On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 73: Yu Il-Shin Attempts to be a Low-tier God!

After Apostle Gustav’s attack, the Hunter Academy was closed temporarily. There were significant casualties, both dead and wounded. Moreover, it became a huge topic due to the fact that it happened at a facility where future Hunters were trained. Regardless, it seemed that the issue was settled nicely while I was asleep.

At the same time, I was worried that it might leave the students traumatized, but the Class 3-A of the highschool division was...

“Attention, class! Greet the teacher!”

“Good morning Mr. Yu Il-Shin!”

Well, this is new...

I didn't know Ko Myeong-Ji was the class representative. The chipsqueek girl had a strong voice for her petite build.

Anyway, they looked unexpectedly cheerful despite going through such a harrowing experience. To be frank, this class didn’t seem to have suffered much. A few of them gossiped among themselves.

“A rumor said this teacher is the association’s secret weapon. I wonder if that’s true?”

“I think so. I even heard that S-rank Hunter Sung Mi-Na stuck to him like a piece of gum nowadays.”

“Wow, incredible.”

I can hear all of you.

They stared at me with a twinkle in their eyes. How burdensome.

“Kuku. At last, they recognized Mr. Sword God’s greatness.” Sword Demon nodded with a look of satisfaction.

Uh, this is making me uncomfortable.

Despite my request, Kang-San hyungnim failed to fully prevent any information about me from leaking. The huge scale of the incident probably made it impossible. On top of that, I also evolved Ko Myeong-Ji’s summoned creature to S-rank in front of them.

“Ahem.”

I deliberately cleared my throat to hide my awkwardness. Then, I greeted them. “Hello, everyone. Nice to meet you, it’s been a while. Let’s do some self-study today...”

I could see the clear disappointment in their eyes. How awkward. I brought my laptop to school today, planning to catch up on the manuscript I fell behind on. I didn’t know what to teach them besides how to write a web novel.

“...Well, how does one-on-one consultation sound?”

Their eyes sparkled with life again. I could feel my stomach churning from the incoming pressure.

***

The school nurse, Choi Eun-Bi, agreed to let me borrow the infirmary for a short while. Students of Class 3-A made a long queue in front of the door, like patients waiting for Heo Jun.

I said “consultation,” but it was nothing great, really. Just me using my innate power, Blind Eyes of God, to examine the students and advise them accordingly.

For example...

“Next. Xu Zhu?

Thud!

“Yes sir!”

Befitting her name, the student stood before me like the famous warlord from the Three Kingdoms. But unlike her size, she spoke softly while blushing.

-----

[Xu Zhu]

A female human.

Special note: Ignorant.

-----

...I have a lot to say, but let’s keep them to myself. Well, nothing was more important than the fact that the student was strong and healthy. Despite appraising her, there wasn’t much I could say to her.

Then, I focused on the word “ignorant.”

[The innate power Blind Eyes of God has been activated.]

Ssss—!

The word flickered briefly, undergoing several changes.

[She's unaware that her energy and blood circulation are disrupted..]

At the same time, some schematics appeared. It was the schematics of the body's circulatory system, often seen in Traditional Chinese medicine clinics. Her Dazhui point and Shenzhu point, located between the neck and back, were severely twisted.

How did I know those names, you ask? Once upon a time, I harbored grandiose ambitions to write a martial arts novel. Besides, wasn’t it natural for men to learn about acupuncture? As a side note, that martial arts novel ended up being a complete flop.

“By any chance, does your back hurt?”

“Excuse me? Ah, since I was young, I’ve had a tickling sensation. I heard that I fell off a tree and landed on my back when I was three. Hehe.”

Just a tickling sensation? When her points were severely disrupted? What a tough high schooler!

“Can you stand still for a bit?”

“Pardon?”

I pointed my ring finger at her, then said, “Healing Ring Finger of God.”

Then, she was enveloped by a white light.

Ding!

[You paid 1 Gcoin for the healing.]

Now, her points were aligned.

“Wow! What did you just do, Sir? My body feels so much better now! It’s as if something was unblocked! It’s so refreshing! I’ve never felt like this before!”

Xu Zhu twisted her body several times. When she clenched her fists, they glowed a dazzling white.

Tzz!

Her eyes widened in shock. “Wow! My Qi sensitivity has doubled!”

She must’ve awakened as a Qigong-type. She could either channel the energy in her body into a weapon, or reinforce her own body. It was popular with some enthusiasts because it reminded them of fantasy and martial arts.

Actually, I was one of them. Right, didn’t Sword Demon have the same ability?

Ding!

New messages appeared from God-Maker.

[Xu Zhu’s favorability and trust in you have increased.]

[Increase Xu Zhu’s favorability and trust to turn her into a follower.]

Aside from her, I received similar messages from other students as well. But I didn’t have any ulterior motives. I did this out of goodwill to make up for the time I skipped teaching to nap. Of course, I also didn’t want them to join a cult this early in life.

“Alright, next student?”

“Yes, Teacher Il-Shin!”

The next student who walked in was Ko Myeong-Ji, my newest follower. She wore a skull necklace, Hades’ artifact.

She was no longer hostile to me. Now, she just looked like a chipsqueek whose cheeks were stuffed with walnuts. No wonder, she had an S-rank summoned creature, after all.

“As for you...”

