“Uncle!”
Lee Geon couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight of his nephew hugging him so warmly.
From his speech, to his appearance, to his aura—everything about him was Cheon Seong-jae.
But his height and age were entirely different.
Before, he’d been a scrawny kid barely over 160 cm, looking like he might blow away in the wind. Now he was well over 180 cm, matching Lee Geon’s own height.
So he had no choice but to ask again.
“Are you really Seong-jae?”
“Of course it’s meeeee!”
Overjoyed at the sight of Lee Geon, Cheon Seong-jae couldn’t even speak properly.
“I-I missed you so much, Uncle!! All this time!!”
In the end, Lee Geon patted the bottom of his nephew, who was clinging to him like a burr.
“Hey, brat. Anyone would think we’d been apart for ten years.”
But Cheon Seong-jae just sobbed pathetically.
“Two years!!! I haven’t seen you for two whole years!! Two years! That’s 730 days I could’ve replayed videos, 17,520 hours I could’ve spent buying merch, and a whopping 63,072,000 hours I could’ve spent filming vlogs of you, Uncle!”
“…Are you planning to film me even when I go to the bathroom?”
His disbelief lasted only a moment before his expression hardened.
“Wait. What? Two years?”
A deeply confused look crossed his face.
And no wonder. In Earth time, only about six months had passed since he’d left.
But two years?
‘Maybe time flows differently because it’s a colony of Eden.’
That would also explain why he suddenly looked so much bigger.
Of course, originally his genes were all concentrated in his head, so even fully grown he wouldn’t have topped 170 cm.
‘Well, the Serpent Lord Constellation isn’t called the Constellation of Life for nothing.’
If it could revive even dead hair, how could it fail to revive a mere dead growth plate?
In other words, Seong-jae’s height had increased by his power.
But after a moment, Lee Geon smiled and said,
“Seong-jae. Don’t just fawn over your uncle. Say hi to your dad, too. He’ll be hurt.”
Startled, Cheon Seong-jae turned his head. Only then did he spot his father, and he was delighted.
“Ah…!”
But he promptly ignored his father and clung back to Lee Geon.
“I’m not curious about Dad. You went to rescue him anyway, Uncle. It’s only natural you brought him back!”
At those words, Hugo looked as though his world had collapsed—utterly devastated.
“My son, who used to love his dad more than anyone, who’d come running to welcome me… why!”
“Who’s that bastard.”
“Could it be he didn’t recognize me?”
“No, he’s always been that kind of son.”
“There’s no way my son would do this!”
When Hugo finally wailed, Cheon Seong-jae regarded him as if he were both strange and embarrassing.
“Uncle… why is Dad acting like that?”
“Why do you think? Your dad’s got a defect in his head and can’t remember you.”
“What?! He can’t remember?”
Seeing Cheon Seong-jae’s expression, Lee Geon thought “oh no” and hastily changed the subject.
“Ah, it’s a big shock, but it’s fine. I’ll quickly restore your dad’s soul and return his memories.”
But Cheon Seong-jae immediately took Hugo’s hand tightly.
“It’s okay, Dad. Even though you seem to have forgotten promising me 10 million won for my Lee Geon-nim fan activities, I understand a dad like that.”
“…Seong-jae?”
“Dad was a great dad who always encouraged my Lee Geon-nim fandom and gave me money to collect figurines. Even though you seem to have forgotten letting me turn your room into a Lee Geon-nim fandom room, I’ll never forget that kindness and will make good use of it.”
“…….”
The little brat is brazenly committing fraud.
But Hugo, with no memory, broke into a sweat as he looked at his son’s sparkling eyes.
Good heavens. He’d given his son his room and promised 10 million won all for that bastard’s fan activities?
“R…really? Dad did that?”
“Yeah! I really like a dad like that! Oh, and Dad told me to order a giant poster of Lee Geon-nim for the living room, plus figurines and albums, so don’t worry. I’ve already placed the orders with top-quality frames!”
“Uh, oh… okay.”
Something felt incredibly fishy.
There was no way he’d ever buy a poster of that Geon jerk and hang it in the living room.
Hugo was deeply uneasy, but since he couldn’t remember, there was only one thing he could say.
‘…I guess I was a father who cared about his kid.’
But at the same time, Hugo eyed Cheon Seong-jae with great unease.
And not just for any reason.
