Planetary Penance and the Karmic Oath

The affairs of the Spirit Realm were so vastly different from the past that the cold words left them utterly stunned. Seeing the direct subordinate Main God drive them away and devote himself solely to his own training, it truly felt as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if the world had completely changed. If they wished to voice their complaints now, the only place that might listen was the Main Divine Realm. Yet the instant they attempted to communicate, every last one of them was forcibly summoned elsewhere.

The main gate and every exit are completely sealed. I have no confidence in enduring the vitality drain of Yugyeok Volcano long enough to slip through. On top of that, their administrator god insignias had been confiscated. The vitality absorption now occurred at the exact same rate for both administrator gods and the incorporated spirit gods, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart. And the forced training ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is so brutal it makes us vomit blood.

They could not refuse. This was their original duty, and with the Main God of the Divine Realm personally overseeing it, they had no justification to protest. All they could do was pray for the swift return of the Highest Main God who had triggered this entire catastrophe.

When the administrator gods were forced into training, it was only natural that the spirit gods were dragged in alongside them. If you’ve finished recruiting, then for the love of everything just leave already.I never realized the Spirit Realm Waiting Area I loathed so much in the past was what humans call heaven. These were the desperate cries of the spirit gods whose burdens had only grown heavier under the weight of both the administrator gods and the suddenly meddlesome Main God of the Divine Realm.

Yet another earth-shaking roar rattled the Main God Temple, forcing every head to bow once more. The spirit main gods who kept challenging that terrifying Highest Main God to the bitter end, and the Highest Main God who refused to give up on beating them into reformation—both were equally vicious and stubborn.

“I-I was wrong. I’ll handle supplies and entertainment.”

“Ho? Casual speech? A mere lower main god dares speak that way to the Main God of the Divine Realm? Very well—let’s see how much more you can endure. Adding another planet.”

“Hiiiik—! I’m going to die—!”

“You absolutely will not die—! Weren’t you the Main God of the Divine Realm? Endure this with a smile on your face—!”

“I-I stepped down from that position long ago! I’ll start properly from a lower main god! S-Save me—! I was wrong! I won’t do it again! I’ll do exactly as you command!”

With only his head protruding from a planet compressed to the size of a small house, he flailed desperately to keep his body from being crushed, his face drenched in pure terror as he stared into empty space. Sure enough, another compressed planet had already been added. Enduring the mortar-like pounding that flattened him was torturous enough; now an even larger one, incomparable to the previous, was about to descend.

Past glory as the Main God of the Divine Realm be damned. Just enduring planetary-scale impacts is already making my mind go distant. If that thing lands on top, I really will die. He begged frantically, completely panicked.

It was such a pathetic sight that the other spirit realm main gods looked on with disdain, but since they all shared the same fate, there was no room for shame. Bearing two planets each on their shoulders, they had no energy left to pay attention to their surroundings.

For some inscrutable reason, spatial movement was completely blocked. With planetary-level gravity and mass now in effect, even a main god’s authority was barely enough to endure it. Moreover, the data the Highest Main God had provided about himself was simply astounding.

The current status he had submitted—formatted exactly to the resume template they had given him—was as follows.

With the supreme wide-area authority that encompassed both space and time, plus the solar authority that could incinerate gods, he was an absolute being who could amplify his divine power through magic that surpassed even 11-circle spells. They had never heard of such a thing.

The 11-circle-level transcendent magic he claims is merely 9-circle has proven, through personal experience, capable of destroying planets and killing main gods. And he can cast 160 of them simultaneously.

In other words, their own Main God of the Divine Realm—the Dimensional Lord—could simultaneously destroy 160 planets and face an equal number of ordinary main gods. With his special authority, the Origin’s Sun and Moon, allowing infinite recovery, he could wage endless battle.

If given enough time, he could destroy even a galaxy. He is an overwhelmingly powerful god who, in the old universe, would have reigned as the strongest among the highest creator gods.

Even after recovering a main god’s full divine power, facing him alone would be impossible.

Yet somehow the outside world had changed. In the current universe he was merely a highest main god, a disposable grunt, and he lamented this fact constantly. As a result, even the spirit main gods were completely cowed. Though they were being beaten like this, rebellion was not even a dream.

