinking?
*
About 15 minutes passed before the door suddenly burst open with a loud thump.
Jinchul-hyung shouted in rage, “You bastard! Are you trying to take them hostage?”
Grandpa Mooksung, seemingly sharing the same thought, drew his gun—
—Bang!
He fired a shot at me and Songee!
Lee Sehyun, noticing the angle of the gun, jumped in surprise to deflect the bullet.
No way! Did that old man just lose it?
“Sorry, gang! I’ll send you off peacefully. We’ll deal with this guy, so don’t worry!”
Normally, wouldn’t you at least pretend to save the hostages? Just shooting the hostage dead straight away? What the hell is going on here?
I realized I wasn’t the only one sensing absurdity in this.
“Haha… The Vatican is really impressive. I haven’t even touched a hair on them, and you’re already thinking of killing the hostages? They’re hardly even hostages.”
With that, the chains restraining us fell away.
The Cardinal appeared awkward as he fumbled. “Huh? They weren’t hostages?”
“Is there any meaning in taking hostages when you’re this ignorant? I merely wanted to ensure there were enough witnesses.”
“Witnesses?”
After surveying the gathered Exorcist team, Lee Sehyun left a final remark.
“Make sure you all remember this. I don’t intend to fight with fools like you, so I’ll take my leave.”
—Thunk!
Suddenly, the chains crushed Lee Sehyun’s head. In the same breath, the glowing grimoire spun rapidly before vanishing into thin air.
What the heck was that?
Everyone was thrown into confusion over the sudden turn of events—
That was when notifications popped up before our eyes.
You have successfully escaped!
There were several details below that, but honestly, none registered with me at all!
What on earth does escaping suddenly mean?
*
[User: Han Kain (Wisdom)
Date: Day 28
Current Location: Level 1, Corridor
Sage’s Advice: 3]
– Han Kain
We all stood around staring at each other with dumbfounded expressions.
“What in the world just happened?”
Grandpa Mooksung, now out of the room, responded in astonishment.
“Hey! Does anyone understand what’s going on right now?”
… That old man nearly shot me and Songee as soon as he saw us hostage.
Eunsol-noona replied with a bemused chuckle, “First, let’s head to the table for some coffee and try to sort this out.”
As we walked to the table, I found myself reflecting.
Three major questions raced through my mind.
1. Why didn’t the lie detection work on Lee Sehyun?
2. Why did he suddenly kill himself?
3. Why was his death considered our escape?
… One thing became clear in my mind, though.
It was time to use the Advice. This wasn’t like blindly trying to use it when we had no clue.
Right now, we were in a position to connect some threads of information, even if it felt fragmented. If there was ever a moment we needed ‘Wisdom,’ it was now.
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