Chapter 27: The end is another beginning

Amon’s wound healed in just a week.

The injury, which had started on her side and covered half of her abdomen, healed so quickly not only because of the existence of healing magic but also largely due to Amon’s own regenerative abilities.

Amon had been known for her exceptionally fast recovery since ancient times, and this time was no different.

”Well, this is also…”

It must be because of sacred power.

It was an incredibly convenient force since it could explain all phenomena that couldn’t be explained by magic or science.

Of course, scholars of sacred studies would go mad trying to uncover its principles, but that was none of Amon’s concern.

After completing the discharge procedures, Amon handed the bill to the paladins.

At first glance, it was a four-digit amount in dollars, but none of the paladins showed any sign of concern.

They casually swiped their cards to cover Amon’s hospital fees.

Sonia’s complexion turned pale at the absurdly fluctuating amount, but Amon remained unfazed.

”How much did I do for the Vatican.”

For Sonia, who had lived in an orphanage struggling with a tiny budget, it was a lot of money, but for Amon, who understood the value of her deeds indirectly through gaming, ten thousand dollars was nothing.

Megacorp was a megacorporation acting on behalf of the nation.

They dealt with amounts equivalent to national budgets.

Amon had made such national-level transactions with the Vatican.

In that situation, ten thousand dollars?

”Even if I spent a year in the hospital, I would pay.”

Amon had done work for the Vatican on a different level.

Therefore, Amon could present the bill to the Vatican without feeling any sense of debt.

“Let’s go, Sonia.”

Since it wasn’t anything important anyway, Amon left the hospital with her.

The paladins’ protection ended there.

Now that the Hexen group threatening them was gone, the Vatican had no reason to continue protecting them.

It would be unfair to say it was cruel, as the protection was simply because their interests aligned with the Vatican’s, and if they expected more goodwill, they were being presumptuous.

Still, since there was some bond from the protection so far, the Vatican had intended to provide security services up to the cathedral as a favor.

The two declined the offer.

“We have a place to stop by before going to the cathedral.”

“Thank you for everything up until now.”

When asked where they were going, Amon answered with an awkward smile.

“We’re going to Chosun Town.”

The two boarded a taxi heading to Chosun Town.

It wasn’t their first time going to that city where Chosun people, originating from Unified Chosun, gathered.

When running errands around the city, they often naturally ended up visiting Chosun Town.

However, this was their first time heading there to buy something, and it was also their first time taking a taxi instead of a bus.

Inside the taxi, Sonia looked at Amon.

Amon’s lips were upturned, as if he was looking forward to the items they would buy in the town.

Seeing Amon’s profile like that, Sonia tried to speak, her lips twitching before she stopped and hesitated repeatedly.

Amon noticed Sonia’s behavior.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Ah, no… it’s just…”

Sonia hesitated before speaking.

“I was just… thinking of buying some meat for my siblings…”

Upon hearing Sonia’s response, Amon pondered and nodded.

“Well, since the down payment is substantial.”

After deducting the consistent monthly amount, the money deposited immediately upon signing the contract was also considerable.

It was enough to buy a ‘real’ pig and host a barbecue party, thanks to the game.

However, Amon had a concern.

“Will the kids eat it well?”

Objectively speaking, compared to insect synthetic meat, real meat tends to have a lingering odor.

Of course, it has much more fat and richer flavor, but it was still something that could divide tastes.

Moreover, real meat was more vulnerable to antibiotics and bacteria, giving it a much worse hygienic image.

Even though it was edible, there were people who refused to eat real pork, considering it unclean.

But such worries were unfounded.

“I also thought the same until I tried it, but it wasn’t like that.”

Sonia said that once you taste it, you could never go back to cultured meat.

The difference between fake and real was clear.

“Is that so? If you say so.”

Amon manipulated her phone and added one more item to today’s shopping list.

