[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 129: Rejecting the Proposal
Loki and Hers, huh?
Ever since the world changed into Asgard, there hadn’t been much contact with Hers.
For now, let’s contact Loki.
[Kim Jiho!]
As soon as I opened the communication, Loki shouted urgently.
There was a gaping hole in his chest.
“You’re alive?”
[Odin ca to his senses. I was released just before being sealed.]
Even though he was in a spirit state, Loki's chest had been neatly hollowed out.
It was clear that he had been through his share of suffering.
“Why did you call ?”
[Did you impose a penalty on Asgard?]
“Not yet. It felt like I was only helping Zeus. But since Odin is practically Zeus’s subordinate now, I was wondering if imposing a penalty was the right move.”
[No, don’t! It’s fine now! If Asgard disappears, Zeus’s victory will be complete!]
“Hm, but you handed over 5 trillion to Zeus. What about that?”
Loki flinched at that.
His scrunched-up expression was almost pitiful.
Where had his forr confidence gone?
Now he just looked like a boss being scolded for ssing up.
[5 trillion... Haah... No matter what, I’ll repay the debt. So please, stop the penalty!]
He hesitated at "5 trillion" for a mont, then pleaded with
to hold off on the penalty, swearing he’d pay it back sohow.
“Alright. I don’t feel like letting Zeus have his way either.”
[Ah, then...]
“I’ll listen to what Hers has to say first. I’ll get back to you soon.”
[Hey... Hey!]
I cut the communication.
I wasn't planning to impose a penalty just yet, but I couldn't let this slide too easily.
If I gave in right away, I’d look like a pushover.
Might as well hear what Hers had to say.
I connected with Hers.
[It’s been a while, Kim Jiho-nim.]
“You’ve been up to so interesting things.”
[Haha… Now, you just need to put the finishing touch.]
Hers, wearing a winged hat and a sharp suit, looked at
with a relaxed smile.
His confident deanor made sense.
After all, Olympus was on the verge of victory.
“You’re not asking
to impose a penalty on Asgard, are you?”
[Oh, but I am. You catch on quickly.]
“Why would I?”
[Kim Jiho-nim, we can maintain a good relationship.]
Hers smiled warmly.
[Even if you only impose a debt collection on Asgard, enforcing the penalty would generate over 5 trillion SP. Dismantling such a massive divine realm would yield considerable byproducts. You’d make an imnse profit.]
“In exchange, Zeus would beco even more perfect.”
[Yes, a win-win situation. You’d gain massive SP, and Zeus would achieve perfection... The best possible outco.]
“Haha... But it’s funny. Even after earning 5 trillion SP, you still care about Asgard?”
I gestured to Hades beside .
“Hades was screaming about how he was dood, but he’s still alive and kicking.”
“Keh keh… Hers. Looks like Zeus hasn’t beco a Creator yet.”
Hades, who had co to his senses, approached .
His face, which had been filled with despair earlier, now looked thrilled.
“Keh keh. This spirit god—turns out he’s not as dumb as I thought. Choosing not to destroy Asgard deserves so praise.”
“Shut up. I don’t need your praise.”
“Why so cold between us?”
Hades strutted over with his skeletal zombie followers, looking absolutely ecstatic.
“Ugh. Keep those zombies away from .”
“Oh, my apologies. I was just so happy. Keh keh.”
Snap!
With a flick of his fingers, Hades made the skeletons and zombies disappear.
Hers scowled when he saw Hades.
[Why are you here, Uncle?]
“Because you guys sold a shard of Gungnir for 5 trillion. That’s how I t him. Keh keh.”
[Sigh... Kim Jiho-nim. Don’t mind his words. He won’t be around much longer. Let’s have a productive conversation.]
“Productive, my ass! Kim Jiho, think about it. If Asgard falls, do you really think they’ll leave you alone? You hold the SP exchange, the greatest treasure of all!”
[No, that’s not true. We will ensure your safety. Since Earth will no longer be habitable for humans, we can arrange for you to migrate to another planet.]
