An Angel Walking Outside (5)
The countless people gathered in the Great Cathedral all cheered as they saw Refri.
"Our prayers have finally..."
"The light that will save us..."
But Refri could only give a wry smile at the fervent believers showering him with adoration.
"What's the big deal about an angel, anyway..."
Then a voice came from beside him. It was the cult leader, Kim Mansu.
Flustered, Kim Mansu suddenly shouted as if he'd received some kind of order from above.
"At last! At last, our prayers have reached the heavens! The skies have sent us His agent!"
The bewildered Refri immediately turned to look at him. He seemed genuinely thrilled. No, he was acting like he was thrilled.
"Only the heavens! Only angels!"
"Only the heavens! Only angels!"
He cheered along with the crowd, his face beaming with apparent joy, then suddenly turned serious and asked Refri:
"So, who the hell are you?"
Refri thought, 'I can't back down.' He replied clearly and firmly.
"I'm an angel."
"You messing with me? It's been ages since angels bit the dust."
Kim Mansu lowered his voice menacingly and whispered to Refri.
"Looks like you're some kid trying to scam the suckers with an angel corpse... You know even backwater diners have trade secrets, right?"
And with that, he casually placed a hand on Refri's shoulder.
"You can't just waltz into someone else's turf and play spy. Don't you know business ethics? Huh?"
"Business ethics..."
His bluntness made Refri feel the steam going out of him.
'Okay, the corpse I get... but how the hell did they get these holy relics?'
That was the real issue. The angel corpse was a famous holy relic from the otherworld empire, so if Kim Mansu got insanely lucky during the empire's fall, he might've snagged one. But angel armaments were different. Even in Refri's past life, no angel armament had ever become famous. If one had been known, it would've blown the corpses out of the water in notoriety.
Yet this priceless relic, hidden away without a whisper, was in the hands of some two-bit cult leader?
'...Someone's backing Kim Mansu.'
Refri could only conclude that much. Kim Mansu had a backer—someone powerful enough to procure unknown angel armaments without anyone knowing.
"Better ditch any thoughts of walking out easy. Unless you hand over that angel corpse you're carrying..."
"...You'd be better off letting me go easy."
Refri pulled a small glass vial from his pocket.
"Sent from the higher-ups."
And of course, the vial contained King-Anointing Angel's Blessing at Lv.3.
King-Anointing Angel's Blessing at Lv.3—the essence of angel power itself. Even Refri, an angel immune to such things, thought inwardly, 'It's got that holy vibe.'
So what would Cult Leader Kim Mansu think upon seeing it? This potent holy oil was something only Refri could produce.
Thus, seeing the oil would make Kim Mansu think of his shadowy supplier of angel armaments.
"Ah, I see. My apologies for the rudeness."
The moment he took the vial, Kim Mansu became obsequious.
"What brings you here today?"
"Let's check on the operation's progress. Lead the way."
With things as they were, Refri had no choice but to act bold. He needed to buy time for Soya to set up her magic circle across the entire sanctuary.
'I'll handle the aggro!'
If the cult leader was walking with an angel... all eyes would be on them. Perfect for drawing attention.
"Higher-up? Ah... you're an investor, then. Right this way."
Investor? Refri had no idea what that meant, but he nodded anyway.
Kim Mansu spread his arms and led him out of the Great Cathedral. Beside them, countless followers continued praying toward Refri—including the bird subhuman girl Sori, who had guided him here.
Refri glanced at Sori, and Kim Mansu muttered in a sinister tone.
"Ah, as expected of someone from above—you like kids like her, huh."
Someone from above who liked angel-like kids? Refri looked at Sori again. As a bird subhuman, she had wings on her back, giving her the look of a beautiful angel girl.
'Something... feels off.'
A villain who liked angel-like kids. Refri knew exactly one such creep from his past life.
'No way that insanely strong monster's here... The Demon King's invasions haven't fully started yet.'
Refri said nothing, so Kim Mansu smirked knowingly and called to Sori.
"Sori. The angel has chosen you."
"Me? Really?"
"Now you and your brother are as good as saved. The angel has finally answered your prayers."
Sori cried out in genuine delight.
"Yes!"
Applause erupted around them. The believers seemed to sincerely congratulate Sori on being chosen, clapping loudly.
"Sori, congrats."
"Kinda jealous."
Some even voiced envy. Amid the cheers, Kim Mansu flashed a leaderly smile.
"Shall we go?"
Feeling uneasy, Refri followed Kim Mansu. Beside him walked Sori, beaming with joy.
The three walked down the massive corridor of the Central Sanctuary. Though only they were there, Refri used True Cheonggu Swordsmanship detection to sense that all surrounding forces were focused on this spot.
'Perfect.'
Just as Refri wanted—the aggro was all pulled here.
"Now that the angel's come down, you can heal my brother's illness, right?"
Sori chattered away like the bird subhuman she was.
"Hey now, that's rude to the angel."
"Ah, sorry!"
"Hmm, angel. Shall we go see the girl's brother first?"
Kim Mansu smiled. Refri didn't like that smile.
"Let's."
"Then how about we start with our sanctuary's pride and joy: the healing facilities."
