Chapter 46: 45 – Taking Center Stage

Obviously, it wasn't a good idea to try and ride a carriage through a desert. The wheels would get damaged by the sand and the horses would easily get worn out from the shifting terrain, greatly slowing down the pace. Not to mention the hot sand draining their stamina quickly.

As a result, when we arrived at the entrance of the Salt Desert, we got off to make the rest of the way on foot.

It was hot. The sand was annoying. And the air itself seemed to suck the moisture out of everything. Not only that, but the Salt Desert was called that for a reason. A sharp salty scent followed us wherever we went, like the ocean but a thousand times more concentrated.

It was terrible... For everyone but me.

Heat was just a form of energy, and one that was in ample supply around me. As a result, it was simple to use it to create a comfortable atmosphere for me as we moved. Not only that, but my training with Maldong and walking on the lake surface made moving on the sand a cinch.

Of course, this fact didn't go unnoticed by the others. Specifically, by the women in our group.

"Dammit, Oppa." Maria dug her face into my back and said, "Why do you feel so damned nice in this heat? It's like you're an air conditioner."

On my left side, Yuhui nodded, bobbing up and down to show how much she agreed.

Chohong groaned and said, "Tell me about it." She bumped into my right side and then flinched, deliberately taking a step away. "It's taking all I have to not hug you like that little girl."

Maria waved her hand and said, "You should be more shameless. Chocho. Maybe then you'd be nice and cozy like me."

"Pft." Chohong shook her head and said, "Some of us actually have endurance and discipline."

Hugo scoffed from behind and said, "Says the person standing beside Jihu and taking advantage of the cold air."

"Hey." Chohong glanced back and said, "I'm just making sure that our priests are nice and safe while Oppa is occupied."

"Uh-huh." Hugo sighed. "Dammit. Bro's too strong."

Jun nodded. "Yes. Hyung certainly has a powerful Harem Aura."

'Like hell I do!'

...Is what I wanted to say. But considering the circumstances, I really couldn't disagree.

So I did the safe thing and played dumb. Glancing up ahead, I looked at Kazuki and said, "You alright up there, Kaz?"

He waved back and said, "I'm fine, Jihu. Thank you for your concern."

I frowned and said, "You sure? I think I've got something for the heat if you want it."

I didn't, but it wouldn't be hard to make in a pinch.

"You're the Header, so it'd be best if you're in top shape, right?"

Kazuki seemed to hesitate, but he shook his head. "It's fine, Jihu. Besides. This..." He looked ahead and said, "This is training. I have to persevere this mental tribulation if I want to stand anywhere close to your level in the future."

"...You're a higher level than me though?"

Kazuki ignored me after that, focusing on the area ahead with sweat running down his face.

Hugo coughed and said, "Bro. If Kazuki isn't using it-"

"Here." I chucked a thick blue chain behind me, quickly conjured from mana to repel heat over a comfortable level.

Hugo grabbed it, causing the chain to clatter, and then moaned in delight. "Thanks Bro! I knew you cared!"

"O-Oi." Jun's voice echoed after that. "Hugo, my brother. Do you think you could-"

"Mine."

"But-"

Kazuki glanced back at the two with a menacing look.

Jun sighed and then kept walking... Though noticeably inching closer towards Hugo.

Chohong shook her head and said, "What clowns..."

xxx

Two days passed since we set off on our journey.

It was a bit awkward, especially when the girls kept insisting on sleeping near me since I subconsciously regulated the temperature around me, but we made it through in one piece.

And finally, after a grueling journey, we arrived at an oasis.

Of course, it only looked like that.

I stared at the oasis and noticed a familiar energy signature emanating from it. The same sort of divine energy that had been around the very first area I found myself in when I got sent to Paradise.

Except this one was different.

Was it because of my upgraded abilities or because I had learned about the relationship between 'intent' and mana?

I could sense that the energy there had a clear consciousness to it. Not of its own, but I could tell that something was waiting to observe the people that approached.

Kazuki approached the oasis and then let out a sigh of relief. "Looks like no one else got here."

