Chapter 146: Outside, Battlefield of the Gods (2)
[“Look forward to another exciting fight, Kang Taesan. Enter here.”]
His voice was full of deep goodwill.
As Lakiratras’s presence vanished, a passage appeared in the altar. Taesan spoke with a hint of reluctance.
“What is this?”
Lakiratras’s attitude had changed drastically. Calling him by his name and showing such goodwill was unexpected from a god who rarely displayed emotions.
The ghost spoke.
[“It’s probably because you chose to fight against the Guides of Sin. There was an option to cooperate with them, too.”]
“Why would I choose that?”
He would inevitably have to fight the Guides of Sin. They were fundamentally incompatible.
[“You see it that way, but most don’t. Those at the 30th floor are too weak to handle them. It’s unclear when they might reach that level, if ever. Many are broken by that reality and choose to join them. It’s not an unreasonable choice.”]
The ghost spoke calmly. Since the Guides of Sin exerted influence throughout the labyrinth, opposing them was a risky choice. Forming an alliance might have seemed like the obvious decision.
[“I also thought it wasn’t a bad idea…”]
First, form an alliance. Then, as you descend the labyrinth and grow stronger, betray them. It was the cleanest option.
[“But you chose to oppose them. Struggle and death. Satisfying both.”]
“So that’s why he likes me?”
[“Your path will only be filled with struggle and death from now on. No rest or peace, just moving forward.”]
“It’s always been that way.”
He had never stopped moving.
[“You’re heading in a direction that pleases Lakiratras. It’s not bad. Those bastards won’t be able to mess with you.”]
“That’s not a bad thing.”
The favor of a god always brought benefits.
Taesan stood in front of the passage. When he put his hand in, he felt a slight resistance and the sensation of being scanned.
[Passage to the Battlefield of the Gods]
[Level Restriction: 75]
“So there’s a restriction?”
[“Ah, so that’s why they were searching at the 30th floor? It’s quite sleazy.”]
The ghost chuckled.
[“The level restriction is ambiguously set at 75. Does this mean they won’t accept anyone who has reached the 40th floor? But it’s sloppy. There’s only a level restriction, no stat or skill restrictions?”]
“Do they not understand the labyrinth’s system?”
[“That’s probably it. This place is completely different from the outside. Even gods can’t fully understand this place from outside. They could interrogate adventurers who fled, but they wouldn’t get reliable information from those who gave up.”]
“This works in my favor.”
Taesan put his hand in. An unpleasant sensation washed over his body, and the space shifted.
When his twisted vision stabilized, Taesan found himself in a forest.
The first thing he noticed was that it didn’t feel natural. The vegetation and ground seemed artificial.
Taesan looked up at the sky and frowned.
There was a large hole in the sky, similar to the one that appeared on Earth.
He felt multiple unpleasant gazes from that hole.
“Are those the gods?”
[“There must be some rules here, so they can’t interfere with you directly.”]
In other words, indirect interference was possible.
“This world is artificial, right?”
[“It seems that way.”]
[You activated Leap.]
Taesan leaped out of the trees into the sky. Looking around, he saw a translucent wall in the distance.
Judging by the distance, it seemed larger than most cities.
Taesan landed and began walking leisurely.
As he walked through the vegetation, he sensed multiple presences nearby.
“Many people are fighting.”
He decided to head in that direction first.
“This is unpleasant.”
The hole in the sky reminded him of Earth, leaving him with an uneasy feeling.
After walking slowly, he arrived at the site of a battle.
“Die!”
Hundreds of people in red armor were fighting against those in blue armor.
It was an intense fight. They were breaking each other’s armor and stabbing through the gaps. Amidst the chaos, five people in green leather clothes were cowering in fear.
“Can we escape…?”
“Probably not. Unless reinforcements arrive, it’s impossible.”
“We’re all that’s left?”
Their faces were dark with despair.
Taesan approached them, crouched down, and greeted them.
“Hello?”
The man in green leather was startled upon seeing Taesan.
“Who, who are you?”
“An outsider?”
“This is my first time here. Why are you fighting?”
He needed information. What was the objective here, and how should he approach it?
“First time?”
The man’s eyes changed. He cautiously asked.
“Are you alone?”
Taesan nodded, and the man grinned broadly.
“Then die, heretic!”
All those in green clothes rushed at him. With desperate movements, they raised their daggers to stab Taesan.
And they returned to their positions before they could strike.
“Huh?”
“What is this?”
Taesan clenched his fist.
Crack.
All the green-clothed individuals except the man in front were blown away.
“Uh, uh?”
“Why don’t you answer my questions instead of attacking?”
He could have dodged, but their attacks weren’t worth avoiding. Taesan struck the last man on the head.
“Take a nap.”
“Ugh!”
With a short scream, the man collapsed.
Taesan stood up and turned his head.
The red-armored and blue-armored fighters had stopped fighting and were staring at him.
“Continue?”
Taesan leaned against a tree. The man in the most ornate red armor frowned.
“Who are you?”
“Kang Taesan.”
“That’s not what I meant. Which god do you believe in?”
“I don’t have one.”
He didn’t believe in Lakiratras, the Demon God, or Maria. They were more like business partners.
At Taesan’s response, the ornate red-armored man shouted.
“Don’t be ridiculous! This is a battlefield for those who believe in gods! A non-believer cannot enter!”
“But here I am.”
Taesan shrugged. The man’s jaw clenched at his nonchalant attitude.
“You, who defeated the believers of the Green God! I am a follower of the Sun God born from the sky! I believe in a higher god than your puny ones!”