The once-noble main gods had been reduced to kneeling, each holding a compressed planet of “appropriate” size while receiving punishment. Easy to say, but their arms felt ready to snap and their knees seemed on the verge of shattering. Yet setting the planets down was unthinkable—the vicious threats and the additional planets hovering menacingly above made that impossible.

“Hold them properly—! Shall I add another? You haven’t even properly recovered your main god divine power yet, but you still flaunt your pride and act out, you useless lot—!”

The Highest Main God sat on a sofa, radiating fierce divine power and light. Before him, the gods stood in a line like schoolchildren, hands raised to support the planets as they endured their punishment.

We know we did wrong, but isn’t this too much? Any protest would likely result in immediate crushing, so they could only endure in silence.

What was even more suspicious was that Lokina, the arrogant Lord of the Flipside, remained completely quiet. Kurkana of the Flying Serpent Azure Heavens, who had triggered this situation by demonstrating her creative power through a rain of alcohol, deserved what she was getting. But the rest of them had done nothing yet.

You stepped forward as the representative—shouldn’t you come up with something?

Do something—!

At this rate we’re all going to die.

Despite receiving such pointed stares, Lokina ignored them completely. Her thoughts had grown far too complicated.

This Highest Main God is impossible to predict.

His personality was extremely emotional yet rational. He seemed inexperienced as the Main God of the Divine Realm, yet he always struck at the core. When dealing with other gods, he called himself a meritocrat—efficient, yet strangely wasteful in odd ways.

According to my predictions, he would get angry at such a gathering but still make some adjustments. Instead he immediately resorts to violent displays of force and outright punishment.

In the past this would have been the correct answer given his incomparable strength, but it was completely unlike the rational, cold-headed demeanor he had shown until now. Still, she had roughly figured it out.

Originally he is this impulsive and emotional, but something is restraining him. So he holds back as much as possible, yet explodes once the limit is crossed. That makes him incredibly difficult to handle.

A being with such overwhelming power who also suffered extreme emotional swings could become uncontrollable—whether as enemy or ally.

If he truly snaps and goes on a rampage, there’s no telling what he might do.

Fortunately, despite whatever restraints existed, he seemed to be trying to stay within certain bounds. Even while furious, he was still rereading the organizational chart she had provided.

“Kurkana of the Flying Serpent Azure Heavens is indeed suited for supplies and entertainment given her creative power and level of knowledge, and she herself understands this, so that matter is settled. As for the ugly-faced divine beast Hephais, her hideous face and imposing physique make her perfect as the gatekeeper of the Main God Temple and for crafting divine artifacts. That is clearly correct. So what exactly is the problem?”

“With this face, it is difficult to face the gods publicly. Besides, I am a blacksmith god, not a war god. My legs are also uncomfortable. Yet you speak of combat?”

Earlier she had complained that it was impossible to face the gods publicly with this face. When he had replied that her ugly face was more effective than most authorities for performing gatekeeper duties, she had flown into a rage. Now, however, she could say nothing. After all, with dozens of planets floating in the air ready to descend and crush them at any moment, it was terrifying.

Even though it is a main god’s body, it is a pressure I never wish to experience again.

Yet the Dimensional Lord’s next words were even more astonishing. For her, they were nothing short of a nightmare.

“An ugly face that a main god should not possess is the optimal condition for a gatekeeper who must uphold the dignity of the Main God Temple. Simply standing there would make nearly everyone tremble. The personnel selection is excellent. Therefore, while I could fix it, I will not.”

“Eh? Eeeek? You can heal it? Even the gods of healing in the past gave up, saying it was a fundamental issue. This face didn’t change even after I became a main god?”

“It would naturally be impossible for a main god, since an intermediate main god twisted your essence with full power at the moment of your birth. However, my magic was received from him. While not omnipotent, the impossible is merely a matter of time. However, duty takes precedence over healing your face. Moreover, you are not even a main god at present, so you are not under consideration at all.”

“Aaaaah!”

She fell into complete panic.

He truly is a cruel main god. It must have been her lifelong regret, yet he prioritizes the divine realm’s duties and completely ignores her—saying she is only an upper god now—burying her alive.

If he would only heal her, she would pledge absolute loyalty and soon recover to main god status, yet he showed no interest whatsoever.

