When the summit was over, Woohyuk focused on clearing the epic quest.

Dexter wasn’t finished with Woohyuk’s new equipment, but he couldn’t stay idle.

He had to forge forward, even if he would regret some of his decisions later on.

“Fiona, take care of this place while I’m at the Northern Sea Island.”

“Don’t worry about Inotia. Every aspect of the city is under my control. But is it really okay to only take your knight with you?”

“Sure. Everyone else has their own work to do,” he replied.

The newly updated Game of Divine Throne quest was much more detailed this time around.

The quest’s new content was to achieve step-by-step achievements in several categories.

This detailed set of directions was different from the vague directions of past quests, which mainly went along the lines of challenging one’s limits.

Since it was announced in a system-wide message not long ago, the Game of Divine Thrones would soon heat up.

When Woohyuk made a pensive expression, Fiona, who appeared as a hologram, smiled.

“I’m confident that you’ll lead everyone to become the best that they can be, no matter who ultimately takes the Divine Throne seats.”

“… I hope this nightmare ends soon,” Woohyuk tiredly murmured.

Only by retrieving his previous life’s memories and beating the Creator would he escape from this terrible survival game.

His heart became heavier at the thought of the difficult challenges he’d have to soon face.

However, there was nothing to be resolved by worrying, so Woohyuk hurried to Neustein.

“Lord, Aris is ready to take off,” a guard said aloud.

“Let’s leave right away,” he replied.

Woohyuk glanced at Leifina, who was waiting at the entrance.

She seemed pumped up in antic.i.p.ation for the long trip.

She was now strong enough to accompany him. It was all thanks to her long years of practice in the Arcane Tower.

‘No matter what happens, I’ll surely protect you, Pina.’

He was fully aware that the Creator would take her hostage and take advantage of their relations.h.i.+p to make Woohyuk react.

The Creator’s ultimate purpose was to restore the system damaged by the incomplete Odyssey Plan code and to thoroughly control the power and influence of the demons.

For the Creator to achieve this, he needed Rafael, himself, and the Irregular Code, the core of the Odyssey Plan.

However, there was no guarantee that Leifina would be safe even if he followed the Creator’s request.

Thus, it was best to keep her close and move together while completing the Odyssey Plan.

Arriving at the airfield dock station, Woohyuk and Leifina saw Aris seated in the pilot seat.

“Current weather conditions are clear! It’s the best weather for long-distance shuttle driving, Asura!”

“You must have been in the middle of your research. I’m sorry to entrust you with this task during this busy time,” he replied.

“No! It’s more fun to be with Asura!” she cheerfully said.

Aris grinned and manipulated the navigation board.

After that, the magic-powered engines started running, and the shuttle took off from the docking station.

SAh!

The shuttle accelerated and emerged from the highest clouds in the sky.

They were on the only shuttle in the Eeth Continent, a magic engineering marvel.

Leifina put her hand on her forehead, seemingly because she was dizzy.

“Are you okay?” Woohyuk asked.

“Ah yes, I’m fine. It’s not too bad,” she replied.

“You’re the same as Helena. You’re both scared of heights.”

“Oh, I wondered why she didn’t join us for this excursion. She always followed you to watch over what you did.”

“It looks like Etheria Rodinus called Helena. There seems to be something important on their end.”

Anyway, he got everything he could get from Helena.

There was no more useful information he could get from her.

Of course, her abilities as a Saintess could help, but on this journey, Leifina would be enough.

“… What revelation did you receive from the Saintess of Prophecy receive? Didn’t you meet her before our departure?” Leifina asked.

“She said that she saw the third catastrophe in her dreams last night. It was a large-scale epidemic, as the Prophecy stated,” Woohyuk replied.

The third catastrophe would be like the plague of Black Death and the poisonous insects that eroded the earth in his previous world. Both the plague and swarm were going to sweep the Eeth Continent soon.

It was a kind of natural disaster like the second catastrophe, the Great Flood.

Completing this epic quest would give him a means to stop it.

Leifina’s face darkened as she continued listening to Woohyuk’s explanation.

“The calamities are getting bigger and bigger. Why does the Creator not come directly and cause the three great catastrophes?” she asked with a puzzled expression.

“There must be something he fears. The power of the demon is probably one of them,” he answered.

“I hope that a peaceful era will come soon. I wish that everyone can pursue their own happiness in their everyday life…”

“If that happens, don’t even dream of cooking, Leifina.”

“Hey! Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden…!”

Leifina’s face turned beet red as soon as a sensitive subject appeared.

Woohyuk laughed out loud and stroked her hair.

“I heard that Hans told you a special dish recipe last time. I know that you want to feed me delicious food, but wouldn’t it do you better to invest your time and focus on an area where you’re naturally talented?”

“What do you mean another area… What are you talking about?”

“Swordsmans.h.i.+p and parenting. You have quite a talent in those two fields. Since you’ve learned swordsmans.h.i.+p, why not take care of Lia and Canelion whenever you have time? They’re still young, going by the standards of dragons,” Woohyuk suggested.

In addition to that, there was Song Anna, who had a very high potential for growth among his followers.

Hearing Woohyuk’s words, Leifina nodded her head.

“Alright. If that is the Lord’s will…”

“Up to now, I’ve solved most of the problems myself, but the situation is different now. It’s difficult to fight the Creator unless we all work together.”

Although it was an absurd system that was under the control of the Creator, it was more convenient for Woohyuk to fill all the empty new Divine Throne seats with his trustworthy followers.

