Kawashima Toya left the Trophy Room with a satisfied mind, entrusting the rest of the work to the Death Note.
As night fell, Toya stood outside the manor, engaging in physical training. Not far away, Kasugano Sora was playing and laughing with Jashin-chan and the others.
"Darling, what are you doing?"
Nyaruko skipped over, her emerald eyes filled with confusion. "You've been working out since this afternoon."
"You know this kind of mundane exercise doesn't really have an effect on you anymore, right?"
"If you want, I can build you a Hyperbolic Gravity Chamber! I guarantee it'll boost your gains by a thousand percent!"
Toya stopped mid-motion and exhaled. "I know normal exercise won't make me stronger. I'm just moving my body to stay limber."
"Once tonight passes, the Heretic God Cundi could descend at any moment."
"I'm preparing myself so I can fight at my best."
"The Heretic God... Cundi?" Nyaruko tilted her head, even more puzzled. Deep within her consciousness, the true Nyarlathotep was equally baffled.
"Darling, are you saying a Heretic God is going to appear in this world?"
Nyaruko voiced the doubt that her true self also held. As an Outer God, she had been observing this world, and she hadn't detected even a trace of a Heretic God. This world was chaotic, yes, but it didn't operate on the logic of Campione! where gods strayed from myths.
Toya gave a faint smile. "I can't tell you how I know."
"Just understand that after tonight, Cundi could arrive at any second."
Nyaruko watched Toya walk away, her expression blank with bewilderment. A Heretic God is really coming?
Though she hadn't read the Campione! light novels personally, as an Evil God, simply hearing the term allowed her to instantly access the relevant concept from the collective unconscious.
Time passed slowly, and midnight approached.
While everyone else had drifted off to sleep, Toya sat in the courtyard of the manor, quietly sipping tea. Beside him stood Tohru, dressed in her maid outfit, waiting attentively.
"Tohru, you can go rest. I'll call you if I need anything," Toya said gently. "There's no need for you to waste time standing here with me."
The only reason he wasn't sleeping was that he needed to be ready for Cundi's arrival. But Tohru had stubbornly insisted on guarding him.
Tohru beamed, her face glowing with devotion. "If Master isn't sleeping, how can a maid sleep?"
"Please don't worry about me. I am a dragon! Skipping a night or two of sleep won't affect me at all."
Toya didn't push it. "Alright then. We wait together."
As his words fell, the clock struck midnight, marking the end of yesterday and the beginning of the new day.
[SystemNotice: The Heretic God Cundi is breaking away from Myth. Descent imminent in Kyoto.]
[Host, if you wish to slay a God, please proceed immediately.]
[WorldMissionReward: Constitution of a Campione, Divine Authorities, and 50,000 Origin Points.]
"Tohru! Dragon form! We're going to Kyoto!"
Toya's eyes flashed with intensity. "A Heretic God has descended. We're going God-slaying!"
ROAR!
A deep, ancient dragon roar echoed through the night. The massive green dragon soared into the sky with Toya on her back, tearing through the clouds toward Kyoto.
Inside the manor, Nyaruko watched them leave through the window, her eyes wide with shock. "A Heretic God... actually appeared!"
"And just like Darling said, it's Cundi."
"How in the world did he know?"
.....
Kyoto.
Even late at night, the ancient capital was still bright with lights, and people walked the streets.
Suddenly, the pitch-black night sky lit up. Countless pedestrians stopped in their tracks, looking up to see the source of the brilliance.
Rays of soft, golden Buddhist light slowly bloomed, spreading in all directions without blinding the eyes. Ethereal Sanskrit chants echoed between heaven and earth as a massive, holy white lotus manifested in the sky.
Mystical Buddhist scriptures revolved around the lotus like rings of light. Seated upon the lotus was an old monk with a withered, suffering face, radiating a gentle yet overwhelming aura of divinity.
The old monk whispered a single word:
"Buddha."
In an instant, the profound truth of the Dharma swept across the entire city. Countless people fell to their knees, shouting in unison, "Praise Cundi!"
The moment they heard the chant, their minds were submerged in the boundless ocean of the Dharma.
"Tohru, go back."
Toya stopped Tohru just as they reached the outskirts. He looked gravely at the holy figure hovering over the city.
"I'll handle the rest of the journey myself."
He couldn't risk Tohru getting too close. If the Heretic God forcibly converted a dragon of her caliber, it would be a disaster.
Toya leaped from the dragon's back high in the air, while Tohru turned and flew back toward the manor.
Standing on a mountain peak overlooking the city, Toya stared at the God of Rebellion. "The Buddhist Authority of 'Salvation'..."
"Even as a Heretic God, you haven't forgotten your trade."
At that moment, Cundi slowly turned his gaze. His eyes, seemingly containing endless wisdom, locked onto Toya.
Toya met his gaze and spoke calmly. "Cundi. I am the one who has come to slay you."
"A laughable fool," Cundi's voice boomed, shaking the heavens. "You? With that mortal body?"
"Foolish one, you have a destiny with the Buddha. Why do you not awaken to the suffering of the mortal coil? Convert and realize the supreme truth!"
An ethereal Buddhist seal formed in the air. It pressed down toward Toya with the weight of a mountain, carrying with it the ultimate command: Cast aside your blade and find instant enlightenment.
"As expected of a Heretic God," Toya praised, feeling the pressure. "It even affects me."
For a split second, a thought had genuinely crossed his mind: Why not just give up everything and join the monastery?
Toya shook his head, his expression turning cold. "Let's fight!"
Gáe Bolg, the Spear of Piercing Death, materialized in his hand.
Gripping the crimson lance, Toya launched himself at Cundi.
In the blink of an eye, he crossed the vast distance. Within seconds, he was face-to-face with the deity.
BOOM!
He thrust the spear forward with a force that screamed like a dragon, tearing through the atmosphere.
"Foolish beyond measure. Mortals can never comprehend the truth of my Way!"
Cundi looked at him with cold mockery. He slowly extended a single withered finger and pressed it against the tip of the spear.
DONG—
The collision between the cursed spear and the god's finger rang out like the striking of a massive temple bell, cleansing the hearts of all who heard it.
Countless people who were still confused suddenly gained eyes full of piety. "Praise the merciful Cundi!"
Seeing Toya attack their god, the ordinary citizens of Kyoto began to scream and curse at him in rage.
Toya glanced down at the mob, his eyes growing colder. "Typical. Even in the middle of a fight, you don't forget to brainwash the masses."
He couldn't let this drag on. If he did, the entire population of Kyoto would be converted. Even if he won, paying the system to undo mass brainwashing would cost a fortune. The 50,000 Origin Points reward might turn into a net loss.
"Fool, do you not see the hatred of the world directed at you?" Cundi's eyes held a trace of irony. "Converting to my faith is the only righteous path."
"With your potential, you could surely achieve the status of a Buddha."
"Let them say what they want."
Toya's voice rang out, calm and indifferent.
"I am here to kill a god, not to be liked."