The Mad Priest of the Slums

John, who had gone out following my order to abduct two addicts, returned shortly after noon.

It had taken him about four hours in total.

“Hup.”

The two people he had been carrying under each arm—neatly wrapped in black cord and blue tape—were placed at my feet.

“Mmff!!”

“Hrrgh?!”

Bound hand and foot, they flailed on the ground like freshly caught fish, full of restless energy.

“I made sure to bring two addicts hooked on different substances, both capable of communication.”

“Well done.”

It had taken slightly longer than expected, but from what I heard, he had been quite thorough in his selection. I decided to let it slide.

“For now, let’s remove the tape around their eyes.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rip!

The blue tape stuck to their eyes peeled away with a satisfying sound.

“Mmph?!”

“Hhhmmph!!”

As soon as their vision was restored, the two frantically scanned their surroundings with wide, panicked eyes.

I stepped closer to them, showing the rosary around my neck and the symbol of Vishua engraved on the back of my right hand. Then, I spread my right hand open.

“If you don’t shut up by the time I count to five, I’ll make sure there’s some ventilation in your skulls.”

“……”

“Good.”

Even though they were addicts, just as John had said, their ability to communicate was intact. As if proving this, the two instantly ceased their frenzied struggles and sat still.

I pulled up a chair I had prepared earlier and sat in front of them.

“Well, meeting like this must be fate. Nice to meet you. I am Priest Baek Jin-hyuk, newly relocated to this area as of yesterday. As you can see, I serve both Lord Vishua and Lord Verdia.”

The moment I casually started introducing myself after kidnapping them, their eyes trembled violently, as if they were experiencing an earthquake.

They were probably thinking, We’ve run into a complete lunatic.

“The reason I brought you here is simple—I have a proposal for you.”

I pulled out two copies of a pre-written contract from my coat and handed them to John.

“Sit them up so they can read.”

“Yes, sir.”

John gently placed the contracts on the floor and propped up the two who had been flailing like fish moments ago, kneeling them in front of the papers.

Their hands and feet were still bound, but they were in a perfect position to read.

After briefly glancing at us, they turned their attention to the documents on the floor.

==

Priest Baek Jin-hyuk shall be referred to as Party A, while the signatory shall be referred to as Party B.

Party B shall sincerely participate in the treatment administered by Party A.

While Party B sincerely undergoes treatment, Party A shall provide for all of Party B’s needs, including food, clothing, and shelter.

Regardless of the treatment outcome, Party A shall not charge Party B any fees.

In exchange for Clause 4, Party B must actively promote the success of the treatment to others if the treatment proves effective.

If Clause 5 is not properly fulfilled, Clause 4 shall be rendered void.

==

The contract was straightforward, with no hidden tricks.

“If you’ve finished reading, lift your heads.”

“……”

There wasn’t much to read in the first place, so the two quickly raised their heads.

“I’ll remove the tape from your mouths. Blink once, slowly, if you have any questions.”

At my signal, John stepped forward and swiftly ripped off the tape covering their mouths.

Now free to speak, the woman—despite her haggard appearance—had sharp, piercing eyes like a finely honed blade. She blinked once.

“The lady, go ahead.”

“Clause 5 and Clause 6… It says they must be ‘properly fulfilled’…”

Hearing her question, I clapped lightly.

“Three people a day. They must have a will to escape addiction. Does that sound fair?”

“…And the duration?”

“Oh my.”

She was quite sharp for an addict.

“John? Untie her.”

“Yes, sir.”

John reached into his sleeve, revealing a uniquely shaped dagger, and with a quick flick, the black cord binding her was cut.

After hesitating for a moment, the woman slowly got up and stretched her stiff limbs.

“M-Me too! Let me go as well!!”

The man beside her, thinking this was his chance, urgently shouted.

“John.”

“Yes, Priest?”

Back on Earth, I considered myself a flexible person.

But humans adapt. When circumstances change, so must I.

“He asked to be let go. Release him—outside.”

“Outside, sir?”

John looked at me for confirmation, and I responded with a businesslike smile, gesturing toward the wide-open window.

Everyone else in the room followed my gaze toward the window.

“W-Wait! I meant untie me, not throw me out!!”

“You called it a rope. It’s a cord.”

“Ah… Yes, sir.”

Without hesitation, John grabbed the man by the scruff and waist, lifting him up.

“W-Wait, no! I was wrong! Please, no—AAAAHHH!!”

John didn’t bother asking for my confirmation again. With a single motion, he hurled the man out of the window.

A brief, desperate scream followed—then, thud! Silence.

From the third floor, he might have survived if he was lucky. But considering this was the slums, dying instantly might have been a better fate.

“Could you hand that to me?”

“……”

I pointed at the contract left where the man had been. The woman, now slightly more relaxed, hesitated before carefully handing it to me.

“Thank you.”

I rolled the contract and slipped it into my coat. Then, I took the fountain pen from my pocket and held it out to her.

“I assume you already understand what kind of treatment this is.”

She swallowed hard before accepting the pen.

“State a reasonable timeframe.”

“…One month.”

“Alright. We’ll go with that.”

“…?”

She looked surprised at how easily I accepted.

“You’re my first patient, and I prefer dealing with rational people. Luckily, you seem to fit the type.”

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

A month might not seem long, but the condition attached to it was crucial—willingness to be treated.

Had the man attempted to ride on her efforts, I wouldn’t have accepted such a timeframe. Unlike her sharp, thoughtful eyes, his were vacant. He would have simply gathered a bunch of addicts and blindly spread the word.

But ultimately, this was just speculation.

Regardless, it didn’t matter.

He failed to follow the simplest instruction—to blink if he had questions. That alone justified my assumptions.

“Cross out and revise the contract yourself.”

“……”

She hesitated, seemingly wanting me to do it, but when I remained silent, she lowered her head and adjusted the contract.

==

In exchange for Clause 4, Party B must actively promote the success of the treatment to three willing addicts per day for 30 days.

If Clause 5 is not properly fulfilled, Clause 4 shall be rendered void.

==

“If you’re satisfied, sign it.”

Without hesitation, she signed her name—Vita.

I took the contract and signed my own name.

Fwoosh!

The contract burned into ashes, marking the completion of the first step.

Now, all that remained was drafting the contract under Verdia’s authority.

But before that…

“Have you eaten?”

“I had a little breakfast…”

For reference, John had abducted her past noon. It was now just past 1 PM.

I had also skipped lunch waiting for him.

And the streets were busier than in the early morning.

I slipped the pen back into my pocket and stood up.

“If you have a good restaurant in mind, let’s go there.”