How A Mythical Holy Knight Lives As A Villain (Novel) - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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– Geo Guild could become the hope of a new era…
– Geo’s item technology, could it be the solution to Black Gates?
After the Gwangju Black Gate incident, Geo Guild’s reputation soared to unprecedented heights.
Their stock prices broke through the ceiling, and it was said that players were already lining up to become new members of Geo Guild.
This was only natural, as until now, apart from Go Jo-Han or the forces known as ‘Sins,’ no one in South Korea had successfully cleared a Black Gate.
Especially since the Gwangju Black Gate was cleared with minimal casualties, which could be considered a great victory.
– Geo.
– Geo!
– Geo is the future. Don’t fear the Black Gate. It may be hell, but it’s also a land of opportunity. Isn’t growing through hell the life of a player?
The media, entertainment shows, and the internet were abuzz with stories about Geo, with no end in sight.
“Khahaha!”
Geo Guild’s vice-guild leader, Choi Ji-Woon, burst into loud laughter.
“Hyung-nim! Hyung-nim!”
Choi Ji-Woon was also Choi Ji-O’s younger brother.
“Our stock price has increased tenfold! It’s still rising like crazy!”
Choi Ji-Woon, who held a large share of Geo Guild’s stocks, saw his wealth multiply dozens of times over.
“And that’s not all…”
The changes happening to Geo Guild couldn’t even be compared to winning the lottery.
“They’re calling us one of the new top ten guilds.”
Top ten guilds.
“…”
It was Geo Guild’s dream.
Although they held a seat among the top hundred guilds, in a small country like South Korea, being in the top hundred wasn’t particularly impressive.
But to be among the top ten.
“It won’t be long before we’re called one of the top three guilds.”
To be among the top three.
And after that.
“We might even take down that Holy Order’s neck!”
Couldn’t they aim for the number one spot?
The transformation of Geo was that dramatic.
Moreover, the Association was showing full support for Geo, and it was said that political circles were also taking an interest.
“Hyung-nim, but why do you look like that?”
Choi Ji-Woon asked Choi Ji-O, whose face remained stern despite all this joy.
Being number one in South Korea was not just his dream but also that of his older brother, Choi Ji-O.
“…That damned brat.”
“Who? Are you talking about Go Jo-Han?”
“Yeah.”
Even with Geo Guild’s explosive growth, Choi Ji-O couldn’t feel joy because of one thing.
‘Funny…’
‘My warning is exactly as I said.’
The memory of Go Jo-Han from that day was etched into his mind like a brand, refusing to leave.
“Why are you worrying so much about that? At the end of the day, he’s just a clueless kid. Didn’t you see it?”
Choi Ji-Woon had been there that day as well.
“He backed off like a beaten dog.”
Smirk.
Choi Ji-O glanced at Choi Ji-Woon.
“Shut your mouth.”
“…Hyung-nim?”
As his only younger brother, and with the hypothesis that the secret to player awakening lay in blood proving true, the siblings had awakened together and grown side by side.
They had founded Geo Guild, and Choi Ji-Woon had even become the vice-guild leader, but…
‘Ji-Woon’s capacity only goes so far.’
Though he wasn’t lacking in skill, he was missing something more important than anything else for a player-no, for a predator.
“Instinct…”
Instinct.
“Are you going on about that vague nonsense again?”
“My instincts are telling me something’s off.”
“…You said the same thing last time.”
Choi Ji-Woon spoke with evident frustration.
“You said your instincts were bad when ‘they’ offered to help us, but look what happened. See? Our stock price has pierced the heavens, and Geo’s name is spreading across South Korea-no, the entire world.”
They.
“…”
They were the ones who had handed those items to Geo Guild.
Of course, it wasn’t for free.
‘It’s an investment. And an experiment as well.’
They weren’t a faction or anything of the sort.
Having suddenly visited Geo, they made an offer that Geo couldn’t refuse.
‘If it feels burdensome, feel free to verify them. There won’t be any issues.’
Though his instincts had warned him against it, Choi Ji-O ultimately had no choice but to accept.
And the result, as Choi Ji-Woon said, exceeded all expectations.
“Even Renel determined that they aren’t demon tools, didn’t they? Until now, judgments on demon tools have been handled by Goldian and Renel.”
Choi Ji-Woon spoke as if exasperated.
“Hyung-nim, you worry too much. That’s why we can’t climb higher! When an opportunity comes, we need to seize it! This time…”
Ripple.
“I’m right.”
“…Fine.”
Choi Ji-O eventually nodded.
“You must be. You have to be.”
But this uneasy feeling refused to go away.
*
*
*
Several more Black Gates opened in South Korea.
This wasn’t strange, as it was inevitable for Black Gates to appear where Go Jo-Han was.
Through his divine foresight, he had drawn their invasions to focus on South Korea.
During this time, Geo Guild succeeded in clearing another Black Gate.
This time, it was a solo clear, and they claimed that those items were once again instrumental.
And those items of theirs.
‘Blessed items.’
People called them blessed items.
In contrast to the cursed items known as demon tools, these were said to be imbued with blessings, capable of countering demons.
Go Jo-Han, alongside the Sanctuary Alliance, cleared most of the Gates as well.
