My Alter Ego's Path to Greatness

Chapter 87: Chapter 345: Pantheon (4)



As mentioned repeatedly, the Pantheon, with its diverse members holding different doctrines and beliefs, wasn't a tightly knit organization. The only bond between them was their shared status as priests serving various gods. It was more like a professional association, promoting mutual respect and peaceful resolution of conflicts within the same industry.

But not all religions embraced such a moderate approach.

Some sects, based on monotheistic beliefs, rejected all other deities as heresy. Some practiced inhumane rituals like human sacrifice, making integration into modern society impossible. Some worshipped malevolent gods, plotting the world's end.

For various reasons, many priests operated outside the Pantheon. While they could be monitored…

…the problem was the significant number of spies, followers of 'evil gods', who infiltrated the Pantheon, concealing their true nature. Naturally, their objectives weren't benevolent.

For example—

—the Scribe, the head of the Heavenly Wealth Society's North American branch.

"So, what you're saying, Brother Heinrich, is…"

Priest Jason stroked his beard with a serious expression.

"…that followers of evil gods, agents of the Heavenly Wealth Society, are operating within the Pantheon. And they're in high positions."

He nodded, his expression serious, unlike his earlier skepticism towards Heinrich's claims.

"Indeed. They are the very evil that has led countless dimensions to ruin. Their roots run deep. …And I doubt the Pantheon is their only target."

Heinrich's voice, filled with conviction, echoed through the room, and everyone's faces turned grim. His words carried a different weight now.

Thanks to…

"Ahem."

…the blond boy, sitting with an uncharacteristically stern expression, his small arms crossed, looking down at them haughtily. He looked about six or seven years old.

But most of those present weren't foolish enough to judge him by his appearance.

'I can't believe it… but this immense magic power…'

'A dragon… Even in the world I came from, they were just legends. To think I'd see one on Earth… It's a strange world.'

'Such energy. He's definitely not a young dragon. Is that appearance a disguise? Or just personal preference?'

Irrefutable proof of an otherworldly being on Earth. Having witnessed the unprecedented event firsthand, and with the being right before them, they couldn't dismiss Heinrich's words so easily. And he was a Saint, capable of wielding divine power.

'So, my words aren't just my own. I speak with the authority of God.'

Heinrich nodded slowly, observing those conversing amongst themselves. He had successfully planted the seed.

'I'll continue with this approach. It's the best option for now.'

This was their chance, while the Heavenly Wealth Society remained passive. Their hesitant response to Heinrich's open challenge was because they didn't know how much he knew.

But it wouldn't last long.

'They won't stay quiet. But this should buy us some time.'

The Heavenly Wealth Society was a massive organization, operating in the shadows for a long time, not just on Earth, but across dimensions. He couldn't defeat them through covert operations alone, despite having infiltrated various factions. That was why his priority was to expose them.

'And Heinrich's role is to draw their attention and tank their attacks.'

A fitting role for a paladin. Of course, he wasn't planning to limit himself to open confrontations. He had plenty of avatars operating in the shadows.

'Society Master. I don't know if you're on Earth or in another world…'

Fortunately, having achieved a high level of divinity, he couldn't move freely on Earth. He was probably hiding somewhere, receiving information through his subordinates.

'…I'll destroy everything you've built, one by one. So you can't meddle with other worlds.'

Heinrich clenched his fist, a bright glint in his eyes. Horus, standing next to him, nodded resolutely, his small head bobbing.

And so, after the unexpected interruption, the meeting between Heinrich and the observers proceeded smoothly.

Naturally, the aftermath of the dragon incident didn't subside quickly. Horus, having reverted to his human form and enjoyed his brief time on Earth, had returned to Ganghwange, but the controversy surrounding him, now a global phenomenon, was just beginning.

-Wow, I saw a real dragon lol

└Who hasn't? Even strong returnees haven't seen one.

└Yeah, I'm a returnee, and I haven't seen one. My world didn't have them.

└I saw one, but… it was so different from what I imagined. It was like a 5-meter long pterosaur.

└That's a wyvern, not a dragon.

