Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 81

5.

It was a situation reminiscent of the monster wave when the orcs descended en masse.

Everyone in the conference room was staring at me. Sighing, I continued my explanation.

“Magi Fever is a disease caused by magi. To be honest, calling it a disease is misleading; it’s more of a curse. For those with resistance to magi, it’s not particularly lethal. But for those without such resistance, it’s a living nightmare.”

Magi Fever was one of the most vicious diseases even in Eden.

It wasn’t just the fatality rate; the contagion was truly outrageous.

People infected with Magi Fever begin spreading magi around them. Anyone who comes into contact with this magi inevitably becomes infected.

Those with innate anti-magic abilities can resist to some degree, but such people are exceedingly rare.

That’s not the only problem.

Some of those infected with Magi Fever succumb to the magi and turn into monsters.

We call these individuals “Magi Demons.” They hunger for blood and flesh, attacking humans relentlessly.

This happens because the lord of the magi that causes Magi Fever is none other than the Demon King of Gluttony.

The Demon King of Gluttony.

A cursed being fueled by endless greed, satisfied only by devouring everything into his abyss of a stomach.

The emergence of Magi Fever meant that somewhere on Earth, that entity had revealed itself.

“Awakened Kim Siwoo, could you provide further explanation about magi?”

“It’s energy derived from demonic beings. It thrives on negative emotions like desire and anger. Unlike other energies, it’s divided into seven categories. Among them, only one type of magi causes Magi Fever—the magi of gluttony.”

The United States had already recognized the existence of magi, and China likely harbored numerous magi users.

After all, the homeland of the Purifiers was in China.

As I finished my explanation, a nun who had been silent until now raised her hand.

“Then what is the treatment for Magi Fever?”

“It’s simple. Use divine power to expel the magi from the patient’s body. This also applies to those in the ‘Magi Demon’ state, where the magi has reached their brain and induced extreme aggression. Expel the magi, and they’ll return to normal.”

Minister Yoo Sun-ho sighed and responded to my statement.

“We’ve already confirmed in the field that divine power is effective on the patients. That’s why we’ve gathered you all here.”

Magi Fever is monstrously contagious.

Because of that, I had no choice but to ask Minister Yoo another question.

“Are you sure the outbreak is under control?”

“Before containment was complete, some individuals managed to leave the facility. We’re currently tracking their movements.”

If Magi Fever patients spread nationwide, it would cause chaos far beyond the likes of gates or dungeons.

The only silver lining is the increasing number of divine-type players.

Since Magi Fever could be treated with even a small amount of divine power, dividing responsibilities properly could make overcoming this possible.

After quickly calculating the situation, I surveyed the people in the conference room and said:

“The rest of you should work with the government to treat the infected outside the facility. The treatment isn’t too difficult—just channel divine power into the patients.”

At that moment, a man who had been glaring at me spoke in an aggressive tone.

“And you?”

“I’ll enter the quarantine zone to eliminate the source of Magi Fever. I’ll also purify the patients inside.”

“Why are you monopolizing such an important task? Shouldn’t we all enter together?”

“I agree with him,” said an unknown pastor, prompting Baek Baegmyeong Church Shin Jin-gyu to chime in.

It seemed that both the aggressively expanding Protestant church and the Baegmyeong Church were determined to keep me from hogging the spotlight.

I smiled slightly as I looked at the two of them.

“You’re still too weak. I’d rather avoid unnecessary casualties.”

“…Are you mocking the Protestant church…?”

“Do you have any Irregulars in the Protestant or Baegmyeong Church factions? We do. If you’re dissatisfied, bring an Irregular.”

“Hahaha!”

Shin Jin-gyu of Baegmyeong Church burst into laughter at my words.

“Indeed, you’re straightforward. Very well. We of Baegmyeong Church will cooperate with the government’s orders.”

Soon, representatives of other religious groups, except the Protestants, nodded in agreement.

The monk next to me, Venerable Beopun, even clapped his hands as he laughed heartily.

“As expected of Korea’s hero. Do you enjoy temple meals? If you have time, please visit our temple. I’ll secretly prepare some meat for you.”

“…Ah, yes.”

What kind of monk is this guy, seriously?

Anyway,

Seeing that the situation was roughly settled, Minister Yoo sighed and spoke.

“Then, the Limen Order will enter the refugee facility, while the rest of you assist in preventing the spread. This meeting is adjourned. The situation is urgent, so Limen Order, please act immediately.”

“Understood.”

“If you need anything from us, please contact Director Kim Dongshik directly. We will provide full cooperation.”

And so, my journey to Daejeon was set in stone.

6.

“I never thought I’d encounter Magi Fever on Earth.”

“This means the enemy is moving in earnest. There might even be a Purifier altar there.”

In the car heading to the scene, I was joined by Luna and Director Kim.

We were an advance team.

Luna and I would assess the situation in the area, then deploy Leo and the newcomers waiting at the temple if necessary.

Looking at the rapidly changing scenery outside the window, I asked Director Kim:

“Was there a specific reason you sought help from divine players?”

“There is one divine power user on-site. Thanks to them, we confirmed that divine power is effective against the mysterious ailment. That’s why we called for backup.”

“A divine power user?”

“A pastor from a pioneer church in the refugee camp. He awakened divine power recently but kept it hidden because he couldn’t leave his post. Apparently, he was worried about the people during the gap for training. From what we’ve investigated, he’s highly respected.”

The refugee camp in Daejeon is said to have been formed after the Dimension Opening.

