บท 109: Jon's lucky day
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Facing the choices laid out by the Devil, Jon, in a resigned manner, accepted his fate. He followed Ivan's instructions, sat in a chair, and prepared for the life force extraction.
As Ivan was about to proceed, he paused, noticing a small cross hanging from Jon's neck. The cross emitted a unique power, a force of belief, and seemed to possess distinctive properties.
"Where did you get that pendant? Perhaps, you might not need your life force extracted. This cross is no ordinary item. Would you be willing to trade it?" Ivan inquired.
Surprised, Jon looked down at the cross, which held sentimental value. It was a gift from his sister, purchased with their hard-earned savings to ensure his safety.
Recalling the story, Jon explained how he bought the cross after his sister was deceived while shopping. Though he attempted to return the cross, he faced threats from a gang-connected seller. To spare his sister's feelings, Jon kept the cross and assured her of its protective qualities.
Ivan elucidated, "Catholic believers often wear decorative crosses, but some high-ranking church members have crosses made from special materials that can store the power of faith. Your cross, crafted from silver, seems to have belonged to a noble figure within the church. Now, you can trade it with me. Instead of having your life force drawn, you can acquire the treasure you desire."
Deep in thought, Jon considered the cross's significance to him and his sister. While reluctant to part with it, he weighed the potential consequences of losing his life force.
Finally, he nodded and said, "Alright, I'll make the trade. But, why would a devil like you want a cross reminiscent of a believer in God? It's quite peculiar."
Ivan explained, "Don't be surprised. If I choose to trade with you, it has its purpose. I can exchange items with others from the Vatican using this cross."
Jon, astonished, questioned, "Did I hear correctly? A devil making a deal with a believer in God? It's too whimsical! Aren't you supposed to be mortal enemies?"
Ivan, indifferent to Jon's disbelief, waved his hand and explained, "It's just propaganda. Heaven and hell aren't as antagonistic as people think. On the surface, they seem like fire and water, but in reality, angels from heaven and devils from hell often cooperate."
"Cooperation? Angels cooperating with devils"
"It might sound unbelievable, but it's true. Many countries have diverse myths and legends, showcasing various gods. Heaven and hell are just two aspects of this. Cooperation is not uncommon when facing stronger forces."
Jon, given his experiences, had come to understand the hidden facets behind seemingly righteous appearances. He didn't find it surprising that heaven might not be an exception. "How can heaven and hell cooperate?"
Showing rare interest, Ivan elaborated, "You've likely heard the basic idea that good souls go to heaven after death, while bad souls go to hell. Though not entirely accurate, there's some truth to it. Different kinds of souls are required, forming the basis for cooperation."
He continued, "Things have two sides. The existence of demons in hell fuels people's yearning for heaven. When the church wants to gain believers in a certain area, it might allow demons to create chaos, instilling fear. Then, appearing as saviors to banish the demons makes it easier to develop believers."
"But how can this be? Doesn't it say that God loves the world? Are they deliberately causing harm to mankind?" Jon questioned.
"It's all about the effect of propaganda. How do you deceive people when presenting yourself? Consider Lucifer, a fallen angel—he was God's favorite son. Without their cooperation, the church wouldn't have developed so rapidly."
"But is heaven and hell real? Can a good person truly go to heaven? What about my sister? She's genuinely kind; she should be able to go to heaven." Jon's tone intensified in the last sentence as if he were trying to reassure himself.
Ivan responded, "It's not certain. Heaven desires the souls of good people because they are easily believed and respected. If your sister does many good deeds, and people believe in her, it's possible. However, if she does good deeds unnoticed, and no one recognizes her efforts, her soul may not meet heaven's requirements, and she could end up in hell."
At that moment, Jon felt as if something inside him had shattered. Though he wasn't a believer and certainly not a good person, he held a firm belief in his sister's goodness. He had always thought that if heaven and hell existed, he would surely end up in hell due to his numerous wrongdoings.
Yet, his sister, with her kindness and willingness to help others, seemed destined for heaven. Now, Jon realized even that world was driven by interests, and heaven sought not good souls but ones that they deemed useful.
Jon took a deep breath, pushing aside the bewildering thoughts that had occupied his mind. He made a heartfelt decision—no longer believing in the illusions of the supernatural. The uncertainties of the future made him want to focus on living happily and comfortably with his sister.
"So, what can I exchange this cross for? Power, money..."
"In terms of money, you can get one million dollars. Power is a bit vague, so it can't be precisely defined. However, I have medicines that directly enhance physical strength, advanced weapons, and even magical items. You can choose from a list; take a look."
Ivan tapped the desktop, illuminating a screen with various magical items. Jon, after receiving guidance from Ivan, began reviewing the options. The list was overwhelming, featuring potions to delay aging, amulets for protection, magical items, and even serums to enhance physical strength.
While the choices seemed endless, Jon could only select one. It was a difficult decision, and Jon lamented that the value of his cross wasn't enough to acquire more.
After much internal struggle, Jon settled on a potion that would boost his physical strength—an inferior version of a serum that could double his physique compared to an ordinary person.
Ivan, efficient and to the point, produced a parchment with more than 30 terms. Jon carefully reviewed the details, finding no issues. After signing his name, Ivan retrieved a light blue serum-filled injection from a cabinet.
"Extend your hand; I'll administer the injection now. This medicine takes only ten minutes to work and might cause some fever and pain during the process. Bear with it, and soon it will pass. The drugs contain high-energy substances, hastening your injury recovery. Coupled with the significant increase in your physical fitness, your skills, and experience in combat, those people outside won't stand a chance against you when the time comes for you to leave."
Jon's expression turned peculiar at the sight of the needle. "Why does the devil use this injection method for body enhancement? It's a bit different from what I imagined. I thought it would involve drinking the blood of the devil or injecting demonic power. Looking at you now, if you were wearing a white coat, I'd think you were a scientist conducting experiments."
Ivan responded with a serious tone, "There's no other way; times are changing, and we need to keep up with the trends. Adapting to the times is the way to go; it makes it easier for humans to accept."
Though Jon found Ivan's words sensible, he couldn't help but feel speechless. He extended his hand and allowed Ivan to administer the injection.
Throughout the entire process, Jon never doubted Ivan. He understood that, with the existence of the contract, he had no power to resist. In accepting the situation, he chose to trust Ivan.
As the serum coursed through his body, Jon experienced the promised heat and pain. His will remained steadfast, enduring the discomfort. After ten minutes, he stood up feeling a surge of strength, and to his surprise, the leg injury he had suffered earlier had completely healed. Amazed, he couldn't help but think that perhaps today was his lucky day. Yet, he acknowledged that his stroke of luck was owed to his sister—her gift of the cross had led to this unexpected fortune.
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