Chapter 58
Slice.
He cut his palm with a sharp dagger and let the blood flow onto the blessing array. As a result, the blessing array emitted a brilliant light and gradually lost its shape before it was reborn into a new form as if it were going through metamorphosis.
The light flowing from the blessing array expelled the demonic energy that filled the barn. The dense demonic energy that was thick enough to completely impede the vision of anyone inside the barn was slowly being purified by the blessing array. The pentagram located near the Tower of Corpses also stopped operating. It was a truly miraculous, magnificent, and beautiful scene that left all the teachers stunned and filled them with admiration.
"...What in the world? How does he do that?"
Ye-Jin tried to visually analyze the blessing array, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't figure out how it worked. It was a blessing array that was so insanely sophisticated that she couldn’t analyze it with her current knowledge. While Ye-Jin stared blankly at the blessing array with a dazed expression, the person who drew the blessing array had a calm face.
"The demonic energy will be purified within ten minutes. Paladin class teachers should measure the concentration of demonic energy. Once it drops below the threshold, you may advance into the area and dismantle the tower.”
"Understood, sir. What about identifying the victims’ identities–"
"Do you call that a question? Identify the victims’ identities while dismantling the tower."
"Yes, understood!" Bok-Dong answered enthusiastically with a straight posture. His military discipline was top-notch.
"Well then, my work at the barn is finished. Next is... the sacred training ground. Where is it?"
"Yes, sir. Shall I guide you there?"
"Please do."
Bok-Dong led the way with firm steps and led the person to the sacred training ground. The person followed along with haughty steps. Bok-Dong was considered a bishop-level clergyman within the church, but in front of Sung Yu-Da, who was a cardinal and a former inquisitor, he was in a situation where he couldn't even freely lift his head.
Meanwhile, a priest who specialized in healing bit her nails anxiously as if she was apprehensive while following Sung Yu-Da. Ye-Jin looked at her with curiosity.
"What's the problem?"
"Um, there is a wound on Sir Sung Yu-Da’s hand."
"Wouldn’t he be able to take care of it himself?"
"But still..."
The priest’s gaze was fixed on the wound on Sung Yu-Da's palm. Many of the priests who specialized in healing had obsessive-compulsive disorder. They felt a compulsive desire to heal every wound they saw. It wasn’t a stretch to call it an occupational disease.
"Oh... This won't work. I really won't be able to sleep if it's left like this."
In the end, the priest could not overcome her anxiety and approached Sung Yu-Da. "Sir Sung Yu-Da, the wound is deep. If you need healing, I can..."
"It's okay. Please don't come any closer than that."
As the priest released divine power and attempted to approach Sung Yu-Da, he stopped her and his face contorted in a scowl of contempt. The priest was momentarily taken aback and stopped walking, but she seemed unable to overcome her anxiety as she once again continued to approach Sung Yu-Da.
"If I don't heal you now, the bleeding will—"
Thud.
The priest drawing a healing array, collapsed onto the ground before she could finish her sentence. Her pupils were unfocused, and froth bubbled out from her mouth.
"I'm sure I told you not to come any closer."
Sung Yu-Da furrowed his eyebrows as if he was disgusted as he scrutinized the priest who had collapsed onto the ground.
Ye-Jin was surprised, and she ran up to examine the state of the priest. She seemed to have fainted. Ye-Jin looked up at Sung Yu-Da with a cold gaze.
"What did you do just now?"
"It wasn't me. She was poisoned by the residual demonic energy on my clothes. That's why I told her not to come, but these priest folk are really..."
Priest folk...?
"You should have said that from the beginning—!"
"Sir, may I ask how to deal with demonic energy poisoning?"
Just as Ye-Jin was about to say something in anger, Bok-Dong interrupted her. Bok-Dong’s military discipline was top-notch, and his lips formed an awkward smile. It was a professional smile.
"...Anyway, since it's diluted demonic energy, she’ll wake up on her own in half a day. If you're really worried, then you can cast a blessing of recovery on her."
"I understand, sir. May I explain it to the other teachers first before I continue guiding you?"
"Don't bother asking permission for everything. It's annoying."
"Yes, understood."
