Anonymous Accusations of Fraud and Bullying
"I raise suspicions of fraudulent commendation and school violence against Charity Class's Do-something student. This morning during Mass, I was harassed by the Do-something student who received the commendation plaque. Back in middle school, that Do-something student left me with a scar I can never wash away, and I'm still flailing in that pain. It's true that the Do-something student used a miracle to bind the magic beasts, but the circumstances of the beasts' appearance are suspicious too. To get to the point, I want to raise the suspicion that the Do-something student released the beasts to get the commendation plaque. In other words, it was a self-staged act—"
"What the fuck is this bullshit?"
"Huh, really. What?"
Gu Jun-hyeok spat curses as he stopped reading midway. Jeong In-ah had the same reaction. She just didn't swear out loud.
There was only one student with the surname Do in Charity Class—me. The post targeted me outright. Plus, I'd never committed school violence in middle school. If anything, I was the victim. And the idea that I released magic beasts just to get a commendation plaque? Producing nonsense like this must be a talent of sorts. I had no idea who wrote it, though.
"Okay, let's start homeroom. Glad to see everyone got treated properly. It's great that we have a winner from our class, but this situation isn't something we can just celebrate."
Even as Ha Ye-jin ran homeroom, I kept reading that post. Her voice didn't register at all. I read it over and over, knowing it would just build my anger, but I couldn't stop.
My stomach churned and my head spun so badly I could barely read anymore before I finally set my phone down.
The post had gone up on Granche, an anonymous community site. Students shared it via SNS, messengers, and texts. Whether it was true or not didn't matter. They just needed gossip fodder, and I was the designated sacrifice.
Even after first period started, my wandering mind showed no sign of returning.
"Alright, as you all know, Sacred Materials Studies is—"
First period was Sacred Materials Studies and Relic Theory I. Nicknamed "Shinmulhak" for short—some said it was just abbreviated from Sacred Materials Studies, others that it made bile rise in your throat from sheer boredom. Either way, it was excruciatingly dull.
I passed out like I'd fainted and fell asleep midway. Was it distraction from earlier, or just the boredom? No clue.
"—Do Seon-woo!"
"Huh? Yes? Sorry?"
The Sacred Materials teacher woke me from sleep. The other students looked at me and laughed. Eyes that would've meant nothing before now made my gut roil horribly. It felt like they were all mocking and cursing me.
"Your school life's over, huh? Get it together!"
"Sorry, my bad."
"Fine. Since you're up, answer this and you can sit. Knock it out of the park."
The teacher continued while wiping the blackboard with an eraser. His head was half-bald, the shiny spot gleaming under the light. Some students desperately held back laughs at the sight. I didn't get what was funny.
"Divainium. The most basic substance in Sacred Materials Studies. Explain the three phenomena that occur when divainium reacts with divine power."
Oh, right. I'd studied this before. Divainium reacts with divine power, causing... that phenomenon. What was it again? No idea. Stray thoughts piled up, severing my memories. Nothing came to mind; I couldn't think.
Just repeat after me from now on. Got it?
First: expansion or contraction. Second: 40.1 degrees heat emission. Third: luminescence. And he said three, but it's four. Fourth: in oversaturation, explosion.
"First: expansion or contraction. Second: 40.1 degrees heat emission. Third: luminescence. Teacher said three, but it's actually four. Fourth: in oversaturation, explosion."
"……"
The classroom vibe turned icy. I'd just repeated what I was told. What? What did I do wrong now? Why were they staring like that?
You even repeated "baldy"! The guy's face is beet red from anger. He looks like a fermented squid now.
He laughed heartily.
"Do Seon-woo. You've got balls, calling me baldy. I'd love to call this infringing on teacher authority, but your answer was perfect, so I'll let it slide this once."
Luckily, the teacher forgave me magnanimously. He still seemed pissed, though—face still beet red. Totally like a fermented squid.
"Anyway. As that guy explained, divainium shows four reactions with divine power depending on conditions. First—"
The teacher proceeded, adding explanations to my words. Still boring as hell. Watching his scalp sparkle in the sunlight was the highlight.
