Chapter 230: Link the Fire? (2/2)

Xi Wei stared at flame smaller than any flame a lighter could ignite hovering over Flintman’s finger and looked like it could die at any moment, his ball form gently shining with a ‘¿’ symbol.

“Don’t give me that look! It may be just a strand, but it is still the world’s oldest flame that represents the very concept of ‘fire’!”

Even halfway through his retort, Flintman noticed that Xi Wei’s ‘¿’ had turned to the Han character of an expletive—and he felt being held in contempt despite not understanding the word. “Fine, so you’re not linking the fire, then?!”

“I’ll link it. I’ll link it, okay?”

Xi Wei quickly accepted the flame since he was just trying to play hard-to-get even if he was the one profiting.

As a god, he certainly understood how precious the First Flame was.

The first thing that humans—or indeed a majority of sentient species—would worship are not orthodox gods but various natural phenomena, which naturally includes fire.

That way, the First Flame which was connected closely to fires was not as simple as plasma. Instead, it would be the concept of fire itself given form after gaining divine energy, even being connected to the authority of Fire itself.

There was no way the God of Flames would be chasing Flintman to the ends of the divine realm otherwise.

“That said, are you really going to give me something so precious? And wouldn’t the God of Flames chase after me after I take it?”

At those words, Xi Wei suddenly thought that Flintman might be using him as a decoy to lure the God of Flames so that he could escape…

“Relax, I’m going to lure the God of Flames away. Like I’ve said: I’m giving you the First Flame because I can see that you have a bright future, so take it as an early investment.” Flintman replied, patting Xi Wei on a spot that probably was his head. “Just don’t forget me when you strike rich in the future.”

With that, Flintman leaped as if he was jumping off a diving board and instantly left Xi Wei’s divine kingdom.

Even as Xi Wei looked on in shock, he sank into the infinite void and disappeared from sight.

***

Flintman was slowly advancing in the Void when a voice suddenly spoke, echoing beside his ears.

‘Is it really alright giving a part of me to that newborn god?’

“It’s fine. If Aslan would think of that fella so highly, he definitely wouldn’t go on to be some useless reject.”

Flintman glanced at the fireball over his shoulder and softly answered it, and turned towards another side of the void.

“Tsk. The God of Flames found me again? Well, I did leave my scent on purpose, but he’s moving much faster now. This could be a problem…”

‘He’s getting anxious because you’ve now claimed forty percent of his authority over Fire.’ The voice gently reminded.

“Hmmm. Well, things are fifty-fifty if I fight him now, even with my miracle added to the equation… Forget it, then. I’ll keep a low profile for a little longer to be safe.” Flintman muttered unhappily.

“After all, the Fourth Divine War is coming soon from the looks of things,” he continued softly. “And when it kicks off, I could fight however I want to. That is the moment I will legitimately claim his divinity!”

‘…Ah!’

“What is it?”

‘The part of ‘me’ you gave that newborn god is digested and fused. I could no longer sense or control it.’

“That quick?!” Flintman did a double take. “It took almost three hundred years for me to tame you! Even if it’s a tiny part of you…”

‘Maybe his authority is special.’

“The volatile authority of Games… unbelievable.” Flintman said, stroking his chin. “Aslan’s eyes are right—he might become unimaginably powerful before the Fourth Divine War begins, even becoming one of the rare few gods worth my attention.”

‘Should we kill him now?’

“Don’t even joke about it. I don’t want such an opponent to die before the fact.” Flintman was suddenly choking with excitement. “Fruits are delicious when they are ripe!”

‘Apologies, but I don’t understand your logic.’

“Well, I did become a ‘god’ as a ‘man’. Alright, let’s get out of here or the God of Flames would catch up. I really don’t want to reveal my true power before the Fourth War begins…”

With those words, Flintman’s figure vanished into the void once again.