Controlling the astral body was a strange sensation. Perhaps because I’d grown used to controlling my form with a mere thought, but now that I actually had to move it, I struggled.
If I had legs, hands, or any distinct shape, I’d have been fine, my muscle memory would have bridged the gap. But this shapeless cloud had nothing like that. It was like trying to steer smoke.
This is actually fun.
I forced the form to fly toward the giant figure on the throne. My consciousness was now split, almost the same as when I took over the Goddess’s vessel. One part of me was anchored in my actual form, the other tethered to this tiny, powerless wisp that barely contained my divinity. It offered a perspective I hadn’t considered before. I finally understood why mortals felt like they were suffocating the moment they entered my dominion.
The puppet I had seated on the throne, the physical representation of the God of Velmoryn, wasn't just big. It was oppressive.
Looking up at it while being a tiny, powerless wisp gave me a nasty feeling. Even knowing it was a puppet I controlled, I couldn’t shake the instinctual fear that it could reach down and crush me into nothingness just because it felt like it.
The fact that neither the God of Velmoryn nor the massive basilisk behind the throne moved a muscle made it worse. Total stillness isn’t peaceful. It’s the pause before a predator strikes. It felt like they were glaring at me, disappointed, just waiting for an excuse to snap.
It looks like I accidentally created a very oppressive image of myself.
I didn’t mind it. Actually, I kind of liked it.
I wanted to check how the Crimson Guardian and my believers' stars would look from this perspective. I turned my astral body to fly up, but V called out.
“Your Lordship. May we depart?”
I had been enjoying the new experience so much that I’d been ignoring them. V and Aurelion stood beside the portal, waiting patiently.
V had spent the last few minutes trying to lure Aurelion into conversation, probably trying to dissect the Angel’s nature, but he had hit a wall. Aurelion didn’t do small talk. The Angel stood in perfect silence, which clearly frustrated V.
“Let us depart,” I said, and flew toward the portal.
…
A bright white sheen blinded me for a split second - the only thing visible inside the portal. But when my vision cleared, what greeted me on the other side exceeded every expectation I had.
“We are at the second level of the Pantheon,” V said, stepping aside to give me a better view. “Currently, I can only escort you as high as the third level, Your Lordship. However, I’m certain you will find this area far more interesting than the third or….”
I barely registered his words. My attention was entirely claimed by the dozens of dark, cloud-like shapes drifting around us.
I noticed immediately that while my own spectral body was streaked with a crimson hue, the others displayed their own distinct traits. The figure closest to me pulsed with a faint green light. Further away, another entity rode atop a massive, toad-like creature, a jagged black halo spinning slowly above its head.
“Ah, I forgot to mention,” V added, lowering his voice as he followed my gaze. “Each spectral body manifests a unique trait based on the owner's specific divinity. It seems, Your Lordship, your uniqueness is related to…”
He cut himself off mid-sentence, bowing his head.
I was genuinely puzzled until I noticed Aurelion. He wasn't looking at the scenery; he was glaring at V.
“I apologize,” V said, keeping his eyes on the floor. “I overstepped my boundaries by attempting to analyze you.”
“Apology accepted,” I said, though I truly didn’t mind it.
My eyes shifted to Aurelion. He was rigid, every muscle tense like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at anyone who dared to get close to me.
He is fearless.
Even if Aurelion’s sole purpose was my protection, the fact that he remained completely unaffected was impressive.
Even though these spectral bodies had a limited capacity for divinity, the sheer number of gods gathered here made the air heavy. It piled up, creating a suffocating density of combined divine power that pressured even me let alone Aurelion.
It once again made me realize just how valuable an Angel really was. And mine was currently wasted potential. He was a perfect soldier with empty hands.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
I should find him a glaive.
I turned my attention to the surroundings, scanning for a smithy or a weapon store. I couldn’t find it. But what I found instead was...
Beautiful.
That was the only word for it. The second floor of the Pantheon was a vast, open expanse. Thick mist and drifting clouds obscured the distant edges, limiting how far I could see. There were no walls, and no true ceiling - just a circular opening framed by massive white marble pillars that stretched upward, supporting a structure where colorful flowers rooted and hung down like vines.
It functions exactly like a central lobby.
The deities would come through a portal and then select one of the three massive gateways standing before us. I couldn’t see if they were labeled, but the arches supporting them were distinct enough to tell them apart.
The first was constructed from dark, ancient stone. its surface scarred with dents and deep cracks. The second stood in stark contrast, built from the same polished white marble as the pillars holding up the circular ceiling. The third was forged from metal, strangely similar to a Gothic style.
Where do these portals lead?
I tried using Guidance.
