These Lunatics are Obsessed With Me-Chapter 141

The god hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and replied.

【We don’t know either. We can't comprehend your existence—even the Valar failed to predict your future.】

"Huh…”

What does that even mean…? Even the gods aren’t sure? Still, they must have seen some kind of possibility—just like they nurtured the protagonists, they chose to cultivate me too.

A complicated feeling washed over me. The world I had entered wasn’t the novel I had read, but one that had already been reset. It had reached the original story’s destruction ending… and the gods had turned back time.

Just as they were attempting to clear the final dungeon again, I found myself in a body that had never existed in the original story—someone from an entirely different world, gifted with an S-rank auxiliary skill.

The gods seemed divided in their opinions about me. Some wanted to help, just as they aided the protagonists. Others disapproved, while some preferred to simply watch from the sidelines.

The god before me appeared to be one of those actively trying to help. But why were they so determined to clear the final dungeon? Was it just for their entertainment, or was there another reason?

I met those gleaming golden eyes and asked. I wasn’t sure if I’d get a proper answer, but there was no harm in trying.

"Why are the gods so determined to clear the final dungeon?"

【Hmm… Because if we don’t, everything will be destroyed?】

"Does the fall of the human world affect your realm as well?"

【Of course. There's no way it wouldn't affect us.】

"…"

I fell silent for a moment at his slightly playful response. Naturally, Norse mythology came to mind—Ragnarök, the war of the gods. A battle that wiped out Asgard’s gods and brought the destruction of the human world, only for the world to be restored. Now that I thought about it, the novel’s final episode was also titled ‘Ragnarök.'

"…So even the gods face destruction?"

【Correct.】

"Haa…"

So that was why the gods were so desperate to clear the final dungeon. But unlike in mythology, this wasn’t a war between gods—it was humans who fought in the dungeon. And that part bothered me a little…

The Einherjar were raised by the gods. In mythology, Odin and Freya trained human warriors in preparation for Ragnarök. That means all the hunters in the novel were warriors nurtured by the gods—to prevent the world from falling into ruin.

It’s a bit unsettling, but not entirely unbelievable. I frowned and spoke again.

"Can I really clear it?"

【Even I don’t know.】

"…"

【Everything about you is a variable to us. Nothing is certain.】

"A variable…"

【But that’s precisely why there’s a chance.】

The god answered casually and smiled. Though he took the form of a massive, serpent-like creature, his face seemed to smile, and I couldn’t quite understand why I thought that.

Then, his face split into two. Then three. I tilted my head and shook it, feeling confused.

"Huh…?"

【It seems like time is running out.】

"Ugh…"

My head throbbed. As I pressed a hand to my forehead and stumbled, I felt something supporting me. Forcing my eyes open, I lifted my head—only to find the serpent's face right in front of me.

"What…"

【But don't forget—not everyone is on your side.】

"…"

【For now, even those who are dissatisfied are holding back to prevent destruction… but once it’s over, who knows what they'll do?】

"Why… me?"

What had I done to deserve this…? No, I couldn’t exactly say that—not after stealing so much of the protagonist’s spotlight.

In other novels, constellations usually have their favorite hunters, after all. Even in real life, fans got sensitive when they voted for their idols on competition shows. I figured it was something like that.

Basically, the gods who favored other hunters just didn’t like me. All I was trying to do was survive, but damn, they were ruthless. I sighed inwardly and asked again.

"The final dungeon… If I clear it, could you send me back to my world as a reward?"

【Hmm…】

The god groaned, as if the thought had never even crossed his mind. But for me, this was a big deal. It felt like I was already walking through a minefield—if I got on the bad side of the constellations watching over the protagonists, surviving would only get harder.

【Hmm… I haven’t really thought about that…】

“Could you at least think about it?”

【But don’t you think it’s an insanely useful skill?】

“Yeah, but it’s useless if I end up dead.”

【Then just make sure you don’t die.】

"…"

Fuck, talking to this god was pointless. Anger bubbled up, and I almost said something harsh, but I managed to hold it back. Just then, a faintly amused voice echoed in my head.

