Becoming a God Starts with Acting-Chapter 472: Silvanus & Matthew

A violent tremor shook both the earth and the sky, sending countless shadow creatures sprawling to the ground. A massive streak of light suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes—immense and towering—like a harbinger of an incomprehensibly colossal form about to descend.

In the next instant, that beam of light transformed into a gigantic rift. From within its cracked seam, a pair of enormous hands stretched out—larger than any creature that had ever appeared in this world. Those hands alone seemed vast enough to serve as a territory where countless people could live and cultivate the land.

The rift was torn wide open, revealing the creature’s true form. Yet even more shocking was the sight of "doors" beginning to appear across its body. They were densely packed, layered upon layers. From them emerged Sentinels bearing different star ratings.

Five-star Sentinels, their massive frames carrying greatswords upon their backs. Four-star Sentinels, even slightly larger than the five-star ones, yet slender in build, their design resembling goddesses.

Three-star Sentinels, with slender spider-like legs and arms, countless additional limbs splitting out from their chests and encircling them, frantically unleashing waves of energy rounds. Red flashes flickered everywhere, making their shots nearly impossible to miss.

Two-star Sentinels bore the forms of mantises or ants, equipped with serrated blades or powerful scythe-like arms. With a single "harvest," they severed the heads of countless enemies. They were as ferocious as true beasts, carrying an intensely bloodthirsty style of combat.

As for the one-star Sentinels, they were perhaps the most colossal figures beneath this sky. The steel constructs covering their bodies were incredibly dense, forming frames that were either powerfully streamlined or immensely heavy. Behind them extended various pairs of steel wings, now radiating an eerie glow. Their numbers were few, but they were gigantic. All of them hovered in midair, and every explosion caused by their attacks resembled a herald of the apocalypse, reducing vast swathes of shadow creatures to dust.

An overwhelming legion of Sentinels advanced forward with unstoppable momentum. Nick could not help but shout, "Can this get any cooler?!" It was like a scene straight out of a star war movie. In his previous life, Nick had seen plenty of such themes, but witnessing it in person brought an indescribable sense of awe. He even felt as though the perilous path of his past had been completely overshadowed by the spectacle before him.

The appearance of this colossal Sentinel army instantly shifted the tide of what had been a battle dominated by sheer numbers. However, the core issue that needed to be resolved was the black hole from which the shadow creatures were endlessly pouring out. If they were allowed to continue flooding forth like this, sooner or later everything would revert to how it was before.

...

"Clack, clack, clack..."

The crisp sound of leather shoes striking the floor echoed clearly. Silvanus walked straight ahead, stepping toward the grand hall of the Church’s main sanctuary.

Everything ahead lay wide open, bathed in dazzling yet sacred light pouring down from above.

The divine statue now bore the likeness of the Pope, yet it was rotting in a grotesque manner, fresh golden liquid streaming down in waves. The material that had formed the colossal statue was clearly solid and unyielding, yet at this moment it sagged like softened plastic, like a mound of clay dissolving into sludge.

And at the very top of the highest steps stood a man. Two long panels of fabric from his robe draped over the stairs, trailing downward. As if hearing the sound, he turned his head.

His appearance had not changed much. His brown hair was still slightly curly, freckles still dusted his face, and he still wore glasses—only now, those glasses would never again be knocked askew.

He could now be precious, radiant, capable of crushing those he despised beneath his feet. Upon seeing Silvanus, the delight in his eyes was not concealed in the slightest. It was unmistakably clear, as though they were truly a pair of close friends long separated and finally reunited.

Within his light brown eyes, a glimmer seemed to dance endlessly. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped down from the stairs, his pace growing faster and faster until he was almost running toward Silvanus.

Silvanus remained where he stood, his gaze fixed on Matthew. Facing him, Matthew’s smile grew even brighter, until he suddenly stepped forward and pulled Silvanus into a tight embrace.

He used tremendous force, yet Silvanus’ feet were as steady as bedrock, barely shifting in the slightest.

Matthew lifted his head and looked at him happily. "Silvanus, you’ve finally come back. I really missed you. Do you see? Those Nobility have finally been crushed beneath my feet. Just a little more, and I’ll rule everything. We’ll never be looked down upon again, and no one will dare hunt you anymore..."

His eyes curved as he smiled, the light within them sincere and fervent. "Didn’t I do well, Silvanus?"

Silvanus lowered his gaze to Matthew. He gently pushed him away before saying softly, "I thought you only wanted revenge against the Nobility."

Sensing that Silvanus’ expression and demeanor remained unchanged, Matthew was nearly overjoyed. He stood obediently before him. No matter what, Matthew always seemed timid and shy in front of Silvanus. Yet his words carried not the slightest hesitation. "Isn’t life truly painful? They’re always praying to find release. Silvanus, I’m only helping them find that release a little faster."

"Then perhaps they should thank you, Matthew?" Silvanus’ lips curved faintly.

Faced with such a Silvanus, the smile on Matthew’s face gradually faded. He spoke softly, "Don’t you think I’m right, Silvanus? Don’t you think I’ve done very well?"

In response, Silvanus simply raised his hand. A dazzling light flared, stabbing pain into Matthew’s eyes. A powerful beam blasted him backward, slamming him into the wall. The pristine white clothes he wore were scorched with chaotic black burn marks.

He curled up, a pained groan spilling from his mouth. But very quickly, that sound turned into laughter—louder and louder.

Matthew raised his head to look at Silvanus. Fresh blood stained the corner of his lips as they curled upward, his expression excited and mad. "Ha ha ha, that really hurts, Silvanus. As expected, you were much cuter when you lay there helpless and motionless."

The moment he finished speaking, Matthew’s body vanished on the spot. In the air, there was only the endless whistling of wind.

"Why? I clearly did all of this for us, Silvanus!"

"You always disliked me just because I was weak! But now I’m strong—very strong!"

"How can I make you understand? How can I make you understand?!"

"I only have you, but you have an inheritance, you have so many things, you have so many friends, Silvanus!"

"Even so, I never hated you. Why don’t you understand? Why won’t you understand?!"

"Those worms out there will be buried. You should be like me, Silvanus. Only we understand each other. Only we can rely on one another to survive!"

Silvanus listened to the shrieking gusts of wind and Matthew’s rage-twisted voice. At last, he said indifferently, "No, we do not understand each other, Matthew. Perhaps you never understood me. And I never truly understood you." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He would never be able to understand Matthew. Perhaps from the very beginning, their growing up together had been a mistake of fate—or the design of the Outer God from the start.

Silvanus’ words nearly drove Matthew insane.

He let out a piercing scream, his voice breaking until it resembled the shrill, grating howl of a monster. In the next instant, a violent gale roared forth, and a massive sphere of darkness shot straight toward Silvanus.

"Boom! Crash!"

A thunderous explosion shook the entire sanctuary. Matthew’s attack was precise to the millimeter, as though the one who had just spoken of deep affection had never been him at all.

He would resurrect the Silvanus he wanted—the Silvanus he desired. He did not like, did not like this Silvanus who only spoke such cutting words.