I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Dark Cloud Demon （2）

[Close-Range Spy: The Dark Cloud Demon is on a different level than the Night Stalker Demon.]

[Close-Range Spy: According to the game’s lore, it was the first demon. In terms of mythology, it’s in the position of a creator god.]

[Close-Range Spy: And you guys are trying to fight such a being, relying only on that god called Malak.]

The first demon. Since demons are Loa from another world, that guy would be in a position similar to Rakan in this world.

I heard before that Rakan was the first Loa. He was the king of the grasslands, leading a pack of wolves and ruling a territory larger than the current empire.

But that doesn’t mean Rakan is a creator god. It just means he was the first being to become a Loa.

That tale is also a legend passed down from generation to generation by barbarians, so it could be a bit exaggerated.

[Close-Range Spy: I told you those Loa are very suspicious, right?]

Perhaps thinking I was ignoring him by not responding, Close-Range Spy changed the subject.

[Close-Range Spy: Think about it. They did nothing while the world was turning into this mess. They’re just fucking bastards who stood by and watched.]

Now I know why the Loa, except for Jin Malak, didn’t step up.

The Night Stalker Demon alone gives us the answer.

Even Rake, who had awakened some of her divinity, couldn’t guarantee victory without a group attack, or rather, a ‘collective cooperative battle’.

High-ranking demons can threaten even gods if they regain even a little of their divinity.

The reason why the Loa remained silent? It’s simple.

[Close-Range Spy: Why would they just stand by? Because they didn’t have the confidence to defeat the demons.]

That’s right.

Aren’t the Dark Cloud Demon and the Seven-Headed Dragon Demon, who are stronger than the Night Stalker Demon, standing there?

It’s not a game that can be won by one or two Loa manifesting. Not all Loa are as strong as Jin Malak.

They must have calculated that they would suffer great losses if they fought the demons. They wouldn’t want to take the risk in case of failure.

Close-Range Spy’s messages continued.

[Close-Range Spy: That god called Malak suddenly descended after 5 years. It’s out of the blue. It’s more accurate to see it as having ulterior motives rather than trying to help us. It could be a niche market strategy, something like that.]

The Loa Tuga, who took Asha as his avatar, is that kind of guy. He probably entered, thinking he could raise his divinity a little more after seeing me succeed.

Maybe the manifested Loa that Karon defeated had a similar thought to Tuga.

They’re despicable opportunists, no different from demons in their means and methods.

[Close-Range Spy: What if he’s trying to negotiate with the demons by sacrificing all of you?]

[Close-Range Spy: What if he’s offering the high-ranking Paladins who were wandering around and causing trouble on a silver platter?]

Thanks for your concern. But the premise itself is wrong.

It’s not a Loa who is trying to save this world by establishing the Tribal Federation and cooperating with the Paladins now.

It’s this ‘Ultra Sanz Crazed for Nighttime Massacre Mode’.

And…

[Malak-nim is different.]

It’s true. Malak is different.

If the Dark Cloud Demon is a creator god, Malak is a destroyer god.

Why do you think I said I would subjugate the Dark Cloud Demon as soon as I obtained Manifestation? Because I’m confident.

Malak is a being on a different level from the Loa who were just watching, afraid of losing to the demons. The reason Jin Malak remained still was to find a way to descend to the ground, not because he lacked power.

I used ‘Imperfect Manifestation’ to kill the Shadow Demon, a high-ranking demon. I didn’t just kill it, I played with it one-sidedly and then killed it. The fight itself didn’t even happen.

Even Karon or the Dark Cloud Demon wouldn’t be able to defeat a high-ranking demon so easily.

Of course, I couldn’t tell him that straight up. Who knows what the price would be.

[He is someone who descended from Heaven of his own will because he loved the people here.]

[Close-Range Spy: Are you brainwashed or something?]

This bastard, even when I tell him honestly.

[But]

[What’s the difference between you and those Loa who are just watching?]

I’m going to give him a jab, even if it’s just to wake him up.

[Close-Range Spy: ?!]

[You’re the rank 1 user, right? You even caught a high-ranking demon alone. You have the ability, so why aren’t you acting?]

The reply came a few minutes later.

[Close-Range Spy: Because it’s beyond my capabilities. No matter how much I struggle, I can never win.]

[So you were giving up?]

[Looking at that lizard bastard with seven heads in the Capital?]

[You coward.]

