Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Floating Island Siege Battle
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Rattle, rattle.
Cliché, but it was an unfamiliar ceiling.
I lay in a cramped, shaking room.
Where the hell is this?
Rattle, rattle.
From the sound, it didn't feel like a carriage.
But Floating Island carriages were like the ace beds of fantasy—no shaking at all... This one was pretty rough.
Well, there's probably a reason.
Still, it seemed I'd avoided the annoying aftermath by passing out on purpose.
Throb, throb.
...My leg hurts.
I glanced down.
There was no void where my leg should have been... No, it was properly reattached.
They reattached it while I was out?
Sure, I'd cut it in a way that made suturing easy, but still.
With two clerics there, one of them must have done it.
Marie was a cardinal and the hero's companion—she could've handled it easily.
Mullin was possible too, but... we weren't close, and she seemed obsessed with booze, so probably not.
Hoo.
I let out a sigh without thinking and closed my eyes.
The earlier battle replayed in my mind.
...It was fun.
Ever since coming to this world, it had all been about surviving or rushing back to finish "that business." It'd been ages since I'd truly enjoyed myself.
I could fight Almiraz a hundred times and it'd still be fun.
It'd be great if there were more opponents like that.
Zing. Zing.
Here we go again.
I felt the gods' messages being blocked.
Were they that pissed I let Almiraz live?
This time, I might not get any rewards.
The quest I'd received was this:
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Separate rewards will be given for completing each quest, with additional rewards for completing multiple quests. 1. Recapture the Floating Island's core. 2. Steal the sacrifice. 3. Almiraz's death. Defeating Almiraz meant I'd effectively completed 1 and 2, but I deliberately skipped the most important one: his death.
Personally, I figured blocking that do-or-die crisis and fulfilling two conditions was plenty—screw their feelings if they withhold rewards.
But I wasn't furious or disappointed. I'd already gotten my reward.
Yeah.
My reward was the fight with Almiraz itself.
The combat experience and techniques I'd gained fighting him were priceless—stuff that'd take ages to learn alone.
I replayed the battle with Almiraz in my head again.
The more I thought about it, the more it felt like he was fighting under all sorts of restrictions.
Someday, I'd love to face him at full power.
I opened my eyes and turned to realistic worries.
About my relationships.
I'd used the Floating Island's power to bully the instructors pretty badly—they must hate my guts now.
Sure, I saved the island, so they couldn't complain much, but there'd be lingering resentment.
Zing.
My leg hurt again.
Thinking was annoying.
I sprawled out on the floor like a starfish.
I had no idea where this carriage was headed, but first, I'd heal up and sleep.
Then, if possible, tomorrow I'd fuck Repelt senseless to cleanse body and soul, then deal with the fallout from this mess...
Zing.
"......"
Zingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzingzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
What the hell?
Scary.
The gods' prodding signals, once subtle, intensified like electric shocks.
Still blocked.
Zzzz...
Just as I thought the weird power had stopped successfully.
Kwachik!
I sensed the opponents—no, "opponents"—going all out, and instantly, a swirling rainbow space engulfed me.
By the time I bolted upright, I was in a place I'd never seen before.
I'd never been here, but it felt familiar.
Ever-shifting scenery, feeling present yet detached—a paradoxical space.
Filled with immense, overwhelming presences.
Godly power.
Yeah, exactly like the space of the gods' audience chamber.
The difference: far more coercive, and the number of mighty presences was on another level.
Kuoooooo.
Hundreds of indistinct, wavering existences surrounded me, all eyes fixed on me, emanating varied auras.
"...What's with the stares?"
Unable to handle the crushing pressure and attention as an asocial guy, I asked awkwardly, and someone snickered.
"Gutsy one."
"Even restrained, facing gods' true forms with that attitude? Impressive. Pure admiration."
Before I could turn, a spray of water erupted right in my face.
Bubbles turned to massive waves, a tsunami... then a planet-swallowing anomaly.
And.
"What the hell was that?"
The world-ending wave reverted at my words.
It was that guy from before.
The blue-haired dude from the gods' audience who mocked me then vanished.
He glared down at me, face twisted in displeasure.
"What was that?"
Chwaak!
Water roiled from his hand into a trident, which he aimed at me.
...Couldn't move a muscle.
Even casually aimed, swinging that would be unavoidable.
How to handle it?
Just a bit more observation and I'd know... Then the blue dude spoke.
