Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Charles, who thought that perhaps both of them should not have done it, checked the enlightenment value. There was not much change. Perhaps it was because they had quickly dealt with the monster.

Charles predicted that the other believers would have their enlightenment drop after a good night's sleep, so he disbanded them.

Afterward, Charles dissected the body with Flona. It was a gruesome task, but it was necessary. The original form was human, but it had changed so much that it was now a lump of meat.

- Ugh. What kind of taste is this?

- Stop barking. We need to find out who the culprit is, don't we?

In the head of the creature, Charles found, as expected, a 'bolt.' It was the kind of bolt used with a nut. The machine symbolizes civilization, so the closer to modern equipment, the easier it is to receive his blessing, and the bolt is the most basic unit.

- What bolt?

- It's clear who the culprit is.

- Who?

- The Puppeteer.

- ??

Indeed, his prediction was correct. In the early stages of the Carving Salvation, the only entity capable of setting such a trap was 'Puppeteer Hare.' Charles looked at Flona and said,

"Make sure to keep today's events secret from the people."

"Yes."

"It seems the Carving Salvation is extending its influence."

"Carving Salvation? Should we deal with them?"

"No, not yet. They've only planted spies. However, since the information has been exposed, we need to change the meeting place."

"Yes. I'll look for another warehouse."

Charles predicted how the other side would react. The Puppeteer is a spiritualist who mainly enjoys remote attacks by creating puppets to torment the opponent. His class is a Mage.

'This was a character I used well when I played as Jonas Shaft, the leader of the Carving Salvation.'

However, due to the extreme cruelty of the method, he rarely used it. After completing all the tasks, Charles decided to return to the mansion. The coachman was already waiting, so he returned to the mansion with Flona.

Outside the mansion, it was pitch dark, and nothing could be seen. Inside, candles were lit in various places.

When Charles entered his room, fatigue washed over him. What he had done today was unimaginable. 'Puppeteer Hare.' With the enemy identified, Charles thought about how to deal with him.

Of course, he couldn't immediately go after him. Now was the time to grow. In fact, Charles, the leader of the Unknown Sect, had no proper abilities. Only the power of dominion.

This power of dominion was conditional and not for battle. First, he needed to find a way to protect himself. For a Mage, that meant spells.

At the same time, he needed to expand the sect's influence.

'However, expanding the sect's influence too visibly is dangerous.'

Charles counted the enemies within the city, Metropolis.

The Unknown Sect is surrounded by many enemies. The first is the four other sects, excluding the Unknown Sect.

The Carving Salvation, which plants spies to monitor the Unknown Sect. The Dark Saints, who operate in the shadows. The Hellfire Club, which is among the high-ranking officials of the city, and the Fishermen's Brotherhood, which operates near the southern port.

Besides these four sects, there are many other obstacles. The 'Sealing Foundation,' the 'Police Bureau,' the 'Light Church,' which dominates the current Metropolis, and the 'Holy Knights' owned by the church.

Among these, the most troublesome in the early stages of the game were the Carving Salvation and the Police Bureau.

The Police Bureau is the most annoying entity in this game. They get involved with the five major sects of Metropolis in various ways. If your identity is exposed, it is very dangerous.

These people have official power. The Police Bureau, armed with revolvers, rifles, and hunting dogs, and the legitimate official power. Fighting them would yield nothing and only increase your infamy.

'Or, what if I think about it the other way?'

He is a veteran of the Cult Leader Simulator and knows everything about the internal affairs of the Police Bureau. In other words, it means that he can easily infiltrate and control the Police Bureau. Then, he might be able to manipulate the Police Bureau as he pleases.

'To do that, I need to start with public activities, not just the hidden activities of a cult leader. Fortunately, Charles' public identity is a decent front.'

To achieve this, he needed to focus not only on his activities as a hidden cult leader but also on his public activities.

Charles recalled the background of Charles Hexen. Charles Hexen, a bastard of the Hexen family, one of the great families of Metropolis, and the leader of the Unknown Sect in the secret world.

Moreover, Charles is a professor at Mistweaver University, a part-time lecturer specializing in ancient Hermes language.

A 25-year-old young professor. Even as a bastard, he would inherit a large fortune when the head of the Hexen family dies. Recalling this incredible background, Charles felt a renewed sense of self.

In reality, his training? His family was always poor, and he couldn't afford to go to college. He rushed to get a job right after graduation and supported his family until his financial situation improved.

Thinking about this, Charles realized he was born with a silver spoon.

'Thinking about it, I possessed a remarkable human body.'

Thinking about it, he fell into a deep sleep. A few hours after Charles fell asleep, the door opened by itself.

Creak.

The sound was heard, but Charles was deeply asleep. Flona approached him slowly.

She brought her face close. She quietly looked down at Charles, who was so close that she could feel his breath.

'These days, my impulses are getting stronger.'

This was even more so after Charles woke up. Flona remembered that snowy day.

It was an unusually cold autumn. The prostitute who had raised her since childhood died. She had been coughing for a while and was told by a quack doctor that she had tuberculosis.

