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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: A Battle of Wits
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Click, clack...
As she took a step, the gazes of everyone in the hall instantly focused on her.
She possessed an endlessly elegant and refined beauty, like a figure from a painting.
Her features seemed as if a renowned artist of the era had meticulously painted each stroke with a fine brush.
Her snow-white skin, vibrant crimson lips, and captivating eyes, exuding a sensuous allure, made her shine all the more brightly.
...
Meanwhile, Jo Min-jin was only showing signs of a more severe chill after facing her.
"Welcome."
She soon approached one of the windows sparsely dotting the banquet hall's walls, looked down, and continued speaking.
"This place is a paradise."
Moreover, her voice seemed to hold an indescribable 'mysterious power'.
Though her voice was low, soft, and gentle, it naturally drew everyone's attention.
"Do you see that peaceful sight?"
She gazed beyond the window. At the view below... the scenery of a perfectly peaceful city.
"Famine, poor harvests, drought, crime, poverty, and so on. The people here have long forgotten such dreadful words."
After saying, "Look," she began to speak with passionate fervor.
"Children play brightly without a care in the world, and among the adults, only those who wish to do so work for a living."
She then turned to face everyone...
"Yet, no one here goes hungry. Everyone is guaranteed a full meal every day and a warm, comfortable place to sleep."
She asked suggestively.
"Isn't it quite different from your world?"
Just then, a "Tiring!" sound rang in his ears, and a series of system messages appeared before Kang-jun's eyes.
[The deity of the Asgard constellation, ‘Hela,’ Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld, sends you a blatant sneer for walking right into her trap.]
[The deity of the Asgard constellation, ‘Hela,’ Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld, uses her authority, ‘Glib Tongue’ (SS-Rank).]
[The deity of the Asgard constellation, ‘Hela,’ Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld, warns that you will soon lose all your comrades.]
At that, Kang-jun furrowed his brow and was muttering, "This bitch..." when...
Once again, the loud "Tiring, tiring!" sound rang out, and a system message appeared.
[Conditions have been met. A ‘Hidden Piece’ will now activate!]
【Hidden Piece: A Battle of Wits with Hela.】
The deity Hela, who rules the underworld of Niflheim, is widely known for her brilliant eloquence.
She has decided to deceive you and your comrades with all manner of sweet talk to tie you down!
Can you emerge victorious in this battle of wits with Hela and protect your precious comrades?
Upon fulfilling the conditions, this episode will be reborn as your ‘New Myth’ and merge with your existing myth, ‘Destroyer of the Wall Surrounding Niflheim’.
Kang-jun glanced around at the other hunters...
They were merely listening to her story in silence.
It seemed the system messages had appeared only for him.
No.
The deity ‘Hela’ had also stopped speaking and was staring into the empty air before her.
For a moment, her eyes moved as if she were reading something.
Finally, she looked at Kang-jun and gave him a smirk.
*'Don't tell me she did too...'*
It seemed Hela had also received a similar message.
What kind of reward could the system message have promised her?
Various hypotheses began to chaotically bloom in his mind.
Did the other gods build their power in the same way he did?
By creating myths and absorbing the power of other gods...
*'One thing's for sure...'*
Hela must have received a message similar to his.
Perhaps she had orchestrated this from the very beginning.
If so, it must be to take his divine power or his title.
*'A battle of wits...'*
The system message demanded he engage her in a battle of wits and achieve victory.
However, Kang-jun's eloquence was not particularly brilliant.
He had lived a life where he didn't need to persuade others with logic.
If he didn't like something, he could just crush it with force.
*'This is disadvantageous.'*
He wouldn't know for sure until he witnessed her eloquence firsthand, but for now, it seemed he was in a very unfavorable position.
It was a scheme.
Her begging him to leave as soon as he destroyed the 'wall,' her groveling for forgiveness with a subservient attitude...
*'Was it all a ploy to get me into this game...?'*
Of course, since it was one of the possibilities he had already considered, he wasn't too flustered.
"Wasn't it just awful?"
