The Mad Priest of the Slums

Based on the architectural style and people’s clothing, the civilization seemed to be at the level of Western nations around the early 1900s. Despite being dragged along in handcuffs, I didn’t have to worry about injuring my bare feet.

“Tsk tsk, do people like that still exist?”

“He doesn’t look like he’s from Derc, judging by that clean face.”

“Oh my.”

As I passed by, people cast sidelong glances and whispered among themselves. Some women even looked on with more curiosity than displeasure.

Unlike the latecomers who would arrive through possession and have specific quests to fulfill, I had no urgent objectives. So, I followed the police—here known as the Peacekeeping Force—while leisurely observing the city.

“Tara.”

I thought I’d be dragged all the way to the station on foot, but after passing through an alley, a black car with a single siren light appeared. A woman opened the rear door and pushed me inside before following me in.

A man soon climbed into the driver’s seat. It seemed this vehicle lacked the partition seen in modern police cars.

The officer, whose name was apparently James, was fumbling with the ignition key, and I withdrew a stack of 1 million won from the bank window.

“…?”

When the bundle of bills, tied with a white cord, landed on my lap, the woman’s gaze naturally shifted to it.

I withdrew another 100 million won.

“Sergeant James, I think you should take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

James turned toward us, and the woman showed him the stack of bills in her hand.

“…?”

Before she could finish, James snatched one bundle from her hand and began examining it under sunlight, even sniffing it.

“It’s real money?”

No one in the world dislikes money—just not in insufficient amounts.

“I have somnambulism.”

(Tl Note :- somnambulism – sleepwalking.)

Their eyes turned to me as I spoke.

As James verified the authenticity of the bills, I purchased a pair of formal pants that I’d previously bookmarked.

“This happens often, so I carry extra clothes just in case.”

“Are you a wizard?”

Given that firearms existed here, I hadn’t expected wizards to have such high social standing.

“I’m a magical scholar.”

I feigned being a scholar to avoid requests to demonstrate magic.

“Oh! The upcoming symposium…?”

(Tl Note :- symposium :- a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject.)

I nodded, not knowing what he meant.

“Oh my, you should’ve said so earlier!”

“I didn’t want to impose. I’ll be leaving the city soon anyway.”

“Officer Chanri, what are you doing? Release the handcuffs.”

“Yes.”

The name suited her dark hair and brown eyes. She removed my handcuffs and stored them.

“Thank you.”

“No need. We’ll step out now.”

At James’s signal, Officer Chanri exited the car with him.

‘If you can protect it, there’s no harm in having lots of money.’

After they left, I donned the pants, socks, and boots I purchased.

Though it wasn’t particularly chilly, I bought the cheapest coat to blend in with others wearing outerwear.

I checked my appearance in a glass pane before stepping out.

“What a transformation!”

I gave a slight smile at James’s flattery.

“Consider those two bundles my thanks.”

“Ahem! If this is your first time in Punkton, would you like a tour…?”

“I appreciate it, but I have business at the temple.”

“Ah, I see.”

He looked a little disappointed but didn’t press further.

“Officer Chanri, escort him to the temple.”

“Yes, sir.”

The intention behind the order was clear.

“Best of luck.”

“Thank you.”

I followed Officer Chanri, retracing our earlier route.

“I apologize.”

When we arrived at our initial location, she gave a slight bow.

“You were just doing your job. Take care on your way back.”

“…Yes.”

She seemed to have more to say but simply nodded again before turning away. I only ascended the temple’s steps once she was out of sight.

The temple resembled Greek architecture I’d seen in documentaries, with open doors and no guards.

Inside and out, everything was white. However, the interior was adorned with seemingly expensive items—from paintings to fist-sized gemstones—making it hard to distinguish the temple from an auction house.

After walking for about 10 minutes, I reached another door.

[Donation]

A wide, translucent bowl—possibly made of glass or crystal—stood beside the door.

‘1 mora is about 100 won.’

While being dragged by Officer Chanri, I’d noted a bakery and clothing store. The bread in the bakery window was priced between 20 and 50 mora.

If calculated this way, it meant I’d handed over roughly 200 million won to a sergeant named James.

‘Let’s start with 100 Million.’

I withdrew 100 Million won, and a stack of 100,000-mora bill fell into the bowl.

‘Fascinating.’

The bundle of bills disappeared like a mirage as soon as they hit the bottom of the bowl.

100,000-mora vanished in an instant.

Boom!

After swallowing all the money, some time passed before the sealed door began to open on its own.

Beyond the door sat a massive red cushion, and atop it, a bronze-skinned boy lazily polished a gem-like stone with a cloth.

“Come in.”

At the boy’s invitation, presumed to be the master, I stepped forward until I stood before him.

“I’ve heard the gist of it. They say you’re unlucky, huh?”

“Well, if good relationships are a form of luck.”

The boy continued polishing the droplet-shaped, nearly sky-blue object without lifting his gaze.

“I’m not looking to increase the number of priests, so go back. Still, since the donation was impressive, I’ll grant you a small blessing.”

Judging by his words, this boy must be Vishua, the deity who oversees all contracts here.

The knowledge the unnamed woman had implanted in me, combined with what I’d observed of the temple’s interior on the way, and Vishua’s focus on polishing a pretty stone without sparing me a glance, confirmed it.

I opened the bank and withdrew 10 billion.

“The blessing of mine is to be──”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A downpour of bundled bills suddenly flooded the space that Vishua and I occupied.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Even after more than a minute, the downpour showed no signs of slowing.

“……”

“……”

Vishua blinked repeatedly as he stared at the mountain of money piled up to his waist, where he sat on the cushion.

“100 Million mora.”

His gaze finally shifted to me, then swept back over the pile of money.

“Ahem.”

Vishua cleared his throat, pushed aside the bills that covered him, and sat up straight.

“I was actually thinking of recruiting another priest.”

“Even if I have no luck with friends, it seems I’m fortunate in other areas.”

“Hmm! Well, come over here and sit.”

I pushed some of the money aside and sat before him.

“Left hand or right hand—which do you prefer?”

“I do use my right hand more often.”

“Then let’s go with the right hand.”

Vishua held out his hand, and I gently placed my right hand on it.

The moment my right hand rested on his, a white light briefly shimmered across the back of my hand, then slowly seeped in and disappeared. When the light completely faded, a scale symbol was engraved on the back of my hand.

“And this, and this.”

Vishua reached into thin air, pulled out a thin book and a white robe, and handed them to me.

“Everything’s explained in the book. You can wear the robe or not—it’s up to you. But if you want to avoid unnecessary trouble, I recommend wearing it.”

“Thank you.”

“And if there’s a city you’d prefer, let me know now. My people already have their spots, but I can rearrange things for you.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.”

When I declined, Vishua squinted slightly with one eye.

“Don’t regret it.”

“I won’t. I plan to settle in the slums.”

“What?”

Vishua’s eyes widened, completely undoing his earlier squint.

“By the way, do you have this robe in black?”

“You’re a complete lunatic.”

As Vishua touched the robe, the white fabric darkened to black.

“Thank you.”

I gathered the book and put on the black robe, which bore the same golden scale symbol as the one engraved on my hand.

“And one more thing.”

“What now?”

Vishua’s gaze shifted to one of bewilderment, as if staring at a truly strange creature.

“Is it possible to hold this priest position alongside another?”

Vishua’s eyes grew even more perplexed as he looked at me like I was completely deranged.