Chapter 303

Chapter 303

Yoon-Ah didn't look much different from before. If I had to point out something that had changed, I saw a bit more life in her eyes.

Yoon-Ah smiled faintly. She didn’t look much different from her sister, In-Ah. She casually made her way next to me and started walking with me.

"Where's your sister?"

I couldn’t think of anything else to talk about, so I brought up In-Ah.

Yoon-Ah glanced at me briefly.

"Why are you asking about my sister first?"

"No, I was just wondering why she isn’t with you. You live together, after all."

"She said she's going in for an interview... I can’t remember whether it was the North or South Priesthood. She said she'll be back in the afternoon."

"Oh?"

I tried to think of something else to follow up with. With nothing else to say, I ended up keeping quiet.

When Yoon-Ah reached the first-year building, she stopped walking and glanced at me subtly.

"You should show me around the school later. Florence Academy is too big, and I don't know where anything is."

"Don't you have any friends?"

"Huh?"

Yoon-Ah seemed flustered. I was also taken aback by my comment. Without realizing it, I had referred to Yoon-Ah casually as if I were talking to In-Ah.

"Uh, that's not what I meant... Got it. Come find me during lunch."

"But I don't even know where the second-year building is."

"Right. I'll find you, then. What class are you in?"

"Class of Charity," Yoon-Ah said and looked at her watch.

Perhaps we had talked too long, as she hurriedly said goodbye to me and went to her classroom.

I walked leisurely to the classroom. There was no need to rush. Florence Academy had a system of elective courses starting in the second year, and students could choose courses based on their major, interests, or aptitude.

I had chosen classes fitting for a member of the Department of Paladins and had arranged my schedule with the thought in mind that I had to report to the Central Paladin Order.

The structure of the elective lecture system required students to make their way to each class instead of the teachers coming to them. Naturally, a lot of movement was involved—I bumped into many people while moving to my next class.

The first person I met was Dae-Man, which I expected. He was also in the Department of Paladins, so the likelihood of us taking the same class was high.

"I heard you got into the Central Paladin Order! That's impressive. I'll follow suit soon! I guess I’ll enter as your junior if I enter later.”

"Oh, I see. Good luck. Which branch did you say you’re getting into?"

"I got into the Eastern Paladin Order!"

"Is Director Han Dae-Ho doing okay?"

"Of course! He often asks me to send his regards to you."

Director Han Dae-Ho seemed to be doing well. Despite losing one arm in the battle against Satanist Executive Lust, he seemed determined to carry out his paladin duties. As expected, losing an arm wouldn’t stop the likes of Han Dae-Ho from doing his job.

"What's up, Sun-Woo!"

The next person I met was Su-Ryeon. Min-Seo was also with her.

"Hey, I heard you joined the Central Paladin Order. How is it there? Are they still trying to get a grip on you guys?"

"A little bit. But it’s not that bad."

Su-Ryeon energetically asked me a flurry of questions, such as ‘How was the director?’ and ‘Could you become an inquisitor there?’ and so on.

I returned her questions with vague answers.

"Aren't there any free spots in Central right now? Please put in a good word for me if any places open up," Min-Seo said in a slightly blunt and sharp tone.

I pretended to ponder for a moment before replying, “There’s no place to give to you. You’d fail to pass even the personality test."

Although their intimacy had slightly diminished because of Sun-Woo, Yu-Hyun believed he could turn the opportunity in his favor.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll ensure you are compensated, so don't act upset. I will take care of everything generously. Working on some of my big deals would benefit you more than handling a few small requests, no?"

"You're talking nonsense."

Yu-Hyun tried to sweet-talk Mr. Kim to ease his mind. However, Mr. Kim replied in a cold and sharp tone.

"That's why I don’t work with children. They don't understand the concept of business, contracts, and how important trust is. Can you buy that with money?"

"Yeah, I guess I’m too young to understand everything. Anyway, as a sign of my apology, I want to take care of you in various ways, so don't be too mad..."

Yu-Hyun felt a deep sense of humiliation, but he didn't dare remove his smile. Yu-Hyun was a pro at keeping his expressions hidden. Through gritted teeth, he continued to smile toward Mr. Kim.

Just until conclave. Once the news of the Pope's death was announced and he was elected, he would control all the mercenaries in the country through Kim.

At that moment, Yu-Hyun tilted his head and murmured, "No, no. Hey, Kim."

"Wha... Kim? Who do you think you’re talking to?”

Mr. Kim was about to scold Yu-Hyun, but he shut his mouth. Yu-Hyun's expression was peculiar. His lips were smiling, but his jaw muscles were stiff with his clenched teeth. His eyes were fixed on Mr. Kim, but his pupils were small voids, the end of their depths unknown.

Then, Yu-Hyun opened his mouth wide and laughed brightly, exposing his bright, white teeth.

"I was wrong in my thinking. Mr. Kim!"

"..."

"Mr. Kim, you have a family, right? But you don't reveal that to your clients. Instead, you act like you’re single, a wanderer without a home, or a hermit."

"How did you...”

"How could I not know? You leave your phone unlocked every time you drink. What was it now... 12-29 Ganaan Road? Now that’s a good house."

Mr. Kim's expression stiffened upon the mention of the address. It was a different stiffness from when he had grumbled and complained to Yu-Hyun.

"I have a good memory, but I don't show it. People tend to be wary of those who don’t forget. Maybe because they never forget mistakes or weaknesses."

"..."

"Exodus 12:29. Do you know it?"

"I-I don't...."

"Ah, damn it. This is why I hate cultists."

Mr. Kim was more of a non-believer than a Cultist, but Yu-Hyun didn't care. It was a retaliatory remark born out of the humiliation he suffered earlier. He continued, "Look it up. If you grumble again, I’ll judge you by the rules stated in that verse. Got it?"

"..."

"So if I give you something, don’t complain. Just say thank you and take it. You understand?" Yu-Hyun said.

Mr. Kim seemed to tremble in fear at Yu-Hyun's stern threat. The reason why Yu-Hyun ultimately changed his attitude was simple. While preparing for the conclave, he had several followers, or soldiers, who worshiped him.

Even without using these followers, eliminating Mr. Kim using one of the Pope candidates he would have successfully merged with would be a piece of cake. It would be easy to find and eliminate Mr. Kim's family. So, rather than flattering Mr. Kim, who was already estranged, threatening him with this power would be much easier and more effective.

"Mr. Kim."

"Yes? Uh, I mean, huh?"

Yu-Hyun stabbed a whole apple with a fork and brought it to Mr. Kim's mouth. "Here. Eat it."

As Mr. Kim opened his mouth to bite the apple, Yu-Hyun forcefully shoved the apple into his mouth. Mr. Kim let out a strange sound and tried to push the apple, but his efforts were futile. Yu-Hyun continued shoving the apple into Mr. Kim's mouth, and a small apple bit fell and decorated Mr. Kim's hospital gown.

"Don't think you're on the same level as me just because you do mercenary work. Don't think of me as beneath you just because you're a little better."

"Ugh, ugh! Cough, cough!"

“From now on, listen when I talk. You understand? Then I'll feed you like this on my own."

Yu-Hyun stopped there and put down the fork. Mr. Kim coughed roughly and vomited the apple. After leaving Mr. Kim's hospital room, Yu-Hyun absentmindedly picked up his phone. Hundreds of notifications awaited him on his phone, which he had put on silent mode.

"What the hell?" Yu-Hyun muttered as he held the phone.

An article had been published. The Pope was dead. The internet was in an uproar. Everyone was finding out that the Pope had passed. It was not an official statement from the Holy See but rather a bold and ignorant reporter's scoop.