As I stepped into the temple, the people who greeted me were not the same players I had seen when I came with Vivienne last time.
"I pay my respects to the players who handle blessings. Welcome, player. Please state your name and the purpose of your visit."
A priest, with neatly arranged golden hair and a gentle expression, bowed politely. The man before me was not a player but a resident. However, since I wasn't here to use a contract but to submit an exploration report, I had no complaints. In fact, in some ways, it might have been better to report to the residents instead.
Players and residents generally have a relationship similar to that of nobles and commoners. However, if the residents of Hall Plain are designated as helpers within the system, the situation changes. There aren't many residents chosen as system assistants, and among them, those in the temple hold a status nearly equal to that of players. Because of this, I responded in a respectful tone as well.
"My name is Kim Su-Hyeon, a year-zero player. My purpose for visiting is to submit an exploration report."
"Oh, so you are player Kim Su-Hyeon. Please, come inside."
From a player's perspective, the exploration report process is simple. The reporting player summarizes their findings in a document and submits it. The residents working at the temple then review the submitted report and ask questions about any unclear or insufficient details.
Once the entire process is complete, an investigation team may be assembled based on the submitted report—though only when necessary. This typically happens if the situation poses a threat to the city or if the player's exploration is deemed worthy of official recognition.
I handed over the documents I had been compiling in my spare time to the man in front of me, who was still wearing a gentle smile. He accepted them with a courteous gesture and soon began reading through them with a serious expression.
"Hmm."
A low murmur escaped him as he continued reading. When I glanced at him, I noticed his eyes twitching slightly. If it had been one of those arrogant residents in charge of clan establishments, they would have thrown the report at me and started yelling immediately. But the residents of the temple were certainly more composed.
With a conflicted expression, he furrowed his brows slightly before calmly speaking.
"The report is highly detailed… There's nothing more to ask. For a year-zero player, this is impressive, but… I find it hard to believe."
After finishing the entire report, the resident carefully set the papers down. His expression was complicated, which was understandable. Normally, an investigation team would have been formed immediately to verify the findings. However, at the moment, they simply didn't have the resources. Even the city's leading clan was away, and sending out a team of residents without protection was out of the question.
"If the temple were to assemble an investigation team, would you be able to guide us to the locations mentioned?"
"That would be difficult. I have many tasks to handle during this period, and once it's over, I plan to set out on another expedition immediately."
At my firm refusal, the resident's expression grew troubled, and he let out a long sigh. However, we had no obligation to guide them back to those locations.
"In that case, could you perhaps provide some proof? Oh, please don't misunderstand. It's not that I doubt you, but these records are extraordinary, and the temple's current situation is less than ideal. If these reports are true, then they absolutely need to be verified. To form an investigation team, we need concrete evidence strong enough to justify the risk."
"That won't be difficult. What kind of proof do you need?"
I nodded without hesitation. Providing evidence wasn't an issue, and I could understand their situation to some extent. When I asked what proof they required, the resident briefly glanced over the report again before specifying two items.
"The Orb of the Spider obtained from the dungeon within the Forest Of Midnight and the Heart of the High-Rank Demon Belphegor."
Without hesitation, I reached into my belongings and pulled out two small orbs, each fitting neatly in one hand. One was a murky, dark sphere overflowing with sinister energy, while the other glowed with an eerie, deep-blue light.
The resident's eyes immediately widened in shock as he recognized the items. He carefully examined them for a moment, his fingers trembling slightly. After thoroughly inspecting both, he looked up with a much more animated expression than before. His gaze darted between my face, the report, and the artifacts before he finally smacked his lips and spoke.
"With all due respect, I have used the granted powers to verify their authenticity. The results confirm that both items match the descriptions in your report. If all these records are officially recognized, it would be an incredible achievement… but unfortunately, assembling an investigation team right now is simply not feasible."
"Hm. Would it still be impossible within two weeks? You just mentioned you'd push yourselves if necessary…"
At my question, he shook his head apologetically, his face filled with regret.
"Two weeks is absolutely impossible. No, to be honest, even forming an investigation team at all is uncertain. Given the current state of Mule, it's not feasible, which means we would have to request support from a nearby city or from Babara. But as you know… the situation isn't ideal."
The resident trailed off, carefully gauging my reaction.
I had expected something like this, so I wasn't exactly caught off guard—but that didn't make it any less frustrating. Establishing a clan wasn't something that could happen overnight. These records needed to be verified for my achievements to be officially recognized. If the verification was delayed, then so was everything else.
As my expression hardened, the resident bowed his head once more, offering another apology.
"I truly apologize. But I hope you can understand our circumstances. To be honest, we've barely been processing routine exploration reports lately. However, this time, two major discoveries have come in at once, and both are too significant to ignore. It will take twice as long to handle. On top of that, since the ancient alchemist's dungeon wasn't fully cleared, sending our people alone would be far too dangerous."
I clicked my tongue internally but decided to be as patient as possible. Forcing them into an impossible situation wouldn't help anyone. I had hoped they would push themselves a little more, but if their idea of pushing meant waiting for outside support, then there was nothing I could do about it.
I let out a sigh and finally responded.
"Hah… I suppose there's no other choice. Just make sure the investigation happens as soon as possible."
"Thank you. As soon as the situation improves, we will prioritize these two dungeon investigations above all else. Ah, and—"
"You don't have to worry. I'm not lying. I know exactly what kind of penalties I'd face if I forged a report of this scale. Now, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
"W-Wait a moment!"
As I rose to my feet, unwilling to waste any more time, the resident hastily called out, stopping me. I looked at him silently, my gaze questioning why he was holding me back.
