Chapter 218
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 218
After their brief conversation concluded, Gio requested to pray at the Sun Cult.
“Would that be possible?”
“Are you asking for a private prayer room?”
“Yes, that’s right. I have something I wish to say to the Sun…”
At Hunter Seo Gio’s words, the ordinary priest summoned by Kang Seo-dam smiled and nodded.
“Is that alright, Priest Kang Seo-dam?”
“As long as it doesn’t place a burden on the order, I would like you to grant all of Hunter Seo Gio’s requests.”
“All of them…”
“Hunter Seo Gio won’t make any unreasonable demands.”
“Understood. Right this way, Hunter.”
As a priest whose primary duty was guiding visitors, he was quite accustomed to this sort of task. The Sun Cult aimed for a benevolent and harmonious atmosphere where anyone could seek forgiveness and mercy, so it was common for ordinary believers to come and confess their sins.
But can Hunter Seo Gio really be considered an ordinary believer? the priest thought to himself.
I heard Hunter Seo Gio considers himself half a priest. His aura isn’t that of an ordinary believer, either. There were also rumors that he is the Apostle of the Black Cloak.
He didn’t let it show, but he was curious. What sort of things would this man, who possessed an aura so benevolent he looked as though he couldn’t harm a fly, say in the prayer room?
“Hmm…”
Remembering what the elders had said, the priest decided to strike up a light conversation.
“This isn’t your first time visiting the Sun Cult, is it?”
“No, it isn’t. During my last visit, I received a proposal regarding the Subterranean Quadruped Rainforest. Thanks to that, I had a truly rare experience.”
“We were terribly sorry for rushing the schedule back then, so I am glad to hear you say that.”
Contrary to the solemn, quiet image one might expect, the Sun Cult pursued a bustling and warm atmosphere. The sounds of laughter and chatter, kept at a level that wasn’t disruptive, filled the path leading to the prayer rooms.
“Even though I know you awakened as a Tamer, I keep wanting to call you ‘Priest.’ It’s not a conscious thought, but if I happen to cause any offense, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“We are within the warm embrace of the Sun, where laughter abounds. What is there that cannot be forgiven? It’s a common point of confusion for others as well, so you needn’t worry about it.”
“Ah, so I wasn’t the only one.”
“Even the clothes I wear resemble a typical priest’s robe, so it’s an understandable mistake. It is also an undeniable fact that I serve another divinity.”
“This might be an impolite thought, but I can’t help but feel a bit of regret. I wonder what it would have been like if you had awakened as a priest. You could have become one of the greatest high priests in South Korea—no, in the entire world…”
“You’re far too generous.”
Having spoken with him, the priest found Hunter Seo Gio to be a believer of magnificent character.
So this is why there were rumors of him being a saint. He naturally inspires admiration.
Indeed, he seemed like the ideal role model for all priests to emulate.
I’d be so happy if he became one of our Sun Cult…
He wasn’t the only one who thought so. A priest’s joy was seeing the Sun flourish. The initiation of a highly skilled, benevolent priest with no rough edges was something any religious order would covet.
Yes, it would certainly be a joyous occasion…
“……?”
The priest suddenly paused.
“Is something the matter?”
“…Ah, no. I’m sorry.”
He laughed awkwardly.
“I think the sunlight just stung my eyes for a moment.”
For an instant, it had seemed as though Hunter Seo Gio’s shadow was shimmering with white light, but when he looked again, there was nothing there. The priest felt embarrassed by what was surely just an illusion.
“I apologize for my unseemly behavior in front of an honored guest.”
“Not at all. In a space where the sunlight streams in so warmly, it’s only natural for your eyes to sting. I believe this, too, is a blessing from the Goddess of the Sun.”
“Hearing you say that brings me unspeakable joy.”
This is what a true believer looks like, he thought.
What a shame. If only such a talented individual had been a priest of the Sun Cult from the very beginning…
However, Hunter Seo Gio hadn’t even awakened as a priest, and to make matters worse, he was a member of the Collector Guild, which was notorious for its greed. Furthermore, since he served a different divinity, he was unlikely to convert easily.
