Call of Abyss

Chapter 17

Next to the modestly sized Gangneung Cheonghae Church, which is located in a place where the distant beach is visible, there is a small house that also serves as an education center.

On a warm Saturday morning with sunlight streaming down, a couple who appeared to be in their late 30s and a young girl and boy who seemed to be elementary school students sat on the floor of a small lecture room on the first floor of the education center, holding a family worship service.

"Then, shall we have Seojin pray to conclude today?"

"Yes, I'll do it."

"Dad! It's my turn to do the closing prayer today!"

As the boy called Seojin raised his small arm and answered his father, Pastor Lee Yesung, the girl next to him, who appeared to be his older sister, pouted and protested to Pastor Lee Yesung.

"Seoyeon, you're good at praying now, aren't you? Let's give Seojin a chance."

"Mom! It's my turn!"

"Seoyeon, let's let Seojin do it today.

Next time, you can be the one to pray.

Now, Seojin, go ahead and pray."

"Yes, Dad."

Seojin responded to Pastor Lee Yesung and clasped his hands together, closing his eyes.

"God, thank you for allowing me to worship together with Dad, Mom, and my sister today.

Today, we learned about the miracle where Jesus fed five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish.

Please let our family... be full with just one whole chicken."

"Seoyeon, you shouldn't laugh while your brother is praying."

"Dad, but it's funny!"

"Seojin, don't mind your sister and continue."

"I believe that God always feeds those who are hungry. Amen!"

"Amen. Our son prayed so well."

Seojin's mother, Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung, stroked Seojin's head and spoke to him.

"Mom, I'm much better at praying! Next time, I'll definitely do it."

"Yes, our Seoyeon is also very good at praying."

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung smiled at Seoyeon's words and gently hugged her.

"Seoyeon, Seojin, do you want to go outside and play for a bit?

Mom and Dad have something to talk about."

"Yes, Mom. Seojin, let's go."

As Seoyeon took Seojin's hand and led him out of the small lecture room, Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung looked at Pastor Lee Yesung, hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Honey, I have something to say."

"Go ahead."

"A typhoon hit the Gangwon-do region recently, and many people were affected.

That includes our church members as well."

"That's right."

"So, while praying for the past few days, God placed something on my heart."

"What is it?"

"You know the money we've been saving for the church remodeling?

How about using a portion of it to help the residents of Gangwon-do and our church members who were affected by the typhoon?"

Pastor Lee Yesung stared at Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung's face for a moment before gently taking one of her hands.

"Why? Do you not like the idea?"

"Honey, don't be surprised. God placed the same thought in my heart as well."

"Honey...."

"Let's do as you said.

If God gave both of us the same heart, then it must be His will."

"Thank you."

Pastor Lee Yesung and Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung lightly shook their gently clasped hands and smiled at each other.

Even though they had been married for over ten years, moments like today still filled them with an indescribable sense of gratitude and joy whenever they looked at each other.

Experiencing the same grace within God is a profound blessing that couples without faith cannot understand.

Someday, they would share this graceful experience with their congregation and offer a prayer of gratitude to God together.

Pastor Lee Yesung thought as he gazed at Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung, who was smiling brightly at him.

Time passed, and before they knew it, the sun was high in the sky, signaling lunchtime.

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung was in one corner of the kitchen, preparing dakbokkeumtang, a spicy braised chicken dish that Seoyeon and Seojin loved.

Although their household was not financially abundant and they had been saving money for the church remodeling for years, today, she wanted to share gratitude and joy by treating the children to a delicious meal.

"Mom! Is today's lunch my favorite chicken dish?"

Seoyeon asked in a bright voice as she entered the kitchen and spoke to Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung.

"Yes, I made dakbokkeumtang today.

Go and call Dad and Seojin to come quickly."

"Dad is in the study doing Bible study, so I'll call him.

Seojin went out earlier to play with Mr. Judong and Mr. Kangyoon."

"Mr. Judong and Mr. Kangyoon?"

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung recalled the two shabby-looking men who had started attending church six months ago and always sat in the far back corner during worship.

For some reason, she felt an ominous premonition.

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung searched for their contact numbers on her phone and tried calling them one by one.

"Seoyeon! Can you hurry and bring Dad?

Something's wrong. Their numbers are showing as unregistered."

"Mom? What do you mean? Why are you crying?"

"Hurry, Seoyeon! Tell Dad to come quickly."

From that moment on, everything happened in an instant.

Pastor Lee Yesung rushed into the kitchen, confirmed that he couldn't reach Kim Judong and Baek Kangyoon by phone, and hurriedly ran outside with Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung to search for Seojin with the help of the church elders.

As night fell, Pastor Lee Yesung and Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung returned to the education center, not with Seojin, but with detectives.

"Pastor, listen carefully. These guys will definitely call at some point.

When they do, you must not panic.

