A Starry Night and the Crying Priest
A starry night sky twinkling overhead. Beneath it, a devout priest warming himself by a campfire. Well, whether he was truly devout was hard to say, but under the starlight, he at least looked the part.
A middle-aged man with graying hair that suited him perfectly. His curly beard was gray-tipped too. His golden eyes were clear, deep, and serene. A gentle charisma enveloped him.
"Hello there."
His voice was low, rich with a mature charm.
"Uh... yeah. Hi."
Black and white. The two colors blended neatly and elegantly. And atop his priestly robes, embroidered with a golden cross. A kettle bubbled atop the campfire.
"Care for some tea?"
"Oh, sure."
I sat beside him on impulse.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
Steam rose as he poured the hot tea into my cup. I brought it cautiously to my lips.
"Ow, hot!"
"Careful, it's hot."
"...Shouldn't you warn me before I drink it?"
"A bit late for that."
I shot him a glare and blew on the tea. Once it had cooled somewhat, I took a sip.
"...Mm."
"To your taste?"
"Yeah. Nice aroma."
"Good to hear."
The priest sipped his own tea in response. We drank in silence for a moment. Then he spoke again.
"You must be a traveler."
"Something like that."
"The desert nights are beautiful, aren't they?"
"Sure are. Daytime's a whole different story—like a flaming hell."
Crackle—crackle—
The campfire danced quietly. The priest watched its flames and asked,
"Have you seen enough of the desert?"
"Yeah."
"Where to next?"
"Thinking of heading north."
The priest turned to look at me.
"What a coincidence. I'm going north too."
"Really?"
"Yes. Where north, exactly?"
"To a village called Harten."
"Fancy that. Same road, then."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
I set my tea down.
"When are you heading out?"
"It's getting chilly, so I'm just warming up a bit first."
"Too bad. I was about to go now."
I stood, saying so. Of course, I wasn't disappointed at all.
Then the priest stood too.
"Changed my mind. I think I'll head out now too."
"Suddenly?"
"God's will can be rather abrupt."
"......"
And so began our bizarre companionship.
"Welcome to the Fantasy World!"
Dahyun greeted brightly.
"I'm Sebastian, the fairy guide here to assist you in the Fantasy World! Would you like a full rundown—"
"Yeah, skip."
"......"
Dahyun fluttered to a tree branch and plopped down sulkily, kicking her legs.
Suddenly, Hura's reply popped into her mind.
—We're seeing each other this Saturday anyway. I'll tell you then.
"...Time's dragging so slow, customer-nim..."
At first, Dahyun had applied to Customer Service because she wanted to help players more than play herself. But lately, she was burning out.
"No fun at all..."
The fairy kicked her legs while eyeing the users ahead. They chatted and laughed brightly in their groups.
"...I wanna game with customer-nim too."
Then—
[A message has arrived.]
"Hm? What's this?"
The message was from the company.
Dahyun's eyes sparkled as she read it.
Crunch crunch—
We trudged northeast for now. Nimal Village was the westernmost polar spot, so this direction should be roughly right.
Crunch crunch—
I glanced at the priest striding beside me. Up close, he looked like a walking mountain. A massive hammer hung on his back. Sitting down, I hadn't noticed, but he was tall. And despite his gentle face, his body was monstrous. Shoulders like mountains, back like the Pacific. The muscles bulging under his robes rippled menacingly. Build like Beda's. But different. If Beda was an active volcano, this guy was a calm sea. Serene on the surface, but hiding terrifying depths.
"Something on your mind?"
He turned, noticing my gaze.
"Uh, should we introduce ourselves?"
I suggested carefully. Couldn't keep calling him "priest" forever.
"Certainly."
He nodded with a soft smile. I went first.
"What's your name?"
The rugged, square-faced priest replied,
"First-Prize Priest Candidate."
"......?"
I doubted my ears. Must've misheard.
"S-sorry, could you say that again?"
"First-Prize Priest Candidate."
"...Pardon?"
"You know, like first place, second place—that 'first-prize priest candidate'."
"...Is that really your priest name?"
"Of course not."
He smiled gently.
"What's it matter? It's fun, isn't it?"
...Unbelievable.
"Doesn't suit you?"
"Yeah."
A lot.
"So almost no one calls me that."
"Then what?"
"They use my nickname."
"What's that?"
"Most call me the 'Crying Priest'."
"'Crying Priest'? Why?"
"You'll see soon enough."
He grinned at me. My turn now.
"Oh, I'm Hura."
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes. You think it was coincidence I was there when you logged in?"
"Then..."
"Yes. I received a revelation."
Revelation...?
"I'm from the Yupinel Church."
