You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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121

 

The Training Manual was different from usual.

 

Instead of the cave entrance I always saw, a main road stretched straight ahead leading to a plaza.

 

It wasn’t modern, but closer to ancient Greek architectural style.

 

‘Even though I always asked for visual updates, they never listened.’

 

This was much better than that dreary cave entrance that always looked like I was going in for secluded training.

 

[Analyzing the trainee’s condition.]

 

I walked down the straight path, passing by the familiar message window.

 

When I reached the end of the path, the Training Manual would finish its analysis and present a curriculum.

 

At the end of the road was a plaza with familiar scenery.

 

I passed through the plaza and continued walking.

 

There was only one path anyway.

 

Walking this path was the Training Manual’s loading process.

 

What appeared next was a training ground with a dirt floor.

 

Familiar training dummies and neatly arranged weapons.

 

Normally this would be the final destination, but the Training Manual didn’t display a message saying the analysis was complete.

 

In midair, only the message saying analysis was in progress continued to appear.

 

‘This time it’s taking longer than expected.’

 

After passing the training ground and walking a bit further, the city came to an end.

 

There was a path leading toward the forest.

 

I followed the mountain trail into the forest.

 

A pleasant breeze was flowing through the green leaves.

 

After walking for about ten minutes, I heard the sound of something being struck in the distance.

 

As I walked toward the sound, a small empty lot appeared.

 

In the empty lot stood a wooden cabin, and someone was chopping firewood in front of it.

 

‘I didn’t expect him to be so open about it.’

 

Long, sturdy horse legs.

 

An upper body with rippling muscles.

 

The heavy rhythm of axe chopping.

 

Befitting the creator of the ten thousand identical downward strike curriculum, his axe chopping was perfectly consistent in every movement.

 

‘A god is indeed a god.’

 

That simple axe chopping alone made my hair stand on end.

 

Sage of Centaal, developer of the training manual, Forest Sage, Blurred Arrow.

 

The owner of countless epithets, Chiron—

 

had manifested before my eyes.

 

“Chiron.”

 

When I called his true name, Chiron stuck his axe into the tree stump and turned his head.

 

“I’ve been waiting. Do you have time for a cup of tea?”

 

***

 

The cabin interior was surprisingly spacious.

 

Gentle heat rose from the fireplace, and two cups of tea were prepared on the narrow table.

 

“It’s nothing fancy, but please try it.”

 

After taking a sip, a familiar aroma rose up.

 

‘I suppose word of my tea preferences has even reached Golden Township now.’

 

It was green tea from Cheongram Trading Company.

 

The balance of appropriate sweetness and bitterness was excellent.

 

“Does it suit your taste?”

 

“It fits very well.”

 

Chiron smiled at my answer.

 

“Before we get to the main topic… do you have any questions?”

 

A moment of contemplation crossed my mind at Chiron’s words.

 

Things like ‘How are you sitting in a chair when your lower half is a horse?’

 

But I decided to dismiss this curiosity with the ordinary assumption that ‘he probably lives in human form normally.’

 

‘Asking Chiron such questions would be quite awkward after all.’

 

Chiron has been watching my growth process through the Training Manual.

 

While it’s ambiguous to call it a Master and Disciple relationship, wouldn’t it be at least educator and student?

 

“No.”

 

“Then though you didn’t ask a question, I’ll give you an answer to what you’re curious about.”

 

Chiron set down his teacup and slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

 

“As you thought, I normally live in human form.”

 

How did he know?

 

“Do you use Mind Reading or something?”

 

“How many trainees do you think I’ve trained so far?”

 

“Many, I suppose.”

 

I don’t know the exact number.

 

But it was certain that it was far more than I could imagine.

But it was certain that there was much more than I had expected.

“Then how many times do you think I’ve been asked such questions?”

“Then how many times do you think I’ve been asked that kind of question.”

“Many times, I suppose.”

“There would be a lot.”

With so much data accumulated, it seems he can tell just by looking at expressions now.

With so much data accumulated, it seems like now they can tell just by looking at facial expressions.

“Well then, let’s stop joking around and get to the main point.”

 

Chiron took a sip of tea and opened his mouth.

 

“You must be curious why I appeared?”

 

I nodded my head.

 

Honestly, I hadn’t come in hoping for anything specific.

 

I had just habitually opened the Training Manual because Clock Hand’s words remained stuck in my head.

 

“As you know, the Training Manual is a program that provides the most suitable solution for trainees.”

 

That was true.

 

Whether I wanted it or not, the Training Manual provided the ‘necessary’ curriculum suited to each situation.

 

Whenever I had concerns about growth, the Training Manual was what I sought out most after Golden Incense.

 

Come to think of it, I had used it quite thoroughly.

 

It was the first item I won at auction after obtaining Golden Incense.

 

And it was also the greatest contributor to elevating me to the ranks of demigods.

 

While Golden Incense’s stats and items could make me stronger, they couldn’t provide the enlightenment that the Training Manual gave.

 

Chiron didn’t continue speaking right away.

 

He simply waited for me to reach the answer myself.

 

“So you’re saying that solution is you.”

 

At my words, Chiron smiled slightly.

 

“Half right and half wrong.”

 

He lifted his teacup and took a sip.

 

“What you need now has exceeded the range that the Training Manual can provide.”

