187 – Collapse – 2

Kore was Persephone’s childhood name.

If Persephone, after being dragged to the underworld by Hades, revealed her aspect as the Queen of the Underworld, Kore during her time on earth could be seen, conversely, as symbolizing the beginning of life, the budding spring, and seeds.

Of course, since harboring such duality was the nature of a deity, even if it was a deity worshipped as Kore, she would still possess the power of a goddess of the underworld.

“From now on, we will offer sacrifices to Lady Kore and perform the ritual to temporarily open the barrier.”

“…That is amazing.”

Originally, it was the deepest part of the main sanctuary that enshrined the goddess’s divine body.

Placed on the central altar was a pomegranate that shone with a fresh light, as if it could be plucked and eaten at any moment.

The legend that Persephone, upon reaching the underworld, ended up swallowing a few seeds of the pomegranate—the food of the underworld—and thus could not return completely to the surface, staying in the underworld for half of the year, was very famous.

It was the moment it became clear that the goddess Kore they worshipped was identical to Persephone, the goddess of the underworld.

―Each pomegranate seed is like a mana bomb harboring a terrible power. But, hmm. It feels like that alone is not enough.

‘At least it doesn’t look insufficient to blow up a country.’

Though harboring formidable power, it was outwardly nothing more than a very appetizing fruit—but probably no ordinary power would even be able to scratch it.

“Fufu, be careful. In the past, there was someone who coveted the god’s power and touched the pomegranate seeds to their mouth, only to be dragged to the underworld and never return.”

Seeing Gi-jun’s gaze fixed on the pomegranate, Kurenai let out a rare chuckle and spoke chilling words.

Right, a pomegranate of the underworld, then.

Confronted with a Holy Relic that perfectly matched the legend of Persephone he knew, Gi-jun was overcome by indescribable emotion.

He had thought until now that the fragments of unique territory were all similar to the medal he possessed, but now he was facing an object with such a clear origin.

―Because what the contractor has is an item whose previously contained power has already been completely erased. You’re trying to put the contractor’s new power into it to make it a shield, right?

‘I am not a god, though.’

Nor did he have any intention of becoming one.

Even more so after seeing the pathetic state of the so-called gods of the Leta continent.

“Ah, O eternity that falls like winter and blossoms like spring.”

While Gi-jun was lost in idle thoughts, the ritual began.

Since there was an altar, he wondered if they would perform a mass, but before he knew it, a few shrine maidens stepped back to play the flute and sing, while the remaining shrine maidens slowly moved their hands and feet to begin dancing.

The identity of the ritual was none other than Kagura—a sacred song and dance dedicated to the deity.

Perfect coordinated movements, beautiful melodies, and a terrifying mana rising along with them.

It made sense that it had taken time to prepare.

‘Kagura dedicated to a goddess of Greek origin… what on earth am I watching right now?’

Furthermore, the location was inside a barrier isolated from the Leta continent.

Could this be the essence of Leta’s culture? Gi-jun watched the shrine maidens’ dance quietly, even while harboring such silly thoughts.

It was the first time he had ever found a dance beautiful.

“Hyung, I can die with no regrets now.”

“Don’t say such ominous things.”

Gi-jun, who held back Eun-shin as he tried to pass on in peace after achieving all his wishes, gradually detected a change on the altar.

A dark mist rose as if to cover the altar holding the pomegranate, soon forming a circular vortex like a teleportation gate.

The chilly mana flowing from within was truly eerie, but if this was indeed Kore’s divine power, it was understandable.

―Ah, now I know everything.

At that moment, Lucy snorted and muttered.

Gi-jun felt like he understood as well, but a rapid change occurred before he could think further.

Kurenai, who had her eyes tightly shut, suddenly snapped them open and shouted.

“As we offer sacrifices to the goddess of the underworld, grant us a new cycle of spring!”

At that moment, a terrible pulling force arose.

The force originating from the gate in the center of the altar pulled Gi-jun mercilessly.

He had not expected her to make such a direct and bold move, but frankly, Gi-jun had never let his guard down for a single moment in preparation for the instant she turned hostile.

Rather, fighting her like this would make the development too predictable; as a twist, he had even expected Kurenai to be a truly pure shrine maiden and Renka, who had formed a good atmosphere with Eun-shin, to suddenly step forward as the mastermind.

―Destroy it just like that, contractor. We’re the ones who have been waiting for this moment!

Yes, Lucy was right.

What was the reason Gi-jun had meekly led his group to the ritual site despite suspecting Kurenai?

Was it not to encounter the Holy Relic that formed the core of this barrier and, if necessary, smash it to escape?

