Chapter 1473

<Paladin: Journey of Evil 1473>

[Paladin: Journey of Evil

Long ago, evil ran rampant.

It’s terrifying.

Evil tempts, deceives, and devours humans.

Humans fall into evil and become corrupt, while the world is being stained by evil.

A few forces of good try to protect this world.

It’s difficult.

This world has too much evil.

The demon lords who spread evil mock the forces of good.

But there is a light shining in this horrific world. She is the last remaining hope in this world. You are the light she sheds upon the world.

Destroy evil.

Punish the great demons.

Lift the world, which is falling into darkness, with light.

Quest Success Condition: Punish the Great Demons

Quest Success Reward: Manifestation

*There are penalties.]

Paladin was a game famous for its insane difficulty.

The map is filled with traps, and even a small mistake can get you killed by low-level mobs. The cruelty of boss monsters goes without saying.

However, it was a game where the high difficulty contributed to its popularity. Other aspects besides the difficulty, such as the story, graphics, and music, were all praised as perfect.

‘…What’s important to me now isn’t the gameplay of Paladin. It’s the quest reward, manifestation.’

[Manifestation

Summons and recreates your self from the ending world you desire.

The duration and ability recreation of manifestation varies according to total stat points.

Cost: 10,000 Points

*Caution

All applied penalties will also be recreated.]

‘That is, I can recreate the power of my self from the ending world?’

For example, it means that I could summon the emperor from the ‘Tyrant for You’ world and use his power.

‘The ability recreation varies according to total stat points… but if I have the emperor’s power, I might be able to kill those damn bastards and break through.’

There’s also an ending called ‘Kill the Gay King.’ In that world, I became an omnipotent god. Of course, I don’t think I can fully recreate my self from that world based on my current total stat points.

‘The price of manifestation is what I need to focus on. 10,000 points. It’s not a burdensome price for me right now. Since I can buy it again at the random shop once I get it… it would be better to obtain it now.’

I don’t know when I’ll be able to get it again if not now.

Random draw?

Even investing 100,000 points makes it more likely that it won’t come out.

‘I’m not in a position to be picky about this and that in my current situation… let’s do it.’

[Selecting the quest.]

[There are penalties.]

[Penalty stat adjustment.]

[Stats will be adjusted according to the avatar’s background.]

[Please select the avatar’s background.]

[A total of ten backgrounds can be selected.]

[1. Noble. 2. Monk. 3. Free Knight. 4. Paladin. 5. Merchant. 6. Beggar. 7. Leper. 8. Fortune Teller. 9. Slave. 10. Messenger]

‘Background, huh? Same as the start of the game.’

In Paladin, stats differ depending on the background. The content of the game doesn’t change much, but choices and NPC reactions are influenced by the background.

‘It can be said that selecting the background is akin to choosing a difficulty level. Backgrounds that receive stat bonuses are monks, free knights, paladins…’

Monks receive the best stats.


The world contains such things. Especially, the Monk starts with a weapon called “Monk’s Mace” which is pretty decent until mid-game.

“But it’s not all advantages.”

The Monk has quite a few restrictions. You can’t defy orders from the Church and you can’t recklessly attack NPCs.

“If those restrictions fully apply to this fantasy world… choosing the Monk could be the worst decision.”

That said, I wasn’t considering picking an origin with weak stats either. I didn’t choose this quest to enjoy the fantasy world; my goal is to clear it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Excluding the Monk… I need to choose between the Freelance Knight, Paladin, Noble, or Errand Boy.”

Among these, the most balanced and recommended for beginners is the Freelance Knight. The stats are solid, there aren’t many restrictions, and you don’t get disrespected by NPCs. Next would be the Noble and Paladin. They have solid stats and command respect from NPCs, but like Monks, they come with certain obligations. The Errand Boy has few restrictions but gets looked down upon by NPCs.

“I’ll go with the Paladin next to the Monk. It doesn’t have the Monk’s strict rules, and I can refuse unreasonable requests from the Church.”

[4. Choose Paladin.]

[Adjusting stats. All stats decrease. Absolute Spirit transforms into Divine Spirit.]

[Memories and experiences of the Paladin seep in.]

[Starting Fantasy.]

I was surrounded by darkness.

Conscious but unable to move, my body was submerged in darkness.

1 hour. 2 hours. 3 hours…

Time kept flowing.

The empty darkness felt like it was eating away at my mind.

Should I keep being trapped in this darkness? Until when? Would it be better to just die?

Just as I started fearing the darkness, light fell from Heaven. A warm golden light shone directly on me. The darkness disappeared, and my body moved again. I reached out toward the light, though naturally, I couldn’t grasp it.

“Eugene. My faithful servant.”

A holy voice echoed. I immediately knelt down where I was.

“Herrianne, Goddess of Light!”

“The end times are approaching. You shall become a beacon of light for this world.”

The light enveloped my body.

I bowed my head and humbly accepted my fate.

