Garden Of The Gods (1)

“Huh?”

A sudden question of suspicion arose at the last explanation of Katarina’s condition. It meant I’d been deceived.

And the affinity was favorable? Is she some kind of masochist?

Certainly, there might be no such thing as a useless talent among those labeled as talents.

Since the moment I thought Katarina had lost her mind, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for her.

No, I didn’t care. If she had run away? She would have had a higher success rate than Unos.

Because I needed her as a prostitute, unlike Unos, I didn’t break her limbs or cut her tongue.

“Hey.”

“……”

“If you don’t answer right now, I’ll go out of the village and kill you to absorb you.”

“……”

Of course, there’s no way to go out to the village and absorb her core. It was just to scare her.

Nonetheless, Katarina remained silent, not even flinching, and if I hadn’t checked her status with ‘Verify,’ I might have thought she was truly crazy.

“Yeah, since you’re a crazy woman who doesn’t even understand words, it’s troublesome and annoying to take you along, so I might as well start by killing you.”

Nonchalantly, as if deciding what to have for breakfast, I approached Katarina, grabbed her hair, and opened the door.

The moment my left foot crossed the threshold, something desperately pulled on my right hand.

“Nooo!! Sa-save… Nooo! Please… save me. Waaah! Please, I beg you.”

“Too late.”

I answered coldly and calmly, and as I tried to step out with my other foot, her whole body clung to my leg, crying out for her life.

The commotion caused Arun and Lee Hyo-ju, who were staying across the hallway, to come out of their rooms.

“What?”

“Uh?”

Not only Arun but also Lee Hyo-ju looked surprised at the sudden change in Katarina’s demeanor, unable to comprehend the situation.

Why wouldn’t they be? Even though it was only three days, those three days felt faster and more tumultuous than bandits tying people to horses and running.

During such a journey, Katarina hadn’t shown a single grimace, so they must have thought she was completely out of it. But then…

“She’s really something.”

“Indeed.”

The two exchanged words before realizing each other’s presence, then turned their heads sharply, closing their mouths. As if they couldn’t believe they had just spoken to someone like the other.

“Hyo-ju, Arun.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.”

While the two were conscious of each other, Katarina, who had been crying and causing a scene, had fainted and was slumped over.

“Bring this trash to the room.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

As if worried about what Lee Hyo-ju might do next, Arun quickly approached and grabbed Katarina by the hair, dragging her into the room.

Watching the two sitting awkwardly across the table in the four-person room, I silently activated ‘Verify.’

It hadn’t even been a week since I entered the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ after returning. However, it was so different from before that I found myself bewildered at times.

Just looking at the affinity levels with the two people now, it was evident.

First, Lee Hyo-ju.

Even though I’d been constantly nagging and scolding her, it was ‘affection’. It was the sixth level of affinity, just below the seventh level, ‘trust’, out of the seven levels.

I thought I knew very well what kind of disposition Lee Hyo-ju had and how she liked to be treated. After all, I’d been watching her for 25 years.

But now, the phenomena appearing contrary to the facts I knew were confusing.

Next was Arun.

This prepared ability user simply said he was pleased and would follow me without any fuss, and had shown no complaints since.

Moreover, his affinity level was the highest, ‘trust’.

What part of me does he see to have such a high level of affinity as ‘trust’? The tendency to ambush from behind? The perverse nature of not killing even when I can?

“Arun.”

“Yes!”

“What are you going to do now?”

“…Pardon?”

He seemed flustered, as if he was ready to habitually answer ‘Yes,’ but I asked an unexpected question.

“I asked what you plan to do in the future.”

“I… if you permit, I would like to continue serving by your side.”

Yes, this is what I don’t understand. What on earth does he see in me?

This ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ is a place where dirty schemes and strategies run rampant. It’s not a place where I can simply say ‘go ahead’ because he wants to serve me and has faithfully followed until now.

“Why?”

“Because I’ve received grace, and I want to.”

Grace… There’s no word as ambiguous as that.

“Okay. You do that. Lee Hyo-ju, what about you?”

I’ll just wait and see.

After all, the first five years. The reason for putting so much effort into this mansion is to prepare thoroughly in Exorsus.

Except for occasional explorations to the north, I plan to mainly focus on training, so it doesn’t matter much.

“Me? I also…”

“What about you? Speak clearly.”

“I-I also want to stay with you…”

Lately, I’ve been feeling that it’s definitely better when Lee Hyo-ju is straightforward.

Like a drenched puppy, always answering so timidly, it’s really unsatisfactory.

“Why?”

“I saw you, on Earth.”

“Yeah, so… what about it?”

“In the lobby of the Korean University Hospital. Don’t you remember me?”

Damn it! Does she really remember that brief moment so well? We didn’t even know each other’s names or see each other for long. How is this possible?

“I don’t remember.”

“Liar! You called my name back then. Lee Hyo-ju. And when you gave me advice at the campsite, you called me Lee Hyo-ju.”

“Really? So?”

“So, that’s why I also…”

“Do that. Both of you. But how will you live? Just because it’s the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ doesn’t mean you don’t need money. You can’t live off Mana or Spirit. You must have seen me looking for a house, so you know to some extent, right? What will you do?”

Lee Hyo-ju and Arun weren’t originally part of my plan. But it seems they’ll be with me from the start.

Of course, Arun’s stats and talents were excellent. If raised well, he would definitely be worth more than one person.

What about Lee Hyo-ju? In her previous life, she was the fourth star among The Seven Stars. She was the Military Star.

