The King of Ghouls vs. The Feathered Serpent

Edge of the Volcano Forest.

Akmanmon gazed far into the distance, toward the dense jungle and the ancient volcano that lay hidden somewhere beyond.

From where he stood, only a sliver of the horizon was visible. The sky above it glowed with dark red clouds, resembling burning embers.

This was the Forbidden Zone of Death, Lava Mountain.

As he passed through Maya City, Akmanmon had heard countless voices speak the name of the divine being who ruled over this volcano.

"The Lava God."

"One of the Seven Gods of Ruhe, a servant of the Life Sovereign left in the mortal world, guardian of the Divine Garden."

Akmanmon had once seen the God of Earth in action at the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents. The memory remained vivid, and he now pondered if the Lava God wielded a comparable level of power.

He had no doubt that the God of Earth was the most formidable divine being he had ever encountered. Its strength was immeasurable, a force beyond his comprehension.

Moments like these served as a humbling reminder. This sprawling continent, vast and untamed, was nothing more than the Life Sovereign's backyard garden.

The King of Ghouls, Akmanmon, stared at the Forbidden Zone of Death, Lava Mountain. A sudden impulse seized him, an urge to venture inside and witness the power of this Ruhe Great God for himself.

But he quickly suppressed that impulse. Venturing inside would mean dying uselessly, and nothing more.

"If divine beings have ranks, what distinguishes one god from another?"

"Between gods, what is the measure of their power?"

"If I become a true divine being, will I be able to grow even stronger afterward?"

After gaining the power of "eternal undeath," Akmanmon found himself contemplating these very questions.

He could not tell if his thoughts stemmed from arrogance or from a desire to plan for the future.

Either way, the answers eluded him.

When Akmanmon faced the Scarlet Goddess, she had merely blown a breath his way. In that instant, he was completely annihilated.

The experience had shown him one thing. To truly understand the power of a divine being, one had to become a true god.

Lowering his gaze, Akmanmon stared into the Volcano Forest below.

That was where his true destination lay.

Akmanmon slipped silently into the volcanic jungle. Potion plants in the forest had grown more numerous, and as a result, the mutated beasts had multiplied as well.

These beasts were undergoing peculiar changes. Crystals had begun to form within their brains, and their bodies displayed strange, varied transformations.

Some had sprouted long, unusual fur.

Others bore single horns on their heads.

A few even seemed to be in the process of growing wings.

The transformations from the Volcano Forest seemed to be spreading, with the potential to encompass the entire world.

The era was marked by relentless and swift change.

One figure after another stepped forward, each vying to become the protagonist of this transformative time. Each one introduced something new, bringing changes that reshaped the world.

Some of these changes were good. Others were bad.

As Akmanmon journeyed on, he came across a group of Lizard People.

Without hesitation, he concealed himself from view.

The Lizard People had split into two groups. One was responsible for cultivating potion plants, while the other focused on eliminating mutated beasts. Their small village was gradually evolving as clear divisions of labor emerged.

Eavesdropping on their conversation, Akmanmon learned that the Lizard People were deeply troubled by the presence of these monsters.

The Lizard People were gathered, their voices heavy with frustration. "It's not enough to kill the monsters," one of them said, "we have to clear out the potion plants in the jungle too." His exhaustion was plain to see, a result of the constant struggle with the ever-increasing number of mutated beasts. The situation was only made worse by Chief Anu's absence.

"The potion plants have already spread everywhere. How are we supposed to clear them all?" another asked. While the increase in potion plants was generally seen as a good thing, their unchecked growth was now sparking a sense of crisis.

"We have to find a way to solve this," one of the Lizard People noted grimly. "Lately, mutated beasts have been breaking out of the jungle and attacking caravans and travelers." These were no small incidents, as they raised the risk of conflict between the Lizard People and the Snake People.

"I heard mercenaries came from Limestone Town," another voice chimed in. "They're here to collect potion plants and capture mutated beasts." The weight of their troubles seemed to grow heavier with every word.

"They can't be allowed to do that!" someone exclaimed. "Those are offerings for the Feathered Serpent God." The mood of the group shifted instantly.

The mutated beasts harming people was regrettable, but the idea of outsiders stealing their sacred offerings was unacceptable. In their eyes, all potion plants and mutated beasts were manifestations of the Feathered Serpent Kurmis's power. They belonged to Kurmis alone.

