The Mad Priest of the Slums

Knock, knock, knock.

The rhythmic sound of knocking woke me up.

I sat up straight in bed, stretching lightly to loosen the stiffness in my muscles from sleep.

“Come in.”

The door opened to reveal a woman in formal attire who had been around quite often since yesterday.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, very comfortably.”

It wasn’t just a polite answer. The bed was so comfortable that the first thought that came to mind when I lay down last night was how much it must have cost.

“I’m glad to hear that. The boss has a schedule today and will be back around evening. Until then, I will be your escort.”

As expected of someone who ruled the northern slums, it seemed Benjamin had plenty of business to attend to.

“In that case, I’d like to have a simple breakfast.”

“Where would you like to have it? If you prefer, I can arrange it here.”

“Ah, no need for that.”

I have a personal belief that meals should always be taken at a proper table or appropriate setting.

“Very well. I will have it prepared in the main dining hall.”

“Yes. I’ll just take a quick shower.”

The woman, whose name I still didn’t know, gave a slight nod and left, closing the door behind her.

Whoosh.

Warm water cascaded over me, calming my mind.

Should I go house-hunting this afternoon?

Benjamin had promised full support if I extracted the truth from the man we met yesterday, but it’s essential to establish boundaries to maintain healthy relationships.

Receiving support blindly isn’t wise, no matter the situation. Excessive favors often come with strings attached, no matter how they’re framed.

For now, the scope of Benjamin’s support—personnel until I could hire security and introductions to useful connections—felt sufficient.

“This shirt… it’s pretty pricey, huh?”

The currency in the remote store I had access to wasn’t “mora” but South Korea’s “won.” The shirt I just pulled from the wardrobe cost quite a lot.

In Mora, that would be 80,000 Mora.

When converted back to Earth’s prices, it roughly amounts to 8 million won.

“It’s no wonder the fit felt so comfortable.”

Though it felt a little odd to drape a robe over a coat, the design of the robe wasn’t too bad, so overall, it didn’t look awkward.

Finishing the preparation, I hung the rosary symbolizing Verdia around my neck.

As soon as I stepped out, I spotted a woman standing upright against the opposite wall.

“There’s no need for you to wait for me.”

“I’ll make sure to wait somewhere less conspicuous next time.”

“No, I mean don’t wait for me at all.”

“That’s not possible. I’m your temporary secretary and bodyguard today.”

Her response gave me a good sense of her personality—diligent, straightforward, and reliable once given a task.

From what I had seen so far, she seemed exactly like that type.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m sorry.”

Whether she simply didn’t want to share it or had another reason, she bowed her head in apology.

“Just call me ‘Secretary’ for today.”

“All right, then, Secretary.”

That was the end of our conversation on the way to the main hall.

Since Benjamin had shown me around the mansion thoroughly yesterday, I wasn’t curious about anything. Likewise, I figured I could ask about the town after finishing today’s work.

Judging by our limited interaction, she didn’t seem like the talkative type either.

**

After a satisfying breakfast, I listened to a lecture on the other regions’ rulers and their unique characteristics through my temporary secretary.

It was interesting enough to keep me engaged, and just as we finished discussing the southern region and started on the western one, the chime of a grandfather clock announced noon.

“I’ll have lunch prepared.”

“No, I’d prefer to skip lunch today.”

Thinking of what needed to be done soon, I figured it would be better to keep my stomach empty, even in a dream.

“By the way, have you ever experienced torture?”

“I’ve both conducted and endured it.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of scars might be hidden under her suit.

But that was merely personal curiosity, unrelated to the task ahead.

“If I had known sooner, I would have added your name to the contract.”

“…?”

I asked her, tilting my head slightly.

“Let’s say the subject of an interrogation has yielded all the information, and the higher-ups instruct you to inflict as much pain as possible before killing them. How would you go about it, given your experience on both sides?”

“As much pain as possible…”

Though it was a highly inappropriate question, my temporary secretary calmly placed one hand under her chest, rested her other elbow on it, and stroked her chin.

“If it were me…”

She explained several methods, down to the smallest details that others might overlook, as if it were second nature to her.