Just then, Hela launched her first attack.
"Your world, I mean. It's truly awful, isn't it?"
Having spoken first, she strode over and stopped right in front of the expressionless Kang Seong-hyeon.
"Hardships and adversities probably assail you day after day, and you must repeat life-or-death battles every single day."
"Well..."
"I know the reason. It's because if you don't step up, there's no one else with the talent or skill to protect what little is left of your already awful world."
She then looked around at everyone and asked again.
"But none of those you've saved will ever be truly grateful for your noble sacrifices and hard work."
A hint of madness began to seep into her voice.
"Because to them, your noble sacrifices and hard work have, at some point, become 'something to be taken for granted'."
Finishing her words, she poured wine into a glass on the table, took a sip, and leisurely continued.
"That is why I dare to describe your world as 'awful'."
As she swirled the glass in her hand, the wine inside sloshed thickly.
"What meaning does any of it have?"
Then, with a trembling voice, she spoke again.
"Why do you dedicate yourselves to saving such shameless people?"
After asking passionately, she shuddered and murmured in a low tone.
"How pitiful you all are..."
Then she spoke again.
"I wish to save all of you."
At that, Kang Seong-hyeon repeated, "Save us?"
"This place you've witnessed with your own eyes—how did it seem?"
"Well..."
"Didn't it seem endlessly peaceful and abundant?"
Adding quietly, "So much so that it can't even be compared to your world," she smiled faintly and continued.
"My name is 'Hela,' the master of this paradise."
Then, taking the head seat at the table, she added again in a low, soft voice.
"I promise to help you in every way possible so that you can settle here and live happily and peacefully forever."
For a moment, murmurs of varying pitches rippled through the hall.
"You can stop fighting for your lives now. You probably won't even have to pick up a weapon again."
Once again capturing everyone's attention, she began to lay out all sorts of sweet-sounding words.
"You won't have to smell the sickening stench of blood anymore. Instead of a blood-soaked battlefield, you'll live a life enjoying fragrant food and wine."
At those words, the eyes of a few hunters wavered slightly.
They were likely the ones most exhausted by their current lives.
Being a Hunter...
In reality, it was a profession that was just 'all show and no substance'.
Their lives were as fragile as a fly's, liable to be snuffed out at any moment.
Of course, the media portrays them as shining stars.
*'But that's all it is.'*
Before death, any and all glory becomes meaningless.
Immense wealth and honor also lose all their value.
How many could walk the line between life and death every day and maintain their sanity?
Even while suffering from gashed skin, broken bones, and lasting aftereffects...
...they had to head back to the front lines for the sake of others before their own wounds had even healed.
If they weren't exhausted, that would be far stranger.
"In truth, wasn't it painful?"
The deity of the Asgard constellation, ‘Guardian of the Asymmetrical Underworld,’ had accurately pinpointed this weakness and was relentlessly digging into it.
"By what right does your world demand such sacrifices from you?"
Even among 'Ranker-class Hunters,' isn't it possible that some of them are living this life as if they've been driven to it?
What if they were unintentionally born with immense talent, only to be pointed at and criticized for simply letting that talent go to waste?
"Are you all really planning to die sacrificing yourselves like moths to a flame for people who don't even deserve to be saved?"
She asks again with a look of horror.
"You may all delude yourselves into thinking you're living, but in reality, aren't you all just slowly dying?"
Then she speaks as if concerned for them.
"It is my sincere wish that you noble souls remain here, to enjoy more and be treated with the respect you deserve..."
A faint, sinister smile spread across her lips.
"Here, in paradise."
At that, Yun Hui-su, who had muttered, "Paradise..." asked again.
"What is your reason for showing us such favor?"
It was a sharp question delivered in a cold voice, but Hela answered calmly with a smiling face and not a hint of hesitation.
"It is because you are all far too noble and sacred to be forced into infinite sacrifice in such an awful world."
A few hunters began to be seriously swayed.
"I'd like to stay here and start a new life. I lost my whole family because of those damn Gates anyway, so there's no reason to go back..."
