The Life of a Wise Cult Leader - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Fire

“Ugh…!”

When you’re too shocked, you can’t even scream. I experienced that for the second time. I fell like Alice in Wonderland.

About 0.5 seconds or so?

I had just fallen from a cliff about the height of an adult man.

Of course, humans are fragile enough to die from drowning in a puddle, so if I had landed wrong, my spine would have been shattered, but fortunately I managed to land on both feet.

“What a shock…”

I had half-forgotten that stepping on the stairs here would cause a fall. Gamers are the type who use cliffs as shortcuts as long as they don’t die from falling.

Except for the light coming in from above where I fell, everything was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything.

I felt around the walls of the Ancient Ruins.

As I fumbled with the cold, damp, and slippery wall surface, something protruded.

Found it, the Magic Switch. It’s fortunate this is exactly the same as in the game.

When I pressed the stone button, a softly glowing Magic Light came on from the ceiling.

Unlike in the game, the eerie air tickled my skin, and the stuffy underground air filled my nose, finally making it feel real.

It was definitely different from moving a character through a screen.

‘My imagination couldn’t be this vivid.’

Right, this is definitely reality.

‘If I die here… will I return to my original world, or will I meet my death here?’

The only source of information is the system, so I need to gather believers and Sacred Relics to get some information.

No, in the last cutscene I saw, the Demon King was definitely saying something.

‘If I meet the Demon King, I should be able to get some information. The information from the system is one thing, but I need to create my own sources of information too.’

But with these pathetically weak stats, if I meet the Demon King, I’ll definitely be killed in less than a second.

With that personality, there’s no way he’d spare an unpleasant-looking human.

In the first place, the probability of dying on the way to meet the Demon King is higher.

The Demon King is located at the center of the Demon Realm, so getting there isn’t an ordinary task.

‘I really need to raise my stats. And get some useful items…’

While walking and thinking various thoughts, a long Corridor appeared.

In the Corridor, stones shaped like vivid people were placed irregularly.

At the end of that path, a massive Stone Statue with a unique design stood majestically.

The Stone Statue had bat-like membrane wings and long protruding teeth like a roe deer, covered with moss and grime.

In contrast, the Necklace hanging around the Stone Statue’s neck was clean without a single rusted part.

The Stone Statue that recognized me rattled and spoke in a voice that echoed through the Cave.

“When the world is full of light, where does darkness go?”

I need to answer three questions and answers.

From my position of knowing the answers, it’s so easy I’m not even nervous.

In the first place, I was the one who posted about this hidden quest at the Game Cafe.

“Darkness merely holds its breath behind where light casts shadows, never truly disappearing.”

Upon hearing my answer, the Necklace the Stone Statue wore briefly glowed.

The Stone Statue’s mouth rattled again. The rattling of its mouth and voice were out of sync, making it eerie.

“All things breathe under the sun. All things cannot exist without light. Is this statement true?”

“It is not true.”

The Necklace glowed again.

“Do the forgotten truly disappear while remaining forgotten?”

“They will be remembered and summoned through Necromancy.”

The Necklace glowed once more.

Now, it’s time to receive the reward. I waited for the Stone Statue to output its predetermined script dialogue.

But the Stone Statue didn’t spout its programmed script.

A red gleam appeared in the eyes of what had been just stone.

“Do you remember the legend?”

Wasn’t it supposed to be three questions and answers?

I can’t answer wrong.

I’ll turn to stone. It’s a curse that even priests with high curse resistance can’t block.

“…”

The human stone statue interior that I thought nothing of when it was a game now feels creepy.

I do, I don’t.

Or some other third answer.

Let me think. What was the setting?

The game’s name itself is Forgotten Legends from the start. And if I compile the information from these three questions and answers, this Stone Statue is definitely…

The Stone Statue’s teeth chatter.

This was a mechanic that appeared if you dragged out the answer for a certain amount of time.

Die if I can’t answer, die if I answer wrong.

Think.

If I don’t want to die, think…!

Forgotten legend. Three questions and answers. Ancient Ruins. The last cutscene… and…

I swallowed dry saliva and answered.

“Yes. I remember.”

“Who do you remember?”

The voice bounced around the Cave several times. The Stone Statue rattled.

Who do I remember?

“I remember the legend that now has no name.”

The Stone Statue’s fierce eyes gradually dimmed.

