Level Up Inquisitor [EN]: Chapter 1

Prologue

The carriage rattled along a narrow path through a dense forest.

The six occupants glanced nervously at the newcomer who had joined them.

“The bridge ahead was crawling with undead. You’d be dead for sure if you’d gone that way. Lucky for you we came along.”

“I am very grateful,” the man replied with a smile. The six exchanged knowing glances, barely suppressing their smirks.

A perceptive person would have sensed the false kindness and the predatory looks, and understood their true intentions. But the oblivious man seemed completely unaware.

– Haha, this guy doesn’t suspect a thing.

– What a fool. I can’t wait to get my hands on him.

– Just be patient, we’re almost there.

The men communicated silently using their internal communication system.

They were a notorious PK (Player Killing) bandit group, preying on unsuspecting users in the area.

They were vile individuals who reveled in killing players, stealing their items and gold, and, above all, backstabbing them.

Unlike clumsy amateurs, they frequently changed their location, making it difficult to track the increasing number of victims.

‘That face looks familiar… Well, whatever. This one is definitely a jackpot.’

Black armor adorned with a red cross, and a gleaming white sword.

From the ring on his finger to the other pieces of equipment, everything looked expensive, indicating he was carrying a fortune.

He was probably a silver spoon [someone born into wealth] who had splurged on cash or was wearing equipment obtained through connections that didn’t suit his skill level.

His level seemed decent, but that wouldn’t make a significant difference in this area. Even if he was strong, he was just one person.

If six people ambushed him simultaneously while he was completely unguarded, even a highly ranked player wouldn’t stand a chance.

Having caught a rich sucker like this guaranteed a celebratory feast.

“Ahem…”

The guild member in the front seat barely suppressed the smirk that threatened to break across his face as he drove the carriage toward their destination.

A situation where they could slit his throat and take his equipment and money at any moment with just a signal.

However, such operations were best done with caution.

They were waiting for the carriage to reach a secluded spot in the forest, far from prying eyes.

Thump!

The guild member in the front seat stopped the carriage abruptly without a word.

The sudden halt threw the passengers off balance.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It seems the wheel got caught on a rock.”

“I’m fine,” the man in black armor replied kindly, even to the guild member’s blatant lie.

However, the guild member’s words were not an apology but a prearranged signal.

Clang!

The guild members surrounding the unsuspecting man simultaneously drew their weapons.

Swords, axes, spears, maces, and daggers.

A variety of weapons were brandished, ready to end the man’s life.

Clang!

“Huh…?”

But none of the weapons reached the man.

He deflected all six attacks with a single, swift movement of his sword.

Then, he swung the longsword he was holding.

Thwack!

The guild members hurriedly jumped out of the carriage to create distance, but the two assassins who were targeted first fell helplessly, their necks neatly severed.

One of the guild members, momentarily stunned, couldn’t contain his rising anger and shouted, “You bastard! Did you know all along!”

“I’m the one who was ambushed, but I’m curious why you guys are getting angry,” the man said, jumping off the carriage with a hint of amusement.

The guild member, already frustrated at being mocked, lost his temper and charged at him, raising his mace.

“A knight class without party members! Don’t act tough!”

Crack!

The mace he was holding flew backward and stuck into the ground, and the charging guild member instantly collapsed, lifeless.

Blood soaked the ground, and he was immediately game over and logged out.

The remaining guild members stared blankly at the scene in disbelief.

The man who had just died was their main tank, the one who always took responsibility for the front line with his high health and defense.

But the thick plate armor was completely distorted, and all his health was gone in one blow.

Something that would never be possible unless a high-level assassin of considerable skill had ambushed him from behind.

“You got one thing wrong. I’m not a knight.”

The man in armor raised his sword.

And white flames erupted from the blade.

The sword, now wreathed in sacred fire, was pointed towards the guild members.

“The sword and flame of the Goddess. And the one who carries out her will.”

The guild members, now only three left, stepped back hesitantly.

A chilling realization washed over them: they had messed with the wrong person.

“Th-that’s right. That guy is ‘Ru’s Inquisitor!'”

“What? Are you talking about that crazy fanatic?”

