Vice President Noona (2)

Typically, are commonly located on the surface.

And there, a unique field formed by its own rules, disregarding the laws of physics, was established.

This place is commonly referred to as a , and a location where some rules are strongly concentrated is called a .

‘There are exceptions, like a double dungeon where two dungeons are combined, but let’s skip that.’

What I want to talk about is not the history of dungeons but the story immediately after clearing them.

Usually, do not proceed with closure operations immediately after clearing a dungeon.

There are various reasons, but the biggest is because they don’t know what disaster might unfold.

‘…Like the ground sinking or the entire space disappearing and people around getting caught up in it, etc.’

If done recklessly, there was a high probability of additional disasters occurring.

This was commonly referred to as the ‘Distortion’ phenomenon.

Usually, this ‘Distortion’ is pre-measured in scale, and after conquering the dungeon, barriers are deployed or high-grade mana stones are used to prevent further disasters.

This was the standard follow-up procedure for dealing with most .

However, were different.

These did not typically experience phenomena like distortions.

For example, even if they emerged deep underground and disappeared, the ground there would not collapse.

‘Instead…’

They induced the summoned S-grade monster with immense mana to adapt to reality.

Gradually granting a kind of buff that made it stronger.

In simple terms, the raid boss would become increasingly stronger the longer it lingered after emerging.

Most have some limits, but some can grow almost indefinitely. There are records of them wiping out entire countries.

‘Examples include China’s Vajra, Japan’s Yamata no Orochi, and France’s Tarasque, among others.’

Korea also had the threat of an entity known as Ji-woo.

I heard that was also handled well.

Therefore, in , it was common to put all efforts into subjugating the monster as soon as it appeared.

For this, various traps and debuffs were pre-installed around the gate.

‘As soon as the boss appears, you flood it with debuffs and CC skills without giving it a chance…’

Skills imbued with all sorts of powerful firepower.
Finally, using to cut off its breath.
That was the most common and efficient strategy in .

Hence, while the strength of the monsters emerging was important, the size and location of the gate were considered even more crucial.

Depending on whether or not this was done, the difficulty of the same boss could vary greatly.

“…But of all places, it’s the Heavenly Palace…”
“It’s become a headache.”

Typically, there were three major places where pre-emptive measures were considered impossible.

The Heavenly Palace, the Underground Palace, and the Dragon Palace.
These terms referred to gates that appeared in the sky, underground, and in the sea, respectively.

Due to their geographical advantages, pre-emptive measures were practically impossible.

That was a lengthy introduction.

In short…

“We have to assume the S-grade boss will appear at full power. And with momentum, it could become even stronger…”

“Yes, it’s highly likely to appear at 100% power.”

I frowned.

From earlier, ominous puzzles in my mind were coming together, painting a complete scenario.

‘The one leading the subjugation is the , known for being the most foul-tempered and having many enemies.’

Here, an S-grade monster appears with full buffs, at 100% power.

Despite this threat, the four major forces compete rather than cooperate, driven by rewards, pride, and influence.

Some of them wish for the ’s downfall and will never assist.

Lastly, under these adverse conditions, the commanders of the subjugation are two girls who have just turned ten.

‘…Hmm, damn.’

It’s ominous.
Very ominous.

In ‘GAL’, the S-grade monster event is originally content not heavily tied to the main story.

It’s essentially a random encounter.

Depending on the Supervisor progressing the story, the type of monster that appears and the rewards given differ.

However, unluckily…

Occasionally, such S-grade monster events would intertwine with the main story’s thread, solidifying into a single scenario.

―Hey, experts. That ‘Leviathan’ or whatever showed up, and I just ignored it. The level cap was too high… But the got wiped out? What do I do?

┗Ah, you got unlucky…
┗That’s the world-ending tech.
┗Then, what do I do?
┗Leviathan has already adapted to SS-grade, right? Then, there’s no solution. Unless you’ve raised Yu Seha as a top-tier one-trick, you can’t beat it. Just hit the story abandon button and start over.
┗Hee-ing…

In this case, it almost always evolved into a so-called catastrophe-level event where the main involved force would greatly collapse.

Simultaneously, related villains would almost certainly appear.

I asked who the bishops assisting the Holy Maiden were.

The two who couldn’t discern the situation were essentially meaningless.

The bishops who came along were the real power.

And upon hearing the answer, I let out a small groan.

“One is Bishop Tung Tung-bin, the leader of the Crusaders and a warrior himself…”

The other is…

“An influential figure in the church for a long time…”

Bishop Shibasaki Ryuko.

“…Sigh.”

I let out a small sigh.

This confirmed it.

This S-grade monster event is clearly the latter.

If left alone, the order will collapse.

The reason is the name mentioned earlier.

‘Shibasaki Ryuko.’

A woman known among supervisors as ‘Tear Mole.’

Her true identity was a traitor and collaborator with .

Shibasaki Ryuko.

A typical petty villain with no hope for redemption.

As I mentioned during Kim Minsu’s time, ‘GAL’ is not a game highlighting villains.

Therefore, there weren’t detailed backstories about villains.

Nevertheless, Shibasaki Ryuko, even in occasional flashbacks, showed she was an irredeemable villain.

