Just call me Thor

Chapter 494: Poseidon's request



"You want to become a *demon god*?" Mike's voice was thick with disbelief.

Poseidon retorted. "Can't I be a demon god? Don't I look the part?"

Mike was speechless. From a moral standpoint, Poseidon was certainly no benevolent deity, his actions often leaning towards chaotic evil. Still, Mike couldn't grasp what Poseidon stood to gain.

Poseidon realized he needed to explain himself to get past this hurdle. He had prepared extensively for this conversation, even going to great lengths to acquire, at exorbitant cost through the Mystic Market, a personality analysis report on Thor. Of course, the sale of such reports was authorized by Thor himself. Through this report, Poseidon had gained insight into Thor's character and formulated his persuasion strategy.

"As I mentioned, the Tower of Truth was created by 'Truth,' with the Nine Races responding, and eventually, all races participating."

Mike had his suspicions about this, but this was the first time he'd heard such a clear account of its origins. No wonder the Tower of Truth was so miraculous, possessing near-infinite authority and resources. It was forged by the combined might of all races in this world.

However, Mike had a small question.

"Hold on," he began slowly. "I heard the Tower of Truth was created to suppress a forbidden existence?"

The forbidden existence they both knew was the Supreme Demon God. This contradicted Poseidon's version.

At the mention of the Supreme Demon God, a flicker of fear crossed Poseidon's face. "That being... is a mistake... I can't speak of it."

Poseidon could disregard the rules of Truth and the Temple's restrictions because he was already planning to defect and become a demon god. But he wouldn't dare speak ill of the Supreme Demon God.

Mike waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, continue." The topic of the Supreme Demon God was set aside.

Poseidon returned to his explanation. "Thor, do you know how many Abysses there were originally?"

"Eighteen," Mike answered.

"Correct. Eighteen Abysses, eighteen demon gods. The weakest among them was level 990. Do you understand now?"

The weakest of the original eighteen demon gods was level 990. When Thor appeared, there were thirteen demon gods remaining, the weakest being level 995!

The deaths of five demon gods had actually *strengthened* the remaining ones! The more demon gods died, the stronger the survivors became!

Apollo had mentioned this, but Mike hadn't paid much attention. Now, looking back, he realized how many demon gods had perished since his arrival!

The third and sixth demon gods died in the previous war. The fourth was sealed as a turtle. The seventh and eighth, after siding with the Supreme Demon God, were killed by Mike and Ares, respectively.

The third, fourth, sixth, and seventh Abysses had been reclaimed by humanity and brought into the Tower of Truth. The number of Abysses had plummeted from thirteen to nine!

"If a large Abyss is permanently lost, the minimum level of a demon god increases by one." Mike calculated. With four Abysses reclaimed, the minimum level would be...

[*995 + 4 = 999!*]

"Exactly." Poseidon saw through Thor's thoughts. "By becoming a demon god, my power will soon reach level 999, infinitely close to 1000."

In a way, Gods and mortals weren't so different. Poseidon had his own desires and ambitions. He craved power, even if it meant becoming a demon god.

"Just to increase your power?" Mike scoffed. "Would you want that kind of power-up if it meant imminent death? And even if you did, why didn't you become a demon god three hundred years ago? Why change your mind now?"

The origins of the Abyssal demon gods weren't a secret to Mike. Some were Gods from the Temple of Truth who defected three centuries ago!

"The situation is different now," Poseidon explained patiently. "Those idiots who escaped three hundred years ago were meant to be food for the forbidden existence, helping it recover. If it weren't for humanity's Supreme Being intervening, all the demon gods would have died the day the forbidden existence appeared!"

This explanation was acceptable to Mike.

"It's different now. I can gain power by becoming a demon god, and humanity can withstand the pressure from the forbidden existence." Poseidon's plan was well-calculated. "After becoming a demon god, I won't be hostile to humanity. And to avoid strengthening the remaining demon gods, humanity won't try to kill me. Given enough time, I can break through the final barrier and ascend to the Heavenly Realm..."

Poseidon's ambitions had clearly transcended petty squabbles. Races, Abysses, Towers, and Temples held no meaning for him! He had only one goal: to become stronger and ascend!

Such a being, as a demon god, wouldn't be good news for humanity, but it wouldn't be a disaster either. Mike quickly weighed the pros and cons. He knew he was only the first person Poseidon needed to convince. For this plan to work, Apollo, Ares, Morpheus, and the human high command all needed to agree.

Mike looked at Poseidon, asking sincerely, "If you want to become a demon god, what do you need from me?"

"Simple. A small favor." Poseidon gestured to his colossal form. "Kill me."

*"Why does that sound so familiar?"* Mike frowned, suspecting Poseidon was the Fifth

Demon God in disguise.

Seeing Thor's suspicion, Poseidon quickly clarified, "As a God, being killed within the Tower of Truth doesn't mean true death. It just reduces my level."

