BBS (71)

Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost

 
 

⟨Chapter 71⟩
 

According to what he asked one day, it was ebony wood.

On the bookshelves made out of that pretty, black, glossy and soft wood, old books, whose age he couldn’t guess, piled up. The sunlight, which entered through the vintage circular window, softly fell over them like feathers.

The owner of this study sat in the foggy sunlight. The fox, who learned of all supernatural things wandering about this world and solutions to them, leaned his ears to Yu Dan’s story.

“I was curious about them even in the past. About the widely-spread ghost stories, I mean. Like you dance diligently to the mirror in the dance room, but then you come the next day and there is no mirror there. Or some grandma asking for a way outside the window, but when you think about it, you realize it’s the second floor of the house. What the hell is the ghosts’ goal in appearing in such trivial stories? They just end up scaring a person. Is that just a hobby?”

“Well.”

The fox smiled faintly.

“It’s probably not just that.”

“Then what?”

“Wouldn’t it be for survival?”

“Survival? What are ghosts surviving?”

“You must first understand what kind of existence are ghosts. The ghosts we think of most often are vengeful souls. The souls with grudges. But not everyone becomes a vengeful soul upon death. Please think of fossils. Even though they died the same, some remains disappeared in their totality, while others, in contrast, were preserved intact, because they met some kind of conditions, right? It’s not that they deliberately tried to remain. They just ended up left behind. Those things are similar. There are cases where even though they don’t have a powerful motivator, a soul remains in the world of the living. In other words, they are ghosts without desires or will.”

“Alright. Certainly, not all things that become ghosts hold grudges, and not all things that hold grudges become ghosts.”

Yu Dan agreed. How do ghosts become ghosts? Even though he saw numerous ghosts, he never tried to think about it.

“They’re things that wander aimlessly. Usually, such ghosts are called floaters or minor ghosts. But the problem is homeostasis.”

“Homeostasis?”

“No need to hate it. It’s a simple concept. It’s a property of life that even if several conditions of the environment drastically change, it will try to maintain the current state and keep on living.”

“In other words, it lives because it can’t die.”

“It’s not a very bad way to say it.”

The fox smiled again.

“Although You can’t say that the minor ghosts are living, they maintain a homeostasis all the same. Are the living beings not deliberately maintaining their life each moment through the strong will of ‘I have to live’? It’s natural to just survive like this, so when minor ghosts form, they try to keep maintaining that state.”

“And that’s that ‘homeostasis’?”

“Yes. It’s a quality of an individual being to try to protect their existence. But for this, energy is necessary. Just like animals eat, and plants get energy through sunlight. However, ghosts? Especially the minor ghosts, who don’t have powerful twisted desires? Where do they obtain the energy?”

Baek Ran stretched out his hand, and blew his breath on it. A white fog rounded up above his palm.

“If You think about it, they’re just souls, which ended up remaining in the world of the living. Even a very faint wind can easily scatter them. However, if someone looks at them, they become clearer.”

Yu Dan looked at the wisp of fog. It immediately started to wriggle and form.

“Each time people look at them, react to them, talk about such and such ghost, they obtain that energy. The best way to do all of those things is to become a ghost story.”

“So become a ghost story and spread wide?”

“That’s correct. Didn’t You say that all stories in this book are trivial because they’re shamelessly common? It means that they’re old and universal. Such ghosts stories are amazing energy sources… Ah, wait a moment. You’re looking too hard. It’s becoming dangerous.”

Beak Ran waved his hand. The wisp of fog that was slowly growing bigger, scattered right away. After the fog was cleared, Yu Dan looked at the book with the red cover.

“Then this book was made by a minor ghost with the goal of spreading those ghost stories?”

“No. Such books wouldn’t be hidden at the library, right? They would be mixed among other books at an ordinary bookstore, being normally sold.”

“Then what the hell is this? Why did when I read this book ghosts appear?”

“Because it’s a book of ghost names.”

What? When he looked at him with a confused expression, the fox explained.

