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Chapter 120

Tae-oh didn’t do much as he listened to the story. He nodded along. He laughed at the happy tales and sighed at the sad ones. His emotions simply reacted to the narratives shared by the god.

From the day he first met Yeon-woo, Tae-oh had been rich in feelings but shy about expressing them.

Yeon-woo thought that relationships were what he needed to improve this situation, and it turned out to be a spot-on idea.

Tae-oh changed not just through his bond with Yeon-woo and Shar but by connecting with many others as well.

He stayed true to his feelings. Though hesitant at times, he could finally say what he wanted. As he basked in warm love, it felt natural to show his own love in return. His manner of speaking remained unchanged, but what was inside had transformed.

Observing this change in Tae-oh, the god had many thoughts. It seemed strange to witness someone listening to stories with such a light-hearted demeanor for the first time.

The god had always been a god from the moment of his birth. Even after a whole day, he still hadn’t received a name. It was only after several days that he finally got the name God. It couldn’t even be called a name—it was simply because they regarded him as a god that he started being called as such.

Sometimes, the little children of the faith would approach the god with curious eyes. In those moments, he felt a flicker of curiosity in return. Perhaps he could make a friend he had only heard about.

But soon after, the children’s parents would rush in, apologize to him, and take them away.

What everyone wanted was always the thoroughly calculated and mechanical god, so the god distanced himself from them.

Thus, this cozy conversation felt so foreign to him. The one who was always listening had become the one speaking.

[It must have been hard….]

[Ha.]

The god couldn’t help but chuckle.

That moment, that day, the world he was a part of was brought to ruin.

Nothing was left behind. Not the things he loved, nor the things he could have loved.

Who could dare say they understood that feeling of loss?

Always the cold rationality warned him that this insipid spirit before him was merely toying with him.

Yet that day, the world was destroyed. Not a single intelligent being was left. There wasn’t even anyone to comfort him, let alone something to blame.

The warm words of comfort offered by the young spirit in such a bleak time felt like the rare rain in a desert.

[Thank you.]

[Hehe.]

As he watched the young spirit beam with happiness at his expression of gratitude, the god slowly opened his mouth. Tonight, he wanted to share something. Perhaps it was because death was closing in on him.

*

‘How troublesome.’

Claire’s swordsmanship was both defensive and destructive.

Even in the direst of circumstances, she had created this style to turn the tides with a single, powerful strike, utilizing the Aura.

But a focus on destructive power didn’t mesh well with these underground ruins. Taking the average strength of Killian into account, if Claire swung with all her might, she might just cause the very ground surrounding the ruin to collapse.

Moreover, the space was quite limited, and a miscalculation could endanger her companions.

She could manage it, but considering the slightest possibility was unpleasant for Claire.

So, even if it was a bit sluggish, she used the Crescent Moon Sword Technique. It was a technique she had crafted, one which could be regarded as a significant boost for ordinary swordsmen.

Of course, much refinement was needed to make it usable by average people.

‘Anyway, this technique lacks a certain flair.’

Swords should smash things with a satisfying clunk, yet here she was, slicing one tiny piece at a time like some kind of slug.

This style was even worse against foes who overwhelmed her with sheer numbers.

‘If only I could swing with determination once, I could wipe them all out…!!’

If someone overheard her, they might think she was mistaking her weapon for a warhammer, but Claire swung her sword. Though she wasn’t entirely accustomed to the technique, such things mattered little to an Aura Master.

The swing was Aura, and since she was the one swinging, the intricacies of the technique became irrelevant.

Claire’s sword unleashed aura at the hordes of meaty foes surrounding her.

The aura sliced through the air, striking enemies before the blade even made contact. Bits of meat and blood turned to dust mid-air, becoming nothing more than ash.

The golden Aura Blade that had lodged itself shone brightly. From that moment, the instincts of the god abandoned any notion of covering that place with his own body.

There was an enormous ego that was fundamentally impervious. The very idea of absolute confidence was something he had to reject.

The attribute of Claire’s Aura Blade was perfection.

It was the exclusive ‘Personal’ Elemental Mana found only in Claire Wigderi, the strongest swordswoman in history, and it gleamed amidst the wall of flesh surrounding them.

‘It feels kind of like using a knife meant for slaughtering a cow on someone who wanted death too… but I want to impress Yeon-woo!’

It was a somewhat childish reason, much like most parents often have.

*

[You truly have a wonderful father.]

[Hehe, that’s right. He’s the best dad.]

The god and Tae-oh had somehow bonded and were happily conversing.

Of course, the god couldn’t help but feel the end was approaching. There was no longer anywhere to stretch out. Soon, his body would be sliced away by that golden sword.

Still, it felt remarkably satisfying. At long last, he felt he was starting to understand what friendship meant, even if only slightly. If things continued like this, he thought he could leave without any regrets.

However, even if he was leaving, surely he could give a gift to the first friend he made before departing. He still had enough time and strength for that.

But what he could give was limited to pure elemental power only.