“Humph! Don’t make me laugh! A mere Sun God born from the sky is a higher god? Ridiculous!”
The man in the ornate blue armor scoffed, seemingly unable to agree.
“Our god, born from the earth, is the true high god!”
“You fool, believing in a god who has lost his roots!”
“You can’t even set foot on the ground, yet you talk big!”
The red-armored and blue-armored men glared at each other.
“Die!”
“Return to your god!”
They resumed their fight. Ignoring Taesan, they started killing each other again. Taesan clicked his tongue.
“None of them are normal.”
The green ones tried to kill him as soon as they found out he was alone. The red and blue ones started killing each other after a few words.
[“That’s how fanatics are. Normal people wouldn’t enter a place like this.”]
“I need to get information.”
Taesan eventually slapped the cheek of the unconscious man.
“Wake up.”
“Ah!”
The man woke up immediately, looking around in confusion before spotting Taesan and shouting.
“Heretic! How dare you kill the believers of the god! You will face divine punishment!”
“You’re really loud.”
Taesan struck him again. It was a task to control his strength so as not to kill him.
Even after being beaten, the green man didn’t back down and kept shouting.
Taesan frowned.
“I give up. Do what you want.”
If they wouldn’t listen, he wouldn’t bother talking.
Taesan stood up. He clapped his hands towards the red and blue fighters still killing each other.
“Die!”
“Aaaaah!”
But his voice was too small for them to hear. Taesan nodded to himself and raised his fist.
“Waaaah!”
Crack.
The head of the man shouting with bloodshot eyes was crushed.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
“Huh?”
“Uh, uh?”
“If you’ve calmed down, listen to me.”
Taesan spoke as if he hadn’t just killed someone.
A red-armored man, belatedly regaining his senses, shouted.
“You! How dare you…”
Crack.
The man’s head was also crushed. Taesan brushed his hands.
“Listen to me.”
“You!”
Crack.
“How dare you!”
Crack.
Everyone who opened their mouths had their heads crushed.
It wasn’t until about five people had died that they fell silent.
Taesan clapped his hands with a satisfied expression.
“Alright. Only the one I choose will speak. It’s not hard, right?”
“…What the…”
Crack.
“I said only the one I choose will speak.”
Everyone froze like deer in headlights. Taesan raised a finger.
“First, you.”
The man in the most ornate red armor flinched at Taesan’s finger.
“Speak. I won’t kill you.”
“…Why?”
“I told you. This is my first time here. Explain what’s going on.”
Taesan sat on a rock. He nodded at the pale-faced man.
“What is this place? Start with that.”
“This place is…”
“Why are you here, and what are you fighting for?”
He had heard a rough explanation from Bargan, but he needed detailed information.
The man’s face wavered.
“Is this really your first time here?”
“Yes. Will you answer, or not?”
Taesan raised his fist. The man quickly started speaking.
“This is the battlefield of the gods. Those who believe in various gods gather here to prove the greatness and strength of their gods by fighting.”
“So proving means killing each other?”
“The easiest way is that. By killing those who believe in other gods, we spread the greatness of our own gods.”
The man’s face flushed with excitement as he spoke.
“Only those among the believers who are exceptionally strong are qualified to enter this glorious battlefield. No one would refuse such an honor.”
There was an undeniable sense of pride in his words. Taesan scrutinized the man.
[You activated Reconnaissance.]
[Malakas Haban]
[Fanatic]
Since he wasn’t a creature within the labyrinth, Taesan couldn’t see his health or level, but he could gauge his overall power.
‘Something’s off.’
“So where do you rank here?”
“We are strong.”
Malakas boasted.
“No one can ignore us. We prefer to resolve matters through negotiation rather than battle, and no one can block our path.”
Though grandiose, it seemed not only the red-armored men but also the blue-armored men agreed with him.
Taesan found this perplexing.
“With your level of power?”
Malakas’s face turned red with indignation.
“Don’t underestimate us! We are the chosen ones of the gods! You, an outsider, have no right to judge our strength!”
Taesan sighed inwardly. He needed more information and this self-righteous boasting was getting him nowhere.
“Fine, let’s move on. Who are the significant players here? Who do I need to watch out for?”
Malakas hesitated, glancing nervously around before speaking.
“There are several powerful factions here, each representing different gods. The most formidable among them are the followers of the God of War, the God of Death, and the God of Magic. Their strength is unparalleled, and they hold significant influence.”
“And how do you fit into all of this?”
“We, the followers of the Sun God, are respected for our diplomatic approach. We… we prefer peace but are more than capable of defending ourselves when necessary.”
Taesan nodded, slowly piecing together the structure of this battlefield. It seemed like a chaotic convergence of power and fanaticism, each faction trying to outdo the other to prove their god’s supremacy.
“Alright, I think I understand. One last question. How do I leave this place?”
Malakas’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Leave? Why would you want to leave such a blessed place?”
“Let’s just say I have my reasons. Now, answer the question.”
“There are several ways to leave. You can be summoned back by your god, which won’t apply to you. Or, you can find one of the exit points scattered across this battlefield. They’re usually heavily guarded.”
Taesan considered this. It seemed like finding an exit would be his best bet, especially if he wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict.
“Thanks for the information. You’ve been helpful.”
Malakas seemed to relax slightly, relieved that he had provided the needed answers.
“Now, you can go back to your… whatever you were doing.”
“Wait, what?”
Crack.
Taesan crushed his head with a single blow, the man collapsing in a heap.
The remaining fighters watched in horror as Taesan casually dusted off his hands and turned his attention back to them.
“So, anyone else have something to say?”