* * *
“Seo Kang-rim, the tasks you instructed are being carried out well. The disciples are also operating without any major problems, and Biho-mun is dealing with approximately 60% of the demons that have appeared in the city.”
Today was the weekly report day.
Yu Ha-rang, who was sitting in an office chair and giving a report, was continuing her explanation with a calmness that made it hard to believe she was young.
While Seo Kang-rim was looking at the report on the tablet pad, Kang Do-hyun said.
“The positive evaluation rate for Bihomun is increasing, and fan clubs are being formed. Items with Bihomun’s emblem on them are also becoming popular among people.”
The phrases in the Bihomun were being consumed as if they were a kind of brand or talisman.
Seo Kang-rim wasn’t that surprised since this had happened in his past life as well.
Several years have passed since the Day of Awakening arrived and the demons began to appear, but the world has not changed much.
Still, demons appeared unexpectedly and people were always exposed to danger.
For powerful hunters, things like demons or magic circles were not a big problem, but for untasters or weak hunters, things were different.
You never know when or where the devil will appear, and you have no means of protecting yourself.
In such times of anxiety, people needed something to rely on, even if it was illogical.
As a result, people created and believed in a kind of superstition of their own.
It was a superstition that one would be protected if one had an object engraved with the emblem of a powerful faction or sect.
That’s why items with such phrases on them were selling well even though they didn’t have much effect.
When the demon appears, there is also a shallow hope that if you have an item with the symbol of that sect engraved on it, it will see it and save you first.
And just as in my past life, similar phenomena were occurring now.
As the world became more unstable, people were looking for something to comfort them.
It was only natural to follow the Bihomun and use objects with their patterns as talismans.
Kang Do-hyeon said in a calm tone.
“As I said last time, we decided to sell self-defense items with the Bihomun emblem engraved on them. All proceeds will be donated, so there won’t be any bad comments.”
Even if there was no direct profit, it was beneficial to Seo Kang-rim.
Because just having people owning the emblem of the secret society creates a kind of promotional effect.
Thanks to that, recognition was rising little by little every day.
‘I thought it would be difficult for the popularity to rise any further, but thanks to the people of Bihomun, it continues to rise.’
The fact that his fame has been steadily rising in the present world is thanks to the members of the sect, including Kang Do-hyeon and Yu Ha-rang.
Just by looking at the reports they handed me, I could tell how well they were run.
It contained detailed records of various tasks, including financial management, student management, and requests for cooperation with external parties.
‘It’s hard to believe that two people handled the amount of work and the accuracy.’
Yoo Ha-rang and Kang Do-hyeon were handling the work better than expected.
Kang Do-hyeon had experience working for the Protectorate, and Yu Ha-rang was displaying her genius, including her special abilities.
The remaining personnel were in charge of external affairs, including subjugating demons and managing disciples.
If Seo Kang-rim had been alone, these were all things he would have had to give up.
“I’m sure both Harang and Dohyun are busy, but thank you for taking care of it so well. Aren’t you both overdoing it?”
There was sincerity in his calm voice.
If it weren’t for them, things wouldn’t have worked out this well.
Yuharang coughed awkwardly, seeming embarrassed by his thanks and concern.
“Ahem, it’s nothing. This is easy. But… … Shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself before us?”
There was worry in Yu Harang’s eyes as she spoke like that.
No, fear would be a more accurate word.
Yoo Harang asked while staring at Seo Kang Rim.
“Tomorrow? Leaving for the unknown new world.”
The auspicious day that Seo Hwa-gyeong had designated was approaching tomorrow.
The other members couldn’t go to the shrine, but they had already explained the situation to them.
When Seo Kang-rim and Shin Soo-ah heard that the two were going to fight against God, everyone except Dokgo Jun was shocked.
For just two people to go to the shrine seemed like a suicide.
When I told him that Seo Hwa-gyeong had chosen an auspicious day, he seemed a little relieved, but the fact that it was a dead end did not change.
Kang Do-hyeon clenched his teeth as if he was angry.
“I wish I could go with you… … I’m sorry I can only give you this much.”
He took something out of his bosom and handed it to Seo Kang-rim.
It was a thick bundle of amulets.
Judging by the dark circles under her eyes, she must have stayed up all night writing the talisman for several days.
“I used the highest quality goyah paper and performed a purification ritual to make it, so it should be effective. You have to come back safely. Understood?”
“Thank you, bro. I’ll use it well.”
Even though he wasn’t leaving right away and still had some time left, Kang Do-hyun looked anxious.
While Seo Kang-rim was collecting the talisman, his cell phone vibrated softly.
I checked the text and it said it was from Shin Soo Ah and that she had something to tell me.
“Shin Soo-ah called me, so I’ll go first.”
“Okay. Be sure to prepare thoroughly.”
Seo Kang-rim left the office, being seen off by two people.
As I arrived at the common area where I was supposed to meet Shin Soo-ah, I saw Shin Soo-ah wandering around.
It seemed as if he couldn’t sit down because of his anxiety.
“Ms. Shin Soo-ah, I’m here.”
“Ah, Mr. Kangrim!”
As soon as she saw Seo Kang-rim, Shin Soo-ah approached him urgently.
Seo Kang-rim opened his mouth as he looked at the anxiety and worry written on her face.
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“Still haven’t been able to contact the first owner?”
“Yes. There is still no answer.”
