Chapter 33

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 32

Chapter Title: Another Participant

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After carefully tucking the invitation from the society into my pocket, I went about my usual daily routine.

As always, Yu-ha dropped by the office for training, spent about three hours in a staring contest with Sowol, and then headed home. Or Sister Shin Seo-hyeon came by to deliver a staggering 100 million won as payment for the job...

Wait a second, 100 million?

"Yes?"

"To avoid any tax issues or complications from paying this amount all at once, it might be difficult right now. So, we'll pay it out in installments over time. Is that alright with you, Fixer?"

"No, that's not the issue... Is this amount really correct? 100 million won?"

They're handing over a full 100 million after taxes.

I'd always dreamed of getting a commission worth nine figures someday, but I never imagined a cool 100 million would actually drop into my lap.

The Church really is loaded!

"Yes, exactly 100 million... Is there some problem? Ah... If you'd like a larger amount, I can request it from the higher-ups."

"No, no. I didn't mean it's too little. It just seems higher than I expected."

To be honest, I'd figured it would be somewhere between 30 and 50 million won.

I'd even mentally prepared myself to accept that much.

Offering 100 million for one job. Church gigs really pay top dollar.

I knew the Church in this world was particularly wealthy, but their pockets were even deeper than I'd thought.

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hadn't gotten this much even after clearing the Cursed Mountain Lodge.

Honestly, it didn't feel like I'd done work worth 100 million. The job wrapped up in just two days, after all.

I'd poked around for traces of the devil, beaten it senseless to blow off some steam until tears welled up in its eyes, and that was it.

"How can you say that? How many people in this world do you think could make a devil shed tears... Of course you deserve at least this much."

"I'll gratefully accept it, but is it normally set this high?"

"It was pegged higher than a standard commission due to the tremendous results. What amount did you expect, Fixer?"

"Hmm... Around 30 million? Something like that."

"30 million wouldn't even come close. Look, Fixer. You handled this commission with ease, but... it wasn't supposed to be that easy."

Exorcising a devil is no walk in the park.

I'd only wrapped it up quickly and cleanly thanks to the Baby Mode Pack. On normal difficulty, it might've ended in disaster.

No wonder the World of Doom Gallery warns people to steer clear of Church jobs. The pay's high because they're usually tough and grueling.

"Above all, you took down a devil that was about to descend on this land, and you did it with a rookie nun who isn't even a proper exorcist. That's a miracle. 100 million is actually on the low side for that."

Like Sister Shin Seo-hyeon said, we'd successfully prevented a calamity-level anomaly one step above a catastrophe. 100 million did feel cheap in that light.

It was an impossible feat, and if a calamity had emerged, the fallout would've cost far more than a measly 100 million.

"And the higher-ups never imagined I'd pull off results like this. They gave a lone nun like me an absurd mission to take down a devil solo, but thanks to you, I actually did it!"

The sister seemed more excited than usual, maybe buzzing with dopamine over achieving this feat together.

Her genuine joy was heartwarming, but there was one thing I needed to address.

"Wait a minute. From what you're saying, it was an impressive achievement... but the Church assigned this impossible job to you solo anyway?"

"Uh... well..."

The sister paused to gather her thoughts at my sudden question, then finally spilled the details.

"Yes, that's right. It's awkward to say this after everything's over, but I was essentially thrown away as a sacrificial pawn."

"Sacrificial pawn? So they just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sent you off to die?"

From what she explained, the Church higher-ups hadn't held any hope of her succeeding from the start.

In a way, she was a scapegoat tossed in to buy time until the priests returned from the West Sea.

The Church, desperate for manpower, had propped her up as a sacrificial lamb to dodge the immediate crisis.

Now I understood why Father Han Kyung-muk had sighed in relief and asked me to look after her.

If she hadn't come to me for help...

"No way the Church would pull something like that."

