I Hate Systems

Chapter 244: The Mountain Deity

Once everyone exited the tower, Compass Carburettor brought them towards a large building that spanned a length of fifty metres and a breadth of twenty metres. It spanned a height of twenty metres but only consisted of one storey.

There was nothing on the floor, and situated at the end was a raised platform. And, placed on it was an altar.

The altar was a cylindrical construct at the front of which, the pearl-like material projected to form a symbol of double 'C' that were joined tangentially. It was the symbol of Secret Society.

And the walls of this building formed a massive mural, one that depicted a story, of a lone monster that had once lived on a mountain. And in ancient times, this monster lived by eating wild animals.

It reached a height of three metres. One day, when it was chasing after a deer, it came across a wounded girl that lay unconscious by the river.

At first, it wished to eat the girl, but upon smelling her, the monster didn't seem to like the scent of her blood, turning away to walk around. But at this time, the girl regained consciousness, raising her hand towards the monster, begging to be saved.

The monster didn't seem to care about her though and seemed to be intent on looking for the deer that it had missed. But, the girl didn't relent, crying aloud as she begged with her utmost spirit, finally capturing the monster's attention.

Arriving before her, the monster inspected her injuries, applying its knowledge of the forest to mix up a paste using various herbs to patch up her wounds. And miraculously, within two days, the girl recovered enough to walk.

She then returned to her village that was situated at the foot of the mountain. The years passed by in such a fashion, the young girl from before had now become an old lady. And, her village was facing harsher times now.

Not only was there a severe drought, but there were also bandits that frequented the place. Finally, left with no other choice, she trekked the mountain with her frail body, finally arriving at the river where she had seen the monster during her youth.

She then saw the same figure eating the meat of a bear that it had caught. The mural showed that the monster was able to converse now as the two seemed to be talking.

Though, it was mostly the woman that was begging for a favour while the monster just ignored her, as usual. But, left with no other choice, she continued to beg the monster, kneeling before it for three days and three nights before the monster was moved by her sincerity.

It then descended the mountain and slaughtered the bandits. The scene next showed the fear-stricken villagers prostrating themselves before the monster.

But at this time, the monster opened its mouth, stating, for the first time, "I am no monster."

"I am the deity of this mountain."

Upon hearing its statement, the eyes of the villagers brightened as they begged for it to save them. With a wave of its hands, clouds arrived atop the village, bringing forth ample rains, enough to completely resolve the drought situation.

The monster then returned to the mountain while the village made an altar to worship it. And, they inscribed the symbol of a double 'C' that were connected tangentially on the foreheads of the newborn in the village to signify that they were being protected by the mountain deity.

The scenes next showed the passage of time as the village thrived under the mountain deity's protection. The tradition had become an integral part of their culture as they even held festivals every year under the name of the mountain deity, especially during the harvest season.

But another century later, a vicious group of invaders passed by the village, decimating everyone living there, using the place to stockpile their reserves before marching forth to war.

With it being wiped out, and having no survivors, the village was forgotten from history. And as for the mountain deity, no one prayed to it anymore. Its life had returned to one of hunting, eating, and sleeping.

And over the passing centuries, all traces of the village had vanished while new cities popped up nearby.

When the people arrived at this part, they were shocked, because the city shown in the mural was Feora City.

'Then…' The same thought appeared in the minds of everyone, especially those that had seen Compass Carburettor in action and witnessed his power that was beyond what they obtained in the apocalypse.

"I've always been here. Just that, when people forgot about me, it was like I wasn't real. And on the day of the apocalypse, I could feel the thoughts of countless people wishing to be saved. It was what had woken me from my many centuries of slumber." Compass Carburettor smiled.

"Sir…who exactly are you?" The leader's voice trembled as he gazed at him, trying his best to maintain a clear state of mind.

At least a couple thousand people could stand within this building, though cramped. But, since they were all maintaining silence while looking through the murals, the leader's question was loud and clear.

"I believe it is apparent now…" Compass Carburettor spoke when his figure morphed, turning into a Haggon, a massive creature that spanned six metres in height, possessing a skin tougher than steel, and a body with an imposing presence that everyone in the building felt suffocated for a moment. It was the same monster as depicted in the mural, but way bigger and stronger.

All of them subconsciously kneeled on the floor, gazing at such a beast. And at this time, the leader and the group of people that had seen the Haggon before were stunned before realisation hit them.

"So, we were under the protection of the Mountain Deity all along!" Someone among the crowd muttered first before the words resounded in the minds of others.

That made them understand as to why such a massive beast had gazed at them before and nodded in their direction, instead of eating them up. It was a show of proof that they were under its protection.

"Thank you for protecting us!" The leader prostrated on the ground, followed by everyone in the place, gazing at the majestic figure of the Haggon, one that resembled an actual deity in their eyes now.