The Satan Cult
In stark contrast to Romanica, which worships the one true God Adonai and opposes Satan, the Satan Cult rejects Adonai and reveres Satan instead. They are the ones responsible for unleashing demons and magical beasts upon the world. Their goal is simple: summon Satan to this earth, let him destroy the world, and then reign as king over the ruins. Their actions and motives make them the perfect embodiment of a black curtain pulling strings from the shadows.
[It seems they've masked their scent at school somehow. I have no idea how they're hiding it so precisely.]
"You don't know who it is, right?"
[The scent only lingered for a moment. No clue who it was.]
Voodooists and Satanists are both labeled as cults, but no one puts them on the same level. The Satan Cult pursues ultimate, absolute evil. They pillage, murder, and rape as a matter of course—and they believe it's all righteous.
[They're insane.]
Legba was spot on, a hundred times over. They are insane. And right now, one of those lunatics had infiltrated Florence. It wouldn't be strange if magical beasts appeared out of nowhere and started tearing students apart.
[Well, maybe they just wanted to go to school. Like you. No need to get hostile already.]
Legba said that, but it wasn't so easy. With no idea what their purpose was for sneaking into Florence, I had no choice but to stay on guard. Still, there were no leads on who the Satanist was. No clues meant speculation was pointless. Shoving aside my unease, I headed to the training ground at Eden Hill.
*
"Nice to meet you. I'm So Do-jin. Today's a joint practical for Charity, Purity, and Patience classes."
Dark circles drooping to his cheeks, dazed eyes, unkempt hair, a hunched neck, and a face so strikingly handsome it could pass for a woman's. He introduced himself as So Do-jin. No further details.
'Not that they were needed,' I thought. Or maybe 'not necessary' was more accurate.
"So Do-jin? The So Do-jin?"
"Whoa, he looks even hotter in person."
The students who recognized him buzzed with excitement. Some girls blushed openly, their eyes sparkling.
So Do-jin was a member of the Trinita Crusader Order, a holy knight squad as popular as any idol group. He hunted demons by night and taught at Florence by day. With less than three hours of sleep on average, his face always looked exhausted and worn. But his good looks turned even that into a sort of decadent charm.
"Quiet. Today's practical is 'Mock Magical Beast and Demon Extermination Training'—or 'Demon Extermination Training' for short. First, I'll assign groups. Three per team, balanced by grades. No complaints."
So Do-jin's speech was always sharp. Probably from sleep deprivation.
"When I call your group, gather up. Group 1—"
He began calling out the groups. This demon extermination practical was a joint session for Charity, Patience, and Purity classes—over 300 students gathered at Eden Hill. Just assigning groups took over ten minutes.
"Finally, Group 100. Kim Jin-seo, Ko Jun-min."
The last group was called. Kids clustered with their teams, chatting in little groups. In the midst of the noise from all 300, I just stood there blankly. Everyone had a group. Except me.
So Do-jin never called my name.
"Um, teacher."
I raised my hand, and he shot me a hollow glare.
"What?"
"My name wasn't called. If it's not too much trouble, could I ask which group I'm in?"
I asked politely, but he pierced me with a razor-sharp stare. People could curse with their eyes, not just words. News to me.
"You Do Seon-woo?"
"Pardon? Yes, that's me."
"Ah, yeah. I skipped you on purpose. Got something to ask."
He took a swig from his water bottle and continued.
"You submitted your intro form at enrollment, right?"
"Yes."
"You didn't list a major. Why?"
Florence has three majors: Priesthood, Holy Warrior, and Paladin. New students usually specify one on their form, but I left it blank. I had a vague goal of becoming a high cleric, but no idea which major yet.
"I haven't decided on a major."
I answered honestly, and he smirked.
"Really? Planning to graduate?"
"Of course."
"Doesn't look like it to me."
He sneered.
"Haven't picked a major. Tells me how little you think ahead. Think acing the diagnostic means you're set?"
"What do you—"
"Pick one fast. Or you'll get weeded out in the major selection in a month. Oh, and Do Seon-woo? You're in Group 100. Join them."
He didn't listen, just said his piece. The epitome of arrogant and rigid. Before I could shake off my frustration, he bellowed at the 300 students.
"Now, the objective and rules. Listening once, so pay attention."
