On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 58: I’ll Go Along With You

Sun shone warmly on the gorgeous field of flowers. The place was akin to paradise—a far cry from the gory, grueling trials that came before.

“What kind of trial is this?”

What kind of objective awaited him here? Would he have to harvest honey from the flowers like a bee? Amidst Il-Ho’s confusion, another message appeared.

[Challenger Il-Ho takes on the Eleventh Floor of the Tower of Warriors: Trial of Flower.]

[The prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns. Challenger, survive this trial!]

Slash! Flick!

Suddenly, vines emerged from all directions, restricting Il-Ho’s limbs.

“...!”

Il-Ho struggled, trying to break free. However, his muscles were no match for the tough vines. Huge shadows loomed over Il-Ho.

-Krrr!

-Kieeeek!

The same colorful, vibrant flowers from before opened their mouths, baring their fangs. They were carnivorous flowers that ate living creatures with relish. Half-insects like the Gayamis were especially delicious. Since Il-Ho was their first challenger in a century, he was a prize catch.

Il-Ho chuckled at their bloodlust.

“Now, this is what I call a trial! I’ll rip your throat and offer it to God Yu Il-shin! Muuuscles!”

Meanwhile, the gate of the city of Gayami was crowded with people. They were refugees from all over the continent. After suffering under the reign of the empire, they went to the rumored dwelling of god.

Among them was a shabby old man dressed in dirty rags. He spoke to a member of the ladybug tribe. Despite their size, that tribe was renowned for their knowledge.

“I-is this the sacred land of God Yu Il-Shin?” he cautiously asked.

“Indeed. You must’ve come because of the rumors. This is the place where God Yu Il-Shin had laid countless imperial troops to waste, and also where Warrior Il-Ho had slayed Buttor, one of the Ten Swords.”

Then, another bystander from the silkworm tribe approached the ladybug. Deeming their silk suitable for clothing, the empire exploited their tribe.

“Still, I can’t help but worry. Will this place truly be safe for us? I heard that Lady Arachne was furious after losing her favorite subject, Buttor. Apparently, she’s planning to unleash hell here soon.”

“Certainly, she’s notorious for being a venomous woman. After falling from such a height, Buttor’s remains were unrecognizable. And yet, she... she ate them, even the poisonous wings. She wanted him to live forever inside her. Now that she has marked this city as her target, who knows how long this place can last. I heard the empire had gathered over hundreds of millions of troops so far...” The ladybug nodded.

With doubt in their eyes, the ladybug asked the old man, “But Elder, which tribe are you from? I haven't seen anyone like you in this area.”

“I...”

Ruuuumble!

Just then, the gates to the city opened.

“Hello everyone! Welcome!”

Along with the energetic voice, Saintess Anty appeared with an entourage of escorts from the Gayami tribe.

The refugees exclaimed in awe at her entrance.

“Ooh! Is that the rumored Saintess Anty?”

“Is that the Saintess who performed a miracle and healed mortal injury? She looks gorgeous...!”

“Look at her snow-white hair and skin. She’s the true blood of the Termite Kingdom!”

“The Gayami look so mighty! They look like the legendary warriors from the myths!”

After witnessing Il-Ho’s fierce battle against Buttor, muscle gained booming popularity among the Gayamis. Thanks to daily rigorous training while drinking Blessing of the Growth God, they bulked up.

“You don’t have to fear the ruthless empire any longer! The almighty and merciful God Yu Il-Shin is with us!” Saintess Anty screamed aloud.

Then, Saintess Anty raised her arms toward the sky and prayed, “Lord Yu Il-Shin! These poor lambs have come to serve you! Please, grace them with your divine being!”

Ruuuumble!

The skies were torn asunder and God Yu Il-Shin descended.

“O-oh my gosh!”

“Hyiiieee!”

“Aaaargh! Save me!”

Body as colossal as the mountain, shrouded in black flame. Face so hideous and terrifying, even the demons from hell could be called handsome in comparison... The refugees cowered in fear, many soiling their pants.

[4,210,221 faithless refugees would like to join the city.]

[Will you accept and bestow your favor upon them? (Yes/No)]

After glancing at the screaming refugees briefly, Yu Il-Shin moved his fingers a few times.

[Farmland development begins.]

[Constructing more houses.]

[Expanding Fortress Walls.]

Ruuuumble!

With just a few moves, the fortress walls expanded, houses were built, and farmland brimming with golden grains appeared.

“U-unbelievable...”

“Am I dreaming?”

The refugees marveled at the miracle unfolding before them.

Ssss—

As soon as his work was done, the miracle bringer disappeared. This was also in consideration for the refugees, who were horrified by his appearance.

“Ahem! Everyone! Have you seen the miracles that God Yu Il-Shin bestowed upon us?! Look! With a wave of his hands, he conjured the fortress walls, grains, and houses to protect and feed us!”

Anty snorted proudly, placing her hands at her hips, “You don’t have to worry about the empire anymore! The great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin blesses us! Unlike other demons, God Yu Il-Shin doesn’t ask for live sacrifices. Our faith is all he wishes for! Now, let us pray together! O’ Almighty Lord Yu Il-Shin, puck puck!”

“G-God Yu Il-Shin, puck puck!”

“God Yu Il-Shin! Puck!”

The jubilant prayers echoed throughout the sanctuary.

***

“Haa,” I sighed, turning off my phone.

When Anty summoned me, I thought something had happened. But it turned out to be just a horde of bugs at the city gates.

