Chapter 39

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 39: Invitation from the Pantheon (1)

The Lord of Death.

One of the Lords of Chaos, and the one who finished off Kevrian in the end—a final boss in game terms.

But why is he showing up already?

If it were the Death Knight King, that would make more sense.

But the final boss already...?

And what’s this about a covenant?

Was it a mistake to go all out against the Phoenix?

[It was inevitable once you reached C-rank.]

So you all knew something, didn’t you?

[Pollux said he’ll explain everything once you return to Earth.]

Returning to Earth, huh.

After today’s battle, those reckless fools have been scared off and retreated.

Things should stay quiet for a few days.

I’ll take some time to reorganize my forces before heading back to Earth.

Though I was tense about what might appear after that ominous message about the Lord of Death watching, nothing seemed to change afterward.

For now, I guess it’s just observation.

“Hah... Damn, I really thought I was going to die.”

While I was deep in thought, Jinseong approached, riding a blood- and dust-covered white horse.

His armor was in tatters, and instead of the Crescent Blade he used to boast about, he was carrying Uruk’s club.

“You’re still alive?”

“If it weren’t for Red Hare, I’d have died three times. Fight, run, fight, run—that’s what I kept doing. Even then, I did die once.”

“Hey, did you level up at least?”

“Wow! Leveling up was crazy. What did you even do at the end there? The legion’s experience suddenly skyrocketed. I’m at level 36 now. Even with the death penalty, I hit 36... This is insane. I might even become the ace of our guild at this rate.”

Jinseong’s eyes sparkled as we talked about leveling up.

I really didn’t want to see a buff bald guy staring at me with such bright eyes.

“Hey, you’d be dead without me today.”

“True, who would’ve guessed you’d pull off that insane skill? There are even people who didn’t bother resurrecting because they thought we’d lost the war.”

“Ah... Banking on a world reset if the fortress falls, huh?”

Now that I think about it, that’s one way to approach it.

Back when I was alone in Kevrian, I had to enter the world to reset it.

But with multiple people around, the world could keep running without my intervention.

It’s like a single-player game turning into an online multiplayer one.

“Yeah. I got hit by a wyvern statue and died. I came back after resurrecting, but when I returned to the original world, people were just hesitating, unsure of what to do. Some were in shock from the pain of dying for the first time...”

“Well, it’s not exactly normal to jump back into battle right after dying. It’s a pain people have never felt before.”

“No way. A awakened who’s made it to D-rank can’t be that weak-willed. Mental strength is everything...”

Jinseong clicked his tongue and stroked his chin, where sparse stubble had started to grow.

Was he trying to grow a beard now?

“So, what the hell are you? What was that crazy skill? Did you hit C-rank or something?”

“Yeah. I’m C-rank now.”

“What the...?! You’re kidding, right? The first one on Earth?!”

“Awakened Kim Jiho! Are you really C-rank?”

As Jinseong and I were talking, someone interrupted.

It was Smith, the CIA awakened I had let tag along before.

His face was filled with astonishment.

“The world’s first C-rank is finally here! Honestly, we thought David from the U.S., who’s level 49, would get there first... But for you to reach this so quickly—it’s incredible.”

“At level 49... I suppose he could be C-rank by now as well.”

“We’ve received reports that he’s been stuck at level 49 for three weeks now. By the way, does being C-rank mean you can use amazing skills like the one earlier?”

Smith pointed to the sky with his finger. He must be talking about the Phoenix.

“It was only possible because I’m C-rank, but it was a skill that pushed me to my limits. My magic stat permanently dropped by 3.”

“What?! Losing stats... How can that be? You’ve made a great sacrifice.”

“Your magic dropped? It’s hard enough to collect stat points—how will you manage...?”

Both of them looked darkly concerned for me.

How touching... Oh.

From their perspective, a loss of 3 points is equivalent to losing 6 levels, since most people only get 1 point every 2 levels.

For me, though, I can raise my stats using SP.

