On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 75: I am Your God

“Right now, as we speak, Demoness Arachne and the imperial expeditionary force are heading straight for us! We don’t have time for this! You should head for safety!”

“But didn’t we succeed in stopping their attack last time?”

“Those were just 10,000 troops stationed at the forest borders!” Termite Elder exclaimed, thumping his chest repeatedly in frustration. “According to rumors, even the troops stationed at the borders of the demonic realm are among their ranks! Moreover, they have 100 billion troops! That’s more than twice our population!”

“Oh no!” Anty held her cheeks in shock.

“That’s not all! Demoness Arachne even requested help from the gods of the thrones! The most horrifying malevolent gods in history are joining her! Ruler of the Abyssal Swamp, Beast of Deceit and Rapacity, and Fire Shining in the Highest Skies! I’m sorry, but I don’t think a whack, weird god without proper divine power can take them on!" the Termite Elder continued with zeal.

“Oh my!”

Thinking that his persuasion had worked, the Termite Elder grew more agitated.

“We’ll all be dead meat if we remain here! In order to keep the Gayami nation alive, you have to survive! All escape routes have been prepared! Let us depart with haste, Your Majesty!”

“But I don’t want to.” Anty smiled broadly.

“Yes, let's g... what? You don't want to?”

“You can leave first if you want, Elder. I'm not leaving.”

With that, Anty ran toward the other wounded.

“Your Majesty! Wait for me!” The Elder chased after her in a hurry.

“Healing Ring Finger of God Yu Il-Shin! ...Certainly, God Yu Il-Shin may be weaker than the gods that the empire serves.”

“Yes, that's right! So please, let's run away!”

“But he saved me.” Anty looked back at the Elder with clear eyes.

“I was merely a worthless, weak being who cried for help at the time. My tribe had left him in a forsaken land and even forgot his name. And yet, he still saved me. I didn’t know why, or how, but from that moment, I made up my mind that I’d never turn my back on him again.”

Rooooar—

“If any of those treacherous charlatans dare to harm him, I will...” Anty’s eyes turned red, and her hair stained a dark color. “...rain fire upon them.”

Flick!

Searing black flames appeared on Anty’s hand, causing the Termite Elder to flinch and take a few steps back.

“Y-you’re definitely powerful. During the last attack, you might’ve stopped them with your strength, but it’s different now! One can’t possibly stand against ten?! Moreover, the enemy has over a hundred billion troops, the Ten Swords, and the apostles...”

“I don’t care even if I’m no match for them.” Anty clasped her hands together. “Dying for Yu Il-Shin is the least I could do. That alone makes me happy.”

Throb!

My heart ached. This cute and small kid was willing to die for me. But was I really worthy of such a feat when I was merely a weak-willed human?

Sniff, sniff sniff—

Just then, Anty suddenly wrinkled her nose and...

“Ack!” Her head suddenly jerked toward the sky. “God Yu Il-Shin! Are you there?”

...Huh, do I smell? I better take a good shower next time.

-Ah, yes.

My answer caused a great uproar.

“Arghhh! A t-thunder in the clear sky!”

“It’s God Yu Il-Shin!”

“I-incredible!”

Was it because Anty recognized me, or was it because of my curt response?

It seemed like others in the Gayami nation became aware of my presence. Especially the nearby Termite Elder, who fell to the ground in horror.

“Hiccc! F-forgive me, O’ Strange God...”

Shhhh—

Liquid flowed out from the Elder’s butt. Was that piss? I knew I looked like an abysmal god to them, but this was a bit much.

Ah, come to think of it, didn’t he call me a whacky god without a proper title?

“P-please spare my life...”

I didn’t really care, but the knave must have felt guilty.

-Hmm, it’s fine, Termite Elder. I won’t harm you as you are a precious subordinate to my Anty.

I said gently, trying to play the benevolent god.

Anty snickered, wriggling slightly. “Hehe, he said ‘my Anty.’”

But, the only person laughing was her. The rest of them were still terrified and did not dare to look up. Should I sprinkle some sugar on them?

Suddenly, Anty looked up and shouted, “Good thing you’re here! I have a favor to ask, Lord Yu Il-Shin!”

-A favor?

Anty’s eyes sparkled at me. “Yes!”

***

I was worried for a while. But then, I found out that her favor wasn’t a big deal.

A group of ants marched to the training ground, their antennae twitching anxiously. They were the ones who helped me fight the crocodile, Gustav, and fend off the imperial army from attacking the Gayami nation. Of the thousand or so insect newcomers, most were termites.

-Okay, your name’s Cheon-Ho.

“Yes! I can’t thank you enough!”

For example, this termite I had just named Cheon-Ho. He was about three times the size of other ants, and quite loud as well.

“Apparently, he was a famous general in the Termite Kingdom. In the past, he single-handedly defeated more than thirty imperial troops!” Anty smiled.

