A building constructed deep in the mountains would certainly become good gossip among the local residents. As nothing special usually happened, the construction was decent material for conversation over drinks.

  However, even those who were talking didn't truly know what was going on in that place. Curiosity turned the locals into observers, but none of them reached the truth.

  Those who provided food and lodging sometimes heard a few words from the workers, but no one could guarantee that what they heard was the truth.

  All they learned were the publicly permitted narratives. But gossips added unnecessary falsehoods to them, creating rumors.

  Such rumors soon became a smokescreen that hid all the cruel things happening within.

  It was the same now.

  Haeun thought that no one knew he was imprisoned here. Terrible fear was consuming his body, but no one seemed to care.

  Perhaps the cult leaders who imprisoned him wished he would die. Or maybe they had reserved a fate for him even worse than death.

  If they were going to kill him, they would have done it already, so the fact that they were keeping him alive surely meant something. Thinking that, Haeun became terrified.

  Yet, he didn't have the courage to commit suicide. Only the final hope of somehow surviving and going home remained.

  Today, Haeun just sat there endlessly, eating his cold meal alone. Recently, there had been no beatings. Although there was no treatment either, he felt a slight sense of relief that the violence had stopped.

  Of course, the complete absence of anything was also terrifying.

  He didn't know why they were leaving him alone. But Haeun knew that the best thing to do was just remain still if no one was around.

  He wasn't in good enough shape to run away anyway. Besides, he had no money, so what could he do? For now, hoping that nothing would happen was the best option.

  Since he could at least fill his stomach, Haeun could spend his time somewhat loosely. But when people suddenly flocked in, he couldn't hide his fear.

  Why were so many people coming? Those who came to beat him were only a few. Since the number was never this large, Haeun moved as if trying to hide his body.

  However, the people who gathered were those Haeun normally never saw. He had not expected the cult leaders to come at all.

  But they didn't look like they had come for anything good. They looked at Haeun with the eyes of a butcher checking the condition of livestock before slaughter.

  "He's much healthier than I thought."

  The Deputy Leader—the one with the strongest authority in the cult currently—said that while looking at Haeun. Hearing his voice, Haeun involuntarily trembled.

  "Yes, he is still intact."

  The Deputy Leader's subordinate said that, looking down at Haeun with contempt. Haeun hated that gaze intensely, but fear dominated him even more.

  "So... do you remember the events of that day?"

  The Deputy Leader quietly asked Haeun. Haeun shook his head, denying it.

  "A lie. How sad. Because I know what you did that day."

  The Deputy Leader said that and smiled. The smile was chilling, and Haeun screamed in terror. It was a struggle for survival.

  "I-I'm sorry. P-Please, s-save me!"

  Haeun cried out. But the Deputy Leader only replied gently to Haeun's pleas.

  "I have not come here to kill you. You are a chosen one, and I merely intend to assign you the task befitting that now."

  The Deputy Leader's voice was full of the dignity of a religious leader. Thanks to this, his voice was more than capable of swaying a person's heart, but it didn't reach Haeun, who was consumed by fear.

  Stolen story; please report.

  "Ugh... Ugh..."

  Fear surged in Haeun. He remembered the sight he had witnessed that day.

  He remembered who performed what procedure on the dead former Leader's adopted daughter.

  Yes, who.

  Which person did that deed. And Haeun thought that the adopted daughter's fate might now become his own.

  "Please, please, save me. I don't know anything."

  Haeun begged the Deputy Leader with his broken hands and feet. But the Deputy Leader only offered him a benevolent smile.

  "Don't worry. We plan to treat you now."

  At the unexpected words, Haeun looked surprised.

  "T-Treatment?"

  The relief in his questioning voice suggested that the rope of salvation had finally been lowered to him.

  "Yes. Treatment, if you wish to call it that. Well then, I leave it to you."

  The Deputy Leader said that, turned around, and left with his group. At the same time, a man approached, as if replacing the Deputy Leader's party.

  No, that wasn't a man. He had a human form, but Haeun remembered.

  That thing was not human.

  "N-No!"

  Haeun expressed his refusal. But the other party merely approached Haeun to do his work without saying a word.

  And a scream filled with terror echoed throughout the space.

