When Junian returned to the infirmary, she looked at me and said, "About your elective... it's been decided. You're with me."
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"Well... no one else came to me, so I guess you were naturally assigned to me," she explained with a shrug.
I stayed silent. It was a sad reason—for both of us.
Although I didn't show it outwardly, I still asked, "The hero disciple groupings were finalized today, right? Did you hear which group I'm in?"
"Yeah. Want me to tell you?"
I nodded. Originally, I'd been grouped with Evan, Mir, and Charles. But my record had taken a slight hit, and my score had dropped by a point. It wouldn't be surprising if I'd been reassigned.
Junian's answer, however, was beyond my expectations. "You are alone."
"Alone?" I echoed.
She nodded. "Yeah, just you. You're in a temporary solo group, at least for now."
"Why did that happen?"
"It's a penalty for getting injured and bedridden. One of a hero's virtues is self-care," she explained.
I stayed quiet, processing what she'd said.
"By the way," Junian added, raising an eyebrow, "why did you challenge Instructor Tanko without even knowing who you'd be facing? That guy doesn't know how to hold back."
He had been holding back, though. In truth, I'd planned to get injured and end up in the infirmary—just to meet Junian. In that sense, the plan had already succeeded.
So, a solo group, I thought. Maybe it isn't the worst outcome.
Of course, it would be hard for me to get the top spot if I were alone.
"Don't be too discouraged," Junian said, sensing my mood. "It's just for this special trial. Once you're fully recovered, you'll be placed into an appropriate group."
"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," she said with a grin. "Though by then, the gap will be huge. But let's make completing the course worthwhile."
I couldn't help but feel a bit cynical. It wasn't exactly comforting to hear a priest, of all people, fail to offer much solace.
"By the way, I have a question, Instructor Junian," I said, wanting to change the topic.
"What is it?"
"How are the priests selected?"
Junian glanced at me and asked again. "What do you mean?"
"I don't think the Badnikers would neglect to investigate someone's background or profession when recruiting people. As far as I know, Juan didn't have much time to contact the church. It's clear he wasn't born into it."
Junian looked thoughtful.
I continued, "In other words, he became a member of the church through persuasion. Persuading someone for an important position like a priest... I don't think a few months would be enough time."
Junian briefly looked away. She picked up a candle from her desk and lit it with a match. "Do you know about the Dark Pope?"
"Not in detail," I replied.
"That fellow..." she exhaled. "He knows how to dominate dreams."
"You mean like a Nightmare Demon?" I asked, baffled.
"Yeah, exactly."
I blinked in surprise. This was new information for me. A thought struck me, and I asked, "Is this classified information?"
Junian raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well, you've shared some secrets with me too, so consider this payback. Don't go blabbing about it."
I nodded, absorbing her words as she continued, "Time and space mean nothing to the Dark Pope, the ruler of dreams. If the Dark Pope wants to meet someone, he can enter that person's dream. I'm not certain, but he can supposedly make someone experience 100 days in a single night."
I paused, processing the information.
"Of course, meeting someone doesn't necessarily mean that the Dark Pope can persuade them. I don't think it's an easy power to use. That's why most of the priests who've died so far had no names or known identities." She lowered her voice. "If Juan really is a priest, he's a very unusual one."
I supposed that was true. Usually, high-ranking members of secretive, long-established organizations were internal recruits—orphans, or people with no official background, raised and trained from within. Juan, however, came from a prestigious family. He didn't fit the mold.
I briefly recalled the photograph I'd found earlier but dismissed it, not wanting to get sidetracked.
"Have you talked to the captain?" I asked, referring to Luke.
"Yes. I've told him everything."
"What did he say?" I prompted.
"He will follow the plan for now but will act based on how things develop," Junian replied.
Is he planning to hide and wait for another opportunity? It feels overly cautious, but I can't deny that his caution has brought us success before.
Junian asked, "What about your trial tomorrow? Are you going to participate?"
"I was thinking of skipping it, but..." I hesitated. "Just in case—can you show me the purchase list?"
"I understand."