└Idk, the system translated it as 'dragon'.

Everything related to the incident became a hot topic, regardless of whether they were Awakened or not. A massive dragon, dozens of meters long, appearing and disappearing in the sky above Seoul… It was natural for it to attract attention.

-I have a question. Do dragons normally carry orbs like that? Or is that one special?

└I was wondering the same thing.

└Is that really a Yeouiju? Or just something that looks similar?

-Info) Even similar species have different characteristics in different worlds. We can only assume it's normal for dragons in his world.

-It's funny lol A dragon with a Yeouiju? What a strange hybrid lol

While Horus's Yeouiju attracted some attention, it was short-lived. The dragons of Auterica had been driven to near extinction and hadn't been seen for a long time, and few on Earth knew about them.

The problem was that the incident, due to its nature, quickly became global news. Which was his intention, but…

-Oh my god, what is that? A dragon? A real dragon?

-Which country is that from? China? Is it fake? I don't trust their news.

└It's Korea. The home of the Dark Hero Korean Smile Face and Phantom. And it's a live recording.

-I never thought I'd see a real dragon, even in a video! God must have answered my prayers. I wish I could see it in person.

Countless people expressed their awe and wonder. But not all reactions were positive.

He had drawn too much attention. It was slightly troublesome that the focus had shifted from the reason for Horus's appearance to the dragon itself. But it couldn't be helped. A giant Gold Dragon was practically the ultimate material on Earth.

'Of course, I won't let them have it.'

Korea was his territory. He wouldn't allow greedy foreigners to run rampant. He had to take drastic measures to maintain order.

Crack—

"Gah!"

A powerful hand tightened around a man's throat. The Western man, lifted into the air, struggled, his feet dangling, but the grip was unyielding, like an industrial vice.

"…Tsk, I thought you were someone special, acting so arrogant."

The man went limp, his face pale and bloodless, and a cold voice echoed through the alley.

The owner of the voice casually tossed the corpse onto a pile of bodies and turned around.

-"It's me, Jin Soran."

-"Yes, Lord!"

-"Send a cleanup crew here. I'll give you the location."

-"Understood! We've been having problems with illegal immigrant Awakened lately. It's good that you're here, Lord. Those foreigners tend to underestimate me. They think I'm just a frog in a well, stuck in a small country."

-"How amusing. As if they're any different."

-"Well, once the rumors of arrogant troublemakers disappearing without a trace start spreading, they'll be more cautious. That should make things easier."

-"Perhaps."

Heinz II, the True Blood vampire, busy managing his forces across two worlds, clicked his tongue and shook his head. These people weren't rational. There would be plenty who would challenge him with unfounded confidence.

-"I'll continue monitoring the situation. Report anything unusual."

-"Yes, Lord! I'll check on Heterosis and the Blood Alliance. To prevent any unnecessary conflicts caused by hotheads."

-"Yes, I'm counting on you."

The call ended.

He took a step forward, and he was suddenly on the rooftop of a nearby skyscraper. He looked down at the city below. People and vehicles bustling about, despite the recent chaos. But he saw something different.

"…A strange energy. This… doesn't seem natural."

He muttered, his crimson eyes scanning the city. He could sense the threads of causality wriggling and intertwining.

The sudden appearance of the dragon, the influx of powerful foreigners… While they were part of the natural flow…

…there was another presence, subtly interfering.

A faint trace, too subtle for him to identify, but…

'The Heavenly Wealth Society.'

It was obvious. This situation was a perfect opportunity for them to meddle with Korea, blending in with the chaos.

'…I expected as much.'

All eyes were on Korea now. Every organization in the world… including the Heavenly Wealth Society.

'Let's begin.'

And as if to exploit their distraction…

…a certain being arrived in America, on the other side of the globe.

San Francisco, California.

"…Hmm, this is it…"

A figure in a suspicious robe, its hood pulled low, like a participant in a secret meeting, slowly raised its head in the darkness.

A large, temple-like building came into view.

The headquarters of the Pantheon, the interdimensional religious organization.

The figure's eyes gleamed.

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