**225. Child of the Goddess**
—
*The Star That Drinks the Nebula.*
Like the “Star of Jörmungandr” that Isabella carries, it is a named star—yet one of the most exceptional among them.
*I don’t understand.*
I slowly stroked my chin.
Because it made absolutely no sense.
When a character dies, every star they carried is supposed to fall *randomly somewhere onto the continent of Pangaenia.*
Not into the Abyss.
I had never once heard of a star falling into the Abyss.
And this isn’t even an ordinary Abyss.
This is the domain where Raiga brought people for *Fragment Hunts*, the place ruled by the **Godskin Hybrid.**
Could all of this really be coincidence?
“And… there is one thing I did not tell you.”
Isabella suddenly spoke.
Even though we had discussed so much already, there was still something she hadn’t mentioned.
Judging by her hesitant expression, it was something difficult to confess.
“What didn’t you tell me?”
“Once… in the Abyss, I saw a ‘star.’”
“Was it ‘The Star That Drinks the Nebula’?”
“…It said that, yes. But…”
“But?”
“I believe it was a star… but I’m not sure it truly *was* a star.”
She lacked certainty.
After a moment, she continued:
“Sir Randolph. A star is a fragment of the goddess’ body, yes?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
The only normal stars are those of the goddess **Leah**—32 in total, each representing a severed part of her divine body.
Right now the world is full of unknown stars of unclear origin, but *traditionally* and *properly*, there are only thirty-two.
Then Isabella spoke with a grave expression:
“The ‘star’ I saw was not fragmented.”
“There is no such star.”
“But I saw it with my own eyes. It even spoke to me. It said it was desperately searching for the Knight King…”
“…?”
A star fallen into the Abyss searching desperately for the Knight King Wilhelm?
But stars are fragments of the goddess’s body.
Even *The Star That Drinks the Nebula* is just one of those pieces.
If it wasn’t fragmented, then it was no star—it would be **a god itself.**
*A god searching for me?*
Even if that were true, it only raised more questions.
A normal god cannot exist in the Abyss.
And why would it speak to Isabella of all people?
Was what she saw truly The Star That Drinks the Nebula?
At that moment—
Suuuuuuuth—
A cluster of lights appeared before our eyes and two **doors** manifested.
“Doors?”
Literal doors—open-and-close doors.
Both of them were currently shut.
But that wasn’t all.
A message window materialized.
“`
《All conditions have been satisfied. ‘Star Hunt’ has now begun.》
《Those who wish to participate, enter the right ‘door.’
Those who do not, enter the left ‘door.’》
《Current Participants – ‘Raiga’, ‘Amplifier of Storms’, ‘Lord of Graves’, ‘The Sunken Emperor’, ‘Starbreaker’, ‘The Unborn One’, ‘The Whale of the Heavenly Axis’, ‘Heavenly Demon’》
“`
The moment I finished reading, dizziness washed over me.
Because I recognized some of those names.
*Names of Abyssal sovereigns. And primordial beings.*
I was not mistaken.
The Amplifier of Storms and the Lord of Graves were among the most powerful and famous rulers of the Abyss.
The Whale of the Heavenly Axis and the Heavenly Demon were primordial existences spoken of by the ancient Dragon God.
Individually, each was powerful enough to shake the world the instant they appeared.
I had no idea what conditions had been met, but why had such beings joined a “Star Hunt”?
A Star Hunt.
If it is what the name implies, then this is dangerous.
Because the star that lies in this place is *The Star That Drinks the Nebula.*
*All of them are aiming for that star.*
But why?
Though it represents the Sword King Wilhelm, these beings should have no connection to him.
Unless they are after **a Fragment of Calamity** instead.
If they all possess shards, they may be competing to consume another.
And yet… the timing is too convenient.
The place is too convenient.
Why did the Star Hunt begin the moment I entered the Abyss?
*Was my entry one of the conditions?*
…There was no answer.
According to Raiga and Isabella, Fragment bearers have never converged like this before.
So it certainly wasn’t simply about a shard.
I swallowed silently.
A total of eight participants.
Not a single one was someone I could afford to take lightly.
“Isabella. You’re not coming.”
“But…!”
“You have no place there.”
I spoke firmly and without mercy.
Isabella was strong.
But only by the standards of humans.
If she stepped into that event, there was a **100% chance** she would not return alive.
I would not encourage her death.
Isabella widened her eyes.
“Because I am weak?”
“Yes.”
“…”
She bit her lip at my immediate response.
Because it was true.
There was not a single participant weaker than Isabella.
At length, she took a deep breath and spoke again:
“…I will wait here.”
“How long do you think you’ll be waiting?”
“Until you return. No matter how long.”
Her answer carried unmistakable resolve.
Her eyes reflected unshakable determination.
*She’s changed.*
Isabella had struggled endlessly to find herself.
Living as the “Snake Princess” with no memory.
After meeting me, immediately departing to reclaim her true self.
Returning to become the Queen of the desert city Faisalmer—and then even going to the Dersian household to uncover the truth of divine disease.
She had been searching for who she was, for her purpose.
And now—she had finished that journey.
All this time, Isabella had always left my side.
But now she said she would wait.
Only someone who has finally found themselves can truly wait for another.
Of course, I could easily send her away with the forced obedience of the **Radiant Pureblood Ring**, the divine command of faith—
But instead:
“Then wait.”
