A few days later, “Hunter Seo Jio” visited the Sun Cult.
“Thank you for coming.”
Kang Seodam came out in person to greet him.
“I hope the journey here was not inconvenient?”
“I was filled with nothing but excitement at the thought of facing again the sun I saw that day.”
“If the light of the Sun reached you, then that too must be fate.”
With his characteristic blunt expression, he guided Jio inside.
“Please follow me.”
“I’ll be in your care.”
As Jio followed behind Kang Seodam, he took in the true appearance of the Sun Cult temple.
‘It really is different from the order I belonged to.’
Compared to Jio’s Sun Cult, which had been extraordinarily splendid despite being severely corroded by the mermaids’ scheming, Earth’s Sun Cult was far more modest and filled with a gentle air.
It was as if the place was full of sunlight.
‘They mainly used clean white rather than gold.’
Perhaps because he was someone who often painted, Jio could not help judging it by aesthetic value rather than historical value.
This place had a much warmer and lighter atmosphere than he had imagined.
“It’s lively.”
“Does it perhaps displease you?”
“No, I asked because it is pleasant to hear.”
“Then this priest’s heart is glad.”
Kang Seodam continued in his uniquely calm tone.
“One of the Sun Cult’s greatest strengths is that it is full of vitality.”
“I have visited the Church of Death before, and this is completely different from that place.”
“That is because the Church of Death regards silence as a virtue, and values the group over the individual.”
They walked down a corridor filled with sunlight from large windows.
“In other words, the priests of death are also called the family of silence.”
“Compared to other orders, their framework of family is especially firm, but apart from that, they value obedience and flow... so it must have been very quiet.”
It was different from the Sun Cult.
“Warmth belongs to the living.”
“The light of our small suns, bestowed upon us by the Sun, burns while we live, then returns to the side of the Sun after consuming all things.”
“So that is why the atmosphere is so bright.”
“Yes, compared to other faiths, we particularly aim for the free conduct of each individual priest.”
“That is why even within the order, we observe only the minimum formalities and speak comfortably with one another.”
“And because of that...”
Kang Seodam glanced at the priests passing by with a faint smile.
“The Sun Cult generally has this strong, bustling atmosphere.”
“It is lovely to see.”
“I am grateful that you see it that way.”
They soon headed to the Sun Cult’s reception room.
“Please sit comfortably.”
Once the two were seated, the people waiting nearby brought out several snacks and tea.
Unlike the priests Jio had seen earlier or Kang Seodam, he could not sense much solar energy from them, so Jio looked at them.
At that, Kang Seodam recalled that Jio was not human and lacked common knowledge regarding such matters, so he explained.
“... These are the brothers and sisters who support the priests of our Sun Cult in both material and spiritual ways.”
“They are not priests, but they stay within the faith and offer help in matters large and small.”
“I see.”
“Thank you for introducing them.”
“It is a priest’s joy to receive a guest of the faith.”
“Thank you for bringing the tea, brothers.”
“I will now speak with our guest, so I would appreciate it if you would withdraw.”
At that, the attendants quietly withdrew, leaving only Jio and Kang Seodam in the reception room.
“... First...”
Kang Seodam bowed his head deeply.
“On behalf of all the humans who were there, I once again thank you for the great mercy you showed in the previous ‘country of the deep sea.’”
Kang Seodam’s attitude was far more courteous and respectful than it had been outside the reception room.
Jio realized from the phrase “on behalf of all the humans” that he was not being treated as human, but let it be.
‘It is a little absurd, but...’
It was probably better than being exposed as an ordinary human and dragged off somewhere as a test subject.
Even while thinking that, Jio adopted the attitude he ought to take as a priest of the Sun.
“I am glad I was of help.”
“Did you safely receive the order’s compensation?”
“Yes, I received the reward money through Collector.”
“... I thought it was not right to compensate you with something so trifling as mere money, but...”
“What modest words.”
Giovanni wore the sacred smile unique to priests.
“I like money.”
“...”
“Most happiness can be bought with money.”
After a brief silence, Kang Seodam nodded.
“I see.”
“That is fortunate.”