Hugo blinked and then said, "That thing is the entrance?"

Chohong stepped forward. "Duh. They come in all colors and forms, remember, idiot?" She looked to Kazuki and said, "Should we just jump in?"

Kazuki nodded, but he seemed nervous. "Yes. We should hurry-"

A sudden change in the air.

At the same time, yellow light flashed around us. The only one not covered in it... was me.

My eyes widened and I quickly swung my left hand out.

"Hm?" Kazuki looked at me and said, "What are you-"

"GO!" I shouted and then focused.

It wasn't a problem anymore now that my training improved. So...

Lightning crackled. Steel emerged. And then ice.

A barrier formed from all three snapped into existence around the oasis.

At the same time-

*SKREEEEEEEEE*

A high-pitched sound erupted from nearby, followed by something massive slamming into my barrier.

Kazuki froze, his eyes wide. "A Sandworm? But how-?"

I grit my teeth at the heavy impact and then looked at the others. "What are you guys waiting for? I can hold it off, but only for a bit! And there are still people outside, remember?!"

Kazuki shook his head and then nodded. "Thank you, Jihu! See you on the other side!" He jumped into the oasis and vanished without a trace.

Jun ran after him and then jumped, waving at me as he did.

Hugo went next and said, "Don't take too long, Bro!"

Chohong grit her teeth, staring at me.

"Chohong!"

She narrowed her eyes and said, "Don't you dare sacrifice yourself! I'm expecting you on the other side, Oppa!"

"Yeah, yeah! Haven't died yet, don't plan to soon!"

After that, Chohong ran into the oasis, not looking back.

Maria stared at me, hesitating. "H-Hey, Oppa. Do you think we could-"

Time was running out. The yellow was swiftly turning orange. Seeing that, I swept my hand out and dragged her into the oasis with Energy Domination.

"W-What the hell?! O-Oppa?!"

"No time! Apologize later!"

She flew into the water with a splash.

And then it was me and Yuhui.

She turned towards me, hesitant. Even while her face was obscured, I could see the worry in her eyes.

I laughed and said, "You should worry about yourself, my Sunny Stalker. Those restrictions... Well, you know it better than I do."

Yuhui slumped over, as if sighing.

"Well..." I glanced at the surroundings quickly turning red. "Guess it's time."

Without another word, I stopped channeling energy into the barrier and ran towards Yuhui. In one swoop, I picked her up and then jumped into the oasis with her.

"?!?!?"

I couldn't hear her voice, but I could practically see the confusion and excitement in her eyes.

But then we made contact with the water.

A loud splash, followed by us sinking.

The divine energy rippled, and then Yuhui vanished, whisked away.

At the same time, I felt the energy wrap around me, trying to seep into my body.

I instinctively repelled it, causing the divine energy to freeze, as if caught off guard. But before anything else could happen, a familiar divine presence came towards me.

Gula.

Her divine energy lightly poked me, as if asking for my permission.

I made a mental apology and then took it in, letting it guide me.

Space distorted, and then suddenly I was falling.

Reflexes kicked in and I quickly dampened my kinetic energy, slowing my velocity. At the same time, I evaporated the water soaking my clothes and hair.

A soft landing. When I touched down, I took a look around.

It was a panic room. A room with nothing but solid copper walls and a single door leading out.

And I wasn't alone.

Two women were sitting in the corner of the room. One had sharp eyes, a bob cut hairstyle, and a beauty mark under her left eye. The other looked frail, like a hospital patient. However, she had long and silky silver hair that made her appearance ethereal instead of just sickly.

I didn't recognize either of them. However-

Before I could finish that thought, something fell from the air.

And at the same time, that 'something' screamed in a familiar voice.

"Oppa you bastaaaard!"

Maria.

The blonde priestess was completely soaked and falling butt first towards the floor.

Considering I gave her that necklace, she should be fine... But since I *did* toss her in rather rudely, I decided to help out.

I quickly moved to where she was going to land and then caught her.

