TFWSDW 48

~Chapter 48~

…Wait, is this world already doomed before I even begin?

‘No, get it together.’

Countless theories raced through my mind—but the priest hadn’t said anything yet.

‘Maybe it’s a symbol of the fanatics I’ve encountered?’

But that seemed unlikely.

‘Honestly, if this card could identify fanatics, we’d have rooted them all out by now.’

Or worse—this priest would’ve been assassinated by now.

I hid my serious expression and pretended to tremble.

“W-Wait, are you saying I’m related to the Evil God?”

“Ah—! I apologize! That’s not what I meant at all. Absolutely not!”

The card floated midair, constantly releasing shadows and darkness.

It was so pitch black, not even light passed through it.

‘Seriously, how is this not ominous, dear fortune-telling priest…?’

I’m out here giving my all, and you’re telling me my future is this dark?

“This card has several meanings. First, it represents your current environment.”

…My surroundings?

The fanatic hideout in the hidden dungeon.

The fanatic connector.

Usher. Usher. Damn Usher…

I nodded slowly.

‘Okay, card. That’s actually spot-on.’

My workplace is full of fanatics. I give this job a 1.5 out of 5 stars.

“Secondly, it can represent a fated being—someone tied deeply to your destiny.”

“Huh?”

“For example, a person who shares your fate… or a destined partner.”

…My destined partner is a fanatic of the Evil God? Is the universe just out to get me?

I quickly shook my head.

‘It’s gotta be talking about Dad.’

A fated companion—yeah, that fits.

Besides, Dad is a corrupted Holy Knight.

‘This fortune-teller is weirdly accurate.’

Most gamers skipped Siris’s fortune readings, not taking the future talk too seriously.

Because what ability you get is all that matters.

“Also, it can symbolize a… gloomier—well, more dangerous—future.”

Did you just say gloomy?

“Candidate, please draw three more cards.”

Siris swept away the “Evil God” card, and more cards flew in, this time very old-looking.

The back design screamed “TAROT.”

‘The illustrations feel way more serious now…’

“This fortune could show something far ahead… or something as soon as tomorrow—or even an hour from now.”

Siris placed his hand on the cards.

“I’ll try to focus on the coming week, using the power granted to me by God.”

Flutter—

Despite no wind, a breeze seemed to pass.

The cloth over Siris’s eyes lifted slightly. I gasped.

‘His eyes…’

They were pure white—like he’d gone completely blind.

“For you, Candidate, a distant future may appear first…”

Siris spread the cards in a half-circle.

‘Distant future?‘

That definitely made me nervous.

Please don’t show me my death… or the world ending…

There’s a reason gamers usually ignored this part.

The protagonist’s future always sounded the same—stuff like saving the world or being its only hope.

‘So why the heck did I get such weird stuff, even though I’m also a Pope candidate?’

“Please don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’m forbidden from revealing anyone’s future to others.”

“Okay.”

“Now, please choose three cards.”

This time, I picked them much more carefully.

Siris didn’t react—he just kept a calm, neutral smile the whole time.

As I selected three cards, they twirled in the air.

The first card flipped to show an image—

I tensed up for a moment.

The card revealed a man in flashy, ridiculous clothes. He had a stick resting on his shoulder, and at the end of the stick…

A human head was hanging.

‘Excuse me, isn’t this a little too graphic for a three-year-old?’

I just sat there gaping when Siris tilted his head.

“This card symbolizes a new beginning. Sometimes, it means you’re the one who will guide others into their new paths. It suggests that you’ll lead many people in the future.”

“However… it also means you’ll have to give up something from your past life. Strange, considering you’re only about three years old?”

I couldn’t say anything in response.

Suddenly, the card spun around.

Now shown in reverse, the man’s burdened head began to weep bloody tears.

Drip. Drip.

Blood spilled outside the card.

“It says you need to be aware of a potential danger. One that is… right beside you.”

‘Would that danger, by chance, start with “U” and end with “sher”…?’

I sighed, not bothering to hide my displeasure.

Siris just smiled lightly.

“You didn’t cry. I suppose that’s expected of someone who cleared the labyrinth.”

He added that some candidates had cried while seeing their cards.

“Did they also get creepy cards like this?”

“No, this one… only you’ve drawn it. It hasn’t been picked in about 100 years. I find it fascinating.”

…Excuse me, how old are you? Oh right, you’re probably some long-lived character by lore.

The next card flipped on its own.

Wheel of Fortune

‘Oh, I know this one.’

I wasn’t big into tarot or anything, but I recognized this.

The Wheel of Fortune—a symbol of fate.

And if I remembered correctly…

‘This one’s a jackpot.’

But weirdly, this card was lying sideways. Neither upright nor reversed.

“How odd… A Pope candidate’s card is showing signs of both good and evil.”

Siris spoke softly, maybe sensing my tension.

“But don’t worry. This is a very lucky card.”

Just then, the card stood upright.

White birds near the wheel chirped elegantly, and holy light radiated outward.

[Congratulations! Luck increased by 150%! (Duration: One Week)]

As the light wrapped around me, I heard a voice.

“It seems your future will be filled with changes. This card grants you luck to ward off misfortune.”

‘Holy crap, I pulled the luck card!’

This card had such a low probability of appearing, I hadn’t even hoped for it. And yet—a 1.5x luck boost!

My scalp tingled. A good kind of chill ran through me.

‘This is a jackpot pull… total gacha success!’

I had to try hard not to squeal in joy. For the next week, I was basically death-proof!

“However, those changes will be intense. What matters is that you keep your balance through it all.”

“Okay!”

I nodded eagerly, my mood now sky-high. Of course, of course, wise priest-sir! You speak nothing but truth!

Then it happened.

The card spun and flipped upside down. The wheel rolled in reverse.

At that moment, the sky turned red…

And a man tied to the wheel appeared.

SCREEEEEEAM!
AAAAAGH!!

He screamed in agony. I stared, mouth agape.

‘Why do I have to watch tarot cards in 4D…?’

The reason he screamed was clear: there were raging flames under the wheel.

I could feel the heat on my face—it was that vivid.

“Change doesn’t always bring good. Hmm… Candidate, your future will shift drastically, in both good and bad ways.”

Siris said after a pause:

“Your future ally may not care about good or evil… I cannot even guess what this might mean within the Church.”

Right—implying morality doesn’t matter is practically heresy here.

“Still, God says… you must keep moving forward.”

I glanced to the side as I heard a pop-up message appear:

[Oh no! Dad is bored. Try sending him a remote cute message!]
[Cheer: Daddyyyy~♡ Wait for meee~]

…Is this what divine revelation looks like?