Jio instinctively realized that this meant, “I don’t really understand, but he says so, so I should move on.”
It was a reaction Yu Seongun or Ju-hyeon sometimes showed, so he was familiar with it.
Kang Seodam maintained an attitude that was still burdensomely respectful.
“Thanks to the help you gave that day, the number of victims was greatly reduced.”
“It was something I, as the person in overall charge of the initiation ceremony, should have resolved, but because you extended your hand, the young prospective priests were able to avoid meaningless deaths.”
“I believe it was something we accomplished together.”
“Thank you once again for looking kindly upon us.”
“The reason we called Hunter Seo Jio here today is because the faith pursued this meeting.”
“My opinion was not fully reflected, and I will do my utmost to ensure nothing displeases you.”
“It did not displease me?”
Had he thought Jio would say something like, “How dare you order me to come and go”?
Jio expressed a slight question at Kang Seodam, who was for some reason acting exceedingly apologetic and cautious, but Kang Seodam’s reaction remained the same.
“Yes, thank you for believing me.”
Jio’s interpretation was correct.
To him, it felt rude for mere humans to make a god come and go at their bidding.
No, it did not merely feel rude.
It actually was rude.
‘I fear we may forget our place as humans at this rate.’
The divinity before his eyes showed humans an extraordinary degree of goodwill, but that was separate from there being proper limits.
Even so, Kang Seodam could not exactly shout, “Hunter Seo Jio actually bears divinity,” so it was an unavoidable situation.
‘The elder priests are still making noise about whether to recruit him or not...’
They did not know that they dared to spout such words toward a divinity.
It was truly a sin born of ignorance.
Kang Seodam, who had been saddled with this matter, felt genuinely terrible.
“This is not the first time humans have sinned because they were foolish.”
“I will reflect on it.”
“I am not sure what you mean, but I think it is an admirable thing to look back on oneself.”
Like a splendid adult, Jio pretended not to notice Kang Seodam’s confusion and anger.
“Is there something I should do?”
“...”
Kang Seodam barely held back a choking cough.
“... Ahem, no.”
“How could I dare ask anything of you?”
“I would prefer it if you did not treat me as too difficult.”
“Do you feel fear toward me?”
“To be honest, it is more discomfort than fear.”
“You are burdensome.”
“I truly like that kind of honesty.”
Influenced by Arjio, Giovanni’s face brightened radiantly.
“You seem to have a great deal of anger built up.”
“Do you require a spar?”
“Even if I were to die on the spot, I would not ask you for a spar.”
“What an honest soul you have.”
“You are admirable, Brother Kang Seodam.”
“I can only thank you for affirming my soul.”
Kang Seodam felt like he wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere.
“As I said earlier, calling Hunter Seo Jio here today was simply for fellowship, so I have prepared no controls whatsoever.”
“I believe you need only speak comfortably with me and then return home.”
“For us to speak comfortably, Priest Kang Seodam, you look very tired.”
“I know this is rather irreverent to say, but in the end, priests are no different from office workers.”
“There is only more to mind in terms of relationships than at an ordinary workplace.”
“My fatigue has been with me since the existence of my soul, so you need not concern yourself.”
“Then shall we try having the comfortable conversation you suggested?”
Giovanni thought of the young priests here.
“How is Brother Cha Yisol doing?”
“Ah, that child...”
Kang Seodam’s face softened a little as he thought of his student.
“Do you perhaps intend to take him in?”
It was a question asking whether he meant to make him a believer, but Jio merely smiled.
“That does not seem to be for me to decide.”
“On the day of the initiation ceremony, I thought you had come to find a new believer.”
“I am willing to make many friends and family members, but I have no intention of forcing anyone.”
“I see.”
Kang Seodam nodded.
“I asked because recently, Brother Cha Yisol seems to want to become your priest.”
“That would not be my opinion.”
“I thought as much.”
“If you had wished it, it would have been decided on the day of the initiation ceremony...”
Unlike what Kang Seodam had misunderstood that day, the enormous mystery known as “Jio’s Portrait” was not a divinity who grew greedy in order to create his own believers.
He existed without greed, simply by being.
‘That is the more frightening part, though.’
