Chapter 1564: A New Normal (19) |
"Have you finally recognized my worth, sir?” Ahn Ki-Mo asked me.
“...”
“...”
“As the priest of the Blue Guild, you should be able to do at least that much. I’m sure Miss Hee-Young or Miss Elena could—”
“They specialize in a different role. I’m a battle priest, while Miss Hee-Young and Miss Elena are traditional priests. Strictly speaking, I’m closer to a paladin. Depending on the situation, I can even go to the front lines, and I have better Defense than low-tier tanks. My Strength is also comparable to most frontliners.
"If a priest like me were on the market, there would be guilds lining up with fortunes to recruit me,” Ahn Ki-Mo said, interrupting me.
‘It was annoying, but I couldn’t deny it.’
“My healing spells and other divine spells are also top-tier. Ahem… as I just said, priests who can dispel 7th-level mind-type spells aren’t common. I only look like I’m lacking because I’m in the Blue Guild, but I won't be considered incompetent anywhere else, sir,” he added.
“So? What are you trying to say?” I asked.
“…”
“It’s not that I had anything in particular to say, but since you asked first, I’ll say it. Um… about my contract renewal…”
‘That's his real goal.’
“Ah, so this is about salary negotiations, isn’t it, Mr. Ki-Mo? You signed a seven-year contract. The renewal would be in seven years,” I reminded him.
“Well… depending on performance, sometimes renewals get brought forward… If someone is capable, they should be treated accordingly…” he argued.
“I think you’re already being treated appropriately for your skills. Your salary is on the higher end, even within the Blue Guild. Honestly, every single member’s salary is so high that it’s becoming hard to manage. There’s a reason people joke that every Blue Guild member is basically a cash incinerator.
"I’m telling you this in confidence, but the guild is struggling, too. There’s even talk about whether we need to transfer someone out,” I revealed.
“What? I-Is that true?” he stammered.
“There are a lot of internal issues. As you said, there may be many guilds willing to offer a fortune to recruit you, but there aren’t many that can actually pay that kind of money, so a transfer is practically impossible…
"Haa… actually, someone did offer to recruit you,” I told him.
“…”
“The Red Mercenary Guild. Hee-Ra noona said she’d pay well… Your salary would probably go up… Should I transfer you there?” I asked.
“…”
“…”
“I, Ahn Ki-Mo, swore to devote myself entirely to the Blue Guild. I have no intention of betraying the Blue Guild, so you can rest assured, sir. This is where I’ll die, sir,” he said.
“…”
“Ah! Are your legs tired by any chance? It would be an honor if I could carry you…” He offered.
“It’s not that far. We’re basically there already.”
Talking with him really made the time fly. It was a bit annoying to admit that I actually got along with him, but it was true that our conversation flowed easily. Then again, it was probably because he was the type to never stop talking.
In fact, he was opening his mouth again, asking, “By the way, sir, why did you suddenly ask about dispelling mind-type spells?"
“Just curious,” I answered.
“Could it be that there’s someone at the temple using mind-type spells?” he asked.
“It’s nothing like that. I just saw too many weird things while browsing Benigoa Net earlier. It seems like public opinion is settling down, but in the process… some real abyss-level weirdos showed up, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared just in case,” I explained.
“But… isn’t that something you don’t really need to worry about, sir?”
“…”
“…”
“Sir, you’re already on a different level. You’re practically revered like a demigod… You even came back to life. Sometimes, when I’m walking alongside you, I feel this overwhelming urge to start praying to you,” Ahn Ki-Mo said.
‘That’s probably because you have no backbone as a priest.’
“I don’t know much about magic myself, but when it comes to mind-type spells, it’s kind of common knowledge that it doesn’t work well on those with strong willpower…
"I can say this with confidence, but most mind-type spells wouldn’t even affect you, sir. The same probably goes for artifacts or curse-type spells, so there’s no need to worry,” he said, reassuring me.
‘Yeah, he’s not wrong.’
If I were in the form of Lust and Eternal Sleep or Sacrifice and Revival, there would be nothing to worry about. Once those forms of mine manifested, any trivial spells would be deflected, and there was even a chance the caster would take damage instead.
However, there was no real reference for how much resistance I would have in an ordinary human body. I figured I could resist to some extent, but I wasn’t sure whether I could withstand a Mythic-rank artifact with embedded mind-type spells, or an 8th-level spell cast by an Archmage like Jung Ha-Yan.
I had been active on this continent for quite a long time, and I had even been running things behind the scenes, so I knew that there were a myriad of unknown abilities scattered everywhere.
Hadn't Benigoa said that even gods weren't perfect? One ought to never underestimate human potential. Just because someone was a transcendent being did not mean they held absolute superiority over mortals.
Of course, in most cases, and unless something extraordinary was involved, mortals would suffer psychological damage just from taking a mere glimpse of a transcendent being.
‘Let your guard down, and you’re done for.’
Being a little cautious wouldn’t hurt, but I couldn’t help but wonder whether all this worrying had a point
“S-Saint of Sacrifice and Revival!” Benet exclaimed and rushed at me.
I couldn’t help but swallow nervously at the sight.
“You must’ve had a… a very difficult journey coming all this way…” Benet said.
