{The Sea god has activated a Divine skill}

{Divine Skill Name: Puppeteer’s String}

{Description: With every blessing, there is a certain curse. All that have claimed a share of the Sea god’s blessing will now be under his full control, his command ruling over all their physical decisions}

As the notification sprang before Steven, he froze in his stance—literally. Not just him, but the once rowdy Colosseum, the audience, the guards, and even the Lords all froze, not making a single noise, like lifeless statues carved from stone. All were under the overwhelming influence of the Sea Deity, Ark’shaRin.

Steven’s eyes moved within their sockets, the only part of his body that still obeyed his will under the effect of the Divine skill. His gaze settled on Ark’shaRin, and a dreadful realization struck him.

This has been a huge error... and a costly one at that.

"Foolish Scum!" Ark’shaRin frowned, settling back properly into his throne. Its thick fingers trailed slowly up its forearm until they wrapped around the hilt of the dagger still lodged in its bloated body. With effortless strength, it pulled the weapon free and let it drop to the ground.

Clang.

The sharp metallic sound echoed through the silent Colosseum, making Steven’s gut churn violently. This did not bode well for him, not in the slightest.

"For so long," Ark’shaRin began, a twisted curl forming on its lips as its claws rubbed lazily against its jaw, almost completely hidden beneath layers of quivering fat. "I have waited for the moment to kill you."

Steven groaned faintly, unmoved by the revelation. This was something he had already suspected. With the way the Sea god treated Rat, the sudden, irrational hatred it bore toward him, Steven had long been curious as to why. Perhaps now, he would finally uncover the truth.

"Ever since the day I set my foot into this disgusting place, your existence has haunted me from the very first moment my eyes settled on you!" Ark’shaRin boomed, saliva flying from its mouth with every word muttered in seething rage. "A feeling like a bug crawling beneath my skin, one I can never squash. Because somehow, you were blessed with the mark of another Deity, one I had no idea who it was."

{Ding!}

{Ark’shaRin has shared a revelation}

{Revelation: You cannot harm this human. His ownership does not belong to you}

{Terms to breaking the Revelation: Only when a Vessel attacks the Deity can the Deity retaliate}

Seeing this, Steven could already piece together the harsh truth of it all. Ever since the day Rat had first met Ark’shaRin, this message must have appeared before the Sea Deity,revealing the condition tied to this one human. A human it could neither harm, control, nor kill, because another Deity far greater than Ark’shaRin was shielding him.

Steven did not know the full reason why Ark’shaRin despised Rat with such depthless hatred, but with his current understanding of Ark’shaRin and the Fated Colosseum, he could piece together enough to form a grim idea.

"You... you are a pesky god, one that wants nothing but control, is that it?" Steven managed to mutter.

Ark’shaRin furrowed its eyes, then its grin widened even further, stretching grotesquely toward its temples. "Oh? So you can even fight my skill enough to speak. But you are wrong."

Steven frowned. "You are a puppeteer. The lowest of the low. Probably cast down by the other Deities because of how irritating you are. Then you crawled into this village to assume ownership, turning everyone into your puppets. Meeting someone you couldn’t control easily must have ticked you off..."

"Wrong," Ark’shaRin cut in sharply, causing a confused expression to rise on Steven’s pale countenance. "While you may be right on some points, do you know what truly makes a Deity a Deity?"

Steven remained silent, letting the disgust etched on his face answer instead.

Ark’shaRin leaned forward, its massive face drawing closer to Steven as it muttered, "Followers."

"The more followers I possess, the greater my power becomes. And of all the followers here under my dominion, you will be the final piece that soothes me, Rat!"

Ark’shaRin leaned even closer, so close that its face was barely a foot away. Then it placed one of its hands on Steven’s face, the entirety of its wet, slimy palm almost as large as Steven’s head. As though caressing a helpless infant, it fondled Steven’s dry, dehydrated cheeks before continuing.

"Making followers out of greedy idiots like these people is one thing," it hissed, voice trembling with twisted delight. "But the true joy and strength of a Deity such as myself, is taking the soul of a follower of another Deity... and making it mine!"

Ark’shaRin screamed at the top of its voice, violently lodging one of its fingers into Steven’s left eye. The digit tore through the eye socket with brutal force causing hot blood to spill forth instantly in response.

"ARRRGHHH!" Steven shrieked, his face turning deathly pale as unimaginable pain shot through his body. His vision collapsed, half of his world consumed by darkness as his eye was no more.

The Sea Deity laughed at his despair, pulling its hand away from Steven’s face and bringing its blood-soaked claws to its lips. It licked Steven’s blood with its trembling tongue, savoring the taste. "The flavor is even different," it commented with grotesque curiosity.

Drake, frozen from afar, watched the scene unfold and felt his heart plunge into his stomach. This was a horrid sight, being forced to watch his comrade get mutilated so slowly, so helplessly.

’Think, Drake! Think!’ he screamed inwardly, his eyes darting around desperately, searching for anything he could do.

But alas, there was nothing.

As long as he remained under the Sea Deity’s skill, all he could do was watch... and hope.

Ark’shaRin finished licking the blood from its obsidian claws and rested its hands upon its throne. A saddened expression appeared on its face as it looked one last time at Steven’s weakening form.

"It’s so sad... our two-hundred-year relationship comes to an end here," Ark’shaRin spoke, its tone laced with obscene, lustful intent.

It opened its mouth wide, revealing rows of sharp obsidian teeth, a thin writhing tongue, and a depth within its throat filled with unseen darkness—ready to claim Steven’s head and—

SPLOOOSH!

A violent wave of blood erupted into the air, stunning everyone who could still witness the scene.

Ark’shaRin—the mighty Sea Deity—its eyes widened in disbelief as golden blood sprayed high above. Its head jerked violently against his will, tilting to the side as its balance failed.

The cause of this sudden disorientation—

Steven.

The young, frail man stood with a red jagged dagger clenched tightly in his hand. A weapon, no... The weapon he had just used to slit the throat of the Sea god.

{Red Fang has been equipped}

{Bleeding effect initiated}

//Author’s Note//

Save to your library and read a few Chapters, enjoy this adventure with me.

Please your power stones, Golden Tickets and Gifts will be much Appreciated.

For every super gift you find it in your heart to support with. Mass release of 3—8 Chapters.