I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Escape from the Spirit World No. 1 （7）

The conversation with Mera had reached a point where it was ripe enough. Okay. This is good enough. Shall I start telling the truth?

“Mera-nim. Actually…”

I told her what kind of being Karon had become. At first, I thought it was better to leave sleeping dogs lie, but as we talked, I realized.

To get information about Karon, I had to tell this person everything. Information is power, and a countermeasure.

Even if I heard about Karon’s weaknesses from when she was on Earth, it wouldn’t be of much help, but there’s always a chance.

“You’re saying Karon did that…? I’m sorry, but it’s hard to believe. My brother wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“If you want, you can ask the people who came with me.”

Nix and Gukbap, whose memories were relatively intact, cross-examined her.

“Th, that can’t be.”

Mera’s face turned pale.

“You have to believe me. Karon is still threatening the Earth. He’s trying to confront the Loas.”

My speaking skills aren’t that great. How great could the speaking skills of a guy who graduated from a four-year private liberal arts college in the countryside with a 3.1 GPA and started working part-time at a convenience store be?

Still, Mera seemed to be coming around little by little, perhaps sensing the sincerity in my tone.

“Th, then, the reason why Karon hasn’t come to the Spirit World yet is.”

“That’s right.”

Actually, Mera’s own belief that someone who had reached the Spirit World, the Hall of Ancestors, wouldn’t tell such a petty lie played the biggest role.

I heard from Nike about some of the conditions for coming to the Spirit World, and it’s more strict than I thought.

1. You must worship a Loa.

2. You must believe in the existence of the Spirit World.

3. You must have the attention of a Loa.

4. You must achieve a feat worthy of recognition by everyone（especially a Loa that people are interested in）.

5. Your soul must not be damaged during the process of death.

It’s not a coincidence that the only familiar faces are Nix, Gukbap, Denzo, and a few others.

Especially now that the world is in chaos due to the demon apocalypse, it’s easier to achieve feats, but normally only two or three people come here every ten years.

It’s not just a normal afterlife, but a premium afterlife with a lot of extras.

Those stingy Loas, they can’t just let everyone in. Tsk.

Ah, after hearing that, I asked the followers what feats they had accomplished. In other words, I asked them what they did before they died.

Nix died while holding off a demon alone to evacuate the wounded, and Denzo died fighting bravely even when he was covered in blood. I already knew about Gukbap.

“To learn necromancy…such an unforgivable sin…”

I gave Mera, who was in turmoil, time to collect her thoughts. For her, there could be nothing more horrible than this.

If we compare it to Earth, it would be like a sister studying abroad hearing the news that her timid and cute younger brother had become a serial killer and terrorist, taking countless lives.

[Petit Noah: Excuse me]

[Petit Noah: Sanz-nim?]

I got a private message from Noah.

[Yeah?]

I replied, wondering what had happened again.

[Petit Noah: Rake-nim came to see you.]

[Petit Noah: She wants me to tell you that Malak-nim wants to see you and asks if you’re doing well.]

Rake…she must be very lonely without me.

Somehow, my heart aches. It makes me feel good to have someone miss me or wait for me.

It’s rude to exchange messages during a conversation, but it’s okay now. Mera can’t see the messages anyway.

She’s also lost in thought, tapping her fingers on the table. With a look on her face that screams for a cigarette.

[Is Rake-nim next to you?]

[Petit Noah: Yes…she’s staring at me intensely, it’s making me uncomfortable.]

[Petit Noah: I don’t think she’ll move until she gets a reply ಥ◡ಥ ]

She’s still using those strange emoticons.

[Malak-nim is resting in the Spirit World right now. I told her that, and she was very happy.]

I didn’t tell her that I had to get out of the Spirit World quickly. It would only add unnecessary worry.

[Petit Noah: Really?!]

[Petit Noah: I told her, and Rake-nim is so happy too!]

…Somehow, I miss Rake too.

[Can you send me a picture of Rake-nim?]

I feel like I’m sending a love letter through a postman.

[Petit Noah: Huh?]

[Not me, Malak-nim wants to see her.]

[Petit Noah: Ah…]

[Petit Noah: （Picture of Rake looking happy）]

Ah, Rake. You’re so beautiful no matter when I see you. You’re truly the Tribal Federation’s prettiest girl.

Now that I see it again, she doesn’t really look like Nike. If Nike has an image that makes you want to protect her, Rake has an image that makes you want to beg for your life, or rather, an image that makes you want to protect her well.

