Into the Ark

"Kr, grrr... ugh... ."

A strange noise leaked from my open mouth. My vision was red. I couldn't tell if blood from my forehead had flowed into my eyes, or if blood was pouring from my eyes themselves. It didn't matter. I just needed to get inside the Ark. That was enough.

The moment I finally entered the Ark, a mechanical beep rang out stiffly, and a glow enveloped me. Right after, my red vision gradually turned white, drowsiness washed over me, and the pains that had relentlessly tormented my body began to fade bit by bit.

"Heh, heh..."

I let out an involuntary laugh. It wasn't just because I'd passed the first gate. It was because Seong Ha-yeon's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words—that open path is a trap, and if you take it, you'll definitely be eliminated—had been wrong.

It was a trap, but in the end, I didn't get eliminated. On the contrary, I'd passed the first gate while fulfilling even the undisclosed second condition.

She was wrong. Seong Ha-yeon's words were wrong, and my judgment not to trust her had been right...

That joy made me leak a smile without realizing it. The glow wrapped around my body, my vision was flooded with brilliant light, and even as my consciousness cut off, the smile lingered on my lips.

"That was Do Seon-woo who just passed, right? Whoa... he looks seriously terrifying."

Han Su-ryeon said, rubbing her arms as if getting goosebumps. She recalled Do Seon-woo, covered head to toe in blood, tears of blood streaming down as he cleaved through the waterfall. He seemed like a completely different person from the idiot who smiled foolishly while looking after Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok.

...A different person?

"..."

While Han Su-ryeon tilted her head at the odd sense of déjà vu, Seong Ha-yeon stared blankly at the spot where Do Seon-woo had passed. Even amid her argument with Yeo Min-seo, Seong Ha-yeon's eyes hadn't wavered, but now they shook noticeably. Fear was evident.

"That bastard's got some real tenacity."

Yeo Min-seo's gravelly voice shattered the silence. The cool smile on her lips was the same as always. She looked at Seong Ha-yeon with a now-calm face.

"Hey."

At the call, Seong Ha-yeon turned her head. The fear lingered on her face, though less than before. Her expression showed she hadn't fully gathered her wits. Yeo Min-seo didn't know what had scared Seong Ha-yeon so much, but she saw no need to ask. She just got to the point.

"Sorry about earlier. You had your reasons, huh?"

"...Pardon?"

"What, you figured you'd make it up on your own? If you'd told me about the plan beforehand, we wouldn't have fought."

Yeo Min-seo said with a grin. A villainous smile. Seong Ha-yeon stared at her with a bewildered face. Her mind, already scattered by Do Seon-woo, grew even foggier because of Yeo Min-seo. Seong Ha-yeon barely suppressed her confusion and slowly nodded.

"Yeah, well..."

"Anyway, it all went according to plan. Let's bail here."

The venom that had filled Yeo Min-seo's eyes was gone. She unfolded the note she'd received at the start of the exam and skimmed the contents.

"What the hell, no exit method written here. Can't forfeit? I wanna get out."

"...That note—ripping it probably gets you out. I'll go first."

Rip, riiiip.

As Seong Ha-yeon tore the note, light leaked from her body. More precisely, her body gradually turned to light and vanished. Soon, Seong Ha-yeon's form disappeared without a trace.

"How'd she know that? 'Cause it's her dad's creation?"

Yeo Min-seo tilted her head and continued.

"Whatever. I'm out too. Han Su-ryeon, you come quick."

"Bye~"

"Bye my ass—we'll see each other ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right after."

Riiiip!

Yeo Min-seo snorted and roughly tore her note. Soon, her body too turned to light and vanished.

Han Su-ryeon watched Yeo Min-seo disappear, feeling a strange dissonance. Just moments ago, Yeo Min-seo had been snarling like she wanted to kill Seong Ha-yeon, but as soon as things went to plan, she'd apologized. The attitude shift was too abrupt. Like a different person.

"A different person."

Rip.

Han Su-ryeon suddenly thought Do Seon-woo and Yeo Min-seo resembled each other in that weird way as she tore her note. Soon, her body turned to light and vanished.

When I came to, I was sitting in a chair. Before me loomed a massive table laden with the holy sacrament.

