Chapter 344: Eighty-First Floor, Starfish (4)

The moment Starfish revealed her true name, my divinity stirred.

The energy of the yokai embedded in Gehenna began to peel away, unraveling from within. My lightning-infused divinity seeped into her, saturating her from the inside out and purging the divinity nestled in her core.

Of course, the pre-existing energy resisted, but the gap in purity was overwhelming. The source of Gehenna’s previous energy was forced to stay away, while I was right there. Therefore, I simply suppressed it by force.

Gehenna’s crimson hair slowly began to shimmer gold. It didn’t transform completely, but rather took on a reddish-gold hue.

The changes weren’t merely superficial. The once-ominous aura radiating from her had also shifted. The energy she emitted seemed more like lightning, fierce, rather than malevolent.

“

Ah!

”

Yet even then, the transmission of divinity did not end. It surged through Gehenna and reached the child behind her. The divinity stripped away her previous energy, that of a monk and a yokai, and changed her appearance. Half of the energy she now emitted mirrored Gehenna’s reddish-gold hue, but the other half took on a different tone.

The former pale shade now glimmered blue-gold, just like mine.

Hmm.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

She wasn’t my daughter, but we were now connected by divinity. Her aura had even adopted the very same color. It felt as if she looked like me.

The emotion that welled up was unexpected.

I had just created my first apostle. Or if I counted the child, my first and second.

Now that I had solved the initial problem, I already knew where I was going to send them.

The rest area would be the most suitable place, but their overwhelming presence makes that impossible.

Instead, I chose Natalie’s world. Whether she would welcome them with open arms was uncertain, however.

Still, after witnessing all this, I hoped she would understand. If she pointedly refused, I would be forced to send them to the rest area.

Anyway, the transfer of divinity was complete.

Though the two had become my apostles, an awkward silence filled the space. We had just met, so it wasn’t surprising.

I quickly began to think. This was the first time I had ever created an apostle, and I wasn’t quite sure what came next.

I suppose building rapport should come first.

Since Gehenna was the adult, it made sense to gain the child’s trust first.

I offered Gehenna a soft smile, then glanced at the girl. I was silently asking for permission to approach. We were now bound by divinity, and I had no intention of harming her. Still, it was only proper to seek her mother’s consent.

Gehenna gave a small nod.

I lowered myself to one knee and met the child’s gaze. “Hi, there.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she turned her head and stared at the ground. Shyness was written all over her face. It seemed she was wary of strangers.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had made the right decision. Regardless of who I was now, from her point of view, I was taking her away from her father.

Even so, I felt no regret.

When I looked at the bigger picture, including Gehenna, this still felt like the right choice. Even if I went back, I would do the same again.

“What’s your name?”

She still didn’t respond.

“Hyang. Her name is Hyang,” Gehenna answered for her.

The girl remained silent, clutching Gehenna’s leg and keeping her gaze fixed to the ground. It was clear that building trust would take time. I wasn’t sure how often we would cross paths from now on, though.

I rose to my feet and turned to Gehenna. “We can start moving whenever you're ready. But before that, maybe you should explain things to her? It will be a completely unfamiliar place.”

“Alright.”

I gave them some space. Just a small gesture, but one I hoped would help.

Soon, the mother and daughter began to talk. I turned away and let myself sink into thought. After awakening the upgraded Savior skill, activating my divinity, and creating apostles, several realizations had come to light.

One of them was that I could summon apostles using my own divinity. Though it would cost a lot of divine energy, it was worth it.

After all, Gehenna’s strength had matched mine prior to this awakening. In a dire moment, when I lacked even the time to open a portal, she would be a powerful ally.

It felt like everything was falling into place. The hidden mission had gone better than expected, and the insights I had gained were invaluable.

Just expanding the ways I can use divinity makes me feel at least 1.5 times stronger.

I had learned of other uses beyond creating apostles, and I had the sense this was only the beginning; I would likely uncover more as I ascended the tower. For now, though, I needed to master what I had just gained.

