"Cult Leader, It's Time to Rise"
"Cult Leader. Time to wake up."
"Why……."
"You have to go to school. It's already 8 a.m."
Thud!
"Ow."
I bolted upright in bed only to tumble right off onto the floor. Still groggy from sleep, I stared blankly at Kang Ji-a standing before me. Then it hit me—this was the weekend.
"It's the weekend. Why school?"
"You wouldn't wake up, so I… fibbed a little. I'm sorry. But I'm glad you're up now."
"……Why'd you wake me?"
"As you know, there's an executive meeting today. You need to hurry."
I shook the fog from my mind and glanced at the clock on the wall. 8 a.m. As far as I knew, the executive meeting started at 6. Not morning—evening 6.
"We've got plenty of time. Why the rush? Ugh……."
I rubbed my bruised knee from the fall and hauled myself up. Sleep had fled for good. Kang Ji-a clasped her hands demurely and spoke calmly.
"I don't know the details, but Teacher said it's best to leave early. No matter what."
"Uncle? ……Got it."
I didn't know the reason, but if Uncle said so, it was trustworthy. When he used "no matter what," it meant he was absolutely certain. Of course, that didn't mean I distrusted Kang Ji-a. We'd spent enough time together that I just leaned more toward Uncle's word.
I got ready quickly and headed out of the chapel with her. We climbed into the car Uncle had parked. As always, Kang Ji-a took shotgun, and I slid into the back. The car peeled out immediately.
I sensed an odd urgency in Uncle's frantic gear-shifting and wheel work.
"Why the hurry?"
Uncle drove with mechanical precision, almost frantically, before merging onto the highway and finally answering.
"You know the place. Voodoo Cult's Gangwon branch chapel, up on that, uh, Taebaek Mountain. The terrain's rough, roads are weird. Get there late, you lose your way. Easy."
"No map?"
Uncle went quiet for a beat.
"……Can't trust the executives. Especially Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang branches. Chungcheong gave us the map."
His words carried weight. I got it right away. The schemers plotting impeachment and rebellion were Chungcheong and Jeolla branches. Starting at 6 p.m. but leaving at 8 a.m.? Probably hedging against a sabotaged map from the rebellious Chungcheong crew.
The car sped across highways and soon reached the mountains. Uncle veered onto a mountain path—far rougher and bumpier than the freeway—but his expert driving carried us through smoothly.
Eventually, we stopped midway up the slope. Trees and brush everywhere.
"From here, we hike with the map. If it's even right."
Uncle stepped out, scanned the mountain, map from Chungcheong in hand. We followed silently as he led us through the wilds. The path was treacherous; we nearly slipped several times. Kang Ji-a especially.
Grab. I caught her wrist as she stumbled, steadying her. Eleventh time already.
"Ah! ……Th-thank you, Cult Leader."
"Watch your step."
"I am, but—gasp!"
I barely caught her again as she tripped mid-sentence.
"I said be careful."
"Y-yes…… Understood."
"Hey, hey, Seon-woo. Just carry her piggyback. I'm getting anxious watching."
"N-no, I can walk……!"
Uncle had a point—it'd be faster—but she refused vehemently. Couldn't force her.
We pressed on. Kang Ji-a teetered precariously behind us. For three hours. Or four? Time blurred.
We reached a sheer cliff, bottom lost in abyss.
"……Those fucking bastards. Gave us a bogus map."
Uncle crumpled it in rage and flung it over the edge. I peeked down—endless void. Even without vertigo, my legs tingled. Kang Ji-a clung to a tree far back.
"T-Teacher. What now? I could go back and—"
"Go back? Nah. We'll just search around. No choice."
Uncle patted her trembling shoulder and led on, mapless now. Pure instinct. Reckless, I thought.
As time dragged, eerie dusk filled the mountains. Lingering was dangerous. My legs ached. Done walking.
"Sigh, these executives pull every dirty trick 'cause you're coming. Gonna beat some ass when we arrive. If we arrive."
Flowers and weeds swayed left and right along our path, despite no wind.
"Teacher, something's off."
Kang Ji-a sensed it first. Uncle glanced around, uneasy. His eyes landed on me.
"Seon-woo, what're you muttering……?"
No time to answer. I finished what I'd started. Unclasped my hands gently, green glow at fingertips caressing soft earth. Eyes closed.
Whispers of plants in the dark. Stomach burned. Guts boiled, melting agony. Toes curled in pain. Mind drifted, snapped back, repeat.
Still, I chanted. Had to. Prayers always end that way.
