<h4>Chapter 439 - Unreaching Voice (2)</h4>


    <i>‘Nah, there’s no way.’</i>


    Oh Kang-Woo shook his head. He could understand Gaia’s desire to talk since her Deific Essence was that of Parental Love, but he had heard that Odin was not one to shy away from a battle.


    Thew that Kang-Woo had implemented through Gaia was no different from treating every single god as an evil one as well as raising the status of the gods of Olympus to the level of Titans. Odin would surely take that as a deration of war that he would not stand for. Considering that he formed the anti-Gaia faction the moment thew was announced was proof of that.


    <i>‘But he wants to talk, going so far as to send his son as an envoy? Is the son of a bitch plotting something?’</i>


    Kang-Woo was hoping that this was part of Odin’s devious scheme to stab Gaia in the back.


    <i>‘Please.’</i>


    If that were the case, Kang-Woo would be able to stab Odin right back after pretending to be deceived.


    “... You want to talk?” Kang-Woo asked.


    “That’s right.” Thor nodded with a heavy expression.


    Kang-Woo red at him and replied, “I believe Lady Gaia has already made herself clear.”


    “Hmm.” Thor groaned as if he were hard-pressed. “I do not know why someone as kind as Lady Gaia would make such a radical decision, but...”


    Thor and the other gods did not seem to think that Kang-Woo hade up with thew. It was only natural; no one would think that the God of Splendor, who used to be Gaia’s retainer and still was after acquiring Deific Essence, would be the one leading the entire faction of Olympus. The other gods had likely deduced that it was either Gaia''s or Uranus’s idea.


    Thor continued firmly, “I was told by my father that considering the circumstances, we should first begin by talking.”


    “...”


    “Based on thisw, Lady Gaia seems to be fearing that we would cause chaos once we manifest into the physical realm. My father has also taken that into ount; Asgard is also in the process of preparing a measure that would keep in check the gods who would cause chaos in the physical realm.”


    <i>‘Shit.’</i>


    “He has expressed dissatisfaction with the gods of Olympus trying to treat all gods as evil gods who would cause chaos in the physical realm with no discussion whatsoever,” Thor said.


    <i>‘The hell? They’re seriously trying to resolve things with words?’</i>


    “We cannot afford to risk Ragnarok, especially when we need to prepare for otherworldly invasions now that Earth’s protection is gone.”


    <i>‘Why the fuck is he so logical? I can’t even argue because not saying anything wrong. Is Zeus the dumbass or are Thor and Odin just that intelligent?’</i>


    They had perfect knowledge of the circumstances. They formed the anti-Gaia faction to demonstrate their power while expressing their desire toe to a pacifistic conclusion. It also made sense why they would approach Kang-Woo before Gaia.


    <i>‘Because rumors that Gaia treasures me have already spread far and wide.’</i>


    If they thought that the radical decision was made by Gaia, they would naturally judge that it would be better to convince the people around Gaia instead of her directly.


    <i>‘Dayum, Odin. I’m starting to like you. Should I just abandon Gaia and side with Odin instead?’</i>


    Sweet temptation filled Kang-Woo’s mind but he shook his head.


    <i>‘No.’</i>


    He had invested far too much in the Gaia Coin to abandon it now. Most of all, Gaia was just the right amount of stupid for him to easily make use of her.


    <i>‘It’d be difficult to make Odin do as I want.’</i>


    Kang-Woo also did not have the time to go through the shitshow of tears to build up trust with another god.


    “So, may I have a moment of your time to talk? I’m sure you also feel that Lady Gaia has crossed the line a little with the implementation of thisw,” Thor stated.


    “...” Kang-Woo remained silent. He lowered his head with a dark expression, sighed deeply, and nodded. “Yes, I am also having a hard time understanding Lady Gaia’s actions.”


    There was no way that anyone would be able to easily understand Gaia’s radical decision to antagonize all gods.


    “... Yes, her action is no different from dering war on all gods, is it not?” Thor replied.


    “That just goes to show how much she cares for Earth’s safety.”


    “But that very decision has put Earth in danger. If the gods go to war against each other, Earth will notst.”


    “...”


    “The Demon of Prophecy is trying to devour the worlds. This is not the time to fight among ourselves; we have to unite as we had against the Demon God,” Thor remarked, his eyes filled with passion. “My father is not against thew itself. He also understands that extreme means must be taken to protect the physical realm.”


    <i>‘Hm?’</i> Kang-Woo narrowed his eyes after hearing what Thor said.


    “Then...” Kang-Woo slurred.


    “He just thinks that it is too heavy of a burden for Lady Gaia herself to shoulder.”


    “...”


    <i>‘Oh? Would you look at these sons of bitches?’</i>


    It seemed like Thor’s sound reasoning earlier was all for this.


