Hello everyone...
The hiatus plan was cancelled.
I think I'm addicted to writing this story after all, since it's my first novel.
So, here's the next chapter.
***
The next thing Rhea saw inside her mind made her almost doubt her eyes.
In that scene, her previous student and now her man - Graham stood, gazing at himself in the mirror.
In the reflection, those same pair of piercing golden eyes, that once belonged to the forgotten god were staring straight back at him.
Opening her eyes, she once again came face to face with Graham's otherworldly handsome visage, with a knowing smile on his face.
"Did you like my explanation as to why I'm so strong, dear Teacher?"
Rhea didn't respond to his question immediately. She was so out of sorts that she just opened and closed her mouth in silence like a fish stranded out of water.
Graham's grin slowly widened at seeing her state. He was thoroughly enjoying every expression that was going through her face because of the shock he gave her.
"Speechless now, are we?" he teased with a villainous smirk, as if he had one-upped his opponent in a battle of wits. Since she didn't believe what he had said at the beginning and laughed for a long time.
"Y-you... H-how..?" Rhea finally asked in a stutter. Still in her stupor, she couldn't even form proper words.
But Graham understood that she was asking about his rebirth and gave a casual shrug saying, "It just happened."
Suddenly, another thought struck her and her eyes widened in panic.
"W-wait.. Can all Gods come back to life after dying? If so, aren't we in deep trouble? since those failed gods will definitely track you down to settle the scores."
Hearing her mention 'we' instead of 'you' while describing the possible troubles of his rebirth, Graham felt touched.
Before she could panic even more, Graham clarified to her, saying.
"Like I already said, I only came back to life because of a miracle. It's definitely not possible for anyone else."
"So don't you worry, my dear wifey... No one will come searching for us anytime soon."
Graham pulled Rhea into a gentle hug and planted a light kiss on her forehead to reassure her along with his explanation.
Feeling his touch, her panic immediately vanished like smoke in the wind.
"So... You are a god now? And a freakin' Godking no less?" She quipped with awe after calming down.
"I'm not a God Rhea. Not anymore, as I've already died once. Now I'm just a weak unranked human like everyone else here on earth. So It doesn't change anything between us." - Graham.
'How does nothing change when you are a literal god, who came back to life after death.' Rhea grumbled in her mind but didn't say it out loud.
If Graham wants to continue their life as before - without his past weighing on her, Rhea will comply with his wishes for both their sake.
***
While Graham and Rhea were having their heart to heart conversation, other humans of the world didn't stay still.
When a police officer stationed near one of the portals in a major city, stumbled in his fear and touched the portal accidentally. But he didn't fall into it like he imagined. Instead, he received a notification in his system panel.
[ You've come into contact with an Unranked Gate. Would you like to enter it? ]
[ Yes/No ]
[ Entry limit : 10 - Unranked individuals only ]
[ Note : Time till dungeon break occurs if the monsters inside are not cleared - 30 days ]
With that, the news spread through every social media app - that touching the portals would allow entry inside for anyone who wanted to do it.
Obviously no one wanted to enter those ominous looking portals that released unholy horrors upon the world - even with the risk of a dungeon break occuring after the month if it's not cleared.
But there are always exceptions that deviate from the majority-and they were the ones who entered the portals despite the risks.
Individuals with low IQ that had unreasonable confidence in their abilities...
Battled junkies who craved the thrill of blood pumping fights while risking their lives...
Individuals with enough belief in their skills to slay some mindless monsters...
And even some military expeditions armed to the teeth with the state of the art Rifles and powerful handgrenades...
***
Among those people who entered...
In one corner of the earth... before an active volcano that was constantly spewing out globs of magma in every direction with rivers of lava flowing through it's cracks. Before the fire breathing mountain, a crimson portal stood - with it's oval shape swirling with dangerous currents.
In front of it was a lone man, his hair - red as blood and his glowing red eyes burning with an intense lust for battle. He was dressed in a black sleeveless martial attire with his hands donned in an intricat silver gauntlet, etched with golden lines.
With a crazed grin, the man raised his hand and touched the portal, immediately receiving a system notification inside his head.
{A/N : Dimensional portals can also be called Gates }
[ You've come into contact with an Unranked Gate. Would you like to enter it? ]
[Yes/No]
"Let's see if those fuckers inside will be of any challenge...", he chose yes without the slightest hesitation, before entering through the crack that opened inside the portal.
***
In another corner, with a stark contrast to the burning landscape...
Towering ice mountains stood in a naturally flowing mountain range, known as Himalayas, north of the country - India.
In front of the tallest mountain in the world that was draped in snow - Everest, an old man stood with a walking cane in his hand.
Though his face looked like he had one foot in his grave, his back stood perfectly straight without even the slightest hunching - just like the enormous mountain looming ahead of him.
Rasing his cane to chest level, the old man gripped the cane's handle and pulled.
With a soft click, a lethal blade, hidden in the confines of the cane, came out of it's sheath and prtially reflected his weathered face over the shiny surface.
Lightly caressing the blade, the old man muttered, "Let's go partner. It's time to show the younglings..."
That...
"This old ginger is still spicier."
Then he poked the portal with his blade,
before entering inside.
***
In yet another place,
Inside a temple, a monk, blind since birth, sat on the ground, giving sermons to fellow disciple monks.
Finishing his teaching, He stood up and left the place, holding his buddhist staff in his right hand-it's rings echoing with soft clinking sounds with every step he took.
Despite being blind, his steps never faltered. It was like he was clearly able to see the way he should go even without his eyes to direct him.
When he finally stopped before one of the dimensional portals, the monk's calm countenance was replaced by one full of sorrow.
"Amitabha..."
"It seems very soon, this world will descend into unchecked chaos because of this new energy."
The monk then hardened his expression with resolve.
"Even though I might not be able to fully prevent the chaos, this pitiful monk will still do what I can."
After somewhat sorting out his thoughts,
just like the others, he also entered the portal.
***
But like these people, not all of them had the confidence in their battle prowess to go inside the portals alone.
Even in their recklessness, most of them opted to go inside with a group - from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 10 individuals.
But what will be the outcome of all these reckless entries?
Only time will tell.
***
A/N ;
Among the thousands of portal that opened on Earth, more than 99% of them were unranked, with less than 1% them being D ranked gates.
It was only reasonable since, earth is a newly evolved world. It laws could only accommodate low level dimensional portals at the moment.
But it will change soon.
As earth continues to absorb mana, it's power will only continue to increase. Which in turn will allow higher ranked dimensional portals to appear in the world.
***
Hi Dear Readers...
It's me, Dr. Destro...🙃
With this chapter, I'm concluding the first volume - The Beginning.
I feel like I've been dragging my feet too much with the story progression so far. So, I'm going to speed up the pace starting now.
If you have any thoughts about the story or anything else, please let me know🤗