'Certainly, I can feel it.'
Something I couldn't sense before now felt vivid and tangible.
As if a new sense had awakened, the energy was so clear that I couldn't help but focus on it...
[The Seed of God Slayingr has detected the presence of divine energy.]
[The aura of 'The Fallen One' has been detected.]
[Suppression is possible.]
The bright messages displayed on the screen made me clench my fists.
'It's done!'
What I had wondered if I could achieve before seemed insignificant now.
Without hesitation, I activated God's blessing.
[God's blessing 'Seed of God Slayingr' is activated.]
[Temporary suppression of divine energy.]
[Temporary reduction in the effects of 'The Fallen One.']
[Temporary increase in resistance to 'The Fallen One.']
[God's blessing 'Seed of God Slayingr' has gathered one trace.]
[Four more traces are needed for a change to occur.]
'Gather traces?'
What's this?
It seemed like there was another hidden function I didn't know about.
For now, I should rejoice in the fact that I could awaken Isabelle.
It was a much simpler process than I had expected.
How disappointed would Maximen be if he found out?
'He must have suffered for 40 years...'
Maximen, who hadn't noticed yet, just watched silently from the side.
"Maximen."
"Do you have a way after all?"
When I opened the lid and spoke, it seemed like he was in a daze.
Isabelle would awaken soon, so I needed to get everything done before that.
"That's not it. If this person awakens, what can you do for me?"
My question might have sounded rude, but Maximen, who already knew God's blessing had activated, seemed to be under some illusion.
Since God's blessing was already active, it was just a matter of time before she woke up.
I needed to take everything apart before she did.
"If she wakes up, can you do anything for me? Anything at all..."
"Anything except interfering with Isabelle's safety. I won't interfere with her well-being."
"Her name is Isabelle, right?"
I pretended not to know her name and focused on what help I could get.
More importantly, the one-time favor didn't seem quite appealing.
So, let's negotiate further.
"Just one time?"
"Adrias, my patience is running thin."
"It doesn't matter how you feel. Then, how about this? Please give me three favors."
"Three? Very well. I can give you as many favors as you want. But if Isabelle doesn't wake up..."
"She will. I've already used my abilities."
"What?"
He seemed to ask again, as if he didn't understand the meaning of my words.
Then, like a malfunctioning toy, he made a creaking noise and looked at Isabelle.
However, even though I had already used God's blessing, she hadn't woken up yet.
"Isabelle?"
But Maximen, as if he sensed something, carefully called her name.
Then, I noticed that the corners of Isabelle's eyes were trembling.
"She's really... waking up."
Even though I had done it myself, I was so surprised that I muttered aloud.
I had never awakened Isabelle through countless gameplays before.
'When you think about it, is it because of the original sin? In the game, I never obtained it.'
It felt like fate was intricately intertwined.
The fact that I had visited this hidden dungeon for the first time, and that the original sin had been with me all along...
Maybe this was a precursor to something bigger.
Lost in thought for a while, Maximen knelt down beside Isabelle, gently caressing her cheek.
"Isabelle, can you hear me?"
And then, I could see it.
Her eyes, shining like deep rubies.
A contradictory atmosphere of purity and allure emanated from the woman before me.
"Max, imen?"
Perhaps it was due to being asleep for a long time, her voice was hoarse.
Feeling that she might need water, I looked at Maximen and was surprised.
'Is this the Maximen I know?'
The emotionally arid man I was familiar with was shedding tears...
I couldn't believe it.
"Did I fall asleep again?"
"Yeah."
"For a long time?"
At Isabelle's question, Maximen's face, which was still full of emotions, lowered his head.
"No, it didn't take long."
"Maximen, can I touch your face?"
As Isabelle reached out her hand, Maximen lowered his head, his face full of complex emotions.
Feeling a bit awkward in their presence, I took a step back.
Although I did it for my benefit, I couldn't help but feel proud seeing Maximen's reaction.
While they shared a moment, I went to check on Surahan.
'This is quite serious.'
The situation was more severe than I had expected, so I took out a potion that I always carried with me and forcibly fed it to him.
Despite the loud sound when Maximen kicked him earlier, I thought it was only the noise, but...
'He's in a bad state. He really intended to kill him.'
In any case, compared to Aura Masters or Warlocks, I hadn't seen a single one with a normal temperament.
Surprisingly, the only one who behaved relatively normally was Surahan, but he had almost died just now.
"Did you wake me up?"
I heard a voice from afar.
The voice calling me was definitely aimed at me, so I turned my head.
There, with Maximen's support, Isabelle, who had risen to her feet, was looking at me with her crimson eyes.
"Just a moment."
I finished treating Surahan and walked over to that side.
Isabelle seemed to be in good shape, to the point where it was hard to believe she had been asleep for 40 years.
Now that I saw it, it seemed like Maximen had wiped off his blood.
"Thank you for waking me up."
"There's no need to thank me. It's the result of Maximen's efforts."
I had said that one word and implied that I would repay a thousand debts.
This was the time to score some points.
"You're very humble."
At that moment, Maximen stood up and bowed to me.
"Thank you."
"You don't need to go that far. I helped because I also had something I wanted."
"For 40 years."
Maximin stood up straight and looked at me with burning eyes.
"I wandered and struggled for 40 years. So, to be honest, I thought it would be the same this time."
It had been a long 40 years indeed.
What would the world be like 40 years from now?
"I might seem to be making a fuss, but this joy... it's indescribable."
