The Spirit Realm War: The Bargain of 250 Origins
The voice of the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God sliced through the gathered Creator Gods like a blade of ice. He had buried two hundred and fifty Origins in the Spirit Realm War, along with the nearly three thousand direct subordinate gods who had been on the verge of ascending to Creator rank beneath them. Countless god clans had been massacred in the process, their essences sealed inside the Creator’s Jewel. The timing made it worse. Only moments earlier, the very same gods had been calmly discussing how best to dispose of him.
‘If we clumsily poke a dangerous element like that, the survival of the entire local universe could be at stake.’
‘Besides, a Creator God cannot step forward directly without losing face. We would have to move our subordinates, but it seems none of the Main Gods are willing to volunteer.’
‘He publicly declared, in front of the highest authorities of every Master Universe, that he would wipe out not only the one who plotted his disposal but the entire revealed Divine Realm as well.’
That left the Creator Gods with no choice but to act themselves, yet everyone knew the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God would simply flee the moment he sensed their approach, then turn his eyes toward their own Divine Realms.
‘Even a Divine Realm equal to a Creator God’s would never withstand that insane planetary destruction.’
‘Yet we cannot simply leave him alone. A human-born god who destroys local-universe-level planets with a single strike and imprisons divine spirits without hesitation is too dangerous to ignore.’
All customs and laws had been forged through countless trials and errors. The existence of a being who completely ignored them while wielding such overwhelming power constituted a true emergency.
Eventually, the rolling ball of responsibility rolled straight toward the Creator God who had caused the incident. After all, they had already appointed Proprieties as a temporary Creator God and entrusted him with the management of a Main God Star. There was no room for hesitation.
“Are you openly threatening us now? What kind of rudeness and disrespect toward your superiors is this? Proprieties! This is a challenge to your divinity. Will you remain silent?”
“Indeed. He is your direct subordinate. Take responsibility and resolve this.”
Twitch.
Rumble—!
Proprieties’s face twisted violently at those words. As if in agreement, the other ordinary Creator Gods spoke in unison, and his divine power began to surge like an explosion.
‘I was already on the verge of losing my mind from pent-up rage. Now they’re giving me the perfect excuse. When I went around begging them to simply hand over the defensive Divine Realms and to please exclude the sacrifices of my affiliated war gods from the justification for starting this war, they all pretended not to hear and turned away. But the moment they need me, they act like this.’
He did not know how things worked in other Master Universes, but in the 499th, the course of action was already set. After all, he did not lack ability.
The noble saliva of a Creator God flew toward them with force.
“Ptui! How damn unlucky. Who the hell are you to force me? You aren’t even my direct superior!”
Everyone recoiled in shock at Proprieties spitting like a common thug. For Creator Gods who treated etiquette as part of their divinity, such behavior was unimaginable, especially in front of higher-ranking Creator Gods.
Yet the next words left them speechless.
“All of you, shut up! My divinity only applies to my direct superiors and the strong. What do I care what my subordinates do to other beings or the weak? As long as there are no problems with karma and the Divine Realms I’m in charge of, that’s enough. If they pick a fight and lose, tell them to die like the losers they are! In a world where the strong take precedence, why are you suddenly making an issue out of something so obvious? Are we the pathetic 500th Master Universe? Do you all want to end up just like them?”
His eyes, now gleaming with a faint killing intent, glared at the ordinary Creator Gods.
“If you want to dispose of him, do it yourselves! Stop pathetically trying to pass it on, you idiots.”
If the Creator Gods had simply said a few words and handed over the defensive Divine Realms of the Spirit Realm, the sacrifices of his direct subordinates could have been prevented. Yet they had all remained silent, claiming they needed a solid justification.
‘I understood that no one could oppose the Creator General’s decision, but we’ve been ordinary Creator Gods together for a long time. This feels far too hollow.’
That was why he was reacting so emotionally, despite the dignity of a Creator God. All the accumulated resentment and disappointment exploded at once.
“Above all, stop pretending to be close now. You ignored me when I was struggling. Where do you get the nerve to order me around? Seniors and juniors? Colleagues? Spare me the bullshit.”
“That is enough. Refrain from any speech or action beyond your given duties. That constitutes a challenge to my divinity as your direct superior. If it is a challenge, I will accept it. However, if you lose, I will claim your godhood through contract.”
