Chapter 311: #Side Story: Thanks for Everything!

In the dark basement, I walked past an axe, a dog collar with rusty chains, before arriving at a certain corpse. It was the priest’s, with a hole in his head.

At the end was a man bound by chains, his head hanging limp.

-

Grrrr...

Blankly, I stared at him, who’d turned into a zombie.

He’d given up his last chance to die as a human just to save Eve. Before the girl left, I heard her whisper weakly to him,

“Da...ddy.”

Choking, I collapsed to my knees. I couldn’t do anything to prevent this tragedy.

-----

[Resurrection Quest]

Bring about a miracle in a world on the brink of destruction and restore your divine title, All Phenomena Author.

Tip: It would be helpful to gain followers.

Number of followers: 0

-----

The window flickered mockingly above my head.

Bring about a miracle? Gather followers? How am I supposed to do all that when no one knows I fucking existed?!

Even Eve—my final hope—didn’t recognize me until the end. I was nothing but a mere bystander, a powerless being incapable of anything! Just as I was slowly overwhelmed by despair, an idea flashed in my mind.

No, there’s still one more person.

There’s someone who recognized me in this world.

“I...”

Still, would it really work?

“I am...”

No. Don’t falter, Yu Il-Shin.

What I needed most now was an indomitable will and unwavering faith.

Then, with my whole being, I shouted the keyword to nurture Faith, “

I...

believe in Yu Il-Shin!”

Ding!

God-Maker’s window responded.

[Number of followers: 0 → 1]

***

Eve walked alone in the forest. The chains binding her neck were long gone. However, her footsteps were heavy like lead. She’d just witnessed the man’s final moments. He had saved her at the cost of himself, becoming the very thing he loathed.

Even though it was a sight she’d longed to see, she felt no joy. Eve despised him for killing her parents—and yet, she loved him. She recalled the days they’d spent together. Though it was a time when wounded beasts licked each other's wounds, it shone like an unblemished jewel in that desolate, gray world.

And now, he was gone...

Her footsteps came to a halt. Where should she go now? Suddenly, the bomb shelter—Eden—flashed across her mind. Although it was once created by the mad priest, only children remained there, making it a good place to live in. Nevertheless, she refused to return.

Whoosh!

A forlorn wind blew past her, carrying the putrid stench of rotting corpses. Zombies swarmed her like sharks scenting blood.

-

Krrrrr!

-

Roooooar!

Even as the wave of zombies engulfed her, Eve didn’t move. She closed her eyes, accepting her imminent death. Just then, someone grabbed her hand.

A zombie?

“What the hell are you doing?!”

A cry rang in her eardrums. Her eyes opened weakly, and widened the next instant.

The man, who was supposed to have turned into a zombie, screamed as he grabbed her. Without even realizing it, Eve buried her face into his chest.

It felt warm.

Thump! Thump!

His heart was beating, as well. Tears welled up in her eyes. He was alive. He was still alive!

However, that joy was short-lived.

-

Krrrrr!

A huge horde of ravenous zombies closed in on them from all directions. Terror gripped Eve’s gaze as the zombies clawed closer, ready to tear them limb from limb.

-It’s alright.

Just then, someone whispered gently into her ears. She couldn’t see anyone, but she knew someone else was with them.

-Healing Ring Finger of God!

A holy white light—the very one that had healed the man—washed over the zombie horde, spreading throughout the world. God’s salvation had descended upon the world infested with death.

Ding!

[You have successfully performed a miracle in the world that was on the brink of destruction, and restored your divine title as All Phenomena Author.]

[As a reward, you will return to Earth of the past!]

***

In the first of the ten realms, the realm of the high gods...

A young man was sitting on a bench, quietly reading a book. It was the same book Earth’s Miracle was reading. Finally, he’d reached the last book. He closed the book and looked up.

“Did he revive?” Yi-Shin asked.

Sa-Shin nodded. “Yes. It was a bit risky, but he managed to pull it off. The Earth’s fate of destruction has also been altered. It’s all thanks to the divine power you lent me. I couldn’t have created this book alone.“

Yi-Shin grumbled. “

Hmph.

I didn’t do it for his sake. I just can’t accept that the main body would disappear in vain.”

God of Destroyer no longer threatened the world, but its fate of destruction still lingered. After all, it was inherently composed of the cycle of creation and destruction. Living beings had to constantly struggle to escape that cycle.

Yu Il-Shin, who’d perished once, had succeeded in going against that fate.

“Then why did you choose that woman?”

“Yu Il-Shin is destined to be All Phenomena Author. He’s a writer, and a writer can’t exist without readers. Miracle, the sole clairvoyant aside from the gods, might remember him despite his erasure from Earth. After all, she was also an apostle from another world.”

“An apostle from another world? What does that mean?”

“A multiverse of sorts.”

Tzzz—

After saying such enigmatic words, Sa-Shin began to fade.

“I have to go now. I should be meeting her soon.”

Yi-Shin shouted urgently, “One last thing! Who are you?!”

“I’m the same as you: Yu Il-Shin’s alter ego, and one of God of Creator’s wills.” Sa-Shin smiled. “Thank you for protecting the worlds I’ve created.”

Swoosh!

Tearfully, Sa-Shin vanished, leaving behind the bewildered Yi-Shin. He had gone to find the butterfly wandering alone in the universe.

