OMS 56

Kim Tae-han, dressed in a crisp suit, looked at his reflection in the mirror. Having lived freely until now, going to work for the first time felt strange. After sending a morning greeting message to Lee Hee-soo, he came downstairs to find Kim Jun-han’s secretary waiting for him.

“The CEO wishes to commute together.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“He said he has something to discuss on the way to the office.”

Kim Tae-han smirked and nodded his head. If that was what his brother wanted, he would comply. With hands in his coat pockets, he walked outside to find Kim Jun-han’s car waiting. Getting into the back seat, Kim Tae-han greeted Kim Jun-han rather casually.

“Good morning, CEO.”

Kim Jun-han, without even looking, ordered the driver to depart. As the car wound through the garden and tree-lined street, Secretary Choi turned on some music. When Paganini’s violin piece started playing, Kim Tae-han furrowed his brow.

“Pretty intense for the morning time. Got anything else?”

Kim Jun-han kept staring ahead, lips tightly sealed. Kim Tae-han sighed softly and turned his head. The scenery passed by quickly. Wondering if Lee Hee-soo had replied, he checked his phone. He had read his message but hadn’t responded. Feeling petty, he pursed his lips.

“Don’t come over carelessly next time. If you have business, discuss it during meals and that’s it.”

Kim Jun-han finally spoke, and Kim Tae-han turned to look at him incredulously.

“Wasn’t she a ‘flowerless blossom’ to you?”

Kim Jun-han remained silent as Kim Tae-han continued.

“You didn’t care before. You never cared who Lee Hee-soo met, so why now? Did your mind change after having a taste? Was it to your liking?”

Secretary Choi in the driver’s seat remained unfazed, as if he couldn’t hear their conversation. Kim Jun-han didn’t deny it, which twisted Kim Tae-han’s gut. Kim Tae-han leaned in slightly and whispered, “You know what? Yesterday, your wife was wearing the bracelet you bought him while he was coming undone beneath me.”

Kim Jun-han finally looked at him. His eyes showed neither anxiety nor unease. It felt dirty, as if he was saying ‘Legally, you’re nothing to him. I’m Lee Hee-soo’s husband now.’ As expected, he sneered.

“How could I not know? Your pheromone scent was overwhelming in the bedroom.”

“Were you jealous?”

“No. It was amusing watching you tremble and fidget, afraid of being caught. That’s why I pretended not to notice.”

Kim Tae-han’s face hardened, and Kim Jun-han drove the point home immediately afterward.

“You asked if I was jealous? Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know this: while you can only satisfy Lee Hee-soo physically, I can do so in other ways too. So don’t provoke me and keep it moderate. There’s nothing to gain by challenging my competitive spirit.”

Listening to this, Kim Tae-han gritted his teeth tightly. He wanted to say ‘Stop talking nonsense, Lee Hee-soo likes me more,’ but he couldn’t be certain about that. He whipped his head around and kicked the front seat. “Damn it,” he muttered quietly, and Kim Jun-han warned in a low voice, “Damage my car one more time, and I’ll throw you out.”

Secretary Choi promptly turned up the volume. As the sharp violin melody pierced his ears, Kim Tae-han noticed his reflection in the window showing his completely distorted expression, and clenched his fist.

***

Coming out of the shower, Park Dong-sik shook his head vigorously in front of the mirror. Why was he just thinking about Kim Jun-han just now? He must have been enchanted by something last night. When he took off his robe to change clothes, there were clear bite marks on his nipples. Touching the marks brought back memories. As he clicked his tongue, Kim Jun-han’s voice suddenly invaded his thoughts.

‘Did Park Dong-sik not even have someone to put a hat on him?’

“I’m going crazy!”

Park Dong-sik slapped his own cheek and scolded himself to get it together. Like Kim Jun-han said, what’s the big deal about just putting on a hat? He checked his messages and quickly changed into outdoor clothes before calling Driver Oh. Upon arriving at the department store, Park Dong-sik deliberately gave him a generous amount of cash.

“Driver Oh, go take care of your business. I’ll call when I’m done shopping.”

“No, I’ll help carry your bags.”

“Why bother when I have two good arms? It’s fine, go. Buy yourself something nice to eat.”

Inside the department store, Park Dong-sik visited several stores to buy clothes before heading to the Korean restaurant on the 8th floor at the appointed time. While checking the time and menu, after about 10 minutes, someone sat across from him.

Recognizing the woman in the neat coat, Park Dong-sik couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Shaman?”

The shaman touched her nape awkwardly. Park Dong-sik looked her up and down in amazement.

“You look like a completely different person. Why would someone so normal-looking wear those clothes…But more importantly…how old are you? I couldn’t tell with all that makeup before…you’re just a kid!”