【Even the Einherjar I raised would be saddened. Wouldn't that be like taking catnip from a cat? That's just too cruel, don’t you think?】

"…"

I don't think it's cruel at all. I looked at the god coldly. I knew it was disrespectful, but I couldn't bring myself to feel any reverence for a god with such a flippant attitude.

【Don't look at me like that. We don't expect reverence from our followers anyway.】

"Oh, is that so?"

【Instead, I'll give you a really great gift this time. You'll be satisfied.】

"A gift…?"

I asked in confusion, but no answer came. At that moment, a deafening sound echoed around me.

Boom!

"W-What was that sound?"

【What a shame. Let's make sure to spend more time together next time.】

"…"

There's going to be a next time?

Those words hit me harder than the ground shaking beneath my feet.

【Farewell, my lovely variable.】

"Ugh…!"

As soon as he finished speaking, my vision blurred, and the scenery shifted again. I was back in the same field from before meeting the god, but something felt off. I wasn’t standing—I was lying on the ground. I woke up on the damp grass, wet from the dew, and quickly scanned my surroundings.

"W-What…?"

"Yi-jin-ah, are you awake?"

"Eden?"

Eden held me tightly from behind, and a sharp, smoky scent suddenly filled the air. I fell silent as I took in the scene around me.

The entire field was engulfed in flames. In the distance, a massive, horned monster lay defeated. My eyes widened as I glanced at the small status window floating beside me.

「Ruler of the Withered Field

Rank: ??

Level: ??

? ?? ?? ??, ?? ?? ??

…」

“…!”

Could it be… a boss monster? Did one appear while I was under the god’s influence, and they took it down? As my eyes widened in surprise, a system notification rang in my ears.

[The ‘Ruler of the Withered Field,' Boss Monster of ∬∋∂∀-S99's ‘Second Stage,' has been defeated.]

[The first player to conquer ∬∋∂∀-S99’s ‘Second Stage' will receive the title ‘Conqueror of the Irregular World—Twice (L).’]

[Connection to ∬∋∂∀-S99's ‘Second Stage' will be terminated soon.]

“Whoa…”

Was it really over? Just like that?

Don’t tell me we’re moving on to the next stage again?

I shook my head anxiously, then caught sight of a shimmering blue portal. Instinctively, I listened closely, wondering if the system would announce the third stage.

But if there was an announcement, I’d probably have to pass through the portal to hear it. I groaned and slowly got to my feet.

"Yi-jin-ah, are you okay? You just collapsed."

"Collapsed?"

"Yeah, right after you collapsed, that pony-like monster appeared."

"Pony…?"

The fallen boss monster was massive—just as expected of a boss—but oddly, it reminded me of PoX. Its colors had a pastel tone, too. I frowned at the PoX-like boss monster before turning away.

"Still, you guys managed to take it down without an auxiliary skill."

"Uh… yeah…"

"…?"

Eden replied in an unusually hesitant tone. He was standing a bit farther from the boss monster, and I realized he must have moved me here to keep me safe. Thanks to that, I was completely unharmed.

"Anyway, are you okay?"

"Ah, I just felt a little dizzy earlier… but I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine, really."

"…"

Eden was more persistent than usual, making me wonder why he was acting this way. To reassure him, I waved my hands, showing I was fine.

"I said I'm fine."

"You…"

"Hmm?"

Eden gave me a serious look, like he was about to say something. I leaned in, trying to hear him, but the noise around me made it difficult. Just then, the hunters who noticed I was awake began to crowd around me.

"Hunter Han Yi-jin!"

"Hyung!"

"Oh…?"

Sung Yoo-bin and Kang Soo-hyun were the first to rush over. Flames still swirled around Sung Yoo-bin, as if she had just finished a battle, making me instinctively step back.

But before I could retreat any further…

“Han Yi-jin.”

“Huh?”

A deep voice echoed in my ears. Kang Yoo-hyun approached me, his displeasure written all over his face. The cursed sword in his hand still radiated intense, chaotic energy.

Why does he have that crazed look again? I swallowed hard under Kang Yoo-hyun’s piercing glare, his blue eyes filled with intensity.