Homecoming and Uninvited Guests
The plane landed, and we went through immigration. Thanks to the accompanying clerics, the process flew by. The airline staff just checked our faces and names before waving us through, skipping nearly all the minor procedures. I'd been worried about the staff in my carry-on getting spotted, but luckily, nothing happened. After wrapping up the essentials, I unfolded the passport I was holding. There was my name and photo. It was definitely me, but it didn't look like me. My uncle had gotten me this one. The realization that I'd have to live under a false identity forever hit me with a fresh wave of misery.
We emerged into the airport lobby. It was pitch black outside the windows.
"Seoul West Knight Order, assemble at the front if you have delivery notices—!"
"Central Warrior Order, head to the previously announced location. There's a directive from the Papal Office."
"Looking for Northern Priest Order~!"
The voices of the accompanying clerics calling for their colleagues echoed around, and some were greeted by their families. Han Dae-ho had said to go ahead if family showed up, or stick around and leave with the knight order otherwise. Then he headed off toward where the Eastern Knight Order members were gathered.
Seong Ha-yeon was the first to leave. Seong Yu-da had pulled up in a car to pick her up. Unlike his usual calm demeanor, he rushed over in a fluster, grabbed her, and sped off from the airport. Next, Han Su-ryeon's and Kang Dae-man's families arrived to fetch them. Han Su-ryeon's looked like your typical happy, wholesome family, while Kang Dae-man's seemed odd somehow—probably because he was so massive compared to the rest.
"Ah, Kim Jin-seo."
Kim Jin-seo didn't have family waiting; a driver had come instead. I vaguely remembered seeing him once before. Before following the driver, she turned and glanced at me. She stared for a long moment before speaking.
"Get home safe."
"...Yeah, you too."
That was the end of it. Left behind were Ma Yu-hyeon, Yeo Min-seo, and me. Despite waiting quite a while, no families showed for Ma Yu-hyeon or Yeo Min-seo. The silence stretched awkwardly. None of us said a word. Ma Yu-hyeon seemed lost in thought.
"Your family not coming?"
I tried striking up a conversation with Yeo Min-seo for no real reason. She nodded casually.
"Nah. No car. I took the subway there myself too."
"Ah."
"What about yours? Running late?"
"Well... something like you. Can't make it."
I had no family to come. In that sense, we were similar. Yeo Min-seo tilted her head, not quite getting it, but she didn't press further. Conversation over.
Then someone tapped my shoulder.
"...What?"
I turned to see a familiar face.
"What do you mean, what? I'm here to pick you up."
It was Uncle Lee Jin-seong. Dressed in a sharp suit, he looked so polished it felt strange. I glanced nervously at Ma Yu-hyeon and Yeo Min-seo, but they seemed indifferent to whoever had come for me. Or maybe they were just pretending.
I grabbed my uncle and hurried out of the airport. I didn't want Ma Yu-hyeon's face exposed to him.
"Why the rush? Like someone's gonna snatch you?"
"Yeah."
"Fair enough."
We got in the car. I sat shotgun, watching the airport recede through the window. Crowds of clerics milled about out front. I stayed silent until we hit the highway.
"What the hell? With all those clerics around."
"As long as you don't do anything suspicious, it's fine."
"That's true, but..."
The problem was Ma Yu-hyeon. He knew I was the Voodoo Cult leader. He might not have noticed in his distraction, but if he had seen my uncle, he'd surely get curious about his identity. I could brush it off somehow, but the risk of suspicion was the issue. My uncle didn't know Ma Yu-hyeon was aware of my secret. No chance to tell him yet.
How to explain this? Being honest felt off. It was like admitting someone had figured me out diminished my skills. But if I didn't, something like today could happen again. I didn't care about myself, but I couldn't let it drag others down.
"That blond-haired, dark-skinned guy next to me. See him?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Friend of yours?"
"He knows who I am."
Vroom—!
Uncle suddenly floored it. The car swerved slightly side to side. It tore through the darkness. When he finally eased off and steadied, he spoke.
"What... your identity's exposed? When? Just now?"
