GOD Volume 2 Chapter 10

G.o.d —The Beginning of the End— Volume 2: Elf, Nanny, Thunderous Anger

Original novel in Chinese by: 御 我 (Yu Wo)

Chapter 10: The Stone of Original Sin Here to Attack—translated by lucathia (proofread by Trespa.s.serby & Taffygirl13)

"A demon and a half demon. You think you can defeat me with that?" Braids squawked in a high pitch, "Do you all have any clue of the true power behind the Stones of Original Sin?!"

A demon and a half demon? They were taken aback, a bit confused by what Braids meant.

"No matter how amazing something is, it'd become rotten in the hands of an idiot like you!" Shooting Star shouted, drawing everyone's attention. The long whip in his hands shot toward Braids as if it were alive.

"You fight him in close quarters. I'll strike stealthily." Shooting Star took this chance to whisper to Dan beside him.

Dan nodded. He was a steadfast, mage blade of the earth element. As for Shooting Star, he was obviously the agile type. This way of arrangement was indeed correct, so Dan did not suspect that Shooting Star was being lazy. In fact, in order to prevent Braids from sneakily readying some sort of trap with the gra.s.s, Dan actually dashed right at him.

Along the way, many weeds surged up to block his way, but Dan did not falter for even a single step. He let the gra.s.s strike at him, the battle aura around his body naturally taking care of such weak attacks.

However, against the personal swings of Braids's th.o.r.n.y whip, Dan did not dare to gamble. He raised the magic sword in his hand, properly swinging his sword to block the attacks. Even though the whip's attacks were irregular and ever changing, Dan's defense was also solid. While the earth element did not have strong offensive power, its defensive power was unparalleled.

The naturally sly demon race rarely ever chose earth elemental magic. It was perhaps because Dan was influenced by his human blood that he would choose this element.

Dan also did not fail to live up to his one hundred and fifty years as a half demon. To him, Braids's attacks were not crafty. The weeds were just in his way, preventing him from defeating Braids.

Just then, the bloodred whip cracked through the air from a tricky angle, timed to match Dan's retaliation against Braids. Braids, who was dealing with Dan's attack, had little attention to spare to notice the whip.

Braids had already suffered three deep claw marks across his chest. Now, he suffered another of Shooting Star's attacks, hit straight on by the whip from the left side of his face all the way down to his left arm.

"Hot d.a.m.n, you sure are ruthless!" Braids laughed instead of getting angry. He excitedly said, "You guys are competent enough for me to use a teeny-tiny bit of my true power to play with you both."

"I'm just a kid who sleeps early and wakes up early, which is good for your health. You should just play with Dan." Shooting Star made a face and immediately flitted far away, hiding to the side to await his next opportunity at a sneak attack.

"I'm just afraid he won't be enough!"

After Braids lightly muttered something, his turquoise eyes glowed faintly. The dark of the night made the strange color of his eyes appear even odder.

Dan was a cautious guy. From start to end, he had never gambled haphazardly just because of his age. When he saw their opponent's eyes glow oddly, his wariness rose even higher. He also strengthened the defensive battle aura around him.

Unexpectedly, it was far from enough.

The earth below their feet suddenly rumbled. Even though it was only a slight vibration, what kind of power was enough to make the earth itself rumble?

"Look over there!" Alan cried out in alarm from afar. "The forest is moving!"

Everyone immediately looked toward the forest. First, the tall trees swayed. Then, gigantic roots burst out from the dirt. The trees advanced root by root, as if they had grown legs!

Braids guffawed. "You think I only know how to control gra.s.s? If I only had such weak power, then why would anyone put their life on the line to chase after the Stones of Sin?"

A wide expanse of trees all "stood" up from the dirt and began to move step by step to where Shooting Star and the others were. Each step from the gigantic trees shook the earth incessantly, as if the earth were shivering from this odd occurrence.

"F***!" Shooting Star stared with his mouth open. W-what in the world is going on? Is this a dream?

Even a half demon who had lived over a hundred years clearly had never seen such an odd sight before either. In response, Dan froze on the spot, not knowing what to do. The Shaosi Continent had a small population, so the forests were well preserved. Forests that were hundreds to thousands of years old were everywhere. Many trees were so tall that it was impossible to even see the tops of them. How were they to fight that?

Shooting Star was actually the first to react. He suddenly shot toward the trees, a ball of fire materializing in his hand. He intended to use fire to burn the trees. Even a three year old kid would know that trees were weak to fire. Although his fire magic sucked, burning some logs was no problem!

