Chapter 18
“Food shortage is the biggest problem.”
Kim Donghyun explained with a troubled expression in response to my question.
“Fortunately, we can go out to find food thanks to John-nim’s blessing, but the nearby supermarkets have been empty for a long time.”
“Can’t you go further by car?”
“According to John-nim, his blessing doesn’t work if we’re too far away from him.”
Hmm.
So that blessing stone was still incomplete. The monster-repelling honey item hasn’t been invented yet.
“…And yet, you’re deliberately gathering people.”
I muttered quietly.
“It seems like there are already too many people here.”
I said, looking at the prison yard crowded with people with barely any room to step.
“Yes, that’s right. John-nim also said we’re almost at capacity and can’t accept anymore.”
“You’re not expanding into the land around the prison walls?”
In the novel, humans gradually expand the village centered around the prison that way.
“Well, there hasn’t been any mention of that…”
I looked around.
People were stunned by the sudden disaster, people crying, people grinding their teeth in regret over their lost property…
There didn’t seem to be anyone with the will to pioneer a village.
In the novel, it was described that ‘humans who survived with a strong will to live gathered to form a survivor camp.’
‘Why is it so different from the original?’
I glanced at Baek Yi-heon, who was surveying the camp.
Having completed his mission of bringing us to the camp, Baek Yi-heon will soon leave for Gangnam where the tower is.
I needed to make sure this place was really safe before the male lead left.
“Where are we going now?”
“Ah, since you’re new, we’re going to greet John-nim. Is that okay?”
“Ah…”
‘Right. Maybe all this is because of that awakened person called John-nim.’
After pondering, I changed my expression and smiled brightly at Kim Donghyun.
“Yes! I really want to meet John-nim too!”
Kim Donghyun’s expression immediately became goofy.
“I, I see…”
“Let’s go then.”
At that moment, Baek Yi-heon, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, spoke for the first time.
His cool eyes were shining even more sharply.
‘Is he saying there’s no time for idle chat?’
As expected. He wants to abandon us two burdens and go save the world as soon as he confirms it’s safe here.
Resolving to send him off today, I followed Kim Donghyun into the prison.
💎
In front of the guard office door.
Knock knock—.
“John-nim, these are the new joiners I mentioned yesterday.”
“Ah, come in.”
A gentle voice answered.
As we opened the door and entered, a man sitting at the desk stood up.
‘Is this John?’
I wondered what kind of person he was, given he’s treated almost like a hero or saint, but John turned out to be more ordinary than I expected.
Short in stature with a thin build.
“You have reached this sanctuary guided by fate. Newcomers are always welcome.”
If there was anything unusual, it was that he alone was wearing a spotless white robe in this environment.
According to Kim Donghyun, he was a Catholic priest before this situation occurred.
“Hello. I’m Yoo Noah.”
“I’m Baek Yi-heon.”
“I’m Lee Sehun!”
“Nice to meet you, little lambs.”
The man greeted us with an incredibly kind face and smile.
‘He doesn’t seem like a bad person…’
While scrutinizing him intently, I inwardly shouted.
‘John. Display character contract information.’
[(Messenger) You do not have permission to view information about this person.]
Huh?
What’s this?
The messenger is still working, so the god Indra hasn’t left me.
[(Messenger) Indra is silent.]
[Indra explains that the information that can be shared about humans who have not made a guardian spirit contract is limited by causality.]
[So hurry and make a contract with me…]
“Um… By the way, John-nim!”
I ignored the spam messages from the god and shouted directly.
‘If I can’t view the information, I’ll just ask directly!’
“About that ‘blessing stone’. How do you make it? Can I make one too?”
I asked, pretending to be innocent with shining eyes.
“Ah, that’s…”
As Kim Donghyun beside me tried to stop me in confusion, John calmly raised his hand to stop him.
“You’re curious about how I obtained that power.”
Despite my potentially rude question, John just smiled kindly and answered.
“I don’t know the exact reason either. However…”
However?
“On April 1st, that day. I was holding a service in the church. Suddenly those evil things appeared, and… everyone in the church died.”
Even he, who had been smiling kindly all along, couldn’t hide his bitter expression when telling this story.
“Just before dying, I prayed earnestly to God. At that moment, a white light suddenly enveloped me, and I heard God’s voice… God gave me the power to protect those I want to protect.”
Sehun was looking at the man with sparkling eyes.
[(Messenger) Avatar ‘Lee Sehun’ casts ‘Lie Detection Lv1.’]
[(Messenger) Ability activation blocked for ‘unknown reasons’.]
[(Messenger) Avatar ‘Lee Sehun’ casts ‘Evil Detection Lv2.’]
[(Messenger) Ability activation blocked for ‘unknown reasons’.]
If it were just ‘Lie Detection’ at level 1, it might be understandable, but there’s no way an ordinary person could block ‘Evil Detection’ at level 2.
Then he must really be an awakened one. Probably contracted with a god of ‘Protection’ or ‘Barrier’ type.
Finally reassured, I hesitated for a moment before offering clumsy words of comfort.
“…It must have been very difficult for you.”
It was something I said, thinking that ordinary people would probably express empathy in this situation.
“It’s alright. All of this is just a thorny path to understanding God’s heart.”
He calmly said, then put his hands together and gave a calm greeting.
‘…Was that the Catholic way of greeting?’
After fumbling for a moment, I imitated him by putting my hands together to greet, then left the room.
💎
After Noah and her group left.
Only John and Kim Donghyun from the reconnaissance team remained in the guard’s office.
“John-nim. I think it’s too much to rescue more people. There’s no more room in the prison.”
At those words, John’s eyes, which had been smiling all along, widened slightly.
“Ah. Has it already come to that? People gathered quickly.”
“Yes. There are so many people wandering around after losing their homes. So, um…”
“You’re not expanding into the land around the prison walls?”
Recalling what the woman had said earlier, Kim Donghyun cautiously suggested.
“How about gradually expanding the camp around this prison?”
“…Expand?”
“Yes! With your blessing keeping the monsters away, we should be able to be self-sufficient.”
There were many people in the temporary shelter who had been farming in the countryside.
If everyone worked together, it should be possible.
“Farming… Alright. I’ll pray and think about it.”
John nodded with a kind smile.
Seeing this, Kim Donghyun bowed deeply with a bright smile, overcome with emotion.
“Yes. Thank you again. This is all thanks to you, John-nim.”
“Haha. No, not at all. I’m just following God’s will… I’m truly grateful that you listen to my inadequate words and follow them faithfully.”
Kim Donghyun bowed his head deeply once more in respect and left the room.
Alone in the room, the smile gradually faded from John’s face.
“So. They’ve all gathered, you say.”
He muttered, looking at the sky through the window.
“Tonight, is it…”
💎
After leaving John’s room, Sehun and I escorted Baek Yi-heon to the prison gate.
To avoid unnecessary commotion, we didn’t reveal the fact that there was an awakened one here too.
We planned to disclose it slowly and naturally after it was completely confirmed safe.
As we reached the iron gate, I calmly said,
“It’s time for us to part ways.”
💎
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