I told her to wait because she said she would.
I fully intended to return.
If this Star Hunt was truly for *The Star That Drinks the Nebula,* not even a fraction of it would go to anyone else.
It is mine.
It is **my star.**
Creak—
Without hesitation, I opened the **right door** and stepped inside.
“…Yes. Whatever happens, I will wait.”
Behind me, Isabella nodded with resolute determination, as though making a silent vow.
—
—
*Player Talk – Chat Logs*
> **– How many main quest stages are there?**
A sudden question appeared on Player Talk.
It popped up every now and then, but no one knew the exact answer.
> – Nobody knows
> – Normal players can only reach stage 10 I think
> – There’s more after 10?
> – Most people quit after “Trial of the Dragon God Einhasar”
> – Einhasar that f***er!!
> – Did anything change now that he’s “Dragon God Einhasar?”
> – Nope. I retried. Same psycho dragon.
The chat was filled with curses from players traumatized by Einhasar’s trial.
Up to Stage 9, ordinary players could scrape through with enough effort.
But starting from Stage 10, the content and difficulty **changed completely.**
Thus countless players gave up at Stage 10.
> – So what’s Stage 11?
> – “Hunt an Abyssal Monster.” Literally go into the Abyss and kill a monster.
> – WHAT. You have to enter the Abyss??
> – Yep
> – Can you just kill a weak monster and leave?
> – You can. But nobody does that. People who reach stage 11 know how important rankings are.
> – Real competition starts at stage 11 lol
> – Because the rewards are insane…
> – Can’t everyone just kill a weak monster and share the reward equally?
> – LOL do you think that’s how competition works you naive child?
Then someone brought up one name—inevitably.
> – Isn’t Randolph also on main quest stage 11?
Randolph was always a hot topic on Player Talk.
Of course players were curious how he would clear it.
> – He’ll probably kill one Abyssal Lord and walk out
> – Do you think the Abyss is a joke?
> – Only the Empire can even attempt an Abyss expedition.
> – And only with preparations on par with the Great Expedition. Randolph is solo—no chance.
An Abyss expedition is a gamble with a kingdom’s fate.
Even the Empire cannot form one casually.
If such an expedition were underway, people would know instantly.
But recently, there had been no talk of any Abyss expedition.
> – He’ll probably just kill some mid-boss and leave
> – Only one person has ever killed an Abyssal Lord during Main Quest 11
> – Gracia?
> – No, Lucifer.
> – Lucifer?? From the Heroes’ Council??
> – Yeah. They fought the “Prince of Futility” and everyone died except Lucifer.
> – There’s no way Randolph solos an Abyssal Lord.
> – There’s everything in the Abyss… you can’t predict anything.
Very few believed Randolph could conquer the Abyss.
No matter how strong a man was, there was a limit.
The Abyss births countless variables.
To endure long enough to reach an Abyssal Lord requires innumerable *deaths* among the expedition.
> – Some say the Demon Realm is literally part of the Abyss so like lmao
> – Anyway the Heroes Council is screwed lol
> – They’ll have to beg someone for help
> – Maybe they’ll team with the Magic Tower lmaooo
> – Eww cringe
> – They’ll end up kneeling to the Church
> – They’re apparently sending partnership offers everywhere
> – They contacted my guild too LMAO
> – Yikes
> – You don’t board a sinking ship
> – SERVES THEM RIGHT. If they lose influence in Pangaenia, Earth is done for them too LMAO
> – popcorn time
> – kek
> – LOLOLOLOLOLOL
—
—
**Heroes Council Headquarters**
“Should we borrow Pride’s help?”
In a dark room, Lucifer stood before the statue of a Fallen Angel.
The Heroes Council was facing its worst crisis in history.
Ordinary means could not solve it.
The only person who came to mind was Pride—King Friedrich.
But he slowly shook his head.
*He would devour us whole the moment he sensed we were weak.*
If they begged him, he would drag them down even further.
“Which leaves only one option…”
Lucifer raised his gaze toward the Fallen Angel statue.
*The reward from Main Quest Stage 11.*
This statue was the prize he took from clearing the Abyss—recorded as rank 1 in the Hall of Fame and stolen by victory.
If he used it, perhaps he could turn this situation around.
But he hesitated.
*…Once used, it can never be used again.*
That was why he had kept it unused until now.
Inside the Fallen Angel statue was sealed divinity.
Real divinity.
And only the #1 player of Main Quest Stage 11 can possess it.
If one is pushed to #2, the divinity transfers instantly to the new #1.
Which meant this:
*If Randolph surpasses my score, the divinity of the Fallen Angel will transfer to him.*
Randolph had taken #1 in Main Quests 1 through 10—overwhelmingly.
But Stage 11 is different.
The Abyss is not a joke.
Even defeating the “Prince of Futility” had taken an expedition that barely succeeded—and only Lucifer survived.
The Abyss is not something a lone Randolph can overcome.
Even if he had hidden backing, it shouldn’t matter.
It was impossible for Randolph to slay an Abyssal Lord beyond the Prince of Futility.
*…There’s no way he’ll surpass me.*
Yes. He cannot surpass him. That is the natural order.
Lucifer denied it with force.
Then, slowly, his hand lifted to gently caress the surface of the statue.
“Child of the Goddess… you belong to me.”
—
oh yeah buddy give it 3 minutes and that divinity is gone😭😭