The Cult Leader in the Clergy Academy

Chapter 226

Soo-Yeong confronted Ha-Yeon. At first, she thought about running away, but she stopped because it would seem strange to do so.

So, what should she do?

Various thoughts flashed through Soo-Yeong's mind, but she was afraid to try any of them. In front of her was that terrifying Sung-Yu Da’s only daughter, Ha-Yeon.

Sung Yu-Da had led the Holy Army during the Holy War and was the one who killed the Voodoo Cult Leader. Even the famously capable Second Cult Leader and Prophet had fallen prey to Sung Yu-Da's trap and died.

Although not to the same extent as Sung Yu-Da, Ha-Yeon probably possessed similar insight and sharpness. Soo-Yeong didn't want to act rashly and risk exposing that she was part of the Voodoo Cult.

"Hello? I’m talking to you. You've been staring at me since earlier."

"..."

If that happened, Sun-Woo would undoubtedly be harmed as well. She had come out of the underground chapel because she had thrown a tantrum. But if she caused harm to the Voodoo Cult due to Ha-Yeon finding out about her identity...

Then the problem wouldn’t just be getting nagged by Sun-Woo or being sent back to her home. She would also do harm to everyone in the Voodoo Cult.

"Um, a-aren't you Sung Yu-Da's daughter?"

"Yes? Oh, well, I am... How did you...?"

"I'm a fan! I'm a fan. I wanted to join Florence Academy, so I did some research... I'm planning to take the entrance exam for Florence Academy next year!"

...That was the excuse Soo-Yeong came up with.

She thought ahead of what to do when Sun-Woo arrived. Sun-Woo would likely introduce Soo-Yeong as his ‘cousin’ or ‘acquainted dongsaeng.’ If that were the case, Soo-Yeong could say that she was a dongsaeng who admired Sun-Woo, a Florence Academy student. She could say she had come all the way from the countryside to meet him—this way, she wouldn't be suspected of being part of the Voodoo Cult.

As for knowing Ha-Yeon, she could say she had heard a lot about her from Sun-Woo. It wouldn't be strange at all for a student aspiring to enroll in Florence Academy and a devoted Romanican Church follower to know Sung Yu-Da and Ha-Yeon.

"A fan?"

"Yes, so..." Soo-Yeong trailed off, shaking her head.

It would be great if Sun-Woo arrived right now, but contrary to her expectations, he was nowhere to be seen. Soo-Yeong racked her brain for her next excuse. Should she ask for an autograph since she said she was a fan? No, it might make her look crazy. Well, she probably seemed crazy enough already...

"I was looking for y... huh?"

At that moment, Soo-Yeong heard a familiar voice. She turned her head toward Sun-Woo, a bright smile on her face. He looked back and forth between Ha-Yeon and Soo-Yeong, furrowing his eyebrows. His face seemed to say he didn't understand why the two of them were together.

Soo-Yeong blinked her eyes several times toward Sun-Woo, giving him a signal. She needed help.

Soo-Yeong approached Sun-Woo. "Ah, Cul-oppa. I've been waiting for so long!"

She didn’t really like using the term oppa, but now wasn't the time to worry about such things.

Ha-Yeon still seemed to be processing the whole situation, blinking her eyes as she looked back and forth between Sun-Woo and Soo-Yeong. Sun-Woo was in the same boat, not yet fully grasping the situation. Soo-Yeong started to break out into a cold sweat.

"...Aha."

He finally understood the situation as he looked at the approaching Soo-Yeong and Ha-Yeon with her arms crossed.

He looked at Ha-Yeon. "I was wondering why the two of you were together. Did you happen to run into each other?"

"Well, yes... I didn't know you were acquainted with her."

"Ah, that's right! I approached her first. You mentioned her before, didn't you? You know, how you said how you ran into Sung Yu-Da's daughter at Florence Academy." Soo-Yeong started rambling, blurting out unnecessary explanations.

"Um, would you like to have coffee and talk together? Um...if that's okay with you, Ms.Ha-Yeon?"

"I don't mind."