Of course, because he had built good relationships with many of the shrine maidens, he had hated sending them to their deaths and looked for another way, but if Kurenai, the leader of the shrine maidens, acted like this――!

“What?!”

Seeing the Holy Relic being pulled out by Gi-jun’s hand, Kurenai shrieked.

However, her response from there was unexpected.

“Murasaki! Take his place!”

“Kyaaa!”

The moment she called out the shrine maiden’s name, the pulling force sucking Gi-jun in vanished in an instant.

To be precise, it changed direction and pulled Murasaki, the purple-haired shrine maiden who was performing the Kagura.

While shocked by the unexpected turn of events, Gi-jun raised his two shields to prepare for what would happen next.

Unable to even resist, Murasaki was helplessly sucked into the black vortex.

And the next moment.

―[Unfailing Body Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.

―Partial resistance success. A positive modifier (20%) is applied to all possessed skills and titles.

―[Unfailing Body Clock (L)] strongly resists physical and mental interference.

―Partial resistance success. A positive modifier (20%) is applied to all possessed skills and titles.

Then, in an instant, everything collapsed.

As Gi-jun blankly raised his head, what he saw beyond was a sunset sky.

He could also see low mountains rising here and there.

Lowering his shields, Gi-jun… let out a hollow laugh.

“What… is this?”

―Spatial teleportation? Were we bounced outside the shrine?

Lucy, who seemed to have maintained her sanity, tilted her head as she said that, but.

Gi-jun turned around to check the situation and lightly dismissed her words.

“I don’t think it’s such a simple matter, Lucy.”

―…What is this?

Only after seeing the party members scattered around unconscious did she let out a dumbfounded voice, as if finally realizing everything.

―No way.

“It’s not certain yet. …Let’s go check.”

―Ki, kiit.

“How did I do it a month ago?”

Trying to recall it, Gi-jun made Ur grow larger and placed the unconscious Eun-shin on his back.

Then he slung Tilla and Lora over each of his shoulders, completing the kidnapper style.

…He couldn’t help but fear what kind of reaction the two would show when they woke up.

“My Holy Relic didn’t activate, right?”

―No.

―Kiiii…

Along with Lucy, who spoke in a low voice after guessing the situation, and Ur, he slowly descended the low mountain.

Although he already knew the location of the village without needing to search for it anew, he recalled the timeline from a month ago and moved to match the timing.

The village he arrived at was, unfortunately and frustratingly, exactly as Gi-jun had imagined.

“She’s not here either!”

“Where on earth did she go! She must know how dangerous it is to go outside the barrier!”

“All shrine maidens, gather over here! Lady Kurenai said she would search for her using a ritual!”

Shrine maidens in white tops and red hakama were moving about busily.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, they seemed too busy to even care about a kidnapper.

“Kya?! An outsider!”

One of the girls running around frantically—specifically, Renka.

Discovered Gi-jun and shrieked in fright.

She was even more horrified to see women slung over both of his shoulders.

“Don’t tell me you kidnapped Lady Murasaki!”

“No, I――”

“It’s an outsider!”

“An outsider broke through the barrier!”

Women wearing loose-fitting clothes similar to the shrine maiden outfits seen in Japanese manga crowded around and began shouting the moment they spotted Gi-jun.

Of course, though there were many faces he had seen for a month and was quite familiar with now, not a single one of them recognized him.

He felt like he was going to lose his mind.

“Kidnapper!”

“It’s obvious that man kidnapped Lady Murasaki!”

“Someone go call Lady Kurenai――!”

It was a total mess.

He perceived how the situation was turning out, but he could neither understand nor accept it.

―Now I know *very* well why this barrier is being maintained.

‘Didn’t you say you knew everything earlier?’

―What I found out back then was just that woman’s divinity! And where the evil spirit is right now! Who would’ve known that another layer of secrets was hidden in the barrier!

Lucy screeched.

Furthermore, although he wanted to calm down the shrine maidens crowding around him, he could not make any rash changes since he did not know how the situation was going.

Gi-jun cast Luminescent Provocation just like before.

“My, my eyes――!”

“Kyaaa!”

Even though it was not a laughing matter, their identical reaction made him chuckle.

Gi-jun toggled Luminescent Provocation off and on just like before, dealing additional damage to them.

It was absolutely not a joke, but performed out of a sense of duty to retrace his past actions exactly.

“Ex-excuse me!”

The one who spoke to him first this time was also Renka.

“Divine spirit, I know well that you are a great being, so please reduce the light!”

“Huh? Ah, sorry. If you all promise not to make a fuss anymore, I’ll turn it off.”

“We won’t!”

“We won’t cause trouble either!”

“We are sorry, we are sorry!”