When he ran to the first tree, he saw many leaves falling down from above. At first, Shooting Star didn't think much of those leaves. They were just leaves—what were they going to do to him?

However, he had forgotten that although these were just "trees," they could even walk now.

When one leaf brushed against the side of his neck and a wave of pain hit him, he abruptly came to a realization. These leaves were definitely no joke. However, by this time, the sky was already full of leaves.

s.h.i.t, this is too much!

Shooting Star gulped. He immediately swung his whip, barely managing to clear a path before him among the countless leaves. At the same time, he shot out like an arrow. However, there were too many leaves. No matter how skilled he was at using the whip, many leaves still escaped his reach, like fish slipping out of a net. Each of those leaves left a b.l.o.o.d.y mark against Shooting Star's skin.

Ouch! It hurts! It hurts so d.a.m.n much! Shooting Star wailed inwardly but continued to fight with everything he had, the whip never stopping. His two legs also took him dodging nonstop. He didn't dare to falter. If he did, this one Shooting Star would turn into several pieces of Shooting Star!

"Shooting Star!" Bai Saya ran, wanting to aid him.

"Don't come! Protect Alan!" Shooting Star forcefully rushed out of the entrapment of leaves as he shouted while short on breath.

However, it was not because he felt the elf's life was more important than his own. After all, even though a pet was important, it still came second on Shooting Star's list of importance. First place definitely went to his own survival!

It was just that if the situation had gotten so terrible that even he couldn't deal with it, then Bai Saya coming over was no help either. It would be better for Bai Saya to remain where he was and protect the other pet. Alan was a mage, and he had exhausted his energy from casting the lightning pillars. If he were to get hit by these countless leaf projectiles, then they would be able to have elf shabu-shabu right then and there.

Bai Saya abruptly stopped in his tracks. He obediently stayed beside Alan, although he focused his gaze on the sight of Shooting Star getting chased by the leaves. His originally gentle amber eyes began to darken like bleeding ink…

Dan did not move to rescue Shooting Star. He understood the situation better than Bai Saya. Rather than having an extra person head over and get attacked by the leaves, it was better for someone to attack the culprit behind the leaves.

Therefore, he dashed toward Braids, no longer holding back. As he swung his sword down, several earth spikes burst from the ground. Dan planned to end the fight quickly. He was not going to allow this person in front of him to wreck any more havoc!

"How naïve of you all. Do you really believe that the Stone only has this tiny bit of power?"

Braids snorted. He actually remained squatting where he was, too lazy to even care about Dan's attack.

What? Dan did not understand. He had already reached Braids and didn't plan to retreat… Someone's attacking me from behind!

Dan did not stop his current attack. Based on experience, he calculated the location of the person attacking him from behind. Then, several earth spikes thrust toward that person.

"Stop, that's Bai Saya!" Alan cried out.

"Ugh!" A m.u.f.fled voice came from behind.

It really is Saya! Dan was shocked. He no longer cared at all about attacking Braids. He abruptly turned to look. The sight before his eyes made his heart thud heavily. An earth spike he had cast had actually pierced through Bai Saya's calf!

"Saya!" Dan was so frantic that he was unable to pay attention to anything else, about to run over to inspect Bai Saya's injury.

"Don't come over!" Bai Saya actually stopped him. He frantically said, "I can't control my body anymore. I-it moved by itself. Don't you come over!"

"What?" Dan was stunned.

However, Bai Saya himself actually walked toward Dan. Since an earth spike had pierced through his leg, he pretty much had to stiffly force his leg up to walk over. Each step of his splattered the ground with blood. No matter how good he was at enduring the pain, he couldn't help but let it show on his face. He clenched his teeth and told Dan, "M-move away. My body isn't listening to me. I might attack you. Go!"

Dan was furious to see the terrible state Bai Saya was in. He turned and growled at Braids, "Stop it! You're behind this, right? Stop it right now!"

As he shouted, countless earth spikes surged from the ground, piercing toward Braids…

Braids nonchalantly said, "If you don't stop it right there, I'll make him jab some holes in himself."

The earth spikes stopped only a centimeter away from Braids. Dan's expression was ugly. Hatred to the point of wishing to pierce thousands of holes in Braids burned in his eyes. However, he was afraid that the other person would actually carry out his threat, and Bai Saya would suffer again.

