Chapter 116 - Darkmtl
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Chapter 116

Cheonma Church was utterly obliterated by fire.

Suddenly, a downpour quenched the flames on Cheonma Church, but the heavily damaged building couldn’t bear its own weight and collapsed with a massive thud.

Naturally-built tall stone pillars holding the structure above fell in chain reactions, plunging into the lake below.

Just like that, Cheonma Church turned to ruins overnight.

There’s no one left around here… at least not among the Harvesting System.

The only survivors from the Harvesting System are two individuals fleeing lost in the distant north.

But even they won’t last long; they’re already being hunted.

Realizing there were truly no remaining signs of life from the Harvesting System, I looked down at my knees.

The corpse in front of me had crumbled into white dust, looking less like a human body and more like a shattered plaster statue.

Considering the weather, it wouldn’t be strange for insects to have gathered long ago, yet all organic material seems to have vanished once it turned white.

I sat there all day, then stood up when the rain stopped. All that remained on my knees was white powder.

Looking around, I saw myself standing amidst complete ruins.

Thinking “Is it really all over?” while surveying the area, smoke still rose from the village to the west.

There was both pure white and pitch-black smoke. The place with especially dark smoke was the plaza where once Cheonma and O Myeong-seong clashed in martial arts.

If there’s smoke despite nothing left to burn, it means they’re gathering something to set ablaze. And I recognize the smell – the acrid stench of burning protein.

They’re cremating bodies.

I don’t see any living people at all.

Standing surrounded by ruins, I briefly pondered what to do next.

It seems impossible to create the Harvesting System in this world anymore. If you have purple hair, people grab you without asking questions.

That’s why the few surviving members in the distant north are gradually being caught and killed.

I also have purple hair.

I touched the jade pendant I’d been carrying since yesterday – it’s called Makya Sword.

Though it’s a light-sword, I picked it up absentmindedly, but I can’t use it. It probably requires Qi.

Still, it’s convenient to carry, so I’ll bring it along. It might prove useful in an emergency.

Deciding to head home first, I navigated through the ruins to find higher ground to determine my path.

Since the main hall of Cheonma Church was built atop stone pillars, all roads are cut off. However, some paths remain.

According to some people’s memories, there’s a way down.

So I wandered through the ruins searching for familiar places.

Most were destroyed when buildings collapsed, but ancient stone steps carved into the cliffside survived.

Though too large for me, I headed towards them anyway.

Even if I fall, I’ll just regenerate.

Following the spiral staircase around the rock pillar, I finally reached the bottom, covered in debris from fallen buildings.

Under the water surface, there’s an unusual concentration of light.

Means various creatures must be having a party down there.

Ignoring what they might be eating, I closed my eyes and headed toward my old home. Not my final destination though, just a stopover.

There’s no reason left to stay there.

With so much wooden debris floating on the water, I walked across to the cliff.

Following the cliff northward for a while, eventually the adjacent cliff slopes down to form a walkable path.

From there, climbing uphill again towards the south leads to a half-destroyed small house about midway between here and the collapsed buildings.

It’s completely flattened by sealing needles, though none are visible around.

Must’ve been collected by survivors.

Inside the house, all that remains are gaping holes and a mess. Looks like someone searched for valuables.

Only tall women’s clothing and children’s clothes remain.

Seems there’s nothing worth taking in this room.

Thinking metal tools might sell, I entered the kitchen. It was dark and silent.

Huh? Dark and silent?

Oh right, the ever-bright flame is missing.

Checking where the fire used to be, it’s completely filled with sand.

After removing the sand, there’s no trace of fire left in the hearth.

Not that I need it anymore anyway.

I decided to head north, grabbing a few pieces of tableware.

North from the temple.

Central in human-inhabited lands.

There lies Kunlun Mountain where Immortals reside.

There’s warmth there. Not ordinary humans or Immortals, but ones on Daegon’s level.

