Trait Hoarder

Olympus – Part 4

Level 8 blueprint?

Of course, I needed it!

I nodded vigorously.

“I need it! I really, really need it!”

“Then take it.”

Gaia extended her hand toward me.

The Earth’s Trait and the two golden scrolls swirled through the air before flying toward me.

First, the Earth’s Trait fused into my body.

I checked the Level 7 blueprint first.

[Big-Mouthed Giant Otherworld Core]

[Void Ghost Otherworld Core]

[Abyss Demon Otherworld Core]

[Star Spawn Otherworld Core]

Just as the magic spirit had predicted.

I needed Otherworld Cores.

And they all had to be Level 7.

I had obtained a mutant mana core from the Monster Village, but these?

Others only needed one high-grade core, but I needed four Otherworld Cores?

What a pain.

But I couldn’t complain.

Every time I took a Reconstruction Elixir, I got stronger.

‘And Level 8…’

[Shell Armored Beetle Otherworld Core]

[Interstellar Serpent Otherworld Core]

[Tumorous Tree Otherworld Core]

[Howling Foam Otherworld Core]

These were the primary materials.

Again, all Level 8.

And unlike Level 7, which required humanoid Otherworld Cores, Level 8 required non-humanoid ones.

Ones that wouldn’t be easy to find even inside the Great Rift.

I’d have to go beyond the Rift—into the Otherworld itself.

The mere thought of it felt suffocating.

‘And the secondary materials are just as insane…’

[Each from a different element]

[Each from a different origin]

[Each from a different continent]

[Four drops of divine blood that satisfy the above three conditions]

Divine blood.

I had obtained some while tempering the Bone Serpent.

That was also when I awakened Divine Power.

And now I needed four more drops?

A sigh escaped me.

“Haaah.”

“What the hell…”

Across the table, Radon scowled.

“All this just to level up? He’s not even ascending to a divine throne, and yet these are the requirements?”

“He’s no ordinary human.”

Persephone said, studying me.

“He’s an extremely rare Omnipotent Being. Even compared to you, Radon, he is not lacking. If he accumulates just a bit more, he’ll reach divinity.”

“Hah! I am the Guardian of the Golden Apples and the Devourer of Youth. You dare compare me to that wretched creature? Ridiculous.”

“Radon. Do not be rude to Lady Persephone.”

“Hmph!”

Eurydice scolded him, and Radon turned away, clearly unwilling to engage any further.

It didn’t matter.

After checking the blueprints, a new concern settled in.

If Level 7 and Level 8 were this difficult, what would I need for Level 9?

Even the mansion’s magic spirit had said it was impossible to predict.

‘Would I need an actual divine mana core?’

It was possible.

A Level 9 mana core was a given, but the secondary materials would likely be even more absurd.

Gaia chuckled at my expression.

“There is no need to worry so much about a future that has not yet arrived, child. Your fate is already racing toward its next crossroads. These blueprints will be sufficient until then.”

She had a point.

The final boss of Episode 3 was the Saintess.

Level 8.

In her third phase, she attempted to resurrect an Ancient God to enter Level 9—

But that phase could be skipped via time attack.

“Thank you. This is a great help.”

“I am glad to hear that. However…”

Gaia’s smile deepened.

Or at least, that was how it felt.

“If you so desire, I can also provide the Level 9 blueprint and the required mana core. I have kept the hearts of fallen gods and heroes from the Gigantomachy.”

…Was she serious?

I stared at Gaia in disbelief.

Radon’s reaction was similar.

Persephone and Eurydice remained composed, but Radon looked utterly shocked.

“Heaviest Mother! You refused when I made that request, but now you offer it to this wretched creature?”

“Oh, Radon, my dear. How many times must I tell you? You are not ready. Your divinity cannot yet sustain the godhood you desire. You must either expand your cult or accumulate deeds to raise your standing— Yet all you do is sleep in your nest and then pester me for divine authority. I will say it clearly, when you are ready, I will grant you the godhood you seek.”

Dragons.

Always so greedy.

But at the same time, a suspicion crept in.

