Tess

“Don’t ask about the source. It’s troublesome for both of us.”

Andrew cleared his throat with a “hmm.” It was better not to know.

“Drugs?”

“Similar. Gambling addiction. He has quite a lot of debt in the back alleys.”

He probably used his position as a journalist to find profitable information. He would have received money through blackmail or deals.

“The one giving money is related to the Holy Church.”

“If he moves for money, he’ll talk for more money.”

“If only it were that simple…”

Andrew hesitated to continue. Rus crossed his arms and stared at him.

“This seems like just the tip of the iceberg. I looked into it, and beta city council members visit Holyland three or four times a year. Of course, police and journalists would be included, right? They claim it’s just an inspection, but something smells off. It’s suspicious that the result is always ‘nothing unusual.’ It wouldn’t end with just one or two journalists taking bribes. Many people must be involved. Then they can’t easily speak up. It might be related to crime. Think about it, any religion benefits from having many believers, right? The Holy Church appears to actively evangelize on the surface, but in reality, they operate within a limited range. If there are too many people, there will definitely be defectors, and it becomes difficult to manage. Self-sufficiency is easier said than done; can an independent system be possible without money?”

Rus skimmed through the information Andrew had gathered.

“You wouldn’t have looked into this much just out of interest; you’re trying to use this as a stepping stone to climb up?”

“If the sponsorship is certain.”

As he said, money is needed for everything. Rus smirked at his friend’s ambition.

“You’re not the type to quietly inherit a position under your father’s shadow.”

“He won’t give me an opportunity until dementia sets in.”

Power was a force that couldn’t be shared even between parent and child. Despite having the surname Nevilles, Andrew ultimately had to find his own path. If, as he suspected, he discovered some sort of connection, it would be a case sufficient to make his name known.

“Right now, I lack evidence to prove my suspicions.”

“I’ll provide ample financial support.”

“There’s someone who could dig into this with us. Being a beta, he shouldn’t have difficulty approaching the Holy Church.”

“You’ve already prepared that far?”

“The son of the journalist who first wrote articles about the Holy Church. Sufficient motivation, right? And trustworthy. His father was fired while trying to investigate for a follow-up article. He must suspect some kind of pressure was applied.”

“Good. Then let’s meet this person.”

“Understood.”

Known for keeping his word, Rus made Andrew relax as he sat in his chair. It was a dangerous gamble. But the probability of winning a large sum was also high. In fact, this matter didn’t particularly benefit Rus. It was too early to be an investment for the future of a politician he was sponsoring. For some unknown reason, Rus, who was usually indifferent to everything, was rarely showing interest in this matter, making it worth betting on.

*

*

“You called for me.”

Trying to hide his tension, Iliya visited the leader’s office. The leader, who had been examining something, pressed the bridge of his nose with his finger as if tired.

“Come in, Iliya. Shall we talk for a moment?”

Contrary to Iliya’s wish to return quickly, the leader invited him to sit. Reluctantly taking a seat, he fidgeted with his hands, anxious. The leader rose from his seat, poured hot tea into a cup, and handed it to him.

“Ah, thank you.”

“You must be tired these days? Bad things happening before your wedding.”

“Ah, yes…”

He answered mechanically, keeping his gaze fixed on the teacup. Was he called in to be tested? Surely not for encouragement. Suspicion began to creep in again. He took a sip of hot tea, hiding his face behind the cup. Just as he was about to put down the cup after closing his eyes to compose himself:

“Your shoulders are so tense. Why are you so stiff?”

He almost dropped the teacup in shock. The leader stood behind him, gripping his shoulders. Startled, Iliya’s body stiffened.

“I-I’m fine!”

“Hardly. Your muscles are completely knotted.”

There was a hint of amusement in the leader’s tone, different from usual. After taking the teacup from Iliya’s hand and setting it down, the way he massaged his shoulders felt strange. His hands traced from the collarbone to the rounded shoulders, and when they stroked down his back, Iliya flinched involuntarily. The leader chuckled softly and whispered in Iliya’s ear.

“What, can you feel it?”

“What do you mean…”

“You need purification too.”

The leader’s hands wrapped around his neck and arms like a snake. The cool, scaly sensation slithering over his body and constricting him left him immobilized like captured prey.

“Purification? I’m not ready yet…”

“Now lay down this heavy burden of purity. I will gladly receive it, Brother Iliya.”

