Level 0 Master

"An epidemic? Speak up!"

The peaceful atmosphere disappeared. Sungjin's eyes sharpened.

"The Padral region and neighboring areas are beginning to show signs of an epidemic. The signs are…"

Sungjin's expression turned darker.

The region bordering the Holy Nation Rupellion.

Was it a coincidence or intentional? Saving lives was the priority; he would have to worry about investigating a possible conspiracy later.

"Ereka, are there public medical fields established at Padral?"

"Yes, it's the furthest region from the lands we have amassed."

"Heroes are immune from normal epidemics, right?"

"Yes, if it's not a strong curse, they should be fine."

"Count, did you find the medicine?"

"That…"

"That?"

"It's not a normal epidemic."

"In what way?"

"An aura of a curse is mixed within. It seems someone intentionally created this illness."

"Any guess who that might be?"

The Count hesitated several times before replying.

"Rupellion. This aura… only that nation deals with it."

"Rupellion…a few days ago, there was a report that something in the direction of Rupellion had exuded a strong magic aura akin to the level of a ritual."

"You're right," Eustasia confirmed beside him.

"Would you be able to compare the aura found in the epidemic to the one previously expelled?"

"I'll try."

The answer came back a moment later:

"They're the same."

"As expected."

Sungjin tightened his fist. They would probably deny accusations, but this evidence was proof.

This was not the first time Rupellion had been involved with something like this. The country believed their god, Angramainyu, was the only true god. Therefore, they believed their experiments on human bodies after releasing epidemic curses was justified. They were the only country that conducted these experiments.

Those Rupellion bastards.

He was thinking of proclaiming war on them after they were properly prepared. His goal was to become an Arc Master anyway. On top of that, he did not want to abandon Rupellion, a country clinging to a mad god.

But to think they made the first move.

Damn it. If you want to start a fight, do it properly, bastards.

Innocent people were being held hostage, and Sungjin's anger seethed even more intensely. He made up his mind that he would pay them back dearly.

"There's no medicine at all?"

"I apologize. We have been testing all kinds of medicine and searching for the counter curse; so far, nothing has worked."

"There is no way to heal…"

Sungjin went into deep thought before speaking further.

"Fine. For now, let's prevent the epidemic from spreading by quarantining the region. After the sequestration, divide the people into those suspected of infection and those who are healthy, and then call in the healers, especially the support class heroes; gather everyone with healing abilities. Make sure boiled water is used…"

Sungjin's didn't have a lot of medical knowledge. On Earth, he was nothing but a gamer. He had studied several diseases to deepen his knowledge of different strategies but that was about it. But by using basic knowledge of medicine from Earth, they may be able to lessen the impact of the epidemic; Sungjin could consider this a defensive move.

I should think of this as a siege.

He could better visualize his strategy if he thought of this as a healing game against illness. He would have limited materials, a limited workforce, and would be efficient with what he had in pulling out the hidden enemies.

Under his orders, the national organizations moved quickly. The girls gave up the seashore and swore on going the following year.

The heroes complained behind Sungjin's back about having to move for the extras, but they knew they could not go against his orders.

***

During all of this, a prayer meeting was held at the Holy Nation Rupellion's Fifth City District, Charlka.

A brilliant bell resounded in the heavens. Pure ladies threw flowers from their baskets. The clear sun blessed the holy day. The praising voices of the children's choir was immaculate. The solemn and regal atmosphere was so perfect people wondered if it was reality or fantasy.

A man wearing a white clerical collar walked down the velvet road. His collar was spotless and had golden embedments and a majestic appearance when observed closely. Every step he took spread the scent of flowers. He was one of the ruling fourth generation of priests, the great priest of white, Azika.

The other fourth generation priests, having already arrived, greeted him. They included the great priest of black, Pangnilin, the great priest of blue, Dahama, and the great priest of scarlet, Nerth.

Each priest had the highest artifact, and they were all level seven, experienced warriors. Each were in charge of a diocese the same size as the land Sungjin had conquered. It could be said that their powers were the greatest under the skies and above the people. Everyone in the nation bowed down before their strength.

"Welcome. Let us begin."

"Let my insufficient body serve this meeting."

Azika, the priest of white shouted, "Listen. Humans!" Without using a magical device, his voice spread to all corners. It was a power granted by their god to spread the word of his religion.

"In the beginning, humans were created by our only god, Angramainyu, to serve as his weapon. But humans, seduced by false gods, forget they are servants, which is why they should die! Do you not throw away your tools when they do not serve their purpose?!"

The Holy Nation Rupellion had a unique religion. They believed that the true god, Angramainyu, had made all humans, and all others would disappear on the day of judgment. Their core belief was that at the last ultimate battle, Angramainyu would win; those who had stood on the right side would survive while all others perished.