Even if he wanted to, the Collector wouldn’t sit idly by. I heard Gio is his closely guarded son, so that says it all. Honestly, that Bisabeol fellow is truly a piece of work.
A displeased thought crossed his mind.
…Did he realize from the start that Gio had the vessel of a saint and hide him so our order couldn’t take him? To hide an apostle of God just to satisfy his own greed… that’s a sin that would displease even the Goddess of the Sun. How distasteful…
Hiding his discomfort as best he could, the priest resumed the conversation.
“What brings you to visit us today?”
“It’s a simple matter regarding the sponsorship of the children I hold dear.”
“Ah, you mean the pair, Cha Yi-sol and Iruda. Your affection for those two has become a topic of conversation even within the Sun Cult. Both of them possess excellent vessels.”
“They are lovely children,” Hunter Seo Gio said with a pleasant laugh. “I hear updates about them often, but it made me wonder if there was some other way I could help. I just finished discussing that very topic with Priest Kang Seo-dam.”
“They are clever children, so we are already preparing for their early graduation. With help from someone as wonderful as you, Hunter Seo Gio, those two novice priests will surely become proper priests in no time.”
“Even though I am not a priest, if I can help, I would love to do so.”
“What more qualification could a talent like you possibly need to offer help?”
After all, even he couldn’t help but think of the man before him as a priest.
“Well, we have arrived. This is the private prayer room assigned to you, Hunter Seo Gio.”
“To think that sunlight reaches even this deep inside. It’s marvelous.”
“Being deeply loved by the Goddess is one of the proudest boasts of our Sun Cult,” the priest said, his shoulders squaring with pride.
To harmonize with the Sun, the very nature of providence, the prayer rooms of the Sun Cult were decorated to be as close to nature as possible. Thanks to the blessings bestowed upon them, sunlight streamed in even within the enclosed spaces. Freshly sprouted buds and flowers bloomed in the prayer room, soft sunlight beamed down upon them, and a cool wooden chair sat waiting.
“Every time we witness such proof of the Sun’s love with our own eyes, a sense of gratitude wells up within us. I hope you, too, have a wonderful time in the embrace of the Sun, Hunter Seo Gio.”
“Thank you for your words, which are as warm as the sunlight.”
“Then, I will stand guard out here. Please, take your time.”
The priest quietly closed the door and stood guard in front of it.
“……”
The quiet hallway of the prayer rooms brought peace to his mind. It was a rule that the prayer rooms always maintain silence so that the children of the Sun could offer their prayers in peace at any time. Unlike the bustling Outer Zone, this space, where shadows and sunlight mingled, was the man’s favorite place.
I’m glad I became a guiding priest. This, too, must be thanks to the Goddess of the Sun embracing me. I must always keep a grateful heart and offer my own prayers…
The Sun Cult, where warm sunlight always shone, was the first place in South Korea to welcome spring. When he closed his eyes, he could hear the chirping of birds, feel a gentle breeze tickling his cheeks, and smell the flowers announcing the birth of new life.
A long time passed like that.
“…Hmm?”
He saw light where there should have been none.
…Is that light leaking from the prayer room?
Sunlight was seeping through the gap in the door.
…How can this be? This… how is there this much light?
The priest’s heart pounded in his chest. As a priest of the Sun, he could easily distinguish between ordinary light and sunlight. This was, without a doubt, the light of the Sun. He knew that such a phenomenon occurred only on the rarest of occasions in the prayer rooms of the Sun Cult headquarters.
It happens when the Bishop prays…
And that meant, in other words, that the Sun was answering.
“……”
Hesitating, the priest drew closer to the door.
J-Just a little peek.
If his guess was correct, he wanted to catch even a glimpse of that glorious sight. The doors of the prayer rooms had a food slot and a small window for communication, a necessity for priests who sometimes engaged in fasting prayers for days on end.
Just a tiny bit…
The priest gently lifted the cover of the small window.
“……”
…Ah.
The Sun…
*
“I’ve been wronged.”
“Please calm down, Hunter Seo Gio.”
Kang Seo-dam soothed Gio, even as his own expression was troubled.
