As Clark was still lost in thought, marveling at the absurd amount of divinity and the sheer potential of the Discount Card resting quietly in his interface, the system chimed again.
[DING!]
[Announcement from the Universal Will]
"Congratulations. You have successfully survived 2 days in the Divine Continent."
"Divine Pressure Countdown: 5 Days Remaining."
"You are now eligible for the Ancient God Sponsorship Program."
Clark's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ancient God Sponsorship?"
This was a new term that hadn't appeared before. He instinctively pulled up the new window that had appeared.
[Ancient God Sponsorship Program]
Eligibility: Gods who have survived the first 2 days on the Divine Continent.
Sponsors: Ancient Gods who have passed the multiple trials of the Universal Will and claimed their Divine Thrones. (Rank 10+ Gods.)
Current Sponsors Available:
God of War (Authority: Combat, Bloodline, Valor)
Goddess of Life (Authority: Healing, Nature, Creation)
Goddess of Luck (Authority: Fortune, Probability, Destiny)
God of Fire (Authority: Flames, Destruction, Rebirth)
God of Shadows (Authority: Assassination, Espionage, Secrets)
God of Stars (Authority: Cosmic Power, Space, Prophecy)
Clark exhaled lightly, his mind racing.
"So... they're the ones who came long before us."
These were the true titans of this world — ancient beings who had survived countless Divine Pressure cycles, passed endless trials, and seized divine thrones that granted them near-absolute authority over specific domains.
Compared to them, all the gods like him who had just descended onto the continent were like infants crawling in a battlefield of titans.
And now these beings were observing them — selecting potential candidates to sponsor.
[System Notice]
"Ancient God Sponsorships are strictly voluntary. Selection criteria is based on personal preference of each Ancient God."
"Benefits, gifts, or tasks may vary according to Sponsor."
"Caution: Some sponsorships may come with conditions or oaths of loyalty."
Clark's expression grew more serious.
"So it's both a blessing and a trap," he muttered softly.
To receive the guidance, resources, or knowledge from one of these Ancient Gods could launch him far ahead of his peers. But at the same time, entering into a binding sponsorship might chain his future under their shadow.
The forum was already exploding as gods across the continent were reacting to the announcement.
[Global Chat - System Channel]
Skyblade Monarch: "Ancient Gods! We actually have a chance to be sponsored!"
Crimson Dawn Oracle: "I heard some sponsors give out rare skills or divine artifacts!"
Night Wolf Sovereign: "But some sponsorships have brutal restrictions... Be careful!"
Frostblood Warlord: "The God of War… If I could get his blessing… I might become unstoppable."
White Crane Goddess: "What if you get the Goddess of Luck? That's practically cheating!"
Stone Flame Lord: "Some of you should read the fine print before throwing yourselves at them."
Clark didn't rush. His cautious nature made him observe silently for now.
"Opportunities always come with danger... I still need to fully understand the system."
For now, sponsorship invitations hadn't appeared for him yet. But it was likely some Ancient Gods were already observing his actions, especially after his forum post had placed him among the top influencers.
And Clark understood one thing very clearly:
"They're watching."
Just as Clark was deep in thought, his mind sorting through the possibilities of the sponsorship system, the air suddenly shifted.
Without warning, the entire Holy Sanctuary trembled.
The sky darkened unnaturally, as though a colossal hand had swept away the sun itself. A crimson light, like the hue of ancient blood, flooded the horizon. The wind howled, and a pressure that felt like the weight of a mountain slammed down upon the land.
The ground cracked. The air thickened. Breathing became a struggle.
The Banished Crusaders outside fell to one knee instantly, their faces pale as they gasped for breath. Even the newly recruited B-rank villagers collapsed in worship, unable to resist the crushing weight of the divine force descending upon them.
Seraphiel, standing near the palace steps, gritted her teeth. Veins bulged from her neck as she struggled to stay upright, her wings trembling violently. Despite her SSS-rank strength, she was like a leaf beneath a raging storm.
Lilith knelt beside her, her beautiful face slightly contorted as the pressure pressed upon her shoulders like iron chains. Even with her S-rank might, she could barely maintain her balance under this oppressive force.
Clark's expression hardened. His muscles tensed instinctively as the sheer might of the visitor seeped into his bones. He felt as if he stood before an endless battlefield soaked in blood, with countless fallen warriors crying out in unison.
[Warning: Divine Authority Detected — Rank 11: Ancient God of War]
Then, the sky above his domain tore open like fragile silk, revealing a burning crimson eye, vast and indifferent, staring directly at him.
It wasn't a full descent, merely an avatar — a projection of the Ancient God's attention — but even that fragment carried unimaginable might.
"Verdant God," a voice like rolling thunder echoed directly into Clark's soul, bypassing the air itself. "You have caught My interest."
Every word carried immeasurable weight, vibrating through the very fabric of the domain. The laws of nature seemed to bend beneath each syllable.
Clark stood firm.
He did not kneel. He did not tremble.
Instead, his sharp gaze met the massive eye in the sky.
"I greet the Ancient God of War," he said calmly, his voice steady despite the immense pressure trying to crush him.
A faint hum rumbled in response, almost like a chuckle from the heavens.
"You have potential. You wield divine authority, command loyalty, and show restraint where many grow arrogant. I offer you sponsorship. Pledge yourself beneath My banner, and I shall temper you into a blade worthy of the battlefield of gods."
The offer hung in the air, carrying both promise and peril.
In the distance, Lilith wings were already forced flat against the ground. Seraphiel could only barely lift her head to gaze at Clark, waiting silently for his response.
Clark remained quiet.
His mind raced as the Ancient God of War's offer echoed within his soul. The promise of sponsorship, of guidance and power, was tempting—yet dangerous. To submit under such a being could bring great fortune, but at the cost of freedom. The weight of the offer wasn't something to answer lightly.
But before Clark could even formulate a reply, a new force descended.
The very heavens split open once more — not with oppressive might, but with pure, neutral authority. It was cold, absolute, and all-encompassing.
A beam of silvery-white light pierced through the crimson sky like a sword, striking between Clark and the eye of the Ancient God of War.
[Universal Will Descending — Balance Enforcement]
The pressure that had been suffocating the land instantly shattered like glass. The crushing aura dispersed, and the air grew light once more. Even the crack in the sky began to seal as if nothing had happened.
[Warning: Ancient Gods are forbidden from interfering directly with developing deities. Sponsorship invitations must follow standard protocols.]
The booming voice of the Universal Will was emotionless, yet its presence was absolute.
The crimson eye narrowed, seemingly irritated. A long pause followed, the weight of an invisible stare bearing down one final time upon Clark.
"Hmph. I have overstepped."
"We shall speak again, Verdant God."
And with that, the eye dissolved into sparks of blood-red light, vanishing completely. The oppressive pressure faded entirely, leaving only silence in its wake.
Clark exhaled deeply, feeling the cold sweat trickling down his back. His hands clenched for a moment before slowly relaxing.
Lilith collapsed to one knee, gasping. Seraphiel quickly steadied her.
Clark turned his eyes upward where the sky had fully returned to normal feeling helpless...