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Chapter 197: Awakened Ones, Cultivate Them (2)
"I heard the news, Kim Jiho."
The giant with three heads and six arms who welcomed me was Asura.
Not Asura’s Path, but the Buddhist divine realm—I took a portal there, and Asura came out to greet me.
Well, Asura’s Path is also technically part of the Buddhist divine realm, so…
Maybe they had Asura greet me because we’re familiar.
"I still can’t believe Michael betrayed us."
"Right? I was so shocked when he suddenly appeared."
"That means we’ll be facing two Creators... but maybe not, since the Christian side is likely focused entirely on building Eden."
"I don’t think they’ll intervene directly. But they’ll probably keep trying to extract people."
As we discussed the recent events, I handed over one of my avatars to Asura.
He received my avatar with two of his lower hands and held it gently.
"I’ll take your avatar… but are you able to descend into it instantly? Even though this is a different divine realm?"
"Yeah, it’s possible."
"Impressive… Then I’ll keep it close. If anything happens, I’ll summon you immediately. Oh, and I heard from Loki… you’re temporarily forming your own apostles? Could I join in on that?"
Asura, becoming an Apostle?
Well, he would be a reliable one.
"Sure. But did you get approval from your main deity?"
"In place of the Enlightened Buddha, Avalokiteśvara has granted her permission."
"Alright then. I’m counting on you."
[Asura has become your Apostle God in place of someone else.]
The moment he became an Apostle, both of his arms emitted a pure white light.
He immediately unleashed soul energy.
"Ohh. The power to release soul energy… it’s incredibly strong. Feels different from when I was in your domain."
"I’ve leveled up a bit more, after all. Let’s stick together until I take down that bastard Zeus. Oh, and… would this be possible?"
I asked Asura to help promote the god Kim Jiho to Buddhist followers.
At first, Asura hesitated.
"Hmm… isn’t that a bit much? You’re already famous as one of the rare humans to ascend to godhood. Do we really need to advertise that?"
"I’m not trying to steal believers. Just want to let people know that there’s this cooperative god named Kim Jiho. I heard it makes Awakening easier for believers. And you benefit from more Awakeners, right? Increases your SP gain."
"Really? That’s interesting. I’ll speak to Avalokiteśvara about it."
He didn’t give a firm answer, but that was good enough for now.
"I’ll be counting on you."
"Likewise, Kim Jiho."
Asura extended one hand, and we shook hands.
Then I returned to Asgard.
"Next up is an invitation from Indra."
Loki opened a portal as soon as I returned.
Indra…
He was the one who gave me the "Oath of the Divine King" skill a while ago.
I’ve been using that skill quite a bit for making contracts through the system.
Is he the chief deity of Hinduism?
As I passed through the portal, a world above the clouds opened up before me.
The first thing I saw was a white elephant.
It was much larger than a normal elephant and had three heads—its presence felt like a mountain.
"Ah, you’ve arrived."
Descending quickly from the elephant was a man with dark skin and a shaved head—Indra.
"It’s been a while."
"Loki told me the story. An avatar, huh… Are you expecting Olympus to invade here?"
"Just being cautious. I’m deploying them across different divine realms."
"It’s better to be careful. Then I’ll place your avatar on Airavata."
He took the avatar I handed over and placed it on top of the elephant.
So that elephant must be Airavata.
With that, my business in this world was done.
"Everything good here? Other gods have agreed to become Apostles..."
I felt a bit guilty just leaving, so I told him about Asgard and Asura’s cases.
Indra shook his head and responded boldly.
"Apostle God? No worries. I’m not the same as I was when you unsealed me. Now that I’ve regained the Vajra of Heavenly Thunder, I can handle those Olympus lackeys just fine."
With that, he summoned his weapon.
It had a golden handle and both ends split into three sharp prongs, like thorns.
When he channeled his power into it, blue lightning flickered from its tips.
"Don’t worry. Just focus on what you have to do."
Another thunder god, huh?
God-kings are either sun gods or thunder gods, it seems.
Anyway, I asked him to help promote Kim Jiho as well.
