A horrible smell. I rubbed my nose.

This guy... Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t even brush his teeth properly.

I let out a sigh. Still, I had been waiting for this day.

It wasn't for nothing that I had trained so diligently!

[Jahad Balton] [Level: 47]

[Race: ???] [Class: ???]

[Class-Specific Skills]

Love of the Sun God: Sun God-related skills grow rapidly.

Grace of the Sun God: Divine power is rapidly restored.

Blessing of the Sun God: Sun God’s artifacts can be used without risk.

Prayer of the Sun God: Immune to mental corruption.

[Class-Specific Skills]

Love of the Serpent God: Serpent God-related skills grow rapidly.

Grace of the Serpent God: Divine power is rapidly restored.

Blessing of the Serpent God: Serpent God’s artifacts can be used without risk.

Prayer of the Serpent God: Immune to status ailments.

[Apostle]

Mixed Stigmata (A): Repels all curses. Can bestow stigmata on others. The subordinate priests can become mixed, and parts of their bodies may become twisted. (5/20)

Mixed Divinity (A): Two divine powers have been mixed. The method of use has become more complex and is undetectable by standard divine power detectors.

Healing (B): Capable of both healing and combat simultaneously. This is commonly referred to as the 'Immortal's Fight.'

Blessing (B): Significantly increases resistance to status ailments and maintains composure, except in special situations. Physical abilities are greatly enhanced, and divine power temporarily surges.

[Cult of Ra]

Holy Fire (B): Creates a sacred flame. It purifies evil and can partially burn the unburnable. The size and limits of the flame are proportional to divine power.

Prayer of Fire (C): By praying, body temperature is maintained for a certain period. Physical capabilities are enhanced.

Holy Water Creation (C): Imbues water with divine power. Activates the body's healing abilities and increases resistance to magic.

Holy Wall (B): Can block certain areas. Applies a thin layer on the skin, enveloping it in fire. Provides strength equivalent to armor and neutralizes impacts below a certain threshold.

Whisper of Fire (B): Enhances weapon performance. Flames settle, and it can be applied to others' weapons. It grants resistance to magic.- Purification (C): Expels curses and purifies contamination.

Sword of Condemnation (B): Derived from the basic swordsmanship "Song of Fire" of the Sun God Religion. Unnecessary aspects have been minimized, and the Inquisitor's sword has long been famous for its lack of mercy.

Crown of Ashes (EX): Offers tribute to enhance the grade of skills related to the Sun God.

[Cult of Naga]

Spirit Shadow (C): Creates a silent shadow. It blends into the darkness and can move without making a sound.

Prayer of Scales (C): Through prayer, presence disappears temporarily. Physical abilities are enhanced.

Poison Generation (C): Can produce poison within the body that causes stomach pain.

Whisper of the Serpent (C): The appearance of objects partially blends into the darkness. It allows for the concealment of an object, applicable only to things being held.

Erosion (C): Seeps into the mind, implanting suggestions into others' thoughts.

Black Scales (B): Derived from the basic swordsmanship "Song of Shadows" of the Snake Cult. Unnecessary aspects have been minimized, and those who master the sword are known for living in darkness.

[Common Skills]

Meat Cooking (C): Grills meat deliciously.

Seafood Recipe (B): Makes even seafood that can't be cooked taste delicious.

Uh-oh.

At this rate, later on, oh, it might become impossible to read everything!

I casually brushed away the sticky crab shell. As the stench became stronger, the cracks beneath my feet also started to increase.

Suddenly.

Crash.

"What, what's happening?!"

"This is insane?!"

"We're falling! Get a grip!"

The terrain began collapsing rapidly. From far below, a sound reached our ears.

The sound of something crunching, as if being finely chewed.

"Remember this is what we wanted!!!!!!"

I shouted loudly, taking charge of those who were panicking.

"There are giant teeth beneath the cracks! Be careful not to get chewed!"

"What, how?!"