Bok-Dong passed on Sung Yu-Da's words to the other teachers who were following from behind. Bok-Dong explained that the priest had been poisoned by the demonic energy that was on Sung Yu-Da's clothes. He told them that since it was diluted demonic energy, she would wake up in about half a day, so there was no need for worry. He also told them to transfer her to the nurse's office and to lay her down on a bed.
While the teachers carried the priest away to the nurse’s office, Bok-Dong whispered in Ye-Jin’s ear. Ye-Jin cringed as if her feelings were hurt.
“...Why would I do that?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, just do as I say.”
Ye-Jin reluctantly nodded her head.
After entrusting the unconscious priest to the other teachers, Bok-Dong immediately resumed guiding the group. Ye-Jin had a displeased expression on her face while glaring daggers at the back of Sung Yu-Da's head.
‘Don’t provoke him?’
It was a phrase that she had heard quite a lot when she was a student, or rather, even after becoming an adult. But she never expected to hear those words as a teacher. Anger bubbled inside of her, and she had the immediate urge to shout at Sung Yu-Da, but she held it in. It was because when Bok-Dong uttered his warning, his face had been more serious than it had ever been before.
"Sir, this is the place."
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the sacred training ground. Sung Yu-Da scanned the surroundings and eventually furrowed his brows.
"There are students here," Sung Yu-Da said.
"Oh, yes. This class is for practical training..." Bok-Dong trailed off with a troubled look on his face. On the sacred training ground, students from the Class of Charity, Kindness, and Patience were gathered, and in front of the crowd of students, Do-Jin was explaining the rules of the practical training with a weary voice.
"By any chance, is the blessing array you asked me to draw for practical training?" Sung Yu-Da said while glancing at Bok-Dong with sharp eyes. Cold sweat poured down Bok-Dong’s face as he just barely managed to open his mouth.
"It is intended for practical training, but due to the recent series of incidents, it was deemed necessary to train teachers and security personnel..."
"So, you called me here 'just' for the sake of practical experience and training."
Sung Yu-Da's face was no longer frowning. His expression was just stern and empty.
Suddenly, Bok-Dong felt as if his heart had stopped for a moment as he felt a dizzying sense of danger. His eyes darted around as he quickly searched for an excuse.
"Also, also! I thought it would be a good lesson for your daughter. While analyzing sir's blessing array, I thought she might be able to gain some insights..."
"Hmm."
Sung Yu-Da had been looking down at Bok-Dong with cold eyes for a long time. After hearing his excuse, Sung Yu-Da finally smiled slightly and nodded as if he was satisfied.
"That's a good idea. Since entering the dormitory, I haven't had many opportunities to teach her."
Sung Yu-Da expelled divine power from his fingertips. The divine power immediately turned into a blessing array. Eventually, a huge fusion blessing array composed of dozens of blessing arrays was formed. Recovery, healing, damage reduction... Ye-Jin attempted to analyze it, but because the blessing array was too huge and complex, it was a hopeless endeavor.
"I guess that should be enough. I'll be going now."
After deploying the blessing array, Sung Yu-Da left the sacred training ground without looking back. Bok-Dong followed behind him.
"I'll guide you outside."
"No need. I've already memorized the way." Sung Yu-Da firmly refused Bok-Dong's offer.
Bok-Dong nodded. Just as he was about to return to the teacher’s office, he noticed that Ye-Jin was following Sung Yu-Da with short and quick steps and a face full of dissatisfaction.
"Sir Sung Yu-Da, Eiden Hill has also been enveloped in demonic energy. It needs to be purified,” Ye-Jin said boldly.
Sung Yu-Da slowly turned his stiffly aligned head and looked down at Ye-Jin. "I only came here to purify the 'origin of the demonic energy' and to deploy a blessing array on the sacred training ground. I never received a request to purify the demonic energy that had spread through Eiden Hill."
"But there is still a lot of demonic energy left in the mountain. If it's not purified, it will affect the students' bodies–"
"Do I have an obligation to do that?" Sung Yu-Da asked while staring at Ye-Jin. Like a pitch-black abyss, his pupils were exceedingly empty and flat.
Ye-Jin gulped down her saliva and forcibly opened her mouth with her herculean willpower.
