Ch.9696. Ascension (1)

Considering the value of the divine rank, it’s too precious to give up or dismantle, yet simply absorbing it myself wouldn’t be particularly meaningful either. In the end, it feels like a “chicken rib”—too good to throw away but not worth eating.

A 10% Minotaur divine rank, and a 1.2% Cow divine rank.

While I was contemplating how to handle this awkward situation, the moment Ugo came into my sight, an idea suddenly exploded in my mind.

‘Ah, that’s right! There are subordinate deities!’

Something I had completely forgotten while rushing toward my goals—the concept of subordinate deities, also called vassal gods or lesser gods.

To explain it simply, the concept of subordinate deities is like that of subsidiaries or subcontractors.

It’s a system where a mortal or weaker god receives divine power from a higher deity and ascends or grows, but in exchange becomes subordinate to that deity, working as their underling.

Since becoming a god is never easy, and acquiring additional divine rank after becoming one is quite difficult, most would consider an opportunity to become a subordinate deity a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Of course, it’s not all positive.

Since their souls become connected and subordinated in exchange for power, they ultimately must prioritize the will of their superior deity over their own.

How much the deity who granted power interferes with their subordinate naturally depends on that deity’s disposition.

Benevolent deities often practice non-interference as long as universal norms are followed, but evil deities usually seek to extract payment in some form for the power they bestow.

However, even benevolent deities require compensation for divine rank, so regardless of the situation, subordinate deities are gods in name only—essentially just underlings following orders.

The limitations of subordinate deities aren’t just about their status; they also have clear capability restrictions compared to regular gods.

They cannot independently have their own apostles or create divine artifacts, nor can they become stronger than the deity they’re subordinated to.

Furthermore, they can have their power reclaimed by the one who granted it at any time, and this includes not just the power initially granted but all power developed from it.

Thus, becoming a subordinate deity comes with definite limitations.

Despite these drawbacks, there are clear advantages to becoming a subordinate deity.

The ability to ascend to godhood despite lacking sufficient power or capability—essentially obtaining divine power—is an attractive option for all mortals.

Since subordinate deities are still gods, they gain immortality, never dying through conventional means, and they obtain a divine realm where they can do as they please—another benefit.

Also, rather than starting from scratch by establishing a religious order and accumulating achievements to climb to a higher divine status, beginning as a subordinate deity was considered a faster and more certain method in the game.

Particularly, if a subordinate deity somehow becomes an intermediate god, the subordination is automatically released due to the limitation that only lesser gods can be subordinate deities.

Of course, they might lose considerable power in the process according to their contract and be demoted back to a lesser god, but the important thing is that they can remain gods even after the subordination is automatically released.

And the power gained by the superior deity in this process is significantly greater than what was initially granted, so they ultimately benefit as well.

Anyway, as all these thoughts about subordinate deities rushed through my mind at that moment.

With Ugo, the former Minotaur, in my sight, I reached the conclusion to make him my subordinate deity to solve the problem of handling this divine rank.

Ugo, whose soul was destined to wander in the divine realm before being dismantled and extinguished, would benefit by becoming a god, and I would gain a highly loyal subordinate-deity.

In other words, it was a win-win situation for both sides, so as I was about to proceed with this plan.

‘This works out perfectly. There’s something useful too.’

Looking at the soul of the Minotaur War God I possessed, I realized it would be the perfect material for a gift to commemorate Ugo’s ascension, and I smiled contentedly.

※ ※ ※

The sacred realm of Ma-Duk, God of Vengeance and Blood.

This space was largely divided into the city interior and exterior.

The exterior of the city was an endless expanse of barren, desolate wilderness with blood-red earth—a recycled space that was once the divine realm of Partios, the evil god of violence.

Of course, this place had changed from its appearance under its previous owner, now featuring a bizarrely abundant natural environment.

From flowing rivers to lakes and seas, even the rain falling from the sky—all liquids were blood, perhaps explaining why almost everything in the environment was stained crimson.

Additionally, all living beings in this wilderness were transformed souls of sinners, from insects to plants like trees, and even animals—all were souls of sinners.

These transformed sinners had lost their identity by forgetting their intelligence and all memories, which was, in a sense, the worst possible outcome for sentient beings.

Meanwhile, unlike this terrible scenery, the city that was originally Ma-Duk’s divine realm was a magnificent city that surpassed any ideal that mortals here could dream of.

According to Ma-Duk’s taste, it perfectly replicated modern infrastructure and various facilities from memory, with some inconveniences improved upon, making parts of it resemble science fiction.

Countless entertainment options, cuisine unimaginable to humans of this era, and an internal structure where most desires were instantly fulfilled.

Thanks to this, anyone who came here would surely be satisfied—and now, this city was buzzing with excitement.

The cause of excitement was the declaration by Ma-Duk’s herald and spokesperson, a wolf beastkin.

She announced to all souls in the divine realm that an ascension ceremony would be held in the central plaza.

Of course, most souls residing in the divine realm didn’t know what this ascension ceremony was, but they could tell from the word “ascension” that it was no ordinary event.

Therefore, almost all souls took to the streets to witness this ceremony, and the central plaza had transformed into something resembling a parade ground.

Beyond, a main road connected the boundary between the city and wilderness to the central plaza, with a barrier of ropes and pillars installed in the middle to block entry.

Souls intrigued by this ceremonial variable that suddenly appeared in their monotonous daily lives began to gather one by one.

However, separate from this, the venue itself had a rather solemn atmosphere.

Even if they didn’t know exactly what the term “ascension ceremony” meant, they could tell it was a ceremony with religious overtones.

Anyway, as time passed and quite a number of souls had gathered.

Pachiiiiing!!!

A flash of light momentarily flickered and faded at the boundary between the city and wilderness, and from there, a massive being appeared.

A muscular body in the form of a bovine beastman—a Minotaur.

But with a height exceeding 6 meters, far surpassing the average Minotaur height of 3 meters, and a pair of beautiful angel wings sprouting from his back.

It was Ugo, the “Minotaur Angel,” who occasionally appeared in the Colosseum and showcased various performances, gaining recognition.

He wore clothing made of fabric similar to what might be worn in ancient Greece or Rome, and his entire body was lavishly decorated with ornaments made of various jewels and precious metals.

As he appeared magnificently adorned like this, the souls naturally realized that Ugo was the protagonist of this ceremony and gave him generous cheers.

Perhaps due to Ugo’s usually kind attitude and impressive performances, the cheers from the surrounding souls contained sincere support, and Ugo’s gaze toward them also contained gratitude for these wonderful people.

And amidst this, Ugo began to move forward slowly.

“”””””””””””Waaaaaaaaah───!!!!””””””””””””

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Taking one step at a time with force, making the ground tremble as he gradually advanced forward.

“”””””””””””Waaaaaaaaaaaaah────!!!!!!””””””””””””

The more he advanced with majestic presence, the louder the cheers from the souls watching him from all around grew.

And what existed at the end of Ugo’s path was none other than the massive grand temple located at the very center of the central plaza.