Trait Hoarder – Chapter 130

Divine Annihilation Day — Part 3

“I’m not sure.”

I feigned ignorance.

“This is the first time we’ve met.”

“Oh my.”

The Saintess’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

“You know everything already.”

She snapped her fingers.

The garden, brightly illuminated by magic lamps, suddenly dimmed.

Despite the lamps still glowing, an unnatural darkness settled.

And then, a suffocating presence surged forth.

The oppressive force of an 8th-level mana wave crushed down on me.

It constricted my chest, making it hard to breathe. If I hadn’t been using the Trinity build with [Giant’s Strength], [Vajra Body], and [Undying], I would have been forced to my knees.

“Are you the Saintess?”

I asked, as if just realizing it now. The Saintess smiled, baring her white teeth.

“That’s right. It’s been a while.”

She sat arrogantly on a garden stone, as though it were her throne.

I stood up, regulating my breathing.

Though the mana pressure had receded, its echoes still lingered ominously in the air.

“What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be busy with the Divine Annihilation Day?”

“It’s not Divine Annihilation Day, but Resurrection Day. And someone of my position doesn’t need to concern themselves with such trivial matters. The archbishops below me handle all of it.”

“Resurrection Day is trivial to you?”

“It is. Compared to truly important matters.”

The Saintess stared at me intently.

Her gaze was like that of a hyena eyeing its prey.

I met her eyes head-on, unflinching.

The smile at the corners of her lips deepened.

“You know, don’t you? I’ve been showing you a great deal of consideration.”

“Consideration? What consideration? I’ve never felt anything of the sort.”

“Hahaha. If I hadn’t intervened, that wretched body of yours would have perished long ago. Haven’t you ever found it strange? You killed our Church’s high-ranking Paladin, then an Inquisitor and his escort knights, yet you’re still alive.”

“That’s…”

Now that I thought about it, she was right.

The Old Father was a cruel and petty god.

And the Church—like its god—was just as merciless.

Yet when I killed the Lion Knight Oh Dusik, there had been no reaction. Even though it was a fair duel, it didn’t add up.

And the Inquisitor?

I thought I’d hidden it well, but clearly, she knew. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.

“It was because I was pulling strings behind the scenes. Do you understand now?”

“Why would you do that?”

“So that the Great Soul can become our Church’s savior and light.”

The Saintess clasped her hands together.

Her dark eyes traced the murky sky above.

“May you grow strong and healthy. I’ll gladly help. I’ll ensure that your wretched vessel doesn’t shatter, so it may become the great container worthy of the soul’s exalted stature.”

“You crazy lunatic!”

The words escaped me before I could stop them.

I didn’t care if she was 8th level or anything else.

When someone openly tells you they want to possess your body for their god, you’d lose it too.

“Who says I’m going to let that happen?”

“Aha-ha-ha!”

The Saintess’s eyes glimmered with madness.

“Aren’t you tired of it? Struggling in this sea of suffering. This hellish Earth is the source of all evil. Forget everything and offer yourself to the Old Father. Then, and only then, will you find peace—like salt calming the waves.”

“Take that nonsense back to your own damned Church.”

“Someday, the Great Soul will understand my sincerity.”

“That day will never come!”

“Aha-ha-ha.”

The Saintess stood up.

The madness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling calm.

She stepped beside me and pointed at the sky.

“Do you see it?”

“See what?”

“The joy that is approaching.”

“Could you just leave already?”

“It begins today. Today.”

The corners of her lips curled into a sly smile.

“Everything starts today. You played a significant role in it, you know. Thanks to the chaos you stirred up, we were able to achieve many things in the shadows.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll understand soon. Very soon.”

She mockingly bowed her head in my direction.

“Until we meet again, may you remain strong. Do not die—under any circumstances. May the Old Father’s blessing, the forgotten gods’ protection, the imprisoned demons’ grace in the Great Labyrinth, and the otherworldly beings’ favor beyond the Great Rift flow to you like a mighty river.”

Swoosh.

A strong wind blew through the garden.

The mana-infused gust forced my eyes shut.

When I opened them again, the Saintess was gone.

“…Hoo.”

A long sigh escaped me.

‘What the hell was that lunatic here for?’

It felt like she had come to see me specifically, but why?

Just in case, I patted myself down.

After confirming the Saintess had truly vanished, I used both my inner vision and Sixth Sense to inspect my body.

Nothing seemed amiss.

Had she really come just to deliver a warning?

‘It’s like a progress check.’

To see whether I was growing well as the perfect vessel and sacrificial offering.

A chill ran down my spine.

If the Saintess herself was keeping an eye on me, how could I possibly avoid her grasp?

‘I have to do it.’

If I fail, I’ll be devoured by the evil god.