"……Nan non Bondye."
In Bondye's name.
Granbwa's Prayer
Plants' whispers halted. Flutter flutter…… Birds burst skyward from hiding spots. Wingbeats echoed grotesquely.
"What'd you just—"
Rumble—!
Uncle's words drowned. Mountain roared, devouring sound. Crack, crunch…… Roots erupted skyward, writhing like snakes. Roar persisted. Terrain warped: flats to slopes, slopes to ridges. Mountains split, merged, forging path. Roots and weeds flanked us, waving welcome. Straight colossal road ahead—to a humble cabin nearby.
"Let's go."
I pointed. Uncle gawked in disbelief; Kang Ji-a crouched, head in hands.
"E-earthquake……!"
"No, not quake. It's over. Up."
Uncle soothed her, patted shoulder. Eyed me curiously.
"A Loa power?"
I shook head. Loa-adjacent, but not quite.
"Prayer."
"Figures. Seemed stronger than last time."
Uncle nodded. I'd invoked Granbwa's Prayer—lord of plants and mountains—begging guidance to the chapel.
"……Bit much."
The "path" was a mini gorge. Overkill for guidance.
"Haven't been to mountains in ages after city life… got a bit excited……."
"No, not wrong. Actually great. Fine."
"Must've drained you a lot… sorryyy……."
"Nothing to sorry for. It was awesome. For real."
I soothed sulky Granbwa with praise and led on. Kang Ji-a steadied shaky legs; Uncle supported her behind me.
['Song' possible yet?]
I shook my head. Three ways to wield Loa powers: borrow directly; pray wishes; sing communion. I managed first two. "Song" needed prophetic growth and massive offerings.
"Soon."
This meeting would pave the way.
* Meanwhile, at the Voodoo Cult Gangwon Diocese Chapel.
This land bore Second Cult Leader Do Myeong-jun's "blessing." Or curse. Pre-Holy War, he'd etched spells here. Result: unfindable without map. Pursuing paladins vanished or washed up mangled downstream. Vatican quit; banned civilian access. Hence meetings here—uninvited couldn't enter.
"Time's up. Shall we start……?"
Yun Chang-su, chapel master and Gangwon executive, scanned the round table. Gyeonggi absent, fled Vatican pursuit abroad. Problem: Seoul's Lee Jin-seong and Cult Leader Do Seon-woo missing.
"Heard Cult Leader attending…… Even Lee Jin-seong absent. Anyone reached them?"
Silence. Yun eyed a man picking nail gunk at table's end.
"Yeom Man-geun, you and Lee Jin-seong were close, no?"
"Wakin' up to thunder? Ain't seen that enemy's face in ages."
Jeolla's Yeom Man-geun spat distastefully. Yun furrowed brows, parsing dialect.
"Yeom Man-geun. Mind your tongue."
"Think we here fer fun? Dragged asses all night, and that Cult Leader punk still ain't shown his—"
"Hey, watch it."
Gyeongsang's Yuk Eun-hyeong cut in. Infamous bad blood.
"Hey? Ha! Hey?"
Yeom squinted murderously. Yuk glared back fiercely.
"Words to say, words not. 'Punk' to Cult Leader? No wonder he's scared shitless."
Yuk's defense subtly patronized Leader as child.
Yeom scoffed.
"What? Wasn't pickin' on a kid eatin' lunch. But if Leader's gut that small, no wonder Voodoo's this mess. Heh."
Open mockery. Yuk rolled sleeves subtly, glaring. Yeom bulged eyes.
"Look at them eyes, gonna kill me."
"Enough. Leader's absence unavoidable. Let's proceed among us."
Chungcheong's Ha Pan-seok mediated, sly smile.
"Puppet Leader anyway. No loss."
"What……."
Yuk trailed off, no retort. Third Leader's last meeting: two years ago. Per Ha: scarecrow. No spells, powers shown; spoke via Lee Jin-seong. Only words: "Is Mother alive?" Meaningless.
First Leader: benevolent sharpness. Second: obsessive madness, ruthless resolve. Third: charisma void. Dull eyes, no zeal—unbelievable. Even sympathetic Yun, Yuk: pity only.
"Hurry up. Supper waitin', no?"
Yeom prodded. Yun checked clock: racing to 6.
Hesitant. Skip Seoul HQ awkward; wait indefinitely worse.
"Still, till 6—"
"Frustratin'…… Wait? Ha Pan-seok got words, seems."
Yeom interrupted. Silence fell; Ha seized it, stood clapping.
Clap!
