Matan’s Shooter

“We were all deceived.”

Bailephus also wore a stunned expression at Alexander’s words. Faust was still alive.

The only relief was that there were no more dragons. However, the fact that he could still summon undead forces was a significant issue.

“…… Let’s depart.”

At this point, there was only one thing they could do, catch up with Kaztor as quickly as possible.

Leeha also decided to discard any light-hearted feelings and began to move.

* * *

“Hello!”

Even before Kijung’s cheerful greeting was finished, the guard of the Papal Hall of Ezwen had formed a line.

“Oh, no! You don’t have to do that. It makes me reluctant to come to the Papal Hall.”

Kijung’s protest was as quick as the guards’ salute.

The guards hurriedly lowered their spears and corrected their stance.

“We, we apologize, Exorcism Cardinal! If you do not deign to visit the Papal Hall, we—”

“Ha, I’m joking. But it really is a burden, so a regular greeting will suffice. Understood?”

“Understood!”

Seeing their troubled faces, Kijung laughed.

The proper threat learned from Leeha was enough to make Kijung handle even NPCs expertly.

“Why? If it were me, I’d want them to do it even grander. If they greeted me like that every time, I’d probably come in and out a hundred times a day.”

Raphaela tilted her head curiously.

“……. Raphaela, you do have a saintly image to maintain—”

Hyein spoke in an exasperated tone.

“That’s an image created by the people of Minis. I don’t particularly like the saintly image. If anything, I’d rather hold the position of the Great Abbot of Minis—”

“Oh dear…….”

An entourage causing such commotion while entering the Papal Hall of Ezwen was rare.

The group of six met again in front of the Papal Hall after spending the promised three days separately. Initially, they were five, but with Rubini tagging along, they became six.

In the lively atmosphere, Kijung suddenly thought of someone.

‘Lark didn’t come?’

He had expected that Lark would come by to collect any crumbs, so his absence was surprising.

‘Leeha hyung said he was busy, but someone like Lark didn’t come. He seemed to be logged in…..’

Immediately upon logging in, he received various reports using the guild master’s authority, and in the midst of casual conversation with Bobae, he heard about Shin Nara’s recent activities.

‘Come to think of it, Bobae said Shin Nara and Lark went somewhere.’

They crossed over to the Old Continent to do something urgent. However, what that was remained unknown. Out of curiosity, Kijung sneaked around and saw them heading somewhere together.

That’s all the information Kijung got from Bobae.

‘For someone as talkative as Shin Nara to leave without asking for help…..and even keeping the destination a secret.’

Although it was concerning, the acceptance of their audience request and imminent entry into the pope’s office helped Kijung refocus.

“His Holiness will see you now.”

“Yes, cardinal. Thank you for guiding us.”

After thanking the NPC Cardinal who attended the pope, Kijung looked back at his companions.

“So… Have you finished deciding what to choose? Let’s go!”

Creak……!

As the door finally opened, the pope, Urban II, greeted them with a brighter expression than ever.

“Welcome, heroes!”

The pope’s greeting was more than enough.

Ba-bam!

Hyein, Peiyu, Ram Hwajung, and Rubini, who had no prior exchanges with Ezwen, achieved accomplishments simply from this act.

Their closeness with Ezwen and their chances of future audience requests with the pope, along with additional damage against undead, were highly practical accomplishments included in this.

In the midst of it, Hyein and Raphaela even radiated the light of leveling up.

So, what about Kijung, who led them through all of this?

“We have successfully completed the mission, Your Holiness.”

“I have already been informed, Exorcism Cardinal.”

Ba-bam!

『Turn Undead』

You have completed the quest.

Level increased.

Level increased.

You have acquired the achievement of 〈Infinite Trust of the Pope〉.

You have acquired the achievement of 〈Permitted to Wield the Mace of the Supreme God〉.

You have acquired the achievement of 〈Rising Star of the Ezwen Theocracy〉.

You have acquired the achievement of 〈Jealousy of the Cardinals〉.

He had all sorts of titles that couldn’t be described merely as practical.

Congratulations, everyone!

The first S+ grade achievement in Middle Earth has been obtained.

『Master Kay, Holy Knight, lv. 288, affiliation: Fibiel』

Other users, please strive even harder not to be outdone!

“S…”

“Plus…?”

The first thing Kijung did was to block whispers.

* * *

“I see! So that’s where Ha Leeha appeared.”

Pope Urban II rejoiced like a child as he listened to the story of Kijung’s party.

However, most of the explanation about how they came to defeat Pyrot-Cocri was given by Raphaela, with Hyein and others occasionally assisting.

People wanted Kijung to explain first, but he couldn’t.

His mind wasn’t in the right state to explain anything.

‘This is insane… What on earth is this…’

An S+ grade achievement!

Why had it never appeared until now?

Kijung finally understood that this was given only to those who played a significant role in the world of Middle Earth, beyond merely defeating or acquiring something.

〈Achievement: Permitted to Wield the Mace of the Supreme God (S+)〉

Congratulations!

You have built over 100% trust with Pope 『Urban II』, becoming the sword and shield of the Ezwen Theocracy! Your unwavering faith has undoubtedly moved the Supreme God Ahlo as well. We trust that you will lead the frontlines in defending this continent from all demonic forces that deny peace, love, and justice.

The fact that the Supreme God Ahlo has permitted you to wield His mace is proof of this.

Reward: 30 stat points

Holy attribute resistance +50%

Status effect ‘Fear’ resistance +30%

All stats increase by 10% when there are undead among the enemies

Additional damage +5% when attacking undead

Damage taken -5% when hit by undead

Eligible for ordination as a bishop

(You can choose and manage one out of 15 dioceses in Fibiel.)

