By Zephyria 
“It is quite late, but if you don’t mind, I will show you around the Hwamyeong Cult.”
Though he felt a bit intimidated, Yeon-rok’s curiosity was piqued, and he stood up. Unexpectedly, Moon Gyeon-woo did not refuse and followed along. However, rather than curiosity, Yeon-rok could feel a strong determination in Gyeon-woo’s eyes to scrape together as much information about the enemy as possible. Choi Hwan seemed like he just wanted to go home regardless of anything, but since he didn’t want to return alone, he followed while grumbling.
Yeon-rok worried that the believers might welcome them as they had before, but fortunately, there was no one. It was surprising that dozens of people had completely vanished. After walking for about ten minutes along a secluded path, buildings hidden by the mountain came into view. A security guard, who looked to be of some age, greeted them with a friendly face.
“Mr. Yeom Cheon-ho. Flower name bearers. Good evening.”
“Good evening, Mr. Kim Beon-yeong.”
Believers here and there greeted Yeom Cheon-ho and the three with excited faces. Each time, Yeom Cheon-ho returned the greetings with a smile. It was impressive how he remembered so many people’s names without a single mistake. However, as he listened to the believers’ names, Yeon-rok noticed something strange.
Kim Beon-yeong, Pak Chung-jeong, Jeong Eun-hye, Yu Jong-yeong, Kim Gamsa… Not everyone was like this, but there were quite a few people with names of a similar vibe. This suddenly reminded him of Secretary Kim Jeong-seong and his bodyguards, Park Chung-seong and Jeong Bo Eun. Frowning at names that felt completely devoid of sincerity, Choi Hwan asked,
“Why are everyone’s names like this?”
“It is because they are names bestowed by the cult leader. Ah, of course, I am referring to Yeom Cheon-ryul, not myself.”
Yeom Cheon-ho explained after casually replying, “Have a good night, Mr. Yoo Bo-dap.” Yeon-rok felt a sense of dread. He could tell exactly what intention Yeom Cheon-ryul had when giving the believers such names. They were names created solely for this pseudo-religion.
“Since they have been called by those names since childhood, it wouldn’t be easy to change them. Especially if their faith is deep.”
Contempt for the religion was blatantly evident on the faces of Choi Hwan and Moon Gyeon-woo. Yeon-rok swallowed a sigh. He, too, viewed the pseudo-religion poorly. Although Yeom Cheon-ho claimed his goal was to tear down this cult, seeing the believers with strange names beside him left Yeon-rok feeling uneasy. Despite likely noticing this, Yeom Cheon-ho continued the tour without batting an eye.
“This building is a workplace. They are currently on the night shift.”
The large building called a workplace was shaped like a factory. No, it wasn’t just like a factory; it was a factory. Upon entering, he saw people in work clothes working diligently. The sound of machinery echoed incessantly. Working this late at night? Moon Gyeon-woo seemed to be thinking the same thing, as his expression toward Yeom Cheon-ho was now tinged with disgust.
“Exactly what are the working hours? To force people to work until this late hour.”
“Hmm… we operate on a three-shift system for now. Still, we provide the best possible allowances.”
Moon Gyeon-woo scoffed. His face showed he was convinced Yeom Cheon-ho was exploiting these people and pocketing the money.
“Hmph, just how ‘well’ are you paying them?”
“It is a 4-group 3-shift system, and they receive about 3.5 million won per month. Those on the night shift receive more than that. Dormitories, meals, family event allowances, and holiday bonuses are all provided, and they are enrolled in the four major social insurance programs.”
Wait? Those conditions are actually quite good?
Yeon-rok, who had worked various jobs, perked up. Only Choi Hwan, who had started his social life as a child model and was naive to the ways of the world, wore an expression that said, ‘They get that little?’ Moon Gyeon-woo looked back and forth between the workers and Yeom Cheon-ho with a skeptical face.
Yeom Cheon-ho introduced the next building. This one was also a factory, and the next one after that was a factory as well. After passing two such buildings, they reached the factory dormitory. Looking inside, the facilities and interior were all clean and nice. It felt like touring the production facilities of some polished corporation. Only after passing the dormitory building did a building that actually looked like a religious facility appear.
Despite the late hour, there were a few believers inside. Some of them proudly displayed their names. Yeom Cheon-ho introduced some of the executives among the believers.
“This is General Affairs Believer Jung Jin-sim. He is the one in charge of overall management here.”
However, the subsequent introductions were somewhat strange.
