Chapter 54: Saint of Light Shinkyo

“Where am I..?”

He opened his eyes in a darkness where he could see nothing. A message window appeared before him.

[Select a trait to carry over to the next world.]

[1. Lightning God’s Body (A)]

‘I remember now.’

His second life, the world of martial arts. He had lived there as the head of the Heavenly Demon Guard, the Heavenly Demon’s personal protector, and her husband, until his death at the age of 30.

Now was the time to choose a trait to carry over to the next world.

His body, reduced to the size of a five-year-old, his vanished power, the unfamiliar space, all of it was uncomfortable, but the most unsettling thing was… the disappearance of the emotions that had filled him just moments ago.

Ha-yeon in his memories seemed precious, someone he loved deeply, but now he couldn’t recall any feelings for her.

He must have loved her deeply, shed tears at the thought of parting, desired each other so much that he’d wanted to give up reincarnation and live with her… yet now it felt like nothing.

It terrified him.

That he had become a different person, that his feelings had vanished so easily… that long period of time was completely gone, and all that remained was emptiness.

‘This is why I didn’t want to get married.’

He’d initially refused her proposal.

But he couldn’t ignore her persistent affections and his own feelings for her, so he married her… or so his memories told him.

But unable to recall those feelings, he felt like an idiot who had irresponsibly gotten married.

He vowed never to marry again in this life.

He resolved never to leave someone behind or feel the emptiness of vanished emotions again, and he selected Lightning God’s Body.

His consciousness faded, and he felt himself being pulled somewhere.

Twelve years after awakening in the new world, he’d reached the Transformation Realm faster than in his previous life and was adapting to this world as a mercenary.

A world with knights and mages, kings and emperors, nobles and monsters, demons, and their ruler, the Demon King. Since it was similar to the fantasy novels he used to read, adapting wasn’t difficult.

Since only demons could use dark energy in this world, he couldn’t openly use demonic arts, so he had to rely solely on his Awakened physical abilities and Blood Sky Dance for his missions, which was a bit of a drawback.

“Yo! Yu-won, you here?”

“Old man, what is it this time?”

Alexander, the master of the mercenary guild he was working for. He was once called the Mercenary King, but after retiring, he’d settled in this quiet countryside, established a guild, and spent his days drinking.

He was also a greedy boss who worked him, the only Mithril-rank mercenary in the area, to the bone. Still, since he’d helped him adapt to this world the most, he diligently assisted him.

If it weren’t for him, the old man would have to do the work himself, and it felt wrong to make an 80-year-old man work. He was also paid well, so he had no major complaints.

“Hey, hey, I heard the Saintess is coming to this area.”

“The Saintess?”

“Yeah. The Saintess of the Church of the Radiant Light.”

Unlike Earth, where various religions thrived, this world had only one religion, worshipping a single Goddess.

Since the Church handled most major healing, its influence was even greater than the Empire’s, and the Saintess? She was practically the most important person in the world.

He’d heard she was as beautiful as the Goddess herself and had an amazing figure, but he’d never seen her in person, so he wasn’t sure. But why would such a person come to this countryside?

“Why would such an important person come to a rural place like this?”

“Wait a moment.”

Alexander used Aura to create a barrier around them, preventing their conversation from being overheard.

“This is a secret… The Church contacted me, saying a dungeon containing a divine relic appeared near here. They’re looking for someone familiar with the area to guide them.”

Although the Church of the Radiant Light was now the sole religion, he’d heard there were many more in the past.

They’d all been defeated and disappeared after clashing with the Church of the Radiant Light.

While those other religions were gone, the divine relics created by their gods still remained hidden throughout the world in the form of dungeons.

The moment the Church located a dungeon with a divine relic, they would go there immediately to retrieve it and offer it to the Radiant Goddess.

He’d heard the power of the other gods contained within the relics would be completely absorbed by the Radiant Goddess, making her even stronger.

