Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Great Invasion (3)
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Deities of the Divine Net placed tremendous importance on order.
Whether it was to justify their actions or to distinguish themselves from the chaos-loving Outer Gods, they had established their own rules and followed them diligently, sanctioning anyone who didn't.
This applied even to those competing for control of Earth.
Under the pretext of blocking Outer God invasions, they had jointly created a proper system called the Hunter System and turned their competition into an ordered structure within it.
They were all operating inside that shared system, engaging in their rivalries.
'What a joke.'
I scoffed inwardly, thinking their so-called order was just another weapon.
In the end, all they wanted was to claim new territories and subordinates to bolster their own ranks and power.
So I planned to exploit it to the fullest. After all, I was technically part of the order they prided themselves on.
Gate Regulation Mission: Mid-tier Deity or higher may participate
Accept Mission
I accepted a quest through the Divine Community.
The Hunter System was constantly regulating the gates—dimensional portals from Outer Gods—appearing across Earth even now.
Competition was fine, but the top priority was blocking the subordinates of Nezahel, the Outer God still eyeing Earth.
The method was simple.
Deities covertly directed their subordinates to invest interference power and forcibly close the gates.
The Hunter System then rewarded the Deity with compensation proportional to the interference invested.
Figuring I could handle that much, I quickly accepted the quest before anyone else could claim it and hopped into my car.
The location wasn't far.
With my transcendent aura, just showing up would close the gate, so I figured the mission would be a breeze.
"Everyone, stay calm!"
"Monsters are spilling out from a nearby dungeon. We're handling it now, so please don't get out of your vehicles..."
But as I neared the destination, sirens suddenly blared on the gridlocked road.
A police officer had climbed onto a car with a megaphone, urgently announcing the situation to the crowd.
'Again?'
Hearing it was a dungeon break with monsters flooding into reality, I gripped the wheel and let out a small sigh.
It happened often enough, but it felt like I'd been caught in something similar not long ago.
'It's close to the target anyway.'
I parked near a building, got out, and decided to go on foot. Cutting through the mountain path would get me there quickly.
I wasn't worried about monsters.
Back when they were my hated enemies—beings I thought I could tear apart with raw strength—they were just Outer God creations and subordinates.
Now as a Deity, I could neutralize even gates ripped open by Outer Gods themselves.
Those with inferior ranks couldn't harm me.
The only way to kill a Deity was to annihilate their forces and subordinates that formed their rank.
"Ugh, it's hot."
...And one more thing to add to that list.
I fanned my face with my hand, sighing heavily at this unwanted summer hike up the deserted mountain path until I finally reached the destination.
Mission Complete: Points Awarded
Just approaching was enough to make the Outer God's gate vanish.
Confirming my plan had worked, I smirked as the system checked the gate closure per the mission and paid my reward.
No matter how perfectly the Deities had built their system, they never foresaw someone like me emerging on this world. Exploitable gaps were inevitable.
I planned to keep exploiting them.
"...A monster?"
That's when a chilling howl echoed across the entire mountain.
No ordinary beast could make that sound.
This eerie wail, stirring primal human fear and dredging up old memories, was unmistakably from otherworldly monsters—subordinates of the Outer God Nezahel.
I'd heard it plenty working at the Hunter company, but it was always unnerving.
"...!"
But the real issue wasn't just the howl.
As I turned to head back down to my car...
A massive monster burst from behind, charging at me while smashing trees and gouging the earth.
A Belcrol, with sleek black hide, dragging its bulk on enormous front limbs.
By the time I glanced back and flinched, the roaring Belcrol gaped its massive mouth—covering its entire face—and lunged to swallow me whole.
"No!"
Hidden behind its rhino-sized body, I caught a glimpse of someone pursuing it.
The moment the Belcrol attacked me, a woman's startled scream rang out.
"..."
In the end, the Belcrol couldn't bite me to death.
The instant it touched me, a surge of intense power backlash turned it to dust and erased it.
I'd expected it, but seeing it happen for real left me a bit stiff.
"What in the world..."
But the woman chasing the Belcrol was even more shocked.
I recognized her staring blankly between me and the pile of dust that had been the monster.
It was Ji Ye-eun, whom I'd bumped into before.
