CS Chapter 23

“You idiot. Can’t you think?”

 

With a single kick from Daniel, the man was instantly sprawled on the floor. It was the same man who had just been arguing with Ji Junseo.

 

Thump-! Daniel’s leg kicked the man’s abdomen again. Despite this, the Elder’s eyes remained fiercely cold, his anger far from subsided.

 

“Ugh! E-Elder!”

 

Despite the repeated kicks, the man offered no resistance, only repeating apologies.

“

S-Sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

 

“What? You said it takes an offering to attend the service? How can you speak like that? Are we a church or gangsters? Huh?”

 

“Forgive… Forgive me. Ugh! I spoke nonsense!”

 

Beads of sweat formed on the Elder’s forehead as he continued the relentless assault. Breathing heavily, he irritably pulled out his pocket square.

 

“How long are you going to stay lying down? Get up and wipe this, you idiot!”

 

At Daniel’s words, the man, groaning, scrambled to his feet. He then began polishing the toes of the Elder’s shoes with the pocket square Daniel had thrown, making them shine.

 

“Damn it. I wasted precious water of life.”

 

A stream of foul curses poured from the Elder’s mouth. The benevolent smile he usually wore during service was nowhere to be seen, but the man, bruised from the beating, showed no surprise, as if this was a familiar sight.

 

“That Ji Junseo, how dare he come here? Like mother, like son.”

 

The Elder spat out thick phlegm, his eyes bloodshot. He had scrubbed himself thoroughly after the dawn service, but he still felt like he reeked of that filthy leper clung to him.

 

Daniel, spraying himself liberally with the cologne he had placed on his office desk, suddenly asked the man,

 

“How much did we collect in offerings today?”

 

“Ah, yes, Elder! It’s the highest amount ever this year! The scene of salvation you orchestrated seems to have greatly inspired the members!”

 

“Really? Hahaha! I shouldn’t have worried about wasting the water of life, then!”

 

Daniel’s face, previously etched with annoyance, finally brightened. He had cleverly transformed the sight of that pathetic Ji Junseo writhing in pain into a scene of miraculous salvation.

 

The Sky Salvation Church, though a relatively new cult, was rapidly expanding its influence. Elder Daniel, who had been proselytizing primarily among poor university students in the Sinchon area, captivated those with unmet needs with his unique eloquence and showmanship.

 

Above all, the number of members had increased exponentially since the introduction of the “water of life.” Numerous testimonials claimed that people’s illnesses had been completely cured after drinking the water of life blessed by the Elder.

 

Hearing this, people came from all over the world, vying to make offerings. Many even spent their entire fortunes and resorted to loan sharks to give everything they had to the church.

 

The reason why the members were so obsessed with offerings was clear. The dawn service at Sky Salvation Church had assigned seating, and the more offerings one made, the closer to the front one could sit.

 

Those seated in the back envied those in the front, simultaneously berating themselves for their inability to contribute more. As a result, they often took on debt, desperately trying to catch the Elder’s eye even once.

 

“There are so many blind fools in Korea.”

 

The one who sucked the lifeblood out of those most desperate and needy. That was the true nature of Jeong Daniel, disguised as an Elder.

 

He deserved divine punishment, but as election season approached, the Sky Salvation Church’s influence only grew stronger, with politicians showering it with lobbying efforts.

 

***

 

Time flew by, and it was now the day before the exam.

 

Seowoo came down to the kitchen where Minjun was reading the morning newspaper. As soon as he spotted her, Minjun folded the paper.

 

“It’s hard to catch a glimpse of our cohabitant’s face these days, huh?”

 

“The exam is finally tomorrow.”

 

“Think you’ll pass?”

 

“I did my best. I don’t think I’ll have any regrets regardless of the outcome.”

 

Just as she said, Seowoo’s expression seemed completely at ease.

 

“Oh, right. I have to go straight to Grandfather’s house as soon as the exam is over.”

 

Seowoo chattered on while drinking a full glass of milk, oblivious to the white mustache she had.

 

Minjun, his gaze drawn to her absurd appearance, nodded perfunctorily.

 

“Do as you please.”

 

“Minjun, you’re coming too.”

 

“And why is that?”

 

“The Cheonsin Bosal. They said they’d write a talisman for us so we can get along well.”

 

At the mention of the Shaman, the man’s face hardened.

 

However, Seowoo, completely unaware, rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of yellow paper.

 

“This is an amulet for passing the exam. They told me to keep it on me during the test.”

 

“You actually believe in that kind of stuff.”

 

Finally noticing the man’s expression, Seowoo flinched. He was leaning in, staring intently at her face. The look in his cold, frozen eyes was clear disdain. He seemed to find her pathetic for carrying around a talisman written by a shaman as if it were a precious treasure.

 

‘My mom… got involved in a cult. My younger sibling was a bit sick, and they said if I married the cult leader, he would get better… That’s why I was wearing that strange white dress. Because of the wedding…’

 

It occurred to her that since Cha Minjun knew about her family history, it was perhaps only natural for him to find her pathetic.

 

“I, I don’t necessarily believe in it, but I’m grateful for Grandfather’s concern…”

 

Seowoo’s voice was tinged with sadness. Even though she knew in her head that Cha Minjun’s reaction was understandable, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.

 

“But, it’s really annoying.”

 

“Huh? What is…?”

 

Minjun stood up and towered over Seowoo. He was so tall that his shadow fell over her.

 

“Wh-why…”

 

As Cha Minjun took a step closer, Seowoo instinctively stepped back. Minjun smirked, as if amused by her reaction.

 

“Why are you running away?”

 

“Because… you’re, you’re suddenly coming closer…”

 

“Like I was going to eat you alive?”

 

A strange glint suddenly appeared in the man’s eyes, which had just been filled with contempt. Seowoo froze, as if facing Medusa.

 

“Stay still.”

 

“……!”

 

At that moment, the man’s thumb gently brushed her lips, wiping away the milk mustache. It was a breathtaking, dizzying moment.

 

“Milk.”

 

“Y-yes?”

 

“You had milk on your lips. It’s not like you’re a baby.”

 

The man showed her the residue on his thumb and then licked it off with his tongue, his gaze fixed on Ji Seowoo.

 

Seowoo almost lost her composure. Her legs wobbled, and she tensed her whole body. She felt flushed, as if she had been caught watching a dirty movie.

 

As if he knew what she was feeling, the man gave a mischievous smile.

 

“Should I take you to the test center tomorrow?”

 

Seowoo could only nod, as if mesmerized. Absurdly, she thought that the man in front of her might be the devil himself.