"Me too... No, never mind." Sun-Woo started to answer absentmindedly but then lowered his head.

He stared at Soo-Yeong, face deep with contemplation. His mouth was shut tight. His expression was frighteningly stiff.

Thinking that he was angry with her, Soo-Yeong bowed her head deeply. She understood why he would be angry. She had caused a scene and then this mess after she casually glanced at Ha-Yeon. Soo-Yeong intended to listen to his words full-heartedly no matter what he said.

Sun-Woo continued to gaze at Soo-Yeong and then said, "Do you mind stepping outside for a moment? I think it might be better for just the two of us to have a conversation."

Soo-Yeong nodded nervously and answered, "Huh? Um... okay?"

Although she was surprised that he hadn’t gotten angry, she was more so rattled by how his tone of voice was different from usual, which made her feel flustered.

He had always worn a sour expression and tone, saying things like ‘no’ or ‘get lost’ whenever he spoke or asked for something. She had never seen him speak in such a kind manner toward her before. Beyond feeling flustered and unfamiliar, she felt an eerie sensation.

"Yeah, just stay outside for a moment. We'll just talk briefly, and I'll leave soon... I’m sorry. It seems like I keep making you wait for me."

Soo-Yeong waved her hands as if to say that it was fine.

"No... no, it's okay. It’s just for a moment, anyway. Call me when you're finished.”

She quickly exited the cafe. Through the glass window, she saw Ha-Yeon and Sun-Woo sitting facing each other, having a conversation.

Soo-Yeong went to a nearby park from the café. She sat on a bench and let out a sigh. Then, she recalled the kind and nice Sun-Woo she had seen. That was probably the acting persona Sun-Woo used for the Romanican Church and Florence Academy.

There were many children of prelates, like Ha-Yeon, in Florence Academy. It wouldn’t be uncommon for him to encounter clergymen as well. In order for Sun-Woo, the Cult Leader, to survive in such an environment, he must have had to act like that constantly. She was even more impressed by Sun-Woo, especially after she had stuttered in confusion in front of Ha-Yeon.

She now understood why Sun-Woo seemed so on edge in the underground chapel. To act like he did every day, every single moment, it must be impossible not to be stressed. No, considering the tension and fear he felt while hiding among the clergymen... She was surprised that he hadn’t gone crazy until now.

Bzzz—!

While passing the time on the bench, she heard a familiar ringtone. Sun-Woo was calling her.

—Where are you?

"Ah, I... I'm at a nearby park. I'll head over there."

—Yeah? Then, make it quick.

Click.

"..."

Sun-Woo hung up right after he finished what he had to say. Soo-Yeong put her phone in her pocket and headed toward the café where Sun-Woo was standing there in front. Soo-Yeong cautiously and hesitantly approached him.

When Ha-Yeon was there, he pretended to be kind, but Ha-Yeon was not around... In other words, Sun-Woo did not need to keep up his fa?ade anymore.

‘This might be when he decides to get angry...’ she thought, making it difficult for her to approach Sun-Woo.

If that was the case, she decided to strike first.

"I-I'm sorry."

Soo-Yeong immediately apologized to Sun-Woo. He didn't respond and just stared at her.

Soo-Yeong fidgeted with her hands.

"I knew Ha-Yeon too. I was just casually looking at her, and then the situation escalated... I’m sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I just..."

She had a lot to say, but the words didn't come out as smoothly as she wanted. She didn't know whether fear or pride made speaking hard for her. Soo-Yeong wasn’t able to finish what she wanted to say and trailed off. She looked up and observed Sun-Woo's expression. Surprisingly, his expression wasn't hardened. Instead, there was even a faint smile on his face.

"It's okay, we had things to discuss anyway."

"...".

"It was actually for the best."

There was no way it was okay. To Soo-Yeong, Ha-Yeon was just the daughter of Sung Yu-Da, the enemy of the Voodoo Cult. Nothing more, nothing less. She knew that Sung Yu-Da was a bad guy, but she didn't hold any personal grudges against him. However, Sung Yu-Da was Sun-Woo's sworn enemy, the person who had killed his father. Sun-Woo had just met his enemy's daughter and kept up a friendly act, smiling and engaging in conversation. He must have felt bad—no, disgusted.