Pushing aside my thoughts, I scanned the surroundings. There were still some yokai nearby, but none ventured close enough to be seen.

That was likely Gehenna’s doing. I would need to ask her to send them away later.

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but once my mind cleared, their conversation filtered through clearly.

“What kind of place is it?”

“I don’t know either. We’ll only understand once we arrive.”

Gehenna was speaking to her daughter in the same sarcastic tone she had used with me. Perhaps it was because she had been created by a god.

If Natalie agreed to take them in, I wanted to ask her if she could help Gehenna address that as well.

On the other hand, the child’s voice carried a curious resonance. I assumed it was because she was a god’s child, but something in her tone was distinctly different.

Should I call it sacred?

She seemed to unconsciously invoke divine energy without even realizing it.

“Is that man my new dad?”

I almost choked.

It was an abrupt question, but considering Hyang was eight, it wasn’t that strange. Despite being divine, she didn’t feel all that different from any other child.

Fortunately, Gehenna shook her head. “No. He is not.”

“But I feel like there’s a connection.”

“That’s because he,

um

, that person is a new god.”

“But he feels like a dad.”

Wait. Did she act shy earlier because she thinks I am her father?

I wasn’t sure how Gehenna would respond if her daughter pressed the issue. If worst came to worst, Gehenna could even let her call me that.

Fearing the worst, I quickly interjected, “I’m just your mom’s friend. You can call me Su-Hyeok.”

She didn’t answer me this time either, but at least she was looking straight at me instead of averting her eyes. She seemed to be studying me, almost watching my movements carefully.

Hmm. Something feels off.

Just then, a notification window flickered into view.

[Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has made the Great Yokai Starfish his apostle.]

[The Tower of Ordeal will treat this as equivalent to having hunted one Great Yokai.]

The message was sudden, but strangely relieving.

Originally, I had planned to send them to Natalie, then spend the night sprinting toward the borderlands. Thankfully, that was no longer necessary.

Roughly a day and a half remained. Once I returned the Celestial Bell to Ha-Seon and waited out the time, the trial would likely conclude.

Sensing that the conversation had come to an end, I stepped toward Gehenna. “Are you ready to go?”

“Just a moment. May I ask for a bit more time?”

“Why?”

“Many yokai followed me here. I will tell them to stand down.”

I was more than happy to hear that, especially since I had been planning to ask her that anyway.

“Sure, and if you can, tell them to avoid harming humans.”

I did feel some pity for the other yokai, but I couldn’t save them all.

“I shall. But soon, I will create an apostle to take my place.”

That seemed like a great idea to me. There was no way the god would remain idle. Moreover, I planned to return someday.

“One day, I’ll come back.”

The people of this world deserved to be freed from that despicable god. Leaving them like this felt cruel. It was as if another burden had settled on my shoulders; there were now more lives to protect and more people in need of saving.

Strangely, it brought me a sense of peace. It gave me a reason to keep moving forward, and with Savior, it certainly wasn’t a bad thing.

Additionally, I welcomed the responsibility. Since I would eventually become a god of a planet, I had to prepare somehow. Unlike the god here who provoked suffering, I intended to be one who embraced those who suffered.

A being who deepened wounds couldn’t possibly be called divine.

Gehenna looked puzzled at my words. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ll return one day to free this world. But since I’m not strong enough yet, it’ll take time.”

“Ah.”

She seemed to understand.

Her lips parted slightly as she gazed at me. There was a distant, unfocused look in her eyes.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head, but then paused as if remembering something. “

Oh

, now that you’ve become my god, I have a question. Am I supposed to speak to you formally now?”

It didn’t sound like she had any intention of doing so, though I got the impression that was just how she acted. She probably would if I insisted, but I had no desire to enforce that kind of relationship.

“No need. Just speak as you always have.”

You are probably much older than I am, anyway.

