Chapter 129

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 129: Rejecting the Proposal

Loki and Hermes, huh?

Ever since the world changed into Asgard, there hadn’t been much contact with Hermes.

For now, let’s contact Loki.

[Kim Jiho!]

As soon as I opened the communication, Loki shouted urgently.

There was a gaping hole in his chest.

“You’re alive?”

[Odin came to his senses. I was released just before being sealed.]

Even though he was in a spirit state, Loki's chest had been neatly hollowed out.

It was clear that he had been through his share of suffering.

“Why did you call me?”

[Did you impose a penalty on Asgard?]

“Not yet. It felt like I was only helping Zeus. But since Odin is practically Zeus’s subordinate now, I was wondering if imposing a penalty was the right move.”

[No, don’t! It’s fine now! If Asgard disappears, Zeus’s victory will be complete!]

“Hm, but you handed over 5 trillion to Zeus. What about that?”

Loki flinched at that.

His scrunched-up expression was almost pitiful.

Where had his former confidence gone?

Now he just looked like a boss being scolded for messing up.

[5 trillion... Haah... No matter what, I’ll repay the debt. So please, stop the penalty!]

He hesitated at "5 trillion" for a moment, then pleaded with me to hold off on the penalty, swearing he’d pay it back somehow.

“Alright. I don’t feel like letting Zeus have his way either.”

[Ah, then...]

“I’ll listen to what Hermes has to say first. I’ll get back to you soon.”

[Hey... Hey!]

I cut the communication.

I wasn't planning to impose a penalty just yet, but I couldn't let this slide too easily.

If I gave in right away, I’d look like a pushover.

Might as well hear what Hermes had to say.

I connected with Hermes.

[It’s been a while, Kim Jiho-nim.]

“You’ve been up to some interesting things.”

[Haha… Now, you just need to put the finishing touch.]

Hermes, wearing a winged hat and a sharp suit, looked at me with a relaxed smile.

His confident demeanor made sense.

After all, Olympus was on the verge of victory.

“You’re not asking me to impose a penalty on Asgard, are you?”

[Oh, but I am. You catch on quickly.]

“Why would I?”

[Kim Jiho-nim, we can maintain a good relationship.]

Hermes smiled warmly.

[Even if you only impose a debt collection on Asgard, enforcing the penalty would generate over 5 trillion SP. Dismantling such a massive divine realm would yield considerable byproducts. You’d make an immense profit.]

“In exchange, Zeus would become even more perfect.”

[Yes, a win-win situation. You’d gain massive SP, and Zeus would achieve perfection... The best possible outcome.]

“Haha... But it’s funny. Even after earning 5 trillion SP, you still care about Asgard?”

I gestured to Hades beside me.

“Hades was screaming about how he was doomed, but he’s still alive and kicking.”

“Keh keh… Hermes. Looks like Zeus hasn’t become a Creator yet.”

Hades, who had come to his senses, approached me.

His face, which had been filled with despair earlier, now looked thrilled.

“Keh keh. This spirit god—turns out he’s not as dumb as I thought. Choosing not to destroy Asgard deserves some praise.”

“Shut up. I don’t need your praise.”

“Why so cold between us?”

Hades strutted over with his skeletal zombie followers, looking absolutely ecstatic.

“Ugh. Keep those zombies away from me.”

“Oh, my apologies. I was just so happy. Keh keh.”

Snap!

With a flick of his fingers, Hades made the skeletons and zombies disappear.

Hermes scowled when he saw Hades.

[Why are you here, Uncle?]

“Because you guys sold a shard of Gungnir for 5 trillion. That’s how I met him. Keh keh.”

[Sigh... Kim Jiho-nim. Don’t mind his words. He won’t be around much longer. Let’s have a productive conversation.]

“Productive, my ass! Kim Jiho, think about it. If Asgard falls, do you really think they’ll leave you alone? You hold the SP exchange, the greatest treasure of all!”

[No, that’s not true. We will ensure your safety. Since Earth will no longer be habitable for humans, we can arrange for you to migrate to another planet.]

