Chapter 102 – Approaching End of Days

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The majority of people wish to put down roots in one place.

Because it is far more stable than a wandering life with no promises.

Unless one has a severe wanderlust, they are bound to eventually meet a partner to share their life with and build a nest.

Naturally, they would not easily abandon a foundation they painstakingly prepared.

Unfortunately, in a world that had turned harsh, this settled life was a very difficult thing.

The devastated land could not harbor life for long.

In the dry riverbeds, only bone fragments tangled in mud remained.

The nature that the surviving survivors are looking at right now is not originally of this world.

Because every living thing except for a very small minority had already gone extinct.

Nature could not regenerate.

Instead, the life forms I created were filling the empty spaces.

From the Blue Undertaker bugs to Earth’s wolves and deer, and all sorts of bizarre grasses.

The area around Bakumsia was overflowing with the creatures I had barely managed to recreate.

But if thousands of people were to settle down like this, they would go extinct before even putting down roots.

And the fallen dragons nested in Orrak would catch the scent and storm in.

Orthodox siege warfare or defensive battles are a stupid idea.

Staying in one place against bloodsucking monsters crawling up by gnawing through the underground was the worst option.

At the very least, we had to go find them and attack first.

Hunting the dragons buried underground would be a very tricky task, but not impossible.

Because I had the Elysiums I had usurped by slaying Dream-Shedding Eye.

Crouching Vines and Cleaving Earth.

Could there be a more reliable authority when fighting underground monsters?

Simply cleave the earth, grab them with vines, and strike them dead.

Since the number of dragons was small, I could eliminate them quickly.

Of course, it was not overwhelming enough to let go of all worries.

I had to have confidence but always remain vigilant.

Because the Black Sun and its allies had also begun to move together.

Catching Cooling Breath itself would probably not be too difficult.

However, I was certain that the Celestial Church would interfere the moment I tried to catch a fallen dragon.

This much was a predictable fact for anyone, before even talking about intuition as a god.

…I also vaguely knew that sacrifices would follow.

This time it was precognition, not a simple prediction.

In the battle against demons, damage that I could not prevent even if I poured in all my power was predestined.

If we fought Cooling Breath, someone would definitely die, regardless of how big or small the scale.

Just like when we fought the Holy Mother of Stillbirths, Blood-Soaked Mud, and Dream-Shedding Eye.

I had saved many, but I had not saved everyone.

So I had to forge a happy life and a comfortable paradise to follow after death.

If death cannot be prevented, I shall preserve and promise everything else.

Even so, I shall do my best to prevent death.

Just then, there was a bug that had landed on my finger and was drying its wings.

The Blue Undertaker, a corpse cleaner that sought out every nook and cranny where starlight couldn’t reach, with a shiny carapace.

It was also my confident masterpiece.

The Blue Undertaker was a ladybug style, billions of times cuter than a cockroach.

Perhaps noticing me looking at it and feeling proud, the Blue Undertaker spread its translucent wings wide and cried out vigorously.

Laughter naturally burst out at its energetic appearance.

“Go and tell your brothers and sisters. If there are people dragged underground, tell them to become their starlight and guide them outside.”

Chirrr.

It would be a burdensome task, but it spread its wings as if it were natural.

This tiny bug felt more reliable than the usurped authorities.

Did the Sun God over there also feel the same emotion once?

I stroked the Blue Undertaker while ruminating on the Sun God’s dark memories.

Stroking the smooth carapace a few times made even the antennae grow docile.

Unfortunately, I did not have the leisure to cherish it any further.

“There are many things to do. Please, stay strong.”

With a flick of my finger, I sent the blue ladybug flying off.

The Blue Undertaker circled me a few times as if reluctant to leave before finally flying away.

I held my position until the bug’s presence completely disappeared.

Looking at a creation created according to my will and following only my will felt much more real than when dividing the sea or shattering mountains.

The fact that I am a god.

***

Preparations for the journey proceeded swiftly.

The veteran wanderers, having experienced this several times already, began to pack their bundles as if the inevitable had come.

Even though the newly joined migrants were glaring around with anxious eyes.

The migrants let out sighs dripping with lingering attachment even while hurriedly packing their belongings.

“No… to deliberately leave this place and head elsewhere…”

“We just built a brick house. It’s back to living in a hut again. Haa.”

“Hey, shouldn’t those holy knights petition? Saying ‘is it really necessary to move?'”

Among them, there were bound to be a few spouting nonsense that wouldn’t work at all.

Because it was so severe, voices within the grumbling crowd began to suggest actually trying to petition.

Those who knew Star Creation’s disposition to decisively conclude things once a decision was made merely laughed.

Next to the man who spouted absurd claims, Nesaro, who was carrying luggage, was a prime example.

“Hehe, hihihik, puhaha!”

“What’s with that bastard.”

“Mister, why are you laughing like crazy.”

Rare is the person who restrains their anger when they know someone else is mocking them.

The mood of the migrants gathered in small groups instantly turned threatening.

However, belying his nickname of being weak, Nesaro did not stop laughing.

“Are you guys out of your minds? Do you think the holy knights who act as proxies for the god’s will would go against the god’s will?”

“Dammit. Who knows if moving houses is the god’s will or some mutt’s will.”

Ptooey.

He bluffed, even spitting roughly.

