F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 117

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"Hey, have you found him?"

"No, not yet!"

"Bring in anyone who look suspicious. If you see a mouse or something, kill it!"

Angry voices echoed from all around. The believers were fervently searching the building like mice. With all doors blocked, there seemed to be no visible escape route for their querry. Then, someone approached Seo Gangrim and spoke.

"Oh, Jeneung-ssi! Where have you been?"

The believer who had brought Kim Jeneung greeted him warmly.

Seo Gangrim, who was trying to hide elsewhere, opened his mouth when he saw him. "I'm searching for the outsider; it seems no one has found him yet."

"Oh, well. I wonder what kind of bastard got in here again..."

Even though there was an intruder right in front of them, the believers' expressions were relaxed. It was because Seo Gangrim had once again transformed into the appearance of Kim Jeneung. In preparation for unexpected situations, Seo Gangrim had his fingernails ready.

A believer tapped his shoulder and said, "Come on, let's muster up the strength and search more. It would be a big problem if they've already left..."

"Yes, I'll keep looking."

Seo Gangrim nodded and pretended to search along with others. While increasing his understanding of the layout of the facility, his mind was racing.

'How is Yu Harang doing now?'

Since she tried to protect him, she must have found herself in a difficult situation. Although she wouldn't face severe punishment since she was treated as the leader of the church, Seo Gangrim was still concerned.

'She hasn't returned to this room.'

Seo Gangrim followed the others back to the leader's room, but there was no one there. It seemed that since her location was exposed, she had been moved elsewhere.

'Even if I find her, the problem is taking her away.'

It was unclear whether Yu Harang had been brainwashed by Yu Sun-min or simply didn't want to leave this place. But if Yu Harang actively sided with Yu Sun-min and tried to interfere, it could be troublesome.

'In our past lives, Yu Harang resisted and caused a headache for Shin Sooah.'

While contemplating how to take Yu Harang out, someone called Seo Gangrim.

"Hey, there!"

It was someone who appeared to be a senior believer. As Seo Gangrim approached, the senior believer glanced up and down at him and said, "Well, you'll need some strength for this... I'm short on hands because I need to prepare for the ceremony urgently. Follow me."

At the mention of the ceremony, a chill settled in Seo Gangrim's eyes. There seemed to be a hint of rage and resentment in his eyes.

'The ceremony was scheduled to take place a year later. Is he hurrying things up because of my intrusion?'

Afterwards, the believer chose a few people who seemed capable and led them down to the underground.

"Okay, each of you, carry your load."

As Seo Gangrim descended, he looked around. The underground space was surprisingly vast, exceeding his imagination. There was at least ten meters of space above his head, and it seemed even larger than the hall where the worship had just taken place.

'Did they use the congregation to build this place?'

Some believers were still digging the walls. Their faces were smeared with dirt, and even the underside of their fingernails was stained pitch black, indicating that they had been here for several days. Around them were scattered construction materials and tools, making it look like they were in the process of creating something.

"All right, quickly bring the materials. Hurry up."

Following the instruction, people began urgently carrying wooden materials. In the center of the underground plaza, there was a large tower-like structure made of wood. The skeleton of the tower was exposed, indicating an unfinished state.

'It looks like the preparations are still lacking, but it seems they are still pushing through.'

While people hastily brought materials and clumsily attempted to complete the tower, the remaining believers began entering as directed by senior believers. The majority of them had expressions of surprise or unease when they entered the palce.

"Where on earth is this?"

"Did such a place exist in the underground of the...?"

As people looked around in confusion, the door closed with a thud. This fact seemed to further unsettle the crowd.

"The door closed?"

"W-What on earth are they trying to do...?"

Amidst the confusion, a sharp feedback sound was heard, resembling a microphone howling. Soon after, the voice of Yu Sun-min echoed.

"Is everyone gathered?"

His voice echoed throughout the underground plaza. He stood at the top of the wooden tower, appearing to be about five meters high. Looking down at the people, he continued speaking.

"All of you are familiar with the sermons I have been telling. The belief that someday our God will come and save us..."

As he spoke with his gentle voice, the expressions of the people gradually became more somber. He continued speaking with an exceptionally sweet tone.

"Originally, we needed more time until the arrival of our God. However, understanding the agony of your wait, I've decided to expedite that time. But..."

Suddenly, Yu Sun-min's voice became sharp, and he surveyed the people with cold eyes.

"But it seems we haven't yet found the intruder. Whether he has escaped or is still hiding his identity..."

The microphone screeched again, and Yu Sun-min's voice came through.

"Everyone, draw your knives and pierce your own arms."

His cold voice carried a compelling force.

-Shlick!

The moment the command was given, people mechanically drew their knives and stabbed their own arms. There was no hesitation, not even a whimper. In an instant, amidst overflowing blood, Yu Sun-min's eyes turned towards Seo Gangrim.

"There's a suspicious person over there."

Simultaneously, hundreds of people turned to look at Seo Gangrim since he was the only one who did not follow the command.

Amidst the scent of blood, Yu Sun-min glared at him and said, "Bring that man to me."

As soon as the command was issued, people rushed towards Seo Gangrim. Despite blood pouring profusely from their arms, their faces showed no signs of pain.

'They're not in their right minds.'

Just moments ago, it seemed like there was still some sanity left in them, but now they looked like mere dolls. While it would be quick to end them all, it would complicate matters in the aftermath.

Seo Gangrim maneuvered through the believers and set his sights solely on Yu Sun-min. Yu Sun-min's magical power flickered, taking on the form of an arrow.

-Kwakwak!

