Crushing the Dissenters' Spirits
"……So, it seems we need some means to prepare for the Papal Office's pursuit. Does anyone have any ideas?"
It was Yun Chang-su's question on the final agenda item, but no one was quick to speak up.
Ka-ga-ga-gak.
The reason was right there in plain sight. It was that decapitation sword shrieking in the Cult Leader's hand.
Throughout the entire meeting, the Cult Leader had held that sword, saying nothing, merely alternating glances between Yeom Man-geun and Ha Pan-seok.
"Yeom Man-geun, executive—you look like you have something to say……."
"Naw, I ain't got nothin' to say atall."
When Yun Chang-su asked, Yeom Man-geun hurriedly averted his eyes and dodged the question.
Ever since entering this worship hall, Yeom Man-geun hadn't dared open his mouth in the face of the Cult Leader's overwhelming presence. That decapitation sword, emitting a chilling, eerie gleam, seemed to be staring right at him. He felt like if he said anything out of turn, his neck would be sliced clean off by that blade.
Moreover, the Cult Leader wielded Loa powers with effortless mastery. Just two years ago, Do Seon-woo had been someone who couldn't tell a prophet from a prophet's lunchbox, and now here he was, a proper Cult Leader and prophet.
"Since no one has anything to say……."
With no opinions forthcoming, the meeting couldn't proceed, and Yun Chang-su trailed off with a troubled expression.
In the meantime, Yeom Man-geun kept his head bowed, subtly glaring at Ha Pan-seok.
"Heh, that decapitation sword looks perfect for slicin' necks clean off, haha. As expected of the Cult Leader's voodoo skills……."
Ignoring Yuk Eun-hyeong's repulsive flattery as it went in one ear and out the other, Yeom Man-geun ground his teeth.
Without an altar, ya can't even use Loa powers, let alone voodoo. What a load of crap. I was the fool for trustin' that snout-nosed bastard. Fool, that's what I am…….
Internally cursing up a storm, he shot Ha Pan-seok a scorching glare.
*
The main agenda items for the meeting were three: the dwindling number of followers. The resulting severe financial difficulties. And, to top it all off, the intensifying persecution from the Papal Office.
They were problems without easy solutions, and with the terrified executives clamming up, the meeting made no real progress.
"It doesn't look like we can continue the meeting right now. It might be best to reconvene at 11 p.m. tonight. How about we adjourn for now and meet back here then?"
That was Yun Chang-su's suggestion from the Gangwon Diocese midway through, and I accepted it.
With that, the meeting ended somewhat anticlimactically.
Right after, I headed to the bathroom.
"Cough, hack! Urk……!"
I buried my face in the toilet and vomited blood.
Even invoking Granbwa's prayer to shake the mountain had been a heavy burden, but using his power consecutively again meant the backlash was inevitable.
"I'm gonna die like this……."
[The strategy wasn't bad.]
As I caught my breath, Legba spoke nonchalantly.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
"You don't even worry about me anymore?"
[You okay?]
"Yeah."
[Good. Anyway, the strategy was solid. Your body might take a hit, but it's better than dying.]
I felt a twinge of resentment toward Legba for not even pretending to worry, but I said nothing. He was right.
Using Granbwa's power repeatedly to level the leaning building, and holding the decapitation sword throughout the meeting—it was all performative intimidation to seize the initiative.
Showing weakness to the executives would erode my authority as Cult Leader, embolden rebel factions, and eventually lead them to act on their plans.
But demonstrating Loa powers and voodoo prowess upfront would deflate the rebels' confidence. It would also lend weight to my words in the meeting.
[With that display, you've earned the dignity befitting a Cult Leader.]
"Yeah."
I tried to nod at Legba's words, but I didn't even have the strength. I forced down the blood rising in my throat, swallowing it back to hide my frailty.
In simple terms, I'd staked my life on maintaining face.
It was tough, but I'd succeeded in crushing the spirits of suspected rebel ringleaders Yeom Man-geun and Ha Pan-seok. A satisfactory outcome, all things considered.
Of course, that was the result. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't. No way.
[Your presence is now firmly etched in their minds. No need to push yourself like that again.]
"Good to hear……."
Taking solace in Legba's words, I left the bathroom. The taste of blood lingered in my mouth.
*
Next to the Gangwon Diocese's worship hall stood a massive mountain lodge with six rooms and an attic.
Each diocese had its own lodging there.
We were to rest in our rooms and reconvene in the worship hall at 11 p.m. to resume the meeting.
The Seoul Diocese—our lodging—was room 301.
I looked at the key engraved with "301" and spoke.
"Room 301…… that's the one connected to the attic."