Even so, he couldn’t hide his hand that had started trembling slightly.

He spoke strongly out of a sense of rebellion, but in a corner of his heart, he was aware it was blasphemy.

It was natural, since the names Godfather of Stars and Star Creation were no longer falsehoods.

Even the people around him who had been actively backing him up just a moment ago were startled and taking a few steps back.

“I-I don’t know anything about this. I didn’t even add a single word!”

“Phew, there was a reason for everything. I almost misunderstood without knowing. I really almost caught an innocent person. Have I been acting sensitive lately because my mind is chaotic?”

Belatedly realizing he was isolated alone, the man looked around.

The people who had gathered around hearing the commotion were already shooting fierce glares.

The man shouted fiercely at his acquaintance who had already backed away.

“Brad, Ton! What’s wrong with you guys!”

“Don’t cling to me, you bastard! D-daring to doubt the god’s will?!”

“I don’t know who you are, sir….”

“Uh, uuuugh.”

It was when the suddenly abandoned man was hesitating that Nesaro took a step closer.

“You should say you’re sorry. I won’t report it separately, so please take some time to pray separately to the Godfather of Stars.”

“Ehem! Ahem! Cough! I, I will do so!”

He was not so dull as to fail to notice that a way to live had been opened for him.

Putting reason before pride, the man chased after his fleeing acquaintances.

The backs of the migrants growing distant as they ran breathlessly.

After sending them off with a calm smile, Nesaro suddenly widened both his eyes.

“I-I did well. Nesaro, you did well. You preemptively cut off the voice that dared to doubt the Godfather of Stars.”

What if they got angry and swung a fist.

What if they rushed in trying to silence me by murder, saying I was a cultist serving demons?

The worries that bit their own tails were barely resolved.

The timid Nesaro felt cold sweat trickling down his armpits and trembled all over.

The tension disappeared and what remained was a sense of accomplishment.

“This time, I-I did it first before others told me to.”

Deep breath in, exhale.

As he repeated deep breaths, the trembling also slowly subsided.

It was worth remembering the firmness that the old cleric Bartol showed from time to time.

‘I just need to quell the complaints that might burst out among the people like this.’

Nesaro nodded his head firmly like that.

Not everyone can stand on the battlefield.

But that didn’t mean they were powerless either.

Nesaro, though still wavering, began to scan the people with a much firmer gaze than before.

Perhaps thanks to always listening carefully to others’ stories, finding problems was also easy.

“What about the flour?”

“I know, right. Is there any way to store it separately?”

The first step was a gathering of mothers figuring out how to transport the distributed flour, saying it would be a waste to leave it.

With a vigorous stride, Nesaro approached the worried people.

“Over there. Ma’ams! People who load the flour sacks separately will come! For now, pack your own family’s luggage first…”

Even if it wasn’t Nesaro, everyone did their respective parts.

Cleric Bartol passed among the people with Hwen, encouraging and encouraging them again.

“Cl-Cleric, is it really going to be okay?”

“Of course. In the future, every Godfather of Stars, our young father, intends to move forward to complete the new sun. Do not doubt his will.”

“O-ohhh…”

These were people who had lived separated from a god for a long time since the defeat of the Great Pantheon.

Those who had started the journey with Star Creation were fine, but the emotional fluctuations of the people who belatedly noticed the existence of the last god were huge.

No matter how steadfast a believer they were, they willingly chose apostasy.

The thought was that the last god who immediately showed even a feeble sun was better than the gods of the Great Pantheon who did not answer.

Bartol had no time to rest helping them convert, and Hwen could not possibly welcome this.

“Old man, all our time will pass like this. Do your proselytizing while moving.”

“Mmm. It’s because there are too many people who need reassurance.”

“Does faith pop out abundantly just because you lay hands on them?”

“It will be a long and arduous road. It will be a grueling journey; how far can they go without reassurance.”

Hwen was deeply annoyed by Bartol, who talked back every single time.

“Hmph. We’ll see how long that cheap faith lasts.”

“Doesn’t a thick tree also grow from a single seed.”

“There you go again. If you couldn’t talk, you wouldn’t be so hateful.”

Of course, despite her grumbling, she did not leave Bartol’s side.

The militia that Hwen usually commanded was being controlled by Ryugen instead.

Since the Nebula Church was officially launched, Ryugen had been commanding all forces except the holy knights.

He personally didn’t really welcome the heavy workload, but it couldn’t be helped.

While Hwen and Bartol went around laying hands, Ryugen was sipping hot water with steam rising from it.

Looking down at the elderly couple from afar.

“To think I’d be taking care of people who aren’t honest first, before taking care of my own family.”

“When do you think they’ll get back together? Those two, I mean.”

It seemed they were about to start a mischievous bet.

Ryugen let out a hollow laugh at his adjutant wearing a sly smile.

“Is there any meaning to a bet?”

“Hahahaha!”

Laughter is necessary to embark on a difficult road.

People whose lips curl up even over something useless.

While being truly satisfied with the fact that he was amidst them, Ryugen gripped his cup more roughly.

Was it because of the experience he honed as a soldier, or the intuition born from crossing the line of death?

‘The enemies will become more cruel.’

At the edge of the world, amidst the bustling commotion where everyone had resigned, Ryugen could not shake off his unease.

‘Will I really be able to lead them well?’

The end was approaching.