novelraw Chapter 152 : God of Storms - (2)
Chapter 152 : God of Storms - (2)
Chapter 152: God of Storms - (2)
Valentin Schneider.
In his past life, at this time, he was one of the most talented individuals who monopolized nearly every issue in the European region.
To use a metaphor, he was a much more famous player than Sanghyun, who was currently attracting attention in Korea, China, and Japan.
The reason Sanghyun reacted so strongly to his name was because of what he remembered about Valentin’s future steps.
‘Constellation Devourer.’
That name, so revolting every time he recalled it. The Constellation Devourer—Valentin was the Devourer.
A player with extraordinary talent had become a Constellation Devourer, so what followed was all too predictable.
Alongside another infamously notorious Constellation Devourer, Luca Viole, he became a headache for the next ten years.
And the first turning point that triggered that explosive growth was none other than the Blood Tower conquest.
If the flow of events followed his previous life, then just a few days from now—
Valentin Schneider would become the first in the world to clear the Blood Tower Quest. Reaping all the rewards alone.
‘The Great Rift too, and now this… It’s starting to feel like it’s my role to block the oncoming dark future.’
Though unintended, things were heading that way.
If Valentin proceeded with the quest as things stood? He would once again grow relentlessly and become a notorious villain.
‘There’s a limit to what I can yield. I can’t hand over a bright future so easily to a damn criminal!’
Sanghyun revised his plan.
Originally, after completing the Labyrinth of Tranquility, he intended to tackle the gate with Do Kyunghye.
But now, he planned to delay that by two days and inform the Association of his intent to undertake the quest.
“I guess I just can’t sleep.”
Sanghyun, rubbing his heavy eyelids, began cautiously sending a late-night message to Lee Gah Hee.
Now that he had built a deep connection with her, he could access the quest more easily through her.
Besides, since he hadn’t reached level 200 yet, there was no issue in qualifying for the challenge.
And the Player Associations in various countries were secretly hoping someone would be the first to clear the Blood Tower Quest.
Sanghyun believed it would be no different for Korea’s Player Union.
His call with Lee Gah Hee ended quickly.
She said it wouldn't be hard to wrap things up. Apparently, there hadn't been any challengers for some time.
If Sanghyun stepped forward, it would save the Association's face and become a notable event—that was her opinion.
Anyway, after agreeing to receive a reply later that day, Sanghyun reviewed his memories of the Labyrinth.
He closed his eyes tightly and embarked on a meditative journey into the past.
He wasn’t sure when it started.
Whether he was asleep or just lost in deep thought—it was hard to tell.
In that moment of confusion, he encountered an unexpected presence.
A man with golden hair and blue eyes, long hair fluttering in the air, was walking toward Sanghyun.
The two met atop a shallow lake with gentle ripples.
The lake shimmered with a golden hue, as if it held liquid gold—truly a beautiful sight.
As Sanghyun carefully studied the blond man, a clear voice rang out from him.
“I borrowed a human form to speak with you, but I am not such a trivial existence.”
At that moment—
Though he had not revealed his identity, Sanghyun could instinctively sense who he was.
‘God of Storms.’
No one but a divine being could speak like this. Sanghyun bowed his head respectfully.
“I greet the divine seat.”
Then and now, Sanghyun’s thoughts on not wanting to be bound by the divine seat remained unchanged.
But that didn’t mean he intended to ignore or oppose the gods. He was simply resolute in his will.
The God of Storms closed some distance with Sanghyun, then took a step back again. It was the perfect gap.
“I have thought and pondered about you.”
“……”
Sanghyun did not respond.
He believed the god’s thoughts, memories, and judgment were all embedded in those calm words.
“I even considered your insolence. Whether you were truly the type to dare make such a bold offer to me.”
“I apologize. But it was something I absolutely had to say.”
“I know.”
“My resolve hasn’t changed. Even if you call it rude, I won’t bend my will.”
“I know that too. I have quietly observed you all this time and sensed a special quality unlike others.”
“……”
“You have insight that pierces through present to future. Mysterious and wondrous beyond what a normal human should possess.”
“Thank you.”
“I will not ask what lies behind that. Though I want to know, paradoxically I will refrain from seeking it.”
The God of Storms left an enigmatic remark.
He had realized Sanghyun had returned from the future, yet chose not to bring it to light?
Sanghyun could only speculate, unable to ask directly, but the context allowed for that interpretation.
The god continued.
“I will also accept your audacious and arrogant words. But only under one condition that you must agree to.”
“Please, tell me.”
“When the moment of your death arrives, I will take everything you possess. Your life, your soul—even your constellation.”
[The Arrogant Empress of the West expresses deep fury, saying she will never allow herself to be defiled by a god……]
Sanghyun reactivated the filter on ‘The Arrogant Empress of the West’, just in case.
Letting her speak was pointless, since she never said anything helpful.
[The Goddess of Luck says she believes in you, and that you can handle it splendidly.]
