“That was easier than I imagined it would be.”
“Imagined?”
“You know… I was a bit scared actually.”
Heeyun shrugged as she glanced over at Kim Chanyul.
“Oh.”
Dohyuk nodded as he also realized what she was talking about.
Chanyul had lost, but there was no ‘complaint’ this time around.
It was the term that Giwon and Yuri used to describe the effect that happens to the believer when he or she loses. Dohyuk had experienced it multiple times already.
‘I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who did not choose to take up a religion this time around because of that.”
Often times, when a believer faced a situation where they could not face the circumstances with the borrowed godly power, the god would then intervene and take over the body, infusing a tremendous amount of godly power that the believer would not be able to handle.
The outcome was the destruction of the body and mind. It can never be undone and what followed was usually pain beyond imagination.
As for Chanyul, Dohyuk heard from Giwon that Ba’dense was a hot-tempered god, so the chances of having a ‘complaint’ was likely.
“I guess he made Ba’dense mad or something.”
The wind that churned had stopped a while ago, signaling Ba’dense’s loss of interest in this place. It was pitiful enough to lose to Dohyuk already, but to claim that he could win if his men came back… it was too pitiful for Ba’dense.
Dohyuk did not know this, but it didn’t matter. He walked over to Chanyul and crouched.
“…Ah…uh…”
Chanyul’s body was shaking with shock coming from the loss of blood. He will soon become unconscious. But with such high stats, he will not die. Dohyuk picked him up by the shoulder and looked around. About 100 people were behind Heeyun.
“Have all the injured been taken back to the city?”
“Yeah.”
Their actual order was to return back to the city right after the fight was over. Even then, Dohyuk knew why they had to come all the way here.
“Good work, everyone.”
People had different expressions on their faces. Excitement, the feeling of achievement, guilt, fear, and other mixed feelings. Dohyuk understood all that.
“You probably have mixed feelings about this. I know this better than anyone. I still feel the same way.”
These people wanted to hear that as they didn’t need compliments or anything. They did not expect to experience such feelings.
“The reason for that is… because you and I are human. We are not like those beasts. It is not a good thing to have these feelings.”
Dohyuk looked at everyone’s eyes as he spoke.
“I’ve already explained about the ‘rest’.”
During the past five months, Dohyuk had been investing his coins to purchase equipment that had options similar to Dohyuk’s sleeping bag. So if people felt burdened after the fight, they could use it.
“Like I explained, your burden will be lowered if you use the equipment. But to be honest, if you do that, you will keep feeling the burden you are feeling now. It will not stop.”
“…”
“…”
People were silent, but they reacted to Dohyuk.
“If you do not wish to feel that, you do not have to use the equipment.”
“But… then…”
“Yes, you will be corrupt if you don’t use it.” Dohyuk responded. “But at least you will not feel burdened anymore. And… even then, I will not banish you from the city as long as you follow the rules of the city.”
There were Yuri and Giwon for example. Dohyuk gave them a choice.
“Even then, if you want…”
That’s when someone burst into laughter. It was Heeyun who could not stop from laughing out loud.
“What- Heeyun…”
“What are you doing?”
People frowned as they spoke to Heeyun. It wasn’t that they were scolding Heeyun. They were just thinking so highly of Dohyuk that they thought it was rude to laugh in front of him.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at his words…”
Then, Heeyun stopped and looked up at Dohyuk.
“No, actually it was funny.”
Everyone gasped. Dohyuk seemed surprised, but then he asked in a calm voice, “Please, care to explain what part of it was funny?”
“I know you were generous, but I didn’t know you were that generous, Mr. Mayor.”
Mayor, not Dohyuk. This was the nickname given to Dohyuk in the recent days.
“Don’t you all think so?”
Heeyun looked around as she shrugged.
“Think about it. Mr. Mayor provided us with a bunch of things already. He gave us freedom, a place to live, and he even gave us the power to fight those beasts. Now, he’s allowing us to become those sick beasts too!”
Heeyun’s expression turned serious. “Yeah, it’s as he said. It doesn’t feel good. It’s stupid to even feel guilty for beating up those bastards… but so what?”
Heeyun then smiled again. “It’s not only that, right? I mean, I’m very excited right now. We practiced our formation, and we achieved what we wanted to do, right? Is there anybody who feels the same? I’ve never felt so excited before.”
“…”
“…!”
People then began to nod silently one by one. And soon, everyone seemed to agree with Heeyun.
“Yeah! You’re right! We were sick and tired of those bastards! We’re not going to become one of them now! I’d rather feel guilty and burdened than become one of them!”
“I’m going to use the equipment and fight again!”
“Yeah!”
People began to shout in excitement now.
“See?” Heeyun whispered as she snuck up next to Dohyuk. “It all depends on how you say it. They all look up to you. You shouldn’t say depressing things from the get-go.”
“…”
Dohyuk scratched his head and looked down. A message popped up.
<<Unification of faith from multiple followers>>
<<Worship Event now available>>
It never happened to God Dohyuk until now. Now, everyone came to Dohyuk and began throwing him up high in the air to cheer.
<<Created: Celebrating the first victory>>
[Form – Undecided]
[Range – Undecided]
[When the celebration starts, the form will be set.
By repeating the first celebration’s form, the celebration will be set in place with all followers who decide to join.
During the time celebration is held, all faith from the followers and the amount given to the god will increase greatly.]
And with that, Dohyuk checked the amount of faith he was receiving right now.
‘It… it’s over 500 thousand in just seconds…’
Dohyuk gulped. If the whole city joined the celebration…
‘Maybe…’
Perhaps it was possible to bring the ‘miracle’ much earlier than expected.