The successful candidates sat together at the table in the front.
There was still some time left before orientation began. It seemed like a break was intentionally created for those who passed the test who were probably tired from the exam. The successful candidates finally got a breather and rested.
The tension was gone. As they got to know each other during the subsequent exams, the stiff and awkward atmosphere of the first stage was gradually fading away. The successful candidates greeted each other individually and introduced themselves.
At that time, a man with a long slit across eyes stood up and raised his voice.
"Uh, everyone? We have some time left, so should we introduce ourselves to each other?"
His name was Hwang Seungsoo. Seungsoo walked in front of the screen as if he were the host. From the looks of it, he seemed accustomed to appearing in front of people and taking control of situations. Seungsoo smiled as he scanned the successful candidates.
"We will see each other often for the next three months. So I think it would be a good idea for each person to take turns briefly introducing themselves. What do you think? Is that okay with everyone?"
Seungsoo immediately captured the atmosphere in the conference room. The successful applicants subsequently nodded in agreement. If someone actively stepped up and took the initiative, it was easy to just follow. The always-affable bleached haired man yelled, "Great!" but he was the only person. Meanwhile, Jaegyeom sat indifferently with an expression that said he did not care either way. Seungsoo opened his mouth with confidence.
"I'll go first. My name is Hwang Seungsoo. I am a recommended applicant. My older brother is a senior in the Exorcism Department.
Well, so of course I'm also applying to the Exorcism Department."
Hwang Seungsoo announced himself as the first batter and made a gesture after completing his self-introduction. "Let's go clockwise." Following his lead, the successful candidate sitting next to him stood up hesitantly. He smiled awkwardly and bowed his head.
"My name is Noh Byeongjun. I'm 27 years old, and I'm aspiring to get into the Purification Department."
When Noh Byeongjun finished his brief introduction, someone started to clap, and the other successful candidates eventually followed, murmuring, "Nice to meet you" and such. Noh Byeongjun took his seat in the friendly atmosphere. Just when the next person was getting up from their chair,
"Excuse me, Byeongjun-ssi!"
Seungsoo suddenly opened his mouth.
"Yes? Me?"
"Were you a Chorani?"
"Ah yes. That's right."
"Ah, I see."
Seungsoo smiled smugly and nodded, "I was just wondering."
At that point, everyone had ignored Hwang Seungsoo's question as if it were not a big deal. The successful applicants continued to introduce themselves in order. Some, like Hwang Seungsoo, revealed their origins openly, while others, like Noh Byeongjun, did not reveal their origins. Mentioning one's origin was merely optional. However, whenever someone concluded their self-introduction without mentioning their background, Hwang
Seungsoo insistently asked.
"Semin-ssi. You applied because you were recommended, right?"
"Uh? How did you know?"
"Haha, I heard you picked an iron ball in stage 2."
"Ah. Yes..."
"What about Hyunsung? Chorani? Recommended applicant?"
"Umm, I was Chorani."
"Oh right. It was a little risky in stage 3, right?"
The atmosphere, which had been amiable, began to gradually turn strange. The intention of checking the origins of each person was somewhat snobbish. It felt like he was dividing sides and judging. It seemed to find fault with ordinary people for their academic connections or regional connections.
Among the recommended applicants, the majority, like Hwang Seungsoo, were blood related to exorcists. Because they inherited the natural gift, they had outstanding talent, and naturally learned how to manipulate spiritual energy, and were well-versed in various knowledge about this field. Of course, there were always exceptions. Just like Jaegyeom.
Whenever Hwang Seungsoo saw a recommended applicant like himself, he was visibly pleased and asked, "Who recommended you?", "Oh, Chief Shin of Ceremonial Instruments? He was in the same class as my older brother." He blatantly pretended to be knowledgeable, and lectured those who were Chorani one by one,
"Image training is important when dealing with spiritual energy," and "If you want to open your energy, try meditation."
People from Chorani gradually felt uncomfortable.
Soon, it was the bleached haired man's turn to say hello. Hwang Seungsoo stopped in front of the bleached man and extended his palm. The bleached man reluctantly raised his body awkwardly.
"My name is Lim Hyomoon, and I am aspiring to be in the Undercover Department."
"Hyomoon-ssi, are you from Cholani?"
As always, Hwang Seungsoo's similar questions followed. The bleached man was resting on his legs, fiddling with his piercings, and staring at Hwang Seungsoo. His eyes were defiant.
"Hey, why on earth are you asking that?"
The bleached haired man did not hide his displeasure.
"Huh? I'm just curious."
"So l mean, why are you curious? Only the starting line is different, but we are all the same first-time successful applicants, so what's the point of harping on the details? Childish, really. Let's act our age."
The bleached haired man responded with an annoyed tone.
Although he was usually docile and lively, he had a bit of a temperament. The mood immediately turned sour. Hwang Seungsoo's face, which had been smiling the whole time, hardened slightly. He then quickly forced a smile and opened his mouth.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to..."
"Is that so? Well then, whatever. I'm not answering."