‘That image of my son. I’ve seen it before.’
Not just anywhere.
‘It’s exactly the scene I saw in Delphi’s oracle prophecy.’
It must have been around the time Zhang Luyi attacked the Virgo Sanctuary and got brutally beaten by Lee Geon.
—Run away!
Hugo had seen it clearly.
Yuhwa, Seong-jae, and the Sagittarius Temple followers turning into corpses, the entire city annihilated.
Of course, back then he hadn’t paid much attention to that future.
Because Seong-jae’s appearance had been different.
And the ones who would bring about a similar situation—Lee or Eun—were already dead.
But.
‘Isn’t my son’s current appearance exactly like that prophetic vision?’
That was why Hugo couldn’t help freezing up.
Delphi’s oracle skill didn’t reveal the exact date events would happen.
So back then he’d assumed it was a future that had already diverged, but now…
If that future simply hasn’t come yet.
‘Could it be that soon my family will die…’
That left Hugo flustered.
The Monarch’s side had been fully handled by Geon.
‘Then did that scene signify an attack from the gods?’
But Hugo quickly shook his head.
That wasn’t the priority right now.
“We need to get out of here quickly, Geon-ah.”
Yeon-woo urged hastily.
“This is a colony of Eden. If we don’t hurry, we and our subordinate gods will be brainwashed by Eden too.”
That wasn’t all.
“And Eden is full of warmongering types, like Valhalla. The colony residents are no pushovers either.”
“That’s true.”
Whether it was Heily, who’d been to the divine realm, or Yeon-woo, once a god there, they knew Eden well.
‘Eden, like Mahabharata, governs [Order], but in reality, they’re the kind who start wars to enforce those rules.’
Their definition of order was completely different.
The gods of [Mahabharata] fundamentally prohibited killing. They left all dirty killing up to Mahabharata’s designated executioners.
In other words, their method of punishment involved sending sinners to the hell of samsara for self-realization, restraint, endurance—teachings. Eden was the exact opposite.
They were the type to punish humanity with floods and maintain order through immediate execution.
And in such a place, the subordinate gods and residents trained as warriors were extremely blind, fanatical executioners.
‘They don’t even listen to reason.’
Olympus of trade, Ennead of purity.
Kunlun of charity, Mahabharata of order. Then Eden of execution.
They never, ever listened to others, and when ranked by savagery, they were the worst of the eight major factions.
“If we stay here, the locals will discover us…”
Just as expected.
“Who goes there!”
“!!”
Everyone flinched at the sharp voice. It seemed they’d noticed the intruders.
The watchers of the Eden colony leveled their weapons at Lee Geon.
“A cunning serpent dares to crawl into Eden.”
“Impious wretch! Have you come to lure away the saints of Eden!”
And their numbers were dozens.
It seemed that, just like in Ennead, serpents were also not welcome in Eden.
‘Well, it’s understandable. In Eden, serpents are beings who tempt gods.’
There was no way they’d like a serpent god in Eden.
‘Especially since these guys are the colony’s watchers.’
Loyal to the archangels, there was no way they’d let the group leave quietly.
Sensing the atmosphere, Lee Geon drew the Sky Punishment.
The enemies charged, and Lee Geon, radiating divine power, was about to swing the Sky Punishment.
“Hold!! Stop!!!”
“?”
The jailers who had been about to attack halted abruptly. Then they shouted as if they’d seen something incredible.
“That weapon! Isn’t that the great Sky Punishment-nim!!!”
“What?!”
“……?”
They even hurriedly withdrew their weapons, trembling for fear of scratching the Sky Punishment.
At the same time, they looked Lee Geon up and down with utter disbelief.
“Th-then that insolent-looking gaze holding Sky Punishment-nim, could it be!!”
“……??”
“That person!!”
“It’s that person!!!”
“……????”
The jailers knelt before Lee Geon as if to greet a god.
“Ooooh! We failed to recognize your noble countenance!”
“You are far more solemn than the photographs!”
“O Serpent God!”
What, are these bastards crazy?
Lee Geon’s expression was a sight to behold.
And above all, the expressions of the former serpent saints who knew Eden best—Yeon-woo and Heily—were also worth seeing.
‘In Eden, which despises snakes…’
‘In monotheistic Eden, to worship another god…’
But regardless, the jailers, who could barely even look at Lee Geon’s face properly, got smacked by Seong-jae.
