Somebody Stop the Pope – 79



Episode 79

24. Perception change

1.

The morning dawned.

I was sitting in the temple office watching the TV hanging on the wall.

On TV Oh Jun-woo of the Hive Guild who I had met the night before was holding an emergency press conference.

“Is this perhaps what Siwoo intended?”

Sitting next to me was Team Leader Kim or rather Director Kim who had rushed to the black market last night.

“Rather than intentional… um it was more like slapping a crying child in the face?”

“I think the Jeon Gak-ryeon will react violently. It will definitely have a fatal impact on their credibility.”

“I’m even more pleased that you think so.”

I expected that Oh Jun-woo would move quickly but I didn’t know he would move this quickly.

“I thought I could no longer deceive the people. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the person who gave me the courage to stand here.”

Oh Jun-woo’s press conference was in a word an internal whistleblowing.

What happens inside the inner quarters of the black market.

And the Hive Guild that was condoning what was happening there.

The internal whistleblowing against the Hive Guild which was second in the guild hierarchy and a pillar of the Jeon Kak-ryun was a topic that reporters could not help but drool over.

In particular the fact that the whistleblower was Oh Jun-woo one of the S-class hunters representing the Hive Guild added to the credibility of the whistleblower.

“There are no days when things go smoothly. Yesterday it started with the Hope Orphanage incident and now it’s the black market human sacrifice incident… Each and every one of them is an incident that makes me feel ashamed.”

“Do you resent me?”

“No way. All of this is our incompetence and negligence. How can we blame you Siwoo?”

The incident last night was one that could not pass quietly.

There was an earthquake that was felt not only in Incheon but also in Seoul and hunters from the Department of Ability Management entered the black market for the first time in three years.

Despite the late hour reporters flocked to the area and hunters using the black market posted their images on their personal social media accounts.

It was something that couldn’t be hidden even if you tried to hide it.

Oh Jun-woo even held a press conference alone and it was broadcast live nationwide in the morning.

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It was only natural that attention would be focused on the news of the horrific crimes that broke out one after another.

“Originally I was planning on taking care of the Hive Guild members who came to train us. When I saw it they were also accomplices.”

“What on earth was going on there?”

“Consciousness. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find out what the ritual was for. Still I’ll have to be satisfied with that since I’ve prevented the worst.”

If it had been discovered later the erosion by magic would have been more advanced.

If that were the case it wouldn’t have ended at the earthquake line.

The surrounding area may have been contaminated with magic and curses turning into a land filled with only death.

“So the existence of the altar created by the Purifiers has been officially confirmed.”

“This incident will make them dig deeper into the shadows. It would have been better to handle it quietly but… even if we hid it they would have found out right away.”

The guys’ purpose was still a mystery.

But if you look at the current situation calmly it wasn’t so bad.

“We can use the sacred stone to create a relic that can detect magic. I will provide it to the government.”

The lack of information sources could be supplemented through the Department of Abilities Management. In addition with the help of the United States which was aware of the existence of Magi tracking was no longer a problem.

So now the priority was to scrape out the pus that was visible on the surface.

“This incident will likely result in public opinion strongly demanding a special law for irregulars. The public opinion that Si-woo should play a greater role will gain strength. Did you expect this?”

“I won’t deny it.”

Through Oh Jun-woo’s whistleblowing the internal division within the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will begin in earnest.

As Director Kim said public opinion supporting me on the Internet will only grow stronger and the scope of my activities will inevitably expand.

If that happens the ways in which the Limen Church can contribute to society will become more diverse.

Director Kim looked at me and let out a small sigh.

“A supplementary budget is scheduled to be prepared. It is a supplementary budget to expand the functions of the Ministry of Personnel Management and the President has strongly expressed his will.”

“I heard that the government’s finances are not sufficient.”

“It is still manageable. And even issuing national bonds is being discussed. All of this is possible thanks to Siwoo.”

“I never thought I would have anything to do with national debt in my life.”

“The presence or absence of irregulars makes a huge difference to the credibility of a country. That’s the world we live in.”

The president is running things on his own without me having to provide any direct assistance.

In Eden support at the church level was needed for post-war recovery but now that there is less work to do it is convenient.

If the power of the Ability Management Department is strengthened it won’t be bad for me.

However looking at the fact that the Department of Ability Management was expanded while preparing the supplementary budget it seemed that the goal was not simply to ensure public safety.

I asked Director Kim in a casual manner.

“I don’t know much because I’m not very good at drawing money but there must be something to raising money by issuing government bonds. What is it?”

Director Kim nodded heavily as if he had expected it to happen. Then after moistening his throat with tea he answered in a very serious voice.

“It’s a northward advance. The president wants to prepare for a northward advance. Discussions began when Ryu Jin-young the awakened one appeared but it’s a project that was temporarily abandoned due to an incident three years ago.”

It’s a northward advance.

I heard a bit about it from Aiden.

It was said that the northern part of the Korean peninsula where a country called North Korea existed became a land where humans could not live due to the rampant proliferation of gates and dungeons.

This is because like some remote areas such as Africa and Siberia it was an area occupied by beings from another world.

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Instead it was confirmed that there were numerous resources including magic stones so it was clear that if they could be recovered they would make a huge amount of money.

“This is a project with many advantages. It can prevent the formation of monster waves like last time and the economic effects are enormous. In addition it can provide the symbolism of recovering lost land so it is a project that we must definitely try at some point.”

“It’ll take a long time.”

“That is why we must push forward from now on.”

The roadmap is roughly in sight.

We will increase the size of the Ability Management Department again sweep away the villains and then invest all of that power into the Northward Advance Project.

