The Dimensional Lord's Jealousy
The Dimensional Lord spoke those words outwardly, but inside his chest jealousy blazed so fiercely that sparks seemed ready to fly. ‘So it really is possible. Of course I knew it would succeed, but seeing it with my own eyes is staggering. Is this what they mean by fundamentally different foundations? This is driving me insane.’
The mere fact that such absurd training could even be attempted proved an incomparable talent. Tens of thousands of the Almighty God Tribe had tried to replicate that training using their authority, only to explode on the spot. Only two had barely survived.
Normally, a Main God’s body could endure roughly two billion divine power—enough to withstand an ordinary planet. Explosions from larger celestial bodies would inflict critical wounds, and they could not bear the weight. Naturally, any Intermediate Main God could laugh off most planetary detonations. Yet even they could not endure the mass of six planets using only the divine power of an Upper God.
But that body was growing stronger at a terrifying rate while enduring it all.
‘With only an Upper God’s divine power it’s already like this. Once she reaches Intermediate Main God level, she may become completely unmanageable.’
Before the durability and defensive power of a physique that could hold six planets through raw strength alone, ordinary magic or long-range attacks were meaningless. Close combat was equally impossible. Simply watching those muscles repeatedly expand and contract painted a vivid image of being ripped apart the moment one was caught.
‘I was a dark mage. Before becoming a Main God, even the 7-Circle high elf queens overwhelmed me in melee. If not for the Root School’s unique speed and evasion, I would have been finished long ago.’
The greatest problem was that she could grow strong enough to rival Hwi the All-Powerful, while he himself was the Chief God of the God Realm’s female war god. ‘In this master universe, there is naturally no Main God weaker than a Lower God. The very concepts of insubordination or rebellion vanished long ago, so any Main God weaker than a Lower God would be dealt with without complaint even if challenged.’
Whether the challenge was formal or collective, defeat meant the end. That was why the sight of this mighty female war god lifting planets overhead filled him with dread. He had only tried to reconcile Hera and Lokina in his capacity as Chief God of the God Realm, yet now he had driven a hammer the size of which had never been seen before straight into his own foot.
In conclusion, for a Main God who had ascended through dark magic, a war god possessing such a brutish physique was the most troublesome opponent imaginable. ‘She is practically my natural enemy, yet I am shocked that I am helping her. Especially since, as a dark mage from the Middle World, she is a god race member who could become an enemy at any time.’
Even facing Hwi the All-Powerful alone would force him to flee desperately. If two of them surrounded him, escape would be impossible. ‘This is no time to show off. Should I kill her now? Erase her completely? Or should I place restrictions on her?’
Woooong—! Mana stirred according to his thoughts. He had already completed the introduction to his 11th Circle to a considerable degree. Now, rather than integrating divine power and mana, he could manifest both separately at any time. The meaning was that he could make opposing forces collide to produce the power of ‘chaos,’ dramatically increasing the destructive force of a single strike.
The advantage of smooth adaptation to various situations had also caused his overall combat strength to surge. Yet against a war god like this, against whom ordinary divine power and mana were useless, it meant nothing. With only an Upper God’s divine power, he needed to eliminate any opponent he could not handle before she grew further.
‘However… I cannot.’
Crack—! He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood and released the mana. It would be a lie to say he felt no jealousy toward that radiant talent. Any being who learned even a portion of his ‘Incomprehensible Eightfold Harmony’ would obtain power comparable to a Creator General. Of course, the power and title he bestowed alone were enough to let one reign as a powerhouse.
But there was still a limit. The immutable truth was that the power he granted could never surpass his own enlightenment. ‘One can only approach it through endless effort, and even then the restrictions on its use are enormous.’
Partial activation of the title was possible, but if one could not achieve complete victory even after full release, they would be judged as weak and disposed of. No matter how strong one became, even the slightest carelessness or relaxation was forbidden. Endless tension and training continued without end.
Yet this female war god had obtained his enlightenment through talent alone and was free. There were no restrictions, no judgments. What he envied most was that those who learned his enlightenment could pass it on to their inferiors through their own interpretations.
‘Hephais of Infinite Alchemy can now teach her authority to her Lower Gods, become the king of her clan, and rise to Chief God of the God Realm. She can revive her clan like Hwi the All-Powerful and live a glorious life. But those who possess titles cannot do so.’
