The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 16

I had achieved my goal in coming here.

I found out that Sera’s mother was connected to Jinsegyo, so I could dig deeper into this place later.

I checked behind the pulpit thoroughly, but there was nothing.

Just as I was about to leave, the spirit called out to me.

[Place your hand on the cross on the wall.]

“Like this?”

As soon as I placed my hand on the cross, its surface cracked and turned pitch black.

It looked like a burnt, withered tree straight out of a fantasy movie.

[The Son of God cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit. A false faith that deceives people cannot bear fruit. A place like this deserves something like this more than a cross.]

The spirit’s voice was laced with fury.

It had no mercy for cults that impersonated God.

[As you pass by, place your hand on the wooden chairs as well.]

When I placed my hand on a wooden chair, it burned black just like the cross.

Turning back from the entrance, the place looked like a haunted house.

“Did you really have to go this far?”

[It’s a warning. And it’s something necessary for both you and that child.]

I asked what it meant, but the spirit only said I would find out soon and refused to elaborate further.

*

Back at home, I searched for Jinsegyo online.

They had a crude website, but there wasn’t much content.

If you didn’t look closely, you’d think it was just another Christian denomination.

[They shortened ‘Truth’ and ‘Life.’ This cult is shamelessly impersonating the essence of God.]

“You sound really angry.”

[I’m angry on behalf of the Lord. Ever since He granted humans free will, He rarely intervenes directly. That’s why cults like this take advantage and lead people astray.]

I calmed the fuming spirit and kept searching.

I found a few cases where former believers had sued for assault or financial fraud, but the number of incidents was far lower than those involving larger cults like Shincheonji or JMS.

I figured it was because Jinsegyo wasn’t as influential, but in reality, unless a cult causes a major public scandal, Korean society rarely interferes.

They are extremely closed off, making it difficult to find evidence, and their fanatical followers might resort to extreme actions.

There have even been cases where cult leaders ordered the murder of defectors or where members attacked TV stations trying to expose them.

Because of this, the police only take action when there is solid evidence.

“I won’t find much just by searching. From what I’ve seen, they’re just small-time scammers.”

[But the traces of false faith were extremely strong. The stronger the energy, the more rotten it is on the inside.]

I recalled the ominous black smoke that had wriggled in the air.

The spirit had said that the denser it was, the stronger the cult’s influence.

[Since I sensed it with the gift of discernment, you’ll come face-to-face with their true form soon. Don’t rush.]

Just moments ago, the spirit had been furious, but now it seemed oddly calm.

[You are someone chosen by the Lord. No matter what happens, things will always work in your favor. That is His gift to you—an even greater gift than spiritual abilities.]

So every situation and ability was tailored to me?

As long as I act with sincerity and good intentions, I can use them?

Hearing that, I saw no reason to be impatient.

Whatever happens, I will be able to handle it.

*****

“Haaang, haah… Hnn, M-Manager-nim, haaa… W-What should I do…?”

“That’s… not the kind of reaction you should have while getting a massage.”

“S-Sorry… It just… feels so good when you do it, Manager-nim….”

If anyone else heard this, they would totally misunderstand.

Before moving here, she at least pretended to restrain herself, but now, she had no reservations.

Her reactions were stickier than Rina’s, who was famous for being over-the-top.

Since I was a man, I couldn’t help but get excited hearing such moans.

Listening to something straight out of an adult video, right next to me, was overwhelming.

I had to mentally recite the national anthem just to keep myself in check.

“Manager-nim… are you, um, turned on?”

“Huh?”

“You’re not getting up on purpose, are you?”

Yeoreum smirked mischievously as she kept asking.

Was she always this sly?

[If you just disperse the blood in the corpus cavernosum, it’ll go down instantly. Want me to do it for you?]

“Shut up!”

“W-Well… I mean, I’m a guy, so… This is just a natural reaction—no, no, wait… I swear, it’s not because I have any inappropriate thoughts about you…!”

I was sweating as I scrambled to explain myself.

Why the hell was I saying this?

“You can have inappropriate thoughts if you want.”

“That means you don’t have to wor—… Wait, what?”

