On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 14: Yu Il-Shin is Bestowing Grace

Ding! Ding!

“Ugh...”

I woke up to the annoying notifications from God-Maker.

If my phone was unscathed from fire, putting it on silent sure as heck wouldn’t work. I knew it—it was no normal phone! This thing had transcended the realm of senses entirely! But I was still angry!

“Oh god, shut up! What time do you think it is?!”

It was literally 2 a.m! Clearly irritated, I groggily looked at my phone, only to see a familiar termite along with a swarm of black ants. They were prostrating themselves on the ground.

What are they doing?

As if answering my question, a message appeared on God-Maker.

[The Saintess and 101 followers pray to Yu Il-Shin.]

“Haaa.”

Had I woke up at the wrong side of the bed, I’d have ended them. How dare they disturb my sleep? But since they were praying to me, I let it go.

Sure, pray to me. I’m going back to sleep.

Ding!

[The followers wish to offer a tribute to Yu Il-Shin. Will you accept it? (Yes/No)]

A new message appeared just as I was about to lay back in bed.

“A tribute?”

Aren’t tributes usually gifted to those of high ranks? Besides, what are these ants trying to give me?

“Yes.” I said with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity.

The termite, the Saintess, then reverently held something up with both arms.

Ding!

[The tribute has been successfully delivered.]

Thud! Roll—

Something half the size of my pinky fingernail tumbled out of my phone.

“Uh, what’s this?”

I examined it. It looked similar to MyChew, which Seong-Yeon gave me occasionally when she was in a good mood. At the same time, it was soft and emitted a dark crimson light.

“Sniff sniff.”

Well, it didn’t smell weird, at least. Shall I have it appraised? Would it work?

[Berry of the World Tree]

[One of the seven berries which the world tree, Yggdrasil, left in this world.]

Oh, it worked!

“Berry of the World Tree? Sounds genuine.”

But the special note...

[Special note: Increases stamina.]

Nyam!

I popped the berry into my mouth without hesitation.

“Cough!”

The sudden onslaught of sensations on my tongue made me squirm. It was bitter, spicy, salty—a novelty taste in its own right.

Ugh, what kind of berry is this?

[The Saintess and 101 followers are looking forward to seeing Yu Il-Shin’s reaction.]

The screen showed the ants clasping their front legs, looking at me.

Gulp!

Even though I wanted to spit it out right away, I forced myself to swallow it. Since it was good for stamina, I’d endure it.

“Phew.”

Honestly, I felt pretty much the same. I shouldn't have had such high hopes for the tribute offered by ants to begin with.

Alright, I’ll go easy on you.

“Okay, thank you,” I muttered.

The ants cheered and danced to my reaction.

Wow, they’re quite amusing. Cute too, even.

Raising an ant colony was popular back when I was younger. I didn’t really understand why I had kept ants as pets back then, but now I kind of did. As I watched with a satisfied look, a message appeared from God-Maker.

Ding!

[A new feature ‘God’s Grace’ has been activated on God-Maker.]

-----

[God’s Grace]

In exchange for tributes, Yu Il-Shin can bestow grace upon his followers. This will result in followers feeling grateful and becoming more devout.

-----

The new menu flickered. I clicked it out of curiosity and...

Ding!

[Please choose the item to be bestowed to your followers. Items from the real world will be sent to the God-Maker world.]

This message appeared. But I was only given a horrible tasting fruit...

“Hmm.” I don’t really have anything to give them. While I was conflicted over what to give them, something caught my eye.

“Well, they’re ants, so this should do, right?”

Ding!

[Yu Il-Shin bestows God's Grace.]

***

A few survivors from the black tribe expressed their dissatisfaction with the Saintess.

“Saintess, how could you offer the treasure of our tribe as tribute! Please reconsider!”

“Have you forgotten how God saved us from the imperial army?” The Saintess firmly shook her head.

“But the Berry of the World Tree has been passed down in our tribe for generations! There has to be another option!”

It was said that this world was created by the Berry of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. While the truth behind the legend remained shrouded in mystery, the fruit did hold bizarre powers.

With the fruit around, they could stay full without sustenance and be instantly healed of small wounds. The fruit was miraculous indeed.

In fact, some of the survivors only avoided the eyes of the imperial army because of the fruit. Ironically, it caused the ruthless emperor to set his sights on their tribe.

“I’ve made my decision. We’ve turned our back on God for a long time. To atone for our sins, even if just a little, we need to offer our most precious treasure.” The Saintess stood her ground.

That was how the ceremony began. Along with the 101 survivors of the black tribe, the Saintess went to the dungeon where the god dwelled. The cave writhed, making them feel as if they were in the intestines of a living beast. It even gave off an awful stench similar to sulfur.

