novelraw Chapter 51 : Saintess ‘Joanna Siondarc’
Chapter 51 : Saintess ‘Joanna Siondarc’
Chapter 51: Saintess ‘Joanna Siondarc’
The Holy Nation of New Vatican held immense influence and power in the current world.
Among its many divisions, there existed a special unit directly under the authority of the Archbishop — not a lower branch like the Priests of the Sun.
A unique group possessing the rights of ‘Judicial Authority’ and ‘Summary Execution,’ known as the ‘Scales of Steel.’
And—
The one who commanded them was that very woman.
Yohan’s eyes narrowed.
[Joanna Siondarc]
Occupation: Saintess (聖女)
Rank: 2nd Moon (月), 2nd Star (星)
Unique Ability: Night of the Catacombs
Strength: 11
Agility: 25
Mana: 35
Physical Defense: 60
Magical Defense: 80
Possessed Traits: [Fragment of the Sacred Flame] [Insight of the Heart]
Description: The only Saintess of the Church, ranking 10th within the New Vatican hierarchy. Usually benevolent and gentle in nature, but once divinity is blasphemed, she loses all sense of reason.
[Special Information: You may access this data by consuming one A-rank or higher item or one of your possessed skills.]
Alias — ‘Saintess of Judgment.’
A twisted psychopath who considered torturing and executing sinners to be her sacred duty.
‘It’s said that over a thousand people have been executed or crippled by her hand through “judgment.”’
And that was only the official count.
Unofficially, the number was believed to be far higher.
‘Well, the Church sure got their money’s worth backing her.’
Though her trait [Fragment of the Sacred Flame] was weaker than the Sacred Flame itself, it surpassed pure Divine Power. She also possessed [Insight of the Heart], which allowed her to discern the morality of her target.
Her base stats and specs were nothing to scoff at either.
‘Her Saint Rank is one level higher than Seo Changhee’s.’
Ahem.
To be fair, that was partially his own fault.
Seo Changhee should have monopolized all the hidden pieces and fortuitous encounters early on, but failing to do so slowed his progress.
Still, it was only a temporary deviation.
As the protagonist blessed with that absurd buff, he would soon display remarkable growth.
Lastly—
The special information.
It demanded an even higher price than Cain’s case.
It meant the Saintess’s rank — and the importance of her data — were on another level.
‘I’ll have to pass on this one for now.’
Uncovering the Saintess’s secret wasn’t the top priority at the moment.
Just then—
“Gyaaahhh!”
A man looting a store screamed at the top of his lungs.
His wrist had been severed cleanly — his reaction was only natural.
“W-what the….”
“A-are you insane?”
Both the citizens and even the police froze at the bloody scene.
The Saintess, however, didn’t even blink.
As if carrying out a sacred duty, her expression seemed to ask what could possibly be wrong with what she had done.
“Repent your sins and seek forgiveness. Come, I’ll help you. Let’s pray together, shall we?”
Her golden hair cascaded softly to her waist.
Her sapphire eyes and porcelain skin radiated a beauty and divinity beyond description.
Had this not been such a deranged situation, people might have followed her even if she were a cult leader.
“Ugh…! M-my arm! That crazy bitch cut off my arm! She cut it off!”
The man shouted curses at her.
“How tragic. To blaspheme the divine… you’ve only… committed an even greater sin.”
The Saintess bit her lip as if truly heartbroken.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
[Joanna Siondarc activates her unique ability — ‘Night of the Catacombs’!]
Pachutsuk—
A massive guillotine materialized.
A sharp, icy-blue blade glinted menacingly.
The execution device, soaked with the scent of countless prior judgments, reeked of blood.
“I shall deliver my verdict. The sin of insulting the Saintess—death. The sentence will be carried out immediately.”
She opened a thick lawbook.
“Waaaah! Stop! Stop it!”
The man was already bound beneath the guillotine.
He struggled violently, but the holy chains wouldn’t budge an inch.
A suffocating silence filled the air.
Drrrrrk…
…Slash!
The blade fell, slicing clean through his neck.
Thud. Roll….
