37 episodes

12. Headhunting

1.

It wasn't just South Korea that was in an uproar.

China successfully subjugated a dangerous S-class super-large gate that appeared in the Sichuan province. The government has said there was no damage, but according to a Chinese expert, the damage is estimated to be astronomical.>

A giant snake in Fukushima: Is Japan's disaster just beginning? >

Breaking news, a group of orcs who lost their leader by Kim Si Woo Awakening. It turns out that it is moving north at a high speed bypassing Pyongyang...... The final destination is China? >

Dangerous situations such as gates occurred simultaneously in countries around the world, including China and Japan.

The predominance of the stories of China and Japan in our eyes is naturally due to the fact that the situation in those countries is directly related to our security.

The case in China was particularly severe.

While he was distracted by anomalies that occurred in various regions as much as the vast country, the monster wave heading to South Korea suddenly changed direction by 180 degrees.

In a way, it's a knock-on effect caused by my initiative.

So, I was about to get a little embarrassed, but thanks to Team Leader Kim's kind explanation, I was able to calm my nervousness to some extent.

"You don't have to worry too much. You didn't expect this, did you?"

"Yes, of course."

"Once the situation is cleared up, the Chinese side will be able to raise the issue, but you don't have to worry about that. If they come out like that, they're just self-deprecating."

Kim said so and told me about what happened two years ago.

Two years ago, the Abyss Dungeon, which was created in the city of Shenyang in China, went berserk, and a giant demon-type monster called "Behemoth" appeared.

At the time, China was distracted by the giant gate that had been created in Shanghai, so instead of exterminating the Behemoths, they tried to direct the Behemoths elsewhere as much as possible.

And the other place, of course, is not even his own country, and it happens to be a land that has no owner.

"Guided to the Lost Land? And the Behemoth obediently obeyed the guidance? I don't think they're the ones who will listen to humans."

"It is understood that some of the irregulars in China's possessions are related to demon beasts."

"What an irregularity."

Whenever I have time, I want to see your face.

A regular who can train demons...... I don't think it's a very good idea.

"Eventually, the Behemoth crossed the Yalu River into the Lost Lands, upsetting the balance of the Lost Lands. A large number of monsters began to flee the Behemoths and descend south. As a result, we suffered heavy losses near the ceasefire line."

At that time, the most damaged faction was the Rational Management Department, and since then, the balance of power has been greatly disrupted.

Anyway.

To sum up Kim's words.

"Don't have a guilty conscience."

"We just need to return the logic that the Chinese side put forward at the time. I tried my best to stop it, but I failed miserably. That's pretty much it. This time, we just have to say sorry."

"I think Team Leader Kim really doesn't like that country."

"You can't be pretty. You have to do pretty things to make them pretty, but everything you do is a shame."

"I agree."

If there's one thing that's not much different from before I crossed over to Eden, it's that country.

Originally, I felt a little sorry for him, but after hearing the story, he disappeared.

I nodded slightly, then stretched.

"Seeing the orcs suddenly do that, it looks like something has happened to the town above, so I think the Ability Management Department should take some care of it."

I have a hunch that the orcs' descent to the south wasn't just because of the overlord.

Just looking at them fleeing from Pyongyang, which was their original stronghold, and heading north, there is a suspicious smell.

Modern reconnaissance means, such as reconnaissance satellites, were disabled five years ago, and the only means of reconnaissance are for the player to check for themselves.

I wanted to go and find out why, but I couldn't.

There was something just as important as finding out what was lurking in Pyongyang.

"There are more players who have enlightened their divine power than I thought, right?"

I glanced at the crowd in the large auditorium and narrowed my brows.

This is the auditorium of the Southern Branch Office of the Ministry of Excellence and Management, located in Guro-gu, Seoul.

The enormous auditorium, large enough to seat 500 persons, crammed a total of about 40 persons, some of whom had outstanding personalities.

Starting with the one wearing the Catholic bridal robe, the one who prays while wearing a cross necklace.

"Amen."

"Lord."

But that's not all.

"Namu Amitabha Buddha ......."

Starting with monks in monks' robes, to people wearing robes that they have never seen before.

I've never seen such a chaotic scene in my life.

What is this but the scene of the great unification of religions?

"Among the new awakened beings who are believed to have enlightened their divine powers, they have been confirmed through the Holy Stone provided by Lord Xiu. Currently, inspections are ongoing at the local offices of the Operational Management Department, and the number of personnel will increase in the future."

"I'll hand over more of the Holy Stone as soon as it's ready."

"Thank you so much for your cooperation."

When people who have divine power or the seed of divine power put their hands on the sacred stone, the sacred stone resonates.

Yesterday, Minister Yoo Seon-ho asked me how to check the divine power, and I gladly offered him a sacred stone.

For now, it was imperative to identify the Divinity players first.

Shouldn't we identify as many Holy players as possible to bring them to our cult or not?

"I feel more nervous than when I go to smash the orc overlord's head."

"Take it easy. We'll give you plenty of time."