Wait... Earth won’t be habitable for humans?

What the hell are these guys planning?

Just then, Hermes’s expression brightened as if he had an idea.

[Ah! You could even stay in Kevrian. Once Hades is gone, it’ll be free for the taking. We won’t touch it.]

He was now suggesting that I become a god in Kevrian.

[Honestly, the Asgard issue will resolve itself over time. Zeus just wants to ascend as a complete Creator as soon as possible, so he’s offering you this deal. But if you refuse… the outcome won’t be pretty.]

Now he was mixing in subtle threats.

[Hera asked why we should let you go. She suggested sealing you up and dissecting you instead, but I managed to talk her down. Haha.]

Hah.

Hera.

Did I wrong her in a past life or something?

She’s always hostile whenever she’s mentioned.

So, in the end, they were just threatening me—follow them or suffer.

Hmm...

Honestly, I was tempted.

Zeus seemed overwhelmingly strong.

Rather than fighting him, settling in Kevrian didn’t sound so bad.

But how could I trust these guys?

They had no issue betraying Asgard, despite their alliances.

If I trusted them and got backstabbed, that would be the end of me.

“I refuse.”

Hermes nodded, as if he had expected my answer.

[So that’s your decision. I truly don’t understand why you insist on such futile resistance.]

“Keh keh keh! Kim Jiho, hurrah! Hurrah!”

Hades started cheering beside me, raising his arms in celebration, which only irritated me.

Seeing this, Hermes frowned and pressed his hand against his forehead—then suddenly froze.

His eyes widened as he looked to his side.

Then, with an air of utmost respect, he bowed deeply.

The camera angle shifted abruptly.

[Hoo hoo. My foolish brother, you remain as clueless as ever.]

A flash of light.

A blinding radiance filled the screen.

It was so bright I could hardly see.

As my eyes adjusted, I began to make out a silhouette within the light.

A long, golden mane of curls, along with a thick beard.

Every strand of hair crackled with electricity, and his eyes shone a piercing white.

His divine features were sculpted to perfection, radiating both overwhelming majesty and breathtaking beauty.

I had a pretty good idea who this was.

[This is our first time facing each other, Soul Awakener.]

"Are you Zeus?"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

[Yes. I am the King of the Gods, Zeus. The ruler of the solar system.]

Zeus boldly proclaimed himself as the ruler of the solar system.

Even though it was just an image on a screen, the pressure I felt when he made that declaration was immense.

He was clearly different from the countless SSS-rank transcendents I had encountered before.

I could finally understand what it meant for someone to be on another level.

The title King of the Gods suited him perfectly.

[Do you truly refuse Hermes' proposal?]

"Yeah."

[You cannot win. I have already ascended to a higher level, and the members of Olympus have equipped themselves with Hercules’ skills. You won’t just lose—you should be worrying about your very existence.]

"I doubt you'd let me live even if I surrendered."

Hearing my response, Zeus burst into laughter.

He immediately affirmed my words.

[Hahaha! At least you understand that much. You are worthy of being my obstacle. Hah, it would be too dull if Odin had been my last.]

"So, you never intended to spare me in the first place?"

[The SP Exchange is far too valuable to be left in the hands of a mere lesser god. It should rightfully be claimed as the spoils of my conquest over the solar system, don’t you think?]

Zeus, that bastard…

So he never planned to leave me alone in the first place.

He's not even trying to deceive me anymore.

He’s ascended to another level, huh?

"You've reached the level of a Creator, yet you're still obsessed with the SP Exchange?"

[Heh… Even though I have ascended, I am still bound by the system. The SP Exchange, which allows expansion across the entire universe, is invaluable. It is not something that should be dismissed as just an exchange.]

"Ha. Your greed knows no bounds."

[Yes. Greed! That is what made me who I am today.]

Zeus openly acknowledged his greed and ambition.

The radiant glow around him was dazzling.

Watching him, Hades clenched his teeth.

"Zeus…!"

[My naïve brother. Are you still foolishly chasing the shadow of Persephone?]

