The first time the gate appeared in the world was in 1980.

 

Back then, chaos and storms swept through.

 

Although the damage from the gate was unexpectedly low thanks to the Awakened ones…

 

[In the beginning, people were more of a problem than monsters.]

 

The damage from the chaos was severe.

 

There were religious people who insisted that the pillar of light was a divine miracle and should not be touched. Citizens who treated the Awakened as monsters because their children had been killed by villains. Doom-mongers who chose to hang themselves because if the world was ending, they wanted to choose how they died. These were the reactions of those who could not accept sudden changes.

 

Even the Chairman, who shuddered at the thought of going back to that time, said enough.

 

[That was when the Church of the Lord appeared.]

 

The ‘Church of the Lord’ emerged during this time.

 

They soothed the chaos with faith.

 

They claimed the Awakened had status windows and such. Was that a coincidence? Absolutely not. Clearly, some omnipotent being had bestowed power upon them. A being deserving of being called ‘the Lord.’

 

The reason to worship Him? Didn’t He directly select the warriors, the Awakened, and send them to this world? This was living proof that the Lord had shown mercy to us in the face of the unprecedented threat of the gate.

 

In other words, the Lord had planned everything. We should be grateful and serve the miracles. The Lord and His apostles.

 

The Awakened.

 

[Did people really believe that?]

 

[It may sound absurd now, but back then, it was widely believed. It even spread in Korea quite a bit, though less than abroad.]

 

Nowadays, it sounded like an outright cult, but back then, it caused a significant stir. Many foolish people believed it fervently. Even in Japan, there’s a shrine for the teacher.

 

Anyway, the Church of the Lord was a group that worshipped the Awakened. They weren’t particularly bad people.

 

They actually improved the perception of the Awakened. They established standards like S-rank, creating a system. They even donated to businesses related to the Awakened. Objectively, they were good people.

 

The only problem was…

 

– Bustling noise.

 

“An angel!!”

 

“……”

 

‘Ugh, these die-hard fans, seriously.’

 

They were a bit too fanatical.

 

My expression soured.

 

‘How does a religion become a group of die-hard fans for old grandmas and grandpas? Should I sing a trot song for them?’

 

The Church of the Lord was hugely popular in the 1980s. The people who were fervent believers back then? Now, 40 years later, they were old grandmas and grandpas.

 

These people screamed excitedly. They rushed for a handshake. They even called me ‘oppa’ (older brother). What am I, a trot singer?

 

It didn’t stop there. They illegally produced goods related to the Awakened, calling them holy relics. If told not to, they claimed freedom of religion. They donated so much to the Association that even the Chairman couldn’t stop them.

 

In other words, they were die-hard fans disguised as a religion. Unlike the Chairman, who looked beautiful on the outside but was a tough old woman inside, these people looked old but were full of childish stubbornness.

 

As an Awakened, it was natural to be reluctant.

 

“Yu-jin!! Just now… ugh. The Church of the Lord.”

 

“……”

 

‘Things were going well with Shia, and now it’s all ruined.’

 

Shia had a similar reaction. Her face turned red with embarrassment, and she was horrified at the sight near the exit.

 

She hadn’t experienced it yet, but she knew. As a clan executive, she knew how scary and persistent they were.

 

“Yu-jin. If we get involved, it’s at least three hours of dealing with them.”

 

“No way. I don’t want to spend time at an amusement park with old grandmas and grandpas.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

We didn’t want to get involved.

 

However,

 

“You know, right? We can’t say bad things.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Although their actions were vile, they were benefactors to the Awakened. We couldn’t outright tell them to go away because they smelled like ginseng candy.

 

After all, they had been taking care of us like grandparents since the old days. How could we speak harshly to them?

 

‘Additionally….’

 

– Sneakily.

 

‘Yes, if this drags on, people will gather.’

 

There was even a time limit.

 

Who am I? The guy who just showcased a hypnotic treatment mad movie. If a crowd gathered around me, even people who weren’t interested would start snooping. And there would be more than a few who would cause a fuss wanting my treatment.

 

For now, the bodyguards sent by Cheonhwa were holding them off well… but if the huge crowd at the amusement park gathered, they’d break through.

 

We had to escape quickly before getting caught up. We had to pay respect to our benefactors in the industry, but as quickly as possible.

 

‘Well. Since I’m not S-rank yet, if I say it’s urgent, they’ll let us go.’

 

“I’m sorry. My kid is hungry. Maybe next time…”

 

“Kyaa!! The angel looked at us!!”

 

“We will treat you to a meal!! Please, don’t refuse!!”

 

“……”

 

‘Hmm. This is quite intense.’

 

I tried to see if they would back off, but it wasn’t easy. Even when I was S-rank No. 1, it wasn’t this bad. What’s going on?

 

– Murmuring.

 

“That divine aura overflowing. Surely, this is the holy one directly descended by the Lord…”

 

“Indeed, the prophecy of the Saintess was true…”

 

– Pause.

 

“……?”

 

I couldn’t ignore what I heard.

 

A Saintess? There was no such person in the first round.

 

What are they talking about?

