374 - God's Drink, Nectar #4

"Oh, unni, what brings you here...?"

Antiope asks cautiously. Was Antiope always this timid? Was she really the Antiope of legend?

Could she have been a fake swapped out in the university basement?

But the zipper opened to reveal a pipe from between her breasts. And beyond it, the ample, shapely breasts were unmistakably Antiope's.

A full D-cup, smooth and soft-looking, with sweat trickling down.

This Antiope was the real deal.

*Srrrk-*.

Towards that Antiope, a woman named Seileia spread her arms wide.

"..."

"..."

Then, for a few seconds, they both stared blankly at each other without a word.

"What are you doing? Come to your unni like you used to."

"R-really? Here? I'm not a kid anymore."

"Not a kid? You're still a child. Come here quickly. Not coming? Should I come to you?"

"Ah, no-."

Antiope glanced around nervously. She looked as fidgety as a teenage girl embarrassed to be seen with her family in public.

My sister and I used to pretend not to see each other when we ran into each other downtown.

"Five, four, three, two-."

However, when Seileia, a Gold-tier adventurer, started counting down for some unknown reason, Antiope reluctantly approached Seileia and buried her face in the latter's hard breastplate for a hug.

"There, that's better."

Seileia ruffled Antiope's face and hair with her hands.

Antiope, being hugged, had her face flushed with a mix of humiliation and embarrassment.

"What's with that face? Your favorite unni is here. Isn't that right?"

"Th-that's..."

"I'm your favorite unni, and Hippolyte is second, right?"

"Th-that..."

"What? You're not answering?"

"Y-yes-!"

"Then give your unni a kiss on the lips."

Family matters can be complicated. And the Amazons, with their many half-siblings, must be even more so.

I had many thoughts and things I wanted to say, but I didn't have the right to meddle, so I decided to just watch.

Regardless of the situation, the sight of pretty women kissing each other was quite pleasant. Seileia then gently pulled Antiope, who was being held somewhat against her will, away from her.

"Just kidding. You've grown a lot. And why did you change your hair color again?"

"Th-that's-."

"More importantly, why are you working in a place like this? Did Hippolyte tell you to work here?"

Antiope blinked, flustered by the barrage of questions. She then turned her head to look at me and Paranoy, who were silently observing the scene.

Was she asking for help?

Normally, I would have feigned ignorance, but hadn't Antiope and I been through thick and thin together? She was my comrade, a rare presence like a younger sister I knew.

So, I had no choice but to open my mouth.

"Hello there."

Ah...

I felt a slight pang of guilt even as I said it. Approaching unfamiliar women smoothly was difficult even for me, with all my experience.

The younger and more attractive the woman, the harder the task became. At that moment, it felt easier to enchant a club and hunt monsters.

Couldn't I have found a more skillful way to speak?

"..."

Look at that. She's glaring at me coldly.

*Gugigig*.

Seileia, who had been looking at me with a frown, asked again.

"Who are you? There was a Samaritan in Hippolyte's office earlier, and there's one here too. Why are there so many Samaritans in this city?"

MnZBMElkRjFKc3ZCR0RiWklQRlA5WlZINzRaZThhUzZ1cnMyS01IbEgxWUp5YjRYZ2NDN2pjamlxYStPalk4ZQ

"That was me too."

"Oh, really?"

This woman, Seileia, hadn't paid much attention to me when we met in Hippolyte's office.

And it was the same now; she didn't even realize that the person she saw then and the person she saw now were the same.

I'd been mistaken for someone else many times due to racists who couldn't distinguish Samaritan appearances.

But this was the first time someone didn't recognize me, which was a rather dull shock.

"...So, who are you-?"

Seileia asked, finally showing interest in me. Paranoy, who had been hiding behind me, peeked out from my side and shouted.

"If you're talking about this person, he is the brightest light in the darkness, the ruin of Hypnos, the despair of demons, the ender of university life, the lord of terror, the Golden Hassan-nim...! All hail-!"

"Golden Hassan...?"

*Srrrk-*.

Seileia's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I've heard of you. Pluto's heir, living among humans on this land, enjoying himself. So that's you."

"Yeah, well, that's me."

Now that my identity was revealed, I couldn't keep using polite language like a subordinate.

This was my temple, and everyone around me was my people. I had to project an aura of majesty in front of them.

"Though this place may be small and humble, it is my temple. I don't turn away those who come, but it's best not to cause trouble."

"Hmm-. So, Pluto's son."

*Srrrk-*.

The woman hiding her face with a fan. The slightly visible eyes above it seemed to pierce through me. She was probably sensing my aura or presence.

"I've met many necromancers who claim to be sons of death. They were all pathetic. They couldn't even last a few rounds against me. Compared to them, you certainly seem a bit stronger."

"How dare you...!"

Paranoy, hiding behind me, responded.

"Comparing those fakes to Hassan-nim is an insult...! It's called a 'honey tap' but it's not sweet at all...!"

"What are you talking about? A strange Nymph. But having a Nymph as a subordinate probably means you're the real deal."

