Chapter 34: Chapter34-The Maiden’s Ability
The divine aura emanating from Owen was an absolute supremacy over the Zerg Queen—a presence she could not defy.
At the same time, becoming the subordinate of a god ensured her safety, the protection of her species, and even a greater path to power.
The mere thought of serving a deity was something she had never dared to dream of before.
After all, the power a god wielded was beyond her comprehension.
Just as the Zerg Queen, filled with joy, was about to shower Owen with a barrage of flattery, he waved his hand, instantly extracting the majority of the herbal essence stored underground.
A cluster of fist-sized, emerald-green liquid spheres, encased in transparent membranes, floated into his grasp.
They shimmered like jade, their surfaces viscous and glistening, containing an incredibly dense concentration of elemental energy—so compressed it was nearly solidified.
"These herbal essences—I will take 90%. I have left you a portion. You will continue developing here. If you can provide more, I may grant you the chance to become a Vassal God."
Owen's voice was calm, yet absolute—like the decree of fate itself.
For many beings—both human and spellbeast alike—becoming a god was the ultimate goal.
Godhood meant unimaginable power, freedom from all constraints, and—most importantly—eternal life.
While ordinary beings only lived for decades or centuries, gods lived for millennia, their lifespans immeasurable.
The allure of immortality was irresistible.
The Zerg Queen's excitement spiked instantly.
For so long, she had tirelessly nurtured her offspring and expanded her swarm, all for the survival of the zerg species.
But if she could live for thousands—or even tens of thousands—of years, she could rewrite the fate of the zerg!
The possibility of becoming the one to change her species' destiny made her heart pound and her round face flush with exhilaration.
This was more than an opportunity—this was a miracle.
She knew that countless spellbeasts would fight to the death for a chance like this.
Realizing the gravity of this moment, the Zerg Queen forced herself to calm down.
She had been given a chance—she had to seize it.
Clearly, this deity had taken an interest in her herbal essence production.
If she could produce higher-quality essences, she might secure his favor.
As the Zerg Queen's mind raced with visions of the future, Owen quietly departed.
He could see that the Zerg Queen was obsessed with the idea of becoming a Vassal God.
She would surely devote herself to her task.
After scanning his territory once more, Owen confirmed that—aside from the Zerg Queen—there were no other notable creatures.
The remaining spellbeasts were mostly tier-1, too weak to pose a threat.
Leaving them be would encourage the villagers to train and fight, reinforcing their fear and reverence for him.
That was a good thing.
Finding nothing else of value, Owen returned to the Divine Space.
A Unique Spellbeast
Back in the Divine Space, Owen's attention turned to the pine maiden, who had been kneeling at the temple's dam, waiting reverently.
She was a tier-3 mid-level spellbeast, making her one of the more powerful ones.
As a wood-element spellbeast, she was even rarer.
She had been kneeling for days, and by now, the villagers had all noticed her.
The demonized pine tree—once a gnarled and wrinkled being—had transformed into a frail, pitiful-looking human girl.
Her appearance had changed dramatically, yet the aura of danger surrounding her remained undeniable.
Despite her youthful form, no one dared to underestimate her presence.
Meanwhile, the pine maiden's fear only grew as time passed.
She had once been a subordinate of Claw Tyrant, alongside serpent and Kong.
And now, both of them had been obliterated by Deus Initium.
The god had not acknowledged her presence, leaving her suspended in uncertainty.
She had no idea what fate awaited her.
But she wanted to live—desperately.
Thus, until Deus Initium permitted her to leave, she remained motionless, like a wooden statue.
Though he had ignored her, he had not killed her—which meant she still had a chance.
The more she thought about Deus Initium's immense power, the more devoted she became.
The memory of serpent and Kong's brutal demise had burned into her soul, filling her with endless reverence.
This god could grant power, but he could also erase the disobedient.
Was that not exactly what she had always sought?
A Surprising Revelation
"Interesting."
Owen murmured to himself, surprised.
Without him realizing, the pine maiden had become an E-rank devotee!
Over the past few days, she had pushed herself into faith.
He had not actively guided her, yet she had submitted entirely on her own.
She was also one of the few spellbeasts to embrace faith.
"She may prove useful in the Divine War."
Muttering to himself, Owen decided to speak with her.
A Divine Question
"What is your name?"
After days of silence, the pine maiden suddenly heard the authoritative voice of Deus Initium.
"M-my name is Isabella!"
She responded immediately, her expression a mix of fear and worship.
The fact that Deus Initium had asked her name meant he did not plan to kill her.
A god of his stature would not waste words on the condemned.
This realization relieved her—but also left her questioning.
How could she ensure her survival?
Her power was nothing exceptional.
Her tier was the same as serpent and Kong's, meaning her strength alone was no reason for Deus Initium to spare her.
"Do you possess any unique abilities?"
The mighty voice of Deus Initium boomed through her soul, shaking her to the core.
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Unlike humans, she had never consumed flesh.
From her existence as a tree, she had never harmed humans.
But simply abstaining from human flesh was not enough to prove her worth.
She had to offer something valuable.
This only solidified her thoughts—if she had no use, then she would surely perish.
Her mind raced.
What did she have?
Her tier was ordinary.
Her strength was average.
She was stronger than most spellbeasts, but that meant nothing to a god like Deus Initium.
But then—she realized something.
Her body might be unremarkable...
But her ability was not!
"Oh great deity, I possess a unique skill—Parasite."
"I can implant a portion of my power into another being. Over time, I can absorb their elemental energy to grow stronger."
"During battle, I can detonate my parasite seeds, greatly enhancing my power in bursts."
"Though the boost is temporary, it can be decisive at critical moments."
This was her greatest strength.
Deus Initium could not endlessly bestow blessings to his devotees.
But she—she could offer them short, explosive boosts in battle.
And that, she hoped, would make her indispensable.