The Mad Priest of the Slums

The ride on the carriage was surprisingly excellent.

Not just “not bad,” but genuinely excellent.

To put it in perspective, earlier today, we briefly rode in Officer James’s patrol car—well, maybe he’s not a officer anymore—and the back seat felt like we were driving over an unpaved road. The difference between the two was surprisingly significant.

‘It makes sense when you think about it.’

One was a car driven by a patrol officer or someone a rank higher. In contrast, the carriage was stationed in front of the district where all the temples in this city are located, proudly waiting for passengers.

When I thought about it this way, it became clear why the ride in the carriage was far superior.

“We’ve arrived!”

As I was enjoying the city scenery through the curtain, the coachman driving at a comfortable speed stopped the carriage and relayed the message through a small window connecting to the driver’s seat.

“How much?”

When I asked for the price, the young-looking coachman gave a broad smile.

“It’s free today.”

“Much appreciated.”

Since there was no need to pay, I didn’t insist on doing so. Instead, I thought I’d ask the reason.

After getting out of the carriage, I walked over to the coachman holding the reins and asked,

“Why aren’t you charging me?”

“Even though I may look like this, I have an excellent memory. I remember the faces of all the priests at the Oracle here. However, you, sir, are not in my memory.”

“I see.”

“Ahem!”

When I extended my left hand, the coachman coughed lightly, took out a stiff piece of paper about the length of my index finger, and placed it carefully on my palm with both hands.

Naturally, I assumed it was a business card, but it turned out to be a blank sheet of paper that was simply well-laminated.

“If you ever need a carriage, call me anytime! I’ll take you anywhere for just 10,000 Mora!”

Ten thousand Mora.

Even before I was dragged here, Korea’s cost of living was ridiculously high. But no matter how expensive a luxury taxi got, it never cost a million won.

“If I need you, I’ll be sure to call.”

“Thank you!!”

The coachman, still seated, bowed his head deeply and didn’t seem inclined to lift it until I was out of sight.

‘I’ll keep it for now and ask if I need more information later.’

Putting the paper in my chest pocket, I headed toward a clearly defined boundary that was hard to miss. The coachman’s confused voice echoed from behind, but I paid it no mind.

‘How fascinating.’

The boundary between Zones 10 and 11 was a thick, milky mist.

I wasn’t sure if it was technically mist, but since it was white and smoke-like, I decided to call it that.

“Hey!”

As I wondered if I could just walk through, a gruff voice called out, accompanied by the sound of footsteps approaching.

“You country bumpkin—Whoa!”

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder, naturally turning me in the direction of the pull. The rough-looking man immediately released his grip upon spotting the rosary hanging around my neck.

“Heh heh, my apologies for not recognizing you, Priest!”

The rough-faced man bent so deeply that his forehead nearly touched the ground.

“It’s all right. This is my first time visiting the Oracle today.”

“Ah, it seems our brothers and sisters have been quite busy.”

“Yes.”

Though Vivian didn’t seem particularly busy. Then again, even if she was, it wasn’t as if anyone could cause trouble for a priest inside the temple.

“Priest, beyond this point, the area is full of dirty and despicable people.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re awar…?”

Judging by the same reaction from everyone, the slum was likely a far worse place than I had imagined.

“Anyway, I need to cross into Zone 11.”

“W-wait! Priest? You’re seriously going over there?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Well…!!”

The rough man was about to raise his voice when the rosary around my neck swayed slightly. He shut his eyes tightly and fell silent.

“The people I serve have given permission, at least.”

Thwack!

The man slapped his forehead with a hand as large as a pot lid.

“…Please wait just a moment. Even though it looks like ordinary smoke, it’s quite deadly if you come into contact with it.”

“All right.”

He wiped his face repeatedly before entering a building that resembled a pub on the left.

‘Is it toxic?’

I kicked a stone into the smoke.

Ssshh!

Unless my ears were mistaken, the stone hissed and dissolved the moment it touched the smoke, disappearing entirely.

‘He said it was deadly—he wasn’t kidding.’

If anyone tried to cross unknowingly, it would be a one-way ticket to the afterlife. The more they downplayed it, the more curious I became about what lay beyond.

“Priest! It’s going to take a bit longer, so would you like to come inside first?”

I didn’t care much about other people’s stares, but I did prefer sitting to standing, so I entered the pub-like building.

“It’s modest, but please have a seat.”

“Did I interrupt your business?”