"Me too..."
"I'm so sick of these life-or-death battles. To be honest, I've wanted to quit this thankless hero gig for a long time..."
Just then, Go Du-yeol shouted, a vein popping on his forehead.
"What is all this weak-willed talk-?"
If there was one silver lining, it was that there were others mixed in, like Go Du-yeol, who were maintaining their rational thought.
"I'm not convinced."
Swift Sword Yun Hui-su then gently placed her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist and continued speaking.
"If this place is such a grand paradise as you claim, why does it exist inside a 'Destruction-grade Gate' of all places?"
Hela, on the other hand, returned her words without a single change in expression.
"Perhaps it is a divine arrangement to ensure that only those worthy of salvation can set foot in 'paradise'..."
She trailed off before adding as fluently as flowing water.
"One would normally call such a case a 'privilege.' Of course, the very fact that you've made it this far means you are more than qualified to enjoy that privilege."
Finishing her speech, she picked up a fork and knife in each hand and said in a pleasant tone.
"I am not daring to force you to stay here. I am merely offering a careful 'suggestion' out of sympathy."
Then, as she began to cut the steak on the plate before her, she added suggestively.
"You must all be hungry. Why don't we first have our meal before the food gets cold, and then continue our conversation in due course?"
Then, she neatly speared a piece of the well-cut steak with her fork, popped it into her mouth, and began to chew...
Seeing this, one of the hunters hastily picked up his fork and knife and was about to start muttering in an agitated tone, when...
"Right, let's fill our stomachs first..."
Just then, a system message appeared before Kang-jun's eyes.
[The deity ‘Giant Whose Mouth Was Sewn Shut’ is delighted.]
[The deity ‘Flame Giant Who Desires Destruction’ laughs heartily.]
[The deity, ‘Thunder That None Can Withstand,’ bites his nails.]
Kang-jun swiped away the string of system messages appearing before his eyes and responded.
"You've got a damn smooth tongue..."
At his words, everyone's attention focused on Kang-jun...
"I can't beat you with words."
Once again, system messages appeared in succession.
[The deity ‘Giant Whose Mouth Was Sewn Shut’ asks if you are admitting defeat and scoffs.]
[The deity ‘Flame Giant Who Desires Destruction’ clutches his stomach and bursts into roaring laughter.]
[The deity ‘Thunder That None Can Withstand’ shouts that you can do it.]
He wondered why that 'Thunder' fellow kept cheering for him.
Anyway...
Kang-jun suddenly slammed his clenched fist onto the table with all his might.
CRRRRAAAAAASSSSH!
From the impact, the table—which must have been made from carefully selected, sawed, and planed wood—split clean in half.
Along with it, the food, plates, forks, knives, and other tableware that had been on top scattered all over the floor...
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The startled handmaidens covered their ears, curled up, and collapsed right where they stood.
"Anyone who touches the food dies."
At Kang-jun's words, the hunters all swallowed dryly.
It was because they felt an unapproachable pressure from him.
"I don't mean I'll kill you. I mean you'll actually drop dead."
Hela shot a glare at Kang-jun and shouted.
"You have just violated the rules!"
"Rules? What rules?"
"The contest must be decided by words alone..."
Kang-jun cut her off indifferently.
"Oh, for fuck's sake."
"Y-You just..."
"Did I slap your cheek or something?"
He then picked up a knife that had fallen to the floor.
"What did I do that you're making a fuss about me using force?"
"That was..."
"And what does it matter whether I use force or not?"
Unable to contain her agitation, Hela shouted.
"Because it's a rule set by the 'Creator God,' it must be strictly observed..."
Just then, system messages appeared again.
[The deity ‘Giant Whose Mouth Was Sewn Shut’ strongly requests the Creator God's intervention and mediation.]
[The deity ‘Flame Giant Who Desires Destruction’ raises his voice and shouts that this is an unfair move.]
[The deity ‘Thunder That None Can Withstand’ defends you, saying you were just overcome with emotion.]
