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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Examinee (2)
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The responsibility ploy was exactly what it sounded like—a tactic that only worked on people with a sense of responsibility. Or at least, it worked on those without it who still didn't want to get fired from their job or who dreamed of climbing the ranks.
It was useless against someone who'd already decided to quit or who'd long since given up on promotions.
That's just how the world worked. The desperate ones always got dragged around.
Even in college group projects, it was the students desperate for grades who ended up shouldering the whole load alone. Those who'd already written off their GPA rode free more often than not.
Of course, the one who was truly desperate here wasn't her—it was me.
My life was on the line, wasn't it? And to me, my life was the most important thing in the world.
Jin Ha-yeon, on the other hand, was a deranged fanatic who'd toss her life away like trash for the Heavenly Demon and the Cult.
Even so, I could pull off this bold gamble for two main reasons.
First, she was such a severe fanatic that she valued the Heavenly Demon's prestige even more than her own life. In other words, my acceptance into the Demonic Path Academy mattered more to her than her own survival.
Second, I was the disciple of the Heavenly Demon.
'She threatened to kill me, but that cuts both ways—it means she can't touch me until after the entrance exam.'
Of course, the second point was just a hunch. Far from certain.
If it was wrong, she might torture me right then and force me to get back to work.
A chilling thought sent cold sweat trickling down my spine, but I didn't let a hint of tension show on my face.
No matter what anyone said, this was a life-or-death matter for me.
I couldn't just hand over something like that to a deranged fanatic. Absolutely not.
I managed to keep my expression neutral as we locked eyes for a moment.
"Hoo. We'll proceed with training according to the Young Master's schedule."
In the end, she raised the white flag.
Though in exchange, her gaze and tone somehow felt even icier than before.
I spoke to her like I was bestowing a favor, soothing her.
"Don't worry. It doesn't mean we'll stick to this schedule all the way to the exam. I plan to tweak it every four weeks or so. For example, if interview prep is lacking, I'll adjust external martial arts training time. If sparring prep is insufficient, I'll cut back on study hours. And if both are lacking, I'll trim from elsewhere."
I pitched it like a negotiation offer, but it was my plan all along.
That's how exam prep worked. Things never went exactly according to the initial plan. Even with just studying, some subjects progressed faster than expected, others slower.
You had to adjust bit by bit to match your pace.
My proposal must have appealed to her, because Jin Ha-yeon accepted it.
"Understood. Then, after four weeks, I'd appreciate it if you'd revise the schedule through 'consultation' with me."
She put particular emphasis on the word 'consultation.'
* * *
After wrapping up that bloodcurdling negotiation with Jin Ha-yeon, I finally got some rest as per my master's orders.
Taking it under the care of a fanatic who'd threatened to kill me in a year was an oddly surreal experience.
My 'body' was comfortable, at least.
"I'll prepare your meal."
"Is it not too warm for you?"
From serving meals to even fanning me.
She handled every bit of personal service. But for me, the one receiving it, it was pure torment.
Every action—presenting the tray, fanning me—put me on edge. What if she tried something sinister?
"Before retiring for the night, how about a bath first?"
"Very well."
"Then I'll prepare warm water."
With that, she returned shortly after.
"The bath is ready, Young Master."
I followed her to the bathhouse.
Steam rose gently from the warm water.
"Hoo. I'm exhausted, but at least the water's nice and hot.'
Constant tension had left all my muscles aching. I figured a soak might loosen them up, so I started undressing—then noticed something odd.
"What are you doing there?"
For some reason, she stood there blankly, staring at me.
"Waiting to assist with your bath."
"!!!"
Caught off guard by the unexpected turn, I half-lost my mind and followed her instructions in a daze.
"Please undress and enter the bath. I'll apply the soap for you."
Clinging to the barest shred of reason, I stripped down to my undergarments and slipped into the tub.
Moments later, she carefully rubbed soap over my body.
Starting with my arms, the gentle touch of the soap and her fingers.
Her clothes grew damp from the process, revealing glimpses of skin beneath.
It was the kind of situation where blood might rush somewhere involuntarily—but it didn't.
"Gulp."
I swallowed dryly without thinking.
Not from any impure thoughts, though. Pure tension.
A killer who'd declared she'd end me in a year was eyeing my naked body with impassive eyes.
