The best way to repent for one's mistakes is through penance. At least, that was what Ha-eun believed.

  Thus, under the guidance of the Chief Executive, he underwent a period of trial. The Chief Executive had entrusted Ha-eun to the very individual who had provided them with the Tools.

  Ha-eun tasted a pain incomparable to anything else in this world. However, it wasn't merely a price for his failure. Though words other than "agony" could not describe what he experienced, Ha-eun had gained new power. It wasn't a bad trade for him. Even amidst the horrific pain, Ha-eun felt fortunate that he was becoming stronger.

  Still, it would take some time to recover. He felt a slight regret about that fact—though it would likely only be a matter of days.

  "So, you're saying you won't make the same mistake next time?"

  Apostle Mu-yeong asked mockingly as he looked down at the bedridden Ha-eun. Ha-eun snorted at his words.

  "I just got a bit carried away because it was my brother. If your brother were a chosen one, would you be able to stay calm?"

  Mu-yeong made a complex expression, partly understanding but mostly incredulous.

  "However, teachings only hold meaning for those worthy of receiving them. If he refuses until the end, you'll have to execute him with your own hands. Are you prepared for that?"

  Mu-yeong asked. Ha-eun fell silent instantly. He hadn't given that point a single thought. He had only focused on making his family walk the same path as him; he hadn't even imagined a scenario where things went wrong. But that was natural for him. To imagine failure was a profanity in itself. Even thinking about it was an insult to God and a sin against the ascended Leader.

  "Isn't the very act of thinking such things a problem? Failure is not permitted for us. We must only think of succeeding and following the Leader's teachings."

  Ha-eun stated his usual conviction. Mu-yeong had to do his best to suppress the urge to sneer. Despite the blatant arrogance in his tone, Ha-eun's words were technically correct according to their doctrine. From a fanatic's perspective, it was a model attitude.

  However, Mu-yeong, who always had to consider the possibility of failure in the process, didn't care for Ha-eun's simple-mindedness.

  "Don't go in with half-hearted resolve. If you do, I'll be the one to shoot you. Don't forget that."

  Mu-yeong said only that before standing up. His voice was cold. But perhaps it was a natural reaction. Ha-eun didn't offer a rebuttal. Apostles were the vanguards who followed God's will. Therefore, what was required of them was far stricter than for other believers. Mutual reprimand was expected. An Apostle who failed to perform their duty deserved death.

  In that sense, Mu-yeong was simply being faithful to his duty. There was no reason to be angry or annoyed. If anything, Ha-eun should have been grateful to Mu-yeong for helping him despite his distrust. But Ha-eun didn't say it. He wasn't the type to waste words.

  Instead, Ha-eun remained silent. After Mu-yeong left, Ha-eun thought only of the future. The man named Jihyeon was one thing, but now his own brother had become a major enemy. If they were to fight someday, it would undoubtedly be a more brutal struggle than anything Ha-eun had experienced before.

  But that was a trial. And if he could prove he was a worthy servant of God by overcoming it, that would be enough. For now, he had to focus on recovery. Fortunately, unlike some weak Apostles, Ha-eun felt he could overcome this ordeal. It would take a little time to heal, but he could endure that much.

  With those thoughts, Ha-eun closed his eyes. To recover, it was best not to entertain useless thoughts for now.

  The sound filling the hospital room was that of a variety show from the TV. It was a trivial thing, but it wasn't bad to just watch and laugh. However, that was short-lived.

  Lee Young eventually flipped the channel as if she couldn't watch any longer. She kept pressing the remote, trying to find a broadcast that might offer her some comfort. But nothing caught her eye. Eventually, she settled on a documentary. It was a nature show about animals with English audio she couldn't understand but subtitles she could read. She let out a sigh.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Her body was almost fully recovered. Still, it would be some time before she was discharged. Yet, she couldn't even guarantee to herself whether she could actually step outside the hospital.

  To Lee Young, the prospect of returning was simply terrifying. It was frightening enough to make her think that dying might be better. Of course, she knew she shouldn't think that way when she considered Jihyeon, who had protected her. Nevertheless, she was just plain scared.

  Lee Young had nowhere to go. Her parents were gone, and nothing remained in her home. It seemed thieves had looted the place once they realized no one was there. Fortunately, those who tried to do bad things using the personal information of Lee Young and her family were severely punished, but through that, she realized it was useless to hope for anything more.

  There was only one person who could help her.

  That was Jihyeon.

