I Became an Illegal Cheat User

92 – Help Call (2)

Crisp.

Indeed, the taste of the golden apple eaten atop the castle walls is a delicacy.

I marveled at the flavor of the apple, one I could never tire of, as I gazed at the castle walls standing before the Amnok River.

“Hmm, it’s peaceful today as well.”

Golems patrolled beneath the walls, while hundreds of drones flitted above them.

Under Terra’s command, they were diligently on guard, checking for any breaches in the walls or signs of corruption.

As I finished my apple, I tossed the core into my inventory and pulled out a new one.

Crunch! I took a big bite and looked down at the walls.

Whoosh, whoosh!

On the scarred earth, craters dotted the landscape, and I could see Noah scattering holy flames like holy water, flinging them about with fervor.

Noah was doing this because the ashes left behind by the corrupted taint the land.

So, unless the ground was already dead, when a corrupted being was dispatched, purified mana, holy water, and the priest’s divine power would be sprinkled over it as part of the cleansing process.

“Even though it was swept away by the holy bomb, there are still plenty of ashes left.”

Between the craters, faint wisps of magic rose from the accumulated ashes.

“Hang in there today, Noah.”

I murmured softly and sent a golden apple in front of Noah. He caught it as it appeared in the air, looking around as if it were second nature.

Then, spotting me atop the walls, he smiled brightly and bowed his head.

I waved at Noah, crunching on my apple as I turned my gaze elsewhere. That’s when I caught sight of Arthur, practicing with a sword that shimmered with golden energy, its blade undulating like a wave.

I paused.

Arthur’s hand, which had been poised to strike down, suddenly froze in place.

At the same moment, he turned his body and directed his gaze precisely at me.

With a fresh smile, Arthur waved his hand lightly.

I waved back, sending him a special potion made from the academy’s essence and golden apples.

Just like Noah before, Arthur caught the glass bottle that appeared in the air with familiarity and blew me a kiss.

Then, opening the cap of the juice, he gulped it down refreshingly before stowing it away in his spatial item, resuming his training that had momentarily halted.

Watching Arthur, I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

[(⩌ _ ⩌)]

A message from Terra popped up, seemingly displeased.

‘What’s with that expression?’

I asked, as if to say there was no problem.

[It seems that after one confession, the yellow fox has lost control.]

She pointed out Arthur’s display of affection.

‘Well… that’s true.’

Since Arthur’s confession three days ago, she had stopped disguising herself as a man. And she no longer hid her affection for me.

Sending a hand kiss like just now is a given.

She often sticks close, or intertwines her fingers like Lee Seoyeon.

Moreover, when it’s time to eat, she always sits next to me, and if I suggest a walk, she follows me under the pretext of keeping watch.

Every time, the look on Remilia’s face as she observes me and Asher is one of pure delight, as if she’s watching a fresh couple.

But Noah, who knows that Lee Seoyeon and Asher have a keen interest in me…

“Yoo Jin-nim, the trial of the female disaster must be overcome on your own. So… please, stay strong.”

…offered me encouragement while looking at me with a pitying, sympathetic gaze, gently patting my shoulder.

Recalling that moment, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“Hah.”

I exhaled, unable to hold back my breath.

And just as I was about to weakly bite into my apple…

“Brother, you seem to lack strength.”

Remilia appeared, bathed in light.

“Ah… Remilia, have you finished the memorial prayer?”

“Yes, thanks to you, I was able to conduct the memorial comfortably. Thank you so much, Brother.”

The three who had come here at Kali’s command.

However, they were perplexed by the golems and drones that kept watch around the clock.

They couldn’t figure out what to do, knowing that the vigilance was already effective and efficient without their involvement.

So I told them they could rest or do whatever they wanted. Then, just as they had done today, each of them acted accordingly.

Noah purified the tainted land, corrupted by the ashes of the fallen.

Asher trained to become stronger.

And Remilia, wishing to comfort the spirits who sacrificed themselves to protect this place, dedicated all her time to the memorial prayer, except for meal times.

“No, it’s I who should be grateful. Thank you so much for comforting the spirits who sacrificed themselves for the Korean Peninsula.”

“…Brother, you are truly humble.”

Remilia said, her voice filled with admiration.

Seeing her like that, I awkwardly smiled and took out the elixir juice I had given to Asher. I offered it to her, knowing her throat must be dry from the prayers.

“And so kind as well…”

Receiving the elixir juice, Remilia blushed from the continuous emotions and stared at me intently.

Then, she opened the cap of the elixir juice while gazing far off at the Yalu River. Sipping the golden liquid, she said,

“I think you are truly remarkable, Brother.”

What? All of a sudden?

I was taken aback by Remilia’s sudden praise as I bit into my apple.

“Right now, your standing feels like upper-middle. Yet, you single-handedly exterminated hundreds of thousands of fallen ones and held off the Named until the Commander arrived, didn’t you?”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

Since it was a fact and not a lie, I nodded in agreement. Remilia then smiled softly and continued.

“That’s why I say you’re remarkable. But what’s even more remarkable is—”

As she spoke, Remilia placed her hand on the battlements of the fortress.