"E-Eh?" Maria froze and looked up at me, confused.

I brushed her wet hair aside and then got rid of the water soaking her body before smiling. "What were you so worried about, Maria?"

"...Tch. Bastard." Maria averted her gaze. Even so, her cheeks turned red.

I laughed and set her down properly.

Maria brushed herself off and looked around. And then she saw the unfamiliar woman and groaned. "It changed, didn't it?"

"Seems like it. This Banquet's a hell of a trip." I muttered and then took out my communication crystal.

The woman with the bobbed haircut stared at me and shook her head. "That won't work."

I ignored her.

She was right. Communication crystals wouldn't work in this place.

Ordinarily, at least.

This was an area dominated by the gods, so communication like this wouldn't be possible due to the nature of the setting. There was just too much interference. 

But not for me.

"Eh?" The woman with the bobbed haircut froze, her sharp eyes widening in shock.

'Oppa?' Chohong's voice echoed. 'Is that you?' Her face came into view in my crystal. But it was distorted, like it had interference.

Which it did.

'How did you call me? I tried and couldn't reach the others.'

"Magic. And you won't be able to. Looks like this Banquet's more variable than we all thought."

'Tell me about it. I'm stuck with a bunch of bastards I don't know... And they're all trash.'

"Well, do your best. I'm pretty sure the others are fine, but I'll do rollcall just in case. If you don't hear back from me, just know that no news is good news."

'...Alright. I'll trust you, Oppa. Don't die.'

I chuckled. "What, you trying to jinx me or something? That's the fourth time now, you know?"

'Yeah. And you haven't died yet, right? I'm starting to think it's a good luck charm.'

"Sure, sure. See you later then, Chocho."

'Mother-!'

I cut the connection and then went to check on the others.

The woman with sharp eyes stared at me with a just as sharp gaze, as if trying to pick me apart.

I ignored her and checked in with everyone else.

Hugo and Jun were fine. Kazuki looked annoyed, but he was fine too. As for Yuhui... Well, she couldn't say anything, but from the way she acted, it seemed like she was happy to see me and that she was alright.

When I finished my rollcall, I noticed that Maria had stuck close to my side. At the same time, I also noticed that there were more people.

In total, there were now seven people.

There were the two women I saw earlier. But now there were three more.

The first to arrive was a girl that seemed to be the good-natured neighbor type. Put off by the tense atmosphere, she was quiet and moved to a corner by herself.

The second was a young woman with straight, shoulder-length hair. A Warrior, judging from her silver armor and longsword. While beautiful, she gave off a cold aura and kept a neutral expression.

The last to arrive was a young woman with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. She carried a bow on her back and a quiver by her waist. She was also smiling nonstop... but the sort of smile that would be seen on a crazy clown rather than a young woman. Paired with her snake-like eyes, she clearly gave off a dangerous aura.

I didn't know any of them, and it seemed like they didn't know each other either. Because of that, a tense silence filled the air.

Since that was the case, I took the time and quietly analyzed the area while staring at the others, Maria still standing close to me.

As I did, I mentally thanked the fact that I convinced Flone and Ian to stay back.

Yellow. Attention Required... Even now, huh?

It wasn't dangerous, but it was also a situation that shouldn't be taken lightly.

And from that, I had a feeling that bringing Flone along would have bumped the danger up more than a few notches.

If my thoughts about this place was right, the people in charge wouldn't take kindly to her presence.

...But that begged the question. What were we supposed to do here?

The door leading out was shut tight, and it seemed fairly sturdy. While I was pretty sure I could cut it down, I was also pretty sure that wasn't the intended route. And deviating from the intended route when the gods were watching was probably a bad idea.

Just as we were all standing off and considering what to do, a person fell into the room. A man. But he was riddled with arrows and blood.

Before any of us could react, he dropped dead. And the moment he did, the door opened.

The Bob Cut woman spoke up. "Looks like we needed eight people to leave the room." She cleared her throat and said, "Since a door appeared, I doubt we'll be getting any more people... How about it? Since we met here by a stroke of fate, why don't we introduce ourselves and-"

She couldn't finish her words.

