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Published at 10th of April 2023 07:44:45 AM


Chapter 22.2

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Chapter 22 Part 2: Religious Ritual

Hye-won was standing at the pulpit in a nun’s garb. She was assigned to play the role of a nun. She was obviously an adult woman, so she was assigned the role of a nun, unlike me, who still looked like a child.

Hye-Won casually scanned the classroom and made eye contact with me. She smiled slightly, then confidently announced in front of everyone.

“Today’s lesson is self-study!”

“What? Sister Tessa, self-study……?”

“Uh, self-study. Everyone has a book, right? Study on your own, and you over there…”

Sister Hye-won said, while pointing exactly at me.

“You come and follow me.”

I walked out of the classroom, leaving behind the kids who were laughing heartily at the fact that they don’t have to study with a nun for the first time.

Hye-won walked in silence, and I didn’t say a word because I didn’t know who might be listening. It wasn’t until we entered an empty classroom in the corner, that wasn’t currently being used that we were able to talk freely.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gotten you involved with this Hidden Gate.”

“Oh, no, it’s really okay.”

That was actually my intention, but the guilty look on Hye-won’s face made me feel uneasy.

“Did you find the others?”

“There’s Ha-Rang in the secondary school, I found her yesterday, and was able to contact her, I don’t know about the rest.”

“There’s Mr. Kim Ki-taek on the Priest’s side. He’s been secretly exchanging information with me.”

“Then we just need to find Mr. Jeon Cheong-woon.”

We quickly exchanged information.

“Have you noticed that something is wrong here?”

Hye-won nodded with a stiff expression. “Yeah. The nightly patrols are weird, and I’ve seen them dragging kids away somewhere. I don’t know where they’re taking them, since it’s not my turn yet, but…”

“They’re taking them to the top floor, I followed them there.”

“The top floor? But aren’t priests the only ones allowed to go up there?”

“They’re torturing children there.”

It was a very terrifying sight. As I detailed what I had seen, Hye-won’s face turned extremely pale, as if she hadn’t expected it to be this bad.

“We need to hurry.”

“Right? I don’t feel good enough to stay here for long…”

“No. I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about Mr. Ki-taek.”

It was dark in the unlit classroom, and Hye-won’s eyes sparkled through the thick shadows.

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“These staged gates… Are more dangerous to your mind than your life. If you stay here too long, you might not be able to survive long.”

Definitely. If you watch someone torture a child two or three times a week, you’re going to lose your mind…

Especially when once in a while you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to participate.

It’s no wonder his mind might get affected. I’m sure Kim Ki-Taek is a hunter who’s been through a lot, but the staged gates will always bring us new kinds of pain. I would have preferred a field-type gate instead because I don’t like this uncomfortable feeling…

“Anyway. It’s easy for me to contact you and Ha-Rang since I go to class once a week. There should be a way to contact Mr. Ki-taek on a regular basis as well.”

“I’ll be your contact.”

“You will?”

“The children here can ask for an interview with the priests.”

“I see, then I would like to ask you for a favor.”



We diligently gathered information. We still haven’t found Jeon Chung-Woon, but… He must be here somewhere. Even without him, things were still moving forward.

“What’s for lunch today?”

“Uh……. I think it was some kind of porridge.”

I pretended to walk down the hallway, and chatting with Dahlia. Hye-won and I were secretly exchanging notes while lightly touching our arms. I secretly sneak it out of the bathroom and read,

‘Tonight, 10 PM, where we meet every day.’

I put the note in my arms and closed my eyes for a moment.

‘There’s no one in Kim Ki-Taek’s room. No one in the surrounding hallways, either.’

I lightly activated my skill, and it actually revealed some useful information. I slowly opened my eyes, and realize that I’m in Kim Ki-taek’s room. Priests would usually have their own private rooms. His bookshelves are lined with religious books, befitting his profession.

I ignored the cluttered desk and opened the second drawer. It contained a few simple papers, but if you dig deep enough, you’ll find this…

Click.

A hidden compartment appeared. It was a place to hide a few pieces of papers, that’s all.

I put the note inside it, and put the compartment back the way it was.

Later, once Kim Ki-Taek finds the note, he will read the contents and burn it.

I closed my eyes again, and when I opened them, I was already back in the bathroom. Outside, Dahlia was asking if I was still there.

‘But why is she the main character?’

As we walked out, She lightly scolded me for being late for class.

A main character is someone who would usually play a significant role in the story of Stage Gate, but so far, Dahlia seemed to be just one of those ordinary students. She was diligent and well-groomed.

I’ve been sneaking out of bed at night when everyone else was asleep. So I had become accustomed to sneaking into morning prayers and classes without being detected.

I cautiously made my way through the hallway and out of the dorm. I went into the building right next to it and hid in a corner of the classroom.

Thud.

The sound of shoes hitting the floor. Drew out a familiar rhythm, in succession.

Tap. Tada-tada-tada.

“You’re here.”

Kim Ki-taek finally appeared, followed by Pyo Hye-won and Sun Ha-Rang.

Sun Ha-Rang was wearing a nun’s garb instead of a robe. So far, so good.

“I got some good information.”

Today’s meeting had been called by Elder Sister Hye-won. Naturally, she stood in the centre of the room and cut to the chase.

“In two weeks, a saint will visit this place.”




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