On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons-Chapter 238: #World Before Its End (2)

Johan. He was the very same God of Destroyer’s apostle whom I’d defeated in the past. Afterward, he was killed by Sung Mi-Na, who harbored a grudge against Despair Dragon. He was undeniably a villain, but I knew it hadn’t been by choice.

Forced to sacrifice his family and beloved to God of Destroyer, he eventually turned to a life of evil. In a way, he was also a victim—a pawn of God of Destroyer. However, I had never once imagined that I’d be able to meet him in Antrinia. By pure chance, I had found out that he’d been reincarnated as an insect-human.

As Anty declared the establishment of the Holy Empire of Gayami, refugees oppressed by the iron-blooded empire flocked to the capital. Cheon Sa-Ho volunteered and was assigned to look after the orphans. However, probably due to the huge influx of refugees, the temporary shelter that had been housing the orphans and some patients collapsed.

“N-no! Please save the children!”

Johan and the nearby soldiers hurriedly assembled a rescue team, but the weak survivors were hanging by a thread.

“Hoho, Ms. Nightmare. Those at the garden said they paid a hefty sum for this special food. Please eat this and grow up quick—huh?”

I was tending to the black rose when I heard Cheon Sa-Ho’s cries. He carried a dying child in his arms, desperately begging for my attention.

-Aah, please, God! Please save these pitiful children!

I quickly launched God-Maker and healed the dying children. “Healing Ring Finger of God!”

“T-thank you! Waaah! Lord Yu Il-Shin, how merciful you are...”

Huge droplets of tears rolled down Cheon Sa-Ho’s face as he prayed fervently.

This wasn’t my first time seeing Cheon Sa-Ho. He was among the early batches of refugees, and his sincere faith made me bestow a name upon him. But now, I could see something else in his appraisal window. Was it because I’d become a High-tier god?

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

-----

[Cheon Sa-Ho, God of Destroyer's Former Apostle]

A male insect-human. Around for 29 years.

Special note: His fate was turned upside down by God of Destroyer. Has been reincarnated as an insect-human in the 10th-rank world Antrinia due to God Yu Il-Shin’s power.

-----

“Jo...han?”

“Huh?!” The poor guy quickly turned pale. Thinking that the time had come, he slammed his head against the ground. “P-please kill me...”

I calmed him down and then listened to his story.

Apparently, he was reincarnated in Antrinia right after Sung Mi-Na had killed him. Though faint at first, his memories of his past life gradually became clearer as he joined the Gayami Nation and followed the teachings of Yu Il-Shinism.

“I was flustered at first, but I thought this could be a chance for me to atone for my sins as God of Destroyer’s apostle. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you my real identity...”

I pondered on his words for a few moments.

According to the special note, he reincarnated because of me, but I had no recollection of doing that. I could only assume it was because Johan had become my fanatic before his death. Did that mean my fanatics would reincarnate in Antrinia if they died? Well, not like I could test it out by killing them...

Anyway, I calmed the trembling Johan and asked him to live properly and keep doing good deeds. He cried even more as he made a vow to me, and the rest was history.

“Have you descended, Lord Yu Il-Shin?”

“Yes. Hello, Johan,” I replied.

Johan gave me a complicated look before shaking his head. “Please call me Cheon Sa-Ho instead.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want. Alright, Cheon Sa-Ho. Why are you looking for me? There doesn’t seem to be anything urgent.”

Johan—no, Cheon Sa-Ho went on his knees. In a serious tone, he said, “I can't use my powers anymore, but perhaps because I used to be God of Destroyer’s apostle, I can still sense a faint omen. I even had a bizarre dream recently.”

“What dream?”

His face turned pale as he answered, “It was a dream where God of Destroyer descended on Earth. Are there no ominous signs on Earth?”

***

“Nuh-uh, nothing’s out of the ordinary.”

The beautiful blue Earth was right beneath my feet—yes, I was now in Earth’s atmosphere. After listening to Johan, I came over to check the situation just to be safe, but I didn't find any major issues. I even used Blind Eyes of God to scan the globe. Aside from a few minor disputes and accidents, it was generally peaceful.

“Crushing Forefinger of God, Healing Ring Finger of God, Proliferating Thumb of God.”

Still, I couldn't just ignore them now that I had seen them. I healed the injured, stopped natural disasters, and gave a firm warning to those who were waging war.

“Yu Il-Shin says, ‘Protect Earth.’”

Tzzz!

I also further strengthened the barrier around Earth.

[Infinite Abundance proudly says that you’re now a respectable god.]

“Hehe, really?” I shyly scratched my head. “Abundance noonim, have you seen any sign of God of Destroyer coming to Earth?”

[Infinite Abundance says that originally, God of Destroyer's fragmented alter ego from Heavenly Sword was supposed to descend three months from now in Earth time. However, it can't break through your High-tier god barrier, so you can rest easy for now.]

