Clack, Clack, Clack.
Clack, clack, clack. Dozens of fully armed paladins, geared up to suppress a riot, marched down the street in perfect formation.
Leading the procession were two figures at the front: Captain Han Dae-ho and religious scholar O Hui-jin.
The citizens watching them had eyes filled with fear and curiosity. Those who were scared quickened their pace, while the curious ones pulled out their phones to snap photos and post them online.
"……Captain, are you sure this is okay?"
O Hui-jin, armored from head to toe, glanced at Han Dae-ho. Tucked into his side was the notebook he always carried.
Han Dae-ho stared silently toward Florence Academy as he walked.
"It's fine."
"If we get there and it's nothing major…… you'll be facing dismissal at the very least."
"Yeah? If it's just dismissal, that's a steal. Beats getting burned at the stake."
Han Dae-ho chuckled as if it were no big deal. But deep down, he was just as anxious as O Hui-jin.
Marching through the streets in full combat gear struck fear into civilians and, depending on the circumstances, could spark unnecessary misunderstandings or tarnish the Romanica Church's image from the Holy See's perspective.
If they arrived at Florence and no incident warranted full armament, Han Dae-ho would bear the responsibility. Anything beyond a suspension was a given, and dismissal was very much on the table.
"Captain, even now, maybe turn back and lighten the gear to alert status—"
"I'll take the blame. I did this because I'm certain. Stop worrying and stay out of it."
"……I overstepped. Sorry."
O Hui-jin bowed his head slightly.
And the paladins marched on. When Han Dae-ho's left foot stepped forward, so did theirs. The procession's steps were nearly perfectly synchronized between left and right.
Their faces were hidden behind helmets, but beneath them burned pride and fervor. In the aftermath of recent events, Han Dae-ho had poured extra effort into combat paladin training, arming their spirits perfectly.
Clack, clack, clack……
The disciplined rhythm of their unified steps halted only when Florence's walls came into plain view.
"Demonic energy……."
An ominous haze of it swirled around the walls, dark fog roiling threateningly but never crossing over to the paladins—like a wall-climbing ward, it clung stubbornly to the barrier.
"Looks like…… we can't cross the wall."
O Hui-jin said.
"Yeah. We don't know what black magic this demonic energy came from……."
"Yes, it could be 'Contract' or 'Corrosion.'"
With the source unknown, crossing recklessly was out of the question. If Han Dae-ho turned into a humanoid demon or demon species via Contract, things would get messy. Same if Corrosion left him combat-ineffective.
"Wish we had anti-magic masks for times like this."
"Got any in stock?"
"Nah, just wishful thinking. Masks don't block Corrosion anyway, right? We'll manage."
"Yes. Corrosion particles are smaller than other black magic, so masks can't filter them."
O Hui-jin explained in detail. He was an expert on Satanist black magic too.
"Thanks. Real useful, hopeful info."
Han Dae-ho sighed sarcastically.
"Y'know, black magic seems kinda OP, doesn't it? Blessings just make you stronger, clearer-headed—that's it."
"You can't say blasphemous stuff like that. Satanists have few believers. They're elite minorities. Plus, even elite Satanists don't use Contract or Corrosion often."
"Right…… just thinking out loud."
Han Dae-ho nodded and quickened his pace toward the school gate, glad he'd come fully armed with the demonic energy confirming something was up.
The paladins followed him to Florence's gate. Eerily, no one was around—not guards, students, or teachers. Only a heavy silence and a ghostly, sinister chill hung over the entrance.
"No guards usually? There were in my day. No students either."
"Not sure……."
Han Dae-ho voiced his doubt, and O Hui-jin peered through the gate like a meerkat. The silence was unnervingly profound.
Demonic energy reaching the walls meant a Satanist-related incident inside. Yet no evacuating students. Either the situation wasn't urgent enough for evacuation, or it was too dire for anyone to flee. One or the other.
