The Inquisitor's Leverage
Ha Ye-jin glanced at me furtively, all the while keeping a wary eye on Mun Yo-seop. Somehow, her gaze carried a hint of resentment toward me.
"I was thinking of taking a look around the academy, but I don't have a proper guide. Mind showing me around? What do you say?"
"……."
"Even if you say no, I'm dragging you along anyway! Let's go."
I didn't want to, but seeing Ha Ye-jin's expression, I had no choice but to follow. Refusing Mun Yo-seop's request here would only put her and the other teachers in a tough spot.
I gave Ha Ye-jin a quick bow and left the staff room with Mun Yo-seop.
"Beautiful weather today. Staying cooped up in a classroom on a day like this is a real shame. People need sunlight to stay healthy, you know."
Mun Yo-seop struck up small talk the moment we stepped outside.
"Yeah, sure. But what brings you here?"
I gave a vague reply before tossing out my question. It wasn't intentional, but my tone came out a bit aggressive. Still, Mun Yo-seop didn't seem to mind. He just smiled faintly and glanced at my wrist before speaking.
"Follow-up investigation on that incident from before. Thought I'd drop by and see your face while I was at it. But don't you wear a watch?"
"You mean the one you gave me last time?"
"Yeah. Wear it around and show it off to your friends. It's expensive enough to brag about."
"Why would I brag about taking a bribe?"
"Hey now... Call it a gift, not a bribe."
He said it with a laugh. I'd meant it as a jab, but it didn't seem to faze him. Was he just used to handing out bribes, or did he genuinely see it as a gift? I decided to ask about something that had been nagging at me.
"...But is this really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"The bribe. I'm just a student, so even if I get caught, I don't have much to lose. But you're an inquisitor—you've got a lot on the line."
"You're right, I do. If I'm tied to a bribery scandal, best case is suspension; worst case, dismissal... But aren't you in a similar boat?"
Similar? Before I could question it, he continued nonchalantly.
"Why did you decide to become a cleric?"
"……."
"From what I see, you seem like you have some mission you want to accomplish as a cleric. Not sure if I'm right, though."
He said it while eyeing me with narrowed eyes, studying me like a specimen.
A mission to accomplish as a cleric. Yes, I do. Becoming a cleric is just a gateway to fulfilling that mission for me. Mun Yo-seop had pierced right through it. Guess an inquisitor's insight didn't fade even if they were rotten.
"Yeah, you're spot on."
I nodded in agreement. He smiled, satisfied, and spoke up.
"I've got a lot to lose, and you've got a lot you haven't achieved yet. If bribery charges stick, we'd both suffer different kinds of losses. We've each got a card that could bring the other down."
"……."
"You could rat me out if you wanted, but it'd come with risks. Do you hate me enough to take that hit?"
"Not yet."
"Exactly. 'Not yet.' You get it perfectly."
He nodded, grinning.
"Since there's a chance you'll turn me in, I have to make sure you don't hate me. Same goes the other way. The bribe gives us a reason to respect each other."
"Respect... Somehow that feels like just lip service."
"Isn't our relationship basically business? Respect stops at business too."
Was he right? Hard to say. For once, it felt like I was the one trying to rein him in. I changed the subject to break the flow.
"Anyway, how long are we just gonna walk? No destination?"
"Oh, my bad. Forgot. Where's the Holy Training Ground? Been a while—I wanna check it out."
"Holy Training Ground? We're going the completely wrong way. Gotta turn back."
"Oh no. My knees are starting to ache already."
I turned toward the Holy Training Ground, and Mun Yo-seop followed a half-step behind. We walked in silence for a while before he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat beading on his forehead. He was still in his full uniform despite the heat.
"Did you know I'm an alum of Florence?"
I shook my head.
"Just found out."
"Really? Your reaction's awfully flat."
"Well..."
I hadn't been surprised when he mentioned it. I'd half-expected it. Most archbishops and higher were Florence grads, barring rare exceptions.
"You're the Charity Holy Mark holder, right?"
He said as he trudged along. Tall but not bulky, he had a scarecrow-like gait.
I nodded, and he continued.
"Does the Charity Holy Mark still let you use the Holy Training Ground freely? You know, for open sparring."
"Yeah, it does."
One perk of the Charity Holy Mark was free access to the Holy Training Ground for sparring. From the way he phrased it, he'd enjoyed the same back in his day.
"Nice. You making good use of it?"
"No."
"Why not? Might as well enjoy all the perks."
"No reason to spar, and no one to spar with."
He just nodded without replying. Soon we reached the Holy Training Ground. He let out a small gasp of admiration, scanning the building from top to bottom. A spark lit in his usually dry eyes—like he was reminiscing.
"It's changed a lot. Well, it was pretty outdated back then. Feels all new coming back."
"Alright, I'll head out then."
I bowed slightly to Mun Yo-seop, who was muttering to himself. Tour was over; time to get back to class. From what I'd seen so far, he was incredibly perceptive. No point sticking around.
"Nah, come in with me."
But he wouldn't let me leave. Swallowing my irritation, I spoke up.
"I think I've guided you plenty."
"I wanna spar with you... Am I taking too much of your time?"
"Yes."
I said it firmly. He clicked his tongue regretfully, then fixed me with a piercing stare from his sharp eyes. Then he chuckled.
"Fine, if you're that set against it. Makes sense you'd chicken out."
"...Chicken out?"
"You're just a lowly deacon, aren't you? You'd only get beat up in a spar, so refusing makes sense from your position."
"……."
Knowing his personality, he wouldn't say that without reason. He was probably provoking me, trying to scratch my pride until I had no choice but to spar. But even if I did, I couldn't win—and without voodoo or Loa powers, I couldn't even hold my own. Plus, I had no reason to fight him.
"Yeah, so I'm refusing."
"Natural for the weak to run from a fight they can't win. Next time you're scared, just say so straight up."
"……."
"Kids these days got no guts. Back in my time—"
"F-Fine, let's spar. But don't pull rank after I beat you."
"Of course. I'm not that petty."
As he said it, a pure, boyish excitement flickered in his steps—out of place for him—as we entered the Holy Training Ground. He looked up at the high ceiling and scanned the vast interior, his face lit with emotion.
"Still, sparring on equal terms might be tough. Better give you a handicap."
Shaking off his nostalgia, he wiped the smile from his face and spoke seriously.
"I'm fine. No handicap—just go at it."
"No, I'm not fine. Sparring a student without one would just make me a laughingstock with my friends."
He pondered, then continued.
"Alright, I won't use divine power. You can use it freely. That handicap enough?"
"Uh, well..."
I hesitated. My divine power was below Florence average. Him not using it wasn't a handicap—it was just evening the odds.
He furrowed his brow at my hesitation.
"What? Not enough? I can add more."
"No, it's... I suck at divine power."
"Hm?"
His brow furrowed deeper. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at me suspiciously.
"Then how'd you fight those Satanists? If you couldn't freely wield blessings, healing, miracle recreations—you couldn't survive against them."
"Ah, that was—"
"Pure hand-to-hand wouldn't cut it. Some black magic nullifies physical prowess. Divine power's essential against it... So how did you fight?"
His words came fast—like he sped up during interrogations. He was grilling me now. I racked my brain for an excuse, but nerves made it hard.
"...I can't use it normally, but against Satanists, it strangely worked better."
It was the best excuse I could muster. Mun Yo-seop's face twisted oddly.
(To be continued next time)