"Not Bringing Booze on a Trip is Insane"
"Not bringing booze on a trip is insane."
Ma Yu-hyeon declared it with utter shamelessness, as if he felt zero embarrassment about his actions. His brazen attitude left me speechless. I scanned the bottles he'd brought. Quite the variety—beer, expensive whiskey, you name it. My eyes locked onto one particularly flashy bottle, adorned in purple and gold, screaming luxury.
It was all too familiar to me.
"...Hey, don't drink that one."
I nodded toward it. Ma Yu-hyeon furrowed his brow in annoyance, tilting his head.
"What? I was so excited to crack this open."
"I said don't drink it, so don't."
I glanced at Kang Dae-man while speaking. He seemed absorbed in unpacking, but he'd probably overheard us anyway.
"...I'll explain later."
This wasn't something I could discuss in front of Kang Dae-man. That bottle was made at Yeom Man-geun's factory, engraved with an Intoxication Spell. Pop the cap, and the embedded spell activates with a snap, mist seeping into the liquid.
I didn't care if other clerics enjoyed Yeom Man-geun's booze—it meant good sales for the Voodoo Cult's finances. But I couldn't just sit by while the people around me drank it.
Drunks were dangerous enough. Drunks under a spell? Even worse. You never knew what they'd do.
A big, strong guy like Kang Dae-man getting wasted on that could spell disaster.
"Come on, though... This is basically the star of the trip. Not opening it doesn't make sense..."
"Wanna get your ass kicked? Shut up."
"...Fine!"
Surprisingly compliant, Ma Yu-hyeon smacked his lips regretfully and stowed the bottle back in his suitcase. He eyed me cautiously before speaking up.
"But seriously, no tasting it?"
"Yeah, crack it open and I'll smash your skull with the bottle."
"Damn... Okay, other booze then? You'll have some, right?"
"Piss off. I don't drink."
I hated alcohol. Because my uncle used to love it.
Time came for us to head down to the B1 auditorium Han Dae-ho had mentioned.
It was called an auditorium, but packed with weight-training equipment, it might as well have been a gym. Kang Dae-man grinned like a kid in a candy store, checking out the machines.
"I was worried I wouldn't get to work out, but this place is perfect! What luck!"
He even tested a few machines. That's when the girls and Han Dae-ho arrived. Han Dae-ho had a massive bag slung over his left shoulder. He nodded once everyone was there.
Thud!
He dropped the bag. The sound alone told you it was heavy as hell. Dusting his hands, he planted them on his hips and scanned us.
"I gathered you here for one reason: something to hand over."
Straight to the point. He started pulling items from the bag. First came the communication relic, the Moses' Burning Bush Fragment. Then an unnamed necklace relic. Finally, a fist-sized orb, and he zipped the bag shut.
He distributed the bush fragment and necklace, one each.
"All emergency comms go through the bush fragment. It's linked to the clerics in Saudi right now, so only use it in true emergencies."
His tone was stern.
"Next, the necklaces are defensive relics. Developed by former Cardinal Seong Yu-da after the Holy War."
All eyes snapped to Seong Ha-yeon. She flinched but otherwise stayed composed. Han Dae-ho cleared his throat.
"The bullets used by those Islamic extremists are special. Hit by one, and you temporarily lose access to blessings and healing. We suspect it's some anti-divine drug embedded in them—mechanism unknown."
"..."
The kids' faces hardened. We'd come thinking it was safe, and now this talk of extremists and bullets.
Han Dae-ho nodded understandingly.
"Just means it could happen. No need to freak out. Wear the necklace right, and you won't die."
The necklace formed an invisible divine barrier around the body. It absorbed one strong impact—like gunfire—then shattered. Single-use shield.
Unlike most relics, it had no name; Seong Yu-da hadn't wanted one.
"Best if you never need it. That's my job, anyway. Now, last item..."
He held up the orb, channeling divine power into it. The energy stretched into a spear shape—a literal spear of light, its tip gleaming brilliantly.
I'd seen it before. On practical exam day, Ma Yu-hyeon had stabbed my side with one just like it. Minor visual differences aside, it was the same "spear of light."
