Sleepless Night and Shattered Hopes
I finished my schedule and returned to my studio apartment, collapsing onto the bed. I closed my eyes and tossed and turned for two hours, but sleep wouldn't come. If anything, it fled further as time passed. I stepped out for some fresh air, but it was colder than expected, and I had nowhere to go. With no other choice, I headed to the Underground Chapel. It was around two in the morning.
"What're you doing? Not sleeping?"
My uncle was reading a book in his usual spot. Curious, I glanced over—yep, another one about money. The man was nothing if not consistent.
"Another economics book? We have plenty of money now. Why bother reading that stuff?"
"Nah. Once you've got money, you gotta think about growing it."
"What if you lose it all again?"
"You can't make kimchi worrying about maggots. Returns always come with risks."
He wasn't entirely wrong. My uncle continued.
"Plus, money's gotta keep moving. Letting it sit is as good as losing it."
"What're you talking about?"
"The money stays the same, but prices go up every year."
He shrugged like it was obvious. His explanation was pretty curt, so I didn't fully get it, but I had a rough idea. He went on for a few more minutes, rambling about supply, demand, and investments.
"—So! In conclusion, money can be washed too. The pros call it money laundering."
What started as a lecture on markets and investing veered into money laundering. I was no expert, so I didn't know the exact methods, but apparently, he cleaned shady cash so it could be used legitimately.
"The money we seized from Han Su-yeop is getting laundered right now."
"How long?"
"Fastest is two days. Could take a week."
All that cash and valuables from Han Su-yeop's room were in the works too. When I cautiously asked the amount, he said it was enough for three generations to live off without working, even if we quit the cult life. In other words, a fortune. It could easily cover the losses from my last stock flop.
"Su-yeop-ah, make some coffee."
"Uuuugh……."
Han Su-yeop groaned like he was dying but shuffled off to brew it. My uncle watched him fondly. Han Su-yeop was in a zombie-like state from my fusion spell, but he hadn't lost all his wits, so training was possible. Now he was the chapel's errand boy. Coffee-making was the first skill my uncle taught him.
Soon, Han Su-yeop brought the coffee. My uncle took a sip.
"A bit weak. Super convenient, but he still can't get the ratios right."
"Uuuugh……."
Han Su-yeop groaned in what seemed like remorse. My uncle kept reading, mug in hand. We'd punished him and taken his money, but my heart still felt heavy. Jeong Yun-ah was still wandering Baal's maw as a zombie. I didn't know how to reverse it. She might be stuck like that forever.
The thought darkened my vision.
[Don't worry. Ask 'that guy,' and he'll know a way.]
Legba spoke up as I sighed away my gloom. 'That guy' meant Baron Samedi.
"Yeah, probably."
[Of course. He knows everything. Hate to admit it, though.]
Legba said it like it was a given. It was some comfort. Yeah, there had to be a way. If not, I'd find one.
Steeling myself, I headed to the storage room in the corner of the chapel. Inside, Kang Ji-a was curled up asleep on a blanket in the middle of the floor. No idea why she'd pick the storage over a proper bedroom or lounge. I stepped past her and rummaged until I found the altar I'd taken from Han Su-yeop—technically reclaimed.
I set it down and hunted for offerings. The Loa voices buzzed excitedly in my head at the prospect.
[Ah, finally! An offering? We've been starving—my hair's withering!]
[Quiet down. Don't lose your dignity.]
[You're excited too. Mouth says no, body says yes.]
[Offering. Half year. Wow! Me, super excited. Can't stop laughing!]
The Loa chattered in their various styles. I ignored them and focused. Eventually, I found the box of offerings for them. Untouched for half a year, it was caked in dust.
"Not much left."
Inside, the quantity was low, and quality was meh—mid to low-grade if I had to rank it. No choice, though; better than nothing. Once the laundered money was ready, I could buy premium stuff. For now, quench the fire.
I offered from the box via the altar.
[Hah, come at me. I'm at peak strength now.]
'Horn of the Bull' to Bosu.
[Thanks! Belly's full. Sorry about last time.]
'Smiling Clay' to Granbwa.
And so on—'Lightning-Struck Branch,' 'Shipwreck Rudder,' tailored to each Loa. They weren't great, and quantity was lacking, so full power was unlikely. Maybe 20% safely, with fewer side effects.
[Me. No offering. Why?]
Mid-offering, Marinette—the fire Loa from Han Su-yeop—whined.
[Shut it, you bat.]
[Sorry. Disappointed.]
Legba and a cowed Marinette alternated in my head. She'd fast for months as betrayal payback. Incidentally, no need for Legba, Baron Samedi, or one other—they were too mighty to care much.
[Do Seon-woo! Take my power! Do Seon-woo! Take my power!]