[Using divinity in Pantheon isn’t allowed]
As the blue notification flashed before my eyes, I felt a heavy and oppressive presence as though I was being watched by something far greater than myself.
“V, I want to purchase a weapon that is above Mythic tier,” I said, trying to ignore the presence and act naturally.
“We should visit the marketplace then.” V responded and nodded toward the portal with the old, cracked arch. “Unfortunately we aren’t allowed to trade weapons directly, but once you’ve established a connection with a blacksmith you trust, we can facilitate commissions.”
At the mention of the weapon, Aurelion stiffened beside me. I could tell he desperately wanted one, though he tried his best not to show it. His hands opened and closed at his sides, betraying his restlessness.
The portal wasn’t far from where we stood, but V walked surprisingly slowly. His leisurely pace forced us to drag our feet, so I used the time to study the surroundings. Cloud-like shapes moved around us. I was curious to see how their uniqueness manifested through the mist, but more than that, I wanted to see other Angels.
Yet there were none. None of the deities, not even the ones riding on strange creatures or floating artifacts, were accompanied by them.
“V, didn’t you say that it was suggested to bring my Angel? Yet no other deity is accompanied by one,” I asked.
I immediately noticed a shadow cross Aurelion’s face. He flinched slightly, likely thinking I was dissatisfied with him.
“Only you and your companions can see your Angel on the second floor. The exception is the marketplace and the arena,” V responded. He stopped to bow to a swirling cloud that passed by us, wearing a golden necklace with a purple gemstone. “They are one of my dear customers.”
After leaving my dominion, V had become bolder. He no longer flattered me as he had before. He stood straighter, acting less submissive.
“Hah, look who’s here.” The voice came from behind, loud and brimming with vitality.
V stiffened. A shadow of fear crossed his face, but it disappeared just as quickly. When I turned around, I understood why.
The deity standing there wasn’t an astral body. He was solid flesh. He wore silver robes adorned with gray. His messy green hair was slicked back, revealing two jagged horns of pure obsidian.
But the man himself was only part of the reason why I had tensed
He was accompanied by an Angel, or rather, a Demon. The creature was clad in full steel plate, hiding every inch of flesh. A halo of fire spun slowly above its helm, and on its back it had a greatsword ablaze with black flames.
“Your Lordship.” V bowed, though his eyes remained locked on the man.
“You dare stare at me, V?” The man sneered.
“I beg forgiveness, Your Lordship. But after you tried to kill me the last time we met, you shouldn’t blame me for being cautious.”
The armored creature shifted, planting a heavy boot forward but before it could take another step, the green-haired deity extended an arm, blocking his path.
“You’ve become bolder. Doesn’t your contract limit you from talking back to me?” He laughed, though the sound held no amusement.
“I’m afraid the contract was broken when you attacked me. For which you still owe us 10,000 Divinity.” V straightened his back, his voice regaining its professional edge.
“Oh, right. The penalty.” The deity scratched his head. “Oh, well… I’m not paying it.”
“As Your Lordship wishes,” V responded.
When V refused to press the issue, his gaze shifted, landing heavily on me.
“Is this who replaced me?” He asked with a smirk, his eyes studying me. “I hope they aren’t hiding their true form because they are weak. It would be insulting if I were replaced by one of those poor bastards who have to beg mortals for divinity…”
Aurelion went rigid. He prepared to lunge, but I was faster.
“Don’t move!” I whispered into his mind. I had no idea how powerful this deity was, but his arrogance, refusing to pay a penalty to the God of Merchants and casually attempting to kill V, was enough warning. I didn’t want to mess with him.
“Your Lordship, insulting me is your privilege. But if you cause trouble for the customer who has hired me, my liege will be forced to descend,” V said, bowing deeply.
The smile froze on the deity’s face.
“That fatso who sacrificed his Radiance would dare to challenge me? One of the ten Sovereigns of the Netherworld?” His face reddened, and a blast of dark crimson energy, streaked with green, exploded from his body. The force of his aura was so powerful that the nearby astral bodies disappeared or were instantly encased in pristine white barriers.
I instinctively braced for the impact.
But the aura washed over me like a harmless breeze. It brushed against my form without inflicting damage or even pressure.
The green-haired man paused. He looked at me, his expression shifting from rage to genuine intrigue.
“I see the one who replaced me has a divinity worthy of a true deity,” he said with a respectful nod.
I stood there in shock, trying to process why I was unharmed and, more importantly, why Aurelion hadn’t reacted at all.
“I must leave before the Order comes,” he said to me, taking a step toward me. “I hope to see you at the Arena. Maybe we can even arrange a bet.”