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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“The Outer Gods… they are aware of your existence.”
The Outer Gods.
The usurpers know about you.
Baek Yoo-hwa’s eyes, as she spoke, were devoid of their usual indifference, replaced by a serious glint.
This was a serious matter, even for the Martial God.
“Ah… so it’s finally come to this.”
“…Hmm? Finally?”
Perhaps because I reacted so calmly, showing no surprise…
…Baek Yoo-hwa’s eyes widened slightly, as if taken aback by my unexpected reaction.
“You say ‘finally.’ You were expecting this?”
“Well, yes… I’ve been anticipating it ever since I heard that the Apostle escaped.”
Honestly, it was impossible not to anticipate it.
The Fourth Apostle had realized that the source of my cheats was the Outer Gods, the usurpers.
Since he had escaped alive, he would have undoubtedly informed the other Apostles, and the Outer Gods he served, about my existence.
‘He had to report it.’
A formidable enemy possessing the power of the god you serve?
I would do anything to survive in that situation. Even if it meant risking a great loss, I would somehow survive and report to my superiors.
“Indeed… you’re a clever child, so you must have known even without me telling you.”
Baek Yoo-hwa nodded.
“But despite knowing, you don’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.”
Uh… no?
‘I’m very aware of the gravity of the situation…’
I only appeared calm because there was nothing I could do about it right now.
I wanted to say that, but…
“Child, listen carefully.”
…how could I interrupt the Martial God, a first-generation Transcendent who had lived for centuries?
The Chairman of Arena Academy, no less.
“The fact that the Outer Gods are aware of your existence means you’ve become a dangerous target, a sign that your safety is at risk. So, you mustn’t take this situation lightly…”
Thus, I couldn’t voice my thoughts and could only listen respectfully to her lengthy lecture, her concerned advice.
After a long lecture about the threat of the Outer Gods, the danger to my safety…
…about Apostles, Fallen, monsters, and villains…
…her views and definitions of various forms of evil…
“…So, what I’m trying to say is, you need to learn how to defend against the Outer Gods’ mental attacks.”
…Baek Yoo-hwa finally got to the main point.
“Do you understand?”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Not just understand.
I had already experienced it in the game, even before Baek Yoo-hwa mentioned it.
I knew how powerful the Outer Gods’ mental attacks were, how wide their range was.
So, I had already planned to acquire mental-related skills or talents with the rewards from the Main Quest and the Great Achievement Quest.
So, please…
…I really hoped she would end her lecture soon.
Perhaps my desperate wish reached her.
“Hmm, is that so?”
She stopped her lecture.
“Then you must also know what gift I intend to give you.”
No way.
Was that entire lecture just a build-up to the gift?
I stared blankly at Baek Yoo-hwa, momentarily dumbfounded.
Then, I snapped out of it and said,
“I’m guessing it’s something related to mental strength.”
Considering her lecture, which had practically drilled the dangers of Apostles and Outer Gods into my headband her repeated emphasis on strengthening my mental fortitude, it was impossible not to guess what the gift was.
Baek Yoo-hwa smiled in satisfaction.
She reached into the inner pocket of her coat and pulled out a small box, similar to the one containing the Spirit Energy Pill I had received before.
“Indeed, as you said, the gift I intend to give you is something that enhances mental strength.”
She said, tossing the small box towards me.
“Thank you so much for the gift!”
I caught the box and was about to bow deeply in gratitude…
“Oh, come to think of it, Yoo Baek told me that you’re quite good at that… granzel? Is that what it’s called?”
…when Baek Yoo-hwa suddenly brought up the granzel I had performed for the Principal.
“I would like to see it myself. Could you show me?”
I froze mid-bow, staring blankly at her.
Baek Yoo-hwa, who had been looking at me with anticipation, sighed and said,
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have…”
“Chairman, please accept my bow!”
Don’t even think about pretending you don’t want to see it!
I immediately performed a granzel.
“So it truly is the greatest of bows, just as Yoo Baek said.”
Baek Yoo-hwa, having witnessed my respectful granzel, smiled in satisfaction and leaned back against her throne.
I chuckled and stored the box in my inventory.
Of course, I wanted to see what was inside right away.
But I couldn’t use System Appraisal in her presence, and it would be rude and disrespectful to open the box right in front of her.
So, I decided to save that pleasure for later, along with claiming the quest rewards.
