7. The Deity of Elves
[Wandering through the ruins, she finally crossed the threshold of the dungeon with the help of the hunters, setting foot on Earth.]
[Currently under the protection of the specialized committee for beings from another realm, her kind has been identified as Elves. This is said to be the first direct capture by proper media. Thus, the once whispered activities of the Elves among hunters are now officially revealed…]
“Huh? Elves…?”
His dazed mind cleared in an instant, dispelling the haze.
He sprang up from his seat and approached the television.
The news was continuously discussing the extraterrestrial race of Elves.
[Elves are well-known symbols of harmony and green abundance. Moreover, their archery skills are renowned to surpass even most hunters.]
[Her name is Ingrid, currently being escorted by numerous top-ranked hunters from the United States. As the first Elf to appear in modern times among the thirty known species of beings from another realm, the world’s attention is keenly focused on her…]
…Elves.
Han blinked blankly, gazing at the television screen where countless people were watching in excitement.
Elves. A race shrouded in mystery until now.
Although some residents of the dungeon were known to interact with hunters or engage in conversations, the direct appearance of these beings on Earth was unprecedented.
As he avidly watched the news, a sudden thought popped into Han’s head.
Perhaps through this Elf, he could learn more about their way of life.
Maybe it could even assist him in his role as a deity of the race.
However, Ingrid, the Elf bearing the name, was the first officially recorded Elf with visual proof of activity worldwide.
The hunters surrounding her seemed more than capable of protecting her.
Her unhidden appearance even on official platforms was evidence of their thorough protection of her identity.
Han doubted he could engage in a conversation with someone like her, who was being guarded by hunters seemingly outnumbering the population.
It was akin to managing the last remaining natural monument in the world.
…But was it just a misconception?
As he observed her, Han sensed an inexplicable peculiarity emanating from Ingrid in the video.
Somehow, the appearance of this first Elf on Earth seemed strikingly reminiscent of Irina.
***
“Well then, now that breakfast is done, shall we see what Irina is up to?”
Stretching, Han got up from his seat.
His heart fluttered slightly for some reason.
What could have happened while he was asleep?
“Besides, it’s Saturday morning, so there’s still plenty of time. There will be more than enough time to keep an eye on Irina.”
To see the world where Han Irena lives, one must keep the refrigerator open all day.
As a result, Han was worried that the condition of the refrigerator would deteriorate, but the system guaranteed it perfectly.
It was said that even if his refrigerator remained wide open for hundreds of years, it would never break down.
It was claimed that it would maintain its function perfectly even amidst catastrophic disasters that could lead to the extinction of humanity.
When he thought about it, the cold air in the freezer didn’t leak out at all.
He might not have known that the inside could be a space entirely different from human common sense.
But in reality, no one in this world would know that the refrigerator he possessed, strange as it may sound, was by no means an ordinary object.
A refrigerator that remained intact even after hundreds of years.
A device that not only did not malfunction but also connected to another world.
As Han thought about it further, there was a point where he began to feel somewhat puzzled.
“I can’t figure out who sold me this refrigerator.”
Since then, Han became curious about that person.
He tried searching for his nickname on the internet, but there was no trace of him on any site.
Everything had vanished.
As if it had evaporated.
…The reason remains unknown.
Perhaps the one who sold the refrigerator to Han.
Perhaps, could it be that they were of the same divine race as him?
Surely, there had been occasions when even the system had been puzzled.
In this world, those known as divine races were not just a few.
Moreover, there was a need to be cautious when encountering them.
“Well, that’s not important right now.”
But his thoughts gradually stopped there.
There was something else that needed to be addressed first.
The state of Irena.
*Swoosh-.*
Having finished washing the dishes, he turned off the tap.
Then, he pulled a chair closer to the refrigerator beside him.
It was his own setup to watch over the world where she lived all day.
*Click-.*
With anticipation, he opened the freezer to unveil the otherworldly realm beyond.
“Oh….”
Soon, in just half a day, Han could directly witness many changes that had occurred in Irena’s mushroom house.
“Wow.”
He muttered in amazement.
“This… this has turned into almost a small fortress, hasn’t it?”
It couldn’t be anything but astonishing.
Previously, the area around the mushroom house, which had just been standing there with the World Tree, was now surrounded by things resembling fortress walls.
Mushroom walls towering higher than Irena, encircling the World Tree and the mushroom house amidst swirling snowflakes.