Why was Gaia treating me so favorably?

“Child, there is a condition.”

“Please, tell me.”

“If you drink the nectar and eat the ambrosia, I will grant you the Level 9 blueprint immediately. And when you are ready, I will also provide the mana core. If you gain the qualifications for a divine throne, I shall grant you a divine authority as well. I cannot predict the future, but you would likely claim the Throne of the Sun or the Throne of War.”

“The Throne of the Sun…”

Radon’s voice was heavy with suppressed rage.

So that was what he had been after—Apollo’s heart.

And the Throne of War?

That would belong to Athena.

Ares may have fallen, but he still survived as Mars.

So… what should I do?

I looked down at the nectar and ambrosia before me.

If I consumed them, I would become a part of Olympus.

Or…

“I wish to continue walking my own path.”

I declined.

Politely.

Radon raised an eyebrow.

“Wretched creature. Are you insane?”

Meanwhile, the other gods reacted as if they had expected it.

“As expected.”

“I figured as much.”

Gaia, too, slowly nodded.

Then, she said something unexpected.

“I was waiting for you to say that. And I hope you never change your mind. Not now. Not ever.”

…What did she mean by that?

A strange itch settled in my throat.

Something about her words felt deliberate—as if there was a deeper meaning behind them.

“The Throne of the Sun and the Throne of War—I will keep one of them vacant for you. Whenever you change your mind, you may return. The Great Gate will open for you. But… I do hope you take your time before coming back.”

“Thank you for your words. I will think carefully and make my decision after much consideration.”

“Yes, yes. That is how it should be. That is how it must be. Did I not tell you? Your fate is woven into the very fabric of this world’s destiny. Always be cautious. Never make hasty decisions. Especially when dealing with gods.”

Her tone was kind—like a grandmother speaking to her grandchild.

Perhaps that was why Radon was sulking.

He pouted and muttered under his breath.

“The Heaviest Mother seems to have taken a liking to this wretched creature. But at the end of the day, he is just an [Outworlder]. He is not even a descendant of your most glorious era. I do not understand why you favor him so.”

“It is precisely because he is an [Outworlder].”

“What?”

“Radon, even you must know this. Even gods cannot escape fate. No matter how much one struggles, no matter how much one runs, the end will always come. You. Me. Our dear Persephone here, and our lovely Eurydice—we are all the same.”

Gaia then turned her gaze to me.

“But an [Outworlder]… is different. Because he is not of this world, he is not bound by its fate. I have said it before—his destiny is interwoven with this world’s fate. And so, I favor him. Because he is a guest—a pebble that has entered from outside the net. He may become trapped in the net, or he may slip through the gaps. Or perhaps… He may tear the net apart and free all the fish caught within.”

Gaia reached out.

A light touch.

She gently stroked my head.

At that moment, I felt it—

A surge of power, filling my soul and strengthening my body as if it were evolving.

I instantly understood.

Gaia’s blessing had prepared me.

I was now ready to challenge Level 7 at any time.

“Child, you seem to believe that someone summoned you with ill intent. But that may not be the case.”

“Then… what do you mean?”

“You may have been summoned as a savior—a hero.”

“…Without my consent?”

“I cannot say. Were you kidnapped? Or had you already agreed, but simply forgotten? I do not know. The crossroads of fate are too close, and too many restrictions are in place.”

My mind spun with possibilities.

Gaia spoke again, her voice warm.

“Child. No matter what path you choose, I am on your side. But if possible… I hope you make a choice that is good for both you and this world. I do not wish to witness my children hate and kill each other, only for all of them to perish in the end. Not again.”

Her voice trembled.

Or rather—

The will embedded in her words trembled.

The Gigantomachy had ultimately been a war among Gaia’s own children.

And the world war she warned of was no different.

Gaia was now merely a goddess of the earth.

But in Arcane Seoul’s lore, she had once stood at a much higher level.

The Goddess of Chaos.

The Goddess of Creation.

Chaos, Ymir, Nun, Pangu—

All different names for the same being.

And…

Eve as well.

