Chapter 85
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 85
As was typical of divine beings, Ymir’s speech was laced with cryptic, celestial jargon, but Turan skillfully filtered through the noise to extract the core message.
Ymir was plagued by questions: how was Otas still alive? Where had he been hiding for thousands of years?
The conclusion to be drawn from this was undeniable.
Otas, the Night Hunter, was not the god currently ruling over Zahar. In fact, Ymir—a god who had survived into the modern era—firmly believed that Otas had perished in the distant past.
‘This is problematic...’
Turan felt a fresh wave of gratitude for the mask he wore. Had his face been exposed, his flustered expression would have been laid bare for his opponent to see. His original plan—to pose as a servant of the god ruling Zahar—had been completely scrapped.
An ordinary person would have panicked, but Turan’s mind raced even in this crisis, searching for a way to exploit this new information. Thanks to his Thought Acceleration magic, it took him only a second to devise a plausible strategy.
“He has always existed. You were simply unaware. The Night Hunter shows himself to no one.”
Turan’s new strategy was simple: use the non-existent Night Hunter as his backing.
As expected, Ymir looked somewhat bewildered, but he didn't outright refute the claim.
“That sounds exactly like something that bastard would say... So, what’s the message from Otas? Actually, I’m the one who wants to say something! We weren’t on such bad terms before, so for him to do this—”
“He has remained in his sanctuary for ages to facilitate his resurrection. Consequently, he wishes to know the current state of the world.”
When Turan cut him off, Ymir narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased. His following words dripped with sarcasm.
“I assume he’s not asking for a history book?”
“Tell me who the surviving gods are, and which families they currently rule.”
“Ah, that? It’s not hard to answer. It’s not exactly a big secret among us. But...” Ymir spat on the ground, his tone turning contemptuous. “If you want to hear it, undo these chains first, you stupid NPC! How dare you act so cocky and boss a god around?”
His attitude was so arrogant that an onlooker might have mistaken Turan for the one bound in chains. It was the typical hubris of a divine being who had spent eons hopping between human bodies like toys, coupled with the assurance that his soul would remain intact even if Renod’s body died.
Turan stared at Ymir in silence for a few seconds before speaking slowly.
“You seem to believe your soul will return safely once this body dies. However, the Night Hunter has bestowed upon me the method to harvest souls. I have his permission to take only your soul if you refuse to cooperate.”
Instead of being intimidated, Ymir’s face contorted with rage.
“Bullshit. If you really had a way to do that, you would’ve used it already instead of trying to persuade me. Besides, Otas never had a profession with that kind of ability!”
Yet, despite his bluster, a faint scent of fear emanated from him. He wasn't certain, but the seed of doubt had been planted. Perhaps it was the survival skills he had honed over his long life that allowed him to maintain a facade of composure.
Turan lowered his voice, speaking with a heavy, pressuring tone.
“It is not for the likes of you or me to guess what new powers he obtained while treading the boundary between life and death. However, I will tell you his warning: if I am careless while using this power, your soul might be shattered. It would be a waste for us to lose a hard-won informant like that. That is why I am trying to persuade you with words.”
“What...”
“But if you provide the necessary information, I am willing to release you in that body and even offer a separate reward. Something you will find quite satisfactory.”
“What kind of damn reward?”
“I will tell you the secret of true immortality.”
Of course, no such method actually existed, but Turan didn't hesitate to make empty promises. Ymir fell silent for a moment, processing the carrot offered after the stick. He asked with a suspicious look, “Tell me more.”
“It means you won't have to live like a parasite in the bodies of mortals to pathetically prolong your life. You can reclaim your authority as a complete god. Just as my master has.”
A faint glimmer of longing appeared in Ymir’s eyes. Deep down, they likely hated having to constantly jump from one host to another—especially when they were stuck in the body of a high-ranking noble like this.
“...If that were actually possible, why is he doing this? If the Nachi bastard ruling the desert right now heard that Otas had returned with his full power, he’d be pissing himself and kneeling. World conquest would be a piece of cake.”
This implied that even the power these gods had accumulated over the ages was far inferior to that of the Frea Divine Clan in their prime. So much so that even the Zahar Family Head—who had fought the powerful Arabion Family Head—and the god behind him called Nachi wouldn't dare to resist.
While inwardly shivering at that fact, Turan crushed Ymir’s question by imperiously forcing a choice.
“I will tell you everything once the price is paid. Now, choose. Will you trade, or will you maintain your loyalty while risking the annihilation of your soul?”
Unlike his previous arrogance, Ymir’s eyes darted around as he fell into deep thought. It was a mix of the fear of soul-snatching and the temptation of reclaiming a divine body. Besides, the price he had to pay wasn't even that significant; the locations of the remaining gods weren't exactly a secret that needed to be guarded from those who already knew of their existence.
After a moment, Ymir spoke in a somewhat subdued voice.
“...I can’t talk about my own side. Our leader can sense it if someone talks about him outside.”
