Chapter 144: The Unity of Gods and Demons
Yuliya peeked inside and found a perfectly normal church.
The church was arranged just like any other—neatly aligned benches, yellow lights overhead, and a solemn statue in the middle.
Not a soul in sight.
“This looks just like any other normal church.”
But why on earth would there be a normal church in a place like this?
Golden light flickered in Yuliya’s eyes as she fixated on the towering statue.
A smug grin crept onto her face.
She stepped inside, gently closed the door behind her, casually scanned the surroundings, then turned her gaze back to the statue with a puzzled exclamation.
“Huh? Why does it look like there are a pair of black transparent wings behind the statue?”
The church was empty, no one responded.
But three seconds later, a muffled voice broke the silence.
“Little Guy, are there really wings?”
“Of course! Can’t you see?”
Then, the statue turned its head to look back.
“Why can’t I see them?”
Yuliya chuckled, “That just means your faith isn’t strong enough. You don’t believe in the Holy Light.”
“…”
The statue turned back, its voice flat and dull, still boomy: “So you’re lying to me. How did you discover my secret?”
How did she discover it? A single glance was enough.
The panel clearly displayed “Sogriede, Lord of Black Raven City.”
Next to it was a big blue demon icon, the boss of this area.
Of course, only Yuliya could see through it like that. Her Golden Eyes were adept at uncovering disguises; others without special abilities probably wouldn’t even notice.
“Lord Sogriede, why are you pretending to be a statue? Does standing there like a mannequin amuse you?”
Sogriede remained standing on the stone pedestal, utterly motionless, even when called out by name—no hint of emotion whatsoever. His voice sounded as if it was being summoned from the depths of a dungeon.
“You foolish Outsider. I’m an extraordinary being qualified to replace the divine. This is my statue, and this is my temple.”
“Is that so?” Yuliya nodded, her tone suddenly turning sympathetic. “All alone, huh? That’s quite pitiful.”
“You foolish Outsider, if you have no business here, leave me be. I am climbing the ladder to godhood.”
Meaning I should get lost and he doesn’t plan on attacking?
Well, he’s not so bad, then.
But…
Yuliya raised her hand, grasping at a wisp of black, unidentifiable matter in the air, and squished it like a bug.
“How about a little parting gift before I go? I really appreciate it!”
At this moment, Sogriede began to twitch slightly. “You have some skill. Did you destroy the four great magic formations outside?”
“Oh, you know about that? That was me. I also took out your four little lackeys.”
“They weren’t my lackeys. They were sent by above to assist, but they were more like watchdogs. You eliminating them actually benefits me.”
“And what do you mean by ‘above’?”
“You don’t need to know. You can still leave now.”
“Fine, I’ll leave.” Yuliya sighed lightly, raising her other hand. “But before I go, I must return the favor.”
She flicked her left hand, hurling a stone straight at Sogriede.
Sogriede remained still, allowing the stone to come thundering towards him.
With a massive crash, dust billowed.
Yuliya had been chatting with him for so long for two reasons: to gather intel and prepare a surprise.
Otherwise, she would’ve charged at him right away—her fists were itching for a fight.
As the dust settled, the previously tidy church benches lay scattered, debris flying, while the statue at the center had shifted into a pose with its arms crossed defensively.
“Oh? Didn’t work?”
“No, not that it had no effect at all.”
Watching the cracks spreading on the statue’s surface and the chunks of stone falling from its hands, a faint smile appeared on Yuliya’s face.
“I absolutely despise you pretentious types! Show me your true form if you can.”
With that, she threw another stone.
This time, Sogriede didn’t dare to remain idle; he quickly leaped away to dodge, finding shelter beyond the blast zone.
However… nothing exploded; the stone merely bounced twice on the ground before rolling away somewhere.
But due to Sogriede’s dramatic dodge, the stones covering his body began to peel off, revealing his true self.
He was a man with half-white hair, deep-set eyes, and a face riddled with wrinkles, even sporting a few dark lines resembling vines.
Most of his body was hidden beneath a robe, but judging by his fingers, he was definitely skinny as a rail.
Yuliya pretended to gag dramatically. “Ugh, you’re so ugly! Even if you became a real god, the other gods would probably kick you to the curb. Just find a coffin already and settle down!”
“You foolish Outsider, you’ve successfully infuriated me.” Sogriede fixated on Yuliya with sheer hatred, but his voice remained unchanged.
“I received an invitation from the Divine. I have discovered the way to attain divinity. I am qualified to become a god. How could a mere mortal like you understand?”
“What you call a ‘method’ or ‘qualification’ is just about turning the entire city into this? These people are your citizens, they worship you!”
Yuliya had found records in many homes praising the Lord; even Sofia referred to him as the revered lord—though that title was probably laced with sarcasm.
But from various clues, it was clear that the former lord had indeed done many commendable and beloved things.
Little Lord, there’s more in this chapter, please click the next page to continue reading, it gets even better!
“They once needed me, and I helped them. Now I need them, and they are returning the favor. That’s all there is to it.”
“You’ve lost your marbles.”
“If I can become a god, what does it matter if I’m crazy?”
“Why are you so obsessed with becoming a god?”
“The Human Race has no gods. I will be the first!”
Yuliya could see that this was his most sincere belief, as it was the only time his emotions showed a clear fluctuation.
No matter whether this lord was currently lucid or what had caused such a change, this statement was constant.
“But to me, you look more like a demon.”
“Since you know about demons, you should also know, gods and demons are one and the same.”
At that moment, something pricked Yuliya’s mind, a jolt of electricity coursing up her spine.
Gods and demons are one?!
Suddenly, she recalled that the boss in the Beginner’s Village was called “Wolf God,” and its essence corresponded with the Chaotic Contaminator and the Chaotic Contaminators she encountered not long ago.
Their divine being, my evil spirit.
“So that’s how it is…” Yuliya pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing heavily. “But I don’t feel any demonic aura from you at all—less, even, than those four. What you call a method is plainly wrong.”
“They were just puppets for the gods, while I will become a true god.”
“Forget it, no matter how delusional you are, this ends here.”
Yuliya clenched her fists, glaring at Sogriede.
“Today, whether you’re a god or a demon, you’ll be laid out flat right here, I swear!”
