Chapter 37
Chapter 37: Selection (1)
"Kang Pung-ho, what are you doing right now?"
The Possessor Management Bureau's detention camp.
Between the densely packed iron bars, Park Chang-ho glared at Kang Pung-ho.
"Call me Kang Ji-na instead."
Clang!
Kang Pung-ho looked at Park Chang-ho while shaking her short hair.
Her eyes sparkled brightly.
At the sight of those beautiful round eyes, Park Chang-ho momentarily held his breath.
'That's a middle-aged Kang Pung-ho in her forties.'
Pulling himself together to avoid falling for a honey trap, Park Chang-ho continued speaking.
"You're not trying to write a post in the community right now, are you?"
The reason Park Chang-ho spoke up was because:
Kang Pung-ho was typing with her hand placed in midair.
"That is... well..."
As Kang Pung-ho stammered and twisted her legs hesitantly.
"Chang-ho, how much longer are we going to be treated like retards? We should do a rapid level-up too! Huh? We need to let them know we're being treated like actual people, right?"
Nishida Ryo flared up.
Park Chang-ho, Kang Pung-ho, Nishida Ryo.
The three Possessors had received special permission from Director Erik and were confined in a large detention camp.
In a spacious room of about twenty pyeong, the three people lived together.
That wasn't the end of it.
"Now we sleep in beds instead of on dirt floors!"
Nishida Ryo's voice rang out loudly.
Other Possessors watched their detention camp with envious eyes.
Though they were within the same iron bars, their circumstances were different.
A room with a bathroom attached, no less!
Feeling the envious gazes, Kang Pung-ho added a word.
"Plus, we can go out once a week."
It was an actual outing permit.
Of course, there was the condition that they had to move under the supervision of the Royal Guard.
Considering that other Possessors lived eating only rations in roughly two-pyeong cells...
'It's certainly incredible.'
Park Chang-ho had no choice but to admit it.
But posting about it to the community was a bit...
His head throbbed.
"You idiots, the ones outside aren't even confined in the first place, so you'll just get mocked if you brag."
"Shit... now that you mention it, that's true."
Agreement came easily.
Among Possessors confined in detention camps, their treatment was good, but compared to those roaming outside, they were still objects of ridicule.
Of course, Park Chang-ho hadn't stopped them from writing the community post for just that simple reason.
Park Chang-ho looked around and gestured to the two people.
Kang Pung-ho and Nishida Ryo leaned in to listen.
"Director Erik... he clearly knows about Possessors. From skill trees to community-related things, he seemed to know about all of it."
Park Chang-ho whispered, and Kang Pung-ho and Nishida Ryo nodded.
What was Erik like when they saw him in the Labyrinth?
'Monstrously strong.'
'Showed no hesitation in killing.'
'So handsome!'
The three Possessors realized the danger of Communityposts.
"Look at this."
[Religious Fanatic Survival Method Blocked]
[We're in the Wounded Barracks right now, and these crazy bastards won't give us Potions anymore—they're treating us with Holy Blessing Scrolls instead.]
"...Wow, this got blocked?"
A previously shared survival method had been blocked.
It was a useful tip that if you went to the wounded and refugee barracks managed by low-tier or combat priests, you could avoid direct contact with Holy Power.
"See? Whether it's the Empire or the Astia Religious Order, they definitely have the means to check community posts."
"Well, they seem tight-lipped about the Black Magic Group here too."
The three people spoke carefully.
And all of that content was being recorded by the Imperial Intelligence Bureau.
[Possessor Conversation Log Summary]
[A trend of distrust toward community posts has emerged among Possessors. It is believed that spreading this current sentiment could make it even more difficult for Possessors to hide and live.]
"Damn it. Director Erik was seriously scary."
Nishida Ryo muttered quietly.
"Yeah... and he makes women do rough work too."
Kang Pung-ho agreed.
'You idiots... you even found out about community content from the status window, did you think verbal speech would be any different?'
Park Chang-ho pressed his temples and lay down on the bed.
He didn't voice his thoughts.
He pondered for a moment.
'Should I keep going into the Labyrinth with those two?'
Honestly, he hadn't grown close to them after two playthroughs.
At every turning point, the two people looked at him and forced him to take the burden.
'Their perception is terrible too.'
In fact, the current situation was like that too.
Even if he told them to be careful with their words, they wouldn't listen anyway.
Rather, he hoped the two people would become disliked and be replaced by others.
"I'm going to sleep."
Park Chang-ho made his choice.
With this, he held the belief that his party members would change.
And:
[Possessor Nishida Ryo and Kang Pung-ho have many grievances against Director Erik. Park Chang-ho is confirmed to be neglecting his role as manager. See detailed conversation log in attachment.]
