Chapter 237: #World Before Its End

I was unsure of the exact theory, but I heard that nuclear and magic power would produce a great synergy effect. Moreover, what I had summoned wasn’t just a god-killing weapon, but the upgraded version of it: Ragnarok Requiem. It had shown tremendous feats in the past, defeating Despair Dragon and even stopping Ant Emperor in one of Kang Woo’s regressions.

Over five hundred of them exploded all at once.

“Ruler of Space!”

Swoosh!

Right before Ragnarok Requiem exploded, I teleported to Sam-Shin, taking him and Nightmare as far away from the blast as possible.

Baaaam!

Even after traveling hundreds of kilometers, the three of us were still caught in the explosion’s aftermath—a blinding light, then heat intense enough to vaporize everything and level a continent.

“

Argh!”

Tzzz!

Hugging Sam-Shin and Nightmare with all my might, I focused my divine power on protecting them. Sam-Shin gaped at the massive black mushroom cloud rising behind us. It was like watching the end of the world. If we were struck by Ragnarok Requiem head-on, not even a High-tier god like me could survive. Even if it couldn’t kill War god, it should at least be able to buy us some time...

“Des...troy!” Sam-Shin exclaimed out of the blue.

The mushroom cloud and hellish heat storms were dissipating.

Swoosh!

To be more precise, the rusty greatsword absorbed the Ragnarok that was burning War God like a blackhole.

“This is treachery! Your actions have sullied the sanctity of war!”

War God’s eyes gleamed with a demonic rage as he flew toward us.

“

Ugh!

Ruler of Spa—”

I hurriedly tried to teleport us away.

“You really think the same trick will work twice?! Last Showdown’s Blessing!”

Ruuuumble!

As the ground shook, dense divine power surrounded me like a wire mesh.

Whiiiing!

Darn it! I can’t teleport!

While I was flustered, War God leaped, ransacking the earth, and landed in front of us. His armor had melted, revealing a rugged and scarred physique of a warrior. He didn’t seem to suffer any serious injuries despite being in close range with Ragnarok Requiem.

“War is fought blade to blade, flesh against flesh—not with filthy machines of iron and fire!”

War God absorbed all of Ragnarok Requiem, then pointed his rusty greatsword that emitted a grim glow at us.

“Des...troy!”

“Convicting Middle Finger of God!”

Sam-Shin and I unleashed a barrage of destructive beams and infernal flames at him.

“

Hmph!”

Baaaam!

With a single swing of his sword, War God sent our combined attacks into the sky. He swung his sword once again.

Swaaaaa!

“Die, you arrogant young god!”

War God’s sword came for my neck.

Ah...

Was I a fool to think I could stand against a Top-tier god? I couldn’t even use my trump card, Demon Lord’s Disintegration. There was nothing I could do. I was going to die.

Swooooosh!

With a dazzling flash, a sword fell, striking the ground before me. Apart from its brilliance, it looked like any ordinary sword, but I saw War God’s lunatic eyes waver in flusterment.

“Y-You are...?”

***

Diriri! Diriri!

My eyes flung open at the sound. I saw the sun hanging high up in the sky.

Ugh

, it was this late, already?

I had probably fallen asleep after pulling an all-nighter to meet the deadline. I rushed to put the flower pot by the windowsill. Then, I remembered the cute spray bottle that Seong-Yeon had picked out for me, filled with the most luxurious Evien water.

“

Hehe,

sorry for taking so long. I woke up late.” I carefully watered the beautiful black rose. “Tasty, isn’t it?”

Her petals swayed slightly, as if responding to me.

That’s right, this is Ms. Nightmare.

Time passed like a gust of wind, and before I knew it, a month had passed. I’d barely survived that day—all thanks to the miser who’d been ripping me off the whole time.

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword’s blade gleams menacingly as he demands payment.]

He was anything but a gentleman.

“

Haa...

It’s too expensive. Can’t you give me a discount?”

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword is furious, saying that haggling isn’t in his dictionary! He criticizes your horrible business ethics, changing your mind after sealing the deal!]

“

Haa...

Okay, okay.” I let out a defeated sigh and pulled out ten million Godcoins from my phone.

Pssss!

The coins dissipated, transferred to Heavenly Sword.

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword smiles in satisfaction as he stamps on the ledgers. He bows respectfully and says, I’ll see you again tomorrow, Mr. Pushover, and leaves.]

“

Tsk!

Just leave already!” I grumbled and carefully wiped away the water on Nightmare’s petals with a handkerchief. “Though, he was amazing that day. As expected of that miser.”

That day, Heavenly Sword came to save us in the form of a sword.

“

Hmm.”

War God stopped at the sight of Heavenly Sword and asked respectfully, “

“Hmm.”

When War God saw Heavenly Sword, he stopped going for me but instead asked respectfully, “Heavenly Sword, you're the only one I respect among the trash gods for daring to face the God of Destroyer. I know you became a sword to slay him yourself, but what are you doing in my territory? As far as I know, you’ve never followed anyone blindly.”

