Chapter 322
Chapter 322: The Fake Disappears
Earth, outskirts of Seoul.
It was a prayer room remodeled from an abandoned Catholic church.
The stained glass was completely covered with black cloth. Instead, hundreds of candles pushed away the darkness.
The flickering flames cast bizarre shadows on the walls.
In the center of it.
Han Siah was kneeling.
Pale skin, pitch-black hair.
She had her eyes closed with both hands gathered neatly together.
Her lips parted slightly.
"Obey with faith."
The whisper seeped into the quiet prayer room.
This was her daily routine.
Waking up at dawn to pray, praying during the day, and praying at night. Meals were kept to a minimum.
Sleep was also kept to a minimum.
Only prayer filled her day.
Fanaticism.
Someone called it that.
However, Han Siah did not care.
Because this was the natural duty of one who had been saved.
Kkiiik—.
The door opened.
Cautious footsteps approached.
Han Siah did not open her eyes.
"Lady Han Siah."
A trembling voice.
It was one of the executives.
Cold sweat had formed on the man's forehead.
"This is this month's report."
Han Siah slowly opened her eyes.
"Read it."
"Yes. It is the current status of believers worldwide. The believers in the North Korean region have increased explosively. A 340% increase compared to the previous month."
"The harder it is, the deeper the faith becomes."
Han Siah's voice was soft and gentle.
"What about China?"
"It is rising rapidly. We are smoothly infiltrating Japan and Russia as well."
"What about the US?"
The executive's voice grew quieter.
"……It is somewhat sluggish."
"The reason?"
"Since Christian forces are so deeply rooted……."
Silence.
Han Siah turned her head.
Eyes imbued with holy brilliance looked at the apostle.
"Hasn't the world become very, chaotic?"
"Th-that is correct."
"For that, the spread of the religion is a bit slow, isn't it?"
"I-I apologize!"
"Please tell them to do their best."
A soft and gentle voice.
The executive's face turned pale white.
"Yes, yes!"
He hurriedly bowed his head.
His hands were trembling.
Correction.
Suddenly, that word crossed his mind.
What happened to those among the cult's leadership who were judged to lack faith.
Those screams, despair, and terrible sights flashed through his mind.
It was an experience he never wanted to go through again.
The apostle, sweating cold sweat, quickly backed away.
The door closed.
Han Siah gathered both hands again.
"Lord Kim Minwoo."
A whisper flowed out.
"May your will be done on this earth."
The candles flickered all at once.
It was at that moment.
[From the Heavenly City, the Faith Orb sent by 'Kim Minwoo' has arrived!]
Han Siah's eyes sparkled.
She had experienced this in the past as well.
At that time, a Diamond rank sponsorship certificate had arrived.
However, Han Siah did not use it immediately.
The reason was simple.
It was because she was still laying the foundation of faith on Earth. In fact, the note attached with the sponsorship certificate contained instructions to gather more believers instead of coming right away.
She was the most faithful fanatic.
Naturally, she obeyed the god's command.
And a while later.
The god's gift had arrived once again.
A black box arrived.
Han Siah personally tore off the seal.
Inside were dozens of orbs.
A cloudy color.
As she placed one on her palm, a cool sensation seeped through her skin.
[Faith Orb]
[Rank: Special.]
[An orb that can verify whether someone is Kim Minwoo's believer.]
[Effect 1. When a believer stands in front of it, a black light flows out. The greater the faith, the darker the color becomes.]
“Hmm…….”
The corners of Han Siah's mouth slowly went up.
She could see the path of how it should be used just by looking at it.
Indeed, a message was attached along with a single picture in the included note.
From Rank F to S.
It was a picture expressing the density of the visible color according to the degree of faith.
[Use it well.]
The corners of Han Siah's mouth slowly went up.
“I should test it out.”
First, herself.
As she stared intently at the orb, it slowly began to be dyed with color. Dark. Even darker.
In an instant, the orb became as thick as if it had fallen into black ink.
Soon after, the orb that was turning endlessly black slowly began to crack, and then…….
Jjeojeojeok—!
It completely shattered to pieces.
“……Ah.”
Han Siah's eyes cast down slightly.
She stared blankly at the black powder scattered over her palm.
It was a shame.
Just how deep her faith was.
