Hugo was flustered.
His memories were not entirely intact at the moment.
Like missing pieces of a puzzle, some memories surfaced while others didn't, but even so, he recognized Hayley's existence.
So he said,
"Hayley, why are you here?"
The masked Hayley flinched greatly.
"No, I'm! Not Hayley, I'm Black Scorpi...!"
"Hey, if you're going to hide your identity, start by changing your name. What's with Scorpion? Why are you doing something you normally wouldn't?"
"Ah, no, well. That's..."
As Hayley subtly glanced around, Hugo's eyes widened as if realizing something.
"You don't mean you followed Geon?"
Sure enough, Hayley adjusted her mask and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Well... Lee Geon told me absolutely not to come, but what if something happens if I'm here? So right now I'm not Hayley. Got it!"
No. No matter how much she insisted, her unique appearance, the likes of which was nowhere else in the world, was unmistakably her...
*‘No, that's not what's important right now.’*
"What if you're in the divine realm! Aren't you the natural enemy of the gods? You're a Monarch!"
"What are you talking about, a Monarch?"
"What do you mean, what? You used to be a general ages ago! You even acted as a Monarch! Do you know how much your subordinates praised you? They said you were practically Monarch-level!"
Hayley looked around, flustered. It seemed her subordinates had been spouting nonsense while she was gone.
Well, of course, it was true that she'd been a general and acted as a Monarch...
"That was all a long, long time ago..."
"Anyway, you belong to the Unknown Civilization. Just hearing your name makes the gods shudder..."
Actually, while imprisoned, he'd seen them grind their teeth at that name several times.
Of course, since the Unknown Civilization was a predator that liked to devour gods, it was a natural reaction, but it wasn't a good situation regardless.
"If the gods see you, they'll try to kill you right away..."
"That's why it's even more of a secret. Actually, I once invaded this place a long time ago..."
Huh? Invaded?
As Hugo looked puzzled, Hayley frowned.
"I don't think they'll recognize me. Anyway, back when the Monarchs attacked the divine realm, I came in with them and caused destruction."
"Destruction??"
"Well, because of us, the divine realm's population decreased by two-thirds and they went through a dark century of 100 years... Anyway! I came because I was worried about Lee Geon, so I'll stay quiet this time. You don't need to worry too much!"
However, Hugo's eyes went wide.
No. That's not the point.
Even though Hayley was a natural enemy, he was worried she'd be attacked here.
*‘With this feeling, shouldn't I be asking her to actively help instead?’*
Sure enough, Hugo quickly grabbed her.
"Hayley! Help me! I need to steal the divinity from that bastard!!"
"What? Divinity?"
Right then.
Boom!!!
"!"
The master of the God of War, who had been bleeding from the spear thrown by Hayley, revealed himself.
"Damn it, what's with that woman now?"
"!"
The master of the God of War approached with a menacing expression.
At the sight, Hugo, who had been under attack, froze, and Hayley frowned.
"Come to think of it, your divinity was stolen. Was it the doing of that barbaric bastard?"
"No, it was the Goddess of Fate who stole it... Anyway, the extracted divinity is in that inner room! That bastard has the key to the room! But I can't take it...!"
Hugo couldn't continue.
"A worthless human dares speak of divinity!"
"Ugh!"
Fierce lightning struck everywhere.
And a scarlet divine aura, crackling like lightning, paralyzed Hugo's movements.
"In the Tower of the Great Gods, how dare a mere creature think of interfering. You don't know your place."
"……!"
"Do you think just because a human brat obtained a single divinity, he's the same as a god?"
The master of the God of War appeared before them in an instant. He contemptuously raised his divine aura.
"A colonial creature should know its place!"
Finally, his greatsword fell upon their heads.
"……!!"
Hugo grit his teeth. It seemed he couldn't hold out until Lee Geon arrived.
But right at that moment.
Clang!!!
The falling greatsword stopped abruptly.
‘!’
The master of the God of War was surprised.
Crrrk!
Hayley had blocked Ares's falling sword.
And with one hand at that!
The master of the God of War tried to press down with force, but Hayley raised the corner of her mouth as if it were trivial.
"It's light. Lighter than a newborn baby."
"?!"
Ares flinched at Hayley's eyes visible beyond her mask.
It was because of her ominous demonic energy that surged ever more fiercely. And her pupils that narrowed like those of a carnivorous beast!
‘This bastard!’
There was no doubt.
A monster of the Unknown Civilization!! And not an ordinary one at that.
At the same time, he ground his teeth. Judging by her acquaintance with Hugo, there was a high probability she was also close with the Snake God.
That's why he was dumbfounded.
That damned Snake God, what the hell did he bring to the divine realm!
The master of the God of War hastily tried to pull out his sword, but it didn't budge.
Hayley's smile was cold.
"By the looks of it, you're a baby god that was passed down not too long ago."
"……!"
"You'd do well to quickly either release your sealed abilities or change this cheap weapon. Otherwise."
"!"
"You'll become prey right here."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Ares's sword shattered.
Crash!!!!
The master of the God of War stared at Hayley, greatly startled.
