Didn't Expect to Use It This Soon
'Didn't expect to have to use it this soon.'
No matter how much it was a symbol of goodwill from Eden, abusing it too often would surely diminish the benefits over time. It was a painful situation where even one opportunity lost would sting.
'If I overuse it, will I end up on a blacklist or something?' Or maybe they'd demand it back. Well, not that it mattered anymore—she'd already synthesized it.
"Woooah! Eden's with us! Eden! Eden!"
"Her beauty is holy!"
"Whoa, isn't this totally Joan of Arc?"
"You idiot, Joan of Arc got burned at the stake!"
"Anyway, she's sacred! Amen!"
In any case, the effect of Binding Gratitude was tremendous. The atmosphere heated up in an instant.
'Alright, the situation looks good for now.'
Honestly, it was an uncomfortable spot. Not because of complicated relationships or circumstances—just a matter of experience. As a veteran hunter who'd rolled around like a dog, she sometimes ended up in a leadership role. But even then, it was only a handful of times you could count on one hand.
So receiving the attention of such a massive crowd was, well...
'A bit... embarrassing.'
And this outfit. On second thought, wasn't it standing out too much everywhere? If the coat had been just a little bigger, she could've buttoned it up.
"Unnie, you're so pretty!"
As if piercing right through Yeonwoo's thoughts, someone shouted words of encouragement at the top of their lungs.
'Where the hell have you been following me from?'
The words were appreciated, though. In any event, the reason she'd chosen this uncomfortable position was all about speed. Suspicion was like a stain that didn't wash off easily once it set in, stirring up useless distractions every time you saw the mark.
So, without giving them a chance to suspect anything. She had to shape the atmosphere as quickly as possible. Create an air where everyone took it for granted.
'To do that, I can't give them a moment's rest.'
Yeonwoo shook Binding Gratitude while scanning the situation. First up were the reactions from Eden and Mikael.
"Ah, no..."
Mikael muttered in a daze. Eden's affiliates quickly gathered around him, chattering nonstop and even gesturing wildly with their arms.
It couldn't be helped. No matter how massive Eden was, it was ultimately a hunter company centered around religion.
Even without Yeonwoo pulling out Binding Gratitude, they would've helped people anyway. But there was such a thing as the situation at hand. They had vast manpower, relief supplies, and resources. Still, they needed to assess and ration carefully. Self-sacrifice under the guise of service was out of the question. At the very least, they should secure their own path to survival first, then walk together in symbiosis.
It was only natural. This was inside a Gate, after all.
But suddenly, the brake had shattered. And now, the credit was being shared with Yeonwoo.
'Guess I have to take responsibility too.'
With that resolve, Yeonwoo tapped her earring after much deliberation.
Plop plop—!
Clang!
Weapons of all kinds tumbled from her Bag onto the ground. Iron swords. Iron greatswords. Iron bows. More iron swords. Spears. Daggers. Swords. And so on. Every single one was an iron weapon.
Thanks to that, she could see the hunters' weapon preferences at a glance.
"I'll empty out everything I have too."
Yeonwoo replied with shameless brazenness that sent chills down spines. She even said it in a soft, polite tone.
'It was an emergency back then.'
Chased by swarms of ants, there'd been no choice. This was one of the lessons: Hunters were unknown entities that could change unpredictably at any moment. For the sake of smooth future relations, you couldn't always be nice, but you at least shouldn't be rude.
'...Me?'
She'd ended up changing into this utterly unexpected form. Come to think of it, that was her, wasn't it? Was this lesson even necessary for her?
"Feel free to take whatever you need."
Anyway, Yeonwoo piled up the iron weapons and made a show of it, spreading her arms wide with a beaming smile.
"...Isn't that the one I gave you?"
"It's not like I was using it, so no loss there, but... hmm."
It was naturally a ridiculous sight for the original owners. Of course, it was a token of gratitude for saving their lives, and it was being put to good use. But just as an odd feeling started to creep in...
