On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 50: Easier on the Brain if Muscles are Great!

Towering walls surrounded the city of the Gayami tribe. Yu Il-Shin personally built it to be unbreachable by imperial troops, ensuring the safety of his vulnerable followers.

Yet, those walls were powerless against the catastrophic disaster that had befallen them.

Sprinkle sprinkle.

Countless white flakes fell from the sky, as mesmerizing as the first snow. Little did they know, it was raining deadly poison.

Those who inhaled it vomited blood and collapsed to the ground. At the root of it all was a handsome yet cruel man flying in the clear blue sky.

He was the Poison Sword Buttor, one of the Ten Swords of the Empire. His prowess as a one-man army was acknowledged even by the emperor. Once, the emperor even offered Buttor the title of duke, only for him to refuse. His reason was that he preferred to serve his goddess, Arachne, instead.

-Unfathomable. You’re a powerful man, capable of annihilating an entire nation. And yet, you want to serve a mere woman? What is your motive? Need I remind you that she’s still my lady? You dare lay your hands on what’s mine?

Flicker!

The emperor’s outstretched hand appeared from beneath the veil, and a fierce flame was roaring on it. One wrong move, and Buttor would be reduced to ashes. Nevertheless, he was undaunted. He spread his resplendent wings and said, “It isn’t wanton lust that I harbor for her, Your Majesty. As long as I can be by her side and protect her happiness, I need nothing more.”

-Haha! You have quite a silver tongue. But, I don’t believe in love.

“Then, how about this?”

Slash! Plop!

-Buttor, you—?

To the emperor’s surprise, Buttor cut off his own manhood.

“Haa... haa!” with a pale face, he looked up at the emperor, still bleeding down below. “Will you... believe my intentions with this? Your Majesty the Iron-blooded Demigod.”

-Bwahahaha! Ahahaha!

Laughing like a hungry tiger, the emperor’s shoulders shook violently.

-Interesting. All right, you’ve shown your determination. Have it your way, Buttor.

“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”

Flutter flutter!

Sprinkling poisonous powder, Buttor looked down at the ground.

“Die an excruciating death, lowly barbarians of that vile malevolent god! That’s the only way to lessen your sin for disturbing my beloved!”

“Shoot! Shoot him!”

The Gayami soldiers shot arrows at Buttor, but none came anywhere near him.

“Cough! Cough!”

“Bleeergh!”

Instead, they were poisoned by Buttor, and collapsed one by one.

“Everyone, hide in the buildings! Do not inhale the poison powder!” Anty shouted as she dragged the fallen Gayami people to shelter. “Mr. Il-Ho! You should get inside too!”

Yet, Il-Ho didn’t listen and just stood there.

It’s happening again!

Il-Ho’s shoulders trembled.

“Kyaaak!”

“Huff! Huff! S-save me...”

“Aaargh!”

His comrades were dying from the poison. It reminded him of those slaughtered by the imperial army back when he was just a puny warrior. He didn’t want to go through that again. He didn’t want to be helpless anymore. Hence, he challenged the Tower of Warriors.

“No! No one will ever take my comrades from me again!” Il-Ho’s gaze seared with determination. He roared at Buttor, who was flying in the air. “How spineless! If you’re a man, get down here! Fight me fair and square!”

Buttor looked at Il-Ho, snorting, “Hmph, ridiculous barbarian.”

Why should a high-born like him fight one-on-one against a filthy barbarian? Still, he had to admit that Il-Ho was holding pretty well against his poison.

“But...”

Sprinkle sprinkle!

Partially folding his outstretched wings, Buttor focused his poison powder on Il-Ho.

“Barbarian, how long do you think you’ll last?”

Swaaaa!

The once light snowfall grew heavier, piling on Il-Ho.

Thud!

Il-Ho fell to his knees. Black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he clenched his jaw. Even his steel-like body couldn’t withstand Buttor’s lethal poison.

“Uuurk! You coward!”

“Not cowardice, but a strategy, you dunce. Shut up and die.” Buttor mocked, showering more poison. “Hmph, there’s no way a barbaric oaf will survive this much poison. Now, shall I take care of the rest?”

Buttor scanned the city like an eagle hunting its prey. He could see other barbarians crammed in buildings, like turtles hiding in their shells.

“Do you think that will save you?”

He could manipulate his powder at will. Besides, he could easily poison them through the cracks in the buildings.

“Fine. Keep on hiding. I’ll see that it becomes your final resting pla...”

Shiver!

Chills went down Buttor's spine.

“Muuuscles!”

“Gasp!”

Instinctively, Buttor stepped to the side.

Slaaash!

