<h4>Chapter 31: Proliferating Thumb of God</h4>
As a lesser being, <i>it</i> didn’t have a name. Compared to the high-ranking demons of the demon realm, <i>it</i> was nothing but a mere insect, let alone whenpared to the gods. Yet ironically, <i>it</i> had survived longer than any of the archdemons.
The demon realm was an uninhabitable ce, without a single de of grass to be found, where demons drank blood instead of water. It might not be the best, but it was the most ancient line of demons.
-O’ Familia of the Great Destroyer, Abyss of the Demon Realm, Ruler of the Swamp of Abomination Covered in Filth, Nameless One. Abide my call, the Summoner of Demons, Cockroach, and descend onto this world!
Thus, courtesy of Cockroach, the Demon Sword, one of the Ten Swords in the empire, the demon was summoned to the world. To the demon, the world was like heaven, abundant with food.
<i>Criiick criiick!</i>
He rejoiced, announcing his existence to the world. He would eat, multiply, and destroy. Time passed quickly. He would share the food he ate with his<i> </i>kin, resulting in changes to their<i> </i>bodies, which used to swim in puddles of excretion.
It was time for them to reproduce again.
-<i>Criiiick!</i>
<i>Crack!</i>
They<i> </i>began to split like a <i>naria,</i> and their numbers soon exceeded the thousands.
-<i>Grr, grrr.</i>
The very first demon summoned by Cockroach soon realized that it was time. This number should suffice. Besides, he<i> </i>was tired of being vegetarian. He couldn’t wait to taste some warm-blooded, sweet-tasting animals. Their screams of agony as they were torn apart would be the best spice.
He had a target in mind. The small and crispy-shelled ck tribe. During the first attack, he<i> </i>had to retreat because he was outnumbered, but how the table had turned! Now, his<i> </i>only concern was whether the ck tribe would be enough to fill their bellies.
-<i>Grrrr!</i>
<i>sh sh, sh sh sh!</i>
The horde of demons quickly invaded the forest ruins, heading for the dwellings of the ck tribe, from which sweet and refreshing scent wafted.
Sometimester, the corner of the demon’s seven eyes caught the sight of the ck tribe. They were hobbling along, carrying something.
“A-a demon!”
“Run!”
Seeing the demons, the terrified ck ants fled in panic. The demons chuckled. How slow those ants were! They called that running? Soon, they’d be ripping into the flesh of the ck ants, gnawing and devouring them. The thought made the demons twitch their<i> </i>feelers in delight.
<i>Crunch!</i>
The demons, who were about to hunt the ck ants, halted.
-<i>Krik</i>? -<i>Krik</i>?
The demons iled their feelers in the air. There was no mistaking it<i>—food!</i> And the best quality, at that! It smelled too divine for them to ignore.
After scanning their surroundings, the demons soon found the origin of that blissful scent. It came from inside the huge ck box carried by the ck ants earlier!
<i>sh sh sh!</i>
Without caring about hierarchy or order, the demons rushed into the box. Everyone was desperate to have the first bite. They fought among themselves, tearing each other from limb to limb. The feeding frenzy had begun.
-<i>Kyaaaa!</i>
The demon that was dragged halfway out was enraged and bit off the head of his fellow and tore away his limb. Soon, there was carnage, but it didn’tst long. They discovered that countless identical boxes were scattered throughout the vige, emanating the same mouthwatering smell.
-<i>Kiiik! Kriiiiik!</i>
The demons rejoiced, rubbing their shells against each other. Unlike the white locusts they’d annihted, the ants had offered them food! They decided to spare the ck tribe. At least until they finished this tasty treat.
<i>Crack! Craaack!</i>
The demons frantically crawled into the boxes, scarfing down their food.
<strong>Roach Exterminator Combat</strong>
A line of incoherent text was engraved on the box. Not that it mattered to them. That very ignorance would eventually lead to their doom.
-<i>Krr, krrr...</i>
Remains of the demons scattered all over the ce. They were foaming at their mouths, likely to be poisoned. No one would’ve believed the same demons from before had been reduced to such a state, writhing in pain.
The demons were certain that no poison could harm them, who had lived off rotten corpses and demon blood. But there was no denying the cruel reality now.
“They''re still alive!”
“Kill them!”
As they walked among the bodies strewn on the ground, the ck ants would dig their fangs into the neck of those that had yet to die.
<i>Crack!</i>
-<i>Kieeeek</i>!
Along with the agonizing scream, the demon crumbled into sand, before turning into a pure white metal coin.
<i>Ding!</i>
[Yu Il-Shin’s followers havepleted the noble task of killing the demons that gue the world.]
[You have been rewarded with 1 White Gcoin.]
Other ants also delivered the killing blows.
<i>Crack! Crack! Kieeeeek!</i>
The sounds of decapitation and screams from demons echoed in the air. They died in vain, unbefitting of a line of demons that had gained notoriety.
<i>Clink! Clink!</i>
At the same time, Godcoins began dropping all over the ce. They disappeared in the blink of an eye, as if being sucked away.
However, not all of the demons met the same end. Within a short period, fewer than fifty of them developed immunity to the poison, feigning their deaths. They exchanged a brief nce as the ck ants gathered, then...
