The Outer God Needs Warmth

Chapter 110

“Big trouble?”

Sooga looks at me with a puzzled expression.

I pointed north. But unlike how Sooga had pointed toward the forest, I pointed farther away, to a much more distant place.

“People who are trying to kill the monster are coming this way.”

“A monster? Does that mean they’re targeting Choseol?”

It’s been months since I mentioned the monster, but Sooga immediately understands. I nodded at her.

“Well, then you should tell Musabu, right? If it’s Musabu, he can easily take care of it.”

Sooga speaks as if it's a given that a Heavenly Demon can do such a thing. Now that I think about it, Sooga is someone who lived under the influence of the Heavenly Demon Church. It’s not strange for her to think that any enemy can be dealt with if the Heavenly Demon is involved.

And indeed, the Heavenly Demon is strong.

I’m not an expert on martial arts to compare with Eunjae, but assuming they are similar, the Heavenly Demon could likely conquer the martial world alone.

Even if they’ve created something to oppose such a Heavenly Demon, Omyoungseong is here.

The problem is that the Heavenly Demon Church, which appeared to be well-sealed, is now fracturing.

Is this really okay?

“Do the Old Faction know?”

“Yeah. They learned from Musabu. The ones who act like they’re protectors, right?”

In my faded memories, a few words sparkle. It’s not about the Old Faction’s faction members; it feels more like a grumble about the term Old Faction. Checking the memories of those who came here, I realize the Old Faction isn’t just made up of the Nine Major Sects.

It started with the Nine Major Sects, but as some larger sects joined, including smaller factions, the number has grown quite a bit.

Most importantly, there's no way a beggar could have joined a gang of thugs, right?

The Old Faction makes huge profits from the territorial fees and taxes from the sects under their command.

While I can clearly see how the wealthy despise the poor, it's rather odd to think they’d consider that possible.@@@@

So even if the term thug shines...

“They’re not protectors; they’re a violent group. I explained this a little before, but they’re those who protect the people by force in places where the government’s administration doesn’t reach. Of course, since the people there are human, in the end, they exploit them.”

That’s the same for the Heavenly Demon Church.

Since they can't lead people through ideology alone, they control them by placing insects in their bodies—actually, that might make this place feel more unstable.

That means they don’t have a clear blueprint that people would follow.

And I know the reason for that.

There’s no specific god here. They believe in the Heavenly Demon, the strong one. But behind that is the truth that a certain immortal is breeding sacrifices and subordinates for themselves.

And the fact that they don’t even realize they are being bred.

Their origins are twisted.

And that immortal, who was behind all of this, was recently torn apart. That means the one who could protect this place is now dead.

Now the owner of the breeding grounds is dead, and the door has opened.

The future is obvious.

Even if they win for now, the future is unclear.

This group, barely hanging on, will eventually collapse because they can't suppress everyone. The immortal who was holding them up is gone.

“They were hit hard by the martial god. Some sects have completely disappeared. When they realized that a second martial god might appear, what do you think they’ll choose?”

“Isn’t it enough to just submit without antagonizing them?”

Sooga speaks like someone from the Heavenly Demon Church.

Submit to the strong.

“If the martial god isn’t just one genius, but rather an infection spreading like a plague, what should the Old Faction do?”

“That’s why they’re trying to kill Choseol.”

Before I finished explaining, Sooga already figured out why the Old Faction is attacking us.

I didn’t mention that the Old Faction has become a larger entity, the Murim Alliance. And I didn’t mention that government troops, presumably, are watching this war.

In fact, explaining the Old Faction is a no-go.

Because it’s information I can’t even confirm.

But I predicted that the Heavenly Demon Church would fall apart to the point that I couldn’t figure it out, so I told Sooga things I shouldn’t know.

Had the higher-ups in the Heavenly Demon Church been functioning properly, I would have never said this...

But one of the most powerful people is just being abandoned, right?

They don’t possess the Heavenly Demon Technique, but they know techniques like Absorption Law and the Demon Slaying Sword Art.

For martial artists of this world, this is a powerful martial art that anyone would do anything to acquire if they could.

Ah. Her expression changes to one of realization, and then, as if remembering, she softly places the sword back in its scabbard.

And when she places it on the verandah again, it’s clear she’s not quite the ideal martial artist. If she were one, she wouldn’t drop the sword like that. The memory of a martial artist flashes.

Now, it’s not just the man in my faded memories that’s flashing, but also someone else’s memories.

“And what good is being stronger than me? You have to be stronger than the enemy.”

I agree with that sentiment.

At my words, Sooga sits down on the verandah with a face full of anger.

“That’s true! It’s true, but hearing it from Choseol makes me frustrated!”

In terms of power, yes.

Of course, I could steal the warmth from living creatures and turn them into monsters, but I won’t do that again.

“Is it because it’s true that you’re frustrated?”

Ah, she’s pouting.

I must have teased her too much. While I wonder how to make it up to her, I glance at the other Harvesters nearby.

Harvesters using spears, as if they were wielding guns.

They are good at hunting martial artists.

With mediocre skills, they die from a burst of gunfire, and those who can dodge that are met by stronger Harvesters.

But the problem is, they’ve gone too far.

The Heavenly Demon Church’s sphere of influence. The border.

Normally, there should be other orders, but right now, the command center is on pause.

It’s a pity, because it feels like I can see the future.

If I can, I’d like to see what special thing the Murim Alliance is preparing by using them as bait. With that thought, I approached Sooga.

“Sooga.”

She quickly turns her head.

So, I grabbed both of Sooga’s cheeks and made her look at me.

“Ugh!”

When it comes to raw strength, I’m stronger. My physical strength from my build is considerable.

“If things really get dangerous, then live for yourself. I’ve told you that before, right?”

I’ve always told Sooga to do what she wants. When there’s a decision to make, I wait until she thinks it through and chooses.

Sometimes, I don’t wait and just go ahead.

To use me properly, it’s best if she does what she wants. When she moves for her ideals, and when those ideals are good, she can go the farthest.

Just like Tisaha did.

“Why are you talking as if you’re going to die?”

Sooga complains while my hands are holding her cheeks.

It’s really funny.

“Hehe, die... Sooga, did you know?”

I pull my hands away from her cheeks.

“Even if this body disappears, I won’t die. I can’t die.”

I was once called the god of one world, and even Daegon, who fell into immortality in this world, couldn’t kill me.

“Don’t worry about me. Live for yourself. Until you die, Sooga...”

How should I explain this?

Just like in the first world, if I die, I’ll come back, but if I say that, I predict that Sooga might give up her life too easily when something happens. So, I said it like this.

“I’ll be with you. Actually, if I die, I’ll leave, so know that.”

A chance to grit my teeth.

Once.

Thinking this way, I put my hand on Sooga’s head and then lowered it.

I’m not her parent, so this kind of action might be inappropriate. Instead, I gave her cheek a small pinch and sat nearby.

Time passes.

With the sound of peaceful everyday life being shattered from behind.

Hehe.

The Harvesters are moving fiercely.