The Sun Temple's Arrogance
Albert didn't tolerate the Sun Temple. The temple that worshiped the sun god, Solar, commanded hundreds of thousands of followers and wielded the greatest influence and power among all temples. It was welcomed by commoners for its warm benevolence and grace, much like the sun itself. 'Famous for healing magic and paladins, wasn't it?' The blazing flames of the sun delivered merciless punishment to opposing enemies, while the warm sunlight gently embraced the weary and injured. Here, the sun's flames referred to paladins, and sunlight to priests wielding healing magic.
Albert looked around. People had gathered in front of the library but were blocked by paladins from entering. Albert asked, “Hey, UV. Why can't we go in?”
“UV? What does that mean?”
“UV is UV. What else would it be.”
Why are the paladins UV?
‘Because they're low quality.’
But UV has good effects too…….
‘Bad effects too. It's not good to be exposed for too long.’
That's true. Hmm, in short, these paladins are bad paladins?
‘Right.’ It was obvious they were up to no good. That picky face and those eyes that looked down on people they'd just met. They compared themselves as paladins to others, drunk on superiority. Like the sun shining its fair warm light, the Sun Temple, which should maintain neutrality and always be fair, was tilted to one side. Because of that, a shadow had fallen on one side of the warm light that everyone should receive. ‘The side receiving the light is the nobles, and the side not receiving it is the commoners.’
As expected, old places tend to rot.
‘Because the ones who should be in neutral gear are putting it in drive and flooring the accelerator.’ The ones who should be in neutral more than anyone else were putting it in drive and flooring the accelerator. In many ways, they were annoying to get involved with.
“I don't understand what you're saying. Anyway, this area is off-limits.”
“Off-limits?”
“The library is currently rented out by our Sun Temple. No one but related parties can enter.”
“You rented the library? Is that possible? Since the library is a shared facility, it's impossible for someone to rent it privately, right?”
“That's right!”
“Why are you blocking us from using the library!!”
“That's right, that's right!! Kingdom law clearly states that shared facilities cannot be rented by specific individuals!!”
“Let us in too!!! We have assignments to do!!”
“If we don't submit our assignments this time, we're done for! Are you going to take responsibility for our grades!!”
“I was reading a book! And you just kicked me out!!”
“That's right!”
The people behind started protesting. In response, a sharp aura emanated from the paladins blocking the front, overwhelming the crowd. Pressed by that spirit, the protesters fell silent.
“Didn't I make it clear? You can't use the library today. Are you challenging the Sun Temple right now?”
The paladins each placed their hands on their sword hilts. Showing that they could draw their swords at any time, they threatened the people. They had no choice but to hesitate. As expected of paladins representing the Sun Temple, their martial prowess was reputed to be stronger than ordinary knights. They couldn't recklessly charge in, and even if they did, they didn't know what penalties would be given.
“Tsk, troublesome folks. This is why the lower classes won't do. They don't understand when you talk to them.”
The paladin turned his head to look at Albert. “If you don't want to get hurt too, get lost.”
“Why should I? I'm going into the library?”
“Hah……”
The paladin had an expression as if wondering if this guy didn't understand words. But soon, he scanned Albert's clothes and face, and asked with a 'maybe?' thought. “Are you a noble?”
“So what?”
“What title?”
“Baron.”
“Pfft…… A baron.”
He openly sneered at Albert. “I wondered why you were being so stubborn, turns out it's because you're a noble. Nobles are nobles, but a mere baron's family……” Thinking of the Sun Temple's achievements and glory, a baron's power couldn't possibly compare. At least an earl's level would have some weight in their voice. To them, a baron was no different from a commoner.
Even in a class society, a baron is still a noble, but this is the first time being ignored like this.
‘Because the Sun Temple is that powerful.’
What exactly is the Sun Temple?
‘Read about it in a book later. It's annoying to explain.’
Boo! That's too much!
