Chapter 294

Chapter 294: Mass

Pyongyang May Day Stadium.

The massive circular stadium accommodating 150,000 people was filled with crowds. Everyone held a bag of rice in their hands. Someone was hugging canned food, another a box of ramen.

It was a crowd that flocked at the single word that they would receive these if they attended the mass.

Faces shriveled with hunger, eyes filled with fear. However, a faint expectation was rising among them.

Han Siah stood in the center of the stage.

Her black priest robes fluttered in the wind.

Her pale face was revealed through her jet-black hair. The hand holding the microphone trembled thinly, but her eyes alone were calm.

“You have been starving for a long time.”

A low voice spread through the speakers.

“In hunger, in fear, in a hopeless tomorrow.”

Silence settled.

Even everyone's breathing seemed to have stopped.

“But now, there will be no more such pain. Thanks to just one person.”

Han Siah’s voice resonated through the stadium.

“He is the One who rules death.”

Han Siah continued with the most solemn and reverent voice.

“The One who gives bread to the hungry, peace to those trembling in fear, and allows a new life to those in despair.”

Her eyes shone.

“Kim Minwoo. The only One our Death Cult serves and the existence who bestowed freedom upon you. Today, He has arrived at this place.”

Han Siah stepped back and gathered her two hands.

At that moment, a black shadow slowly walked out from the back of the stage.

It was Kim Minwoo.

The hem of his black coat fluttered.

Behind him, Skeleton Knights clad in jet-black armor lined up. The Legion of Death surrounded the stage.

Murmurs arose.

A sound mixed with fear and awe.

Kim Minwoo grabbed the microphone.

“I will promise at this spot.”

It was a calm voice.

“That I will end everyone's hunger, and protect your lives from gates. That I will make this place, North Korea, live as well as other countries. I, Kim Minwoo! Will open a tomorrow where you can eat plenty of white rice and meat soup every day!”

Waaaaa―!

Tremendous cheers shook the entire stadium.

After punishing Park Ildo, radio waves flowed into North Korea, and news from South Korea began to be delivered.

Pyongyang was in a situation where it received that news first.

They also wanted to live well.

They wanted to eat their fill.

“Is it true that he is the richest person in South Korea?”

A whisper leaked from somewhere in the crowd.

“It's true. They say he's the son of Ilsung Group, South Korea's number one business conglomerate.”

“Then, if we just trust him, can we really eat our fill?”

“Ah, of course, absolutely.”

An old farmer hugged the rice bag in his arms tightly.

White rice grains flowed down between his fingers.

It was real. Not a dream.

“We ate yesterday, and we ate today too.”

Someone said tearfully.

“I wish every day were like these days…….”

Those words spread.

They spread like waves.

It wasn't just a promise in words.

Park Ildo disappeared.

The fierce soldiers are no longer seen.

Trucks came.

Rice came.

They confirmed it right before their eyes, directly, with their two eyes.

It was action.

So they could believe.

“Long live Comrade Kim Minwoo!”

Someone shouted. When one shouted, ten followed. A hundred, a thousand.

Waaaaa―!

The shout of 150,000 people shook the stadium.

Faces shriveled by hunger contorted with ecstasy. Tears flowed. Laughter burst out. Hope suppressed for decades was finally bursting out.

Kim Minwoo left his seat, and Han Siah stepped forward.

With her two hands gathered, she whispered as if praying.

“Believe in His words. Obey with faith. That is the only way to save you.”

The stadium stirred.

Someone knelt.

When one knelt, two knelt. It spread like a wave.

Kim Minwoo looked down at that scene.

‘The number of believers is rising crazily.’

At the sight of faith being copied, the corners of his mouth crept up.

＊ ＊ ＊

Outskirts of Pyongyang.

A-rank Gate.

A red fissure was floating in the empty air. Hundreds of residents were gathered around. Several Awakened from the People's Army stood with nervous expressions.

“You’re telling us to handle that?”

One A-rank Awakened swallowed his saliva.

“If it's A-rank, it is possible for us alone too, but…….”

“It’s a demonstration.”

Kim Minwoo shrugged his shoulders.

“We have to show the residents. What a gate is, and what we do.”

He snapped his fingers. Ten Dragon Tooth Soldiers lined up in front of the gate.

“You guys just assist from the back. Because I will show it directly today.”

He jumped into the fissure.

30 minutes later.

The gate collapsed. Kim Minwoo walked out in perfect condition. His clothes didn't have a speck of dust on them.

The Awakened following behind were looking at him with blank faces.

‘This is a total…… monster?’

Before they could even try anything, the gate raid ended.

Exclamations burst out among the residents.

“Really…… that easily?”

“The gate disappeared!”

“He said he would protect us, it was really true…….”

Han Siah smiled brightly.

“You saw it, right? His power.”

The residents' eyes changed. Fear was turning into awe, and awe into faith.

＊ ＊ ＊

Pyongyang Central Party Building.

Kim Minwoo’s temporary office.

Han Siah said while organizing documents.

“After today's mass, the number of believers increased explosively.”

“By how much?”

“It surpassed one hundred thousand in just a day.”

Kim Minwoo whistled.

“As expected, giving food to starving people is the best.”

Han Siah’s eyes shone.

“Mr. Minwoo’s divinity is getting stronger. At this rate, really…….”

“I can become a god?”

“Yes. Is it because I'm a Saintess? I can feel it. Mr. Minwoo’s divine power…… growing larger and larger.”

“How about China?”

“Believer recruitment is proceeding smoothly there too. As you know, the migrant workers are also in a starving situation, aren't they?”

“Are funds not lacking?”

“Ilsung Group is supporting us generously, so not yet. Also…… quite a bit of donation money is coming in too.”

