Chapter 271
Chapter 271
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Outing (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I leisurely sipped my coffee while checking the internet reactions.
"As expected, I had anticipated it to some extent, but this is no ordinary uproar."
The massive hospital terror attack by the Villains this time was something I was directly involved in.
So I planned to keep a close eye on how things unfolded from here...
'But it's only been a short while.'
Judging by the current level of commotion, it seemed like it was turning into a bigger deal than I'd imagined.
As I was seriously scanning public opinion with a grave expression,
"Hm? You're awake. Faster than I thought."
My sharp senses picked up faint rustling sounds from the room across the hall, which had been quiet until then.
I got up from my seat and immediately opened the door to that room. Inside, Kang Taesan was just propping himself up with a sleepy face, so I casually tossed a comment his way.
"You're up."
Since things had turned out this way, I'd deliberately let him sleep deeply for more efficient recovery, but being as sturdy as he was by nature, it hadn't lasted long.
"Uh... what? Did I pass out? More importantly, where is this...?"
The guy blinked up at me with a dazed look, glancing around before tilting his head.
As if trying to remember why he was in this familiar place he hadn't seen in a while.
And understandably so—this was the house I'd lived in before moving out.
I didn't particularly need the money, so I hadn't sold it and had left it as a base in Seoul. Thanks to that, it was proving useful right on time.
"Wait, now that I think about it..."
But Kang Taesan's reaction didn't last long.
He frowned, muttering quietly as if something had occurred to him, then suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes widened, and he bolted upright from the bed.
"Hold on! What the hell? That explosion back then? No, wait—Grandma?!"
"Over there."
In response, I stepped aside slightly and pointed to one corner of the room.
On the bedding there, his grandma was sleeping soundly, undisturbed even by all the commotion.
"Phew—."
Kang Taesan rushed over and meticulously checked her condition before letting out a sigh of relief.
Of course, he wasn't a doctor, but seeing her complexion better than right before discharge and her peaceful breathing melted away even the anxiety that had been welling up inside him.
Our conversation with the now-calmed Kang Taesan continued after quietly leaving the room.
"Come to think of it, are you okay...? It felt like you shielded us right before that explosion..."
"I'm fine, obviously. I work out every day, so even I know I'm tough. You should exercise more too. Don't just sit locked up in your office."
"What the hell, man? Hey, our department spends more days out in the field than in the office, okay? Plus, as the youngest, I have to handle all the errands! Do you have any idea the struggles of a lowly civil servant?"
After a brief friendly bickering session, the topic shifted back to the main issue.
"But seriously, what happened? For getting caught in an accident, I woke up feeling way too refreshed, like I'd had a full night's sleep."
"Well, I think it was some kind of terror attack. Check the news for details. It's all over the place right now."
"...Ha! Terror attack, huh? Makes sense—things had been quiet lately. No way those terrorists would stay hidden forever. Not only did I get dragged into one on vacation, but now returning to a hellish workload..."
The youngest from the Ability Management Bureau's Crime Investigation Division clutched his head, grimacing at the headache it all caused.
He pulled out his smartphone to get a grasp of the situation, only to realize it was fried from a direct EMP hit and slumped in disappointment. Soon after, he turned on the living room TV and switched to the news.
📰 Breaking News Around 1 PM today, a terror attack targeting patients occurred at a large hospital in Heuksang-dong, Seoul. The perpetrator first neutralized all nearby electronic devices using... The news we'd already seen broadcast several times played again on the TV.
In truth, a terror attack happening wasn't all that noteworthy in itself.
In this world, such incidents were like regular events that popped up whenever you forgot about them—and that perception hadn't changed even now, with crime rates down thanks to Hwal-tal.
Yet this particular terror attack was drawing so much attention for a special reason.
A reason that stood out in various ways, impossible to ignore unlike other times.
💬 Eyewitness Accounts — Hospital Patient Suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped me, and whoosh! It blazed up! Wow, it was the first time in my life I'd seen anything like that! — Bystander It was a spectacle I'll never forget in my lifetime. I happened to glance out the window, and suddenly one side lit up. I turned my head, and there was this light burning like flames... The follow-up footage vividly captured the scene at the time.
All electronic devices near the hospital had been destroyed by the Villain's EMP, but videos taken from outside the range remained intact.
"...What is that? We were right in the middle of it?"
"Mm."
Kang Taesan stared blankly at the TV, mumbling unconsciously.
Of course, his reaction was understandable.
Seeing it from a third-person perspective made it clear even to him just how tremendous a sight it had been.
Rooooar—
A brilliant radiance blending gold and silver.
A funnel-shaped tornado of light encompassing a certain area, sharply tapering upward, swirled fiercely while dynamically flickering like flames that devoured everything—
It was a breathtaking spectacle that overwhelmed just by looking at it.
And the news didn't stop there, pouring out more footage.
Videos from those just barely outside the EMP range excitedly filming the interior, interviews with Guardians about to enter after hearing the news, and...
— Hospital Inpatient I really thought I was dead. No joke—I was vomiting blood from the shockwave from below, thinking this was the end... and then... — Hospital Lobby Visitor I got slammed into a wall and knocked out when the terror first started. My eardrums must've ruptured—when I came to, I couldn't hear a thing, but then suddenly... — Hospital Security Guard ...Right when I thought that was it for me, that person appeared. Vivid testimonies from those at the scene followed.
Their accounts were all remarkably similar.
That as the flame-like brilliant holy power burned their bodies, their conditions on the brink of death began rapidly recovering.