Surely there’s plenty of warmth there, right?

Right?

Taking one last look at the now useless, warmth-less kitchen, I moved on to my real destination.

Descending the hill, tall trees appear past a certain point.

Deep forest.

Although I was once attacked by feline beasts here and have unpleasant memories, I have to cross through to leave.

Following the reverse path taken by Immortals and Taoists, their traces still remain throughout.

While it’d be nice to run swiftly like Murim warriors, my heart would explode before I could reach such speeds.

So I keep walking steadily. Eventually, I’ll reach my destination.

Unlike when Soo-oh pointed out how quiet the forest was, now it’s noisy with animal sounds. Means there’s no immediate major threat.

Never thought I’d end up walking alone through a deep, human-free forest.

Three years later.

Walking a path where perhaps three of us could’ve walked together.

The forest filled with ambient noise.

At least following tracks left by many people moving makes the journey less arduous. Better than navigating trackless wilderness, right?

After walking for quite some time…

I suddenly spotted something far away.

Slightly northeast.

The last member of the Harvesting System was killed.

Shouting “Cheonma Church!” before dying in battle.

Within my knowledge, there are no survivors left. Well, maybe one person who might still be alive.

But I don’t think they abandoned the person they loved to escape.

If they did escape, chances are high they won’t be caught.

Because she’s not part of the Harvesting System, has black hair, and according to O Myeong-seong’s memories, once lived hidden outside.

So she has sufficient skills.

Whether she has the motivation is another matter.

While walking, I pick edible plants nearby when hungry. Fortunately, since Immortals and Taoists are mainly vegetarian, I know detailed information about edible plants in this world.

Even with fragmented memories from killings, cross-referencing specific parts easily yields information.

Thus, I eat appropriate plants and rest my body when night falls.

Though my mind doesn’t sleep, my body needs rest.

Days passed.

Finally emerging from the lush primeval forest, a village appeared.

Meaning from now on, walking will be easier.

I cheerfully entered the village.

However, as soon as I stepped inside, hooded men rushed forward with swords drawn.

“You’re a remnant of Cheonma Church!”

“Purple hair! Someone call the Master!”

“Huge woman. Is she dangerous?”

“Her solar plexus isn’t protruding. Her hands are pale.”

Though weapons were drawn, they didn’t swing them. The foremost person signaled others behind him, then approached me.

This man is shorter than me.

“What?”

“Are you a member of Cheonma Church?”

“Isn’t judgment based solely on hair color?”

Don’t they just kill anyone with purple hair?

“We aren’t murderers. We came here only to save those corrupted by the evil cult of Cheonma Church. Are you from Cheonma Church?”

If they ask if I’m from Cheonma Church…

My contract partner is gone, and everyone I met there is dead.

“No.”

The man looks surprised.

“You lying wench! Kill her!”

Someone shouted from behind.

But the man pondered deeply, examined me thoroughly, then asked:

“Where are you heading now?”

“To Kunlun Mountain.”

Murmurs arose from behind.

Sounds of “Taoist? Master?” indicate they’re contemplating my identity.

Since either choice is fine, I waited silently.

The man quietly observed me, silenced those behind him, then spoke.

“If that’s true, wait until the Master arrives. If you’re innocent, you can go to Kunlun Mountain with the Master.”

Saying this, the man glared at me and warned in a low voice:

“Otherwise, you’ll pay for deceiving us.”

So I nodded.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Many people behind looked perplexed, probably because I responded too casually.

But I really have no connection to Cheonma Church anymore, so I have nothing to fear.

Though my existence itself is dangerous, I’ll deal with that if it becomes a problem.

Considering anything aimed at me, regardless of weapon, will reach me…

Yeah.

It’s not really dangerous.

Truly.


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The Outer God Needs Warmth

The Outer God Needs Warmth

OGNW, 외신은 온기가 필요해요
Score 9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Korean
This is the story of how I became an outer god.

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