Chapter 167

Every time I met Gulrak, I forgot one crucial detail because I was shocked by the lightning strikes.

Lightning is both the power and the symbol of Gulrak. So how the lightning strikes can change its interpretation.

For example, if lightning strikes the altar where offerings are made, it can be taken as a positive sign.

If the lightning hits somewhere else, it’s a holdover; if nothing happens at all, it’s a negative sign.

Among these scenarios, if lightning strikes the person who made the offering, it can be interpreted as an overwhelming negative.

It’s what one would call ‘divine punishment.’ But I had been hit by so many lightning strikes so far that I had momentarily forgotten.

The reason I’m explaining this now is because the place I’m in is Gulrak’s temple. The altar where one can get closest to Gulrak.

“Oh, Gulrak is angry!”

“What the hell did that guy do? What on earth did he do to earn Gulrak’s divine punishment?”

“Good heavens. He didn’t even make any offerings. How disrespectful…!”

I was astonished to see lightning striking out of a clear sky, but it was even more shocking that the bolt hit me directly.

It was clear to anyone that Gulrak had delivered divine punishment. From my perspective, it was a bit ridiculous.

“No way. We even kissed. So why?!”

Just as I was feeling disheartened and chuckling to myself, the priest, Heinkes, who had been watching the scene, wiped off his shocked expression and turned stiff.

It seemed that, as a follower of Gulrak, he quickly realized how serious this situation was.

“…Gulrak seems displeased. And it appears he cares a lot for Kara.”

“Excuse me? Oh, yes. It’s true that he cares for me, but…”

“In that case, it makes more sense. From Gulrak’s perspective, an irreverent person is after the priestess he cherishes.”

“…”

Kara’s expression was one of total confusion. She kept glancing back and forth between me and the sky, seemingly at a loss.

Imagine a god interfering in the love life of a priestess. It’s like Gulrak is worse than Hector.

No matter how much I cursed the gods, I didn’t directly hurt anyone.

In fact, the real victim was me. I was forcibly dragged from my peaceful life and made to endure hardships.

“Talk about being narrow-minded…”

*Kwagwang!!*

Did he read my mind? Or is it because we’re in a temple?

Another blue lightning bolt struck right above my head. A tingly sensation coursed through my body.

“Not once but twice?! What the hell is going on…?”

“Shivar. Don’t say anything disrespectful to Gulrak. One or two times… well, that’s already too many, but he’s tolerating it.”

The priest was aghast while Kara gently tried to calm me down. I exhaled a sigh of resignation.

As I sighed, gray smoke poured from my mouth. The smell of burning flesh was just an added bonus.

I didn’t intend to cause any trouble here, so it seemed best to comply.

“What do you mean it’s not just once? Has this happened before?”

“Well… yes. But it doesn’t mean he hates you. It’s more like he’s treating you like a careless child with a stick? In fact, Shivar can control lightning too. Right, Shivar?”

Kara was desperately defending me. I felt bad that she was enduring hardships because of me.

Thanks to her defense, Heinkes didn’t chase me away despite his doubts. Instead, he brought up a bone-chilling point.

“Understood. However, I think you should be careful, as he still dislikes you.”

“Yeah.”

“Unfair.”

I said that out of genuine unfairness. I was just stating the facts.

Seeing me feeling down, Kara offered some comforting words. She’s truly one of a kind.

After that, we moved towards the top of the temple with Heinkes, where the ritual would take place.

Maybe because the lightning had just struck, all eyes were on us.

Embarrassed, I was about to reach out for Kara’s hand.

*Rumble…*

“Wait. No way…”

Not even holding hands was allowed? Just how much is he protecting her?

This was nothing like what happened at the Academy’s altar. I felt like Kara might be put off by it; could I really handle this?

Ultimately, I gave up trying to hold Kara’s hand and went up to the top. Somehow, I wanted to mess with him later.

“By the way, Shivar, it’s impressive that you survived Gulrak’s divine punishment. Normally, if you get hit more than once, your heart should stop.”

