I Became the Companion of the Gods

7 – EP.3 Three-legged Crow -1

The city I came to after receiving my first mission.

Somewhere within this mountain-covered city is said to be the stronghold of a new religion.

“I thought it was a den of fanatics because it was said to be the base of a new religion, but when I came here, it was surprisingly ordinary.”

I was thinking of another sight until I saw it myself.

A city of fanatics who set up an altar in the center of the village and pray by offering live animals and humans.

But in reality, it was a city in the mountains lined with artisans making accessories from ore and merchants selling dried wild vegetables.

“Even though it is a city, the air is clear and the streets are very clean. It seems like a very nice place to live!”

“That’s right, a new religion was established in a place like this… ….”

If you plan to spread your religion widely, you will likely start in a place with better transportation or frequent traffic.

However, this city did not have good transportation convenience, and the entrance and exit were the same, so the floating population was also limited.

“Isn’t it really a cult?”

No matter how you think about it, building a religion in a place like this just doesn’t make sense.

Unless you’re trying to spice things up by escaping government surveillance.

“Come on, I have a lot of time. Why don’t you put off your mission for later and have a lot of fun today?”

“Um…. Is that so?”

The mission I received was a simple investigation, neither urgent nor dangerous.

As Miho suggested, it didn’t seem too bad to play around today.

“Then let’s start the investigation tomorrow, and let’s go look around today.”

“Yes!”

“Kyuit!!”

There is no law against playing while on a business trip. Stop doing it faithfully only when you have to.

For that reason, I decided to play to my heart’s content today as if I was on a trip.

***

Local cuisine, sights and entertainment. Enjoying everything without missing anything.

We heard one word repeated from the residents here.

“Brother, Yata-sama prophesied that it would rain tomorrow afternoon, so why don’t we buy an umbrella in advance?”

“Guests! Yata-sama predicted that the fruit in my shop would be the ripest today! Why don’t you buy one and try it before it’s sold out?”

“As for this emerald necklace, Yata-sama predicted that if you wear it for two years, it will bring you great luck!!”

Wherever you go, Yata, even if you go that way, Yata.

Everyone in this city seemed to blindly believe in and praise the existence of Yata.

“Even if his head is broken, he feels like a Yata.”

“I mean…. It seems that the pseudonym is right.”

The people around you are always Yata-sama! Yata! A situation where neuroses are likely to come because of shouting.

I think I should at least know what that Yata-sama is.

“Hey Mister, what kind of person is Yata-sama they are talking about?”

So I bought one of the cheapest drinks at a nearby store and asked the owner insinuatingly.

“Huh? Don’t you know Yata? Are you an outsider?”

“Yes.”

“Heh heh! Then I must teach you the greatness of our Yata-sama!”

Originally, this question should be asked starting tomorrow…….

Still, it’s better to know in advance.

“As for Yata-sama’s origin… ….”

Three years ago, it is said that a disaster struck this city surrounded by mountains.

A situation in which the city is in danger of collapse due to extreme heavy rain, flooding the city and even causing a landslide.

It is said that the existence of Yata-sama appeared at the time when all the residents of the city decided to abandon their old hometown and evacuate.

It was said that Yata, who descended into a city in crisis, was like a ray of light falling from a dark sky to the people of that time.

As soon as Yata, who was holy and mysterious, came down, she presented a solution to the city residents, and her instructions are said to have prevented secondary disasters.

As a result, it is said that she came to worship Yata to such an extent that the people of this city looked up to her unconditionally.

“Yata-sama is our savior! The fact that such a person is near us makes us happy!”

“That’s right.”

To sum up what I’ve heard, Yata is a wise and foreseeable being.

And the residents who follow such Yata seem to worship based on achievements, not brainwashing.

“Do you think you can tell whether it is a divine beast or not based on the story from before?”

“It’s ambiguous. With unusual abilities, it’s safe to say that he’s a divine beast, but that doesn’t mean people like that don’t exist at all.”

Certainly, even in one great man biography, there are so many amazing stories that make no sense.

“In the end, you can tell that Yata-sama with your own eyes.”

“I guess so, right?”

It got a little tricky.

With no idea where the base of the emerging religion is, when will we be able to find the existence of Yata…… It’s hard.

“Ah?! Sin, sorry!”

My body shook momentarily.

As I was walking and thinking about this and that, I didn’t even know that a person was approaching in front of me, so I bumped into it.

“It’s okay, it’s my fault that I didn’t pay attention to you either.”

A thin yet noble voice.

I couldn’t see her because she was wearing a hood, but it was clear that she was a woman.

“You don’t have any more business, do you? Then would it be okay if I just go?”

“Oh yes! Does not matter.”

“Then… ….”

For some reason, I felt mysterious and graceful from the hooded woman who went on her way again without looking back.

