Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Episode 42.
…Karma.
A sweet yet terrifying energy that governs the growth and decline, existence and annihilation of gods.
From the moment she smelled its scent, ‘One Who Flies Before the Wind’ could not regain her composure.
I can confidently say that today will be remembered as the most shocking day of her long life.
More so than the day that spider, who had secretly snuck into her nest, half-devoured her wings.
‘How… how can a mere human?’
Even other Properly Positioned Gods, who were hundreds of years her senior, could not directly touch Karma.
No, unless they were High Gods, ordinary Properly Positioned Gods knew little about Karma.
Where it originated, what principles governed it—
Just as primitive humans breathed without perceiving the existence of air, they too yearned for Karma, yet dared not touch its essence.
And yet, that.
Right before her eyes.
A lowly human was handling it with ease.
[‘???’ places ‘100’ Karma on the scale]
And presenting it in the fixed form of ‘currency.’
She had no idea what kind of harmony this was.
But amidst the confusion, there was one thing.
Karma 100.
She acutely felt how this handful of energy would affect her.
If she had that, she could achieve the stagnant growth of her Divine Authority!
‘That amount won’t be enough, though….’
Judging by that fellow’s attitude, he undoubtedly possessed more.
If she could just coax that man well, she could stand tall above other Divine Ranks who had been so bothersome, perhaps even above the Weaver of Despair.
To her, who had endured all sorts of humiliation as the weakest among the Properly Positioned Gods, that possibility was an unbearable temptation.
‘…I absolutely cannot let this go.’
Calculation complete.
One Who Flies Before the Wind slowly moistened her lips.
Then, with a light smile and a tone of feigned concern, she began to speak.
[Hmm… Young lady. You may not know it, but that is a very dangerous power.]
“Hmm?”
[Moreover, it is a useless burden for humans, with no proper place to be used. Your body and mind are unsuitable to accept Karma.]
[So, I’m willing to offer some favor. I have many items useful to humans…]
It was at that moment.
Gunter, who had been listening quietly, smirked.
“Is it because you’re a beast? Your head is a bit slow.”
[…What?]
Before she could be shocked by the insulting remark.
[The scale is emptied]
The alluring aura that had shimmered before her eyes evaporated in an instant.
Like realizing an oasis found in the desert was a mirage.
A chilling sense of loss washed over ‘One Who Flies Before the Wind’s’ heart.
[Wait, just a moment…]
Gunter cut off the goddess’s words with a cold tone.
“I thought we could have a satisfactory transaction, even if not a contract, given how well our acquaintance began. Are you trying to fool me until the end?”
Clenching his teeth, Gunter turned towards the entrance.
He clearly looked deeply offended.
‘Wh-what? Suddenly?’
The goddess was flustered.
His attitude was to cut short the summoning ritual, for which she had paid a hefty sum, in less than five minutes.
Moreover, he was leaving behind the Decision of Instantaneous Speed as well.
This was a clear message.
‘I will have nothing more to do with you.’
And crucially—
His low murmur pierced her heart like a dagger.
“Tsk, I hope the next Divine Rank understands what I’m saying.”
The goddess’s heart seemed to plummet.
‘The next Divine Rank?’
Her vision blurred.
What if… this man contacted other Properly Positioned Gods and showed them Karma?
No matter what conditions he set, no god would refuse Karma.
The immense power that could have been hers would become the possession of another god.
Furthermore, most Properly Positioned Gods wield far more authority than she, who had only just crossed the threshold of becoming one.
If he struck a deal with them, he would hardly spare her a glance.
‘Wh-what if he ends up making a deal with the Weaver of Despair?’
Though the probability was slim, given their animosity from her killing its mother, one never knew.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
If that being obtained a higher Divine Rank through unexpected Karma… she would be the first victim.
A hypothetical scene unfolded before her eyes.
A giant spider, its hundreds of eyes glinting, crawling towards her.
Within the spider silk that bound her body, a beautiful white crane, its bodily fluids being sucked dry!
‘No. I absolutely cannot let this go!’
The goddess admitted she had misjudged her opponent.
This human was not one who was chosen, like other ordinary mortals.
…He was the one who chose.
[I, I misspoke. Let’s talk again…]
But he did not look back.
[Young lady, I can do so much for you!]
Thump—
[Young lady! Wait a moment!]
If this continued, that man would soon leave the ritual chamber.
Then the summoning ritual would be cut short, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be lost.
[……]
The goddess squeezed her eyes shut.
[I, I’m sorry! I, I was wrong.]
Drip—
His steps stopped.
There was no time to dwell on the humiliation.
She hastily continued.
[Can you forgive my rudeness…? I actually only recently became a god! I don’t know right from wrong! Ah, you bird-brain!]
After a pause that felt agonizingly long.
Gunter opened his mouth.
“Now you’re speaking sense.”
.
.
.
He looked at the avatar of ‘One Who Flies Before the Wind,’ standing dejectedly.
A woman with cold, sky-blue eyes and a noble, sharp countenance.
But now, she was utterly crestfallen, her head bowed.
[The Three Gods watch your threatening… negotiation with great interest.]
After a moment of thought, he made up his mind.
[Placing ‘200’ Karma on the scale.]
The reaction was immediate.
[Kyaa, T-two hundred?!]
“There are three conditions for the transaction.”
[Please tell me…!]
The goddess’s eyes sparkled.
“First, you will remain silent about all aspects of this transaction to other gods.”
She readily nodded.
