On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 47: Be Immaculate at Work

A mysterious terror attack happened at Brilliance Guild, resulting in a mounting number of casualties! The terrorist was a man in his late twenties, equipped with a longsword...

The suspect was once a promising talent from the Hunter Academy?

A colleague from the Academy, S-rank Hunter Shin Yoo, reveals the suspect to be Sword Demon Kang Geom...

Brilliance Guild’s shocking identity! The mastermind and distributor behind the awakening drug circulating in the black market!

At the moment, these article headlines were causing a huge stir in South Korea. A lone wolf had indiscriminately waged a war against a guild full of Hunters. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Brilliance Guild was the mastermind and ringleader behind the infamous black market. Countless VIPs from the business circle were involved in it, and every channel I tuned in was talking about it.

I didn’t give a damn. Overall, Sword Demon did a fantastic job, which made me ponder about something.

[An emergency quest has occurred!]

[Follower Salvation Quest]

[Target: Sword Demon (Fanatic)]

[God Yu Il-Shin, do you wish to save your fanatic Sword Demon from a critical situation? (Yes/No)]

The message from God-Maker was flickering at me. Based on my experience, it was apparent that Sword Demon was in grave danger.

But did I really have to save him?

He was a killer who tried to murder Sung Mi-Ri. His weird category, Fanatic, didn’t allow him to give me Godcoins or share his skills like other followers.

Besides, didn’t that nasty line say that he’d gladly die if I asked him?

Moreover, back when I saved Sung Mi-Ri, I was rewarded with an increase in Faith, but as for him...

[Quest reward: None]

Yeah, let’s just ignore it.

“Mister, what are you so preoccupied with in the middle of training?” an overweight tiger asked, shoving his face close to mine.

More accurately, it was the face of the tiger on the gym manager’s t-shirt, which was stretched out due to his belly fat.

“C’mon, c’mon! Keep at it! Work harder so you can have a great body like mine! Fighting!” The gym manager encouraged me, flexing the bumpy muscles on his forearm.

Unfortunately, it didn't motivate me at all. Was it because of Il-Ho? I could feel my standards of muscles growing significantly.

Pop!

Feeling thirsty, I emptied a bottle of Special Blessing of the Growth God Ver. 3.

“Mister, don’t take weird drugs. It's been a hot topic these days in our circle.”

“Don't worry. This is just a normal beverage. You know Red Bull, right?”

However, the gym manager still stared skeptically at me. He picked up the empty bottle and sniffed the residual smell. Ignoring the gym manager, I added another piece of weight.

Alright, how about I try 40 kg on the bench press this time?

“Hyaaaa! Muscles!”

[The Eternal Seeker is pleased to see that you’ve finally learned the appeals of muscles.]

“Pfft. Wow, it’s just 40 kg and he’s that proud?”

“Sigh, how embarrassing. I don’t even bench press with that.”

The muscular weightlifters prattled.

Do you think I couldn’t hear you? Nobody has a great body right off the bat?!

Strange. Il-Ho worked out after drinking the Blessings of the Growth God and became a bulging machine, but why didn’t I have the same effects?

[The Eternal Seeker suggests to start with dumbbells and not be impatient.]

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[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword grumbles that a sword will solve everything, why bother training your muscles.]

[Silently Crawling Nightmare strongly encourages you to train harder and show her your six-packs.]

[Infinite Abundance cries asking if you’re going to save the devout believer.]

These stalkers are annoying the hell out of me. Haa, I want to exercise in peace.

Jiiing!

Suddenly, my ears rang as everything began to slow down.

Oh, it feels like I’m getting high...

Of the three versions of Blessing of the Growth God, the third, the Red Bull, had a time-related blessing. Time would slow down upon use, though this effect was limited to the Tower of Warriors. However, since I was connected with Il-Ho, who was currently there, I could experience the same effects.

The shortest amount of training time yielded the greatest effect.

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

Huh?

My power activated on its own again, and this time, I saw Sword Demon.

***

Sword Demon was strung up in chains from the ceiling, gruesome lacerations all over his body. His right arm was missing. It seemed to be recent, as blood was still oozing from the cut.

