Chapter 371: Things I was worried about (1)


    The overall theme of the event is the extermination of demon worshippers and, as a result, a private meeting with me.


    The question, then, is: how many demon worshippers need to be dealt with for this private meeting to take ce?


    This is the central focus.


    Points are awarded for either eliminating demon worshippers or bringing them into the order.


    This is the most basic principle.


    However, due to their nature, demon worshippers move without leaving any trace, making even detecting them a challenge.


    Therefore, the value of information is highly significant, and the person reporting a worshipper may be credited with a greater contribution than the one who directly deals with them.


    Additionally, points can also be earned through actions such as reforming those who have been brainwashed into bing demon worshippers or rescuing ves who were on the verge of being sacrificed.


    Even without direct extermination, people can earn points, and everyone utilizes their own strengths to the fullest.Reports suggest that while many have dealt with demon worshippers directly, those providing information significantly outnumber them.


    The situation has escted to such an extent, with bizarre and horrific incidents urring, that national-level support has begun.


    Demon worshippers are far beyond the level of mere heretics or pagans; they are a malignant cancer on society, which has united everyone with amon purpose.


    There was some concern that demon worshippers might resort to desperate measures, but so far, no such tendencies have been observed.


    Lastly, the most important aspect of the event: its duration.


    There is no set end date. If the event were to end, people would likely stop pursuing demon worshippers.


    Human nature is fickle; without rewards, they would cease almost immediately.


    Only a small number act purely out of conviction or a sense of duty.


    To address this, rewards will be given unpredictably, and the event is intended to continue indefinitely.


    “Dad, what are you doing?”


    “I’m working.”


    “Work?”


    “Yes.”


    While answering Ariel’s question, I didn’t stop typing.


    Though the event was in full swing, I couldn’t dypleting <em>The Chronicles of Zenon</em>.


    Moreover, I had to handle Q&A sessions, so it was better to work in advance.


    Ariel, hearing my response, remained still for a moment before slowly approaching me.


    “Up we go!”


    As expected, she climbed onto myp with a spirited effort.


    I carefully ensured she wouldn’t fall, having anticipated this.


    Sitting on myp, Ariel blinked curiously at the typewriter.


    I chuckled softly at her adorable actions and continued writing.


    <em>Click-click-click.</em>


    “Wow.”


    Ariel’s eyes sparkled with fascination as she watched letters appear on the holographic screen with each keystroke.


    She reached out her tiny arms, waving them excitedly, which was endearing yet precarious.


    I spread my thighs slightly to secure her.


    “Hmm… ‘Zenon gazed at the vessel containing the soul of Diabolos. Tentacles, resembling octopus limbs, were attached to its face…’ Zenon? Diabolos? Soul?”


    Perhaps the terms were unfamiliar to such a young child.


    Ariel tilted her head, puzzled.


    Even the small sprout atop her head swayed with the motion.


    I wondered when that sprout would grow and what purpose it served. My curiosity distracted me, and I reached out to lightly tap the sprout.


    “Huh?”


    Ariel looked up at me with her golden eyes, curious about the sudden touch.


    Meeting her gaze, I said nothing for a while, then yfully squeezed her chubby cheeks.


    Her soft, marshmallow-like skin was irresistibly addictive.


    If I could, I’d keep touching it forever.


    Ariel seemed to enjoy the affection, closing her eyes and smiling contentedly.


    After a while of bonding, I gently set her down and spoke softly.


    “Ariel, Daddy’s busy right now. Can you go y for a little while?”


    “With whom?”


    Just then, the bathroom door opened with a click, and Adelia stepped out.


    Seizing the opportunity, I pointed toward her.


    “You can y with Adelia, your mom. Go on.”


    “Okay! Mom! Mom!”


    “Huh? Oh?”


    Ariel ran to Adelia, calling out cheerfully.


    Adelia, initially startled, soon smiled and weed her warmly.


    I had nned to train with Adelia today, but since her father was handling estate matters, the timing wasn’t ideal.


    Besides, protecting Mother and Lily was also a priority.


    Teleportation allowed us to travel back and forth easily, and if worse came to worst, the whole family could relocate. It wasn’t a big issue.


    “Mom, y with me!”


    “Sure. What should we y today?”


    “Hmm… What’s knight y?”


    “…You’ve been reading my mind again, haven’t you? You shouldn’t do that.”


    Adelia smiled wryly as she patted Ariel’s head, seemingly amused by her innocent curiosity.


    Holding Ariel’s hand, she led her out of the room, ensuring they wouldn’t disturb me.


    Reflecting on Adelia’s past, I couldn’t help but recall her difficult upbringing.


    Born to a prostitute and raised in harsh conditions, she often doubted whether she could be a proper mother.


    Ariel’s presence likely made things even moreplicated for her.


    But in my eyes, Adelia was more than capable of being a great mother.


    The very fact that she worried about it spoke volumes about her character.


    She had vowed to use her troubled past as a lesson, and I was confident Ariel would be in good hands.


    ‘Time to get some writing done.’


    As soon as Adelia left with Ariel, I focused on writing. It might seem irresponsible, but honestly, I’ve been exhausted since this morning.


