My muscles had long since reached their limit. My knee joints were screaming. My breath had reached up to my chin.
It was a situation where it wouldn't be strange at all if I collapsed right now. However, even in that situation, I was still running.
Even if all my joints were completely shattered, even if my muscles tore and eventually ruptured. I did not stop charging forward.
My gaze was chasing only one thing.
The weight I had thrown.
The weight that had been flying in a parabolic arc was now beginning to fall at a rapid speed.
I ran madly toward the direction where the weight was expected to fall.
I can catch it.
At this pace, I can definitely catch it. This was a conviction beyond mere speculation.
Thud!
And I caught the weight.
To be precise, I caught it and then dropped it. The moment I caught the weight, my strength completely gave out.
The reason was simple. Bosu's power, the monstrous strength, had exhausted its effect.
"...Ah."
[Sorry. I haven't eaten offerings for half a year, so maybe that's why my strength is lacking.]
Bosu's dejected voice rang in my head. That voice gradually grew distant. Bosu's power of monstrous strength also gradually left my body.
Then the forgotten pain began to crash down belatedly.
My legs hurt so much I couldn't even move them, and my joints ached as if they would break at any moment. I couldn't breathe, and my consciousness grew faintly distant.
[Without an altar, the side effects are severe too. Oh dear, how pitiful. If you're upset about it, hurry up and find the altar.]
Legba said mockingly. I couldn't even answer and rolled around on the ground.
Damn it. Why did we have to lose the altar? Of all things to steal, why steal the altar? Which bastard stole it anyway? If I catch them, I'll kill them, really.
Futile regret and resentment. With that, my consciousness cut off.
***
Everyone has something they long for. It could be money, it could be honor, or it could be power.
All such longings stem from one emotion.
A sense of superiority.
There was no more accurate word to describe Bae Seong-hyeon's life.
A life of winning, seizing, and moving forward by trampling and despising those inferior to himself. He had always lived with a sense of superiority as his driving force, and he intended to continue doing so in the future.
"I can't help but praise your use of blessings. With the blessing of recovery enhancement..."
When he threw the weight and returned to his place, Kim Bok-dong praised Bae Seong-hyeon for various reasons.
Bae Seong-hyeon barely listened to Kim Bok-dong's words. Instead, he was looking at the faces of other children who looked up to him with admiration.
More, praise me more. More, look up to me more. More, more!
Hiding his rising smile, Bae Seong-hyeon thought this way.
What came after was not worth watching. There was no one who could break his overwhelming record. Most couldn't even exceed 50m, and even the relatively good kids couldn't surpass the 200m wall.
Not a single person was threatening enough to challenge Bae Seong-hyeon.
Except for one.
"The only blessing I know how to use is this one."
At first, he just thought he was an ordinary loser. Idiots who had no qualifications and just got into Florence by luck.
No different from other guys. No, rather an inferior and more stupid bastard than other guys.
He just thought that much.
However, when he ran out to catch the weight, Bae Seong-hyeon's thoughts changed.
The way he ran was like a bull. A bull charging madly toward its target. No, in terms of speed, would the expression "cheetah" be more appropriate?
Do Seon-woo actually caught the weight and almost satisfied the "special condition" to get full marks. He made a mistake and ultimately failed regrettably, but.
'No, it wasn't regrettable.'
From Bae Seong-hyeon's perspective, it was 'fortunately.'
"Oh dear. Did he faint?"
Kim Bok-dong ran toward Do Seon-woo who was lying face down on the playground ground. Other children took advantage of Kim Bok-dong's absence to giggle and chat.
"Why is he doing something he can't even do?"
"Exactly. If he had just thrown it normally, he would have gotten 5th place."
"He's stupid, obviously. Or he was overconfident."
Listening to their conversation, Bae Seong-hyeon felt anger rising. Do Seon-woo had almost caught the weight. He didn't catch it in the end, but if not for that last mistake, he would have easily caught the weight. Bae Seong-hyeon's ranking would have been pushed down to 2nd place.
What this meant was clear.
'I might lose next time.'
This time, Do Seon-woo luckily made a mistake. But there was no guarantee he would make a mistake next time too. He might lose in the next physical fitness test.
No, he would definitely lose.
Do Seon-woo's strength was objectively above his own.
Thinking this way, an emotion that had been forgotten for a while began to creep up in Bae Seong-hyeon's mind.
A sense of inferiority.
An emotion that lurked like a shadow on the flip side of superiority, secretly raising its head from time to time. It was the emotion Bae Seong-hyeon hated most and the emotion he was confident he would never feel again.
***
Do Seon-woo was lying in the middle of the playground. Kim Bok-dong approached him.
Do Seon-woo was lying down and groaning. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have fainted.
"Are you okay?"
"Ah, ugh... Yes, I'm fine."
Do Seon-woo forcibly got up his trembling body. At a glance, there wasn't a healthy spot on his body.
Some muscles had ruptured and were beginning to bruise, and his knee joints also seemed slightly twisted. It was an injury that would make it impossible for an ordinary person to even stand up.