I glanced at Ma Yu-hyeon. His face was stiff.
"Also by former Cardinal Seong Yu-da, so no name. Call it a portable spear. Not important—just know it's for self-defense."
He tossed it skyward. The light vanished, leaving the drab orb. Hold it with divine power injected, and it became a spear; let go, back to orb.
"Anyway, decide who holds it now. Volunteers?"
He bounced the orb on the floor like a ball. It had bounce—didn't break or deform, springing back like a basketball. The only sound in the silence was its thuds.
No one spoke, just eyed each other. Then Kang Dae-man tentatively raised a hand.
"I think Captain Han Dae-ho should take it!"
"Nah, I'd be wasting it."
Han Dae-ho shook his head firmly.
"I can protect myself fine without it. You kids can't. And if it's needed, I won't be around—or able to help. One of you should have it."
"Ah, then Do Seon-woo should take it!"
Kang Dae-man nominated me out of nowhere. Han Dae-ho tilted his head at me.
"You know how to use a spear?"
"No?"
[Bosu knows how!]
I shook my head, ignoring Bosu. Sure, Bosu handled spears well, but carrying that thing? It'd draw eyes, messing up my museum heist for the Reverse Staff.
Han Dae-ho nodded.
"Yeah, no point if you can't wield it—dead weight. So, Do Seon-woo, who do you think should have it?"
"..."
He'd passed the buck to me. Over something trivial, now I had to think.
Ma Yu-hyeon came to mind first—I'd seen him use one. But he wasn't exactly masterful.
"Kim Jin-seo, I think."
No one else popped up. I'd never seen her with a spear, just swords in paladin drills. But sword skill probably meant spear aptitude, right?
"Any reason?"
Han Dae-ho eyed me and her alternately. I nodded.
"She's calm, quick on her feet. Best to make use of it in a pinch."
"Hm... Yeah?"
He stroked his chin, looking at Kim Jin-seo. She stared at the floor, unmoving. He nodded.
"No objections? Then Kim Jin-seo gets it—"
"I object."
Yeo Min-seo cut in like she'd been waiting. She paused, head down, organizing thoughts, then lifted it.
"Captain, in that 'emergency' you mentioned, who's the enemy?"
"...Can't specify. Could be no enemy at all. But if there is, likely Islamic extremists or Satanists."
"Extremists are people, right?"
"Yes."
"So in an emergency, Kim Jin-seo stabs a person with that spear."
Her tone dripped arrogance. Han Dae-ho's face slowly hardened.
"Then Kim Jin-seo won't do. She'd hesitate right before striking. A split-second pause could be fatal, so better if I..."
"Forgot to mention."
Han Dae-ho interrupted. Veins bulged on his spear-holding arm.
"Non-lethal. Made purely to subdue. Think extra-long stun gun."
"..."
"Can't give you real spears—who knows what'd happen, maybe force a killing."
Yeo Min-seo stood speechless, mouth agape. Han Dae-ho pointed at her.
"Thanks, though. Nearly skipped the non-lethal part. Name?"
"Yeo Min-seo."
"Yeo Min-seo... Paladin track, right?"
"Yes."
"Sharp point, good. But speak politely from now on."
Her face stiffened. But she shut up—no complaints. Han Dae-ho's glare was gangster-tough, not cleric.
"Same words, different delivery, different impact. Remember."
"...Yes, sir."
"No more objections? Kim Jin-seo gets the weapon. Anyone?"
No hands. He chucked the orb at her casually—looked hard to catch, but she snagged it effortlessly. He smirked.
"Nice reflexes. Keep it on you always. Emergencies, you protect the others."
"Understood."
She eyed the orb in her hand. Clap!
Han Dae-ho clapped.
"That's all. Head up and rest."
A smile cracked his face now, the scowl long gone. I pocketed my necklace and bush fragment, eager to hit the dorm. Needed to consult Damballa on the Reverse Staff museum plan.
"Oh, Do Seon-woo. Hang back—follow me."
Han Dae-ho grabbed my ankle.
"...Me?"
I double-checked. No reason he'd single me out.
Hoped he'd misspoken, but no—he nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah."
Damn it all.
(To be continued)