The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 437: End Game (2)

“Debt you say... Right, there definitely was one.”

Previously, CEO Marco had asked him to stop consuming Demon Realm content, and the young man before him had kept that promise. He hadn’t killed any archdukes since then.

“However, if it’s about transferring my authority, I’d need to report to the CEO.”

“That’s no problem.”

At Han Jung-Woo’s confident response, Dr. Jim said, “That’s good to hear. So, what is it you want?”

“A proposal for cooperation, and an exchange of information.”

“Go on, I’m listening.”

“You probably already know I took down Atroc and the Legion of Darkness.”

Dr. Jim nodded. “I’ve been briefed. It’s an incredible feat. Oh, I don’t mean that sarcastically. I really think it’s amazing.”

“Really?”

“You’ve pulled the game’s timeline forward by several years. That’s something not even our super A.I., Rammus, could’ve predicted. You deserve to be proud.”

“In that case... Thank you. Anyway, in terms of cooperation, I’d like just a little help in dealing with Muldine.”

“Hm. Help, you say... We can’t interfere too much with game balance.”

“That’s why I said, just a little help.”

What kind of request was this going to be? Even with all his experience, Dr. Jim couldn’t read Han Jung-Woo’s thoughts.

“Go ahead, lay it out.”

“The players.”

Dr. Jim tilted his head at Jung-Woo’s words.

“The players...?”

“Yes. Do you remember the Invasion Event held a while back?”

“Of course. I was the one overseeing it.”

“Then let’s do something similar again. But this time... let’s target the Church of Muldine.”

“Hmm...”

Dr. Jim crossed his arms and closed his eyes, and his eyebrows twitched now and then. It was a habit of his when deep in thought.

“But the players aren’t strong enough to go up against Muldine’s elites...”

“It won’t be just the players.” Han Jung-Woo staked everything on this battle. “Elves, dwarves, merfolk, birdfolk, even dragons will side with the players this time.”

“Hmm. Then most players aside from a few elites...”

“They’re there to fill the numbers.”

The Legion of Darkness and Atroc were gone. The strongest force of the Church of Muldine had vanished, and their morale was already plummeting.

If we pressure them with overwhelming numbers, their morale will drop even further.

Besides, if it’s an event, weren’t players the type to risk their lives for it?

Dr. Jim did some mental calculations, then let out a short laugh. “Very well. And the information?”

“As you know, my character has reached the rank of a Transcendent.”

“Mhmm.”

“But I haven’t managed to create a holy relic yet. I feel like that’s the only way I can take on Muldine...”

Even Patrick, who had once wounded Muldine, had used the power of a holy sword.

So theoretically, I should be able to harm Muldeen just like Patrick did.

However, hundreds of years had passed since then. Muldine wasn’t foolish, so by now he would have prepared for a holy sword.

I need a new power.

A power capable of shifting the tide.

“A holy relic, huh.” Stroking his gray beard, Dr. Jim said, “To be honest, I don’t know why you still haven’t been able to make one. The condition to create a relic is simple. If your desire is strong enough, your conviction will respond with a relic that matches it. However... your conviction is rather unique, isn’t it?”

“You know about it?”

“We’ve been monitoring your gameplay around the clock. I know you’ve obtained the conviction of freedom.”

“Then is it because I haven’t wanted something strongly enough?”

“Well, that’s an answer only you can know.”

As Dr. Jim finished speaking, Han Jung-Woo fell into deep thought.

After about ten minutes, he slowly said, “Phew... It’s not easy.”

“There’s still time, so take it slow.”

“My heart’s just been restless.”

He knew he had to let go of impatience in times like this, but the human heart couldn’t be controlled like a machine.

“Come to think of it, what brings you here, Doctor?”

“You sure took your time asking.” Dr. Jim let out a laugh and brought up his purpose, “Mr. Han. I came to offer you a business partnership.”

“A business partnership...?”

“Yes. As you know, the game’s balance is no longer in a good state.”

Han Jung-Woo knew better than anyone why that was. “It’s because of me.”

“Of course, I don’t mean to blame you. I know you’re not a cheat-abusing player.”

But that was something only those affiliated with Pegasus would know. To regular players, it was hard to understand Kai’s overwhelming strength even if he hadn’t used cheats.

“So what exactly is the business partner proposal?”

“To be honest, in this battle between you and Muldine... I placed my bet on you.”

“That’s unexpected. Aren’t you someone who values data? All the data must be pointing against me...”

“How many battles have you actually had the advantage in so far. Let’s set the data aside for now.” Dr. Jim’s voice was more serious than ever. “Besides, we don’t even have a choice. If you lose, and Muldine begins rampaging freely through the world... regular users won’t be able to handle that.”

“Are we talking service shutdown...?”

