Ch.143Chapter 143. The Cloud Demon (2)

Chapter 143. Cloud Demon (2)

[MeleeSpy: The Cloud Demon is on a different level from the Night Stalker Demon]

[MeleeSpy: According to the game lore, it appeared as the first demon. In mythology, it’s in the position of a creator god]

[MeleeSpy: And you guys are trying to fight such a being while only believing in that god called Malak]

The first demon, huh. Since demons are Loas from another world, this one would be in a position equivalent to Lakan in this world.

I’ve heard before that Lakan was the first Loa. They said he was the emperor of the plains who ruled a territory larger than the current empire, leading a pack of wolves.

That doesn’t mean Lakan was a creator god though. Just that he was the first being to become a Loa.

Even that folklore might contain some exaggerations since it’s a legend passed down orally among barbarians.

[MeleeSpy: Those beings called Loas, I told you they’re extremely suspicious, right?]

Thinking I was ignoring him because I wasn’t replying, MeleeSpy changed the subject.

[MeleeSpy: Think about it. They’re the ones who did nothing while the world was going to hell. Just fucking bastards who stood by and watched]

Now I understand why the Loas except true Malak didn’t step forward.

Just looking at the Night Stalker Demon makes it clear.

Even Lakye, who had somewhat awakened his divine nature, couldn’t guarantee victory without a group beatdown—I mean, “coordinated group combat.”

High-ranking demons can threaten even gods if they’ve recovered even a bit of their divine nature.

The reason the Loas remained silent? Simple.

[MeleeSpy: Why did they just watch? Because they weren’t confident they could defeat the demons]

That’s right.

The Cloud Demon and Seven-Headed Dragon Demon, who are stronger than that Night Stalker Demon, are standing firm.

This isn’t a game that can be won by one or two Loas manifesting. Not all Loas are as strong as true Malak.

They calculated that fighting the demons would cause them great damage too. They didn’t want to risk failure.

MeleeSpy’s messages continued.

[MeleeSpy: After 5 years, only that god called Malak suddenly descended. Isn’t that random? Isn’t it more reasonable to think he has some ulterior motive rather than wanting to help us? Like a niche market strategy or something]

Tuga, the Loa who made Asha his avatar, is that kind of being. He probably entered seeing me thrive, thinking he could raise his divine status even a little.

That manifested Loa that Charon defeated probably had similar thoughts.

They’re vile opportunists whose means and methods are no different from demons.

[MeleeSpy: What if he’s trying to negotiate with the demons by offering all of you as sacrifices?]

[MeleeSpy: What if he’s serving up those annoying high-ranking paladins who’ve been wandering around on a plate?]

I appreciate your concern. But your premise is wrong.

The one trying to build a tribal alliance and save this world by cooperating with paladins isn’t a Loa.

It’s me, “UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode.”

And…

[Malak is different]

It’s true. Malak is different.

If the Cloud Demon is a creator god, then Malak is a god of destruction.

Why do you think I said I would subjugate the Cloud Demon as soon as I obtained manifestation? Because I’m confident.

Malak is a being on a different dimension from those Loas who were just watching, unsure if they could defeat the demons. True Malak remained still not because he lacked power, but because he was looking for a way to descend to the mortal realm.

I killed the Shadow Demon, a high-ranking demon, using an “incomplete manifestation.” I didn’t just kill it—I played with it one-sidedly before killing it. The fight itself wasn’t even established.

Neither Charon nor the Cloud Demon could defeat a high-ranking demon so easily.

Of course, I couldn’t tell him that straightforwardly. Who knows what price I’d have to pay.

[He’s someone who came down from heaven voluntarily because he loved the people here]

[MeleeSpy: Are you brainwashed or something?]

This bastard, even when I’m being honest.

[But]

[How are you any different from those Loas who just watch?]

I need to give him a wake-up call, even if just to awaken him.

[MeleeSpy: ?!]

[You’re the #1 ranked user, right? You even killed a high-ranking demon by yourself. Why aren’t you taking action when you have the ability?]

The reply came a few minutes later.

[MeleeSpy: Because it’s beyond my abilities. No matter how hard I struggle, I can never win]

[So you’ve given up?]