The situation proceeded exactly as Gi-jun remembered.

If so, then at this point, just as he remembered.

“Uuuuh… Huh? Kya!”

“Ju-Jun-nim!”

Tilla and Lora regained consciousness.

The two realized they were being carried like cargo by Gi-jun and wore dazed expressions for a moment, but upon observing Gi-jun’s expression, they also looked sad.

“What’s wrong, Jun-nim?”

“I don’t know what’s going on… but if you’re struggling, talk to me.”

Apparently, he had failed to control his facial expression.

Gi-jun suppressed something rising inside him and replied.

“Later. There’s something I want to discuss in detail.”

“It would be nice if you always talked to me so honestly.”

“Jun-nim…”

Once he put down the two who were fidgeting with worry for him, the shrine maidens blurted out words similar to before, as if they had rehearsed.

“So where is Lady Murasaki? That man must have her, right? The timing of his appearance is too coincidental.”

“Shh, don’t make the divine spirit angry!”

“What divine spirit, he’s just a person like us!”

Gi-jun cleared his throat.

Just from that, some gasped in fright thinking he might use Luminescent Provocation again, while others quickly covered their eyes…

“Then I’ll explain why we are here.”

Wishing this was a play instead, Gi-jun closed and opened his eyes slowly and gave the same explanation as before.

“Does that make sense? He’s definitely lying! Do you know how this barrier was made!”

“But he said spatial magic went out of control… Leta is such a scary land, would such a thing be impossible?”

“It’s much more likely that he’s a civilization hunter who tore down the barrier aiming for Lady Kurenai!”

“Ahhh, it’s worrying enough that Lady Murasaki vanished, but now even these dangerous people…!”

Gi-jun was conflicted.

They were not completely identical to before, either.

Asking about the change himself… would indeed not be wise.

It seemed they did not know that much either, but there was no guarantee that Kurenai’s subordinates were not mixed among them.

―So what about Sakura? Where did Sakura go, and why are they only looking for Murasaki?

‘Well, that’s what I want to ask.’

Gi-jun swallowed a sigh and sat down on a straw mat.

Seeing Eun-shin wake up and cheer without a thought at the sight of the shrine maidens surrounding them, the sigh he had swallowed came right back out.

“Then tell me when you reach a conclusion. We will stay here quietly, without causing you any harm, and wait.”

“A conclusion, indeed.”

“Ahhh—seriously! Someone go to the central shrine first and bring Lady Kurenai!”

Yes, a conclusion had to be reached.

Gi-jun had a conclusion to reach with Kurenai.

He could not play along with this farce forever.

“Excuse me… did you really not eat Lady Murasaki, divine spirit?”

Renka spoke to him again.

Gi-jun met the pure girl’s eyes and unintentionally asked a question he shouldn’t have.

“Shouldn’t you look for Sakura before Murasaki?”

―Contractor…!

“Gasp! As expected of the divine spirit…!”

The girl opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Sakura is one of the shrine maidens who was sacrificed while creating this barrier…! Originally, she was the girl who would succeed Lady Kurenai to become the last representative of our civilization…”

Gi-jun closed his eyes at those words.

Right, so this was how it was.

Perhaps it was ‘not entirely wrong’ either.

The conversation they shared was blocked by the barrier created by Lucy, so it could not be heard by anyone except the two of them.

Actually, Gi-jun thought there was no point in doing this now, but.

―If we fight like this, we can’t save the evil spirit!

‘I see. Thanks for thinking of her.’

After expressing gratitude with a bitter smile at Lucy’s words, Gi-jun spoke to the girl.

“What I just asked about Sakura is a secret. If you don’t keep it, I’ll eat you up.”

“Gasp! Ah, okay! I won’t tell anyone! Not even Lady Kurenai!”

“…Instead, if you keep it, I’ll introduce you to a cool man.”

“A, a cool man? Will he eat me?”

“No, a cool man who won’t eat you.”

Renka blinked at Gi-jun’s additional words.

Gi-jun did not miss her gaze momentarily shifting toward Eun-shin.

Right, he was her type, then.

―A very unique taste.

‘What’s wrong with our Shin?’

Gi-jun nodded to Renka, who was looking back and forth between him and Eun-shin in a tacit request, signaling that he understood, and questioned her again.

“You are shrine maidens, right? Specifically, shrine maidens of the shrine serving Lady Kore.”

“As expected of the divine spirit, you know everything…! Yes, we work at the shrine serving Lady Kore, the goddess of flowers and seeds!”

Renka said.

With an innocent smile.

“She is a wonderful goddess who symbolizes the seed that sleeps in winter and blossoms in spring, the cycle!”