Chapter 551 – Mixed Joys and Sorrows (5)
In order to achieve what you want, sometimes you have to break something.
Beliefs or something.
Stereotypes or something.
Either that or existing prejudice.
For the saint, now was that moment.
“Okay. This is the energy of greed…”
Did I tell you to remove the ox horn as quickly as possible?
After receiving the promise that he would keep me by his side until the end as he became the apostle of greed, the first thing I did was take out the glutton that was coiled up in my stomach and show it to him.
“I understand roughly. “Why did people feel uncomfortable?”
The saint nods her head, accepting my energy.
“It’s overly explicit. To compare… I should say that it feels like I am revealing to the world a secret that can never be told to others.”
Most desires are like that.
It’s extremely personal, so I tend to hide it deep in my heart rather than tell others.
The energy of gluttony that originated from Gula was similar to the desires possessed by humans.
It contains the blatant longing that everyone wants to hide.
That’s why it makes you feel uncomfortable.
I’m afraid that my desires will leak out due to this energy.
And their concerns were valid.
If you connect the energy through the realm of gluttony, you can see a glimpse of that person’s desire.
“Honestly, I was surprised.”
“… ?”
“The energy of the Seven Deadly Sins that I have felt so far is much more ugly and dirty than this… “It felt like I was covered in pitch-black dirt, but Hunter Kim Do-jin’s energy is not like that.”
In other words, I feel a little uncomfortable because I feel like my true feelings are being revealed, but it’s not that bad…, Is it the extent?
Quite a positive impression, considering I heard it from someone who considers the Seven Deadly Sins to be his archenemy.
“But at the same time, I feel wary.”
“Wariness… “You mean?”
“Yes. “The fact that it’s not bad means that there’s room for it.”
“Hmm.”
For example, does this mean that because it is not uncomfortable, it can actually show a loophole?
Should I really say that she is like a saint?
It’s hard to find a gap.
She nods her head once and continues her speech.
“I understand roughly, so you can relax now.”
She collects the energy that was floating between her and me and stores it.
Afterward, she said.
“It would be better to keep it a secret from people for now.”
“I guess so.”
The Apostle of the Seven Deadly Sins is the enemy of all Guardians.
Even if the saint guarantees it, it is difficult to accept it deeply.
It might be possible after a little more time passes.
When their trust in me became as solid as that of Francis Meyer.
“I’ll give you some new characteristics, so for now, I want you to kiss me like that.”
“I understand.”
If you do that, I’ll be grateful.
After roughly finishing the story, her eyes turn to me again.
“Kim Do-jin Hunter.”
“… ?”
“Let’s do our best.”
It was a kind of warning and request.
Please be strong and don’t become a monster obsessed with greed.
Please make sure that the blades of the Guardians, including yourself, are not pointed at your colleagues.
“… Yes.”
I nod and think.
She is a woman who should not be taken lightly.
* * *
Romania.
A country on the brink of ruin as one-third of its territory was lost to a monster that appeared along with a natural disaster.
An abnormality was observed there.
The land of the true ancestors, the Sanctuary of Blood, that fell asleep 10 years ago thanks to the dedication of Francis Meyer and the other raiders.
The red barrier surrounding that place suddenly disappeared.
As a result, neighboring countries were put on alert.
“The red wall disappears…, What on earth happened?”
“Currently being verified.”
“Could it be that Jinjo has awakened…?” ?”
“… I don’t think we can rule out that possibility.”
“Ah, my God!”
They guessed.
Could it be that Jinjo woke up from a long sleep and broke through the red barrier?
It would not be unreasonable to assume that the impregnable barrier that the World Hunter Association could not even find a way to pass through, let alone lift, even after years of research, disappeared overnight.
They immediately started preparing countermeasures.
“I can’t contact Romania.”
“It seems certain that something has gone wrong.”
“I think we should dispatch troops near the Sanctuary of Blood to investigate.”
Opinions are closely exchanged.
Contact with Romania lost.
In order to relieve the growing anxiety, it was time to take the risk of approving the dispatch of troops for investigation.
“Minister! The saint held a press conference… !”
“Your Excellency, it is said that the Holy Virgin held a press conference regarding Romania.”
News that the saint held a press conference was spread around the world.
Very odd timing.
Everyone was convinced of this.
“Turn on the TV right now!”
This press conference probably has some connection with Romania.
That’s how it started.
[Nice to meet you, everyone.]
[This is Saint Sophia Saintes of the Vatican Orthodox Church.]
It is no exaggeration to say that the press conference attracted the world’s attention.