A picture of President Seo is briefly visible.

“It seems like it’s going to get fun from now on.”

“It seems that the President is grateful for the good deeds of Siu and the Limen Church and is expecting them to play a greater role.”

“Of course it should be like that.”

As I said that I looked back at Oh Jun-woo on TV.

The change has already begun.

2.

“…So now we are starting our activities in earnest. Does anyone have any questions?”

Immediately after Director Kim left we held a brief meeting with those who could be considered current executives of our church.

Even though we were executives it only included me Leo Luna and Minsu.

“Your Majesty what exactly does it mean to be active in earnest?”

“You will actively participate in the Gate Dungeon subjugation right? If the government requests cooperation you will participate in the villain subjugation. I’m just saying that we should move proactively.”

“I’m so busy educating the chicks I don’t have a clue. And it seems like it’s going to take a long time to make them behave like people.”

“This is Earth. There is no need to raise new believers like in Eden.”

It took less than ten years for a young man who had only ever had good health to become a savior of a certain level.

Of course it was thanks to all the special privileges I received from Limen that I was able to grow that much but the system also helped me tremendously.

If you use the system well you can raise believers at a speed that is incomparable to Eden.

The trait called <Enlightenment> is like that and the <Combat Focus> training that I chose last time is also like that.

Ultimately players are beings who grow quickly by defeating monsters.

“Are you talking about the system?”

“You know?”

“I was tutored by our cute brother Minsu. His Majesty has also mentioned it several times. How could I not know? His Majesty is telling me to take the chicks and go to battle right now.”

As expected from Luna who has adapted well to Earth she quickly caught on to what I meant.

But Luna’s position was negative.

“At the very least you should train them in weapon skills and send them out into battle. Sending them out if they can’t even hold a weapon properly is just a waste of time. Well if they have sturdy armor they can learn it through physical contact with their bodies…”

“That’s it.”

“yes?”

“They call it Temppal. We will be providing blessed armor and weapons to the new recruits. I have already discussed this with the Chairman of the Yooseon Group.”

The Wired Group decided to produce armor using production series players and existing technologies.

It may not be as good as the armor made by the dwarves of Eden but if properly fortified it will be usable.

The price of the armor was on the expensive side but I had nowhere to spend the money for the time being anyway.

“The only advantage a user of divine power has over a user of magical power is their defensive capabilities. If you focus on raiding the lowest-level dungeons there won’t be much danger.”

“No one can guarantee the variables of a battle.”

At Luna’s comment I looked at Luna and spoke quietly.

“You and Leo can guarantee it. That’s why I’m saying this. Think carefully Luna. If you make the first batch kids work hard you’ll have more free time.”

“You’re just treating me like a slave. Give me a bonus and then say that.”

“Lord Reventon is right Your Majesty. The new smartphone from Wired Electronics released exclusively for Hunters….”

Leo also thinks this is the time to express his intentions.

Just a moment ago he was sitting solemnly wearing a monocle but when the bonus topic came up his eyes started to waver.

It’s clear that Leo has also fully adapted to Earth.

I guess I should give him some carrots.

“Dungeon and gate conquests are profitable Brother Minsu. Right?”

Minsu answered my question immediately.

“Even just the byproducts of monsters can be very profitable.”

“Did you hear that kids? Don’t worry I’ll make it a point to pay you performance bonuses based on your performance. We’ve only known each other for a day or two right? You wouldn’t think I’d just be working you guys around.”

“yes.”

“Yes Your Majesty.”

The two answer decisively.

In times like this you say we’re step siblings?

“Don’t you trust me too much? Is this all our loyalty goes to? We’re family!”

“Even between family members money matters need to be addressed clearly.”

“Even in the drama there was no family or anything else in front of money Your Highness. I hope you can clearly sort things out through a contract.”

The two presented a perfect patchwork of capitalism and I had no choice but to give in to their combined attack.

Eventually I was able to suppress their rebellion by promising them that a contract would be drawn up within a week.

Those guys are tough.

I’m not saying this to eat well and live well on my own but to grow the church. If someone saw me they’d think I’m an evil boss who doesn’t even pay my salary properly.

…Ahem.

Anyway that concludes the discussion regarding future plans.

“Your Holiness I have a personal question for you.”

While I was looking at him with a blank expression Minsu asked me a question cautiously.

“Make yourself at home brother.”

“If the religious order were to bid on dungeons or gates the tax exemption benefits provided to His Holiness might not apply. Have you discussed this with the government?”

“Of course. I have agreed to pay all the relevant taxes. Without missing a single one.”

Even though I am entitled to tax exemption as an irregular I cannot pretend not to know about taxes forever when the size of the church’s income has grown to this extent.

We have already finished discussing that part with the government.

Minister Yoo Seon-ho said he would be considerate enough but I refused.

Taxes must be paid properly and squarely.

Do you know what I’ll hear if I set a bad precedent?

“There’s a big difference between paying something you have to pay but don’t and paying something you don’t have to pay. Isn’t that right?”

“It is the right decision. Your Majesty you are looking further into the future.”

“Wouldn’t that be true coexistence? We benefit from the public opinion we gather by paying taxes honestly and the government benefits from collecting taxes. Both are good.”

Wouldn’t that be the only way to honestly hold those who evade taxes accountable?

For example people like Jeon Gak-ryeon or Baek Myeong-gyo.

“Everyone be prepared it’s going to be a very busy time from now on.”

I said slightly raising the corners of my lips.

Now that the cracks had formed it was time for us to dig into them.

Our Pope please stop this