"It's a shame Chief Anu isn't here," one of them said. "He went to eliminate that cursed ghoul and get revenge for Lek." The mention of Lek seemed to stir their collective anger.

"That ghoul is going to die this time, I'm sure of it," another declared. Their expressions hardened with fury, all of them hoping for Anu's success in avenging their fallen comrade.

Akmanmon perched silently on a tree branch, his keen eyes following the movement of the Lizard People passing beneath him.

As their words carried upward, he listened carefully. It was only then that he learned the name of the Lizard Person who had ventured into Red Earth Territory was Anu.

Akmanmon carefully avoided the Lizard People as he made his way to their base.

When he arrived, his gaze was drawn once more to the magnificent pyramid that dominated the area.

Its design reminded him of the tomb he had once constructed. Yet, while his creation was steeped in death, this structure radiated life and vitality.

The Lizard People's village had expanded. The buildings now served as more than just shelters, with warehouses, libraries, meeting halls, and general stores having been added.

Despite being a paradise secluded from the world, they still relied on Suinhor's currency. The influence of the Snake People's civilization reached even into this isolated haven.

Akmanmon moved carefully along the outer perimeter of the Lizard People's village, maintaining a deliberate distance.

He took in the bustling activity, his keen eyes noting every detail. It all aligned perfectly with his expectations.

"The consciousness in the pyramid is awake. It hasn't slipped into a full slumber like before."

"Looks like the Feathered Serpent Kurmis has been busy with important matters lately."

Akmanmon understood exactly what Kurmis was up to.

Kurmis had dispatched Anu to Red Earth Territory to confront him, even going so far as to lend Anu his power for the task.

"He's waiting for news from Red Earth Territory, hoping to eliminate me and all the ghouls in one fell swoop."

Akmanmon loved nothing more than catching others off guard. That was the reason he had rushed here with such urgency.

However, based on what he had heard and observed, this time he decided to abandon his usual swift and decisive approach. Instead, he withdrew from the Volcano Forest, choosing to wait patiently for the right opportunity.

Kurmis was waiting, and so was he. Both were poised for the perfect moment.

Akmanmon knew the ideal time to strike would come when Kurmis made his move against "him."

Before turning to leave, Akmanmon cast a final glance back at the Feathered Serpent's pyramid. His gaze was as cold as ice.

"You want to kill me. In that case, you have nothing to complain about when I come for you."

"Isn't that right?"

In the days that followed, Akmanmon bided his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Meanwhile, reports of "victories" began to trickle in from distant lands.

The cities of Delanvos, Char, and the Red Earth territories fell one after another, reclaimed from the grip of darkness. Countless ghouls and corrupted members of the Silver and White Church were reduced to ashes.

The wildfire-like spread of the ghouls and the Silver and White Church had been unstoppable at first, but their collapse now mirrored that same furious speed, as if a dam had burst and swept them away.

In Limestone Town, celebrations erupted. The townsfolk cheered and applauded, their spirits lifted by the recent victories.

A ritual to honor the Scarlet Goddess had just taken place, drawing the community together. During the ritual, the temple's divine servants, supported by town guards, had purged ghouls that crawled out from nearby graves.

Lately, the ghouls, the Silver and White Church, and the Cannibal Cult had grown so notorious that they overshadowed even the Abyss itself, becoming synonymous with pure evil.

In his room, Akmanmon delved into Kurmis's past, just as others were busy unraveling his own history.

He sifted through document after document, each one detailing Kurmis's deeds. Alongside these records were letters dispatched from various locations, all pointing to the same enigmatic figure.

To defeat an enemy, one must first understand them.

"Kurmis, the guardian of Shana and the city lord of Maya City. During the disaster of the Evil God of Original Sin, he lost his mortal form and became a Feathered Serpent."

"He received the grace of the God of Demon Spirits and was once friends with Apostle Sukob."

"..."

"For years, he searched for a way to return to mortal form. However, an accident while creating the Brown Ball Vine turned all his assistants into Lizard People."

"He traded the Brown Ball Vine with King Osis in exchange for the entire Volcano Forest as a sanctuary for the Lizard People."

"He is a righteous, kind, and incredibly rigid person."

Akmanmon seemed to have found the method to deal with Kurmis. Carefully, he organized the papers and letters into a neat pile.

Afterward, he stretched lazily and decided it was time for a walk.

As he stepped outside, he chose to avoid the bustling crowds. Instead, he meandered along the quietest, most secluded paths he could find.

