CHAPTER 26

The Rage-Inducing Noise Marketing (2)

The "Pantheon" YouTube channel had garnered significant attention on the internet.

High-definition quality with impeccable professional editing. On top of that, it featured the name of Leon, the survivor who had tackled the Cheongju Gate.

"There's a lot of nonsense mixed into this video." "Eating rice cures cancer? No matter how I think about it, that doesn't make sense."

Of course, just because some advertising and interviews were included in the video didn't mean people suddenly started believing in the existence of gods.

Besides, the association had yet to officially publish any appraisal reports. Naturally, the whole situation could be dismissed as just another incident.

"Your Majesty, we need to take the video down!"

Manager Kim Jin-soo rushed to find Leon as soon as he watched the video. Since Leon wasn't at his penthouse, he went all the way to the makeshift guild building in the Naju Plains to deliver his plea.

"Manager, have some barley tea."

"Oh, uh, thanks."

The barley tea offered by Hari helped calm his startled heart as he sipped it.

"Wait, who uploaded that video in the first place?"

"Sir Spinner did."

"Sir… Spinner?"

Kim Jin-soo's gaze shifted toward Yakht Spinner—commonly known as Yappi—who was sitting in the corner working on a laptop.

That killing machine made that video? How?

Leon felt the same disbelief.

'I never expected the gods to give Sir Spinner such an order.'

He had heard that it was meant to quickly gather faith, but Leon had no real knowledge to discuss the matter.

Back on Earth, his only experience with media was playing "Star Wars" games as a kid. The most he remembered about computers was the bulky CRT monitors.

He had no clue about modern YouTube and internet culture.

Since Yakht Spinner's advanced AI was supposedly handling everything, Leon didn't think much of it. He just never expected it to be done this well.

"What do you mean by taking down the video?"

It wasn't like people would believe everything in the video. Faith couldn't be spread through a few advertisements.

But was there really a need to take it down?

"As Your Majesty knows, the rice grown in the Naju Plains is unlike any crops from our world."

Simply eating it made people healthier and even cured diseases. Such a miraculous crop had to be classified as more than just food—it was practically a panacea.

"In reality, the Association is currently conducting various experiments through the Food and Drug Administration—a regulatory body that ensures food and medicine safety."

"Doubting the blessing bestowed by the Goddess is distasteful, but I understand that your world has its own laws and systems."

"Thank you for understanding. The blessed rice is already deemed safe for distribution. In fact, they are eagerly waiting for it to be released."

Kim Jin-soo had distributed samples to the FDA and other departments while keeping a portion as seeds. The results were astonishing.

"This is a medical revolution! If this rice is available, we might not even need doctors anymore!" "How does it even cure unidentified terminal illnesses?" "As soon as someone eats the rice, something in their body starts eliminating tumors… How is this even possible?"

From lab rats to terminal patients with mere days left to live, the blessed rice was shaking up the medical field.

And this miracle crop was being mass-produced—by the thousands of tons each year. Humanity was on the verge of overcoming disease itself.

Of course, there was a catch. Only the followers of Demera, the goddess of life and abundance, could cultivate it.

But that could be solved with the expansion of the faith.

The real problem lay elsewhere.

"As soon as this rice is officially announced, the whole world will be after it."

Yes, that was the issue.

People like Director Park Jong-chan and countless others would seek to secure the rice's seeds.

Even if they couldn't monopolize it, they would assume they could cultivate it themselves.

With modern advanced farming, mass production could happen quickly.

But once they realized that only Demera's followers could grow the blessed rice…

"Naju Plains will be swarming with thieves. And they won't be ordinary ones."

This rice was far more effective than enhancement potions. Countless guilds would try to make contact. Even the criminal underworld—the Mines—would come knocking.

"Once the FDA grants approval and large-scale cultivation begins, we plan to fully cooperate. Please wait until then."

"Understood."

Hearing Leon's agreement, Kim Jin-soo internally cheered. Finally, I managed to convince this guy!

"But there's no need for concern."

"…What?"

"You worry over nothing, Kim of No Particular Merit. No one can steal the Goddess's gift."

Leon was absolutely confident.

The Underground Crime Syndicate: Mine Association

The emergence of superhumans after the Great Cataclysm became humanity's hope, but not all of them were symbols of justice.

Awakenings happened to people of all ages, and naturally, some turned to crime without hesitation.

The Mine Association was a massive underground organization operating globally through a highly compartmentalized structure, using the deep web as its base of operations.

They were involved in every type of crime imaginable, including contract assassinations, as long as it made them money.

And now, an order had been placed for the Korean branch's third-rate mercenary group, the Viper Squad.

[Secure the Naju Plains' rice seeds and burn down the grain storage.]

The payment? Half upfront in Bitcoin, the rest upon completion.

The Viper Squad immediately began investigating Naju Plains.

"These seeds… they're the real deal." "The Hunter Association tried to suppress rumors, but cases of consumption effects are spreading." "So, it wasn't just some dumb advertisement?"

Regardless, they had accepted the job and taken a hefty advance. It was time to act.

The Viper Squad led over 50 Mines to the Naju Plains. For a mere rice theft mission, this was overkill—unless it weren't for the employer's strange demand: Bring as many Mines as possible.

At the fields, they expected guards. But instead…

"Hey, boss. Uh… there's someone here."

The rookie's whisper caught everyone's attention.

Weapons were drawn, only for them to lower them again in frustration.

"Idiot, that's a scarecrow."

"S-Sorry…"

Stuffed with straw and dressed with hats and clothes, the scarecrows were scattered across the fields.

But something felt off.

"I swear… I just saw it move."

The rookie examined the scarecrow, which even had hand-painted facial features. It was eerie under the night sky.

"Ugh, bad luck. Just get rid of them."

Then they noticed something horrifying.

"Hey, boss… look around."

The leader's face turned pale.

Scarecrows. Not just one or two.

Hundreds.

Then came the noise.

Thud… thud… Ooooohhh…

Something was shifting in the darkness.

Then—

"…Hey. Weren't those scarecrows further away before?"

And before they could react—

The scarecrows moved.

With crude weapons in hand.

Eyes painted red with eerie smiles.

One by one, the Mines vanished into the fields.

The Holy Creed of Life and Abundance Offer the first harvest to the Goddess. Do not urinate in the fields—manure is fine. Set up scarecrows, and dress them properly. Sing while harvesting—a song of gratitude is best. No one should go hungry.

0. Thieves must die.