The authorities granted to Absolute Beings who held titles were specialized for the individual. Transmission was impossible, so in the end they could only be strong alone. ‘If I had been able to teach the authority of “Dimension” to others, I would not have lived this arduously. I would have created a “Dimensional God Tribe” by any means and appeared brilliantly in the master universe as their king.’
Just like Hwi the All-Powerful, who had subdued his clan with power and risen as their king. ‘How enviable. To be able to establish a foundation with that much power without any restrictions? And to obtain it through talent alone, without any effort… It is so unfair. Yet I do not even have the luxury of jealousy. Without Main Gods this strong, we cannot even attempt the Creator God’s authentication trial. The Demon God Tribe might manage somehow, but the Substitute Gods are out of the question. Moreover, with my current power I cannot break through the defensive power of the Substitute Gods’ Main Gods that I strengthened with my dark magic and inflict a critical wound alone. Forming alliances with other Main Gods is also difficult because of my origin as a dark mage.’
A Main God from the Middle World was, to put it bluntly, nonexistent in this galaxy except for himself. It was impossible for a sentient being from the Middle World—where 7-Circle was the limit—to reach 11-Circle. Most cases were either Demigods or extremely special existences like himself who had received his title. The rest appeared through truly miraculous odds in a highly developed Middle World.
‘When a Main God emerges from the Middle World, they even receive the special privilege of being granted qualification to stand before the Creator God’s gaze. The worse situation is that there has never been a case of a dark mage becoming a god of light, making this rare case the only one of its kind.’
In this position, even the slightest problem could lead to impeachment. Rather than forming alliances, he would be grateful if the number of enemies did not increase. In short, he was special and therefore subjected to harassment without reason.
‘Of course, I have not yet undergone the authentication trial, so I am not widely known in the Main Divine Realm. But once rumors spread, truly troublesome checks will begin.’
No matter how strong he became, he could not block them all. Active help from the Main Divine Realm would be impossible to hope for. And if he paid the price to the mercenary gods for the Substitute Gods’ authentication trial, the Dimensional Lord—who possessed only a single Main God Star—would go bankrupt.
‘In the end, I must prepare to resolve everything within the God Realm itself. I have to win using only the Main Gods affiliated with the God Realm, no matter what.’
There was no need to say that the power of this peerlessly strong female war god—who was lightly lifting six planets overhead with an expression of disbelief at her own feat—was necessary for the authentication trial. Therefore he could neither restrict her nor dispose of her as he pleased.
‘If she overtakes me like this, it’s over. Still… it’s better than being annihilated due to insufficient forces in the Substitute Gods’ authentication trial. I do need the creation ability of a Main God Star, but it is not urgent. I can aim for the next opportunity.’
Yet when he considered the situation in the outer master universes, a better idea came to mind. ‘If the Substitute Gods have been permitted in certain regions, the weak god races or demon god races there will be annihilated. External Creator Gods will be mobilized in large numbers for restoration, but judging from their current state, it is obvious they will struggle.’
In that case, many strong war gods would be needed. He could go as a mercenary god, or recapture the region itself and occupy it like the machine humanity’s territory. ‘Now, as long as they are not Substitute Gods’ Main Gods at the Preliminary Creator God level equal to myself, I can handle any number of them. I will deal with the Substitute Gods and then receive recognition as a Creator God.’
Then, no matter how insignificant, he would be able to learn the creation power of the god race. With time invested, creating a Main God Star would also become possible. The purpose for which he had become a god race member would be achieved. He would finally master the 11th Circle perfectly and escape this consumable, low-level existence.
‘Let’s treat this as a contingency plan in case I cannot endure until the end and have to abandon the God Realm and flee. But why am I like this? To become the worst superior trembling before capable subordinates… Have I lost this much confidence? I am strong too. It is only because of the worst compatibility with her that I feel reluctant. Right—! I am supremely strong. Come at me anytime! I will make you taste bitterness—!’
Grabbing hold of his shaken heart, he recovered his confidence, put strength into his eyes, and looked at Hephais once more. Then his eyes widened at the next sight.
Whiiiir—! Whiiiir—! The six compressed planets he had created floated in the air like mere pebbles before falling. Small as they appeared, they truly carried the weight of planets. She was handling them like toys using only the strength of her arms.