“It’s a name list of ghosts. A book with names written down. It’s similar to a kind of attendance book.”

“Ah, an attendance book?”

The moment he understood, he felt like he was hit.

“Then does it mean I called the ghosts for attendance?”

“There is a story like that.”

Baek Ran unfolded the 『Annals of Past and Present Bizarre Occurrences』 on the desk.

“A story about the book of ghost names appeared in 『Record on the Edges of Heaven』. It was a book written by Joseon’s government official Im Bang[1], gathering strange stories.”

After turning a book page, a drawing appeared. Some gentleman was standing on the main maru[2], holding a book. In front of him ghosts of various appearances were bowing their heads.

“Injo[3]’s father-in-law, Seopyeong Prince Han Jun-gyeom had a relative. One day that relative came to visit, and thanks to Han Jun-gyeom holding onto him, he stayed for New Year’s Eve. The relative asked for understanding with a complicated face. He said that he had to roll call ghosts each new year, so please don’t be surprised. Han Jun-gyeom decided to see this once in a lifetime marvelous event. The relative borrowed the main maru[2], took out the list of names with the names of ghosts recorded, and called each one of them. After the ghosts appeared, they lined up. The number must have been great. It said it took from second watch to fifth watch.”

“How long is that?”

“From eight after noon to five after dawn.”

“That’s long. Even if you were the king’s father-in-law, you would be surprised. Why the hell was he doing it?”

“That relative seemed to be a very righteous person. He said that he was making a roll-call to try to prevent ghosts to cause harm in the human world. When he discovered the ghosts, who came late because they were spreading diseases, or ghosts who crossed over the prime minister’s wall, he would scold them, and order them to be beaten with a stick and imprisoned. And after strictly warning other ghosts not to do evil, he would order them to disperse.”

“Did they listen to him?”

“They couldn’t help but obey, he had the ghost name book. Han Jun-gyeom, who witnessed all of this, was surprised. He asked how did he learn such sorcery. He answered as such — when I was young, I met an old monk and received the ghost names list. That book contained the names of the ghosts and ways to summon them. After the old monk left me the name book and drew his last breath, I succeeded him and called the ghosts instead. Giving his story and left without a trace. That’s how the story recorded in 『Record on the Edges of Heaven』 ends.”

Baek Ran looked down at the red book.

“I don’t know if it’s the same book the relative of Han Jun-gyeom had. But anyway, it’s certainly a book of ghost names.”

“How are you certain?”

“Because the names are written down in it.”

Hearing those words, he realized.

“Ah, that’s how it is, huh? Video Ghost. Dolls Ghost. Rice Grain Ghost. Gap Ghost. They’re not the story titles, but the ghosts’ names, huh?”

“That’s right. After reading the ghost story written down with each name, the ghosts, which obtained power, appeared in front of Your eyes.”

“However, it can’t be a book of ghost names from Joseon period, can it? No matter how I look, it’s a modern book. And even the background of the stories is a city.”

“It changed to match the current era. The supernatural evolves too.”

“It does all sorts of things.”

“Anyway, as You have put a hand on the book of ghost names, You have also put hands on those ghosts. You can summon them as You like. If You give them a command, they will follow.”

“What?”

Yu Dan turned pale.

“I refuse. I hate that gloomy energy ghosts have. Can’t I just put this book on a shelf here?”

“However, You have already summoned them once, so a contract has already been established. A contract between souls.”

“It can’t be! Then what about private teacher’s friend?”

“Didn’t they say that he returned to his hometown for a few months? He probably did an exorcism there. Should we summon a shaman and do an exorcism?”

“I hate it!”

“Then You will have to just take those minor ghosts with You.”

He spoke in a carefree manner, but his brown eyes had a ruthless glint. As expected, this fox very much enjoyed such situations. Yu Dan gritted his teeth.

“Everyone, come out!”

The ghosts slipped out of the book.

“Ascend!”

At that, everyone trembled and shook.

“What are you doing? I told you to ascend!”