A sharp spear sliced through the air, grazing Buttor’s cheek in an instant!

Trickle—

A slit marred his sculpted face, trickling with blood. Buttor looked down at the ground in horror.

“Aargh! Huff!”

Il-Ho staggered out of the fog of poison. Such a horrifying sight it was! His body was festering from the poison. His eyes were glazed over; oozing black, putrid blood.

“Spineless bastard! Show yourself! Fight me to death!”

In spite of that, Il-Ho’s fighting spirit was unwavering. He was akin to a ravenous beast, ready to pounce on and shred his enemy anytime.

“So persistent. As expected of the servant of that wretched malevolent god.”

Flap flap!

Buttor flapped his wings and ascended to a higher altitude. He wasn’t afraid of the dying and blinded Il-Ho, but just in case.

As the sound of Buttor’s wings grew faint, Il-Ho fell into despair.

O’ Almighty God Yu Il-Shin! Please enlighten me! How can I defeat this craven enemy and protect my people?!

Il-Ho made a desperate plea. However, his god was currently engaged in a battle against a terrifying evil god, preventing him from responding immediately.

Was it out of desperation? All of the sudden, he recalled the words Yu Il-Shin had said in passing. It was during the time when he, wholly unprepared and ignorant, had challenged the Towers of Warrior.

-Il-Ho, when I see you, I’m reminded of these words.

“Oh, what are they?”

Il-Ho knelt down modestly, his eyes sparkled as he waited.

Yu Il-Shin spoke.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed on the ground. Keeping his guard up, Buttor scanned the ground.

“What’s that...?”

He saw a huge boulder which was comparable to a small hill.

Shouldering the boulder, Il-Ho turned toward the sky and shouted blindly, “Brace yourself, coward!”

“Huh?”

Buttor was dumbfounded. Was that barbarian trying to throw that at him?

As if a boulder that massive could affect Buttor’s current attitude. Even if it could, only a snail would be unable to avoid it.

“God Yu Il-Shin said it! It’d be easier on the brain if my muscles are great! Hyaaaa—!” Il-Ho yelled.

Booom!

Il-Ho threw the boulder into the air. Sure enough, the boulder didn’t even reach a tenth of his altitude before crashing back to the ground.

“What an imbecile.”

Just as Buttor was mocking Il-Ho...

“Muuuuscleees—!”

Il-Ho’s muscles bulged as if they were about to explode, especially in his right arm. Then, he unleashed a ferocious combination of Blessing of Fire and Blessing of Wind into the air.

“W-what?”

With an ominous feeling, Buttor fluttered his wings, flying higher, but...

Bam bam bam!

Il-Ho’s fist reduced the falling boulder into pieces in no time.

Hundreds, or even thousands of, rock shards flew toward Buttor like shotgun shells.

Swoosh!

“Ugh! This is nothing!”

Gritting his teeth, Buttor spread his wings wide, evading them with the nimblest of moves. It was a marveling sight, like a dancer spinning in the air. Thinking that was the last of them...

“...Cough!”

Buttor suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. On closer inspection, there was a tiny, easily missed hole on his chest. A shard barely the size of a fingernail had pierced his heart.

“Ahahaha! A stroke of luck... You’re lucky, barbarian. Is this a blessing from the malevolent god you serve?” Buttor laughed hysterically.

Then, while clutching his chest, Buttor flew in the opposite direction. Once again, the sound of his wings grew fainter.

“Bastaaaard! Goddamnit! Don’t run away!”

On the ground, Il-Ho threw a fuss. After exerting so much strength moments ago, his body had gone limp.

“You cowardly scoundrel!”

Buttor didn’t let that provocation stop him.

He had poisoned all the barbarians. Soon, they would be no more. Going out of his way to kill them was just unnecessary. He had fulfilled his duty.

Hence, I should rightfully return to your side. Isn’t that so, Milady? How I’ve missed you.

However, the journey to her was long, too long. His consciousness was diminishing. Did he fly too high? Unbeknownst to him, his wings were slowly being burned by the sun. Yet, Buttor smiled and flew higher—toward the sun.

“Aah, Milady. There you are. Buttor is coming to you right now.”

To Buttor, the dazzling sun looked like the enchanting smile of his goddess. Against his will, the pounding of his heart slowly faded. Which came first: his scorched wings or the cessation of his heart?

“My love... Goddess Arachne...”

Buttor plummeted to the ground.

Swoosh! Splat!

***

Back in the real world...

“Brother, I’m coming!”

“Get away from me, pervert!”

Clad in the God of Destroyer’s demonic armor, Johan charged toward me head on. I, covered with strong muscles, braced myself.

Baaaam!