Chapter 372

372 Nectar of the Gods #2

“Hassan, I’ve actually been waiting for you.”

At the wide training grounds behind the Mars Guild, there’s a tent set up like a field camp, which serves as the office of Hippolyte, Mars’s daughter. Inside, Hippolyte, clad in armor, welcomes me while seated, continuing her work.

Though she says she’s been waiting, the mountain of documents that she keeps signing suggests she’s quite busy.

“Could you wait for a moment? I’ll finish with this and then we can talk.”

Naturally, she’s busy—there are only ten Gold Tier adventurers in the kingdom, and only two in the city.

Scribble, scribble—the sound of the pen scratching against paper and leather scrolls echoes loudly in the quiet tent.

I sit on a nearby chair and look around but quickly grow bored since there’s nothing particularly interesting.

Thud.

After putting down her pen, Hippolyte stretches her arms up high and yawns.

“I finally feel a bit more alive. There’s just too much to do.”

“Daphne was also busy, wasn’t she? What could possibly keep you so occupied?”

“In two months, I have some personal matters to attend to so I’ll briefly leave this place. I might go on an expedition far south.”

“Aha.”

Hippolyte is going on an expedition? I initially thought it might be related to a kingdom conscription order, but then something crossed my mind.

“Could it be that you’re going to participate in the queen selection for the Amazons?”

“Have I told you about that before?”

“I heard it from Antiope.”

“Antiope…”

Hippolyte narrows her brows slightly.

“Hassan, I’ve heard you’ve been accompanying Antiope lately. You even destroyed Aquinas University the other week, didn’t you?”

Her voice sounds accusatory.

She continued,

“Don’t let Antiope pick up any bad habits from you. She’s like a blank canvas and easily influenced by those around her.”

Antiope being like a blank canvas? That’s something I could easily agree with. I had already drawn things like Pyro and Pikachu onto Antiope’s body.

I imagine the lightning patterns I drew on her must be looking rather impressive by now.

In a sense, Antiope has already become a capable agent of Hassan, busy moving around to clean up the mess from the university incident.

It seems that in the future, Paranoi, Antiope, and Hassan will inevitably form a trio that goes around creating chaos, much like Team Rocket—but for now, I simply nod.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Only then did Hippolyte’s furrowed brow relax.

She then extends a document to me.

“Also, Hassan, your Dark Brotherhood have been causing trouble nearby. The number of requests to stop them has been increasing in the city. There were five last week, and ten this week.”

“My Dark Brotherhood is causing trouble, you say?”

“That’s right. It’s common for those who carry the name of the gods to strut around arrogantly and cause trouble. Take the Maenads of Bacchus—they have been known to k*ll people, set cities on fire, and commit atrocities like r*pe and plunder.”

“Ugh…”

I recall the arson incident with Elpride, which gave me quite a headache recently. If this is repeated by my followers, I’ll have no face to hold up in public.

How do I control my followers? Is increasing the number of priests insufficient?

While I ponder this, Hippolyte rests her chin on her hand and speaks.

“Hassan, I’m a priest of Mars, so I typically wouldn’t meddle in the affairs of your temple unless necessary. However, I do have a question.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t figure out the identity of your temple. Sure, you give massages and distribute coins to the poor, but it doesn’t quite resonate fully. There seems to be a lack of defined rules.”

“Rules, you say…”

“It might help if your followers and priests had some rules to abide by.”

Indeed, Hippolyte is correct. Currently, there are no regulations or laws in my temple. People merely gather together to praise the great nymph Paranoi and me, Hassan, who stands as her right hand.

Apart from that, everything is left to neglect, and it’s clear that this is causing problems.

Rules, huh?

Rules decreed by the gods.

This merits some careful thought. It might be wise to gather some smart people together to establish them. Maybe I could ask for help from Baron Fleur or Lord Enya. They might be of assistance to me.

“Still, despite all that, I’ve heard your martial abilities have been growing stronger. You captured the landed aristocrats hiding in the university, didn’t you?”

Thinking about it, I respond.

“Yes, it was just good luck.”

“You’ve been getting stronger day by day, no doubt. You’ve been keeping up with your training, haven’t you?”

“Two hours every morning.”

While exchanging such mundane pleasantries, I remember the other reason I came here.

“I heard from Daphne that there was a package delivered here.”

“Oh, that’s right. The courier said they were scared to deliver it to your graveyard, so they passed it through the Mars Guild.”

“Is it a letter from Luna?”

“No, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be. Here, take it.”

