Chapter 84: Kanora Guild (2)

The first to raise a question was the Siren.

Honestly, I didn’t expect the boost to be handed out like in a game either.

But that’s that, and this is this. I smiled gently.

“No, no. In games, it’s not a 1.3x increase but a 30% boost. Isn’t that how it usually goes? The numbers would likely be lower too.”

“Still, becoming a devotee is a bit much, don’t you think?”

This Siren woman dares to belittle the Church of Kanora.

If that’s how she wants to play, I’ve got an idea.

I’ll show her an irresistible devil’s temptation.

“So, you don’t want to? You might sing better.”

“Huh? Really?”

Of course.

Since it amplifies various abilities, even a tone-deaf Siren like her might start singing well.

“And the Succubus would have an even stronger charm effect, no?”

“Oh, that’s intriguing.”

The Succubus licked her lips with interest.

“As for the Dwarf, your blacksmithing skills will improve.”

“Oh?”

It would be great if the Dwarf joined, even though we’ve just met.

“And Naipir, your wings might turn black and you could unleash epic dark lightning.”

That’s just my speculation, though.

Who knows?

It could actually happen.

“Oh, really? Wait a minute, is this bitch trying to lure people with this stuff? My only god is Lady Priscilla!”

Even if your mouth is crooked, you still have to speak straight.

What’s a god who can’t even manifest doing here, acting cocky?

“Can Lady Priscilla do this?”

“Huh? Well, no, but she’s in the other world.”

The other world?

Our Goddess was also from another world initially.

This is tricky.

“So, you’re saying my Goddess, who can cross worlds, is pretty awesome, right?”

“Grr…”

Seeing that you can’t respond, I guess your god really can’t manifest here.

Well, it can’t be helped.

After all, our badass Goddess followed me here out of love—she’s a total deviant!

—Wow, I helped you out, and this is what I get.

Look, if you’re going to live with me, this is the least you should do.

For now, not many among the returnees seemed eager to become devotees.

The Siren, the dwarf, and the Little Mermaid said they’d become devotees to enhance their abilities, and the Succubus wanted to boost her charm techniques.

“Hey, telling a lowly creature to pray to the Goddess—what nonsense is that?”

“Pfft. Try being a devout follower like Yoo-jeong.”

At my words, Yoo-jeong knelt in front of the Goddess statue.

That’s what I was expecting.

“See? That’s why we won’t do it. For monsters, that’s the worst.”

“Yeah, exactly!”

Wait.

So how many monsters are there, then?

“So the monsters are Slimes, Vampires, Succubi, Sirens, and the like?”

“Why leave out the Little Mermaid?”

“Hmm, it doesn’t matter. Everyone here is a cheat character anyway.”

“So, is there no point in us becoming devotees?”

Not really, but if you think about it, the logic is simple.

At least our Goddess treats her devotees kindly.

“I believe you’ll receive even better abilities. Our Goddess gives extra gifts to her devotees who serve her faithfully.”

I don’t know exactly how, but the Goddess will take care of it.

Meanwhile, the Dwarf, who had become a devotee of the Church of Kanora, opened an impromptu forge.

He was busy making something.

“Oh, wow. I’ve been a blacksmith for 100 years, but I’ve never seen an effect like this.”

“What is it?”

“The Goddess must be quite the powerful being. Look at this. I only tempered the metal once, but it’s as if I did it dozens of times.”

Wow, that’s impressive.

Not bad.

Is this the Goddess’s blessing?

“Hmm, then I wonder what’ll happen in my case.”

“Now that I think about it, aren’t you a revolutionary leader with a unique ability?”

“Yeah, my ability is called the ‘Waves of Freedom.’”

Waves of Freedom?

Honestly, that doesn’t sound right.

It’s hard to believe someone who incites rebellion has an ability like that.

“Let’s be honest.”

“The ability is called Incitement.”

At my words, they furrowed their brow and finally answered truthfully.

I knew something was off.

It felt strange.

“Alright, alright. Even though it’s the first day, we have a goal.”

There’s somewhere we need to go on the first day.

“Where?”

“This time, there’s a gate in southern Seoul.”

“Southern Seoul? Oh, I’ve heard about that.”

Everyone probably knows about it.

It’s been all over the news.

“We’re going to handle the southern Seoul gate.”

“But, from what I know, isn’t there a joint operation planned for that place? Tomorrow, I think? Anyway, it’s supposed to happen soon.”

“That’s their business. It doesn’t concern us.”

In fact, that’s all the more reason to break through.

I want to wipe the floor with them.

What will their faces look like when we sweep everything away?

“True enough.”

“Wait. What about the Tower of Destruction?”

I responded lightly to Cheonma’s question.

“We’ve already taken down two of the Four Heavenly Kings, so we can rest a bit.”

It’s not like we’re stuck in the Tower’s strategy.

Taking it easy is fine, especially since we made a decent amount of money.

Even after defeating the Four Heavenly Kings, when the settlement came through later, we still managed to extract millions more.

This is why they say it’s possible to destroy ecosystems.

“Why does it feel like we’re leaving ramen unfinished?”

“We’ve already climbed a lot. We can take our time.”

The most important thing now is that the hunters have lost interest in the Tower.

If you look at the online communities, mentions of the Tower have nearly disappeared.