"—Aaaargh! W-where the hell's that bitch Han Su-ryeon!"

"Shit, you scared me. What?"

At that moment, someone suddenly yelled. Startled, I muttered to myself and turned to see Gu Jun-hyeok. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot red. His face screamed fury.

"...What? Where are we? Hey, Do Seon-woo? Why're you here?"

Gu Jun-hyeok, looking around, asked in bewilderment. I was in the same boat—not knowing why I was here or what this place was—so I just stared at him blankly. Silence stretched on.

Clack, clack, clack.

Then, distant footsteps echoed. I turned toward the sound. Someone approached slowly, hands behind their back, a faint smile on their lips. The robe they wore was a deep blue, like the sea itself.

"Welcome! First-gate passers!"

It was Noah. He laughed heartily, straightening the loose sleeves of his robe.

"Though it's not 'several' but just three of you! Hahaha. Anyway, that's how many got weeded out in the first gate~ Yes! So, the reason I've gathered you here is—"

"W-wait a sec. Noah... Noah sir?"

Mid-explanation, someone raised a hand. A weak, listless voice. It was Seo Ha-rin. She stared blankly at Noah with a dazed expression before finally speaking.

"I... I don't remember entering the Ark. Or passing the first gate. I just opened my eyes and I'm here."

"Ah~ Seo Ha-rin! I get it, I get it. 'I opened my eyes and somehow passed the first gate—isn't this a glitch?' Something like that, right?"

"Y-yeah."

Seo Ha-rin pressed her lips thin and nodded. Noah beamed, glancing between her and me.

"Simple explanation! Yes, no glitch! While Seo Ha-rin was unconscious, Do Seon-woo carried you in on his back!"

"Aha... huh? Do Seon-woo? Do Seon-woo?!"

Seo Ha-rin's face filled with shock as she looked at me. I averted her gaze and turned to Noah. He stared at me with sparkling, intrigued eyes—intensely so. Looking at her felt awkward; looking at him too. Best to hang my head.

"Hahaha, just as you heard—Do Seon-woo carried Seo Ha-rin into the Ark. Need more explanation?"

"N-no, but... why me?"

"Exactly, why! That's the key question! Perfect—I was about to ask that!"

Noah excitedly jabbed a finger at Seo Ha-rin. Her shoulders flinched in surprise. Excited Noah had a scary edge. Then his gaze shifted to me. Those overly sparkling eyes pierced like they would bore through me.

"Do Seon-woo, let me ask again. Why did you carry Seo Ha-rin?"

"..."

A tough question. I stayed silent for a moment. There were two reasons I'd carried Seo Ha-rin all the way to the Ark. One was Baron Samedi's prophecy: Don't go alone. It had suddenly come to mind. But naturally, I hadn't gone through the ordeal of climbing the waterfall with her on my back just for that.

"A verse from Scripture came to mind."

Noah's face lit up at my answer.

"A verse! Which one? Chapter and verse?"

"Don't remember the exact verse, but... probably Genesis 6... Yeah. The part where it says to Noah, 'Bring into the ark two of every living creature, male and female.'"

I stopped there, but Noah's expectant eyes urged more. Wondering what else to say, I finally spoke.

"Yeah, I thought the confidential condition might relate to that verse, so I entered the Ark with Seo Ha-rin."

"Yes, that's Genesis 6:19. You deduced the second condition from Scripture! One more question?"

Noah grinned, satisfied. I nodded, and he beamed brighter.

"What if your deduction was wrong?"

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Say you carried her all that way, but the condition wasn't met?"

Noah eyed me eagerly. Obvious question. I answered right away.

"I'd have been a bit bummed."

"Hahahaha! Oh, excellent. Yes. Haha, oh, hahaha. Goodness."

Noah threw his head back in exaggerated laughter. Gu Jun-hyeok, Seo Ha-rin, and I watched the giggling Noah with strange looks, like he was some weirdo.

"Ah, sorry for laughing. It's been ages since someone fulfilled the confidential condition... Anyway, back to earlier. The reason you're here is one."

Noah, calming his ragged breath from laughing, continued.

"To ask if you'll take the second gate!"

"What?"

Gu Jun-hyeok blurted in disbelief. His face twisted comically— an expression I'd never seen. How does one even make that face? Impressive, really.

