On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 74: Miraculous Miracle

Ding!

[A Follower Quest for Choi Kang-San, an S-rank intelligent being with potential for transcendence, has occurred.]

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[Follower Quest]

Heal Choi Kang-San’s friend and show him the might of god.

Target: Choi Kang-San

Quest rewards: Choi Kang-San’s Faith

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Choi Kang-San’s follower quest appeared in God-Maker. I jumped to my feet. I didn’t know who his friend was, but I had the innate power Healing Ring Finger of God.

“Let’s go right now!”

Nice, I bagged another S-rank follower!

***

Choi Kang-San and I arrived at a familiar place, Buwhal University Hospital. In the past, I’d stopped the God of Destroyer’s underling, Baldie, from committing terrorism with Sung Mi-Ri.

We headed to the special ward on the top most level. Security was strict, even around the elevator, and the guards exuded an unusual aura. Their names showed up when I appraised them, so they must at least be B-rank Hunters. Upon verifying Choi Kang-San’s identity, they bowed deeply and granted him permission.

Ding!

One of the security guards tapped a card key at the entrance of the special ward, and the door automatically opened.

Ziiing—

The special ward resembled a sterile room. A woman was sound asleep on the large bed, spacious enough to comfortably fit four adults.

I glanced at Choi Kang-San, who stood beside me.

“What are you looking at?”

“You said it was your friend.”

“Well, she is! No, more than that! She's a comrade-in-arms who went through hell and back with me!” Choi Kang-San exclaimed, his nostrils flaring up.

I could probably describe their relationship as that of a father and daughter. The white-haired woman, who seemed to be around my age, was surrounded by flora and fauna. If someone said there was a photoshoot for Sleeping Beauty, I’d believe it.

But as they always said, never let appearance fool you.

She was one of the heroes who saved South Korea, alongside Choi Kang-San, the Street Cleaner. She could accurately predict the occurrences of gates and dungeons, saving countless lives. The best foreseer not just in South Korea, but in the entire world! To honor her, people referred to her as Miracle.

However, despite being an S-rank Hunter, she was diagnosed with a chronic disease. She was last seen in public fifteen years ago, after the Dragon Despair outbreak.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry...”

Many lost their families in the wake of the tragedy. Even though some said the disaster was inevitable, others blamed Miracle. I was a child then, but the sight of her bowing deeply before the angry crowd left a lasting impression on me.

Fifteen years later, I finally saw her again. Aside from the fact that her once jet-black hair had turned white, her appearance hadn’t changed a single bit.

Ssss—

Just then, the flora scattered around her withered rapidly.

“Excuse me.”

The attending nurse quickly retrieved them as if it was a normal occurrence, before replacing them with fresh ones.

“Miracle has reached the end of her life span. She’s barely hanging on by drawing the energy of her surroundings. The doctors and Hunters had tried every possible method to heal her, but to no avail.”

Then, with a look of hope and nervousness, Choi Kang-San asked, “What do you think? Can you do it?”

“I’ll give it a try.”

I should at least appraise her to see what was going on.

I activated Blind Eyes of God.

-----

[Lee Mi-Rae]

A female human. Around for ??? years.

Special note: Frozen to maintain her remaining lifespan.

-----

Frozen to maintain her remaining lifespan... Huh? Why was her age blurred? Was it an error?

I had never seen anything like this before. Perplexed, I focused my attention on the “???”, trying to see if I could turn it visible.

[Obsessing over a woman’s age isn’t very gentlemanly.]

Along with the innocent voice of a girl, I heard the sound of a rolling, jade bead.

Roll—

My vision changed.

Chirp chirp chirp!

I could hear the chirping of sparrows. Wasn’t this a cliche sound that often appeared in old novels? I was no longer in the hospital, but a bushy park.

“Hehe, is it good?”

Chirp chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!

I saw a white-haired woman sitting on a bench, sprinkling rice at the sparrows. She was Miracle, the same woman who was lying comatose in the hospital bed.

Our eyes met.

She waved at me, smiling like a gourd flower.

“Hello.”

I stood there, dumbfounded. Miracle tilted her head, pointing at the chubby sparrow perched on her hand.

“Do you know why sparrows are sparrows?”

“...”

“Because they taste so good.”

Hearing that upset the sparrow, who rushed to fly away.

“Ah...”

Miracle gazed wistfully at the sparrow for a few moments, then turned back to me.

“Do you know what wind blows cutely?”

She then reached for me, laughing out loud like a child. A gentle breeze blew through my hair, caressing it.

“Boon-dang[1].”

“...”

“How strange. Is it not funny? I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

If it had been a guy, I would have punched him for those dad jokes. Thank god it was a woman. and a beauty, to boot. I actually wanted to slap myself for not laughing.

“So you’re Miracle, Ms. Lee Mi-Rae... right?”

Even though I was transported to a park out of nowhere, I was unfazed. Probably because I had fought Sung Mi-Na before. This was probably Miracle’s mental space.

As if reading my thoughts, Miracle nodded. “Yes, correct. My abilities are similar to that pitiful child you saved recently, Mr. Yu Il-Shin.”

“Do you know me?”

“Ah, of course I do. Yu Il-Shin. You’re the chosen one in our world.” She stood up and picked up a wooden cane, walking toward me.

She was a head shorter than me, and the empowering scent of acacia wafted from her.

“What a surprise. You look so different in person. In my visions, you were the embodiment of evil. Clearly, to get to know each other better, we need to meet in person." Miracle stared at me with a smile. “You’re much nicer and less goofy, too. I’m a bit relieved about that.”

Was that an insult or a compliment? Should I be getting upset?

