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After Lee Ha-yeon finished work. 7 PM.

A well-dressed man visited Kwon Tae-ho’s office.

“Hello. This is the Kwon Tae-ho office. I am Lee Jin-ho, the Senior Mage and General Manager of the Truth Church’s Northern Seoul Diocese.”

The man introduced himself and handed Kwon Tae-ho his business card. The title on the card caught Kwon Tae-ho’s attention, particularly the “Senior Mage.”

“Mage…?”

“It’s probably the ranking system of the Truth Church. I’ve seen it in an article before.”

“Haha, I would prefer you refer to it as a position rather than a rank. All our believers are equal. We only have positions for smoother management.”

Yoo Seol explained, and Lee Jin-ho the mage smiled kindly, giving a good impression overall. He seemed like the typical kind-hearted and friendly religious person.

“So, you’re the Northern Manager or something… You seem to be quite an important figure. It’s surprising that someone like you would visit this humble office.”

“They say even the Lord has visited filthy brothels to save foolish people. So why not today, I’ve come to apologize on behalf of our believers.”

It seemed polite at first, but it also implied that they wouldn’t deny the office’s humble state.

However, Kwon Tae-ho didn’t point that out. His office was not clean by any stretch of the imagination; the term ‘humble’ was not an exaggeration.

“So? You came to apologize, but is that just words?”

“Of course not. I intend to prepare appropriate compensation. This includes any financial loss and if you’ve suffered emotional distress, that too.”

“You’re surprisingly easy to talk to.”

“However, there are conditions.”

“Forget that. Are you messing with us right now?”

For someone claiming to visit for an apology to suddenly impose conditions was rude beyond imagination.

However, tossing their own standards around was a specialty of the religious type. Lee Jin-ho, the Senior Mage, showed Kwon Tae-ho the screen of his smartphone without changing his expression.

“Have you seen this video?”

“Not at all.”

“Wait a moment, Chief.”

As Lee Jin-ho played the video, a familiar scene appeared. It was the moment Kwon Tae-ho subdued a member of the Truth Church causing a ruckus in a pork belly restaurant a few days ago.

– This cultist is quite talkative.
– What did you say!? Cultiiiiist?!

Underneath the familiar video, a slew of sensational titles and comments scrolled by.

====
[ Today’s Legendary Education of the Cultist by the Chief, hahaha ]
Views: 504,245 Likes: 17,000 Comments: 1,675

– Hahaha, serves those cultists right!
– Just a little martial art practice and he behaves like this, so fake, did arrogance take over his brain? Haha
– Isn’t it silly? What’s fake about it?;;
– Who asked?
– You can see that his companions are scared, that girl next to him is sweating… If he just grew up a bit, he’d realize that pride isn’t everything. It’s such a shame…
– Can’t be scared with a girl next to you… but he’s up against the Chief… this is crazy…hahaha
– The ones not stopping him are the real problem.
– But aren’t they all cultists too?
– If the country is in ruins, let’s just drink one more~
====

“As you can see, ever since that day the video of you, Kwon Tae-ho, was uploaded, defamatory information and rumors about our church have been spreading indiscriminately. Particularly, since you labeled us ‘cult’ while being a Chief, ordinary citizens seem to be plagued with unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“?? Isn’t it a cult?”

“Chief, come on…!”

“A cult is something that appears to be a religion but is, in reality, a pseudo-religion. However, we are a real religion. Our doctrines, scriptures, and believers all exist as genuine religious entities.”

Despite Kwon Tae-ho’s rude comments, Lee Jin-ho maintained a friendly smile while explaining.

“So, what’s the condition?”

“I’d like you to retract your statement calling our church a cult. Publicly.”

“Publicly, how?”

“Please visit our church. Film a video and post it online, stating that you misunderstood us, and that the Truth Church is not a cult.”

“I refuse.”

Yoo Seol immediately shook her head at Lee Jin-ho’s explanation.

“Why? It’s not an unreasonable request, is it?”

“It’s not just unreasonable; it’s impossible.”

This time, it was Kwon Tae-ho who answered, furrowing his brow as if to say, how could you not know this?

“A Chief has a duty to maintain neutrality on social issues like politics, ideologies, or religion as a public figure protecting social order. This means that if I film such a video, it may appear that I am endorsing a specific religion.”

