If it weren't for the incarnation itself arriving, any demon capable of physical manifestation would possess strength at least comparable to a significant portion of the original body's power.
He certainly didn't believe that the young nun and Hilary could handle a demon of this physical form.
Based on his previous estimation of a four-winged angel having around 100,000 points, most of the beings claiming to be demons in hell should also possess around 40,000 to 50,000 points.
This was far beyond what the young nun and Hilary could achieve.
York watched as Brother Jesus hurriedly left, his gaze icy.
He had only one thing to say: if his people died at the hands of this demon, he would go to hell himself and personally kill the demon.
If he couldn't beat it, he'd remember and look for any opportunity to increase his strength until he surpassed it.
Demons step in place, gaining power over decades or centuries. In that time, he didn't believe he would remain stagnant.
"Before that…"
York stared at the virtual window in front of him.
He wanted to confirm all aspects of his own strength.
[York John]
[Race: Human]
[Profession: Priest, Bishop, Pharmacology Professor, Doctor, Knight…]
[Overall Constitution: 201]
[Health: 202/202]
[Spirit/Holy Power: 290/290 (note: recovers one point per minute)]
[Magic Power: 203/203 (note: recovers one point per minute)]
[...]
"The visible numbers should be 203 magic * 290 spirit/holy power, totaling 58,870 points."
York dismissed this personal panel.
This 58,870 points, aside from being holy power, also included spirit and had the effect of magical casting. He could freely use or save it, and it even had a regenerative effect of one point per minute.
So his strength was undoubtedly around 60,000 points.
But his visible strength wasn't just this.
In some aspects, rich combat experience and martial arts skills could complement each other.
With the inherent changes accompanying his attributes, his actual strength should exceed the visible numbers.
With an overall constitution breaking 200, his punch could be described in tons, in addition to speed, defense, and more.
With health over 200 came physical evolution, providing regenerative abilities and indefatigability, supporting his prolonged combat.
Spirit/Holy Power over 200 allowed him to perceive everything, providing a full-range scan and versatile telekinesis.
Even with magic power over 200, he also gained a doubling effect and control over magical elemental particles.
York believed this was a balanced template, having both near and far tactics, and extreme abilities, including flight.
Thinking thus, York was curious about what new abilities he would gain after breaking 300.
Nevertheless, his understanding didn't cease as he had another ace up his sleeve.
Before him was a large virtual window and map.
This was something from another world, making York feel like he truly was the king of that world.
Even though he had left that world, he could still control everything there.
This was a strange feeling.
It made him feel like he was facing the puppet seal room still hidden in the basement.
With a mere manipulation, he could change everything.
Upon reflection, he could even hear the hearts of the believers there and respond through the avatars he had left behind.
"I never thought I could achieve this extent."
York stared at the dim virtual window and map, murmuring to himself.
"Is this what it means? Left, but not really gone?
Have I become the god of that world? Its master?"
Thinking thus, York instinctively tapped his knee, his gaze flashing.
"Could it be…"
He wondered if the next world would also become his second domain.
"Can't ponder too deeply."
York couldn't help but glance at the statue of Jesus before him, dismissing the virtual window.
He then called up the relevant information from that world.
Multiple windows overlapped, forming a thick layer, with only lines indicating that this window was comprised of numerous overlaid windows.
This was the total of all churches in that other world.
"Baelst Cathedral has reached level 15 now, huh."
Staring at the data for this cathedral, York felt sentimental.
When he left, Baelst Cathedral was only level 11 with over 11,000 followers and could store up to 1,100 points of holy power.
Now it was level 15 with over 15,000 followers and could store 1,500 points of holy power, equipped to support two bishops.
Of course, this world wasn't limited to just one large cathedral.
"Like this cathedral, there are already fourteen..."
York stared at this very detailed data, unable to help himself.
"This growth is indeed fast."
"But if I can't utilize it, all this is somewhat irrelevant to me."