As she hands me a large, square wooden box, I feel rather disappointed since it’s not from Luna. My curiosity rises, however, as an aura of golden light begins emanating from within the box the moment I take it.

Graaaahh.

I tightly grip the wooden box and crush it with brute force to reveal a transparent glass bottle containing golden liquid inside. The liquid shimmers and glows like fluorescent light, brightly illuminating the otherwise dark tent.

“Wh-What is that?”

Hippolyte seems startled by the light and quickly rises from her chair. What would her reaction be if she realized this was the Nectar she had longed for?

“That brilliant golden hue… It’s Nectar!”

It appears Hippolyte has already identified what I hold in my hands. Likewise, I now know the origin of this package.

It must be the reward from Bacchus for defeating Gigas and the monstrous Aquinas in the university basement.

With this, I can surpass a strength rating of 15. And with that, I might be able to defeat Gloria, who may one day seek me out.

Pop.

Whooshhh.

Upon removing the cork, a powerful alcohol aroma mixed with apple and grape scents bursts forth, making my head spin.

“Huuuuuh…”

Even Hippolyte standing beside me seems affected. Her brown eyes are fixated with a strange light on the radiant gold.

“Nectar… It really is… the divine liquor… NECTAR!’

Slurrrp.

Suddenly, she reaches for the bottle.

“But… but it’s mine!”

Only after I quickly pull the bottle away does Hippolyte blink and regain her senses.

“Hmph, you’re right. It’s yours. If only I had this, it would surely boost my stagnant growth. Hmm…”

Even then, her constant glances at the golden bottle make me uneasy. What if Hippolyte suddenly overpowers me and gulps it down?

If she uses her full strength, I admit it would be hard for me to protect it.

This Nectar truly reveals the desires of people. Such a thing should not exist.

Deciding it’s better to consume it immediately, I lift the bottle to my lips and drink it down with gulps.

As air-like sensation passes through my throat accompanied by a cooling sensation spreading from my head to my toes.

“Grghh…”

Suddenly, my vision becomes dizzy.

The liquid went down too easily, but its high potency becomes apparent as I feel my face grow warm and my head spins.

Ding.

“A consumption of Nectar has been confirmed.”

“Option 1: Obtain 300 Task Points.”

“Option 2: Spend 100 Task Points to elevate one stat by one level.”

“Name: Hassan Lv. 35

Strength: 15 +

Agility: 10 +

Stamina: 10 +

Task Points: 397

Blessings: Shining Hand, Armor of the Night, Dark Eyes, Burnt Skin.”

The text appearing before my eyes shows two effects of Nectar: obtaining Task Points or boosting a level.

With the makeshift clinic operating in my temple, I already have more than enough Task Points.

The issue lies with the lack of totems to elevate levels.

Thus, without hesitation, I press the “+” button next to Strength. A ding echoes, and a wave of omnipotence fills my entire body.

“Grghhh…”

“Name: Hassan Lv.36

Strength: 16

Agility: 10

Stamina: 10

Task Points: 297

Blessings: Shining Hand, Armor of the Night, Dark Eyes, Burnt Skin.”

My strength increased to 16, surpassing humanity’s peak value.

Through the current of energy and bl**d coursing through my body, I can distinctly feel the transition from human to god.

A power so overwhelming that I can hardly contain it bubbles beneath my skin like molten magma.

Hippolyte, observing beside me with tense eyes, asks,

“Hassan, do you feel anything? Any sensations of physical change?”

“None… None whatsoever.”

“What nonsense is this? Hassan, answer quickly! What is your impression after drinking the Nectar?”

Hippolyte is nearly driven mad. A rarity, seeing her lose her composure in such a manner.

I address her,

“Now, I don’t fear anyone.”

“GAAHHH!”

To control the surge of power coursing through my body, I tightly clench my fists. My muscles tighten and expand like steel.

“This… this…”

A crimson aura radiates from my fists.

Fists imbued with aura.

Superhuman strength of level 16, transcending humanity to embody the majesty of the divine, my fists are akin to celestial mauls of divine retribution.

“GAAHHH!”

The power and aura surrounding my fists intensify. My blazing hammer searches for something to strike.

“Hippolyte, would you like to experience the power of Nectar firsthand? Feel the impact of a level-16 strength fist.”

“Wh-what? Your strength level has reached 16?”

Hippolyte appears quite startled. Her eyes widen as she gazes at my red-lit fist.

Fear and curiosity reflect in her brown eyes, and her furrowed brow suggests resolve.

“Alright, come at me with all you’ve got. There’s nothing more certain than experiencing things firsthand. Let’s see it, Hassan – the divine power within you.”

