Chapter 57: I can choose both?

“I can choose both? Both the G.o.d of Adventure and G.o.d of Slowness?”

“Yep!”

It seemed I worried for nothing about the potential consequence for refusing a side.

“There is no disadvantage from doing so?”

“There kind of is one. Both G.o.ds’ tests probably will become more difficult. Also, in the end, you can become the apostle for only one G.o.d. Only thing you can accept from both are the tests.”

“Can you explain a little about the test?”

Kiri Kiri tilted her head around a few times. She then crunched down on the ground and drew scribbles on the ground.

It was a method unique to Kiri Kiri when she was thinking.

The letters and geometric shapes that Kiri Kiri drew on the ground was completely incomprehensible to me even when I tried to figure it out.

Even the knowledge before the time of Babel was no use for them.

‘Are those letters just not included in the knowledge or is it because my skill level on the knowledge is not high enough?’

I made sure to remember what she scribbled.

“The test to become an apostle is literally what it is. It is a test to prove that you are worthy of becoming an apostle. The test is usually decided based on the corresponding G.o.d’s preferences and the challenger’s personality.”

“Can you tell me in detail about the kind of tests? Examples?”

“I don’t know about that. It is not that I am refusing to tell you. It is just that I am not capable of answering that question because I do not know the answer. To begin with, each G.o.d has different standards. Also, the test’s standard changes depending on individual challengers. So, I don’t have anything in particular that I could tell you.”

‘So, you can’t tell me anything because you don’t know.

I think this is the first time for Kiri Kiri to tell me she doesn’t know something.’

“What is it then? Is it going to be all hands off after I take the test?”

“Um… I’m not sure. For someone to receive a G.o.d’s power and start walking the path to become an apostle means that a G.o.d found that person’s principles and behaviors likable. Based on this fact and the G.o.ds’ personalities, a prediction could be made at least.”

‘A prediction, huh…’

“Of course, I can’t make the prediction for you. You need to do it yourself.”

I needed more information.

“First, can you tell me about the G.o.d of Adventure and G.o.d of Slowness? Not to the point of spending all of information allowances. Just enough for me to get a sense on them.”

“All right. I explained about the G.o.d of Slowness last time. I’ll start with the G.o.d of Adventure first.”

Kiri Kiri crunched down and sat on the ground again. She was like a bunny.

I felt a sense of de ja vu.

“You… If you act like that and run off somewhere while forgetting everything, I won’t give you cake. Got it?”

“Ah, I won’t do that!”

‘In that case, hurry up, focus and stop thinking so hard.’

“G.o.d of Adventure likes to see someone fighting against adversity and achieving the dream after the end of a long journey. One thing about the G.o.d of Adventure that is very different from the G.o.d of Slowness is with regards to who is included in that perspective.”

“Perspective?”

“G.o.d of Slowness also likes someone fighting on and not yielding to hardship, but G.o.d of Slowness’ perspective is always from the first person’s perspective, the G.o.d of Slowness’ own perspective only. The apostle also needs to view the world that way as well.”

“What about the G.o.d of Adventure?”

“For the G.o.d of Adventure, the perspective includes not just the apostle, but the comrades around the apostle, other individuals involved in incidents, enemies, and even others who are not related at all. You need to think about them all carefully.”

‘Um… I can think of a theory here.’

When I first heard the name, G.o.d of Adventure, the first thing that came to my mind was stories of adventures that were archetypical.

I was thinking about that thing.

The j.a.panese style RPG games.

In those games, there were not just the brave hero the main character, but various comrades in the party who each possessed unique magnetic personalities, foes who each had involved and verbose back stories, beautiful and warm friendship and love that bloomed in midst of all things going on, idealistic justice that always tries to save the oppressed people, valor demonstrated by the characters who do not give up in face of hardships…

The adventure stories of outdated romanticism…

‘If G.o.d of Adventure’s principle is something like that… I think that’s fairly consistent with the behavior that this G.o.d had been showing usually.’

The G.o.d of Adventure was proud of me or was concerned for me whenever I was going through hardships or felt defeated.

In particular, whenever I made up my mind to show determination and continue fighting on when facing a hopeless situation, the G.o.d of Adventure showed responses.

It was similar to this when the G.o.d of Adventure showed interest in me for the first time at the First Floor.

Also, there was the time when I killed the Goblin King and when I refused to revive Idaltaru. When I thought about those instances…

‘Well, they are all conjectures, but…’

“In the end, G.o.d of Slowness and G.o.d of Adventure have similar expectations for their apostles. It is just that they have emotional differences in the process and preferences.”

