Side Story 24. The Next Day - Hera and Kim Ji-Hoon

[It seems that the highest priest of the human corps has returned.]

Lusea of the Lusea clan was late. Hera was not there. By the time Lusea hurriedly tried to chase after Hera, Hera was already standing at the center of the commotion, which was right in front of Lee Tae-Han. She sensed something ominous from Lee Tae-Han’s stern face.

It can’t be…

Hera asked aggressively, “Why are you alone?”

However, Lee Tae-Han just stared up at the sky without response. There was a new entity that did not exist on the Stage of Advent or the Final Stage. Its appearance resembled the Valkyrie, the creature that He summoned.

Nonetheless, the dangerous aura and the overwhelming presence clearly indicated it was a new transcendent being.

“What is that?” Lee Tae-Han asked while keeping his gaze on the entity in the sky.

[She is Elle, the Lord Odin’s envoy and the great being who will oversee this dimension.]

Lusea, who had followed Hera hastily, answered on his behalf. Since then, Lee Tae-Han’s system window began to flood with messages.

[She is our Lord Odin’s envoy, Elle.]

[She is our Lord Odin’s envoy, Elle.]

…

The Lusea species were clinging to every Awakened around them, including Lulua, who was sticking close to Kim Ji-Hoon. Despite the inferior species not being able to join, more than a thousand Lusea creatures flew towards Lee Tae-Han.

They were all replying at once, so Lee Tae-Han’s face could only become more stiffened.

However, regardless of Lee Tae-Han’s uncomfortable reaction, the scene centered around him was beautiful. The luminescent blue species of the Lusea clan flying in and wandering around him resembled a cluster of stars.

Hera created an intimidating, bloody aura in her hand and shouted. “Get the fuck off! All of you!”

It was a warning not only for the Awakened converging towards Lee Tae-Han but also for the Lusea clan members.

Aren’t you getting too upset? If the others are not returning, you should be happy with that.

Kim Ji-Hoon was observing Hera’s unusual reaction.

However, it was time to retreat for now. He sent a glance to the citizens of the Savior’s City, then left the place together. Groups formed while going through the Final Stage also began to leave according to the signals from their higher-ups.

The brief commotion was settled by Hera’s command. Hera said aggressively again, “I asked why you came alone. Where are the others?”

Considering that Lee Tae-Han had been under His care, she should have established a positive relationship. However, she could not calm down.

- Lee Tae-Han: They are not coming.

Lee Tae-Han was irritated by Hera’s aggressive tone, but he didn’t make it an issue.

Instead, he shifted his gaze, which had been fixed by the sky, to his surroundings. The landscape was different from what he remembered. In his memory, the area looked like an apocalyptic hell. After the battle with the elf species and the powerful waves caused by the Doom Kaos, it was a land of death where nothing could survive.

Nonetheless, greenery thrived everywhere now. Even compared to before it turned into hell, the hues of life were more vibrant now.

Lee Tae-Han was witnessing only a part of what was possible from a single God.

- Lee Tae-Han: How much do you know about her? Is she merely observing us? Or does she intervene? You must have a rough idea.

Lee Tae-Han turned his head back to the sky. Hera sighed to suppress her growing rage. She sighed again and again. At the same time, the man she was waiting for had yet to return.

Then, Lee Tae-Han finally looked at Hera.

- Lee Tae-Han: He and others are not interested in here. They won’t change their mind, so there is no need to be impatient.

Lee Tae-Han misunderstood Hera’s aggressive attitude.

- Hera: …So, is it going to be as expected?

Hera’s eyes wavered. Lee Tae-Han thought she had finally found her peace.

- Lee Tae-Han: Yes, as long as that girl does not intervene. But it seems unlikely she will.

- Hera: I think the same. He clearly has no intention in getting involved in our matters. Did you hear anything else?

- Lee Tae-Han: He won’t accept the Awakened on the mainland. I agree.

- Hera: Is the path to the mainland completely blocked?

- Lee Tae-Han: To the regular Awakened. So, the new era depends on you and me.

Hera nodded. It was fortunate that the route to the mainland was not completely blocked. But why? She could understand the King of Hell’s decision but wondered why that man did not return.

Why…

***

- Kim Ji-Hoon: No matter how many times I think about it, it is so weird.

[ (　´◔　‸◔`)？]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: You are frustrating. Did you not see how Hera treated Lee Tae-Han? Look at them. It is true that Hera is the strongest when others don’t return. But can she really treat Lee Tae-Han poorly? No. You guys are desperate to be on our side. You and your kind know it well that it is important to line up on the right side in this world.

[Ah, I see what you mean! You are right. Lee Tae-Han is our Lord’s direct line, and although Hera is powerful, she is still not really His person. That is undeniable.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Considering the power Hera has achieved and Lee Tae-Han’s background, they should respect each other. The more I think about it, the more angry I get, fuck. How could she tell me to get the fuck off? It is embarrassing to have that happen in front of everyone. She is not that thoughtless. It is really weird.

