"What?! You sent that to her?"
In front of the hospital's main entrance.
Hyugo was shouting, looking at Igeon as if he were insane.
It was because of what Igeon had done.
"So this is where you disappeared to. You stopped by Libra's hideout in the meantime?!"
Hyugo clutched the back of his neck.
To make matters worse, Igeon had dealt with the two criminals and even sent a gift ahead to Libra.
And when Hyugo finally heard the contents, he was appalled.
"Wow, you're really not human…."
Igeon grinned.
"Yeah, I'm not human. So you can swear at me."
"No, it's not that I'm scolding you…."
He meant that he himself could never send a gift like that.
'If it were me, I definitely would've fainted seeing that.'
"Anyway, since you'd just send them off to the prosecution and be done with it, I took care of it. Sorry for stepping in first."
Though his face didn't look sorry in the slightest.
Of course, Hyugo didn't mind at all.
Honestly, if it were him, he might have had a moment of weakness.
He was actually grateful.
But.
"Now that she's seen that, there's no way that woman will stay quiet."
And on top of that, he'd come back after turning Libra's hideout into a mess.
Hyugo gave him a look that asked if this was okay, but Igeon only seemed satisfied.
He had no reason not to be.
[You have gained a massive amount of experience]
[Level up!]
[Lv.12]
[You have earned points]
[A new Constellation skill can be unlocked]
Apart from the experience, the spoils this time especially pleased him.
[A prisoner has been added to the Sanctuary of Ophiuchus]
[Prisoner 4]
- Prisoner 1
- Prisoner 2
- Prisoner 3
Along with that voice, a wailing cry echoed out.
[I have sinned! Please, spare my life!]
The voice came from behind.
There stood a beautiful woman covered in wounds.
Of course, the warriors drawing their swords as if ready to kill her at any moment were a bonus.
Hyugo was so taken aback he couldn't speak.
"How is it that you can never just leave someone else's hideout without taking something with you?"
That was it.
Among the spoils Igeon had seized this time was a subordinate god.
[Daughter of Asclepius (Iaso) (SS) has become a
[Would you like to give her a name?]
"Disinfectant."
[Iaso has been granted the name of a
The kidnapped subordinate god was trembling in terror.
She must have thought, seeing what Igeon had done to the two sons, that she would end up with the same face.
Not to mention the sight of him mercilessly crushing the heads of the other subordinate gods in Libra's hideout.
Even the way he crushed them was horrifying.
'Do you want to become my subordinate or not? Ah, you don't want to?'
Crunch!
The subordinate god trembled as she recalled that savage scene.
Even though the victims were low-ranking subordinate gods, it was clear.
This human was a beast you couldn't reason with.
So the cowardly subordinate god prostrated herself.
[Please, have mercy…!!! I do not know which constellation you belong to, but we too lost our master and were abducted while relying on Aquarius!]
Igeon picked at his ear.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyway, you're my slave."
And the spoils he brought back weren't just this one.
[Demon's Heart]
The crystallization stone that Yun Taeu and Yun Siu had held—his own.
They were precious materials from the hearts of monsters he'd created in the Demon's Tower.
'If the materials are from the Demon's Tower, they're at least SS-grade or higher.'
With these, it seemed he could make a sacred relic for the one who would become his saint.
'Well, it would be nice to have more, but that would be greedy.'
In any case, he could also make bound combat weapons for Seongjae or Yuha.
And that wasn't all.
'Taegsu's sacred relic was too badly damaged and was short on high-grade parts, so this is perfect.'
Of course, among the crystals he obtained, there was one that caught his eye.
Back then, without the Divine Gaze, he couldn't tell the crystal's abilities even after crystallizing it, so he made a weapon on instinct.
[Heart of the Tower Gatekeeper] (SS)
- Can restore the Tower to its original state
The Tower?
But it was at that moment.
Seeing the subordinate god crying and begging for her life, Hyugo sighed.
"So why did you kidnap a subordinate god of Aquarius?"
"Why do you think? To raise this one."
"?"
Instead of answering, Igeon stretched out his hand.
At the same time, a light flashed from his hand and something appeared.
It was something round.
[Egg of an Ophiuchus Subordinate God (SSS)]
- Reward for the trials of Strength, Intelligence, and Fame
"This is…!"
Igeon grinned.
It was the final reward from his trials.
"A god of health and healing should be able to hatch something like this well, right?"
Though he didn't know yet what would come out.
Well, whatever it was, it was fine.
"Alright. Then let's awaken Jiu first…."
But it was then.
Thud!
Something fell from the sky.
And Igeon was startled by what appeared.
* * *
News shocking enough to horrify the world was pouring out.
And in this situation, the one more furious than anyone else was, predictably, Libra, who was the topic of discussion.
The sanctuary where the Holy Lord of Libra was enshrined was frozen in a deadly chill.
Thanks to that, the subordinates beside Jijel couldn't even breathe.
The atmosphere was so murderous that if they even let out a breath, their heads might fly off.
Just as they were squeezing their eyes shut—
Boom!!!
At the sound of the sanctuary being smashed, the subordinates' hearts nearly stopped.
What had been smashed was the sanctuary's ceiling.
A tablet PC, seemingly thrown by Jijel, was completely shattered and embedded in the ceiling.
