1. Kim Suhyun

[Strength 99 (+2)] [Endurance 95 (+2)] [Agility 101] [Vitality 101 (+2)] [Magic 96] [Luck 90 (+2)]

(Remaining stat points: 0)

Total: 582 points

2. Eldora Cornelius

[Strength 100 (+6)] [Endurance 94 (+2)] [Agility 90 (+2)] [Vitality 92] [Magic 95 (+4)] [Luck 100]

(Remaining stat points: 0)

Total: 571 points

Excluding temporary boosts from external factors, Eldora’s natural stats fall just short of being the absolute best—at least by Northern Continent standards. However, considering her excellent equipment, frequent use of elixirs, and possession of a secret class, she’s undoubtedly among the top-tier players.

Still, like any other user, Eldora wasn’t content with her current level. She yearned to reach even greater heights—not just by intuition, but to truly feel the difference in strength. She knew how to achieve that. That was why she risked everything searching for the scabbard.

“This time, I will definitely… at least find a clue.”

Tying her fine hair tightly, Eldora clenched her teeth. It was as if the scabbard was flickering right before her eyes, compelling her into action.

Quickly dressing, donning her gloves, and gripping her greatsword wrapped in a clean cloth, she stepped out briskly.

“Now then, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Melinus, who had just finished explaining, turned back with a steady gaze and invited inquiries.

Aside from Melinus standing alone, twelve other users sat around a round table with a polished, dark wood surface.

The table had no head or foot—just a circular shape with thirteen chairs evenly spaced, each marked with a sword emblem. At the center, a circular groove about fifteen centimeters wide held a large torch blazing like a sacred flame.

“A place where gods once dwelled, huh? I was curious why Elfin Road came here, but it seems they brought some pretty interesting information.”

Natalie leaned back in her chair, fiddling with a horn trumpet hanging around her neck, smiling brightly.

“More precisely, it’s where the gods fought their final battle. Not just a place where gods exist.”

“I thought it was sealed away? Isn’t that basically the same thing?”

Melinus corrected her, and Natalie tilted her head, glancing left and right.

“True. Maybe they’re not really dead?”

“Yeah. What if we accidentally wake the gods up?”

Two youthful voices chimed in agreement simultaneously.

They sounded like teenagers, probably in their late teens. The two young women looked almost identical from head to toe, except their hair was tied back in opposite directions. They could easily be mistaken for identical twins—maybe they really were.

“Hmm, that possibility can’t be ruled out.”

At that moment, a user spoke cautiously. A bespectacled young man with a gentle, somewhat fragile appearance, but sharp, intelligent eyes.

“If the sealing ritual was performed using a holy relic, then conversely, removing the relic could break the seal. That might actually be a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

A deep, gruff voice challenged him. Across the table, a burly man with a shaved head crossed his muscular arms, staring at the young man. His dark skin contrasted oddly with the sleeveless white priest’s robe he wore.

“No offense, but if the seal really breaks, it could be the perfect chance to capture a god.”

“You sound way too optimistic. Don’t you think it’s dangerous?”

“Of course it’s dangerous. But it’s not impossible. There are cases on other continents where people have defeated gods. We can do it too, right?”

“Oh, that’s interesting. Keep going, Ian.”

The burly man’s interest was piqued, and the young man called Ian adjusted his glasses and swallowed nervously.

“Have you heard of the Steel Mountain Range in the Northern Continent?”

“Steel Mountain Range…? No.”

“Just as we discovered Ragnarok beyond the Orc Castle, the Northern Continent is similar. They conquered the Steel Mountain Range and found a new continent called Atlanta.”

“Ah, I see what you mean.”

“Yes. Anyway, while we took over the Orc Castle as our final forward base, the Northern Continent is divided into four regions through the Steel Mountain Range. In the third region, a monster called a god appeared.”

“A monster called a god? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, it’s said to be the king of giants. Cursed during the Giant War and reduced to a monster, but originally it was on the level of a god…”

“The Giant War?”

As questions kept coming, Ian fell silent, his expression growing troubled. It was clear he struggled to explain to those lacking the background knowledge. The burly man scratched his shaved head and gave an awkward smile. Then—

“Enough.”

A cold voice cut through the quiet round table.

“No one here cares about other continents like you do. Keep that knowledge to yourself.”