First-Prize Priest Candidate—no, the Crying Priest pulled something from his robes. A platinum badge. Elegant script read 'Inquisitor'.
"Gasp."
I edged back a few steps.
"Hmm... Hura."
"Y-yes?"
"I've heard rumors of your bizarre cooking that defies God's will."
"M-me?"
Whoosh—
He silently reached for the massive hammer on his back.
"......!"
I froze. The Crying Priest withdrew his hand and smiled.
"Haha, just kidding. I'm not here to arrest you, so no worries."
"...Really?"
"Yes. If I were, I'd have attacked the moment you logged in."
"True."
Whew. Thought my heart would stop.
I fell back in step beside him.
"Yupinel told me to meet you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Not by name exactly, but it worked out to you."
"What was the oracle?"
"'Meet the one who sells memories.'"
...Sounds about right.
"Why me, though?"
"We don't question God's will. I'm just a servant following Yupinel's command."
"...Sorry, but do you actually believe in that Yupinel Church stuff?"
"Of course not."
"Then why..."
"It's fun. I just pretend for kicks."
...He seems dead serious.
"Following Yupinel's will leads to fun things."
Then—
Pffft—
A hand burst from the ground ahead.
"...Huh?"
Rumble rumble—
It clawed the earth, dragging out its rotting corpse.
"Priest-nim. I'm not the only one seeing that, right?"
"No. I see it too."
"What is it?"
"Death should scatter to ash. These are troublemakers defying God's order."
"...Troublemakers that gross?"
"Those who defy God's will end up twisted too."
The Crying Priest said calmly.
"The dead are rising."
"You mean...?"
"Yes. Undead monsters."
Rumble—!
More hands emerged everywhere. Like ghosts crawling from hell.
"Ugh... Cooking Summon!"
Poof—
"Peace be upon you, Master."
"Guys! Check that out!"
"...Ugh! What is that?"
Tteoksoon-i pinched her nose.
"Undead."
"How dare they stink up before Master."
Geum Taeyang frowned, drawing his shield. The Crying Priest eyed them curiously.
"You're a chef, right?"
"A special kind."
"...Intriguing."
He smiled faintly.
"Not the time to find it fun, though..."
The creatures rose unsteadily from the cold desert soil. Mummies, zombies, skeletons—desert variety. Dozens strong. An undead horde fearless of death.
"......"
First time seeing undead, it shocked me. So realistically grotesque? This was straight-up R-rated horror.
"Behold."
The Crying Priest stepped forward.
"I said following God's will brings fun."
He reached for his massive hammer, slamming its head to the ground before him. His face lit with joy.
This... is fun...?
Kieeeek—kuwaaaak—krraaaak—
The monsters closed in.
"Foolish ones defying God's order."
The Crying Priest murmured like a prayer.
"Yet... pitiable souls."
Drip—
Tears began flowing from his eyes.
"Ahh—poor lambs."
Tears gathered at his chin, dripping.
"Why wander lost in the abyss."
Hummm—
His tears glowed holy.
"Why grieve Yupinel so."
Tears ran down the hammer's haft to its head.
"Pitiable. So pitiable."
Hummmm—
Holy light infused the hammer.
"Come hither, lost souls."
Holy radiance poured from his eyes.
"To Yupinel's warm embrace."
I watched, mesmerized.
"In almighty Yupinel's name."
Ooh... purifying with holy power?
My heart raced. Real priests? Holy warriors saving darkness with light?
"I forgive you."
The Crying Priest faced the approaching undead, hefting his hammer. It hummed in resonance.
"Now then..."
He swung at blinding speed.
"Return to ash!"
"......?!"
KABOOM-!!
A deafening roar. Frontline undead pulverized beyond recognition. Flesh and blood splattered the hammer.
...Kiek?
Survivors tilted heads at the vanished vanguard.
"Lambs! Your sins are absolved!"
The Crying Priest charged, hammer high.
Ki, kieeek!
Too late realizing, they fled the priest. Limping. Crawling on arms. Hopping on one leg. Writhing desperately.
But Yupinel's priest pursued, tears shining, mercy for all.
"Yupinel loves you!"
Via his glowing hammer.
KABOOM-!!
Kieeek-!
Another wave absolved. Hammer crushed skulls, snapped legs. Shattered ribs, pulverized spines. Shattered elbows, crushed pelvises.
"Your fault. Your fault. Great fault yours."
KABOOM-!!
The dozens-strong undead legion purified in moments.
Sunrise pierced the dawn gloom. Amid rising light: glorious morning sun, ashes dancing in its rays. And in the center, the 'Crying Priest' praying through tears.
"...This guy's totally insane."