Chapter Twenty-Nine: You human, you truly delight me.

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[Guardian] Star God: Cleaver.
Colin Elliott subconsciously whispered His title. He had never heard of this deity before, yet he found himself able to utter His name.
“Guardian Star God… Amber King…”
His true name naturally appeared in his mind, but he refrained from speaking it aloud, for it would be disrespectful.
Colin felt his faith wavering. It seemed as though his devotion to the “Creator of All, the Omniscient and Omnipotent God” was no longer as devout as before.
He sensed the chains binding him loosening, his body regaining freedom of movement. Bathed in amber light, warmth spread through him from head to toe.
Colin reached out, as if to touch that distant, unreachable presence. He did not crave contact; he only wished to draw nearer, just a little closer.
“Cleaver…”
He spoke the true name of the god.
This was blasphemy, an act that could invoke divine wrath. Yet he cared not...
…He was gambling...
…Gambling that He was merciful...
…Gambling that He was forgiving...
…Gambling that He was loving...
…He admitted to being selfish...
…Greedy...
…Never satisfied...
…Always pushing his limits...
…He only begged...
…Only begged...
…Only begged that He might cast a glance upon him...

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…Even if only a single glance…
…The Silver City…
Above, in the high heavens, the majestic deity seemed to have heard his plea. The great one-eyed god fixed His gaze upon the tiny Colin Elliott.
Colin’s outstretched hand froze; he found himself immobile once more as the space around him solidified and hardened.
The Amber King raised His massive hammer and brought it crashing down upon him.
Had he gambled wrongly…?
…
Perhaps it was because he had left his original world and entered a new one, or maybe because Aha had done something to Him, but He did not mind. Cleaver felt his humanity growing richer. He seemed to perceive a flicker of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness...
Having just arrived in this world astride Aha, He sensed the will of the Guardian. This was the first soul in the new world to bear the Guardian’s intent, and the Amber King decided to grant him a favor.
This was to be His first disciple in the new world; perhaps He could persuade him to build the walls.
He saw that this man sought to protect his kind, which pleased Him greatly.
Thus, He froze that space, drawing his consciousness into the narrow path of fate.
He resolved to establish His divine dignity and begin a new godly life in this new world. He would not be like some gods, or two particular gods, or a select few who lacked proper form.
He heard the human calling upon Him, praying to Him.
Within the narrow path of fate, the human’s thoughts lay open like an unwritten book, accessible even to a Star God not of memory.
Yet Cleaver chose not to peruse it carelessly. As His first disciple, he deserved favor; Cleaver decided to listen to his pleas.
He confessed to selfishness, greed, insatiability, and overreach. This was not a fault—humans were such by nature. Cleaver felt no disgust toward him for these flaws.
He wished only to see the Silver City. It was a simple request; as a disciple’s prayer, it could be granted.
Following the thread of his consciousness, Cleaver glimpsed the so-called Silver City. Their steadfast defense over thousands of years lay bare before Him. A good place…
He saw what Colin Elliott had done, the efforts he made to preserve the Silver City, his years of enduring loyalty, and his steps taken along the path of the Guardian.
His gaze crossed through time, glimpsing the near future, seeing him dissolve in sunlight, and even in death, steadfastly guarding.

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For light is the very meaning of all…
…
You human, you truly bring me joy!
Cleaver no longer feigned dignity. Raising His great hammer, He swiftly sealed off the path of fate, lest some meddlesome god snatch away the SSR He had just drawn.
His mighty hammer descended, bestowing upon him the blessing of the Guardian.
…
Colin Elliott’s consciousness returned to his body, feeling the frozen space relax once more.
He had no time to carefully examine the changes within himself. Instinctively, a sheen of amber light coursed through him. He planted his right foot firmly, and with a thunderous crack through the air, surged toward the “Black Knight.”
Facing the three charging “Black Knights,” Berg had intended to sacrifice himself. Flames burned in his hand, forming a spear. Yaoyao pointed toward the oncoming “Black Knights.”
The “Fire Mage,” who could bring light, was similarly vital but caught in an uncertain state. After the first two chose to sacrifice themselves, he was to serve as a consumable, clearing the way for the two most crucial members.
Confronting the mythic creature’s form caused his flesh to sprout grotesque nodules, eyes emerging all over his body. Having been separated from his fallen shadow, he was already weakened.
Enduring the phantom whispers in his mind, Berg stood ready.
Colin struck first, arriving above the Black Knight, wielding a heavy sword glowing amber as he brought it down from above.
It seemed a colossal shadow rose behind him, the giant hammer overlapping with Colin’s heavy sword.
The “Black Knight” appeared locked in place, standing rigid as the heavy sword struck him repeatedly.
Thud.
A sound like a great bell echoed, and the Black Knight vanished, leaving only extraordinary traits scattered across the ground, from sequence nine down to sequence four.
P.S.: Updates may be delayed recently due to upcoming finals. Calculus is almost driving me mad. Sorry overall. If one day I fail to update 4,000 words, I will make it up later.