Waiting For Your Reincarnation

“It is a common rumor. Maybe he just reincarnated. After all, a phantom with his memories has a lot of autonomy over his reincarnation.” “I’m aware of that, of course, but it’s a different kind of rumor. It’s better than not knowing.” 

Ryu Won’s jaw clenched, but he remained unperturbed by the information and calmly considered Veronica’s intentions. He took a long, thoughtful sip from his drink.

 

His brow furrowed and he quietly set the glass down.

 

Veronica picked up the oak barrel from the table and moved to the door. Then she gestured for 

for them to leave, trying to shoo them out of the tavern.

 “Well, the festival is on now. Go about your business. Don’t run away from the village spirits.” “Ha-ha.” “Now, everyone, get out, it’s almost closing time.” 

At Veronica’s words, Ryu Won was the first to stand up and lead the way out of the tavern, followed by Yeon-young and Zhaolin.

 BANG! 

The door to the tavern slammed shut before Zhaolin could get out of the shop, leaving them all a few feet apart.

 

The door slammed so abruptly that Zhaolin hit his forehead and winced. 

 

‘Uncharacteristically distracted,’

Yeon-young thought.

 “Are you okay?” “It’s nothing.” 

Zhaolin pierced her with a sharp look. It was obvious that the door had been left open and locked, which was unfair.

 

Ryu Won mumbled incoherently.

“It’s the wind, the wind.” 

Ryu Won raised his index finger to his lips and opened the teleport to the center.

 

The festival in honor of Iris was nine hours away.

 

* * *

  

Shortly after midnight, the sky above Tanato exploded with colorful sparks. The sheer size of the flames was overwhelming.

 

The spirits shouted with joy as they set off firecrackers in the air, as if they had been waiting for this day. 

 

Yeon-Young stared at the scene through the window of the center’s conference room.

 

It wasn’t until today that she realized there were so many ghosts in the villages of District 1. 

 

Saeri clapped her hands to get the special team’s attention.

 

She pointed to the map of the village on the board and continued her explanation.

 “Okay, I’ll take the center. On the left, based on the village square, are Sun Zhaolin and Kim Yeon-young. On the right, Han Ryu Won and Jung Jaeho.” 

Everyone gave Saeri a sour look as if they couldn’t agree with her instructions.

 

It was a team combination that they couldn’t even be polite enough to smile at. 

 

Yeon-young looked at Zhaolin and then bit her lip.

 

SHe was one of the last people she wanted to see in public for a while.

 “You have some good tools…” “Uh, no, Jung Jaeho. You’re not allowed to smuggle any of your experimental tools into the city, and I’ll bury them the moment I catch you, I know it. Take everything out of your clothes.” 

Jaeho frowned and pulled some experimental tools out of his uniform pockets. 

 

They looked more like everyday objects than experimental tools.

 

Yeon-young picked up an eraser from the floor and put it back on the table.

 “It fell.” “My masterpiece. It’s expensive, so don’t touch it.” “This?” “It’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. It erases all traces of your power so that others can’t read your aura.” 

Jaeho snatched the eraser out of her hand. 

 

Saeri crossed her arms and tapped her forearm with her fingers.

 

Then she shook her head and insisted that Jaeho take out more, even though he had a handful of tools.

 “Jaeho. There’s more. Take more.” 

Jaeho sighed heavily and took off his jacket, waving it in the air. Somehow another bundle of experimental instruments appeared under the jacket.

 

Zhaolin gave him a disapproving look. Ryu Won lowered his head as if he was really tired of having to stay with him all day.

 “Okay. Make sure you leave everything in your hair. If you get caught, the lab will explode.” “Demons.” “I don’t expect the village phantoms to cause any trouble, but act like you’re checking security and take a good look around. Over.” 

As soon as Saeri was out the door, Zhaolin walked over to Yeon-Young and put her arm around her.

 “I’m sure you can make it to the village on your own, I’ll go first.” 

Then she disappeared from the conference room without a trace. Yeon-young was relieved to be able to travel alone.

 

Saeri had orchestrated the group and everyone dispersed to do as they pleased. 

 

Ryu Won snuck up and spoke to her.

