Whoosh! Igniting the Sacred Relic with Divine Power
Whoosh! As soon as I infused it with divine power, flames erupted from the sacred relic. Its name was the Moses' Burning Bush Fragment. By channeling divine power into the fragment, you could communicate wirelessly with anyone else holding a matching piece. The sound quality was superior to walkie-talkies or regular calls, making it a staple for soldiers during operations.
"Yeo Min-seo?"
Seong Ha-yeon spoke into it, addressing Yeo Min-seo. The flame flickered unsteadily for a moment before settling into a steady dance, signaling a successful connection.
"Yes, I can hear you. What should I do first?"
The voice came through with each flicker of the flame, as if Yeo Min-seo's words had turned into melody, making the embers dance to its tune. Through the flame, Seong Ha-yeon could hear rustling sounds, like Yeo Min-seo rummaging for something.
"...Yes?"
"Gu Jun-hyeok? I'll stick with him. Han Su-ryeon can take Do Seon-woo—"
"Uh, um, me."
Seong Ha-yeon mumbled awkwardly, unable to refuse or accept outright. Tactically, pairing with Do Seon-woo was efficient, but she didn't want to. Simply put, she disliked him.
She didn't know why exactly. From the demon extermination drill, she'd sensed something chilling about him. Those blank, vacant eyes that hid his thoughts, and that dry voice that always sounded irritated. Recalling it filled her with an unbearable disgust. She shook her head vigorously, shuddering to shake off the memory.
"Ah..."
"...Okay, got it."
Seong Ha-yeon nodded reluctantly. Yeo Min-seo had made her an offer: help her in the Charity Holy Mark reselection exam, and in return, she'd give Seong Ha-yeon crucial info directly tied to her grades. For someone like Seong Ha-yeon, who had no choice but to obsess over her scores, it was impossible to refuse.
Crackle, crackle... The flame on the bush soon died out, severing the connection with Yeo Min-seo. At the same moment, rain began falling from the sky.
Seong Ha-yeon quickly pulled out her prepared relic and infused it with divine power. It unfurled like an umbrella, blocking the downpour.
"Haa."
She sighed heavily, her heart heavy. Then she scanned around for Do Seon-woo.
Was it good luck or bad? He was close enough to see with the naked eye. While the other kids had long since bolted toward the ark at the mountaintop, Do Seon-woo just stood there, looking dazed, lost in thought.
Of all people, him again.
Lately, I keep getting tangled with this Do Seon-woo guy in ways I don't want. No, it feels like circumstances are forcing me toward him. I don't like him, but everyone keeps pushing me his way. My father, Yeo Min-seo...
"Tch."
It sucked, but what could she do? Seong Ha-yeon trudged through the rain toward Do Seon-woo.
*
The rain poured down. The drops were so thick, "torrential downpour" didn't even cover it. I stood there taking it full on my body, staring at "that thing" atop the mountain.
Thanks to the fierce rain, I could only make out its silhouette, but that had to be the ark. The goal of the first gate was to climb the mountain in time and enter it. It wasn't a tall peak—two hours should be plenty under clear skies.
Of course, that assumed good weather. Right now, the rain was so bad that walking, let alone climbing, was a struggle.
"Bosu."
I tested summoning Bosu.
Bosu responded in a lively voice. Good—it seemed I could use Loa powers even inside the ark. Divine power projection worked too, naturally. Voodoo magic projection probably did as well, but I didn't test it to avoid any risks.
With Bosu's power, climbing in this storm wouldn't be too hard. I started toward the mountain, step by step.
The rain from the sky was relentless, and water had already risen to my ankles. Each step splashed with a chap, chap.
"Hey."
Then someone called from behind. I glanced back. An unexpected face.
"...Who?"
Truly unexpected. I didn't recognize her.
She tied up her rain-soaked, limp hair with a band and flashed me a bright smile. "Seo Ha-rin, from your class."
"Ah... Classmate."
"Your seatmate behind you earlier."
"Ah."
The "backseat" jogged my memory. The annoyed voice when Gu Jun-hyeok reclined his chair—that must've been her. Should I apologize? Say nice to meet you? No words came, so I stood silent. Seo Ha-rin gave an awkward smile.
"You probably wouldn't remember. I'm not the standout type."
"No, I think I know the name. Just the face..."
"It's fine. Happens."
She finished tying her hair neatly. Her face emerged from behind the wet strands: utterly ordinary, the kind you'd forget by tomorrow. The only notable feature was a prominent mole under her lip.
"Climbing together should be faster than solo, right?" She gazed past the rain at the hazy ark on the peak.
Climbing alone through this storm would be lonely and slow; with a partner, faster and safer to reach the ark. She'd approached to propose teaming up.
"So, wanna go together?"
"Yeah."
Seo Ha-rin nodded with a faint smile. I caught her glance—no malice there.
'Don't go alone. Watch your back.'
Baron Samedi's prophecy flashed in my mind. I hesitated. Could I trust Seo Ha-rin?
Her eyes held no evil. Her smile seemed pure, endlessly innocent, like she'd never betray me.
But that very innocence bred suspicion. Baron Samedi warned against going alone, so partnering up seemed right—but "watch your back" suggested betrayal. I glanced at the ring on my pinky.
"...Yeah. Together's faster and safer."
"Phew, good. Was worried you'd say no."
She patted her chest in genuine relief, smiling. Was it real, or acting? I couldn't read her intentions. She might betray me right before the ark.
But it didn't matter. I had my father's ring. I didn't trust Seo Ha-rin—just the spell engraved in the ring. And above all, that fleeting "hypothesis" that crossed my mind.
To test it, keeping her close was better.
