A secluded, inconspicuous place in the DC world.
Jesse Custer was a holy pastor but he was completely different from other pastors.
Other pastors were charlatans, but he was a genuine 'spokesperson of God.'
At some point, he gained the ability to command everyone. He regarded this ability as God's approval and grace.
God hoped that he would use this power to help more people.
For example, making an abusive man repent and voluntarily confess his mistakes.
To be honest, it seemed quite incredible that he possessed such an ability, yet only used it for such minor matters.
If it were anyone else, they would definitely transform into Homelander on the spot, enforcing love and hypnotic series.
Jesse had done many bad things, but now, he only wanted to be a good person.
Just as he was thinking, Jesse was about to light a cigarette to aid his thoughts, but in the church, he saw a peculiar man.
"Are you also here to confess to the Lord?"
Aaron, who was visiting the church, turned back and smiled. "Confess? Your Lord... I'm afraid he can't bear it."
Upon hearing this, Jesse's brows immediately furrowed.
He scrutinized Aaron up and down. "Buddy, as long as you're not Satan, there's nothing that can't be borne."
"God is benevolent, selfless, great, and wise. He can bless everyone."
Jesse spoke with piety and reverence, his peripheral vision still scanning his surroundings.
There was no one else.
He could confirm that, at least inside and outside the church, there were only him and Aaron.
Aaron said playfully, "God is benevolent, selfless, righteous, and upright? Are you sure?"
Jesse nodded. "Of course, I'm sure. As you can see, I am a holy pastor—I don't lie."
"Who told you that? The Bible?" Aaron almost couldn't help but laugh.
He didn't know about the God of other worlds, but as for the God of this universe...
He had already abandoned heaven and wandered, becoming a bad-tempered, white-haired old man who would kill his creations at the slightest provocation.
And he also wanted to force love, making his creations say they loved him.
Tsk...
Thinking about it, Cassidy the Vampire had only lived for two hundred years and was already so miserable, so wouldn't God, who had lived for billions of years, be even more perverse?
Perhaps it wouldn't be surprising if he thought about destroying humanity at some point. After all, he had already destroyed it once, hadn't he?
Jesse was silent for a moment. Of course, the Bible told him this, and besides that, there was also the Word of God.
"Child, I know you may have suffered many injustices. Now, if you sincerely pray to God, he will protect you, just as he protects me."
Jesse's expression was very serious, he himself was living proof.
"Oh?"
Aaron's tone held no reverence, speaking calmly and casually, "It's well-known that God's children all call him Father, but no one has ever seen him."
Jesse was initially a bit bewildered, but soon, he realized the problem, and his expression changed repeatedly.
Although he really didn't want to admit it, these words sounded… inexplicably reasonable?
No, how could I think such a thing?
A grave sin!
"Child, merely speaking these words to me can be considered a sin."
Jesse suppressed his displeasure, and seeing Aaron's amused expression, he couldn't help but get angry. "Are you deliberately looking for trouble?"
"Now, leave this place immediately, and never enter this holy church again." Jesse spoke in a commanding tone.
At the same time, a force entered Aaron's ear, attempting to control his mind and body.
This was the Word of God.
For a moment, Aaron almost wavered, but instantly, the effect of Indestructible Body activated, and he quickly broke free.
Although the ability he wielded was similar to Word of God, it was not the same. There was a difference between the two, but it was not significant.
He could generally understand this ability, and thus could nullify it.
Aaron stood motionless.
Jesse's expression changed drastically. "How is that possible?"
It seemed like he was talking to himself, and yet also questioning Aaron.
Unable to accept this fact, he spoke again, "I say, squat down immediately."
Aaron remained still.
Jesse took two steps back.
"Had enough fun? The power of Genesis is quite good, but soon I'll have it too."
Aaron chuckled, grabbing Jesse's shoulder amidst his terrified expression.
"Damn it, don't underestimate me!"
"Before I became a missionary, I was the most famous street hooligan in the ten-mile radius. Fighting? Then you've come to the right person…"
"Ugh!"
With a slight exertion of force from Aaron, Jesse's face contorted in pain. He felt as if the hand on his shoulder contained ten thousand tons of force.
He truly didn't understand why this action rendered him completely powerless, as if he was being crushed by the Alps.
Jesse's speed in backing down was unexpectedly fast and his voice immediately softened.
"I'm sorry, please let me go. I know I was wrong. I admit my voice was a bit loud just now."
"Could you please give me another chance?"