Miracle then muttered to herself, “If you’re an irredeemable evil, I’d gladly risk the rest of my lifespan to get rid of you.”

...Thank god I held myself back.

I should at least show the elder and the hero of humanity some respect.

“But why did you bring me here...?”

“I can no longer move my body in reality, and I wanted to see you in person. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Her overly serious demeanor made me uncomfortable.

“Now that you have, can you please let me go? I want to heal you.”

I had a lot to do. After healing her and turning Choi Kang-San into my follower, I needed to figure out how to deal with the 100 billion-strong insect army and apostles.

“Healing me will probably be difficult, I think. Would you like to use your ability on me?”

“Huh? I can use my abilities here?”

Miracle smiled softly. “You seem to not know much about your power. Go ahead and try it out.”

Then, she closed her eyes in front of me. I knew there wasn’t any other meaning behind this, but my heart still fluttered nonetheless.

Is this the charm of older women?!

Anyway, I pointed my ring finger at her and tried using my skill.

“Healing Ring Finger of God.”

Tzzz—

Then, a dazzling white light enveloped her.

[Calculating causality rate of healing target: Lee Mi-Rae...]

Ding!

[Healing failed!]

[Insufficient divine power level to heal this target.]

The candle extinguished before the wind.

“Huh?”

Back then, I could heal S-rank Hunter Baek Yoo-Hyun for a whooping one million Godcoins. So, why couldn’t I heal her? I’d never seen something like this before!

Without warning, Miracle knelt down before me.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“You’re a young and inexperienced god, but I’ve decided to put myself and the fate of Earth in your hands.”

“What?”

“I, Lee Mi-Rae, believe in Yu Il-Shin.” Miracle suddenly recited the key phrase.

Then...

[Congratulations. Lee Mi-Rae has become the fifth follower of the Earth branch.]

[Lee Mi-Rae is a strong follower equivalent to 2 S-rank beings.]

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[Quest: Low-tier Benevolent God Promotion (In progress)]

Followers of S-rank or higher intelligent beings with potential for transcendence: 6(+2)/10

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[Lee Mi-Rae’s skill has also been added to the Skill Share menu.]

New! [Lee Mi-Rae’s “Precognition”]

While I was still overwhelmed, Miracle spoke, “If you keep saving small words like you are now, one day you might be able to save our world. When that day comes, I hope you’ll save me as well. I’ll be waiting with excitement, my adorable and young god.”

Ssss—

Then, Miracle and her park scenery faded away, like paint diluted in water.

“W-wait! Could you please explain to me what is going on...!”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much time. Don’t overthink it, Young God. The solution to your problem may surprisingly be close to you.”

Along with her enigmatic words, I snapped back to reality.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Choi Kang-San quickly supported me as I staggered.

“Huff huff!” I mulled over her last words. The solution was close to me?

***

In the end, I couldn’t heal Miracle. But seeing that Choi Kang-San follower quest didn’t have a time limit, I might be able to complete it in the future. Still, I didn’t expect Miracle to become my follower. Now, I only had to gather two more S-rank followers for the promotion quest.

Nevertheless, there was no guarantee that becoming a Low-tier God would solve my situation.

I sighed. A massive army of 100 billion insects and three apostles. Five billion of them nearly killed me and Sung Mi-Ri back then.

Back to my room, I plopped down on the floor. I was all alone. Sung Mi-Ri and the others were still at the academy.

“Haa... how annoying.”

I felt a knot in my stomach. It was the same feeling when I forced myself to write without inspiration due to the looming deadline.

I wonder how Anty and the Gayamis are doing?

Could they be shaking in fear as well? I picked up my phone.

[Launching God-Maker.]

The screen changed, and Antrinia appeared before my eyes. My assimilation rate had reached 40%, probably due to frequently drinking Blessing of the Growth God. Now, I could feel everything vividly, as if I was watching a 4D movie at the theaters.

I immediately looked for Anty.

In the middle of the Holy Nation of Gayami, stood a white castle. Gaining countless followers and establishing a nation unlocked the number of available constructions, and that castle was one of them. As a gift for her latest promotion, I paid a hefty sum to build this for Anty. But I couldn’t find her there.

Huh? Where did she go?

I looked at the nation, trying to find her, and something like an arrow appeared.

Blink blink—

Could she be in that direction?

The arrow was pointing at a certain area. I used my finger to zoom in on it. It was the residential area for the newly joined refugees.

There, I found the petite girl clad in a dazzling white dress and a crown.

Wow, Anty now exudes an aura befitting of an empress!

“Argh! It hurts!”

“Just a moment, please. Healing Ring Finger of God!”

A white light emanated from Anty’s hand, covering the ladybug's wound.

“U-unbelievable! The wound inflicted by the imperial army’s arrow is gone! How should I repay this immeasurable grace you have bestowed upon me, Your Majesty the Empress... Hic, hic!”

“No, this is all thanks to our merciful God Yu Il-Shin.”

“Ah, God Yu Il-Shin, puck...” The ladybug shed tears, praying with gratitude.

Ding!

[You have 1 new follower.]

Anty was going about her rounds healing the wounded refugees. Every time she healed one of them, I received that message and also gained a Godcoin from it.

Our Anty is kindhearted indeed.

“Huff puff! Empress Anty!”

From the distance, the Termite Elder hurried along with an entourage of servants.

“Oh my, Elder. Why the hurry?”

“Aigoo, Your Majesty! It isn’t the time to be doing this!” The Termite Elder burst into tears as he clung onto Anty.

1. In Korean, the word "blows" is pronounced as "boon-da" (??), and whenever we want to say something in a cute manner, we will add the sound "-ang" at the end. So, in this case, the answer is "boon-dang." ☜