She had wanted to check it with an objective numerical value.
“The orb couldn't withstand it.”
A soliloquy flowed out.
It was a calm voice, but a hint of disappointment was buried somewhere within.
Han Siah stood up from her seat.
Brushing off the black powder, she left the prayer room.
Three executives could be seen.
The man who had submitted the report earlier was also among them.
“Did you call for us?”
Han Siah lifted the orb without a word.
Wiing—.
The orb vibrated faintly.
The light wavered and then was dyed a deep black.
Her eyes narrowed.
[Faith Rank: A]
[Judgment: Deep devotion. Deep submission.]
"You pass. It's not perfect, but your faith is still deep."
"Th-thank you!"
The man hurriedly bowed his head.
Han Siah turned her head.
She handed the orbs to the remaining two executives.
The first.
[Faith Rank: B]
[Judgment: Sincere faith. However, falls short of complete devotion.]
She was dissatisfied, but it was tolerable for now.
Since it wasn't at the level of a bug, at least.
And the last executive…….
[Faith Rank: F]
[Judgment: A guy only pretending to believe.]
The knees of the one who received the F rank buckled.
"P-please forgive me!"
"Ah, you were the one who joined recently, right?"
Han Siah slowly approached.
Her pale fingers lifted his chin.
"As expected. You were indeed a bug."
A soft and gentle voice.
The man's face turned deadly pale.
"Who sent you?"
"Th-that is……!"
"Send him to the correction room."
Just a single word.
At that moment, the man's pupils expanded to their limits.
"N-no! Please!"
The correction room.
It was a place where just the name alone sent chills down one's spine.
Rumors said that if a perfectly normal human went in, they would come out as a ruined shell.
No, it would be fortunate if they were just a ruined shell.
When they came out, they had all become hardcore fanatics.
Husks with the light gone from their eyes, leaving only faith behind.
He had come to spy to find out exactly what methods were used to make that possible.
He thought he just needed to extract the information and get out.
But he got caught.
The terrified man shouted while his lips trembled violently.
"The, the Christian coalition from the US side……! They told me to extract the information!"
The man frantically smashed his forehead against the floor.
"Please, please just not the correction room……!"
"I see."
Han Siah withdrew her hand.
She gestured to the guards waiting outside the door.
"Take him away."
"Yes!"
"N-no!!"
The scream of him being dragged away echoed down the corridor.
The remaining two executives hurriedly fell to their knees.
"I, I will receive correction too! I will rebuild my faith!"
"No. The two of you have proven your truthfulness, so there is no need to go that far."
Chuckling lightly, she smiled mercifully.
However, the madness lingering within it was hotter than the candles.
"Lord Kim Minwoo does not tolerate lies. However, he bestows mercy upon those who repent."
"Now……. Are you going to inspect all the believers worldwide?"
"Of course?"
Han Siah looked at the box of orbs.
Dozens of Faith Orbs were shining faintly under the candlelight.
"The volume we can verify will continue to increase. For now, make sure to deliver them to all the core executives, and……."
Gulp.
One of the executives, having swallowed his saliva nervously, asked.
"Th-then, are you going to proceed with correcting all the fakes……."
"No. There is bound to be a limit to forced faith."
She said with a bright smile.
"Fortunately, Lord Kim Minwoo predicted all of this. We will introduce it. A new caste system."
"A-A caste system, you say……."
"Benefits to those with deep faith. Losses to those with shallow faith. To those who do not believe…… an iron mace."
Han Siah gathered both hands.
She closed her eyes.
"Lord Kim Minwoo."
A whisper seeped into the prayer room.
"Becoming your eyes, I shall weed out the falsehoods."
The candles flickered all at once.
＊ ＊ ＊
Seoul, Gangnam, Ilsung Group secret conference room.
Twenty chairs surrounded a round table.
Each and every attendee was splendid.
Chairman of the Ilsung Group, Kim Kangchul.
Chinese President Liang Xiaojun.
A high-ranking representative from North Korea.
Even core politicians from neighboring countries like Russia and Japan.
Those called the real powers of each country were gathered in one place.
Han Siah flipped the presentation screen.
"This is the social benefit system according to believer ranks that we have devised."
The screen changed.
A pyramid-shaped chart popped up.
