Gulrak (3): Shocking Prayers
At this point, it was reasonable to suspect something. No matter the reason, Gulrak hates me. Lightning striking down at a specific person—often described as the heavens' wrath. Usually, this applied to someone who committed a crime worthy of universal outrage, but no matter how I thought about it, I hadn't done anything like that.
Sure, I'd cursed out the gods in the forest and beaten their beloved followers to a pulp, but that was hardly significant. Even in Soul World, knocking out or killing Gulrak's followers didn't provoke him. In fact, he seemed to like it—his followers fighting among themselves honed their weapons, or so he claimed. He wasn't exactly a wholesome god.
"Kara. What did you say when you prayed?"
Grace asked Kara, her voice laced with curiosity.
Right now, I was standing with the group in front of the altar. After the lightning gave away my position, I figured it was better to stick together. Plus, I had questions for Gulrak, so the timing was perfect.
"Just... y'know."
Kara trailed off at Grace's question, sneaking a glance at me. The furtive look confirmed it—whatever she said was deeply connected to me.
She scratched her cheek with her index finger, shrugged, and said breezily, "I hoped the person I believe in wouldn't betray me. Something like that?"
"That person is Sivar, isn't it."
"Can't deny it. But I don't get why lightning hit him instead of me. First time I've seen this."
So the previous lightning strikes must have come from prayers involving me too. High likelihood. Porori said he wasn't around when the group arrived at the altar, so I'd ask him later. For now, who prayed before Kara was key.
"Before that."
"Huh?"
"Before you. Who did it?"
All eyes snapped to me the instant I spoke. They hadn't expected me to ask. Still, they'd have to answer.
Kara thought for a moment, then pointed at someone. "Luna did. Did lightning strike then too?"
"Yeah."
"Luna, you prayed about Sivar too?"
Prayers about me trigger lightning on me. Hypothesis basically proven.
Luna looked flustered at Kara's question, then stared at me. She rolled her eyes evasively before answering.
"...No? I just asked him to stay healthy."
"Liar."
"I-it's true!"
She wouldn't meet my eyes straight on. Even I could tell she was lying badly—clutching her hands timidly, eyes darting everywhere. It screamed I'm lying.
But that worked in her favor. Kara let it slide since Luna was so obviously fibbing.
"Fine, if you say so, I'll believe you. Though whether this counts as a positive response is debatable."
"What does a positive response usually look like?"
"The offering ignites on its own, without us lighting it. Like mine earlier—it caught fire. That's usually positive."
Kara pointed at the offering, now burned to pitch-black ashes. A timely gust scattered them far away.
"And for irreverent prayers, no response at all. Sometimes lightning for the overly blasphemous—but only on the pray-er."
"No cases where lightning hits someone else because of the prayer?"
"Of course not. If so, tons of people would get zapped. Sivar's the weird one."
Kara was right. Gods don't directly harm innocents via prayers. It'd cause chaos, so conditions are strict: demons or extreme irreverence. Even then, it's rare—better to empower followers. Efficiency matters.
"Grace first. Yeonju, you?"
"I-I'll do it later. Heaven's god seems in a bad mood..."
"Got it. Easterners call Gulrak 'Heaven's God'?"
"Yes. 'Heaven's God' over 'God of Destruction.' Gaia is 'Earth Goddess' or 'Mother Earth God'."
"Fascinating."
As Kara absorbed Eastern lore from Lee Yeonju, Grace stepped to the altar. She placed the offering as instructed, then knelt reverently.
Prayers could be in any form—Eastern rites or simple pleas. Key was offering and sincerity. Miss either, no response from Gulrak.
Good thing it's not random gacha.
Soul World granted most wishes as a game, but reality's trickier. Sincerity's vague.
Same for Gaia.
Grace should be fine, though.
She seemed prickly, but her heart was pure—fairy-tale level. She yearned for a loyal 'knight' through any trial. But reality was harsh, so she shelved dreams for pragmatism. Pity Delphoi Trash nearly assaulted her too—tragic character.
When was that event again?
Even Soul World timelines were fuzzy. But precursors were clear: befriending Grace led to her venting about Delphoi's creepiness.
I'd block it entirely over risking trauma.
Affection's harder without the event, but...
It boosted her affection massively. But I wouldn't exploit it. Delphoi deserved a beating, but not at her expense. Better gather evidence and bury him.
She's heading to Godin anyway.
Whoosh!
While I pondered, flames erupted from Grace's offering. Positive sign per Kara—prayer accepted.
"Uh, uh? Th-this is positive, right?"
Grace stammered excitedly.
"Yeah. Gulrak heard you. Pretty sincere, huh?"
"Y-yes! D-does that mean he'll grant my wish?"
Her dream tied deep, fueling uncontainable thrill. Gone was the haughty noble; she was a child with innocent wonder. Mask off—or true self revealed? Even her sharp eyes softened cutely.
"Dunno. He hears, but how's up to him. Gods can't predict human lives."
"Ah... so maybe just the sentiment."
"Kinda. Don't mope—response to that offering's already great."
"Got it. I'll take it as 'don't lose hope'."
Grace stayed upbeat despite the caveat. Hope's a fine motivator.
Rumble!
No. Uncle, why again?
Faint thunder rolled; I jerked my head up. No strike this time, but unease lingered. Three zaps today—trauma incoming?
"...What does thunder mean?"
"Er... not negative, since no lightning. Sivar next?"
Kara swiftly changed topics as vibes soured. After Grace, me. Not thrilled after all the strikes.
Why does the God of Destruction hate me?
"Place the offering I gave you on the altar. State your wish in your heart. Pray, bow—whatever."
"Dance?"
"Dance? Oh, you saw mine? Kinda embarrassing."
"Pretty."
"Pr-pretty... Ahem!"
Kara flushed, coughing to recover. Adorable. I liked her blend: bold yet human.
Key story ally now and later—smart to bond.
Rumble!
Louder thunder. He hated this setup: his favored shaman with some punk nearby. A punk who'd cursed gods, no less.
I ignored bashful Kara, placed the beast thigh on the altar, and bowed Eastern-style. Familiar from origins.
Hey, Gulrak.
You started it. Zapped me first. Naturally, only resentment built. Hector too—punching first?
Let's be honest. You hate me, right?
Whoosh!
Flames ignited instantly. Positive response.
I peeked up at the altar. Answered a question—not prayer—like a shot. Really hates me.
But I was innocent. Nothing against him. And Chaos chose me. Beef between them?
Before the temple, one question. Did you bring me here?
No reaction. Offering burned—no new sign. Byzantium it was, with Lize's help to contact Chaos.
...Anyway, let's get along. You'll watch anyway, like it or not.
Nothing more to say. Stuck together—especially with Kara.
But don't zap every prayer like a petty jerk...
BOOM!!
Too harsh? Lightning crashed as irreverence peaked. Bowed low, couldn't dodge.
Used to it now.
Crackle! Zap!
Strong jolt charred me slightly; faint currents flowed.
Group chattered, but thunder deafened me. I swallowed a hollow laugh, eyeing the sparks on my hand.
"Fuck."
Real petty jerk. Breathless with disbelief.
Thunder
Your devotion rises.
"......"
I bowed my head again, offering apology. Petty, but such a gift... truly grateful...
BOOM!!
"Fuck why. I apologized."