A Captain's Confidence
Han Dae-ho led me out of the hotel. Before long, we were walking through the dimly lit streets of this foreign city. I followed him without knowing what was going on.
His massive build drew stares even abroad—passersby glanced at him curiously as they went by. But Han Dae-ho ignored the looks entirely, striding silently toward his destination.
He stopped at a desolate park untouched by the city's glow. It looked abandoned for some time: trash littered the ground, and the streetlamps were shattered, long out of commission.
Han Dae-ho brushed the dust off a peeling bench and sat down.
"Sorry for dragging you out like this. You must be confused, right?"
His tone was surprisingly kind. Still, I didn't let my guard down.
Okay, maybe he had called me out for something related to the schedule. Since we knew each other, he might need help with something. But summoning me to a shady spot like this? Definitely suspicious.
"There's something I really wanted to say. You gonna stand and listen? Sit if you want—get comfortable."
I eyed him. He might suspect me. As captain of the Seoul East Knight Command, he had ties to the Central Knight Order, where Mun Yo-seop served. Even without direct connections, as an archbishop in the church hierarchy, he could dig into my background on a whim.
I'd met him unusually often, and he'd shown keen interest in me. It wouldn't be strange if he'd investigated personally—and found something damning enough to confront me here.
"...I'll stand. It's more comfortable this way."
I clasped my hands behind my back. With the hand hidden there, I quietly released voodoo magic—just in case.
Its glow blended into the darkness, invisible. No CCTV or dashcams here. I could put him to sleep with a spell, handle him, and clean up after. No issues.
"Fine, whatever works for you."
Han Dae-ho said. The shadows hid his expression. He scratched his eyebrow with his middle finger and continued.
"You might not remember... but you heard it from Kim Bok-dong. What I promised if you chose the paladin track."
"Yes, I remember."
When choosing majors, Kim Bok-dong and So Do-jin had pitched their tracks to recruit me. That's when Kim Bok-dong mentioned Han Dae-ho's promised benefit for picking paladins.
"Remember the details?"
Han Dae-ho asked. I answered without hesitation.
"You said you'd recommend me for the Central Knight Order entry exam, regardless of achievements or merits."
"Good memory."
He nodded slowly.
The fastest path to inquisitor was joining the Central Knight Order. More precisely, gaining access to the underground prison. Not full freedom like inquisitors, but entry under "special circumstances"—which I could fabricate with spells and Loa powers.
That was why I'd ultimately chosen paladins over crusaders.
"Then you know it's an absurd privilege."
"...Yes, I do."
I nodded. I withdrew the voodoo magic. If he suspected me, he wouldn't lead with this.
Candidates for Central Knight Order exams were elites who'd toiled years in regional orders, racking up merits. A nobody assistant priest like me qualifying? Utterly ridiculous.
"You confident?"
Han Dae-ho stared straight at me. The intensity in his eyes and voice made me step back.
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
"Confident you'll pass the exam?"
"..."
He repeated. I paused before answering.
The exam would draw top-tier paladins—prodigies from regional orders.
"Yes."
Still, I was confident. I'd never even considered losing to them.
"...Good."
Han Dae-ho nodded slowly and went on.
"Reason I'm saying this... I don't want you thinking I'm some unfair cleric."
"Never crossed my mind."
"Glad to hear it, but yeah—I'm giving you special treatment based on personal feelings. You have no official merits."
He sprang up from the bench.
"Still recommending you because I've seen your skills myself—unofficially. Ah, let's walk and talk. Too creepy here in the dark."
He clapped my back with his thick palm and headed toward the hotel. I followed.
As the city's noise and garish lights neared, he spoke again.
"I might never have become captain without someone's help. Could still be grunting as a grunt. But that person's aid put me in this undeserved spot."
I nodded, listening.
"Creating an environment where talents like you can shine? That's how I repay that grace—and serve paladins, the Romanica Church. So I'm bending rules for you."
His pace was brisk; keeping up was tough.
"Prove my choice right."
By the time he finished, we were at the hotel. His eyes and tone brimmed with trust in me.
I nodded.
"I will. Definitely."
"Good. Sorry for holding you—go hang with friends. Rest up. See you tomorrow."
He answered a call and headed out. Something to handle, apparently.
I watched his massive back. Recalled his gaze.
He trusted me deeply. But I didn't trust him—had even been wary at first.
He'd just wanted to say kind words. Yet I couldn't easily trust even those who meant well.
With that nagging unease of unknown origin, I returned to the dorm.
The living room was rowdy. As I entered, all eyes turned to me—shocked faces.
"Oh, it's you? Man, I freaked—thought it was Captain Han Dae-ho."