Thus, I’d appraise the students and give them advice. And if their health wasn’t good, I’d heal them. Basically, it was like taking a pulse.

“Next?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Two students came in together at once, responding ecstatically. When I saw who they were, I scratched my head.

“What are you two doing here...?”

“I want to hear Mr. Sword God’s advice too!”

“Me too!”

They were none other than Sword Demon and Sung Mi-Ri? Seriously, why? Not only were we living together, I even trained them personally!

“Haa... okay. Who’s first?”

“Me please!”

“No! I’m first!”

“Hmph, even if you’re his disciple, I came here first.”

“In the first place, Uncle Sword Demon isn’t even a student here!”

“You can always learn no matter your age!”

Watching them growling at each other, I sighed again.

“...Stop arguing. Alright, I’ll take care of both of you at the same time.”

Immediately, they looked at me enthusiastically. Just as I was about to use my appraisal skill on both of them...

Znnng!

Huh?

My vision shifted.

Kwaaaa!

An endless sea of red was surging. But instead of liquid, it was made of what seemed to be an infinite number of insects. The red sea obliterated everything that stood in its path. Dense forests would disappear without a trace, while vast mountains crumbled to sand. What terrified me the most was the three monsters that followed behind it.

Thump! Thump!

A gnarly, seven-headed beast, resembling a giant snake. A sabertooth tiger sprouting bat wings. A chariot of fire bearing a human head.

I appraised them.

-----

[Apostle of Ruler of the Abyssal Swamp]

An androgynous snake. Around for 2,000 years.

Special note: Summoned by Goddess Arachne. Regenerates endlessly.

-----

[Apostle of Beast of Deceit and Rapacity]

A male beast. Around for 666 years.

Special note: Summoned by Goddess Arachne. The most ferocious beast in the forest ruled by the Beast of Deceit and Rapacity.

-----

[Apostle of Fire Shining in the Highest Skies]

Asexual. Around for 2,200 years.

Special note: Summoned by Goddess Arachne. Uses horrifying flame.

-----

Not only were they the apostles of gods, there were three of them. What if they were the equivalent of the SS-rank Gustav? The mere thought terrified me.

God-Maker responded.

Ding!

[Duration until Goddess Arachne, the 100,000,000,000-strong army, and apostles arrive at Gayami: 78 hours, 12 minutes, 5 seconds.]

An army of 100 billion insects and three apostles. Would insecticides even work at this point? Even if I dumped a truckload on them, it’d be akin to pouring a cup of ink into the ocean. Moreover, they were headed for the Holy Nation of Gayami, where Anty was. Could I protect the ants from them?

“Mr. Sword God?”

“Mister, what’s wrong?”

Fuck! I’m so fucked!

***

When cornered, a man would grasp at straws. I came to the canteen looking for said straw. Then, I spotted a muscular man eating at a table in the middle of the room, with a mountain of meat on his plate.

-----

[Choi Kang-San]

A male human. Around for 58 years.

Special note: Has muscles with potential for transcendence. Has favorability toward you for saving his daughter.

-----

“Nom nom. Lad, why do you keep staring at me?”

“Kang-San hyungnim, I have a favor to ask.”

“Gulp! Favor? Haha, just say it. I’ll do anything you ask!”

“It’s nothing. Can you just repeat what I’m about to say?”

Choi Kang-San tilted his head at my request. “Sure. Here: I believe in Yu Il-Shin. Will that do? Nom nom! What a weird thing to ask...”

I waited, but nothing happened.

I believe in Yu Il-Shin.

That was the keyword for becoming my follower. But unlike with Sung Mi-Ri, nothing happened when he said it.

Hm, it didn’t work?

I asked this from him because Choi Kang-San was an S-rank Hunter with potential for transcendence.

-----

[Quest: Low-tier Benevolent God Promotion (In Progress)]

Follower of S-class or higher intelligent beings with potential for transcendence: 5(+1)/10

-----

“Unni, eat the vegetables too. Here, ah~”

“Ah~”

With the addition of Sung Mi-Na, who was worth two S-ranks, I only needed four more S-rank followers to be promoted to a Low-tier God. Hopefully, ascending my rank would help me resolve this situation. However, it seemed that merely saying the keyword without meeting the prerequisites wouldn’t do.

“Kang-San hyungnim, is there anything I can do for you? Something that would make you go, ‘Wow!’ and put more faith in me?”

Choi Kang-San narrowed his eyes. “What are you planning? Could it be...”

Eek, was I too straightforward?

“Listen, I like you, but I won’t hand you my daughter!”

Cough! What bullshit is this daughter complex spouting!

Although, I had to admit, the school nurse was an intellectual beauty. In fact, I couldn’t believe she shared this old musclehead’s blood.

“Don’t worry. I’m not interested in older...”

Sung Mi-Ri and Sung Mi-Na flinched, anxiously glancing at me.

Slam!

Choi Kang-San slammed his spoon on the table. “You punk! You don’t like my daughter?! That’s what you tryna’ say?!”

The fuck does this old man want?!

“Ah!” Choi Kang-San suddenly recalled something and turned to me. “Right. Didn’t you say you have healing abilities? Do you think you can heal someone with a short lifespan?”

Someone with a short lifespan? God-Maker responded while I was still puzzled by his words.

Ding!

[A Follower Quest for Choi Kang-San, an S-rank intelligent being with potential for transcendence, has occurred.]