Ch.100Chapter 100. Now I Will Stand in the Sky (1)

Chapter 100. Now I Will Stand in the Sky (1)

[True Malak: I’m counting on you, errand boy.]

Before I could say anything, the connection with True Malak was cut off. Hey, why “errand boy” of all things when there are perfectly normal names available?

He could have called me Sans or Agent instead.

But I don’t want to nitpick. If we talked more, my mind might collapse.

Anyway, taking the risk to attempt conversation was worth it. He left me with a gift.

[Unstable Manifestation: Malak, the Storm God and Loa of the Barbarians, temporarily manifests on earth by consuming enormous mental power. Can only be used once.]

A one-time manifestation. Probably just a sample. This is a huge gain.

Satisfied with getting a proper answer, I decided to purchase the “Potential Explosion” blessing.

20,000 points is still far away, and since I already got a one-time use item, I’ll buy this first. It’s not even expensive. Might as well grab what I can.

[‘Potential Explosion’ blessing acquired!]

– Lakye, my guardian.

I decided to give this to Lakye. Among all my units, she undoubtedly has the highest potential.

Being half-deity, she might have enough potential to become a Loa.

Click.

I passed the blessing to her, expecting Lakye to transform into a massive wolf that would tear enemies apart.

“M-Malak, sir!”

I still have much to do. Leaving Lakye rejoicing like a little girl, I examined Asha’s corpse.

Perhaps, maybe…

I used the “Zombie Control (Advanced)” blessing on her.

– …

She was an enemy, but we conversed and connected through divine possession. Maybe that’s why I feel uncomfortable. I wonder if this is the right thing to do.

But it makes sense to try if possible. This isn’t Asha anyway, just her empty shell.

If Asha’s zombie can help save even one more tribal federation warrior, controlling her is the right choice.

“Uuugh…!”

Asha slowly rose. Her demon eyes, once completely black, had turned red.

This works? I didn’t expect much since it worked on lower demons but not intermediate ones.

Maybe it was easier to zombify her because I’m a Loa. Like how the Chaos Totem didn’t work well on her.

Hissss…

With a puff of smoke, the wounds on Asha(Zombie)’s body disappeared. Perhaps her healing ability returned after being resurrected as a zombie.

I ordered Asha(Zombie) to wave at Lakye.

“Uuugh…”

Asha(Zombie), who had been moving awkwardly, slowly waved her hand toward Lakye.

“One lowly woman succeeded. Now she can stay by Malak’s side.”

Lakye looked down at Asha, who was hunched over unable to control her body properly, with contemptuous eyes.

No, Lakye. That sounds too much like a villain’s line. Don’t you see Hannah flinching as she watches with suspicious eyes?

“Uuugh…”

Asha, having lost her mind, could only moan. The sad and humiliated expression on her face must be my imagination.

Anyway, I now have another powerful zombie unit following DanDanMukJik. With self-healing capabilities, she can keep fighting as long as I control her.

I even ordered her to use magic, and she managed to gather black energy. The double enhancement buff she gave to the sea monsters wasn’t possible.

Still, she must be above average intermediate demon level.

“It’s over.”

Dina, who had finished dealing with the sea monsters that continued resisting after Asha’s death, stood before me.

– Good work.

“…There’s a post about a high-ranking demon in the Nomroot region. As promised initially, our special forces will leave now.”

So she’s going to hunt a high-ranking demon. To gain more power and challenge the cloud demon.

How admirable to remain unbroken even after such defeat.

– I wish you good fortune.

I could have asked her to eliminate the shadow demon or join the tribal federation, but I decided to let her go.

Paladins can’t give me points anyway. There’s no benefit for either of us if she stays with me when I haven’t finished the Ghost King quest.

She might unintentionally take points that Lakye, Paya, or Kanto should earn. I think it’s best if we meet again after we’ve all reached a certain level.

Most importantly, I’ve obtained “Incomplete Manifestation.”

The best opponent to test this sample manifestation would be the shadow demon that has been tormenting our tribal federation for weeks.

We’ve collected all the magic stones. Kanto and the warriors are carrying the magic stone chests to the underground laboratory in Polaris where Harry is.

I have both manifestation and a giant god. No need to borrow Dina’s help.

“Um…”

Hannah, who had been watching us, approached Dina.

“What is it, NotACatfish?”

That’s still such a strange nickname.

