-The Emperor of Great China is very displeased. She says she will never give Yu-Seong a second chance in the future.
At the same time, Wu Zetian left Yu-Seong. Yu-Seong felt sorry for her, but he wasn’t disappointed by the outcome.
‘The seat is empty.’
The other gods who had stepped back from the seemingly already overheated competition and were still secretly coveting Yu-Seong could now take a step forward in the stake fight.
The Red Fang of the Dark Night also did not use a nickname that openly revealed himself, which was similar to Wu Zetian. Thus, it was somewhat difficult for Yu-Seong to investigate and find out more information. Fortunately, Yu-Seong remembered reading the name of this terrifying being in the original novel.
‘Vlad Ţepeş.’
When he began investigating the name, Yu-Seong had come up with a much more famous and straightforward name. It was ‘Vlad III Drăculea’, which was the origin of humanoid bloodsucking monsters that were commonly seen in classical Western horror movies. This name was also known as the origin of vampires in modern times.
Vlad Ţepeş was initially a human, like Wu Zetian, Guan-Yu, and Cu Chulainn. However, his legend and achievements were valued in a completely different way from ordinary characters and he eventually became an extraordinary being, the First Vampire.
For reference, as the novel progressed, countless races other than humans appeared in [Modern Master Returns]. One of them was the vampire clan, and the god they served was ‘the Red Fang of the Dark Night’ also known as Dracula. Dracula’s power and abilities were incomparable to other people who rose to Divinity from humans because he gave birth to a powerful race called vampires.
‘Although, considering his big influence on Earth, he could be a stronger supporter than Loki…’
Yu-Seong gulped and sent a rejection to Dracula as well.
-The Red Fang of the Dark Night leaves the player Choi Yu-Seong with a cool smile.
The Red Fang of the Dark Nightdid not run wild like the Emperor of Great China. However, it was a much scarier response.
As mentioned, Dracula had a stronger influence on Earth than Loki. This was obvious since the vampire race who followed him could not be seen directly, but was still active in the dark. Dracula had even threatened Yu-Seong in the message that he would regret it in the future for rejecting him. He had only sent a message saying that he was smiling, but that most likely suggested a possible retaliation in the future.
To be honest, Yu-Seong was scared to the point of slightly trembling, but he couldn’t accept Dracula’s offer no matter how many times he thought about it. It was not because Dracula's skill did not match him. Rather, the reason for rejecting his offer was very simple.
‘Because if I learn Dracula’s Skill, I’ll become a vampire too.’
Even if not immediately, Yu-Seong would slowly but eventually become a vampire. It was inevitable. To put it bluntly, considering Dracula’s first Skill to Yu-Seong would likely be ‘Bloodsucking,’ even if Yu-Seong was wary, by sucking and drinking the opponent’s blood he would naturally turn into a vampire. He could try to be careful, but the transformation couldn’t be helped.
This was because Dracula’s ability was that strong. And unless he was in an unavoidable situation, Yu-Seong wanted to remain a human.
‘Most of all, if I become a vampire, I wouldn’t be able to see the sunlight for a while.’
That wasn’t all. The powerful Demon Hunters from the Vatican would chase Yu-Seong for the rest of his life. Now that Yu-Seong was working hard for lifelong safety, there was no reason to put another tag that would threaten his life.
‘And the third, The Oldest Hunter… It was really hard to find out who this one is.’
The Oldest Hunter, Scathi, was the god whose identity the then-hospitalized Yu-Seong took the longest time to track.
‘Although I’m actually still half doubted about his identity…’
Quite a few parts were also just accepted as facts. And if The Oldest Hunter was Scathi, it was no exaggeration to say that she was the strongest of the four remaining gods excluding Loki.
‘The god of hunting who rules the Isle of the Dead.’
Scathi, a rather unfamiliar god to people, was rumored to be the sister of Freya—a goddess of beauty that often appeared in Norse mythology—and there was also a story that she was once Loki’s lover. Whatever it was, her name was not well known but it was highly likely that she had enough powers to form ties with prominent gods in Norse mythology.
‘Because even Odin offered a deal to control her anger in the mythical story. No more words are needed.’
Such a great figure had shown her interest in Choi Yu-Seong more than anyone else. The reason was unknown, but it was no secret that Scathi liked men a lot. Also, the more handsome a man was, the more she liked him. It was a bit absurd, but it meant that Yu-Seong’s appearance might have led her. Furthermore, it made sense that Loki had approached Yu-Seong faster than other high-ranking gods.
‘What Loki and Scathi have in common is that they are half-god and half-giant.’
The relationship between the two might go beyond whatever was shown in the mythical story. If there was any close relationship between the two gods, it made sense that Loki had approached Yu-Seong at a high speed.
In that sense, Yu-Seong procrastinated giving an answer to Scathi–the Oldest Hunter.
‘Scathi isn’t a bad choice if I want a stable and powerful skill.’
Having made a decision, Yu-Seong looked at Guan-Yu and sent a message of rejection. No matter how powerful the skill was, it was meaningless if the natural synergy didn't go along with him.