– News has come in that the Holy Order has successfully cleared a Black Gate.
The Holy Order also succeeded in clearing Black Gates.
And then.
– Another ‘Holy Order’ has emerged.
A new star.
– Viren Guild. In contrast to the Holy Order that cleared the recent Black Gate, the newly formed Viren Guild has successfully cleared a Black Gate.
– They are a small elite guild composed of…
– It’s known that they consist of ten players with hidden classes, sparking much interest.
In an era of chaos, it wasn’t strange for new heroes to emerge.
For instance, there were those in Southeast Asia who succeeded in clearing Black Gates, enduring immense casualties but somehow managing to succeed-true heroes worthy of the name.
“They’re called spirits.”
Yoon Seung-Ah said.
“All ten members of Viren Guild possess hidden classes related to spirits.”
Spirits…
“Is that so?”
Go Jo-Han didn’t react much.
– Go Jo-Han, was it greed?
– The hypothesis that Go Jo-Han’s power originates from Black Gates is gaining attention.
Even with the sharp public reactions due to the emergence of Geo and Viren, Go Jo-Han remained unfazed.
“…There are no peculiarities.”
Yoon Seung-Ah said, sounding frustrated.
If only there were evidence linking them to demons, they could wipe them all out.
But no evidence of demon tools or demonic affiliations surfaced with them.
“…I’ll report if there are any additional findings.”
Though frustrated, since Go Jo-Han had said to leave them be, she did just that.
Of course.
“…”
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him.
She could guess what Go Jo-Han’s intentions and plans were.
However.
‘It’s hard to endure.’
It was just difficult to stand by while those who insulted Go Jo-Han went unchecked.
“Oh, and Seung-Ah.”
“Yes?”
“Pass this on to Viren as well.”
“…”
Go Jo-Han spoke with a dry expression.
“I’ve clearly warned them.”
“…Understood.”
*
*
*
The rise of Geo and Viren, the two new powers, began to have a significant impact.
The church, which had held unshakable influence in South Korea.
“The attitudes of affiliated guilds and companies have started to change.”
They, too, began to waver.
Of course.
“There are no defectors or apostates in the Sanctuary Alliance.”
Yu-Baek, whose status among the followers had greatly risen after clearing a Black Gate alongside Go Jo-Han during the last incident.
“That’s only natural.”
And before him stood Greed.
Having returned from her affairs abroad, she appeared slightly more mature, wearing a wry smile.
“Their betrayal hasn’t been ‘permitted.’”
Nod.
Yu-Baek nodded as if Greed’s words were a given.
The Sanctuary Alliance would never betray the church or Go Jo-Han.
The same went for those belonging to the Temple.
‘That’s how it’s been arranged.’
There was no dissatisfaction.
This was because all those called followers had willingly chosen this path.
“Human hearts are like reeds, swaying with the wind.”
The smile on Greed’s lips grew even more wry.
“…Do you know what ‘that person’ intends?”
Among the followers, only a limited few could casually face Go Jo-Han.
This wasn’t because Go Jo-Han wished it, but due to an unspoken rule the followers had created among themselves.
“I’m not entirely sure. I can guess, though.”
“If this continues, we might lose over a third of our influence. Once it’s splintered, it could be hard to recover.”
Yet, Greed’s expression showed little change.
“…So.”
Smirk.
Instead, she displayed an even deeper smile.
“Let’s hear what those present here think.”
Saying this, Greed crossed her legs and folded her arms.
As if declaring she would no longer intervene.
“…”
Though Greed’s appearance barely looked like that of a late teenager, all the followers knew.
Something ageless resided within her, and her appearance was merely a shell.
Moreover, they knew that the church’s ability to exert influence worldwide in such a short time was entirely due to Greed’s power.
“Everything will be according to ‘that person’s’ and Greed-nim’s will.”
“That’s not what I mean. Alright, let’s call this…”
Greed’s eyes gleamed.
“A test. Anyone, speak up. What should we do?”
A test.
At that word, the followers’ expressions changed.
Rather than panic, it was more accurate to say they saw an opportunity.
“That’s how it always is.”
At that moment.
“Even in farming, you have to cut off the bad sprouts for the rest to grow better.”
A voice came from one corner.
“Even if we lose a third, it doesn’t matter. We’ll gain something far greater. And in war…”
Eyes shining.
“One reliable ally is worth more than ten uncertain ones.”
Bu-Yeo, the leader of a guild named Shield.
“Our captain seems to think the same, doesn’t he?”
Kim Cheon-Seok.
A follower who joined after the Bu-Yeo Black Gate incident.
“That’s right.”
At Greed’s voice, the followers nodded.
Though Kim Cheon-Seok was the one who spoke up courageously, the thoughts of those present were largely the same.
The reason such a mindset, different from modern thinking, could be accepted.
“Compile a list.”
Was due to the power they possessed.
“We plan to reorganize this time. And remember ‘that person’s’ warning.”
Greed said as she stood up.
“We are not heroes here to save the world.”
Indeed, we are.
“We must become damned villains.”
Though, in the end, that would save the world.
With faces full of purpose, the followers nodded.