Under Surveillance
Bang! My body soared through the air. Moments later, a dull thud rang out, and my vision blurred into darkness before clearing to reveal the ceiling of the Holy Training Ground. I'd tried to attack, only for Mun Yo-seop to grab my arm and slam me face-first into the ground. And this was what—my tenth time already? I couldn't remember exactly, but it felt like we'd repeated this at least that many times.
"That's enough for now. Here, let me help you up."
Mun Yo-seop extended a hand to me as I lay there sprawled out. I grabbed it and pulled myself to my feet.
"That was really fun after so long. We were evenly matched, almost."
"I... no, I enjoyed it too."
I swallowed my frustration and barely managed a response. He'd called it even, but that was far from the truth. Throughout our entire spar, Mun Yo-seop had clearly been going easy on me. He never once fought with full effort—just dodged or blocked my attacks and countered lightly. If he'd gone all out, I wouldn't have lasted even a minute before getting crushed.
[Bosu is indignant!]
[He's not someone you could beat. That martial art he uses...]
[We could have won for sure! There were clear openings in his movements...!]
Bosu and Legba's voices alternated in my head. This wasn't the time to respond, so I ignored them. I hadn't really expected to win outright, but I never imagined the gap would be this wide. Mun Yo-seop's movements made even Bosu's power look underwhelming—they were utterly bizarre. There had to be some rules governing them, but they seemed so chaotic and unstructured that I couldn't predict a thing. I had no idea what style it was, but part of me wanted to learn it if possible.
"That martial art you're using—"
"Hold on. You know those two over there?"
Mun Yo-seop cut me off mid-question and nodded toward the two figures standing by the training ground's main entrance. It was Kim Jin-seo and So Do-jin. I nodded.
"Yeah, I know them."
"Both of them?"
"Yes."
"Good, that avoids any awkward misunderstandings."
With that, Mun Yo-seop stepped down from the sparring area and headed toward them with steady footsteps. I followed a beat behind.
So Do-jin stared at us blankly, as if lost in a trance, before snapping back and taking a cautious step back, his eyes narrowing warily on Mun Yo-seop.
"...Who are you?"
Mun Yo-seop offered a handshake like he'd been waiting for it.
"Mun Yo-seop, heretic inquisitor with the Central Knight Order. You're from the Trinita Crusaders, right? I've seen you there. Your name is..."
"So Do-jin. It's an honor you remember."
Only after hearing Mun Yo-seop's affiliation did So Do-jin relax his guard. He bowed politely and accepted the handshake. When they pulled apart, red hand-shaped marks lingered on the backs of both their hands.
Mun Yo-seop glanced back and forth between me and Kim Jin-seo before turning to So Do-jin.
"You smoke, don't you? I can smell it."
"Ah... Yes, I do."
So Do-jin shot a quick glance at Kim Jin-seo as he answered. Mun Yo-seop smiled.
"Lucky break, then. These two kids look uncomfortable with us around—let's step out for a bit. You can have one while we're at it."
"Understood."
And with that, the two of them left.
Now alone with Kim Jin-seo, I pulled the missionary trip consent form from my pocket. It was a bit crumpled from the unplanned spar with Mun Yo-seop, but oh well. I smoothed it out as best I could and handed it over.
"...What's this?"
She blinked in confusion.
"Extra consent form for the missionary trip. Sign it and turn it in to Teacher Ha Ye-jin by tomorrow."
"Missionary trip..."
"Where were you? You weren't in class."
I dragged over a chair from the corner of the training ground and sat, exhaling roughly. The fatigue I hadn't noticed during the spar was hitting me all at once now. Suppressed senses like touch were a real pain—my body didn't warn me when I was pushing too hard.
Kim Jin-seo skimmed the form and answered my question.
"Working out."
"You only show up when you feel like it."
"Prepping for practicals."
She sounded a little annoyed as she folded the form in half and pocketed it.
"If it was that important, call me. I'd have come."
"I did. You didn't pick up."
"...Really?"
She looked flustered, avoiding my eyes before flashing a mischievous smile.
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Waiting for what?"
"Me."
"What answer you hoping for?"
Her smile vanished as she narrowed her eyes at me.
