Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Fickle Faith
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We descend endlessly along the underground path.
"Have you thought about how to take it down?"
"I'm still thinking."
This combo... it feels familiar.
I look at Yoo Daon, who's running hard.
The scent of a no-damage party that's all too familiar.
"We're a bit short on firepower, unfortunately."
"It would've been different if Chaeyeon were here."
Of course, even with Jang Chaeyeon, it wouldn't guarantee a win, but it might've made the fight a little easier.
After running for who knows how long, an exit finally came into view as we plunged deeper underground.
Yoo Daon, sprinting toward it, suddenly stopped and signaled for me to halt. I quickly followed suit.
"...What is it?"
"There are people."
I whispered as I drew closer to Yoo Daon, and she pointed outward while whispering back.
Peering out alongside her, I saw what she meant—people gathered, bowing toward something.
They were assembled in a vast open space.
"Mountain God..."
"Mountain God..."
The difference was that they didn't look like the stereotypical secret society members draped in robes.
They were elderly folks who could be tilling fields in any rural village, and villagers who might be driving tractors around.
They bowed, gazing upward.
I follow their gaze.
"...Huh."
It was a massive wooden infant.
To be precise, not exactly an infant, but something similar.
If something that didn't understand humans clumsily mimicked one, it might end up like that.
Is that the main body?
I quickly scan the mountain god with my eyes.
[Name: Mountain God]
[Age: Created 80 years ago]
[Trait: Wish Collection]
[Talent: Creation]
[Background: Though briefly nurtured across generations, this religion evaded the Management Bureau's notice for longer than expected, avoiding eradication. As a result, a new god stirs once more.]
[Weakness: Remember, faith comes before the god's awakening.]
Remember, faith comes first.
It aligns perfectly with what Song Arin said.
"Um...!"
Mid-thought on a strategy, Yoo Daon tapped my shoulder and whispered.
"Isn't that Chaeyeon...?"
"Huh?"
Following her finger, there was Jang Chaeyeon, unconscious and bound to a pillar.
The people had their backs to her, bowing their heads to the mountain god.
She's alive.
A big thorn lodged in my heart eased out.
"Should we rescue her?"
"If we can do it without getting spotted."
We lock eyes with Yoo Daon and nod.
The risk of detection versus the gain of reuniting with Jang Chaeyeon?
Not even worth debating.
"If things go south, I'll handle the fighting."
"Count on you."
We creep backward together.
Careful not to make a sound, we slowly head toward Jang Chaeyeon.
Unclear if she's out cold or sleeping, but she doesn't notice us at all, eyes closed.
At least she doesn't seem injured.
"It's a knockout."
Yoo Daon squints at Jang Chaeyeon.
"Looks like a mild concussion from blunt force trauma?"
"How can you tell?"
"I've died a lot."
Yoo Daon smiles softly.
"She'll wake if we rouse her."
A bit dubious, but I cautiously shake Jang Chaeyeon's shoulder.
"Chaeyeon, wake up."
"...Mm."
"Chaeyeon."
After a few more shakes, she slowly opens her eyes.
"...You came to save me?"
"You could say that."
Jang Chaeyeon smiles gently at my words.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
She turns her gaze to the ropes binding her, and they loosen, falling away.
"How'd you end up here?"
"I blocked the attack, but then something grabbed and dragged me after."
That's why she vanished.
"So... can you beat that thing with raw power?"
"Me?"
Jang Chaeyeon stares at me blankly, then slowly shakes her head.
"No way to win with brute force. I might block it at best."
Right. I was too optimistic hoping for a win.
"Blocking it is more than enough. Then Daon and I will take out the followers."
Jang Chaeyeon nods.
"Let's strike before they notice."
Priority one: neutralize. If not, eliminate.
I draw my gun from inside my coat, and Yoo Daon clenches her fist.
Jang Chaeyeon reaches out, and an invisible wave slices across the ground—
—Boom!
It predictably hits a barrier.
The people turn to look at us.
"Intruders!"
"They're disrupting the Mountain God! Kill them!"
They charge with murderous glares, wielding sickles, axes, and hoes.
I draw and fire.
—Bang!
"Argh!"
"Kim!"
A man hit in the leg collapses.
Keep shooting like this, and it'll work?
Next, I aim at a middle-aged woman with a hoe and fire at her leg.
—Thud!
The grotesque infant, eyes closed until now, opens them.
Its eyeball rolls, meeting mine.
A chill runs through me.
Not as intense as encountering that thing in the Management Bureau's depths, but similar.
In that instant, earth rises from the ground, wrapping the woman's leg.
"Ahh! Mountain God!"
The middle-aged woman cries out in ecstasy and raises her hoe again.
"The god protects us! Charge!"
Even blocks bullets? Do I get bulletproofing if I convert?
"Stick close and follow."
Jang Chaeyeon speaks calmly and takes the lead.
The ground quakes, dirt rains down ahead, but when she waves her hand, it parts around us and falls harmlessly.
