Chapter 52: I’m sure it was agreed upon

The Central Plains Divine Sect and the First Eternal Church.  

Both are mysterious sects centered around their leaders, sharing a similarly dark and enigmatic atmosphere, yet they are distinctly different in nature.  

“We may be dark mages, but we don’t even glance at things like crime or villainy. That’s not our sect’s style.”  

—That’s what Imir wanted to assert.  

In fact, the First Eternal Church offered excellent employee welfare benefits and diligently contributed to society by anonymously establishing orphanages and foundations.  

If there was anything questionable about the sect, it was the slightly ominous aura of dark magic it exuded.  

They didn’t exactly harm innocent people, but there was an undeniable curiosity about demons and the demonic realm, a faint desire to summon such entities.  

Well, that was just an occupational hazard for dark mages.  

How could one study dark magic, derived from demons, and not be curious about it?  

However, the previous sect leader had strictly forbidden such practices, so no one within the sect dared to attempt it.  

Some hardline dark mages occasionally grumbled about the restriction, but now, seeing the situation unfold, Imir couldn’t help but think:  

The foresight of the former sect leader was truly remarkable.  

Witnessing a monster tear through the barrier in less than ten minutes, Imir felt a renewed sense of relief.  

Cheon Juyeon had warned that this was a dangerous monster, but seeing its destructive power in person made it all the more real.  

Light pillars… 

I’m seeing two light pillars…?  

Imir still couldn’t quite grasp the “light pillars” Cheon Juyeon muttered about, but one thing was certain: this was not an opponent to confront.  

“We… have nothing to do with this incident…! That’s what we wanted to say…!”  

Having faced the “light pillar” up close and momentarily dazed, Cheon Juyeon stood by as Imir fervently defended their sect, nervously eyeing the monstrous male student, Shin Yuseong.  

Even in a world where perceptions of dark mages had improved, there were still plenty who despised their kind.  

To be fair, there were a lot of lunatics among them.  

But not us!  

Caught between indignation and tension, Imir was surprised when Shin Yuseong nodded casually and said, 

“Well, if you say so, I guess that’s that.”  

His reaction was unexpectedly light.  

Huh? 

He’s not going to ask more?  

Wouldn’t most people be shocked to discover a secret organization out of nowhere?  

Though, to be precise, it was less a secret organization and more a secluded mystical sect…!  

Imir, who had infiltrated like a covert agent, felt an odd pang of disappointment at his nonchalant response.  

It was almost anticlimactic after all her nervous anticipation.  

“Oh, right. Thanks for the birthday cake. I’ll put it in the fridge and enjoy it later. This weekend’s party is off, so I’ll see you at school next week.”  

Glancing at her as he would any friend, Shin Yuseong picked up his share of the numerous gifts alongside the pink-haired Maho and turned to leave.  

So, what’s the deal?  

The horns that had sprouted from Maho’s head, or the true nature of this monster posing as an ordinary student—Imir realized she didn’t know anything concrete about either.  

Come to think of it, while the two were close during dungeon raids or group projects, they hadn’t seemed this comfortable and familiar before.  

Feeling a mix of relief at surviving the day and a vague frustration, Imir suddenly noticed Cheon Juyeon, still covering her eyes beside her.  

Normally, a dignified candidate for the next sect leader, today she seemed oddly clumsy.  

“The light’s dimmed a bit, hasn’t it? Are they gone? They’re gone, right?”  

As a high-ranking officer, Imir suddenly felt an urge to quit her job.  

***

“So, you believe them?”  

“Believe what?”  

“That they had nothing to do with today’s incident, or that they’ve never committed any crimes?”  

“The first part, I can buy. It seems like a different group, and they have no reason to antagonize me.”  

“And the second part?”  

“Goddess, I don’t trust dark mages.”  

The pink-haired Goddess smirked and burst into laughter at his sly response.  

“Wow, you haven’t changed a bit, Hero.”  

“That’s a compliment, right?”  

“Of course! I’ve been watching you for twenty years now, and it’s great to see you’re still the same.”  

“I feel the same way. You cause trouble sometimes with your clumsiness, but you’re a great Goddess.”  

“…Why do I feel like there’s a sting in your words?”  

“Must be your imagination.”  

“Oh, come on!”  

Chatting lightly, they arrived at the luxurious apartment the Goddess had gifted him.  

It would’ve been nice if she were the first guest, but Seol Yeonhwa had already visited a few times.  

The Goddess didn’t seem to care, casually stepping inside and setting down the gift packages.  

Among them were gaming items from Sepine Alabard: a famous brand’s console and a Nintendo perfect for solo play.  

He might not have much time, but having more gaming options for the weekend was certainly welcome.  

Sepine had suggested playing together, and it sounded like a fun idea to gather after a weekend dungeon raid.  

