43 episodes

7.

As evidenced by the successful completion of the quest, things ended pretty neatly.

Kim knew a lot more than I thought.

Starting with the addictive nature of the Elixir of Awakening, the places that produced the Elixir of Awakening, and the officials who were associated with them.

Hearing a story that you might only hear in movies and dramas was quite refreshing.

That wasn't a big surprise, though.

Even in Eden, which had a fairly simple social structure compared to Earth, there were nobles and royalty who took advantage of the chaos to collude with criminal gangs.

How is it different in the case of the Earth, which is entangled with more complex interests?

"Team Leader Kim Dong-sik! A total of 70 people have been arrested, and there have been no fatalities."

"Thank you for your hard work. The minister treated them as villains and told them to go straight to the investigation room of the main office."

"We will work closely with the surrounding military units to begin the transfer operation immediately."

The man who reported to Team Leader Kim bowed his head and quickly withdrew.

Kim saw him step away, and then let out a deep sigh.

"It's a shame that Siu made me do this myself. I'm sorry. If we've done a good job, this is what ....... do."

"I've heard from Minister Yoo Seon-ho about the situation of the Ministry of Interest, so it's okay. And it's refreshing to feel like you've done gymnastics on a moonlit night."

He came to pick up the First Prophet and captured a tycoon named Echidna's Contractor.

I've also reaped quite a bit of it.

"As soon as morning breaks, we will mobilize all available personnel and begin a major investigation. I have also made an urgent report to the Minister and have received his approval, so I will do my best not to disappoint you."

According to Team Leader Kim's explanation, it is highly likely that it is not only the local police, but also large guilds and even political circles.

That's how I think about it.

No matter how much the world has changed, they were still using humans as ingredients to make medicine, and they couldn't have done it alone.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The main body is still lurking beneath the surface.

If you dig deeper, you'll find a lot of problems, but it's not my job to dig into them.

This was a matter that had to be resolved by Minister Yoo Seon-ho and the Ministry of Justice, not by me and the Remen Church, which was just beginning to expand its presence in Korea.

"Let me tell you, I don't want to get involved in political stuff as much as possible. You know? Religious people and then they go on the hook."

Politics is the job of politicians.

In addition, I have a certain amount of trust in Minister Yoo and the Ministry of Justice.

Right now, I'm too busy worrying about Maggi.

"As much as possible...... Ira. You're leaving room for it."

"You know what? I'm going to change my mind and throw off my priestly robe and make a mess of it."

“…… Just listening to it makes my hair tingle. Oh, and I want to ask you a question."

At his question, I nodded as I took a sip of water.

Kim then looked at the soot in the corner of the closed room and said,

"It's a shame that you've burned all the drugs called the Elixir of Awakening."

"Why?"

"The more evidence, the better. Besides, in order to treat drug addicts, we need as many samples as ....... possible."

"That's because you still don't know how awful Magi is."

Maggi makes everyone around him obsessed with insatiable desires.

That's because the Magi is an energy that touches on mortal desires.

Even in Eden, the only Magi that could handle a certain level of mage, knight, or cleric were able to handle it.

For an unprepared person to come into contact with Magi is effectively selling his soul to the devil.

"Later, I'll take some time to tell you about Maggi. There's too much to talk about right now...... I'll explain it to you at once."

"Understood."

"Still, didn't I deliberately leave aside enough to be used as evidence?"

One box contained a total of 30 bottles of the Elixir of Awakening, and he had already purified them with divine power.

In the process, of course, the ability to turn ordinary people into players was lost, but at least it wouldn't be dangerous.

Of course, five of those 30 bottles were set aside unpurified.

Our denomination needs to do its own research on how it was made.

Anyway.

Guessing what I meant, Team Leader Kim didn't ask any more questions.

Instead, he turned around once again and changed the subject.

"Leo came with you earlier, where has Leo gone?"

"I've got some rockets to ship."

"Rocket ships?"

"You'd be in Seoul by now."

Echidna's contractor had no intention of handing it over to the Department of Intelligence.

We had to do our own research.

So he told Leo to take Echidna's contractor and return to the temple first.

Transportation?

Of course he runs like a dog.

"Tomorrow morning there may be reports of sightings of strange creatures. Haha!"

“…… I don't think you need to worry about that."

"Why?"

"After all, the whole country will be abuzz with stories about this Lotus Guild."

Anyway.

With the biggest political scandal of all time on the horizon, how could a bipedal creature that appeared in the middle of the night get attention?

I nodded lightly at Kim's words.

"Good. I'm going to go back to the hospital. What about Team Leader Kim?"

"I think I'm going to have to stay on the field. This is something that the Minister himself has given instructions...... Oh, and patient Jin Seo-joon has now been moved to the VIP room, so you can follow the staff's instructions."

No matter how you think about it, you can take care of every detail like this. Is this why I have no choice but to like Team Leader Kim?

Now that the situation has been cleared up, let's go back to meet our first prophet.

8.

When I arrived at the hospital, I immediately headed to the VIP room where Jin Seo-joon was.