The former would be lucky; the latter…… Han Dae-ho signaled inward with a grim feeling. The breach command.
"Scouts first."
The five lead paladins bowed to him, pulled out small face-shields from their gear, and entered in sync.
Sending scouts before a full breach was simple: From a Satanist's view, sealing the gate came first—block student/teacher escape and paladin/ holy knight entry.
So a blatantly open gate amid tainted walls screamed trap or ambush. Han Dae-ho sent scouts to scout dangers.
Thwack!
Crunch!
And his hunch was spot on. As the five scouts crouched low and darted through, iron balls slammed into their heads.
Some blocked with shields by luck, but others didn't. Helmets helped, but fist-sized iron balls packed a punch. Two scouts crumpled without a scream.
"Assault team, gear up and cover scouts! I'm taking point!"
Han Dae-ho signaled rapidly and charged the fallen scouts. The assault team followed with weapons and holy relics, encircling the downed in swift, controlled moves.
Han Dae-ho scanned around. No enemy positions spotted. But they were watching us. We couldn't see them, but they saw us…… Worst-case scenario.
He signaled the rear firing team to hold. He'd decide on live fire based on developments.
"Eastern Paladin Order! Drop your weapons and surrender!"
Han Dae-ho bellowed at the unseen foes. No reply.
He braced and shouted louder. "Refuse, and we'll suppress you for obstructing official duties! Drop weapons and surrender! We won't press charges—!"
Thud.
Before he finished, a hulking man appeared before him—dropped from the sky.
His eyes were pure white, unfocused. Lips cracked and dry. Face scarred. Iron pitchfork in his right hand.
"Get out."
The man spat the warning curtly.
"Who're you telling to leave…… Merc? Which group?"
"No reason to tell. Get out."
"……'Crow.'"
O Hui-jin muttered lowly beside him. Han Dae-ho's face twisted.
Crow was an Incheon mercenary group infamous for illegal gigs, hostile to paladin orders.
"Pitchfork…… The Crow's Blind Man……."
O Hui-jin stared at the weapon, face paling, voice trembling.
Most Crow mercs hid identities under hoods; even the captain's details were unknown. But the vice-captain was famous: unique farm-tool combat style, and blind.
Han Dae-ho clapped O Hui-jin's shoulder. The trembling stopped.
He stared piercingly at the man. "Incheon mercs, what brings you here…… What's the job? Who's the client?"
"Keep gate clear—no in, no out. Client's confidential. Get out. If not in three……."
The man lifted his dragging pitchfork overhead, white eyes staring blankly ahead.
"I'll drive you out by force. One."
Han Dae-ho scoffed, glaring. A merc threatening paladins? He signaled the firing team to ready shots.
Click. Heavy, chilling sounds from their guns. Loaded with rubber rounds—regrettable, but enough for mercs.
"Two."
"Last warning: Drop weapons, surrender. Or we classify you rioters and suppress. And if Satanists hired you……."
Their gazes locked. The pitchfork gleamed, poised to strike. Firing team aimed; muzzles yawned black voids.
Cold silence and tension stretched between man and captain.
"I'll judge you in Adonai's name."
"……Three."
BOOM—!
As the man counted three, an explosion roared—not from Han Dae-ho's side, but from within the school.
Thwang!
Echoes rang as a gunshot cracked. Rubber round hit the man's thigh, bruising red. He ignored it, slamming his pitchfork down.
Crunch!
That signaled it: Hidden Crow mercs emerged—slings with iron balls, clubs, scythes, spears. Weapons varied. All hooded.
Club and scythe wielders flanked the firing team's rear. In a blink.
"I warned you. Your fault."
Thwack! Thwack!
Iron balls pelted paladin heads. Spear mercs reared back for javelins. Movements systematic, well-trained.
But paladins matched them in speed.
"Firing team on slingers and javelineers! Scouts cover firing team! Assault, reform lines!"
