Chapter 80

As the gods disappeared, I returned from the milky white mysterious space to the original room.

《We would like to inform you that the ‘Master Ring Holders’ and the ‘Eight Principal Deities’ are now all present. As a result, we will disclose the information.》

《We will now initiate the ‘Dragon Ring System’ and the ‘Arena’.》

《In the ‘Arena’, you can enjoy PvP legally. In addition to players, there will be residents who boast their skills, so please look forward to it.》

《In this world, including the residents, there are four ‘Master Ring’ holders each for “Sword,” “Fist,” “Magic,” “Holy,” and “Skill,” who hold the titles of [Sword King], [Fist King], [Wise King], [Holy King], and [Skill King]. Note that the conditions for holding each ring are different.》

《The ‘Master Ring’ will transfer to the person who better meets the conditions, and the title of the person who loses the ring will change from [King] to [Former King].》

《Furthermore, there are titles of [Sword Emperor], [Fist Emperor], [Wise Emperor], [Holy Emperor], and [Skill Emperor]. The ‘Master Ring’ of the person who obtains the [Emperor] title will change its design to a dragon, becoming the ‘Dragon Ring’.》

《Among holders of the same type of ring, the [Emperor] title will transfer by winning in the ‘Arena Tournament’. The person who loses the [Emperor] title will become [King] or [Former King].》

《The first ‘Dragon Ring’ holder is a resident who is currently the [Emperor] in the arena. If this resident loses a battle while betting the ring, they will not become [King] but will instead become an [Emperor's Knight] by copying the winner's abilities.》

《If the [Emperor] does not participate in the ‘Arena Tournament’, the ring holder who defeats the [Emperor's Knight] outside the tournament will gain the right to challenge the [Emperor].》

《If the [Emperor] does not accept challenges for a certain period, the [Emperor] title will transfer to the challenger.》

《Please note that PvP outside the ‘Arena’ and stalking behavior for the purpose of PvP are punishable by law in each country.》

World announcement ends.

As soon as the announcement ended, the ‘Master Ring’ on my right and left index fingers, which I had made invisible, appeared, shone, and then disappeared again.

I'm already at my limit for today.

I set up the concealment array—also known as the modified futon by Kikuhime—and went to sleep with a pillow.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Yesterday, even though time stopped during the encounter with the gods, it was already quite late when I arrived here, so I was in a hurry. Today, I had to finish my work by repeatedly reminding myself, “Tomorrow is a day off,” and I have to reflect on that.

During the encounter with the gods, time stops, or rather, no time passes when the event ends and you step outside. Technically, it's the opposite of time stopping; during the event, one second in the real world is equivalent to three days, or something like that, due to ultra-high-speed processing. I wonder if my brain is okay. Since brain signals are light signals, it should be fine if we consider the speed of light, right?

I don't really understand, so I won't think about it. It's certain that if the time-over warning sounds during the event, it would be troublesome.

I used [Life Magic] to get water, washed my face, and had breakfast. Since there had been a series of banquets here, I decided to make an oyster congee for a change.

I'm not feeling unwell, so the rice is still in its original form. Just before the congee is ready, I add the oysters, cover it, and let it steam. The result is a congee with almost raw, plump oysters.

I can start the day in bliss.

After feeling more at ease, I checked my titles and skills.

There was an announcement about the arena tournament, but while PvP is nothing once you get used to it, I'm not good at getting into that atmosphere. Since I can also fight residents, I'll take a look later to see what the atmosphere is like.

Title [Mark of the Gods]: Increases the effects and range of magic and holy magic, and the effectiveness and critical hit rate of physical attacks. Increases physical defense by 5% and all resistances of party members by 5%.

[Val's Blessing] and above: Allows the use of the ‘Blue Barrier’ in barrier magic.

[Dul's Blessing] and above: Allows the use of holy magic to heal diseases.

[Rusha's Blessing] and above: Grants the skill [Skill Reflection].

[Tasha's Blessing] and above: Allows the use of the ‘Green Barrier’ in barrier magic.

[Far's Saint]: Increases the effects and range of holy magic. If you have [Dul's Blessing] and above, you can heal diseases.

[Asha's Hero], [Vers' Hero], and [Verna's Saint] were lost almost immediately after obtaining them, so I didn't read their title effects, but they probably corresponded to one of the effects of [Mark of the Gods].

And I don't have [Barrier Magic]!

Title [Val's Feather]: Extreme affinity with wind.

Skills [Aerial Movement] and [Aerial Action] are granted.

Title [Dul's Fruit]: Extreme affinity with earth.

Skills [Green Earth] and [Feng Shui] are granted if you have [Val's Favor].

Title [Rusha's Gem]: Extreme affinity with gold.

Skills [Design Realization] and [Storage] are granted if you have [Val's Favor].

Title [Far's Water Lily]: Extreme affinity with water.

Skills [Water Movement] and [Water Action] are granted.

Title [Tasha's Host Tree]: Extreme affinity with wood.

Skills [Divine Tree] and [Barrier Release] are granted if you have [Val's Favor].

[Skill Reflection]: Allows the use of a skill received during combat once in the same combat.

Hahaha! I can easily mimic your techniques! I'm looking forward to it.