The Stone Statue’s gaze gradually faded as its head lowered.

The long reptilian neck came down within arm’s reach, dangling the glowing Necklace.

Was it satisfied with this answer?

I let out the breath I had been holding.

“…Haah.”

I really thought I was going to die just one day after possessing this body.

I carefully removed the Necklace from the Stone Statue’s neck.

At least it was fortunate to obtain it easily. Other relics would be difficult to get with my current abilities.

Then a blue window filled my vision.

 

[You have recovered a Sacred Relic!]

[Unrecovered Sacred Relics: 1/9]

[Next Sacred Relic recovery period: 26 days]

[Selecting Sub Quest reward…]

[Reward collection loading time: 00:59]

 

This damn system makes me wait to receive even one reward?

Really trash game level… to think I considered this crap a godly game.

“I wonder if there are any easter eggs.”

I rummaged through the ruins.

I examined the Stone Statue that had stopped working from various angles, and checked if there were any special devices between the walls.

In the process, while examining people who had turned to stone, I accidentally knocked one over and broke off someone’s wrist, which I decided to keep secret forever.

“Oh.”

I farmed some money that seemed to have been issued quite a long time ago.

I’m wondering if I can use it, but if not, I’ll have to melt it down. Since they’re Gold Coins, they should be useful.

Besides that, there were also some Gemstones and expensive-looking Jewelry, which I carefully stored in my Bag.

I got initial funds! Yahoo!

I looked around for about two hours according to the clock showing the system’s penalty, but unfortunately there were no particular easter eggs.

I spent about two hours exploring using the clock that indicates the system’s penalty, but unfortunately there were no notable easter eggs.

Since it’s an ancient ruin anyway, would it kill them to be a bit more generous?

It’s basically a gimmick where one wrong answer sends you straight to your grave.

A sword or some items – they could at least give me that much, right? How petty.

Grumbling inwardly, I exited the ancient ruins.

I didn’t forget to pick up the sword I had left behind.

It was definitely dim dawn when I entered the ruins, but it was full morning when I came out.

Breathing in the fresh forest air instead of the musty underground air made life feel truly sweet.

Coming out didn’t require dealing with any illusion barriers, so I just had to walk.

While walking, the penalty time ended and I spat up some blood. As expected, I coughed up a bit more blood.

‘Is it really okay health-wise for a person to spit blood every three hours like this…’

Since this would be my body for the time being, it would be troublesome if I developed complications or indigestion already.

It’s a body with perfectly fine legs and joints, so it would be upsetting if it got ruined because of system penalties.

“Brother.”

“M-my lord. Are you alright?”

I spat up some blood on the way, but I wasn’t particularly injured anywhere, so I was fine.

There were bloodstains on my shirt, so it seemed to cause worry.

“I’m fine. You said your child was sick, right?”

“Yes, yes. She lives nearby, so we should be able to get there quickly.”

“Then let’s depart. We can’t leave the child abandoned in hell any longer.”

If I delayed any more time, I felt like I’d really collapse from anemia. Me, not the child.

But the coachman seemed moved by those words, as his eyes reddened.

I don’t have the skill to comfort crying people.

I don’t even have the skill to talk to people in the first place…!

I deliberately pretended not to notice and got into the carriage cargo area. The coachman also began driving the carriage without delay.

 

*

 

I placed my hand on the child’s forehead.

Then, golden light and dust-like particles burst out from between my fingers.

‘The effects are quite flashy.’

At that moment, the child with a pale complexion trembled her eyelids.

“Daddy…?”

A metallic sound came from the child’s mouth as she called for her father. I couldn’t help but smile.

Now I could eliminate all sorts of impurities from people just by touching them.

Things like germs, that is.

Of course, if it were due to external injuries, it would be completely useless, but fortunately the daughter had fallen ill from disease.

I’m curious how cancer would be classified.

Since this is a fantasy world anyway, it would probably just be classified as something bad and purified.

“It’s… it’s a miracle… a miracle… Thank you! Thank you, my lord!”

The coachman burst into tears and grabbed my shirt. What tremendous paternal love.

If I had had such family, I wouldn’t have ended up in an orphanage, would I?

“It was something that had to be done.”

 

[Believers: 1 person]

[system: If believers remain at ‘1 person’ after 6 more hours, physical collapse will begin in stages.]

