Chapter 139

139.

God.

A being that transcends common sense.

These transcendent beings were originally able to travel freely between the heavens and earth.

Modern historians say that gods were powerful entities whose mere existence could dominate the earthly realm.

‘In reality, it’s nothing like that.’

Even though the age of gods suggests they had tremendous influence, it wasn’t actually the case.

“Great One, it is an honor to see you.”

“Again with the formalities.”

Leo’s courteous greeting made the god smirk and lean his chin on his hand.

“Still, it’s quite impressive.”

“What is?”

“As you know, gods who descend to the mortal realm are bound by limitations. All we can give you mortals is knowledge.”

Of course, even their limited knowledge has tremendous impact on the world.

That’s why gods speak sparingly.

“But how have you come to receive the blessings of a god… no, the blessings of gods?”

The god smiled slyly and Leo returned the smile.

“Up to what point have you seen?”

Seeing Leo question him instead, the god took on an amused expression.

‘ Look at that? He knows exactly how to deal with a god.’

Before any god, all beings are merely inhabitants of the mortal realm.

But the elf before him was different.

‘Actually, not really an elf…’

A god’s vision can see through all illusions.

Through the god’s eyes, he could clearly see the figure of a white-haired boy within Akinte’s body.

‘A human boy… no, youth.’

The god could faintly make out another figure beyond Leo’s form and nodded as if understanding.

“Indeed. The Record System, is it?”

“What exactly is this Record System?”

“Shouldn’t you know best? You’re benefitting from it right now, aren’t you?”

The god smiled benevolently.

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pibua. I am grateful for this meeting.”

“I am Leo Flove.”

Leo openly revealed his true self.

“Leo. Since you’re so familiar with gods, allow me to request something first. Divine knowledge is not something that should be carelessly given to the young ones of the mortal realm, even if it’s false.”

As Pibua spoke, Leo felt a chill run down his spine.

‘So he saw through the fact that I’m fake?’

He was once again reminded of how incredible a god truly is.

“What kind of great deed did you accomplish to become the master of the Record System as a mortal?”

“Is this Record System referring to Hero Record, the power to manifest the past?”

“Hmm. So you don’t know exactly? Whoever gave you the Record System was rather irresponsible.”

After pondering for a moment, Pibua nodded.

“Well, since you are the master of the Record System, giving a simple explanation shouldn’t cause any major problems. So how much do you know about the Hero Record system?”

“It records the deeds of those who have accomplished feats worthy of divine recognition. And as you see, it can manifest past worlds. Successfully navigating them grants rewards.”

“Rewards for completion?”

The bored look on the god’s face was replaced with curiosity.

To a god with nearly omniscient insight, the unknown is an invaluable treasure beyond exchange.

After a moment of contemplation, Pibua realized what the rewards were.

“Indeed. Theoretically, it’s not impossible. What an incredibly powerful system. It certainly wasn’t made by just one god…”

Pibua asked seriously.

“Leo, what kind of great deed did you accomplish that the gods would bestow such powerful power upon you?”

Leo hesitated about how to respond.

‘Should I reveal everything to a fake god?’

If it went wrong, it could disrupt the Hero Dungeon expedition.

‘But this is a good opportunity to learn more about the Hero Record.’

While contemplating, Leo made eye contact with Pibua.

‘I’ve never heard of a god named Pibua.’

Even Luna didn’t know that the principal of Barharun was a god.

‘They say the kinder the god, the more silent they are.’

Deciding Pibua could be trusted, Leo mentioned his accomplishments.

“… I saved the world.”

“Indeed! Accomplishing something on the scale of saving the world certainly merits being gifted with the Record System! How exactly did you save the world?”

Pibua sat up straight in admiration.

“Would you care to tell your story? It’s been a long time since I’ve met a hero like you.”

‘Gods love tales of heroes. They don’t hesitate to praise mortals who challenge the impossible and achieve great deeds.’

Remembering what Lissinas had said long ago, Leo spoke.

“I defeated Erebus.”

For a moment, the great god didn’t understand Leo’s words.

Then, after a short while, the face of the great god looking at Leo turned pale with shock.

Even as night fell, Pibua was completely absorbed in Leo’s story.

An event that not even an almost-omniscient god could have imagined.

The great deeds accomplished by the grand heroes could only be described as miracles.

The inside of the divine tower had grown dark by now.

Unlike the outside where magical lights illuminated the area, the inside of the divine tower was lit only by the faint moonlight filtering in from the night sky.

