GRR 3

Kwon Chasa, who had been specially dispatched to the living world alongside him, was famous as a legendary figure who had never once failed to guide a soul to the afterlife. Yu Chasa had just taken his first steps as a grim reaper. He was the only one to volunteer for this special dispatch, filled with expectations that there would be much to learn from him.

It was only later that Yu Chasa learned Kwon Chasa used inhumane methods to maximize fear, mercilessly wielding a buwol¹ when dealing with stubborn souls.

Though he was a bit frightened at first, Yu Chasa soon came to understand Kwon Chasa’s unique way of doing things. A grim reaper’s duty was to safely bring the souls of the deceased to the Underworld to face judgment. Therefore, one must not use physical force against them. A grim reaper’s power could accidentally destroy a soul entirely, causing them to lose even the chance of reincarnation.

“Um, Kwon Chasa…”

That was why he began harboring a hint of doubt. He wondered if there was even a need for him to personally devise a method.

“Aren’t you just going to threaten him into coming…?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Yu Chasa gasped and clamped a hand over his lips. Kwon Chasa was wearing a strange smile. Upon realizing he had made a slip of the tongue, Yu Chasa hurried to force a smile and spoke up.

“Haha… J-just kidding, it was a joke. Well then, I’ll go out and think about it! Please call me if you need me!”

He shouted in an awkwardly exaggerated voice and scurried out of the study, clutching the register of the dead to his chest. Since he hadn’t technically been wrong, Kwon Chasa hadn’t planned on arguing; he’d just wanted to see how far the boy would go. He clicked his tongue as he watched the retreating back of the youth who had fled in terror.

On the other hand, just as Yu Chasa said, he thought he should probably polish the blade of the axe used for “threats” until it shone for the first time in a while.

***

It was the 8th period self-study time. A mock test paper and a notebook for reviewing incorrect answers were spread out on Jion’s desk. Although he had placed them there to study, he could not concentrate and repeatedly scribbled two names on the corners of the notebook.

Jung Suho. And Lee Yujeong.

There was nothing else he could write. The information he had was so meager that the path ahead looked pitch black. All he could do was sigh.

“Haa…”

As Jion leaned his head on the desk, the gazes of some students remaining in the classroom to self-study briefly turned toward him before looking away. Completely unconcerned, Jion turned his head to the side and stared at the names he had written in his notebook.

I have to help him meet his mom. That way, Suho can let go of his lingering attachments and head to the afterlife as soon as possible.

His sighs were endless due to his worry for Suho. It was sad enough that he had left the world at such a young age due to an accident, but it was heartbreaking to see Suho passing each day longing for his mother.

How did he end up with such a fate? Being born as a human means he didn’t commit many sins in his past life, so why did he have to die so early? Jion bit his lip in thought and let out another long sigh.

Not long after, the bell signaling the end of the 8th period rang through the school. Normally, he would have bolted from his seat, repeating how hungry he was while heading to dinner with his friends, but he couldn’t do that today. He had made up his mind to give up even the special meal served every Friday.

Jion gathered the things scattered on his desk, stuffed them haphazardly into his bag, and approached Go Youngjae, who was yawning and stretching. Go Youngjae was the class president and one of the friends Jion ate dinner with instead of Oh Hyunsoo, who didn’t participate in self-study.

“Go Young, I’m skipping dinner today.”

“Eh? Why? They said we’re having yukhoe (raw beef) bibimbap today.”

“Yukhoe bibimbap? Ah… that sounds delicious…”

He hesitated for a moment, but Jion pulled himself together and readjusted his bag straps.

“Eat a lot for me. I’m leaving because I have urgent business!”

Since he didn’t have the time to explain the circumstances in detail, Jion waved goodbye and immediately left the classroom. Usually, he would head straight to his part-time job at the convenience store after eating dinner at school, but he hurried because he was worried about Suho being alone. Hoping that Suho would be calmer than yesterday and remember something more clearly, Jion hurried down the stairs.

