Yi Geon's eyes widened in surprise.
[You have cleared the Trial of Fame and obtained the trial reward.]
[You have obtained the Proselytizing reward.]
Of course, clearing the Trial of Fame had gone according to plan. All it took was bringing in one holy disciple. Wasn't that why he had given the coin to Seongjae? It was one of the two methods to bring in a holy disciple.
[You may choose between
[It has been confirmed as
[A mission will be given to the target (Cheon Seongjae).]
[Only when the target (Cheon Seongjae) fulfills the mission will they be awakened as a holy disciple of Ophiuchus.]
On the other hand,
[The failure probability is 70%.]
And that wasn't all. Proselytizing could not be used on the same target twice. In other words, if proselytizing failed once, that person could never be brought back as a holy disciple.
But.
[If Mission Proselytizing succeeds, special rewards are obtained.]
[Reward (Yi Geon): Proselytizing Reward (S-rank)]
[Reward (Holy Disciple): Special Awakening, Exclusive Data, Holy Disciple Rank Increase]
The difference in rewards was like heaven and earth. That "Special Awakening" in particular was crucial.
[Special Awakening makes the holy disciple even stronger.]
[It is a privilege that can only be used during
Simply put, it was like performing an upgrade or re-awakening from head to toe. In a word, high risk, high return.
'Well, if I had been playing it safe, I should have used General Proselytizing….'
But there was something he had felt while observing Seongjae. Sure, he was already receiving excellent evaluations, but still.
'With a little effort, he could even reach Saint level.'
Not just in rank, but in basic ability stats, there was much room for growth. He couldn't just nip that potential in the bud.
Of course, finding 100% faith was no easy task. On top of that, he had to make Seongjae a holy disciple immediately and clear the mission to use
But he believed in Seongjae. Because he was his friend's son.
And indeed, Seongjae broke through that failure probability as if to prove himself, becoming his holy disciple.
But the Bible?
Sure enough, familiar text appeared before his eyes.
[A new deed has been added to the Bible.]
[Historical Deed (4)]
- A young genius who once followed another god becomes the first disciple to have his name recorded under Ophiuchus.
[The deed of the first holy disciple (Historical Deed 4) has been engraved, raising the value of the divine throne.]
[The remarkable deeds of a holy disciple further strengthen the god's power.]
[The deeds engraved in the Bible can be utilized as Authority.]
Up to that point, it was good. With the creation of a holy disciple, it seemed the deeds recorded in the Bible were finally usable.
The problem was.
[The first holy disciple has created a new page in the Bible.]
[
What in the world is this "Yi Geon Gospel" now?!
But there was no time to panic.
"Yi Geon! I'll eliminate you first! You and Virgo!"
Perio, transformed into a monster, emitted demonic energy.
Bang!!
It wasn't just any demonic energy.
[Warning. Specialized demonic energy is binding your body.]
"!"
Along with that warning, Gott fell to his knees.
Thud!
"Ugh…!"
It felt like a building was pressing down on his head. The Saints also trembled slightly. They were holding on, but they clearly looked strained.
"Damn it, this is Libra's…!"
[Equivalent Exchange - Physical Restraint]
A debuff technique that restricts the target's movement speed at the cost of the caster's own. Literally, neither the caster nor the target could move. Normally, it was a technique used for support from the rear.
But.
"How can a mere holy disciple do this…!"
His ability was even stronger than a Saint's. Perhaps it was because his body was in the middle of being upgraded.
Unlike the others, Yi Geon didn't budge, but that lasted only a moment.
[Warning. This is a power that absorbs abilities.]
[Penalty in effect. Movement restrictions from the opponent's skill are being applied.]
[It covets the power of a Holy God.]
But the truly shocking event was just beginning.
Rumble!
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. There was no need to figure out what had happened.
"Th-the Dome!"
The barrier of humanity that had been stretched across the Belgian region had vanished. It wasn't even the 4th or 5th Dome, far from the city. It was humanity's final bastion protecting the Belgian city, up to the 1st Dome!
"No! If that disappears…!"
Humanity would face annihilation in an instant.
As if on cue, the cry of a bird echoed from the sky.
"Kieeeek!"
They were monster beasts from an unknown civilization, always lurking around the Domes, targeting humanity's city. They let out a great roar toward the sky. It must have been a signal to invade now that the detestable city barrier had been breached.
And as the Dome disappeared, the giant birds soaring in the sky began their invasion.