“Thank you. I’ll go talk to the yokai, then.”

“Alright. Go ahead. I’ll return after handing the Celestial Bell back.”

***

“You’re back?”

Natalie was waiting in the center of the garden, just like before. The flowers had bloomed even more vibrantly, practically radiating beauty, while dozens of butterflies danced gently above them.

“Yeah. You knew I’d be coming, didn’t you?” I responded lightly, though I was studying her reaction carefully.

I had brought an unexpected guest, after all.

Thankfully, she didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. “Yes.”

“Is it alright?”

“Of course. Good job.” She smiled with her eyes, and it felt genuine, like she had meant every word.

There was a trace of pride in her expression.

It reminded me of something she had said before, about how I needed to give it my all.

Is it because Gehenna is part of a contingency plan to avoid the vision The Meticulous Architect showed me?

Perhaps.

Natalie was a Dimensional Witch, so her hint prior to this hidden mission could have been her way of encouraging me to push further.

Ah, I have gotten lost in thought again.

“Let me introduce you. This is Gehenna and Hyang. And this is Natalie. She’s a Dimensional Witch and the owner of this world.”

Natalie stepped forward with a warm smile and extended her hand to Gehenna. “Nice to meet you. I’m Natalie Marlene, the mistress of this dimension.”

“I am Gehenna. What a delightful child. And strong, too. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Natalie smiled softly at the compliment and then reached out her hand to Hyang. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Hyang responded shyly.

Honestly, I felt slightly betrayed. Hyang was behaving wildly differently compared to how she acted around me. Although on second thought, they seemed closer in age, which could allow them to connect more easily.

Natalie gently patted Hyang’s head. “We’ll be living together now, so feel free to call me unnie.”

“Okay, unnie.”

“You really do resemble Su-Hyeok oppa.”

“

Mmm.

Because we’re connected through divinity.”

The two girls continued their conversation.

While I stood there feeling vaguely left out, Gehenna looked visibly relieved. She even seemed peaceful as she watched the two of them. This world suited her better than she had expected.

Seeing her like that, I didn’t feel so bad myself. Natalie hadn’t objected, and Hyang seemed to be adjusting well. Although she could find things a bit dull here and there, she would be fine.

After some time, Natalie approached me. “Oppa, could you give me some divinity?”

“

Huh?

Why?”

“It’s for Hyang. The child of a god requires divine energy on a regular basis.”

“How much?”

“The more, the better. Just send some whenever you have the energy to spare.”

“Alright.”

That wasn’t strange, all things considered. Gehenna had tried to reach that damn god at all costs to ensure Hyang’s proper growth.

Thanks to what I had learned earlier, I now understood how to transfer divinity to an apostle. So I handed some over, just like Natalie had asked.

Hyang didn’t change visibly, but I could feel our connection deepening slightly. She said nothing after receiving the energy. She only bowed her head for a moment.

Still, that was something. Earlier, she hadn’t even acknowledged me.

Natalie interrupted the silence, “You can go back now.”

“Already?”

“Traveling across dimensions during a trial isn’t ideal. The tower didn’t intend for that.”

I nodded obediently. If Natalie said it was so, I trusted her.

Gehenna had heard everything as well, so I gave her a small wave.

“You heard that, right? I have to go now. Stay here with Natalie, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

Gehenna nodded gently. “Have a safe trip. I’ll be waiting.”

Perhaps it was the effect of the divine bond, but even Hyang waved at me hesitantly, albeit sincerely. She had come a long way in such a short time.

She looked so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile. Honestly, it was starting to feel like I had ended up with a daughter without even asking for it.

The portal remained open. I walked toward it, but paused just before crossing through and turned back to Natalie.

“Hey, I’ve been wondering about something.”

“Ask away.”

“The god who rules that world I was in. Do you know their name?”

“Yes. Second-class god, The Immortal of Ideals.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Second-class god, The Immortal of Ideals.

I etched the name into my memory.