The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 38

After finishing my schedule, I returned to my studio apartment and lay down on the bed. I closed my eyes and tossed and turned for two hours, but sleep wouldn’t come. Rather, the more time passed, the more it seemed to flee.

I came outside to get some fresh air, but the day was colder than expected and there was nowhere in particular to go. I had no choice but to go to the underground chapel. It was around 2 AM at that time.

"What. Not sleeping?"

Uncle was reading a book in his usual spot. When I looked to see what book it was, it was, as expected, a book related to money. He was truly a consistent person.

"Another economics book? We have lots of money now. Why are you reading that again?"

"No. If you have money, you need to think about multiplying it."

"What if you lose it again doing that?"

"Should I not make soy paste because I’m afraid of maggots? Returns always come with risks."

It wasn’t entirely wrong. Uncle continued. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"And you have to keep money rolling. If you leave it alone, it’s practically the same as taking a loss."

"What does that mean?"

"The money stays the same but prices go up every year."

Uncle shrugged his shoulders as if it was obvious. The explanation was unfriendly so I didn’t know exactly what he meant, but I vaguely understood.

After that, Uncle rambled on about money for several more minutes. Something about supply and demand.

"So! In conclusion. Money can also be laundered. The technical term is money laundering."

The story that started with market economics and investment logic led to talk about money laundering.

I’m a novice in this area so I don’t know exactly what methods are used, but anyway, Uncle launders dirty money so it can be used in legitimate places.

"The money we confiscated from Han Su-yeop is also being laundered."

"How long will it take?"

"At the fastest, two days. At the longest, a week."

The numerous cash and assets in Han Su-yeop’s room were also being laundered. When I carefully asked about the amount, he said it was "enough for three generations to live comfortably without working even if we quit religious life."

In any case, it meant an enormous amount of money. Enough to easily cover the losses from the previous stock investment.

"Su-yeop, go make coffee."

"Ueoeoe..."

Han Su-yeop made groaning sounds and went to make coffee. Uncle looked at such Han Su-yeop with satisfaction.

Han Su-yeop had become no different from a zombie due to the fusion sorcery I cast. However, since he hadn’t completely lost his intelligence, education and training were possible, and as a result, Han Su-yeop became the chapel’s errand boy.

Uncle taught Han Su-yeop how to make coffee first.

Eventually Han Su-yeop brought out coffee. Uncle received the cup and took a sip of coffee.

"A bit bland. It’s definitely convenient but it’s unfortunate he can’t control the water."

"Ueoeoe..."

Han Su-yeop made sounds as if repenting. Uncle continued reading his book while holding the cup.

I had punished Han Su-yeop and stolen all his money, but even so, my heart remained heavy.

This was because Jeong Yun-ah had become a zombie and was still wandering around inside Baal’s Maw.

I don’t know how to turn zombies back into humans. This meant Jeong Yun-ah might have to live as a zombie for life. Thinking this way, my vision went dark.

[Don’t worry. If you ask ’that guy,’ you’ll be able to find a way.]

While I was letting out my complicated feelings in a sigh, Legba spoke. ’That guy’ was referring to Baron Samedi.

"I suppose so?"

[Of course. That guy knows everything. Though I hate to admit it.]

Legba spoke as if it was obvious. It was somewhat comforting.

Right, there must be a way. Even if there isn’t, I’ll find one.

Steeling my resolve, I walked to the storage room in the corner of the chapel. When I opened the door and went inside, Kang Ji-ah was lying in the middle of the storage room with a blanket spread out, sleeping.

I don’t understand why she sleeps in the storage room when there are perfectly good bedrooms and rest areas.

I passed by Kang Ji-ah and rummaged through the storage room. Then I found and took out the altar we had taken from Han Su-yeop. To be precise, it wasn’t taken but reclaimed.

I placed the altar in an appropriate spot and looked for suitable offerings. The voices of the Loa, excited at the thought of receiving offerings, filled my head.

[Ah, finally! Finally offerings? How hungry I’ve been, even my hair has dried up and withered!]

[Be quiet. You’re being undignified.]

[You’re also looking forward to it. Your mouth says no but your body is honest.]

[Offerings. Half a year. A whole! I’m very excited. The laughter won’t stop!]

The Loa chattered noisily in their respective speaking styles. I ignored them and focused only on finding offerings.

Eventually, I found a box containing offerings to give to the Loa. Because I hadn’t taken it out for half a year and left it buried in the storage room, dust had accumulated thickly.

"There isn’t much."

I opened the box and examined the contents. The amount of offerings wasn’t very much, and they weren’t particularly high quality either. If I had to grade them, they were intermediate to low-grade.

Still, since there was no other option, it seemed better to offer these even if it was disappointing.

When the money confiscated from Han Su-yeop became usable through money laundering, I could buy quality offerings with that money and offer them. For now, putting out the urgent fire came first.

