Chapter 92
Chapter 92: Collection (1)
"Stop the store……. What do you mean by that?"
A large hole with a 50-meter diameter spewed forth a desolate wind.
"It is divine will."
"D-divine will, you say?"
Erik looked at the abyss with a bewildered expression.
The presence of the black mages had long since vanished.
'God sent that as His will?'
It was hardly believable.
As Erik's expression failed to soften, the Pope continued.
"It is the abyss of the Demon Realm. Did not even the first Emperor and the original Demon King meet their end there? That is why such divine will has been granted to us."
The abyss of the a place even the mightiest names in history could not overcome.
'Perhaps…….'
However, Erik had a different thought.
'Black Mage skill.'
If a Possessor with the [Black Mage] class were involved……*
They could use gates or portals within the Labyrinth.
Though he wasn't certain if it would work in the abyss, if it were possible, it would explain why those bastards jumped into it.
'They must have jumped in for that reason.'
So he'd essentially released caught fish back into the demon realm? He should have pursued them relentlessly and captured at least a few.
Erik bit his teeth in frustration.
It was difficult to object when it was the Pope's judgment.
'In truth, it's only a guess, but…….'
Didn't such ominous premonitions always come true?
The fact that he'd let the shareholders who had revealed themselves to the world slip away was as certain as anything could be.
As Erik stood at a loss for what to do.
Kwaaaang!!!
A pure white pillar shot up from the abyss.
"W-what is this!"
Erik's eyes widened.
The abyss, known as the core of the demon realm—was it not visually a large hole, yet in reality a space perfectly isolated from the world?
Yet from within, a certain power erupted.
'Could it be…….'
And that power felt very familiar.
"Aha, so that was the meaning of the divine will to send us forth!"
The Pope exclaimed upon seeing the pure white pillar.
"Your teacher is there, isn't he?"
Erik bowed toward the Pope.
Kwaaaaaaa!
An intense power that filled the entire giant hole surged forth like a pillar through the middle of the demon realm.
'That is surely my teacher's power.'
A platinum-white Divine Power close to pure white.
The power of Riferoze Astia, Erik's teacher and the world's outlaw, characterized by its extreme ferocity.
"Indeed, it has been quite some time since I felt such power."
The Pope brought his hand toward the surging from the abyss.
Psssst!
His hand crumbled.
However, the Pope easily regenerated it.
"Ah, still the same."
He even repeated this process.
After roughly dozens of regenerations were complete, the Pope turned to Erik.
His eyes were filled with deep longing.
"Saint Erik, prepare yourself to greet your teacher."
The diminished Pope spoke thus.
Erik understood the meaning.
'He means for me to handle this place.'
Erik looked around.
The Paladins were dealing with the remaining black mages.
In place of the Pope and Erik, the Holy War Knight Commander Julius was leading and giving orders.
'I don't need to step forward immediately.'
Erik found reassurance, and detected a distant presence.
His gaze turned toward the remaining half of the black tower.
"Your Majesty, I shall take charge of cleaning up the tower."
"Do so."
Having exchanged farewells with the Pope, Erik strode toward the black tower.
The first-floor entrance of the half-destroyed black tower.
He watched a certain entity rushing out from there and growing distant.
'That direction is toward the Solar Holy Nation…….'
Kwung!
Erik drew out his wings and kicked off the ground.
Moving at arrow-like speed, he pursued the distant presence, passing through the black tower.
The distance closed in an instant.
Mere seconds.
Kwang!
Erik landed, scattering dust.
The aftermath caused a small tremor.
"Ugh!"
The fleeing Ruelle found the massive Erik blocking his path.
His curved body shook violently.
"G-good grief! E-Erik, it's you. Hide me far away! R-Riferoze is coming!"
The startled Ruelle cried out toward Erik.
"Priest, has something perhaps displeased my teacher……."
Erik's expression grew confused as his words trailed off.
'To flee the moment he sensed the teacher's presence……'
'What could he possibly have done?'
