Episode 241: The Lecture Series -2-
After exchanging greetings, the fish people approached us.
Like surrounding a boat.
Like a school of sharks hunting a wounded whale.
I was looking at them indifferently.
Then, among them, a large fish-man drew a river character.
[Aren’t we scared?]
I replied calmly.
[It’s a bit ugly.]
“Kyaat!”
“Keeeeee!”
“Kk kk kk!”
The fish-men open their mouths threateningly.
But now that they were illuminated by the flashlight, I could read their expressions with my ears and interpret them as traits of understanding.
[Excitement]
[joy]
These two emotions.
That is, that strange sound was their laughter.
I’m not trying to threaten you.
‘The visuals are shocking.’
Because it’s so ugly that it’s one of the ugliest monsters in Arcane Seoul.
But you know what?
They are actually human too.
As was the case with the heterogeneous races living in the Arctic.
In Arcane Seoul, the standards for humanity are simple.
Whether or not it is possible to create offspring with normal humans.
And can those descendants create humans and descendants again or not?
In fact, the heterogeneous bloodlines of the Arctic and the Lake Nasser River peoples are nothing more than racial differences from an ethnic perspective.
‘Anyway, I’m telling you, magic transformation is scary.’
Perhaps it’s because a certain gene produces special magical powers.
As he was thinking that, the fish-man waved his finned arm threateningly.
[Human. Would you like to come play in our village? I want to commemorate the fact that I met a human who can communicate.]
[Okay.]
[Okay. Don’t resist, just accept it.]
Chuuk!
The fish-man sprinkled water.
The water evaporates and turns into fog, covering me.
I also calmed my mind and accepted the magical waves.
The magic is on.
No, should I call this magic?
It would be more correct to call it divine power.
The air became stuffy.
A feeling as if you were falling into the ocean, into the deep sea.
In my strangely blurred vision, I saw the fish-man drawing letters.
[Don’t panic. It’s a blessing of river friendliness. When you enter the water… … Huh?]
I know. I know.
No explanation needed.
I jumped into the river without even reading the whole text.
with a plop!
The river that embraces me warmly.
The world has become clear.
The fog had all disappeared, and even though I was underwater, the view was as clear as if I was in the air.
I was able to breathe freely without an oxygen tank.
Movement is also free.
I really felt like a fish in water.
[Where are you going?]
You can’t use the highest language.
Instead, other characteristics were used.
[Bingbaek]
Ice spread across my fingertips.
The English alphabet floated like ice cubes, letter by letter.
The fish-people look at them with curiosity as they float along the water flow.
[Human. You’re very talented, aren’t you?]
[To handle fire and ice together… … .]
[You have a strong soul. I guess you can handle opposing forces.]
[You don’t seem to be a human from the Osiris Cult?]
[If they were part of that selfish god’s family, they would have run around saying they would kill us as soon as they saw us.]
[He’s a funny person.]
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Is it because I received the authority to teach?
Or maybe it’s because I got into the river?
The conversation between the fish people through ultrasound is clearly engraved in my ears.
Unfortunately, I don’t have ultrasonic capabilities so I can’t speak.
[Follow me!]
The fish-people turned around all at once.
phut!
A shock wave explodes.
The fish-men are shot out like cannonballs.
The lake rippled as if it were going to capsize, and waves spread out in all directions.
I can’t help it.
I also pulled away.
Although it didn’t have the swimming trait, it had the air strike and phoenix shoes.
You can do a triple jump in the air, so what about underwater?
Phew!
Follow the fish people.
Let’s use all the magic power we have. I was actually faster.
It was like that even though I wasn’t using the island.
The fish-people looked back at me and opened their disgusting mouths wide.
[It’s pretty good!]
[On the human subject!]
[Follow this too!]
We raced for a long time, sometimes ahead, sometimes behind.
If I tried to win, I could have won, but I didn’t.
They were all level 5 or 6, low level players.
What do you do with a win?
What more could there be than a brat showing off his strength among children?
Instead, there was one thing that was definitely different.
[Heh, heh, heh.]
[monster…….]
[That’s not a human! It’s a spirit! It must have received blood from a water spirit!]
[100%!]
By the time they reached the village, all the fish people were gasping for breath.
I was the only one who was okay.
I slowly looked around the village from the entrance.
Nothing much.
There were no grand buildings or strange structures.