[Because of that seven-headed lizard bastard in the capital?]

[Coward]

[MeleeSpy: You don’t know them]

[No]

[I know enough now]

[MeleeSpy: …]

[I decided to fight after knowing everything]

I heard about the demons’ true identity and the evil god Shamishur from the Saint.

I might not know as much as MeleeSpy, who has memorized high-ranking demons’ dungeons and patterns thoroughly, but knowing the fundamental cause is what matters.

[I’ve never run away for a moment]

I admit, this is a lie. But it’s half true. At least since I decided to fight, I’ve never run away.

[How long are you planning to run?]

With great power comes great responsibility.

That’s a line from a superhero movie I enjoyed as a child.

I awakened as a god in a collapsing world, and believing in the potential of the totem I possessed and the Loa, I steadily moved forward.

Even when I witnessed the overwhelmingly terrifying Cloud Demon, when I realized what my ultimate goal was, even when I faced a life-or-death moment from Charon’s attack after (presumably) finishing the royal ghost, I never gave up and kept moving toward the royal ghost.

I’ve had my mental breakdowns, but I always recovered somehow and faced my reality again.

After all that hardship, I finally obtained manifestation.

[Stand and fight]

Of course, MeleeSpy’s situation is different from mine. It would be difficult for MeleeSpy to duel the Cloud Demon when he’s limited to level 10 as the max level, no matter how hard he tries.

Still. If he didn’t give up and kept honing his skills, he might have been able to land at least one hit.

He could have continued subjugation without giving up until the minimum condition to face the Cloud Demon—”4-5 max level paladins”—was met.

With all that information, hidden pieces, and strong power, to give up midway…

I could understand him, but I couldn’t accept it.

No, I didn’t want to accept it. Even Princess Dina, who is (probably) weaker than him, is fighting hard. I didn’t want to acknowledge someone who had broken despite being in a more advantageous position than others.

[MeleeSpy: …]

[MeleeSpy: Don’t you think it’s absurd to be forced to fight?]

Why is he suddenly changing his speech style again? Is he multiple personality?

[It’s unfair]

Of course.

[And absurd]

Goddess, evil god, Loas, demons… they’re all fucking awful.

[But what can you do about it? Are you going to tell your mom? Are you going to cry like a child?]

You can’t do that.

[I’m going to fight]

It’s not a story I started, but since I’m involved now, I intend to see it through to the ending.

That would make me feel better.

[I’ll survive tenaciously and land a hit on those absurd monster bastards]

Now I have the power to do so.

[MeleeSpy: …]

I don’t know what he’s thinking. There’s no guarantee MeleeSpy will change his mind just because he heard me out.

[Rachel is looking for you]

Still, I have to try.

[MeleeSpy: What?]

[Rachel, the scribe of Symphonia]

[The woman you saved]

[MeleeSpy: …She’s alive]

[MeleeSpy: Is she with the tribal alliance too?]

[Yeah]

[MeleeSpy: …]

[She praised you a lot, saying you’re honorable and brave]

[MeleeSpy: …]

[‘…’ is forbidden]

[MeleeSpy: …]

This bastard, really.

[Show us that honorable and brave side now]

I’ve said all I can. The choice is entirely up to MeleeSpy.

– …

We’ll begin the subjugation as soon as Dina’s special forces arrive. About three days left now.

I waited for MeleeSpy’s answer while watching the busy believers preparing, but it never came.

***

A platinum-haired paladin and five paladins following her joined the tribal alliance. It was the arrival of Dina’s special forces.

“It’s been a while, Malak.”

Dina, standing at the front, knelt and bowed her head. I can see Hanna rolling her eyes behind Dina.

Red hair in a bob cut. Sharp eyes and a cat-like face. Even her gaze looking around, searching for me.

Hanna, nothing has changed except you’ve gotten a bit stronger. Suppressing the smile that was about to form, I opened my mouth.

– Paladins, welcome to the tribal alliance.

Lakye spoke the next words for me.

“Are you prepared to become believers?”

“Yes. We will all serve Malak.”

I convinced Dina by telling her in a private message that serving Malak would grant various buffs. True to her practical nature, she accepted immediately.

Good. Now all members are gathered.