[Is Do Seon-woo a god? Is Do Seon-woo a god? Is Do Seon-woo a god?]
They devoured the offerings greedily, showering excessive praise. Overwhelming.
"Blasphemy. Troubling."
I waved it off lightly, inwardly smug. Something I'd never do in public, but the storage was empty—fine.
"Cult Leader? What're you doing?"
"Ah."
So much for that. Kang Ji-a was up, watching me. No clue when. Eyes half-lidded like she'd just woken. My face burned with embarrassment.
"……Uh. Hm. Chatting with the Loa. Offerings too."
"Aha. But what's troubling? Something happen?"
"……I'm out."
I bolted without answering.
*
[Then take sleeping pills.]
"No thanks."
[Stubborn as hell. Six hours in two days? Ridiculous.]
"Yeah, it is. But I'm still kicking."
I chuckled; Legba sighed deeply in my head.
[Do what you want. You're the tired one.]
"Yeah, yeah. I'll manage."
[Still tying your tie like crap.]
Legba muttered on. I ignored him, focusing on my uniform. Ties were still awkward. Kim Jin-seo showed me last time, but it was a blank. Dressed, I left for school. Head throbbed, steps heavy, dizziness like sinking earth. Two sleepless days' toll.
Closing eyes to sleep brought Jeong In-ah desperately searching for her sister, or zombie Jeong Yun-ah. Short dozes were nightmares—of the sisters. Couldn't sleep even if I wanted. No pills—they're addictive. Hooked, and I'd never sleep without. Better underslept.
[Get it, but no need to go this far. Overkill abstinence is folly.]
Legba tsked. I walked silently to school. Zoned out briefly; snapped to in class.
"No way."
Teleported?
[You blacked out walking. Idiot fool.]
"Ah."
That tired, huh. I faceplanted on my desk for a nap. No dice—just dozing and waking. Headache worsened.
[Take meds. Or ask that kid from demon practice. Patience blessing or whatever.]
Yeah, someone used high-grade Patience blessing. Gray hair? Hung with Seong Ha-yeon. Name...?
"Uwah!"
Someone tapped my head. I turned, still down—Jeong In-ah beamed, shopping bag in hand. Eyes sparkling.
"No studying today?"
"Exhausted. And 'uwah'?"
"Do Seon-woo. 'Woo-man' to 'uwah.'"
Wanna ask if she sold the 'Seon,' but no energy—just nodded. She sat ahead, twisting to stare. I averted eyes. Couldn't act normal.
"You look wiped today. Nap?"
She assumed fatigue, worried. I shook my head, meeting her gaze. No sleep anyway.
"What's that?"
Pointed at her bag. She grinned, tucking hair behind ear. Face full of anticipation.
"Saw sis today. Bought a gift."
"Ah. Found her, right...?"
"Yeah! Practice morning, early out lunch, heading to Knights now."
Heart twisted. I looked up, studying her. Curly brown hair. Bright brown eyes shining. Long lashes, deep folds—cruelly similar.
Seeing In-ah recalled Yun-ah's pain; Yun-ah brought sinking dread. Too alike. Brutal.
"Why stare? Something on my face?"
Clueless, she just smiled, checking mirror, tilting head.
"Nothing. Just... you look happy."
"Duh! Of course. Oh, cherry blossoms budding too."
She glanced out—half-open buds on sparse branches. Clear blue sky, fresh sun. Perfect day, worsening my mood.
"You sure?"
"Huh? About what?"
She cocked head, confused.
"Knights said they found her. Certain?"
"Gotta see. But probably."
She frowned slightly, like why ask. Mood chilled.
"Okay."
I nodded, silent.
"Why ask?"
Smile faltered, stiff. Wind rustled her hair through window. Bell tinkled—none nearby. Zombie Yun-ah screaming in Baal's maw flickered in vision.
"Just in case. Don't get hopes up."
Her smile froze, vanished. Eyes went hollow. I realized my screw-up.
"Sorry, that was—"
"Hey."
Cold voice cut me. Heart iced. Her gaze deep, dry void.
"You talk weird."
"Mistake."
"'Don't expect'? Not a slip."
Spot on. I knew Yun-ah was zombified, trapped screaming. No reunion today. Her joy would crash. Hopes high meant crash hard—I wanted her spared. Not mistake—pure truth.
"Sorry."
"Can't I hope?"
Apology lost to wind.
"They call, say found her. Can't hope a bit?"
I bowed head silently.
"Hope or not—why you?"
Voice trembled.
"......Who are you?"
Silence brief, eternal. She glared hollowly, stood, stormed out.
BAM.
Door slammed. Tinkle-clank, bell and grate rattles haunted ears.
SCRAPE!
"Yo, why's Jeong In-ah pissed? What happened?"
Gu Jun-hyeok burst in late, dramatic. Perfect timing.
(To be continued)