Yui expected three things after surviving a boss fight:
Praise Rest Food
What she did NOT expect—
Was Mr. Lee showing up the next morning with paperwork.
Again.
"Congratulations," he said.
Yui didn't even look up from the couch.
"If this is another unpaid mission, I'm pretending I'm dead."
"You already tried that," Baek said.
"…And it worked for a while."
The Upgrade
Mr. Lee cleared his throat.
"Due to your performance, you have unlocked a basic soul ability."
Silence.
Yui sat up slowly.
"…A what now?"
Jae-min dropped his snacks.
"WAIT—LIKE POWERS?!"
Baek crossed his arms.
"Show her."
Yui immediately stood up.
"Yes. Show me. Right now. Immediately. Preferably something cool."
The Demonstration
Mr. Lee handed her a small glowing mark.
It looked like a faint symbol.
Barely visible.
"This is your ability: Soul Thread."
Yui blinked.
"…That sounds… kind of cool?"
"It allows you to connect to a spirit's core."
Pause.
Yui nodded slowly.
"…I have no idea what that means."
Testing It
Baek summoned a small spirit again.
The same "emotional jellyfish."
Yui pointed.
"Why is it always this one?"
"It's safe," Baek said.
"It slapped me."
"Build character."
First Try
Yui held out her hand.
Focused.
Tried to feel… something.
Anything.
Nothing.
"…Hello? Ability? Please work. I just unlocked you."
Jae-min whispered,
"Maybe it needs Wi-Fi."
Yui glared.
"Not helpful."
Second Try
She closed her eyes.
Took a breath.
Focused harder.
Then—
A thin glowing thread appeared.
Connecting her hand…
To the spirit.
Yui's eyes widened.
"…Oh."
The spirit froze.
Completely still.
Baek's expression changed slightly.
"…Good."
Yui grinned.
"WAIT—THIS IS ACTUALLY COOL—"
Immediate Disaster
The thread suddenly tightened.
The spirit got pulled—
Straight into Yui.
Silence.
Yui froze.
"…Why do I feel weird?"
Jae-min blinked.
"…You're glowing."
Baek stepped forward.
"Release it."
"How?!"
"Just—let go."
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LET GO—"
Chaos Mode
The spirit energy exploded out—
Sending Yui flying backward.
She landed on the couch.
Again.
Everything went quiet.
Yui sat up slowly.
Hair a mess.
Soul slightly shaken.
"…Okay."
Pause.
"…I hate this ability."
Explanation (Finally)
Mr. Lee adjusted his glasses.
"You lack control."
"Wow, really? I didn't notice when I got launched across the room."
"The ability is unstable."
Baek added,
"But powerful."
Yui blinked.
"…Powerful?"
"Yes."
"When controlled, you can weaken spirits… or even pull them apart."
Jae-min gasped.
"Wait—that's actually OP."
Yui crossed her arms.
"…So I went from 'slipper fighter' to 'danger to myself.'"
Baek nodded.
"Accurate."
Small Win
Yui looked at her hand.
The faint glow still there.
"…So this means I'm getting stronger, right?"
Baek looked at her.
"…Yes."
She smirked.
"Good."
Of Course…
Ghost Dog ran in.
Jumped on her.
Knocked her down again.
Yui screamed:
"WHY IS THIS DOG STRONGER THAN ME?!"
Final Moment
Later that night…
Yui stood by the window.
Looking at her hand.
The faint thread flickering.
"…Soul Thread…"
Baek stood behind her.
"You'll get better."
She didn't look at him.
"…I have to."
Pause.
Then she sighed.
"…Because apparently a ghost king wants me."
Baek didn't deny it.
Final Line
Yui flopped onto her bed.
"…Next time I'm throwing TWO slippers."
END OF CHAPTER 24