While it’s still a painful hit, it’s manageable.

I must’ve earned a ton of SP in this battle.

I should check it out.

“While I’m happy about the victory, I need to review my stats. Let’s talk later.”

“Understood. It’s truly unfortunate about your magic.”

“Yeah... Stay strong.”

Once they stepped back, I opened my status window.

Looking at the Order faction first, my level had risen to 54.

The Phoenix’s Wing skill had wiped out the wyverns and turned the ground into a hellscape.

It must’ve made a big impact.

Though, considering I burned an entire battlefield to the ground, it feels like only gaining 4 levels is underwhelming.

Leveling up will definitely get harder from here.

Previously, my strength and agility were both at 35.

After the intense battles in the fortress, both had surpassed 40.

It seems my absorption trait shines in large-scale battles.

Although I lost 3 points in magic, the absorption offset it, so the net loss was only about 1.

Reviewing my stats, I noticed there are fewer monsters that grant magic points.

Hmm... I’ll invest 10 points into magic.

Magic is definitely valuable in large-scale battles.

[Name: Kim Jiho

Class: Soul Mediator

Guardian Deity: Pollux, the God of Gemini

Title: Bat Awakener

Level: 54

Strength: 42, Agility: 41, Magic: 63

SP: 152.2]

As expected, SP gains as a Soul Mediator in a broken world are slow.

Let’s check the Neutral faction now.

After that large-scale slaughter, I’m curious how much SP I’ve accumulated.

[Name: Kim Jiho

Class: Soul Reaper

Guardian Deity: Aurelia, the Goddess of Volcanoes

Title: Pioneer of Earth (Hero)

Level: 54

Body: B

Magic: B

Skill: B

Luck: B

SP: 5,112

Stat Points: +2]

SP: 5,112!

I had spent 3,000 earlier and only had 110 left, but now it’s shot up to 5,000.

Wow.

That’s a huge amount.

Maybe the efficiency of the Soul Reaper skill has improved with its level?

Looking closely, my overall B stats had slightly increased as well.

It seems the absorption trait also boosted my stats.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

I tossed the 2 stat points into Luck, but the gauge only filled a bit.

Now, how should I spend these 5,000 points?

I was considering investing them in stats but suddenly remembered the shop.

As a C-rank, wouldn’t I have access to better items?

Opening the Premium Shop, I found more items than last time.

But aside from the random boxes, everything was absurdly expensive.

For example...

[Gram, the Regenerating Sword] - SP: 40,000

What kind of sword costs 40,000 SP?

Gram... It sounds familiar.

Should I read the description?

Oh, wait—the system says I lack the required SP.

The only thing remotely affordable is the random boxes.

[C~E-Rank Random Box - Items & Skills] - SP: 500

[C~E-Rank Random Box - Items] - SP: 1,000

[C~E-Rank Random Box - Skills] - SP: 1,000

Compared to the D~F random boxes, the prices have increased tenfold.

Still, they might be worth a shot... I’ll save the draws for when I’m back on Earth.

I might need the SP for something urgent.

Having finished strengthening my stats, I entered the partially destroyed fortress, and Diana approached me.

Though her appearance was stained with enemy blood, dirt, and soot, her beauty was still intact.

"Ah, Apostle. I'm glad to see you're safe!"

"I'm glad you are safe as well, Diana."

"Yes. I managed to hold off the giant worms, but when the wyverns began to swarm, I thought I might have to resort to my last resort... but thanks to the Phoenix's blessing, we all made it through safely. I truly owe everything to you, Apostle Kim Jiho..."

She bowed respectfully and expressed her gratitude.

But all I could hear in my ears was the mention of a last resort.

Ugh... was she going to summon the spirit of wrath again?

Well, if she hadn’t stopped the wyverns, we would’ve died either way, so... I guess my choice was the right one.

"By the way, why can't we see the Phoenix? Is something wrong...?"

In response to Diana’s question, the Phoenix descended from the sky, fluttering down weakly.

