On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 122: I Am This World’s Only

Chapter 122: I Am This World’s Only

To be precise, he wasn’t turning back time, but it looked like that to me.

Ssss—

One by one, the shards from the ceiling and the window glass returned to their original positions, as if I were watching a video rewind to the moment before they shattered.

Sung Mi-Ri grabbed Kang Woo’s hand, jumping ecstatically. “Waaah! You’re the best, Uncle Kang Woo!”

“Haha, don’t mention it. Would you please let go of me, Mr. Yu Il-Shin? I’m allergic to men.”

“Of course.” I subtly let go of his hand.

During our last meeting with Akdol around, I recalled him summoning a large shield. Now, I could clearly feel the impact of his ability.

The abilities of Creation-type Hunters fell into two main categories. Of course, with the first being creation. Let’s say there was a kilogram of steel. A Creation-type Hunter could craft it into a weapon—such as a sword—without compromising its weight.

However, its performance varied greatly depending on the Hunter’s rank. A C-rank Hunter would forge an ordinary sword, whereas an S-rank Hunter would forge one that could cut through steel. As such, high-ranking Creation-type Hunter made a living by crafting equipment for others.

The second would be restoration, just like what Kang Woo had used. If the aforementioned sword was broken or chipped, a Creation-type Hunter would be able to restore it to the way it was before. Of course, their rank also affected the level of restoration immensely.

In short, Creation-type Hunters are modern-day blacksmiths, with Kang Woo being the leading figure.

So how did I know all of this? Well, I had a painful memory of trying to write a novel with a Creation-type Hunter as its main character. Lone King of Equipment. I had to give up after the idea was rejected by the publisher, though. I wonder why? The premise was so good!

Meanwhile, Sword Demon was staring at the ceiling in awe. My gaze landed on his empty sleeve. Right, just in time. I had intended to treat his arm upon returning to Korea.

“Please excuse me for a bit. I need to use the bathroom.”

I went in and launched God-Maker.

[Welcome to God-Maker.]

[Due to the growing number of followers, you currently have three channels available to access them.]

-----

[Gayami nation, Antrinia: Holy Empress Anty and Gayami followers]

[41st floor, Tower of Warriors: Fairy Queen Aran and Fairy followers]

[42nd floor, Tower of Warriors: Warrior and Temporary Apostle, Il-Ho]

-----

I clicked on Gayami nation, and a familiar landscape appeared on the screen.

Tzzz—

-O’ great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin, you have descended!

Anty, who was diligently tending to state affairs, rushed out upon seeing me.

Huh?

-Lord Yu Il-Shin, why are you staring at me so intently?

“Anty, did you grow taller?”

-Yes! I have grown by a full inch.

Anty grinned.

Actually, by an ant’s standards, it wasn’t anything significant. But her proportions had changed slightly! Instead of 3-heads tall, she was now 3.5-heads tall! I felt proud! This must be the joy of parenting!

“Anty, can you give me the sword I entrusted to you before? The red one.”

-Of course! Please bring the divine sword God Yu Il-Shin had entrusted!

-Huff! Puff!

Anty ordered, and the armored Gayami soldiers brought out Lin Xiao Ming’s sword. I was using them as an inventory. Lin Xiao Ming’s sword was too conspicuous in China, after all.

-Lord Yu Il-Shin! Would you require any nourishments to sustain yourself?

“No, I’m good now.”

There was also a period of time when I lived off their grains and fruits. I felt like I was the protagonist in Gulliver’s Travel, visiting a small country. Nevertheless, the amount of food I ate was tremendous by the ants’ standards, so I tried to hold back.

Besides, just having a spoonful of fairy honey already made me feel full and energized, making it a great value for the price.

Unlike the fairies and Il-Ho, I had nothing to eat on the 42nd floor of the Tower of Trials. Moreover, I was basically helping them out. Speaking of which, I’d have to check in on him at a later date.

Sss—

I received the sword from God-Maker and asked Anty, “Thank you, Anty. Anyway, how’s it going lately? Did the empire do anything?

-According to Baek-Ho’s report, they seem to be acting weirdly recently. They’re collecting shiny stuff all across the continent. I’ve asked him to send out soldiers to gather more information.

Shiny stuff...? I’m not sure what they’re up to, but I’ll just send my fearsome army of Skull Chickens to punish them.

“I’ll see you later then, Anty. Call me if you need anything else.”

-Yes, Lord Yu Il-Shin! Please descend again! Puck puck!

-Puck puck!

The soldiers and people of Gayami nation kneeled in unison, praising me. I must’ve gotten used to them saying “Puck puck” to me. I turned off God-Maker after getting the sword. It was time to regenerate Sword Demon’s arm.

Earlier, I thought of bringing Sword Demon with me, but I was worried something would happen to Kang Woo, so I decided against it. I couldn’t do anything with my powers anyway, so it didn’t matter.

I unsheathed the Asura Spiritwalker Sword. It gave off an ominous glow, as if drenched in blood.

“Sword Demon, can you stand there for a while?”

“Sure!”

Even though I was brandishing a sword at him, Sword Demon didn’t even flinch. He stood upright like a piece of stiff wood.

While aiming the sword at him, I recalled the sensation I felt when regenerating Il-Ho’s arm.

“Asura Spiritwalker Sword, lend your power to Sword Demon.”

Tzzzz!

The blood-red, ominous divine power surrounded Sword Demon entirely.

Ssss!

Then, like a severed lizard’s tail, an arm sprouted within his fluttering sleeve.

“Huh?!”

