ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM

003 - ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM

"Even if I can't retaliate against you all directly, for the death of my lover and myself." Artemis glared sharply at the gods present.

"But remember, my descendant will bring you all down! Sooner or later, this Heavenly Throne will crumble because of your own actions!" gasped Artemis, nearly depleted of strength.

"Black Hole! Condense and enter my child’s body! Become the energy to awaken the grand legacy I bestow upon him! Guard him until he avenges me!" he exclaimed.

The Black Energy Sphere, which had not been destroyed earlier, only became stronger against Heaven’s Punishment.

The combined power of the gods suddenly vanished as if nothing happened and reappeared as a marble-sized black ball.

Then, the black ball filled with energy entered the forehead of Artemis's baby, activating a sky-defying mechanism, an immense power.

[Introduction to the new Master completed. From now on, the Eternal Insect System will gladly merge with your soul, Little Master! Farewell to my former Master]

The mysterious voice instantly made Artemis smile, and he quickly cast his little baby into a dimensional portal.

He was no longer able to withstand Heaven's Punishment, especially after giving all his essence to the little child, his son.

In an instant, both the baby and the surrounding dimensional rift disappeared. Now only a weakened Artemis remained, bowing to the ground.

With his life’s last moments, he tried to reach for the lifeless body of his lover not far from him. Then, he smiled for the last time.

"I'm sorry, my Love! Our little one must struggle alone in this harsh world. But rest assured, I have equipped him with something even these gods don’t know of! He will–"

Before Artemis could finish his final words to Inggrid, something pre-empted him. The gods unleashed the most potent version of Heaven’s Punishment.

"Heaven's Punishment Arise: We, the Gods, Demand the Annihilation of Existence!" all the gods chanted in unison.

Followed by the Creator God, who sternly rebuked Artemis, "Rather than letting you live, wreaking havoc on the Heavenly Throne! Better you die with your wife's corpse! DIE, GUARDIAN GOD OF THE WORLD!"

The Creator God controlled Heaven's Punishment, emitting a blinding light that pulverized every part of Artemis into dust.

He died beside Inggrid, the Guardian God of the World’s wife, both smiling meaningfully in death.

Slowly, their bodies turned to dust. No remnants of their souls or bodies remained. They both passed away flawlessly, without a trace.

The gods present were relieved, but orders from Frigg Asa kept them busy, all because Artemis managed to send his baby to the underworld.

"Quickly, find that child! I don't care how you do it, just find him! If not, you will face the consequences!" shouted Goddess Frigg Asa, commanding hundreds of gods.

"Yes, Goddess! We will find him!" the gods exclaimed, setting off to search for the child of Artemis and Inggrid throughout the world.

"We must find him, no matter what! At least let us see him killed! The child might fulfill Artemis' curse! You should also go and find him, my Daughter!"

The Creator God approached, giving this order. He stared at the scorched altar in front of him, the remains of Artemis and his wife.

"Alright, Father! I will find him immediately!" Goddess Frigg Asa set out and began to roam the world. She revealed her true nature, ruthless and vile.

Throughout the search for the baby, she ordered all the gods to kill every newborn of the day. Truly heartless.

It's apt to say her cruelty matches her title and power’s name, the Goddess of Destruction. She didn't consider the future consequences at all.

Sadly, even though they searched to the ends of the earth, the infant child of Artemis and Inggrid couldn't be found, due to a special protection continuously guarding the little one.

Frigg Asa's subordinate deities even ordered millions of angels to search, but the result remained the same, they couldn't locate the child of God Artemis.

***

Several days later, at the Farm Field, in the Village of Thousand Insect.

The Baron of the Village of Thousand Insect was harvesting his not-so-great rice, plagued by numerous summer pests.

While engaged in this task, he unintentionally spotted a silhouette of light falling from the sky, revealing a golden-laced basket that landed not far from him.

Curious upon seeing the oddity, the Baron approached to confirm. Soon after, he saw what was inside the basket.

To his astonishment, it contained a baby. "Why is there a baby here? Did it fall from the sky?" wondered the Baron, named Gunnar Balder, shifting his gaze between the baby and the heavens above.

Gunnar Balder was tall, muscular, and firmly built. His sharp eyes and long black hair complemented his look.

Despite being middle-aged, he still appeared handsome, his neat beard imparting a masculine and calm demeanor.

Gunnar tried to check the baby's condition inside the golden basket. But as he attempted to touch it, he noticed blood stains on its handle.

He also observed parts of the basket that were frail and nearly shattered. He instantly felt that something significant was connected to this infant.

After some contemplation, Gunnar aimed to touch the baby and leave the basket behind. But he couldn't, as there was a transparent shield protecting the infant.

"Damn, that hurt!" Gunnar exclaimed, clutching his burnt hand, which felt as though it had been scorched by a peculiar fire infused with potent magic.

"This is a powerful protection. Even I, a former High Wizard of the kingdom, can't breach it. It seems this baby is no ordinary child," he concluded.

Gunnar paused, pondering who the baby might be and its connection to him, who had long lived in this remote village.

He mulled over this until dusk approached, and he still hadn't found an answer to the question in his head.

"Enough of this headache! Let's consider this a divine response to the prayers of my wife and me, wishing for a child," he thought, magically lifting the golden basket.

For a long while, Gunnar pondered alone without finding an answer to his inner queries. Now, he decided to consult his wife.

Before he knew it, he arrived at their simple wooden-block house. His middle-aged wife greeted him joyfully.

They were a contented couple, having retired from their former professions and now living peacefully in this quaint village.

"Welcome–" The sweet smile on his wife, Hilda Inggrid's face, faded instantly upon seeing the baby accompanying him.

Her eyes widened, and she unknowingly exuded a strong magical aura and pressure.

"Who is this baby?" she sharply inquired, a hint of jealousy evident in her voice.