Honbul: Flame of the Soul

The lights in the conference room dimmed, plunging the room into darkness as a clean presentation appeared on the screen at the front. The Ritual Implements Department’s quarterly showcase, held four times a year to unveil newly developed tools, had begun.

In simple terms, it was no different from a corporate product launch. The department introduced each new tool’s functions and development process one by one. For the Ritual Implements Department, which essentially operated as a research and development division, this event was important because it visibly demonstrated the department’s recent accomplishments and progress.

“I’m Park Junghoon from the Ritual Implements Department, and I’ll be giving today’s presentation. Thank you all for taking the time to attend...”

The presenting Naja took the microphone and introduced himself, formally opening the showcase.

“Our department has gathered and refined several tools distributed during the third and fourth quarters...”

“This quarter, we’ll be introducing four newly developed tools.”

Standing at the podium, the presenter aimed a laser pointer at the screen as he guided the presentation forward. Each time the slide changed, the Naja flipped through the printed materials in front of them. Jaegyeom hurried to keep up, fumbling awkwardly with the pages. Since he had missed the previous report meeting, everything still felt unfamiliar.

But after turning one page, his hand abruptly stopped.

His attention kept dragging toward Yoon Taehee beside him. It felt strange, as though every cell in his body were leaning left. Somewhere near his chest, an uneven pulse kept throbbing irregularly.

Jaegyeom, who had been sitting stiffly upright like a stone statue, shifted only his gaze and stole a glance at Yoon Taehee’s profile. The pale glow of the screen traced the sharp line of his jaw. Taehee looked perfectly calm as he watched the presentation, occasionally jotting notes down with his pen.

Even though Yoon Taehee was the one who had said something insane earlier, Jaegyeom was the one left unsettled.

Trying to ignore Taehee’s presence entirely, he forced himself to focus back on the presentation.

“Our next item is a spray developed to temporarily paralyze spiritual force.”

The presenter moved on to the next slide.

“This spray was developed in cooperation with the Purification Unit and is intended for immobilizing targets. It combines several medicinal herbs with talisman water and fulfills a role similar to the restraint ropes previously distributed by our department.”

Jaegyeom narrowed his eyes.

The ropes that severed spiritual force were the same ones the Naja from the Ritual Implements Department had used on him in the mountains when they tried to take Mesan away.

“However, those ropes were difficult to use at close range and required an activation incantation beforehand. This spray has no activation requirements whatsoever, allowing immediate use during close encounters.”

The moment the explanation ended, murmurs spread through the room.

Among the tools introduced today, this one had caused the strongest reaction by far. The fact that it required no activation conditions was revolutionary. Normally, ritual implements required either spiritual force input or a spoken incantation to function.

“Additionally, unlike ropes, which can appear suspicious during use, this spray can easily be disguised as an ordinary item, minimizing the risk of drawing attention in front of ordinary people.”

Nods spread throughout the conference room.

It was undeniably practical.

The presenter looked visibly pleased at the positive reaction.

“That concludes the explanation for the spray. I’ll now take questions.”

Hands rose throughout the room. Whenever the presenter pointed someone out, they first stated their department and name before speaking.

“What’s the average duration of the effect?”

“Approximately three hours.”

“Does it need to be sprayed near a ghost’s face?”

“No. Direct facial contact isn’t necessary.”

The questions continued steadily.

Then Kang Ibin, seated in the front row, raised her hand as well.

“I’m Lead Naja Kang Ibin from the Exorcism Unit.”

After receiving the microphone, she stood up from her seat.

“So let’s say I’m out in the field and I run into a ghost. I spray this thing at it, but what if the wind blows it right back at me? Am I gonna end up paralyzing myself too?!”

Her lively question drew laughter throughout the room.

Even Yoon Taehee let out a quiet chuckle.

The rigid atmosphere immediately loosened.

“Yes, there is a possibility of reverse airflow,” the presenter admitted with a smile of his own. “That’s why we equipped it with a specialized nozzle that narrows the spray radius and improves wind resistance.”