Whatever the method, choices come with consequences.
***
"Hey, brother. I'm so embarrassed."
"Shut up, Du-sik."
Erik, who had obtained the Ring of Conviction, closed his eyes tightly.
As he and Jang Du-sik walked through the gateway connected to District 3, he felt gazes from all directions.
Words he didn't want to hear reached his ears anyway.
"What's that hanging on his head?"
"Sir Paladin... Wow, that huge build! It's Director Erik who was invited to the banquet!"
"Ooh, so you're the Holy Paladin, there's something peculiar hanging on your head."
Erik, being gigantic, always drew attention.
A height well over two meters.
And handsome features worthy of being called the incarnation of God.
And furthermore,
'Do I have to live with this?'
A golden halo had been equipped on his head.
[Bound Upon Acquisition] items become bound to their owner's body the moment ownership is determined.
Which meant:
Even if he wanted to take it off, he couldn't.
"I've never seen anything that sparkles brighter than this consecrated head of Jang Du-sik's."
"Du-sik."
Just as Erik raised his hand to flick him on the forehead:
"Kyaaah!"
A scream came from the opposite side.
Erik spotted red hair at the gateway.
It was Erica Fernasia.
'Why does she look so angry again?'
She quickly put on her helmet and tried to enter the Security Bureau.
But something that approached suddenly caught her hand holding the helmet.
'Could it be...?'
Erica looked up and saw Erik looking down at her.
His eyes were fierce.
Then Erica slightly raised her gaze.
'A ring?'
Shudder.
Erik's trapezius muscle moved.
Erica lowered her gaze again and made eye contact with Erik.
"Captain Erica, did you happen to visit the church?"
"Ugh... I stopped by briefly, and the moment Father Ruelle saw me, he gave me an expulsion order. The building seemed to have changed incredibly beautifully."
Erik tilted his head.
'Did the church get completed already?'
While Erik had been visiting the Garcian Kingdom, he had left orders with Janson to complete the church construction.
But to build it in just a few days.
'That's Janson's work efficiency alright.'
The reason Ruelle blocked Erica's visit was also clear now.
The church had been completed.
"These kinds of things are supposed to be seen by family first!"
Ruelle's first church.
In front of a shabby wooden building built in a corner of District 4, she had said such things while surrounding Erik and several children.
At that time, Erik had made a mischievous joke...
"Whatever you're thinking about..."
Erica took a step closer toward Erik, who was lost in memories.
Red hair passed in front of his eyes.
"Let go of this arm, would you?"
Erik was still holding Erica's arm.
"That manner of speech is always awkward no matter when I hear it, Your Highness."
Erik grinned mischievously and let go of Erica's arm.
Then he crossed the District gate and headed toward District 3.
"Hey, brother. That woman is scared of you but subtly chases you around, it's like she's a pervert."
Jang Du-sik, who had been watching from behind, grinned.
"Ha-ha! Du-sik, it's rare for you to say something that makes sense!"
Erik also burst into a bright laugh.
For some reason, all he remembered was being beaten by her, but ever since childhood, Erica had always followed him around.
Even now it was the same.
'Without me asking, she takes good care of the church.'
From Erik's perspective, it was a good thing.
"Now that I think about it, everyone you've beaten follows you around, don't they?"
"Mm..."
Jang Du-sik, Erica, Janson, the old man.
Countless names passed through Erik's mind.
'Come to think of it, the first-generation kids from the orphanage are the same too.'
Having exchanged such idle talk, Erik and Jang Du-sik arrived in front of the reconstructed church.
In front of the arched door appeared Janson the limping Sword Master.
"Oh, lackey, you were alive!"
Jang Du-sik greeted him with a grin.
Janson scrunched up his scarred face and looked at Erik.
"Boss. Why is brother here too?"
"I have some business."
Janson opened the door with a reluctant expression.
Through it,
"Huh. Brother, does a church really get built in just a few days?"
A church appeared that was not merely grand but majestic, not just ornate but dazzling.
Twenty enormous pillars, with pointed ornaments visible overhead.
Numerous sculptures carved into the walls, with stained glass windows between the pillars emitting radiant light.
The height was comparable to the orphanage.
Click! Clack!
"Boss, this design was based on the Las Lajas Cathedral on Earth and the Hell Gate sculpture as a reference."
Janson spoke proudly.
The way he glanced at Jang Du-sik carried a subtle sense of rivalry.
"So this is what happens when a Sword Master builds a building."
Erik admired it.
Though it was made by copying a famous cathedral and sculpture from Earth...
It was pure majesty itself.
'It's even more magnificent than the papal palace.'
Though it had a slightly excessive feel to it.
But what did that matter?
"Mm-hm."