“If players can’t enjoy the game properly, they’ll leave. Then naturally, revenue drops, and in the end the company will have no choice but to shut down the servers and focus on the next project.”

“Hmm.”

In short, from Pegasus’s perspective, Kai absolutely had to win this battle.

“Let’s keep the matter of erasing your debt between you and me.”

Han Jung-Woo’s eyes widened at Dr. Jim’s goodwill.

“That debt... save it for later. Use it with the CEO when you really need it.”

“Are you sure...?”

“Well, I don’t hold a grudge or anything, but we have caused you some trouble over time. Ahem,” Dr. Jim turned his head with an embarrassed expression.

After a moment of thought, Han Jung-Woo suggested, “Then how about giving me your full support? Something like that magic conch I used before.”

“That won’t be possible. I’d like to help that much, but Rammus, who manages the game, won’t allow it.”

“You don’t have even that much of authority when you’re the developer?”

“Time changes people. Whether that change leads somewhere good or bad, no one can tell.”

Han Jung-Woo slightly agreed and listened closely to what he said.

“I couldn’t trust people. Not others, not even myself, because I had no idea how I might change in the future. That’s why, in the early phase of the game, I programmed strict rules into Rammus. An absolute process that can’t be undone, even by admin privileges.”

"Does that mean... even the developer can’t disrupt the balance of the game?” Han Jung-Woo questioned.

“That’s right, but that doesn’t mean we can’t intervene at all. Of course, we can get involved in small ways. Still, Rammus already sees your fight with Muldine as the one that will determine the game’s future, and it's not wrong. That’s why giving you any overpowered item would be troublesome.”

“Then would it be possible to host an event for the players?”

“That much is possible. When Rammus decides what to approve or deny, it puts a lot of weight on narrative consistency. And the idea that the Church of Muldine is evil has been planted steadily since the beginning of the game. So even if the timing feels a little sudden, the players won’t find the event strange.”

“I see...” Han Jung-Woo nodded and asked for more specifics. “But if I manage to defeat Muldine, what happens to this business partnership?”

At that question, Dr. Jim felt his throat tighten and took a sip of the sikhye in front of him.

Sweet drink.

Dr. Jim decided to ask the name of that surprisingly delicious beverage later, and slowly said, “If you succeed in defeating Muldine...”

A shocking proposal that could flip the future of Pegasus Corporation came from his mouth.

***

After telling Dr. Jim where to buy the sikhye, and sending him off, Kai immediately logged into the game. The clear sky he had seen before logging in was still clear. The only difference was that the clouds drifting across the sky looked a bit more barren.

“It’s not even autumn, so why...”

To shake off the sudden wave of sentimentality he said, “Title book.”

He immediately checked the title he had just acquired.

[Lion of Light]

Rank: Special

Description: A title given to the one who defeats Cardinal Atroc.

Effect: +10% Holy Power, +10% to all stats when fighting members of the Church of Muldine (This effect remains even when title is unequipped.)

“Oh?”

Perhaps the title’s effect was far better than he had expected, as he let out a gasp.

So taking down one of the Church of Muldine’s pillars earns you a title of this level, huh?

With a satisfied smile, he immediately checked his stats.

Strength: 4,387 Stamina: 4,212

Intelligence: 3,724 Agility: 2,682

Holiness: 6,195 Dignity: 2,554

Benevolence: 1,384

Remaining Stat Points: 110

His previous Holiness stat of 5,820 had increased to 6,195 thanks to the 375 points gained in Benevolence.

I can now maintain the state of Transcendence at all times.

That thought brought a sense of peace to his heart.

My Stamina surpassed 420,000... and the rest of my stats are all crazy as well.

Kai seriously contemplated where to invest the remaining stat points. After thinking for quite a while, his conclusion was, once again, Holiness.

To be honest, the biggest reason to invest in Holiness is because of Energy Shield.

Taking damage using Holiness instead of HP was the absurdly powerful effect of Energy Shield. In short, raising Holiness by one was much more efficient for tanking than raising HP by one at this point.

On top of that, increasing Holiness naturally boosts the Holy Sword’s attack power. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The sword’s attack power was fixed at 40% of the Holiness stat.

Currently, the Holy Sword’s attack is at 2,478.

But if he invested all 110 remaining stat points into Holiness...

Ding!

[Would you like to invest all 110 remaining stat points into Holiness?]

“Yes.”

[Holiness stat has increased by 440.]

[Holiness: 6,195 → 6,635]

[The senses of Transcendent become slightly sharper.]

That alone pushed the Holy Sword’s base damage to 2,654. Considering the 300% boost from the Swordsmanship of the Dawn, that meant most players could be sliced apart with just one or two regular attacks.

Kai quietly closed the stat window. Then he lifted his head and looked up toward the bright sky, toward the place where Muldine’s island would be.

“Muldine...”

He was Kai’s final prey.