Come to My Room
“Huh?”
Geum Hwa-bin startles at the words claiming she's now his.
“I am the cult leader of the Bliss Cult.”
She flinches. She must know what the Bliss Cult is, then.
“Ah, I'm not here for missionary work. I came to do business with you.”
“...Business...?”
He nods.
“I just made a deal with your little sister, too.”
He strokes Cheong-a's head beside him.
“Sis... this big bro's a good bro.”
Oh yeah, sell it hard, girl.
“What do you...”
“I hear you have skilled hands. You make what I need, and I pay you for it. How's that sound for a deal?”
“As you can see, I don't have the strength for...”
She glances around the room. It's shabby. Typical of a plank village shack.
“I'll cure your illness and handle your food, clothing, and shelter first. You and your sister will have a better place than this. I swear it on my name.”
She's hesitating. But honestly, isn't this an amazing offer? Even he'd be suspicious if someone dangled something this good out of nowhere. Or maybe it's the Bliss Cult name holding her back. They must call it a cult and all that.
But their Bliss Cult is different from other cults—no exploiting labor or fleecing believers of their money. The leader—that's him—just enjoys their bodies... Damn, the misunderstandings are such a pain.
“Guess I need to prove my sincerity first.”
He turns to Cheong-a, who's watching her sister with worry.
“There must be a proper doctor around here. Not some quack.”
“...Yes...”
“Here's some money—go fetch one. We need to treat your sister quick, right?”
He assigns one devotee to Cheong-a and sends them off for the doctor. As they leave, Geum Hwa-bin speaks up.
“How did you hear about me...”
“I know everything.”
She eyes him even more suspiciously.
Tell me info only Geum Hwa-bin would know, unknown to others.
> There's a small mole under her left buttock.
...That's a bit too... Sigh, whatever...
He whispers in her ear.
“You've got a small mole under your left buttock, don't you?”
“!!”
Still suspicious eyes. Of course.
Got anything else?
> Eight years ago, when her father died of tuberculosis, he held her hand and said, “Take good care of Cheong-a... cough cough hack... gurgle...”
This thing's gotta be trolling on purpose, right?
“Eight years ago, when your father was dying, he told you to take good care of Cheong-a. I know that too.”
“How could you...”
“I told you. I know everything.”
“...”
He sits in the chair by the bed, looking her straight in the eye.
“For you, your sister, and for me—let's make a deal.”
After a moment's thought, she speaks.
“My life had no hope anyway. If you'll take in my sister too, I'll do anything.”
“Good choice. And it's not 'taking in'—it's a fair trade. Once you're better, you'll be busy making tools for me.”
“You said you'd handle food, clothing, shelter... Does that mean I leave this place?”
“Your choice, but it'd be best if you stay near the cult grounds or inside.”
That way he can get what she makes right away. Heh heh, already throbbing at the thought of that thing.
“Then, if I may be so bold, can one more come with us?”
Hm? Who's that? He thought they lived alone...
“There's a big sister who treated me like blood kin...”
“Fine. If she agrees. No need to join the cult—we'll get her a place nearby. Job too, if needed.”
“She does sewing, so probably no need for that.”
Sewing... Wait.
“Her name Eun Mirang, by any chance?”
“!! Yes. How did you...?”
He grins.
“Didn't I say? I know everything.”
Soon after, the doctor arrives and prescribes medicine right away. Man, an injection would've been ideal. Shame.
“Cheong-a, one more favor.”
He glances at Hwa-bin, who nods and tells her sister.
“Go fetch Mirang sis. Say there's something important.”
“Okay, sis.”
Cheong-a scurries out again. She looked half-dead earlier, but one bowl of porridge and she's full of energy...
“Good to see her spirits lifting.”
Soon Cheong-a returns with a woman. Must be Eun Mirang. She eyes them warily on sight. Natural reaction.
“We'll step out—talk it over.”