Hearing Ruelle's humming, it was clear that the owner of the church was satisfied.
'Her anger has completely dissipated.'
Ruelle, who had expressed her displeasure by leaving subordinates behind, now had a very happy expression.
"Erik!"
Erik bowed his head toward Ruelle approaching brightly.
"Who am I?"
"The owner of the largest church in the Empire."
Hahahaha! Ruelle laughed, bending her curved body.
Erik also laughed in return, and,
"So you're not going to make that joke this time either?"
Ruelle asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Erik closed his eyes tightly.
He recalled the memory from Ruelle's first church opening ceremony.
"My body may be like this, but my mind is thirty years old. The age difference isn't much for me to call you Mother, is it?"
"You don't look like my mother? Because you're such a tiny brat, it's even cuter! So you don't want to become family?"
At the time, Ruelle had been around thirty, so from Park Ji-hun's perspective, such a thought would have made sense.
"If we became a married couple, perhaps it would be different."
Ruelle struck Erik's back and laughed heartily.
Crack!
"What are you saying, you little rascal!"
It was the words of a small, cute child just over a meter tall, so even if its true nature was a Possessor, it would only look cute.
But the current Erik was different.
Opening his eyes, Erik stepped forward to stand before Ruelle.
A shadow fell over Ruelle.
"Erik?"
Cyan-colored eyes turned toward Erik.
Erik bowed his head and whispered into Ruelle's ear.
"Can you handle it?"
Flinch!
Ruelle trembled.
She retreated about ten steps away.
"Mm-hm, well, I see."
With that, she entered the church.
Creak!
The opened interior of the church revealed seating divided into three levels. Toward the innermost part was visible a podium reciting prayers.
'The boss seems uncomfortable.'
Janson, who had perceptively held his breath in the odd atmosphere, quickly changed the subject.
"Ahem, well. Boss, I made the interior based on the interior of Palais Garnier from Paris."
Erik found Janson's attentiveness unsatisfying.
Thus, he continued the conversation quickly.
"The Sword Master's carving skill is quite remarkable."
The interior of the church gave off the feeling of a grand opera house.
Every single pillar and ceiling bore artistic carvings.
"It's only copying things we've seen, so it's a modest craft. Besides, there's no copyright issue with this, right?"
Janson had made things by imitating buildings from Earth as closely as possible.
Rather than creating something awkwardly original, it was better to reference famous buildings whose value was already recognized.
"I particularly like the three-level structure."
In truth, Erik had no interest in architectural beauty or the artistic value of sculptures.
His interest was solely focused on—
"At minimum, it should accommodate over a thousand people."
How many people could offer tithes?
That was what occupied his mind.
"If we open the standing lounge on the outer edge of the first level, we can accommodate up to three times the total capacity."
Of course, Janson had considered this as well.
'I need to have a drink with Janson soon.'
Erik is so resolved.
***
"Mm-hm, how is it?"
Ruelle, standing at the center of the podium, looked down at Erik.
A podium about two meters high.
With the holy relic in her hands on that podium, Ruelle's appearance was both beautiful and sacred.
The stained glass behind her reflected sunlight, creating an atmosphere that was both majestic and holy.
"I expect you'll earn quite a considerable sum at this worship service."
Erik nodded.
A smile played at the corners of his mouth.
The reason for the rushed church expansion?
Sunday worship couldn't be skipped, after all.
Legitimate tithes.
With astronomical sums about to flow in henceforth, one absolutely couldn't stop the machine.
'I already burned 100 million won worth of divine power into the old man's body.'
100 million won worth of Holy Power was loaded into the old man's body.
Which is why the Guild Home system shattered and the Territory of the black mage inside was completely scorched.
As the world changed, the scale of money spent fundamentally changed.
"Janson even prepared a large donation box right next to the entrance."
Ruelle's fingertips pointed to a gigantic box.
The size of the box represented the number of people who would attend the worship service.
"Since this is a prayer of such a large scale, I'm a bit nervous."
Internally, Ruelle was nervous about praying in a newly constructed massive church.
To that, Erik said:
"The children will help you as a priest well."
"Huh? Children?"
Ruelle blinked blankly.
Erik's words continued:
"Don't you know, Father?"
There was no explicit disagreement, but the meaning was clear.
From the Imperial Daily onward, the entire world had been abuzz.
"Huh? Then..."
Erik had been invited to the Emperor's banquet.
Furthermore, Ruelle also knew the fact that Erik would receive the Pope's baptism.
The Pope had heavily promoted it through the church's communication network.
"E-Erik, surely you're not... planning to abandon me and the new church's worship service to go there?"
Ruelle believed that Erik had forgone the Emperor and the Pope to come for her worship service.
It was clearly like that, but...
"Erik, right?"