"Wait until it closes once, then jump in when it opens wide again! If you mistime it, you'll get crushed, so be careful!"

With a groaning sound, the terrain shook violently once more. The fissure widened significantly. The ground split completely open, revealing the enormous mouth below.

"We go on the count of three!"

"O, okay!"

With a clatter, the ground sagged once more. The stench intensified. A nauseating, foul odor wafted up.

The ground completely collapsed. Damn it.

Isn't this too fast?

"One, two, three, jump!"

"Count more slowly!!!"

We fell simultaneously. The less experienced Snake Cult followers were quickly taken care of by the Inquisitors and the Snake Cult Paladins.

Falling.

I plummeted endlessly into the darkness. A stench was pressing in on me, and I could hear faint, sticky noises. Sensing the undulating walls of flesh around me, I realized where I had returned.

"...Ha ha!"

For some reason, I burst out laughing. This bastard. It's been a long time!

Seeing it like this feels new! I never thought I'd get another chance to mess with it!

And to see it in such vivid detail!

"I'll crush you!"

My heart swelled with an unbearable sense of joy.

Falling into an unknown realm.

It's an event no gamer could ever resist!

Inquisitor Dimona quickly shifted her focus. She observed the entire ground shaking with immense force.

The ice cliff was collapsing. The once lofty cliffs, which should have retained some form, were completely sinking.

This felt like a disaster beyond human intervention. Only the notable powerhouses of the continent... At the very least, perhaps the Pope of the Sun God Religion could handle it alone.

Snow from the crumbling snowy mountain cascaded down like a waterfall. It continued to fall relentlessly, without end.

In the midst of the blinding snowfall that completely obscured the view, the Inquisitors urgently shouted.

"Order!"

"Be quiet!"

‘What should I do? Radatok might be in there. I rushed over, pushing everything else aside...

What next?

Should I really dive into that hell?’

Dimona hesitated. If she were alone, or if only the Inquisitors of the Sun God Religion were here, she might have jumped in immediately.

But there was one unwelcome guest here. Those cursed followers of the Snake Cult.

They, too, were here, witnessing the natural calamity, unsure of what to do.

"Inquisitor!"

"I told you to keep quiet!"

‘Why are they here?

Is there someone they need to save, or are they the ones responsible for this?’

Dimona leaned toward the former. If it were the latter, they wouldn’t need to be here.

Would they go out of their way to leave evidence proving it was their own doing?

With such a force?

That couldn't be. Dimona knew it. The Snake Cult may be evil, but they're not fools.

The reason they've ventured into this easily swept-away place must be because there's someone in there they can't afford to lose either.

"...Damn it."

Radatok is in there. A senior colleague, almost like family, and a comrade they cannot lose.

However, that didn’t mean she could turn her back. Turning around could invite an attack from them at any moment.

If that happened, things would spiral into the worst-case scenario. They might even lose all the forces they brought with them.

Would they risk everyone to save one?

Or would they stand by and simply watch?

The two forces faced off. The two cults that came to rescue were warily eyeing each other as they silently watched the collapsing snowy mountain.

All without knowing what was happening inside.

"What the hell?!"

"Why, why are there so many?!"

"What, what is all this?!"

The Inquisitors and Paladins of the Snake Cult gasped in shock.

I tore apart the giant silkworm in front of me.

Normally, I would just laugh and crush it underfoot to burst it. But unfortunately, that wasn't possible today.

You can't kill a giant silkworm dripping with flesh-melting fluid just by stomping on it!

"Use the crab shells as shields! They don't dissolve!"

The core of the Subjugation Battle is one thing.

Somehow surpass the parasite horde and reach the center.

The only good news was that there were rest stops along the way.

The bad news was that the stretches between them were long and treacherous.

Even for me, who had encountered this situation a few times before, the sheer numbers were overwhelming. Despair settled in the eyes of the Inquisitors and the Snake Cult Paladins.

The first one to drop their sword was a follower of the Serpent God. Their eyes, trembling violently, lost focus.

