Chapter 117
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Gifts and Gratitude
# 117
Players Chapter 117
“It’s time to become a man, Jun-gyu.”
“A-a man?”
Inside a cabin in the farthest corner of the Black Dragon.
Go Min-gu placed both hands on Yang Jun-gyu’s shoulders and spoke with grave sincerity. He nodded at Yang Jun-gyu, who asked back with a face full of tension.
“That’s right, a man! A real man! Ask Sekhmet to make you a man… Gack!”
“What is this nonsense!”
Choi Yu-ra, her face flushed red, panted as she delivered a powerful jumping back attack to the head of Go Min-gu, who was spouting nonsense from his dog-like head—though, to be precise, Go Min-gu’s race, the Cameronians, resembled wolves more than dogs. Both were canids, however. Although Choi Yu-ra was usually the one to say embarrassing things, there were some lines you just didn't cross with a kid.
‘Good thing I cut him off.’
What if the kid had heard the whole thing and actually made such a request?
But her relief came too soon.
Yang Jun-gyu was thirteen years old.
Kids these days—not that there was a huge age gap between Choi Yu-ra and Yang Jun-gyu—were more precocious than she thought.
“A man.”
Just as an inappropriate resolve began to form in his eyes, Choi Yu-ra instinctively smacked him on the head.
Seong Yu-jin, who had somehow ended up as the lookout by the door, scratched her cheek and changed the subject.
“Uh, how about just making a normal request? You’re going to keep seeing each other, right? O-of course, Sekhmet is on her way back to the Great Temple of the Yellow God, but…”
She tried to start with a smile, but the conclusion was dismal.
They would arrive at the Great Temple of the Yellow God in a few days. Sekhmet had been with Kang-seok’s party because of the Divine Artifact, Morning Glory, and now they had to return it. Thus, Sekhmet no longer had a reason to stay with them.
Seeing Yang Jun-gyu’s face on the verge of tears, Choi Yu-ra let out a groan. She was hopelessly inept at offline relationships like this, unlike her online persona.
‘I should have just stayed at the helm.’
She pictured Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong joking around in the cockpit and pouted before turning to Kang-seok.
Seong Yu-jin, who had plunged the mood into despair with her poorly chosen words, also looked to Kang-seok, searching for a solution.
The so-called Harem Master, Casanova Choi, cleared his throat a few times as if burdened, then sat Yang Jun-gyu down next to him. They sat side-by-side on the bed, and after a brief pause, he stroked the boy’s head.
“Jun-gyu.”
Yang Jun-gyu looked up at Kang-seok. His large eyes resembled those of a whimpering puppy.
Finding it hard to meet his gaze, Kang-seok tried to look away but quickly changed his mind. Instead of forcing a smile, he spoke with a calm expression.
“Don’t push yourself too hard, and don’t be impatient.”
“B-but…”
Kang-seok, at twenty-two, couldn't be called old, but he was an adult. In contrast, Yang Jun-gyu was only thirteen.
It was better for him to be fretting over a girl he liked, like a normal kid, than to be struggling every day, missing his family and friends after being dragged to some unknown otherworld.
And Kang-seok wanted to protect the Yang Jun-gyu of this moment, if possible.
“Everything will be fine.”
Kang-seok stroked Yang Jun-gyu’s head once more, and the boy nodded with a gloomy face.
* * *
The journey to the Great Temple of the Yellow God was exceedingly smooth. With the number of people who could pilot the airship increasing from two to three, its operating time increased, and naturally, the time it took to reach the temple shortened.
Whether Kang-seok’s advice had worked or not, Yang Jun-gyu spent his time with Sekhmet normally instead of trying anything drastic—though Go Min-gu intermittently tried to encourage reckless moves, only for Choi Yu-ra, who was watching with a hawk’s eye, to intervene and prevent any mishaps.
On the fifth day after leaving Sicily…
Kang-seok’s party arrived at the Great Temple of the Yellow God.
* * *
“You’re thinking that a normal meeting would have been fine, aren’t you?”
In the garden located in the center of the Great Temple.
