Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Ranking Match (4)
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In this other world, there exists a limit to growth.
In a word, it's the "limit of one's birth."
Unlike players, who can freely alter their traits and talents, people here can't escape the fate they're born with.
Of course, means like "demons" or "relics" do exist.
Heroes among heroes.
Those who surpass human limits are called Special Grade Heroes.
And those who possess the qualities of Special Grade are called the Chosen Ones.
Starting with the protagonist, Seo Ji-ho, villains like the Puppeteer.
And Han Sia.
The person who would become South Korea's second Special Grade Hero.
Han Sia's lips curved up slightly.
She spread her arms wide and let out a deep breath.
"Haa... This feels great."
Han Sia opened her eyes and stared at me.
"You're seeing the same scenery as me, right?"
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Pretending not to know won't help."
Something... something was wrong.
Why was this girl acting like this all of a sudden?
These were words I'd never heard before.
Had Han Sia even had this kind of personality?
Because I'd utterly demolished magic created by a Rank 2 Mage?
In the game, she showed no reaction even to far more outrageous displays.
Even if I rampaged with a true zero-tier build instead of Iaido, she wouldn't react.
Suddenly, yesterday's events came to mind.
[You probably could've won easily, right?]
"Do you believe in fate?"
What fate was she referring to?
The actual setting of the "Chosen Ones" or "Fate of the Stars."
"I lean toward believing."
But Han Sia couldn't know the settings, so I gave a vague answer.
"Me too. Humans have a flame within them. Some are born with a massive blaze, others with a tiny spark."
Han Sia's pupils dilated.
"And then there are cases like you and me, where the flame fills our entire bodies."
"..."
I was at a loss for words for a moment.
The eye hidden by her hair seemed to glow brightly.
"You look just like Grandpa—bound up tight."
This was probably about the "penalty."
"When did you first notice?"
"From the beginning."
It felt like I'd been smacked in the head.
In the game, Han Sia had barely any screen time, and even less after graduating from the academy.
In this world full of cheat abilities, hers was uniquely considered the ultimate cheat.
Farsight.
Farsight
And at the same time, cold sweat began to pour.
Thump.
My heart pounded.
Farsight. Not good.
It was a cheat trait.
My gaze naturally drifted to my status window.
If my guess was right, this was what they called a "gift."
The condition for joining the Light Priesthood, and Cthuga's flame.
Cthuga's flame is etched into the soul.
And Farsight pierces through souls.
For a first-time player, Farsight is the best trait for hunting the Light Priesthood.
I know who's who, but newcomers have no way to tell.
But with Farsight, it's easy.
Everything is visible.
Cold sweat dripped like mad.
"But it's strange..."
Han Sia lowered her head to look at me.
She carefully lifted her hair with her hand, revealing the hidden eye that met mine.
"I've never seen anything like this before..."
"W-Wait a second!"
"Why?"
I frantically raised my hand, and Han Sia tilted her head innocently.
"It's just... too overwhelming..."
"I suppose it could be."
Han Sia's expression returned to neutral.
I started racking my brain furiously.
'If I get on her good side, maybe she'll let it slide later?'
Was that too naive?
I had to do something and figure it out from there.
"I've been a fan of you since way back, Senior Han Sia."
"Hm?"
"I'm even in the Three fan club."
"Thanks."
"Would it be okay if we went somewhere like a cafe to chat more?"
Yoo I-seol.
Her hands and feet were trembling uncontrollably.
'Why... are those two...?'
Something felt off.
The senior had suddenly shown up, smiling and saying she felt great, then the two of them left somewhere.
"..."
Her chest felt tight.
Something... felt wrong.
'Where are they going...?'
We'd come to a nearby cafe.
Fortunately, it wasn't crowded.
Let me think slowly.
For now...
"I never imagined there'd be someone else who sees the same scenery as me..."
I started the conversation by recalling what she'd said earlier.
"You've had it rough, huh."
"Yeah... I don't even have parents; I grew up in an orphanage..."
"Oh..."
I steered the talk naturally to evoke some sympathy.
"This is the first time I've seen it on anyone besides Grandpa, so it's fascinating."
"...Grandpa..."
"Yeah?"
"Mom... Dad..."
"Uh...?"
Han Sia's pupils widened slightly.
