Thump!

Lee Seo-jun dropped a large sack onto the table.

“I was a bit late because I had to avoid people’s eyes while raiding. But with this much, it should be worth the value.”

Hwang Tae-su peeked into the sack. Inside, the magic stones were shining brilliantly.

They’d have to be appraised to determine the grade, but even if they were all low-grade, the sheer quantity would be worth at least two billion won.

“Of course, we were just helping out with something we ought to do, so you didn’t have to give us this much… but since you’re giving it, I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Worried that Lee Seo-jun might take the sack back, Hwang Tae-su quickly moved it behind him and changed the subject.

“By the way, did everything go according to plan?”

Lee Seo-jun nodded and took out the lottery ticket.

Actually, what Hwang Tae-su meant by “plan” wasn’t anything complicated.

He had once said that a man’s self-esteem rises with money. Seo-jun had agreed.

All that was left was to obtain the money. The problem was that it had to be through legal means.

Illegally… that is, raiding in bulk like now, or selling the items and magic stones acquired through it, would surely bring in large sums quickly.

But the origin of that money couldn’t be explained.

As a solution, Seo-jun thought of the lottery.

Before and after the upheaval, a first-prize lottery ticket could always be sold at a premium above the actual prize amount.

There was no better method of legal money laundering.

And so, Seo-jun had asked Hwang Tae-su to obtain a winning ticket for the latest drawing.

He had even gone as far as distorting Lee Yeon-jun’s memory of the lottery to make him forget about it for a while.

And as soon as the winning ticket was obtained, he swapped it.

The reason he had insisted they not check the numbers back then, saying it would bring bad luck, was because of this.

But that wasn’t the entirety of the plan.

“…It really did go according to plan.”

Hwang Tae-su answered half a beat late. He hadn’t expected someone would actually pass up ten billion won.

“Did you doubt Yeon-jun?”

“Huh? No, how could I possibly doubt the boss? It’s just… I’m amazed things proceeded so smoothly. As expected of you, boss. Your foresight to see this far ahead… I respect it and want to learn from it!”

The rest of the plan was recovery.

To get the winning ticket in Yeon-jun’s possession back into Seo-jun’s hands.

The reason was simple. Seo-jun was certain Yeon-jun wouldn’t use the money for himself.

He’d use it for Seo-woo, or for him, or for Park Yeon.

To make Yeon-jun spend it on himself, the ticket had to be returned to Seo-jun’s hands.

“Did you explain things well to your wife?”

“Yes, I did.”

“She didn’t get suspicious or ask anything?”

“Not at all. Though she did say the transfer tax was a waste, she was thrilled that we made a 150 million won profit in just a few months. She’s already browsing online for handbags.”

“This couldn’t have been an easy task. Thanks.”

“It wasn’t for free, so don’t mention it. Whatever you need, just say the word. It’ll be an honor to carry it out.”

…So said Hwang Tae-su, as he lifted his eyes at a 45-degree angle and thought:

What the hell is this feeling of satisfaction from being complimented by a monster?

And why the hell am I acting like this guy’s lackey?

“Damn it.”

“Bring your wife to the store sometime. I’ll treat you.”

Again lifting his eyes at a 45-degree angle, Hwang Tae-su thought:

What the hell? Why am I feeling honored just because he said he’d treat me?

“Aigo, well, I’d be thankful, of course. Haha.”

“Then, see you next time.”

“Yes!”

In the brief moment Hwang Tae-su straightened his body after bowing at a 90-degree angle—

Lee Seo-jun vanished like smoke.

“Seriously, who would doubt he’s a monster. Every time I see him, it’s goddamn fascinating.”

Knock knock!

“Boss. It’s Manager Kim.”

“Oh, Si-hyun? Come in.”

When Kim Si-hyun entered, Hwang Tae-su offered him a seat and sat at the head. Then he lit a cigarette and continued speaking.

“So what is it? Got something to say?”

“Well, it seems one of the kids down below caused some trouble.”

“Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

“Looks like he tried to collect protection money.”

“Protection money? Like the kind the 47 Gang and Itaewon Gang used to collect?”

“Yes.”

“These brats should know better when they’re told once, but there’s always that one punk who doesn’t listen and asks for a beating. Put Manager Go in charge of re-education.”

“We’re already in the middle of it.”

“Efficient. I like it.”

“Uh, boss. That aside, actually…”

“Hm?”

“It’s about Lee Ho-jin.”

“What about that bastard?”

“He’s still waiting in the lobby.”

“Still hasn’t left?”

“No. He says he’ll wait until he meets you.”

“That punk should’ve started groveling in advance. He thinks he can work some angle on me with No Se-hoon? Please.”

“…What should I do?”

“Send him up in a couple of hours.”

“Yes.”

“Then go take care of your work.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, Manager Kim.”

“Is there something else?”

“That punk who caused the trouble earlier.”

“Yes?”

“There’s no one else trying to collect protection money like that, right?”

“None.”

“You never know. Keep a tight rein on the ones who used to be in the 47 Gang or Itaewon Gang. Old habits die hard, and once something becomes habit, it’s not easy to fix.”

“We’re already doing that.”

“Good, good. Go on now.”

As Kim Si-hyun left the executive office, Hwang Tae-su took a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and chuckled.

“Punk-ass Hwang Tae-su, look at you now. Making the district chief wait. Haha.”

“Is this the place?”

“The address matches.”

“He must be quite an amazing person. To be living in a castle……”

Park Yeon murmured as he looked up at a tall building.

