On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 137: This God’s Alter Ego Receives Scout Offers Too

Chapter 137: This God’s Alter Ego Receives Scout Offers Too

Slam!

Alpha growled, smashing the rock he sat on into pieces.

-What on earth?! Spider! You said no one else in that lowly country could defeat us except for that dastardly god! Now I’ve lost five brothers! All because of you!

Alpha and his brothers stared ferociously at Arachne, threatening to devour her.

“I-I...” Arachne shuddered.

Because of the Sun God’s oracle, Arachne had dispatched the scouts to eliminate the evil god’s source of power, Gayami Nation. Meanwhile, Sun God would keep him occupied.

-Spider! You’ll pay for this!

“P-please! I beg of you! Just one more chance! There are still many gods in the empire besides the Sun God! I can summon them for assistance! I’ll borrow their power and make sure to avenge your brothers’ deaths!”

Even though it was dusk, the sky blazed red like sunset, but without any romantic undertone.

Kwaaaaa!

Something faster than a flash of light, hotter than the flames of hell, ripped through the sky.

-W-what’s that?

When Alpha and his brothers noticed it was the Dead Dragon’s Breath, it was way too late. Alpha screamed as his black scales turned white.

-E-everyone, take cover!

Arachne was stunned.

Take cover? From that thing? But where?

Before they could even blink, the Dead Dragon's Breath rained down on them. Arachne had no time to open a gate for their escape.

“Aaah...”

As the breath threatened to burn the world, all kinds of thoughts crossed her mind. Arachne recalled the first time she met the emperor.

-A-a spider that can talk? How ridiculous... Where the hell is this place? Why am I in this strange world...?

Tears welled up in Arachne’s eyes.

Alas, Your Majesty. Your subject will not live to see your wish fulfilled. But before I perish, I shall offer you everything I have so that your wish may come true.

Toward the Dead Dragon's Breath, Arachne raised all six arms in the air. “Great God of the Empire! Long live Your Ma—!”

Sizzle!

Before she could finish her sentence, she was burnt to ashes.

Crackle crackle!

Swept by the Dead Dragon’s Breath, the plains were reduced to nothingness.

***

The Dead Dragon flew across the sky, witnessing the end of the crocodiles and the spider with his light and dark eyes. Anty, as well as the Gayami Nation, would now be safe. Still, it pained him to slay his blood brothers with his own hands.

Ssss...

Soon, Dead Dragon Akdol’s eyes dulled. The breath from earlier was made of all his divine power combined. The Skull Chickens’ bones, which formed his body, disintegrated; while the pure white feathers on his back scattered away like snow.

Moments later, the colossal dragon vanished, leaving behind an ordinary crocodile the size of a sword. Did he overexert himself?

-Krr...

Along with a weak groan, Akdol lost consciousness and crashed toward the ground.

Swoosh!

“No! Akdol!” Anty screamed, running toward Akdol.

Despite being a Divine Beast, Akdol had used up all his powers. There was no way he’d survive a fall from a few hundred meters in height. However, since she was just recovering from her own injuries.

Meanwhile, Lilith and a few Angel Soldiers had recovered from God Yu Il-Shin’s blessed rain. They flew to Akdol right away.

-Kya! Kya!

They reached out to Akdol, who was falling at tremendous speed. But before they could get close, he fell past them.

“Hyaaa!”

A sharp-looking man, riding on an Angel Soldier, roared, before throwing himself into the air. It was the guard captain, Yi-Ho. He crashed with Akdol, falling on top of the castle walls.

Baaam!

“No, Akdol! Mr. Yi-Ho!” Pale-faced, Anty hurried over to them.

Even Lilith, the Angel Soldiers, and the people of the Gayami Nation gathered around them in astonishment.

Akdol struggled to open his eyes.

“Are you... awake?”

The first person he saw was a battered and bloodied Yi-Ho, cradling himself.

-Krrr...?

Akdol couldn’t grasp the situation. Not only did Yi-Ho regard Akdol as an eyesore, he also nagged Anty for days, saying Akdol ate as much as hundreds of their people.

But now, Yi-Ho bowed deeply at Akdol.

“Thank you.”

-Kyak kyak?

Akdol scratched his head, puzzled by Yi-Ho’s actions.

“Mr. Yi-Ho! Are you alright?”

“Akdol! Are you okay?”

Just then, Yi-Ho grabbed Akdol, whose size had shrunk further. Despite being wounded himself, Yi-Ho raised him up into the air.

“Everyone, look!” Yi-Ho yelled. “This is the hero of Gayami Nation, Divine Beast Akdol, who defeated the evil monsters!”

“Waaah! Long live Divine Beast Akdol!”

“You’re so cool, Mr. Divine Beast!”

“Akdol is the best!”

Praises for the divine beast who had saved the entire Gayami Nation rang endlessly.

***

“T-thank goodness...” I let out a sigh of relief, watching the scene on God-Maker.

