The role of the blacksmithing god, Hexetia, was to inform humanity of how to use fire and iron. Hexetia descended to the earth under the will of the goddess of life and faithfully fulfilled his role. He gave the concept of cooking and tools to the savage humans. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the development of humanity was due to Hexetia, and he was very proud of this fact. He realized this was the reason why the gods existed, and it filled him with satisfaction.
However, it was only for a short time. Human beings were arrogant and evil. They would throw babies into boiling iron or cover the iron with the blood of virgins. Humans were uncivilized beings who relied on the gods and passed their responsibilities onto others instead of developing their own trivial skills.
“They are worse than the great demons.”
Hexetia felt only hatred toward them. So, he started to thoroughly ignore humanity. He didn’t care when they reached out for salvation. It was the same even when the world was destroyed by the evil god, Yatan. Rather, he felt a great joy at the destruction of humanity. He hated humanity so much that he rebelled when Goddess Rebecca declared that she would resurrect humanity.
-In particular, he didn’t tolerate Pagma.
Pagma, the legendary blacksmith who had developed without his help, was a mutation that denied Hexetia’s existence. He was a human capable of developing without the help of a god, a monster who proved his potential was comparable to a god’s. Hexetia became envious of Pagma and kept him in check. He placed all sorts of hardships and trials on Pagma so that he wouldn’t be able to transcend.
However, Pagma overcame all the sufferings and trials. In the process, he became transcendent—a stronger and more innovative being who wasn’t bound by the ‘mind.’ At the time, the work born from his hands became a ‘myth’ and started to be compared to Hexetia’s works.
-Hexetia went looking for Yatan. He wanted to destroy humanity right then and reset the world. Kukuk, isn’t it funny? A god wanted the world to perish just because he feared a human would surpass him. A god isn’t almighty or benevolent. There is an end to their talents, and they are terribly selfish, just like humans.
Asgard was the world of the gods that existed above the clouds. The voice echoed in Grid’s mind as the golden area around him gradually became violent.
-They aren’t qualified to ‘manage’ humanity! It is no different from breeding a dog!
“Kuek...!” A powerful rage struck Grid’s chest. The unknown person’s wrath, which Grid felt, was great. Grid’s breath stopped, and his pupils trembled. He couldn’t endure it! His vision from above the clouds spun round and round.
‘My head!’
He had a terrible headache. Grid frowned as the surrounding scenery changed. He now appeared in a black and red world. Grid knew this place which was dominated by seething lava and poison.
‘Hell!’
The earth was shaking, and the appearance of a volcano erupting was seen through the window of a dark castle. However, the two men standing opposite each other weren’t agitated at all. Grid looked at them. The man with long red hair was the hero of this story, Hexetia, while the fair-skinned man giving off an ice-cold air was 1st Great Demon Baal. Baal looked like he was very interested. “You’ll make weapons for the great demons?”
‘What?’ Grid doubted his ears.
It didn’t make sense for the blacksmithing god, Hexetia, to make weapons for the great demons. Yet Hexetia nodded instantly. “Yes. I will give you strength. Therefore, destroy humanity.”
Grid learned Hexetia’s intentions and spat out, ‘This crazy guy!’
Hating the entire human race was a good excuse. On the other hand, for a god to join hands with a great demon just because of a grudge against Pagma… It couldn’t be accepted.
Baal delayed giving an answer. “The role of God Yatan is to destroy Earth...”
“Don’t destroy Earth! Just have the great demons wipe out the humans!”
“Hrmm.”
“Baal!”
“Ahh, good. Only...”
“...?”
“A one-sided entertainment is no fun, so I will balance it out.”
“Entertainment? This is entertainment?”
“Yes, it’s entertainment. It will be a good match between the incompetent god, Hexetia, and the human who incited his envy.”
“Baal!”
“Enjoy it. It is enjoyable. Or do you think your god’s position will be at risk, just like that time?”
“Ick...!”
‘That time? What was that time?’ Grid questioned it.
-It was the war between the gods and the seven half-gods, the mysterious voice gave the answer.
Grid belatedly realized, ‘The seven malignant saints existed long before Pagma?’
-That’s right. The reason I am showing you Pagma’s era is to help you understand.
In other words...
-This was the second time Hexetia was jealous. He was envious of the seven half-gods who threatened his position as god and later committed the same sin. He’s a really narrow-minded guy!
A chill went down Grid’s spine as he was reminded that Hexetia was also jealous of him.
‘This Hex bastard!’
Was Hexetia already plotting to hurt Grid? Grid was feeling concerned when the surrounding scenery changed again. It was now a place that was familiar to him—the Hall of Fame. The great demons who climbed up from the red-black earth faced a man. He was armed with a sword and a scythe as he watched the great demons with sharp eyes.
“In the end, I am alone.”
The hand holding the sword wasn’t very strong, but Pagma’s black eyes which shone through his long hair were splendid as he started a sword dance.
“Drop.”
The sky began to fall. The great demons felt an infinite pressure as the sky fell down right in front of them. The sky was falling while Pagma’s sword dance destroyed the earth.
“If I knew that the distinction between good and evil in my mind was wrong, I would never have betrayed Braham.” Pagma shed tears.
-Hexetia’s envy brought sorrow to countless humans and threatened all of humanity. Hexetia’s sins are truly heavy. Will you be able to forgive him?
“I...”
***
“Keook...!”
Grid saw Asgard, hell, and the Hall of Fame before coming back to the present.
“Grid!” Damian was surprised while he was swallowing dry bread. It was surprising because Grid, who had been hammering, suddenly collapsed. He ran forward and lifted Grid up. “Did you fail to control your stamina?”
Grid was a powerhouse. He had experienced numerous battles, so how could he fail to manage his stamina?