 “Ms. Yeon-young.” “What?” “Meet me in front of the clock tower in the square before sunrise.” “Why… what…” 

But Yeon-young didn’t get to finish her question. Jaeho disappeared from the meeting room in a flash and he had to run after him.

 

Today would not be a smooth ride. 

 

Alone in the conference room of the center, Yeon-young had a premonition of bad luck for the day.

 

***

 

When she arrived in the city, it didn’t take her long to find Zhaolin. Putting on her uniform and the hat she was given, she scanned the village.

 

Every phantom in the village was dressed in something unique.

 

From medieval dresses to modern wedding gowns. It was hard to tell what the theme of the festival was.

 “There’s so much variety.” “I wore what I liked best when I was alive, because even though this festival was created to honor Iris, it’s also a festival for the spirits.” 

Zhaolin explained in response to Yeon-young’s question. 

 

Zhaolin took out three scrolls from the inside pocket of her uniform coat and handed them to Yeon-young.

 “I’ll let you take care of the police, but can you take care of this first?” “Okay.” 

She took a step back, her eyes narrowing at Zhaolin’s rare politeness. 

 

She handed her the scroll and disappeared, saying she’d look around on the other side.

 

Yeon-young unfolded the scroll to reveal the request she’d seen in Veronica’s shop yesterday.

 

Yeon-young pushed her hat down on her head and went to the fruit shop, hoping that the pismo would recognize her.

 

***

 

[Fruit Shop]

 

The fruit store was huge, with a neon sign that made it stand out from the rest.

 

The line was much longer than other places because the store was doing quite well.

 “Oh, I hate waiting in line…” 

Yeon-young thought about opening another scroll, but gave up and joined the line. 

 

The ghosts in front of her looked like twins dressed as a cat and a dog.

 “Have you heard the story?” “What story?” 

The cat looked around, covered her mouth, and whispered to the dog. It wasn’t far enough away for the story to be heard over the whisper.

 “They say spirits are disappearing one by one these days.” “They’re lying! You’ve got to be kidding me.” “No, it’s true. I’ve heard it on my way back and forth to the other branches, but the reason they’re disappearing is because they’re possessed.” “What? Where?” “That’s right…” 

Yeon-young walked forward a little, straining to hear the story.

 

Just then, a loud, booming voice called out to the twin ghosts. They stopped talking and went into the shop.

 

Yeon-young quickly followed them into the store to get more information about the rumors.

 

But she forgot that she had overheard the conversation and looked around.

 

It started with melons, fresh mangosteens, papayas, durians and more. It seemed like every fruit in the world had been found and displayed.

 “That lad in the black hat.” 

Someone pointed out Yeon-young’s outfit. Yeon-young looked up, creaking like a robot in need of lubrication.

 

The blonde, blue-eyed woman crossed her arms and looked down at her with pinpoint accuracy.

 “What?” “Look at your face. I don’t recognize you.” “I’m Kim Yeon-young, the newest member of the special team. I’m here to fulfill a request.” 

The woman’s eyes widened at the sight of Yeon-young’s tofu-like face and she ran away from the counter. 

 

Yeon-young pulled out the scroll she had been hiding in her arms and handed it to the woman like a bribe.

 “New phantom…!” “Anything, please.” 

Realizing who she was, the woman started to scream, but Yeon-Young quickly covered her mouth. She didn’t want to attract the spirits’ attention.

 

The woman nodded once, then whispered.

 “Are you the rumored youngest?” “Perhaps.” “I’m Angelina. I used to be a special teams researcher, but now I’m just an occasional ER drug delivery guy. What kind of nerdy kid works in the lab these days?” 

She was probably referring to Jung Jaeho. His fame didn’t only spread within the center, but also seemed to be known to the souls outside.

 “What do you want to eat?” “Anything, really.” “That’s the hardest part.” 

Angelina said it was hard, but she came back with both hands full of colorful skewers. 

 

Yeon-young frowned at the number of skewers she couldn’t hold with both hands.

 “I only need one…” “One is not enough.” 

As she reached into her pocket to count them, she had a reasonable question.

 

‘How do you do math in Tanato?’

 

She froze and stared into Angelina’s clear eyes.

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