Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The Mad Priest of the Slums #4
My conversation with Bishua ended there.
He had given me everything, even offered to assign me a city, and when I refused, he waved his hand as if to say there was nothing more to discuss. So I left the temple.
“There he is.”
Outside, the officer James—whom I had first spoken to upon arriving—was standing below the steps with a middle-aged man who looked like he had spent quite a bit on his mustache.
Since they were clearly pointing at me, I walked down the stairs. As expected, the man approached.
“Ahem.”
He tugged at his mustache and puffed out his chest. It didn’t look like he wanted to be hit—more like he was signaling that he was important and expected respect.
“This is Deputy Chief Debuta, who oversees all security affairs in Punkton.”
…What kind of name is that?
“Call me Chief Buta.”
I just nodded. It wasn’t a name I wanted to say out loud anyway.
“I hear you’re a scholar.”
“No.”
“…Then the investigation…?”
The chief blinked his already small eyes and looked at James.
James panicked and glared at me.
“Both I and Officer Chanri clearly heard it!”
“So he says.”
The chief frowned, pulling at his mustache, making his pig-like face even worse.
“That’s not important. We can confirm your identity.”
“Then show me identification.”
So after taking 200 million, this is how they act.
I may have misjudged this place.
‘Back on Earth, he’d be buried for this.’
I met his greedy gaze—practically seeing dollar signs in his eyes—and raised my right hand.
“Are you asking to be arrested?”
“No.”
If I had stayed on the stairs, he would’ve turned away immediately. But now that my robe was black, he seemed unsure.
“I’m not a scholar. I’m this.”
I flipped my hand and showed the back.
The clear scale symbol engraved on my hand.
“…!”
James stopped talking instantly.
“Come to think of it, they said wearing this avoids trouble.”
I turned, showing the golden scale on my black robe.
““?!””
Both men covered their mouths in shock.
“…I suppose I should go back and complain.”
“W-wait!”
The chief rushed forward—faster than expected for his size—and grabbed my pant leg.
“T-there must have been a misunderstanding!”
“A misunderstanding indeed!”
Nod nod nod.
“Understood.”
“Y-you understand?!”
“Of course.”
I patted his shoulder lightly. His eyes lit up like someone saved from the depths of hell.
“What fault does the chief have?”
I smiled at James, who was frozen on the ground.
“If anyone is at fault, it’s the one who caused the misunderstanding.”
“Exactly! That’s right! As expected of someone who carries out Bishua’s will!”
He stood up quickly and slapped James hard.
“Gah—!!”
James collapsed like a reed in the wind.
“That Officer Chanri… she seemed competent.”
“Of course! If someone praised by a priest is that righteous, I must support her further!”
“As expected of you.”
Gulp.
I looked down at the trembling James and the eager chief rubbing his hands.
“I’ll visit again sometime.”
“I-if you inform us in advance, we’ll prepare properly!”
I nodded and turned.
“P-priest?”
“I’m not leaving because of you. Don’t worry.”
“Ah… I see…”
As if I had called him.
I ignored it and returned to Bishua.
“Every choice has a cost. Haven’t you heard?”
I withdrew another billion.
“How do you want it changed?”
Materialistic god.
“No need. Whatever you change, I’ll still have to recolor it. I don’t like white.”
“What’s wrong with white?”
“It looks like it would drive me insane.”
“What did you just say?”
As expected—his personal preference.
“Can you send me to another city?”
“As long as there’s my temple.”
“Good. Send me to Oracle.”
A labyrinth city.
One of the largest.
“Are you serious? That place is full of lunatics who stab even priests if they snap.”
“I’ll stay quiet.”
“You’re insane.”
He snapped his fingers.
Space distorted.
“I was worried you’d do well… but if you want to jump into a pit, not my problem.”
“Can you send me back too?”
“Read your book!”
“…So it’s possible.”
His reaction said enough.
“Then I’ll go.”
He waved me off.
I stepped into the distortion.
‘I spent more than expected.’
Originally, I planned to travel normally.
But—
I didn’t expect the robe color alone to matter this much.
“Excuse me.”
The scenery changed.
No response.
“Empty?”
Smaller than Bishua’s place—
But just as luxurious.
‘Birds of a feather.’
I stepped outside.
Voices.
Robed priests everywhere.
“Black?”
“Wait… that symbol…”
Whispers.
This must be the temple district.
‘Red robes…’
As I looked—
Someone ran toward me.
“Hah…!”
A red-robed priestess.
“Are you Priest Baek Jinhyuk?”
“Yes.”
“Verdia calls for you. Follow me.”
She didn’t wait for an answer.
I followed.
Because—
Verdia was my second contract.
Her temple—
As large as Bishua’s.
Not because she was stronger—
But because this was her base.
We entered.
A red, sensual atmosphere.
Then—
A door.
It opened on its own.
Pink smoke drifted out.
Inside—
A woman in thin clothing lay on a large bed.
She exhaled smoke from a pipe.
Smiled.
“Passed.”