The Mad Priest of the Slums

My conversation with Vishua ended there.

He had given me everything and even offered a city of my choice, which I declined. With nothing else to say, Vishua waved me off, signaling that I should leave, so I exited the temple.

“There, that’s him.”

As soon as I stepped outside, the man I first spoke with upon arriving in this city, Sergeant James, stood at the base of the steps with a well-dressed, middle-aged man whose mustache looked like it required significant maintenance.

It was clear that they were pointing at me. I descended the stairs, and sure enough, the man in the same security uniform stepped closer.

“Ahem.”

The middle-aged man tugged on his mustache and puffed out his chest. He wasn’t asking to be punched—it seemed more like a gesture that said, “I’m someone important, so show respect.”

“This is Deputy Chief of Security, Devuta, who oversees all operational matters related to Punkton’s safety.”

Judging by his name, it seemed this man wasn’t born because his mother particularly wanted him.

“Call me Chief Buta.”

I didn’t respond, just nodded. It wasn’t a name I wanted to say out loud.

“I heard you’re a scholar.”

“No, I’m not.”

“But the investigator…?”

The chief, still fiddling with his mustache, squinted his small eyes even further and turned to Sergeant James standing beside him.

James, flustered by the chief’s questioning gaze, glared at me.

“Not just me! Officer Chanri heard it clearly too!”

“So that’s what he say.”

The chief pulled on his mustache as if he wanted to rip it off. He scowled, making his pig-like face even less attractive.

“Well, that doesn’t really matter. That’ll be clarified once we check your identification.”

“Hand it over.”

I hadn’t expected to be treated like this after paying 20 million. Clearly, I had misjudged this place.

‘On Earth, pulling this kind of stunt after taking 20 million would get you buried.’

I locked eyes briefly with the greedy man whose gaze screamed dollar signs before extending my right hand.

“Am I under arrest?”

“No, not that.”

Normally, they would’ve turned and left as soon as they saw me on the stairs. It seemed my black robe had thrown them off.

“I’m not a scholar, but I am someone like this.”

“What does that…?”

I flipped my hand, revealing the back. The chief, who had been ready to argue, went silent as he saw the clearly engraved scales on my right hand.

“They did say wearing this robe would help me avoid trouble.”

I turned my back to reveal the golden scales on my black robe.

“…?!”

The chief and James both clapped their hands over their mouths at the same time, their expressions full of shock.

“Looks like I should go back and report this.”

“Wha—?!”

As I lifted my foot, the chief—despite his large frame—moved faster than Sergeant James and grabbed onto the hem of my pants.

“W-Wait! There’s been a misunderstanding!!”

“Oh, really?”

The chief nodded frantically. His jiggling fat was surprisingly steady.

“Understood.”

“You do?!”

“Of course.”

When I lightly patted his shoulder, the chief’s small eyes sparkled like someone saved from the depths of hell.

“Who could blame the chief for anything?”

I turned to James, who was frozen in place, and gave a smile.

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s the person who created room for misunderstanding.”

“Exactly! You’re so right! As expected of someone who represents Vishua’s justice!”

The chief, determined to prove his loyalty, sprang up and slapped James across the face with his large hand.

“Guh!”

James rolled across the ground like a fallen reed in the wind.

“You mentioned Officer Chanri earlier? She seems quite capable.”

“Oh ho! Anyone you praise must be of great character. I’ll be sure to give him more responsibilities.”

“As expected of a discerning leader.”

The chief gulped and rubbed his hands, while James lay trembling on the ground.

“I’ll visit sometime.”

“Please let me know in advance, so we can prepare.”

I nodded and turned away. They could leave or stay—I didn’t care. I returned to Vishua.

“Every choice comes with consequences. You’ve heard that before, right?”

I withdrew another 100 million.

“How do you want me to change it?”

Vishua might be fair, but he was also quite materialistic.

“This is fine. Changing it still means dealing with white robes, and I’m not a fan.”

“What’s wrong with white?”

“Staring at it feels like it’ll drive me crazy.”

“What did you just say?!”

As expected, white seemed to be Vishua’s personal preference.

“Can you help me relocate to another city?”

“If it’s where one of my temples is.”

“Great. Then, to Oracle, please.”

Oracle was one of several labyrinth cities in this world—places where dungeons connected to the city itself. It was the largest of its kind.

“I could send you. But really? That place is full of lunatics who’ll stab a priest if they lose it.”

“I’ll keep a low profile.”

“You’re insane.”

Vishua snapped his fingers, and the space beside him shimmered like a heat mirage.

“I thought you’d do well here, but if you’re willingly walking into that pit, it’s out of my hands. Good luck.”

“Can I come back?”

“Just go read your book!”

So it was possible after all.

“Thank you, I’ll be leaving now.”

Vishua waved me off like a street vendor shooing away a loiterer. I stepped toward the shimmering space.

‘I spent a bit more than I planned.’

I initially intended to travel to Oracle by normal means. But apparently, just changing the color of my robe rendered some of its functions useless.

“Excuse me.”

I announced my arrival as the scenery shifted, but no one responded.

“Maybe no one’s here.”

This temple was smaller than Vishua’s but similarly adorned with luxury items.

‘Birds of a feather, huh.’

I wasn’t sure how Vishua chose his priests, but judging by the extravagant décor, I had a hunch about one of his criteria.

“Hmm?”

“That’s not Gerdic.”

“He went off to deal with the Tao family.”

When I stepped outside, I found myself surrounded by priests wearing robes of all colors.

“Why is this one in black?”

“Wait, there’s a scale engraved!”

They murmured among themselves. This area was likely where all the city’s temples were concentrated.

‘Red…’

I searched for a priest in a red robe, and one came running up to me.

“Pant…! Priest Baek Jinhyuk?”

“Yes.”

The female priest caught her breath, then spoke.

“Lady Verdia is looking for you. Please follow me.”

Without waiting for my response, she turned and walked away. I followed without question.

Verdia was the second deity I needed to form a contract with.

“Please go in.”

Her temple was nearly as large as Vishua’s—not because Verdia was more powerful, but because Oracle was her main base of influence.

I climbed the steps and walked through the dim, crimson-lit halls until I reached a closed door. Unlike before, I didn’t need to act.

Creak.

The door opened on its own, and pink smoke billowed out. I stepped inside.

“Oh my.”

A woman wearing nothing but a thin, nearly transparent negligee slowly sat up from the large bed. She gently removed the pipe from her mouth, exhaled a long plume of smoke, and gave a captivating smile.

“You’ve passed.”