It was surreal.
In a busy downtown area, not a dungeon—
Who could have imagined human life could be taken so lightly?
“Officer Park!”
“D-drop your weapon!”
The police reacted a moment too late.
“Damn it, these lunatic foreign Hunters….”
“Shit, it’s already begun.”
The Hunters belonging to Korean Guilds tightened their grips, faces tense.
Srrng!
Clank!
The Saintess’s knight order drew their weapons.
[Skill ‘Holy Sign’ activates!]
Woom—!
As divine power surged, white crosses — the symbol of the Vatican — flared into existence.
“Holy Sign…? Wait, stop! That woman—she’s a Saintess! Don’t touch her!”
“What? Damn, now that you mention it….”
At a Hunter’s shout, the others examined her closely.
They had been too focused on the guillotine to notice — but now they realized who they were dealing with.
‘Looks like it’s over.’
Yohan gave a bitter smile.
Now that her identity as a Saintess was revealed, there was nothing anyone could do.
There was a reason for that.
Twenty years ago, during the war with an unknown civilization that devoured Russia—
The Holy Nation of New Vatican had performed spectacularly.
They had saved over thirty million refugees and stopped the invaders from expanding further.
Even now, they served as the last bulwark holding back the Dark Continent.
As a result, the Church had risen to a position none dared to challenge. Using that foundation, it had expanded its power madly for the past twenty years.
That was what made them terrifying.
They never calculated the aftermath.
Anyone who interfered would face their fangs — mercilessly.
“The light that rises from the East will drive away the darkness of the West.”
The girl prayed, hands clasped tightly together.
Thus—
The Saintess entered the second episode.
＊＊＊
After that, all looting ceased.
At least in Daejeon Station, no one dared attempt such a thing anymore.
Hours passed.
[0H : 0M : 0S]
The time limit finally ran out.
A low-ranking administrator appeared in the air.
“Haha! Thank you all for waiting so patiently!”
He had small wings and a halo above his head.
The angelic-looking being introduced himself as ‘Perus.’
“Before we begin the second episode—let me first congratulate you! All of you in Daejeon are honored to participate in this glorious journey!”
Perus spread his arms wide.
As if expecting applause.
Naturally, there wasn’t a single response.
“My, my. You people really don’t understand how lucky you are to appear in such a masterpiece! Ah, is it because you’re afraid you might die? Don’t worry too much! Even though this is an Apocalypse, it’s just the trial version! Surprisingly survivable, you know! Ahaha!”
[The veil spread over ‘Daejeon’ will not be lifted until you survive for 30 days or defeat the Boss Monster.]
[Various items and hidden pieces are scattered across multiple landmarks in Daejeon. Forming a party of six or more members will grant additional benefits.]
[Additional events will occur periodically!]
[All participants receive a ‘Fortune Cookie’.]
[Fortune Cookie: A note containing information and benefits helpful for survival during the Apocalypse. Opening it is optional, but once opened, the instructions written inside must be carried out.]
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Status windows popped up in front of everyone.
At the same time—
Perus’s previously cheerful face twisted into something vile.
“Now then, struggle to survive. You’ll have to move fast if you want to keep that pathetic life of yours.”
With those words—
“Kieeek!”
“Keeeek!”
The scene changed violently.
Between the buildings appeared spiders over one meter tall.
Their crimson eyes glowed, and their black legs twitched menacingly.
Drool dripped from their mouths, as though they hadn’t eaten in ages.
“Uwaaah!”
“Run!”
The ordinary citizens fell into panic.
‘So, it begins.’
Yohan quickly rearranged his mana.
A mass of flames formed in one hand, and in the other, a blade of wind.
Using Blood Reinforcement, the crimson-tinted magic surged toward the spiders.
Boom!
Slash!
A spider perched on a utility pole was instantly engulfed in flames.
Those charging from the opposite direction were sliced cleanly in half by a Wind Cutter.
Thud.
Before the spiders could even react, Yohan darted deep into their ranks.
Holding his dagger in reverse, he drew a precise, measured arc.
“Kieee!”
“Keeek!”