Even that was obscured by clouds, making it hard to see clearly.

“Who would have thought a child of the mortal realm could defeat that primeval abomination.”

Pibua looked at Leo with an expression of disbelief.

Responding to Pibua’s words, Leo said:

“I didn’t do it alone.”

“Ho ho. Yes, you did say it was an accomplishment achieved with your comrades, didn’t you?”

“Why did the gods let Erebus be?”

“That abomination is certainly a being on par with us gods. An unstoppable monster mortals cannot hope to defeat. But it is clearly different from us gods.”

Pibua clicked his tongue.

“Light and darkness are inseparable. If this world is light, then that abomination is darkness. That’s why it has existed as an immortal creature since the beginning of time. The gods have maintained balance by driving this darkness far away, even if we couldn’t overthrow it and helped the mortals of the lower realm.”

Before the Era of Catastrophe.

It was an ancient past that Leo knew nothing about.

“But when light grows stronger, so does darkness. The long suppressed Erebus gathered its strength in the depths of darkness and became powerful enough to drive out the gods from the mortal realm.”

‘So that’s why even the gods couldn’t save the world.’

Leo recalled the past.

“The world that had been covered in light for so long was doomed to perish. But you and your comrades defeated that abomination by your own strength. You have earned the right to be proud, Leo Flove. You are an extraordinary hero who has accomplished what even the gods could not.”

“But what’s the point? It’s all been forgotten.”

“That is truly unfortunate.”

“I’ve gotten used to it now. I was angry at first when I realized I was forgotten, but now I’ve decided not to care. There’s work that needs to be done.”

“And what is that?”

“The complete annihilation of Erebus.”

At those words, Pibua who had been silent until now let out a deep sigh.

“Leo. You have accomplished a great deed that even the gods cannot easily assess. It also means you’ve endured unimaginable trials.”

No one on earth could understand Kyle’s pain.

Only his companions who went through the journey with him could truly comprehend that pain.

“Would you go through that pain once again?”

If you’ve done it once, surely you can do it twice.

But the primordial evil was not an opponent that could be faced with such complacency.

The person who knows this fact best is the very one who defeated Erebus.

“Even your second life is undoubtedly a miracle unforeseen by the gods.”

No matter how close to omniscience a god is, completely preserving the memories of a reincarnated soul is impossible.

“Would you spend your precious second life facing trials once again? Haven’t you considered resting and leaving it to the next generation?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

In the darkness, Leo’s red eyes shone brightly.

The moon, which had been obscured by clouds, revealed itself.

The moonlight illuminated the interior of the divine tower.

The soft moonlight fell upon Leo.

To Pibua’s eyes, his figure even appeared noble.

“Because I’ve decided to do so.”

Looking at Leo bathed in moonlight, Pibua thought:

‘Has the day finally come to put an end to this long war?’

Pibua felt his hands trembling.

‘Has the day finally come when the earth no longer needs gods?’

Overcome with joy, Pibua spoke.

“Indeed… Now I understand why the gods have gifted you with such an incredible world.”

“… Isn’t this Luna’s world?”

“Leo. The Hero Record you speak of is likely a gift from the gods to you. In other words, the Hero Record itself originally belonged to you.”

At this statement, Leo was surprised.

“That you alone receive special rewards is likely for the same reason.”

Pibua took on a serious expression.

“However, if something created by a god has broken, there must be a reason.”

The divine insight flashed.

“Leo, darkness may have fallen upon this world, or rather, the Hero Record.”

“What do you mean?”

“I cannot explain clearly. If I, instead of you, break the rules, I will be discovered. This is the most I can offer in advice. So you must discover it yourself.”

Thud. Thud.

Pibua took a few steps.

He took out a Polyum that was preserved in a glass tube.

Holding the Polyum’s leaves, Pibua exerted his power.

The divine energy then settled into the leaves.

‘There will come a time when this power will be needed.’

Pibua turned his body and handed the Polyum to Leo.

“This is a staff made from my knowledge. It will surely be of use to you.”

“But is it alright for me to accept it? It’s a treasure of the elves.”

“Polyum chooses its master. And now, it has chosen you as its master.”

Pibua smiled.

“It will surely help you navigate this world.”

As Leo took hold of the staff, vitality flowed through it as if it came alive.

This meant the Polyum had acknowledged Leo.

Seeing Leo’s figure, Pibua smiled brightly.

“Blessed be your path, great grand hero.”