Healing facilities. To probe Kim Mansu, Refri spoke up.
"Running healing facilities. That's quite the good deed."
"Haha, you know all about it and still mock me."
Kim Mansu raised his hand.
"It's all for this."
He made a circle with his fingers—the universal money gesture. Refri was a bit surprised.
'Sori's right here... and he's showing his true colors this blatantly?'
Sori tilted her head at his words. Yet Kim Mansu muttered on, unconcerned now.
"Running healing facilities lets you exploit tax laws for sweet deductions—or evasion, whatever. Plus, take in street bums and snag subsidies... operating costs basically become pure profit."
They were nearing the core of the Central Sanctuary: the treatment facilities.
"And what I just explained? That's just the start of the revenue model."
"Just the start?"
Kim Mansu pulled a card key from his pocket—for the door to the treatment area. Then iris scan, fingerprint, and finally mana recognition.
'Why so many security steps?'
With a hiss, the iris-shaped door slid open. Even chatty Sori fell silent, watching Kim Mansu warily. The atmosphere was tense.
Sensing Sori's growing fear, Refri cast a blessing on her and asked:
"Sori."
"Y-yes, angel?"
"Have you ever seen your brother yourself?"
Sori barely kept her smile as she murmured:
"Of-of course. Sometimes when he gets better, he comes out of the treatment facility to play with me..."
A sudden question burned in Refri's mind. Kim Mansu had the angel corpse to found his cult—so how did he handle it? Probably necromancy, just like the otherworld empire.
Necromancy... necromancy?
"Investor, come on in."
Following Kim Mansu's lead, Refri and Sori entered the medical facility.
A fancy plaque read 'New Truth Comprehensive Medical Center.' No visible patients, but plenty of shady figures instead.
"Since the otherworld fell, countless people suffer from mana poisoning, demon corruption, curses, and magical accidents. And those injuries? Superhuman medical facilities struggle to treat them."
Kim Mansu began explaining the facilities, his eyes gleaming with greed.
"So this business is bound to boom. Using an 'angel' with healing better than any saintess as our mascot... it's a money-printing machine."
His true colors bared, Kim Mansu grinned at Sori.
"Pr-propheciessir."
"From suckers like these. Haha."
The slightly smaller bird subhuman Sori trembled and hid behind Refri. He grabbed her hand.
Protecting a trembling girl in fear is the way of an angel!
Angel Power gained!
"But don't think our operation's that simple, investor. You know that, right...?"
Following Kim Mansu, they arrived at hell itself.
"Otherworlders or our worlders, bodies fetch a nice price. And souls? They go for even more..."
An indescribable hell unfolded before them.
"Ah, of course, we'll supply you investors at fair prices, so no worries."
Sacrifices, magic circles, writhing monsters. People having their souls ripped out. Refri bit his lip.
'No way... I didn't think he'd be this evil...'
And the guys around... all of them...
'I recognize those faces. They're Demon King Army elites...!'
Opponents Refri couldn't beat right now. He never imagined Kim Mansu and his cult were this dangerous.
'It's not just Kim Mansu. This place is basically a Demon King Army core facility!'
Demon King summons required sacrifice souls. And judging by the victims...
'No way one of the Four Heavenly Kings is already summoned? Nah, impossible! Even professors need a team to take one down.'
But he couldn't rule out the possibility entirely. Refri desperately didn't want to believe it.
"So, Sori. Shall the angel happily go see your brother?"
"N-no, I don't want to. Angel."
"...Why do you think I'm happy?"
Kim Mansu muttered as if puzzled.
"Huh? The other investors said they love seeing angel-like kids despair. He said that."
"Despair?"
Another door opened. Beyond it lurked a monster.
A grotesque monster with wings. But somehow...
"Brother."
It resembled Sori in a way she couldn't shake.
"Uuuuugh."
A chilling groan. Hearing it, Sori trembled silently.
"Brother?"
"Subhumans especially sell high as test subjects—great revenue stream. Human bodies are just too similar; less research value. Look at that."
The monster twitched toward Sori.
"Amazing it's still alive, right?"
Kim Mansu said casually.
"I'll compile the data, but our business is booming. With more investments like that holy oil... we'll exceed expectations."
Pointing at Sori, he grinned.
"So this is... a thank-you gift for you, investor. Use as you like."
"Calling a person a thank-you gift... I should hold back."
Angels grow stronger by doing what's right!
Fairy Fighting Method Chapter 3. Bomb Pine Cone.
Refri's Fairy Fighting Method struck Kim Mansu's jaw instantly. The hefty blob flew several meters.
"I can't hold back! You bastard!"
His massive body slammed into the wall with a "Kwaaaack!"
Refri immediately shouted:
"Sori, stay back. We're escaping—"
"Haha. I was waiting to see how long you'd keep up the act... but this is disappointing. Still, what a pretty boy. Angelic, even. Been drooling since I saw you on TV last time."
A man stood beside Kim Mansu. In a black suit, with savage fangs and burning eyes. No horns, but...
The epitome of a demon in human form. Or a human in demon form.
Refri knew his name.
"Demon King Army Four Heavenly King. Reverse Drumark!"
Drumark bared his sharp fangs, grinning at Refri.