The Serpent's Unexpected Visit
Seong Yu-da's servant escorted me all the way to the mansion gate.
"If it's all right with you, I can drive you home."
The servant opened the car door with a practiced motion and said to me. I shook my head.
"Thanks, but I'll go alone. It's easier that way."
"Ah, I see. Then…."
The servant hurried back into the mansion with quick steps. I watched his retreating figure quietly until the gate closed, then headed to the dorm.
I checked on the flower I was growing. The soil was moist thanks to the water I'd given it earlier. I wonder when it'll sprout, and when it'll bloom, I thought as I lay down on the bed.
Seong Yu-da knew. How long had he known? Maybe from the start, or perhaps he figured it out midway, or maybe he'd only suspected until our conversation just now solidified his certainty.
Either way, he knew I was the Voodoo Cult leader, and for some reason, he was turning a blind eye to it.
What a brazen fool, Legba. Don't you know about their relationship too?
Baron Samedi's words must be connected to that 'some reason.' 'They' in their relationship likely meant Seong Yu-da and my father—and possibly even my mother.
So what had happened between Seong Yu-da and my father that made him overlook my identity?
I had no idea. It didn't seem like something as simple as 'he felt guilty too late for betraying his friend.'
Legba or Baron Samedi probably knew what went down between Father and Seong Yu-da….
I can't tell you about that either.
For now, Legba had no intention of spilling.
"What, is it some huge deal that you keep it secret?"
I said, a bit annoyed. Legba always acted like he cared about me, but when it came to info I actually needed or wanted, he clammed up.
A low, bitter chuckle echoed in my head from Legba.
Once I start explaining that, there's too much to cover.
"Then just explain it all while you're at it."
No.
"Why not?"
It's not time yet. Hearing the story from me won't solve your questions. It'll just pile them up and add confusion.
"Fine, whatever…."
He wouldn't budge even after I begged like that, so he really had no plans to tell me. I gave up, pulled the blanket over me, and closed my eyes.
If Legba and Baron Samedi wouldn't say, then only Mother and Seong Yu-da knew about it. Sadly, there was no guarantee Mother could even speak properly.
That left Seong Yu-da. But after showing him the ring today, he'd visibly rattled. He'd realized it was blatant blackmail, an aggressive signal that 'I know you know about me.'
So he couldn't report me to the Papal Court, but he'd be extremely wary now. Asking him directly wouldn't get me straight answers in this state.
I could try digging info through Seong Ha-yeon, but they didn't seem close, so that'd be tough. Plus, who knew what Seong Yu-da said to her after I left. I'd warned her in advance just in case….
Wait for the right moment.
There was no way right now. Legba was right; biding my time made sense.
Yeah, you've cast the bait. A bite will come eventually.
Baron Samedi chimed in. He cackled as he continued.
Be satisfied with showing the ring today. Wasn't it pretty amusing watching him squirm over a mere ring?
"No, not really…."
It wasn't that amusing. I ignored Legba and Baron Samedi trying to chat and tried to sleep.
With so much on my mind lately, I hadn't slept properly, and fatigue had built up. Sleep came quick, but so did the nightmares.
Dreams replaying the Holy War, flames swallowing me—familiar, clichéd stuff. It felt like I'd had countless nightmares just like this as a kid.
When I woke, it was night. Pitch black inside and out; I couldn't gauge the time. The nightmares left me groggy rather than refreshed, though the fatigue had eased a bit.
I felt thirsty and started to get up for water.
"…."
That's when I sensed eyes on me from somewhere. In the darkness, yellow irises gleamed, slit pupils stark. The gaze was venomously serpentine.
No, they were real snake eyes.
Hey there, little one.
No joke or metaphor—it was a real snake. Damballa's manifestation.
Damballa's seductive, sweet voice slithered into my ears. In a blink, it climbed my body and whispered sweetly by my ear, flicking its tongue.
"Damballa…."
I barely managed a hoarse voice, fresh from sleep. I was flustered. Loa manifestations usually had precursors. Legba only in the Crossroads, Baron Samedi preceded by purple mist. Sobo and Bade always together with storms.
Damballa appeared without warning, so of course I was caught off guard.
But the real reason for my fluster was different.
"…Why are you so tiny?"
Damballa wasn't full-sized but a cute, pet-snake level.
*
Jeong In-ah was getting ready to head out, having made plans to hang out with friends for the first time in a while now that it was the weekend.
While picking clothes, she glanced at her phone. Messages from friends piled up, but none from Do Seon-woo.
