Chapter 146

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 146: Ambush (1)

Seoul Hunter Branch.

As I made my way toward the auditorium, the place was packed with reporters, leaving no room to step.

Not only Korean journalists but also foreign press had gathered, creating a chaotic scene.

“We're setting up. Please step aside for a moment.”

A group of Valkyries was personally organizing the stage in the auditorium.

There were a total of ten of them.

Their intense presence was enough to make the reporters instinctively keep their distance.

Click. Click.

Still, some journalists captured the Valkyries' images from afar.

The Valkyries glanced at them briefly before continuing their work.

Perhaps taking their lack of response as permission, the sound of camera shutters only intensified.

“Begin.”

At that command from one of the Valkyries, five of them simultaneously drew their swords and stabbed them into the floor of the stage.

Immediately, mana surged between the swords, forming a magic circle.

A blue portal began to open atop the completed formation.

“Show respect.”

As the portal took shape, the ten Valkyries in the auditorium knelt beneath the stage.

Each gripped their swords, planted them in the ground, and bowed their heads deeply.

Hmm.

Who's coming?

Vrrrrr.

The portal gradually expanded.

A deep blue light radiated in all directions, engulfing the entire stage.

Along with it came an overwhelming spiritual energy.

This presence is no joke…

This was on the level of a High Deity.

Before long, the light subsided, and the portal disappeared.

Thud.

A camera dropped to the floor.

“Wow…”

The reporters could only gape in awe.

Some of them seemed to lose focus in their eyes.

And for good reason—

Beyond the portal stood a silver-haired goddess.

Clad in pure white armor, she radiated an overwhelming divine presence.

She was a towering giant, standing about 4 to 5 meters tall, completely dominating the auditorium.

Yet, she possessed beauty beyond compare.

Even among all the stunning women I had seen, none could match her.

The only one who even came close was the remnant of Aphrodite that had briefly inhabited Diana’s body.

Faced with such divine beauty, the journalists were too stunned to even press their camera shutters.

If a being from Asgard looked this breathtaking…

“You have done well. Rise.”

At the goddess’s command, the Valkyries immediately stood.

One of them turned toward the reporters and spoke.

“This is Freya, leader of the Valkyries. Show your respect.”

“The goddess of beauty, Freya…”

“Wow…”

“There’s a ranking even among divine beauty, huh…?”

Gasps of admiration filled the room.

Indeed, her beauty was worthy of the title of the goddess of beauty.

Even though she was three times the size of a human, she was so stunning that it was impossible not to be overwhelmed.

If I hadn’t reached S-rank, I probably would have been completely entranced.

“Oh my… You’re already here.”

Freya scanned the room before stopping her gaze precisely where I was hidden in the air.

Then, she smiled softly.

Wow… She was already stunning with a neutral expression, but when she smiles?

That’s just unfair.

Even as an S-rank, I felt my mental defenses nearly crumble.

Suddenly, I remembered Loki’s offer—lower interest rates in exchange for hearing about Freya.

Maybe I should’ve just accepted back then…

No, wait.

She’s a giant.

“Come over here, Kim Jiho.”

She extended a hand, motioning for me to stand by her side.

Well… She already found me.

I dropped my invisibility and flew over to her.

Instantly, camera flashes erupted.

Unlike before, the reporters reacted swiftly this time.

As I stood beside Freya, her body glowed momentarily before gradually shrinking.

Now, at a human-like size, her beauty became even more dazzling.

When she was a giant, her sheer size created a sense of distance, but in human form—wow…

If Loki had shown me Freya back when he made that interest rate offer, I might have actually taken the deal.

“I didn’t expect you to personally attend today’s announcement, Lady Freya.”

“I wanted to see you in person, Jiho.”

She stepped closer, her eyes crinkling with a charming smile.

Facing the direct smile of the goddess of beauty was nearly mind-numbing.

“That’s enough, Freya.”

Suddenly, the world turned white.

A brilliant light poured from the ceiling, and a few white feathers drifted down.

Like a spotlight, the light concentrated on the space beside me.

Whoosh!

A pair of luminous white wings unfurled atop the stage.

That form… I recognized it.

“Michael. I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Heh. Likewise, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

It was the Archangel Michael, wearing my father’s form.

However, his face was purely made of radiant energy, so only those like Freya and me could make out his features.

The others could only marvel at the divine radiance, letting out endless exclamations.

“The Archangel Michael!”

“I heard gods would be descending today, but I never imagined it would be these High Deities.”

“Quick, take pictures! Hurry!”

Camera flashes erupted from every direction.

Yet the two High Deities ignored them completely, focusing solely on me.

“Kim Jiho. It has been a while.”

Michael offered me a slight nod.

Even though he was using my father’s avatar, he was clearly the one in control.

Now, I stood between Michael and Freya.

“I, Michael, make this proclamation regarding Zeus’s Lightning.”

“This matter has been investigated by Asgard, the Christian faction, and the Soul God, Kim Jiho.”

The two High Deities solemnly began their announcement regarding Zeus’s Lightning.

Each time my name was mentioned, the reporters turned their gazes toward me, but they remained focused on the divine figures.

Thus began the official statement on Zeus’s Lightning.

Their report closely matched what I already knew—after all, the source of the information was Athena.

The two High Deities methodically relayed the details I was familiar with.

Of course, for the journalists, these were completely new revelations, and they diligently took notes.

This scene was probably being broadcast live as well.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

About twenty minutes passed as they spoke.

After delivering the core information, the two High Deities concluded:

“Zeus’s Lightning poses a great threat to humanity. The Divine Alliance will not stand idly by and will take all necessary measures.”