“Ahem! N-not at all. Hahaha!”

As I scanned the tables, where drinks and food were still untouched, he quickly moved to block my view.

“Uh…”

“If you have questions, feel free to ask.”

“Well, it’s not me. It’s our boss…”

“You’re with Mad Dog.”

“Oracle is a labyrinth city, but we can’t stay holed up in it forever.”

Buying and selling goods outside made sense, so his reasoning was valid.

“Priest?”

After answering his simple questions, he looked at me with pleading eyes.

“I’m truly sorry, but could you reconsider? I know I’m going against my own interests, but that place beyond? It’s no place for someone as pure as you.”

“That just makes me more curious.”

“Oh…”

Whatever god he believed in, he now wore the face of someone desperately seeking divine intervention, even in front of a priest.

Of course, I understood why.

He was worried that if anything happened to me, it would bring trouble to Mad Dog, the group managing that zone.

‘They didn’t seem like the type to care about such things.’

Naturally, I had no intention of sharing my thoughts unless absolutely necessary.

Unless they flat-out refused, that is.

Riiing~!!

A telephone rang, and the man quickly ran to the counter to answer the old rotary phone.

“Yes, understood.”

After hanging up, he returned to me.

“You’re free to go now.”

“Looks like someone’s come to greet me.”

“Haha…”

When I stepped outside, the mist that had blocked the boundary was gone.

Instead, a rather aged-looking street lay beyond.

‘Mafia, perhaps.’

Unlike the quiet side I was on, Zone 11’s run-down street was bustling with men in black suits and fedoras.

They all carried firearms, and black sedans lined up in an orderly fashion among them.

“Priest.”

A tight suit failed to hide her curves.

“Please step into this car.”

I didn’t know if she was a secretary, but at her clear and pleasant guidance, I crossed into Zone 11 and got into the back seat of one of the sedans.

“Well, well. Never thought I’d see this day.”

There was already someone seated in the back.

“Nice to meet you, young priest.”

A stout middle-aged man with a bald head and a bulldog-like face extended his hand.

“I’m Benjamin, boss of Mad Dog.”

“I’m Baek Jinhyuk, priest of Vishua and Verdia.”

“Haha!!”

All I did was state my identity, but Benjamin burst out laughing and rolled down the window to speak to the woman standing outside.

“Let’s go.”

“Understood.”

At her signal, most of the men boarded cars, and the line of sedans began moving forward slowly.

“To be honest, I’ve never heard of a priest serving two gods. But the rosary around your neck and the scales in your right hand tell me you’re not lying.”

He pulled out a small case, retrieved a well-dried cigar, and placed it in his mouth. He was about to clip the end when he glanced at me.

“Is it all right?”

“Too strong might be a bit much.”

“I’ll give you a few later. You should get used to them.”

He put the cigar away.

“Priest, no one in this place will come looking for you voluntarily. Why not head back before things get ugly?”

“I appreciate the concern, but I’d like you to hear me out first.”

“Very well.”

There were two reasons I had voluntarily entered this slum, despite having easier and more comfortable options elsewhere.

First, the main stage for possessions in this world would be in the light, not the shadows.

In this kind of world, priests often lost their positions or were weakened as the story progressed. I had no intention of being caught in that aftermath.

“I intend to target people like you as my clients first.”

“Clients? Not a typical priestly word.”

“I’m a bit unconventional.”

The second reason was simpler.

“Go on.”

“Bring me someone discreet, and I’ll get whatever information you want from them.”

“So, if I bring traitors or rats to you, you’ll get them to spill?”

“Yes.”

“How you do it doesn’t concern me. As long as I get the answers I want, I’m happy.”

“Exactly.”

Benjamin rubbed his double chin for a while before speaking.

“Let’s make it a bet.”

He proposed a wager.

“There’s one guy giving me headaches. If you can get me what I need, I’ll fully support your settlement here.”

“Deal.”

“I assume I don’t need to mention the consequences of failure?”

“No need.”

Benjamin’s eyes narrowed.

“I hope that’s confidence, not arrogance.”

“I’ll prove it with results.”

“Good. Then—”

“Before that, I need some preparation.”

Benjamin tilted his chin toward me.

“Is there a brothel here?”

“Of course. Play with the wrong people, and it’s a one-way trip.”

“Perfect.”

It would’ve been troublesome if there wasn’t.

To operate smoothly, I needed a well-known courtesan.

“Take me to the brothel with the most famous courtesan in this district.”