How a Former Pastor Lives in Another World

19

Capricorn (3)

“Do you believe in another god?”

“…”

A moment of agitation.

Capricorn’s sardonic laughter spread.

“Heheh! Heheheh! Kikikikik! To receive such power, such grace, and yet, you believe in another god?”

Ray did not respond to the demon’s mockery. He simply repeated the prayer, squeezing out holy power to utter the command.

But it was insufficient.

The holy power Ray possessed was significantly less than Aaron’s or Jenny’s.

Ray, Ray Anderson, was Kwang-oh Kim.

Pastor Kwang-oh Kim had faith in Jesus Christ.

Even if reborn, how could a lifetime of faith melt away like snow?

That was why, despite his immense talent and innate constitution, Ray’s holy power did not accumulate as much as others.

Then, could there ever come a time when Ray Anderson would forsake Pastor Kwang-oh Kim’s faith?

Could he solely believe in Soltera and pray only for Him?

‘It won’t be possible.’

Ray was resolute in this regard.

As Kim Kwang-oh, he had already experienced the miracle of God and received His protection.

He could not deny the life of Kim Kwang-oh that constitutes Ray Anderson.

It wasn’t that he had no memory of it; Ray Anderson was not so ungrateful as to forsake the debt he was aware of.

Therefore, as Kim Kwang-oh, as Ray Anderson.

He had no choice but to uphold the life he had set for himself.

“Did I say I believe in another god? Well, it’s not wrong. But you see…”

Ray whispered into Lady Ophelia’s ear, audible only to the devil.

“I believe in Soltera too, you b*stard. That’s why the divine power accumulates.”

【???】

For a moment, Capricorn thought he had heard wrong.

Believe in another god and Soltera too?

Is this a joke or what?

【Crazy… talk】

For the first time, Capricorn’s voice trembled, as if desperately trying to deny an argument he couldn’t accept.

But Ray spoke with an infinitely calm voice, confidently.

“Why can’t I believe in both Jesus and Soltera, when both are great beings?

Capricorn realized Ray was serious from the firmness in his voice.

No, is he really insane?

Is this guy really a priest of the Solar Church?

Regardless, Ray, free from any more hesitation, recited the prayer.

“Soltera, holy sun. Banish this evil spirit.”

“Save this suffering soul and fill it with your holy grace.”

“Purify the devil with your light.”

But.

It wasn’t enough.

Regardless of the change in Ray’s mindset, there was a critical lack of divine power.

And soon, the limit would be revealed as the palm of Ray’s hand, which touched the eye, was supported by the power of the goat devil.

“Covering the eyes is a good choice, but it can also be substituted with a holy grenade.”

Then it happened. A kind voice accompanied by a shroud of cloth covering the devil’s eyes. And then, he grasped Ray’s burning hand.

“Father Moro?”

He had fainted from the demon’s attack but now gathered himself. Wiping the blood from his lips, he spoke to Ray.

“Focus. You must see this exorcism through from start to finish.”

Then, a holy aura began to emanate from Father Moro.

He was attempting to replenish the sacred power that was lacking.

【You…!】

The demon, squeezing out its strength, had initially dismissed the priest.

Unlike the novice members, he was a veteran inquisitor who had truly battled evil beings.

The energy flowing from Father Moro was something the exhausted demon could not contend with.

“Daddy! Daddy! Help me! Save me!”

In desperation, Capricorn called out to Byun Gyeongbaek using Ophelia’s voice. But…

“Ophelia!”

“Ugh…!”

“Jenny!”

Jenny, struck by Byun Gyeongbaek’s rough fist, brought her hand to her face.

Then, she immediately began to heal with the power of restoration and clung to Byun Gyeongbaek.

“Let go, let go I say!”

“Hehe… The heavenly ones are quite fierce, aren’t they, noble sir?”

Jenny’s desperate struggle, even laced with venom. Under the protection of the sun, Aaron’s strength made Byun Gyeongbaek drag himself towards his daughter.

But it was too late.

Count Byun Gyeongbaek could not reach her before Ray’s prayer ended.

【No, it can’t be…!】

“It can!”

