Midnight.

Headquarters of the Church of Truth.

In front of the ominous, towering building, Kwon Tae-ho, dressed in a coat, appeared. A woman, who had been waiting, waved at him.

“Welcome~”

“Who are you?”

“I’m a friend of Ha-yeon.”

The woman introduced herself as Kim Hye-sol, a member of the Paladin Order. Kwon Tae-ho furrowed his brow as he asked.

“Are you provoking me right now?”

“Of course not. I’m really Ha-yeon’s friend.”

Although her claim was entirely one-sided. Kim Hye-sol, with a somewhat irritating grin, opened the front door of the building and spoke to him.

“Shall we go inside? The Celestial Lady is waiting.”

“Sure.”

Though unsure of what traps awaited inside, Kwon Tae-ho followed Kim Hye-sol without a word. He was also determined to smash any traps he encountered.

“By the way, did you come alone?”

“Weren’t you all told to come alone?”

“I thought you might at least bring a secretary.”

“She’s not a secretary; she’s an executive assistant. And that guy is not fieldwork; he’s office work. Bringing him here would just be a nuisance.”

“Goodness, isn’t that a bit harsh to say about an employee?”

Yoo Seol had the ability of seven magical eyes, clearly impressive, but her physical abilities were just that of an averagely trained person. While she might handle infiltration missions, having her along in direct combat would be of little help.

“Speaking of employees, how’s our new recruit?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got them safely stored in the basement.”

“Where in the basement?”

Kim Hye-sol, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped. She turned to Kwon Tae-ho and asked with a sneaky smile.

“Why do you want to know? I’m not going to tell you! Not telling you!”

It was an obvious taunt aimed at provoking Kwon Tae-ho, suggesting that since they had taken the hostages, it would be best for him to follow along quietly.

Kim Hye-sol’s attitude exuded confidence that, since they had taken hostages, Kwon Tae-ho, the enforcement officer, wouldn’t dare to make a foolish move.

“Is that so?”

However, Kim Hye-sol missed one thing.

“You don’t have to tell me.”

Kwon Tae-ho wasn’t the kind of enforcement officer who was typically thought of as steadfast and reliable.

– Tap.

Kwon Tae-ho stepped once in place.

Then.

– Fwaaaaat!!

A wave of immense mana emanated from where he stepped, spreading outward. The mana snaked along the walls and floors of the building, sweeping over the entire headquarters in an instant.

“What are you doing?!”

A startled Kim Hye-sol drew her sword with holy power, but Kwon Tae-ho simply raised his palm to stop her.

Closing his eyes and humming to concentrate, Kwon Tae-ho eventually grinned and said.

“There it is. The small building in the inner courtyard. The recruit is down there, right?”

“…… What did you do?”

“Just basic mana detection. One piece of advice: if you’re going to hide something from an enforcement officer next time, at least set up some diversion magic circles here and there. Simple boundary spells won’t block mana detection.”

Kwon Tae-ho scanned the headquarters with a single mana detection, instantly learning how personnel were distributed throughout the building.

“Although you’ve deployed security personnel along the perimeter, the numbers are low, and their skills are terrible. Most of the main force is concentrated in the small building at the center. It looks like two floors high? The recruit is directly below there, probably about three floors down. There’s one additional person in the room with the recruit. The path down is at the end of the southern corridor. There’s a staircase leading down hidden in the floor. Am I right?”

Upon Kwon Tae-ho’s question, Kim Hye-sol’s expression twisted. It was a clear case of being hit right on target.

The perimeter had minimal security, and all forces were positioned to prepare for combat with Kwon Tae-ho. And the location of Lee Ha-yeon and the route to the underground prison were as he described.

“Kwon Tae-ho, you….”

“Don’t be like that. I can check to see if the recruit is safe, right?”

“…… Don’t think about pulling any tricks.”

“Tricks? I don’t know what you’re talking about, but don’t worry. For now, I’ll play nice and head to meet your Celestial Lady.”

Seeing Kim Hye-sol radiating hostility, Kwon Tae-ho responded cheerfully. He gave her a wide smile as she fumed.

At the same time.

“Got it? Now let’s move quickly.”

The pen that was tucked in Kwon Tae-ho’s coat pocket glinted.

More precisely, it was a small listening device shaped like a pen.

And Yoo Seol, who was listening to the device in real-time, was currently waiting fifty meters away from headquarters in an alley.