Before Han Dae-ho finished, downed scouts sprang up and charged. They flanked the flankers—scouts were elite, agile fighters.
Under scout cover, firing team raised muzzles.
Thwang! Thwang!
Rubber rounds flew. Tree-perched slingers took headshots, plummeting.
But not all. Unhit javelineers hurled at Han Dae-ho—the biggest threat, instinctively sensed.
Snap!
Han Dae-ho pulverized all three inbound javelins with his fists. His bulky frame moved impossibly fast, blessing light shimmering.
"……Pray to Adonai. So I don't kill you."
"I don't believe in gods."
Whoosh!
Han Dae-ho's fist rocketed at the man's jaw. Pitchfork swung at his crown.
Explosion smoke and unknown demonic energy surged skyward. Heavens darkened.
*
"Get down!"
Yeo Min-seo's sharp yell echoed through the principal's office.
The principal's body warped and swelled grotesquely—explosion prelude. Taxidermy blasts showered flesh and bone shards; worse in enclosed spaces. Prone minimized it.
Clang!
"Ah, agh……!"
But I couldn't drop. Handcuffs.
I focused Mighty Strength Blessing on my right arm. Still, power wouldn't flow right. Could a blessing circle boost it? No, too late. I suck at blessings anyway. No way mere blessing-enhanced strength breaks these cuffs.
"……Bosu."
[O! Can I uproot a pillar now?]
I nodded. Bosu obsessed over pillars weirdly. Legends say true heroes topple buildings by yanking them, but whatever. I needed his power now, pillars or not.
[Might hurt a bit!]
"Fine, just hurry……!"
Urged, Bosu's power finally surged. Dizziness hit, vision blurred, body heated. Heartbeat and breath sharpened; other sounds faded. Arm filled with superhuman strength.
With strength plus body weight, I shoved my right arm hard. Better to push-break than pull—humans push stronger.
Crack, creak…….
Cuffs held. Wall tore instead. Chunks of concrete ripped free with cuffs. Couldn't shatter cuffs, but mobile now.
I channeled the shove's momentum to my feet, stomping and lunging forward.
Principal's body ballooned, near-burst. I swung my heavy right arm. Concrete-cuffed fist smashed like a flail.
Kaboom—!
Taxidermy body flew to the corner, exploding on impact. A few shards hit me—distant enough, wounds shallow. Blood soaked my clothes.
"Kahak……! Hah, ha……."
I collapsed. Wounds minor, but Bosu's overkill wrecked me—muscles screamed like torn fibers. Every joint felt dislocated. Slumped shoulders dangled.
[I said it might hurt a bit…….]
Bosu's sullen voice pierced my pain-hazed mind. "A bit" my ass—it hurt like hell. But without it, I'd be a porcupine pincushion.
I owed Bosu.
"Hoo, ngh……!"
Steadying breath, I pushed through agony. Fingered out embedded shards—shallow, hand-removable. Lucky.
Thud.
Meanwhile, dazed Kim Chang-won backed into a chair. Legs wobbling like collapse imminent. He gripped it, steadying with a face sunk in despair, head bowed.
"Since when…… Was I the one being played……."
Ignoring him, Ma Yu-hyeon and Yeo Min-seo strode toward me. Ma grinning excitedly; Yeo nonchalant, casually tossing her broken mop handle.
"Whoa, what the fuck? How? Mighty Strength Blessing? Way beyond Bae Seong-hyeon's level."
"Obviously different. He's always been strong. Ma Yu-hyeon, heal him."
"Huh? I don't know healing."
"What? Aren't you priesthood? How's a priest shit at healing? You retarded? Lying in this mess."
"No…… I really don't."
Yeo Min-seo sighed, pinching her brow.
"Fuck…… I'm not great at it either……."
"……I'll do it."
Kim Chang-won stepped up behind cursing Yeo Min-seo.