Before she could continue, the silver-haired young woman stood up and immediately left the room.

The woman with the bob cut hair stood in shock.

The snake-eyed woman laughed and said, "Can you get more obvious?"

"What?"

The snake-eyed woman scoffed and then left too.

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Maria stuck close to me, concerned. "...I don't like where this is going, Oppa." She muttered.

"Mm." I had to agree with her.

After that argument and everyone leaving, the women... everyone but Maria and myself, turned a solid orange. Impending Danger.

I watched the bob cut woman chase after the other two, quickly followed by the other women.

After they left, I said, "Don't worry, Maria. If all else fails, I'll just break us out of here."

There were rules at play... but if those rules made things dangerous for my friends, I wouldn't hesitate to break them and leave.

Especially since this place was isolated from Paradise proper, meaning I could go wild for a little while if needed.

Maria scoffed, but then let out a small smile. "Those are bold words, Oppa."

I looked at her and smiled. "An older brother protects her younger sister, right? Since you've called me that, I'll make sure you survive, no matter what."

Maria's eyes widened and then she shook her head, avoiding my gaze.

We walked through the room and found ourselves in another empty room. It was identical to the first, but with the difference being a door on each side.

The woman with silver armor was already there in the middle of the room, deep in thought.

The bob-cut woman was there too, but she didn't get to say anything again.

The woman with silver armor stepped forward and threw open the door without hesitation.

A long spear hurled towards her. But it was pointless. In an instant, a skull flew into the air and a headless skeleton collapsed onto the floor.

Then, she entered the room and cleaned up the rest of the skeletons.

The snake-eyed woman... Well, I might as well call her Snake Eyes. Anyway, Snake Eyes, who was watching nearby, couldn't hide her surprise and whistled. "Damn~ You've got skills. What's your name? I must have heard it at least once or twice."

The silver-armored woman didn't respond.

Snake Eyes observed her closely before smirking and locking her fingers behind her head. "In front of you. There's one-"

A sudden sense of danger.

The yellow door suddenly turned orange and then everyone's color turned a bloody red.

Without hesitation, I drew my sword and tossed it at the door.

The silver-armored woman's eyes widened and she moved to deflect it. But it went past her, piercing the door.

Thunderous lightning erupted and the door melted. When it died down, a pitch black mass of tendrils emerged for a split second before crumbling into a pile of ashes in the other room.

I held out my hand, causing my emerald blade to return.

Silence.

Maria sighed. "Oppa. Did you have to do that?"

"She was wrong, and you could have all died. I'm not risking that."

Especially considering what sort of monster that had been. Seriously, the gods sure had a twisted sense of humor considering that most of the people here were women...

"Oh~?" Snake Eyes rounded on me. "The little man thinks he's tough, does he?"

I shrugged and gestured for Maria to stay close. After that, I walked forward.

The silver-armored woman narrowed her eyes. After looking at me, she said, "I'd like you to not bother me. I see where you're coming from, but I don't let just anyone take my rear."

"You won't have a choice." I placed my hand on my sword and released a bit of my killing intent.

As if in response, my sword thrummed, revealing a faint glimmer of emerald light, coalescing along the edge. Sword Ki.

The silver-haired woman's eyebrows went up and then examined me from top to bottom. After that, she gave me a short nod and stepped back.

We advanced.

The next room was filled with ten monsters.

When the door opened, the silver-armored woman charged to the left. Seeing that, I stepped to the right and slashed.

An invisible blade stretched out and cut them all down. Without a second thought, I sheathed my sword and went back to the middle of the room, keeping an eye on Maria.

Snake Eyes continued after that, giving us reports on the other side.

It seemed like it was fine after the first mistake, since there wasn't anything dangerous afterwards... Though that made me wonder if there wasn't something insane waiting for us later on.

We charged through without much wasted time, mostly because of our destructive power.

But at the 40th room, our charge stopped. Or rather, we couldn't keep going forward.