*There's such a thing?*

"I need to drop below level 990 to leave the Tower of Truth."

Poseidon's explanation was reasonable and easy to cooperate with. It was just god-slaying. Mike had done it before! He had even soloed a level 1000 being, let alone Poseidon. Moreover, Poseidon was actively requesting this, ensuring his cooperation. It would be a piece of cake. "Becoming the Eighth Demon God, you've got quite the ambition..." Mike remarked.

Of course, that wasn't his concern. Mike's only consideration for his enemies was how to maximize his loot after their deaths. However, Poseidon's proposal was too significant to be taken lightly.

"Let's go over this from the beginning." Mike started his questioning. "If you want to ascend, why not become stronger within the Temple of Truth and then ascend?"

His first question was direct. Becoming a demon god was for ascension. Poseidon was already a God in the Temple of Truth. Why couldn't he ascend directly? If limited by talent or strength, even becoming a demon god wouldn't guarantee ascension!

Poseidon had anticipated this and was prepared. "The Temple of Truth was originally designed to end conflict."

As he explained earlier, the Tower was built to break the curse of death for Supreme Beings and end the endless wars between races. The most intense conflicts occurred between levels

990 and 999.

"The original design was to force all beings above level 990 into the Temple of Truth. Inside, even if battles occurred, there would be no true death. All Quasi-Gods and Gods could cultivate peacefully, striving for level 1000. Upon reaching 1000, they would automatically ascend to the Heavenly Realm and leave the Temple."

It sounded reasonable. Powerful beings above level 990 were on a different level. An Ultimate Lord could easily destroy a small Abyssal Plane.

Mike nodded slowly. "So, what went wrong?"

"A small accident," Poseidon said with a sigh. "There are only two ascension slots per era.

One is occupied by the Supreme Demon God, the other by a human Supreme Being."

The Supreme Demon God taking a slot wasn't surprising. A human Supreme Being... also

made sense!

Mike raised an eyebrow. "So, all the Gods in the Temple of Truth can't ascend?"

Poseidon nodded. "Correct."

This isn't a Temple of Truth, it's a divine prison! These Quasi-Gods and Gods were stuck in a celestial jail. In that light, Poseidon's plan, while crazy, was the only solution!

"This is a big deal. We need to discuss this carefully." Mike gestured for Poseidon to sit down. "Tell me everything you need from me, from humanity. Then I'll give you a price, we'll haggle a bit, and we'll have a deal!"

Poseidon was taken aback. This was the first time he'd heard someone discuss price gouging

so openly and shamelessly.

However, in a way, Thor's direct approach, cutting through the pleasantries and focusing on profit, was the most efficient. There was no need for pretense between them, given their history. If Poseidon ever had a chance for revenge, he wouldn't hesitate. They both knew this, leaving it unspoken. Business was business.

"The complete plan..." Poseidon began. "I need you to kill me eight times, dropping me to level 989. Then, send me out of the Tower of Truth to the Eighth Abyss..." He paused, then added, "That should be all. Once in the Eighth Abyss, I'm confident I can become the Eighth

Demon God!"

Escaping the Temple of Truth came at a steep price: an eight-level drop. And, of course, a

hefty fee for Thor...

"Hold on." Mike interrupted seriously. "I heard that Maxen and the potential Supreme Being Thor are going to the Eighth Abyss. If you compete for the demon god position and encounter them, what if you're struck down by lightning? Wouldn't that ruin everything?"

Poseidon: ???

*Do you think I don't know you're Thor? Are you threatening me?!* Suppressing his anger, Poseidon asked, "Then what do you suggest to ensure my safety?"

Mike presented his pre-prepared solution. "Simple. Pay a safety insurance fee. Once it takes effect, those two will swear an oath, in Shadow Nine's name, not to harm you."

"Can... we use someone else's name?" Poseidon was barely holding it together. An oath in Shadow Nine's name? That was as good as no oath at all!

"Of course!" Mike presented a price list. "An oath on Joseph's life, 200,000 Lord merits. A random human Nine-Star Lord, 300,000. An Ultimate Lord, 400,000. Calderon, 500,000..." Poseidon hesitated, but decided he couldn't skimp on this. "I choose Calderon!" "Good. Two people, a total of 1 million Lord merits." Mike made a note, then continued,

"They won't attack you directly, but they might support another demon creature to become the Eighth Demon God. Would you like to purchase a 'Neutrality Agreement'? Same price, 1% discount for buying two together!"

After a moment, Poseidon gritted his teeth and purchased the "Calderon Oath" package again. In the blink of an eye, he had spent 1.98 million Lord merits. He thought this was the end, but it was only the beginning of his nightmare!

"Alright." Mike pulled out a third agreement. "Here's the Eighth Demon God Dream Fulfillment Fund. Interested in investing? Created by the human Supreme Son Maxen and the potential Supreme Being Thor, investing in this fund can help you achieve your dream of becoming the Eighth Demon God..."