Chapter 18: The Purge Operation
I ended up not sleeping much and had to wake up early anyway.
Who was that? It wasn't Choi Joo-bong's voice...
Was it the scream of someone I'd killed in past regressions?
Was it the divine power surging through me right after becoming the Hero that brought on this new guilt I hadn't noticed before, manifesting as a nightmare?
No matter how much I ruminated alone on those old days, with all the sins I'd committed, I couldn't even guess who it might have been.
Don't think about it anymore. It was just a dream.
By the time the holy knight appointed as my adjutant entered in the morning, I'd come to that conclusion.
Today, I planned to tag along moderately with the so-called "Black Sheep" purge operation run by the Gaon of Light Church.
I didn't know how reliable their intelligence was, but considering past regressions, it was probably just one of countless false leads, so I wasn't tense about it.
There's no way they'd actually track me down.
Still, there were several advantages to operating with them. I could solidify my identity as the Hero in their minds and borrow their organization to wipe out the Inspectorate Church.
Above all, I need a fake to prop up.
The demons of the Inspectorate Church were perfect for turning into puppets with Death Terraforming.
With those thoughts, I boarded the mobile bus heading to Ansan.
Clue on the Prophecy Bureau leaked from the Black Sheep Salvation Church and the Black Sheep.
The combination of those two entities was judged by Jeong Hyun-seop and the special forces team to be a major incident that could shake global safety and peace.
"We can't let the Inspectorate Church find the Black Sheep first."
But realistically, the chances of locating the long-elusive Black Sheep today were slim to none.
Still, with the Hero stepping up, they had to salvage something to save face.
If they could at least purge the Inspectorate Church, it wouldn't be a total washout. So the First Knight Order, special forces, and personnel handled the church purge, while Shin Yu-ra and I took charge of searching for and contacting the Black Sheep.
"If you spot the Black Sheep, do not engage first under any circumstances. You must coordinate with us for a safe takedown."
Jeong Hyun-seop had emphasized that our mission ended at spotting and reporting—no direct confrontation.
Of course, I had no intention of doing that anyway.
I needed to wipe out the Black Sheepand the Inspectorate Church, then quickly upload to the codex and enjoy happy days with my brother.
But when I said as much, Shin Yu-ra shook her head.
"We don't know how much firepower the Inspectorate Church has deployed. Each branch is clamoring to find the Black Sheep first and claim credit. The Hunter Association's estimates are likely exceeded—they've probably mobilized in force."
She was right; the Inspectorate Church networks lurking in society's shadows might all be activated. But their odds of finding the Black Sheep were zero from the start.
Because I'm the Black Sheep.
On the contrary, purging them now while they'd surfaced would preempt the massive societal chaos later.
In the afternoon, Shin Yu-ra and I patrolled the outskirts of Ansan City, tracking Inspectorate Church traces.
"......"
I gazed bitterly at the outskirts of the building where I'd been trapped for 998 regressions.
The early days dragged here after being brought to Ansan, when their actions made it seem like they revered me as the Black Sheep, drawing me deeper into corruption.
I'll admit it honestly.
In past regressions, mentally corrupted, I never thought to stop or avoid the Inspectorate Church's myriad atrocities.
Whenever sanity returned, I'd drown in self-loathing at the blood on my hands.
Got to wipe the black history clean.
But the mention of the Black Sheep here unsettled me. It could be baseless rumor, but given the location, it felt ominous.
My tasks were set: verify any info on me from the Inspectorate Church, and prop up a solid fake Demon King to exterminate them with forever.
"Do you think the Black Sheep really appeared, Mu-hyuk-ssi?"
"Probably. That's why I awakened as the Hero, right?"
"I see. I don't think it did."
Why did she think the Black Sheep wouldn't show?
"Intel on the Black Sheep manifesting has circulated for ages, but it's never been real. Mostly imposters. With the Prophecy Bureau ability users pushing hard this time, it might be legit—but not showing despite the massive hunt suggests otherwise..."
Shin Yu-ra fixed her sharp eyes on me.
"The Black Sheep doesn't seem to want its identity exposed. Or to be tied too closely to the Inspectorate Church."
"......"
This woman always surprised me, speaking truth without knowing it. Same in past and this regression.
What if my Black Sheep identity leaked? If they learned I was the regressed Demon King?
"One thing's clear: as a Demon King candidate, it'll be a chillingly cruel villain. We must capture and eliminate it."
"......"
Yeah, revealing I was the Black Sheep would bring nothing good.
"No word from the agent infiltrating the Inspectorate Church chapel."
"True. They'd have radioed if something happened."
"I'll check it out."
"Wait a bit longer?"
I shook my head and checked my watch.
"No time to delay if I want everything wrapped by week's end. I'll scout the chapel and radio if there's trouble."
"Understood, Hero-nim."
