New Apprentice
New Apprentice
Seoul Exorcism Association Headquarters
“...Are you an apprentice?”
“Yes, I was hoping you might consider me, if it’s okay with you...”
The top floor of the Exorcism Association headquarters.
Harang’s gentle voice, as she sat respectfully in her chair, filled the room.
Where that voice reached, a man in a suit with a pleasant appearance sat perched on a chair, facing Harang.
His name was Kim Cheol-su. He is the 15th President of the Exorcism Association.
“Lately, there have been more people retiring than new exorcists joining, so the Exorcists’ Association is facing a labor shortage. We created this system in the hope that if opportunities arise for people to become apprentices to strong exorcists—including the team leaders—it might slightly increase the number of people aspiring to become exorcists, and to help ensure there are more strong exorcists.”
“…Hmm…”
“Haha. Even though I’m saying this, I can’t force you to accept it, Harang-nim. It’s perfectly fine if you decline this offer.”
“No. I think it’s a reasonable system designed to properly train talent capable of fighting yokai. I’ll gladly accept this offer.”
For some unknown reason, yokai keep appearing everywhere.
Therefore, the battle between exorcists and monsters will continue forever.
But there aren’t an infinite number of exorcists.
Perhaps because things have become safer than they used to be, monsters aren’t perceived as a major threat these days.
As a result, the number of people becoming exorcists is gradually decreasing.
Since it’s not dangerous even if I don’t do it, there’s no need to risk my life just to earn a little extra money.
That’s probably why systems like this have been introduced—to attract even a few more people.
“This is just my own speculation, but I knew you’d say something like that, Harang-nim. Actually, I’ve already collected applications from people who wish to become your disciples.”
Saying this, he pulls a thick stack of papers from under his desk.
He then handed it to Harang.
“These are all people who’ve applied to become your disciples.”
Harang took the stack of papers, brought it in front of her, and began flipping through them one by one with her delicate fingers, examining each one carefully.
From the chosen children whose special abilities haven’t manifested yet, to those who, though lacking special abilities, show outstanding achievements beyond their years,
“Hmm…”
“Is there something you’re not satisfied with? We’ve already obtained approval from higher-ups to accommodate your requests as much as possible, so please let us know if there’s anything.”
“No… It’s just that I feel you’ve been too considerate of me…”
Harang was widely recognized as Korea’s top exorcist.
However, the number of applications she received was far fewer than she had expected. Moreover, looking at the ones she’d just received…
‘They’re all girls, aren’t they?’
Under this policy, disciples and masters live together in the same place, training, eating, and sleeping side by side.
Consequently, there’s bound to be a mismatch in personality and age.
In the worst-case scenario, it could even lead to a situation where men and women have to live in extremely close proximity.
However, it’s safe to say that Harang is the most important person in the Association.
Both for her combat prowess and for the symbolic significance she represents, she is indispensable to the Association.
That’s why they try their best to avoid doing anything that might upset her.
To put it bluntly, Harang is receiving extreme favoritism from the Association.
As evidenced by the fact that there’s no penalty for rejecting this proposal, she’s been exempted from all the tedious rituals and events she would normally have had to participate in.
I could really feel the blatant fawning: “Ms. Harang, you’ll stay on as an exorcist for a long time, right?!”
Harang herself is well aware of this fact.
But all the applicants who applied to me are women—and on top of that, they’re all younger than me?
In other words, this is
“a clear act of consideration.”
“I’m really fine. Could you show me the other applicants as well?”
“.....Alright. If you insist.”
The association president hesitated for a moment, then opened a locker and pulled out a stack of papers that looked at least four times as thick as the one from earlier.
Harang began going through the papers a little faster than before.
Then Harang’s hand paused on a particular sheet of paper.
“....This is—”
The application Harang’s hand and eyes had stopped on belonged to a certain man.
“I'll go with... this person.”
“....That person is...”
The man on the application Harang had chosen was, in the Association President’s view, arguably the worst of all the applicants.
Ryu Ji-han, a 24-year-old male.
In middle school, although his spiritual power was average, it was still stronger than that of ordinary people, so rather than engaging in fights, he would often commit one-sided assaults and was frequently reported for school bullying.
While attending a high school specializing in exorcism, he was expelled after being caught attempting to sexually harass a classmate using the special ability that had manifested in him.
Since then, he has committed various petty crimes using his ability and has frequently been in and out of prison.
His innate spiritual energy was below average, his ability was useless in combat, and as a person, he was simply a bad fit for Harang in almost every way.
Even though he had lived as a woman for 20 years, from Harang’s perspective—who had no intention whatsoever of developing “romantic feelings” with a man, though she might consider friendship—he was someone she would prefer to avoid at all costs.
But....
“Special Ability: Hypnosis”
This single ability was enough to make all of his flaws appear as strengths to Harang.
“...Are you really sure you want to go with him?”
“Hypnosis seems like a pretty good ability to me. I’ll reform and train him, and I’ll definitely turn him into a great exorcist.”
“...I see... In that case, we’ll contact him separately.”
“I’ll leave it in your capable hands, then.”
Then Harang stood up and left the association president’s office.
‘Whoa, that was close. If I hadn’t kept my composure, the image I’ve built up so far would’ve gone up in smoke.’
As Harang walked out, a sinister smile filled with anticipation—one no one had ever seen before—played on his face.
