A Peaceful Routine
As I stepped into the temple, I was greeted not by the users I had seen with Vivian last time, but by someone new.
“Greetings to the users who handle blessings. Welcome to our temple. May I have your name and the purpose of your visit?”
The priest, with neatly arranged golden hair and a kind demeanor, bowed politely. He was a resident, not a user. Since I was here to report on an exploration rather than to use a contract, I didn’t mind. In fact, it might be better to go through the residents for this.
Typically, users and residents have a relationship akin to nobility and commoners. However, when it comes to residents who assist in setting up the Hall Plain, the dynamic changes. The residents chosen as “setting assistants” are few, and those in the temple are almost on equal footing with users. Thus, I responded with equal courtesy.
“My name is Kim Su-hyeon. I’m a first-year user. I’m here to report on an exploration.”
“Ah, User Kim Su-hyeon. Please, come in.”
From a user’s perspective, the process of reporting an exploration is straightforward. You summarize your findings in a document and submit it. The residents working in the temple then review the report and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Once this process is complete, they may form an investigation team if necessary. This usually happens if the exploration poses a threat to the city or if the user’s achievements are significant enough to be recognized.
I handed over the documents I had diligently prepared to the man with the gentle smile. He accepted them with a respectful gesture and began reading with a serious expression.
“Hmm.”
As he read, I heard a soft sigh escape him. Glancing over, I noticed his eyes twitching slightly. If it had been one of those high-handed residents in charge of clan formations, they might have thrown the report back at me and started yelling. But the residents in the temple were notably composed.
He frowned slightly, as if uncertain, and spoke calmly.
“The report is very well done… I have no further questions. It’s impressive for a first-year user, but… it’s hard to believe.”
Having finished reading, the resident carefully set the papers down. His expression was complex. Normally, they would form an investigation team to verify such claims, but they lacked the resources at the moment. The city’s main clan was absent, and sending residents out without protection was out of the question.
“If the temple were to form an investigation team, could you guide us to the locations mentioned?”
“I’m afraid not. I have many tasks to handle during the maintenance period, and I’ll be heading out on another exploration as soon as it’s over.”
My firm refusal left him looking troubled, and he sighed deeply. However, we were under no obligation to guide them back to those locations.
“Could you at least show us some evidence? Please don’t misunderstand. The records are extraordinary, and the temple’s current situation isn’t ideal. If these records are true, they must be verified. We need solid evidence to justify forming an investigation team.”
“That’s not difficult. What kind of evidence do you need?”
I nodded, understanding their predicament. Showing evidence wasn’t a problem. When I asked what they needed, the resident briefly reviewed the report and requested two items.
“The Spider’s Soul from the dungeon in the Black Forest and the heart of the high-ranking demon Belphegor.”
I promptly retrieved two orbs from my belongings. One was a round orb exuding a murky aura, and the other was a dark blue orb with a strange magical energy. Upon seeing them, the resident’s eyes widened in astonishment.
After examining them closely, he looked up with a much more animated expression. He glanced between me, the report, and the items, then spoke with a hint of excitement.
“Using the powers granted to us, we’ve confirmed that these items match the descriptions in the report. If all these records are validated, it would be an incredible achievement… but forming an investigation team is still difficult at this time.”
“Hmm. Is it impossible within two weeks? You mentioned making an effort…”
He shook his head apologetically.
“Two weeks is out of the question. To be honest, even forming a team is uncertain. Given Mule’s current state, we’d have to request help from nearby cities or Barbara, but as you know, the situation is complicated…”
He trailed off, gauging my reaction. I had anticipated this possibility, so I wasn’t surprised, but it was still disappointing. Establishing a clan isn’t something that happens just because you want it to. These records need to be verified to count as achievements for the clan’s formation. Without verification, it would only delay the process further.
Seeing my expression harden, the resident bowed his head again, apologizing.
“I’m truly sorry. I hope you understand our situation. Frankly, we’ve barely been accepting regular exploration reports. But with two major incidents occurring so suddenly, it’s going to take twice as long. Moreover, the ancient alchemist’s dungeon hasn’t been fully cleared, so it’s too dangerous for us to venture out alone.”
I clicked my tongue inwardly and decided to do what I could. I couldn’t force them to do the impossible. I had hoped for a bit more effort, but if their idea of effort was requesting support from other cities, there wasn’t much I could do. I sighed and responded to his words.
“Well… if that’s the case, there’s nothing to be done. Please conduct the investigation as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you very much. As soon as the situation allows, we’ll prioritize investigating these two dungeons. Oh, and…”
“Don’t worry, I’m not lying. I know the penalties for fabricating a report of this scale. I’ll be on my way now.”
“Please, wait a moment.”
As I stood to leave, not wanting to waste any more time, the resident called out urgently. I looked at him, wondering why he was stopping me.
“Of course, we have those clauses, and we intend to verify everything thoroughly. But given the evidence you’ve shown, we’re inclined to trust you.”
“Ah, I see. Then why…?”
“I was planning to visit you around lunchtime today, but it’s fortunate you came by. The one who aids your blessings has sent a divine message. You should visit the summoning chamber.”
I had a feeling this might happen. Nodding at the mention of Seraph calling for me, I gathered the items from the table.