I have to grow stronger—stronger than her expectations.

Beyond Level 8.

Past Level 9 and even further.

Strong enough to defeat the Old Father if he returns.

“…Haa.”

Another sigh.

It’s already overwhelming dealing with the Heavenly Demon, and now I have to fight a god?

And not just any god—the Old Father, who once waged the Divine Annihilation War against the entire world.

But I have no choice.

If I want to survive.

If I want to live.

I sat down on the garden stone where the Saintess had been moments before, lost in thought.

Despite the brief encounter, the Saintess had let a few things slip.

First, the Great Soul.

The Saintess had referred to me as the Great Soul.

At first, I thought it was sarcasm, but now I knew otherwise.

The Saintess genuinely believed I was the Great Soul.

And she called Warrior Kim’s body wretched.

‘The Great Soul… Is she talking about me?’

But I’m far from great.

In my original world, I was nothing but a failure.

I had accomplished absolutely nothing.

I was a pushover, taken advantage of in every way.

Work, love, life—everything was a failure.

I spent my days doing manual labor, loading and unloading cargo, and living alone, slowly withering away in a tiny goshiwon.

‘Was she referring to Trait Swap?’

That was the most likely explanation.

If Warrior Kim’s blank body had abilities bound to the physical vessel, then Trait Swap might be a soul-bound ability.

If so, it made sense to call me the Great Soul.

I wasn’t great, but Trait Swap certainly was.

‘Everything begins today?’

That was what bothered me most.

‘I created chaos, and they used that opportunity to do a lot?’

What chaos did I supposedly cause?

…Come to think of it, I had done quite a lot.

Just looking at the major incidents: I dismantled the Cleaner Association, disrupted power within the Hunter Association, and played a role in the Geumo Group succession.

And there were countless smaller events as well.

If the Old Father’s Cult benefited from all that, then…

“…No way.”

A chilling realization struck me.

Already?

Could it be that Episode 1, a storyline that hadn’t even begun in the main game, was starting now—a near expansion pack-level event unfolding today?

That would explain everything.

The Saintess had come to see whether I’d survive Episode 1 or not.

If I just dropped dead, it would defeat the purpose of moving the timeline forward.

It would have been better to stick to the original plan and let it happen a few years later.

“Damn it.”

What should I do?

What could I do?

Of all times, today had to be December 24th.

The year was different, but the date was identical to the Seoul Terror of Episode 1.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt like things were already in motion.

‘I can’t stop everything.’

If I were Level 8—or even Level 7—I could prevent all of the key events.

With one emergency call, I could have mobilized all of Korea’s institutions to heighten their security measures.

But I was only Level 5.

To the higher-ups in Korea, I was promising but still too low-level to wield real influence.

‘Let’s focus on what I can do.’

I started making calls.

The first number I dialed was [Gu Hyeongwon, Division Commander].

I’d gotten his contact information when I received the Black Tiger Sword.

I would have preferred a direct line to a Legion Commander like the Tower Master, but this would have to do.

The call rang for a while before Gu Hyeongwon picked up.

[Oh, it’s you? What’s the occasion? I’ve been hearing about your accomplishments lately. Keep it up.]

His voice slurred slightly. He’d probably been drinking.

I skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

“The President is in danger.”

[What…?]

“I repeat. The President is in danger. Not just the President—the Prime Minister and both Deputy Prime Ministers as well. According to the information I’ve just received, all four of them will be assassinated tonight.”

[Do you realize what you’re saying? Can you take responsibility for this?]

I paused briefly, organizing my thoughts to confirm my reasoning.

It was certain.

Not because of my judgment but because I trusted the Saintess’s actions.

In the game, the Saintess often made cryptic remarks.

At first, I thought it was just part of her mysterious persona, but I later realized the truth: she knew everything.

She made those remarks to sound impressive because she was the mastermind behind it all.

“It’s certain. I’ll take full responsibility.”

[Fine. I’ll handle this personally.]

“Make sure you report this to the Legion Commander.”

[That’s not your concern.]

“Please, I’m begging you. The Legion Commander needs to know.”

Gu Hyeongwon couldn’t handle this alone.

Unless he personally stepped in, the assassination couldn’t be stopped.

The assassins targeting the President were Level 7.

To send Level 7 superhumans or higher to the President, the Legion Commander had to be informed.

[Hmph… Fine.]

He ended the call, clearly irritated.

It felt like the favorability I’d built up with him had just taken a nosedive.

But I had no choice.

Next, I called the Sun Mage Tower Master.

[Terror? Across all of Seoul? Haha, listen. Do you really think Seoul is that easy a target? It’s impossible. Even our Mage Tower couldn’t pull off something like that.]

“This is information I gathered from the underworld. I’m 99% confident in its accuracy.”