Employment’s solemn divine speech rang out, restraining Proprieties. Though his rank was only upper-tier, his power surpassed even the highest Creator Gods. He was one of the true rulers who had built the largest faction. He was also infamous for wringing every last drop out of the Creator Gods under his command.
‘He treats Creator Gods who produce results extremely well, but if they fail to do so, he immediately strips them of their godhood and forces them into mercenary god status.’
Recently, his notoriety had grown because he worked capable mercenary gods brutally under the titles of temporary or trainee Creator Gods, yet he paid no attention to the criticism and continued pushing forward. He genuinely believed that the weak who could not endure trials deserved to disappear so that the Divine Realm could advance.
While that was true, it also made him a problematic superior whose subordinates constantly sighed that they were working themselves to death.
Therefore, the emotions that had flared hot enough to oppose his own superior’s divinity cooled instantly, and Proprieties had no choice but to lower his head.
Having lightly suppressed the unrest among his subordinate Creator Gods, the upper Creator God’s divine speech once again bound the ordinary Creator Gods.
“Whether you choose disposal or moderation, my divinity will decide everything. Above all, since he is the subordinate of my direct subordinate, he falls within my domain. Anyone who interferes with my domain must be prepared to duel me with our divinities on the line. Naturally, the loser will have their qualifications as a Creator God revoked and be forced into hard labor as a mercenary god. That is the obvious outcome for a Creator God who interferes with another’s divinity and loses.”
In short, it was a threat that he would not tolerate outsiders making more noise about matters that did not concern them. Since no Creator God failed to understand the meaning, they all fell silent.
Excluding the highest Creator Gods who had almost completely withdrawn from the management of the Master Universe to focus on their own training, the upper Creator Gods were the true ruling class and the ones who handled practical affairs. There was no reason to earn the ire of an upper Creator God famous for being both difficult and ruthless, especially since this was ultimately a problem from another local universe.
Employment glared at the now-silent ordinary Creator Gods for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the screen. Since he had stopped his direct subordinate from running wild, a light reprimand would suffice.
“Proprieties. I understand your difficult feelings, but consider my position as well. Your failure as my direct subordinate becomes my failure too.”
“I apologize.”
At the immediate apology, Employment gave a light nod and looked at the Dimensional Mage God beyond the screen.
‘Operating countless planets to enable local-universe-scale destruction and the detention of divine spirits is certainly problematic. Still, it is an understandable action.’
The sight of vitality shining like a sun at the site where the Origins and Creator-God-level beings of the 500th Master Universe had been annihilated made him swallow involuntarily. Even at a minimum estimate, it exceeded several tens of trillions. And thanks to the karma contract, every last bit belonged to the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God.
‘Just how much is that? He earned it in a single battle? An absurd reward. I’m genuinely envious.’
Since his rank was only Preliminary Creator God, he could not participate directly, but Employment found himself wanting to send his own direct lineage or subordinates to earn such a bounty. From the way the other ordinary Creator Gods were contacting one another, it seemed they all shared the same thought.
‘With such an urgent situation and enormous reward, there would be countless beings willing to destroy local-universe planets and suppress divine spirits. I would not refuse either.’
In the 499th Master Universe, where the strong took precedence, an upper Creator God could completely ignore the instincts of the light clan that prioritized mercy and love, behaving even more viciously than the demon gods. It was no coincidence that the Demon Kings of the demon race preferred to contract with them as comrades on the battlefield instead of their own kind. On the battlefield, these beings were so powerful and cruel that even most demon gods trembled.
The reason they criticized the Dimensional Mage God was not because they truly could not tolerate it, but because he casually did what they themselves could not, due to their position and circumstances, despite it being the most certain method in a war between god clans.
‘It’s simply jealousy. They aren’t truly saying they cannot accept it.’
Moreover, the fact that he had established every countermeasure through a karma contract actually made Employment want to applaud the thoroughness. The truly problematic ones were the immature brats who rampaged without realizing their own faults or preparing any countermeasures, not a cold-headed mage god like this.
From the perspective of someone who had handled countless problematic mercenary gods and Creator Gods, there was no major issue.
‘Rather, if we focus on the advantages they are missing, this level of behavior is not a flaw at all. If handled well, we could offset all the internal losses we’ve accumulated and even gain greater profit.’
That was why he was letting his subordinate’s sudden action pass so gently, even though it would normally have been unacceptable.
