Please Stop The Pope

Episode 30

Perhaps it was thanks to resolving the urgent problems.

I had a really good sleep.

Since accumulating divine power in my body, I don’t feel much physical fatigue unless it’s a big battle, but mental fatigue is a separate issue.

Anyway, it means it was a very satisfying sleep.

After sleeping soundly like that and coming out to the living room, In-wook was watching something on TV for some reason.

I sat on the sofa while picking up one of the sandwiches In-wook had placed in front of him.

“What’s with the news in the morning?”

“These days, the news is more interesting than any decent MyTube videos. No wonder comedy shows are failing.”

The news was playing on TV.

At first, I watched it indifferently, but as I listened quietly, stories that I had heard somewhere began to flow out.

The National Awakener Alliance has officially requested that a public-private joint investigation team be formed to verify Ground Zero. In response, the Ministry of Ability Management strongly opposed it, calling it a “request not worth discussing.”

-Meanwhile, as global attention is focused on the Limen Church led by the awakener Kim Shi Yu, who purified Ground Zero, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoo of the Jusarang First Church claimed that Satan, who leads the demons, has finally descended on earth…

“What the hell is wrong with them?”

In-wook, who had watched a very interesting news this morning, casually asked me.

And to that question, I ate a bite of the sandwich and said matter-of-factly,

“One is a thief calling his own feet itchy, and the other is trying to steal from me, thinking this is his moment. What other reason would there be? By the way, that pastor is really living a long life. He’s still full of energy for someone so old.”

At my answer, In-wook put down the sandwich he was eating, opened his eyes wide, and asked,

“Did something happen between you and the National Guild Alliance?”

“Nothing much. Just recycled the hitmen they sent to Ground Zero.”

“…Normally, people don’t call that ‘nothing much,’ you know?”

“It’s nothing much to me, so let’s leave it at that.”

It was a virtually irrefutable logic.

Overwhelmed by my perfect logic, In-wook let out a deep sigh and continued while finishing his sandwich,

“The MyTube channel will be made public at 6 PM today along with the first video. You know that, right? But is it okay to keep the channel name as it is?”

We did receive various channel name suggestions through Min-soo’s MyTube email, but the finalized channel name could be considered very ordinary.

Official Limen.

A channel name that doesn’t give off the feeling of a church at all, and can be called plainer than plain.

Ideas like “Limen is watching you” and “Limen and the Holy Children” also poured in countless times, but in the end, I chose the channel name “Official Limen.”

The reason I chose that bland name over countless other channel names was very simple.

“Still, since it’s the church’s official MyTube, it should have a bit of a solemn feel to it.”

“But it still feels a bit lacking.”

“When the inflow is guaranteed, is there a need to push it?”

As you can see, this is the situation.

Even on TV channels, including terrestrial TV, stories about me continued to flow out, and the internet could be considered taken over by topics about me and the Limen Church.

To the extent that Min-soo’s subscriber count, which had been plummeting, was miraculously skyrocketing since yesterday’s broadcast.

In such a situation, the official moves of our church will naturally have to be noticed.

Moreover, since I have already declared MyTube as the main communication channel in yesterday’s interview with Min-soo, there’s no need to worry about the inflow.

In-wook slightly tilted his head at my fluent explanation, then asked in a suspicious voice,

“Is this your idea? It seems too much like a veteran.”

To that, I answered as if it were obvious,

“Of course, it’s Min-soo hyung’s work.”

“…Why don’t you just swallow Min-soo hyung’s MyTube whole then?”

“Someone might think you’re a sheep in wolf’s clothing.”

“Aren’t I?”

He really has no restraint in what he says to me.

This is why I can’t get along peacefully with a younger brother.

Anyway,

Like that, I roughly had breakfast with sandwiches while talking with In-wook, and after clearing the dishes, In-wook carefully said to me,

“Oh right, hyung. There’s something I want to seriously ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Don’t you need some money for our household expenses and running the church? MyTube can generate revenue, but…”

“I’m not planning to generate revenue through MyTube, though?”

