The Mad Priest of the Slums

“Hehe, it was a joke.”

The alluring woman, Verdia, placed the pipe back between her lips and took a deep drag.

Thud.

The door that had opened on its own closed just as automatically.

When the door shut, the thick smoke that had been escaping through the gap slowly began to rise, eventually forming a dense mist that clouded the view like a humid coastal road.

And then came the overpowering, sickly sweet scent that pricked the nose.

“Come closer.”

From the moment the door closed, her words were no longer a request but a command.

As I took steps toward the bed where she was reclining, the smoke—already tinged with a strange hue—grew thicker, and the sweet scent intensified.

“It’s just incense I’m burning because it’s pretty, so don’t worry too much.”

When I stopped in front of the bed, Verdia, who had been lying sideways, slowly sat up and exhaled a long plume of smoke toward my face. Despite the overpowering sweetness that had dulled my senses from the moment I entered, the fresh, crisp scent in her breath seeped deeply into my lungs.

“Thank you.”

“Good. You’re sharp enough.”

Her beauty was so out-of-this-world that even what seemed like a casual smile appeared charged with seduction.

“I watched you converse with that Vishua fellow.”

“It seems gods have no concept of privacy.”

“Hmm?”

When I subtly pointed out that she had invaded someone’s personal space, her drowsy, half-lidded eyes widened, and she blinked a few times.

“Fufufu~”

Covering her mouth with the back of the hand holding the pipe, she chuckled softly, her shoulders shaking.

“You’re half right and half wrong. Any being with intelligence and desire naturally has something they wish to keep to themselves. We’re no different.”

I listened quietly. There wasn’t much else I could do.

“It’s just that what we wish to hide isn’t here. So it’s not impolite for me to observe Vishua’s domain. At least, by our standards.”

“I understand. Then, conversely—”

“Not here.”

Despite the thin negligee strap that had slipped to her elbow, Verdia straightened and faced me directly.

“This place is where I indulge in pleasure.”

“I see.”

She reached out and gently grasped my wrist.

“Let’s see what you plan to do after making a pact with me.”

Her soft voice was the last thing I heard before my consciousness faded.

**

Slap!

“…….”

The sharp sound of flesh meeting flesh snapped my eyes open. As my vision cleared, my senses—which had felt powered off—began to awaken.

“If you’re awake, follow me.”

The female priestess who had escorted me here stood, dusting off her hands.

As she moved away, the unfamiliar ceiling came into view. I rubbed my stinging cheek, got up, and followed her.

[ General Sleeping Rooms 1–9 ]

[ Special Sleeping Rooms 1–9 ]

[ VIP Sleeping Rooms 1–9 ]

Unlike Vishua’s temple, which was filled with luxuries, Verdia’s temple—dedicated to dreams—had numerous doors labeled as sleeping rooms throughout its interior.

“Sit here.”

The room, clearly a personal space, had a poster of a man I couldn’t recognize, a luxurious wardrobe, fluffy cloud-shaped blankets, and a large bed. The priestess pulled out a chair and sat across from me.

“Lady Verdia has accepted you as a new family member.”

“Family, huh.”

“That’s what it’s called here.”

I had assumed “child” was just a term of endearment, but it seemed to have deeper meaning.

“It seems you’ll be staying here.”

Her gaze wasn’t wary.

“I plan to go to the slums.”

“Why?!”

“……?”

The priestess had risen from her chair and slammed her hand on the table, but she quickly cleared her throat and sat back down.

“There are plenty of empty rooms here. Other temples house several family members, but Lady Verdia has only me here.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I have plans.”

“Really?”

Her eyes seemed desperate, but I wasn’t sentimental enough to feel pity for someone I’d just met today. Her beauty did shine the most after Verdia, perhaps due to Verdia’s preferences.

“Yes.”

“Sigh, Lady Verdia instructed me not to persuade you further if you refused twice.”

With that, she retrieved something from a drawer and placed it on the table.

“She said there’s no need for robes since you won’t wear them anyway. Instead, you’re to wear this around your neck.”

It was a rosary with a large pink gemstone.

I picked it up and put it around my neck. Despite its size, it felt surprisingly light.

“She also marked your left hand.”

I examined my left hand, but unlike the scales Vishua had inscribed, there was nothing noticeable.

“Our marks only glow at night.”

“Got it.”

It might even be better for advertising at night than robes.

“Now let me explain what we do here.”

Unlike Vishua, who had tossed me a book, Verdia assigned her only priestess to teach me everything.

“Did you get it?”

“Yes.”

Her explanations were so simple and clear that not understanding would’ve been more concerning.

“You said you’re heading to the slums. Where exactly?”

“I’m heading to Mad Dog’s district.”

“…I’m genuinely happy to meet you. So I hope I can see you around for a long time.”

Since she couldn’t directly persuade me anymore, she tried to subtly change my mind.

“I’ll visit from time to time if I have questions.”

“…….”

She nodded but then ran her hands down her face.

“By the way, what should I call you?”

“Vivian. I’m younger, so I’ll just call you ‘oppa.’”

The title change was sudden. This family concept seemed deeper than I’d thought.

“What’s your name?”

“Baek Jin-hyuk.”

“I knew it.”

Hearing my name, Vivian nodded, satisfied.

“I figured you were from Han the moment I saw you.”

Like the diverse group working with Chanri and James, this dimension felt like a global village filled with all kinds of races. Here, Han seemed equivalent to being Korean.

“Han people are rare but always have striking features. That’s probably why Lady Verdia favors them.”

Her comment about me being “accepted” might not have been a joke after all.

“Vivian.”

“You adapt quickly.”

I wasn’t sure if this warranted such praise.

“Could you tell me where Mad Dog’s district is?”

“…….”

Her gaze, once a mix of concern and affection, now mirrored Vishua’s when he looked at me.

“Districts 11 to 20 in the north.”

“Thanks.”

As I stood, Vivian fidgeted but eventually got up too.

“I’m not stopping you, but that place is filled with people relying on drugs more than dreams.”

“I know.”

“Even drugged-up fools won’t recognize us.”

“Understood.”

“Ugh, seriously!!”

Vivian stomped the floor in frustration when I remained firm.

“See you.”

“Check in once a month!”

I didn’t answer, just raised a hand as I walked away. If I died, Verdia would know.

‘No news is good news,’ as the saying goes.

“The stares feel hotter.”

Wearing the black robe and Verdia’s rosary, I walked through the streets. Even other priests made way for me.

Finding the route was easy, thanks to signposts.

“Here.”

I raised a hand, and a horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of me.

“Where to?”

“The border of District 11, north.”

“Yesss~”

The coachman glanced at my rosary, then drove off without another word.