If Akdol wasn’t around...

I couldn’t descend due to my insufficient assimilation rate, no thanks to my alter ego. Just thinking about the alternate results terrified me.

I had poured most of my divine power and lent Akdol the power of the Skull Chickens and Angel Soldiers. His combat power after awakening as the Dead Dragon was beyond my imagination.

But that wasn’t the end—it was merely the first obstacle.

“Now it’s time to help Il-Ho...”

Il-Ho was battling an apostle sent by the Ruler of the Abyssal Swamp, an ally of the Fire Shining in the Highest Skies. Briefly, from my appraisal skill, I’d sensed that apostle rivaled that of the Three Pure Ones. I launched God-Maker, and clicked on the Tower of Warriors channel.

Ping!

Suddenly, my world spun, and I felt dizziness in my head.

Damn it, did I use too much divine power again...?

I could feel strength gradually draining from my body. Was this the after-effects of using my divine power to evolve Akdol into a Dead Dragon, and performing miracles for Anty and the injured people of the Gayami Nation?

No, I can’t... I have to... help Il-Ho...

Clack!

My phone fell to the ground. I closed my eyes, remembering my alter ego.

Please take care...of things...

Plop! Thud!

***

At the temple of the Fire Shining in the Highest Skies...

-How persistent! I’ll admit that you’re not just any alter ego! I don’t understand how, but you’re certainly much more powerful than the main body!

Birdhead glared at me with fiery eyes.

-Still, it’s useless to try! The gap between you and I is just insurmountable.

I was furious, but he was right. He could even defeat the Water Goddess when they were both High-tier Gods, reducing her world into a desert. It was obvious that his power was much higher than mine.

I might be highly skilled in combat, but I had just risen to a Mid-tier God. I couldn’t think of any other ways to defeat Birdhead. I no longer had a left arm, as I’d sacrificed it for a slash on his cheek.

-But, it’s a pity to kill you right now.

He touched the wound on his cheek, seemingly impressed, then continued.

-Alter Ego, why don’t you serve me instead? I’ll spare your life and cease all attacks on your followers and apostles.

Craaack!

I grinded my teeth. How many times had I corrected him?! I wasn’t an Alter Ego, for fuck sake!

Barely containing my rising anger, I asked, “If I do, will you cease all attacks on my people and Il-Ho?”

Birdhead lit up.

-Yes. I also promise you the riches of the entire world in the name of the Sun God!

“Why are you so desperate to make me your follower?”

-Keke. Having a strong follower is the best way to elevate my divinity as a god. I’ve eaten High-tier Gods from other worlds before, boosting my power significantly. Just a bit more, and I can break through the power ceiling! I’ve been yearning for it for so long!

“Then just continue eating other High-tier Gods. Why do you want me to serve you?”

Birdhead threw his hands into the air, glaring at me.

-That isn’t my only goal! I want to be the pinnacle of all gods! To subjugate the greatest of the evil gods, Silently Crawling Nightmare, or the All-Cutting Heavenly Sword that pretends to be oh-so-powerful! I won’t allow there to be any other gods greater than me, the Sun God, who shines in the highest of skies!

I was hearing familiar names. My stalkers seemed to be much more competent than I had thought.

-I’ll need a follower of your potential in order to bring them down! So be mine, Alter Ego! In return, I shall grant you everything you desire in the name of the sun!

I remained silent for a while. I wasn’t taking his offer seriously, of course. I was merely weighing the odds to see how I could defeat him.

It’s not the time yet.

Even if I used that, there was no guarantee that I could win. So, I decided to bide my time.

“So, you’re going to give me everything I ask?”

Birdhead seemed delighted, thinking that I was swayed by his words.

-Yes! Anything! As long as you become my follower! What’s there that I can’t grant you?!

“Then kill the God of Destroyer targeting my world. You do that, I’ll consider coming under your wing.”

The prideful Birdhead turned hard as stone.

-T-the God of Destroyer is an inscrutable being that has existed since the beginning of time! Even the mightiest of gods couldn’t and shouldn’t interfere with it...

Briefly, terror flashed in Birdhead’s fiery eyes, which I didn’t fail to notice.

I scoffed. “Didn’t you claim to want to be the pinnacle of gods? You’re just a brat who fears the God of Destroyer. And yet, you still want me to serve you?”

Birdhead’s beak flared a bright red.

-How dare you call me a brat! Take that back now!

“I don’t want to.”

The giant spread both arms wide open.

-You! How dare you show such an attitude when your followers and apostles are dying!

Cackle!

Spherical flames shot out from his hands, showing the sight of the Gayami Nation and Il-Ho on it.

-Look! Look how your followers are begging for salvation while getting slaughtered!

“Hey.”

Smirk—

Mockery tugged at the corners of my mouth as I looked at the images.

“You want me to see what?”

The next moment, his triumphant eyes widened to no tomorrow.