I offered the offerings I took from the box through the altar.

[Huff, come at me. Right now I am the ’strongest.’]

’Bull’s Horn’ to Bosu.

[Thank you! I’m getting a bit full. Sorry about last time.]

’Soil with a Smile’ to Granboa.

Besides that, ’Lightning-struck Branch’ and ’Rudder of a Wrecked Ship’ and so on. I offered offerings that matched each Loa’s characteristics.

The offerings I made weren’t particularly good, and most importantly, the amount of offerings was still far from sufficient. It seemed difficult to draw out 100% of the divine power.

Still, I could probably use about 20% comfortably. The side effects would also be much less than before.

[I have. No offerings. Why?]

While I was busy offering, Marinette, the fire Loa taken from Han Su-yeop, whined.

[Shut up. You bat-like bastard.]

[Sorry. Disappointed.]

The voices of Legba and the frightened Marinette alternated in my head. Marinette would be fasting for several months as payment for betrayal.

By the way, I didn’t need to offer to Legba, Baron Samedi, and one other person. All three were powerful enough not to need offerings.

[Do Seon-woo! You may take my divine power! Do Seon-woo! You may take my divine power!]

[Is Do Seon-woo a god? Is Do Seon-woo a god? Is Do Seon-woo a god?]

When I finished offering everything, the Loa hurriedly devoured the offerings while giving thanks. It was burdensome praise.

"Blasphemy. Troublesome."

I lightly raised my hand while inwardly showing my pleased feelings. It was something I could never do in front of others, but since there was no one else in the storage room besides me, it was fine.

"Cult Leader? What are you doing?"

"Ah."

That complacent thought was soon erased.

Kang Ji-ah, who had been sleeping soundly, woke up and was looking at me. I don’t know how long she’d been awake. Her eyes were half-closed as if she had just woken up.

I felt embarrassed and my face grew hot for no reason.

"...Well. Just had a brief chat with the Loa. While offering, you know."

"I see. But what did you say was troublesome? Did something happen?"

"...I’ll go out."

I didn’t answer and hurriedly left the storage room.

* * *

[Then take sleeping pills.]

"I don’t want to."

[You’re pointlessly stubborn. Does it make sense that you haven’t slept even 6 hours in two days?]

"It doesn’t make sense. But I’m not dying."

When I spoke with a laugh, Legba let out a deep sigh in my head. It was a sigh deep enough to collapse the earth.

[Do as you please. Anyway, the one who’s tired isn’t me but you.]

"Yes, yes. I’ll handle it myself."

[You still tie neckties terribly.]

Legba kept muttering in my head. I ignored him and focused on putting on my uniform. Tying the necktie was still awkward.

I was sure Kim Jin-seo had shown me the method last time, but strangely I couldn’t remember any of it.

After putting on my uniform completely, I left my studio apartment and headed to school. My head ached throb by throb and my steps were incredibly heavy. I also felt dizzy as if the ground was sinking. It was because I hadn’t slept properly for the past two days.

When I closed my eyes to sleep, the image of Jeong In-ah desperately searching for her sibling and the image of Jeong Yun-ah who had become a zombie came to mind.

Even when I briefly fell asleep, I had nightmares. The content was naturally about the Jeong In-ah and Jeong Yun-ah sisters.

Even wanting to sleep, I absolutely couldn’t.

That said, I didn’t want to take sleeping pills. Medicine has too strong a dependency. If I became addicted, I might become unable to sleep without sleeping pills for life. Rather than that, it was better to sleep less.

[I understand, but there’s no need to go this far. Excessive restraint is foolishness.]

Legba clicked his tongue as he spoke. I answered nothing and just walked toward school. I briefly lost consciousness in a daze on the way, and when I belatedly came to my senses, I was somehow in the classroom.

"This can’t be."

Had I acquired teleportation?

[You lost consciousness while walking. Stupid and foolish bastard.]

"I see."

If I lost consciousness while walking, I must really be very tired.

I lay down at my desk and tried to sleep briefly. As expected, I couldn’t sleep properly. I just repeatedly dozed off and woke up sporadically. Far from the fatigue going away, only my head ached throb by throb.

[Take medicine. Or ask that kid from back then. That one who used the Blessing of Peace or something.]

Legba gave subtle advice. There certainly was a student who handled advanced Blessing of Peace during the demon race extermination practical.

But I couldn’t remember the name well. I think the hair was gray. The kid who hung around with Seong Ha-yeon. What was that kid’s name?

"Uya!"

While I was searching my memory, someone tapped my head. I turned my head while still lying down to look at her. Jeong In-ah was looking at me with a bright smile while holding a shopping bag in one hand. Her eyes shone clearly.

"Not studying today?"