[Attack Steal - Life]: Heals HP when attacking. The amount healed depends on the damage dealt and the level. I think I got [Attack Steal - Mana] from Tasha, so this one is probably from Asha?

Skills [Aerial Movement] and [Aerial Action] are as the names suggest. I can fly! I think the magic description mentioned something similar, but the skill came first!

[Green Earth]: Keeps plants in their best condition without withering.

I haven't gotten a field yet, but this will be great for growing herbs and vegetables with [Plant Growth]! ...That's the plan.

[Feng Shui]: Changes the weather and terrain. The effect depends on the level and affinity with the gods who govern them. For example, ‘Eruption’ requires [Blessing] or above from Asha and Dul. It's said to be a different level from the inferior [Feng Shui Technique].

[Design Realization]: Allows the recreation of the form of something you've once obtained. If you have [Rusha's Fingertips], you can change the design of existing items. It seems you can only change the appearance, but you should avoid copying items made by others without their consent.

[Storage]: No need for an item pouch. Perfect for moving around hands-free.

[Water Movement] and [Water Action]: As the names suggest. This skill makes me a bit anxious about underwater battles.

[Divine Tree]: Activates a divine tree to invigorate the land and its inhabitants.

[Barrier Release]: Although I don't have the [Barrier] skill yet, it seems I can decode and destroy or bypass other people's barriers.

[Vers' Protection]: 60% resistance to all attributes, further increased by affinity with the gods who govern each attribute. Am I becoming too powerful? Is it just my imagination? [Mark of the Gods] also has resistance, right?

[Verna's Protection]: 60% resistance to status ailments, such as poison and paralysis, further increased by affinity with the gods who govern each attribute.

[Summoning]: Summons the avatar of a god you've met. However, you need to meet them again to summon them again. Currently, 0 avatars can be summoned. ...Is it that after the banquet, I can summon all their avatars?

‘Seedling of the Tree of Life’: A seedling of the Tree of Life. Probably a material for healing potions.

‘Tasha's White Leaf Hat’: A white pointed hat with a slightly bent brim. Increases INT and MP by 50% and magic defense by 50%.

‘Verna's White Night Coat’: A white coat with a different weave that shows patterns on the hem depending on the angle of light. Increases MID and MP by 50% and resistance to non-magic skills by 50%.

‘Far's White Waterfall Underwear’: Pure white briefs with embroidery. Maximum charm.

“No way!!!”

I accidentally threw it on the floor, and with a puff, white smoke rose, and an announcement played.

《You have obtained ‘Far's White Stream Underwear’.》

“Another pair of underwear!!!”

I thought, but it's underwear, specifically undergarments, tight-fitting clothes worn under armor or coats. They fit so tightly that my abs are clearly visible. The effects are [All-Weather Resistance], [No Counteraction Between Equipment], and [Charm].

...Does Far really want to attach [Charm]?

And the performance is worse than the boomerang pants alone, right? Well, if I don't intend to wear the pants alone, the [All-Weather Resistance] remains the same whether I wear it under clothes or not, so it might be better to have it detailed, right?

At least, the item effect is much better than the pants. I looked at the change from pants to undergarments with some unease.

I hope it doesn't turn back into pants once I equip it.

I'm a bit anxious.

Counteraction between equipment means that if you wear equipment with opposing attributes, the stronger the equipment, the more they cancel each other out. But I don't have any attribute-specific armor, so it doesn't matter, right?!

Boomerang alone > White Stream alone, but the same under clothes > Boomerang under clothes in terms of ability.

It seems the goddess's serious side is focused on the pants.

‘Verna's Dark Ring’ is a delicate silver (or something) ring with a small deep purple gem. This ring halves all abilities and transfers power to the target whose blood is absorbed by the stone, making it seem like a cursed ring.

I was wondering why I had such a thing, but then black swallowtail butterflies flew in and turned into a piece of paper in front of me. I picked it up, and it was a letter.

“Originally a ‘Dark Ring’ cursed item”

“It’s been unhexed, so don’t worry”

“Standing out is annoying. I hate noise”

“It’s good to use on Hasfaan and Bahamut”

“They’re both weakened by eternal seals”

“And make Bahamut black”

“Black and silver, I can do it too”

It was from Verna. She suggested I wear this ring in party play to avoid standing out. I should give Vers a dose of his own medicine.

I might wear it if it helps heal White and Bahamut, but if it just reduced abilities, I wouldn't. Was this a ring that, if cursed, couldn't be removed and would continue to drain power from the target? It's a dangerous ring.

I immediately found Bahamut's blood soaked into my equipment and rubbed it on the ring.

There was also an addition to [Design Realization], allowing color changes for ‘white and black, gold and silver’ even if the name specifies a color. ‘White and gold’ represent Vers, and ‘black and silver’ represent Verna. Thanks to Vers, I got an unexpected bonus.

But so, Bahamut was left white, wasn't he...?

I appreciated the thoughtful gesture and put the letter away, not in my inventory but in my received mail. When I tried to reply with “Thank you,” a butterfly flew in again.

“Pudding next time we meet”

Just one word.

Could this be a way to communicate with the reclusive goddess Verna?

I stored the letter in my received mail and replied with “Thank you.” A butterfly flew in again.

“Pudding next time we meet”

Just one word.

Maybe this is how I can communicate with the reclusive goddess Verna.