Correcting the Villainess of the Academy - Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Heaven’s Door (21)

***

A heat surged in my head.

The object that had been around Yeon Jeongmun’s neck, the one the widow had handed over, and now this ornament the woman had just given me.

No matter how I looked at it, they were identical.

I clenched the cross ornament in my hand and stared at the woman in front of me once more.

Just looking at her made me feel as if my body was being purified. She appeared to be the very embodiment of a devout believer. And yet, there was still that inexplicable sense of familiarity…

Her face was still hidden beneath the veil, making it impossible to read her expression. However, it was clear that she maintained a calm demeanor.

“…”

Considering her manner of speech, which seemed to reflect a deep understanding of some doctrine, and the way she treated me like a lamb… she wasn’t just some low-level fanatic.

At least a high-ranking officer. Maybe even higher…

But what could someone like her be thinking, showing her hand so openly?

It was almost laughable.

“It is the perfect symbol that binds us together. Always keep it with you. That way, the miracle that visited you last night will never leave…”

After a brief moment of hesitation, I nodded slightly. The woman clasped her hands together, seemingly satisfied, and continued speaking.

“There will be a dawn service today at A38. You should attend. Then…”

The woman offered a polite farewell and turned, disappearing into the shadows.

“…”

The children were nowhere to be seen today, and the area was filled with nothing but silence and stillness.

I turned my head and gazed into the distance.

The toxic fog, which had been pushed back by the wind, was once again surging forward like a fierce wave.

As if it were about to swallow this tranquility whole.

***

“What? A cult?”

The Security Bureau branch of the First City.

The branch chief, who had been lounging back in his chair while puffing away at a cigarette, asked with a displeased look.

Standing before him was a tall man in ragged clothes, wearing a gas mask. He appeared to be a lower-class citizen from the countryside, likely here in search of work.

“Coming in here out of nowhere and spouting nonsense… Get lost. I’m busy enough as it is…”

He waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away an annoying fly. The man, wearing the emblem of a mage on his chest, treated him with the same disdain reserved for untouchables.

However, the branch chief’s arrogant attitude changed dramatically when the man in the gas mask presented a Cradle student ID and a violet citizenship card, symbolizing the highest level of citizenship.

“Oh my…! A noble scion of the Heukryeon family in such a humble place…”

The branch chief shot up from his chair, bowing so low his head nearly touched the floor.

His words flipped as easily as a palm, depending on who he was speaking to.

Watching him, Lee Hyun was reminded of the arrogant security captain in the pioneer village where he used to live.

‘For someone who’s supposedly the head of a Security Bureau branch…’

He couldn’t help but think that the rise of heretics, dark magicians, and demons—those cancerous elements—was partly due to people like this, who weren’t doing their jobs properly.

“…I just told you.”

Lee Hyun had to resist the urge to punch him in the jaw. It took considerable effort to suppress his feelings and not let them show.

It was difficult enough that he felt proud of himself for managing it, but in any case, he needed the man’s cooperation right now.

And there was only one thing he wanted from him—just for the man to do his job.

Lee Hyun briefly explained the situation that had unfolded so far.

“So, where exactly is this A38?”

“A38… A38… Let’s see…”

The branch chief, sweating profusely, glanced at the residential map with a puzzled expression.

“A38 is… a wastewater treatment plant.”

“A wastewater treatment plant?”

“Yes. It’s old and no longer in use.”

***

“An old, unused wastewater treatment plant. The perfect place to gather without being noticed.”

The alley was now shrouded in orange mist as dusk approached.

Jin Yeseo, following behind Lee Hyun, muttered to herself.

“It’s a fitting place for shady people. Still, it’s better than the ones I’ve dealt with before. That place was a slaughterhouse… the smell… ugh.”

Recalling the scene, Jin Yeseo furrowed her brow, as if the memory itself gave her a headache.

“But I never imagined that woman without eyes would be involved.”

“Neither did I.”

Lee Hyun’s reaction wasn’t much different from Jin Yeseo’s bewilderment.

“Why didn’t you arrest her on the spot?”

“She invited me to the service, which means they’ve already established a significant presence.”

Lee Hyun replied as he walked briskly through the smog.

“Now that we’ve found their trail, we should take them all down at once. I’ve already asked the Security Bureau branch for their cooperation.”

“A trap… It sounds like a trap, but… something feels off.”