Despite it being her second time, she still couldn’t get used to it.

The being dwelling in this dungeon, was it really a god?

Actually, this place had another name—the Devouring Dungeon. Many of those who were at their wit’s ends went to this place to seek salvation. However, none of them were ever heard from again.

Everyone else who visited the dungeon before the Saintess had perished. With such cruelty, perhaps "demon" would be a more fitting term than "god."

They finally reached the end of the dungeon—the space where the god dwelled in.

“Almighty God Yu Il-Shin, your followers earnestly pray for the honor of your lofty presence.”

Rumble—!

Their god descended upon that boundless space.

“Ugh...”

“Hyiie!”

Struck in fear, the survivors hurriedly bowed to the ground. They were appalled by the god’s appearance. Towering like a mountain, the god was enveloped in white cloth.

Only his eye was revealed, shining ominously. No one dared to make eye contact with the god.

“Almighty God Yu Il-Shin, this is our tribe’s most cherished treasure. We offer this to you in exchange for your protection.” The Saintess then raised the Berry of the World Tree into the air.

Sss—

The fruit vanished, only to reappear in god’s hands. The god looked at it for a while, then opened his abyssal mouth without hesitation.

Gulp!

“Aah! Did he just...?!”

Just like that, their tribe’s most priceless treasure was gone. The survivors fell into despair.

Although the 100,000-strong imperial army was wiped out, the empire still stood. Compared to the empire’s true prowess, the force that invaded them was just the tip of the iceberg. Hence why the remnant of the black tribe needed the treasure.

On the other hand, the god trembled all over as if he was shocked with electricity, and his heavy lips parted slightly.

-Okay, thank you.

The Saintess and survivors were thrilled momentarily. Unlike his horrifying appearance, the god’s voice was benevolent and warm. He reached out to the ants.

Ding!

[God Yu Il-Shin bestows grace upon you.]

Srrr, srrr—

Suddenly, white powder fell from the sky like snow. It was as beautiful as a gem, and had a sweet scent they’d never encountered before. Unable to contain their curiosity, a few survivors tried tasting the powder.

“N-no way!”

“How is this possible!”

They shuddered all over. It had an otherworldly sweetness that no honey in this world could compare to! But that wasn’t all.

“Ooh! I feel energized!”

“Gasp! My arm that was bitten off by the red soldiers has regenerated!”

Having been starving for a while, their malnourished bodies were revitalized, rapidly recovering energy. Not only that, those who had their limbs torn off began regrowing new ones.

That was a miracle in itself. Just as everyone was shocked at this new change, the Saintess remained calm, expecting no less from the god.

“Look, everyone. This is our mighty god, Yu Il-Shin.”

Before the god, she humbly dropped to her knees, tears rolling down her face.

The survivors joined her as they cried from the bottom of their hearts, which were now brimming with envy and deep faith instead of fear.

“Aah, our great and merciful god, Yu Il-Shin!”

***

Ding!

[Congratulations. You have gained 101 true followers.]

[Yu Il-Shin has gained 101 faith.]

[Current faith accumulated: 1,101]

Ding!

[You have been rewarded 10,100 White Gcoins for the faith gained.]

[1 faith converts into 100 Gcoins.]

Along with the notifications, a dazzling white coin dropped out from my phone.

What I gave to the ants was a pack of sugar. I had it with me because I like having my coffee sweet.

“Hmm, to think they went crazy over just a pinch of sugar.”

Even their faith in me increased, resulting in white Godcoins.

It fell relatively short compared to back when I received 100,000 White Godcoins. Nevertheless, in terms of dark Godcoins, it was equivalent to me crushing 10,100 ants.

So, a decent investment, I guess. For just a pack of sugar, too.

“Ants definitely love sugar.”

I recalled how I would sprinkle sugar for my ants whenever I felt bored. That was where the idea came from and the result was quite satisfactory.

Poke, poke.

“Ugh, why do I feel itchy all of a sudden?”

Scratch, scratch.

I began itching like crazy, scratching all over. It felt like bugs were crawling all over my body.

Ugh, was the berry I ate earlier poisonous?

Is this how those ants repay my kindness? I even gave them sugar!

Going crazy from the itch, I was about to step out to seek help. Just then, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror on the wall.

I had scratched myself so much that a part of the bandages on my face had fallen off.

“H-huh?” Something surprising had happened.

Srr, srrr—

I took off the bandages on my body.

“A-all my injuries are gone?”

Not only were the burns I had suffered from the fire healed, but my skin was now as soft as a baby's.