[She says she’s fine with letting the God of Storms use her as collateral. That she will never regret it.]
‘Goddess…’
Her words touched Sanghyun deeply.
It was no different from a declaration that she would share her fate with him to the end.
‘A privilege to be chosen by a god while not being bound by one. That’s something only I have.’
His heart pounded.
He could feel how cautiously and thoughtfully the God of Storms had reached his decision.
A fate shared with a god was on an entirely different level from one with a constellation.
If a constellation was a mid-sized sponsor, a god was akin to a multinational conglomerate.
“Answer me. Will you accept the condition?”
“I accept.”
“Are you certain you will not regret it?”
“Why would I regret a fate shared with a divine seat?”
Sanghyun answered concisely.
Of course, making a pact with a god didn’t mean everything would go smoothly. This was just the beginning.
Gods, after all, bestow their divine power to a contractor only by strict standards.
Though when they do lend strength, it’s an overwhelming power, as if they’ve poured out their very soul.
Until then, they observe the player carefully like a meticulous client, making cold, calculated judgments.
“The moment you grasp this essence, the contract will be sealed. A storm brand will be engraved through your palm across your whole body.”
The moment the God of Storms finished speaking, a grey-colored essence manifested before Sanghyun.
It felt just like seeing the color of a whirlwind.
Clench.
Sanghyun gathered his resolve and gripped the essence with all his strength.
A tingling sensation spread from his palm throughout his body, bringing with it an indescribable feeling of refreshment.
And then—
[An eternal contract with the Divine Seat ‘God of Storms’ has been established.]
[The current total number of Divine Seats available for player contracts is ‘36’.]
[By the request of the Divine Seat, no binding effect is imposed on the player. Additional contracts with Constellations or Divine Seats are possible.]
“…Thank you.”
Just like that, the contract was sealed.
As the Goddess of Luck had done, the God of Storms also chose not to claim Sanghyun exclusively for himself.
“Spare me the sappy words. First, I’ll give you a proper bit of motivation.”
The grumbling tone of the God of Storms somehow came off as endearing.
It would be nicer if he spoke as warmly and kindly as the Goddess of Luck… but perhaps such was the weight of a Divine Seat.
“The skill temporarily granted to you is now entirely yours. It will not disappear again.”
First of all, the Downward Air Current skill had now become fully Sanghyun’s.
Originally just a trial to experience the power of a Divine Seat, it had become a permanent skill.
If one were to convert the value of a skill like Downward Air Current into currency, the cost of its skill book would easily exceed 300 to 400 billion won.
Receiving such a skill permanently meant Sanghyun had essentially saved that much in cost.
“I shall also inject into you insight into the power of wind. That should make it much more useful.”
[Due to intervention by divine power, the skill ‘Downward Air Current’ has been instantly raised to Level 5.]
“Crazy… Ah, I’m sorry.”
This was Sanghyun’s first time feeling the true might of divine power.
The power of a Divine Seat could override and intervene beyond the system’s rules. Though it likely couldn’t happen often.
『Downward Air Current』
■ Skill Level: Stage 5 (35.3%)
■ Skill Description: (…omitted)
Pulls the target forcefully downward with a downburst and triggers two additional crushing strikes.
The first strike delivers a force equivalent to five times gravity, and the second strike delivers ten times gravity.
“With this, anyone floating from an aerial skill is just being told to kiss the floor.”
The skill had undergone a complete transformation—it was practically reborn.
Previously, Downward Air Current felt like a single heavy strike from above.
Now, it slammed down once, followed by additional strikes at twice and four times the weight in quick succession—bam bam!
With vertical pressure like this, an ordinary person—not a player—would be crushed instantly on impact.
Even before Sanghyun could finish admiring it with a click of his tongue—
“Feel the unique power possessed by the God of Storms.”
The God of Storms delivered another gift bundle to Sanghyun. A brand-new skill.
『Steel Storm』
■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)
■ Skill Description: Creates a massive vortex that envelops the user, defending against incoming attacks.
While the Steel Storm is active, movement is not possible, but the vortex’s radius expands over time.
The vortex absorbs incoming projectiles and disperses them in random directions.
Maintaining Steel Storm consumes 10 mana per second.
“Is this basically a skill black hole?”
Though classified as a defensive skill, it had considerable offensive potential.
After all, projectiles meant things like magic skills or arrows—and this could absorb them.
In other words, the vortex sucked them in, spun them around, and flung them away using centrifugal force.
“This is so useful.”
A skill that could handle both offense and defense simultaneously. Steel Storm would definitely see a lot of use.
Especially in large-scale battles, it would allow Sanghyun to plant himself firmly at the heart of the battlefield without hesitation!
At that moment—
“There’s still one more.”
The gifts weren’t over yet.
The final skill that the God of Storms handed to Sanghyun was—
『Gale Frenzy』
Stronger than Knockback Burst, this skill not only had powerful knockback effects but also excelled at creating unexpected variables!
It was none other than Gale Frenzy.