NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: The Game of Gods -2
A quiet hum of divine energy still lingered in the celestial hall, resonating with the aftershock of Zar's declaration. The gods, once beings of supreme authority, now stood in silent awe, struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of his words.
Zar's gaze swept across them, a majestic presence exuding authority. He had just announced the creation of a new realm, a plane beyond the limits of this multiverse, one solely meant for the upcoming competition. It was an unfathomable feat, yet he had spoken of it as though it was nothing more than a minor task.
Aetherion, Ignis, Vaelora, Eterna, Zephiron—all the gods were speechless.
And then—
"I am not bound by this multiverse's limits."
Zar's words rang with undeniable confidence.
However, just as the atmosphere was at its peak, a sudden burst of laughter echoed in his mind.
[PFTT--- HA HA HAHAHAHAHA!]
Zar blinked.
"..."
The system was laughing.
Not just a chuckle. Not just a smirk-worthy response. It was full-blown, uncontrollable laughter, shaking his mental space as if it had just heard the funniest joke in existence.
—
[PFFFT—Oh my god, did you seriously just say that?!]
—
Zar's face twitched.
("System, what the hell is wrong with you?")
[System: 'I am not bound by this multiverse's limits!'—HAHAHAHA, wow, Zar, really? You're basically the protagonist of some over-the-top novel now. Should I start narrating your life in dramatic monologues too?]
Zar's entire being burned with embarrassment. The gods around him were still standing in reverence, but in his mind, his damn system was rolling on the floor laughing.
("This is all your fault.")
[Oh? My fault now?]
Zar immediately shifted all blame to the system.
("Yes, of course! If it weren't for your authority restrictions, I wouldn't have to say things like that to assert myself!")
[Hahaha—yes, yes, of course. Why not just say I'm your caretaker at this point? Do you need me to hold your hand while you write declarations next?]
Zar gritted his teeth.
("System, I swear—")
But before he could argue further, the system suddenly changed his tone, and its voice took on an mischievous sound
[Enough fun. There is still one god who has not arrived.]
Zar's thoughts instantly snapped back to reality.
His expression darkened slightly.
He had sensed it as well—an absence among the pantheon.
"The seventh god... is missing."
The divine silence in the celestial hall stretched as Zar's majestic voicecarried across the space.
"The game will begin in the next 24 hours."
The declaration sent shockwave through the gods, signaling that their preparation had begun.
But then, his gaze sharpened as he addressed the assembly once more.
"Now tell me... where is the Seventh Main God?"
His words boomed, not just as a question—but as a command.
Aetherion, Ignis, Zephiron, Eterna, Vaelora—all of them tensed, their divine bodies stiffening under the weight of his voice.
Without hesitation—they knelt.
"We have failed you, Supreme One."
Their voices carried a deep sense of shame.
"We have disappointed our Master by failing to bring forth the Goddess who rules over all demons."
Their foreheads touched the celestial floor, divine light swirling around them as they submitted themselves to judgment.
"We will accept any punishment for this failure."
Zar's golden eyes narrowed.
The Demon Goddess.
A deity of absolute power, ruling over the chaotic domain where demonic forces reigned. Her absence was not an oversight—it was deliberate.
And yet, instead of anger, a small smile played on his lips.
"You do not need to kneel."
His words carried an unexpected warmth, sending a wave of relief and disbelief through the gods.
They slowly lifted their heads, eyes widening as they saw something they never expected to witness.
Their Master... smiling.
It was not a cruel smile.
Nor was it condescending.
It was simply beautiful.
A smile that held both supreme authority and unshaken confidence.
Aetherion clenched his fist.
(How could a mere smile hold such weight?)
Vaelora found herself momentarily entranced. (Truly, he is above us.)
Zephiron bowed his head lower. (Unworthy... we are unworthy of such mercy.)
But then, Zar's gaze sharpened once more.
"If you are truly sorry, then tell me—why did she refuse to come?"
The Goddess of Life and Death Speaks
Suddenly, from among the kneeling gods, one stepped forward.
A goddess with an ethereal presence, her existence tied to the very balance of existence.
Eterna, the Goddess of Life and Death.
She walked towards him, then without hesitation—knelt.
"It is because of me, Supreme One."
Zar's eyes narrowed slightly. "You?"
Eterna lowered her head before continuing.
"When We Seven Main Gods established our domains, she and I were in conflict."
Zar raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
Eterna exhaled deeply.
"There was a realm... one that was most suitable for both of us."
A realm perfect for both death and demonic chaos. A land where the boundary between souls and darkness blurred, where both of their powers could flourish.
"She wished to claim it for the Demon Domain, while I sought to claim it for the Cycle of Life and Death."
"Our battle over this realm nearly destroyed its existence entirely."
Zar frowned slightly. "So she holds resentment against you?"
Eterna hesitated.
"That... is only one of the reasons she refused to come."
There was something else.
Zar's sharp gaze bore into her, his golden eyes demanding the truth.
And finally, after a moment of hesitation, she spoke.
"She does not believe in you, Supreme One."
The divine hall froze.
"She does not believe... that there could ever be a Master of this Multiverse. For you were not here when it was created."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a weight that crushed the room.
The other gods tensed.
Daring to doubt the Supreme One?!
Such blasphemy should have warranted immediate judgment.
But Zar?
He merely closed his eyes in thought.
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Both of you must be punished."
The words sent a shiver through the divine hall.
Eterna clenched her fists, her lips tightening.
"I will accept any punishment, Supreme One."
Even the other gods braced themselves, fully expecting divine retribution.
And then—
Zar smiled again.
"Your punishment is simple."
Eterna looked up.
"You will go to her personally... and bring her here."
"And along the way— fix your relationship with her."
The gods were stunned.
No decree of divine punishment.
No wrathful judgment.
Just one simple command.
Eterna's eyes widened. "...Fix my relationship with her?"
Zar nodded.
"You fought over a realm in the past."
"Now, It's your duty to make peace with her."
His words carried weight beyond the heavens themselves.
And the gods?
They were in awe.