I’m the Only One Who Can’t See Ghosts

Today is the day. 

The day Louisville reveals why its studio apartments cost 50,000 won. 

I called this “The Day of Attack”.

"Alright, let's go."

“Nayu, let’s fight!”

“Everyone, give it your all.”

On this day, my three neighbors who can see ghosts lock themselves in their rooms and don't come out.

They must each have their own way of enduring the Day of Attack.

At first, out of concern, I meddled a bit and ended up getting pinched by Nayu. 

Left alone, I sighed.

"Everyone's gone inside."

Truth be told, on the day Louisville has its Attack, I too refrain from going outside. 

To be precise, I roam around Louisville wanting to see ghosts rather than venturing outside of Louisville.

Considering my neighbors are on high alert, I assumed something would definitely happen. But nothing ever did.

I've gone through this routine more than six times. Now, I've given up on expecting to see ghosts on the Day of Attack.

"What to do now."

With nothing else to do, I turned to my smartphone. Modern people tend to look at their smartphones when they're bored.

I idly scrolled through my smartphone, lost in thought. 

Since I hadn't gone out on the Day of Attack before, maybe I should try going out for a drink this time? 

Maybe then I'd feel something...

While I was engrossed in my thoughts, a text message caught my eye.

===

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

A cautionary alert for abnormal phenomena has been issued across Seoul. Residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible.

===

"Damn it."

It's said that when I decide to go out, that's when the city hall advises against it. 

How typical that I receive such a message on the very day I decide to venture out.

"Come to think of it, disaster alerts have always arrived on the Day of Attack."

In my opinion, it seemed that the Louisville attacks were caused by these disaster alerts. Logically, that would make sense.

Scratching my head, I pondered. Should I go out, or should I not? 

Given that ghosts are likely causing havoc inside Louisville as well, and the message indicates they're also wreaking havoc outside, perhaps it would be better to stick with my original plan and go outside.

With that, I made up my mind and stepped out of Louisville.

* * *

In Korea, there exists a department known as the Anomaly Response Headquarters. 

Its purpose is straightforward: to protect the lives of citizens from disasters caused by supernatural phenomena.

And now, with each anomaly posing a threat to the nation's very existence, the Anomaly Response Headquarters has effectively become the supreme institution of the South Korean government. Even the president acknowledges the head of this department as the second most powerful figure in the government.

"There's no intention to protect the national entity known as South Korea."

“The Celestial and Earthly Immortals, Ilwol-Oakmoon sect, they have no intention of protecting the nation called South Korea.”

Lee Dok-jun, the director of intelligence at the Anomaly Response Headquarters, muttered to himself. 

He gazed at the information appearing on the screen. 

This was a place where cameras, listening devices, and satellite observations were all impossible, so surveillance could only be conducted through sensors installed in buildings within a 500-meter radius. 

These sensors were now signaling that a special class anomaly known as Louisville had started to move again.

"This country must be protected by us."

Lee Dok-jun murmured, looking at the raging sensors. He nodded and then instructed his subordinates.

"Control all internet access. Search sites, social networks, community sites, and even personal blogs. Control everything."

As soon as Lee Dok-jun finished speaking, a massive machine began to hum to life. 

A supercomputer's deep learning-derived algorithms had kicked into action.

"Block all information related to the major anomaly starting with 'Lau'. This includes ISPs, news agencies, and even personal mobile phones."

The censorship and blocking of all information emanating from Korea. This was a capability unique to the South Korean Anomaly Response Headquarters.

The institution responsible for South Korea. Thus, it stood at the apex of South Korean governance. This was a capability that could only be realized by the Anomaly Response Headquarters.

"Ha. Have all the disaster alerts been sent out? Make sure the citizens can't move!"

Lee Dok-jun let out a sigh and looked at his smartphone. He needed to check if the disaster alerts had been sent out properly.

===

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

An abnormal phenomenon cautionary alert has been issued across Seoul. Residents are advised to stay indoors.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

An abnormal phenomenon cautionary alert has been issued across Seoul. If anyone in your family experiences hallucinations, hears voices, or perceives the truth, please quickly move outside and distance yourself from your family.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Police Department]

Searching for Lee Seo-dong (Male, 62 years old) missing in Dongjak District. 171cm, 74kg, wearing a khaki shirt, black pants, and white slippers.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

An abnormal phenomenon cautionary alert has been issued across Seoul. Residents are advised to familiarize themselves with the internet or evacuation centers before moving.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Ministry of Public Administration and Security]

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security does not exist.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

An abnormal phenomenon cautionary alert has been issued across Seoul. Residents are urged to stay indoors.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Ministry of Public Administration and Security]

This is a misissued safety alert. Residents are advised not to check the safety alerts now.

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Police Department]

Searching for Seo Jun-gu (Male, 71 years old) missing in Geumcheon District. 1124cm, 61kg, wearing blood-stained white clothes, a knife, and a torn smile. Didn't I tell you not to look?

