Player-Hunting Inquisitors

Chapter 3

The Saint's inauguration ceremony was simpler than I had expected.

Some believers expressed dissatisfaction about this, but the Pope quelled their complaints by saying, "We can't waste the believers' donations on something like that, can we?"

Other believers asked for my opinion as well, but my thoughts were the same as the Pope's.

Besides, it's not ideal for someone doing the work of an Inquisitor to stand out too much.

After finishing the simple inauguration ceremony, I came to the academy for a professor interview.

Due to my status, the questions they asked were nothing special.

Asking theological questions to a Saint would seem odd, so they must have found it difficult to ask questions.

"What I will focus on in my lectures is divine power. For those with talent in divine power, I will help them nurture it. For those without, the purpose of my lectures is to give them an opportunity to feel what divine power is."

"Understood, Saint. We look forward to working with you as a professor at our academy."

All I had to say was an explanation of the lecture plan. Even that wasn't asked in detail.

Contrary to my worries, the interview ended in an instant.

After finishing the interview, I walked out of the academy.

As expected, the area around the academy was bustling.

Students who had taken the entrance exam were gathered in groups, chatting while waiting for the results.

Voices of students asking about vacant rooms at the dormitories were nonstop.

Although a few days had passed since the entrance exam ended, the excited atmosphere wouldn't settle until the results were announced.

I looked around a few places, but as expected, there were no vacant rooms.

I could feel the truth of the saying that finding accommodation near here before the results are announced is like plucking stars from the sky.

'For now, I guess I'll have to stay at the church. But since I can't impose on them forever, I should look for a place to contract immediately after the announcement.'

Unable to find accommodation, I decided to slowly look around the area.

I observed my surroundings slowly, comparing the family crest in my memory with the crests hanging on the mansions.

'Should I look a bit farther? Anyway, I have plenty of time.'

While heading to a place a bit farther from the academy, I heard a familiar word.

"...Status Window."

It was definitely the voice of an adventurer patrolling in front of the accommodation.

Pretending not to have heard anything, I walked past. Then, hiding myself, I returned to that spot.

I concealed myself in nearby bushes to avoid being noticed by the people around.

The adventurer was staring into the air, muttering to himself. His voice was inaudible due to the slight distance.

'Should I get a bit closer?'

Adjusting my position little by little to avoid making any sound, I approached him. As I settled into position and focused on listening to his words,

"Peek-a-boo."

Suddenly, a voice came from beside me, where no one was present. I quickly turned my head to the source of the voice, but there was nothing there.

There's only one person I know who can hide their presence so perfectly.

I looked into the air and greeted.

"It's been a while, Natasha."

"Still as sharp as ever."

It's Natasha, a member of the Apostles.

**

Natasha, a member of our cult's Apostles. Of course, nothing is visible right now, but I know her true appearance.

As a Dark Elf, her black skin is flawless, and her slender figure is envied by many women.

Her peculiar speech, which doesn't match her graceful appearance, is one of her characteristics.

"She must want to appear younger," Riel speculated.

But she couldn't bring herself to say that in front of Natasha.

Unless you're an Apostle like us, it's hard to see her true form.

This is due to her high-level concealment technique, which utilizes both her blessings and exceptional spirit magic.

"I've already finished the investigation."

We moved to a different location. If Natasha had already completed the investigation, there was nothing more I could gain from observing him.

After all, a player as defenseless as that couldn't have deceived the senses of a Dark Elf like her.

We entered a nearby café, secured a private room, and cast a spell to prevent sound from leaking out before starting our conversation.

Natasha said she discovered the player at a tavern last night.

"A habit of talking to himself. Thanks to that, I recognized him immediately."

Just like today, the player had summoned the Status Window aloud and muttered to himself while looking at it.

"The content he mentioned: status, quest, goddess."

"If that content is certain, then he must be a player."

The Status Window is a tool created by the goddess to manage players.

Those who possess it see a special window that only they can view.

Through the Status Window, players receive quests and act according to the goddess's will.

Therefore, once it's confirmed that he is a player, judgment must begin immediately.

However, to confirm someone as a player, at least three Inquisitors must agree.

This is a procedure to prevent the wrong person from being judged.

'Are there any Inquisitors staying around here? Should I wait until Riel arrives?'

While thinking of ways to find the third person, Natasha made an unexpected suggestion.

"You, Saint. If so, the two of us can judge him."

Indeed, the Saint's agreement is treated as the equivalent of two people. While it's not always possible, it can be done in emergencies.

"That is only allowed in emergencies. Right now, I'm just an ordinary Inquisitor."

"Don't you want revenge?"

"That's unfair."

Emotionally, I want to rush in right away.

It's only because of the title of Saint that I hesitate.

"Our god has told us not to be consumed by emotions."

"That doesn't mean not to seek revenge. It's a matter of interpretation."

The title of Saint is ultimately a designation for the sake of external perception.

I don't personally think of myself as a Saint.

That's why Natasha's words shook me greatly.

"Besides, once the announcement is over, the player is likely to leave this place. It's better to deal with him now."

Certainly, Natasha's words made sense.

Once the noble staying here leaves after the announcement, there will no longer be a need for protection.

When the escort mission ends, the player, presumed to be an adventurer, will leave to find another task.

Therefore, tracking him after the announcement will become difficult.

'Then it's better to handle it quickly, as Natasha said.'

"Understood. As a follower of our god, Katia, I grant permission."

Though a bit of vengeance was mixed in, the two of us alone were sufficient in strength.

It's also true that we don't have the luxury of waiting.

I decided to accept Natasha's proposal.

"This world is ours."

"Judgment upon the outsider."

**

Han Do-hyun was an ordinary high school student.

He went to school, attended cram school after classes, and spent boring weekends playing games in his room.

Until one day, he saw a strange game advertisement on his phone.

At first, he thought it was spam and tried to delete it, but on a whim, he clicked on the ad.

'Wow, the design is amazing. With characters like this, I should give it a try.'

When he clicked on the ad, his smartphone shone brightly.

When he came to his senses, there was a beautiful woman from the ad in front of him.

"Welcome, Hero."

He didn't remember what happened after that.

He was so mesmerized that he could only stare at her.

"Our continent needs talented individuals like you. You might lose your life, but can you help us?"

"Yes, of course."

'Wow, she's even more stunning than in the illustration... and she smells nice too...'

When he came to his senses, he found himself in an unfamiliar alley in a strange world.

Transferred to this world, he became an adventurer and diligently completed quests.

Just like the RPG games he used to enjoy, he freely roamed the world and built relationships with various people.

'An academy? So, this world has an academy too!'

One day, he learned about the academy.

When he found out that anyone could take the academy's entrance exam as long as they had the money, he gathered all his funds and headed to the academy without hesitation.

'Luckily, I got a guard job. Otherwise, I might have starved to death.'

However, he didn't know.

What role he played in the goddess's plan.

He didn't even dream that, to the goddess, he was nothing more than a disposable pawn, and that's why she didn't grant him good abilities.

Without properly understanding his own level, Han Do-hyun recklessly wrote his application for admission.

"It doesn't matter if I fail the theory part! I'll make up for it in the practical exam!"

He had no way of knowing the theory.

"It's okay! There's always a chance to make up for it at the end!"

The practical exam wasn't special either.

"No problem, even if I start at the bottom, I can still build a harem!"

Even his interview was clumsy.

Naturally, he scored terribly, but he never doubted he would pass.

And so, he was abandoned by the goddess.

Those who stray from the light are destined to be swallowed by darkness.

The ones who would judge him were approaching.