Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 189: The Finger Of God (4)

-The ancient city did not return the Finger of God, which held absolute power.

-The city shall be eternally banished from repose.

Thus, the ancient city that failed to overcome desire and did not offer the Finger of God was eternally cursed by the God.

Those who offered their finger would not die.

Even if their entire body would burn, crush, and shatter into pieces.

Their mind would remain intact, trapped in an eternal cycle of suffering.

With the Finger of God.

The immortality humans so desperately desired.

Yet, at the same time, an eternal curse.

Endless mental and physical torment.

A mind that couldn’t sleep.

A body untouched even by divine power.

A soul unable to return to the embrace of the divine.

Immortality was not a blessing but a curse for living beings. The moment life could not find rest in any wound, pain, sleep, or respite, it became the most terrible curse since the dawn of time.

It was not a curse of the devil.

An indescribable, unprecedented external force.

After this horrific situation unfolded, a secret meeting was held in Vermandois.

In the mercenary city of Vermandois, eight mercenary group leaders gathered in the underground lair of the Top 10 Group Leader Gione.

And Allen, who was the first to arrive at the scene, also attended as one of the eight representatives.

Bloody Club Gione confirmed all eight seats were filled and quietly announced the start of the meeting.

“Earlier, an unbelievable event occurred in front of the cathedral. It’s hard to believe, but they are immortal beings.”

“If it’s dark magic, shouldn’t it be purified with holy power?”

When a man from Gione’s alliance asked that, the answer came not from Gione, but from Allen.

“This is not dark magic. It is an external force that cannot be explained by anything… Some call it the power of God.”

“God curses us? That’s nonsense.”

A devout believer among the mercenary group leaders denied it. It was an unheard-of claim that God would lay a curse.

Knowing it would be hard to believe, Allen had prepared something in advance before the meeting. As he clapped his hands, the door opened, and two burly men entered carrying a large tray. The tray was soon placed in the center of the round table, so that everyone could see. Then, a powerful smell of blood hit their noses.

On the tray, human flesh and chunks of entrails were mixed together. It was natural to think of them as a corpse, yet they still squirmed.

“They are still alive.”

!!

Everyone seemed surprised.

When Allen gave a nod, the accompanying follower used their holy power. However, the undying creature did not absorb any of it, letting it all slip away.

“No matter what, it doesn’t work.”

“I understand. Now take it away.”

The two men and the follower carried out the grotesque mass that was once called human from the conference room.

And like the lingering smell of blood that still hadn’t disappeared, the silence also continued for a long time.

Allen, with a calm expression, scanned the faces of the remaining seven group leaders once and spoke again in a heavy voice.

…The atmosphere was already revolving around him.

“A short while ago, a prophetess named Aloa, with whom I am closely acquainted, gave me a warning. ‘Beware of the Finger of God,’ she said.”

The Finger of God?

Everyone wore expressions of complete ignorance. Of course, they wouldn’t know. It was a very secretive matter, with hardly any records remaining.

“A long time ago, a demon betrayed God and cut off His finger. That is what the Finger of God is. Ah, because of the context, the story might get a bit lengthy, so I ask for your understanding.”

They all nodded slightly, indicating they understood.

“Then, there was an ancient city called Leonosta. By chance, this Finger of God ended up there. Of course, there wasn’t a problem up to that point. It could be offered back to God.”

“Clearly, they just washed their hands of it!”

A slightly hot-tempered group leader of the Viola Alliance mumbled with conviction.

“Yes, they were captivated by the powerful force given by the finger, and did not return it to God. Thus, the city was punished by the God.”

“That’s immortality, then.”

“Correct. The city was expelled from this world, and all humans had their index fingers cut off and were cursed with immortality.”

“But what does that have to do with this?”

Allen looked at the questioner as if he had been waiting for it and nodded lightly.

“Those who caused this incident also have no index fingers, whether on the left hand or the right. They offered it to the cursed city and gained immortality likewise.”

“How could such fools manage that? Does that mean there’s someone behind it?”

“There are no others but heretics who would commit such acts.”

As expected!