“Thank you. I’ll ask Benjamin if we can hire you as a helper sometime.”

“If the boss permits, I’ll give it my all.”

It was clear I’d learn more from watching a professional like her in action than from fumbling around on my own.

“Let’s grab a chair and head downstairs.”

“Understood.”

She effortlessly hoisted a dining chair onto her shoulder.

Though tall, she had the slender build of a model, with long limbs that gave her an air of elegance.

‘I should prioritize hiring a bodyguard once I get an office-slash-home set up.’

With my priorities adjusted, I followed her to the basement Benjamin had shown me yesterday.

“Priest!”

“Hello.”

The man who had signed two contracts yesterday greeted me warmly as I descended.

“Place it here.”

Secretary set the chair in front of the iron bars and stepped back. I sat and leaned comfortably against the backrest.

“Ready?”

“Of course.”

His eyes weren’t filled with resolve or tension, but with lust.

“What’s your name?”

“Deung Yoon! My name’s Deung Yoon!”

“All right, Deung Yoon.”

I crossed my legs, resting one hand gently over the other.

“It’s time to dream, Deung Yoon.”

Thud.

Deung Yoon, whose eyes had been brimming with lust, collapsed as if his strings had been cut.

‘Fascinating.’

Though he appeared dead, Deung Yoon was simply asleep.

Knowing someone’s name doesn’t guarantee you can put them to sleep like this. He had fallen asleep instantly because he’d signed the contract with Verdia yesterday.

All priest contracts, by the way, are made in Vishua.

Since I have a contract with Vishua, I don’t have to go to the temple every time to get one.

“It’ll take about two hours.”

“Go ahead.”

I meant for her to rest in the meantime, but she showed no intention of doing so.

“All right, then.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

‘The most beautiful being is Verdia.’

The moment I uttered the incantation, I lost consciousness.

**

“Here?”

When my consciousness returned, I found myself in the bedroom where I had woken up this morning.

Vivian had mentioned that if no location is specified in the contract, the setting defaults to the most memorable place.

“The bed did make an impression.”

I sat on the sofa and reached toward the bed with my left hand.

A pink lip-shaped mark was engraved on the back of my hand.

‘It looks like an actual lipstick mark.’

Next time I see Verdia, I’ll have to examine her lips closely.

“Summon Deung Yoon.”

The mark on my left hand glowed faintly.

“Gah!”

A black portal opened above the bed, and Deung Yoon tumbled out of it.

Thankfully, the bed was soft enough that he didn’t roll off.

“P-Priest?”

“Yes, it’s me. No need to get up.”

“Understood.”

Instead of being embarrassed or uneasy, Deung Yoon lay flat on the bed, suppressing a smile.

I placed my left hand nearby and called out Olivia’s name just as I had for Deung Yoon.

“Gah!”

Olivia, apparently asleep even in the dream, fell onto the sofa in a curled position. She bounced once before rolling to the floor.

“Ow…”

“Hello.”

“Wh-what?!”

As she groaned and tried to stand, Olivia screamed and covered her face upon seeing me.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s…a woman’s matter.”

Her muffled explanation didn’t matter much to me.

Leaving her on the floor, I walked over to Deung Yoon, who was still lying on the bed, ogling Olivia.

“Deung Yoon.”

“Yes?”

I extended my left hand slightly.

“As per the contract, I’ll restrain you to ensure Olivia’s safety.”

“Ah! Yes, of course! Please use heavy chains!”

“If that’s your request.”

This was where imagination came into play.

‘Tie him to the bed frame.’

The mark on my hand glowed again, and chains materialized, binding Deung Yoon as I had envisioned.

“I’m ready to prove my innocence whenever you’re ready.”

“Of course.”

Feigning determination with closed eyes, Deung Yoon prepared for the ordeal.

I conjured a thin awl and an unending bottle of saltwater—today’s tools.

I set them on the table and addressed Deung Yoon.

“Do you know?”

“Know what…?”

“In dreams, the owner controls even the flow of time.”

“…?”

Deung Yoon’s confused gaze met my sales-pitch smile.