Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Apology?
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Apology?
"Hmm."
I rubbed my chin as I walked. My destination was, naturally, the Justitia Academy building.
The auditorium there. That's where they were conducting the inspections, so I was heading over quietly.
Because running away now would be as good as admitting, "That's the demon!"
No thanks. Being chased by humans is absolutely off-limits. Besides, I'm not some demon—I'm human. I have my dignity. Legally recognized, too.
Right?
I'd only tamed the demon, but no one would believe that. So I'd even washed with holy water this morning.
Our house had better stuff copied from the church's holy water.
"But why didn't you wash?"
"I did wash."
"With water. Why not holy water?"
"I'm an angel? I can purify demons and such."
"Whatever. I don't care. If that dog nose smells Lily on you, it'll drag you off, and I'll just sit back. Or nah, it'll probably pin it on you as a demon."
"Hmm. Then I'll just spread my wings."
Would that work? I imagined Raphael unfurling her wings. It was different from usual—kinda majestic, I guess.
Divine, maybe? How does slapping six wings on an idiot change everything?
Jealous. Gimme wings too. Handy for shutting down arguments.
"Angels are such cheats."
"Jealous? Then you should've been born one too, Seong-hoon."
Listen to this girl. I shot a glance at Raphael striding along confidently.
And—
"Congrats, Raphael."
I gave her a thumbs-up.
"You've finally graduated to that level of thinking. On par with me—or even above."
It was praise. Life's all about living like that. But even though I'd clearly complimented her, Raphael's face twisted weirdly.
Like she'd heard what she shouldn't or seen what she shouldn't. Every muscle on her face scrunched up as she waved her hands frantically.
"Eww, no thanks. Me, on your level or above? You really say anything, huh? Basically telling me to buzz off?"
"Oh."
Buzz off? She might've already earned that. Thinking of words that fit Raphael, the answer came quick.
Words symbolizing demons.
Wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, pride.
"Bearing five sins for our sake. What a guy you are..."
"No clue what you're saying, but one thing's clear."
I pretended to wipe away tears, and Raphael burst out laughing. Something felt off. Like she might pounce?
"You're picking a fight!!"
"You started it!!"
Evil premonitions never miss.
We entered the auditorium, and an enormous line stretched out. Endlessly long. It felt like everyone at Justitia had shown up for inspections.
"We gotta wait in this?"
This was insane. But watching people exit, it didn't seem that bad.
"Looks like two hours, at least."
"Yeah."
Not one line, but two. Exactly two. No point switching. Same wait either way.
"At this rate, one hour thirty should do it."
"She says. So what do we do for an hour and a half?"
"Saving thirty minutes won't change much. I wanna go home."
"Thirty minutes is a lot."
"Right, Raphael. Thirty minutes is—huh?"
"Thirty minutes is barely enough for one game rou—huh?"
I stared at the girl who kept butting in so naturally mid-sentence. Raphael, who'd been replying, sensed it too and looked over.
A white-haired girl was watching us. Deadpan expression, casually inserting herself into our chat.
"What the. Since when were you here?"
"From the start. I watched you idiots bicker the whole way."
"When did we bicker like idiots?"
"Exactly. That was a pride-fueled bloodbath!!"
First time today we agreed. Yeah. A battle of pride.
[You guys fight like five-year-olds?]
"What do you know!!"
"What does a cat know!!"
[....]
Today was a rare three-way scrap.
The line shrank fast. We chatted plenty in the meantime, but according to Michael, the barrier got smashed by that demon the day before yesterday.
Only Rozarine and her verified supplies could've come to the island before. Now church folks were here because of it.
Other than that? Raphael bragging about her angel status. Michael's truth-bomb sessions. Purification from both archangels.
By the time we ranked stuff like that, we were nearly at the front inside the building. A tent loomed ahead. Probably go in, quick check, come out.
"That person you saw is in there, Seong-hoon?"
"Yeah. Dog nose. Dog. Nose. Sniffs demons better than anyone."
"Oh?"
The woman inside? Describing her takes time. Kim Tae-hyun's fourth main heroine. The last one to appear—a future saintess. Saintess candidate now.