I looked through the list Junian handed me and asked, "By the way, any news from Carzakh?"
She shook her head. "I haven't heard anything."
***
The hero disciples' daily routine ended at 10 p.m., and by 11 p.m., all the instructors were asleep except for those on duty. After this hour, it was easy to leave the camp unnoticed.
The quiet sound of footsteps echoed through the still night. Juan, walking steadily, glanced up at the unusually dark sky. "You're here."
Carzakh appeared.
Juan briefly extended his senses, confirmed the area was clear, and nodded. "You came alone, as promised."
"Promise? I never made any promises," Carzakh replied coolly.
"What does that mean?" Juan asked, puzzled.
Carzakh reached behind him. In the darkness, Juan only spotted the long spear slung across his back at the last moment. Without a word, Carzakh threw it at him.
Clang—
"Pick it up," Carzakh commanded.
"What?" Juan asked, confused.
"Let's fight," Carzakh said, his voice firm. "It's been a long time, Spearmanship Master."
Juan's face hardened. "You don't believe me?"
Carzakh met his gaze. "I'll ask in return—why should I? Because we were comrades? Because of some past bond?"
"I told you I'd give you a convincing explanation," Juan shot back.
"Your actions still show a lack of thought. Don't you know me? I'm an uneducated bastard. Repeating yourself won't change anything." He unsheathed his sword. "The last time I saw you was five years ago. I couldn't perfect my swordsmanship because I was chasing that damn Jewel Beast. What about you, Spear— No, Martial Arts Master?"
Carzakh kicked the spear toward him. "If you're the same person I knew back then, no matter how busy you were, you wouldn't have neglected your training. So here's the deal: If your martial skills haven't improved in five years, I'll be the one to kill you tonight."
" Hah.
***
Come alone? This is getting ridiculous, Carzakh thought.
If Juan knew he was under suspicion, he should've stopped with the nonsense and provided evidence to clear his name. Then Carzakh would've stood by him, defended him.
Naturally, Carzakh trusted Luan but maybe the latter was mistaken. Though, realistically, he knew tht the chances of that were slim. He'd already realized in the mountains that this cocky kid was extraordinary.
But—
Claaang!
The moment they closed the distance, Carzakh's sword clashed against the shaft of Juan's spear.
Juan was the one who stepped back.
It took only one blow for Carzakh to realize that this person had changed.
A drop in his skill level was still a change. Juan's spear technique, which Carzakh had once witnessed five years ago, was far sharper than it was now. In other words, this man hadn't trained in martial arts for the past five years.
Then what the hell happened? Carzakh wondered.
This was the same person who used to train until his hands bled, the same one who would've spent 1,000 gold coins just to buy every martial arts book available.
What had he been doing for the last five years?
Crunch.
Carzakh clenched his teeth in anger.
"Why did you join the church, Juaaan—!" he spat, frustration evident in his voice.
Slash!
In an instant, Carzakh sliced the spear in half and kicked the defenseless Juan in the chest, sending him stumbling back.
As Juan fell, Carzakh's sword was already aimed at his throat.
Drops of blood splattered from the tip.
"I want to save Barbara... Would you believe me if I told you that?" Juan asked.
Carzakh gritted his teeth again when he saw Juan's smile. "Cut the crap. There's no way you, a former member of the Imperial Knights, don't know that one of the most frequent lies spread by the church is the resurrection of the dead."
Juan's eyes flickered, as if recalling something. "That's right... When we first met, in the barren wilderness of the south, the church was planning a ritual to resurrect a messenger. It was the first mission where the imperial family, the Hero Society, and the Celtron mercenaries all collaborated. Do you remember, Carzakh? It was the first time you, me, and Barbara met."
Carzakh said nothing, his gaze distant.
"We loved Barbara's smile."
Carzakh's voice softened. "Barbara's death was unfortunate, but the living must move on."
"Are you serious?" Juan glared at Carzakh viciously. "Come to think of it, you never asked how she died. Answer me. Does Barbara mean nothing to you now? Or was that how it always was?"