-That’s impressive.

-...Your name will be Cheon-Sa.

“Hic, hic. Thank you, Lord Yu Il-Shin! I’m undeserving of such a name! You’re the god of salvation!” the tattered insect crouched before me with tears streaming down his face.

It stood out to me how active he was for his age. Even his voice sounded hoarse and weak.

-Phew, and lastly, Cheon-Baek. That should be all of them.

Tzzz!

A change happened after I named that last insect.

Ding!

[Names of 1,000 citizens of the Holy Nation of Gayami are being updated.]

[Baek-Il, Baek-Yi, Baek-Sam...Cheon-Baek.]

[All conditions for race evolution have been met!]

[Conditions for race evolution: Name bestowed by god and maxed experience points.]

Ding!

[Evolution begins!]

Splat!

A dazzling light surrounded the newly named insects, and they transformed. Even though it was my second race evolution, this was the first time I witnessed the process firsthand. Back when I evolved a hundred Gayamis, I fainted. I wondered how much I’d grown since then.

Rip! Riiip!

Like a chick hatching from an egg, their insect shells cracked open, revealing human skin underneath.

Ssss—!

Each of their six legs merged into a pair of arms and legs. Their bodies now had upper and lower halves, more suited for walking upright. Such a swift and dramatic evolution it was! I couldn’t believe they used to be insects!

Since most of the insectoid humans were termites, they had white skin and blue eyes. Cheon-Ho was no exception. Yes, they’d turned into Anty look-alikes.

Hm, are they distant relatives of Anty?

Also, I didn’t know they’d be left naked upon transforming. I opened a menu in God-Maker.

[Bestowing the rank of “Soldier” upon the newly evolved Gayamis.]

[Equipping one soldier with basic armor costs 1 Gcoin.]

[Equipping one soldier with a basic weapon costs 1 Gcoin.]

[Do you want to arm all the newly evolved Gayami soldiers? (Yes/No)]

Sure, every soldier will only cost me 2 Godcoins, after all. I clicked on “Yes” immediately.

Flash!

“U-unbelievable! What amazing body and armor!”

“I look like a mythical warrior!”

“Oh, God Yu Il-Shin! Empress Anty! Puck puck!”

The new soldiers cheered. Indeed, free gifts are the best to win hearts and minds.

“Mwehehe. Congratulations, my new comrades favored by God Yu Il-Shin! On such a joyous day, why don’t I dedicate a song to all of you?” Baek-Ho suddenly emerged from his hiding place, carrying an instrument woven from grass.

“Aah, brave warriors~ Bestowed with the name and body of a warrior by God Yu Il-Shin~ I, the messenger and heavenly singer of god, Baek-Ho, shall bless you~ Baek-Il is equipped with armor and weapon, cheering yo-ho! yo-ho! Baek-Yi is equipped with armor and weapon~ Cheering yo-ho! Yo-ho!”

Ack. It’d been a while, but Baek-Ho’s screeching voice stayed the same.

“Baek-Chil is equipped with armor and weapon~...”

Don’t tell me he’s going to sing until he reaches Cheon-Baek? Would now be the right time to shut him up with my forefinger? But...

Untz untz!

The Gayamis were already dancing to his song in excitement. I guess they just have a weird taste in music. I scratched my head, then carefully spoke to Anty.

-Anty.

“Yes? What is it?”

-Please don’t take this the wrong way. But just in case, why don’t you follow what the Elder said and evacuate to a safe place?

In fact, I lacked confidence in my ability to protect Anty.

“Hehe, Lord Yu Il-Shin?”

-Yes?

Anty grinned and threw herself back...

“Noooooo!”

Eeek, what good vocal cords for a small kid!

Just as I was holding my tingling ears, Anty knelt down before me.

“We’ve lost everything to the ruthless empire. This is our last bastion. We have no other place to run to. Even if we managed to escape, we’d be on the run for the rest of our lives, living in constant fear of being devoured by them at any moment.”

Anty bit her lips so hard that they almost bled. “That’s why... I’d rather face the empire with honor! With the great and merciful Lord Yu Il-Shin around, there’s nothing I fear!”

As soon as Anty said those words, the Gayamis and citizens nodded in unison.

“Please let us fight alongside you, God Yu Il-Shin!”

“Please allow us!”

“With God Yu Il-Shin around, nothing shall faze us!”

I shut my eyes tightly. Many complex thoughts raced through my mind. Still, I couldn't disappoint the Gayamis, who had placed their trust in me.

I am their god, after all.

-Alright. Believe in me and follow me! I am your god!

I gave them a thumbs-up and even showed a dependable, cheesy smile.

“Aghhhh! God! Please forgive us!”

“He is going to eat us!”

The rookie soldiers scrambled in all directions, screaming at the top of their lungs. Honestly, seeing that hurt me a bit.

***

Anyway, I snapped back to reality, and began preparations right away.