The moment he mentioned the ‘leader,’ a fear greater than the threat of soul annihilation appeared on Ymir’s face. Hearing that the leader could sense his name being mentioned, Turan could guess why the Librarian had been kidnapped, and who the god ruling Arabion and Nagin was.
‘The Life Scholar...’
The member of the Frea Divine Clan who had criticized Otas the Night Hunter and created the Underground Labyrinth. Discussing him in the Library must have been the trigger. What was confusing was that there hadn't been any major issues when he discussed it with Meisa, Solif, or Asiz. He hadn't been particularly more careful back then, either.
“Instead, I’ll tell you everything about the other factions. How about it? Otas is probably only interested in the Enril Desert anyway. He hated leaving that place back in the day.”
“Fine. But tell me about all the powers outside the Enril Desert as well.”
Sensing this was the final point of compromise, Turan immediately accepted the offer. Ymir fell silent as if organizing his thoughts, then slowly began his explanation.
“First, the leader of the faction currently ruling Zahar is Nachi. He possesses the bodies of the Family Heads generation after generation.”
“What kind of god is Nachi? Is that a name?”
“Just pass it on like that. Otas will know exactly what it means.”
Turan considered pressing for a more detailed explanation but decided against it. It would be difficult to refute that statement while maintaining his persona as the Night Hunter’s messenger. If he made excuses about his memory being incomplete, his offer of ‘true immortality’ would be doubted.
More importantly, the fact that Ymir mentioned the Zahar faction first suggested he still suspected Turan might be part of that group. Or perhaps he thought Otas would be most interested in them.
“There are probably three or four more under Nachi, but they’re usually possessing key figures in Zahar or members of vassal families, or they’re dormant. Finding a perfect vessel isn't easy, and making one yourself is a lot of work.”
“Making a vessel? You mean manipulating their personality from a young age?”
“You already know that too?”
“Roughly. Explain in detail. Do they use Spirit-Calling?”
Perhaps because this was more sensitive information than what he had mentioned before, Ymir hesitated for a moment before continuing. The fact that Turan already seemed to have an inkling likely played a part.
“...Yeah. They use the help of a Spirit-Caller to move between bodies. The more similar the personality and habits are, the higher the synchronization rate. Usually, they just find someone reasonably similar and possess them like this body, but for those with high potential or specific talents, they train them from childhood to have a specific personality or hobbies.”
Turan saw the bodies of Meisa and Solif, who were surrounding Ymir, tremble slightly. The suspicions they had harbored were now being confirmed by Ymir’s own mouth.
“Is every soul possession done your way?”
“What?”
“It seems the original owner’s consciousness is still there. Is that kind of coexistence the norm?”
Honestly, on the surface, it seemed much more moderate than he had imagined. It was closer to coexistence than soul theft. It almost made him think having a god inside one's body might be good for self-defense. However, Ymir’s subsequent explanation shattered Turan’s thoughts.
“I don’t know the exact details... but I think they said they replace the spirit that makes up the personality and leave only the soul, which is the power source. So the original owner’s personality is just a reflex action made of information left in the brain. If I leave, they become a vegetable immediately.”
Unaware that the two potential victims were trembling, Ymir, who had been rambling on, suddenly shut his mouth. He likely realized that Turan’s questions might lead toward the method of returning a soul. He couldn't say anything that might jeopardize his own survival.
Reading this, Turan immediately changed the subject.
“So, who are the gods in the Zahar Family? Whose bodies are they currently occupying?”
“I only know of two—the Dark One and the Gunslinger—and I don’t know who they’re in right now. We’re only in a light alliance with them; we’re not close enough to share that kind of info.”
The fact that Arabion-Nagin and Zahar were separate factions with little interaction was truly useful information. It meant that driving a wedge between them would be much more effective than he had thought. Turan nodded and gestured for him to continue.
“Carmine is ruled by the Lawyer, and they’re outright hostile toward us. They’re in league with the Merfolk.”
“In league with the Merfolk?”
“Yeah. Even when he was alive, he was obsessed with marrying a mermaid princess or some shit. I guess he achieved his dream, that crazy fish-fucker...”
Turan suddenly thought of Armani, the mermaid prince he had met before. He wondered how that boy, who said he would ask his family why they ate humans, was doing now. Regardless, if even the gods were wary of them and didn't dare attack, the Merfolk’s power must be formidable. Could a Mermaid King perhaps transform into a Great Sea Serpent?
“Continue.”
“The head of Ruban is the Junkie. That guy’s been an isolationist for a long time, so I haven’t seen him in almost a thousand years. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
Ruban was the name of a Great Family located north of Baraha, in the northeast of the continent. They were said to be the only Great Family specialized in physical combat, combining the Strength-bearer and Guardian bloodlines. The Arena Solif had mentioned before was also in their territory.
“What about Baraha?”
“That would be... the Mechanic? It might have changed, but I’m not sure. They’re not exactly isolationists, but they tend to keep to themselves. They’re somewhat close with Nachi’s side, so he might know.”