“That, if you think about it, branding our believers as cultists is also a breach of neutrality, isn’t it?”

“…That’s true?”

Kwon Tae-ho shot a glance at Yoo Seol after Lee Jin-ho’s pinpoint comment. Ideally, he wasn’t one to engage in such logical disputes.

“Hah…”

Yoo Seol took over from Kwon Tae-ho, who was frustrated.

“It’s true that a Chief labeling a specific religion as a cult is a mistake.”

“If so—”

“However, that’s only if that religion is a normal one.”

At Yoo Seol’s remark, Lee Jin-ho’s expression twitched slightly. The kind smile that had graced his face began to show signs of discomfort.

“…So, you’re saying our Truth Church isn’t a normal religion?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I believe that a proper religion should guide the lives of its followers and have a positive impact on both individuals and society. But the Truth Church does not do that.”

On the surface, the Truth Church may seem like a healthy religious organization engaging in charity work for the homeless like many other religions. However, that was merely one positive dimension among many.

“The Truth Church has caused social controversies for a long time. They’ve severely slandered other religions, and we’ve had violent incidents. Issues like illegal gatherings and excessive proselytizing have been widely reported.”

“I must admit that’s a painful point for us, but those were merely minor issues caused by some believers; the religion itself—”

“Above all, the behavior of exploiting people’s fears by preaching apocalyptic theories does not appear to me as a normal or righteous religion. Do you know what you call an organization that exploits the money and labor of believers under the pretense of such baseless end-of-the-world scenarios?”

A thick smile appeared on Yoo Seol’s lips, one that looked at the other party with disdain.

“A fraudulent organization.”

“…”

– Crunch!

That statement finally broke Lee Jin-ho’s smile. His forehead vein bulged as he seethed with anger, while Yoo Seol maintained a carefree attitude.

“By the way, please know that everything I’ve said so far is strictly my personal opinion and does not represent the stance of the Kwon Tae-ho office. Unlike Chief, I do not have a duty to maintain neutrality.”

“…I wouldn’t have thought there would be such a stark difference in views regarding religion. It seems this issue cannot be compromised.”

Lee Jin-ho rose from his seat, and the friendly smile he once wore had vanished.

“Since you say that, I won’t ask for the corrective video anymore. However, since you didn’t accept our condition, we can’t honor what I mentioned about compensation either.”

With that, Lee Jin-ho added as if he just remembered.

“And I will ask our believers not to cause further harm to the Kwon Tae-ho office. But how can a mere church manager completely control individual actions? Some believers may still inflict damage as they did before, but please recognize that it’s merely an individual deviation and does not represent the will of the entire church.”

The notion that personal deviations do not represent the church was laced with malice, echoing Yoo Seol’s earlier words. Nevertheless, Yoo Seol couldn’t care less and boldly responded to Lee Jin-ho.

“Don’t worry about that. If any damage occurs to this office due to the Truth Church believers in the future, I will take appropriate extrajudicial measures.”

“Extrajudicial…?”

That was neither legal action nor anything he could comprehend.

As Lee Jin-ho mulled over Yoo Seol’s words, she grinned and pointed at Kwon Tae-ho.

“Turns out the nameplate of the Chief’s office isn’t just for show, is it?”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“Not a threat, a notification. If your believers end up in prison, I suggest you manage your affairs well.”

Lee Jin-ho, faced with Yoo Seol’s taunting, couldn’t muster a rebuttal. At this point, logic didn’t matter; losing momentum only left one party looking pathetic.

– Bang!!

Eventually, Lee Jin-ho stormed out of the office with a twisted, angry face far from what he brought in. As the door slammed behind him, Yoo Seol shrugged her shoulders.

“Not all religious people are kind and gentle, I see.”

“You provoked him so much, how could he be gentle?”

“Did I overdo it?”

“No, you did well. After all, I wasn’t looking for any monetary compensation.”

All Kwon Tae-ho wanted was a sincere apology and a promise to prevent recurrence. But when they attached ridiculous conditions to that, he would rather not receive an apology at all.

Of course, with the negotiations collapsed, harassment from the Truth Church members was likely to continue for a while, but what could they do? Just like Yoo Seol said, they had no choice but to handle it with “extrajudicial measures” using the Chief’s authority.