[The reason I am here today is that I have something to say to you.]
She was so noble that everyone looked up to her, but today she was different.
Something else is layered on top of the nobility and elegant atmosphere.
It is none other than solemnity.
[Everyone has probably seen it. The red wall that was destroying Romania has disappeared.]
[It’s not just the red wall that has disappeared.]
Everyone is puzzled.
It’s not just the walls that have disappeared.
So what on earth has disappeared?
It was right then.
[Jinjo, the EX-level monster who brought Romania to the brink of ruin 10 years ago.]
[He also disappeared.]
“Well, what… !?”
“Jinjo…, Extinction… ?”
“What is that!”
The world is turned upside down by the shocking announcement.
People have not experienced it.
EX grade given only to monsters that cannot be defeated.
What is the power of Jinjo, the king of vampires who pushed Romania into a crucible of fear upon his appearance and was diagnosed with EX level?
But even if you didn’t experience it, you could guess.
Francis Meyer, humanity’s greatest hero.
A monster that could only be put to sleep despite the best hunters of the time, including him, doing their best.
That’s why it was difficult to accept.
“Who on earth… ?”
Who destroyed the monster that even Francis Meyer could not defeat?
The saint standing on the podium on TV answered that question.
[Susan.]
“… ?”
A name I don’t know at all.
It didn’t end there.
[Leonardo.]
[Lucas.]
[Irina.]
Unfamiliar to some.
And as names that were familiar to some people were mentioned one by one, everyone realized.
The fact that they are all heroes who took the lead in destroying the true ancestors.
And.
[… Krain, Leddin, Ramus.]
Some of them may not have come back alive.
Her name continues.
[Elena Mikhailova Dobreva.]
Although it is a foreigner’s name, it is rather a familiar name in Korea.
It doesn’t end there.
[Shin Yu-jeong.]
[Han Ju-yeon.]
One person, one person.
A guild and party that is currently enjoying the hottest popularity in Korea.
[Son Seo-yeon.]
The moment that name is called, the top of the Magic Tower shakes.
And.
[Kim Do-jin.]
The Republic of Korea is becoming noisy.
Lastly.
[… Francis Meyer.]
The world is shaking.
* * *
Sanctuary of Blood.
And the red barrier that surrounds it is lifted.
It was impossible to keep everything a secret because of the huge abnormality that was so easily observed.
So I announced it.
It is said that the tragedy that occurred in Romania began with the death of Jinjo.
And the names of those who gave death to the true ancestor.
“It’s just right.”
The world’s attention is focused.
Under their attention, we hid many secrets that should never be revealed.
Information that could cause great change in the world, such as the existence of the Seven Deadly Sins and the critical condition of Francis Meyer.
“It’s a fact that needs to be revealed someday…”
The Seven Deadly Sins are hiding in the dark, threatening the world at will.
In the meantime, what if their identities are revealed to the world?
They will sink deeper into the darkness.
Until interest in them disappears.
The same goes for the news of Francis Meyer’s critical condition.
He is nothing short of a symbol of human peace.
Among the villains that are widespread in the world, there are many who are hiding out of fear of him.
But what happens if news suddenly comes that he is in critical condition?
“Everyone will run out because they think this is the time.”
If that happens, the most confusing era since the founding of hunter society may arrive.
So it has to be hidden.
Until Francis Meyer wakes up again and recovers.
“The problem is how to restore him…”
There is one method I have considered.
Even with the saint’s divine power, it was impossible to heal the source of life.
If she, who is unique in her healing, is unable to do so, she will see that there is no one anywhere in the world who can heal her.
But that’s just one person’s story.
If divine power or a saint doesn’t work, wouldn’t it be okay to add something else or someone?
And the most suitable one here is of course.
“… No matter how much I think about it, it’s like me.”
I think me and Gamsik would be the best match.
To be exact, the energy of greed that Gluttony harbors.
As shown earlier, greed functions in two ways.
Feeding one’s stomach by consuming human greed and directing that desire to a designated destination.
The function used here is the latter.
“If only we could direct the divine power of the saint, who was obsessed with her desire to heal Francis, to her greed…”
Perhaps we will be able to access the source of life that divine power cannot reach.
“It seems worth a try…”
The problem is whether the saint can accept this.
“… Should I try to hint?”
Yes.
How difficult would it be to say just one word?
She immediately got up from her seat and today, her Francis is by her side, explaining her healing through the combination of her greed and divine power to her, who is devising her means.
When she heard this, she smiled and asked me.
“Do you want to go up to the scaffold for blasphemy?”
“… Oh, no.”
It still seems too early.