“These sturdy walls.”

She took a sip of her juice.

“And the fact that such precious elixirs are offered without any cost.”

Turning from the walls overlooking the Amnok River, Remilia looked at me.

Then, she pulled a luxurious bottle from the rosary hanging around her neck, an item from the pocket dimension. She then extended the empty bottle towards me.

“I, Cardinal Remilia, deeply thank you for your courage and kindness.”

She bowed her head slightly, expressing her gratitude.

I felt a mix of embarrassment and surprise at Remilia’s actions, but I opened my inventory, put the apple I had been eating away, and accepted the bottles she offered.

As I discreetly examined the shimmering silver liquid in the bottle, I noticed:

────────────────────

【Remilia’s Special Holy Water (A)】

Holy water imbued with Cardinal Remilia’s divine power.

Enhances the user’s resistance to magic and divine energy.

– Upon consumption, increases divine energy by +10.

– Upon consumption, grants the special ability, ‘Magic Resistance.’

– Upon consumption, grants the special ability, ‘Divine Resistance.’

– When thrown, deals damage limited to evil.

(If possessing ‘Magic and Divine Resistance,’ the values increase)

────────────────────

‘Oh, holy water!’

And not just any holy water, but Remilia’s special holy water.

‘As expected of the Cardinal. She gives me something better than the finest holy water sold on the market.’

Of course, I hadn’t been expecting this when she had been providing me with all-purpose cleansers, elixir juices, and essentials for three days.

Still, receiving such a reward made me feel very good.

I expressed my gratitude to Remilia and tucked the holy water into my inventory.

“Thank you so much, Remilia.”

“No, it is I who should be thanking you.”

As I thanked her, Remilia shook her head and expressed her gratitude in return.

&

After a brief exchange of thanks.

I descended the castle walls with Remilia and prepared for lunch. Once everything was ready.

“I will call the two of them.”

Due to the restrictions of the infinite item, Remilia, who had been standing quietly beside me, disappeared to summon Arthur and Noah.

In the meantime, I took out the holy water (replica) she had given me and poured it into my mouth.

Gulp.

“Surprisingly sweet, isn’t it?”

The liquid’s silvery color made it hard to imagine what it would taste like.

But upon tasting it, it had a flavor reminiscent of milk tea.

I savored the aroma lingering in my mouth and tossed the empty holy water bottle into my inventory.

Just as I was about to sit down, watching the three people entering through the castle walls that stood open like a gate.

Thud thud thud.

I felt the ground tremble. Then, I began to sense the magical energy of numerous people approaching from behind.

Turning around to check, I saw a large bus, seemingly capable of carrying 45 passengers, coming in a line.

“Oh, it’s the Guardian Guild?”

The silver shield emblazoned on the bus confirmed my thoughts.

As I suspected, the association had commissioned a large guild.

Honk honk!

The bus at the front honked its horn and came to a stop. Following it, the buses behind began to park one by one beside the halted bus.

And shortly after.

Whoosh.

The doors of all the buses opened, and people clad in gear marked with the Guardian Guild emblem poured out in a rush.

Then, the person who appeared to be the highest-ranking among them stepped forward and approached me.

“Hello, I am Park Kwang-sik, the team leader of the 3rd division of the Guardian Guild.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I am Lee Yoo-jin, an intern from the Mobile Team 4 of the Association.”

We shook hands.

“I’ve heard the reports. You single-handedly swept away all the invaders here.”

Park Kwang-sik spoke with a voice full of admiration as he released my hand.

At his words, I let out a nervous laugh, ha ha.

But that laughter was short-lived.

I cleared my throat and prepared to ask what guild had gone with the 5th and 13th extermination units when—

Gulp.

From somewhere, the sound of someone swallowing echoed.

I turned to look in the direction of the sound.

I could see the gazes of the guild members lined up behind Park Kwang-sik directed toward the food on the table.

And I noticed that Park Kwang-sik was also glancing at the food.

“…Ah.”

In that moment, our eyes met, and Park Kwang-sik’s face flushed slightly as he cleared his throat.

“I apologize. We only brought ration packs…”

He indicated that they hadn’t had a proper meal since arriving here.

And that a food truck would be coming with the technicians to set up the forward base.

“When is the food truck arriving?”

At my question, Park Kwang-sik pulled out his smartphone.

“…They say it will take about three days.”

Three days.

That’s not too long.

I nodded and opened my inventory wide.

&

Three days had passed since I provided meals for the Guardian Guild members.

“Come on, everyone, hurry up!”

“We need to set up the base quickly so we can rest comfortably inside!”

“Hey, you there! Do you want to sleep outside? Hurry, hurry, bring the materials!”

Clatter, clank, clank!

Loud noises echoed from all around.

The sounds of construction, tightening, and shouting.

As usual, I sat on the ramparts, perched on the railing.

This time, I sipped the milk tea-flavored holy water while looking down at the guild members who were busy strategizing.

I activated my skills, using my clairvoyance to observe the rapidly constructed outpost.

‘The watch is now in their hands.’

