Chapter 22: Untitled

"Mmn... Eden."

Ophis's voice echoed through the silent castle.

The one who had done nothing but sleep for over a month had finally woken up.

"Ah, you're awake, Ophis?"

"Yeah. What doing?"

I answered while looking down at the small lump of flesh squirming at my fingertips.

"Just creating some guys to guard the territory because I'm bored."

"Mmn? Clones?"

Ophis approached my side and stared intently at what I was doing.

"Roughly similar."

Every time I make one, I permanently consume a small portion of my power, but since I’ve become stronger than a Heavenly Dragon, the cost isn't that significant.

Rather, I should say it's efficient.

The cost is low, but whatever I make turns out to be at least Ultimate-Class.

And if I run a little low later, I can just hunt, get a snake from Ophis, or go visit Great Red and ask for some more power.

"Master! You are creating something again."

"Master! Make something cool this time!"

Hwaryeong and Sera, having approached unnoticed, clung tightly to my side.

"Let's put some effort into this one. I need to make a boss to lead the guys guarding my territory."

I drew out the power of the Grail and poured it into the lump of flesh.

At that moment, the entire territory rumbled.

The sky darkened, cracks appeared in the earth, and lava surged up through the fissures.

My creations guarding the perimeter of the castle all prostrated themselves toward me in unison.

"Oh my... Master is putting his heart into this one."

"Amazing...! Master's power is covering the territory!"

The lump of flesh was no longer just flesh.

It devoured space itself, transforming into something not of this world.

It resembled a dragon, yet it was not a dragon.

Its lower body, like a twisted tree trunk, was rooted in the lava of the earth, and pitch-black mucous tentacles squirmed from its torso as if alive.

On its back were massive wings that looked as if they had torn the night sky, and its head jutted out grotesquely like a crown studded with dozens of orange eyes.

"I think this one turned out pretty well."

At my satisfied mutter, Ophis added nonchalantly.

"That is Dragon King-Class. A dragon on the same level as Tannin."

Since I put some effort into it, I ended up making a Dragon King-Class entity.

It looks as grim and terrifying as I do; weaker beings might die of heart attacks just looking at it.

After making about thirty of these things... it feels a bit awkward, as if my territory has turned into hell.

They all look terrifying, taking after me.

I'm mentioning this now, but the Grail is an item that deals with life; it's not a creation-type ability like Annihilation Maker.

There is a reason I can use it this way.

First of all, Annihilation Maker creates something from nothing. My Grail is different in that it requires material (my flesh/power), and while beings made by Annihilation Maker do not possess souls, the ones I create do.

To be precise, it's closer to tearing off fragments of the countless soul dregs I've devoured so far and bestowing them upon the creations.

At first, I didn't like that my Sacred Gear was the Grail, but now it seems I'm using it really well.

Actually, would I have been able to make it this far if it weren't for the Grail?

...I would have died long before getting revenge.

Suddenly, a forgotten past came to mind.

I should visit the village I used to live in later.

There were no bodies left to bury... no, in the first place, I didn't think I had the right to even set up gravestones for them.

But now... maybe I can be forgiven a little.

"Your name is Belbeth. From now on, you are the existence that will lead my other creations and guard my territory."

[...Creator... Your command...]

Dozens of eyes turned toward me simultaneously, answering with a voice that echoed directly in the soul.

"Now, establish your place in my territory and make your nest. Lead the others and protect this land."

[Grrrrr... Understood... My Creator...]

Belbeth spread his massive wings and flew up into the sky.

As he rose, the other guardians simultaneously followed him, covering the sky.

Now they'll settle down somewhere and guard the territory on their own.

My territory was increasingly turning into a place where a Final Boss would live, but I didn't realize that until much later.