Woooong!

Heavenly Sword vibrated, as if having a conversation with War God, and the latter frowned.

“Huh?! You want me to spare him?! Why should I show mercy to this little thief?!” War God screamed furiously, exuding murderous intent.

Ruuuumble!

The ground shook in response, as if about to explode.

Roooooar!

A blinding, sacred white light burst forth from the sword, piercing through the sky. Heavenly Sword was adamant on not losing to War God.

Wooong!

Unexpectedly, War God’s expression changed.

“The extinct God of Creation’s incarnation? ...This young punk?

Keke,

have you gone senile too, Heavenly Sword? How could you still believe in such a thing? Like I said, the only way to kill the God of Destroyer is for me to devour all the other so-called Top-tier gods and unite their divine power. Only then can we destroy that monster once and for all!” War God roared, temper lining his voice.

Nevertheless, he put away his sword and said, “Alright, I understand. Heavenly Sword, I’ll spare him for now on your account—because I still hope you'll become my sword one day, and together, we’ll kill God of Destroyer.”

Then, War God turned to me. “Young God, I’m giving you a thousand-year grace period. After that, I’ll come for your life and my spoil of war. Struggle until then.”

The old man turned away, disappearing into his ruined temple.

Thanks to Heavenly Sword, I nearly escaped death, but it cost me a hefty ten million Godcoins.

I was extremely touched at first, but as expected of that heartless miser! Return my feelings to me!

“But,

hmm...

a thousand years...”

Perhaps because they were gods, their concept of time was different.

“I wasn’t sure if I’ll still be alive by then.”

[Infinite Abundance advises that with a healthy diet, sleep schedule, and moderate exercise, you’ll be able to live until then.]

That’s a tall order, Abundance noonim.

Everyone knew that, but it was especially difficult to implement, especially for writers, who led irregular lives.

As a side note, she said that it’d take at least a hundred years until Ms. Nightmare could regain her conversational ability. I’d have to endure until then without any illnesses. Anyway, time for me to go.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

“I’ll be back soon.” I waved at Nightmare, then headed out.

Click—Creaaak.

Leaving my suite room, I was greeted by a temple of unmatched grandeur, bustling with picturesque elves. At first glance, it’d seem as if I were in paradise, not Earth.

In fact, I lived in the temple at first, but I couldn’t get used to it no matter what. So, I asked Kang Woo to recreate my old apartment next to it. My residential environment hadn’t changed much as a result.

“Did you have a good night’s sleep, Mr. Yu Il-Shin?”

“Oh, yes. Hello.”

“May harmony and balance be with you, O’ great and merciful God.”

“Lord Yu Il-Shin, I have some good words for you. Would you like to join us?”

“

Haha

, I’m actually busy. See you around!”

I ran to the bus stop, running from the elven followers flocking toward me. While I could just teleport, I still had some time until my appointment. I wanted to use the time to organize my thoughts.

“Let’s see, I still have about ten minutes?”

Ding ding!

Just as I was waiting for the bus to arrive, God-Maker reacted.

[Antrinia’s Pontiff, Cheon Sa-Ho, is looking for you.]

“

Hmm?

Why is he looking for me?”

Sensing something amiss, I launched God-Maker. A huge capital, home to hundreds of millions, appeared on the screen—the Holy Empire of Gayami, built by my children. From a border forest tribe, they had grown into a nation—then into the great Holy Empire of Gayami.

After the emperor’s disappearance, they spent a week salvaging the empire, before the nation was declared as an empire by Holy Empress Anty.

-People of the Empire! From this day forward, there shall be no more war on this land! Slavery and starvation among the weaker tribes shall end! All who dwell here shall live equally and prosper, free from status and discrimination—by the will of the Holy Gayami Empire, in service to the great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin!

The people gave a thunderous cheer.

-

Waaaah!

Long live Holy Empress Anty!

-O’ great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin! Puck puck!

Tears welled in my eyes whenever I recalled that sight. Anty had grown from a young girl into an empress. Of course, I was still a bit worried seeing that annoying Akdol next to her, yawning nonchalantly.

Huh, where did he go?

I looked around for Cheon Sa-Ho, but he was nowhere to be found. Cheon Sa-Ho was one of the few followers who rose to the rank of minister while helping rebuild the iron-blood empire and transform Gayami from a nation into an empire. Yet, bizarrely, he was always in rags like a sinner.

Is he at his usual spot?

My attention shifted to a large white building at the edge of the capital—the orphanage I had built for children orphaned by war. Cheon Sa-Ho also served as its director.

“

Hehe,

catch me if you can!”

“Hey, stop!”

“

Ahaha!”

Hearing the giggles from the orphans, the facilities must be doing well. Oh, there he was. I spotted the ragged Cheon Sa-Ho diligently washing the children’s dirty diapers. Sensing my presence, Cheon Sa-Ho bowed respectfully toward me.

“Have you descended, Lord Yu Il-Shin?”

“Yes. Hello, Johan,” I replied.