Skill obtained―Ahlo’s Mace

You are the first one to register the achievement 〈Permitted to Wield the Mace of the Supreme God〉.

The first three registrants of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and an additional 200% of the current effect will be applied.

Effect: 60 stat points

Holy attribute resistance +100%

Status effect ‘Fear’ resistance +60%

All stats increase by 20% when there are undead among the enemies

Additional damage +10% when attacking undead

Damage taken -10% when hit by undead

‘Though it’s slightly lower in performance compared to the 〈Prayer for the Trinity〉 bestowed by the Pope, it’s permanently applied with no expiry. Essentially, it’s way more incredible… Holy attribute resistance has reached 150%. Against all Holy attribute users in Middle Earth, I would have a guaranteed 100% win rate in PVP! Moreover, with these insane stat points and the bishop ordination eligibility? What is this skill? This is just… insane!’

Skill 〈Ahlo’s Mace〉.

The God is not always benevolent.

“Kehm, Master Kay?”

“Yes! Yes?”

Hyein nudged Kijung, who was grinning broadly.

Having not listened to the Pope’s story, he had no grasp of the situation. Hyein gave him a hint.

“His Holiness is asking about the appearance of Ha Leeha.”

Hyein smiled faintly.

Kijung felt grateful for him again.

If anyone made the greatest contribution in the recent battle against Pyrot-Cocri, it was probably Leeha. Nevertheless, he didn’t get to participate in this reward. How could he also be rewarded?

Kijung instantly understood Hyein’s intention.

“Yes, Your Holiness. Ha Leeha appeared with his dragon partner… utilizing a new weapon, he sniped Pyrot-Cocri with such precision that her recovery became impossible, allowing me to finish her off with a final blow while she was in a near-death state.”

“Oh, so that’s what happened.”

“Yes, without Ha Leeha’s assistance… it’s quite likely that this mission ‘Turn Undead’ would have failed.”

Leeha’s image was impressed upon the Pope.

Hyein subtly indicated this to Kijung as he was the only one capable of creating that opportunity.

“Ha Leeha has been a great help to us since the New Continent. In Kaztor’s… matter as well, and now with the discovery of Pyrot-Cocri. Hmmm…”

Pope Urban II propped his chin in thought, but his deliberation did not last long.

How did Leeha’s ‘score’ measure up in the system?

“Can you ask Ha Leeha if he might be willing to visit the Papacy?”

“Huh? Of course! But why…”

“Would it not be fitting to offer our thanks in the name of the Papacy to someone who has embodied the love of the deity?”

The answer was almost already given.

Listening to the Pope, Kijung gave a wide grin.

No one among the group who had confronted Pyrot-Cocri, including Hyein, expressed any disagreement or discomfort.

“Of course, we must also reward you heroes as well! There’s a warehouse stocked with various items, so please choose something useful.”

The Pope, subtly implying additional rewards for Leeha, immediately mentioned ‘material’ compensation.

Raphaela clenched her fist and exclaimed, “Yes!” while Rubini watched her in amazement.

As everyone started moving towards the warehouse, Kijung spoke up again.

“Oh! Your Holiness!”

“Hmm? What is it, Exorcism Cardinal?”

“Well, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask something?”

“Of course. There’s no need for such formality.”

When Pope Urban II responded with a smile, Kijung scratched his head awkwardly.

Was it okay to ask this?

It could potentially be an exceedingly rude question. But where else could he find the answer to this dilemma?

In the vaults of the Papacy, there would be shoes that drastically increased agility, bracelets enhancing ice attributes, and numerous crowns or staffs augmenting divine power.

But how useful could such items be in the future?

“Simply increasing attack or defense power… is meaningless.”

Kijung had been pondering this continuously after logging out.

What did he need to supplement?

From the battle against Pyrot-Cocri’s clone, he realized that personal abilities were useless on their own.

More than anything, without a decisive blow, confronting the Demon King’s Fragments was practically impossible, Kijung thought.

So then?

“Is there by any chance the ‘Holy Water of Ahlo’s Blood’?”

The Pope seemed surprised by Kijung’s request.

However, the reaction was much better than the Cardinal who staggered backward in hesitation.

“Th-That… Your Holiness! This must not be done! Not this!”

Before the Pope could respond, the Cardinal intervened.

Pope Urban II looked at Kijung seriously, and Kijung did not avoid his gaze.

“Your Holiness! That… Ex-Exorcism Cardinal! Please retract your request! It’s something we only have half a bottle left of in the current Papacy! It cannot be replaced— no matter how, even for the Exorcism Cardinal—”

“Shii… Master Kay.”

Pope Urban II calmed the Cardinal and called Kijung.

Though his movement and voice were gentle, they carried enough power to fill the Pope’s large office.

“Yes.”

“You deem it necessary?”

Urban II asked.

“Yes.”

Kijung replied.

“Then we’ll provide it.”

Urban II answered without a second of hesitation.

The Cardinal looked almost on the verge of tears, glancing between the Pope and Kijung, while the users around Kijung revealed surprised expressions.

None knew exactly what kind of item it was.

However, everyone had heard its name at least once.

“Master Kay? That’s—the one Petyr mentioned…”

“K, will that suffice? It seems valuable but—”

“This would be the best choice.”

Kijung replied with a smile to Raphaela and Hyein’s questions.

Ram Hwajung, having already figured something out, nodded. The reason for Kijung seeking the holy water was simple.

“Since there’s half a bottle left… dipping a bullet into it and pulling it back should be okay, right? It won’t entirely disappear, will it?”

“Wahaha! Truly, Master Kay is magnificent!”

Pei Wu laughed heartily.