"Thank you for getting angry on my behalf, Fixer. But... even if it hadn't been me, whoever took the job would've stepped up for the noble sacrifice. The Church's way is to maximize safety with minimal sacrifice... In that sense, I'm one of the lucky ones. Because you were there."

The sister's expression was somewhat serious and resolute as she spoke of sacrifice as the cleric's duty. There was no room for argument; she clearly intended to sacrifice herself when the time came.

That must be the baseline mindset for clerics in this world.

It bordered on fanaticism, which was a little unsettling. Living a life of self-sacrifice for the masses must be incredibly heavy and grueling.

"Anyway, thanks to you, Fixer, we pulled off a miracle no one expected. My standing has skyrocketed as a result. Especially since casualties were so low—this was a resounding success. Thank you again, Fixer."

The fact that even Priest Kang Yo had survived seemed to be a huge bonus point. He should've died under normal circumstances, but he'd pulled through, even if he was in the ICU.

The Church planned to package this as the "Miracle of East Asia," spread it far and wide, and secure valuable relics from the Vatican.

Of course, it wouldn't hit the mainstream media, but it was a massive win to brag about in industry circles.

"Thwarting the devil's will outright, routing it in short order, and even extracting a declaration of defeat... That's unheard of, even on a global scale."

An achievement so absurd it had to be measured against the entire world.

That was why the Church wanted to use this incident as a benchmark.

The sister said the biggest win was the atmosphere it created, allowing the Church to actively collaborate with other groups and factions moving forward—thanks to me.

"In that light, 100 million is honestly a bargain."

"I see what you mean."

There were good reasons why the payout exceeded expectations.

It truly was an extraordinary feat with massive ripple effects.

100 million felt like fair compensation.

Above all, you don't turn down money when it's offered.

Graciously accept whatever comes your way.

"That concludes the report on the commission fee. Next is a personal gift of gratitude from me."

The sister handed over a few documents related to the payout, then offered me a small coin.

It looked like a toy coin stamped with a cross, the kind handed out to kids in the children's ministry at some neighborhood church to teach them about talents.

No, this wasn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just some toy coin.

This was...

"This thing has quite a story behind it. Are you sure you can give it to me?"

"Yes. You've already helped me so much. Above all, I want you to have it, Fixer."

The sister stroked the coin fondly once, then handed it to me again.

This coin was her cherished possession. It was also a holy relic imbued with her fervent prayers from childhood.

I didn't know her full backstory, but I knew she'd endured a rough fate.

For someone like that to gift me the item that got her through those tough early years—it was a profound expression of trust.

An irrefusable gift. I'd accept it gratefully.

"It's been my companion for a very long time. I hope it aids your journey, Fixer."

"This feels like too generous a gift."

"Too generous? I'd give you more if I could, but I don't have much in personal belongings."

"This is plenty. Thank you. I'll treasure it."

I tucked the gift she gave me securely into my pocket.

I'm sure this coin will come in handy someday.

"I'm so glad you like it. I knew a Fixer like you would recognize its true value."

Having handed over even the coin, the sister rose from her seat with a lighthearted expression.

"Well then, I'll be off. I look forward to seeing you again."

"If there's ever anything you need, come by anytime. I'll cut you a deal, Sister."

"What reassuring words."

Sister Shin Seo-hyeon gave a small smile and left the office.

With that, the "Incheon Devil Descent Incident" was truly over.

Who would've thought I'd score such an unexpected payout and a heartfelt keepsake from the sister.

My fridge had been on its last legs lately. Time to use some of the commission to replace the dying fridge and the beat-up TV.

And grab a laptop for portability... What else did I need?

I was browsing for new appliances when Yu-ha showed up.

She'd probably come for her usual staring contest with Sowol.

The first time she met Sowol, she was too nervous to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even look up. Now she holds eye contact like a champ.

She just stares silently for hours, but Yu-ha insists it's helping a ton.

"Haaah... That's it for today... I can't... do any more."