The spiders’ severed legs writhed violently.
They tried to counterattack with venomous stingers and webbing, but nothing reached Yohan.
His movements were light.
‘My condition’s perfect.’
He had completely restored his mana and stamina by drinking three cups of tea from Vivian.
‘Luckily, no strong ones appeared.’
By rank, they were roughly 3-Star creatures.
Not particularly strong.
Of course—
Crunch!
Crack!
“Gaaah!”
“Hiiik!”
For ordinary people, they were monsters they could never hope to fight.
Even D- or E-rank Hunters had to risk their lives against them.
‘Still, it’s about time they appeared.’
Yohan’s eyes flicked around sharply.
He had chosen to come to Daejeon Station specifically by train for a reason—
To obtain the randomly spawned item that appeared there.
Right then—
Woom!
In the distance, a white beam of light descended onto the tracks where trains were stopped.
“Tch. The opposite side, huh.”
He had thought the front plaza—where the crowds were—was more likely.
If he had known, he would have stayed near Vivian.
‘Better hurry.’
If someone else got to it first, it would be troublesome.
Boom!
Yohan immediately launched himself forward.
＊
As expected, several people had already gathered where the item had fallen.
But none of them dared to pick it up.
“You’re here?”
Vivian Astraia.
The Witch of the Maple Tree stood her ground.
Rumbleee…!
Her overwhelming mana pressed down on the surroundings, turning everyone into trembling kittens before a tiger.
“W-who is that woman?”
“She’s… she’s probably a Ranker. Forget it, let’s back off. If we mess with her, we’ll be slaughtered.”
“Yeah. No way I’m dying here for that.”
It was almost comical—making such a serious decision while the girl was merely sipping her tea.
But their honed instincts screamed a warning:
Take even one more step, and you’ll be torn to shreds.
In the end, the Hunters withdrew.
Thanks to that, Yohan was able to secure the item with ease.
[You have obtained ‘Salamander’s Matchbox’.]
Acquisition Difficulty: C
Description: Produces a flame that cannot be extinguished even by strong wind. Lighting a fire with this match helps maintain body temperature and may also be used to break certain seals.
[Matchsticks remaining: 10]
A survival essential for enduring the harsh Apocalypse.
Among early items, a matchbox like this was considered quite valuable.
If it could help unseal a specific restriction or item, that would be ideal…
“Good work. I see the Nest Formation has completed, since you got off the train.”
“They all agreed to serve faithfully as my subordinates. Especially, I’ve arranged for Lord Yohan’s sleeping quarters to be in the same room as mine—so if any intruders break in, I’ll notice immediately.”
Vivian smiled sweetly.
“The same room…?”
“Yes. For safety. The bed’s a little small, but that’s fine, right? Safety comes first.”
Between a nighttime raider wielding a knife and Vivian standing right before him…
If someone asked who was more dangerous—hmm, well.
The answer seemed obvious.
Judging by her firm expression, there wasn’t a “no” option on the table.
It couldn’t be helped.
From now on, he’d just have to make a habit of staying out overnight.
Letting out a small sigh, Yohan took out his Fortune Cookie.
[Probability Table]
0.01% : Great Luck
19.99% : Moderate Luck
30% : Minor Luck
45% : Slight Luck
4.99% : Misfortune
0.01% : Great Misfortune
The chance of drawing Great Misfortune or Misfortune was 5%.
In contrast, the chance of Slight Luck or better was 95%.
Mathematically speaking, not opening it would be stupid.
In fact, the information obtained from Fortune Cookies had significantly helped lower the difficulty of the second episode.
Crack!
Alone, Yohan split the cookie in half.
[‘Fortune Cookie’ is opened!]
‘I’m not hoping for Great Luck. Even Moderate Luck—or at least Minor Luck—will do.’
Just then—
[You have passed the 0.01% probability!]
An impossible event occurred.
No way.
Yohan’s pupils trembled.
Was this the moment when good deeds finally came back around?
A small reward for living a decent life?
[You have drawn ‘Great Misfortune (大凶)’!]
…Son of a—.