An evil tongue flickered. Every time the leader exhaled hot breath against his ear, it felt like venomous fangs digging into his flesh. Those hands tried to move deeper between his thighs.

“I’m sorry, but now is not the time…”

Just as he managed to gather strength to push him away and stand up, Iliya startled at a scent that went straight to his brain rather than his nose. Before he could realize what was happening, his body collapsed to the floor. It was strange—no matter how scared and shaky he felt, becoming this helpless was unusual. The leader watched with interest as Iliya floundered, unable to get up.

“It definitely works. If it had been a scam, I would have torn that bastard to shreds.”

“L-Leader, what on earth…”

The leader had bought a type of synthetic pheromone from a drug dealer. It was a new drug created by those obsessed with Alpha and Omega roleplay. Naturally, there was no verification and it had side effects, but it was sold secretly in back alleys at a cheap price.

Initially used simply for pleasure, it had soon become corrupted into a tool for raping Omegas. Since it left no traces on the body like drugs or injections that could serve as evidence, it was perfect for criminals. Most victimized Omegas didn’t report it due to self-loathing at their own arousal. Being synthetic, its effects were time-limited, and while it lacked the ability to control pheromones like an Alpha, it was sufficient to seduce an Omega.

“Still have strength to talk?”

Iliya’s body trembled involuntarily. Why? Had something been put in his tea? When Iliya’s gaze shifted to the teacup, the leader sneered and shook his index finger from side to side.

“Stupid Beta breeds need drugs, but there’s no need for that with an Omega.”

“What…”

“It means you’re an Omega, just like your mother.”

“That can’t be…”

“I’m quite sick of your crazy father praying every day for your salvation. I had my suspicions. But then an Alpha starts hanging around you? So I looked into it, and here’s what I found.”

The leader took a small medicine bottle from his pocket and shook it.

“That’s…”

Iliya was speechless. It was the medicine his father made him take every month.

“Hormone suppressants, it seems. I guess prayer alone wasn’t enough for him to be confident.”

Iliya’s body froze in shock. Though his father had always been suspicious of him, he hadn’t known what the medicine was. He should have noticed when his father forced him to take it in front of him. But even if he had known, could he have refused? Tears formed and ran down his cheeks.

The leader looked down at Iliya and licked his lips. He had been uncertain. But the report that an Alpha showed particular interest in Iliya strengthened his suspicions. All that remained was confirmation. So he switched the medicine Iliya took at home, analyzed its contents, and then bought synthetic pheromones. If Iliya was a Beta, he wouldn’t react; if an Omega, he would. Either way, as the leader, he had nothing to lose.

“Something must be wrong. I’m sure…”

As the leader approached, Iliya’s mind grew distant. His limbs trembled uncontrollably, and his temperature rose. His pale face flushed, and tears filled his eyes.

“H-hnngh.”

“Such a wasted face, no matter how I look at it. If I were an Alpha, I would have fucked you daily, without giving you time to empty your stomach.”

The leader pressed his face close to Iliya’s and snickered. Spewing vulgar words, the leader was nothing but a disgusting human filled with lust. No, even the word “human” seemed too generous.

“You should have hidden it better. If you had, I would have treated you more gently.”

“W-what did I do wrong?”

Even now, he hoped this unbelievable situation wasn’t real. If only it could be so, he felt he could accept any forced explanation. Except for the fact that he was an Omega.

“If only that old woman hadn’t talked nonsense.”

The leader clicked his tongue. He had read suspicion in Iliya’s expressions and actions. There was a difference between thoroughly brainwashed followers and those who weren’t. No matter how they tried to hide it, their behavior showed subtle differences. But he was too valuable to discard like Mrs. Rollins. Though Iliya’s father was irritating, the wealth he had brought to the Spiritual Church alone made him worth using. Seeing that he secretly bought medicine, he must still have remaining assets. And even apart from his father, Iliya’s face was quite usable. Men weren’t his preference, but an Omega was different.

“You will be the first Omega to receive my purification. Consider it an honor.”

“Ugh!”

The leader grabbed Iliya’s hair, lifted him up, and then bent him over the table. Though he hit the hard wood, before he could feel the pain, his pants were pulled down. At the sound of a belt being unbuckled, his body reflexively stiffened. The memories of his father’s beatings overlapped, making Iliya’s face turn even paler.