“Reflection is enough. Make sure you do not repeat the same mistake. And it seems you have obtained yet another extremely useful Preliminary Creator God. Just like with Almighty Hwi, your luck in acquiring subordinates is enviable. Maintaining them well is also impressive.”
“Pardon? Th-thank you.”
Employment clicked his tongue at Proprieties, who wore a puzzled expression at the sudden praise from his direct superior.
‘Just like with Almighty Hwi, he still doesn’t seem to realize what kind of being he has obtained as a Preliminary Creator God. Yet he somehow acquires such existences, gives them almost no reward, and still maintains them well. It’s incomprehensible.’
Even Almighty Hwi was being offered enormous conditions from various places to change his affiliation, yet he refused them all and remained satisfied as the Preliminary Creator God of a mere ordinary Creator God.
‘From the perspective of his current position as one of the most successful upper Creator Gods, it is truly mysterious. Especially because of the problem that is currently my biggest headache. If not for that issue, I would have been the first to step forward and insist on treating the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God as a dangerous element to be disposed of.’
But that was absolutely not an option. Just thinking about the piles of documents stacked in his office gave him a headache. The fact that they were still increasing was the bigger problem.
‘Another affiliation change request? I train clueless ones until they become useful, only for them to leave or be poached by those around me. It’s infuriating. I’m not some Creator God training instructor, yet the moment the temporary and trainee periods end, more than half change their direct Creator God again. In the end, won’t I be left with no one to work? Since capable Creator Gods are becoming critically scarce, should I recruit more temporary and trainee gods? Just what is the reason? I pride myself on giving the best treatment to those who endure the difficult temporary and trainee phases, so why do they go to such worthless beings? How many times has this happened now? And why do they keep stealing the gods I painstakingly trained the moment they become useful? Should I finally settle this once and for all?’
Crackle—!
Killing intent and fighting spirit rose instinctively as he glared at the surrounding upper Creator Gods.
‘These bastards have once again used smooth words to deceive and steal the gods who just finished their trainee period.’
He could not hide his hostile feelings toward the upper Creator Gods who deliberately avoided his gaze.
‘Who could I possibly tell that I, recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most powerful upper Creator Gods with a massive faction, am now cornered by a shortage of Creator Gods? And since the affiliated gods are moving to other upper Creator Gods through normal procedures, there is nothing I can do.’
Therefore, even a Preliminary Creator God with as many problems as the Dimensional one had to be nurtured and put to use somehow.
‘Just what is the reason? Why is the turnover rate so high? At this rate, I may end up having to handle everything myself.’
That would be the end.
‘I could endure for a while, but if I lose my training time, I will fall behind the other upper Creator Gods. No, if I become too busy with work and neglect improving relations with the highest and middle Creator Gods—something even more important than work for an upper Creator God—chaos will erupt immediately.’
The fact that Proprieties had accepted his restraint without issue was only because of the trust built through long interaction. Had that effort not existed in the past, the probability that he would have gone even more berserk, claiming even his direct superior had abandoned him, was extremely high.
‘In the relationship between superiors and subordinates, while work is important, the importance of interaction that builds trust and the investment it requires cannot be overstated. Of course, that only applies to capable individuals worth such effort. Therefore, if handled well, the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God could become an enormous help. To me, who aims beyond the highest Creator Gods to the supreme rank, the label of “human-born god” is no issue at all for a capable subordinate who could provide great assistance.’
More accurately, he had no interest in it whatsoever.
‘As long as the work is done well, what does past status matter? Such things are only important to the god clans of the 500th Master Universe, who, despite being so-called irregular powerhouses, still get defeated by just three Preliminary Creator Gods. In the 499th Master Universe, where the strong take precedence, all of that is garbage.’
Clinging to past grudges that produced not a single unit of vitality, growing weak, and ending up in such a pathetic state was something he absolutely refused to do.
‘An entire main force containing Origins and Creator Gods wiped out by a Preliminary Creator God? Just how humiliating is that?’
The battlefield was growing even more chaotic, enough to draw an involuntary sigh. Although the first dispatched force had been annihilated, it did not even amount to one ten-thousandth of their total military strength. The god clan forces led by the Creator General were so vast they could practically be called infinite.
‘Once additional forces are deployed, the despairing war situation will not change.’
Yet regardless of that fact, the Dimensional Preliminary Creator God continued to persistently attempt negotiations with the enraged Creator General, who wanted to exchange the captured Origins’ divine spirits for vitality.
