Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The Mad Priest of the Slums #3
Judging by the architecture and the way people dressed, the level of civilization looked similar to Western countries around the early 1900s. Thanks to that, even though I was being dragged away in handcuffs, I didn’t have to worry about cutting my feet on the ground.
“Tsk tsk, people like that still exist these days?”
“Judging by his face, he’s not from the slums.”
“Oh my…”
People whispered as I passed, glancing at me. Some women looked more curious than disgusted.
Unlike the others who would arrive later and be forced into roles, I had no quest or obligation. There was no need to rush. So I followed the guards—called the security force here—and slowly observed the city.
“Get in.”
I thought they’d drag me all the way on foot, but after turning into an alley, a black vehicle with a siren appeared. The female officer opened the back door and pushed me inside, then sat next to me.
Unlike modern police cars, there was no barrier separating the front and back.
The man named James got into the driver’s seat.
I opened the bank window and withdrew one million won.
“…?”
A bundle of cash tied with white string dropped onto my lap. The woman beside me naturally stared at it.
I withdrew another million.
“Officer James, I think you should take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
He turned his head from the ignition and looked.
She showed him the money.
“…?”
“I think he just—”
Before she could finish, he snatched one bundle and began inspecting it—smelling it, holding it up to the light.
“…Real money?”
No one dislikes money.
They just haven’t seen enough of it.
“I have sleepwalking.”
““……?””
Both of them looked at me.
While he checked the money, I quietly purchased a pair of dress pants from the shop.
“This happens often. I always carry spare clothes.”
“…Are you a mage?”
Apparently, mages were respected here.
“I’m a magic scholar.”
If I claimed to be a mage, they might ask me to prove it. This was safer.
“Ah! The academic conference next week…?”
I didn’t know, so I just nodded.
“Oh! You should’ve said so earlier!”
“You have your pride. I’ll be leaving the city soon anyway.”
“Ah… right. Officer Chanri, remove the cuffs.”
“Yes.”
The female officer removed them.
“Thank you.”
“No, no—oh! We’ll step out for a moment.”
They both got out of the car.
‘Money is always useful if you can protect it.’
Once alone, I changed into the pants and bought socks and boots. Then a cheap coat.
After checking my reflection—
I looked normal again.
I stepped out.
“To think we treated someone like you this way!”
The officer smiled awkwardly.
“The two bundles earlier—consider them a token of appreciation.”
“Ahem! If this is your first time in Punkton, I could show you around…”
“I appreciate it, but I have business at the temple.”
“I see…”
He backed off.
“Officer Chanri.”
“Yes.”
“Escort him to the temple.”
“Understood.”
Obvious intentions.
“Well then, I hope things go well for you.”
“Thank you.”
She led the way.
We returned to the temple.
“I apologize.”
She bowed slightly.
“You were just doing your job. Be careful on your way back.”
“…Yes.”
She seemed like she wanted to say more, but turned away.
I climbed the temple steps.
The structure resembled ancient Greek architecture.
No guards.
Doors wide open.
Inside—
Everything was white.
Decorated with expensive items.
Paintings.
Jewels.
It looked more like an auction house than a temple.
After about ten minutes—
Another door.
Beside it—
[Donation]
A wide bowl.
‘If 1 Mora equals about 100 won…’
From earlier observations—
Bread cost around 20 to 50 Mora.
Which meant—
I had given the officer around 2 billion won.
‘Let’s start with 100 million.’
I withdrew it.
Bundles labeled 100,000 dropped into the bowl—
And vanished instantly.
Soon—
1 billion Mora disappeared.
Rumble—
The door opened.
Inside—
A boy with bronze skin sat on a large red cushion, polishing a gem.
“Come in.”
I approached.
“I heard about you. Unlucky guy, huh?”
“Guess luck includes people too.”
He didn’t even look at me.
“Not hiring more priests. Leave. But I’ll give you a decent blessing.”
So—
He was Bishua.
The god of contracts.
I opened the bank.
Withdrew 10 billion.
“Your blessing—”
Thud thud thud—
Money poured down like rain.
It kept falling.
For over a minute.
“….”
“….”
The boy stared at the pile of money burying him up to the waist.
“…1 trillion Mora.”
He looked at me.
Then the money.
“…Ahem.”
He cleared his throat.
“Actually, I was considering recruiting another priest.”
“Seems my luck isn’t so bad after all.”
“…Come sit.”
I pushed the money aside and sat.
“Left hand or right?”
“Right.”
“Then right.”
He placed his hand under mine.
Light flashed.
A scale symbol appeared on my hand.
“And this.”
He pulled out a thin book and a white robe.
“Instructions are inside. Wear the robe if you want fewer problems.”
“Thank you.”
“Want to choose a city?”
“No. I’ll settle in the slums.”
“…What?”
His eyes widened.
“…You’re insane.”
“Also, do you have this in black?”
“…You really are crazy.”
He changed the robe to black.
“Thanks.”
I put it on.
“And one more thing.”
“What.”
“Can I hold multiple priest positions?”
His expression changed.
Like he was looking at something truly bizarre.