Chapter 30: Chapter30-Demonized Pine Tree
"Deus Initium?"
As Thomas's resounding voice echoed, the three tier-3 spellbeasts closing in on the village let out sneering laughter.
"What kind of nonsense is this? At a time like this, you're still deceiving yourselves?"
"Just obediently let us devour you. That is the best fate for you as humans!"
"Exactly! Bring out this so-called Deus Initium as well and let us feast on all of you together!"
The three spellbeasts laughed wildly, showing no reverence for the deity—only pure, insatiable hunger. To them, the sight of humans was no different from seeing a delicious meal placed right before them, something they had long salivated over.
At that moment, the leading serpent flicked out its blood-red tongue and charged toward the village.
Its massive body barreled forward recklessly, trampling and crushing numerous crops along the way.
As it made its move, the demonized pine tree and Kong followed suit, surging toward the village and causing tremors across the ground.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the village entrance, their towering shadows engulfing Annasi in an instant!
At the same time, deep in the underworld, Edgardo glanced anxiously at Mia beside him.
"Mia, it's already come to this. Are we still not going to act?"
The oppressive strength radiating from the spellbeasts was terrifying. Even though he had been granted the title of Infernal Judge by Deus Initium, he still felt immense pressure.
If even he felt this way, how much worse must it be for the other villagers?
If no one stepped in to stop these spellbeasts, Annasi would be reduced to ruins.
Seeing Edgardo's urgent expression, Mia's deep-set eye sockets flickered with the restless flames of the underworld but soon returned to calm.
"Edgardo, do you think we can defeat these spellbeasts?"
Mia suddenly countered with a question.
Edgardo was momentarily stunned. At a time like this, even if they weren't a match for them, shouldn't they at least try?
"Mia, this is Deus Initium's domain. Countless devotees are gathered here. Even if we can't defeat them, we cannot allow these spellbeasts to rampage unchecked!"
The other villagers who had been strengthened into ghosts all nodded in agreement.
They were all residents of Annasi, deeply attached to their village, and could not tolerate it being destroyed by spellbeasts.
Seeing their determined expressions, Mia shook her head.
"We are underworld ghosts under Deus Initium. Our duty is to assist Him in handling matters related to souls and the underworld."
"A spellbeast invasion of the village is not our responsibility unless Deus Initium gives explicit orders. Defending the village against spellbeasts is not yet our concern."
"Besides, even if you and I join forces, we are not their match."
Mia spoke seriously:
"Deus Initium strengthened you into ghosts, not to have you throw your lives away meaninglessly!"
In Mia's mind, although these spellbeasts were formidable, in the presence of Deus Initium, they were merely coming here to die.
There was no need for them to worry.
She firmly believed that Deus Initium must have already noticed the disturbance here.
With His divine power, dealing with these spellbeasts would be as easy as a flick of His fingers—they would be reduced to ashes in an instant!
They posed no real threat.
Thinking of this, her face took on a look of devout reverence.
At that moment, inside the temple's statue, Owen's gaze turned icy as he watched the three spellbeasts charging toward the village entrance.
"Just short of 12 divine points to reach 1-Star Peak Ancient God—you've arrived just in time!"
As he spoke, a glacial sharpness flashed in Owen's eyes.
After all, these spellbeasts were of considerable level. They would fetch quite a few divine points when sold!
In his view, his immediate priority was to ascend to 1-Star Peak Ancient God as quickly as possible.
With an increase in his Godhood rank, his strength would see a significant boost.
Even now, as a 1-Star Ancient God, his power was already comparable to a tier-4 awakener. If he reached 1-Star Peak, how strong would he become?
The thought filled him with anticipation.
Boom!
Focusing his gaze, Owen watched as the three spellbeasts reached the village entrance and, with brute force, smashed through the village fence, charging inside.
"How dare you cause trouble in my domain? Then come and face me!"
This was his territory. Even without expending divine points, dealing with these spellbeasts would be effortless.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand and pressed it downward.
"You humans taste delicious, yet you are weak. You are nothing more than a gift from the heavens for us to feast upon!"
"Becoming our food is your honor!"
Upon entering the village, the three spellbeasts looked at the densely packed villagers, their eyes gleaming with hunger.
Compared to humans from other places, the ones here appeared far more well-fed. Moreover, a number of them were awakeners, making them an even more precious source of nourishment!
The serpent's hideous mouth drooled uncontrollably, releasing a thick, foul stench.
It had originally come for revenge but had stumbled upon an unexpectedly prosperous village.
If it devoured these villagers, it might be able to break through to tier-3 advanced, or even pave the way for a future breakthrough to tier-4!
After all, an awakener was like a high-value elixir to spellbeasts.
And there were dozens of awakeners here!
Not to mention, the village had a total population of over a thousand!
Among the three spellbeasts, the demonized pine tree scanned the villagers with a look of surprise.
It had never expected this village to be so thriving. However, unlike the others, it had little appetite for blood and flesh.
In fact, somewhere deep in its vague, muddled memories, it seemed to recall a benefactor—the person who had once planted it.
Because of that, it had never developed a preference for devouring humans. But neither would it actively help them.
After all, the Fallen Lands, where it resided, were filled with ruthless spellbeasts. If they discovered that not only did it refuse to eat humans but also aided them, it would instantly become a target, likely meeting a swift and brutal end.
Just as it was about to follow the gryphon's command to uproot the village, it suddenly sensed an overwhelming force descending from above!
The moment it detected this power, an inescapable feeling of being locked in place overwhelmed it.
No matter what means it used, there was no escape.
Even as a tier-3 mid-level spellbeast, when faced with this suffocating presence, all it could do was retreat in terror. Its once sturdy branches creaked under the immense pressure, as if they could snap at any moment!
Sensing imminent danger, the demonized pine tree abruptly lifted its gaze toward the source of the power.
Under the moonlight, where the sky should have been bright and clear, an enormous hand suddenly covered the heavens, blocking out the sky itself!
From that hand, an immense divine aura radiated—a force so oppressive that it felt like a mountain pressing upon its soul.
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Under this divine might, terror gripped its very being.
It instinctively attempted to flee but found itself completely unable to move!
Even the elemental power within its body rapidly dissolved under the overwhelming divinity, unable to maintain its form.
Its face twisted in utter shock and horror.
"This village... actually has a true deity!"
The demonized pine tree murmured to itself.
Since gaining sentience and becoming mobile, it had existed for over a century.
Yet, throughout all that time, nothing had truly left a mark on its memory—except for the vague recollection of the person who had planted it and once shown it kindness.
As it sank into memories of the past, the other two spellbeasts, too, felt the oppressive divine presence bearing down upon them.
One after another, they lifted their heads.
And through that vast, sky-shrouding hand, they perceived the terrifying deity beyond.
Though His form was obscured by endless clouds and mist, a pair of golden, commanding eyes shone through, searing their minds with absolute, inescapable oppression.