If this young spirit were to obtain divinity, she’d be reborn as a god, not merely a spirit. While he wouldn’t recommend it, if Tae-oh desired it, the god would gladly grant it.

[Do you wish to become a god?]

[Uh-huh.]

At such a question, Tae-oh shook his head vigorously.

To be honest, it was quite an unexpected response. Despite the fact that many desired the god’s power, becoming a god didn’t seem like the happiest thing in the world.

However, since he had refused, the god didn’t think to pry for a reason. This child had their own thoughts. Though still young, they were far more mature than most. There had to be a reason behind such a decision.

[I’m giving you this as a present, so I’d appreciate if you could say something. The time for my departure is near.]

[…Do I really have to die…?]

Tae-oh’s voice wavered with sadness as he asked this. More than anyone else, he understood well what it meant to die. The god regarded Tae-oh as a friend. The same applied to Tae-oh.

They hadn’t been searching for someone alike; they had simply run into one another by chance, but he never could have imagined finding someone so similar.

While being a child, there were parts of Tae-oh’s stories that resonated with him.

Tae-oh loved his father and sister deeply, yet he didn’t expect them to be his complete understanding.

Only after becoming Yeon-woo’s child could he grasp what that truly meant. Yeon-woo was someone who valued life above all else. Not just his own, but others’ lives too.

Such a person would never condone the death of mere looters, who had entered the ruins without a care.

Having awoken to his emotions, he couldn’t possibly unleash a god who had brought about the destruction of the world without any safety measures.

Tae-oh thought there would be no way to persuade his father. Seeing his friend in distress, holding his head in frustration, the god couldn’t help but smile.

[Yes, you must die. You’ve come too far. I’m grateful to bring an end to this horrific life.]

There was nothing more to say. There was no way to convince him. His will was unshakeable. The god was going to die here.

[Ugh, waaaah….]

Tae-oh began to shed tears like a baby. There was nothing to be done. With no options left, he cried like a child.

[Oh, a bit mature, but still a child.]

Seeing this, the god thought about the boy’s father. Since the child refused a gift, he should at least give one to the father.

The divine power responded to the will. Despite the dwindling divine power, it would be well used by Tae-oh’s father.

Selecting only the purest of the divine powers, the god carefully stroked the back of the crying Tae-oh.

For the first time in his long life, it felt profoundly sad not having arms.

As Claire’s Aura Blade began to tighten around the throat of the alien god, Yeon-woo and Killian, with nothing to do, started pondering the symbol carved on Yeon-woo’s left arm.

Especially Killian was eager. Because if it were an attack mark, he’d certainly hear a scolding from Claire afterward.

“Oh, can’t you protect that one thing? Just how careless!” he imagined Claire might say as she ranted.

‘Isn’t he the one who left me alone for training?!’

With only feelings of unfairness, there was nothing to be done. The law is distant, but the fist is close, after all.

Still, it was true that it felt oddly familiar. The aura emanating from it felt like something he had seen before.

Moreover, with a glance, he could tell it resembled a lizard. It clearly didn’t fit any standard category of scars or marks.

After pondering for a moment, Killian suddenly seemed to realize something and lifted his head.

“…Isn’t this a Stigmata? The vibe feels strikingly similar to that of Lunaria.”

“Stigmata? Could it be Lunaria…?”

“If that were the case, I would’ve recognized it by now. Ours is crescent-shaped.”

Oh, I see. But a lizard-shaped Stigmata? He couldn’t recall any familiar symbols from the religious organizations he knew.

“Do you know anything, Killian?”

“No, I don’t. It’s a pattern I’ve never seen. Not a reptile or amphibian…? Could it exist…?”

It seemed Killian was just as confused. Who would suddenly bestow a Stigmata at a moment like this? As Yeon-woo thought more, he suddenly lifted his head.

Tae-oh’s disappearance and the suddenly appeared Stigmata…

Only one conclusion could be drawn in this situation. There might be a connection between the alien god in front of him and these events.

But why would they bestow a Stigmata upon him? They had just been aggressive moments ago.

As he pondered, Yeon-woo suddenly heard the sound of a child’s crying.

[Huhhhhh, hic, waaaaah….]

With Tae-oh’s cries resonating, a voice echoed in his mind.

[Can you hear me, father of the spirit?]

Surprised, Yeon-woo composed himself. However, Killian was merely looking at Yeon-woo, wondering what was happening. Was this voice only for him?

‘…Do you have our child?’

He asked as politely as he could. If it was a hostage situation… he needed to rescue him somehow. The child was crying, after all. Yeon-woo’s face scrunched slightly in worry.

[You needn’t worry. All the divine power of my true form has just been bestowed upon you. One must show gratitude for kindness, no? Just like your son.]

Unlike before, the tone was now markedly softer, leaving Yeon-woo confused. What in the world was going on?

Perhaps noticing his confusion or sensing his heart, the alien god began to explain the series of events that occurred amidst the battle.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

 

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