As expected, there was no mistake!
Those eyes you never see in gods, and this aura of demonic energy!
"Crazy, why is a Monarch... cough!"
Hayley immediately struck the master of the God of War in the solar plexus.
Thud!
With tremendous force, the master of the God of War coughed up blood.
But he wasn't a ruling god for nothing. He quickly gathered himself and retreated.
‘Damn it, fighting isn't important. First, I must report that a member of the Unknown Civilization has infiltrated...!’
However, as if reading the war god's mind, Hayley threw merciless punches.
Wham! Wham! Wham!!!
But right at that moment.
"Taek-su, are you there?"
"?!"
At the sound of Lee Geon's voice, Hayley was greatly startled.
Hugo turned to Lee Geon with delight. But Geon just tilted his head, looking at the collapsed war god.
"What's this? Who did this to this bastard?"
"What? Are you blind? Who could have done...!"
However, turning his gaze, Hugo's eyes widened.
Hayley, who had clearly been beside him until just a moment ago, had vanished.
"What? Where did she go???"
"What are you doing? Were you dreaming?"
"No, well, Hayley was here..."
Hugo, about to say that Hayley had come, was suddenly startled.
And for good reason—it was because of the masked woman who had followed Lee Geon.
"That, that person over there...?"
At the questioning look that seemed to ask if even Yeonwoo had followed, Yeonwoo flinched and exclaimed,
"Ahh! Friend of the Snake God! Do not be surprised! I am not Yeonwoo! I am Snake Mask...!!"
"Last time you said you were Saint Mask."
"……?!"
Lee Geon clicked his tongue and headed toward the master of the God of War.
Perhaps they had intentionally left no trace. He couldn't know exactly who the culprit was, but right now that wasn't important.
‘The gods are gathering.’
Sensing the presence of the damn bastards, Lee Geon suddenly grabbed Hugo's shoulder.
"Taek-su. Look. Isn't this super cool?"
Hugo's eyes widened at the bow Geon held out.
"That's...!"
"I made it back on Earth, thinking of you, my one and only friend. I hope it pleases you."
"!!"
Hugo seemed deeply moved.
[Divine aura replenished]
[Divine aura 7% ▶ 80%]
Hugo, overcome with emotion, reached out his hand.
"Geon, thank you, I'll use it well..."
"Die!!! You damn god of a bastard!"
"?!"
Thwack!!!!
Having replenished his divine aura, Lee Geon infused the bow with it and mercilessly struck the master of the God of War with the bow shaft.
Perhaps he'd had no intention of giving the bow to Hugo from the start.
"Hahaha! Be nourishment for my baby!!!"
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!!!
Actually, he'd learned from seeing Yuha use a spear here that weapons made by a Monarch especially reacted to god's blood.
That is, the more they consumed gods, the stronger they became.
Perhaps that was why.
"Give me the data!!"
And it was at that moment, upon realizing he'd been used, that Hugo's veins bulged.
"Snake God!"
"!"
The ruling gods flocked into the castle.
All were ones who had been caught in the explosion. But they seemed to have healed in the meantime, their appearances fairly tidy.
And Lee Geon, stained with god's blood, as if waiting, crushed the war god's skull with the bow shaft.
Crunch!!
"!"
"You're next."
"That crazy bastard."
Soon, the Lord of the Ocean's eyes flashed. Then, from all around the palace, water-shaped horses attacked Lee Geon.
"Geon!!"
It was an attack that would finish him if it hit.
But Lee Geon raised the corner of his mouth and touched Hugo and Yeonwoo.
[Puddle Walk (3-star)]
At the same time, a shadow soaring up from the floor instantly swallowed Geon, Hugo, and Yeonwoo.
It was a warp.
And the place they appeared was none other than the deepest part of the Great Divine Palace!
"Cough!!"
Yeonwoo landed softly, and Hugo covered his mouth as if feeling nauseous.
The interior they arrived at was a sacred dome where the statue of the Great God stood. For a divine palace, it was a space filled with malice.
But Geon immediately infused divine aura into the key he'd taken from the war god.
Then an astonishing thing happened.
Rumble!!!
The Great God's statue split open, and a shining core emerged from within.
[Divinity]
Geon smiled and reached out his hand to the core.
But at that moment.
Boom!
A powerful laser-like light pierced through the wall and shot in.
‘!’
It was an attack from the Sea God. Despite the far distance, the power was beyond imagination.
That wasn't all.
"How dare you, in the Great God's space!"
A divine voice that seemed to strike heaven and earth rang out.
Boom!
Because of that, blood flowed from the human Hugo's ears, and more attacks flew in.
Bang!
"Ugh!"
As the ceiling and floor collapsed, Yeonwoo brought her hands together and shut her eyes tight. With that, a green light burst forth.
Then, as if in a state of weightlessness, the falling debris halted.
Geon immediately stepped on the floating fragments and lightly ascended skyward.
It was to retrieve Hugo's divinity floating in the air.
And at the moment Geon reached out his hand.
"You think you can take it!"
The Sea God raised the corner of his mouth.