At last, he reached his destination.

He settled himself in the farthest corner of the shadowy alley.

The space around him was dark and damp, a stark contrast to the brilliant sunlight blazing just beyond its entrance.

Akmanmon sat quietly in the damp, shadowy corner. His gaze lingered on the sun outside as the lively sounds from the street filled the air around him.

He loved the darkness but yearned for the light.

He longed for freedom but locked himself away.

Time slipped by, though he could not tell how long it had been.

The faint sound of footsteps reached his ears. Someone was approaching. A drunken fool.

He watched the man stumble along, his movements unsteady. The drunkard leaned against the wall to keep himself upright. Akmanmon could not be bothered to pay him any mind.

But then, to his surprise, the drunkard spotted him and began to walk over.

"You! It's you," the man shouted, pointing at Akmanmon.

"The mute," he added.

"It's been a while. Did you just get back?"

The drunk staggered forward and leaned heavily against the wall.

With an unsteady hand, he raised the bottle to his lips, took a long swig, and let out a loud burp before speaking.

"Last time you sat here too, looking outside. You seemed so lonely!"

The drunk shifted his gaze to follow Akmanmon's line of sight. He peered outside for a moment, squinting as if trying to make sense of what Akmanmon might be watching.

Then he turned back to look at Akmanmon. "There's nothing out there. What's so interesting to look at?"

The drunk's eyes were unfocused as he stared at Akmanmon's face, oblivious to the fact that Akmanmon's former tail had been replaced by legs.

Akmanmon's response came slowly. He finally turned to the man and asked, "I used to sit here?"

The drunk laughed. "You don't remember?"

"It was last year. Or maybe the year before?"

"Either way, it's been a while."

"I saw you a few times, always here, always in this same spot."

Akmanmon had simply chosen a random place to sit. He had not anticipated such an encounter.

Now, he sifted through his memories, piecing them together bit by bit.

Finally, Akmanmon said, "Oh, I remember now."

The last time he visited Limestone Town, Akmanmon had often come to this very spot. He remembered now that he had indeed crossed paths with this drunk before.

Back then, he had been teetering on the edge of complete madness. Yet, each time he sat here, the stillness of the place would soothe him, pulling him back from the brink.

Akmanmon frowned as he mulled over his thoughts.

"What's going on?"

"It hasn't been that long ago. Why do I need to recall so deeply to remember this?"

This was not the first time he had to dig deep into his memories to recall events from the past.

When he first arrived in this town, everything around him had felt unfamiliar and strange.

His memories assured him that he had been here before and had even lived here for quite some time.

Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he could not grasp that elusive sense of familiarity.

The drunk continued, "Strange. So you're not a mute after all!"

"I asked you things before and you wouldn't answer. Now you're actually talking."

"Still, you look like your whole family just died."

"Hahaha!"

"If you're that troubled, why not become a drunk like me? Wouldn't that be a lot happier?"

The drunk extended his bottle toward Akmanmon, offering him a sip.

Without thinking, Akmanmon took it. He brought it to his nose, gave it a sniff, and froze in place.

He asked himself, "Why am I even talking to this drunk?"

"Why did I take his bottle?" he wondered. "Do I actually want to drink this?"

"Alcohol just makes people lose their reason," he thought. "I cannot stand losing reason. I hate the feeling of not being in control of my own body."

Akmanmon did not merely avoid alcohol. He also feared sleep.

Sleep eluded him, plagued by severe insomnia born from his constant worry that someone might kill him while he was vulnerable.

"Why am I even talking to this drunk?"

"What am I doing?"

"This isn't me."

A formless irritation settled in Akmanmon's heart. Lately, he kept sensing that he was no longer himself.

His memories often clashed with his feelings, leaving him confused.

He remembered caring deeply about a girl named Yueyeh, yet the current Akmanmon could not fathom what made her so important to him.

He recalled being terrified of falling asleep, but recently, he had been sleeping without any trouble.

His memories insisted that Dark Moon was his greatest nightmare, but now he found it impossible to understand why he had ever feared him so much.

Akmanmon could not distinguish between memory and reality. He kept feeling as though the person he remembered being and the person he was now were vastly different.

It was as if they were two entirely different people.

The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. All he could do was keep telling himself, trying desperately to convince himself.

"This is normal."

"I've gone from being mortal to becoming undying."

"The past doesn't matter anymore because I've broken free from all restraints and found true freedom."