Sword Demon looked at his new arm in disbelief, falling to his knees.

Plop!

“Waaaah! Mr. Sword God... How can I ever repay... Waaaah...!”

Huge droplets of tears overflowed from Sword Demon’s eyes. He seemed full of words yet unable to speak a single one.

“I’m so happy for you, Uncle Sword Demon!” Sung Mi-Ri patted Sword Demon’s back.

Losing an arm was harrowing enough for an ordinary person, let alone a swordsman. Truthfully, I’d been feeling guilty about it. I was the one who ordered him to deal with the Brilliance Guild, after all. Hopefully, this was enough for him to make a breakthrough and become an S-rank Hunter.

“H-how did you...?” Kang Woo asked; his eyes widening to the fullest. “I can’t even restore living organic matter with my restoration skill, so how did you do it?! Even S-rank healers can’t regenerate an arm?!”

“Oh, I just borrowed the power of the sword.”

“Sword...? Wow! Isn’t this Lin Xiao Ming’s Asura Spiritwalker Sword? C-can I take a look?”

Gosh, isn’t he hyperventilating? Well, I didn’t mind showing it to him.

“Here you go.”

“Oooh! It’s much more impressive than the rumors! Truly, a work of god!”

Well, it is made from the literal bones of a god...

“Haa! Haa! I can’t imagine the type of weapon I could forge using this as the main ingredient!”

Kang Woo examined the sword with burning eyes, like Gollum when he laid his eyes on the One Ring.

“Please sell this sword to me! I’ll pay whatever amount you want!”

Again, Kang Woo’s eyes were so intense, I could probably grill pork belly with them.

“I can’t do that, I borrowed it as well.”

“Ack!”

I took the sword from Kang Woo and put it back into God-Maker.

As the sword vanished from his sight, disappointment and regret filled Kang Woo’s eyes.

“Are you sure?! I can pay you 20 billion Korean won in cash! I’ll also make you the best equipment equal to the Asura Spiritwalker Sword!”

I wasn’t particularly interested. Was it because I was a god? Or was the amount so huge that it sounded unrealistic?

“Hoo... As expected...” Kang Woo observed me carefully. “The more I look at you, the more mysterious you appear.”

Kang Woo nodded in satisfaction, then whispered to me, “Listen, if you sell the sword to me, I’ll let you in on a secret.”

A secret?

With a serious look, Kang Woo began, “Listen here. I am this world’s...”

Gulp.

I swallowed dryly.

This atmosphere! This line! It vividly reminded me of a certain novel!

The current atmosphere and this line sounded like it came from a certain novel.

“This world’s...?”

***

“I know of this world’s entertainment! Mwahahaha! Get’em all wet!”

Pop!

With his sunglasses on, Kang Woo uncorked a bottle of the finest champagne and sprayed it at the bikini beauties.

“Eek! Oppa, stop~”

“Ohohoho!”

Thump! Untz untz untz~

Kang Woo danced along with the EDM beats played by the DJ.

That’s right; we were at a pool party, something that I had only heard about up until now. Still, that uncle, he seemed so serious earlier, but I guess he just wanted to have some fun.

“Hahaha!”

Seeing him laughing and enjoying life made me question the life I’d led up until this point.

Thankfully, this took place after Sung Mi-Ri had left to look after her older sister. Although it wasn’t necessary, Sung Mi-Na still clung to her amnesiac façade.

“Hehe, Oppa. What are you up to? Are you a cosplayer?”

Just then, one of the bikini beauties approached Sword Demon, who stood in a corner of the pool.

“Ha! Ha! Go away!”

Sword Demon was practicing with his iron sword, completely out of place. He probably wanted to get used to his new arm as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, he was still dressed for the event, wearing black swimming trunks. But damn, was he well-built! Rippling muscles. Shredded abs. He was oozing with masculinity! He must’ve hit the gym religiously!

“Don’t be so cold~ Why don’t you play with us instead?” the beauty smiled with her eyes, trying to press her voluptuous chest against his arms.

Slap!

“Eep!”

Sword Demon slapped her forehead, giving her the death stare, shouting, “Bitch, I said go away! Don’t interfere with my training!”

“Aaah!” she scurried away.

I sighed at the sight. Sword Demon was indeed an incredible lone-wolf swordsman.

Just then, Kang Woo approached me, who was swimming leisurely. He gave me a complicated look.

“Why don’t you have some fun as well?”

“But I am.”

“...Where did you get that weird tube?”

“I got it when I bought my swimwear. Isn’t it cool?”

Boing boing boing—

I smiled, patting the shark tube that helped me stay afloat. It wasn’t just any tube, mind you! It was a massive, two-meter-long tube! I’d always wanted to ride something like this in the past, so I decided to buy it.

Kang Woo did a facepalm, muttering, “Haa... Both of you are the same... Birds of the same feather do flock together.”

Hey, that’s unnecessary!

“Enjoy yourself then. I’m heading to the bathroom for a while.” Kang Woo shook his head, walking out.

***

“Haa.”

Kang Woo looked at his wet face in the mirror. He saw the familiar reflection of a dapper young man with a nicely trimmed beard, seemingly to be in his late thirties.

Then, he muttered in a confused tone, “Is he a variable, or...?”

Just then...

Rip! Riiiip!

The space behind him tore open, as if a gate was opening right there.

“Huh?!”

Panicking, Kang Woo tried to make an escape.

-Krrr! You’re mine!

“Aaaaah!”

With a ghastly roar, a giant crocodile’s jaw emerged from the crack, pouncing on Kang Woo.