God Rivalry – Chapter 11: “Bonds of Battle and Gratitude”

  Just after Sayaka entered her quarters, a soft smile spread across her face. She sank into her chair, laughing quietly at the memory of her encounter with Hirauka earlier that day.

  [Flashback]

  Sayaka and Tensei had faced a relentless raid together.

  Sayaka: “Tensei, you’re moving a bit slow.”

  Tensei: panting “Hhh… you’d say that because your tier is higher.”

  The battlefield was a blur of fire and shadow, demons scattered under their onslaught.

  Sayaka: “I’m tired of mass-killing demons.”

  Tensei: “Then do what you do best.”

  Sayaka gripped her trident tightly and shouted:

  Sayaka: “Battle Apocalypse!!”

  Two taps of her trident ignited a blinding wave of energy that incinerated every demon soldier in sight.

  Tensei: “Well done, God of War. Another victory.”

  Sayaka: “Giving all the credit to me? What about you?”

  Tensei: “No… I met someone recently.”

  Sayaka: “Someone special?”

  Tensei: “Another raid conqueror… Hirauka. He claims to possess the God of Weaponry.”

  Sayaka: “Huh… nice. So you’ve met another raid conqueror.”

  [End Flashback]

  Meanwhile, Hirauka struggled with the revelation that his boss was also a raid conqueror.

  Hirauka: “Now what? Should I quit this job and run a small shop or something?”

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  He dismissed the thought, focusing instead on finishing his work. After his shift, he went to Sayaka’s quarters — only to find it empty. Puzzled, he returned home to rest.

  At the same time, Sayaka was deep in a solo raid — the Raid of Emergence. Her opponent: Ryujin himself, standing as the raid boss.

  Sayaka: “Why do I always get stuck in these messes? But I have to finish this raid, no matter what.”

  She summoned her trident, summoning every ounce of strength.

  Sayaka: “Time to clear the coast!”

  Battle Apocalypse engulfed the field, burning demon soldiers into ash. Yet Ryujin remained, his presence suffocating and overwhelming.

  Ryujin: “You mortals… you don’t understand, do you?”

  Sayaka: “That’s why we’re different from you, pathetic flesh-eating monsters!”

  Ryujin lunged, stabbing her with a claw. Pain surged as she collapsed to her knees. With a defiant roar, she activated her final trump: the Power of the Immortal Knight. Her armor glowed golden; her eyes blazed with unyielding resolve.

  Sayaka: “I don’t give up this easily!”

  She pushed Ryujin back, slamming him into a rock pillar. Exhausted but victorious, she teleported back to her quarters and collapsed onto her bed.

  The next morning, Sayaka awoke, still bandaged and aching.

  Sayaka: “Oh gosh… still too much. The maid must have done all this…”

  Glancing at the clock: 9:45 AM. She groaned.

  Sayaka: “I missed the office too… oof.”

  Hirauka, noticing her absence, asked around. Employees whispered she was very sick. His mind raced — a God Ring user could not fall ill so easily. Determined, he teleported to her house.

  The maid opened the door.

  Maid: “Who are you, sir?”

  Hirauka: “I’m Sayaka’s employee. I heard she’s sick.”

  Maid: “Ah… she is very ill.”

  Hirauka: “I know how serious it is. That’s why I’m here. Trust me.”

  Seeing the ring on his hand, the maid nodded, stepping aside.

  Maid: “Please help her… her room is the corner one.”

  Hirauka: “I know… that’s why I’m here.”

  He entered the corner room. Sayaka lay on the bed, bandages scattered, medicines cluttering the side table. Bruises and deep cuts marred her skin — human remedies would not suffice.

  Hirauka: “I think I need to use the same remedy I tried on myself.”

  He summoned the Dagger of Life, approaching carefully so as not to alarm her. Sayaka’s eyes fluttered open, widening at the sight.

  Sayaka: “Hirauka… stop, don’t do this!”

  He gently stabbed the dagger toward her. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, Hirauka’s hand was empty — yet her wounds were gone. Her body glowed faintly green, fully healed.

  Sayaka (stunned): “How… how is this happening?”

  Hirauka: “Don’t worry. I just did what’s right.”

  Tears welled in her eyes.

  Sayaka: “Thank you, Hirauka… I thought I wouldn’t see another day.”

  Hirauka: “It’s okay. We are partners — part of the same guild.”

  Without hesitation, Sayaka leaned closer and pressed her lips against his. Hirauka felt a warmth — different from Yumeha’s, deeper, more intimate.

  Hirauka (breathless): “You… kissed me?”

  Sayaka (soft smile): “Yes… take it as a return for your help.”

  A quiet bond formed in that moment — one forged through battle, trust, and gratitude.