Pope Tehenut was the same as before. She was beautiful, and she blended into the garden scenery as naturally as if her very existence were a part of this world.
Facing Tehenut’s smile, which felt like it could pull you in, Kang-seok shrugged.
“My companions must be facing the priests again.”
He had barely taken a few steps after parking the Black Dragon on the outskirts of the temple before he found himself alone in this garden.
Although it was something Pope Tehenut had done within the Great Temple of the Yellow God for a private audience with him, he couldn't help but feel like he’d been kidnapped.
When Kang-seok showed his displeasure, Tehenut’s eyebrows drooped apologetically.
“I’m sorry. The position of Pope isn’t as leisurely as one might think. I’ll be free this evening… but I wanted to see you before then, so I resorted to this method. I should have asked for your understanding first. I apologize.”
Her tone was informal, which made her apology feel all the more sincere.
Kang-seok knew well that Tehenut hadn't done this with any ill intent.
Moreover, Tehenut was the pope leading the Yellow God Cult, a woman at least twice his age. For her to offer such a heartfelt apology made it ridiculous for him to stay angry.
When Kang-seok readily accepted her apology, Tehenut smiled in relief. She sat shoulder-to-shoulder with him and began to speak.
“I’ve heard all about your incredible performance in the World Quest. Did you know there are talks within the cult of venerating you as a saint?”
“Is that true?”
Kang-seok, who had been listening casually, asked in surprise. He’d had a similar conversation with Sekhmet but had thought it was half a joke. But now, the pope herself was saying the same thing. He could no longer dismiss it as a joke.
Tehenut giggled.
“Of course. Would the pope lie? The miracle you—Dark Dest… Choi Kang-seok—performed was just that amazing. It seems the Red God Cult is in even more of an uproar. Which is good. Pope Goto of the Red God Cult was one who didn't acknowledge Players… but this incident is likely to change his mind. As proof—”
Just like last time, Tehenut, who had been weaving through various topics, stretched her hand into the air. As if by magic, a large stone table appeared before them.
“The Red God Cult sent something like this.”
On the white cloth covering the stone table lay various weapons and armor. There were swords, bows, shields, armor, helmets—many different types, and quite a few of them.
Having seen a fair number of armaments since coming to this world, Kang-seok could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary equipment. The faint divine power emanating from them made it clear they were all holy weapons.
Tehenut smiled pleasantly.
“The Red God is also a god of technology. Have you perhaps heard the stories about Lord Little Tree and the Divine Artifact, Thunderclap?”
“You mean the story about him creating the first metal sword?”
Sekhmet had told him two stories about Little Tree.
One was about the various miracles he performed using Thunderclap.
The other was the story of him creating the world’s first metal sword using iron from a meteor.
Little Tree, the first pope of the Red God Cult, was also the most skilled blacksmith of the ancient Elder race.
Tehenut explained.
“That’s right. The Red God Cult has been famous for its outstanding blacksmiths for generations. They are, after all, the artisan group with the longest history and tradition in our world.”
The holy weapons sent by the Red God Cult were not divine artifacts bestowed directly by the Red God.
However, they were undoubtedly top-quality holy weapons, forged with the utmost skill and devotion by the blacksmiths of the Red God Cult, who possessed the highest level of technology in this world, and blessed by countless priests.
The Red God Cult had sent armaments to the Yellow God Cult. And Tehenut was showing them to Kang-seok as proof that the Red God Cult’s perception of Players had changed.
The implication of this sequence of events was clear.
“Since Lord Little Tree, Thunderclap has never left the Great Temple of the Red God Cult. That’s why the ‘miracle’ you performed this time is a great wonder worthy of being recorded in the history of the Red God Cult. The items here are gifts sent by the high priests of the Red God Cult with Pope Goto’s tacit approval. They are all for you and your companions.”
Kang-seok unknowingly swallowed hard.
He wasn't worried about himself, but he had always been concerned about the gear of his companions like Choi Yu-ra and Kim Kang-san. With these armaments from the Red God Cult, all the members of the Adamas Guild could get new equipment.