Kim Bok-dong drew a blessing circle in the air and used it on Do Seon-woo.
"It's an intermediate healing circle. It won't completely heal you, but it should relieve the pain."
"Thank you."
"Your record is 83m, corresponding to 12th place overall. Any objections?"
"None."
"Alright, then go to the nurse's office first."
Do Seon-woo trudged off to the nurse's office. His face clearly showed disappointment.
Kim Bok-dong quietly watched his retreating figure. It was amazing that he got up after sustaining such injuries, but what was truly amazing was something else.
'He almost succeeded.'
Throughout Florence's history, only two students had satisfied the "special condition" of the physical fitness test and received full marks.
One was the Pope's son, and the other was Kim Bok-dong himself.
When Kim Bok-dong was a Florence student, he barely managed to satisfy the "special condition" by using every blessing he could.
But Do Seon-woo had almost succeeded with only a low-grade strength enhancement blessing.
It meant that while he might lack talent in blessings, his physical abilities were innate.
No, saying "innate" wasn't enough. It wouldn't be lacking to call it "god-given talent."
"This concludes the physical fitness test. 1st place Bae Seong-hyeon, 2nd place Gu Jun-hyeok, 3rd place Jeong In-ah. Check the rest yourselves. Grades will be given differentially according to ranking. That's all, return to the classroom."
Kim Bok-dong sent the students back to the classroom.
In the middle of the dusty playground, he recalled the Charity class students.
Bae Seong-hyeon who showed overwhelming ability. Gu Jun-hyeok who stably secured 2nd place. Jeong In-ah who had weak physical abilities but was gifted in blessing utilization.
They were all excellent talents with their own abilities, but...
Still, what was most clearly etched in Kim Bok-dong's mind was Do Seon-woo.
***
"Did you roll down the stairs? Or what, did you jump off the roof?"
"No, it was during the physical fitness test."
"Physical fitness test? Oh my, if you're going to lie, at least make it believable."
"It's true though."
"Sure sure, I get it. Anyway, I've treated the immediate injuries, and don't do intense exercise for a while. Got it?"
The school nurse didn't believe my story about getting like this during the physical fitness test. It was a tone that reluctantly said she'd believe me. Still, she treated me properly, so I had no complaints.
On the way back to the classroom, Legba, who had been quiet the whole time, spoke up.
[When using powers, think about your body. Now that there's no altar, you need to be even more careful.]
It was a blunt tone. It was Legba's way of worrying about me.
"I won't do it again next time."
[If you do it again next time, your body will really be ruined. Are you planning to die before you even turn twenty?]
"Hey, this much is fine."
The powers of Loa have strong side effects as much as their overwhelming efficacy. Bosu's power was among the milder side effects.
Other Loa powers are stronger, more extensive, and at the same time have more severe side effects.
You can minimize side effects and enhance their power by offering sacrifices through an altar, but now that the altar has been stolen, it's a meaningless story.
Eventually I reached the front of the classroom. Homeroom was in full swing.
"Ah, you're here. Class president, please relay my message to student Do Seon-woo. They say kidnapping incidents have been happening frequently in the area lately. Everyone be careful going home, and don't play late at night. Got it?"
Homeroom teacher Ha Ye-jin said this and left the classroom. Everyone shouldered their bags and left school in a rush.
Bae Seong-hyeon approached me with a parent notification letter.
"Read it yourself."
He roughly threw the parent notification letter on my desk and left school just like that.
He had a smile on his lips, but it was hypocritical, and his tone was filled with hostility that anyone could detect.
[Why is he acting like that again?]
"..."
I don't really know either.
***
On the way home. A slightly eerie and desolate alley as always.
After walking a bit, there was the disabled old man sitting as always. I unhesitatingly took out my wallet and put a ten thousand won bill in the can.
[Do you have money to burn?]
"This much is fine."
[What a comfortable life.]
Legba said bluntly. I just smiled without answering.
I'm definitely not rich. However, I wasn't in such a poor situation that I'd begrudge this level of charity.
"Are the others doing well?"
[Oh, come to think of it, that bastard Baron Samedi... Ah, damn.]
While walking and having a conversation with Legba like this, Legba suddenly shut his mouth.
This was one of two things.
First, Legba suddenly got in a bad mood.
Second, there were people around.
I looked around. Sure enough, some female student was staring at me intently from the opposite side.
Curly brown hair that shone in the sunlight. Florence uniform. A name tag reading 'Jeong In-ah' was attached to her chest.
Jeong In-ah.
A classmate and the student who took 3rd place in today's physical fitness test.
"Who were you talking to?"
Jeong In-ah approached me with a bright smile. My spine chilled.
Those who see me talking to Legba usually think I'm crazy.
It would be fortunate if they just think that. They also spread rumors saying 'Do Seon-woo was muttering to himself in the air.' Then my school life would be immediately ruined.
To prevent rumors from spreading, I had to speak well.
"I was, uh, praying a bit."
