Chapter 92
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Cult Assembly
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Heh heh, quite the crowd.
The man grinning at those gathered for the assembly was Bellum, the organizer of this event.
NPC Information
-Nickname: Bellum
-Level: 200
-Job: Black Mage (Mind Domination)
In truth, he was a Black Mage who had specialized in mind domination.
This assembly was essentially an overlay to reinforce the brainwashing.
As long as it pays.
That was the reason he was doing this workpure profit.
The amount he raked in from each session was beyond imagination.
This particular job had required quite the effort, too.
It was missionary work targeting the temples of the Merhen Kingdom, no less.
Both the Empire and the kingdoms were deeply devout when it came to religion, so if things went south, he was well and truly screwed.
That was why he had spent months preparing.
But today, a problem had arisen.
Theyve been caught!
What?
He had even prepared threatening letters to the temples to divert attention.
Yet before it could even begin, his hidden operatives had been exposed and arrested.
The temples had even recovered the explosive stones he had prepared.
How the hell did they find out?
What should we do about tonights assembly?
We proceed.
No one could enter the assembly without the black magic mark he had personally inscribed.
It would be safe.
...Are you sure?
We have no choice.
Their faith was beyond imagination.
Not a single one among them didnt worship a god, and they were all devout believers to a fault.
Brainwashing people like that wasnt easy.
It wasnt a one-and-done deal; he had to hold periodic assemblies to recharge the marks with power.
And so midnight arrived.
Even after the assembly began, Bellum didnt show himself, instead observing the atmosphere from nearby.
If they knew, theyd try a raid for sure.
Only a fool would reveal himself.
Yet even after a long wait, nothing seemed amiss.
...Do they not know?
Bellum tilted his head in confusion.
Scan.
His mana swept over the area.
As expected, nothing unusual turned up.
The marks were intact.
Looks like theyre keeping their mouths shut.
The corner of Bellums mouth curled up slyly.
He slowly donned the mask tucked at his waist and stepped forward.
!!
Those who spotted Bellum erupted in cheers.
At the same time, they placed pouches containing their gold and silver coins at their feet and raised their arms high to the sky.
It was a ridiculous ritual meant to await the manifestation of Tenebris.
That was when it happened.
Having fun?
With those words, Bellums face whipped to the side.
He had taken a punch to the face.
Bingo.
Black Mage Bellum.
This guy had to be the one behind the assembly.
He was likely acting as the cult leader, too.
W-Who the hell are you?!
Bellum shouted urgently.
Who else? Im from the temple, here to take you in.
Bellums face drained of color as Jeong Hoon flashed a grin.
Not only had the temple found out, but they had set up a perfect ambush.
How did you... the mark...?
No idea how you made it, but it was pretty sloppy.
Jeong Hoon showed the mark on his wrist.
Bellum immediately recognized it as a fake.
Damn it, they didnt spot that crude imitation!
Of course, the mark was so intricately crafted that no one but him could tell it apart.
Plus, its mana wavelength matched 99.99, so it hadnt triggered any alarms.
W-Who are you!
How dare you touch the Leader!
Those at the assembly glared at Jeong Hoon with murderous intent.
They looked ready to charge at any moment, boosting Bellums confidence.
With numbers like this, escaping would be a breeze.
Heh heh, so how exactly do you plan to take me? You think my followers will just stand by?
Bellum signaled to one of his underlings hiding in the crowd.
Pick up the money pouches on the ground.
Got it!
The sharp underling began stealthily collecting the pouches.
Really? Guess Ill have to overwhelm you with numbers, then.
Jeong Hoon casually summoned Michael.
Michael popped into existence in empty space, leaving everyones faces etched with bewilderment.
You called?
Yeah. All these people? Hardcore cult fanatics. They need some re-education.
Ah, now thats my specialty.
And one of thems probably grabbing those money pouches. Feel free to kill that one.
Yes, sir!
How?!
Bellum stared at Jeong Hoon in shock.
Too early to be surprised.
Jeong Hoon nodded toward the followers.
Ghostly apparitions materialized above them, then pounced all at once!
Argh!
W-What is this?!
Leader! Save us! Please save us!
Aaah!
Some were grabbed by the hair and dragged across the ground by ghosts, while others took hits from clubs wielded by the spirits.
Bellum could only stare blankly at the chaos unfolding before him.
Alright, your turn now?
Jeong Hoon pulled out the chains he had gotten from Uira.
Bellum recognized them and thrashed about, trying to detonate his mana.
Jeong Hoon countered with holy power, instantly suppressing it.
The technique required far superior skill to the opponents, along with precise knowledge of their paths.
Bellums eyes bulged wide.
Who the hell are... Gahk!
His words cut off.
Jeong Hoon had struck his solar plexus with Myeongwang Fist Technique.
Hoon! Got this bastard!
Just then, Ha-jin dragged over Bellums underling, bound tight.
NPC Information
-Nickname: Gurinu
-Level: 130
-Job: Bellums Underling
It was one of Bellums underlings, alright.
Nice, howd you spot him?
Caught him sneaking the money pouches. Thought he was just a local at first, but after one smack, his job changed.