"Yun Chang-su gave us the biggest room. Last time I came alone, they stuck me in 102, but bringing you along? Treatment's definitely different."
My uncle said.
At the mention of the attic connection, Kang Ji-a's eyes lit up.
"Ah, then I'll sleep in the attic."
No warehouse, so attic it is…….
A chuckle escaped me.
"Were you a rat in a past life or something? Why always warehouses or attics?"
"Ji-a's always liked places like that. Dark and damp. Matches her gloomy personality~."
"Y-you two ganging up is against the rules……."
Teasing Kang Ji-a along with my uncle, we climbed the stairs.
I surveyed the view beyond the railing. Everything was surrounded by trees. Aside from the worship hall and lodge, no other buildings in sight.
Mount Taebaek was off-limits to civilians, so no hikers either. Perfect spot to practice Loa powers I couldn't use in the city or do some training.
Thud.
Then someone bumped my shoulder passing by.
I'd clearly tried to dodge, but they shoved into me. Not an accident—deliberate.
I turned to see a girl who looked a year or two younger glaring at me with narrowed eyes.
"Tsk."
She clicked her tongue curtly and spun away, continuing down the hall.
Voodoo magic leaked from her fingertips. Quite dense color.
"……What the hell?"
"That's Ha Su-yeong."
As I voiced my confusion, Kang Ji-a answered immediately.
"Ha Pan-seok's own daughter from the Chungcheong Diocese. She's only 16, but her voodoo skills are impressive enough that she's a top candidate for next Cult Leader. She does have talent, but compared to Your Holiness, it's a drop in the ocean."
"Ha Pan-seok……."
Ha Pan-seok's daughter jogged a memory. Two years ago at the executive meeting, the kid glued to his side, glaring daggers at me. Back then, we were about the same height. Now I towered over her.
"Yes, that ringleader of the rebellion. Seems Ha Pan-seok plans to impeach Your Holiness and install Ha Su-yeong as the Fourth Cult Leader."
Kang Ji-a continued.
I nodded. That tracked.
The voodoo magic leaking from Ha Su-yeong's fingertips had been remarkably pure and potent. Better than most executives. And if she was pegged as next Cult Leader, her skills must be top-tier.
"A rival, then."
"Not even a rival. You need to be in the same league to compete."
Kang Ji-a said. She didn't seem fond of the girl.
My uncle, who'd been listening, turned back.
"Heard some executives saying her voodoo rivals the Second Cult Leader? Not the most reliable intel, but still."
"Really?"
If she matched my father—the Second Cult Leader—that meant superior skills to mine. Rumors weren't trustworthy, but where there's smoke…….
Couldn't judge until I saw for myself. Better to stay cautious.
I experimentally drew a spell circle in the air. My most used and confident one lately: the Intoxication Spell circle.
"How's this compare?"
My uncle peered at it intently but tilted his head.
"……Can't tell. I don't handle voodoo."
"What about you, noona? You use some voodoo, right?"
I turned to Kang Ji-a. She wasn't great at it, but knew a few spells.
"I lack the qualifications to judge Your Holiness's voodoo. Nor the eye for it."
"Still, compared to it?"
"……I can't tell either. Like a mouse grasping human intent—I can't comprehend Your Holiness's voodoo."
Why a mouse specifically?
Then it hit me—my earlier comment about her past life as a rat.
"You didn't get offended by the rat thing, did you?"
My uncle feigned shock, scanning Kang Ji-a up and down.
"Whoa, didn't peg you for the scary type. Holding grudges too, Ji-a."
"N-no, when did I hold a grudge…… It's not that. Just, the only animal that came to mind was a mouse."
Kang Ji-a broke out in cold sweat, explaining frantically.
My uncle grinned mischievously at her.
"Holding grudges now? And talking back? What do you think, Your Holiness?"
"Hm. For insubordination, zombie style……."
"Ah, th-that wasn't talking back, I misspoke in panic. Sorry, sorry……."
By then, we'd reached the third floor.
Even as I unlocked the door, Kang Ji-a kept her head down. She looked utterly deflated.
Did I go too far?
"Just kidding. Sorry if it hurt your feelings."
"No, it's fine……."
"Alright. Let's head in and check out the attic."
"……."
Kang Ji-a stared at me with pursed lips, then gave a small nod. She had something to say but swallowed it.
The room was better than expected. Three bedrooms, each with a bed. Spacious living room with sofa and TV. Forest view through the windows. The woods were now shrouded in darkness.
Daytime forest and nighttime forest felt worlds apart.
"You using your phone okay?"
My uncle, admiring the place, asked suddenly.
