A Lingering Emptiness
Jeong In-ah sat in her seat, watching her friend's retreating back before opening her scripture again to read. But it wasn't really reading—she was just taking in the words with her eyes. Unable to focus at all, she closed the book and stared blankly into space.
"……."
It shouldn't have been something to overthink, but her mind was growing needlessly complicated. She couldn't pinpoint the problem. The exams had gone well, after all. She'd missed first place in the written test but taking second was still an incredible result. And she'd heard rumors that the priest division was likely to top the practical evaluations—though it was just hearsay, nothing confirmed.
Yet for some reason, she didn't feel good about it. There was this nagging sense that she'd overlooked something, a hollow, unsettled feeling.
What was it? Even as she pondered, the memory slipped further away.
Tap tap.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, ugh, you scared me! W-what?"
Someone tapped her shoulder, calling her name. Startled, Jeong In-ah let out a weird noise and jumped up from her seat, stumbling back. The one who'd called her was none other than Seong Ha-yeon. They weren't close, so Jeong In-ah felt flustered and a bit embarrassed.
"W-why? I mean, what?"
"Did Do Seon-woo not come to school today?"
Seong Ha-yeon cut straight to the point. Jeong In-ah focused less on why she was looking for him and more on how she addressed him. Seong Ha-yeon didn't usually call people she wasn't close to by their first names. When referring to Do Seon-woo, she'd always say "Do Seon-woo-ssi" with that odd formality. In situations where names weren't needed, she'd use "over there" or "that guy." But now, she was calling him just by name—and actively looking for him.
Were Do Seon-woo and Seong Ha-yeon that close? They both bore one of the Seven Holy Marks, so they probably crossed paths often on official business, but….
"……Did he come or not? Answer me."
"Oh… yeah, he said he's sick?"
"Him? He looked fine just the other da—"
Bang!
At that moment, a massive man burst through the back door. Seong Ha-yeon flinched at the noise, cutting herself off and shrinking back. She turned toward the door with a displeased expression, then started retreating in fear when she saw who it was.
It was Kang Dae-man, the hulking figure who'd entered. He scanned the room as if searching for someone, tilting his head and furrowing his brows in confusion. Jeong In-ah just stared at him, clueless.
"Oh."
Kang Dae-man spotted her and let out a short exclamation before approaching. His strides carried the oppressive presence of an advancing wall. He slammed his ridiculously massive arm onto her desk and spoke.
"Hey, did Do Seon-woo skip school today by any chance?"
"……Yeah, he said he's sick—"
"No way! This is bad!"
Jeong In-ah and Seong Ha-yeon both flinched at Kang Dae-man's booming voice. Realizing too late how loud he'd been, he covered his mouth in a gesture of apology.
"Sorry! Voice got too loud."
"No, it's fine……. But why Do Seon-woo? Everyone's looking for him today."
Jeong In-ah mustered a friendly smile and asked.
"Thought we'd hit the gym together! Exams are over, after all. Always wanted to work out with him once."
"Don't you usually go with Ma Yu-hyeon?"
Seong Ha-yeon, having put some distance between herself and Kang Dae-man, called out from afar. He nodded.
"Ma Yu-hyeon's absent too. Was gonna ask Seon-woo instead… Guess no workout buddy now."
"Call him then."
"Can't. Broke my phone working out last time. Seong Ha-yeon, could you call for me?"
"……Sure? But he doesn't pick up my calls much—"
"Really? Then just tell me what to say. I'll pass it on."
As Seong Ha-yeon and Kang Dae-man talked, Jeong In-ah cut in. With an awkward smile, she continued.
"He picks up my calls fine."
Seong Ha-yeon tilted her head, not quite grasping. Kang Dae-man looked blank, probably not thinking much—as usual.
Kang Dae-man grinned like it was perfect and spoke.
"Tell him to come to the school gym at lunch when he gets back!"
"Got it. What about you?"
Jeong In-ah nodded and turned to Seong Ha-yeon with a smile. Seong Ha-yeon finally caught on, her expression turning icy. She stared at Jeong In-ah for a few seconds, then smirked faintly.
"I'll tell him myself. Not like I don't have a phone, unlike some people."
"Oh? If it's urgent, passing it through me might be better."
"No?"