  She couldn't trust the police, but she could trust Jihyeon. He would surely help her no matter how hard things got. But Jihyeon was a busy man. That fact also made things difficult for Lee Young. She couldn't help but feel her heart break just thinking about it. She was still young. Her young soul, not yet an adult, was covered in scars from so many incidents.

  "You were awake?"

  Only one person could enter her room without permission: Jihyeon. As always, he was able to come inside without anyone noticing.

  "Yes... But you're not... alone today?"

  Lee Young didn't hide her displeasure at the fact that there was another uninvited guest. She didn't like that there was another woman by Jihyeon's side. Of course, this woman was likely someone precious or trustworthy to Jihyeon, which is why she came with him. Lee Young could deduce that much.

  Nevertheless, she couldn't help the uncontrollable jealousy. Yet, Lee Young was in no position to get angry at Jihyeon. So, suppressing her emotions, she looked at Jihyeon.

  "I know you might not be thrilled. But she’s my friend who will help you... once you're discharged."

  Jihyeon spoke very carefully. Lee Young let out a sigh in spite of herself, feeling somewhat incredulous. Still, seeing Jihyeon be so mindful of her reaction didn't feel bad, so she looked at the woman.

  "I've heard about you from Jihyeon. You're Lee Young, right? I'm Min-ah. Park Min-ah."

  The woman introduced herself. Lee Young maintained a wary expression, not understanding why he had brought this woman.

  However, after hearing Jihyeon's explanation, Lee Young found herself in tears. Jihyeon explained what had happened to Min-ah without any filters and told her how Min-ah had agreed to help Lee Young despite her own situation.

  It wasn't that Min-ah wasn't afraid. She, too, was still being threatened by a fate she hadn't asked for. But despite that, Min-ah wanted to help Lee Young. That fact gave Lee Young a sense of relief. The realization that there was someone to be with her even in difficult times evoked an indescribable emotion.

  The tears kept flowing. It wasn't just because of simple relief. It was perhaps because the fact that she wasn't alone had slightly erased the pain from the scars etched into her soul. For a while, the two women continued to cry, and Jihyeon just watched them quietly.

  The Vice-Leader let out a sigh as he looked over the report on the results of Ha-eun's reconstructive surgery. They had perhaps crossed the line once again.

  Ha-eun had now become the first successful subject to be implanted with multiple Tools. He now possessed overwhelming defense, physical strength, and high-speed movement capabilities simultaneously. With that, he would be able to easily take down any enemy of the Cult. Even Jihyeon would be no different. It wouldn't be easy, but conversely, Ha-eun wouldn't go down without a fight.

  But was it right to continue doing this? It was late for a conscience, but the Vice-Leader felt truly afraid of how deep their sins were becoming. Of course, they knew well that when they first established the religion led by the Leader, they were committing sins beyond what ordinary people could imagine. In the case of the Chief Executive, he had even paid the price with his own daughter, yet the sins only grew deeper.

  But they couldn't turn back now. After someone first implanted a Tool into the Leader and the Cult was established, So-young had managed them. Providing and implanting Tools at a reasonable price, they took the associated data in return. It was a business. The purpose was unknown, but thanks to it, the Cult could be maintained, and at some point, they became an inseparable community of fate.

  It was a twisted business, so strange it was a miracle they hadn't been caught yet. Within it, the leadership of the Cult, including the Vice-Leader, could no longer be called good people. And now, they had become So-young's retrieval team for useful experimental subjects. The Vice-Leader gave a bitter smile at that fact, but he knew well they had no right to complain.

  Still, because they possessed Tools incomparable to the cheap ones on the market, they could sufficiently retrieve the subjects who had collapsed after going berserk, as So-young desired. Of course, they knew nothing of the fate of those taken as subjects. But they could guess well enough by seeing their own Apostles undergo surgery.

  Clearly, they shouldn't say a word about their fate. He couldn't help the goosebumps that rose just from imagining it. His heart was heavy. Every day they spoke of good things, but they were sinners. If he had just remained a villain, he wouldn't have such worries. But because he wasn't a perfect villain, the Vice-Leader felt the burden on his shoulders continuously increasing.

  But what could he do now? He realized he was merely a useful tool for So-young and those behind her. A tool is best used as a tool. No emotion was needed. Mocking that fact, the Vice-Leader took a sip of the alcohol on his desk. Now, it was his only comfort. With a bitter smile, the Vice-Leader enjoyed the bitterness spreading in his mouth. As if it were his only solace, he slowly savored the strong liquor, over 40% proof, again and again.