Free Pass with You
"Man... going with you is like a free pass."
Ma Yu-hyeon stretched as we left the school. He said that when he'd tried to leave alone, even showing his early dismissal permit, the guard wouldn't let him go. But when he said he was heading out with me to visit a friend in the hospital, the guard waved us through without a second thought.
In truth, I hadn't planned on visiting anyone. But it hit me that I still hadn't asked Yeo Min-seo if she was joining the missionary trip, so I decided to tag along. There was also a bit of intent to keep an eye on Ma Yu-hyeon.
"No idea why they won't let me out early. Maybe 'cause I do it too often."
Ma Yu-hyeon grumbled. I didn't bother replying. Even if I'd been the guard, I wouldn't have let him through.
We walked in silence toward the hospital. The one where Yeo Min-seo was staying was affiliated with Florence Academy, so it was just a short walk from school—close enough to reach on foot.
"Do I really gotta keep this watch on even when I sleep?"
Halfway there, Ma Yu-hyeon tapped the watch he was wearing and asked. It was the one I'd given him to monitor him.
I nodded. "Take it off if you can handle the consequences."
"...So what the hell happens if I do?"
"Curious? Try it."
Honestly, it wouldn't matter if he took it off or smashed it on purpose. The watch had a built-in GPS tracker and listening device, plus all sorts of engraved spells. The moment he removed it, the fainting spell would knock him out cold. I'd track his location, show up, and either kill him or slap the watch back on.
Ma Yu-hyeon stared at the watch silently, then nodded. "Nah, thinking about it, I'm not that curious."
"Then why keep asking?"
"Kinda feels like... a tragic hero sealed away 'cause his power's too strong. Kinda cool, y'know?"
"..."
Utter nonsense.
We arrived at the hospital and went through the visitor procedures. Since it was affiliated with Florence, flashing our student IDs skipped some steps. The receptionist explained special health check perks just for Florence students, but I tuned it out—I had no intention of getting one. Who knew what might come up if I did something that reckless.
"Y'know, being a cleric is pretty sweet."
Waiting for the elevator to Yeo Min-seo's room, Ma Yu-hyeon remarked.
"What're you on about?"
"They don't do jack, but the perks are insane."
"Can't argue there."
I agreed. It made sense. One reason I'd gone through all that trouble to infiltrate Florence with a fake identity was the clerics'待遇—better than most jobs.
The elevator arrived then, doors opening to a flood of people.
"..."
All of them huge, with fierce faces—clerics, every one. The biggest among them scowled down at me. He looked familiar, so I kept staring. At first I thought it was a mistake, but no—it really was someone I knew.
"...Captain Han Dae-ho."
"Do Seon-woo?"
It was Han Dae-ho, captain of the Eastern Paladin Order. He called my name and extended a massive, thick hand. I shook it politely.
Han Dae-ho beamed with what seemed like excessive warmth. "What brings you to a hospital? You hurt?"
"No, sir. Just visiting a friend who's admitted here."
"Whew, thought you got banged up again. That's all I ever see you doin'. You takin' better care of yourself these days?"
"Yes, sir. Haven't been getting hurt much lately. What about you, Captain?"
"Had a checkup, popped in during lunch. And this guy's...?"
Han Dae-ho turned to Ma Yu-hyeon, who was standing awkwardly beside me. He eyed him with narrowed eyes, then widened them in realization. "Ma Yu-hyeon? You two are friends?"
"Yeah, somethin' like that. Haha..."
Ma Yu-hyeon flashed an awkward smile and bowed. Seeing him act polite was more than strange—it was downright eerie.
Han Dae-ho grinned wide. "Didn't recognize you without the height difference. How's Her Holiness?"
"Haha... not sure. Been a while since I last saw her. Probably fine, though."
"Good to hear. You here visiting too?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, next time let's grab a meal, all three of us... Oh, hold on."
