Chapter 123
Chapter 123
4. The Sukui God
Blistered cheeks bubbled, and new skin covered the sunken cheeks and grotesque teeth.
The God of Bountiful Harvest looked down the cliff and turned their head like a weary human.
"The smell of my own blood's made me hungry. Didn't even get to eat that guy in the end—just wasted effort. Maybe I'll grab two or three down at the base."
"Bountiful, I can hear you."
A bitter voice echoed from behind. Akitsu had just climbed over a fallen tree, shielding Miyaki behind her.
"Thank you, Toyoyama-san."
The God of Bountiful Harvest returned Miyaki's bow with a feral grin.
"You sure you want to thank me?"
"Regardless of your intentions, you helped us. I'm grateful for that."
"So serious."
Akitsu furrowed her brows.
"Is it over...?"
"Who knows. That brat seemed a bit more capable than this, though..."
The God of Bountiful Harvest pulled a cigarette from their shirt pocket. The moment it sparked, thunder cracked across the sky.
A bundle of branches jutting from the cliffside swallowed the God of Bountiful Harvest from view. The cigarette rolled to the ground, and a splash of blood snuffed out the ember.
"Toyoyama-san!"
A towering tree stood before Miyaki and the others.
Its thick foliage glowed white like a thundercloud. Each time the branches rubbed together, tiny bolts of lightning sparked.
Amid the scattering sparks, the God of Bountiful Harvest could be seen wedged into the tree trunk. A sharp branch had pierced their side, and blood dripped like that of a crucified sinner.
"Toyoyama-san...!"
"If that killed them, things would be easier. They'll be back soon... But if even they can't handle it, we have no choice but to run."
A man's voice rang out alongside ominous lightning.
"You think I'll let you escape?"
Akitsu grabbed Miyaki's arm.
"Run."
As Miyaki and the others dashed off, lightning struck at their feet. The cliff crumbled, exposing the bare mountainside.
Mud suspended in the air boiled instantly.
Running down the steep slope, Miyaki shouted.
"Akitsu-san, we're not going to outrun this! We need a countermeasure! Now that we know the god's name and details—"
"That's just a quick fix."
"It's better than dragging civilians into this!"
"You think that god would involve the civilians?"
"They already absorbed the people who came to investigate, just to stay hidden!"
Akitsu shook her head.
"Miyaki-san, you can't."
"Why not?"
"It's dangerous."
A particularly loud thunderclap rang out. Akitsu shoved Miyaki away in an instant. Lightning engulfed Akitsu.
"Akitsu-san!"
Her body turned to dust as thin as paper and vanished.
When Miyaki turned around, the Sukui God stood there, deep green hair flowing.
"It's over, human."
Miyaki returned the gaze firmly. A loud crack came from a breaking branch, and something white burst through the towering tree.
"Cheating's no good, family man."
The God of Bountiful Harvest leapt at the Sukui God like a beast.
"You're still here?!"
A whip of lightning sliced through the air.
The God of Bountiful Harvest landed on the tree trunk, their forehead split open. A jagged branch dangled from their sharp teeth. Blood poured from their forehead and thin flank.
"Toyoyama-san..."
The God of Bountiful Harvest signaled with their eyes. Miyaki bolted forward.
The Sukui God sighed in exasperation.
"Persistent one. Looks like I'll have to kill you first."
Their four arms clenched into fists, grasping at the air. A careless bolt of lightning shattered the ground along with the giant tree.
The forest quaked, and the world flipped upside down.
The God of Bountiful Harvest was blown by the shockwave through the trees and out onto a paved mountain road.
A horn blared. A bus windshield and the driver's twisted face came into view.
"Oops."
The God of Bountiful Harvest twisted midair. The bus swerved hard, fishtailing. The god slammed into the center of the vehicle, shattered the window, and flew inside.
Passenger screams echoed. The God of Bountiful Harvest grabbed a hanging strap to slow their momentum and stood by the priority seat.
"Pardon me."
An elderly woman shouted in a trembling voice.
"What are you?! Are you okay?!"
"Doesn't look like I will be."
Muttering calmly, the God of Bountiful Harvest gazed out the shattered window.
"Everyone, please remain calm. We are stopping now to assess the situation..."
Amid the cries of children and the driver yelling over the speaker, thunder roared again.
"Probably smarter not to stop. Then again, too late now."
The bus windows, now moving slowly, were overtaken by deep green. In the green darkness, tentacle-like branches shattered the glass and poured into the bus.
The passengers' screams were silenced instantly. All that remained were branches bearing hollows shaped like weeping human faces.
The God of Bountiful Harvest tore through the rampaging trees and climbed out through the broken roof.
"No restraint, huh, kid? Like a human tantrum."
The Sukui God returned a sharp glare.
"Since the moment I vowed to be wed to my wife, I cast aside my divine nature. Humans are prone to a bit of irrationality."
"You've got the strength to land a hit on me, and you're comparing yourself to humans? That's pathetic."