 

“Wait a moment, yes? A Saintess?”

 

“Yu-jin? Now’s not the time to ask that.”

 

“Good question!! She recently appeared in the dreams of our devout believers…”

 

I couldn’t help but ask, and they answered immediately.

 

Just a few days ago, a woman appeared in the dreams of the truly devout believers of the Church of the Lord.

 

Her appearance varied according to different witnesses… but the other features strangely matched.

 

First, she had the small frame of a kindergarten child. Second, she had a distressed expression while clutching her chest. Third, despite this, she gently patted the old believers like a mother. Fourth, although she never opened her mouth…

 

“Strangely, we felt her intention. Someone is coming soon. Please take care of them- that’s what she said.”

 

They felt her intention clearly.

 

“At first, I thought it was just a strange dream due to old age, but since dozens of others had the same dream, it must be the prophecy of the Saintess.”

 

“From the description, isn’t that girl the Lord?”

 

“Absolutely not. I’d rather believe Seo Yu-jin is the Lord.”

 

That ended the long explanation.

 

And then,

 

“We were unsure, but now we are certain after meeting you today. You are truly the one the Saintess spoke of, the dearest apostle of the Lord!!”

 

“We will offer you all the riches and honors. You just need to enjoy them.”

 

“Just having your name listed as an honorary pope would be a great honor for us. It would mean that the will of God is with us.”

 

The people bowed their heads very respectfully.

 

Shia gasped in surprise.

 

“High-ranking officials are going this far…? No matter how great Yu-jin is, this is a bit much.”

 

It was natural for her to be surprised.

 

Although they looked like die-hard fans, the people of the Church of the Lord had lived fiercely with strong faith since the 1980s. High-ranking officials among them had significant influence in society.

 

These people were offering their liver and gallbladder, so to speak. It was natural to be shocked.

 

But,

 

“Yu-jin, let’s have the Cheonhwa Clan review this first….”

 

“——Sorry, but it seems you have mistaken me for someone else.”

 

I refused without hesitation. I was curious about this so-called Saintess, but I had no intention of associating with them.

 

‘I’m a returner, you know? What nonsense is this?’

 

– Glare.

 

Moreover, knowing the future, I saw this as an obvious scam.

 

In the first round, was there ever any mention of a Saintess? Not at all, not even once.

 

So, had things changed because I returned? Like how my wives’ abilities had risen to S-rank?

 

No way. Just because I returned, now there’s a Saintess indirectly trying to help me? Is she my mom or something?

 

‘There might be some grand being involved with me, considering the prohibition on revealing my return and the concept of returning itself, but… this is definitely not it.’

 

If they wanted to help, they should have done it directly. Why would they go around and instruct these old grandmas and grandpas? It made no sense.

 

In other words, this had to be a scam. A story made up to swindle the next S-rank, someone who still didn’t know the ways of the world.

 

‘Whatever the scam is, I’m not falling for it.’

 

“I’m not that kind of person. If I were, the Saintess would have appeared in my dreams.”

 

“Only those among us with deep faith have seen the Saintess, so it’s natural that the Saint wouldn’t have met her.”

 

“Would the Lord say such things to someone without faith in the first place?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Their faces collapsed as I pointed out the flaw. They were flustered because the fool they thought I was turned out to be smart.

 

They quickly bowed their heads.

 

“We appreciate the Church of the Lord’s support for the Awakened. However, such an offer is too generous for me, so I must respectfully decline.”

 

No, I don’t want it.

 

The expressions of the Church of the Lord’s officials twisted in agony.

 

“Why!? We just want to help the Saint!!”

 

“If you think this is a scam, just accept the wealth. There will be a hefty gift tax, but right now, we can give you 10 billion won….”

 

“I will earn money honestly.”

 

“Th-this profit!!!”

 

But I didn’t even bat an eye.

 

The grandmas and grandpas wobbled with high blood pressure.

 

…This should be enough. I quickly moved away.

 

“Then, we’ll be off.”

 

“Damn!! Everyone, let’s lie down!!!”

 

– Thud.

 

“We won’t budge from here until we’ve showered you with gold and jewels!! Saint!!”

 

“……”

 

Now they were lying down.

 

Shia and I wore expressions of discomfort.

 

“Shia. With your ability, if you force them up….”

 

“Their joints aren’t in good shape. If they resist, they could fracture.”

 

“Right. Sigh.”

 

Despite how they appeared, these were significant people, and now they were lying down? Just leaving would look bad. I didn’t want to be the guy who cruelly left while elders begged and pleaded, just to go play with a girl.

 

– Murmuring.

 

“Seo Yu-jin?!! Wow, it’s my first time seeing him in person.”

 

“If I ask him to hypnotize me….”

 

I didn’t even have time to think. The crowd was slowly gathering, and the expressions of the struggling bodyguards forced me to make a choice.

 

Using hypnosis on civilians.

 

‘Sigh. If people find out I used my powers on civilians, my image will be ruined… but I have no choice. I’ll just say I was concerned for their health.’

 

“Ahem. Everyone, please stop….”