"Ah...! Did I interrupt you?"
Jeong In-ah made an apologetic expression.
In South Korea where Romanica is established as the state religion, mentioning 'prayer' or 'scripture' could reasonably smooth over situations.
This was wisdom and a trick accumulated over years of overcoming crises with lies and excuses.
"No, it's fine."
"I'm really sorry... I didn't know you were praying. There are people who pray while walking too..."
Jeong In-ah hung her head apologetically. Fortunately, she seemed to believe my words.
It was just a simple guess, but she seemed to have a very naive personality. Seeing how she easily fell for such simple and crude lies.
"Is your house this way?"
Jeong In-ah, who had been dejected for a moment, quickly regained her energy and asked me a question.
"Yeah."
"Really? Same as me. Let's go together."
Then she naturally stuck close to my side. Before I knew it, Jeong In-ah and I were walking side by side.
An awkward silence flowed for a moment. Even though we were in the same class, we were practically meeting for the first time, so it was natural.
"But why did you give money to that person earlier?"
Jeong In-ah broke the silence.
"That person? ...Ah, that old man?"
"Yeah."
I thought for a moment.
"I felt sorry for him, and I thought ten thousand won wouldn't be a problem to give."
"That person isn't disabled. He gets up right away when he's done collecting money. I saw him running to catch a bus last time too."
"Really?"
I answered without much thought.
"...Do you still feel sorry for him?"
"He must have his circumstances."
Whether that person was really disabled or someone pretending to be disabled while begging wasn't very important to me. I just thought, how desperate for money must he be to do that?
Jeong In-ah looked at me like I was a strange person.
"You must hear a lot that you're a pushov... I mean, kind."
"Pushover?"
"No, I misspoke, anyway."
Jeong In-ah hurriedly collected her words.
"The, the physical fitness test! It was really impressive."
Then she awkwardly changed the subject.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I never thought there would be someone who would challenge that. Honestly, catching the weight you threw yourself doesn't make sense. Logically."
"That's true. I failed in the end anyway."
I just went along with it.
"But you almost succeeded. I couldn't even attempt it. I'm not good at sports."
"Still, 3rd place means you did really well."
When I gave appropriate praise, Jeong In-ah smiled shyly, looking embarrassed but secretly pleased.
"...Thank you!"
Jeong In-ah awkwardly expressed her gratitude. She didn't seem used to receiving compliments.
She was the type whose emotions showed easily on her face, so just by briefly observing, I could guess what emotions she was feeling.
A brief silence followed after that. Jeong In-ah broke the silence again. She seemed unable to endure an awkward atmosphere for even a moment.
"But why did you come to Florence? Being a mercenary wouldn't be bad either. Since you're strong."
"Me?"
Mercenary.
While they're the same as clergy in that they eliminate demon races, they differ in how they receive payment.
Clergy receive monthly salaries from the Vatican, while mercenaries receive payment per case from clients.
When someone lacks talent in divine power but has excellent physical abilities, they usually choose mercenary academies.
However, my purpose is to become a high-ranking cleric and meet my mother. For that, I need to become a cleric, not a mercenary.
Of course, I have no intention of telling the truth.
"I was influenced a bit by my parents."
"Ah, are your parents also clergy? Both of them?"
"One of them was martyred. During the Holy War."
Strictly speaking, there's not a single lie in this story.
Because I suddenly brought up family matters, Jeong In-ah was flustered and didn't know what to do.
"Ah... Is it okay to tell me about that?"
"It's not something to be ashamed of."
"Yeah, that's right. It is, but..."
Having parents martyred as clergy is not something to be ashamed of but something to be proud of.
It was also thanks to this that I, with my poor entrance exam scores, was able to enter Florence. Some kind of special consideration for children of martyred clergy.
In the first place, it's not even real family history, but fake family history created as a disguised identity. A disguised identity that uncle Lee Jin-seong worked day and night to create.
Anyway, it was a story that wouldn't be a problem to tell anyone.
"Why did you enter Florence?"
I asked back as a courtesy.
Jeong In-ah hesitated and moved her mouth, then soon made a determined expression and opened her mouth.
"Hmm. I... my younger sibling was kidnapped by a cult and is still missing. I thought I might be able to find them if I became a clergy."
Jeong In-ah answered with a sad face. The story was deeper than I thought.
I felt a pang of guilt. The Voodoo sect was also a cult if you called it a cult. Though we don't commit crimes like kidnapping.
"A cult? What kind of religion? There are many types of cults."
Still, I asked just in case.
"Yeah, among them it's the most vicious, cruel... that kind of place. It's famous."
Jeong In-ah said this while grinding her teeth. Thin blood vessels stood out on her neck.
Just thinking about the cult that kidnapped her sibling seemed to make anger surge.
She eventually sighed deeply and composed herself. Then she smiled as if nothing was wrong.
That smile seemed to reveal Jeong In-ah's anger even more nakedly.
"The Voodoo sect... you know it?"
Jeong In-ah said with a smile.
I couldn't smile.