***

Tadak, tadadak—

My fingers, which were dancing away on the keyboard, stopped.

“

Haa

... Maybe I should take a break.”

It’d been a month since I safely returned to Earth. Today, I was writing the final chapter of my serialized novel. I’d gone through all sorts of adventures—even been resurrected in a post-apocalyptic zombie world. Yet, the publishing company’s relentless deadlines were something I could never escape.

But today, it’s finally over!

I stretched my arms wide. Allowing myself a brief respite, I took an envelope from the mailbox. Most of them were overdue bills, but I found something unexpected.

What’s this?

It was a golden envelope. Did the publisher give me a bonus for finishing a novel? With a racing heart, I opened it.

Keke! Are you All Phenomena Author? I’m Young-Min, God of Creator’s successor in another world. I heard from Miracle that you’re quite a powerful god. So, how about finding out who the true god...

Huh?! It’s actually a challenge?!

I shut my eyes tightly, crumpling it. Let’s pretend I didn’t see that. I was so busy with the deadline, I didn’t have time to duel a god from another god. If they really wanted a fight, they should go find Yi-Shin instead. He was the battle-hungry one.

Slam!

Then, unsolicited guests burst through the door.

Ugh! The door’s going to break!

“Uncle! I’m here!”

“Destroy!”

It was the pair of little devils, Seong-Yeon and Sam-Shin.

“O-oh, you’re back? Why so early?”

I checked the time. Pretty sure they were supposed to return four hours later?

“We came back early to play with you? Wasn’t that nice of us?”

O-okay. Thank you for your consideration, Niece.

Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound came from Sam-Shin’s stomach. That was the real reason they’d returned early, wasn’t it?

I sighed and closed my laptop. “Shall we eat first, then?”

Mount Geumgang—no, the deadlines could wait until after the meal.

We arrived at the local favorite in our neighborhood, the Chinese restaurant, Importance of a Happy Family. Even though many things had happened, my philosophy remained the same.

Fried rice with black bean sauce and spicy seafood soup were the most perfect dishes!

Slurrrrp!

However, seeing Sam-Shin devoured the tower of seafood black bean noodles gave me a sliver of doubt. That was the emperor of black bean sauce—the pinnacle of spring onions and seafood flavors! The dish was so legendary and expensive, I couldn’t even bear to order it. How could he inhale it like a vacuum cleaner?! What a heartless guy!

“Sam-Shin, is that delicious?”

“Destroy!”

“Can I have a bite?”

Sam-Shin glared back and spat at me.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Geez, so stingy!

“Uncle! I’ll let you have a bite from mine!” Seong-Yeon handed me the bowl. Her face was covered in black bean sauce.

Hic, my darling niece is the best!

Just as I was about to dig in...

“Here you are! I was wondering where you went! Why didn’t you pick up the call?! Do you want to die?!”

“Hello Mr. Yu!”

It was the Sung sisters.

The Chinese restaurant owner’s eyes went wide. “

Aigoo...

such distinguished guests in this humble restaurant of mine!”

He hurriedly asked for Sung Mi-Na’s autograph upon recognizing her. After Sung Mi-Na had left a stylish autograph, the two siblings sat down at our table.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes. Do you guys want some too?”

“No thanks. I’m still on a diet.”

“I’ll have some. Please give me the same dish as Mr. Yu in extra large! Thank you!” said Sung Mi-Ri.

“Hello Auntie!”

“Oh my! Seong-Yeon looks prettier every time I see you!”

“Auntie Mi-Na is pretty too!”

Seeing Sung Mi-Na and Seong-Yeon hugging each other made me feel happy.

But Seong-Yeon, why is she your auntie? And why did Noona accept it so casually?

“It’s a movie premiere invite. You aren’t thinking of going in

that,

are you?” Sung Mi-Na asked, pointing at my training suit.

Today was the day of the movie premiere for the special blockbuster movie,

Space God.

It starred Il-Ho, winner of the most recent Mr. Olympia who was also set for a Hollywood debut.

“

Gosh.

We can finally hang out together, and yet you’re going to show up like that? Let’s go get you some clothes right now.”

“But,

uhm,

my deadlines are...”

“Just say that you’re taking a short hiatus! You often do that anyway!”

Often?! That’s so mean! I mean, yes, I do that often, but...!

We left the Chinese restaurant after finishing our meal.

“Why are you dilly-dallying!”

“Mr. Yu, quick!”

“Destroy!”

“Uncle, come quickly~!”

“Alright...” I dragged my slippers behind the group that was rushing me. The thought of meeting Il-Ho, Anty, and Ant Emperor after so long made me feel nervous. “

Ah

.”

I looked up as I felt someone’s gaze on me. Our world wasn’t the only one.

Blue skies, and the gazes of those who were watching from beyond them. All of you, who were both gods and ordinary people like myself, all of you who had been watching my story up until this point...

Hello Readers.

Thank you for everything. You, who are the reason for my existence, I hereby send my final message. Don’t give up on life. Sometimes, you may feel the urge to destroy yourself, but please overcome it.

Have courage and belief, and have trust in yourself that you could make anything happen, because we are all gods of our own existence, the one and only unique gods in this world.

“Then,” I smiled, waving. “let’s meet again someday.”

On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

ends here.