"Promote the god Kim Jiho? Hmm. What’s the compensation?"
"I’ll give you one more soul-mediation seat. It won’t be a bad deal for your side either."
"Just one? Make it five."
Greedy.
I used to be stingy with soul-mediation seats, but now I have plenty.
Didn’t feel like haggling, so I just agreed.
"Five… fine. But I want a Divine King's Oath. And from now on, spread the word in all temples."
"Heh. No problem. I’ll fully support you."
Having struck a thoroughly business-like deal with Indra, I left that world.
With so many seats, I can afford deals like this now.
"You already made the rounds?"
"Yeah. How’s the Taoist side?"
"Hmm. They say they’re open to meeting… but they’re also asking for soul-mediation seats. Around five."
So that’s why they were stalling?
Soul-mediation seats… I’ve got more than enough.
"Give them that, and offer three more if they also help with promotion."
"Promotion for what?"
"Tell people to believe in me—Kim Jiho."
"Hmm… alright."
Loki contacted them.
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[Translator - Night]
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After some whispering on their end, they quickly responded.
"They agreed. But they want ten instead."
"Hah. These guys. So greedy. Fine, just make them swear the oath."
"Got it."
As soon as I accepted, a portal opened.
Taking out another avatar, I stepped in and was greeted by a man wearing a crown.
"Welcome to the Celestial Realm, God of Souls."
"And you are?"
"I am known as the Jade Emperor."
A man with a long beard greeted me respectfully.
Outwardly, this divine realm was the most polite of the three.
"It was a demanding proposal, but thank you for accepting it, God of Souls."
"Ten seats seemed a bit excessive."
"Haha, I apologize. Among the divine realms, we’re one of the weakest. We desperately need SP."
"The weakest?"
"Of the remaining divine realms, yes. Our base is mainly in China, and since it's a communist country, people don’t really believe in gods..."
The Jade Emperor sighed deeply.
Then he noticed the avatar I brought.
"Is that one of your avatars, Lord Kim Jiho?"
"Yes."
"If something happens and we contact you, you’ll descend through this avatar, right? I’ll keep it safe."
With that, they also discuss spreading the faith.
“Spreading the faith should be easy. Your name, Kim Jiho, is widely known in China. After all, a human from a neighboring country has become a god.”
“Yes. Also make sure to tell them that awakening is easy.”
“Then they’ll believe it even more. They’re very profit-driven, after all.”
The Jade Emperor declared he’ll begin promoting immediately.
When asked whether there was anyone on his side who could become an apostle god like Asura, he flatly refused.
“If our deities pledge allegiance to the Soul God, I don’t think they’ll ever return. I’m sorry.”
“But they’d make the Oath of the Divine King.”
“If they return and try to leave again, there’s no way to stop them.”
Looks like things aren't going so well on their side either.
If he’s being this cautious, there’s no helping it.
Leaving behind only the avatar, I mediated ten soul connections and departed.
“That ended quickly.”
Back in Asgard.
Loki, who was communicating with several avatars, greeted me.
“So what now?”
“I have to punish Michael’s angels.”
On Earth, angels have been abducting humans.
If it were just the fervent believers, maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal.
But if they take everyone, there’s no way to reach 1 billion SP in daily income.
In that case, an SSS rank is out of reach, and even if Ares is defeated, Zeus the Creator would still be unbeatable.
Michael seemed to hope he won’t be provoked, but this has to be handled first.
“I did some digging. Michael’s faction is handling Christianity, Gabriel’s handles Islam. It seems after sending a wave of humans to Eden, they’re regrouping at their holy sites.”
“Holy sites?”
“Michael’s at Jerusalem, Gabriel’s at Mecca. They’re not even trying to hide. They must think we won’t widen the front because of the war with Olympus.”
Jerusalem or Mecca.
Time to choose one.
Since Michael already struck first, he’s the one to take down first.
“Is he in Jerusalem?”
“No, he’s hovering above it. Invisible to human eyes, but not to mine.”
To have figured that out so fast… impressive intel.
Above Jerusalem, huh…
“Is it daytime in Jerusalem right now?”
Loki’s eyes flashed at the question.
