Chapter 21: The Order (2)

< 21 : The Order (2) >

It was an effect I had never seen before.

None of the items that had appeared so far had such an effect.

Even the magic books did not have any effect.

A special effect that did not show up when I acquired the magic books was flowing out of the new [Devil Sword: Ednos] that I obtained.

It must be a proof that this item is more important than ordinary magic books.

"A Devil Sword? Such an item exists?"

I admired the effect that wrapped around the Devil Sword and examined the item closely.

[Devil Sword: Ednos] had a shape closer to a dagger than a normal sword, despite its name.

There was a jewel-decorated handle below the beautifully sculpted blade.

Squeak.

I clicked on the item in the inventory and looked at it, and detailed information about [Devil Sword: Ednos] was displayed.

Maybe it was because of its name.

[Devil Sword: Ednos] had a characteristic that could not be found in ordinary items.

"The name of the characteristic is... <Magic Accumulation>?"

<Magic Accumulation>.

That was the name of the characteristic given to [Devil Sword: Ednos].

The effect of <Magic Accumulation> characteristic was to absorb up to 10 spells.

The absorbed spells were stored inside [Devil Sword: Ednos], and it was possible to empty the space again by releasing the stored spells.

A characteristic that stores the opponent's spells.

It would be difficult for me to use it myself, but I think it would be a great advantage in a battle between characters.

You can release powerful spells that were already stored.

You can also erase the opponent's spells suddenly and return them to the target.

It was a characteristic that could create various benefits for the character depending on the situation.

"It feels like I get better things because it's an 80,000 won draw."

It seemed that the level of items from the draw had increased overall.

Compared to before, [Sponge Cake] came out more often than [Baguette].

[Steel Sword] was replaced by [Sharp Steel Sword], which showed that it was worth 80,000 won for sure.

The value of 80,000 won.

I rubbed my chin and thought for a while, but I was convinced again after seeing the Devil Sword I drew this time.

"This is enough to make up for it. Then now... who should I give this Devil Sword to?"

After the draw was over, it was time to think about how to distribute the items.

Unlike magic books, Devil Swords were not items that I could use.

Normally, I would have given this to Eutenia as well, but it was an item that did not suit her very well.

Eutenia was a magician who could use divine arts.

Giving her a Devil Sword that absorbs magic would not be efficient in any way.

If not Eutenia, then who should I give this sword to?

A man who hovered around Eutenia caught my eye as I thought about it.

-[Roan Hebris] acquired <Fanatic> characteristic.

-Karma increased by 1 point.

The name of the character who hovered around Eutenia was Roan Hebriss.

He was a character who acquired <Fanatic> characteristic after being influenced by Eutenia since their meeting.

At first, I didn't notice him because I was focused on the magic books, but I found out later when I checked.

After talking to Eutenia, I learned that Roan wanted to become my character.

Of course, there was a limit to karma, so I couldn't make anyone my apostle.

But there was no reason to leave a character with <Fanatic> characteristic alone.

I fixed my screen focus on Roan, who was busy moving around.

"I forgot you were there."

The other day, in my conversation with Eutenia, I promised Roan that I would give him a decent position.

The position translated by the speech bubble translator was archbishop.

<Divine Calling of Karma: Offering> worked for characters who were not apostles as well, so it was part of our conversation later that Eutenia would teach him offering.

The offerings that Roan offered me could also be converted into karma.

I planned to increase the number of characters with <Fanatic> characteristic centered on Roan, and ultimately use the power to facilitate karma supply.

"I can't give him nothing when he's an archbishop."

An archbishop is an archbishop even if it's just a name.

When Eutenia left for a trip to collect magic books, Roan had to work hard in her place.

It would be a troublesome situation if he got stabbed by another character while working alone.

I couldn't just leave a person who was supposed to be an archbishop alone.

After thinking for a while, I decided to give [Devil Sword: Ednos] to Roan as a gift.

I calculated that it would be helpful for Roan to use the characteristic of [Devil Sword: Ednos] that stores magic.