Bang! Bang!
The buildings of the city, which housed 2 million people, crumbled in an instant.
Bang!
Screams and explosions erupted chaotically.
"All the Domes have disappeared!!!"
"Aaaargh!"
"Save me!"
The city was hell on earth in a single moment.
That's why both Hugo and Gott were shocked. That barrier was a Holy God's wall that had always been maintained, even when Kevin temporarily lost his power.
There was good reason for their surprise.
"The Dome is a barrier managed by the affiliated gods!"
"Why would it...!"
But perhaps realizing something, Kevin glared at Perio and ground his teeth.
"Something must have happened to the affiliated gods managing the Dome…!"
"Then could it be that the 4th and 5th Domes were also easily destroyed because…!"
It was something Gott, who had come as part of the advance party, had already found strange. After all, Virgo was the 2nd ranked divine throne. There was no way the Dome, which could be called Virgo's power, could be pierced up to the 3rd Dome. But seeing this situation, it all made sense.
"So they deliberately took out the 4th and 5th Domes back then too?"
But that wasn't the important thing right now.
"Kieeeek!"
Responding to the scout's signal, a legion of monsters was approaching from afar. From all four directions, the legion's numbers alone were in the thousands, no, tens of thousands. And including the monsters coming from even farther away…
'2 million people will be simply annihilated.'
The vast majority in the city were ordinary believers.
Upon realizing this.
"Damn it, I can't move…!"
"Hahaha! Virgo and Sagittarius, or whatever! Realize your incompetence!"
Hugo shouted out.
"Yi Geon! Do something! Unlike this forever-second-place bastard, you're first place!"
"What do you mean first place?!"
Kevin bristled and was about to retort, but it wasn't exactly wrong. In this situation, there was only Yi Geon.
"Yi Geon! I'm sorry, but help us just this once!"
At that, Yi Geon smirked.
"Why should I?"
"What?! Why, you ask…!"
Hugo was surprised, and Kevin was furious.
"The people of this city are all going to die! I never thought you were someone who would let even ordinary people die…! I'm disappointed, Yi Geon!"
But Yi Geon, for some reason, looked up at the sky.
And that was the moment.
Bombardment rained down from the sky.
Boom-boom-boom-boom!
What fell from the sky were countless flaming arrows! Under the assault falling like a rain shower, the monster legion collapsed helplessly.
"Kieeeek!"
"Kruooo!"
Everyone was shocked by the sight, and Yi Geon smiled as if to say, "See that?"
[Someone receiving the power of the Ophiuchus Bible is nearby.]
The monsters grew enraged and tried to use their abilities, but it was useless.
[Ten Million Scorching Bullets]
A rain of arrows with tremendous firepower poured down. An immense quantity that covered the entire city. Strangely, it only worked against the monsters and didn't hit the humans at all. Even if it did hit, it immediately turned into light and vanished.
At that sight, Kevin let out a hollow laugh. It was understandable, as that was a technique of Sagittarius.
"Sagittarius, when did you bring in a reinfor…."
But Kevin, who had turned his head, was suddenly startled. For some reason, both Gott and Hugo were trembling under the barrage of flames falling from the sky. It was as if they were witnessing an unbelievable sight.
"It can't be."
"This technique is…!"
There was no doubt.
"Guild leader…!"
It was the technique of Lee Jaewon, who had been devoured along with Hugo's wife ten years ago. Both Hugo and Gott, who thought they would never see it again, felt their hearts swell with emotion.
'Could it be.'
As expected.
"Seongju-nim!"
When Hugo looked in the direction Gott pointed, he almost burst into tears. Though it was far away, with Sagittarius's eyesight, he could easily confirm the face. There was clearly a familiar face atop a high-rise building.
'Jaewon.'
And Lee Jaewon, having met Hugo's eyes, smiled and gave a slight bow. How a man who had been bedridden for ten years could be standing there, and why Yi Geon's magical power was wrapping protectively around Lee Jaewon's body, none of that mattered.
[Thousand Rain Lines]
Boom-boom-ba-ba-boom!
Finally, every single monster that had tried to invade the city was struck down. At that sight, Perio was flustered.
"That man was definitely on Yun Tae-woo's side…!"
But that was when it happened.
"Well, the Dome issue seems settled, so fine."
Startled by Yi Geon's voice, Perio turned his head. But soon, Perio laughed.
"It's power above Saint level! Even so…"
Yet, that was the moment.
