How A Mythical Holy Knight Lives As A Villain (Novel) - Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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“……Thank you.”
In the end, the Association’s investigation team had to return empty-handed.
No, considering the corruption of the Blade Guild and other guilds, along with the evidence thrown to them by the Black Crown, it was more like they returned holding gold rather than empty-handed.
The evidence was significant enough to guarantee Kim Da-yeon a promotion of at least two ranks.
“What is it?”
On the way back to the church, Kang-in clenched his fist and spoke, prompting Johan to ask.
“……There was no need to go that far.”
Outside the door, Kang-in had overheard Johan’s conversation.
It wasn’t intentional, but he had been standing guard, prepared for any situation, and had heard it.
‘Grateful people.’
Those words lingered in Kang-in’s mind.
“But I don’t understand. Why… why go to such lengths?”
If Johan wanted to suppress it, he could.
There were plenty of people who could take his place.
But instead of hiding, Johan had revealed himself and even shared part of the truth with Go Min-ji.
“Go Min-ji… no, why go this far for your sister?”
Kang-in couldn’t easily comprehend it.
“Min-ji is smart, but also foolish,” Johan said with a bitter smile.
“If I don’t go this far, she won’t give up. Do you think she became a Berserker for no reason? She’s completely insane.”
“……”
Kang-in smiled faintly.
“Parents or older siblings would just stay silent. But Min-ji… you saw her, right? She’ll try to get me back no matter what.”
So.
“And……”
That wasn’t the only reason.
“Let’s just call it a human emotion.”
Johan had made this gesture to ensure Min-ji wouldn’t suffer for too long.
“It’s going to come out anyway.”
He thought it would be better for her to hear it directly from him rather than from others or through rumors.
Arriving at the church.
“Have you arrived?”
Pastor Park Do-young was waiting for Johan.
Once consumed by a tumor, he had tried to take a position in South Korea when the church expanded outward but had given up.
Instead, Choi Byung-soo, who had lost an arm and was treated at the time, had taken charge of South Korea.
Park Do-young oversaw everything, gathering stories and commands from Greed and the apostles, and delivering them where needed.
“……You’ve worked hard.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“There’s been contact from the Association.”
Johan nodded at that.
The Association, specifically the current Association Chairman, Koo Sung-hoon, had contacted him.
“They said they would cover everything. That they could handle it. But……”
“There’s a condition,” Johan said, and Park Do-young nodded.
“No need to hear more. No doubt they want to strengthen the Chairman’s position, or maybe the Association……”
Complex politics, interests, and such were likely involved.
Greed would have welcomed it.
In fact.
‘If you just give the word.’
They had said they would take control of the Association if Johan allowed it.
But he didn’t.
“This is… my holy war alone.”
At Johan’s words, those around him clenched their teeth.
Johan had never forced anything on them.
Even now.
“I will not allow any politics or interests to interfere with the declaration of this holy war. In the end, that would only complicate things further.”
Greed might be confident, but Johan thought differently.
It was because of the ‘experience’ Greed lacked.
‘Trabania.’
What had happened there.
“Of course, I will leave behind-the-scenes matters as they are. That’s necessary and something to be grateful for.”
He had abandoned the arrogance of facing demons alone.
To eradicate them, he would stake everything.
“But as I said.”
Johan raised his voice.
“This is my holy war. Prepare.”
At Johan’s words, both Park Do-young and Kang-in had much they wanted to say.
Of course, it wasn’t that Johan was making the wrong choice.
‘It’s necessary.’
In fact, it was something they had longed for.
But.
‘This is not a burden you should bear alone.’
‘This is not a holy war you should fight alone.’
For a long time now.
‘It is our holy war.’
They had developed a faith.
It wasn’t in the goddess Johan occasionally mentioned.
[The Fanatic’s Fanatic]
[Faith stat increases.]
It was a faith in Johan, who had taken on the will to save the world.
*
*
*
Rumors and suspicions about Johan were spreading like a monster, shaking South Korea.
If he were an ordinary person, it wouldn’t have reached this extent.
But because he was from the Shinsung, the top guild in South Korea.
Because of his striking appearance.
Because of the abnormal power he had recently shown.
And for many other reasons, the stories about Johan were spreading uncontrollably.
And then.
Murmur murmur.
Today, Johan had announced that he would appear at the Saman Convention Hotel, and the news had spread to various media outlets.
The Saman Convention Hotel, where the Goldian auction and the chaos caused by the Curse Object had occurred, had already completed its renovations.
And the security was……
“……”
It was said that Captain Lee Gun-hoo of Saman was in charge.
The hall was filled with reporters.
“The Shinsung said they didn’t know about this?”
“The Association too. In fact, the Association expressed displeasure.”
“What did the Association Chairman say? Off the record… he said something about being too hard and breaking.”