-The Silky Beard smacks his lips out of shame. He leaves while wishing the good fortune of war for player Choi Yu-Seong.
Indeed, since he was called the Chinese God of Martial Arts, Guan Yu’s attitude of leaving was quite polite. Therefore, Yu-Seong felt more sorry, but he could not reverse the decision he had already made.
Come to think of it, there were three gods left—a Joke-loving Prankster, the Oldest Hunter, and the Culann’s Hound.
‘Loki, Scathi, Cu Chulainn.’
Somehow, only the gods of Nordic descent remained. It could be a simple coincidence, but Yu-Seong found this situation interesting. And of course, in terms of god’s status alone, Cu Chulainn was the most lacking.
‘However, he’ll be a great help to my spear skills.’
Cu Chulainn would pass on a skill that would be unconditionally related to using a spear. On the other hand, Scathi, who was also known as the witch’s guardian, was highly likely to pass on a skill that was close to psychic-type, especially magic.
‘And Loki would…’
Honestly, Yu-Seong couldn’t make any guesses regarding Loki, who was too versatile and unpredictable. Loki’s abilities were great enough to be called the best talent in Norse mythology, and were more difficult to guess than Odin in a sense. Though, Yu-Seong could make a single guess that Loki wouldn’t pass on the powerful skill that could be enough to be called his signature ability.
‘He’s not an inferior who just reveals his best skill from the beginning. Also, I wouldn’t be able to handle his level.’
The powerful ability beyond Yu-Seong’s level must be sealed and couldn’t be used by him. Wasn’t this the reason why he had first rejected the offer of Odin(though it was surely Loki in disguise)?
Anyway, after much consideration, Yu-Seong was sure about Loki’s identity and finished making guesses about his skills. After narrowing down the candidates so far, Yu-Seong carried out the bold decision he had made.
‘Accepting all three of them.’
Yu-Seong sent a consent message in the order of Scathi, Cu Chulainn, and Loki, and gasped.
The skills transferred by the gods were not affected by Fusion’s empty skill slots. In other words, it was possible to be simultaneously given the skills of many gods in this way. However, the above method might feel undesirable only from the standpoint of the gods who wanted to take the lead rather than fighting for the stake of Yu-Seong’s Karma figures with the others.
If so, there were two options the gods could choose.
‘One is to simply withdraw their will to transfer skills and leave.’
The second method was to transfer a skill as they wanted, even if it was a little unpleasant. Since Yu-Seong accepted their messages, the decision-making authority was now given back to the gods.
What kind of answer would the three gods give? Perhaps, at this moment, Loki’s message would not be hidden but shown to the other two gods.
Once a skill was transferred to a certain person, it could not be given to another person ever again. Therefore, if the gods did not think they would get as much stake as they wanted, they had the right to leave now. That was why the private message had to be disclosed, and this was an unbreakable rule set among the gods.
Among the particularly tense silence inside the car, there was a god who answered first.
- The Oldest Hunter is delighted to say that it is an excellent choice. She is transferring a skill exclusively for the player Choi Yu-Seong.
As always, ‘The Oldest Hunter’ Scathi reached out first.
-A Joke-loving Prankster nods with a look full of dissatisfaction. He is transferring a skill.
Then, Loki accepted the offer.
Up to this point, Yu-Seong’s plan was clearly successful.
‘Because it’s no different than saying that two powerful Norse gods have become my supporters.’
However, it seemed like Cu Chulainn had no choice but to give up in this case.
‘Because he lacks strength and influence compared to the two gods…’
‘The Culann’s Hound’... Cu Chulainn had too weak a name value to greedily fight for the stake. In fact, the optimal result that Yu-Seong wanted was for Cu Chulainn to transfer his skill first.
‘He’ll probably give up.’
If it was a rational judgment, it was right for the god to give up. However, Cu Chulainn seemed to have a different thought.
-Culann’s Hound snorts and is willing to accept your arrogance. He is transferring a skill.
“No way.” Yu-Seong unconsciously burst into an exclamation inside the silent car.
Do-Yoon, who was holding the steering wheel, tilted his head. “Yes, young master?”
Do-Yoon had no time to obtain an answer from Yu-Seong. It was because, all of a sudden, three lights of purple, black, and blue began to swirl around Yu-Seong’s chest and brain. Yu-Seong accepted the lights with his eyes closed. There was no way that Do-Yoon could not understand the situation since he himself had experienced it before once.
‘The gods are transferring their skills to the young master.’
Moreover, the number was as much as three. Do-Yoon held the steering wheel tightly while looking straight ahead in case of a traffic accident, but his mind was filled with joy and thrill.
‘Oh my goodness. Who learned the skills of three gods during E-rank? Madness Bernard? Timewalker Christian? Who else is there?’
The names of hunters discussed as the world’s strongest passed through Do-Yoon’s mind. The problem was that he didn’t have that great a mental capacity…so he decided to send a message to ask Jin Yu-Ri as soon as he got out of the car.