"Of course, there are regulations in place, and we do intend to conduct a proper investigation. However, since you've already provided evidence, I find myself inclined to trust you."
"I see… then why—?"
"I had originally planned to visit you around midday, but you came at just the right time. The one who grants blessings to Player Kim Su-Hyeon has sent a divine message. You will need to visit the Summoning Chamber."
I had a feeling this might happen. As expected, Seraph had called for me. Nodding slightly, I reached for the items I had placed on the table.
"Understood. I'll head there right away."
"A wise decision. I will guide you to the portal that leads directly to the Summoning Chamber."
With that, the resident carefully tucked the report into his robes and stood up, motioning for me to follow. As I walked behind him into the depths of the temple, my thoughts drifted to a certain angel.
It had been a while since I last saw Seraph, but I felt neither excitement nor joy at the thought.
*
After completing the necessary rites, I stepped into the portal—the same one I had used when first entering Hall Plain. As I moved forward, a shimmering blue light flickered before my eyes. Some intangible force wrapped around me, pulling me through the portal.
And just like that, I arrived at a familiar sight.
The Summoning Chamber—the place where everything had begun for me. It remained unchanged, as always. I briefly scanned my surroundings before shifting my gaze forward, where a familiar altar stood.
Atop the altar, a beautiful angel with transparent, fluttering wings watched me intently.
She had a flawless face, hair that glowed like moonlight, and striking emerald-green eyes.
Seraph.
The moment I saw her, whatever semblance of a good mood I had instantly plummeted. Yet, in a way, I felt relieved—relieved that my lingering hatred for angels hadn't faded. They were not beings I could ever come to like.
Seraph acknowledged my arrival and, with her usual serene voice, spoke.
"Player Kim Su-Hyeon. It has been a while. During this time—"
"Get to the point."
I cut her off with a cold voice, shutting down her attempt at small talk.
It wasn't just because I disliked angels.
The Seraph before me was not the same Seraph from my first life. I could never see them as the same.
"…Have you been well?"
She hesitated for a moment, briefly silenced by my curt response, but still, she insisted on continuing. That persistence annoyed me even more, and I lashed out at her again.
"Not something you need to know. Besides, even if you don't have all the details, you already have a rough idea, don't you?"
"Player Kim Su-Hyeon."
"I'm busy. Just say what you need to say and let me go."
"..."
Seraph fell silent, as if she had swallowed her words. Her expression, as always, remained composed. She had that same lofty, unreadable look on her face. But I could tell—deep down, she was unsettled.
"…Nothing to say?"
"..."
Seraph remained silent.
It was clear—this Seraph was different from the one who had spent ten years by my side.
I shook my head in disappointment and turned away. Staying here any longer would only mess with my head. I had been changing, little by little, for the better… but if I lingered, I felt like I might revert to who I used to be.
"If you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving. And next time, don't waste my time like this."
"Player Kim Su-Hyeon…."
I heard Seraph call out behind me, but I ignored her.
Just as I was about to step into the portal—
Fwoosh!
A sudden burst of light flashed behind me.
I paused.
I could feel it—a massive surge of mana spreading throughout the Summoning Chamber.
Tzzzt! Tzzzzzt!
The air crackled with energy.
This wasn't normal.
Something powerful was being activated, and it was filling the entire chamber.
Alarmed, I quickly turned around.
Seraph stood frozen, her gaze locked onto the empty air before her. But unlike her usual composed expression, her face was twisted with anger.
"Stop this at once!"
It was obvious that Seraph's outburst wasn't directed at me—she wasn't even looking my way.
But what truly caught me off guard was how she ended her sentence.
Seraph almost never spoke like that.
That alone told me something serious was happening.
Boom!
With a sharp motion of her hand, one of the glowing masses in the air twisted violently before exploding with a sound like a firecracker.
I turned my gaze toward it.
The mana that had been gathering scattered instantly.
Seraph moved swiftly, methodically erasing the forming light clusters one by one. Her hands cut through the air, her expression focused. But what stood out the most—she was speaking. Continuously.
And it wasn't in the usual silent, telepathic channel used by angels.
"You have no right to interfere…!"
That was new.
Something was definitely happening behind the scenes. Some kind of internal conflict.
Meanwhile, the Summoning Chamber was in chaos—white light flared repeatedly, hands slashed through the air, bursts of energy detonated over and over.
It was a battle.
And I was right in the middle of it.
Tzzzt! Tzzzzzt!
"Sandalphon. This is my final warning. You are not permitted to summon anyone into this space.
The Summoning Chamber belongs solely to Player Kim Su-Hyeon and myself. No outside interference will be tolerated."
Tzzzt… Tzzzzzt…
"And this is my final warning to you.
I, Seraph, am Player Kim Su-Hyeon's designated guardian. There will be no reassignment."
Tzzzt…
With those last words, the overwhelming glow that had filled the chamber flickered and vanished completely.
The tension in the air eased.
Seraph, who had been speaking aloud, now returned to her usual silent communication, her lips barely moving. Her expression, once contorted with anger, gradually settled back into its usual serene stillness.
As if nothing had happened.
I figured I'd just witnessed something interesting, so I pulled a cigarette from my pocket and lit it. By the time I had nearly finished smoking, Seraph seemed to have wrapped things up. Since this whole situation seemed to revolve around me, it felt a little awkward to just walk away.
Eventually, Seraph turned toward me and let out a quiet sigh.
I watched her with an unreadable expression as she composed herself.
"Player Kim Su-Hyeon."
"What."
My voice was still sharp, but she held my gaze for a moment before speaking again—this time, with a tone that almost sounded… soothing.
.
.
.
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