They realized there’s no benefit to them anymore, so there’s no reason to bring it up.

For now, this is enough.

The Heavenly Kings Guild is also holding it down.

Clearing the southern Seoul gate is not a bad choice either.

“I heard the Martial Alliance has also formed a guild.”

“Oh?”

“However, they seem to have registered it as a business. So, there are no guild perks.”

That’s disappointing.

But it’s interesting that you can form a guild as a business entity.

“Oh, that’s too bad.”

“Wait, what are our guild perks?”

“Well, in every sector, you get a 25% discount! You can even get rotisserie chicken cheaper!”

Just imagining it makes my mouth water.

I wouldn’t be able to resist a 25% discount on food.

“Oh, that sounds tempting.”

Right?

“Even the motel rates?”

At that, the Rocking Horse shook its body violently, breathing heavily.

This is unsettling.

Can it really do that with that body?

“Maxsize.., no… Rocking Horse, do you really want to do it in that form?”

I asked out of curiosity, and the horse’s eyes sparkled.

“Haha, Saintess, I’ve developed techniques to satisfy women even in this body!”

Squeak, squeak.

With those shaking legs?

“I shall protect you, Saintess!”

The Rocking Horse, as if showing off, squeaked energetically, excited.

Then, a little blonde kid in plate armor appeared before me.

Looking closer, it was a child with blonde hair.

Where did this little kid come from?

“And who’s this kid?”

“It must be the knight.”

I guess you could call him a knight, but he’s too young.

Wasn’t he bigger in the briefing?

“Oh, is that so? He’s quite small. Didn’t his parents give him a curfew?”

At his size, I bet his mother would be worried.

“W-Well, Saintess, my race doesn’t grow much. I may look like this, but if you consider the time before the Great Cataclysm, I’m over fifty years old! And when I wear thicker armor and gauntlets, I look pretty big!”

Fifty years old with that face?

“Well, I suppose that makes sense with the Great Cataclysm. But still.”

You’re telling me this fifty-year-old is flirting with a goddess-like saint in that body?

“This guy is really a dwarf.”

“Is he a different species from the Pixie?”

“Well, dwarves are still a branch of the human race, and pixies are part of the fairy race.”

The young pixie stretched her body with an exaggerated “Ahem.”

Wow, even here, she has a superiority complex!

Anyway, I’m not particularly drawn to dwarves.

“I mean, isn’t it strange even imagining a ‘shota’ in a romantic context?”

“A sh-shota?”

No matter what, that’s just crossing a line.

I’m not into that sort of thing.

I only love myself—no interest in small kids like that.

“I swear, I’m pure-hearted…”

No, wait.

“Pure? What nonsense. Let’s be honest, shota knight. Deep down, your thoughts are the same as mine, right?”

The Rocking Horse interrogated the shota intensely.

Yeah, I’m curious about that.

Surely, with a body like that, he wouldn’t dare to make a move on me.

“To be honest, I can’t say I have no impure thoughts about you, Saintess…”

“Wow, no shame at all.”

Sure, something small can be cute compared to something big.

But still, it’s just strange.

When I imagine it, everything from dating to the bed feels off.

I don’t lack desire, but I can’t imagine how someone would find satisfaction with a shota.

The more I think about it, the more I just end up appreciating myself.

“You don’t like impotent men or shota. Then what do you like? Sure, there are women into shotas. You know, when a naive kid first discovers his desires and clings like a monkey, trying his best. Doesn’t that excite you?”

Hmm.

I imagined it, but no, the idea of me being the one ‘on the bottom’ feels disgusting.

“Ridiculous.”

“Do I really have to like one of the two? Most people dislike impotent men, and shota is just a matter of taste. As for me, I love myself.”

I only love myself.

“Wow, the self-love is real.”

“Exactly, so hand me a full-length mirror.”

Smack!

I gave the elf who said something useless a well-deserved flick on the forehead.

“I guess that’s fair.”

“Still, isn’t it strange that someone like you, with that body, doesn’t know men?”

I guess most people would think that.

Even I sometimes wonder if a pretty woman knows the pleasures of men.

But it’s infuriating.

How dare this Rocking Horse, of all things, think such a thing?

I pulled out my mace.

“Oh ho! Will the Rocking Horse’s head be smashed?”

“N-no, I’ll pass on that.”

“Being made of wood, you’d die if hit, right?”

“Yeah, and he is made of wood, so it’s not even illegal, right?”

Actually, it’s perfect.

No murder charges would stick, so I could beat him as I please.

That’s what I mean.

“I could hit you… but something feels strange about it.”

“Well, okay. I’ll let you off this time. But…”

I climbed on top of the Rocking Horse.

“Ohh! This is a reward!”

“Save that nonsense for someone else.”

I grabbed the horse’s ears and shook them vigorously.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

Rhythmically, intensely!

“Ahhhhhh! Saintess, I’m sorry! Please, forgive me!”

“Try acting up again, and you know what happens, right?”

“O-okay, I get it. I really do!”

That’s more like it.

I decided to spare this cursed horse.

Not that I needed a mace to teach him a lesson.

“Alright, I’ll let you off this time.”

“Huff… huff… but that was nice.”

The Rocking Horse couldn’t hide its excitement even at the end.

This thing’s a real pervert.