The planets flew about chaotically and were caught again like balls a child might play with. The smiling face watching them was so bright and clear that it seemed planets no longer posed any burden to her at all. The sight was dizzying on its own.
‘Those toy planets keep overlapping in my vision with the image of myself being miserably beaten and sent flying.’
When he thought of Hwi the All-Powerful, no matter how many Lower Main Gods there were, there would be no countermeasure. Eventually a time would come when none of the magic he possessed could inflict damage.
‘S-still, just in case, I should prepare. If it comes to it, I will immediately execute the emergency plan.’
Only after creating an escape plan to the outer universe—ready to grab only the Survival Magic Tower and flee if he truly could not endure—did the extremely tense feeling in his heart finally loosen. He let out a sigh, lamenting that fate twisted by his own loose lips would never grant him even a single comfortable day.
Then, with a light snap of his fingers toward Hephais—who was looking at him with a proud expression—
Click!
Kuuuung!
This time it was a super-giant planet on a completely different scale from before. If small planets no longer burdened her, the next step was obvious. He replaced the planet she was holding with one that, with her current ability, could only be compressed to the size of a small hill, and brought it crashing down.
Kwaaaaaang—!
“Aaaaaagh—!”
A scream burst out involuntarily. Even that mighty body of Infinite Alchemy could not endure; muscles ruptured and blood sprayed forth. The super-giant planet now placed atop the toy planets could only be endured by an Upper Main God. An Intermediate Main God’s body would naturally find it impossible, but enduring a burden that surpassed divinity was the beginning of the training.
However, no matter what authority or talent one possessed, one could not endure a burden that surpassed divinity. ‘The joints and muscles of Hephais, who possesses a body and talent fearsome even to me, are on the verge of destruction.’
It was truly brutish training. He could hardly believe Hwi the All-Powerful had copied it with his authority and survived. Originally, all of them should have died. ‘This is why they all failed and perished. How can the very first step begin with stimulation that exceeds the limit? But since she has officially begun, it is now literally do or die. If she stops, the body ruined by the burden that exceeded the limit will either refuse further challenges or suffer permanent damage. The only path for the body to survive normally is to evolve on its own to the next divinity.’
Crack—! Creeeeak—!
But it was not that easy. This was a training method where failure was the norm. Only Main Gods possessing impossible talent and an incomparably sturdy body had any chance. Just like Hephais of Infinite Alchemy, who endlessly strengthened body and divine energy.
However, no matter how much it was the authority of Infinite Alchemy, there was a limit to divine power consumption. ‘There is divine power consumption while the body is strengthened. Once it runs out, it ends.’
If she completely mastered that enlightenment, such weaknesses of divine power consumption would disappear, but right now this would kill her. Unable to endure the planet on her back any longer, her waist bent, her face turned toward the ground, and her knees began to touch the earth. If she completely collapsed like that, she would be crushed to death by the planet or turned into a cripple. It was the ending nearly every being who had challenged this training had met.
It was a training method that required not only impossible levels of talent and physique but also an indomitable will to pass. ‘It cannot be helped. It feels like I am digging my own grave, but she is still my subordinate Main God. I should help her at the beginning.’
Sluuuurp—!
Her divine power was completely exhausted from the weight of the planet that exceeded the limit. She could no longer maintain her authority and was on the verge of ruin. He brought his lips to her flushed, crimson lips. Pouring vitality and divine power through her clenched teeth, he helped her recover.
Her eyes, blurred from pain, returned to complete normality thanks to the divine power he poured in up to Main God level. Her breaking body was restored and regained its strength. He stroked her cheek with a satisfied smile.
‘As expected, she is a talent worth helping—a war god worth helping. This training requires not only the person’s own talent and will but also enormous time and luck. But I am different. Because my dark magic originated from it, it has excellent compatibility with his enlightenment.’
It minimized risk and shortened the training period. Yet because her talent and physical ability were so lacking that she could not even attempt it, it was truly lamentable and only ignited his jealousy. Therefore he could not forgive a war god who overflowed with talent but lacked will.
“Simply enduring stupidly will only get you killed. Walk forward with an indomitable will. To surpass the limits of the body, simply accepting the burden will never be enough. Only a being that can overcome any burden and advance can complete it. Whether that will is madness or resolve does not matter. So lift your head properly—!”
