Somebody Stop the Pope – 131



Episode 131

5.

According to the government Behemoth is a demonic beast with a huge body.

A size and power that even China could not afford.

Originally it would have been easy to dispatch the Irregulars and sort things out but I heard that at the time a huge gate was created on the Shanghai side so they couldn’t immediately start suppressing them.

According to what Director Kim told us China used the Irregular’s ability to send Behemoth to Baekdu Mountain…

“I came here of my own free will.”

“Oh really?”

『Of course. I don’t like meaningless killing. It’s regrettable that I destroyed human structures while moving but I couldn’t help it at the time. It was difficult to control my size.』

After checking with the parties involved I found out that what they said was a complete lie.

As expected as expected.

It was China that never disappoints my expectations.

I nodded in satisfaction as I looked at the black cow with innocent eyes.

Behemoth.

Since he was called a national crisis level devil I thought we would have a showdown as soon as we arrived at Baekdu Mountain.

When I actually opened the lid it wasn’t that either.

“You’re not going to suddenly transform and attack us or anything are you?”

“You’re talking nonsense. If I was going to fight you I would have done it a long time ago.”

“Your tongue is a bit cocky. I like slang.”

“…what?”

“It’s just like that.”

I smacked my lips as I gazed at the guy’s glossy fur.

A true black cow.

Instead of magic a peculiar energy that I had never experienced before was detected in the guy’s body.

An energy similar to divine power rather than magical power.

Why on earth did my Chinese friends give him the nickname of a national crisis level devil?

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“Those who say you are Chinese used every method to capture me. But when all methods failed they quickly gave up. They were a bunch of idiots with no sense of propriety.”

“Ah now I know why.”

That’s why I did it.

How embarrassing would it be to fail to capture a black cow that didn’t even fight back?

I nodded slightly and pointed to my colleagues who were busily eating the raspberries behind me.

“Thank you for the strawberries.”

“It is my duty to treat guests who come to see me well. I am glad that you like it.”

One thing is for sure this guy is absolutely not a threat.

If they were hostile beings as the guy said they would have refused to even let us set foot on Baekdu Mountain.

But at this point one question arises.

“Did China really leave you alone?”

『When I first settled down here I sent some people but after I took care of them and sent them back there hasn’t been any significant movement since. I’m a spirit. I don’t step forward unless it invades my territory.』

It’s a spirit.

Even if I don’t say anything he just spits out useful information.

There is no other black cow like this one.

I put a strawberry in my mouth smiled faintly and continued asking questions.

“What is a spirit?”

『Spiritual beings are beings born from spirit energy. They existed on Earth since long ago but disappeared for some reason. I was one of those spirits who disappeared. I returned to nothingness and opened my eyes again in this world.』

“aura?”

『The pure power of life that blooms from nature. That is spiritual energy.』

Although it had an abstract meaning it seemed to ultimately mean a being that originated from nature.

After hearing the guy’s explanation I could understand why the spirit energy felt similar to divine power.

“Are they beings born from nature and ascended to a position similar to divinity?”

『Long ago there were humans who worshipped our spirits. Humans are also a part of nature. They were one of the things I had to protect.』

I nodded slightly at the guy’s voice.

“What is the reason for that?”

Isn’t there a reason why it’s hidden on purpose?

Obviously I have to pay a certain price to find out…

“Well there was a war. We fought to protect and sacrificed ourselves heroically.”

…Just look at the way he gives it away so generously.

But the most important thing was missing.

“Who did you fight with?”

“The twisted gods. That’s all I know. We don’t know much about them either. They upset the balance of the world and we just tried to set it right.”

[You have satisfied the second success condition of the quest <Ancient Fragment>.]

[You have acquired the key keyword <Distorted God>.]

I was quite nervous because it was a scenario quest.

Wasn’t this a quest where you had to eat raw fish?

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I checked the two message windows that appeared in front of me then looked back at Behemoth.

“So what you’re saying is that you’re originally a native spirit of Earth. Right?”

“That’s right.”

“How did you get back?”

『I don’t know. As I said earlier I suddenly opened my eyes. I wanted to contact other spirits but I didn’t have enough spirit energy so I hastily settled down on this land. This was the only mountain with spirit energy left.』

“It means that the spirit remains…”

『It means that it is a place where nature is preserved. It was also an area with a lot of spiritual energy to begin with.』

Is that really what it means to be the nation’s sacred mountain?

I bowed my head slightly at the calm guy’s words.

“I feel sorry for humans.”

『As I said before you humans are also a part of nature. You have no choice but to accept it.』

Who would have thought that indiscriminate destruction of nature would have led to such results?

From the guy’s perspective it’s like he came back from fighting to protect his house only to find that the house had collapsed.

Still this black cow showed no sign of resenting humans.

If it were me I would have caused a fuss right away but perhaps because it is a spirit it seems to have a broad mind that is unimaginable for a human.

“I think it’s okay to listen to the detailed story slowly and if we’re at this point it’s okay to be honest. I think you have something you want from me.”

“Huh did you get caught?”

“You’ve been blinking those big eyes at me for a while now. You have ‘I have business’ written all over your face so why are you like ‘Did I get caught?’”