Wait... Earth won’t be habitable for humans?
What the hell are these guys planning?
Just then, Hers’s expression brightened as if he had an idea.
[Ah! You could even stay in Kevrian. Once Hades is gone, it’ll be free for the taking. We won’t touch it.]
He was now suggesting that I beco a god in Kevrian.
[Honestly, the Asgard issue will resolve itself over ti. Zeus just wants to ascend as a complete Creator as soon as possible, so he’s offering you this deal. But if you refuse… the outco won’t be pretty.]
Now he was mixing in subtle threats.
[Hera asked why we should let you go. She suggested sealing you up and dissecting you instead, but I managed to talk her down. Haha.]
Hah.
Hera.
Did I wrong her in a past life or sothing?
She’s always hostile whenever she’s ntioned.
So, in the end, they were just threatening —follow them or suffer.
Hmm...
Honestly, I was tempted.
Zeus seed overwhelmingly strong.
Rather than fighting him, settling in Kevrian didn’t sound so bad.
But how could I trust these guys?
They had no issue betraying Asgard, despite their alliances.
If I trusted them and got backstabbed, that would be the end of .
“I refuse.”
Hers nodded, as if he had expected my answer.
[So that’s your decision. I truly don’t understand why you insist on such futile resistance.]
“Keh keh keh! Kim Jiho, hurrah! Hurrah!”
Hades started cheering beside , raising his arms in celebration, which only irritated .
Seeing this, Hers frowned and pressed his hand against his forehead—then suddenly froze.
His eyes widened as he looked to his side.
Then, with an air of utmost respect, he bowed deeply.
The cara angle shifted abruptly.
[Hoo hoo. My foolish brother, you remain as clueless as ever.]
A flash of light.
A blinding radiance filled the screen.
It was so bright I could hardly see.
As my eyes adjusted, I began to make out a silhouette within the light.
A long, golden mane of curls, along with a thick beard.
Every strand of hair crackled with electricity, and his eyes shone a piercing white.
His divine features were sculpted to perfection, radiating both overwhelming majesty and breathtaking beauty.
I had a pretty good idea who this was.
[This is our first ti facing each other, Soul Awakener.]
"Are you Zeus?"
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
[Yes. I am the King of the Gods, Zeus. The ruler of the solar system.]
Zeus boldly proclaid himself as the ruler of the solar system.
Even though it was just an image on a screen, the pressure I felt when he made that declaration was imnse.
He was clearly different from the countless SSS-rank transcendents I had encountered before.
I could finally understand what it ant for soone to be on another level.
The title King of the Gods suited him perfectly.
[Do you truly refuse Hers' proposal?]
"Yeah."
[You cannot win. I have already ascended to a higher level, and the mbers of Olympus have equipped themselves with Hercules’ skills. You won’t just lose—you should be worrying about your very existence.]
"I doubt you'd let
live even if I surrendered."
Hearing my response, Zeus burst into laughter.
He imdiately affird my words.
[Hahaha! At least you understand that much. You are worthy of being my obstacle. Hah, it would be too dull if Odin had been my last.]
"So, you never intended to spare
in the first place?"
[The SP Exchange is far too valuable to be left in the hands of a re lesser god. It should rightfully be claid as the spoils of my conquest over the solar system, don’t you think?]
Zeus, that bastard…
So he never planned to leave
alone in the first place.
He's not even trying to deceive
anymore.
He’s ascended to another level, huh?
"You've reached the level of a Creator, yet you're still obsessed with the SP Exchange?"
[Heh… Even though I have ascended, I am still bound by the system. The SP Exchange, which allows expansion across the entire universe, is invaluable. It is not sothing that should be dismissed as just an exchange.]
"Ha. Your greed knows no bounds."
[Yes. Greed! That is what made
who I am today.]
Zeus openly acknowledged his greed and ambition.
The radiant glow around him was dazzling.
Watching him, Hades clenched his teeth.
"Zeus…!"
[My na??ve brother. Are you still foolishly chasing the shadow of Persephone?]