    There’s a saying that parenting is the hardest job in the world, and Ariel’s energy seemed almost infinite.


    From the moment she woke up, she whined to y, and to make matters worse, we couldn’t even go outside.


    So, I substituted with education.


    Although Ariel looked like a child, she was essentially a newborn.


    Naturally, she knew fewer words than she didn’t, so I’ve been teaching her basic vocabry and general knowledge.


    ‘It’s a relief she prefers literature over illiteracy.’


    Perhaps taking after me, Ariel seemed to favor literature over ignorance—not that she disliked thetter, just that she preferred the former.


    Her basic strength wasparable to that of an adult, and her bite force was no joke.


    She chewed on everything she could put in her mouth, even relishing the shell of the World Tree seed, which was as hard as iron.


    As such, controlling her strength was essential, and both Adelia and my father focused intensely on this aspect.


    My father, in particr, devoted significant attention to teaching her restraint, saying unchecked strength was the most dangerous thing of all.


    In any case, Ariel had many shorings, so I and those around her showered her with love to nurture her.


    ‘When will I be able to take her outside?’


    I couldn’t keep Ariel cooped up in the dorm forever.


    Children need to y with friends to develop social skills.


    Growing up surrounded solely by adults wouldn’t be good for her. For Ariel’s future, she needed friends.


    While I nned to reveal her existence soon, I needed to finish my work first.


    ‘To do that, I need to wrap this up as quickly as possible.’


    I ced my hands on the typewriter, staring at the sentences disyed on the hologram.


    This was volume 28 of the <em>Chronicles of Zenon,</em> the climax and the true beginning of the tragedy.


    It focused on the battle between Zenon’s party and the resurrected Archdemon, Diabolos, through a vessel created by greed.


    The vessel’s design was inspired by Cthulhu mythology—a monstrous figure with an octopus-like face.


    ‘Since Kraken exists in this world, this should resonate deeply.’


    Everyone knew about the Kraken, the fearsome octopus-like sea monster, which, in this world, was a real creature.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ording to records, the Kraken was born when demonic blood seeped into the sea. The same applied to other sea monsters.


    Back on Earth, sailing often meant risking one’s life, but in this world, every departure was a life-or-death gamble.


    Perhaps that’s why veteran sailors being as strong as knights wasn’t surprising here.


    Butparing them directly was a mistake, as they were more akin to “specialists.”


    ‘I’ll have to nerf the vessel a bit.’


    Even with the vessel fueled by greed, Diabolos couldn’t unleash his full power without destroying it.


    But even with restrictions, he remained a formidable foe, a cmity capable of overwhelming Zenon’s party without Lily’s support.


    Other races,cking Lily’s aid, were forced to retreat under the shadow spread by Diabolos.


    Merely touching it caused demonic transformation, sowing chaos.


    This alone spoke volumes about his strength—a walking catastrophe.


    ‘Honestly, he’s not the mostpelling character.’


    Diabolos, as a character, wasn’t particrly appealing.


    Even as his creator, I could admit that. His overwhelming power and influence were fitting for an Archdemon, but his sole purpose—bringing ruin—was one-dimensional.


    Readers might feel disappointed when he’s defeated anticlimactically, especially after nearly 30 volumes of buildup.


    ‘And that’s when I hit them with a twist: the final blow isn’t dealt by Zenon but by Lily.’


    Diabolos strikes Lily in a surprise move, setting up hints for his eventual return.


    Readers would be shocked.


    ‘Why? After the first night together, wasn’t this supposed to be a happy ending? Does this mean Lily and Jin can’t end up together?’ they’d wonder, utterly confused.


    Just imagining the reactions excited me.


    If this were my past life, thements section would be flooded with question marks, or people would be too stunned toment.


    This worldcked even the concept of clichés, let alone established tropes.


    Unlike Greek and Roman myths, which often ended in tragedy, stories here only ever showed hopeful conclusions.


    ‘Then again, it’s not even a cliché if there’s nothing to begin with.’


    With a grin, I dove into writing the battle scene with Diabolos.


    Though Mom might scold meter, Luminos once said: “Fallen souls can be purified, but it’s a challenging task even for them.”


    If worstes to worst, I can just release a side story. For now, I’ll write at my own pace.


    ‘Better finish quickly so I can y with Ariel.’


    With that thought, I continued writing in peace.


    [The dreaded event has be a reality… with innocent casualties.]


    [A phenomenon bordering on madness. Was this truly the right thing to do?]


    [The victims’ families demand ountability from Zenon, iming he is ultimately responsible…]


    [Investigations confirm the victims and their families were not demon worshippers. As such, the event must be brought to an end…]


    And then, disaster struck.


    [Does the ‘vessel’ truly exist? Adventurers chasing demon worshippers into an underground cave give vivid ounts.]


    [The site resembled a grand temple, featuring a statue of a creature with an octopus-like head. The statue appeared so lifelike it seemed ready to move.]


    [Just looking at it felt maddening, forcing an immediate retreat. Only one survivor.]


    [Is this ount credible?]


    “?????”


    What the hell is this now?