Yarin's POV:
"You're not my grandfather, so stop pretending to be one," I retorted coldly. "People on the brink of death should just patiently wait for their coffins. Acting like this at the end is
disgusting. Whoever becomes your family must have the worst luck for generations."
Even Linda had been harmed by him, hadn't she? Linda should have died long ago without his mental manipulation and deliberate guidance. There was no way she could have survived until now.
"I genuinely love you, Yarin. Our blood connects us; that's an undeniable fact," Azazel said, feigning a sad expression, which was nauseating.
I mocked, "I don't know any grandfather who loves their grandson so much that they'd try to take over his body for their own selfish gain. But considering you're a demon, I guess such nonsense is normal for you."
Sharp swords plunged into his joints, throat, and heart. These weren't ordinary weapons but infused with the silver pendant-the symbol of the power and authority the goddess once held. Perhaps humans couldn't kill a god, but another god could.
Azazel sensed the danger and dodged it repeatedly. Even on the brink of death, his mental strength remained formidable, and he continued to move freely within my mental realm. The obstacles the Moon Palace's courtyard created didn't hinder him significantly.
"You don't understand me, and I don't blame you. Children often can't comprehend the hardships of their elders." He sighed as if he were helpless between dodges.
"Your mortal body is limiting you, and your power can't reach its full potential anymore. You could have had so much more room for growth. Shapeshifting isn't just about changing yourself; it's about creating endless possibilities. But your physical body is too fragile now; it's reached its limit and wasted the potential of the divine embryo.
"Isn't this a mutually beneficial arrangement? I'm just borrowing your body for reincarnation. After I pass through death, I'll transform into an entirely new body. Meanwhile, I'll naturally return your body to its rightful owner. And you'll be elevated, my child, just like your mother. The gods create divinity, and divinity creates gods. You will become a brand-new deity nourished by divinity.
"You're the descendant of two gods-no, three, as your mother's divine lineage also flows within you. You'll become incredibly powerful because of this, stronger than even the oldest gods. You'll inherit the best qualities of me, your mother, and the Moon Goddess.
"Eventually, you'll become a true creator, and the world will be at your fingertips. Right now, you're just a mortal, but you've already shown the potential for creation. Destruction and consumption are evidence of your gathering strength!"
I had to admit, Azazel lived up to his name as a demon. He made the idea of body possession sound like it was for my benefit as if he were a selfless martyr.
But didn't he realize there was a fatal flaw in his eloquent speech?
One time, when an attack missed, I asked, "A new god?"
"Of course, my child. You're the descendant of gods, destined to become a new god."
I stopped my attack, and Azazel wore a satisfied smile.
"I don't expect you to understand the hardships of your elders, but planning a better future for yourself should be satisfying enough. Think about how miserable and dull life is for mortals. You're bound to experience shattered dreams, unrequited love, aging, illness, and death, unable to fulfill your desires.
"But by becoming a god, everything will be solved-like that girl who makes you so nervous. She's perfect; even I admit to being impressed by her resilience and courage.
"You becoming a god will resolve all the problems standing between you. You can mold her into the perfect partner, just like Adam did with Eve, create a beautiful garden to shelter her and shield her from danger and harm. You'll live together in eternal happiness.
"Come on, my child, accept the elevation, embrace rebirth, and become the supreme master who controls the future!"
As if touched by Azazel's vision of a perfect future, I lowered my sword, and the weapons surrounding Azazel fell one by one.
Azazel smiled, satisfied, opened his arms, and waited for me to embrace him.
"Firstly, for me to become a god, I need to be alive. You've taken over my body, so where does my soul go? You've said so much but haven't mentioned anything about the soul.
"Secondly, Lily doesn't need me to shelter her. She's not an optional rib; she's a lily born from the same soil. She's intelligent, powerful, and resilient. I've been broken-hearted over her, but I know she doesn't need any man to clear obstacles for her. That would be an insult to her. "Lastly, you're almost dead, right? If you still have the strength to fight, there's no need to coax me like this. You could just come at me directly, as you used to. The more you talk now, the more it reveals your lack of confidence. Azazel, you've enjoyed toying with people's hearts from ancient times to the present, but you've never truly understood us mortals. You've just relied on your power to act recklessly."
I raised my sword high, my gaze as sharp as the blade, and swung it directly at Azazel's vulnerable points.