635

 [Chapter 167]

[Harbinger of Destruction (5)]

Before the regression.

Eun-ha, who faced the calamity of Gangbuk's destruction shortly after graduating from the academy, struggled greatly.

It was understandable, as he had to face the invading army in a situation where he wasn't accustomed to real combat.

Eventually, Eun-ha found himself in a situation close to death.

At that time, he was secretly relieved.

─Now, am I going to die?

He had no lingering attachment to life.

Life was too hard.

But he couldn't bring himself to take his own life.

At that time, while receiving treatment from Lee Yu-jung, he was lost in such thoughts.

It was right then.

─Don't give up. I will take all the pain you're experiencing.

Level 3 overrank monster Ye-gyeong.

Around the time it attacked Jung-gu,

Iriya, who was comforting people and treating them at Myeongdong Cathedral, activated her <Miracle >.

May the blessing of the Mana God be with you all.

After <Empress > Shin Seo-young,

The second <Miracle > officially activated in South Korea.

The pillar of light that spread from Myeongdong Cathedral healed all the wounds of the people inside the pillar.

As a result, Iriya took on all their pain and wounds, and died in a state where her form was unrecognizable.

And by chance, Eun-ha, who was nearby, was able to recover from his injuries.

But at that time, he─

─Damn it.

Was extremely angry.

Asking if he should continue living a life that was only cruel to him.

He jumped into the monster army to vent his anger that had nowhere to go.

And so he survived.

And so he became <Undead >.

Iriya was a person who couldn't take care of herself because she was so altruistic. A person who died just giving to others.

The <Saint of the Order> of Mana Religion, Iriya.

She martyred herself like that.

And the Mana Religion she belonged to rapidly grew its numbers using her martyrdom as an excuse.

The people who joined the Mana Religion all became fanatics.

Thanks to this, they were nothing but a nuisance to the Fairy Government.

So Eun-ha couldn't have good feelings towards the Mana Religion or Iriya.

But now─

─Thinking about it now, I'm grateful.

If it wasn't for the <Saint of the Order> then, I would have died right there.

If I had died then, I wouldn't have become that way with Yu-jung, and I wouldn't have met Baek-ryeon either.

Unlike his previous life,

Eun-ha didn't hold ill feelings towards Iriya.

Rather, now he only felt sorry for her.

Because from his perspective, she seemed like someone who was used until she died and even after death.

☆

"It feels good to go out like this." "Should we meet outside from next time? Ah, be careful. The ground is uneven there."

"Oops. Yeah, thanks. I want to go out as much as possible too. But my family worries..."

"I guess so."

Near Myeongdong Cathedral.

Eun-ha, who barely got permission from Lee Jung-in, was walking on the street holding Lee Yu-jung's hand.

Of course, more than ten bodyguards were following the two of them.

The two ignored them and climbed the hill road.

"How far is it to the cathedral?" "Not far now. About 5 minutes? Why? Are you tired? Should I carry you?" "No. I can walk on my own. But can you hold my hand? I'm a bit scared of unfamiliar places." "Okay. I won't let go of this hand."

The two were heading towards Myeongdong Cathedral.

Because the <Saint of the Order> Iriya was there.

The <Saint of the Order> is said to be so skilled in healing magic that there's no wound she can't heal.

Maybe the <Saint of the Order> could heal Yu-jung's eyes.

The angel of people living hard lives.

That's what she was also called.

In fact, she often used healing magic on people who came to the cathedral without asking for anything in return.

So when monsters invaded, scared people all rushed to her.

And she activated her <Miracle > out of a desire to heal them.

Anyway, Eun-ha, knowing her abilities, moved his steps wondering if she could possibly undo the magic cast on Lee Yu-jung's eyes.

"But um... don't expect too much."

"What do you mean?"

At that moment,

As they approached Myeongdong Cathedral, Lee Yu-jung suddenly spoke up.

She smiled bitterly.

"I've been secretly examined by Players a few times before. They told me it would be difficult to cure." "..."

"So if the result isn't good, I hope you won't be disappointed, Eun-ha."

"Why are you worrying about me?"

"Hm, is that so?"

"If anything, I should be the one feeling sorry to you." "No. I'm happy just being able to come out with you like this."

Lee Yu-jung smiled gently.

Eun-ha struggled to compose his emotions at her calm words.

"Come to think of it, Luminous Group decided to hold an exchange meeting around the end of April. My family said I should start doing external activities now." "I heard about it. I'll definitely go."

"Yeah, please come."

Then Lee Yu-jung changed the topic.

Eun-ha nodded.

Last year, after Eun-ha's grandmother passed away. Lee Yu-jung, who first revealed herself then, received suggestions from people in political and business circles that she should engage in external activities.

It was more pressure than suggestion.

Unable to delay external activities any longer, she had no choice but to participate in external activities starting this year.

"Aren't you nervous?"

