I am the Goddess of Purity and the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis.
Some envious gods insult me behind my back, claiming that my divine titles are of low rank and insignificant.
But I, who have sworn chastity to my father Zeus, always regard my divine titles as noble and pure, and have never once felt ashamed.
In the past, whether gods or humans, there were a few who ignorantly challenged my authority.
Whenever such occasions arose, I suppressed my opponents cruelly, to the extent that people called me brutal.
Likewise, anyone who dared to expose even the slightest trace of lust towards me met an immediate demise, leaving a bullet hole in their forehead.
This time, the oracle’s prophecy that Apollo revealed is no different.
The absurd prophecy that another light will illuminate the world stirred great ripples in the still waters of my heart, which had long been calm.
A being is coming to challenge the position I hold now as the overseer of the moon, isn’t it?
There’s no way I could forgive that.
Just as there is only one sun in the world,
there should only be one moon.
It must not be replaced or become two or more, like broken gears.
So I, together with Apollo, looked into the Oracle’s prophecy.
But where did we go wrong?
We certainly met the Moirai, the three sisters, and found the thread of fate corresponding to the ‘light’ of the prophecy, cutting the first knot.
However, the thread of fate, like the oracle stones of 三, 日, 月, somehow flew away through an eclipse, a dimensional gateway, to somewhere unknown.
Ah, at that time, it really felt…
Like I had been played within the palm of the prophecy, just as Clotho had said.
That day, time passed without stopping the prophecy.
I warned Apollo again and again to be on guard for the ‘light’ that would soon return, but he dismissed it, asking where this other dimension even was.
Seeing his unconcerned expression, it seemed he thought I was teasing him, despite the fact that I had successfully cut the entire thread.
As I questioned how to explain the thread of fate flying into the sky,
he replied with an absurd answer: “Maybe it was swept up by a storm since it’s a stormy season?”
That cockroach, so utterly carefree!
It seems Apollo wants to step back from this matter now,
but I can’t give up.
Why?
Because Clotho’s last curse-like statement still lingers in my ears!
“Declare this, Artemis. A hero of fate who will surpass even Hercules is destined to appear by your side, and through that person’s existence, you will suffer eternally!!”
How could I possibly sit still after hearing such words?
So ever since the day of the eclipse, I have kept a daily watch over my city, Luna, without fail.
If this person appears by my side…
This foreboding feeling persisted as about a hundred years passed.
One day morning.
Like usual, after circling the city, I was resting on the rooftop of a nearby high-rise building.
Suddenly, a tinnitus-like sound began, resembling the buzzing of cicadas, then in the center of the plaza, the space near the fountain began to distort, and bursts of light appeared.
Though the incident happened so fast that nearby citizens didn’t even notice,
to me, a goddess, it was unmistakably clear.
That a person emerged from the light.
“…Finally, I’ve found it. That individual is definitely ‘the light of the prophecy’. There’s no doubt.”
No point dragging this on.
Like a sniper, I immediately nocked an arrow, aiming for the head of the interdimensional human, ready to fire without mercy at the right moment.
“Whoever you are, don’t blame me. Blame yourself for the chaotic fate you bear.”
At this point, if I release the string, the arrow will instantly pierce through that person’s heart.
Then, just as that individual, who was looking around like a bewildered country bumpkin, stopped directly in the line of fire,
“Since I have no grudge, I’ll kill you as painlessly as possible… Hmm?”
Just as I was about to release the arrow,
a woman approached the human of prophecy.
Her name is Katina.
She’s quite famous for being a extortionist who deceives innocent and gullible men in order to steal their money.
“I left it alone because it was bothersome… but maybe it could be useful to me?”
Considering the possibility that my direct intervention might disrupt the turning wheels of fate in some way,
I decided to put the arrow back in the quiver and observe the situation for now.
A great chance to not even break a sweat.
Katina’s usual modus operandi would surely involve stealing the money, beating the victim enough not to kill them, and then leaving them somewhere before disappearing.
“If that person dies of natural causes… all the better for me.”
Very good.
Since it’s an opportunity, for now, I shall quietly watch.
As the predicted human and Katina walked around various places of the city together, they appeared like a couple.
Just as the sun was about to set, Katina led him into a secluded alleyway.
Then, as if on cue, the hoodlums hiding between buildings began to emerge one by one.
“Kekekekek! Aren’t you stupid? Just because a girl held your hand, you happily followed along and ended up in danger!”