In an instant, magical arrows flew from all directions with Seo Gangrim as the target. Although considered a cultist, Yu Sun-min was also a formidable hunter.

Seo Gangrim urgently activated Frost Flames, creating a barrier of ice.

-Kang, Kakang!

The magical arrows collided with the ice barrier, and shattered into fragments. The speed at which the ice barrier formed matched the rapid-fire pace of Yu Sun-min's attacks. The Frost Flames served as a powerful shield.

Just as the frost flames rapidly emerged from all directions to overwhelm Yu Sun-min--

[The effect of 'Forced Dispel' nullified 'Frost Flames'!]

The Frost Flames disappeared, just like a momentary illusion. It was Yu Harang's doing. With the disappearance of the flames, the shield role it played vanished. As a result, sharp magical energy grazed Seo Gangrim's leg as they passed.

"…!"

Yu Sun-min's attacks were persistent and swift. In the moment when Seo Gangrim's thigh was pierced, an opening was created. The magic power changed form and began to bind him.

[The ability 'Restraint' has been activated!]

Chains made of magical energy instantly entwined around Seo Gangrim's body. It was Yu Sun-min's ability. If they were real chains, Seo Gangrim could have broken them with sheer strength, but being made of magical energy, his body remained immobile. To deal with this type of restraint, he could have used Frost Flames or Radiant Flames. However, every time he tried to activate his abilities, the flames went out because of Yu Harang's Forced Dispel.

"Well done, Your Holiness."

Despite Yu Sun-min's praise, Yu Harang's face remained dark. She bit down on her pale face. When Seo Gangrim's eyes met Yu Harang's, she quickly averted her gaze.

'If it's only Yu Sun-min, I could win, but if Yu Harang is cooperating, it's impossible.'

A powerful ability that could nullify all abilities. A formidable presence, reassuring for allies but a fearsome existence for enemies.

Yu Sun-min slowly approached Seo Gangrim.

"The guy I saw earlier has a different face. Did several people enter? Or..."

['Physiognomy' is activated!]

[Can't use 'Physiognomy' as it's not the original form.]

When the ability didn't activate, Yu Sun-min twisted his lips and laughed. His cold eyes held a chilling resentment.

"It seems you can transform into a person, not just a beast. Your Holiness, nullify his ability."

"…Fine."

Soon, 'Thieving Rat' was released, revealing Seo Gangrim's true form. Yu Sun-min carefully examined his face and spoke with a slightly surprised tone.

"You're Seo Gangrim. Why did a prominent figure like you come all the way here?"

"…"

"Did you receive a divine command? Or was it an order from the bureau?"

Seo Gangrim remained silent. Seeing his reaction, Yu Sun-min chuckled and said, "Did you even request help from the outside? It doesn't matter. If I kill you here…"

"High Priest."

At that moment, Yu Harang urgently interjected from behind. Her face was filled with urgency.

"High Priest. We have a different agreement. We agreed to let him live."

"But having this person here would disturb the ceremony."

"Well, we're going to perform the ceremony now, right? I'll handle the ceremony. So, let this person safely leave."

When she spoke about performing the ceremony, fear filled Yu Harang's eyes. On the other hand, now that she said she would conduct the ceremony herself, Yu Sun-min smiled. He spoke in an affectionate tone.

"I'll do that. We need to keep him quiet for now, though."

Yu Sun-min took something out of his pocket and forcefully pushed it into Seo Gangrim's mouth. Although Seo Gangrim tried to resist, soon his body went limp like a corpse.

Seeing Yu Harang's surprised look, Yu Sun-min calmly said, "He just took some medicine and will be unconscious for a while. He'll wake up on his own after some time. Don't worry about him anymore."

To avoid any complications if Seo Gangrim were to use his abilities to go on a rampage, it was best to use medicine to keep him subdued. Moreover, once the ceremony began, Yu Harang wouldn't be able to use her Force Dispel.

The believers carried the limp Seo Gangrim back down to the tower.

As the intruder left, Yu Sun-min cleared his throat and addressed the people.

"Many of you here may have lived unfortunate lives. Even when a new day comes, the blessing of awakening has been granted to only a few."

People looked up at Yu Sun-min. Beyond everyone's gaze, there was an earnestness, perhaps influenced by the brainwashing, akin to being intoxicated with alcohol, creating a hazy look in their eyes.

"Even if some have awakened, many gods have turned away from us. We are too weak to receive the gods' blessing."

Yu Sun-min's voice resonated throughout the underground space. His compelling voice carried an infectious quality, as if it were a contagious epidemic. Hearing his words, people began nodding their heads or started sobbing.

"But now, we also have a God. Right now, Yu Harang, our leader, will become our God."

Upon hearing this, some people looked at Yu Harang with surprised eyes, as if what they heard was absurd. Yu Sun-min, seeing their reaction, continued slowly, "Before that, let's talk about how a god is born. Usually, we think of a god as an absolute being, but..."

He smiled.

"Even humans can become gods. Just think of ancestral spirits, isn't that so?"

Countless figures in history, including ancestral spirits, became like gods.

Yu Sun-min slowly approached Yu Harang. His gaze was simply peaceful.

"In traditional shamanism, there are broadly two ways for a human to become a powerful god."

"..."

"One is to leave achievements that make them an idol-like figure to people. And the second is..."

Yu Sun-min affectionately placed his hand on Yu Harang's shoulder.

"To die miserably, accumulating resentment and grudges."

The followers surrounding Yu Harang were all holding knives. It seemed as if they were all aiming their weapons at Yu Harang.

With a gentle smile, Yu Sun-min raised both arms towards the followers and spoke, "Yu Harang, our leader, will die for us, become a god for us!"

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