To be this immense even in and of himself, without any believers worshipping him, was truly a rare case.
“If it is not that matter, there have been no major incidents with Brother Cha Yisol.”
“That child is very sociable and optimistic, so he has a fate that draws together friends who wish to help those around them.”
Cha Yisol was a child who was quite popular among the prospective priests.
“He is continuing that steady life.”
“It would be difficult to call him a student with a strong zeal for learning, but he is not the type to avoid assigned duties either.”
“I am truly glad to hear that.”
“Brother Cha Yisol’s family must be glad as well.”
“I am certain that student will become an excellent priest and help many people.”
Was that a prophecy?
“...”
It probably was a prophecy.
‘I should remember it.’
Divinities often foretold the future as if it were nothing.
This was especially true of evil gods who enjoyed play, and in their pursuit of interests free from providence, they carelessly scattered miracles and calamities.
Kang Seodam did not for a moment think Jio’s words were a simple blessing born of fondness.
He divined Student Cha Yisol’s future and continued speaking.
“I do not know if you are aware, but Brother Cha Yisol’s partner is a sister named Iru-da.”
“In this priest’s foolish eyes, both possess the qualities of excellent priests... so much is expected of them.”
However.
“If there is one point of concern, it is that Sister Iru-da is receiving envy and jealousy from other students.”
“She herself pays no mind to that whatsoever.”
“Oh dear... As the Teacher leading the prospective priests, how heavy your burden must be.”
“... Thank you for comforting this insignificant priest.”
“I believe the situation will not grow serious as long as I am here, but I mentioned it because it may be something that could trouble you.”
After they made light conversation on the subject of the prospective priests, Kang Seodam got to the main point.
“There will soon be a raid organized by the Sun Cult.”
“It is an A-rank dungeon with the appraisal name ‘Underground Quadruped Rainforest,’ and we are already scheduled to cooperate with several guilds.”
“Do you wish for me to participate there?”
“If I may offer a poor excuse, this truly was not entirely my opinion.”
“However, the Sun Cult is curious about the precise abilities of ‘Hunter Seo Jio,’ and further, about the person himself.”
“It is interesting that I seem to have received more attention than I deserve.”
“Please speak your opinion freely.”
“The Sun Cult will not dare handle you with authority, and even if it did, the place where you are staying is Collector.”
“There will be no problem.”
Collector was the third most influential guild in South Korea and the richest.
No one wanted to poke the beehive that was a Collector, whose obsession with his collection was stronger than anyone’s.
“It is a simple proposal that you may refuse as much as you like.”
“What sort of dungeon is this ‘Underground Quadruped Rainforest’?”
“It is a Villa Dungeon created beneath a limestone cave, and it is filled with plants that contain poison and have been honed to razor sharpness.”
“Because of that, we are recruiting healers and trainers as our top priority.”
“Healers and trainers.”
Jio’s eyes curved vividly.
“That is precisely me.”
“... I can only apologize.”
Kang Seodam continued as respectfully as possible.
“This is an event intended to test you, and at the same time, it is a task our order originally should have completed.”
“Originally, this dungeon discovered by the Sun Cult showed a variety of uses, so the faith attempted to raid it, but failed.”
“So that is why you are cooperating with other guilds.”
“Unlike our public image, the Sun Cult surprisingly does not have that many healers.”
“The Sun’s blazing fire is focused more on destruction than on carefully reviving life.”
“That is why.”
“I understand that it is not a power anyone can handle delicately.”
“There is not much time left.”
“The raid is scheduled to begin fifteen days from now, and despite the time being tight, we judged that there was no one as well suited to this event as Hunter Seo Jio...”
After swallowing the rest of the sigh that almost came out, he spoke.
“And so I have come to make this presumptuous proposal.”
“I would not say it is so presumptuous.”
“I apologize.”
“In places where there are eyes on us, I will treat you as one Hunter.”
“Priest Kang Seodam, you too are a very stubborn person.”
With his unique blue eyes, where light shimmered within them, Jio looked down at the proposal Kang Seodam had handed him.
“... A rainforest...”
Gold seeped into his curving eyes.
