Chapter 14

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: Holy Knight Order

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I was dying to know just what the hell "holy consecration" was that had everyone so worked up.

I did a quick search for the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠keyword.

Now I finally got why hunters were freaking out.

Just like I avoided undead, specters must be a nightmare for physical hunters.

"Huh, doesn't feel like someone else's problem anymore."

Even if I neutralized them with Pain Release, without a holy weapon, there was no way to land the killing blow.

"Guess I need at least one."

The achievement reward had given me two of the same item, so I was mulling over what to do with the spare.

"Ten billion, though..."

My heart raced at the absurd sum.

Sell it quick, and I'd have enough to cover the down payment in one go.

Happy dilemma.

Then I spotted a blinking notification at the top of the screen.

Already over forty. This wouldn't do.

I hurriedly deleted the post.

*

I met Yoo Soyeon at a cafe near my place.

She showed up in casual clothes for once.

Having only seen her in suits, the hoodie look was surprisingly cute.

No, what the hell was I thinking... Snap out of it, Cha Yeonwoo.

"What's it this time?"

"Work never ends. James, Arcadia... oh, and that pesky Regeneration Potion issue?"

Damn, she knew everything.

Management Bureau must've let James approach me on purpose.

"Not even hiding it anymore?"

"Honestly, lately... I'm starting to doubt what I do."

Unlike her usual confident self, she looked deflated today.

"Something wrong?"

"You wouldn't get it, Yeonwoo. How serious I am about this job..."

Hmm, tricky. How to respond?

I recalled some internet advice: echo the key word from what they said.

No idea why I was stressing this, but to lighten the mood, I gave it a shot.

"Serious?"

"Of course. People think I got here on my looks."

"Looks?"

"Tch, back in school, they called me the engineering goddess."

"Goddess?"

"......"

Yoo Soyeon bit her lip hard.

Uh, wrong?

"Yeonwoo, sometimes you're so damn awkward."

"Awkward?"

"Stop that. It's pissing me off."

No, that last one was genuine curiosity. Felt wronged.

Guess I had zero talent for this stuff.

Better stick to my way.

"So why'd you wanna meet all sudden?"

"Celestial Radiance Guild requested your info disclosure. Regeneration Potion rumors will spread. Figured you should prepare."

Guess the Celestial Radiance Guild Leader was pissed.

Resorting to petty tactics like this.

But so what?

If they thought this crap would work now, their math was way off.

Almost joined those clowns. Pathetic.

"It's fine. Snow Flower Guild will move first."

The next day.

After restocking consumables at the exchange, I headed straight into the Tower.

A quick scan of the surroundings felt familiar.

Looked like a side chamber in a temple.

Normal floors were themed, so floors 7 through 9 were probably all Holy Kingdom storyline.

Stepping out, a woman in gleaming white armor with a pure cape saluted me.

"Priest, you've arrived. I'm Serena Adelaide of the Holy Knight Order, leading this investigation team."

'Whoa, people like this actually exist...'

Honestly, first time seeing someone so elegantly noble.

But her dignified looks hid a drill sergeant's tone.

Wonder where the defense captain and soldiers were.

Sacred Brazier gone too.

Different timeline?

"We're ready to depart. Shall we?"

Outside the temple, knights in matching gear saluted in unison.

Intimidating vibe, but my floor 6 experience let me nod naturally.

Though "investigation team" sounded grand, the group was tiny.

Five including me, plus four horses.

Guess we'd ride to the destination.

Why exactly four horses, though. Unsettling.

Prrr-

Sure enough, my bad feeling hit reality.

Serena spurred her horse toward me.

"Priest, ride with me. Hop on behind."

"......"

Embarrassing as hell, but walking wasn't an option. Had to double up with someone.

'Don't think weird... she's in full armor.'

Clank-

We galloped out of the temple across the plains.

Riding together was awkward as expected.

My arms around her waist clenched involuntarily, and every horse bounce made me hyper-aware of our closeness.

To hide the awkwardness, I spoke up.

"Where are we headed?"