    <i>‘He was just stating facts when he was talking about gods needing to band together, but in actuality, they don’t like the fact that Olympus is trying to monopolize the power and just want a piece of the pie as well. Hah, they sure have thought it through.’</i>


    The one who had formed the anti-Gaia faction was in truth after the authority to control all the gods like what Olympus was trying to do. It was no different from themander of a revolutionary army joining forces with the government to bend the entire country to their will.


    <i>‘Should I seriously switch to the Odin Coin?’</i>


    Kang-Woo was taking a liking to Odin more and more by the second.


    <i>‘No, no.’</i>


    He would have considered it if he knew about Odin from the beginning, but it was far toote to change sides. He could not afford to waste time and effort when the otherworldly invasions could start at any moment.


    “I see. The other gods would no doubt follow suit if Lord Odin were to join us.” Kang-Woo nodded. “I will put in a good word to Lady Gaia about it.”


    “... Thank you.” Thor smiled faintly. “In that case, I will take my leave. I will send a messenger next time, so you can ry the progress to them.”


    Thor ced his hammer on his belt and extended his hand to Kang-Woo. Kang-Woo grabbed his hand and then yanked it with all his might.


    <i>Stab!</i>


    Kang-Woo brought his arm holding Ingrium forward, the sword shining gold piercing Thor’s stomach.


    “Kurgh...!” Thor’s eyes widened.


    Kang-Woo brought Ingrium up toward Thor’s heart.


    “Urgh!”


    Thor grabbed his hammer from his belt and smashed Ingrium’s de. Ingrium was sent flying to the side and Thor’s stomach was sliced open.


    <i>Crackle—!</i>


    An immense amount of lightning poured out from Thor’s stomach. His stomach was restored to its original form along with the sounds of burning flesh.


    Kang-Woo clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Tsk, I guess I was hoping for too much to kill you with one strike.”


    “Wh-what is the meaning of this?!” Thor looked up at Kang-Woo in shock.


    He was shocked enough that Kang-Woo had managed to pierce right through his Deific Essence barrier, but he was having an even harder time understanding the sudden attack.


    “Attacking an envoy sent to propose a discussion is a taboo!” Thor shouted.


    “Taboo, my ass. Do you think war is a game? Huh? Do you want to take turns attacking each other or something?” Kang-Woo smirked. “There are no rules in war, dumbass.”


    <i>Fwoosh.</i>


    The mes of Voracity burned brightly. The mes that had been enveloping Ingrium’s de were devouring the lightning pouring out from Thor.


    “Y-you bastard...!”


    Thor’s face reddened with rage as his beard shook. Kang-Woo’s words were unbearable to him as the God of Thunder as well as an honorable warrior. He red at Kang-Woo in disgust.


    “I heard that the God of Splendor is a warrior who knows honor despite originally being human... It seems I have heard wrong,” Thor remarked.


    “Yeah, you sure did.” Kang-Woo felt like he was about to hurl from being called an honorable warrior. “There’s no fucking honor in killing. Also, big words from someone who tried to use this opportunity to gain power by joining forces with Olympus.”


    “That’s...”


    “Deny it if you can. You sure are a pro at sugarcoating. For the sake of the world? To stop the otherworldly invasions? Bullshit. Then why did you form an opposing faction after thew was announced and then secretly approach us to share the power?”


    Kang-Woo feignedughter.


    “Susanoo or whatever the fuck his name was, he joined you guys too, didn’t he? Does he know about this? Hm? Does he know that Asgard is trying to join forces with Olympus to gain power over all gods?”


    “,,,”


    “Of course, he doesn’t. How could he? After all, the entire anti-Gaia faction would be disbanded as soon as it is exposed.” Kang-Woo spat on the ground. “You talk too much for a fucking snake.”


    “Silence! You know nothing about my father’s great n!”


    “I don’t?” Kang-Woo cackled. “Yeah, I’ll give you that.”


    It might be true that Odin did not covet power; he might have offered his help genuinely for world peace, and the war between gods would be avoided if Olympus and Asgard joined forces.


    “But you see, so what? Why is that important?” Kang-Woo asked.


    “... What?”


    Kang-Woo needed an immense amount of Divinity to reach Transcendent-rank Deific Essence, and there was no better supply for it than the group of gods banded together against Gaia.


    “The truth isn’t important.”


    If Kang-Woo needed it, he would attain it; he would do whatever it took, even if he needed to trample on someone’s goodwill. That was how he had survived and emerged victorious thus far.


    “What’s important is what seems like the truth.”


    Kang-Woo smiled widely. He couldn’t care less what Odin really wanted. It was enough knowing that Odin was an evil god who desired power for malicious reasons and a cowardly opportunist.


    <i>‘And if that’s not the case, I’ll just make it so with my own hands.’</i>