episode_0452

Three days later, in the evening.

The three of us—me, Angela, and Seoyeon—gathered in front of the church where we had first met.

It was to move covertly into the operational area under the cover of deep darkness.

“Hey, is everyone here?”

Angela greeted me with a wide smile as she opened the church door.

She sent Seoyeon an infinitely gentle gaze before turning towards me and shooting a sharp look my way.

What’s with this displeased look?

Did I unknowingly make some mistake?

As I struggled to understand her inscrutable gaze, she finally explained the reason.

“You boldly pocketed someone else’s money, didn’t you?”

Ah, that’s it?

“You said we could spend whatever we needed for the operation, right?”

“Even so, crossing the line at 4 million dollars, really, kid!”

It’s true that I casually pocketed someone else’s money without worry.

But it wasn’t a pointless extravagance.

Probably.

“Just wait, you’ll be banging your knees when you see the results. Just watch.”

Confident.

Confident that the items I prepared would leave the mouths of those gathered here agape.

“Just so you know, I don’t easily get surprised by ordinary things.”

I shrugged my shoulders in response to her tone, which seemed to warn me to be prepared if she couldn’t surprise herself.

“If they’re ordinary things, of course you’d be surprised.”

“Hmm… arrogant. But just the right amount.”

…Is that praise?

She then turned towards forty knights disguised in civilian clothing and five priests who were waiting, drawing an unknown smile towards our direction, and issued orders.

“Board!”

As her words fell, people split up and boarded several cars in a frighteningly swift manner.

Despite the large-scale movement, there was a reason for choosing cars over buses.

First of all, those cars were special.

They were enchanted with concealment magic, allowing them to hide their travel route.

This increased the risk of accidents with other vehicles on the road, but this was resolved by using the Association’s exclusive lanes.

The three of us got into the car at the forefront.

“Then let’s go.”

Our car moved first, with the others following at regular intervals.

Once out of the city, we activated the concealment function using the Association’s exclusive lanes.

It might seem excessive, but for operations emphasizing secrecy and speed, it was necessary.

One had to be overly conscious of the enemy’s gaze to even barely achieve the mission’s objective.

The car ride was quiet.

Seoyeon appeared tense, and Angela seemed to be carrying her own concerns.

I understood.

One side was understandably nervous as it was their first operation, while the other side held the responsibility for the lives of those participating in the operation, causing more than just a bit of worry.

So, I simply kept quiet too.

Knowing that sometimes it’s necessary to think alone and rationalize.

Around three hours passed quietly inside the running car.

“We have arrived.”

The car, now deactivated from its concealment function, entered the sleeping city enveloped in darkness.

The city’s name was Daejeon.

The city most diligently undergoing restoration efforts by the government after complete recovery in Gyeonggi Province.

Surprisingly, hidden within this city was the Kwangmyeong Church.

—

The Kwangmyeong Church was nothing short of the personal bodyguards of the leader, ‘Brain Washer,’ but for now, it was a religion.

Hundreds of Hunter believers.

And estimated thousands of ordinary believers who had integrated into society, supporting the church financially.

No matter how much it may appear to be just a religion on the surface, they still needed to hold worship days and constantly reinforce the doctrines instilled in their minds.

That’s why people always wondered.

Even if not all believers could attend, why did hundreds of people gather regularly to accept the false god, without being able to catch even a glimpse of where it was hiding.

The answer lay in Daejeon.

“I never thought they would be hiding here.”

Kim Dojin marveled as he gazed at the city, peacefully asleep in the deepening darkness.

Daejeon Metropolitan City.

After fully restoring the Gyeonggi Province area, the government chose it as the second restoration zone. Hunters promised substantial support are currently engaged in clearing nearby dungeons, reviving desolate lands, and reconstructing the fallen city.

Thanks to this, the city quickly regained stability. People tired of Seoul’s hustle and expensive land prices began revitalizing the area through migration.

In such a region, Gwangmyeong Church had long established its presence, disguised as an ordinary church.

“It’s quite a troublesome ability in many ways.”

In the distance, a tall spire rose prominently in the darkened city.

That was the headquarters of Gwangmyeong Church, disguised as an ordinary church. Isn’t it strange? In a city where operations are just beginning, there is such a large church. Even a single call to each church district reveals that they have not yet established a church in Daejeon.

But how have they managed to remain hidden without being exposed until now?

The answer is simple: they brainwashed them, enveloping all those who doubted their existence and aligning them with Gwangmyeong Church.