"Are you hungry? Do you have something you want to eat?"

Despite that, Sun-Woo asked what she wanted to eat instead of asking Soo-Yeong to take responsibility. It seemed like he was deliberately changing the subject to prevent her from feeling too sorry.

To be living amongst clergymen and their children in Florence Academy, the enemies of the Voodoo Cult, Sun-Woo must have felt tension and revolt that was incomparable to what Soo-Yeong felt.

His undercover enrollment in Florence Academy was all for the sake of the Voodoo Cult and was part of what he had to do in order to access the underground prison of the Holy See Headquarters to save Soo-Yeong's older brother. She should have been helping, but instead, she had...

"...I'm not really hungry."

"Really? Then let's go to any place we see and eat."

Soo-Yeong nodded.

* * *

“...”

Ha-Yeon unfolded her umbrella and walked out of the café, going wherever her feet took her. In the meantime, she calmly pondered over her conversation with Sun-Woo. She had a lot on her mind.

Her mind was already messy, cluttered with thoughts of Sun-Woo. But she found her mind even more cluttered after her conversation with Sun-Woo.

After sending the girl he called his ‘dongsaeng’ out of the cafe, Ha-Yeon and Sun-Woo sat down facing each other, a table separating them. A long silence had hung in the air.

Neither Sun-Woo nor Ha-Yeon opened their mouths. Initially, it was Sun-Woo who said that there was something to talk about. Ha-Yeon had no reason to speak first. Sun-Woo repeated meaningless actions, such as looking at Ha-Yeon, glancing at people passing by outside the café window, and tapping the table with his fingers before finally speaking.

"You know, it seems like you’re trying to avoid me these days."

"..."

His words pierced through the silence. She was surprised. She glanced briefly at Sun-Woo's face. His expression was undeniably serious.

Ha-Yeon had, in fact, been avoiding Sun-Woo lately. It was because Sung Yu-Da had told her to ‘stay away from Sun-Woo.’

However, Ha-Yeon shook her head. "I haven't been avoiding you."

"You have."

"...It must be a misunderstanding on your part. Even if I did, what is the problem with that?"

"What did Sung Yu-Da say about me?"

"..."

Ha-Yeon had resolved to respond firmly to Sun-Woo's words, but she couldn't answer the last question.

She lowered her head once again. "There’s no need for you to know that, don’t you think?"

"I don't need to, but I want to."

"Why do you want to know? It's a personal matter. Isn't it impolite to be curious about such things?"

"I want to know because you've been avoiding me since Sung Yu-Da told you something. Can’t you listen to what I have to say?" Sun-Woo said.

His face was still solemn. Ha-Yeon remained silent for a moment. Thinking about it, Sun-Woo had only spoken the truth.

What Ha-Yeon heard from Sung Yu-Da was ‘stay away from Sun-Woo.’ She hadn’t heard exactly why she should keep her distance from him. Ha-Yeon was simply following her father's words faithfully.

Ha-Yeon had tried to speculate on the reasons herself, but she hadn't reached a conclusion yet.

She had even considered the possibility that Sun-Woo was associated with Satanists or the Voodoo Cult, but that didn't seem likely. Sun-Woo had saved students from attacks by Satanists several times before. Ha-Yeon herself had also received his help on three separate occasions. No matter how much she thought about it, he didn't seem like a Cultist. There was probably another reason.

Ha-Yeon nodded.

"Sure, I can listen. So, tell me what you have to say," she said.

Maybe she would be able to understand why she should stay away from him if she listened to what Sun-Woo had to say.

Sun-Woo sighed deeply and closed his eyes as he was anxious. His legs trembled. He broke into a cold sweat. After a moment of silence, he opened his eyes. There was a strong determination in his gaze.

He looked straight at Ha-Yeon with a firm gaze.

"Help me."

