Chapter 253

Words : 1637 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 253 Discharge—thanks to Karl’s Divine Magic, all of the hospital’s patients were granted it. However, that didn’t mean the medical staff would get the special leave they hoped for. “It’s the Pilgrim who treated them! Get working on all the discharge procedures quickly, and admit the new patients who need surgery first!” “You’re talking about the detailed report to submit to the insurance company, right? I’ll handle it right away...” With no respite, the rooms vacated by thousands of discharged patients flooding out of the hospital all at once were filled in the blink of an eye by those waiting for a room due to overcrowding. And the medical staff, who had to deal with the sudden overwhelming tidal wave of work, had become so busy that they looked a bit pitiful. It’s still better than having thousands of emergency patients... I guess. Sitting on a bench outside, Se-Hoon watched the bustling hospital with a wry smile until someone offered him an energy drink. “Here, have this.” “Oh, thank you.” Handing the can to Se-Hoon, Karl sat beside him, sipping the energy drink in his other hand. It was an odd sight, probably due to the old-fashioned priest’s robes. And perhaps Karl knew too, as he smiled gently at Se-Hoon's curious gaze. “I’m not fond of bitter things, so I drink this often.” “Does this even work on you, though?” Would an energy drink that barely affected high-ranking heroes work on a Perfect One? Karl shook his head. “It doesn’t do much. I just drink it out of habit,” he said, looking down at the can in his hand and tracing its cold surface with his thumb. “It’s an old story from when I was inexperienced.... Back then, I didn’t like sleeping. Whenever I rose from my sleep, I had to hear about those who died while I was asleep.” If only he hadn’t slept, if he had energy left to heal, then maybe... he could have saved more. Burdened by the guilt and responsibility, Karl minimized his sleep, trying to increase his healing efficiency. Thinking about the energy drinks he once drank like water, Karl reminisced, “Looking back, it was probably a bit foolish... but once it became a habit, I couldn’t stop.” Se-Hoon quietly watched Karl, with a bitter smile on his face, sip the energy drink. It was a touching story, but Se-Hoon couldn’t help but think it was odd when comparing the vastly different Karl of today to Karl’s past self. A man who used to cut sleep to save lives now moves only according to the will of God? What had Karl gone through when he conquered a Tower of Heroes to change him so much? Curious, Se-Hoon fell into thought. “Lee Se-Hoon, I would like to ask you something.” “Ah, yes. Please go ahead.” “Do you believe in God?” It felt like a question meant to proselytize, but Se-Hoon answered without thinking much about it, “I do.” “...That’s a bit unexpected. I thought you didn’t believe in God because of how negatively you speak about Him.” Se-Hoon glanced at Karl’s slightly surprised face. “While I do think He’s a bastard, that doesn’t mean I believe He doesn’t exist. I just don’t like Him.” “That’s quite a bold statement.” “I still don’t really get the whole omnipotence aspect, but divine mana undeniably exists. That’s solid evidence I can’t deny.” Karl remained silent, thoughtfully pondering Se-Hoon’s words, until he finally nodded in satisfaction. “That’s a relief. I was worried you might be a heretic.” Tensing at the words contrasting Karl’s gentle tone, Se-Hoon hesitated before asking, “...What would you have done if I were a heretic?” “Well, I’d try to help you repent, but if that failed, I’d have no choice but to follow God’s will.” Se-Hoon flinched. He abruptly recalled all of the documents he read before that stated the Church would execute all heretics beyond repentance. Though they rarely go that far... it’s not something I can completely dismiss. Knowing his own stubbornness, even if forced to believe something he didn’t, he’d likely still end up just getting executed. Karl gave him a troubled look. “We don’t always resort to extreme measures. In your case, given your unique talent in divine mana, we might have just put a ban on its use.” It seemed he had sensed Se-Hoon’s train of thought. “Ah... I see.” Unlike others, Se-Hoon possessed an external rechargeable form of divine mana, which could act as a safeguard if things went awry. “However, if you were to supply other heretics with Divine Mana Conversion Devices, we will likely have to execute you immediately.” “...” “Actually, just forget what I said. I only mentioned it because you seemed curious. I didn’t mean it as some sort of threat.” Though Karl hurriedly explained his words were said without malice, Se-Hoon found him all the more dangerous