Every time she soaped a spot.
'Stab here, and the arm goes numb.'
'Stab here, and you drop dead—but I won't let you off that easily.'
Images like that kept flashing in my head.
Of course, I knew she wouldn't do it before the entrance exam results.
'At least loosen up that expression….'
She examined my body with the cold face of a grad student in anatomy lab, applying the soap.
* * *
I turned in at the planned half past ha hour—ten at night—and woke at ma hour, five to seven in the morning. I did some light stretches and tidied the bed.
I hadn't learned any martial arts yet, so no need for Qi Circulation and Breath Adjustment.
After a quick wash, I ate the breakfast she'd prepared, then dove straight into morning studies.
'Not the most efficient, but better than wasting time.'
Waking up doesn't mean your brain's fully awake. It usually takes two or three hours for it to fully activate.
That's why exam takers are advised, even if the test's at ten, not to sleep till eight or nine—instead, wake at seven, prep slowly, and use the time before the test for light review.
Cramming thirty minutes of review on exam day won't cover years of material. The real point is 'activating the brain.'
As I lightly moved my body to wake my still-groggy brain, Jin Ha-yeon came in with a book and set it on the desk.
"Then, I'll now teach you the doctrines of our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
My first doctrine study session had arrived. I nearly swallowed reflexively.
'Gotta stay sharp.'
They say even if you're dragged into a tiger's den, keep your wits and you'll survive.
But this was the heart of a cult.
Recall modern cults—studying their faith was dangerously effective.
Let your guard down even a little, and you'd end up like the woman teaching me.
That tension sharpened my still-foggy mind.
Seeing my alert posture, she nodded once and handed me the scripture.
"Weren't you curious, Young Master? Why our Divine Cult insists on the name Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
"The character for 'Demon' does give it an ominous ring."
"There's a reason for it."
I nodded.
No cult lacked excuses. Sophistry, every one.
Taking my nod as eagerness, she continued.
"Originally, all humans are evil by nature. The ancient Confucian Xunzi said as much. And indeed, countless corrupt officials oppress the poor commoners. This isn't anyone's fault—it's the natural order."
Oh boy. Xunzi now?
"To protect the commoners from such oppression, force is ultimately required. To save the masses in the future, we need the power to shatter the existing order—and those upholding that order will call it 'demonic.' Have you heard of Maitreya, Young Master?"
"I have."
"The Maitreya we speak of is our Heavenly Demon. But Buddhist monks distort teachings to deceive the masses. How can mere sermons reform humans evil from birth?"
Wow. Buddhism and Maitreya too?
'Yep, full-on cult.'
Modern cults twisted Christian Bibles the same way.
They just misinterpreted scripture to invent absurd rules and dupe followers.
"That's why we need the Heavenly Demon. Heaven-sent demon. One to topple the old order and keep the evil within humanity in check. Yes—the Heavenly Demon bears the innate evil of all humanity alone, and thus is called demon."
Wow. Now Christian doctrine?
It evoked Jesus bearing original sin for all and dying.
If I kept listening, I'd lose my mind, so I cut in.
"So, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's doctrine means the Heavenly Demon will overthrow the corrupt order—like those officials—and bring salvation to the masses?"
"You understand perfectly. Our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult begins from the premise that all humans are equal."
Pleased at my quick grasp, her usually emotionless eyes lit up as she replied.
But my instincts were screaming.
This went beyond cult—it was a rebel group plotting treason.
At the same time, something clicked in my head.
'This feels... a lot like Donghak?'
Donghak Peasant Movement—or Revolution—their ideology matched.
Not calling Donghak a cult.
They preached human equality like "man is heaven," founder Choe Jeu stepped up to save the foolish masses, and instead of sermons, they aimed to slay corrupt officials.
"So, the imperial court branded our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as deluding the masses and labeled us rebels, didn't they?"
"…Even after over two hundred years, how did you know?"
"…"
Uh, prepping for the civil service exam, I memorized Korean history?
But that wasn't the point now.
'No way... but yeah, they're already branded rebels.'
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wasn't just a cult—they were traitorous cultists.
And I'd become the disciple of their leader.
'...If I testify someone held a knife to my throat, maybe they'll show mercy?'
Didn't seem likely.