Since it’s still early on, it’s not a bad idea to keep them close and observe, as I can handle whatever they might do.

They might become adversaries. So, keeping them nearby and plucking out their hearts if they turn against me is an option.

But no matter how much money I have, I have no intention of feeding and housing them for free.

“I also brought a few things before entering. I won’t be a burden in that aspect.”

“I…”

After Arun’s response, I looked at Hyo-ju, who hesitated to speak. She’s a struggling student around this time.

“Sigh… I’m not a babysitter. Both of you, stop doing ridiculous things and find your patron god by today. They’ll at least give you something. What did you bring, really? The gold coins from your subspaces are just gold pieces, nothing more, nothing less.”

Of course, they’d say that after seeing me pull out diamonds and other jewels from my inventory, but strictly speaking, the jewels I brought out are expensive because they’re used for crafting game-made artifacts rather than for their power.

The power and attribute force of the divine power contained within are immense.

Unlike other dimensions, the gold in the coins here in the ‘Battlefield of the Gods’ is over 95%. So there’s a significant difference from the gold coins used in other dimensions.

Earth’s paper money is similarly useless, and unless artifacts are exceptional, it’s better to just use them alone.

This is the battlefield of slaves rich in divine power.

Seeing them change from dumbfounded to impressed expressions at my words made me feel like I was going to explode with frustration.

Feeling it was hopeless, I first told the two to take good care of Katarina and Unos before leaving the inn.

After leaving the upscale inn near the center square and walking briskly for a while, the Garden of the Gods came into view.

As I approached the cathedral-like building, the person guarding the front recognized me at a glance and bowed politely.

“Welcome, Delegate of the Gods.”

“Oh, yes… I’ve come to see my patron god. May I enter?”

“Of course. Who else but the Delegate of the Gods could have the honor of meeting such esteemed beings directly? And being the first to arrive, your qualifications are more than sufficient. May blessings be upon you, Delegate…”

With words of reverence, he stepped aside.

The representatives, as well as these people themselves, called themselves ‘Garden Keepers.’

After briefly looking at the Garden Keeper who was bowing, I also gave a simple greeting and entered.

At the same time, a message appeared before my eyes.

“Huh? Ludicer.”

“Yes, Kim Han.”

“Right. What’s all this? Is it always like this? First village entry, first entry to the Garden of the Gods?”

“It’s a hidden ‘setting.’ I have to give you a ‘gift’ according to it.”

The way Ludicer emphasized the word ‘gift’ made me think she might be annoyed.

It was always like this before. Whenever I visited, her greeting was always, ‘Why are you here already?’

“Right. Give me the gift.”

“…Here it is.”

I definitely heard her sigh.

“What? You don’t want to give it?”

“…No.”

“What?”

For a moment, I thought it might be too much, but I just let it go. Instead, I asked the most curious question.

“More importantly, why am I the first? It’s an outcome I never anticipated. Surely, I didn’t think the representatives of the Heavenly and Demonic Gods would struggle in the Monster Belt?”

“In the ‘Battlefield of Gods,’ you can’t see representatives of other gods. It’s the same for the Heavenly and Demonic Gods. It’s different from Earth.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. So, we can’t be certain why they’re so late. However, we can infer from previous records.”

“Infer?”

“Yes. The representatives of gods who have records of winning in the ‘Battlefield of Gods,’ including Heavenly and Demonic Gods, entered Exorsus roughly a month later. And their power upon entering Exorsus was on a different level from ordinary representatives. So, in conclusion–”

“So, in conclusion, these bastards are secretly siphoning off some arrangement their patron god set up somewhere? And doing it behind the scenes?”

“…Yes.”

“Oh, did I cut you off and make you upset? Anyway, is that what happened? It’s not something that could be problematic?”

“Yes, that’s correct. To be precise, it could potentially be an issue, but–”

“Right. Without evidence, there’s nothing you can do. Unless you’re coincidentally there to secure evidence.”

“That’s correct.”

Honestly, it’s a bit annoying.

Of course, strictly speaking, it’s true that I’ve equipped the cheat key called regression. And having the Creator as a solid backer as well.

Still, I exchanged it for 31 years of suffering. It’s not like these guys who start off with everything handed to them.

Come to think of it, doesn’t that mean they were also living the easy life in their previous lives?

There were still many things I needed to receive and hear, so I decided to think about it later and continue with my questions.

“You know I met Aetas on Earth, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“She told me that once I enter the ‘Battlefield of the Gods,’ I’d understand everything. But as you know, we’re currently in the ‘Battlefield of the Gods,’ right? And I don’t understand anything till now.”

“That issue, I… Uh? Yes. Hmm… I understand. I’ll check with the higher-ups first. Yes.”

Could someone have intervened again, just like when the Creator got involved before?

I waited for a moment as Ludicer nodded to herself, deep in thought.

“Aetas wants to meet you directly. Here, in the Garden of the Gods. It can be arranged with both my permission and Kim Han’s consent. If you agree, I will too.”

“What? I thought we couldn’t see other god’s of the representatives?”

“Yes. However, the moment Kim Han entered the Garden of the Gods, all gods became aware. Being the first to meet a god is something to be… proud of in the society of gods.”

Did Ludicer just blush? That bundle of intellect?

Well, that’s not important right now, so I’ll let it slide.

“Really? Well, okay.”

As soon as the affirmative “okay” left my lips, Aetas appeared next to Ludicer.

As always, she had that haughty expression and a slight smile that made me really want to punch her.