“Looks like they tried to pull something, but Johan didn’t play along.”
The reporters’ mood?
It was nothing short of a festival.
“Exclusive stories are pouring in lately.”
“Traffic’s through the roof, right?”
“Whatever comes out will be a hit. Black! Johan! Gate! Curse Object! The keywords are so obvious, you could write it with your feet.”
In these times of exclusives, Johan was one of them.
“What could it be?”
“What’s he going to announce?”
The reporters exchanged opinions before Johan arrived.
“The Hojo Guild… maybe it’s true.”
“What about Forest?”
“Probably not.”
“Whatever it is, he won’t admit it. There’s even talk that Johan was raised by the Russians.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Recently… Ivan, the new Russian power player, you know?”
The reporters took their seats one by one.
“Ivan?”
“This is getting hot. Don’t you know Ivan? The guy who’s got a tight grip on the Russian player scene.”
“Wait, what?”
“It’s unofficial, but he expressed regret over the rumors about Johan and seemed to show support for him.”
“What? Just for Johan?”
“Yeah. That’s why the rumors are spreading.”
“That’s ridiculous. Is the Shinsung Heir a Russian spy or something?”
The elite, who frequented the Blue House, were spouting rumors that bordered on nonsense.
“So, whatever it is……”
Then.
“It’s clear that today’s announcement will be a huge hit.”
The Saman security guards stepped aside, and the door finally opened.
Through it.
“……Is his visual for real?”
“Eerie.”
Silver-white hair, sky-blue eyes.
The man with albinism appeared.
Unlike his usual casual attire, today he was dressed in a neat suit.
But considering the tattoos visible through it, all the elements created a strange harmony despite their dissonance.
Finally, Johan stepped onto the podium.
“Player Johan!”
“Johan!”
The reporters shouted as if they had been waiting, calling out to Johan.
“Quiet.”
Johan’s voice echoed through the microphone.
Thud.
Silence fell.
*
*
*
“……”
The reporters stared in shock.
They tried to shout, but no sound came out.
‘Is this possible?’
Of course, considering the near-supernatural abilities of players, it made sense, but they hadn’t thought such a thing could happen in a place with so many people, especially reporters who were former players.
“I’ll skip the greetings. I’m Johan.”
Only Johan’s voice echoed through the hall.
“You must have many questions, but I won’t take any.”
The reporters’ faces twisted in displeasure and shock.
What Johan was doing now was unilateral, and it felt like the tantrum of a child.
Even the Shinsung’s guild leader, Go Jae-han, didn’t do such things, let alone the Association Chairman.
“First……”
Johan looked around and spoke.
“The execution of the Hojo Guild is true.”
“……!”
“Forest too……”
The reporters’ breaths seemed audible.
“Is true.”
Crazy!
“Both were influenced by the Curse Object, and I assume you already know about the Curse Object. Related materials will be released later.”
Johan spoke naturally.
“It’s not just the Curse Object.”
Johan’s voice dominated the hall.
“Demon Seeds, Demon Stones, and all materials related to demons will also be released.”
What on earth is he talking about?
“The demon invasion has been ongoing for a long time, and it started with me. This has nothing to do with the Shinsung, the Association, South Korea, Russia… or any other place.”
Johan said.
“This is solely my holy war.”
“……!”
“To all of you, and to everyone who will hear this news.”
Johan’s eyes seemed to flicker.
“I will intervene in all matters related to demons, and there will be no mercy or tolerance in this regard.”
Wait, hold on.
This is moving too fast.
The reporters wanted to shout that.
“Also, while it is free to intervene in matters related to demons, those who hinder me or sell their souls to demons……”
Ah, Johan seemed to check if his voice was clearly coming through as he adjusted the microphone.
“I warn you, I will tear you all apart.”
Whoosh!
“I think not only humans are watching this scene. Remember who your enemy was.”
Goosebumps began to rise.
At the madness, anger, and countless indescribable things.
Crackle!
Not only the reporters but everyone present was getting goosebumps.
No, this scene was even being broadcast live by some stations.
“Michael. Remember that name, and fall. If you want to run, run. If you want to hide, hide. I……”
Thud.
“I will find and kill you all.”
The light that had flickered in Johan’s eyes had now faded.
“I know there are those who call me a villain. That’s not entirely wrong. Feel free to.”
The goosebumps didn’t subside.
“Whether a villain or a demon, it doesn’t matter. But I can assure you, the demons, the residents of hell, must be eradicated from this world. They will also destroy your world.”
That was it.
Squeak.
Leaving the press conference behind the microphone noise, Johan departed.
“Phew!”
Only after he disappeared did the reporters seem to be allowed to breathe, exhaling.
“Wh-what just happened?”
One thing was certain.
“Up-upload it now!”
Whatever it was, the articles would break the internet in the order they were posted.