Seeing the delight on Kang-seok’s face, Tehenut stuck out her tongue slightly. She smiled playfully and waved her hand again. She pushed away the stone table with the Red God Cult’s gifts and summoned a new one.
“And this is a gift from me.”
On the small table, less than half the size of the first, lay a very simple-looking spear and a golden necklace.
“This is the javelin and necklace of the first holy warrior, Lord Black Bear. The ancient Elders were also famous for their skill with ranged weapons. Lord Black Bear was a master of the javelin. This spear, which has accumulated mystery and miracles over long ages, holds a special significance among the divine artifacts of our Yellow God Cult.”
Her voice and gaze held a certain wistfulness.
Black Bear, the first holy warrior of the Yellow God Cult.
After hearing about him from Tehenut before, Kang-seok had looked him up and found he was a great figure whose name was recorded in the history books of Shangri-La.
Great General of the ancient Elder race.
The undefeated commander.
Sworn friend of the Legendary King.
If the javelin and necklace before him now were the ones used by Black Bear, it meant they were a thousand years old.
Tehenut flicked her fingers lightly in the air. Black Bear’s javelin rose on its own and approached Kang-seok.
“Try throwing it into the air.”
“Into the air?”
“Yes, high into the sky.”
Tehenut gestured as if to urge him on. After a moment’s hesitation, Kang-seok stood up, javelin in hand.
Black Bear’s javelin was somewhat shorter than a typical short spear, but it was heavier than a long spear.
Kang-seok carefully examined the slightly dark-tinged spearhead and the shaft, made of a material he couldn't identify as wood or metal, then adjusted his stance. As Tehenut had said, he hurled the javelin high into the sky.
*Boom!*
With a roar, the javelin pierced the air. It was so fast that it reached high into the sky in an instant. He had thrown it with some force, but he hadn't intended for it to have this much power, so Kang-seok blinked in surprise. It was at that moment.
“Raise your hand!”
Tehenut spoke quickly, and Kang-seok reflexively raised his right hand. A sharp sound of something cutting through the wind followed. The javelin that had soared high into the sky reversed its course with the same momentum and flew back toward the ground. It suddenly slowed down and returned to his hand on its own. The sensation of it fitting perfectly in his grasp as if drawn by a magnet was incredible.
“Wow.”
As an exclamation escaped him, Tehenut gave a slight, proud shrug and rose from her seat to pick up the necklace. Like the javelin, it was very simple in design. A gold chain with a thumb-sized emblem of the Yellow God hanging from it was all there was to it.
“This necklace greatly enhances the wearer’s health and stamina. From now on, you will rarely feel tired unless it’s something truly exceptional.”
Unfastening the clasp, Tehenut gave Kang-seok a light glance. Understanding her meaning, Kang-seok stretched out his neck, and she personally fastened the necklace around it.
Black Bear’s javelin and necklace.
Both were perfect items to cover his weaknesses.
The javelin would remedy his vulnerability in ranged combat, while the necklace would help him overcome the massive stamina consumption of Overdrive and Black Flame Dragon.
It was certainly a joyous occasion. But Kang-seok calmed his excitement.
Why were the Red God Cult and the Yellow God Cult giving him these things? Black Bear’s javelin and necklace, in particular, must be among the most prized treasures of the Yellow God Cult.
So why?
Were they really planning to venerate him as a saint?
Tehenut once again read his expression.
“Lord Black Bear’s javelin has been dormant for a long time. How should I put it? It’s like how Morning Glory contains powerful divine energy but doesn't normally exert that power. But that dormant javelin has awakened and begun to emit a new divine power. That’s right, it happened at the very moment Morning Glory unleashed its power in your hands.”
Tehenut paused for a moment and gently closed her eyes. After taking a deep breath, she met his gaze again and continued.
“Even so, Lord Black Bear’s javelin… perhaps there’s a strange sense of competition with the Red God Cult. But, more than that, it is a token of our gratitude.”
Finishing her words softly, Tehenut took a step back. She clasped her hands and bowed slightly before Kang-seok. In a gentle voice, she said.
“Thank you for protecting Sicily, for protecting Shangri-La.”
