Chapter 48

…So this world was doomed… before it even began?

‘No. Pull yourself together.’

Countless thoughts swirled through my head, but the divination priest hadn’t said anything yet.

‘Maybe it’s about the fanatics I’ve already encountered.’

But that seemed unlikely.

‘If this card could really identify fanatics…’

Then either every infiltrator would’ve been rooted out by now, or…

This priest would’ve already been killed by them.

Suppressing the heaviness in my gaze, I deliberately trembled.

“N-Nemesia is a fanatic?”

“Ah…! I’m terribly sorry. I was so shocked, I forgot to explain. This in no way implies that the candidate is personally involved!”

The card floated in midair, endlessly spewing shadows and darkness.

So dark, not even light could penetrate it.

‘You seriously call this a reading, fortune teller?!’

I’m working so hard out here—are you really telling me the future is this bleak?

“This card can mean several things, but first, it represents your current surroundings.”

…My surroundings?

The fanatic hideout in the hidden dungeon.

The fanatic connector.

Usher. Usher. Damn Usher…

I nodded slowly.

‘Well, what do you know. The card’s not wrong.’

My work environment really is packed with fanatics. I’d rate this company 1.5 out of 5 stars…

“Hmm… Secondly, it can also symbolize a fated existence that will deeply influence your life…”

“Sorry, what?”

“For example, a fated companion—someone your destiny is tied to, or possibly even your destined partner.”

…My destined partner is a fanatic of the evil god? This world is seriously out to get me.

As that crossed my mind, I shook my head.

‘It’s probably talking about Daddy.’

A fated bond. It’s obvious.

Besides, Daddy is a Corrupted Holy Knight.

‘Damn, this card’s pretty accurate.’

Most gamers didn’t pay much attention to the future readings from Siris.

They were more focused on which ability they’d draw.

“And… this also represents a much darker—ah, I mean more dangerous—future.”

Did you just say “darker”?

“Candidate, please draw three more cards.”

With a wave of her hand, Siris whisked away the ‘Evil God’ card, and new cards fluttered into view.

This time, they looked extremely old.

Even at a glance, the back design screamed Tarot cards.

‘The illustrations feel more ominous now.’

“First, we’ll look into the future. Now, the ‘future’ here could mean the distant future… or tomorrow, or even just an hour from now.”

Siris laid her hand on the cards.

“Through the power granted by God, I’ll try to see within the next week.”

Whoosh.

A breeze passed through the windless room.

The veil covering Siris’s face fluttered upward. I sucked in a breath.

‘Her eyes…’

Her pupils were milky white, as if she’d gone blind.

“You may see the distant future first, Candidate…”

Siris spread the cards in a semicircle.

‘The distant future?’

Of course I was nervous.

Anything but death or the end of the world, please.

There was a reason gamers didn’t really care about the future readings in this chapter.

The future was always vague and repetitive.

Things like saving the world. Being its only hope. That kind of thing.

‘Why the hell did I get the weird reading, then? I’m the same Pope candidate.’

“And rest assured. No matter the situation, I cannot and will not reveal another’s future under any circumstances.”

“Mmkay.”

“Please, pick three cards.”

This time, I chose more carefully. No matter what I picked, Siris simply watched me with a serene smile, as if it didn’t matter.

The three cards spun in the air.

The first card revealed itself with a flick.

I tensed for a moment.

The illustration showed a man in garish, almost comical clothing. He carried a stick over his shoulder, and hanging from the end of that stick was…

A human head.

‘Okay, hello? That’s not age-appropriate for a three-year-old!’

I gaped, but only for a moment—Siris tilted her head.

“This card represents a new beginning. It can also mean the act of initiating someone else’s journey. The interpretation here says you will lead many in the future.”

“…”

“At the same time, it suggests leaving behind something from your old life… which is odd. You’re only three years old, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t say anything.

The card suddenly flipped.

The image reversed, and blood-red tears began dripping from the head tied to the stick.

Drip. Drip.

Blood fell beyond the card’s edge.

“It means you must stay aware of a potential threat nearby.”

…Does that threat start with ‘U’ and end in ‘sher’?

I gave a soft grunt, not even trying to hide my discontent.

Siris smiled lightly.

“You’re not crying. As expected of a candidate who made it through the Labyrinth.”

She mentioned that some candidates had actually cried while getting their readings.

“They saw cards like this too?”

“No. This is something only you’ve seen. Even I’m surprised. I haven’t drawn this card in about a hundred years…”

…Excuse me, how old are you exactly? Oh, right, she’s supposedly lived a really long time in the game.

The next card spun and revealed itself.

‘Ah, I know this one.’

I wasn’t into tarot or anything, but even I had seen this at least once.

The Wheel of Fate.

And if I remembered correctly…

‘Jackpot, right?’

Strangely, though, the card was sideways. Neither upright nor reversed.

“How unusual… A card that reflects both good and evil, appearing for a Pope candidate.”

Whether she noticed my momentary tension or not, Siris spoke gently.

“But don’t worry. This is a very good card.”

The card tilted upright.

White birds near the wheel chirped with elegance as divine light poured out.

[Congratulations! Luck increased by 150%! (Duration: 1 week)]

As the light enveloped me, a voice echoed in my head.

“It seems your future will continue to shift. This card grants you fortune to ward off misfortune.”

‘A luck card—holy crap!’

It had such a low chance of appearing that I hadn’t dared to hope. But a 1.5x luck buff?!

A chill of excitement prickled down my spine.

‘That RNG draw was a total win…!’

I struggled not to burst into cheers. At least for the next week, death should be off the table!

“But it also means there will be major changes. The important thing, Candidate, is to maintain balance through them.”

“Mmkay!”

Feeling great, I nodded eagerly. Yes, yes, everything you say, Priestess—I mean, Divine Priest, is correct!

And then it happened.

The card flipped again. Reversed, the wheel began to roll backward.

At the same time, the sky turned crimson…

A man appeared, bound to the wheel.

Gyaaaaaaah!

Aaaaaaagh!

The man screamed in agony. I gawked, mouth slightly open.

‘Why am I watching a 4D tarot show again…?’

The reason for his suffering was clear—the wheel burned with fire beneath him.

It was so intense, I could almost feel the heat on my face.

“Change doesn’t always symbolize something positive. Hmm… your path ahead is certainly full of both wonders and perils.”

Siris murmured after a pause.

“Those who come to aid you… may not be bound by good or evil. I dare not assume what this could mean, especially within the doctrines of this Order.”

Yeah, in this Order, saying something “beyond good and evil” probably bordered on heresy.

“Nonetheless, God commands you to keep moving forward, without hesitation.”

At that, I discreetly glanced to the side.

[Oh no! Daddy’s getting bored. Send him some cuteness remotely!]

[Catchphrase: Daddyyy~♡ Wait for me~]

…This is what divine revelation looks like now?
 
 

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Translator: Japchae