Try to prolong the conversation as much as possible.

Stay calm and control your emotions.

If they make any demands, just agree for now."

Detective Nam Seunghoon, who had finished preparing the recording equipment while sitting on the floor of the small lecture room, spoke to Pastor Lee Yesung and Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung, who sat there pale-faced, still in shock.

"Our Seojin... how could this happen...."

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung sat beside Pastor Lee Yesung, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed.

"Ma'am, you need to stay calm.

If you want to find your son, you must stay focused from now on."

"Seojin...."

"Honey, I'll stay here with the detectives. You should stay by Seoyeon's side."

Pastor's wife Jo Heeyoung nodded at Pastor Lee Yesung's words and left the small lecture room.

"Pastor, you must be exhausted today. Try to get some rest.

If a call comes in, we'll wake you immediately."

"No, I'm fine."

Pastor Lee Yesung waved off Detective Nam's suggestion.

How could a father who lost his child have the right to sleep?

Pastor Lee Yesung felt as if his heart was burning as he thought to himself.

Detective Nam looked at Pastor Lee Yesung with understanding, nodded, and remained silent.

Time continued to pass, and as the detectives and Pastor Lee Yesung stared at the phone on the living room floor, midnight arrived.

Pastor Lee Yesung struggled to keep his heavy eyelids open.

Just then, his phone suddenly rang loudly.

Pastor Lee Yesung snapped to attention and quickly grabbed the phone.

Detective Nam gestured for him to stay calm.

"This is Pastor Lee Yesung of Gangneung Cheonghae Church."

"Pastor... this is Baek Kangyoon."

"Mr. Baek Kangyoon... where is our Seojin?"

"Seojin is safe.

Don't worry."

You need to prepare some money.

"Money?"

"Yes, we used to farm, but this typhoon caused us severe damage.

Our livelihood is in ruins."

"If that's the case, you should have come to me first or sought government support.

How could you take an innocent child?"

"We're planning to leave this damned country altogether.

We originally ran a business in Seoul, but it failed, so we moved to Gangneung to farm. But now, even that is completely ruined because of the typhoon.

Nothing seems to work in this country, and since we've already kidnapped a child, we can't live here anymore.

Pastor, we know you've been saving money for the church remodeling.

We're not asking for all of it—just prepare about 200 million won."

"Alright. I'll give you 200 million won.

Just... please, just send Seojin back safely."

"We'll call again later to tell you the time and place.

If you bring the police, you'll never see Seojin's face again, so be careful."

"Kangyoon! Please, just let me hear Seojin's voice once. Baek Kangyoon!"

When the other party abruptly hung up without a response, Pastor Lee Yesung stared at his phone in despair.

"Pastor, this is just the beginning.

We've secured photos of the culprits through the church, so our officers will do everything possible to find them and Seojin quickly.

If they call you again before we locate them, you must inform us immediately.

We'll be hiding when you deliver the money and will make sure to arrest them."

"Yes, please.

The money doesn't matter.

Just save Seojin."

As Pastor Lee Yesung sobbed, Detective Nam gently patted his back to comfort him.

There is no crime more agonizing and heartbreaking than child abduction.

Until parents find their child, they merely endure each day, unable to truly live.

This is why Detective Nam despises child abduction more than any other crime.

To the criminals, kidnapping is just a way to make money, but for the parents, it is a horrifying crime that slowly destroys their hearts and souls.

The police contacted Pastor Lee Yesung four days later in the morning, informing him that they had found Seojin.

However, Seojin was not with the kidnappers.

A citizen had discovered Seojin's body, washed up on the beach by the waves, and reported it to the police.

Pastor Lee Yesung and Jo Heeyoung barely managed to stand as they got into Detective Nam's car and headed to the beach where Seojin's body had been found.

"Pastor, these bastards...

They kidnapped Seojin and killed him on the same day before throwing him into the sea.

Those wretched criminals even had the audacity to call you that night and demand money.

How can people be so evil?"

Somehow, Deacon Son Gyuhyung, who managed the church building, had heard the news. He ran up to Pastor Lee Yesung as he stepped out of Detective Nam's car and grabbed him, sobbing.

Detective Nam calmed Deacon Son Gyuhyung and led Pastor Lee Yesung and Jo Heeyoung to where Seojin's body lay.

"Ah... my son...."

"Madam!"

The moment Jo Heeyoung saw Seojin lying there, she collapsed on the spot.

Detective Nam and Deacon Son quickly caught her and checked her condition.

Pastor Lee Yesung, as if in a trance, staggered toward Seojin's body and embraced him.

Having been in the water for days, Seojin's body was pale and swollen.

"Seojin... Daddy's here.

I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner.

I'm so sorry I lost you, Seojin."

Pastor Lee Yesung looked at the crashing waves before him and broke into uncontrollable sobs.

