episode_0036

‘…So this story hasn’t changed.’

The first internship exam is conducted as a group project.

Trainees form teams on their own.

The task is then solved based on that.

As the leading exorcism company in the country, the task is not simple.

It’s dangerous enough that people can get hurt if things go wrong.

‘Of course, the protagonist will safely resolve the difficulties and grow from it.’

I was worried that even the main story might change.

But it seems like even such a big part hasn’t changed.

‘Instead, the period seems to have been moved up a bit.’

Maybe this is because of my influence?

I don’t know why the internship exam period was brought forward because I’m here.

“How is it? It’s very useful information, right?”

Yuyeonhwa puffed out her chest and boasted.

Thanks to that, her subtly good figure is highlighted in many ways.

Unfortunately, the information itself isn’t very helpful.

“Is that all?”

“Huh?”

“Is that all you know?”

“Well… yes.”

“Hmm. Is that it.”

“Hey. Why is your reaction so boring?”

Yuyeonhwa pouted.

“I wanted you to be surprised, or at least show despair at the disgusting group project.”

I can’t be surprised even if I want to, because I already know.

It’s not immediately useful information either.

“It’s useless even if I know.”

“Wow~ That’s too harsh. This is very important information.”

Yuyeonhwa puffed up her cheeks and grumbled.

“Knowing in advance what to do and preparing for it is different from suddenly having to do it, you know?”

“Well, maybe so. Anyway, thanks. Thanks for telling me valuable information.”

“Heh! I’m sharing it with you especially because we’re friends.”

Yuyeonhwa said boastfully.

Maybe her goal is to make me feel indebted to her even a little.

Only by narrowing the distance like that will it be easier to investigate my secret of breaking the barrier.

‘Still, I’m really grateful.’

She could have traded based on this information.

I’m genuinely grateful that she ran to me as soon as she found out and shared it.

“Well, to tell you more, passing this doesn’t mean you immediately become an intern. It’s just the first exam.”

As Yuyeonhwa said, passing this doesn’t guarantee an internship.

Internship promotion is determined based on overall grades.

‘But it’s also true that the probability increases significantly if you pass the task safely.’

I’ve already earned entrance points from the last job.

If I pass the internship exam on top of that, it’s practically guaranteed that I’ll be an intern.

‘So I have to pass this exam no matter what.’

There’s still a chance even if I fail here.

But if possible, it’s safer to go up as quickly as possible.

This is especially true for cases like me, where there’s a lot of fluff in my actual skills.

Even if I get kicked out later, the internship experience at Cheonjihae is an amazing spec in itself.

“Considering your personality, you’re probably already preparing for the exam little by little, right?”

“Of course. I’m creating factions early on and selecting good talent. So I can perfectly cope with any situation.”

“Then what about me?”

“Yes?”

For a moment, Yuyeonhwa blinked as if she had misheard.

“If you can choose a team. How about being on the same team as me?”

“…Heeh?”

****

Whether the internship exam is approaching or not.

I had to keep taking lectures.

Exam scores have a big impact on the evaluation.

But the evaluations that instructors give individually in lectures also have a big impact.

“Okay, everyone. Today, let’s make a curse doll ourselves~”

Misina, the curse studies instructor, said cheerfully as she handed out straw dolls to the trainees one by one.

Now, there were no trainees who easily fell for that charming smile.

“Curse dolls are a common magical tool used by shamans as well as ordinary people. Most of them have no effect, and even if they do, they can be repelled by spiritual power, but the principle helps to understand curses.”

We each put various magical functions into the straw dolls according to the guide.

Filling the inside with rice, attaching personally written amulets.

Other than that, we add various decorations according to our preferences.

The nature and performance of the curse doll varies depending on what kind of decoration is added at this time.

‘I heard that the more similar it is to the person you are trying to curse, the better it works.’

Originally, the curse itself works better the narrower the target.

Like in cartoons, it’s also possible to ‘Increase the effect by adding a restriction to narrow the target of the curse to A!’

That kind of curse has low versatility, so ordinary exorcists hardly use it.

“Try using the curse dolls you made on the dolls here to check the effect.”

Misina said as she tapped the doll sitting on the chair in front of her.

“They’re decoy dolls designed to take the curse instead. Even so, you can’t curse others at Cheonjihae, can you?”

You shouldn’t cast curses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t even try out the curse doll you made.

That’s why they’re using that doll as a decoy.

‘Did they make a doll without a soul a target of the curse with only magical power?’

A feat that even an average shaman would find difficult.

Certainly, the exorcist at Cheonjihae who specializes in curses is different.

“Teacher-nim! Can’t I target myself?”

“Oh~ That’s a very good question.”

Misina nodded at the question of one of the trainees.