Their rock-bottom stamina filled up, severe wounds regenerated, and the illnesses gnawing at their bodies lost their power.
And there were far from just one or two who'd experienced it directly.
It was a miracle beyond what any known priest could achieve.
A divine salvation bestowed upon those drowning in despair on the verge of death.
"...No way. Holy power on that level has never been reported before... But there's evidence. And Grandma and I experienced it firsthand... He's my benefactor?"
Regardless of Kang Taesan's confusion—fueled by his job-related knowledge—the news naturally shifted to the 'Holy Knight in white armor' who had wrought the miracle.
The hero who appeared at the critical moment, defeated the Villain, and saved countless dying people.
What was his true identity?
How far did his abilities extend?
Where had he vanished to now?
Of course, the terror had left its share of damage.
No matter how impressive the holy power, it couldn't revive the already dead.
But stopping what could have been a greater catastrophe and the immense holy power scattered to save patients and others alike was enough to deeply impress the citizens.
The news wrapped up with a Pantheon Korean Branch representative praising the gods, but the buzz didn't die down—it spilled over onto the internet.
I casually pulled out my smartphone to check the heated communities.
💬 Community Reactions — Anonymous I smell it... The stench of a total bigshot returning to Earth! And in Korea, no less! — Anonymous Whoa; So Earthlings can reach that level with holy power too. I heard growth over there is brutally hard. ⭐ Top Comment — Active Priest Active priest here. That level on Earth would be Pope-tier in the original world. Truly admirable faith. I'll strive harder myself. In that spirit, let me share the words of Tarakmin-nim with you all... The main current was excitement over the mysterious Holy Knight who'd appeared this time.
There were as many gods with diverse natures as there were dimensions, so not all priests wielding holy power were inherently good-hearted.
In a world where priests of evil gods acted as Villains without rarity, someone with immeasurable holy power saving many from terror naturally sparked such fervor.
From the perspective of ordinary citizens always living in anxiety, the more good and powerful figures, the better.
After all, wasn't public safety quite stable now thanks to the exceptional returnee Hwal-tal?
Moreover, unlike Hwal-tal's ominous black magic, this Holy Knight didn't raise any suspicions, fueling even more enthusiasm.
— Anonymous ↳ Reply That level of holy power puts him top 3 in Korea by realm alone, right? Maybe even enough to take down Hwal-tal the black magic user? — Hwal-tal Fan Nope. Impressive, sure, but limits exist. Output's lacking—he'll burn out quick without lasting long. — Counter Blind much? Output confirmed after that vid. — Foreigner? Live abroad? Spouting nonsense with Hwal-tal's track record. Comparing a fresh returnee to him? — Troll Fine, so what’s your Hwal-tal doing now? Probably bit the dust somewhere secluded already lol. Fights even broke out between Hwal-tal's fervent fans and those wary of him.
'Jeez, fighting over the pettiest things.'
Of course, from my perspective where both sides were me, it just looked like pointless energy drain.
I skimmed the communities again to gauge public opinion, stroking my chin.
— Artist Drew a composite sketch of the hospital Holy Knight based on eyewitness accounts. Armor only, of course. ⊳ Replies: Super cool. Upvoted. / Looks badass. How'd he appear/disappear in that? Must be pricey magic gear.
— Plea Holy Knight, please... My mom's really sick. I'll make it worth your while... — MBS Writer MBS broadcaster here. If anyone's spotted him elsewhere, please contact us... It felt oddly amusing that despite no proper photos—just a flashy debut—his popularity was skyrocketing.
And it wouldn't stop at public opinion alone.
Various domestic and international organizations had likely already begun moves to track down Heinrich.
'Fat chance they'll find me. I deliberately scorched the widest possible area with holy power.'
No matter the variety of abilities in the world, no one could discern anything from waves of such pure spiritual energy.
I'd used Blessing: Leap to travel between the bathroom and site, making physical traces hard to link too.
'Summoning Heinrich would've been most certain... but the situation wasn't that dire.'
The battle with the revolutionary was just moments ago.
Naturally, Otherworld Teleportation Circle had been used to send Hans back to Outerica from the Abyss's border, so summoning him then would've created a several-day gap.
'Especially with the Pope's funeral wrapping up and final procedures underway.'
Once things settled there, summoning him occasionally for alibis was easy—no big issue.
I closed the community site and shrugged lightly.
"Ah...! Come to think of it, my team knows Grandma was hospitalized there. They already know my vacation reason too."
Kang Taesan stared blankly at his dead smartphone, mumbling.
As if he could clearly picture what would happen if it were alive.
The youngest who'd been at the scene on the day of the incident.
No matter how much he claimed he'd passed out from the start and knew nothing, his seniors would hound him relentlessly for any tiny clue.
"...I'll hold off getting a new phone until right before vacation ends."
Of course, given his department's nature, that wasn't feasible.
Resignedly, he rushed to get a new smartphone and was promptly bombarded with messages and calls, leaving him groggy.
The silver lining was his team understanding about caring for his grandma, so his vacation remained intact.
"Aaaah—! No way this lady's one we have to track too, right? Please register as a returnee, righteous Holy Knight! Laws exist to be followed...! If even you go the Hwal-tal route...!"
Kang Taesan shuddered, sensing his ominous future.
'Sorry.'
Leaving my friend behind, I ended the unusually long outing and headed home.
Thinking that since I'd debuted, using Heinrich occasionally from now on seemed like a good idea.