Chapter 78: Apostles of the Empire’s Gods

Kwaaaaa!

Black, hellish flames erupted like a volcano, instantly reducing the Blind Unit that surrounded Yu Il-shin into ashes. But the catastrophe had only begun.

Yu Il-Shin placed his middle finger, still flickering with black flames, on his thumb.

-Proliferating Thumb of God!

Flicker flicker!

The already horrifying black flames of inferno multiplied endlessly around Yu Il-Shin.

Kwaaaaa!

The searing black flames surged, shattering and warming the space around Yu Il-Shin. To the imperial army, it was as if the hell’s entrance had opened on earth.

Bang!

Yu Il-Shin snapped his middle finger and thumb together, hurling black flames down on the horrified soldiers.

“I-it’s raining hellfire!”

“

Arghhh!

Save me!”

Kwaaaaa!

Like a massive flamethrower, Infernal fire raged in all directions, engulfing tens of thousands of imperial troops.

Ssss—!

The remains of the dead turned into ashes, falling onto the battlefield like gray snow.

Sizzle!

In the midst of ashes, sizzling oil, and death stood Yu Il-Shin, the Guardian of the Holy Nation of Gayami. A chilling silence enveloped the battlefield.

“I-is that the power of the barbarians’ evil god?!”

“D-darn it! Stop pushing! I don’t want to die!”

Yu Il-Shin’s overwhelming power forced the march of the imperial army into a halt.

Just a moment ago, Yu Il-Shin unleashed flames like the Supreme Malevolent God in myths, but...

-

Huff! Huff!

Darn it!

Yu Il-Shin gasped and cursed under his breath.

Ding!

-----

[Quest: Low-tier Malevolent God Promotion (In progress)]

Normal sacrifice: 52,023,002 /1,000,000,000

Sacrifice S-rank or higher intelligent creatures with potential for transcendence: 2(+4)/10

-----

I felt sure I’d killed many of them! But when I checked the quest requirements, I found out the number had only surpassed 50 million. Given that the imperial army comprised over 100 billion, I thought it’d be easy, but the reality was different.

Well, even if I’d been promoted to a Low-tier God, I don’t think that’ll help me overcome this situation.

Ping!

I began to feel a wave of dizziness after exerting my divine power. Moreover, I could feel their eyes on me.

Why is that punk on the carriage glaring at me like that?

-----

[Apostle of Fire Shining in the Highest Skies]

Asexual. Around for 2,200 years.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Special note: Holds killing intent toward Yu Il-Shin, who wields the same flames as his master.

-----

Thud!

The apostle’s flaming head sent a death glare at Yu Il-Shin.

Just then, Arachne, their commander, called out, “Apostles of the great Gods! Please take care of this evil god!”

-I, servant of God Fire Shining in the Highest Skies, Chariot of Fire, accepts your request! In return, I demand 100 million sacrifices!

The head on the flaming carriage responded to the command.

“As you wish!” Arachne replied readily.

Sure, the number of sacrifices was high, but it was only a thousandth of their full strength at best.

“W-wait! Goddess!”

“You’re going to sacrifice us?!”

The imperial army, as vast as the red sea, shook like a maelstrom.

Flick flick!

Then, one in every thousand soldiers began to catch fire.

“

Aaaargh!

”

Chariot of Fire watched as the flames burned the soldiers alive.

-Reaping sacrifice!

Swooosh!

It sucked the burning soldiers into its mouth like a giant vacuum cleaner.

Kwaaaa!

As if fueled with oil, its size and intensity grew enormously, reaching about the size of a dozen dump trucks.

Yu Il-Shin broke into cold sweat.

-...I might be screwed.

Flash!

The eyes of the Chariot of Fire flickered ominously at Yu Il-Shin and...

Wiiiing!

The chariot’s wheels spun at an incredible speed.

Ruuuumble!

It charged toward Yu Il-Shin, leaving a dark fiery trail on the ground.

-

Keugh!

Crushing Forefinger of God!

Yu Il-Shin raised his forefinger toward it and used his power, but...

Ding!

[Failed to activate innate power! Insufficient divine power!]

Bam bam bam!

-

Arghhh!

Engulfed in flames, Yu Il-Shin's body flew dozens of meters up into the air and came crashing down.

Craaack! Thud!

Arachne shivered with joy while watching from the top.

Ssss—

“Buttor! Did you see that?! The malevolent god’s hopeless end! I’ve finally avenged you!”

Psss!

Then, the burnt body of Yu Il-Shin fell to the ground motionlessly.

Just then...

“

Noooo!

God Yu Il-Shin!”

At last, the firmly sealed gates opened, and a white-haired girl ran straight toward the battlefield, crying in despair.

***

...Was I defeated?

I knew I was originally weak and frail. But still, even after becoming a god, was I still incapable of protecting the ants?

“

Aaaang! Noooo!

God Yu Il-Shin! Please, open your eyes! Healing Ring Finger of God Yu Il-Shin!”

My consciousness was pulled to the abyss, yet a white light clung to it.

My eyes slowly fluttered open.

A-Anty...Why are you here...?

Shouldn’t Anty be inside the castle? What was she doing in front of me?

“Healing Ring Finger of God Yu Il-Shin! Please, please!”

With her hand on my cheek, she relentlessly tried to heal me. Tears endlessly streamed down her face.

Ding!

