Chapter 383

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383 The God Who Dies Twice #1

『The one who wants to k*ll me is a human. A human from this kingdom. And a famous one at that. You probably know them too, my friend.』

“A human? You’re saying the one controlling the elves is a human?”

『Yes. That person is—』

Thud, thud-thud.

Just as Bacchus was about to finish speaking, a violent commotion erupted from beyond the tent.

Soon after, frantic footsteps approached, and someone burst into the tent with a scream.

“Eeeyaaah—!”

It was a sound somewhere between a scream and a shout.

Two half-n*ked women, wrapped in what looked like bath towels and wielding menacing daggers, charged toward us.

“Eeeyaa—!”

『This is bad.』

No, to be precise, they weren’t charging at us—they were charging at Bacchus. Their attention was entirely fixed on him, completely ignoring me.

He had all their focus.

But I wasn’t jealous.

“d*e—!”

Swiish—!

One of the women raised her dagger high and swung it down like a Viking’s final strike.

Sweeish—!

The sound of the short blade slicing through the air in a crescent arc. Just as I thought it would plunge into Bacchus’ shoulder—

『If you’re going to ambush someone, you should be quieter.』

Fortunately, Bacchus leaned back slightly, dodging the attack. Then, he drove a deep knee strike into the woman’s solar plexus.

Thud.

“Ugh…!”

The woman crumpled to the ground, knees buckling as if her legs had given out. Knocked out in one hit. Truly, the title of “god” wasn’t just for show.

Bacchus’ gaze now fell on the remaining woman.

『You were planning to finish me off, weren’t you? Stop. No matter how far I’ve fallen, I’m not weak enough to lose to you. Right?』

“Grr…!”

The red-haired woman clenched her teeth, grinding them in frustration. Just as I thought the situation was over—

“Grr—!”

Unable to give up, she raised her dagger and swung it down with all her might.

“Long live humanity—!”

But her target wasn’t Bacchus—or even me, standing beside him. It was her own thin stomach.

What the hell.

The sight of a young woman about to slit her own belly made me grimace.

If I witnessed such a horrific scene, it would haunt me for months, years—maybe even my entire life. I knew myself well enough to be sure of that.

Daring to give me trauma?

Suddenly, I was furious.

“That’s not happening, you idiot!”

So, before she could slash her stomach, I swung my palm and slapped her across the face.

Whack—!

The sound of my hand cutting through the air like a whip, sparks flying.

“Aaaah—!”

The would-be s*icide bomber, who had tried to traumatize me, spun like a top before collapsing to the ground.

“……”

The woman didn’t move.

No, she wasn’t dead—I’d stopped her from killing herself.

I checked her pulse under her chin. Thankfully, she’d just been knocked out by the impact.

In the end, the tent was left with two half-n*ked, unconscious women.

And me and Bacchus, sighing in relief.

Breaking the silence, I asked:

“Who the hell are these two? Why did they attack you? Weren’t they your lovers?”

I recalled these women being involved in Bacchus’ “productive” work of making demigods. I thought they were on good terms—why suddenly pull knives on him?

Bacchus answered.

『They’re probably agents of the kingdom. Subordinates of Thunderblade. Honestly, I knew they were assassins sent to k*ll me. And that they used seduction to get close.』

“And you still kept them around?”

『Well, if I’m going to make children, doing it with women trying to k*ll me is thrilling, don’t you think?』

I almost understood his logic—but not really. This guy and I must live in entirely different worlds.

Either way, I tore up nearby blankets and fabric to tightly bind the women’s hands and feet. In the process, I noticed they were decently skilled—around Level 20.

Plink. Plink.

And their daggers were coated with a sinister golden poison—likely the same substance as the “Eight” Bacchus had ingested.

Carefully wrapping the blades to avoid contact, I asked:

“Why is the kingdom after you?”

『Because the king of this kingdom wants it. Thunderblade—that man surely desires the fall of Hypos.』

I’d heard the name Thunderblade before. It must be a title or epithet of the king ruling this kingdom.

『And there’s a traitor within Hypos. Someone is helping Thunderblade. That’s why I didn’t return to Hypos and stayed here to recover.』

“A traitor? You mean there’s a traitor among the gods?”

『Yes. The world is about to descend into chaos where no one can be trusted. My d*ath will herald a new era. Without the nectar I create, the gods will accelerate their decline—』

Cough—!

Bacchus spat out bl**d. Now that I looked closely, thick sweat was pouring from his brow. Had he been cut by the daggers without me noticing?

No, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Bacchus spoke.

『This poison is potent. The hangover won’t fade. Friend, I have one last request. My poor nymph, Ignoy. If things continue like this, she’ll be executed.』

“……”

I recalled the one-eyed nymph, Ignoy. With the poison she’d administered now taking full effect, what was Bacchus trying to say?

『I don’t forgive Ignoy. Because she committed no sin against me. There’s nothing to forgive.』

Slump.

Bacchus collapsed back onto the bed.

I could clearly feel this man’s mana—or life force—draining away.

Maybe…

Right now, I could save him.

『Don’t.』

But Bacchus stopped me as I reached for his wrist.

『I won’t d*e, friend. Neither women’s blades nor the hangover of poisoned wine can bring down this Bacchus.』

Despite his words, his condition was worsening. His face grew paler, and bl**d trickled from his eyes and nose.

With great effort, he spoke.

『Gods don’t d*e. They’re just forgotten. As long as someone remembers me, I’ll live on—an immortal existence, sung of forever.』

“So… you’re fading away now?”

