The Scent of Black Magic
Mun Yo-seop ascended the luxuriously adorned staircase and pressed the doorbell without a hint of hesitation. Woof! Woof!Grrr... From beyond the closed front door came the sound of dogs barking. The ferocious, booming chorus made it easy to guess there were several mid-to-large breeds inside.
Ha Ye-jin waited eagerly for the door to open. She absolutely adored dogs.
Click. It swung open moments later.
"Ah, Mun Yo-seop? Long time no see. What brings you here unannounced?"
"Is this the first time I've dropped by without calling? I'm in the middle of an investigation and thought I'd seek your advice... whoa."
Woof! Woof!
Mun Yo-seop paused mid-sentence as he stepped outside to greet the dogs swarming him enthusiastically. Each one was massive, and even he struggled to keep up with their exuberant welcome.
Ha Ye-jin gently stroked the head of one that approached her.
Once the dogs' excitement died down, Mun Yo-seop spoke up.
"They're always so full of energy, no matter when I see them."
"Haha... I think they're a bit too energetic, myself. It's a hassle every time guests come over."
"I can imagine. But weren't there originally four? I remember five."
Mun Yo-seop slipped off his shoes, stowed them neatly in the cabinet, and stepped inside as he asked. Ha Ye-jin followed silently behind.
Mun Yo-seop's friend offered a wry smile in response.
"One died recently."
"Oh... that's a shame. It seemed healthy last time I saw it."
"Turned out it had been sick. It hid the pain out of loyalty to its owner. Such a foolishly devoted creature."
Listening to this, Ha Ye-jin felt a pang in her chest. She understood the dog's selfless heart—and the owner's mixed feelings in speaking ill of it despite everything.
Mun Yo-seop nodded slowly.
"I shouldn't have brought it up. You holding up okay?"
"What choice do I have if I'm not? Life goes on... Anyway, you said you needed advice on an investigation? Who's this with you?"
His friend glanced at Ha Ye-jin.
Mun Yo-seop smiled as he replied.
"She's a fresh priestess who's just received her ordination, but her talents are exceptional, so I've been keeping her around."
"Pardon? I—"
"I initially planned to mentor her, but now she's the one teaching me. She's been a huge help in this investigation too."
Mun Yo-seop cut her off and continued, his tone a notch brighter than usual.
Ha Ye-jin was flustered at first but quickly caught on, bowing politely to his friend.
"Hello. I'm Ha Ye-jin of the Seoul South Priest Order."
"Ah, Ha Ye-jin... the name rings a bell. Nice to meet you anyway. I'm Ji Hye-seong of the Central Knight Order."
"The honor is mine."
Ha Ye-jin reverted to the deferential speech she'd used as a rookie fresh into the priesthood.
Ji Hye-seong regarded her with a kindly smile, then stood abruptly as if remembering something.
"Oh, right—I forgot the tea. You'll want coffee, Mun Yo-seop... What would you like, Priestess Ha Ye-jin?"
"Ah, just water for me, please."
"Water for me too. Not feeling coffee today."
"Our Mun Yo-seop has days he doesn't crave coffee? Alright, make yourselves comfortable."
With that, Ji Hye-seong headed to fetch the drinks. A fragrant green tea aroma soon wafted from the kitchen.
Mun Yo-seop sat down, and Ha Ye-jin promptly took the seat beside him, whispering sharply under her breath.
"What are you doing?"
Her words were edged, but her voice was hushed.
Mun Yo-seop responded nonchalantly.
"It's easier this way in the long run. I'll create the opening—you search the house then."
"It's not about convenience! Calling me a priest? You should've said bishop at least."
"Why? What's the issue?"
"At my age, who would believe...?"
"Plenty of people get ordained later in life. You were just unusually quick. Plus, you look young for your age."
"..."
Ha Ye-jin had plenty to say but clamped her mouth shut. Ji Hye-seong was emerging from the kitchen.
He set water glasses before Mun Yo-seop and Ha Ye-jin, then placed a steaming cup of green tea in front of his own seat. As he sipped, Mun Yo-seop watched him intently, like he was studying his every move.
"Since when do you like green tea?"
"Ah, I've gotten into collecting tea leaves lately."
"I thought you used to collect liquor."
Mun Yo-seop murmured as if to himself.
Ji Hye-seong closed his eyes, savoring the aroma, a faint smile on his lips.
"Well, I was obsessed with booze back then... After quitting, I sold off the collection and switched to tea."
