I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 65 Friction

A world where Outer Gods “exist” and all sorts of bizarre entities roamed. However, to me, they were nothing more than monsters in a novel.

I only remembered them because Dowol kept talking about them; they were never something I was interested in.

‘You could say Dowol educated me early on.’

Nevertheless, it meant that I knew a fair amount about Outer Gods. If we were to compare Outer Gods and humans using different terms, humans would be bugs, while Outer Gods would be whales.

Bugs, unable to survive in the sea, lived without knowing the existence of whales, and even if they knew, they couldn’t properly perceive the massive size of the whale.

Bugs died caught up in even the smallest movements of whales, and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t harm them.

‘And this doesn’t make me any different either.’

Even if it seemed like having privileges from beings like Alice made me special, I never saw myself as particularly unique.

I had unintentionally become a peculiar being… but that was all. I was merely a rare bug that had become a collectible, not something capable of opposing Outer Gods.

‘Even if Outer Gods showed their face, I’d go mad and die. Just recalling their true name would drive me insane.’

And the risk grew the more I performed the Awakening Ritual. The more I could feel and experience the world, the greater the danger became.

‘That’s why Sevika’s gift, this long needle, is crucial.’

When Outer Gods suddenly decided to ruin me, or when they inadvertently brought disaster, this relic was essential for survival.

‘I can use it thanks to the 〈Forbidden Transformation〉, but it’s useless without enough mana. I need another means of recovery.’

The miracle of the 『Weaver of Destruction’s Thread』 didn’t heighten my self-healing abilities, and the blessings from the Awakening Ritual were likely unrelated to it. Moreover, bothering Outer Gods carelessly could make them kill in annoyance, so avoiding it was best.

『What are you contemplating so deeply, Lord Ethnos?』

On the way to a small island for the Awakening Ritual, as I crossed the sea in a tiny boat, perhaps whales came to mind.

“I’m pondering whether Awakening through the power of the 『Slumberer of the Abyss』 is right.”

If there had been other options, I would never have performed the Awakening Ritual as a priest. Religion was something I detested from the start. Yet there were no alternatives. I couldn’t choose to remain weak and die without Awakening.

『Lord Ethnos. Could there be other methods?』

“Other methods?”

『Yes. I mean choices that don’t involve the 『Slumberer of the Abyss』 or the 『Weaver of Destruction’s Thread』, or even the 『Witch of Dreams』.』

Eldritch’s vertical pupils stared straight at me.

『The 『Dreamer in the Citadel of the Abyss』. If it’s you, they might show interest.』

I was silent for a moment.

“I suspected you’d bring this up sooner or later. But as we’ve been doing well, I somewhat vaguely hoped this day wouldn’t come.”

We stared at each other, as if readying for a confrontation.

“My answer is no.”

Eldritch slightly frowned.

『What’s the issue?』

“The problem is receiving too much, to the point of being wrecked.”

Upon hearing my words, Eldritch went silent.

“Tell me, if I were to receive what you call your blessings, would anything be left of me afterward?”

For instance, devotees of the 『Slumberer of the Abyss』 become formless residues. They call becoming the most loyal acolyte of the God and acting out its will a blessing.

‘I’ve deliberately affiliated with various Outer Gods sects to avoid that outcome.’

Furthermore, the 『Dreamer in the Citadel of the Abyss』 is special, even among Outer Gods. According to Dowol, they are the pinnacle of the Great Old Ones and play a key role in heralding an era of Outer Gods. An Outer God even greater than the Outer Gods themselves.

If such an entity decided to seize me, other Outer Gods wouldn’t interfere easily. While they forcefully made me their own, I’d be powerless and without any means of help.

“I won’t become like that. Never.”

I would remain human, and I would remain myself.

“So tell me, after going through all that, will I still be myself? Or just a loyal slave?”

Eldritch spoke with a tone of disapproval.

『How can you consider escaping the shackles of a trivial creature to serve a great being as something so insulting?』

My words must have been quite irritating.

“So, are you abandoning your own accomplishments and refusing to undergo the Awakening as a mage?”

It was only after Sharl pointed it out that I realized Eldritch no rank.

“I thought you were at least at the third rank. You have a significant amount of mana, and your casting speed is quick… Truthfully, if you had undergone Awakening, you would have reached the third rank by now.”

『I won’t deny it. But what’s the point here?!』

Eldritch mused, seemingly puzzled.

I sighed. Perhaps, in this world, my views were considered peculiar. After all, it was a world where Gods existed.

“I don’t like your fanatic behavior.”

From one to ten.

“Why do you deny the magic you’ve built and try to discard it like trash? Regardless of the beginning, it’s an achievement you made yourself. Weren’t you proud?”

Eldritch sneered coldly.

『Ha, you truly don’t understand. What joy and glory surpass serving Him? Serving a God is what’s truly valuable.』

“Eldritch.”

I shook my head quietly.

“That path might be sure in one thing.”

『What are you saying?』

“If you continue like that, everything will lose its value. Even yourself.”

If nothing holds value besides a God, how could that possibly be the truth?

“A slave… no, even less than a bug. At least bugs value what’s theirs.”

『You don’t understand.』

“I don’t plan to in the future either. While I felt at ease with you… I see there’s nothing trustworthy about you, Eldritch.”