“This incident is clearly our oversight. An unqualified person peeked at a believer’s prayer and caused this mess. You did absolutely nothing wrong, Hunter Seo Gio.”
Of course, it would have been better if Gio hadn’t carelessly revealed the grand mystery of divinity in the mortal world. Feeling awkward, Kang Seo-dam glanced at the other priests, who were stealing feverish looks at Hunter Seo Gio.
I want to gouge all their eyes out.
Who did they think this person was, that they would dare commit such a vulgar act?
…This situation has become rather difficult, though.
The guiding priest who had peeked at Hunter Seo Gio’s ‘prayer’ had fallen into a state of frenzy.
“The Sun looked at me! The Sun, ah…! Aaaah…!!”
“Get him to the infirmary, quickly!”
“Ah, please grant me mercy, just a fragment! That small yet immense mercy, we…!”
“His condition is extremely serious.”
A proper priest had gone half-mad from peeking at a single ‘prayer.’ It was a sight that could be terrifying, but this was the home of the children of the Sun, gathered in faith. Watching the scene, the other priests felt awe rather than fear.
“…Just what did he see…”
“…He keeps calling out to the Sun.”
They were always starved for miracles.
“……”
Feeling a sudden surge of annoyance, Kang Seo-dam dispersed the onlookers.
“Everyone, step back! A patient has emerged, how long do you plan on just standing there and watching? Do you truly not understand how disrespectful this is to our honored guest?”
“B-But… Priest Kang Seo-dam…”
“No ‘buts.’ We have committed a discourtesy to our guest, and we are continuing to do so. Before you commit any further sins, you had better remember your place and return to your posts.”
Kang Seo-dam’s authority within the order was by no means small. Though the priests stole lingering, regretful glances, they left one by one under his scolding. The frenzied priest was likewise carried off to the infirmary.
In the end, Kang Seo-dam led Seo Gio to his office.
“…I truly have no words to apologize.”
“It was a rare sight, so I suppose such things can happen. I only hope the priest who guided me recovers quickly.”
“He will.”
After all, he had simply gone mad from beholding a blessing far beyond his station.
He should have known his place.
The priest had committed the act without knowing ‘Hunter Seo Gio’s’ true identity, but if he had only stuck to his duties, this wouldn’t have happened. He was a foolish fellow.
I trusted him with this because he never caused trouble…
But that only proved how immense the light shown by ‘Hunter Seo Gio’ had been. It was understandable, but he was still displeased.
“…Did your conversation with the Sun conclude without issue?”
“Yes, it was a pleasant time.”
“I am glad to hear it. In any case, we will send our formal apologies regarding this matter through Manager Ju-hyeon. Would that be acceptable?”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“It is also a matter of our order’s prestige, so please accept it. If we commit a sin and fail to reflect and offer compensation, we are unqualified to serve the divinity of providence.”
“If you put it that way, I understand. Thank you for looking after me.”
“Then…”
Kang Seo-dam called over Cha Yi-sol and Iruda, who were waiting on the sofa.
“Brother Cha Yi-sol and Sister Iruda, would you like to offer a brief greeting to your sponsor?”
“Yes! I want to!”
“I-I would also like to, for a moment…”
The two of them crept closer and bowed their heads.
“I’ll graduate early within three years and come find you!” Cha Yi-sol declared.
“Won’t we see each other before then?” Gio asked.
“Thank you for your immense kindness,” Iruda said quietly.
“Such polar opposite greetings,” Gio remarked. In any case, he liked it. “May the light of the Sun reach you.”
Having blessed their future, Seo Gio then looked directly at Cha Yi-sol.
“Do you have nightmares?”
“Not at all.”
“Does the Sun love you?”
“Yes, very much!”
“Your vessel has grown larger.”
It was the work of his father, the Sun.
“……”
In the end, he was right.
*
Basement Level 5 Gallery.
“What is the proper attitude a god should adopt?”
“What kind of conversation did you have with the Goddess of the Sun to be asking a question like that?” Yoo Seong-un, visiting ‘Gio’s Portrait’ for the first time in a while, asked, dumbfounded.