Crack!
Yi Geon snapped Perio's Physical Restraint skill.
"!"
Due to that, Perio was horrified.
"H-how…!"
This skill was a powerful binding technique born from Equivalent Exchange. The proof? Weren't two Saints and an SS-rank unable to move?! But it didn't work on Yi Geon.
Of course, his body was still upgrading, so he didn't break it with the upgraded power.
[Bible usage conditions have been met.]
[You have chosen to utilize
Yi Geon smiled.
'I don't know what this Yi Geon Gospel is.'
What was certain was that what Seongjae evaluated about him had been engraved in the bible. Moreover, intense faith generated power and manifested into reality.
Bible. The contents engraved in the Bible could be utilized as power.
And Chapter 1 of the content that would have been exactly engraved from Cheon Seongjae's mind. Along with that verse, Yi Geon completely shattered Perio's binding skill.
Crack!
The effect of the ability was simple.
[Status ailment removed by the effect of
[Yi Geon Gospel Chapter 1 - Forced removal of status ailments below a certain level.]
A monster of the same Holy God level, or at least possessing power greater than the Red Eyes known as humanity's worst calamity. Unless it was something of that magnitude, stopping Yi Geon had become impossible.
Of course, that wasn't the end.
Perio shot bizarre tentacles at Yi Geon as he broke free from the restraint and approached.
Rumble!
"Wha-what is this. How can there not be a single scratch…!"
[Physical damage nullification occurs by the effect of
[Yi Geon Gospel Chapter 2 - Nullify physical damage below a certain level.]
The tentacles surrounding Yi Geon tried to tear into him, but even that was useless.
At that sight, Kevin was dumbfounded.
'He's not using a skill…!'
What on earth is that?!
But Yi Geon was just as bewildered.
'No matter how much it's an ability that materializes the faith of a holy disciple.' The power was too overpowered. So even Yi Geon, who was testing it out, was a bit taken aback.
'Seongjae, that kid, just how has he been thinking of me normally?'
But regardless, the Bible continued to activate.
At the same time, Yi Geon's fist, emitting light, blew off Perio's head.
Crunch!
A tremendous force collided with Perio, causing a flash of light to erupt.
[Bible usage complete.]
[The Bible will be sealed until Faith is recharged.]
Perio burst apart with a scream.
Kevin couldn't even think about closing his mouth.
And finally, the flash of light disappeared.
Thud!
Perio, his skin completely peeled off, groaned on the ground. Yi Geon approached him. Perio's body was utterly mangled, barely managing to breathe.
"How can someone who isn't even a Saint…!"
He looked resentful.
"I will reclaim the kingdom's authority and have the nation returned!"
A theocracy based on a Holy God? It was nonsense from the start.
"From the beginning, Libra should have come to Belgium, not Virgo! Virgo, who can't even hold a woman's hand, is just…!"
Hugo decided not to speak.
"Yi Geon! Whatever you think, Libra is different! He would help us pursue our will and reclaim the kingdom's authori…!"
Splat!
As if it wasn't even worth listening to, Yi Geon blew off Perio's neck.
"What's this bastard on about."
[Data acquired.]
[Trial of Fame reward obtained.]
[Trial of Fame Reward: Ophiuchus Awakening Skill (SSS)]
[Proselytizing reward obtained.]
Yi Geon picked up Perio's head.
Hugo looked at him, flustered.
"Don't you need to interrogate him about the mastermind?"
"Haven't the answers already come out?"
Well, that was true. Besides, reading memories was quicker for the details.
Then, after confirming Lee Jaewon approaching them, Hugo asked.
"But what was that earlier? It wasn't your usual style. And how is Jaewon here…."
"Ah. It was all a Bible effect."
"Bible?? The book?"
"Well, something like that. Once the holy disciple appeared, I became able to use it."
Hugo's expression was a sight to behold.
"You got a holy disciple? Who in the world…."
Hugo, who was about to ask who it was, decided to let it be. Whoever Yi Geon's holy disciple was, good was good. As long as it wasn't one of his own children.
"That's great. Whoever it is, I hope they're a holy disciple who'd even give their life for you."
If that happens, you'd probably be the one crying. Well, whatever.
Flash!
"!"
Yi Geon was startled. The coin connected to Cheon Seongjae began to shine once more. Honestly, it was bewildering.
'It was already this much with one time, and now twice?'
What on earth was happening over there?
(Continues in the next episode)