"I've left my old self behind. I'm not who I used to be."

Akmanmon spoke these words aloud, yet the irritation in his heart refused to subside.

As he sat in the corner of the alley, a sudden surge of emotion overtook him. He let out a violent roar.

"Damn it!"

"What the hell is going on?"

Power surged from his body in a terrifying burst, unleashing a blast of air that hurled the drunk backward.

"The sky is spinning?"

"No, how did I start flying?"

The drunk landed hard on the ground, his body sprawled awkwardly. As the haze in his eyes began to fade, his vision sharpened. At last, he could see Akmanmon's true appearance.

He immediately screamed in terror, "You... you're not mortal!"

"What are you?"

Akmanmon moved closer, one deliberate step at a time. He studied the creature before him, the source of the intense unease that had shattered his peace and sense of security.

Raising his hand, he made a simple gesture. A massive shadow in the form of a worm emerged from behind him. It surged forward and engulfed the man entirely.

The drunk was dead.

"That's right."

"I'm not mortal anymore. I'm not the Akmanmon I used to be."

Several ghouls emerged from the corner of the alley, their eyes locking onto Akmanmon.

These creatures were his servants, creations he had recently brought to life. The ghouls that the temple's divine servants had destroyed earlier were nothing more than unfinished experiments he had discarded as bait.

"Master, King Osis has reached the outskirts of Red Earth City. The allied forces have launched an attack on Red Earth City."

The irritation in Akmanmon's heart began to fade. Slowly, his face returned to its usual coldness.

"It's time to act," he said.

Without hesitation, he leaped into the air and soared toward the Volcano Forest.

Inside the Feathered Serpent's pyramid, a shadow coiled itself atop a golden jar.

Kurmis's consciousness extended through Anu, engaging in the war to eradicate the Silver and White Church and the ghouls.

However, when he arrived at the final battlefield, he found only a mad, elderly ghoul lingering in the lord's manor.

"Not here?"

"Then where is he?"

Kurmis hovered in the sky, his gaze piercing through the roof as he scanned every corner of the manor, trying to understand what was happening inside.

As confusion lingered in Kurmis's mind, a silver-white worm over a hundred meters long appeared at his true body's location in the Volcano Forest. It came crashing through from the other side of the jungle.

The worm tore through vast stretches of forest, crushing one towering tree after another in its path. Finally, it collided with the barrier surrounding the pyramid.

The barrier shattered in an instant. The worm's massive head thundered into the pyramid, bringing down half of the Feathered Serpent's structure in its wake.

Boom!

The tall and magnificent pyramid crumbled halfway, its grandeur reduced in an instant. From within the wreckage, the voice of the Feathered Serpent Kurmis rang out, filled with surprise.

"How can you be here?"

Kurmis had been preparing to eliminate Akmanmon alongside King Osis. The last thing he expected was for the man himself to appear at the Feathered Serpent's pyramid, standing right before him.

Akmanmon, having already destroyed Kurmis's "pyramid ritual for becoming a god," was now ready to reveal his next move.

In the Lizard People's village, countless Lizard People heard the commotion and rushed outside.

Their eyes turned toward the sacred pyramid. They saw the exact moment when the terrifying worm shattered the barrier and brought the pyramid to ruin.

"A worm? Where did that huge worm come from?" The Lizard People watched as the massive worm descended from the sky. One after another, their scales bristled and white vapor puffed from their nostrils in fear.

"That's a Seal Spirit," one of them said. As Ability Users, they all had some power of discernment.

"That's not just a worm, it's a Cannibal Worm," another voice exclaimed. "Is that the King of Ghouls, Akmanmon?" Though its size was terrifying, the patterns on its body clearly marked it as a Cannibal Worm. It was obvious who controlled such a creature.

"The Feathered Serpent God... He's after the Feathered Serpent God!" Urgency spread through the crowd, and many rushed toward the pyramid to defend their deity.

The massive white worm suddenly turned its head and charged straight toward the Lizard People's village.

From within the massive worm, an overwhelming number of smaller worms began to pour out.

Wave after wave cascaded down relentlessly, inundating the village and writhing their way into the bodies of the Lizard People.

In a matter of moments, the worms had completely sealed off the village, taking control of every single Lizard Person.

"Success," Akmanmon said.

Akmanmon believed that this pyramid embodied more than half of Kurmis's power. To him, it was the very cornerstone of his ascent to godhood.

