Chapter 135

Level Up IlDanSimPanGwan – Episode 135 (135/227)

Episode 135: The Sixth Executor (2)

A pure white space filled with bright light.

Lu was, as always, gazing down at the world below without fail.

She had just ventured out into the outside world for the first time in a while, but now she found herself back in this divine realm once again.

As much as she wanted to personally go down and resolve everything herself, that was obviously impossible.

Generally speaking, for a divine being to directly descend to the mortal plane required an enormous amount of influence, inevitably leading to massive consumption of power.

Even if one possessed abundant influence, it wasn’t something to be done lightly unless absolutely necessary.

The last time Lu descended was due to the involvement of the Demon of Greed.

After losing almost all his forces and exposing his own weaknesses, Benaron was completely eliminated by Lu herself, allowing her to gain even more influence than what was expended.

That opportunity only lasted briefly, though.

Unless another event of similar magnitude occurred, there would definitely be no more direct descents.

However, that didn’t mean things were bleak.

The influence gained from eradicating the Twilight Sect, combined with Eil securing the underground realm of Eltris for the Light Church, had provided a massive boost in power.

This meant they could now actively intervene on the mortal plane.

Tsu tsu tsu!

The view of the world that Lu had been observing shifted, focusing on Eil entering the Heretical Interrogation Office.

This would naturally be the next step.

Just as Eil’s devotion surpassed 100%, the connection between divine rank and apostle grew stronger.

Not only did the surroundings appear clearer, but conveying her will or sending messages required significantly less influence expenditure.

“Hmm, after such great efforts, it’s time to give him a proper reward.”

Lu smiled faintly.

* * *

Inside a small shrine located within Esmaier’s Heretical Interrogation Office,

a modest inauguration ceremony for the new executor was taking place.

Despite being an executor, given the secretive nature of the church, there was no grand celebration or public announcement.

Once the simple process concluded,

[You have obtained an item!]

Eil, now officially an executor, received newly crafted equipment from the church.

Hero-grade full set for level 140.

Blessed medium armor and longsword were bestowed upon him.

Being equipment designated for executors, their stats needed no explanation. With a white base and red accents, the gear boasted a sleek yet magnificent design.

It was similar to what other executors wore.

“May the light be with you.”

An elder dressed in pristine robes approached and bowed deeply before handing over the executor’s emblem, a black cross pendant.

‘Is this really happening…?’

Looking at the pendant in his hand, the reality finally sank in.

Though it wasn’t an item with actual stats, it symbolized the authority of an executor.

Receiving this was a tremendous honor.

No mere player had ever reached such a high position within the church hierarchy.

Not just the Light Church, but none of the other six churches had done something like this either.

While Eil was active underground, he wondered why there was no special reward, never expecting to be appointed as an executor.

Such a thing was unimaginable.

Once the ceremony ended and the shrine emptied, Arileen entered and approached him.

She was no longer a named NPC far above him but a fellow executor.

“Congratulations, Executor. How do you feel?”

“It’s… still surreal.”

“Of course it is. I couldn’t believe it myself at first. But being chosen by the Goddess to serve is truly an honor. Brother will surely approve.”

Recalling past events, she wore a peculiar expression before bringing up the matter at hand.

“As I mentioned before the ceremony, there are no specific duties assigned to executors aside from certain matters. Our purpose is simply to enforce the Goddess’s will in this land through our own judgment.”

Understanding her words, Eil nodded.

Becoming an executor wouldn’t impose significant restrictions on his freedom of movement – good news for a player like him.

“Of course, that’s not all. Being an executor means bearing great responsibility. For now, Brother will oversee the Eltris branch.”

The newly discovered underground world ultimately fell under Eil’s jurisdiction.

Currently, numerous shrines and an interrogation office were being constructed in Eltris with enthusiastic support from its residents.

Once completed, the Inquisition Office of the Eltris Branch would be under Eil’s management.

“So should I stay in the Eltris Branch?”