Before leaving, I cautiously asked the question I had been thinking about since I saw her.
“About your pale complexion…”
“Yes, I’m very curious about the reason.”
Baek Yoo-hwa tilted her head and said,
“I should be the one asking. Why are you so curious about my complexion?”
Why am I curious?
Because it’s strange that a Transcendent, practically a demigod, not only failed to kill the Fourth Apostle, whose power was comparable to a second-generation Transcendent, but also seemed exhausted after the fight.
But I couldn’t say that directly.
“Well, you’re strong enough to make the Fourth Apostle look like nothing. But you seem unwell after fighting him, so I was worried that something might be wrong…”
I carefully rephrased my thoughts, trying to convey my meaning without offending her.
Baek Yoo-hwa nodded in understanding.
“Indeed… it’s understandable that you’re curious. That I, someone far stronger than the Apostles, not only failed to kill one, but also seem weakened.”
I was incredibly curious.
How did the Fourth Apostle escape from the Martial God?
Why was the Martial God so exhausted that her complexion had turned pale?
My curiosity was piqued, and I wanted to ask her everything.
But I kept my mouth shut.
I simply…
“Hmm.”
…rested my chin on my hand and waited for her to speak.
She tapped her fingers on her thigh, as if playing a piano, and stared intently at me.
And after a brief silence…
“Child.”
…her red lips finally parted.
And she revealed something I hadn’t anticipated, something I didn’t know.
“The reason I couldn’t kill that wretch, the Fourth Apostle, is because I’m bound to this world, or rather, this space.”
She revealed a hidden story, something that wasn’t in the game.
“…Bound to this space? Does that mean you’re under some kind of restriction?”
“As expected of a clever child, you understand quickly.”
“……”
I closed my mouth at her praise.
Or rather, my mouth closed involuntarily due to a sudden memory.
‘…So that’s why the Martial God rarely appeared.’
In the game “Arena Academy,” the Martial God rarely appeared until the Outer Gods emerged and began to actively interfere.
So, the players, including myself, had tried countless methods to get her to act.
But we couldn’t find a single one.
Even if we left the Fallen attacking the Academy unchecked.
Even if we lured an Apostle to the Academy.
Unless it was a matter of world-altering importance, something beyond the players’ capabilities, the Martial God never intervened.
‘So, the reason was that she was bound to this space.’
I felt like I had uncovered a great secret of the world.
But that feeling was fleeting.
‘Wait a minute… doesn’t that mean the Martial God before me is pushing herself?’
Unlike the Martial God in the game, who remained inactive until the Outer Gods appeared, the Martial God in reality had left this space, despite the restrictions, to confront the Fourth Apostle.
Didn’t that mean the restrictions could become even stronger?
‘Or perhaps they already have.’
As soon as I had that thought, I opened my mouth to ask.
And at that moment…
“You’re right.”
…Baek Yoo-hwa confirmed that the restrictions had intensified.
“But don’t worry. While the restrictions have become slightly stronger, I can still easily handle five or six Apostles.”
Easily handle five or six Apostles…
‘But you failed to kill the Fourth Apostle.’
And you were so exhausted that your complexion turned pale.
How could you possibly handle five or six Apostles?
‘But it doesn’t sound like a bluff.’
I couldn’t imagine it.
The great and noble Martial God, bluffing.
‘Then it must be true.’
But how was that possible?
‘Ah, is it because of that?’
I recalled what Baek Yoo-hwa had just told me.
‘Bound to this world, this space.’
Perhaps she couldn’t use her full power in a Dimensional Rift, another world?
I asked, and…
“Indeed, you’re right. As you surmised, I cannot exert my full power within a Dimensional Rift.”
…she confirmed.
‘Then… I need to become stronger quickly, before the Chairman’s restrictions become even more severe.’
I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders.
But I had no choice. I had to endure it.
If I wanted to prevent the Martial God from leaving this space every time an Apostle appeared…
…if I wanted her help when the Outer Gods arrived…
…I had to become stronger, quickly.
“Chairman, I will become stronger quickly.”
“Yes, strive for it.”
Baek Yoo-hwa chuckled and waved her hand.
And just like last time, I was pushed backwards.
Ding.
And once again, I landed perfectly inside the open elevator.
“Then I’ll see you again.”
With those words of farewell, the elevator doors closed.
[Going down.]
My second audience with the Martial God had ended.
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