What should I say, like a rabbit and a wolf? I wonder if she resembles her father more than her mother.

[Petit Noah: She asked when Malak-nim will be back!]

Hmm. That’s a very difficult question to answer.

Time flows differently in the Spirit World and on Earth. Nike said that one day here is equivalent to two days on Earth.

[Tell her I’ll be there within a week.]

I’ll be there within three days at the latest. I just hope I get there before Karon completely controls the Evil God.

It would be best if the Evil God and Karon just died together, but that’s too optimistic.

[Petit Noah: Rake-nim said she’ll protect the Tribal Federation well, so please come back safely.]

[Petit Noah: （Picture of Rake kneeling and showing respect as a follower.）]

[Petit Noah: She took that pose because I said Malak-nim is watching through the messenger （≧∀≦） ]

I chuckled inwardly. She has her cute side.

After that, I exchanged messages with Noah until Mera regained her composure, catching up on the situation in the Tribal Federation.

“You said you could send information to Earth using the Messenger’s ability.”

Mera spoke after a long silence.

“That’s right.”

“If you need anything, ask me. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

She said with a determined, yet somehow weary, look.

“Anything is fine. Really, anything at all.”

The names of his children, his wife’s name, the names of his close friends from the Autumn Leaves Tribe, anything would do.

It might be useful at a crucial moment, to shake him up.

“He was eager to learn, and learned faster than others. Everyone called him a prodigy. And…”

“And?”

“He had a great ability to read the Loas’ energy. He completed rituals more perfectly than any priest I’ve ever seen. Ah, he was also the only spirit master of our time. He was especially skilled in animal and spirit magic. He wouldn’t be able to use spirit magic now that he’s learned necromancy, though.”

“…!”

Spirit magic. Animals. The ability to read the Loas’ energy. And being close siblings.

Why does it sound like Paya?

▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄

“Hmm…”

Standing atop the wall of the Tribal Federation headquarters, the man, Close-Range Spy, let out a groan.

He was writing a post by clicking on a virtual keyboard with his eyes.

The title of the post was ‘The Rebellious Hero Goja Buro, Final Chapter’. Unlike his usual style, it wasn’t a clickbait title.

“Phew…”

As Close-Range Spy wrote, he reminisced about the time before he was dragged into this world.

It was when he was playing Champions of the Storm as usual, spamming the global chat with ‘hilarious’ jokes full of his persona, and got a 30-day chat ban.

He marveled at the inhumane and immoral act of having his voice taken away for a whole month, and as he was about to log into Item Mania to sell his hard-earned account, he read his email and got possessed.

“It feels like just yesterday when I was lamenting that nothing worse could happen.”

There was another possessed person next to him, but he ignored Close-Range Spy’s muttering and yawned.

“Yawn.”

The man’s name was Goollreu. He was the vice-captain of the Close-Range Spy Raid and a level 7 Paladin.

“Phew, damn it. It’s the last chapter, so it’s really hard to write. I want to drop a meteor or make a ninja appear.”

“Hey, stop talking nonsense and keep watch. Before I report you to Rachel for negligence.”

Goollreu glared at Close-Range Spy.

“No one can stop the strongest Paladin. Even if it’s a past connection.”

“Why am I on the same team as this guy? Is it because I’m the vice-captain? The vice-captain isn’t even a permanent position, why?”

It happened as they were doing their usual skit. The status window that Close-Range Spy had open flickered and then went out with a ‘pik’.

“Hmm?!”

“Huh, what the? What’s wrong with the status window?”

Goollreu’s eyes widened as he experienced the same thing.

A moment later, the status window reappeared with a flash of light.

[The cathedral has been destroyed!]

[One of the final goals, ‘Reclaim the Cathedral’, has ended in failure!]

[ㅅㅗㅁㅔ ㄈㅜㄴㅊㅌㅣㅇㅗㄴㅅ ₩ㅣㄹㄹ ㅂㅔ ㄹㅣㅁㅣㅌㅔㄷ.]

Some functions will be limited. That’s what it definitely said.

“What was that just now? The status window glitched!”

“What does ‘function limited’ even mean?”

The terrified Paladins were chattering at the bottom of the wall.

Whoosh━!

In front of the Tribal Federation headquarters, a black hole appeared as space distorted. It looked similar to the dimensional gate Close-Range Spy had seen in the game.