“Sword Demon Oppa, aren’t you quite persistent?”

A lady in red traditional Chinese qipao drew her face closer to Sword Demon. I activated my skill.

-----

[Cheol-Mi]

A female human. Around for 26 years.

Special note: Blessed by the God of Destroyer “???”. Uses quite effective flames.

-----

“You’re a hired sword, what are you being so loyal for? Be honest with me, who is your employer? Only a nutcase would attack the Brilliance Guild despite knowing that the psycho, Johan, was there. Now stop being so stubborn, and just out with it. Hm?”

Cheol-Mi coquettishly ran her red tongue over Sword Demon’s ear.

“If you tell me who they are, I’ll send you straight to heaven before you die. What do you think?”

Sword Demon struggled to speak with his parched lips.

Thinking that he finally decided to fess up, Cheol-Mi’s face lit up. She excitedly leaned in closer to hear his response.

“Hm? What was that? Say it again.”

“...I said, get your vile mouth away from me.”

“Huh?” Cheol-Mi’s eyes turned yellow like a snake’s. “This bastard! You still have some screws loose!”

Furious, Cheol-Mi struck Sword Demon with a whip, tearing his flesh and causing blood to gush out.

“Just kill me... I did it on my own...”

“Haa, haa! Even in the face of death, you’re still the Sword Demon! Sure! I’ll take you on!”

Gritting her teeth, Cheol-Mi was about to swing her whip again when a huge hand stopped her.

“Oppa?”

The owner of the hand was a giant about 2.5 meters tall. Bulging muscles covered his entire body, serving as armor. “A bear” would be the most apt description for him. What stood out the most was his white eyeballs, without any pupils. An old scar stretched across his eyes, looking as if it had been left by a blade.

“Tell you what, I don’t care who told you to do it. I just want one thing from you: payback for what you did to my eyes three years ago!”

The man clenched his fist.

Kekeke.

As the skull tattoo on the back of his hand cackled menacingly, his muscles swelled up.

Ding!

-----

[Cheol-Du]

A male human. Around for 31 years.

Special note: Blessed by the God of Destroyer “???”. Has quite strong muscles.

-----

“Hold on a sec. You aren’t really going to kill him, right? Johan asked to keep him alive as best as we can to be used as an offering. He even offered one billion Korean won.”

“Stop me and I’ll kill you,” Cheol-Du growled dismally as his white eyes reflected Cheol-Mi.

“I never said that. I’m just sad that we won’t be getting the money. Just kill him if it makes you feel better! With Sword Demon gone, we’ll be the best in this world! Hohoho!” Cheol-Mi retreated awkwardly.

Cheol-Du ignored her and swung his fist.

“Die, Sword Demon.”

Boooom!

Cheol-Du’s giant fist cut through the air, flying toward Sword Demon’s face, but he remained expressionless.

Thanks to the spiritual bond I had with him as god and fanatic, I was able to witness his fate—and, at the same time, a fragment of his past.

He was the son of a prostitute. When he was four years old, his mother dragged him to the underworld to be sold. Raised as an assassin, he awakened with Qigong ability and was trained in swordsmanship. Nevertheless, to him, a sword was merely a tool to take care of his targets stealthily and efficiently. Even when he joined the Hunter Academy to carry out his assassination mission, that never changed.

Until one day, Sword Demon finally saw light in the darkness.

It was the day when I wielded the Sword God, displaying peak madness and skill.

In fact, when I defeated him, he was happy.

So far, his abilities were nothing more than the brutal techniques of a slaughterhouse. Thus, he began to aspire. He wished to be able to wield his sword in the same way. Not just to kill, but also to mesmerize the eyes of the beholder, and possibly even inspire them. Just like the Sword God.

Such was his newfound dream. But alas, it was never meant to be.

His own mother had abandoned him. Johan had severed his right arm. Yet, in his last moments, he thought of none of them—only the Sword God: me.

Sword God, please stay safe.

Yes, even when his death was approaching, Sword Demon still thought of me. Despite having absolute faith in me, he was also scared for me. He was afraid that I’d fall prey to Johan, the apostle who severed his right arm with some bizarre sorcery.

