The Angel Prepares (3)
“What’s this?”
“...It’s a cathedral. As you can see.”
Rusa picked up the fallen cigarette again.
“Yeah, that stone you brought... it was called a Corestone, right? I’ve seen it in the treasury before. A consumable item with such a pathetic ability that it recognizes huge buildings as cities—no one wanted it...”
But this building was different. Though small in scale, the power flowing within it was on a level Rusa had never witnessed before. If the professors had known about a place like this, they would have used the Corestone to restore it first thing.
Did he think to bring the Corestone here the moment he saw these ruins? Figure out its abilities at a glance? How sharp is his judgment...?
A chill ran down her spine. And thinking how fortunate that was sent another shiver through her.
This is our blunder. We got intel that the Demon King’s army was after the Corestone... but in the faculty meeting, everyone except Rebecca laughed it off. We were just about to approve a plan to let them take it and then catch the culprits behind it.
She quickly pieced together the truth.
This building... it’s of immense value. The Demon King’s army wanted to prevent something like this. This kid—no, Refri did this for us...
Rusa looked at the boy. He seemed to be shrinking back, wondering if he’d done something wrong. She couldn’t help but feel a swell of admiration.
This child... he gave up his legendary artifact for our sake. If the professors had realized the value of these ruins sooner... this is our failure.
Of course, this was all Rusa’s misunderstanding. Refri had simply been blinded by dreams of homeownership and the hidden perks inside the cathedral. He hadn’t thought much about the public good.
Now that I own this building, I’ll surely get skills for managing it. Plus, all the holy relics hidden underground...
The boy now imagined his gains, flashing a genuine smile.
Real estate...! Property owner...! Landlord...!
Watching from afar, someone else harbored doubts. Dressed in dark otherworldly nun’s robes that covered most of her body, the exposed parts alone proved she was a stunning beauty.
That smile... why is he grinning? He just tossed away a chance at a legendary artifact... Doesn’t he regret it? Selling that alone would set him up for generations.
Her name was Rebecca, professor of holy power at Central Superhuman Academy.
Rebecca misunderstood the boy’s expression and felt pity.
A cathedral that can protect people has appeared... even though it brings him no personal gain... he’s that happy about it...
But a warmth blooming in her heart was something she couldn’t help. For the first time in ages, Rebecca felt where her own heart truly lay.
Rusa stroked Refri’s head and said,
“Phew—alright, we’ll talk about this at the faculty meeting.”
She planned to detail at the meeting how Refri had forfeited his rights to restore the cathedral without demanding anything in return.
Of course, Refri had no idea.
“Yes. Understood.”
“And hmm, what about the club name?”
Club name. A topic he’d never even considered.
With a cathedral that appeared like a ghost story as their base, maybe a ghost story club...? But that felt dangerously risky for some reason. And leaning toward religion because it was a cathedral...? Why? Truth be told, Refri held no particular faith. One might find it odd for an angel to be an atheist, but in Korea, with its religious freedom, it was fine.
“I’ll think about it a bit.”
“How about a combat club?”
“...I’ll consider it.”
“Martial arts club?”
Rusa’s eyes suddenly sparkled. Refri smiled and replied,
“Rejected.”
Central Superhuman Academy. The most vital educational institution in the human realm, raising true heroes. It was also an alliance built by powerhouses from other worlds and the human realm to defeat the Demon King.
Naturally, such a fearsome place offered immense privileges to its enrolled students. And for Refri, the most important perk was...
With this card alone, a 200 million won limit interest-free per year...?
Refri toyed with his student ID, impure intentions gleaming. Yes, Central Academy students got paid to attend. And they could borrow quite a lot too. Sure, superhumans who could enter this school could earn that much easily, but...
For the greedy angel Refri, more money was always better.
Moreover, 90% of superhuman-related organizations were obligated to cooperate with Central Academy students, and their facilities were all free. Dungeons they managed, training grounds. Even medical facilities.
But that wasn’t what mattered to Refri.
Whoa. Free access to resorts run by the Superhuman Welfare Group? Meals too?
