FILE 19: HAUNTING OF THE HERITAGE SITE PART 2

I was permitted free reign as long as I didn't disturb any cultural significance in the historic temple. 

"Do they typically mean statues and whatnot?" I inquired uninterestedly. I was carrying Mars in my arms. "It's more than that. Just be careful not to break anything. You don't have the money to compensate them."

Heck, no. I'm not giving them money for free. I'm not a personal charity. As soon as the coast was clear, I activated SENSE and SHADOW. Mars leaped from my arms and disappeared into thin air as well. How considerate of him. We were by the entrance and the moment I initiated my skill, the world permeated ghosts.

"Uh, Mars?"

"Yes?"

"Was there a massacre of some kind here?"

"At a Buddhist temple?" We stared impassively at the wandering ghosts who was all male and covered with blood.

"Let's go and talk with Manager Kim again. I think we need to know more about this place's violent history," I wisely suggested. 

"Agreed," Mars approved. Kim was busy talking to some tourists when we reappeared. "Hey Manager Kim. Sorry to interrupt. 

May I speak to you for a moment? It's an emergency," I said urgently. Huyn-sik Kim's eyes filled with chagrin. He wasn't thrilled at my interruption. After an apology, he returned with me inside.

"I'm very busy at the moment. Please make this quick, Mr. McNeill," he demanded impatiently.

"I must know, was there a violent history at this temple? Did many people die here?" I inquired keenly. Looking surprised at my question, he answered, 

"Yes. When the Korean War broke out, Haeinsa encountered a crisis. In 1951, despite South Korea turning the war around, North Korean armies did not retreat. 

So the remnants of one thousand North Korean soldiers around Haeinsa engaged in guerrilla warfare. UN forces were ordered to bomb Haeinsa with four bombers. Most died."

"Thanks. That helps a lot so I'll leave you to your work now." Was it my imagination, or did he look down on me? Darn snob. We returned to the entrance hall as I ranted inwardly.

"What do you make of it?" I questioned Mars as we regarded the bloodied spirits floating around.

"Nothing to state really," he answered bluntly. "Just a bunch of dregs that can't pass on. Although some are more mischievous than others. Just do the usual."

Such a cold-hearted cat. "There are many of them. Mind helping me?" I implore uncertainly. Mars, sighing, hopped out of my arms.

"You take those on the left-side, I'll go right and we'll work our way inward," he directed. "Any aggressive ghost you arrive across you can attack to your heart's content." 

"Sure." Was it me or was Mars in a rush today?

I performed as instructed and drew several Spells of Release. Curiously, most turned muddy brown. The men wailed as they were sucked in the circles, not wanting to be forced into their eternal resting place.

Sorry, but you have no choice. It's my job, you know? At least you'll be kept active instead of getting into mischief. Mars and I swept through the whole temple, drawing eyebrows. What? Am I that good-looking? 

One elderly monk nearly had a heart attack when I entered with the ink. 

"It's vandalism, I tell you! A disgrace! To smear the floors of a fifteen hundred year old temple with your occult nonsense, I won't endure it!" he shouted hysterically.

"Hey, I'm just being paid to do this. Your abbot or head granted me permission. Go complain to him if you don't like it," I shrugged. Then, he stomped off, glaring at me.

Grinning, I 'smeared' on the magic circle.

"Ain't you a bastard," Mars sniffed in disgust.

"Shut up," I retorted.

In boredom, I watched the ghosts get sucked into the circle and disappear. "Where to next?" I asked. Mars trotted out in front of me, fluffy tail in the air. "The preservation room." 

The monks nearly burst into tears afraid I will ruin their precious scrolls. I won't destroy your wooden planks, all right? What a bother. 

"At this rate, we might finish before the hour is out!" I gleefully told Mars. He harrumphed.

"This is why you require me. Such a naive mind set."

"What's up with you?" I grimaced. Why does he always ruin my fun? He continued, "Don't you think it has been going too smoothly? Doesn't this make you suspicious at all?" Oh, now that he mentions it.

"So we haven't gotten to the big fish yet?"

"Not even close. I'm definitely certain they are preparing something big too," he warned me. 

"Great," I groaned. I wanted to leave the temple since I was tired of all the crying monks.

We entered the printing room, where Ki-Ha experienced his phenomena. I blinked. Where were all the spirits? There wasn't anything here. "Mars?" I questioned. He shook his head feeling confused himself. We left the hall and focused our attention on the following destination which is the statue room. 

This luxurious room was adorned with giant, pure gold Buddhas. Deplorably it's ruined by the large ugly mashed up sinister figure standing in the middle.

"Oh, yuck." My mouth twisted in disgust. It looked like someone collected tens of corpses and smushed them together. Huge hands protruded everywhere from the wretched body as it stood on two giant legs. 

I suppose you could call it a head, but the top had an enormous mouth full of human teeth. It possessed no eyes and kept swaying as if it was about to fall.

"Is this normal?" I wavered. Mars stared at the big lump. "Good luck, Nathan."