“Shivar’s just… well, really tough, I guess? Maybe it’s because he’s been hit by lightning so many times?”

“Hmm. Lightning is a pain to get used to. You’re quite a remarkable person in many ways.”

When I got hit by lightning for the first time, I thought I was going to die from the pain.

The most distressing part was when my muscles would cramp up, causing me to be immobile.

I had to struggle to escape it, or else I’d inevitably get hit by the next attack.

“It’s probably thanks to my regeneration that I manage to endure.”

If it weren’t for that, I would’ve ended up roasted or turned to ash. Lightning was one of the biggest threats in the Soul World.

While there’s no stat for lightning resistance, it’s safe to say my body has grown accustomed to it.

In the midst of my wandering thoughts, we reached the top of the temple. Surprisingly, there were hardly any people around, just the altar sitting there.

“This is a place that can only be reached with my permission. When conducting a larger ritual, offerings are placed here.”

“Can we really go up?”

“Kara is favored by Gulrak, and so is Shivar, so it’s fine. Do you have any offerings to present?”

“Yes.”

Kara pulled out an item from her pocket. At first glance, it looked just like an ordinary dagger.

“This is a dagger that’s consistently absorbed thunder’s energy. This should be enough for an offering, right?”

“That’s plenty.”

“Shivar, you should bow as well.”

I didn’t particularly want to, but since Kara asked, I had no choice but to go along.

After that, we positioned ourselves in front of the altar, preparing the ritual step by step, just as we did at the Academy.

Kara placed the offering on the altar first and bowed instead of greeting Gulrak.

*Fiery light!*

As soon as she bowed, flames burst forth from the altar where the offering was placed. I could hear Heinkes gasping in amazement from behind.

It seemed to be quite surprising that Gulrak responded immediately to Kara. It didn’t seem like this typically happened.

That alone showed how much he cherished her. Meanwhile, I was the one trying to take her away.

“Kara.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to dance?”

“No. I’m just here to deliver greetings for now. I think the offering is a bit underwhelming, so I plan on doing it properly later.”

So it’s just a simple greeting. I felt I couldn’t forgive myself for being such a lackluster preparation.

In this respect, I realized that despite her typically carefree nature, she was detailed and careful. That’s probably why Gulrak shows her so much affection.

“But what about me?”

If I was treated like that, I’d definitely show her my charm, so why is this happening?

…Of course, I do have a history of hitting Kara during our duels, but that was out of necessity. Even Kara coolly moved on from that past.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a follower of Chaos. Gulrak and Chaos definitely don’t have a pleasant relationship even in jest.

“Is that why Gaia feels so isolated.”

I completed the ritual and, fortunately, no lightning struck this time.

If it happened right after, I would’ve shouted out loud in anger. No, rather than shouting, I would’ve reacted more actively.

I didn’t care that it was the temple or anything else. I wanted to defy Gulrak at least once.

“The ritual is done, so shall we head down now?”

“Yeah.”

“Excuse me, but could I ask what wish you made? It’s the first time I’ve seen Gulrak respond so quickly.”

Before heading down, Heinkes, who had been watching us, asked with a curious tone.

Kara gave a shy smile at that question, then looked at me. She scratched her head; what a sight.

“Uh, just… asked him not to hate Shivar too much. Look at his face! Do you think he looks like he could do something bad?”

“Those red eyes look quite ominous. He seems like a monster…”

“Uhh… he might act out like a monster sometimes, but that’s really rare. He’s never caused us any harm.”

“Hmm…”

Heinkes observed me with suspicious eyes. Honestly, I couldn’t even argue back because he was right.

Then he nodded and chuckled good-naturedly. His smile was kind, just like Rod’s, no matter when I saw it.

“It seems like Sister Kara really likes Shivar, huh?”

“…”

Kara didn’t say anything. She simply pouted and kept her mouth shut.

From that reaction alone, I could easily deduce that it implied a positive answer.

“See? Even she likes me, so why keep getting in the way…?”

*Kwagwang!!*

Once again, a lightning bolt struck above my head. At this point, it was less of a fear and more of a bewilderment.

