#270
Outing (2)
My whole body aches.
Biiing—
At the same time, a ringing sound echoed in my ears.
Suddenly, my head throbbed from a strong impact, making me dizzy.
Khahaah! For the Free World!
Gyaaah—!
Seong-hyun! Run…!
No way!
Memories, buried deep, surged up like fragments, jabbing at my mind.
‘Damn it, what the hell!’
But that lasted only a moment.
My body, numbed by the explosion, swiftly recovered, and my hazy mind cleared.
The memories that sporadically surfaced sank back below the surface.
In the blink of an eye, I shook off all the shock and returned to perfect condition.
The result of my overwhelming status combined with the effects of “Super Recovery” and the constant enhancement from “Entity Projection.”
Hoo, what lunatic attacked a hospital…!
But right now, my personal safety wasn’t the only issue.
Grinding my teeth ferociously, I lifted my body out of the corner of the hospital garden where I had been pitched and hurried to check the condition of the two grandchildren I had just embraced.
Thankfully, they don’t seem to have any major issues.
In that fleeting moment, as I sensed the flow of energy, I immediately assessed the situation and moved.
To protect my body, I maximized the power of the protective magical equipment I always wore, pulling the two closely to shield them from the direct aftermath.
Thanks to that, neither of them seemed to suffer greatly from being flung from the hospital entrance to the garden.
They had passed out from the sudden shock, but still.
No, though Taesan seems fine, Grandma is still in danger. She just got discharged, and if something goes wrong…
I had reacted reflexively to the urgent situation, but I couldn’t be sure if that was the best option.
There might have been a better way.
And above all…
Uaaah, it hurts… Save me…
Ahh! Aaaah—!
It’s a terrorist attack! Quick, run away!
In that brief moment, the area around me descended into chaos.
People groaning in pain and citizens plunging into confusion.
Though we were quite a distance from the epicenter of the terror, the explosion infused with magical abilities caused far more widespread devastation and many casualties than expected.
What had happened to those closer to the attacker, I couldn’t even imagine.
I-I need to report this… Huh? Why is this happening?!
My phone isn’t working!
Let’s get out of here first and then…!
Among those who weren’t severely injured, some brave souls hurriedly took out their smartphones to alert others, but they all panicked and stumbled over themselves.
And I understood why they were reacting like that.
That bastard planned this from the start.
This was no ordinary explosion.
Along with the hostile mana that infused harmful energies, there was also some kind of wave that incapacitated electronic devices mixed in.
Like the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that bursts forth when a nuclear bomb goes off.
…This is a hospital filled with sensitive medical equipment!
Clenching my teeth, I tried my best to calm down and helped the two out of the area.
After all, my top priority was their safety.
But that didn’t mean I could just ignore what was happening to others.
How dare he invade my territory.
How many lives had been lost due to just that single attack back there?
Beyond the direct explosion, those depending on medical devices to survive must be teetering on the brink of death now.
Hearing small explosions continue, though not as powerful as the first, it seemed like the Awakened who had been responsible for hospital security had started fighting back.
Somehow, I felt it wouldn’t last long.
First, I need to deal with the situation. Hans… is out of the question. With that energy, it might end up taking out patients instead. Then what about Heinz II…
I already knew this was how the world worked.
Hahoe Mask Hans and Phantom Heinz II would burn the trash with no tolerance and use the blood alliance swallowing the underworld to establish order in the shadows.
As long as the structure of the world didn’t change, these occurrences would continue.
Taking care of that bastard isn’t an issue. But…
How should I respond?
A flurry of thoughts passed through my mind in an instant.
…
In the midst of that, my gaze naturally shifted to the fainted grandmother.
As expected, her weakened body couldn’t withstand that shock, and her complexion had turned worse than when she went through discharge procedures.
Hoo, I see.
The moment I saw that, my tangled thoughts cleared up.
I immediately turned my steps back and entered a nearby shop building that had become empty without a single person nearby.
I wanted to treat Grandma as quickly as possible anyway.
There was no need to worry about CCTV.
None of the electronic devices around here were functioning.
Straight away, I made my way to the shop’s restroom, seating the two in an appropriate stall.
Then, taking a step back—I used “Entity Projection” without hesitation.
And then…
Like changing a filter, my physique transformed in an instant.
My height shifted, and the energy within me altered.
My ability to perceive the outside world changed, and something connecting my body to the world twisted.
Umm.
I turned my head to look at the restroom mirror.
Silver hair peeked out from the helmet, scattering the surrounding light, and golden eyes, gleaming like molten gold, sparkled beautifully.
My physique, once robust, now bulged against the confines of an extreme warrior’s body, enveloped in luxurious, pure white armor.
Saah—
Along with that, a subtle aura radiated outward, enveloping the area.
Clang—
I raised my hand and lowered the visor of my helmet.
So, then…
Thus, I became Heinrich, the saint of the Auterica Holy Church Order.
*
The incident occurred at a moment nobody anticipated.
On a bright day.
In the lobby of the large hospital, an enormous shockwave erupted.
Kwaaaaang—!
In a flash, it turned the surrounding area into a hellscape.
SPLATTERING blood and desperate screams, moans wafting through the air.
The surprise attack wounded the Awakened absorbing all their vigilance, throwing the hospital into chaos.
Crackle— Crackle!
The perpetrator behind all of this, the villain, crackled with minor electricity at his fingertips.
Phew… Puhuh. How delightful… These piglets.
After repeatedly attacking and finally taking down the guards who had stubbornly endured through the first ambush, the middle-aged man in his 50s snickered with a twisted face.