[Healing effectiveness reduced due to interference from Fire Shining in the Highest Skies!]

Apparently, one of the most gruesome deaths in the world was being burned alive. Half of my body was reduced to charcoal. If it weren’t for Anty’s constant healing, I’d be dead.

-Persistent bastard! You’re still alive?

Ruuumble!

Digging its fiery wheels into the ground, Chariot of Fire raced toward Anty and I. The human head glowered at me, its mouth wide open.

-Just you watch, evil god with dirty flames! I’ll burn you down and sacrifice you to my master!

Rooooar!

Flames, akin to blazing furnaces, leaped from its mouth.

I-I’m going to die!

“A-Anty... Run...”

“I will never leave Lord Yu Il-Shin to die!”

Anty shielded me with her body. Even though the flaming chariot was tens of thousands of times bigger than herself, she refused to step aside.

-Die!

The Chariot of Fire was about to hurl its flames at us when...

Flutter! Thud!

A giant shadow descended from the skies, standing between us.

-What are you doing, Chariot of Fire?! We made a deal! We agreed to divide this malevolent god into three parts!

A beast resembling a saber-toothed tiger with bat wings growled, baring its long fangs.

Chariot of Fire smirked in disbelief.

-

Hmph!

He obviously belongs to my master! I caught him!

-This will only turn into a fight.

A strange voice interrupted, or should I say, voices? It was as if seven people were talking simultaneously.

Kyarararara!

Then, I heard the sound of people puking. The chariot and the beast withdrew in a hurry. A pool of strong liquid acid appeared where they once stood. It melted the ground, creating a seemingly bottomless sinkhole.

-

Argh!

-That foul snake!

The Chariot of Fire and the beast gritted their teeth, glaring at the snake. The seven-headed monster resembled Hydra from Greek myths.

Opening all seven mouths in unison, Hydra spoke to the two apostles.

-

Ssss!

Silently Crawling Nightmare is fond of this malevolent god! As such, my master, Ruler of the Abyssal Swamp, demands that he be kept alive! Why don’t you hand him to me?

-You treacherous snake! What are you implying?! Do you want me to roast you?!

-

Grrr!

How dare you renege on your words! You still call yourself an apostle of god?! I’ll rip you to shreds in the name of Beast of Deceit and Rapacity!

The apostles directed unbelievable bloodlust at each other. They looked like three beasts fighting over prey.

I gasped for breath, struggling to muster a few words to Anty. “Anty... Now... It’s time for you to run...”

Anty shook her head violently and whispered to me, “Please wait a bit longer! I will summon someone over to help!”

Summon help? But who?

Anty clenched her fists tight and yelled with all her might. “O’ mighty warrior braving the Tower of Warriors, heed Saintess Anty’s call! Protect our God and myself from this crisis! Skill, Descend!”

Then, blinding white light enveloped Anty.

Ding!

-----

[Descend]

A skill limited to devoted high priests. Allows the god or his apostles to descend upon the world.

Skill duration: 60 minutes

-----

Rip! Riiip!

The space before us tore open and...

“

Muuuuscles!

”

With a boisterous yell, a petite, chocolate-muscled warrior appeared.

“O’ great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin! O’ beautiful and noble Saintess! Il-Ho is here! Are those the enemies?!”

Shriiiing!

Il-Ho unsheathed his dumbbell-looking sword strung over his back.

“Revolting giant monsters! How dare you bully our god and saintess! Prepare yourself! My muscles and sword won’t show you mercy!”

Roooooar!

A tremendous aura surged from Il-Ho’s body, making the ground shake. Simply incredible. When did he get that strong?

“

Ah

, Warrior.”

“Il-Ho...”

Anty and I stared at Il-Ho’s back in awe. He looked so dependable right now. He, who used to be so small and weak, had grown stronger and was protecting us.

Il-Ho grinned at us, showing his dazzling white teeth. “

Kekeke!

Don’t worry, I got this! I, Il-Ho, have caught one or two of these monsters

bef

...!”

Riiiip! Bam bam bam!

But he was cut off prematurely. The saber-toothed beast had devoured Il-Ho in an instant.

Gulp!

-

Gr?

What a fool. He spoke too much.

The beast licked its lips.

“Il-Ho!”

“

Kyaa!

Mr. Il-Ho!”

Both Anty and I exclaimed at the same time.

That damn cat ate my Il-Ho!

Swoosh! Swooosh!

Just then, a volley of arrows poured from the sky onto the apostles.

“Save God Yu Il-Shin and the Empress!”

“All troops, attack!”

Yi-Ho led a million-strong soldiers of the Gayami nation, raining arrows and spears at the enemy. Calling it an army was a stretch. It was mostly children and the elderly that the Gayami had gathered with all their might.

Clang clang clang!

Not only did their attacks fail to graze the apostles, they also rebounded.

“T-the arrows aren’t working?” Their faces were etched with fear.

-

Ssss!

How dare these lowly creatures attack the apostle!

-You snake punk. Move! I’ll raze all of them to the ground!

The Chariot of Fire opened its mouth and let out a blast of fire.

No! Everyone will be annihilated at this rate!

Just then, I heard a miraculous voice ring in my ears.

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword has finished repairing your sword. Since he’s ripped you off, he’s going to send it to you for free this time.]

Riiiip! Wooong!

The space before me ripped open, revealing a blood-red demonic sword with a bizarre saw-like blade.