Carzakh's grip tightened on his sword. "You—"
"Now that I think about it, it makes more sense. You ignored Barbara's courtship when she was alive, then left to honor the memory of your dead brother." He let out a cold, grim laugh. "Carzakh, how are we different? We're both bound by the dead."
"Barbara would curse you if she saw you now," Carzakh muttered, his voice hardening.
Juan paused.
"She'd probably tell you to stop this madness and knock some sense into you. She was that kind of woman," Carzakh added.
"Yes. She was extremely stubborn, " Juan said with a bitter smile.
Carzakh gritted his teeth again. For a fleeting moment, hesitation flashed in his eyes, but it passed quickly. "Die."
The sword plunged into Juan's throat. The sickening sound of blood gurgling filled the air.
Carzakh felt the unpleasant warmth of blood soaking his fingers as he stared directly into his comrade's eyes and pulled his sword free.
Blood spurted from the wound, and Juan staggered before collapsing face-first onto the ground.
Carzakh staggered away and leaned back against a nearby tree.
The chirring of insects rang sharply in his ears, grating and clear.
Then the nausea hit.
It had been months since he'd killed anyone. He'd been holed up in the mountains for years, slaying mostly monsters. But it wasn't just the time away from killing that made him feel sick.
"You were right. She was a stubborn woman," he muttered.
She was too much for me. Carzakh swallowed the thought before it left his tongue.
Suddenly, an unexpected voice sliced through the air. "Yes. If she'd been more flexible, I wouldn't have had to kill her."
Carzakh instinctively snapped, "What?"
Bam!
Something unrecognizable shot through the air, piercing Carzakh's abdomen. He swung his sword reflexively, attempting to deflect it, but the object was unnervingly hard. He didn't even leave a scratch.
Bang!
The force of the strike knocked Carzakh back, slamming him into the tree. Pain lanced through his abdomen, contorting his face.
The object that had pierced him was slowly pulled away as Juan's voice echoed from a short distance. "I was planning to cut your torso in two. I can't believe you reacted so quickly. You havegrown stronger again, Carzakh."
"You..." Carzakh gasped.
"Your growth didn't stop even after being stuck in the mountains for years? That kind of talent makes me jealous." Juan slowly stood up, dusting off his clothes. "That's what I would've thought before. But not anymore, Carzakh. Now, I feel nothing. I'm calm in front of you. This is also a blessing of the gods of disaster."
Blood still gushed from the wound in Juan's throat where Carzakh had stabbed him, yet he showed no signs of distress—barely even discomfort while speaking.
"Juan—"
"Do I seem like a tragic figure to you? Do you think I joined the forces of evil based on some noble cause? Do you really believe that such a man could have risen to the position of priest?" Juan burst out laughing. "You're so naive, you fool. Living in the mountains for a few years has dulled your instincts. You used to be sharper than this."
"You son of a bitch!" Carzakh cursed.
"Goodbye, Carzakh. My once-friend," Juan said with a slight smirk. "To be honest, I'm not really glad about this."
A green tongue flickered at the corner of Juan's mouth.
Was that the same tongue that had pierced Carzakh's abdomen moments ago?
Disgusting... Carzakh sighed at his own sentimentality even at this moment.
Just as the tongue lounged again, a sword flew in from behind Carzakh, striking the tongue and deflecting its path.
The sword landed beside Carzakh—shabby in appearance, much more worn than he'd expected.
"Looks like our roles are reversed from back in the mountains," came a voice.
Carzakh forced a twisted smile.. "You little brat, I pierced that person's head back then."
Luan revealed himself. "It was just a small fry."
Juan tilted his head in confusion. "Hero Disciple Luan? Leaving the camp without permission is grounds for point deductions—"
"Carzakh came here alone because he respected you," Luan said, pulling the Seven Sins Sword from the ground and resheathing it. "I don't know if it's because you were once friends or both Great Masters, but he's too gullible."
Silence ensued.
"But as the Iron-Blooded Lord once said—there will be no conversation or negotiation with church members. Ever." Luan smirked. "Now I think I understand why."
"Ah." Juan smiled in return. "So it was you. You're the one who exposed my identity."