Snake Eyes drew something on a piece of paper before turning to the silver-armored woman, Straight Face. "Hey, where are we going? Left? Or right?"

At that time.

The sound of something falling and tumbling gears.

Suddenly, parts of three walls, left, right, and front, crumbled down, revealing densely packed launchers.

Snake Eyes frowned for the first time and cursed. "Fuck!"

A single instant. The chilling sound of cold steel and arrows being loaded.

Maria quickly pulled out the rosary I made here and started chanting. But before she could, I placed my hand on her shoulder and drew my sword.

A slow build up. The trap was triggered, but as if to build suspense, they were taking seconds to prime. Even so, ten thousand arrows in every direction would fly as soon as they finished.

But that was a breeze compared to what I normally went through when I trained with Coach.

The arrows fired, filling the air with deafening whistles as they surged towards us.

The bob-cut woman screamed, along with some of the others.

But before the arrows could reach us, I swept my sword out.

Emerald light splashed and space rippled. And when it did, the arrows vanished, falling apart into wooden dust.

I sheathed my sword again and sighed.

Maria gave a nervous laugh and said, "You didn't tell me you got better at sword fighting, Oppa."

"I like surprising people. But more importantly..." I stepped close to her and watched.

Snake Eyes rounded on the others and glared.

At the same time, Straight Face opened her mouth. "Who was it?"

Silence.

The woman with silver armor... Let's call her Straight Face. Anyway, Straight Face spoke up again. "Which one of you bitches was it?"

"W-What did you say?" The woman with a bobbed haircut... Bob Cut, flinched and retorted.

"Do you want me to spell it out for you?"

"A-Aren't you being too harsh?"

"I almost died because of one of you fuckers and you think I'm being too harsh?" Straight Face jerked her head my way and said, "If this guy wasn't here, all of us would be dead."

Bob Cut flinched and said, "I understand how you feel... but you're the one who is acting on your own."

Straight Face tilted her head.

"Of course, I'm grateful that you're clearing the way, but we can work together to-"

"Oh yeah?" Straight Face crossed her arms. "I never once told you to follow me."

Bob Cut clenched her teeth. "I know you're strong, but we can also-"

"Sure, we can work together." Straight Face cut her off and said, "But you have to do more than just talk about working together. If you really want to help, you have to step up like her, this guy, and that kid."

She gestured to Snake Eyes, me, and Maria.

Maria narrowed her eyes. "Who are you calling a-!"

"Calm down, Maria."

She looked at me and sighed.

Bob Cut shook her head. "That's why, in the beginning, I-"

A continuous argument, Bob Cut's retorts being cut down by cold facts.

After that, a deal was reached.

Twenty rooms.

If the others could clear twenty rooms, then we would properly work together.

I frowned, quietly considering the situation.

Familiar. This setup was familiar. If I remembered right, this... was how things went for Seol, wasn't it?

While I was thinking, a few of the others introduced themselves to each other.

The mild-mannered girl turned out to be called Sophie Chalet, a level 3 Shieldbearer.

As for Bob Cut... it turned out her name was Lara Wolff, a level 3 Sharp Ranger.

Snake Eyes snorted at the interaction.

Straight Face let out a cold smile.

As for me... "...Weird." I mumbled.

Maria looked up at me. "What is it, Oppa? Don't tell me you feel bad for them?"

"No. The others are right."

I hated people who leeched on others as much as anyone else. Not to mention that I didn't know them.

"Still... It's odd." I looked around and frowned.

A bright yellow. Everything was still shining that color... so I was concerned.

If it was like that even with my new abilities... Hm...

I kept my hand on my sword and stayed close to Maria as the group shuffled around, letting Lara and Sophia take the lead.

The clearing speed dramatically dropped. Not only that, but the Level 3 duo were beginning to struggle.

It would have been fine if Lara was a Pathfinder, but as a Ranger focusing on more combat abilities she lacked the scouting abilities that Snake Eyes had. As a result, she had to double and triple check each time before opening a door.

