Ch.404Side Story: Play

Recently, the temples in Greyfond have been busy for various reasons.

This was partly due to the overlap of major events such as Owen’s trial to become a Spirit Master and the selection of the next Grand Mage.

But in truth, it was because of beings that had begun to coil in the deepest, darkest parts of the temples.

While some had blended into human life, like Demeter running a flower shop, others couldn’t break old habits and continued to reign over humans.

“Hmm.”

Robelisk, the god of giants, was a prime example. Though he currently appeared as a man just over 2m tall, in reality, he possessed a body as tall as a three-story building. He sat on the divine seat made for him by the bishops, resting his chin on his hand.

“Will you be alright? Considering his personality, I think he’ll come to you first.”

To Wing’s question—the god of wings and wind standing before Robelisk—the giant god sighed.

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“Are you serious? We’ve all experienced his power.”

Wing asked incredulously, but Robelisk, displeased with Wing’s attitude, struck his divine seat with his fist.

“So? What exactly do you want me to do? Are you saying I should prepare to flee like the other cowards?”

“Ha, that’s not what I meant.”

“Huu, foolish ones. I don’t consider those ignorant fools who have lost their identity after descending to the continent to be gods of my caliber.”

When descending to the continent, the gods had to relinquish some of their divinity. It wasn’t forced upon them, nor was it what they wanted—it was a natural progression. As they walked the continent on their own two feet, interacting with humans after always looking down from above, their once absolute positions naturally eroded.

Among them, Robelisk, the god of giants, could be said to be the one who had lost the least of his identity. He remained lofty and arrogant as ever.

Robelisk believed that those called gods must maintain their dignity and class.

“But danger is still danger. We no longer live lives of mere observation like before.”

Wing, however, had a different perspective. He believed that since they had descended to this land, they should adapt accordingly, and unlike the days of being outdated observers, he wanted to live in the present reality.

But his sentiments naturally failed to reach the giant Robelisk.

“That’s why I no longer consider you gods.”

The giant’s resolve was unwavering. He had no intention of stopping his plan to forcibly collect money from bishops and his followers to build his divine statues.

“Huu, you haven’t forgotten that Raizer was defeated by him, have you?”

Finally, Wing brought up the name of a being whose very mention was taboo among the gods.

Raizer, the god of lightning and clouds.

He, who boasted the strongest combat power among the gods, had been defeated by Shinwoo Kim during his time as Deus. Of course, Deus had also suffered considerable damage at the time.

“Hmph.”

It was certainly praiseworthy that he had defeated Raizer, who was called the strongest in human form. Even Robelisk clearly acknowledged that he couldn’t defeat Raizer.

However, Robelisk was more skeptical about the outcome than the other gods.

“That victory was achieved because, as a Spiritmaster, he controlled all the souls sleeping on the continent.”

In other words, millions of souls gathered to defeat just one god.

It wasn’t entirely wrong. If Deus had to face Raizer with his power alone, the fight between them wouldn’t have even been established due to the vast difference in their levels.

The god who rode clouds and shot lightning had easily defeated powerful figures like the Captain of the Royal Knights and the Magic Judge at that time.

“Does he still have those souls with him now?”

At most, he only has the Spiritmaster who accompanied him and the Saintess who became close to godhood.

“The weight of millions of souls could crush even a god. I offer my condolences to Raizer. He made us realize that even insects have their own strength when they gather.”

“Robelisk.”

“Enough, Wing. I’m only sparing you out of old friendship, but I’m not particularly fond of you.”

If a goddess like Demeter, who runs a flower shop, had come before him, the giant’s fist would have crushed her.

“I’ve turned a blind eye to his divine play until now, valuing his achievement of twisting fate in a human body, but I won’t tolerate any further actions.”

“The gods active in Clockwork and the Great Demon Rodron were also defeated by him without even being able to use their power. He’s not someone to be underestimated.”

“Don’t make a fuss about him cleaning up a few minor gods and a demon.”

“……”

Realizing that no further dialogue would get through, Wing could only sigh and leave.

Robelisk closed his eyes again, as if he had no problem with Shinwoo Kim coming to find him anytime.

“Wait, just a moment!”

But another disturbance interrupted the god’s slumber.

“You can’t enter like this!”

Thud, thud.

“Even if you’re a princess, this is unacceptable!”