The warm atmosphere evaporated instantly due to the lightning strike. Everyone just looked at me in shock.

“…Shivar? What were you thinking?”

“…Kara.”

“Y-yeah?”

“Do you like me?”

Kara had a hesitant response for a moment but eventually nodded her head.

Then I looked up at the sky and slowly started moving my feet.

Everyone initially showed expressions of confusion about what I was about to do. But my next move left them all flabbergasted.

*Gwaak!*

“Kyah! Sh-Shivar? What are you doing?!”

Kara was taken completely by surprise. And why wouldn’t she be? I had approached her from behind and wrapped my arms around her waist.

What one would call a back hug. I had noticed it before, but her waist was incredibly thin. Was it from her physical training?

Moreover, it didn’t feel soft but was rather firm. I could sense her muscles just from hugging her.

Putting everything aside, I lifted Kara off the ground as if I were reaching for the sky.

“Kara likes me! But you dislike me?!”

“What, what, what?!”

“Dumb god! Come at me!”

I threatened him while using Kara as a shield. She didn’t resist; she just quietly let it happen.

I wondered if Gulrak had more disdain towards me than affection for Kara. That would mean he would unleash the lightning upon me again.

However, that would also mean Kara would get hit by lightning as well. While I wished to calmly head down, I couldn’t help but feel wronged.

“You can’t do it, can you? You can’t do it! So, let me date her!”

“What do you mean, let you date her?”

What do you think I mean? It’s an official request for a relationship.

If not, it looks like I’ll keep getting zapped. You know, lightning hurts.

*Rumble!!*

At first, Gulrak seemed taken aback and didn’t respond. But soon, traces of his reaction began to emerge.

Not long ago, it was a clear blue sky, but now dark clouds began to gather. Thick black clouds rapidly rolled in.

Seeing those clouds, Heinkes grew alarmed and urgently called out to me.

“D-Don’t insult Gulrak any further! You might really be in deep trouble!”

“I’m not insulting! I’m angry too!”

It was on them for dragging me into this mess. Yet they expect me to act like I’m not allowed to date?

No matter how magnanimous a deity is, one can only take so much. I was protesting, in my own way!

Regardless, this future I knew was precious. It’s something that absolutely must occur.

Even with Luna, it would be hard for her to handle everything alone. It’s effectively a declaration of idleness.

“Give me Kara! Then I’ll listen nicely!”

“Aah… I’m so sorry, Gulrak…”

My bold declaration made Kara cover her face with both hands. She seemed extremely embarrassed.

However, she didn’t resist and simply allowed herself to be caught. That doesn’t mean she had no feelings for me at all.

I still hadn’t received a clear answer. With the dark clouds closing in, surely a response would come soon.

If they didn’t respond, it would mean permission. Silence has historically been a form of agreement.

*Rumble!!*

The storm clouds gathered, and thunder began to grow louder.

Without a hint of fear, I held onto Kara. I adjusted my hold in case she got uncomfortable.

*Boom!!!*

At that moment, a gigantic beam of light came crashing down like a bolt of lightning. It was almost as thick as a pillar of light.

That bolt struck directly at the altar, but intriguingly, it wasn’t just a single strike; it seemed like a beam of light descending steadily.

I turned my body and looked towards the altar, of course, still holding Kara.

Zzzz-

Finally, the beam of light began to fade. Despite the might of the bolt, the altar remained untouched.

“Uh?”

“Yeah?”

Except for that. Someone had appeared on top of the altar.

Even from a distance, it was clear that he was practically the size of a bear. Just how massive was he?

His outfit was also something else. It resembled Norse styles, with light leather armor draped over a furry cloak.

“Oh great, just fantastic…”

The unexpectedly appearing man rubbed his nose and responded gruffly.

His hair was scruffy but looked well-kept. He had the appearance of a Viking with a well-groomed beard tied back.

The dominant feature alongside his brownish-blonde hair was undoubtedly his eyes.

His eyes shone with a vivid ‘navy blue.’

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