Kang-jun then looked around at the hunters and began to speak.
"Aigoo, you idiots..."
No one could answer, their lips just trembled.
"You've all been through a lot, protecting the world."
A moment of silence followed his words.
"I'm not one to play hero—I prefer hiding in the back—so maybe it's not my place to say this, but..."
Although Kang-jun himself didn't seem to realize it...
...his voice also held a power comparable to Hela's.
A mysterious power that unknowingly captivated the listener.
"Even if it sucks, just endure it a little longer."
Kang-jun said forcefully.
"It's not like the world's only been unfair for a day or two. But when you look back after it's all over, you end up smiling."
He immediately added.
"And I've seen it."
I've seen kids going crazy for figurines modeled after you hunters, for toys based on your weapons.
"I've seen with my own eyes the peace you've all maintained. Hell, even my own daughter fell for your marketing tactics and is pestering me to buy her Hunter toys..."
No matter how dangerous the world is with its Gates and monsters, I've seen the people who head to work every day...
...the people who eat out, drink coffee, chat, and live what you'd call a normal life.
"So, I'm grateful."
He then looked down at the knife in his hand.
It was a blunt knife, made for cutting meat.
He wasn't confident in his eloquence.
But the saying 'seeing is believing' doesn't exist for nothing, does it?
He intended to show them the 'truth' and persuade them that way.
The Creator God would probably accept this as submitting evidence.
Having organized his thoughts, Kang-jun spoke to everyone.
"Sorry, but it's time to face the fucking truth."
With those words, Kang-jun threw the knife in his hand at Hela's brow with all his might.
Whoooosh-/
The moment the knife embedded itself deep in Hela's brow, her body fell back wretchedly...
"W-W-What have you done!"
"No, more importantly, how..."
"Hey! W-What did you do!"
Just as everyone was reeling in shock.
"This isn't some paradise."
Kang-jun added curtly.
"It's a much shittier world."
Then, after saying quietly, "Let's go back..." Kang-jun continued in a low voice.
"To return to that awful world, I spent countless nights lost in longing."
Kang-jun's gaze swept over everyone.
"You all must have reasons to go back, too."
The context was unclear, but his words were filled with sincerity.
"So, let's go back."
The moment he finished speaking.
"O, ■■■, you have finally一."
The thin film enveloping the world began to peel away, revealing the whole truth.
"You finally turn your blade on me as well..."
At that moment, with a "C-c-crack!" sound, fissures spread across Hela's face, revealing her true features.
She was a being of 'half-life, half-death,' with one half of her face, centered on her brow, alive, and the other half necrotic.
"My father's sworn enemy..."
She then violently gripped the knife embedded in her brow and yanked it out, continuing to speak.
"The nemesis of my kin, Jörmungandr..."
An unknown, dark-ink-colored energy began to flow wildly from her body, starting to suffocate everyone.
"O, you shameless and utterly foolish one, who seized the title of '■■■' for the sole reason of catching the Creator God's eye..."
The lavishly decorated banquet hall reverted to its true form: a tower of bones, built from the piled skeletons of the dead.
The handmaidens, all of whom had been peerless beauties, also returned to their true forms as the dead, their skin and muscles hideously melted away.
Even the peaceful city scenery seen through the window transformed into a horrific sight reminiscent of a depiction of hell.
- Please, I want to rest...
- Peace...
- Eternal rest...
The surroundings were filled with the resentful voices of all sorts of dead and wraiths.
"You have defied the rules set by the Creator God, so now you are destined to have everything taken from you again and face a futile demise!"
She then shouted to the heavens.
"Creator God, deliver your punishment-!"
But absolutely nothing happened...
"What are you talking about?"
Kang-jun asked back, displeased, as he picked at one of his ears. He blew on his finger with a "Hoo" and then added.
"And..."
Kang-jun's gaze swept over the countless dead and vengeful spirits residing in the underworld for a moment.
"No matter how I look at it, this place seems the same."
It was clearly sincere.
Home ground.