“Still, it will become insufficient over time. Because there are too many mouths. Let’s do this.”

Looking at the sky, he continued.

“Soon, I will provide large support of daily necessities including food.”

“Do you have a method?”

“I just have to exchange. With another dimension.”

There is a very good trading partner called the Eastern Witch Coven.

Achievement Points were important of course, but increasing believers was equally important.

So well, no choice but to get some food.

Pyongyang’s night sky. Stars were pouring down.

‘Time remaining until Outer God hunt, 5 years.’

There was still a long way to go.

But the foothold was sufficiently prepared.

“Next is…….”

He muttered low.

“The Demon Realm Ranking Battle.”

Treasure Map.

To obtain that certainly…….

It was time to strengthen power.

‘Right now, the Achievement Shop is the best.’

[Opening the Achievement Shop!]

[Rank: Gold (Total Acquired Points: 7230).]

[Possessed Achievement Points: 3300]

“It was long.”

Collecting Achievement Points.

It really wasn't easy.

If not for the points coming in through daily exchanges and the trade with the Witch Coven…….

‘It would have taken ages.’

What to buy was decided.

[8. Necromancy Secret Book.]

[Required Achievement Points: 3000]

Secret Book.

The Blood Water Jade that traps blood was 1,500 points, but this was an item worth a whopping 3,000 points.

‘Of course, it will be helpful for Necromancer abilities…….’

Luxury goods are bound to be worth their price, so I should check it properly this time.

[Consuming 3,000 Achievement Points!]

[Purchased Necromancy Secret Book!]

Necromancy Secret Book.

The black book floating on his palm opened by itself. Bloody text writhed and rose upon the yellowed parchment.

‘This is…….’

Kim Minwoo’s eyes narrowed.

[The Secret Book is analyzing the user…….]

[Analysis complete.]

The first page of the Secret Book.

There, a title called ‘Legion Commander Enhancement Technique’ was written.

[Soul Devour]

[A forbidden art that raises the status of a Legion Commander by feeding them the souls of high-ranking beings. The higher the hierarchy of the devoured soul, the denser the authority engraved on the Legion Commander becomes.]

‘Soul Devour, huh.’

Kim Minwoo’s eyes twinkled.

Until now, the only method he knew for strengthening Legion Commanders was leveling up. Because it was a method where seals were released and they were strengthened every time their level rose.

But the method suggested by the Secret Book was different.

It wasn't simply accumulating experience points.

Killing a strong guy and feeding that soul whole to the Legion Commander.

The text of the Secret Book continued to flow down.

[Conditions for Devour Target]

[1. The target must be a ‘High-ranking Being’. Low-grade souls only contaminate the Legion Commander's status.]

[2. The target's soul must be intact. Fragmented souls have drastically reduced absorption efficiency.]

[3. Upon devouring, the Legion Commander inherits part of the target's authority.]

‘Authority inheritance?’

The corners of Kim Minwoo’s mouth crept up.

For example, if Merhen devoured the soul of a powerful mage, it meant part of that mage's magic aptitude would be engraved onto Merhen.

If Cedric eats the soul of a powerful knight?

The depth of his spearmanship might deepen further.

‘Then the problem is where to get high-ranking beings…….’

Puzzle pieces fit together in his head.

Demon Realm Ranking Battle.

The Upper Ranking Battle for proxies is teeming with distinguished guys of the Demon Realm.

Proxies of Demon Lords, in other words, High-ranking Demons.

If it’s their souls?

‘Perhaps, they might satisfy the conditions.’

Kim Minwoo smirked.

“Merhen, Cedric.”

The two Legion Commanders stepped forward.

Merhen’s blue pupils twinkled.

―Minwoo, is it something good?

“Yeah. Found a way to strengthen you two.”

Cedric’s eye glint wavered.

―Strengthening…… By chance, in that Secret Book?

“Right. It’s an art called Soul Devour. If we catch a strong guy and feed the soul, your status rises.”

Merhen tilted her head.

“Strong guy?”

“Demon Realm Ranking Battle. The high-ranking demons appearing there.”

Instantly, Vulcan scowled.

“Wait. That Ranking Battle, didn't you say only proxies can participate?”

“Right.”

“I am not a proxy but a contractor. Then doesn't that mean only I can't eat souls?”

Kim Minwoo shrugged his shoulders.

“Can't help it. You're a Demon Lord. You don't qualify as a proxy.”

“Hmph! Then what am I supposed to do.”

“This punk has a lot of greed. You get stronger if your Demon Lord rank goes up anyway.”

“Still!”

“I’ll let you devour later, so just wait for now.”

“It’s a promise.”

“Don't beg me not to overwork you more later.”

Leaving the grumbling Vulcan behind, Kim Minwoo opened the Secret Book again.

―Minwoo.

Merhen approached. Silver hair flowed down over her shoulders.

―Can I become stronger?

“Yeah. Much more.”

―Then can I help Minwoo more?

“Of course.”

A smile spread on Merhen’s pale face.

It was a rarely seen bright expression.

Cedric asked in a heavy voice.

―Master, the proxies of the Upper Ranking Battle, they won't be easy.

“I know.”

Kim Minwoo nodded.

“That’s why it’s fun.”

Which guy to catch first.

Which soul to feed to whom.

His heart was already pounding.

‘Obtain the Treasure Map, and strengthen the Legion Commanders too.’

It was killing two birds with one stone.

Vulcan was still grumbling.

“Darn it. At least put me in a revenge match later. Because I will burn them all up.”

Kim Minwoo smirked.

“Sure, I'll give you a chance later.”

Under Pyongyang’s night sky.

A new hunt was about to begin.