“That’s too much for them.”

Baek Ran said.

“Why not? Shouldn’t they follow my command?”

“Even if it’s a command, it doesn’t mean it’s doable. If Your teacher-nim suddenly tells You to run a thousand kilometers on the sports ground, can You run it?”

He was at a loss for words.

“That means…”

“That You have to send them off one by one.”

“But there are four of them?”

“Shouldn’t You be happy? How many ghosts did the ghost name book, inherited by Han Jun-gyeom’s relative, have?”

“You may say so, but…”

His words were cut off in the middle.

At some point, the atmosphere became chaotic. The Rice Grain Ghost was scattering rice, the Video Ghost was walking around with a kitchen knife. The Doll Ghost was sitting in the corner creating an ominous atmosphere, while the Gap Ghost was hiding in the gaps between the fox’s drawers and observing.

“What are you doing!? Stay quiet for a moment! I’ll relieve your grudges!”

The Video Ghost glanced at him. From between the disheveled hair, he heard a gloomy voice.

“But I don’t have any grudges? I somehow ended up merging with a scary story, no desires whatsoever.”

Ah, right. He said they were like that.

Yu Dan glanced at Baek Ran, sending him a gaze asking what he should do.

“There is nothing to be flustered about. Even if they’re minor ghosts without any desires, they aren’t difficult at all. It’s like when You wander aimlessly, abruptly look at the clock and realize it’s time to go. You have to give them just a little push and will be able to send them away.”

Baek Ran spoke calmly, as he looked around the ghosts.

“Everyone has some lingering attachments to this world left, don’t they? A wish You couldn’t fulfill, perhaps. Anything like wanting to know the ending of the book You couldn’t finish is fine. Even if it’s a small wish, achieving it will momentarily relieve Your hearts and give You energy. You will be able to leave. How is it? Isn’t there a last wish You want to achieve?”

The Gap Ghost, who received the attention, blinked.

“A wish?”

Unexpectedly, it was a voice of a young girl. Reading the ghost story, he thought it suited a some pervert-like male ghost.

“Uh… I have one. Do You know Li Shimin?”

“Do You mean Taizong of Tang?”

“No. The singer Li Shimin. I became a fan after my death. I want to meet him in reality and get an autograph.”

The fox’s pupils shook.

“Um. As expected, it’s better to just live with those ghosts.”

“You’re already giving up?”

“Getting to see Taizong of Tang would be easier.”

When he saw that face with a wide smile, while he washed his hands, Yu Dan felt something stir in him. ‘You want to see me living with those minor ghosts on my back, don’t you?’ His stubbornness awakened.

“Absolutely not. I’m going to send them all away.”

“Really?”

“Naturally! Don’t be surprised later!”

“Yes. Then will it be it within a few years? Is it possible within this lifetime?”

Yu Dan took the book of ghost names and quickly left, closing the door behind him.

And he regretted it right away.

Shouldn’t he just endure and somehow talk him well into releasing the contract? If it was work a shaman could do, there was no way that the fox couldn’t do that. If not…

The dokkaebi horn appeared in his hand.

He held that thought for a moment, but soon erased it. It was not important to ‘do it’. What was important was to ‘do it properly’.

Yu Dan put away the horn and went downstairs.

He was dreary. It was difficult to grant wishes of living people, but what about the wishes of the dead? His feet instinctively halted in front of the trash can. ‘Recyclable’ and ‘General’. Was the book of ghost names a recyclable trash or general trash?

At that moment someone hit him in the back.

“What are you doing? Don’t throw away supernatural things.”

Yu Dan turned around at Do-ssi’s voice. The yokai gathered and were looking at him.

“I’m not. I’ll send away all the minor ghosts attached to it to completely clean it, and keep it. I decided so.”

“Huhu, are you really okay with that? It’s not one, but four, is it not? Can you do it alone?”

“The minor ghosts are obeying You because of the book of ghost names, but won’t it take a whole day to send them all back?”