It wasn’t the majestic presence it had earlier, now it seemed small, like a sparrow.

It landed right on top of my head.

[Hah... I pushed myself too much. It will take about a week to recover to my original state.]

"Even though I increased my mana?"

[That’s why it’ll take this long.]

"Well, you did your part, so you should rest."

[Then I’ll rest on my master's head for a while.]

A faint sound of flames crackled above my head, and then vanished, leaving a warm sensation on my forehead.

I removed Hephaestus’ armor and touched my forehead.

It felt strangely warm.

"Look at this."

Diana spread her hands, and a mirror of water appeared.

As I lifted my hair, I saw a phoenix-shaped tattoo on my forehead.

That little... always up to something.

I couldn't do this when I was D-rank.

"Wow. But seriously, I look awful."

The reflection in the mirror showed my face covered in blood, sweat, and dirt.

It was a sight I couldn’t bear to look at.

To show such a hideous face to this beautiful woman... but, what could a mere human do?

"No, you’re really cool!"

"Huh? Do you like the dirty look?"

Diana quickly denied it, and I couldn't help but ask in return.

I thought I looked too ugly, but was it some sort of special preference?

"No! I like clean things too, but... uh... I can't really explain it..."

Diana's eyes darted around, and then she suddenly threw the water mirror toward me.

The water mirror spread out and enveloped my body.

"I... I’ll wash you with the water spirit."

Suddenly, I felt as if I was submerged in water, and my whole body began to be scrubbed clean.

Even my face was being scrubbed, and I couldn’t even open my eyes.

But it felt so refreshing.

Was it cleaning every inch of my body?

Hah... I almost wanted to sleep like this.

After a few minutes of spirit shower, my body was completely refreshed.

Diana, who must have washed herself as well, was now looking neat, and her face had a slight blush.

"I’ll go with the elves and earth spirits to repair the castle."

"Ah... alright."

After a quick bow, Diana disappeared at a rapid pace.

Hmm... did she get mad?

Well, it would’ve been rude to say something about her preferences.

Hehe, still, to hear I look handsome from a high elf.

Maybe my face is good enough to attract elves?

Tsk.

If I had known that, I would’ve... sooner...

"Kim Jiho, do you look handsome to elves?"

"Yes."

"We do care about looks."

"So, about those preferences..."

"Actually, we all have high standards, so we tend to prefer more golden ratios. As for Kim Jiho Awakened... heh... your abilities are excellent."

"Yes..."

Liana raised one corner of her mouth while looking at me.

Ahhh, damn it.

What is this?

You were the one who said I was handsome in Kevrian!

I walked with my shoulders slumped as I followed her behind.

Our unit, which had stayed in the fortress for another day, returned to Earth on the 10th day, and as soon as we arrived, I was able to meet High Elf Liana.

She must have known I had reached C-rank, as she urgently told me she had something important to discuss and asked me to follow her.

On the way there, I wondered about Diana, but I got a little embarrassed...

"Where are we going?"

"We are heading to the Pantheon, to the Hall of Gods."

"The Hall of Gods?"

"Yes. The Soul Mediator, you should be doing more of it now. Since you’ve reached the Hero rank, you now qualify for an invitation to the Hall of Gods."

Upon hearing her words, I checked my Soul Mediator skill.

[Soul Mediator LV2]

[It mediates the absorption of souls from the guardian gods. It generates 40% efficiency, and the user can take up to 15% as commission. You can mediate up to 6 guardian gods at once.]

I can handle three more gods now.

Plus, the efficiency has increased from 20% to 40%, and I can take 5% more as commission.

"The gods have great expectations for the growth of the Soul Mediator. Now that you’re visiting the Hall of Gods, more gods will offer you favorable proposals."

Her words made my heart race.

I quickly forgot about being factually called ugly.

More gods... what can I receive?

This will be an exciting time for choices.

I followed her while pondering what I could gain, entering the Light Portal Gate.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]