"I'm a little nervous. But I'm also a person of Luminous Group. I should do my part now." "If anyone says anything, tell me. Then I'll..." "You'll what?" "...talk to them nicely." "Yes! Thank you."

Eun-ha was worried about her.

He was concerned that she might get hurt by what people say.

He was very anxious.

But he couldn't say harsh words to Lee Yu-jung.

The one good thing is that strangely, thanks to Oh Hae-in causing trouble these days, Yu-jung's public opinion isn't that bad, should I say?

On the other hand, Eun-ha was relieved.

Lee Yu-jung didn't seem to know.

Han Seo-hyun, Jung Ha-yang, Yu Do-jun, and others.

Friends connected to business groups often brought news.

And recently, Eun-ha heard from them that Oh Hae-in was being criticized for acting like a ruffian.

They say that the cross-eyed one has gone crazy these days, and compared to him, Lee Yu-jung, who can't see, is on a different level.

Such rumors have been spreading in political and business circles recently.

As Oh Hae-in is taking all the criticism, Yu-jung probably won't have a hard time.

It seems Oh Hae-in took the wrong medicine.

Of course, Eun-ha welcomed it.

As long as Lee Yu-jung wasn't criticized, it was all good.

Moreover─

"─Don't worry and prepare slowly. There's still a lot of time left." "There's less than a month left, isn't there?" "Don't worry."

Will the external activities scheduled for the end of April really proceed as planned?

Eun-ha could assert that they wouldn't.

Lee Yu-jung's external activities would be pushed back very far.

As Eun-ha spoke with such nuance, the two arrived at Myeongdong Cathedral.

"We're here."

"Is this it? It seems like there are a lot of people. Is it because it's a cathedral?"

Myeongdong Cathedral.

In front of the Gothic-style cathedral, many people were lined up.

They were all lined up to receive treatment from Iriya.

Eun-ha moved towards there with Lee Yu-jung.

"...It looks like we'll have to stand in line for a long time, is that okay?" "Yes, I'm fine."

The line was long.

Eun-ha spoke to Lee Yu-jung as he stood at the end of the line.

Lee Yu-jung nodded.

Eun-ha observed the appearance of the people standing in line in front of him.

Both externally and internally.

There was no one who looked normal.

They were all people sick in body and mind.

They're people abandoned by society.

No, people who find living in the world burdensome but are afraid to die, so they just live on.

And... People who don't do anything themselves, just hoping someone else will do it for them.

People living because they can't die.

They were no different from <Undead >.

Eun-ha was momentarily lost in memories of before the regression as he looked at their backs.

When monsters invaded Gangbuk, and Players fought and died to stop them.

What did these people do?

Didn't they just cry, clinging to Iriya's pants, saying they were scared, asking for help, begging to be saved?

It's not that I don't understand, but how can you just rely on others?

They each must have their circumstances.

Even so, Eun-ha couldn't purely like them.

As if reading Eun-ha's thoughts,

Lee Yu-jung tightly grasped Eun-ha's hand.

"What's wrong? You're suddenly quiet..."

"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about something else. I was thinking about what to eat for dinner later."

"Hehe, what's that? You're weird. Eun-ha, do you always only think about food?"

"Why? Is that not allowed? After this is over, is there anything you want to eat?"

"Hmm.... Anything is fine for me."

"You know that's the hardest question, right? Don't you know?"

"I really am fine with anything... Anything is good if I'm eating with you."

Worry clouded Lee Yu-jung's face.

Eun-ha comforted her while changing the topic to something else.

Soon, as the line shortened, it was almost their turn.

"Saint, my leg hurts. Look at this, it's all bruised. It's been like this for a few days, please heal it."

"You must have been in a lot of pain. Let me take a look."

By then, Iriya's figure could be seen.

A woman wearing a black habit.

The woman with black hair and green eyes seemed to feel sympathy listening to the patient's story.

Then as she placed both hands on the patient's wound area, her hands were enveloped in a soft green light.

"How is it? Are you feeling better now?"

"Thank you, thank you. It doesn't hurt at all now. Thank you so much, Saint."

The wound area disappeared.

People watching from around all showed admiring looks.

The patient kept bowing his head.

Iriya shook her head, smiling as if it was nothing.

Then she said,

"It's all thanks to the Mana God's grace. I'm just a worthless person like all of you. I'm just listening to the Mana God's voice and carrying out His will."

Mana God.

A god derived from the idea that mana, which became the origin of all things after the <Fin de Siècle Destruction>, has will.

That can't be.

Where is there a god in this world?

Mana is the will of god.

So we, made of mana, are god's creations, and god exists everywhere in this world filled with mana.

That god is watching over us.

In this world where all gods have disappeared, only the Mana God is protecting us.

So worship the Mana God.

Eun-ha, who had heard this to the point of nausea in his previous life, didn't believe in the Mana Religion's doctrine.

What dwells in mana is not god's will, but my will.

There is no such thing as god's will.