Before visiting the new temple, Seo Kang-rim wanted to confirm a few things with the first owner.
Shin Soo-ah accepted the request and tried to contact the first owner, but there was no response.
That was two days ago, and nothing had changed until the day before the auspicious day.
“Has this ever happened before?”
“It’s my first time. After I registered the free communication with the first owner, I always got a reply whenever I contacted him.”
This situation where contact was suddenly cut off was bound to be unsettling.
Did something happen to the first owner?
It may have been intentional that he was not answering Shin Soo Ah’s calls, but either way, it was ominous.
Shin Soo-ah asked with an uneasy face.
“Is it okay if we visit the new station tomorrow?”
Seo Kang-rim also felt a little uneasy because an exceptional situation had occurred, but he could not postpone his plans.
Losing contact with the anonymous was also likely to be included in future calculations.
“The teacher has calculated countless futures and chosen the safest date, so it will be fine.”
If there had been any mistake, Seo Hwa-kyung would have contacted me first.
Shin Soo-ah also nodded after hearing that.
She looked a little uneasy, but didn’t object further.
“Okay, I guess this was all planned. Then I’ll consider leaving tomorrow as planned.”
“Yes. Since the appointed time is early, it would be better to get some rest.”
Seo Hwa-gyeong had set not only the date but also the time.
A difference of a few tens of minutes can cause errors in calculations, so be sure to enter at that time.
Shin Soo-ah nodded and was about to leave when she stopped as if remembering something.
She looked back at Seo Kang-rim and asked.
“By the way, is Kangrim sleeping well these days?”
It was a simple question, but Seo Kang-rim’s fingertips trembled.
It was because I instinctively remembered the incident last time when I fell asleep in Shin Soo Ah’s room.
Also, there was an incident where he almost attacked Shin Soo-ah.
Even though he knew that Shin Soo-ah wasn’t asking him this question to reproach him, he still felt uneasy.
In case something like that happens again, from then on we started meeting in a public space instead of a private room.
Seo Kang-rim nodded.
“Yes, I am sleeping well.”
“You’re not lying, are you?”
“It’s true.”
I’m not just beating around the bush, I’ve been having some really comfortable nights lately.
It was so amazing that I even thought about it myself.
I no longer have nightmares, and the frequency of seeing things when I wake up has been dramatically reduced.
It was like going back in time.
‘It seems like the medicine that Lee Hyeon made is helpful.’
After meeting Seo Hwa-kyung and starting to take medicine, my physical condition has noticeably improved.
Hearing those words, Shin Soo-ah smiled faintly.
“I’m glad you’re sleeping well.”
She was smiling as if she was really happy.
It was a smile so bright that anyone’s heart would melt at that smile.
Seo Kang-rim looked away, thinking that it was very Shin Soo-ah-like to be so happy just by getting a good night’s sleep.
“You too, Shin Soo-ah, get some rest. Tomorrow will be a tough day.”
“Yes, Mr. Kangrim too.”
After saying that, the two dispersed.
Shin Soo-ah seemed to be heading to her room, and Seo Kang-rim moved his feet toward the basement.
I have to leave for Shinyeok tomorrow, but there was something I had to check before that.
“Ah, Seo Kang-rim! You’re here? I’ve been waiting for you!”
Dokgo Jun, who was in the basement workshop, saw Seo Kang Rim and ran towards him.
The other members looked worried about Seo Kang-rim and Shin Soo-ah going to the new station, but they didn’t show any such signs to Dokgo Jun.
It did look a little disappointing though.
“Hey, you’re going tomorrow, right? I want to go too, but it’s such a shame. I should’ve been deified instead of being possessed by a god or something. Oh, no. It would’ve been more cozy if you and Shin Soo-ah just went together… .”
Dokgo Jun started talking nonsense again.
It was nonsense that he had become quite accustomed to by now, but there was no reason to keep listening, so Seo Kang-rim cut him off.
“Are you done with the manuscript?”
“Oh, of course! I worked hard on it. I’m happy that people are more interested in it these days.”
Dokgo Jun went into his room, laughing out loud.
His room had a strangely sparse feel to it, even though it was inhabited by people.
Dokgo Jun said as he handed the laptop to Seo Kang Rim.
“I wanted to write about the part where you were deified in the novel, but it’s a shame. I deleted it because I didn’t want the Protectorate to find out… … .”
The novel flows very similarly to Seo Kang-rim’s life, but there are some crucial differences.
It was also highly likely that the Protectorate was keeping an eye on this novel.
“I want to decide your destiny. It would be nice if you could decide it in the novel… … . Can you allow me to do so?”
“no.”
Seo Kang-rim was checking the manuscript while listening to Dokgo Jun grumbling softly, when his gaze stopped at one paragraph.
He glanced at Dokgo Jun and said.
“It’s not deification, but aren’t there beings in the novel who follow me like a god?”
The novel written by Dokgo Jun seemed to be a dramatization of events in Paradise Land.
Although the main plot was different, the part where Seo Kang-rim goes to a world inhabited by a different race and acts was the same.
Also, there is the part where the other race worships Seogangrim as a god.
“Oh, that part. I thought about it a bit.”
Dokgo Jun said with a big smile.
He asked, staring at Seo Kang-rim with his deep black eyes.
“Seo Kang-rim. Do you think God comes first or do you think people come first?”
