Chapter 181

Sub Quest: Proof of Light

*Saint Aikora is the only gateway to Staff of Faith Harry. Unlike Harry, god's proxy, she still walks the land of humans.

*Pantheon, the Temple of All Gods, is the only space dedicated to all deities of this world. Here, devotees can worship their gods without prejudice, but only a limited number of humans can step into the sanctuary of gods.

*The most sacred human welcomes visitors in the holiest of places. Prove your sanctity and meet her.

*Objective: Encounter Saint Aikora

The ninth sub-quest imposed a more challenging choice on Seojin.

It wasn't as outrageous as meeting the Staff of Faith, but even the quest message had implications—Aikora was "still" walking the land of humans.

Effectively, she was an NPC far removed from ordinary humans.

'An NPC that exists in lore, but no player has directly encountered her. She's virtually no different from the gods who only exist in the game's lore.'

Of course, the difference in league between them was worlds apart. First of all, there was the distinction between gods and humans.

But the fact that no one had seen either her or the gods were the same.

'Both Staff of Faith Harry, who even made Emperor Kalus yields a step to, and Aikora who conveys his words… In a sense, they're the most likely to challenge the imperial authority.'

And as such, the path to them was incredibly challenging.

"No can do. It's blocked on all sides. and I can't tell you how many stares I've gotten when I've tried to poke around…"

"Glaring?"

"Not humans. Not monsters either. Look, do you see this cold sweat?"

Flappy's small face was still pale.

Looking closely, she was covered in cold sweat.

"Gods?"

"They wouldn't be that deeply involved Not gods, but their remnants… a holy will?"

"Anyway, you're referring to something sacred, right?"

"Right."

"What they saw would've been reported to the gods."

"Not sure."

Flappy answered with a slightly trembling voice.

This was as far as her role went.

Seojin didn't expect any more from Flappy and let her rest, with plenty of mana stones.

"Just rest. Don't come near here."

"Will you be okay?"

"If you're really worried, wait near Raul. You can come out when you feel like it. He's someone we'll be seeing for quite a long time."

"When we're in danger?"

"He probably won't help."

"Then there's no reason to come out."

"Asking for help won't work, but arousing curiosity might. Is an elemental spirit like you Flappy such a common existence?"

Fortunately, Flappy was smart. She understood Seojin's words and stayed quietly by Raul.

If she got anything out of it, that would be good, and even if she didn't, he could still look forward to something.

"Pantheon."

Seojin gazed at the imposing structure.

Pantheon, Temple of All Gods. A temple dedicated not to a specific deity, but to all gods.

Ironically, its structure resembled a tower.

"So, it's a tower too."

There was no doubt now. Whether it was learning skills or obtaining Leagues, all players had to seek buildings shaped like towers. The developers' tastes were clear by now.

A repeated pattern always hid something.

'This Pantheon… it's basically Babel. Just called Pantheon.'

Playing in the world of Asgard, the passage to "Earth" was only through Yggdrasil.

But that place was beyond the reach of the living, so the gods eventually built a kind of portal for communicating with humans.

That was the Tower of Babel.

In Asgard's lore, the Tower of Babel was the only way for humans to reach the gods, and it was also the most direct and quickest way to spread their divine will.

'I had my doubts.'

Seojin knew the game's lore was intertwined with Asgard.

Even if this was the "Babel" he knew, it wasn't a particularly great discovery.

What mattered was something else.

'The developer's intention is blatantly embedded here.'

The genius developer of Hailstorm Co. It was now clear that he had given this tower some sort of meaning.

It wasn't just here; all over Salevania, players inevitably had to pass through some sort of tower.

'He always liked to incorporate his odd philosophies.'

Seojin approached the Pantheon.

All those passing by were NPCs.

He didn't spot a single adventurer in sight, a very unusual situation considering this was an online game.

Seojin casually spoke to the paladin guarding the entrance.

"May I enter?"

"The Pantheon is open to all."

Contrary to his heavy armor, the Paladin smiled kindly.

With a brief smile, Seojin entered the tower.

* * *

Pantheon.

This towering structure of 99 floors above ground boasted an interior as vast as its height. Its construction, a blend of divine power, magic, and even a touch of steampunk, allowed for a "scientific" design unheard of in ordinary temples. Unlike the typical image of a "temple," the first floor resembled the lobby of a luxury hotel.

