Chapter 370

Chapter 370. Transaction of Gods(1)

Yet another invasion ended, leaving more damage than any before. However, the world’s atmosphere did not seem to sink into despair.

Instead, it felt as if it had become more feverish.

The evidence of this could be glimpsed in the conversations of young people in their 20s passing by.

While waiting at a signal, I overheard a conversation from outside the car window.

“Have you seen the videos from the Spanish front?”

“Of course! It was unbelievable! The way the ground moved, wow, it was nothing like the movies!”

“Canada faced even fiercer battles than Spain. There were three nemesis-rank enemies there.”

“I didn’t know the president of the Association was that skilled, damn.”

The association had begun to disclose players’ combat footage. Although the sound of victories from afar was welcome, in the end, it was someone else’s affair.

Individuals could not truly feel the reality of it. On the other hand, what about the publicly released videos of players’ exploits?

“They captured vivid reality.”

It could not even be compared to movies made with added graphics.

“Like Jihye said, it really can’t be compared to movies. After watching that, movies seem lame.”

“Right? It’s not just me, is it?”

“Thinking that it really happened and wasn’t made up makes it more intense, makes me more immersed.”

Most civilians had little experience watching battles either beyond the Hole or on Earth directly.

More likely, they had the experience of fleeing in panic when the Hole opened.

“Or maybe they died among the monsters already.”

As a result, the things they only vaguely imagined, the things they sometimes saw in secretly recorded videos or photos, mostly just hearing thuds and roars from afar, became vividly revealed, and everyone naturally paid attention.

The sight of monsters dying, spewing black blood, was brutal, but many cheered.

The enemies’ pain and death were synonymous with humanity’s victory.

Concerns about the brutality and violence of the videos were raised worldwide. But no one could stop the spread of these videos.

They were the only way to suppress the accumulated anxiety and fear due to the successive invasions and unforgettable damage.

“As a result, the activities that were quietly silenced have skyrocketed.”

Players began to more aggressively showcase their abilities and create various content.

“First reveal! The power of Intermediate-rank World Magic.”

“1:5, how big is the physical gap between Gold Rank and Silver Rank?”

“Why attribute mana is unimportant to Platinum Rank.”

“Learning magic compatibility through practice!”

“What is the player’s unique attribute ‘Kvelton Flower’?”

“The best way to deal with a traitor player: ‘○○ ○○○!'”

“First player ranking revealed! Curious about the player rankings?”

“Now really be careful. The fate of those claiming players are unnecessary will be like this.”

It was behavior that over 99% of the players had refrained from until now. This was due to the Association’s implicit pressure.

They saw it as unwise to emphasize the differences between civilians and players.

However, the social atmosphere had changed due to the ongoing wars, and the Association was forced to shift its stance.

With the Association’s pressure gone, it was only natural that the previously suppressed desire to show off or gain recognition exploded.

As a result, the consumption rate of the medium known as “players” increased by over tenfold.

There was a sense that society was becoming excessively player-centric.

‘Yet the level of social unrest and crime rate has dropped visibly.’

The problem Lily pointed out was being resolved, so for now, I decided to wait and see.

The amount of divinity gathering due to videos of my exploits was also increasing.

Not planning to leave players’ power intact after the war ended meant it was okay for now.

At present, the gains from this change outweighed the losses.

‘There are more crucial matters to address.’

Preparing to hunt Omby was my top priority.

Although there wasn’t much information from the brief encounter, it was clear enough that Omby was superior in every aspect, making me intuit defeat at our first meeting.

Not only was its status on a different level, but so too would be the quality of its authority.

‘Authority eventually evolves according to status, after all.’

Indeed, the authority of Gileneos had transformed in such a way. He accumulated indirect status by becoming an apostle three times.

‘I’m limited to opening paths within the same dimension now.’

If the creature accumulated real status and reached true divinity like Karklein, it might open paths between dimensions.

Thus, status significantly affected authority.

While the doll was considerably powerful as it was, enhancing it further was necessary.

‘I’ll need to speed up the hunt.’

Of course, I couldn’t focus solely on status. To face Omby, I needed to train my martial arts as well.

Pure martial prowess alone wouldn’t guarantee victory. I had never once correctly seen the trajectory of its sword.

Even by stealing other gods’ statuses and enhancing my authority, the chances of winning in close combat remained slim.

So I devised a rigorous training schedule, intensifying its rigor. I was en route to adhere to that training regime.

As the signal changed and the vehicle started moving, it soon left Seoul behind.

The ultimate destination was a secluded mountain in Gyeonggi Province. The land was government-owned, and Major Yang Taeho had granted me access.