“Advisor, let’s leave work together for a while. We might still be followed.”

“Thank you for being so concerned. In return, I will personally prepare dinner for you every day.”

“??? You don’t know how to cook.”

Her cooking skills were so devoid of skill that she didn’t even cook at all. In reality, her kitchen cabinets at home were filled with all sorts of instant food.

“If you can just boil some ramen, I’ll gratefully accept it. You are too much for someone being treated to a meal.”

“Isn’t something odd about this? I was clearly supposed to be in a position to be grateful for a dinner in return, yet why do I end up being the one in a bad spot?”

“By the way, I wonder if Ha-yeon is okay? I don’t have any guarantees that I won’t be followed as well.”

Yoo Seol skillfully turned the conversation. Kwon Tae-ho decided not to argue further.

“The newcomer doesn’t have to worry.”

“Isn’t it concerning that Ha-yeon is also a woman?”

“Before being a woman, she’s a Chief.”

A Chief is not only a guardian of order, but also the clearest symbol of force in this country. Any follow-up from random nobodies wouldn’t pose a threat to Lee Ha-yeon at all.

“…But we should still remind her to be careful. She has a family.”

“Shall we make sure to finish earlier for a while? So Ha-yeon can pick her mother up.”

“Let’s do that.”

For now, that should suffice.

The two wrapped up their conversation with such thoughts.

After all, while the Truth Church seemed somewhat suspicious, it was ultimately a religious group. Compared to the heinous criminals they usually dealt with, the risks posed by the church could hardly be considered significant.

However.

They had no idea.

The identity of the group known as the Truth Church, and the depths of its abyss, were far darker and deeper than they could imagine.

Two hours after the negotiations between Kwon Tae-ho’s office and Senior Mage Lee Jin-ho fell apart.

Kneeling before the altar, Lee Jin-ho reported back to the church headquarters.

Cold sweat streamed down his forehead as he reported every detail of his encounter with Kwon Tae-ho. He was nervously awaiting the “pronouncement” that would come from the being in front of him.

And then.

“To summarize, it means that the negotiation has turned out to be a total failure.”

The dignified being standing before Lee Jin-ho spoke.

With hair glimmering in hues of heaven, a radiant halo glowed softly above the veil lightly resting on her head, and tiny wings sprouted from her temples—wings which could not exist on a human.

The being had eyes covered by dark cloth, taking on a female form. From the silhouette alone, one could say she was the symbol of sex appeal itself.

Yet strangely, she provoked no lust. It was the solemnity and sanctity emanating from her very being that literally overwhelmed anyone who beheld her.

“I apologize, Celestial Lady…! It’s all my fault for being insufficient! I take full responsibility for this matter and will surely resolve it. So please—”

“Please, it is not to ask that I do not inflict punishment?”

“…!!”

Lee Jin-ho couldn’t bring himself to answer.

A Celestial Lady is a divine representative. If she intends to impose punishment, he would have to accept it as it came. He could not dare object or argue against it.

“How many people viewed the offending video?”

“Fifty thousand…”

“Fifty thousand… That means our church has been humiliated fifty thousand times?”

“Th, that’s correct—”

– Step.

The being on the altar stepped towards Lee Jin-ho. In that instant, his breath caught in his throat. Dizziness threatened to overwhelm him, turning his vision white.

Punishment.

Just that single word sent chaotic waves throughout Lee Jin-ho’s mind. Anxiety, dread, and tension surged violently within him.

However.

– Swipe.

“It’s okay. You don’t need to tremble so much. Lee Jin-ho, you have not done wrong.”

With those words, the being knelt politely before Lee Jin-ho and gently caressed his cheek.

“Such an unfortunate video was created primarily because of the faults of that believer. The failure of the negotiations stems from the selfishness displayed by Kwon Tae-ho’s office. Am I correct?”

“Uh, um… yes.”

“Do not fear and tremble. You have done nothing wrong. You are not bad. I acknowledge your efforts. And the God shall as well. So, lift your chest high and raise your head.”

The warmth of her voice sweetly enveloped Lee Jin-ho’s brain. As anxiety abated, relief washed over him, transforming into an indescribable euphoric feeling that cascaded warmly down his cheeks.

“Well done. You have fulfilled your duty.”

“Celestial Lady…!”