In this world, Gaia was the common ancestor of all gods, giants, monsters, and humans.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Keep it in mind? Hah. Wretched creature.”

Radon grumbled again.

He had been poking at me for a while now.

Because I was a Dragonslayer?

Because Gaia had mentioned the Throne of the Sun?

You don’t like me, do you?

Well, I don’t like you either.

I quickly calculated my next move.

Radon was a dragon-born deity.

Lazy but arrogant—full of that typical Greek god pettiness.

I couldn’t leave him unchecked.

But at Level 10, he was far beyond me.

I was only Level 6—I had no way of defeating him.

…No, wait.

There was a way.

I swiftly scanned the banquet hall.

The nectar and ambrosia, made from golden apples.

Orpheus and the nymphs, playing songs in Dragon Speech.

The Celestial Flame Flowers blooming across the ceiling.

The calculations finished in my head.

This would work.

I wouldn’t be able to kill Radon or deal permanent damage—

But I could put him to sleep for decades.

Straightening my posture, I looked at Gaia and asked:

“Heaviest Mother. I originally came here to make a wish. Is that wish still valid?”

Gaia smiled knowingly, as if she had been waiting for this.

“Of course. The karma you have accumulated remains intact.”

…Had she planned this all along?

A logical assumption.

Even in the game, the Guardian of the Golden Apples was an SSR character.

After the Radon Raid, that character inherited Radon’s divinity.

Granted, that happened in the later episodes.

But still.

Gaia was, at the end of the day, a Greek god.

She may seem like a kind old grandmother, but she was likely just as ruthless as the others.

“I would like to make my wish.”

“Speak.”

“I wish to obtain one drop of divine blood—as listed on this blueprint.”

I lifted one of the blueprints and showed it to the gods.

Specifically, the part about divine blood.

Boom!

Radon slammed the table and stood up in fury.

“You insolent brat! The Heaviest Mother grants you kindness, and you grow arrogant? You dare covet her divine blood? Give me the command, and I shall grind this wretch to dust and use him as fertilizer for the Golden Apples!”

But—

Radon was the only one who reacted with rage.

The other gods remained calm.

Persephone looked at me steadily and asked:

“Why do you seek divine blood?”

“A god’s blood, is it? If your karma is sufficient, it is not impossible. Whose divine blood do you seek?”

“Hey! Persephone! Have you lost your mind? You’re seriously considering giving him the Heaviest Mother’s blood?”

“That is why I am asking—whose blood does he desire?”

Gaia’s blood?

Not a chance.

The blood of Gaia, Thor, or the Old Father was far too powerful.

I couldn’t possibly use it as an ingredient for a mere Level 8 Reconstruction Elixir.

If I tried to consume it, my body—no, my very soul—would be torn apart and obliterated.

That was why I had already made up my mind about which god’s blood to request.

“I wish to receive the blood of Radon.”

“…What?”

“If my karma permits it, I would like a drop of Baekdu Golden Dragon Radon’s blood.”

The blueprint required divine blood that met three conditions:

Different Attribute. Different Origin. Different Region.

The first thing that came to mind was the Guardian Tree of Monster Village.

Attribute: Wood.

Origin: Plant.

Region: Asia.

Naturally, I also considered the gods present here.

Their region, origin, and attributes were all distinct from one another.

Radon was my choice for a simple reason—to keep him in check.

And among the gods here, he had the lowest standing.

To be fair, that was his own fault.

Radon was a golden dragon—a being with an immortal body.

His strongest attribute was Metal.

But instead of honing that strength, he had foolishly devoured a goddess of youth, abandoned the Throne of the Sun, and spent his days napping and gorging on golden apples.

No wonder Gaia was considering replacing him.

“Impudent wretch! Do you have a death wish?”

“Quiet, Radon. Very well, human. Let us measure your karma.”

“Persephone!”

“Have you forgotten your oath? You swore upon the River Styx. Any human who attends the banquet may make a request, and as long as their karma is sufficient, the gods must grant it. Even a god cannot break an oath sworn upon Styx.”

“…Tch.”

Persephone waved her hand.