Looking at the appearance of the tall wall, Han felt a considerable sense of security.
A sense of progress in the area of this square was felt.
“Hmm.”
Suddenly, feeling empty, he realized that something was missing.
“Come to think of it, there were two more mushroom trees, and now they’re all gone.”
Most likely, they were used to build the castle walls.
In fact, originally, there were a total of three mushroom trees growing near the World Tree, including Irina’s house.
She had cut down all two mushroom trees growing beside it.
And she had used them all to build walls around this square.
“Where…?”
Gradually, Han became curious about the situation inside.
He peered inside Irina’s mushroom house through a small window.
Square. Square.
Irina was diligently carving something with a black.
Upon closer inspection, she was carving something through mushroom chunks.
However, for some reason, the shape resembled something familiar.
“Hmm? Could it be?”
It wasn’t something else but the shape of a large hand.
And Han knew well what it was.
“My sculpture…?”
Surprisingly, it was a ‘sculpture’ that imitated Han’s appearance.
However, even though it was an imitation, it did not exactly replicate his real appearance.
In this case, it meant not the real him, but the ‘large hand’ that he revealed when manifesting his appearance in the other world.
“All done.”
Irina, who had completed Han’s hand sculpture, placed it on the table.
Observing the sculpture, one could tell how meticulously she had crafted it by the satisfied smile on Irina’s face.
Her smile was filled with emotions related to this sculpture.
And that moment arrived.
[Congratulations! Your symbolism has been born!]
[Your followers will now perceive a tangible existence of the deity and will worship as the object of adoration!]
[From now on, the Elf ‘Irina’ will be able to use the divine power imitating you, recognized for her devout heart towards the deity!]
Perplexed by this unexpected content, Han stuttered in surprise.
“D-Divine power? Irina can use divine power?”
Meanwhile, Irina seemed equally bewildered.
Her body began to be enveloped in a dazzling light.
“T-This…?”
With the brilliant golden light emanating from her body, she seemed unsure of what to do.
She looked at herself, revealing a bewildered expression.
But in an instant, whether she felt something surging within herself or not, she suddenly grabbed her bow placed beside her.
Then, her golden aura began to infuse into the bow.
[Divine power is a powerful force that can eradicate evil.]
As Han watched the situation unfold before his eyes, the system’s advice came to mind.
[Now, Irina’s power will have a lethal effect on most monsters belonging to the Ma, and she will also be able to use a few low-level divine spells.]
From Noble mtl dot com
＜Low-level magic added to the Elf ‘Irina’＞
① Holy Enchant: Grants a weapon with the holy attribute. It has a lethal effect on monsters with the demon attribute.
② Heal: Heals minor wounds.
③ Shield: Concentrates divine power to form a small defensive barrier.
Han, absent-mindedly reading the system’s message, blurted out a single word.
“…Awesome.”
***
“Shield.”
With a simple murmur, a small, transparent hemisphere appeared in front of Irina.
It was a shield.
Now she could use divine magic.
And they would undoubtedly become another invaluable weapon for Irina.
Blocking the opponent’s attacks and being able to deliver deadly effective blows.
Perhaps with that healing ability called Heal, she might survive a critical moment at least once.
As there are many means to live in this world, having more is naturally better than having less.
Recovery, support, and even offensive capabilities.
Living in an era where technology is advanced, Han knew how precious hunters using divine power were.
They received special treatment just by their existence.
It was a class that awaited a completely different level of systematic support than ordinary hunters.
Without realizing it, Han let out a chuckle at their appearance.
Swoosh.
He summoned a large hand.
As Irina, proudly looking at the sculpture she had just finished carving, held out her hand, Han grabbed it.
“Oh, my god?”
Surprised, Irina looked at the large hand holding hers.
Han’s hand was as large as a person’s, so in reality, her hand only grasped one of his fingers.
Well, anyway.
Tap, tap.
Han raised a finger and pointed to a sculpture that resembled his hand.
Instantly, Irina’s face lit up.
“Oh, you saw it!”
But she quickly blushed.
As if checking for any signs, she cautiously asked.
“Um… did you… like it? I’m embarrassed, but I hope you liked it…”
Her questioning tone was extremely cautious.
To him, a newcomer, she couldn’t be sure if he liked it or not.
But Han vaguely understood what sentiment led her to create this.
Certainly, it would be a symbol of utmost gratitude towards him who has assisted her until now.