The demonic beasts had tried to destroy Sicily. And according to Allocen, they wouldn't have stopped there; they would have attacked northern Shangri-La as well.
If the Players hadn't stopped Vepar and the demonic beasts, a catastrophe that would have killed thousands, tens of thousands, would have surely occurred.
It wasn't just because he had manifested a miracle through a divine artifact.
The Players, Kang-seok and the Adamas Guild, had protected this world and Shangri-La.
Tehenut expressed her pure gratitude for that fact.
Faced with her untainted sincerity, Kang-seok, who had suspected some hidden motive, felt a sense of shame. He helped Tehenut to her feet, and they shared an awkward but warm smile.
Kang-seok and Tehenut talked about various things. Time flew by as they discussed the ceiling mural he had seen in the Demonic Beast Vepar’s room and the visions he’d had when using the divine artifact.
Sensing that it was almost time to part, Kang-seok took a deep breath. He looked Tehenut straight in the eye.
“Lady Tehenut.”
“Yes, Sir Kang-seok.”
“Forgive my impertinence, but may I ask a favor of you?”
At Kang-seok’s question, Tehenut tilted her head. She nodded cheerfully, as if pleased by the very fact that he was asking for a favor.
At her sign of acceptance, Kang-seok began to speak carefully.
* * *
“A dispatched priestess? That’s a fine excuse.”
“It’s true that Sekhmet possesses exceptional divine power. Honestly, it was a decision made for the good of the entire guild, not just for Jun-gyu.”
In the cockpit of the Black Dragon, heading from the Great Temple of the Yellow God to the Kingdom of Britain, two people were seated.
Choi Yu-ra pictured the two figures who would be sitting side-by-side on the deck and chuckled. Kang-seok sighed as if a great weight had been lifted. Seong Yu-jin patted his shoulder in praise.
Sekhmet, the carrier of the Divine Artifact Morning Glory, had decided to support the Adamas Guild in the capacity of a dispatched priestess from the Yellow God Cult.
This was made possible not only by Kang-seok’s request but also by Sekhmet’s own wishes.
As Kang-seok had stated, it wasn't just for Yang Jun-gyu.
Seong Yu-jin’s healing abilities as a Holy Knight were weak compared to typical priest-class Players, and Go Min-gu was a Player who specialized in buffs rather than recovery.
Sekhmet, a priestess of the Yellow God Cult, which specialized in healing among the Four Great God Cults, was the perfect person to fill the gap in the Adamas Guild.
Though young, Sekhmet was talented enough to be considered one of Tehenut’s potential successors due to her outstanding divine power. Tehenut, who considered Players to be apostles of the Four Great Gods, viewed Sekhmet’s dispatch in a positive light.
It was only Tehenut's thought, but it was also somewhat natural for an influential member of the cult to assist in the ‘holy duty’ of Kang-seok, a special figure among the apostles.
“But is it really okay to go straight back to the guild hideout? They said the Shangri-La royal family would be sending an invitation soon.”
Seong Yu-jin asked with a hint of concern.
In fact, Tehenut had mentioned that not only the Shangri-La royal family but also the Red God Cult would soon be sending an invitation.
With invitations pending from two of this world’s most powerful organizations, staying at the Great Temple of the Yellow God in Shangri-La for a while wouldn't have been a bad choice.
It was only natural for Seong Yu-jin to feel apologetic, given how much they had received during this visit.
But there was something more urgent.
“We can’t leave the guild hideout empty for too long. I’m also curious to see how Hunt and Antonio are doing.”
Their plan was to stop by Roselburg to sell the gear from Allocen’s room through the Keyman Merchant Guild, then head straight for the Sauerland Mountains.
Choi Yu-ra added her thoughts.
“I know, right? I’m worried sick about what on earth that guy Go Min-gu has done to the mountain.”
“Weren't you just worried he’d die of loneliness?”
“On second thought, he’ll be so absorbed in all that manual labor, I doubt he’ll even have time to feel lonely.”
They burst into light laughter, though no one could say who started it.
Kang-seok leaned against the deck railing and gazed east.
It was a return home after nearly a month.