Lukradon, Multan, Embla-16F

Gesta, Gramaticus, Ymir-17F

…

-Pyrones-56F

Luna-57F

Fenrir-58F

Plaques displayed the names of the gods enshrined on each floor. Despite being adorned with gold and intricate patterns, they resembled nothing more than tenant directories.

Even the layout followed this pattern: the lower floors crammed with lesser-known gods like a multi-family dwelling, and the higher floors occupied by more prestigious deities.

"11th floor, please."

"Everything as God wills. It's 1 silver."

"I'll go to the 46th floor."

"Hope you have great time. 4 silver please."

Beside these signs, clergies in archaic garb operated warp gates for a fee.

'What a strange sight.'

A farcical mix of money, science, and faith.

Oddly, no signs were present past the 80th floor, and the warp gates only operated up to the 79th.

"Excuse me."

"Welcome. How may I assist you?"

Seojin asked a guiding clergy about accessing the floors above 80. As expected, the response he got was that "ordinary people" couldn't, and the clergy couldn't disclose what lay beyond.

However, the priest's role wasn't to reject pilgrims outright.

"We don't judge the worthiness of pilgrims here in the Pantheon. If you can prove your sanctity, the path to the upper floors will open to you."

Unable to access the higher floors, and unable to be informed due to the priest's ignorance, Seojin was led to a corner of the tower.

A plain door, without any security, opened to a room.

"This is the Stairway of Proof."

An ironically fittingly name, as the room contained nothing but open space and encircling walls. The sky was visible overhead.

"But I see no stairway."

"You must conjure them. I have nothing more to add. May you achieve what you seek."

With those words, the clergy left.

Seojin stood alone, gazing up the vertical passage where the sky appeared as a mere dot, and looked down at the white ring Raul had given him.

"Prove my sanctity…"

Not faith, but sanctity. There had to be a reason for the choice of words.

'It's not just about strong belief; I need sufficient divine power.'

That was how Seojin understood the clergy's word, and fortunately, that was a field he had confidence in.

He activated his League. Deception and intimidation, channeled through the Ring of Purification, transformed into pure white light.

Abundant divine power proves your qualification.

A Path of Light is formed.

Proceed to the Forgotten Dream Space.

"Oh, wow."

A stairway of light materialized. A "path" appeared in the seemingly unmanaged space, with walls of old bricks and occasional weeds.

Seojin ascended, the steps solid and secure under his feet, more robust than any earthly structure.

However, it wasn't enough.

"I don't think I've reached halfway yet, maybe around the 40th floor."

He ascended again, and after a considerable time, at the last step, Seojin drew his second card.

Necklace of Divine Power

*Contains pure divine power. The user can handle vast energy.

*Utilization depends on the user's proficiency.

*Residual energy is displayed in the status window and naturally regenerates over time.

*Remaining divine power: 100%

*Silver Tongue exclusive

*Non-tradable (Bound upon acquisition)

This item, acquired from Dunkehr, had been indispensable. The golden necklace again emitted a powerful divine light.

Abundant divine power proves your qualification.

A Path of Light is formed.

Proceed to the Forgotten Dream Space.

Another stairway appeared, brighter and clearer, thanks to the pure divine power.

Carefully, Seojin stepped on it. But again, it was insufficient.

"The 75th floor, huh."

The sign for the 80th floor was now clearly visible. It was a short distance in a straight line.

After a moment of contemplation, Seojin decided to use another item, despite being uncertain about its suitability here.

Medal of Despair and Glory | Legendary

*A medal painstakingly crafted by this era's master smith, Ferguson Diselheim. Materials like demon horns and the divine mineral Orichalcum were used in its creation. The master perfectly handled these demanding materials.

*The medal's pattern changes constantly, according to the wearer's will. When one who can recognize the pattern sees it, they can't help but feel its prestige.

*Shows considerable effects on all NPCs of divine orders.

*Shows considerable effects on all NPCs of demonic orders.

*Shows sufficient effects on all NPCs who can recognize the pattern.

*Silver Tongue Exclusive.

The Emblem of Glory is activated.

An even more intense, pure white light filled the space.

Abundant divine power proves your qualification.

A Path of Light is formed.

Proceed to the Forgotten Dream Space.

The stairway formed rapidly, looking as though it would reach the 99th floor.

But as it approached the 80th floor,

Saint Aikora intervenes.

The Inscrutable Ceiling imposes a restriction.

Access to Pantheon-80th floor granted.

The expansion of the staircase halted.

Saint Aikora.

The most sacred of humans, was at the end of this stairway.