Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
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Several months had already passed since Ceres had officially taken on the name of the World Tree.
During that time, the Spirit Kings had been diligently carrying out the punishments I had imposed on them.
They were reportedly busy selecting and training their successors.
-Ughhh! This is so hard! I'm only a mid-level spirit—how am I supposed to do this?!
In particular, Silpi had been suffering lately without proper rest, and the reason was a rumor spreading through the spirit realm that she would become the next Wind Spirit King.
Normally, people should have dismissed it as nonsense—after all, Silpi had only just reached mid-level—but the source of the rumor was none other than the Spirit Kings of each attribute.
Because of that, what was once seen as baseless gossip gained credibility, and Silpi was making this forced effort just to avoid getting flak for no reason.
-It's all because I stepped up back then!
"Hang in there, Silpi~."
It seemed her smack to the back of my head and scolding had left a deep impression on the Spirit Kings.
I mean, they'd all been thoroughly thrashed by me, yet Silpi had hit and berated me like it was nothing.
Still, it was a relief that Cheong was acting as her sparring partner.
Without Cheong, she probably would have collapsed under the increasingly difficult assignments.
"Sis, isn't that the Amrita Mom gave me?"
"Ahem. I've told you kids time and again: you're too young for Amrita. You should be eating this fresh, green salad instead..."
"Mooooom! Sis stole our share of Amrita again!!"
"Wait, hold on! Vina!"
And in Ceres's case, the high elves destined to become Keter's younger siblings had opened their eyes.
Not all of them, but three in total.
They decided to use the names I had given them before: Hokma, Vina, and Hesed, in order.
According to Ceres, it was now routine for Keter to steal her siblings' Amrita and get scolded for it.
Anyway, from the Lich King incident to the Spirit Kings' conference, there had been some major events, but everything had wrapped up on a positive note. Everyone was leading relatively busy but stable daily lives.
Oh, what have I been up to, you ask?
"Hello, Hero."
[Hm.]
"Shall we begin the Gallery Maintenance Exam, then?"
A pure white space, as if all color had been drained from it.
That's where I was, taking my second Gallery Maintenance Exam.
"You probably don't remember, Hero, but this makes our second meeting."
[...I see.]
In front of me stood a goddess in Raine's form, just like during my first Gallery Maintenance Exam.
So, who was the goddess dealing with me this time?
Raine herself? Or Irine? Surely not Kisune...
Gulp.
The memory of the last exam made cold sweat trickle down for no reason.
Back then, the goddess I suspected was Kisune had targeted my eyes.
She seemed tame now—whether Raine herself or just imitating her—but she could flip at any moment, so I couldn't let my guard down.
"Aren't you a bit too tense?"
[Ahem. Well, facing a goddess and all.]
"Even so, you seem overly tense."
With that, a slender finger approached me.
Instinctively worried it was heading for my face—my eyes specifically—my body trembled, and perhaps because of that, the goddess's finger stopped midway without touching me.
"Do you know something about me?"
[Why would I? Anyway, how does this maintenance exam work?]
"Hmm."
Despite my words, she rested her chin on her hand, pondering in a way that only heightened my tension.
Damn. Did I have to go through this terrified every year?
I kept a straight face to hide my desire to escape and spoke.
[I'd appreciate it if you didn't ignore me.]
"Ignore you? I just had something to think about."
Snap.
My age and tenure had increased to 2 since last time.
Well, it happened once a year, and this was our second meeting, so that made sense.
"Hee, El's case is unique—your age matches your tenure."
[You say it like it's your first time seeing it. Didn't you check during the first exam?]
"This is the first time I'm seeing it directly like this."
I nodded vaguely at her words.
Whatever the case, as long as I stayed cautious and didn't repeat last time's mistake, it should be fine.
Irine would keep up the Raine act if I didn't pry off the mask, even if Kisune might not.
The problem was Kisune... Guess I'd have to leave it to luck?
"How's life in the other world treating you?"
[I've gotten used to it. Not bad.]
