Next came Scar—no, Sane. His real name. His voice, deep but shaken, cracked as he spoke:
"Mortal Sane pays his respect to Saviour God Deus Anima. Forgive my blasphemy."
Then came the voice of Scarlett Fox—Jane. Her eyes shimmered with tears that spilled freely, and her soft voice was thick with reverence, submission, and something even deeper—worship.
"Mortal Jane pays her respect to Saviour God Deus Anima. Forgive my blasphemy…"
Lucien Vane, the lone wolf, followed. His usually cold, sharp gaze was misted now. His words came out quietly, almost like a child confessing a sin.
"Mortal Lucien Vane pays his respect to Saviour God Deus Anima. Forgive my blasphemy."
Drake was next. Calm on the surface, but inside? A storm. It swirled behind his eyes. He felt thesame way the others felt.
"Mortal Drake pays his respect to Saviour God Deus Anima. Forgive my blasphemy."
Then came the towering figure known as Bald Eagle—Kareth Dune. His broad shoulders, once tense with pride, now hunched in guilt.
"Mortal Kareth Dune pays his respect to Saviour God Deus Anima. Forgive my blasphemy."
And lastly… Tigress.
Her name, her real name, was simply Tigress. She didn't speak loudly. She didn't need to. Her tears fell silently, dripping from her chin to the floor. Her voice was soft. Barely a whisper. But it carried everything.
"Mortal Tigress pays her respect to Saviour God Deus Anima…"
There was no anger now.
No pride.
Just kneeling mortals… begging forgiveness from the god they had wronged.
And above them, Deus stood still. Watching. Silent. Unmoving.
But in his silence… the entire world seemed to hold its breath. The breeze itself dared not blow.
Then, with a voice that rumbled like thunder muffled behind a veil of clouds, Deus finally spoke, breaking the silence with a single word.
"Stand."
His voice carried power—not loud, not soft, but absolute. It held weight beyond understanding, as if the world itself had no choice but to listen.
The group immediately rose to their feet. None dared delay.
"You are the first subordinates I have ever taken in this world," Deus continued, his gaze sweeping over each of them, "But do not take this as an honor. It is a burden. One that comes with responsibility and purpose."
He paused, his eyes narrowing.
"Unlike what you all might think… this world is not safe. It is in far greater danger than you could possibly comprehend."
His words struck like hammers.
The air grew colder, thicker. Even those with beast souls designed to suppress fear felt a chill crawl up their spines.
"So grow stronger," Deus said, his voice solemn and final. "That is the only way any of you will survive the siege that is to come."
The bounty hunters remained silent.
They didn't know what this 'siege' was. But they knew—for something to make someone like Deus speak in such a grave tone, it had to be catastrophic.
Even Scar, the oldest and calmest among them, found himself swallowing nervously.
And yet, Deus offered no reassurance.
He didn't soften their fears.
He didn't tell them they'd be fine.
He simply let the weight of reality sit on their shoulders like iron shackles.
Then, Lancelot raised his hand, a subtle gesture asking to speak.
Deus gave a slight nod.
Lancelot stepped forward, eyes still fixed on the great dragon that hovered behind Deus. "That… is that a real Void Shattering Dragon?"
It was a question the others silently wondered but didn't dare ask. To all of them, it had to be real.
But Deus' reply shattered that assumption instantly.
"No," he said plainly, "It isn't."
Lancelot frowned. 'How?'
The others exchanged confused glances, none of them understanding.
Deus looked at them, then let out a sigh, his brow creasing slightly.
'So… not a single person has discovered that level of beast soul yet?' he thought to himself. 'Even after 83 years?'
His expression darkened.
Then, speaking aloud again, he explained, "The Void Shattering Dragon you see is not a living beast. It is a beast soul—its soul essence so dense, so perfectly condensed, that it has achieved form beyond the soul realm. It exists physically, though it is forged of spirit energy alone."
The revelation hit them like a boulder.
Scarlet Fox gasped under her breath. Lone Wolf's eyes widened. Even Void blinked for the first time in minutes.
"I've heard rumors," Lancelot admitted quietly. "Most say it's impossible—that these aren't beast souls at all, just rare beasts tamed with taming-type souls…"
"Ooh?" Deus tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering across his face. It's impossible for even one person not to discover that level of beast soul it's been after all 83 years...
But it seems it isn't public knowledge yet, or rather public aren't accepting the info granted to it...
"It seems," he said softly, almost to himself, "ignorance truly is bliss."
Then, without further words, Deus lifted a hand, and threads of shimmering light shot out—one to each of them.
The threads vanished into their chests.
"An information-path beast soul," he said. "You can now communicate with me… and each other. No matter the distance."
The hunters instinctively clutched their chests, feeling the subtle presence of the link awaken within them. It was like a whisper in the back of their minds—distant, quiet, but unmistakable.
Lancelot suddenly felt a pulse in his soul.
Deus turned his gaze on him again.
"I've granted beast souls for your wife as well," Deus said. "
With beast souls Lancelot and his wife had received from Deus, The strength of both Emperor and Empress of the Great Dame empire would be able to rise beyond the limits of what this world will recognize.
Lancelot's eyes flickered. He bowed his head slightly, hiding the deep gratitude that stirred in his chest.
Then, with no further need for words, Deus turned.
The bounty hunters followed, their forms flashing through as they began the journey back to the Imperial Capital of Lancelot's Great Dame Empire alongside Lancelot.
With time and their strength, they'll surely be able to achieve a lot of things as long as no anomaly, nothing out of context occurs...