It might sound attractive to people who lack confidence in themselves and have nowhere to lean on.

But he, who had confidence in himself, wasn't deceived.

However, Iriya's ability was real.

"Then, next person..."

That's why he came to meet her.

As soon as his turn approached, he immediately went to Iriya.

""..."

Iriya sitting in the chair.

She quietly looked up at Eun-ha, who, unlike others, looked fine and even seemed wealthy.

Eun-ha also looked down at her.

Soon, she let out a small sigh.

"I'm sorry, but our clinic..."

"It's not me, please look at this child."

"Ah, Eun-ha..."

"Please."

Refusal of treatment.

It was when she was about to say that.

Eun-ha suddenly brought Lee Yu-jung, whom he had been hiding behind his back, forward.

"..."

As Lee Yu-jung came forward,

Iriya stopped speaking.

Her gaze remained fixed on Lee Yu-jung.

Soon, Iriya's green eyes opened wide.

☆

He was a man with a strange atmosphere.

A man who seemed full of confidence.

She didn't think of it in a good way.

Moderate confidence is good, but excessive confidence is just arrogance.

Moreover, judging by the man's appearance, he surely wasn't someone living nearby, and must be from a wealthy family.

These kinds of people keep coming even if you refuse them.

Iriya didn't feel good.

She had opened the clinic out of goodwill to help the poor.

But occasionally, people who had heard rumors about her would suddenly come like this man today.

And then naturally give orders.

Although it's said that the Mana God told us to love and treat people equally.

After dealing with them a few times, she couldn't love them with a humanitarian heart.

"I'm sorry, but our clinic..."

"It's not me, please look at this child."

"Ah, Eun-ha..."

"Please."

So she was about to chase the man away.

But suddenly, the man brought forward a woman he had been hiding behind.

Still, she had no intention of changing her mind.

But─

"─..."

Iriya lost her words looking at the flustered woman.

Wow..., she's beautiful.

She admired in a pure sense.

Iriya was completely captivated by the atmosphere the woman exuded.

She had a mysterious aura.

If the man seemed like he wouldn't embrace anyone other than himself, the woman seemed like she would embrace everyone.

A person who looked very benevolent.

Moreover─

─Who on earth is this person?

Who could she be... Why do I think she's holy?

She was called the <Saint of the Order> by people who came to the Mana Religion.

But Iriya's impression upon seeing the woman was that the person who should really be called a saint was standing right in front of her.

Perhaps because she was so captivated,

"Eun-ha, she seems uncomfortable, let's go back. Um..., I'm really sorry. I didn't know there were restrictions at the clinic. I'm sorry."

"Ah, no. You're welcome here!"

The woman was about to turn away.

Iriya, who suddenly came to her senses, quickly grabbed the woman's clothes.

The woman turned around.

"The Mana God doesn't discriminate against people. You seem to have come from far away, would you show me your wound?"

I must hold her back.

I want to talk with this woman.

With such thoughts, Iriya spoke kindly to her.

Then she expressed her gratitude.

At that moment, the man opened his mouth.

"I want you to look at her eyes." "...Yes, I understand."

Her eyes.

She only realized then.

Captivated by the woman's atmosphere, she hadn't noticed that the woman couldn't see.

"Then could you open your eyes?"

"Yes..."

Sitting up straight,

Iriya asked the woman.

The woman hesitantly opened her eyes.

And─

"─Ah..."

Eyes covered with unknown magic formulas.

Magic formulas that could only be seen in nature.

The formulas quickly changed their structure the moment they were observed, pushed by the following formulas.

This is, what...

To Iriya's eyes, the woman's eyes seemed to contain the principles of the world.

She was, completely overwhelmed.

Drawn into the formulas.

 Ah....

When she came to her senses, she was standing in a white world.

A world made of white, with countless magic formulas passing by.

She knew this world well.

This place was─

─Oh, Mana God.

It was the world of the Mana God.

She, who often only heard the voice of the god and rarely set foot in this place, immediately knelt down.

And then she prayed to the Mana God.

This child's price is absolute.

So go back.

A voice that couldn't be determined as male or female.

There was no doubt.

It was the Mana God.

Iriya was moved to hear the Mana God's voice.

But that was only for a moment.

"..."

"Um..., are you okay?"

The white world shattered.

When she next came to her senses, she had returned to the original world.

Blinking her eyes.

Iriya tried to grasp the situation.

The woman in front of her asked in a worried tone.

Then she suddenly stood up from her chair, not caring if it fell over, and grabbed the woman's hands.

"─You were an apostle of the Mana God! Apostle! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you!" "What?"

""""...!!""""

She had met someone like herself.

Iriya, uncharacteristically, shouted in excitement.

People stirred.

But she didn't care and was about to speak to the woman.

Right then─

"─What apostle of the Mana God.... How long has it been since god died, and you're still going on about gods?"

""""...!!""""

In an annoyed tone,

The man spoke while taking the woman away from her.