―Rank S
Priority assignment for core positions in Ilsung Group and large corporations.
Completely free treatment from top-tier hospitals and healers, including for family members.
Special admission to prestigious universities and Hunter Academies for children.
Support for exclusive raid equipment sets and admission tickets to exclusive high-difficulty hunting grounds.
―Rank A
Bonus points for employment in public enterprises, civil service, and the Hunter Association.
Priority reservations at large hospitals and healing centers, significant discounts on medical expenses.
Housing subsidies, priority for pre-sale and rental of Ilsung-owned apartments.
Regular issuance of high-tier equipment rental tickets, and free enhancement/repair coupons.
―Rank B
Reduction in income tax and Awakened activity tax.
Priority assignment for public housing and dormitories.
Support for mid-tier equipment sets (1 weapon/armor set).
Exemption from entrance fees for popular hunting grounds, priority for experience buff zones.
―Rank C
Partial support for transportation, electricity, and heating expenses.
Free use of public training grounds and Awakened sports facilities.
Permanent 30% discount at equipment shops, discounts on potions and consumables.
―Rank D
Discounts on medical expenses and basic insurance premiums.
One free meal ticket per day (restaurants operated by the cult or Ilsung).
Priority matching for low-level dungeons and part-time raid parties.
―Rank E
Regular issuance of daily necessity packages (rice, ramen, essentials).
Permanent access to public meals, heating, and shelters.
Standard 10% discount at equipment shops and stores (common to Awakened and ordinary people).
―Rank F
Daily necessity vouchers.
Permanent 5% discount at all Ilsung/cult affiliated equipment shops.
Provision of basic passes for public hunting grounds and training grounds.
Kim Kangchul flipped through the documents continuously.
The connection between the Death Cult and the Ilsung Group was beyond sticky; it was at the level of being completely glued together.
'He said that as the number of believers increases, Minwoo also gradually becomes stronger…….'
On top of that, there was the Earth 2.0 update and the maneuvering of the Shadows.
The way the situation was turning was unusual.
Because of that, Kim Kangchul had already gone all-in with all his cards on his eldest son.
"In short, it means giving benefits if they believe, and absolutely nothing if they don't?"
"That is correct, Chairman. Rather than forcing them to believe, handing them profits comes first."
"You are right. Fortunately, Ilsung's reserves are on the ample side. I will handle South Korean politics. The President is favorable, so we will have to think of a way for the public to accept it."
"That is also already prepared."
Han Siah lifted her tablet.
A social media screen popped up.
Hashtags were going up in real-time.
#GodOfDeathChallenge
#PrayToLordKimMinwooToWin
#Prayer_ProofShot
"The media line is spreading memes and challenges. It is a structure where if they prove they prayed to Lord Kim Minwoo, we sprinkle prizes through a lottery. We start them off light, and make them fall deeply into it."
The North Korean representative nodded.
"It will be even easier on our side."
China, Russia, and Japan had also received agreement.
Of course, there were still no places to settle it as quickly as South Korea other than China and North Korea, but…….
It did not matter.
Because time was on their side.
Laughter spread.
Only Han Siah did not laugh.
After the meeting ended.
Han Siah remained alone.
She opened the box of Faith Orbs.
"Now it is time to clean up the fakes."
The leeches who merely pretended to believe while only sucking up the cult's support and money. Until now, even if there was suspicion, there could be no certainty.
But now it was different.
Her figure smoothly disappeared.
The first target was a famous YouTuber.
An influencer with 3 million subscribers.
A person who publicly praised the cult.
The orb shone faintly.
[Faith Rank: F]
"As expected."
Han Siah's eyes sank coldly.
Next was a National Assembly member belonging to the ruling party.
The person who had proposed the cult sponsorship bill.
[Faith Rank: F]
"Both to the correction room."
It was a calm sentence.
The orb inspections continued for a week.
47 middle managers, 12 politicians, 8 celebrities.
The fakes were filtered out one by one.
In the darkness, Han Siah gathered both hands.
"Finally……."
A whisper flowed out.
The corners of her mouth slowly went up.
"Lord Kim Minwoo's true world is opening."
Holy madness flickered in her pupils.
The candles flickered.
The shadows danced.
Falsehood burns away, and only truth remains.
That was the only truth she believed in.