Noah glanced at Gu Jun-hyeok's mug, still smiling.

"Eat the sacrament before you—the bread and wine—and we'll judge you intend to take the second gate. You'll be sent straight there."

"Aha. So eat this and go to the second gate?"

Gu Jun-hyeok asked snarkily. Noah just smiled, unperturbed.

"Yes. Anyone wanting the second gate, eat the bread and wine~"

"Pfft, no brainer."

Gu Jun-hyeok grabbed the bread and wine glass casually. About to shove the bread in, he paused and glanced at me.

"Yo, quit here. I'm winning anyway."

"What? Suddenly what the—"

Gulp!

Gu Jun-hyeok dumped the bread and wine into his mouth. My words vanished unheard. His blatant provocation was more amusing than annoying. I grabbed my bread and glass to follow to the second gate.

"I'll forfeit."

Then, Seo Ha-rin, who'd been fidgeting with her hands head down, spoke up. Noah raised an eyebrow curiously. I felt the same. I'd carried her to the Ark, and now forfeit?

"Why?"

Noah asked. Seo Ha-rin looked at us both with resolute eyes.

"I didn't pass the first gate on my own skill. Honestly, I don't even remember..."

"Aw, wasn't teaming with Do Seon-woo your skill too?"

"W-well, um. Truth is, no confidence for the second gate either, so."

Seo Ha-rin mumbled. Noah smiled to ease her tension.

"Of course, your choice! If not taking it, leave the bread and glass and exit through that door."

"O-okay."

Seo Ha-rin stood, shuffling weakly to the door. Opening it, she too was wrapped in light and vanished.

Now, alone at the sacrament table.

"Do Seon-woo, you'll take it, of course?"

Noah asked with a sly grin. Obviously. No hesitation. But one thing nagged.

"Any bonus for the second condition?"

"Of course."

"How much exactly?"

I'd entered the Ark after Gu Jun-hyeok, albeit not by much. With the second gate ahead, it was unclear if I'd beat him overall. So I asked about the reward for the second condition—to gauge my chances against him.

"Can't say for sure mid-exam, but..."

Noah straightened his collar.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"You'll find out when you leave. You'll be shocked."

He smiled meaningfully. Vague, but no more detail likely. I resignedly shoved the bread and wine in.

"Good luck."

Noah's voice echoed as consciousness faded.

I awoke lying on rock. Blazing sunlight scorched mercilessly. Looking around, sand shook from my hair. Sand everywhere; even the occasional wind carried it. The second gate: a desert.

Distant heavy machinery rumbled like construction.

[Truly a mysterious space.]

As I dazedly scanned, Legba's voice rang. A stabbing headache buzzed inside my skull—like the day I first wore Father's ring, or when I'd thrashed in voodoo before regaining senses.

[An incredibly precise illusion. Hard to believe Seong Yu-da made it alone.]

"...So?"

[No, he probably made it, but not 'alone.']

Legba muttered. Not alone? From memories I'd glimpsed, Seong Yu-da was Father's friend. Father handled voodoo masterfully. With his skill, such a precise illusion was feasible. Faintly, the Ark's illusion carried voodoo's scent—that murky, sticky aura everywhere.

Could it be...

Plop.

A note fell from thin air. Surely the second gate rules. I unfolded it.

"Ugh."

Reading it worsened the headache. Stopping Babel Tower construction in an hour? Later for that. But all criteria confidential? Too harsh. No clue where to start.

Rumble—!

Massaging my temples against the pain, a distant collapse echoed. Turning, I saw the tower. Towering arrogantly skyward, immense. At its base, bizarre beast-like creatures—not human—hauled stones, building it.

"...This is overkill."

I muttered at the tower. First, too many workers. Scripture confused their tongues to halt it, but I lacked that power. A Loa for languages existed, but not omnipotent enough. So, another way—but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠none came.

Brainstorming yielded only absurd ideas.

"..."

Thus, lost in thought staring vaguely at the tower.

Sudden unease hit. I looked around. Vast desert dotted with cacti; tumbleweeds rolled on sandy winds. No human traces anywhere.

...No human traces at all.

So, where was Gu Jun-hyeok?

(Continued next chapter)