I Can See the Comments on the Doomed Novel - Chapter 167



Choosing a Path

“Certainly, the facilities here are absolutely amazing.”

I submerged my head in the steaming hot water of the bath and emerged.

Just being here makes the fatigue from the fight feel like it’s fading away.

The enormous bath could easily accommodate dozens of people.

I suppose when you’re a goddess of Olympus, you can build such facilities at will.

Then again, Hela’s palace was no smaller than this place.

Thinking of Hela brought back memories of the war in Niflheim.

Even now, I can hardly believe I survived.

“I can’t believe there was such a fight just earlier.”

So much had happened in a single day.

I met the Mobius Knights, fought Surtr, and forged many bonds only to part ways.

Yet here I am, now enjoying a bath in the goddess’s temple.

That life-and-death struggle feels like a fleeting dream.

I quietly gazed at my fingertips.

Faintly lingering red burn marks.

They spoke of our struggle as an undeniable reality.

“This time, I was honestly lucky.”

Every fight and the preparation that led to it.

Without fleeting fortune and everyone’s sacrifice, survival would have been impossible.

Even after all that, had it not been for Hestia’s kindness at the end, we would have perished.

Can I truly protect everyone in the impending doom to come?

“…….As soon as I became unaware of the future, this is what I get.”

As the story progressed, searching for comments became meaningless.

My very existence had tangled the narrative beyond repair.

Now, I must fight solely on instinct.

Each battle is a series of choices.

That’s what makes it all the more difficult.

Is this really the right way?

Could there be a better means?

Was there no ending where they wouldn’t die?

I keep asking myself.

‘What will the end of this novel truly be?’

Lost in such thoughts, I lean back in the bath.

Submerged in the hot water, I feel my fatigue melting away.

“Ah, see? I told you I’d already be in here, right?”

“……If I had known, I would have come later.”

“Aw, come on~ don’t say that~”

A familiar voice approached as someone walked over.

Hyena, Yuri, Eunbyeol, and Eve.

My companions, clad in nothing but a single towel, were making their way to the bath.

They were already stunningly beautiful, flaunting their figures.

As they swarmed in, I momentarily lost my words.

“…….What’s going on?”

“Hmm? We just came to wash up.”

“Wow, the water feels amazing.”

My words were met with a clean disregard, as if they were ignored entirely.

The women began to wash themselves together.

This isn’t the first time for such an event.

In fact, I could say I’ve seen quite a few.

Still, it’s a bit disconcerting to be doing this as a group.

“This place is originally a mixed bath. It’s totally fine to join in together, you know?”

“Still, isn’t this a bit much? We could wait a bit before getting in.”

“I was against it from the start.”

As she said this, Yura, who had quickly rinsed herself off, sat down next to me.

I couldn’t help but glance at her slightly visible chest and damp hair.

“Phew.”

At that moment, Hyena sank into the water beside me, letting out a soft sigh.

…….I really don’t know where to focus my gaze.

For reference, Eunbyeol is in front, washing Eve’s hair.

Honestly, it’s awkward no matter where I look; there are women everywhere.

“So?”

“Huh?”

“What do you think about Lady Hestia’s story?”

Yura suddenly brought up a serious topic.

My heart was still racing, but I forced a serious expression as I replied.

“I suppose we have to accept it.”

“Hmm, really?”

“After all, we owe her our lives.”

It’s true that Hestia saved us from the collapsing Niflheim.

I can’t just end it with a simple thank you.

The very act of a deity crossing into another world consumes a significant amount of plausibility.

For Hestia, it must have been quite a stretch to approach us.

“The problem is the type of event we need to participate in.”

“Hmm, they definitely said it’s a tournament by teams, right?”

Hyena spoke with a hint of concern.

The event taking place at Olympus.

Simply put, it’s a Colosseum battle.

Teams will send out players according to their numbers.

The side that defeats all the enemies wins.

It’s simple, but I’ve heard there will be plenty to see.

“It’s not just an event happening at Olympus. They say even divine beings from other worlds will come.”

“So, it’s going to be filled with goddesses like Hela and Hestia.”

The land of spirits ruled by Eve was an unknown small territory.

Niflheim, governed by Hela, was already on the brink of destruction.

In contrast, Olympus still maintains its lineage.

However, there’s a problem—

“And the highest record set in this war will grant the throne of Zeus.”

“To be honest, I can’t believe it. A world where all the gods we know are dead.”

The three great gods who ruled Greek mythology.

Zeus, Poseidon, Hades.

They say they have all already entered eternal slumber.

Naturally, the throne of Olympus is currently vacant.

