On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 45: Yu Il-Shin of Salvation and Disaster

“Waaaah! It hurts! It hurts!” A young refugee cried in pain.

The child was in such a gruesome and heart-wrenching state that others couldn’t help but look away. Two of his legs were devoured by the imperial soldiers. He had lost so much blood, his white shell became as transparent as glass. Some even wondered if they should just end his suffering right then and there instead.

“Alas, how pitiful...” Saintess Anty reached out to the crying refugee. “Young one, I shall bless you in the name of God Yu Il-Shin. Healing Ring Finger of God Yu Il-Shin!”

Tzzz!

Radiant white light emanated from Saintess Anty’s hand, enveloping the child, and his cry ceased abruptly.

“Huh?”

The child became dumbfounded when he looked down at his lower body. Not only did his pain disappear, but he also saw a new pair of legs growing out in place.

“Unbelievable!”

“A-a miracle!”

Astonished at the sight, the others looked back at the Saintess Anty, who performed the miracle.

Putting her hands on her hips, Saintess Anty looked up toward the sky, “Such is the power of our great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin!”

“Ooh!”

“I’ll let you in on a secret. The power I demonstrated earlier was just a small fraction of his total strength! God Yu Il-Shin was capable of raining down fire on millions of imperial army, reducing them into ashes! Once, he even transformed the hundred of us into billions to suppress demons!”

“Oooh!”

“Everyone, do you believe in God Yu Il-Shin?”

“Y-yes.”

“I can’t hear you! Everyone! How do you expect your voice to reach him?!”

“We do! We will believe in him!”

“Oooh! God Yu Il-Shin! Hurrah! Praise be the Saintess!”

Hearing the refugees cheer made Saintess proud.

Thankfully, my daily prayers to God Yu Il-Shin have paid off.

Just yesterday, she had received a strange message when she was performing a sermon at the Temple.

[Experience points of Anty have met the conditions to obtain a class.]

[Anty has been promoted to a Priest.]

[Anty has been rewarded with +2 on divine power-related stats.

[As the Saintess and the very first Priest of Yu Il-Shin, Saintess Anty is now able to use a fraction of the healing power that Yu Il-Shin possesses.]

[Skill available for use: Healing Ring Finger of God Yu Il-Shin.]

Dazzle~!

Surrounded by white light, her attire transformed into a pure white robe.

“Eh?”

She was flustered at the sudden change, which also affected the scene before her. Finally, after so long, she could see the image of Yu Il-Shin.

Aah, I can’t believe this! Lord Yu Il-Shin, your loyal servant can finally behold your dashing figure!

She could see Yu Il-Shin in the god realm, holding his precious sword. He seemed to be holding some sort of ritual.

-Evolve this damn kitchen knife...no, Sword God!

Ding!

[God Yu Il-Shin's favorite sword, Sword God, is evolving according to your alignment.]

[You paid 44,444 Gcoins for the evolution.]

Swoooosh!

The coins were absorbed, and thus began the transformation of the original kitchen knife...

Thud!

However, at the most crucial moment, Saintess Anty’s vision returned to her own reality. The connection might be brief, but her body shivered as she recalled that overwhelming moment. It bore witness to her heightened sense of unity with him! On top of that, she was allowed to use his magnificent powers!

I have to work even harder with my daily prayers from now on! I have to become one with God Yu Il-Shin as soon as possible! Saintess Anty steeled her resolve.

Just then, the representative of the refugees, the elder termite, looked at Saintess Anty with tearful eyes.

“Saintess, are you truly the descendant of the 5,882,825th Princess?”

“Yes, I am.”

A hundred years ago, the 5,882,825th Princess from the Termite Kingdom fell in love and eloped with the chief of the black tribe. Saintess Anty’s bloodline was atavistic, allowing her to inherit pure white skin and hair, unlike those of the black tribe.

“Waaah! I’m honestly moved! Our royal lineage hasn't come to an end! Thank god!” the elder termite burst into tears.

The royal family of the Termite Kingdom either perished after surrendering or offered as tributes to the imperial family to be devoured. Meanwhile, the remaining survivors had to move from place to place to avoid capture. Having lost their pillar of support, they could barely survive.

As such, the appearance of Saintess Anty was akin to light at the end of the tunnel. On top of that, not only did she provide the famished group with ample food, but she could also heal the heavily injured.

“Saintess—no, Princess! We shouldn't remain here any longer! The imperial army must be gaining on us even now, so please evacuate to a safer place!”

Hearing the elder’s words, fear resurfaced on the faces of the other refugees. Indeed. After meeting Saintess Anty and getting served ample grains, they had momentarily forgotten that their pursuers hadn’t given up the chase.

However, Saintess Anty was unfazed.

“Please do not worry, everyone.”

Tzzz—

All of a sudden, Saintess Anty’s emerald eyes turned red.

“The mighty God Yu Il-Shin should be raining judgment on the insolent imperial army right about now. Mwehehe!”

“Gasp! It's happening again!” Those from the Gayami tribe retreated slowly.

“Punish the wicked imperial army with madness, chaos, and destruction!” Saintess Anty screamed fanatically.

Ruuuumble!

Instead of dazzling white light, a dark aura emanated from her. The antennae of the Gayami tribe twitched in curiosity. Saintess Anty seemed a little off recently. Did she pray too hard?

***

What’s wrong with her now?

I looked at Anty, feeling troubled. After using Blind Eyes of God, I had obtained the latest appraisal result on her. It no longer showed the phrase “Saintess and Priestess of Light,” but rather “Anty, Fallen Saintess and Priestess of Darkness.”