At my words the black cow or rather Behemoth nodded slowly.

Then he soon spoke in a very serious voice.

“I want to recover my spirit. To do that I need your help. Help me.”

[The final completion condition for the quest <Ancient Fragment> has been updated.]

[Final success condition: Complete the <Behemoth> quest.]

The time has finally come.

6.

“So what you’re saying is find a place filled with spiritual energy?”

『Yes. It is not easy to leave the mountain until the spirit is fully recovered. However there are too many unclean things around here to remain.』

Behemoth nodded lightly scratching the ground with his forepaws.

The guy’s requirements to put it simply were this:

I want you to look for a new home.

I’m not a real estate agent. How can I help you if you suddenly ask me to recommend a house to move into?

Somehow I felt like the quests were progressing too easily up until now.

I sat down under the tree next to me.

“Okay so let’s say I help you. Then what will you do for me?”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s ethical to pay things like real estate brokerage fees.”

At my words the guy shook his head from side to side expressing his doubts.

I don’t think that guy is pretending not to know on purpose and it seems like he really doesn’t know.

That’s why I say people who are only admired are no good.

“Helping you is helping but you can still show your sincerity. That’s basic manners among humans.”

“I see. I understand. I will take that as meaning that you want something from me. Is there anything you want? Unfortunately I have nothing to give you right now but I will try to prepare it.”

In fact the system does take care of it separately but that is only something the system takes care of.

This guy isn’t giving it to you is he?

Still it’s a good thing he’s such an innocent guy.

I smiled faintly.

“You keep your promises don’t you?”

“Of course. I will keep my word once I say it. Spirits cannot lie. When I regain my strength I will definitely repay this favor.”

When you say something like that in the form of a black cow it seems very trustworthy.

That’s why appearance is important.

There I also got some valuable information that spirits cannot lie. I will need to cross-check with other spirits later but it does not seem like they lie.

“Okay I’ll believe you. Let’s promise to repay you later.”

“I promise.”

I think I’ll be rewarded if I raise it hard.

I never knew that the big eyes of a cow could feel so solid.

I too am a peace-loving person so I don’t prefer things like beating things up and taking things away. I too prefer this kind of smooth development.

So after finishing the simple negotiation I slyly asked the guy a question.

“But why me of all people?”

“The energy you have is beneficial to me. I have been waiting for you since you came back to this world. I was sure that you would help me.”

“It’s like a proposal. Is it because of the divine power? If it’s the divine power there must have been another alternative besides me.”

For example people like Baek Myeong-gyo.

But then unexpected words came out of Behemoth’s mouth.

“If you’re talking about those who serve the distorted god then I came here two months ago. It was the most recent killing I committed.”

“…those Baekmyeonggyo guys.”

“I still don’t know their true names. I only remember that they once destroyed the balance of the world.”

Judging by what Behemoth calls them it seems they aren’t one.

Baekmyeonggyo is a group of people who worship a ‘distorted god’…

I heard useful information from an unexpected place.

Certainly as befitting an ancient being this guy seems to possess knowledge that will satisfy my curiosity.

“Behemoth.”

『That is one of the many names I have. There must not be many who know that name. Are there those who have inherited the ancient knowledge?』

“Really? Well then there is one guy who I am suspicious of.”

The dark guy leading the purifier named Anonymous that we met last time.

It’s most likely his work.

As I came to know it seems that the purifier Baek Myeong-gyo and I were all secretly connected to this black cow.

I nodded slightly.

“If you want to be called by a different name please tell me in advance.”

“It doesn’t matter what you call me.”

“Oh right. But do I really have to move? If the dirty things are the problem I can just clean up this area. I have plans to do a major cleaning soon anyway.”

At my words Behemoth blinked once again.

“I thought that humans had already abandoned this land because they had left it unattended. If it were up to you that would be one way to do it.”

“I’ll try making a plan along those lines.”

In these situations it’s much easier to repair an existing home than to find a good deal.

Do you know where the hell this guy can live?

In this way the story of me and Behemoth ended successfully in a constructive atmosphere.

I smiled contentedly and extended my hand to Behemoth.

“Just trust me. I’ll clean it up nicely.”

Behemoth stared at the hand I offered him and slowly brought his nose closer to it.

“Thank you….”

As soon as its moist nose touched my hand the black cow which had been standing still until then began to stagger.

“I’m sorry. My spirit is weak….”

“I don’t know if it will work for you. Just wait and see.”

Woooooooooo-!

I gently drew up some divine power and breathed it into Behemoth’s body. It seemed like it would be quite effective since I could feel its spirit energy naturally.

And my prediction was exactly right.

“It’s much better. Thank you.”

Our black cow has completely absorbed my divine power.

I don’t know how it worked but it definitely worked. And then an idea crossed my mind.

This guy is a guy who will be helpful in many ways.

Then wouldn’t the best way be to keep it close by?

“I know a temporary residence that would be perfect for you right now. Would you like me to introduce it to you? I think you’ll like it.”

“Oh really?”

“Well then. It’s a perfect place to recuperate. How about hearing the story?”

“good night!”

I smiled at the black cow that was staring at me. Then I started talking in a quiet voice.

“There is a sacred tree next to our temple…”

Our Pope please stop this