Order of the Sacrament of Penance
The Order of the Sacrament of Penance:
1. (Making the Sign of the Cross) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
2. It has been [days, weeks, months] since my last confession.
3. Confess your sins. Then, “Please forgive all the sins I have forgotten to confess.”
4. (After hearing the priest's penance and words) Thank you.
Seoul West District, in the confessional of a certain cathedral. The man was carefully reading each sentence inscribed on the plaque before it.
Following the words exactly, he made the Sign of the Cross and opened his mouth.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is my first confession.”
His voice was calm.
“I have committed an unforgivable sin. Knowing that God would not forgive me, I have shamelessly come here.”
The man began his confession.
“I killed ninety-two innocent livestock, six people, and among those six, three were clergy. Two archbishops, one cardinal.”
“……My child? You must not lie in confession.”
From beyond the latticed screen, the priest's urgent voice rang out. It was a voice desperately hoping the confession was false, a mere joke.
The man continued undeterred.
“And soon, I will kill dozens more. Please forgive all the sins I will commit in the future as well. If you have that much mercy.”
Clack!
The priest flung open the latticed screen and stuck his head out. To confirm the face of the blasphemer.
But in the confessor's seat, instead of the man, lay the corpse of a dead rabbit.
“Ah, Lord God……”
The priest trembled in fear, murmuring softly.
*
“Hey, you got first place? How'd you do it?”
“Just happened.”
The morning after the demon extermination practical. During self-study, Gu Jun-hyeok approached me.
To his question about how I got first, I brushed it off vaguely. Explaining the fierce psychological battle and betrayal with Seong Ha-yeon and Kim Ra-hee would take too long.
“Jeong In-ah says you're super annoying. Know why?”
“Why?”
“Lucky first in the diagnostic eval. Then 'just happened' to get first in practical.”
“It's true, what can I do.”
“Oh, now I get why Jeong In-ah calls you annoying.”
The diagnostic eval really was luck. Without Legba's help, I'd have been lucky to scrape mid-tier.
The practical was truly a fluke. No lies in my words.
To others, it might sound obnoxious, but I had my reasons—ones hard to explain outright, so I phrased it indirectly.
“You study every morning? Aren't you tired?”
As I silently solved problems, Gu Jun-hyeok asked.
“Tired, but I do it anyway. You come at 7:30 every day too.”
“Me? I come early but don't study.”
Come to think of it, I'd never seen Gu Jun-hyeok studying.
“If you're just gonna chat anyway, why come early? Sleep more. You doze off in class.”
“Nah, mornings I just wake up early? But class makes me sleepy. Weird, right?”
“Yeah, sure.”
It was pointless chatter. I tuned it out and focused on studying.
Usually he'd pester me nonstop, but today Gu Jun-hyeok was quiet. Probably underslept—dark circles heavy under his eyes.
At 8:15, a stranger entered the classroom.
“Hello. I'm Yu Jeong-hak, subbing for Teacher Ha Ye-jin. Roll call starting.”
Where's Ha Ye-jin? Why Yu Jeong-hak for roll call? The other kids looked puzzled too, staring at him.
“This dawn, Satanists appeared at a cathedral in Seoul West. Teacher Ha Ye-jin and others are dispatched there, so I'm doing roll call today. If the duty drags, maybe tomorrow too.”
His explanation cleared it up. The kids nodded slightly in understanding.
“So many teachers dispatched today, classes shortened. Ends around 11:30. No other announcements.”
Yu Jeong-hak finished the stiff roll call and left.
No weather chit-chat or warnings about Satanists at night—like Ha Ye-jin's usual ramble. Concise was nice, but felt empty somehow.
“Ugh. What'd the sub say? Slept through it……”
As I pulled out my book to study, Jeong In-ah rubbed her sleepy eyes and came over. Dark circles like Gu Jun-hyeok's—she'd slept poorly too.
“Shortened classes. Ends 11:30.”
“Oh, cool. Was sleepy…… Gonna nap home. Florence has me so busy……”
She yawned weakly.
Gu Jun-hyeok, eavesdropping from afar, approached.
“You underslept too? I crashed at 3 a.m., only four hours.”
“Three for me.”
“For real? You'll die. At least four.”
I listened quietly. They bantered like competing over sleep deprivation.
High schoolers in growth spurts need six hours, right? But I'd only gotten four last night too—insomnia since seven years ago.
We were all in the same boat.
“Short day, so home early to sleep…… Nah. Lunch out?”
Gu Jun-hyeok suddenly suggested amid sleep talk.
“Out?”
“No cafeteria today. Gotta eat before heading home.”
“Hm……”
Jeong In-ah fiddled with her hair.