*
Eden Hill. A mountain behind the Florence campus. Despite the "hill" in its name, it's huge and vast. Scattered rivers, lakes, even waterfalls. In the heart of Seoul, it's surreal—and breathtakingly beautiful.
"Who wants to attack?"
In the dense forest at Eden Hill's center, our Group 100 huddled for strategy. Kim Jin-seo spoke first.
High nose bridge, sharp jawline. Her large eyes slanted long at the corners, giving her a cool, fierce vibe. Shoulder-length bob hair swayed like ink-black waves. Objectively stunning, but her intensity hit first—intimidating.
She was one of the seven freshmen bestowed a Holy Mark: Patience.
Maybe that's why her sharp looks came with a surprisingly gentle tone.
"Ko, maybe you—you should attack? Right?"
Answering was Ko Jun-min. Thick glasses, hunched back, turtle neck—a somewhat shady-looking guy. He stuttered a bit, but not badly enough to confuse.
I nodded slightly in agreement.
"Well... yeah, but."
Kim Jin-seo trailed off uncertainly.
The practical had two goals. First: Hunt demons and magical beasts hidden around Eden Hill, extract their heart cores. Second: Load the cores onto your cart and cross the finish line as fast as possible. The cart must arrive intact—no fatal damage, or disqualification. More cores mean bonus points. Hunt demons, secure cores, protect the cart—all at once. Balance offense and defense for high scores.
So we were debating who’d be the "attacker"—hunting demons and harassing rival carts.
"You sure? If I go attack, you two handle defense. N-not that I don't trust you, but..."
Kim Jin-seo eyed us dubiously.
I was the problem kid So Do-jin targeted. Ko Jun-min was average, no standout strengths. Fair enough she'd doubt us.
"I-it's fine! We can do it! Trust us!"
Ko Jun-min raised his voice, clenching his fists to show resolve. Sorry, but not reassuring.
"...Yeah! I trust you!"
Kim Jin-seo forced a smile, lips twitching. She still looked skeptical—just being polite.
Ko Jun-min, oblivious, beamed like he'd won the lottery.
Piiiing!
A shrill whistle from the cart. Practice started.
"I'll be quick—guard it well. Got it?"
She left us with that, vanishing swiftly, fluidly—like a cat.
Now it was just me and Ko Jun-min. Our job: inch the cart toward the finish until she returned. And protect it.
"I'm from P-Patience Class. Same as J-Jin-seo. You?"
We chatted idly while moving the cart.
"Charity Class."
"Oh, th-that one with B-Bae Seong-hyeon."
I nodded along, pulling the cart. Empty, but heavy as hell. Five minutes in, I was soaked in sweat. "Empty carts make the most noise," right? Brain's not working from the strain.
"Did you see J-Jin-seo smile at me earlier?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"She l-likes me, right? She's so pretty. No matter how I look."
Ko Jun-min gushed about Kim Jin-seo nonstop. She's the only one worthy of priesthood, an angel from heaven. Over-the-top praise, even for the subject. Gestures, expressions, the works. Meanwhile, I pulled alone. The weight grated my nerves, but I held it in. No point fighting teammates.
Crack!
A twig snapped nearby. Not Kim Jin-seo—too soon. Probably a rival attacker targeting our cart.
"Ko Jun-min, rival attacker incoming. Remember the plan?"
I explained calmly, recapping. If attacked, weaker Ko Jun-min baits and stalls. I use Preservation's power to lift and flee with the cart. Best we could do without real combat skills.
"......"
No reply. More like, he couldn't. Ko Jun-min lay on the dirt, dead asleep. Deep as death.
No way you'd conk out mid-practice unless narcoleptic.
"Sweet dreams~"
Before I could process, a voice from the brush. Two figures: Seong Ha-yeon and a gray-haired girl I didn't know.
A bizarre Blessing Circle hovered before the gray-haired girl. Not low-tier—no core? Wait, it had one. Not mid either—too big and complex.
[High-tier Peace Blessing Circle.]
Legba identified it. Peace Blessing calms the mind. At high-tier, it induces slackness, then sleep.
Realizing that, overwhelming drowsiness hit. Eyelids like lead. No resisting the sleep demon.
My eyes closed.
(To be continued)