Dressed in a pitch-black suit that didn’t reflect light, Yoo Seol’s attire clung to her body like a motorcycle suit, featuring basic bulletproof, blade-resistant, and magic resistance functions.

‘…… Lee Ha-yeon is in the basement. The exterior guards are few. Basic boundary magic is set up throughout the building.’

As she combined the information that Kwon Tae-ho had just casually dropped while talking to Kim Hye-sol, Yoo Seol gently opened her eyes.

-Kiiiiiing.

Her eyes sparkled—one green and one blue.

Green signified X-ray vision, and blue denoted the ability to see far. Juggling these two types of magical eyes demanded great mental strain, but now was not the time to care about that.

‘Let’s see….’

Leaning back against the alley wall, Yoo Seol scrutinized the headquarters building.

‘Found it. There will be about three guards on the path to the basement…. There’s also one guarding outside the room where Lee Ha-yeon is. Inside the room, there’s Lee Ha-yeon and a young woman beside her…. But why is Lee Ha-yeon fine, while that poor woman is tied up? Moreover, that woman looks a lot like the Celestial Lady….’

It was a strangely incomprehensible situation, but she couldn’t consult Kwon Tae-ho about it. The judgment had to be made by her alone.

‘…… It’s suspicious, but what can I do? I have to go for it.’

While Kwon Tae-ho drew the enemies’ attention, Yoo Seol would rescue Lee Ha-yeon.

It was obvious that Kwon Tae-ho would be stepping into what was blatantly a trap. So, Yoo Seol had to do her part as well.

If all went well, she intended to claim an additional bonus this time.

With that thought in mind, Yoo Seol walked out from the corner of the alley while managing to suppress her tension.

And at the same moment.

Kwon Tae-ho was passing through the courtyard of headquarters and had just entered the central building.

“…… The Celestial Lady is waiting for you in the audience room on the second floor. You already know this, I assume.”

“With the other orders?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like she’s planning to have a little chat with me?”

“That depends on you. The Celestial Lady has a proposal for you.”

“More like a threat. That religious leader can casually commit serious crimes, and you all get called a cult.”

– Stomp.

Kim Hye-sol’s footsteps came to another halt. But Kwon Tae-ho urged her on with a teasing expression.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you going? The Celestial Lady is waiting for you, you know?”

“…… Do you really think you can leave here safely with that attitude?”

“Well, I guess so.”

Kwon Tae-ho replied in a light tone, while Kim Hye-sol felt like punching him with her holy power right then and there.

But her mission was to bring Kwon Tae-ho to meet the Celestial Lady. Unless they attacked first, she couldn’t afford to start a fight.

In other words, she shouldn’t fall for such provocation. Taking a deep breath, Kim Hye-sol steadied her mind and took the lead again.

“Hmph.”

Seeing Kim Hye-sol getting flustered, Kwon Tae-ho clicked his tongue in disappointment.

After that, the two continued to walk in silence. As they climbed the stairs to the second floor and approached the innermost part of the building, a massive door, one might see in a palace, welcomed them.

– Creak.

As they opened the door, a grand audience room revealed itself.

The audience room was reminiscent of the palace of Dion that Rozelia had seen in another world previously. Although it was downsized to fit human scale, the antique design was striking enough to impress anyone who saw it for the first time.

“Wow, this feels like a movie set or something.”

As she leisurely scanned the surroundings, her gaze eventually landed on the front.

Men and women lined up to the left and right on the red carpet. And between them was a long, wide staircase.

At the top of the staircase sat a woman in a captivating pose on a high throne. A halo of light floated above her head, accentuating her beauty.

“Are you the Celestial Lady?”

“Yes, I am the Celestial Lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rozelia.”

“I’m Kwon Tae-ho, the enforcement officer.”

With that, Kwon Tae-ho strode forward, disregarding the paladins arrayed on either side, focusing solely on Rozelia.

“So, what’s the proposal you have?”

“Jumping straight to the point? Alright. We’re both busy, after all.”

The Celestial Lady elegantly rose from her throne. The radiant halo surrounding her looked like something out of mythology.

“Are you perhaps considering joining our order?”

“………… I distinctly heard there was a proposal, not an offer to join a cult.”

Kwon Tae-ho retorted incredulously, but Rozelia maintained her serene smile without any change in expression.

“I’m being sincere. I genuinely believe it’s a mutually beneficial proposal.”

“How so? Are you talking about the hostages?”

