How A Mythical Holy Knight Lives As A Villain (Novel) - Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Discord
Divine Guild’s level was certainly high.
“By evaluation standards, they’d be competitive even on a global scale.”
They simply hadn’t revealed their true capabilities yet, nor had they been given the opportunity.
If the conditions were right, they could certainly soar.
The day Go Johan visited Divine.
“Go Johan attacks Divine?”
Such articles did appear.
It was only natural, considering Go Johan was spotted at the Divine Guild House for the first time, and a large hole had been torn in what was reputed to be the safest building in South Korea.
“How was it?”
Lee Jae-kyung asked curiously.
Since Go Johan had never properly seen Divine’s full strength before, he was curious about his assessment.
“Not bad.”
“Right?”
Having been with Divine for a long time, Lee Jae-kyung’s words dripped with pride at Go Johan’s response.
“But that’s all it is.”
Go Johan said, stretching.
“Each raid team is about equal to one three-horned demon. That’s about it.”
“Hmm.”
“If my brother’s first raid team and two other teams combined, they might be able to face a four-horned demon? Of course, assuming they could fight at full capacity.”
Even so.
“I’ll support them. Since it’s come to this, openly.”
Lee Jae-kyung’s eyes widened at Go Johan’s words.
“Are you serious?”
“…I don’t know. But I won’t regret it.”
Go Johan had pathologically disliked Divine’s involvement or association until now.
‘It must have been that day.’
But it seemed he had finally realized.
No matter how much he tried to push Divine away, he couldn’t.
“They are strong people.”
That his bloodline wasn’t as weak as Go Johan had underestimated.
“I don’t know about that either. Anyway… I should give them a chance… or rather, I should trust them.”
Lee Jae-kyung nodded gladly.
“You’ve made a good decision.”
He knew why Go Johan had been trying to push Divine away.
‘He doesn’t want them to become targets.’
What Go Johan had to face were those damned demons.
For Lee Jae-kyung, who had experienced demons alongside Go Johan, it meant those creatures would literally do anything to break Go Johan.
At that time.
‘Divine could become a weakness.’
Having blood ties to Divine could become a weakness.
That’s why he tried to sever ties and push them away.
‘But that’s not the only reason.’
There was an even more important reason.
“They won’t be hurt.”
“What’s with that sudden statement?”
The path Go Johan had to walk was cold and harsh.
Perhaps.
‘It’s not just demons.’
Everything could become an enemy.
If, in the midst of all that, Divine were to betray Go Johan, he would suffer an irreparable wound.
‘If that happens.’
Lee Jae-kyung, having urged Go Johan, felt some responsibility.
‘I’ll have to take responsibility.’
He was already prepared for that.
Go Johan looked at Lee Jae-kyung with drowsy eyes.
“Oh, Director Han asked me to pass on a message.”
“…!”
“She said her contact information changed, and she can’t reach you.”
“No way…”
Just then.
Drrr.
Lee Jae-kyung’s phone rang softly.
“It’s been a while?”
It was an unsaved number, but one he recognized.
“You must take responsibility.”
“Aaaaah!”
Lee Jae-kyung convulsed as if experiencing PTSD.
Woong.
At that moment, a voice echoed in both their minds.
News that would have been better delivered by saying Shin Soo-kyung had returned.
“A Black Gate has opened in Gwangju.”
“…”
Go Johan’s eyes sank.
“…Something’s strange.”
Until now, whenever a Black Gate opened, the Goddess had warned Go Johan.
But now, even though a Black Gate had already opened, there was no warning at all.
“It was a transformation of a regular gate into a Black Gate.”
Along with the voice.
The shadows rippled.
“Three guilds were caught up in it, and a support guild immediately entered.”
“They shouldn’t have moved so hastily.”
Go Johan frowned.
“What’s the situation?”
“…The gate has closed, they say.”
Something was definitely strange.
“I’ll move there. And when did you return?”
Yoon Seung-ah, who had revealed herself at Go Johan’s words, smiled slightly.
“I just arrived.”
*
*
*
Without warning, a Black Gate appeared in Gwangju.
It was unprecedented for a regular gate to transform into a Black Gate, and three guilds were simultaneously caught up as three nearby gates merged.
Afterward.
“It’s the Geo Guild.”
The Geo Guild, being closest, immediately entered the Black Gate for rescue operations.
“Geo Guild?”
“They’re not affiliated with us. They’re a mid-sized guild, but we judged there was no need to bring them under our umbrella.”
Going down and down.
‘In reality, about sixty percent of South Korea is under the church’s umbrella.’
How shocked Lee Jae-kyung had been.
Acquiring that much influence in such a short time was practically impossible.
But the apostles had accomplished it.