As we came to another one,  Lara hesitated. "In front of this door is... Um..." She glanced at Maria and said, "Miss Priest? Could you-"

Maria quickly ducked behind me, as if saying she wouldn't do anything I didn't agree to.

With that, Lara turned to look at me. But it seemed that she was too intimidated and decided to just soldier on. As a result the burden was placed more on Sophie. And while she had abilities matching a level three... That was it.

After the duo cleared another room, Snake Eyes sighed. "Ah~ So slow~ At this rate, it's gonna take us months to clear Stage 1~"

I frowned. While I didn't say anything, I was starting to get worried too.

The yellow light still didn't fade. More importantly... orange light was starting to flicker on the duo.

As we progressed, that light turned more bloody... and then disaster struck.

A monster split Sophie's shield in half and Straight Face had to step in.

After that, Straight Face talked about an out. That they would accept it if Lara crawled on all fours and begged. That she and Snake Eyes would take the lead again if Lara did that.

I paused and looked around.

...The situation was the same. No, was it because 'they' were waiting on me? The walls weren't only glowing yellow, but they were turning red. As if this decision was wrong.

I frowned and looked back at the group. When I did, I saw the frail silver-haired young woman staring as well. While watching the situation unfold between Lara and the others, she smiled. Not a malicious or amused smile, but a satisfied one. As if she figured something out. 

But what could she have-

I froze, suddenly realizing it.

Lara and Sophie. An archer and a warrior. They were standing opposite Snake Eyes and Straight Face. Another archer and warrior.

Two Archers. Two Warriors. And assuming that silver-haired woman was a priestess, two Priests. 

Three people with lacking skills but decent personalities. Sophie, Lara, and that silver-haired young woman. Three with good skills but lacking good personalities. Straight Face, Snake Eyes, and Maria...

Well, Maria was debatable, but I wasn't the one in charge of this test.

And then there was me. The odd one out. The person without equal or opposite.

The silver-haired woman looked at me, smiling. Did she sense that I realized it as well?

I turned around and looked at everyone.

They were arguing. The two sides were bickering.

Ignoring that, the silver-haired young woman stared at me.

Maria did as well, waiting on my words.

I closed my eyes to think, and then I recalled what Maldong had told me in one of our nightly wind-down talks.

[Your problem isn't in skill, talent, or anything else. It's because you're unyielding that issues will pop up.]

'Because I'm unyielding?'

[That's right. In your own group, that's fine. But when with others... We live in a place with no right or wrong, good or bad. Rationale can only go so far. Without compromising, it'll be impossible to make others agree.]

'And if I refuse?'

[Well... Then you'll have to sort it out. I'm sure you're already faintly aware of it. In order to lead, someone like you...]

...Has to shine brighter than all of them. Bright enough to make them agree, whatever the case.

In that case...

I nodded and muttered, "Fine."

"Oppa?" Maria's confused voice echoed beside me.

I opened my eyes. When I did...

"Let's do it."

...The colors in my field of view vanished.

xxx

At the same time.

-?

The 'existence' sitting on the Corrupted Throne trembled. With one hand supporting her head, she looked around the area with half-closed eyes.

A vast space. There, around Paradise, countless stars formed a galaxy.

The view of a god, physically and mentally different on a dimensional level than a human.

Using those divine eyes, the existence read information about the movements and changes of the constellations. Of destiny iteslf.

And when she did...

-I...

...Felt a tingling sensation.

The existence who had devoured the Chief Deity detected it. A disturbance. Since that was the case, there was no chance it was a simple matter.

-The second time... Is it?

It wasn't coincidence. The first time, she couldn't find the source in time. But now...

A dead star. While it had other bright stars circulating around it, the dead star was completely dark. But not only that, the dead star was on the verge of collapse.

Seeing that, the Parasite Queen frowned.

Was she mistaken?

It wasn't a problem. If anything, it was a good thing. The moment that dead star collapsed, it would take out all the stars around it.

While she still felt that something was off, seeing that nothing had changed, she let out a subdued hum and closed her eyes once more.