Chapter 2: Defying the Gods

‘What’s going on?’

Seyul was bewildered. Out of nowhere, he had become a s*ave.

[Excuse me?]

[Hey, say something.]

[Are you not looking at the chat?]

[No way… Who streams without checking the chat?]

The viewers, unaware that the chat was blocked, were equally confused.

Despite the awkward atmosphere, the game’s story continued without hesitation.

<The continent was engulfed in war.>

A sudden narration filled the screen.

Seyul and the viewers instinctively focused on it.

<The monsters that ruled the northern lands began attacking humans in earnest.>

<Faced with the overwhelming power of the monsters, humans were helpless.>

The game Seyul had started was called Warrior of the Gods.

It was a game where the warrior of the gods fought against the monsters that threatened humanity.

Normally, players would start in the human territory in the south.

But for Seyul, who had set the difficulty to Extreme, that wasn’t the case.

Since he started in the northern lands, ruled by monsters, the storyline was different.

<You are one of the humans hunted by monsters.>

<Your family and friends were all slaughtered by them.>

<The monsters who captured you sold you as a s*ave to a lower-ranked monster tribe, the orcs.>

<Now, as an orc s*ave, you have been living a miserable existence.>

<Will you be able to escape this wretched fate and defeat the monsters?>

The background of his enslavement was explained.

Now, finally understanding the situation, Seyul nodded.

‘So, this game actually starts with the protagonist as a s*ave. That’s pretty hardcore.’

He assumed this was the game’s normal setting, unaware that it was only because of the high difficulty level.

‘Then, these people must have been captured just like me.’

Understanding the situation better, Seyul took a closer look around.

On either side of him stood a man and a woman, both dressed as slaves, their faces filled with terror.

“Heh heh…”

“Tonight, we feast.”

Their gazes turned toward something.

There stood about fifteen orcs, their green skin and pig-like faces making them look grotesque.

They licked their lips as they stared at the humans.

It was an ugly sight, but

‘It’s been so long!’

For Seyul, who had been suffering from a twisted sense of nostalgia, even this scene felt strangely comforting.

The grotesque appearance of the orcs moved him so much that he almost teared up.

[Why is he smiling?]

[What’s so funny about those ugly things?]

[Wow, what a unique taste.]

[She’s so pretty, but…]

The viewers were torn between admiration and bewilderment.

‘Maybe she’s a Nordic foreigner who immigrated?’

Her snow-white skin and long silver hair were dazzling.

Some had joined the stream just to watch Warrior of the Gods but were caught off guard when they saw her.

She didn’t look human.

Even when she ignored the chat, they kept watching, mesmerized only to grow more confused by her actions.

‘Even seeing orcs again makes me happy!’

Completely unaware that an audience was watching, Seyul kept grinning at the orcs.

Meanwhile, the story continued.

“Bring them forward.”

One of the orcs spoke, his eyes gleaming menacingly.

Immediately, the other orcs grabbed one of the slaves beside Seyul.

“N-No! Stop!”

The s*ave screamed desperately.

But the orcs paid no attention and dragged him forward.

No matter how much he struggled, they restrained him by force.

Thud!

With a single swing, the s*ave’s head was severed and fell to the ground.

“The head’s no good. Toss it out and take the body to the kitchen.”

“Got it.”

The orcs, unfazed by having just killed someone, conversed casually.

No good, kitchen.

There was only one thing those words could mean.

‘These bastards… They’re planning to eat us!’

Seyul realized it instantly.

The orcs hadn’t bought human slaves to put them to work—they had bought them as food.

“Hu-hu, human meat is delicious.”

“This one looks good.”

“The flesh looks so tender.”

Smacking their lips, the orcs soon chose their next target.

Unfortunately, it was Seyul.

‘What the hell is going on?’

Seyul watched as the orcs approached him, feeling utterly confused.

Wasn’t he supposed to be the protagonist? And now he was about to become an orc’s dinner?

Was there going to be a twist?

Or… should he do something?

He hesitated, uncertain of what to do.

Just then—

Flash!

A sudden burst of light illuminated the area.

Figures made of pure light appeared, as if shielding Seyul.

“…!”

“What is that?”

Both Seyul and the orcs were stunned.

The only ones unfazed were the viewers.

[Finally, it’s starting.]

[Now things will get interesting.]

They had not only expected this moment they had been waiting for it.

This event was the very reason the game was called Warrior of the Gods.

<I am the God of Water.>

<I am the God of Fire.>

<I am the God of Wind.>

<I am the God of Earth.>

<And I am the God of Light.>

The five luminous figures introduced themselves one by one.

These were the gods of the Warrior of the Gods universe, the divine beings who granted power to the players.

Normally, humans stood no chance against monsters, but those blessed by the gods were different.

That was the game’s core concept: a player was a Warrior of the Gods,

someone who received divine power and became the center of the world.

In Extreme difficulty, the gods appeared in the middle of a crisis like this.