Aaron's lips twitched. "Don't you believe in God? Doesn't he protect his children? What are you afraid of?"
Jesse forced a smile and said, "Actually, just a few nights ago, I was already planning to resign. Being a pastor is just a job, and I've long wanted to quit."
He wasn't lying. Because of some events that had happened recently, he had doubts about God's existence and justice. He once wondered if he could truly enlighten others.
After all, before becoming a pastor, he was a complete scoundrel. If there really was a God, he would probably go to hell. But that night, as he prayed in the church, preparing to resign from God, a force struck him, giving him the power to command others.
This was Word of God.
From then on, his faith was refilled.
But now…
He had some doubts again.
No!
He didn't doubt, he felt that this was a tribulation he had to endure before God entrusted him with a great responsibility.
He believed God would understand his humiliating words, which were unfavorable to God, spoken to overcome the tribulation.
God would forgive.
Aaron was noncommittal to these words, as he was sorting out his new power.
[Word of God: Detected similar ability, has been fused. You have mastered the power of the Word and the power of command. Your voice can command all living beings, whether matter or energy, alive or dead. The effect depends on the strength of the ability and your power.]
Aaron had the illusion of witnessing God's creation.
Genesis, normally guarded by angels, under accidental and inevitable influences, entered Jesse's body.
This was a power that even angels and demons feared. However, in reality, this ability had significant flaws.
Any ordinary person could deafen themselves and be exempt from its commanding power.
At first glance, it seemed very weak but this ability could affect the omniscient. Sometimes, knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing.
God knew all languages, so he was countered.
And when Genesis left, God also disappeared.
Perhaps he came looking for it himself? Perhaps he was simply on strike? Or perhaps he was hiding?
The profound meaning of it all was known only to God. Aaron was too lazy to listen. He only knew that his Word of God was definitely countless times stronger than Jesse's.
Whether in terms of effect strength or versatility, it could almost be said to have no flaws.
Even if the other party didn't understand, it didn't matter. The power of command would force the other party to understand and then act according to what Aaron said.
Hypnosis of young women, hypnosis of teachers, hypnosis of… Damn it, it must be memories from a past life that struck him down.
Aaron's current Word power, like Almighty Power, could easily create worlds, making the entire world change according to his words.
Its core was command, incomparable to Jesse's half-baked Word of God.
"Big brother? Great deity?"
"Shut up."
Aaron spoke impatiently, and Jesse instantly couldn't help but close his mouth.
His pupils were filled with complexity and fear.
This was his power!
The most crucial thing was that Aaron said "shut up" in a language he didn't understand, it was like listening to an alien language.
But why did he subconsciously understand and comply even though he didn't understand?
Aaron also had the Word of God? And it was even more powerful than his?
Jesse finally understood the terrible experience of people affected by his power. Unable to resist, yet obeying their "inner self" and complying.
It was absolutely terrible.
Suddenly, Jesse thought of a possibility, and his already wide pupils widened even further.
"Wait, are you…"
"I am not God, and I don't have a child like you."
Aaron seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke first.
Jesse was stunned for a moment. He still didn't believe it.
Jesse glanced at the husky that had appeared at the church entrance at some point, sticking out its tongue like an idiot, then looked back at Aaron.
"If you are not God, then why…"
"You wouldn't think there's only one Genesis, would you?"
Aaron looked genuinely surprised. "Maybe besides your Genesis, there are more Genesis, and even many Gods?"
"…"
Jesse gave an awkward laugh, subconsciously glancing at Aaron's fist.
Your fist is big, so whatever you say is right. What else can I do? Of course, I choose to believe.
To say such rebellious and blasphemous things in a sacred place like a church, if it were anyone else, at any other time, he would have made them understand what the Iron Fist of justice was.
He was a pastor, true, but he could also resume his old profession at any time, transforming into a close-combat expert, a berserker, wildly throwing sloppy punches.
At this moment, Aaron glanced at the church entrance and chuckled. "Didn't you want to see God? Actually, you've already seen him."
"Hmm?"
Jesse looked at Aaron with an expression that said, "I knew it."
No more pretending, are we? Laying your cards on the table, are we?
I knew it, you are God.
"He is God. That Siberian husky with clear, foolish eyes."
Aaron pointed at the husky at the main entrance, tilting its head and widening its innocent eyes.
Jesse's smile froze on his face.
I was wrong, you are not God, you are Satan! You are the devil!
God is a dog by the roadside… No, how can I use such blasphemous words to describe God?