Ma Yu-hyeon blinked up from squat. Kim unleashed divine power, sketching multiple blessing and healing circles in a blur—too fast and precise for me to gauge.
"Sorry. Never thought Gabriel and the principal were both taxidermy……."
"It's fine."
"No, not for me. Truly sorry. What have I done…… Vice principal, the handcuff key."
Kim knelt, bowing deeply in sincere apology—for suspecting me, cuffing me.
Vice principal fetched the key per his order; my right wrist freed. Purple bruises ringed it.
Blessing and healing light enveloped me—pain dulled, wounds closed. But Bosu-induced muscle ache lingered.
Kim's face ashen, he kept drawing circles silently.
"I've committed a grave sin. Don't need forgiveness……."
"No, really fine."
"Truly sorry……."
Florence's chairman feeling guilty was a win, but not worth voicing. I shut up.
Then Yeo Min-seo tapped mechanical Kim's shoulder.
"Chairman, think that's enough."
"No, a bit more……."
"Just close the wounds. He's got good recovery anyway. Point is…… not the time."
Yeo dead serious. Kim finally stopped.
Yeo squatted, folding fingers like counting.
"So, taxidermy found so far: principal and Gabriel make six. Just what we've seen—probably more. They're wandering school, impersonating people."
"How…… to tell taxidermy from humans?"
"Ma Yu-hyeon spots 'em. Dunno the principle, but 100% accurate so far. Trustworthy."
Yeo glanced at Ma, who grinned. Yeo grimaced, then relaxed.
"Gym exploded. We fled there, heard broadcast, came here. Oh, Chairman—did second-years skip today?"
"Dispatched ones at posts; rest should've come. Third-years all dispatched, so none here."
"Any black magic space-related?"
"……'Abyss' black magic."
"Thought so. Second-year building seems Abyss-trapped. Looked empty wandering."
Kim's face hardened visibly with each point. Even I could tell it was bad.
Kim turned to still-dazed vice principal.
"Vice principal, broadcast evacuation now—"
"Evac order's pointless."
Ma Yu-hyeon cut in.
"Big guys blanketing the gate. Wall's demonic energy blocks climbing. Oh, Seong Ha-yeon might manage."
"When'd you see all that?"
Yeo frowned. Ma chuckled vacantly.
"Things got weird, tried heading home. No gap."
"……Right. Anyway, Chairman, evac now's meaningless. Just causes panic."
"Demonic energy on walls…… Then I'll call Cardinal Seong Yu-da……."
"Oh, comms are cut. Phones dead."
"……."
Kim fell silent, despair in his eyes.
Yeo's burned with near-mad determination.
"With Ma Yu-hyeon, we can hunt taxidermy. Problem's what Satanists do next. Gym blast spared lives 'cause Ha Ye-jin—no, Teacher Ye-jin evacuated well. But next time?"
"Then, solution……."
"Three big issues."
Yeo held up three fingers.
"One: Weird hulks at gate block evac. Merc-looking eyes. Can't even approach."
"No evac means exponential casualties……."
"Yes, priority one. Two: Principal and Gabriel were taxidermy. Where're the real ones? Satanists probably kidnapped 'em. Others missing too, maybe. Delay worsens it."
"Pfft, one elder missing ain't the end."
Ma interjected. Yeo glared, sighed softly.
"……Three: No clue Satanists' next move. No deaths yet—gym thanks to Ye-jin—but future unknown."
Yeo caught breath after rapid-fire.
"Solutions: One, clear gate mercs. Two, find missing. Three……."
"Find Satanists. Kill them."
I rasped.
Yeo's eyes widened in surprise.
"Right. Question's 'how.' How to clear mercs, find missing, hunt Satanists. And how to kill 'em once found."
Crack.
While Yeo jabbered, I popped my dislocated shoulder back.
Black smoke rose from Gabriel taxidermy impaled by Yeo. White hair strand left on the sofa.
"……I have a plan."
(To be continued)