Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The Mad Priest of the Slums #11
On the way out of the mansion toward the parking lot built on the adjacent lot—
“How would you like to handle your escort?”
Walking half a step behind me, she asked calmly. I briefly recalled yesterday.
Benjamin arriving with ten black sedans and armed men.
Considering this was his territory, that display had likely been more of a performance.
And her question only reinforced that thought.
If there were real danger without an escort, someone like her wouldn’t even ask.
After all, she had been ordered to act as my secretary today—my safety would be her top priority.
Still—
“Would it be dangerous if I go without an escort?”
There’s a reason people say to test even a stone bridge before crossing.
Because there’s no such thing as absolute certainty.
“In the area I’ll be guiding you through, there won’t be any issues even without an escort.”
“Then let’s go without one. I don’t like crowds.”
“Understood.”
At the parking lot, she walked to one of the black sedans from yesterday, opened the rear door, and waited.
“Thank you.”
“Please don’t attach meaning to every small action. I’m acting as your secretary today. It’s actually more burdensome that way.”
“Understood.”
Since she said it made her uncomfortable, I didn’t insist on gratitude.
“I’ll take you to Districts 14 and 15.”
“Would that be like a commercial area in a city?”
“Yes. They’re the most developed and densely populated areas in the northern slums.”
“Then there must be a lot of organization members.”
“That’s correct. It’s where the most money flows, so it’s tightly controlled.”
From her explanation, Districts 14 and 15 were slums—
But not really slums.
Because Benjamin’s organization, Mad Dog, maintained order day and night, drugs—normally easier to find than fresh bread in places like this—were completely banned there.
If anything, it sounded cleaner and safer than outside.
After leaving the mansion, more vehicles began appearing on the road.
“No carriages here.”
“….”
She glanced at me through the rearview mirror, blinking once before answering.
“Carriages don’t move without horses.”
“That’s true.”
“And the driver’s seat is exposed.”
That was enough.
I understood immediately.
“So attacks happen openly enough that carriages can’t operate?”
“…You really are unusual.”
“I’ve heard that a lot.”
Ever since middle school, when I fully realized I was different, I had heard it from almost everyone.
“I thought you understood this world well, but hearing your questions now… it seems I overestimated you.”
“You did.”
I had only arrived in this world yesterday.
The knowledge I received was limited to major events and basic survival.
“Then remember this. Not just in our territory—throughout the slums—if something is taken from you, it’s your fault.”
“Except for controlled areas like 14 and 15.”
She nodded.
“No sane person would think of touching a priest. But slums are filled with people who’ve hit rock bottom or have screws loose in their heads.”
Vivian had mentioned that before.
I already understood that much.
“I was planning to hire guards once I settle down.”
“That’s a wise decision.”
She continued speaking, clearly concerned.
“Bullets don’t have eyes. In a gunfight, one could hit you by chance.”
“Drug addicts aren’t much of a concern. They’re already too broken to function.”
“The real danger is from thrill killers or people with twisted desires. They’ll do anything for a moment of pleasure.”
All useful advice.
I memorized it.
“And outside controlled zones, be careful of children.”
“…Children?”
“Yes. Priests have visited the slums before for requests, but you’re the first to actually settle here.”
That made sense.
No one would choose this place without reason.
“Most children born here know nothing about priests.”
“I see.”
Which meant—
Many were unaffiliated.
Left alone.
“We’ve arrived.”
Without even noticing time pass, we reached District 14.
She parked in front of a building without a sign and opened the door for me again.
As soon as I stepped out, several men in suits guarding the entrance rushed over and bowed deeply to her.
“This is an auction house where outside merchants gather.”
She waved them off and explained briefly.
“Would you like to go inside?”
“No.”
With the shop system I had, there was no reason.
“If not for that benefit, I might’ve looked around.”
According to the woman who gave me the system, the shop could sell anything in this world.
If that was true—
Even legendary items could be obtained without leaving my bed.
“So auction houses have no value to me.”
“Do they sell people?”
“In the eastern slums, slaves are traded.”
“I see.”
The shop didn’t deal with living beings.
So that—
Was interesting.
“Are you interested in slaves?”
“Depends on what you mean by interest.”
In a place where power allows anything—
Buying a slave meant they had value beyond brute force.
That—
Was what interested me.
“I’ll guide you slowly then.”
She walked beside me, matching my pace.
“It’s… very ordinary.”
Which made it special.
Clean streets.
Well-dressed people.
Stable security.
If someone were brought here blindfolded—
They wouldn’t think it was a slum.
“The food wasn’t bad either.”
Prices, however—
Ten times higher than Punkton.
Bread costing what would be 10,000 won.
Yet—
Customers filled the streets.
Likely merchants.
“Shall we head to District 15?”
“Wait.”
One glance was enough.
This wasn’t what I was looking for.
“Is District 15 similar?”
“It’s a residential area for influential figures.”
She added quickly—
“Safe, good environment, strong connections. I recommend it.”
Whether for my sake—
Or for Mad Dog’s benefit—
Didn’t matter.
“It borders District 12, right?”
“Yes.”
She answered after a slight pause.
“Will you be alright alone?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
She pulled out two silver muskets from inside her coat.
“Since I’m armed, I can’t refuse if you insist.”
Her regret—
Was for herself.
“We don’t have much time.”
Meaning—
She still preferred District 15.
“Just observing the atmosphere is enough for today.”
“…Understood.”
She hid the muskets again.
No sigh.
Professional.