Chapter 111: Heaven (2)

An orange light spread through the gaps in the window.

During the twilight hours, Seo Ye-bin looked at me, her blonde hair flowing down.

“……Really. Every time I see you, you surprise me.”

The one known as the Emperor in the world looked at me and said this. With a faint smile, she stretched out her fingers and flicked the head of the decapitated leader to the side.

“I’ll make it known. Since you’ve annihilated the notorious Brigade of Eternal Heaven, you will be the top student. I’ll ensure there’s no dissent.”

“Thank you.”

It’s an absurd statement, but in this school, her power was absolute. In Korea, too, her word was law, such was the authority of the Emperor.

If she said so in this place I called home, then that’s what will happen.

“Will you be attending this exchange meeting?”

“Yes.”

The exchange meeting.

A gathering where students from the Korea Hero School and the Divine Academy in the United States tested each other’s skills and aim for improvement.

And the trip to the U.S. was going to be incredibly tough, unlike anything I had experienced before.

“That’s good. I’ll make sure of it. You seem quite interested in it.”

“……That’s part of it.”

The overall level at the Divine Academy was lower than that at the Korea Hero School.

But for two first-year students, the story was different.

There was a being who rivaled Kim Seo-hyun.

And unless it’s the well-prepared Kim Seo-hyun, this being was almost certain to defeat the protagonist.

“Then, I’ll look forward to the exchange meeting.”

“Please do.”

I said with a bitter smile. A tremendous event will occur at this exchange meeting.

The death of the gods that brought me to the position called Heaven.

The Vaccine War.

Most of them were beings comparable to transcendents.

If we talked about levels alone, that’s the case. But most of the vaccines fought by converting their power into divinity.

For example, The Overlord could single-handedly defeat ten lower-level gods of the Vaccine War.

‘If I have to say, the stats and skills are incredibly strong, but they don’t really apply them.’

Of course, even The Overlord could die if unlucky, because each of them was of the same level.

I put my hands in my pockets and headed to the classroom, which was buzzing with excitement.

“If it’s an exchange meeting this time, does that mean we can visit the Divine Academy? I’m looking forward to it.”

“I want to learn about Heaven’s system.”

“Right, Arthur. A place where the vaccines themselves step in to distinguish truth from falsehood and divide efficiency. That’s a truly equal communist country.”

Hearing this story felt strange. In my previous life, America had the image of being the freest country.

But in this world, America was no different from a communist country.

Because the gods existed.

Those who boasted near-omnipotence in their domain have transformed the country into one where effort was rewarded.

Communism could succeed if it’s not humans at the top, but beings transcending humans acting solely for humans.

Suddenly, I remembered a friend’s words.

“Alright, everyone, get ready. I understand you’re excited because the midterms are over, but from now on, you are the face of the Korean Hero School. Every action of yours will be a measure of evaluating our school.”

““Yes~.””

The students answered in unison.

I opened a cola from the vending machine and put it to my lips.

“Seo-ha is going too.”

“Is it wrong for me to go?”

“No, I just thought Seo-ha doesn’t really need to go.”

Kim Seo-hyun, who had quietly approached, came holding a drink with the bizarre brand name ‘Mint Chocolate’s Eyes.’

“Want to try this? It’s delicious.”

“……I’ll pass.”

I had tried the drink that Kim Seo-hyun was obsessed with once, and the taste was truly dreadful. It was like a mix of x’s eyes and milk tea with mint chocolate from my past life.

Really. Truly. Incredibly dreadful.

As I sipped my cola while waiting, I saw second-year students approaching from afar.

The first one I noticed was Sung Han-byul.

Of course, I spotted her because she’s my favorite character… and I was right. After all, there weren’t many people in the second year who caught my eye.

I approached Sung Han-byul.

“Are you going to the exchange meeting too, senior?”

“Yes. The third-years are busy with job preparations now.”

“Then, let’s get along as leaders.”

“……No. That’s fine.”

Sung Han-byul kept a little distance from me.

Why though? Did I do something wrong? Was there some third-rate villain spreading bad rumors about me? Then I should kill that guy…

“Typical first-year charm. Trying to woo the student council president.”

“I wish he’d woo me too……”

“…………………………………………?”

I was perplexed by the students’ reactions. Who did I woo? Of course, it would be nice to be linked with Sung Han-byul, but I resolved not to prioritize romance. It’s too hard to save the world while being in a relationship. But maybe with Sung Han-byul, it would be okay. After all, if I was to save the world, I needed to save her too. So, wouldn’t it be okay to be connected with Sung Han-byul?