“Of course, they’re a different kind of heretic from those commonly known on the continent… They believe themselves to be liberators, freeing humans from death.”

“Crazy bastards.”

Most cursed them, but Blood Club Gione laughed, saying it was plausible.

“Not entirely wrong.”

“…Yes, they’ve truly been liberated from death. The problem is, in exchange for becoming immortal, they bear even greater suffering.”

Liberated from death, yet unable to sleep eternally, and not free from mental and physical agony.

Literally, just immortal. Simply not dying.

“It’s no different from a curse.”

“Yes, it’s a curse. A very dreadful curse indeed.”

The group leaders clutched their heads as if they had a headache. Humans couldn’t help but be fascinated by that immortal ability. So they offered even their fingers to gain the power of immortality.

“I’m sure they started working on it step by step from the bottom. Even demonstrating it… Honestly, who wouldn’t be tempted? If there were no problems, I’d want to do it right away too.”

“…Finger and immortality…”

Honestly, if it weren’t for such side effects, anyone would offer their fingers. In fact, it could be considered an unfair deal.

“Of course, it’s not just about cutting off fingers; they must be offered to a city banished to an unknown dimension. There was probably a large-scale offering ceremony near Vermandois, where fingers were sacrificed.”

Hearing that, Viola spoke for the first time.

“Then, is there no solution?”

In fact, that was the most important thing in this meeting.

“As of now, there is none.”

Haaah.

A frustrated sigh burst forth. It was obviously not a matter to be taken lightly.

“Of course, it’s not that there’s absolutely no way. However, if we don’t resolve it when the opportunity arises, it will become extremely troublesome.”

“What kind of opportunity?”

“When the gates of the ancient city open, that is.”

!!!

“Probably something similar has happened almost simultaneously across the entire continent. Of course, those who know this secret are very few, but at least Group Leader Grenzo would know. I believe a Top 10 meeting will soon be convened. This is a continental event, and it cannot be easily overlooked. And I think the Imperial Palace will also move.”

“It means it’s that critical of a matter.”

“That’s correct. So, for now, the best course is to calm the situation as much as possible, prepare, and wait.”

Everyone nodded. The two Top 10 Group Leaders also expressed their agreement with Allen’s words.

“Very well. Then ensure, both internally and externally, that such incidents do not occur again.”

Everyone responded that they would do so.

And they looked at Allen, who had skillfully led the meeting to this point, with renewed respect.

His martial skills were lacking, but they had heard his knowledge was at a genius level, and indeed, he lived up to his reputation. Whether it was knowledge or prediction, there was nothing that wasn’t sharp.

It was clear that his growth to this extent in just a few years wasn’t simply due to luck.

As the meeting concluded, the surroundings were already enveloped in the darkness of evening.

Allen returned straight to the hideout. Except for a few, the members were all gathered in the meeting room, anxiously waiting for the Group Leader to arrive.

“Where’s Ordnung?”

“In the room. She seemed quite serious, so we left her alone.”

“Good. Just wait for a moment.”

Allen left the members in the meeting room for a moment and headed alone to Ordnung’s room.

“Sister… may I come in for a moment?”

But there was no answer.

Unable to just leave, he cautiously twisted the doorknob. The door creaked open.

The Blind Saintess was kneeling in prayer on the floor, bathed in moonlight in the dark room.

Allen exhaled deeply and carefully approached her, sitting next to her.

“So, did the Lord answer you?”

The Blind Saintess slowly shook her head.

“No…”

Allen lightly patted Ordnung’s shoulder as if to comfort her.

“Quite cold-hearted of him.”

And then, a brief silence.

He applied a little more pressure to the hand resting on her shoulder.

“Sister…. I won’t force comforting words on you. What use are they in this situation? But, don’t foolishly wait for God’s words to come to you. He won’t answer just because you wait.”

Then Allen patted her back a couple of times before getting up.

“The others are waiting impatiently. I’ll go tell them the Sister is sobbing.”

“I’m not sobbing…!”

The Blind Saintess stood up abruptly.

Her fists clenched tightly as if she had made a decision.

“I’ll go too.”

Allen smiled warmly.

“…Alright.”

That’s more like our sister.