Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Chapter 85 You're Hooked
The legends about Odin were extremely diverse even on Earth.
Among them, while some might have been created by human imagination, like the saying ‘there's no smoke without fire,’ there was a high probability that quite a few were mixed with stories based on facts.
After all, it would have been Asgard that spread the myths to Earth.
So if there were characteristics that commonly appeared in all legends, there was a high probability that those were the truth.
'An extremely greedy god who thirsts for all knowledge.'
Besides that, he presided over countless things like madness, war, magic, but if there was one biggest characteristic, it was that he was greedy like me.
Since all the transcendents I'd met so far had often shown themselves being swayed by emotions rather than being omnipotent gods, Odin too might really be petty and have a nasty personality.
"...That's fortunate then. In that case, since you too have gained the same vision as me, you understand, don't you? How much this eye can see."
He was right.
Thanks to Odin's Eye, I could see not just simple mana but also the flow of divinity and demonic energy, which were superior energies, and beyond that, I could pierce through even greater essences.
Even now, looking at Odin with this eye, I could analyze what kind of structure a Highest-Grade God's main body, not an avatar, was composed of.
'It seems like it might help in gaining qualification for the third Transcendence...'
It probably wasn't the regular route, but I had a strong intuition that the more transcendents I met and analyzed them, the closer I could get to becoming a transcendent.
"Yes. It lets me see countless things that I originally wouldn't be able to see. Whatever they may be."
[Gungnir (Mythic)]
And unlike Odin, who was a Highest-Grade God, the structure of the Mythic-grade artifact in his hand was relatively easier to see.
What abilities that weapon might have, what level of power it would display, and what level of skill and materials would be needed to make it.
'Ur obtained from the 7th floor trial, branches from trees at the level of the World Tree, a workshop and hammer of Legendary grade or higher?'
If understanding of Mythic-grade artifacts and proficiency in Blacksmithing and Magical Engineering were added just a little more to this, it seemed like I could make it sufficiently.
After all the meetings with transcendents were over, there would be so many things to do.
I had to absorb the elixir, diligently study the Necronomicon, and meet my companions too.
"And how do you think you appear to me, Han Yeong-min, who handles that power even more skillfully?"
Before I knew it, his displeased expression had disappeared in an instant as if it had been a joke, and his face was filled only with endless thirst and greed for new knowledge.
'He really is someone starved for knowledge.'
Enough to quickly forget even the rudeness committed by a mere mortal.
"In the eons of time, I've seen beings as numerous as stars, but I've never once seen someone like you. This is the first time anyone has stimulated my research instincts this much, including all mortals and even transcendents!"
He was looking at me with eyes like he was seeing a treasure he wanted to obtain by any means necessary.
"But according to the Tower's rules, you can't carelessly lay hands on me."
Since Constellations couldn't exercise physical force beyond a certain level against Players.
Odin also answered with a voice dripping with regret.
"That's right. That's the eternal regret. To think I can't tear apart and examine the most special material in this world where Jötuns and Dragons, and gods and demons are all mixed together - it's truly regrettable."
Now he didn't seem to have any intention of hiding his greed.
Seeing him openly treat a person like material.
"Still, there are ways to indirectly find out something."
He smiled and threw the Gungnir he was holding in his hand at me.
Unlike Zeus who had lightly tossed Astrape, this was definitely with full force.
A spear containing intense power that seemed like it could truly tear apart everything reached me, ignoring air resistance.
Though I knew the opponent couldn't cause harm, Gungnir looked so threatening that I instinctively caught it with my hand.
Seeing this, Odin let out laughter filled with madness as if he was truly delighted.
"HAHAHAHA!!! Look at that. How could I call a mere mortal someone who can see and react to my throwing spear, the King of Asgard? You even caught it? Gungnir, which repels and tears apart any being other than me just by touching it?"
Gungnir was the same as Astrape.
The moment it entered my hand, the guy who had been like a wild horse began to be tamed by me like a gentle sheep.
As if he had met his true master.
"Are you that pleased?"
"Of course I'm pleased. Do you not understand what you just did? You're handling a Mythic-grade artifact with ownership, and one with quite high status at that. Without the original owner's permission! How many beings in the world do you think could do such a thing?"
For now, I couldn't think of anyone other than myself.
"No one. Perhaps the primordial transcendents who exist only in records might be able to, but since you can't be that person, you're probably either of his bloodline or inherited his will, one of the two?"
As if he wasn't carrying the title of God of Wisdom for nothing, his analysis became increasingly precise.
"As expected, Odin's reputation is well-deserved. How long have you been looking at me to grasp so much?"
This type usually never compromises on what they're confident about.
There was no point in trying to hide or deceive anything since he wouldn't believe it anyway, so it was better to quickly move past what could be passed over.