"Maximen, I'm sorry to interrupt your joy, but I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"The ability that woke Isabelle up is not a permanent one."
Unfortunately, I had to tell the truth.
It had clearly said "temporary" in the message, after all.
Of course, I didn't know how long that "temporary" was going to be.
It could be an hour, a day, or even a year.
"I see."
Surprisingly, Maximen was rather calm.
Considering that Isabelle didn't react strongly to my words either, it seemed that both of them had strong mental fortitude.
"I don't know how long my ability will last either. But I should be able to use it again if Isabelle falls asleep."
God's blessing seemed to have no conditions or cooldowns.
If Isabelle fell asleep again, I could just wake her up again.
'They said that if I gather four more traces of the gods, something will change.'
I could speculate that since it's the Seed of God Slaying, when enough traces are gathered, something will sprout. This could potentially lead to a permanent cure for Isabelle's sleep.
"If that's the case, then I'm relieved. When Isabelle falls asleep again, I'll come to you to wake her up."
"Maximen, can I use one of your favors now?"
"Is this what we agreed upon? Go ahead and tell me."
"My ability is to suppress the divine energy. It's the ability that the god granted me."
"Sigh... I should have acquired that ability. But it's a pity."
If I hadn't originally had Original Sin, I wouldn't have been able to obtain it in the first place. I hope he doesn't regret it too much.
"So, what's your request?"
"I've just realized it, but it seems that my ability grows stronger each time I experience divine energy. Can you help me find other traces of divine energy?"
Maximen's eyes lit up for a moment, then he nodded.
"That doesn't count as a favor. It's something I should do. If your ability grows stronger, does that mean you could permanently cure Isabelle's sleep?"
"I can't say for sure, but it's possible, right?"
"That's enough. Consider it done. Do you have any other requests now?"
"One more thing, Maximen. Can you teach me how to use a sword whenever you come to use my ability?"
"A sword?"
He looked at the sword at my waist for a moment, hesitated, and then nodded.
"Alright. I'll teach you. Is there anything else?"
In truth,I wanted to ask Isabelle for the remaining favor.
She's a vampire, and more specifically, a vampire of direct lineage.
I don't know why she's cursed by the gods, but I learned that she's of direct lineage from the game.
'One of the sins, lust, belongs to the Vampire Queen.'
Obtaining this is my goal.
In reality, it's an item I had given up on because it's too dangerous, unlike in the game where you have multiple lives, but being involved with Isabelle changed things.
Later on, a throne battle to determine the head of the Lucifer family, the only vampire clan among the side episodes, takes place.
This episode was not just about vampires; it was also related to black magic gatherings and various organizations.
'Isabelle is highly ranked even among the direct lineage. Could I use this opportunity to somehow make it work?'
I didn't have a concrete plan yet, but something seemed to be taking shape.
"Can I delay that request for a while?"
"Do as you wish. I have to keep an eye on you anyway."
Once a plan is formed, and I learn more about Isabelle, I'll have to make that request.
Suddenly, Isabelle began sniffing the air.
"This smell..."
She looked at me and gestured for me to come closer.
"Would you like to come a bit closer?"
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
However, I trusted that she wouldn't do anything harmful to me, so I approached her.
"Oh!"
As I got closer, she exclaimed.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Angela. I can smell Angela on you."
Angela? Angela!
I had completely forgotten about the existence of the vampire.
She was my first evolution target and the one who had drained my blood.
But how does Isabelle know about Angela?
"It's actually strange that I didn't know about this."
Maximen sent me an interested glance.
"Have you ever met Angela? This... it's not just about the smell, but..."
Why is she dropping hints like that?
"It seems like that girl has a special interest in you."
"Interest?"
What's she talking about?
.
.
.
.
In a snowy mountain covered in white, people in white fur coats were running around.
The snowy house-sized wild boar they were chasing was already covered in arrows and bleeding all over its body.
"Zedaka!"
Someone shouted, and an ice spear flew from somewhere.
Puck!
Kiiieeek!
The wild boar, hit in the vital spot by the spear, let out a death cry.
"Today, we'll have a feast!"
As someone shouted joyfully, everyone nodded in agreement.
Upon returning to the village after temporarily slaughtering the giant wild boar, they began to distribute today's catch.
The large-scale village showed that people could adapt even in this harsh environment.
The muscular chief, who had led the chase for the wild boar, handed over the most valuable parts to the village's sole magician, Zedaka.
Even though he might surpass the continent's people physically, life was almost impossible without a magician, making it natural to show favoritism to him.
"Father!"
The chief's son rushed over, greeting his father.
Now probably around five years old, the child had grown robustly, proving that he had been raised in the harsh environment.
One peculiar thing was that, unlike the others, geometric tattoos were engraved on his face.
"Today, we caught a Mysaph! Do you see it?"
"I want to go hunting with you next year, Father!"
"Hahaha! Next year is still too early! You have to grow bigger!"
People living in an environment where survival seemed impossible showed support for each other and lived firmly.
They were the northern tribes that the continent's people called barbarians.
When food became scarce, they would disrupt the northern border of the Empire, causing headaches for the Empire.
From the Empire's perspective, these tribes were a nuisance, and they tended to underestimate them.
However, this was an underestimated group.
"That's the tribe chief. An unexpected monster."
Someone observed their actions from a distance.
Feeling the strange pounding of his heart, he finally found what he had been looking for.
"I've found wrath."
Hegel looked at the chief's son and smiled quietly.