"...Let's stop the family talk here."
"Okay..."
-Customer 102, your drinks are ready!
"I'll go get them."
"Sure."
As I fetched the drinks, I thought.
She probably didn't even know the term "Light Priesthood" yet.
It hadn't even been revealed to the world.
The Light Priesthood divides into those who bide their time and those who rampage.
Cases like the Puppeteer and Masked Man are patient types, while beast freaks like Mawomon are rampagers.
The Light Priesthood's goal is to create paradise.
They believe that those who endured Cthuga's trial flame—sent as a test—can survive even when Cthuga returns to burn the world.
And they call that burned world "paradise."
'Bunch of idiots, all doomed.'
Opinions split here.
Some say gather Cthuga's "fragments" to create paradise ASAP; others say just wait for the time to come.
The rush-to-paradise faction are called hardliners; they commit terrorism and collect fragments.
By the way, fragments refer to Cthuga's flames.
The way to gather them? Kill those who endured the flames and offer them as sacrifices.
That's why the Light Priesthood's average strength is high—the weak ones get culled by hardliners.
'I got lucky.'
The moderates wouldn't just sit by.
They protect weak priests from hardliners or kill the hardliners to turn them into "kindling" for the Puppeteer.
The conclusion? I need to kill that bastard Narcan ASAP.
Born a demon-beast, he's hostile to humans, and the "Light Priesthood Hunt" event happens because of his antics.
Not my business if it weren't the Light Priesthood, but...
[A new priest.]
Since it said that, something must be in my body.
So, my tasks were set.
Take down hardliner leader Narcan to prevent the Light Priesthood's name from spreading.
And stop the moderates from resurrecting "Cthuga."
A sense of calm washed over me.
If it resolves well, no more trembling in fear of getting caught like this.
But why did I become Light Priesthood?
I definitely don't remember doing their join event.
'Fuck...'
I glanced cautiously at Han Sia.
Her beautiful features and stoic expression gave off an air of mystery.
"Here."
"Thanks."
I handed her the drink.
"You're pretty popular, huh?"
Han Sia said, sipping her drink.
As I made a confused face, her gaze shifted to the window.
"...?"
[Yoo I-seol's relationship has changed.]
[Interest → Obsession]
What.
Me and Lee Han-su are friends.
My one and only friend, at that.
'What if he doesn't think of me as a friend?'
The doubt crept in.
Yoo I-seol carefully picked up her phone.
[My One and Only Friend]
[010-xxxx-xxxx]
"..."
Yoo I-seol's eyes glowed red.
"Ain, what's wrong?"
Seo Ji-ho asked, looking concerned.
"It's nothing."
Han Ain waved it off, insisting it was nothing.
'Why... why on earth...!'
Her mood soured.
'Han Sia...'
Not a name she wanted to hear.
A person who views everyone like plants.
'...'
Han Ain's face crumpled.
Grandpa was the same.
Treated everyone like plants.
Praised as a great hero, but in reality...
Zing-!
Her head throbbed.
She didn't even want to think about that incident.
'Lee Han-su.'
Han Ain had seen it clearly.
Han Sia talking to Lee Han-su.
A flood of thoughts hit her at once.
Her sister Han Sia didn't know how to talk to people.
You could tell after spending time with her, no matter how much she pretended otherwise.
Her brother knew that and yet...
But today, for the first time, she'd seen it.
Han Sia conversing with someone who wasn't Grandpa—human to human.
"Why..."
A surge of anger rose instantly.
[...You'll probably never understand in your lifetime.]
Grind!
Han Sia left the cafe.
Ding-a-ling-!
After passing through the door, she spotted a girl.
"..."
"..."
Han Sia let out an involuntary sigh at the sight.
Dealing with people was still awkward.
How long had it been since she'd talked to one?
But she was back in the world of plants.
Ding-a-ling-!
At the bell's chime, Han Sia turned her head.
As Lee Han-su emerged, the girl bolted toward him.
"..."
[I never imagined there'd be someone else who sees the same scenery as me...]
She had said that, clearly.
Lee Han-su was starting to earn her respect.
If she weren't close to Grandpa, she couldn't have endured it either.
She wanted to help someone like her—a fellow "human."
She wanted to help that poor soul without family.
Because she was a hero.