"Um, excuse me... could I take just one dagger...?"
A female hunter timidly raised her hand, glancing around nervously. Hunched up in tension, she looked just like a squirrel.
"Of course."
Yeonwoo picked up an iron dagger and strode over with a triumphant smile.
'There are people who wanted one but couldn't get it.'
Hunter support programs provided weapons, but some hunters couldn't wait in the endless lines and headed straight to Gates. Even basic gear was far better than weird stuff. Soap bubbles or sparkly junk? A low-grade cutting edge was a thousand times superior.
And most importantly: it was free. Hell, you could sell it for profit.
'There goes my meal money.'
But it was a small price for greater rewards. Yeonwoo approached the woman and held out the iron dagger.
"Ahh."
She didn't take it. Instead, she dropped to one knee and clasped her hands together.
'Someone needed the Iron series this badly?'
Yeonwoo had figured there'd be takers, but this level of desperation?
Yeonwoo placed the dagger in her outstretched hands. The woman's eyes gleamed.
"Th-thank you. I'll treasure it forever. Really."
"Glad it helps."
"Yes! I'll even sleep with it in my arms. Heh heh..."
"What? You'll get hu—"
Without letting her finish, the woman vanished into the crowd with nimble movements—a far cry from how she'd approached.
Yeonwoo's eyes narrowed.
'That woman's sold her soul for pocket change.'
Those moves didn't belong to someone who needed an iron dagger. She was clearly planning to sell it.
"M-me too, please!"
But thanks to that first customer breaking the ice, the hesitant hunters started edging forward.
"......"
"......"
Yet when they reached the pile, they just eyed it without touching anything.
"Take it. Why not."
"No, it's just... the iron mace..."
"Jeez."
It was pathetic watching grown adults fidget. Worried about losing momentum, Yeonwoo snatched up the iron mace and handed it over.
"I see you, man!"
The guy suddenly thrust his arm high, face beaming with joy as he brandished the mace and dashed off excitedly.
"What the hell's that about?"
"...Could you spare one?"
Before she could dwell on it, the next customer approached—an all-too-familiar face, one of the original donors.
"Hey, that's the weapon you just gave me."
"Th-that was then, this is now—the value's different!"
It was absurd, but if they wanted it, she gave it. They sold like hotcakes after that, and soon the iron weapons were gone.
"Damn it, right in front of me!"
"I was one step away...!"
The ones left empty-handed shot ominous glares.
'No helping it.'
Yeonwoo closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath—puuuh—and tapped her earring with resolve.
Plop plop.
Green Calorie Bars piled up on the ground. All apple-flavored.
"Oh, that!"
"Apple flavor! All apple!"
The impact of apple flavor was immense. Hunters' eyes lit up the moment they saw the green wrappers.
No matter their rank or strength, delicious things were irresistible.
"No wonder I couldn't find any—they were all here!"
"You idiot! That's a miracle."
"Huh, yeah?"
"Eden's higher-ups changed them all to apple flavor!"
"Ah, aah."
Some hunters immediately clasped their hands in prayer. They might not buy the flavor change, but that reverent, sacred pose? Totally believable.
"Could I join Eden by any chance?"
"Well, we're not like regular churches, so..."
The quick ones even approached Eden affiliates to inquire about joining. Of course, Eden couldn't take just anyone since it was a hunter group tied to the church.
'Why are they acting like that?'
It hurt to give away the Calorie Bars, but it was an investment for the future. Though at the time, she had no idea this would earn her the weird nickname "Saint of the Ant Nest"...
With Yeonwoo personally distributing her belongings and the mood loosening up...
"......"
Some gazes turned elsewhere—toward Eden, the main force behind the aid. Especially Mikael and the affiliates deep in heated conversation.
"Mikael-nim. Why did you use Binding Gratitude?"
"We can't act without discussion."
"But she qualifies. How many lives has she saved already—and will save in the future...?"