Han Dae-ho pulled out his phone mid-sentence. He checked the screen, and his faint smile vanished, face hardening like stone. He squeezed his eyes shut, forced a grin. "...Was gonna say I'll buy next time, but duty calls. Gotta head out. See ya."
"Take care, sir."
"Yeah, I'll hit you up soon."
With that, his massive frame lumbered out of the hospital. We watched him go, then boarded the elevator.
"Whoa, how's a guy that built even human? Gorilla much?"
The doors shut, and Ma Yu-hyeon immediately started yapping. Recalling how polite he'd been in front of Han Dae-ho, I said, "You were awfully proper back there. Scared?"
"You wouldn't flinch seein' that bulk?"
"Size doesn't matter. He couldn't use blessings on you anyway."
I couldn't understand fearing Han Dae-ho. Ma Yu-hyeon could hijack anyone else's divine power like it was his own. Even Han Dae-ho—or someone stronger—would be powerless against him. No blessings, miracles, or healing techniques would work.
"Blessings? Imagine that fist smashin' your skull. Brains before tears, man."
"Like he'd ever swing at you."
"Can't say for sure."
Ma Yu-hyeon glanced up at the elevator ceiling, checking for CCTV. I knew there wasn't any—I'd confirmed it the second we stepped in.
He sighed in relief. "...Han Dae-ho's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Bad family life means nothin' to lose, and his convictions make him impossible to sway."
Ding!
The elevator hit the fifth floor. We got off and kept talking.
"Bad family?"
"Kinda."
Ma Yu-hyeon nodded. "Separate from that, no harm in bein' polite. Might need his help someday. Guy's got skills and respect."
"Mm."
"Politeness never hurts anyway."
I nodded vaguely. He was right—being polite to Han Dae-ho couldn't hurt. But it also meant he only acted respectful when it suited him, not out of genuine regard. And hell, I was the same. That realization left a bad taste.
Click.
At Yeo Min-seo's door, Ma Yu-hyeon barged in without knocking. She was reading in bed, with a small boy tending to her by the side. It was a private room, spacious. She hadn't noticed us yet.
We caught snippets of their talk.
"Sis, water."
"Thanks. Oh, right—how was school?"
"Eh... everything's fine, but teacher's makin' class too hard. Am I just dumb...?"
"Want me to beat the teacher's ass?"
"Huh? Nah, think I'm the dumb one after all...!"
"Alright, then study hard and it'll click. Keep at it."
The boy tending her seemed to be Yeo Min-seo's little brother. He looked a bit like her, but his speech and mannerisms were total opposites—no sibling vibe at all.
Yeo Min-seo was chatting with him while reading when she spotted us and scowled.
"What the hell are you two doing here?"
She slammed her book shut, tone brusque. Ma Yu-hyeon and I approached.
Her brother jumped up, clasped his hands politely, and bowed. "Hi! Friends of my sis?"
"Yeah, you must be Min-seo's brother."
He greeted us eagerly. I smiled back. Unlike Yeo Min-seo's sharp, angry glare, her brother's eyes sparkled pure and bright.
"Yep! Well, say hi then. I'm headin' out."
"Whoa, we won't be long—stay if you want."
"Nah, let him go. Kid's got homework anyway."
I'd thought he was leaving on our account, but Yeo Min-seo shooed him out herself. He glanced at us nervously and pattered away.
Ma Yu-hyeon stared after the boy, then turned to Yeo Min-seo. "Brother? Cute. Elementary kid?"
"Yeah."
"Blood related?"
"What, think I picked him up off the street? Why ask?"
"You don't look alike. He's sweet."
"If he had my personality, I'd have ditched him ages ago."
Yeo Min-seo snickered. Sounded like a joke, but coming from her, it felt half-serious.
She eyed us both. "So why're you here outta nowhere?"
"Visiting. Happy to see us?"
Ma Yu-hyeon grinned shamelessly.
"Fuck no. Bring cash next time if you're visiting."
"Cash? It's a visit, not a gift."
"Gifts cost money anyway—what's the difference?"
