I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 83. The Red Monster (3)

Ender had changed significantly from before.

Seeing him stagger in, slightly inebriated, it was hard to think he was the same Ender from the past.

“Drinking has its charm once you start. It’s surprisingly easy to get hooked,” he chuckled, scratching his head.

“You end up drinking endlessly, don’t you? I regret those days of abstinence.”

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well!”

I replied.

“I’m doing great, thanks to you. I didn’t realize there was such an easy and better life.”

Though Ender seemed like a completely different person, I still sensed his immense strength.

‘As my rank rose, there were things I felt differently than before. I guess it’s a strong presence.’

“By the way, what’s the matter? When I first saw you, you seemed like just a rookie I could easily handle.”

Ender wiped the smile from his face and looked at me seriously.

“Now, you’re genuinely dangerous. If I’m unlucky, even my life could be at risk.”

“You flatter me.”

“In most cases where ranks increase this quickly, it’s usually because someone who lost their power for some reason has regained it.”

I shook my head at Ender’s suspicion.

“I’m merely able to advance quickly because of my role as a priest. There’s no special reason behind my rapid rank increase.”

I knew exactly what Ender was considering—whether to kill me now or later. The 100 bandits thrown at me were likely a test, both to eliminate them and gauge my abilities.

‘Though he’s known as a berserker, he has quite a cunning side.’

Initially, he approached me as if welcoming. And when the distance was close enough to launch an attack based on judgment, he revealed his true nature.

“Though those bandits deserved to be exterminated originally, your methods were rather brutal. Didn’t you think you went too far? Or do you enjoy those acts?”

Ender probed.

“It’s simply due to my combat style and the weapon’s characteristics. Even if I don’t intend, the miracles of an Outer God, as well as this mantle named Gluttony, possess a barbaric nature.”

It was unavoidable. Gluttony and my mind were somewhat connected, but ultimately, it was a living entity. Furthermore, the miracle of the blaze that scorched enemies would appear even more gruesome.

“But… I’ll admit it. I was slightly intoxicated during the process.”

I confessed honestly, and Ender raised an eyebrow.

“Did you enjoy the slaughter?”

“It’s a bit different. I was entranced by my enhanced power, and the fire.”

“Fire?”

I began detailing my condition to Ender—the mental anomaly leading to fascination with intense flames due to blessings, and the deals with Leng Spiders it led to.

“So, I hope you’d give me a chance. If I had the Golden Blood Elixir, I could correct this mental anomaly.”

Ender listened quietly before asking, “Is this Golden Blood safe? It’s the first I’ve heard of such an outrageous drink.”

“It’s safe. If you’ve awakened even once with the power of an Outer God and are at least 2nd rank, you can consume it without significant side effects.”

“And if not?”

“They say your head turns into a honey-like golden liquid, melts, and you convulse until all your bones and muscles are destroyed.”

Ender looked at me like a madman, and I had nothing to say, so I averted my gaze.

Golden Blood wasn’t originally meant for humans, so such bizarre side effects were inevitable. It’s also distressing to think I had to consume it, but there was no other choice.

“Anyway, while I do have personal objectives, the situation in Wave Reach is severe. It could lead to the city’s destruction. More so, the place might descend into a demon realm.”

Even if Ender was well-informed, he couldn’t grasp everything about matters involving an Outer God. He seemed a bit startled by the unexpectedly grave situation.

“So, it’s more of a two-person extermination team than just simple escorting?”

I nodded. There was a need to add more members depending on the situation, but ordinary mercenaries wouldn’t suffice. I had others in mind considering this.

“That’s correct. And if I ever fall into corruption, you must include me as a target for extermination.”

Ender listened quietly, scratching his head as he grumbled.

“I thought I’d just guard and drink the liquor… Fine. It seems you’re still holding on, and I owe you a favor, so I’ll cooperate. But I’ll ensure that the payment for this job is calculated precisely.”

I nodded. However, I had something to ask as well.

“Did you obtain the relic of Dionysus?”

“Of course.”

Ender lifted a wooden bottle that hung from his waist. Strange characters were inscribed chaotically on the bottle, indicating that its contents were no ordinary liquid.

“Lyla demanded twenty times the usual price for such a relic.”

“…”

With Ender’s hearty laughter, I touched my forehead.

“Is she doing well?”

“She says she’s busy, but seems to be getting by without much trouble.”

Smiling at the news of an acquaintance, I left the forest with Ender. Upon reaching a pond where we were supposed to meet Eldritch, Ender came to a stop.

“Eldritch hasn’t arrived yet, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer… Ender?”

“This is perfect timing. We’ll need to confirm a few more things. First, have a drink.”

At Ender’s suggestion, I nodded and stepped forward to receive a cup. Ender took out an old wooden cup, poured some of the relic’s drink, and took a sip first. Then he handed it to me.

It turned out to be a wine with a rather strong sweetness but didn’t have any distinct traits beyond that.