The weather forecast had predicted a storm last night, and sure enough, the sky was now painted gray, and the wind howled fiercely.

It was as if the gloomy weather reflected Pastor Lee Yesung's heart.

"Lord... how could this happen?

What sin did this innocent child commit?"

Pastor Lee Yesung's anguished cries filled the beach.

There is nothing more painful to hear than the cries of a parent who has lost their child.

As Detective Nam watched Pastor Lee Yesung sobbing while holding his son's lifeless body, he reflected on this bitter truth.

The stormy sea, roughened by the approaching tempest, seemed no darker or more turbulent than the grief surging from the depths of Pastor Lee Yesung's soul.

After Seojin's funeral, Seoyeon locked herself in her room and refused to come out.

She regretted always teasing Seojin and never being truly kind to him.

Seoyeon opened her desk drawer and took out a handheld gaming console.

Seojin had always wanted to play with it, but except for times when she was scolded by Mother, Seoyeon had never willingly let him use it.

"Seojin, I'm sorry....

I should have just given you this game console.

I miss you...."

Seoyeon stroked the gaming console and wept endlessly.

Just then, there was a loud, urgent knocking on her door.

"Seoyeon, come out quickly! Stop the pastor!

He's about to set the church on fire!"

"What? Deacon Son, what are you talking about?"

Shocked by Deacon Son's words, Seoyeon hurriedly opened the door.

Deacon Son grabbed Seoyeon's hand and rushed her outside the education center.

Outside, Pastor Lee Yesung, already drunk, had opened a gasoline canister and was pouring fuel around the church.

Meanwhile, Seoyeon's mother, Jo Heeyoung, was clinging to him, weeping and trying to stop him.

"Honey, what are you doing? Snap out of it!"

"Dad, please don't do this. Dad!"

Seoyeon clung to Pastor Lee Yesung's legs, crying as she pleaded with him.

Deacon Son also forcibly took the gasoline canister from Pastor Lee Yesung's hands and threw it to the ground before embracing him tightly to restrain him.

Pastor Lee Yesung struggled, screaming for the gasoline canister to be returned to him.

At that moment, thick raindrops began falling from the gray sky, and the wind grew even stronger.

The storm had finally arrived.

As Pastor Lee Yesung watched the rain pour from the sky, he collapsed onto the ground, wailing.

"God, what have my family and I done wrong?

We have lived solely by our faith in You.

Even when I couldn't afford to buy my wife and children the things they wanted, I lived with gratitude toward You.

Why did You take my child?

How could You let the purest and kindest child die so horribly?

How could You do this to me?

Do not expect me, a pastor, to still call You the Good Shepherd and Almighty Lord after this.

Why did You stand by and let this tragedy happen?

Where were You when those wicked people kidnapped and killed an innocent child?

Am I supposed to understand some grand, divine purpose behind this?

Am I, a mere human, supposed to comprehend the wisdom of the Almighty Creator?

How can I believe in and follow a God who does nothing while evil prevails?

How can a deity who demands endless human understanding and acceptance still claim to love humanity?

You did nothing, and You can do nothing.

And now, I will give You nothing in return."

Pastor Lee Yesung shook off the hands of Deacon Son and his family and ran off into the night.

Deacon Son hurriedly chased after him, while Jo Heeyoung collapsed to the ground, holding Seoyeon as they both wept.

Late into the night, Pastor Lee Yesung wandered aimlessly like a madman, lost in grief.

The storm raged fiercely, and the world was swallowed by deep darkness.

After walking for a long time, Pastor Lee Yesung came to his senses and found himself standing before a beach.

Pastor Lee Yesung collapsed in front of the dark night sea and blankly stared at the endlessly crashing waves for a while.

Enter the sea.

Go to Seojin.

This thought suddenly entered Pastor Lee Yesung's mind.

Pastor Lee Yesung slowly lifted his upper body to jump into the sea.

At that moment, Pastor Lee Yesung saw something black emerge from the sea and approach him.

At first, he thought it was a person, but as it got closer, the figure grew larger until it reached the size of a bear.

The massive beast, entirely black, carried something in its mouth and slowly approached on all fours before stopping in front of Pastor Lee Yesung.

Up close, the beast's face was completely covered in tentacles.

"Human, you have been chosen by God.

God has heard your cries."

The beast placed the object it had been holding in its mouth before Pastor Lee Yesung and spoke.

When Pastor Lee Yesung reached out and picked it up to examine it, he saw that it resembled a book made of strange leather.

After seeing Pastor Lee Yesung pick up the book, the beast turned around and walked back into the dark sea. As a massive wave crashed over it, the beast vanished without a trace.

Pastor Lee Yesung paid no mind to how the beast had disappeared in an instant and continued to caress and examine the book.

Though the raging storm soaked his entire body, a great and indescribable pleasure and ecstasy surged from deep within Pastor Lee Yesung's heart.