Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant-Chapter 455

- This is...! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Grid’s hands, the one who had received the Rune of Sloth, were trembling violently.

It was only natural. The Rune of Sloth, displayed as ???’s ? in the system, was processed as question marks for Players, but in the eyes of Grid, who was a fellow Great Demon, it was clearly visible.

- H-How...?

“Secret. Have you ever seen me tell you anything just because you asked?”

- Th-That’s true. But I didn’t think you’d find it this easily...!

The Great Demon of Sloth, Sloth.

In the first place, the Seven Deadly Sins were the root and origin of sin as defined by Christianity, and at the time, labor was considered extremely sacred and important within Christianity.

In other words, the very act of not working and just lazing around was itself a sin.

In that sense, Kinsey, a coma patient in a vegetative state, was from Sloth’s standpoint the best possible host.

'Since Kinsey, as a vegetative patient, really didn’t do anything and just lay there.'

Of course, Kinsey hadn’t been a vegetative patient from the very beginning.

By sheer coincidence, Kinsey had happened to discover the Rune of Sloth, and the activation condition of the Rune of Sloth was to sleep for a very long time.

For example, at first it was a sleep of no more than a few hours, then after that a course of several days, and after that a course of several weeks, and the final stage was a sleep that lasted ten full years.

Of course, Kinsey never saw the last condition.

It wasn’t even shown in the first place.

In other words, it had been Sloth’s trap.

However, Kinsey in the previous life had actually lived as a vegetative patient for ten years, and thanks to that had managed to obtain Sloth’s power, and by virtue of the laziness that had been accumulated during that time, had been able to become a powerful Player.

'And all the ones who still haven’t woken up are all like this too.'

The Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins were without a doubt a tremendous power.

They were enough to turn even Players who were latecomers into powerful supervillains.

But even so, Su-ho had no intention of obtaining the power of these things.

Because aside from Grid, the conditions attached to the other guys’ runes were far too demanding compared to the power that could be gained.

'Grid alone is enough for the Seven Deadly Sins.'

Leaving the fussing Grid behind, Su-ho climbed onto Cheolma.

Because he had to go look for the next rune.

*

Two days passed.

Amazingly, in just two days, Su-ho was able to gather all of the Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins that were still just before hatching.

- An Su-ho! You’re really the best! You’re the best!

“I know, so you don’t have to make such a fuss about it.”

Over the course of two days, Su-ho succeeded in gathering the remaining four runes: the rune of Ras of Wrath, the rune of Gluttony of Gluttony, the rune of Envy of Envy, and the rune of Pride of Pride.

Fortunately, all of them were still in an unliberated state, and because the information from his previous life matched exactly, he had been able to find them without much effort.

- Now, since you’ve found them all, hurry up and give them to me!

Grid drooled as he raved.

He looked just like a dog with a treat placed on its nose.

Seeing that, Su-ho laughed and said,

“No.”

- What?

“I don’t want to give them to you all at once. From now on, I’ll take these out and hand them over one by one only when necessary.”

- No, what is that supposed to mean...! Su-ho! This isn’t what we agreed on!

“What are you talking about? I kept my promise.”

- What?

It was true.

At that moment, the conversation they had exchanged inside the Big Gate surfaced in both of their minds at the same time.

- If we manage to get out of here, couldn’t you first gather the other Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins for me? Then I’ll cooperate with your growth as much as possible and live up to your expectations.

The instant they both recalled the words Grid had said, Su-ho’s eyes curved like a crescent moon, and Grid’s brow scrunched up endlessly.

Su-ho said,

“Judging from your face, it looks like you remembered. You asked me to first gather the Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins once we got out of the Big Gate, so I gathered them for you. On top of that, since we’re partners and all, I even just handed over the Rune of Sloth as a kind of service.”

- That’s true, but...

“I still have a long way to go. And in the meantime, there will definitely be moments when I’ll need your help. But frankly speaking, what am I supposed to do if you take all of these and then suddenly run away? What does that make me then?”

- Hey! What do you take me for! I would never do such a thing!

“What do I take you for? I take you for a demon, obviously. So what, are you going to sign some kind of guarantee? No, you’re a demon, so something like that wouldn’t mean anything, would it? If there were some sort of notary office around, I might at least try asking, but unfortunately, there’s nothing like that between us, is there?”

- Ngh...!

“Still, look on the bright side. From my standpoint this is the best option. And frankly, instead of me dallying around later going all over the place to collect the Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins, me having all of them in one go like this is more reassuring for you too, isn’t it? Even if it does make you a bit antsy.”

- You really...

“Even if you’re disappointed, there’s nothing you can do. I’ve simply thought things through rationally from my position. If anything, you should be the one to propose a deal that would make it okay for me to hand all of these to you. Not some vague, pie-in-the-sky abstraction, but something concrete and definite, something you can really feel on your skin.”

- ...

Grid fell silent.

Then, before long, he nodded.

- I see. I’d momentarily forgotten. You and I are nothing more than a simple transactional relationship. And admittedly, what you’re saying has a point. Rather than constantly fretting over when to go gather runes, it’s probably better that you’re holding all of them. In that sense, I’ll stake one of the runes you’re holding and make you an offer that will be of great help to you.

“If it’s an offer, you mean a deal?”

- That’s right.

Grid was the one to propose first.

It was a situation Su-ho had almost never seen, so his lips rounded in surprise.

“I wonder what it could be? I’m getting excited already.”