The current city size wouldn’t be sufficient to accommodate the new refugees. Thus, I expanded the city and built a few other things while at it. Well, getting more followers for myself was a good thing.

-----

[Quest: Low-tier Benevolent God Promotion (In Progress)]

Normal Followers: 10,112,326/1,000,000,000

Followers of intelligent beings at S-rank and above with potential for transcendence: 1/10

-----

The number of followers for the promotion quest had well surpassed ten million and counting. But still...

“‘God Yu Il-Shin, puck puck’? They were right. Adults should control their mouths in front of children.”

I was worried. I would need to persuade them to use nicer language one of these days.

“Was it something important?” Mr. Lee asked.

I shook my head, answering, “No, it’s nothing. So, what do I do next?”

I stood in the Hunter Academy’s examination room. True to Choi Kang-San’s words, it was full of high-tech gadgets. Although, there were also some strange-looking objects resembling African totems. I didn’t know what they were for.

Choi Kang-San’s eyes sparkled as he shouted, “Let’s start with testing your Awakening Rank!”

Why is he so excited?

“For him?” a female in a lab coat and silver-rimmed glasses said, scanning me with a look of disapproval. Her absolute beauty was overshadowed by her temperament.

She glared at Choi Kang-San and said, “Haa... He isn’t even a student of the academy. You have no business conducting a test on a citizen. This is an abuse of authority, Principal. Surely, the Hunter Association and Hunter Kang-Woo didn’t donate all this equipment for that?

“Just look away this once. This is important.”

Unbefitting of his muscular frame, Choi Kang-San was acting meek, like a mouse standing before a cat.

Just get this over with already. I want to go home and take a nap.

After pulling an all-nighter to work on my manuscript, the fatigue was finally catching up to me. The responses of the readers sucked, though. Regardless, I started the serialization on Dalpia with the manuscript I had worked on. Of course, I also notified my editor-in-charge about it.

Maybe it’d improve after I revised it according to his feedback, I hoped.

The woman approached me, “Hello, I’m Choi Eun-Bi, head of the Hunter Academy’s dedicated medical team.”

That title sounded grand, but putting it bluntly, she was like a school nurse.

“I see that you’ve taken a test recently?”

“That’s right.”

“We don’t usually do retests but... Haa, since the Principal is insistent, I have no choice but to go ahead with this. Again, this is abuse of authority. Can you please enter the ranking room?”

“Okay.”

I entered the room that was roughly 3-pyeong wide. Inside was a table and a single crystal ball with various cables attached. One would expect some high-tech device to measure a Hunter’s level, but reality was often disappointing. Modern technology hadn’t fully grasped the mechanism.

-----

[Classifying Crystal Ball]

A magical tool belonging to the Hunter Academy. Around for 20 years.

Special note: A tool used to measure human’s abilities. Also used to sort followers and tributes.

-----

My appraisal skill activated. In truth, the crystal was the core of this device. It was a magical tool rumored to be worth billions. After all, only a Creation-type Hunter could obtain it from the Hunter Shop.

But was that its name? The special note about sorting followers and tributes made me feel concerned.

—Please place your hands on the crystal ball.

The school nurse’s voice played through the speakers in the room.

I did as told.

Tzzz.

The crystal ball glowed a radiance of colors as information about myself traveled outside.

—The examination is complete. You may now exit the room.

Stepping out, I saw Choi Kang-San, Mr. Lee, and Ms. Sung Mi-Ri gathered around the school nurse, looking at my examination results. Their expressions weren’t good.

“Rank G. There’s no difference in numbers either. I’ve never seen anything like this in my five years in the field. The value of his physical strength and ability are so low. He can almost be considered an ordinary citizen.”

“N-no way. Could the device be malfunctioning, Eun-Bi?”

The school nurse pushed her glasses slightly upward and replied haughtily, “When we’re at work, please refer to me as Chief Choi. The possibility of error is lower than 0.1%, Principal. Besides, this is only a month old.”

“That’s just odd. No way... Then, that day, how did you...?”

Well, it was stated in the description that the crystal ball measured human ability. I might be of the lowest tier, but I was still a god.

“Can I leave now?”

Choi Kang-San hurriedly stopped me, “W-wait! Actually, I don’t believe in those machines! Yes! Men should tough it out! Let’s fight!”

“Why should I?”

I had to fight this old man when I was dead tired? Not like I was getting anything out of this.

“C-can’t you do it just this once? I’m asking you a favor.” Choi Kang-San pleaded.

I recognized that expression. It was the same as the one he showed me on the day he begged me for money. He purchased alcohol soon after.

Just as I was about to reject him coldly, Sword Demon and Johan flashed across my mind.

Wait, I might be able to benefit from this.

Didn’t the two of them become my followers after I defeated them? Well, not exactly, since they were fanatics. Should I give it a try?

“Sure, let’s do it then.”

I could gain another S-rank follower needed for the promotion quest.

Choi Kang-San lit up. “That’s the spirit! Let’s head to the sparring room now!”

“Wait, Principal. If it’s just sparring, let me do it.” Mr. Lee stepped up.

“You?”

“Isn’t it a bit out of place to spar with the legend of South Korea? How about having a go with me first, Sir?”

“No, I...”

“Haha, don’t worry. You won’t be hurt. I’ll go easy on you.” Mr. Lee smiled gently.

I could feel the mixed emotions hidden beneath that smile. He must’ve found it ridiculous that a mere G-rank would go up against the legendary Choi Kang-San.

That’s kinda cringe.

“Well, sure.”

Let’s see who’s going easy on who.