Chapter 136: Gods
AN: Sorry for the long delay...after I last updated, I've been in OT hell for a whole month T_T
As in I've only had like 4 or 5 day offs during that time and that includes today and yesterday...
Plus everyday was an average of 13-14 hours work time starting 9 am to 12 midnight...so..yeah...
Anyway, the worst part is over, now its only minimal OT of 10-12 hours twice a week... orz
I'll try to update again weekly though. And so here is the chapter!
Enjoy!
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When Gorr heard what Benjamin said, he sneered in his mind.
How foolish! How arrogant!
As expected of Gods, they're too arrogant for their own good!
You think I'd play by your rules? You think you're in control of everything?
No…you are mistaken if you think that I am defeated!
You are not in control!
You shall rue this day as the day you almost defeated Gorr!
I, the God Butcher, shall have the last laugh!
But first…
Gorr's eyes narrowed as he looked at the God in front of him.
His mouth curved into a smile.
This was a chance…a chance to kill the God known as Zeus!
Zeus was one of his main targets but he was always worried about his pantheon, the Olympian Gods, ganging up on him.
Now that he had a chance to deal with Zeus by himself, Gorr naturally wouldn't pass such an opportunity!
Looking at Zeus and Gorr duking it out in the middle of the arena, Selene turned to Benjamin and asked.
"Uhh, is this really alright?"
"Hm? Oh, don't worry. When I handed back that incomplete Necrosword to Gorr, I added my own symbiote so even if, somehow, he escapes, I'd know where he will be and easily strip him of his power again."
Naturally, Benjamin wouldn't just return something as dangerous as the Necrosword without any insurance.
Benjamin also wanted to know if this Gorr still had backup plans. Maybe even other allies? It was better to flush them all out now than worry about it later.
Benjamin even wondered if he could fish out Knull by using the Necrosword as bait.
"Rather than that…"
Benjamin turned to Osiris and Bast who seated beside them.
"Do you understand how Gorr came into being?"
Osiris tilted his head.
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. Are you talking about how a life is born?"
Benjamin rolled his eyes.
"I know how babies are made ok. I'm not asking about that. What I meant was, how did Gorr become the God Butcher?"
"It was the Necrosword that corrupted him."
Benjamin shook his head.
"No. I took the Necrosword from him earlier and it didn't seem like he was a changed person."
"Then what are you suggesting?"
Osiris asked.
Benjamin sighed and turned to look back at Gorr and Zeus in the arena.
"What exactly are Gods?"
"?"
"I'm asking because ever since I became one, I…don't really feel any difference."
To Benjamin, gaining the God of Nature skill was just that. It was another overpowered skill in his arsenal.
Although he was now considered a God and posses divinity, he didn't have any followers or worshipers. No one prays to him. No one offers sacrifices to him.
But these Gods in Omnipotence City…they are different.
They have worshipers and followers who pray to them day-in to day-out.
They offer sacrifices in their names.
And…for what?
For a bit of rain to fall the next day?
For salvation?
Maybe.
But…what does a God gain from it?
Osiris thought for a moment before answering.
"Gods are beings capable of harnessing and manipulating the laws of the universe. However, Gods does not necessarily understand these laws themselves. But one day. A God discovered that when mortal beings pray to them, their own understanding of their laws are elevated and enhanced."
"In that case, why do Gods look down upon mortal people?"
"..."
"Osiris, there are Gods and Goddesses of Law here right? Maybe Justice? Equality? Balance? Any of the sort."
"...Are you suggesting…"
Benjamin nodded.
"I think you Gods have become too complacent of yourselves. And so Gods must have their own governing force. A council of Gods related to Law, Justice, Equality, and Balance. Henceforth, no Gods are allowed to abandon or abuse their followers without reason. So that no second God Butcher is born."
"..."
Osiris and Bast looked at each other then nodded.
Benjamin looked at the fight and he could see that Zeus was about to lose.
He stood up and waved his hand. Instantly, the colosseum disappeared and Gorr was once again on his knees.
Benjamin extracted the Necrosword again but this time, he didn't store it in his Inventory but solidified it into a black sword and stabbed it on a boulder nearby.
"Let this sword remain here as a reminder that Gods are not immortal and like all mortal beings, need to be held accountable should they forget their duties."
Then, Benjamin pointed at Gorr as the Reality Stone on his crown shone.
Slowly, Gorr noticed his body slowly turning into stone.
"No! What-what are you doing!?"
"You shall remain here as a statue. To forever bear witness to the Gods and atone for all the innocent Gods you have killed."
"This isn't over! You hear!? IT'S NOT OV---!!!"
Benjamin then turned to Zeus.
"And you."
"!!!"
Zeus flinched.
He was still wounded and at the brink of death from his battle with Gorr.
Having faced Gorr, he now knew how terrible this man in front of him who could easily handle Gorr.
"I think you've had enough orgies. It's better if that part of yours is no longer a problem."
"W-what are you-!?"
Benjamin waved his hand again and with the power of the Reality Stone…he turned Zeus into a eunuch!
"!!!"
Despite not feeling any pain, when Zeus felt the absence of his manhood, he started squealing in agony.
He was getting too noisy so Benjamin tossed him away.
Benjamin then turned to Osiris and Bast who quickly shivered and took a step back.
"Umm, we were never a part of Zeus' orgies!"
"Definitely not! They don't even have a female panther there!"
"..."
Benjamin was speechless.
He shook his head.
"You guys deal with things here. Right, just curious, but how come you didn't inform the Asgardian Gods about the problem here?"
"Well, we knew Odin was gone and I figured the other Gods are too young to handle the problem so I didn't call them."
"I see. Oh, and how about Heven?"
Osiris sighed.
"Odin was an old friend of mine so I also have a strained relationship with Heven who had battled against Asgard. They're also a relatively new pantheon so I didn't reach out to them. Although I do hear they have a rather powerful wingless angel among them."
Benjamin nodded.
"Do you know how I can reach Heven?"
"Hm?"
Osiris looked at Hela for a moment before turning back to Benjamin.
"Are you…"
"No, we're not going to wage war with them. It's just an old errand from Odin. It was his dying wish. As the guy who killed him, I think I needed to do this much"
"..."
Osiris was speechless.
"Well, there is a waypoint to Heven near the Angels' Garden. It's their go-to place."
"Thanks. Oh, one last thing."
"What is it?"
"Do you know if Khonshu's messing around on Earth or something?"
"Khonshu?"
Osiris thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure."
"I see. Well, we should get going. I'll go tour around Omnipotence City some other time."
Benjamin nodded and led his group away.
Osiris looked at his back for a moment as he thought to himself.
"Khonshu…is he up to something? No good, I better make sure he isn't messing around Benjamin's Earth…"
Osiris quickly left.
Meanwhile, Bast was also thinking to himself.
"Benjamin said he met one of my…Black Panthers? This generation should be…T'Challa, right? I should pay him a visit and make sure he's not on Benjamin's bad side…"
On the Olympian's side.
While the other Gods and Goddesses were taking care of Zeus, a Goddess remained indifferent to Zeus' plight and was still looking at Benjamin's back.
"Interesting, to think the mortals of Earth had birthed such a God."
She glanced back at Zeus and the other Gods before shaking her head.
"It's time I pay attention to the mortal world once again. I'm curious to see the changes in our absence."
She was Athena Parthenos. Goddess of Wisdom and War.