The news of the Poison God’s death tore through the Spirit World like an earthquake.
At first, few believed it. After all, how could a mere mortal eradicate a being who epitomized toxicity, a god revered for ages? But as the glass orbs began broadcasting harrowing images—blurred, but unmistakable—of the Poison God’s final moments atop Mount Meru, disbelievers fell silent.
Sprawled across countless squares and market halls, these orbs played the shocking visuals on loop: the crimson storm, the swirling vortex of poisonous rain, and then the last heartbeat of existence blinking out. The transformation from doubt to terror was instantaneous.
Whispers turned to uproar, in the opulent palace corridors of the War God, in the sacred altars of lesser deities, in cramped tavern corners among wandering spirits—everyone spoke in hushed or frantic tones about Kent, the human from the lower realms who killed a god.
“Did the War God assist him?” some wondered. “Surely, he didn’t do it alone?” Others shook their heads grimly, recounting the images of a lone figure confronting the Poison God.
The War God himself did not comment publicly, nor did the Storm God. Yet behind closed doors, entire pantheons debated the ramifications.
Fear rippled through circles that once held naught but arrogance toward mortals. If Kent could slay the Poison God, what—or who—would he challenge next? Some demigods found the notion absurd, an aberration in the cosmic order. Others, especially those coveting more power, saw in him a threat to their ambitions.
“A mortal who kills gods but declines godhood,” a cosmic sage lamented in a hidden star-chamber.
At present, the entire Spirit World directed its collective gaze upon Mount Meru, that once-hallowed peak now avoided by gods and men alike. No one dared approach, for rumors claimed that Kent remained there, recovering from the battle. No one knew if he lived or if the mountain was merely a silent tomb for him and the baby dragon rumored to be evolving at his side.
–
No-Man Island…
Confined to a meager portion of No Man’s Island, Sworn wizards reeled from the humiliating defeat inflicted by the Nine Realms Army. Jason Mama’s cunning war tactics and the unstoppable might of the Forbidden Army had whittled them down to half their original force.
“Madam Clark has locked herself away,” a wounded wizard whispered to a comrade, his voice echoing in the damp caves that served as their refuge. “The Supreme Sword Magus says we wait for Kent, but who even knows if he’s alive?”
A sense of hopelessness pervaded the gloom, reminiscent of an army awaiting the final blow. Among them, only the faint hope of Kent’s return. “He might be the only one who can stand against the monstrous alliance of Jason Mama and Ryon Lionheart,” the faction leaders murmured among themselves, clutching to that thin thread of faith.
–
Mount Meru…
Atop Mount Meru, the clouds hung heavy with a foreboding calm. Lightning no longer scorched the earth, and poison no longer rained from the sky. The day after the Poison God’s fall, a hush descended, as though the mountain held its breath, unwilling to disturb its new secret: two forms, one human and one draconic, collapsed together at the apex.
The first watchers to arrive were Kent’s own companions, traveling in the Eternal Musical Hall.
They had ventured close, but could step on the Mount Meru.
“Kent!” Jean cried from a long distance, leaning over the edge of the Musical Hall, anxious to descend.
“We have to help him!”
Fatty Ben caught her arm. “Look!” he whispered, pointing to the sky.
Like some vengeful deity, thick storm clouds were coalescing overhead. In contrast to the Poison God’s earlier red gloom, these clouds were a stark milky white with a subtle gold tinge, crackling with arcs of lightning so bright they nearly blinded the watchers.
“Tribulation lightning?” Gunji Zing gasped, her expression shifting from concern to awe.
Ruby, the phoenix lady, nodded gravely.”It must be the baby dragon’s evolution. Ancient lineages attract tribulation lightning as a test from the heavens. But… if Kent is near…”
“NOOO…”
Mohini bit her lip, tears edging her eyes. “He’s unconscious. He’ll be killed!”
Yet any attempt to rescue him was living barrie barrier that began to form around Kent and Baby dragon: a thick, mucus-like substance tinted with faint swirling patterns of gold and azure. The barrier enclosed both Kent and the baby dragon, connecting to dragon with a navel-like cord as though forging a single womb for man and beast.
“It’s… horrifying and beautiful at the same time,” Jean murmured under her breath, tears rolling down her cheeks. “He’s stuck in there with that tribulation. If we break it, we might kill them both.”
The Eternal Musical Hall immediately moved thousands of meters away in fear, uncertain and powerless. They could only watch as the tribulation clouds rumbled, an ominous growl growing in volume.
Few hours later…
Observers from across the Spirit World soon turned their orbs’ to witness the action happening on top of Mount Meru.
“Some say that’s a new kind of heaven’s wrath,” a traveling spirit rumored in a lively marketplace. “It might be punishing Kent for slaying the Poison God!”
“Nonsense,” retorted a robed scholar. “Tribulation lightning is standard for powerful beasts. The baby dragon must be evolving. Kent just happened to be caught inside.”
Nevertheless, fear permeated these discussions. More than a few recalled how Kent had killed the Poison God. If fate or the universe attempted to curb his power now, might it be unstoppable?
–
From his far-off cosmic domain, the Space God watched with narrowed eyes, his wife standing by his side. They had planned for the Poison God to test Kent’s might—never expecting the deity to fall. The vivid illusions of the Poison God’s death still flashed in their minds.
“He’s more dangerous than we calculated,” the Space God’s wife stated, her voice quiet but tinged with worry. “If he emerges from this tribulation unscathed…”**
The Space God sipped his wine with unsteady hands. “Then we must accelerate our plans. The War God’s ascension can’t be allowed. Nor can Kent continue unchecked.”
Yet neither dared approach Mount Meru, not with the memory of what happened to the Poison God seared into their minds.