What can’t be done!

Ray unleashed the final command.

“Capricorn! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I command thee. Begone!!”

“This land belongs to Lord Soltera, the holy!”

Estella.

Father Moro’s sacred power enveloped Ophelia as Ray pronounced the incantation.

She writhed in agony, but gradually, the holy power began to purify her.

【aaahhh!!!】

The demon let out a horrific scream.

From Young-ae’s pupils and mouth, a dark light poured out, soon turning into a thick fog that escaped.

Everyone knew.

That vile and dreadful mist was the demon’s soul.

“It can’t escape the barrier!”

The demon’s dark soul tried to flee, but couldn’t cross the barrier drawn with holy water and salt.

And there was only one option left for the demon that couldn’t escape the barrier.

“Oink?”

The only living creature within the barrier. It had no choice but to possess the piglet prepared in advance.

“Oink oink!”

As the demon possessed it, the innocent piglet’s eyes blazed red. Everything was going according to plan.

“It’s not over yet! The demon is most dangerous when it has taken a complete physical form! Hurry, seal it······!”

Father Moro hurried to take out the holy relic to seal the demon that had taken over the piglet’s body.

But perhaps he hadn’t recovered from the initial shock? Father Moro’s actions were sluggish, and the demon didn’t miss its chance.

Boom!

The demon sent the shaking bed flying, colliding with Father Moro.

It was a power distinctly different from merely shaking a bed to knock off a brass star necklace.

“Ugh… The seal, quickly…!”

There was no time to waste.

They had to quickly suppress the demon’s power and seal it deep underground in the church’s sanctuary.

But was it possible for the apprentices?

“Huh?”

Then, Father Moro caught sight of Ray holding the demon-possessed piglet from behind.

Ray Anderson, wielding an axe perfect for swinging, stared down at the defenseless piglet.

‘Could it be?’

No, it can’t be.

Killing the demon was not the solution.

It would only release the evil spirit that had lost its body.

While still within the barrier, the only way to prevent the demon from appearing in the world was to suppress its power and take it to the church’s sanctuary.

“Brother Rei, this can’t be…!?”

Crack!

The axe swung down, cleaving the demon-possessed pig.

Blood splattered from the piglet, staining the salt barrier a deep red.

【Fool! You’ve erred with your misguided knowledge!】

As the demon’s soul mocked Rei, attempting to escape through the damaged barrier.

“Where do you think you’re going.”

【……?】

Thump! The demon’s soul was seized.

【How, how can this…】

“Die, demon!!”

Rei’s monstrous strength tore the demon’s soul apart.

***

Before Rei’s eyes unfolded an endless, desolate world.

From the crimson sky, lightning struck incessantly, and the wind carried the stench of blood.

Black smoke billowed from the earth’s fissures, blood-dyed rivers intertwined, and anguished screams filled the air.

‘Is this… the memory of Capricorn?’

Rei’s ‘possession’ absorbs the karma of the possessed soul.

In the process, he reads the soul’s memories, revealing a landscape that was an indescribable hell.

‘Could this really be hell?’

The horrific scene unfolding before him seemed to freeze his heart.

aaah!

Screams echoed from all directions.

There were beings that reveled in the long, piercing cries.

Horrible, wicked things.

‘Demons…’

From the blood-drenched rivers, from the crevices in the shattered earth, evil beings emerged, preying on the living.

Occasionally, when performing an exorcism, one would encounter these malevolent beings.

Unspeakable horrors, simply evil incarnate.

In this world too.

Calm down. This is within the devil’s memory. It’s not really in front of you.

Ray stood frozen, watching the devils overrun the world.

A world desired by malevolent beings.

As if showing the future ablaze with their descent.

Vivid, horrific, a scene you’d want to flee from.

Gulp.

Ray reminded himself once again that this was a scene from Capricorn’s memory.

【······.】

“······!”

Did I just make eye contact with a devil?

‘Must be my imagination…’

Ray swallowed hard, facing the ominous gaze of the devil.

This isn’t reality.

It’s just a dream, after all.

So, it must be…

【······.】

【······.】

The gazes multiply.