Knock knock.

When I knocked on the door, I heard a voice from inside, and then someone cautiously opened the door.

"His Holiness?"

"Feel free to call me hyung."

I didn't allow Jammin, who was admitted last time, but I can grant my precious pre-saint a title that is convenient for me.

But strangely, Seungwoo shook his head in response.

"He's a benefactor who saved me and my dad, but I can't do that."

"Really? From whom did I learn the title of Holy Father?"

"Archbishop Leo told me."

Even though Siyeon is his age, he's a very snappy guy.

He looked like he was dying before, but it's nice to see him smiling.

That's probably.

"Are you Seungwoo?"

"Dad! The Pope is here."

This is probably because Seung-woo's father, Jin Seo-joon, has regained consciousness.

Seungwoo took my hand and led me to the hospital bed, and I followed him, smiling.

On the hospital bed, Mr. Jin Seo-joon, dressed in a hospital gown, was looking at me with his upper body upright.

He looked at me and was about to get out of his bed, and I quickly approached him and dissuaded him.

"You're not feeling well yet, but take it easy."

"No, sir. I heard that you spared my life. You can't be disrespectful to him."

"Then let's just get up like we are doing now. It's because I'm really uncomfortable."

“…… Got it."

At my words, Qin Xujun nodded reluctantly.

Then I sat comfortably on the couch next to my bedside and continued.

"You won't be chased by the White Guild or anything anymore."

"Is that true?"

"Absolutely. I'm ....... evaporated."

I was about to continue speaking without hesitation, but I saw Seungwoo staring at me with blank eyes.

…… Well, I'm going to have to tone things down a bit.

"I've got it tidy, so you don't have to worry."

"There's a lot of money that I haven't reimbursed them ....... yet."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that either."

I don't have anyone to pay my debts to anymore.

Even if there were debts elsewhere, I would pay them all back.

This was because Seungwoo had joined our church and felt responsible for the misfortunes that had befallen his family.

Whether it's Seungwoo having an illness of unknown origin, or Seungwoo's mother dying at the gate two years ago.

And that Seungwoo's father was caught by bad guys.

It's not a word I really like, but it was probably the fate that was given to him.

On that day five years ago, when the fate of the entire planet was twisted, the fate of this cute little boy must have been twisted with it.

That's why I feel responsible.

I smiled bitterly, and spoke in a calm voice.

"It's late, so I'll just tell you about my business and go back quickly."

"Feel free to speak. I'll listen."

"I want to bring my son to our church."

Jin Seo-jun listens to me and smiles softly.

And he nodded, patting his son's head.

"I see. Son? What do you think of your son?"

"I like it. Both the Pope and the Archbishop are very nice!"

"Yes, if my son likes it, so does my dad."

Wondering if he had made up his mind, Jin Xujun smiled faintly and nodded.

"I wish my son well. It's a much better environment than the one next to me."

"Dad? Aren't you going with me?"

"It's Seungwoo. So this is it......."

Apparently there is some misunderstanding.

I'm going to have to give you a quick clarification.

"I'm sorry to say this, but our denomination is not heartless enough to forcibly separate the father and son."

“…… What then?"

"Of course, Jin Seo-jun should go with you. Where are you going to leave such a cute son?"

This time, Jin Seo-joon's eyes widened.

I don't think I expected this kind of development.

"Together?"

"I would like Mr. Jin Seo-joon to help us manage the Seoul Shrine of the Remen Church. Oh, I was in a hurry and didn't tell you the most important thing."

I took a moment to catch my breath and then presented the trump card I had prepared in advance.

"I'm going to work four days a week and set my salary at the level of an A-class hunter in a large guild. We will also provide housing for your son to live in at the denominational level, and we will promise you a variety of other benefits."

It was the least I could give him.

And in response to my suggestion, Jin Seo-jun asked with an expression of incomprehension.

"Why do you do this to me?"

To which I replied with a smile.

"He's a great father."

"I...... Do you mean?"

"Absolutely. Isn't that right, Seungwoo?"

"That's right. My dad is the best man in the world!"

Not everyone who has a prophetic destiny can be a prophet.

Their destiny is realized only when they return to the arms of God.

As Limen said last time, countless prophets perished before they could return to God's embrace.

Perhaps, if it weren't for his father's sacrifice and dedication, Seungwoo might have followed in their footsteps.

"If you don't go, I won't go either."

"Is that so? How do you really want to go with me?"

At my playful words, Jin Seo-joon laughed with tears in his eyes.

He shook his head in response.

"I don't think so."

[You've completed the sub-quest > Little Salvation!] [Rewarded with Cult Trait Enlightenment Lv. 1>!] [Earn 3,000 Holy Points as a reward!]

A little salvation.

At first, I didn't really understand it, but when I finished it, I thought it was a fitting title.

[The First Prophet, Jin Seung Woo >, joins your denomination.]

I quietly closed the message windows.

And I couldn't help but smile for a long time as I looked at the father and son hugging each other in front of me.

It's a pretty good ending and a good start, I thought.