She'd called since he said he was sick and she was worried, but he didn't pick up. No reply either. She had no clue what he was doing or even if he was alive.
It felt disappointing, annoying, a bit sad—complicated emotions hard to pin down.
Shaking off the thoughts, she picked clothes until the doorbell rang, fumbling for her phone. It was a call—from Mom, not Do Seon-woo.
"…Ah!"
Right, her parents were due back soon. Probably a check-in before returning.
Jeong In-ah cleared her throat and answered.
"Yeah, hello?"
She kept picking clothes while on the call. Too lazy for full glam, she chose comfy stuff that looked put-together.
Mom's concerned voice came through. "I'm doing fine. Exams are over, so I've just been chilling. Yeah, heading out for plans today."
She gave rote replies to her parents, tossing the outfit on the bed. Couldn't change mid-call.
"Exams? Written ones went great, like second place? Inside scholarship range. What? No way I'm throwing a party for that. Save it for first."
"School? Nothing since then. Still kinda anxious, honestly…."
"Mom, don't worry about food. I eat fine. I can cook now—friends said it was good. No, not lying!"
Total lie.
"Delayed again? Ah…. Still this month? Hurry back, miss you. Yeah~"
Satan Cult activity near England had tightened exit checks, delaying return by two weeks.
Jeong In-ah tried not to sound bummed and hung up. Her nose tingled. She'd fought tears since hearing Mom's voice.
She dabbed her eyes with tissue, changed into the outfit, and checked the mirror. Forced smile left her nose puffy.
"Ha…."
Time was tight; she headed out without fixing the puffiness. Ended up running at the end.
Out of shape lately, even seconds winded her.
"Oh, In-ah! Right on time."
Gasping at the meetup spot, she ignored the greeting to catch her breath. No energy for hellos.
Once breathing steady, she looked puzzled. Six planned, only three there.
"…Where's everyone else?"
"They're always late. Told 'em not today, but these jerks…. Ah, there they come."
The friend pointed mid-answer. Far off, the late three strolled casually, then fake-ran spotting the group.
The organizer scowled and approached.
"Hey, I said no late today. You always late? Huh?"
"Not much today. That's decent."
"Why? Excuse me. Make it good, I'll forgive."
"Excuse? Hm…."
The boy looked up at the sky.
"…Ah! Sun's blazing today."
"What’s that got to do with being late?"
"Means no reason. Sorry!"
"You bastard… Wanna fight?"
"Think you can handle? Blessings allowed?"
While they bickered, another boy approached Jeong In-ah. One from Bae Seong-hyeon's early-semester crew.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh, In-ah, right?"
"Ah… Yeah, so?"
She replied coolly. Hard not to prejudge after his Bae ties.
He might not be close now, but without expulsion, he'd still hang with Bae. Quiet now seemed like late damage control—annoying.
"Nah, just…. I was kinda jerky early semester. Sorry if I upset you then."
"No, it's fine. What now…."
She waved it off—sounded accepting but meant too late for that.
He nodded, sensing her chill.
"What, you two buddies already? You were my biggest worry."
The bickering friend butted in slyly.
Not closer—more awkward—but Jeong In-ah smiled and nodded.
"Just said hi."
"Yeah?"
The friend eyed them, nodded, slung an arm over her shoulder, and started walking.
"Food first! Rushed out, no breakfast."
"You could skip a few…."
The bickerer sniped.
Friend glared.
"Fight for real?"
"Joking~ Starving too. What to eat?"
"Chinese nearby. There…."
They chatted menus en route. Jeong In-ah listened, chiming occasionally. Nothing appealed.
Appetite gone lately; skipped meals often. No hunger now.
Menus set, endless talk to restaurant: exams, rumors, dating.
She just nodded along.
"Huh? Seong Ha-yeon's car."
Someone spotted the road. Eyes turned.
Fancy car zoomed by. Light tint showed driver—chauffeur?—and backseat.
Kids awed.
"Yeah, she commutes in that."
"Only her in that?"
"Who else? Think before asking?"
"Wow…. How much?"
"Why? You'll never afford."
"Can't ask? Always picking…."
"Cars part like that. Price matters…."
"You driving near that?"
Jeong In-ah stayed quiet amid chatter, blinking at the receding car.
Not seeing wrong—definitely. Felt oddly sour.
"Wait, that with her… Do Seon-woo?"
She'd spotted him beside Seong Ha-yeon in back.
(To be continued in the next chapter)