"Idiot."
"......"
"Do you know what you did wrong?"
"Not sure about wrongs, but I know the rights."
"What? Rights?"
I grinned at him as he furrowed his brows and glared.
"Didn't I stop the Forgotten God's descent?"
"Don't make me laugh, punk! We warned you to eradicate the source, but you let it live on your whim—your failures outweigh your merits!"
I was about to protest but just stared instead.
What to call him?
Blue dude might get me skewered with that trident.
"Um..."
"What're you staring at? No time. Go kill Almiraz now."
"?"
"We know you let him go on purpose. You must have a rough idea where—want coordinates?"
I kept staring silently, and he scowled.
"What?"
"No, just... not sure what to call your noble self."
"......Ha."
His face went blank, then twisted into a clear sneer.
"Arrogant brat. Think a weird power lets you sass gods—hell, match us?"
"......"
When did I sass you, asshole?
I was planning to go home and crash, and now this bullshit.
"You were amusing earlier too. Didn't I tell you to shut up?"
"...Ah."
Shut up—yeah, that rang a bell.
"Water God, right?"
"Hmph."
No denial meant yes.
"Water God, sir, I'm exhausted right now. Even chasing him, no guarantee I'd catch him."
"Lies. Even if true, your problems aren't my concern."
"......"
Why are gods such assholes?
Is it this shitty world's rule that middle-aged looks mean shitty personality—no, divinity?
No, the gods I'd met before were solemn but kinda friendly.
Olniest and Heston were sweet and stunningly beautiful.
This dude's just a prick.
"What're you thinking?"
"Huh? Thinking what?"
Did he read my mind?
Act clueless.
"Pissing everyone off. What'd Loveheart give you that I can't read your thoughts?"
"......"
"Whatever. Do as we say when you return. Rewards await..."
Too tired for this shit???
Saying that outright would probably kill me.
Just nod vaguely, return to earth, block summons if they try.
Last time I was caught off guard—now I could block even stronger forces.
But before leaving, ask what'd been bugging me.
"Water God, sir. Gladly, but why not handle it yourselves instead of leaving it to me?"
I didn't want to kill Almiraz personally, and if someone else did, I had no duty to stop them.
"What?"
The Water God grimaced.
Still had that middle-aged charm—face was top-tier.
"You mocking me?"
"......?"
"Make you bear the causality alone? What else is telling me to sit out?"
This match?
I kept a straight face and said,
"Sorry, no intent to..."
"Don't care. Prep to track Almiraz."
"...Understood."
One thing clear:
Gods couldn't interfere with the mortal world freely.
How'd they summon me? Special case.
Not just the Water God—most, maybe all gods pooled power for this.
"Good, obedient now. Swear it."
"Pardon?"
"Don't question. Were you not gonna swear? What do we trust?"
They're not dumb...
"Plus, you want insurance for our rewards, right?"
"Gods keep promises. And time's short..."
Poof!
Water sprayed, drowning my voice.
"...You're weird."
"......"
Fuck, I'm spooked.
"Our talk's not meshing."
"Pardon?"
"This incident's bad for you too, right? You're ranker-level. You know the rewards at this war's end."
The end of this war?
He mentioned quitting the match earlier, and some god about restraints.
What were the gods restrained by?
"You're in this war to become 'Pryunar,' yet you shield Almiraz who wants to erase it? Why?"
Ah.
I got it.
I knew nothing.
Not about smarts—it was basic info Loveheart never explained that other outsiders and gods all knew.
Causality too, from Prostea.
They couldn't touch Almiraz directly.
...But why could I?
Summons, threats by force—all fine.
But no time to ponder.
The Water God thrust his trident close.
"Lies and no enthusiasm. Fine... Time for manners first."
"Wait, please, Water God, I..."
"No words."
As he swung, my prepped sword flew at his throat.
Kwachik!
"!"
"......"
His trident blocked my sword—aimed at me.
Unnatural.
Not invisible speed; it moved...
"You bastard...!"
But my attack wasn't over.
Severing Sword followed by Space Sword exploded, covering his face.
A soap-bubble shield appeared, but I caught the tiny cheek scratch.
Good!! Turns out gods take damage too...
Ujik.
"....!"
Don't know when.
But the heavy gut hit was real.
I tumbled, swallowed surging blood from my innards, and barely stood in stance.