The guild members’ faces paled as the name of the god the man followed was mentioned.

They turned to flee.

But it was all in vain.

The man in black armor, the Inquisitor, moved with impossible speed, his sword piercing the legs of the fleeing guild members one by one.

“N-no way! He can’t be this strong… Ugh!”

The man didn’t stop there.

He slashed the fallen guild members again, dealing damage just before they died.

Among the half-corpses of his comrades, the last remaining guild member gritted his teeth.

“Y-you crazy bastard…”

“I’ve heard the word ‘crazy’ so much that I’m not even moved anymore.”

The man with the blood-stained sword approached, his black armor clanking.

“W-wait! I was forced to join these PKs. They told me to act as bait to lure other people! It’s really unfair! You… you guys follow justice, so shouldn’t you save me? I’m really grateful, so I’ll give you a reward, okay?”

The terrified guild member desperately made up an excuse.

A 48-hour access restriction, item drop, level down.

He couldn’t afford to die, not with the enormous death penalty.

“Hmm, bait… that could be true. It’s a common tactic used by PKs.”

It was a hastily thrown word, but surprisingly, the man stopped and seemed to consider it.

He thought he was completely insane, like Ru’s followers, who were notorious for being crazy about their goddesses, but fortunately, some kind of conversation seemed possible.

“But you know.”

“Yes…?”

“Isn’t it more likely that the same gang lied to survive than that?”

“It’s true! Please believe me! Are you going to kill innocent people too?”

“Well, of course, you don’t have to worry about that. The Goddess sees through everything.”

The man, who had suddenly changed, said with a faint smile.

Then, without any hesitation, he activated a skill, and a thick codex appeared in his left hand, glowing brightly.

Whirrrrr!

The pages of the closed book began to turn wildly, even though he hadn’t touched it.

When the turning pages stopped abruptly, the man nodded once and slammed the book shut.

At the same time, a long cross suddenly rose from the ground, and the man stood in front of the three helpless bandits, who were now tied and fixed to the newly created stake.

“The crime of plotting to kill a believer… According to the law, hanging. But if it is an attempted murder against an apostle, a representative of God, not just an ordinary believer, the punishment will not change. I sentence all of you to ‘burning at the stake’.”

Whoosh!

The white flame that had been burning on the Inquisitor’s sword surged violently.

“W-what the hell are you talking about! I’m innocent! Untie me, you bastard!”

“If you are innocent, you can prove it. The Goddess knows how to distinguish between the guilty and the innocent, so everything will become clear if we burn you. If you are an innocent victim, she will save you.”

“That kind of crazy talk! Let me go!! Damn it!!”

The terrified guild member struggled violently.

But the tightly tied ropes and the stake did not budge.

“I’m really done for if I die this time too!”

“Only the sacred fire will decide. I also hope you survive.”

Whether the guild member screamed or not, the man’s sword touched the pile of dry grass under the stake, and the white flame spread.

The flame, which had grown in an instant, rushed towards the guild members tied to the cross.

“N-no way!”

Whoosh!

The flames engulfed the bandits.

[You have been exposed to extreme burns!]

[Remaining health 1%, death beckons you.]

“Aaaaaaah!”

The guild member screamed.

Even though there was no actual pain, the scorching heat felt real. It was a unique and terrifying experience to have one’s entire body engulfed in fierce flames while tied to a cross.

As the white flame consumed the corpses without leaving a trace, the Inquisitor knelt on one knee in front of the pyre and clasped his hands together.

“I have sent the six tainted souls to the side of the Goddess. Guide them and inflict punishment befitting their sins. In the current situation where justice has fallen to the ground, only the words of the Goddess guide us on the right path. As your apostle, I will walk the path of the apostle who punishes the heretical path, destroy all heretics and unbelievers in this world, and go to your side.”

The man, who had been chanting with his eyes closed, opened his eyes wide, and a status window appeared in front of him.

[Level up!]

[You have executed a heretic!]

[Light Order Contribution +145]

[Faith stat +6]

[Madness stat +6]

[‘Light’s Judge, Ru,’ expresses satisfaction with your execution.]

[Goddess’s Favor +0.96% (Currently 200%)]

“Everything is according to God’s will.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.