"No, a while back."
"Then why are you still..."
He trailed off. Wondering why Ma Yu-hyeon was still alive, or why I was still unscathed at Florence. Deciding which to ask first.
"We both have our reasons, so he won't rat me out, and I won't kill him."
"...What reasons? No, how'd he find out in the first place?"
I explained everything: Ma Yu-hyeon being the current pope's grandson, his blessing fusions, the practical exam incident, kidnapping him to the Worship Hall. Uncle just drove and listened. When I finished, his face was surprisingly calm.
"...So that guy's the next pope candidate... Starless Night. That bastard from back then."
"Pardon?"
"No way I'd forget."
Uncle let out a dry chuckle. Of course. He couldn't forget that day. Several Voodooists close to him had died. I'd heard he'd nearly died too.
"You don't know exactly why he hasn't snitched?"
"Nope."
"Figure that out first. Then you can stay ahead."
True. Knowing why would let me leverage his info network from a position of strength.
Uncle nodded slowly.
"More work piled up. Whew... gonna be busy again."
"Why, gonna dig for dirt? Won't be easy."
"You think that passport was simple? Everything I do is tough."
He grinned.
"Tough or not, gotta do it. That's why I'm here."
"...Fair."
"Might not pan out, like you said. Pope's grandson means complications."
"Sounds messy from what I've heard."
"Yeah. Don't know his endgame, so stay sharp. He might turn you in anytime if it suits him."
I nodded. Uncle kept driving. Traffic thinned out from the airport congestion. With some breathing room, he switched the music. Something mellow. He checked the side mirror and spoke.
"Worst case... I don't usually say kill, but."
He bit his lip.
"That guy... absolute worst case. Consider taking him out."
I nodded silently. One song ended; the next upbeat, bouncy track came on. Seizing the mood shift, Uncle changed topics.
"Anyway, how'd you snag what you went for? The staff, right?"
"In the carry-on."
"Good. Sounded like shit went down there... your doing?"
I nodded.
"Not hurt? You look fine."
"Nah, but... feels ominous."
"How?"
I summarized the museum events for him, adding that Han Dae-ho and others might suspect Voodoo's existence, possibly facing questions or scrutiny at school next week. Getting the staff was great, but had I lost more than gained? The cost felt too high.
Uncle listened without a word, just driving. Lost in thought. After a bit, he nodded and cracked the window.
"Next problems later. Got the staff; no point overthinking now."
Wind rushed in through the half-open window, whipping my hair wildly. It was strong. He said something more, but the roar drowned it out. No reason to feel cool, but somehow I did.
I planned to head straight to the Worship Hall. Wanted to stash the staff safely and test it ASAP.
But en route, Uncle pulled into a supermarket.
"First time back in ages; let's grab something tasty. Can't cook, so meat it is."
"Meat in the basement?"
"Rooftop. Whole building's ours anyway."
He shopped: meats, wraps, herbs. But the meat quantity was insane. Way too much for me, him, and Kang Ji-a.
"Why so much?"
"More meat's always better~."
He loaded up everything. Back at the Worship Hall, I opened the carry-on first and pulled out the staff. Held it for a moment. Excitement, sure, but responsibility weighed heavier. Having it wouldn't make reverse Voodoo instant. First, master wielding it; only then learn reverse spells. Then master those to heal Jeong Yun-ah. Lots to do: practice handling, study theory, test in practice. Needed to carve out efficient time. Sleep less if possible.
"Quiet... you go first... break the habit..."
"...Hey! So... a bit..."
"You little... at it again..."
The kitchen was rowdy. Kang Ji-a's voice first—sounded like an argument. Uncle's mediating. Only supposed to be us three here. If she was fighting someone, there was an intruder.
I carefully stowed the staff back and crept toward the kitchen, footsteps muffled.
"...Why the hell are you here?"
There, a face that shouldn't be: Ha Su-yeong.
I instinctively flared Voodoo Magic. She panicked at the ripple around my hand.
"W-wait! I'll explain, hear me out."
For some reason, Ha Su-yeong was in the Worship Hall.
(To be continued)