Book 1 Chapter 139
139.
God.
A transcendent being far beyond common sense.
These transcendent beings were originally able to freely travel to and from the mortal realm.
Today's historians say.
Gods were powerful beings who could control the mortal realm merely by their existence.
‘Though in reality, that's not the case at all.’
One might think that gods had a great influence, befitting an era called the Age of Gods, but in reality, they did not.
“I greet the great one.”
“No need for such formalities now.”
At Leo's polite greeting, the god let out a chuckle and rested his chin on his hand.
“By the way, it’s curious.”
“What is it?”
“As you know, gods who descend to the mortal realm are restricted in power. All we can give you is, at most, knowledge.”
Of course, even their small knowledge brings immense repercussions to the mortal realm.
That is why gods are sparing with their words.
“But why do you receive the protection of a god… no. The gods?”
Leo smiled, looking at the god who was narrowing his eyes and smiling.
“How much have you seen?”
Looking at Leo, who had turned the question back on him, the god wore an amused expression.
‘Look at this? He knows well how to deal with a god?’
Before a god, any being is merely an inhabitant of the mortal realm.
But the elf before him was different.
‘No, he's not an elf.’
A god’s eyes can see through all illusions.
In the male god's eyes, the image of a white-haired boy inside Akint's body was clearly visible.
‘A human boy… no. A young man?’
The god, who vaguely saw another faint form beyond Leo's appearance, made an understanding expression.
“Indeed. Is it the Record System?”
“What is the Record System?”
“Don’t you know best what it is? You are still benefiting from it now.”
The god smiled benevolently.
“My introduction is late. My name is Pivua. My thanks for this encounter.”
“My name is Leo Flobe.”
Leo candidly revealed his identity.
“Yes, Leo. Since you seem accustomed to gods, I'll ask for your understanding in advance. The knowledge of gods should not be carelessly known by children of the mortal realm. Even if it is false.”
Hearing Pivua's words, Leo felt goosebumps.
‘He even saw through the fact that I was fake?’
He realized anew how magnificent a being a god was.
“What great feat did you accomplish to become the master of the Record System, a resident of the mortal realm?”
“Does the Record System refer to Hero Record, that is, the power to materialize the past like this?”
“Hmm. So you don’t know exactly? Whoever gifted you the Record System was irresponsible.”
After a moment's thought, Pivua nodded.
“Since you are the master of the Record System anyway, a simple explanation shouldn't cause a big problem. The Record System… yes. How much do you know about the power you call Hero Record?”
“I know that the deeds of those who achieved feats worthy of recognition by gods are recorded. And that I can manifest past worlds like now, and if I clear those worlds, I receive a clear reward.”
“Clear reward?”
His eyes, dulled by boredom, were tinged with curiosity.
To a god with foresight akin to omnipotence, the unknown was a treasure more valuable than anything else.
After a moment of thought, Pivua realized what the clear reward was.
“Indeed. Theoretically, it wouldn't be impossible. Then it's a very powerful system. Which means it wasn't created by just one god…”
Pivua asked with a serious expression.
“Leo, what great feat did you accomplish for the gods to bestow such powerful strength upon you?”
Leo hesitated as to what answer he should give.
‘Even if he's a fake god, should I reveal everything?’
If things went wrong, it could disrupt the Hero Dungeon clear.
‘But this is a good opportunity to find out information about the Hero Record.’
He pondered and met Pivua's gaze.
‘I've never heard of a god named Pivua.’
Even Luna didn't know that the principal of Varhalrun was a god.
‘Good gods are said to be silent, right?’
Leo, thinking Pivua was a trustworthy god, mentioned his great feat.
“…I saved the world.”
“Indeed! If you saved the world, then you deserve the Record System! How exactly did you save the world?”
Pivua admired and straightened his posture.
“Would you tell me your story? It's been a truly long time since I met a hero like you.”
‘Gods love heroic tales. They spare no praise for the inhabitants of the mortal realm who challenge the impossible and achieve great feats.’
Long ago.
Recalling what Risinas had said, Leo spoke.
“I defeated Erebus.”
For a moment, the great god did not understand Leo's words.
A moment later, the great god's face, which had been looking at Leo, was tinged with horror.
***
Darkness descended upon Varhalrun.
The night streets of Varhalrun, the city of the giant high elves, were very splendid.
Varhalrun, with its dazzling magic lamps illuminating every corner of the streets, was literally a spectacular sight.
Drunk elves were wandering the streets.
Before endless peace met its end and the destruction of the world approached.
The world was more peaceful and uglier than ever.
“This city is curious.”
A man muttered in the back alley of Varhalrun.
Where there is strong light, there is also strong shadow.
Unlike the bright and clean main streets, Varhalrun's back alleys were dark and dirty.
“To be so bright, yet so comfortable here.”
“The legion commanders said that most of the elves of this era were already corrupt, didn't they?”
A small sneer escaped from the darkness of the alley.
A female student in Varhalrun's uniform approached.
“So, isn't it natural that this rotten city is comfortable for us?”
“Still, don't let your guard down.”
The middle-aged man standing opposite warned the sneering girl.
“For there are elves who helped defeat the legion commanders of this era, and ultimately even helped defeat the great being.”
“Hmph.”
The girl snorted.
“So. Biner. What is the reason you gathered us here?”
“A rat seems to have entered the dungeon.”
“A rat, meaning…?”
“It means the dogs from the Hero Academy have caught its scent.”
“A dungeon clearer, then.”
The man frowned.
“Scale?”
“For now, only one has been found. But since they've come all this way, there's no way there's only one clearer.”
Biner gave a twisted smile.
“It seems they haven't grasped the situation yet. So it's easier to deal with them before they gather together. Sarman. You were the jailer in the underground prison, weren't you?”
“That's right.”