The great presence vanished.

Three paths appeared before me. I stood dumbfounded in front of them.

“…So this is the start of the game.”

As I absorbed the Paladin’s memories and experiences, I momentarily became confused. Regaining my composure, I surveyed the three paths.

Three paths. I had to choose one and proceed. At the end of each path lay different skills.

“Even though other skills will be available later… the beginning choices matter greatly.”

Walking the left path grants the skill “Perfect Body.” As the name suggests, it’s related to physical abilities. With Perfect Body, the early game difficulty becomes easier. However, in the late game, boss monsters are so strong that it loses significance.

The middle path offers “Dawn Wings.” Most people choose these wings because they drastically improve mobility. The right path provides “Holy Eye.” While it doesn’t help in combat, it allows you to distinguish humans disguised as demons and the corrupted. Unlike the other two skills, Holy Eye does not grow stronger.

I chose the right path.

“Having Holy Eye to identify demons means… there will be more enemies I can kill.”

In front of my eyes was a translucent notification window.

It was the interface from the original game.

[Name: Eugene


Origin: Paladin


Level: 1


Strength: 7 Agility: 5 Health: 5 Divine Power: 2


Skills: Holy Aura (Lv.1)]

The game system was being applied.

To level up and increase stats, experience points are needed. And the only way to gain experience points is by killing enemies.

“With Holy Eye, I’ll hunt them down and grow stronger.”


At the end of the path, a blue light was twinkling in the empty air. Without hesitation, I reached out toward the light.

[Master-level Holiness has been bestowed upon you.]

My eyes burned intensely.

“Ughhh!”

I writhed, covering my eyes with my left hand. The pain was overwhelming—so much so that for a moment, I regretted my choice. Gradually, the agony subsided.

-Go to the cathedral of Valentai. That child will guide you…

The voice of Goddess Herianne echoes.

And then I opened my eyes.

I bolted upright from the worn-out bed and slowly looked around.

The room was narrow and old, emitting a faint but noticeable stench. Next to the bed lay my sword and armor. For a moment, I stared blankly at the ceiling, recalling the memories of Sir Holiness and the original game.

I became a Paladin two years ago.

Sold into slavery, I was taken in by an Inquisitor at the age of five. The reason was simple—I had talent. After twenty years of training, I became a Paladin two years ago. Currently, I was stationed in a rural village called Golte, having received a mission.

My task was to hunt down and kill a demon lurking near the village.

‘Fate had me die fighting demons as a Paladin…’

But my fate has changed now.

I’ve received a revelation from Goddess Herianne and have become her Paladin. The Pope must have also received a divine message.

I got off the bed.

My mission was clear.

Kill demons and the corrupted, grow stronger. Once I reach my peak, I’ll take down the Great Demon. Thankfully, I know exactly where they are and what powers they wield.

As I reached for the armor next to the bed, I frowned.

‘What is this trash?’

Parts of the armor were dented, and it smelled awful. Just putting it on feels like I might catch a disease. Recalling its origin brought back memories.

‘This belonged to the senior Paladin who died during a ghoul ambush…’

In this world, wearing full plate armor makes you incredibly wealthy. But…

‘I don’t need to wear this garbage.’

I recalled the penalties of this world. My stats have dropped, and my mind has been altered. That’s all. However, I can still use weapons and armor from other worlds.

‘Stormbreaker.’

A grand weapon appeared before me.

I infused my will into Stormbreaker, which disassembled itself and attached to my body, forming armor.

I clenched my fist, looking at my gauntleted hand.

The power I feel is weak, and the durability of the armor doesn’t seem as strong as I imagined.

‘Can’t help it. Stormbreaker’s performance depends on the user’s strength.’

I’m much weaker here than I am in reality.

‘Fire Lotus Blade.’

The moment I grasped it—

Crackle!

Red lightning erupted.

My grip loosened, and Fire Lotus Blade clattered to the floor.

‘…Are you rejecting me? Why?’

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t figure it out. There are several possible reasons: One, because I’m a Paladin. Two, the repulsion between the divine force within me and the blade. Three, my sacred spirit.

‘Fine, if you hate me that much.’

I dismissed Fire Lotus Blade and picked up the Paladin’s sword instead. My inventory contains many excellent swords, including one imbued with demon-slaying power.

‘The Paladin’s sword isn’t bad either. It’s specially forged to kill demons.’

On the small bedside table sat a cheap mirror, but it reflected my image clearly.

There I was, clad in silver full-body armor, gripping a massive broadsword capable of cleaving a man in two with ease. Since I wasn’t wearing a helmet, my face was fully visible. As I gazed into the mirror, I activated Holiness.

Keiiiing!

Divine energy gathered in my eyes.

My dark pupils turned blue, and at their center, a cross with wings emerged.

I closed and reopened my eyes, returning them to their original dark hue.

‘It’s just like the original game.’

With the Paladin’s sword and a small bag in hand, I stepped out of the room.