She herself was just a parachuted bishop, but she wielded significant influence in the Order.

‘To be precise, it’s more like the Holy Maiden can’t defy her words, so she wields power freely.’

Using the Holy Maiden, she slowly gnaws away at the Order, and when the time is right, she betrays.

She fully transitions to .

In this process, the two Holy Maidens lose their lives, and the order completely collapses.

Roughly, this was the conclusion of the disaster-level story I knew.

This was not good.

No matter how serious the issues with the Order as a holy discriminator, it is a necessary force in this world.

Su Ok-bin sipped her coffee while looking at me.

“That’s roughly how it is.”
“I see. Thank you for the explanation.”

After hearing the whole story, I came to a conclusion.

I was already thinking of participating…

And now I was more determined to step forward.

Noticing my determined look, Su Ok-bin gently spoke.

“Yu Seha, you know it’s ultimately your choice. Are you still going to participate?”
“Of course.”
“I think you know, but since you’re part of a guild, you might not receive the subjugation rights.”
“It doesn’t matter.”

The subjugation by the Order will fail anyway.

That’s certain.

Because that damn Shibasaki will intend it that way.

Then, Su Ok-bin said something meaningful.

“…So, is your reason for participating not to get the reward for capturing the S-grade monster, but more to save the two saintesses?”

“Yes, of course– huh?”

I flinched.

I was about to answer unconsciously when I raised my head at the core-piercing question.

Su Ok-bin. She was smiling at me with a grin.

“Shibasaki Ryuko. Commonly known as the bishop with the tear mole.”

That person is…

“Is she the traitor of the Order?”

I swallowed dryly.
A moment of confusion came over me.

‘…Was Su Ok-bin’s information network this impressive?’

No, no matter how much…

How does she know the information that only I, who played ‘GAL’, know…?

“…Um…”
“Even your cautious look is cute.”

Su Ok-bin smiled gently and softly brushed my hair.

“Don’t worry. I’m on your side, Yu Seha.”
“…How did you know?”
“That’s something you’ll hear from the person coming out now.”
“…What?”

Was Su Ok-bin’s words the signal?

A small knock.

And then, a woman walked out.

With flowing blonde hair and within the blue-lit walls.

This image automatically reminded me of a ‘Nyeeng~’ voice.

Only then did I understand the situation unfolding.

I let out a sigh of relief and spoke.

“Has it been a while… or not?”
“It hasn’t even been a week.”

The Mother Superior of .
Divine Light Garam.
She smiled brightly at me.

“Have you been well? Junior Seha.”
“Yes, and you, Senior?”
“I’ve been well.”

A brief conversation.

Soon, Divine Light Garam, sitting down, bowed her head with an apologetic expression.

“…I’m sorry. Junior. It was confidential information you trusted me with… and I spoke of it carelessly to others.”
“It’s fine. You must have had your reasons…”

I looked at Su Ok-bin.
Yes, if it’s her…
No, rather, there was no one else but her.

“She’s someone you can trust completely.”
“Oh my~ Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”

I sipped my tea and organized my thoughts.

About two weeks ago.

The evening when the Saintess kids first visited, with ‘Ding Dong Dash!’ and ‘Side Rapid Strike!’.

I secretly contacted Divine Light Garam.

‘Shibasaki Ryuko.’

I warned her to be cautious of her and that a crisis would surely come to the two Saintess kids.

Divine Light Garam explained what happened next.

“…As Junior Seha said, it was hard to believe at first. But I judged that you wouldn’t tell me such a lie. I investigated within the scope I could.”

And as a result, she felt it.

“It was too clean.”

Various records erased so thoroughly.

And resources suspiciously going out externally.

Especially the funds siphoned off to the back world and the low-ranking priests used as disposable pawns.

If you connect all the dots, it was linked to Shibasaki Ryuko.

“…Upon reaching that point, I realized that it was not something I could solve with my own strength alone.”

“So, to Vice President Su Ok-bin…”
“Noona~”
“Vice President…”
“Noona~”
“…To my noona?”

Originally, Divine Light Garam should have shown the gaze of a malicious marriage fanatic.

But she showed no such sign at all.

It meant the matter was that important.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Divine Light Garam clasped her hands together.

“Though it’s frustrating, despite having the title of Mother Superior, Shibasaki Ryuko’s influence is overwhelmingly vast.”

With the power Divine Light Garam has…

If she manipulated things from behind, she would fall from grace, unable to do anything.

I nodded.
A story entirely plausible.
No, it’s probably just the truth.

By now, one might find it strange.

Shibasaki Ryuko.

Even considering her position as a bishop right below the saintesses, her influence was overwhelmingly vast.

How is that possible?

This wasn’t because she was a bishop or anything like that, but for a different reason.

“Foster mother.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”

Saintesses Natsu and Yuri.

The person who raised them from infancy and placed them in the position of saintesses.

The decisive reason why the two saintesses trembled and could not defy her words.

The de facto parent and the mastermind who conducted thorough brainwashing education.

That was the real Shibasaki…
Oh, no, Shibasaki Ryuko.

In the true sense of the word…

“The real power behind the church.”
“…Yes. That’s correct.”