“Are you planning to repeat the grave sins committed by the former criminal Deus?”

Thud, thud.

He could hear the screams of the bishops who served him. It was frustrating that they couldn’t even stop the footsteps approaching him.

Finally.

The Temple of the Giant.

A man entered its deepest part.

As light entered through the open door, the towering statues of Robelisk hidden in the darkness revealed themselves.

“The unauthorized production of divine statues is regulated by law.”

The man’s voice was overflowing with composure, which was enough to grate on Robelisk’s nerves. How presumptuous that he entered his chamber without permission, with booted feet, and without even feeling fear.

Also, he didn’t like that human law was being applied to him, a god.

“Don’t expect mercy.”

Robelisk immediately rose from his throne and began to return to his original size. He intended to shatter the temple itself and remind the humans of Greyfond of divine wrath. He wanted to show how one mistake by a man named Shinwoo Kim would snowball and engulf all of Greyfond.

“…!”

But Robelisk’s knees buckled as he stood up. His body was growing larger, returning to its original form, but the pressure from above and his hunched waist made him look like a frightened child.

“What is this?!”

Robelisk cried out, unable to understand his situation, but Shinwoo Kim’s steps didn’t stop.

Before he knew it, Robelisk found himself prostrated flat before Shinwoo Kim in his original form. He tried to struggle and resist, but to no avail.

“The royal family limits the number of divine statues in each temple due to the city’s appearance, excessive proselytizing, and conflicts between religions.”

He could only listen to his words with his forehead pressed to the ground, as if receiving a sermon.

The bishops who had followed Shinwoo Kim wore expressions of disbelief at the scene before them.

‘Damn it!’

Even though he wanted to shout at the bishops who served him not to look, all that came out of his throat was a bitter lament.

Finally.

“It seems you’ll have to take responsibility for this. What will you do?”

His voice alone constricted Robelisk’s entire body. It was his mistake to judge the man before him as a mere human.

Only then did Robelisk realize who the arrogant one truly was.

“I will accept if you wish to raise an objection.”

“…!”

Though he said he would accept, Robelisk wasn’t foolish enough not to recognize it as a threat. If he rejected the proposal here, it was a warning that he would be annihilated, so finally…

“As…”

The god once called a giant bowed his head and answered.

“As you wish.”

* * *

I knew that once I dealt with a few big shots, the gods would sort themselves out. Well, I couldn’t just annihilate them in an instant since they were beings who had just begun to enjoy freedom.

They would compensate for the damage they caused on their own.

“It’s a shame.”

Aria, who had accompanied me around the temples until late evening, muttered while fidgeting with her hands.

“I was hoping to swing my sword for once in a while.”

It seems the former hero wanted to wield her sword again after the somewhat boring academy life.

“He’s just too ignorant, you know? Sometimes when he rushes at me asking for a duel, I really…”

Elenoa pouted and muttered, seemingly annoyed at Aria. It was hard to believe she was the same person who had just made gods kneel, threatened them, and reclaimed the wealth they had extorted from their followers across five temples.

Of course, this was all done somewhat legally thanks to Princess Elenoa’s backing. It was also a good opportunity to make the bishops clearly understand that the royal family held superiority over the gods.

“So what do we do now?”

“Yeah, what should we do now?”

The two girls were excited at the start but now seemed disappointed that it was over. Seeing them made me both amused and understanding of their feelings. I wanted to fulfill their expectations and thank them for their help today.

But in this world, the only places to hang out late were places like taverns.

“Do you want to come to my room? It would be nice to play with the others there.”

Findenai and the Dark Spiritmaster would probably be at a similar mental level, and Stella was specialized in entertaining children, so she would play with them well.

“…What?”

“Uh…?”

My suggestion seemed shocking as the two girls stared at me with blank expressions. Come to think of it, I had been dragging them around without feeding them dinner.

“We could order room service for dinner, but… personally, I was thinking of borrowing the royal kitchen to make some late-night snacks. What do you think?”

“Oh, are you going to cook for us, oppa?!”

I nodded at Aria’s question.

“Yes, I promised to make you some food from my homeland last time.”

At my words, the two of them smiled brightly and began jumping around excitedly.

“Let’s go! Let’s go now!”

“Waaaa! Let’s stay up all night! I’ll bring games so we can play together!”