Seong Ha-yeon pressed on with a cold sneer.
"It's important. Better say it in person."
"Ah, okay."
Jeong In-ah replied innocently, as if puzzled by the sudden sharpness in her tone. Seong Ha-yeon gave her one last sweeping glance, then left the classroom without a greeting. Kang Dae-man watched her go, head tilted.
"Hmm, Seong Ha-yeon's in a bad mood today. Anyway, make sure to tell Do Seon-woo! Thanks!"
He gave Jeong In-ah a friendly wave and strode out just as he'd come in. She smiled back in farewell. As the classroom noise resumed after their intrusion, Jeong In-ah buried her face in her arms on the desk.
Wow.
Was I too cold just now……?
Jeong In-ah wallowed in regret, face down.
*
Ha Ye-jin walked side by side with Mun Yo-seop. He wore his usual serene expression, while hers was noticeably gaunt. After three straight days of no proper sleep while chasing leads with him, it was hardly surprising.
"……Do you always investigate like this?"
"Not always, of course."
Mun Yo-seop smiled and continued.
"Alone, it usually takes about a week. Having a partner speeds things up."
Ha Ye-jin was appalled. Three days felt like death; a whole week of this? She wondered if the man beside her was human or some finely crafted machine.
Well, she'd suspected he was no ordinary guy ever since seeing the books in his study.
"……Speaking of, where did you get all those books?"
Ha Ye-jin decided to ask what had been nagging at her. Most volumes in the study were about the Satanists. Some held info unavailable in stores, others penned by actual cultists. There were even their scriptures and holy texts.
Ways to awaken one's inner 'chakra,' wielding black magic with it, rituals to summon Satan, covens of 13 witches performing rites…. The content was vast. For Ha Ye-jin, who'd lived her whole life as a devout Romanica follower, just skimming them felt like it could drive her mad.
"What, interested in Satanism now? I can lend you one if you want."
"Pardon? No, absolutely not. I just…."
"It's fine. You can admit it honestly."
Mun Yo-seop continued with his smile intact.
"Setting aside their barbaric, blasphemous doctrines, their power is undeniably strong and alluring, isn't it?"
"……."
Ha Ye-jin fell silent, unable to respond easily. Reading those lines of blasphemy, songs praising Satan, black magic, astrology, profane rituals—she couldn't help thinking it. Maybe black magic was stronger than Romanica's divine power, blessings, and miracles.
Someone without deep faith might fall for the Satanists' temptations far too easily. Especially if they craved power, driven by ambition and desire for glory.
"I thought that way once too. That maybe living as a Satanist would be better than as a Romanica follower."
Mun Yo-seop went on.
"We have so much to uphold. The Ten Commandments, endless minor doctrines. We struggle to follow them all just to earn salvation. But the Satanists have no such rules. You've seen for yourself."
"Yes, their first doctrine is 'Do as you please'…."
"Sounds sweet at first glance. Logically, why toil for heaven when you could live freely and rule in hell? It's easy, rational."
Mun Yo-seop pulled out a cigarette but didn't light it, continuing as he bit down.
"But there's a fatal flaw in that doctrine. Even as a Satanist, do you really think you'd rule in hell?"
"……Probably not."
"Not probably—impossible. Hell gathers only those like Satanists, harming others for convenience. Just as they damage others for gain, others will destroy them for the harm received. Fail to see that contradiction, and you might fall into Satanism."
He fiddled with the stubble on his chin, forgetting to light up amid the talking.
"To catch Satanists, we must understand why they join. That's why I recommended those profane books to you."
"Ah…… But could you smoke over there?"
"……."
Mun Yo-seop tucked the unlit cigarette back into its case.
"You're right, it might hinder the investigation. Sensitive nose and all."
"Yes……."
"I'll smoke later. We're here anyway."
He pointed with his index finger to the flashy mansion at the alley's end. It belonged to his academy classmate, who handled Central Knight Order admin—a 'temperance' advocate who shunned alcohol for odd reasons but smoked cigarettes. The same friend who'd spread the false info that Florence practicals would be on Strong Quake Island.
"Hope this is the last stop. Otherwise, a few more days of this."
"……Yes."
Ha Ye-jin nodded, her face set with resolve and a touch of fear.
(To be continued next time)