Seileia seemed quite intrigued by me. The man who seemed ordinary turned out to be a god, so her interest must have piqued.

It's like the appeal of a man who shows up to a blind date looking disheveled, but then pulls out a Maybach key from his pocket. My analogy might be a bit off, but it feels accurate.

"So, Hassan, you said? May I ask for a lesson from you?"

*Tap-*.

Seileia folded her fan and tucked it inside her breastplate. Then, she drew two swords from her waist and pointed them at me.

She's interested in me as a combatant, not as a man. How warlike are the daughters of the Amazons?

"If you don't mind, that is-."

*Sreung, sreung-*.

Seileia gripped the two swords in a reverse grip.

Is her fighting style with two swords?

A sparring match with a Gold-tier adventurer. I, with little experience outside of Hippolyte, felt quite bewildered. Would I even stand a chance?

The fact that I was even being challenged by a Gold-tier adventurer felt strange.

Strength 16.

Aura.

And the strange druidic power within me.

Home ground.

With these factors combined, I might be able to put up a decent fight.

However, my arms were still throbbing from the aftereffects of unleashing the True Fist, the Six Kings Fist, on Hippolyte earlier. The outcome was predictable.

But backing down or refusing the duel wouldn't look good. As I was about to accept, Paranoy spoke up from behind me.

"The chance to challenge a god is not something to be taken lightly...! First, you must face me, Hassan-nim's most cherished and beloved right arm, the foremost follower, Paranoy...!"

"You-?"

"And before you face me, it is the duty of this temple to face the excellent subordinate I cherish, Antiope...!"

It seemed Paranoy was using Antiope as a shield. Antiope looked startled.

"M-me?"

"Yes...! Show me your strength, Antiope, you girl who knows no respect...!"

"No, I..."

Antiope stammered, looking quite troubled. I already knew she was wary of Seileia, so I could guess how she felt.

Was it the same for Seileia? She scoffed.

"Antiope couldn't possibly defeat me."

"..."

However, that seemed to have pricked Antiope's pride. The embarrassment she had shown moments before vanished, replaced by a cold demeanor and narrowed brows.

"We'll only know if we fight."

"So, you want to fight this unni now?"

*Pajit, pajijit-*.

My skin began to tingle, as if static electricity were being discharged into the air. It was obvious to anyone that these two were gearing up for a fight.

*Gooooo-*.

"What the heck is going on?"

"I don't know. They're going to fight!"

The disciples of the 12 Numbers and Paranoy, who were resting nearby, forgot to even swallow and couldn't take their eyes off the two.

A temple knight order formed by Gold-tier adventurers and those of comparable strength.

Fights between such powerhouses couldn't be seen even in the gladiatorial arenas where people paid to watch. I was also extremely interested.

Those two are sisters.

Their skills are probably similar.

Whichever one wins, they might both show their absolute limits.

*Sreung-*.

Antiope drew the short spear she carried on her back and said.

"Then Hassan, as the master of this temple, will you be the official witness to the upcoming duel?"

"Sure, why not."

I, who was interested in the fights of other strong individuals besides myself, readily accepted the role of referee. Watching a fight and being a referee, what better privilege could there be? Being the master of a temple is truly awesome.

*Sseuk-*.

Antiope, holding the short spear in a reverse grip, lowered her stance like a puma hiding in the bushes. She looked ready to pounce on her opponent at any moment.

However, unlike the sharp Antiope, Seileia put the two swords she held back into her waist.

Then, she extended her bare hands towards Antiope.

"Antiope, I don't even need a sword to fight you. It reminds me of the old days, which is nice."

That reminded me of Hippolyte fighting the clueless rookie adventurer Hassan. The stance was similar.

"So, you'll regret it-?"

And Antiope reminded me of Hassan fighting Hippolyte. Of course, she was incomparably stronger than I was back then. She was level 39.

"Antiope, if you can't gauge each other's strength at a glance, it means you're not ready yet. You can't beat me, little sister."

"N-nonsense-!"

*Pabat-*.

Antiope sprang forward like lightning, pushing off with her hind legs.

At the same time, her spear, held in a reverse grip, cut through the air as if to pierce Seileia's throat.

*Swaeak-*.

Seileia deflected the incredibly fast arm, which smelled of burning, with the palm of her right hand, throwing off Antiope's balance.

*Pawat-*.

"Whoa-."

Thrown off balance, Antiope stumbled. But she didn't fall, instead spinning like a top and launching a spinning back kick.

*Srrrk-*.

The sharp kick narrowly grazed Seileia's nose.

"Oh, you-."

After that, a close-quarters battle ensued, with their hands, knees, and feet clashing. Antiope's bare hand reached out towards Seileia's face as if to grab her head.

*Sseuk-*.

"..."

Seileia dodged it narrowly without a word, then grabbed Antiope's arm and threw her into the air.

However, the agile Antiope regained her balance in mid-air and landed on the ground.

"What, what is happening?"

"They're too fast, I can't see."

The onlookers could only stare with their mouths agape, unable to believe what they were seeing as attacks and defenses were exchanged in a blur.

It was understandable, as even I could barely keep up with the situation.