For someone like me—who was cursed by everyone as wicked and cruel—to look kind by comparison says everything. But is it really acceptable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to treat her this way? From what I saw earlier, she possesses the qualities of an incredibly powerful war god and future main god. Is he bullying her out of jealousy, or am I mistaken?

Regardless of the doubts swirling around her, the words continued.

“To you, the role of blacksmith god is merely a secondary authority. Your true nature is that of a war god, and the current universe desperately needs one within the divine realm. I do not know where you learned it, but you possess the spatial suppression authority capable of binding even a creator god’s actions, as well as attack techniques that can deliver infinite strikes. Even with an upper god’s divine power, you can fully contend with an intermediate main god. Moreover, physical strength capable of destroying even an intermediate main god’s body—what tremendous talent. To possess the talent of a war god yet ignore it and stubbornly insist only on being the blacksmith god you prefer… such a waste of divine rank is unacceptable for the Main God of the Divine Realm. Especially since even with the uncomfortable legs whose essence was damaged by the intermediate main god, you are more than sufficient as a war god for the gatekeeper position of the Main God Temple.”

“S-Surely you don’t mean…?”

“That’s right. Healing your lame legs is nothing to me. But right now, there is no mercy to bestow upon a being who is not even a main god yet refuses to contribute with full strength to the divine realm. The current you, who stubbornly clings only to the blacksmith god role you desire, is perfectly suited to this treatment. As the Main God of the Divine Realm, I am only generous toward those who contribute to the divine realm.”

Kuuuung—!Udududuk—!

The ugly-faced divine beast Hephais grit her teeth and rose, lifting the planet even higher. Fierce killing intent and fighting spirit surged around her. It looked as if she would hurl the planet at the cruel Main God of the Divine Realm who was mocking her lifelong regrets and charge to subdue him.

But she knew. No matter what means she employs, she cannot win, and she cannot force the treatment. The difference in power is overwhelming.

What remained was only submission and desperate pleading. As expected, she quietly lifted the planet once more and knelt again.

“W-What you desire… is for me to completely submit and serve you for eternity? If you restore me to my original state, I will do so.”

“At first, after seeing your talent and the authority of alchemy, I considered that. But now it is different. A being who does not live with all their might will eventually ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠become a hindrance to my divine realm. What I want from you now is two things. Refine metals surpassing the materials you provided me and create divine artifacts. And as a being of equal divine rank, overcome me as a war god. If you swear to fight and serve the divine realm to the best of your ability, I will heal you.”

“W-What do you mean?”

Her face was completely confused by the unexpected proposal. The next words froze everyone present solid.

“Make a Karma Contract. In exchange for healing your face and legs, swear that you will become a war god who surpasses me and that you will improve metals and devote yourself fully to the divine realm. The duration shall last until the moment you defeat me while possessing the same divine rank.”

The Dimensional Lord truly was an excessively cruel Main God of the Divine Realm. Having been the one who allowed the divine realm to drift toward destruction, he clearly intended to subjugate them completely.

Whiiiiing—!

A golden parchment materialized in the air. It was part of his authority—an absolute contract from which not even a creator could escape. Any being who violated or insulted it would face not only their own destruction but a tragic fate for everything connected to them.

The various judgment cases resulting from countless contract violations and poor implementations are the stuff of nightmares. Yet to force such a contract merely in exchange for healing a face and legs is too harsh.

She had desperately wanted it, even mentioning complete subordination, but her face turned deathly pale. Doing her utmost until she could defeat that powerful Dimensional Lord and serving the divine realm sounded simple in words, but it was anything but.

Seeing her expression, the Dimensional Lord clicked his tongue.

“In the end, that is the extent of your resolve. To worry about your ugly face and uncomfortable legs while only pursuing your own desires—such a waste of talent. Moreover, a Karma Contract is far too much for a weakling who has not even reached main god level.”

Whiiiing—!

The golden parchment vanished once more.

What does he hope to achieve with such behavior? If he possesses the ability to heal, why handle the matter in such a difficult and provocative way instead of easily securing loyalty?

This would only produce the opposite effect and foster resentment.

“Then I shall ease the conditions. Reconcile with Hera and get along well with her.”

“!!!”

Question marks exploded throughout the group that had been watching the proceedings.

What is this about now?

Who is Hera?

Why does that name suddenly appear here, and why does the ugly-faced divine beast Hephais look so utterly shocked?

They had no idea what was going on.