"...What?" Ha-Yeon reflexively blurted out in surprise.

It was just so unexpected. Above all, it was awkward and unfamiliar to hear the words ‘help me’ come from Sun-Woo's mouth.

Sun-Woo stood up from his seat, took a napkin, and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead as he said, "You also went to the Paladin Order earlier, right? Didn't they ask you to talk about what happened at the museum?"

"Yes... they did."

"When you did, didn’t a person by the name of Joseph ask about me?"

Ha-Yeon recalled her memories. He had.

Ha-Yeon said that Sun-Woo had told her to prepare the Blessing of Purification when the lights turned out. Then Joseph asked if she knew about Sun-Woo’s whereabouts after giving her instructions.

Ha-Yeon had answered that she didn't know. Joseph then proceeded to ask her several other questions about Sun-Woo.

"...Yes, he did."

"Just as I thought."

Sun-Woo nodded as if his expectations had been correct.

Without giving Ha-Yeon the chance to be surprised, Sun-Woo continued to explain, "...He has been using me to investigate the members of the purification clan."

Joseph had been investigating the members of the purification clan for a while. He thought they were hiding something. However, investigating members of the purification clan was not easy, so Joseph had chosen to use Sun-Woo to investigate them. This was because Sun-Woo seemed to be the closest to Ha-Yeon. More precisely, because they seemed to be ‘closer’ than friends.

"That time when I suddenly asked to meet your father... That was also Joseph's instruction."

"..."

"At that time, I secretly asked your father for help... but it looks like the results weren't too good."

Sun-Woo disliked how Joseph was using him to investigate the members of the purification clan. He also hated the fact that he had to deceive Ha-Yeon and report everything to Joseph, acting as his tool. So, he secretly tried to send a signal to Sung Yu-Da and asked for help.

However, Sung Yu-Da had no intention of helping Sun-Woo. That was why he told Ha-Yeon not to get close to him.

"Because he could protect the members of the purification clan by distancing himself from me."

"..."

"And I will have to continue to live as Joseph's tool," Sun-Woo said with a bitter laugh.

It was a sad laughter filled with defeat and despair. The first thing Ha-Yeon did was doubt what Sun-Woo had just told her.

She tried to think if there were any inconsistencies or things that felt out of place. However, she couldn’t find any. Assuming that all of Sun-Woo's words were true, it explained why Sung Yu-Da had suddenly told Sun-Woo to stay away.

She felt strangely uncomfortable and uneasy when listening to Sun-Woo's words, but that was probably guilt. She felt indirect guilt for how her father had acted only for the safety of the clan members and hadn’t helped Sun-Woo.

"...Come to think of it, you have no reason to help me. You must want to stay away so that you and your family can be safe."

Ha-Yeon interrupted Sun-Woo and said, "No, I can help."

Ha-Yeon had only received help from Sun-Woo until now. On the day the clergymen attacked each other under the influence of black magic, Sun-Woo subdued them by replicating a miracle.

When Ha-Yeon was surrounded by the taxidermied creature with a severed head, torso, and lower body, Sun-Woo appeared by breaking the window and defeated the taxidermied creature to save Ha-Yeon.

Even when the men in black stormed the museum this time, if Sun-Woo hadn’t been there, Ha-Yeon would have become a hostage or been killed with a dagger slitting her throat.

She felt that this was the only opportunity for her to help him. If all that Sun-Woo had said were true, there was no reason not to help him. Instead, she was disappointed in her father. He had tried to reject Sun-Woo and only thought about the safety of the clan members.

Above all, Ha-Yeon remembered the relief she felt when Sun-Woo appeared at the museum.

"Even if I cannot help you directly... if there's something that you need help with, tell me. I'll help as much as I can," Ha-Yeon said.

She always disliked doing things others told her to do and wanted to do things that others told her not to do. She despised Sun-Woo to the point of death when her father told her to become friends with him.

But now, when she heard her father telling her to stay away from Sun-Woo...

"Thank you," Sun-Woo said.

Ha-Yeon didn't see the bright smile that briefly crossed his face.

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