"As a clergyman, this is an obvious—"
"I am no longer a clergyman. I am retired. It's up to you clergymen to purify the demonic energy that has spread throughout the mountain."
Sung Yu-Da remained expressionless as if he didn't feel even a hint of remorse or responsibility.
Ye-Jin trembled in disbelief at his audacity, but she had no way of refuting Sung Yu-Da's words. It was true that Sung Yu-Da had retired and that he was no longer a clergyman.
Sung Yu-Da spoke to Ye-Jin with a gaze filled with revulsion, as if he were looking at an insect, "And I am not a tool to purify demonic energy."
"...."
"Also, I am not in a position to take orders from you. If anything, I should be the one giving orders. Please know your place– Cough!"
Flop.
Suddenly, Sung Yu-Da let out a scream. Ye-Jin had been silently biting her lips and bowing her head when she looked up in surprise.
Sung Yu-Da had fallen down onto the dirt floor, and in front of him was a male student that was looking at him with a stunned expression as if he was unsure of what to do.
"What do you think... you’re doing?" Sung Yu-Da said.
"Ah, sorry. I was running late for practical training and didn't see where I was going. Shall I help you up?"
The student reached out his hand to Sung Yu-Da. He was close. He was close enough to be affected by any remaining demonic energy.
But the student smiled as if he was completely unaffected. It was as if he was completely immune to the demonic energy.
"...No, it's alright. If you're running late, you should hurry up."
The student bowed lightly and then quickly ran off to the sacred training ground. He had apologized, but he didn't look to be apologetic at all.
Ye-Jin stared at the back of the familiar male student with a blank face. Suddenly, she came back to her senses and shouted, "Wait, that's Do Sun-Woo! I've told him so many times not to be late for class!"
Ye-Jin yelled at Sun-Woo, who was running away.
Sung Yu-Da approached Ye-Jin and sternly asked, "The student's name is Do Sun-Woo?"
Surprised by Sung Yu-Da's sudden approach, Ye-Jin took two steps back. It was because she wanted to avoid being affected by any residual demonic energy.
"Y-yes, why?"
“Do Sun-Woo... Do Sun-Woo, hmm....”
Sung Yu-Da nodded his head and looked toward the sacred training ground. It seemed as if he was following the traces of Sun-Woo, who had disappeared after entering the sacred training ground earlier.
"Two in one generation... Is that good luck or bad luck?"
"What?"
"...Nevermind. I’ll go now."
Sung Yu-Da muttered incomprehensible words before walking away with graceful steps. Ye-Jin’s face twisted in anger as she watched him go.
"What's with the sudden muttering? Is he going senile?"
It was a belated outburst that Sung Yu-Da could not hear.
*
"I'm sorry. I'm late."
As soon as I entered the sacred training ground, I apologized for being late. Thanks to using Bossou's power to run, I wasn't too late, but I was still late. Do-Jin was in the midst of explaining the details of the practical training, and he looked at me with a blank stare.
"Why are you late?"
"There is no reason," I said confidently. I had no excuse for why I was late.
I was late because I had been listening to the ‘prophecy’ from Baron Samedi, who had spontaneously appeared. The excuse that I came back after going to the bathroom was not going to work. It was better to just admit my mistakes quickly.
“You have no reason for being late, you say.”
Do-Jin didn’t show any signs of anger. Instead, he nodded his head with a composed expression on his face and said, "Well then. Do you think I'm going to give you a demerit or not?"
"I think you will."
"Oh, you think so? Why is that?"
"Because I was late for class."
"Ah, that's the right answer. Come, join the class."
I joined the area where the Class of Charity was lined up. I knew that I was going to get a demerit no matter what I said, so I had no idea why he asked me that question.
However, when I thought about it, the reason why I was late was really my fault. Perhaps it was because I had unexpectedly run into Sung Yu-Da, but my thoughts had been constantly going in a negative and aggressive direction.
Meeting Sung Yu-Da really was a coincidence. As usual, Baron Samedi had said, "There will be an unexpected encounter today," but I had no idea that it was referring to a meeting with Sung Yu-Da.
[Was colliding with him also a coincidence?] Legba asked.
I shook my head.
Coincidence? Of course, that wasn't a coincidence. I encountered him while I was running hard toward the sacred training ground, and I was surprised.