And seeing the iron ceiling—which would have remained intact even if a cannonball hit it—destroyed, the followers swallowed hard.
'Without even using a skill.'
And that with pure physical strength.
Despite her being Libra, known as a non-combat constellation.
'She might be stronger than the saints of Taurus or Leo.'
They were the ones famous as combat constellations.
Because of that, everyone wanted to know the secret of her power.
But regardless, Jijel contorted her beautiful face and gnashed her teeth.
"That bastard Igeon."
Not only did he make her sons look like that, but now he was smearing Libra's face in disgrace.
And all in barely half a day!
But what infuriated her more was another article.
At the same time, sparks flew from Jijel's eyes.
"Why did you let such a piece of garbage article be released!"
Jijel was dumbfounded.
An article like this—with Libra's power, it would never have even seen the light of day.
After all, all the major media outlets and key positions of influence around the world were held by Libra's followers.
So what happened?
"You dared let such a slander spread?"
The moment the words left her mouth, an explosion occurred.
Subordinate gods with arms and legs blown off bowed their heads.
[We have committed a sin worthy of death!]
[We tried to stop it, but the saint of Virgo moved far too quickly…!]
Before the words were even finished, Jijel clenched her hand.
Boom!
At the same time, the subordinate gods clutched their throats and lost consciousness.
Unable to suppress her fury, Jijel ground her teeth.
"That servant of the obsessive goddess."
The master of Virgo was a goddess.
And as if to prove the saying "like master, like servant," that servant had foolishly become obsessed with Igeon and was an eternal second-place.
'But she's undeniably the second-ranked constellation with one billion followers.'
Her influence and strength couldn't be ignored, and it was almost certain that Igeon had asked her to strike first this time.
'Doing this won't benefit her either.'
In the end, it would only benefit Igeon and Hyugo.
At any rate, she had to prevent Igeon from establishing himself as the 13th constellation.
'A mere mutant dares to covet the seat of a god?'
She could not allow the 12 signs of the zodiac to become 13.
'He must be erased.'
It was then. The followers stepped forward cautiously and said.
"W-what should we tell the fathers of the two young masters? Shall we tell them the truth?"
Jijel cried out as if having a fit.
"Are you insane? My children, of all people, were reduced to such a state. Do you intend to disgrace the name of Libra?"
"B-but…!"
Jijel grit her teeth as if suppressing her anger.
"It's fine. They were children I created to establish ties with the advantageous side anyway."
World politicians, royalty, specific clans. She'd had children with those who could benefit Libra's cause.
In a kind of master-servant contract, as it were.
In any case, her children had provided her genetics, but they weren't children she'd carried and borne in her womb.
Since they were created for a purpose, she felt no great attachment.
Only the humiliation that her offspring had been dealt with by Igeon made her rage surge.
Clenching her fist, Jijel barely held back her anger.
"The two children are quite a loss, but as long as that child is safe."
In truth, among her many children, Jijel had one she treasured most.
A daughter who even used the First Manor among Libra's hideouts—the most genius and talented of all her children.
She was an ability user who could surpass the 12 Saints.
Just as expected, Jijel asked a servant.
"What has become of that child? Did you not say she was heading for Igeon?"
"Well… Lady Kalli is difficult even for us to track."
Jijel's eyebrows rose fiercely.
"You truly wish to die."
"……!!"
Jijel rose from her seat.
This was the moment her precious sons had returned after being brutally dealt with by Igeon.
"Fine. I'll start by crushing that useless head of yours."
"M-my lady!"
As Jijel approached menacingly, the terrified servants fell over.
"We deserve death!"
But right then.
[W-we found Lady Kalli midway and guided her elsewhere! Please do not worry!]
"!"
Jijel stopped dead in her tracks.
At the same time, she glared at her subordinate gods.
And how much silence passed?
"Make absolutely certain she does not reach Igeon."
At those words, the subordinate gods sighed deeply as if troubled.
'Even if she says not to let her go….'
'She's someone who shows considerable interest in Igeon….'
They didn't know the reason, but she had always asked many questions about Igeon.
However, under Jijel's sharp gaze, the subordinate gods bowed their heads.
[We will follow our master's command]
[But, my lady. Putting your children aside, how shall we deal with Igeon?]
[At this rate, the divine dignity of Libra…]
[The faith of Libra and related constellations is already being eroded]
[Support for Igeon and the Archer's Sign is rising]
At that, Jijel sneered.
"Summon the other servants."
[!]
The subordinate gods were shocked, and the followers looked at Jijel in bewilderment.
"It's total war. I'll summon all the Saints and trample him."
Everyone was astonished.
'To think she would summon all the Saints…!'
They never imagined she would go this far.
Jijel looked at the giant map hanging on the wall. It was a world map.
The sanctuaries of the constellations were marked in blue.
And astonishingly, the images on the world map were moving on their own.
Rumble!
What was moving, unexpectedly, were black dogs.
And those dogs were slowly descending from the north toward human territory.
Seeing that, Jijel raised the corners of her lips.
"I will kill them all. Igeon, the two servants, and the princess wench who isn't even human. Just like in the Demon's Tower."
It was 65 hours before the monster invasion.
(Continued in the next episode)