“…… West?”

“Huh?”

“Does that woman care that much? More than me… ?”

It’s cold.

From the voice to the eyes, attitude, and the way you look at me.

A more sticky and darker emotion than jealousy is emanating from Miho.

“Oh no!! I just looked at it because it was strange to wear a hood these days.”

“Really…?”

“Really!”

“Hmm…”

The disquieting feelings of infidelity have faded a lot, but I can still feel doubt in Miho’s look as she taps her lips with her index finger.

“Isn’t that a little more suspicious than that?”

“Which part do you mean?”

“The person we bumped into just now seemed to be smiling at us for some reason…….”

“Are you really worried about that woman?”

“No! That’s not what I meant, it just seemed like he was looking at you as well as me.”

“Seobang-nim too! There’s no way that’s the case.”

“Hmm, that’s right, right?”

Miho is currently using her abilities on herself. Except for me, no one can recognize her.

So, if someone else saw Miho, it must be that I was mistaken, or that I was thinking too sensitively.

It seems like there are a lot of miscellaneous thoughts because troublesome things have happened frequently recently…….

I need to clear my head and focus only on enjoying the trip for now.

***

Ahead of this, Yata-san is there.

Long live Yata!

Praise the Yata!

“At least you don’t seem to have any intention of hiding it.”

The next morning.

We came out to get information related to Yata religion in earnest, and we immediately encountered an unexpected fact.

The stronghold of the Yata school was near our inn.

“Seobang-nim, they say you need this badge to enter the Yata religion assembly.”

What Miho is holding is a badge in the shape of a three-legged crow. It was a symbol of a three-legged crow.

“Good job scouting. Now, where should I get it?”

“Here!”

A crow badge placed on the palm of my hand.

What Miho was holding was transmitted to me.

“…… Come to think of it, where did you get this from?”

“When I went inside the building, there were many.”

At that moment, a man came out from inside the building and started screaming.

“My badge!! My badge is gone!!”

“… ….”

“No! The proof of my loyalty to Lord Yata… !! We must find it! Certainly!!”

Instantly, they passed us and ran like crazy somewhere.

“…… Did you steal it?”

“Yes!”

Miho smiles brightly after committing a crime as if it were natural.

I wanted to say something, but I decided to just skip it.

In the first place, it makes no sense for Shinsoo to follow human laws.

“Welcome to the 421st Yatakyo Morning Rally! Please show me the proof that you are a pure Yatakyo.”

You mean this badge, right?

Miho proudly showed the stolen badge to the gatekeepers. My conscience stings a little.

“Voucher confirmed! Are you a member of the church you made a reservation for today?”

“Reservation?”

“Yes, it is a reservation to receive Yata-sama’s prophecy.”

Is there such a thing?

I didn’t know what it was, so I said no.

“If you don’t have one, you can enter through the entrance over there!”

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry too much if you can’t make a reservation! Yata-sama, who is merciful, always bestows the glory of prophecy even on five regular believers!”

“Ah, yes… ….”

I’m already tired. Listening to Yata’s voice, which I’ve heard so much since yesterday, makes me feel tired.

Now, if you go inside the meeting hall, you will hear the sound of Yata-sama again, right?

I should have prepared earplugs…….

“You know, Miho.”

“Yes, why?”

“Only Tia and I will enter the meeting hall, so could you wait at the entrance?”

“…… Why?”

Miho’s expression hardens again. It’s scary to look at anytime.

“If it’s not different, if Yata in the meeting hall is a divine beast, wouldn’t Yata also notice that you are?”

“Isn’t that the same for Tia?”

“Because Tia is relatively small, she can be seen without being seen by Yata. On the other hand, Miho, you stand out easily.”

Miho will be able to attract the attention of everyone around her if she commands her to clear up her hallucinations and come out right now.

I am proud that the combination of fox ears, tail, and hanbok has such destructive power.

“Does that mean that I can be easily seen by the West?”

“Huh? It’s not…….”

Actually, out of 24 hours a day, I only look at Miho for 12 hours.

It’s just that I’m not looking at Miho because of her appearance.

If you look at someone for more than 5 seconds, Miho forcibly turns his head so that he only looks at you.

Thanks to that, my neck has been hurting a lot lately…….

“Okay. Waiting for your companion to return is also a virtue as a companion animal, I will wait patiently!”

“Then I’ll stay and join you at the entrance.”

“Yes! Should I go faster instead? If it’s too late, I won’t be able to handle what I’m going to do♡”

Seriously creepy.

Is there any other word in the world that is as terrifying as that one?

“Then I’ll come back.”

When I pulled up the entrance tent and went inside, I was greeted by a dark space.

The only light is a few bonfires inside.

