By Zephyria 
“This way, Brother.”
To the east of Taeul District, a building made of soft-colored wood catches the eye. Mu-hae approaches and strokes the surface, but the texture is smooth, as if it were just a printed block.
He’d been in and out of Taeul District a few times in the past, but this is his first time entering a place like this.
Religious facilities don’t come to poor neighborhoods where there’s no money, and Mu-hae himself has no talent for believing in unknown beings.
Besides, Holy Mother Church. Even the name sounds like a cult. Which religion wouldn’t seem like a cult to him, but this doctrine, which seems to be a mixture of all sorts of beliefs, felt especially like a fantasy novel.
“Today is not a day for worship or main lectures, so you’ll only need to help with small lectures.”
Black clothes and a black veil. A man in the same attire put his hands together and bowed. Mu-hae followed suit and glanced to the side, where Joo-oh, who had been looking around, quickly joined in.
“I’m Jeong-mu, a Server on a day dispatch from the Vegan Society. This is…”
“Server Joo-oh. That’s me.”
Joo-oh introduced himself with the pre-arranged title without any problems, then raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
Oh, dear. The veil is definitely well-draped, but. The sharp jawline and the flawless lower face make one imagine handsome features.
Mu-hae, conscious of the Server guiding him, pulled Joo-oh to his side to keep him from running off somewhere.
“The Clear-Eyed One of calligraphy will be out soon. I have work to do, so I’ll be leaving. You can wait here until then.”
The veiled man put his hands together again and hurried away. Only then did Mu-hae let go of the hand holding Joo-oh.
A high-ceilinged chapel. Yellow light pouring from the ceiling lights. On the platform is a pulpit with various carvings, and unique stained-glass paintings catch the eye.
It certainly looks sacred. Even though he knows how absurd the scripture he read in advance is, he understands the feelings of the people who gather here to pray.
‘You must do your best in the life given to you to receive better blessings in the next life…’
It’s certainly a logic that the city’s leaders would like. Even if the doctrine that the Holy Mother blesses the land and defeats evil with the power of prayer is a fantasy, there are not many cities that would prohibit the teaching to stay in one’s place and live as a diligent cog.
That’s how they were able to get business permits so easily and expand their church so much. Mu-hae couldn’t help but chuckle as he thought of the ‘business owner’ who pretended to be holy while handing out short-term trainee priest qualifications.
“Welcome, Brothers.”
The Clear-Eyed One of calligraphy soon appeared in the chapel. The clothes she’s wearing are all black fabric like theirs, but with a slightly more luxurious design.
However, taking off the veil meant she was married, right? It was a privilege only granted to female priests.
When he scoffed at memorizing the church rule, Joo-oh unexpectedly replied with a serious expression.
‘Because she’s the Holy Mother. Women can carry life, but men must keep their chastity.’
It made sense.
“A day dispatch…”
“Server Jeong-mu. And Server Joo-oh. Is that right? I received a call from the main church. Today, please help me gather ‘sincerity’ and prepare for the lecture.”
Joo-oh smiled, as if something was so funny. Watching the Clear-Eyed One smile back, Mu-hae’s face showed that he had realized something important.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t just men he had to be wary of. He’s a mess when he likes someone and clings to them, but Joo-oh is basically a physically healthy man.
Only now realizing this obvious fact, Mu-hae felt his throat dry. Isn’t that naive fool the type to rub against anyone who strokes his head and hugs him?
“It’s unusual for the main church to dispatch a trainee priest for only one day, but… I’ll assume you’re a talented person with a good reason.”
Judging by the subtly barbed greeting, the Clear-Eyed One didn’t seem to welcome the two.
That gave him some peace of mind. He doesn’t know why he feels relieved about something like Joo-oh, but he did.
“We will clean the prayer room and chapel and decorate the platform.”
“Please do.”
Only after the Clear-Eyed One glanced around as if to keep an eye on them and returned to her office did Joo-oh return his softly splitting mouth to its original position.
The head with the hat tilted slightly.
“Why isn’t Jin Mu-hae smiling?”
“Why would I?”
“Jin Mu-hae is handsome. He would have scored points if he smiled.”
He’s talking all sorts of crazy nonsense. Mu-hae, muttering, glared at him from behind the veil and strode toward the back door of the chapel.
So, just now, that guy was smiling brightly to win the Clear-Eyed One’s favor? His lips twisted at the thought.
Entering the prayer room through the back door, the relatively quiet air calmed Mu-hae’s mood.
Chairs were lined up in the dim space, and several prayer booths, completely blocked off by partitions, were prepared on one side.
“It’s a bathroom.”
“Merit Prayer Room. Don’t talk nonsense in front of others.”
He rebuked him coldly, but Joo-oh still did what he was told. He nodded amiably and found cleaning supplies in the corner cabinet.
