Chapter 271: #Yu Il-Shin in a Happy World

My editor-in-charge let out the heaviest sigh she had ever mustered, clutching her throbbing headache. Parting her ruby red lips, she asked, “Are you seriously giving me this excuse, Writer Yu Il-Shin?”

“Your makeup has gotten flashier, Ms. Editor. That lip color suits you very well.”

Bam!

Eek, scary!

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“Why did you slam the table all of a sudden?! I almost died of a heartattack!”

“If you don’t want a beating, then cut the nonsense!”

“Alright.” I switched my tone to that of utmost politeness and sincerity. “Actualy, that lip color doesn’t suit you at all. I thought you came after catching mice. Wow, dressing to impress, are we?

Gosh,

you don’t have to! Just show up like normal friends. I have to say, though, the cake from this cafe is really delicious.

Nyam, nyam. Gulp!

This place is a hidden gem.”

I focused on scarfing down my chocolate cake, ignoring my editor’s furious gaze. Before I knew it, it was gone. As I stared wistfully at an empty plate, I asked her, “That really hit the spot. It’s been a while since I had something sweet. Can I have another?”

Instead of saying yes, she raised her shaking fist at me.

Ugh, I’m really going to get beaten up at this rate.

“Well, I’ll get going now. It was great seeing you again, Ms. Editor.”

Just as I stood up to leave, she grabbed me by my shoulder. Despite her slim build, her grip was so strong that I couldn’t budge even if I struggled.

“M-Ms. Editor, have you been working out lately? You’re so strong.”

“You’re just a couch potato with shitty stamina! Where do you think you’re going?! The sheer audacity to vanish after a one-line hiatus notice and come back like nothing happened! You crazy bastard! I’ve never met anyone more shameless.”

“

Ack!

I-it hurts!”

“Do you have any idea how behind we are with the serialization? You aren’t going anywhere until you hand in the overdue manuscript!” She forced me back into the chair, then pushed a laptop in front of me. “Now, get to writing! I’ll proofread the manuscript as soon as you hand it in and post it on the website!”

“

Um,

Ms. Editor? Even if you rush me, the manuscripts won’t automatically come out. The writing environment is important, too...”

“

Ho,

you want to get canned in the office?”

That brutal punishment of getting confined and forced to churn out manuscripts like machines for writers who missed their deadlines!

“Wow. This cafe has such a nice atmosphere, it’s like a botanical garden concept with all the trees. The phytoncides seem to flow nicely... I’ll just work here.”

“Good choice.” She smiled radiantly like a rose.

Her smile blended effortlessly with the café, where trees and vines intertwined like a forest. If I didn’t get to the manuscript right away, that smile would turn demonic again. Carefully placing my potted black rose on the table, I placed my hands on the keyboard with a solemn expression.

“I’ll start then.” However, right before that. “Can I have another piece of cake? Sugar helps me write better.”

“Fucking hell... Go ahead.”

Tadak! Tadadak! Tadadak!

Moments later, my fingers fluttered across the keyboard.

Indeed, this was how it began.

***

...Bernache was in despair.

Bernache was a noble elf and devoted follower of the god who kept the harmony and balance of the universe. At the same time, she was also an adventurer—part of a Diamond-rank party, the highest among adventurers. Their party included Kaik, a barbarian warrior capable of single-handedly defeating a ten-thousand-strong unit; Ian, a priest whose divine power had surpassed even the holy emperor’s at a young age; and Bernache herself, a sharpshooter elf archer

People hailed them as heroes. Led by Bernarche, the party set out to save humanity from the Demon King, who sought to destroy the world, and the Dead Dragon, the sovereign of death. No amount of hardship or adversity could stand in their way. The party of heroes broke through an undead army of ten of thousands, finally arriving at the Dead Dragon’s dungeon.

-

Kekeke,

how pathetic! You primitive monkeys! Did you really think that you could defeat me, who is an apostle of God of Destroyer?!

The power of the Dead Dragon, who’d obtained God of Destroyer’s divine power, far surpassed their expectations. Even Kaik’s strength, Ian’s sacred spells, and Bernache’s bow and arrows were rendered useless.

Aiming at the dragon, Bernarche yelled urgently at her comrades, “Ian! Kaik still hasn’t fully recovered yet?!”

“

Cough, cough!

”

Kaik was on the verge of death, covered in black blood after being slashed by the dragon’s claws. Even his intestines were visible. With hands infused with divine powers, Ian tried his best to heal Kaik, but to no avail.

“D-Dead Dragon’s poison is too strong. My healing powers don’t work...”

The dragon spread open its hideous, bone-bare maws, mocking them.

-Struggle is futile. Did you think you made it this far by yourself?

“W-what are you trying to say, Dead Dragon?!” Bernache screamed, gritting her teeth.

Its eyes emitted a red, eerie glow.