“We express our gratitude to the Soul God Kim Jiho for providing crucial information regarding Zeus’s Lightning. Asgard and the Divine Alliance fully support his endeavors.”

“We, too, pledge our support to Kim Jiho, the human who has ascended to S-rank as the Soul God.”

Oh?

I thought they were just going to mention my name, but this is more than I expected.

As I glanced back and forth between them, the two high-ranking deities smiled and nodded.

[I’ve heard that receiving an Apostle boosts soul mediation efficiency. The Divine Realm Union will definitely back you up.]

[Jiho~ We’ll be here to support you, so please take care of soul mediation for us~]

Their voices resonated in my mind, spoken secretly.

Especially Freya—her solemn tone from the announcement was gone, replaced with an incredibly sweet and affectionate voice.

She even winked at me…

Wow.

She really is the Goddess of Beauty.

It’s hard to maintain my composure.

Anyway, these two renowned deities from the Divine Realms have decided to support me.

Because of their words, every gaze in the room is now focused on me.

Looks like the long-stalled process of making C-rank hunters into Apostles will finally move forward.

The cameras and people’s attention are all on me.

It feels like the perfect moment to say something.

If I make my presence known once more here, recruiting Apostles will be much easier.

I stepped forward on the stage.

Just as I opened my mouth…

The world turned red.

…This is danger detection!?

The upgraded danger detection detects an attack.

Direction—above.

Range—the entire auditorium!

"Soul Barrier."

I expanded the Soul Barrier to cover the entire auditorium, including the stage and the press area.

A golden barrier spread out.

BOOM!

The Soul Barrier trembled violently.

But it didn’t tear—it deflected the attack completely.

Looking up, I saw a black lightning bolt striking the Soul Barrier, gradually weakening.

Seeing this, both high-ranking deities tensed up.

“This power is unusual. Could it be Zeus’s?”

“Lower the barrier for a moment. I will evacuate the people.”

At Michael’s words, I deactivated the Soul Barrier.

Michael extended his hand towards the people.

A luminous hand made of light grew larger, enveloping everyone in the auditorium.

“Withdraw.”

Then, in an instant, they all vanished.

Just in time, as a black lightning bolt crashed down where they had been.

ZZZZZT…

From the spot where the lightning struck, dark electric currents gathered and took shape.

The shape resembled a human.

There were five of them in total.

“Who are you?!”

One of the Valkyries shouted furiously, drawing her sword.

One of the black lightning beings—the Thunderborn—extended an arm.

“Krrrgh!”

A strange shriek echoed as black lightning bursts out, striking the Valkyrie.

ZZZZZT!

The Valkyrie tried to block with her sword, but—

She vanished into dust.

A devastating attack.

“To erase a Valkyrie in one strike…”

“At least A-rank… No, even higher.”

“Valkyries, retreat.”

Recognizing they were outmatched, Freya ordered the Valkyries to fall back.

Michael and Freya prepared for battle.

I gripped my Soul Sword and reactivated the Soul Barrier.

“Krrrgh!”

The five Thunderborn charged in unison—

But they all targeted only Freya.

“A non-aggression treaty exists…”

Freya eyed them warily as they rushed toward her.

Yeah.

Olympus and Asgard are still bound by their alliance.

Why are they attacking Freya?

Hmm.

I don’t know their reason, but this makes things easier.

I struck from the side of the incoming enemies.

ZZZZZT!

I slashed through the Thunderborn on the far right.

For a brief moment, a golden-and-black barrier flickered around it.

This… feels similar to the Soul Barrier.

But it’s weaker than the original.

My Soul Sword cut through both the barrier and its body, slicing it in half.

“KRAAHH…!”

Cutting through lightning feels just like cutting flesh.

As the black lightning faded, the Thunderborn’s true form was revealed.

Alright.

Let’s take down the remaining four.

“Dragon’s Power.”

I struck the next target and unleashed the Dragon’s Power at a distant one.

The synergy with my Soul Energy Emission took effect.

The enemy’s barrier flickered briefly before its body ignited entirely.

“Grrrgh!”

As their comrades fell, the remaining Thunderborn turned toward me and charge.

Their humanoid forms shifted—

They became pure lightning, streaking toward me at terrifying speed.

A few days ago, I wouldn’t have been able to track their movement.

But thanks to my battles in Asura’s Realm…

Now, I can see them clearly.

Swish.

"Go."

I lightly dodged two lightning streaks and extended my tendrils.

My tendrils, turned pure white from my Soul Energy Emission, instantly stabbed into the lightning.

The black lightning vanished immediately.

Now only one remained.

ZZZZZT!

The bolt of lightning I dodged turned back like a homing missile.

I casually cleaved it in two with my Soul Sword.

The Thunderborn split and dissipated instantly.

“They didn’t seem like easy opponents, but you handled them effortlessly.”

“They seemed at least at the level of lower deities, empowered by Zeus’s unique abilities… yet they couldn’t withstand a strike from the God of Souls.”

Indeed.

My struggles in Asura’s Realm paid off.

I’ve been able to draw out more of my Soul Form’s potential.

I should keep sending myself there.

Ssssss…

The remnants of the split and pierced Thunderborn—

From the spots where they vanished, something began to appear.

“…No way.”

“Those are…?”

What emerged—

Were spirits.

Spirits with their bodies split and pierced, slowly burning in pure white flames.

Seeing them, the two high-ranking deities leapt down from the stage in shock.

“These faces… I recognize them.”

“Aren’t they gods from minor divine realms?”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]