Her reassurance made me feel much more at ease.

Ding ding!

Just then, God-Maker chimed, delivering a message from the Great Cosmic Empire.

Director Fil: Lord Yu Il-Shin! When are we going to film the third installment of Space God III: Temple of War God?!

He hadn’t given up yet?

“Hey, I told you, we’ll have to wait a thousand years for that.”

-That’s too long! Everyone would be space dust by then! Don’t you know that ships have to advance when the cosmic winds are blowing?! Go challenge War God right now!

Ignoring Director Fil-what’s-his-name’s bullshit, I turned off God-Maker. I had to at least become a Top-tier god to challenge War God, but that seemed to be outside God-Maker’s domain since no promotion quest appeared. Perhaps, just like War God had said, I had to train for a hundred thousand years more or so.

At that moment, I noticed how much time had passed.

“Huh?! When did it get this late?! Skill Sharing, Choi Bong-Shik’s Ruler of Space!” I quickly teleported to my appointment.

Swoosh!

I arrived at the rooftop of a building named Raker Library in Gangnam, Seoul. My editor-in-charge waited nervously for me while looking at his watch. Naturally, he was shocked when I suddenly appeared in front of him.

“Aaah! You almost scared me to death!”

I stared suspiciously at his protruding belly. “Whose kid is that?”

“This isn’t the time for stupid jokes! Aigoo, what are you wearing? Why would you wear a training suit for this occasion?! Don’t you have any suits?!”

“Well, Mi-Ri did buy one for me, but I feel like I’d break out in hives. Also, like you said, I’m just a stand-in. There’s not going to be many people there, anyway.”

“Are you not going to do it, then?”

“You can call me Stand-in Specialist Writer Yu Il-Shin.”

“Haa, you’re going to be the death of me... Put this on at least!” He draped a jacket over my pink training suit.

“Run, run!” He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to a table prepared in advance, sitting me down like a nail. On the wall behind me was a small banner.

God-Gamer God-Writer! Book Signing Event by Writer Yu Il-Shin, a genius who debuted at 10!

“Don’t be nervous just because this is your first event! Just be yourself!”

“Okay.”

Today marked the release of my paperback edition. Originally, another author was scheduled to do the book signing today, but they had an emergency at home, so I was arranged as a last-minute stand-in.

As my editor mentioned, it was my first event, but I wasn’t too nervous. Hardly anyone would come to a signing of a third-rate writer, anyway. Normally, a writer like me wouldn’t even get the chance to be a stand-in, so something must be going on behind the scenes.

“Huh? Mi-Ri did say there’s a new book releasing, but I didn’t know you were the writer.”

“Geez, how could you not know my job?! I’m disappointed in you, Mi-Na noona!”

Sung Mi-Na pursed her lips in embarrassment at my disappointed look, then asked which publishing company I belonged to. The very next day, ten thousand copies of my book were pre-ordered. In today’s market, that amount would automatically turn me into a best-selling author!

Well, it didn’t matter; my booth was still empty.

Ah, what a beautiful day.

The crisp autumn sunlight streamed down the glass ceiling, warming my booth. My eyes involuntarily fluttered shut at the pleasant temperature.

Ding!

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

I could still see even though my eyes were closed.

Baaaam!

Yi-Shin and Il-Ho were undergoing spartan training without rest.

“Kekeke! Incredible, Other God Yu Il-Shin! You’ve finally surpassed me!”

“Hmph. My goal is to fight War God! That darn old man! I’ll make him regret giving me time!”

Meanwhile, my cute niece and Sam-Shin were out on a dessert tour at a famous cafe.

“Waaaah! Uncle Sam-Shin, this is so yummy! Try it~ Aaah~”

“Des...troy!”

Seong-Yeon happily fed Sam-Shin a dacquoise, and Jeanne Lehman watched them happily.

“Gosh, Unni! Hurry up! We’re going to be late for Mr. Yu’s book signing event!”

“Wait! I’m almost done!”

Sung Mi-Na was struggling into her suit like she was dressing for a family gathering. Sung Mi-Ri fidgeted while holding a copy of my newly released book.

I also observed Sword Demon and Shin Yoo, who were practicing under Demon Lord’s tutelage; Choi Bong-Shik, who was grinning ear to ear while being surrounded with beauties; and Allohym, who was smiling brightly while taking a photo with a penguin mascot.

I saw it all—the world I loved, my followers, and every human on Earth.

Ah, what a great day.

It felt like the perfect ending to a third-rate fantasy novel—one that would close with the line, “and they lived happily ever after.”

“Hello, Writer Yu Il-Shin,” a female greeted me, her voice sending a chill down my spine. My eyes flung open.

“We meet again.”

A heavily pregnant woman stood before me, wearing a dress that would’ve been pure white had it not been stained with blood.