-

Kekeke!

Primitive as you are, you’re the most useful bunch of monkeys! I can’t escape this dungeon due to the law of causality, so you’ll destroy humanity in my stead! It’s tiresome being too strong, isn’t it? Now, you have to help me with such tedious work.

Hahaha!

“H-huh?! You’re going to use us to destroy humanity?!” Bernache cried out in horror.

-

Krrr!

Isn’t that fun? To enslave you—humanity’s last hope—and make you its destruction!

Hearing those words, Kaik pressed his broken greatsword against his neck. “I’m a proud warrior who worships Mother Nature...! I’d rather die than be used by you!”

“N-no! Kaik!”

-

Keke.

Suicide is useless. Have you forgotten my powers? I am Ashdak, the Dead Dragon!

The party suddenly recalled the monsters they’d fought all the way into the Dead Dragon’s dungeon, especially the army of undead. Those were the very same million-strong imperial army that had been dispatched to slay the dragon. The dragon harnessed a dark power to resurrect the dead, turning them into its minions—the reason why their small party of elites was dispatched in the first place.

With a determined expression, Ian stepped forward. “Bernache, please take Kaik and leave this place immediately. I will buy you some time with my sacred spells.”

“N-no! I can’t leave you behind! I’ll stay instead!”

“Your bow can’t stop the dragon!”

Just then, Kaik struggled to his feet. “

Urk

, what are you guys arguing about! I’ll stop that lizard! Get out of here, you weak elf and priest!”

Meanwhile, the dragon looked down at the party, snorting.

-

Hmph

, how pathetic. There’s no escape!

Dead Dragon opened its bony jaws wide.

-Die, all of you!

Kwaaaa!

A massive acidic breath poured out, threatening to swallow the entire dungeon. It was too late for them to escape.

“

Huh?!

Holy Shield!”

Tzzz!

Panicking, Ian rushed to cast a holy spell, shielding them with a golden barrier.

Riiip!

However, unable to withstand Ashdak’s Acid Breath, cracks began to spread on the barrier. Despair flashed across their faces as death crept closer with each passing second.

“

Ah...”

Having inherited God of Harmony and Balance’s blood, Bernarche possessed a faint prophetic ability. In that instant, she saw the undead version of her comrades. Kaik brutally cut down soldiers with his greatsword. Claw marks were carved across his chest, with rotting innards spilling from the wounds. Ian became a skeletal priest who spread disease instead of healing. Then there was Bernarche, an undead elf with half her face rotted away, exposing a hideous skull. She was relentlessly firing arrows, piercing people’s foreheads.

It was a tragic end for those who were once called heroes.

“O’ God of Harmony and Balance...” Bernache called out to the god, clutching the Seed of the World Tree. “I do not dare ask for salvation...”

Still, she hadn’t wished for herself and her comrades to become undead and be used as tools to slaughter the innocent.

“At the very least, please grant us a proper death so that we wouldn’t be used by the Dead Dragon...”

Right at that moment, Ian’s protective barrier shattered into pieces. The party shut their eyes tightly, waiting for their impending death.

Just then, there was a flash.

[The Thirtieth Floor of Tower of Gods: Trial of Dead Dragon]

[God descends in response to Bernache’s desperate prayer.]

[Clear Condition: Overcome the Trial of Dead Dragon and obtain the Seed of the World Tree.]

Even though the barrier had vanished without a trace, they suffered no damage whatsoever.

Instead, they saw a figure standing before them, blocking the dragon’s breath with both hands. The Acid Breath, known to melt even the strongest steel, was halted completely, not passing a single inch beyond that person’s hands.

“T-truly an immense divine power! Are you a Top-tier god, by chance?!” Ian exclaimed in shock.

“N-no way... Are you a god?” Even Kaik was overwhelmed by the miracle, staring tearfully at their savior.

“O’ God of Harmony and Balance...” Bernache knelt on the ground, shedding tears.

Seemingly hearing Bernache’s inner thoughts, the god turned around.

Her eyes went wide. She’d only heard of God of Harmony and Balance through legends, but he was utterly different from what she’d imagined them to be!

“W-who are you?”

-Who are you! Where did you come from!

Dead Dragon seemed to be just as flustered as she was.

With both parties staring at him, the red-eyed child shouted with all his might.

“Des...troy!”

An eerie silence fell in the next moments. However, whatever happened next was much more alarming.

Clack clack! Swoosh!

Strange bone-crunching sounds were heard, and white bone fragments gathered around the boy. Another dragon had appeared in his place.

-Destroooy!

Dead Dragon let out a horrified scream.

-

Aaaargh!

Who the hell are you?!

***

“

Um

, wait a minute, Mr. Yu.”

“Yes? What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t the Tower of Gods come to an end already? Why is Sam-Shin showing up here again?”