Then, a sudden unease hit. Was that voice in my head Legba? No, Legba knew metaphysics like history or theology inside out, but physical sciences like Sacred Materials or Sacred Dynamics? Total novice.
The one deep in physical sciences was... Baron Samedi.
Thinking his name flashed his image: suit, cigar, silk hat, rum, purple smoke, glowing red eyes beyond.
I came because I had something to say. You seemed too stressed. Oh, take notes on this—it'll help.
His usual playful tone was solemn today. I tensed and swallowed hard. I pulled out a spare notebook, flipped it open, and grabbed a pen to jot down Baron Samedi's words.
His usual cryptic, roundabout advice. No clue what it meant yet. Answers probably at the city park at 8.
School ended, and Kim Jin-seo dragged herself home, extra exhausted today. Because of that monstrosity in the corner of her room.
It was a massive 1-meter box.
"When am I gonna finish this...?"
She sighed, reaching into the box. Plastic rustled. She pulled out a bag of jelly, staring blankly.
The giant box was stuffed with jelly—the same kind she'd given Do Seon-woo that morning. Even after giving to him and her friends, tons remained. No one left to give to.
And eating it all herself? She'd balloon up.
Just give it all to Do Seon-woo.
She'd ordered it for him originally. A small thank-you gift with her thanks.
But giving only to him felt... embarrassing. Others might think weirdly.
Kids these days assumed any boy-girl chat was dating. Exchanging jelly? Rumors would explode.
Puberty high schoolers, burned out on academics, latching onto romance.
So Kim Jin-seo went with the "had extras" ploy. Like it was overflowing at home. Give to friends, teachers, finally Do Seon-woo—natural delivery. Bonus: pass on thanks.
She'd asked her dad for some jelly.
"But not a whole box."
She expected a pack. Generous dad ordered a 1m mega-box. Enough for the whole school.
Bzzz—
Pondering the surplus jellies, a messenger pinged.
Go Jun-min. He'd messaged often since demon extermination practice. Kim Jin-seo replied even when exhausted or annoyed. Ignore him, and hundreds of texts haunted her.
Not that she liked it.
Go Jun-min influenced giving Do Seon-woo jelly too. He loved it, said it'd be his ideal gift. No idea if Do Seon-woo would like it. Hoped so.
Kim Jin-seo replied belatedly.
Chats with Go Jun-min always ended quick. No topics, just obligatory replies—suffocating.
She dreaded his messages now.
Silence followed. Blissful relief.
Relief shattered. Go Jun-min sent a screenshot of the Granche exposé post.
Kim Jin-seo scrolled, reading carefully.
"...What the hell."
Charity Class Do-something student. Only one Do: Do Seon-woo.
The post blatantly trashed him. Baseless incitement.
Worse: comments. "Expel him," "Die" were tame. "Parents in a cult?" Crossed the line.
Go Jun-min seemed to buy the nonsense. Do Seon-woo didn't seem the type for bullying or staging beasts for awards. Anyone who knew him even a bit would see the post was fake.
She defended Do Seon-woo boldly. Go Jun-min went silent long after reading.
Dread crept in.
"……."
Her breath caught. Words seemed futile.
She reread the screenshot. Clearly malicious from someone hating Do Seon-woo.
At least she knew that. Reading on, she finally saw it—the ugly truth behind the absurd lies.
Kim Jin-seo silently texted Go Jun-min.
I arrived at the city park that evening per Baron Samedi's advice. Ten minutes to 8. Chill evening air brushed my nose.
The park was deathly quiet. Pure silence.
I sat on a bench, rereading the false exposé on me. I'd memorized it by now—switched to comments. Hundreds more.
"Parents in a cult?" topped them. No hit since my parents really were. Getting numb to it.
Started shaky and breathless; now I just smirked.
8 PM hit. Footsteps approached from afar. Face indistinct, but traits unmistakable. I knew instantly.
"Ha, figured it was you."
I sighed deeply, standing up.
(To be continued in the next installment)