I wish I could’ve become Sword God’s shield...

When I saw that, I was in turmoil. But this man tried to kill Sung Mi-Ri...

Just as Cheol-Du was about to slam his fist into Sword Demon's head...

“Crushing Forefinger of God.”

Boooom!

Cheol-Du's punch ended up smashing nothing. He lowered his white eyes.

“...Who are you? Where did you come from?”

With his chains undone, Sword Demon fell to the floor. He looked up at me in astonishment.

“S-Sword God?”

Ding!

Messages from God-Maker appeared after.

[You paid 100,000 Gcoins for the alteration of his fate.]

[The effects of the title Benevolent Savior (C) and the Second Moon created by Yu Il-Shin trigger an “incredible miracle.”]

[Infinite Abundance praises your actions. She says now that he’s your believer, you should embrace him. She also advises you to give him a chance to turn over a new leaf, even if he used to be a villain.]

“Haa.” I scratched my head and threw the dumbbell in my hand. Watching the flustered Sword Demon, I asked, “Mr. Sword Demon, can you lead an honest life from now on? Don’t kill anyone without a valid reason.”

“What...?”

“Answer me.”

“If that is your wish, then I’ll oblige. I swear upon my life... and sword.”

“Good.”

I’d follow what that Abundance Lady said and give him a chance. I was indebted to her in a way, so listening to her for once wouldn’t hurt.

“I asked who you are!”

Thinking that he’d been ignored, Cheol-Du let out a deafening roar.

Had it been me from a few days ago, I would’ve pissed my pants from his overwhelming power. But now, strangely, I remained unfazed.

Annoyed, I plugged my ears and nonchalantly pointed at Sword Demon, “I’m his master.”

I mean, he was a Fanatic. Our relationship was akin to a cult leader and a cult member. Ah, not exactly, a god and a cult member, maybe.

“Waaaah, Mr. Sword God!” The razor-sharp man burst into tears for some reason.

Seriously, what was so moving about that sentence?

“Hmph!”

Flashing his white eyeballs, Cheol-Du swiftly went for my head. His hand was so large that it could wrap around my entire head.

“Ridiculous! I don’t sense any power from you! How dare you claim to be his master?! You must’ve had some petty tricks up your sleeve!”

Why was he overreacting? Was he suffering from some sort of inferiority complex?

Cheol-Du began strengthening his grip.

Crack! Craaack!

“I’ll blow your head off right now!”

Tremendous pain rushed through my head, as if it was about to be crushed. ...At least, that was how it was supposed to be before.

“Y-you...!”

Panicking, Cheol-Du used both hands to put more pressure on my head. Seeing how red his face was turning, it was easy to imagine how much he was exerting himself.

“Uuugggh!”

“Oppa? What are you doing? You could easily break stones with your bare hands before.”

“Shut up! Does it look like I’m fooling around?!”

Back then, my stalkers had advised me to commit more bad deeds to get stronger in a short time. After all, killing an ant would give me 1 Dark Gcoin, whereas gaining a follower would give me 1 White Gcoin. Between the two, it was obvious which one was easier.

Hence, wasn’t the path of a malevolent god much more efficient? Nope. Back then, I just didn’t know.

After massacring over twenty million of the imperial troops, I upgraded the title Brutal Killer to Rank C, awakening its true function.

[The massacre has raised the rank of your malevolent god title, Brutal Killer, from D to C.]

[Great malevolent god, War of Carnage and Madness, grants you the title “Blessing of Slaughter.”]

-----

[Blessing of Slaughter]

Destroy, kill, and kill again! Let your evil deeds become your strength!

-----

“Equip malevolent god title: Brutal Killer (C).”

Tzzz!

Power and arrogance surged through my body, and my eyes turned red like Anty’s. At that moment, I felt as if the whole world was beneath my feet.

“Insect, do I look like a small fry to you?”

“W-what?! What’s this power?”

“W-who the hell are you!” Cheol-Du roared, breaking into cold sweat.

“Malevolent God Yu Il-Shin.” I laughed sinisterly, clenching my fists.

Slam!

Then, I drove my fist into the pit of his stomach like a cannonball.