[That… is not difficult at all.]
He knew it wouldn’t be.
She wouldn’t want competitors either.
“Second, you will engrave a Stigma upon me and grant me appropriate abilities.”
[…What? No, what?]
This time, the reaction was one of surprise.
[Y-young lady, you are unable to make contracts.]
“If Karma is the price, it is possible.”
[Th-that’s right…]
She paused for a moment, then lifted her head sharply.
[Wait. Does that mean you’ve already tried this kind of transaction with other gods…?]
“Does it matter?”
Her gaze was slightly indignant.
[…It doesn’t matter, but it’s a matter of feeling.]
“Then let’s move on. Third.”
I uttered the final condition.
“If you know anything about the Forgotten Era, tell me everything. If you obtain further information later, I will purchase it with Karma as well.”
And at that moment.
‘One Who Flies Before the Wind’s’ expression changed.
First, bewilderment flashed across her face, followed by a flicker of wariness.
But within it, there was also a strange curiosity.
What kind of being was this human, to delve into the Forgotten Era after Karma?
Her face clearly showed such bewilderment in real-time.
‘…As expected, she seems to know something.’
It was worth looking forward to.
‘One Who Flies Before the Wind’ was of spirit origin.
Having lived long and witnessed many layers of history, she would surely know something, however faint.
I met the goddess’s gaze directly and finished speaking.
“Do you accept the transaction?”
Ryan was still not here.
Gunter waited for Ryan on a bench in the corridor, checking each message that appeared before him.
These were the results of the transaction that had been concluded ten minutes ago.
Ting—!
[Stigma Activated: Wind That Lingers Beneath the Wings]
—Immunity to Falling (20m)
—Agility +5%
—All movement-related abilities +10%
[‘One Who Flies Before the Wind’ watches you from afar.]
[She flaps her wings with a look of immense satisfaction.]
Gunter’s hand traced his left shoulder blade.
It was where the crane-wing-shaped Stigma was engraved.
‘…A Properly Positioned God is still a Properly Positioned God.’
A Rank 2 Stigma possessed a utility on a different level than a Rank 1 Stigma.
The most noticeable aspect was that stat increases were in percentage units.
Even if there was no significant difference now, a considerable gap would open up in the later stages.
Of course, that was not the only stat upgrade he had achieved.
He had also accomplished his initial objective.
[You have excellently completed the task and entered Rank 2!]
[Your faint name begins to carry resonance.]
—Divine Resistance +5
—Stat Efficiency x 1.2
[You have cleared a high-difficulty task and received a special reward: Early Job Change]
[You are no longer a nameless mercenary.]
[In battlefields that should have collapsed long ago, in destinies that should have been recorded as defeats, you have always survived and forged victory.]
[You are a ‘Commander’.]
New Class: Commander
—Slightly boosts combat abilities of allies within the party (Max +7%)
—Charm Stat +5%
—Positive buffs to party members’ morale, recovery, fighting spirit, etc., are constantly maintained.
※New perks will be unlocked as class experience accumulates.
Job changes usually varied depending on the contracted god and one’s past deeds.
During his time as a player, he primarily favored warrior-type classes, so those routes were always opened.
However, he had not contracted with any god now.
As a result, the job change was determined solely by his deeds, and eventually, the somewhat unfamiliar path of ‘Commander’ opened up.
It was an unexpected job change, but upon reflecting on its effects, it wasn’t bad at all.
It seemed to be a hidden class, and it showed considerable potential.
‘…Truly killing two birds with one stone.’
In fact, even if it weren’t for the Rank assessment task, he had intended to try transactions with new gods using Karma.
Act 1, Chapter 3—Before meeting ‘that Divine Rank’ who protected Night Crow, he needed to understand how gods reacted to Karma.
But things had worked out so well.
‘The contracted god is also decent.’
Despite acting overly haughty, she held no malice towards humans.
She wasn’t cunning either, having only recently shed her spirit form.
And due to the existence of his nemesis, the ‘Weaver of Despair,’ her desire for power was great.
This meant she could be easily swayed and appeased with Karma.
“What are you grinning about so much?”
Gunter looked up and met Ryan’s gaze.
“…Are you in a position to say that?”
Ryan stood there, trying to appear calm and expressionless.
However, his slowly rising smile signaled good fortune.
[Party Member, ‘Ryan Parker’, has contracted with the Divine Rank, ‘The Giant Enduring Thunder’.]
He already held a pile of unfamiliar business cards in his hand.
They were likely from the ‘Scouts’ of the exploration team waiting at the temple.
It was akin to receiving dozens of job offers from major corporations in Korea, but he was busy stuffing them into his pocket as if he had no interest.
Ryan’s gaze was fixed on Gunter.
“…Damn it. My debt to you is truly endless.”
“Not particularly.”
“Don’t give me that. You’ll pay me back somehow, so don’t act cool.”
It was true that he didn’t need repayment.
Act 1, Chapter 1.
The debt was settled back then.
Gunter got up, brushing himself off, and reached into Ryan’s pocket.
“No need for thanks—”
Among the business cards, there was something clearly out of place.
A piece of paper with some kind of map drawn on it.
“What’s this? Why is it in my pocket?”
“It’s there because someone put it there. Let’s go.”
The moment he checked the map.
A new message appeared directly in front of him.
Ting—!
[Act 1, Chapter 3, ‘Into the Crow’s Nest’ begins.]
[Head to the rendezvous point with Ryan.]
Finally, it was time to return to the main scenario.