- It’s a story related to the growth of your power. Judging from the path you’ve been taking, you’re definitely going to prepare for the next Big Gate.

“And?”

- Then what you need is power. And you like things that have solid grounds. So I thought of this: then all I have to do is give you help regarding the powers you already possess. Because there’s nothing more certain than that. For example, things like the Ilwoljiche I mentioned not long ago.

Oh-ho?

The more Grid explained, the more Su-ho grew interested in Grid’s proposal.

“Yeah. Now you’re finally starting to make some sense. So, what exactly is this offer you’re going to make me?”

- I want to talk about the Hercules Candidate trait you possess.

Hercules Candidate.

At those words, Su-ho’s eyes grew a little wider.

'Well, look at this.'

To think he would put an item he hadn’t even thought of onto the negotiating table?

Perhaps because of that, Su-ho couldn’t not open the lid of the box Grid had pushed forward.

“Very interesting. Go on.”

- I don’t know how you ended up becoming a Hercules Candidate, but as far as I know, the trials of Hercules are very numerous. And you’re probably clearing those trials in sequence right now. Then the question that arises here is this: you’re clearly a talent who can even handle the Big Gate alone, so why haven’t you finished clearing the trials of Hercules yet?

“And why do you think that is?”

Su-ho had been about to answer, but instead threw the question back.

At that, Grid narrowed his eyes and answered.

- It’s not that you lack the strength to overcome the trials. It’s simply that among all the things you have to do, the ones related to being a Hercules Candidate have fallen behind in the order of priorities. Because the trials of Hercules are very many in number, annoying, and troublesome.

At those words, Su-ho laughed.

“You’re right. Exactly right. So then, what kind of proposal is our oh-so-smart Mr. Toad going to make me?”

- The proposal I’m going to make is simple. Instead of you going through the hassle of smashing each of the trials of Hercules one by one, I’m going to tell you a way to resolve all of them in one go. In return, I want one of the Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins you’re holding.

“...What?”

- Just what you heard. I know a way to clear those annoying trials in one shot. In other ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) words, a way to ‘one-pass’ them.

“And what is that?”

- Are you going to accept the offer?

“Of course I am.”

Su-ho answered without the slightest hesitation.

Right.

Just as Grid had said, it wasn’t because he lacked strength that he hadn’t dealt with the trials of Hercules until now.

They had simply been postponed because they were pushed back in priority.

At that, Grid held out his hand.

- Then settle the payment first.

“Fine.”

Su-ho grabbed one of the runes within reach and tossed it to the outstretched hand of Grid.

When he checked, it turned out to be the Rune of Envy.

Grid, having received it, made an ecstatic expression.

- Ssssk... Haa...

“You can savor it later; tell me the method first.”

- Ssssk, haaa... Right, sorry. The way to solve the trials of Hercules all at once is simple. You go to the very culprit who is imposing those trials on you.

“Go to the culprit?”

- Yeah. Because of the rules, I can’t directly mention that existence itself, but you know, don’t you? Who it is that is imposing the trials you’re going through.

As for the culprit, he did know.

It was written as ■■, but anyone could tell it was Hera.

Su-ho asked,

“Are you talking about Hera?”

- Hehe, who knows? By the rules, I can’t mention that existence directly. But if you think that’s right, then go to that existence. And go there in person and confront that existence directly. Tell them you’ve come to resolve these damned trials all at once.

“What kind of....”

Su-ho’s brow furrowed.

Go to Hera?

Hera was a Transcendent.

This was information he hadn’t heard even from Black Hercules in his previous life.

No, in the first place, Black Hercules had said that he had never even met Hera.

And now he was being told to go find Hera?

With his brow still furrowed, Su-ho said,

“And you expect me to believe that?”

- What’s with you? Why would I lie to you? I still have a lot of runes I need to get from you.

That, too, was true.

With the remaining Runes of the Seven Deadly Sins in his possession, why would Grid be crazy enough to feed him a lie?

After pondering for a moment, Su-ho asked,

“Then how can I meet Hera? She’s a Transcendent.”

- Well, I’m in a position where I’m not even allowed to mention that existence, so how would I be able to tell you how to meet her?

“What?”

- Don’t get worked up. I’m talking about the rules. But you already know the method. Since ancient times, humans have always had a place they absolutely visit in order to meet divine beings, right?

“A place you absolutely visit in order to meet a divine being?”

At that moment, a lawful place surfaced in Su-ho’s mind.

“Right. There was that place.”

- Yeah, I don’t know what you’ve just thought of, but unless you’re an idiot, that’s the right place. No, that is the right place. And lastly, let me just give you one more piece of advice... If you want to resolve the trials all at once, you’re going to need quite a lot of power. So you’ll have to prepare extremely well before you go.

At those words, the corner of Su-ho’s mouth lifted sharply.

“Of course I will. Hera, that woman, will see this as her chance and heap the worst possible trials on me.”

- Hehe, so? Did you like my information?

“Like it? I love it. For a deal like this, I’d be happy any time.”

After praising Grid, Su-ho immediately summoned Cheolma.

Seeing that, Grid asked,

- You’re going already?

“No, before I meet Hera, I’m going to make a few preparations. Of course, along with those preparations, I’ve got other things to take care of too.”

- Suit yourself.

Once the deal was over, Grid focused again on the Rune of Envy.

Su-ho took his eyes off Grid and then—

“Let’s go, Cheolma!”

“Neigh!”

He began to take off riding on Cheolma.

Su-ho’s next destination was none other than UN Headquarters.