And the moment he flicked his finger, a beam just like before shot in.
Boom!
The light split into two like a meteor, simultaneously aimed at Geon and Hugo's divinity.
"!"
Geon immediately realized the Sea God's intention.
‘He's set on killing at least one of us.’
If he blocked the attack aimed at himself, Hugo's divinity would be shattered.
But if he grabbed Hugo's divinity, he himself would be hit.
‘If it hits head-on, the impact would be quite severe.’
But the answer was already decided.
Sure enough, Geon chose Hugo's divinity.
And in that situation, Yeonwoo tried to move immediately, but Geon muttered something.
Hearing those words, Yeonwoo flinched in surprise.
In the end, the Sea God's incoming attack pierced through Geon's body.
Boom!
As Geon coughed up blood, the gods approaching from afar laughed, and Hugo turned pale white and rushed over.
"Geon!"
However, Geon raised the corner of his mouth and grabbed Hugo by the collar.
"Enough of that, brat. Just pay your debt."
"What...? Cough!!"
Geon immediately thrust his hand holding the divinity through Hugo's stomach.
Hugo coughed from the sensation of a foreign object entering, but Geon smiled.
"Even if I die, at least I'll send you back to your family."
"Ge...!!"
"Name your third after me."
"!"
A face that seemed on the verge of death. A laugh like a will.
Just as the horrified Hugo tried to say something, a puddle-like space formed beneath Yeonwoo's and Hugo's feet.
"Sorry I can't go home with you. Tell Seongjae-han I'm sorry I couldn't keep the promise to watch the match."
Realizing the meaning, Hugo hastily tried to grab Geon.
"Geon! No...!!"
But immediately swallowed by the shadow, Hugo couldn't continue.
He had been teleported elsewhere.
And that moment.
Having teleported Hugo away, Lee Geon smiled wickedly, as if to ask when he'd ever worn a dying expression.
The wound that had looked fatal healed in an instant.
[A devout apostle was overcome with emotion]
[Divinity 60% ▶ 100%]
‘With this, the condition is achieved.’
To use a 6th-stage unlock skill, the basic condition was a divinity of 90% or higher.
That was why Igeon, who had planned this deliberately, chuckled.
‘As expected, totally sweet.’
But it was then.
[You’re being a noisy one]
“!”
The voice of the Great God of Olympus was heard.
At that voice, Igeon’s eyes changed subtly.
And at that moment, the earth gods drew closer.
“Don’t move! You’re surrounded!”
“Louis! What are you doing!! Catch him!”
At the sea god’s command, the Scorching Sun Master drew the string of a giant bow made of light.
But the arrow spectacularly missed. At that sight, the gods’ eyes widened.
“Louis!”
“Ah! My hand slipped! Sorry! I missed!”
“Hey! You, really, since earlier!”
The arrow went astray and even destroyed the ground.
At that sight, the Scorching Sun Master smiled.
‘This should be enough for him to escape.’
Because he had deliberately aimed at the side connected to the underground passage.
At that, other gods summoned a net, but the Scorching Sun Master laughed.
‘He’s a guy who could easily dodge even that much anyway….’
But it was then.
Igeon did not dodge.
“?!”
No, far from dodging, he was willingly caught in the net. The gods cheered, but the Scorching Sun Master was perplexed.
‘Wh-what? Why on earth!’
The earth gods, saying he looked drained of strength already, approached the captured Igeon.
Among them were Athena and Aphrodite, who had been thrown at Igeon earlier.
“You made us struggle so much.”
“Enough. First, take him to the Great God!”
With those words, his vision changed.
Flash!
Bound in chains, Igeon fell into an unfamiliar palace.
It was a place so splendid and vast that it was on a different level from the palaces he had seen so far.
And.
“!”
An unfamiliar figure appeared before his eyes.
Because of the intense light, his appearance could not be seen clearly, but it must be that bastard, the Great God.
And all the earth gods who had arrived first opened their eyes wide and said.
“Is that bastard the snake god who turned Olympus into a mess?”
“Isn’t he more of a greenhorn than I thought?”
But it seemed they were most bothered by something else.
It was nothing other than that.
“Olympus is not a place where a bastard like you can enter.”
“Spit out who let you into Olympus.”
“!!”
At that, the Scorching Sun Master flinched greatly. But soon he rolled his eyes.
‘Well, that kid also agreed not to speak about me.’
Even if caught, they had agreed to pretend not to know each other, so as planned, they would play dumb.
That way, they could create an opening, after all.
Of course, if this goes on, the nephew will be tortured, but well, what can you do.
‘First, I need to save myself.’
Since what’s done is done.
And it was then.
[Enough. I will ask.]
“Great God!”
[Who are you, you bastard?]
At those words, Igeon raised the corners of his mouth and said.
“Me? Who else. His nephew.”
Igeon pointed at the Scorching Sun Master.
At the same time, the palace froze, and the earth gods flared up in anger.
[Louis]
The Scorching Sun Master turned pale white.
‘Aagh! Nephew!!!’
You shouldn’t reveal that here!!!
(To be continued in the next episode)