‘Whatever.’ The library was occupied by the Sun Temple. ‘There seem to be quite a few paladins and priests inside, but why are they blocking it like this?’
I can feel a particularly strong power.
Analyzing……
It seems like an S-rank tracker?
‘Not certain?’
Because there's insufficient information.
And a strange power is interfering with the analysis.
‘Interfering with your analysis?’ It was surprising. Back in the other world, no one had ever been able to block the System's analysis until now. Not even SSS-rank monsters. Not even EX-rank monsters. Even among hunters, no one could block the System's analysis, but this was the first time it was interfered with. ‘Is it because your authority is low?’
There's that too…….
I can't explain it accurately.
‘What the hell is it?’
“Hey, didn't I clearly tell you to get lost?” The paladin looked at Albert with displeasure. He seemed very annoyed that Albert still hadn't left despite being told so. “Whether you're a noble or whatever doesn't matter. You can't use this place today all the same. So……” As if completely looking down on Albert, the paladin poked his forehead with a finger. “Get lost. Don't act up relying on that pathetic title.”
“……”
Hearing that, Albert turned his body.
“Pfft, if a guy becomes a man, this much would hurt his pride, but he's got no backbone.” It was clearly a mocking tone, and the surrounding people also murmured and sneered at him. But Albert endured that humiliation and disgrace as if it was nothing. The one surprised was, rather, the System.
You're enduring this?
Albert-nim?
(O_O)?!
An incredulous tone. It was natural. Until now, Albert's personality was such that he wouldn't endure unless it was something extraordinary. He had persistence, but patience was far from him. Fists over words. Rather than enduring and getting stressed, he'd relieve the stress immediately and deal with the aftermath later. Because of that, how much had Han Yeseul and Kang Min-seob suffered? It's no exaggeration to say that Albert accounted for 99.99% of their hair loss. And now Albert was enduring this humiliation?
Y-you, who are you! Who are you! Where's our Albert-nim!?
‘What nonsense is this?’
Who are you, how are you talking to me!?
Where's our Albert-nim!? This fake!
‘Fake or whatever, I'm the real one, what are you saying.’
There's no way you're real! Albert-nim would never endure such humiliation!!
‘Endure? Who?’
But aren't you just leaving now?
‘No way.’ Albert hid in an invisible alley and opened his dimensional storage. In the endless black infinite warehouse, Albert took out a mask.
That's…….
A mask with a red background painted yellow.
It's the Eye X Man mask……?
It was the Eye X Man mask. One of the ones used for concept play in gates in the other world, just for fun. ‘Why that…… suddenly?’
“There's nothing like a hero for dealing with enemies.”
Don't tell me…….
“The reason I retreated was……” Albert put on the Eye X Man mask, slightly changed his outfit, and continued. “To gain momentum for transformation.” He had no intention of enduring.
* * *
Albert wearing the Eye X Man mask headed back to the library. As expected, a paladin blocked him. “This area is off-limits.” Unfortunately, it was a different paladin from the one who blocked Albert earlier.
“Isn't this a shared facility that everyone can use together? Even the Sun Temple, isn't this tyranny?”
“Haa…… Why are you being so troublesome today of all days?”
The paladin half-drew his sword and threatened Albert with a sharp aura. “Don't annoy me and get lost, if you don't want to die. This is something our Sun Temple is doing. If you bother us any more, I'll judge you as a heretic.”
“Heretic……. By the way…… Drawing your sword halfway means you're clearly trying to attack me, right?”
“What?”
“What do you mean what, now you're going to get beaten.”
Albert's hand moved like lightning. In an instant, the paladin tried to move reflexively, recognizing the attack, but it was a meaningless resistance. The moment he thought 'Huh?', he was already caught in Albert's hand. ‘What kind of hand…… I clearly tried to dodge…….’ By the time he realized, he was already caught.
Analyzing.
Most of the paladins are around A-rank hunters.
There are occasional B-rank hunters, at this level they'd be in the top 50 guilds in the other world.
