[You were born at sea.]
[As an infant, your appearance was as flawless as if sculpted by the gods themselves.]
[However, your birth was far from auspicious.]
[Roaring tsunamis, as if driven by the wrath of Poseidon, raged around you. Towering waves battered the ship you were on.]
[A monstrous sea serpent emerged from the depths, unleashing its fury upon the vessel.]
An overwhelming sensation flooded Moran's mind.
Though it was just a simulation, he could see from both perspectives—
The infant in the cradle, and the omniscient observer.
BOOM—!!
Black clouds churned as the storm howled.
The sky itself seemed to be crushing down, whispering promises of despair.
The ship, caught in the raging sea, teetered on the brink of destruction.
Like a coffin, it threatened to drag all aboard into the abyss...
This opening was enough to make Moran break down.
Was he really about to die in a tsunami right after being born?
Faced with a divine-era sea beast and a catastrophic tidal wave, not even all the skills Moran had previously acquired could save him.
Yet, there were still those who hadn't given up hope.
"My child... my child...!"
"O great Sea God! I offer my life to you, I beg you to protect this child and let him survive…!"
An unknown man took the infant from the woman's arms and carried him to the bow of the ship, raising him high in the air as he pleaded in agony.
The woman sobbed and prayed alongside him.
In the face of such a disaster, mortals were powerless. Praying to the gods was all they could do.
Looking at these parents who were pleading for his life, Moran felt a mix of emotions.
[The sea serpent struck, shattering the ship.]
[Most of the crew was swallowed whole.]
[You lie in a cradle, drifting amidst the roaring waves, your life hanging by a thread.]
The narration appearing in his mind made Moran panic.
But he was just an infant.
Even though he possessed the skill Innate Physique, there were still limits to what a baby could do.
The tsunami wasn't the only threat.
The sea serpent, its jaws wide open, slithered closer, intent on devouring him.
Well, that's it. This simulation was definitely over.
How unlucky could his spawn point be?!
Just as Moran was certain his run had ended—
A ray of light pierced through the darkness.
In an instant, a golden trident formed from pure light impaled the sea serpent. Its foul blood stained the entire ocean.
"…Huh?"
Moran was stunned.
That level of pure, solidified magical energy was impossible in the modern era.
The shattered trident scattered its radiance.
Some of that divine light drifted toward Moran, enveloping his swaddled form.
[Your parents' devout prayers have drawn the attention of Poseidon, the Sea God.]
[The sea serpent threatening your life has been annihilated.]
[You have received the Blessing of the Ocean.]
[For now, you will not perish at sea.]
Moran was at a loss for words.
This was a firsthand experience of how unpredictable the divine era was, and what it truly meant to coexist with the gods.
The Fifth Lostbelt: The Interstellar City-Mountains
During the Fourth War of the Gods—an event absent from Proper Human History—Poseidon ultimately chose to part ways with the Age of Gods.
He left humanity to determine its own fate.
As a result, Zeus stripped him of his intellect, reducing him to an autonomous guardian of Olympus' gates.
In the end, this god had sided with the Republicans.
Moran could only sigh.
"But seriously, where am I drifting to…?"
He looked up at the now-clear blue sky.
All he could see was an endless ocean.
He remained in the cradle, floating with the currents.
Still, with the Ocean's Blessing, at least he wouldn't starve to death out here… right?
A vague sense of unease crept into his mind.
[Three days have passed. You are still adrift at sea.]
[As an infant, you are extremely weak.]
[Suddenly, a tender, divine-era fish leaps onto your cradle. After eating it, you regain your strength.]
[Five days pass. A salmon appears on the waves…]
[A week goes by. You're still drifting, but after consuming divine-era squid, you feel completely rejuvenated…]
Moran had never eaten so much seafood in his life.
Sure, divine-era seafood was delicious, but everything was raw.
If not for Innate Physique, he'd probably have died of gout from this diet.
If his first simulation ended like that, he really wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.
[You don't know how much time has passed, but you catch the scent of earth. You know you're close to land.]
[You see an island.]
[The currents and winds are pushing you toward the shore. You feel anxious about this unknown land.]
[After several days, you finally reach land.]
Moran felt relieved.
But he was also worried—what if he ran into wild beasts the moment he set foot on land?
The waves carried his cradle onto the beach.
Moran hesitated.
Should he cry out?
A baby's cries could attract either predators… or humans.
If it was the latter, that would be ideal.
Before he could think any further, the sound of footsteps crunching against the sand and rustling foliage approached.
Something—or someone—was getting closer.
["Oh my, what a pitiful little ant. Hehe, I never expected such a tiny creature to visit this island."]
[The voice was gentle and sweet.]
[Although it lacked emotion, it was undeniably intoxicating to any man who heard it.]
[As the voice's owner drew closer…]
[She reached out, lifting you like a toy for inspection.]
"This time, instead of a hero come to slay a monster, it's a little baby crying and whimpering. How pitiful. Do you even realize what kind of den of horrors you've wandered into?"
The girl's beauty was dreamlike.
She smiled radiantly, as if bathed in morning dew. The elegant white robe draped over her body accentuated her enchanting figure.
A single glance from her could mesmerize any man.
Her charm was absolutely irresistible.
"But don't worry—life on this island gets repetitive, so it's always nice to have some extra entertainment. After all, I am a goddess. Though I despise humans, I will treat you like my most beloved plaything. Yes—starting now, you belong to me."
Her smile was breathtaking.
Yet, despite its allure, Moran felt an ominous chill run down his spine.
Like drowning in sweet, intoxicating honey.
He swallowed hard.
"Ahhh, I can already imagine Medusa's troubled expression.
There won't be a happy ending for you~ Prepare yourself… hehe.
You can't escape now, little one."