Chapter 161 - The Spirit of Light

 The Spirit of Light!? Does that mean he’s related to those people I know?

In truth, I’m acquainted with several beings known as Spirits.

Napalm, the Fire Spirit.

Blast Hole, the Earth Spirit.

Harp, the Wind Spirit.

Water Jet, the Water Spirit.

All of them are existences far beyond humanity, encountered at the end of various adventures across the lands. However, I’d heard there were six types of Spirits in total: the four elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—plus Light and Darkness.

I knew there were Spirits I hadn't met yet, but...

"Are you saying you're the Spirit of Light from among the Six Spirits?" I asked the radiance that had suddenly descended.

The thing glowed with an obnoxious intensity, as if to say, 'Great beings are supposed to look sparkly, you know!' Still, though its outline was hazy, it seemed to take a humanoid form. In that regard, it was just like the others. Basic Spirit biology: a dense collection of fire, air, or whatever, shaped like a person. This fact supported its claim.

"But... if that's true...!?"

It called itself Photon, the Spirit of Light. Which meant the god worshipped by the Photon Cult—the ones currently giving me so much trouble—was... this guy?

"A Spirit... calling itself a God!?" 

"Is that strange? We Spirits are the incarnations of Great Nature, supernatural beings who wield its raging power. Is that not exactly what you humans call a 'God'?" 

"Maybe, but..."

Still, this Spirit of Light, Photon, felt "off" compared to the elemental Spirits I'd met before. The others generally had no interest in human affairs and kept their distance, dwelling in unexplored regions or demonic lands where a lapse in focus meant instant death.

But this Light Spirit... it calls itself a 'God,' has built a whole organization of people to worship it, and seems actively involved in human society. On paper, that sounds helpful, but the reality?

"Sao, King of Light." 

"Yes?" What’s with that title? I have absolutely no memory of being called that.

"First, I shall bestow this upon you. Receive it with gratitude."

A thin beam of light shot from the Spirit. It looked like a laser, and since getting hit by a mysterious laser usually ends badly, I instinctively flipped away to dodge it.

"Do not dodge! This is a noble and holy gift!" 

"You can't just say that and expect me to stand still!?"

I stay cautious around things I don't understand. But since the Spirit was making such a scene, I stood still and accepted it the second time. The laser hit my chest, carving a pattern into my skin.

"Could this be...!?" "

Heh, so you've noticed. I suppose you would, having already collected four crests from the lower Spirits."

A pure white crest now glowed on my pectoral.

"This is the 'Light Stigma,' the proof of one recognized by the Spirit of Light! With this, you bear the mark of a Holy Hero acknowledged by the God of Light!"

That said, my chest was already decorated with crests glowing in crimson, gold, deep green, and aqua blue. With white added to the mix, I was looking pretty colorful. I’m basically Gaming Sao.

These were proof of recognition from the Spirits I'd met previously. They were incredibly useful items that allowed the bearer to manifest a portion of the Spirit’s power at will.

"But why give it so easily?"

From what I’d heard, a Spirit’s crest was a legendary treasure given only to those the Spirit truly took a liking to. It was a coveted power boost. I'd even met people who tried to enslave Spirits just to obtain that power. That’s how rare and terrifying these marks were.

So, for the Spirit of Light to just hand it over... is he a nice guy? Or a nice Spirit?

"Kuhahaha... Do you not understand? My inner thoughts?"

Correction. This guy definitely has an ulterior motive. That laugh is disgusting.

"I have heard the rumors on the wind. Or in my case, rumors on the light?" 

"Who cares? Get to the point."

"Regardless, a human who has gathered all four crests of the lower Spirits has appeared for the first time in ages. While the four elements are lower in rank than the Spirit of Light, they still hold great power within nature. Having gathered them all, it is no exaggeration to say that though you are human, you have become an incarnation of nature itself." 

"If you say so..." I honestly didn't fully get it myself.

"That is why you are worthy of being chosen by me. As my first servant, you are fit to fill the world with the Will of Light." 

"Hm?" 

"Sao, King of Light. What do you think of this world?"

Oh boy, here it comes. The "the world is rotten so I'm going to innovate it" monologue typical of high-concept villains. Usually, it's just edgy types who try way too hard to use big words...

"From my perspective as a Transcendent, this world is far too incomplete. Humans who cannot control their emotions, monsters running rampant... this world needs someone to unite everything and lead it correctly. Who do you think is suited for that?" 

"Are you going to say 'yourself'?" 

"Exactly! As expected of the King of Light I have chosen!"

I’d be more surprised if there were any other candidate after a setup like that. The level of self-affirmation is terrifying.

"Regrettably, the other Spirits are indifferent to the governance of the world. Because they are incarnations of nature, they believe that things are correct 'as they are.' But I am different. Because I am special, I have thoughts on how the world should be. If possible, I wish to actively provide aid and bring happiness to all the people of the world."

This is starting to sound like a shady self-help seminar.