<Child.>

<We wish to aid you and humanity, but divine law forbids us from intervening directly.>

<Instead, we shall make you our chosen one and bestow our power upon you.>

<In return, you must follow our guidance and save the world from despair.>

<However, you may only choose one of us.>

One by one, the gods spoke.

Then, a selection menu appeared.

<[Receive the power of the God of Water.]>

<[Receive the power of the God of Fire.]>

<[Receive the power of the God of Wind.]>

<[Receive the power of the God of Earth.]>

<[Receive the power of the God of Light.]>

Seyul had to choose one of the five, each offering a different power.

[Water is always the best choice early game, right?]

[Nah, Earth all the way.]

[Earth? Who the hell picks that?]

[Trash taste. LOL.]

[Isn’t Earth the worst?]

[Wind is the strongest blessing, hands down.]

The chat erupted with debates.

They were all experienced players who had played this game before.

Seyul knew this was one of the most crucial decisions he would make in the game.

Yet—

[Why isn’t he choosing?]

[Why is he just having a staring contest with the gods?]

Seyul, who had asked someone else to buy the game for him, had no idea how important this moment was.

He simply remained silent for several minutes, making no selection.

‘So, they’ll give me power, but only if I do as they say?’

Seyul scowled.

He didn’t like this.

“It’s for a good cause, so just follow orders.”

It was just a line of game dialogue, but to Seyul, it was like an attack on his deepest wounds.

How many times had he been deceived by sweet words like these?

Seyul may have been strong, but when it came to the ways of the world, he was hopelessly naive.

And there had been countless people eager to take advantage of that.

They had lured him in with noble-sounding justifications.

And he had fallen for them.

Because of that, he had done things he deeply regretted.

‘Like that time I got involved in a war between nations and wiped out an entire enemy army.’

Yes, it was during wartime.

Yes, they were the enemy.

But did they really deserve to be completely annihilated by his hands?

Why had the war even started in the first place?

Were the enemy soldiers truly just villains?

He had let himself be manipulated by his own side’s nobles, and the result was a bloodbath.

Looking back, he could only lament his past choices.

“I refuse!”

And so, Seyul shouted.

He rejected the gods outright.

<…>

<What?>

The gods fell silent, as if momentarily speechless.

To the viewers, it felt like they were saying: “Hey, how do you expect the game to continue now?!”

[Hey, idiot!]

[Why did you even buy this game?]

[It’s called Warrior of the Gods. The whole point is to become a warrior of the gods!]

[Are your eyes broken?]

[Has he lost his mind?!]

[What kind of playthrough is this?!]

The chat exploded with outrage.

But it was pointless—Seyul couldn’t see their messages.

It was nothing more than a silent scream.

<Human.>

After a long pause, the God of Water finally spoke, still looking visibly shaken.

<Why do you refuse?>

“I won’t let anyone else dictate my life.”

<…Over something so trivial?>

The God of Water looked even more flustered.

<We’re not trying to control you.>

“Funny, isn’t it? You conveniently show up exactly when I’m in a crisis I can’t escape from.”

<That’s not…>

The God of Water hesitated.

It was an in-game event, designed for dramatic effect.

But now, an NPC was being argued with about it.

<Are you insane?!>

The God of Fire, who had been holding back, finally erupted.

<Do you not see the situation you’re in? You’re a s*ave, seconds away from death! >

<The only way out of this is to accept our power! And you’re refusing for some incomprehensible reason?!>

The God of Fire’s words were logical, indisputable.

Seyul didn’t even try to argue.

‘Maybe I really am an idiot.’

Because he knew.

He knew that what he was doing was foolish.

This wasn’t reality it was a game.

This was just an in-game event.

It was a beneficial event, meant to grant the player power.

Rejecting it was nothing short of stupidity.

And yet, he still couldn’t accept it.

He had once wielded a power given to him by an unknown force, only to use it at someone else’s will.

And because of that, he had done things he regretted.

He had come to this world longing for a second chance, for redemption.

And now, in a place that was supposed to be an escape, was he supposed to make the same mistake all over again?

“My fate is mine alone. Even if it leads to my destruction, it must be mine. So leave. I won’t say it again.”

His voice was firm, unyielding.

It was neither a refusal nor a negotiation.

It was an absolute command.

The gods flinched.

And then—

<Do as you wish.> <Let’s see how well your fate turns out.>

With that, the gods vanished, their displeasure evident.

[…Huh?]

[What the hell?]

The viewers, who had watched everything unfold, were completely dumbfounded.

[??????]

[They actually left just because he told them to?]

[Wait, was that even an option?!]

[This game’s been out for four years, and we just discovered a new path. But I’m not happy about it!]

[Now what the hell is he going to do?!]

The event that shaped the entire game had just collapsed.

The viewers were in an uproar.

Even the orcs were stunned.

“This human is insane.”

“He rejected the power of the gods?!”

Confusion spread among everyone present.

But—

Only Seyul laughed.

Because now, he was certain.

‘I won’t follow a path that’s been laid out for me. Not even in a game.’

Resolved, he no longer hesitated.

He faced all the orcs around him and shouted—

“Come at me!”