Eldritch, after a brief silence, let out a hollow laugh.

『That’s amusing. You say I’m suspicious… but where do you find a human as suspicious as you, Lord Ethnos?』

Eldritch retorted accusingly.

『Does your existence even add up? Neither I nor even the renowned archmage knew about the Mountain of Corpses. But you, how do you know?』

Eldritch unleashed his words as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

『How many sacrileges have you committed! With every step you take, it’s as if you’re spitting in the face of the Outer Gods!』

We had nothing more to say to each other. Only the chilling sea breeze howled ominously as I silently rowed towards our destination. It didn’t take long to reach the island, yet the heavy silence lengthened the journey.

『I will watch the sea for a while!』

Eldritch said as he vanished into the sea. Suit yourself.

‘I never trusted him from the start. No… to be honest, I did trust him to some extent.’

Otherwise, when Eldritch revealed his true intentions, I wouldn’t have been so disappointed or reacted so sharply.

Sighing, I slowly made my way to the island’s center. It was risky not to prepare for any possible mishap by coming to such an island.

‘If another disaster ensues like when I performed the Awakening Ritual of Somnambulism… Huh? What’s this? It’s supposed to be a simple meditation ceremony.’

Oh well… I must be mistaken. Letting it slide with little care, I took out the scripture. It certainly contained an incredibly horrendous and repulsive Awakening Ritual.

Of course, I had no intention of performing it verbatim, nor was it necessary. I retrieved the bodies of criminals stored in Gluttony.

“Well, I fed you last time.”

When Gluttony attempted to devour a corpse in a display of gluttonous desire, I halted it by slapping the tentacle with my palm.

Recently, I noticed that this thing’s appetite seemed to have increased. It was turning into a bothersome day, making my head throb.

“If their policy hasn’t changed, surely their representative will appear!”

I thought, eager to conclude the troublesome matter promptly, I recited a prayer.

“I commit this blasphemy for you. I plead to submerge into defilement and hear the grand voice. 〈An Audience in the Muddy Waters〉.”

The corpse decayed, liquefying into a black swamp. As the filthy swamp full of foul mixture began to rise, a figure emerged, half-human and half-formless residue.

“It’s been a while. You still engage thoughtlessly in these mad acts.”

The man smirked, and in the blink of an eye, I lost my balance and fell. The man’s arm, composed of black liquid, swiftly grabbed and devoured one of my legs.

A delayed wave of pain and bewilderment swept over me. This seemed to be a total disaster.

“This guy… Talks about being discriminated against, but he seems stronger than most residues.”

He appeared to be at least level 3. Perhaps he wasn’t just a pure priest but a Paladin who had transcended as a warrior as well. Most servant races progressed hierarchically as multi-class priests and warriors, leaving pure priests somewhat scarce.

“You summoned me just in time. I needed to relay his fury.”

This time, a whip-like black liquid surged, and I fended off the attack using Gluttony. Although I managed to block it somehow, there was a definite gap in strength.

“Was it my actions that displeased him?”

Despite the ambush targeting my leg, surely killing me wasn’t the intention. Striving to maintain a composed demeanor, I inquired.

“Is it about this? It takes a lot of guts to just swallow any favors, but why didn’t you align with us when you had the chance?”

An oddly familiar phrase crossed my mind.

—”You are nothing but a madman who spits on the face of an Outer Gods with every step you take!”

“I knew a day like this would come.”

Utilizing Gluttony, I staunched the bleeding on my injured leg as I glared forward. It seemed their main issue was…

“How did you know I performed the Awakening Ritual?”

It must be that I conducted the Awakening Ritual of another God. From one perspective, it might seem like I was leaving without paying. But the key matter was how they found out.

“Of course, they know everything. It’s thanks to their underlings groveling that they managed to ascertain what displeases him.”

The man shrugged his shoulders.

“And at a glance, it’s obvious. The blessing you received and the light of an Outer Gods can be sensed.”

Had hiding it been too much? I had worried they might notice.

“So, did the Slumberer of the Abyss order you to kill me?”

“He seldom gives orders. Even getting angry would be too much trouble. It’s up to his underlings like us to alleviate his displeasure. And I never mentioned killing.”

The man’s form, comprised of mucus, squirmed as he laughed.

“By making you semi-handicapped continuously, you’ll be forced to use 〈Forbidden Transformation〉 to survive. Repeatedly half-killing you after recovery can thoroughly turn you into formless residue. Why bother killing?”

If it were a straightforward attempt to kill, it would be one thing, but this indirect approach made it difficult to counter. Using 〈Forbidden Transformation〉 would mean playing right into his aims, yet not using it put me at a severe disadvantage against him. Moreover, causing friction here wouldn’t be wise. I needed to resolve this situation without degrading into formless residue…

“Can’t we resolve this amicably, considering I’ve prepared the heart of colors for the Awakening Ritual?”

“You must indeed be utterly mad.”

“What else…?”

“How dare you treat faith and divine blessing like trinkets you can pick and choose? There’s a limit to your insolence.”

The man again exaggerated his form, and the squirming half-body transformed into a gigantic hammer.

“Now, it’s time to pay for all your reckless acts and join us. Rejoice. Unlike me, you’ll transform completely.”