Something seemed to have possessed her. Was it my fault? Did my increasing bad deeds affect her as well? Maybe I should work on my good deeds and raise my benevolent titles. Sigh, after I was done with this, I guess...

“Lord Yu Il-Shin! I have found the imperial army!”

“Oh, you did?”

Upon hearing Baek-Ho’s report, I quickly turned my attention and changed the screen to where he was. When I started playing God-Maker, I couldn’t leave the cave. But now I could, thanks to the help of my followers, the Gayamis. I had arranged a few of them to patrol areas around the city I had built beforehand. Apparently, the imperial army was spotted in the area where Baek-Ho was patrolling.

-All troops, charge! The slaves must be nearby!

-Kekeke, the one who eats them first, wins!

Rush—!

As per Baek-Ho’s report, a flood of red came rushing in the distance. Although most of them were red ants, other insects could also be spotted among them. I cracked my fingers, warming up.

“Great timing. Let me take care of this area. Stay back, Baek-Ho.”

But Baek-Ho shook his head, “No! This loyal follower, Baek-Ho, is obligated to stand witness! I have to capture the essence of your prowess and brilliance in battle and turn it into a song! Oh, I can feel the melody of majestic destruction stirring in my heart! Please look forward to it! This song is definitely going to be a hit!”

Okay, this is scary.

Did I really have to listen to his screeching? My malevolent side told me to just crush Baek-Ho so that he’d shut up for good, but I held back. He was still my follower, after all. I sighed deeply. How did a strange personality like Baek-Ho appear in the Gayami tribe?

“Haa, okay. But stay away and don’t get swept up in the battle.”

“Yes! Please don’t worry about me! Unleash your great divine power onto them!”

Baek-Ho watched me with gleaming eyes as he retreated. Then, I took out the thing I had prepared beforehand.

[Silently Crawling Nightmare watches with excitement as she opens a bag of popcorn.]

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword grumbles, asking when will you use his sword.]

[Infinite Abundance covers her eyes, unwilling to witness the battle.]

“Shall we start the bug extermination project then?”

The prelude of a disaster that would shake up the empire was just about to begin.

***

The higher-ups of the empire were taken aback.

“The Bird of Paradise Troop, which was chasing the remnants of the Termite Kingdom, got eliminated?”

“That’s not all! We have also lost communications with the troops dispatched to the surrounding area of the demonic forest!”

“An emergency report from the Demonic Troop! The Cypress Troop guarding the borders were also wiped out by the malevolent god!”

“The Iron Wall Troop stationed at the Aphid Kingdom has also been attacked!”

Arachne blanched at the severe reports concerning their troops, which were stationed all across the continent. The estimated damage was

The grim reports received from their troops stationed all over the continent made Arachne turn pale. The estimated losses were more than twenty million! Although it was still considered trivial compared to the empire’s total strength, they suffered such a massive loss in less than half a day!

“The Hyacinth Troop is besieged by the malevolent god! Please send reinforcements! Huh?! The Ladybug Troop is annihilated!”

The massacre was happening in real-time.

Grittt!

Arachne gritted her teeth, clenching her hands until she drew blood.

What the hell is happening? How did that malevolent god survive the curse of the Leader of the Horrible Plague?!

But the Plague God had retained his throne for over thousands of years! And yet, he was bested by a sproutling god?! Arachne never saw that coming. Still, regardless of how many prayers she offered, she couldn’t reach the Leader of the Horrible Plague.

Did I miscalculate the potential of that malevolent god?

Just then, a few soldiers brought the wounded into the conference room. “We have a survivor from the attack!”

Arachne jumped to her feet and asked, “What is your affiliation?”

“I’m Mole Cricket, a quartermaster of the Bird of Paradise Troop.”

Mole Cricket used to be a warrior of great stature and skill, but now there was no trace of that left.

“What exactly happened? What power did that malevolent god use?” Arachne asked impatiently.

As they always said, to win every battle, thou must know thy enemy and know thyself. By learning about the malevolent god, she’d be better prepared for his attacks.

Mole Cricket turned his head toward the sound in the distance.

Chills!

“Gasp!”

To the horror of Arachne and the higher-ups, Mole Cricket revealed his empty eye sockets, now just hollow darkness.

“Cough cough! We were chasing the runaway slaves of the Termite Kingdom. We made it a 'finder's keepers' situation—a great way to ensure we’d capture them, I’d say, since their flesh whetted the appetites of our hungry troops. I was part of the supply unit, in charge of carrying a day’s worth of provisions.

I remember it being peaceful as we followed the main party, worrying about nothing. After all, we still had 100,000 termite slaves... But then, out of nowhere, the malevolent god appeared!” Mole Cricket struggled to talk with its parched mouth.

Tadadadak!

Mole Cricket became white, and his antenna quivered violently.

“I had never seen such a hideous and savage monster my whole life! He was colossal, like a moving mountain! Even his fingernail was bigger than I, who was called a ‘giant’ by my comrades! Despite being flustered at first, we quickly charged at the malevolent god like the brave imperial army of His Majesty!

With a 300,000-strong army, our marvelous red tide swallowed the world. However, the malevolent god simply looked down upon us with a sneer. Then, he raised the bizarre-looking divine artifact that hung around his neck at us. T-then...”

“T-then?” Arachne and the other heads swallowed dryly.

Mole Cricket flailed his legs in the air like a drowning man, his face turning even whiter.

“Gaaah! A cursed tune, similar to the echoes of the depths of hell, resounded! Threatening to turn anyone who heard it insane...!”

to those echoing from the depths of hell, that could make anyone who heard it turn insane...!”