Erik felt both unease and joy at sensing his teacher's presence, but Ruelle seemed entirely different.
"That is……."
He seemed reluctant to speak.
Moreover, he appeared unwilling even to explain the reason.
"I'm not sure what it is, but if it troubles you, there's no need to speak of it."
Perhaps his teacher had become angry for some absurd reason?
That seemed plausible for the temperamental Riferoze.
"After all, five years have passed, so surely you've already forgotten."
"Is that really so?"
Erik offered words of comfort, and Ruelle asked back with uncertainty.
"Given your teacher's nature, he must have forgotten most things by now. Don't you know this well?"
As eccentric as Riferoze was, he possessed an equally magnanimous side.
In terms of temperament, he was the very model of generosity.
So surely five years' worth of past events would be completely forgotten.
"Let us return. That way is the Solar Holy Nation."
Ruelle looked at Erik's fingertips.
Far in that direction, a great fortress wall was visible.
The sun symbol carved into the fortress wall was clear.
"Unless you're planning to convert to Lu-Solace……."
"What a terrible thing to say!"
Ruelle cried out in great surprise.
"Let us return. I shall escort you."
Erik gently extended his hand.
Ruelle hesitated slightly before placing his own hand atop it.
'This is already the third time…….'
The act of escorting was becoming increasingly familiar.
The two walked toward the black tower.
"Erik, what was that power?"
They conversed in hushed tones as they walked through the dark.
"Suddenly sacred power was gushing from my hand like a dragon's breath?"
"It is a newly purchased skill."
"A skill?"
"For one billion gold."
Ruelle looked at Erik incredulously.
'One billion……. That would be enough to buy a hundred Chanel bags.'
The scale of currency suddenly felt very real to him.
As Ruelle stood amazed, Erik posed a question.
"More importantly, was there any danger within the tower?"
"There was danger. But thanks to your skill, it was resolved well. You already know this, so why now……."
"I thank you for taking on such a dangerous mission without hesitation."
Erik bowed his head deeply.
Secrecy—a unique trait.
It was too remarkable to remain hidden.
"Why make such a fuss over this!"
"As expected, your resolve remains unchanged."
Erik nodded.
Memories of his past with Ruelle resurfaced.
Those difficult times living in hiding in conflict zones.
'Such experiences must have forged that unique trait.'
Moreover, as Ruelle became Erik's Believer, her divine power became even more sacred.
'Even the Pope could not detect Ruelle's presence.'
It was somewhat risky, but Erik had boldly asked Ruelle to infiltrate the black tower.
"I have my own role to fulfill. Erik, you know this well, don't you?"
That was also her desire.
After all, Ruelle had never been merely protected even in Erik's childhood.
'She has always done her best in her own position.'
The same was true now.
"You must have worked hard."
"Hmph. What's the fuss over this?"
Soon the two came into view of the half-destroyed black tower and the Holy Knights surrounding it.
At the front, Jang Du-sik waved his club in greeting toward Erik.
"Brother! What do we do about these crazy bastards here!"
At those words, Erik's face crumpled.
***
The Holy Knights had dealt with the black mages hiding within the tower.
Those who resisted were burned to death by divine power, while those who surrendered were granted a brief reprieve in exchange for public execution.
Additionally, Possessor collaborators were separately classified and bound in a corner.
And the rest.
"Kyieeeek! G-go away! You barbarians!"
The captured possessor remained.
They shrieked at the sight of the Paladins.
"So these are the people who were in the capsules?"
Erik looked at the capsules placed beside the black tower.
'It really does look like futuristic VR equipment.'
An egg-shaped device covered with semi-transparent gray glass.
It resembled the virtual reality capsules Nishida had mentioned.
Since he'd already heard about it, the capsules weren't particularly surprising.
The problem was the people who came out of them.
"G-go away! S-swords! Use them on us!!!"
The appearance of those cowering in fear at the sight of the Paladins.
They were convulsing in a way that made conversation seem entirely impossible.
'What in the world did those Black Mage Group bastards do to them…….'