“Anyway, we’ve secured enough influence in the Gwangju region where Geo Guild is based, and the Guild Leader of Geo is so stubborn.”
Yoon Seung-ah said.
“He wouldn’t join hands with anyone.”
The guild was also too large to be forced to kneel through influence alone.
If they had needed it, they would have taken it somehow, but there was no reason to do so.
“The reason is…”
“That’s not the issue right now.”
The directive for church affiliates was to prohibit hasty entry when a Black Gate appeared.
“Why was Geo Guild able to enter?”
He thought the Association, even if not at the highest level, had some influence.
“About that…”
By now, Go Johan and Yoon Seung-ah had arrived at the location where the Black Gate was rippling.
Weeeeee!
The ear-splitting sound of sirens, evacuating residents.
And even Players who seemed to have come for support, just in case.
“The Association has removed many of our people.”
“Removed?”
“They’ve all been put on standby for assignments or sent on overseas missions.”
He knew the Association had been suspicious for a long time, but he didn’t expect them to draw their swords so suddenly.
Just then.
Players began gesturing toward Go Johan.
Among them were those belonging to the Sacred Alliance, but there were also many unrelated Players.
“I…!”
To somehow create a connection with Go Johan.
Or.
“…”
It seemed Go Johan’s declaration that day had moved some hearts.
As he was passing by them, heading toward the Black Gate.
Association members wearing different equipment than usual blocked Go Johan’s path.
“…?”
Go Johan looked at the man.
“I’m Kim Woon-seok, head of the Player Association’s Gwangju branch.”
“Speak.”
“Access to the Black Gate is prohibited. Player Go Johan.”
“…”
Go Johan’s eyes sank.
*
*
*
Kim Woon-seok and Association members blocked Go Johan and Yoon Seung-ah.
There were nearly fifty of them.
In particular, they appeared to be Association members focused on combat rather than those typically dispatched for gate management.
Even at this moment.
“…”
It was obvious that more Association members were being reinforced and heading here.
“What do you mean?”
Go Johan calmly asked.
“As I said. The Association has been ordered to strictly manage Black Gates from now on. Entry permission will only be given to authorized individuals, and all others are prohibited from even approaching the Black Gate.”
Kim Woon-seok spoke like a puppet.
“This is also what Player Go Johan wants, as I understand.”
At those words.
Go Johan smiled.
Indeed, Kim Woon-seok’s words weren’t wrong.
Strict management of Black Gates and control to avoid unnecessary sacrifices were what Go Johan had wanted.
The Players around them began to stir due to the confrontation between the Association, Kim Woon-seok, and Go Johan.
The Sacred Alliance members showed their displeasure with contorted faces.
They were slowly approaching.
“We’ve determined that Geo Guild has top priority for entry into this Black Gate. Additionally, the next in line…”
Everyone was listening intently to Kim Woon-seok’s words.
If something went wrong.
Gulp.
Players disguised as spectators and reporters realized that irreversible events could unfold.
‘Reporters.’
Yes, they were there too.
Until now, reporters’ access had been restricted near Black Gates, but for some reason, reporters were also present this time.
“The Sacred Alliance’s Dari Guild and Vice Guild are scheduled next.”
Go Johan looked into Kim Woon-seok’s eyes.
“…”
The Association couldn’t possibly be unaware of the relationship between the second-priority Sacred Alliance and Go Johan.
Even the general public knew that the Sacred Alliance had supported Go Johan, suggesting some kind of relationship between them.
They also knew that Go Johan had moved with the Sacred Alliance’s White Baekgang Guild during the previous Buyeo Black Gate incident.
If necessary, Go Johan would again use the Sacred Alliance.
“Do you have any objections?”
If the second priority was the Sacred Alliance, it meant that if Geo couldn’t conquer the Black Gate, Go Johan should enter using their name.
‘They’ve even created a loophole.’
It was a well-crafted plan, more so than expected.
‘Koo Sung-hoon, was it?’
The Association President’s skill was evident.
“Master.”
Yoon Seung-ah’s voice, though normal as usual, conveyed underlying anger.
If Go Johan would just give permission.
Boom!
He could envision explosions erupting and the area being engulfed in flames.
“Moreover, the gate is currently closed, making entry impossible.”
There was no issue, no problem.
Every word Kim Woon-seok said was correct.
The Sacred Alliance was drawing closer.
Association members had half-drawn their swords, visibly tense.
Literally.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A powder keg about to explode.
The hearts of everyone standing in the area seemed to be beating fiercely.
“I clearly stated.”
Finally, Go Johan spoke.
Some Sacred Alliance Players were awakening their magical power.
“Demons. If it’s related to those creatures, I will kill them all.”