On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 98: Never Mess with God When He’s Eating

Over in Antrinia, God-Maker’s world...

“Huff! Huff!”

Maya was running through the forest, panting heavily.

“Keekeekee!”

“Hahaha! Bitch, are you a bee or a snail? Run faster, would you!”

Buzz! Buzz!

The imperial rangers, the Wasp Unit, were chasing after Maya. However, they didn’t look the slightest bit in a hurry. Like a cat teasing a cornered mouse, they were simply toying with her before killing her.

“Hic! Hic!”

Tears blurred her vision as her legs threatened to give out. The distance between her and the rangers were closing in. As a member of the Bee Tribe, she wasn’t one for running, but...

“Slaves do not need wings!”

After capturing them, the first thing the empire did was rip off their wings. For the Bee Tribe, who had free reign over the sky, nothing was more humiliating than that. Maya also lost her wings on the same day.

The Empire worked the bees to the bone, giving them no rest. The weak and the old were eaten by the army when they underperformed. Every day was a living hell for them. Until one day, a peculiar song spread through the tribe.

Pitiful people of the continent suffering the brutal Empire's oppression~♪

Come to the Gayami nation, where a beautiful and cute white queen rules with honey and milk~♪

If you do, the strongest and coolest of the gods, the great and merciful God Yu Il-Shin will save all of you~!♪

I am Baek-Ho~ Follow me and praise God Yu Il-Shin~!♪

God Yu Il-Shin puck puck~♪

The song told of a benevolent god called “Yu Il-Shin” and a nation called “Gayami,” where a white queen reigned. Despite how ridiculous it sounded, it became the hope of all tribesmen. They believed that salvation awaited them in the Holy Nation of Gayami.

Then, a piece of incredible news arrived.

-Everyone, have you heard?! The thousand billion troops and apostles dispatched by the Empire to destroy the Holy Nation of Gayami were exterminated!

-Furthermore, the Emperor is in hiding! Even Goddess Arachne, who foresees the state of affairs, is on the run! No one knows if she’s dead or alive!

-Ooh! What great news!

The empire, having lost its army and leadership, fell into a state of extreme chaos. It was a god-sent opportunity for the Bee Tripe. Thus, they fled at night, heading for the Gayami Nation, an attempt they’d soon regret.

“Haha! How slow! You call that running, bee bitch?!”

“Keke, she thinks she can get away.”

Buzzzz!

The Bee Tribe was pursued and slain by the Wasp Unit, leaving Maya as the sole survivor. But for how long? Right now, she was only alive because she’d become a plaything for the wasps. Then, death finally closed in on her.

“Ack! Kyaaak!”

Buzzzz! Slap slap!

Maya rolled on the ground, clutching her broken legs. The wasps landed around her.

“Tsk! It’s over already? Boring!”

“Should we eat her as it is?”

“I’m tired of their meat. Off with her.”

The wasps smiled sadistically at Maya, who was lying on the ground.

Clang!

Then, one of them pointed its large, hideous, venomous sting at Maya.

“Keke, why don’t you give us a nice scream?”

Swaaaa!

Right before the wasp’s sting could penetrate her...!

“God Yu Il-Shin...please save me...” Maya reflexively begged for salvation from the god in the Gayami Nation’s song.

Then, a miracle happened.

[The Angel Soldier Dispatch system is underway.]

[Archangel Lilith has received the salvation request of potential follower Maya.]

[Dispatching 1 angel soldier to location: X323113, Y234011]

Gushhhh!

A huge typhoon tore the sky asunder. A strange, gigantic presence descended between the wasps and Maya. Not only was it dozens of times larger than them, it also wore a terrifying mask.

“W-what? What is that thing?!”

Seeing the demon incarnate, even the cruel, vicious wasps were terrified.

Sss—

The giant removed its mask, revealing her puffy cheeks, twinkling eyes, and curly, dazzling blonde hair. The extremely easygoing figure turned out to be an angel soldier.

Staring at the helpless Maya, she opened her red lips. “Kya?”

It was as if she was asking if Maya had called her here. Maya nodded fervently.

“What...?!”

Meanwhile, after seeing the angel soldier’s face, the wasps regained their composers. After exchanging glances, they stealthily surrounded her.

Clang clang!

Drawing out their hidden stingers, they pointed at the angel soldier in unison.

“Die! Monster!”

Buzz!

The angel soldier was stabbed by dozens of stingers from all directions.

In response, the angel soldier opened its mouth.

[The angel soldier uses the innate power of God Yu Il-Shin, Angel Breath.]

Baaam!

With that, infernal flames rained down from the sky.

“Arghhhh!”

“Kyaaaak!”

The black flames engulfed the screaming wasps, reducing them to ashes.

“Aah...”

Maya watched the spectacle in astonishment. The angel soldier smiled benevolently at her, extending her hand.

“A-are you, sent by God Yu Il-Shin to save me, by any chance...?”

“Kya!” The angel soldier nodded affirmatively.

Maya’s gaze overflowed with gratitude. “Hic— Thank you. God Yu Il-Shin, puck puck...”

Moments later...

Flap flap!

The angel soldier held Maya in her hands tightly and flew toward Gayami nation.

Ding!

[Faith has increased by 1.]

[Faith has increased by 12.]

[Faith has increased by 58.]

...

Similar to Maya’s, there were angelic miracles occurring across the continent.

***

Clang clang!

“Mister! Faster!”

“Wait, let me grab the Godcoins!”

I hurried after Ko Myeong-Ji to the training ground. There, I saw a familiar face.

