I Reborn as a God Within a Statue, And You Ask Me to Enslave All Gods?-Chapter 142 --The Unfathomable Lake

The six spellbeasts, which appeared tiny and insignificant at first glance, were now trembling as they gazed upward at Owen, who descended from the skies. The pressure radiating from his body was like mercury falling onto stone—dense, oppressive, and unstoppable. The weight crushed down on the spellbeasts’ bodies, making their bones crackle like roasting beans.

These were spellbeasts born and raised by nature, and by their very essence, they carried an innate reverence for divine beings. And now, as they looked up at Owen, a single realization welled up in their minds at the same time—

The one before us is undoubtedly a god.

"You can sense the divine aura of this god," Owen said calmly as his gaze swept across them. "Then, are you willing to serve beneath me?"

These spellbeasts were a rare kind—creatures that had evolved from various medicinal herbs over countless years. To them, a god who wielded divine order was like a blazing sun in the void—inescapably radiant. It was only natural that they could sense him so clearly.

Thus, Owen wasn’t surprised by their reaction. On the contrary, he found himself increasingly intrigued.

This particular forest wasn’t far from Annasi Town. Given the recent purging of spellbeasts and aberrations led by Thomas and the others, these spellbeasts had surely sensed the change. They likely already knew about Owen’s actions.

And so long as they were not man-eating spellbeasts, Owen was more than willing to offer them protection.

The six spellbeasts exchanged glances the moment they heard his words. In each other’s eyes, they saw the same flash of joy and disbelief.

They had sensed the presence of a divine entity some time ago and had long yearned to draw closer. But their hesitation came from fear—that a god might see them as unworthy. They never dared approach on their own.

But now, this god—Deus Initium—was extending his hand to them first!

Of course they were overjoyed!

"O great Deus Initium, we are willing to heed your teachings and follow your command!"

Before them stood a god!

In this dangerous world where they had survived in the cracks between predators and prey, they understood deeply just how life-changing it would be to have a divine patron. With a god watching over them, they would no longer fear ambushes from stronger spellbeasts, nor be hunted by lone aberrations seeking nourishment.

They might even be able to expand their forest territory, cultivating rare and precious herbs without fear!

Even more enticing was the possibility of basking in a god’s aura—an opportunity that might one day help them ascend to new realms of power. Just being in proximity to a god might awaken hidden potentials within them.

Besides, according to what they had heard, this Deus Initium was quite kind to spellbeasts that surrendered to him. Unlike how he mercilessly eradicated the flesh-eating kind, those who submitted were treated fairly—even rewarded.

Seeing how quickly the six spellbeasts chose to submit, Owen nodded in satisfaction.

"Since you’re willing to pledge your loyalty," he said, "I shall have someone bring you seeds of precious medicinal herbs. You are to begin cultivating them immediately. If you succeed in this task, I will extend your lifespans. Even granting you ten thousand years of life will not be out of the question."

Owen looked at them seriously as he spoke.

With his godhood rank steadily rising, the divine order and authority he controlled had only grown stronger. Extending their lifespans by divine grace was no longer an insurmountable feat.

Of course, this was also a calculated promise—a grand vision painted in the sky to motivate them. With such a future dangling before them, the spellbeasts would surely dedicate themselves with fervor.

"Ten thousand years of life?"

The six spellbeasts stared at each other in wide-eyed shock. Then, excitement flushed their faces a bright crimson.

To them, battles and bloodshed were things to avoid. They took no pleasure in fighting. Their true passion lay in nurturing herbs, healing others, and maintaining the balance of nature.

And now, if they could live for ten thousand years, they could finally do so without fear or hurry.

Although spellbeasts naturally lived longer than humans, their lifespan generally capped at around a thousand years. Ten thousand? That was a fantasy beyond reach.

"You may rest assured, Deus Initium!" one of them declared. "We will spare no effort in completing the task you entrust to us!"

All six nodded in unison. To them, this was not just a job. It was the chance to rewrite their destinies.

If they succeeded, they would no longer be mere spellbeasts born from sentient herbs. They might rise to become legendary beings—ancient guardians remembered by bloodlines of spellbeasts and spirits alike, their names etched into the very memory of nature itself.

From that moment forward, all six made the same vow in their hearts:

Sleep less, work more.

Do not fail the god’s trust.

This task was what they excelled at. They would toil day and night to nourish these herbs and produce miracles. Deus Initium would see the fruits of their labor very soon.

"...So this is the newly established town of Annasi?"

"The human genius who achieved elementalization was born here?"

"Doesn’t look like much. But considering Lonehawk Ridge was wiped clean of spellbeasts, this town may not be as ordinary as it seems."

"Even if it’s strange, what of it? Too many spellbeasts are eyeing this place now. It’s already a land of the dead."

From the shadows of Lonehawk Ridge, a figure now lurked near Annasi Town. It was Madam Spider—her eight pitch-black eyes blinking rhythmically as they reflected a deep, bone-chilling coldness.

Even though the Ridge had been purged, it didn’t bother her. As a tier-6 peak spellbeast, she wasn’t afraid in the slightest.

"They say a god resides here?" Her voice was hoarse and gravelly, laced with disdain. "A cheap parlor trick at best. All these flashy illusions won’t work on me. Let’s see if this place is ready to face death itself."

As she whispered, corrosive spider silk silently began to spread through the surroundings.

This wasn’t just preparation. It was a trap—a vast web from which no one could escape.

She intended to play the long game. After all, many spellbeasts were after that elementalized human genius. Let them rush in first, let them fight and die. When the chaos settled, she would strike—capturing them all in one grand snare, human and spellbeast alike.

Still, ever since she arrived at Annasi Town, a strange sensation had been lingering in her spider senses. A warning. A hidden danger.

She didn’t know where it was coming from.

But she would let the others test the waters first.

Meanwhile, after taking the six herb-born spellbeasts under his wing, Owen ventured toward a murky, marsh-bound lake.

The lake was nearly dried up due to the region’s intense heat and drought, revealing a thick riverbed of caked mud and sludge. It lay hidden within the Black Iron territory—an infamous place.

Long ago, a tier-5 beginner-level spellbeast had wandered into the lake’s depths.

It was never seen again.

When the news broke, many dismissed it as a wild tale. Spellbeasts, especially those at such a high tier, were kings of the local domain. How could they be swallowed by a mere lake?

But when a tier-4 peak spellbeast later arrived to disprove the rumor, it too vanished into the depths.

Since then, no humans nor spellbeasts dared to approach the lake carelessly.

And this very lake was now part of Owen’s expanding divine territory.

Yet it was also the only place he could not see through.

Ordinarily, everything within his domain would be clearly visible through his divine mark. He could sense it all—the plants, the rocks, the winds, the shifting mana.

But this lake...

It resisted him.

It defied his divine perception, like a veil drawn over a secret too dangerous to reveal.

That, in itself, was deeply troubling.

And highly unusual.