‘To put it simply, I think I can say that the G.o.d of Adventure likes party play, and G.o.d of Slowness prefers solo play.

If that is the case, choosing the G.o.d of Slowness would fit me the best.’

“Um… In that case, can you make a recommendation for me about who would be the best choice for me?”

I didn’t always follow her advice to the teeth.

There were times when I purchased the items she recommended and not use them. There was a time when I gave an item away to someone. Although she told me that focusing on pa.s.sive skill growth is inefficient, I once focused on working to increase the pa.s.sive skills.

However, anyway, Kiri Kiri’s advices were always invaluable.

It was probably because she had plenty of experiences and knowledge as an advisor. Also, she had the ability to know my current condition and desires precisely as well as what I needed.

I knew that asking for her advice on this was going to cut into substantial portion of the question allowance, but I believed it would be worth the price.

Thinking like that, I sought her advice.

“Personally, I recommend the G.o.d of Adventure. Since you are in a unique situation where you get to be alone often, I know the G.o.d of Slowness would be also a good fit for you, but honestly, being an apostle for G.o.d of Slowness is not something an ordinary human should do.”

Her opinion on the G.o.d of Slowness was unexpectedly terrible.

However, excluding her comment on G.o.d of Slowness’ apostle being too tough to handle for an ordinary human being, it seemed like she was saying the G.o.d of Slowness would fit me well given my circ.u.mstance.

Since she recommended the G.o.d of Adventure, it also meant the G.o.d of Adventure was also not a bad choice.

‘All right, I made the decision.’

[G.o.d of Adventure is feeling anxious.]

‘Why are you feeling anxious again, old man?

Ah, that makes sense. I can see why he would be.

He had done many silly things so far.’

“Well then, I am choosing both of them.”

‘Since I need to choose one side eventually and become that G.o.d’s apostle, I should make the choice after gathering a lot more information later.

The tests will become harder, but it is not a bad thing.

I could grow more from going through more difficult trials.’

[G.o.d of Slowness is disappointed.]

[G.o.d of Adventure is relieved.]

It seemed both the G.o.d of Slowness and G.o.d of Adventure thought I would choose the G.o.d of Slowness.

Still, I now had one less of big concerns.

It was a huge thing I had been agonizing on ever since I cleared the Sixth Floor.

[G.o.d of Adventure would like to gift you, the one who is about to start the test, with a G.o.d’s power.]

[G.o.d of Slowness would like to gift you, the one who is about to start the test, with a G.o.d’s power.]

‘All right. This is great.

I thought they might give me something, so I was getting my hopes up.

They are each giving me a power skill. This makes choosing both of them the obvious right answer.

Currently, I have two G.o.d power skills, the Blink and Talaria’s Wings.

From balance stand point, they can be called over powered cheat-like skills.

I wonder what kind of power skills I’ll be getting this time?

Let’s check.’

“Status Window.”

[Lee Ho-jae (Human)]

Lv. 24

Strength: 31

Dexterity: 44

Vitality: 37

Mana: 35

Skill: Battle Focus Lv.19 Willpower Lv.10 Awakening Lv.2 Night Vision Lv.5 Bright Vision Lv.5 Charge Lv.8 Sneak Lv.8 Meditation Lv.8 Natural Regeneration Lv.8 Super Regeneration Lv.5 Strengthened Senses Lv.12 Widened Senses Lv.5 Increased Field of Vision Lv.4 Ironwall Lv.2 Toughened Skin Lv.3 Mid-level Swordsmanship Lv.3 Mid-level Shield Skill Lv.1 Mid-level Hand to Hand Combat Skill Lv.1 Basic Throwing Skill Lv.4 Mana Circuit Lv.10 Wind Spirit’s Blessing Lv.5 Familiarity with Spirits Lv.2 Knowledge of the Time before Babel Lv.5 Soul Steal Lv.5 Mind Corruption Immunity Lv.2 Great Pain Resistance Lv.2 Bleed Resistance Lv.10 Faint Resistance Lv.6 Pierce Resistance Lv.4 Great Poison Resistance Lv.2 Paralysis Resistance Lv.14 Heat Resistance Lv.6 Burn Resistance Lv.10 Cold Resistance Lv.4 Frostbite Resistance Lv.3 Perseverance Lv.1 Composition Lv.1 Blink Emblem Lv.Max Talaria’s Wings Lv.Max, Dead Summoning Lv.???

Misc: G.o.d of Slowness is disappointed. G.o.d of Adventure is relieved.