The guy, who only eats, lies down, rolls around, and clings at home, showed more talent for tidying up than he thought. The way he swept the floor was somehow professional.
“Signal if someone comes.”
“Okay.”
Leaving the task of wiping the seats to Joo-oh, Mu-hae quietly entered the Merit Prayer Room and checked the LED lights that imitated candles.
Then, click. He took out a device smaller than his pinky nail from his pocket and attached it under the chair. He’ll have to come back to collect it later, but it was a device that could eavesdrop on sounds without any power for at least a few days.
The most private space in this building where believers can come and go is probably a place like this.
A place where two believers enter prayer booths separated by partitions and listen to each other’s prayers and respond.
‘There’s probably no better place to catch a plausible target.’
Thinking of the man’s words that only those who believe in religion believe in it, the new members that the Vegan Society will fill will eventually be in a place like this.
While checking again to see if there were any surveillance cameras inside and dusting the walls, click.
Suddenly, the opposite door opened and someone sat down.
“Brother.”
“What?”
“I came to pray.”
He expected it, but it was Joo-oh. He was about to ask why he came into the Merit Prayer Room instead of cleaning outside.
“I’m praying to the Holy Mother that my Brother is too busy these days and won’t mate with me.”
A shocking sound echoed softly in the booth. Mu-hae put down the duster he was holding and gritted his teeth.
“Don’t joke around.”
“My Brother touches my head and stomach, but not inside. My legs swell in the morning, though.”
“Why are you saying that here?”
How fortunate that the booth was soundproof. Once he realized that no one was outside yet, his anxiety subsided.
Come to think of it, he realized that he hadn’t had much time to touch Joo-oh because he’d been so busy with injuries and infiltration lately.
Of course, he would sit between his legs and stick out his head to bite and lick his soft lips a few times.
Even that made him look dazed, so he felt even more reluctant to touch him.
“Brother Jeong-mu doesn’t like me.”
“Haa…”
“I feel bad, so I don’t think I can do my Server work properly.”
This is outright blackmail. Mu-hae chuckled in disbelief.
He’s definitely developed a bad habit. Whenever he wears different clothes and goes out somewhere, Joo-oh keeps groaning and trying to cling to him.
“Go home.”
He tried to appease him as a temporary measure, but if that had worked, he wouldn’t have been groping and kissing him in the production district or the library.
Joo-oh’s lips were pouting through the diamond-shaped bars.
“Come here.”
Mu-hae put his finger in the small hole and tapped Joo-oh’s chin. Even that made his face, which had been full of complaints, brighten up.
“I told you I wouldn’t take you with me if you interfered with work.”
“Umm. Hmm.”
When he tickled him under the ear with his fingertips, he stretched his mouth wide, listening or not. On a whim, he pressed down on his red lips, and he presumptuously moved his head and bit his finger.
Slurp, smack. The sound of licking his fingertip was so explicit that Mu-hae flinched without realizing it. Soft and tender mucous membrane, warm touch…
“Damn it.”
He definitely seems to have built up. His lower abdomen was slowly tightening with just this kind of contact.
Mu-hae moved his Adam’s apple a few times and bent his index finger. He enjoyed the wriggling sensation by stirring his wet mouth and pressing down on his tongue.
“Umm… Hmmm.”
He was about to scold him for smiling as if he had done something good, but the harsh words went over his head on their own. It’s because he already knows the pleasure that mouth gives.
His soft skin, or the way he trembles and clings to him when he lifts his clothes and puts his hand inside his chest. A body that seems determined to stimulate others.
Mu-hae tapped Joo-oh as if slapping his cheek with his wet finger. Every time he did, he suddenly wanted to see the eyes that would quietly close inside the veil so much that he felt thirsty.
To make matters worse, his clothes were pious and buttoned neatly to the neck, and even the non-existent walls were slowly forming.
As Mu-hae bit his lip, his slightly turned head faced forward again. Even though they couldn’t see each other’s eyes, a certain gaze was exchanged.
Click.
Mu-hae opened the door of the Merit Prayer Room and came out. He grabbed the handle right next to it and turned it silently, and the entrance, which he didn’t even pull, opened on its own.
“Brother.”
A face with a veil greeted the intruder happily.
With a thud, the small prayer room was sealed, and Mu-hae reached out and hugged the person, snatching the chair and sitting down.
He took off his hat, stroking it with his large hand. The eyes that had been hidden by the thin cloth finally revealed themselves.
Red eyes full of laughter…
“Uung, um.”
As soon as they kissed and mixed tongues, the body that had climbed on top of him became warm. Mu-hae unbuttoned his shirt and pushed his hand inside.
The moment he pinched and pulled the soft protrusion, the person being hugged trembled and whispered in his ear.
“Ah… Brother. I like your hands.”
This crazy bastard. It’s as if he’s determined to make someone a pervert.