It seems this event is being held to claim that seat.

“Yet, to decide their throne, they invite other divine beings with the mindset of ‘let’s make it grand and earn some money.’ That’s just insane.”

“Most of the divine beings of Olympus might feel that way.”

In any case, they are certainly fiery gods.

This means the event will unfold in a whirlwind.

A battle that determines the throne of the gods.

Especially the gods of Olympus will likely participate with all their might.

“Hmm, of course, the players participating won’t be ordinary either.”

“They say many divine beings will take part. There will be plenty who have contracts with higher gods.”

Yuri stroked her chin as she spoke.

“It’s a kind of proxy war for the gods. Since they can’t fight directly, they send out players in their stead. Their pride is on the line, so they won’t come with half-hearted attitudes.”

“Looks like those who receive all kinds of support are coming out. Does that mean we have to join them?”

Eunbyeol, who had approached me without me noticing, asked.

“But why did Hestia specifically ask us for such a favor? It’s not like she has a contractor or anything. With her level of divinity, she could easily pick someone else.”

“She probably chose what she thought was the best option.”

Objectively speaking, our team’s strength isn’t bad.

Right now, Yuri and I would be considered strong among average players.

Overall, our balance is quite good as well.

Besides, I have a connection with her through sponsorship and debt.

She must have judged that it would be beneficial to represent us.

‘Of course, the fundamental reason she saved us is probably just because she’s kind.’

In any case, Hestia made that proposal to us.

It’s not easy for us to simply refuse.

“Actually, participating wouldn’t really be a loss for us.”

“That’s true.”

In this event, even if you die in the game, it won’t be treated as actual death.

Compared to the life-and-death battles we’ve fought until now, it could even be considered trivial.

On the other hand, with multiple deities participating, the rewards will likely be substantial.

If we truly win and Hestia becomes the queen, the benefits would be enormous.

“For now, we have two options.”

The women’s gazes turned toward me at my words.

Hmm, it’s a bit overwhelming to be in a situation where women clad only in towels are all looking at me.

“First, we could just ask to be sent back to Earth. If it’s Hestia, she’d probably do it.”

In fact, she had hinted that such a path was available to us.

Though it was clear she hoped we wouldn’t choose that.

Hyena asked with concern, “But you have debts, right? What about that?”

“Well, I guess if I struggle enough, I’ll pay it off someday.”

The amount I borrowed from Hestia is considerable.

But it’s not like I can’t earn coins if I put in the effort.

If we were to face it now, we could easily hunt even a fairly strong boss monster.

“The other option is to participate in the event as Hestia suggested. We’ll have to fight against other players, but that means we can expect some rewards. Which do you prefer?”

In response to my words, Yura answered as if it wasn’t even worth considering.

“That’s not even a question we need to ask. When have we ever shied away from a fight?”

“We can’t miss out on such a big event. It’s a chance to get stronger.”

Hena and Eve nodded in agreement.

It seemed everyone had already made up their minds.

“Then we’ll participate in the event as Team Hestia. Everyone agree?”

At my question, everyone nodded.

I was relieved that they were all so eager.

What kind of results our choice would bring.

At that moment, we had no idea.

“Wow! To think we’d be provided with meals, baths, and even clothes to change into. Hestia is truly kind.”

We each changed into the outfits Hestia had prepared for us.

They were Greek-style garments made from a single piece of fabric.

Her hair, warmed by the bath, was slightly steaming.

Her face had a rosy hue, giving off a hint of allure.

‘This is a bit nerve-wracking.’

There were many beauties here, but still, they couldn’t compare to the companions I had been with until now.

The new outfits of those girls had a peculiar power to stir something in my chest.

“Um, isn’t this outfit a bit too revealing?”

Eunbyeol said, looking down at her body.

We all turned to look at her simultaneously.

“What, what is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, if your usual saintess outfit is revealing, isn’t this even more so?”

The saintess outfit Eunbyeol wore exposed half of her chest and left her thighs precariously bare.

There had been more than a few times I’d felt tense, worried that my underwear might show while moving around.

—

But how can that outfit be acceptable while this one isn’t?

Yet, Eunbyeol snapped my arm playfully, as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t understand! My saintly attire is functional! It’s performance wear! Just like a swimsuit you’d wear in the ocean!”

“Hmm! That’s right. It’s a special garment filled with my blessings.”

It was then that a melodious voice rang out from the distance.

As we turned our heads, there stood an angel.

Overall, she evoked images of water and shades of blue.

Though small in stature, her various protrusions were striking.

“Gabriel?”

“Hehe! It’s nice to see you again, Jihoon.”

From noble mtl dot com