He instantly grasped the intent.
“Ah. You’re planning to use the Sun God’s power?”
“Exactly.”
“The sun is setting now.”
“Then it's not too late. I’ll head to Earth. Call me if anything happens.”
“Haha, alright. I’ll just open a portal for you.”
Loki opened the portal, and he stepped through.
Wandering through many worlds, at last, I returned to Earth.
“He sent me right above the sky.”
The setting sun in the sky.
Below, the city lies, but it's ignored.
My focus is solely on the angels.
“Power of the Sun God.”
To locate the angels more quickly, I invoked the power of the Sun God.
Instantly, my senses blended with the sunset.
At the same time, I began detecting the angels one by one.
[Archangel Saint Michael, protect us in this battle.]
[Be our shield against Satan’s malice and schemes.]
The angels are chanting prayers vaguely familiar from before.
Too many to count.
They filled the sky, and if they were to manifest physically, it would be as bright as day.
However…
They’re weaker than expected.
Not many even display S-rank power.
Are they merely carriers transporting humans to the new Eden?
If that’s the case…
“Begone.”
They must be wiped out immediately.
Fwoosh!
The soul energy fused with the sunset light.
The angelic souls, shining brightly in the sunlight, caught fire instantly.
[Aaaaagh!]
[The light carries soul energy.]
[This is… the Sun God’s power. Could it be… the Soul God?]
Cries echoed from the angels.
Their holy voices pleaded desperately.
Ordinary people would collapse just hearing that voice, throwing down their weapons and kneeling.
But to me, they’re just enemies.
Betrayers who struck from behind.
Those who tore apart and sealed away my father’s soul.
They declared war first, so I’ll return the favor.
I applied more power, and the angels were consumed in silence.
In just a few minutes, they’re annihilated.
I spread light in every direction, but found no more traces of angels.
“That was too easy.”
This can’t be their full force.
Were they really just transporters?
“Let’s go to Mecca.”
Strike while the iron is hot—after cleaning up Jerusalem, I head straight to Mecca.
Merging with light, my body flies instantly.
In the blink of an eye, another group of angels appeared.
Already in Mecca?
Well, it's not that far from Jerusalem—for me, at least.
“Power of the Sun God.”
Just like in Jerusalem, I massacred them without hesitation.
The angels vanished the moment they touched the light.
Not wanting to hear their voices, I amplified my output so much they’re obliterated before they could scream.
They dissolved into light and were reabsorbed into me.
Unlike the Black Thunder, defeating them earns good SP returns, so even though I used the Sun God’s power liberally, it wasn’t a loss.
And...
“Ha. That felt good.”
Wiping out all the angels at both holy sites lifts a heavy weight from my chest.
Crushing these traitorous bastards is truly satisfying.
I may not have caught Michael, but at least this delays their ascent.
[Incoming transmission from Michael. Will you accept it?]
A sudden message.
Feeling refreshed, I accepts.
[You… what have you done…!]
Michael’s face appeared on screen, twisted with rage.
Seeing that furious expression turned my satisfaction into pure delight.
“What do you think? I cleaned up the traitor doves.”
[How dare you touch us… I even refrained from declaring you my enemy because you freed me from the seal…!]
“Not your enemy? You’re stealing humans, you bastard. I’ll wipe out you and Olympus alike. Here, have this.”
I casually raised my middle finger.
Michael's eyes flare.
Then, regaining composure, his expression goes blank.
[You will regret this decision.]
“You should be thankful I can't get to Eden yet because of that bastard Zeus.”
[I’ll inform all believers. That the adversary, Satan, has appeared. That the red dragon of Revelation has possessed a human and become an evil god. I’ll tell them his name is Kim Jiho.]
…What?
Satan?
The red dragon of the Apocalypse?
Evil god?
He’s going to tell the believers that?
[Half of humanity will become your enemies. Let’s see how well you carry that burden of hatred.]
The call ends.
So this guy’s really going to spread word that he’s Satan?
Hmm…
Sounds good.
Even an evil god is still a god.
If the whole world believes in me—even as Satan—that’s still worship, right?
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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