He gazed vacantly at the wrecked lobby, smirking.
Wow, this hospital’s great… Huh? Truly excellent! They have returnee guards too. No wonder it’s expensive… Hah!
Mumbling to himself like he had lost his mind.
Of course, those guards were little more than mercenaries of low caliber, but that wasn’t the pressing matter for him right now.
His primary concern was fulfilling his grudge first.
I know what it’s like… I’ve been here before. If only my Se-young received treatment… Huh? She might’ve been saved…
The deep-seated hatred of a parent who lost their child, festering over long years.
I said I would bring money… Was it so hard to wait a little…?
Cast aside for lack of funds, wandering after losing his only family, and crossing into another world.
That outsider was the one who had returned to this world, dreaming of warped revenge while pursuing only power.
Yeah… I’ll be with you soon, Se-young. B-but can you wait a moment…?
His whispering gaze slowly became clearer.
Bearing the distorted belief of a killer, he twisted his lips into a grin.
Is our Se-young getting bored? Daddy will bring loads of friends with him.
Crackle—!
The magic that had briefly simmered surged up again, sparks leaping upward, growing larger.
It was the very technique he had used in the first attack.
But now, since there was no need for stealth, it was completed faster and stronger than before.
Uuugh… S-save me…
Grrk… Ghh…
Those who had been left mangled but still clung to life squirmed, but he paid them no mind.
He was lost in his own world.
Yes, I think these wealthy piglets around here will be sufficient. So…
At last, the energy swelling reached its peak.
With the image of his daughter’s smile flickering in his mind, the villain grinned.
…Die, you piglets.
Kaboom!
Simultaneously, multiple energy bursts detonated centered around him.
That merciless spark spread forth, threatening to swallow the entire building—and then—
[“O Holy One, bestow your grace upon this land.”]
With a sacred voice that echoed as if from heaven, a brilliant wave of light surged forth, sweeping everything away.
It vanished absurdly, in a completely empty manner.
What?
But the startling developments didn’t end there.
…Armor?
Standing where the light had passed, an armored figure appeared.
The villain, feeling tense, began to summon his energy again.
Saah—
Immense energy flowed out from the armored entity, engulfing the entire space in an instant.
The floor, walls, ceiling, and air—none were spared.
O Holy One, let these pitiful beings find a moment of joy.
The unprecedentedly pure energy flowed into everyone in the lobby at the brink of death, naturally spreading even to the entire building and surrounding area.
This was an overwhelming display of power that could hardly be attributed to a single individual.
Moreover, it was so breathtakingly beautiful and wondrous that merely facing it left one feeling dizzy.
As if it were a miracle personally performed by a deity descended to Earth.
…Holy Power.
As the villain around him was lost in daze, his gaze shifted to the armored figure.
That entity emanated warmth and kindness, yet facing its gaze brought forth a sense of intimidation that felt like his ribs might snap.
The villain, having survived countless crises in this world, instinctively understood.
This being was a monster beyond his reach.
Right, you guys were here too.
Trying to rebel against the pressure radiating from it, he managed to force out a word.
His twisted lips had gradually sunk down, frozen stiff, but he burnt with rage, glaring at the armored figure.
Of course, he hadn’t sought help from the clergy, either.
But they were vastly outnumbered for the demand, and ultimately, he had to turn away after waiting endlessly.
Phew… Puhuh… Right. If only I had this much holy power back then…!
Shut your mouth, criminal.
The words he had been saying struggled to escape as they were immediately sealed by a solemn decree that sounded like divine judgment.
The armored figure, Heinrich, had no intention of listening to the villain’s circumstances.
Like always, he would simply pass judgment based on his own standards.
There’s no need to waste time.
Whatever the excuse, causing this many casualties warranted the death penalty.
While he did appear somewhat capable, in reality, he was nothing more than a minor nuisance, even pitiable at that.
A lesser figure unworthy of drawing his sword, the transcendent knight.
Swish—
However, Heinrich didn’t hesitate to draw his holy sword.
Of course, it was more to use the holy power amplification from the sword rather than because he felt it was necessary to deal with the villain.
While I can’t save those who have already passed, if they can survive…
Unlike the saint specialized in healing and protection, his power, concentrated on eliminating evil and judging the demonic, meant he should use every method available.
And with “Dimension Barrier Mitigation,” I should be able to use it well enough.
Ignoring the villain, whose eyes were bloodshot and trembling in front of him, he paid no heed.
Criminal, repent in the underworld.
And then…
The ‘somewhat usable’ holy power unleashed a storm.
Wahh—!
Enveloping the hospital and the surrounding vicinity in flames.
*
South Branch of the Korean Returnee Association, Seoul.
Wha-what is this!
Crash—!
The branch head, Yoon Ji-yoon, who had been leisurely seated and playing a mobile game, shot up from her chair.
The chair she had been in was knocked to the floor, rolling around, but she paid no attention as she shut her eyes.
…Holy Power? Here on Earth… is this much holy power possible?
Once again channeling her senses, she murmured in a bewildered voice.
It was common knowledge that holy power weakened on Earth.
Yet even accounting for that, to radiate such a level of energy… just what was the original power level?
Hah, hah… A saint? A priestess? No, has someone inherited divine blood?
It wasn’t just her who was reacting like this.
Those sensitive to holy power, including strong beings and clergy…
The inter-world religious alliance, the Pantheon of Korea, which had been virtually dormant due to their differing doctrines, began to spring into action.
