Chapter 1 — Turning Into Ash
The sky was dyed crimson.
As the sun set, thick fog spread across the horizon, casting an eerie silence over the entire valley. A cold wind blew slowly, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood.
After three days of relentless battle, the land was no longer recognizable.
Thousands of corpses lay scattered across the ground.
Broken swords, shattered armor, and lingering sparks of spiritual energy turned the battlefield into a horrifying scene.
And at the center of it all stood one man.
His clothes were torn and soaked with blood, yet he remained standing.
The God of Catastrophe.
His crimson eyes glowed like flames in the darkness. His body was covered in countless wounds, blood dripping from his shoulder. Yet instead of pain, a cold smile rested on his face.
Before him stood the priests of the heavens.
Not dozens.
Hundreds.
Their bodies radiated pure white light, and sacred weapons rested in their hands. These were no ordinary warriors.
They were executors of Heaven's will.
One of them stepped forward.
A priest dressed in long white robes, a golden mark shining on his forehead, looked at the God of Catastrophe with cold eyes.
"You… God of Catastrophe. At last, you have nowhere left to run."
He raised his hand and pointed toward the sky.
"You dared to oppose the heavens. You stole the ancient Rune Stone and now seek to bring destruction upon the entire world."
His voice turned sharp.
"How dare you challenge us?"
The God of Catastrophe simply chuckled.
Low.
Cold.
"Dare?" he said slowly.
Tilting his head slightly, he looked at them.
"You still don't understand."
His crimson eyes swept across every single one of them.
And in that moment, many felt death brush against their hearts.
"I did not challenge you."
His smile widened.
"I… declared war on Heaven itself."
Rage erupted among the priests.
"Blasphemy!"
"Kill him!"
"Destroy the heretic!"
And in the next instant, the battle began again.
Heavenly energy exploded across the valley.
Sacred swords cut through the air as spiritual magic flashed like lightning, illuminating the battlefield.
The God of Catastrophe stepped forward.
The ground trembled.
He raised his sword.
In the next second, dozens of priests were torn apart.
Blood sprayed into the air.
But the battle did not end.
It continued for three days.
And finally…
Another army of Heaven arrived.
Now the God of Catastrophe stood alone.
His breathing was heavy.
Yet he was still smiling.
Suddenly, one of the heavenly priests raised his hand.
"Stop."
He waved his hand.
Three figures were brought forward.
The God of Catastrophe's eyes changed instantly.
A woman in chains.
And beside her… two children.
His family.
The youngest son began to cry.
"Father…!"
The boy's face was covered in wounds.
"Father… please… save me…"
For the first time during the entire battle—
the God of Catastrophe's hands trembled.
The priest smirked coldly.
"Hand over the Rune Stone."
He placed his sword against the boy's neck.
"Otherwise… their heads will fall."
The valley fell silent again.
The God of Catastrophe slowly closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Then spoke quietly.
"You bastards…"
Silence returned to the battlefield.
The God of Catastrophe looked at the chained woman. Blood had dried on her face, yet she still tried to smile at him.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered.
His heart tightened.
The youngest child cried again.
"Father… please save us…"
Another voice trembled beside him.
"Please… don't let them take us…"
For a brief moment, the God of Catastrophe's eyes showed not rage…
but pain.
The priest laughed.
"The Rune Stone."
"Now."
The God of Catastrophe stood silent for several seconds.
The wind blew through his blood-stained clothes.
Then slowly—
he raised his hand.
The Rune Stone appeared in his palm.
The ancient stone glowed with a dark crimson light.
Every member of Heaven became alert.
"Finally," the priest said.
The God of Catastrophe began walking forward.
Each step was heavy.
Drops of blood fell onto the ground.
He stopped before the priest.
The priest stretched out his hand.
"Give it to me."
The God of Catastrophe looked into his eyes.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then he placed the stone in the priest's palm.
The priest laughed.
"So the God of Catastrophe finally kneels."
But in the next instant—
SHING!
A sword flashed through the air.
Three heads rolled onto the ground.
His wife.
His youngest son.
And his daughter.
Blood splattered across the earth.
For a moment…
the entire world went silent.
The God of Catastrophe did not move.
He simply stared.
His eyes widened.
Then he whispered.
"…No."
His voice trembled.
"No…"
The next moment he screamed like the world had shattered.
"NOOOOO!!!"
The ground shook violently.
Spiritual energy erupted into the sky.
The God of Catastrophe lunged forward.
The priest didn't even have time to react.
His hand pierced through the priest's chest.
He ripped out his heart.
"IS THIS YOUR ANSWER?!" he roared.
The priests turned pale.
But there were too many of them.
Sacred swords pierced his body.
One.
Two.
Ten.
Twenty.
Blood burst out like a fountain.
Yet he did not stop.
He seized the Rune Stone again.
His blood-soaked hands gripped it tightly.
"You…"
he rasped.
"You killed my family."
He looked toward the heavens.
Only one thing remained in his eyes.
Hatred.
"I swear…"
"One day…"
"I will destroy every single one of you."
The warriors of Heaven rushed forward.
But it was too late.
The God of Catastrophe pressed the Rune Stone against his chest.
"If this doesn't work…"
He laughed.
A mad laugh.
"Then I'll return as your curse."
The Rune Stone erupted with light.
The entire valley was swallowed by blinding brilliance.
"Stop him!"
"The Rune is going to explode!"
But it was already too late.
The God of Catastrophe's body began to crumble.
First his hands.
Then his shoulders.
Then his entire body began turning into ashes.
Yet he was still smiling.
"You'll see…"
His voice faded.
"I… will return…"
The next moment—
he completely turned to ash.
The wind blew across the valley.
And the ashes of the God of Catastrophe scattered into the sky.
Silence returned once again.
But the warriors of Heaven all knew the truth.
This war was not over.