<p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">반나절이 지나서야 사성과 차신단은 의식을 되찾았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">새벽의 빛이 밝자 문하생들은 하나 둘 씩 일어나 수습을 하고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">예인의 치유술 덕분에 고막 상처 같은 경미한 건 쉽게 해결할 수 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이해가 가지 않습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">왜 백월은 한 명도 죽이지 않고 깽판만 치고 나온 걸까요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 의무실 침대에서 같이 치료를 받고 있는 사성에게 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">애초에 우릴 죽일 생각이었다면 은비와 예린도 같이 데려왔을 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누군가가 의무실의 문을 열고 나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">뚱뚱하고 허리까지 내려오는 긴 머리카락을 가진 사내였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">키가 어중간하고 얼굴이 반반하여 울대뼈가 없었더라면 성별을 헷갈렸을 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구시죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">전 기암입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈과 친구 사이죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">조사해달라고 부탁한 게 있어서 잠깐 왔습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 말하며 들고 있던 서류봉투에서 종이뭉치를 꺼내 바라보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 절맥인 건 알고 있었죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">당연하지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥이라 기각을 쓰지 못한다고 들었습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">혹시 절맥의 절이 무슨 한자를 쓰는 지 알고 계십니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">끊을 절 자 아닙니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">끊을 절으로 알고 있습니다만</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사록을 뒤져본 결과 절맥을 한자로 쓰면 마디 절자입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 설명했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥은 맥이 끊어졌다는 뜻이 아니라 맥이 마디마디로 되어있다는 뜻이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">어쨌든 절맥이면 기각을 쓰지 못하는 거 아니였어요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이 세상에 기각을 쓰지 못하는 자는 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥은 기각을 쓰지 못하는 것이 아니라 협술을 쓰지 못하는 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 설명을 이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각은 세계 그 어떤 사람도 사용할 수 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각을 실체화하는 술법에는 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">8</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가지 종류가 있는데 협술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">도술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">요술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">연술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">주술 총 여덟까지입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">파생 술법까지 합하면 더 많지만 방금 말한 여덟 술법이 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">8</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대 술법으로 손꼽히고 있지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">앞의 넷은 아시아권에서 발달하였고 나머지 넷은 인도와 중동</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">서양에서 많이 발달하였지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절맥인 자는 협술을 사용할 수 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">협술은 몸에 기를 흐르게 하는 술법인데 백월처럼 절맥인 자는 맥이 마디로 되어있어 협술을 쓸 수 없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다만 절맥은 기각 하나하나를 몸에 보관하기 쉬어 다른 술법은 너무나 쉽게 사용할 수 있지요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그럼 백월이 쓰는 술법은 뭐죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그건 알 수 없지만 도술로 추정은 하고 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">협술이 신체를 강화시켜준다면 도술은 초자연적인 능력을 부여하죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단과 사성의 상처를 보더니 다시 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이란 자에게 정말 크게 당했군요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">만약 은빈이 없었거나 백월이 은비</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">예린과 함께 왔다면 당신들 중 한명은 죽음을 맞이하였을겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단이 놀라는 소리를 냈다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 은빈을 두려워해 도망갔다는 말입니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">정확히 말하자면 백월이 도중 퇴각한 이유는 세가지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">첫 번째는 신수대의 기를 꺾어놓는 것이 목적이었기 때문에 굳이 신수학교의 문하생들을 죽일 필요가 없어서였고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">두 번째는 은빈과의 싸움을 피하기 위해서였죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">만약 은빈과 백월이 맞붙었다면 둘 다 죽거나 한 명이 죽고 한 명이 불구가 되거나 결판이 나더라도 양쪽 모두 불구가 되었을 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">세 번째 이유는 뭐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아내를 죽이고 싶지 않아서였겠죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 말하면서 무언가를 종이에 적었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 순간 은빈이 의무실의 문을 열고 들어왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“Talk of the Devil, and he will appear”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단은 느닷없이 등장한 영어를 알아먹지 못했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시는 의무실 침대에서 일어나 은빈에게 손가락질을 했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈 도령</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">만약 당신이 일찍 모습을 보였더라면 백월은 바로 도망쳤을 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 따졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">우리를 구하러 온 손님에게 무슨 말버릇이냐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 나무랐다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">선생님</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시의 말이 맞습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">제가 더 빨리 나타났다면 여러분들을 지킬 수 있었을 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">면목없습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그런데 은빈 오라버니도 협술을 쓰시나요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">방금 기각을 실체화하는 술법은 여러 가지가 있다고 들었어요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 협술이 아니라 마술을 쓴다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암도 마찬가지고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈은 손을 들어올렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 순간 천장의 전등과 탁자에 놓여있던 전기램프에 불이 켜졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암은 가시가 머리맡에 둔 검을 들어 자신의 목에 찔러넣었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">피가 쏫아올랐지만 기암이 다시 칼을 뽑자 그의 목에 난 구멍은 순식간에 아물어 사라졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니 이게</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">무슨 일입니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁은 어안이 벙벙하여 겨우 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차신단은 놀라움을 금치 못했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">전기를 다루고 목에 칼을 찔러넣어도 멀쩡하게 살아있는 두 남자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이것이 마술이란 말인가</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">신기함은 잠시였고 차신단의 마음에는 마술을 터득하고 싶다는 욕망이 차올랐다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">허나 마술은 속임수를 쓰는 공연을 말하는 것이 아니오</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마술은 다의어다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">서양에서 신화적인 존재와 몸을 같이 쓰는 것을 말하지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 설명했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사부님은 마술에 대해 아십니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나도 책에서 읽은 적이 있다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">허나 실제로 보는 것은 처음이구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">내 마음만 같아서는 백월의 목을 따 그대들에게 선물하고 싶으나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 죽었다 깨어나도 사람 죽이는 일을 하지 못하겠다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈 도령</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">복수나 화풀이의 살인은 죄악이나 정의구현과 자기방어를 겸한 살인은 눈을 감아준다고 하였소다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대체 