Some time later, Kai wakes up, disoriented and unsure of what just happened. He asks the Korors, but they’re just as confused. Right after Kai drank Adurken’s god stone, there was a massive gust of wind. Poric believes it was caused by Adurken’s incredibly powerful land god reacting in anger—possibly even screaming in rage.
Kai never knew a god’s power could create such a reaction, and he begins to question what he should do with all the strength he now possesses.
He heads to the stream to wash off the blood and then asks Poric if he noticed anything strange during the fight. Kai had the feeling someone was watching him. Poric sensed it too but ignored it since there was no hostility.
Before returning to the others, Kai takes a quick lunch break. He pulls out the rice balls that Elsa made and thinks to himself that without her gift, he might not have survived. He decides he needs to properly thank her.
When Kai finally returns to the group, Manso immediately informs him that something is wrong with Jose. Kai rushes over and notices a strange mark on her leg. He doesn’t know what caused it. Then Natada arrives and recognizes the mark. But before he says anything, he asks Kai about the orcs.
Kai, trying to deflect, insists they focus on helping Jose. Still, Natada presses for an answer, so Kai lies and says he found the orcs already dead when he got there. Natada sees through the lie but doesn’t expose him, instead telling the group they should take Jose back to Lag for treatment.
As they carry Jose, Natada quietly points out the bloodstains on Kai’s clothes—strange, since he claims he didn’t fight. Kai brushes it off, saying he must’ve gotten it from touching a corpse.
Once they return to Lag, they find it in ruins. The village was attacked. Kai sees Basco carrying an injured man and asks what happened. Basco explains that a massive group of apes attacked, and though Vzan managed to repel them, the damage was significant.
Kai runs toward the town hall, shouting for Elsa, hoping she’s safe. He hears her call back—she’s alive, a bit injured, but otherwise okay. He’s relieved.
Meanwhile, the others bring Jose to Vzan, who is shocked to see she’s affected. He reveals that Orha is suffering the same symptoms and already knows what’s causing it. A scouting team confirms it: the apes placed a curse on the land gods of both Jose and Orha to disable Lag’s strongest defenders—and now they’re preparing for another attack.
Later, as Kai helps Elsa treat the wounded, he is still stunned by the scale of destruction. Elsa explains that she fled with her mother and younger sister when the attack began. She says that thinking of Kai gave her the courage to push through.
Hearing that, Granny discreetly leaves the room to give them space. Kai turns to Elsa and tries to thank her for the rice balls, but before he can finish, Maner interrupts and says Vzan is calling him.
Kai rushes to Vzan’s quarters and gives his report. Vzan is relieved the orc threat is gone but warns that the apes are still a danger. When Kai asks about Jose and Orha, Vzan reveals that the apes cursed their land gods, taking out the village’s best fighters.
Natada says that if they lift the curse, the two will recover, so he asks Kai to accompany him to perform the ritual. He trusts Kai’s strength. Vzan also gives his blessing, explaining that the mission will require them to visit Orha’s god in Elk and Jose’s god in Ada. The survival of Lag depends on this, and Kai promises he won’t fail—for Jose’s sake.
As Kai and Natada leave, they overhear Gandal yelling about being treated unfairly, still acting like a total freeloader despite the crisis. Kai is annoyed that Gandal, a supposed guardian bearer, refuses to help, but Natada doesn’t expect anything from him either.
Before leaving, Natada tells Kai to meet him at the north gate once he’s ready. Kai then visits Elsa and finally thanks her properly. She’s glad her gift helped. He tells her that he has another important mission and must leave again today.
Before leaving, Kai assures Elsa that he’ll return as soon as possible—and when he does, he promises to take her somewhere very special. Elsa holds his hand and says she’ll be looking forward to it, though as Kai walks away, she’s already beginning to miss him.
Kai meets Natada at the north gate. Natada has received a special bag from Vzan to help lift the curses afflicting Jose and Orha. Both are still in pain, but their journey begins with the village of El, where Orha’s land god is enshrined. If the apes went through the trouble of cursing the gravestone here, it’s likely they left guards behind.