As Lee Jin-ho raised his head, the gaze of the being, the Celestial Lady, met his. The moment he captured her sculpted beauty in his mind, he found himself murmuring unconsciously.

“I wish to be rewarded…”

Even after speaking it out himself, he couldn’t quite grasp what he had just said.

The Celestial Lady had painstakingly embraced his shortcomings, yet he absurdly asked for a reward?

Realizing his folly, Lee Jin-ho’s expression hardened. However, the Celestial Lady responded even before he got there with a smile.

“You’re quite the greedy child. Very well, I shall grant you a reward. Open your mouth.”

At the Celestial Lady’s words, Lee Jin-ho tilted his head and opened his mouth. His cheeks, filled with fervor, trembled in ecstasy.

The Celestial Lady held his cheeks gently and parted her lips ever so slightly.

And then.

– Drip.

From her mouth, a translucent strand of saliva stretched down. The moment the droplet touched Lee Jin-ho’s tongue, he rolled his eyes back and began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Ah, aaah…!”

An unfathomable happiness filled his entire being.

Lee Jin-ho’s view was turned completely white. Scenes filled with brilliant light flashed past his sight.

A massive temple spread out above the clouds. Beautiful angels soaring joyfully. And in the middle of it all, a great deity seated upon a throne…

“Ahh, I see the deity…! O God, my mighty father…! Ahhh!!!”

While Lee Jin-ho trembled in tears, the Celestial Lady took her place on the chair set aside at the altar.

“Being a Chief…”

She began to think how troublesome it was to have become intertwined with such a person.

At first, she thought so, but soon another feeling began to emerge within her.

“I want him.”

If viewed as an enemy, he was a nuisance. But if he were an ally, there would be no stronger supporter. That thought led a soft smile to graces the Celestial Lady’s lips.

“Kwon Tae-ho…”

She spoke his name aloud. It was a declaration to herself.

What would be ordinary in the eyes of others would become gospel and prophecy when spoken by a divine representative like her. Hence, the Celestial Lady stated clearly with her enchanting voice.

“…I will ensure that you particularly consume my blood.”

Kwon Tae-ho, she swore she would have him.

Days later.

– Pat. Pat. Pat.

Lee Ha-yeon left work earlier than usual to pick up her mother, who worked at a nearby large supermarket.

Though the sun had not yet set, thick shadows filled the narrow alleys of the housing district. It was still quite early for office hours, so there were very few people around.

– Pat. Pat. Pat.

The only footsteps echoing in the alley belonged to Lee Ha-yeon.

– …Pat. Pat. Pat.

No, that wasn’t all. Lee Ha-yeon unconsciously heightened her senses with another set of footsteps approaching from behind her.

Overreacting. In a housing neighborhood, it wasn’t unusual for there to be other people besides her. So Lee Ha-yeon did not look back.

However, as Lee Ha-yeon turned the corner, the footsteps followed her closely. After several repetitions of this pattern, her suspicion turned into certainty.

‘…Could it be, am I being followed?’

The events from a few days ago, when Yoo Seol was pursued by Truth Church members, flashed through her mind. Naturally, her fists clenched tightly.

– Slouch.

As soon as Lee Ha-yeon rounded the corner, she pressed herself against the wall and waited for the opponent. The footsteps drew nearer without realizing her presence.

And then.

– Pat.

“Surprise!!”

Finally, when the footsteps were almost upon her, Lee Ha-yeon jumped out around the corner with a cute shout.

“Eek, ahhh?!”

A scream echoed. The person whom Lee Ha-yeon threatened appeared frozen in shock.

“Uh, eh?”

Though she thought she was being followed by members of the Truth Church, in front of her stood a girl who looked about middle school age. Perhaps startled by Lee Ha-yeon, a teardrop hung at the corner of her eyes.

“W-wait, um…”

But then, Lee Ha-yeon remembered. It wasn’t the fact that the other person looked like a middle schooler that mattered. What mattered was that this girl had followed her all along through the corners.

“You… have been following me the whole time, haven’t you? Why is that?”

“Th, that’s…”

The girl hesitated, then, as if summoning up her courage, took a deep breath before speaking.

“Y-you’re a Chief… right? Please, help us save our family!”

“Eh?”

In the next moment, a question mark popped up above Lee Ha-yeon’s head.