[Web Notification][Safety Alert]

[Seoul Metropolitan Government]

An abnormal phenomenon cautionary alert has been issued across Seoul. Residents are advised to evacuate to Louisville.

===

"What is this?"

Lee Dok-jun muttered to himself after seeing the disaster alert.

'With the abnormal phenomenon alert issued, I should head to Luaisville. No, I need to stay inside. But I'm not inside right now, am I? Let's go to Luaisville. But this place is practically home anyway. It's my workplace, after all.'

Thwack - 

Lee Dok-jun delivered a sincere punch to himself. Blood streamed from his nose, and his glasses flew off into the distance, but if one considered it a price paid for his life, it was a bargain.

"Don't check the disaster alerts, everyone! They're contaminated!"

To be precise, they were half-contaminated. As the director of intelligence, Lee Dok-jun knew how to handle such situations.

"Disaster alert team, send more disaster alerts. We need to neutralize the information contamination. The more contaminated alerts there are, the more citizens will walk into the jaws of the major anomaly on their own!"

After saying this, Lee Dok-jun donned a harness over his suit. He then began to gather talismans and protective amulets.

“Disaster alert team, send two messages together: one about the transformed laws of the top-level supernatural phenomenon Luaisville and another one that says not to leave the house.”

"Director, you're not planning to go there yourself, are you?"

"Yes, damn it. Like other anomalies, there must be a newly appeared transmission tower near that thing that starts with 'Lua.' It's probably spreading the information contamination through that."

After gathering all his gear, Lee Dok-jun said,

"If we don't stop the information contamination, the death toll will surpass a hundred thousand within four hours."

"But, Director, the interior of that thing starting with 'Lua' is too dangerous! We must leave it be until the Three Honored One handle it! That thing starting with 'Lua' is a major anomaly! In times like these, we must prioritize your life, Director!"

Hearing this, Lee Dok-jun laughed.

"At the end of the day, I'm just another citizen."

"Director!"

But Lee Dok-jun didn't respond to his subordinate's pleas. There was no time. He quickly went down, took the wheel, and gathered his thoughts.

"Accident-prone area ahead."

Louisville, considered a major anomaly surpassing even the DMZ in complexity, was an entity that literally created its own rules, defying any standard categorization.

"After 30 meters, make a left turn at the signal ahead."

As he drove, Lee Dok-jun encountered citizens weeping blood or wandering in delirium, drawn towards the major anomaly.

If this information contamination isn't addressed quickly, these people will walk into Louisville and perish. As the director of the Anomaly Response Headquarters tasked with protecting the citizens, Lee Dok-jun couldn't stand idly by and witness such a tragedy. He sped through the heart of Seoul at 200 km/h.

"30 meters remaining to your destination."

Approaching Louisville, Lee Dok-jun realized his car didn't have a navigation system. Upon this realization, he leaped out of the car.

"Guh..."

He rolled on the ground, sustaining injuries, but even these were a small price to pay for his life.

Staggering to his feet, Lee Dok-jun looked in the direction the non-existent navigation had suggested. There, he saw a grotesque sculpture made of iron and flesh, resembling multiple cars fused with the humans inside them.

They looked at Lee Dok-jun, mouths agape, begging for death.

"The number of victims is increasing."

Lee Dok-jun inhaled a powder through his nose that countered the negativity. It soured his mood, but his mind cleared somewhat.

"Quickly, the transmission tower must be destroyed."

He staggered forward. 

Where was the transmission tower?

Lee Dok-jun surveyed his surroundings.

All he saw were divine beings called Gwizon descending to slaughter humans like harvesting crops, and airplanes trailing red tentacles from their engines, contaminated by something.

Lee Dok-jun inhaled the counteracting powder once more. Was this too much to handle? Such a level of mental contamination was entirely different from other anomalies.

But he was the only one in the government equipped to deal with information contamination. If nothing was done, the death toll would surpass a hundred thousand.

"Ah, ah."

As his consciousness began to fade, Lee Dok-jun told himself he must endure.

In the midst of being consumed by the major anomaly, a voice emerged from ahead.

"Hey, mister, can you hear me?"

It was a man. Tall and handsome, yet dressed in sweatpants, he appeared like an unemployed loafer. The man frowned and spoke.

"What do we do with this? There's no hospital nearby. Damn, no choice then. Get on."

"Ah, ah."

The moment Lee Dok-jun was somewhat forcibly hoisted onto the man's back, his mind suddenly kicked into high gear. Thus, he was able to complete his sentence swiftly.

"My name is Lee Dok-jun, director of the Anomaly Response Headquarters."

"Huh? You're joking, right? I heard the director of the Anomaly Response Headquarters is untouchable, even by members of parliament, a key figure in the national hierarchy. Why would someone like that be rolling around in the streets?"

"I swear to the heavens, I am indeed Lee Dok-jun, director of the Anomaly Response Headquarters."

At that moment, Yoo Hajin wondered if there was anyone else who could lie so grandly as a vow.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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