One by one… the devils turn their heads towards Ray.

Ah… it’s a nightmare.

Such a damned nightmare…

‘This is a real dream… right?’

The boundary between reality and nightmare blurs.

Understanding with reason, yet my head swirls with despair and fear entangled.

It’s just a trance, a mere illusion, yet my body trembles, and cold sweat flows.

Is this reality?

Could there be such a cruel reality?

Perhaps… as if I’ve peered into the abyss of a devil.

Could the devil also be looking into me?

【······.】

Countless malevolent beings exhaled hot breaths with ominous howls.

Rei couldn’t even flinch.

As if pinned down by sleep paralysis.

She had a premonition. That she would be trapped here forever.

【······.】 【······.】 【······.】

The heat was approaching.

All eyes were focused.

Dark auras restrained her entire body.

【······.】 【······.】 【······.】 【······.】 【······.】

【······.】 【······.】 【······.】 【······.】 【······.】

It’s the end.

The moment Rei closed her eyes, sensing her doom.

──────────────────

A brilliant radiance that warmed her back chased away the crimson-dyed world.

【······!!】

Rei couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

She could only guess that the evil entities were in turmoil, scattering in panic.

Who could it be?

Who had the power to banish so many malevolent beings and instill fear?

And more importantly…

‘Have the gazes increased?’

She dared not look behind.

But she could feel it.

So many. Far more than all the eyes of those malevolent beings combined, ‘pupils’ were watching her.

And then, the gentle and soft light he unfolded enveloped Rei, and a low voice whispered in her ear.

【Do not be afraid.】

***

“Haah!”

When Rei opened her eyes, what entered her sight was a red-haired girl of her age.

“Oh! Rei, you’re awake?”

“Jenny?”

Was I unconscious?

Ray looked around, bewildered, and asked, “How long has it been?”

“Three days?”

“Insane…”

It’s been that long?

Ray tried to stand up in panic, but couldn’t muster the strength, perhaps from not moving for so long.

“Calm down, little Ray. It’s all over now.”

“What’s the situation?”

Jenny placed the back of Ray’s head on her knee and healed the residual wounds with ‘Healing Power.’

“The rampaging Lord Byunghyang has come to his senses, and the Countess is safe too. However, both our side and theirs have many injured, so we’re all in recovery.”

Jenny complained about having to use the ‘Healing Power’ non-stop for three days.

“Anyway, how are you? You collapsed after killing the demon-possessed pig.”

“Well, I’m fine.”

After all, Ray killed the Capricorn that possessed the pig to absorb its malevolent karma.

Having gained powers from absorbing the malevolence of a sorcerer, one wonders how much more could come from a demon’s malevolence?

Of course, even after reclaiming the witch’s malevolence here, his divine energy increased but didn’t result in new powers.

Absorbing malevolence doesn’t always grant powers, but one would expect something from a demon.

‘Especially a Great Demon like that.’

The Great Demon Capricorn.

One of the fallen twelve stars.

Absorbing such a big fish should yield a significant reward…

‘Hmm… doesn’t seem like anything’s changed.’

When I received the Sun’s Blessing or the Chant of Powers, there was a clear intuitive feedback.

Could it be a dud?

Then all that terrible experience absorbing malevolence would have been for nothing…

“Ouch.”

Just then, Ray frowned at the pain he felt on the back of his hand.

Wondering if there was a wound, he saw his left hand wrapped in bandages, now stained red.

“Huh? I don’t remember getting hurt here…”

And suddenly the wound bursts open?

As Ray tilted his head in confusion, Jennie spoke to him cautiously.

“Little brother Ray… seeing it will make it easier to understand.”

Jennie unwrapping Ray’s bandage.

Shaking off the bandage reddened by soaked blood, and wiping away the smeared blood, the cause of the wound revealed itself.

“Huh?”

A torn wound. The scar, still vividly present, from which red blood continues to drip.

What on earth is this?

It seems familiar, but where have I seen it?

“Could it be…”

Muttering in disbelief, Ray watched as Jennie nodded and said,

“It’s a stigmata.”

Stigmata.

The proof of a miracle.