Born with holy power and a nose for demons, she climbed to candidate. But her bitchy personality gets her demoted constantly.
She meets Kim Tae-hyun and turns over a new leaf—
"This time, I'm doing absolutely nothing."
Leaving it to Kim Tae-hyun for real. Help comes later. Starting when the demon shows.
So no need now. Just zip through the check and bounce.
Pass and leave—no entanglements. Good luck with the redemption arc, Kim Tae-hyun.
"Raphael. One last time."
"Again? We've done it plenty already."
The more, the better. My turn was next, nerves kicking in.
"Please."
"Can't say no to a plea."
Raphael muttered something like, "Seong-hoon can't function without me~" as her hand glowed.
Pure white light enveloped me once, then faded. Felt like the clinging evil spirit got booted. I nodded.
"Good."
If she still smelled it now, she wasn't human. Just a dog. A demon-sniffing hound.
I watched Michael exit, then went in. Lifted the tent flap—a woman in black nun robes stared at me.
Benevolent expression. Smiled warmly, gestured to sit.
I sat without hesitation.
"Nice to meet you."
"Uh, yeah."
Gave me chills. Knowing it was all an act made it weird. Later she'd probably spit and rage.
"Didn't we meet yesterday?"
"No idea."
"Hmm. Strange. Your hair color's so unique—I remembered."
"Plenty of black hair out there."
"True." The nun smiled sweetly. Hope those forehead veins burst.
"I'm Serena."
"Yeah. Quick check, please."
"..."
Serena's smile deepened. Like saying my name since she gave hers. Don't know that game.
Just hurry with the check.
I smiled back, staring. Guessing she knew I wouldn't bite, she stood abruptly.
"Starting the inspection."
Serena approached. Closed her eyes, sniffing intently.
Sniff sniff.
Getting closer. Sniffs louder each step.
"Hm."
Right in my face. Leaned in front of my chair, head tilted.
"Faint, but..."
Sniff. Final whiff, eyes open. Grinning.
"You smell like a demon."
"Pardon?"
Lies.
Serena Lua.
Two specialties. Innate holy power no normal could wield.
And her nose. Can't dodge it if it's demon-related.
Always had been. Hunting demons for fifteen years straight. Her candidate spot? All holy power and nose.
So she grinned. At the boy before her. Faint scent, hastily masked.
Barely there, but her nose caught it.
His flustered look confirmed it.
"Lucky."
Smile froze. Instantly. Usually the benevolent act. Nun pretense. Candidate facade.
Kind smiles everywhere—but not with demons. Or alone.
True colors out.
"Almost pissed me off finding nothing."
"Pardon? Must be a mix-up—"
"Mix-up my ass."
Fifteen years, zero misses. Grinning, raised her fist.
Holy-powered punch. Pain level sets the grade, then purge.
That's when—
"Seong-hoon."
Tent flap flew open. Blonde girl entered. Serena blanked at her beauty for a sec.
That stunning, then annoyed expression.
"Why're you taking forever? Wanna go home. Isn't a clean check quick?! Still tons to do!! I'm hungry too!!"
"Me too!!"
"Non-demons zip right through. Not done yet?!"
Simultaneous. Faint scent vanished. Clean. Just human smell.
Fabric softener and shampoo. Sniffed again—no change.
'Did I mess up?'
First time ever. Nose never failed.
Demons can't erase scents. Trash smell gone? Nah, worse.
Same principle.
Without root removal, scent lingers.
But this guy's? Gone. No trace.
Flustered, she forced the kind smile late.
Sniffed more—only softener.
"Haha."
Awkward laugh. Lowered fist sheepishly.
"My mistake, I guess."
First time, so she scratched her head. Black-hair dude stared in disbelief.
Locked eyes seconds. He spoke first.
"Hey."
Utterly wronged face, chin in hand. To Serena.
"Apology?"
"Pardon?"
"'Sorry'? 'My bad'?"
Fired at stunned Serena.
"Whoa."
Ignoring the voice behind.
"Screw up, apologize first. Basic manners, no?"