“Ah, then, like other religions, through donations…”

“I’m not planning to accept offerings in the early stages either. It’s already been decided.”

At my resolute answer, In-wook was silent for a while, then looked at me as if in disbelief.

Then he soon sighed and said,

“You’re not going to say nonsense like you can solve everything with faith, right? Do you know how much Si-yeon’s academy fees are?”

“Hmm. I wasn’t going to tell you originally, but I’ll tell you since it’s you.”

“What is it?”

I then told In-wook about the future plans,

“…Is that possible? No, is that really okay?”

In-wook asked back with his eyes wide open.

And to In-wook’s question, I smiled and nodded,

“Of course there’s no problem. Even though I may not look like it, I’m the pope. And I’ve already discussed it with Limen.”

“That’s not your missionary work, that’s just being a merchant…”

“Tsk tsk. Are you committing blasphemy right now? Be careful, or you might get folded in half by Leo.”

The late commute was very pleasant.

There doesn’t seem to be a better word to describe the way to the temple in Ground Zero other than commute.

“Your Holiness. I think we can get off here.”

“Thank you, Brother Min-soo.”

“It’s always an honor for me. Oh, and the representative of the Meister Guild has already arrived at the temple.”

“Already? There’s still 30 minutes left until the appointed time.”

“They are originally diligent people.”

I had to hitch a ride in Min-soo’s car because I didn’t have a driver’s license.

Anyway, since Min-soo was also planning to do content in Ground Zero for the time being, I hitched a ride as a way to kill two birds with one stone.

The place we arrived at was not the main entrance to Ground Zero.

The main entrance is currently blocked due to citizens who want to see Ground Zero and reporters who have come to cover it.

Originally, entry was only possible through that side, but…

“I never imagined there would be such an entrance to Ground Zero. Is it an entrance made by the government?”

“No way. These things are usually made by those with something to hide, aren’t they? This is a freshly discovered entrance, not long ago. Originally, they were going to close it immediately, but they told us to use it for the time being.”

“It seems there was something in Ground Zero.”

“I was planning to show it to Brother Min-soo today anyway. I also have something to ask for advice on.”

We ended up using the secret entrance that the National Guild Alliance guys had made.

It is said to be the passage used by the criminals I handed over to the Ministry of Ability Management yesterday, and of course, it is an entrance that was revealed during the Ministry of Ability Management’s investigation.

There may be a possibility of a few more entrances besides this one.

However, we are using this one because it is close to our temple.

I walked along the dimly lit passage and casually asked Min-soo,

“By the way, have you ever tried selling goods, Min-soo?”

“Rather than goods, I have often sold equipment for newbie players. Either selling equipment at low prices in collaboration with Meister Guilds with good skills but low reputation or jointly purchasing useful consumables.”

“That’s even better.”

It would be convenient in many ways to have an experienced person.

We can cooperate with the Ministry of Ability Management, but there is a high possibility of controversy since it is related to the church’s budget.

There’s no need to create unnecessary trouble.

After walking for about 3 more minutes,

The passage finally ended, and as we opened the door and went out, the beautiful scenery of the sacred ground began to come into view.

The flowers blooming between the ruins and the sunlight permeating that scenery were truly beautiful.

It was as beautiful as yesterday, but there was also a clear difference from yesterday.

“Now it really feels like this place has been purified.”

I smiled vaguely at Min-soo’s words and said,

“Is that so?”

Unlike yesterday when only players were active, today, ordinary people were walking around various parts of the sacred ground.

They were all people who had been granted access by the Ministry of Ability Management.

According to Team Leader Kim, there are plans to allow a maximum of 1,000 people to enter per day for the time being.

Not only has the entire Ground Zero not been purified, but there are still remnants of risk factors in various places.

Once we purify this entire area and complete the reconstruction work, they plan to tear down the wall and fully open it.

I heard that at one point, the Ministry of Ability Management’s website was paralyzed due to the influx of applications, and I also told the Ministry of Ability Management in advance about the people I wanted them to prioritize for applications.

I was told that since the day the disaster first arrived in this area until the gate was subjugated, nearly 140,000 people had been sacrificed here.