“Fine. Where?”
“New Western place right up front. Supposedly amazing. Cheap too.”
“Ooh, sounds good. Wanted to try it.”
“Do Seon-woo, you in?”
Gu Jun-hyeok slammed my book shut. Quit studying, answer.
Living alone, early home meant reading or pointless chats with Legba. Better to eat together.
“Yeah, let's go.”
“Eat and split? Or hang after?”
Gu Jun-hyeok asked expectantly, fatigue gone. He preferred fun over study—like most kids this age.
Unlike excited Gu Jun-hyeok, Jeong In-ah was still drained, yawning nonstop before replying.
“Super tired today. Just eat and split.”
“Told ya, at least four hours. Fine, eat and go.”
Gu Jun-hyeok looked disappointed.
First period started amid chatter. No practicals—all theory or self-study. I crammed for exams in the gaps.
Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok just slept.
Soon, 11:30 as planned, classes ended.
“Probably normal tomorrow. Rest today. Be on time.”
With Yu Jeong-hak's curt closing, kids grabbed bags and poured out.
Lethargic all morning, Gu Jun-hyeok and Jeong In-ah perked up instantly.
Like scripted, they converged on me.
“Do Seon-woo, let's go eat.”
“Sure.”
“Ease up studying. That's why Jeong In-ah calls you annoying.”
“Hey! When'd I say that? Wanna die?”
They bickered as usual. I packed my book, stood.
Their banter continued down the hall.
“Kids.”
Someone called from behind. We turned.
Bae Seong-hyeon. His gang laughed noisily beside him.
“Going for lunch? Come with.”
“Huh? With you guys? Why?”
Jeong In-ah asked bluntly, unusually direct—fatigue making her unfiltered.
Bae Seong-hyeon frowned but forced a smile.
“Told you before. Just wanna get friendly.”
“Eh, don't wanna. You paying?”
Jeong In-ah grimaced.
“Obviously. Good stuff lately.”
Bae Seong-hyeon grinned smugly.
“……Fine?”
“Duh, free meal? Let's go.”
Jeong In-ah tilted her head skeptically; Gu Jun-hyeok's eyes sparkled, urging Bae Seong-hyeon.
Bae Seong-hyeon smiled satisfied, leading his gang past us.
His rep aside, free food? No reason to refuse. Eat and ditch—no loss.
I followed silently.
“Gotta go expensive. No exceptions.”
Gu Jun-hyeok muttered to himself.
“Don't they feel lame mobbing like that?”
Jeong In-ah glared sharply.
*
We arrived at the restaurant per Bae Seong-hyeon's lead.
Seated, Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok scanned menus sternly. Their faces soon stiffened.
“Bug? Extra zero?”
Gu Jun-hyeok gaped at prices. Jeong In-ah's mouth hung open, speechless in shock.
Bae Seong-hyeon had brought us to a fine dining spot somewhat far from Florence. Italian theme. Per person: base 200,000 won, up to 400,000.
No place for students—unless dBP chairman's son Bae Seong-hyeon.
“First time here? Can't pick? I'll order.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Unable to choose, they handed it to him.
Bae Seong-hyeon summoned the waiter, ordering fluently. Frequent visitor vibe.
“Oh, Do Seon-woo. Ordered for you too. Cool?”
“Fine.”
“Yeah, you'd have no clue anyway.”
Bae Seong-hyeon smirked.
'No clue anyway.' Obvious dig.
Didn't bother me. He was paying, ignore or not.
Food arrived: appetizers, soup, fish, mains. All exquisite taste and plating.
Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok poked tentatively with fork and knife, deflated. I felt tense watching.
“Not how you eat it.”
Mid-dessert, Bae Seong-hyeon pointed his knife at me.
“Huh? What.”
“Scoop syrup separate. Not mix. Italians slap you for mixing.”
“Ah, thanks.”
He critiqued etiquette. I smiled.
Whole point of inviting us: flaunt wealth, teach manners, feel superior. Classic Bae Seong-hyeon.
I ate syrup straight as advised. No real taste difference.
“Nitpicking nothing. Eat how you want. Lame. Showing off money……”
Jeong In-ah muttered beside me, too quiet for Bae Seong-hyeon. Wanted to speak but lacked guts—timid grumble.
Post-meal, rising, Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok looked gloomier.
“Feels worse now.”
“Yeah. But food was good.”
Gu Jun-hyeok beamed satisfied. Jeong In-ah shot him an incredulous look.
Bae Seong-hyeon paid at counter; gang yammered loudly. Staff eyed them annoyed, ignored.
Then, Bae Seong-hyeon pulled his card triumphantly—face froze.