The voice carried a strange, unsettling aura that made several silent users frown slightly.

The speaker lounged in his chair, legs crossed, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling—an unflattering posture.

Ian blinked in confusion, and the dark-skinned giant quickly spoke up.

“Akirof, that was a bit harsh. And I was the one who asked the question.”

“Hmph.”

A short snort escaped. Slowly, red hair fell forward, revealing the face of the man called Akirof.

At first glance, he was a handsome man with noble features, but his sharply arched eyebrows and slightly slanted eyes gave him a fierce, arrogant look. Some might call it aloof; others, just plain haughty.

“You sure ask a lot of questions.”

“What did you say?”

“Come on. Those yellow monkeys succeeded, so why would we fail? Huh?”

“…That’s an insult to me, too.”

The giant’s face hardened quickly. Whoever Akirof targeted, his words were a bit much. But Akirof’s behavior was even more ridiculous—he barely opened one eye, as if annoyed by a barking dog, and even scratched his ear with his pinky finger.

Feeling the sharp gazes, he sighed and shrugged.

“Why are you making such a fuss? They got beaten on the Yankee Continent, so what’s so great about them? Like we’re somehow behind.”

“I never praised them, and Ian didn’t say that. I’m just criticizing your attitude, Akirof.”

“Oh, really? Then I wasn’t talking to you. Don’t read too much into it, Edward.”

“Uh, um…”

As voices grew louder, Ian looked around the table helplessly, silently asking for help.

At that moment—

“I find Ian’s story hard to believe.”

A calm, melodious voice flowed between them.

The one who responded to Ian’s plea was a woman so beautiful she hardly seemed human.

Her slender body wrapped in green leaves, the gentle curves of her ample chest resting on the table, and her delicate limbs stretching out gave off an ethereal, mysterious aura. Her blue eyes, reminiscent of a tranquil sea, were refreshing and soothing just to look at.

There was definitely something subtly different about him compared to humans. Most notably, his ears weren’t round like a human’s—they were sharply pointed, standing upright.

“E-Erwin…!”

Ian’s voice trembled with emotion, tears welling up in his eyes as he spoke, clearly relieved to have received a response.

“What is it that you find so hard to believe?”

“Gods… they’re exactly that—gods. They exist on a completely different plane from fairies or humans.”

“So, you’re saying it’s impossible to win against them?”

“In general, yes.”

Erwin’s calm tone seemed to quiet the noisy room bit by bit. Before long, Akirof and Edward stopped their bickering and turned their attention to Erwin.

“If what Ian says is true… then perhaps there are exceptions. Like demigods, for example—beings who aren’t fully divine. Or maybe there are means to kill a god.”

When Erwin finished speaking, silence fell over the round table once more. Most wore thoughtful expressions. The fairy race was not one to speak lightly; every word carried weight. It was clear to all that this was not something to be dismissed or taken at face value.

“Alright, that’s enough. Akirof, Edward, cut it out. Besides, we’ll only know once we go there. Nothing’s been confirmed yet, so arguing here is just pointless speculation.”

Melinus waved his hand gently, as if the timing was just right, and spoke softly. Akirof and Edward exchanged glances but quickly looked away, their voices no longer rising. Akirof, especially, was known for his pride—he wouldn’t tolerate being called useless lightly—but even he had no intention of dismissing the words of a respected seer like Melinus.

After a moment, Melinus gave Erwin a subtle nod before turning his gaze toward the door ahead.

By coincidence, the steady sound of footsteps echoed rhythmically from beyond the door.

The moment the footsteps were heard, all twelve gathered around the round table rose simultaneously. They were preparing to greet their lord, but also getting ready to depart.

Thanks to Melinus’s explanation, they already had the basic information. Beyond that, they’d have to see for themselves. Of course, since Eldora had summoned them, the formal gathering process would take place—but that was merely a ceremonial formality.

Within this round table, Eldora’s role was to lead from the front. Gathering intelligence and handling the groundwork—like today—was always Melinus’s responsibility. This tradition had been upheld since the founding of the Odin Clan, and no one ever considered Melinus’s role to be overstepping.

Because everyone knew just how much trust Eldora and Melinus had in each other.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

• Corrected Eldora’s strength stat from 101 to 100. (08:17)