With that thought, I transferred the golems and drones that were on guard beneath the Amnok River into my inventory. And just as I deactivated my clairvoyance—

Ding.

An alert chimed from my smartwatch, indicating a new message.

I checked the message.

[Lee Yu-jin, return.]

It was clear that Kali had issued a return order.

&

A week had passed since I returned to the 9th Expeditionary Force with Arthur, Noah, and Remilia.

And now, I was in the 1st Expeditionary Force, or rather, at the Guardian Outpost, just as I had envisioned.

“Captain, all the leaders and vice-leaders of the expeditionary forces, as well as the heads of the Guardians, the Light of the Enemy, and the Milky Way have arrived.”

Kali had summoned everyone.

“Alright, understood.”

The reason for the gathering was, of course, to root out the corrupt cultists that had spread like cockroaches throughout the major institutions.

Vice-leader Gray reported, and Kali nodded, rising from her chair. At the same moment, all the members in the meeting room stood up in unison.

Following Kali, we headed toward the conference room.

With a bang.

As I opened the door to the conference room, I was met with a spacious auditorium-like area filled with seated individuals.

The leaders and vice-leaders of all expeditionary forces, except for the 1st, 5th, and 13th.

“Oh, Lee Yu-jin!”

It was the Guardian I had been taking care of for three days.

“Is that the Destroyer, Kali? She certainly carries an extraordinary presence.”

The Light of the Enemy, who was assigned to the 5th Expeditionary Force, remarked.

“I wonder why we were called. Do you know, Vice-Leader?”

“…No, I’m not sure either.”

And there sat the team leader and deputy leader of the 13th Strike Force, who had established a forward base.

Behind them, some members stood…

‘What’s going on? Why are Lee Seoyeon and Asuka here?’

Lee Seoyeon and Asuka, who should have been deep into their internship at Mirinae, were right here.

“Yoojin.”

“Hehe, Chief.”

With bright smiles, Lee Seoyeon and Asuka approached me.

I was about to ask them why they were here, but it felt more polite to greet them first, so I waved my hand lightly in welcome.

At that, Lee Seoyeon and Asuka each took one of my hands, their smiles widening. Just as they were about to cling to me, though…

“…?”

“What is that smell?”

Lee Seoyeon wrinkled her nose.

Asuka asked what smell she was talking about.

“Smell? What smell?”

I raised my arm to sniff my clothes.

But it was just the usual scent; nothing strange lingered.

“I don’t smell anything.”

As I said this, Lee Seoyeon and Asuka simultaneously leaned in closer, sniffing at me.

Then, with slightly darkened expressions, they looked at me and said,

“Whose is this?”

“This smell, what girl… no, which woman is it from?”

No, what are they talking about right now?

I glanced around, my face a mix of confusion. I noticed the people nearby were looking at us with slightly pale faces, backing away.

Just as I was about to tell Lee Seoyeon and Asuka that we would talk later…

“I will now explain the reason for your summons here.”

Kali, seated at the head of the table, began to speak in a serious tone.

“Let’s talk later.”

“Let’s talk later, Yoojin.”

“…Alright.”

Since Kali had started speaking, there was no room for commotion, and Lee Seoyeon and Asuka obediently stepped back.

Watching the two return to the place where the Milky Way resides, I let out a sigh of relief.

Then I turned my gaze to Carly, who was discussing the reason for the summons.

“As you all know, we are an unofficial unit of the association that specializes in eliminating the Fallen.”

With those words, she began to recount the recent invasion from the Continent of Death towards the Korean Peninsula.

She conveyed that the military had refused support, and that the 1st, 5th, and 13th extermination units had been decimated to the point of disbandment.

And then she explained the reason for gathering us here.

“I will root out the Fallen believers who have infiltrated not only the military but also key institutions.”

She spoke about the identification of the Fallen believers. The leaders of the guild exchanged uneasy glances with Carly.

“…We can overlook the military, but we cannot touch the newspapers, broadcasting stations, or the government.”

“We also want to uproot the source of corruption, but… there’s no justification.”

“That’s right, without justification, we can’t proceed.”

The leaders of Suho, Jeokgwang, and Milky Way expressed their inability to act.

Carly nodded as if she understood, saying, “True, there is no justification. But we must identify them.”

Otherwise, this country will meet its end in a few years, or even months.

“…….”

“Um….”

“Sigh.”

Suho fell silent.

Jeokgwang was lost in thought.

Milky Way let out a sigh.

‘Is it my turn to step in now?’

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Yoo-jin, do you have something to say?”

At Carly’s question, I nodded.

“Yes, I have something important to say.”

“Then go ahead.”

Having received permission to speak, I immediately operated my smartwatch.

And I dialed the ‘Principal.’

– Yes, Yoo-jin. The fact that you called means you want me to execute what we discussed last time, right?

“Yes, Principal.”

The voice that came from my smartwatch, along with my words, made everyone except Carly look at me with surprised expressions.

In response to their gazes, I smiled slyly and said,

“Please proceed.”

And a moment later.

[Breaking News][The God of War, Baek Yu-hwa’s Statement Released!]

A major event has occurred.