Became the Weapon Monopolist of the Gods-Chapter 42: Purification (1)
A Hunter refers to an awakened individual who specializes in clearing gates.
Naturally, Hunters are specialized in dealing with the "monsters" that emerge from gates.
On the other hand, in "human combat," they often show weaknesses.
Hunting monsters, each of which has its own攻略 method, is completely different from dealing with humans.
Methods for dealing with humans, such as drugs, poison, sleeping pills, traps, and others, are limitless outside of direct combat.
"Russia" was one of the countries renowned for excelling in these areas.
The Russian government's radioactive tea was so famous that even people worldwide knew about it.
Because they used subtle and flawless methods, it was difficult to detect a failure, even if it occurred.
Russia always kept in mind the possibility of cutting ties if something went wrong.
This was also true for the Russian Orthodox Church.
However...
"The traces are too clear..."
The Hunter Association’s investigation chief tilted his head.
The corpses from the Orthodox Church revealed a sloppy connection to the Church.
Although they tried to hide it, it was clumsy.
By investigating phone records and traces, their identities were quickly revealed.
"Seems like Russia doesn't have many talented people lately. They’re using these sloppy guys too."
"Looks like the Russian Orthodox Church isn’t as intimidating as it used to be."
"Maybe we just got lucky."
"Haha! ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) That’s true."
The investigators cheered with bright faces, celebrating their success.
Despite how terrifying the Russian Orthodox Church was, this incident proved that the Korean Hunter Association wasn’t easy to deal with either.
However, questions remained.
"So, who killed them?"
"I don't know."
To find the killer of the Orthodox priests, the government’s affiliated agency called in expert profilers and a forensic team.
They also checked all nearby CCTV footage.
However, the culprit seemed to have vanished into thin air.
The scene of the crime, with not a single trace to be found, was something the investigation chief had never encountered before.
"It could have been a ghost."
"Maybe Jack the Ripper showed up."
While expressing their frustration, the investigators joked with each other.
"It might really have been Jack the Ripper."
"Excuse me?"
The one who spoke up was the elderly forensic team leader who was conducting the autopsies.
"Have you guys heard of the Crime Pub annihilation incident?"
"The Crime Pub? Isn’t that the 19th-century London gang? It suddenly disappeared and caused a stir, right?"
"That’s right. It’s the case where Jack the Ripper first appeared."
Although the British government officially recognized Jack the Ripper’s murders as five cases involving prostitutes, those who knew better were aware of something else.
Jack the Ripper’s murders didn’t begin with the prostitutes, but with the Crime Pub annihilation incident.
"It’s a famous cold case that’s been left in Conan’s case files."
"Why are you suddenly bringing that up...?"
"Well, the emotion I’m feeling right now is exactly the same as the one Conan felt in those files."
─There’s no evidence, no trace. The crime scene was chillingly clean. The only thing left was an old discarded pair of scissors...
The current crime scene resembled the Crime Pub annihilation incident from Conan Doyle’s case files with terrifying precision. Even the method of murder was similar.
It felt like Jack the Ripper had reappeared, transcending a hundred years of time.
"The forensic team leader... Jack the Ripper was from the 19th century, right?"
"I know. I just said it because the feeling is similar."
The forensic team leader chuckled.
It was absurd to think of a Victorian ghost at a 21st-century murder scene.
He wiped the image of the ghost that had appeared in his mind.
"It’s over now. Let’s wrap it up."
"Understood."
In the end, the deaths of the Orthodox priests remained an unsolved "cold case."
It was only reported by the media as a drug-related death.
With the frequent occurrence of gates, public sentiment was already low, and they couldn’t afford to stir up another unsolved murder case.
─Three days ago, eight Russians were found dead in a residential area near Yeoksam-dong, Seoul. The police are expanding the investigation, suspecting drug overdose as the cause of death.
"......"
Vanessa, watching the news on TV, turned her gaze away.
Choi Seo-jun was in the living room, working on his laptop, moving his fountain pen.
"Here you go."
"Ah, thank you."
As he sipped the coffee Jeanne made, Seo-jun continued his thoughts.
However, the fountain pen just stopped moving, unable to write properly.
He had heard about the artifact theft case, but there weren’t enough clues to make any deductions.
"Shall I go check it out?"
"I appreciate the offer, but it’s fine."
Seo-jun shook his head at Vanessa’s words.
"The other party is a mercenary group. Of course, it would be no problem for you, Vanessa, but you should be cautious."
Seo-jun turned down her offer while making sure to soften the rejection so as not to hurt her feelings.
"Nowadays, with tools like CCTV, even small disputes are easily caught. I’m sure you won’t get caught, but there’s always the chance, you know."
"I understand."
Vanessa smiled lightly at Seo-jun’s words of concern.
─The estimated time of death for the eight Russians was around 11 PM, three days ago...
She decided to keep her dealings with the Orthodox Church a secret from Seo-jun.
If he knew, he would definitely worry.
Vanessa didn’t want that to happen.
Some gates require a specific attribute to enter.
The Gonjiam Gate was one of those.
Only hunters with the light attribute could enter this special gate.
Although I didn’t possess the light attribute, I could still enter because Jeanne was with me.
