Chapter 160
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Bestowal
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Unlike when Beric had been embedded in its forehead, the giant wolf's eyes clearly shone with distinct intelligence and wisdom, sparkling like morning stars.
Baring its teeth but showing no intent to fight, it lowered its stance to meet my gaze and spoke directly into my mind.
"......"
I'd thought it was phase two, but who knew conversation was possible?
My eyes narrowed slightly at the unexpected situation.
"What the hell. The corpse can talk too? Or maybe it wasn't a corpse after all?"
Since I sensed no hostility for the moment, I replied casually, and it curled its lips higher, baring its menacing molars.
...One of those molars was as big as my torso. It really has no hostility, right?
"I don't know a damn thing. It's all just guesses. I'd appreciate it if you could explain."
"The World Tree called me that, and now you too. Just call me Alzen."
Its deep, calm voice had some quality that drew me into the conversation and soothed my mind.
Fascinated, I stared up at it openly and took a swig from my flask. It stared right through the flask with intense focus.
Its massive pupil contracted fully, and the gaze was so hot that I felt embarrassed drinking alone.
"What? You want some?"
"...You know what impudence is?"
I glared at it suspiciously and grinned fiercely. It fell silent and gave a wry smile.
With a wolf's face, the wry smile just looked like a full-toothed threat.
"Just drink. I'm not stingy with booze."
"But how do I give it to you...? Not just the amount, your size is too huge. Can't you shrink?"
I looked up at its mountain-like bulk and asked, but it shook its head.
"Hm, should I climb on your head and pour it down?"
"I'll handle it. Just bring out the flasks."
Then Weller suddenly cut in, lifting her staff with a sassy expression.
Surprised, I stared at her intently, and her face twisted harshly.
"What. Why."
"No... what's up with you, sis? Butting into something like this."
"I couldn't butt in during the World Tree thing because I was desperately pretending not to know, but now everyone knows everything."
"Ah, does that make it okay?"
"Yeah. And who knows? Maybe I'll score some points this way and get something out of it."
It was such a characteristically materialistic answer that I chuckled softly and beckoned Murel.
Murel pulled out a massive number of flasks from her 'subspace pouch.'
"Heave-ho."
Popopopopop!
Weller swung her staff, and the corks popped off with a crisp, refreshing sound all at once. The liquor flowed out like living streams, weaving through the air.
"Whoa... telekinesis?"
"Similar, but a bit different. I just wrapped the booze in mana and moved it."
"...From my perspective, it's the same thing."
"Dumbass."
"......"
I shot her a glance, but she ignored it and cackled.
Soon, the liquor gathered into a mass the size of my torso and floated toward Kubel.
"...Not at all. O God who once set foot on the earth."
"Well, well."
I burst out laughing at Weller's lofty phrasing. She glared at me like a snake, mouthing 'shut up' before manipulating the liquor.
Gulp!
It engulfed the torso-sized liquor blob whole, rolling it around in its mouth to savor the aroma and taste before swallowing it down.
It knows how to drink? Must've been a total drunkard when alive.
"...Savoring? Interesting word choice."
As I commented, it flicked out its long tongue to smack its lips and nodded.
"Hmm. Interesting."
I thought for a moment, lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a puff of smoke.
It eagerly sucked in the smoke through its massive nose and savored it.
As suspected, it knows how to smoke too.
"This is kinda fun... Makes me wanna settle in and drink properly."
"Is that so? That's a real shame... Well then, shall we get to the point?"
"First off... you're Kubel, right?"
"Yeah... I figured as much."
With its identity confirmed, I inhaled on the cigarette and spat out the smoke like chewing and spitting.
"So, why'd you do that to me?"
Kubel bowed its head deeply enough to touch the ground.
I squinted my eyes.
The Goddess was like this too, but Kubel was excessively humble for a god. It was troublesome.
If I cursed at it now, I'd look like the bad guy.
"...I need an explanation."
"Explain it so I can understand. No bullshit about causality or fate."
"...The 'bad ending' that was originally fated? You mean that was set in stone?"
"Bestow...?"
I tilted my head.
In short, it was going to give me something?
Whatever it was, the words suggested I was on the right path.
A mix of relief, anger, and distrust churned inside me.
"...Is the Goddess involved in this too?"
"Can I assume all you gods, including you, are on the same side?"
"Flattery feels nice and all... but how am I supposed to believe you? Or any of you?"
"Tch... fine. So, what was that 'fine opportunity' you mentioned? What are you giving me?"
"Speak plainly, will ya?"
It nodded and opened its mouth again.
"...Hah."
The moment I grasped its meaning, I unconsciously rubbed my upper chest.
There, the blank circular shaman tattoo that hadn't absorbed anything yet was etched.
"You're offering to be my 'prey'?"
"Don't tell me this whole mess was for that from the start?"
"...Must've been tough meddling in Demon King Annus's scheme. And pretty humiliating too."
"Didn't expect gods to be so dependent on me. Not embarrassing?"
"......"
To gauge its sincerity, I stared into its clear eyes and took a drink.
"Mmph! Mmmp mmph!!"
In the corner, Beric—pinned down by Murel, Rebecca, and the others—thrashed with bloodshot eyes bulging, but I ignored him.
"Hmm... I still can't trust it. How can I? What if it's another trick? Like if I hunt and absorb you, my body and mind get taken over."
"...Just repeating that? As if that'll make me believe."
"What?"
The unexpected words left me stunned for a moment.
"You want me to trust this crazy bitch?"
I waved my left arm, wrapped tightly in the 'Silk of Atonement,' incredulously, and Kubel nodded.
"You sure you should say that? Weren't you archenemies?"
"...Sounds plausible."
I didn't trust Rubias, but I trusted her madness.
That woman would do anything to preserve her object of interest—me—intact.
"...Alright. Let's do it."
"I can hunt however I want, right?"
I grinned wickedly and held out the 'Absolute Ring Set.'
"Regrettably, that's not up to me... And this is your chance to prove your words? From a divine being's view, a trial perhaps?"
"Great resolve. No need to delay? Right now?"
I focused on the 'Absolute Provocation Ring' to activate it, and Kubel's eyes began glowing crimson.
A claw shrouded in something—aura or authority?—lunged at me at invisible speed, but I'd already activated the 'Absolute Evasion Ring.'
Skreeee!
As always, I showcased the mysterious, eerie evasion, then returned double the power exactly with the 'Absolute Counter Ring.'
Kwajajajak!
Kubel's shoulder area split into three deep furrows like plow lines, black blood gushing out.
"Well then..."
Now the real fun began.
Gazing at Kubel, who grimaced in pain, I activated the 'Absolute Provocation Ring' again.
Once more, Kubel—under the ring's influence—flipped its eyes back and charged.
"...Hahat!"
The 'Absolute Ring Set's state reset depends on the target's hostility toward me.
If hostility exists, it can't be reused; if not, it resets and can be activated again.
Which meant Kubel currently harbored no enmity toward me.
"Impressive... Let's see if you can keep that till you drop. Kubel."
I sequentially used the 'Absolute Evasion Ring' and 'Absolute Counter Ring' to return the attack again, then focused once more on the 'Absolute Provocation Ring.'
I wouldn't stop activating the ring until it died.