Chapter 461: Divine Authority (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 461: Divine Authority (2)
An increase in stats doesn't just affect the body.
A human being is broadly divided into two parts: the physical and the mental.
These two influence each other, improving and worsening in a repeating cycle.
In other words, the mind can also achieve great growth under the influence of the body.
Of course, there are times when the body's superior growth has a negative impact on the mind, as was the case with Kim Tae-yang.
But what's important right now isn't whether this influence is positive or negative.
It's about the influence itself.
“…Entering this place has become quite natural for you now.”
As soon as I stepped into the sanctuary, our goddess greeted me with an exasperated smile.
My god is within me.
In the subconscious, a place ordinary humans cannot peer into.
She has made her nest there, occasionally summoning her devotee to reveal her glorious face.
But now, I no longer have to wait for her call.
The moment I focus and strongly will it, I can enter the place where she resides.
Seated on her throne, she asked.
“So… what brings you here today?”
The reason I sought her out was to ask about my Divine Authority.
The Apostle of Patience, the Apostle of Sloth.
Those two apostles, just like me, had demonstrated an ability I lacked.
The power to manifest a unique domain where their Divine Authority was at its strongest.
“I’m seriously so hurt.”
“…Hurt? What on earth are you talking about?”
“The other apostles get to use things like the Domain of Patience or the Domain of Negation, so why can’t I?”
As I laid on the disappointment thick, she gave me a dumbfounded look.
“…Isn’t that because you have not fulfilled your duties?”
Her attitude suggested she was wondering why I was asking something so obvious, and my head tilted in response.
“Duties? What duties?”
I had something like that?
“What is your title?”
“Apostle.”
“And do you know what that means?”
An apostle.
It was said that in the past, Jesus called the twelve disciples he chose to spread the gospel by that name.
Based on that, what someone with the title of apostle should do is…
“Spread your will, or your teachings?”
The goddess, who had been sitting in a languid pose, shot up from her seat and pointed a finger at me.
“That’s it!”
Seriously.
She could have just sat there and said I was right. Why does she look so moved?
After shouting with a flushed face, she crossed her legs and asked.
“As you said, the power of an apostle comes from the goddess. Then, from where do you think the power of the goddess who grants you strength comes?”
Where does a god’s power come from…?
It seemed a bit esoteric, but she wouldn't have asked a question completely unrelated to our conversation.
That meant the answer was in the dialogue we’d had so far.
An apostle is one who spreads the teachings or will of their god.
That raises a question.
Why must they do that?
Why does her existence need to be widely known, and why does she need more followers?
Therein lies the answer.
“Your power grows as the number of your followers increases.”
She smiled.
The smile I had once loved most.
With a face that now stirred emotions too difficult to fathom.
“That is correct.”
“…I see.”
Now I finally understood.
The reason I didn't have the power everyone else did.
It was because I hadn't done anything.
At the same time, I grew curious.
“…What do I have to do to increase my followers? I can’t just go around saying, ‘Believe in the Goddess of Greed,’ can I?”
“Of course not. But you already know the answer.”
Another question filled my mind.
I know the answer?
“Do you not possess a most wonderful tool?”
“…I have something like that?”
When I asked back, puzzled, she continued with a faint smile.
“The Stigma of Greed.”
“Ah.”
I remembered.
A skill that carves a unique, irremovable mark on a submissive target, proving they are mine.
This was truly perplexing.
“…It was useful for that kind of thing?”
“Then what on earth did you plan to use it for?”
“Well…”
I was just planning to go around stamping it on my women as proof that they were mine.
“Surely you weren't planning on carving a lewd sigil on them like that bitch, Lust, does? Hahaha…!”
“……”
“Haha… ha.”
“Ahem.”
“Haaah.”
The goddess’s deep sigh weighed heavily on my heart.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Stigma of Greed.
I had finally learned how to use the skill I had merely thought of as a mark to claim my women.
It was a tool.
Another means to grow stronger, besides conquering dungeons and training.
Therefore, I had to use it on anyone and everyone I could.
If I had my way, I’d stamp the brand on every person who walked by.
“…The conditions are pretty strict.”
To apply the brand, one condition had to be met.
The target had to be submissive to me.
It was just one condition, but it was an incredibly demanding one.
So for now, I only branded those who met the criteria.