They were terrified as if looking at monsters.
"D-don't come closer!!!"
"They're going to eat us!"
Upon seeing this sight, a Paladin approached Erik.
And explained the situation.
"Persuasion is entirely ineffective."
"Have you tried talking to them?"
"Conversation doesn't work. Even when told their sins would be forgiven, they remain in this state."
Persuasion was out of the question.
Then there was the harsh method, wasn't there?
Erik asked.
"Then why not use divine power to inflict pain?"
"That method also doesn't work."
"That can't be right. Even the upper-ranking possessor of the Black Mage Group surrendered to that power."
Erik looked at the Paladin with confusion.
As far as he knew, force and fear were universal solutions.
A method boasting a 100% success rate with not a single failure.
Seeing the confused Erik, the Paladin continued.
"We inflicted pain with divine power, but they don't calm down at all. Rather, they convulse more, claiming we're trying to roast them alive."
Pain was useless.
"Then there was no means to control them either?"
"They show excessive fixation on that strange oval object."
Erik looked at the capsule from which the possessor had been removed.
"P-please send us home!"
"Release us! You barbaric cannibals!"
They tried to rush toward the capsules.
Creak!
The Paladins held down the struggling possessor while looking at Erik.
"There was Saint Erik's instruction to treat possessor who haven't committed crimes favorably. But how are we supposed to resolve this……."
The Paladins didn't know what to do.
"Hmm……."
Erik thought of a solution.
That's why he called Park Chang-ho.
'The world's only Oriental.'
Wouldn't they feel somewhat familiar?
Such was his thinking.
Moreover, Erik had the Paladins stand back at a distance.
"A-an Oriental!"
"H-how with an Earth face!"
"A-are you perhaps Park Chang-ho?"
As expected, the possessor showed slight relief upon seeing Park Chang-ho.
They even recognized him.
"Do you know me?"
"Of course we do! Famous fencing athlete! Master of national pride! You won decisively against that Japanese guy in the finals. So you even did that Apple phone ad!"
"Are you perhaps Korean?"
National pride and all that.
Truly Korean conversation.
"Yes yes! Wow, really, in this barbaric world……."
It was like separated families reuniting.
The presence of the world's first Oriental since possession.
"Wow……. It's really been years since I've seen an Asian."
Even the foreign-origin possessor welcomed Park Chang-ho.
The joy was brief, and idle talk soon ended.
"S-so……. Could you perhaps send us back there?"
The possessor expressed anxiety and brought up the main topic to Park Chang-ho.
"Pardon?"
Their purpose was to have him send them into the capsules.
"What do you-."
According to the possessors:
"It's a machine that lets you live an Earth life. Just, if you go inside, it's supposedly the same as usual!"
Entering the capsules created by the Black Mage Group allowed one to live an Earth life.
"Moreover, I can do anything I want!"
"Hey, just a moment ago I was going back to 2017 to put my entire fortune into Bitcoin……."
"I-I was about to sell Delivery Satisfaction after developing it first!"
Background was Earth, and life could be lived as desired.
Wasn't that utopia?
"Chang-ho, you're also a possessor, so you'd understand this barbaric world……."
"S-so you're saying if we go into that capsule we can have such dreams?"
"Exactly. Really, you can do anything!"
Various words followed.
Becoming a professional e-sports champion winning the League of Legends World Championship.
Living in a Gangnam penthouse reading web novels.
Moreover, there was assurance of complete safety with no threat to life.
'That price being…….'
However, from Park Chang-ho's perspective, this made no sense.
Nothing was free.
"So in exchange, the Black Mage Group watches all your dreams through them, right?"
"Haven't you used SNS? You use it for free while they extract all your information and use it. It's something like that!"
Though the way black mages understand everything through dreams and SNS weren't exactly the same……."
"Like, you search for sportswear and then similar ads appear in a row."
"Hmm……."
Park Chang-ho found it difficult to accept the possessors obsession with the capsules.
From Erik's perspective, listening to this, it was similar.
