The Devil’s Cage

The southern forest at night.

A figure was shuttling along the woods swiftly. When the figure reached a tall bush, he lowered his body and sized up his surroundings.

Cucooo! Cucooo!

Hoots came from the figure’s mouth.

A bit later, another figure, who had blended in with the forest, appeared before the former’s sight.

The second figure’s undercover skill wasn’t that great, it was just that the camouflage equipment on him was meticulously crafted, to the point where it could fool people’s eyes.

As long as the figure held his breath and lowered his body, he would really look like a bush in the night.

“Outpost master! The traitor’s temple is just ahead of us, and…”

The first figure, a knight that went out scouting, reported with a sense of anger.

For a temple knight who escaped death in Naveya, no amount of rage would be considered too great for the culprit who had caused Naveya’s destruction. When the scouting knight found out something, killer intents rose in his heart.

“And what?” Nelson asked in a heavy tone, as thoughts came into his mind.

“The archpriests and officiants of other temples were all murdered! All by the hands of the traitor! The others are all the traitor’s men and they are deceiving the people!” the knight reported honestly.

“He will be punished in the harshest way possible for his crimes!” Nelson squeezed out the words from his clenched teeth and tightened his fist.

As a knight from Thorn Temple, despiting temporarily taking up the position of Arya Outpost Master, Nelson hadn’t forgotten his own beliefs because of the distance.

Quite the opposite, Nelson upheld the creed of a knight to his heart, solidifying his faith and beliefs for Lady Thorn, despite the distance and the passing of time.

Therefore, when Lord Demigod discovered the truth about the destruction of Naveya City in an accident, Nelson chose to believe it without a question, joining the group in marching south. In Nelson’s point of view, Lord Demigod was once the archpriest and chief knight of Lady Thorn, so what he said must be the truth, no questions asked.

Facts then proved that Nelson’s choice was correct.

Without further ado, Nelson waved his hand. Two hundred more figures stood up in the forest.

Unlike normal soldiers, these figures were strong and buff, yet swift and agile, even the night couldn’t block their sight.

Elites! Or in other words, knights!

These knights were carefully selected from Thorn Temple knights who were stationed in Arya Outpost and Harvest Temple Knights who came back from the west.

March on!

Nelson put out a hand sign and two hundred figures swiftly blended into the night.

…

The archpriest of Hunter Temple… No, in a more precise manner, the ex-archpriest and the current ‘God Kindred’ was standing in the grand hall of the temple.

In front of him was the statue of the Hunter, still tall and magnificent, another statue being built up quickly by the workers as he watched the construction process. Compared to the towering statue of the Hunter, the statue in progress was slightly shorter but much more meticulously crafted, its details on the next level.

Looking at the statue in progress that has his own face, Krecko showed a delighted smile.

Everything was unfolding to his expectations.

Using the archpriests and officiants of other temples to control the civilians was a piece of cake for him. There was no need for earth-shaking scenes, all Krecko needed was their mouth to tell the civilians that he, Krecko, will be the figure to rebuild Naveya City.

After that? It was up to the civilians’ imaginations.

After all, throughout the history of Naveya City, there were more than one mortal who had ascended to Godship.

It wouldn’t be too much for Krecko to join the fray.

Godship…

Krecko’s gaze on the statue somehow became misty and filled with admiration.

Krecko grew up in the temple and was one of the people who was closest to God. He had fantasized more than once about having that kind of mighty power and influence.

He hid his ulterior thoughts very well though, to the point that even the Hunter didn’t notice.

He had fooled a God!

Once he thought about the feat achieved by a mere mortal, Krecko couldn’t hold back his joy and delight. Even more so as his position went up, higher and higher, eventually becoming the archpriest of Hunter Temple, his joy and delight overflowing.

When all was quiet in the dead of night, Krecko would gaze at the brightest spot inside the temple: the place where the God’s statue stood.

That place was known as the place for the Gods whenever they arrived on earth.

But, what about it?

Krecko fooled the Hunter nonetheless.

Somehow, restlessness started to grow in his heart and soon enough, the restlessness taught him what he really sought.

A servant to the Gods? No! He sought after the God itself, he desired Godship!

Uncontrollable ambitions bloomed in Krecko’s heart shortly after, starting to go on a rampage in his heart, but the ex-archpriest did not act recklessly.

As the person closest to the God, he knew how powerful one was and what they could do.

He carefully and slowly plotted his grand plan.

One year passed, then five years, followed by ten…

More than a decade in planning was extremely long for a mortal, but Krecko wouldn’t be beaten by time. Instead, he strengthened his thoughts throughout the years, because he saw a lot of chances.

The unjust owner of Lightning Temple.

The ruthlessness of the Interrogator.

The hypocrisy of Harvest and Mercy.

The merciless slaughter of War.

The rashness of Valiant.

The infatuation of Love.

The ridiculousness of Melody.

There were many more chances that Krecko saw but it wasn’t enough. Although inciting war between them would greatly damage Naveya, it wasn’t what he sought.

What Krecko wanted was something more thorough, something more effective: the destruction of Naveya altogether.

Only when Naveya was destroyed to its roots, the Gods eradicated completely, could he rise from the ashes and ascend to Godship.

Then, his wait had gotten a reply: a chance.

Anxico the ‘Follower’ contacted him before, Krecko tested it out multiple times before he eagerly agreed to Anxico’s deal. After that, Krecko started to plot everything from the dark.

Despite accidents like Ryan in his plan, everything was still progressing smoothly.

“10 years! No! Another 5 more years and I will become a real God!”

Krecko said to himself in utmost confidence as he gazed at the statue in progress.

The temple personnel were different from common civilians. During the evacuation from the city, other than their identity and the skills mastered, their devotion was very key to determine whether they could join the convoy in leaving. Therefore, only the most devoted temple personnel were selected as seeds to their respective temples.

“Too bad… a missing part. Otherwise it would be much shorter before I can become a God.” Krecko sighed helplessly.

Unfortunately, it couldn’t be helped because before he truly ascended to God, he had no power or authority to turn the situation around, but it didn’t mean he would sit back and do nothing.

‘It’s time for you to leave, and it’s my time to step on the center stage!’

Krecko thought in his heart as he kept gazing at the Hunter’s statue.

How could a temple worship two Godly statues?

There would only be one and it would be Krecko’s, the God of Recreation, Krecko!

What about the Hunter then?

As the archpriest… ex-archpriest of Hunter Temple, he would soon deliver the sad news to the people—his Majesty the Hunter had fallen.

“Ryan, I really have to thank you for creating the scene of a fallen God to those fools. Otherwise, it would really be a hassle to describe to them…”

Before Krecko’s delightful mumbled ended, a cold glare flashed over his neck.

Krecko’s voice halted and a prideful voice echoed throughout the entire grand hall.

“I’ll be taking this thank you.”

A hand came out from the shadow, grabbing Krecko by the hair and pulling backwards. His head separated from his body right away and blood gushed out like a fountain from the severed neck.

Pak!

The headless body fell on the ground.