I pulled out the phone he'd given me and turned it on. It had great signal even in these deep mountains—he'd modded a regular market phone for underground or mountain use.
"Good. Signal's strong."
"Glad to hear. Even if you're trapped underground like Ji-a, it'll have full bars."
"Like Ji-a underground?"
"Lime works too. Like Ji-a underground."
Kang Ji-a, listening, turned to us.
"Please don't tease me using my name……."
"Huh? You think Your Holiness and I are 'others'?"
"That's really hurtful……."
My uncle revved up. I chimed in.
"No, not what I meant. You're just always teasing me……."
Kang Ji-a caught the vibe mid-sentence and looked up sharply.
"……Is this teasing too?"
"Ooh, figured it out?"
"……I'll check the attic. Rest well. Call if you need anything."
She stomped up the stairs angrily but nearly tripped. She pressed on undeterred.
My uncle chuckled softly.
"She's pissed. You good?"
"She'll cool off quick. She doesn't hate this vibe."
"This vibe?"
"The teasing. You wouldn't get it, but our orphanage was kinda stuffy. She grew up that way too…… Anyway, she said she doesn't mind last time I asked."
"Relief."
Worried she'd sulk for real, but false alarm. We hadn't gone that far.
"Speaking of, what was the orphanage like?"
I'd long wondered why Kang Ji-a insisted on warehouses/attics and helped us gratis. Perfect timing with the topic.
"Ji-a's story? Or mine?"
"Both."
"Eh…… It's been so long, memories fuzzy."
My uncle rubbed his stubbly chin, thinking.
"Ah, Ji-a got bullied some. She's always been small. No other easy targets, so they picked on her."
"Didn't scold them?"
"Kids listen to scolding? Makes 'em worse."
True.
"Started daytime, but we'd catch 'em—me and the staff. So later, at night when we slept. Kids ain't all innocent. Smart ones are sly."
"Even at night……."
"Building had a warehouse out back. Locks from inside—no staff could open it. Ji-a probably hid there nightly. Heard later from teachers."
To escape bullying, warehouse as sanctuary. Explains preferring dark, damp spots…….
"Hey, you visited our orphanage once, remember?"
I racked my brain—no dice. Shook my head.
"Don't? You scrapped hard with Ji-a's bullies."
"Win?"
"Win? Got pummeled. Five or six on one."
6:1? No chance. Even 5:1 hopeless. Numbers win fights. Kids especially.
Come to think—Voodoo lost Holy War due to numbers.
"Face all bloody, freaking out your dad and mom…… You said something like, 'Restoration spell'll fix this.' Anyway, you were off-kilter back then."
Uncle smiled faintly. Rare to see him this animated reminiscing.
"Dad's like, 'That's my boy,' praising you. Got his back beat by Mom for it. Fun times……."
Then his smile faded. Eyes went vacant.
He rubbed his face with both hands.
"……Better not dwell on old stories."
"Yeah. Think future."
"Gotta. But future's no fun to imagine."
Passed days: bittersweet beauty. Coming days: daunting dread.
Why? Still puzzled.
Tomorrow becomes yesterday eventually. Why beautiful past, fearful future?
"Future'll be past someday too."
"Whoa, hits different from Your Holiness."
Uncle teased, laughing.
He rummaged his bag, tossed me a phone.
I caught it barely.
"Why another phone?"
"Allowance. Coins inside—cash 'em if needed."
"Coins crashed recently."
"Still good for laundering. Oh, each coin's 0.87 bucks. About 1,000 won."
I checked the wallet. At 1,000 won each…….
"……Too much for allowance?"
"That so? Call it donation then."
His reaction: pocket change to him. Huge to me. Even So Do-jin's 300 mil monthly fansubs didn't sting.
Lightning idea struck.
"Uncle, that Jeolla Diocese guy…… Yeom……."
"Yeom Man-geun?"
"Yeah. What'd he do besides diocese? Runs a factory, right?"
"Yup. Soju or makgeolli plant—made bank. No respect for Cult Leader, that prick."
I geared up to leave.
Uncle eyed me blankly.
"Where to all sudden?"
"Wander bit. Handle stuff."
"Stuff? ……Fine, you won't get lost. Back before meeting."
Nodded, tying shoes.
"Oh, old times reminded me."
Uncle fidgeted lips, eyes darting, then spoke haltingly.
"Sorry. Still regret that."
'That'…… Knew what.
Nodded, smiled at him.
"Water under bridge."
"Yeah…… Anyway, be safe. Don't miss meeting."
With his send-off, I left.
Forest beyond railing swallowed in gloom.
Headed downstairs.
(To be continued in the next installment)