Chapter 13: Getting My Own House Part 3

Namsan Leech spoke up in a disgruntled tone.

“What’s this? Someone’s here to see the house before us? Is it already sold?”

“No, that can’t be! I just checked with the Owner Granny earlier, she said it wasn’t sold.”

“Yeah? Then that’s fine. Whoever signs the contract first gets to be the owner.”

He grinned, pulling up the corners of his lips.

One of his eyes was all white, the other only partially so.

Even at fifteen, the guy had eyes that could chill your blood.

Namsan Leech shoved his hand in one pocket, cocking his head to the side.

“Tough luck, brat. I’m buying this house.”

“What’ll you do, punk? We’re the ones buying it.”

I gave him a big, bold smile.

“You just said it, didn’t you? Whoever signs the contract first is the owner.”

I turned my back on him.

“We’ll be leaving now.”

‘Is this what they call a fated enmity?’

‘It’s really strange, isn’t it?’

For some reason, I don’t want to yield even a single snack to this bastard.

This guy and I were notorious as rivals in the Underground Finance scene.

‘Hey, Suhosin.’

Snap.

No sooner had my fingers snapped than the Grim Reaper materialized, gliding in.

[What is it now?]

‘Go scrape up all the ghosts lurking around here.’

[Is that necessary?]

The Grim Reaper tilted their head sideways.

‘I’m going to cut off that bastard’s source of funds.’

Cut off the enemy’s supplies, secure your own resources.

That’s basic warfare.

But the Grim Reaper still seemed unconvinced.

[What’s the connection between his funds and the ghosts?]

‘You’re good at dreams, right? Let’s show them this place is a ghost den, loud and clear.’

[Ahh, got it. The Owner Granny?]

‘No, his mother.’

I grinned even wider.

[That’s a pretty sly smile.]

Ding.

Ah, I couldn’t help it.

I imagined how she’d react, seeing hundreds of wandering spirits crowding this mansion.

‘It’s just a dream anyway, it’s not like she’ll die of a heart attack, right?’

She’ll probably just smack her foolish son who wants to buy this ghost nest and nag him till dawn.

If she comes to see the house in person, it’ll be even more effective.

‘Can’t do it?’

[Of course I can.]

The Grim Reaper was now grinning just like me.

[That family’s piled up enough karma for ten lifetimes. Spirits, gather round!]

At the Grim Reaper’s summons, ghosts swarmed in at a terrifying speed.

If they got caught, they’d be dragged straight to the afterlife for judgment.

For ghosts, the Grim Reaper was the ultimate authority.

The Grim Reaper even yanked the earthbound Jibakryeong out from where it was buried in the ground.

[I’ll be back soon.]

‘That’s reassuring!’

I smiled in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Namsan Leech, who was about to open the front door and step inside the mansion, began to tremble.

“Damn, what is this? Why is it so creepy all of a sudden? I’ve got goosebumps all over my arms!”

At least that bastard has good instincts.

But my instincts were warning me about something else entirely.

‘The house price is dirt cheap, but that alone can’t explain this golden aura. Could there be a gold bar buried somewhere in the yard? How many rich and powerful people have owned this place?’

Or maybe not.

Anyway, I’d only worry about that after I became the owner of this house.

So, time to solve the money problem.

As soon as possible!

Before that bastard snatches it away!

So, today—no later!

We returned to the Bokdeokbang in Myeong-dong.

The Bokdeokbang uncle set down the phone.

“The owner says the house will be sold to whoever pays the full amount first. First come, first served.”

That was because there were two buyers.

When there’s competition, the seller always has the advantage.

All because of that Namsan Leech bastard.

‘Now it’s a race to see who can get the money first.’

I turned to Mother.

“Mom, is it really okay for me to buy this house?”

“Hmm.”

Mother looked a little troubled.

Of course, after hearing about the ghost den and seeing how neglected the mansion was, who wouldn’t be?

But then Mother nodded and smiled gently.

“If it’s a house we’re getting thanks to my son, you should buy the one you want. I’m fine with an apartment, a detached house, anything at all.”

To think she’d agree so readily.

I jumped into her arms, beaming.

“Thank you so much, Mom! You really are the best!”

“But we’re a little short on cash right now…”

Mother glanced at Kim Secretary.

“Kim Secretary, could I ask you something?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“If we used the house as collateral for a loan, how much could we get?”

“From the bank to private lenders. Should I look into it for you?”

Before Mother could answer, I cut in.

“No need. I’m not planning to take out a loan using the house as collateral.”

“Why not?”

“The interest rates are too high.”

If there’s one thing I know inside out, it’s this field.

This isn’t the 21st century zero-interest era.

With the institutional banking sector still unstable, even getting a mortgage is no easy task.

Not to mention the sky-high interest rates.

So, people would grit their teeth and borrow at annual rates of 40, 50 percent from predatory lenders.

“You want Mom to go through all that just for a house? I’d rather give up the house than see you suffer like that.”

So, that option was out.

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“Mom, can I sell Dad’s watch?”

“This?”

“Don’t want to sell it? Then should I pawn it and get it back later?”

