Kamigami – 14

Chapter 14 – God Biter

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As Salia walked from the arbor, a path opened up for her.
The expressions on their faces showed curiosity, disgust, fear, or contempt. She ignored them all and walked.

“That was a wonderful fight.”

A young elf said as he approached her.

“Did you think so? I found it quite difficult to watch.”
“You are being modest. However, if you wanted to see something more impressive, you could have asked to fight my thrall.”
“…I see. Indeed, you are from the forest, and so are your subjects. It would have been quite an impressive hunt.”

He shrugged his shoulders and then moved closer as if to whisper in her ear.

“What do you say? For the next fight, you could replace your subordinate with one of mine?”
“Oh?”
“Indeed, that monster of yours has his strengths, but he is still a lowly savage creature. I do not think he is worthy of you.”
“But yours would be beautiful, and a skilled archer. The best hunter in the forest?”
“You might find me presumptuous, but please give it some consideration.”

It was easy to see his intentions. Knowing everything, Salia nodded.

“However, would your subordinate have had the courage to fight that Hero, face to face?”
“What would make anyone afraid of that fraud?”
“Then let me ask you this. Evergreen Noble. Why didn’t you make this offer to me before, when I first decided to join the games?”
“No! It’s just that…um…”
“Choose your words carefully. And it would be prudent to know your place.”

All things considered, it was an almost adorable exchange. Salia then walked towards the dragon god, who was in the far back.

“I could not be more grateful to you, for your immense help.”
“I do not mind. I was able to see something interesting. That is enough for me.”
“Also, I feel bad for rejecting your request.”
“Hmm. Well, one day. More importantly, let us go. No good will come from staying here.”

He said while looking at the other gods who were gathered. Those who were high-ranking. Those who had a strong influence on the others.
And…

“What is it?”
“No. Well, I must go then.”

He turned away. She felt the stares at her back like daggers. And she knew that some of them were the villains who had ruined her.

‘How are your wounds, Sheto?’

As he sat on the boulder and gazed at the river, the goddess’s voice reached Sheto’s ears.

“Fine now.”
‘I’m sorry for being late.’
“Ah. Also, wanted to ask you something.”

The kobold pointed to the spot where the body had been. There was only a puddle of blood and the armor remaining. The body was gone.

‘When summoned Heroes die during the games, they are returned to their own world. Originally, they were discarded like disposable pawns. However, the gods realized that this could cause all kinds of trouble. And so now, they are sent back as if nothing had ever happened.’
“I, see.”

What a ridiculous thing. For people here, death was an inescapable reality. But for Heroes, it really was just a game.

“In the end, we are just toys.”
‘It is true. Nothing could be more troublesome.’
“Really.”

Sheto’s mouth hung open as he looked up at the sky.

“So, you wanted to talk. About what?”
‘Ah. The games.’
“…I, killed the Hero. This game. There’s no meaning for me to continue.”
‘Exactly. In fact, a certain god made a proposition to me.’

The kobold snorted at Salia’s words. His wet nose felt the wind as he waited.

‘This god offered me the use of his underlings. So if you no longer wish to fight…’
“You, bad at lying too.”
‘Wha…what are you-’
“Smell. It’s damp. You, dislike him. Don’t you?”

Like mold. Or mushrooms. Her dissatisfaction had been carried by the wind and sensed. The goddess laughed.
And then the smell of a warm sun enveloped him.

“I, told you before. Hero, Demon King, God. Will kill them all.”
‘It will be a vicious battle. You might die on the way.’
“Yes. But for now, I don’t mind.”

Like that, he leaned back on the boulder behind him.

“I, am tired. Will sleep for a while.”
‘Leave the watch to me, Ganari.’
“That name, you can stop. The hunt is ended. I, am just Sheto.”
‘What? The hunt will continue. When you wake up, there will be the next one.’

This goddess treated kobolds so roughly. Sheto chuckled as he closed his eyes.
Way above him, a single sword that had lost its master, glimmered under the sun. And the small monster, who killed a Hero; without reflecting on that feat, he slept peacefully.