But he was unaware that the pyramid was nothing more than an outer shell, a structure constructed by the Lizard People at a later time. The true essence lay within the Feathered Serpent's Seed Jar.

After breaching the pyramid, Akmanmon wasted no time seizing control of the Lizard People. They were Kurmis's believers and his former assistants. To Kurmis, these followers were not just useful, they also held deep emotional significance.

By asserting dominion, Akmanmon managed to erode Kurmis's strength. At the same time, he targeted Kurmis's most critical weakness and deepest vulnerability.

This left Akmanmon with a growing confidence. He estimated his chances of success to be seventy or even eighty percent.

The massive Cannibal Worm lay sprawled across the Lizard People's village. Akmanmon stood atop its head.

"Feathered Serpent God Kurmis, weren't you looking for me?"

"I'm already here."

The Feathered Serpent God had not yet ascended to true godhood. Still, Akmanmon addressed him as such, just as he thought of himself as the God of Silver and White.

From the crumbled remains of half the pyramid, a colossal creature emerged. It towered over the Cannibal Worm, its immense body coiling upward in a display of overwhelming size.

As its massive wings unfurled, the sky seemed to shift in response. Sunlight struck its flowing mane and gleaming scales, scattering into layers of dazzling brilliance.

The King of Ghouls and the enormous Feathered Serpent met each other's gaze.

In the absence of divine beings, they represented the pinnacle of the mortal world.

Now, the two stood locked in an impasse. Neither was willing to make the first move.

One had initiated a surprise attack and held critical advantages. The other, mindful of the innocents in harm's way, hesitated to press forward.

Kurmis spoke his name. "Akmanmon, the second-generation King of Ghouls."

"So you actually came for me," he said.

"Of course," Akmanmon replied matter-of-factly. "You possess something I want."

Kurmis was no fool. He understood exactly what Akmanmon wanted.

The more he grasped the situation, the more his anger grew.

Even knowing the answer, Kurmis still asked, "What do you want?"

"The method to become a god," Akmanmon said.

Kurmis erupted instantly, roaring in fury.

"I once met someone like you in Mooneclipse City," he roared. "Just like Suero. Born human, but willing to turn into a monster."

"You possess great power, yet you prey on the weak."

"You call yourself a king, but you lack any of a king's grace or dignity."

"What makes you think you deserve to become a god?"

"What gives you the right to even consider yourself worthy?"

Akmanmon lifted his gaze to the sun hanging high in the sky. It was as though he meant to convey that time was slipping away, leaving no room for idle words.

"I don't know if you're waiting for some divine being to show up, but my time is running out."

"I can't afford to wait. Either you hand it over, or I wipe out all the Lizard People right now."

Akmanmon turned his gaze toward Kurmis, his face devoid of emotion.

"Believe me when I say I am determined to obtain the secret technique of godhood."

"I will kill all the Lizard People. I will hunt you and any others without rest."

"Because I must have it."

The Lizard People, their bodies infested with Cannibal Worms, suddenly cried out in agony. Their screams filled the air, sharp and unrelenting.

"Lord Kurmis, don't listen to this demon!"

"You cannot give it to him! Absolutely not!"

Kurmis remained silent. He was already somewhat indecisive by nature, and now he found himself caught in an impossible dilemma.

Noticing the hesitation on Kurmis's face, Akmanmon replied to his harsh condemnation.

"You're right. I am unworthy of becoming a god."

"I am not like you, or your friend Apostle Sukob."

"You are righteous and great. You created the Brown Ball Vine. You have accomplished great deeds."

"Despicable as I am, I still want to become a god, no matter the cost."

"So if that is the case, righteous Kurmis, grant me the secret technique of godhood."

"If I become a god just a bit sooner, the world will be spared another disaster."

When Kurmis heard such shameless words from Akmanmon, his fury surged.

His unwavering sense of justice could not allow someone like Akmanmon to ascend to godhood.

Adding to his anger was a secret vow he had made to himself. He had sworn never to share this perilous knowledge with anyone, no matter the circumstances.

Yet, the stakes were dire. If he refused Akmanmon, the Lizard People standing before him would perish. This, too, was something Kurmis could not bear to let happen.

Caught between these two unbearable options, Kurmis found himself trapped in an impossible dilemma.

"I absolutely cannot give it to him."

"If I give it to him, even greater chaos will surely follow."

"But what about the children? They've already sacrificed so much for creating the Brown Ball Vine because of me."

"I cannot just abandon them like this."

