I Can See the Comments on the Doomed Novel - Chapter 159
Another Goddess
“I’m trying to get closer to the other kids, not just Eunbyeol… so I feel a bit jealous? As a sponsor.”
“Hahaha…”
Gabriel’s gaze sharpened slightly; it wasn’t just my imagination.
I awkwardly smiled and averted my eyes.
What is this feeling, as if I’ve just run into my girlfriend’s parents by chance?
‘No, it’s more like meeting a fan who’s pushing a specific pairing, isn’t it?’
In any case, it wasn’t something I could easily respond to.
It seemed Gabriel didn’t want that either.
After looking at me with a peculiar expression for a moment, Gabriel turned her head away.
“Well, whatever path you choose, it’s ultimately your decision. I’m not in a position to say anything about that.”
“Don’t worry, I cherish all of our kids.”
“I know. That’s why I’m somewhat reassured.”
Gabriel nodded and added,
“My favorite person is the contracted Eunbyeol, but I like all the others too. Please, don’t let tears fall from their eyes.”
“With all due respect, Gabriel.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s about keeping those kids from crying, you don’t need to command me; it’s something I must do.”
—
Gabriel looked at me with dazed eyes as she took another spoonful of jelly.
Her mouth, moving like a squirrel’s, seemed endearingly cute.
Soon, a faint smile appeared on her face.
“Hehe, is that so? I must have been worrying for nothing.”
“No, thank you for caring about my friends.”
“Then, shall I offer you a couple of services as a compliment?”
“Services?”
Gabriel approached me and spoke in a soft voice.
“The weapon that Hela and you are after. You’re not the only ones targeting it.”
“…….”
I wasn’t particularly surprised that Gabriel knew our situation.
It was easy for anyone to predict why the busy Hela would come to the auction.
After all, it was just a party in disguise.
The core of this gathering was the auction.
‘But still, is there a competitor?’
The great weapon from Norse mythology.
There could be countless deities after it.
Hela had said there was no need to worry about the lesser gods.
But if Gabriel was saying this, it surely meant the opponent wasn’t trivial.
To go out of her way to warn me… it suggested there was someone to be cautious of.
“What deity are we talking about?”
“Hehe, that’s a secret. If I tell you, it wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
“…….Didn’t you say two services?”
“Oh, if it’s that…”
Gabriel leaned in even closer to my ear.
She was much shorter than me, so I had to bend down a bit.
“Another reason I chose Miss Eunbyeol is that her breast size is similar to mine. Quite ample, isn’t it?”
At that moment, my gaze
Naturally, the image of Eunbyeol floated into my mind.
Soon, I realized I had been teased.
“…….Gabriel, please don’t tease the innocent human too much.”
“Haha! I’m sorry. Still, I can see why the others want to tease you so badly. The impact is quite delightful, isn’t it?”
“Well, it seems like you’re quite popular with the male gods too, Gabriel.”
“Ah! I’m already taken, you see. A very scary person, so if I were to tempt others like the rest, it would be a big problem, wouldn’t it?”
What?
Whether I was surprised by such an unexpected remark or not.
Gabriel seemed to be leaving, as if the conversation had come to an end.
“It was fun talking. Well, I have someone to meet, so I’ll take my leave. If we run into each other again, do share some stories about the others.”
I stared blankly at the cute angel as she walked away with a light step.
It felt like a small storm had just passed.
‘…….I’m exhausted.’
Indeed, there isn’t a single easy opponent here.
I never imagined it would be this difficult to face even one goddess.
I was prepared, but the mental fatigue was unavoidable.
“Shall I take a short break?”
I sat down on a chair set up against the wall of the party hall.
It seemed to be arranged for moments like this, to rest.
Next to me were a few simple teas to sip on.
As I reached out and took a sip, I felt a slight sense of calm wash over me.
“Phew, that’s better.”
“It’s quite a decent drink. Not as good as our nectar, though.”
I tried to hide my displeasure as I sipped the remaining tea.
Setting the cup down and turning my head, I found a man standing there.
It was a rather sudden question, but I wondered if anyone had enjoyed watching the Olympus Guardians when they were young.
If so, I hoped they would come running over quickly.
Please, someone deal with this god in my place.
“…It’s an honor to meet you, Apollo.”
“Oh? You recognize me?”
“Ah, yes, well.”
With a Greek-style outfit, blonde hair, handsome features, and even holding a harp, who could it be?
He’s practically advertising himself as Apollo.
Why? He might as well be carrying the bow of the sun.