Leaving Shin Yu-ra—who called me Hero-nim—my face slightly flushed, I opened the Inspectorate Church chapel door.
The acrid blood stench confirmed this was their lair.
That familiar, gut-churning smell reminded me I wasn't just a Hero—I was a Demon King—stirring deep disgust.
Heading to the last reported agent location, I kept checking the radio.
The infiltrator hadn't responded past the deadline.
Then, arriving at the massive worship hall, the radio crackled.
The agent's frantic voice begged for help—said comms were jammed.
From the altar, a blood-soaked, mangled figure staggered toward me.
"You're the Hero, right? I'm Han Kyung-sik, special forces agent from Ansan Hunter Association."
"Yes, the Hero awakener."
"Alone?"
"Yes. No contact with the infiltration team, so I came first."
"Ah!"
Han Kyung-sik frowned darkly, deeming the lone Hero insufficient.
"What's the situation?"
"The Inspectorate Church scum caught on and ambushed us. Three times more followers than intel suggested—they overwhelmed us. Our agents fought hard, but thirty died or were captured."
"Any sign of the Black Sheep?"
"Doesn't seem to be here."
"Then the op's a failure. No Black Sheep."
"Yes... probably."
Han Kyung-sik hung his head, face regretful.
I watched him a moment, then said,
"Guide me to where the Inspectorate Church followers are gathered."
"Better to retreat."
"We have to rescue the captured agents. Please lead."
"......Fine."
Following the reluctant agent, I scanned his info.
Reserve priest means he's been a follower over a year.
As we walked, fresh blood stuck to the cement floor from recent battle.
Around twenty followers circled the worship hall exterior, on guard.
"Captured agents are locked in the prayer room that way. About sixty Inspectorate Church followers."
"Got it."
"Whew! This place is too dangerous for you alone, Hero-nim. Better retreat and request backup from Team Leader Shin..."
Before he finished, I swung, slamming my fist into his gut.
Thud!
The divine-powered punch pierced skin, pulverizing ribs, organs, and spine into mush.
"Gah! Wh-what...!"
"Inspectorate Church followers aren't human to me."
"H-how did you...!"
"Because I'm not just the Hero."
Before my words ended, Han Kyung-sik's life snuffed out.
I'd vowed not to harm human lives—but only the innocent.
The church master chose me over the righteous precisely because I'd be ruthless against evil.
For those turned bloodthirsty demons by dark energy, death was the greatest mercy.
That was the Hero's duty, forged through holy knight and inquisitor trials, I concluded.
Now, conditions were set for solo action.
To buy time, radio Shin Yu-ra.
But radio was dead. The whole chapel jammed signals. If even I couldn't report, she'd notice and storm in soon.
Limited time before she arrived.
About sixty Inspectorate Church followers detected here.
One would make a fine puppet Demon King.
Approaching the entrance guards, I scanned for Demon King-worthy appearances.
* * *
In past regressions destroying the world, what favored me most was holy knights valuing human life more than expected.
Precisely, Gaon of Light Hunters, holy knights, and Heroes avoided excessive force against villains or Inspectorate Church, fearing backlash.
Fear of divine abandonment for spilling blood weakened their hands.
Least criticized method: capture villains unharmed, or minimize injury.
Result: seen as incompetent by civilians, while Inspectorate grew daily.
But now I'm the Hero.
I don't fear criticism or divine reproach.
If my life felt threatened mid-op, I'd eliminate villains without hesitation. Whether they truly threatened me was doubtful, but anyway.
I'm the Hero; you're Demon King's villain minions.
No mercy, no sparing.
"Ah, demon!"
"Who're you calling demon? Don't wanna hear that from scum like you."
Villain patterns were predictable: charge boldly, then panic with nonsense when attacks failed on me or stronger allies.
I held the entrance, granting them holy rest.
"No time. Gotta move this week."
Holy punches crushed occiputs.
Thwack! Thwack!
"Gotta pack."
BOOM!
"Redo the interior."
KABOOM!
"Aaaagh!"
Tedious handling few foes with divine power—Hero skills were overkill like meteors or storms.
Ended up like a fist-showing "big bro," but whatever—I'm the Hero.
Left only Ansan-Siheung chief priests, approached them.
Seeing blood on my fist vaporize holy, they paled, backing away.
"D-don't come! Know who's behind us?"
"The great Black Sheep stands behind us!"
Hm, that Black Sheep's in front, not behind.
"Spill what you know on the Black Sheep. Good info, you live."
"Like we'd tell trash like you...!"
Crunch!
Thud thud...
Holy fist shattered his skull, dropping blood and chunks, flashing white.
I eyed the remaining chief priest.
"Don't wanna talk? Fine. Not that important anyway."
"I-I'll talk! Spare me!"
"Eh? Really? Well, spit it out."
"S-someone named Baldr is hunting the Black Sheep!"
A totally unexpected name popped out.
"Baldr?"