Far off, water rose beside Blue Dude, forming beast shapes.
Amid rage-fueled spray, the Water God glared blue-eyed and roared.
"Fine. Special manners needed. All agree?"
No replies from gods, but no objections.
I felt something pouring from them to him.
"I'll take a hit, but scum like you needs taming—some loss inevitable."
.....
These fucking pricks.
"...Haa. This sucks."
"What?"
"Said it sucks, you fucker."
Water God blinked wide at the profanity.
Already attacked—why not curse?
He looked incredulous, then spoke.
"...Die."
A low growl, and he hurled the trident.
It became a hydraulic three-headed dragon, lunging to shred me.
Use Unrivaled Experience?
No, still dodgeable.
That gut hit earlier was different from this.
'Own Flame'?
Too burdensome twice a day...
...No choice.
Still practicing, but... use it.
The moment I decided, the unleashed technique vaporized the hydra and staggered the Water God.
"What...?!"
Shock rippled from him and surrounding gods.
Success—thank god.
No practice spot meant zero real tests; low odds, but I shine in crises. Damn cool.
Not full power, though...
"What was that? Skill?"
"......"
"No, not a skill... Loveheart, what'd you give him?"
What'd that bitch give me??
She took what she owed instead.
Wanna yell, but they're her side, not mine.
Anyway, their distraction—chance.
"Olniest."
No reply, but she's watching somewhere.
She messaged excitement for Almiraz fight.
Not asking help.
Just a question.
"Can I use the 'Equality' you gave me?"
The authority from blocking Prostea: 'Equality'.
Might not work on gods, or she might revoke it—check first.
"No."
When'd she appear?
Between me and Water God, on a throne atop grand stairs, androgynous figure rested chin on hand.
"Can't?"
"Nope."
Figured—won't work on fellow gods.
Then use Unrivaled Experience to escape...
"Didn't give it for trivial crap."
...Hear gods out fully.
Olniest's words silenced the area like cold water.
Water God trembled in rage.
"...Trivial?"
"Yes, Poseidon."
"Me, upper god Poseidon? Hundreds backing me look foolish? Olniest."
Olniest opened lazily, as if obvious.
"Said so."
......Silence.
Not confusion.
Olniest emanated pressure crushing them.
Didn't reach me, but gods tensed instantly.
Water God closest shook violently, crushed.
"You...!"
"Anyone not understand?"
No answers.
Water God glared but silent.
Olniest... unexpectedly—no, always seemed strong, but maybe way beyond my guess?
Top god, felt mighty, but his status crushes imagination.
"From now, under Equality God Olniest, we convene. Hundreds bullying a mortal? Unequal."
"Agreed."
Olniest's supporter: sky voice.
I looked up—solar light beamed down.
Flicker!
Ah, eye bleach.
Squinted up.
Solar light held a form, indistinct.
But power immense.
"Nanar."
Olniest called lazily.
But slight edge—not illusion.
Equality God wary.
Nanar...
Wasn't he chief god?
Chief and light god, worshipped by Narnia where reincarnator Kaiz was from.
"Equality God Olniest. Leave this to me, mad faith Nanar?"
"Why?"
"Story for the kid. Promise no harm."
"Hmm."
Olniest tilted head, hair shimmering.
I stared blankly, sensing crisis.
No harm true.
But following spells doom.
What is this shitty paradox?
If just talk, why not here?
Olniest silent, sun neared.
"Taking him~"
Olniest smiled faintly.
"Unequal."
"Haha, just talk~?"
Sun flashed world-bright; Olniest's intangible something blocked it.
Gods gasped—peaceful facade hid fierce clash.
To me, like parasol vs. sun...
"Why, Olniest? Distrust fellow top god?"
"Can't force outsider, Nanar."
"Obviously. No forcing. Just talk, said so."
"Hm."
Lazy Olniest; laughing Nanar.
"Haha. Don't trust? Hate bickering... Force it?"
Sun birthed presences: swirling winds, deep darkness, blazing flames...
...Flames?
"Fire God?!"
"Eh, Dre. Bad timing."
I clenched fist at flames; Olniest sounded rare exasperation.
But vital to me.
Fire... Fire! See Fire God!
What'd he look like...!
And emerging from flames...
......Musclehead?
"Ho? Interested in me, newbie?"
"?"
Bronze skin. Grotesque muscles. Red beard, hairy head—macho style.
Fine so far.