A massive, black scale descended into the center of the banquet hall.

One side remained empty, while the other began to fill with my deeds.

The first weight added to the scale—

The Golden Apple Orchard.

“This is a forest born from a single apple, nurtured in only thirty minutes. Take a look—aren’t the apples ripe and splendid?”

“Disgusting.”

Radon turned his head away in frustration.

But Eurydice’s eyes sparkled.

“These apples are so vibrant and full. They look even more delicious than the others.”

“Indeed. Even I must admit, this is one of the top three harvests I have ever seen.”

The second weight—

The Dragon’s Roar Song.

“This was something never heard before, even in old Olympus. Radon, can you sing?”

“I do not engage in such trivial acts.”

“See? That’s how dragons are. Heaviest Mother, wouldn’t you say it’s rather rude for him to belittle music before the Goddess of Music herself?”

“Well, you know how dragons are, my dear Eurydice. Try not to take it to heart.”

The third weight—

The Celestial Flame Flower.

Persephone’s expression turned ecstatic.

“What more needs to be said? That flower alone could transform the Underworld Olympus into the Celestial Olympus.”

Thus, one side of the scale grew heavier and heavier.

It tilted deeply, as if sinking into the earth.

Radon scowled but stepped forward.

“…It will not be enough to outweigh my blood.”

He flicked his finger.

A single drop of his blood flew out and landed in the other tray.

And the result?

Radon was wrong.

The scale slowly began to move—

Creaking upward until it reached perfect balance.

Neither side tilted.

An exact equilibrium.

“T-This is impossible!”

Radon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“My… My blood is worth only this much?”

“Radon, it is the opposite.”

Gaia corrected him gently.

“The deeds he has accomplished are simply that remarkable. They rival the labors of Heracles from ages past.”

“No… No! This cannot be! It must be a lie!”

Radon snatched his blood and fled.

Moving fast, he rushed out of the banquet hall.

Persephone let out a long sigh.

“I told you, didn’t I? That foolish dragon should never have been allowed into Olympus.”

“In return, we now have an unlimited supply of nectar and ambrosia.”

“Haaah. What now? If we deny the human’s wish, the River Styx will devour Olympus.”

“There is no need to worry.”

Gaia waved her hand.

In front of me, a shimmering jewel-like drop of light emerged.

Radon’s blood, perfectly sealed within a transparent gem.

“Thank you. I will use it well.”

“Please do.”

“This time, I will seal that fool in Tartarus forever. Do not stop me.”

“Come now, Persephone. Is that not too harsh? At least release him once he properly repents. Without Radon, who will cultivate the Golden Apples?”

“That is exactly why he keeps causing trouble. You always go easy on him.”

“She’s right. Last time, you let him out after only a hundred years.”

The reason Radon never took anything seriously—

Because he was never truly punished.

His greed, his arrogance, and his disdain for all intelligent beings—

All of it stemmed from the fact that he never suffered real consequences.

“The time has come.”

Gaia finished her last cup of nectar.

“Servants, attendants. Your wishes have already been fulfilled. Now, it is time to depart.”

“Thank you!”

“Oh, most generous and merciful one!”

“May your glory be eternal!”

The banquet ended.

The world blurred.

Not just the banquet hall—

Olympus itself faded into the distance.

The gods watched me as I drifted away.

And as the banquet’s protection faded,

I caught a glimpse of their true forms—

A sight that no mortal was meant to see.

They were immense, majestic, and overwhelming—

Vaster than stars, so powerful that even glimpsing them made my flesh feel like it would burn away.

“It was enjoyable.”

“Next time, let’s perform a duet.”

Persephone and Eurydice’s parting words.

And then—

Gaia’s voice struck deep into my mind.

“Child, be careful.”

A warning.

“The second wave is approaching.”

The second wave?

“Resist the tide. Turn fate on its head. If you fail to do so…”

A moment of silence.

Then, Gaia—revealing her true presence, a god dozens of times larger than Olympus itself—

Drove her words into my mind like a nail.

“You will be devoured.”

–TL Notes–

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