The man responded harshly and sat down. A moment of silence fell in the room. Hwang Seungsoo, getting rebuked, lost face in front of everyone else.
"Haha, if you're uncomfortable, you should have told me. Were trying to get to know each other, but why are you reacting so sensitively? Are you perhaps insecure?"
Hwang Seungsoo laughed and murmured like it was no big deal.
Jaegyeom, who was sitting aimlessly, leaning against the back of his chair, glanced up. There was a bone in the words that were said as a joke.
At that, the bleached haired man jumped up from his seat.
"Hey, you say that again."
"What? 'Hey? "You'?"
Hwang Seungsoo approached with a grim face, "When did this gangster get to speak casually with me?"
"If you want to be treated with respect, you have to be worthy."
Hwang Seungsoo grabbed the bleached haired man by the collar.
Then, without giving in, the man also stretched out his hand and grabbed the other by the collar. The successful candidates gasped in bewilderment at the unexpected turn of situation.
"You're a Chorani, aren't you? I guess I hit the nail on the head?"
Hwang Seungsoo raised his tone at the end of his sentence as if mocking the other and pushed him away. The long table was pushed diagonally, making a crashing sound. The bleached haired man's eyes changed completely.
"Ha, look at this guy?"
The man seemed ready to pounce at any moment. Due to the unusual current, the candidates, who were frozen in their tracks, hastily began to stop the two. Jaegyeom was resting his chin on his hand and watching the situation indifferently.
The quiet conference room quickly became chaotic. Thanks to this, even though the back door opened and someone came in without notice, no one noticed. It was dark at the back of the conference room because the lights were off.
The tall figure, without any intention of stopping the newcomers' commotion, took out a chair in the last row and sat down with his legs crossed. The gaze, as if searching for someone, eventually stayed in one place.
"Our lord is dressed like a forsythia."
The chuckle fell on deaf ears in the noisy conference room.
***
"Uh huh, hit me, hit me, I dare you."
"Why? Do you want to go and tattle to your brother?"
Hwang Seungsoo and the bleached haired man grabbed each other by the collar and engaged in a war of nerves. The successful applicants were busy preventing a collision between the two. As it turned out, the recommended applicants stuck to Hwang Seungsoo's side, and the Chorani people stuck to the bleached haired man's side as they tried to break up the fight.
"Um, please calm down a little. Yes?"
"Why are you guys like this from the first day?"
Hwang Seungsoo retorted in a sarcastic tone.
"Where are you getting your cockiness from when you're a Chorani?"
Jaegyeom stared at Hwang Seungsoo with harsh eyes. Regardless of age or location, there were bound to be people like that wherever you went. People who divide the group and strive to gain the upper hand. They think that they are different from others, see that difference as a basis for discrimination, and do their best to step on others' heads and rise above them.
Looking at Hwang Seungsoo's actions, he seemed to overlap with someone else in Jaegyeom's mind. Jaegyeom calmly crossed his
arms and muttered a curse under his breath..
He's like Lee Juyeol...
Jaegyeom had no intention of getting involved in the fight between the two, nor did he particularly want to stop them. There was no reason to take sides since it had nothing to do with him anyway. In the eyes of jaegyeom, whether it was the bleached haired man or Hwang Seungsoo, they were nothing more or less than exorcists. He had no intention of getting caught up in the affairs of exorcists or being involved with them more than necessary. He just needed to do his job well, Jaegyeom thought.
"Ah, seriously! Both of you, please stop!"
At that moment, one of the successful applicants fumed.
"What are you going to do if someone sees this? If this continues and they accuse us of causing problems from day one, will you take responsibility for it? What if they cancel everyone's acceptance!"
What if they cancel everyone's acceptance.
What if they cancel everyone's acceptance...
What if they cancel everyone's acceptance...
Those words that floated in Jaegyeom's ear echoed through his mind. Finally, his expression hardened. What? No, these damn bastards... How dare they get in the way! Jaegyeom, who had been sprawled in the chair with a grumpy expression on his face, got up in an instant. Suddenly, enthusiasm surged throughout his body.
"Stop. Hey, stop. Stop it."
Jaegyeom tugged on the bleached haired man's clothes. However, the man, who had a temperament of his own, did not comply obediently and just huffed. It looked like nice words were not going to cut it.
"Hey, I told you to stop!"
Jaegyeom furrowed his brows and stomped on the man's feet.
"Kyaa, my little toe, argh!"
The man shrieked and bent over, clutching his foot. Finally, Hwang Seungsoo and the bleached haired man fell away from each other.
The Chorani people who were trying to stop the bleached man asked with puzzled faces, "Wh- what's wrong? Are you okay?" and hurried to help him.
It was a vicious pain, as if he had hit his foot on the threshold...
"Seven-seven aaargh, why my feet..."
Jaegyeom patted the man's back a couple of times. "It's okay. You're okay." Instead of offering an apology, the latter was dumbfounded by the polite consolation he received while complaining of his pain.
No, the person whose toes were stepped on should be the one saying if they were okay. If you step on someone's toes and then say it's okay...
Anyway, for now, a truce was formed.