But sleazy smirk, condescending eyes... Third-rate villain.
No—that build screams extra...!!
"This body's Fire G..."
"Fuck!!"
"?!"
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuuck!!"
Felt gods' shock, but couldn't hold back.
Sudden shitty twist nuked escape plans piling up.
Mocked fire...
That prick mocked fire!
"Piss off! Nanar or whatever, not following, fuck! Who're you to be Fire God, fake-ass bitch!"
"F-Fake?! You...!"
Fake pissed?
Flames surged sun-scale.
Nanar (called fake by me) blinked, then laughed.
To fake god:
"Calm, Arku."
"But he..."
Sun form stared; he shut up.
No... my fire doesn't cower...
Fire burns proud, solver—never cowers!
Why fear light?! Fire mustn't!
"Guys, lend power."
Nanar spoke; light flashed.
Different: surrounding gods boosted him.
Olniest equaled Nanar, but added high gods pierced her block with holes.
"Hmm."
Troubled Olniest nodded.
Plus, distant gods approached me.
"Haha. Snag Dre before they arrive~"
Playful voice; light intensified blindingly...
Unrivaled Experience.
Clang!
Light missed— or harmless if hit.
"...Wow."
Nanar's admiration as light faded.
Gods panicked too.
"What... that."
"Like Prostea."
"What power?"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Unlike shocked gods, Nanar recovered, applauding.
"Impressive? But how long?"
Flicker.
Flicker.
Flicker.
Flicker.
World flashed repeatedly; power never touched me.
...But my body felt fragmenting.
Body collapse—what to do.
Bail?
...Wanna screw them over first.
Especially that fake Fire God bitch.
"Wow, weird power. Principle?"
Ignored Nanar.
"Fuck off. Bring real Fire God."
"But...!"
Fake fumed; Nanar amused.
Meaning: my defense was circus to him.
"Sorry for force. Don't be mad, Dre. Just talk."
"No."
"Aww~ C'mon~"
Nanar's light surged stronger.
And.
"Kid said no?"
Cheerful but angry woman's voice intruded.
Suddenly, beauty beside me blocked light with hand.
"Ooh, Heston. Long time."
"Yeah, Nanar. Showing face why?"
Face shadowed but stunningly beautiful goddess asked leisurely.
Yes, Heston.
Blacksmith God—fire key to smithing?
She's true Fire God!
Not my standard, but post-fake, she'll do!
"Heston. Helping Olniest?"
"Thinking so?"
"Hmm. Plna, you?"
Upper human, lower snake.
Another shitty god I knew.
Her answer irrelevant to me.
"Yes. Helping."
"Oh~"
...Huh? Help? Why?
But Nanar ignored them, addressed giant behind.
"Giant God. You?"
[Personally, I'd help, but I'll watch this time.] The one who'd given me All-Knowing Wisdom.
Giant God, unnamed, watched from afar.
Fully committed to observing.
"Vote then~? Not mortal matter, I 'promised' just talk—vote ok? Olniest?"
"Mm..."
Olniest troubled, unlike before.
Gods' attitudes shifting rapidly.
No clue on "promise" or mad faith's meaning, but favoring damn light god.
This way, I'd be dragged off.
But so what?
Important now?
Muscle-brain fake claims Fire God?
Fuck it.
Total power to escape here.
Meet Almiraz, revive Forgotten God, make true Fire God!
Then.
Space rippled.
Nanar, Olniest flinched—potent force.
Creeeak. Space cracks.
Others smooth; this forceful intrusion.
What comes?
Question brief.
Crimson long snout appeared, then face outline.
Misty ripple hid details, but obvious what god.
Too famous.
"...Dragon?"
[Repaying our promise, human.] Familiar voice.
Yes, from dissecting plague dragon Malakia's corpse.
Fully revealed majesty indescribable.
Just looking, godly power overflowed more than any—needling, burning stabs.
Calmed churning guts; he spoke.
[I, top god, Dragon God, Dragon Sovereign, decree: Cease bullying this pitiable, just creation.]
"Hmmm~ Why're you here?"
Nanar playful still.
"What if I persist?"
[Kill you all.] "......"
Ooh yeah.
Fiery.
Best: flames roared from his maw.
...He's the true Fire God?
[Madman.]
?
What voice.
Echoing inside me...
[...Oh? Hear properly now? You caught a few last time too.]
......?
What now?