Mikael offered excuses, but the affiliates' momentum didn't wane.
"Even so, wielding authority arbitrarily like that is unacceptable."
"We're here to bestow God's grace, but we must assess the situation coldly right now."
"We're not saying not to save them, Mikael-nim. To save more, we need realistic measures and control!"
Naturally, voices rose higher. So some hunters thought:
"Then."
Not through Yeonwoo's words. They wanted true confirmation of that holy will through Eden proper.
"Eden's will is certain... right?"
That one line halted several hunters. Gazes naturally shifted, doubtful eyes turning toward the arguing Mikael and affiliates.
"Oops."
Yeonwoo let out a sigh. She'd meant to smother suspicion, but she hadn't expected them to argue so openly. Now stares at Eden were multiplying.
"It's not too late yet."
"Yes. We can move in earnest once the anomaly resolution takes shape."
"No, we'll handle everything! Surely Yeo—!"
Mikael tried to justify—no, provide reasons and proof. But he couldn't finish.
It hit him: the positive hope and solution for this laughably chaotic mess rested on belief in just one person.
Grind.
Mikael clenched his teeth. His eyes strained, face twisting as if glaring at some invisible foe.
"Mi-Mikael Priest-nim?"
The affiliates sensed the ominous shift. Despite their long time together, they'd never seen this expression—they couldn't hide their bewilderment.
"Then."
Mikael spoke. He removed the glove from his right hand.
"I'll take responsibility."
"Pr-Priest-nim!"
"That's...!"
The affiliates panicked to stop him, but it was futile. Mikael had already raised his right hand dramatically and strode toward Yeonwoo.
He couldn't help it. The frustration boiling deep inside wouldn't stay down. Even natural providence he'd normally accept felt impossible to ignore now.
All because of that one person.
If they hadn't met, he wouldn't feel these emotions. He even felt a twinge of resentment.
So.
"Take responsibility."
You handle it all. Lead everyone openly and save them.
"Eden."
Fwaah.
Light rippled across the back of Mikael's hand. It burrowed in, creating a brilliant fissure.
"Will aid you all with every resource at our disposal."
Mikael traced the holy sign with his remaining hand.
Fwaaah!
The fissure on his hand blazed with intense light, racing across his skin. As the glowing crack extended to his elbow, tearing the flesh...
"St-Stigma...!"
"Ahh... Lord..."
With someone's cry, light scattered everywhere. The luminous particles turned into white feathers, seeping into the hunters' bodies.
"Wh-whoa?!"
A hunter standing crooked from a leg wound straightened in shock. Another with a mangled shoulder tore off his bloodied bandages.
"I-I'm healed. Completely healed!"
"The wounds... all gone..."
It was nothing short of a miracle. As the injured rose, all worries and anxieties vanished, replaced by pure joy.
Yeonwoo could only watch wide-eyed.
'...So this is what Numbers are.'
And this was from the future. Right now, he was merely Tier II. What Stigma and abilities did he hold? It was power on another level entirely.
But great power came with a price.
"Ugh..."
Mikael's face drained pale—nay, turned bluish—after expending vast holy power. His white lashes trembled pitifully as he slowly collapsed toward the ground.
Thud.
Of course, that didn't happen. Warm arms caught him.
"You okay?"
"...Do I look okay?"
"At least your mouth's fine."
"Ha, ha..."
Mikael smiled wryly. It was uncomfortable. Just being in a woman's arms made every cell in his body scream and riot. His heart pounded relentlessly, unpleasantly churning.
But.
Something felt different. The physiological discomfort he usually felt around women and this current unease were somehow distinct sensations.
He couldn't explain precisely, but amid this different discomfort...
"Take... responsibility. Definitely..."
Mikael closed his eyes in Yeonwoo's embrace. That pose resembled the Pietà he'd envisioned countless times—Jesus cradled in Mary's arms.
* * *
And so time passed. Two short days later.
【10】 The camp community quickly yielded results.