All that is visible are intricately detailed underwater caves.
It was also famous for being difficult to find one’s way in the game.
The fog’s magic was so strong in the lake that I had to navigate it with only a flashlight.
So the negotiation route was more popular than the subjugation route.
Talk to the Gang’s followers and just summon the Gang’s Goddess and kill her.
[human being?]
[Why humans?]
[I think the Northern Patrol brought them?]
[The lecture is at stake!]
The fish-men guarding the outskirts of the village approach.
At the same time, a signal was sent inside.
Through the open field of vision, the inner fish-people were seen escaping secretly.
You’re very alert.
Well, how much did they lose to the Osiris Cult?
The market said it was their fault, but the truth is the opposite.
[Patrol Leader. Why did you bring the human?]
[Captain. What a strange man. He could have wiped out our patrol all by himself. And yet he greeted us as soon as he saw us, and didn’t fear or detest us.]
[hmm…….]
[I brought you here on purpose because it seemed like you were looking for us.]
You’re quick-witted.
There may be several reasons.
This cave village is also a giant trap.
What if I bring you here and take away your lecture affinity?
I’m also in a very difficult situation.
There is virtually no way out other than a great escape.
Knowing the location of the village doesn’t mean you can do anything about it.
[That makes sense.]
The captain of the guard twitched his lips in disgust.
[The enemy is close. Those whose minds are unknown should be brought closer. Well done. Step aside. I will take charge now.]
[Yes, Captain.]
The two of them were talking openly in front of me.
As if it didn’t matter to me if I heard it.
The patrols then headed north again, leaving only the guards behind.
The captain and deputy captain are level 7.
Same class as me.
The two of them, along with the guards, surrounded me and searched me thoroughly.
[Human. Did you come to find us?]
[Yes.]
When I answered with ice letters, I received a flood of curious looks.
[Why is that?]
What should I say?
I looked at the captain and the deputy captain.
I feel it.
Eyes that gaze intently as if licking the soul.
Both the captain and the deputy captain had the [Eye of Truth] trait.
Well then, I guess I should just tell the truth.
[I have come to receive a drop of blood from the goddess.]
[……what?]
[Blood. Blood. I need it for my reconstruction potion.]
The two of them opened their round mouths for a moment as if they didn’t understand each other.
Soon he opens his mouth wide and gets angry.
[Dare!]
[To the Goddess!]
[Tear me to pieces!]
[You really are an evil person!]
[You came here with evil intentions, I will kill you!]
The guard opens both hands wide.
The water turns over and various weapons are summoned from across space.
A bone harpoon carved from the bone of a giant fish.
Bone armor, bone helmet, bone shield.
They finished arming themselves in just 0.01 seconds.
The lake supported them, howling in anger.
[For those who dare to violate the goddess’ command, there is only death!]
The momentum is terrifying.
It’s like seeing a storm head-on.
But I was incredibly calm when I saw them.
Because I was already holding a flute.
I blew into my mouth.
An ancient magical treasure that calms typhoons and calms angry seas.
In the game, it was implemented as a forced peace zone.
It was the same here.
The lake that had been raging suddenly became calm, and the fish-people that had been attacking also lost their fighting spirit.
[uh?]
[Huh?]
[What, what is it?]
[What kind of magic is this! What kind of magic did you use!]
What the heck?
It’s a total disaster.
I shook the Manpasikjeok and made ice letters.
[How is it? I think this will be enough for even a goddess?]
[Um, you… … .]
[Wait a minute. I think that artifact applies to you, human?]
[Of course. Mutual attack is not allowed. This means that you have to force a conversation. There is no artifact that prevents one side from attacking.]
[hmm.]
The captain of the guard still looks at me with suspicion.
But the hostility is not that thick.
The attack I made earlier was more of a threat than an actual attempt to kill.
The ear said so and understanding whispered so.
In fact, if he had really wanted to kill me, he would have taken away my affinity powers first.
‘No wonder we can’t communicate.’
I understand.
Because there are only people nearby who want to catch and kill them.
Whether for religious or economic reasons.
[Are you saying that you want to receive blood from the goddess through dialogue?]
[That’s right. Think about it. A level 8 goddess, can she steal blood? You’ll die if you do.]
Negotiation through dialogue.
That’s the only way at this point.
[But the goddess… … .]
The deputy commander is about to say something next to me.
[Captain!]