Thud!
He kicked her chin upward, straightening her bowed face. Of course, he had also made her swallow the vitality he had poured in to the point of Main God level recovery. A war god must never bow her head or submit to anything except her superior or the God Realm, even at the moment of death. That moment would be defeat, and the ruin of the God Realm.
“Straighten your chest and be proud. Even if you are denounced as a murderer and insulted as brutish, hold the pride of one who protects the God Realm. That is the proper stance of a war god.”
Thud! Thud!
He struck both her shoulders with his hands, pushing them back so she properly supported the planet. Naturally, breasts of a size he had never seen before jutted out prominently. The hand he stretched toward her left breast looked like a baby’s hand in comparison.
‘I thought Hera had the largest until now, but she doesn’t even compare. Nearly twice as large? For a female Main God whose very life is the fullness of her breasts, this must be a record. She will receive a lot of jealousy from the other female Main Gods, won’t she? Or perhaps the difference is so absolute that they won’t even bother comparing?’
Pushing aside such absurd thoughts, he pinched the nipple of her left breast tightly between his fingers over her clothes and drew a circle while chanting. It was so large that even grabbing the nipple and a portion of the breast only covered a small part; it was almost comical. Nevertheless, he focused his mind and chanted.
"I am the one and only special existence in this world."
⟨ Law Magic: Absolute Assimilation ⟩
Magic Type: Law Magic, Support Category, Always Active
Effect: Even heterogeneous vitality and divine power are forcibly converted to suit the self and absorbed. It ignores the general law that only vitality and divine power matching one’s own body can be smoothly absorbed. The recovery magic Looking Back at Oneself, Past and Present Are the Same maintains the body’s current state, but this develops it and ultimately improves divinity, making it a higher-order magic. Goddesses possess another circle of divine power in their lower abdomen where they condense and store vitality for conception. Engraving the magic directly there produces a dramatically greater effect.
Restriction: If the body is not strong enough to endure the vitality and divine power absorbed at high speed, it will instead suffer damage. This magic was originally created to forcibly absorb the vitality and divine power condensed in the lower abdomen that even female Main Gods could not absorb. Therefore it consumes an enormous amount of mana to activate. Male gods could see several dozen times the divine power enhancement effect, but the method ensures they will never use it.
After First Manifestation — Protagonist’s Single Line: I wish you would stop paying so much attention to me and just do your job properly. But that will never happen, will it?
He let out a small sigh. If a man ever asked to receive it, he would not let it pass. Without giving her time to refuse or react, he swiftly finished granting the magic authority. Originally, performing it so hastily or in abbreviated form would reduce the effect, but with her level of talent this was sufficient. Besides, it did not seem she would let him do it properly anyway, so this was fine.
‘The pride of female Main Gods is enormous. Neither Hera nor the other female Main Gods would have accepted it unless it was a continuous series of fatal mistakes and unavoidable circumstances like this.’
In any case, he had now granted her a 10th-Circle magic on her heart that provided the best training effect and a 10.5-Circle composite magic on her lower abdomen that allowed her to absorb any heterogeneous vitality as divine power. It was slightly inferior to the two 10.5-Circle magic authorities he had granted to the female Main Gods serving as God Realm administrators, but it still laid an incomparably solid foundation for growth.
He removed his hands from her breast and vagina. Watching Hephais tremble, unable to come to her senses from the aftermath of the suddenly granted magic authorities, he clicked his tongue.
‘Does she know that the female Main Gods offered to serve as maids in exchange for receiving these magic authorities?’
Of course he had not the slightest intention of restricting the precious divine power of Main Gods, but they were that valuable. He had done it because she looked like she would die if he did not, but it felt like he had taken a tremendous loss.
“Tsk—! I will count this as a debt. I will definitely collect it later. I have now used every means I can show through negotiation.”
Looking at Hephais, who had lost consciousness while lightly enduring a planet whose weight only an Upper Main God could bear, the Dimensional Lord hid his discomfort and spoke to the other Main Gods holding planets.
“You shall become my concubine.”
The words were directed at Lokina, the Lord of the Flipside. The Main Gods, who had watched in shock as Hephais suddenly grew stronger and received even that astonishing authority with suspicious ease, all turned to stare at Lokina with stunned expressions. She herself seemed so bewildered by the sudden proposal that she could not speak.