“This is Counseling General Manager Believer Lee Gyo-hwa. He helps those who are struggling and having a hard time mentally.”
“This is Finance General Manager Believer Kim Ye-chan. He is in charge of loan consultations for the believers through the cult’s exclusive system.”
“This is Employment General Manager Believer Choi Young-seo. He is a devout believer who helps with job placements at these production facilities, HM Capital, or the foundation.”
Huh? This is a religious facility? They are clearly religious people and believers, right? Why did titles like Finance General Manager and Employment General Manager sound so far removed from religion? After hearing about the various other benefits provided, Yeon-rok unconsciously muttered,
“Out of all the places I’ve worked, I think this place has the best working conditions.”
Then, he snapped back to his senses. Working conditions? This is strictly a pseudo-religion… But Yeon-rok wasn’t the only one dazed. Choi Hwan, who had been absentmindedly following the Hwamyeong Cult tour, asked,
“I’m non-religious, so I don’t know, but is religion usually like this?”
Yeon-rok was also non-religious, but he could tell that this form was quite far from a typical, ordinary religion. Yeom Cheon-ho spoke in an indifferent tone.
“There is no need to overthink it. Shall we call it a corporate-style religion?”
Choi Hwan unconsciously muttered the unfamiliar term he had never heard in his life.
“Corporate-style religion.”
“It is about helping one another with a heart of philanthropy. For those with deep faith, I occasionally provide investment information, and they earn money, which is the most important thing in living. And I get talented individuals with high loyalty to the company. Isn’t that the true spirit of religion?”
No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a religion that worshipped materialism; by this point, even the believers’ robes looked like corporate uniforms. He couldn’t shake the thought that it was a corporation wearing the mask of a religion. Yeom Cheon-ho then showed them the orphanage and the senior welfare center.
“The believers go out for volunteer work at least once a month and make donations every year.”
Seeing this, the emotional distance Yeon-rok had felt toward the pseudo-cult leader Yeom Cheon-ho gradually vanished. Most of the workers—no, believers—had faces that looked quite satisfied with this life. With sparkling eyes, Yeon-rok said to Yeom Cheon-ho,
“Wow. You are doing truly wonderful work.”
Hearing those words, the other two barely managed to recover from their shock. A sense of crisis clouded Choi Hwan’s eyes. Moon Gyeon-woo also bit his lip and glared at Yeom Cheon-ho.
“No matter what, a cult is a cult, Yeon-rok-ah. What CEO in the world butchers things with blood spraying everywhere?”
Yeon-rok, who had been closing the emotional distance, paused as he recalled the highly shocking sight. Choi Hwan quickly chimed in to support Moon Gyeon-woo.
“Right! I thought he was either a murderer or a sexual pervert!”
Yeom Cheon-ho, who had been quietly listening to their accusations, explained in a tender voice.
“To be precise, it is the process of skinning, boning, and trimming. Since most of the meat arrives already partially processed… Yes. You can think of it as doing butchery work. Occasionally, I just become a butcher shop owner. At home, I usually only prepare poultry or fish; isn’t that something anyone does in their life?”
Is that so? Yeon-rok unconsciously nodded. Because he described it as being a butcher shop owner, it sounded plausible. Moon Gyeon-woo, clutching his fists, resumed his offensive.
“You mentioned giving investment information earlier; isn’t that insider trading? That must be illegal.”
“Haha, there are many types of investment information. For example, that a boom is coming to the IT industry, or that after reviewing the financial statements, it seems one should not invest in a certain company, or that gold prices will rise or exchange rates will fall… It is only at this level, so it cannot be called illegal.”
As the atmosphere between the cult leader and the flower name bearers grew unpleasant, the believers sensed it and distanced themselves. Yeom Cheon-ho continued speaking with an even brighter smile, as if he weren’t offended in the least.
“Mr. Gyeon-woo, Mr. Hwan, I know well that you do not like me. But what can be done?”
“What…”
“Both of you are precious and valuable flower name bearers to me. No matter how much you hate me, as long as you have your flower names, we are in a tight-knit relationship that cannot be severed. You could call it destiny, for instance.”
It was strange. Yeom Cheon-ho spoke kindly and pleasantly, yet it felt as though he was subtly grating on the nerves of the listener. This wasn’t just Yeon-rok’s thought, as Choi Hwan was rubbing his arm in disgust, and Moon Gyeon-woo was shuddering. Looking at the three of them, Yeon-rok thought once again what he had thought last time.
Is it really okay between these three…? And will I really be okay in the midst of them?