G.o.d of Slowness’ test [Completion rate: 2/11]

G.o.d of Adventure’s test [Completion rate: 30/224]

The details about the tests were added to the status window.

‘It looks like the tests are already completed quite a bit?’

It realized it was a wise decision to postpone on the decision.

It seemed my past actions were taken into account in the test completion.

‘By the way… Why is there so many things in the G.o.d of Adventure’s test?

It isn’t just a little different.

It was 20 times more than the test by the G.o.d of Slowness.

Before I even realized, I already completed 30 of them, which is a lot, but there are way too many things in the G.o.d of Adventure’s test.

Well then, should I check the skills?’

[Perseverance (Lv.1)]

Description: It is a gift from the G.o.d of Adventure.

This power will give you strength when you are facing difficult adversities, especially during the most trying times.

[Focused Effort (Lv.1)]

Description: It is a gift from the G.o.d of Slowness.

It will lead you to greater result when you pursue something with stronger desire for longer.

The one negative thing about the power skills was that they were all lacking in explanations. I could ask Kiri Kiri to explain more, but the amount of information allowance spent on skill descriptions was significant. It was no joke.

‘Let’s just try to make a guess.

Perseverance seems like it is similar to the Iron Wall. Iron Wall is a pa.s.sive skill that hardens my body. Perhaps the skill Perseverance strengthens my mind?

It could be a skill that supports my combat abilities.

It could also be a simple skill that hardens my body.

As for the Focused Effort, it might be for improving the efficiency of skill growth when I focus on one movement or skill for a long time to master it.

Like in video games where a boost increases level up or stat speed by two folds…

Something like that.

Maybe it is a skill that allows me to obtain hidden skills or extra attributes.

After the Round ends, I’d be trapped inside the waiting room for three days without being able to leave.

It looks like I’ll be able to see great efficiency in training if I pick a skill and grow just that one while I stay there.

It might be able to affect skills such as swordsmanship or other combat skills during battle.

Although I am not certain right now, it looks like they are both good skills.

I’ll have to look in to details later, but I don’t think they will be far off from my guesses.

It’s just that the Focused Effort skill’s effect is… Since it is related to growth rate, it would have been better if I had it sooner.

If I knew this, I would have accepted the tests as soon as I cleared the Sixth Floor.

It feels like the disappointment from missing the double experience points event at a PC room.

… Um… This does make me feel bitter.

Actually, it is beyond bitter. It is aching.

I did end up with losses because I acquired the skill late, but it is not serious.

After the Sixth Floor, I went through all floors quickly except the 11th Floor.

If I got the skill before the Sixth Floor, then it would have had a great effect on my growth results, but since it would have been for after the Sixth Floor, it would have made little difference to what I gained after the Sixth Floor.

Actually, it would have made some differences, but I am okay with not having gained them.

… I’m just justifying the situation.

I know this.

It is a serious loss.

Still, I need to keep my mind positive, shouldn’t I?

The reality is that I am in the h.e.l.l Difficulty.’

I looked at Kiri Kiri who was again focused on the dish that had the mousse cake.

“Aaaang! L… Let me eat it! Don’t take away what I had been eating!”

‘It’s probably going too far to take away something she was eating.’

I gave the dish back to her. Instead, I picked up the only macaroon placed on top of the cake.

“Aaaaang! Aaaaah! I was saving that!”

‘Hey, I’m the one who bought this.’

Kiri Kiri cried out a river because the macaroon was taken away from her. It didn’t take long to calm her down.

Actually, I tried to console her, but I gave up right away due to laziness. Instead, I just bought her a macaroon set.

“Hehe. You are so kind, Hojae.”

‘Of course I’m nice.

I’m also great looking, right?’

“Yep! You are so cool, Hojae.”

‘Of course. Of course.

I always get this impression from her, but this la.s.s acts like she would hand over her very own soul if I buy her the right foods at the right time.

Kiri Kiri, you shouldn’t go with some stranger who buys you candy.’

“Why?”

“That guy will try to give you something other than candy.”

“If not candy, what is he going to give me?”

“… Well, anyway. Not something you should eat. Well, actually, is it something you can eat?”

“In that case, can I go with him?”

“No.”

“Why?”

‘How am I supposed to explain this?’

[Lee Ho-jae, 11th Floor: Hey. What is the reason why kids should not follow strangers giving them candy?]

[Kim Min-huk, 30th Floor: … What the h.e.l.l is this about now? I’m busy at the moment. If you are going to ask me weird things out of the blue like this, I’m going to ignore you.]