Excluding Yoon Ji-an, Shin Yu-jeong, and Im Na-eun, who were already branded.
The first among them was Jeong-hee.
When I told her I wanted to carve a mark on her to prove she was mine, she responded like this.
“A mark…? You mean like a tattoo?”
“That’s right.”
“Where… would you put it?”
“Right here.”
“Oh my…!”
I immediately reached out, kneading her full, rising breasts through the thin dress that clung to the curves of her body.
“If I were to mark you, it would be right under these massive breasts.”
“Hahhng… The mark, and the location… you really are a pervert…”
“So you don’t like it?”
“N-No… That’s why I like it even more♥”
Jeong-hee quickly adapted to my sudden touch, her body growing hot.
Perhaps a brand wasn't even necessary.
This body, which accepted my touch so completely and became drenched in pleasure, was proof enough that she was mine.
I found myself unknowingly addicted to the soft texture of her breasts and was still touching them when it happened.
“Ah.”
As if remembering something, her eyes lit up and she asked me.
“By any chance, that barely visible tattoo under Yu-jeong’s breast…?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I did that.”
“No wonder… Every time I asked her where she suddenly got a tattoo, she’d just say, ‘It’s a thing,’ and smile smugly!”
It seemed Shin Yu-jeong, who knew the meaning of the brand, had been teasing her mother with it.
“Isn’t it unfair that only Yu-jeong has one?”
“…So, should I give you one?”
“Do it. Right now.”
Jeong-hee declared, her eyes blazing with jealousy.
And just like that, another follower was gained.
*
Starting with Jeong-hee, Kim Do-jin branded two more people.
The targets were Elena and Kim Eun-bi.
Kim Eun-bi, already completely smitten with Kim Do-jin, readily accepted. Elena, however, proved to be a challenge.
Considering that their Vow of Chastity limited them to nothing more than kissing, it was only natural.
But Kim Do-jin succeeded.
—“Elena, that’s why I’m so anxious. I want you to be mine forever, but I’m afraid you won’t be.”
—“Ah, Puppy…”
—“Will you let me? I want to carve my mark on your body.”
—“I will…♥”
Thus, the total number of branded followers became six.
Compared to the number of people brainwashed into following the God of Sloth, or the number of those who genuinely followed Angela, it was a pitifully small figure.
But in the process, Kim Do-jin felt a change in his Divine Authority.
It was a faint change, one that should have been imperceptible given the ridiculously small number of followers.
Yet Kim Do-jin’s exceptionally unique talent sensitively picked up on even this.
And through it, he realized something.
He understood what was needed for his given Divine Authority, Gluttony, to grow stronger.
‘A mouth to devour, teeth to chew, and a tongue.’
It was about giving a concrete form to the energy that was merely a surging tide, thereby strengthening the concept itself.
“Keuk…!”
And so, it was complete.
The maw of a ravenous glutton that devoured everything about its opponent.
And right now, it was swallowing his opponent’s Divine Authority.
“Wh-What is this… Kuaaaargh!”
Yoon Myung-ho thrashed about, dangling with all sorts of restraints.
The power contained in his heart was being ripped out.
And at a terrifying speed.
“St-Stop! I said stop, dammit! Aaargh!”
The only reason he had been able to live a life without envy was because of this power.
The Divine Authority granted to him by the voice of a languid being who had introduced himself as Sloth.
It was the past that had made him who he was today, and at the same time, the future that made him dream of a second leap forward.
Even in what was called the worst prison in history, he had not given up.
It was still a place managed by humans.
He planned to squeeze through the smallest crack he could find and raise his forces once more.
But now, that plan was about to fall apart.
No, his entire life was on the verge of ending.
‘If-if this power disappears, I’ll be…!’
The future that awaited him upon losing the power that was everything to him was obvious.
No, it was doubtful if he would even have a future to speak of.
Even as he agonized, the power that had been simmering near his heart was vanishing at a rapid pace.
He had no idea what principle was at work.
But one thing was certain: if the opponent before him willed it, his ability would be torn out by the roots.
His vision went dark.
It was a fact as clear as day that no matter which path he took, a bad situation awaited him.
But the worst of them was already decided.
With his eyes wide open, he shouted desperately.
“I-I’ll release them! I’ll release everything, just make it stop!”
It was a declaration of surrender.