Imir, now exposed as a potential threat, had given similar gaming-related gifts, though her’s were more straightforward.  

“A latest-model graphics card, a monitor, and a flashy case, huh?”  

True to her revealed identity as a dark mage, it was a blatant bribe, but not a bad one.  

If they committed a crime, he’d just apprehend them later.  

For now, they seemed like “white” dark mages, so accepting the gifts shouldn’t cause any trouble.  

“Nice bribe,” the Goddess remarked from beside him, but he pretended not to hear and opened the remaining gift boxes.  

Wrapped in blue and white paper, this gift was from Seol Yeonhwa.  

They’d learned each other’s birthdays during a casual study session, so he’d suspected she might get him something, but this felt more thoughtful than expected.  

A high-quality, soft-textured garment emerged from the box.  

A cardigan, perhaps?  

Perfect for layering during the transitional season.  

“What do you think? Looks good on you, right? The size seems perfect.”  

“Wow, it really does.”  

He rarely bought clothes, so this unexpected gift was a pleasant surprise.  

It felt oddly satisfying.  

Grinning, he carefully placed the gifted clothing in his wardrobe.  

“Gotta wear this sparingly.”  

As a brand-new item, it needed a week or so to “settle” before wearing.  

He wasn’t the type to use things right away.  

Still, with the weather and season just right, he planned to wear it soon.  

According to Seol Yeonhwa, the Blue Tower Master and those demons had also prepared gifts—or rather, offerings—for him, so he’d need to collect those later.  

The demons trembled every time they saw him, giving off a vague extortion vibe, but as a hero, it was probably fine, right?  

After all, he was on the good side.  

Plus, the Goddess was right beside him.  

“So, how’d you come down here? Doesn’t it take a lot of divine power?”  

While organizing the gifts to his liking, he tossed out the question. 

The pink-haired Goddess cleared her throat and replied, 

“To boost my Hero’s spirits, there’s nothing this Goddess can’t do!”  

It was a shameless answer, but since she’d come to support him, he didn’t press further.  

“How long are you staying, then? You’re not going to keep using that body, are you?”  

“I’ll probably head back tomorrow. There’s still a lot to do up there.”  

“Yeah, the barren lands, people’s livelihoods… It’s gotten better, but there’s still a long way to go.”  

“A very long way.”  

Smirking, the Goddess glanced at him and added, 

“But thanks to a certain Hero, we got a chance to rebuild. Gotta keep at it, right?”  

“Yep, let’s keep fighting.”  

“So just wait a bit, okay? Once I wrap things up, I’ll pamper my world’s savior, our dear Hero, even more.”  

Her playful grin was oddly comforting and charming, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.  

“Just wait a little, Hero?”  

Like him, she was a master of half-polite banter.  

After that, they binged an entire rom-com drama series, cut the birthday cake, and even shared a drink from a bottle the academy chairman had gifted him.  

The liquor was exquisite—smooth, with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness that paired well with snacks.  

The moment itself was fun, too.  

Though he and the Goddess had known each other for ages, they’d never had a drink together.  

After being summoned and descending to the mortal realm, they rarely met face-to-face, and even after the demon realm conquest, there hadn’t been a chance to share a drink.  

He could hardly march up to the heavens with a bottle and propose a toast.  

Yesterday’s joy came from being with someone familiar, heightened by sweet treats and the subtle buzz of alcohol.  

“To my great and loyal Hero, I bestow this honor.”  

***

He recalled the Goddess, full of pompous flair, last night, and the memory of them laughing arm-in-arm. 

It had been a blast.  

Waking up with a clear head in the morning, he felt a strange sense of guilt.  

She was definitely a Goddess, but not in her own body.  

Even if it was consensual, the original owner seemed like an ordinary schoolgirl.  

Well, she was the Goddess now, so it was probably fine.  

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, he tapped the Goddess’s arm, sprawled across the bedding, and asked, 

“Goddess? I made breakfast. Wanna eat?”  

“Mmm…”  

“It’s doenjang soup and jeyuk bokkeum. You said you wanted to try it while watching the drama.”  

Shaking her lightly, the Goddess sat up, frowning deeply.  

She stared at him blankly for a moment, then tilted her head.  

“Huh? What?”  

“Uh?”  

The pink-haired beauty’s eyes suddenly widened in shock. 

Moments later, she clutched her slightly disheveled top, covering herself.  

“KYAAAAH—!”  

It was unmistakably not the Goddess’s reaction.  

“Uh, Goddess? You said it was consensual, right?”  

For some reason, he felt like a kidnapper, unjustly accused.  

To be continued…

***

Translator’s Notes: 

So… a lot happened

1. Imir has been found out to be a girl(?) Its still vague so let’s see

2. That ending, did something happen between The Goddess(Maho) and Shin Yuseong!!!? Ahhahha