Do Seon-woo Speaks to Mun Yo-seop
Do Seon-woo had told Mun Yo-seop to investigate whether there were any suspicious figures in the Central Knight Order. He spoke as if he already knew there was someone dubious lurking there. To Mun Yo-seop, a heretic inquisitor affiliated with the Central Knight Order, those words were deeply uncomfortable. Do Seon-woo was doubting the organization Mun Yo-seop belonged to without any evidence or reason.
Yet Mun Yo-seop decided to trust Do Seon-woo, just this once. He didn't fully trust the Central Knight Order himself, after all. Knights and inquisitors under the Central Knight Order received all mission details through the order's channels. Strangely enough, every time they deployed, it felt like the enemies had already pierced through their plans. They'd let hordes of demons and magical beasts slip away as a result. Rumors even swirled among the ranks that operational secrets were leaking to spies outside. The circumstances made it hard to dismiss as mere gossip. There was just no concrete proof.
Mun Yo-seop decided to place his hopes on this. Maybe this time, we can uncover who the spy in the Central Knight Order is.
"The Florence practical exam, you know. I heard they're renting a small island near the Kang River for it."
"Ah, the practical exam? Looks like they're borrowing a mountain in Gangwon Province."
He casually leaked information about the exam location to a few knights he suspected. To some, he mentioned an island; to others, a mountain. Then he stationed clerics in both areas and prepared for battle. As an archbishop, Mun Yo-seop couldn't command a cardinal's army. So he carefully selected and assembled his fighters. Fortunately, he had a good eye for talent and placed the right people in the right spots.
And on the day of the exam, right after it ended, Mun Yo-seop received a call from one of his subordinates.
"Inquisitor! Demons and magical beasts appeared in droves on the island you mentioned—we've exterminated them all per the plan!"
"Droves, huh? How many exactly?"
"We're still tallying the corpses, but at least 500 or more!"
"......Right. Any casualties?"
"About fifteen injured, but nothing serious. The healing priests on site handled emergency care......"
"Good. That's all—get back to work."
Mun Yo-seop hung up. It was good news. They'd taken down a massive number of demons and magical beasts without a single death. A mission he'd personally commanded had succeeded. Slaying over 500 demons and beasts was the sort of feat that warranted direct commendation from the Papal Office. But Mun Yo-seop didn't smile. He couldn't. The operation's success meant there was a spy in the Central Knight Order—or at least in a closely allied group. So how had Do Seon-woo known to make that request? Where had he gotten that intel? Mun Yo-seop was purely curious about the source. He had no doubts. He was the type who couldn't rest until he uncovered any unknown.
"What's your relationship with Do Seon-woo?"
That was why he'd suddenly asked Kim Jin-seo. She and Do Seon-woo seemed close, even at a glance. Her eyes, her expressions, her tone—all gave it away. Mun Yo-seop planned to use her to dig up info on Do Seon-woo.
"Uh...... Pardon?"
Kim Jin-seo looked blatantly flustered. The stoic girl who'd barely changed expression while discussing demons was thrown off—that confirmed Mun Yo-seop's hunch to some degree. Not that close yet, but definitely more than ordinary friends.
Mun Yo-seop had already made his judgment. He waved it off and spoke.
"My apologies—could be misunderstood. I just meant, are you close with him?"
"......Yes, we're close."
She didn't know how Do Seon-woo would feel about that label, but it fit. Saying otherwise would feel off, anyway. Whether "close" fully captured it was another question.
"I see. Then, have you ever sensed anything off about Do Seon-woo?"
Mun Yo-seop nodded gravely, his face turning serious.
Kim Jin-seo tilted her head, not grasping the intent. Mun Yo-seop dropped his gaze to the floor as if pondering, then took a deep breath like he'd made up his mind.
"Like he's hiding something. Or dodges certain topics. Given you an impression he's keeping secrets?"
"......"
Kim Jin-seo couldn't answer. It had happened more than once or twice. She knew so little about him because he rarely opened up.
Mun Yo-seop watched her face, then nodded.
"Sounds like it's happened plenty. Makes sense."
"......What do you mean?"
"First things first. I'm protecting—and watching—Do Seon-woo."
Mun Yo-seop continued without a twitch.
"Protection's because he's a Satanist target. As you know, he's the only Florence student who's seen their faces up close."
"......"
"He's capable enough to threaten them, too...... Anyway. The surveillance is because of his family."
He stopped there. No lengthy explanation on the surveillance—just enough to pique interest. That would serve his goal better.
Kim Jin-seo waited for him to continue, but when he didn't, she spoke first.
"His family?"
"Yes, family. Not sure if I should say......"