By this time, Shooting Star had escaped from the leaves and saw how dire the situation was. Without alerting anyone, he snuck behind Bai Saya and struck him heavily across the back of his head.

Bai Saya fell down, relief and reluctance warring on his face. He was relieved that he would not be used to harm his companions but reluctant that he wouldn't be able to help them after this. He might even become a burden…

Shooting Star, Dan, Alan… I beg of you. Please be safe! When I wake up and open my eyes, you must all be safe!

Bai Saya immediately opened his eyes, but he did not see any of those three. He was confused at first but soon recognized the familiar sight before him. This was the place he had met Roth last time. It was supposedly his own consciousness, which meant he was in his head.

I have felt your fury. Although it is weak, you have indeed provided me your fury. In accordance with our contract, I will reward you the power you wish for.

"Roth? No, I don't want your power!"

Bai Saya hurried to turn it down. He could go crazy and die from using the stone. If that was all that happened, he would not care, but he might even attack his own companions. That was something he could never allow!

Why? Do you not wish for power? If you have power, you can quell the reason behind your fury.

"No, I don't want power!" Bai Saya kept shaking his head. Shooting Star wasn't wrong about Bai Saya's stubborn personality. No was no.

The stone was quiet for a good long while.

Then, can you tell me what has given rise to your fury?

Bai Saya did not hesitate at all to say, "That's because someone has hurt my companions. I must pay him back!"

Your fury is for the sake of vengeance?

Wrath was disappointed. It had repeatedly and repeatedly waited for so many years and still had not received a satisfying answer.

Bai Saya paused and discovered that he had not gotten it quite right. He hurried to say, "No, my fury isn't because I can't avenge them. It's because I'm not able to protect the people who are important to me. I'm angry because I don't have the power to protect my important people."

Your fury is not for yourself, but for others?

Is that how it is? Bai Saya frowned and thought about it. He was finding it a bit difficult to express what he was thinking.

"I don't think that's how it is. It's because I want to protect them, but that's because they treat me well. I don't wish for them to leave me, so I want to protect them, yet I failed and even became a burden. That's why I'm angry at myself. So I can't say it's for their sake. I think I'm angry at my own failings?"

Bai Saya was more and more confused as he explained it and even turned it around and asked Wrath about it.

I do not know.

I have searched endlessly with each repet.i.tion for the origin of fury, but I have never found a satisfying answer.

Fury is an original sin. If the reason for fury can be found, then perhaps this sin can be forever abolished.

"Wait a moment, why is fury a sin?" Bai Saya was taken aback and quickly put a stop to Roth's words.

Why is fury not a sin? Do you feel that fury is a good thing?

"I don't know if fury is a good thing or not." Bai Saya honestly admitted to his own ignorance, but he also resolutely said, "However, if I see a companion suffer and don't feel an ounce of fury, then that would be a sin!"

Not feeling fury… is actually a sin?!

"Yes, if someone you cared about got hurt, anyone would feel angry, right? If someone never ever felt angry, that would be too scary. It would mean that he doesn't care about anyone else at all! If he cares, then there's no way he won't get angry when those he cares about gets hurt!"

Fury is because you have things you care about?

"Yes, because I care, I feel anger." Bai Saya nodded as if it were a matter of course and said, "I respected and loved my shifu. When he was murdered, I was extremely angry then. When someone I love is hurt or killed, I won't ever get to see them again.

"So if there's someone who never gets angry, even when his loved ones get killed, then does such a person even possess the ability to love? A loveless person like that is what true sin is!"

Because there is love, there is fury?

Having said all of this, Bai Saya suddenly missed his shifu greatly. He recalled his shifu's past guidance and wistfully said, "Because love exists, fury naturally exists as well. My shifu used to say that where there is light, there will always be shadows. You cannot just keep the light and forsake the shadows, right?"

When I felt your fury, it actually meant that I felt the love that you possess. Therefore, fury is not a sin, but a way to express love.

"Yes." However, Bai Saya frowned. Even though he didn't dislike talking with Roth, he really wanted to wake up quickly and see if Shooting Star and the others were safe.

Indeed, I have felt love within your fury. You have allowed me to understand one facet of fury. Although not completely, I can feel the uncertainty within me lessen.

As long as the fury you provide me in the future originates from love, I will provide you power endlessly.

"Huh?" Bai Saya was shocked. Why do you want to provide power to me again? I already told you I don't want it!

You need not worry. From here on, you are my true master, the master of Wrath. Even if you overuse my power, you will not go insane.

