The Achievement Junkie

High up in Olympic Chateau, four gods gathered around the mirrored table to watch the events of Trodar.

Lyrun was emotionless, feeling terrible for getting caught and used as a hostage. It was a disgrace to his abilities and his reputation.

Naparn felt similarly, only to a much more extreme degree. His natural pride as a magma dragon and with his position as the second strongest holy god was too much for Naparn to take the situation lightly. The only reason Naparn remained silent was because Halmut had ordered it.

Having reverted to his human form, Halmut sported a salt and pepper hair with no facial hair. His eyes remained Draconic, able to see through almost anything with a glance. Those eyes went back and forth between the table and Sterfen, one of the few people Halmut couldn't easily see through.

"You know, Sterfen, I still believe you should've accepted my offer long ago," stated Halmut. "If so, then none of this would've happened. Together, you and your wife could've helped up claim victory in the war, keeping the neutral gods from needing to involve themselves and you never would've lost your child."

"Maybe…" Sterfen shrugged, answering but keeping his gaze on the viewing table. "Only that doesn't matter anymore. The war already ended in a draw and we've already been reunited with our child, no thanks to a certain someone supposedly losing it after the godly war…"

"Anyway," Halmut continued, not minding how Sterfen almost killed Naparn with his glare alone, "Are you sure you don't want to side with us? Should the neutral gods join us, then the chaotic gods wouldn't stand a chance."

"What are you after again, Halmut?"

"EXP, of course."

"That's why we refuse," answered Sterfen. "There's no telling what you would do to us should you not get enough EXP from finishing off the chaotic gods. Besides, if you're after EXP then wouldn't it be better if you just turned against your own gods and stole their lives while you had the chance?"

Chuckling, Halmut replied, "Maybe, but there would be no point in me heading a pantheon for so long. I would've wasted so much energy."

"Not if that's why you raised the pantheon in the first place…"

"Enough of that. Tell me, what do you think of this fight between Pestro and Eedaj? Do you believe Eedaj can manage?" Halmut questioned, changing the subject.

Sterfen smiled again. "I don't think we'll have too much to worry about. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the ending."

"Does that mean you believe Eedaj will be victorious?"

"Something like that…" stated Sterfen. "Eedaj wouldn't provoke a fight without a reason, especially against an opponent of a higher level."

"What level are you now, Sterfen?" asked Halmut.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sterfen laughed, glancing at Halmut's friendly yet false smile. It was creepy how good Halmut was at acting amiable.

"It's just banter. Don't you want time to pass quickly so you can finally relieve your wife of her contract?"

"If you would just let me leave now then that wouldn't be an issue," stated Sterfen.

Halmut replied, "Well, I'd rather enjoy the show with you and hear your commentary. You're far more knowledgeable than you let on, Sterfen, that much is obvious."

"Really? I wonder what gave it away. Was it my title as the God of Secrecy or my outstanding charisma?" Sterfen joked.

"The latter, most definitely," Halmut chuckled. "There's nothing you'd like to speak with me about? I'm sure you know some information worth trading…"

Sighing, Sterfen, "Sorry, Halmut, but I'm pretty sure I know more than even you, given that my relationship with father isn't on the rocks. Unless you come up with something that I'm dying to learn, then I'd rather keep my eyes peeled on the fight."

"Oh… Then… What if I told you about our reserve forces. Would that catch your eye?"

"A little, but not enough to sell out."

"Hmm… Then I'll keep thinking, just in case I come up with something worth your while," added Halmut, looking back to the table.

Finally, once Pestro's rage was at an all-time high, the spectating gods noticed Rikko's sneak attack.

"Oh… That's why you were so confident," stated Halmut. "You had reason, I see."

Sterfen only smiled, watching as Eedaj successfully fooled Pestro and reduced the Demon God to a divine husk of EXP waiting to be harvested.

"That ability really is something… Would your side be willing to trade me Pestro's breathing corpse?" Halmut questioned.

"That… That would be an interesting conversation indeed…" Sterfen sighed in relief as Eedaj stopped Rikko from finishing off the god. "I'd have to speak with my son first, but I wouldn't be against it, so long as you're willing to pay fairly."

Halmut opened his mouth to reply but he then closed it again. His eyes finally focused on the scene of the battlefield, having his interest truly piqued for the first time thus far.

Sterfen noticed this and looked back as well, nearly dropping his jaw to the floor in the meantime.

"Tralbok?! What is… That scythe!" Sterfen shouted in anger.

"Tralbok came and not Moranti? Do you know why that is…" Halmut didn't look at Sterfen but the question was clearly aimed at Sterfen.

"Hand me the contracts now, and then I'll tell you," Sterfen instantly replied, eager to leave and rejoin the others in Trodar.

"Oh, how interesting…" Halmut then changed the perspective of the table, zooming in on his former champion and Lyrun's dormer disciple. "So he made it back in time. And he hasn't a single scar even though he took my Holy Castigation head-on. But he's also not wielding Lyrun's staff… So that's how he pulled it off."

"Halmut, I'll tell you what you want to know," stated Sterfen, no longer in the mood for trivial conversations. "Hand me the contracts and I'll explain everything while you lead me out."

"But the show is only just beginning, Sterfen. It's rare to see the famous Time Reversal spell. Really, it's a waste of talent for the God of Time to remain under Skaryn. Who other than I could use his potential to the fullest."

"Halmut!" Sterfen pounded the mirror table, cracking the corner and almost cutting out the image.

Sighing, Halmut dropped his playful smile and eyed Sterfen. "You chose to come here and force my cooperation. The least you could do is stay and be a proper guest. If you so much as cause another scratch on the table, I'll have your arm."

Removing his fist from the table, Sterfen shouted, "Hand over the contracts and I'll tell you everything."

"Hmm…" Halmut calmly grabbed his chin, acting like he was deep in thought. "I think I can figure out most of the truth on my own Sterfen, so there will be no need for any further discussion. Let's just enjoy the fight. Oh look, Pestro chased Rikko away! I suppose that means Eedaj plans to take him on alone… With these new matchups, who do you think will win, Sterfen? Will Rikko somehow come on top of Pestro without any more tricks to rely on, or will he be ground into a paste under the Demon God's rage? And what about Eedaj? Will the lv. 93 Mind God with powerful illusions be able to overcome the lv. 96 God of Time who can revert any outcome?"

Sterfen didn't play along with Halmut. He said nothing else. Since Halmut wasn't interested in information anymore, then Sterfen wouldn't share any information at all, including his opinions.

Technically, Sterfen could use his hostages to simply flee but he wouldn't do that. After getting a once-in-a-divine-lifetime opportunity to enter Olympic Chateau and take gods as hostages for his wife's contract, Sterfen would never let such an opportunity slip away.

All he could do was trust in his brothers and son to overcome what appeared to be the worst possible fate.