Good work.
By the way, that guy next to him the big fish from the assembly?
Yeah.
Jeong Hoon finished wrapping the chains around Bellums wrists as he foamed at the mouth.
Psyche Temple.
Saintess Uira had been sitting quietly in the reception room for hours.
Saintess, please rest...
Its fine. Hell be at the assembly, so we should hear the results soon.
She was waiting for the outsider.
The holy knights looked displeased.
Wouldnt it have been better if we went?
Agreed. Catching the ringleader with just two seems impossible.
They had already confirmed numerous locals had fallen to the cult.
With the temple just sitting idle, complaints were pouring in from the Merhen Kingdom.
Why wasnt the temple doing anything?
Watch and wait. This is not for you to act upon.
Yet they couldnt intervene due to Psyches oracle.
Psyche had ordered them to observe the foolish Black Mages antics and guide the outsider to handle it.
Uira had no other choice.
Itll be fine.
Understood...
Though frustrated, the holy knights couldnt defy the Saintess and stepped back.
As she had said, the outsider soon returnednot alone, but with Bellum, his underling, and all the brainwashed fanatics in tow.
This is the one who organized the assembly.
Jeong Hoon pointed to Bellum, bound in chains.
Is he?
Uira fixed Bellum with cold eyes.
Bellum shuddered, snapping his eyes open.
Eek! Hic!
He hiccuped in fright, prompting a holy knight to draw his sword and press it to Bellums throat.
Shall I end him?
No. We interrogate first to confirm.
She wanted nothing more than to kill him over and over, but she had devoted herself to the faith.
She couldnt let personal feelings take over.
Take him away.
The holy knight dragged Bellum to the underground prison.
What about the rest?
Jeong Hoon now pointed to the cult fanatics.
...What did you do to them?
Pardon?
Why do they all look so out of it?
Even to Uira, the fanatics states were far from normal.
Their souls seemed half-gone; they couldnt even converse.
Just a little mental re-education.
Jeong Hoon pointed to Michael standing behind him.
...Yes. That was me.
Michael nodded with a reluctant expression.
Truth be told, he had dreaded even visiting the temple.
Master... I dont like temples...
Why?
Im a Black Mage, arent I? And the temple folks are all crazy.
Yeah?
Yes! Theyre obsessed with their god. Theyd die if it told them to!
Come anyway.
Ugh... I really hate this...
Dragged along against his will, Michael explained that he had undone the brainwashing with necromancy.
Their current dazed state was due to the layered brainwashing from months of sessions unraveling all at once.
They would recover soon enough.
Thank you so much.
A smile graced Uiras lips.
Her beauty left Ha-jin and Michael momentarily stunned.
Watch out. Fall for that, and shell take your liver and gall bladder.
You werent popular, huh?
Me? Get real. Back in my youth, walking down the street had young ladies eyes turning to hearts as they twisted their bodies.
...Youre a weirdo. Wouldve ditched you if not for the armor.
Whats with that attitude?
Shocked into silence, Mukho shut up.
Jeong Hoon chuckled and noted the blinking exclamation mark above Uiras head.
Quest completed.
The Golden Temples doors open.
Golden Temple.
It was the deep treasure vault within the Psyche Temple.
As a reward, Ill open the Golden Temple.
The priests nearby jumped in shock at Uiras bold offer.
S-Saintess?!
The Golden Temple?!
This is insane... Whoa! Almost swore...!
Even those in the Psyche Temple rarely saw the Golden Temple once in a lifetime.
And now it was opening.
Thats how New World works.
This New World focused on player growth.
With the quest complete, the Golden Temple had to open.
Its Psyches oracle. I will open the Golden Temple.
Uira immediately announced the opening.
That dawn, the Psyche Temple erupted in chaos over the Golden Temple.
Priests and apprentices bolted from their dorms, while holy knights rushed from night snacks post-shift.
Whats going on?
No idea... Outsider caught the cult, so reward time.
The cult? That Tenebris bunch?
Heard they brainwashed locals into forced recruits.
Brainwashing? Fucking bastards. Wanna fold em in half.
Hey, before Psyche. Mind your language.
Here they come!
Uira arrived at the Golden Temples doors with Jeong Hoon and Ha-jin.
Gulp.
Ha-jin swallowed hard at the massive golden structure.
Dude, your eyes are glazing over.
Cant help it.
Jeong Hoon barely held back his own awe.
Even Saintess Amelie had never entered the Golden Temple.
No one ever had.
In the future, it had been found as a dungeon.
But it had been looted clean, with rampaging monsters born from the chaos guarding it.
This was his first time seeing the intact Golden Temple, pre- or post-regression.
The Golden Temple stays open for exactly ten minutes.
Uira explained.
Upon entry, you get ten minutes.
You pick one item inside, and it ejects you automatically.
Is that all?
Uira finished her explanation.
Yes.
Jeong Hoon and Ha-jin nodded.
Then Ill open it.
Uira approached the Golden Temple.
She didnt open it with her own power.
She wished for it to open, and Psyche permitted it.
Psyche permits the opening of the Golden Temples doors.