Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The Mad Priest of the Slums #17
John, who had gone out on my order to kidnap two addicts, returned a little past noon.
It had taken about four hours.
“Ugh—”
He dropped two people at my feet, one tucked under each arm, both neatly bound with black cord and blue tape.
“Mmph—!!”
“Hhng—?!”
Their hands and feet tied, they flopped on the ground like freshly caught fish.
“I brought two who are addicted to different substances, and both can communicate without issue.”
“Well done.”
It took a bit longer than expected, but from what he said, he had chosen carefully. That was enough.
“Let’s remove the tape around their eyes first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rip—!!
The blue tape came off cleanly.
“Ugh?!”
“Haa—!!”
Their eyes widened as they frantically looked around.
I stepped closer and showed them the rosary on my neck and the mark of Bishua on the back of my hand.
Then I spread my hand wide.
“If you don’t shut up by the time I count to five, I’ll open a hole in your heads so the air flows nicely.”
“……”
“Good.”
Despite being addicts, they clearly understood. They stopped struggling immediately.
I dragged a chair over and sat in front of them.
“First, since we’ve met like this, let’s call it fate. Nice to meet you. I’m Priest Baek Jinhyuk, who moved here yesterday. As you saw, I serve both Bishua and Verdia.”
Their eyes trembled violently.
Probably thinking they had run into someone completely insane.
“I brought you here to propose a deal.”
I handed two identical contracts to John.
“Sit them up so they can read.”
“Yes.”
He propped them up in front of the papers.
They glanced at me—
Then started reading.
Priest Baek Jinhyuk is referred to as Party A, and the contractors as Party B.
Party B will sincerely participate in the treatment conducted by Party A.
While Party B participates sincerely, Party A will provide full food, clothing, and shelter.
Regardless of the outcome, Party A will not charge any cost.
If treatment succeeds, Party B must actively promote the results to others.
If clause 5 is not fulfilled, clause 4 becomes void.
“Raise your heads when you’re done.”
They did immediately.
“If you have questions, blink once.”
John removed the tape from their mouths.
A woman blinked.
Her eyes—
Sharp.
Too sharp for an addict.
“You, go ahead.”
“Clause 5 and 6… what counts as properly done?”
I clapped lightly.
“Three people a day. Those who genuinely want to quit. That acceptable?”
“And the duration…?”
“John. Untie her.”
“Yes.”
He cut the cord.
She stood slowly, stretching her stiff limbs.
“M-me too! Untie me as well!”
The man shouted.
“John.”
“Yes.”
“Since he wants to be freed, release him outside.”
“…Outside?”
I pointed to the open window.
“What?! I meant the rope—!!”
“It’s cord, not rope.”
John lifted him—
And threw him out.
“AAAA—!!”
Thud.
Silence.
Three floors.
If lucky, he lived.
But here—
Death might be kinder.
“Bring that.”
The woman handed me his contract.
“Thank you.”
I gave her my pen.
“You seem smart. I won’t explain the treatment.”
She swallowed.
“State a reasonable time.”
“One… month…”
“Done.”
She looked surprised.
“You’re the first patient. And I like people who think.”
She wrote:
Three people per day.
For 30 days.
Those willing to quit.
Name: Vita.
I signed.
Whoosh—!!
The contract burned away.
Preparation—
Complete.
“Have you eaten?”
“…A little this morning…”
It was already past 1.
I hadn’t eaten either.
“Then let’s go. Recommend a place.”