Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: 26. Hero of Kitakyushu (3)
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Worship was an incredibly unique skill.
According to its description, it allowed the user to set a "worship target," but Aileen's will had nothing to do with Kang San being chosen.
"I didn't arbitrarily select you as the worship target without your permission, Mr. Kang San. The moment I saw you safe and let out a sigh of relief, I heard a voice automatically designating me as having set you as the worship target. It must have been the system judging you as suitable."
"The survivors you rescued this time, Mr. Kang San, along with their families—they've all taken you into their hearts, which is how the believer count surpassed 20,000. If I use the Prayer skill, it applies an additional buff of 0.001% per believer. That means even with the current number secured, we're already getting a 28% effect."
The Prayer skill had both direct and indirect buffs.
Direct buffs were like what she'd shown in Kitakyushu Square—people praying directly to lend their power. The effect was dramatically powerful, but it had the drawback of requiring people to actually pray alongside her, like Aileen.
The indirect method had no regard for distance.
Simply by holding faith in Kang San, the Prayer skill gained additional buffs.
Of course, there was a cap of 300% on stat increases from buffs, but if she gathered even more believers, the value of Aileen's skill would be immense. For Kang San, there was no refusing her presence. In a situation where they desperately needed a priest, her skill was practically a tailor-made boon just for him.
Aileen spoke.
"When I was isolated in the Red Zone, I prayed without fail every single day. If you would save me from that pit of despair, I vowed to take God into my heart and serve with utmost devotion. I don't believe the Worship skill was a mere coincidence. The fact that you and I met like this is all part of divine providence, and the countless believers prove just how noble a being you are, Mr. Kang San. You asked if I wasn't worried about the thorny path ahead? Not at all. With you by my side, Mr. Kang San, I'd pray even in the pits of hell. May your path be filled with blessings."
Why was that?
There was a subtle hint of madness to it.
Three years in the Red Zone.
It was more than enough time to shatter even a normal person's mind.
The void that had formed in Aileen's heart was filled by Kang San's presence, descending like a god's incarnation.
"So please, accept us."
"...That's the situation right now."
Kang San finished his long explanation.
Right after parting with the Aileen sisters, he'd met up with his younger party members.
When he shared the story of Nakamura Genji and the Aileen sisters, and their strong desire to join the party, Jo Han-byeol voiced his thoughts without hesitation.
"I'm all for it. Their skills are impressive, but more importantly, they fill positions we desperately need—no denying that. Especially Nakamura Genji; I heard he briefly held off an S-Rank hunter when Saito Shusuke went berserk. No reason to turn away someone of that caliber volunteering to join."
"But Worship as a skill? Is it connected to that 'You have become a believer' message?"
Jeong Chan-woo's words.
As it turned out, his younger party members had received a message becoming "believers" the moment the Worship skill was created.
It was something everyone in Kitakyushu Square had experienced in common, but they'd dismissed it as just a prayer-related notification, nothing major. They never imagined it would tie directly into Aileen's skill ongoing.
Yeon Woo-bin said,
"All things considered, this is a huge win for us. Honestly, I've felt guilty watching Kang San hyung shoulder all the danger alone, but with Aileen joining, we can ease that burden some. And Worship is an overpowered skill that buffs only one person exclusively—to that degree? Even if Aileen didn't want to, we'd have to recruit her as a party member."
"Then it's settled—everyone agrees."
"Yes!"
The matter was resolved.
Unanimous decision to welcome the new party members.
They'd inadvertently become a multinational party.
Starting with low-rank hunters from South Korea, now they had one Japanese and two French members. Plus, their average rank being B-Rank was a hugely encouraging achievement.
Kang San said,
"And these are the stat stones we got from this incident. Take them, everyone."
"Pardon?"
"Whoa."
"All of them?"
His younger party members' eyes went wide.
Stat stones from the trial rewards, and top-tier ones that boosted 10 stats at once from defeating the S-Rank evil spirit—he'd obtained several. He'd considered using some himself at first. Purely for personal gain, it would've been profitable, but Kang San knew from the moment his siblings shared the risks of the trial that these stat stones were rewards meant for them, not him.
That was why.
He'd already reaped an insane reward averaging 200 stats, so he shared the benefits with his siblings.
Jo Han-byeol waved his hands.
"This is too much. You did all the heavy lifting yourself."
"No. From the moment you all followed my reckless decision into the Red Zone, you've earned your share. I've taken my portion and divided the rest fairly. So if you see me as the party leader, don't refuse—take them."
"But..."
"Jo Han-byeol."
"Yes."
Though they verbally refused, their faces lit up as they accepted the stat stones.
Kang San was sincere.
From Korea to Japan, his younger siblings had been exposed to trials' dangers they didn't have to endure alongside him. Not once had they complained; they'd gritted their teeth and overcome with him.
They truly deserved this reward.