[Close-Range Spy: You don’t know them.]

[Nope.]

[Now I know them to some extent.]

[Close-Range Spy: …]

[I decided to fight after knowing everything.]

I heard from Saint about the true nature of demons and the Evil God Shamishur.

I may not be as knowledgeable as Close-Range Spy, who has memorized the high-ranking demon’s dungeon and patterns, but knowing the root cause is important.

[I’ve never run away for a single moment.]

I admit it. This is a lie. But half of it is true. At least I haven’t run away since I decided to fight.

[How long are you going to keep running?]

With great power comes great responsibility.

That’s a line from a superhero movie I enjoyed watching as a child.

I awakened as the god of a dying world, and I kept moving forward, believing in the potential and possibilities of the totem I possessed and the Loa.

[Don’t run away.]

Even when I witnessed the terrifyingly overwhelming Dark Cloud Demon, when I realized what my final goal was, even when I was in a desperate situation due to Karon’s attack after finishing my late-game rise （probably）, I didn’t give up and kept moving towards my late-game rise.

It’s not that I never had a mental breakdown, but I somehow recovered and faced the reality I was in again.

After all that hardship, I finally obtained Manifestation.

[Fight back.]

Of course, Close-Range Spy’s situation and mine are different. No matter how hard Close-Range Spy tries, with the level cap of 10, it would be difficult to fight the Dark Cloud Demon one-on-one.

But still. If he doesn’t give up and keeps honing his skills, he might be able to land a blow or two.

He could have continued the subjugation without giving up until the minimum requirement of ‘4-5 max level Paladins’ to confront the Dark Cloud Demon was met.

He had so much information, hidden pieces, and even strong military power, yet he gave up in the middle…

I could understand him, but I couldn’t accept it.

No, I didn’t want to accept it. Princess Dina, who is （probably） weaker than him, is fighting hard. I didn’t want to accept him, who had a more advantageous position than others, but had his spirit broken.

[Close-Range Spy: …]

[Close-Range Spy: Don’t you think it’s absurd that you’re being forced to fight?]

Why is he suddenly changing his tone? Does he have multiple personalities?

[It’s unfair.]

Of course it is.

[It’s absurd and.]

Goddess, Evil God, Loa, demons…they’re all fucking annoying.

[But what can you do about it? Are you going to tell your mom? Are you going to cry like a baby?]

We can’t do that.

[I’m going to fight.]

It’s not a story I started, but since I’m involved, I’m going to see it through to the end.

That’s the only way I’ll feel better.

[I’m going to survive tenaciously and land a blow on those absurd monster bastards.]

Now I have the power to do so.

[Close-Range Spy: …]

I don’t know what he’s thinking. Even if he listens to my words, there’s no guarantee that Close-Range Spy will change his mind.

[Rachel is looking for you.]

But I have to try.

[Close-Range Spy: What?]

[Rachel, the scribe of Symphony.]

[The woman you saved.]

[Close-Range Spy: …She was alive.]

[Close-Range Spy: Is she in the Tribal Federation too?]

[Yeah.]

[Close-Range Spy: …]

[She praised you a lot, saying you’re an honorable and valiant person.]

[Close-Range Spy: …]

[‘…’ is forbidden.]

[Close-Range Spy: …]

This bastard, really.

[Now show us some of that honorable and valiant side of you.]

I’ve said all I can. The choice is ultimately up to Close-Range Spy.

━ …

We’re going to start the subjugation as soon as Dina’s Special Forces arrive. It’s about three days left now.

I watched the followers busily preparing and waited for Close-Range Spy’s answer, but it never came.

▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄

A platinum-haired Paladin and five other Paladins following her joined the Tribal Federation. It was the arrival of Dina’s Special Forces.

“It’s been a while, Malak-nim.”

Dina, at the front, knelt and bowed her head. I can see Hanna behind her, rolling her eyes.

Short red hair. Sharp eyes and a cat-like face. Even her gaze, looking around as if searching for me.

Hanna, you haven’t changed much except for becoming a little stronger. I held back a chuckle and opened my mouth.

━ Paladins, welcome to the Tribal Federation.

Rake spoke the next words for me.

“Are you ready to become followers?”

“Yes, we will all serve Malak-nim.”

I persuaded Dina by telling her through a private message that she could get various buffs by serving Malak. As expected of Dina, who values practicality, she accepted immediately.

Good. Now all the members are gathered.