• Garlic
• Ssamjang
• Ssam vegetables (if available)
• Kimchi (if available)
• A whole pig (NEW!)
• Bell peppers (NEW!)
• Potatoes (NEW!)
• Tomatoes (NEW!)

“Let’s call Old Man Johnson from the mercenary agency; he grilled some barbecue back in the day. While we’re at it, let’s also invite Sonia’s people.”

A whole pig yields nearly 260 servings.

For the children at the orphanage, it’s more than they can eat.

Amon, who was about to graduate from the orphanage, intended to invite all of Sonia’s people who had supported her so far.

Amon, beaming, contacted the orphanage director.

Sonia quietly watched Amon’s side profile and then turned her head out the window.

Her eyelashes trembled.

***

That evening, a joyful feast was held at the orphanage, which was under repair.

Johnson, the saltwater mercenary from the mercenary agency, charred his goat beard and excitedly grilled the barbecue.

“Hehe! I never thought I’d get to do this again in my lifetime!”

He was once the leader of a respectable mercenary group, and whenever he got drunk, he would recount his heroic tales from back in the day.

Since the end of those stories always involved barbecue dishes, anyone could tell that the old man longed for the past.

Perhaps because of that.

It seemed as if the emotion of longing was being conveyed through the old man’s mechanical eyes.

“Heh… My eyes broke because of the smoke. Looks like the waterproof fluid is leaking.”

Worried that liquid might splash onto the food from his eyes, the old man turned his head.

His wife wiped the liquid from his eyes with a handkerchief to ease her hardworking husband’s discomfort.

Thanks to the old man’s efforts, many people were able to taste real pork.

Due to the dire environment and the rarity of meat, even those who had never tried it before were flocking to try it.

Of course, if one was determined, they could taste real meat, but since nearly a month’s salary would be spent on a single meal, no one dared to even think about it.

Everyone.

Therefore, Amon’s invitation was immensely appreciated.

Merchants who provided jobs to the orphans, Housewives who occasionally donated goods to the orphanage, Priests and paladins from the cathedral who had supported the orphanage Laborers who repaired the orphanage, Everyone had a day to speak highly of.

In the face of such food, people could easily become greedy, but the adults maintained their dignity until the end.

“Do you want to try this?”

“…I’ll eat it.” She smiled happily.

“Eat a lot.”

They knew that today’s main participants were the children, so they gave the meat to the kids.

It became an unspoken agreement among the guests to stop at a level that would only delight the children’s palates.

“Eat this and stay strong.”

“Thank you. We’ll make you a palace.”

Watching a laborer gratefully accept a bowl given by an orphan, the orphanage director shed a tear.

”I never thought such a good sight would happen in my life.”

As she was holding back her tears, people shouted towards her.

“Thank you, Director!”

“Director!” [Thank you,]

When Amon said he had bought a pig, the source of the money would have been suspicious, so he borrowed the orphanage director’s name.

The director, embarrassed to receive gratitude for something she hadn’t done, turned her gaze towards where Amon was.

Amon and Sonia were enjoying a meal alone in a corner of the orphanage.

Amon was happily eating the pork belly from the barbecue with ssam (wraps).

In contrast, Sonia was just fiddling with the meat using a fork.

Only after her obsession with the pork belly had somewhat subsided did Amon look up and notice Sonia’s plate.

“Don’t eat it!?”

Because her voice kept getting drowned out by people’s voices, Amon raised his voice.

Then, as he made eye contact with her, Amon flinched.

Sadness filled Sonia’s eyes.

Just as he was about to ask if something was wrong, she snapped her fingers.

Snap!

At the same moment, the party hall was enveloped in silence.

Amon panicked and looked around, quickly understanding the situation.

‘No, this is…?’

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t that the party hall had become quiet.

The area where the two were and the area where the people were had become isolated from each other.

Amon recognized this feeling.

“Did you learn that from the priest?”

Nods.

Sonia nodded her head.

It was the silence barrier that was in place when Amon was having a private conversation with the priest in the office.

