The vast aura that had shaken everyone's souls had vanished, and Setsuna now radiated a sense of transformation and sublimation.
Even the most oblivious could tell that the one chosen by God was Setsuna.
After a brief deathly silence…
"D-did it succeed?"
"It's Hades-sama! Hades-sama received the inheritance!"
"This aura is so strong!"
The Heroes snapped out of it, expressions of ecstasy appearing on their faces.
"Hades-sama!" A B-Class Hero stepped forward excitedly, his voice trembling. "How do you feel now? Is there hope of defeating that No.17?"
This question voiced everyone's expectation.
Dozens of eyes focused intently on Setsuna.
Setsuna smiled slightly. "I feel better than ever. Maybe I could defeat No.17 right now."
"Great!"
"We're saved! Earth is saved!"
"Long live Hades-sama!"
Cheers echoed in the cavern. The despair and gloom of recent days were significantly lifted in that moment.
Even Gyoro Gyoro was excited, but it still advised, "Mr. Hades, congratulations on gaining God's recognition. However, the power of the inheritance needs time to be digested. Rushing to challenge a powerful enemy would not be wise."
"There's still nearly a year left. I suggest you practice patiently and fully assimilate the power of the inheritance."
"When the year is almost up, when you are fully prepared, you can challenge that No.17 at your peak."
Setsuna nodded. "I was too hasty. I'll return and practice diligently."
Seeing Hades so receptive to advice, the Association's members were even more gratified. They felt that Hades was not only powerful but also composed and humble, truly the perfect choice to save Earth.
Gyoro Gyoro inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It had been worried that Hades, in his excitement, might immediately challenge No.17.
If that happened, God would be in danger before fully awakening.
The group returned to the Hero Association's Headquarters.
The news spread like wildfire… Hades had successfully received the inheritance of the ancient God at the Monster Association's altar, greatly increasing his strength and giving him a chance against No.17!
Within the Association, the previously dead and despairing atmosphere was injected with a shot of adrenaline by this unexpected good news.
Although many remained skeptical, at least there was a glimmer of hope.
Most excited were the three members of the Tank Topper Army, already Setsuna's biggest fans.
"I knew it! Hades-sama is destined!"
"The hope for Earth's salvation rests with Hades-sama!"
Tanktop Vegetarian was ecstatic, boasting to everyone about 'Hades-sama's greatness' and how 'we, the Tank Topper Army, always knew Hades-sama was extraordinary'.
He acted as if he were the one who had received the inheritance.
Watching the faint flame of hope rekindle in the Association, and the looks of admiration and anticipation directed at Setsuna...
Fubuki and Genos felt only a chill running from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads.
Finding an opportunity, they stopped Setsuna in a quiet corridor.
"Hades-sama," Fubuki's voice was dry. She suppressed her fear and asked cautiously, "With your strength, do you still need to receive this so-called God's inheritance?"
She had now roughly grasped this Emperor of the Universe's mindset... as long as it led to an exciting battle, he didn't seem to mind their probing.
In fact, he seemed quite willing to share information.
Setsuna stopped and smiled slightly. "I never said I received the inheritance."
Fubuki was taken aback. "But everyone said..."
Setsuna chuckled. "I just ate God. Yes, it tasted quite good."
Fubuki and Genos stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.
'Q-quite good?'
'He had devoured the God that the Monster Association had described as immensely powerful!'
While shocked, they also felt a sense of sorrow for that God.
'What a good God, wanting to save Earth, only to be eaten by the demon king.'
Seeing their terrified expressions, Setsuna seemed to find it amusing. He chuckled softly, said no more, and turned to leave.
Leaving Fubuki and Genos in the empty corridor, feeling a despair even deeper than before.
…
Late at night, deep within the Monster Association's Headquarters.
Garou sat alone in a simple stone room, meditating with his eyes closed.
Though he hadn't received the 'inheritance' during the altar visit, being in that environment of extreme malice and energy seemed to have stimulated the 'monsterization' process within him.
He needed to digest these insights.
Suddenly, he felt his mind blur, as if being pulled into a boundless, dark space.
At the center of the space, a vague, enormous face slowly emerged.
"Garou..."
A grand voice echoed in his mind, though it seemed somewhat weak.
Garou didn't panic, but looked at the face warily. "Who are you?"
"I am... God." The immense face's voice carried a natural authority.
"God?" Garou raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you already give the inheritance to that Hades?"
Mentioning Hades and the inheritance caused the immense face to twist violently. Darkness churned, and countless agonized faces shrieked.
"Inheritance? That damned thief! Bandit! Heretic!" God's voice was filled with malice and hatred. "He didn't receive the inheritance! He killed me! Took everything from me!"
Garou listened, but instead of fear or sympathy, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
"Doesn't that mean..." Garou stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The power he has now might really be able to defeat that No.17?"
His focus was entirely on whether Hades's newly acquired power could oppose No.17, not on God's plight.
"..." God's face, formed of malice, seemed to freeze.
'He doesn't care about my survival at all?'
'Another rebellious one who doesn't respect God!'
It seethed inwardly, but now was not the time to dwell on it.
It suppressed its anger and spoke in an even colder tone: "That Hades, his soul is so powerful it's unlike any Earth life. I suspect he's in cahoots with that No.17!"
Garou's eyes flickered. "Is that so? What do you want from me?"
"Lend me your body temporarily," God's voice took on a commanding tone. "Don't you want to become a monster? Merge with my power, and I can make you the strongest monster!"
"Then, we can destroy that No.17 and that damned Hades!"
It had expected that this proposal, involving its personal intervention, would make a vengeful figure like Garou ecstatic and accept immediately.
However, Garou showed a strange expression.
He thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. "Alright."
God felt a surge of joy.
But Garou added, "As long as Lord agrees."
God was puzzled. "Lord? You mean Gyoro Gyoro? Don't worry. The Monster Association has always been under my subtle guidance and control."
It assumed Garou was worried about the Association's rules.
Garou shook his head, his tone matter-of-fact. "No, I mean Hades-sama."
God's immense, dark face instantly froze.
'He calls that thief... Lord?'
'How is this possible!'
The next moment, a soul force so familiar it made its soul shudder, like a terrifying nightmare, rudely invaded this mental space.
A gentle, amused voice sounded in the dark space: "I knew you wouldn't be completely dead. Good thing you came to me."
"No!"
God let out the most terrified, desperate scream of its existence.
But it was too late. Once again, it was a meal for Setsuna.