for it. He talks so casually about such ruthless things if he deems someone a heretic. All the documents that Se-Hoon had read in the past had made him suspicious that the Pilgrim wasn’t entirely good, and it seemed he was correct. Karl sighed deeply, noticing the now present hint of wariness in Se-Hoon. Se-Hoon’s heart swelled with emotion at the sight of Karl’s smile. This is true religion. Who would even dare to call the Pilgrimage Church a cult? If anyone ever did, Se-Hoon decided he would never forgive them. Now brimming with faith and new possibilities, Se-Hoon began meticulously planning how to utilize the newfound opportunity to its fullest. Improving the Pilgrim’s Path to receive Karl’s support.... That will open a way to hunt down Apostate and Demon’s Edge. If he used himself as bait, Apostate would reveal himself, and Demon’s Edge, who should be roaming the tainted continent, could be easily tracked. His mind racing, Se-Hoon quickly envisioned some necessary resources for the hunt before turning to Karl. “In that case, I have a favor to ask as well.” “Anything. Please, go ahead.” “Could you help me grow a tree?” “A tree...?” In response to Karl’s puzzled look, Se-Hoon smiled brightly. “A tree perfectly suited for receiving God’s will.” It was time to use the Seed of the Divine Tree, which had been long neglected in Ludwig’s possession. *** In the desolate land at the southern end of the African continent, an old-fashioned church stood solitary, shrouded in a dense black demonic aura. However, the building looked pristine, as if it had just been erected. And currently, it was surrounded by prowling monsters that, driven by a desire to destroy everything in sight, were on the verge of charging toward it. Slash-! Without being given a chance to understand how they died, the monsters' heads were all sliced off in unison, and their sprawled bodies on the ground dissolved back into the tainted earth. “...” Watching them disappear silently, Doppelganger indifferently turned to gaze at the church with a face shrouded in swirling darkness. “...How annoying.” Muttering that small complaint, Doppelganger approached the church and pushed open the firmly closed massive doors that, after opening smoothly, revealed the softly lit interior. It was neither too ornate nor too plain, and it exuded both sanctity and grandeur. In the center of the church stood a four-meter-tall statue of a figure—its face obscured by shadows cast by the lighting—spreading its arms in a benevolent pose with split golden rings behind it. He’s still as blatant as ever. Briefly observing the statue that completely rejected the teachings of the Pilgrimage Church, Doppelganger turned his gaze to the man, dressed in black priestly robes, kneeling and praying beneath it—Apostate. “When does it end?” “...” Annoyed by Apostate ignoring the question, pretending he didn’t hear anything, Doppelganger swept aside his coat and grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist, drawing it slowly. Srrrk- And at that, Apostate finally rose, glaring at Doppelganger. “I told you not to disturb me during prayer.” Boom! A powerful aura and killing intent radiated from beneath Apostate’s black veil, making the church itself seemingly tremble, yet Doppelganger casually dismissed it and sheathed his sword. “I’m going to meet some Watchers soon. Anything you want me to tell them?” Apostate briefly paused. Then, a moment later, he irritably replied, “What are you hoping to achieve by mingling with such worthless beings?” “I’m looking for the conditions to become a Harbinger of Destruction. Only five Harbinger Shards remain.” “You think they can figure that out?” Unlike some of the Ten Evils, such as Tuner, who actively interacted with Watchers, Apostate found them unworthy. He held not a shred of respect for those who sought to explore the roots of existence with their meager knowledge. “It’s better than trying out the same methods alone over and over again. I’ll just cut them off if they get in the way.” “...Pathetic. Go play with your kind. I have no intention of becoming a guinea pig for such vermin.” With those dismissive words, Apostate kneeled again to resume his prayer, ignoring Doppelganger, who was watching from behind. “They claim it could fulfill not just the desire to become a Demon God but also your wish,” Doppelganger plainly stated. “...” “I don’t know what you’ll wish for, but if you’re interested, you should join in. I’ll inform you once the date is set.” Done with everything he came for, Doppelganger turned and left. Now alone, Apostate silently stared up at the statue. Then, as if resisting temptation, he looked down and quietly continued his prayer.

Chapter 253

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