"How refreshingly straightforward to admit it right away. I'm liking you more and more. Besides that, you contain so many things inside that I can't fully analyze them all, what kind of life did you live before regression?"
There was no way Odin, who was so brilliant, wouldn't know about my regression that even Zeus knew about.
"Let's just say I lived intensely. You know that humans burn more fiercely because their lives are short, don't you?"
"I'd like to say that what you've built up is too absurd to be explained by that, but it would be meaningless. We're not close enough for you to explain in more detail."
Odin was more thorough in self-objectification than I thought.
That made me want to know even more.
What he was thinking, what stance he would take toward me in the future.
"Didn't you call me because you wanted to get closer to me? From what you've said so far, you don't seem very active about recruiting me either."
He nodded.
"Didn't you say with your own mouth that you have no intention of accepting a Constellation contract right now? The Han Yeong-min I grasped while watching the Testing Floors wasn't someone who would change what he just said as easily as flipping his palm."
Just as I had tried hard to figure out Odin, Odin would have analyzed me very thoroughly to understand me too.
"And I don't think I can make a better offer than the Earth God who lowered even his own status to regress you, or Baal who taught you even Predation, which is no different from his essence. You made that choice because you're already strong enough not to be desperate for Constellations, isn't that right?"
He was definitely different from Zeus who had recklessly thrown blank checks. Odin was several times more meticulous and dangerous.
An attitude that he was certainly interested but had no intention of doing anything more than necessary.
'In terms of pure force and power, Zeus is above, but in other aspects, Odin seems to be above.'
This type was a bit more troublesome to deal with than being simply strong through ignorance.
There were too many things to be careful about.
"As you said. But isn't it quite tantalizing to only research indirectly like this?"
However, unlike Zeus where the course had already diverged, there was still room for negotiation with Odin.
If what he needs is not honor or power but knowledge.
In my statement, intense interest appears in Odin's expression.
"That sounds like... you want to make a deal with me."
"That's correct. Unlike Zeus, Odin appears rational enough to accept deals made on equal terms with mortals. Surely you wouldn't refuse, would you?"
By stimulating his competitive psychology like this, saying you can do what Zeus cannot, Odin's personality means he has no choice but to fall for it even knowing what I'm doing.
"I'm not a rigid god like Zeus. As you said, if the conditions are right, I'm fully willing to make a deal. What can you give me, and what do you want?"
There are a few things I learned from Baal.
While there are restrictions on constellations unilaterally providing something to players, deals where players also provide something equivalent in return are possible.
And contracts made on a transcendent's name are so significant that failing to keep them would cause major damage to their status, so they must be upheld.
"I'll let you research me periodically. If a player gives permission, Odin can also lay hands on me, can't you? In return, please give me elixirs that you think are equivalent in value."
The first thing to secure was elixirs.
Based on my standards, they're several times more precious than artifacts of the same grade.
"Really... you'll cooperate with research for elixirs...?"
Odin didn't feel any particular sense of incongruity.
Because he well knew how important elixirs are to players.
"Yes. However, I also need to guarantee minimum safety, so please promise on your name that during the duration of our contract, you won't do anything that would harm me or my people. Then I'll cooperate actively."
Though I spoke as if elixirs were the main point and the other conditions were additional, this was actually the real agenda.
Establishing a non-aggression pact between Odin and me.
'He won't feel any incongruity. It's a natural request.'
Asking for minimum safety guarantees isn't strange, is it?
"You'll only cooperate with research within limits that won't harm you? That's a reasonable proposal. Then how long should the contract period be? A day or two won't do."
Naturally, I had no intention of making that period short.
But if I made it too long, he might feel something was strange, so I had to maintain an appropriate line.
"Don't you have an estimated timeframe for how long it would take Odin to analyze me? What do you roughly expect?"
If the time he expects is more than what I hope for, I'll catch two rabbits, and if it's short, I'll just get elixirs—either way, it's a contract with no major losses.
"At least... wouldn't 10 years be necessary? You have so much, after all. I'd like to allow more time generously..."
'It's a big catch.'
It seems the goddess of fortune is smiling on my side.
"Then how about a clean 15 years? I'll also learn things by watching Odin's research, so that seems just right. After that, let's decide together whether to extend by one year at a time."
At my proposal, Odin's face lights up with joy.
15 years isn't that long a time for transcendents, so he probably doesn't feel any incongruity.
"Good. Then let's make a contract."
Odin extends his hand and I grasp it eagerly.
Because I'm so pleased.
'You've been caught, buddy.'
I've gained one reliable ally who will at least maintain neutrality in the catastrophe 10 years from now.
Though he probably doesn't know it himself.