This is the authority we have been given in exchange for some of the sacred stones.

Priority Access.

The right to meet Divinity-type players secured by the Talent Management Department first.

Today, we must take advantage of this opportunity to get as many people as possible.

"Then I'll leave. I wish you what you wish."

"I'll see you in a minute."

"Please let me know when you're done."

Kim greeted me politely and walked out of the auditorium, and Leo, who was next to me, slowly spoke.

"There are many brothers with good potential. It's more than I expected."

"Of course it is."

I heard that all of the people gathered here were people who rose to prominence as soon as they awakened, and that some of them even performed simple healing with divine powers as soon as they awakened.

It's extremely rare to treat someone without much training.

This is one of two cases.

Either they are devout believers, or they have a definite gift for divine power.

In the former case, it would be difficult to attract them to our church, so we were aiming for the latter.

"Let's get down to business. Leo, you've got to find a life with a weekend."

Has it been really hard lately?

Leo's expression, which had been sullen at the word weekend, brightened.

2.

We were on the lucky side.

Compared to the existing religions, which are ignorant of divine power, we have a very advantageous position.

If I had to make an analogy, I would say that I am a one-hit instructor of the divine dynamometer.

As far as divine power is concerned, he is proud to have more knowledge than anyone else on Earth.

And that's not all.

Before we arrived, we already had a preview of how the system would work for Divinity-type players.

[Players who choose Holy Power will be able to choose for themselves the Faith that will be the foundation of Holy Power in the future.] [Choose the faith you want to pursue and build your faith and divinity; conversion is possible, but choose carefully, because if you do, everything you have built up will be lost.]

These were the stories that Seol Se-myung learned about thanks to his awakening as a divinity-type player.

It's not yet clear on what criteria are used to give a chance to awaken divine power, but one thing is certain: they can choose their own faith.

That's why we're here in person.

When established religions such as Catholicism, Protestantism, and Buddhism move, it becomes a headache.

"Greetings, my brothers and sisters. My name is Si Woo Kim, who leads the Remen Church. It's a great honor to have the time to speak with you today."

I smiled as much as I could at the five people sitting in front of me and spoke softly.

Three men. Two women.

It was a shame that only 5 of the 40 people responded to my request, but what can I do?

The rest of them have already chosen their religions, so I'll try my best to convince these five people.

These are the people who stood out from the first day of the appearance of divine power.

The fact that they stood out despite not being as religious as the rest of the people gathered here indicates that they have a lot of potential.

Merely.

"Wow! Si Woo Kim! Can I call you brother? Please take pictures, too. Only ten autographs, too! I'll sell it to my friends for money. I'm really tired of it. I never thought I'd meet Kim Si Woo."

This jammin, which at most would be a junior high school student, was not in my plans.

And Leo, who had been silent next to me at the frivolity of K-Jammin, said with a hardened expression.

"This is the Holy Father. Rude words......."

"It's all right, Archbishop Leo. It doesn't have to be hard. Our denomination isn't that rigid, is it? Let's go gently, gently."

"Oh, can I call my brother, then?"

"My little brother, what's your name?"

"Oh Jaemin."

This bastard's name is unusual.

"Yes, Jaemin. We don't know each other very well yet, so it's kind of like that now, and when we get to know each other a little bit, let's talk about it then."

"I want to talk to you now, right?"

…… Let's be patient.

I'd like to smash him in the head right now, but he certainly has a talent for divine power.

So, instead of giving in to the sting, I smiled and continued.

"I think Brother Jaemin can come into our church and check it out for himself."

"Hey, baremouth?"

“…… Hmm?"

"Is it a Christian union before I came here? They started with the Private Awoken Academy and gave me everything I needed to be a player."

Just as he was about to respond, the other players who had been standing still spoke cautiously.

"How did I know in Catholicism......."

"I'm Jogye ......."

When did you meet up?

Of course, it was easy to guess why they were talking like that.

They have chosen divine power, but they are players in the end.

In the end, players move in a direction that benefits their own growth.

If they had religious beliefs that they had to uphold, they wouldn't have come here in the first place.

If they were secular, they might be secular, but I didn't mean to blame them.

It's a life-or-death decision.

Of course, it's the right thing to decide.

And.

"Well, that's good. I fully understand what you want to hear."

I, too, came expecting this kind of reaction.

Competition with established religions was obvious. Soberly, at the moment, our denomination doesn't have much to offer to established religions.

Starting with the number of believers, social status, and financial power.

The Remen Church had only been around for about a month, so it was only natural.

That's why I've chosen to focus solely on what our denomination can do.

"We cannot promise you wealth like other religions. I can promise you something else instead."

What other religions can't do, only we can.

"There's an old saying that says to teach them how to catch fish rather than give them away. If you join our church."

Woooo!

The football-sized orb of divine power that flowed out of my hand shone beautifully all around, and I lifted the corners of my mouth leisurely.

"I'm going to show you how to harness and develop your divine powers. I'm not just going to show you a miracle, I'm going to help you create your own miracles."