But please be careful not to use more power than you can withstand. The more you go over your limit, the more damage you will cause to your body. Benign cases will land you in bed for several days. The worse case will result in death.

When he heard that, Bai Saya hesitated but then recalled the situation before he had fainted. He truly did need power.

"I really won't go crazy, right?"

Compared to getting stuck in bed or dying, he was more concerned about going insane on the spot. Bai Saya was truly too afraid that he would attack at random like Mannen, with no care for friend or foe.

His original intent was to save his companions. If he ended up going crazy as a result and killed them himself, then that would be way too ironic. He could not take such a risk at all.

No, any damage from power overuse will be reflected on your body, not your mind.

My body, huh? That's fine. Bai Saya calmly said, "Then, I want power, and I want it now. My companions are in danger."

After Shooting Star knocked Bai Saya unconscious, he hurriedly dragged him beside Alan and shouted at the latter, "Help stop the blood."

With that done, Shooting Star did not know what to do next. He couldn't leave Alan and Bai Saya without someone looking after them or else they would likely end up as hostages. However, Dan could not possibly win against Braids by himself. Just the encroaching trees around them and the leaf projectiles were enough to kill them!

At this time, the towering trees had Shooting Star and the others surrounded, Braids included, forming a perfect encirclement. Shooting Star no longer dared to use fire to burn these trees. The trees might get burned to crisp, but they would also suffocate and get toasted!

He could not make a decision. He looked toward Dan, not knowing how long he would be able to hold on.

Dan was extremely mad. He was so angry that when he saw Bai Saya get knocked unconscious by Shooting Star, he immediately went on the offensive against Braids. Even when the leaves flying about the entire sky attacked him, Dan merely used his battle aura to block them. He cared about nothing, only attacking Braids.

"Hey, hey, are you actually mad?"

Braids jumped about exaggeratedly, dodging the myriad of earth spikes shooting out of the ground. His exaggerated shock suddenly turned into erupting anger, and he screamed, "I only poked at him a bit, and you've gotten so angry. F***, you're trying to kill me, so how should I respond to that, huh?"

To the side, Shooting Star was so angry that he bit out, "You're blaming us when you attacked first? You obviously started it and nearly strangled Alan and the dragon egg! If you didn't attack first, we wouldn't have so many problems!"

Dan's response was more practical. He did not speak at all, instead using waves of strong attacks to express his opinion.

Even though Braids had pretty good skills, Dan was a half demon over a hundred years old who was well-versed in fighting. As for his opponent? It barely took any time for his body to be covered in wounds.

By now, Braids was truly angry. The smile that had been ever present on his face vanished without a trace, leaving behind a cold expression. His tone was even more frigid as he said, "I just wanted to play around with you guys, but now I'm really angry!"

"Dan, careful! Those trees are running over to attack you." Shooting Star shouted and screamed, looking pretty much like a lunatic with his body covered in blood and tattered clothing.

After Shooting Star shouted, Dan sensed a strong force pressing toward him. He alertly leapt to the side. As he jumped, a thick branch slammed down, rendering a chasm in the ground. The branch itself splintered into wood pieces, yet the gigantic trees did not retreat just because of some damage to the branches. Instead, sharp pieces of wood flew out in all directions, causing their foe quite a hindrance.

Fortunately, Dan was a mage blade of the earth element who paid special attention to defense. Otherwise, just these pieces of wood would give him enough of a headache.

However, although the pieces of wood would not inflict any harm, the gigantic, ancient trees behind them were frightening foes. Any and all of the branches and trunks were several times wider than Dan's entire person. Every attack caused alarming shaking and even left deep chasms in the earth.

Dan had no choice but to dodge the attacking branches. As a result, he could not extricate himself to attack Braids.

During such a battle, Braids actually knelt down in his original spot again, his improper smile returning to his face.

"That baby face has given me a great idea. These large trees are effing scary, but heh, a tree on fire? That's even scarier, right?"

What? Shooting Star's face immediately darkened. They were already surrounded by the trees. If the trees were to catch on fire, then the only possible fate awaiting them would be suffocating and burning to death.

All right, let's scram! Leaving this foe alive was very dangerous, as he could detect Bai Saya's whereabouts and could easily find them. However, no matter how much Shooting Star thought about it, that was still better than becoming roast meat right now!

"Dan! Come back!"