왜 백월을 죽이지 못한다합니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시는 화가 단단히 난 목소리였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">미안하다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나는 못한다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그만하거라 가시야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">은빈 도령도 다 자신만의 신념이 있어 그러는 것이니 우리가 나무랄 수 있는 것이 아니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">절대적인 힘은 그 어떤 방법으로도 무너지지 않으나 단 하나 자만은 그것을 무너뜨릴 수 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">네</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월이 온다는 것을 알면서도 어린 자들과 파자마 파티나 즐기고 있었으니 말 그대로 자만과 경솔이 하늘을 찌르는 군요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">네 이 녀석</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">감히 스승님과 우리를 우롱하는 것이냐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 외쳤다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">경고하는 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말하자 아무도 대꾸하는 사람이 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그럼 그 마술이라는 걸 좀 가르쳐줘요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 정적을 깼다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">맞아요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">우리도 마술을 배우면 백월을 상대할 수 있을 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대혁이 맞장구를 쳤다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마술은 배운다고 배울 수 있는 것이 아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마도서나 소환술 같은 매개체가 있어야해요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그리고 여러분들께는 추천드리지 않습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">강해지고 싶어하는 너희의 마음은 알지만 이미 협술을 배우는 자는 마술을 쓸 수 없다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">또한 마술을 쓰는 자는 협술을 익힐 수 없지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">선생님이 아주 잘 알고 계시네요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기암이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아이들의 얼굴에 실망감이 드러났다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">걱정하지 마시죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">여러분들이라면 협술로 백월을 능가할 수 있을 겁니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">*</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';"></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주의 방</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주는 잠을 잘 오게하는 법을 알고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">몸을 정자세로 눕히고 사지와 오장육부의 힘을 모두 뺀 뒤 머리를 비우는 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그렇게 아침까지 유지하고 있으면 수면을 질을 높이고 쉽게 잠들 수가 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그렇게 여유롭게 아침이 되고 몸의 피로가 회복되면서 일어날 준비를 하고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리는 성주의 방에 대뜸 들어와 그의 몸에 올라탔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놀자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놀자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놀자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놀자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놀자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">주말이잖아</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주는 아리의 말에 급히 깨 자신의 몸에 올라타고 있는 그녀를 보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사저</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">상스럽게 다 큰 처자가 남자의 침대에 오르시면</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 말하자 아리는 지루하다는 듯이 몸을 흔들어 성주의 잠을 깨웠다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아침</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">밤</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">낮 할 거 없이 언제나 기운이 넘치는 아리는 그를 억지로 깨워 광장에 나와 놀자고 하였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주는 주말에는 책을 읽어야 한다고 말하였으나 아리는 그럼 책을 가지고 오면 되지 않냐며 칭얼거렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">어쩔 수 없이 그는 한 권의 책만 들고 아리에게 끌려가 광장으로 끌려갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">봄의 청취가 울려퍼졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그래</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이런 곳에서 독서를 하는 것도 나쁘지 않지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.’</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주는 광장 구석의 긴 의자에 앉아 책을 펼쳤다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그런데 그를 끌고 왔던 아리가 같은 의자에 앉아 머리를 성주의 허벅지에 베는 것이 아닌가</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사저</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다 큰 처자가 외간 남자에게 몸을 내놓다니 남사스럽게 무슨 짓입니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">우린 형제자매와 다르지 않는데 왜 외간남자야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그건 그렇고 넌 무슨 책을 아침부터 읽냐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마키아벨리라는 서방의 책략가가 쓴 책이 온데 전략술을 키우고 학문을 닦는데 큰 도움이 되는 군주론이라는 책입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">술</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">여자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">도박</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">잡담은 많으면 많을수록 부족해진다고 했으면서 책은 안 그래</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 물었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">책은 다다익선입니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주가 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성주의 허벅지에 누워 체온을 느끼고 있었는데 아침 공기를 쐬러 온 사성과 가시가 이를 목격했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리의 어리광이 날로 심해지니 이를 어찌할 바 모르겠습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">놔두거라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리가 어리광쟁이인 것은 맞으나 제 할 일은 잘하고 있다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아리는 제 아무리 힘든 훈련도 투정없이 잘 해낸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그리고 인간성과 감정을 숨김없이 드러내는 것도 협객으로서는 중요한 장점이 되지 않겠느냐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월을 상대하려면 군기를 바짝 잡고 있어야 할터인데</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 중얼거렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그건 나도 동의한다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">우리가 힘을 키우는 것이 중요하지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 대답했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">저는 백월이 두렵지 않습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다만 백월이 박일화의 잔존세력을 흡수할 것이 두려운 거죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그리마가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월 사건 이후로 그리마는 당분간 신수학교에서 수위로 지내게 되었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">백월에게는 든든한 빽이 있습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">바로 박일화를 추종했던 무리 그 중에도 그들의 아지트이자 집합체라고 할 수 있는 극우 인터넷 커뮤니티 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">프로트</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">’”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그리마가 설명하자 가시는 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">칫</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">’</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">소리를 내었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">기각도 쓰지 못하는 녀석 주제에 자신이 백월을 상대할 수 있는 것처럼 말하는 구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그래</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 기각도 쓰지 못하는 녀석한테 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">4</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">로 쳐발린 건 누구지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그리마가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">한 번만 더 입을 놀린다면 종아리 걷을 채비를 해야할 것이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사성이 쏘아붙였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">가시는 분하다는 듯이 욕을 삼켰다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span>
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