The fighters froze as the shadows noticed that they were being outnumbered. The only option left for the new god was to try and slip away or somehow find a way to take us all out in one swoop.

The god chose to do the latter and started to gather power in the middle of the shop. The intention to cause an explosion was rather obvious to me.

"Everyone, prevent the bodies from gathering together. They are going to blow up."

I informed everyone, and the focus shifted from killing these creatures to making sure they did not combine and cause a huge mess.

We were not able to hold the creatures back fully, but just as the creatures were about to make their way to each other, a barrier formed around them, causing them to be stuck away from each other.

"Looks like the witches have heard what you said and decided to help out, shopkeeper. Not that I expected anything less from your social networking skills."

Officer Henry let out a laugh as he saw the barrier before he went back to fighting.

With the only way for these creatures to gain an advantage gone, they decided to make one final attempt at getting past our security.

They started to turn into the people we knew, and some even turned into our own people.

But we all had kept track of who was where, and the creatures did not bother us much in that regard.

Finally, after a long fight, the first wave was subdued and decided to retreat. I let out a sigh as I watched my surroundings become calm once more.

"Phew, that was a tough battle. Shopkeeper, are you alright? Do you feel hurt? What about the shop? Is anything damaged?"

Leo asked as he and his sister quickly took care of the remaining few shadows before they walked over to me.

I was fine, but the same could not be said for the shop I was standing in.

Somehow, the books and the shelves had survived any damage, but the normal furniture in the store was all broken. I would have to buy a lot of new stuff soon.

Still, I forced a smile at the fact that I had survived this encounter and come out unharmed.

"I am fine. The same could not be said for the furniture around me. Looks like I will have to go shopping soon."

I tried to joke, but it fell flat. No one smiled at my joke, much less laughed.

"The situation seems to be getting more and more serious. Whatever that thing is, it wants to crawl all over our town. I have a feeling that things are far from over."

Officer Henry shuddered as he walked toward us as well. His department was helping out another shop now.

"The more important question would be-why this store? Why did those creatures single out this bookstore and attack it? Is there anything special about this place?"

Lina Bergs sounded confused and intrigued at the same time. Before I could answer her, Officer Henry spoke.

"This store is… special. But not as special as the shopkeeper. Whatever the reason behind this attack was, we need to make sure this does not happen again."

He quickly changed the topic.

I turned toward Nyx and Erebus, who looked worried but had helped out during the attack as well. They did not deserve to go through this bullshit that was going on.

"Nyx, Erebus, should we get something to eat? Let me see what we have left over, and I will cook something up for you."

Unfortunately, I would not be able to order takeout using faith points because the system was down. But I should have some stuff lying around here… somewhere.

The kids looked surprised but happy at the mention of food. I felt relieved to see that they were not depressed.

"Wow-! Did someone say something about food? I am hungry as well. So, what are you cooking, shopkeeper? I hope it is something nice. Wait-! Am I invited for breakfast as well?"

Officer Henry asked, interjecting himself into the situation.

His second-in-command looked beyond pissed, her face red with embarrassment at what her boss was forcing her to endure.

Her hand flexed, not knowing what she wanted to do in this situation but also knowing that there was not much she could do either.

"Boss, we don't have time for this. We need to head back and file a report—"

"Lina, there are a few things in life that come before reports, and food is one of them. Now, would you please sit down and have something to eat with me? I am hungry."

Lina only sighed and gave me an apologetic look before she joined me in the kitchen.

"I am sorry for becoming a burden to you, shopkeeper. Here, let me help you out as well. I have a feeling you will need all the help you can get in the kitchen."

I likely wouldn't need any help because I had already bought everything chopped online beforehand. But Lina asking to help me was also not bad.

Leo joined as well (which I had to regulate), and between us, I managed to finish all the ingredients and cook something up.

Fortunately, we had enough food to give a small serving to most of the officers and share among ourselves, and they left for the patrol after that.

The witches had left a long time ago, and the shop finally felt empty enough for me to relax.

"Shopkeeper, what should we do about the store now? What if those shadows come back? What are we going to do?"

Nyx asked as she looked around. Her eyes looked heavy with regret and anger over what had happened, and I quickly ruffled her hair.

"Things will be just fine. The shop will be fine as well. As for those creatures, they got lucky this time because of… something. Next time, we will be prepared for them."

I told Nyx, and she gave me a trusting glance.

Leo and Luna were packing some things that I had asked them to keep in their room for now. It was no longer safe to keep things down here when the lock and the front door were broken.

"We will help out."

"We can fix door."

"We will make it much stronger."

The fairies assured me before they started to work on the store.

"Shopkeeper, are you sure it is fine for the fairies to help us out? What if they cause traps or problems…"

Leo asked in a concerned voice, but I just gave him a small smile.

"It will be fine. The fairies have been here for a long time, and they know what they are doing. They might have a better understanding of this store compared to me as well. Just… allow them to do what they want."

Leo nodded, though he still looked worried.

There wasn't much else to do but get the store back in shape. By the time we were done, it was time for the system's update to finish as well.

My heart beat faster and faster in my chest as I waited for the new system update to complete.

[Ding!]

[System has finished updating. Your personal ascension will begin. Please make sure you are not disturbed for the next hour.]

'So I need to be alone for an hour? That should be easy.'

I made an excuse that I wanted to sleep for some time and not be disturbed, so I quickly went back to my room and locked myself in.

[Once you start this process, you will no longer be human. Would you still like to proceed?]

The system warned, and I quickly looked past the question and pressed yes.

[Last check-are you sure you want to give up your humanity?]

The system asked once more, and it felt a little weird how assertive it was being.

However, I had made up my mind, and I was not going to go back on it.

"I want to do this. You do not have to ask again."

The system went quiet before the screen on my phone lit up and light engulfed me.

[Ascension has begun. Soon, you will be turned into a god.]

My heart hammered in my chest with excitement. I could not help but feel a little nervous as I closed my eyes.

Finally, my wish to head back home would be fulfilled….

Outside, I heard loud noises, but my consciousness was fading.

'Huh-! Is something going on out there? I hope the kids are able to handle it for just an hour…'

I thought before the blankness took over my senses, and I was no longer in the same world as before.

Knowledge rushed through my mind, and the truth of the world seemed to lay bare in front of me. My senses felt numb, and a new kind of power hummed under my skin.

My heart felt as if it were racing and yet calm at the same time.

Finally, after all this, I had become a god… but I still did not feel as if anything was different about me.

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