"You've always loved collecting. Not my thing—too refined."
"Ah, right—you've always preferred hunting, shooting, that sort of thing. Barbaric hobbies, in my opinion, but to each their own..."
"That's why I like them. Awakens the primal instincts."
Mun Yo-seop took a sip of water, then glanced at Ha Ye-jin beside him.
"Come to think of it, I hear she collects too. You two might get along."
"Oh? Mind if I ask what?"
"Memory's fuzzy... sacred paintings, I think? Right?"
Mun Yo-seop prompted her with a look.
Ha Ye-jin nodded reluctantly.
"Yes... I collect sacred paintings as a hobby."
Her expression was stiff; lying didn't come naturally, and it showed—like a nervous newbie fumbling before a stern boss. Mun Yo-seop thought it worked in their favor.
Ji Hye-seong beamed at her words.
"Oh, I collect those too whenever I get the chance. More for investment than hobby, though. What drew you to them?"
"..."
Ha Ye-jin hesitated, glancing at Mun Yo-seop, but he offered no hints, just watched Ji Hye-seong chat animatedly. Betrayal stung, but she forced a smile.
"It's hard to put into words... the grandeur, the way they handle light. That's the appeal."
"You get it! That majesty you feel facing a sacred painting—indescribable. The old masters' light effects, capturing awe and reverence for Adonai... awe-inspiring."
"Haha..."
Ha Ye-jin laughed vaguely, unsure how to respond.
"Don't you have a basement room displaying them? I think I toured it once," Mun Yo-seop interjected.
Ji Hye-seong paused, glanced at Ha Ye-jin, then smiled reassuringly.
"That's right."
"If you're okay with it, let her see? She'd love it."
"Ah... sure, no problem. But weren't you here for investigation advice? Shouldn't she hear it too?"
"I can relay it later. Sacred paintings like those downstairs? Now or never."
"True, but..."
"Remember? Even an ignoramus like me was moved by your gallery. Imagine an expert like Priestess Ha Ye-jin."
"Fine, fine. Here's the key—take your time."
Ji Hye-seong rose with feigned reluctance, fetched a key from somewhere, and handed it to Ha Ye-jin.
She accepted it reflexively and met Mun Yo-seop's steady gaze. His eyes conveyed volumes. She didn't catch every nuance, but she knew her task.
"Down those stairs, there's an iron door with a padlock on the hasp. Unlock it and go in. It'll be dim—light can damage the paintings, so... bear with it."
Mun Yo-seop nodded.
"I'll chat with Ji Hye-seong here. Take your time—no rush."
"Ah... got it."
"Make it 'thorough.' Rare chance."
He locked eyes with her pointedly. Ha Ye-jin nodded and headed for the stairs.
Now she understood: he'd orchestrated everything from the green tea question onward to create this opening.
Click.
Ha Ye-jin descended, unlocked the padlock, and pulled open the iron door. As warned, the room was pitch-black. Barely enough light for viewing art.
But art wasn't her goal. This gloom was perfect for a search—plenty for gathering evidence.
Satanists have something called a coven. They gather periodically to perform rituals summoning their leader.
Ha Ye-jin recalled Mun Yo-seop's words as she ventured into the endless dark.
At those gatherings, there must be some token proving one's a Satanist. And that token will inevitably carry traces of black magic.
Sacred paintings emerged sporadically from the shadows. Their painted eyes seemed to watch her. The light within them twisted into something eerie and ominous under the veil of darkness.
Find that token.
She steeled herself, repeating her mission. She mulled over the document Mun Yo-seop had given her.
Where would I hide a Satanist 'token' if I were one?
Ha Ye-jin inhaled deeply, sniffing the air. The room reeked of neglectful dust. Beneath it, faint paint odors, then some chemical tang. All muddled.
"..."
But focusing revealed one distinct scent. One only she could detect and distinguish.
The fragrance of black magic.
Normally, she'd never notice. She hadn't even known it had a scent.
But after black magic intoxication at the practical exam site—dreaming under its influence—she remembered: seductive, viscous allure.
"Ugh...!"
Following it, she stopped before a painting. An overpowering stench assaulted her—black magic so intense it obliterated dust, paint, chemicals.
It emanated not from the canvas, but behind it.
A hidden space. Remove the painting, and the source would reveal itself.
The Satanist 'token.'
Creeeak...
As Ha Ye-jin grasped the frame to shift it—
"What exactly are you doing?"
(To be continued)