My surprise turned into anger, and my anger turned into an indescribably complex emotion. It felt as if my airways were getting twisted, and every time I breathed, I felt a stinging sensation within my body. It was a painful and stuffy feeling.
So I purposely ran into him. There was nothing else I could do right now besides this. It was childish, but I felt like I would regret it later if I didn't do something like this.
"Dang, bro, you’re just built different. Look, the students are all staring at you. That was so cool."
Jun-Hyuk came up and teased me. When I scanned my surroundings, I noticed that the students were staring at me with confused expressions as if they were looking at an outcast.
"I don't think they're looking at me because they think I’m cool."
"That's true. So why were you late? It wasn't because you went to the bathroom, right?"
"That's true."
"Come up with a more creative excuse. If you keep saying you were late because you went to the bathroom─"
At that moment, Do-Jin threw something. It was a pen.
The pen struck Jun-Hyuk's forehead, and as a result, Jun-Hyuk collapsed onto the ground. Luckily, the pen’s tip was retracted, and it wasn't thrown very hard, so he wasn't hurt.
"Jun-Hyuk, don't chatter," Do-Jin said before continuing to explain the practical training. Jun-Hyuk massaged his forehead and pouted his lips as he was being treated unjustly as he stood up from his seat.
"Why am I the only one who gets called out for that? You were also chatting."
"Your voice was too loud."
"Hmm, okay." Jun-Hyuk nodded as if he agreed with my explanation.
Do-Jin continued his explanation. I heard some random terms such as ‘sparring’ and ‘tournament bracket.’ Based on that, I was able to deduce that today's practical training was going to consist of one-on-one matches. It was very unusual because Florence rarely held practical sparring matches.
There were two reasons for this. Firstly, there was the risk of injury. There was no need for me to explain this. It wouldn't make sense for a school of clergymen to let their students get hurt. Secondly, there was the issue of efficiency. The enemies of the Romanican Church could be divided into three major categories: demonic beasts, demons, and Satanists. Demonic beasts and demons were not human, and it was difficult to see Satanists, who used the power of the devil to transform their bodies, as humans.
Therefore, there was no reason to teach one-on-one combat. There was even less of a reason to hold practical training matches. It would be much more efficient for students to spend that time learning the characteristics of demonic beasts and demons and how to fight them. Despite these reasons, they were still holding practical sparring matches. The reason for this was probably...
"Up until now, demonic beasts and demons were our enemies," Do-Jin said with a somewhat complicated expression on his face.
"Satanists typically do not expose themselves, so you didn’t have much of a chance to encounter them. It's hard to think of them as 'enemies' when we don’t encounter them, even though we know that the origin of demonic beasts and demons lie with the Satanists."
Do-Jin drew his sword and lifted it up.
"Until now, things have been like this, but the situation has changed. Satanists have started to act in earnest. We don't know when, but a Holy War may break out someday. And then you all will become holy warriors."
His sword shone under the light.
"Not demonic beasts or demons, but humans. There may come a day when you have to cut down a Satanist that wears the skin of a human.”
As expected. I was wondering why we were suddenly doing practical sparring matches. It seemed that the church was aware of the presence of the Satanist who infiltrated Florence Academy. It could be because they were conscious of the 'Tower of Corpses' case that was reported on the front pages of the newspapers recently.
In any case, it was clear that the church felt a sense of crisis.
"Therefore, today's practical training is preparation for that. You’re free to use whatever blessings or weapons you want. The victory condition is to kill your opponent.”
To simulate a real battle as much as possible, the victory condition was not neutralization but elimination. However, there was no way that Florence Academy would really let the students die. If that was the case, then the functionality of the blessing array radiating brilliant light in the corner of the sacred training ground was obvious.
"Don't worry. There won't be any real deaths. You won't even get a single scratch. It may hurt a little, but it will only be temporary pain,” Do-Jin said.
The role of the fusion blessing matrix was to prevent the students from getting hurt during the training. In other words, it was like insurance.
"I will put up a tournament bracket. It was not decided fairly, but it was constructed purely randomly. I will not accept any complaints," Do-Jin said as he infused divine power into the holy artifact.
With a flash, a tournament bracket appeared in front of us.
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