The medicine from the quack doctor was useless, and she died in a cold and desolate place. Flona didn't want to blame anyone. Perhaps she had no feelings at all.

Even when Lune died, the nail embedded in the cold and desolate corner of the girl's heart could not produce any emotion. After the weak ripple, she was driven out onto the streets, forced by the cold and harsh reality of what to do now.

With Lune dead, the brothel owner no longer kept Flona. She was too young and seemed too expressionless and emotionless to be useful.

The brothel owner called Flona the devil's child and drove her away.

Should she beg? Was there any meaning in living like that? The young Flona just squatted and accepted death.

One day she survived. The next day she died. On the first snowy day, Flona met a boy.

"Isn't it a waste to give up like this?"

The one who took the exhausted and collapsed Flona was Charles. Flona, who had completely closed her heart, was drawn to the strange magic of the rich young master who devotedly took care of her.

"You have spirituality."

"Spirituality?"

"The power of the mind."

"What can you do with spirituality?"

"Maybe even conquer the world?"

Seeing the childlike talk of the young boy with an indifferent expression, Flona felt that the man in front of her was serious. He was genuinely having such a delusional dream.

To Flona, who found no meaning in living or dying, Charles' delusion was absurd and therefore even more dazzling. Charles was like a burning sun. The sun in the sky that no longer froze.

After that day, Flona had something to obsess over for the first time. After accepting Charles' 'contract ritual' and becoming his first disciple, Flona's obsession grew even stronger.

Everyone wants to own the sun. If it seems close enough to possess.

A strange impulse arose from the lips that lightly touched Charles' lips. She wanted to take those lips and make them hers.

If she did that, she would never hear Charles' voice again. That's why Flona could still control her impulses.

And Paganalerek was watching the scene with her arms crossed, finding it amusing.

- This is getting interesting.

* * *

The next day, Charles got out of bed. It was a refreshing morning. Opening the window, he looked down at the Western-style mansion with a garden.

This was the inheritance he received after his mother's tragic and bizarre death.

'But why do my lips feel moist? Is it just my imagination?'

- Hehehe. It must have been good.

- Huh? What are you talking about?

- You should be careful. You might soon have responsibilities without pleasure.

- What the hell are you talking about?

Knock knock.

"Master. It's time for breakfast."

"Bring it in."

The conversation with Paganalerek ended. A well-dressed white butler entered. His name was Jacek, a large man with a stubby beard who had worked in Charles' house since his mother was alive.

From the fact that he brought the meal himself today, it seemed he had something to say. The Western custom of eating in bed was initially hard to adapt to, but now he actually liked it.

"Here is the financial statement for the vineyard this quarter."

"Hmm. Put it down next to me. Is there anything else happening at the mansion?"

"No. There are no particular issues with the vineyard or the mansion, but a letter has come from the main house."

"..."

A letter from the Hexen family. Charles took the letter from Jacek and opened it. It said that the head of the family's wife's birthday was coming up and he should visit. What could the head of the family's wife have to say to a bastard? This was just an annual event to torment him.

"Hmm. Ignore this letter."

There's nothing to do there. The Hexen family's affairs were not part of Charles' current plans. What was important now was to get stronger. For that, he needed to search the warehouse.

He planned to feed Paganalerek a talent to learn a spell. There should be at least one talent left in the warehouse somewhere.

He tore the letter and threw it into the fireplace, finishing his breakfast.

Today's schedule is quite full. He had been on sick leave for a long time, so he had meetings with the Dean and the Exploration Department Head. He needed to set his lecture schedule and regain his influence.

But before that, he went to the study. He woke up early because there was something to resolve before today's schedule. Last night, Charles had looked around the house before going to bed.

Although it was someone else's house, he could move around as if it were his own because he had already played through it. He knew there was a secret space under the study.

- Hey, Pagan. Can I choose which spell to give and which talent to use?

- Hmm. Your name is getting shorter.

- Shut up.

- Ugh. You can't choose what you want by trading talents with me. It comes out randomly.

- But if I acquire a spell separately, can I write it in your pages?

- Hmph. Sure.

Paganalerek pouted and crossed her arms, looking cute. Charles petted her head. Oh, and by the way, the hologram had a sense of touch.

'Anyway, even though I woke up as a spiritual form, Paganalerek's functions are the same as in the game.'

He pulled the door to the secret study below. The secret study was a place Charles used before he was possessed.

It was a Mage's workshop, equipped with systems for handling and ventilating chemicals, preventing mystical tracking, and sealing and managing items. Various necessary items were available.

He went to the warehouse first.

- The warehouse is empty.

- Hmm.

Although Paganalerek said it mockingly, there was nothing he could do. Charles had used the mystical items in the warehouse to trade with the otherworldly being, Hermes, to obtain the power of dominion.

'The coma before the game prologue was due to staying in the other world too long to trade with Hermes.'

Waking up from the coma was the current Charles. It was a complex feeling in many ways. What happened to the 'original' Charles, and why did Kim Yeonsu possess this Charles?

It was an unsolvable puzzle. But he didn't want to dwell on it for too long.

"Hmm."