The captain of the guard who immediately enters the station.
That won’t happen.
I said I knew everything.
He struck the player before the two could say anything.
[I know. The goddess is not in her right mind right now.]
[human being!]
[How dare you speak profanely!]
[Why? What’s disrespectful about telling the truth? That’s the human way, and I guess you’re actually human too.]
[That author!]
He looks really angry when I talk about humans.
The fish-men lifted their bone spears.
But the magic, the lake did not budge.
You shouldn’t underestimate Manpasikjeok.
It may be difficult for a level 9 deity, but it is effective enough against a level 8 minor deity, great spirit, or ancient dragon.
[So, in order to talk to the Goddess, you have to help her come to her senses.]
[what?]
[Human… … now… … .]
[If the Goddess comes to her senses, I will get the blood I want, and you will get your guardian angel and mother back. Isn’t it a good thing for both sister and brother-in-law?]
The commotion spreads.
There is no need to use your ears or your understanding.
A human face, like a squashed deep-sea fish.
Because all those faces were crumpled up and they were shouting, “I’m surprised.”
[Is that possible?]
[Can the Goddess Return?]
[Impossible! That damn concrete wall was built a hundred years ago! How much effort have we put in over the years? It was all in vain, and what can one human do?]
[Still, I don’t know.]
[Do you trust humans?]
[I can trust a human being like that!]
[Yes! I’ve never seen such a pure and strong soul before!]
[There’s no way a person with such a soul would lie.]
[At least you’re not part of Osiris’s family!]
Opinions are divided.
A small discussion forum was opened up immediately.
I added something because I thought there might be some misunderstanding.
[Using this flute does not mean that the goddess will immediately return to her former merciful and generous self.]
[then?]
[It’s only a moment to come to your senses. How can the river goddess be whole when the river is blocked?]
I turned my head and looked north.
The city of Aswan, which is probably there.
Aswan Dam.
The Aswan Low Dam, completed in 1902, and the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970.
These two dams were the cause.
Originally a local deity in Egyptian tradition and goddess of the Nile River.
Anuket fell into decline, lost her name, and became a mere great spirit.
Perhaps the biggest cause was the conflict with Osiris.
[I have to break through the concrete wall!]
[Let’s kill the humans!]
[Kill them all!]
[Break the dam and flood the city!]
[Only then will the goddess come back to life!]
It’s extreme. For sure.
Without even being able to do that.
The captain frowned and asked me.
[So you’re going to help us attack humans? Even though we’re humans ourselves?]
There is nothing I can’t do.
But it’s a stupid choice.
The fish-men’s power is superior to that of Aswan City.
However, if you expand it to all of Egypt, it is woefully inadequate.
Is it only Egypt?
Since the Cult of Osiris is the dominant religion in Africa, if Aswan is attacked, all of Africa will come to its aid.
In the fog, fish have the upper hand over humans.
Outside the fog, human supremacy.
That’s why the balance has been maintained for over a hundred years.
[We have to use another method.]
[how?]
[That is a matter for the Goddess to decide.]
In games, subjugation was the trend.
Because killing has a big reward.
You can also greatly increase your reputation with the Osiris Cult.
The problem is that with my current skills, I can’t kill the goddess.
‘Let’s just eat blood and get out.’
If things go well, I can look forward to a plus @, but I don’t know if the goddess will accept my offer.
Well, even in the worst case scenario, you can still take the blood.
That’s fine.
[hmm…….]
The captain of the guard was in trouble.
Then he returned the bone equipment to beyond space.
[This is not a problem that can be solved on my own. Follow me, human. I will formally submit the matter to the council.]
[Okay. Please gather us as soon as possible. I can’t stay here for long either.]
[The recovery of the Goddess is a long-cherished wish of our clan. Let us assemble immediately.]
It didn’t take long.
Not just a day or two, the council was held the very day I arrived at the fish-human village.
A large cave filled with fish council members.
[so.]
The fish-man with a large body asked.
[How can we bring our goddess back to her senses? Let’s hear some specific methods. If it’s possible, I will do my best to support you.]
Expectant gazes pour in.
There are also suspicious looks.
You can also see fish-humans who are openly hostile.
He answered, taking in all those emotions.
[It’s simple. You have to beat the goddess to death.]
[yes?]
[Beating until you’re almost dead. That’s where it starts.]
A moment of silence.
Soon a cold silence came over us.