Shooting Star shouted and caught Dan's attention. The latter hesitated for a moment. Even though he could not guess Shooting Star's intentions, Dan felt that Shooting Star probably wouldn't joke using his own life no matter how much he enjoyed fooling around.

After he forcefully chopped and sent several branches flying, Dan speedily retreated beside Shooting Star and the others.

Shooting Star quickly said, "Block him. I'll cast group teleportation. When I reach the final part of the incantation, you must make sure to be in contact with me."

Dan nodded. At the moment, fleeing was indeed the best choice. Even though this person was a great threat to Saya, the current situation was too dangerous. They had to escape first and think of some way to get rid of this enemy in the future. But… Shooting Star actually knows group teleportation? That isn't a simple spell.

"The element of freedom, the child of the wind…" Shooting Star began to chant the incantation.

Nearby, Braids heard him and his smiling face abruptly twisted.

"Trying to escape? I possess the Stone of Indulgence! You think I'd let prey within my grasp escape? Cute leaves, hurry and attack with your all!"

The giant trees began to move one after another. A great number of leaves were shaken loose and immediately swirled in the air, rushing toward Shooting Star and the others like a rising tide.

"Shoot!"

Dan's expression changed. Against such a huge number, he could not block all the leaves even if he released all of his battle aura!

"Hurry and block them. I'll help you," Alan shouted. Lightning danced across his hands. He now deeply regretted that he had recklessly cast pillar of lightning earlier. If not for that, he wouldn't have become such a huge burden.

The elf made a decision. Even if he was mentally spent, he refused to let himself remain a burden!

At this time, Dan's golden yellow battle aura exploded outward like a semi-transparent shield that stood before them all.

Green leaves crashed against the golden shield like a wave, the leaves instantly shattering into charred dust. However, even more leaves flew around the shield to attack Shooting Star and the others behind it.

"Aurora Lightning!" Alan released several long and thin currents of electricity from his hand. His mental powers were spent, so he could only lower the power of the currents in order to release a wider expanse of them. Fortunately, the leaves were not st.u.r.dy. Lowering the power was actually the right choice, as it was enough to destroy the leaves while also conserving power. It was a much better option than the pillar of lightning he had wasted.

However, even with Dan's shield and Alan's lightning, they were unable to completely block the wave-like leaves. Under Braids's command, all the small leaves that had managed to escape flew toward Shooting Star, who was reciting the incantation.

Even though he had seen the sky full of leaves, Shooting Star was unwilling to stop chanting. He was almost done. Even if he were to gain dozens of holes all over his body, he had to finish chanting. If he didn't finish it now, they would possibly lose their chance to escape!

At this time, Alan jumped over and hugged Shooting Star. The innumerable leaves nailed him in the back, arms, and legs. The delicate elf cried out in pain, "Ahhhh…"

Even though Alan had sacrificed himself to protect him, several leaves still brushed past Shooting Star, rendering his body that was already in a pitiful state to an even bloodier one.

This is the final phrase! Enduring the pain, Shooting Star loudly cried out, "Please use your carefree wind to send us…"

A leaf brushed past Shooting Star's throat, cutting off all hopes of survival that the remaining words would have brought.

Bai Saya's eyes abruptly shot open. He searched for his companions frantically, and as he wished, he saw them right away. However, it was not a sight he wished to see.

His two companions were drenched in blood.

Alan, with silver-red blood coating his body, sliding down onto the ground powerlessly and silently.

Shooting Star, who was but a child, painfully clutching his throat with both of his hands, trying his hardest to give voice to the last phrase. Just one more phrase was all they needed. But all he could utter was, "Guhhh," intermingled with gargling blood.

The terrifying state that his two companions were in wiped Bai Saya's mind blank. The elf was in mortal peril. Shooting Star's throat had been nicked. Are they going to die? Will my companions die like Shifu?

"Nooooo!"

A wave of intense white light exploded outward with Bai Saya in the center of it all. It instantly swallowed up the entire plain, enveloping friend and foe alike.

Shooting Star stared at Bai Saya with wide eyes, not understanding why this guy had gone crazy right after waking up.

Collapsed against the ground with wide eyes, Alan, the elf who was evidently still alive, wore an odd expression that seemed to say, "I never thought that I would die without even having gotten through two months, let alone two hundred years."

Seriously, did I not tell you not to use more power than you can withstand?

Yet, you have only used it for the first time, and you have already immediately gone over your limit.

Wrath sighed. My master this time seems to have plenty of headaches in store for me. I wonder, just how far will things proceed this time?

To be continued