Swish.

Hippolyte finally draws her longsword, readying herself for combat. Observing her poised stance, I hesitate no longer and unleash my tremendous fists in a series of horizontal swings.

Whoosh, Boom.

Level-16 strength, my fully-powered punches move as massive war machines. Cutting through air swiftly, they charge forward.

Bang!

My punch freezes mid-air, yet in a flash, it tears through space and time.

Amidst an overwhelming stillness, I quietly proclaim,

“This is overwhelming power.”

BOOM!

A tremendous afterblast erupts from the fist, hurtling towards Hippolyte. Despite lowering her stance to resist, she cries out:

“Grgh… Wh-what is this? Just the pressure of wind… GAAAAHH!”

The pressure overcomes her, and despite embedding a relic-grade weapon into the ground, Hippolyte is gradually pushed back by the wind force.

Flutter, flutter.

Even the tent behind her collapses, scattering far like a billboard caught in a typhoon.

“Hmph…”

Finally, Hippolyte collapses onto one knee.

“Haa… Haaa…”

Breathing heavily, Hippolyte lies beneath my gaze. I never thought there would come a day when I could look down upon her like this.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say I’ve become Hassan, the divine being of Samaria.

I’ve evolved into a colossal guardian of immense power with 4000 attack and defense capabilities.

From childhood, I desired a divine card, a dream I’ve now realized by becoming one.

Crackle, crackle.

But my arms tingle as though struck by lightning, signaling significant side effects of this great power.

Will my limbs fall off? Perhaps it’s due to wielding unfamiliar strength.

However, maintaining my composed demeanor, I assist the fallen Hippolyte to her feet, demonstrating composure.

Her typically neat hair now wildly flutters, reminiscent of someone sticking their head out of a speeding car.

“Amazing! This strength is exactly what I’ve sought!”

Despite the intensity, Hippolyte expresses a bright and spirited demeanor. Like Columbus discovering a new continent after a long journey.

“So this is the might of one who possesses Nectar. Truly, the power is formidable. I even desire a taste of it myself.”

“But, I drank it all without leaving a drop.”

Did I miss an opportunity to save some? Perhaps saving a few drops wouldn’t have been bad, given that I didn’t know the dosage.

While contemplating briefly,

Swish.

Hippolyte pulls me close by the neck and presses her lips to mine, suddenly darting her tongue into my mouth.

Prrt, prrrt.

Her movements are a complete exploration of my internal sensations, evoking a slight fear of being consumed.

“Hmph.”

After a while, Hippolyte pulls away, smoothing her lips with a smile.

“Hmph, so this is the taste of Nectar. It’s certainly no ordinary liquor.”

She clearly wanted to taste any residual fragrance from my mouth. Blushing, she continues:

“The queen-deciding tournament’s grand prize is Bacchus’s Nectar. I wanted a preliminary taste in advance.”

“Is that so?”

“To that end, I’d like to taste more. The last attempt was too brief; I didn’t have time to enjoy.”

Faltering Hippolyte,

Yet, considering our exposed state, I merely shrug.

“Still, it’s better if people don’t see us together this way.”

Given the disturbance, should someone come by, it would undoubtedly attract gossip. Even our sheltering tent has flown away.

Swish.

Indeed, someone arrives.

“I saw everything, Hippolyte. How disgraceful – the commander of the Amazon maiden guards engaged with a man?”

The voice is sharp and high-pitched. Turning my head, I see a woman clad in a similar golden armor as Hippolyte.

Wearing extensive metal armor signifies extraordinary skill, and this one’s radiant gold armor suggests someone truly powerful.

Her copper-toned skin contrasts beautifully with long brown hair styled elegantly like a noblewoman.

Her lower half armor is oddly skirt-like in shape.

Most striking is the golden necklace around her neck.

This woman is a Gold Tier adventurer, probably visiting from another city.

She narrows her eyes, hiding her mouth with a fan and smiles gracefully.

“Dear, I must have arrived at an inappropriate moment. Finish what you were doing.”

“Hip– Hippolyte!”

Seeing her, even Hippolyte, who was faltering earlier, instantly stiffens like a taut sword.

Her hostility toward this woman is so palpable that it startles me.

Conversely, this woman, seemingly named Silaya, lazily laughs and glances between me and Hippolyte.

“Practicing at a time when you should be training tirelessly means you’re off your game. I’m sure I’ll win this upcoming tournament with you being so slothful. Even Gloria, the beast, can beat you if you keep this up.”

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