"A characteristic that stores magic. Then it must be..."

The characteristic of the Devil Sword that stores magic.

My eyes naturally turned to the skill button in the corner of the screen.

<Lightning Arrow>.

A powerful spell that inflicted area damage and dot damage.

What if I stored <Lightning Arrow> to the limit in [Devil Sword: Ednos]?

An item that allows the character to use <Lightning Arrow> up to 10 times.

In a way, it would be a state that could be said to be stronger than me when I was low level.

"Yeah. Magic is always better with area skills."

The image of Roan using <Lightning Arrow> with the Devil Sword.

It felt like my chest was swelling just by thinking about it.

After deciding what to do with [Devil Sword: Ednos], I put down my smartphone on the desk and got up from my seat.

It was time to get hungry.

I thought about making some ramen.

I moved to the kitchen to boil some water, thinking about what kind of ramen to eat today.

"I'll give him the item later."

*****

A huge empty space in a corner of the hideout.

Roan's hand was busy there.

There were glowing stones around the darkened empty space, and there was a geometric pattern drawn with white paint on the ground.

Many words of praise written in ancient letters around the complex patterns.

It was the altar that Roan, who became the archbishop of the sect, learned from Eutenia and created.

The altar where offerings were placed was located higher than usual.

Ugh.

Roan put down the bowl after using up all the remaining paint to write the last letter carefully.

"Is this the end...?"

Cold sweat ran down Roan's forehead, who had completed the altar.

It was an altar dedicated to the god.

It was a task that required more care than performing magical things.

Roan emptied his hands and stepped back a few steps to look at the altar.

A satisfied smile hung on Roan's lips as he checked the altar he had made.

Despite being the first altar he had drawn, it did not look lacking in any way.

It was a well-made altar in Roan's own opinion.

"You worked hard, Roan."

"Not at all. It's all thanks to you, Apostle."

Next to Roan, who was eating sponge cake while watching him, Eutenia was sitting.

With a hand stretched out from the shadow holding the cake plate, Eutenia reached for the cake and ate it.

It was no different from a trick, Roan stared blankly at her for a moment.

He had thought so since she used the shadow to take out a book, but to Roan's eyes, it was a truly extraordinary sight.

"By the way, are all the offerings ready?"

"..."

"Archbishop Roan?"

"...It's nothing. I have prepared enough offerings."

Roan shook his head to shake off his thoughts and looked at the altar in front of him again.

What was important to him now was the offering ritual.

How the apostle ate cake was none of his business.

"Then let's proceed with the ritual."

As soon as all the preparations for the ritual were over, Roan moved to the right place where he had to be.

Hoo.

A sigh flowed out of Roan's mouth facing the altar.

It was a ritual to offer offerings to God and receive a response.

It would be a lie if he said he wasn't nervous.

Roan calmed his tense body and began to recite the prayer with his hands wide open.

"——Life. Build a staircase."

The atmosphere changed to a devout one as Roan's calm voice echoed.

All the believers around him knelt down toward the altar as the ritual began.

Eutenia was no exception, who was watching the ritual.

Everyone stared at the altar and watched the ritual, and Roan continued his silent prayer.

"——One path leads to glory."

The majestic prayer that shouted out to God.

One word became awe that shook people, and the next word became a roar that shook heaven and earth.

A fierce pulse.

And an exclamation of reverence.

The gate of heaven revealed itself to those who looked up at God with humility.

A huge gaze showed its presence and looked at those who prayed to him.

"——Revere. Worship. Offer."

The flesh of those who were offered as offerings was wrapped in bright light.

There were no offerings left on the altar.

The offering ritual was successful.

Roan's lips curled into a smile of emotion as he realized that fact.

He shouted out to his master with a loud voice in ecstasy.

"O Great One!"

And at the same time, something strange happened on the empty altar.

Thud.

A sword that fell from the sky stuck in the center of the altar.

The sword stuck on the altar was wrapped in thick darkness.