"That is why I established the Photon Cult to worship me as a God and have guided my followers. But it is not enough. My grand ambition is to lead every human in the world. My followers still account for less than a tenth of all humanity!" 

"I see." That’s plenty, dude. Have you ever heard of 'diversity'?

"To lead all of humanity to happiness, every single person must join the Photon Cult. That is where you come in, Sao, King of Light!" 

"Uh-huh." Seriously, what is with that 'King of Light' title? Is it some cringey chuunibyou name?

"I have just given you the 'Light Stigma,' the proof of my disciple! Combined with the four elemental crests, you only need one more: the 'Origin Stigma' of the Dark Spirit, Dark Matter. Once you have all the crests, you will become the Ruler of this world." 

"Fascinating."

Come to think of it, I remember someone saying something like that. —'He who receives the crests of all six Spirits shall become the King of the World.' I thought it was just an urban legend, but coming from a Spirit's mouth, it has some weight.

"Then, you shall exercise your authority as King of the World and make every human on Earth join the Photon Cult! You shall rule the entire world as the proxy of the God of Light, Photon, and lead the world to peace! Under my command! That is why you are the King of Light! You are the first servant of the God of Light!!" 

"Eeeeh." 

"With this, the world shall be perfect! Every living thing shall worship and revere Photon, the God of Light! That is a perfect world! And I shall be revered for eternity in that perfect world! I, Photon, the Spirit and God of Light!"

"Punch." 

"Gubeh!?"

I punched the Spirit right in the face. It actually worked—the Spirit of Light took the fist to the cheek and went spinning through the air.

"Onga-gogo-gueeeeeeee!? What!? What was that!?"

"The cult that worships you? I flatly refuse. Joining something like that isn't going to make anyone happy or peaceful."

Actually, I can see exactly what would happen: a total surveillance society. Those who worship the Light God are favored; those who don't are persecuted. That’s just a straight-up dystopian nightmare. Did you really think I’d agree to that? Give me a break!

"I told your underlings already, but I recognize freedom of religion. I am firmly opposed to your plot to steal that freedom, and I will stop you! Even if I have to fight you right here!"

"Uguooooo...! It seems a mere human has gotten cocky! Did you think you could defy the Spirit of Light and get away with it!? It seems you need 'training.' I shall toy with you, break you, and show you that humans cannot win against Spirits before turning you into my loyal slave!"

If things don't go your way, use force. You really are a textbook villain. In that case, I have a counter-strategy. Unjust invasion shall not be forgiven!

"Fool! Do not think a human can defeat a Spirit just because they've received a little divine protection! Remember that the source of your power is us Spirits! Your power is merely a fraction of the Spirit power we lent you! There is no way you can defeat the Spirit itself, the source who can control one hundred percent of that power—AAAAAAGH!!"

"Flame Punch." 

"Gubeh!?" 

"Earth Kick." 

"Angoh!?" 

"Wind Submission." 

"Idadadadadada!?" 

"Water Splash." 

"Agyaaaaaaaaa!!"

I pummeled the Spirit of Light with a barrage of attacks. You’re the one who forgot something, buddy. The Spirit crests I have aren't just yours. I have the crests and powers granted by the Spirits of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.

"Guboh...? Impossible! Even if you have the crests of the four Spirits, the power they lend you should only be a tiny fraction. It shouldn't be nearly enough to defeat the God of Light, Photon, who is the Spirit itself!"

"You're right, normally. But something strange has been happening for a minute now."

"What!?"

Ever since we started, the power gushing out of my four elemental crests has been incomparable to anything before. It's on a whole different level.

"I bet the other Spirits are watching what’s happening here, aren't they?" 

"Wh...!?" 

"And they probably felt a sense of crisis regarding what you're doing, so they're lending me all their power just for now so I can stop you. That’s what it feels like."

Also, Spirit of Light. You kept calling the four elemental Spirits 'lower spirits' and talking down to them, didn't you? They probably heard that loud and clear. I can feel a non-insignificant amount of 'anger' mixed into the Spirit power erupting through me.

"I feel like they're telling me something. 'Beat the crap out of this idiot in our place'..."

"Hawawa...!? Wait, wait. Let's talk this out...!?"

"We'll talk. Right after I finish pounding you into the dirt."

"I'm telling you I'll make you the King of the World! Everything will be as you wish! You can hold any woman you want at any time! You like women, don't you!? If you become the slave of this Spirit of Light, anything...!!"

You really don't get it at all.

First, I can pretty much get my way without your permission. I’ve got power from plenty of other Spirits, you see.

Second, 'hold any woman I want'? I can already do that. And it's not because of 'Royal Authority' or some other nonsense. Sex feels good because I like the woman, and she likes me, and then we join our genitals. What’s the point if it's forced through power?

I can't leave the world to someone who doesn't even understand that. I’ll blast you away with the power the four Spirits lent me!

"Earth-Water-Fire-Wind-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind-Earth-Water-Fire-Wind!!"

"Gurobogueeeeeeeeee!!"

The Spirit of Light was sent flying high into the sky by a barrage of punches infused with the power of the four elements.

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