『I don’t know. I’ll find out soon. Honestly, waiting for you was my limit. Time’s up.』

Rustle—

Bacchus’ body began crumbling away from the feet, turning to dust.

The d*ath of a god.

My time with Bacchus hadn’t been long. We’d only met a few times, and our first encounter had been so bizarre I’d thought he was strange.

But looking back now, I didn’t dislike him. If we’d had more time, we might’ve become close friends.

Lost in thought, I fell silent—until Bacchus mustered his last strength to speak.

『Friend, my seat… must be taken by someone with their own power and will. Find a worthy successor. Or take it yourself.』

“You’re saying someone needs to inherit the seat of the god of wine?”

『Yes. Someone worthy… must be out there. The blueprint for the nectar—you have it. Whoever can recreate it will become the new god. Probably…』

“But the final ingredient is missing. It’s ridiculous to bring this up now, but tell me—what’s the last ingredient?”

Bacchus smirked weakly.

『…Hah, where’s the fun in that? The seat of a god shouldn’t be inherited so easily. I erased it on purpose. Figure it out yourself. Heh. This’ll be fun.』

“I see. ‘Fun,’ huh?”

『Release the recipe. Gather contenders. Let my throne be claimed in a grand festival… Whoever recreates that golden hue shall be blessed by the Styx.』

Rustle—

I felt a strange surge of magic from Bacchus as he disintegrated.

『You be the judge, Hassan. Hold my seat until then. You’re a god born between life and d*ath. The decay of life and the fermentation of wine are two sides of the same coin. It fits.』

Ding—

Words appeared before my eyes.

『A portion of the authority of Bacchus, God of Wine and Festivity, has been transferred to you.』

『You can now oversee grand festivals to increase the happiness and faith of believers.』

『All rights will remain in effect until the divine seat is filled.』

Until someone could recreate the golden divine wine, I’d temporarily hold his position.

Thud—

But my shoulders grew heavy, as if weighed down by iron. Not just psychologically—they were heavier.

Instinctively, I realized the authority Bacchus had temporarily passed to me was a burden.

Until a successor was found, I’d have to bear this cross.

Then, Bacchus murmured softly.

『Looking back… my life was fun. I did everything I wanted. So tell Ignoy… it was the finest drink I’d ever had… in my long life…』

“I’ll tell her.”

『—I, Bacchus Dionysus, lived well, drank well, and now depart.』

And that was the end.

The bed where he’d sat held only a crumpled blanket—nothing else remained.

Outside the tent, Shilaya, Elpride, and Paranoi were waiting.

Elpride spoke first.

“We heard quite a commotion inside. What happened?”

In response, I dropped the two unconscious assailants onto the ground.

“The God of Wine, Bacchus, just died.”

Silence fell over everyone. Even Paranoi, who was usually loud, forgot to speak and furrowed her brow.

Maybe because I’d stated the unbelievable so calmly—they looked like they’d been told a lie.

Then Shilaya was the first to speak.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I was with him at the end. Heard his last words.”

“This is serious. This isn’t just any incident. I thought he’d be fine, but… Chaos is coming.”

Uncharacteristically for a Gold Tier adventurer, Shilaya seemed shaken. But I understood.

Gods were pillars of order. With one gone, collapse and chaos were inevitable.

“That nymph… I never thought things would escalate like this.”

Shilaya seemed to be thinking of Ignoy. Hearing “nymph” reminded me of Bacchus’ request.

“About that nymph, Ignoy—can I take responsibility for her?”

“You?”

“Yes. Bacchus asked me to look after her. He didn’t want her punished.”

“The law isn’t something you can bend with just a few words.”

Shilaya trailed off, clearly reluctant. But she was more flexible than I’d thought.

“But if the victim forgives her, there’s no reason to hold her. And you’ve no reason to lie.”

“Right. So where is she?”

“She’s in the Mars Guild’s holding cell. Under strict surveillance. But how do we even announce this? What do we tell the kingdom? Ugh—this is a disaster.”

Report to the kingdom?

I recalled Bacchus’ warning—that Thunderblade, the kingdom’s ruler, and a traitor among Hypos’ gods were involved.

This is dangerous.*

Though I was a god, my current standing was like a minor noble with a small estate. My forces were limited, and my enemies were powerful.

So I decided to hide my claws. Revealing them now would be foolish. And right now, there was something more urgent.

I headed to the Mars Guild’s holding cell where Ignoy was imprisoned.

Crouched in the cell, shivering, she noticed the shadow over her and slowly looked up.

“B-Bacchus…?”

“No, it’s Hassan.”

“Oh… I got confused. Why are you here?”

She must’ve mistaken me for Bacchus due to our similar height and build. I decided to deliver Bacchus’ message.

“Ignoy, Bacchus had something to say to you. ‘You committed no sin against me, so I cannot forgive you.’”

“What? What does that mean?”

“And he said it was delicious. The drink you gave him.”

“……”

Ignoy didn’t ask for clarification. Despite her tainted heart from misdeeds, she was still a nymph—a servant of the gods.

She must’ve understood what had happened to Bacchus and what his words meant. At least, that’s what I thought, knowing nymphs better now.

“Why didn’t Bacchus tell me himself? Does this mean… I’ll never see him again?”

Then, she burst into tears.

“……”

Sobbing uncontrollably, she didn’t hold back her cries.

But the friend who would’ve comforted her was gone.

So I let her cry. Ignoy wept bitterly, face pressed against the cold stone floor, until her voice gave out.

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