 

“What is it that I need?”

 

“An opportunity.”

 

It was an incomprehensible answer.

 

‘Not Divine Power?’

 

The words Clock Hand had thrown out, the incident where the Cult Leader took the Priest’s corpse to obtain Divine Power…

 

When I calculated this series of events, I thought the curriculum Chiron would present would be about Divine Power.

 

As if reading my thoughts, Chiron slowly continued his questioning.

 

“What do you think Divine Power is?”

 

“It would be the power that God uses.”

 

Whether Divine Power or Sacred Power, in the end it was the simple thought that it literally meant ‘God’s power.’

 

“Correct.”

 

“I see… what?”

 

The acknowledgment was so straightforward that I was rather deflated.

 

“Then what must one do to use Divine Power?”

 

“Become a God?”

 

The answer that came back to my half-joking question was affirmative.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“…”

 

‘Is this wordplay?’

 

It wasn’t even a Zen dialogue.

 

Do you know why cold water is refreshing?

 

Because it’s cold.

 

Was this the level of conversation continuing…

 

“You’re joking…”

 

“It’s no joke. Ascending to the position of demigod is also a way to obtain Divine Power.”

 

At that moment, the air inside the cabin changed.

 

“Listen well, Nobody.”

 

Before I knew it, the surroundings had turned completely black.

 

“If one fails while trying to ascend to demigod status… it’s not a simple failure.”

 

Space distorted, and the cabin disappeared without a trace.

 

We were now standing in the Black Void.

 

Only a vague silence, as if I had fallen alone into a vast Deep Sea, filled my surroundings.

 

“The challenge itself becomes a sin. Judgment is passed, and one’s existence might be torn to shreds.”

 

Only Chiron’s voice echoed in the Black Void.

 

I could feel it just by looking.

 

It was the presence of a God.

 

Something that creates influence just by recognizing the fact of its existence…

 

“So I’m giving you a choice.”

 

Chiron’s eyes deepened.

 

“Will you still do it?”

 

I remained silent for a moment.

 

Soon a chuckle escaped me.

 

“Since when has the Training Manual asked for the Trainee’s will?”

 

“Isn’t that why I’m asking?”

 

“After pushing me to the brink of death all this time… you’re saying this now?”

 

I slowly stood up from my seat.

 

“Haven’t you been watching all my growth since I won the Training Manual at auction?”

 

At my words, Chiron nodded.

 

“You already know my answer.”

 

I didn’t listen to Chiron’s response.

 

Instead, I walked past him and headed toward the portal that had appeared behind Chiron.

 

The moment I took a step, the message window that had been frozen began scrolling rapidly.

 

[Commissioned education has begun.]

 

[We wish for the trainee’s growth.]

 

[We hope you return safely.]

 

***

 

After Nobody left, Chiron, who remained alone in the cabin, burst into laughter.

 

“Hehehehe, what a troublesome fellow.”

 

He had produced countless graduates, but few had such nerve.

 

To maintain such a calm attitude even after glimpsing a part of Chiron’s true self.

 

“This is a bit damaging to my pride.”

 

Honestly, he hadn’t planned to draw upon his true power.

 

Most trainees would faint just from seeing it.

 

He had drawn upon it slightly because he was pleased that the boy had gotten one over on Purple Finger, but to get such a reaction.

 

He thought that if the boy completed the commissioned education, a transcendent being might be born—one that shouldn’t exist, like the Heavenly Demon.

 

As he was feeling secretly pleased, the quiet cabin door creaked open.

 

A black-robed figure entered, wearing a bamboo hat and dressed in luxurious martial uniform.

 

“Speak of the tiger and it appears—you must be the tiger.”

 

Chiron smiled slightly and offered a seat.

 

Lightly ignoring the gesture, the black-robed figure approached Chiron.

 

“Are you really planning to entrust him to me?”

 

When Chiron nodded his head, the Black-Robed Figure chuckled softly.

 

“Teacher, didn’t you say that there shouldn’t be two beings like that in the universe?”

 

“Whether he’ll become a transcendent like you is another matter entirely.”

 

The Black-Robed Figure took a sip of the tea placed on the table.

 

“It’s not alcohol.”

 

“This trainee seems to like tea.”

 

“His mind is already corrupted from the start.”

 

The Black-Robed Figure pulled out a gourd bottle from his waist and gulped it down greedily.

 

“Kuhh…”

 

Wiping his mouth roughly, the Black-Robed Figure also passed by Chiron and headed toward the portal that had formed behind him.

 

“Just don’t regret it later, Teacher.”

 

With those final words, the Black-Robed Figure threw himself into the portal.

 

Chiron was left alone once again.

 

“Watching the growth of countless trainees has been… an unchanging joy even after ascending to godhood.”

 

Chiron took a sip of his tea.

 

“Having two beings born when there should be only one in the universe is quite a great joy as well.”

 

Chiron rose from his seat.

 

He had already returned to his half-human, half-horse form.

 

“I’m also a god, so shouldn’t I create miracles from time to time?”

 

Chiron picked up the axe that had been leaning against the wall.

 

“So please, Nobody’s successor, I shall pray for your challenge to succeed.”

 

He gazed at the portal for a moment, then headed outside the cabin with clopping sounds.

 

***

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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