Chapter 262

Chapter 262
Chapter 262

—

Sonora

The act of entering and leaving the digital realm.

Whenever I accessed the system, I took on the identity of Randolph; when I disconnected, I reverted to being Park Hyunmyeong. This fundamental duality remained fixed. It appeared that the physical form left behind entered a state of hibernation, and should it face a threat, the ‘Guardian Wall’ would trigger automatically as usual. Simultaneously, it seemed functionally impossible to possess awareness or control over both bodies at once.

“Why would the insignia of the Balrog Cult be present here…?” Isabella inquired, her voice trembling with skepticism.

We stood on the fringes of the Abyss, the very place where she and the other youths had been held captive. This was the site of a gruesome tragedy, a place where they had been driven to cannibalism and slaughter under the influence of the Desert Queen. She seemed unable to fathom why the symbol of the ‘Balrog Cult’—an organization that should have had no ties to this location—was displayed so blatantly.

In any case.

‘The Balrog Cult, then.’

I had crossed paths with them on several occasions during my time in the game. Specifically, I had encountered their influence when I struck down the Master within the ‘Tower of Cracks.’ That particular Paladin had simultaneously harnessed the ‘Black Spot’ of the Balrog Cult and the ‘Light Explosion’ of the Goddess Cult. I recalled him mentioning something about offering his sanctified blood to the entity known as the ‘Heaven Destroyer.’

Once I had sorted through my recollections, I spoke up.

“…The Black Spot utilized by the Balrog Cult bears a striking resemblance to ‘Pollution.’”

In the past, when the Desert Queen had conspired to summon the ‘Blood Demon King’ by tainting the entire metropolis, Isabella had offered her own life to halt the ceremony. Ultimately, the Blood Demon King had perished within my own being, manifesting instead as a Hidden Trait.

Still, I had long wondered how the Desert Queen had managed to trigger ‘Pollution’ through artificial means. I had always understood Pollution to be a random phenomenon caused by the emergence of tainted sources within cities—a known side effect of Pangaea ascending into the heavens.

Now, however, that mystery was finally solved.

‘The property of the Black Spot.’

The ‘Black Spot’ wielded by the Balrog Cult operated on a plane distinct from standard magical attributes. It wasn’t purely darkness, nor was it simple chaos. Instead, the ‘Black Spot’ carried the inherent traits of constant accumulation, contagion, and devastation. It functioned exactly like a source of pollution. It was highly probable that the ‘Black Spot’ was, in fact, the essence of ‘Pollution.’ To put it simply, the Balrog Cult was fundamentally linked to the degradation of the world.

“Are you suggesting the Desert Queen was in league with the Balrog Cult?” Isabella asked, her expression making it clear this revelation was entirely new to her.

Throughout her tenure as the Snake Princess, she had never witnessed any interaction between the Desert Queen and the Balrog Cult. Her skepticism was perfectly logical.

However, the Balrog Cult was an entity that thrived on absolute secrecy. They maintained this shadow existence even now, despite being in an open conflict with the Goddess Cult. No one could explain how the Balrog Cult had managed to secure a victory in their campaign against the Goddess Cult. Usually, when a war of that scale erupts, the rumor mill ensures the details of the conflict reach everyone’s ears eventually.

‘An organization that leaves no footprint has left a mark behind.’

And yet, a sign had been left right in the open. Continuing to analyze the significance of the mark, I replied.

“The likelihood that they were in communication is very high.”

“Then… are you implying the Balrog Cult left this sign after… taking Sonora?”

For the first time, a flash of fury crossed Isabella’s features. I shook my head in disagreement.

“That is not a sigil left by the Balrog Cult.”

“Then who could have done it…?”

“It is a message left by Sonora herself.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

“Take a closer look at that scrap of fabric.”

It was a frayed, discolored piece of cloth that bore the marks of time. Because her attention had been fixed on the symbol drawn upon it, she had failed to recognize the origin of the material itself.

“This is… Oh!”

Isabella’s eyes widened in sudden realization. It was familiar to her. This cloth had been torn from a specific garment.

“It is… a piece of the clothing I used to wear.”

It was indeed a fragment of Isabella’s old attire. I had already suspected as much.

“Sonora didn’t perish. She has simply been holding onto your memory this entire time in this void.”