Last time, she'd been helping civilians evacuate in everyday clothes, but now she was geared up as a Hunter on duty.
"Must be one that broke out from the dungeon."
"Y-yeah. They're scattering everywhere."
"Report to command that the monster you were chasing is dead. We don't know the status elsewhere, so follow the operator's instructions."
"Are you an active Hunter?"
She brightened a little when I recited standard procedure.
Ji Ye-eun didn't recognize me from our brief past encounter. No surprise—I'd just been one of the countless civilians she'd evacuated.
"Let's say so. Not called in for this mission, though."
I nodded to dodge hassle, trying to slip away naturally.
Luckily, she seemed convinced I was a pro Hunter.
She was a young rising star, but maybe still green on experience.
"The operator says two are still alive and fled into the mountains."
"Then head to the roads with buildings and vehicles. Searching there could prevent civilian casualties."
"Got it."
It was unexpected, but advising her was easy enough.
Her face lit up as she nodded.
Back when I'd dreamed of being a Hunter and shadowed control room staff, that training came in handy now.
Though I'd ended up in desk work instead.
'Good, no drama.'
After parting with Ji Ye-eun to resume her mission, I hurried back to my car, cranked the AC, and exhaled.
I could've lied and said I was a Hunter, but I avoided it to prevent complications.
Checking the Divine Community right away, no Deity was gossiping about my identity.
As expected, they could vaguely sense general activity but not specifics like pop-up alerts unless they checked directly.
I knew that as a Deity myself—even monitoring my ant subordinates, I couldn't watch everything in real-time.
"What now?"
I murmured blankly while glancing at the screen: my ants and Seira moving to strike another target in the empire.
Other Deities couldn't imagine it, but I'd earned points by running around on foot despite being one.
There were plenty of uses for these points, usable like currency in the Divine Community.
It meant I could do proper Deity cosplay for the desperate Baek Jin-seong begging for help.
Within the system, Deities actively traded their assets, building their forces in their own ways.
With enough money—points—I could buy whatever I wanted and expand my influence on Earth.
"Huh?"
Browsing the list of Hunters Deities had put up for sale on a whim, my eyes widened.
Shockingly, among the Korean Hunters, there was a familiar face: Ji Ye-eun, whom I'd just met.
'Guess that's why she was famous as a promising cadet from the start.'
Her current company was owned by a Deity, who was offering her—ungifted so far—for a high price.
Like Countess Merlen, Seira's acquaintance saved by leaving the Goddess's service, ungifted subordinates were pricier due to easier reassignment.
'Should I invest?'
I smirked, pondering.
She fit Baek Jin-seong's plea for a high-potential prospect perfectly.
I like this girl. If she hasn't sold yet, hand her over to me.
"?"
At that moment, another Deity jumped in with a comment to the seller.
My eyes widened more at the familiar name than anything: 'Glory of the Golden Oath'.
The Goddess who'd endlessly posted on the Edelion board, claiming the Holy Kingdom as her force.
"This greedy Goddess..."
Flabbergasted, I hurriedly typed.
She'd lost to my ants on Edelion yet couldn't drop her expansion greed, setting her sights on other worlds—and now Earth.
No, don't sell to that Goddess. Give her to me.
What the...? Who do you think you are, butting in!
The Goddess fired back immediately. Even in text, her venom seeped through.
Looks like Edelion defeat left some serious trauma. Maybe take a break and recover.
How rude for a first encounter. No wonder evil god spawns are shunned.
Really? Seller seems money-focused.
I chuckled at the keyboard battle with the Goddess.
It wasn't rare. Deities acted all dignified before subordinates, but dropped the act in their private circles.
I'd learned from watching.
And picking a fight with her? I'd directly witnessed her overworking subordinates like Erianne until they crumbled—as their opponent.
We'd only exchanged words a few times, but I didn't want her dragging people like Ji Ye-eun to that fate.
Stop bickering. No sale? Back off. Will go to the highest bidder, obviously.
The seller watched our spat and ended the battle with one line.
'Trying to build a new Earth force with starting cash, huh? Can she outbid me on one person?'
I had no doubt. Worst case, I'd dump every point I'd earned here.
The Goddess beaten by my ants would lose to me here too.