"Half a day's ride this way. I hear you're one who walks the path of austerity. Surely you can endure this much."

'Path of austerity?'

Serena seemed to know my background.

Couldn't not ask.

"You know where I'm from?"

"How could the Holy Knight Order not know a priest of the Austerity Cult? It's our greatest honor to escort one who wears the crown of thorns."

Didn't see that coming. Never dreamed the bizarre Priest of Pain class had a whole cult.

Asked a bit more, but that was all she knew.

"Rank-and-file knights like us don't get cult details."

Hiiiing-

After an eternity of awkward sharing, we reached our destination.

We rode through millet fields.

Suddenly, an empty patch appeared.

Unlike the golden waves, this was charred black earth.

"Corruption traces, as expected."

Thud- Thud-

Knights dismounted and started digging.

Their steady shoveling unearthed a black stone.

"Found the seed of corruption!"

Serena placed a prepared chalice atop it.

She poured holy water; it cascaded over the surface.

Sizzle-

Black smoke and stench billowed out.

Only then did Serena turn to me.

"Now perform the purification ritual."

"Me?"

"Yes. You're the Austerity Cult priest."

Wait, hold up. At least explain what a purification ritual is.

Not like I know some fancy ceremony.

"What exactly do I do?"

"Invoke the power of purification."

Serena's face was dead serious.

Knights waited patiently, soothing their horses, no questions asked.

'What the hell does that mean?!'

I eyed the chalice and black stone alternately.

A skill popped to mind naturally.

Recalled Regeneration could heal debuffs, including corruption.

'No way it turns into floor 6 hell again?'

I steadied my breath and extended my hand.

Sky darkened abruptly; thick gloom enveloped us.

Impossible to see ahead.

'Knew it. Nothing's ever easy.'

Shing-

Serena drew her sword and shouted.

"Pledge devotion to the divine! Glory alone!"

Dazzling light erupted, holy energy surging.

Knights echoed, drawing blades in unison with roars.

"Glory alone!"

Another burst illuminated the ritual site.

From the shadows emerged grotesque, translucent silhouettes.

Kiiii- Keeeek-

"Specters! Protect the priest!"

Knights encircled me.

Specters split, filling the area instantly.

Clang-!

Serena smacked an incoming specter with her blade flat and yelled urgently.

"Focus on defense until we find the main body!"

Tower lived up to its rep—never straightforward.

I shouted to Serena.

"We need to take out the specters!"

"I know! But if the main body vanishes before the splits, the ritual fails!"

Puzzle clicked.

Killing the main body first didn't end it—in fact, ritual failed then.

Had to clear the splits to hit the quota.

"They all look identical! How do we find the main one?!"

"You have to, priest!"

'Why me every damn time?!'

Stay calm, think.

Holy knights dominated the specters.

No immediate danger.

Issue was time.

Had to solve before their holy power ran dry.

Specters swirling overhead drew a sigh.

Impossible to pick the main. Filter splits instead?

"What's the difference between main and splits?!"

"Split specters are more vulnerable to holy power!"

'Vulnerable?'

Familiar word... seen it somewhere.

Furrowed brow, digging memory.

Then it hit.

A certain skill.

'This! Shit... how many stones do I have?'

Inventory check: 50 lowest-grade from floor 6.

"Damn, we're screwed."

Even knowing resistances, needed at least 70 for quota.

"Screw it!"

Had to make do.

Cast Resistance Insight on a specter.

Gutted watching 1-million-won mana stones burn in thin air.

Next one.

Okay, these are splits. Got it.

I yelled to Serena.

"Splits will drop low! Take 'em out when they do!"

"What...? Understood!"

Serena ordered the knights and stood by me.

I gripped the Sadist's Riding Crop and downed the Reactivated Poison Elixir.

"Gah... you bastards."

Pain stacked; I fired Resistance Insight again.

You. Jackpot.

I unleashed Pain immediately.

One shuddered and plummeted.

Kieeeek-!

"Now!"

Whoosh-!

Serena lunged at impossible speed, impaling the falling specter.