“……Card's blocked?”
“Yes. Other cards?”
Waiter smiled professionally.
Bae Seong-hyeon fumbled wallet. Just cash, transit card, student ID—no others.
“W-wait.”
Phoned someone. Guessed: Bae Jeong-hwan.
“Dad, card blocked. What? Short day, Mom woke, just treating kids. Not overspending, yeah. Not backtalk. Sigh? No, just outta breath……”
Strutting before us, kid before dad. Fumbling on call, hung up dazed—dad cut it.
“Ah.”
Bae Seong-hyeon sighed, head down.
Air iced. Even smiling staff stony.
Dine-and-dash arrest incoming.
“Pay with this then.”
No choice, offered my card. Not really mine.
Waiter swiped, eyes widened shocked.
“Payment complete! Parking voucher?”
“No.”
No car, no license.
“Understood. Thanks for visiting. Safe trip.”
Waiter bowed politely.
Others gawked, frozen.
“What. Let's go.”
Urged the stiff bunch. They shuffled out, glancing awkwardly/shocked.
Exiting, Jeong In-ah sidled up, worried whisper.
“You okay? That was a ton.”
“Probably.”
“'Probably'? Y-you sure?”
Of course. Not my money—Bae Jeong-hwan's card for me. Basically Bae Seong-hyeon's tab.
“Seong-hyeon, say thanks to Seon-woo~”
“……”
Bae Seong-hyeon trudged head down; Gu Jun-hyeok teased.
Figured punch incoming, but Bae Seong-hyeon meek. Card shock sapped fight.
His card block? Maybe my fault indirectly. Felt a tiny bit sorry. Tiny.
*
1. The Purification Clan bearing the Seong (聖) surname is born with Purification Blood across generations. Members of the clan are hereafter called the "clan."
2. Those with Purification Blood are immune to all impurities, including curses, spells, and demonic energy.
3. Extremely rarely, those outside the clan are born with Purification Blood. They are called "fated ones."
4. Romantic and marital partners for the clan must be fated ones only. Relationships or marriage with others are strictly forbidden.
5. Upon childbirth, the child's surname must be Seong (聖).
6. These articles aim to prevent the clan's blood, which has guarded the Pope for generations, from mixing with lesser bloodlines.
Back early to dorms thanks to short classes, Seong Ha-yeon mulled the demon practical results.
Team 100 dominated first; her Team 32: 19th. Not bad, but unsatisfying.
Plan: betray Team 100 for first. But Do Seon-woo stayed conscious in demonic mist—plans ruined.
She'd fainted instead. Shocked seeing him emerge from fog.
How's a human look like that?
Seong Ha-yeon recalled his last sight before blackout: expressionless, deep void eyes staring.
Not human. Pure demon.
“Ugh.”
Dwelling soured her mood. Time for hobby to forget.
Dorm corner bookshelf drawer. Third slot, lift false bottom. Reveals a book.
Hidden with double bottom: shojo manga.
“Oh.”
She gasped at protagonists' rendezvous. Male lead perfect in looks, personality. Female too. Their romance idyllic, fantastical.
Hence, starkly unreal.
Slam!
Irritated, she shut it, flopped on bed, face in pillow.
Why him of all people.
Seong Ha-yeon's body slumped.
From Purification Clan. Born with Purification Blood.
Clan: high clergy guarding Popes, amassed wealth/honor generations.
Some mock: easy life from good blood. But duties heavy.
“……”
She pulled her ever-present notebook, opened.
From father: clan's creed/duties. (Styled above)
“Ha.”
Re-reading, she sighed.
Summary: can't choose love/marriage partner—only fated ones.
Can't date/marry desired; must stranger. Chilling.
But Do Seon-woo seems fated with Purification Blood. Biggest issue, her despair source.
Practical: withstood Kim Ra-hee's blessing, demonic mist unscathed. Impossible sans Purification Blood.
“Why him. Why.”
She vented frustration muttering.
Last/only heir. Must find fated, marry, continue line.
But him?
Didn't crave manga-perfect man. But close.
To her, Do Seon-woo fell short. Not handsome, not nice.
“Tch.”
Flung notebook in anger.
Quit, stay single? Feared elders/family scolding.
Wait, no rush to meet now, right?
Brilliant idea struck.
No need date/marry now. Someday yes, but not yet.
Nothing appealing looks/personality—meet when wanted.
When lonely or needs loyal subordinate.
Then fine. Perfect her wouldn't be refused by him.
Anyway, no marriage/dating now. Delay Do Seon-woo max.
“Ha.”
Still glum. Reopened manga, lost in ideals/fantasies beyond.
(Continued next chapter)