"You bastard… I will kill you. You, above all else…!"

[Tsk, tsk. If you truly desire Persephone, I will bring her back for you. Just subdue Kim Jiho and bring him to me.]

Zeus immediately attempted to tempt Hades.

Seriously?

He looks like a radiant god of light, but he's making shady deals like this?

I was momentarily worried that Hades, who was utterly devoted to Persephone, might actually consider it.

As I took a step away from him, Hades looked at me like I had lost my mind and made a circling motion with his finger near his temple.

His tone became rough.

"Kim Jiho. Do you really think I'd listen to that bastard?"

"I mean, you never know."

Hades glared at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to the screen.

"Get lost. The Persephone you revive would be nothing more than a shell that resembles her. If you had the power to truly restore her soul… you would’ve used that power to kill me already. Am I wrong?"

[Heh, my dear brother. You know me too well.]

Wow.

He never stops lying, does he?

Should a god of his level really be like this?

"You… I swear I will kill you…"

[I look forward to it.]

Hades ground his teeth furiously.

The moment he saw Zeus, all his composure had vanished.

Zeus watched him with a smirk before making a proclamation.

[Watch over Earth.]

Then, the transmission was cut off.

What is he planning now?

The way he acts like he's already won is infuriating.

Ugh.

Is there no penalty for Zeus?

Since he didn’t directly attack me?

But he controlled Odin to act on his behalf—shouldn’t that count as a reason to impose a penalty?

I really want to penalize him somehow…

[Would you like to impose a penalty on Imperfect Creator Zeus?]

Oh.

Is it actually possible?

As I was about to press Yes, a long explanation followed.

[He manipulated Asgard’s Odin to indirectly harm the Soul God. This meets the conditions for a penalty. However, because he did not directly inflict harm, the effectiveness of the penalty will be reduced.]

[The target is Imperfect Creator, EX-rank. The effectiveness of the system penalty is further reduced.]

There were also other conditions that kept decreasing the penalty’s effectiveness.

On top of that…

[If you impose a penalty on Imperfect Creator Zeus, you will be unable to impose a penalty on Asgard. Do you still wish to proceed?]

I recalled what Hermes had said earlier.

If Asgard were burned down, I could earn even more SP from the aftermath.

But no matter how reduced the effect might be, my choice was obvious.

As long as Zeus was after the SP Exchange, weakening him in any way was in my best interest.

Asgard would still be in debt to me anyway, so it was fine.

"I impose a penalty on Zeus."

[Imposing a penalty on ‘Imperfect Creator’ Zeus.]

[Zeus' SP acquisition rate has significantly decreased.]

[This effect will remain until Zeus becomes a Perfect Creator.]

Huh?

That’s it?

It doesn’t even reduce his current SP, just his income?

Ah…

So the penalty that could have burned all of Asgard down was reduced to merely lowering Zeus' SP earnings.

This feels disappointing all of a sudden.

"Zeus, what the hell are you planning…?"

Meanwhile, Hades, who had been grinding his teeth the whole time, suddenly gestured toward the air.

A massive screen, like a TV, appeared in midair.

Displayed on it was Earth.

"Nothing seems out of the ordinary?"

"No, something is definitely wrong."

Hades shook his head, returning to his usual polite speech.

Had he regained his composure?

The usual madness in his eyes was completely gone, replaced with a cautious expression as he manipulated the screen.

The view zoomed in on Earth.

The clouds parted, revealing land, which continued to grow larger as the screen zoomed in further.

Before long, the landscape became familiar.

"Wait. This is near my home."

Seongsu-dong, where my entire apartment building had been ripped from the ground due to Odin’s summoning.

After being flung into the sky and crashing back down, the scene was a disaster.

The apartment's fall had caused multiple buildings to collapse, and several fire trucks and ambulances had gathered at the scene.

"There it is."

Hades swiftly moved the screen, locking onto a specific location.

The spot where my apartment used to be.

And right there—

A golden lightning bolt was embedded in the ground.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]