This was because people he couldn’t trust, like Emperor Tiberius and Marcus the Lightlord, were aiming for the Divine Throne seats.

Among them, Emperor Tiberius was due to be removed by Agares sooner or later.

‘By now, Tiberius must be gathering his seven paladins to leave for the epic dungeon.’

Even the most loyal paladins would not easily be told the true intent of Tiberius’ actions.

After securing safety through his paladins, Tiberius would probably try to go directly. At that time, Agares had to figure out his route and attack at the right time.

He told Eleanora to use her health as an excuse for not joining Tiberius in his excursion. Woohyuk had to limit the variables and the possibility of something going wrong.

Woohyuk gazed at the eastern sky as he mulled over his plan to a.s.sa.s.sinate the emperor.

In the northern waters, where numerous glaciers floated, an Einherjar was awaiting his arrival.

“You’ve worked hard, even in these frigid conditions,” Woohyuk said.

“No, it wasn’t too bad… hahaha…” Ryosuke nervously replied.

Amaterasu’s clan leader Ryosuke, sweating profusely, greeted Woohyuk.

He had just finished giving his report to Woohyuk.

One of his main duties was to defend the Northern Sea Island, where the Einherjar’s ruins were located, from other forces.

Of course, Ryosuke didn’t even know that the Einherjar ruins existed.

“A lot of people live in such an extreme place,” Leifina murmured.

After leaving Amaterasu’s main base, Woohyuk and Leifina reached an uninhabited beach.

Though it was a fairly large island, the environmental conditions were so poor, so self-sufficiency was difficult.

“In some ways, this might be much safer than the large continent land areas,” Woohyuk said in pa.s.sing.

“You might be right, my Lord. I heard that the territorial battles are getting more intense these days because of the new quest. Some of the requirements include conquest and social influence,” Leifina replied.

“The Creator is trying to create an ultrcompet.i.tive environment to start the Game of Divine Thrones. This place is no exception.”

Through his past experiences, Woohyuk was well aware that there was no paradise in this world.

After a while, they arrived at the Einherjar ruins. Woohyuk told Leifina to guard the entrance.

“We moved secretly, but someone might still find us here. So, stand guard here and wait for me,” Woohyuk ordered.

“Are you sure? No matter how confident you are, it is an epic quest…” she worryingly asked.

“It’s something I need to endure alone anyway. It’s like a one-on-one duel,” Woohyuk replied.

“… Okay.”

Leifina nodded her head with a confused expression.

Leaving her behind, Woohyuk headed for the dimensional transportation portal.

‘Kloto should be contacting me soon.’

Last time, after asking a simple question, she chose the Einherjar that he’d have to fight and the location of the battle.

Upon arriving at the destination, as expected, her voice was transmitted through the soul stone.

[Are you ready?]

“Of course. Let’s get started quickly,” Woohyuk replied dryly.

[Oho, it’s nice to see that you’re confident. Since we have some time, let me ask you a few questions. Choose the first option that comes to mind.]

Question: Which of the following do you value most?

- The last glow before sunset

- An old tree that has survived many years

- A flower garden in bloom

- Midnight moonlight

It was a survey that seemed to ask for his tastes. It seemed to be a form of psychological test.

Woohyuk thought for a while and then chose the glow before sunset.

‘It has the most similar image to a Ragnarok sunset.’

Ragnarok meant the twilight of the G.o.ds.

Kloto laughed as if she had expected his answer.

[Kekeke… It looks like you want to finish the Game of Divine Thrones quest quickly. Then, I will select an Einherjar according to your choice.]

Rattle.

Du-Du-Dook.

With a strange sound, the dimensional transportation portal in the center began to operate.

Before long, the image of a warrior with a dazzling aurora appeared in front of Woohyuk.

‘It’s not Penthesilia like last time.’

In front of him stood a warrior who had pitch-black armor and a blue spear. He didn’t seem to be a paladin-type warrior.

When Woohyuk was observing the other person, Kloto’s voice rang out, [His name is Atreus. He is a hero born between a blacksmith and a princess of the Theresian Empire. Then, have a good fight!]

‘It’s Atreus?!’

Woohyuk’s expression hardened at once.

Atreus was a demiG.o.d who went against the G.o.ds’ commandments and came down from heaven. He eventually became Emperor of the Eastern Eeth Continent.

He was famous for receiving a gift from a blacksmith G.o.d and inheriting his mother’s beautiful appearance.

‘… His last few years were not very good.’

As a result of refusing the G.o.ds’ request to return to heaven within five years, Atreus was eventually killed by the Einherjar army sent by the G.o.ds.

For this type of person to choose to become an Einherjar…

There was probably some coercion involved, but he must have also been willing.

“Are you my opponent? Your thick demonic powers and mana are spewing out of that weak body,” Atreus said as he stared at Woohyuk. Atreus’ silver hair, long enough to touch his waist, was gently swaying as if a breeze was constantly blowing.

The expression of beauty rather than cool was more appropriate in describing his appearance.

Woohyuk opened his mouth to speak after taking another look at him,

“Why are you on the side of the G.o.ds? You’ve lost everything to them,” Woohyuk asked.

“Are you curious? If so, first prove your qualifications to hear my answer. I shall answer if I see you as a peer,” Atreus answered.

Atreus’ golden eyes flashed like that of a beast ready to pounce on its prey.

At the same time, his spear, which was wrapped in blue flames, flew towards Woohyuk’s heart.