His laughing, chattering siblings.
Watching them, Kang San broke into a bright smile.
The next day.
Kang San's group set out for subjugation.
The Kitakyushu region had now been divided into three major forces.
The large-scale subjugation and rescue teams operated by the Japanese government moved with organization toward completely wiping out monsters and rescuing survivors. This time, they showed genuine resolve to solve Kitakyushu's problems. Pouring in manpower and resources, they achieved meaningful results daily.
Finally, there were the independents.
Like Kang San's group, the government guaranteed various benefits for individuals subjugating monsters on their own.
Not just tax exemptions, but support for combat supplies, rewards based on achievements—far beyond mere goodwill, they incentivized personal action with real profits. Thanks to that, countless monsters died in the Red Zone daily. Those hiding in the fog could no longer withstand human assaults.
"Ogre pack ahead."
It was Jessica.
Having scouted stealthily and spotted the monsters, Kang San took the lead in preparing for battle.
The first strike came from Yeon Woo-bin.
Yeon Woo-bin's magic detonated first, sending blazing ogres charging madly.
Roarrr!
Boom!
Kraaaah!
"Shield of Trials."
Kang San blocked the front.
The ogre pack swung their massive clubs in a frenzy, and as Kang San parried, Nakamura Genji exploited the opening. His sword tore through space. Before the ogre could react, it was sliced along its muscle fibers, staggering back—then Jessica's daggers and Jo Han-byeol's arrows struck in succession.
Whish.
Pew-pew-pew!
Perfect coordination.
Kang San and Jeong Chan-woo held the line, while the four dealers meshed seamlessly to drop enemies.
The party's firepower had surged.
Before, they'd left it mostly to Yeon Woo-bin, but Jo Han-byeol, Nakamura Genji, and Jessica's combined attacks never missed fleeting openings. The new party's strength didn't end there. From the rear, Aileen bestowed timely blessings.
A blessing for Nakamura Genji.
Healing for Jeong Chan-woo.
Kang San had endured relying solely on his own skills until now, but with a priest in the mix, the whole party gained stability. Jessica's lured ogre pack numbered over a dozen—enough to give them serious trouble before—but they cleared them without taking long.
Thud.
Rumble rumble.
Even the last one fell.
Kang San thought,
It's definitely different from before.
Before coming to Japan versus now.
The party's power had advanced to a heavenly difference, overwhelmingly so.
A month later.
Kang San decided to wrap up his time in Japan.
They'd more than synced up as a party in the Red Zone by now, and Kitakyushu's issues were resolving. No more monsters emerging from gates, and large-scale rescues had saved most survivors. It was time to go. Preparing for the impending S-Rank outbreak, he needed ample time back in Korea too.
That evening.
Upon announcing his departure from Japan, an unexpected visitor came to Kang San.
"Thank you for everything."
It was Ito Kentaro.
Kang San responded calmly.
"I only did what needed doing."
"If that were reason enough, the Japanese government should've handled it from the start. Kitakyushu festered while inept politicians looked away—a problem that never would've been solved without you, Mr. Kang San. Look at the changes you've brought. For three years, we couldn't convince Italy's priest, but the moment political pressure hit, we got a meaningful response right away. That's proof of Japan's bitter reality."
It was laughable.
Shimizu Hiroshi had blustered about unsolvable dilemmas, only for this incident to expose he hadn't given his all. His political career was effectively over. Amid the boiling public opinion centering on Kang San—whether to ride the wave or not—he'd mocked the odds with irrational moves.
A fatal misstep.
No matter how low the chances, his efforts and sacrifices to save Japanese citizens deserved respect and support.
Of course, Ito Kentaro didn't consider himself a good person for it.
"Truth be told, I'm not that good a man. Faced with daily disasters, I—a mere civilian—decided I needed power to survive. That's why I entered politics. Congressman Shimizu Hiroshi has a habit of calling me a hypocrite. He's right. When I helped Nakamura Genji save people, when I prayed for your safe return this time—I knew it would help with votes, so that's why I did it. Because that's how I can push the policies I want. How a nobody like me can gain the power to create a world where ordinary people survive."
He met Kang San's gaze.
In front of him, he dropped the mask.
"I've gotten a firm commitment from the Prime Minister. Though we're from different parties, he'll back me as the next PM with public opinion on my side. You know what? I know exactly what it takes to protect my meager approval ratings. And much of the current public sentiment? Your actions account for a huge share. So remember this: even after you leave Japan, Mr. Kang San, I won't forget my gratitude toward you. Even if it's calculated hypocrisy, as Prime Minister, I'll invoke the past and speak of you."
The connection with Kang San.
Ito Kentaro seized it.
As a politician, he knew what mattered.
"I, Ito Kentaro, pledge on my name that you, Mr. Kang San, will always receive treatment befitting a state guest in Japan."