Once upon a time there was a greedy snake.

Chapter 423 The Four Gods Return
In the underworld, the ground that was once covered in yellow sand has been transformed into lush grasslands. If you ignore the gloomy sky above, it would actually be considered a very nice place to live.

However, for the residents living here, it's a completely different story.

Although it is called the Underworld, the dead do not reside here. For most of the dead, the Underworld is just a temporary transit point. After arriving in the Underworld, they either ascend to the gloomy sky and have their last beautiful dream in the boundless black clouds, or they dive into the depths of the earth and heal their last wounds in the soft light.

As for the underworld itself, no one stays here.

Besides, the Four Star Gods are locked here.

They had tried various methods to escape their predicament, and even now, they haven't given up on the idea of ​​returning to the material world. However, as they tried more and more, they felt that there was little hope.

They've all roamed the stars for countless years, each a powerful figure in their own right, yet they've capsized on this desolate planet. This is truly...

"Try again."

The mysterious god, who always resorts to intrigue and trickery, tries to unite his three companions.

In reality, for beings like them, there are no companions at all. Even the so-called "Four Star Gods" title is just a way for the civilizations that hunt them to make up a round number.

In fact, they didn't know each other before.

However, no matter how unfamiliar they are, they must form a united front now, at least for the God of Mysteries, it is essential to form a united front—not because he has suddenly changed his personality, but mainly because he really cannot get out on his own.

"So please, give it another try, I beg you."

The God of Mystery displayed an unprecedented sincerity.

"What if it works out?"

"Let's forget about it, it won't work out."

The giant, whose face was covered in scars, shook his head.

Looking at his dejected appearance, who would have thought that this giant was once worshipped by countless warriors and even revered as the god of courage?

The god of courage, who should have been the most courageous, has lost the courage to break free from his cage after repeated failures.

"This place is actually quite nice, isn't it?"

The god of courage even grinned, forcing out an ugly smile.

"Look at this grass, look at these trees, look at the mountains and water in the distance... Isn't this place beautiful?"

"..."

The God of Mysteries was speechless.

If this place is really that good, then what's with that deathly look on your face?

The god of courage has lost his courage, so we can only think of other ways. Perhaps we can ask the god of desire for help and see if we can boost everyone's spirits.

But just as this two-headed eagle turned its other head toward the god of desire...

He then discovered that the liquid crystal-like humanoid figure had somehow ended up lying on the ground, counting the dark clouds in the sky.

The God of Mystery tried calling out several times, but the God of Desire didn't respond. Clearly, the God of Desire had lost even the desire to speak to him.

Even the god of desire has become devoid of desire.

"no……"

When another attempt to communicate failed to elicit a response, the God of Mystery could only turn both of its heads toward the distant, mountain-like God of Destruction.

Although it is called the God of Destruction, the God of Mystery already knows that it is more accurate to call it the God of Life than the God of Destruction. However, its excessive vitality symbolizes destruction to other living beings.

But what about it?

Destroying others to achieve one's own success is the most basic and essential path of growth and evolution for life.

Walking such a path, the God of Destruction should not lack desire and courage, after all, it signifies the instinct for life, the origin of all things. Even if it's just because of this excessively vigorous life force, the God of Destruction will not be content to be trapped here. Unlike the other two so-called gods, this is a true powerhouse.

"So, let's think of a solution."

The mysterious god attempted to unite the small mountain before him.

"Let's think of something, at least to get them both up, and then we'll look again to see if there's any way out..."

"We're trying to figure something out."

The small hill in front of me answered in this way.

This made the God of Mysteries excited for the first time in a long time. He was even a little excited and wanted to cry. He could only say that he was a god who pointed directly to the origin of life. He was completely different from the other two useless people!
"Have you thought of any good ideas?"

The God of Mysteries subconsciously added a sentence.

And the small hill in front of him retorted.

"not yet."

"I'm still thinking about how to become a real mountain."

Is this the solution you came up with?

It was at this moment that the God of Mystery realized that the one with the strongest aura of death was not the God of Courage from before, but the God of Destruction before him.

Even if the god of courage is dejected, at least his soul is still active.

And this mountain-like God of Destruction, who should have possessed vigorous vitality, was actually trying to abandon the activation of his soul so that he could become a mountain covered with grass.

Perhaps in the eyes of this god of destruction, this is practicing his own way of life, who knows?

But what's the difference between this practice and suicide?
"This can't go on like this."

The God of Mysteries had never been so distressed. He never imagined that he, who could once easily devise countless schemes, would end up in such a desperate situation.

Perhaps this was the snake's way of executing the four of them.

What bound them was not only the Netherworld before them, but also the long life itself. In this empty Netherworld, there was nothing they could do. So, after trying everything, all that was left for the four of them was to wait for death.

Waiting for death to come, waiting for the soul to vanish, waiting for one's consciousness to dissipate into this world.

It would be better to just kill all four of them directly; that would be much simpler.

"It's alright, it's alright. As long as the soul hasn't been extinguished, there's always hope..."

The God of Mysteries comforted himself in this way, and he had used this method to encourage himself countless times.

But behind every glimmer of hope lies another layer of despair; in this desolate underworld, all his efforts are in vain.

But this time, only.

It seems that some different changes have occurred.

"This is……"

The God of Mystery gazed into the distance of the Underworld.

It was as if he had suddenly connected with a part of his own flesh and blood.

No matter how rare or scarce it may be.

But that was ultimately a backup plan he left outside.

(End of this chapter)