“I owe you a debt from Eve’s time. I was grateful in many ways back then.”
“Haha! There’s no need to be thanked for helping a friend who reaches out.”
Well, personally, I am grateful to Apollo.
When Eve was chosen as the sacrificial lamb for the quest.
He even had his contractor, Cain, help Eve.
That must have consumed quite a bit of plausibility for Apollo as well.
The information was cut off, which resulted in a bit of a mess, but it’s clear he was willing to take a loss to help her.
“You’re Eve’s contractor, right?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“Because of that, there were a few on our side who felt regret. There were quite a few gods waiting for their chance to target you. But I hold your choice, which values connection and loyalty, in high regard.”
“It’s not something to be praised. I merely kept my promise.”
“Haha! That’s a stinging remark for our gods, who break promises every other day, don’t you think?”
Apollo chuckled, but I didn’t know how to respond, so I just stayed silent.
“Anyway, please take good care of Eve. Unlike us, she’s a pure and fragile child.”
“I understand.”
Apollo nodded, then picked a biscuit from a passing cat and took a bite.
“Hmm, by the way, I was quite surprised to see you here. I never expected a player to come this far.”
“Aren’t players not supposed to come here?”
“It’s not that they absolutely shouldn’t, but usually, they don’t. What good is it for a human to catch the eye of the gods who are doomed?”
“Then Cain isn’t here either. I wanted to have a proper conversation with him at least once.”
“Haha! Cain? That guy is busy flirting with his new girlfriend these days.”
If he has a girlfriend, it must be Xiao Mei, the Chinese player who followed Cain.
Currently, they are together in Busan, where we originally were.
From what Apollo says, it seems they’re doing well without any issues.
…….We’re in the midst of a war like this. I can’t help but feel a bit envious.
“Is it alright? From a divine perspective, it would be better for a contractor to be working hard.”
“Ah~ I dislike that sort of thing. Anyway, those guys like Ares and Hephaestus just don’t know how to have fun. After all, if you’re human, you should know how to enjoy the finer things in life!”
In the middle of the party, Apollo spoke with a face that seemed to say, ‘You’ve ruined the mood, so you’d better take responsibility!’
Is it that each deity has a different set of values?
Well, that’s probably why they choose different contractors.
Of course, the player’s abilities are the most important factor.
But if it’s someone at Cain’s level, that shouldn’t be a problem.
“In that sense, it’s no wonder Cain is such an exceptional contractor. He was charming the women of Busan like nobody’s business! …Though I do worry he might end up with a knife in his back, just like me.”
“I hope that’s something you can avoid.”
To think that the hideout I’ve risked my life to protect could turn into a slaughterhouse because of one man.
I might just lose my temper and kill that guy.
By the way, the deities seem to have a surprising amount of affection for their contractors.
Gabriel is one, and Apollo here is another.
It’s clear they have a fondness for their contractors.
Of course, not every deity is like that.
“Oh, I didn’t come here to talk about this. Actually, there’s someone who’s been wanting to meet you.”
“Me? Who?”
“Tada! It’s me!”
I was startled enough by the sudden voice from beside me that my heart skipped a beat.
I didn’t show it, but this was the first time I’d been this surprised since the series began.
‘How did I not sense anything?’
Even though it was a party, I wasn’t letting my guard down.
Right now, my senses were sharp enough to react to an incoming arrow or an assassin’s ambush.
Yet I hadn’t noticed someone approaching right next to me.
And I had no idea who the person beside me… no, who the deity was.
She was a goddess with ash-colored hair that flowed down to her waist.
It was hard to find any distinctive features or attire on her.
It was a stark contrast to the other deities here, who seemed eager to announce their identities.
That said, it wasn’t that she wasn’t beautiful.
Her neat appearance exuded a calm yet elegant beauty.
Not flashy, but she seemed like the kind of beauty who could captivate a man just by sitting quietly.
“Phew! I’ve missed you so much during this time, and now here we are.”
“Excuse me? Me?”
“It must have been tough for you, right? You’ve worked hard to come all this way. Now, let me give you a little pat.”
The goddess reached out and gently stroked my head.
What was strange was that, even though it was our first meeting, it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
Apollo lightly interjected.
“Aunt… no, ahem! Please don’t treat another goddess’s contractor like a child.”
“Oh, come on, I’ve been watching this child for a long time. I think I have the right to do this much.”
The goddess cast a loving gaze at me.
Only then did I realize who this goddess was.
“Could you be Hestia?”
“Ding ding ding~ That’s correct~”