"Gifts got heart in 'em."
"Bullshit. Money can't buy heart?"
She scoffed. "Anyway, what's the real reason? Not here just to visit."
"You joining the missionary trip?"
I finally asked the question I'd put off. The trip was right around the corner. I'd been stuck as Ha Ye-jin's errand boy longer than planned, so I knew the execs' plans: everyone but Han Su-ryeon was in, except Yeo Min-seo was still undecided.
She pondered briefly. "Who's going?"
"Everyone but Han Su-ryeon."
"You too, Ma Yu-hyeon?"
He shrugged. "Dunno? Think I signed up."
"Jesus, what a spineless punk."
She stared at him incredulously, then sighed, gaze dropping. Deep in thought.
"...Kim Jin-seo going too?"
She looked at me. I nodded, and her face darkened further.
Silence stretched as we waited, thick enough to hear the curtains rustle in the breeze.
"Sigh... fine, count me in."
"For now?"
"After my ankle heals. If I can walk okay, tell 'em yes... but."
She furrowed her brow curiously. "Kim Jin-seo too? In her condition?"
"What condition?"
I asked, suddenly curious. I'd known she was hospitalized from injuries, but not the details. Vaguely heard it was bad, but no time or messages to check—and I hadn't bothered.
She glared at me sharply. "Never visited once? You're a psycho."
"...No time."
"How busy can you be? Bullshit... go see for yourself. Probably on the eighth floor."
"Aren't you two on bad terms? Why care so much?"
Ma Yu-hyeon asked. Yeo Min-seo turned, smirking with just her lips—eyes vacant, chilling.
She slowly scanned the spacious, empty-feeling room. "Not bad terms... we just don't get each other. I care."
*
After that, Ma Yu-hyeon and Yeo Min-seo chatted a bit more—mostly small talk, him prompting, her responding. I mostly watched. When questions came my way, I gave short answers or nodded along.
To a third party like me, they clicked surprisingly well. Watching explained why Ma Yu-hyeon wanted to visit: Yeo Min-seo was the only one he could really talk to. And vice versa—she was the only one who could take his jabs without flinching.
"Yeo Min-seo's not so bad once you chat."
Ma Yu-hyeon said as we left.
"Don't talk crap..."
"Nah, for real. She's grumpy, but cute sometimes."
I shut my mouth. Couldn't relate at all. Sure, I didn't think her personality was pure trash. Like anyone bad with emotions, she had her rational, logical side. But beyond that? Zilch. If anything, her talent for pissing people off.
"Her rumors are as twisted as mine."
"Yeah."
I mumbled and hit the elevator button. Eighth floor, per her tip.
The vibe hit different immediately. Fifth floor reeked of disinfectant, nurses and healer priests rushing around exhausted—pure hospital chaos. Eighth? Flowery scents over alcohol, staff strolling leisurely. Same building, different world.
"This ain't the Florence Foundation freebie ward. Self-pay only."
Ma Yu-hyeon scanned around. "Fancy spot. Makes sense, loaded as she is... Ah, there—813."
"We can just show up like this? No procedures?"
"What's the big deal? Quick peek and out."
He shrugged it off and approached 813. He hadn't knocked at Yeo Min-seo's but did here—gently.
Knock knock.
"No knock before, why now?"
"Kim Jin-seo's kinda scary."
Knock knock.
No answer. He knocked again—nothing. He tilted his head. "Sleepin'?"
"Maybe. Let's go in."
I steadied my growing unease and opened the door calmly. Unlike Yeo Min-seo's bare room, Kim Jin-seo's was furnished—furniture, knickknacks everywhere. Similar size, private, but brighter, cozier.
We crept to the bed. Close enough she'd have noticed, but no movement. She seemed buried under the covers.
"..."
Something was off. The IV needle that should've been in her arm lay on the floor.
Whoosh!
I yanked the covers back.
"...What?"
The bed was empty.
(To be continued in the next chapter)