York continued to delve deeper, finding a pleasing fact.
Since he could control
everything in the other world through the avatars he had left and still draw on these powers even after leaving.
The method was…
York, feeling as though he inherently knew, sensed for a moment.
He realized that to access these powers, he still needed to go through the avatars.
Like now.
York stared at the virtual panel of the Pluto Church before him, his heart moving at will.
Another world.
10 PM.
Having been promoted to a fourth-level church and now known as a sacred church, the Pluto Church.
Due to its special significance and symbolic meaning, it had been sealed, accessible only to clergy for reverence.
Thus, the empty Pluto Church housed only the respected Sister Mirta, replacing the spent candles.
Her expression was devout, as if she were engaged in a meaningful act.
But after some time, Sister Mirta, carrying a tray full of candles and walking along the main aisle, stared at the statues above, recognizing the familiar form and visage, and couldn't help but sigh with a melancholic expression.
"Lord, where are you? I miss you so much…"
From the messages sent by Pope Marcos, it was clear that the bishop was indeed missing, disappeared without a trace, as if he had never existed.
But she knew the Lord was always there, always watching over them, just out of sight.
At that moment.
Perhaps her heartfelt plea reached the Lord, for the statue in front of Mirta suddenly lit up.
She blinked in surprise, her tray of candles nearly falling but was caught by some force and held in place.
"Mirta."
Accompanied by this gentle voice, the tray was restored to the stunned Mirta's hands.
"It's been a while."
Hearing this, Mirta looked up at the figure emerging from the statue, her eyes moistening.
This was the man who had brought them hope and life.
"Lord Bishop, it's been a long time." Clutching the tray, Mirta slowly knelt on one knee.
"You've always been here."
Consciously avoiding Mirta's fervent gaze, York turned to look behind him, his own gaze equally blank.
Because that was his statue.
It was the statue of himself he had seen before leaving, hands clasped behind his back, his expression resolute.
His statue had replaced…
"This…" York swallowed a nonexistent gulp of saliva.
He suddenly understood and realized why God had abandoned this world.
The people of this world actually…
"So, she meant me when she said 'Lord'?" York barely managed to keep his expression in check, continuing to turn and look again at Mirta.
In his view, Mirta's expression was exactly that of a fanatic believer.
York wanted to say something but didn't know what to say; he could only stare at her, then waved his hand.
"Rise."
…
At the same time.
In the real world.
"This is really…"
Sitting inside the Myeong-dong Cathedral, York stared at the statue of Jesus, his expression awkward.
He knew he was in the presence of God every day, scrimping that 0.5 point.
"This isn't my doing; it's theirs…"
York spoke somewhat sheepishly, "You are generous, aren't you? You wouldn't blame me, right?"
Saying this, York took a daring breath, whispering, "After all, You've abandoned that world."
As these words fell, staring at the unresponsive statue of Jesus, York blinked, slowly relaxing, and continued to deal with the earlier matter.
He stared at the virtual window before him, thinking indeed.
Just as previously stated, he could also draw on the powers of another world through the avatars he had left.
At that moment, his personal panel indeed showed an additional 400 points of holy power, which was the storage capability of the fourth-level Pluto Church.
[Spirit/Holy Power: 290+400/290+400]
Simultaneously, York could feel that the doubling effect of his magic power also applied to these 400 points.
Of course, there was a cost, but compared to the benefits, it was negligible.
This represented his continued invincibility in that other world.
Once these 400 points were depleted, they would be gone, unlike his own which regenerated one point per minute.
"So, the cost of using these 400 points of holy power…" York continued to investigate.
In a moment, he fully understood it all.
This cost, to him, was negligible.
It only required the consumption of the avatar left there; once used, the church's re-accumulated holy power couldn't be utilized again.
To continue using it, he would need to deduct ten attribute points to leave another avatar.
"Everything has a price."
For this small price, York felt it was acceptable.
