The forests east of Carson's Hollow were quiet—too quiet.
Liam moved through the trees like a shadow, each footstep soft on the mossy ground. The once-familiar woods felt alien now. Haunted. But his mind was focused. Rage had cooled into something sharper: purpose.
The Spirit hovered at his side. "You're different," she said.
"I buried who I was," Liam replied. "Now I'm someone else."
GOD SYSTEM – STATUS MENU
Name: Liam Carson
Level: 1
Class: Chosen of Divinity
Faith Points (FP): 8
Followers: 1
Title: None
STATS:
• Strength: 6
• Speed: 7
• Endurance: 5
• Divine Power: 10
• Willpower: 8
• Charisma: 4
• Perception: 6
Abilities:
• Destroy [Tier 1] – Dismantle or purify objects and entities
• Create [Tier 1] – Manifest minor divine constructs
• Enhance [Locked]
• Passive: +1 FP/hour from active follower
"Your stats are weak," the Spirit noted. "Your strength won't carry you through this world. Not yet."
"I don't need strength to kill trash," Liam muttered.
And as if summoned by his words, three figures stepped into his path—cloaked in crimson, symbols of a twisted flame scrawled across their robes.
Cultists.
Liam's heart pounded. His breath hitched. The image of his mother's broken body flashed behind his eyes. The one in the center stepped forward, a jagged dagger gleaming in his hand.
"You shouldn't be here, boy," the cultist sneered. "This forest belongs to the Flayed Flame."
Liam said nothing.
He simply opened his interface.
Target Identified: Human – Cult Initiate (Level 2)
HP: 45
Strength: 8
Speed: 5
Threat Level: Moderate
The dagger came fast, but Liam moved faster.
Not by much—but just enough.
He ducked the first strike and slammed his elbow into the cultist's ribs. The man staggered, shocked. Liam's strength was low, but his rage made the blow count.
The second cultist lunged.
Liam activated his system.
[DESTROY – Tier 1: Weapon]
Target: Rusted Dagger
Cost: 3 FP
Result: Target disintegrated
The blade in the cultist's hand shattered into white dust, leaving him wide-eyed and vulnerable.
Liam drove a knee into his gut and followed with a headbutt. Blood splattered across his brow, not his own. He'd never fought before—not like this—but the system seemed to guide his movements, divine instincts kicking in.
The third cultist hesitated.
Mistake.
Liam raised his hand.
[CREATE – Tier 1: Divine Spear]
Cost: 5 FP
Weapon: Temporary (5 minutes) – Pierces corrupted flesh
Damage: 20 + Divine Power Bonus
A glowing spear formed in his grip, forged of light and flame. He hurled it without hesitation.
The weapon screamed through the air and impaled the cultist clean through. He collapsed in the leaves, twitching once… then still.
The forest went silent again.
Enemies Defeated: 3
Faith Points Gained: +6 (from act of vengeance)
Level Up!
Liam Carson – Level 2
STATS INCREASED:
• Strength: 6 → 8
• Speed: 7 → 9
• Endurance: 5 → 7
• Divine Power: 10 → 12
• Willpower: 8 → 9
• Charisma: 4
• Perception: 6 → 7
New Ability Unlocked:Enhance [Tier 1] – Temporarily boost an ally or item using FP
Liam panted, hands shaking. Blood stained his tunic and face. He looked down at the fading light of his summoned spear as it dissolved into embers.
"This… is what it means to be a god?" he whispered.
The Spirit nodded slowly. "It is only the beginning."
Liam searched the bodies, finding a scrap of parchment detailing a ritual—the location marked: Ashveil Ruins.
He clenched his jaw.
"That's where I go next."
He didn't smile. Didn't gloat.
But for the first time, he felt something resembling satisfaction.
Not because he had killed.
But because he deserved to.
[End of Chapter 3]