Click click!

A crowd of students gathered around, busily taking photos.

“Wow, it’s S-rank Hunter Shin Yoo!”

“He’s so frigging handsome! But why does he look like a beggar? Did he just finish shooting a film?”

Oh, that guy. He’s here? For an S-rank Hunter, he sure is free...

Shin Yoo tearfully glared at Sword Demon. “Kang Geom! How could you?!”

Also, what’s with that appearance?

His clothes were ragged, as if he’d been adrift for days, and his idol-like face was dripping with dirty water.

“Why did you throw me on an abandoned island?! Do you know how hard it is to swim back to shore?!”

Sword Demon just clicked his tongue. “Tsk. Yeah, I should’ve just killed you instead! A foreign soil suits you much better than an abandoned island!”

...So he really was adrift for days.

Crush!

Gritting his teeth hard, Shin Yoo unsheathed the twin swords at his waist. The 50 cm long blue and red swords each had a Taeguk motif engraved on them.

“Even if we’re friends, this is just unforgivable! I’ll beat you up, Kang Geom!” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Go ahead. I’ll show you the might of the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Sword properly this time around.”

Finding it absurd, Sword Demon unsheathed his iron club from his back. The students cheered at the sight. Understandable, since fights were fun to watch. Besides, where else would they get the chance to witness S-rank Hunters in combat?

Regardless, I wasn’t interested. I didn’t want a repeat of when Shin Yoo attacked me while the side effects of the Malevolent God title still lingered.

Actually, I’d rather not use any of my divine powers. I wanted to sneak out of this place if possible, especially when Sung Mi-Na, who’d stopped Shin Yoo before, wasn’t around. She was in rehabilitation at the mental hospital with Sung Mi-Ri today. I just wanted to avoid shit, okay?

Growl!

Suddenly, I heard the loud growl of someone’s stomach. Lilith, perched on my head, shyly clutched her stomach with both hands.

Uhm, Ko Myeong-Ji’s grandmother? You just had rice cakes before, yet you’re hungry already? Your stomach’s amazing. All of that evolution must’ve gone there.

Growl!

As if resonating with Lilith’s stomach, my stomach growled soon after. Seems like it was time for some food.

“Ko Myeong-Ji...no, Ms. Lilith. Shall we head out for lunch then?”

“Kya, kya!” Lilith nodded excitedly.

I turned around, heading for the cafeteria, when Ko Myeong-Ji grabbed my arm urgently.

“M-Mister! Shouldn’t you stop them first?”

“Meh. It’s just a fight between friends. Why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“Kya! Kya!” Lilith tugged at Ko Myeong-Ji’s hand, as if inviting her.

The charm of a pleading, wing-flapping little angel conquered Ko Myeong-Ji's heart.

“Hehe, should I?”

Thus, Ko Myeong-Ji joined us with a giggle.

***

The cafeteria was quiet as most students had run off to watch the S-rank Hunter fight between Shin Yoo and Sword Demon.

“Wow!” I exclaimed at the hot stone pot placed before me.

The menu for today was Ginseng Chicken. The quality of the meat was better than anything in the market. The volume and the clearness of the broth were also on the next level! Clearly, accepting the temporary teaching position at the Hunter Academy was the best decision I’d ever made in my entire life!

“Ugh, I don’t like Ginseng Chicken.” Ko Myeong-Ji grumbled while tearing the chicken skin with chopsticks.

She’s still too young to recognize the awesomeness of this dish!

“Nyam nyam! Chew chew!”

Meanwhile, fitting for her age, Lilith was enjoying the dish. She inhaled a chicken leg so hard, it almost shattered.

“Time to eat.” I picked up my cutlery, ready to dig in.

First, I’d sip a few spoonfuls of the clear, light broth. Then, I’d dip the chicken leg in salt, tearing it piece by piece. After that, I’d dip the shredded meat into the broth. Lastly, I’d top it off with ripe radish kimchi and eat it with rice.

Such was my perfect plan, but...

Baaaam! Claaaang!

Suddenly, a black figure crashed through the ceiling, smashing our table

“Keugh, Shin Yoo, you...!”

“Eek! Mr. Sword Demon!”

Yes, the one who fell on our table was Sword Demon.

Swoosh! Clash!

“Just surrender, Kang Geom! You’re no match for me!” Shin Yoo yelled as he leaped down from above.

And that’s the guy who made the hole in the ceiling.

“Ah! You’re that self-proclaimed Sword God!” Shin Yoo’s eyes turned ablaze after spotting me. “Just in time, we also have unfinished business.”

Then, he pointed his sword at me. “Sword God! I challenge you to a duel!”

Instead of answering, I put down the stone pot that landed on my head.

“Hnggg.”

Lilith sorrowfully gazed at her chicken leg, which rolled on the ground. I deeply sympathized with her.

Sss—

I grabbed some chopsticks on the floor, holding them in each hand. My opponent had twin swords, after all. Then, I pointed them at Shin Yoo.

“Huh? What are you doing? Are you trying to fight me with those...?”

“Use All-Cutting Heavenly Sword’s power, Sword Devotion.”

Tzzz!

The chopsticks in my hand burned red, emitting a thick plum scent.

Shin Yoo tensed up instantly. “I-is this the...”

I learned this technique in my dream at the Sword God Temple in All-Cutting Heavenly Sword’s territory: Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

“Prepare yourself, Shin Yoo. The grudge of Ginseng Chicken runs deep between us.”

Just defeating him wouldn’t be enough!

You fucking swordmaster! I’m going to slaughter you with my chopsticks!