“It elevates the mind and stirs one’s vitality. But the best part is the calm peace that follows, like a gentle breeze, once you’ve expended that energy.”

“It seems to have… little effect on me.”

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

But that wasn’t all Ender intended to confirm. He placed his hand on the sword at his waist and looked at me.

I nodded and stepped back. I had felt during the earlier battle that it was insufficient to truly test my strength, and it seemed Ender felt the same.

Ender likely wanted to assess how well I could maintain my rationality.

“Come at me first.”

“Then, I won’t hold back.”

Gluttony surrounded itself with flames, intimidatingly unfolding.

“Oh master of innumerable flames, bring forth the fire that devours all warmth. 〈Heat-Draining Fireball〉.”

I conjured a sphere of flame and launched it. Ender quickly dodged and tried to rush at me but quickly noticed something strange.

“My feet…?”

The ground had frozen, holding Ender’s feet in place. The 〈Heat-Draining Fireball〉 absorbed surrounding heat as it burned, possessing the mysterious ability to freeze even the ocean.

‘I made use of the damp surface due to the pond.’

Watching the fire ironically freeze its surroundings, Ender extinguished the flames with a gust of his sword.

“It may be a peculiar fire, but that alone won’t suffice.”

With a short shout, Ender twirled his sword in a circular motion like a vortex before thrusting it toward me. He had already escaped the frozen terrain long ago.

‘I knew I couldn’t hold him back for long, but that was so quick it’s almost baffling.’

I blocked the fearsome gust with Gluttony, but my limbs were still deeply cut in various places. This was despite it being a restrained attack. Ender wouldn’t attack in earnest until I unleashed a proper assault.

‘He’s still holding back, but his strikes are fierce. But this level of injury can be compensated for through transformation.’

My health was decreasing, but the wounds were healing. I launched my counterattack before the transformation lost its effectiveness to recover.

“The heavenly retribution isn’t limited to thunderbolts; His flames are a cascading disaster to be awed, 〈Falling Flame of the Red Sky〉.”

A waterfall of flames cascaded down.

Ender had already witnessed this technique before, so he watched to see how the other would react.

Charging forward, I sliced through the fire from the front, imitating a stance similar to 〈Mountain Boar Charge〉. However, I arranged it by stabbing the sword downward while raising it.

“Huff!”

Deliberately, I twisted my body, offering up my arm. From the severed surface of my arm, a jet-black cross spear shot out, piercing towards Ender at a terrifying speed. But…

*Clang—!*

‘What the hell! He blocked it?’

Ender narrowly deflected the spear and kicked me, creating distance between us. Though he attempted to avoid the vital points, causing a slight delay, it was still a matter of just a very short span of time. An impossible speed to see and react to with the naked eye.

“That was a formidable technique. If I hadn’t anticipated it through your gaze, I would have been caught off guard.”

To restrain Ender, who charged at me again, I threw the spear and immediately slammed my hand on the ground.

“The flame of the Eternal Blaze shakes the heavens and earth, so let the fire rise! 〈Inferno of Thunder〉!”

The earth trembled and split as a pillar of flame soared. The immense fire seemed powerful enough to paint the sky red, posing a threat Ender had no choice but to retreat from.

‘And it’s a beautiful flame.’

More splendid, grander. To envelop everything in the world with red flames…

Tap.

“It’s over.”

Somehow Ender was there, tapping the back of my head with the hilt of his sword. … Had I lost focus for a moment?

‘Had this been a real battle, I’d be dead. To think I would lose track in a fight requiring such high concentration with a strong opponent…’

“Having fought you directly, you’re certainly strong. I shouldn’t consider you a mere third-rank.”

“Ah, thank you. I have learned a great deal.”

Ender then firmly gripped my shoulder.

“But you do realize how perilous this makes you, right? You seem to chase after a power you can’t properly handle.”

I listened silently, then shook my head.

“It’s the opposite, Ender.”

“Opposite?”

“I don’t pursue this kind of power. It doesn’t suit me at all. But it’s the only thing I can handle, so I use it as best as I can by controlling it.”

For more seamless control, the Bloodstone needed to arrive soon.

“So that’s why you’re hiring me.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… I see. I’ll let it go this time, considering your current state isn’t quite right.”

I asked, puzzled.

“What do you mean?”

“I told you to treat me to drinks when we meet again. I was looking forward to getting that Bloodstone as a reward, but it’s not even a proper drink.”

“Oh…”

Such a promise had been made. I gave a slight smile, pointing to the side.

“If you mean that promise, it’s right over there.”

Eldritch, who arrived belatedly, brought the drink, grumbling continuously as if dissatisfied with the trivial errand. Ender, at last, seemed content and sat down with a satisfied smile.

“Then, let’s share the details over drinks!”

Before heading to Wave Reach, the drinking session doubling as a camping trip continued late into the night.