By snapping her fingers, Sonia had implemented it in this place.

As soon as Amon saw this, he applauded.

“Congratulations. I knew you had talent.”

Amon genuinely rejoiced in Sonia’s achievement.

Under normal circumstances, Sonia would have confidently puffed out her chest with Doyagao, but that day was different.

The more Amon praised her, the darker her expression became.

Seeing her expression, Amon finally understood the mood.

“…Is something wrong?”

In response to Amon’s question, Sonia replied with a shocking statement.

“We… I think we need to separate for a while.”

Amon froze at Sonia’s shocking declaration.

About a minute later, Amon began to accept the situation.

“Separate? What do you mean…”

“Amon. You plan to become a mercenary, don’t you?”

Amon nodded.

He had received the Vatican’s help on the condition of becoming a paladin, but after overturning the Hexen group this time, he had realized something.

He was not the type to live in an organization.

A free spirit through and through, he simply couldn’t be under anyone.

Moreover, it seemed unlikely that the Vatican could tame his temper.

He was the one who, upon hearing an insult towards God, rushed at the boss with dual daggers.

If he saw the corruption of priests and nuns with his own eyes, a genocide wouldn’t have been surprising.

Considering all of this, it was better for everyone if he didn’t go to the Vatican.

This was something he had discussed with Sonia while he was hospitalized.

At that time, Sonia had boasted that she would also live as a mercenary.

But now, saying they had to separate.

Amon combined this fact with the performance Sonia had shown earlier to interpret the meaning of her words.

Even without her telling him, he could understand what she meant.

”Surely…”

“Yes… I want to go to seminary.”

The option of going to the Vatican was already off the table.

Since they had decided to date, the vow of chastity couldn’t be kept from the start.

Sonia couldn’t become a nun.

But aside from that, Sonia wanted to go to seminary.

It wasn’t because her faith was particularly strong.

“Your superior told me that I have a knack for holy magic.”

Holy magic.

It was a type of magic that combines sacred power and mana to cast spells.

It was also a technique created to expand the scope of tactics by formalizing sacred power like magic.

The problem was that this kind of magic belonged to advanced studies regardless of the era.

You had to know scientifically what materials to use and what reactions to initiate, then skillfully blend in mathematics to calculate speed and trajectory, and then verbalize all of this in the form of incantations to cast the spell.

It meant you had to know science, mathematics, engineering, and coding all at once.

There was a reason why wizards in games had intelligence as their main stat.

Of course, advanced studies couldn’t be learned through self-study.

Outstanding talent required outstanding mentors.

The priest, who didn’t want Sonia’s talent to go to waste, proposed to her.

“He can recommend you to a seminary for holy magic.”

Up to this point, it was something to be happy about.

The problem was that the seminary was in California.

It was far away from the state they were currently in.

According to Amon’s knowledge, the distance between Colorado and California was as long as the vertical direction of South Korea.

It was a distance that was absolutely impossible to commute.

Amon’s expression darkened after hearing this explanation.

“You… can’t go together, right?”

Amon nodded.

Objectively, Amon had not a single talent for magic.

His brain wasn’t that high-performing.

Sonia also didn’t want to break up from her heart, and Amon didn’t want to let her go either.

But both of them knew well.

If they missed such a rare opportunity, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Sonia would regret not learning magic for her entire life, and Amon would regret holding onto her forever.

It wasn’t because dreams were more important than love.

Because they loved each other, knowing how beautiful the other person’s dreams were, they had no choice but to let go.

Silence filled the space between them.

Sonia tried to say something, her lips twitching, but she couldn’t find the words.

Amon broke the silence.

“Sonia.”

“Sonia. Let me see your arm here.”

At Amon’s request, Sonia hesitated but then extended her arm.

Click.

A bracelet was placed on her wrist.

She was captivated by the beautiful silver accessory without realizing it.

Meanwhile, Amon took a golden bead and placed it on her bracelet.

Crack.