The System's habitual analysis began. Occupational disease at this level was almost a chronic illness. An incurable disease that couldn't be fixed. When there was an enemy, it would analyze the opponent without him knowing and inform Albert. At this point, it was an obsession. Compulsion.
Kwaaaang!! An impact strong enough to shake the ground. People couldn't help but be surprised. Seeing a person's head embedded in the hard ground, anyone who wasn't surprised would be even more surprising.
“You bastard!”
“How dare you attack a paladin of the Sun Temple!?”
“Attack? This guy threatened me first. All I did was defend myself legitimately and protect my body.”
That level of self-defense, isn't it excessive defense?
‘……Should I just go back?’
You did well!!
Those guys are the bad ones!!
How dare they occupy the library! That's a crime!!
Hurry up and teach them a lesson!
٩(๑•̀o•́๑)و ٩(๑•̀o•́๑)و
Because the one most desperate for books was the System, the attitude change was quick. Albert looked ahead. The paladins, faces distorted with anger, each drew their weapons and emitted strong hostility.
“Injuring a paladin of the Sun Temple, you heretic bastard!!”
“How dare you!”
“Cowardly bastard! Reveal your identity!”
At the paladins' sharp shouts, Albert scratched his ear as if annoyed by a mosquito buzzing. “Are you idiots?”
“What?”
“The fact that you came out wearing a mask in the first place means you had no intention of revealing your identity from the beginning. It's something you can tell with a little thought……” He clicked his tongue, as if it was pathetic. Did he really have to say this? Wearing a mask and hiding his identity from the start, who would reveal it?
“I don't know who you are, but having injured a paladin of the Sun Temple, you won't be able to return alive!”
“This heretic bastard!”
“Kill him!”
“Long live the sun!!!”
The aura mixed with strong killing intent that seemed to slice off skin with a knife. For others, it would be intense enough that their legs would go weak and they'd faint on the spot or even have an accident, which wouldn't be strange. But.
“Haaam……” Albert, who had conquered numerous gates and fought and won against divine beings trying to destroy the world. To such an Albert, that killing intent and aura was nothing more than a child's sharp tantrum. Albert, who lightly yawned, clicked his tongue as if annoyed. ‘It's really hard to just use the library once.’ Still, what could he do. He couldn't back down here.
You promised me!
You said you'd definitely show me books today!
“Yeah.” ‘Promises are precious. And touching my head crossed the line.’
Albert-nim, it seems like you're more angry about having your head touched…….
You're angry to keep your promise to me, right?
R-right……?
The System asked, but no answer came back. His gaze was fixed on one guy. The paladin who had poked Albert's forehead with his finger at the beginning. He didn't care about the others, but that guy had to be dealt with.
Again…… Your personality is coming out.
The System seemed to be sighing ‘Haa…….’ There were occasional incidents like this in the other world too, but Albert wouldn't discriminate in means and methods to catch that guy.
Trying to catch a flea and burning down the whole thatched house…….
Even if the opponent was a large guild. Even if it was a country, Albert would go after the one who targeted him without hesitation and beat them up. If it was a guild, he'd beat all the guild members and deal with the ones above. No one could stop him, an EX-rank hunter. Albert wouldn't stop until he found the guy somehow and beat him up. That tremendous obsession could be called madness without exaggeration. ‘If I mark someone, that guy will definitely get beaten. Even if it's an elementary school student.’ Treating the opponent sincerely no matter who they were. That was Albert. ‘You're dead to me.’
The paladin who became Albert's target this time felt a chill from that sharp gaze. The paladin, realizing that the black eyes visible beyond the mask were intensely staring at him, had a bewildered expression. “Me…… why?” He was destined to be beaten without knowing why. ‘The marked one gets beaten for sure.’ At the gaze of mad obsession, the paladin had no choice but to tremble with fear. He didn't know what it was, but. ‘Sh-should I apologize first?’ Of course, whether the other would accept it was another matter.