"Attacks won't work. Handle it."
"I'll take the people!"
Yoo Daon doesn't hesitate, breaks off to the side, and shouts confidently.
"What's that woman? Kill her!"
A burly man yells and swings his axe at Yoo Daon, bringing it down on her neck.
—Crunch!
Her neck twists grotesquely, blood sprays, but she yanks the axe out with one hand and smashes the man's head with the handle.
—Crack!
"Gah...!"
The man flips his eyes back and crumples. Yoo Daon, expressionless, grips the axe and charges the crowd.
"Don't push yourself!"
"Got it!"
She flashes a bright smile at my call, then dives back in.
Farm tools pierce her arms, neck, and body, but she ignores them, barreling forward and clubbing people with the axe handle.
Trailing Jang Chaeyeon, I sink back into thought.
Pondering the nature of gods.
If sheer numbers of believers made a god, lotteries would've spawned a mass-religion god of probability long ago.
Normal belief alone can't summon a god.
It requires accompanying acts and outcomes.
So what distinguishes true faith from mere belief?
...
Following Jang Chaeyeon, I gaze at the mountain god exuding immense presence.
The closer I get, the more oppressive my chest feels, an urge to bow my head.
Not a mental attack. More like awe.
"Ughblorp!"
Dirt cascades somewhere, followed by Yoo Daon's choking gasp.
"Chaeyeon."
"Yeah."
"Go back and help Daon once. Neutralize the others and draw attention while you're at it."
"...You sure?"
Jang Chaeyeon looks at me worriedly.
"Have to be. Right?"
If physical destruction's off the table, I'm the only one who can pull this off.
"Just clear a path for me."
"Got it."
Jang Chaeyeon nods, and I focus my mind.
[Coordinate Rip - 3 uses remaining]
The world turns graph paper-like.
Not ripping a specific spot this time.
Just as much as possible.
As if understanding, Jang Chaeyeon extends her hand and clenches her fist,
—Crunch!
Everything in my view crumples.
The crushing pressure lifts.
"See you soon."
"I believe in you."
Jang Chaeyeon says that, turns back, and reaches out.
"Whoa! Nearly suffocated and died once!"
"Focus."
Feeling the dirt still falling, I plunge deeper in.
The deeper I go, the stronger the awe.
My steps slow naturally; snapping to, I'm approaching the mountain god.
...
I force my head up to meet its gaze.
It just stares at me, doing nothing.
No dirt falls like before,
But I know.
"This awe isn't because you're a god."
What's the difference between faith and belief? Why does no lottery god exist, but this mountain god does?
"It's belief in your existence."
Lottery buyers believe in lotteries, but not in a lottery god.
But these people believed in the mountain god's reality for a long time.
Usually the Management Bureau weeds them out before gods form, but outliers like this happen.
It stares at me blankly.
"If you were a true god, you wouldn't have let me reach here."
How could an omnipotent god fail to kill a mere human?
This awe I'm feeling is just from the vast wishes people sent.
Rumbling collapses echo from outside.
Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon have diverted its power and mind; Song Arin solo-captured its forces.
"Smart child."
The silent mountain god finally speaks.
Same voice as the woman from the cabin.
It opens its mouth in a gentle tone.
"The Management Bureau's always like that. Quick to abandon human faith. All in the name of 'for the people.'"
"I see."
"They believed in me. I was born to grant their wishes. In conclusion, I exist for humanity."
"You could see it that way."
"Yes. So why not join them? I'll grant you glory and wealth."
That's why the trait is Wish Collection.
"Many called me for wealth and honor, and now I can fulfill those wishes."
Surprisingly, people's wishes are similar.
Make me rich. Let me earn big. Keep me healthy. The repertoire's uninspired.
But talking like this, I realize.
Gods aren't human. They can't properly fulfill those wishes.
If asked for wealth, easier to kill rich neighbors than rain gold from the sky.
In simple terms, like a monkey's paw beyond human norms? Just my hypothesis.
I draw my gun.
"My offer doesn't appeal?"
"Scared?"
The mountain god chuckles lowly at my words.
"Why fear me? I sense nothing special in you. No resurrection, no mind control, no super strength. Why fear a plain human?"
"You could think that."
I eye the translucent window before me.
[Your understanding of those seeking to fulfill humanity's vast wishes has increased.]
[Critical: 0->1]
The commotion outside quiets.
The two have finished neutralizing.
Sharp wooden roots erupt from the ground.
Petty, but expected.
Before they impale me, a mud doll appears and takes the hit,
"Hey! You alive?"
Song Arin arrives in the mud doll, riding it like a surfboard.
Surfboard?
"Eh. Legs hurt."
Ignoring my stare, she hops off.
Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon soon appear behind.
"I'm here!"
"Slow... down... a bit...!"
With the three behind me, I aim my pistol.
"Same as always. Just strip its power."
"This is total finisher bait."
Song Arin grumbles but assumes position.
First full-party fight since HR Team achievement.