As I moved forward, relying on the dim light, I found a large auditorium.

And there were well over a thousand people screaming madly.

“Kyaa!! Lord Yata!!”

“Ah!! Yata! You are noble today!”

“Take me! Lord Yata!!”

The fanatics cheer so hot that you can feel the heat and even shed tears.

I already want to go back.

“Welcome, my followers.”

On the stage in the distance.

The splendid throne was the only one placed, and there was a woman in a jet-black dress sitting with her chin resting on her chin.

“Kyaaa!!”

“uuu!!”

I just said one word, but the followers react tremendously.

All of them seemed like passionate fans that can be found at idol concerts.

“You must have brought a lot of shiny riches, right?”

“Of course I brought it!!”

The devotees are each taking out a shiny item, such as a gold necklace, glass beads, or a ring with jewels. At this, the woman puts on a satisfied expression.

“Okay! I will give you my prophecy today as well, to all of you who have brought riches for me!”

“Ah!! Yata-sama, hurrah!!”

Anyway, now that we can be sure that that woman is the rumored Yata, she will now carry out her original purpose.

“Tia, can you confirm that the woman over there is a Shinsu like you?”

“What’s up?”

When I quietly ask Tia, who has been hiding in her arms, Tia starts staring at the woman on the stage with her face pouting.

The baby dragon, calmly observing the woman on the throne, nodded her head once and affirmed my question.

“It was true… ….”

A woman with black hair and black eyes.

Overall, she exuded the firmness of her tanned skin on her slender figure.

She was a woman who looked very glamorous and elegant because she even wore a jet-black dress.

“It is a noble divine beast…… Although I can’t say it in front of Miho.”

This is how you feel about Shinsoo who has turned into a human.

Now that I’ve checked everything I need to check, I need to go back.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t leave until the meeting is over.”

“Eh… ?”

As I tried to leave the assembly hall, the guards at the door blocked me.

“I’m in a hurry to go to the bathroom, but what if it doesn’t work?”

“No, no one can leave until the meeting is completely over.”

“No, if you are not that flexible… ….”

I tried to argue, but the gatekeepers pointed somewhere.

When I turned my gaze there, there was a follower who was already yellowing and calling out to Yata.

“Oh my God… crazy!!”

“Our love for Yata is great. If you are a Yata cult member who worships Yata-sama, please be patient.”

“…… Oh, I see.”

I couldn’t go out strong anymore after that crazy guy came out. I have no choice but to go back to my seat and wait for the meeting to end.

Please, I hope the fox stays calm…….

“Then let’s begin today’s prophecy!”

In that moment, the inside of the assembly hall changed completely.

The place that was so noisy became quiet in an instant, and I couldn’t even hear the sound of my breathing.

Looking around, all the followers took out their notebooks and began to quietly listen to Yata’s words.

If at first they were big fans of idols, this time they all became students of famous instructors.

“First of all, it’s about the harvest festival this week, but postpone it to a month later, otherwise it will perish. Even so, it shouldn’t be too late. Because we have to prepare for the typhoon in two months.”

The zealots who write down every word of Yata.

It is said that he sincerely accepts words that would be laughable and sarcastic if it were a normal person.

“In the morning of the third day, wild boars will appear from the west side of town and wreak havoc on the streets, so plan ahead and check your food in advance, as one of the restaurants in the center of town might cause food poisoning.”

“Very detailed.”

It is only natural that it should sound like a joke at the age of the first prophecy.

However, when he said it in such detail and seriously, it felt somewhat credible.

“The major event prophecy ends here! From now on, I will foretell the future of the followers who have made reservations in advance and the five followers I have designated.”

A few followers left the stage as soon as the words were finished. I could tell that they were the believers who had made a reservation.

“Let me tell you from the right, you… ….”

A yata that informs followers of their personal future.

All the believers are thrilled by this, and some even start to shed tears.

“Next, I will designate 5 people who have not received the prophecy, so appeal to me with the wealth each of you have brought.”

“Yata-sama!! Please me!”

“No! Please vote for me! Lord Yata!!”

The believers now show off the wealth they have brought with them and make constant efforts to attract women’s attention.

Does he really want to receive a prophecy? It was a feeling I couldn’t understand.

“Hmm…. First of all, you, you, you waving your hand.”

The joys and sorrows are divided between those who have been designated and those who have not.

“With you next to him and… ….”

A yata who takes a look around at the believers in general.

Instantly, her gaze moved towards me, and I met her eyes.

“Come out to you, who is there!”

“Huh? Me, me?”

“Yeah, you’re just standing still.”

I am being pointed out by Yata’s fingers.

I thought you wouldn’t be picked because you weren’t holding any money? Could it be that he was caught?

If that’s the case, then I had to run away right away.