“Aren’t the Origins important? If you offer ten times the vitality, I’ll release them right away. So much for caring about the god clans. Leaving Origins captured by the enemy just because you’re stingy with a little vitality? Is that how the Creator General should act? Think about the future of the entire god race. Right now, these Origins’ clans have no immediate problems, but if they remain isolated from their Origins for a long period, all their abilities will drop drastically. The number of clans that will weaken is a full two hundred and fifty. This is a major crisis for the Divine Realm! It’s not just about the vitality!”
“You—! A mere lowly human-born being dares to lecture me? And isn’t this entire problem something you caused? What is this hypocritical behavior? Can you still call yourself a god of light after this?”
Despite the Creator General of the 500th Master Universe’s increasingly thunderous rage, the brazen negotiation offer continued without pause.
“One Origin requires about a hundred billion innate divine power, so ten times that is only one trillion! For two hundred and fifty, it’s a mere two hundred and fifty trillion. Is the exalted Creator General really going to be this petty over a mere two hundred and fifty trillion? If it were our Master Universe’s Creator General, he would have handed it over immediately. It’s for the future and glory of the entire god race, so what use is vitality? You can earn it again slowly later, can’t you? What does time matter to an immortal god race?”
“……”
It was an extremely logical argument, but since it came from the very person who had caused the incident, the Creator General could not respond, his fury and emotions boiling over. The main reason was the sheer, staggering amount of vitality that would have to be paid as the price for releasing the Origins’ divine spirits.
Every being watching the scene also fell silent.
‘The Origins, the origin of the clans, are naturally more important than vitality, but this has gone beyond the level of consideration.’
‘If they pay two hundred and fifty trillion, the 500th Master Universe will definitely go bankrupt.’
‘Most Divine Realms will become inoperable, and ordinary gods will wither away and die.’
Bankruptcy of a Master Universe was not something they could afford no matter how important the Origins were.
‘Two hundred and fifty trillion is an amount that even the Creator General of the 499th, who possesses countless Main God Stars capable of supporting trillions of sentient beings and Creator God Stars with dozens of times the capacity for life proliferation, would find nearly impossible to produce.’
‘The contract vitality handed over to the entire demon race for the full-scale war against the 500th Master Universe was one hundred trillion.’
‘Yet he’s asking for two hundred and fifty trillion? It’s absurd.’
Even the Creator General and the Demon Emperor of the 499th Master Universe, who had been watching the ridiculous spectacle, were rendered speechless.
Eventually, after a long stretch of absurd scenes, Jinmyeol, who had been watching with his mouth agape, spoke up.
“Would you really give it? Two hundred and fifty trillion? For those pathetic Origins?”
“Of course…”
Sangharama answered very slowly. This friend—or perhaps enemy—always asked only the most difficult questions. The answer was already decided.
‘I wouldn’t give even a single unit of vitality for such weak Origins. Instead, I would thank him for purging them. But I cannot say that.’
The eyes of the highest-ranking Creator Gods and Origins around them were all fixed on his mouth. They would give the same answer, yet they clearly hoped their superior would not.
‘If I tell the truth immediately, it would deal a serious blow to their loyalty. He’s really putting me in a tight spot by disturbing my vacation.’
However, the Creator General of the god race could not lie. It would damage his divinity as the ruler of the light clan. His words could only be truth, and that was precisely what gave divine speech and dominion their power. Therefore, when faced with inconvenient matters, he could only remain silent or speak ambiguously.
But the Demon Emperor seemed to lose his temper, cutting in and shouting.
“Just tell them to perish. To think such shame appears on the battlefield, and they still claim to lead their clans and properly strengthen their authorities—! If they don’t interfere, it would actually be fortunate. If they were demon gods, I would have killed them myself. So creating new Origins would be a hundred times better. Argh! To think I have to deal with such trash personally. There’s no need for the Demon Kings to step forward.”
Feeling a slight sense of gratitude toward the Demon Emperor who continued grumbling without restraint, Sangharama focused on the battlefield. In the distance, the main force of the 500th Master Universe was finally approaching.
‘The number of god clan members had already exceeded measurable range. Hidden war gods among the Creator Gods were also visible everywhere, and their presence was far from negligible.’
The true main force of the 500th Master Universe, which had intended only to strike the defensive Divine Realms and retreat after the sudden capture of the Origins—the core of the god clans’ authorities—had finally begun to move.