Rather, Erik thought more seriously.
'Isn't this just like living as a drug addict?'
Erik's brow furrowed.
He fell into contemplation about what to do.
Then the possessors words continued.
"If we stay here, we're surrounded by cannibals……. But there are dreams there!"
"Dreams where you can achieve anything!"
It was extreme addiction.
With brainwashing on top of it.
'The solution is simple.'
Erik recalled a certain woman who had fallen into alcohol addiction.
The most effective treatment back then was having those around her eliminate the alcohol entirely.
So.
"Du-sik, go destroy them all."
The solution was simple.
***
"Y-you thug enforcer!"
The possessor Lim Jang-ho looked at Jang Du-sik in alarm.
Crunch! Crack! Smash!
The guy with a buzz cut looking like a gang member emanated light from his tattoos.
Every time the large club in his hand moved, a capsule shattered.
"N-no!"
Each time their allocated capsule broke, wails erupted among the possessors.
Wasn't that the only sanctuary they'd found after falling into this barbaric world?
The precious machine that let them live an Earth life even within dreams.
Yet here was some thug enforcer smashing it.
"P-please stop!"
They experienced the pain of residents undergoing forced eviction.
Just as they felt it.
The possessors, with one mind and one purpose, rushed toward Jang Du-sik.
That's when it happened.
Kyiing!
A golden barrier rose before them.
"Kyaaaa!"
But it was useless.
As if proving their extreme addiction, the possessors advanced toward the capsules, burning their bodies in the divine power.
Erik then called for Paladins to bind them.
Kwang! Bang!
"Geez, why is this so hard?"
Jang Du-sik grumbled, mixing horsepower and divine power as he struck the capsules.
Fragments scattered in all directions.
"Ahhh……."
"M-my life."
"N-now we can't see our families-."
The possessors, forcibly held down, watched their precious capsules shatter.
Despair deepened.
Unlike them, a smile bloomed on Erik's lips.
"Oh."
It wasn't pleasure in the possessors’ despair.
'The sacred power doesn't work?'
Jang Du-sik is a Divine mage.
He struck the capsules with power mixing divine power and horsepower.
Normally, objects based on dark magic would corrode, wear down, or vanish upon contact with divine power.
Yet it shattered.
"Du-sik, bring me just a few."
"Phew-. Understood. Why are these so hard?"
Jang Du-sik wiped his sweat and brought several capsules to Erik.
Seeming lighter than they looked, he stacked four capsules bigger than a person at once and carried them.
"Should I destroy the rest?"
"Smash them to pieces."
"Understood!"
Jang Du-sik left with a grin, and Erik examined the capsules.
'Is it made from labyrinth materials?'
Whatever it was, it was a substance that didn't react to divine power.
Crack!
When Erik split the side of the capsule in half, dark magic flowed from between the gray-tinted panels.
Erik scattered his divine power.
The dark magic was purified by the divine power, yet the gray material alone remained unchanged, maintaining its form.
An idea struck him.
'Could we make a Divine magic tools with this?'
Soon the imperial army would head to this place.
Through the path the religious order had opened, they were scheduled to advance toward the sun kingdom.
'From the imperial army's perspective, dealing with divine power shouldn't be a problem.'
But what about the next kingdom?
There might be hidden possessor and warlock like in the Garcian Kingdom.
Black magical power or possessors’ skills.
Various variables difficult for the imperial army to experience would arise.
'If we make Divine Magic Tool with this?'
If tens of thousands of soldiers equipped with Divine Magic Tool unleashed divine power, wouldn't most possessed person and warlock be dealt with?
It's something worth selling at a premium.
Moreover, the demand is very high.
'Before that though, I should greet my teacher first…….'
Such thoughts were brief.
The light of the sacred power surging from the abyss drew Erik's attention.
Flash! Flash!
A pillar blinking briefly.
Clearly, this was a pre-arranged signal.
Its meaning was unmistakable.
'Is he asking for help?'
What could that Riferoze possibly need help with……