The attributes of artifacts and famous figures included in the Transcendent's Connection applied to me as well.
"There are ghosts of dead patients wandering inside. It’s dangerous on the third floor or higher, so it’s best to avoid going up."
The bishop in charge of managing the Gonjiam Gate gave me a warning.
"Especially avoid room 406."
"What’s in room 406?"
"It’s the ghost of a high school girl who died in a medical accident. She’s a ‘malevolent spirit.’"
The bishop earnestly warned me not to enter room 406.
"I’ll have to go in."
Of course, to me, it sounded like an order to enter.
The higher the difficulty of the攻略, the higher the chance of getting a ‘slot’ as a reward.
I had confidence in this because I trusted Jeanne.
"The elevator is a no-go."
"I understand."
I needed to use the elevator.
Carefully considering the bishop’s advice, I entered the Gonjiam Gate.
[Entering Gonjiam Gate.]
A spooky hospital corridor unfolded.
─Kya-ha-ha...
Ghosts in white clothing flew down the hallway.
They were the undead I’d seen at the Vatican, ‘Specters.’
The difference was they wore patient uniforms and had long black hair.
"I guess their appearance differs by country."
I summoned Jeanne and Vanessa.
"This must be the Gonjiam Gate."
"Yes, we need to go up to the fourth floor."
Jeanne quietly clasped her hands.
Whoosh.
─Kyaaak!
The Specters, who were flying down the hallway, suddenly ascended into the air as their stigmas glowed.
There was no need for a flag.
‘...Somehow, it feels like I'm getting stronger.’
The corridor was cleaned up instantly, and I clicked my tongue as I continued my walk.
At the end of the hallway, the elevator the bishop had mentioned stood with its doors wide open.
"Let’s go."
Once inside the elevator, the doors closed and it began moving upwards.
Ding─
[4th Floor]
The elevator stopped precisely on the fourth floor.
‘So that’s why they told me not to take it.’
As the floors increased in number, the danger grew, so they suggested using the stairs. The elevator sent me straight to the fourth floor.
"Grrr..."
As soon as the elevator doors opened, a zombie’s decayed arm reached in.
Screech─
Suddenly, the zombie’s arm was cleanly severed.
"Grrr..."
The hallway beyond the open elevator doors was filled with zombies.
"Unkong, could you step back for a moment?"
"Sure."
In Vanessa’s hand was a golden scissor.
It was Vanessa’s scissors that had just cut off the zombie's arm.
Whoosh!
The magic from the light of sainthood dispersed the magic of the zombie horde.
At the same time, Vanessa dashed forward.
What followed was like an action movie.
Whoosh─!
Vanessa dodged a kitchen knife swung by a zombie, ducked down, and slashed it horizontally with her scissors.
Screech─
The zombie’s head fell off.
The next zombie, swinging a baseball bat, was jumped over by Vanessa, who kicked its head with her foot.
Crack─!
In an instant, a fire hydrant flew in.
Vanessa spun like a top to avoid it.
Golf clubs, emergency carts, syringes... all sorts of weapons flew at her, but none of them posed a threat.
Climbing walls, blocking, dodging, swinging, stabbing...
Her movements were like something possessed.
Screech─ Screech─ Screech─ Screech─
Endless scissors cuts followed.
Every time the scissors clicked, the zombies fell apart without a chance.
Thud.
With the last zombie crumbling, silence fell over the hallway.
"It’s done."
"Well done."
I walked down the now quiet hallway and opened the door to room 406.
On the hospital bed lay a frail ghost clutching a doll, muttering in a terrified voice.
─I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die...
"Jeanne."
"Yes."
Flicker, flicker.
[You have cleared the Gonjiam Gate.]
[Clear rating: SSS]
With the gate cleared, only three gates remained for the slot rewards.
After clearing the gate, I looked at the doll in Jeanne’s hand, tilting my head.
It was the same doll that the ghost in room 406 had clutched.
"Why did you bring that with you?"
"Well, Seo-jun, you're working hard to make money, so I thought I should help out. I thought I might be able to contribute, so I brought it."
It feels like I’m the one doing nothing...
But...
"Help?"
"Yes."
In that instant.
Whoosh.
Jeanne’s divine power entered the doll and vanished.
"Check it."
"What’s different...?"
Tilting my head, I took the doll from Jeanne, and then my words trailed off.
My eyes widened at the doll.
"...Huh?"
It was unbelievably clean.
Without even a speck of dirt.
I wasn’t talking about cleanliness.
It meant the "impure mana" that had been covering the doll was gone.
‘Was this possible?’
Among the things monsters use, there are artifact-grade magical tools that wield immense power.
But those are all discarded or abandoned because they are either worthless or cursed.
Things that monsters have used for a long time get ‘contaminated.’
─Mana contamination.
However, there was no trace of contamination on the doll Jeanne handed me.
I only felt pure mana, with no impurities at all.
Could this be... 'purification'?
Jeanne cautiously asked.
"Do you think this will be worth something?"
"Of course, this is a jackpot."
I held Jeanne's hand and smiled.
"Jeanne, you’re the best."
A bright smile bloomed on Jeanne’s face, which had been anxious just moments ago.
