Chapter 22: The Divine Web of Balance
Chapter 22: The Divine Web of Balance
The world was held in a delicate equilibrium, a balance forged by the immense powers of the 10th-tier beings who ruled their respective races like gods. The most prominent of these races was humanity, who stood at the center of the world's affairs. Their vast lands, teeming cities, and abundant resources made them the dominant force, but it wasn't just their numbers that made them so formidable—it was their unparalleled talent for growth. Humans had the highest average tier of any race, with more Grand 7th-tier warriors and Arch 8th-tier mages than any other faction. This was largely due to their adaptability and shorter lifespans, which pushed them to grow stronger at a much faster rate than the other races.
Among the humans were four gods, the most notable being the Goddess Tyriel, a figure of immense power who had sealed herself within her personal space alongside the Demon Overlord. Her actions, though mysterious, were said to be the only thing keeping the world from plunging into another great war. The other three human gods, each revered for their strength and wisdom, ensured humanity's continued dominance in both magic and martial prowess.
The elves, despite their dwindling numbers, were still a force to be reckoned with. Their race, known for their unparalleled mastery of magic and archery, was slower to grow in power compared to humans, but their long lifespans allowed them to accumulate knowledge and skill over centuries. As a result, elves boasted the highest concentration of Demigod 9th-tier and God 10th-tier individuals, even more than the humans. Currently, the elves had five gods: one from the dark elves, who dwelled in the shadowy forests; one from the normal elves, who represented the majority of the elven population; Gaia, the aspect of the World Tree, whose presence infused the land with ancient magic; and the king and queen of the high elves, both ruling with unmatched power. Though their population was a fraction of what it once was, the elven gods remained formidable, each a guardian of their people.
In contrast, the dwarves had the lowest average tier among the major races, but what they lacked in magical or aura prowess, they made up for with technology. Their advancements in weaponry, armor, and architecture kept even the powerful human and demon armies at bay. Nestled deep within their mountain stronghold—an impenetrable fortress five times the size of Earth's Mount Everest—the dwarves were nearly impossible to dislodge. Their only god, the Blacksmith God of Fire and Iron, was revered for his ability to craft weapons that could rival the most powerful magical artifacts. Though the dwarves had only one deity, the strength of their technological creations and the near-invincibility of their mountain home kept them safe from outside threats.
The demi-humans, a diverse race of beast men and aquatic creatures, were perhaps the most discriminated against in the human-dominated world. They had only one god, a legendary nine-tailed fox, but despite their low status, the predator-type beast men were fearsome warriors. Their inability to store mana effectively made them poor mages, but they were exceptional aura users, their bodies naturally attuned to channeling physical energy. A predator beast man of the same tier as a human aura user was three to five times stronger, making them highly valued in battle. However, not all demi-humans enjoyed such respect. Beast men of a more "cute" or "weak" nature—such as cats, rabbits, dogs, and hybrids—were often cast aside, treated as slaves or pets by other races, especially humans. Despite this, the predator clans held onto their pride, and their god continued to inspire them with tales of past glory.
The demons, ever the chaotic force in the world, were ruled by a collection of terrifying beings known as the Four Heavenly Demon Kings under the Demon Overlord. These beings included the Vampire King, the Elder Lich, the Succubus Queen, and the Arachnid Queen. Each of them was a god in their own right, their power unmatched within their chaotic realms. The demons' strength lay not only in their powerful rulers but also in their ability to rapidly increase their numbers. Skeletons, zombies, ghouls, vampires, ghosts, evil spirits, imps, and other dark creatures made up the bulk of the demonic armies, and their ranks could swell seemingly overnight, giving them an endless supply of soldiers. The Heavenly Kings kept a tenuous peace among themselves, their alliances shifting as often as the moon, but together they presented a united front against the other races. The demons' ability to replenish their forces faster than any other race made them a constant threat to the world's balance.
The dragons, while not as numerous as the other races, were an ancient and powerful species. Hunted by humans for their scales and magical essence, the dragons had become a rare sight, their numbers dwindling with each passing century. Despite this, they were still revered for their raw strength and elemental magic, with even the gods of other races respecting their might. Though they no longer held the vast territories they once did, the few remaining dragons were powerful enough to fend off entire armies, ensuring their continued survival.
Each race, from the towering humans to the isolated dragons, was kept in check by the ever-present threat of retaliation from the others. The 10th-tier gods, though capable of leveling cities with a mere thought, had long since learned the value of restraint. None of them dared to make a move without considering the consequences, knowing full well that an attack on one race would invite retaliation from another. The alliances between races were fragile, and peace was maintained not through diplomacy but through mutual fear. Any imbalance could trigger a war that would bring the entire world to ruin.
Thus, the world remained divided, each race holding onto its power while keeping a wary eye on the others. The humans, with their ambition and vast numbers, stood at the top, but they were constantly challenged by the elves' magic, the dwarves' technology, the demi-humans' raw strength, and the demons' chaotic power. The gods of each race watched over their people, ensuring that no one race could rise too far above the rest. It was a world teetering on the edge, where peace was an illusion, and the threat of war hung in the air like a blade waiting to fall.
Beyond the known lands and races, however, there was an unknown force that lurked beneath the deep oceans, one that none of the surface dwellers had fully encountered or understood. This mysterious race, known only as the Deep Blue, ruled the oceanic abyss with power and technology that rivaled even the dwarves. For centuries, they had remained hidden beneath the waves, rarely surfacing and never engaging with the land races. Legends told of strange, glowing cities deep beneath the ocean floor, guarded by creatures more monstrous than anything ever seen on land.
No one knew how powerful the Deep Blue truly were, or even what they looked like. Some speculated that they were an ancient race, older than the elves, who had perfected magic and technology to such an extent that they had no need for the surface world. Others believed that they were beings of pure magic, entities that existed in a form beyond physical matter. Whatever the truth, one thing was certain: the Deep Blue were feared by all who had ever dared to sail too far from shore. Ships that ventured into the deep ocean often never returned, swallowed by the unseen hands of the Deep Blue.
What made the Deep Blue truly terrifying was the fact that none of the surface gods—human, elven, dwarven, or demon—could sense their presence. Even the most powerful 10th-tier beings could not penetrate the magical veil that shielded the Deep Blue's domain. It was as if the oceans themselves had chosen to keep their secrets hidden from the world. Some speculated that the Deep Blue were the true rulers of the world, content to let the surface races squabble over land while they ruled the vast, unexplored depths of the oceans. Others whispered of an ancient prophecy, one that foretold the day the Deep Blue would rise from the oceans and claim dominion over the entire world.
For now, the Deep Blue remained an enigma, a shadowy force that watched from the depths, waiting.