The classic color of the bricks, the clearly thick outer walls, and even the pointed spire. It was unmistakably a castle.

“It’s pathetic for a castle. It has no defensive capabilities whatsoever.”

That was Doo-shik’s assessment of the structure. Even though the building was surrounded by bricks and thick walls, the gate was so flimsy it was laughable.

No, it was barely even appropriate to call it a gate.

Park Yeon nodded in agreement.

“If the castle’s this poorly built, even goblins could bring it down quickly.”

“Looks like it was built more for show than for defense.”

“That does seem to be the case.”

For once, the two were in sync.

The reason these two mistook a church for a castle came from the range of their activities.

They had almost never left District 12. And within District 12, there were only two churches.

Even those were located far outside their usual radius of movement.

Of course, churches did sometimes appear in movies or dramas.

But they typically appeared in the opening scene via a long shot technique, and the camera focus was mostly on the characters. Since the two always focused on the characters, they had no reason to remember the churches.

And so, still mistaking the church for a castle, the two stepped inside without a second thought.

And there it was—a massive sanctuary.

“……!”

Doo-shik remained indifferent to the sanctuary’s appearance, but Park Yeon was different. He was overwhelmed by the majestic view of the sanctuary, even feeling a sense of reverence.

“Krrrk!”

And up front, a blinding light was shining. It was so bright it felt like looking at it too long would make one go blind.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh… I can’t open my eyes.”

“Must’ve gotten dust in your eyes. Careless, as usual.”

“That’s not it! Look over there!”

“Over where?”

“Over there! The light! It’s so intense I can’t keep my eyes open… Krgh!”

As Park Yeon covered his eyes with both hands, Doo-shik looked at him with disdain.

“What are you babbling about? There’s only a female human over there.”

“No, no! That’s… that’s…!”

Before he could finish speaking—

The blinding light gradually faded.

And then appeared the source of the light.

“Ahh……”

Park Yeon let out a gasp without realizing it.

Sitting on a bench with her hands clasped in prayer, the source of the light—

It was not a human.

“So here you were.”

The voice that brought Park Yeon’s runaway consciousness back was a deep one—clearly a man’s.

The speaker was none other than the man Doo-shik had rescued some time ago.

In fact, a few days prior, Doo-shik had received a message from this man. He had said he wanted to offer his thanks for what happened back then.

Doo-shik refused the offer for the man to come visit and chose to go to him instead. But feeling awkward about going alone, he brought Park Yeon along.

“Yes. Hello.”

“Apologies for the late introduction. I’m Lee Geon-joo, the pastor of this church.”

Upon hearing the word “pastor,” Doo-shik roughly interpreted it as something like a feudal lord.

“So you’re someone important. I’m Park Doo-shik.”

Lee Geon-joo gave a respectful bow.

“Thank you again for what you did. I was on my way to conduct a last rites service at a believer’s home. If I had arrived even a little later, I wouldn’t have made it. Thanks to you, they were able to pass peacefully into the Lord’s embrace.”

Hearing these unfamiliar words, Doo-shik just nodded along.

“And this is your friend who was with you?”

Lee Geon-joo also greeted the dazed Park Yeon, though Park Yeon’s mind was clearly elsewhere.

“You said you’re a pastor?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

“Who is that person?”

“Ah… you must mean Sister Choi Da-hee.”

“Sister? Your biological sister?”

“Not exactly, but under the Lord, we are all brothers and sisters.”

“Who is this Lord person who makes everyone siblings under him?”

Lee Geon-joo’s pupils quivered slightly.

He couldn’t tell if Park Yeon was joking or being serious.

“You… don’t know the Lord?”

“I know monks. Bald guys.”

His awkward speech and slightly slow behavior—

Lee Geon-joo concluded the man must be a Returnee.

“Ah… are you perhaps a Returnee, Mr. Park Yeon?”

At those words, Park Yeon nodded. He remembered the Demon King’s advice—to say he was a Returnee if someone asked or looked at him strangely.

“That’s right. I’m a Returnee.”

Lee Geon-joo let out a sigh at that response.

“You must have gone through a lot. Welcome back. Sister Choi Da-hee is a member of our church.”

Park Yeon didn’t really get the ‘sister’ or ‘church’ stuff, but he understood what a member meant. After all, he had been a member of something himself not too long ago.

And when someone says “a member of our church,” it meant…

‘I misunderstood.’

He had thought it was a castle, but it wasn’t. This place functioned more like a religious building akin to a temple.

‘This Lord guy must be the god they worship.’

Park Yeon quickly arrived at that conclusion.

Just then, he sensed someone’s presence.

Thump—! Thump—!

For the first time in months, his damned heart started racing again. And then came a heavenly voice…

“Pastor, are these new visitors?”

With great effort… like a rusted hinge creaking open, Park Yeon turned his head.

“Hello.”

Choi Da-hee greeted them with a bright smile.

And Park Yeon quickly covered his eyes with both hands. Another flash of light had exploded before him.

“Are you alright?”

A sweet voice that could melt his ears…

Park Yeon, feeling as if his breath had stopped, finally managed to open his eyes. And what he saw was, just as he expected—not a human being.

Snow-white skin, perfectly clear eyes, delicate and harmonious features, and a flowy white chiffon dress that looked like it belonged to a goddess.

This… this was—!

“The Pure White Goddess……”

The next in line after the Goddess, the True Goddess, and the Great Goddess—the Pure White Goddess.