As expected, the connection between Baraha and Zahar wasn't just his imagination. It seemed the distance was a significant factor even for the Frea Divine Clan, as Ymir knew very little about the families in the eastern part of the continent. However, as he went through them one by one, one Great Family remained.
“What about Lavitas?”
“There’s probably no one there.”
“Why?”
“Well... ruling a family isn't as easy as it sounds. Since we agreed not to reveal our identities, we have to swallow them secretly, which causes a lot of headaches. In fact, the Great Families that used to be in the wastelands and forests were wiped out because they got caught trying to take over. Plus, getting a body isn't exactly free.”
He didn't mention the exact conditions, so Turan wasn't sure, but it seemed they needed a certain level of organization to maintain the system of ruling a Great Family and continuing their possessions. After all, they would need at least one or two people to help them while they moved between bodies. In any case, if what he said was true, it meant the young boy who was the Head of the Lavitas Family was a pure human, unpossessed by any god.
“Then, are there any Spirit-Callers that you don't control?”
“None. They weren't common to begin with, and we rounded up every last one of them... I can’t tell you where we’ve hidden them.”
“That’s fine.”
He was curious, but he knew he wouldn't get a useful answer even if he asked. After a few more exchanges, Ymir’s patience finally ran out.
“Hey, I think I’ve said enough. Why don't you tell me now? The secret of immortality.”
When Turan didn't answer immediately, Ymir quickly added, looking a bit anxious, “If you just stiff me, I’m going to tell our leader everything. That sa... god wasn't on good terms with Otas to begin with. If he finds out Otas knows a secret like that, things won't end well for you.”
He was threatening to reveal Otas’s return if Turan didn't tell him the secret. Turan gave a small laugh and replied, “And do you think he’ll just leave you alone? If I were him, I wouldn't be too fond of a subordinate who blabbed a secret to someone he disliked. Besides, my master has no intention of keeping it a secret in the first place.”
Ymir’s face hardened at the counter-threat. Before he could respond, Turan drew the dagger he was wearing.
“What are you—”
“I will pass on all the information you’ve given me to Lord Otas. He will come in person later to give you your reward, so wait for him. Whether you tell your leader about this is up to you.”
“Wait! You said you’d leave this body alone—”
Turan didn't let him finish. He swung his dagger and cut Ymir’s—or rather, Renod’s—throat.
Based on what Ymir had said, suitable vessels were hard to come by, so this would likely neutralize Ymir’s activities for a while. Perhaps he wouldn't even be able to tell his ‘leader’ what he had learned until he was resurrected.
As the head, wearing an expression of emptiness and betrayal, rolled on the ground, a clump of mana suddenly shot out from the remaining corpse.
‘Is that a god’s soul?’
He wondered if he could see the symbol of a bloodline inside, but he didn't have the luxury. The clump of mana was already flying rapidly toward the northwest. Turan immediately pulled out the jewelry box from his robe and infused it with mana. The box, which was empty after he had released the Librarian to be with Bije, was activated, but the mana—Ymir’s soul—flew away without being hindered at all.
After one last attempt to control it using telekinesis and life-form manipulation magic, Turan clicked his tongue and put the jewelry box back. Meisa, who had been watching from the side, spoke up.
“It didn't work?”
“No. It seems it can only catch spirits. It would have been nice if I could have caught it.”
He wanted to know more about the Life Scholar, who was likely the leader of the Arabion-Nagin faction, as well as the various mysterious powers he used. It was a shame he couldn't ask what kind of powers the gods used, for fear of casting doubt on his role as Otas’s messenger.
*
Turan’s group properly disposed of Renod’s body and cleaned up their tracks before moving to where Bije was hiding. As they walked, Solif, who had been silent, muttered in a somewhat hollow voice.
“I never imagined so many gods would still be left in this world... Some of them are even sleeping with other races? Damn, I never thought I’d feel so small.”
“Well, just knowing that they’re not all on the same side is a harvest. Perhaps we can borrow the power of one god to fight another.”
Of course, they had to consider the loose bond between them, but if Turan’s group could gain enough martial power to rival one of those factions, they could directly intervene in this massive game. To do that, what they needed most right now was to build that power.
When Bije let out a happy cry upon seeing the three of them, Turan stroked its head.
“Then, I suppose it’s time to start building our strength in earnest.”
“Where are we going?”
“Let’s head to the North Sea first. There’s something I wanted to show Solif... and the sea has more powerful magical beasts than the land.”
Based on the general rule that larger and stronger creatures were likely to be more powerful magical beasts, it was only natural that sea creatures, which were larger than land creatures, were born with much greater power.
In fact, Turan had sensed the presence of powerful magical beasts several times while sailing the North Sea or traveling around the Southern Sea. He had only backed away because it was hard to find them after abandoning his ship and diving, or because he thought it would be a difficult fight to win.
But if three top-tier nobles, capable of overwhelming even mythic-grade magical beasts, joined forces, the story would be different.