Book 1 Chapter 139

139.

Gods.

Transcendent beings far beyond common sense.

These transcendent beings could originally move freely between the heavens and earth.

Today's historians say:

Gods were powerful beings who could influence the mortal world simply by their existence.

'In reality, that's not the case at all.'

Although it's called the Age of Gods, and it seems the gods had a great influence, that wasn't actually true.

"I am honored to meet such a great being."

"What's with the sudden formality?"

To Leo's respectful greeting, the god chuckled and rested his chin on his hand.

"By the way, it's strange."

"What is?"

"As you know, gods who descend to the mortal world are restricted in their power. The most we can give you is knowledge."

Of course, even their meager knowledge causes immense ripples on the mortal plane.

That's why the gods are sparing with their words.

"But why are you, who have received the blessings of the gods… no, of a god?"

Leo smiled, looking at the god who squinted and smiled.

"How much did you see?"

Seeing Leo counter with a question, the god put on an amused expression.

'Oh ho? He knows how to deal with gods quite well?'

Before a god, anyone is merely an inhabitant of the mortal realm.

But the elf before him was different.

'No, not an elf.'

The eyes of the god pierced through all illusions.

In the god's eyes, the white-haired boy within Akint's body was clearly visible.

'A human boy… no, a young man.'

The god, vaguely seeing another figure faintly visible beyond Leo's appearance, showed an expression of understanding.

"Indeed. A Record System."

"What is this Record System?"

"You should know best what it is, shouldn't you? You are benefiting from it right now."

The god smiled benevolently.

"My apologies for the late introduction. My name is Pibua. I am grateful for this meeting."

"My name is Leo Flove."

Leo honestly revealed his identity.

"Yes, Leo, since you seem familiar with gods, I ask for your understanding in advance. The knowledge of gods should not be carelessly known by the children of the mortal realm. Even if it is fake."

Hearing Pibua's words, Leo felt a chill.

'He saw through the fact that he himself is fake?'

He was struck anew by how great a being a god was.

"What kind of great deed did you accomplish to become the master of the Record System as an inhabitant of the mortal realm?"

"Does the Record System refer to the Hero Record, meaning the power to manifest the past like this?"

"Hmm. You don't know precisely? Whoever gifted you the Record System was irresponsible, I don't know."

After a moment of thought, Pibua nodded.

"Since you are the master of the Record System anyway, a simple explanation shouldn't cause major problems. The Record System… yes. How much do you know about the power you call the Hero Record?"

"I know that the deeds of those who accomplished feats recognized by the gods are recorded. And that it can manifest past worlds like now, and that rewards are given if those worlds are conquered."

"Conquest rewards?"

His eyes, weary from boredom, were filled with curiosity.

To a god with near-omniscient foresight, the unknown was a treasure beyond compare.

After a moment's thought, Pibua grasped what the conquest rewards were.

"Indeed. Theoretically, it wouldn't be impossible. Then it's a very powerful system. That means it wasn't created by a single god…"

Pibua asked with a serious expression.

"Leo, what great deed did you accomplish that made the gods gift you such a powerful ability?"

Leo hesitated about what to answer.

'Should I reveal everything, even to a fake god?'

If things went wrong, it could disrupt the conquest of the Hero Dungeon.

'But this is a good opportunity to gather information about the Hero Record.'

He pondered and met Pibua's gaze.

'I haven't heard of a god named Pibua.'

Even Luna didn't know that the principal of Barharun was a god.

'Didn't they say that the more benevolent the god, the more they remained silent?'

Leo, thinking Pibua was a trustworthy god, mentioned his great deed.

"…I saved the world."

"Indeed! To save the world, you deserve to be gifted the Record System! How did you save the world?"

Pibua exclaimed and straightened his posture.

"Will you tell me your story? It's been a long time since I met a hero like you."

'Gods love hero tales. They spare no praise for mortal inhabitants who challenge the impossible and achieve great deeds.'

A long time ago.

Remembering Luna's words, Leo said.

"I defeated Erebus."

For a moment, the great god didn't understand Leo's words.

A moment later, the great god's face, looking at Leo, was filled with shock.

***

Darkness descended upon Barharun.

The night streets of Barharun, the city of giant High Elves, were incredibly splendid.

The appearance of Barharun, with its dazzling magic lamps illuminating every street, was literally a breathtaking spectacle.

Drunk elves wandered the streets.

Before the end of endless peace and the arrival of world destruction.

The world was more peaceful and more depraved than ever before.

"This city is strange."

A man muttered in the back alleys of Barharun.

Where there is strong light, there is strong shadow.

Unlike the bright and clean main streets, the back alleys of Barharun were dark and dirty.

"Even though it's so bright, how can it be so comfortable."

"Didn't the Legion Commanders say that most elves in this era were already corrupt?"

A small chuckle echoed from the darkness of the alley.

A female student in Barharun's uniform approached.

"So, isn't it natural that this corrupt city is comfortable for us?"

"Still, don't let your guard down."

The middle-aged man standing opposite said, as if warning the girl who was chuckling.

"There are elves who helped defeat the Legion Commanders of this era, and eventually even a great being."

"Hmph."

The girl snorted.

"So. Viner, why did you gather us here?"

"It seems a rat has entered the dungeon."

"A rat, you mean…?"

"It means the dogs from the Hero Academy have caught the scent."

"A dungeon conqueror."

The man frowned.

"What's the scale?"

"So far, I've only found one. But for them to have come this far, it's unlikely there's only one conqueror."

Viner smiled sinisterly.

