The Knight King Who Returned with God

Divinity (3)

After the Cataclysm, appraisers who assessed items became one of the most crucial support professions.

Although appraisal skills were not uncommon, the accuracy of an appraisal depended on the appraiser's skill level. If an appraiser lacked expertise, they might overlook an item's attributes or fail to interpret its special abilities.

In that regard, Kang Sunwoo of the Phoenix Guild was undeniably one of the best appraisers in the country.

Thus, as he appraised the miraculous rice before him, his heart trembled with excitement—yet he also knew he was bound to be disappointed.

"Magically forced growth in crops always leads to toxicity, making them inedible. Even hunters who consume them need stomach cleansing after just a few meals."

Such was the law of nature.

Proper processes required due time.

Though technologies like printed food and farm factories were advancing, they had yet to fully replace traditional agriculture.

That's why, despite being overwhelmed at first by the golden fields, disappointment was inevitable when the results came in.

"I will begin."

Kang Sunwoo stacked the rice stalks and began his appraisal. As mana swirled in his eyes, the hidden elements within the rice revealed themselves.

[Appraisal Results]

"Huh?"

[Blessed Rice]

Grade: Rare Description:

Rice blessed by the divine power of Demera, the Goddess of Life and Prosperity.

Mitigates Grade 3 diseases. With continued consumption, there is a high probability of full recovery.

"What?"

He trembled as he confirmed the system message before his eyes.

Since the Cataclysm, the advent of potions and elixirs had led to standardized classifications for healing items, diseases, and injuries.

A Grade 3 disease included most nervous system disorders and even early-stage cancer.

Did this rice cure cancer? Every single stalk of rice in this field?

This meant this miraculous rice was even more effective than the Tower's high-priced healing potions!

"A-Appraisal results are in!"

He wanted to shout this incredible discovery for all to hear.

"The appraisal grade is Rare!"

"Huh?"

"E-Every single one of these rice stalks is of Rare grade!"

Gasps filled the air. Some couldn't comprehend what they were hearing—because it was simply too unrealistic.

But when Kang Sunwoo added that this rice could cure cancer, the room erupted into chaos.

"I-Is that true?"

"It is!"

How could this be real?

Hari turned her gaze toward Leon.

Yet he seemed utterly uninterested, instead conversing with the straw doll imbued with Demera's divinity.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

"How dare you interrupt! The High Priest-King is communing with the Goddess herself!"

"M-My apologies! I have committed a grave sin!"

「It is fine. How could a child of this world understand the ways of divinity?」

A gentle voice resonated. Just hearing it was enough to warm one's soul, much like the strength Leon's voice had given her in the Black Gate.

"Since the Goddess has spoken, I will pardon you this time."

"Y-Yes, of course…."

Hari lowered her head, nervously glancing at them. The straw doll was beginning to droop.

「It seems my role here is done. It is time for me to return.」

"Thank you. We will forever cherish the blessings you have bestowed upon us."

「Child, allow this mother to give you one last piece of advice.」

The divine voice grew faint, as if the power sustaining it was dwindling.

「Do not starve yourself.」

With those final words, the straw doll collapsed.

Leon closed his eyes, deeply absorbing the grace left behind by the Earth Mother.

After a long moment, Hari cautiously lifted her head.

"Um… Your Majesty? What exactly… is this?"

"It is divinity."

"D-Divinity, you say?"

"Does your world not have gods?"

Hari hesitated.

Of course, Earth had religions—Jehovah, Allah, Buddha… wait, was Buddha a god? Regardless.

Religion existed.

But claiming that Gods themselves existed was another matter.

Religious followers would claim their gods were real, but they lacked tangible proof. Unlike what she had just witnessed, where divinity had manifested through miracles.

"I… do not know."

"This is the Pantheon I serve, and these are the true divine beings. A righteous life and a balanced world exist in harmony with divinity. Your people must come to accept this truth."

Could they?

Earth was already dominated by established religions, most of which were fiercely exclusive. Even relatively moderate Protestant groups occasionally engaged in acts of religious aggression, like desecrating non-Christian sites.

But what she had seen today was undeniable reality.

A real divine presence.

A real miracle.

Looking at this antiquated king, Hari felt an unexpected sense of trust.

Had they truly brought back someone extraordinary from the Gate?

Could this man genuinely change the world?

"Harvest the rice! Give thanks to Demera and honor the crops' divine purpose!"

Leon ordered the blessed rice to be cooked in the heart of the Honam Plain. There were three hours left before the Phoenix Guild's exclusive rights to the Gate expired.

"T-This makes no sense…."

Manager Kim Jinsu swallowed hard as he read the system message before him.

[Steamed Rice Cooked with Blessed Rice]

A steaming bowl of white rice. The fact that it even registered in the system was astonishing, but the appraiser's updated information was even more shocking.

+100 HP regeneration per minute. +50 MP regeneration per minute. Duration: 8 hours.

"This is insane…."

Since when did rice have buff effects? And such powerful ones at that?

"This is basically a sustained enhancement potion!"

A 300,000-won-per-bottle enhancement potion—expensive and mediocre—offered a similar effect.

"Boss!"

Hari approached, her mouth stuffed with rice and grilled pork belly.

"Swallow first."

She gulped it down before excitedly speaking.

"Boss, this is HUGE…."

"What now?"

"This… stacks."

"What?!"

All the Association hunters turned their heads in shock.

"I was curious… so I ate some insects from the rice field."

"I-Insects?"

Her guts… How did she even think of eating bugs?

"And… it stacked."

"You're serious?!"

Kim Jinsu's gaze shifted toward the rice paddy.

Rice wasn't the only thing growing there. Countless insects—beetles, caterpillars—flourished among the plants.

If the divine blessing extended to the entire ecosystem, then it wasn't just the rice—it was everything in that field.

Hunters' eyes gleamed with hunger.

They risked their lives clearing Gates. Government hunters received minimal enhancement potions, and buying them personally was an unbearable financial burden.

But now, free enhancement potions were scattered everywhere.

What were a few bugs compared to that?

"C-Catch them! Every single one!"

A bizarre scene unfolded—fully armed hunters rummaging through the rice paddies, catching bugs.

"Three stacks max… got it."

With morale soaring, the raid team prepared to set off.

"Guild Leader… is this okay?"

The deputy guild leader asked anxiously as everything spiraled out of control.

"...."

Of course, it wasn't okay.

Phoenix Guild had intentionally allowed a Dungeon Break, expecting the government to be forced into a desperate compromise.

But Leon ruined everything.

"Damn it… where did that bastard even come from?"

Yongwan glared at Leon in silent fury.

Then, a sinister idea surfaced.

"Actually… this might not be so bad."

He chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"That Gate… it's still open."

And in that Gate, something awaited them.

A nightmare that no mere hunter could overcome.