The final conflict. Back when I had inhabited Isabella’s form as a Gamer. I had emerged the victor in the fight against Sonora, who was transitioning into a hybrid state. However, winning hadn’t necessitated her death. That specific hybrid was an anomaly, far different from the standard kind. At that time, it would have been impossible to truly end that variant hybrid using the primitive gear I possessed.

And so Sonora, having survived, had claimed a piece of Isabella’s clothing that had been ripped away during their fight. Clinging to that single memory, she had persisted alone in the oppressive shadow for a very long time.

“Ah…”

Isabella pressed a hand to her chest, her fingers shaking as if she were feeling a physical pang in her heart. No tears fell. Often, when the weight of grief and shock is too heavy, the eyes remain dry.

Sonora. Her companion had been waiting for her return, completely isolated. The loneliness must have been agonizing beyond words. As I pictured Sonora standing alone in the dark, I felt a sharp pang of sympathy.

Just before she was taken by the Balrog Cult, Sonora had used her last bit of strength to draw their emblem on this cloth. Using the scrap of Isabella’s clothing she cherished, she had painted the mark with her own lifeblood. By leaving it in a hidden corner… she likely held onto the hope that Isabella would be the one to eventually find it.

“I was… far too slow.”

“It isn’t over yet.”

“…?”

“Sonora is still among the living.”

It wasn’t too late. Sonora was alive, currently located in Adrium, the Holy City of the Goddess Cult. It was evident that the Goddess Cult had seized her during their clashes with the Balrog Cult. I wasn’t certain why she possessed the ‘Broken Spear of Longinus,’ but it was clear she was being utilized as a tool by the Balrog Cult. If she had been captured alive, they wouldn’t dispose of her immediately.

Isabella lifted her gaze to meet mine.

“Are you certain… that Sonora truly lives?”

“I am.”

“Do you—do you know where she is?”

“Within the Holy City of Adrium.”

“…!!!”

At my confirmation, Isabella’s eyes shook with intense emotion. She quickly pulled herself together and rose to her feet. She looked ready to sprint toward Adrium that very second. I held up a hand to stop her.

“This isn’t a problem that can be fixed with a blind charge. There is a necessary step you must take before you reach Adrium.”

“…Tell me what I must do.”

Her steady gaze made it clear she would face any challenge to see this through.

“You must go and retrieve Priest Andrew, who traveled toward the ‘Primordial Forest.’ We need him if we hope to safely take Sonora into our custody.”

Isabella looked confused at the suggestion of involving Priest Andrew.

“Randolph-nim. While Priest Andrew is a member of the clergy… does he not lack the necessary standing within the Goddess Cult to help us?”

“On his own, it would be a struggle. Naturally, Saintess Seya needs to be by his side.”

“Ah…!”

“Escort Saintess Seya and Priest Andrew to ‘Adrium.’”

Saintess Seya, whom the world believed had perished during the Great Expedition. The plan would only work if the narrative was framed around her triumphant return alongside Priest Andrew.

Isabella asked.

“What will your role be, Randolph-nim?”

“I…”

I paused for a second before answering. Should I reveal to Isabella that I was already present in Adrium as Park Hyunmyeong?

‘She cannot know that I am here.’

The Paradox of Fate. If she were to identify or even sense my presence, my existence power would diminish. If Isabella caught on to the fact that I, Park Hyunmyeong, was actually in Pangaea rather than on Earth, there was a risk I might vanish on the spot. To make matters worse, Isabella likely knew my true face—the face of Park Hyunmyeong. I couldn’t be sure how much of our consciousness had overlapped.

‘Besides, it would be impossible to enter the Holy City in this body.’

There was no other way around it. If Randolph attempted to enter the Holy City, his cover would be blown immediately. This was the reason I hadn’t made contact with the ‘Goddess Cult’ until now. Entering the Holy City personally would result in a 200% chance of being caught.

‘The Goddess’s Barrier.’

The unique protective field woven into the Holy City, the ‘Goddess’s Barrier,’ was designed to repel anything tied to ‘Destruction.’ The issue was that a ‘Fragment of Destruction’ was lodged inside Randolph. Hadn’t that Fragment embedded itself in my heart when I consumed the Evil God Baal? The second I stepped inside, I would be flagged, and the hope of rescuing Sonora safely would vanish.

‘I have to utilize a two-pronged strategy.’

