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The worship continued in the darkness. The pastor solemnly recited prayers as if he were praying alone, and the believers, hidden in the shadows, held their breath and listened intently, as if they were nonexistent.

It was a scene reminiscent of persecuted believers secretly continuing their faith. And as with any religion, trials came.

Suddenly, a zombie appeared.

“Grant us the strength to overcome tribulations through faith—”

“Kreeeek!”

A sudden scream echoed inside the chapel. A zombie. With no light except the candles around the pastor, it was impossible to tell exactly where it had appeared.

The pastor opened his eyes. Anger seemed to frost over his tear-filled eyes, and a thunderous shout erupted.

“Unbeliever!”

*Screech—*

The portable microphone and speaker blasted an ear-piercing noise. Otherwise, it was quiet. Even with the zombie’s appearance, the believers remained calm. No one screamed or scrambled to escape.

I quietly stood up, assessing the situation.

‘Bait?’

The only light was from the candles, and the noise from the speakers. If people stayed still like mannequins, the zombie would ignore them and charge only at the pastor.

Sure enough.

“Kreeek! Gruaak!”

The sound of the zombie struggling, falling, and flailing as it approached could be heard.

The pastor, as if accustomed to this, pulled out a large cross from under the pulpit. It was a wall-mounted cross made of steel. The candlelight cast a holy glow on it.

It was an excellent blunt weapon. Thinking about it, a hammer and a cross do look somewhat similar.

‘It even resembles the “I” in the Immortal Company logo. Maybe I should consider joining for a bit. And that pastor kinda looks like the Chairman.’

While I was reshaping my thought process for the sake of authentic acting, the pastor glared downward and raised the cross high. The baiting shouts continued.

“Those who succumb to trials! Unbelievers who abandon faith! How dare the sinful set foot in this sacred church!”

“Kraaa!”

And then, the zombie reached him.

The cross came down on the zombie struggling to climb the podium.

“In the name of God! Faith! Judgment! Salvation!”

*Thud—!* The sound of a powerful strike. In the faint candlelight, the cross swung repeatedly. The horizontal part, where Jesus’ hands were nailed, mercilessly struck the zombie.

“The hand of God!”

The zombie, unable to regain its senses, was beaten until it collapsed. The pastor had good control, hid outside the candlelight, and landed a solid hit on the head from the start.

Almost like a professional zombie hunter. No hesitation, just murder as part of the performance.

‘Pillager, approved.’

The more I thought about it, the more impressive this group seemed. Even the fact that its members were believers was an advantage. Once branded as unbelievers, they could pillage without a guilty conscience.

As the commotion settled and the pastor used it for his sermon, I lost myself in thought, drafting various scenarios.

Methods to join, ways to gain a suitable position, efficient utilization, survivalist tactics.

‘What I learned from the professor’s manuscript…’

How long had I been deep in thought, not even listening to the pastor?

Before I knew it, the service had ended.

Electricity was restored, and bright lights returned. The believers’ faces showed tears, moved expressions, and prayers.

The pastor smiled faintly and greeted the people.

“Don’t forget your masks. Make sure to disinfect when you leave. And this unbeliever…”

Suddenly, the pastor looked down. The zombie beaten by the cross wasn’t dead yet, its chest rising and falling.

“Take it to the repentance room. I will pray for it. May God save the lamb. Oh, and those who came into contact with this unbeliever, please disinfect the affected areas with the sanctified disinfectant.”

The people left in an orderly manner. Even the grandmother got up and headed for the entrance, likely to handle the disinfection.

Amidst the murmuring, Jeondohyeong approached me.

“Are you really going through with this? It seems too risky.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

I widened my eyes, as if looking at an unbeliever doubting the apocalypse and the Chairman.

“How could you doubt the pastor? I believe in him. I will be his strength.”

“…What are you planning now?”

Jeondohyeong, who miraculously kept his sanity during the service, pressed his temples, but I turned away.

A church elder, armed with a mask, raincoat, and gloves like protective gear, wrapped the unconscious zombie in plastic and dragged it away.

I walked toward the pastor, who was talking to the elders.

***

A guard protecting the pastor tried to stop me, but I managed to get a chance to meet him. Jeondohyeong, the pastor, and I faced each other in a room that looked like an office.

I glanced around the room.

A cross hung on the wall, a desk with a computer and cups, and bookshelves filled with Bibles and Christian literature.

“Brother. You said you had something to discuss with me.”

The pastor’s young voice reached me. I turned my head. Confidently, he wasn’t wearing a mask and was staring at us intently.

Before speaking, I accelerated my thoughts.

‘Playing a simple fanatic won’t work. Fanatics are everywhere. So…’

It’s all about profit and loss. Just as this church gained followers through the loss of virus infection and hell, and the profit of salvation from defeating the virus.

Faith is a given, but I need to show the unique profit I can offer. I opened my mouth carefully.

“Pastor. I see hope in you. You are the one who can stand against the Chairman and save those suffering from the virus.”

As I spoke these flattering words, the pastor, who had been observing me, said briefly.

“I know.”