"I’m tired. But what’s ’Uya’?"

"Since you’re Do Seon-woo. I took the ’u’ to make Uya."

I wanted to ask what happened to ’Seon’ but I didn’t have the energy to speak, so I just nodded.

Jeong In-ah sat in the seat in front of me and turned her head to stare at me intently.

I avoided her gaze for no reason. I didn’t have the confidence to face her naturally as usual.

"You really look tired today. Want to sleep a bit?"

Thinking I was tired, Jeong In-ah spoke worriedly. I shook my head while moving my gaze back to Jeong In-ah. Even if I tried to sleep, it seemed like sleep wouldn’t come anyway.

"What’s that?"

I pointed to the shopping bag in Jeong In-ah’s hand. She smiled brightly and tucked one side of her hair behind her ear. Her face was full of anticipation and excitement.

"I’m seeing my sibling today. I bought it to give as a gift."

"Ah. Your sibling, you said they found them..."

"Yeah! I’ll do practicals in the morning, then leave early during lunch to go straight to the Holy Knight Order."

I felt strangely heavy-hearted for no reason. I raised my head to quietly look at Jeong In-ah. Her brown hair was curly. Her bright brown eyes sparkled. I noticed for the first time that her eyelashes were long and her double eyelids were quite deep.

They looked too similar.

Looking at Jeong In-ah reminded me of Jeong Yun-ah and made me feel heavy, and looking at Jeong Yun-ah reminded me of Jeong In-ah and made my heart sink. Jeong In-ah and Jeong Yun-ah looked too similar. To a cruel degree.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on me?"

Jeong In-ah, unaware of my feelings, just kept smiling brightly. She took out a hand mirror and examined her face while turning her head this way and that.

"What. Nothing’s on you. Why were you looking?"

"Just. You looked happy."

"Of course! Naturally I’m happy. Oh right, the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom too."

Jeong In-ah spoke while looking out the window. Beyond, I could see buds that were half-bloomed on sparse branches. The sky was clear and blue, and fresh sunlight embraced the buds.

It was an incomparably pretty day, but that made my heart feel even worse.

"Are you sure?"

"Huh? About what?"

Jeong In-ah tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

"The Holy Knights said they found your sibling. Are you sure?"

"I’ll have to go see to know. But I think it’s almost certain."

Jeong In-ah answered with a slightly frowning face as if wondering why I’d ask such a thing. The harmonious atmosphere from just moments ago felt slightly, coolly stiffening.

"I see."

I said nothing more and just nodded.

"Why did you ask?"

Jeong In-ah still had a smile on her lips, but unlike before, it was somewhat bitter. The wind seeping through the window gap stirred her hair.

Ding-a-ling, bell sounds came from somewhere. There were no bells anywhere nearby. The image of Jeong Yun-ah screaming in the damp Baal’s Maw occasionally flashed before my eyes and disappeared.

"Just in case. I thought it might be better not to get your hopes up too much."

The smile on Jeong In-ah’s lips gradually hardened and then completely disappeared. Her bright, sparkling eyes had become empty.

Only then did I realize I had made a slip of the tongue.

"Sorry, what I just said..."

"Hey."

Before I could even apologize, Jeong In-ah’s cold voice flew at me.

My heart felt cold as if it had frozen. Jeong In-ah was looking at me with eyes so deep and dry their end couldn’t be known.

"You’re saying things a bit strangely."

"It was a mistake."

"Don’t get your hopes up, you said. That’s not something that would come out as a mistake."

It was a direct hit.

I know that her sibling Jeong Yun-ah has become a zombie. I also know that she’s trapped in Baal’s Maw, endlessly screaming. I know that even if she goes to the Holy Knight Order today, she won’t be able to reunite with her sibling. I know that her anticipation and excitement will soon crumble into heartbreak. I know that if expectations are high, disappointment is also great.

It was something I said from a heart hoping she wouldn’t crumble, wishing she wouldn’t get her hopes up. It wasn’t a slip of the tongue, but words that came from endless sincerity.

"I’m sorry."

"I can’t even have expectations?"

My belated apology didn’t reach her and just disappeared, blown away by the wind.

"The Holy Knight Order contacted me saying they found my sibling. I can have some expectations, can’t I?"

I silently hung my head.

"Whether to have expectations or not, why."

Her voice trembled.

"...Who are you to say?"

The silence was brief but felt like it would never end. Jeong In-ah glared at me with empty eyes, then soon got up from her seat and left the classroom.

Bang.

The sound of the door closing was loud.

Ding-a-ling, clatter, ding-a-ling, clatter, bell sounds and iron bar rattling sounds kept echoing in my ears.

Drrrrrk!

"Hey. Why is Jeong In-ah so pissed off? What? What happened?"

Gu Jun-hyeok came in late making a fuss.

The timing was truly artistic.