If the Goddess’s power grew, the Church’s power also grew, so retrieving divine relics was one of their top priorities. That’s why the Saintess herself was coming to this countryside.

‘But why is he telling me this…?’

“You want me to go?”

“Yeah. You know you’re the only one I can trust. I can’t trust the others.”

He hadn’t even properly revealed his energy since arriving, for fear of being discovered as a demon, and this old man wanted him to meet the Saintess, the heart of the Church?

‘And guide her, no less?’

“No way. I won’t do it!”

“You fool! Do you think opportunities to meet the Saintess are common? You might even be able to talk to her! You could rise through the ranks if you catch her eye!”

‘Rise through the ranks, my
! I’ll be lucky if I don’t get exposed as a demon and burned at the stake.’

“If it’s such a good opportunity, you do it!”

“Trying to make an old man work… Fine, then.”

The old man took out a piece of paper from his drawer.

“That’s…”

“The contract you signed. Read it carefully.”

[I, Kim Yu-won, having broken Alexander’s most prized instrument, promise to fulfill one of his requests, as long as it doesn’t threaten my life. (Signed)]

The document even had his fingerprint on it. The contract he signed after breaking the old man’s 10 million gold instrument made from the branch of the World Tree, which he’d bought with his retirement funds.

“You’re going this far..?”

“Do you know what will happen to me if the others cause trouble in front of the Saintess? You’re the only one I can trust with this.”

“What about Swain? He’s quiet and competent!”

“He’s on a long-term mission. If he were here, I wouldn’t have to ask you.”

That was true. He’d just asked in case, but he’d been immediately shut down.

“Haa… fine. But I’m only guiding her, nothing more. Got it?”

“I’m not asking for anything more, so don’t worry.”

“So when is the Saintess arriving?”

“Now.”

‘Huh?’

He heard footsteps outside, followed by a knock.

“We’re from the Church of the Radiant Light.”

“Come in.”

Two paladins with power around the Graduate top-rank level entered Alexander’s office, flanking a woman in revealing clothing.

“Greetings, Alexander. I am Estelle, Saintess of the Church of the Radiant Light.”

As rumored, she had a beautiful face and a stunning figure. But she looked much… younger than he’d expected.

‘She looks like a high school student at most.’

Even though he was the same age, he thought the people who said she was the Goddess reborn and wanted to grope her should be thrown in jail.

Well, in this world, marriage was legal from the age of 15, so the Saintess before him would be considered an adult. Alexander, after receiving her greeting, also rose and bowed.

“Greetings, Saintess. It’s an honor to have you at our guild office.”

‘He’s laying it on thick.’

He’d never seen the old man be so formal.

“And who is this..?”

She looked at Yu-won and asked Alexander.

“He’s the one guiding you. Hey, quickly greet the Saintess.”

He couldn’t refuse, so he bowed to her and spoke.

“I’m Kim Yu-won, a Mithril-rank mercenary. It’s an honor to meet you, Saintess.”

“Ah! You’re the youngest Mithril-rank mercenary I’ve heard so much about? It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yu-won.”

She extended her hand, and he took it. Alexander looked surprised, and the paladins behind her reached for their swords.

“Everyone, stop.”

The paladins stopped at her command.

‘Did I do something wrong…?’

Alexander quickly apologized.

“I apologize. He doesn’t know proper etiquette…”

“It’s okay. This is the first time someone has held my hand like this. It’s refreshing. I look forward to working with you, Yu-won.”

She smiled at him, her expression showing interest.

“Yes.”

He’d planned to just guide her and be done with it, but he seemed to have unintentionally caught the Saintess’s attention.

–Hey, if there’s some kind of etiquette, you should have told me before the Saintess arrived, you old geezer.

Annoyed at having drawn unwanted attention, he sent a telepathic message to Alexander.

–Did you really think I’d know that? Most people would know! But she seems to like you, so guide her well. Got it?

–Got it.

His complaint went nowhere. He could only pray.

‘Please let nothing happen…’

That he wouldn’t have to interact with her anymore after today.