[The underworld?]

“Do you remember where the information about Phoenix Valley came from?”

The Tower Master fell silent for a moment.

Then his voice came through with a hint of reluctant agreement.

[You’re right. So far, trusting you has never led me astray. Fine. But prepare yourself. If nothing happens, you’ll owe me a favor.]

“Of course. I promise.”

[I’ll see you in Seoul.]

The third call was to Seong Huiyeong of the Geumo Group.

[I’ve been hearing reports about unrest in the underworld, but terrorism?]

“Yes. You’d do well to prepare. I’ve heard the targets are the Superhuman Tower, Gwanghwamun Station, Gangnam Department Store, and the Hangang Bridge.”

[Where are you getting this information?]

“That’s a secret.”

[Normally, I’d dismiss anyone else, but…]

Her voice was calm, free of any lingering bitterness.

[Alright. I’ve been feeling uneasy anyway, so we’ll prepare. Let’s have dinner sometime soon.]

“That sounds good.”

[See you then.]

Seong Huiyeong’s voice had grown cheerful as she ended the call.

The final calls I made were to the Thor Church and the Gaia Church.

I didn’t expect much.

Both churches were too busy celebrating Divine Annihilation Day—likely already too drunk to take anything seriously.

Both the Thor Church Archbishop and the Gaia Church Archbishop dismissed my words with a half-hearted “We’ll take care of it” and moved on.

I had done everything I could.

Now, all that remained was to rely on the people I had called—particularly the three critical contacts.

There wasn’t much time left.

I couldn’t stop everything. I just had to save one person: the President.

In the game, the President, the Prime Minister, and both Deputy Prime Ministers were assassinated in succession.

The Minister of Magi-Technology was appointed as the interim President but failed to respond effectively.

Many members of the National Assembly were also killed, triggering intense factional strife between political parties.

Later, it was revealed that the center of the conflict, [Yoon Byungjin], a key National Assembly member, was acting under the Saintess’s orders. He was also the boss of an assassination group central to the Seoul Terror.

However, that revelation didn’t come until Episode 3.

Now that I think about it, Yoon Byungjin… The former President of the Hunter Association, who supported him, was already dead by my hands.

What would happen?

Not much would change.

Even in the game, Yoon Byungjin wasn’t a particularly significant villain.

If the former Hunter Association President were gone, another superhuman villain would simply take his place.

‘For now…’

Midnight was approaching.

My anxiety grew.

Episode 1—the Seoul Terror—a massive, indiscriminate attack across the entirety of Seoul.

And this place, the Indian Embassy, was included in the attack.

In the game, Kali’s parents were severely wounded during the attack, barely surviving. This trauma became the reason Kali awakened as a superhuman.

“Sorin! Janet!”

I rushed into the embassy building.

The two, happily chatting with Kali, turned to me in shock.

“Teacher? What’s wrong?”

“Come here for a moment.”

In a secluded area, hidden from Kali and anyone else, I pulled the two aside and gave them a firm order.

“From now on, both of you must stay right next to Kali.”

“We’re already with her… Is something happening?”

“You know I’ve got wide connections, right?”

“Of course. Teacher’s network is legendary.”

“I came across some information. The embassy is going to be attacked soon.”

“What?!”

“W-What do you mean?!”

Baek Sorin and Janet’s eyes widened in shock.

“It’s nearly certain, so stay close to Kali. If anyone comes, just stall for time. I’ll take care of it and join you quickly.”

“What about you, Teacher?”

“I need to guard the main entrance.”

The real force attacking the Indian Embassy would come through the main gate.

The assassins who would target Kali’s parents were secondary forces.

Baek Sorin and Janet could buy time.

There were also embassy security guards, so it wouldn’t be impossible.

The two nodded reluctantly and headed back inside.

When I glanced back, they were trying to mingle with Kali again, but their expressions were stiff.

Kali noticed something was wrong and started asking questions.

After making sure the three were safe for the moment, I stepped outside.

I stood in the center of the beautifully lit garden, staring up at the sky.

The pitch-black night.

The magical clouds overhead made it feel even darker tonight.

Finally, the moment arrived.

Midnight.

00:00, 12 a.m.

Hoo.

I took a deep breath and checked my weapons.

I ran my hand over the Black Tiger Sword and Mjolnir strapped to my waist, then patted the two pistols holstered on my side. I also checked the sniper rifle and shotgun slung over my back.

Finally, I inspected the magically expanded golf bag I had kept on me even while mingling at the festival.

BOOOOM!

The explosion rang out at that exact moment.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Mommy!”

“What’s going on? What happened?!”

Screams and chaos erupted everywhere.

With that, Episode 1—the Seoul Terror—had begun.

–TL Notes–
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