"Glad to hear it. I was especially worried about you, Hero. Oh, of course, I'm concerned about the other heroes too—don't get the wrong idea."
[...? I wouldn't.]
If anything, I'd prefer less attention from them.
[Oh, by the way, Raine.]
"Yes, Hero?"
This was my once-a-year private audience with a goddess, so I took the chance to ask about a question that had lingered since the first exam.
[I know History Restoration Maniac is collaborating with the System on work regarding the dimensional rifts.]
"That's right. Thanks to that, we're ahead of schedule. Soon, you'll meet heroes from other dimensions in person."
[But as far as I know, opening the dimensional rifts will have a huge impact on the world. Is there a solution for that?]
I'd heard about the dimensional rifts from the previous Wind Spirit King.
So I was well aware of the issues.
If beings from other dimensions crossed over, it could cause catastrophic upheaval in the worst case.
I'd even spent days racking my brain alone over it.
"No need to worry about that."
But contrary to my concerns, the goddess waved it off reassuringly.
"First off, what you're worried about is the world's changes from other-dimensional beings crossing over, right?"
[Yes.]
"But that's only if they actually cross over. No spoilers, but... since you'll forget everything when you leave here anyway, it doesn't matter."
Sorry, but I remember everything.
I narrowed my eyes silently, not voicing that.
[Forget?]
"Everything that happens in this space is forgotten the moment you leave. That's why you don't remember the previous exam."
I pretended to have lost my memory, adding a touch of acting.
A single slip could reveal the truth, so even minor details needed careful handling.
"Anyway, continuing: Heroes from each dimension will meet in a temporary space we've created in the rifts, called [Valhalla]. Since they won't enter each other's dimensions, it's perfectly stable."
[But what about when they return to their own dimensions after meeting?]
"Heroes are already bound to their dimensions. Even if an unexpected error occurs, the Status Window will protect you—no issue."
Hm. I see.
But that last bit—I had a question.
[What about me, with no Status Window?]
"Pardon?"
The goddess tilted her head at my words.
[I said I don't have one. Status Window.]
"But you did?"
[No, it's just gone.]
"Is that... even possible?"
[Why ask me?]
Shouldn't the ones who created the Gallery and sent us here know?
All the other heroes had them, but I was the only one without.
Once I could speak, I'd even tried calling for it secretly, but nothing appeared.
"W-Wait a moment?"
Visibly flustered, she gestured at the air, then covered one ear as if talking to someone.
"Um... Hero?"
[What?]
Once she'd finished investigating, the goddess approached quietly.
I watched with faint hope that this might restore my Status Window, but she looked at me with utter bewilderment.
"Just to check... You're not from Earth, are you, Hero?"
[......]
"Ahaha. J-Just kidding! The condition for coming here is achieving an Achievement as an Earthling, after all. I just ruined the mood for nothing."
Aware her words sounded ridiculous even to her, she cleared her throat lightly and resumed her composed demeanor.
"The reason you can't use the Status Window is the disconnect between your soul and body. Your soul is Earthling, but your body isn't even human, let alone Earthling. That mismatch prevents it from activating. The Gallery was usable thanks to good luck."
[So I'll never get a Status Window?]
"It's not impossible. We can grant one directly to your body. It'd be different from other heroes' but... Do you want one?"
Did I want a Status Window?
Of course.
I nodded vigorously.
But for some reason...
Looking at the goddess's expression stirred an inexplicable unease.
"Then, to grant it, I'll switch with my little sister for a bit."
[What?]
Switch? With her little sister?
"Status Windows aren't under me or my twin's domain."
Hold on.
Cold sweat now.
My body was trembling.
"She can be a bit playful, but her skills are top-notch, so don't worry."
[Wait.]
This wasn't what I thought, right?
Please say no!
Blink.
I prayed it wasn't.
"Hi!"
But a light, casual voice utterly mismatched to Raine's appearance rang out.
As far as I knew, only one goddess spoke like that.
"Still such pretty eyes! This time, let's swap them for sure! I'll throw in a Status Window too!"
Goddess Kisune.
She was back to target my eyes.