Watching the human of prophecy fall into danger from my rooftop perch, I burst out laughing.
Too slipshod. It’s too shoddy!
The prophesied savior is falling into such a third-rate beauty trap?
If the fellow’s this stupid to fall for obvious traps, it’s better he just dies right there!
“Hmph! What’s this ‘other light’? What’s this savior? I’ll show you, Clotho, that your choice was wrong. Just watch. That dimwit is about to kneel before those riffraff and beg for mercy. That’s how he’s going to die pathetically.”
Through my chilling remarks,
a strong intent was hidden—to definitely witness the figure of the so-called “savior” groveling before the gang thugs.
Because the moment he grovels before Katina, the mission and principles for which he was brought to this world as a savior become no different from being dumped into a food waste bin.
It’s akin to how a multiple DUI offender’s claim that drunk driving is essentially murder doesn’t sway the public at all.
So,
Savior,
you must die in such a pitiful and disgraceful manner.
The retaliation that will then return to Clothe, who cursed me for a hundred years, will be so exhilarating!
“Kekekeke, hello~ cutie?”
“What’s this ‘cutie’? Just a foolish pup! Kekekekek!!”
The hoodlums egged on the atmosphere with mocking laughter
while simultaneously surrounding the savior with menacing weapons.
“There’s no escape route anymore. What are you going to do? Savior-to-be? Kekekekkekeke!!”
Among countless plays I’ve watched, I’ve never seen such an thrilling, real-time drama as this.
I’ve even forgotten my intention to eliminate the savior, now just excitedly observing how the situation unfolds.
Katina, with her arms crossed, approaches the savior, smirking.
Then begins demanding a guide fee.
“Kekekekkeke!! Alright, give the money to those trash! Grovel for your life! And make sure to disgrace your own title of ‘savior’!”
By now, I’ve seated myself on the roof tiles, munching on dried meat.
As the tension continues to mount, I’ve already finished all of the dried meat.
That’s when the savior, Ark, quietly tossed a coin pouch to the thugs without saying a word.
“Wha? Hohoho! Naturally! I was ri―― what the hell is this?”
I rejoiced at the sight of the savior’s submissive form.
However, this laughter didn’t last long,
because the thugs surrounding the savior like a pack of dogs stared in confusion at the banknotes inside the coin pouch, something they had never seen.
It was then that the savior Ark, with a satisfied smile, pointed a finger at the thug group and said,
“It’s South Korean currency. About 2.5 million won. It should be enough for a guide fee.”
“What…?”
“I tried to swindle you, but I’m sorry about that. Honestly, I have no idea why these banknotes are here, too.”
“Fuck. I thought I’ve got an easy target… Ugh!”
Finally realizing she’d been outsmarted, Katina’s face turned red.
While strongly receiving the gusts of wind blowing through the alleyway, the savior dramatically flicked his flying hair back.
“Don’t try to swindle others anymore. Live honestly,” he said,
“Fucking kidding me.”
“What’s the joke? I’ll report your crimes to the police right now. Or should I report to the guards here?”
Spitting phlegm, Katina revealed her real nature and scrunched up her face.
She tore her gothic dress as if in a seizure,
which signaled the thugs to start beating up the savior.
Pak! Pak! Pak!
They began with punches.
The muscles around the eye seem to have been hit since it’s so inflamed that just a touch would make blood flow.
As the savior fell, the thugs continued the beating by stomping on him.
Bruises covered his entire body, and the ground was painted with blood.
Yet, the savior sent a resolute gaze, absolutely refusing to give in.
Finally overcome by a club, he lost consciousness and closed his eyes.
“Ah…!”
The thugs left, taking the unconscious savior with them somewhere.
I…
With that image as my last, I collapsed onto the roof tiles, my legs turning weak.
“Who are YOU? Why…?”
From the beginning, knowing about Katina’s scheme, he countered perfectly by handing over the completely useless currency of this world.
The fearless smile that bloomed on his face despite being surrounded by terrifying gangsters,
his relentless resistance, trying to wriggle out of the mudpit with every one-sided blow,
it was…
Awful.
Pathetic.
Above all, it was no doubt a future threat that must be eliminated.
Even so…
“Amazing…”
A sudden thrill accompanied the wind.
Though I clutched my chest, my heart raced wildly beyond my control.
And through that excitement, I could feel a thrill spreading through my entire body.
