Chapter 166

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 15, 2025

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The world had become peaceful.

Back when the gods were attacking each other to increase their faith, turning the world into chaos, they now resembled tame predators with all their fangs and claws pulled out.

Thanks to this, most gods have turned to nurturing their believers and growing their faith, shifting from a hunter-gatherer type economy… Can we even call it that? Anyway.

It’s like the structure of society among the gods has shifted from hunting and pillaging to agriculture.

During this process, the power dynamics between the gods did change a bit, but it’s minor stuff, so let’s move on. Besides, King Baal continues to maintain his position as ruler anyway.

Anyway, the gods who listen to their followers’ voices and use their powers to help them—yeah, this is what gods are supposed to be like.

Compared to those chaotic gods causing ruckus, this feels way healthier.

That’s how the gods in the Divine Hall began to slowly grow alongside the increasing faith of humans… Hmm…

Isn’t it about time I took a break?

I’ve already divided up my tasks using various fragments and set everything to run automatically. Unless the continent collapses or the Erebus shards buried deep underground suddenly merge and rise up, there’s no need for me to step in.

So…

“I’ll hibernate for a while.”

“Huh?”

Shamash, who had come to grumble about some divine tribunal, widened their eyes in disbelief.

“What? Suddenly going into hibernation?”

“I just feel like I need a little rest.”

“Rest? Mother is taking a rest…?”

Shamash stared at me, clearly baffled. What do you think I am?

Even though my body doesn’t tire, my spirit does. I need some downtime to relax by browsing the internet of another world during hibernation. Honestly, I’ve worked too much. It’s time for a break.

Every time Baal comes running asking for help is getting old now.

I’ve already arranged for all necessary duties to continue without me. Unless there’s an imminent crisis threatening this world, there’s no reason for me to wake up.

Therefore…

“Tell the other gods and Baal that I’ll be hibernating for a while.”

“Eh… Is it really okay? Everyone will likely go berserk.”

“Whether it’s okay or not, I’m taking a break. Who’s gonna stop me?”

This mental fatigue from being active without proper rest is significant. It feels like I haven’t slept properly in days… metaphorically speaking.

Basically… Imagine a human working non-stop for several days without sleep… Ahem.

Anyway, I’m resting! Deeply resting! For a few hundred years!

Humans and other races will be fine under the care of the gods. Wars between gods are forbidden now, so things shouldn’t spiral out of control.

All my responsibilities are automated, making this the perfect situation for me to take a break!

“Alright. If that’s what you wish, Mother. I can’t argue.”

“Hmm. Thank you for understanding.”

Honestly, whether you understand or not doesn’t matter since I’ll cut off all communication, dig a cave, seal the entrance, and sleep regardless.

“So… How long do you plan to rest?”

“Hmm… About 500 years?”

“500 years… That’s quite a long time.”

“It’s actually a lot shorter than usual.”

If I completely zone out, I could sleep for thousands of years.

“Alright. I’ll inform everyone.”

“Thank you.”

With that, I sent Shamash away and sought out a suitable place.

Somewhere… In the western corner of the continent.

A slightly dangerous mountainous region where monsters frequently appear, so it hasn’t been fully explored yet.

There aren’t many humans here, plenty of monsters, but trivial ones won’t bother my slumber. No worries.

With minimal human presence, there won’t be interference from other gods either. Perfect. Here, I can rest peacefully.

After digging deep into the ground and sealing the cave entrance, I reverted to my original form and curled up on the floor.

Alright then… Sleep tight!

—

The world is full of unfairness.

Some kids feast because they were born into good families, while someone smart like me starves because I’m an orphan and a rat beastman, unable to find proper work.

At least I don’t go hungry thanks to the temple taking in orphans. But still, life is unfair.

“Hey! Rat!”

Look. Another idiot coming to pick a fight with me.

“Rat! Why are you ignoring me?”

“Because it’s not worth responding.”

I curtly replied and continued pulling weeds in the garden.

The priest is kind, but he strictly follows the rule: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” So if I don’t contribute, my meals get reduced.

Considering I already eat more than others, it’d be awkward to slack off entirely.

“Why are you doing such boring work?”

“If I don’t, my dinner gets cut. So stop distracting me and go play with your dumb friends.”

I can see two of his equally dimwitted friends watching from afar.

“Hmm… If I give you dinner, would you stop pulling weeds?”

“Well, yeah…”

But dinner doesn’t fall from the sky. It’s been months since I last ate an entire loaf of bread. Only on Great Sky Lord’s festival days do we get something decent.

Even in this small village nestled in the mountains, poverty reigns. Why did my mother leave me here instead of somewhere richer? At least there, I might have found ways to survive despite hardships.

In this countryside, all kids can do is run errands that barely pay anything.

Ugh… Should I have latched onto a merchant visiting the village and headed to the city? There, I might have managed somehow.

“Alright. I’ll bring you dinner. Let’s play together.”

“Stop being stupid. How are you going to feed me?”

“By giving you my dinner. I can skip a meal without issues.”

Hmm… This fool’s dinner…

After quickly calculating in my head, I nodded. Playing with a kid for a full meal sounds better than pulling weeds.

“Okay, Rat. Let’s go play. I found a new cave on the back mountain.”

“What?! The back mountain? Dangerous monsters live deep in there!”

“Don’t worry. It’s near the entrance, so there are no monsters. Come on! It’ll be fun!”

The idiot grabbed my hand and started dragging me along. When will this guy grow up?

“For your information, I’m older. Just because I’m smaller due to being a rat beastman doesn’t mean I’m younger.”

I’ll be an adult in a year. By then, I’ll escape this tiny village.

Thus, I was led toward the back mountain by the idiot.

—

Long ago… When memories were still fresh… An elder once told me a story.

Somewhere in these mountains sleeps a dragon.

It might have been drunken ramblings… Honestly, how many people believe such tales? Dragons only exist in legends, right? Something heroes talk about. Dragons…

Yet… Such nonsense…

“Grrr…”

Why is one glaring at me right now?

An enormous silver dragon lies before me, seemingly asleep, its eyes closed, breathing steadily. Even its calm breath sounds like thunder.

I tried to retreat quietly, holding my breath.

Urgh. I shouldn’t have listened to that idiot. What cave? I fell for his lie about potential treasures inside. Forced into this cramped space, I slid down unexpectedly when the ground gave way. Following a faint light, I ended up here…

And now there’s a mountain-sized silver dragon blocking my path!

I must escape. That massive mouth could swallow me whole without noticing! Large enough to gulp down an entire house!

A terrifying dragon hiding in a cave on the back mountain… No one would believe me if I told them. They wouldn’t.

Once I survive this…

I carefully stepped backward, trying to stay silent.

Something tripped me.

Clang!

“Ahh!”

Instinctively covering my mouth, I prayed silently. Surely, that wasn’t loud enough to wake the dragon… Right?

It should be fine. The dragon’s breath alone is deafening; it couldn’t possibly hear my small voice… Right?

Turning cautiously, I peeked at the dragon…

“EEEK!”