‘What the hell is with this guy…’
“…”
“…”
He really looked like he would be the Hypnosis Guy. Of course, I had no idea what the Hypnosis Guy actually looked like. I didn’t even have a clear image in mind, but anyone who saw this guy would probably think the same thing.
‘He really does look like he would be the Hypnosis Guy.’
I glanced to the side and saw that Ahn Ki-Mo looked just as tense as I. The guy gave off the kind of atmosphere where he could cast hypnosis at any moment, and it looked like Ki-Mo was holding himself back from smashing him with a mace.
Of course, one could not judge someone by their appearance. He heard I would be visiting the temple and had gone out of his way to wait for me. He looked a bit plump and sweaty, but he wasn’t necessarily shady.
One thing stood out, and it was his huge frame. He was big enough that he could pass as a frontliner, but unfortunately, what supported that body wasn’t muscle; it was fat.
If I were to slightly exaggerate, I'd say he was fat enough that one could dive into his fat and be buried in it. He looked to be in his fifties, about the right age to fall for Kim Hyun-Sung’s trick and hand over his personal information.
Naturally, I took a quick look around. Despite the late hour, all the priests had come out. Behind them, the Benigoa temple stood in an almost gaudy display. Every single priest was in tears as they welcomed me, and among them stood the man I had just been told about, Benet.
It seemed like they had been putting on this whole show long before I even arrived. There was even a considerable number of paladins around.
‘This feels excessive when it’s not the main temple.’
It almost looked like a show of force to the citizens of the Republic. This made it clear again that he was probably one of the extremists. Considering Kim Hyun-Sung had gone as far as to voice phish him, it made complete sense.
There was definitely something else hidden behind that friendly face.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” I said.
“Ooooo… Saint of Sacrifice and Revival…”
As I bowed slightly, he dropped flat to the ground. It even looked like he was trying to kiss my feet.
‘This is way too much.’
There were always a few people who would go completely overboard like him. The ones trying to kiss my hand were manageable, as they were usually older priests expressing extreme reverence toward me. Lately, most followers actually felt burdened at the mere idea of approaching me, so things like this had become rare.
‘I told people not to do this… Come on.’
The guy in front of me clearly intended to use this whole event to solidify his standing within the order. I wanted to kick him in the face, but there was no way I could do that. I couldn’t embarrass the head of a temple. First, I helped him back to his feet. As I did, I saw his face twist just for a moment, but it was enough.
“Thank you for your hard work, Priest Benet,” I said.
“H-How… how do you know my name…” Benet asked.
“How could I not remember your name? Weren’t you at the Vatican headquarters?” I asked.
“I-I was…” he answered.
“When I heard that you came all the way out here to spread the teachings of Benigoa… I was deeply moved… I’m sorry it took me so long to come greet you,” I said.
“E-Everything is for Goddess Benigoa…” he mumbled
“I’m sure Goddess Benigoa would be pleased as well,” I commented.
“…”
“…”
“L-Let’s not stand out here… Please come inside. It’s cold,” he offered.
“Thank you.”
Of course, I expressed my gratitude to every priest and paladin who came out. One by one, I made eye contact with them and praised their efforts as well as their sacrifices. I also offered a few kind words.
Afterward, we finally headed inside the temple. They looked like they wanted me to hold a prayer service, but there was no way I could do something like that here.
Ahn Ki-Mo also exchanged greetings with the priests, but judging by the expressions on a few of their faces, it seemed his reputation within the order was not exactly great.
Considering he was the type to switch the god he served depending on his mood, their reaction was only natural. On top of that, he had an unusually high level of holy power, was highly capable, and even seemed favored by the gods, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there were those who envied him.
After the small welcome event, we were led inside the temple.
“S-sir… doesn’t that guy… look like the Hypnosis Guy?” Ahn Ki-Mo whispered under his breath, but I forced a smile and kept walking forward. I had visited quite a few temples by now, and the routine was always the same.
A tour of the interior, followed by a brief prayer, and whatever came next depended on the temple.
Just then, Priest Benet, who had been talking nonstop, said, “Saint of Sacrifice and Revival, this is the private prayer room.”
“Ah, I see,” I murmured, glancing back slightly.
‘Where the hell did Ahn Ki-Mo go?’
“…”
‘Where did the other priests go?’
There was no way they got lost.
‘What the?’
I immediately took out the Telescope and looked back the way we came. I saw Ahn Ki-Mo walking somewhere with the priests with his eyes completely unfocused.
‘Are you kidding me… Was he really the Hypnosis Guy?’
“What are you doing, Saint of Sacrifice and Revival? It’s common sense to enter the private prayer room barefoot,” Benet said.
He even seemed to be thinking that he had put me under hypnosis, too.
“Pardon?”
“It’s common sense in the Republic branch of the Benigoa Order to enter the private prayer room barefoot,” he said.
Of course, there was no such rule, but it looked like he was testing whether the hypnosis had worked on me. Naturally, I smiled and nodded as I carefully took off my shoes.
“Ah, right. In the Republic branch, it’s customary to go into the private prayer room barefoot. My apologies, Priest Benet, I forgot,” I said.
“…”
“…”
‘What the hell… Does this guy have some kind of foot fetish?’