Chapter 115: Ch 115 : The Pantheon Of Gods

Across billions of God spaces, the universe fell silent. The chaotic, hopeful chatter about SSS-Grade treasures was abruptly cut short as a new panel materialized before every God who had not yet pledged allegiance to Cosmos.

It was a stark, un-closable interface, a divine decree that filled their entire perception. There was no room for negotiation, no option to delay. Only one question and a simple, terrifying choice to make.

[Do you wish to join the Pantheon of Gods?]

[YES / NO]

[Note: This is a one-time offer. After this, you will not be able to join the Pantheon of Gods. You may still use the system as you see fit.]

The choice was absolute: a mad, desperate gamble for mythical treasures, or the guaranteed protection of the most powerful God in their multiverse.

“Damn it, why can’t I close this panel?” a God shouted into the emptiness of his space, his frustration echoing the thoughts of millions.

[You must choose one option before you can use the system,] Thea’s calm, dispassionate voice replied in his mind.

“System, I need to discuss this with my family first!” another God pleaded, his voice cracking with urgency.

Thea, who knew the nature and habit of each of the Gods like a back of her hands, she his plea was genuine. She immediately opened a private channel for his family.

In the end, their choice was simple. “Forget the treasure!” a mother said to her husband, their children’s divine projections huddled around them. “I just want our family to be safe and together. What more could we ask for?” They pressed [YES].

Millions of similar conversations took place across the cosmos. Those with families, those who valued security over ambition, chose the sanctuary of the Cosmic Empire.

The only ones who hesitated were the proud, the powerful, and those whose worlds happened to be in a very close proximity to the rumored treasure locations.

In a God space filled with cherry blossom trees and the gentle sound of flowing water, a beautiful woman with nine fluffy fox tails and twitching ears looked at the panel with pure disdain. “You think far too highly of yourself, Cosmos,” she purred, her voice dripping with an arrogant confidence.

She hugged the handsome, emotionless demigod at her side and, without a second thought, pressed [NO]. The panel vanished.

Kitsune, a holder of a powerful SS-Grade talent, was certain she needed no one. “With my power and the treasures of the realm,” she laughed, “I will surpass you in no time.”

Elsewhere, Strategist stared at the panel, his mind a whirlwind of cold, hard logic. “Independence is irrelevant if it leads to annihilation,” he reasoned to himself. “Subordination under an overwhelmingly powerful entity is the correct path to achieving my own objectives.”

His lifelong goal was to create lifeforms capable of reaching the demigod realm, and he knew Sunny’s manifestation talent could be the key. With a sigh of he pressed [YES]. “Well,” he murmured, “I am an employee again. But at least I am still a God.”

Similar scenes played out across the Multiverse. In the end, when the final choice was tallied, an astonishing four and a half billion new Gods had chosen to join Sunny’s empire.

It was more than he had ever expected. But Sunny didn’t know the depth of his own legend. To the billions of Gods who were about to be left isolated after the System’s demise, he was not just another powerhouse. He was the one who had connected them, the benevolent, if unapologetically capitalist, God who had brought light back into their lonely existences.

In Sunny’s God space, he watched the final number settle on his own panel. 5.5 billion subordinate Gods. A smirk played on his lips.

He was in a video call with his original one billion followers, but he raised a hand to pause the conversation. “Wait a minute, everyone,” he said. “The meeting will be delayed due to some… new arrivals.”

The Gods in the call began to speculate the numbers of new arrival, but none dared to speak.

“Thea, add all 4.5 billion new members to this call,” Sunny commanded.

[Yes, Master.]

Across the multiverse, the newly agreed subordinates were jolted as a video call notification appeared on their panels. The caller ID was simple and awe-inspiring: [Pantheon of Gods].

They accepted, and their view was immediately filled with the sight of the masked God Cosmos, presiding over a cosmic assembly of billions.

“Greetings to you all,” Sunny’s voice boomed, carrying a weight that commanded absolute attention. “Our Pantheon of Gods now numbers five and a half billion. This is a cause for celebration.” He paused, letting the weight of that number sink in.

“But celebrations can wait. We must first focus on the matter at hand: the so-called SSS-Grade treasures.”

His voice hardened, turning from welcoming to glacial. “Let me be clear. This map you have seen is not a gift. It is a lure. It is poison disguised as honey, laid for you by the Demon Lords themselves.”

A wave of palpable fear rippled through the 5.5 billion divine projections. The name ’Demon Lords’ carried a horror that even their godhood could not diminish.

“But they are cowards,” Sunny continued, his tone shifting, becoming a source of strength. “The Demon Lords cannot set foot in that realm, just as we cannot. The guardians of this ’treasure’ are not gods, but demigods. They are powerful, yes. But they can bleed. And they can die.”

The fear in the hall began to transform, hardening into a collective, grim resolve. In that moment, a single God, unafraid to speak before the billions, activated his microphone. It was Strategist. “God Cosmos, may I ask something?”

Sunny inclined his head, his gaze from behind the mask seeming to pierce through Strategist’s very soul. “You may,” he replied, his voice echoing with the majesty of an emperor. “This pantheon is not mine alone. My decision is final, that is true. But you all have every right to convince me.”

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