I Became a God in the Refrigerator

15. Wolf Pups

“Yes. Actually, it was our elven deity who aided us. Until I went to rescue you, the deity personally watched over you.”

Indeed, it was Irina.

She diligently elaborated on the existence of Han and the help he provided.

“If you truly wish to face God, it might be a good idea to pray towards that statue once. God will surely answer your call.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course. I’ve done it before.”

Upon hearing this, the two siblings, with a somewhat immature demeanor, knelt in front of the statue.

They politely clasped their hands together as instructed by Irina, and soon conveyed their thanks through a prayer.

“God, thank you for saving us…”

‘Now it’s time for me to make an appearance.’

Irina had meticulously arranged for her timely appearance, and if she didn’t show up at this moment, it would be quite awkward for her to explain.

A large hand emerged in the air.

It was Han’s appearance.

“Oops.”

Han gently stroked the heads of the two siblings praying fervently.

With his sudden and unexpected appearance, the children widened their eyes in astonishment.

“Wow-!”

Though Zion was less surprised, Yumina was so shocked that she even let out a gasp.

Han himself was taken aback by the extent of their surprise.

‘Is it really that surprising?’

In contrast to him, Irina smiled as if she had foreseen this situation.

“See? God always responds. Just like now. Right, God?”

(Thumbs up!)

At her words, Han raised his thumb.

Correct, alchemist!

In fact, there was a reason why Han had been so cautious about his appearance.

A simple reason.

These series of events were necessary.

Of course, Han was not constrained by his hand.

Whenever he wished, he could summon his hand regardless of the circumstances.

However, apart from that, there was a need for him to reveal his form only at the right moment.

“I-I really am God?”

Nodding. Nodding.

Han shook his hand up and down as if agreeing with those words.

And then, with a light clap-clap sound, they applauded.

Pat!

Suddenly, a pile of straw they had obtained earlier was laid out right beneath them.

“Huh?”

Both of them, of course, as well as the children, opened their eyes wide at this unexpected phenomenon.

Han, not knowing English, picked up the two children and seated them on top of the pile of straw.

As soon as they realized the softness, the kids rolled around on it.

“Wow. So soft~.”

It seemed like they quickly understood that this straw was meant for them.

Zion immediately burrowed under the pile of straw, hiding his body.

The small hill-like pile of straw shook and rustled.

The way he hid resembled a hamster hiding in wood shavings.

As long as the children enjoyed it, it was enough for Han.

“Phew!”

Zion, who peeked out from the straw pile, exclaimed.

“God is truly a kind person!”

Yumina, the girl who had finally ventured away from Zion for the first time, cautiously grabbed the tip of Han’s much larger finger and said.

“I, I like it too….”

With cheeks flushed red, she cautiously murmured.

The sight was truly pleasing.

Although Han’s hand was much larger than Yumina’s frame, he could only gently hold the tip of her finger at best.

It felt so small that it was like the tiny sensation of being touched by a mosquito.

Looking beside her, Irina was also gazing at them with a gentle smile.

It was a beautiful sight to see her accepting and adapting to Han’s presence.

It was that moment.

Pat-!

Suddenly, light began to emanate from Zion and Yumina’s bodies.

It was the golden glow phenomenon they had seen before.

“Huh?”

“What, what is this?”

It wasn’t just the two children who felt the change.

Han felt the strange sensation of light permeating his body for a moment.

[Congratulations! You have finally reached Level 3!]

[New followers are born, enhancing your abilities even further!]

[Points will now automatically recover by 100 points per hour!]

[The maximum limit of points you can have is 1,500!]

“Oh, wow!”

Han’s eyes widened at the sudden consecutive message alerts.

Finally, Level 3!

And automatic point recovery on top of that.

Of course, I had anticipated it to some extent beforehand, but when the moment actually arrived, a renewed sense of exhilaration washed over me.

It was undoubtedly a significant advancement.

Of course, I had some reserves in points from before.

However, the reason I couldn’t use them recklessly was due to the limitation on points.

Though it was a slight increase in action points, the restriction had been lifted.

“Oh, wait. This isn’t something to focus on right now.”

Han didn’t forget the priorities that needed immediate attention.