“Also, ghosts are affected through simple contact with the liquid, but humans need to inhale or ingest it for the effect to occur. Small amounts on exposed skin are harmless, so there’s no need for concern.”

Even as questions continued one after another, the presenter answered smoothly without losing composure, earning compliments from the surrounding Naja.

“Excellent work.”

“The quality keeps improving every quarter.”

Still, Jaegyeom watched the entire thing with cold eyes.

He had nothing but resentment toward the Ritual Implements Department, so hearing praise fill the room only left a bitter taste in his mouth.

These little rats sure know how to yap.

I wish this would end already.

Just then, Yoon Taehee, who had been sitting with his arms crossed while staring silently ahead, suddenly leaned slightly toward him.

“Should I knock those smug bastards down a peg?”

The sudden whisper directly beside his ear made Jaegyeom’s heart jolt.

Before he could even react, Taehee casually ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) lifted a hand and snapped his fingers softly.

Click.

Then he stood, one hand slipping into his pocket as he accepted the microphone.

“I’m Yoon Taehee from the Exorcism Unit.”

His voice was slow and lazy.

He did not bother mentioning his team or title.

The presenter’s expression stiffened slightly.

“First, I’d like to thank the Ritual Implements Department for their hard work. A spray capable of paralyzing spiritual force will obviously become a very useful restraint tool. The fact that it has no activation requirements is especially innovative. Seconds matter in the field, so it’s clear considerable thought went into practical application.”

He began by calmly acknowledging the department’s efforts.

“However, the absence of activation requirements is also a double-edged sword. Accessibility inherently creates security risks. Anyone can use it, not just Naja. So what happens if someone loses it through carelessness? Or if it falls into someone else’s hands?”

A faintly crooked smile touched Taehee’s lips.

“For example... what if a malicious ghost got hold of it? Or a gifted who isn’t a Naja.”

He paused briefly before asking:

“What happens then?”

“...”

“Well. That could become a pretty serious problem, couldn’t it?”

For the first time, genuine surprise flashed across the presenter’s face.

“So I’d like to ask the Ritual Implements Department this: did you prepare any countermeasures for situations like that? Or did nobody consider the possibility in the first place?”

After finishing his criticism, Taehee cheerfully concluded into the microphone:

“That’s all~”

Then he clasped his hands behind his back and waited leisurely for a response.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Chief Yoon had shattered the mood in an instant.

The lively atmosphere that had filled the room moments earlier vanished completely, replaced by visible tension. The presenter looked thoroughly flustered, unable to answer immediately after such a sharp question.

“Ah... well, that is...”

At the head of the table, Seok Juryeon’s lips twisted faintly.

What a vicious little bastard.

“Our department’s people are about to cry.”

At that, the head of the Ritual Implements Department, who had been observing quietly until now, burst into hearty laughter as he spoke to Seok Juryeon.

She gave a low chuckle in return before replying quietly:

“The Exorcism Unit works directly in the field, so they’re trained to account for every possible variable. Unexpected situations happen constantly out there. It’s only natural practical experience broadens their perspective.”

The presenter, who had been frozen with the microphone in hand, finally forced himself to speak.

“Yes... th-thank you for the question. It’s a very valid concern. To prevent unfortunate incidents, we intend to conduct strict inventory management and enforce careful handling procedures... ah, and we’ll continue improving...”

It was little more than a hollow textbook response.

Yoon Taehee nodded politely.

“Mm. Understood.”

Then he sat back down with a lukewarm answer.

“...”

Jaegyeom stared at him in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Taehee sat there expressionlessly with a pen in hand, casually scribbling something across Jaegyeom’s paperwork like he had earlier.

Pretty thing hehe

Because of the dim lighting, Jaegyeom had to squint to make out the words.

Then he fell silent.

He briefly considered writing something back.

But decided against it.

No matter how he looked at it, Yoon Taehee genuinely did not seem sane anymore.