"Oh, it's a demon... I must have walked into hell... at this rate, we'll all die..."

The giant silkworm attacked him.

In the next moment, only thick red blood remained, congealing on the ground.

Damn it. That's a brutal way to die.

As one gave up, more and more people began to surrender. The elite forces remained, but the weakest among them started dropping their weapons.

"Oh... the end of the world is coming..."

"We’re all going to die... There’s no way out..."

"Oh God... why are you abandoning me..."

Their numbers decreased rapidly. Having just the elite forces would suffice, but the dropping morale was a problem.

We couldn’t let it lead to mental corruption. I used a crab shell as a foothold and jumped high.

Though it might reduce my reserves, the key to this subjugation battle was keeping as many shield-bearers alive as possible!

"Oh God!!"

[Holy Fire (B) is activated.]

[The sacred flames engulf the surroundings.]

[Purification (C) is activated.]

[You forcefully expel the surrounding digestive fluids.]

[Sword of Condemnation (B) gleams.]

[The impure start to burn.]

With the sun contained within me, I swung the sword. In an instant, a brilliantly shining flame enveloped my surroundings.

A falling meteor. A burning star.

Divinity descended upon the writhing flesh walls of the monster.

Boom!

"Screeeeech!"

"Groooaan!"

The parasites, bombarded by the holy fire, all exploded simultaneously. The escaping air from their swollen bodies created a sound akin to screams, echoing everywhere.

Everywhere my feet touched was ablaze. Despite the substantial drain of holy energy, I remained standing.

One step.

And then another.

I swung the sword. Sparks flew. I purposely magnified the Holy Fire that engulfed my entire body.

Every place my eyes touched was enveloped in flames. The parasites caught within were roasted alive.

This was a performance only I could perform, thanks to my rapidly regenerating holy power. It was a miracle made possible by the time I had accumulated.

Amidst the swirling flames, the Inquisitors whispered. With eyes wide open, they witnessed the unmistakable revival of a miracle.

"...Ra's...return."

"How...can just an Apprentice Priest...create such flames..."

"My god...this is...unbelievable..."

Radatok stuttered, never having wavered before, but now I could feel his calm eyes intently watching my back.

"...Oh God. Was your whisper truly meant for him..."

I straightened my back. I wanted to pant immediately from the exertion, but I held back with effort.

Damn it! After showing such a performance, if I think about giving up, I'm done for!

"Ra watches over me!"

I gritted my teeth within the holy flames.

"It's a holy war! Drive out these filthy demons!"

"Ahhhh!!"

"Holy war! Holy war!"

"Ra desires a holy war!"

"For Ra!"

"For Ra!"

"Inquisitor Pelsys pledges loyalty to you!"

"Inquisitor Abel pledges loyalty to you!"

"Inquisitor..,"

"Inquisitor..."

Amidst the overwhelming accolades, Radatok muttered one last time. He gripped the sword in his hand with fierce strength.

"Inquisitor Radatok..."

As the flames that were about to die down flared up once more.

"I will follow you."

The Snake Cult followers stared at me blankly. Then, they slowly began to pick up their dropped weapons.

The Snake Cult Paladins looked at me. Their eyes widened as if witnessing the impossible, and they moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Inquisitors.

Paladin Isabella murmured.

"...If this isn't the will of the gods, then what could it be?"

Covered in the creature's fluids, Isabella's sword was held diagonally across her arm, her eyes glinting fiercely.

"Paladin Isabella. For a moment, I will follow the Sun God Religion."

"The Leader has spoken!"

"Everyone, raise your swords!"

"Expel these filthy demon bastards from the earth!"

"It's a holy war!"

"Followers, raise your swords!"

"For Naga!"

"For Naga!"

Both sects shouted in unison.

"The holy war calls us!!!!!"

I spat. Yeah. Damn it.

"It’s a holy war, you bastards."

I grinned at the swarming parasites.

"Shout that they're all dead."

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