Peninsula: I'm being supported by a top idol.

Murderous intent? More like foolishness.

Cui Shi'an leaned against the bus stop platform, filled with resentment.

I've never even killed a chicken in my entire life.

They have even helped save many endangered ethnic groups on the peninsula.

For example, the goby fish in Yongcheon Cave on Jeju Island, without his repeated on-site investigations and writing warning reports on the deterioration of the surrounding ecology, probably wouldn't be included in the Endangered Species Act by now.

These messengers from hell really don't understand the compassionate hearts of ecology students at all!

Despite my dissatisfaction, I still have to do the part-time job.

Otherwise, if they were caught by other hellish messengers and brought to court, they wouldn't even have a reason to plead with the judge.

Hmm... Do they, the messengers of hell, actually have the position of judge?

Just then, the night bus finally arrived.

Cui Shi'an got into the car with his bag on his back.

Inside were some protective measures he had prepared for himself.

Such as bicycle safety helmets, baseball bats, and rice used for warding off evil spirits.

He also got a roll of outdoor hiking rope from the department's warehouse, and with the safety lock hanging on the outside of his bag, it jingled as he walked, attracting a lot of attention.

Although Hera said there would be no danger, one's life is ultimately one's own, and who knows what those earthbound spirits are thinking?

If you yell "Give me back my life!" as soon as you meet them.

Cui Shi'an felt that he had no choice but to run away.

After finding an empty seat on the bus, he couldn't wait to flip through the "operating manual" he had just received.

The author of "The Handbook for Dealing with Earthbound Spirits (2022 Pandemic Trial Version)"—Truth

Trial version?

The very first line gave Cui Shi'an a strong sense of unease, but for the sake of his life, he patiently read on.

Chapter 1: General Outline

Earthbound spirits are classified as "aggregates of obsessions - low harm - regionally restricted type". They share the same origin as the aforementioned evil spirits, both being transformed from the resentment (obsessions) of people after death.

It is not human, yet its evolution is centered on human will.

Important note: Earthbound spirits, lacking a definite organic organ (such as a brain) as a carrier for information processing and storage, are unable to engage in true thinking, memory, and logical judgment.

Therefore, its behavior pattern is highly dependent on the obsession itself, which manifests as a strong repetition—either constantly repeating a sentence or engaging in meaningless cyclical behavior in a fixed area. Its core purpose is only to maintain its own existence, and it often disrupts the order of the human world as a result.

Upon reading this, Cui Shi'an immediately became interested. "Does having no brain mean one's thinking ability is limited?"

That seems plausible, since thinking requires the brain to function. A spirit without a physical brain as its memory should indeed have limited processing power. Otherwise, why would intelligent life evolve independent brain cells? Wouldn't it be better to evolve into a cloud processor?

Thinking about this, an absurd idea suddenly popped into Cui Shi'an's mind.

This job seems to be quite relevant to his major.

Cui Shi'an quickly turned to the second page.

Chapter 2: Standardized Processing Procedures (Recommended)

Method 1: Environmental Magnetic Field Interference Method

• Principle: The manifestation and stability of some earthbound spirits depend on abnormal electromagnetic fields in the environment as a "barrier" or "breeding ground".

Such earthbound spirits can be considered a special type of electromagnetic pollution.

• Operating steps:

1. Conduct on-site investigation, focusing on determining whether there are high-intensity magnetic field interference sources in the surrounding area, such as: large signal towers, unshielded substations, high-power industrial WiFi receivers, and storage sites for old CRT monitors.

2. After identifying the source of interference, try shutting it off, disconnecting the power, or physically shielding it.

3. Observe the flexibility of the geobound material. Usually, after the magnetic field environment on which it depends disappears, the aggregate will naturally dissipate due to the loss of stable conditions.

Advantages: Physical method, safe and controllable, no direct contact with the target required.

• Disadvantages: Limited applicability and requires basic knowledge of electromagnetism.

Note: Do not attempt to shut down the hospital's life support system or the regional main power grid. Secondary casualties resulting from such actions will be counted in your KPI assessment.

Method Two: Obsession Relief and Fulfillment

• Principle: This is for earthbound spirits formed due to strong and specific obsessions from their previous life. Their very existence is for the purpose of completing some unfinished task.

• Operating steps:

1. Accurately identify their core obsessions through observation and (one-sided) communication.

(For example: repeatedly trying to push open a door that doesn't exist may indicate an obsession with going home; repeatedly muttering a name may indicate an obsession with delivering a message.)

2. Try to satisfy their obsession by simulating, substituting, or symbolically.

(For example: help it "open" that door; find the person or thing mentioned in the obsession and show it to them).

3. Once an obsession is satisfied (even in a formal way), the aggregate usually disintegrates because it loses its meaning.

Advantages: Highly targeted; if the obsession can be successfully identified, it is highly efficient.

• Disadvantages: Obsessions are often bizarre, and the process of communicating with and satisfying them requires great patience, imagination, and a certain amount of acting ability.

Warning: Do not make promises you cannot keep, as this may escalate your obsession and make the situation more difficult to resolve.

Method 3: Body Placement Method (A radical solution)

• Principle: A small number of earthbound spirits, due to their remains not being discovered or properly buried for a long time, have some of their obsessions weakly anchored to the physical remains, making it impossible for them to leave "peacefully".

• Operating steps:

1. Conduct a thorough investigation of the site and surrounding area to search for any potentially hidden remains or important skeletal remains.

2. Upon discovery, immediately contact the local police (anonymity is recommended via public phone booths, and be careful to avoid surveillance cameras) and guide them to discover the body.

3. After the body is officially collected and enters the formal funeral process, observe the state of the earthbound spirit. Usually, once the anchor is released, the aggregate will dissipate.

Advantages: It solves the problem at its root, provides a permanent solution, and contributes to society.

• Disadvantages: Low success rate (most earthbound spirits are formed regardless of the body's location), and the process may involve a criminal scene, posing legal risks. Moving or handling the body without authorization is strictly prohibited! All related operations must be handed over to the relevant human authorities!

Method 4: ...

Cui Shi'an read with great enthusiasm. In a sense, the existence of earthbound spirits is itself causing negative damage to the human ecosystem.

Although his previous research focused on macroecology, it seemed insignificant compared to this kind of supernatural ecology.

"If the opportunity arises, I could study it in more depth."

His previous macroecological research paled in comparison to this kind of "supernatural ecology."

But the next second, he dismissed the thought.

He wasn't paid a monthly salary or a daily salary, but an hourly wage—wait, how much was the hourly wage again?

He took out his phone and checked, and the number "9860 Korean won" on the screen was like a bucket of cold water poured over him.

"Ha, not even ten thousand?" He almost cursed out loud on the bus. "No wonder that woman herself didn't want to do it! She expects me to worry about ecological balance for such a small amount of money?!"

"Guests, we've arrived at Zhenling Cave 2."

The station announcement pulled him back to reality from his grief and indignation.

Cui Shi'an slung the jingling bag of "equipment" over his shoulder, and with a cheap sense of tragic heroism, stepped into the vast night...