Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. I think everyone has some degree of self-display desire or need for approval—that’s a natural motivation to move forward. But when those desires balloon or can only be satisfied by comparing oneself to others, that’s dangerous.
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“Suddenly appearing, is that spatial magic?”
“And why is the shrine maiden floating?”
Hero Hayato’s attendants, Russus and Fifi, asked.
After the arena finals, seeing me and the Shrine Maiden of the Cliff appear, they showed no sign of suspicion, just their usual calmness—typical of their experience.
“Win the battle and fulfill the trial.”
Through the floating Shrine Maiden of the Cliff, God Zaikuon declared this.
At the same time, a black line appeared along the outer edge of the arena.
This seven-temple competition taking place here is supposed to be a divine ritual, but wouldn’t the other gods complain about this intrusion?
Well, it’s Zaikuon who will be in trouble, so I don’t really care.
“So, you’re saying we fight you?”
“Sounds good~ I’m feeling a bit unsatisfied. If Satou wants to fight, I’m always up for a match.”
Russus and Fifi grinned fiercely.
They struck their fists into their palms, looking very excited.
Fighting the two is fine, but since the first two opponents were apostles with considerable power, I can’t quite grasp Zaikuon’s intent.
The Shrine Maiden of the Cliff raised both hands to the sky, and yellow light poured down from the heavens. From within the light, three glowing orbs floated toward me.
“Accept the power of the gods and join the ranks of the great apostles.”
No, thanks.
Reflecting my inner thoughts, one yellow orb bounced off right in front of my chest.
“Why do you reject?”
Normally, you’d refuse, right?
There’s no way I’d accept a “fragment of a god” that’s clearly a backdoor.
The Shrine Maiden of the Cliff looked at Russus and Fifi.
“What’s this yellow light?”
“Ah, it bounced off.”
The glowing orb floated toward them, but a blue protective membrane appeared around the two, bouncing the orb away.
I’m guessing it’s the divine protection of God Parion.
“Oh God! My great God! Your servant, Holy Warrior Senuma, is here!”
As the attendants carried the “Karion’s magic warriors” out of the arena, the temple knight of Zaikuon rushed in.
The attendants tried to follow but were blocked by an invisible barrier that appeared along the black line.
It seems the arena was isolated by God Zaikuon.
The orbs floated near the temple knight, circling him as if appraising.
“With the grace of my great God, I will defeat Parion’s lackeys and proclaim the sacred name of Zaikuon to all the people!”
The temple knight pleaded to the orbs, desperation clear in his voice.
Listening closely, people in the audience were noisy about my and the shrine maiden’s teleportation and the yellow light flooding the area, but only temple knight Senuma seemed aware this was the work of God Zaikuon and the “fragment of a god.”
Surprisingly, even the high-ranking priests in the audience were only angry about the disruption of the ritual and unaware of the fragment’s true nature.
It seems the “fragment of a god” is more obscure than expected.
“Satou, isn’t that shrine maiden in trouble?”
Hearing Russus’s words, I looked at the Shrine Maiden of the Cliff, who was emitting yellow light from her eyes and mouth, on the verge of collapsing.
Looks like prolonged divine communion pushed her to her limit.
The protective light around her faded, and she collapsed on the ground.
According to the AR display, her condition is severe but not fatal.
“Now, grant your grace to your servant, Holy Warrior Senuma!”
Ignoring his comrade’s desperate state, the cold temple knight continued begging the orbs.
Moved by his desperation, one orb was absorbed into his chest.
The AR showed his unique skill “Invincible Warrior (Champion)” had been added.
Having accepted the fragment, his level had risen from 30 to 45.
“Whoa! Power courses through my body! The power of the gods is truly magnificent! No enemy stands before me now!”