So I just met a god. I have a few things to note.

One his place was relatively boring; I mean only a forge and nothing else…here I thought the Lunar goddess was lazy with her décor!

Second, he instantly asked me to become his champion. Usually, I'd be flattered but it all seemed too rushed. No potential testing, no discussion, nothing! Let's just say when he started talking about the challenge, I had apparently won…yeah, no comment.

Third, while he was jumping the gun a bit, he didn't seem mad when I corrected him. He seemed like a pretty chill dwarf. So I did the only thing anyone else sane would have done. I invited him to the sect! Sadly he declined, but it was worth a try. Could you imagine an actual god joining us?!

Fourth, he seemed really surprised about going to the god realm. I guess the gods don't communicate much, maybe? I was thinking they'd go around bragging about who was performing the best or something.

Fifth, he taught me a fire spell. At first, I was excitedly screaming like a 16th-century nun on her first Sunday at the Church right after leaving her fishing village. Anyway, I ended up disappointed as Hell!

This spell of his consumed divine energy! It literally burned it! You know the only thing preventing me from being weak as hell!

Somehow, I destroyed a bit of his domain in the process but I'm sure he can easily mend that. He's a god after all. Guess he wasn't expecting me to perform that well haha.

Anyway, now I have this new ability that is completely useless. If anything it could serve as a very utterly final trump card.

I also tried to grab some more divine energy, but it didn't work. I'm guessing there is only so much I can carry when traveling between the realms. Maybe I'm a smuggler?

Now I'm back. I appear in a flash of flames. I'm guessing this is that god's trademark. Why have a normal special effect when it can look deadly and needlessly flamboyant?! I wonder if that god adds such a thing to all he does. If there is a firefighter god he'd be real busy haha.

"He's back! What happened?! You disappeared!"

[Oh, nothing big. Just talking to Forgar.]

*Bowing*

"This is a miracle!"

"Oh my god!"

Not gonna lie I do enjoy the attention. I voluntarily keep a steady face actually the most casual possible.

"You met Forgar himself! How was he?!"

"Did he have any instructions for us?!"

[Wait, where is Iron Hammer?]

"He's gone forging a replacement for the barrier core."

I simply nod in acknowledgment. Good thing everything is underway. They are awaiting my next sentence. I feel like some sort of messiah right now. Oh…this is a nice opportunity…

[Of course, Forgar has a few instructions! I'm almost tempted to tell them to grow beards to look like real dwarves haha. First, all dwarves should make brewing a priority. Especially that one drink from the challenge. Second, you shall let me take some local specialty to share with the world to spread the dwarven name. Last you should provide a guide toward the Village of the End. That is all.]

They all nod before telling me they had already been planning to gift me some. So much for my scamming attempt…

They are fighting to know who will be my host for now, but I just deny them. I'll just go crash at Iron Hammer's place. If anything just because of the hot spring haha.

Before long I'm just peacefully soaking. This is bliss. I just wish Wolfie could be here too, ah also Luna. I'll keep my ears open. If she ever leaves the Moon Keep, I'll try meeting her. This way we'll be away from the Lunar Goddess's influence, yes that bitch that wants me to become a slave.

The old mage enters the room.

"Is it true you met with a god?"

[Of course.]

"How are you so calm?"

[Why wouldn't I be?]

"Because a god is extremely powerful and can cause your demise in a heartbeat!"

[Hehe, you say that but aren't you pretty weak compared to me? You are like rank 2, right? Even I could cause your demise in a heartbeat. Yet I don't see you being that shaken in my presence.]

"It's not the same! You are a mortal like me! They are gods!"

[Indeed, could it be because all your life you've been told that gods were gods and needed to be revered?]

"…"

[When you think about it these gods don't seem very different from us. They have hopes and dreams, they all have their own beliefs, they fight between themselves, they only care about their own.]

"T-that."

[I don't know. Maybe it's just my limited experience talking. Honestly, in this world nothing is important and everything is at the same time.]

"W-what do you mean?"

[Well see it like that. You could die right now, and the world would not care one bit. Some people would miss you, some would rejoice at your demise. Still, the world itself would still keep going as it did before.]

"Y-yes."

[Nothing matters but everything has the potential to matter. For you, it is that Akresh dude that matters. In your world, he is a necessity, but for everyone else they probably don't care.]

"That…."

[What I'm trying to say is don't try to understand me by your standards. We are different beings. We have different life experiences. If you truly want to understand why I'm not phased by the gods then you have to accept that you can't understand me.]

"You mean…"

[Yes, just temporarily put everything you know and believe in aside. Then try to understand what motivates me. Then you'll understand everything.]

"So far I'm seen you try to save the world, enjoy some warm water, go out of your way to eat and drink…there is no big plan behind that!"

[Indeed. I'm just living.]

"But..!"

[Do I need the gods to live? Nope. People rely on them for power mostly, no?]

"That…You are weird you know that?"

[Hehe, I am perfectly normal! It is not I that is weird, but the entire world!]

"Hahahahaha."

[So, what do you plan on doing next?]

"What?"

[You came here to provide mana to the artifact. Now that I'm here I don't need you.]

"T-that…"

[So what do YOU want to do?]

"I was supposed to meet my sect for the war. Somehow I feel like this whole thing is but a joke."

[How so?]

"*Sigh* If there are monsters like you out there, what is even the point of us ants fighting?!"

[Haha, so you are part of a small sect, right? You may not know it but the big sects all have rank 4 powerhouses. So yeah, it is easy to be outclassed.]

"S-say, can I keep following you for a bit?"

Why is he so stressed?

[Sure thing, welcome to the party haha.]

Cue the party member acquisition jingle!

This shall be fun.