Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The Mad Priest of the Slums #5
“Hehe, I was joking.”
The alluring woman, Verdia, put the pipe back in her mouth and took a deep breath.
Thud.
The door that had opened on its own now closed by itself.
As it shut, the thick smoke that had been leaking out rose and spread, turning into a dense fog like a humid coastal road, obscuring my vision.
And a sickly sweet scent that stung my nose.
“Come closer.”
At that point, it wasn’t a choice. It was an order.
With each step I took toward the bed where she reclined, the strange-colored smoke thickened, and the sweetness intensified.
“It’s just incense I burn because the color is pretty. No need to worry.”
When I stopped in front of the bed, Verdia slowly sat up and blew smoke directly toward my face. Despite the overwhelming sweetness filling the room, a refreshing sensation distinctly cut through it and seeped deep into my lungs.
“Thank you.”
“Yes, you should at least have that much sense.”
I had only smiled out of mild comfort, but perhaps because of her otherworldly beauty, every movement she made seemed seductive.
“I watched your conversation with Bishua.”
“So gods don’t believe in privacy.”
“…Hm?”
At my comment, she blinked in surprise for the first time.
“Pfft.”
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed softly.
“You’re half right, half wrong. Any being with intelligence and desire has something they don’t want others to see. We’re no different.”
I listened quietly.
I didn’t really have anything else to do.
“But what we wish to hide isn’t here. So me observing Bishua’s domain isn’t rude—at least by our standards.”
“I understand. Then conversely—”
“Not here.”
She rose, the thin strap of her negligee slipping down her arm without concern, and stood directly in front of me.
“This is where I enjoy pleasure.”
“I see.”
She reached out and gently grabbed my wrist.
“Let’s see what you plan to do after making a contract with me.”
Her soft voice faded—
And my consciousness cut off.
Smack!
“….”
A sharp sound of flesh hitting flesh snapped my eyes open.
My senses returned instantly.
“If you’re awake, get up and follow me.”
The same female priest who had guided me earlier stood up, dusting off her hands.
With her face out of view, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Rubbing my sore cheek, I got up and followed her.
[General Sleeping Rooms 1–9]
[Special Sleeping Rooms 1–9]
[VIP Sleeping Rooms 1–9]
Unlike Bishua’s temple filled only with luxury goods, Verdia’s temple—being the domain of dreams—was filled with rooms labeled as sleeping chambers.
“Sit here.”
She led me into what was clearly a private room.
A poster of some unknown celebrity.
A luxurious wardrobe.
A large bed with cloud-like bedding.
She sat across from me.
“Verdia has accepted you as part of the family.”
“Family, huh.”
“That’s how it works here.”
So when she called me “child,” it wasn’t just casual.
“You’ll be working here, right?”
“Actually, I’m going to the slums.”
“…Why?!”
“…?”
“Ah— I mean—”
She coughed awkwardly and sat back down.
“There are plenty of empty rooms here. Other temples have multiple members, but Verdia only keeps me here.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I already have plans.”
“Really?”
She looked oddly desperate.
But I wasn’t the type to feel sympathy for someone I just met.
“…Yes.”
“…She said if you refuse twice, I shouldn’t insist.”
She pulled something from a drawer.
“Since you won’t wear a robe, she said to wear this instead.”
A rosary with a large pink gem.
I put it on.
It looked heavy, but felt incredibly light.
“And your mark is on your left hand.”
I checked.
Nothing visible.
“Ours only shines at night.”
“I see.”
Might be even more noticeable than a robe.
“Next—your duties.”
Unlike Bishua, who just threw me a book, Verdia assigned her only priest to personally teach me everything.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
It was simple.
Hard not to understand.
“You said you’re going to the slums. Where exactly?”
“Mad Dog’s territory.”
“…I’m glad you’re here. I’d like you to stay alive.”
She tried to change my mind.
“I’ll visit if I have questions.”
“….”
She wiped her face with both hands.
“What should I call you?”
“Vivian. I look younger, so I’ll call you oppa.”
That escalated quickly.
“Your name?”
“Baek Jinhyuk.”
“As expected.”
She nodded to herself.
“I knew you were from Han.”
So “Han” meant Korea here.
“Not many from Han, but they all look amazing. Verdia likes them the most.”
So her “pass” earlier—
Might not have been a joke.
“Vivian.”
“You adapt fast.”
“…Do I?”
“Which sector is Mad Dog in?”
“….”
Her expression changed.
“North sectors 11 to 20.”
“Thanks.”
As I stood—
She fidgeted.
“I’m not stopping you, but… that place isn’t about dreams. It’s full of addicts.”
“I know.”
“They won’t recognize even priests.”
“Yeah.”
“Seriously!!”
She stomped in frustration as we reached the entrance.
“I’m going.”
“Come back once a month at least!”
I waved without answering.
If I died, Verdia would know anyway.
‘People are staring more now.’
With the black robe and rosary—
Even other priests moved aside.
Finding the way was easy.
Signs were everywhere.
“Here.”
I raised my hand.
A carriage stopped.
Unlike Bishua’s area with cars, Oracle relied more on carriages.
“Where to?”
“North Sector 11 border.”
“Got it.”
The driver glanced at my rosary—
And drove without question.