While Geum Hwa-bin explains, they wait outside. Sun's already setting. Looks like crashing here tonight. There was lodging behind the inn earlier—head there.
“It's late—go book rooms at the inn. Oh, and ask the errand boy about our carriage at the village entrance. See if there's a spot for it.”
Only now does he remember leaving it at the entrance with two devotees because the road was too rough and narrow.
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
As the devotees leave, he sits on the bench.
Tap tap. He brushes off dust and looks at the Left Protector. She looks back, clueless to what he wants.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
She sits beside him at last. He smirks and gazes at the darkening sky. This place has less light pollution—stars shine brighter.
Reminds him of job-hunting days... Staring at the sky after late-night part-time shifts. No stars there. No future in sight.
But here, they gleam. He'll shine too.
He takes the Left Protector's hand. She gently leans her head on his shoulder. A soft kiss, and she gazes at him, face flushed.
“...Cult Leader...”
Soon Cheong-a pokes her head out.
“Bro, they say come in.”
He pats her head and enters.
“Should I call you Cult Leader...?”
Eun Mirang's question.
“My name's Ja Woong-cheon. 'Cult Leader' is for devotees—you two just call me by name.”
“Yes.”
Probably awkward at first.
“So, wanna leave this place?”
“The terms are too good...”
“Told Hwa-bin the same—it's a trade. You're a great seamstress, right? I need one. You make what I need, I pay you. Deal?”
“Better than rotting here—I'll gamble on it.”
Yes!
“It's a sure win. We'll head out tomorrow morning. Lots of luggage? I'll send someone later to pick it up.”
Geum Hwa-bin and Eun Mirang stand to bow, but he stops them.
“No need. Like I said—we're equals. A trade. Don't forget.”
Soon a devotee returns, saying rooms are booked at the inn. They head there together.
“What about the devotees guarding the carriage?”
“The errand boy said no detour roads into the village.”
Obviously—the path would wreck it.
“They probably rotated with others and went to the inn.”
Hm, feels bad...
“Gotta check the entrance quick.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Left Protector and the devotee follow without a word.
“Cult Leader, you're here?”
“Hm... Good work.”
“No trouble, Cult Leader!”
These two are from the 20 elite guards he picked for protection. Makes sense—rough neighborhood, so Left Protector chose the strongest.
Prep for any trouble.
Info on these two devotees.
> Han So-ye (left), 25. Devotee rank.
> Joined the cult 20 years ago with parents.
> Would jump into fire on the leader's word.
> Gwak Ok (right), 22. Devotee rank.
> Joined as orphan wanderer 15 years ago.
> Desperately desires to be chosen for Purification Ritual.
Kugh~ Look at that loyalty. He picked the 20 guards for skill and devotion, but this is too satisfying.
“Right, So-ye, Ok. Sorry for the trouble.”
Shocked he knows their names—or moved by his words?—they look up at him with sparkling eyes.
“Bear with it tonight. Back at the cult, I'll reward everyone who came with me today.”
“I...”
Ok trails off. He lifts her chin.
“Ok, think I don't know what you want?”
Her face flushes. Something like killing intent from the Left Protector behind me? Nah, imagination.
Entering the inn, the errand boy rushes over.
“Sir, you're here? Rooms are ready.”
From guest to sir, huh. Money talks.
“Thanks.”
He hands over 10 coins.
“Aigoo, thank you! Second floor. Call anytime.”
Key in hand, up to the second floor. Two rooms?
“Then, Cult Leader, rest well.”
Left Protector and devotees bow and head to the next room.
This one's for him alone, apparently.
“Hmm... Left Protector.”
“Yes, Cult Leader?”
“Where you going? This is your room too.”
She freezes. The devotees eye her enviously. Her face turns red.
“I...”
“See you all tomorrow.”
He waves, grabs her hand, and pulls her inside.
Can't hold back anymore!!
#?#? Service cut #?#?