“That depends on your decision. We’ve dispatched priests who can handle routine tasks.”

Indeed, church priests had already been sent to Eltris.

They aimed to establish influence, train judges, and knights to strengthen their forces.

Though humans were unfamiliar to the inhabitants of Eltris, sharing the same faith caused no issues.

“Besides, the Goddess didn’t appoint Brother as an executor without reason. Soon, Her will shall be revealed.”

‘Will of the Goddess…?’

Leaving those cryptic words, Arileen departed.

Always diligent in issuing judgments, she left to track down another group of demon worshippers.

Alone in the empty shrine, Eil equipped his new gear.

‘The biggest change in the church during my time secluded underground must have been the eradication of the Twilight Sect.’

The war against the Bloody Twilight Sect, in which the Light Church mobilized extensively, had just concluded a few days ago.

Naturally, the church emerged victorious.

Despite surviving until now, the sect had been utterly destroyed, including its leadership.

What was once thought impossible – weakening demon followers – had astonishingly come true.

Thanks to this, the church’s extreme focus on combating demons returned to normal, and all previously delayed operations resumed.

Investigations of the order that Eil had been handling were now being managed again by the Inquisition.

There were even rumors that Benaron, the Demon of Greed, had been wiped out.

Regardless of whether these rumors were true, it was certain that Lu had gained immense influence.

‘With the influence gained from Eltris too… maybe we can start moving seriously now.’

Estimating the influence Lu might have gained, Eil pondered.

His guess was spot on.

Or rather, his prediction was so far off that it might as well be considered wrong.

Doooom!

Loud horn blasts and drum rolls accompanied a message that appeared before his eyes.

[A World Event has Occurred!]

[March of Light – Turmoil engulfs the southern continent.]

[A crazed mob shouting justice marches toward the city. Their flames will consume everything, turning it to ashes. The eyes of believers following the Goddess hold no fear or hesitation, and their swords pointed at heresy show no mercy. Who can stop this tide of destruction?]

[Under the command of the sixth executor ‘Eil,’ all believers in the surrounding regions will gather.]

[Target City – ‘Amsterdam’]

“What… what is this…?”

Shocked, Eil froze in place.

A world event broadcast across the entire continent.

This message, visible not just to Eil but to every connected user of Warode, hung ominously in the air.

Before he could process it, another message appeared.

[A quest from the divine rank ‘Lu’ has been issued!]

[Evidence of a noble making pacts with demons and sacrificing innocents has surfaced. Though proof is lacking, the Goddess’s will points to his head. Believers march for liberation. Swords of justice head toward the southern city of ‘Amsterdam’.]

[This quest cannot be refused and is mandatory for all believers in the Esmaier and Solstide regions.]

[Great penalties or rewards will be granted based on the quest outcome.]

[Failure Condition: Total Annihilation]

“Are you kidding me…”

Eil muttered involuntarily.

A “World Event” initiated by a divine rank.

A forced event requiring all believers within range to participate, with significant impact on the continent.

This was one of the main reasons many players avoided joining churches.

No option to decline, mandatory participation.

Moreover, failure meant total annihilation.

Everyone had to succeed or die trying, and anyone deserting mid-mission would incur divine wrath, receiving penalties worse than death.

‘Alright, but why is my name plastered all over this world event?!’

Not only was Eil’s name mentioned, but his status as the sixth executor was explicitly stated.

Considering the exposure to all users, this would undoubtedly attract massive attention.

‘Ugh…’

To make matters worse, the target city ‘Amsterdam’ belonged to one of the top 12 guilds.

Attacking and conquering a city belonging to such a major force was essentially a declaration of war.

Thinking about what lay ahead, Eil felt utterly overwhelmed.

‘What kind of first mission is this…’

But there was no time to dwell on it.

With the world event prominently announced, the dice had already been cast.

Believers were gathering, and the opposing guild would surely be preparing their defense.

“Damn it!”

Eil quickly exited the Inquisition Office.