 

I gained a believer. Fanfare sounds rang in my ears and once again a blue window appeared before my eyes.

 

[Skill Tree Unlocked!]

[Believer Addition Reward: 3 Points]

 

Skill tree?

“How could you say such a thing… Is there perhaps something you desire?”

I’ll have to look at the skill tree later for now.

More than that, something I want…

“There should be no price for rescuing people from hell.”

The coachman showed an incredibly moved expression.

The child who just woke up was half-embraced in her father’s arms, looking up at me.

The child’s cheeks, which should be plump, were gaunt.

Her wrists and arms were so thin I wondered if they were human limbs.

Even though I cured the disease, it’s fundamentally different from healing. She’ll need recovery time for a while.

Obtaining a sacred relic of healing is quite difficult, unlike the current relic I easily obtained.

It was troublesome to get in the game too.

In the first place, all such relics are thoroughly managed by the Central Church…

‘If the possession timing had been just a little later, I almost wouldn’t have been able to get it.’

I fiddled with the necklace for a moment, then spoke.

“But there are still many people in this world suffering like your daughter… I would appreciate it if you could help me rescue such suffering people by my side. Would that be alright?”

“Of course…! Ahh…”

Wait, is helping me that unpleasant?

Why are you crying? I told you I don’t have the skill to comfort crying people.

“Daddy, why are you crying? Don’t cry…”

The child in his arms clumsily wiped away his tears with her sleeve.

If I keep watching this, I’ll feel bad.

You shouldn’t show me such harmonious and happy family scenes.

It’s irritating. The base emotion of petty envy rippled at the bottom, revealing its presence.

Maintaining the same smiling expression, I spoke gently.

“Then I’ll go out to the city center. There might be people in need there.”

“Then I’ll come with you…”

“A father shouldn’t leave when his daughter has just woken up. Please spend time with your daughter.”

I half-opened the door and added,

“Don’t worry, I’ll return soon.”

I’m not disappearing forever, so don’t mistake me for being gone, okay?

Since this is my first believer, I should utilize him to the fullest extent possible.

“Then… I’ll prepare dinner.”

“I’m grateful for your consideration.”

I ended up securing dinner as well.

Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten but I’m not hungry at all.

Suddenly waking up in another body in a fantasy game world, escaping from a cavern full of corpses, and so on…

I’d only seen scenes that weren’t good for the appetite, so it was understandable that I had no taste for food.

Maybe there will be some snacks in the city center?

I headed toward the city center, looking forward to what kind of snacks might exist in a fantasy world.

While walking, I noticed I hadn’t changed out of my blood-stained shirt and pants, so I put on the robe the coachman had given me.

The city center and house were close, so it didn’t seem like much of a walk.

Maybe I should look at the skill tree.

 

[point : 3]

[Weakness Detection : 3]

[Baptism : 5]

[Voice Transmission : 10]

[Ritual : 15]

[Divine Aura : 20]

[Light of Judgment : 25]

[Mind Control : 30]

 

Are you serious? There’s not a single skill I can buy right now.

Am I supposed to live with this weak body until I accumulate enough points…?

‘Don’t they usually give some kind of beginner bonus or something?’

And what’s with that question mark?

Not unlocked? What kind of shitty game is this?

I need to know how many points each skill costs so I can make a plan.

And why do they cost so many points?

They don’t give me anything and expect me to do what exactly?

The more I looked at it, the more I could only sigh.

‘Let me save up what I got for now…’

As I walked down the road while examining the detailed descriptions of the skill tree, I heard people chattering.

“Apples! 10 apples for 2 florins!!”

“Selling cheese today only~”

It seems the market is open. Various people are passing by me.

I looked around the village here and there.

This scenery itself was fascinating. Seeing scenes I’d only seen in games in real life… it made my heart race a bit.

I even spotted several races that didn’t look human. It would be rude to stare openly, so I glanced at them discreetly.

Since I’m out anyway, I should stop by the blacksmith shop and ask them to maintain my sword. While I’m at it, I’ll buy some clothes too.

The clothes the coachman had fit around the waist, but the length doesn’t match…

As I was looking for the blacksmith shop, fanfare sounded in my brain again and a blue window appeared in my vision.

 

[Sub Quest reward selection complete!]

[Would you like to obtain the reward?]

[Reward : Random skill tree unlock]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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