  The office, which had become a mess, was an extremely uncomfortable place to receive a guest. However, it was the safest location for now.

  Since they didn't know what danger might lurk outside, the Master cleared a table just enough for them to talk and sat across from Jihyeon.

  They at least had time for instant coffee, as the paper cups placed in front of them showed traces of the bittersweet liquid.

  "Let me ask you something first. Are you well acquainted with the leaders of that cult?"

  The Master nodded at Jihyeon's question. Since he had some friendship with the former Leader, he didn't deny it.

  "Roughly. But those people were all nobodies. They were just like groveling dogs in front of the former Leader."

  Jihyeon nodded at the Master's words. It was information he already knew, but it didn't hurt to hear it for the sake of the conversation that was about to follow.

  "What if those guys were to acquire a power similar to the Leader's? And what if they deliberately provoked a fight for some purpose?"

  The Master wore a bewildered expression at Jihyeon's words, indicating he didn't understand the meaning. Puzzles were not something the Master usually enjoyed.

  "I definitely had a few dealings with them before. But that was about money, and it had nothing to do with their internal affairs. And as for so-called supernatural powers, only the former Leader had that kind of ability."

  The Master said that, trying hard to understand what was going on. It seemed Jihyeon's words were not convincing to him.

  "Then what would you say if someone wanted to find something out from a person who was acquainted with the former Leader?"

  Jihyeon's words posed a new question to the Master. To the Master, who was utterly confused, Jihyeon continued his explanation.

  "As you know, the former Leader and I have similar powers. And the former Leader is dead."

  The Master knew this much. But he couldn't immediately grasp the connection between the two facts.

  "The few outsiders connected to the Leader. That person is you. To those who seek to succeed the Leader, a power similar to the one I used is essential. It must be an urgent matter for them."

  The Master's expression suggested he understood Jihyeon's words a little. But he still had many questions.

  "What the hell is this power you speak of? And why are they dragging me into their internal affairs? This is truly troublesome."

  The Master sighed, saying that. It seemed he understood that he had been caught in the crossfire due to their internal affairs.

  However, the talk about power seemed difficult for him to grasp, as it was beyond common sense. Jihyeon didn't bother to explain that part.

  After all, knowing the details would be related to the Master's life.

  "Why should we care? Do you think people whose eyes are red with the desire to become the Leader are capable of rational thought? The important thing is that they are trying to do something crazy to secure legitimacy as the successor to the dead Leader, and as a result, you have become a target."

  The Master nodded at Jihyeon's words. He agreed that he didn't need to know all the complicated details anyway.

  "In any case, since I've received such a grand reception, I should return the favor. Are you going to help?"

  The Master looked at Jihyeon and asked. He knew very well that they could never win against such foes. Therefore, seeking help from a person with power was only natural.

  "No."

  Jihyeon refused. He had no reason whatsoever to lend his power to resolve the Master's resentment.

  "After all, it's not all about physically destroying them, and you wouldn't even be able to destroy them that way, so why exert the effort?"

  Jihyeon said that and instead wrote something down and handed it to the Master.

  "What is this?"

  The Master asked, looking at what Jihyeon had given him. But he didn't have to wait for Jihyeon's answer.

  "Indeed..."

  It was a simple phrase, but it was enough. The Master immediately understood the content and chuckled. It was not physical revenge, but it could inflict a far more fatal blow.

  In a situation like this, there could be nothing better.

  "This is interesting. Truly interesting. If I make him an enemy, is ruin guaranteed?"

  The Master said that, wearing an expression as if he was looking forward to the future. Nothing could be more awaited than definite revenge for the humiliation he had suffered.

  "So, pay me properly with money when this is over."

  Jihyeon said that and stood up. Explicitly stating that this was strictly business was Jihyeon's way of drawing a line.

  There was nothing more to say. The Master watched Jihyeon turn and leave, and wore a strange smile. Regret took precedence over all other emotions.

  "Call the guys. The ones who are okay."

  And as Jihyeon left the office, the Master gave the order. Thinking that this was enough, he commanded his subordinates.

  "The future is going to be interesting."

  Everyone looked confused at the Master's words, but he didn't say anything more and began helping with the office restoration.