“Of course, you can cast a curse on yourself. But the effect is less with curse dolls like this. Some exorcists increase their power with such restrictions and curses. But it’s taboo, so it’s better not to do it.”

We made curse dolls while listening to Misina’s explanation.

‘It’s not as easy as I thought.’

I pride myself on being knowledgeable in theory.

But as I have little experience, my hand skills related to this kind of production were not good.

‘Eunhye seems to be doing well.’

Yueunhye, who was sitting next to me, was completing the curse doll quickly.

Come to think of it, she used sealing ceremonies and healing amulets well since last time.

After all, it seems that you can’t keep up with real exorcists when it comes to such specialized skills.

In the first place, unlike me, who’s good at instant death, Eunhye had been studying exorcism all along.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“No… I just thought Eunhye, you’re good at this.”

“Hehe! You’re doing that again. You can do it soon, Dohyung.”

“I don’t know the trick.”

This much is inevitable due to the difference in experience.

In the first place, even if someone with low spiritual power like me makes an amulet, it’s more efficient to just buy it.

“If you’re okay with it, should I tell you later?”

“Oh. Is it okay?”

“Of course it’s okay. Let’s review together after the lecture.”

Eunhye is so kind.

I’m glad I have such a kind child as a friend.

“Oh my. Seems like something isn’t going well?”

At that time, Misina came up to me and asked.

“Or is it too boring so it’s not fun?”

“No. I’m not used to making things like this.”

“Ah~ I see. Considering Namdohyung trainee’s level, you wouldn’t have a connection to this kind of thing.”

…I think she misunderstood my words.

Let’s just shut up and stay still.

“If you’re okay with it, I’ll help you.”

“Yes?”

“Now, put your hands like this-”

Misina, who was close behind me, grabbed my hand and moved it together.

The touching hands were surprisingly soft.

At the same time, a sweet scent tickled the tip of my nose.

“Now… like this… like this.”

I couldn’t help but hold my breath at the sensation running down my back.

The skinship that seemed to be pressed on purpose continued.

It’s amazing that the doll is being made while this is happening.

“Hehe… how cute. Why are you so nervous?”

“…I’m not used to this kind of situation.”

“Oh my, really? That’s unexpected. You don’t have a face that can’t meet women.”

Misina’s lips came close to my ear and whispered.

“How about it? If you come to our curse team, there are many pretty girls who are like my favorite dolls.”

“…I’ll consider it.”

Come to think of it, Misina also had a setting that she liked beautiful people.

I don’t know why such a person likes me so much.

“Hehe! Look at how red your face has become. Haa… it’s fun to tease you after all. Then continue to work hard. Think about my suggestion from earlier too.”

Misina said that and barely let go.

“Hoo!”

I finally took a breath I had been holding.

But suddenly, I felt a gaze next to me.

“Why, why Eunhye?”

Eunhye, who was obviously in a bad mood, was staring at me intently.

“…I guess I won’t teach you after all.”

“Why?!”

“I don’t know.”

Afterwards, I tried to make Eunhye feel better somehow, but it wasn’t easy.

****

Even without any special events, time at Cheonjihae passed quickly.

Training hard with Jiyun.

Eunhye contracted with a goblin fire during a lecture practice.

The protagonist, Kangsuho, defeated a ghost story with Gojooyoung, and rumors spread.

I also received the equipment that Miyeeun had made and entrusted to her.

‘Is this all the preparation I can do?’

I’m not yet at the level to be active among geniuses.

Still, I’ve managed to build up my strength to the point where I won’t hold them back somehow.

‘At least, even if I lack spiritual power, I won’t be left behind due to lack of physical strength.’

Even so, I’m uneasy because this is Cheonjihae.

I forget because I only listen to classes, but we are not students.

We are exorcists hired to defeat ghost stories.

As such, the standards are strict as a company.

“Hmm, good. It seems like everyone’s here.”

Hansujin, who is in charge of martial arts, looked around the trainees.

Today, she gathered all the trainees of this class in one place.

Everyone was embarrassed about what was going on.

Only a few people, including me and Yuyeonhwa, who were already vaguely aware, had expressions mixed with tension and relaxation.

“Now, you will take the internship exam. The exam topic is defeating ghost stories as a group. You will prepare to fight upper-level ghost stories for the next month.”

A strange stir spread among the trainees.

A sudden exam, and a group project at that, is not unreasonable.

“So, of course, you have to form groups.”

Hansujin continued speaking without paying attention to such reactions.

In the first place, Cheonjihae is not a place that understands the personal circumstances of exorcists.

This exam was the same.

“I’ll give you 20 minutes from now. Everyone form a team of 4 people. Anyone who fails to form a team will be disqualified regardless of the remaining number of people.”