Chapter 35: Gazing at the Divine Mountain
As Hikigaya Hachiman cleansed the outskirts of town with the Light of Life, the master of the demon wolves was also approaching.
The four Godslayers had each chosen their own routes and were scouting the enemy's deployment.
However, thanks to Hikigaya's use of the wolves' mobility, he soon had the opportunity to rendezvous with Voban.
The most brilliant sacred light in heaven and earth had already illuminated the sky and horizon into a hazy whole, and all of it was fully reflected in the Evil Eye Demon's gaze of the wolf king.
"You've matured since last time," Voban couldn't help but praise as he looked at the land shrouded in the glow of life.
When he first met Hikigaya, he had seen this power, but at that time, Hikigaya could only use it to absorb surrounding light or steal the life of others.
Today's display was completely different.
Voban wasn't afraid of the army of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. His own power was especially effective against groups of enemies.
But even he couldn't erase the imprint of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven from the level of life itself and restore everything to its original state as Hikigaya could.
Still, this was exactly the style Voban knew of Hikigaya Hachiman: a strange power born from the combination of wild natural forces and sacred life energy.
Of course, facing an alliance of four deities, even a Godslayer like Voban could not hold back in showing his superb skills.
Especially since encountering four Heretic gods simultaneously was a spectacle he had never experienced in his long life, and such a grand scene had to be fully enjoyed.
Voban's Evil Eye glowed with a grim and terrifying green light.
This power was unparalleled in lethality against beings below the level of gods and Godslayers. If Voban wished, he could extend the range of "salting" to the spiritual sight range.
For a human settlement like this, he could instantly salt all the life inside—even those hidden deep within surface buildings or underground spaces would be of no use.
But after some thought, the ancient Godslayer withdrew the power he was about to activate.
That wouldn't be good. If he was going to claim a kill, it should be someone else's. Attacking a junior he respected felt awkward—better to take another path.
So he retracted the power of his demonic eye and transmitted his will into the minds of all the giant wolves, including those originally with Hikigaya—who now no longer needed them; it was time for them to return to his command.
Having merged the two wolf packs, Voban temporarily abandoned the surging sea of life ahead and led the wolves running in another direction.
Shortly after he left, the sea of life began to collapse and retract.
Where the light faded, countless creatures lay sprawled chaotically—tourists, residents of the town, both domestic and wild animals—lying amidst a green meadow composed of grasses and plants.
Hikigaya lightly passed over them and entered the town.
As he withdrew his power, he sensed Voban and the wolves moving away, but compared to the gains this time, it was something he could afford to ignore.
The return of life force was abundant.
The Afterlife Sun had elevated his method of combining natural power and life energy to a new level; this vessel could perfectly contain these two forces.
Shortly after entering the town, Hikigaya sensed strong curses coming from other directions.
There was the breath of plant spirits, sharp and unparalleled sword energy, and thunder and lightning blotting out the sky.
This had all been prearranged: first suppress the town, then use it as a base to conquer the gods residing in the surrounding mountains.
Though some parts seemed trivial or unnecessary, since it was a rare feast, a bit of order to improve the flavor wasn't a problem.
Hikigaya was not about to fall behind; he unleashed the Sea of Light once again.
Under the power of "Devouring Light and Fire," his Afterlife Sun grew robust. Neither the ape divine beasts nor the transformed monkey gods could resist the Afterlife Light and fell, revealing their true forms.
The Great Sage's transformation technique was now utterly ineffective.
At the town's center, the four Godslayers appeared almost simultaneously.
Hikigaya saw Luo Hao advancing surrounded by massive plants, Doni radiating flames like burning light, and Voban moving with his wolf pack amid the downpour of lightning.
Without a doubt, this was a contest of flashy power displays.
In contrast, Hikigaya, having withdrawn his life light, looked the most ordinary and least ostentatious.
The four Godslayers finally gathered at the town's center, then began counting heads—no, they looked toward the direction of the town.
Hikigaya first glanced at the paths the three had come from and sincerely thought: Japan's real estate developers should rush in and make a fortune.
Indeed, Godslayers like him, who had a good sense of public morality and safe driving awareness, were rare.
No need to look closely at Voban's path—it was already clear it would go straight to the battlefield for a quick sale.
Doni used a power Hikigaya had not seen before. That light was not flame but tremendously powerful—different from the past's cutting force, more like a repelling force. Things faced with Doni's sword were either mysteriously knocked away or shattered into fragments.
Previously, Hikigaya had seen a building suddenly turned to rubble before Doni, and Doni hadn't even swung his sword.
Luo Hao had come all the way with Wood Release, but the effect was far inferior to the tree realm depicted in manga; it didn't seem like a mere technique but rather her inherent power.
These three demolition tycoons were completely friends of real estate.
Looking behind himself, Hikigaya deeply felt the thick, inseparable light of humanity and morality within him.
He thought to himself that he was truly the model Godslayer—if every Godslayer were like him, the world would be filled with light and love.
"Everyone, let's make a deal," Hikigaya said confidently, sensing his voice had never been this loud, surely because he was right. "Can we not just randomly tear down buildings? That's not good. Where will people sleep when they wake up?"
"Really?" Voban looked at Hikigaya oddly, seemingly not understanding why he said that. "But the first time we met, you blew up a building."
"..." Hikigaya considered Voban's words for a second, then decisively said, "We've already suppressed this town. What do you all think we should do about going up the mountain?"
"Didn't you just talk about the buildings?" Doni scratched his head, looking confused. "Why are we talking about the mountain now?"
"Why can't you tell the difference between important and less important things?" Hikigaya glared at him and rebuked righteously. "This matter is mine to decide. You can compensate for the buildings after you finish fighting. No need to feel sorry now."
"I noticed you guys have been talking about things I don't understand," Luo Hao frowned slightly, looking toward the distant mountain range that was now a genuine divine mountain.
"Though strategy is indispensable, that's a matter for when facing the gods. Mere servants needn't waste time considering it, right?"
"Woman, this is his territory. We should follow the host's lead," Voban bluntly retorted, then gave Hikigaya a look full of anticipation—as if saying, "Look how tough I am, why don't you join me in chasing her away?"
Then he seemed to feel that wasn't enough and gave Doni a glance full of contempt, as if thinking, "It would be great to chase this guy away too."
Hikigaya honestly felt Voban's expressions were overly colorful.
Annoying—better hurry up and go up the mountain.
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