“Understood. I’ll head there right away.”
“Excellent choice. I’ll guide you to the portal that leads directly to the summoning chamber.”
The resident finished speaking and stood, carefully placing the report in his possession. As I followed him deeper into the temple, I thought of the angel I hadn’t seen in a while.
Seeing Seraph again didn’t fill me with excitement or joy.
After passing through the rites, I entered the portal I had used to access the Hall Plain. As I stepped inside, the shimmering blue light of the sea greeted my eyes. An intangible force pulled me through the portal, and soon I found myself in a familiar setting.
The summoning chamber where everything began. This place never changes. After a brief glance around, I turned my gaze forward to see a familiar altar. Atop it stood a beautiful angel with translucent wings, watching me.
With her radiant face and hair that glowed like moonlight, the angel with emerald eyes was Seraph. Seeing her, my mood plummeted. I felt a sense of relief knowing I still harbored a dislike for angels. They were not beings I could ever come to like.
Seraph acknowledged my arrival and spoke in her usual serene voice.
“User Kim Su-hyeon. It’s been a while. Have you been…”
“Get to the point.”
I cut off her pleasantries with a cold tone. My dislike for angels aside, I couldn’t equate the Seraph from my first life with the one standing before me now.
“…well?”
She paused at my curt response but continued speaking. Her persistence annoyed me, and I snapped at her again.
“You already know, don’t you? Even if not in detail, you have a general idea.”
“User Kim Su-hyeon.”
“I’m busy. Just say what you need to and let me go.”
”…”
Seraph fell silent, like a mute who had lost her voice. Her face remained calm, as always. Though she maintained her dignified expression, I sensed her unease.
“Nothing to say?”
”…”
Still no response. This Seraph was different from the one I had spent ten years with. Shaking my head, I turned to leave. Staying here any longer might revert the slight improvements in my personality back to its original state.
“If there’s nothing, I’m leaving. And next time, don’t waste my time like this.”
“User Kim Su-hyeon…”
As I turned my back, I heard Seraph calling out to me, but I deliberately ignored her. Just then, a flash of light burst behind me. I was about to step into the portal when I sensed a massive surge of mana gathering behind me.
Crackle! Crackle!
The light flared repeatedly, and the mana seemed to be trying to engulf the entire summoning chamber. Such a powerful force in motion was no ordinary occurrence. I quickly turned around to see Seraph, her face flushed with anger, staring intently at the air.
“Stop it right now!”
I knew her shout wasn’t directed at me since she wasn’t even looking my way. What surprised me was that she ended her sentence with a polite tone, something she rarely did. It was unusual for Seraph to use such formal language.
Bang!
With a wave of her hand, the light that had been forming in the air twisted violently, followed by the sound of fireworks. I turned my gaze to see the mana dispersing. Seraph was swiftly and calmly dispelling the light clusters forming around the room, all the while speaking as if in conversation with someone.
“You have no authority here…!”
It was refreshing to hear her not using the usual angelic communication line. Clearly, there was some internal conflict going on. Meanwhile, the summoning chamber continued to flash with white light, hands slicing through the air, and bursts of light erupting repeatedly.
Crackle! Crackle!
“Sandalphon. I warn you once more. You are not permitted to summon here. This summoning chamber is a space for me and User Kim Su-hyun alone. Unauthorized intrusion is not allowed.”
Crackle… Crackle…
“This is my final warning. I, Seraph, am the guardian angel of User Kim Su-hyun. I have no intention of exchanging users.”
Crackle…
With those final words, the lights that had filled the summoning chamber vanished completely. At the same time, Seraph, who had been speaking, resumed her silent conversation, her angry expression gradually calming.
Feeling like I had just witnessed something rare, I pulled out a cigarette from my pocket. As I lit it and took a drag, Seraph seemed to have resolved the issue. Since it appeared to be related to me, I felt it would be inappropriate to leave without saying anything.
Eventually, Seraph turned her head, sighed softly as she saw me still standing there, and I met her gaze with a curious expression.
“User Kim Su-hyun.”
“What?”
Despite the edge in my voice, Seraph met my eyes briefly before speaking in a soothing tone.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Seraph, and things are already off to a rocky start.
I’ll take my leave for today. Wishing everyone a happy day.
『 Reader Comments 』
Parkasari: Congratulations on being first! :) You seem to be quite the regular. Haha.
Seryuhwa: Please don’t do that. It’s scary. ㅜ.ㅠ
Yullau: Yullau, you’re scary too. ㅜ.ㅠ
虛虛空空無不在無不容: Typo corrected. Thank you.
rhkdel2: I’m so sorry! Vivian is just too cute… Haha.
MTBear: I see! Stay healthy and happy with your school life. It would be great if you could leave comments occasionally~. :)
Kunlai: Yes. A child of a Hall Plane + resident has the
TheCoolGuyIsBack: Oh, that kind of story is possible too. Hahaha.
GradeRown: Wishes aren’t all-powerful. As the story progresses, you’ll see, but if you look at the initial setup of the wish, it’s really… (Spoiler alert!)
★LittlePiggy★: Thank you for the coupon. I’ll continue to provide even more enriching content. (__)
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