"So you think you've acknowledged me? Doesn't look that way."
"Then how about this?"
The God of Bountiful Harvest brushed back their blood-soaked, charred bangs.
"You and I were once the same. How far you've fallen."
Gone was the vulgar tone from before—this sounded like something echoing from a sacred mountain cave.
The Sukui God's pale blue eyes, like lightning, widened, then slowly shook their head.
"...I don't want to admit it, but you're right. We were the same. Gods, tossed about by our own nature. But she alone believed I had a heart, entrusted me with her wish. That was the only prayer I ever truly accepted. I will answer it."
The God of Bountiful Harvest clattered their many teeth and sneered.
"...A god is neither good nor evil—just overwhelming. They do not belong to one. Nor should humans define their nature. Yet now, you delight in such an example. Is that truly fitting for a god?"
***
A beast-like laugh echoed through the mountains.
Miyaki trudged through the ruined path, her feet catching in the mud.
"There..."
Between fallen trees, an old rotting sign was buried. The wood was so decayed it seemed ready to crumble with a bit of pressure. Miyaki squinted at the nearly illegible calligraphy.
"God of Excellence..."
Miyaki dug through the mud with her bare hands.
—If it were Katagishi-san, he would've come up with a smarter way. If it were Uyuu-san, he would've found a kinder way.
"I'm glad they're not here."
—I'm the only one who can kill that god.
Miyaki picked up the signboard and tore it apart with both hands.
The wood with the character for "Ketsu" crumbled, leaving only the radical for "person" behind.
"If it were human, it could be eaten, right?"
Miyaki raised the sign's remains toward the roaring thunder and laughter.
"God of Bountiful Harvest, I offer you a sacrifice."
***
The Sukui God looked down at the writhing branches like a massive mollusk.
"Aren't you the one who fell from grace? You devour countless innocent sacrifices, yet have only enough power to flee from me. Let me spare you from further disgrace."
Four arms swung down.
Instead of thunder, a muffled groan rang out.
The Sukui God covered their mouth with one hand. Thick, dark blood leaked through the slender fingers that resembled a woman's.
Pale, translucent eyes widened as they looked down at their own body.
The belly of the green and white over-robe was gouged open, exposing torn spine and flesh.
From the red-black hole, the figure of a white-haired man peeked through.
"I wasn't running away. You can see that clearly now, right?"
Before the Sukui God could turn around, heaven and earth trembled.
Rows of teeth, like bundles of blades sprouting from above and below, closed in.
"Seems even a fallen god had a devout follower. They offered you up."
The God of Bountiful Harvest laughed and stroked their thin belly.
"Lucky you. Now you can be together forever, just the two of you."
The cage of teeth clamped shut, grinding the Sukui God to pulp. A torrent of blood erupted.
As Miyaki emerged from the forest, the God of Bountiful Harvest had a mask hanging from their chin and was puffing on a cigarette.
"Miyamoto, nice work."
"It's Miyaki. You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?"
"Pretty much. Nothing good comes from a god taking your name."
Miyaki nodded vaguely and stared at the blood-stained traces mixed in the dirt.
"Did you defeat them?"
"How should I put it... I ate the human part. The divine part might still linger. Still, I doubt they'll pull the same crap again."
Stepping over the blood-soaked mud, Akitsu appeared. Miyaki's face lit up.
"Akitsu-san, thank goodness!"
"I'm fine. Bountiful, you..."
"I just answered a human's prayer. Like a proper god."
Akitsu bowed her head as if enduring sorrow.
"That's why I said it. Miyaki-san is in danger."
"Me?"
"When I look at you now, I sometimes remember the days at the Ministry of Divine Affairs. It's only natural—I remember the ugliness of humans I saw then, and the horror of being let down by gods. But it still scares me."
"Akitsu-san..."
"I'm afraid you might end up like those who used gods to seal other gods."
Miyaki met Akitsu's pale-colored eyes.
"I'll be fine."
"Really? I know what became of those who used gods. Uyuu-san, too. I don't want that for you, Miyaki-san."
"I'll be okay. I remember not just the awful things, but also human kindness, and the gods who helped me."
"I see..."
"If I go astray, you and Uyuu-san will stop me, right? Besides, there's Katagishi-san and the others, living happily, unaware of any of this. I won't lose my way."
At last, Akitsu's lips relaxed with relief.
Miyaki felt she didn't need to say the words that came to mind afterward.
—Even if she someday fell into the illusion of being able to control even gods, there would still be a god who would mock that arrogance, show her her own powerlessness, and bring it all to an end.
After finishing the cigarette, the God of Bountiful Harvest looked at Miyaki and raised their mask to hide a knowing smile.
"Let's get going. Gotta find the next meal."
"Can't you at least pretend to be decent?"
"Well, thanks to Toyama-san, we made it through. Let's grab a bite somewhere, Akitsu-san."
The great tree swayed above human and god.
Thunder no longer echoed—only the quiet rustle of the trees spread through the air.