The bead broke, and a golden aura seeped into the bracelet.

Eventually, some knowledge and bond connected to her soul.

“This is…”

“Now, this bracelet is yours.”

It seemed he didn’t need to say it; she understood.

The bracelet was bound to her.

Whenever and wherever she wanted, it would be placed on her wrist.

Even if it broke, it would be recreated through her soul.

In other words, this bracelet would be with her forever.

But the bracelet’s effects were not limited to that.

The binding effect was just a basic option of the legendary essences Amon had used.

The real effect of the essence he used was…

“Holy power… is recovering.”

The holy power that was escaping to maintain the barrier was being replenished.

It was the effect of the bracelet.

There were very limited means to recover holy power.

Meditation or sleep.

Unlike mana, there were no potions, so holy power had to be used carefully.

In such a world, holy power holders would try every possible method to quickly recover their holy power.

It would reach the level where even the essence related to holy power recovery would be worth as much as property prices.

Sonia also knew its value well, so she couldn’t continue speaking properly.

“But this kind of thing… you too…”

“You know you suit it better than I do.”

Sonia couldn’t answer.

Just as Amon said.

Since it was a legendary essence, it had additional effects.

When holy power was consumed, it recovered a certain amount.

The important thing here was that it was a fixed ‘amount,’ not a fixed percentage.

When holy power was quantified, whether you used 1 or 100, it recovered 5.

In other words, it was suitable for those who used their holy power frequently.

This effect suited Sonia much more than Amon.

Understandably so…

“Now, every time you fire a shot, your holy power will recover.”

Her holy power consumed a very small amount while absorbing recoil.

Combined with this ability and the bracelet, it meant that even if her holy power was completely exhausted, after emptying one magazine, her holy power would be fully replenished—a bug-like synergy.

“OCCH?”

At Amon’s gift, her tear ducts filled.

”If I do this… how can I separate from you…”

“That’s why I gave it to you.”

“Don’t stay apart?”

Shaking her head.

“No. Even if we’re apart, please remember me.”

At Amon’s answer, Sonia finally burst into tears.

She hugged Amon, pressed her face against his chest, and shouted.

“I won’t forget you! We’ll have video calls every night!”

“Yes.”

“When school breaks, don’t take any commissions either!”

“Got it.”

“Come visit school sometimes.”

“Alright.”

“Again… again…”

Her promises continued.

Amon barely held back his flowing tears as he patted her.

Within the barrier completely cut off from the outside, the two shared countless promises.

***

And the next day.

“Are you two idiots?”

Despite the priest’s rude remark, the two couldn’t lift their heads.

After thanking him and saying goodbye to the priest, the two looked for the priest to express their gratitude.

Amon’s eyes were moist as he spoke, saying he looked forward to taking care of Sonia.

Sonia, still not fully accepting the fact that they were separating, kept looking up and crying.

The priest, watching the two strangely, heard their circumstances, and that’s why he made the above remark.

The reason the priest reacted like this was simple.

“Why don’t you two just come along with me and live together?”

“Sonia, is the seminary a boarding school?”

“…No.”

The seminary is a regular university.

Whether you go to a dormitory or live alone, After classes, it doesn’t matter where students do anything.

“Then is there any reason why Amon shouldn’t go to California?”

“…No.”

Mercenaries are free.

It’s a profession chosen for its freedom.

There was no reason Amon couldn’t operate in California.

“Then why did you think you two should separate?”

At the priest’s words, the two couldn’t lift their heads.

Indeed.

Why did they think that?

Looking into each other’s eyes, no matter how much they thought about it, they couldn’t find a reason.

The priest, watching the couple of fools, sighed.

“They say love is stronger than medicine, but… how can it undermine human intelligence like this?”

Although there were no curses, the effect of the priest’s words was deeply affecting.

That evening, sounds of something being kicked were heard in Amon and Sonia’s room, and the next day the blankets were in disarray was a secret only the director and the priest knew.