Game of Divines (GoD)

Chapter IX: The Awakening of Shadows

"You? You're the god candidate of the Judas district? You can't even defend yourself! How pathetic! You're worthless!"

I struggled against the bindings of my own weakness, frustration boiling inside me, yet my body felt like lead.

I wanted to rage against him, to lash out at both him and Esau, but I was powerless to do anything. Just as he said, I felt worthless.

"Wait, what happened to the old man Judas? Your levels are too far apart. I find you disgusting."

I glanced around for Esau, hoping he might intervene, but there was no sign of him stepping in to help.

"I never... dreamed of being a god candidate!" I tried to shout, kicking out at him, but my feet couldn't reach him.

"What?" Suddenly, he thrust his energy sword into my abdomen.

"Urgh!" The pain shot through me like a thousand needles, indescribably intense. Tears filled my eyes; I felt like I was on the brink of death.

Desperately, I looked down at my stomach, expecting to see blood, but there were no marks.

"Are you surprised? I can create weapons from psychic energy. I'm only hurting you in your mind."

I couldn't find my voice, so I only thrashed against him, but that only made him chuckle.

"You know, struggling like that will only hurt you more."

My eyes widened as he suddenly drove all his energy swords into my stomach.

I felt consciousness slipping away, the world fading to darkness.

"Why you? Why not me, who's more capable of being a god?" I gasped, crumpling to the floor.

Was this really the end for me? Was this how my story would conclude?

Even though moving felt nearly impossible, I forced myself to rise, charging at him with the bag I clutched tightly.

"Seriously? You're going to attack me with a bag? What are you, a girl?"

Before I could even get close, he delivered a powerful punch that sent me sprawling backward.

"Why can't you just accept the truth that you lack the ability to be a god? You're a weakling. A failure. An idiot."

"I'm not..." I protested weakly, but my words were cut off as he lifted me and kicked me hard.

"Get up! Show your power! Prove that you deserve to be the god candidate of this district!"

With sheer determination, I struggled to rise, my arms weak as I tried to punch him. Every blow fell short; he effortlessly blocked them until he unleashed another powerful punch, sending me reeling.

"Okay, I'm done playing. I wasn't even entertained."

This can't be it. I can't be defeated like this! I had to protect myself!

"Urgh..." I groaned, forcing myself upright.

"Huh? That's the spirit! Hurry up, kill me!"

No, no, no! I won't allow myself to die now!

Suddenly, the world around me darkened.

My vision blurred, and I felt my body moving of its own accord, a life separate from my consciousness.

"I won't let you kill me!"

With that proclamation, I launched an attack using the sharp energies bursting from within me, but he effortlessly dodged.