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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 17: Obtaining a Class (3)
"Greetings, Soul Mediator. Before the auction begins, here is a gift from Hephaestus, the patron deity of our Black Mountain Tribe."
The first to step forward was a dwarf.
He looked similar to the dwarf I had seen at the E-rank promotion trial last time, but since they all look alike, I couldn’t be sure if it was the same one.
He handed me a bracelet made of black metal with a blue gem embedded in the center.
I wasn’t sure what it was, but a gift is a gift.
"Thank you. But what does it do?"
"When you press the blue gem in the center, it transforms into a full-body suit of armor. Its performance is at the C-grade level. It can absorb spells up to the fourth circle and can be equipped even in incorporeal form."
Oh!
C-grade armor, huh?
C-grade sounds unimpressive, like a mediocre school grade, but considering that the highest rank among Earth's Awakeners is D-grade, this was armor that surpassed the grade limit.
When I pressed the gem, the bracelet expanded into a full-body suit of armor.
The black iron armor completely covered me, leaving only my eyes, nose, and mouth exposed.
I moved around, testing it, and found it neither restrictive nor heavy.
I couldn’t afford armor, and now I got this for free.
"To be honest, Hephaestus finds the competition in this auction too formidable and would like to wait for another opportunity. As a patron deity, he can only offer up to C-grade as a simple gift without a formal agreement. Hence, he has bestowed this armor. Of course, if you choose Hephaestus, you could obtain A-grade equipment."
Hmm.
This is a bribe, clearly meant to ingratiate themselves if I ever gain the ability to broker another patron deity.
Bribes like this?
Always welcome.
But "formidable competition," they said... That’s making my heart race.
"I will definitely remember Hephaestus’ gesture."
"Thank you, Awakened One, Kim Jiho."
"By the way, how do I remove this?"
"Simply say 'Armor Suit, deactivate,' and the mana stone on the bracelet will light up again. Press the stone at that moment."
"Oh, it works! Thank you."
"It is an honor to hear such words from the Soul Mediator."
The usually brash dwarves were impeccably polite, which felt strange.
"An honor, you say..."
A dwarf being this courteous—it’s hard to get used to.
"Soul Mediator, we are the Mistflower Tribe, who serve the goddess Artemis. Artemis has also prepared a gift for you."
The virgin goddess Artemis.
I’d heard of her before.
Her gift was a C-grade longbow.
It was similar to the previous gift: a red bracelet with a blue gem that transformed into a weapon when activated.
This bow didn’t even require arrows.
Simply drawing the string consumed mana to create arrows of light—a practical weapon.
"The god of war, Ares, has prepared a combat-type skill for you."
A C-grade skill called "Blessing of the Body."
An active skill that deflects projectiles like arrows and bullets, boosts strength and stamina, and hardens the skin.
It was the first useful active skill I had received, and I was thrilled to get it.
Though it was practically passive in effect, who cares?
After these three gods, no more deities came forward with gifts.
When three gifts came in quick succession, I thought a gift rush was on the way, but sadly, it ended here.
Only well-known gods seem capable of offering such gifts.
No lesser gods among those who gave me gifts.
"Now, let’s officially begin the Soul Mediator Auction."
At those words, all the elves and dwarves seated below me turned to look at the high elf Liana.
It felt like they were waiting for her signal.
She scanned the room briefly, then stood and spoke.
"Soul Mediator."
Even now, her body emitted a faint glow.
So, I wasn’t seeing things.
Her voice was pure and beautiful.
"There are seven patron deities for the elves and dwarves stationed on Earth. We have deliberated together and concluded that while securing your services as a broker is important, fostering your growth as a Soul Mediator is even more crucial. To that end, the representatives of these deities have prepared equipment and skills suitable for your role."
Hmm.
Since this is a rare special class, it seems they’ve decided to nurture me to broker for them more frequently.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt if the remaining four gods also chipped in.
That would certainly accelerate my growth.
[Pollux says you’re greedy and reminds you that such gifts are only possible for deities.]
I see... So, the other four aren’t deities?
"All seven emissaries have prepared offerings. However, Apollo, whom I serve, has prepared one more offering than the others. This is possible due to my authority as the leader of Earth’s delegation, allowing greater intervention."
Oh!
Two offerings!
The Sun God, Apollo!
Apollo, you’re the best.
"Of course, Soul Mediator, you may choose offerings from any other deity if you wish. However, from a strategic perspective, it’s in your best interest to accept the offerings that provide the most advantages."
Her statement drew agreement from the others.
It was heartwarming to receive such generous support, but I couldn’t help but wonder what they were expecting in return.
"Apollo’s offerings are the A-grade divine relic Phoenix Egg and the A-grade skill Summon Chariot of Flames."
"Ah... no one can top that."
"They’re really going all out to support the Soul Mediator."
Wow!
A Phoenix Egg.
Chariot of Flames.
Both sounded extraordinary.
"The Phoenix will hatch in line with your current rank and grow alongside you. While its strength is still weak now, as it matures, it will become a reliable companion. In emergencies, the Phoenix can even resurrect your body once."
Liana raised both hands high.
A ring of flames appeared above her, and a large egg descended.
A white egg with red flame-like patterns, burning brightly.
So, that’s the Phoenix Egg.
The elves and dwarves all fixed their eyes on the egg.
"A Phoenix Egg..."
"Is a Soul Mediator really that amazing?"
