Two Hostages in Hand
With this, Team Paladin-D now had two hostages in tow. Seong Ha-yeon from the Priest Division and Han Su-ryeon from the Holy Knight Division. Both were talents so vital to their divisions that no one could argue otherwise. Negotiating with them would net us a hefty haul of tokens. Not a bad start, all things considered.
The real problem was whether we could wrap up this practical exam without a hitch. If the demon species buried underground clawed its way to the surface and caused chaos, the exam might get cut short or postponed entirely. Then all our hostages and tokens would mean jack shit. A delay would screw over the missionary trip schedule too, maybe even wipe it out. That was one thing I had to prevent at all costs.
"Do Seon-woo!"
Kang Dae-man's booming voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Even at a glance, he looked pretty banged up, but his voice still packed a punch like always.
"Don't yell so loud. Hurts my ears."
"Got it, I'll keep it down next time. So, what's the next plan!"
Kang Dae-man was riding high after the fight, his voice still way too loud despite my warning. I gave up and opened my mouth.
"From here on out... just wander around. Snag tokens from any clerics you spot."
"That's it? What about the hostages?"
"We'll just keep 'em with us for now."
Negotiations worked best when timed right. Hostage value dropped the longer you waited. But jumping the gun too early was no good either. It peaked right when they realized how badly missing one teammate threw off their exam. That's when we'd make the deal.
"Kang Dae-man."
As we stepped out of the cathedral and hit the road, I called out to him.
"What's up?"
"I'm going solo again from here. Plan's not over yet."
Kang Dae-man looked disappointed at my words.
"...Figured you wouldn't tell me what it is anyway."
"Yeah."
"I'll trust you. Go on—I'll handle explaining to the team."
He glanced at my left hand as he spoke. Probably eyeing the wound from using Granbwa's power earlier. I met his gaze, nodded, and peeled off from the group.
The exam grounds still hid that demon species. No way could I let it crawl up to the surface unchecked while everyone played pretend exam. With Preservation's power still lingering in my body, I dashed around the site, scouting every nook.
That's when I spotted a two-story building wrapped in vines. No clerics or students nearby. Perfect spot to hole up.
"Haa... this is kicking my ass."
I caught my breath inside. Even after the Intoxication Spell, exhaustion weighed heavy in every muscle. Too much built-up fatigue for one spell to erase. I considered popping another but held off. Pushing it with more spells was asking for trouble.
[At least you're not a complete fool to the end.]
Legba snorted in my head.
"Granbwa."
I ignored him and summoned Granbwa instead. A faint voice echoed in my mind—not speaking, just hesitating to respond. After some hemming and hawing, it finally piped up.
Again?
"Yeah, just once more."
Your body's gonna break...
I didn't answer, just pulled out the bone dust jar and shook it. Not much left, but enough for one Vèvè. Granbwa sighed at the sight.
No use talking sense into you, huh?
"Probably not?"
Sigh... do what you want, then.
Reluctantly, Granbwa lent me its power. I dragged a vine through the window and touched it with my fingertip. My consciousness flowed down the vine, into the soil, and out to every plant on the surface—like ink spreading or spiderwebs branching. Through weeds, flowers, trees, and roots, I hunted for the demon.
Finding it was easy. Every plant above and below ground served as my eyes.
"..."
The issue? The demon wasn't underground anymore.
It had finally crawled to the surface. Towering there, it looked far bigger and more menacing than when it huddled below.
And in front of it, two figures trembled in terror.
Kim Jin-seo. And that nameless kid from before.
For some reason, the demon wasn't attacking them. It crouched low, head tilted as if speaking to them, mouth moving.
No clue what game it was playing. That made it all the more terrifying.
I memorized its position and cut off Granbwa's power. Consciousness snapped back to me in a rush. Dizziness hit, vision blacking out. Blood poured from my nose and mouth.
Side effects hit tenfold from yanking the power mid-use with no prep.
Shwaaak—!
No time to rest. I uncorked the jar, dumped bone dust, and drew the Vèvè. I'd already decided which Loa.
You can't just cut off like that! Are you insane?!
"On purpose."
I brushed off Granbwa's outburst, dripping blood from nose and mouth onto the Vèvè. The meaningless pattern gained purpose with the prophet's blood. Purple glow traced its lines—not bright, but unyielding. Faint as if it might flicker out, yet it never did. A light true to Voodoo's essence.
I closed my eyes and prayed. In the pitch black, the Vèvè's glow rose like a guide.
"Called me, little one?"
Prayer done, the summoned Loa's voice filled my head. Cool yet strangely warm. Sweet, soft, seductive—a woman's voice that made my mind reel just hearing it.
Hallucinations bloomed in the dark. Hundreds of snakes slithered up my body. Their scales chilled and stuck to my skin, tickling disgustingly. I fought to stay conscious and spoke.
"Damballa, Loa of snakes."
Yeah, sure. After so long, what do you want?
Resentment laced her tone.
"...I know it's shameless, but I need your help."
A massive snake appeared in the vision, flicking its tongue over my face. It slipped under my clothes, licking every inch of skin. Cold, sticky, revolting sensations piled on. Satisfied at last, it withdrew.
I'll always help you gladly, little one.
Like always... for a price.
"..."
I nodded silently.
*
"Jin-seo... your name is Jin-seo..."
The demon's chilling voice and breath grazed her ear. Kim Jin-seo shuddered.
Twelve years ago, the day her mother fell to a demon species. She'd longed for this moment, vowing countless times to cleave the damned thing with her own blade and avenge her.
And now, face-to-face with her mother's killer.
But no rage stirred. Not even the drive for revenge.
Just terror. Selfish, futile urges to flee, to live. She wished someone would save her, free her from this crushing fear.
Revulsion hit her—whether at the demon or her own cowardice, she couldn't tell.
"..."
She snapped to when she felt the kid in her arms trembling. She couldn't wait forever for rescue. She hadn't clawed her way into Florence to scrape by on others' charity.
A holy knight—a cleric—couldn't beg for help. They had to be the help.
"Get up slow."
She whispered in the kid's ear.
"...Run and get the teachers. I can buy time."
"..."
"It's me they want anyway. You'll... you'll be fine."
All lies. She couldn't buy shit—surviving would be a win. No clue what the demon wanted. Just words to calm the kid.
But that last bit? Truth. She'd take any hit meant for the kid.
Dead or alive, she'd cling to its leg if needed to let the kid escape.
"Hic... snff..."
The kid rose with a whimpering sob. As expected, the demon ignored them, fixated on her. The kid crept out of the pit, then bolted—glancing back at her over and over.
Our Father in heaven.
Kim Jin-seo smiled, watching. Once the kid was clear, she sprang up.
"Run, you idiot!"
The kid startled, eyes wide, then tore off bawling.
Hallowed be thy name.
Locking eyes with the demon, she backed away, widening the gap. It crouched, slowly raising its head, tracking her.
"You... Jin-seo. Kim Jin-seo."
"Yeah."
She smirked, gripping her weapon—a flimsy whip issued to her Priest Division team. Useless for real damage, not even a scratch on a demon. Far from enough.
But she'd make it enough.
No running now. And she wouldn't anyway.
Thy kingdom come.
"Come at me, you dog bastard."
Tears of fear rimmed her red eyes. But a smile curved her lips.
Amen.
(To be continued in the next chapter)