"What relic'd you bring?" Seo Ha-rin asked midway up, piercing the rain toward the mountain.
"Just something from home."
"Yeah, kinda hard to share. Sorry."
Mine was the Fourth Angel's Trumpet, but no way was I telling the truth. I brushed it off, and she nodded understandingly, apologizing.
No need to apologize.
"Mine's... this."
She pulled out her relic: a seven-branched golden candelabrum. Not real gold—plating peeled in spots. She infused it with divine power, and flames lit up, burning steadily despite the direct rain.
"...Didn't know the test details, so grabbed something random. Pretty useless, huh."
She laughed hollowly. A self-deprecating smile, laced with habitual bitterness. I wanted to comfort her but couldn't find words, so I stayed quiet.
A flameproof candelabrum would've been great as a flashlight in a cave or underground, but useless in this open plain.
"Always like this. Nothing I'm good at."
"No need to say that..."
"It's true."
We traded such pointless talk as we climbed. By the time we reached the foothills, water lapped at our shins. Looking back, the flower-dotted meadow was submerged, giving off a eerie vibe.
Two paths up the mountain. Left was treacherous: steep enough to slip and tumble, littered with rocks and gravel. Right was smooth, almost man-made—gentle slope, flat, water flowing harmlessly to the edges.
"...Right one's better?" Seo Ha-rin said, feigning fear.
I nodded. Logically, right path seemed easier than left. I spotted kids ahead choosing right, their backs fading.
As we moved to take it—
"Not that way."
A voice that sent chills down my spine and choked my breath. I turned. Sure enough, Seong Ha-yeon. Not a hair wet, fluffy dry—thanks to her relic, probably.
"That way's elimination. Come with me. I'll guide you."
She crossed her arms, tone dripping arrogance, chin raised, gaze looking down on me. I grimaced involuntarily. Revulsion surged.
Staring silently, she twitched her brow irritably.
"What? Hurry up and follow."
Even then, I didn't budge. Rain pattering on the ground mixed with my dry heartbeat, churning my mind. Emotions hard to control. Always like this around Seong Ha-yeon.
Behind those haughty eyes, Seong Yu-da's loathsome face overlapped.
"I'll go my own way."
I steadied my breath, barely rejecting her. Not just dislike. Baron Samedi's "watch your back"—could mean literal back, but more likely betrayal. Highest odds? Seong Ha-yeon.
She'd tried betraying me in the demon drill early semester.
"That way's elimination. Didn't you hear?"
"I heard. Why should I trust you?"
"Why trust? 'Cause it's true...!"
"Why's it true?"
If Seo Ha-rin betrayed me suddenly, the ring's spell could get me out. But Seong Ha-yeon? Her Purifying Blood nullified spells. Ring wouldn't work on her. Too risky to trust.
Better not from the start.
"And why detour from the good path?"
"It's a trap. I'm here to help. I know a shortcut."
"Shortcut."
Same script as the demon drill. Promised shortcut, then betrayal. Her specialty. Made trusting her even harder.
And the real reason I couldn't trust her:
"Why help me? What's in it for you?"
No reason for her to help. Unclear motives meant no trust.
She pursed her lips, brow furrowing, face flushing—blood rushing from anger. Mutual. Her face alone made me nauseous.
"Hah, someone's offering help and you can't even say thanks?"
"Yeah, don't help. Not grateful."
"Who said anyone's dying to help? I don't wanna deal with you either—!"
"Yeah?"
I cut her off. Didn't want to hear more, talk more, face her more.
"If you don't wanna help, don't. Scram."
"Whoa..."
Seo Ha-rin beside me gawked, letting out a weird exclamation.
Even if she knew a real shortcut and meant well, no thanks. Better fail than accept.
Leaving stunned Seong Ha-yeon behind, Seo Ha-rin and I climbed. The smooth path was easy even in the storm.
Climbing, she kept glancing at me.
"...You okay? Her dad's a big deal."
"Fine."
Everyone knew her father was Seong Yu-da. If she tattled and he came to school to mess with me or penalize me? Perfect. He'd come to me on his own feet—no need for me to seek him out.
She wouldn't tattle anyway. I was sure. I knew her and Seong Yu-da's personalities better than anyone.
"Um... Hey?"
Mid-climb, Seo Ha-rin tapped my shoulder. I turned. She widened her eyes, stepping back.
"S-Scared me. Your face... uh, kinda scary."
"...Yeah?"
Thinking of Seong Ha-yeon and Seong Yu-da, I'd grimaced unconsciously. Forced a neutral expression. She smiled awkwardly then.
"You aiming for Charity Holy Mark?"
Out of nowhere. This was the reselection exam. Obvious goal. Couldn't guess her intent. Sounded like she wasn't aiming for it herself—weird.
"Obviously. You?"
"Nah."
She laughed hollowly. "Just... felt like I had to try something. All drills bombed so far, wondering why I'm even at Florence. Had to do this or nothing."
"Ah, yeah?"
"Kinda rambling. Sorry."
I shook my head; she beamed gratefully. Didn't know details, but she hadn't entered to become Charity Holy Mark holder. If not that, why enter? Fleeting doubt, but everyone has their reasons. I'd accept it.
"But is the test this easy?"
I nodded. Yeah, too easy. First gate or not, seemed poorly balanced.
"Oh, and—"
BOOM!!
An explosion roared. Her words scattered. From near the peak.
"Huh...?"
Seo Ha-rin looked up puzzled. I followed her gaze to the summit.
Far off, water cascaded from the peak. No—a waterfall poured down.
Rumble rumble rumble—!!
The waterfall roared toward us. Kids ahead swept away, tumbling helplessly. It carried dirt, gravel, rocks, uprooted trees. A landslide.
(Continued next chapter)