“You mean go to a Pawnshop?”

I nodded.

“Yes, there’s a really famous one in this neighborhood, right?”

“Yes. Let’s go together. Though I’m not sure how much we’ll get for it.”

I shook my head.

“No, Mom, please stay here.”

“Huh?”

“If the owner comes to sign the contract and no one’s here, we could lose the deal.”

Truthfully, that was just an excuse.

‘When it comes to money, Master doesn’t go easy even on children. The moment I show a gap, he’ll strike without mercy. So, I need to be mentally prepared and negotiate properly!’

I didn’t want Mother to see that unfamiliar side of me.

I didn’t want to surprise her.

I wanted to remain her kind, sweet son.

So I made sure to smile even more brightly.

“It’ll work out. Mom, please read the contract thoroughly and check it for us. Have a nice cup of tea while you wait—thirty minutes should be enough. How about it?”

Better get it done quickly.

If I want to outsmart Namsan Leech, I have to hurry.

“So you’re going to the Pawnshop alone?”

“Come on, do you think I’d go alone? We’ve got someone here who’s a real expert at bargaining.”

I turned to Kim Secretary.

Kim Secretary is a man who values discretion and ability above all.

He’s also President Cha’s most trusted right-hand man.

The more capable I show myself to be, the more likely he’ll support me.

“I’ll escort the young master myself.”

That’s why I like him.

I put my hands over my bellybutton and bowed politely.

It was a bellybutton bow.

“We’ll be off, then.”

Of course, I’d already slipped Dad’s watch into my pocket earlier.

“Young master, what’s your plan?”

Kim Secretary checked his wristwatch.

Only two hours left until our meeting with President Cha.

“Wouldn’t it be better to ask the chairman for help?”

“You want me to beg for money the first time we meet? No way.”

A man has his pride.

I’m not some beggar.

“You know, that watch was expensive when bought, but as soon as you take it to a Pawnshop, they’ll lowball you. You’ll barely get any pocket change for it.”

Kim Secretary seemed to know all about our family circumstances.

“The lottery winnings aren’t enough. Other than selling the watch, there’s no way to get more cash, is there?”

‘Had he already finished investigating my background?’

“If not the chairman, are you planning to ask your mother’s side for help?”

Mother’s side.

‘Come to think of it, Yama did tell me to try visiting my mother’s family once.’

‘Does Mother have family who could produce that much cash on the spot?’

‘Then why did she live with me in the Kuro-dong Shanty House, scraping by on rent?’

A thought crossed my mind.

‘Probably because of me. An unapproved child.’

It was bitter.

‘What must Mother have been thinking as she raised me alone?’

But one thing was clear.

‘Mother never gave up on me. That’s enough. She did her best.’

So I wouldn’t dwell on anything else.

I’d just think of myself and Mother, and look to our future.

“There’s no need to ask either side for help. I’ll handle this myself.”

“You’ll do it without any help from your family?”

Kim Secretary’s eyes glimmered with interest.

“I really can’t imagine how. Will you manage?”

“I’ll have to make it work.”

Eighteen million won.

That’s about how much we’re short, right?”

He’s even checked our bank accounts!

“I didn’t know the Taeseong Group Information Team was this good.”

“Of course. You should be proud.”

Kim Secretary smiled.

He looked like he truly believed there was no way I could come up with eighteen million won.

‘Well, I’m only a seven-year-old kid. Who’d expect anything?’

So I grinned.

“Mister, want to make a bet?”

Whether I’ll be able to buy this house today, whether I can come up with the remaining eighteen million won.

“A bet, you say?”

“How about it?”

“Ho.”

“Loser grants the winner one request.”

“Alright. Now this, I’m looking forward to.”

Nice!

“If I win, I want you to promise me something too.”

“Deal.”

We shook hands.

The deal was sealed.

‘Now I’ve got another reason to win this bet.’

I already had something I really wanted to ask Kim Secretary.

It didn’t feel right to ask without earning it.

But if I won the bet, I could ask with confidence.

Standing in front of an old three-story building, I looked up at the sign.

This was the Pawnshop my Master ran.

‘Been a while since I came here.’

Master’s eye for valuables is unmatched.

Like a hawk, he picks out the real gems!

A miraculous eye for assessing true worth!

Unbeatable bargaining skills—always driving a hard deal!

That’s how Master became a kingpin in Korea’s underground finance.

“Hoo.”

I couldn’t bring myself to open the door right away.

Once again, I measured carefully—was it alright to reveal my skills here?

Master and Kim Secretary are both ruthless to the incompetent, but go all out for the capable.

Both guard information with their lives, keeping their mouths shut.

They’re the best allies I could ever have, from both the shadows and the light.

I guess I’ll have to show them a bit of my ability.

The gains far outweigh the losses.

‘If I want to pull those two to my side, there’s no way around it. Let’s do this!’

Jingle.

“Welcome.”

Master greeted me as I walked in, and I smiled broadly.

‘Today’s goal: to get my hands on eighteen million won from the Pawnshop, without leaving anything as collateral!’