Because by deducting ten points, he could exchange it for hundreds or even thousands of points of holy power.
And these ten points, he could earn back by completing a 20-day
daily fixed task.
"So it's quite worth it."
York stared at the 400 points still displayed on the panel.
This was merely the consumption of one avatar.
Using up the irreplaceable 400 points + his own 290 points totaled 690 points.
690 points, along with the doubling effect of 203 points of magic power, instantly boosted his visible strength from 58,000 to almost 140,000 points.
Equivalent to the 100,000 points of a four-winged angel.
Meaning, he was now on par with a real four-winged angel.
"I wonder what a six-winged angel is like."
With a clearer understanding of his own strength, York waved away all the virtual windows before him, staring at the statue of Jesus, continuing to ponder.
"There's a King of Hell, called the King with the title of Satan, supposedly a six-winged angel…"
Staring, York closed his eyes, beginning to pray.
"Is that so, God?"
As his murmuring ceased, everything returned to calm.
Before long, York heard a notification sound near his ear, a smile appearing on his face.
No matter what, even though he was quite irreverent, it seemed God hadn't given up on him yet.
"Ah, I don't understand."
Staring at the eternal statue of Jesus, York had no clue, even with all the knowledge in his mind, why God loved him so much.
He could only consider this a transmigrator's cheat.
At this time, Brother Jesus also appeared in the three-dimensional map within his mind.
"It seems there's news."
York casually added the 0.5 to his spirit/holy power.
[Spirit/Holy Power: 290.5+ (consumable) 400/290.5+ (consumable) 400]
It was certain that after breaking 300 in spirit/holy power, this radar-like, visually enabled three-dimensional map would at least expand by another fifty meters.
Seeing Brother Jesus hurriedly approaching, York patted his knees, supporting himself to stand.
"Returning to the mundane chores."
Saying this, York turned and walked towards the main door; click, Brother Jesus just opened the door and appeared.
"Bishop York!"
He saw York approaching and paused, but immediately spoke up.
"I…"
But before he could speak, already having found the address, the bishop seemed to move slowly but suddenly appeared beside him.
"Hmm, we're leaving now; I want to see who dares to mess with my people."
York patted Brother Jesus on the shoulder, walking past him.
Hearing this, Brother Jesus's expression grew even more respectful; he bowed his head in agreement, then slowly followed.
It must be said, with Bishop York present, the sense of security was truly indescribable.
…
At the same time.
In a rural area between Incheon and Seoul.
A black car appeared.
Several people stepped out one after another.
A young, beautiful, and exceptionally serene woman, dressed in a black nun's habit, looked at the cluster of buildings and spoke.
"Is that where Father Kim Sunwoo is?"
As the bishop left this world, Eileen became increasingly serene, her aura exceptionally sharp, a clear ring of golden pupils evident in her eyes.
She could see everything hundreds of meters away.
If York saw Eileen now, he would feel unfamiliar; the initially frail young nun was gone.
"Yes, Sister Eileen."
A monk, carrying a knight's sword, spoke from her side.
"The address given by Father Kim Sunwoo is here."
"Hmm."
Eileen nodded, turning to look at Hilary, also in a monk's habit.
Hilary looked back at Eileen, silently nodding, then joined Zhang Zhouyuan, who had come to earn his daughter's college tuition and new sneakers, possessing rapid self-healing abilities, at the car's trunk.
"Sister Hilary, are there really demons here?"
Zhang Zhouyuan lifted a huge backpack, his eyes slightly widening, looking at Hilary with some disbelief.
Hilary nodded, "Yes, it might be dangerous, so after you help me set these things up, leave quickly."
Saying this, Hilary earnestly added, "This isn't something you should be involved in."
"Okay, Sister Hilary."
Zhang Zhouyuan blinked his innocent eyes, helping to carry another large, heavy black backpack.
Eventually, everyone, laden with large and small bags, slowly headed towards the cluster of buildings.
___________________
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