"...That's up to you."
"You want a specific one, don't you?"
"No."
I grinned and stalled, and she furrowed her brow like she was getting irritated.
"Quit messing around and just answer."
"Yeah, I was. That's why I called."
"...Smooth talker."
"What kind of answer do you even want?"
Her snide remark left me chuckling in disbelief for a moment. Silence fell between us. Kim Jin-seo met my gaze, then looked away when our eyes locked, only to glance back when I turned aside. She seemed like she had something to say but was hesitating.
"Something on your mind?"
"...Yeah."
She nodded like she'd been waiting.
"Thought we could spar. Prep for practicals too."
"With me?"
"Yeah."
I hesitated before answering.
"Uh... pass?"
*
"Here, take one."
Mun Yo-seop offered So Do-jin a cigarette. So Do-jin accepted it politely but couldn't bring himself to light it. It had been years since he quit, and the idea didn't sit right.
Mun Yo-seop lit his own and spoke up.
"No need to force it. How long since you quit?"
"...How did you know?"
So Do-jin blurted in surprise. Mun Yo-seop chuckled and took a drag.
"A true nonsmoker fumbles even holding it. Ex-smokers grip it fine but hesitate to put it to their lips."
"..."
So Do-jin stared at him, unable to hide his shock. Mun Yo-seop exhaled smoke.
"That girl who came with you—she's Director Kim Chang-won's daughter, right?"
"Ah, yes... she is. How did you—"
"I smelled cigarettes on her. Exactly like the ones Kim Chang-won smoked. Kids take after their parents."
"...Impressive observation."
"Gotta be, in my line of work."
Mun Yo-seop took another drag, burning half the cigarette, then spoke again.
"Florence still bans dating?"
"On paper, yeah. Nobody really follows it, though..."
"Still so outdated. Or maybe good for the students—humans love the thrill of breaking taboos."
Was that something a cleric should say? So Do-jin felt a twinge of doubt. Mun Yo-seop didn't seem evil, but hardly saintly either. Definitely weird, though.
Mun Yo-seop finished his first cigarette, lit a second, and silence settled. So Do-jin seized the moment.
"Your martial art seems unique, Inquisitor. Does it have a name...?"
"Nasil. No need to beat around the bush."
Mun Yo-seop saw right through him. Before So Do-jin could recover, he continued.
"Makes sense you'd wonder. No way to learn it these days. Looks like you want to."
"If I'm worthy... yes."
Nasil was history's most brutal and violent martial art—and thus the most powerful. But with its final successor vanishing, it was fading into legend. So Do-jin had scoured fragments and texts, grasping only its traits, never mastering it. To him, it was a dream unrealized. He'd learn it here if he could.
But Mun Yo-seop shook his head firmly.
"Sorry, I can't teach it. Not you—me who's unworthy. My apologies."
"No, of course... then..."
Then where, from whom? So Do-jin wanted to ask but held back. He'd seen Mun Yo-seop's face harden terrifyingly at the mention of Nasil. Pushing further felt rude.
Mun Yo-seop smoked both cigarettes in quick succession, tossed the butts, and ground them out with his heel. He brushed off his clothes like shaking off the scent.
"Student Do Seon-woo seems close with Kim Chang-won's daughter. Am I right?"
"..."
So Do-jin tilted his head thoughtfully. He didn't usually pay attention, but yeah—Kim Jin-seo only really talked to Do Seon-woo among the guys. Do Seon-woo was friendly with everyone, but he met her most often.
"Yeah, seems so."
Mun Yo-seop smiled.
"Good. I'd like her contact info. Can you give it?"
"...Pardon?"
So Do-jin blinked in shock. It was sudden, and the intent unclear. What did a heretic inquisitor want with a Florence girl's number? Not personal, surely—but Mun Yo-seop was an unknown.
Mun Yo-seop scowled, sensing the suspicion.
"I wasn't gonna say since you didn't ask, but your face says I should. I'm here to surveil Do Seon-woo."
"..."
"Legal, official, by papal decree. And for that, I need her help."
He clasped his hands behind his back, leaning forward with his head cocked, looking up at So Do-jin.
"That clear enough? I hate repeating myself."