“I hope they find at least some comfort.”

I quietly said while looking at the bereaved families commemorating the victims in their own ways.

Some poured alcohol on the ground, while others put their hands together and prayed.

Some cried out loud, while others quietly sobbed as they comforted them.

This land was originally such a land.

As Limen left on the monument, a land where dreams rest for a while.

And I, following the will of the god I serve, wanted to give priority to the families of the victims.

“They must also be sincerely grateful to Your Holiness and Limen.”

I quietly nodded at Min-soo’s words and headed to the temple, quietly passing by the bereaved families.

Since the secret entrance was so close to the temple, it didn’t take long to reach the temple.

“You’re here, Your Holiness.”

As soon as I arrived in front of the temple, Leo walked out from inside as if he had been waiting.

It was Leo’s usual expressionless face, but judging by the slight upward curve of his mouth, he seemed to be in a good mood.

“Did something good happen?”

At my words, Leo bowed his head politely and answered,

“Many people came to the temple since morning to pray to Limen. I am just happy to have brothers on Earth.”

“You didn’t accept offerings as I told you, right?”

“As Your Holiness expected, many people wanted to offer gifts to Limen, but I barely managed to send them back.”

“Good job.”

“But rejecting the gifts of the believers may be an act of ignoring their sincerity.”

Leo said to me with a slightly regretful tone.

I answered Leo in a low voice,

“It’s not that we will never accept the gifts of the believers until the end. There is an order to it. You know that well too, Leo, right?”

“…Limen always wants us to stand on our own.”

“Exactly.”

The Limen Church in Eden also had quite unique doctrines.

There was a doctrine that limited the total amount of offerings one person could give in a year.

It also symbolized that everyone, whether rich or poor, received the same treatment before Limen.

At first glance, it may seem like the church’s finances would be very tight due to this doctrine, but instead, Limen allowed us many things.

The Consecration Chamber that allows us to create and sell sacred objects is also a part of what she allowed us.

Leo seemed to understand my intention and soon silently nodded.

“The guest is waiting in the reception room.”

“Let’s go in quickly. It’s not polite to keep the guest waiting.”

“I brought the divine stones you mentioned, so they are probably observing them by now.”

“Really? Good job.”

I hurried to the reception room located to the right of the temple entrance.

No, to be precise, I ‘tried’ to go.

Before the three men who walked out from behind us blocked our way.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim Shi Yu. I am Kang Byeong-soo, the managing director of the National Awakener Alliance. It’s an honor to meet you like this.”

Slicked back hair and a black suit.

On top of that, narrowed eyes positioned perfectly behind the glasses.

Honestly, I was a bit amazed. I’m curious how one can look so much like a villain.

I stopped Leo, who was about to use force right away and smiled bitterly.

And to the guy named Kang Byeong-soo, who was acting all relaxed in front of me, I said,

“Be grateful that this is in front of the sacred temple, hyung.”

“When our conversation is over, I might also go into the temple to pray to this Limen.”

“My, what an interesting hyung you are.”

I thought I would make contact with them in the near future, but I didn’t expect it to be today.

“Leo.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Go into the reception room with Brother Min-soo. Tell the guest that I will be a bit late.”

“…Understood.”

Leo entered inside with Min-soo without a word, and in the end, only the National Guild Alliance guys and I were left in front of the temple.

Kang Byeong-soo said while looking at Leo’s back as he entered the reception room,

“Is that the person who folded humans into origami?”

“Our archbishop has many talents.”

“I would like to make his acquaintance if I have the chance.”

“If it comes to that, I may be able to show you instead. How about it, brother?”

“Haha! I will have to decline that. I don’t have a hobby of becoming origami.”

As expected of someone who is the managing director of the National Guild Alliance, his composure doesn’t easily crumble.

I roughly know why he came.

It seems he came to negotiate, but I really hate that slick face of his.

I looked into Kang Byeong-soo’s narrowed eyes, cut him to pieces with my own, then quietly whispered into his ear,

“By the way, I heard your mine was sweet?”