"Anyone else can abandon them, but not me."

Countless voices overlapped in Kurmis's mind.

As the chaos swirled within him, a memory surfaced. He recalled the words King Osis had spoken to him not long ago.

"The first step is to completely destroy his body and every last Cannibal Worm, so that this current Akmanmon dies entirely. Only then will the next Akmanmon be born."

"The second step is to seize the initiative and use Akmanmon's skull as the ritual medium..."

"The third step is to seal him..."

Kurmis turned his gaze sharply toward Akmanmon. The King of Ghouls standing before him remained unaware that the Scarlet Goddess had already made her secret judgment about his destiny.

In that instant, Kurmis resolved what he must do.

"I can give it to you."

"King of Ghouls, Akmanmon, but how can I trust that you'll keep your promise?"

Akmanmon paused for a moment, as though weighing the truth of the other party's words.

Once he was certain it was genuine, he spoke without hesitation.

"This is a transaction. I will keep my promise."

"To you, they are very important. But to me, they're just a group of Lizard People."

The massive Feathered Serpent coiled itself up, releasing a beam of light from its mouth.

From within the light, it spat out a stone tablet and extended it toward Akmanmon.

Akmanmon took the stone tablet. His calm face could not hide the excitement in his eyes.

The arm holding the tablet trembled slightly.

This seemingly ordinary stone tablet carried the secret to crossing the chasm between mortals and myths in this world.

He raised the tablet toward the light, his gaze fixed on it.

It was as if he were grasping the entire world, as if his hand had already touched the divine throne.

"The divine scripture of godhood, the path to eternal life, the Authority of Myth."

"So that's what it's called."

It was the first time he had learned the name.

Duma, Sukob, Oran, and Kurmis had all come before, yet now another person in this era had claimed the divine scripture of godhood.

Akmanmon's consciousness swept across it, imprinting every detail into his memory.

Akmanmon's thoughts stirred with questions. "The beginning and end don't seem quite consistent," he murmured, "though theoretically there are no problems."

The record contained only the God's Grace Stone Four-Part Secret Technique, along with what Kurmis had learned from the Scarlet Goddess about creating Mythical Artifacts.

However, the section concerning Reincarnators was notably absent. Kurmis had chosen not to include it.

This omission left the beginning and end feeling somewhat inconsistent.

Kurmis had not lied, but his response was carefully crafted. It was true in appearance, yet deliberately ambiguous.

"Do you think it's possible for me to have obtained the complete version of the divine scripture?" Kurmis asked.

Akmanmon nodded and did not ask further.

He examined the contents carefully and found them sufficient.

The God's Grace Stone Four-Part Secret Technique stood out to him. This section, he thought, was nothing short of divine inspiration. It pierced through the most crucial veil concealing Mythical Artifacts, and in that moment, Akmanmon suddenly understood.

He could not wait. The urge to take this newfound knowledge and leave consumed him.

"I will fulfill my promise."

Akmanmon released his seal without hesitation. Countless Cannibal Worms surged back, merging seamlessly into his body.

He ascended swiftly, his form rising into the sky with effortless grace.

As he soared higher, his gaze drifted toward the horizon. A flicker of doubt lingered in his heart, refusing to be silenced.

"Why didn't the Scarlet Goddess come this time?"

When he came here, he had prepared himself to die once.

As long as he could obtain the method to become a god, he believed dying any number of times would be worth it.

What he had not expected was that even at the very end, the Scarlet Goddess would not appear.

As Akmanmon ascended and soared into the sky, Kurmis abruptly called out to him with a question.

"Have you ever considered that you might not be the real Akmanmon?"

"And that after you obtain the divine scripture, the one who becomes a god won't be you, but the real Akmanmon?"

Akmanmon froze suddenly. He lifted his head and stared at Kurmis, his eyes clouded with confusion.

In that very moment, as Akmanmon stood still, Kurmis made his move.

The Feathered Serpent's Seed Jar erupted. Intense golden light burst forth, transforming into pillars that refracted in all directions.

From the jar, a vast number of seeds poured out.

Vines surged forward, engulfing the entire village along with all the Lizard People.

The forest itself was not spared. Every plant seemed to come alive, responding to the overwhelming energy. Above the Volcano Forest, the sky began to manifest all manner of strange phenomena.

This time, Kurmis had truly unleashed his full power.

The artifact he had depended on to ascend to godhood was revealed at last, laid bare for all to see.