"Listen. Seoul's Lee Jin-seong and Third Leader can't attend."
"What?"
Yun's wrinkles deepened. Ha grinned brazenly.
"Just got word. Accident en route—heading back Seoul. No point desk-talkin' without 'em."
"Then what?"
Frustrated Yun raised voice. Ha's preamble.
"That is……."
Ha scanned table, feigning pause—for mood, attention.
"Since absent, let's ask: thoughts on current Leader?"
Intent clear: Exploit Seoul no-show; rope Gangwon/Gyeongsang into Chungcheong/Jeolla rebellion. Isolate Seoul/Gyeonggi. Failure? Impeachment pretext.
"Unfit. Young, chaotic post-War ascension. But seven years! One useless appearance. No leadership, resolve—why follow just 'cause Leader?"
Ha radicalized for persuasion—his honest ire too.
"Frankly, my daughter Su-yeong better."
"Damn right. Skill-wise, Ha Su-yeong tops that punk."
"Voodoo core: freedom, resist oppression! First doctrine. Romanica rampages; Leader hides sleeping? Is this even Leader?"
"Amen, spot on."
Yeom nodded, half-heard agreement.
"Yuk Eun-hyeong?"
Ha turned mid-rant. Yuk averted eyes.
"Too sudden……."
"Merc crackdown hurting? Just say your piece."
Ha pressed slyly. Vatican mercenary ban squeezed Yuk. Leader no aid, no meeting—natural resentment. Ha eyed chance to recruit muscle.
"I……."
"Yuk, hold. Ha, sit."
Yun stern. Yuk obeyed. Ha didn't—glared balefully.
"Yun Chang-su content with Leader?"
"Plotting rebellion, impeachment? Foolish—don't."
Ha masked shock. No "rebel" uttered, yet seen through.
"Rebellion? I just shared 'starless night' feelings—!"
"Understood. Not rebellion, good. Sit. Last warning."
Yun cut firm. Voice quavered; face pale. Eyes on door-side planter.
Orchid leaves bloated wide, swaying alive.
"Warning? Still see me kid reciting times tables?"
Ha ignored orchid, incensed by "warning."
"Ha Pan-seok, not—"
"Not what—!"
Rumble—!
Mountain echo swallowed him. Leaves thrashed; building shook. Thud, crack, boom…… Crashes everywhere.
Ha balanced precariously on tilting floor.
"Ow!"
Thud!
Building rocked wildly. Impossible balance. Ha slammed back down.
"Oof, ouch……."
Spine pain radiated. Rumble…… Quakes ignored; building shook—but held. Seated executives barely felt it. Ha alone punished.
"Your doing, Yun Chang-su?"
Yuk amid chaos. Assumed Yun—Gangwon master, Taoist carpenter—foresaw, warned Ha.
"No."
Yun shook head grimly. Eyes to sealed door.
"Cult Leader arrived."
Creeeak.
Eerie, door opened. Thrashing leaf pushed it.
Three entered: Seoul's Lee Jin-seong; tiny girl; Third Leader, Do Seon-woo.
"Everyone's here."
Leader smiled benevolent yet off, scanning executives.
No greetings. Gulped at outer sight.
Path flanked by upheaved earth—or sunken? Mountain parted for him. Grand gorge.
Loa miracle—known.
"……Welcome, Cult Leader."
"Long time, Yun Chang-su."
Bows exchanged. Leader sat head casually.
"Late. Map issue……. Sorry waited."
Eyed writhing Ha, then Yeom.
"Right, Yeom Man-geun?"
"N-no. Just past 6……."
Yeom lips quivered.
Yuk sprang up, bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Cult Leader!"
"W-welcome……."
Ha rose shakily, voice mushy. Casual greetings hid shock at changed Leader: bulkier frame, sharp cold eyes—not Second's madness, but fearsome. What happened in two years…….
No breather; Leader spoke.
"Sit, let's start—"
Roll……
Pen tumbled noisily off table. Clack. Dry hit floor. Desk tilted right. Building too.
Natural roll.
"Sat hasty, no cleanup."
"N-no. Tilt adds tension……."
Yuk flattered hastily, wry humor.
"Thanks, but fix proper."
Leader smiled at Yuk, raised right hand. Green glow fingertip.
Rumble—!
Quake anew. Building rocked. Ha paled, clutched head, collapsed.
Another fall? Spine snaps.
Rumble……
Stopped. Leader picked pen, placed steady. Level now.
Satisfied smile.
"Now, truly—meeting begins."
Executives nodded mutely, eyes shaken on Leader.
(To be continued)