“Taking over Daejeon entirely wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

A spy, freed from brainwashing after wearing a headband, infiltrated Gwangmyeong Church and reported that most of the senior officials dispatched from Seoul to Daejeon were under their control.

It’s almost as if they’ve grasped Daejeon entirely.

Just the thought sends shivers down the spine.

“One wrong move could have nearly sacrificed an entire metropolitan city, couldn’t it?”

Although it’s currently just a small satellite city, Daejeon will eventually reclaim its former status fitting of a metropolitan city.

As long as the government actively supports this, it’s practically a predetermined future.

If the city expands and all its resources flow into Gwangmyeong Church?

“…It’s terrifying to even imagine.”

The fact that the Guardians planned to eradicate Gwangmyeong Church at this crucial moment may be due to this reason – upon hearing the story from their inside spy, they must have realized they couldn’t leave things as they were.

In many ways, it was fortunate for this country. Thanks to Gwangmyeong Church, a small piece of land narrowly escaped a crisis.

“Shall we go in soon?”

Using magic to levitate, Kim Dojin swiftly moves through the darkness.

In the blink of an eye, he arrives high above the church.

[Activating the Dominator’s Domain.]

As a precaution, he activates his domain before slowly descending.

Eyes of stern vigilance felt throughout the area.

However, about 70% of them had turned into mere decorations, as the magical security system posed no threat to Kim Dojin.

What he needed to watch out for were analog security systems and traps.

Navigating through these, he carefully surveys the surroundings.

“It’s disgustingly huge.”

The building’s size and surrounding grounds are substantial enough to accommodate up to 1,000 people with a bit of a squeeze.

After estimating the size, he completes his calculations in his mind.

“It’s going to be close, isn’t it?”

Luckily, a potential flaw in the operation worth 4.4 billion won was narrowly avoided.

Even though it’s someone else’s money, he thought it might have been excessive spending.

“After all, you have to spend lavishly first.”

It’s good that it doesn’t cost a penny to dismantle Gwangmyeong Church. And perhaps reducing the assets of a group that might become enemies is also beneficial.

Truly a perfect two-birds-one-stone scheme.

With a suppressed chuckle, Kim Dojin’s influence spread widely from the church building.

* * *

The legendary figure of the boxing world, Mike Tyson, once said:

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

While there is some interpretation involved, the essence is simple.

On the battlefield or in life.

The meticulously crafted plan in one’s mind, deemed perfect, never flows smoothly as intended.

Because it’s not just one’s own plan.

Multiple individuals must act organically, aligning their actions seamlessly, even anticipating the enemy’s reactions accurately, breaking through the abysmal odds twice over. Hence, plans never unfold as envisioned.

And so it was now.

“Argh…! There are more enemies than expected?!”

The number of foes defied expectations.

Despite standing at the forefront and already taking down dozens of fanatic hunters, the path seemed endless.

The Vatican’s Holy Knights were a force to be reckoned with, each worth a hundred warriors.

With recovery abilities several times superior to others, they did not tire easily nor succumb to wounds swiftly.

Truly fitting for such chaotic battles.

Yet, even for them, limits existed.

Slow recoveries from wounds deeper than anticipated began to mark the overwhelming numbers surpassing expectations.

The anxiety felt elongated the threads of thought further.

‘What should I do? Retreat? Or forcefully carve a path ahead?’

At that moment when the weight of responsibility as the one holding everyone’s lives became increasingly pronounced, a man’s voice descended into her ears from above.

“All allies, fall back.”

A familiar voice.

It was unmistakably Kim Dojin.

“What…?! Why suddenly…!”

Just as the battle had begun, he vanished without a trace only to reappear ordering a retreat.

As she prepared to lash out in anger, Kim Dojin’s words reached her first.

“I clearly stated it. Even if you’re upset, I won’t budge, okay?”

“Th-this… damn it!”

Angela suppressed the anger building up in her chest.

She immediately commanded the knights, “Everyone, fall back!”

Simultaneously, she calmly blocked the enemies’ attacks and stepped back.

Once a considerable distance was established…

Rumble…!

A loud noise echoed from the sky.

Unconsciously, her eyes shot upwards.

In the dark expanse above, something was plummeting towards them.

A massive object engulfed in fiery, scorching flames, looking like it could sear one’s skin upon sight.

Realizing its identity, her face paled in shock.

“A m-meteor…!?”

A colossal meteor was hurtling towards them.

And it was aimed straight at the headquarters of the Bright Church.