However, as he was pointed out by Yata, he received the attention of fanatics all at once.

There was no way they could escape smoothly.

“Come out quickly. Or are you saying you won’t receive my prophecy?”

“No, not that… ….”

As they hesitated in embarrassment, the eyes of the followers became more and more bloody.

An embarrassing situation where I couldn’t do this or that.

I had no choice but to go up on stage due to unspoken pressure.

“Okay. Then I will begin the final prophecy of the day.”

Yata, a divine beast who foretells the future one by one.

Like the followers who had made a reservation, they were making faces that would make them happy even if they died, but mine didn’t.

Because the thought of what Yata might do to her made her anxious and on the verge of going crazy.

I wanted time to stop like this, but unfortunately, Yata, who had reached my side, smiled softly, and then he whispered to me.

“You stay behind.”

“Ah… ?!”

Don’t… Ruined! Looks like you got it right!!

What should I do? What should I do? Should I run away now?

“Today’s rally ends here! You can all disperse!”

“””Long live the Yata religion!! Long live Yata!!”””

When all the fanatics start to go out shouting the same thing.

I still had to stay on stage.

“Follow me.”

Soon, when only the main members of the Order remained, Yata beckoned to me.

I don’t know what her intentions were, but there was nothing I could do about it.

So I had no choice but to quietly follow her.

A room hidden behind the stage.

As soon as we arrived at the space where there were only Yata, me, and Tia hiding in my arms, she opened her mouth.

“Do you think that I, the divine beast of prophecy, could not have foreseen such a future?”

“As expected, he was a Shinsoo.”

“Yes, and he was the one who secretly watched you all day yesterday.”

“You were watching me…?”

Yata pulls out a hood from the closet in the corner of the room and puts it on.

The figure was the same as the woman I bumped into while walking down the street the day before.

“You’re complacent, you should have hypothesized that you might be spying on the other person.”

She took off her hood again and put it back on her place.

“Did you know everything? That we’re coming?”

“Of course, to the point where I would feel sad if he didn’t come.”

“Why did you knowingly allow access?”

“Well~? What is it? Guess it.”

“What…?”

“It’s just a quiz for fun, nothing to think about.”

“Ummm…”

“Isn’t it difficult? I’ll give you a hint in particular. The hint is related to my ability.”

Quiz time suddenly started.

I don’t know if there is a need to match it, but I’ll try to solve it once.

Anyway, a hint is an ability…… Because her ability is to see into the future.

“No way?! Is it a trap!”

Even though I knew everything, that was the only thing I could think of that brought me to this place.

In order to get rid of danger elements, the method of drawing enemies inside and defeating them.

Although common, there was no other way that was as sure as this one.

Now that we know Yata’s true intentions, we need to prepare quickly…… !

“Ding! I don’t know why the answer came out like that, but it was wrong anyway.”

Dejectedly, that was not her true intention.

“No… ?”

“If she had an idea to wear a trap, she would have done it since she entered this city. Or try it when you are at the meeting place just now.”

Certainly, if the purpose was to harm me, the time of the meeting, when the fanatics were gathered, would have been more appropriate.

There was no need to deal with it in such a cumbersome face-to-face situation.

“Then what is it?”

“Don’t you know? Shall I tell you the answer?”

“Ugh….”

I have no idea what the hell she has in mind.

In the first place, how can humans know the psychology of Shinsoo? It was a quiz that could not be solved from the beginning.

“Okay then I’ll teach you! Instead, I was wrong, so I should be punished, right?”

“Bur… penalty?”

“Yes, penalty.”

Yata slowly steps towards me. Not knowing what she was going to do, she started to get nervous.

But after seeing her mischievous smile, I don’t think it’s dangerous. I wasn’t afraid.

“Then there will be a penalty!”

Yata, who came right up to my nose, grabbed him by the back of his head…….

“Ah?!”

She has been forced to kiss her as she is, pulling her to her own face.

“Ehh?!”

After that, her tongue penetrated the inside of her mouth.

Her tongue, sweet as brown sugar, began to work its way around my mouth.

“Ugh!!”

I resisted and tried to push Yata away, but her body did not budge like a deeply embedded rock.

I had to accept the forced deep kiss in the end. The kissing time that Yata couldn’t escape until she was satisfied continued.

After such a long time, her mouth finally fell away, creating a transparent thread between her and me.

“The correct answer is words. It’s because I want to do this with my partner who will be my future husband♡”

The crow licking his lips with a strange smile…….

“Chewy♡” But this isn’t enough yet. I think I need to taste more future nanggun.”

“Hey!!”

It was a crazy year.

And…….

“It’s Seobangni~!”

Stupid!!

The fox who breaks down the wooden door and sticks its head out through it…….

“Miho is here~!!”

It was an absolutely crazy year.