Natada uses his surveillance technique, and Kai instantly recognizes it as the same presence he sensed during his battle with Adurken. Natada explains that it’s called Thousand Eyes, a secret monastery technique that lets him see things from a great distance.
After completing the scan, Natada reports that only five apes are guarding the gravestone. Confident in their strength, the two move in. As soon as they arrive, Kai slits one ape’s throat and takes down two more. Meanwhile, Natada proves he’s also highly skilled and doesn’t need backup.
Kai, impressed, fails to notice that his divine crest is now visible. Natada already suspected the truth, but now that he sees it with his own eyes, he kneels and asks Kai to use the power of the Savage God to benefit the unified Kingdom of Humans. Kai tells him not to bow and says they should focus on removing the curse on Orha.
Natada agrees and starts cleansing the gravestone. While working, he explains the true reason behind his mission: the Kingdom of Humans is in decline. Powerful guardian bearers like Gandal have grown lazy, corrupted by authority and luxury, and no longer fulfill their duties. As a result, the gods that support the king have weakened. If this continues, the kingdom will collapse.
In a stronger era, the kingdom could have sent reinforcements to places like Lag, but now they lack the divine strength to do so. That’s why Natada has been searching for a new god to restore the kingdom—even if it means breaking down the current system.
Kai then asks what Natada is pouring on the gravestone. Natada explains that the god of El serves the god of Lag, so using the blood of Vzan, who is connected to both, can lift the curse. Once the blood vanishes, the ritual is complete.
Next, they head to Ada to remove Jose’s curse. On the way, Natada discusses how the world is changing. He explains that the apes were so desperate, they resorted to cursing land gods to weaken the human defense. According to his research, the ape nation is facing a great threat from the north and is likely being forced to migrate. The orcs that Kai fought were after a new god for the same reason—to survive against that northern danger.
Natada fears that if nothing changes, the Kingdom of Humans may be destroyed too. So, he asks Kai to lend the power of his god to the kingdom and save millions.
Kai is deeply conflicted. Natada’s reasoning seems valid, but suddenly, the Valley God tells Kai to kill Natada—leaving Kai unsure who to trust. He asks for time to think, and Natada accepts, but says he expects an answer after they finish the next ritual.
Meanwhile, back in Lag, the curse on Orha begins to fade thanks to their efforts. If Orha recovers enough to fight, the villagers may have a fighting chance.
When Kai and Natada reach the gravestone in Ada, they eliminate the ape guards, and Natada begins the ritual. While he works, Kai steps outside to reflect on his power. He’s not sure what to do with it, but maybe using it to protect others is the right path. Still, he can’t shake the feeling of distrust—why did the Valley God react so violently toward Natada?
Natada soon joins him and asks if Kai has made a decision. Kai admits he’s still unsure. Natada tries to persuade him, promising that if Kai joins the kingdom’s Mausoleum, he’ll gain the God King’s favor and receive an immense power boost—enough to protect Lag, Elsa, and Jose.
It sounds tempting, but Kai reminds him that he also has a duty to protect the Korors, who have devoted themselves to him. But then Natada drops a shocking truth: if Kai joins the Mausoleum, he’ll have to abandon the Korors because the kingdom doesn’t tolerate demihumans. In their view, humans are superior, and any association with non-humans is forbidden.
Kai is outraged and asks how Natada could think the Korors are lowly when they’re peaceful and loyal. Natada coldly ignores his objection and urges Kai to choose humans only.
But Kai refuses. A true guardian bearer must protect their land god and all the people who live there—not just humans. Natada asks if anything could change Kai’s mind, but Kai firmly says no.
Surprisingly, Natada smiles and says he’ll give up—for now. He promises to make up a story so his superiors don’t come after Kai.
Kai, unaware of Natada’s true intent, lowers his guard.
A few moments later…
Natada stabs him in the back.
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