"Such pure fire magic…."
Liana lifted the egg again and placed it within the ring of flames.
Ah, why are you doing this?
You're making me nervous.
Seriously.
"Summon Flame Chariot."
When she extended her index finger skyward, flames rippled across the space above the auditorium, forming the shape of a massive chariot.
In front of the chariot were four flame-burning horses treading the air majestically.
Their forms were so overwhelming in size and grandeur that they radiated an air of supreme dignity.
Ah, I want it.
I really want it.
It's so incredible!
Liana lightly jumped, narrowing what seemed to be a five-meter distance in an instant, and landed directly atop the chariot.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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She stood there confidently, completely unaffected by the flames.
Although the chariot and the flaming horses were enormous, her figure appeared small atop them.
"The Flame Chariot can fly through the air and carries the heat of the sun, capable of incinerating enemies. It can be used for both offense and transportation, making it one of the most versatile skills. As a Class B Awakener, I can handle a chariot of this size. You, as a Soul Mediator, will probably start with a smaller chariot. However, the Flame Chariot can grow larger depending on your mana capacity."
Liana dismounted and dismissed the summoning.
The flames condensed and vanished.
"Consider offers from other deities, but I’m confident you'll end up choosing Apollo."
She wasn’t wrong.
The offers from other deities weren’t bad either.
An A-class skill, an A-class artifact.
I saw dazzling artifacts and powerful skills.
But I couldn’t get the phoenix and the Flame Chariot out of my head.
Riding the Flame Chariot, sweeping through enemies with the phoenix.
Wow.
I kept imagining myself standing tall in the air, arms crossed, commanding the phoenix into battle with an aura of majesty.
Yeah.
They're offering two A-class items.
What’s there to hesitate about?
"I will form a Soul Mediation contract with Apollo."
"An excellent choice."
When Liana beamed at me, my heart raced.
Wow! Is her beauty even fair?
[You have formed a Soul Mediation contract with the Great Deity Apollo.]
[Apollo’s SP gains will increase by 1.2 times. Soul Mediator Kim Jiho will receive 10% as a commission.]
[Due to the user’s low skill level, not all of Apollo’s SP from Earth can be mediated. Only certain regions are covered.]
"By the way, no one on Earth has a contract with Apollo, right?"
After forming the contract and seeing the message about mediating only a part of Earth, that question popped into my mind.
Apollo wouldn’t gain any SP from Earth anyway, so why make the contract?
"Apollo is a Great Deity. He commands subordinate gods. As a Soul Mediator, you’ll be mediating the SP earned by those subordinate gods. And as you grow stronger, your influence can extend beyond Earth to other planets. Think of it as a long-term investment."
Ah, I see… Great Deities collect SP from their subordinates.
Isn’t this basically a pyramid scheme?
Humans give SP to subordinate gods, and the subordinate gods give it to the Great Deity.
[Pollux lets out a deep sigh. He advises you not to say such things aloud.]
So, it must be true…
Even among gods, there’s a hierarchy.
This world has ranks everywhere, huh?
Then, who is Pollux’s Great Deity?
[Pollux says it’s Zeus, the king of Olympus and his father.]
Oh, right, he’s Zeus’ son.
Quite the lineage.
"I’ll now fulfill the terms of the contract, starting with granting you the Flame Chariot skill."
Before I realized it, Liana was standing right in front of me, even though she had been at the podium below.
How did she get here? I didn’t even see her move.
So this is the difference between Class B and D.
She extended her right index finger and touched my forehead.
Her lake-blue eyes glimmered deeply.
"Granting Flame Chariot Summon Skill."
[You have acquired the skill: Flame Chariot Summon LV1.]
[Due to the user’s low rank, the chariot’s size is reduced, and mana efficiency decreases.]
"And here’s the Phoenix Egg."
A ring of flames opened, and the Phoenix Egg I had seen earlier descended.
"The Phoenix Egg cannot hatch at your current level, so I will hatch it for you and deliver it immediately after."
Such thoughtful after-service.
As she grasped the egg and infused it with mana, cracks began to spread across its surface.
The cracks grew wider, and flames erupted from within, instantly consuming the shell.
"Wow…."
The phoenix that emerged was breathtakingly beautiful.
A bird of fire, with hues of red and gold interwoven.
Its size was small, about that of a pigeon, probably because it had just hatched, but it would grow over time.
Despite its small stature, its presence was as majestic as an eagle.
Flames radiating in all directions announced its dominance.
Its bright golden fiery eyes flashed as it stared intently at Liana.
"Ah… it’s so beautiful."
Liana looked at the phoenix with a longing expression.
Wait.
She’s not going to keep it, is she?
Reluctantly, as if making a tough decision, she turned to me.
"I will transfer ownership of the phoenix."
At her words, the phoenix turned to face me.
Its blazing golden eyes glimmered as if to say, "Really? This guy is my master?"
Hmm.
Let’s grow strong together, phoenix.
But suddenly, the flames around the pigeon-sized phoenix began to dwindle, and I felt an intense drain on my mana.
Huh?
What’s happening?
Is the phoenix absorbing my mana?
Fine, take it!
Absorb it and grow big!
But even as half my mana was drained, the flames continued to wane.
No, no, don’t stop.
Absorb more!
However, when my mana dropped to about half, the draining stopped, and…
"Chirp!"
As the flames extinguished, what remained was a chick.
A flaming chick.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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