Mun Yo-seop paused dramatically. Phrases like "not sure if I should" carried power—they made sensitive topics irresistible to the listener. As expected, Kim Jin-seo was hooked, hanging on his words.
"......One of his relatives is a cultist. On the run, off the grid. Papal Office has a warrant out. So I'm stuck watching Do Seon-woo by necessity."
"......"
Kim Jin-seo was too stunned to respond. She stared blankly at Mun Yo-seop for a long moment before snapping out of it.
"He can't be a cultist. And relatives aren't that close......"
"Exactly. Do you think Do Seon-woo could be one?"
Mun Yo-seop cut her off seamlessly.
"You're right. Distant relatives aren't intimate. But as long as contact's possible, we have to watch."
"......"
"Worse, intel says the relative's a Satanist...... For Do Seon-woo's sake, surveillance is best. Satanists sacrifice family lives without blinking if it suits their goals."
Kim Jin-seo fell silent. Her already pale face drained white. Anxiety sprouted in her heart, blooming uncontrollably. It wouldn't fade until she saw Do Seon-woo herself.
But it was all a lie—no cultists among his kin. Mun Yo-seop had amplified her unease deliberately, to destabilize her psyche. Easier to persuade that way.
Observing her expressions, gestures, and tone, he timed his next words perfectly.
"So, I have a request—and a favor—to ask of you."
*
Kang Ji-a had gone to the market briefly that morning, then stayed in the worship hall all day. She made simple meals, then studied in her spare time. Religion, pharmacology, military strategy, politics—no field was off-limits. She steadily built her knowledge and wisdom. When the time came, she tended to Jeong Yun-ah, now a zombie. Bathing her, feeding her—mundane, scattered tasks.
"There, good girl."
"......"
Kang Ji-a spoke to her persistently, knowing no reply would come. At first, Jeong Yun-ah was violent and hard to handle, but eventually she obeyed meekly. She must've been such a sweet girl before, Kang Ji-a thought. Jeong Yun-ah's pallid, bloodless face and gaunt, skeletal frame tugged at her heart. I hope she sees sunlight soon.
As evening fell, she prepared dinner. No need for elaborate cooking today—the cult leader wasn't coming. Come to think of it, today was his practical exam. I hope it went well. Maybe casually suggest he visit the worship hall this weekend when she asked about results.
Slice, slice, slice......
"......"
Chopping vegetables, Kang Ji-a suddenly thought of Do Seon-woo. He'd terrified her at first—not the man himself, but the fear he wouldn't accept her as a Voodooist. She'd risked everything to prove her worth. Looking back, it was foolish. Do Seon-woo didn't judge others' value. He never abused his cult leader authority; if anything, he shouldered more responsibility alone because of it. Sometimes he even seemed childlike. He was young, after all.
Clink.
"Ah."
As cooking wrapped up, the worship hall door opened. The way it creaked—that was the cult leader. Do Seon-woo and Lee Jin-seong opened the locked door differently; Kang Ji-a could tell by sound alone. Why's he here? He should be at the dorm. Tired after the exam, wants to rest easy? Unexpected, but welcome. She stepped out to greet him.
Do Seon-woo stared at her with wide eyes.
"Cult leader, how'd the exam—"
"Noona."
Her friendly greeting cut short. Do Seon-woo grabbed her shoulders roughly and bowed his head. Gasping desperately, he lifted it again. His face was ashen, lips bloodless. Bloodshot eyes looked ready to weep crimson. His grip trembled with excess force; her shoulders ached like they might crumble.
Something was wrong. This was the most anxious she'd ever seen him.
"Ah, it hurts. I get it's urgent, but could you let go first?"
Playing it casual, Kang Ji-a shook off his hands. Unaware of his crisis, her own anxiety stirred. But she hid it, forcing calm.
Do Seon-woo released her hastily.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you......"
"I know. It's fine."
Kang Ji-a flashed a bright smile—to reassure him.
Do Seon-woo stared blankly, then snapped to, pointing to his room with trembling fingers.
"Noona, go in there for a bit. Don't come out. Don't make a sound."
"......"
"I know it's confusing, but please—just this once."
Kang Ji-a looked at him. Still anxious, but better than before. He'd regained some reason.
She smiled faintly.
"Want me to tidy up while I'm in?"
"......Sorry."
Do Seon-woo smiled briefly, then looked down bitterly.
Kang Ji-a bowed and hurried into his room. She didn't know why he'd come or why he was so rattled. But she wouldn't pry—not now. It felt right, and she trusted he'd explain in time.
His room had been empty long enough for dust to gather everywhere. With practiced hands, she cleaned. Wiping dust, pulling stray notebooks from under furniture and shelving them.
"......"
Then she spotted an odd notebook. Every page crammed with red-ink scribbles or drawings—indecipherable.
(To be continued next time)