"Good work. Here, have a drink."

"Thanks, mister..."

I handed a cold canned drink to Yu-ha, who had collapsed face-down on the desk, exhausted from the staring contest. She chugged it happily.

Looked like she'd head home after this. Two hours of staring was plenty reason to be wiped.

Before she left, I should let her know I'd be closing the office tomorrow.

"Yu-ha. I've got somewhere to be tomorrow, so the office will be closed."

"Tomorrow? Actually, I was gonna say I can't make it tomorrow either—I have somewhere to go. Great minds think alike."

"Oh? Where to?"

"Well... Um. Is it okay to tell you? See, I'm going in my mom's place to some academic symposium. So I have to head there tomorrow."

"What? Symposium?"

Wait, she was attending a symposium tomorrow?

Was it possibly the Talisman Society's New Talent Symposium I knew about?

Her "mom" here meant her adoptive mother, Taoist Master Mun Seon-woo.

So Yu-ha was standing in for Taoist Master Mun Seon-woo at the symposium she was invited to?

"That symposium—is it the New Talent Symposium hosted by the Talisman Society?"

"Huh? How'd you know that, mister?"

"I got invited too."

"Eh? Really? No way. You're not a spirit medium. Not a shaman or yin-yang master either. Why?"

"Dunno. The invitation just came."

"Huh? What? Show me your invitation, mister."

I showed Yu-ha the invitation from the Talisman Society.

"Whoa, it's real? The seal checks out... Hmm?"

"What's up? Something wrong?"

"This... the required items and notes are kinda weird."

"Where?"

"This part here. It says to bring a Nameless Talisman. That's odd—it's not on the invitation I got from Mom. The contents are different."

Yu-ha showed me her invitation.

"Yeah, definitely different."

Yu-ha's invitation said to bring "one mask to conceal identity" instead of "one or more Nameless Talismans."

The precautions were different too.

Mine specified that only those with the invitation and Nameless Talisman could pass through the gate. Hers omitted the talisman.

It also said only invitees could enter, meaning anyone with an invitation—including Yu-ha subbing for Taoist Master Mun Seon-woo—could get in.

"Mister, do you have a Nameless Talisman by any chance?"

"Huh? No, I don't."

I trusted Yu-ha, but no need to advertise that I had one.

Someone might hear about it through her and come sniffing around for trouble.

"But do you even know what a Nameless Talisman is, Yu-ha?"

"Of course. It's that thing, right?"

"What's that?"

"Well... I'm not totally sure myself. I just heard about it from Mom..."

According to what Yu-ha had heard, the Nameless Talisman was like a legendary divine relic among talismans.

It allowed the user to wield any ability they desired, and if it fell into the wrong hands, catastrophe would follow...

"Catastrophe...?"

"Yeah. I heard it's like a key of some sort. Not sure what it unlocks, though. Mom said it must never fall into bad hands. And some people are obsessed with it."

"The Talisman Society?"

"Not everyone in the Society is fanatically obsessed, but anyone who is probably joined them. Especially if it's the real deal, not a fake or copy—they'd lose their minds and do who-knows-what."

They'd spiked the punch from the start. I'd planned to shop the Nameless Talisman around, but now I'd have to play it cautious.

Did they suspect I had the original and invite me to the symposium to expose me and stir up chaos?

'No mention of a mask means they want my identity out there.'

Something fishy was afoot.

I could smell the rot.

One more reason to bring Sowol along.

"Yu-ha. Let's go to the symposium together tomorrow."

"You'll give me a ride? Awesome!"

Yu-ha beamed at the prospect of catching a ride.

I wasn't sure she'd be that thrilled tomorrow, but since I'd gotten training fees from Taoist Master Mun Seon-woo, it was only right to look out for her.

Protect her from whoever these unknown bad actors were.

And figure out exactly who in the Talisman Society invited me to steal the Nameless Talisman.