“Lady Ha-yeon is not some hostage. She’s willingly joining our order after understanding our objectives.”

“When do I have to endure your nonsense?”

“Until I’m finished speaking.”

Rozelia continued unabashedly, and Kwon Tae-ho tilted his head as if challenging her to try something.

“Kwon Tae-ho, the enforcement officer. I know well of your power. You might be able to force me into submission, but it wouldn’t be easy. That’s why I’m making this proposal first. If you join our order, I can give you everything you desire.”

Money, women, status, or honor—Rozelia could offer anything once the Church of Truth rose in prestige.

Moreover, if Kwon Tae-ho were interested, she could provide transcendent pleasures through the holy water. The pure ecstasy that couldn’t be reached by any drugs or sex could be graciously bestowed by Rozelia.

“……Well, I’m not particularly interested in any of that.”

Kwon Tae-ho shook his head at Rozelia’s words. She then asked him.

“Then what are you interested in?”

“You.”

Kwon Tae-ho grinned and pointed a finger at Rozelia. Alarmed, she took a step back, surprised.

“Uh, uh, I didn’t expect that….”

A faint blush tinged Rozelia’s porcelain-white cheeks. Why is he acting this way all of a sudden? Just as Kwon Tae-ho began to question that, Rozelia’s face turned flustered as she stroked her burning cheeks, murmuring.

“I didn’t expect such a direct approach. You are certainly a wonderful man, and as a woman, I am pleased…. But, for now, I’m a priest. I cannot permit my body to any man other than God.”

“…………What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you confess your feelings? You stated you wanted me as a man, right?”

Although Kwon Tae-ho wondered if she genuinely believed that, Rozelia merely tilted her head in confusion. Kwon Tae-ho, gritting his teeth in disbelief, replied.

“What I meant is that I desire you as an enforcement officer.”

“Oh? So you’re saying you want to arrest me.”

“Seems like you’re a little disappointed?”

“I’ve never been in a relationship before. If a man is strong enough to defeat me, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to date him. Though, I’m not sure if you are that strong.”

“Well, we’ll find out.”

As Kwon Tae-ho brushed himself off and got into position, the surrounding paladins all assumed a combat stance at once. From above, Rozelia sighed heavily.

“Is this a breakdown in negotiations?”

“I never even considered negotiations from the start. The illegal use of abilities to indoctrinate civilians, inciting violence, threats, kidnapping, imprisonment, and above all, the unauthorized use of abilities. That’s the reason I’m about to arrest you. Any questions?”

“What a shame. It would have been nice if we could solve this with words. It seems the only option left is to subdue you by force.”

“No.”

Kwon Tae-ho shook his head and answered with confidence.

“I’m the one who will subdue you.”

“Are you serious about facing the entire Paladin Order, including me, all by yourself?”

“When did I ever say I came alone?”

Just as Rozelia and the other members of the Church of Truth were puzzled by his question.

“It’s now!!”

Kwon Tae-ho shouted towards the direction he had entered. Startled, Rozelia turned to look.

‘No way, are you bringing in other enforcers—’

“Ugh?!”

At that moment, a ridiculous scream erupted from below the throne. Looking down, Kwon Tae-ho had subdued the nearest paladin and snatched the sword he was holding.

“You idiot! You thought you could fall for that?”

“Kwon Tae-ho!!”

– Bang!!

Before Rozelia could say anything, Kwon Tae-ho activated a six-fold acceleration spell and flew towards her at blinding speed. Rozelia managed to summon a weapon with her holy power, but Kwon Tae-ho deftly dodged it, getting behind her in an instant.

– Swish.

He held a massive sword against Rozelia’s delicate neck. Only then did the paladins start to react one by one.

“Celestial Lady!”

“You foul demon! How dare you—!!”

“Release the Celestial Lady at once!”

“Everyone, formations!!”

Kwon Tae-ho shouted at the screaming paladins.

“If you take one step closer, the lady you adore will die! Surrender your weapons and submit, criminals!”

It seemed they hadn’t expected Kwon Tae-ho to reverse hostage the situation, as the expressions on the paladins’ faces froze like ice.

“Ca, can the enforcement officer be so cowardly?!”

One among them mustered some courage and tried to reason with Kwon Tae-ho.

“Sure. I can do this to punks like you.”

Unfortunately for them, Kwon Tae-ho was not the reasonable enforcement officer they thought.