Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Don’t Freak People Out Over Nothing!

"If this succeeds, I’ll become the Fourteenth Seat, right?"

The Chaos Demon God Arikinor swayed his colossal form, shifting his massive and grotesque divine body between the Sea of Ether and the Primal Mud.

Following the downfall of Ralekin and the temporary Fourteenth Seat Abraham, the Fourteenth Seat had once again become a coveted prize. Demon gods fought like dogs over this juicy bone.

Arikinor was naturally among them.

Yet he wasn’t part of the Chaos Council—he hailed from the "Ether Reef Abyss."

Strictly speaking, he belonged to an offshoot of the "Outer God."

But "Outer God" served as a taxonomic dumping ground; any deity outside the Chaos Demon God category got tossed in.

The "Ether Reef Abyss Deity System" shared no origin with the Chaos Demon Gods and didn’t dwell on the Fantasy Tree of Subspace.

They inhabited the vast Ether Ocean, living within a forest of tentacles formed by "Outer Gods."

Still, some demon gods from the Ether Reef Abyss ventured beyond their birthplace seeking fortune elsewhere.

Of course, much like mortal migration, godly relocation was no simple feat.

Despite Arikinor’s strength rivaling core councilors and his proven capability to organize forces and recruit followers—even rising to command the "Hell Battleship"—he remained excluded from the inner circle.

Even genuine chaos councilors needed Arikinor as a middleman to access Hell Battleships, paying him hefty sums in shards of divine rank.

Yet despite monopolizing Hell Battleship resources and wielding core-level power, Arikinor never officially became a core councilor.

The Chaos Council merely granted him the hollow title "Honorary Core," offering nothing more.

It was akin to being a vital technical backbone in an organization while remaining a contract worker on paper.

Invisible discrimination and bureaucratic hurdles in resource allocation plagued Arikinor relentlessly.

But now—his chance for legitimacy had come!

"I’ve secured full backing from core councilor Lady Xidi!"

"Once I infiltrate Valaharl and slaughter masses of Order-side humans…"

"She’ll recommend and endorse me as the new Fourteenth Seat!"

Beyond outcompeting rivals, a core councilor’s sponsorship offered another path to power.

Yet endorsing a candidate demanded immense resources and shards of divine rank.

Clearly, Lady Xidi had bargained fiercely with the other eleven core councilors for control over the Fourteenth Seat appointment.

This came easier to the Creator’s Hand, Xidi.

As the deity overseeing "Creation," she’d forged countless artifacts for fellow chaos deities over the ages—leaving many core councilors indebted to her.

Still, cashing in most of those favors exacted a steep price.

"Such generosity can’t go to waste."

"Perhaps I’ll exceed expectations."

"For instance…"

Arikinor rhythmically flexed his barbed capture-limbs, sending sharp spines rattling like blades.

"I was not only skilled in underwater combat, but also possessed remarkable strength in battles on land!"

"Perhaps I could even kill that so-called ‘Giant God.’"

"Hmph!"

"Those who fell beneath his feet before were all nobodies!"

Indeed, Arikinor’s argument held some truth.

After all, the back-row councilors and lowest ranks who perished earlier were insignificant, so Arikinor naturally looked down on them.

Ralekin was famously incompetent for his position, earning Arikinor’s contempt.

As for the temporary Fourteenth Seat member Abraham, he had merely been an honorary councilor previously.

As for Momo, he secretly joined that operation using "Abraham" as cover, hiding it from other chaos councilors. Aside from Lady Xidi and Gimmerly, no other councilors knew Momo had fallen.

Currently, Momo’s seat remained occupied.

Everyone assumed he was simply on a business trip…

To ensure this "test" succeeded smoothly, neither Gimmerly nor Lady Xidi informed Arikinor of Momo’s demise.

This gave Arikinor tremendous confidence for the operation!

"Excellent! Now I just need to wait… wait!"

"I heard Lady Xidi’s spell can teleport me inside the ‘Bubble World’ Valaharl."

"Oh?"

"Buzz—!"

At that moment, spell-light flared before the Large Stone where Arikinor lingered.

"Seems everything’s ready!"

"Hahaha! You fools over there—run out of tricks?"

"Then let me deliver the deepest despair and terror!"

"Hahaha…"

"Ah—!?"

His laughter choked mid-roar.

Because…

"Whoosh—!"

Pressure sensors on his feet finally detected violent, unsettling tremors through the Sea of Ether.

"What’s happening?"

Initially, Arikinor didn’t suspect an enemy assault.

He refused to believe that in this Sea of Ether, under countless Chaos Demon Gods’ watch, the so-called "Giant God" dared attack?

If cornered…

Forget whether that thing could defeat him—a core councilor-level Chaos Demon God—even if it could, the struggle would drag on.

During that time, bloodthirsty Chaos Demon Gods would swarm in.

Though mere honorary councilors with weak individual capability, their numbers in a brawl…

Would ensure the "Giant God’s" death!

Thus Arikinor stayed nonchalant.

"Hey!"

"Who’s there!?"

"Stop startling people…"

"Eh—!?"

When Arikinor glanced down, he saw a gaping maw—its saber teeth gleaming wickedly through the murky etheric liquid!

The overwhelming bloodlust nearly shattered his sanity.

But as a god, he quickly recovered.

"Damn it!"

He cursed angrily and spun to flee!

The wisest tactic: delay the fangs with evasive resistance, buying time for reinforcements.

If a second Chaos Demon God arrived before his fall, they could turn the tables!

Yet…

"ROAR—!"

The creature surged forward, powerful tailfin churning the Sea of Ether into a raging flood of ether—chaotic as boiling water!

Before Arikinor accelerated, it closed in on his tail!

But the horror didn’t end!

"Son of a thief!"

The world-mocking middle finger thrust skyward!