Ma Yu-hyeon said. I scanned: Kang Dae-man beside him, plus Han Su-ryeon and Yeo Min-seo who shouldn't be here, Seong Ha-yeon. Empty bottles and snacks scattered in the center.
Alcohol's harsh stench stung my nose.
"Ha."
No anger. Just absurd, a hollow laugh.
Quick scan of bottles—no Yeom Man-geun's factory brew yet. As long as not that, no reason to stop them.
But no joining either. I left the dorm.
*
Heard there was a garden terrace mid-hotel. Went to clear my head, organize plans. Wind would help.
Wanted to bring Damballa, but too crowded. Pity.
The terrace was beautifully kept: small flowerbeds, cafe tables for coffee with views. Well-maintained meant popular—locals, tourists, Romanica clerics in casual tourist garb to hide identities.
I blended in, wandering like a traveler.
"Planning ahead is good, but don't obsess."
Legba spoke as I watched the nightscape. I didn't reply, gazing at the bustling city lights.
Other tourists leaned on rails, sipping bottled beers, enjoying the view like me. Their chatter pleasantly filled the space.
"Enjoy the now sometimes. Don't spend the present chasing the future."
I stayed silent.
To enjoy now, secure the future first. Can't relax with anxiety looming. Forgetting it is escapism—fleeting pleasure, heavy consequences.
That was my view.
"Those who chased futures like you always regretted it in the end."
"..."
"Missed chances to cherish the past."
I ignored Legba.
I spotted Kim Jin-seo while wandering to drown him out. She leaned on the rail, smoking, nightscape below. Her exhaled smoke scattered in the wind.
Playful impulse struck.
"Student Kim Jin-seo!"
I approached and called. She jolted, stubbed the cigarette on the ground, hid the butt with her foot. Wide-eyed surprise turned to narrowed glare as she recognized me.
"What the hell?"
She grumbled accusingly. I grinned cheekily, closing in.
She eyed me sharply.
"Thought you were a teacher."
"What were you doing to freak like that?"
"...Just watching the view."
She feigned innocence, whipping her head toward the lights. Leaning hard, glaring—not admiring.
I stood beside, viewing with her. Silence stretched; she glanced sidelong, then spoke.
"...Kids were drinking earlier. You not joining?"
"Don't like booze."
"Ever tried?"
"Nope."
"Then why hate it?"
"Just..."
I mumbled. Never drank, but knew drunks turned ugly, violent. Clouds judgment—risky slip-ups.
"Why you out here alone?"
I redirected. Kim Jin-seo stared ahead, hair whipping in wind.
"Bad for the body."
"Cigarettes good for it?"
"...No."
"Quit then."
"..."
She stared silently, then smiled faintly.
"No motivation."
"Motivation?"
"Like... nothing to push me."
"It's bad for you. Not enough?"
"Kinda."
She glanced at me.
"...But no reward or whatever."
"Need a reward?"
"Makes it easier."
"Hm..."
I pondered her shoes. If Legba banned Intoxication Spell now, could I quit cold? Probably not. Her point held. No real reward for dropping it, so I'd dragged on.
"No, that's your willpower issue."
"Fine, what reward to quit?"
I ignored Legba. She perked up.
"Grant me a wish?"
"Wish? That's heavy. Why me? You're doing good."
"You help me quit."
"..."
Made sense.
"Deal."
"...Huh? For real?"
"Yeah. I'll help—so quit."
I accepted readily. No ulterior motive. Just wanted her off them. Maybe saw my Intoxication Spell struggle in her.
"Who are you to tell her to quit?"
I tuned out Legba—no response possible.
Kim Jin-seo blinked, stunned. Looked up from slight bow.
"...Quitting for real?"
"Yeah, please."
"You grant the wish. No backing out later."
"Got it."
She turned away, "admiring" view. Corners twitched up—happy, hiding it.
Soon, they drooped. Sad thought?
"Mun Yo-seop came to me."
Sudden, but I got it quick—nodded. He'd gone quiet on me, targeted her instead. Probe via her.
She looked guilty, eyes down.
"Said a relative's Satanist. Asked to secretly stick this on your phone."
She pulled a tiny round device. Barely noticeable.
Not machinery up close. Wished Ogoun explained, but silence. He didn't know either.
"Not tech—a holy relic, probably."
I took it.
"What's this?"
"Tracker... maybe."
"..."
She didn't know exactly. Phone-specific? Tracker best case; bug would cramp Loa chats.
Her face darkened—guilty over nothing.
I alternated glances between device and her.
"Shouldn't you not tell me? He said secretly."
"That's why I did."
Stern face.
"I trust you more."
(To be continued in the next episode)