A heavy silence hung between us.

Her deer-like eyes held an emotion I wasn’t used to seeing.

If I got drawn in by that gaze, I felt like I’d never escape.

“…It’s nothing.”

She thanked me for the massage and quickly left to take a shower.

Even though she was gone, I couldn’t move for a while.

*

I stood up before things got too awkward.

Before leaving, I glanced at Sera’s tightly closed door.

Even though she found me intimidating, she liked my massages enough to wait for her turn.

But today, she just greeted me briefly and shut herself in, saying she was tired.

She was still dwelling on what had happened.

At the entrance, Yeoreum followed me out.

She was wearing a loose boxy t-shirt with no bottoms.

Her long, bare legs sparked some inappropriate thoughts.

Just as I was putting on my shoes, she leaned in close and whispered:

“Sera listens to me well, so I’ll try to get her to tell me how she got that bruise. I’ll call you as soon as I find out.”

“O-Okay.”

There was no need to whisper—we were far from the rooms.

Yet she deliberately tickled my ear with her husky voice.

The subtle scent she wore clouded my mind.

This was bad for my heart in more ways than one.

Two Days Later .

“She really did get that bruise at home. She said her mom pushed her during an argument, and she hit a corner.”

I was on the phone with Yeoreum.

She had coaxed Sera into revealing the truth.

As expected, the bruise had happened at her house.

“Did she say what they were fighting about?”

“Not really, but… It sounds like it was about money.

Her mom keeps taking all their money to give to the church, and Sera finally exploded.

Even though she barely comes home, her mom still tries to sell things or borrow money from her friends.

It’s really tough on her.”

“Why are you only telling me this now?!”

I accidentally raised my voice.

This was serious.

“S-Sorry… I only found out yesterday.”

They had drunk together, and near the end, Sera had broken down crying about how much she was suffering because of her mother.

“This definitely isn’t a normal church. Can’t we report it to the police?”

If the donations were voluntary, there wasn’t much the police could do.

To press charges, we needed proof of a crime, and just giving money wasn’t enough.

“I’ll go meet her mother myself. If I introduce myself as Sera’s new manager, she should see me at least once.”

I got her mother’s number and called, but there was no answer.

I left messages and texts, but she didn’t respond.

I planned to visit her house the next day, but I was delayed by some urgent work.

But even if I was late by a day, I should have acted sooner.

*****

From the moment I got to work, I had a bad feeling.

Even though nothing had happened, I felt uneasy and nauseous.

“Why do you look like that? Something happen yesterday?”

“I just don’t feel well. I’m going to the restroom.”

Just as I stood up, my phone rang.

It was Yeoreum.

“Sera isn’t back yet. What should we do?”

It looked like a differently colored lane on a highway, showing the route ahead.

[That child… It seems like she was deceived and taken somewhere.]

A bad feeling crept over me.

The most common crimes committed by cults were financial exploitation and sexual assault against female followers.

Even though Sera wasn’t a believer, she might have been tricked by her mother and taken away.

The thought of Sera being abducted for such a purpose ignited a fire inside me.

When was the last time I had felt this kind of anger?

[This uncontrollable rage… It’s the first time I’ve seen you this angry, Master.]

“If I follow that, I’ll find the ones who took her, right?”

[That’s right. Judging by how strong the energy is, it’s more than just one or two people.]

Without responding, I sprinted toward the company parking lot.

If I hesitated, I didn’t know what might happen to Sera.

[Are you going alone?]

“You’ll protect me, won’t you? You said you wouldn’t just sit back if someone attacked your master.”

[I can handle defense, but if you go there, it’s going to be full of cult members. We’re going to have to take them all down.]

I hadn’t thought of that.

I could probably handle a few, but if they outnumbered me, I’d be in trouble.

I had heard that the most malicious cults even operated execution squads to punish defectors.

“Do I have an ability that’s useful in this situation?”

[Of course. I can feel the sincerity in your anger. The situation is just right for it, too.]

“Stop stalling and tell me already.”

[You’re so impatient. Have you ever heard of the Nazarene Monkey Wrench?]

“What?”