“Hey! How could you not recognize that face at first glance! Your faith is lacking!”
“Cult Leader-nim!!!”
Lee Geon looked at his nephew as if dumbfounded.
“Seong-jae?”
“Ah, don’t worry. All these guys are my subordinates.”
“Lee Geon-nim! Please grant us your autograph!!!”
As the jailers prostrated themselves and stripped off their shirts to offer them, Lee Geon stared at Cheon Seong-jae in disbelief.
‘This kid. What’s he been up to?’
And these were supposed to be the very jailers tasked with monitoring insurgents in Eden?
Regardless, the jailers immediately called for their underlings.
“What are you doing! Lee Geon-nim has arrived! Quickly, bring the accumulated offerings to Lee Geon-nim!”
“It’s essential for the growth of the Serpent Lord Constellation!”
At the jailers’ shouts, screams echoed from inside the building.
“Who did you say is here?!”
“Lee Geon-nim?!”
Accompanied by screams you’d hear at a concert, the ground shook.
At the same time, gigantic beastmen and residents prostrated themselves before Lee Geon.
Precious talents useful to the gods, snacks for recharging divine power, and all manner of offerings were piled high.
“Lee Geon-nim! Huff, huff!”
“Lee Geon-nim!! Please accept them!”
“These are offerings gathered from the Eden colony!”
All of them were offerings that should have been sent to Eden.
The offerings harvested in each colony go to the constellation gods of that colony, and those gods use them to increase their power.
When they grow stronger, they can hold more subordinate gods, upgrade their authorities and bodies and territories, and above all, extend their lifespan and receive benefits from the divine realm.
But.
“Seong-jae…”
“No need for caution. They’ve all got over 100% faith in the Serpent Lord Constellation.”
“…….”
And that appeared to be true.
[Eden Jailer – Serpent Lord Constellation Faith: 200%]
[Eden Jailer – Serpent Lord Constellation Faith: 182%]
……
[Eden Resident – Serpent Lord Constellation Faith: 287%]
[Other lifeforms with Serpent Lord Constellation Faith over 100%: 120,983,984]
How on earth did he proselytize to achieve numbers that were impossible even on Earth?
Just then.
[The Saint of the Serpent Lord Constellation (Cheon Seong-jae) has reached Level 20 and has embraced a minor divinity.]
[Can be designated as a Subordinate God (Low-Grade), and the currently held divine identity can be granted.]
[Currently held divine name:
Lee Geon couldn’t believe his eyes.
‘Heavens, the father is a pushover, and the son is a cult leader.’
Of course, a divine name is something like a personal trait attached separately from the divinity one holds.
He himself had two divine names, but still…
“Listen! My uncle… no, Lee Geon-nim, is a great sole god who holds the divine names
“Ooooh! Two divine names?!”
“It’s truly rare for someone to have more than two divine names!”
“That is granted only to the strongest among the gods! You are certainly no ordinary sprout!”
“Greater than the masters of Eden!”
Lee Geon massaged the back of his neck.
That wasn’t all.
[120,983,984 lifeforms wishing to follow the Serpent Lord Constellation desire to offer tribute.]
[This violates the rules of the divine realm. Will you accept them anyway?]
At this unexpected windfall, Lee Geon raised the corners of his mouth.
Rules or not, of course he should take them, no?
It was absurd, but it was a good thing.
‘I can return the debt to those targeting my territory.’
But just then.
“You lot! What do you think you’re doing!”
An unfamiliar voice rang out from the sky. There were about two of them—angels.
They must have found it strange that the colony residents were all gathered.
In particular, they were flustered by Lee Geon’s presence.
“Jailers! Were you not ordered to monitor the movements of !”
As the angels drew closer, Hugo instantly drew his bow.
“Shall I take them out?”
He meant to blow them away before they arrived, but Lee Geon’s lips curled upward.
“No. I’ll turn every last one of those bastards here into my believers.”
“What?”
“I’ll take their territory too.”
“What?!!”
“They’re the ones who snatched mine first.”
“But this is the colony’s interior! They look like higher gods—is that even possible?”
At that, Lee Geon produced the Heavenly Peach, his eyes flashing.
“If they don’t have the heart to serve, I just have to make them feel like it.”
The serpent god’s power surged up wildly.
(To be continued in the next episode)