“Everyone seems to have gathered, so assemble in front of me!”

Students gathered around Seo Woo-ju. I stood in line with my arms hanging down.

“Are you so gloomy just because you were rejected by the student council president?”

Ershil Merchen commented as if it was absurd.

“……A gloomy Seo-ha is cute too, but the reason for being gloomy is annoying.”

Kim Ara, holding a greatsword taller than herself, said.

“……Do you want a hug?”

“Yes. Please hug me.”

I hugged Kim Ara. She was startled at first but then stroked my head.

“What, what are you two doing right now! No, more importantly, Seo-ha, you became like this just because of that?”

Ershil was confused, even dropping honorifics at the end. Hmm, I did seem too dejected. I hugged Kim Ara tighter and looked ahead.

I saw Seo Ga-yeon looking at me with lifeless eyes, Kim Seo-hyun with a complex gaze, and Hong Yu-hwa alternating her gaze between her own chest and Kim Ara’s.

Meanwhile, I observed the warp gate while being embraced by Kim Ara.

“……Want to touch my chest?”

“……”

“What, what! What did you say!?”

Startled by Kim Ara’s abrupt proposition, I almost nodded. Thankfully, Ershil saved me. I sighed inwardly and remarked,

“Touching the chest, that’s problematic.”

“……You must be really hurting.”

Ershil’s response was even more melancholic.

Woo-woo-woong!

The warp gate activated.

In this era, airplanes were largely obsolete.

Only backward nations or the Nazi Empire, which was hostile to the entire world, still used them.

The cost to install a warp gate was equivalent to an average country’s annual budget, and its maintenance required a massive budget as well.

This warp gate served almost as a symbol of advanced nations. Korea, thanks to the spiritual veins beneath it, could install it more easily than other countries, but the expense remained astronomical.

Ziiing!

A blue space formed a doorway. The scenery of the destination warp gate merged into the space, unveiling that location.

“Shall we depart then?”

Following Seo Woo-ju’s invitation, I approached the warp gate still cradled in Kim Ara’s arms.

“……I know you’re favored by the Emperor, but isn’t this a bit excessive?”

A professor attempted to intervene. Kim Ara fixed him with a sharp glare.

“Our father is The Overlord.”

“……”

‘……Ours?’

We proceeded without further obstacles.

Immediately, the uniformity in attire was striking. Nuns and priests in black clerical robes, each meticulously positioned in their designated areas.

Elsewhere, there were individuals in suits with sunglasses, or in Hawaiian shirts and shorts, presenting a chaotic scene.

This diversity showcased their allegiance to various deities.

“Wow, this is no small matter.”

Ershil Merchen approached me and observed. I nodded in agreement.

“Let’s proceed with a brief immigration check. Please come here and answer a few questions.”

A priest bearing the symbol of a scale spoke. He was a follower of the gods of truth and lies. Beside him stood another follower, marked by the symbol of a red thread—the god of connections.

His questions were straightforward.

“Do you plan to threaten the country of Heaven?”

“Are you connected to any entity or organization that poses a threat to this place?”

The follower of truth and lies inquired. As he discerned truth from lies, the follower of connections probed for any ties.

This process determined whether one was connected to any entities or not.

‘Such thorough preparations.’

And they were unlike other corrupt officials.

These followers were directly involved in the Vaccine War. They were grateful to serve their god.

‘Truly frightening.’

That’s why America was called Heaven.

That’s why America was known as the land of absolute safety.

“Seems like the Divine Academy has come to greet us.”

Park Woon-hyuk, who had approached me, remarked.

“Divine Academy?”

“Yes. They probably want to see what kind of people you and I are.”

Park Woon-hyuk spoke with a smug look and a haughty gesture.

‘Why is he like that?’

I remembered when I fought Tak Yoon-il, and a connection was established.

That connection was one of admiration.

I thought deeply for a moment before realizing my situation.

Misunderstood by Sung Han-byul as a womanizer (not true), seeking comfort in Kim Ara’s embrace.

‘…Can admiration come from here?’

I looked at Park Woon-hyuk, but he merely stared back as if nothing was unusual.

“Ah, I see. Are you planning to assert dominance to show the class of Korean Hero School?”

“…No need for that.”

“Ah.”

I stepped out of Kim Ara’s embrace. I missed the soft comfort, but I regained some composure.

“Are you feeling better now? Or, you can stay in my arms if you like.”

Ershil said with a grin.

“…I’m okay now.”

“If you need anything, just let me know~.”

I nodded as subtly as I could.