“Even if you have a Heavenly Eye, if you spent a whole day with ghosts, your life force will be sucked up.”

“What if you faint? Won’t you need someone to catch your back so you don’t break your head?”

Everyone said a few words like they couldn’t trust him.

“Don’t worry. I can do it alone. I’m going to finish it quickly.”

He proudly left the Banwoldang, and took a few steps, and then he had an abrupt thought:

Those yokai weren’t trying to help him right now, were they?

As he reflected on what each of them said again, something felt off. It was strange that everyone was dilly-dally on him. If he said just a word about helping him, would at least one yokai go out with him? Didn’t he leave too quickly?

No, no, there was no way. That had to be his own delusion.

Yu Dan threw away lingering thoughts, and started walking again.

“Hello? I don’t understand the current situation.”

“Is that shaman-like person going to help us?”

“I don’t know who he is, but he seems to be a beginner.”

He heard whispers of the ghosts from the book he was holding in his hand.
 

***
 
Between the dense trees, murky green water was seen.

The corner of the Saetgang Park. Every park in Seoul was bustling on the weekend, but this place was strangely quiet. The riverbank under the dark shadows of trees was especially lonesome. It was a good place to commit a crime. He always had such thoughts while passing by, but…

No. That wasn’t a crime. He was sending ghosts away.

Yu Dan shook his head, feeling a prick.

He didn’t want to bring back those minor ghosts to his house, so he brought them to the place with the least people, but gathering ghosts in broad daylight like this still pricked him. There was no way that other people were going to see them, right?

A pair, jogging on the walktrail beside them, glanced in their direction, but their faces didn’t show anything and they just kept running. Okay. They don’t see them. Because they aren’t the ones who read the ghost stories.

But now what?

What would the fox yokai do in such a situation? He traced back his memory, and recalled the time when they met a soul of the Goryeo potter at the museum.

A conversation was necessary.

However, his conversations with ghosts… For over ten years his only communications were ‘Get out’, if not ‘What you…!’. Now that he had to strike up a conversation, what should he start with?

Yu Dan looked at the ghosts again.

“Umm…. Wouldn’t it be better to put down that kitchen knife first?”

“Ah, this. It seems to be a part of my body.”

The Video Ghost put the kitchen knife behind her back. Looking closely at her face between the disheveled hair, she seemed to be a noona quite a few years older than him.

“What are your hobbies?”

Wasn’t his tone too interrogative?

“What are your hobbies?”

He tried to change it, but somehow it ended up exactly the same. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. It didn’t seem like she really minded it.

“Hobbies? Well. I’ll think about it.”

Yu Dan turned to the Rice Grain Ghost at her side.

“Grandma…”

“It’s not grandma.”

After taking off a white-haired wig, a corpulent ghost uncle with permed hair appeared.

“I’m a comedian. I have been preforming many times ten years ago. Doesn’t anyone know about ‘Is my butt this big?’ joke?”

“I don’t know it at all.”

Both Yu Dan and the ghosts shook their heads.
 

*~*~*
 

[1] Im Bang — 임방 — an interesting figure, sadly only has a Korean wikipedia page. While he was a highly regarded official in Joseon, he is mainly known for his poetry and for his 만록* (manrok, loosely translates to ‘Idle thoughts records’) works, that collected poetry of various people, including servant girls.
*만록 (manrok) is a type of anecdotal literature in which an author gathers various anecdotes and scenes of life on some subject. I think Record on the Edges of Heaven may have been one of them too, but I’m not sure.

[2] main maru — an open floor between rooms in hanok.

[3] Injo — that guy has an English wikipedia page if you’re curious about him. He was the 16th king of Joseon, took power in a coup (why is everyone taking power in a coup in that country), and is regarded as a bad ruler. If you remember the painting ghost story from book one, she was murdered by her family because they were worried she would be stained by the soldiers of Qing. That Qing invasion happened during Injo’s reign.
 

Translator’s note: Even Baek Ran doesn’t have the power to meet a celebrity.
 

 

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