He once again coolly directed his gaze towards the ground.

“Master?”

Yumina, who seemed puzzled by Han’s sudden halt in movement, gazed at him intently.

In response to her gaze, Han awkwardly ruffled the head of the boy beneath him.

“hehehe.”

Yumina let out a timid laugh, revealing her delight.

The boy seemed to enjoy Han’s hand on his head.

Truly an adorable child.

“Me too! Please do it to me too, Master!”

Sion exclaimed, tilting his head eagerly.

Han also gently ruffled Sion’s head.

Sion’s laughter could be heard.

It was truly fortunate to have these two siblings alive.

***

Some time passed.

Han had momentarily shifted his focus away from the elves.

Whooosh-.

The sound of snowflakes swirling could be heard.

He slightly shrunk the ground around him to widen his view and observe the surroundings.

“Let’s try to find those kids again….”

With the level up, Han’s vision had expanded even more than before.

He hadn’t known before, but leveling up meant a sort of basic enhancement of abilities.

For example, the maximum limit of points increased, the range of vision expanded, and the list of items available in the store grew.

And Han was not about to waste this opportunity.

“I should check out what lies beyond that range I couldn’t see before.”

The direction where the dire wolves had fled.

He was scanning around to explore what lay beyond.

An endless expanse like a snowy desert spread out before him.

As he carefully examined the snowflakes, he noticed the bloodstains he had seen before.

Following those stains, his gaze stopped at a particular spot.

‘Ah, there they are.’

As expected.

A pack of Dire Wolves.

“Heh. Heh.”

‘These little ones are still alive.’

Even though they seemed quite exhausted, panting heavily, they were sticking out their tongues and breathing vigorously.

It seems that their lifelines are tougher than I thought.

Well, monsters generally refer to creatures that instinctively manipulate mana.

Originally, these beings on Earth moved so swiftly and agilely, or possessed vitality far beyond what was possible for Earth’s creatures.

Moreover, these creatures, even if an arrow were to pierce them, while it might be fatal for a human, it wouldn’t be for them.

The simple reason being their thick hides.

Comparing Dire Wolves to regular wolves was as different as comparing humans to giants.

Their massive build indicated immense stamina as well.

Even a mere beast rarely dies from a single arrow, let alone a Dire Wolf.

Expanding his field of view, Han examined their physique.

“My, they are truly huge. Even several adult men would find it challenging.”

Indeed, monsters were monsters.

Each and every one of these wolf-like creatures was so massive that they could easily hunt down and devour bears.

To defeat such opponents solely with skilled archery was remarkable.

Certainly, Elina’s abilities were even more impressive.

‘Now I realize, Elina might be stronger than most seasoned hunters.’

Thud.

At that moment.

The creatures, now struggling even to walk, collapsed in the middle of the snowy field.

Their huge heads drooped heavily.

They seemed to lack the strength to even lift their bodies.

Perhaps, it seemed like the end of their resilient lives was approaching.

One of them suddenly began to dig into the snow-covered ground.

Soon, a common den hidden beneath the white snow revealed itself.

‘…Huh?’

Han’s expression turned peculiar.

Because, something was emerging from inside that den.

It was a small creature.

None other than young Dire Wolf pups.

“Kkiing. Kkiing.”

The pups wagged their tails vigorously towards their parents, whimpering with joy.

“……”

However, the two young creatures seemed to have lost the strength to move any further, gradually losing the light in their eyes.

In the eyes of those facing death, a lingering regret for the youngsters could be glimpsed.

One was bewildered as well.

“These… were, were they children? Family?”

[Most beings in the world tend to live with blood relatives. Strictly speaking, monsters are not so different from humans in their way of life. They have offspring, groups, and the concept of family.]

Family. They were family.

“Ah, this is… heartbreaking.”

Han felt perplexed.

If he hadn’t seen them, he could have convinced himself it was better not to have seen them. But once seen, pretending not to know felt wrong.

After all, despite being monsters, they were still young creatures.

At first glance, they looked like nothing more than slightly larger, barking puppies.

In this desolate and harsh snowy wasteland, there was absolutely nothing to eat.

It was certain that if he left them behind, they would undoubtedly die.