"You bastard… I will kill you. You, above all else…!"
[Tsk, tsk. If you truly desire Persephone, I will bring her back for you. Just subdue Kim Jiho and bring him to .]
Zeus imdiately attempted to tempt Hades.
Seriously?
He looks like a radiant god of light, but he's making shady deals like this?
I was montarily worried that Hades, who was utterly devoted to Persephone, might actually consider it.
As I took a step away from him, Hades looked at
like I had lost my mind and made a circling motion with his finger near his temple.
His tone beca rough.
"Kim Jiho. Do you really think I'd listen to that bastard?"
"I an, you never know."
Hades glared at
for a mont before turning his gaze back to the screen.
"Get lost. The Persephone you revive would be nothing more than a shell that resembles her. If you had the power to truly restore her soul… you would’ve used that power to kill
already. Am I wrong?"
[Heh, my dear brother. You know
too well.]
Wow.
He never stops lying, does he?
Should a god of his level really be like this?
"You… I swear I will kill you…"
[I look forward to it.]
Hades ground his teeth furiously.
The mont he saw Zeus, all his composure had vanished.
Zeus watched him with a smirk before making a proclamation.
[Watch over Earth.]
Then, the transmission was cut off.
What is he planning now?
The way he acts like he's already won is infuriating.
Ugh.
Is there no penalty for Zeus?
Since he didn’t directly attack ?
But he controlled Odin to act on his behalf—shouldn’t that count as a reason to impose a penalty?
I really want to penalize him sohow…
[Would you like to impose a penalty on Imperfect Creator Zeus?]
Oh.
Is it actually possible?
As I was about to press Yes, a long explanation followed.
[He manipulated Asgard’s Odin to indirectly harm the Soul God. This ets the conditions for a penalty. However, because he did not directly inflict harm, the effectiveness of the penalty will be reduced.]
[The target is Imperfect Creator, EX-rank. The effectiveness of the system penalty is further reduced.]
There were also other conditions that kept decreasing the penalty’s effectiveness.
On top of that…
[If you impose a penalty on Imperfect Creator Zeus, you will be unable to impose a penalty on Asgard. Do you still wish to proceed?]
I recalled what Hers had said earlier.
If Asgard were burned down, I could earn even more SP from the aftermath.
But no matter how reduced the effect might be, my choice was obvious.
As long as Zeus was after the SP Exchange, weakening him in any way was in my best interest.
Asgard would still be in debt to
anyway, so it was fine.
"I impose a penalty on Zeus."
[Imposing a penalty on ‘Imperfect Creator’ Zeus.]
[Zeus' SP acquisition rate has significantly decreased.]
[This effect will remain until Zeus becos a Perfect Creator.]
Huh?
That’s it?
It doesn’t even reduce his current SP, just his inco?
Ah…
So the penalty that could have burned all of Asgard down was reduced to rely lowering Zeus' SP earnings.
This feels disappointing all of a sudden.
"Zeus, what the hell are you planning…?"
anwhile, Hades, who had been grinding his teeth the whole ti, suddenly gestured toward the air.
A massive screen, like a TV, appeared in midair.
Displayed on it was Earth.
"Nothing seems out of the ordinary?"
"No, sothing is definitely wrong."
Hades shook his head, returning to his usual polite speech.
Had he regained his composure?
The usual madness in his eyes was completely gone, replaced with a cautious expression as he manipulated the screen.
The view zood in on Earth.
The clouds parted, revealing land, which continued to grow larger as the screen zood in further.
Before long, the landscape beca familiar.
"Wait. This is near my ho."
Seongsu-dong, where my entire apartnt building had been ripped from the ground due to Odin’s summoning.
After being flung into the sky and crashing back down, the scene was a disaster.
The apartnt's fall had caused multiple buildings to collapse, and several fire trucks and ambulances had gathered at the scene.
"There it is."
Hades swiftly moved the screen, locking onto a specific location.
The spot where my apartnt used to be.
And right there—
A golden lightning bolt was embedded in the ground.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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