Because of this, I required proxies to act where Randolph could not. As Park Hyunmyeong, I had to operate independently to track down Sonora and pinpoint the location of the ‘Archangel.’

Having finalized my plan, I spoke.

“I have a separate task to attend to.”

“Will you be entering your slumber? Or…?”

“…I will be sleeping.”

“I understand. I will set out for the Kingdom of Balan immediately.”

A spark of determination burned in Isabella’s eyes. She trusted my word about Sonora’s survival without hesitation. Her resolve had hardened once more. This version of Isabella, focused and firm, was much more natural than the one consumed by grief.

“…Why are you smiling?”

“She must be an incredibly important friend to you.”

At those words, a genuine smile touched Isabella’s lips, clearing away the sadness.

“She is. She is a very precious friend.”

A friend whose mere thought brought joy. I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

—

The most critical priority was establishing a new identity. I needed a convincing cover to operate within the Holy City. If I tried to investigate the city as a total stranger, I wouldn’t be able to stay safe for long. To find both Sonora and the Archangel, I needed a status that granted me immunity from casual scrutiny.

For instance…

“Recruiters?”
“What are they looking for?”

The crowd was buzzing. In the middle of the bustling plaza, where a large group had assembled, people were staring in one direction and speaking heatedly.

“What are those Imperial types doing in Adrium?”
“Haven’t you heard? They’re setting up some kind of combat tournament.”
“But… why are they scouting participants for an Imperial tournament here in the Holy City?”

It was a bizarre sight. The Empire, which followed the Evil God Cult, and the Goddess Cult were like oil and water—they simply didn’t mix. Yet, Imperial representatives were operating openly in the Holy City. This was an impossibility unless the Goddess Cult had given its explicit blessing.

“I heard they’re recruiting in every major city. If you place high enough, you can join the Eight Excellence Knights, and the grand champion becomes the personal student of Knight Commander Lyca.”

“The Eight Excellence Knights? Lyca…?”

The crowd gasped at the mention of those names. It was the combination of the Empire’s most elite knightly order and the most powerful warrior alive who led them.

“And that’s not all. The prizes are legendary. They’re even offering the Holy Sword ‘Path of Light,’ once wielded by the Knight King Wilhelm!”

“Whoa!”
“That is unbelievable.”

Not only would a winner gain immense social standing, but the physical rewards were unmatched. Even the Goddess Cult would have to show respect to the wielder of such a Holy Sword.

Soon, someone nearby laughed.

“Ha! Imagine how funny it would be if someone from the Holy City actually won.”

It was unprecedented. If a champion emerged from the Holy City, it would be a bizarre political situation. And yet, they were recruiting right here. One thing was certain: any resident of the Holy City who placed in that tournament would gain massive leverage over both the Empire and the Goddess Cult. And if they actually won?

“Ah, that’s likely why the authorities allowed them in. I heard several children from high-ranking families in the Holy City have already signed up.”

“Which high-ranking families?”

“Well, for one, the son of His Eminence Johansson…”

“What…?!”

From the Goddess Cult’s perspective, there was no downside. In fact, they likely encouraged it. This was a perfect chance to potentially bring the Empire into the fold of the Goddess Cult. The fact that Cardinal Johansson’s son was involved proved how highly the leadership viewed this event.

Alongside him, a significant number of influential figures had entered. The competition had evolved into a continental festival, transcending the boundaries of the Goddess Cult.

“How do you know so much about all this?”

“…I was planning on entering myself.”

There were far more volunteers than I had anticipated. There were also many individuals who seemed like plants—people who knew a suspicious amount of detail and were hyping up the crowd. They were likely hired by the recruiters to drum up interest.

Regardless, it suited my needs.

“Name?”

“Hyun.”

“Applicants go to the tent on the right. There is a preliminary screening.”

The recruiter was efficient, asking for nothing but a name. I followed his instructions and headed into the tent on the right.

*Whew.*

I gave a soft whistle. The interior of the tent was already packed with hopefuls. As I entered, the others sized me up with unfriendly stares.

“Who’s the new guy?”
“He looks pretty thin.”
“They’re letting just anyone in these days.”

In their eyes, I was just another rival. I simply shrugged. This was the first move in wiping my slate clean.

For instance…

‘Becoming the student of Lyca.’

…A protégé of Lyca, hailing from the Holy City of Adrium. I couldn’t ask for a better cover than that.