“A student named Jera must have been imprisoned. Watch for an opportunity and eliminate him.”
“No wonder. There was a commotion about a student who had never learned aura emitting aura. Was it a dungeon clearer? Things have become troublesome.”
At the middle-aged man's words, Biner cackled.
“What's wrong with that? Isn't that good too?”
Her eyes glowed maliciously.
“The expressions of those who watch the page of the great hero they endlessly respect burn away and disappear… it will be quite a sight!”
Just thinking about it made Biner tremble, covering her cheeks.
“To think of despair clouding those upright faces… Ah! It's ecstatic!”
The old man who saw Biner's appearance said.
“It's good to be faithful to your desires, but I hope you don't mess things up because of them.”
“Heh heh- Don’t worry.”
“We've encountered difficulties in clearing this world… but this too is a trial we must overcome. Gentlemen.”
The old man looked at Biner and Sarman and spoke seriously.
“According to the will of the great Erebus, we must surely destroy this page.”
***
Even though night had fallen, Pivua was completely engrossed in Leo's story.
A feat even a god, almost omnipotent, dared not imagine.
The great deeds accomplished by the grand heroes were achievements that could only be described as miracles.
Before long, darkness had settled inside the God's Tower.
Unlike the dazzling magic lamps outside, only the faint moonlight from the night sky illuminated the interior of the God's Tower.
Even that was obscured by clouds and not clearly visible.
“To think that a child of the mortal realm defeated that primordial monstrosity.”
Pivua looked at Leo with an incredulous expression.
At Pivua's words, Leo said.
“I didn't do it alone.”
“Ho ho. Yes. You said it was an achievement accomplished with your comrades, didn't you?”
“Why did the gods leave Erebus alone?”
“That monstrosity is clearly a being comparable to us gods. A monster that the inhabitants of the mortal realm cannot deal with. But it is distinctly different from us gods.”
Pivua clicked his tongue.
“Light and darkness are inherently inseparable. If this world is light, that monstrosity is darkness. That's why it has existed as an immortal monster since the beginning. We gods, though unable to empower the children of the mortal realm to defeat that monstrosity, have long maintained balance by driving it to the other side of darkness.”
Before the Age of Calamity.
Leo focused on the story of a distant past he had never known.
“But as light strengthens, so too does darkness. Erebus, having gathered strength on the other side of darkness for a long time, would eventually cultivate enough power to drive gods from the mortal realm. That is probably what you called the Age of Calamity.”
‘So that's why even the gods said it was impossible to save the world?’
Leo recalled past events.
“It's a natural consequence for a world long enveloped in light to perish. But you and your comrades defeated that monstrosity with your own strength. You may well be proud. Leo Flobe. You are a truly great hero who accomplished a feat that even the gods could not.”
“What's the point then? Everything's been forgotten.”
“That is truly regrettable.”
“I'm used to it now. At first, I was angry about being forgotten, but now I've decided not to care. I have something more important to do.”
“What is that?”
“The complete annihilation of Erebus.”
Hearing those words, Pivua, who had been silent, let out a deep sigh.
“Leo. You have accomplished a great feat that even the gods dare not evaluate. That also means you have endured unimaginable, terrible trials.”
No one in the mortal realm can understand Kyle's pain.
Pain that only comrades who shared the journey can understand.
“Are you planning to repeat that pain once more?”
Since he succeeded once, he can do it twice.
The primordial evil was not an opponent to be faced with such an easygoing mindset.
The one who knows that fact best is the person who defeated Erebus.
“Your second life is surely a miracle that even the gods could not have predicted.”
No matter how close to omnipotent a god may be, it is impossible to fully preserve the memories of a reincarnated soul.
“Are you intending to spend even that precious second life in trials? Do you have no intention of leaving it to future generations and taking a rest?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
In the darkness, Leo's red eyes shone clearly.
The moon, which had been hidden by clouds, revealed itself.
Accordingly, moonlight illuminated the interior of the God's Tower.
Gentle moonlight shone down on Leo.
To Pivua's eyes, that sight even seemed noble.
“Because I've decided to do so.”
Watching Leo stand in the moonlight, Pivua thought.
‘Has the day to finally put an end to the long struggle arrived?’
Pivua felt his hands trembling.
‘Is the day finally coming when there will be no need for gods on the mortal realm?’
With exhilaration encompassing his entire body, Pivua said.
“Indeed… there was a reason the gods gifted you a world of this magnitude.”
“…? This world is Luna’s world, though?”
“Leo. The Hero Record you speak of is likely an item gifted to you by the gods. In other words, the Hero Record itself was originally yours.”
At those words, Leo was surprised.
“The reason why only you receive special rewards is probably also for that reason.”
Pivua wore a serious expression.
“However. If an item created by a god is broken, there must be a cause.”
The god’s foresight flashed.
“Leo. This world, no. Darkness may have fallen upon the Hero Record.”
“What do you mean?”
“I cannot tell you explicitly. If I, not you, break the rules, I will be discovered. This is the most advice I can give you. So you must find out yourself.”
Thump- Thump-
Pivua moved his steps.
And took out the Folium stored in a glass case.
Pivua, holding a leaf of the Folium, activated his power.
Then divine power imbued the leaf.
‘One day, this power will be of help when it's needed.’
Pivua turned around and handed the Folium to Leo.
“This is a staff crafted with my knowledge. It will surely be helpful to you.”
“May I accept it? It's a treasure of the elves, isn't it?”
“The Folium chooses its owner. And now it has acknowledged you as its owner.”
Pivua smiled.
“It will surely help you navigate this world.”
As Leo grasped the staff, it seemed to come alive with vitality.
That meant the Folium had recognized Leo.
Watching Leo, Pivua smiled brightly.
“Great hero, may blessings be upon your path.”