"They don't seem to have grasped the situation yet. So it's easier to deal with them before they band together. Sarman, you were in charge of the jailers in the underground prison, weren't you?"

"That's right."

"There should be a student named Jera imprisoned. Find an opportunity and eliminate her."

"Is that so? There was talk of a student who never learned Aura suddenly emitting Aura. Was she a dungeon conqueror? This is becoming troublesome."

At the middle-aged man's words, Viner burst into laughter.

"So what? Isn't that good too?"

Her eyes gleamed maliciously.

"The expressions on the faces of those who watch the pages of the great hero they revere burn away… it'll be quite a sight!"

Just thinking about it, Viner covered her cheeks and trembled.

"The thought of despair clouding those upright faces… Ah! It's blissful!"

An old man, seeing Viner's state, said.

"It's good to be true to your desires, but I hope you don't mess things up with them."

"Heh- don't worry."

"We are facing difficulties in conquering this world… but this too is a trial we must overcome. Gentlemen."

The old man said seriously, looking at Viner and Sarman.

"According to the will of the great Erebus, we must destroy this page."

***

Even though night had fallen, Pibua was completely engrossed in Leo's story.

Things that even a god with near-omnipotence could not have imagined.

The feats accomplished by the great heroes were achievements that could only be described as miracles.

Before long, darkness descended within the God's Tower.

Unlike the splendid magic lamps outside, the only light illuminating the interior of the God's Tower was the faint moonlight from the night sky.

Even that was not clearly visible, hidden by clouds.

"I can't believe a child from the mortal world defeated that primordial abomination."

Pibua looked at Leo with disbelief.

To Pibua's words, Leo said.

"I didn't do it alone."

"Hoho. Yes, you achieved it with your companions, you said?"

"Why did the gods leave Erebus as it was?"

"That abomination was clearly a being comparable to us gods. A monster that the inhabitants of the mortal realm could not handle. But it was distinctly different from us gods."

Pibua clicked his tongue.

"Light and darkness are inseparable by nature. If this world is light, then that abomination is darkness. That's why it has existed as an immortal monster since the beginning. We gods, by lending strength to the children of the mortal realm, could not defeat the abomination, but we kept it banished to the other side of darkness for a long time, maintaining balance."

Before the Age of Calamity.

Leo focused on the story of a distant past he had never known.

"But just as light strengthens, darkness also strengthens. Erebus, having gathered strength from the other side of darkness for a long time, would eventually grow so powerful that it would drive the gods out of the mortal world. That's probably what you called the Age of Calamity."

'Is that why even the gods said it was impossible to save the world?'

Leo recalled past events.

"It is natural for a world shrouded in light for a long time to perish. However, you and your companions defeated that abomination with your own strength. You can be proud, Leo Flove. You are a great hero who accomplished a feat that even the gods could not."

"Then what's the point? It's all forgotten."

"That is truly regrettable."

"I'm used to it now. At first, I was angry that it was forgotten, but I've decided not to care anymore. Rather, I have something I need to do."

"What is that?"

"The complete annihilation of Erebus."

Hearing that, Pibua, who had been silent, let out a deep sigh.

"Leo, you have achieved a great deed that even gods cannot dare to evaluate. That also means you have endured unimaginable terrible trials."

No one in the mortal realm could understand Kyle's pain.

A pain that only companions who shared the journey could understand.

"Do you intend to repeat that pain once more?"

Having succeeded once, it is possible to succeed twice.

The primordial evil was not an opponent that could be faced with such a complacent mindset.

The person who knew this best was the one who defeated Erebus.

"Your second life will undoubtedly be a miracle that even the gods couldn't foresee."

No matter how close to omnipotence a god may be, it is impossible to preserve the memories of a reincarnated soul completely.

"Do you intend to spend that precious second life as a trial as well? 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, hidden by clouds, revealed itself.

Along with it, moonlight illuminated the interior of the God's Tower.

The gentle moonlight shone upon Leo.

To Pibua's eyes, it even appeared noble.

"Because I decided to do so."

Looking at Leo standing bathed in moonlight, Pibua thought.

'Has the day finally come to put an end to the long battle?'

Pibua felt his hands tremble.

'Is the day finally coming when the mortal realm can exist without gods?'

Overwhelmed by a wave of exhilaration, Pibua said.

"Indeed… there was a reason the gods gifted you such a world."

"…? This world belongs to Luna."

"Leo, the Hero Record you speak of is likely a gift from the gods to you. In other words, the Hero Record itself originally belongs to you."

Leo was surprised by that statement.

"The reason only you receive special rewards is also for that reason."

Pibua's expression became serious.

"However. If an object created by a god is broken, there must be a cause."

The god's foresight flashed.

"Leo, in this world, no, perhaps darkness has fallen upon the Hero Record."

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot explain it clearly. If I, not you, break the rules, I will be discovered. The most I can do is offer this advice. Therefore, you must find out."

Tap- tap-

Pibua began to walk.

And he took out the Folium, kept in a glass tube.

Holding a leaf of Folium, Pibua exerted his power.

Then, divine power imbued itself into the leaf.

'Someday, this power will be helpful when needed.'

Pibua turned and handed the Folium to Leo.

"This is a staff made with my knowledge. It will surely be helpful to you."

"Can I accept it? It's an Elven treasure, isn't it?"

"Folium chooses its master. And now, it has recognized you as its master."

Pibua smiled.

"It will surely help you navigate this world."

As Leo grasped the staff, it pulsed with life as if it were alive.

That meant Folium recognized Leo.

Seeing Leo like that, Pibua smiled brightly.

"Great Hero, may your path be blessed."