New York City, Roland Family Estate.
"According to the latest news, during Stark Industries' press conference, Tony Stark admitted he is Iron Man. Let's switch to the footage..."
"Meanwhile, a strange fog has been spotted in several small towns across the country. Whenever this fog appears, the towns are completely cut off from the outside world, and no one can get in. What happens inside remains unknown. Our station has teamed up with local authorities to launch an investigation. Today we've invited experts to analyze what this fog really is..."
Jason Kin turned off the television. Wearing only a bath towel, he left the soft bed and sat on the couch. Effie and Bismarck were still resting.
A streak of divine light flashed. A tall, elegant woman appeared before him. It was none other than Icarus.
"Master, the matter of the dark fog has been investigated. Just as you suspected, the one behind it is Mephisto, the ruler of the Hell Dimension. This time, he only sent his useless son, the Heart Demon. But from the Heart Demon's dying words, it seems Mephisto is preparing to descend. It won't be long before he arrives with his army to invade Earth!"
Jason nodded calmly, as though he had expected it. "It seems Dormammu of the Dark Dimension has reached some kind of deal with Mephisto. Otherwise, they wouldn't move at the same time. One rules darkness, the other hell. Truly a rotten match."
"Master, they are too arrogant. This planet has you, yet they still dare to covet it. They all deserve death!" Icarus declared firmly.
Jason chuckled. "Yes, they deserve death. But it won't be that easy. Two dimensional rulers joining hands is troublesome. I must get stronger quickly. By the way, was there any gain from this mission?"
"There was, Master. I seized a scroll from the Heart Demon and gave it to Vog, instructing him to offer it as a sacrifice next time."
"A scroll?"
"Yes, something called the San Venganza Contract."
"The San Venganza Contract? Interesting. You've done well. What reward would you like?" Jason smiled warmly.
"This is what I should do as your servant. I don't need rewards. As long as I can stay by your side, that is enough," Icarus replied loyally.
Jason shook his head. "I am always fair. Mistakes are punished, but contributions must be rewarded. Tell me one thing you want, and I'll see if I can grant it."
Hearing this, Icarus hesitated, her face turning crimson. She stammered, "Master, anything at all?"
"Of course."
"Then... I want to grow stronger. If I become stronger, I can share more of your burden," she said earnestly.
"Stronger? You already have the strength of a demigod. Going beyond that is difficult, even for me."
"Master, I believe you can. Bismarck became stronger because of you. She... she told me about that method. I want to try it too." Icarus's voice grew shy.
Jason was speechless. The method that strengthened Bismarck was, of course, that matter. He hadn't expected the normally cold Bismarck to share such secrets, but clearly the women had grown close enough to talk about even their private affairs. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or worry.
"Now?" Jason asked with a grin.
"Now... is that possible?" Icarus glanced toward the bedroom, her face full of anticipation.
"Of course. It's all up to you."
"Then... Master, please begin."
Blushing furiously, she lowered her head. Jason smiled, lifted her into his arms, and carried her into the bedroom. With a wave of divine power, the door shut behind them.
[Name]: Icarus
[Category]: Celestial Being — Mecha Girl
[Core]: Blood-Edge Armor
[Faith]: Saint
[Rank]: Ninth-tier Demigod
[Abilities]: Strategic Universal Angel
[Skills]: Dual Variable Wing System, Holy Light of Life (Lv2), Deadly Thorns (Lv2)
[Standard Equipment]: Energy Cannon, Laser Sword, Fusion Armament
[Enhanced Equipment]: Homing Air-to-Air Missiles, Absolute Defense Field, Final Weapon Apollo, Ultra-Heat Compression Cannon
[Personality]: Kind-hearted, naturally airheaded
"She really advanced to Saint level... so this method truly works!"
Jason studied Icarus's status, astonished. He had thought Bismarck's case was unique, but now Icarus too had evolved from Apostle to Saint. It was unbelievable.
However, Effie could not advance by the same method. As he had suspected, only those whom he personally awakened could undergo this change. That left Laffey... which made him sigh.
The thought of the white-haired little loli made him shake his head. That method was definitely out of the question for her, at least for now. He would need to find another way.
Still, though Icarus's raw strength had not increased as dramatically as Bismarck's, her bond with Jason had deepened. The flow of divine power between them strengthened her body, raising her power somewhat, though not by much. Bismarck's leap from Legendary to Demigod was far more drastic.
After the Heart Demon incident, Jason also gained more believers.
Faith Interface:
[Saints]: 2
[Apostles]: 2
[Fanatics]: 1312
[Devout Believers]: 2186
[True Believers]: 882
[Shallow Believers]: 155
Compared to before, there were over a hundred more fanatics, three hundred more devout believers, and two hundred more true believers.
Saints alone provided over a thousand faith points daily. Combined with the rest, Jason now received at least twenty thousand faith points per day, an increase of five thousand compared to before. That meant six hundred thousand points a month. In two months, over a million.
Still, he wasn't satisfied. Two months of faith just to condense a single thread of divine power, and a hundred threads were required to reach the rank of a true god. At this rate, becoming a true god would take decades. Thanos would arrive long before then.
He needed to accelerate his growth, expand his church, and push his daily faith income into six figures. Only then could he meet his goals.
But doing so would not be easy. He would need the right opportunity.
"The arrival of Mephisto is a threat, but also a chance. If I reveal the true power of the Lord of Life, the church will rise, and my number of believers will soar."
Jason stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Time passed. Soon, another offering came from Vog and Effie. This time, Vog sacrificed the San Venganza Contract he had retrieved from the Heart Demon. Effie offered another warship from the Roland Shipyard.
Jason's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Another round of rewards was about to begin.
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1087 Words