It was the same area where we conducted firearms experiments on the monsters I previously brought.

Searching for a place inaccessible to outsiders led to this location being naturally chosen.

Having traveled the path once before, I didn’t stray significantly. Upon arriving, I immediately donned my gear.

While loosening up and waiting, one by one, my contacts, assisted by National Intelligence Service staff, began to arrive.

“Damn you.”

The first to speak was Gretman, glaring at me with displeasure. His air seemed full of agitation—likely frustrated by the frequent summons.

“I’ve shown up on your word yet here’s my thanks, huh?”

Standing beside the growling Gretman was someone else speaking sense.

“Horfe, you’ve arrived.”

“I’m here out of personal interest, so no need to worry.”

“I taught these skills and yet never once did you bother visiting, only summoning me, it’s infuriating.”

“If it vexed you so, you shouldn’t have come.”

“I had to see what nonsense caused the summons, didn’t I?”

Was that a threat to beat the crap out of me if this was nonsense?

I subconsciously swallowed dry. Just then, others entered the clearing.

“We aren’t late, are we?”

Seeming quite excited, Shamel joined the conversation. Tembon accompanied her, adding his voice.

Even Rashar, who had set off earlier to bring the two here on my behalf, arrived.

Five skilled individuals, who knew how to dominate mana, had gathered in one place.

Among the five, three were apostles, but that carried little significance.

For this spar, we wouldn’t use mana or divinity.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”

“I’m glad to have some excitement… Have you taken a liking to sparring lately? You did so last time, too.”

Horfe, maintaining a casual demeanor, fixed his gaze on me as if I was his prey.

I worried if banning mana and divinity in a spar was perhaps a foolish challenge, but I had nowhere to retreat, being convinced it was necessary.

“I have a formidable foe to hunt next.”

“So? Then it’s best we start without delay.”

There was no reason to refuse.

“I’d ask all five of you to come at me together.”

“Hm? All of us? Can you handle it?”

“I’ll have to be able to.”

With no time to gradually improve my skills, the plan was to have them pressure me intensely.

“Using weapons isn’t forbidden, but if you could focus on capturing me during the spar, I’d appreciate it.”

Don’t get caught. Senoa’s words had been etched into my mind, as if branded. At the very least, I needed to prepare.

Repeating practice bordering on real combat would force improvements in my evasive skills. Perhaps the request was unexpected, given her unexpected query. Shamel fiddled with her spear.

“‘Don’t get caught’, huh… What level of effort would satisfy you?”

I gripped my spear likewise, responding earnestly.

“I’d be immensely grateful if you’d come with the intent to capture me dead.”

Shamel and Horfe exchanged glances, and then their lips curled into knowing smiles.

“That sounds like an enjoyable time.”

Immediately, the five formidable beings encircled me and leaped forward. As the grueling training commenced, I found myself breathless, swearing under my breath due to its intensity.

* * *

Training repeated upon training over and again. So I spent relatively peaceful days until one day…

《System Message》

《Kang Hyunwoo, Senoa wishes to meet with you.》

An unexpected visitor arrived on Earth.

‘I never imagined they’d come on their own.’

It was truly unforeseen, even for me, and the Damned System showed signs of bewilderment.

‘She must know that the gods she called siblings are being hunted by me.’

In such circumstances, she decided to visit me directly?

‘What could her intentions be?’

Unexpected as it was, turning away a guest was out of the question. I paused my relentless sessions and crossed causality.

An empty space still strange to me. As I followed the arrow’s guidance, a white sphere came into view. Boldly exiting the dome without any guard?

My brow furrowed as if to reprimand the Damned System, but…

– Remarkable, even seeing you across causality is astonishing.

Someone spoke first before I could.

“… There’s been much happening, Senoa.”

Senoa sought me out on Earth herself.

– True, much has indeed unfolded. I never imagined it when we first met… I’m even regretting halting those siblings of mine who meant to kill you.

The content could have suggested enmity towards me, but the tone bordered on self-mockery. Maybe it was regret. I would have comprehended if she blamed me or sought to rip me apart, but her reaction seemed contrary to my expectations.

I narrowed my eyes, questioning Senoa.

“Do you wish to kill me? For the sake of avenging your siblings?”

– If so, I would have secretly attacked instead of visiting like this.

Suddenly, Senoa’s form slid downwards. I sensed her presence from below.

– I can exist wherever shadows lie.

Instead of recoiling in surprise, I slammed my spear onto the shadow below. Senoa twisted her body, avoiding the spear as she emerged.

She glided swiftly out of the shadow, and I sheathed my spear.

Damned System