"But as our god is benevolent, he will give you all a chance to redeem yourselves."

Humans, originally bound for hell, can be saved. That was the true teaching of the Holy Nation Rupellion. And the method was to…

"To live in servitude towards the true god; this is the only way you can return to your original purpose."

Going against the gods was a human's most abominable sin. They were granted life to serve the true god as tools.

"If you do this, you will enter the true god's garden in your afterlife, where paradise offers you three harvests a year. It is a place where you can serve your god and never fear starvation."

A current Earthian might question whether it was truly a paradise, but to the people of Rupellion, it was a true utopia.

"You must all grovel. You must beg our god, and kneel before me, the prophet of god! Do you serve?"

"Inshangra!" the masses replied in unison, meaning 'god willing' in Rupellion.

"Inshangra!" the priests replied in unison. Even the heroes kneeled before the great priests.

"Now, I will show you what happens to a believer and the punishment that befalls a non-believer. Drag them here!"

With the white priest's words, part of the arena opened. The judges, wearing iron masks, dragged the sinners in on iron frames. The white priest stood before the first sinner.

The sinner could not move; his arm and leg bones were shattered; he was lying down on the iron frame breathing heavily. Between the ripped skin, blood congealed and flies swarmed about.

"What sins do these people have?"

"They were late to the holy weekend meeting."

"Ooh. Surely they were late to the holy prayer because they attended the night's meeting of the witches!"

The judges reported one by one.

"Yes, this person offered the egg born of morning and not dusk as his sacrifice."

"Ohh. It is heresy to not have offered the best!"

"Yes, this person fell moving bricks while constructing the new temple."

"Dropping a brick to build the holy temple on Earth…you must have been ordered by the devil!"

"Yes, this person…"

Infuriated, the great priest stomped his foot, and the ground shook.

"Unforgivable sins! Execute them all!"

The sinners lost hope. If even tardiness was unacceptable, no other sins would be forgiven. Although they differed in powers and preferences, the four priests had a common temper towards those who did not serve. There was no way anyone could be forgiven.

"Yes."

The judges ignited the fire in unison.

Shaa.

Suddenly, it began to rain. It was a bright day, but the rainfall doused the fires.

"Who dares…"

The great priests, incensed that something had interfered with the judgment, stooped down at once. The strongest people suddenly kneeled.

"We greet the blessed one amongst all humans."

They pressed themselves to the ground as if they had never reigned before.

The person who walked amidst them was a young man with a healthy body. He was dressed in no more than a worn toga, but his face was handsome and shook the hearts of all women. He had golden hair that cascaded to his chest and enhanced his beauty. His eyes were closed, but his walk was steady, radiating a mystique about him. For symbolic purpose, he carried a cane. His whole body had a power that overflowed.

He was the core of Rupellion. The one who lived and died by god's will. The one who helped god's mission with humbleness and humility, despite his position. He was the High Priest Pedrian. He was a consolidated duopoly with Eldorado, and was one of the two mountains Sungjin had to overcome on his path to becoming an Arc Master.

It was said that his youthful features were proof of god's blessing after his appearance 100 years ago as god's messenger.

"Stand."

At his gentle word, the priests stood.

"Did the prayer meeting end?"

"Yes, your Excellency. We were about to educate them using the sinners as an example."

The priests stood up but were clasping their hands together and bowing showing their utmost respect.

"Yes, I have heard their sins. But you see…"

He clucked his tongue.

"Why do you punish them? You all lack love. Love."

"We apologize."

The great priests bowed lower.

"Punishing these sinners shows your undying faithfulness towards our god. However, the deeper the sin the more we must forgive them with love."

The dying sinner found hope in these words.

Ahh, yes…the high priest speaks of love.

His sin was that he had been tired and slept in. He was usually punctual but had stayed up the night before with his lover. Tardiness was usually not a big deal but some bastard had reported it, which made it a big deal.

He thought surely a sin so small and unintentional would be forgiven.

"Their sins are so deeply embedded, if you kill them mercilessly how will they ever learn? Not only that…" The high priest pointed towards the masses.

"Those pitiful lambs will watch this light sentence and think these sins are mild not severe."

"We apologize."

"Do you understand? We must show endless love toward the pitiful masses. We must show them what occurs in the depths of hell, with love, so they will fear and beg forgiveness."

"Your servants were lacking."

"It's okay. Do better from now on; let me see you try." The high priest smiled benevolently as he sat down.

"Yes."

The priest of white, Azika's fingers touched the sinner's body. A mythical power shone and the wounds across his body healed at once: his broken bones reconnected, replacing congealed blood was new skin.

God's powers lay not only in punishment but also forgiveness.

To revive a person that was on death's doorstep with one touch was the power of the white priest.