I was momentarily speechless. The madness hidden in that calm statement. No denial, no humility. Is he an intelligent survivor or just a cultist? Or is he acting because I’m a stranger?

Unable to say anything, the pastor clasped his hands in prayer and closed his eyes.

“When the greedy head pastor and the weak believers all turned into zombies. Only I and a few brothers and sisters remained untainted. God has given me a command.”

“Uh… What command?”

Jeondohyeong asked. The pastor muttered as if praying. A voice filled with faith.

“Guide and protect the lambs from the disaster caused by Satan! It is the mission God has given me!”

“…”

I have no idea what he’s talking about.

I thought he was a cold, manipulative person using faith as a tool. But is he really a cultist? What is this?

Jeondohyeong and the pastor continued talking.

“So why aren’t you wearing a mask?”

“As long as I hold onto my mission, the virus cannot dare to invade me.”

“Wow…”

Wow, my foot. It’s just that everyone else is wearing masks, disinfecting, and creating a clean zone, so of course, he’s not getting infected.

My suspicion swayed between the apocalyptic madman and the skilled pillager.

‘Ah. What is this? What kind of person is he?’

I guess I need to join and observe to analyze him. There’s no rush to make a decision anyway.

My gaze brushed past the pastor’s face. That weakness of not wearing a mask.

‘First, join and assess the situation.’

A well-organized group, armed with firearms, and many people. It’s the perfect environment to test how much the professor’s teachings can help.

A chance to learn how to manage a group. If it’s really good, I might even settle here.

‘The professor said that human weapons are social skills and groups, and individuals have limits. Mafia and some drug cartel seniors taught to win the hearts of locals and collect protection money.’

I suddenly spoke up.

“Do you know Professor Kim?”

“Which professor?”

I listed Professor Kim’s details.

A disaster response expert, a renowned university, policy advisory experience.

“I was his student. I truly wish to help you, Pastor. With you, we can save more people.”

“Indeed. This is also God’s work.”

The professor’s authority worked on the pastor too. He smiled happily and suddenly expressed gratitude as if praying.

I quickly clasped his hands and bowed my head. Jeondohyeong, unsure, looked at the pastor and then followed my lead in prayer.

After a while, the pastor asked curiously.

“What did you learn from that professor?”

Now’s the time. To prove my value, the profit I can offer. I start with a down payment.

“The professor predicted that the end would come. He—”

Apocalyptic theory.

A weapon that combines well with religion and can be used as prophecy. I vividly described the apocalypse.

Unstoppable spread. The coming virus mutation. Birds and beasts becoming hosts, air, water, and land turning against humanity on the day of reckoning.

The pastor took notes with a pen, a strange emotion on his face.

“To this extent… Indeed.”

He seemed both despairing at the bleak future and rejoicing at the trial that would prove his faith. Or perhaps welcoming the era of pillagers.

Second, I threw out a line to secure a position.

“Of course, the professor said there is hope. I also learned how to survive in such situations. Please let me help you save more people.”

“Wow…”

Jeondohyeong was impressed. Probably wondering how I could spin such lies.

Fortunately, the pastor showed no reaction and asked.

“Then, we— Oh, what’s your name?”

“Kwon Dain.”

I casually changed only my surname. No need to give my real name.

“Brother Kwon Dain. What should we do to protect our church and brothers and sisters now?”

“Disaster response is complex and must be considered from multiple perspectives… First, the current quarantine measures are excellent.”

It’s not a lie. Disinfection, masks, entry logs. All good.

But there are shortcomings I noticed briefly. I spoke as professionally as possible.

“However, the wooden doors of the chapel and the glass doors at the church entrance are disadvantages. Zombies can break through them at any time.”

The flaws I saw when considering this place as a base.

“Also, the isolated church building is a disadvantage. In densely packed villa or mansion areas, you can create escape routes from rooftop to rooftop, but if isolated in a church, there’s no way to escape.”

“But… abandoning the church to move is…”

The pastor spoke as if troubled. I forced out some faith. He’s not the pastor; he’s the Chairman. They look similar.

A devout voice came out.

“Wherever you are, Pastor, that is the church.”

The pastor quietly observed me, then smiled faintly. He said.

“Brother. Age— Oh, no need to be strict now. Brother Kwon Dain. Will you become a deacon and take charge of the church’s safety management?”

“It would be an honor.”

Done.

Whatever the name, I got a suitable position. With a position comes authority.

“Abandoning the church is not an easy decision. Deacon Kwon Dain. Please try to maintain the church as much as possible.”

“Understood. Then I need to check the building structure first…”

“Of course.”

I smiled happily, though it wouldn’t be visible under my mask. The pastor simply nodded at the sight of my unfamiliar, maskless face.

‘Where to start? Let’s check the building first.’

I stood up enthusiastically, and Jeondohyeong awkwardly followed.

The pastor finally focused on Jeondohyeong.

“Ah. And this brother is…?”

“My friend. He’ll help me with the work.”

And so, Kim Dain, the aspiring scenario writer, joined the church as Deacon Kwon Dain, in charge of safety management.

Jeondohyeong, dragged along, muttered, “Me too, me too, deacon,” but I ignored him.

 

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