People whose livelihoods were destroyed by the gates that appeared in the early days.

The government settled them in the northern part of Daejeon, marking the beginning of the refugee camp.

Since it was a hastily established area, it was naturally not a good living environment.

“He’s someone who has been taking care of the refugees in that area for three years. Although he gained holy power, he didn’t report it due to the gap created during the Awakened’s training period. He said he couldn’t bear to leave the people behind during that gap. According to investigations, he is held in very high regard.”

“He’s an amazing person.”

I nodded as I spoke.

Regardless of religion, such people exist everywhere. People who can’t turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.

Such people are deserving of being called heroes.

“Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants, and the Baegmyeong Church have also immediately dispatched players. They plan to join the tracking operations and take prompt measures. But are you sure you don’t need any support?”

“Tracking the source is something only we can do. I need to go in and finish this myself.”

“Are you confident you can do it?”

“You don’t need to worry. I’ve experienced similar situations in Eden several times.”

Purifying people afflicted with the demon disease isn’t particularly difficult. If it comes to it, I can use the Wings of Purification to cleanse it all at once.

However, unless I find the source of the demon disease, it will keep recurring, so the priority is to locate its origin.

As I was talking with Director Kim, the car soon arrived at a location where a military control line had been established.

“We’ve arrived, Sir Siwoo.”

“Your Holiness. This…doesn’t look easy.”

“Hmm.”

As soon as Luna stepped out of the car, she furrowed her delicate brows deeply. Following her, I couldn’t help but harden my expression as well.

The refugee camp was much larger than I had anticipated.

I had heard that the maximum capacity here was 100,000 people, and it seemed that estimate wasn’t wrong.

“Currently, the primary function of the refugee camp is to temporarily house displaced people until the disaster sites are restored. While it started as a refugee camp, it would be more accurate to call it a displaced persons camp now.”

“Whether they’re refugees or displaced people, it looks like the camp is at full capacity.”

“Recently, ever since the message ‘The Age of Barriers’ emerged, the number of undetectable gates and dungeons has increased. This has led to a large influx of displaced people.”

The camp was clearly overcrowded with people.

Soldiers in hazmat suits were stationed at barricades placed all over to maintain control.

This level of rapid response by the Earthlings is impressive. In Eden, even isolating those infected with the demon disease was a challenge.

“Even with the hazmat suits, some soldiers are already infected. Consequently, there have been internal discussions in the military to forcibly incinerate the refugee camp to prevent further infection.”

“It’s too early to resort to such extreme measures. Calling it forced incineration is just another way of saying they want to execute those people.”

At my words, Luna spoke while walking ahead.

“Earthlings are not ordinary people, either. Remember the kingdom in Eden that annihilated an entire city to stop the spread of the demon disease, Your Holiness?”

“Of course, I remember that.”

“It was the worst decision. I still think about it.”

Killing patients indiscriminately without purifying the demonic energy only backfires.

Incidentally, the city Luna mentioned had all its citizens resurrected as undead.

Carrying the demonic energy, they spread it in all directions, causing the kingdom to collapse in no time.

It was a nightmare to deal with, especially while the war with the demons was ongoing.

“Our first task is to find the source of the demon disease. Luna, as soon as we get inside, suppress the demons first.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

Director Kim, who had been silently listening to our conversation, cautiously asked me.

“If you use those wings you’ve shown before, wouldn’t purification be immediate?”

“The Wings of Purification can’t completely remove the demonic energy that has already consumed life. Unless the source of the demon disease is removed, we cannot suppress it completely.”

It’s only natural that you need to repair the bottomless jar before you start pouring water into it.

Even purification is only a temporary measure as long as the source of the demon disease remains intact.

Taking gloves from my pocket, I told Director Kim.

“I’ll be back soon. Oh, by the way, that pastor you mentioned earlier—is he still inside?”

“Yes. He’s officially under quarantine.”

“Please mark his location on my phone. I’d like to see him on my way in. Luna? Let’s go.”

“Time to stretch a bit.”

With that, Luna and I entered the quarantine zone.

[Warning! Demonic energy is starting to be detected from all directions.]

The red warning message filled my vision.

7.

In a small cave shrouded in darkness, a ghostly voice, close to a wailing cry, echoed along the walls.

-Drano has perished. Although the ritual was successfully completed, one altar has been completely destroyed.

“What else could those weak liches do? Hmph, cursed skeleton bastards—that’s the limit of the undead.”

-He has asked you to be cautious. The land where you reside is far too dangerous. He wishes for all species in the area to cease their plans and return to the grand altar.

“My plan is already complete. Soon, the results will emerge. I’ll bring back substantial results and be proudly acknowledged by him.”

-Face reality. There is nothing you can achieve there. Regardless of how insignificant and incompetent you may be, dying in vain will harm us all.

A monster writhing in the darkness rose to its feet.

Grasping a small, gray-glowing orb, the monster spoke.

“Akalis, your days of looking down on me are numbered. Enjoy it while you can. It won’t be long before you bow to me.”

-For a creature without even a name, your greed knows no bounds. You will never gain a name in any future. Once again, I warn you to withdraw from there…

Crunch.

The monster crushed the orb in its hand. Moonlight streamed into the cave, illuminating its blackened hand.

The monster gazed at its hand as if it were sacred. Then, with purple claws, it slashed its wrist, scattering blood across the ground while letting out wild laughter.

“Not much time left! The day I earn my name is near!”

The blood scattered across the earth began to spread slowly.