It wasn’t a joke, she really was young. Barely over twenty, with soft skin and baby hair showing her youth. As Park Dong-sik stared in wonder, the shaman drank some water and cleared her throat. After ordering some food, Park Dong-sik asked about her well-being.

“You were at your uncle’s in Tongyeong?”

“Yes…”

“That’s quite far.”

The shaman carefully opened her mouth.

“That person…did he really die?”

“I was shocked when I saw the news too. Well, with all his sins, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to die anytime.”

It was funny thinking about it. Maybe others said the same about Park Park Dong-sik.

“Why did you want to meet today…?”

Park Dong-sik took a sip of water before getting straight to the point.

“You told me before that even if souls are switched, they can be returned if the body exists.”

“I did. But Park Park Dong-sik…”

“Hey, careful, someone might hear.”

“Right, Lee Hee-soo. I told you there’s no body for you to return to.”

“It’s not for me…actually, there’s someone around me experiencing something similar…”

The shaman’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? There’s another case like this?”

“I want to ask for help with that person. I’ll pay whatever it costs. But Madam Song and the Kim family absolutely cannot know about this.”

Instead of asking who it was, the shaman thought for a moment with closed eyes before nodding. While they were setting the date and time, their food arrived, and Park Dong-sik licked his lips.

“A shot of soju would be perfect with this.”

The shaman smiled silently.

“Alcohol is harmful for pregnant women.”

Park Dong-sik’s eyes opened wide.

“You know I’m pregnant?”

“Yes…”

“Wow, you’re good. You can tell just by looking.”

Park Dong-sik leaned forward with expectant eyes.

“Can you tell whose child it is?”

The shaman looked at him incredulously. “Not that far along…” 

Park Dong-sik leaned back in his chair, feeling slightly disappointed. It was unsettling not knowing whose bloodline it was until birth.

“Even if I don’t know whose child it is, I’m certain this child will bring you fortune. It will change your life. Take good care of it.”

Park Dong-sik smirked. Sure, a 60 billion won baby would be fortunate. It wouldn’t just change his life, it would give him a new one entirely. Maybe he should just call it “Six Billion” as a fetal name. Too obvious? While pondering this, Park Dong-sik rolled his eyes.

“By the way, do you also read compatibility?”

“Why?”

“Well…I’d like to check my compatibility with these two guys.”

“Two people?”

“I’ll pay you well for it.”

The shaman thought about it for a moment before extending her hand. 

“Show me.” 

Park Dong-sik called a server for paper and pen, then wrote down the birth dates and times of Kim Jun-han and Kim Tae-han without giving their names. He handed it over to the shaman.

“I’d be even more grateful if you could tell me which one is the baby’s father.”

The shaman chewed her lips before sighing softly.

“What? Can’t see without your crystal ball?”

“That’s not it…”

She shook his head emphatically. Her serious expression made Park Dong-sik’s brow furrow.

“They’re the Daesan Group’s eldest and second son, right?”

Park Dong-sik startled. When asked how she knew this, the shaman explained that Madam Song had previously come to have her sons’ fortunes read.

“Both are incompatible with Lee Hee-soo. If you’re unlucky, it could end up being fatal.”

The matter-of-fact tone made it sound like a joke…

“You mean they’ll die?”

“No. Lee Hee-soo will…”

But hadn’t I already died and come back?

By this point, Park Dong-sik was very curious.

“If I die, will I enter someone else’s body again?”

The shaman firmly shook her head.

“That won’t happen. The Grim Reaper doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”

“T-The Grim Reaper? Those guys in black hats?”

The shaman nodded her head and glanced around.

“Even now, they might be hovering around Lee Hee-soo, waiting for death, trying to correct their mistake.”

Park Dong-sik nervously looked around before taking several checks from his wallet and handing them to the shaman.

“Please give me your strongest talisman. Something that works even if the Grim Reaper or King Yama himself comes. You have something like that, right?”

The shaman shook her head. “There’s nothing like that. I can’t help.” When she tried to return the money, Park Dong-sik added extra and stuffed it into her pocket.

“Did you forget I saved your life? I’m your benefactor. You should be repaying my kindness even by weaving grass, but you can’t even help me with this one thing?”

“…”

“Please? I’ll build you a grand temple later if things go well. How about a three-story one?”

Seeing her lukewarm response, Park Dong-sik even took off his watch and handed it over.

After pleading for any solution, the shaman reluctantly sighed deeply.

“When the baby is born, stay as far away as possible from those two men. Especially Kim Jun-han. That’s the only way for Lee Hee-soo to live. That’s all I can do for you.”