“I reached level 6 in this battle.”

“Congratulations.”

“The special forces recruitment condition is level 6, right?”

“…”

Dina nodded. She seemed to know what Hannah was about to say.

“I want to join the special forces.”

I knew it too.

[NotACatfish: I don’t think I can go to the tribal federation]

[NotACatfish: You won’t be there anyway, and it’s annoying to see that woman, Lakye or Curry or whatever her name is]

[NotACatfish: Above all, I want to become stronger]

[NotACatfish: When I’m strong enough to beat that woman, I’ll come see you]

I received these messages just now.

Lakye… she’s quite the sinner. She’s gained a rival without even knowing it.

[ok]

[Good luck. Rooting for you.]

[Message me if you get bored or tired]

I sent my reply. Long consolations or congratulations aren’t necessary between us.

Short and cool is the way to go. That’s what Hannah would want too.

[NotACatfish: You’re not even trying to stop me once]

[NotACatfish: Aren’t you worried about me at all?]

Wait, what’s with this suddenly?

[NotACatfish: Just kidding]

[NotACatfish: Malak is a good person. I didn’t expect him to care about the residents too. Serve him well]

[ok]

She startled me.

“There will be days when we fight without rest. Are you okay with that?”

“I’m prepared.”

And so Hannah became a member of Dina’s special forces.

“If we each do our best in our positions, we’ll meet again. Well then…”

Ah, maybe I’ll ask for one small favor. I stopped Dina, who was about to leave after saying goodbye to the residents, and made a small request.

A request for our tribal federation as we begin to expand into the world.

“I… understand. I’ll post it as soon as I confirm.”

Her expression was somewhat strange, but I’m sure she’ll handle it well.

I told the residents to follow Asha(Zombie) and the sea monsters(Zombie) to join the tribal federation in Symphonia, and ordered Lakye to take the chest to the underground laboratory in Polaris.

This was to evacuate residents and activate the giant god simultaneously.

“Malak’s manifestation… I’d like to see it myself, but I guess I can’t.”

– There will be another opportunity.

“I suppose so.”

Lakye smiled gently and ran off with the chest. I confirmed the Martuva residents quickly moving away.

With Asha and the sea monsters’ power, they should be able to protect the residents safely.

– I’ll be going now.

“Yes!”

I transferred my consciousness to Totem 1. Paya and Muri were waiting in front of the altar.

I told them about what I had obtained.

– I’m going to use “Incomplete Manifestation” to eliminate the shadow demon.

Totem 2, with its limited magical power, won’t be able to use the blessing perfectly.

It might break like Totem 4(Temporary) used during the tunnel demon subjugation or Totem 4(Temporary 2) used to defeat Charon in Beatrice’s secret warehouse.

I need Totem 1 to use the one-time manifestation.

“I’ll call the warriors.”

Understanding my words, Muri brought the warriors, and Totem 1 was carried in a palanquin to the top of the wall.

It was a position with a clear view of Tibera, where the shadow demon was. Demonic energy, writhing like octopus tentacles, covered almost all of Tibera’s land.

In just a few days, it would reach Symphonia. The giant god might be cutting it close.

– Everyone, step back.

I don’t know what kind of shockwave might occur after using manifestation. I moved people as far away as possible.

This should be enough. I used the “Incomplete Manifestation” blessing.

CRASH-!

The change happened suddenly. A bolt of lightning struck Totem 1 from the clear sky, blinding my vision.

…When I opened my eyes again, I was floating in the sky. I feel slightly dazed.

“It’s Malak! Malak has manifested!”

“S-Storm God…!”

“Loa Malak has descended in physical form!”

Looking down at the people who had become as small as dots, my mind cleared. My body was covered in blue scales and moved freely according to my will.

My body was too large to fully examine, but one thing was certain. A dragon. Undoubtedly an Oriental dragon.

An inexplicable sense of omnipotence envelops me. Suddenly, I want to howl. Whatever, let’s try it.

GROOOOAR-!

Wow, that feels good. After roaring loudly enough to make the ground shake, I turned my head to face Tibera directly.

The demon soldiers advancing toward Symphonia stopped in their tracks, trembling.

I can even see the four-eyed demon hiding in the demonic energy. The small, fragile creature that had been grinding its teeth while looking at me suddenly turned around and…

Slither…

It’s running away with the demonic energy. You bastard, what perfect timing. Where do you think you’re going?