Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Martial God Cult (1)
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The origins of the Martial God Cult are a matter of much debate.
According to the cult's scriptures, it all began during the Korean War when a divine messenger descended from the heavens and established the religion on Jirisan Mountain. Historians, however, argue that it was simply someone with the ability to fly who deceived ignorant villagers unfamiliar with the concept of superpowers, pulling off a scam.
After World War II, people with unique superpowers began appearing one by one. One particularly cunning individual among them must have tried to create their own religious organization—and succeeded.
Having firmly established itself amid the chaotic society of the time, the Martial God Cult grew rapidly into a religious group wielding undeniable authority in the region. Its leaders proclaimed themselves divine messengers blessed by the spiritual energy of Jirisan Mountain, fattening their bellies while exploiting the naive and gullible to build their own kingdom.
And among these "divine messengers," they selected the most talented child and sent them to Japan to expand their influence there.
"The Iwamoto family was actually attacked by those bastards. They were fairly powerful ability users, so we had to brace for bloodshed, but fortunately, they backed off without a fight."
The clash with the Prophets during their attempt to gain a foothold was far from welcome news. The mustachioed man rubbed his face, deep in thought. He usually served as Na Hwayoung's driver, but in truth, he was a senior executive tasked with managing the Martial God Cult followers who had come from Korea to Japan alongside Hwayoung.
"I wonder if we should have gone all out and eliminated them completely, corpses and all. Looks like they had some way to track us, huh?"
"Doesn't seem like it. No tails or pursuers on our young lady or that other friend, Fukuya Yumi."
The man frowned at that. Retaliation made sense, but the tracking process didn't add up.
"If they'd secured evidence from the scene and were following leads, it doesn't make sense that they'd only target Iwamoto Industry. And you said several powerful ability users showed up?"
"From what we could confirm, there were three."
The man's frown deepened as he spoke.
"Isn't the president of Iwamoto Industry just a regular person? Even if Iwamoto Serika is a strength-type ability user, sending three against her seems excessive. Too many for mere reconnaissance, too targeted for them to have solid intel on Iwamoto Industry. It feels more like they sent them prepared for some specific threat from the Iwamoto family."
One of the followers asked in response.
"Shinsuke died at Iwamoto Industry's old site, right? That's probably why they were so sure and came charging in. They think the president drowned one of their own and came for revenge."
The man shook his head. He didn't think it was that simple. If the world worked that straightforwardly, who would ever have worries?
"No, it doesn't feel that straightforward. Thinking about it, there are too many oddities. The Prophets, who were so secretive, suddenly abducting the daughter of a well-known local business owner like some back-alley kid? There has to be more to this incident. Investigate further."
"Yes, sir."
The man stroked his face, hoping his instincts were wrong.
He wished it was all just coincidence, nothing more than an old man's overreaction.
"We looked into it, and something's off. You know that facility our young lady and Iwamoto Serika attend? It seems connected to the Prophets."
The man caught his breath at the report. Blinking, he asked,
"What's your basis?"
"We tailed one of the ability users who clashed with the Iwamoto family last time. He went underground into the facility. Didn't look like a coincidence."
The man grimaced. It felt like stepping into a massive trap. As if he were a pawn in some colossal scheme beyond his comprehension. Shaking his head, he pushed away the unease. If he showed anxiety, the other followers wouldn't stay calm.
A leader must always remain composed. Hiding his agitation, the man said,
"That's not enough to judge. Focus your investigation on the facility."
It wasn't solid proof yet. He wanted decisive evidence he could trust.
"Iwamoto Serika... she seems to be one of the Prophets."
The man let out a heavy sigh at the sudden news. He hadn't even asked for evidence or details yet, but it felt inevitable. Strangely enough, even though it was a direction he hadn't anticipated, his head nodded as if he'd known it was coming.
Steadying his breath, he asked,
"...Basis?"
"We talked to our young lady and infiltrated with our own people for an internal check. Turns out Iwamoto Serika gets special treatment there. She's attending some advanced training facility inside."
"Don't all facilities have advanced training programs? That's not enough to conclude she's collaborating."
"Exactly. So we discreetly asked around some of the kids and parents in the advanced class. Iwamoto Serika isn't training with them. Weird, right? She's definitely in advanced training, but the actual ability development kids have never even heard of her."
Hwayoung wasn't in the advanced class. Her power drew too much attention and had little room for development.
The advanced class wasn't just for the wealthy; they evaluated potential for growth. For someone like Hwayoung—powerful ability but limited by physical constraints—personal strength training was more efficient than dumping money into advanced classes.
Besides, they'd joined the facility to build local connections, and linking up with Serika, daughter of a decent local company, was enough.
"But isn't that suspicious? Serika was 'kidnapped' by Shinsuke, one of the Prophets' guys, and now they're saying she's with them? That means the kidnapping could have been staged. What would they gain from that...?"
The man's thoughts trailed off as a chill ran down his spine.
Was there really no gain?
Didn't that incident bring Hwayoung and Serika even closer?
What if the Prophets had known about the Martial God Cult from the start?
What if the notorious Prophets, aware of the cult's plans to infiltrate the local community, were turning it against them to swallow the cult whole?
The man reconstructed the story from the beginning.
Was it really coincidence?
Was it pure chance that quirky Hwayoung—with her odd powers and personality—befriended Serika?
What was Serika thinking, approaching Hwayoung so casually and winning her over? Was it truly innocent goodwill?
What if the kidnapping's true goal was to gauge the cult's numbers and strength while drawing Hwayoung and Serika closer—a grand scheme?
Sacrificing a lowly informant to let Serika burrow deeper into the cult?
The man recalled the moment the cult followers and Prophets' agents faced off in front of the Iwamoto residence.
Thoroughly prepared, yet retreating as if they'd expected it after assessing the opposition. What had they confirmed?
"...Those agents didn't retreat by chance. They sent them to gauge our forces. If our preparations had been even slightly sloppy, we might've been taken right there."
"What do we do? Just kill that Serika bitch outright...?"
"No. That would ruin our local expansion plans. Besides, if she's playing a key role in an operation like this, she's probably a major figure in the Prophets. Better to turn the tables and use her ourselves."
"...How?"
The man grew serious at the follower's question.
"We'll watch and wait a bit longer. We don't have enough intel to be sure yet."
A few days later, he heard that Serika was heading to a special advanced class weekend session.