*Pawat-*.

Finally, the two created distance between them.

"Nothing has changed, Antiope. I taught you so much about close combat, and you've already taken two hits to your shoulder and stomach.

Seileia shrugged at Antiope. Indeed, strong handprints were visible on Antiope's shoulder and stomach. She must have taken hits during the fierce exchange.

"And spear fighting doesn't suit you. A defensive role with a shield would be better. You don't have to use a spear just because Hippolyte told you to."

"It has nothing to do with Hippolyte unni. And what I'm about to show you now also has nothing to do with my sisters-."

*Jijik-*.

Antiope opened her zipper again and put the pipe between her breasts. Then, after taking a deep puff, she exhaled.

"Hoo-."

She exhaled a cloud of white, hazy smoke, finishing her impressive smoking session. Seileia opened her eyes slightly, looking confused.

"Smoking during a duel? Why would you do something so foolish?"

"Magic herbs enhance the sense of magic-. You know that, don't you?"

"But you're a daughter of Mars, just like me. What good will sensing magic do?"

"This is how. I wanted to save this as a trump card for the festival of the Great War, but-."

*Pajik, pajijik-*.

Strange static electricity began to crackle around Antiope's body. White sparks, visible to the naked eye.

The magical lightning made the hair on my neck stand on end. Seileia, too, lost her relaxed expression and drew her two swords again from her waist.

*Sreung-*.

At the same time, Seileia disappeared from my sight.

*Pawat-*.

When I came to my senses, I saw Seileia striking Antiope's neck with the pommel of her sword.

"Kuhuk-."

Antiope's eyes rolled back. Before she could fall to the ground, Seileia caught her by the stomach and supported her.

"My agility stat is 15. You can't see me or chase me. That's why I'm Seileia of the Mist."

Truly an impressive speed. I had only seen Gloria move that fast before. A speed-specialized Amazoness. It was quite an impressive duel.

* * *

"Ah, damn it. I lost. Why did you get so strong? I thought only I was getting stronger, but everyone else is staying ahead, so I can't catch up!"

Antiope, now awake, ruffled her hair in anger at her defeat.

"I can't win like this!"

She said it with frustration, but if Antiope had completed her final, strange lightning-like ability, the outcome might have been different.

Of course, Antiope knew that too. However, the charging time for her ultimate move was longer than her opponent's attack time, which was a significant drawback.

And Antiope knew that too. Since my comrade is competent, I have nothing to teach her. But her sister seemed different.

"Use a shield, Antiope. A shield suits you better than a spear. You don't have to use a spear just because Hippolyte told you to."

Her sister, Seileia, gave Antiope stern advice to change her weapon. Antiope, not wanting to discuss it further, decided to change the subject.

"So, unni, you're busy in Babel, so you didn't come to see our faces. What brings you to Sodomora? Is it for work?"

"That's right."

"You must be a big shot, or you've got a major case."

"That's also right. This job involves Nectar."

*Srrrk-*.

Antiope's slightly annoyed expression calmed down. She knew the meaning of the word Nectar.

And I knew it best. Nectar. Its effect had given me the equivalent power of a divine card with an attack power of 4,000.

Perhaps I could taste it again?

I asked.

"A quest involving Nectar. Can you tell me what it is?"

Seileia shrugged.

"It's not exactly a secret. We were planning to cooperate with the city. I'm looking for a thief. The thief's name is Ignoi, the Nymph of the Muddy Waters. He stole a scroll with the Nectar brewing method. He should be somewhere near this city."

"Th-the Nymph of the Muddy Waters, Ignoi...!"

Paranoy shouted from behind.

Does he know something about the Nymph of the Muddy Waters?

I asked.

"Do you know anything about that Ignoi fellow?"

"I don't know...!"

"Shit, then why did you yell?"

"However, I have heard of the Nymph of the Muddy Waters.... They are truly, truly terrible Nymphs...! Even though they are Nymphs, they are vicious Nymph-haters who even sell other Nymphs to hunters...! The Nymph of the Muddy Waters refers to such criminal Nymphs...!"

It was difficult to understand Paranoy's angry words, but having been with him for a long time, I managed to decipher them.

So, it means particularly wicked Nymphs?

Antiope, who had been contemplating with her arms crossed for a while, asked her sister.

"What's the last sighting?"

"The Nymph Relief Foundation in Sodomora. Someone there saw Ignoi. We need to get the brewing method back quickly. Otherwise, the prize for this year's Great War festival will be lost somewhere strange. The brewing method is a one-time use."

"That's a big problem. You haven't told Hippolyte unni, have you?"

"No. Since we'll catch him and make it as if it never happened, there's no need to tell her. Anyway, we need to get into the Nymph Relief Foundation, but it's difficult because only authorized personnel are allowed in."

"I'm sure. They have Nymphs there, so security must be tight, and they're hostile to outsiders."

*Srrrk-*.

The sisters, who were conversing so smoothly as if they hadn't just fought, now turned their eyes to the same spot.

"I, I hate relief foundations...! I never want to go there again...! We have to create important doctrines of faith...!"