Sogeum, for all intents and purposes, was essentially a hanok that had been converted into a restaurant.

Kyuhyun stood by the door of what was now the main kitchen, watching intently as Seohyun, Heechul and Jessica carefully roamed the spacious room as was their general and usual protocol for any sign of anything paranormal that they can readily investigate on. Three cameras have already been set up in the room with the rest spread throughout the property, including the dining area, the stockroom, and the multiple function rooms, except the ones that were converted into the base and makeshift bedrooms. Changmin had chosen to oversee the interviews of the employees, taking Kris, Amber, and the returning Yunho, the man now fully healed from the injuries he sustained during the orphanage case, with him to the dining room while Sooyoung and Yoona remained in the base to watch over the monitors.

“There’s a spirit here alright.”

“Yes, there is.” Seohyun agreed with a slight nod, her eyebrows furrowing soon after. “But it’s weak.”

“Weak?” Kyuhyun repeated. “Weak how?”

“It’s been trying to escape but for some reason it can’t.” She frowned. “The spirit’s stuck. There’s a negative energy in this room that’s keeping the spirit here.”

He paused in thought. “Do you think we just simply need to help it pass on?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.” Jessica replied then. “But it might not hurt to try.”

Kyuhyun nodded, falling silent as he inwardly established a connection with his brother. A spirit’s been confirmed. It’s rather weak though.

Weak? Changmin replied a second later. How so?”

It’s like it’s trying to free itself but is losing energy after many repeated attempts. Seohyun says there’s a negative energy that’s keeping the spirit in here.

That’s odd. Even if he couldn’t see his brother, Kyuhyun knew he was frowning. What Ryeowook said and what his employees have told is basically the same. The spirit hasn’t tried to hurt anyone and no one knows of any story of any death in this place, not even a rumor.

What do you think we should do?

Call everyone back into the dining area. Amber and Yunho are about to see the last employee out so we should probably discuss what to do next.

“Changmin says that the interviews are done.” Kyuhyun informed the other three with them. “We should get back to the dining area and figure out what to do.”

The other three merely nodded, Seohyun and Jessica parting from them to collect Yoona and Sooyoung from the base while the two men proceeded to the dining room, only for Heechul to return to the kitchen with Amber in tow to get beverages for everyone. Changmin waited until everyone was present and settled, the drinks distributed, before he spoke. “Based on the interviews we just conducted, the information Ryeowook gave us is the same as those of the staff. The staff members have pointed out that the spirit is not violent and no one knows of any deaths that have occurred here.”

“However, there is a spirit.” Kyuhyun continued. “Seohyun says it’s rather weak due to the multiple attempts to free itself. The spirit has obviously failed but it’s not for lack of trying. There’s a negative energy present in the kitchen that is somehow trapping the spirit.”

“Can’t we just try and help it pass on?” Amber shot Heechul and Jessica a questioning look. “Like with some sort of prayer or ritual or something?”

“Like I told Kyuhyun, it won’t hurt.” Jessica exchanged a look with the shaman before continuing. “But something’s telling me that this case isn’t as simple as it seems.”

“She’s right.” A rather grim expression crossed Changmin’s face. “The spirit is trapped for some reason. We need to know what’s keeping the spirit here and why, out of all things, are the employees smelling rotten flesh in the kitchen at night.”

“Our safest bet is to wait until the evening t