 

As I opened my mouth, I quietly stirred my magic. My powers, which had been dormant lately, were now being used to hypnotize them. I accepted the slight burden.

 

…However,

 

– Tug, tug.

 

“Dad, Dad.”

 

“Haru? Daddy’s busy right now, so wait a moment.”

 

“———I need to pee.”

 

“……!!!!?”

 

Magic control. Shattered.

 

Surprised, I looked down to see Haru squirming, clutching her thigh. Anyone could see she needed to pee badly.

 

“Can you hold it for just a moment? Daddy will be quick.”

 

“Impossible. Limit. Feels like it will flow right now. Like a waterfall.”
“…….”

 

“A waterfall in ten, nine, eight….”

 

A brief silence ensued.

 

Shia and I exchanged a knowing glance. Telepathy. Without words, we both had the same thought.

 

“We’re sorry. Haru urgently needs the restroom!!”

 

“Church of the Lord members, please contact the Cheonhwa Clan! Yu-jin belongs to Cheonhwa!!”

 

– Grab.

 

I quickly picked up Haru, and Shia and I ran without looking back, carefully so Haru’s bladder wouldn’t get shaken.

 

“Saint!! Just take the money and leave!!”

 

“Don’t stop them. The kid says she’s about to pee, what can we do.”

 

“Hey, call Yoo Jung-chul. At this point, we’ll have to storm Cheonhwa.”

 

The old grandmas and grandpas getting up with groans behind us was the perfect excuse. I couldn’t help but laugh, loving our precious Haru even more.

 

“Haru, Daddy will be quick….”

 

– Whispering.

 

“I don’t actually need to pee. I just pretended to be a bad kid for Daddy.”
“……!!!”

 

She was acting!

 

Our Haru, after about two weeks since being adopted, could now lie for Daddy!

 

Fatherly love surged within me.

 

– Smooch.

 

“Daddy is alive thanks to our Haru!!”

 

I couldn’t help but kiss her on the cheek.

 

Normally, I would never do such a thing because it felt so fleeting. But Haru was my daughter. The daughter born from my heart. This level of skinship was just a sign of affection…

 

– Trembling.

 

“H-Haa!!? Yu-jin, you idiot, you fool, you big dummy, what are you doing to an innocent girl!!?”

 

“Oops.”

 

She was my daughter, but not Shia’s daughter.

 

“Because she feels like a daughter.”

 

“I can’t live like this!! No matter how much it’s just a cheek, kissing a girl on the lips, oh!!?”

 

-Punch!!!

 

“Sorry….”

 

Thanks to that, I got a hearty beating on my back. While waiting for Haru, who said she would go to the bathroom since we were already here.

 

‘Haru, is it a big one…? Dad’s back is starting to bruise~.’

 

It took quite a while, and I was beaten for almost 15 minutes straight.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, inside the amusement park bathroom.

 

Haru just sat there silently. Her hand was on her cheek. Just silently.

 

-Thump, thump.

 

‘Dad kissed me.’

 

What came to mind was the brief kiss from a moment ago. It only brushed her cheek lightly and then pulled away, but the touch had startled her so much she couldn’t speak.

 

Why was that? Her chest felt ticklish. It was a sensation she had never felt before.

 

‘Heart pounding. Face burning. Totally weird.’

 

[The status abnormality ‘Brainwashing’ conflicts with the status abnormality ‘Hypnosis’!]
[The status abnormality ‘Brainwashing’ is reactivated….]

 

[The status abnormality ‘Hypnosis’ is renewed. ‘Brainwashing’ is deactivated.]

 

[Due to the aftermath of the conflict, the status abnormality ‘Hypnosis’ is slightly weakened.]

 

‘Since this happened, I’ve been acting so weird….’

 

She had an idea.

 

The day she reunited with her sister, the notification that appeared before her eyes.

 

After that, she changed a bit.

 

She wasn’t sure exactly what had changed…

 

But it was clear that this was the cause. This pounding in her chest.

 

-Hug.

 

“Is this… embarrassment?”

 

Haru defined it as embarrassment.

 

The emotion Seol Ha-yeon had taught her several times. The shame felt when showing one’s naked body to others or being touched.

 

Her face heated up, and it felt like tears were about to well up.

 

Indeed. This is what it means to be embarrassed.

 

Another entry was added to Haru’s mental dictionary.

 

‘Being embarrassed feels good…!’

 

If Seol Ha-yeon knew, she would lament that this foolish guy had spoiled an innocent girl, but anyway.

 

Because of this, Haru spent almost 15 minutes in the bathroom.

 

To cool down her flushed cheeks.

 

And then,

 

“Ah, Haru. That took a while.”

 

“Dad. I’m tired of the amusement park now. Let’s go home.”

 

“Huh? We’ve only been to two places. Don’t you want to play more?”

 

“I want to go home quickly and wash up with you, Dad.”

 

“Oh, did you get a little dirty while going to the bathroom? Well, I guess there’s no choice….”

 

-Stop.

 

“Wait, together?”

 

“Naked bath play. Rubbing each other with bubbles.”

 

“……!!?”

 

A shard of innocence pierced Yu-jin.