Jin Yeseo tilted her head, puzzled.

“What makes them so confident that you’re on their side?”

In her hand was the cult’s symbol, which Lee Hyun had just handed her.

“How can they be so sure that someone they’ve only known for a day is on their side? Especially someone who looks as suspicious as you.”

“…”

Jin Yeseo’s gaze shifted to the gas mask covering Lee Hyun’s face.

Lee Hyun, too, had been pondering the exact same question.

He hadn’t put on any kind of brainwashed act. The only unusual thing that had happened was the unsettling dream he’d had last night.

Yet, the woman had treated him as if he were already in the palm of her hand.

“…You said it was just an ordinary ornament, right?”

“Judging by the fact that it didn’t react to any dismantling magic, it’s definitely normal.”

Jin Yeseo nodded.

“I can’t detect any particle traces. It’s just regular metal. No stellite alloy, no magic circuits etched into it…”

“…”

-It is the perfect symbol that binds us together. Always keep it with you. That way, the miracle that visited you last night will never leave…

‘But why did she say that…?’

No matter how much he thought about it, no clear answer came to mind.

There was only one person who could answer that question.

“…I’ll find out when I catch her.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. By the way, they said the air around the wastewater treatment plant might be filled with flammable toxic substances. You won’t be able to use your Black Flame there. I’ll go in alone, so you should wait outside with the officers…”

“What are you talking about? No way.”

Jin Yeseo immediately frowned at his words.

“Didn’t you hear me? You won’t be able to use your Black Flame. What can you do in there? What if a demon or a mutant pops out…”

“I’ll just fight with something other than Black Flame.”

“Something else?”

“…Yeah.”

Jin Yeseo hesitated for a moment before replying. As she followed behind Lee Hyun, there was a faint metallic clinking sound.

It was then that Lee Hyun realized what it was.

“A blade?”

“I… prepared it in advance. Something suitable… for the Circulation System… I thought I’d try it out in real combat…”

Jin Yeseo trailed off, embarrassed. She seemed a bit anxious, perhaps worried that Lee Hyun would refuse.

“…”

Lee Hyun looked at her with a somewhat baffled expression.

“I-I promise I won’t be a burden…!”

Jin Yeseo hurriedly blurted out.

“Remember last time? You said I was growing really fast… that I had talent…!”

“I didn’t exactly say it like that…”

“A-anyway…!”

There had been a time when she had asked him directly, and he had answered honestly. He couldn’t lie about something like that. But he hadn’t expected her to use it like this.

Still, he couldn’t say he didn’t understand her feelings.

He, too, had once been eager for his first real battle.

“…Fine, do what you want.”

In the end, Lee Hyun just let out a light sigh and turned away.

His words were essentially an approval, and Jin Yeseo couldn’t hide her rare expression of joy.

“…Okay!”

To be honest, Lee Hyun’s concern was probably unnecessary.

Jin Yeseo had already faced cultists before. Most of them were ordinary people who couldn’t use magic, with a few mutants mixed in.

Even if she was wielding a stick instead of a blade, she could easily take them down with one hand.

Besides, with the Security Bureau officers involved, there was no way someone as valuable as her wouldn’t be of help. That’s likely why Lee Hyun had reluctantly agreed.

For Jin Yeseo, however, there was something else that mattered more.

‘…Finally, I’m done with this suffocating city…!’

Though the sudden exposure of the cult’s tail was a bit anticlimactic, a good thing was still a good thing.

The complete destruction of the group was already a foregone conclusion. What made her happiest was the fact that she would finally be able to leave this city.

Jin Yeseo recalled the humiliating days she had endured.

She had spent two days sharing a room with a strange man. On one of those nights, she had even ended up in his arms.

And she had to whisper sweet words to him as if comforting a lover.

On top of that, she had bathed in front of him on the first day, leading to misunderstandings. She had inadvertently made him her husband, and during the day, she had to smear soot on her face and wander the streets like a lower-class citizen…

‘Of course, I brought it on myself… but still… no matter what…!’

Indignities she couldn’t confess to anyone.

As she recalled them, Jin Yeseo glared intently at Lee Hyun’s back.

“…?”

Jin Yeseo furrowed her brow in confusion.

She should have been happy about her impending freedom… she should have been.

But instead, her heart was filled with emotions that felt more like regret and disappointment than joy.

End of Chapter