Though he had seen many ghosts in his life and had even met and talked to them, a young child around preschool age like Suho was a first for Jion.

Most souls who couldn’t leave the living world due to lingering attachments were of an age where they could easily communicate, making it simple to gather information. Naturally, fulfilling their final wishes wasn’t difficult either. However, Suho remembered very little and was so scared that the mere mention of the word “Mom” was enough to make him cry.

But he couldn’t give up. Even though he had only seen him for a few minutes last night, he truly wanted Suho to leave this world with a peaceful heart. Besides, he already made a pinky promise to help him find his mom. Jion walked out of the school gates with his fists clenched.

It was about a 10-minute walk at a brisk pace from the school to the alley where he met Suho. As if his feet had wings, Jion hurried toward that secluded alley. Since the days were still long, it was still bright even though it was nearly 6:00 PM; he was slightly worried that other people might look at him strangely, but meeting Suho was the priority right now.

Upon reaching the entrance of the alley, Jion looked at the surroundings before shifting his gaze under the streetlight. There, he saw Suho crouched in the same spot as last night, his head buried between his legs. To others, nothing would be visible, but to Jion, that small body was clear as day.

“Suho-ya.”

Jion crouched in front of Suho and spoke gently. The child slowly raised his head. After blinking a couple of times, Suho suddenly straightened his knees, stood up, and looked around hurriedly. Once he realized he was looking for his mom, Jion awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

“Sorry. Hyung hasn’t found your mom yet, so I came alone.”

Suho became visibly dejected and crouched down again. Upon seeing him pout as if he were about to cry, Jion felt cold sweat trickling down his back. He had rushed over, even giving up his yukhoe bibimbap, just to find out something more. His heart pounded, fearing he would just waste time comforting a crying Suho without any results.

Jion took a deep breath. He checked the alley entrance once more and spoke cautiously.

“Suho-ya, besides your mom’s name, do you remember anything else like your home address or phone number? If I know that, I think I can find your mom quickly.”

When Suho heard the gentle voice, he raised his head again to look at Jion. The latter smiled at Suho, feeling slightly relieved.

“Um… is your house close to here? Or do we have to go further?”

Suho, who had been silent the whole time, moved his lips. Jion’s nerves were on edge in case someone suddenly entered the alley, but he didn’t take his eyes off Suho. If someone witnessed this scene, he would look like a crazy person talking to himself in a narrow alley.

Jion waited patiently for Suho’s reaction while occasionally glancing at the alley entrance. Just then, Suho fidgeted with his fingers and slowly spoke.

“Suho’s house…”

“Yeah, Suho’s house.”

“Over there, if you pass the tteokbokki place, it comes out quickly…”

“The tteokbokki place?”

Suho pointed his hand toward the alley entrance. Jion turned his head in the direction Suho’s hand was pointing.

“Mom and Suho… like tteokbokki…”

“.….”

“So I ate it with Mom…”

Hearing the slightly tearful voice, Jion’s mind raced. If it was a place that sold tteokbokki nearby, there was one place Jion knew.

“Is it the place across the crosswalk once you go out of here?”

“Umm… I think so…”

The only snack bar in this neighborhood. The place that sold various foods but was said to have the best tteokbokki. If Suho’s memory was accurate, it was likely the snack bar Jion was thinking of.

If Suho’s house came out right after passing that place, then maybe…

“Saebit Apartments?”

“Yes! That’s right, Saebit Apartments!”

Suho raised his voice for the first time. Perhaps his memory had become clearer after hearing the name of the apartment complex, as Suho repeated”Saebit, Saebit” several times. Jion, equally excited, asked Suho again.

“Don’t you remember anything else? Don’t you remember which building or unit number?”

“Umm…”

Worried that his voice might have been a bit too loud, Jion pursed his lips. Suddenly, an eerie chill made him flinch. He thought he had sensed someone’s presence and quickly looked around, but it was still just him and Suho in the alley.

1. A ceremonial long-handled axe. In ancient times, these were symbols of military authority and the power to punish or execute ↩︎