The resorts and hotels run by the Superhuman Welfare Group were said to boast the world’s finest facilities. Ordinary hotels couldn’t compete—they offered mere Earth views, while these were built amid otherworldly wonders. The food followed the same logic. But they were insanely expensive.
And now, free...?
Sob...! Farewell to my squalid life.
In any case, Central Academy cadets enjoyed countless benefits. No wonder so many vied to enter.
Yumari watched Refri beaming and thought, People can really be that happy? All that student ID offered was pocket change stipend, meaningless loans, and free access to facilities far inferior to her family’s villas... Sure, there were minor perks, but they were trivial.
Many rich cadets thought the same. After all, a minor could only enter this academy with full family and guild backing.
Look at him thrilled over a mere student ID. If it’s that great, why yield the top spot to me? And why does he keep...?
Questions. Doubts piling up. Not knowing about Angel Power, Yumari could only accumulate more suspicions.
And look—even this innocent boy, clutching his useless student ID in joy, frowned like he was hurt the moment he saw her.
Why? Seeing that expression hurts around my chest.
She’d need a checkup later. Yumari stood. It was time for her top-seat speech from the podium.
He hates me that much... so why did he save me?
She should be thrilled about the top seat she’d wanted so badly, but his frown soured it all. Yumari bit her lip.
Forget it. Or else...
But human emotions aren’t switches. You can’t just turn them off and on.
Or else... my draconic instincts...
...Yumari’s heart was no different.
Refri decided against the dorms. Why? Countless incidents—and life-threatening ones—would erupt there. A quiet, comfy life didn’t suit such a rough place for him.
So where would he sleep? Obviously, that cathedral.
“Dididada-dan~”
Humming the Love House theme, Refri opened the cathedral doors. Not huge, but cozy. No furniture? He’d just buy some...
With the repayment money, I can furnish it all new. No more poor Refri!
Refri had plenty of cash now. Especially after Jack White from the White family sent more than mere repayment, shocking him.
And now...
“As the owner of this building, I decree: Appoint Refri as manager of this building.”
You have become the manager of the Last Cathedral!
Skills necessary as a manager have been unlocked.
Cooking Lv.1Cleaning Lv.1Repair Lv.1Crafting Lv.1
Skills gained as building manager. This was the second reason he’d claimed it.
Even if they’re dismissed as lifestyle skills, you normally need skillbooks or achievements to acquire them. But just becoming manager unlocks four like this?
Even in the future, few superhumans had four or more lifestyle skills. Those with three had gained them as managers of other buildings.
Most superhumans ignored these skills. But maxed at Lv.10+, they synergize to boost all combat skills comprehensively.
The higher the lifestyle skills, the greater the synergy. Thus, all final survivors were masters of at least one.
And being good at cooking or cleaning isn’t bad. Plus Crafting—that’s a jackpot skill.
Crafting. The pinnacle production skill encompassing woodworking, smelting, tanning, and more. As far as Refri knew, only one person had it...
Master Artisan Lee Hyun—probably still at the academy now.
This cathedral truly was the most vital facility. Handing out such precious skills...
It made sense why past humanity poured so much effort into restoring it.
“Guess I’ll start with ordering a bed?”
The boy pulled out his phone to order a bed and other furniture. Modern convenience made it so easy... Wait.
“The biggest issue with Central Academy is that.”
“Haha, even the world’s top facility has inconveniences, huh.”
“No, it’s more than a little. External items are strictly banned. No deliveries, obviously. Only small items pass magical inspection.”
“Why?”
Refri muttered,
“Central Academy has many enemies. To block Demon King forces and bandits, large items are banned outright. Deliveries impossible.”
Refri cautiously searched ‘Central Academy furniture store.’ No results, naturally. Who’d ditch dorm luxury for custom furniture? No such fool existed.
Until now? Abandoning top dorms for a dusty cathedral?
Refri eyed the cathedral. Cold marble floors beneath stained glass, utterly empty. Evening chill set in. No electricity—pitch black.
“Huh, wasn’t it supposed to be farewell to squalid life...?”
Refri finally realized the dire situation.