<i>Swish swish swish! </i>
They scattered in all directions, fleeing.
“C-catch them!”
“Don''t let them get away!”
Panicking, the ck ants gave them pursuit, but it proved to be quite a challenge.
Having made their escape, the demons gritted their teeth, vowing to get revenge. Even if most of them perished, having just one survivor was more than enough.
Now that they were immune to the ck tribe''s poison, they woulde back stronger and in much greater numbers. They would annihte the ck tribe just as they had annihted them! Ultimately, victory would be theirs!
<i>Swoosh! Thump!</i>
Just then, something fell from the sky toward the retreating group of demons.
<i>Swish swish swish! Bam bam!</i>
Dodging it reflexively, the demons eyed the metal barrel on the ground warily. Another string of unknown text was engraved on its surface.
<strong>Deal with those roaches in one go! Super power~! Roach hell smoke grenade!</strong>
<i>Tzzz! Roooar!</i>
Poisonous gas engulfed the demon instantly.
<i>Kieeek!</i>
The demon’s final screams echoed all around.
***
[You have been rewarded with 30 Gcoins.]
[You have been rewarded with 24 Gcoins.]
A handful of white coins dropped from my phone along with those messages. <i>This is new. </i>So far, I had only received dark Godcoins every time I killed something. Was this because they were cockroaches? Yeah, I agree. They were indeed a threat to humanity.
-<i>Waaah</i>! We defeated the demons!
-Praise to God Yu Il-Shin!
The ants were cheering and shouting boisterously on the screen.
<i>Haha, are you guys happy? Me too.</i>
If those roaches swarmed into my room in the worst-case scenario... <i>Phew</i>, just thinking about it made me feel dizzy. The only issue was, I would have to dip into my emergency funds to buy the medicine for them.
“<i>Phew.</i>” Just as I was taking a breather...
<i>Ding!</i>
[You have met the requirements to acquire an innate power.]
[You can acquire the innate power, Proliferating Thumb of God, by spending 100 Gcoins.]
“Proliferating Thumb of God?” I clicked on the power for more information.
-----
[Proliferating Thumb of God]
Category: Innate Power
Description: An innate power obtained by Yu Il-Shin after ying the endlessly multiplying demon from the demon realm.
Special note: God’s poweres from faith, fear, and the achievements aplished!
“Keke,e forth, trials. I will ovee them and get stronger!”
-----
<i>Tsk, such childish lines</i>. I endured the cringe and paid for the new innate power. 100 Gcoins were nothing to me now.
<i>Ding!</i>
[You have obtained the innate power Proliferating Thumb of God.]
After 100 Gcoins disappeared into thin air, this message appeared. As always, I didn’t feel any particr change in my body. At times like this, it was best to give the new power a try.
<i>Flinch—</i>
“<i>Uhm</i>.”
I looked at the unfinished ceiling, feeling slightly uneasy. What if something went wrong when I tested it? Maybe I should just head outside...
I changed into a training suit, about to head to the park.
<i>Katalk katalk! Katalk katalk!</i>
Suddenly, more messages came in.
I checked my phone, thinking that it was from the Saintess.
<strong>Mighty Editor-in-Charge:</strong> Mr. Yu, please give me a call as soon as you read this message T.T
<i>Huh? What’s wrong with him?</i>
***
My editor-in-charge, with whom I had a love-hate rtionship, was a man in his mid-thirties wearing horn-rimmed sses.
“Mr. Yu, please have another ss.”
The same man was offering me a ss of soju with a pleasant smile on his face.
“Wasn’t I fired?”
“<i>Aigoo</i>, please don’t say something so depressing! Of course, my boss went on a rampage when you missed the deadline for your manuscript, but did you forget who I am? I’m your most trusted editor-in-charge! You may have fallen into a slump, but I’ve convinced my boss that you are a genius writer who can lead ourpany to greater heights!”
“Me? A genius?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
“It’s my first time hearing this.”
“Haha, I’m sure a ss of soju will refresh your memory! Now, drink it. Down the entire ss.” He smirked, refilling my empty ss.
One shot, two shots, and three shotster...
“<i>Hmm</i>, I still don’t recall anything.”
“Oh no, the alcohol must not be enough. Madam! Please give us another bottle of Chamisul!”
No writer could say no to free alcohol, which was akin to an oasis in a desert. This was especially true for me, who had abstained from it for two months. I was forced to, because I had no money.
“<i>Aigoo</i>, Mr. Yu. You’re drinking well tonight.”
“<i>Nyam nyam</i>. The snacks are delicious. Can I have another portion of whelk?”
“Haha, of course. I still have twelve other corporate cards on me!”
The merry atmosphere at the dinner tablested well until we emptied the third bottle. Well, it actually stillsted until the fifth bottle. But we should have stopped by the tenth bottle.
“...<i>Hic! </i>Mr. Yu, just believe in me, Team Leader Lee! I believe that we can hit the jackpot and shake up the genre novel industry! Then, we’ll be able to enjoy whiskeys, develop properties, and even get married! <i>Hmm</i>? ...Mr. Yu, what have you been doing since earlier?”
I solemnly raised my thumb and yelled, “Proliferating Thumb of God!”
<i>sh!</i>