Chapter 149: The Rise of the Religion of Shadows and Life
Chapter 149: The Rise of the Religion of Shadows and Life
The reverence for Sung Jin-Woo, the God of Shadows and Life, had grown beyond the bounds of simple worship. As the Temples of Shadows and Life spread throughout Earth and beyond, a new, powerful religion emerged—one that brought together the faithful in devotion to the Shadow Monarch.
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The Birth of a New Religion
What began as admiration for Sung Jin-Woo's power and miracles quickly evolved into organized worship. Those who had experienced the blessings of the Temples of Shadows and Life—be it healing from illness, enhancements to their abilities, or the very acquisition of the System itself—spread the word, establishing places of worship within their own homes.
Statues of Sung Jin-Woo: These statues, which were once sold in the Temples, became prized relics. They were crafted with divine precision and imbued with subtle fragments of Sung Jin-Woo's essence. Hunters would place them in their homes, hoping for good fortune. The statues emanated a faint but tangible aura of luck and protection.
Worship Within Homes: As the worship of the God of Shadows and Life took root, many hunters created private shrines within their homes. They offered prayers, lighted candles, and sought divine guidance. While these personal places of worship did increase their luck and offered protection, they were not the source of System points or leveling.
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The Temples and the True Path to Power
Though worshippers could experience luck and protection through their personal shrines, real power was only gained within the Temples of Shadows and Life. These sacred spaces remained the focal point of Sung Jin-Woo's divine influence.
Leveling and Points: The Temples were the only places where hunters could receive system points and level up. The blessings of Sung Jin-Woo granted them direct access to power, which could not be attained through personal worship alone. The hunters who frequented the temples found their abilities increasing at a steady pace.
Expansion of Temples: As word spread, the Temples of Shadows and Life began to expand. New branches appeared in various regions, each offering more specialized services, such as healing, empowering, and spiritual guidance. In some places, the temples took on the aura of divine sanctuaries, with massive structures housing tens of thousands of worshippers at once.
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Monks of Shadows and Life
The Monks of Shadows and Life, chosen from among the most devoted of Sung Jin-Woo's followers, became the guiding force behind the temples. These monks, empowered with divine artifacts such as the staff of the Second World Tree, were responsible for maintaining the temples and guiding worshippers.
Divine Healing and Guidance: The monks were able to cure illnesses, guide hunters through personal challenges, and offer advice on how to grow stronger. They acted as mediators between the worshippers and the divine presence of Sung Jin-Woo.
Training and Initiation: Those who wished to become Monks of Shadows and Life underwent a rigorous training process, where they were not only taught the ways of the god but also imbued with knowledge about the multiverse and the divine laws that governed it.
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A Growing Religious Movement
As the religion grew, new branches of the Temples of Shadows and Life appeared in various realms, expanding across planets, dimensions, and even alternate universes. Sung Jin-Woo's presence was felt more and more deeply as the followers grew in number and strength.
Pilgrimages to the Temples: Some hunters, especially those of weaker stature, began to travel to the Temples of Shadows and Life on pilgrimages, hoping to earn the blessing that would allow them to rise to greater heights. This influx of worshippers ensured the continuous growth and expansion of the temples.
A Unified Faith: What had begun as a scattered devotion soon became a unified religion, bringing hunters and beings from all walks of life together. Whether on Earth or in the farthest reaches of the Absolute Realm, all recognized Sung Jin-Woo as the God of Shadows and Life, the one who could guide them toward strength and greatness.
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The Temples' Role in Society
The Temples of Shadows and Life became integral to society. They were not only places of spiritual connection but also centers of knowledge, power, and healing. Worshippers flocked to them not just for personal gain, but for a sense of unity, belonging, and purpose in an increasingly complex and dangerous multiverse.
Healing and Restoration: The monks' divine staff, made from the Second World Tree, ensured that any illness, injury, or malady could be cured in an instant. This made the Temples vital resources for communities, and soon, they became a common destination for those in need of both physical and spiritual healing.
Strengthening Bonds: The religious movement also helped to solidify the bonds between different races and beings. Worship of Sung Jin-Woo transcended species, as hunters, apostles, and even beings from other worlds came together to honor the God of Shadows and Life.
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A Future Shaped by Shadows and Life
As the religion continued to flourish, it became clear that Sung Jin-Woo's influence would reach even further. His teachings, blessings, and creations would continue to shape the multiverse for ages to come. The Temples of Shadows and Life would stand as eternal monuments to the power and wisdom of the God of Shadows and Life, with each passing generation adding to the faith's legacy.
The worshippers, the monks, and the countless beings who now devoted themselves to Sung Jin-Woo's divine will knew one truth above all: Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch, had not only created them but had given them life, power, and purpose in the ever-expanding multiverse.