[Yes, yes. Of course. That is why I was truly amazed by you. If I were you, I would have fought her right there.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: You would have never done that, coward.

[Who knows? Hehehe]

[( ๑˃̶ ꇴ ˂̶) Anyway, you intervene only when you need to. Truly benefitting! I look forward to more guidance in the future!]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: You guys are annoying, but I can’t really hate you.

[It’s thanks to your good graces, Mr. Kim Ji-Hoon.]

Kim Ji-Hoon’s gaze drifted past Lulua to the distance. Lee Tae-Han and Hera’s conversation seemed to be getting longer. While Hera initially seemed agitated, she now appeared more composed.

However, she continuously brushed her hair behind her ears. It was a habit that surfaced whenever she felt anxious.

She had been exhibiting this behavior without realizing it until Lee Tae-Han’s return. If the King of Hell came back here, then the new world she envisioned would not have been realized. Moreover, if He had any purpose on this land, then everything would have been futile.

[Even to Lu-luah, Hera seems strange.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Right? She was excited at first, but she became anxious as that faded away. Why? From Hera’s perspective, what could be better than the others not returning? So, why is she upset and nervous?

[Exactly. Especially when she should be laughing and busy talking in excitement.]

Kim Ji-Hoon narrowed his eyes and stared at Lulua.

[What now? What is the problem again? It is tough to keep up with you, Mr. Kim Ji-Hoon.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: It is your job to figure that out, idiot. Do you want to die?

[What?]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Try to think faster like the way you talk. Not only ponder what you can gain from me but also think about what you can offer. You are top of your clan, right? You said there is no one like you among your kin, didn’t you?

[Yes, Lu-luah did. That is an undeniable fact. Lu-luah is ranked second.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Then, don’t you have the authority to go through the memories of others? Everything you have seen, heard, especially related to Hera. I know that you can check them all. Stop pretending you do not know. You have the memory storage.

[What are you going to do for me then?]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: This is why I can’t hate you, ugh. I will give you one compliment point every time you succeed. When you have ten points, I promise that I will definitely keep your act of blasphemy of your kind, especially insulting your ‘deity’ forever.

[B…blasphemy? How could you say that… (｡◕ˇдˇ◕｡) Take it back!]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: You tried to take His necklace, what other term would describe that other than ‘blasphemy?’ This is also bad for my conscience. Not just that, but I am scared too. There are a lot of risks. Why should I cover up such a huge crime for you? Right?

[You said you didn’t hate me, though… Give me two points. And also…]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: No.

[Fine. One point. But there should be actual rewards for Lu-luah. Don’t you agree? If you are thinking of only giving me compliment points…]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: I agree.

[Promise me a certain percentage of the mana stones acquired in the future. Let’s start from a minimum of ten percent and discuss the exact percentage later.]

Kim Ji-Hoon smirked.

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Was it all for mana stones?

[To be exact, it is for life force.]

- Kim Ji-Hoon: Well, there are still monsters like the Declans and Grafs around. I was planning to secure mana stones anyway… Fine.

[We are now getting somewhere. Wait and see. Lu-luah will show you my true value.]

***

Elle, His messenger, had not shown even a flicker of movement since appearing before the Awakened. She was just floating high in the sky, merely gazing down upon the Awakened. The very moment a slight movement was detected from Elle, it was natural for the Awakened to simultaneously raise their heads toward the sky.

Then, the long-anticipated moment began. Elle did not possess a voice, but she sent them messages in a manner that the Awakened were familiar with.

[The spoils (ownership and dominion over the land of Saint Dragorin) can be distributed based on Reputation Points.]

[Furthermore, Reputation Points can be exchanged for mainland access permits.]

Two new windows popped up.

Pop!

The first was a map encompassing the entire Saint Dragorin, divided into sections with hundreds of assigned numbers.

Hera shifted her gaze to the other window.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Pop!

[Start of bidding (Time remaining): 59 minutes 59 seconds]

[Sector number: 1

Bidder: X

Bidding score: X]

So it’s a bidding system. As I expected…

Since He was born in the world of capitalism, it was somewhat predictable.

Then, Hera received a telepathic message from Kim Ji-Hoon.

- Hello, this is Kim Ji-Hoon. Those familiar with me often don’t hesitate to call me ‘Pythagoras.’

His voice had changed to a more formal and polite tone. Still, Hera did not respond. Kim Ji-Hoon’s messages continued.

- It means that I can predict very well. I think you will achieve the fruits of love, Miss Hera.

Hera was taken aback and started searching for Kim Ji-Hoon. However, he was in the crowds, making it impossible to trace him with the naked eye. Thus, she could not determine the sly expression he might have been wearing.

- I will help you. Before you get mad, please listen to me. Seong-Il hyung is mentally burdened by me. It is a fact. From the Stage of Advent, he owes my comrades and me. Regardless of the situation, few know him as well as I do. So, I will be a messenger of love on your behalf. All I ask in return is one thing.

His last message was sent.

- Please do not bid for the central Greenwood area.